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HONG KONG (AP) — China’s exports and imports for the first two months of the year beat estimates, an indication that demand may be improving as Beijing attempts to boost economic recovery. Exports for the January-February period grew 7.1% from a year earlier, customs data released Thursday showed, higher than the 2.3% rise in December. Imports rose 3.5% from the same time last year, up from a 0.2% growth in December. Demand for Chinese exports has also been weak since the Federal Reserve and central banks in Europe and Asia began raising interest rates last year to cool inflation that was at multi-decade highs. China has set a target of around 5% for economic growth this year, Chinese Premier Li Qiang revealed this week at the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress.

Persons: Li Qiang Organizations: —, Beijing, Federal Reserve, PMI, National People’s Congress Locations: HONG KONG, China, Europe, Asia

☆ UK ‘non-dom’ tax status, explained
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“Those with the broadest shoulders should pay their fair share,” UK finance minister Jeremy Hunt told parliament Wednesday. ‘Colonial concept’The non-dom regime is an “archaic colonial concept,” which determines a person’s tax status based on their “intended” place of residence, said Arun Advani, an economics professor at the University of Warwick. The opposition Labour Party had previously said it would abolish the non-dom regime if it came to power, and spend the money raised on the National Health Service. Yui Mok/Pool/AFP/Getty ImagesMurty has since renounced those advantages, citing the “British sense of fairness” and the “distraction” her tax status posed to her husband, who was serving as the UK’s finance minister at the time. But in November 2022 Hunt defended the “non-dom” status.

Persons: Jeremy Hunt, ” Hunt, Arun Advani, Advani, Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murty, Yui Mok, Murty, Hunt, “ I’m, ” Organizations: London CNN, Britain’s Conservative, Revenue, Customs, London School of Economics, Political Science, University of Warwick, Labour Party, National Health Service, Britain's, Getty, BBC Locations: United Kingdom, Britain, India, Buckingham, London

☆ Labor unions, domestic manufacturing groups launch coalition to reform de minimis import loophole
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

-WASHINGTON — Labor unions, domestic manufacturers, business associations and other interest organizations on Wednesday announced a bipartisan coalition to target an import loophole allowing billions of un-taxed goods into the U.S."The coalition we have assembled is a testament to the mounting pressure to close the de minimis loophole," Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said. The ranking member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade is working in conjunction with the new Coalition to Close the De Minimis Loophole. CBP said it processed over 1 billion de minimis shipments in FY '23, according to a report last modified on March 1. The company has been valued at over $66 billion according to a November report, while PDD reported third-quarter revenue of $9.44 billion that month. "Our industry has lost astonishingly 10 plants in five months as a result of the de minimis loophole," Glas told reporters.

Persons: Rep, Earl Blumenauer, minimis, Blumenauer, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Neal Dunn, Sherrod Brown, Marco Rubio, Dunn, Dan Bishop, Rosa DeLauro, Conn, Shein, PDD, Kim Glas, Glas Organizations: Port, WASHINGTON — Labor, Wednesday, Trade, Coalition, Chinese Communist Party, U.S . Customs, CBP, CNBC, House CCP Committee, PDD Holdings, National Council of Textile Organizations, AFL, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Coalition for, Prosperous Locations: China, Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach , California, U.S, United States, Sens, Ohio, Singapore, Prosperous America

☆ A Royal Caribbean cleaner has been arrested over suspicions he hid cameras in ship bathrooms to film young female passengers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewAn employee working on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has been arrested on suspicion of placing secret cameras inside passengers' bathrooms and filming them without their knowledge. According to the affidavit, Mirasol admitted to hiding video cameras in passengers' bathrooms and told investigators that he would masturbate while watching the videos. The start of the footage "clearly" shows Mirasol placing the camera in the bathroom, according to the affidavit. Mirasol told agents that he had been placing cameras in passengers' bathrooms since he started working on the Symphony of the Seas in December, per the affidavit. Advertisement"We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told NBC News.

