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☆ The Putin-Kim bromance grows with a lion, yaks, bears, cockatoos, pheasants, and 40 ducks
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementRussia announced on Wednesday that Vladimir Putin is gifting Kim Jong Un about 70 animals for his zoo. Russia's environmental ministry said the animals include a lioness, two bears, two yaks, and over 60 birds. The new set of animals is another touch by Putin to firm up his alliance with North Korea. AdvertisementKozlov's ministry said it had previously sent Pyongyang birds such as eagles, cranes, and parrots, but that it was the first time Russia had donated mammals. In August, the Times of London, citing a veterinary source in Russia, reported that the Russian leader had sent Pyongyang two dozen purebred white horses.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Putin, Kim Jong, Alexander Kozlov, Kozlov's, Kim Organizations: Russia, North, Russian Ministry of Natural Resources, Moscow Zoo, Pyongyang Central Zoo, North Korean State Media, NATO, Central, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Locations: North Korea, Moscow, Pyongyang, North Korean, Korean, Russia, London, Russian, The, Ukraine, Korea, Germany, Poland, Western, Stockholm

☆ Laos: Australian backpacker dies as countries warn of suspected methanol poisonings in Southeast Asian country
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —An Australian teenager has died and another is fighting for her life after drinking suspected tainted alcohol in Laos, as a growing list of countries warned of multiple poisonings linked to a tourist town in the Southeast Asian country. Jones’ death is the latest in a spate of suspected methanol poisonings of foreigners in Vang Vieng, a popular destination for young international backpackers. The British Embassy in Laos said it was providing consular assistance to British nationals “following an incident” in the country. “In November 2024, several foreigners in Vang Vieng have been victims of suspected methanol-adulterated alcohol poisoning,” the Canadian government said. Laos, one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, has been hit hard by skyrocketing inflation in recent years.

Persons: Bianca Jones, Holly Bowles, Jones, ”, “, Anupam Nath, Vang Vieng, Anthony Albanese, didn’t Organizations: CNN, Nine, US State Department, ” Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US Centers for Disease Control, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, ” “, British, “, Zealand, Foreign Office, Nine News, Associated Press, British Foreign, Tourism Locations: Laos, Thailand, Bangkok, Vang Vieng, American, British Embassy, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, “, Vang, Melbourne, Southeast Asia

☆ Elon Musk's DOGE is looking to Argentina for inspiration to slash public spending
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Both men admire Javier Milei, the Argentine leader elected on a pledge to slash the state. About a year ago, standing in front of a whiteboard with a gleam in his eye, Javier Milei started pulling apart Argentina's government. Javier Milei pulls apart a chart of Argentina's state in a video published on September 9, 2023. AdvertisementHarsh medicineHis measures helped tame a crisis: Argentina's inflation was 25.5% when Milei took office, and as of October, it was 2.7%. Argentinians have taken to the streets to protest against Javier Milei's economic policies since his election.

Persons: Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Javier Milei, Milei, Lex Fridman, — Milei, Maria Victoria Murillo, Argentinians, Javier, Luciano Gonzalez, Donald Trump's, Trump, Ramaswamy, Musk Organizations: Argentine, Ministry, of Environment, Sustainable, Government, Social Security, US, Institute of Latin American Studies, Columbia University, Anadolu, Getty Images Kimberley, Economics, America, Republicans Locations: Milei, Argentine, Argentina, Mar, Buenos Aires

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Anticipation over Nvidia’s earnings overshadows geopolitical risks
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Russia warns of nuclear responseUkraine "struck a facility in [the] Bryansk region" of Russia using six U.S.-made missiles, said Russia's Ministry of Defense. On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin updated the country's nuclear doctrine, expanding the circumstances that would warrant a response using nuclear weapons. Markets recovered from jittersU.S. markets mostly closed higher on Tuesday after dipping in response to news of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Cristiano Amon's, Atomico, Goldman Sachs, David Kostin Organizations: CNBC, Ministry of Defense, Micro Computer, Eurostat, Qualcomm Qualcomm, Qualcomm, Venture Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Bryansk, jitters U.S, New, Europe, Tuesday's, U.S

