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☆ China retail sales, investment data miss expectations in April
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING — China reported data Friday that pointed to slower growth on the consumer side while industrial activity remained robust. Retail sales rose by 2.3% in April from a year ago, the National Bureau of Statistics said. That was less than the 3.8% increase forecast by a Reuters poll, and slower than the 3.1% pace reported in March. But fixed asset investment rose by 4.2% for the first four months of the year, lower than the 4.6% expected increase. Statistics bureau spokeswoman Liu Aihua pointed out that last year, the multi-day May 1 Labor Day holiday had included two days in April.

Persons: Liu Aihua, Liu Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, China's Ministry of Commerce, Labor, Statistics, Oxford Locations: Huai'an, China, BEIJING — China

☆ These tiny EVs are making a big impact
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Here are some of the tiny EVs making a splash in Asia and Europe. AdvertisementChief among those is the Seagull, a tiny EV that can go 305 km on a single charge and costs $11,000. SOPA Images/Getty ImagesJapan has long had a soft spot for tiny EVs, known as Kei cars — and the Nissan Sakura is one of the most popular. BITechnically speaking, the Citroen Ami isn't an electric car at all, but an "electric quadricycle." The tiny microcar has been on sale in Europe since 2021, with a UK launch mooted for later this year.

Persons: —, Nissan Sakura, Tesla, Aly Song, Reuters BYD, Elon, HECTOR RETAMAL, Citroen Ami, Citroen Ami isn't, Ami, Merlin Ouboter Organizations: Service, Nissan, Tesla, Ford, Business, Reuters, SAIC, General Motors, Japan, Citroen, BI, Getty Locations: China, Japan, Europe, Asia, Guang, Shanghai, France, London, Swiss

☆ With Few Details About Assassination Attempt, Questions Swirl in Slovakia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Katarina Urban Richterova | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Questions were swirling in Slovakia on Friday, as shock over the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico began to give way to trepidation over what comes next for the deeply polarized country. The authorities have kept details about the attack, the assailant and even who is leading the country while the prime minister is hospitalized to a minimum. Officials say they will provide more information soon but that the situation is sensitive. They have called the shooting politically motivated, while urging the public and politicians to dial down political rhetoric and hatred as investigations play out. The police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Robert Fico Locations: Slovakia, Slovak, Levice

☆ Opinion: Israel could defeat Hamas in Gaza more quickly if the US didn’t hold it back, this military expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Hilary Krieger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

CNN: Do you think that Israel can defeat Hamas without conducting a ground invasion in Rafah? The fact is that Rafah’s where the hostages and remaining Hamas military power and leadership are believed to be, their rockets and weapons production and other capabilities, everything. CNN: Couldn’t Israel’s offensive still have the effect of creating more militants who are going to join Hamas and fight against Israel? But it’s also a very winnable war for Hamas at this point because wars are not determined just by military capability. The problem is that the international community pushed Israel into this framework of going slower, going methodically, evacuating every area beforehand.

Persons: CNN —, John Spencer, Spencer, John Spencer Spencer, He’s, ” Spencer, JACK GUEZ, they’ve, we’re, there’s, Couldn’t, David Petraeus, Petraeus, who’s, it’s, You’ve, Dawoud Abo, Israel, I’ve, Israel doesn’t, that’s, — we’re, they’re, would’ve Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Modern, Institute, IDF, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Getty, Israel, Nazi, Spencer, Shiva, Dawoud Abo Alkas, ISIS, UN, Gaza, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Israel, Gaza, Iraq, West, Rafah, Spencer, Israeli, Hamas, Gaza City, AFP, Iran, Palestine, Northern Gaza, Afghanistan, United States, Egypt, Sinai, Anadolu, Qaida, Mosul, Panama, Tokyo

Blum turned to programs mostly in states where abortion access — and, by extension, abortion training — is likely to remain protected, like California, Colorado, and New Mexico. The AAMC analysis found the number of applicants to OB-GYN residency programs in abortion ban states dropped by 6.7%, compared with a 0.4% increase in states where abortion remains legal. For internal medicine, the drop observed in abortion ban states was over five times as much as in states where abortion is legal. The AAMC analysis notes that even in states with abortion bans, residency programs are filling their positions — mostly because there are more graduating medical students in the U.S. and abroad than there are residency slots. Stulberg and others worry that this self-selection away from states with abortion restrictions will exacerbate the shortages of physicians in rural and underserved areas.

