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☆ Free Shipping and Free Returns From Online Shopping Are Dying. Good.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Well, if you’ve ever bought stuff online and received free shipping or returns, you’ve also been a little bit of a jerk — and now it’s time to pay up. Fast, free shipping and easy, no-cost returns have become a baseline expectation in the modern online shopping experience. Instead of fighting for market share by offering free shipping and no-hassle returns, retailers are trying to squeeze more money out of every transaction. Free shipping is not actually free . Returns are a necessary and inevitable part of online shopping.

Persons: you’ve, —, ASOS, ” Neil Saunders, hasn’t, Emily Stewart Organizations: National Retail Federation, Appriss, Urban Outfitters, Saks, Amazon, Retailers, Business Locations: Zara, J.Crew, what’s

Many Americans believe the United States was founded as a Christian nation, and the idea is energizing some conservative and Republican activists. What does it mean to say America is a Christian nation? Was it only conservatives citing the idea of a Christian nation? Forty-five percent said the U.S. should be a Christian nation, but only a third thought it was one currently. ___Sources: Pew Research Center; Public Religion Research Institute/Brookings; “Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?” by John Fea.

Persons: ”, couldn't, Let's, It's, Benjamin Franklin, Jesus, deists, Franklin D, Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr, Christ, John Organizations: Republican, Congregational Church, American, Christian, Soviet Union, National Council of, Pew Research Center, Pew, Constitution, Religion Research Institute, Public Religion Research Institute, Brookings, “, John Fea, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: United States, U.S, Connecticut, Massachusetts, America, Israel, Christianity, Rhode, Independence, Christian America, Soviet, USA, Brookings

Yet large numbers of Americans believe the founders intended the U.S. to be a Christian nation, and many believe it should be one. The idea of a Christian America means different things to different people. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, said he doesn’t identify as a Christian nationalist, but does believe America was founded as a Christian nation. Six in 10 U.S. adults said the founders intended America to be a Christian nation, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center survey. About 45% said the U.S. should be a Christian nation.

Persons: Donald Trump, God, it’s, Trump, ”, Eric McDaniel, McDaniel, “, ” Trump, Mike Johnson, Thomas Jefferson, Johnson, Steve Bannon, Jerusalem ”, Charlie Kirk, Robert Jeffress, “ I’m, I’m, shouldn’t, John Jay —, —, ” Jeffress, doesn’t, ” Anthea Butler, Butler, John, Joe Biden, John Jay, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Jesus, George Washington Organizations: U.S, Republicans, Constitution, Pew Research Center, University of Texas, America, Republican, Washington Metropolitan Area, Vocal, Trump, Kentucky Republican, Baptist Church of, Supreme, University of Pennsylvania, Blacks, Native, John Fea, Messiah University, Democratic, Religion Research Institute, Fea, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: Independence, U.S, America, Washington, Jerusalem, ” Recent Texas , Oklahoma, Baptist Church of Dallas, Mechanicsburg , Pennsylvania, Brookings

☆ Trump Fully Devours the Republican Establishment
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Michael C. Bender | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Donald J. Trump is stamping out the final flashes of independence inside Republican institutions with astonishing speed, demonstrating that his power continues to expand over the new party establishment he has created. At the Republican National Committee, he is moving to replace longtime supporters with allies even more closely bound to him, including his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. Most vividly, Speaker Mike Johnson — ostensibly the party’s top-ranking official — backtracked on an endorsement in a crucial Senate race because Mr. Trump disagreed. On Thursday, Mr. Johnson’s candidate ended his campaign less than one week after opening it. In the Senate, which has been less beholden to Mr. Trump, his influence over a failed border bill made one of the party’s most effective lawmakers, Mitch McConnell, look weak.

Persons: Donald J, Lara Trump, Mike Johnson —, Trump, Johnson’s, Mitch McConnell Organizations: Trump, Republican National Committee, House, Senate

☆ 6 common reasons parents regret having kids, even if they really wanted them
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Julia Pugachevsky | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

About one in 12 parents say they regret having children, according to a 2021 YouGov UK study . Advertisement“You talk to new parents, and then you talk to parents of kids who have almost grown,” she said. She outlined some of the common reasons parents can regret having children, all of which are important to consider and prepare for before starting a family of your own. Fear of the futureDegges-White said some parents might regret having children purely out of fear for their kids’ future. AdvertisementEven still, there are plenty of parents who feel worried about the future but still see having kids as a worthwhile experience .

