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☆ Should you refinance your mortgage? Here are three signs it's time, real estate experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Thanks to those high mortgage interest rates, refinance activity in 2023 was at the lowest level in 30 years. In the first and second quarters of 2023 there was only $75 billion and $80 billion, respectively, in mortgage refinance originations nationally, according to Freddie Mac, a government-sponsored entity that buys mortgages from banks. "We're just in a much higher interest rate situation with the economy," she said. "We've been so accustomed to mortgage rates as a baseline being at 2% or 3%," said Veronica Fuentes, a certified financial planner at Northwestern Mutual. Some lenders may require a higher interest rate if you finance closing costs, plus you'll be paying interest on those expenses for the life of the mortgage.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Jeff Ostrowski, Chen Zhao, Zhao, We've, Veronica Fuentes, that's, Ostrowski, CoreLogic's Organizations: Westend61, Getty, Federal Reserve, Northwestern Mutual

☆ Meteorites may be lost to Antarctic ice as climate warms, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Ice sampling occurs on a blue ice area during the 2022 Chilean Antarctic Institute field mission. “As the climate continues to warm, Antarctic rocks are sinking into the ice at an increasing rate. Meteorites are particularly plentiful in blue ice fields. Steven Goderis/Vrije Universiteit BrusselResearchers have identified areas of meteorite-rich blue ice mostly by luck. “The main worry is the logistical aspect of searching for Antarctica meteorites, which is already difficult today due to the remoteness of Antarctica.

Persons: Maria Valdes, ”, Valdes, Robert A, “, José, wasn’t, Balchenfjella, Steven Goderis, Veronica Tollenaar, ” Valdes, Tollenaar, ” Tollenaar, Harry Zekollari, Katherine Joy, Matthias van Ginneken, van Ginneken, Kevin Righter, Righter Organizations: CNN, Field, University of Chicago, Pritzker Center, Meteoritics, Polar Studies, Antarctic Institute, University of Santiago, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université Libre de Bruxelles, University of Manchester, University of Kent’s, Astrophysics, NASA Johnson Space Center Locations: Antarctica, Chile, Vrije, Université, Belgium, Houston

☆ I've worked at Costco for 18 years. Here are 10 of the best things I'm seeing on shelves this month.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Veronica Thatcher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I've worked at Costco for 18 years, so I know which items are worth buying at the store each month. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementFrom fresh-baked goods to limited-edition clothing items, Costco offers plenty of enticing merchandise to hold its place as a leading retailer in customer satisfaction. As a longtime Costco employee , I'm always on the lookout for the best-value items at the wholesale retailer. Here are 10 things I recommend checking out at Costco this April.

Persons: I've, Kirkland, —, I'm Organizations: Costco, Service

While millions of people recover from the morning wakeup call of a 4.8-magnitude earthquake rocking the East Coast, a small group of people are feeling seriously left out. That's because some people said they completely missed the earthquake that rocked apartment buildings and shook homes. Posts flooded onto X with people declaring they had earthquake FOMO (fear of missing out). Some posted on X and said their group chats were blowing up with texts about an earthquake that they had missed. Many simply said they felt left out.

Persons: Sara Lind, Spencer Platt, Lind, Lind isn't, Veronica Phillips, Phillips, ” “, ” Lind, — Organizations: New, NBC, New York University Locations: Coast, Manhattan, New York City, New Jersey, New York

☆ Biden administration bolsters protections for federal workers, getting ahead of potential Trump moves
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Betsy Klein | Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Washington CNN —The Biden administration has finalized a new rule bolstering protections for career federal workers, marking a move to preemptively halt or significantly slow any efforts by former President Donald Trump, should he win in November, to reduce or alter the federal workforce. Critics warned that the order would allow the president to fill the federal workforce with his loyalists. Trump’s executive order created a new classification of federal employees titled “Schedule F” for employees serving in “confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating positions” that typically do not change during a presidential transition. It strengthens and clarifies existing rights for career civil servants by making clear that civil service protections cannot be taken away from employees unless they give them up voluntarily. “The threat of a politicized civil service is too great, and too real, for this to be the end of our efforts,” he said in a statement.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, ”, Bitsy, ” Skerry, “, Skerry, Gerry Connolly, Connolly, Brian Fitzpatrick, Biden’s, ” Everett Kelley, Doreen Greenwald, CNN’s Veronica Stracqualursi, Kevin Liptak Organizations: Washington CNN, “, Public Citizen, Customs, US Postal Service, Biden, CNN, Trump, Management, Virginia Democrat, Technology, Government Innovation, Republican, American Federation of Government Employees, District of Columbia, National Treasury Employees Union Locations: Washington ,, Virginia, Pennsylvania

