The Full Belmonte, 2/17/2024
Former President Trump speaks yesterday before a hearing on his hush-money case in criminal court in Manhattan. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
“A judge ordered former President Trump to pay at least $350 million and barred him from running a company in New York for three years in the civil fraud trial that centered on accusations Trump misrepresented his wealth.” Go deeper [Axios]
“Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said he won't run for president this year, after all.” [Axios]
World mourns Navalny
Alexei Navalny during a hearing on Jan. 11. Photo: Vera Savina/AFP/Getty Images
“‘Make no mistake, Putin is responsible,’ President Biden said today after Russian activist Alexei Navalny died in a remote prison.
Navalny was one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's harshest and most persistent critics. He was an anti-corruption activist whose sheer determination and knack for capturing public attention made him the face of Russia's otherwise fractured opposition.
‘I do this because I hate these people,’ he told The New York Times in 2011, referring to some of his early activism focused on Russia's oil business.
Catch up quick: Navalny was poisoned in 2020. After being treated in Germany, he returned home to Russia even though he was sure to be arrested once he landed.” [Axios]
Flowers lay next to a picture of Navalny at a makeshift memorial in St. Petersburg. Photo: Olga Maltseva/ AFP via Getty Images
Russia’s Last Major Opposition Figure Falls
People gather outside the Russian Embassy in The Hague on Feb. 16 in tribute to late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.Robin Utrecht/various sources/AFP
“Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, 47, died at a remote penal colony known as “Polar Wolf” above the Arctic Circle, state authorities announced on Friday. He allegedly lost consciousness after going on a walk and could not be resuscitated. Navalny’s lawyer was unable to independently verify his death upon hearing the report but said he was heading to the prison to confirm.
Arrested in January 2021 after surviving a failed assassination attempt by Russia’s security services, Navalny was serving a cumulative 30-year prison sentence for a variety of charges largely seen as politically motivated. Although imprisoned, Navalny was the last major opposition figure still in the country, and his death leaves Russia’s opposition without a clear leader just one month before the country holds its presidential election. Incumbent President Vladimir Putin is expected to orchestrate a fifth reelection win, as all of his most high-profile critics are either dead, imprisoned, or exiled.
‘Charismatic, controversial, and unquestionably brave, Navalny and his team doggedly exposed corruption among the country’s political elite, including by Russian President Vladimir Putin himself,’ FP’s Amy Mackinnon writes.
Navalny last appeared in public on Thursday when he addressed a court via video. At the time, he appeared healthy and was seen cracking jokes. But his supporters have long raised concerns about poor prison conditions in Russia’s penal system, including crammed ‘punishment cells,’ that negatively affected Navalny’s health.
Putin and his allies ‘will be punished for what they have done with our country, with my family, and with my husband,’ Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s wife, said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday. ‘They will be brought to justice, and this day will come soon.’
Western leaders were quick to condemn Putin’s suspected involvement in Navalny’s death. The Russian prison report is ‘yet more proof of Putin’s brutality,’ U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday, with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan adding that ‘given the Russian government’s long and sordid history of doing harm to its opponents, it raises real and obvious questions about what happened here.’ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed these sentiments when she posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Navalny’s death is a ‘grim reminder of what Putin and his regime are all about.’
Next Saturday marks the two-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a key issue that Navalny rallied against while imprisoned. ‘Putin must lose everything and answer for what he has done,’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said following the Navalny announcement.” [Foreign Policy]
“Davos of Defense. Top officials from around the world convened in Germany on Friday for the annual Munich Security Conference. According to FP’s Robbie Gramer and Jack Detsch, who are reporting on the ground in Munich for Situation Report, around 28 heads of government and state, 56 foreign ministers, 20 defense ministers, and 36 intelligence chiefs are in attendance at the so-called Davos of Defense alongside hundreds of senior dignitaries and business executives. Delegates from Russia and Iran were not invited.
News of Navalny’s death sparked outcry at the three-day summit on Friday. The conference is also expected to focus on the Russia-Ukraine war, conflict in the Middle East, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, NATO expansion, and former U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. Trump’s recent comments seeming to encourage Putin to attack NATO members that don’t meet the 2 percent defense spending commitment are likely to be at the forefront of many attendees’ concerns, even as Putin said this week that he would prefer a second Biden presidency because Biden is ‘more predictable.’” [Foreign Policy]
“Crime syndicate revealed. Hong Kong customs officials said on Friday that they had arrested seven people allegedly connected to the largest money laundering case in Hong Kong’s history. The transnational syndicate is said to have used shell companies and bank accounts to transfer around $1.8 billion into the city.
Hong Kong authorities said $371 million of that was possibly linked to a scam in India involving the sale of electronics, diamonds, gems, and precious metals. Law enforcement across the region, including in India, aided customs officials in their investigation. As part of the operation, officials seized more than $21 million worth of assets.
Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading financial hubs, but the crackdown on pro-democracy activities in recent years via a strict national security law imposed by Beijing has provided a ‘genuine hazard’ for international businesses, Thomas Kellogg and Kaylee Morrison argued in Foreign Policy in 2021.” [Foreign Policy]
“Egypt’s contingency plans. Egypt is building a walled enclosure in the Sinai Peninsula near its border with Gaza this week to potentially hold Palestinian refugees, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The move comes amid fears that an impending Israeli offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah could force thousands of Palestinians to flee over the border into Egypt.
The governor of Egypt’s North Sinai region denied the initial reports, arguing that construction was part of ongoing efforts to inventory houses that the Islamic State destroyed. However, Egyptian officials hinted at its existence when they said more than 100,000 people could be accommodated in the camp.
Egypt has also strengthened its border defenses by deploying more troops. Rafah shares a border with Egypt and is the area’s only major humanitarian aid crossing. More than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million citizens are sheltering in the southern city to escape Israeli bombardments.” [Foreign Policy]
Inside Gen Z's mind
Illustration: Tiffany Herring/Axios
“Gen Z is America's most diverse generation yet — but is united by deep anxiety about the world.
Why it matters: A collision of political, economic and social trends has minted a generation struggling to cope with the present — and feeling even worse about the future, Axios' Erica Pandey writes.
By the numbers: Gen Z (defined as people roughly ages 12 to 27) reports the poorest mental health of any generation, according to a Gallup and Walton Family Foundation report.
Just 44% of Gen Zers say they feel prepared for the future.
The big picture: They dodged familiar teen pitfalls — with lower teen pregnancy rates and lower rates of alcohol use. Instead, they're grappling with alarming rates of loneliness, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Zoom in: Partly by choice and partly out of necessity during the pandemic, Gen Z socializes online, rather than in person, far more than previous generations. That's not healthy, experts say.
Spending time with people releases certain chemicals in the brain and boosts our mood. ‘Those things don't happen in the same way when you're texting,’ says Bonnie Nagel, a behavioral neuroscientist at Oregon Health & Science University.
Alyssa Mancao, a therapist in L.A., says her Gen Z client base is constantly comparing physical appearances or career paths with peers and influencers online: ‘There are a lot of feelings of inadequacy.’
The state of the world also fuels Gen Z pessimism:
An ongoing study at Montclair State University finds that Gen Zers perceive the world as more dangerous than their older counterparts.
They're more likely to feel anxiety about extreme weather. Active-shooter drills became the norm while they were in school.
They're entering the workforce loaded with student debt. The cost of housing and other basic needs continues to soar. And AI poses an existential threat to jobs and careers they've only just begun.
‘Across the board, my Gen Z clients are overwhelmed with the uncertainty around unemployment and affordable living,’ says Erica Basso, a therapist with clients across California.
‘Unfortunately, most have had to rely on their parents for much longer than previous generations — and still feel the pressure to hit major milestones like having kids or owning a home by their age, which is simply not realistic for many of my client's situations.’
Reality check: Despite their anxieties, Gen Zers are heavily involved in social and political activism, and they're less emotionally repressed than past generations.
‘All of my Gen Z clients amaze me with their intelligence, their tolerance and their ability to stay true to their values,’ Basso says. ‘These characteristics, combined, can activate great change in the world.’” [Axios]
The old-soul generation
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
“Meeting friends for dinner at 6 p.m., throwing on some jazz to relax and drifting off to sleep by 9 p.m. may sound like perfect weekend plans for grandma. But many in Gen Z are also embracing the early-bird lifestyle.
Why it matters: Today's youth is surprisingly well-rested, thanks to the big business of sleep and a culture that ditches late-night drinks in favor of shut-eye, Axios' Sareen Habeshian writes.
Zoom in: Americans ages 15–34 have incrementally logged more sleep per night over the last decade, data from the American Time Use Survey shows.
Rest is also popular on TikTok, with tutorials for the "sleepy girl mocktail" and viral ASMR sleep videos.
5 p.m. dinner reservations are in vogue. So are workout classes in the afternoon rather than early morning. Old-school hobbies like listening to jazz are making a comeback.” [Axios]
Groundhog Day election
Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
“The oldest members of Gen Z were first eligible to vote in 2016, and millions more are eligible for the first time this year, Erica writes.
In that time, they've only seen three presidential candidates — Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
Why it matters: Young voters are stuck in a political Groundhog Day. Many are disillusioned by the lack of choice or younger candidates who reflect their views.
By the numbers: 58% of voters between the ages of 18 and 34 — Gen Z and younger millennials — aren't sure if they'll vote in November, according to a new Axios-Generation Lab poll.
This comes after a banner year for youth turnout in 2020.
