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Victims' families and a survivor of a Maryland bridge collapse that killed six people filed claims Friday for wrongful death and punitive damages against the owner and the operator of the massive cargo ship that crashed into the bridge earlier this year. The 100,000-plus-ton ship Dali slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of March 26 as a work crew was fixing potholes. Six construction workers died when the bridge went crumbling down into the Patapsco River. The nearly two dozen crew members on the ship survived, along with two pilots who were helping the vessel navigate the harbor. Days after the bridge collapse, the ship’s Singapore-based owner and manager petitioned a Maryland court to limit their monetary liability to $43.67 million, the value of the ship and its cargo, based on a pre-Civil War provision of maritime law.

Persons: Dali, Francis Scott Key, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Jose Mynor Lopez, Miguel Angel Luna, Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval, Julio Cervantes Suarez, “, ”, ” Darrell Wilson, ” Wilson, General Merrick Garland, ” Cervantes Suarez, ” Suarez Organizations: Maryland Transportation Authority, Baltimore Port, District of Maryland Northern Division, NBC, Grace Ocean Private Ltd, Synergy Marine, Ltd, City, Justice Department, Justice, NBC News Locations: Maryland, Patapsco, Baltimore, U.S, Singapore, of Baltimore, City of Baltimore, ”

NBC News interviewed 10 women who say they gave birth with Baker, two in Wisconsin before 2014 and eight in Mexico in the years since. On social media, accounts with the usernames “Heather Baker Midwife” and “heatherbakermidwife,” one of which had her photo, sent “cease and desist” messages to Nosek and another former client. John Beard, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin licensing agency, declined to answer questions about Baker, citing an ongoing investigation. After an initial check when Baker arrived, Nosek told NBC News, Baker checked his heartbeat only four times after her labor began. Baker, Nosek said, tried to resuscitate him.

Persons: Jennifer Nosek’s, Heather Baker, Nosek, ”, Nosek’s, Baker, isn’t, Rene Lamos Nosek, she’d, Baker’s, Baker didn’t, “, ” Caroline Clancy, John Beard, didn’t, Jordan, ” Nosek, “ I’m, Rene Lemos, Joaquin, wouldn’t, Stephanie Mitchell, ” Baker, Mexico’s, Aviva Romm, Romm, Misoprostol, Anna Moneymaker, aren’t, Gynecologists, Luciana Suarez, Luciana Suarez Luciana Suarez, Suarez, Luciana Suarez “, Heather, ” Suarez, ” Misoprostol, Becky Whitmore, Kate McLean, “ That’s, ” Robin Benedict, Allan Spencer, Robin Benedict Heather Baker, Robin Benedict's, Robin Benedict Robin Benedict, Benedict, Jennifer Nosek, Laurita, Lemos, Lemos couldn’t, ” Lemos, He’s, Baker scribbled, who’d, they’d, Julian Zaire, Jackie Dives, Sayulita, Luciana Suarez’s, Thai Shaffer, Julian, you’ll Organizations: Canadian, NBC, FBI, Wisconsin Department of Safety, Professional Services, NBC News, Milwaukee, Jordan Siemens, Getty, Services, American College of Obstetricians, OB, PayPal, American College of, ” Locations: Sayulita, Mexico, Nosek’s, Wisconsin, Nayarit, Mexican, U.S, Canada, Alabama, contrx, Washington, American, Nosek, British Columbia, Joaquin

☆ Attempts to purge voter rolls increase as election nears
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

