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☆ U.S. inflation data fuels bets of Fed rate cuts as early as September — but analysts aren’t convinced
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Traders appear increasingly confident that the U.S. Federal Reserve could start cutting interest rates as early as September, after inflation data cooled more than expected in April. Traders are currently pricing in a roughly 70% chance of a U.S. rate cut in September, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. Jerome Schneider, head of short-term portfolio management at PIMCO, said on Thursday that the latest U.S. inflation data confirmed to investors that the potential for a near-term rate hike was now "off the table." "I think more contextually, we have to really understand that we have celebrated a lower inflation rate, the market has. But, in context, at PIMCO we're specifically thinking about the longer-term trajectory of how the Fed is going to react to this data," Schneider told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe."

Persons: Dow Jones, Jerome Schneider, we're, Schneider, CNBC's Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Traders, U.S . Federal, Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve Locations: U.S, PIMCO

☆ Harrison Butker speech: The biggest mistake he made in his controversial commencement comments
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Aj Willingham | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address. However, plenty of women (and Taylor Swift fans) have made their feelings plainly known. Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media ahead of Super Bowl LVIII on February 5, 2024, in Las Vegas. Conservative voices have praised Butker’s speech for being “100% correct” and for reflecting his self-professed deep Catholic faith. Feminists and Taylor Swift fans have fired backButker, 28, has been with the Chiefs for seven seasons.

Persons: Harrison Butker, Butker, –, Taylor Swift, “ Harrison Butker, ”, Jonathan Beane, “, —, ” Butker, Isabelle, Robin Alam, Sam McDowell, Swift, Travis Kelce, Taylor, ’ ” Butker, Travis, ” Taylor Swift, Ezra Shaw, Harrison, I’ll, influencers, Elizabeth Keller Butker, Emory University’s, Vicki Chan, Kelce, Roger Goodell, Lisa Guerrero, • Butker, Joe Biden, Andrea Williams, Patrick Mahomes, “ Harrison Butker doesn’t, doesn’t, Yvette Walker, CNN’s Kevin Dotson Organizations: CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, Pride, Benedictine College, NFL, Chiefs, Super Bowl, Kansas City Star, Conservative, San Francisco 49ers, Getty, Emory, Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute, Smith College, Football, Catholic, America Locations: Atchison , Kansas, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Massachusetts

☆ Jamie Dimon urges the U.S. to deal with its deficit sooner rather than later
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon on Wednesday urged the U.S. to reduce its fiscal deficit sooner rather than later, warning the issue will likely become "far more uncomfortable" if it continues to be overlooked. That's a lot, but obviously that drives growth," Dimon said in an interview with Sky News. So, I think America should be quite aware that we have got to focus on our fiscal deficit issues a little bit more, and that is important for the world," he added. The federal government has so far spent $855 billion more than it has collected in the 2024 fiscal year, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, resulting in a national deficit. Dimon said he hoped the U.S. government "really focuses" on reducing the deficit while still enjoying a period of robust economic growth.

Persons: Jamie, JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, Dimon, Joe Biden Organizations: JPMorgan Chase, U.S . Senate Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, Wall, Capitol, Washington , D.C, JPMorgan, Wednesday, Sky News, U.S . Treasury Department, . Locations: Washington ,, America, U.S

☆ Georgia president holds talks on 'how to save' the country as U.S., EU and NATO decry 'Russian law'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili delivers a speech during an gathering celebrating Europe Day outside her residence in Tbilisi on May 9, 2024. (Photo by Vano SHLAMOV / AFP) (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV/AFP via Getty Images)Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Wednesday held talks with European ministers to urgently discuss "how to save" the country, shortly after lawmakers adopted a deeply divisive Russia-style foreign influence bill. The U.S., European Union, NATO and the United Nations have all issued statements expressing concern about Georgia's new legislation, which opposition lawmakers have denounced as the "Russian law." Georgian lawmakers on Tuesday approved the legislation, with 84 members of the country's 150-member law-making body voting in favor. "On the agenda today is the following issue: how to save Georgia," Zourabichvili said, according to a translation.

