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☆ OAN and Smartmatic settle election defamation case
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Marshall Cohen | Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Voting technology company Smartmatic and the far-right network One America News said Tuesday that they had settled a defamation lawsuit stemming from the outlet’s lies about the 2020 election. “The case has been resolved pursuant to a confidential agreement,” OAN attorney Chip Babcock told CNN. The case against OAN was one of a spate of lawsuits filed against right-wing outlets in the aftermath of the election. In the wake of the 2020 presidential contest, pro-Donald Trump outlets spread lies wrongfully suggesting President Joe Biden had not been legitimately elected president. OAN settled a defamation suit in September with former Dominion executive Eric Coomer, whose case revealed how the network worked with former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell and others to lie about the election.

Persons: “, ”, Chip Babcock, OAN, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Smartmatic, Trump’s, Eric Coomer, Trump, Sidney Powell Organizations: CNN, OAN, Fox News, Dominion Voting Systems, Trump, Russian, Dominion, DirecTV Locations: Ukraine

☆ Climate crisis: You don’t have to admit there’s one to be fighting climate change
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

The climate crisis ends up touching on all of those issues, as CNN’s chief climate correspondent Bill Weir told me. Removing politics from climate changeWOLF: It’s interesting to hear you say that about Texas, because the governor and the Republican-dominated legislature there would seemingly be opposed to doing anything specifically because of climate change. Joe Biden has tried to make the argument that addressing climate change should be an economic boom. It seems clear that we’re going to burst through the 2-degree tipping point that had been previously suggested as the tipping point for climate change. What that means for marine ecosystems and coral reefs, which are the cradles of life in the oceans, and what it means for the power of storms as we head into hurricane season has scientists really, really worried.

Persons: Bill Weir, ”, Weir, You’re, WEIR, don’t, Syd Kitson, It’s, Hurricane Ian, CNN WEIR, Hurricane Maria, they’ve, it’s, It’ll, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Matt Yglesias, WOLF, I’ve, we’ve, We’ve, Kena Betancur, they’re, There’s Organizations: CNN, NFL, Hurricane, Babcock, Buffalo, UN, Republican, Act, Citi Bikes, Getty, Greyhound Locations: Hope, Massachusetts, Salisbury , Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Florida, America, , Florida, Puerto Rico, Buffalo, Puerto Rican, Niagara Falls, Texas, Alaska, United States, Portland , Maine, Portland , Oregon, Central America, Charleston, South Carolina, New York City, Dallas, Chicago, New York, AFP

The Columbus Blue Jackets fired general manager Jarmo Kekalainen on Thursday, ending his time on the job after more than a decade. President of hockey operations John Davidson made the call midway through Kekalainen’s 11th full season on the job and three weeks before the trade deadline. Davidson and the hockey operations team will assume GM duties on an interim basis until a full-time replacement is hired. Ownership, after Kekalainen and Davidson named Pascal Vincent coach following the Babcock fiasco, said in September there would not be any front office changes at that time. Kekalainen inherited Todd Richards as coach, and Columbus reached the playoffs in his first full season in 2013-14.

Persons: Jarmo Kekalainen, John Davidson, Kekalainen, Davidson, ” Davidson, It’s, Mike Babcock, Pascal Vincent, Babcock, Jarmo, John P, McConnell, “, Louis, Doug Armstrong, Kevin Cheveldayoff, Scott Howson, Todd Richards, Richards, John Tortorella, Brad Larsen, Vincent —, Larsen, Vincent, Johnny Gaudreau, ___ Organizations: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL, Blue Jackets, Eastern Conference, Blues, Columbus, Stanley Locations: Kekalainen’s

☆ Now Hibernating: Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Matt Richtel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Her husband, Mark, 68, has long been a fan of chocolate chip, but he doesn’t see it around much anymore. “In the small container.” Then she corrected herself: “Oh, that’s chocolate chocolate chip.”Vanilla chocolate chip ice cream, once a staple of the ice cream world and one of the top sellers of all time, has fallen out of favor. The flavor can still be found (a closer inspection of the Safeway aisle in this university mountain town revealed pints of Baskin Robbins’s chocolate chip), but it has been losing ground to flavors with more stuff, like cookies and cream and chocolate chip cookie dough. Those two flavors are among the nation’s top five best sellers, according to the International Dairy Foods Association, while chocolate chip no longer makes the top 10. “Chocolate chip used to be a flavor we produced constantly,” said Christine Crowley, communications specialist for Babcock Dairy Plant, which has 75 years of ice-cream making under its belt, in Madison, Wis. Chocolate chip hasn’t been a staple for a decade, she said: “Now it’s seasonal.”

