Our Monday morning stroll around the world

🇳🇱 Hardt Hyperloop successfully tested its levitating train concept in the Netherlands. “Hyperloop” is a new form of mass transit where capsules full of passengers levitate and travel through depressurized tubes via magnetic fields. Last week, Hardt announced its first successful Hyperloop test, in which a capsule was levitated and zipped through a 1,400-foot-long tube. Hardt says the test vehicle hit a max speed of 18 mph – though future plans involve capsules traveling up to 435 mph.

🇻🇪🇺🇸 Venezuela claims it foiled a CIA-backed plot to overthrow its government, which the US denies. On Saturday, Venezuela’s Interior Minister said law enforcement arrested six foreigners – including three US citizens – on suspicion of plotting to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro and other top officials. Venezuela’s government accused the CIA of backing the operation, which it said was led by an active US Navy member. On Sunday, the State Department confirmed the detention of a US military member in Venezuela, but denied any US involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro.

🇨🇳🇺🇸 Shein hauls could soon get more expensive. On Friday, US officials proposed a new law that would remove the “de minimis” exemption – a law allowing packages with a value under $800 to enter the US without import duties – on all overseas shipments of products subject to US-China tariffs. If the new proposal is enacted, Shein and Temu shoppers in the US could see prices rise by at least 20%, per a GOP House spokesperson.