Persons: —, ” Suzanne Degges, they’re, ”, “, White, “ You've Organizations: Service, Northern Illinois University, Business Locations: Germany, Poland, Degges

Fleeing after shots were fired near the Super Bowl victory celebration for the Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday. The parade on Wednesday to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory brought hundreds of thousands of people to the city’s streets, a sea of fans clad in the team’s trademark red. Only when fans started running — some of them took shelter under his hot dog tent — did he realize that a shooting was underway. Adrian Robinson had traveled to Kansas City from Gary, Ind., to sell T-shirts. Quinton Lucas, the mayor of Kansas City, had also been downtown for the celebration.

Persons: Ian Johnson, Courtney Brown, “, ”, Adrian Robinson, Christopher Smith, Dominick Williams, Mr, Robinson, Zachary Dial, Quinton Lucas, ” Traci Angel, Colbi Edmonds Organizations: Chiefs, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City, The New York Times, Union Station, Kansas Locations: Kansas City, Mo, Union, Independence, Kansas, Gary, Ind, Richmond

☆ US Constitution encasement vandalized with red powder at National Archives
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Angela Fritz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The National Archives in Washington, DC, closed early on Wednesday after two people dumped red powder on the display that protects the US Constitution, Archives officials said in a news release. “The Constitution was unaffected in its encasement. The individuals were immediately detained by security at the time of the incident, around 2:30 p.m., and officials are investigating, the Archives said. The National Archives Rotunda will remain closed for cleaning Thursday, the Archives said, but the rest of the National Archives Building will be open on its regular schedule. The Constitution is on permanent display as part of the “Charters of Freedom” exhibit showing the United States’ founding documents, along with the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.

Persons: Colleen Shogan, Vincent van Gogh’s, ”, Claude Monet, of, Alicia Jennings, Rashard Rose, Laura Paddison Organizations: CNN, Archives, United, National Locations: Washington , DC, Giverny, “, United States

FORMER PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF, PAKISTAN MUSLIM LEAGUEBusiness mogul, multi-millionaire and three-time premier, Nawaz Sharif hails from one of the top two families that have dominated Pakistani politics for decades. He also has a personal stake in keeping imprisoned Imran Khan out of the picture. FORMER PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN, PAKISTAN TEHREEK-E-INSAF PARTYA former cricket star turned Islamist politician, Imran Khan triumphed on an anti-corruption, anti-establishment platform in the 2018 election to form a coalition government. FORMER PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ SHARIF, PAKISTAN MUSLIM LEAGUEShehbaz Sharif, 72, the younger brother of Nawaz Sharif, succeeded Imran Khan as prime minister in April 2022. He won his first parliamentary seat in 2018 and became foreign minister after Imran Khan was ousted as prime minister.

Persons: it's, NAWAZ SHARIF, Nawaz Sharif, Sharif, Imran Khan, Khan, ASIM MUNIR, Asim Munir, Munir, IMRAN KHAN, Osama bin Laden, ” —, SHEHBAZ SHARIF, BILAWAL BHUTTO, ZARDARI, Pakistan’s, Bilawal Bhutto, Zardari, Benazir Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari Organizations: —, National Assembly, PAKISTAN MUSLIM LEAGUE Business, Pakistan Muslim League, Supreme, Sharif, GEN, ARMY CHIEF, LEAGUE, International Monetary Fund Locations: ISLAMABAD, — Pakistan, PAKISTAN, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Iran, Tehran, Islamabad, United States, U.S, Washington, LEAGUE Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab, London, Sindh

☆ LVMH takes aim at $30 billion watch market with high-end, reinvented pieces
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Robert Frank | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Sales of luxury watches worldwide are estimated at about $30 billion this year, according to market research firm IMARC Group. A Zenith luxury watch at 2024 Watch Week in Miami. A Bulgari Serpenti Secret watch at 2024 Watch Week in Miami. A TAG Heuer luxury watch at 2024 Watch Week in Miami. A Zenith luxury watch at 2024 Watch Week in Miami.

