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WASHINGTON — When President Joe Biden relinquishes power in January, some parts of his legacy will be secure, while others may be undone by President-elect Donald Trump and a new Republican-controlled Congress. The pieces of Biden’s legacy go into four buckets. But it will be difficult for Trump to undo bipartisan legislation, such as measures about infrastructure and preventing gun violence, and the judges Biden appointed can’t be unseated. Biden’s immigration orders are ripe for Trump to target after he ran on a platform of mass deportations and clamping down on border security. Bipartisan Biden-era bills (largely safe)The parts of Biden’s legacy that will be relatively safe are the bipartisan laws he passed, which are subject to filibusters and therefore give Democrats the power to protect them.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Joe Biden relinquishes, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, can’t, they've, Roe, Wade, Sen, Kevin Cramer, ” Cramer, Kamala Harris, Thom Tillis, they’ve, ” Sen, Shelley Moore Capito, Tommy Tuberville, “, ”, Ben Cline, John Thune, they’ll, Angus King, It's, ” King, Ketanji Brown Jackson Organizations: Republican, Trump, Democrats, NBC News, GOP, Biden, American, Finance Committee, Public, Republicans, Postal Service, Democratic Locations: U.S, South Dakota, Maine, Pennsylvania

☆ Kim Jong Un said to order mass production of suicide drones
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided a test of suicide drones and ordered mass production of the aerial weapon, saying the introduction of such drones around the world requires an urgent update of military theory, state media said Friday. Kim “underscored the need to build a serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production,” state news agency KCNA said. Kim observed a test firing of what appear to be suicide drones alongside military officials at an undisclosed location. That has prompted South Korea to deploy weapons to shoot down North Korean drones. North Korea and Russia have recently ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership that their leaders signed in June, which includes a mutual defense pact.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim, Kim “, KCNA, ” KCNA Organizations: South Korean, Ukraine, Russian Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, North Korea, Seoul, South Korea, Korea, frontlines

☆ Xi Jinping opens huge port in Peru funded by China
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

LIMA, Peru — Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a weeklong diplomatic blitz of South America on Thursday by inaugurating a massive deep-water port in Peru, a $1.3 billion investment by Beijing as it seeks to expand trade and influence on the continent. Cranes at the Chancay megaport are seen behind a neighborhood in Chancay, Peru, last month. The rail project is estimated to cost $3.5 billion, according to Mario de las Casas, corporate affairs manager at Cosco Shipping Chancay Peru. Robert Evan Ellis, Latin America research professor at the U.S. Army War College, said that Chancay will make shipping between Latin America and China more efficient. China has overtaken the United States to become the largest trading partner of countries such as Peru.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, Dina Boluarte, Chancay, Chris Bouroncle, Mario Ocharan, Mario de las, Trump, Robert Evan Ellis, “, ” Ellis, Laura Richardson Organizations: Economic Cooperation, Initiative, Getty, El, Cosco Shipping, Chamber of Commerce, Mario de las Casas, U.S . Army, College, U.S . Southern Command, Global Times Locations: LIMA, Peru, South America, Beijing, America, Asia, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Peruvian, Chancay, AFP, China, Latin America, Cosco Shipping Chancay Peru, Europe, Washington, United States, China’s

According to projections from The Associated Press, Republicans flipped control of the Michigan state House, padded their narrow majorities in the New Hampshire state House and Senate, and maintained their majority in the Pennsylvania state Senate. In Arizona, Republicans appeared poised to expand their narrow majorities in the state House and state Senate, though the AP hasn’t yet called enough races to make that determination. In many districts in both states, Democrats had centered their message on the accomplishments the party achieved with that power. Democrats, however, maintained their 102-101 majority in the Pennsylvania state House — the only bright spot for the party in state legislative chambers where partisan control had been at stake. In addition, Republicans’ victories in state legislative races came even as Democratic groups massively outspent them.