Persons: —, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, Mirasol Organizations: Service, Royal, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration, Customs, Business, Agents, Court, Southern, Southern District of, NBC Locations: Royal Caribbean, Port Everglades , Florida, voyeurism, Broward County, Florida, Southern District, Southern District of Florida

☆ Trump’s Super Tuesday Speech: Assessing 10 False and Misleading Claims
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Angelo Fichera | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But in his 20-minute victory remarks, which offered a grim view of the United States under his successor, Mr. Trump resorted to a string of false and misleading claims — on immigration, economics, energy and more — some of which were variations on familiar assertions. WHAT WAS SAID“They flew 325,000 migrants — flew ’em in, over the borders, into our country. So that really tells you where they’re coming from, they want open borders.”This is misleading. Mr. Trump appeared to be referring to reports about documents obtained by a group that pushes for restricting immigration. The group reported that the documents showed some 320,000 migrants were flown into the United States in 2023 by receiving authorization by using a mobile app started by Customs and Border Protection.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Nikki Haley, Biden, “, — Organizations: Customs, Protection Locations: United States

☆ Dubai’s bar scene is being redefined by artisanal champagnes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

While the city has over 13,000 restaurants, its bar scene has largely been confined to Michelin fine dining, nightclubs, and boozy brunches. Look through the gallery and see the region's other top restaurants, as selected by 50 Best list group. The 50 Best has unveiled its 2024 list of the best restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Al Muntaha, which was recognized by Star Wine List as having the best sparkling wine list in the UAE earlier this year, has 166 labels on its champagne list, including around 60 recently added grower champagnes, says Lacroix. Tina HillierAnd the culture around drinking is largely focused on dining or special occasions, with little in between, says Krister Bengtsson, founder of Star Wine List.

Persons: Lana —, Nicolas Caupain, ”, boozy, Caupain, Raz Rahav, Tala Bashmi, Em Sherif, Yasmina Hayek, Fawzi Al Mulki, 3Fils, Khufu's, Solemann Haddad, Moonrise, Gregoire Berger, Berger, Himanshu Saini, Pol Roger, Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, champagnes, Larmandier Bernier, Ulysse Collin, Samuel Lacroix, Al Muntaha, Lacroix, “, Josette, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, Millau, Lana, Tina Hillier, Krister Bengtsson, it’s, Bengtsson, ” Bengtsson, Jean Imbert, — Organizations: CNN, High Society, United Arab, Michelin, Middle, Gulf, Jordanian, Trèsind, Burj, Star Wine, Arabian, BOCA, Michelin Star, Wine, UAE Locations: Dorchester, Dubai, Emirate, Islam, United Arab Emirates, UAE, East, North Africa, Tel Aviv, Tala, Manama's, Bahrain, Beirut, Giza, Cairo, Ossiano, Atlantis, BOBY, Africa, Emirates, Swedish, Dubai’s, Paris, London , New York, French

☆ Haitian prime minister has arrived in Puerto Rico amid turmoil in Haiti, local official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A plane carrying Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry landed in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, its governor’s spokesperson told CNN, after days of speculation about his whereabouts as Haitian capital Port-au-Prince plunged into crisis over the weekend. Since last week, Port-au-Prince has been gripped by a wave of highly coordinated gang attacks on law enforcement and state institutions. The prime minister’s last appearance in public was in Kenya on Friday, before arriving today in Puerto Rico, per Mojica. Haiti’s government declared a state of emergency on Sunday amid the spiraling violence in Port-au-Prince. “We fear we will run out of medicines and medical supplies, which are absolutely essential to meet the enormous needs we are facing at the moment,” Haiti MSF head Mumuza Muhindo Musubah said in a statement.