As of last week, nowhere else on the planet has air so hazardous to human health, according to global air quality monitors. By evening it feels like I am lifeless.”Deepak Rajak, whose asthma has worsened in recent weeks, visits a pollution clinic in New Delhi. Anushree Fadnavis/ReutersCommuters step out in a foggy winter morning amid rising air pollution, on November 19, 2024 in Greater Noida, India. But analysts say governments are focusing more on the emergency response rather than sustained efforts to improve air quality. While stubble burning during the winter harvest season exacerbates pollution levels, to solve the crisis, pollution needs to be tackled year-round, Dahiya said.

Persons: Deepak Rajak, Rajak, ”, Ram Manohar Lohiya, It’s, Atishi, that’s, CNN Rajak, Kajal Rajak, they’re, ” Kajal, “, Vipin Kumar, Anushree Fadnavis, Sunil Ghosh, Mohammad Ibrahim, ” Ibrahim, Ibrahim can’t, Aditya Kumar Shukla, Delhi’s Batra, Shukla, Amit Jindal, Jindal, Gaurav Jain, Batra, Manish Swarup, Ajay Aggarwal, Sunil Dahiya, Dahiya, ” Dahiya Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, CNN, World Health Organization, Indian Ministry of Forest Environment, Hindustan Times, Getty, Indian Air Force, ”, Clean Air Program Locations: New Delhi, Delhi, Greater Noida, India

CNN —Ukraine launched the British-French-made Storm Shadow missiles at targets inside Russia for the first time on Wednesday, according to a Russian military blog and Reuters, a day after Ukraine fired US-made ATACMS missiles into Russia. When Umerov was asked if Ukraine used the Storm Shadow missiles to hit a target inside Russia, he replied, “we are using all the means to defend our country, so we’ll not go into detail. A weapons expert who reviewed the video for CNN said there are no indications the explosions are from a different type of munition, but it’s not possible to definitively say they are from Storm Shadow missiles. The UK and France have previously supplied the long-range Storm Shadow missiles for Ukraine to use inside its own borders. Ukraine used eight long-range US missiles to successfully hit an ammunition depot deep inside Russia, according to two US defense officials.

Persons: Rustem Umerov, Umerov, “, we’ll, Trevor Ball, Paul Adams, Shadow, Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Organizations: CNN —, Reuters, Ukraine’s, UK Ministry of Defense, CNN, Storm, US Army, Storm Shadow, French Ministry of Defense, “, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Sunday, Russian Ministry of Defense Locations: CNN — Ukraine, British, Russia, Russian, Ukraine, Kursk, Marino, Ukrainian, France, “ Ukraine, Bryansk

☆ China expectedly keeps benchmark lending rates steady as Beijing assesses stimulus measures
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Anniek Bao | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

China's central bank on Wednesday kept major benchmark lending rates unchanged, as Beijing assesses the effects of its recent stimulus measures. The People's Bank of China said it would keep the 1-year loan prime rate at 3.1%, and the 5-year LPR at 3.6%. The 1-year LPR affects corporate and most household loans in China, while the 5-year LPR acts as a benchmark for mortgage rates. Only retail sales beat expectations, with a 4.8% year-on-year increase, indicating that recent stimulus had started seeping into certain sectors of the economy. Goldman, however, maintained "overweight" stance on China equities, forecasting a 13% upside to the benchmark CSI 300 index next year.