Persons: ’, Dee Duncan, Project’s, Daniel Squadron, Adam Pritzker, Tony Evers, Josh Stein Organizations: Associated Press, Senate, Republicans, AP, ” Republican, Democratic, States, Democratic Legislative, GOP, Democrats “, Wisconsin —, Gov, Democratic Gov Locations: Washington, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Minnesota, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Kansas, New York, Vermont, South Carolina

☆ South African police in standoff with hundreds of illegal miners in disused shaft
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

South African police were in a standoff Friday with hundreds of illegal miners believed to be underground in a disused shaft, after a cabinet minister said the government was trying to “smoke them out.”Police have been trying for weeks to empty the abandoned gold mine in the North West province as part of a crackdown on illegal mining, which has plagued South Africa for decades through small-time pilfering and organized criminal networks.More than 1,000 illegal miners resurfaced after police cut off their food and water supplies, but a police spokesperson said hundreds more could still be underground. South African police officers escort community members to a mine shaft to negotiate with artisanal miners in Stilfontein on Wednesday. Emmanuel Croset / AFP via Getty ImagesA decomposed body was brought up on Thursday, with pathologists on the scene, spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said. On Wednesday, asked whether the government would send help to the zama-zamas — a local term for illegal miners from the Zulu expression for “taking a chance” — Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said: “We are not sending help to criminals. Illegal gold mining costs South Africa’s government and industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost sales, taxes and royalties, according to an estimate by a mining industry body.

Persons: Emmanuel Croset, Athlenda Mathe, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni Organizations: ” Police, Getty, ” Senior Locations: North West, South Africa, Stilfontein, AFP

☆ Taiwan is fast becoming a hub for outdoor adventure and wellness seekers
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Joe Yogerst | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

But rather than one of the more obvious outdoor wellness and adventure hubs, it’s actually Taiwan. “Several factors have contributed to the rapid growth of outdoor sports in Taiwan,” says Kate Chen of the Taiwan Tourism Administration. “There was a huge spike in young adults wanting to go hiking or cycling.”But it’s not just locals discovering the island’s outdoor opportunities. Floating in the South China Sea between Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Philippines, Dongsha Marine National Park offers an entirely different take on outdoor adventure. They also provide a venue for more than 100 nature trails that are part of a national trails network created in 2002.

Persons: CNN —, Topping, ”, Kate Chen of, Michael McCreesh, it’s, Krathon, Chen, Thao, Zhong, Nick Kembel, Taiwan's, “, There’s, Xiao Baiyue Organizations: CNN, Taiwan Tourism Administration, Taiwan, Wellness, Scenic Area, Recreation, Villa, Taiwan Music, Dongsha, Park, MTB, Taiwan Surf Travel, Amis Locations: Chile , New Zealand, California, it’s, Taiwan, Belgium, Massachusetts, Taroko, Te, lakeview, Taipei, Wulai, Neidong, Beitou, Kenting, Fuji, Canadian, South China, Hong Kong, Philippines, “, County, Hualien City

☆ Georgia: Protesters storm parliament in breakaway region of Abkhazia over Russia deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Protesters stormed the parliament of the Russian-backed breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia on Friday and opposition politicians demanded the resignation of the self-styled president over an unpopular investment agreement with Moscow. Protesters used a truck to smash through the metal gates surrounding the parliament in the capital Sukhumi. Eshsou Kakalia, an opposition leader and former deputy prosecutor general, said the parliament building was under the control of the protesters. “We will now seek the resignation of the current president of Abkhazia,” he was quoted by Russia’s Interfax news agency as saying. Protesters also broke into the presidential administration offices located in the same building as the parliament.

Persons: Russia’s, Protesters, Maxim Reshetnikov, Kristina Ozgan, Aslan Bzhania, Alexander Ankvab, Raul Khadzhimba Organizations: CNN — Protesters, Protesters, Russia’s Interfax, Russian Economy, Abkhazian, Russian Locations: Russian, Georgian, Abkhazia, Moscow, Sukhumi, ”, Russia, South Ossetia, Georgia, Soviet

☆ North Korea to mass produce self-detonating explosive drones, state media reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Helen Regan | Gawon Bae | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Images published by North Korean state media show Kim and various officials at the launch site. State media reported that drones “of various types precisely hit the targets” as part of the test. Such self-detonating drones, also sometimes referred to as suicide drones, have been widely used to great effect on the battlefield in Russia’s war in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Images released from North Korean state media KCNA show what it said were self-detonating drone during a test of the unmanned aerial vehicles. KCNANorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks with officials as he oversees a test of self-detonating drones, according to state media KCNA.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim, Kim “, “, ”, Kim Jong, KCNA, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, North, US State Department, Russian, CNN North Korean, Korea’s Defense, Agency, South Locations: North Korean, Ukraine, West, Russia, Kursk, Korean, Ukrainian, Pyongyang, ” Moscow, North Korea, Russian, South Korea, Seoul, Korea’s, Ganghwa

