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☆ China investigates citizen accused of spying for CIA, security ministry says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Security cameras are seen at the U.S. embassy in Beijing, China July 26, 2018. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Aug 21 (Reuters) - China is investigating a Chinese national accused of spying for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the country's state security ministry said on Monday. The 39-year-old Chinese national, surnamed Hao, was a cadre at a ministry and had gone to Japan for studies, which was where the spying recruitment occurred, the ministry said. The statement came less than two weeks after the ministry said it uncovered another national also suspected of spying for the CIA after being recruited in Italy. Relations between the United States and China have soured in recent years over a range of issues, including national security.

Persons: Damir Sagolj, Hao, Ted, Li Jun, Li, Liz Lee, Elaine Lies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Japan, Italy, The U.S, Tokyo, United States, Washington, Shanghai

☆ Warren Buffett, Michael Burry, and other top investors revealed striking portfolio changes this week. Here are 4 key trades.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Getty Images / Michael BucknerWarren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway established stakes in a trio of homebuilders last quarter: Lennar, NVR, and DR Horton. The positions were worth a combined $814 million — a small bet in the context of Berkshire's roughly $350 billion stock portfolio. Buffett's portfolio managers, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, were likely behind the purchases given their size. On the other hand, it exited its wagers on McKesson, Marsh & McLennan, and Vitesse Energy in the period. Buffett and his team also pared their positions in Activision Blizzard, Chevron, Celanese, General Motors, and Globe Life.

Persons: Warren Buffett Warren Buffett, Michael Buckner Warren, Berkshire Hathaway, DR, Todd Combs, Ted Weschler, Buffett Organizations: Getty, Capital, Occidental Petroleum, McLennan, Vitesse Energy, Activision Blizzard, Chevron, General Motors, Globe Locations: Capital One, Marsh, Celanese

☆ Some former mobsters who were prosecuted by Rudy Giuliani are thrilled that the ex-Trump attorney got hit with RICO charges, mob lawyers say: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rudy Giuliani gained notoriety as a prosecutor for going after New York City mafias in the 1980s. Recently, he was indicted on RICO charges — the same prosecutorial tool he used to take down mafias. A lawyer who represented prominent New York mobsters said his clients are "fucking thrilled." "I don't want to say the language, but they really ripped Rudy a new a------," he told the outlet. Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who witnessed Giuliani's political rise in the city, also chimed in and told Politico that the indictment was "more than Shakespearean."

Persons: Rudy Giuliani, Giuliani, Donald Trump, Georgia's, Murray Richman, Genovese, Rudy, Jeffrey Lichtman, Gambino, John Gotti, Lichtman, Ted Goodman, Rudy Giuliani fearlessly, Murray Richmond, John Alite, Alite, Richman, Trump, — Rudy, Bill de Blasio, de Blasio Organizations: New York City mafias, New York mobsters, Service, Racketeer, La, La Cosa Nostra, Trump, Former New York, Politico Locations: New York City, Wall, Silicon, New York, La Cosa, Former New York City, Giuliani

☆ Credit Card Balances Hit New Peak
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Ann Carrns | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The average interest rate charged on cards that carry balances was about 22 percent in May, the New York Fed reported, while second-quarter data from the credit bureau TransUnion found the average card debt per borrower was almost $6,000. He recommended tallying up how many cards you have and noting both their balances and the interest rate you are paying. There are two popular strategies for paying down credit card debt. After you pay off a credit card, it can help your credit score to leave the account open while minimally using it. The more unused credit you have, the better the effect on your credit score.

Persons: TransUnion, Ted Rossman, Alvarado Organizations: New York Fed, Bankrate

☆ A Minute With: Singer-songwriter Sam Ryder on riders, hair care and his hero
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Lucy Marks | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 34-year-old Eurovision 2022 runner-up spoke with Reuters about how "Fought & Lost" echoed his own journey in the music industry, collaborating with his hero Brian May and his hair care routine. Tell me the secrets to your hair care routine? Ryder: “My hair care routine is going to kind of be quite controversial. Ryder: "On my rider is lots of fruit and vegetables, lots of ginger shots, and also loads of vegan chocolate. "Every country we go to we want to try the best vegan chocolate they can find.

