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☆ Some data in the market-moving CPI report was released early by the Labor Department
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Information about Wednesday's critical consumer price index release circulated early on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, according to a statement from the agency. The statement provided few details but noted that the Labor Department agency has notified the Office of Management and Budget and the department's Office of the Inspector General. There was no other information provided concerning the early release of the CPI, a key inflation indicator that showed another increase in April, though slightly less than what the Wall Street consensus had anticipated. ET release, though there was little unusual activity in the half-hour prior, indicating that the early release was not widely seen and did not materially impact trading. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, ran at a 0.3% rate monthly rate and 3.6% annually, the lowest since April 2022.

Persons: Wednesday's, Peter Boockvar, Trump, Boockvar, Stocks Organizations: Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, Labor Department, Management, Budget, CPI, Bleakley Locations: Washington

☆ The FBI continues to ignore Jeffrey Epstein's victims even after reaching $139 million settlement for botched Larry Nassar investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The Justice Department settled over 100 claims from victims of Larry Nassar for $138.7 million. But it's ignored claims from Jeffrey Epstein victims, who say law enforcement failed to protect them. Representatives for the Justice Department didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment Friday. But the Justice Department, while not denying wrongdoing, hasn't engaged in settlement talks, he said. He said, "It's confusing and confounding" that the FBI isn't addressing the claims of Epstein's victims with the same urgency it gave Nassar's.

Persons: Larry Nassar, it's, Jeffrey Epstein, Epstein, —, Nassar, Jordan Merson, Merson, Justice Department didn't, Jane, Alexander Acosta, Donald Trump's, Ghislaine Maxwell, Acosta, Cory Booker, Marsha Blackburn, Christopher Wray, Wray, hasn't Organizations: Department, Service, Justice Department, USA Gymnastics, Justice, FBI, Business, DOJ, Miami Herald, Department's, US, US Virgin Islands Locations: New York, Florida, US Virgin

☆ Supreme Court justices dance around question of whether Trump could pardon himself if he wins reelection
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Self-pardoning wasn't on the table at Thursday's Supreme Court hearing. The Supreme Court has never ruled on whether such a move would be permissible. The purpose of the hearing was for the Supreme Court to hear arguments over whether Trump should be immune from criminal prosecution for his conduct as president. He told Michael Dreeben, the lawyer representing Smith's team, that the question might be crucial as the Supreme Court deliberates the scope of presidential immunity. In order to obtain a pardon, he would have to be convicted and serve at least five years of a sentence.

Persons: Alito, —, Donald Trump, could've, Trump, — Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch —, Jack Smith's, Smith, Gorsuch, he'll, We've, it's, Michael Dreeben, haven't, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Dreeben, Joe Biden, Stormy Daniels Organizations: Thursday's, Trump, Service, NBC, Mar, DC Circuit, Justice Department's, Justice Department Locations: New York, Manhattan, Georgia

☆ US Special Envoy on North Korea to Visit Tokyo, Seoul
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO (Reuters) - The U.S. special envoy on North Korean human rights issues, Julie Turner, will travel to Tokyo and Seoul from Monday, the State Department said. On the visit through Feb. 22, Turner will meet with government officials, activists and North Korean defectors, the department said in a news release on its website on Friday. "Special Envoy Turner's trip will underscore the U.S. commitment to promoting human rights in North Korea, increasing access to uncensored information within the closed country, and empowering survivor voices advocating for concrete change," the release said. President Joe Biden, however, had vowed on taking office that human rights would be at the centre of his foreign policy. (Reporting by Kevin Buckland in Tokyo; Editing by William Mallard and Tom Hogue)

Persons: Julie Turner, Turner, Joe Biden, Kevin Buckland, William Mallard, Tom Hogue Organizations: U.S, State Department, North Korean, State Department's Office, East, of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor Locations: TOKYO, North, Tokyo, Seoul, North Korea, United States, Pyongyang, East Asia

(AP) — Two off-duty police officers in Nebraska's largest city shot and killed two men in an SUV, though authorities have provided few details about the confrontation. The two Omaha officers were working at a local business at around 2 a.m. Saturday when they opened fire on the men in the SUV, police said. The men, 26-year-old Fernando Rodriguez-Juarez and 28-year-old Jonathan Hernandez-Rosales, were taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died. Police said they found a handgun in the vehicle, but they didn't say whether there was anything illegal about that or what led the two off-duty officers to shoot the men. Police also haven't said whether the two officers, whom they haven't publicly identified, identified themselves as police to the men or whether they were wearing their police uniforms.