☆ Housing 'affordability has just totally collapsed,' economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"Since the pandemic, affordability has just totally collapsed," said Chen Zhao, a senior economist at Redfin. February 2021 was the last month when the typical household earned more money than they needed to afford the median home. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets the standard of affordability at 30% of household income. Affordability deficit narrowed in FebruaryThe average household fell short $29,448 to afford a home in February, according to Redfin. The affordability deficit narrowed because rates have been on a consistent decline since the last peak in October, according to Zhao.

Persons: Chen Zhao, They've, Zhao, It's, Jeff Ostrowski, Veronica Fuentes, Fuentes, Ostrowski, Buyers, Redfin, Louis, What's Organizations: Getty, Redfin, Finance, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban Development, Northwestern Mutual, Cleveland Locations: U.S, Detroit, Pittsburgh, St, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Warren, Mich, Cincinnati, Milwaukee , Kansas City , Virginia Beach, Va, Antonio, Columbus , Ohio

CNN —Top officials at the Republican National Committee are denying reports that there is a “litmus test” for those seeking employment related to whether they believe the 2020 election was stolen. Election fraud has been a key focus for the Donald Trump campaign and the newly elected leadership at the RNC ahead of the 2024 election. Much of that focus stems from the former president’s dissatisfaction with how the RNC handled claims of election fraud around the 2020 election, multiple sources familiar with the matter have said. There is no evidence of widespread election fraud in the last presidential contest. CLARIFICATION: This headline and story have been updated to reflect that reports of a “litmus test” regarding the 2020 election apply to those who were reapplying for positions with the RNC.

Persons: Donald Trump, they’ve, Trump, Joe Biden, Ronna McDaniel, McDaniel, Drew McKissick, Trump’s, Michael Whatley, Lara Trump, –, Chris LaCivita, James Blair, LaCivita, Blair Organizations: CNN, Republican National Committee, RNC

CNN —Kari Lake, a Republican Senate candidate from Arizona who has advanced election conspiracy theories, is asking a judge to decide whether she must pay damages to a top county election official who sued her for defamation – after opting not to defend her statements in the case. Richer and Lake are both Republicans, and his lawsuit marked an aggressive step by Richer to confront Lake’s election claims – which have been rejected by the courts. In a statement, Richer said Lake and her allies had capitulated. Her Senate campaign received a boost earlier this year when, after months of behind the scenes lobbying, the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm endorsed her. Lake, however, has not completely backed down on her election fraud claims.

Persons: Kari Lake, Stephen Richer, Richer, Lake’s, –, Lake, “, ”, “ Kari didn’t, Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, Sinema, Republicans ’, Donald Trump’s Organizations: CNN, Republican, Lake –, Arizona, Lawyers, Advisers, Senate, Republicans, The New York Times Locations: Arizona, Maricopa County, Richer, Washington

☆ Pence says he ‘cannot in good conscience’ endorse Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former Vice President Mike Pence on Friday said he “cannot in good conscience” endorse presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump, a stunning repudiation of his former running mate and the president he served with. That’s why I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign,” Pence said on Fox News. “During my presidential campaign, I made it clear there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues. In his own presidential campaign last year, Pence warned Republicans of the “siren song of populism” from Trump and his imitators. Pence and his group, Advancing American Freedom, recently announced that they’re devoting $20 million to push conservative policies.