Persons: Bruce Pang, Pang, Pan Gongsheng, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Donald Trump's Organizations: People's Bank of China, People's Bank of, Reuters, Ministry of Finance Locations: Beijing, China's, People's Bank of China, China, JLL

☆ Russia says Ukraine attacked it using U.S.-made missiles, signals it's ready for nuclear response
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowMoscow signaled to the West that it's ready for a nuclear confrontation after Ukraine was given permission to attack Russian territory — and appeared to quickly act on that greenlight — using U.S.-made long-range missiles. Ukrainian news outlets reported early Tuesday that the missiles had been used to attack a Russian military facility in the Bryansk border region. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned the West against allowing Ukraine to use its long-range weapons to attack Russia directly. Moscow upped the ante Tuesday as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree approving its updated nuclear doctrine, shifting the parameters on when Russia can use nuclear weapons. "Aggression against the Russian Federation by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state is considered a joint attack."

Persons: Vladimir Putin, it's, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov Organizations: Washington Sunday, Ministry of Defense, CNBC, Kyiv Post, Kremlin's, Russian Federation, Civil Defense, Emergencies, Russia's Emergencies Ministry Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, Russian, Bryansk, Russia, Belarus, Republic of Belarus

☆ Apple reportedly offers $100 million investment to end iPhone 16 sales ban in the world's 4th-most-populous country
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Nora Redmond | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

AdvertisementApple has offered a $100 million investment to lift Indonesia's iPhone 16 sales ban, Bloomberg says. Indonesia has blocked iPhone 16 sales because they do not contain 40% locally made components. Apple has reportedly offered to invest $100 million in Indonesia to reverse a ban on iPhone 16 sales in the world's fourth-most populous nation. AdvertisementIndonesia's Ministry of Industry last month blocked Apple from selling its iPhone 16, which first launched in September, for failing to comply with regulations. As the world's fourth-most populous nation with over 280 million citizens, Indonesia is an increasingly important Apple market.

Persons: —, Apple hadn't Organizations: Apple, Bloomberg, Indonesia's Ministry, Industry, Indonesia's Ministry of Industry, Business Locations: Indonesia, Cupertino, Asia's, Bandung, Jakarta

☆ LGBTQ Afghans say they face abuse in detention as Taliban crackdown intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Billy Stockwell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“He grabbed me from behind, tore my clothes apart and raped me,” Sohrab – whose name has been changed for security reasons – told CNN in October. Transgender and gender non-conforming people are being “consistently” targeted at Taliban checkpoints due to their choice of clothing, human rights groups said. “I will never forget when the Taliban came to our house,” Samiar Nazari, a 22-year-old transgender man, told CNN. Other human rights groups have documented instances of extrajudicial detention, conducted out of the public eye. With little sign that the Taliban will improve their record on human rights, many in the country feel abandoned by the international community.

Persons: Sohrab, “, ” Sohrab –, –, ” Sohrab, Wakil Kohsar, Roshaniya, ”, Neela Ghoshal, Artemis Akbary, Ghoshal, ” Samiar, ” Nazari, Akbary, Abdul, ” Abdul, David Osborn, Osborn, It’s, Sano –, Sano, ” Sano, He’s, Rosemary DiCarlo, DiCarlo, Yuki Iwamura, UNAMA Organizations: CNN, “, Taliban, Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghan LGBT Organization, Getty, ” CNN, US Department of State, Facebook, Afghan, UK’s, Information Resilience, Afghan Witness, ”, UN, Political, Peacebuilding, United Nations Locations: Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Pul, Kabul, AFP, –, ‘ Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Herat, Afghanistan’s, Jalalabad, Qatar

He was the founder of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy, anti-Beijing newspaper that was forced to shut down in 2021. The trial, which began in December 2023, is the most high-profile prosecution of a Hong Kong media figure since the city was handed over from British to Chinese control in 1997. Like all national security trials in Hong Kong, Lai’s trial does not have a jury and is presided over by three judges picked from a national security committee that is approved by Hong Kong’s leader. “Jimmy Lai is a key instigator of anti-China activities, and his collusion with external forces to disrupt Hong Kong and incite division is well-known,” China’s foreign ministry office in Hong Kong said in a statement last week. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Hong Kong at 135 out of 180 places in its annual press freedom ranking.