Persons: Cherry Garcia, Dr Pepper, Robin Sawyer, Mark, Ms, Sawyer, “, ”, Christine Crowley Organizations: Safeway, International Dairy Foods Association, Babcock Dairy Plant Locations: Baskin, Madison, Wis

☆ Pro-Trump network OAN’s president solicited more info after receiving ‘stolen’ Smartmatic passwords, court documents allege
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The revelation builds on CNN’s previous reporting that OAN President Charles Herring forwarded the purported Smartmatic passwords to ex-Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell within days and later passed it to Mike Lindell. OAN denies defaming Smartmatic or anyone else, and its lawyers say nobody at OAN broke the law in connection with the alleged passwords. In a recent court filing, Smartmatic publicly disclosed – for the first time – the original email that OAN received on January 5, 2021, containing the alleged passwords. If you come across any addition (sic) information, please pass along,” according to emails made public in court filings. OAN handed over the emails to Smartmatic last year, but later claimed they were privileged and should be returned.

Persons: Charles Herring, Sidney Powell, Mike Lindell, Joe Biden, Smartmatic, OAN, defaming Smartmatic, Eric Coomer, Herring, tipster, –, ”, Powell, …, It’s, ’ Smartmatic, OAN “, Carl Butzer, “, Moxila Upadhyaya, OAN’s, Charles Babcock, Upadhyaya, Babcock, Oprah Winfrey, Bill O’Reilly, Phil Organizations: CNN, America, Trump, Voting Systems, Court, Fox News Locations: DC

☆ Pro-Trump network OAN execs may have ‘engaged in criminal activities’ while promoting 2020 election lies, Smartmatic alleges
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN pieced together who was involved in the email exchanges by examining court records from three separate cases stemming from the 2020 election. Baseless 2020 smearsSmartmatic has sued OAN, Powell, and other Trump allies and right-wing outlets, seeking billions of dollars in damages for their 2020 election lies. It’s unclear if the spreadsheet has any connections to the breach in rural Coffee County - which used software from Dominion Voting Systems, and not Smartmatic, in the 2020 election. One of its correspondents, who is also an attorney, even worked with Trump’s legal team to subvert the 2020 election results. The network, the two Herrings, and some of their on-air personalities are also being sued for defamation by Dominion, which was the target of similar 2020 election lies.

Persons: Trump, Sidney Powell, OAN, Smartmatic, “, Powell, Charles Herring, Herring, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “ OAN, ‘, ”, Charles Babcock, Babcock, Erik Connolly, Trump’s, Robert Herring, Mike Lindell, Lindell, Charles, Lindell didn’t, Eric Coomer Organizations: CNN, America News, Smartmatic, Trump, OAN, Fox News, ” CNN, Dominion Voting Systems, Russian, Dominion, Lindell, DirecTV Locations: Philippines, Smartmatic, Coffee County, Coffee, Ukraine

☆ Remember when Fran Fine’s fashion broke the ’90s TV show mold?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Marie Lodi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Still, not many have had the cultural impact of “The Nanny” herself, Fran Fine. Over the years, fan accounts like What Fran Wore and the Fran Fine Fashion Database have documented all of the character’s roughly 700 outfits. Drescher in character as Fran Fine in a promotional photo for "The Nanny", pictured with the show's other principcal cast members. CBS/Getty ImagesCooper says that when she first envisaged Fran’s aesthetic, it didn’t reflect early ‘90s fashion trends. It’s no wonder that after all these years, fans of “The Nanny” and fashionable TikTokers continue to cosplay as Fran in swarms.