Persons: Sam Ryder, Kerry Davies, Ted Lasso, Brian May, Queen’s Brian May, Ryder, I'm, “, What’s, Sam Ryder’s, we've, Lucy Marks, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Apple, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Buckingham Palace, London, Britain, British

☆ Netflix's DVD service is going out with a bang and mailing customers one last mystery shipment of 10 movies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Netflix is sending DVD subscribers one last mystery shipment before sunsetting its rental service. Netflix announced in April it is ending its iconic DVD service after 25 years. DVD customers have until August 29 to opt in at this website, and the final DVDs will be shipped out on September 29. In 2022, Netflix generated roughly $31.5 billion in streaming revenues, compared to about $145 million from its DVD service, according to its annual report last year. Are you a longtime Netflix DVD subscriber?

Persons: it'll, Ted Sarandos Organizations: Netflix, Morning Locations: what's

☆ The 6 Kinds of Republican Voters
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Nate Cohn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

But if the Republican Party is no longer in Reagan’s image, it’s not necessarily a populist-conservative MAGA monolith, either. But if the Republican Party isn’t quite a MAGA monolith, what is it? The groups were defined by how Republican-leaning voters felt on the issues — not how they felt about Mr. Trump. In fact, Mr. Trump leads Mr. DeSantis among every group of Republican voters identified in the analysis. They’re the smallest group of Republicans today, but this group of relatively moderate but anti-woke voters might play an important role in the Republican Party in the years ahead.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Ronald Reagan’s, it’s, MAGA, Trump’s, Mr, They’re, ” They’re, it’s Mr, ”, —, Trump’s MAGA, don’t, Ron DeSantis, Susan Collins, Charlie Baker, Chris Sununu, Reagan, Bush, Biden, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, DeSantis, Rick Perry, Tim Scott, Rubio, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Romney, Liz Cheney, Roe, Wade, Ted Cruz, Newt Gingrich Trump, It’s, likeliest, Cruz, Rudy Giuliani, Paul LePage, Lou Barletta, Michael Grimm Trump, ” Reagan, Rand Paul, Jason Chaffetz, Dave Brat Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, President Biden, they’re, “ Organizations: Right, Libertarian Conservatives, Moderate, Republican Party, New York Times, Siena College, Republican, Times, Mr, Conservatives, Fox, Trump, Blue, Trump Republican Party, Freedom Caucus, Fox News, Trump —, Republicans, Radicals, ” Reagan Democrats, Obama, Trump voters, President Locations: Ukraine, Siena, America, New York City, It’s

Garmin's Forerunner fitness trackers have long been one of the brand's most popular among serious runners. One of Garmin's most advanced Forerunners is the Forerunner 935, a fitness watch designed with marathon runners and triathletes in mind. A mid-size watch with premium featuresThe Forerunner 935 is a mid-sized watch that may feel a bit big for folks with small wrists. While running, Westbrook wanted it to show three or four different parameters simultaneously, and each one was clearly readable. When they're ready, the more advanced data analytics would still be there when they want them.

Persons: Ted Westbrook, Westbrook, — Westbrook, They're, they're Organizations: Garmin, GPS, Garmin Connect, Apple

☆ How States Are Threading the Needle on Flag Design
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Mitch Smith | Sarah Almukhtar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +11 min

But it found that changing a state flag to make it stand out from the crowd is not a simple process. How States Are Threading the Needle on Flag Design Mitch Smith reported on the Utah flag from Centerville, Orem and Salt Lake City. And they don’t look like any other state’s flag. A version of Maine’s 1901 flagIn Michigan, a lawmaker suggested a panel to consider new flag designs. Some Utahns have already adopted the new flag design, even though it doesn’t officially become the state flag until next year.

Persons: Mitch Smith, Sarah Almukhtar, Brad Holdaway, SuAnn Taylor, “ They’re, Mr, Holdaway, Utahns, of Jesus Christ, Spencer Cox, Cox, Kim Raff, The New York Times “, ” Ted Kaye, NAVA, ” Mr, Kaye, Elizabeth Goodspeed, ”, Goodspeed, “ Hope, Laura Scofield, Doris Turner, Illinois ’, doesn’t, Chad Saunders Organizations: Republican, Beehive State, of Jesus, Gov, The New York Times, American Vexillological Association, Texas, Lone, Capitol, Democrat, Lone Star State Locations: Utah, Centerville, Orem, Salt Lake City, U.S.A, Illinois, Maine , Michigan, Minnesota, California, Rhode Island’s, Nebraska, Texas, California’s, Carolina’s, Maryland , California, South Carolina, New Mexico, South Dakota, Florida, Louisiana, Louisiana . Mississippi, Mississippi, Maine, Michigan, Utah In Utah