Persons: Jimmy Lai, hasn’t, Hong Kong’s, Joshua Wong, “, Donald Trump, Lai, Keir Starmer, Xi Jinping, “ We’re, Jimmy Lai’s, ” Starmer, Xi, Daniel Suen, ’, Chiu Mei, “ Lai, ”, Chris Lau, CNN Lai, Trump Lai, Mike Pence, Trump, you’re, ” Lai, Hong, Anthony Kwan, John Lee, Lee, Trump’s, Hugh Hewitt, I’ll Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Apple, White, Apple Daily, Getty, Hong, CNN, “, ” Prosecutors, Kowloon Law, Trump, Beijing, Hong Kong . Police, ” Police, HK, Hong Kong Locations: Hong Kong, China, Britain, British, Brazil, AFP, Beijing, Kowloon, Washington, “ Hong Kong, China , Hong Kong, Hong

☆ Ukraine launched its first deep ATACMS strike on Russia after getting US approval
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

AdvertisementUkraine fired US-made ATACMS missiles at Russia for the first time, Russia said. It's the first time Ukraine has used the weapons against Russia. Ukraine fired US-supplied ATACMS long-range missiles into Russia for the first time, marking a significant escalation in the war. It comes after President Joe Biden this week authorized the use of the powerful missiles by Ukraine in a major change in US policy. The move seemed a direct response to US approval for Ukraine to use US-made long-range missiles to attack Russia.

Persons: Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Ukraine, Army Tactical Missile Systems, Russian Ministry of Defense, Military Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russia's Bryansk region, Russia's Bryansk

☆ Ukraine says Russia's unstoppable hypersonic missiles had another bad night
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementUkraine said it destroyed nearly all the hypersonic missiles that Russia fired in a big weekend attack. The Ukrainian military said it destroyed nearly all of the hypersonic missiles Russia launched as part of a massive bombardment over the weekend. The purported success of Ukraine's air defenses during the engagement marks the latest blow to the reputation of Russian hypersonic weapons, which Moscow has touted as highly advanced systems that are basically unstoppable. AdvertisementUkraine has several air-defense systems that it says are capable of taking down Russia's hypersonic missiles, including the French/Italian-made SAMP-T and American-made MIM-104 Patriot battery. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institute, notes that data on hypersonic missile interception rates is scarce.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Gorshkov, SERGEI SUPINSKY, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, Lockheed Martin Organizations: Russia, Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian, NATO, Getty, Kyiv, Kiel Institute Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Russian, Kyiv, AFP

☆ China is racing towards a future powered by wind and solar
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Ella Nilsen | Hien An Ngo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

China is installing wind and solar power projects faster than any other country on the planet. It’s not that China is using less energy — it’s using more than ever — but it’s just adding wind and solar power to its grid at an astonishing pace. The country is constructing two-thirds — nearly 339 gigawatts — of the world’s utility-scale solar and wind projects. That is in addition to the 758 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity it has already built, according to the Global Energy Monitor. Wind and solar are now capable of generating 37% of the country’s power, according to Global Energy Monitor, already displacing coal’s dominance.

Persons: Donald Trump, It’s, “, ”, Jonathan Pershing, William, Flora Hewlett, John Podesta, ” Podesta, Xi Jinping, hasn’t, Xia Yingxian, ” Li Shuo, Shuo, ” Shuo Organizations: CNN, Department, Global Energy Monitor, International Energy Agency, White, US, State Department, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Climate, Asia Society Policy Institute Locations: Mongolia, China, Europe, Africa, Podesta, Paris, China’s

☆ China to front-load 2025 local government special bonds quota, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 04: Buildings and vehicles are seen in the central business district during the rush hour on September 4, 2020 in Beijing, China. China's finance ministry is planning to front-load part of the 2025 local government special bonds quota to meet funding needs for major infrastructure projects, state-backed The Securities Times reported on Monday. The State Council, China's cabinet, typically determines and issues an advance allocation of new local government debt quotas for the following year in the fourth quarter, depending on economic conditions, the report said. By the end of October, local governments had issued 3.9 trillion yuan ($539 billion) in new special bonds, almost completing debt issuance under the 2024 quota, the report added. Earlier this month, China unveiled a 10 trillion yuan debt package to ease local government financing strains and stabilise flagging economic growth, as it faces fresh pressure following the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president.

