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Hard Numbers: Latvians vote against Russia, Paraguay squeezes Taiwan, Rwandan genocide trial begins, US offers Pacific cash
A Latvian flag flutters in the wind next to a Russian flag near a hotel in Daugavpils.
REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
5.1: When Latvians go to the polls in a general election Sunday, only 5.1% of them say they'll cast a ballot for Harmony, the opposition party favored by ethnic Russians and Belarusians. Harmony came in first in the last election in 2018, but other parties agreed to keep it out of the government — and it’ll be out of parliament if it doesn’t get at least 5% of the vote.
1 billion: Want me to keep recognizing you instead of mighty China? Show me the money. That's what Paraguay is saying to Taiwan by asking Taipei to invest a whopping $1 billion in the South American country to resist overtures from Beijing to switch sides.
23: On Thursday, a UN tribunal kicked off the trial of longtime fugitive Félicien Kabuga, accused of encouraging and bankrolling the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Kabuga, 87, was on the run for 23 years before he was finally arrested in 2020 in France. He refused to show up in court.
810 million: The Biden administration on Thursday unveiled its new Pacific strategy, which includes $810 million in aid for Pacific Island nations. The US hopes the cash will help it beat China in the race to dominate the region.This article comes to you from the Signal newsletter team of GZERO Media. Sign up today.
50: Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum is taking a page out of US President Donald Trump’s book, implementing up to a 50% tariff on more than 1,400 products in a bid to boost domestic production.
Walmart’s $350 billion commitment to American manufacturing means two-thirds of the products we buy come straight from our backyard to yours. From New Jersey hot sauce to grills made in Tennessee, Walmart is stocking the shelves with products rooted in local communities. The impact? Over 750,000 American jobs - putting more people to work and keeping communities strong. Learn more here.
In this episode of Tools and Weapons, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with Ed Policy, President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, to discuss how purpose-driven leadership and innovation are shaping the future of one of the world’s most iconic sports franchises. Ed shares how technology and community-focused initiatives, from Titletown Tech to health and safety innovations on the field, are transforming not just the game of football, but the economy and culture of Green Bay itself. He explains how combining strategic vision with investment in local startups is keeping talent in the Midwest and creating opportunities that extend far beyond Lambeau Field.
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