Persons: Mike Pence, Donald Trump, “ Donald Trump, ” Pence, Pence, Trump, I’ve, ByteDance’s, “, Joe Biden, Trump’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Fox News, Republican, GOP, Trump, Pence Locations: China, Trump

☆ LATAM Airlines: Passengers recall mid-air drop of flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Cristopher Ulloa | Marlon Sorto | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A group of passengers on board a LATAM Airlines flight that experienced a mid-air drop while traveling to New Zealand arrived in Chile on Tuesday, with two of them speaking to a CNN team at Santiago International Airport. “The experience was horrible,” said Chilean resident Verónica Martínez, who was on flight LAN800 from Australia to New Zealand on Monday. She described that moment as being on a “roller coaster.”Dozens of people were injured after LATAM Airlines flight 800 from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand experienced a “technical event” on Monday that produced a sudden movement, the flight operator reported. A team of Chilean aviation authorities has been sent to Auckland to investigate the incident, Chile’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) said on Tuesday. The affected passengers and cabin crew “received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed,” LATAM Airlines said in a statement to CNN.

Persons: ”, Verónica Martínez, –, ” Martínez, Diego Valenzuela, Valenzuela, Hato Hone, Hato Hone St John, “ Organizations: CNN, LATAM Airlines, Santiago International, New Zealand, Chile’s, Civil Aeronautics, Hato, Hato Hone St, Hato Hone St John Ambulance Locations: New Zealand, Chile, Australia, New, Sydney, Auckland , New Zealand, Santiago from Auckland, Auckland

☆ Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry visit family of Uvalde shooting victim
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Sharif Paget | Emma Tucker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, visited Uvalde, Texas on Saturday and met with the family of Irma Garcia, a beloved schoolteacher killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting. Irma Garcia’s nephew, John Martinez, told CNN Harry and Meghan have kept in contact with his family since the massacre, which the US Justice Department and other agencies agree was met with a disastrous law enforcement response. Meghan attended and spoke at the South by Southwest festival in Austin on Friday, the day before she and Harry made a stop in Uvalde to check in on the family, Martinez said. John Martinez“It was such a beautiful experience, they’re so nice and compassionate, very down to earth, humble people,” Martinez told CNN in a text message. Meghan visited Uvalde days after the shooting where she was seen placing flowers at a makeshift memorial in front of the county courthouse.

Persons: Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Irma Garcia, Garcia, –, Joe Garcia, Irma Garcia’s, John Martinez, CNN Harry, Harry, Martinez, Carlos Martinez, John Martinez “, ” Martinez, Irma, Claudia Martinez, Irma’s, Uvalde, ”, Jesse Prado, Prado, “, Veronica Mata, Tess, “ We’re, CNN’s Ray Sanchez, Rachel Clarke Organizations: CNN, Robb Elementary School, US Justice Department, Southwest, Uvalde Consolidated Independent School, Austin police Locations: Uvalde , Texas, Austin

The situation was so dire last year at one Walgreens store in San Francisco, employees resorted to padlocking frozen foods. The effort to undo some aspects of Prop 47 comes amid a broader check on some other liberal crime enforcement policies in America. Police data shows that larceny theft, which includes retail theft and car break-ins, is down 37% from this time last year. On Tuesday, San Francisco voters approved two ballot measures spearheaded by Breed. Last September, the state announced it would be sending $267 million to law enforcement agencies throughout the state to tackle organized retail theft.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, It’s, ”, Jason Henry, “, Marlene Harden’s, Harden, Chloe, …, ” Harden, Marlene Harden's, Thanh Tran, Tran, Ella Baker, CNN Lenore Anderson, ” Anderson, Richard Bailey of Coronado, Breed, Tayfun, –, Miracle, don’t, We’re, Newsom, He’s Organizations: San Francisco CNN —, Republican, Democratic, Democratic Gov, CNN, Public, Institute of California, state’s Department of Justice, Walgreens, Walmart, ” Walmart, Westfield San Francisco Centre, New York Times, “ Walgreens, ”, National Retail Federation, Target, Ella Baker Center for Human, Attorneys, San Francisco Mayor London, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Anadolu Agency, San Francisco Chronicle, Police, “, San Francisco, Breed Locations: San, California, San Francisco, America, Oregon’s, San Diego County, Francisco, Texas, South Carolina

☆ How women runners stay safe while running alone
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Faith Karimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

More than two-thirds of the women surveyed take specific safety precautions, including running alongside a friend or partner who can protect them. She also avoids carrying pepper spray because she’s afraid someone could overpower her and use it against her, she says. “If I see a guy coming toward me, I make sure the pepper spray is ready to go. Lyon says she sometimes gets unwanted catcalls when running on sidewalks, and carries pepper spray on a hand strap so it’s easy to access. Most days, she makes sure her hair is in a french bun — not a ponytail — when she’s running, she says.