Persons: — Isabella Rosario Blum, Blum, —, “, ”, Atul Grover, ” Jack Resneck Jr, Wade, Resneck, Beverly Gray, Gray, Duke, Rohini Kousalya Siva, Kousalya Siva, “ We’re, Debra Stulberg, Stulberg, Hannah Light, Olson, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: Health, —, Association of American Medical Colleges, KFF Health, OB, Research, Action Institute, American Medical Association, Duke University School of Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington , D.C, D.C, American Medical Student Association, Department of Family Medicine, University of Chicago, University of California, CNN, CNN Health, Residents, KFF Locations: Arizona, California , Colorado, New Mexico . Arizona, Seattle, Midwest, U.S, North Carolina, Washington ,, Maryland , New Hampshire , New York, Washington, Virginia, Tennessee, San Francisco, California, New York

☆ After 3 years in Thailand, I moved back to New York. It didn't feel like home anymore, so I took off again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Elizabeth Lavis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewAs I tucked into a bowl of wisp-thin Thai rice noodles studded with bok choy and sprinkled with fried garlic, all I could do was wax poetic about Buffalo wings. My favorite basket always came from a local dive bar in Western New York, 15 miles from Niagara Falls. I missed reliable transportation, manageable bugs, the change of seasons, my friends and family, and the Great Lakes comfort food I'd been pining for. I even realized that my definition of comfort food had changed. AdvertisementWhen I left for Thailand almost a decade ago, I imagined that I'd be going back to my "real life" after six months.

Persons: —, bok choy, Chang, Garth Brooks, Reuben, Koh Samui, I'd, who's, Uber, Costa Rica Elizabeth Lavis, gallo pinto Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Western New York, Niagara Falls, Thailand, Buffalo, Gulf, Thai, Laos, Costa Rica, Coast, Linzano, Bangkok

☆ Average consumer carries $6,218 in credit card debt, as more borrowers are falling behind on their payments
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Americans now owe $1.12 trillion on their credit cards, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Tuesday. Keeping up with credit card debt is getting more difficult. "Rent, when you have it, auto loans, utilities, these are all things consumers prioritize ahead of credit cards." As a result, credit card delinquency rates are higher across the board, the New York Fed and TransUnion found. Over the last year, roughly 8.9% of credit card balances transitioned into delinquency, the New York Fed reported.

Persons: Charlie Wise, TransUnion's, Young, Wise, TransUnion, Kassandra Martinchek Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of New, New York Fed, Finance, Fed, Urban Institute Locations: TransUnion, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, , New

While he suffered in wet running shoes all day, a few of the guides around him were wearing Teva sandals. In the last 30 years, Paigen's take on the sport sandal, Chaco, has become a cult favorite among outdoor adventurers worldwide. With the sandal design finalized, all that was left to decide was a name. AdvertisementTaking a closer look at the Chaco Z/1 Classic SandalChaco now sells many different sandal styles. For years I was firmly against wearing sandals, but I've softened my stance recently.

Persons: Mark Paigen, Paigen's, Paigen, I've, I'm, Chacos, — Sally Kaplan, they'd, Lavender, couldn't, Connie Chen, Chaco, — Breton Fischetti, REI Organizations: Business, Wolverine Worldwide, Urban Outfitters, Commerce Urban, Amazon, Nordstrom, Nike Locations: Colorado, Chaco, New York, —

☆ Uber wants to conquer the suburbs and it's starting with Costco
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Uber is offering new perks for Costco lovers as it looks to expand into the suburbs. Members and non-members can now shop Costco on Uber Eats for delivery of groceries and more. AdvertisementAs Uber looks to expand its reach beyond cities, the company is forging an alliance with the veritable king of suburbia: Costco. The ride-hailing and delivery service on Wednesday announced a new partnership with the wholesale club that will bring Costco groceries and merchandise to customers via Uber Eats. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, Dara Khosrowshahi Organizations: Costco, Uber, Service, CNBC, Wednesday, Business

☆ Haunting photos show a Six Flags in New Orleans that has been abandoned for almost 2 decades
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Gabbi Shaw | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

During Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Six Flags New Orleans was completely flooded. Since then, the park has stood abandoned, save for visits from urban explorers and alligators. A lease was signed in October 2023 to begin redeveloping the land, but work has not started yet. AdvertisementBefore Hurricane Katrina hammered the Gulf Coast in 2005, killing almost 1,400 people and destroying millions of dollars worth of property, there was a Six Flags just outside New Orleans. Almost two decades later, Six Flags New Orleans still sits abandoned, now a time capsule of life before Katrina.