Persons: Ariel Henry, Prince, Sheila Angleró Mojica, Henry’s, Henry, Patrick Boivert, Luis Abinader, Muhindo Musubah Organizations: CNN, Haitian, CBP, Customs, Kenyan, United Nations, Finance, ”, ” MSF, UN Locations: Puerto Rico, Port, Kenya, Haiti, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Dominican

☆ ‘Shogun’ Episode 3 Recap: The Not-So-Great Escape
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Sean T. Collins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After a daring escape, Lord Toranaga and his newfound English associate John Blackthorne are free from captivity. How does Lord Toranaga choose to celebrate? With a diving lesson from the Anjin, the barbarian, John Blackthorne. Toranaga names Blackthorne hatamoto, an honorific indicating high status earned through his courage in effecting Toranaga’s escape. If this lord, who has very obviously taken a shine to him, wants to learn to dive, then John Blackthorne will see it done.

Persons: Lord Toranaga, John Blackthorne, Lady Kiri, Ishido, Lady Mariko’s, Buntaro, Shinnosuke Abe, it’s, Mariko, Toranaga, He’s, acclimating, Blackthorne

But the de minimis rule also has powerful defenders. China's exports grew only 0.6% last year, but the bright spot was cross-border e-commerce, which includes but is not limited to the de minimis packages. In a January meeting with Mayorkas, the National Council of Textile Organizations complained about unfair trade practices, including the de minimis rule. It is unclear how much fentanyl and other illicit drugs may be slipping undetected into the country in the small packages. On a recent Friday morning at Chicago's O'Hare airport, small parcels that had arrived by mail from overseas were on conveyor belts going through X-ray machines for inspection.

Persons: Lindsey Puls, Puls, ”, Alexander Mayorkas, Earl Blumenauer of, ” Blumenauer, Sen, John Thune, LaFonda Sutton, Burke, Charles Benoit, Benoit, Mayorkas, Videojournalist Melissa Perez Winder, Haleluya Hadero Organizations: WASHINGTON, Will, Homeland, National Foreign Trade Council, FedEx, UPS, DHL, eBay, South Dakota Republican, Customs, Custom, China’s Communist Party, Coalition for, Prosperous, National Council of Textile Organizations, National Association of Police, Border Protection, Investments Locations: China, U.S, Shiocton , Wisconsin, Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, Shein, Singapore, Chicago, United States, Prosperous America, Chicago's, New York

☆ A bigger pool of American workers could continue to slow inflation even further
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Now, as the Federal Reserve faces the final stretch of its historic inflation battle, a bigger pool of workers could slow inflation even further. That then begs the question: How much more can better labor supply slow inflation? The US Labor Department releases January figures on job openings, quits, hires and layoffs. The US Labor Department reports the number of new applications for jobless benefits in the week ended March 2. China’s National Bureau of Statistics releases February inflation data.

Persons: Mary Daly, “, ” Sarah House, Michael Gapen, That’s, Jack Bantock, ’, ”, Richard Felton, Thomas, ’ ”, Patrick Harker, Ross, Nordstrom, Michael Barr, Campbell Soup, Foot, Jerome Powell, Loretta Mester Organizations: DC CNN, Federal Reserve, San Francisco Fed, National Association for Business Economics, Labor, CNN, Bank of America, White House’s Council, Economic Advisers, English Premier League, Chelsea, Burnley, Philadelphia Fed, Target, P Global, Institute for Supply Management, US Commerce Department, Abercrombie, Fitch, Financial Services, The Bank of Canada, US Labor Department, Broadcom, Costco, Eagle Outfitters, Potbelly, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, European Central Bank, Cleveland Fed, National Bureau of Statistics Locations: Washington, San, Wells, United States, London, JD.com, Kroger, Burlington, DocuSign

☆ Opinion: Why ‘My Way’ won’t go away
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. “That is the way he spoke,” Anka told Ed Masley of the Arizona Republic. It may not go his way, but the failure of Congress to approve more aid to Ukraine likely is giving Putin hope. Whether Congress chooses to provide the continued financial support Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan desperately need will go a long way toward answering this question. “If Biden wants to improve his standing with voters,” wrote Jon Gabriel, “a Brownsville photo won’t cut it.