Persons: Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Dior, Frederic Arnault, LVMH, Bernard Arnault, CNBC Frederic Arnault, Benoit de Clerck, Jean, Christophe Babin, Babin, women's, —, Diamant, Tourbillon, Julien Tornare Organizations: IMARC, TAG, Zenith, CNBC, LVMH's, Executives, CNBC LVMH, CNBC TAG, Carrera, TAG Heuer Locations: Miami, America, U.S, Swiss, LVMH

☆ The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the Long Shadow of 1948
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Emily Bazelon | A Discussion Moderated Emily Bazelon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +18 min

In 1948, Jews realized their wildly improbable dream of a state, and Palestinians experienced the mass flight and expulsion called the Nakba, or catastrophe. It’s only in 1948 that the Arabs become Palestinians and the Jews become Israelis. Many Jews became lower-level officers during World War II, and they brought their new military expertise to the 1948 war. Zoltan Kluger/GPO, via Getty Images Palestinian bombers destroyed buildings on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem in March 1948. Bettmann/Getty Images A Palestinian refugee cut off from her home by the border established after the 1948 war.

Persons: Matson, —, Khalil Raad, Yaakov Ben Dov Delegates, Haj Amin al, Husseini, ”, It’s, Avraham Avinu, David, Fox, King David Hotel, David Ben, Gurion, “, Hitler, Hans Pinn, Abd al, Qadir al, Chalil, Zoltan Kluger, Ben Yehuda, Hugo H, Mendelsohn, John Phillips, Palestine ”, UNSCOP, Bettmann, Ruth Orkin, David Seymour, Jordan, Israel, Abdullah, Nadim, Leena Dallasheh, Abigail Jacobson, Moshe Naor, ” Derek Penslar, ” Itamar Rabinovich, Salim Tamari, Emily Bazelon, Herzl, Faisal Al, Hashemi, James Russell &, Bain, Jabotinsky, Abraham Pisarek, Weizmann, Heinrich Hoffmann Organizations: Congress, Institute for Palestine, Palestinian, . Institute for Palestine, Matson, Palestine, Getty, of Congress British, Peel, Zionist, Jewish, British Armed Forces, Allied, King, of Congress Women, Hulton, Biltmore, British, Agence France, Getty Images, Refugees, West Bank, Shutterstock, United Nations, League of Nations, United, United Nations Jewish, Madver, The, Palestine Studies, Columbia University, Columbia University , New York University, Rice University, Islamic, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Center for Jewish Studies, Harvard University, Tel Aviv University, Birzeit University, Institute for Palestine Studies, The New York Times Magazine, James Russell & Sons, of Congress, Israel, Ben, General Photographic Agency, Society, International Affairs Locations: Palestine, City, Jerusalem, Canadian American, Israel, British, Jaffa, Damascus, Old City, Hebron, Safed, Europe, Arab, North Africa, New York City, Middle Eastern, Haifa, Cyprus, Jenin, U.S, United Nations, Iraq, Tel Aviv’s Lod, Lebanon, Eyal, el Bared, Egypt, Syria, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Palestinian, United States, Qatar, Iran, Columbia University ,, Nazareth, Israeli, Husseini

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A United Nations official said on Tuesday that her experience in negotiating an end to decades of conflict in her native Colombia may help her as she seeks to rekindle talks over Cyprus’ ethnic division. “I was part of that team that we finally reached a peace agreement” in Colombia, Holguín told reporters after her first meeting with the Greek Cypriot President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. Only Turkey recognizes a 1983 Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the island’s northern third. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots say the only way to peace is a two-state deal, ditching an agreement to reunify the island as a federation composed of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot zones. "Certainly, we believe that if there’s the same political will from the other side, the resumption of talks can happen very quickly.”

Persons: María Ángela Holguín Cuellar, Holguín, Nikos Christodoulides, ” Holguín, It’s, Ersin Tatar, Antonio Guterres, –, Constantinos Letymbiotis, “, ” Organizations: United Nations, Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Greece Locations: NICOSIA, Cyprus, Colombia, Turkish, Turkey, Turkish Cypriot

☆ Analysis: In Poland, Donald Tusk is spoiling for a fight. His populist opponents are hitting back
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The country’s public television channel, TVP, which essentially became a mouthpiece for the previous government, has been ripped off the air. Omar Marques/Getty ImagesBut Tusk – a politician with a reputation for pragmatism and restraint – showed his intentions within days of taking office. “It became symbolic of the excesses of the PiS government,” Bill said of TVP’s transformation into a Hungarian-style state-captured medium. “One of the unifying forces of PiS supporters is distrust, or even hatred, of Donald Tusk,” Kucharczyk said. Nonetheless, after eight years of populist rule that hardened the battle lines of Polish politics, much of the public is spoiling for a fight.

