What happened to Columbus' directional malls
Flashback: Our shopping scene was dominated by a quartet of directional malls and a bustling downtown shopping center, all of which have disappeared.
⬆️ Northland, Central Ohio's first major mall, opened at Morse and Karl roads in 1964 with a Lazarus and a Sears, drawing a reported crowd of 50,000, and was enclosed in 1975.
The mall faded over time, and closed completely in 2002. The site has since been redeveloped for a variety of uses, including the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.
➡️ Eastland followed that success by opening at Hamilton and Refugee roads in 1968 as Columbus' first enclosed shopping mall.
By 2022, Eastland was declared a public nuisance. Columbus now plans a massive redevelopment project for the site.
⬅️ Westland opened in 1969 on West Broad Street with a similar mix of department stores, and enclosed its mall in 1982.
It shuttered in 2012, with a remaining Sears store closing in 2017.
The mall was finally demolished in 2023 and is now subject to redevelopment plans that include apartments.
⬇️ Southland opened in 1977 on South High Street, featuring a Gold Circle department store and its main draw, a Loews movie theater.
The site later became the headquarters for the controversial and defunct Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, space now used by Columbus City Schools.
🏙️ City Center: Once the crown jewel of Columbus malls, the three-story City Center opened downtown on 3rd Street in 1989, anchored by Lazarus and Marshall Field's.
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CNBC
7 minutes ago
- CNBC
War-weary Syria will be hurt further by Trump's 41% tariff rate — the highest on earth
In May, speaking to a rapt crowd in the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, U.S. President Donald Trump stunned listeners by announcing he would be ordering the full lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, many of which had been in place for decades. "Now, it's their time to shine ... Good luck Syria," Trump said. Less than three months later, the Trump administration hit Syria with the highest tariff rate of any country in the world: 41%. Syria has very little trade with the U.S. because of long-held sanctions, but some trade between the two does exist. In 2023, Syria exported $11.3 million worth of goods to the U.S., according to the Observatory for Economic Complexity, and imported $1.29 million worth of American goods, technically giving the U.S. a trade deficit with the impoverished Middle Eastern country. Trump says the levies his administration imposes — which were based on a widely criticized calculation applied to each country in April using trade deficit figures — are meant to address trade imbalances. He has not commented specifically on the case of Syria. But as it faces the specter of rebuilding its devastated state after 13 years of war under a new government with a very shaky hold on power, the country needs all the help it can get, regional analysts say — not further punishment. "After years of devastating civil war, the country is in urgent need of substantial foreign direct investment to begin the long and difficult process of reconstruction and development," Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of risk consulting firm Gulf State Analytics, told CNBC. "While the recent lifting of many U.S., U.K., and EU sanctions was a welcome development for Damascus' economic ambitions, Washington's imposition of steep tariffs now threatens to restrict any potential for meaningful trade with the United States." Syria had been designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. government since 1979. U.S. sanctions were imposed on the country in 2004 and again in 2011, after the regime of then-President Bashar Assad launched a brutal crackdown on anti-government uprisings. In the roughly 14 years since, the country has been devastated by civil war, sectarian violence and brutal terrorist attacks, with the Islamic State taking over parts of the country in 2014 and a subsequent Western-led bombing campaign to eradicate the extremist group. The toppling of the Assad regime during a shock offensive by anti-Assad militia groups in December 2024 stunned the global community and brought about the prospect of a new beginning for the devastated country. Syria's new President Ahmed al-Sharaa — a former al-Qaeda member who describes himself as reformed — currently leads the country's transitional government. Syria remained under myriad international sanctions, but those imposed by the U.S. were the most severe, as they applied to third parties as well, deterring other countries and groups from transacting with the country. Most recently, since Trump's official lifting of sanctions in June, Syria has hosted delegations from several countries including the U.S. and wealthy Gulf states pledging support and investment for reconstruction. At the same time, it's been beset by outbursts of sectarian violence in different parts of the country and volleys of Israeli bombings. More than two-thirds of Syria's electricity grid is non-functional, according to aid organizations, with major cities like Aleppo and Damascus facing blackouts for more than 20 hours a day. In many rural and conflict-ridden areas, there is no power at all. "This isn't an economy that is struggling as much as it's an economy that seems to be almost constantly over the last few months, on the verge of collapse, unless very active steps are taken in order to buttress it and give it a chance to recover," said H.A. Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. "So any step that deviates from that, I think, is very dangerous." Qatar recently announced a project by which its development fund will purchase gas and provide it to Syria — transported via Azerbaijan and Turkey — to support more than 5 million people, with the expectation of improving daily power supply by as much as 40%. Fahad Al-Sulaiti, the director general of Qatar Fund for Development, described how Damascus will need to lean heavily on aid from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Nations — particularly now that tariffs will harm the possibility of developing beneficial trade ties with the U.S. He also said Qatar was in close contact with the U.S. government to enable support for Syria. "We work very closely with our partners in the United States. That's why from day one ... we work very close with the Treasury Department ... we're taking with them to create a good economic system," Al-Sulaiti told CNBC. Economic observers note that the 41% tariff itself will have little actual impact on Syria's devastated economy, since bilateral trade between the two countries is so negligible. "But the symbolism behind this decision carries far greater weight than the trade figures suggest," Cafiero said. "The fact that Syria was singled out for the highest tariffs — even after the easing of most sanctions — sends a clear and calculated message from the Trump administration: Washington is willing to loosen its economic grip on a post-regime change Syria, but only under conditions defined by the White House." One interpretation, Cafiero suggested, is that the tariffs could be a way to pressure Damascus into normalizing relations with Israel, which has been attacking and occupying parts of Syria. "In this sense," he said, "the economic policy resembles a kind of 'leash,' designed to be adjusted in response to the political behavior of the al-Sharaa government and broader developments on the ground." Security analysts warn that instability in parts of the country could tip it back into outright war and far greater humanitarian crisis if it does not get the support — economic, humanitarian and diplomatic — that it needs. U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, has expressed his and Washington's full support for Syria and the Al Sharaa government, and recently announced U.S. and Qatari-backed investment initiatives into the country. It is not clear whether he supports his administration's imposition of tariffs on the country; the State Department and White House did not respond to CNBC requests for comment. Ultimately, the tariffs themselves may have limited immediate economic consequences, but "their psychological and diplomatic impact should not be underestimated," Cafiero cautioned. "My read is that they reflect Washington's intent to retain leverage over Syria's future."