Persons: Fernando Rodriguez, Jonathan Hernandez, Rosales, haven't, didn't Organizations: Police, Nebraska State Patrol, Sheriff's Locations: OMAHA, Neb, Nebraska's, Omaha, Juarez, Nebraska, Douglas

☆ The US ramped up arms exports by more than 50% in 2023, cutting into Russia's own weapons trade: Politico
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US increased its arms exports by more than 50% in 2023, compared to 2022, while also damaging Russia's own defense trade, Politico reported . In a fact sheet citing the numbers, the Department of State specified that arms exports rose to $80.9 billion in 2023, a 55.9% increase from $51.9 billion in 2022. "We see that because Russia's defense industry is denied the resources that come from exports, that helps to contribute to Russian strategic failure on the battlefield," she said. Resnick cited a $1.8 billion arms deal that the US struck with India last year, and "real tough decisions" in Global South countries about abandoning Russian equipment. Since the early 2010s, Russian arms exports have declined in part due to China and India's efforts to ramp up their own domestic arms production, along with earlier Western sanctions packages meant to dissuade third countries from buying Russian weapons.

Persons: Mira Resnick, Resnick Organizations: Politico, NATO, Department of State, Reuters, State Department, Department's Office, Regional Security, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Moscow, India, Global South, Stockholm, China, Russia

☆ Complaint Alleges Harvard Didn't Protect Pro-Palestinian Students From Threats
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Kanishka SinghWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Over a dozen students alleged on Monday that Harvard University failed to protect them from harassment and threats "based solely" on their pro-Palestinian identity, the group representing them said. The Muslim Legal Fund of America said its legal division filed a civil rights complaint on Monday with the U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights on behalf of those students. The Harvard students alleged "harassment, intimidation, threats and more based solely on them being Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and supporters of Palestinian rights," the group said. Some students alleged that Harvard had threatened "to limit or retract the students' future academic opportunities," the Muslim Legal Fund of America said on Monday. The affected students attend Harvard College, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Divinity School, and Harvard Law School, the group said.

Persons: Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Israel's, Claudine Gay, Kanishka Singh, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Harvard University, Muslim, Fund of America, U.S . Education Department's, Civil Rights, Harvard, Rights, Harvard College, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Law School Locations: U.S, Vermont, Illinois, Israel, Gaza, Washington

☆ E. Jean Carroll may face a hefty tax bill if Donald Trump owes her money — thanks to a law he signed while president
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

E. Jean Carroll is seeking more damages from Trump in her second defamation trial. But she could have to pay a hefty amount in taxes — known as the "plaintiff double tax" — on those damages. It's all thanks to a tax bill that Trump signed in 2017, when he was president. AdvertisementE. Jean Carroll is seeking more damages in her second defamation trial against former President Donald Trump. But the judge determined in September that Trump had already been found liable for defaming Carroll, meaning the second trial focuses purely on whether Trump owes Carroll additional damages.

Persons: Jean Carroll, Trump, —, Donald Trump, that's, Jeremy Babener, Babener, Carroll, defaming Carroll Organizations: Trump, Service, Structured Consulting, Treasury Department's, Business, Planners Locations: Utah

Details of how Japan is paring back military procurement due to currency fluctuations have not been previously reported. China, which has not ruled out using military force to bring Taiwan under its control, has expressed concern about Japan's military spending plans, accusing it of displaying a "Cold War mentality." In December, defence ministry officials discussed an order for 34 twin-rotor Chinook transport helicopters at roughly 15 billion yen per aircraft, two of the sources said. She declined to comment on whether the defence ministry had dropped an order for the seaplane. A ministry spokesperson confirmed the companies delivered a letter on Oct 25 to Defence Minister Minoru Kihara urging the government to proceed with the defence procurement as planned.

