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☆ Mark Zuckerberg finally spilled the beans about his new chain necklace look
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Mark Zuckerberg revealed the reason for his new chain necklace. The internet has been flooded with memes and compliments since Zuckerberg debuted the new look. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementThe hype around Mark Zuckerberg's new chain lives on, and the story behind it is pretty endearing. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, —, Mark, Eva Chen Organizations: Service, Business

Where to buy glasses online using insurance FAQsWhat is FSA/HSA? A FSA, or flexible spending account, is an account provided by your employer in order to save on taxes and pay for qualified expenses. An HSA, or health savings account, is a type of flexible spending account geared towards qualified medical expenses. By enrolling in a High Deductible Health Plan and opening an HSA, your monthly insurance premium is usually lower, while tax exempt dollars from your HSA pay for higher deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other health-related costs. When ordering glasses online, you'll be prompted for your PD, or pupillary distance.

Persons: Read, you'll Organizations: IRS

☆ A 6-month Chinese-food festival is bringing authentic and flavor-packed cuisine to New York City's masses
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Xintian Tina Wang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

At New York's Dragon Festival, authentic Chinese brands and restaurants excite locals' taste buds. Its founder shared some of her favorite vendors of soup dumplings and candies at the opening event. "This doesn't taste like home," said Xu, a 31-year-old entrepreneur and the creator of New York City's Dragon Festival, the biggest Chinese-food festival in the metropolitan area. Jessie YuChen for BIChen said that confectioners in her home province of Fujian, China, caught her attention when she was younger. In 2006, inspired by the soup dumplings made popular by Shanghai's Nanxiang district, Ma opened his first New York City storefront.

Persons: —, Xu, Jessie YuChen, she's, Mila, Tang Hulu, I'm, Bu Tong, Ivy Chen, Dragon Lulu, Chen, Vivian Cao, confectioners, Emperor Guangzong, Michael Ma, Xiang Xiao Long Bao, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, Ma, Nan, bartenders, Coco, Xibei Yang Organizations: Service, Park, Dragon, Prospect, lollipop, Michelin, Chi Forest, Haidilao, BI Locations: New York, SoHo, Chinatown, Flushing, York City, Koreatown, Union, Chelsea, Washington, Kwa, Henan, Queens, Prospect Park , Brooklyn, Beijing, Fujian, China, Shanghai, York, Nanxiang, New York City, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Chi, Thai, Bangkok, Sichuan, Manhattan

☆ China sees foreign threats ‘everywhere’ as powerful spy agency takes center stage
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

But among the crowds you and I together are protecting national security,” the narrator concludes. Chinese soldiers look at a poster promoting national security in the southwestern city of Beihai on National Security Education Day on April 15, 2024. CFOTO/Future Publishing/Getty ImagesAccording to the MSS, foreign spies are omnipresent and infiltrating everything – from mapping apps to weather stations. But China’s spy agency has gradually stepped out of the shadows as Xi makes national security a key priority. “Shenyin Special Investigation Squad” is a comic series based on real-life counterespionage operations, according to China's spy agency.

Persons: –, “, ”, Xi, Xuezhi Guo, Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Xi Jinping, Greg Baker, Mao Zedong, Greitens, Chen Yixin, Chen, “ Chen, ” Greitens, Xi –, denigrate, Bain, Alex Plavevski, Guo, influencers, China’s, can’t, James Zimmerman, Perkins Coie, Zimmerman, ” Zimmerman Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Security Education, “, Ministry of State Security, National Security, Publishing, CIA, National, Education, Capitol, Guilford College, Asia, University of Texas, Getty, Communist Party, FBI, National Security Propaganda, CCTV, Ministry of State, China’s National Security Commission, Group, China Development Forum, Perkins Coie LLP, ”, MSS Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beihai, British, American, Beijing, Austin, AFP, Zhejiang province, Shanghai, New York, overreaching

☆ China's latest supersonic spy drone looks a lot like the Lockheed D-21 that crashed there in 1971
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The aircraft, shaped like a dart and painted black, was a D-21 supersonic reconnaissance drone. Ultimately unsuccessful, the drone would be relegated to the annals of aviation history if not for the appearance of a strikingly similar Chinese drone unveiled at a recent military parade. AdvertisementThis is what we know about the high-flying Chinese spy drone and the D-21 upon which it could be based. High altitude, high speedLockheed's solution was to create an unmanned high-altitude high-speed reconnaissance aircraft with similar capabilities as the A-12, but much smaller. A WZ-8 reconnaissance drone is on display at the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on September 28, 2021 in Zhuhai, China.

