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IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Kenya ramps up tourism push as wildebeest migration begins
A herd of wildebeest in Kenya. Image: VCG Kenyan President William Ruto said on Thursday that the government will intensify a campaign to boost tourist numbers in the country. Ruto, who opened the 2025 Great Wildebeest Migration global livestream at the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve in southwestern Kenya, said the campaign aims to attract 5 million foreign tourists by 2027. "We are focused on tourism that enriches both the visitor and the host, and transforms travelers into ambassadors for Kenya, a country proud of its wild beauty, conservation achievements and unbreakable spirit," he said. Kenya's Tourism & Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano speaks on the wildebeest migration, tourism growth In this exclusive interview, CGTN reporter @mariongachuhi_ speaks with Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, about the impact of the Great wildebeest… — CGTN Africa (@cgtnafrica) July 27, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The president, who urged domestic and international tourists to take advantage of the country's attractions, said the campaign seeks to promote Kenya as the home of human origins and a top travel destination for innovation, sports, conference tourism, adventure, wildlife, culture and beach holidays. Kenya's international tourist arrivals increased by 15 percent to 2.4 million in 2024, up from 2.09 million in 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. Inbound tourism earnings rose to 452.20 billion shillings (about $3.5 billion) from $2.92 billion in 2023. Ruto said Masai Mara, which welcomes more than 400,000 visitors annually, is the crown jewel of Kenya's tourism offerings. "Sustainable tourism is a living reality in Masai Mara, where communities thrive, ecosystems flourish and travelers leave enthralled." The Great Wildebeest Migration is the annual movement of millions of wildebeest, zebras and other herbivores from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya, primarily between July and October. A Nile crocodile ambushes wildebeest in the Mara River, Kenya. Image: VCG A Nile crocodile ambushes wildebeest in the Mara River, Kenya. /VCG The largest herd movement of animals on the planet, which is visible from space, is driven by the search for fresh grazing land and water following seasonal rains. The dramatic river crossings of the Mara River, where wildebeest face predators like crocodiles, are widely regarded as the highlight of this spectacular wildlife event. Ruto said Kenya's efforts to protect biodiversity, restore habitats and involve communities in stewardship have made Masai Mara not only a wildlife haven, but also a global symbol of sustainability. "To all watching around the world, I invite you to explore our treasures from the thundering hooves of Masai Mara to the calm shores of our coast, from snow-capped peaks to sunlit savannahs," he said. CGTN / Xinhua
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
EB-5 Visas, Gold Card Face Potential Surge in Demand: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. With the future of birthright citizenship under threat, immigration experts say any move to curtail the long-standing constitutional principle could lead to an increase in demand for legal residency programs like the EB-5 visa and President Donald Trump's proposed gold card visa. Why It Matters Birthright citizenship, grounded in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, currently grants automatic citizenship to anyone born on American soil, regardless of parental immigration status. This doctrine, known as jus soli, has long made the U.S. a hub for so-called "birth tourism," where foreign nationals enter the country, often on tourist visas, with the intent of giving birth, thereby securing American citizenship for their child. What To Know A person holds a smartphone displaying the website for registering interest in the new gold card visa on June 12, 2025, in Shanghai, China. U.S. A person holds a smartphone displaying the website for registering interest in the new gold card visa on June 12, 2025, in Shanghai, China. U.S. VCG via AP However, with rising political momentum among the Trump administration to limit or eliminate this right for children of undocumented parents, industry leaders say wealthy international families will look for new legal avenues to secure their children's future in the U.S. The constitutional guarantee of citizenship for anyone born on U.S. soil originates from the 14th Amendment and was upheld by the Supreme Court in the pivotal 1898 case United States v. Wong Kim Ark. In this decision, the Court determined that a man born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was entitled to U.S. citizenship, setting a lasting precedent that has shaped immigration law ever since. The Constitution states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Ali Jahangiri, head of the EB5 Lending Alliance, told Newsweek, "Removing or restricting birthright citizenship would close a loophole used by many foreign nationals and shift demand toward investment-based and merit-based immigration pathways like EB-5 and Gold Cards, which provide more secure, legal, and long-term immigration solutions for wealthy families looking to secure a future for their children in the U.S." The EB5 program, which grants green cards to foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $800,000 in a U.S. business that creates at least 10 jobs, offers a direct path to permanent residency for the investor, their spouse, and children under 21. With birthright citizenship at risk, legal immigration channels for wealthy immigrants could become more viable. In February, the president proposed a gold card program that would offer U.S. residency to individuals who invest $5 million in the country. A key aspect of the proposed "Trump Card" visa is its