Persons: Tomohiro, Fumio Kishida, Christopher Johnstone, Johnstone, Biden, Kishida, outlays, spender, Nancy Pelosi's, Yoji Koda, Lockheed Martin, Minoru Kihara, Kevin Maher, Nobuhiro Kubo, Takaya Yamaguchi, Tim Kelly, Yoshifumi Takemoto, Katerina Ang Organizations: Defense Force, East Fuji Maneuver, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Reuters, Bank of Japan, Center for Strategic, International Studies, National Security, East, Japan's Ministry of Defence, Embassy, Pentagon, Russian, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Boeing Co, Kawasaki, Industries, Maritime Self Defense Force, Raytheon, Lockheed, Japan Business Federation, NMV Consulting, U.S . State Department's Office, Japan Affairs, Thomson Locations: Japan, Gotemba, Shizuoka, Taiwan, Tokyo, Washington, Beijing, East Asia, U.S, East China, Ukraine, China, U.S .

The sanctions imposed by Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control target third-party firms and people alleged to assist Moscow in procuring equipment needed on the battlefield, including suppliers and shippers. In addition, the State Department imposed diplomatic sanctions targeting Russian energy production and its metals and mining sector. Thursday's sanctions targets include Turkish national Berk Turken and his firms, which are alleged to have ties to Russian intelligence. The latest sanctions build on the thousands of financial penalties imposed on Russian infrastructure and its officials, banks and oligarchs. He accused the U.S. and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees.

Persons: Berk Turken, Janet Yellen, Russia “, ”, SWIFT, Vladimir Putin Organizations: WASHINGTON, United Arab, Treasury Department's, Foreign, State Department, Treasury Department, United Arab Emirates, Financial Engineering, VTB Bank, Central Bank, NATO Locations: United States, Turkey, China, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Turkish, Russian, Russia, UAE, ARX, U.S, Moscow

☆ As student loan payments restart, one borrower got a $108,895 monthly bill, Education Department memo details
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

As student loan bills restarted in October for tens of millions of Americans, the companies that service those loans made errors that potentially violate federal and state consumer protection laws. "The restart of repayment has caused pure chaos for nearly 3 million borrowers," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz, who reviewed the memo at CNBC's request. That plan, which was touted as the "most affordable repayment plan ever," was meant to ease the transition back to payments for borrowers. Federal student loan payments had been on pause for more than three years until they resumed last month. Yet one woman who signed up for the SAVE plan got a bill for $355, the memo says, when she was only supposed to owe $58.

Persons: Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: U.S . Department of Education's, Federal, Aid, Finance, Department, Biden, Valuable Education, SAVE

The auction could start a new chapter for the 113-year-old company, which has been owned by Venezuela for almost 40 years. Washington and Venezuela's political opposition wanted Citgo to anchor the country's economic future under a democratically elected government. The sale could become the biggest court auction ever held. Motiva, Valero and Citgo's ultimate parent, Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, did not reply to requests for comment. "Citgo will be strategic for Venezuela in the next 20-25 years, not only as a refining company, but with an expanded role," director Medina said.

Persons: Biden, Citgo, Nicolas Maduro's, Matthew Blair, Tudor, Blair, Jose Ignacio Hernandez, Leonard Stark, PDVSA, PDV, Juan Guaido, Natalie Shkolnik, Wilk Auslander, Nicolas Maduro, Stark, Evercore, Conoco, Horacio Medina, Carlos Jorda, Medina, Hernandez, Marianna Parraga, Erwin Seba, Gary McWilliams, Anna Driver Organizations: U.S . State Department, Reuters, Marathon Petroleum, Motiva Enterprises, Valero Energy, Koch Industries, Valero, U.S . Treasury, Holt, U.S, Crystallex International, PDVSA, National Assembly, Citgo, PDV, Supreme, Evercore, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, Exxon, U.S . Treasury Department's, Foreign Assets Control, Thomson Locations: United States, Petroleum, U.S, Houston, Venezuela, Washington, Saudi, Pickering, Citgo, Delaware, Caracas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced sanctions on Wednesday against a group of 10 Hamas members and the Palestinian militant organization's financial network across Gaza, Sudan, Turkey, Algeria and Qatar as it responds to the surprise attack on Israel that left more than 1,000 people dead or kidnapped. President Joe Biden, who arrived in the Middle East late Tuesday to show support for Israel, has tried to tamp down tensions in the escalating war between Israel and Hamas, but those efforts have faced massive setbacks, including a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed about 500 people. Targeted for Wednesday's sanctions action by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control are members who manage a Hamas investment portfolio, a Qatar-based financial facilitator with close ties to the Iranian regime, a key Hamas commander and a Gaza-based virtual currency exchange. “Enough is enough,” Deif, who does not appear in public, said in the recorded message. He said the attack was only the start of what he called Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, and he called on Palestinians from east Jerusalem to northern Israel to join the fight.