Persons: —, Axios, it's Organizations: Flags, Service, Business Locations: Orleans, New Orleans

☆ Trump’s playboy past is in the spotlight. His allies are readying a new fight against pornography
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Steve Contorno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

A movement to rein in online pornography is rapidly intensifying, fueled by conservative outrage and growing unease over the accessibility of sexual content online, especially for children. Pornography is mentioned on the first page; banning pornography and locking up those who produce it are proposed on Page 5. He was an occasional guest at Hugh Hefner’s famed Playboy Mansion and made cameos in soft-core pornographic films produced by the company – though not in any scenes depicting sexual content or nudity. ‘Sex is the canary in the coal mine’The Supreme Court has deemed previous attempts to curb online pornography unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds. They were designed to protect adults from accessing adult content, which, of course, is their stated aim.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, “, ”, Terry Schilling, Hugh Hefner’s, Stormy Daniels, Karen McDougal –, McDougal, Daniels, Kevin Roberts, ” Roberts, ” Roberts hasn’t, Ben Carson, Charlie Kirk, Chris LaCivita, Susie Wiles, President Trump, LaCivita, Wiles, Mike Stabile, ” Pornhub, –, Robert Winterton, Pornhub, Solomon Friedman, It’s, ” Schilling, Paul Dans, Stabile, ” Stabile, Schilling, “ It’s, Stuart Brotman, Brotman –, Playboy’s Hefner –, Roberts, ” Brotman, Ben Bull, ” Bull Organizations: CNN, Trump, Heritage Foundation, Playboy, Heritage, Housing, Urban, Free Speech Coalition, US, Apple, Google, Facebook, ”, National Center, Media, Ethical Capital Partners, Republicans, US Department of Justice, University of Tennessee, GOP Locations: Manhattan, Washington, DC, Lake Tahoe, Texas, – Virginia, Montana , North Carolina , Arkansas , Utah , Mississippi, Louisiana, California, Knoxville

☆ Jamie Dimon urges the U.S. to deal with its deficit sooner rather than later
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon on Wednesday urged the U.S. to reduce its fiscal deficit sooner rather than later, warning the issue will likely become "far more uncomfortable" if it continues to be overlooked. That's a lot, but obviously that drives growth," Dimon said in an interview with Sky News. So, I think America should be quite aware that we have got to focus on our fiscal deficit issues a little bit more, and that is important for the world," he added. The federal government has so far spent $855 billion more than it has collected in the 2024 fiscal year, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, resulting in a national deficit. Dimon said he hoped the U.S. government "really focuses" on reducing the deficit while still enjoying a period of robust economic growth.

Persons: Jamie, JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, Dimon, Joe Biden Organizations: JPMorgan Chase, U.S . Senate Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, Wall, Capitol, Washington , D.C, JPMorgan, Wednesday, Sky News, U.S . Treasury Department, . Locations: Washington ,, America, U.S

☆ The Vietage: New luxury train route in Vietnam offers stunning coastal views, afternoon tea
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The first “The Vietage by Anantara” luxury train carriage launched in 2020 – a six-hour journey connecting Da Nang and Quy Nhon. Courtesy Anantara“The main difference is that the new route connecting Nha Trang and Quy Nhon passes through many more coastal areas than the journey between Da Nang and Quy Nhon,” says Jones. For the six-hour journeys between Da Nang and Quy Nhon, passengers are served a pre-ordered three-course gourmet meal. The Quy Nhon-Nha Trang route includes an afternoon tea set. The original route departs from Da Nang Train Station at 8 a.m., arriving at Quy Nhon’s Dieu Tri Station at 2:03 p.m.