"‘ feel like there's not enough representation in both the Democratic and Republican parties,’ says Jadisha Proano, a 19-year-old student at Dickinson College who's not planning to vote.
‘I'd like to see younger people who are more in touch with the issues affecting the population of people who will be out of college soon.’
Zoom in: When presented with a long list of issues — abortion, climate change, guns, student debt, immigration — 39% of young voters cited the economy as their top priority.” [Axios]
Charted: Growing gender divide
Data: Gallup. Chart: Axios Visuals
“Young women who increasingly identify as liberal are driving a stark political gender gap with their male counterparts, Axios' Noah Bressner writes.
The gender gap first passed 10 points in 2017, when former President Trump took office and the #MeToo movement took off.
What to watch: Gender polarization could have far-reaching consequences as politics becomes a bigger part of American life.
Fewer young people are willing to be friends or date someone who doesn't share their politics.” [Axios]
What Gen Z wants at work
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
“Gen Z largely entered the workforce when remote and hybrid work went mainstream, Axios' April Rubin writes.
Why it matters: Early career professionals are hungry for mentorship and real connections (even friends) on top of flexibility and work-life balance. With Gen Z expected to overtake boomers in the workplace this year, those preferences are reshaping the modern workplace.
By the numbers: More than two-thirds of students said they were more likely to apply for a job with a flexible schedule, according to a Handshake report from September.
75% want hybrid work, while just 11% want to be fully in-person. 14% want to be fully remote.
Gen Zers were actually the least likely of all generations in the workplace to apply for remote roles, according to a LinkedIn analysis last year.
Gen Z applicants are also drawn to benefits like tuition repayment, retirement programs, mental health days and gym memberships.” [Axios]
A generation of AI natives
Illustration: Tiffany Herring/Axios
“When it comes to generative AI at school and work, Gen Z says: Bring it on, Axios' Jennifer A. Kingson writes.
Why it matters: Some workers are fearful or ambivalent about how ChatGPT, DALL-E and their ilk will affect their jobs. But many college students and newly minted grads think it can give them a career edge.
While most U.S. adults say AI's risks outweigh its benefits, 57% of Gen Z respondents and 62% of millennials said they were more excited about the upsides, according to a Mitre-Harris Poll.
Case in point: College students are piling into generative AI courses.” [Axios]
How Gen Z gets its news
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
“For Gen Z, catching up on the news is often a side effect of time spent on Instagram and TikTok — and media outlets are adapting, reports Kerry Flynn, co-author of Axios Pro: Media Deals.
Why it matters: ‘Gen Z is being fed the news whether they want it or not,’ Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, CEO of the college-aged media portfolio Her Campus Media, tells Axios.
Reality check: As with platforms like Facebook that older generations embraced, the rise of TikTok as a news source has fueled concerns about misinformation.” [Axios]
What Gen Z is hopeful about
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
“Despite wariness about the world and the preparation they've received to face it, 76% of Gen Zers believe they ‘have a great future ahead of them,’ April writes from Gallup data.
Gen Z, which grew up with social media and global interconnectivity, is trying to shape the future through activism on climate, abortion, and racial and gender equality.
Unlike their individualism-minded elders, this generation approaches change-making collectively.
82% of Gen Zers believe they'll achieve their goals, per the Gallup survey.” [Axios]
THE WEEK IN CULTURE
Film and TV
Jon Stewart returned to the “Daily Show” desk on Monday. Matt Wilson/Comedy Central
“Jon Stewart returned as host of “The Daily Show.” His performance was so sharp and familiar, the Times critic James Poniewozik wrote, ‘you’d think he’d been away for a long weekend instead of more than two presidential terms.’”
Marvel announced that Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn will play the lead roles in a “Fantastic Four” reboot, The Hollywood Reporter reports.
“Madame Web,” the latest movie set in the world of Spider-Man, was released. Read Manohla Dargis’ review.
Music
Usher married his longtime partner in Las Vegas on Sunday, hours after performing at the Super Bowl.
A country music station in Oklahoma reversed its decision not to play Beyoncé’s new country-themed song after receiving emails pointing to the exclusion of Black musicians from the genre.
Apple Music briefly removed Kanye West’s new album from the platform without explanation. The release has been dogged with accusations of unauthorized samples.
Art
The Pace Gallery will show the final portraits made by Chuck Close, who was accused of sexual harassment in 2017 and largely sidelined by the art world before his death in 2021.
At a retrospective of seven decades of Yoko Ono’s work at London’s Tate Modern, visitors are invited to draw their own shadows and imagine paintings in their heads.
Theater
Second City, the Chicago-based improv theater group that incubated stars like Tina Fey and Steve Carrell, has opened an outpost in New York.
Shakespeare in the Park will tour other New York City parks while its home, Central Park’s Delacorte Theater, is under renovation.” [New York Times]