DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Who is Juan Merchan? What to know about the judge in Trump’s hush money case
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan is a seasoned jurist who is no stranger to Trump’s orbit. In the lead-up to the start of the trial, Trump fanned the flames on social media with his views on the judge. “Judge Merchan was always well-prepared, accessible, and – most importantly in the Weisselberg matter – a man of his word. Trump also claimed Judge Merchan has ruled against him in pretrial motions “because his daughter makes money by working to ‘Get Trump.’”Loren Merchan has not commented publicly on the case. David Paterson appointed him to the New York State Court of Claims in 2009, the same year he began serving as an acting New York Supreme Court judge.

Persons: Donald, Juan Merchan, Allen Weisselberg, Steve, Trump, Merchan, “ Judge Merchan, ” Nicholas Gravante, Weisselberg, ” Gravante, Judge Merchan, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Donald Trump, bode, ” Agnifilo, ” Merchan, ’ Trump, Loren Merchan, Joe Biden, didn’t, ‘ Get, ’ ” Loren Merchan, “, ” Trump, ”, Anna Gristina, Timothy Parlatore, “ I’ve, ” Parlatore, Brendan Tracy, ” Tracy, Earl Ward, it’s, ” Ward, Michael Bloomberg, David Paterson Organizations: CNN, The, New, Trump Organization, Trump, Republican, Attorney’s Office, Democratic, Super Liberal Democrat, ‘, ‘ Get Trump, Authentic, Bloomberg News, Manhattan Mental Health, Attorney’s, Bronx Defenders, Mental Health, New York, Court, Democratic Gov, New York Times, Baruch College, Times, Hofstra University Locations: York, Manhattan, “, Senegalese, Long Island, New, Bronx, Bogotá, Colombia, United States, New York City, Jackson Heights , Queens, New York

Yet the idea of building rosters of paid political contributors took off with cable news. MSNBC, CNN and Fox News Channel are, in large part, political talk channels and seek experts to help fill the time. Being on call to opine can be lucrative work; several reports had NBC agreeing to pay McDaniel $300,000 a year. Even NBC News, whose MSNBC cable outlet appeals to liberals, has more than a dozen Republican contributors. John Kasich and Bulwark founder Charlie Sykes — either predate Trump in their active political work or oppose him, or both.

Persons: —, Ronna McDaniel, Donald Trump, McDaniel, Chuck Todd, Rachel Maddow, Cesar Conde, ”, Mark Whitaker, Shana Alexander, James Kilpatrick's, George Stephanopoulos, Tim Russert, Michael Steele, John Kasich, Charlie Sykes —, MAGA, Reince Priebus, Mick Mulvaney, Mulvaney, Priebus, Tom Bossert, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Trump, David Urban, Mark Esper, Griffin, Mike Pompeo, Alex Conant, Mark Lukasiewicz, ” Lukasiewicz, “, Jay Rosen, NBC's Conde, McDaniel didn't, Joe ”, Mika Brzezinski, That's, ” Conant, Brian Roberts, Conde, Rebecca Blumenstein, Rashida Jones, Carrie Budoff Brown, Jones, Margaret Sullivan, ___ David Bauder Organizations: NBC News, Republican National Committee, GOP, Republican, NBC Universal, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, NBC, RNC, Ohio Gov, Trump, CBS, ABC News, Trump Homeland Security, Networks, Hofstra, “ Journalists, New York University, ” Networks, Republicans, Comcast, Washington Post, Center for Journalism, Columbia University, Guardian, Associated Press Locations: Washington, MSDNC

☆ New York Democrats are worried about Tuesday’s special election. They have good reason to be
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Gregory Krieg | Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

But as the special election to succeed the disgraced former congressman has made painfully clear to Democrats, Santos’ victory was not a fluke or anomaly. (Less so 40 years ago, when Republicans ran roughshod here and Ronald Reagan alluded to Nassau County as a Republican’s idea of heaven.) Nassau County in 2024 is sharply divided and – in a word – angry. The year before, Democrat Laura Curran, the top official in Nassau County, was ousted by Republican Bruce Blakeman. But more liberal New York Democrats often point to the current problems as Cuomo’s legacy.