☆ Michael Cohen is relishing Rudy Giuliani being charged with RICO violations: 'Karma boomerang is a bitch'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Michael Cohen is relishing the the fact that Rudy Giuliani has been charged with RICO violations. Giuliani and Trump were among 19 defendants indicted in a sprawling RICO case earlier this week. Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty to an array of felonies in 2018 and was sentenced to three years in prison as a result, told Insider in a text message. He was referring to former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was charged with RICO violations and a slew of other crimes in connection to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. "I see Michael Cohen is keeping it classy as always," Ted Goodman, a political advisor to Giuliani, said in response to Cohen's comments.

Persons: Michael Cohen, Rudy Giuliani, Giuliani, Trump, Donald Trump's, Fani Willis, Willis, Ted Goodman, Michael, —, Cohen, Rudy, Donald Organizations: Service, Fulton Locations: Wall, Silicon, New York, Georgia, Fulton County

Hulu + Live TV is among the best live TV streaming services you can sign up for. Hulu + Live TV pricing and plansWhat channels come with Hulu + Live TV? Though the service includes most popular cable stations, there is one notable exception: Hulu + Live TV does not support AMC. You can now access Hulu + Live TV through the Hulu app or website with your account. All Hulu + Live TV memberships include Disney Plus and ESPN Plus as part of a subscription.

Persons: Hulu, Nick Español, Ted Soqui, you'll Organizations: Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN, Service, ESPN Plus, Disney, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, FX, CNN, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Bravo, Paramount Network, Food Network, AMC, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, Channel BET, Boomerang, MTV2 MTV, Familia ESPN Deportes Fox Deportes, HGTV NBC, Racing, NFL, Outdoor Channel Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Home Depot rides on smaller remodeling projects to top sales, profit estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Deborah Mary Sophia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jim Young/File PhotoAug 15 (Reuters) - Home Depot (HD.N) on Tuesday reported a smaller-than-expected drop in quarterly same-store sales and topped profit estimates, as Americans spending on small-scale projects countered a pause in larger home remodeling and renovation work. "While there was strength in categories associated with smaller projects, we did see continued pressure in certain big-ticket, discretionary categories," Home Depot CEO Ted Decker said in a statement. Customer transactions fell for the ninth straight quarter, down 1.8% in the second quarter, but smaller than the 4.8% fall in the first quarter. Comparable sales fell 2% in the quarter, while analysts had expected a 3.54% drop, according to Refinitiv IBES data. "Whether the bottoming in the housing market would translate to sales or not - that's where there is caution from investors," Feldman said.

Persons: Jim Young, Ted Decker, Depot's, Wells, Joe Feldman, Feldman, Deborah Sophia, Sriraj Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Walmart, Home, Advisory, Thomson Locations: Niles , Illinois, Bengaluru

“He is having financial difficulties,” Giuliani’s lawyers said in a filing this month in a civil defamation case brought by two Georgia election workers against him. The criminal charges that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis brought against Trump, Giuliani and 17 others will undoubtedly add to the former mayor’s legal bills. Giuliani wanted to search the records so he could respond in each of the election-related lawsuits, according to court filings. By May, Giuliani was more than $320,000 behind in payments to the document hosting company, according to a sworn statement he made in court. The New York state judge overseeing Smartmatic’s defamation case has a hearing set for Wednesday.

Persons: CNN — Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump, Giuliani, Mr, ”, “ Giuliani, ” Giuliani, Fani Willis, Jack Smith’s, Trump, Giuliani’s, Bernie Kerik, Robert Costello, Ted Goodman, he’d, “, Trustpoint “, Shaye Moss, Ruby Freeman, Moss, Freeman’s, ” Moss, Freeman, Smartmatic, it’s, that’s Organizations: CNN, New, New York City, Trump, Giuliani, Democracy, FBI, Trustpoint, Voting Systems, Dominion Locations: New York, Manhattan, Georgia, DC, Fulton County, Washington, litigating