Persons: Donald Trump Organizations: Securities Times, State Council, Ministry of Finance, Beijing Locations: BEIJING, CHINA, Beijing, China

☆ NATO members Sweden and Finland advise citizens on how to survive war
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Sana Noor Haq | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Sweden and Finland have updated guidance to their citizens on how to survive war, as NATO allies bolster defense measures against the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict. Many European countries have since ramped up military spending to bolster long-term security in the region. Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common. Finland’s Ministry of the Interior also issued new crisis guidance on Monday, giving readers advice on how to prepare for long power cuts, water outages, telecommunications disruptions, extreme weather events, and military conflict. Earlier this year, Norway and Denmark – two other members of the 32-party bloc – distributed updated wartime guidance on how people should prepare for potential crises.

Persons: krisen eller, kommer, ”, “ Organizations: CNN —, NATO, Nordic, Swedish Civil, Agency, Finland’s Ministry, Denmark – Locations: CNN — Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Russia, Swedish, Finland’s, Norway, Denmark

☆ Pope Francis calls for investigation into Gaza genocide allegations
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Pope Francis has said that allegations of a genocide in Gaza should be “carefully investigated” marking some of his strongest criticism yet of Israel’s war in the territory. “According to some experts… what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide,” Vatican News, the Holy See’s official news outlet, cited the pontiff as writing in a forthcoming book. Pope Francis rarely comments on politics, often limiting his remarks to calls for peace. He lamented that “unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire” in Gaza and invoking scripture on war. Israel’s war in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, the ministry of health there says, and has flattened large swathes of the territory, triggering a humanitarian crisis.

Persons: Pope Francis, “, Hope, Yaron, ”, Omar Al, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Israel Organizations: CNN, Vatican, Vatican News, United Nations ’ International Court of Justice, Getty, ICJ, Hamas, UN, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Locations: Gaza, Israel, South Africa, Pretoria, Jabaliya, AFP, Parish

I’m tripping over their bodies,” said Sydney Seiler, the U.S. national intelligence officer for North Korea from 2020 to 2023. “Kim Jong Un is selling North Korean soldiers as cannon fodder mercenaries,” South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun said last month. It’s an entirely new environment for the North Korean soldiers, who live in one of the most isolated and repressive countries in the world. The Russian military is teaching the North Korean soldiers about 100 key military terms, but “North Koreans are having a difficult time learning Russian,” South Korean lawmakers Lee Sung-kwon and Park Sun-won said last month. North Korean soldiers’ inexperience could be another point of friction and a major factor in how they are deployed.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Putin, ”, Sydney Seiler, Seiler, Gavriil, Joe Biden, Yoon Suk Yeol, Shigeru Ishiba, Kim, “ Kim Jong, Kim Yong, hyun, John Hardie, Lee Sung, Bruce Bennett, ” Hardie, Bennett, ” Bennett, Edward Howell, “, ” Howell, Stella Kim Organizations: Ukraine, North, NBC News, U.S, The State Department, Korea’s National Intelligence Service, NBC, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Getty Images, Economic Cooperation, South Korean Defense, Pentagon, Politico, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, North Korean, South Korean National Intelligence Service, AFP, Getty, Korean, Battalion, Russian Ministry of Defense, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, South, Sun, Rand Corp . Communication, Chatham House Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Ukraine, Moscow, Russia, U.S, North Korea, Russian, Kursk, Korean, Korea, Washington, Pyongyang, Getty Images North Korea, South, Asia, Lima , Peru, The U.S, California, Ukrainian, London, Seoul, Hong Kong