Persons: Salome Zurabishvili, Vano SHLAMOV, VANO SHLAMOV, Salome Zourabichvili, Zourabichvili Organizations: Getty Images, Wednesday, Union, NATO, United Nations, EU Locations: Europe, Tbilisi, AFP, Russia, U.S, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Iceland, Georgia

☆ Slovakian PM Fico in ‘life-threatening’ condition after being shot; EU leaders decry 'brutal attack'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico attends a press conference during a Special European Council Meeting on April 18, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt that has sent shockwaves across the continent. The 59-year-old has been transported by helicopter to hospital in the central Slovakian city of Banska Bystrica to receive treatment. A post on Fico's official Facebook page said the prime minister was "shot multiple times and is in a life-threatening state" after an "attempted assassination." Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová "strongly" condemned the "brutal and ruthless attack" in a Google-translated Facebook post, without supplying further details of the nature of the attack.

Persons: Slovakia Robert Fico, Robert Fico, Fico, Zuzana Čaputová Organizations: NBC, Reuters, CNBC Locations: Slovakia, Brussels, Belgium, Slovakian, Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Handlova

☆ Georgia passes 'Russia-style' law on foreign influence despite U.S. warnings and mass protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Georgian demonstrators protesting the controversial "foreign influence" bill stand in front of law enforcement officers blocking an area near the parliament building in Tbilisi on May 14, 2024. Georgian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a highly controversial "Kremlin-style" law on foreign influence, despite massive protests in the country and repeated warnings from the U.S. and European Union. Members of the Georgian Parliament physically came to blows as lawmakers held the third and final reading of the so-called "foreign agents" bill, before ultimately approving the legislation. The foreign influence bill calls for media outlets, nonprofits and other nongovernmental organizations to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has previously vowed to veto the bill.

Persons: Salome Zourabichvili Organizations: Union, Georgian Locations: Tbilisi, U.S, Georgian, Soviet Union

☆ GameStop, AMC shares jump another 40% in premarket trading as meme stock craze returns
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of GameStop and AMC jumped around 40% in premarket trading on Tuesday, on track to extend gains after "Roaring Kitty," the man at the center of the meme stock craze, posted online for the first time in roughly three years. Shares of video game retailer GameStop traded 40% higher at 4:50 a.m. GameStop on Monday climbed a whopping 74.4%, while AMC soared 78.4% in the previous trading session. Roaring Kitty, whose legal name is Keith Gill, is a former marketer for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance. Also known as DeepF------Value on Reddit, Gill drew an army of day traders who cheered each other on and piled into the brick-and-mortar video game stock and in GameStop call options between 2020 and 2021.

Persons: Kitty, Keith Gill, Gill, Yun Li, Fred Imbert Organizations: GameStop, AMC, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Locations: New York

☆ U.S. sounds alarm as thousands in Georgia's capital protest 'Kremlin-style' foreign influence bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Police Force attend a protest against the foreign agents law as two Americans and one Russian citizen are among 20 detained on May 13, 2024 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Thousands of people took to the streets of Georgia's capital on Monday as part of a last-ditch attempt to prevent the country's government from passing a controversial "Kremlin-style" law on foreign influence. Georgia's Interior Ministry said Monday that two American citizens and one Russian national were among 20 people detained at the rally. Separately, Georgia's Special Investigation Service said it had launched a probe into the alleged used of "excessive force" by law enforcement officers against protesters. Russia, which occupies about 20% of Georgia's internationally recognized territory, has used similar legislation to crack down on independent news media and activists critical of the Kremlin.

Organizations: Police Force, Investigation Service, Security, Kremlin Locations: Tbilisi , Georgia, Georgia's, Tbilisi, Russia

☆ Ukraine drone attack sparks fire at Russian oil refinery; two injured as houses burnt in Kharkiv
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Ukraine attacked an oil refinery in Russia's Kaluga region in the early hours of Friday, setting the facility on fire, according to Russian media reports. Several explosions were heard in the Dzerzhinsky district of the Kaluga region, which borders the broader Moscow region, The Moscow Times reported, citing Russian Telegram channel SHOT. CNBC could not independently verify the reports. Vladislav Shapsha, governor of the Kaluga region, said in a Google-translated post via Telegram that the fire was promptly extinguished, and the extent of the damage was still being assessed. He did not say at what facility the incident took place.

Persons: Vladislav Shapsha Organizations: Moscow Times, Russian Telegram, CNBC Locations: Ukraine, Russia's Kaluga, Dzerzhinsky, Kaluga, Moscow

☆ A rare hostile takeover bid in Europe's banking sector has shocked markets
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A logo outside the Banco Sabadell SA offices at the Banc Sabadell Tower in Barcelona, Spain, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Spanish bank BBVA caught markets by surprise on Thursday after it announced a rare hostile takeover bid for domestic rival Banco Sabadell, with one investment firm describing the situation as "very strange." The move comes shortly after a separate 12 billion euro ($12.87 billion) takeover offer from BBVA to Sabadell's board was rejected earlier in the week. BBVA said its takeover offer has the same financial terms as the merger offered to Sabadell's board. Shares of BBVA fell 6% at around midday London time on Thursday, while Sabadell's stock price rose more than 3%.