Persons: CNN — “, ”, Frank Sinatra, “, Alexey Navalny, Paul Anka, Sinatra, …, Anka, ” Anka, Ed Masley, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Odessa Rae, Trump, Joe Biden, Jack Smith, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Julian Zelizer, Putin, Emmanuel Macron, Mark T, Esper, Russia resurges, ” Esper, Nick Anderson, Dahlia Lithwick, Steve Vladeck, Walt Handlesman, Biden, Nikki Haley, “ Biden, specter, ” David Axelrod, Haley, ” Dana Summers, Joe Biden John Halpin, Sophia Nelson, Catherine Russell, Russell, Ofri Bibas Levy, Yarden, Kibbutz Nir, Shiri Bibas, Ariel, ” Levy, Shiri, Kfir, Frida Ghitis, Drew Sheneman, Roe, ” Cupp, Katie Britt, Elena Sheppard, I’d, Betsy Ross, ” Sheppard, Dorothea Dix, Lucy Delaney, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sheppard, Kristen Kelly, Serene Williams, Clay Jones, Jon Gabriel, Gabriel, Eric Adams, Laken Riley, Raul A, Reyes, ” Don’t, David Horsey, Agency Van Jones, Ariel Dorfman, Dean Obeidallah, Shane Gillis, Noah Berlatsky, —, Kellie Carter Jackson, Lev Golinkin, Josephine Apraku, Germany Jill Filipovic, Jodie Turner, Smith, Michael Bociurkiw, Anna Arutunyan, Kirk Tanner, Jeff Yang, ” Wendy’s, ” Yang Organizations: CNN, FBI, Liberty Ball, Russia ”, Twitter, Capitol, Republicans, Senate, GOP, Trump, Republican Party, West, Tribune Content Agency Trump, Michigan Trump, Democratic, Agency, Tribune Content Agency, UNICEF, Hamas, CNN Republicans, Union, Biden, New York City, Immigration, Customs Enforcement, University of Georgia, Congressional, Stanford Locations: Moscow, Miami, Arizona Republic, Russian, Russia, Odessa, Ukraine, Michigan, “, United States, Israel, Taiwan, Washington ,, Gaza, Tribune Content Agency Gaza, Rafah, ”, Alabama, Biden’s State, Brownsville, New York, Venezuela, Germany

☆ Anesthetics, crutches, dates. Inside Israel’s ghost list of items arbitrarily denied entry into Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Tamara Qiblawi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

In a January 13 press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasted about permitting “minimal humanitarian aid” to enter Gaza. “We provide minimal humanitarian aid,” Netanyahu said. Other trucks carrying dates have been allowed into Gaza, according to UN data. Over 1,000 children have undergone leg amputations in Gaza, according to UNICEF, some without anesthesia. “An Israeli tank missile hit her when she was on the sixth floor of our building,” Bseiso told CNN.

Persons: Jordan, Joe Biden, Tamim al, Chris Murphy, Abed Zagout, ”, “, ” COGAT, COGAT, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Israel, Clodagh Kilcoyne, “ I’ve, Janti Soeripto, we’ve, ” Soeripto, Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley, ” Van Hollen, they’d, Van Hollen, ” Tania Hary, GISHA, Ahed Bseiso, Hani Bseiso, ” Bseiso, ” Ahed, Bseiso, Ghassan Abu, Sittah, ” Abu, Dr Ghassan Abu, Alex Platt, Um Adel, Khan Younis, Jamie McGoldrick, Marwan al, Mary Rogers Organizations: Jordan —, CNN, United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, Getty, Children, UN, “, Bseiso Medicines, World Health Organization, Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization Locations: Gaza, Gaza City, Thani, ”, Anadolu, Arish, Rafah, Gazan, there’s, Territories, COGAT, ” Israel, Israel, Egypt, Nitzana, Palestinian, London, Abu, British, Khan, Jordanian, Jordan, Al