Persons: Cher Horowitz, Dionne Davenport, “, Carrie Bradshaw, ’, Rachel Green, ”, Fran Fine, Fran, Fran Drescher, Fran Wore, Drescher, Charles Shaughnessy, Maxwell Sheffield, Daniel Davis, Niles, Lauren Lane, Babcock, Madeline Zima, Grace Sheffield, Benjamin Salisbury, Tom, Maggie Sheffield, Brenda Cooper, Shawn Holly Cookson, Terry Gordon, Cooper, Todd Oldham, Dolce, Gabbana, Bob Mackie, Anna Sui, Brenda Cooper’s, Moschino, Leger, ” Cooper, Neiman Marcus, —, ” Moschino, Jennie Walker, ” Walker, Kate Spade, Gucci, Vivienne Westwood, Cooper didn’t, suede, “ Organizations: CNN, City, Flushing, Brighton Sheffield, CBS, Getty, Vogue, “ Locations: Versace, Italian, LA

Some developers are building homes like Paulson's with an eye toward making them more resilient to the extreme weather that's increasing with climate change, and friendlier to the environment at the same time. Solar panels, for example, installed so snugly that high winds can't get underneath them, mean clean power that can survive a storm. Recycled or advanced construction materials that reduce energy use as well as the need to make new material. Pearl Homes' Mirabella community in Bradenton, Florida, consists of 160 houses that are all LEED-certified platinum, the highest level of one of the most-used green building rating systems. “We’re building the same old stuff that got blown away.”Babcock Ranch is another sustainable, hurricane-resilient community in South Florida.

Persons: Hurricane Michael, Bonny Paulson's, ” Paulson, Steve Linton, “, Marshall Gobuty, ” Gobuty, Paulson, she's, ”, ” Babcock, Syd Kitson, Ian, Kitson, you’re, Nature, Natalia Padalino, Alan Klingler, ” Klingler, ” Padalino, Laura Bargfeld, Gerald Herbert Organizations: Hurricane, Florida Panhandle, Homes, Pearl Homes, University of Central, Babcock, Florida Keys, Associated Press, AP Locations: Mexico Beach , Florida, Bradenton , Florida, University of Central Florida, Florida, Mexico Beach, South Florida, U.S, New Orleans

☆ Bank of America says this sold-off EV stock offers 'pure-play exposure' and can rally 50%
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Fisker may grow out of its ugly duckling phase in the ever-growing electric vehicle market, Bank of America said. Analyst John Babcock initiated coverage of the underperforming electric vehicle stock at a buy. "FSR offers investors pure-play exposure to the rapidly growing EV market, has key milestones coming in 2024 and a lower risk business model than peers," he said in a note to clients Tuesday, also describing the stock as a "pure-play EV force." Tesla's price cuts could be a harbinger for volume and profitability troubles for Fisker, Babcock warned. But Babcock used Bank of America's framework for analyzing automotive technology stocks, which looks at positioning and disruptive threats.

Persons: John Babcock, Babcock, Fisker's, Tesla, It's, Lucid, Fisker, Michael Bloom Organizations: Bank of America, Global, Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF, EV, Bank

NEW YORK, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Shares of electric-vehicle startup Fisker Inc (FSR.N) rose by more than 20% on Tuesday after the company reaffirmed its plan to increase deliveries of its flagship Ocean sports utility vehicle, and a bullish Wall Street analyst report. The EV maker said it had built 5,000 Ocean SUVs and expects to ramp up deliveries to 300 units per day later this year, reiterating a plan announced earlier this month by Chief Executive Henrik Fisker. Fisker's shares rose as high as $6.47, and were on course for their biggest daily percentage gain since April. "The automotive industry is undergoing a once-in-a-century revolution with technology advancement on electrification, autonomy, and digitization," the analysts said. Unlike other EV makers, Fisker has outsourced its vehicle production to Canadian auto part supplier Magna International (MG.TO).

Persons: Henrik Fisker, John Babcock, Fisker, Chibuike Oguh, Lance Tupper, Deepa Babington 私たち Organizations: Ocean, Bank of America, Magna International Locations: California, U.S, Europe, New York

Paul Bissonnette said on the ‘Spittin’ Chiclets’ podcast he was told by an unidentified player that Babcock asked captain Boone Jenner to show him photos. Bissonnette, a former NHL player-turned-analyst for TNT, relayed he was informed Babcock told Jenner: “Let me see the photos in your phone. “While meeting with our players and staff I asked them to share, off their phones, family pictures as part of the process of getting to know them better," Babcock said. And to have them depicted like this is irresponsible and completely inaccurate.”Jenner said Babcock asked him about his family, where he's from and his upcoming wedding, along with hockey-related conversation. “He showed me pictures of his family.”Bissonnette responded to the statements with a profane social media post that told Babcock to knock it off.