Persons: Joe Biden, Janet Yellen, ”, Brian Nelson, ” Nelson, “, Mohammed Deif, ” Deif Organizations: WASHINGTON, East, Israel, Treasury, Foreign, U.S . Treasury, Deloitte, Hamas Locations: U.S, Gaza, Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, Qatar, Israel, West Bank, Aqsa, Jerusalem

JPMorgan had handled some Russian grain export payments for a few months with reassurances from Washington. However, that cooperation stopped in early August, said Russia's Foreign Ministry, after Moscow quit the Black Sea grain deal in July. UNDERMINING U.N. EFFORTSU.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday that Russia's bombardment was undermining U.N. efforts to help facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports. To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal, U.N. officials agreed to help Russian exports reach global markets. "It has led many of those whose goodwill is needed, notably in the private sector, to question whether there is any real interest in re-joining the Black Sea Initiative."

Persons: Morgan, Sarah Meyssonnier, Moscow, James O'Brien, ”, O'Brien, Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Sergei Lavrov, Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Michelle Nichols, Michael Perry Organizations: JPMorgan, REUTERS, Washington, State Department, Reuters, Wednesday, Foreign Ministry, State Department's Office, United Nations, Security, Black Sea Initiative, United, Russia's, Russian Foreign Ministry, Guterres, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, U.S, Moscow, Ukraine, Washington, Russia, New York, United Nations, Turkey, United

☆ A student-loan company agreed to pay a $700,000 fine after being accused of hiring discrimination — and nearly 2,000 impacted applicants are getting money back
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Student-loan company Navient reached a settlement with the Labor Department over hiring discrimination allegations. Impacted job applicants will be notified they are eligible to receive back pay from the settlement. The Labor Department announced on Monday that it reached a settlement with student-loan company Navient to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination at its Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas locations. Advertisement Advertisement Watch:Navient agreed to pay $700,000 in back pay and interest to resolve the allegations. Navient exited the federal student-loan servicing industry in 2021 and continues to service privately-held student loans.

Persons: Navient, Paul Hartwick, Samuel B, Maiden Organizations: Labor Department, Service, Labor, Navient Corp, Atlantic Regional Locations: Wall, Silicon, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas

☆ Hindenburg Research targets $4.6 billion Kazakh brokerage for allegedly helping Russian oligarchs evade sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Finance brokerage speaks to Reuters during the interview in the office in Moscow, Russia October 10, 2019. Freedom Holding Corp. was founded in Moscow in 2008, before later moving to Kazakhstan, and listed on the Nasdaq in 2019. After Russia invaded Ukraine early last year, U.S. sanctions essentially severed ties between American and Russian banks and companies. But according to a report from Hindenburg on Tuesday, those ties remain tight. One former senior executive alleged to Hindenburg that Russian money laundering was rampant.

Persons: Timur Turlov, Jack Dorsey's Block, Carl Icahn, Freedom, Hindenburg's, Hindenburg, OFAC, I've Organizations: Freedom Finance, Reuters, Hindenburg Research, Freedom Holding, Nasdaq, Freedom, noncompliance, U.S . Treasury Department's, Foreign Assets, SEC, European Union, Freedom's, Ukraine Locations: Moscow, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Hindenburg, Russian, United Kingdom, Belizean

[1/2] Students and pedestrians walk through the Yard at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., March 10, 2020. Democratic President Joe Biden's administration had defended that long-standing practice in the court cases against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. The ruling left some questions unanswered, and more legal challenges by conservative activists are expected targeting diversity initiatives in education and corporate America. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said promoting campus diversity remained important even after the ruling. But the departments said universities may consider how race has affected an applicant's life, such as in an applicant's essay.