☆ A college student is accused of trying to smuggle $2.4 million worth of drugs under a monk's robe
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A college student tried to smuggle drugs to Japan from Cambodia, the Japanese authorities say. AdvertisementA college student accused by the Japanese authorities of being a drug smuggler was caught in what one might call an unconventional disguise: a set of Buddhist monk's robes. On Tuesday, Japan Customs said in a statement that on January 25, it detained a Taiwanese man who tried to smuggle drugs into the country from Cambodia. The 21-year-old college student is accused of attempting to move around 13 pounds of stimulant drugs across the Japanese border, per a Thursday report from Japanese news outlet Yomiuri Shimbun. The drugs are worth about 370 million Japanese yen, or $2.4 million, the outlet reported.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Japan Customs, Yomiuri Shimbun, Business Locations: Japan, Cambodia

☆ An Indian mega-party is attracting so many private jets that officials set up extra passport control for all the VIPs
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Kieran Corcoran | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Guests like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Ivanka Trump, led to a surge in private jets at the local airport. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . is underway in India, and the local airport is pulling out all the stops to cope. That kind of guestlist brings a long trail of private jets and the local airport in Jamnagar isn't built for it. It said around 50 of them were private jets coming from other countries, meaning passport control for their occupants.

Persons: India's Ambani, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump, —, Ambani, Anant, Radhika Merchant, Mukesh Ambani, Ajit Solanki, Sergei Brin, Mexico's Carlos Slim, It's, Larry Fink, Rihanna, Jamnagar isn't, Priscilla Chan, DK Singh Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Reliance Industries, of, Immigration Locations: India, Jamnagar, Reliance Township, Indian, Gujarat, Davos, of India

☆ Middle East Crisis Deaths of Palestinians Desperate for Food Prompt Fresh Calls for Cease-Fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Injured Palestinians at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City after Israeli forces opened fire as a crowd gathered near an aid convoy. The deaths of scores of Palestinians seeking food aid in northern Gaza on Thursday were met with mounting international calls for a cease-fire and for Israel to take immediate measures to increase the flow of supplies into the territory. Officials in Gaza and the Israeli military offered diverging accounts, with Israel saying most of the deaths had been caused by a stampede. The Gazan health ministry said Israeli forces had carried out a “massacre,” injuring 700 in addition to those killed. The aid group Doctors Without Borders said it hadn’t been able to reach its physicians and other staff working in northern Gaza because of unreliable communications but that irrespective of the details, the Israeli military was accountable.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, ”, Samantha Power, “, Israel, hadn’t, Isabelle Defourny Organizations: “, United States Agency for International Development Locations: Al, Gaza City, Gaza, Israel, France

☆ ‘Geisha paparazzi’ are back in Kyoto – and the city is ready to take action
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

As a result, an unfortunate nickname has even been given to these tourists: “geisha paparazzi.”Foreign tourists have sometimes struggled to understand Japanese customs and etiquette. In 2015, Kyoto created pamphlets and paper handouts that used pictograms to illustrate travel “nuisance activities” like littering, using selfie sticks, smoking in prohibited areas, and taking photos of geisha and maiko. Plenty of rules, little enforcementToday, signs in three languages also explain that geisha photography is not allowed without a permit, and that violators could be charged up to ¥10,000 ($67). Most maiko and geisha (these words are both singular and plural in Japanese) use this road, making it the prime spot for “paparazzi” to gather. Still, Ota and other Gion residents are looking for ways to curb the “geisha paparazzi” issues.

Persons: women’s kimonos, Gion, Isokazu Ota, Kike Calvo, ”, Ota, maiko Organizations: CNN, Theatre Locations: Gion, Kyoto, women’s, Side, Japan, Ota, ”, Easter

☆ U.S. Plans to Deport Mexican Man Acquitted in Kathryn Steinle Case
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Hamed Aleaziz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States plans to deport the Mexican man who was acquitted of killing Kathryn Steinle, a woman whose 2015 death while strolling along a San Francisco pier fueled a fierce national debate over immigration, officials said Thursday. Donald J. Trump, then a presidential candidate, highlighted the case in his attacks on migration and sanctuary cities. Jose Inez Garcia Zarate was acquitted by a jury in November 2017 on murder and manslaughter charges but was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. ICE plans to deport Mr. Garcia Zarate to central or southern Mexico within days or a week, according to an official with the Department of Homeland Security. The person, who was not authorized to discuss the case publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity.