Persons: Carlos Torres Vila Organizations: Banco Sabadell SA, BBVA, Banco Sabadell, Banco Locations: Banc, Barcelona, Spain, Spanish

☆ UK passport control hit by outage causing long waits at airports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People queue to check in at Heathrow Airport in London, England. Long queues were building at British airports on Tuesday night, including the biggest Heathrow, after the country's Border Force suffered a nationwide technical issue that affected passport control. One traveller described border officials rushing to manually process passport holders. Videos posted on social media platform X showed long queues of passengers at passport desks in airports including London's Stansted and Heathrow. "We are aware of a technical issue affecting e-gates across the country," a Home Office spokesperson said.

Persons: Sam Morter Organizations: Heathrow Airport, country's Border Force, Border Force, London's Stansted Locations: London, England, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sri Lanka

☆ Fed and ECB divergence on rate cuts could spell trouble for the euro, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The prospect of the European Central Bank diverging from the Federal Reserve on interest rate cuts is likely to be "particularly negative" for the 20-nation euro zone, according to one economist. The ECB appears on course to cut interest rates in June, barring any major surprises, and recent inflation data has since bolstered the case for an imminent reduction in borrowing costs. It leaves the ECB firmly on track to cut interest rates before the Fed. "The problem of cutting rates right now is that the ECB takes for granted the strength of the euro . Lacalle said a June rate cut from the ECB was not going to make German, French or Spanish businesses take more credit "because a small rate cut is not the driver of credit demand."

Persons: Christine Lagarde, Daniel Lacalle, Gestion, CNBC's, Lacalle Organizations: European Central Bank, ECB, Federal Reserve, CNBC Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, U.S

☆ 'Liquid gold': An olive oil shortage is fueling record prices and food insecurity fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Extreme hot weather and persistent drought conditions have dealt a severe blow to olive oil production in southern Europe, resulting in a significant surge in prices. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesA shortage of olive oil, sometimes referred to as "liquid gold," has driven prices to record highs, fueled a crime surge and pushed the industry into crisis mode. The decline extends a downward trend, after olive oil prices reached an unprecedented peak of 9.2 euros in January. But analysts said that dwindling olive oil reserves would likely keep markets on edge for sudden price spikes over the coming months. Olive oil thefts

Persons: Kyle Holland, Holland, De Rust, Rodger Bosch, Vito Martielli, Martielli, Helena Bennett, Bennett, Xylella, Mintec's Holland Organizations: European Union, Anadolu, Getty, Centre, Market, Mintec, CNBC, Afp, Rabobank, Green Alliance UK, European Environment Agency, Nurphoto Locations: Europe, Anadolu, Spain, Italy, Greece, Spain's Andalusia, Olive Estate, De, Cape Town, Netherlands, Olive, Lecce, Puglia

☆ World's largest olive oil producer says the industry faces one of its toughest moments ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Spain's Deoleo, the world's largest olive oil producer, says the industry needs to undergo a "profound transformation" as it grapples with one of the most challenging moments in its history. A perfect storm of climate change, soaring prices, high interest rates and robust inflation has taken its toll throughout the olive oil value chain in recent months. Spain accounts for more than 40% of the world's olive oil production, making it a global reference for prices. Extra virgin olive oil prices in Spain's Andalusia hit a record high of 9.2 euros ($9.84) per kilogram in January. Olive oil prices have cooled due in part to an uptick in production estimates and beneficial rains in March and April.

Persons: Spain's Deoleo, Miguel Angel Guzman, Guzman Organizations: CNBC Locations: Europe, Spain, Andalusia, Olive

☆ The Fed would only cut rates to help the U.S. service its soaring debt, fund manager says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The only reason the Federal Reserve might be tempted to cut rates would be to help the U.S. cover interest payments for the national debt, according to fund manager Freddie Lait. The Fed is widely expected to keep its benchmark overnight borrowing rate in a range between 5.25%-5.5%. Traders are currently only pricing in about a 50% chance of a Fed rate cut taking place as early as September and expect just one quarter-percentage-point reduction by the end of the year, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. The reason they might cut is because the U.S. government can't afford [them not doing] it — and that's a much scarier reason to have to cut," he added. A spokesperson for the Federal Reserve declined to comment.