Persons: —, Francis Gary Powers, Dwight Eisenhower, Marquardt, Bill, Ray Torrick, Chen Xiao, Benjamin Brimelow Organizations: Service, Air Force, 4200th Support Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Business, Lockheed Corporation, Soviet, White House, CIA, Central Intelligence Agency, Lockheed's, Works, Redesignated, Navy, US Air Force, Chinese Aviation Museum, Davis, Monthan Air Force Base, 13th China International Aviation, Aerospace, US National Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, 29th Air Regiment, People's Liberation Army Air Force's 10th Bomber, Global Affairs, Fletcher School of Law, Diplomacy, Modern, Institute Locations: Guam, China, Soviet Union, Soviet, Yunnan, Beijing, Tucson , Arizona, United States, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China, Liuan, Korean, Taiwan, Pacific, West

Read on to find out why Business Insider reviewers love this piece, and how it earned a spot in our guide to the best nonstick pans. Shop at Amazon Shop at Made In What we like Check mark icon A check mark. The nonstick pan is available in 8-, 10-, and 12-inch sizes, as well as a set of all three. Though we always recommend hand washing nonstick pans, we did put this one through the dishwasher and didn't notice any change in the surface. We tested 21 skillets to find the best nonstick pans, and Made In earned a spot as our top high-end pick.

Persons: it's, Read, Lily Alig, Nonstick Fry, Le Creuset, We've Organizations: Business, Shop, FDA, Le

☆ Top EU official warns on 'weaponization of trade' as tensions ramp up between the U.S. and China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission for the Euro & Social Dialogue, photographed at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in Wan Chai. 02DEC17 SCMP/ Xiaomei Chen (Photo by Chen Xiaomei/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)The European Union's trade chief on Wednesday warned against the "weaponization" of trade amid the latest ratcheting up of tensions between the U.S. and China. EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told CNBC that he did not believe trade "protectionism" was the answer to heightened geopolitical tensions, but insisted that the bloc was willing to defend itself in the new trade environment. "The geopolitical landscape is changing, it's getting more fragmented, it's getting more conflictual, we see the weaponization of trade. So we need to equip ourselves also as the European Union to function in this more conflictual world," Dombrovskis told CNBC's Karen Tso.

Persons: Valdis Dombrovskis, 02DEC17, Xiaomei Chen, Chen Xiaomei, Dombrovskis, Karen Tso, Mario Draghi, Joe Biden, Katherine Tai Organizations: European Commission, South China Morning, Getty, U.S, CNBC, European Union, European Central Bank, U.S . Trade Locations: Wan Chai, South, China, EU, Pennsylvania, U.S

☆ Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy file for union vote at Disneyland
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Chris Isidore | Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The group had announced a union organizing effort in February, but very often such campaigns fall short of filing to hold a vote. Union organizing efforts have picked up in the last year, especially in the wake of a number of high profile contract wins by unions that provided union members with large pay raises. There are more than 21,000 Disneyland “cast member” employees, who are represented by more than a dozen unions. But it doesn’t include the performers who dress up as characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy and interact with visitors. Vo said it’s difficult for cast members to afford living on their own, and many have roommates.

Persons: “, ”, Kate Shindle, Mickey, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Disney, Mai Vo, Vo, Zach Elefante, Elefante Organizations: California CNN, Actor’s Equity Association, National Labor Relations Board, Disneyland, Disney, Union, Workers, CNN, showtime, Magic Kingdom Locations: Anaheim, California, Los Angeles, Orlando , Florida, Orlando, Southern California, Vo

Swimsuits for All has been around since 2005 and continues to push the boundaries of style and size in the women's swimwear space. The brand makes stylish, size-inclusive women's swimwear in sizes 4 through 40. Among its many original styles, it has also launched special collections with plus-size body positivity advocates like model Ashley Graham and fashion blogger GabiFresh. We tried a piece from each of these two collaborations, in addition to one of the brand's original styles. For more of our swimsuit coverage, see our pieces on the best swimsuits for women and the best swimsuits for large busts.