Persons: Brian Snyder, Biden, Joe Biden's, Miguel Cardona, ”, Nate Raymond, Jarrett Renshaw, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Harvard University in, REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Education, Justice, Democratic, Harvard University, University of North, America, Justice Department, Department's, Civil, Harvard, Thomson Locations: Harvard University in Cambridge , Massachusetts, U.S, University of North Carolina, Boston, Washington

Cuban tanker Petion is seen at a shipyard in Veracruz, Mexico April 9, 2021. Mexico has emerged as a top provider, sending oil on a vessel owned by state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and ships managed by Cuba. The ship previously ferried Venezuelan crude and fuel oil to Cuba, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. Cuba-flagged tanker Delsa also delivered Mexican crude from Pajaritos to Cienfuegos in June, and then sailed to Venezuela, where it loaded oil, the data showed. HELP NEEDEDRussia supplied Cuba with some 12,000 bpd of oil, mostly crude, between February and July, according to the Eikon data.

Persons: Yahir, Vilma, Pemex, Delsa, Esperanza, Washington, Marianna Parraga, David Sherwood, Adriana Barrera, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, HOUSTON, Cuban, U.S . Treasury Department's, Foreign Assets Control, U.S . State Department, Reuters, San, Thomson Locations: Veracruz, Mexico, Venezuela, Mexico Mexican, Cuba, Russia, Washington, Mexico's, Cienfuegos, Havana, U.S, San Jose

☆ Some U.S. government agencies are testing out A.I. to help fulfill public records requests
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Lewis Kamb | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Still, some open government and civil rights advocates are already raising concerns that the government's move toward using AI to help address FOIA problems may create new ones. So far, government agencies haven't widely disclosed to the public what kinds of AI tools are being used, and in what fashion, Marshall said. But experts widely agree the FOIA process must be modernized and fixed, as requests can sometimes take months, even years, to fulfill. An increasing number of requesters have turned to the courts for help in prying records loose in a timely manner. The state department is now testing two AI models to help process FOIA requests, Stein said.

Persons: —, Jason R, Adam Marshall, Marshall, they're, Michael Sarich, Eric F, Stein, that's, There's, Bradford Brown, Brown, Mitre, Baron, Clinton, Brett Max Kaufman Organizations: State Department, Justice Department, Centers for Disease Control, NBC News, University of Maryland, Freedom, Press, Justice Department's, Information, Department of Veterans Affairs, Justice, CDC, NBC, Mitre Corp, National Archives, Records Administration, Mitre Locations: —

☆ North Korea criticises US human rights envoy as 'wicked, mudslinging'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Turner, former director of the State Department's Office of East Asia and the Pacific in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, was nominated by President Joe Biden to the position in January and confirmed last week by the Senate. An unnamed spokesperson of what North Korea's state media called the Association for Human Rights Studies said Turner had earned "notoriety" for "mudslinging" over human rights issues and "spitting out coarse invective" against the country. The appointment of "such a wicked woman" highlights Washington's hostile policy toward Pyongyang, it said, warning of "retaliatory action of justice." In a separate dispatch, KCNA accused France of escalating tension by sending fighter jets for joint air drills with South Korea. Reporting by Hyonhee Shin in Seoul Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tae, Julie Turner, Turner, Joe Biden, KCNA, Ryu Gyong, Hyonhee Shin, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S, State Department's Office, East, of Democracy, Human Rights, Labor, Senate, Association for Human Rights Studies, Thomson Locations: Gijungdong, SEOUL, North Korea, East Asia, North, Pyongyang, France, South Korea, U.N, Seoul

The department's Office for Civil Rights opened the probe following a complaint filed earlier this month by three civil rights groups, who argued that Harvard's preference for "legacy" undergraduate applicants overwhelmingly benefits white students, in violation of a federal civil rights law. Those statistics were calculated from Harvard admissions data that became public as a result of the case that the Supreme Court decided in June. The Education Department through a spokesperson confirmed it had an open investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars race discrimination for programs receiving federal funds. "Simply put, Harvard is on the wrong side of history," said Oren Sellstrom, the litigation director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, the Boston-based group representing the civil rights groups who prompted the Education Department investigation. Sellstrom spoke at a Tuesday press conference regarding the federal probe, along with representatives for two of the Boston-area civil rights groups represented in the complaint.