Persons: Freddie Lait, Lait Organizations: Federal Reserve, Federal, U.S, Traders Locations: U.S

☆ The world's happiest countries are targeting net-negative emissions — despite a growing 'greenlash'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It is aiming to be the first high-income country to reach net zero emissions in 2035 and net negative by 2040. Denmark, which the World Happiness Report recognized as the world's second-happiest country, is targeting net zero by 2045 — and net negative by 2050. Thierry Monasse | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesDanish Climate Minister Lars Aagaard said the need for negative emissions was clear. He added that Denmark's ability to achieve net negative emissions would hinge upon policies implemented over the next five to seven years. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

Persons: Sergei Gapon, Thierry Monasse, Lars Aagaard, Denmark's Aagaard, —, Stefano Guidi, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Kai Mykkänen, Mykkänen, Moscow … Organizations: Afp, Getty, Atlantic ., Agriculture Ministers, CNBC, Lars Aagaard Danish Climate, United Arab Emirates, Union, Nationalist, Former U.S, Finnish Climate Locations: Copenhagen, Denmark, Atlantic, Atlantic . Finland, Finland, Brussels, Belgium, Lars Aagaard Danish, Panama, Europe, Germany, France, Turin, Italy, U.S, November's, Paris, Finnish, Helsinki, Montreal, Beijing, Moscow, of Finland, Neva Guba

☆ World’s largest sovereign wealth fund says green backlash is a chance for it to 'phase in' — not out
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Norway's $1.6 trillion wealth fund added to its bets in the biggest technology companies last year after interest in artificial intelligence drove a surge in the sector. Norway's $1.6 trillion sovereign wealth fund says it will continue to advocate for investments based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, brushing off the impact of a green political backlash. Analysts expect the outcome of this year's U.S. presidential election to determine whether the pushback against ESG investment strategies will have a deep and lasting effect. Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), told CNBC that the country's wealth fund continued to advocate for the ESG agenda. So that's important," Tangen told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on April 23.

Persons: Nicolai Tangen, Tangen, CNBC's Organizations: Norges Bank Investment Management, Republican, Democratic, CNBC Locations: Oslo, Norway, United States, U.S

☆ I'm a federal prison consultant. Here's how I went from being in prison to helping clients get ready to go behind bars.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sam Mangel, a federal prison consultant with his own firm. Mangel went into the field after pleading guilty to wire fraud in an insurance fraud scheme and being sentenced to time in prison. That's when I realized that to a criminal defense attorney, you're just a number. I ask myself how can I help clients in a non-legal manner get the best outcome at sentencing? Because I got to tell you, you're in prison, you're going to get three meals a day, you're going to get your clothes cleaned, you're going to have a place to sleep.

Persons: Sam Mangel, Mangel, —, hadn't, COVID, it's, They've, they're Organizations: Service, FBI Locations: Florida, Philadelphia

☆ Long-awaited $2 billion CVC debut shows the IPO market is back on track, Euronext boss says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The highly anticipated trading debut of private equity group CVC Capital Partners shows that Europe's initial public offering market is back on track, Euronext CEO Stéphane Boujnah told CNBC on Friday. Shares of Amsterdam-listed CVC, one of Europe's largest buyout companies, jumped around 23% on Friday morning. The IPO is widely expected to be one of Europe's largest this year. Boujnah said the Euronext platform, the largest stock exchange in Europe and one of the largest in the world, had welcomed 11 stock listings since the beginning of the year. "That's a signal of both the success of the Euronext platform and the competitiveness of the Euronext platform — and a signal of the IPO market being back," he added.

Persons: Stéphane Boujnah, Euronext's Boujnah, CNBC's, Boujnah Organizations: Capital Partners, CNBC, CVC, Reuters, Euronext Locations: Amsterdam, Europe

☆ Venice becomes world's first city to charge an entry fee for day-trippers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Venice will begin on April 25, 2024 charging day trippers for entry, a world first aimed at easing pressure on the Italian city drowning under the weight of mass tourism. Venice became the first city in the world to charge a payment for tourists in a bid to alleviate the pressures of mass tourism and make the city more livable for its residents. The pilot program will exact a fee of 5 euros ($5.4) from day-trippers to Venice, one of Italy's most picturesque and historic cities. Municipal workers were seen checking the tickets of day-trippers outside the front of the fragile lagoon city's Santa Lucia railway station. The charge applies to tourists arriving between 8:30 a.m. local time and 4 p.m., while access is free outside of those hours.

