'Enforcement of rulings remains spotty at best'

'China cries foul over Labubu counterfeits. That's rich.'

The Washington Post editorial board

"China, long known as the counterfeit capital of the world, has discovered a new respect for intellectual property," says The Washington Post editorial board. It's "hard to say what's more amusing about the meteoric rise of China's Labubu toys: the bizarre appearance of the dolls themselves or the fact that they've spawned knockoffs that are sometimes just as popular." Small businesses are "especially vulnerable to IP theft," and "American products deserve the same protections in China that Labubus get here."

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'Brand advertising on news sites isn't risky, it's absolutely necessary'

Mark Penn at USA Today

In a "political and economic climate where everything is constantly changing, more and more people are checking news websites on their phones," and "any sensible marketer would see a no-brainer opportunity there," says Mark Penn. Yet "many brands are completely withdrawn from digital news. Why? An irrational fear of 'brand safety.'" Brands that "don't invest in news now are missing out on the opportunity to drive real business results." The "time to advertise in news is now."

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'I played in the NFL. Outrage over male cheerleaders is really about attempts to control masculinity.'

RK Russell at The Guardian

Of "all the existential threats facing professional football," who "could've predicted that what would truly rattle some fans was the sight of two men dancing on the sideline?" says RK Russell. The "people expressing outrage over male cheerleaders on the Vikings aren't talking about work ethic, talent or dedication." This "isn't about performance at all. It's about presence. It's about the mere existence and visibility of men on NFL cheer squads who don't conform."

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'Iran's Hezbollah support could snarl US diplomacy'

Ali Rizk at The American Conservative

Escalation "with Iran over Hezbollah makes little sense in terms of American interests," says Ali Rizk. Despite "being badly battered following the two-month-long full-scale war with Israel late last year, Hezbollah remains an important strategic ally for Iran." Taking a "more forceful approach towards the disarmament of Hezbollah is likely to jeopardize any chances of a potential deal between Iran and the United States. It "would therefore be prudent for the Trump administration to ease its pressure."

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