40: The United Nations reports that 40% of Gaza’s population — nearly 900,000 people — are facing famine conditions and may starve to death as not nearly enough aid can enter the enclave amid Israel’s ongoing bombings and ground operation. With 85% of Gazans displaced from their homes as well, the UN says “the only remaining hope is a humanitarian ceasefire.”
2: Maine became the second state after Colorado to disqualify former President Donald Trump from its ballot after Secretary of State Sheena Bellows concluded that Trump had incited an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. The decision is likely to be appealed in state court. California’s Secretary of State Shirley Weber, on the other hand, declined to remove Trump from the Golden State’s ballots, and the Supreme Court is expected to clarify the question nationwide if it rules on an appeal to the Colorado decision.
90: Around 90% of the money that foreign investors poured into the Chinese stock market in 2023 has already been withdrawn, amounting to around $30 billion dollars in outflow. Investors seem spooked by the ongoing turmoil in the property market, and despite improving metrics, may not see a long-term upside to keeping their money in China.
568: Britons, rejoice! The promised freedoms of Brexit are finally materializing, as pubs and restaurants will once again be able to serve 568 mL portions of wine, a quantity otherwise known as a British pint (not to be confused with the pitiful 473 mL Yankee pint). European Union rules had forced the proud British tippler to take their wine in half-liter portions, like some Frenchman. Cheers! To 68 milliliters of liberty!
21: The Colombian city of Barranquilla has unveiled a 21-foot tall bronze statue of its most famous daughter, pop queen Shakira. A member of Colombia’s large ethnic Lebanese community, Shakira developed her signature “hips don’t lie” dance style in the city by introducing Lebanese belly-dancing alongside other styles in Colombia’s rich repertoire.As expected, the Supreme Court struck down the bulk of Donald Trump's sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs as illegal … and almost nothing changed.
Chris, an Army veteran, started his Walmart journey over 25 years ago as an hourly associate. Today, he manages a Distribution Center and serves as a mentor, helping others navigate their own paths to success. At Walmart, associates have the opportunity to take advantage of the pathways, perks, and pay that come with the job — with or without a college degree. In fact, more than 75% of Walmart management started as hourly associates. Learn more about how over 130,000 associates were promoted into roles of greater responsibility and higher pay in FY25.
Somewhere in the Donbas region, Ukrainian soldier Artem Bondarenko says he hasn’t slept through the night in months as he defends Eastern Ukraine.
In the latest episode of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping's hit wellness podcast This Authoritarian Life, we learn how positive communication patterns can break negative cycles in our relationships -- especially our relationships with Iran, Syria, Venezuela, and Cuba. #PUPPETREGIME