Persons: Ashley Graham, GabiFresh Organizations: Business

☆ Roses Are Red, Love Is True. Here’s Why This Bouquet Costs $72.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Stefanos Chen | Adrienne Grunwald | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

To gather every last stem and ribbon, Mr. Patrikis is on the phone constantly, negotiating with 15 distributors to get the best deals. “If you don’t know how to buy from the wholesalers, the wholesalers are going to buy you,” he said. Mr. Patrikis prefers the Explorer variety of red roses, which he said tend to have larger blooms and stay fresh longer than some other varieties. The elevated prices put pressure on longtime florists like Mr. Patrikis, whose shop was one of five on his block around 2010. Ditmars Flower Shop is now the last one left.

Persons: Patrikis, ” Locations: New York City

Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran's response will assuredly and decisively be stronger and more resolute,” Ambassador Iravani added. Citing self-defense against repeated Israeli military aggressions, Iravani said the strikes were specifically in retaliation to an Israeli attack on April 1 against what Iran says were diplomatic facilities in Damascus. Iran claims the attack violated international law and led to the death of seven Iranian military advisors, including key commanders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The statement also criticizes the United Nations Security Council for “failing to uphold international peace,” allowing Israel to “breach” established international norms and “escalate” regional tensions. However an Israel Defense Forces spokesman told CNN that their intelligence showed the building was not a consulate and was instead “a military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian building.”

Persons: Amir Cohen, Israel, Amir Saeid Iravani, Iravani, Mohammed Reza Zahedi, ” Organizations: Reuters, Islamic, Representative, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, United Nations Security Council, Revolutionary Guards, Israel Defense Forces, CNN Locations: Ashkelon, Israel, Reuters Iran, Tehran, Syria's, Damascus, “, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Iranian, Quds

☆ Tycoon’s death penalty in $12.5 billion fraud case highlights Vietnam’s corruption crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The scale of the fraud was said to be equivalent to roughly 3% of Vietnam’s economy. Though widely considered ceremonial, the presidency is one of the top three positions in Vietnam’s political hierarchy after the CPV’s Secretary General, currently Nguyen Phu Trong. In fact, the International Monetary Fund expects Vietnam’s economy to grow by 5.8% this year, compared to 4.6% for China. Their fate remains unclear, given the highly secretive nature of Vietnam’s political system. But Vietnamese political experts said a permanent appointment would not end the instability.

Persons: Truong My Lan, Van Thinh, siphoned, “, Eric Chu, Vietnam’s, Vo Van, Trong, Thuong, Vo Van Thuong, Richard A, Brooks, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Pham Binh, Le Hong Hiep, Yusof, ” Hiep, ”, Thu, General Trong, Xi Jinping, ” Zachary Abuza, Salt Bae, Lam, ” Abuza, Nguyen Phu Trong, Evelyn Hockstein, Abuza, Bui Thanh Soh, ” Soh, Vo, Xuan, Thuong’s, Le Hong Organizations: CNN, Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, Stock Commercial Bank, Reuters, SCB, Express, Communist Party, Institute, Crisis Group, National War College, Vietnamese Communist Party, Public Security, Vietnam, International Monetary Fund, Companies, Apple, Intel, Vietnam's Communist Party General, Yusof, Brookings Institution, “, Crisis Locations: Vietnam, Saigon, People’s, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Duc, Singapore, Asia, China, Washington, “, London, Turkish, Hanoi, Bangkok

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Iran attack fears, Gaza Eid celebrations ruined
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

The car in which three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were reportedly killed in an Israeli air strike is pictured near Al Shati, northwest of Gaza City, on April 10. AFP/Getty ImagesThree sons of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza Wednesday, an assassination that threatens to complicate ongoing negotiations aiming to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal. The Israeli military confirmed it carried out the attack, describing the men as “three Hamas military operatives that conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip.”Haniyeh said killing the sons of leaders would only make Hamas “more steadfast in our principles and adherence to our land.”Israeli officials drew a distinction between the strike and the negotiations aiming to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal. Two other Israeli officials said neither Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had been told about the strike ahead of time. Here are the other developments in the region:

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, ” Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant Organizations: AFP, Getty, Israeli Locations: Al Shati, Gaza City, Gaza

☆ Families of dead American hostages plead for the return of their bodies: ‘We can’t even mourn’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Weinstein Haggai and her three siblings did not participate but watched the recordings of the Zoom gatherings afterward. Three American hostages have been confirmed dead so far: Judi Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai and Itay Chen, all dual Israel-American citizens. I need to make sure that they have a respectful burial; they’re laid to rest,” Weinstein Haggai said. After receiving the devastating news, the Chen family opened up their home for several days for family and friends to stop by. Like Chen, Weinstein Haggai is sickened by the idea of her parents’ bodies being stuck somewhere in Gaza.