☆ Citi says this Korean stock is a 'unique' beneficiary of Nvidia's new AI chip, giving it 40% upside
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Nvidia's next-generation artificial intelligence chip Blackwell is in hot demand from companies like OpenAI, Microsoft , Meta and other firms building AI data centers to power products like ChatGPT and Copilot. Doosan's CCLs are manufactured by Doosan Electronics, a subsidiary that accounts for over 70% of the corporation's revenue. The bank's analysts believe this estimate could be conservative, noting the increased CCL content per Blackwell chip, which could translate into a much higher total addressable market than previously estimated. Doosan's stock has already shown strong performance, rising nearly 150% this year and almost tripling in value over the past year. The company is currently valued at about $2.5 billion on the Korean stock exchange.

Persons: Nvidia's, Blackwell, Nvidia's Blackwell, Josh Yang, Schwab, — CNBC's Michael Bloom, CJ Haddad Organizations: Citi, Doosan Corporation, Nvidia, Doosan, Korean, Blackwell, Microsoft, Meta, CCL, Nvidia Blackwell, Doosan Electronics, Co, RAFI Locations: Korea, Korea's

☆ Former French president calls for a united Europe after Trump election win
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

French President Francois Hollande delivers a speech as he attends the inauguration of the new 'Sud Europe Atlantique' (South Europe Atlantic) high-speed rail line, linking Tours and Bordeaux, on February 28, 2017, in Villognon, central France. Yohan Bonnet | AFP | Getty ImagesFormer French President François Hollande underlined the importance of Europe sticking together in the face of U.S. protectionism on issues like security and trade. This would come at a time when traditional economic powerhouse Germany is dealing with an economic malaise and a political vacuum after its coalition government collapsed. "This is what France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, the four main countries that invest in defense, will do. If these four countries react together, both in relation to the security issue, the Ukraine issue and even the trade issue, then Europe will be respected.

Persons: Francois Hollande, Yohan Bonnet, François Hollande, Donald Trump's, Hollande, CNBC's Charlotte Reed, Trump, Donald Trump Organizations: Europe, Europe Atlantic, AFP, Getty, Former, European Union Locations: Europe, Tours, Bordeaux, Villognon, France, U.S, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, United Kingdom

☆ Elon Musk is looking for DOGE cuts. A GOP senator's list caught his eye.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Musk reposted on Wednesday a list of cuts from Sen. Rand Paul, a longtime critic of the federal budget. Elon Musk is on the hunt for federal spending to cut — and a Republican senator's list caught his eye. A prior report highlighted $50 million of US funding for Tunisia's tourism industry, meant to help it increase visitor numbers through 2026. AdvertisementThe 2023 report outlined a USDA study on whether Labrador fur color affects their body temperature, while the 2022 report highlighted a Cornell University study on social communication between parrots. But Musk has emphasized his desire to do identify wasteful spending in public, culminating in a leaderboard of spending deemed wasteful.

Persons: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Rand Paul, Sen, Rand Paul of Kentucky, crosshairs, Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Paul Organizations: of Government, DOGE, Republican, Department, Government, Musk's America PAC, America PAC, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, Cornell University, National Institutes of Health, NIH, National Institute of Allergy Locations: Sen, Esna, Egypt, Labrador, South Carolina

CNN —Israel’s war conduct in Gaza “is consistent with the characteristics of genocide,” including mass civilian casualties and using starvation as a weapon, according to a new United Nations Special Committee report released Thursday. The UN committee added that Israeli officials have publicly supported policies to destroy “vital water, sanitation and food systems” in Gaza as well as prevent access to fuel. The UN Special Committee is composed of three UN member states, including Malaysia, Senegal and Sri Lanka. But the US view is a stark contrast with the bleak picture on the ground, where much of the aid that reaches Gaza is not being distributed. “We have not seen any aid, and no one has sent us food,” 63-year-old Palestinian Umm Muhammad Al-At’out told CNN this week.