Persons: Donald Tusk, ”, “, Jacek Kucharczyk, Tusk, ’, Kucharczyk, Stanley Bill, Bill, “ It’s, Andrzej Duda, PiS, Omar Marques, –, Duda, ” Bill, ” Kucharczyk, TVP, ” Tusk, Ursula von der Leyen, Tusk’s, Jaap Arriens, messier Organizations: CNN, Law, Justice, of Public Affairs, Polish Studies, University of Cambridge, TVP, Twitter, National Media Council, Police, European Union, “ Locations: Poland, Polish, Warsaw, Hungarian, Tusk’s, Brussels, TVP

☆ I was a teen mom. Now I'm 44, my 2 kids are adults, and I have my life back.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Lauren Crosmedlicott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Casey Kelleher gave birth to her first son when she was 17 and her second son when she was 20. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . My partner and I had talked about having children someday, so even though it was an early surprise, it was welcomed. AdvertisementRaising children as a young mother hasn't always been easy. But looking back, they were the very best days, and in the blink of an eye, my boys grew up.

Persons: Casey Kelleher, —, Ben, Danny, Danny's, I've, hasn't, haven't Organizations: Service

☆ Nikki Haley in her own words: Why America ‘has never been a racist country’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Chelsea Bailey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade asked Haley if she was “involved in a racist party.”Haley responded, “We’re not a racist country, Brian. “I understand that you don’t think America is a racist country now but … do you really think as a historical matter America has never been a racist country?” Tapper asked. But my parents never said we lived in a racist country. But I don’t think the intent was ever that we were going to be a racist country. But I refuse to believe that the premise of when they formed our country was based on the fact that it was a racist country to start with.

Persons: Nikki Haley, United States “, Jake Tapper, Haley, ”, ‘ We’ve, Brian Kilmeade, ” Haley, “ We’re, Brian, We’ve, Tapper, ’, “, ” Tapper, Here’s, you’re, ’ ”, “ institutionally, ’ ” Haley Organizations: CNN, Former South Carolina Gov, Republican, Fox News, MSNBC, Republican Party . Fox News, “, CNN ‘, UN Locations: United States, America, “ America, New Hampshire, Independence, South Carolina

South Africa’s genocide case has put the spotlight on a deeper fault line in global geopolitics. Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty ImagesReactions from the Global North to the ICJ case have been mixed. “This war is a war that is not only between Israel and Hamas,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog told MSNBC in December. “It’s a war that is intended – really, truly – to save Western civilization, to save the values of Western civilization.”So far, no Western countries have supported South Africa’s case against Israel. Traditionally, the West has wielded significant influence in international affairs, but South Africa’s move signals a growing assertiveness among Global South nations that threatens the status quo, says Adekoya.

Persons: CNN —, Israel, ”, Nesrine Malik, ” Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Jaafar Ashtiyeh, Biden, ” Remi Adekoya, Nelson Mandela, Yasser Arafat, ” Hugh Lovatt, Garry Andrew Lotulung, ” Lovatt, Lovatt, Israel –, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Alaister Russell, Isaac Herzog, Hage Geingob, Berlin’s, Namibians, ” Adekoya Organizations: CNN, Israel, International Court of Justice, Guardian, Hamas, West Bank, Getty, US, UN, University of York, Palestine Liberation Organization, North Africa, European Council, Foreign Relations, Global, Arab League, ICJ, West, ”, International, MSNBC, ZDF, Dhaka Tribune, Germany Locations: South Africa, Johannesburg, Israel, The Hague, Gaza, South, Africa, Sudanese, United States, Europe, Ramallah, West, AFP, England, PLO, East, Indonesian, Jakarta, Indonesia, Anadolu, China, Soviet, Ekurhuleni, Germany, German, Germany’s, Namibia, Namibian, Bangladesh, Pakistan

☆ Why China hates the new president of Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"Lai Ching-te clings stubbornly to the separatist position for 'Taiwan independence.' A matter of Taiwan's independenceIn 2017, while he was premier, Lai referred to himself as a "pragmatic worker for 'Taiwan independence.'" AdvertisementLai has pledged to maintain status quo and stability in Taiwan, but China isn't backing down on its stance either. "I think China hates him, really hates him," Wu Xinbo, an international relations professor at Shanghai's Fudan University, told Reuters, referring to Lai. "It is because if he is elected as the leader of Taiwan, he may come to advance his goal of Taiwan independence, which will provoke a crisis across the Taiwan Strait," added Wu.