Organizations: Reuters Locations: Venice, Italy, Santa Lucia

☆ Riderless horses recovered after running loose through London; ‘a number’ of people injured
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Two horses on the loose bolt through the streets of London near Aldwych. LONDON — The U.K. army on Wednesday said they had recovered "a number" of military working horses after the animals broke free during a routine exercise and ran riderless through central London. "A number of military working horses become loose during routine exercise this morning. "A number of personnel and horses have been injured and are receiving the appropriate medical attention." The City of London Police said earlier on Wednesday that they had contained two horses near Limehouse in east London.

Organizations: LONDON, Horse Guards, The City of London Police Locations: London, Aldwych, The City, Limehouse

☆ ‘A real wildcard’: World’s largest wealth fund issues inflation warning on hot commodity markets
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The chief executive of the world's largest wealth fund says there are many wild cards in financial markets right now, but the "big worry" for investors is what a commodities rally could mean for the inflation outlook. Oil and copper prices have climbed around 13%, respectively, year-to-date, while gold has repeatedly notched fresh record highs in recent months. Asked whether he had any concerns about hot commodity markets, NBIM's Tangen replied, "Yes, the big worry is just what that could mean for inflation right?" He added, "So, if energy and raw material prices continue to move up, that is going to feed through to end-product prices, which are going to be higher. And that could be the real wildcard when it comes to inflation expectation."

Persons: Nicolai Tangen, CNBC's, NBIM's Tangen Organizations: Norges Bank Investment Management

☆ World’s largest wealth fund says there’s ‘clearly a lot of froth’ in the tech sector right now
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The chief executive of Norway's gigantic sovereign wealth fund on Tuesday said there is "clearly a lot of froth" in the tech sector, suggesting that whether there is too much of it could depend on this week's tech earnings bonanza. U.S. tech behemoths including Tesla , Meta , Microsoft and Google parent Alphabet are all scheduled to release results in the coming days. "If I look at what we can read out of the current market, I would say that there is clearly a lot of froth within the technology sector. The world's largest sovereign wealth fund, which was valued at 17.7 trillion kroner ($1.6 trillion) at the end of March, was established in the 1990s to invest the surplus revenues of Norway's oil and gas sector. To date, the fund has put money in more than 8,800 companies in over 70 countries around the world, making it one of the largest investors across the globe.

Persons: Nicolai Tangen, CNBC's, NBIM Organizations: Meta, Microsoft, Google, Elon Musk's EV, Tesla, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Norges Bank Investment Management, Government Pension Fund Locations: U.S

☆ Pro-China party reportedly wins big in the Maldives, likely accelerating its shift away from India
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu casts his ballot during the country's parliamentary election, in Male on April 21, 2024. The Maldives votes in a parliamentary election likely to test Muizzu's tilt towards China and away from India, the luxury tourism hotspot's traditional benefactor. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's ruling pro-China party cemented its grip on power in a landslide election victory, according to preliminary results reported by local media. The outcome is widely expected to accelerate the Indian Ocean archipelago's shift toward China and away from its traditional ally of India. Muizzu's People's National Congress won 65 out of 93 parliamentary seats in Sunday's vote, Reuters reported, citing media projections and preliminary results from the Maldives Elections Commission.

Persons: Mohamed Muizzu, Mohamed Muizzu's, Muizzu's Organizations: Muizzu's People's National Congress, Reuters, Maldives Elections, Maldivian Democratic Party, MDP Locations: Maldives, Male, China, India, Muizzu's People's

☆ EU threatens to suspend TikTok Lite’s money-for-views program over addiction fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This photograph taken on April 11, 2024, in Paris, shows the logo of the Chinese social network application TikTok Lite displayed in Apple's App Store. Users aged 18 or older can "collect points by discovering new content or completing certain actions," the social network said. The European Union on Monday opened proceedings against ByteDance's TikTok and threatened to suspend its newly launched TikTok Lite rewards program, where users can earn points for liking content or inviting friends to the app. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said TikTok had 24 hours to provide a risk assessment report for TikTok Lite or face fines. Children are thought to be at risk given the suspected absence of effective age verification mechanisms on TikTok, the EU said.

Persons: ByteDance's TikTok, TikTok, Margrethe Vestager Organizations: European Union, European Commission, TikTok, CNBC, EU, Digital Services Locations: Paris, France, Spain, EU

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