Persons: Dorothy Beal, Emily Scaglione doesn’t, Veronica Amele, Laken Riley, Eliza Fletcher, Molly Tibbetts, Riley, senselessly, ” Beal, ”, Beal, she’s, Dorothy Beal “, “, Amele, She’s, she's, Veronica Amele Amele, you’re, I’ll, Sarah Lyon, Lyon, she’ll, Sarah Lyon She, I’ve, ” Lyon, Emily Scaglione, Emily Scaglione “, Scaglione, “ Riley, they’re Organizations: CNN, Adidas, ” CNN, Chicago, “, Baylor University in Locations: Athens , Georgia, Tennessee, Iowa, Brambleton , Virginia, Atlanta, Kennesaw, Baylor University in Texas

☆ Crowdfunding Hollywood: How studio Legion M taps fans-turned-investors to make movies
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Emma Mcintyre | Getty ImagesWhen Paul Scanlan and Jeff Annison first dreamed up their production studio, Legion M, they set out to build not just a company, but a community. While crowdfunding is not a new concept, Legion M is taking it to the next level — giving ordinary moviegoers a seat at Hollywood's table. That's what sets Legion M apart. For Legion M's "My Dead Friend Zoe," the company collected funds from Legion M investors and from larger, more traditional Hollywood financiers, including Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. He said working with Legion M "felt very natural from the first call."

Persons: William Shatner, Emma Mcintyre, Paul Scanlan, Jeff Annison, Jay, Bob, Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Simon Pegg, Minnie Driver, Nandor Fodor, Zach Braff's, Rob Thomas, Veronica Mars, Annison, Zoe, Travis Kelce, Chris Temple, Glauber Contessoto, Zach Ingrasci, Erik Tanner, Frazer Harrison Organizations: Legion, San Diego, Theatre, Business, Amazon Prime, Kansas City Chiefs, Spring Studio, Getty, Angel Studios, Con, Paramount Theater Locations: San Diego , California, Hollywood, New York City, Austin , Texas

☆ Haley suggests she’s no longer bound by pledge to back eventual Republican nominee
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley suggested she’s no longer bound by a Republican National Committee pledge to support the eventual nominee, saying that she’ll “make the decision I want to make” when asked whether she would endorse Donald Trump if he secures the nomination. “The RNC is now not the same RNC.”As part of the criteria to appear on the GOP primary debate stage, the RNC required presidential candidates to sign a pledge committing to support the eventual GOP nominee. “So you’re no longer bound by that pledge?” NBC host Kristen Welker asked Haley. “No, I think I’ll make the decision I want to make, but that’s not something I’m thinking about,” she responded. Pressed for clarity about whether she’s leaning against endorsing Trump, Haley stated, “I truly am not thinking about any of that.”Haley’s remarks come as the former governor campaigns through Super Tuesday states.

Persons: Nikki Haley, she’s, Donald Trump, “, ’, NBC’s “, Kristen Welker, Haley, ”, Trump, ” Haley’s, Joe Biden, you’re, ” Haley Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican National Committee, South, RNC, ”, eventual GOP, NBC, Super, Republican, United Nations, Trump Locations: South Carolina, Missouri, Idaho, Michigan, America

☆ I've worked at Costco for 18 years. Here are 8 best things I get there to make in the air fryer.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Veronica Thatcher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

The Bibigo vegetable spring rolls are crunchy on the outside and soft inside. We dip the air-fried Bibigo spring rolls in soy-ginger sauce. Veronica ThatcherThe Bibigo vegetable spring rolls combine crispy wrappers with edamame, carrots, cabbage, onions, and leeks. The spring rolls come with three packets of soy-ginger sauce and are quick and easy to prepare in the air fryer. You can find a 3-pound box of the Bibigo spring rolls in the freezer section.