Persons: Washington CNN — Iris Weinstein Haggai, Gadi, Judi, Weinstein Haggai, Weinstein, Gadi’s, –, peaceniks ”, ” Weinstein Haggai, “, ” Andrea Weinstein, Judi’s, ” Weinstein, Judi Weinstein Haggai, Itay Chen, they’re, I’m, ”, Chen, ‘, Ruby Chen, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Itay, Harris, ” Chen, ” “, Harris “, Gadi Haggai, haikus –, Andrea Weinstein, Ruby, Hagit Chen, ” Hagit Chen, Jake Tapper, “ That’s, Yom Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Biden, US, White Locations: Toronto, Connecticut, Israel, Washington ,, Qatar, Egypt, Gaza

☆ The Fried Chicken Is in New York. The Cashier Is in the Philippines.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Stefanos Chen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

At Sansan Chicken in Long Island City, Queens, the cashier beamed a wide smile and recommended the fried chicken sandwich. Or maybe she suggested the tonkatsu — it was hard to tell, because the internet connection from her home in the Philippines was spotty. Romy, who declined to give her last name, is one of 12 virtual assistants greeting customers at a handful of restaurants in New York City, from halfway across the world. The virtual hosts could be the vanguard of a rapidly changing restaurant industry, as small-business owners seek relief from rising commercial rents and high inflation. Others see a model ripe for abuse: The remote workers are paid $3 an hour, according to their management company, while the minimum wage in the city is $16.

Locations: Long Island City, Queens, Philippines, New York City

On a recent afternoon, I held a bagel in front of me and said: “Look and tell me if this is healthy.”A monotone voice responded that the bagel was unhealthy because it was high in carbohydrates, which could contribute to weight gain. I wasn’t talking to a tech bro obsessed with the ketogenic diet. This was the Ai Pin, a $700 tiny computer featuring a virtual assistant pulling data from OpenAI (the research firm behind the ChatGPT chatbot), Google, Microsoft and others to answer questions and perform tasks. Instead of a screen, the pin shines a green laser on your hand to show text. The device includes a camera, speaker and cellular connection.

Organizations: Google, Microsoft Locations: OpenAI

☆ China’s Xi to host former Taiwan president in Beijing, in rare meeting echoing bygone era of warmer ties
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Nectar Gan | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Joint concerns over China’s increasing assertiveness under Xi, including toward Taiwan, are a key driver of that summit. Chinese leader Xi Jinping shakes hands with then Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou before their meeting in Singapore on November 7, 2015. Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou speaks to reporters ahead of his visit to China at the Taoyuan International Airport on April 1, 2024. Ma Ying-jeou” or former chairman of the KMT, with no mention of his former role as the president of Taiwan. Reaction in TaiwanMa’s itinerary – and his meeting with Xi – has been closely watched in Taiwan.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Ma Ying, Xi, Chiang Kai, Eric Chu, Ma, ” Chu, Lai Ching, Joe Biden, Biden, Fumio Kishida, Roslan Rahman, Amanda Hsiao, “, underscoring, ’ ”, Tsai Ing, –, Lai, Lai’s, fixating, ”, ” Sung, China –, Ma’s, Hsiao, Yan Zhao, Mr, Sun, Xi –, Sung, ” Ma, James Chen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, Kuomintang, KMT, China’s, shek’s Nationalists, –, Democratic Progressive Party, CNN Beijing, Japanese, Getty, International Crisis, Atlantic, “, Taoyuan International Airport, Communists, Nationalists, Atlantic Council, Taiwan’s Tamkang University, DPP Locations: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, Singapore, Washington, Japan, Philippines, AFP, Taoyuan, Guangzhou, Republic of China, Shaanxi, United States, China . Washington

☆ Searing heat is back across Southeast Asia and it’s not going away anytime soon
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The death of a toddler from extreme heat highlighted the risk of climate-related illnesses across Malaysia. And in the Philippines, hundreds of schools suspended classes after daily temperatures soared past 107 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius). Sweltering heat is back in Southeast Asia, one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. But alongside these natural variations, the world continues to blast through climate records, with deadly heat waves becoming the norm. A resident attempts to pump underground water from a dried reservoir in Vietnam's central Ninh Thuan province during a heat wave and drought on April 6, 2024.