Persons: –, Kate Jones, ”, Jones Organizations: CNN, Dieu Tri Train Station Locations: Vietnam, Na Trang, Da Nang, Quy, Nha Trang, Trang, Thevietagetrain.com, Dieu Tri, Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon’s Dieu Tri, Southeast Asia

☆ Biden, Trump face 'massive tax cliff' amid budget deficit, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The next U.S. president will face trillions in expiring tax breaks. While President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have shared early proposals, the federal budget deficit could complicate plans, experts say. Many TCJA tax breaks are temporary and slated to sunset after 2025 unless Congress passes legislation to extend them. "It's a massive tax cliff," said Erica York, senior economist and research manager with the Tax Foundation's Center for Federal Tax Policy. Here's why prices still aren't going downHowever, the federal budget deficit will be a "huge sticking point" amid tax negotiations, York said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Erica York, Biden, York, Howard Gleckman Organizations: Trump, Tax, Center, Federal Tax, Finance, Congressional, Urban, Brookings Tax Locations: Washington

☆ Hyper-luxury golf carts that you can drive on the road
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But one Danish company is on a mission to put the art in golf cart. “When it came to the golf cart 18 years ago, they all looked the same – there weren’t any serious high-end products out there,” Lynge told CNN. You want something that’s sort of Lamborghini-shaped – very low and wide – but the golf cart is the exact opposite.”Tiger Woods rides a conventional golf cart at a tournament in 2005. Lynge took the prize ceremony event as an opportunity to pitch a dream that would be realized in 2016 – a Garia golf car inspired by Mercedes-Benz Style. “Really expensive … super exclusive, but also the coolest golf car you’ll ever see,” Lynge said.

Persons: Anders Lynge, Soren Bak Hansen, ” Lynge, Garia, Lynge, –, “, Woods, Jeff Gross, Mercedes, Lars Larsen, Lynges, ”, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Augusta National, Garia, Bentley, Lamborghini, Kussmaul, Mercedes, Benz, US, Lars Larsen Group Locations: Turnberry, Scotland, Copenhagen, German, Europe, €, London

☆ Russia is surging across the frontlines, and Ukraine seems unable to stop it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

First, and most acutely troubling, is the northern border near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city. Russian forces have crossed the border in multiple locations and claim to have seized nine villages. The town of Lyptsi is at risk, say some military bloggers, and from there Russian forces could hit Kharkiv with artillery. Netailove and Krasnohorivka slightly further south show Russian forces making further gains to the west of Avdiivka, and threatening another key hub – Pokrovsk. An evacuee arrives by bus at an evacuation point in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, on May 12.

Persons: ” “, ”, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Chasiv Yar, evacuee, Roman Pilpey, Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Andrey Belousov Organizations: CNN, Getty, Biden, National Security Council, Washington Locations: Ukrainian, Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Kharkiv, Ukraine’s, Vovchansk, Lyptsi, Kyiv, Chasiv, Kramatorsk, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Verbove, Ukraine's Kharkiv, AFP, –, Europe

☆ The South’s hidden gems? Its diverse gas stations, according to this photographer
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Kate MedleyThe Obama Gas Station in Columbia, South Carolina, got its name in 2008 following the general election because of the community's support for President Obama's campaign. She visited around 150 gas stations and quick stops in total, finding the unique curation of each space compelling. A gas station in the Mississippi Delta offering an all-you-can-eat-buffet, which Medley visited in 2013. Kate Medley“The closest gas is 30 miles away,” Amanda Simonson, the general manager, told Medley when she walked in, according to Medley’s book. Medley photographed a former gas station in the Arkansas Delta, which had become a modest Baptist church.

Persons: Kate Medley, crawfish, Quik Shoppe, Medley, Marta Miranda, Kate Medley Mike Moatts, Dhinal Patel, Obama's, Kate Medley “, ”, Gurjeet Singh, Singh, Kate Medley Saint Louis Saveurs, Mouhamadou, Saint Louis Saveurs, “, ” Amanda Simonson, Jeff Poynor, she’s, Slim Jims, I’m Organizations: CNN, Institute, Market Express, Obama Gas Station, Mississippi Museum of Art, Scouting, Kwik Chek, Shell, Mississippi Delta, Arkansas Delta, Red Bulls Locations: Oxford , Mississippi, American, Charlotte , Carolina, Elberta , Alabama, Columbia , South Carolina, Jackson, Memphis , Tennessee, Hammond , Louisiana, Chandigarh, India, Indian, Greensboro , North Carolina, Bator, Senegal, Greensboro, Mouhamadou, Elaine , Arkansas, Mississippi, Banner , Mississippi, Arkansas

