USPS flip-flops on Hong Kong-China packages, lifting a ban imposed a day earlier

Chinese food and beverage brands, such as Mixue Group, are rapidly expanding across Southeast Asia, surpassing big American chains like Starbucks and McDonald's. Mixue's affordable offerings of ice cream, coffee, and bubble tea drinks have gained popularity, with over 45,000 stores worldwide. This trend reflects China's growing commercial and cultural influence in neighboring economies, as Chinese F&B brands open over 6,100 outlets in Southeast Asia, signaling a shift towards valuing Chinese products for their quality...

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the death of Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as "Abu Khadija," the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, killed in a joint operation by Iraqi national intelligence service and U.S.-led coalition forces. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the news on social media, praising the operation that terminated al-Rifai's "miserable life." The operation, conducted in Al Anbar Province, also resulted in the death of another...

In Syria, during the Assad regime's crackdown on an uprising, numerous children were separated from their families and placed in orphanages by government intelligence agents. The children were detained when their mothers were arrested, and the orphanages were ordered to keep this information hidden. Now, with the regime fallen, families are searching for their missing children in Damascus. Full Article

An outbreak of wildfires fueled by dry conditions and hurricane-force winds spread across the Texas Panhandle and parts of Oklahoma, prompting evacuations, causing road havoc, and leaving thousands without power. The fires destroyed homes in Oklahoma, resulting in at least three deaths in Texas. Emergency crews struggled to contain the rapidly developing blazes, with the greatest concentration in east-central Oklahoma. Evacuation orders were issued in Stillwater, Oklahoma, as fires spread into populated areas, while dangerous...

In a 2011 meta-analysis, it was found that marriage doesn't necessarily lead to happiness, especially if the relationship was struggling before. Therapist Evon Inyang emphasizes the importance of not staying in a failing relationship just because of external obligations. Reddit users highlighted early signs of a failing relationship, such as lack of communication, lack of future plans, and feeling indifferent towards each other, indicating a disconnect that shouldn't be ignored. Full Article

The Trump administration is considering implementing a new travel ban targeting citizens from as many as 43 countries, including a "red" list of 11 countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and Venezuela to be outright barred from entering the United States. Additionally, an "orange" list of 10 countries would face travel restrictions with mandatory in-person interviews for visa applicants, such as Belarus and Pakistan. The State Department has been tasked with identifying countries with deficient vetting information,...