Persons: CNN —, “, Biden, Muhammad Al, At’out, ” CNN’s Jane Nix, Mick Krever Organizations: CNN, United Nations, International Court of Justice, Security Council, UN, Court of Justice, Hamas, Human Rights Watch, The State Department Locations: Gaza, Israel, South Africa, UN’s, Malaysia, Senegal, Sri Lanka

☆ Long-lost marine worm species photobombs seahorses, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The long-lost worm is Haplosyllis anthogorgicola, a species of bristle worm, or polychaete. But as Forreau was sorting her underwater photos of seahorses and corals, she made another unexpected discovery: The worms’ coral burrows were visible in the images. Perhaps, she thought, that might also be the case in other photos of pygmy seahorses. Images of pygmy seahorses taken by scuba divers were crawling with worm photobombs. Worms’ limbs, heads and tails poked out of coral burrows in the hundreds; the scientists even counted seven examples of worms crawling on seahorses’ bodies.

Persons: Huzio Utinomo, Chloé Fourreau, “, ”, Karen Osborn, Osborn, Ai Takahata, ” Forreau, coauthors, Chloé, Forreau, ” Osborn, Mindy Weisberger Organizations: CNN, Kyoto University, Royal Society, Biological Sciences, University of, Smithsonian National Museum of, Royal Society B, Scientific Locations: Japan, Australia, Okinawa, Washington ,, Sukumo, Kochi, Worms, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Powell’s comments gave investors a reality check
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | 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. Breaking from Wall Street, Asia-Pacific stocks mostly rose on Friday. On a quarterly basis, GDP rose 0.2%, in line with estimates from a Reuters poll, but that's lower than the second quarter's 0.5% increase. China retail sales pick back upChina's retail sales in October rose 4.8% year on year, reported the National Bureau of Statistics.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell Organizations: US Federal Reserve, Music, Fair, CNBC, Trump, Nikkei, CSI, U.S . Federal, National Bureau of Statistics, Nvidia, Citi Locations: Dallas , Texas, Street, Asia, Pacific, China

☆ North Korea orders mass production of attack drones after seeing Russia's tactics up close
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Kim Jong Un has ordered the mass production of attack drones, North Korean media reported. AdvertisementNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the mass production of exploding drones on Thursday, according to North Korean state media. Kovalenko also said there were plans to send Russian drone instructors to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, for further training of North Korean personnel. "North Korea may use these skills for future terrorist actions in the border areas with South Korea," he said. The partnership brings another advantage for North Korea: much-needed live combat experience and technical know-how.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, —, Kim, Kim Jong, AP Kim, Putin, Gavriil, Andrii Kovalenko, Kovalenko, Joseph S, Bermudez Jr Organizations: Service, Business, KCNA, BMW, North Korean, Korean Central News Agency, Korea News Service, AP, Reuters, AFP, Ukraine's Center, North, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Korean, Russia, North Korea, Ukraine, Iran, AFP North Korea, Kursk, Ukrainian, South Korea, Russian, Pyongyang, Korea

☆ Lebanon ceasefire talks intensify as Hezbollah considers new US-Israeli proposal
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Tamara Qiblawi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Hezbollah is considering a US-Israeli ceasefire proposal, sources told CNN, as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group intensify. The US ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, relayed the proposal to the Lebanese government on Thursday night, a Lebanese official familiar with the discussions told CNN. Those efforts were upended when Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a major bombing attack in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Another Lebanese official familiar with the discussions around the ceasefire told CNN that US President-elect Donald Trump has endorsed the ongoing negotiations, which have been spearheaded by the Biden administration’s special envoy to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein. The US embassy in Beirut declined CNN’s request for comment on the ceasefire negotiations.

Persons: Lisa Johnson, Johnson, Nabih Berri –, –, Israel, Hassan Nasrallah, Donald Trump, Biden, Amos Hochstein, “, CNN’s Organizations: CNN, Lebanese, UN, Lebanese Armed Forces Locations: Israel, Lebanese, Lebanon, Beirut’s, Lebanon’s, Beirut

☆ We spent $400 a night at a luxury lodge in South Africa. Our all-inclusive stay included epic safari tours and much more.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Tammy Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

My husband and I spent $400 per night at Black Rhino Game Lodge to go on safari. Our chalet was spacious and our stay came with multiple meals and game drives. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . For our trip, my husband and I booked accommodations at Black Rhino Game Lodge, where I was thrilled to find plenty of comforts and perks.