Persons: Republican George Santos ’, Santos ’, –, Tom Suozzi, Ronald Reagan, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, ”, Alyssa Cass, “ George Santos, Chuck Schumer, Laura Curran, Republican Bruce Blakeman, Santos, Hakeem Jeffries, “ Hakeem, “, he’s, Jay Jacobs, Jeffries, it’s, ” Jacobs, ” Curran, there’s, ” It’s, Curran, Suozzi, doesn’t, Andrew Cuomo, Jacobs, Cuomo, Kathy Hochul, ’, Mazi Pilip, Peter King, Adam Gray, Tom, Larry Levy, ” Levy, I’m, Joe Cairo, Mazi, it’s …, Mike Florio, Pilip, mailers –, Biden, Greg Abbott, George Santos ’, ” Suozzi, Trump, Alexandria Ocasio, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida, unvetted ”, Roe, Wade, Court’s Dobbs, we’re, it’ll, Jim Fornaro, aren’t, ” Fornaro, “ I’m, bummed, “ Suozzi, Nestor Oginar, Suozzi canvassers Rachel Klein, Stephanie Visconti, ” Klein, ” Visconti, Stephanie Visconti's Organizations: New York CNN, Democrats, Republican, Congressional, Republicans, Democratic, Biden, Trump, GOP, New York Democrats, Democrat, Nassau County Democratic, CNN, Grassroots, New York City Hall, New York Rep, Bloomberg, Getty, National Center for Suburban Studies, Hofstra University, Nassau County Democrats, Democratic Party, Nassau County GOP, New York Post, Long Islanders Builders Institute, Psychiatric, Republican Gov, ICE, George Santos ’ volleyball, Senate, Suozzi, Long, Engage Locations: Plainview, New York, Long, Nassau County, Glen Cove, American, “, Long Island, ”, York, Nassau, Massapequa , New York, Suozzi, Israel, ” Cairo, Pilip, it’s … Montgomery, Bucks, Pennsylvania, Oakland County , Michigan, America’s, New York City, York City, Queens, Texas, Cortez, Macedonian, North Carolina, New Hyde

A special election in the suburbs of New York to replace disgraced former Rep. George Santos could offer clues about the mindset of suburban voters everywhere as 2024 election contests ramp up across the country. “This is a big concern for my district,” Pilip said. He had a comfortable victory in his last race in the district in 2020, defeating Santos, then a relatively unknown Republican. Another question that has loomed over the race has been whether the district will exist in its current form for much longer. The ruling was a major win for Democrats in the state who have angled for more favorable congressional districts.

Persons: George Santos, Santos, Tom Suozzi, Mazi Pilip, “, ”, Larry Levy, hasn’t, Pilip, Operation Solomon, Israel, hasn't, Joe Biden, ” Pilip, Suozzi, Biden, “ She’s, I'm, I’m, Donald Trump, Robert Zimmerman Organizations: Republicans, . Rep, Democrat, Republican, National Center for Suburban Studies, Hofstra University, New York City, Democratic, Wall, Democrats Locations: New York, New York City, Queens, Long, Ethiopia, Operation, Horn of Africa, Israel, Ukrainian, Nassau, New, U.S, Mexico, Suozzi

The Washington Commanders have an agreement with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to hire him as coach, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. Quinn, 53, spent the past three seasons running the defense for the NFC East-rival Cowboys after five-plus seasons coaching the Atlanta Falcons. Quinn coached the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016 before being fired after an 0-5 start in 2020. He became Washington’s choice after Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, considered a top candidate, told teams Tuesday he was staying with Detroit and the Seahawks hired Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Macdonald going to Seattle made Quinn the front-runner, and he got the job over the likes of Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Baltimore assistant Anthony Weaver.