Persons: Kathryn Steinle, Donald J, Trump, Jose Inez Garcia Zarate, Mr, Garcia Zarate Organizations: United, . Immigration, ICE, Department of Homeland Security Locations: United States, San Francisco, Mexico

☆ The eyes have it: The intriguing history of kohl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Zahra Hankir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

A Palestinian woman Hadeya Qudaih applying traditional kohl eyeliner to her granddaughter in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip in March 2020. Hadeya Qudaih makes and sells traditional kohl eyeliner for medical and cosmetic purposes (photograph taken in February 2020). A Bedouin man wearing traditional kohl, photographed in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra. Kohl is so commonly worn in the area that girls are sometimes named or nicknamed Kahla by their parents or friends, roughly meaning “the girl who appears to have kohl around her eyes.” Kohl is also a feature of many millennia-old myths, rituals, and legends. “Even if she doesn’t (make kohl) anymore, I will for sure continue to do this myself,” Abu Issa said.

Persons: CNN — Kohl, kohl, Hadeya, kohl eyeliner, Khan Younis, Majdi, Tamam Farhan Abu Issa, Deir al Balah, “, Abu Issa, ”, ” Abu Issa, Issa, Qudaih, Hassan Jedi, Prophet Muhammad —, Alessandro Bigazzi, Jack Sparrow, eyeliner, Kohl, ” Kohl, Zarqa, TikTok, “ Blinkaria Kohl, tightlining, Eyeliner, Fatima Shbair, “ Kohl, I’ve Organizations: CNN, Crusaders, UNESCO, United, kohl, Quds Net News, ZUMA Press, UAE General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments Locations: East, North Africa, Egypt, Europe, Lebanon, Gaza, Gaza’s, Deir, United Nations, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestinian, Petra, Raed, Kohl, Eastern, “

☆ Opinion: On the border, voters want action, not photo ops
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Opinion Jon Gabriel | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Upholding that proud tradition, President Joe Biden is headed to the border on Thursday — and so is former President Donald Trump. I’m a lifelong resident of Arizona, and border-state voters have heard a lot of talk, but haven’t seen much action. The president’s only other visit to the border was a year ago, briefly stopping in El Paso before racing back home. This would at least mitigate Biden’s polling drop while also giving border states and blue cities a respite from the migrant influx. They’re done with photo-ops next to broken border walls and other campaign stunts.

Persons: Jon Gabriel, CNN — It’s, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Jon Gabriel Unfortunately, Biden, Bob Dole, Bill Clinton, Sen, John McCain, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, I’m, haven’t, Greg Abbott, Eric Adams, JB Pritzker, Abbott, “, Trump, ”, Alejandro Mayorkas, They’re Organizations: The Arizona, Twitter, CNN, Trump, Texas Gov, Texas National Guard, Gallup, Democratic, New York City, Immigration, Customs, Illinois Gov, New York City Police Department, Republicans, U.S . Border Patrol, Senate, GOP, Homeland Locations: The Arizona Republic, Texas, Arizona, Douglas, Yuma, Tucson, El Paso, Brownsville , Texas, Gulf of Mexico, Eagle Pass , Texas, Del Rio, America, New York, Illinois, New, Georgia, Brownsville

☆ Bud Light boycott likely cost Anheuser-Busch InBev over $1 billion in lost sales
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The world’s largest brewer may have lost as much as $1.4 billion in sales because of the backlash to its brief partnership with a transgender influencer to promote Bud Light beer. Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) reported record revenues for 2023 Thursday but said its “full growth potential was constrained” by its US business, where sales were hurt by a boycott of Bud Light over a sponsored Instagram post with Dylan Mulvaney. In North America, organic revenue, seen as the best measure of operating performance, plunged $1.4 billion last year as beer sales by volume tumbled in the region, primarily due to a decline in Bud Light sales in the United States. Bud Light sales tanked after the company’s partnership with Mulvaney sparked an anti-trans backlash and calls for a boycott. The firestorm saw Mexican lager Modelo Especial dethrone Bud Light last May as America’s top-selling beer, a title the brand had held for more than two decades.