Persons: Nicole Rura, Oren Sellstrom, Sellstrom, Zaida Ismatul Oliva, Edward Blum, Julia Harte, Nick Macfie, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S . Department of Education, Harvard, Civil Rights, Harvard College, University of North, Harvard University, Supreme, Education Department, Ivy League, Department, Civil, Wesleyan University, University of Minnesota's, University of Minnesota's Twin Cities, Fair Admissions, NAACP, Mexican American Legal Defense, Thomson Locations: University of North Carolina, Cambridge , Massachusetts, University of Minnesota's Twin, Boston

☆ Biden nominates China specialist to be ambassador to strategic Marshall Islands
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Tuesday nominated a senior career diplomat to be U.S. ambassador to the Marshall Islands, a strategic Pacific territory that has become a focus for competition with China. A Chinese speaker, Stone also worked previously as coordinator of efforts to counter Chinese malign economic influence and as acting deputy assistant secretary for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mongolia. Meanwhile, Chinese diplomats have been courting the region and China's construction and mining companies have expanded their business in Pacific island nations. In May, the U.S. said it had renewed COFA terms with Micronesia and Palau and its chief negotiator told Reuters then he hoped to finalize a deal with the Marshall Islands, whose COFA is due to expire this year, in coming weeks. Last year, more than 100 arms-control, environmental and other activist groups urged the Biden administration to formally apologize to the Marshall Islands and provide fair compensation.

Persons: Joe Biden, Laura Stone, Stone, China's, Biden, David Brunnstrom, Sandra Maler Organizations: State Department's Office, Free Association, Washington, Marshall, Reuters, Marshall Islanders, U.S, Thomson Locations: Marshall, China, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, U.S, Pacific, Micronesia, Palau, Bikini

RBI has not yet outlined its plan to supervisors at the European Central Bank (ECB), two people with knowledge of its dealings with the central bank said, making a spin-off unlikely by September. Furthermore, the approval of Russia's central bank, finance ministry and, in the event of a sale, even Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be needed before RBI acts. The ECB urged RBI not to pay a dividend this year because of its concerns over Russia, one of the people said. Austria's central bank and the ECB declined to comment. Another source said he has urged the U.S. not to pressure RBI.

Persons: Raiffeisen, Vladimir Putin, UniCredit, month's Wagner, Robert Holzmann, Christine Lagarde, Magnus Brunner, Brian Nelson, Francesco Canepa, John O'Donnell, Alexander Smith Organizations: Raiffeisen, Reuters, Austrian, European Central Bank, ECB, Treasury, Foreign Assets, OFAC, U.S, Thomson Locations: VIENNA, Russia, Austria, Moscow, U.S, Ukraine, Europe, Washington, Vienna, Soviet, Austrian, United States, Frankfurt

☆ Federal investigators are sure no one strangled Jeffrey Epstein
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The DOJ's watchdog released a report detailing the circumstances leading up to Jeffrey Epstein's death. The report confirms that Epstein died by suicide and was not strangled, as some have speculated. The report, however, slams federal officials for failing to prevent Epstein's death. The report also appears to confirm that Epstein died by suicide and was not strangled, as some have speculated. Justice Department officials also interviewed staffers at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, where Epstein was awaiting trial before his death.

Persons: Jeffrey Epstein's, Epstein, —, SHU Organizations: Service, Justice, Metropolitan Correctional Center, SHU Locations: Manhattan

☆ Jeffrey Epstein's brother remains convinced the financier was murdered, calling new DOJ report 'blatant bullshit'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The DOJ inspector general released a long-awaited report concluding Jeffrey Epstein killed himself. Mark Epstein, his brother, isn't convinced. On Tuesday morning, the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General published its long-awaiting report into Jeffrey Epstein's death. Epstein's body was examined by Kristen Roman, a medical examiner for the city of New York. Investigators also spoke to three other inmates in the cell block who could see directly into Epstein's cell from their own cells.

Persons: Jeffrey Epstein, Mark Epstein, isn't, —, Epstein, I've, Jeffrey Epstein's, Epstein —, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Prince Andrew —, Kristen Roman, Michael Baden, Baden, Roman, Mark Epstein isn't, Michael Thomas, Spencer Platt, Epstein Mark Epstein, Mark, they're, debrief, Nobody, EMTs, intubated Organizations: Service, Department's, Bureau of Prisons, Metropolitan Correctional Center, Getty, Justice Department, jail's Health Services Locations: Manhattan, New York, Baden, Epstein

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