☆ Tackling money shame: Personal finance advice from top TED Talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We combed through them for the most helpful advice to get our money lives under control. “And so many of you are left believing that you’re crazy, or stupid, or just bad with money. It wants to consume, whereas the future self wants the present self to save ...“So what can we do about this? Maybe the reason money doesn’t make us happy is that we’re always spending on the wrong things – in particular, always spending it on ourselves. If you think money can’t buy happiness, you’re not spending it right.”Editing by Lauren Young and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Simon Sinek’s “, TAMMY LALLY, “, ” DANIEL GOLDSTEIN, TEDSALON, Derek Parfit, ” ESTELLE GIBSON, TEDxDayton, ” ELISE PAYZAN, ‘, couldn’t, ” MICHAEL NORTON, we’re, you’re, Lauren Young, Stephen Coates Organizations: TED, Thomson Locations: TEDXORLANDO, TEDSALON NY, TEDXCAMBRIDGE

☆ Hollywood studios make new offer to striking screenwriters, Bloomberg News reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAG-AFTRA actors and Writers Guild of America (WGA) writers walk the picket line during their ongoing strike outside Sunset Bronson studios and Netflix offices in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 11, 2023. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File PhotoAug 14 (Reuters) - Hollywood studios have made a new offer to striking screenwriters that includes concessions on issues such as use of artificial intelligence and access to viewer data, Bloomberg News reported on Monday citing people familiar with the discussions. The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers has agreed to ensure humans are credited as writers of screenplays, rather than replacing them with AI, the report said, adding that the companies will also share data on the number of hours viewed on streaming services. Netflix (NFLX.O) Co-Chief Executive Officer Ted Sarandos has emerged as a strong force seeking to reach a deal with the writers, the report added. Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mario Anzuoni, Ted Sarandos, Kanjyik Ghosh, Kim Coghill Organizations: Writers Guild of America, Netflix, REUTERS, Hollywood, Bloomberg, Alliance, Television Producers, Thomson Locations: Sunset Bronson, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Rudy Giuliani, who pioneered the use of RICO when he was a US attorney, just got indicted on RICO charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Rudy Giuliani made his career using RICO to go after the mob when he was a US Attorney. Now, he's been indicted on RICO charges himself by the Fulton County DA's office. Giuliani was charged in connection to his efforts to help Trump overturn Georgia's 2020 election results. That's Rudy Giuliani, who spearheaded the Manhattan US attorney's office in the 1980s before going on to serve as the mayor of New York City. The former mayor was indicted in connection to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia to help Donald Trump stay in office.

Persons: Rudy Giuliani, he's, Giuliani, Trump, That's Rudy Giuliani, Ted Goodman, Donald Trump, Fani Willis Organizations: Service, Manhattan US, Organization, Fulton County Locations: Fulton County, Wall, Silicon, New York City, Georgia, New York, York City

☆ These 6 senators made more money from selling books than from their day jobs last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Senators raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars from book sales in 2022, disclosures show. Raphael Warnock, Ted Cruz, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Scott, and others. In fact, a handful of senators made far more from book sales than their congressional salaries in 2022, according to recently-filed financial disclosures. Other senators reported significant windfalls from book sales in 2022 as well. Sen. Raphael Warnock disclosed details of his book tour on his 2022 financial disclosures.

Persons: Sens, Raphael Warnock, Ted Cruz, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Scott, hasn't, Democratic Sen, Raphael Warnock —, Republican Sen, Tammy Duckworth, Tom Cotton, Tim Scott of, Elizabeth Warren of, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, JD Vance, Mazie Hirono, Amy Klobuchar, Cruz, Warnock, Sen, Warren Organizations: Service, American, Democratic, Republican, Illinois, Independent, Vermont Locations: Wall, Silicon, States, Washington, Ted Cruz of Texas, Arkansas, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ohio, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia

☆ India is a rising force in Southeast Asia as region seeks to counter China's dominance
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

(Photo credit RAVEENDRAN/AFP via Getty Images) Raveendran | Afp | Getty ImagesIndia is taking major strides to expand its influence in Southeast Asia, a move that will allow countries to counter China's dominance in the region. "India certainly is becoming more ambitious in Southeast Asia. "This is particularly salient to the maritime sphere, namely the South China Sea, where overlapping sovereignty disputes threaten regional stability and openness," he added. "It continues to maintain a very independent streak in its foreign policy, which suits a large number of Southeast Asian countries." While China remained the most influential and strategic power in Southeast Asia, its standing has diminished, the Southeast Asia survey from February showed.