Persons: I'd, —, I've Organizations: Black Rhino, Service

☆ I became CEO of a company that has helped millions of kids read—here's my no. 1 piece of career advice
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Ernestine Siu | In Ernestinesiu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Courtesy of Dr. Geetha Murali. Courtesy of Dr. Geetha Murali. "The human being, if given the basics... you are capable of so much more than you really think you are. Dr. Geetha Murali in Vietnam. Courtesy of Dr. Geetha Murali.

Persons: Geetha Murali, ” Murali, CNBC's, Read, Murali, —, Murali's, , wasn't, Michelle Obama, she's Organizations: UNESCO, CNBC, Indian Army, University of California, South Asian Studies, UC Berkeley Locations: New York, East, India, U.S, biostatistics, Berkeley, Vietnam

☆ A fluffy, $85 toy is taking Asia by storm and sparking legions of knockoffs. Inside the meteoric rise of Labubu.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Aditi Bharade | Erin Liam | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The Labubu and Pop Mart phenomenonLabubu dolls at the opening of a Pop Mart store in Bangkok. AdvertisementIn a statement to BI, a representative from Pop Mart said that Labubu has gained a strong global fan base. Advertisement"There's a bit of a 'FOMO' feeling," said Sim, 31, who owns around six Labubu toys. She has around 17 Labubu toys and said she spent over $10,000 on them. Once, she even camped outside a Pop Mart store for the latest drop.

Persons: —, Grace Lee, Lee, ─, Joey Khong, Khong, Bangkok . Sun Weitong, Lung, it's restocked, Tony Lee, Mart doesn't, Taobao, Erin Liam, Lisa, Juda, Kanaprach, Gen Zers, They're, Labubu, It's, Sim Pei Yi, Sim, Ana Gonzales, she's, Gonzales, Tracy Hsu, Lisa —, Hsu Organizations: Service, Getty, Business, Pop, Pop Mart, Daxue Consulting, Southeast, Insight, Singapore, Mart Locations: Asia, Bangkok . Sun, Xinhua, Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, Pop, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, China, Philippines, New Jersey, California, Canada

☆ CNBC's Inside India newsletter: India's growing wealth divide
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | In Amala-Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

The rise in India's income and wealth inequality is not a result of the poor getting poorer, Sumedha Dasgupta, senior analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) flags. India's income gap (which is the difference in wages earned between different demographic) comes alongside a worsening wealth divide too. Instead, the phenomenon comes as the "rich are getting much richer at a faster rate," she told CNBC's Inside India. India's 3 household groupsA more pressing issue brought on by India's wealth and income divide is the emergence of different categories of households with distinct standards of living. Unequal education opportunitiesThe EIU's Dasgupta attributes India's vicious wealth and income gap cycle in large part to mismatched education opportunities.

Persons: Knight Frank, Dasgupta, CNBC's, Shumita Deveshwar, Deveshwar Organizations: Economist Intelligence Unit, Blume Ventures, Oxfam, Private, Department of School Education, Global Commons Alliance, TS Lombard Locations: India, United States, Brazil, South Africa, Venture, Saharan Africa, Indian

☆ Tesla's Chinese EV competitors are racing to build their own Optimus rivals
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla's Chinese rivals are building their own humanoid robots to rival Tesla. EV startup Xpeng unveiled its Iron humanoid robot at its AI day event this month. The company said Iron was already deployed in its factories, joining BYD and Nio in using humanoid robots to build cars. AdvertisementTesla is facing fierce competition in China from local EV makers — and now they're building their own versions of Elon Musk's Optimus robot. AdvertisementThe scramble to incorporate humanoid robots comes as Elon Musk touts Tesla's Optimus robot.