☆ Lindsey Graham wants more bombs for Israel, saying the US was right to nuke Nagasaki and Hiroshima
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Related stories"Why is it OK for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war?" Welker challenged Graham by saying that military officials attest to weapons technology now being more precise and able to reduce civilian casualties. It's not the first time Graham has referenced Nagasaki and Hiroshima to advocate for the flow of munitions to Tel Aviv. Congress voted through a $15 billion military aid package for Israel in April, which includes about $5 billion to replenish weapons stocks. A representative for Graham did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Persons: —, Sen, Lindsey Graham of, NBC's Kristen Welker, Graham, Joe Biden, Welker, Welker's, It's, Israel, Biden Organizations: Service, Sunday, Business, Pearl, Republicans, Israel Locations: Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Israel, Gaza, Japan, Germany, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Rafah, America, Tel Aviv

☆ Jamaal Bowman may be the most endangered Squad member. He doesn't seem alarmed.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

Advertisement"He was recruited by AIPAC to run against us because we called for a permanent cease-fire," Bowman said of Latimer. In January, Bowman lost the support of the liberal pro-Israel group J Street over his rhetoric on Israel. Like Bowman, Latimer has a blunt and direct speaking style that sometimes leades to gaffes, such as his invocation of the racist lynching of Emmett Till when commenting on the sexual misconduct allegations against then-Gov. When asked about Bowman's charge of racism, Latimer pointed to his appointment of Ken Jenkins, a Black man, as his deputy county executive. Bowman and Latimer have known each other for nearly four years, first meeting for coffee after the congressman's 2020 primary victory.

Persons: Jamaal Bowman, George Latimer —, Worker's, Bowman, Latimer, Sen, Shelley Mayer, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, George Santos, haven't, we're, Bryan Metzger, He's, Cori Bush of, Bernie Sanders's, —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Selcuk, — Bowman, Y'all, Israel, Bowman's, he's, Eliot Engel, George Latimer, Republican Rob Astorino, Jeenah, let's, Emmett Till, Andrew Cuomo, Ken Jenkins, he'd, Brian Fitzpatrick, Tom Kean of, who's, I'm, Joe Biden, Republican megadonors, Donald Trump, MAGA, Usamah Adrabi, deriding Latimer, they've, what's, Harrison, it's, They're, I've, Bowman —, that's Organizations: Westchester, Democratic Party, Capitol, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Democratic, Israel, AIPAC, Getty, J, Republican, Washington, Working Families Party, Hamas, that's, Business, Mount Vernon High School, Apple Locations: Port Chester , New York, Congress, Westchester County, Mount Vernon, Port Chester, Cori Bush of Missouri, Israel, Queens , New York, Anadolu, Gaza, Westchester, Rye —, York, Latimer, White Plains , New York, Pennsylvania, Tom Kean of New Jersey, New York, California, Bronx, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Rye, Harrison, Mount Vernon , New York, American

☆ Facing an Endless Barrage, Ukraine’s Air Defenses Are Withering
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Josh Holder | Constant Méheut | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

Facing an Endless Barrage, Ukraine’s Air Defenses Are WitheringThis is what a year of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine looks like. Ukrainian air defenses used to intercept most missiles, but in recent months, more and more have made it through. Ukraine has made increasingly desperate pleas for more air defenses from its Western allies. But it could be months before enough weapons arrive to significantly bolster Ukrainian air defenses. Ukrainian air defenses downed the first seven — but had no choice but to let the next four pass, he said.