Persons: Mike Babcock, Paul Bissonnette, Babcock, Boone Jenner, Jenner, ” Babcock, ” Jenner, “, ” Bissonnette, “ I’ve, Bill Daly, Mitch Marner Organizations: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL, TNT, Blue Jackets, NHL Players, Maple Leafs Locations: Toronto, Columbus

The Australian scandal is the latest in a number the "big four" professional services firm has faced around the globe. Auditor PwC said it was unable to comment on client issues due to confidentiality clauses. Its auditor PwC and affiliates agreed to pay $33 million in fines and compensation to settle U.S. litigation in 2011. India's market regulator barred PwC's local affiliate from auditing listed companies for two years in 2018, but that was overturned the following year. ($1 = 1.4984 Australian dollars)Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Praveen Menon and Sonali PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kristin Stubbins, PwC, Lewis Jackson, Praveen Menon, Sonali Paul Organizations: SYDNEY, PricewaterhouseCoopers, International, Wyelands Bank, Colonial Bank ., Satyam, Enron, PwC, Thomson Locations: Australia, Brazil, Britain, Alabama, Colonial Bank . India

☆ Creating an Outdoor Kitchen Is Easier Than You Think
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Tim Mckeough | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With a little design help, you can turn it into an outdoor kitchen — and the center of all your outdoor entertaining. “I look at the outdoor kitchen as an extension of the great room,” said Allison Babcock, an interior designer in Sag Harbor, N.Y., who frequently designs outdoor kitchens. “It’s not just a barbecue space; it’s about moving a whole lifestyle outside.”Just as the indoor kitchen has expanded to become a hub for many homes, the outdoor kitchen is having its day in the sun thanks to improvements in materials and equipment, and aesthetic upgrades. “An outdoor kitchen can serve as a beautiful focal point,” said Marie Flanigan, an interior designer based in Houston, who includes an outdoor kitchen with nearly every home she designs. “Inside, people always gravitate toward the kitchen, and I think the outdoor kitchen can also become the heart of the outdoor space.”

Persons: ”, Allison Babcock, It’s, Marie Flanigan Locations: Sag Harbor, N.Y, Houston

☆ The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is peaking, giving you the chance to see up to 40 shooting stars an hour. Here's how to watch.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is due to peak May 5, offering up to 40 shooting stars per hour. The dazzling display is known as the Eta Aquarids and takes place in May each year when Earth travels through debris left behind by Halley's Comet. The meteor shower is active this year from between April 15 to May 27, but it is expected to peak on May 5. NASAThe Eta Aquarids are one of the few showers that favor the Southern Hemisphere. So you will have to wait over 20 years to see another Eta Aquarids outburst," he added.

☆ The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is about to peak, giving you the chance to see up to 40 shooting stars an hour. Here's how to watch.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is due to peak May 5, offering up to 40 shooting stars per hour. If you're heading out to see the display, here are NASA's top tips for getting the best look. The meteor shower is active this year from between April 15 to May 27, but it is expected to peak on May 5. NASAThe Eta Aquarids are one of the few showers that favor the Southern Hemisphere. So you will have to wait over 20 years to see another Eta Aquarids outburst," he added.

LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) - Finance minister Jeremy Hunt presented less gloomy forecasts for Britain's economy at his Spring Budget on Wednesday. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsROSIER OUTLOOKA rout in global banking stocks on Wednesday overshadowed many UK-specific moves. Investments announced by Hunt such as a corporate spending tax break, a boost for defence and extra childcare support were not viewed as particularly inflationary. Unlike in the last budget, noise around windfall taxes on oil and gas companies was muted in the run-up to the budget since energy prices have fallen dramatically since then. "In general, the budget is not the big story for gilts right now, global drivers are in the driving seat," said James Smith, economist at ING.

☆ PwC hit with $8.9 million penalty for 'serious breaches' on Babcock audits
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Iain Withers | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, March 8 (Reuters) - Britain's auditing watchdog has imposed a 7.5 million pound ($8.9 million) penalty on PwC for "serious breaches" found in audits of engineer Babcock International (BAB.L), the regulator said on Wednesday. The fine was discounted by 25% to 5.6 million pounds due to early resolution, the regulator said. The FRC said breaches identified on PwC's audits of Babcock included repeated failures to challenge management and obtain sufficient appropriate evidence. Two PwC partners - Nicholas Campbell Lambert and Heather Ancient - were also fined 200,000 pounds and 65,000 respectively, discounted to 150,000 pounds and 48,750 pounds respectively. The FRC's investigation into PwC's statutory audits of the Babcock group financial statements for 2019 and 2020 is ongoing.