Persons: climatologist Maximiliano Herrera, Herrera, “, ” Herrera, ”, El Niño, Stringer, Adly Zahari, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Aidil Iman Aidid, fasted Organizations: CNN, Getty, El, heatstroke, Education, Philippines Locations: Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Bangkok, Rice, Ninh Thuan, AFP, Asia, Pahang, Kelantan, Sabah, Borneo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila

☆ South Korea midterms: Opposition wins landslide parliamentary vote in resounding blow to Yoon
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Heather Chen | Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —South Korea’s liberal opposition parties scored a landslide victory in a parliamentary election held on Wednesday, dealing a resounding blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol and his conservative party but likely falling just short of a super majority. A splinter liberal party considered allied with the DP was expected to take at least 10 seats, projections showed. It marked the highest ever turnout for a parliamentary election, though the numbers were down from the 2022 presidential vote that narrowly brought Yoon to power. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, watches election results at his district office in Incheon, South Korea, on Thursday, April 11, 2024. “Given his likely lame duck status, the temptation for Yoon will be to focus on foreign policy where he will still have statutory power,” Richey said.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon Suk, Lee Jae, myung, Lee, Yoon, ”, Kim Keon Hee, SeongJoon Cho, Mason Richey, “, ” Richey Organizations: South Korea CNN, South, Democratic Party, National Election Commission, Dior, People Power Party, Election Commission, NEC, Bloomberg, Getty, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Incheon

☆ See Maps of Where Eclipse Seekers Flocked and the Traffic That Followed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Charlie Smart | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

See Maps of Where Eclipse Seekers Flocked and the Traffic That Followed Movement data shows the destinations with the greatest influx of people. PATH OF TOTALITY VT. MAINE St. Johnsbury Adirondack Park N.H. N.Y. PA. OHIO ILL. IND. Greater increase in activity TEXAS Texas Hill Country PATH OF TOTALITY VT. MAINE St. Johnsbury Adirondack Park N.H. N.Y. PA. OHIO ILL. IND. PATH OF TOTALITY MAINE VERMONT Bangor Burlington NEW YORK Portland NEW HAMPSHIRE Syracuse Manchester Albany MASS. NEW YORK PATH OF TOTALITY MAINE VERMONT Bangor Burlington NEW YORK Portland NEW HAMPSHIRE Syracuse Manchester Albany MASS.

Persons: Maine —, Liam Sullivan, Mr, Sullivan, Cassandra Klos, Nick Perry, Louis W.V, ”, Richard Chen, Chen Organizations: Eclipse, MAINE St, TEXAS Texas Hill, OKLA . TEXAS Texas, MAINE VERMONT Bangor Burlington NEW YORK Portland NEW HAMPSHIRE Syracuse Manchester Albany, Portland VERMONT NEW, ”, The New York Times, Associated Press, Northeast, IOWA Toledo OHIO, Columbus Indianapolis, Toledo OHIO Locations: MAINE, N.Y . PA, OHIO, Ste, Genevieve KY, TEXAS, TEXAS Texas Hill Country MAINE, Johnsbury, Adirondack, PA . OHIO, KY, Genevieve MO, OKLA . TEXAS, Lancaster, N.H, Geneviève, Mo . State, New York, Ozarks, Arkansas, Missouri, MAINE VERMONT, Portland, Portland VERMONT NEW HAMPSHIRE Burlington, TomTom, Maine, New Hampshire, Burlington , Vt, Somerville , Mass, Somerville, Lake, Indianapolis, St, Louis, Columbus , Ohio, Toledo, Louis W.V . MO, Newport , Vt, Brooklyn, N.Y, U.S

☆ 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

☆ Taiwan earthquake: ‘Roger,’ overly playful dog who failed police academy, becomes star of quake response
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Chris Lau | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

While other dogs also played similar roles and were paraded for the media, Roger captured the island’s imagination — partly because of his backstory of an initial career failure. But his ebullient personality and intelligence made him a much better candidate to be a rescue dog, which was the career that was then chosen for him. Kaohsiung Fire DepartmentChen Chih-san, captain of the rescue dog unit of the Kaohsiung Fire Department, told reporters that Roger was transferred to the rescue training school when he was 1 year old. According to the Kaohsiung City Government, Roger was certified by the International Rescue Dog Organization in 2022, an accolade last achieved by a Taiwanese rescue dog in 2019. But retirement is looming for Roger, with the Kaohsiung Fire Department sending rescue dogs to a suitable home once they reach age 9, CNA said, citing Chen.