territorial taxation model, which would tax recipients only on income earned within the United States—exempting them from U.S. taxes on their worldwide income. The program would target high-net-worth individuals, offering long-term legal residency in exchange for significant economic contributions to the U.S. "If the U.S. were to introduce a program like this, families who would have considered birth tourism might instead pursue a gold card for legal residency and a longer-term path to citizenship," Jahangiri said. However, not everyone is sold on the idea of a gold card, warning that it may face significant political and practical hurdles. "There does not appear to be broad or coordinated support within Congress for the program, even among Republicans, due to concerns relating to the viability of the program and its optics," Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek. "For example, many other countries that have implemented similar wealth-based immigration programs have ultimately rolled them back due to concerns relating to national security, money laundering, and limited long-term economic benefits, as well as criticism that citizenship or permanent residency could be purchased," she added. Meanwhile, a judge in New Hampshire on Thursday blocked Trump's order ending birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants from taking effect across the United States, using a class action ruling just weeks after the Supreme Court limited nationwide injunctions in Trump v. CASA without resolving the underlying constitutional question. What People Are Saying Ali Jahangiri, head of the EB5 Lending Alliance, told Newsweek: "If such changes were implemented, it would eliminate or greatly reduce the incentive for birth tourism as a path to U.S. citizenship for the next generation. This shift would likely drive increased interest in formal, legal immigration channels that provide clearer and more secure pathways to citizenship or permanent residency." Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek: "If the Trump Gold Card were to be implemented before the 2026 midterm elections, several key steps would need to take place. In the absence of Congressional backing, the Administration would likely attempt to roll out the program via executive action or regulatory rulemaking. While these pathways could raise legal questions, it is important to understand that such a program could move forward quickly. Under this Administration, we have already seen extraordinary policy shifts implemented, sometimes with legal risks, but also with considerable political impact such as the attempt to end birthright citizenship, the termination of certain country specific programs such as Temporary Protected Status and humanitarian parole programs, and the reshaping of various internal immigration procedures that would have previously been considered politically implausible." What Happens Next While any formal rollback of birthright citizenship will continue to face legal and political hurdles, the mere discussion of its removal is already prompting experts to prepare for a new wave of interest from wealthy individuals seeking secure and lawful alternatives.
The Star
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Beijing proceeds with US$167bil Tibet mega dam
A bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Metuo county, Tibet on Sept. 15. Photo: VCG BEIJING: The massive economic stimulus and boost to clean power from a 1.2 trillion yuan mega-dam in Tibet has proven alluring enough for Chinese leaders to set aside concerns about potential damage to biodiversity and relations with India. Chinese Premier Li Qiang launched construction of the hydropower project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo river on Saturday, and unveiled the China Yajiang Group, a new company that will be charged with managing the dam's development, according to Xinhua News Agency. While much is still unknown about the project, its cost shows the epic scale engineers are envisioning, with the estimate more than four times larger than the US$37bil the Three Gorges Dam. That promises an economic jolt for sectors like construction, cement and steel, and a major new source of clean power that could eventually help the country reach its goal of net zero emissions by 2060. Power Construction Corp of China and China Energy Engineering Corp both rose by their daily limit of 10% in Shanghai. — Bloomberg
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
President Xi extends condolences over passing of former Nigerian President Buhari
A file photo of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Image: VCG Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message of condolence to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu over the death of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari, who served as Nigerian president from 2015 to 2023, died on July 13 in London at the age of 82. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed deep condolences and extended sincere sympathy to the family of Buhari, and the Nigerian government and people. Xi noted that Buhari was an important leader of Nigeria, saying that he dedicated himself to exploring a development path suited to his country's national conditions, made outstanding contributions to national unity and progress, and was highly respected in the international community. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Buhari steadfastly upheld friendship with China, actively promoted the Nigeria-China friendship and China-Africa cooperation, Xi said, adding that his passing represents a tremendous loss to the Nigerian people and the loss of a dear friend to the Chinese people. China highly values the development of its relations with Nigeria and is willing to work with the Nigerian side to consistently move forward the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said. CGTN (with additional input from Xinhua)
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
NVDA Stock To $200?