Persons: William Lai Ching, Taiwan's, Lai, —, Wiliam Lai Ching, Lai Ching, Xi Jinping, Wu Xinbo, Wu, Wang Yi, Jeremy Mark, William Lai, Chong Ja Ian, Chong, Tsai Ing Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Service, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Chinese Communist Party, Shanghai's Fudan University, Reuters, Analysts, Lai's, Atlantic Council, Eurasia Group, KMT, National University of Singapore, Carnegie China, Channel News Asia Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan, South America, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's

☆ Biden: US Does Not Support Taiwan Independence
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Steve Holland, Nandita Bose and Trevor HunnicuttWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said on Saturday the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan, after Taiwanese voters rebuffed China and gave the ruling party a third presidential term. "We do not support independence..." Biden said, when asked for reaction to Saturday's elections. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and has long said it does not support a formal declaration of independence by Taiwan. It does, however, maintain unofficial relations with the self-governed island and remains its most important backer and arms supplier. In a show of support for the government, Biden plans to dispatch an unofficial delegation to the self-governed island, according to a senior Biden administration official.

Persons: Steve Holland, Nandita Bose, Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Biden, Lai, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Tsai Ing, Jimmy Carter, Trevor Hunnicutt, Diane Craft, Michael Perry Organizations: Democratic Progressive, United, U.S ., Biden Locations: United States, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, Republic of Taiwan, Washington, U.S, California

☆ I moved from the US to Germany 11 years ago. A lot of things have surprised me about living here with my kids.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Naomi Kaye Honova | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In Germany, kids are given a lot of independence and they go outside all year. Cargo bikes, which have large baskets or carts, are particularly popular among German families with young kids. In Germany, kids are independent at a young ageGermany has been a culture shock for me when it comes to kids' levels of independence. Preschool isn't super academic focused — and kids learn about taking care of their teethMany kids brush their teeth in German preschools. AdvertisementAnd, in German preschools, kids are taught about dental hygiene.

Persons: I've, —, It's, Elva Etienne Organizations: Service, Child Protective Services Locations: United States, Germany

The target in New York was identified by American officials as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is general counsel for the New York-based group Sikhs for Justice. Mr. Pannun is an outspoken proponent of independence for the northern Indian state of Punjab, which is home to a large number of Sikhs, a powerful but minority group in the nation. The indictment said that the supposed hit man hired to kill Mr. Pannun was in fact a federal agent. agents warned a number of Sikh leaders around the United States about potential threats against them. Mr. Biden himself raised the issue directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they met at the Group of 20 summit in September.

Persons: Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Pannun, Adrienne Watson, Biden, Gupta, ”, ” Ms, Watson, William J, Burns, Narendra Modi Organizations: New, National Security Council, ”, Group Locations: New York, Punjab, Vancouver, F.B.I, United States, India

☆ The U.S. Charged an Indian Man in a Plot to Kill a Sikh Activist
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Federal prosecutors accused an Indian national today of attempting to kill a Sikh separatist in New York City. The hit in the U.S. was planned by an Indian government official who told the man tapped to carry it out, Nikhil Gupta, that there was a target in New York and another in California, according to prosecutors. “We have so many targets,” the official told him. Prosecutors said that Gupta hired a hit man to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S. citizen and outspoken proponent of independence for the Indian state of Punjab. The supposed hit man, however, was an undercover officer, prosecutors said.

Persons: Nikhil Gupta, “, Gupta, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Organizations: U.S ., Prosecutors Locations: New York City, Canada, Washington , Ottawa, New Delhi, U.S, New York, California, Punjab

☆ 5 Takeaways From U.S. Charges of Failed Plot to Kill Sikh Activist
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Ed Shanahan | More About Ed Shanahan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged an Indian national in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting a Sikh separatist and activist in New York who is a U.S. citizen and has been outspoken in calling for a Sikh-majority homeland. The assassination plot was organized by an Indian government official and linked to the June killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada who was fatally shot by masked gunmen outside a Sikh temple, according to an indictment filed in federal court in New York. Here are five takeaways from the foiled plot, as described by prosecutors. The New York plot was focused on a prominent Sikh separatist. Mr. Pannun is a vocal proponent of independence for Punjab, a northern Indian state that is home to a large number of Sikhs.