Persons: Pant, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Narendra Modi's, Satoru Nagao, Nagao, Derek Grossman, Modi, Xi Jinping, Ted Aljibe, Enrique Manalo, Rand's Grossman, Joanne Lin, Lin, ISEAS's Lin Organizations: Indian, Getty, Afp, Observer Research Foundation, CNBC, Southeast, Hudson Institute, Vietnam Air Force, Rand Corporation, TED ALJIBE, Initiative, ASEAN Studies, Yusof Ishak Institute, Observers, Pant Observer Research, China -, Wilson Center, ASEAN Wonk, U.S, ASEAN Studies Centre, Yusof, Ukraine, U.S ., New Delhi's Observer Research Foundation Locations: New Delhi, AFP, Southeast Asia, India, China, Beijing, Vietnam, Tokyo, China —, Manila, Philippine, Delhi, The Hague, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, ISEAS, Singapore, Asia, Europe, China - U.S, U.S, New

☆ Warren Buffett's company invests in three homebuilders even as rates rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Berkshire Hathaway logo is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 10, 2023. Berkshire said that as of June 30, it owned about 5.97 million DR Horton shares worth $726.4 million, about 153,000 Lennar shares worth $17.2 million, and 11,112 NVR shares worth $70.6 million. Larger investments are usually Buffett's, and investors often try to piggyback on Berkshire's moves, reflecting Buffett's reputation as an investor. The selling included 45% of Berkshire's stake in General Motors (GM.N), whose shares fell 1% after hours. Its largest stock holding by far remained its $177.6 billion stake in Apple (AAPL.O).

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, Benjamin Moore, Berkshire, Todd Combs, Ted Weschler, Jonathan Stempel, Lewis Krauskopf, Marguerita Choy, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Berkshire, Clayton Homes, DR Horton, DR, BNSF, General Motors, Apple, Capital, Globe, Marsh & McLennan, Vitesse Energy, Thomson Locations: Berkshire, New York City, U.S, Manville, Marsh, New York

☆ Once you hit this credit score, ‘there’s no benefit to scoring higher,’ says expert: ‘It’s just bragging rights’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

While having a perfect 850 credit score is impressive, you don't necessarily need it to unlock the best benefits. Here are the ranges that generally qualify as poor, fair, good, very good and exceptional, according to Experian. "Every 20 points or so can make a big difference in the battleground between fair, good and excellent credit," he says. Say you have a 675 credit score and qualify for a $300,000 mortgage with an interest rate of 7.5%. "This is a great illustration of why your credit score really matters," he says.

Persons: Ted Rossman, Rossman, you'd Organizations: CNBC

☆ Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway makes interesting bet on these homebuilders
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought shares of a few homebuilders in the last quarter, a new regulatory filing revealed. Horton shares, $70 million worth of NVR shares as well as $17.2 million worth of Lennar in the second quarter, the filing showed. These stakes are relatively small for Berkshire, whose equity portfolio is worth nearly $350 billion. Top holdings Berkshire shares just hit a record high last week on the back of strong second-quarter results. Also during the second quarter, Berkshire added to its relatively new stake in Capital One Financial , bringing it to nearly $1.4 billion.

Persons: Warren, Berkshire Hathaway, Horton, Todd Combs, Ted Weschler, Benjamin Moore Organizations: Berkshire, Clayton Homes, Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Capital, General Motors, Chevrolet, GMC Locations: Omaha, Berkshire, McLean , Virginia

Vander Plaats and his group are leaders in the state’s Christian conservative movement, which has enormous political influence in Iowa. “It’s a lot more money” than you typically see allocated in Iowa, said Steffen Schmidt, an emeritus political science professor at Iowa State University who studies political spending in the state. “We endorsed Rick Santorum and he stormed to a caucus victory due to our base of supporters,” Vander Plaats wrote. Dunwell referred a request for comment to Vander Plaats, who said Dunwell had been paid as an “independent contractor” since June. You like being around them,” Vander Plaats said on conservative podcast host Steve Deace’s show on Monday.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Scott Morgan, Ron DeSantis scrambles, Donald Trump, DeSantis, Bob Vander Plaats, Vander, Vander Plaats, “, Steffen Schmidt, ”, Andrew Romeo, –, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Ted Cruz, ” Vander Plaats, Steve Scheffler, Scheffler, “ Vander Plaats, Paul S, Ryan, Jess Szymanski, Jon Dunwell, Dunwell, Tucker Carlson, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, Tricia McLaughlin, Ramaswamy, Scott, Mike Pence, Marc Short, Carlson, Santorum, Karen, ” Trump, Trump, Haley, Scott —, Casey, Steve Deace’s, ” Alexandra Ulmer, Joseph Tanfani, Jason Lange, Jason Szep Organizations: Republican U.S, Florida, Fair, REUTERS, Republican, Family, Foundation, pollsters Edison Media Research, Iowa State University, Family Leader, Trump, Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition, Reuters, Santorum, Iowa, DeSantis, ”, Fox News, Federal, Commission, Scott, PAC, Trust, Patriot Voices, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Iowa, Atlantic , Iowa, U.S, ” IOWA, Arkansas, Des Moines, New Hampshire, Nevada, Republic, San Francisco, Washington