Persons: Dan Quinn, Quinn, Ben Johnson, Mike Macdonald, Peters, Eric Bieniemy, that's, Rivera, Jack Del Rio, handpick, Johnson, Macdonald, Aaron Glenn, Anthony Weaver, Pete Carroll, William & Mary, hasn’t, Quarterback —, Washington —, Sam Howell, Carolina’s Drake Maye, ___ Organizations: Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Associated Press, NFC, Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Falcons, Lions, Seahawks, Baltimore, NFL, Dallas, NFC East, Atlanta, The Falcons, New England Patriots, William &, Virginia Military Institute, Hofstra, San, New York Jets, Florida Locations: Detroit, Washington, Seattle, Baltimore, New Jersey, San Francisco

☆ How 'micro' breaks throughout the day can help decrease work burnout—'flow + rest = success'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Ece Yildirim | In Ecedyildirim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

They found that having short periodic breaks dedicated to exercise, meditation and goal setting can help increase flow while working, which in turn can prevent burnout. On top of this, the employees in the flow group were also encouraged to have 10-15 minute breaks sprinkled two to three times throughout the day. This increase in flow led to a decrease in reported stress and stability in the physiological symptoms. Participants in the flow group left work feeling less drained and actually had the time after work to rest and recuperate, preparing themselves to enter the next working day with even more focus and energy. "There is this common expression that 'stress + rest = success', well we are changing that a bit into "flow + rest = success."

Persons: Exos, Chris Bertram, Bertram Organizations: Hofstra University

☆ Trump won't pledge to support the GOP's eventual nominee, a debate requirement
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Republican nominee Donald Trump speaks during the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York on September 26, 2016. Former President Donald Trump said he would not sign the loyalty pledge that is a requirement for participating in the upcoming first Republican presidential primary debate. "I wouldn't sign the pledge. "So they want you to sign a pledge, but I can name three or four people that I wouldn't support for President. Asked on Wednesday night if he would join the debate, Trump said, "I'll let it be known next week."

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Ron DeSantis, Joe Biden, Trump and Texas Sen, Ted Cruz Organizations: Hofstra University, Republican, Florida Gov, GOP, Trump and Texas Locations: Hempstead , New York, Milwaukee, Trump's, DeSanctimonious, Trump and

☆ Alcohol-Related Deaths Are Rising Among Women
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A new study shows that alcohol-related deaths among women are rising at a faster rate than those among men, particularly for people 65 and older. Over the past 15 years, alcohol-related deaths have steadily increased in the United States and, historically, more men have died from alcohol-related causes. From 2018 to 2020, alcohol-related deaths increased by 12.5 percent per year for men, but by 14.7 percent per year for women. The study highlighted rising rates among older women, in particular: From 2012 to 2020, alcohol-related deaths among women 65 and older increased by 6.7 percent per year, compared with an increase of 5.2 percent per year for men in the same age range. The study does not pinpoint the reasons behind the rise in female alcohol-related deaths, said Dr. Ibraheem Karaye, an assistant professor of population health at Hofstra University and the lead author of the study.

Persons: That’s, Ibraheem, Karaye Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Hofstra University Locations: United States

When the police returned two days later, they found the remains of three other women — Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. They were all also found bound at the feet or ankles and wrapped in burlap along a stretch of sand about a quarter mile long. Seven other bodies would be found in the months that followed, including Ms. Gilbert, four other women, a man who was never identified and a 2-year-old girl. The bodies, two of which were only partial remains, had not been bound and wrapped as those in the first group were. But that dumping, he said, has generally been the work of an organized crime group or gang.

Persons: Gilbert, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Maureen Brainard, Fred Klein, Joel Rifkin, ”, Klein Organizations: Bronx, Barnes, Brooklyn and, Hofstra University Locations: Brooklyn, Brooklyn and New Jersey, Nassau County

Trump was back on CNN primetime during a town hall appearance on Wednesday night. And CNN certainly seemed to be eager for conservative buy-in during the Wednesday town hall, filling the room with a mixture of New Hampshire Republicans and effectively independent voters. The former president's advisor told other outlets that the town hall was an effort to underline Trump's 2016 strategy of reaching beyond the traditional GOP coalition. During the Wednesday town hall, Trump called Carroll a "whack job," echoing the very falsehoods that landed him with a defamation charge this week. "The predictably disastrous @cnn town hall was indeed disastrous," former broadcast exec and current dean of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University, Mark Lukasiewicz tweeted.