Persons: Biden’s, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Pannun Organizations: The, New, Punjab Locations: New York, U.S, Canada, United States, India, China, Russia, York, Indian

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is turning his attention to Ukraine, NATO and the Western Balkans after weeks of intense focus on Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Now, amid signs that a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas due to expire on Monday may be extended, Blinken is departing for Brussels for a NATO foreign ministers meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said he plans to attend the OSCE meeting, possibly setting the stage for a U.S.-Russia confrontation over Ukraine. The NATO meeting in Brussels will also address the situation in the Western Balkans where there are calls for NATO to increase its military presence amid concerns that hostility between Serbia and Kosovo could escalate to outright conflict. Blinken will underscore U.S. and NATO support for democracy and regional stability in the region, including a commitment to back all countries’ aspirations to join the European Union, O’Brien said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, Jim O’Brien, O’Brien, Sergey Lavrov Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, NATO, eventual, “, Organization for Security, Cooperation, Russian, OSCE, Kosovo —, Serbia —, European Union, NATO's Locations: Ukraine, Western Balkans, Gaza, Israel, Brussels, Kosovo, Serbia, Russia, Europe, Skopje, North Macedonia, U.S, Balkans, Washington

☆ Russia has activated a sleeper network of spies in Ukraine to try to exploit internal divisions, Ukrainian official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia has activated a sleeper network of spies in Ukraine to exploit tensions, an official said. Oleksiy Danilov told The Times of London that they are spreading "false narratives" to sow division. AdvertisementIn recent months, Russia has activated a web of sleeper agents in Ukraine to try to exploit "so-called tensions" between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and military leaders, according to a Ukrainian official. Danilov told the newspaper that other tactics being deployed by the Russian agents include stirring up opposition to the government, setting up anti-war protests, and targeting soldiers' relations. Russia and Ukraine have struggled to make any significant breakthroughs in recent months along the 745-mile front.

Persons: Oleksiy Danilov, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Danilov Organizations: Times, Service, Ukraine's Security Service, National Security and Defense, of, Ukrainska Pravda Locations: Russia, Ukraine, London, Kyiv, of Ukraine, Soviet Union, Ukrainian

Kosovo’s border with Serbia was “out of control," Rama said after an informal meeting of Western Balkan NATO members in North Macedonia. It gained independence with the help of a NATO military campaign, launched in 1999 to end a bloody Serb crackdown on an armed separatist movement. “But what we do see is an increase in tensions, especially in Kosovo,” Stoltenberg said. During a visit to Kosovo on Monday, Stoltenberg said that NATO was considering deploying additional peacekeeping troops there. In May, Serb demonstrators in northern Kosovo clashed with NATO peacekeeping troops.

Persons: Rama, Jens Stoltenberg, Wednesday's, ” Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg, Dimitar Kovačevski, Milojko, Zoran Milanović Organizations: Edi Rama, NATO, Western Balkan NATO, Kosovo —, Serbia —, European Union Locations: SKOPJE, North Macedonia, Albanian, Kosovo, Serbia, Serbian, Russia, Balkans, Ukraine, North Macedonia's, Skopje, Western Balkans, Belgrade, Banjska, Brussels, Montenegro

☆ Opinion: A Trump second term would be dangerous because he’s told us it would be
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Julian Zelizer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

On Veteran’s Day, Trump called his enemies “vermin” and spoke of his intention to go after opponents should he regain power. Presidential power has been a bipartisan affair. Frustrated with the Republican Congress, for instance, President Bill Clinton used executive action to expand the environmental programs of the federal government. Most recently, Biden leaned on executive power to advance a student loan forgiveness program that the courts ultimately overturned. When presidents use presidential power in dangerous ways, not only does this present a dangerous stress test at the moment, but it also means that over time, the expansions of power are rarely cut back.

Persons: Julian Zelizer, Donald Trump’s, it’s, Trump, ”, Joe Biden, Richard Nixon, “ Mr, Franklin Roosevelt, Nixon, Arthur M, Schlesinger Jr, George W, Bush, Bill Clinton, Biden, It’s, Mike Pence Organizations: CNN, Princeton University, The New York Times, America, Republican, Heritage Foundation, Department of Justice, New York Times, White, Times, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, ”, Trump Locations: ”, —

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