37 minutes ago
As Trump cracks down on college student visas, other countries see opportunity
LONDON -- In China, wait times for U.S. visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the U.S., and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged. President Donald Trump's administration has been pressuring U.S. colleges to reduce their dependence on international enrollment while adding new layers of scrutiny for foreign students as part of its crackdown on immigration. The U.S. government has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism. In the spring, it abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some whose only brush with law enforcement was a traffic ticket. After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants' social media accounts. The U.S. remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognizing opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on U.S. universities — and the nation's economy — may be significant. New international enrollment in the U.S. could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. That would deprive the U.S. economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets. As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to The country's new Labour government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional 'big four' English-speaking destinations in higher education — the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia. After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the U.K. this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the U.S. also reached nearly 8,000 students — an increase of 14% and a 20-year high. Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the U.K. grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the U.S., Canada and Europe. 'But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting," he said. Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for universities places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the U.S. or U.K. 'Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19,' Kwong said. 'But obviously it's been exacerbated by the change of administration in the U.S.' Some Asian families have told him the U.S. is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties, many are still waiting for U.S. visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said. Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in the U.S. But she is also looking into other options 'just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs,' said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted. Hong Kong will welcome any students who are denied entry to the U.S., the city's leader John Lee has said. Last year, the Chinese territory decided to allow international students to work part-time. Hong Kong University said it has received over 500 inquiries from students in the U.S. and is processing around 200 applications for transfer. At another school, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, international undergraduate applications have surged by 40% from last year, said Alison Lloyd, associate provost on institutional data and research. Countries including the United Arab Emirates have invested heavily in attracting international students by partnering with universities elsewhere to host branch campuses. These arrangements could appeal to students who fear being denied access to the U.S. Dubai, which has designs on becoming a global education hub, hosts dozens of international institutions' satellite campuses. It saw international student numbers grow by a third in 2024-2025. Lisa Johnson, principal of Dubai's private American Academy for Girls, said her mostly Emirati student body is increasingly looking away from the U.S. for college. 'Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard,' she said. 'But as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying." Kazakhstan has similar ambitions, said Daniel Palm, who has helped U.S. universities set up campuses abroad. Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona are among colleges offering degree programs in the Central Asian country, drawing students mostly from China and Russia.
NBC News
3 hours ago
- NBC News
NATO to coordinate regular and large-scale arms deliveries to Ukraine. Most will be bought in the U.S.
BRUSSELS — NATO has started coordinating regular deliveries of large weapons packages to Ukraine after the Netherlands said it would provide air defense equipment, ammunition and other military aid worth 500 million euros ($578 million). Sweden also announced Tuesday it would contribute $275 million to a joint effort along with its Nordic neighbors Denmark and Norway to provide $500 million worth of air defenses, anti-tank weapons, ammunition and spare parts. Two deliveries of equipment, most of it bought in the United States, are expected this month, although the Nordic package is expected to arrive in September. The equipment is supplied based on Ukraine's priority needs on the battlefield. NATO allies then locate the weapons and ammunition and send them on. 'Packages will be prepared rapidly and issued on a regular basis,' NATO said Monday. Air defense systems are in greatest need. The United Nations has said that Russia's relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line has killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians. Russia's bigger army is also making slow but costly progress along the 620-mile front line. Currently, it is waging an operation to take the eastern city of Pokrovsk, a logistical hub whose fall could allow it to drive deeper into Ukraine. European allies and Canada are buying most of the equipment they plan to send from the United States, which has greater stocks of ready military materiel, as well as more effective weapons. The Trump administration is not giving any arms to Ukraine. The new deliveries will come on top of other pledges of military equipment. The Kiel Institute, which tracks support to Ukraine, estimates that as of June, European countries had provided 72 billion euros ($83 billion) worth of military aid since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, compared to $65 billion in U.S. aid. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said that 'American air defense systems and munitions, in particular, are crucial for Ukraine to defend itself.' Announcing the deliveries Monday, he said Russia's attacks are 'pure terror, intended to break Ukraine.' President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the Netherlands, posting on social media that 'Ukraine, and thus the whole of Europe, will be better protected from Russian terror.' He said the deliveries are coming 'at a time when Russia is trying to scale up its strikes. This will definitely help protect the lives of our people!' Germany said Friday it will deliver two more Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine in the coming days. It agreed to the move after securing assurances that the U.S. will prioritize the delivery of new Patriots to Germany to backfill its stocks. These weapon systems are only made in the U.S. As an organization, NATO provides only non-lethal assistance to Ukraine like uniforms, tents, medical supplies and logistics support. The 32-nation military alliance has mostly sought to protect NATO territory from possible Russian attack and avoid being dragged into a war against a nuclear power. But its support role has expanded since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, even as his administration insists European allies must now take care of their own security and that of their war-ravaged neighbor. Trump has made no public promise of weapons or economic support for Ukraine. Trump said on July 28 that the U.S. is 'going to be sending now military equipment and other equipment to NATO, and they'll be doing what they want, but I guess it's for the most part working with Ukraine.'