☆ China-Philippines tensions: Is a maritime militia Beijing says doesn't exist causing chaos in the South China Sea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Most of the Chinese ships involved are marked “China Coast Guard,” but among the flotilla are also at least two blue-hulled vessels that resemble fishing boats. After the confrontation last weekend, China claimed the Philippines had violated its sovereignty by grounding the ship on the shoal. That symbiotic relationship became even clearer in 2021 when the China Coast Guard came under the jurisdiction of the Chinese Central Military Commission effectively making it part of Beijing’s military. The Chinese vessels “physically blockaded the supply ship. Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty ImagesChina’s waiting gameAnalysts say they don’t see any appetite in Beijing for actual combat over Second Thomas Shoal, but they also say China can afford to play a waiting game.

Persons: Thomas Shoal, Jay Tarriela, Thomas, “, ”, China’s, People’s Liberation Army –, Lyle Morris, CNN ‘, doesn’t, Ray Powell, SeaLight, Powell, Morris, ” Powell, Shoal, Ted Aljibe, Lionel Fatton, ” Washington Organizations: CNN, China Coast Guard, United, “, Philippine Coast Guard, Hague, People’s Liberation Army, PLA Navy, Chinese Central Military Commission, Asia Society, Center for China, National Security, Stanford University, Central Military Commission, US Navy, US Coast Guard, Getty, Webster University Locations: Philippine, South, Philippines, Spratly, United States, Beijing, China, Palawan, Sierra Madre, ”, South China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, Washington, Manila, Sierra, AFP, Switzerland

☆ Inflation may be cooling — but drivers can’t seem to catch a break
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Another hefty expense is car insurance, up 17.8% from a year ago. Car repairs and car insurance were the second- and third-largest annual price increases, respectively, tracked by the CPI. Paul Baxter, a mechanic who owns Bullet Proof Off-Road & Auto, a car repair shop in Mesa, Arizona, said he’s paying 30% more for car parts compared to before the pandemic. To keep the lights on, he marks up car parts he sells to customers by 20% to 30%, he told CNN. Paul Baxter, who opened his auto shop in 2016, has had to raise prices due to the rising cost of car parts.

Persons: there’s, Hunter Scott, Scott, ” Scott, they’re, Pam Franks, “, haven’t, ” Franks, Roszell, Kristin Brocoff, hasn’t, CarMD, Paul Baxter, Baxter hasn’t, Paul Baxter Baxter, Baxter, who’s, ”, Ted Canty, Canty, he’s, we’re Organizations: New, New York CNN, Navy, Craigslist, Metro, CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI, Farm, Toyota, state’s Department of Insurance, P Global, Auto, FedEx, Social Security, Volkswagen, Security Locations: New York, Arlington , Virginia, Washington , DC, Washington, DC, skyrocket, Louisiana, Pineville , Louisiana, United States, Mesa , Arizona, Wimauma , Florida

☆ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Democrats push Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Clarence Thomas' lavish gifts from billionaires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Azmi Haroun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A group of House Democrats has asked the DOJ to investigate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The letter stated that Thomas should be investigated because of the dozens of gifts he failed to disclose. On Thursday, after ProPublica published its latest report, a chorus of Democrats called on Thomas to resign, according to Politico. In April, Crow and Thomas first faced scrutiny related to the 20 years worth of undisclosed trips Crow is accused of gifting to Thomas, per ProPublica. The outlet later reported that Crow purchased Thomas' mother's house and allowed her to live there without paying rent.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Thomas, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Garland, Harlan Crow, ProPublica, Crow, unearthing, SCOTUS, Jamie Raskin, Hank Johnson, Ted Lieu, Jerry Nadler, Thomas's, gifting, Thomas —, —, Michaela Rose, John Roberts Organizations: House Democrats, DOJ, Service, Supreme, of Justice, GOP, Democrats, Politico, Reps, Dallas Morning News, ProPublica, SCOTUS Locations: Wall, Silicon, Alexandria, Rochelle

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