Persons: BUD, Bud Light, Dylan Mulvaney, Beer, Mulvaney, Bud, Aarin, Hargreaves, ” Organizations: London CNN, Bud, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Bud Light, Modelo, “, Teamsters, InBev, InBev’s, Budweiser Brewing Company Locations: North America, United States, InBev’s Asia, Hong Kong, South Korea, China

☆ A breakaway region in Europe is asking Russia for protection. Here’s what to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Christian Edwards | Anna Chernova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

No country officially recognizes Transnistria, where Russia has kept a steadily dwindling military presence for decades, now standing at around 1,500 troops. Before Wednesday, the congress’ most recent meeting was in 2006, when it passed a referendum calling to join Russia. When Transnistrian politicians unexpectedly announced a new meeting, analysts suggested this could lead to fresh calls for unification with Russia. Russia’s war in Ukraine has had a profound effect on Transnistria’s economy. Minzarari said the dispute had created opportunities for Russian authorities to “fish in troubled waters.”Why is Russia interested in Moldova?

Persons: Vladimir Putin, ”, Daniel Voda, “, Maia Sandu, Dumitru Minzarari, ” Minzarari, Minzarari, Gen, Rustam Minnekaev, Lenin, Anton Polyakov, Putin, Vadim Kranoselsky, ” Ben Dubow Organizations: CNN —, European Union, Kremlin, Novosti, Moldova’s, Transnistria’s, Deputies, Russia, Moldovan, Russia’s, Ministry, CNN, EU, Carnegie Endowment, International, Baltic Defense College, Military Region, Institute for, RIA Novosti, Center for Locations: Moldova, Transnistria, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Moscow, Soviet, Moldovan, Russia, Tiraspol, Odesa, Maj, Kherson, Russian, US, Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kyiv, Transnistrian

☆ How the GOP’s rightward shift on immigration helps explain Trump’s primary success
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Ron Brownstein | Analysis Ronald Brownstein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Amid widespread discontent over President Joe Biden’s management of the border, the overall electorate is moving rightward on immigration too, polls show. For now, there’s no question that hardening GOP attitudes on immigration have been critical to Trump’s strong performance through the early primaries. Then, 56% of GOP primary voters said undocumented immigrants should be offered legal status; in last month’s primary, 55% said they should be deported. Immigration ranked as the most important issue for most GOP primary voters in South Carolina, and finished close behind the economy in both Iowa and New Hampshire. McLaughlin said Trump’s dominance among the GOP primary voters most concerned about immigration encapsulates a broader reason for his early success: widespread satisfaction among Republicans about his record in office.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden’s, Trump, What’s, “, Donald Trump, ”, Jim McLaughlin, Joe Biden, ’, Nikki Haley, Trump’s, Haley, Leah Askarinam, McLaughlin, Robert P, Jones, Charles Franklin, Adolf Hitler, ” Biden, Biden, Stephen Miller, Charlie Kirk, Miller, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Matt Barreto, Barreto, Democratic pollster, ” Barreto, Maria Cardona, Tom Suozzi, George Santos, Suozzi, Bill Clinton Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Trump, Biden, Edison Research, Immigration, Former South Carolina Gov, Quinnipiac University, Survey, Religion Research Institute, Marquette Law School, Marquette, Gallup, Republicans, CBS, National Guard, Democratic, UCLA, New, Republican Rep, White, House Republicans Locations: Alabama, Mississippi, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa, New York, Wisconsin, Mexico, United States, American, Trump, Marquette, America, Texas, Celinda, Arizona, Nevada, Mexico ”, week’s State, Brownsville

