Newsletter Mar 11, 2024

Quick Six

Fighting rages on in Gaza as Ramadan opens with no truce
Deadly fighting raged on in Gaza on Sunday, with no truce in sight on the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and a dire humanitarian crisis gripping the besieged Palestinian territory. US, Jordanian and other planes have also airdropped food aid there, but UN agencies warn this falls far short of the needs of its 2.4 million people. Weeks of talks involving US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have aimed for a six-week truce and the release of many of the about 100 hostages Hamas is still holding in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, with no result so far.
BIDEN: NETANYAHU HURTING ISRAEL MORE THAN HELPING

How would Americans adjust to possible TikTok ban in US?
In the ongoing battle over TikTok's fate in the US, a 12-page bill, the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" has gained traction in Congress. The bill aims to stop the distribution of apps developed by ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, and its subsidiaries, unless ByteDance sells the app within 165 days. This bill raises questions about the possible implications and hurdles it must overcome to become law.
WHY THE US NEEDS TO ADDRESS NATIONAL SECURITY

Popularity of remote work poses major risk to small banks
The rise in remote work in the US has emptied office buildings, a cause for worry as their value falls and owners risk losses on property loans. In major cities, offices have been seeing half the number of people as before the pandemic. Office vacancy rates across the nation have risen to 13.5% in 2023 from 9.5% in 2019.
SEE WHY SMALL BANKS BEAR THE BRUNT OF THE BURDEN

You Might Like

Markets

DJIA	38,722.69	-0.18%
S&P 500	5,123.69	-0.65%
Nasdaq Composite	16,085.11	-1.16%
Japan: Nikkei 225	38,932.62	-1.91%
UK: FTSE 100	7,659.74	-0.43%
Crude Oil Futures	77.80	-0.27%
Gold Futures	2,187.40	0.09%
Yen	146.78	-0.20%
Euro	1.09	0.03%
* As of market close

Portugal's politics take a right with Chega

Portugal's opposition centre-right party won Sunday's general election while support for populist far-right Chega surged making it a kingmaker in the new parliament. The centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) is projected to win 83 to 91 seats in the 230-seat parliament, compared to the 69 to 77 seats for the Socialists who have ruled since 2015. Chega is on track to win 40 to 46 seats, up from just 12, making it a kingmaker in the new parliament. The new business-friendly Liberal Initiative party got seven to 10 seats, giving the right a clear majority in parliament.

SEE HOW PORTUGUESE POLITICS TOOK A HARD RIGHT TURN

Musk playing a powerful new role in politics

Since his tumultuous takeover of Twitter (X), Elon Musk has made an unabashed turn to the right politically, defying the orthodoxy that Silicon Valley is a citadel of Democrats. Musk's politics are now hardline right wing as he uses his platform to stoke the themes cherished by Fox News, conservative talk radio and far right movements across the West. Musk's new role comes as former President Donald Trump is seriously trailing President Joe Biden in raising campaign funds, and Musk's financial support could single handedly make up the shortfall.

HOW MUSK COULD BE A KINGMAKER IN THE 2024 ELECTION

Stars highlight Gaza tragedy at the Oscars

Hollywood's top stars hit the Oscars red carpet at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, and the deadly conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas was not far from some A-listers's minds. Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, brother Finneas O'Connell and director Kaouther Ben Hania wore red Artists4Ceasefire pins, in support of "an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel." "Anatomy of a Fall" stars Swann Arlaud and Milo Machado-Graner wore pins bearing the Palestinian flag.

OSCARS FASHION STATEMENTS AND POLITICAL STATEMENTS

Extra point

What film legend has received the most Oscars awards and nomination?

Friday's answer: The worst wildfire in US history was the 1825 Miramichi in Maine, which claimed 3 million acres and at least 160 lives.

IBTimes will always protect your security and privacy. Please read our detailed Privacy Policy. Please do not reply to this email. Click here to adjust your notification preferences or unsubscribe.