Persons: Veronica Thatcher, fryer

☆ I've worked at Costco for 18 years. Here are 10 things my family of 4 loves to buy there.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Veronica Thatcher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

We always look at Costco's travel deals before going on vacation. Costco offers a variety of travel discounts on select hotels, amusement parks, and car rentals. Veronica ThatcherI've noticed that many customers aren't aware they can find deals on their favorite vacation spots through Costco Travel. For example, my family has used Costco's vacation packages to go to Disneyland. The perks for each vacation package vary, but we've gotten discounts on hotels, amusement parks, and car rentals.

Persons: Veronica Thatcher I've, we've Organizations: Costco, Costco Travel

☆ Spending in Shenzhen: Chinese used to escape to this former British colony. Now Hongkongers are heading in the opposite direction
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Chris Lau | Veronica Lin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Hong Kong CNN —With Hong Kong’s sky-high cost of living, residents like Andy Tsui have been looking for alternative ways to have more fun and spend less. Rather than spending his cash in his hometown of Hong Kong, he’s been crossing the border into mainland China to splurge instead. Such trips are noteworthy because, for much of Hong Kong’s modern history, the traffic has been largely — conspicuously, even — in the other direction. Hong Kong used to be the place where Chinese would escape to, not from. In 2023, just 26 million mainlanders — about half of the 2018 crowd — visited Hong Kong.

Persons: Andy Tsui, he’s, boba, ” Tsui, Justin Robertson, Noemi Cassanelli, CNN Hong Kong’s, Hong Kong —, misbehaving, —, ”, Steve Tsang, Hong, Shenzhen’s, Hongkongers, Gilles Sabrie, Hongkonger Eddy Lam, Lam, Cherrie Leung, Qilai Shen, Hugo Sin, “, Gary Ng, John Lee, Tsang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Shoppers, Yuen, Britain, Newspapers, Hong, Hong Kong Immigration Department, China Institute, SOAS University, Huawei, Tencent, Bloomberg, Getty, Sam’s Club, Costco, Sam’s, Walmart, Hong Kong, Shenzhen hasn’t, Xinhua, RTHK, SOAS University of London Locations: Hong Kong, China, splurge, Peking, Shenzhen, East, Hong, People’s Republic of China, British, Beijing, London, Bay Area, San Francisco , New York, Tokyo, Kowloon, Coco, Shanghai, “, Inner Mongolia, Taiwan, Japan, Mainland China, Hong Kong’s, Britain, Canada, Australia, Bay, ”

☆ South Korea digital nomad visa: what to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

According to a report in the Korea Herald, South Korea’s Justice Ministry says the digital nomad visa will make remote work and vacations smoother for visitors. The site ranks South Korea highly for nightlife and youth culture, but gives lower marks for LGBT acceptance and English-language accessibility. Meanwhile, South Korea places 49 out of 113 countries on the English Proficiency Index, which puts it in the “moderate” category. Still, Humphries is undeterred in his quest for the South Korea “workation” visa and plans to base himself in Seoul if approved. “The South Korean digital nomad visa is a great step forward for allowing foreigners to reside in the country,” he says.

Persons: Ashley Humphries, he’s, Humphries, Jungho Suh, ”, Suh, ” Jeong Hyun Cho, Jeong, Ed Jones, Gawon Bae, Veronica Lin Organizations: CNN, South Korean, Korea Herald, Korea’s, Ministry, Korean Management Institute, George Washington University, Korea –, Statistics Korea, Human Rights Commission, South Korean Society, Digital Nomads Korea WhatsApp, Getty, Foreigners, South Locations: South Korea, Asia, Dubai, Cayman Islands, Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesian, Bali, South, Seoul, AFP, Korean, expats, Turkey, Norway, Kuwait, North America, Singapore, Japan

☆ Haley sides with Alabama Supreme Court on IVF ruling: ‘Embryos, to me, are babies’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Ebony Davis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Wednesday sided with the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children and those who destroy them can be held liable for wrongful death. The University of Alabama at Birmingham health system said Wednesday that it is pausing IVF treatment following the ruling. And one religious group is already using the Alabama ruling as precedent in a Florida abortion rights case, signaling the impact this ruling can have on the national abortion landscape following the reversal of Roe v. Wade. While the unprecedented ruling does not prohibit IVF, it’s the first known case in which a US court said frozen embryos are human beings. And then when you look at that, then you make the decision that’s best for your family,” she later said.