☆ Israel pounds southern Beirut as Hezbollah considers fresh ceasefire proposal
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Mostafa Salem | Eyad Kourdi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Abu Dhabi CNN —Intense Israeli strikes targeted areas of Beirut’s southern suburbs Saturday as the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah considered its response to a fresh ceasefire proposal. The strikes marked the fifth straight day of Israeli attacks on the Dayiyeh region of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. Israel has intensified its strikes on the capital and expanded its ground operation in southern Lebanon in recent days. The latest proposal is the first to be submitted by the US and Israel since a temporary ceasefire was negotiated in late September. Those efforts were upended when Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a major bombing attack in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Persons: Lisa Johnson, Israel, Hassan Nasrallah Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN — Intense, Hezbollah, National News Agency, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Lebanese Ministry of Health, Getty Locations: Abu Dhabi, Lebanese, Dayiyeh, Beirut, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Beirut’s, Haret, Beirut's, AFP, Gaza

☆ Norwegian F-35s called into action after Russian aircraft spotted off Norway and over Baltic Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

AdvertisementNATO scrambled jets to respond to Russian aircraft "not adhering to international norms" this week. Italy's air force intercepted a Russian Coot-A aircraft over the Baltic Sea, NATO Air Command said. Norwegian F-35s identified multiple Russian aircraft off the coast of Norway, it added. Norwegian F-35s were called into action on Tuesday as NATO scrambled jets in response to Russian aircraft "not adhering to international norms," NATO's Air Command said in a post on X.Italy's air force intercepted a Russian Coot-A plane flying over the Baltic Sea, while the Norwegian F-35s identified multiple Russian aircraft off the coast of Norway, NATO Air Command said. In July, Russian fighter jets scrambled to intercept two US Air Force B-52H bombers approaching Russia's border, the Russian Ministry of Defense said at the time.

Persons: Henrik Omtvedt Jenssen, Jenssen, Lockheed Martin Organizations: NATO, NATO Air Command, Command, Norwegian Armed Forces, NRK, Russian, Royal Air Force, British Ministry of Defence, BBC, Typhoons, US Air Force, Russian Ministry of Defense, Lockheed, Kongsberg Defence, Aerospace Locations: Russian, Baltic, Norwegian, Norway, Russia, State, Kongsberg

☆ Disney CFO says Epic Universe's opening could boost attendance at Disney's Florida theme parks
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Disney's CFO Hugh Johnston discussed Universal Studios' upcoming theme park, Epic Universe. Both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are adding new attractions. AdvertisementEpic Universe's arrival in Central Florida might be good for its direct competitor, Walt Disney World. Disney's Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston discussed Universal Orlando Resort's upcoming theme park during Thursday's earnings call. When asked how Epic Universe's May 2025 debut could impact Walt Disney World, Johnston seemed optimistic.

Persons: Hugh Johnston, Johnston, —, Walt, Arturo Holmes, Disney Dreamers Academy Dennis Speigel, NBCUniversal, Comcast NBCUniversal, Brian L, Roberts, Harry Potter, Berk, Josh D'Amaro, Indiana Jones, James Cameron's Organizations: Universal Studios, Disney, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Service, Walt Disney, Cinderella's, Disney Dreamers Academy, Park, Inc, Comcast, Comcast Corporation, Universal Orlando Resort Universal, of, Nintendo, Magic, Central, Central Florida Tourism, Disney's Hollywood Studios Locations: Central Florida, Florida, Pueblo Esperanza

☆ China retail sales beat forecasts in October while real estate slump worsens
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING — China's retail sales rose more than expected in October, while industrial production and investment data missed forecasts as the real estate drag worsened. Industrial production rose by 5.3% in October from a year ago, missing expectations of 5.6% growth. Investment in real estate for the January to October period fell by 10.3% from a year ago, steeper than the 10.1% drop seen in the January to September period. While infrastructure and manufacturing investments picked up slightly in the year-to-date period as of October, versus that of September. The central bank has cut interest rates and extended existing real estate support.