☆ Nigeria customs confirms deaths in stampede for discounted rice
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Abuja, Nigeria CNN —The Nigeria Customs Service has paused the sale of seized bags of rice to needy residents amid growing hunger in the country, after confirming people were trampled to death during a deadly crowd surge at its Lagos office Friday. “The crowd became desperate and charged through our barricades in search of rice bags inside emptied containers. Nigeria is battling one of its worst cost-of-living crises that has seen inflation rise to nearly 30% - the highest in 30 years. ‘End hunger’ protestsFresh protests broke out on Tuesday as labor unions mobilized for nationwide demonstrations to rail against the economic hardships. The government also endorsed a 2012 recommendation from a presidential committee that recommended cuts to government staffing levels.

Persons: Abdullahi Maiwada, regrettably, ” Maiwada, EndHungerProtest, Bola Tinubu, Tinubu Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, Nigeria Customs Service, World Bank Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Lagos, Africa’s, West, India

☆ The least-visited national parks in the United States in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Marnie Hunter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The state of Alaska — which covers 665,384 square miles (426 million acres) — is home to five of the 15 least-visited national parks for 2023. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska - 78,305 recreation visitsAmerica’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias encompasses 13.2 million acres — or about the size of Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and Switzerland combined, the Park Service says. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida - 84,285 recreation visitsThis island park in Florida is among 20 National Park Service sites that broke visitation records in 2023. Channel Islands National Park, California - 328,746 recreation visitsStretching over five islands and the surrounding ocean, Channel Islands National Park offer opportunities to hike, snorkel, kayak, birdwatch and more. While Pinnacles may rank among the 15 least-visited national parks, it gets very busy on weekends, holidays and throughout the spring, according to a notice on the park’s website.

Persons: Alaska’s Gates, “, ” Peter Christian, fa’asamoa, Gates, ”, Katmai, Brooks Camp, Elias, Lumir, Nabesna, McCarthy Organizations: CNN, &, CNN Travel, of, Park Service, National Parks, & Preserve, South Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines, Lake Clark, National Park Service, Getty, Isle Royale, NPS, Wolves, Elias, Park & Preserve, Yosemite National, Voyageurs National, Voyageurs National Park, ” Voyageurs, Voyageurs, Service, Channel Locations: Alaska’s, Fairbanks, Alaska, of American Samoa, South, Samoa, Smoky, Wild Rivers, American Samoa, Honolulu, , Alaska, Isle, Lake Superior, Isle Royale, Park , Michigan, Brooks, , Washington, Wrangell, St, Elias, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Switzerland, , Florida, Florida, Key, Fort Jefferson, , Nevada, Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park , Minnesota, Canada, Guadalupe, Park , Texas, Texas, Salt, , South Carolina, South Carolina, Congaree, There’s, Santa Cruz, , California, Southern California

☆ South Korea records record number of Russians seeking asylum
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —A record number of Russians are seeking asylum in South Korea, according to South Korean authorities, with applications surging fivefold last year as Russians became the largest group seeking refuge in the East Asian country. A total of 5,750 Russian nationals sought asylum in South Korea in 2023, according to a report released earlier this month by the Korean Immigration Service. That’s five times higher than the 1,038 who sought protection in 2022 – and more than the total number of asylum applications from Russians recorded between 1994 and 2019. And the trend has continued into this year, with Russians making up the biggest group seeking asylum in January. In the past three decades, just 4,052 people have been recognized as refugees in South Korea from more than 103,000 asylum applications, according to the report.

Persons: South Korea CNN — Organizations: South Korea CNN, South, Korean Immigration Service, Immigration Service, Incheon International Airport, South Korean Justice Ministry, CNN, Customs, Protection Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Kazakhstan, China, Malaysia, Korea, Ukraine, Russia, Korean, Soviet, United States, Moscow

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