Persons: Nikki Haley, ” Haley, “, that’s, Alabamians, Roe, Wade, Haley, ”, CNN’s Christina Maxouris, Veronica Stracqualursi, Kate Sullivan, Kylie Atwood Organizations: CNN, Republican, Alabama, NBC News, University of Alabama, Palmetto State Locations: Birmingham, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina

☆ Prabowo Subianto: Once banned from the US, this fiery ex-army general is poised to lead Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

“The most important objective of democracy is giving people the leaders and representatives they want,” Prabowo told reporters from his pool. Antara Foto/Galih Pradipta/ReutersMany are excited about a Prabowo presidency, like this hardcore supporter who has clearly taken his support to the extreme. Bagus Saragih/AFP/Getty ImagesMore recently, Prabowo has presented himself as a loyal Jokowi ally, serving as his defense minister for the past five years. Experts say Prabowo, known for his fiery speeches, military background and combative past will make for a very different kind of president. Indonesia has long been one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships and experts say that will not change with Prabowo in charge.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, ” Prabowo, Prabowo, Indonesia’s, Partai Probawo, Gibran, “ Prabowo, ”, Zachary Abuza, Abuza, “, Antara, Pradipta, Saragih, Widodo, Barack Obama, Tom Pepinsky, Rodrigo Duterte, Javier Milei, Trump, ” “, Dita Alangkara, Jokowi, Jacqui Baker, Laura Schwartz, Schwartz, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Adek Berry, Chong Ja Ian, Suharto, –, Dan Slater, Prabowo “, ” Slater, Chaideer Mahyuddin, Chong, Juni Kriswanto, Usman Hamid, Papuans, Veronica Koman, ” Koman Organizations: CNN, National War College, Getty, Southeast Asia, Cornell University, “, Center, Research, Senior Southeast, National University of Singapore, Center for Emerging Democracies, University of Michigan, Muda Airforce, Amnesty International Locations: Jakarta, United States, South Jakarta, Washington ,, AFP, Indonesia, Singapore, Ukraine, Russia, China, Australia, Asian, Perth, Asia, Beijing, Washington, “ Washington, Sultan, Muda, Aceh, West Papua, South China, Tentara Nasional Indonesia, Southeast Asia, “, Papua, Amnesty International Indonesia, restive, Indonesian, East Timor

☆ Sweet & Sour: Here’s why Valentine’s Day candy is so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

For example, she said a Valentine’s Day-themed heart-shaped box of Sour Patch Kids candy (3.45 oz) was listed on Walmart.com for $3.96 ($1.15 oz), while a regular box of the candy (3.5 oz) costs $1.24 ($0.35/oz). Walmart said it was looking into the price differences, but said some of the Valentine’s Day candy items on its website are listed by third-party sellers on Walmart marketplace. A Walmart supercenter in New Jersey visted by CNN also had the heart-shaped Sour Patch Kids candy box for $3.96 on the shelf. Some Sour Patch Kids Valentine's Day editions cost much more than the regular versions of the candy for roughly the same quantity. “Buy the candy after Valentine’s Day when it’s heavily discounted or buy the regular cheaper version of the candy and package it yourself,” he said.

Persons: don’t, Jolly, Veronica Fletcher, Fletcher, Goldbears, ”, Edgar Dworsky, “, John Talbott, ” Talbott, it’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walmart, Bears, CNN, New Jersey visted, CVS, Center for Education, Research, Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business Locations: New York, New York City, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Retail

☆ New York Democrats are worried about Tuesday’s special election. They have good reason to be
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Gregory Krieg | Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

But as the special election to succeed the disgraced former congressman has made painfully clear to Democrats, Santos’ victory was not a fluke or anomaly. (Less so 40 years ago, when Republicans ran roughshod here and Ronald Reagan alluded to Nassau County as a Republican’s idea of heaven.) Nassau County in 2024 is sharply divided and – in a word – angry. The year before, Democrat Laura Curran, the top official in Nassau County, was ousted by Republican Bruce Blakeman. But more liberal New York Democrats often point to the current problems as Cuomo’s legacy.