Organizations: Retail, National Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Finance Locations: Shanghai, BEIJING

☆ ‘We are not Disneyland’: Outrage in Rome over Airbnb ‘gladiator’ battles at the Colosseum
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Barbie Latza Nadeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Rome CNN —The ancient Colosseum in Rome has witnessed some historic battles, with toga-clad crowds once packing the gigantic venue to watch gladiators slug it out against opponents including lions and baboons. On one side of the arena is holiday rental giant Airbnb and the Colosseum Archaeological Park, which oversees the ruined structure, which is one of Rome’s most visited attractions. You will become a gladiator,” promises the AirBnB advertisement. “A publicity stunt by Airbnb which, after having effectively taken possession of the historic center, completely distorting it and turning it into a large tourist park, now wants to ridicule the Colosseum,” he said Friday. Federico Mollicone, a member of her party who heads the Lower House of Parliament’s Culture Commission said he applauds the innovative idea.

Persons: ”, Ridley Scott, “, Massimiliano Smeriglio, ” Smeriglio, Smeriglio isn’t, Erica Battaglia, Vatican’s, Trevi, Enzo Foschi, ” Airbnb, Giorgia, Brothers, Italy, Federico Mollicone Organizations: Rome CNN, Paramount, CNN, Rome’s Culture, UNESCO, Democratic Party, overtourism, Italian, Culture Commission, Culture, Ministry of Culture Locations: Rome, Eternal

☆ Scientists discover the world’s largest coral — so big it can be seen from space
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The world’s largest coral has just been discovered in the southwest Pacific Ocean, scientists announced Wednesday. It’s three times larger than the previous record-breaker in American Samoa, according to Pristine Seas, and longer than a blue whale, the planet’s biggest animal. Steve Spence/National Geographic Pristine SeasA diver swims alongside the mega coral, which is made up of nearly 1 billion polyps. “Making a discovery of this significance is the ultimate dream,” said Paul Rose, a National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition leader. Yet while the mega coral remains vulnerable, he believes its health and longevity do provide a glimmer of hope.

Persons: CNN CNN —, “, ”, Enric Sala, Manu San Félix, It’s “, Steve Spence, Féliz, it’s, Paul Rose, Dennis Marita, Sala, Derek Manzello, Manzello, Emily Darling, Darling, ” Sala Organizations: CNN CNN, National Geographic, Geographic, Ministry of Culture, Tourism, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, International Union for Conservation, Reef, CNN, Wildlife Conservation Society, COP29, UN Locations: Ocean, Solomon Islands, American Samoa, Solomon, Indonesia, Philippines, Baku, Azerbaijan

☆ Argentina votes against UN resolution combating online violence against women and girls
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Abel Alvarado | Manuela Castro | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Argentina was the only country to vote against a United Nations resolution promoting the end of all forms of online violence against women and girls. During Thursday’s UN General Assembly session, the South American nation argued that the resolution contained ambiguous terms such as “hate speech,” “misinformation,” and “disinformation” that could be used “abusively” to restrict freedom of expression. A total of 170 nations voted in favor, while 13 others abstained, including Iran, Russia, Nicaragua, and North Korea. Milei, who ran on a libertarian platform, has rolled out drastic social and economic measures in Argentina since taking office. During Milei’s presidential campaign, he and his party were accused of making offensive remarks against LGBTQ communities which were deemed hate speech by multiple groups, including Argentina’s National Observatory of LGBTQ Hate Crimes.

Persons: Javier Milei, ”, Milei Organizations: CNN —, United, UN, Assembly, CNN, Ministry of Women, Ministry of Human, Justice Locations: CNN — Argentina, United Nations, Iran, Russia, Nicaragua, North Korea, Argentina

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