On Friday, Trump, who was not charged in his company's case, lashed out at Merchan on his Truth Social platform. "The Judge 'assigned' to my Witch Hunt Case, a 'Case' that has NEVER BEEN CHARGED BEFORE, HATES ME," wrote Trump, who has launched a campaign to regain the presidency in 2024. Merchan has been a Manhattan criminal court judge since 2009 after prior stints on the state's Court of Claims, which hears cases against the state and its agencies, and family court in the Bronx. Merchan presided over the 2012 case of the so-called "Soccer Mom Madam" Anna Gristina, which garnered lurid headlines in the New York media. Gristina sued Merchan in 2021 to unseal records in her case as part of an effort to vacate her record.

☆ Meet Juan Merchan, the Manhattan judge scheduled to oversee Donald Trump's criminal case
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The judge overseeing Donald Trump's criminal case is Juan Merchan. "The Judge 'assigned' to my Witch Hunt Case, a 'Case' that has NEVER BEEN CHARGED BEFORE, HATES ME," Trump said. Trump is scheduled to appear before Merchan in Manhattan court on Tuesday afternoon. In 2009, he was appointed as a trial judge in Manhattan, where he's been since. The top court in the state — the equivalent of the US Supreme Court — is known as the New York Court of Appeals.

☆ Inside a shake-up at the world's 'most feared law firm'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Casey Sullivan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +30 min

It's been a tumultuous period for Quinn and the storied law firm he built over the past 37 years — now the world's largest litigation firm with hourly rates that can be north of $2,000. But behind the scenes, a shift at QE has been the talk of elite law firm circles. Indeed, the firm – known as a singular, even freewheeling, institution that brands itself as the "#1 Most Feared Law Firm in the World" — may appear to be less in the image of its founder as a generational shift brings changes. "We all thought it was important that the world understands this is not a one generation law firm." One former firm partner in California says he believes Quinn's inner circle generally got better deals.

☆ China's parliament approves changes to speed up 'emergency' laws
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Laurie Chen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The amendment to the Legislation Law, which governs how laws are enacted, gives the highest body of the national parliament, the roughly 170-member National People's Congress Standing Committee, special powers to pass laws after just one review session. Three years ago, China imposed a national security law on the semiautonomous city of Hong Kong, criminalising a broad range of vaguely defined offences intended to stifle dissent. China has repeatedly brushed off criticism of the law, saying it protects Hong Kong residents' freedoms and only targets a small minority of "criminals" who "endanger national security". The latest draft of the law, published March 5, did not define what constitutes an emergency situation. Reporting by Ryan Woo and Laurie Chen; Editing by Tom Hogue and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ A close read of Beijing's official statement shows it doesn't think the US violated international law by shooting down its balloon, says a legal expert who studies China
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China didn't accuse the US of violating international law when the Pentagon shot down its balloon. China has aggressively accused the US of breaking international law many times in the past. In the past, Beijing has accused the US of breaking international law even for actions like imposing visa restrictions on Chinese officials. "It contravenes international law and basic norms governing international relations and grossly interferes in China's internal affairs. In July, Wang similarly said that Hague Tribunal rulings in support of Philippine claims over the South China Sea "seriously" violated international law.

☆ Beijing's response to the US shooting down its balloon has been muted. It might be China's way of preparing for a future in which the roles are reversed, says international law expert.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China has to consider what it will do if the US sends balloons into Chinese airspace, a legal expert said. If Beijing pushes too hard on its response, its own rhetoric may backfire later, Julian Ku told NYT. In a statement on Sunday, China condemned the Department of Defense for destroying the balloon, saying the Pentagon "obviously overreacted" and "seriously violated international practices." "Moreover, they need to think about their own rights in case the US starts sending balloons or drones into China," Ku told the outlet. "We treat our enemies with fine wine, but for our enemies we got shotguns," China's ambassador to Sweden infamously said on radio in 2019.