Persons: Republican George Santos ’, Santos ’, –, Tom Suozzi, Ronald Reagan, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, ”, Alyssa Cass, “ George Santos, Chuck Schumer, Laura Curran, Republican Bruce Blakeman, Santos, Hakeem Jeffries, “ Hakeem, “, he’s, Jay Jacobs, Jeffries, it’s, ” Jacobs, ” Curran, there’s, ” It’s, Curran, Suozzi, doesn’t, Andrew Cuomo, Jacobs, Cuomo, Kathy Hochul, ’, Mazi Pilip, Peter King, Adam Gray, Tom, Larry Levy, ” Levy, I’m, Joe Cairo, Mazi, it’s …, Mike Florio, Pilip, mailers –, Biden, Greg Abbott, George Santos ’, ” Suozzi, Trump, Alexandria Ocasio, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida, unvetted ”, Roe, Wade, Court’s Dobbs, we’re, it’ll, Jim Fornaro, aren’t, ” Fornaro, “ I’m, bummed, “ Suozzi, Nestor Oginar, Suozzi canvassers Rachel Klein, Stephanie Visconti, ” Klein, ” Visconti, Stephanie Visconti's Organizations: New York CNN, Democrats, Republican, Congressional, Republicans, Democratic, Biden, Trump, GOP, New York Democrats, Democrat, Nassau County Democratic, CNN, Grassroots, New York City Hall, New York Rep, Bloomberg, Getty, National Center for Suburban Studies, Hofstra University, Nassau County Democrats, Democratic Party, Nassau County GOP, New York Post, Long Islanders Builders Institute, Psychiatric, Republican Gov, ICE, George Santos ’ volleyball, Senate, Suozzi, Long, Engage Locations: Plainview, New York, Long, Nassau County, Glen Cove, American, “, Long Island, ”, York, Nassau, Massapequa , New York, Suozzi, Israel, ” Cairo, Pilip, it’s … Montgomery, Bucks, Pennsylvania, Oakland County , Michigan, America’s, New York City, York City, Queens, Texas, Cortez, Macedonian, North Carolina, New Hyde

☆ Trump says he would encourage Russia to ‘do whatever the hell they want’ to any NATO country that doesn’t pay enough
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Kate Sullivan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“NATO was busted until I came along,” Trump said at a rally in Conway, South Carolina. But his comments Saturday are his most direct indication he does not intend to defend NATO allies from Russian attack if he is reelected. NATO has a target that each member country spends a minimum of 2% of gross domestic product on defense, and most countries are not meeting that target. As president, Trump privately threatened multiple times to withdraw the United States from NATO, according to The New York Times. Trump has described NATO as “obsolete” and has aligned himself with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who wants to weaken the alliance.

Persons: Donald Trump, ” Trump, “, ‘ Everybody’s, ’, ‘, ”, Joe Biden’s, Biden, chief’s, Andrew Bates, Trump, haven’t, Vladimir Putin, Putin, CNN’s Kaanita Iyer, Daniel Dale, Marshall Cohen, Veronica Stracqualursi, Jim Acosta, Kevin Liptak Organizations: CNN, NATO, American, Atlantic Treaty Organization, The New York Times Locations: Russia, Conway , South Carolina, United States

☆ Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announces Senate bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Larry Hogan announced Friday that he is running for US Senate this year, providing Republicans with a strong candidate in their bid to flip a seat in a deep-blue state. It’s what I did as Maryland’s governor, and it’s exactly how I’ll serve Maryland in the Senate. “I would pay a significant amount for a ticket to watch Chuck Schumer’s face right now,” Josh Holmes, the top political adviser to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, posted on X. Though he was personally popular during his two terms as governor, the state Republican Party has veered very much toward Trump. In recent decades, Maryland has been dominated by the Democratic Party at the state and federal levels.

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