Persons: Iron, —, Tesla, Elon, Xpeng, Ubtech, Walker, BYD, Elon Musk, Tesla's Organizations: Service, —, Aircraft, Dongfeng Motors, EV, Elon Locations: BYD, China, Tesla

☆ How drought is ruining Christmas in the Northeast
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Christmas tree farmers across the Northeast are looking decidedly less merry as they struggle to keep their trees alive amid a weeks-long drought that has left vegetation brown, shriveled and crisp. Nearly 60% of the Northeast was in drought last week, according to the US Drought Monitor, and more than a quarter of it was in severe to extreme drought conditions, having received little to no rain for weeks. It’s the young trees at Christmas tree farms that are getting hit hardest, threatening to impact many farms’ tree sales in the future, since it takes about seven to eight years to grow a mature Christmas tree. Meanwhile, about 500 of the 2,700 Christmas trees the farm planted earlier this spring have already died from drought conditions. “Christmas tree farms in the Northeast have, unfortunately, been hit with drought conditions that will impact the crop for several years to come,” Warner told CNN.

Persons: Chris Moran, “, ”, ” Jami Warner, ” Warner, ” Moran, Darryl Schwartz, He’s, I’ve, ” Schwartz, centerpieces, Moran, he’s Organizations: CNN, US Drought Monitor, WBZ, Association, Whispering, World Meteorological Organization Locations: Mendon , Massachusetts, Virginia

☆ US returns looted antiquities worth $10 million to India
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Karina Tsui | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The United States has returned more than 1,400 looted artifacts worth $10 million to India as part of an ongoing initiative to repatriate stolen art from countries across South and Southeast Asia, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office announced Wednesday. The trafficked goods recovered include items that, until recently, were on view at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The DA’s office obtained an arrest warrant for him in 2012though he remains in custody in India, pending his extradition to the US. Since its creation over a decade ago, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit –– a task force of lawyers, investigators and art experts –– has recovered 5,800 antiquities valued at almost $460 million. In July, the US and India signed an agreement to protect cultural property by preventing illegal trades and streamlining the process of returning stolen antiquities back to India.

Persons: Nancy Wiener, Subhash Kapoor, Alamy Kapoor, ” William Walker, – – Organizations: CNN, Manhattan District, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan, Attorney’s, Metropolitan Museum of Art, federal Homeland Security Locations: United States, India, South, Southeast Asia, New, London, American, New York, Rajasthan, Tamil, Germany, 2012though, York

☆ Analysis of Chang’e-6 lunar samples reveals first detailed information about moon’s far side
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Lunar samples from the Chang'e-6 mission could help explain differences between the near and far side of the moon. Li and his team studied 108 basalt fragments contained in two small samples of the lunar far side soil. Future Chang’e-6 sample researchThe Chang'e-6 probe's return capsule, which contained lunar samples from the moon's far side, is shown on June 25 after landing in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Xinhua/ShutterstockThese initial analyses of the lunar soil samples raise questions that will take more time and the study of additional samples to address, Neal said. The space agency declined to comment on the studies but said it is coordinating with US researchers who applied for access to Chang’e-5 lunar samples.

Persons: NASA’s, Russia’s Luna, Clive Neal, China’s Chang’e, ” Neal, ”, Richard W, Carlson, ” Carlson, Qiu, Li, Neal, Bill Nelson, CNSA Organizations: CNN, NASA, Arizona State University, University of Notre Dame, Chang’e, Carnegie Institution, Planets Laboratory, State Key Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences ’, of Geology, Geophysics, Mongolia Autonomous, Xinhua, China National Space Administration, Apollo, FBI, ” NASA Locations: China, Washington , DC, Xinhua, Mongolia, Mongolia Autonomous Region

☆ Why Australian zoo is asking Sydney residents to catch deadly funnel-web spiders
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —If you saw an enormous, deadly funnel-web spider sitting on her egg sac, your first instinct might be to run away. Funnel-webs, whose most dangerous species lives in and around Sydney, are known for their deadly, fast-acting venom. The zoo is the sole supplier of funnel-web spider antivenom, which it produces by milking the spiders collected. “We want to encourage the spider with her egg sac into the jar in one movement, trying not to make her so angry that she destroys the egg sac,” Teni says in the video. Each egg sac contains about 150-200 spiderlings, making it a valuable source of antivenom.

Persons: Emma Teni, Teni, antivenom, ” Nicole Webber, Karen Wright, “, ” Organizations: CNN Locations: New South Wales, Sydney

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