☆ Why Tom Brady was overlooked in the NFL Draft and why it was more than luck that led him to the Patriots
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Tom Brady was the 199th pick in the NFL Draft and is now considered the greatest quarterback ever. They hired Bill Belichick, and the team made the biggest steal in NFL Draft history: selecting Tom Brady in the sixth round. Tom Brady was just a part-time starter at the University of Michigan. Drew Bledsoe was only 28 years old when Tom Brady was drafted. The result was the biggest steal in NFL Draft history.

An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday raised doubts about shifting toward a yearly Covid booster for most adults and children, saying too many questions about the virus still remain unanswered. The FDA convened its Vaccine and Related Biology Products Advisory Committee to discuss how the Covid vaccines may change moving forward. On Monday, the agency published briefing documents proposing annual Covid shots that target the latest variants of the virus — an approach similar to the yearly flu shot. Some committee members said they would prefer to make multiple yearly meetings on the Covid vaccines the norm. In a unanimous vote, the committee recommended using the bivalent formula in all Covid vaccines moving forward, not just for booster shots.

☆ Gabby Giffords still struggles to find words, but she hasn’t lost her voice
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Dr. Tara Narula | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Watch “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” at 9 p.m. ET/PT November 20 on CNN. One of those voices that has spoken up in her own unique way is Gabby Giffords. Video Ad Feedback Obama shares what he's learned from Gabby Giffords 00:58 - Source: CNNI met Gabby before the debut of the CNN documentary “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down,” a detailed portrayal of the inner fire that helped her heal and pushes her to help others do the same. Gabby told me she feels optimistic, but she knows that she has a long road ahead. Gabby told them “rocking chairs”: a phrase to mean a long time from now, when they’re sitting on the porch in old, worn rocking chairs.

Humphries, who plays for Melbourne United in Australia’s National Basketball League, had never previously spoken publicly about his sexuality out of fear it would negatively impact his career. But now, he says he feels ready to “live my true life” and become the world’s only openly gay man playing top-flight basketball. Humphries joined Melbourne United in July this year. “I have a weight lifted off my shoulders, 25 years of weight,” says Humphries. “I’m essentially starting a new life – it’s like a birthday,” he adds.

☆ Student debt forgiveness is on hold for now—here's why it's blocked and what could happen next
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

After appearing to clear a number of other legal hurdles, President Joe Biden's student debt forgiveness plan has been blocked. If the president's appeal in Texas is successful, it's likely the plaintiffs will escalate the case to the Supreme Court or vice versa. Still, federal judges are appointed by elected officials, and it so happens the judges striking down Biden's debt forgiveness were nominated by Republican presidents. Aside from appealing in Texas, the president has not yet announced next steps for the debt forgiveness plan or other relief for borrowers. The 8th Circuit Court's decision to keep the block on debt forgiveness for now adds to the likelihood of a Supreme Court case, she says.

☆ Twitter impersonators ran amok. But has Musk really learned anything?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Kara Alaimo | Ph.D. | Is An Associate Professor At The Lawrence Herbert School Of Communication At Hofstra University | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

The only problem was the company wasn’t accurately verifying the people behind the accounts or ensuring that verified accounts hadn’t changed their names. Many people appeared to be creating obviously fake accounts to make fun of Musk and make a point about why Twitter Blue’s new system wouldn’t work. With Musk at the helm of the social media platform, it’s certainly possible for the subscription-based Twitter Blue to come back just as flawed. Given Musk’s flip-flopping nature so far, it’s safe to assume that the dangers that can come from verified spoof accounts on Twitter are still present. Not only have many verified accounts impersonated other people, but disinformation may be worsening.

☆ I work at Kleinfeld and help brides on 'Say Yes to the Dress.' I'm truly not acting on the show — here's what my job is actually like.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Perri Ormont Blumberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Lisa Fuhrman has worked at Kleinfeld for 14 years and is a regular on "Say Yes to the Dress." I've been working at Kleinfeld for the past 14 years, and I've been a cast member on the "Say Yes to the Dress" television series for 10 years. I was watching TV one day and came across "Say Yes to the Dress." We've just completed 20 seasons of "Say Yes to the Dress." Being part of 'Say Yes to the Dress' is so much funFuhrman with a happy bride.

Search resuls for: "Hofstra"

23 mentions found