☆ A UK nuclear submarine had its broken bolts fixed with superglue, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The British Navy launched a probe after finding a " defect" in a nuclear submarine, The Sun reported. Broken bolts on HMS Vanguard's reactor chamber were glued on instead of replaced, the report said. A Royal Navy source told The Sun that the discovery was a "disgrace." Nuclear standards are never compromised." A spokesperson for both the Royal Navy and Babcock did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

☆ Ex-D.C. officer Fanone and veterans urge GOP House leaders to condemn political violence
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

WASHINGTON — Dozens of military veterans on Wednesday hand-delivered letters to top Republicans in the U.S. House, calling on them to publicly condemn political violence as the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol approaches. Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone wrote the letter, which was signed by more than 1,000 military veterans, active duty members, law enforcement officers and military families. Fanone, who was beaten and tased during the attack on the Capitol, delivered a copy to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s office. They want top Republicans in the House not only to condemn political violence but to hold accountable those who spread violent and hate-filled messages. A core of conservative House Republicans has rejected McCarthy’s attempts to be named speaker on multiple votes Tuesday and Wednesday.

☆ A plan to tax the rich to fund electric cars is on the ballot in California
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —California has long been a leader among states, and even countries, in promoting a shift to electric cars, including with its plans to ban the sale of purely gas-powered cars by 2035. Opponents of the ballot initiative claim it’s really just an attempt by one tech company to benefit itself at the expense of other priorities. Opponents of the ballot initiative claim Lyft’s support is self-serving. But a rule like Prop 30, which would make it easier for just about anyone in California to buy an electric car, including Lyft drivers. And electric cars are too expensive for lower income residents to afford, so the financial support is needed, especially with sales of gas cars being banned in the future.

"The White Lotus" season two premieres October 30 on HBO and HBO Max. From creator Mike White, "The White Lotus" is an anthology show that focuses on guests at various White Lotus resort locations. "The White Lotus" season two will have a total of seven episodes, which is one more than the first season. "The White Lotus" season two was renewed a few days before the season one finale in August 2021. "The White Lotus" season two's enthusiastic critical response suggests it could follow in season one's acclaimed footsteps.

☆ Cookies might not be tracking you, but some brands are
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Leticia Miranda | Leticia Miranda Is A Business Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

And for consumers who want to cut down on corporate monitoring, hitting “decline cookies” might not make much of a difference. Ulta Beauty’s Brent Rosso, vice president of the cosmetics seller’s ad business, called retail media networks “the hottest thing in the media world.”The Home Depot app encourages users to allow tracking. Home DepotNew ways to track and targetBefore the rise of retail media networks, retailers regularly sold ad space like sponsored products or banner ads on their own digital properties. But many retail media networks combine first-party data with existing third-party information, such as demographic data, to build more detailed profiles on consumers. About $40 billion will be spent this year across retail media networks alone, the analytics firm projects.

☆ Here’s when to say ‘no’ at work
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-02 | by ( Kathryn Vasel | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

To evaluate whether to take on a task, Vesterlund advised identifying what is considered promotable and non-promotable work for a role and how much workers are expected to take on. Babcock said her research shows that when women say “no” at work, they are often seen as not being a team player. It shouldn’t be on employees to say ‘no’But the onus shouldn’t just be on employees when it comes to making sure non-promotable work is being distributed evenly. “You can reward non-promotable work,” said Babcock, who noted that one organization she worked with added “helping others” to its performance evaluations. And then it’s amazing everyone wants to do it then.”Companies should also look at who is doing the most non-promotable work and how work is allocated.

☆ ‘Secrets, Lies, and Consequences’ Review: Murder on Campus
▼ + stars: | 1991-05-21 | by ( Richard Babcock | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

In a city with a thick portfolio of unsolved cases, the May 21, 1991, murder of the religion professor Ioan Culianu stands out as one of Chicago’s strangest. The fact that the murder took place at the University of Chicago’s divinity school underlines the mystery. Much of the intrigue centers around Eliade, an admired professor who had come to the U.S. after World War II. Suggestions of a youthful dalliance with Romanian fascism surfaced occasionally, but Eliade was known at the university as a generous colleague and teacher. A chair was named for him in the divinity school.

Persons: Ioan Culianu, —, Mircea Eliade —, Eliade, Saul Bellow Organizations: University of Locations: Romanian, Romania

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