Persons: Jan, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ”, Tom Karako, Maj, Ilya Yevlash, Konrad Muzyka, Odesa, Yevlash, Justin Bronk, Mr, Bronk, Barber Organizations: Russian, New York Times, Ukrainian Air Force, Patriot, United, Kremlin, PBS, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Ukrainian Air, Patriots, Rochan Consulting, Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Odesa, Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Odesa Kyiv, Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Kyiv, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Washington, Poland, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Texas, London

☆ Israel pushes deeper into Rafah and battles a regrouping Hamas in northern Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Warnings continued against the growing offensive in Rafah, considered the last refuge in Gaza for more than a million civilians as well as Hamas' last stronghold. The two towns near Gaza's northern border with Israel were heavily bombed in the opening days of the war. Israel has now evacuated the eastern third of Rafah, and Hagari said dozens of militants had been killed there as "targeted operations continued." Israeli troops have captured the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, forcing it to shut down. Smoke billows after Israeli bombardment in central Gaza City on March 18, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Israel, Volker Turk, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hatem Khaled, Netanyahu, Abdel, Kareem Radwan, Daniel Hagari, Ben Caspit, Khan Younis, Hagari Organizations: Hamas, Afp, Getty, U.S, CBS, International Court of Justice, United Nations, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Health Ministry, Palestinian Civil Defense, Al Qahera News Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, RAFAH, Egypt, South, United States, Palestinian, Gaza City, Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya, Gaza's, Hamas, Israel's

☆ I've visited 25 US national parks — these 3 are underrated and just as stunning as the most popular parks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Emily Pogue | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

After visiting 25 US national parks, I've fallen in love with some lesser-known locations. I love visiting Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park, which is home to 800-year-old cliff dwellings. I've also enjoyed my time in Alaska's Denali National Park and Florida's Everglades National Park. The good news is many of these lesser-known national parks are just as spectacular as the big names. AdvertisementOf the 25 US national parks I've visited, these were some of my favorite less-popular spots.

Persons: I've, — Organizations: Mesa, Service, US Department of Locations: Mesa Verde

☆ Connecticut takes aim at the college affordability crisis — 'We're trying to do everything we can,' governor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Hartford, Connecticut Sean Pavone | Istock | Getty ImagesWhen it comes to improving access to higher education, each state is largely left to its own devices. Connecticut, for example, recently rolled out several programs to establish pathways to college and lower the debt burden. Free college program"We're trying to do everything we can to make education less expensive to start with," Lamont said. Like a growing number of states, Connecticut recently introduced a free tuition program for students attending community college either full- or part-time. In Connecticut, students receive "last-dollar" scholarships, meaning the program pays for whatever tuition and fees are left after federal aid and other grants are applied.

Persons: Hartford , Connecticut Sean Pavone, Anthony Carnevale, Ned Lamont, Here's, Lamont, Joe Biden, Terrence Cheng, Sandy Baum, Baum Organizations: Istock, Georgetown's Center, Education, Workforce, CNBC, Free, Finance, Harvard, State Colleges, Urban Institute's Center Locations: Hartford , Connecticut, Connecticut, , Connecticut

☆ The rule capping credit card late fees at $8 is on hold — here’s what it means for you
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. banking industry won a key victory in its effort to block the implementation of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule that would've drastically limited the fees that credit card companies can charge for late payment. The CFPB estimates that the rule would've saved American families $10 billion a year in fees paid by those who fall behind on their bills. It would've capped late fees that are typically $32 per incident to $8 each and limited the industry's ability to hike the fees. "Consumers will shoulder $800 million in late fees every month that the rule is delayed — money that pads the profit margins of the largest credit card issuers," a CFPB spokesman told CNBC on Friday. The CBA said it will continue to press its case in the courts on why the CFPB rule should be "thrown out entirely."

Persons: Rohit Chopra, Mark Pittman, would've Organizations: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs Committee, Washington , D.C, Financial, Bureau, Northern, Northern District of Texas, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, U.S, CNBC, Consumer Bankers Association, District, CBA Locations: Washington ,, U.S, Northern District

☆ After Student Encampment Ends, New School Professors Set Up Their Own
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Lola Fadulu | Julian Roberts-Grmela | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Faculty members at The New School in Manhattan this week set up what may be the first professor-led pro-Palestinian encampment on a college campus since the Israel-Hamas war has prompted waves of protests at schools across the country. The New School’s urban campus in Greenwich Village lacks the open spaces and green lawns of other universities that have been the site of protest encampments, so the professors set up their camp inside the lobby of a university building on Fifth Avenue. On Thursday afternoon, eight tents were visible on the same spot where some of the school’s students had previously set up a lobby encampment for several days. The university called in the police last week to remove it and arrest the student protesters.

Organizations: The New School Locations: Manhattan, Israel, Greenwich

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