BEIJING, CHINA - JULY 15: Jensen Huang, co-founder and chief executive officer of Nvidia Corp, ... More receives a media group interview before attending the welcome dinner of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) on July 15, 2025 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Wan Quan/VCG via Getty Images) Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) has announced that it received confirmations from the Trump administration permitting it to resume sales of its H20 artificial-intelligence chip to China after encountering a ban around April. This development comes just days after Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang met with President Donald Trump. This decision represents a significant victory for Nvidia, which had been affected by stringent U.S. export controls designed to limit China's access to advanced AI technology. The H20 chip, specifically created to adhere to U.S. regulations on chip exports, is less powerful than Nvidia's leading products but has continued to be in high demand among Chinese clients. Separately, could oil help foster peace? See Trump's Russia Math, Simplified. Nvidia recorded a $4.5 billion write-off in its most recent quarter due to unsold H20 chips that it could not reallocate to other markets. If sales of these high-volume chips to China resume, reversing some of this write-off could enhance earnings. Nvidia stock has been a strong performer this year, climbing nearly 18% to approximately $170 per share. Now, could easing U.S.-China tech tensions propel the next phase of Nvidia's climb towards the $200 threshold? (related:What's Happening With XRP Price?) Why China Is Important For Nvidia China represents a vast and swiftly expanding AI market, hosting tech behemoths like Baidu and Alibaba, along with newcomers such as DeepSeek, that are increasingly competing with the U.S. in AI software development. Nevertheless, China still significantly lags in AI hardware, as domestic AI chips produced by companies like Huawei do not match the performance delivered by Nvidia's cutting-edge GPUs. This establishes a profound dependence on Nvidia's technology to fulfill China's AI aspirations. Simultaneously, China is an essential market for Nvidia. The nation generated $17 billion in revenue for the company in the fiscal year concluding in January 2025, which is roughly 13% of Nvidia's total revenue. Moreover, this figure may not fully capture the breadth of the situation. Numerous Chinese tech firms have reportedly utilized gray market resellers and overseas intermediaries in nations like Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam to circumvent U.S. export restrictions and acquire Nvidia's top-tier chips. These activities have led to governments enhancing enforcement measures and instigating crackdowns. Should the technology trade conflict ease, the recommencement of direct sales could substitute some of this shadow demand, offering Nvidia a clearer and more scalable growth trajectory in China. Nvidia is concentrating on balancing its response to this Chinese demand while adhering to U.S. regulations. The company additionally stated that it has created a new AI chip for China, aimed at applications in factory automation and logistics. This chip is based on Nvidia's most advanced Blackwell architecture but includes downgrades in certain features to address concerns raised by the U.S. government regarding the export of cutting-edge technology to China. Can This Take Nvidia Stock To $200? While Nvidia stock has momentum in its favor, we consider that the stock may already be somewhat overvalued. We value Nvidia stock at approximately $130 per share, around 20% below the current market price. Refer to our analysis of Nvidia valuation: Expensive or Cheap for more information. Certainly, Nvidia trades at about 40x forward earnings, which is justifiable considering that the company is set to increase revenues by 55% according to consensus estimates. However, there are some reasons to exercise caution. While Nvidia continues to be the benchmark for AI, the rally driven by "fear of missing out" that has propelled the stock over the past two years might start to lose momentum. Over the last three years, major technology companies have invested heavily in training increasingly larger AI models, significantly elevating the demand for Nvidia's high-performance chips. Nonetheless, incremental performance improvements from larger AI models could begin to plateau, and the availability of high-quality training data may also present as a bottleneck. Additionally, the AI landscape may begin shifting from training to inference, where efficiency and cost become more significant than sheer power. In this transition, AMD's MI series and open-source models might become more competitive. AMD's ROCm software platform, although not as sophisticated as Nvidia's CUDA, is expected to be sufficient for many inference tasks. This potential transition in AI workloads, combined with the risks associated with growth normalization, could negatively impact the demand for Nvidia's most powerful and costly GPUs, potentially slowing the pace of its earnings growth in the future. Worried about the risks to NVDA stock? The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, consisting of 30 stocks, has a history of comfortably outperforming the S&P 500 over the last four years. What accounts for this? Overall, HQ Portfolio stocks delivered superior returns with less risk compared to the benchmark index; exhibiting less volatility, as demonstrated in HQ Portfolio performance metrics