Persons: Roger, Kaohsiung Fire Department Roger, Chen Chih, “ I’m, ” Chen, ” Roger, Chen Organizations: Taiwan CNN, Central News Agency, CNA, Kaohsiung Fire Department, Kaohsiung Fire, Kaohsiung City Government, Dog Organization Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, lunged, Kaohsiung

☆ Ramadan in Malaysia: Raids and fines for those caught breaking fast spotlight growing religious conservatism
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In many parts of Malaysia, Muslims caught eating or drinking during daytime hours can find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Those caught eating or drinking during daytime hours face fines of up to 1,000 Malaysian Ringgit (about $200) and prison terms of up to a year. CNN reached out to multiple state religious bodies across Malaysia for comment. Complaints were made to the state religious department, media reports said, and the scandal caused a national stir – drawing scorn from conservative politicians and prompting public apologies from the celebrities. “As long as you look Malay, you must fast during Ramadan – those are the rules,” Yusuf told CNN.

Persons: Rahmad Mariman, ” Mariman, TikTok, ” JAIPK, Hadi Awang, ”, MOHD RASFAN, –, Ameena Siddiqi, Siddiqi, ” Siddiqi, Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, Annice Lyn, Anisah Mahmood, Fadhlina Sidek, “, Haji Ahmad Bin Yahaya, Yusuf, ” Yusuf Organizations: CNN, Malaysian, Islamic Religious Department, JAIM, PAS, Malaysia Islamic Party, AFP, Getty, Annice, Education Locations: Malaysia, Malacca, Perak, Gerik, South, Southeast Asia, AFP, Malaysian, Islam, Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Selangor, London, Malay, Johor

☆ AI startup Kaikaku has launched a robot-powered restaurant. Check out the 12-slide pitch deck it used to raise $1.8 million.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

London-based startup Kaikaku has secured $1.8 million for its automated food assembly robot. Kaikaku has now launched London's first robot-powered restaurant, which runs on its technology. We got an exclusive look at the 12-slide pitch deck it used to secure the fresh funding. A startup that has developed an automated robotics platform for restaurants has just secured $1.8 million. London-based Kaikaku, which launched just 10 months ago, has also opened London's first robotics-driven restaurant which is powered by its own tech.

Persons: Kaikaku, Josef Chen Organizations: Business Locations: London

☆ Mexico suspends diplomatic relations with Ecuador after ‘barbaric’ arrest of ex-vice president
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Fidel Gutiérrez | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican embassy in Quito on Friday night to arrest a former vice president seeking asylum there, in an escalation of tensions that Mexico decried as “an outrage against international law.”Mexico’s foreign minister said the country would break off diplomatic relations with Ecuador after the arrest of former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas. The rift between the two Latin American countries had been growing since Mexico’s decision to grant political asylum to Glas, Ecuador’s former vice president under leftist ex-President Rafael Correa between 2013 and 2017. “It is impossible for them to violate the diplomatic premises as they have done.”Former Ecuador Vice President Jorge Glas speaks during an interview at his office in Quito on September 12, 2017. Dolores Ochoa/APA spokesperson for Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alicia Bárcena told CNNE that the country is “breaking” diplomatic relations with Ecuador and immediately removing all diplomatic personnel from the country. Mexico plans to lodge a complaint with the International Court of Justice to denounce the Ecuadorian police’s actions, she added.

Persons: ”, Jorge Glas, Ecuador’s, Rafael Correa, Glas, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, “, X, ” Roberto Canseco, ” Canseco, Dolores Ochoa, Foreign Affairs Alicia Bárcena, CNNE, Bárcena, Canseco, Lopez, Fernando Villavicencio’s Organizations: CNN, Ecuadorian, Foreign Affairs, International Court of Locations: Quito, Mexico, Ecuador, Glas, ”, Mexican, Ecuadorian

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