As of Tuesday, at least three dozen cases related to voter rolls and their maintenance are pending in 19 states, according to the liberal-leaning Democracy Docket, which tracks election litigation. The right-wing effort to purge voter rolls has largely centered around claims that noncitizens are casting illegal votes in favor of Democrats. “There’s always been some litigation about voter rolls and list maintenance. Reviewing voter rolls is a regular practice for states, and despite the 90-day quiet period, the NVRA does allow individuals to ask to be taken off lists close to an election. The federal law exempts some states if they allow voter registration on Election Day at polling centers where federal elections are conducted.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris ’, Brennan, “ There’s, ”, Uzoma Nkwonta, Nkwonta, ” Justin Levitt, “, Meritless, Biden, Jason Frazier, Earl Ferguson, Wes Allen, Allen, State Francisco Aguilar, Aguilar, Levitt, J, Christian Adams, Daniel Dale, Fredreka Schouten Organizations: Washington CNN, Republican National Committee, Justice Department, Brennan Center for Justice, New, Loyola Law School, Biden White House, Republicans, NGPAF, Biden, Trump ., DOJ, CNN, Alabama Republican, RNC, Nevada Democratic, State, Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, Survey, Michigan Bureau, Interest Legal Foundation Locations: Georgia , Nevada , Michigan, Wisconsin, New Georgia, Georgia, Fulton County, Fulton, Trump, Trump . Fulton County, Atlanta, Nevada, Michigan , North Carolina, Arizona, Michigan

☆ John Banuelos: What to know about the Jan. 6 shooter arrested three years later
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Thomas Lake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +33 min

He was still at large in July 2021, when he took part in a fight in Salt Lake City that left another man dead. He’d been living in a park in downtown Salt Lake City, and he’d decided to cook for his hungry new friends. The Salt Lake City Police Department also declined, even though its investigation into Senn’s death was complete. In recent years he appeared to split his time between Chicago and Salt Lake City. Mark Peterson/ReduxReturning to Salt Lake City by unknown methods, Banuelos resumed his frequent appearances in local police reports.

Persons: John Banuelos, ” “, ” — Derrick Evans, Banuelos, Christopher Senn, Victoria Thomas, “ Chris, ”, John, he’s, he’d, Chris Senn, John Banuelos Long, Chris, Chris ’, Gabe Hamilton, Thomas, Taylorsville, ” Christopher Senn, Victoria Thomas Chris, they’re, Randall, Talisha, Toro, “, ” Victoria, …, vaping, ” Banuelos, Michael Lawlor, George Floyd, Trump’s, I’m, Donald Trump, Mark Peterson, ‘ He’ll, ’, Senn, ‘ I’m, FBI hasn’t, John Banuelos “, Steven Parisot, Det, Weldon Wilson, ” Parisot, ” Wilson, Banuelos wasn’t, Sim Gill, … He’s, Gill, Rick Bowmer, ” Gill, that’s, “ Banuelos, Gary Wickersham, Rebecca Lavrenz, Grandma, Lavrenz, —, Derrick Evans, who’d, Evans, Will Price, ” Evans, “ …, hadn’t, Tanya Chutkan, Chutkan, Judge Chutkan, Trump, He’d, ” Chutkan, “ I’ve, Lawlor, ” Lawlor, ” Victoria Thomas, Victoria, Christopher Senn's, Victoria Thomas “, — Victoria Thomas, ” Randall Organizations: CNN, Capitol, FBI, Banuelos, Chicago Police Department, Independence, Salt Lake City —, U.S, Attorney’s, District of Columbia, Salt Lake City Police Department, DC, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Salt Lake City . Chicago Police Department, Police, U.S . Capitol, TRUMP, Trump, Salt Lake City, National Threat Operations Center, Vice News, Liberty, ” Police, KUTV, KSL, NBC, Army, Congress, West Virginia House, West, West Virginia Legislative, Justice Department Locations: Salt Lake City, Senn, Illinois, Liberty, Utah, Randall’s, Victoria, Salt Lake, Chicago, Burger, Washington, Banuelos, Salt Lake County, Colorado, West Virginia, ”, Salt, Valley, Provo , Utah

☆ Iranian hackers sent stolen Trump campaign info to Biden campaign associates, FBI says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Michael-Kosnar-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Michael Kosnar | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Iranian hackers have continued to make attempts since late June to transmit nonpublic stolen material tied to Trump’s campaign to media organizations, according to Wednesday’s statement, which noted that the FBI is tracking the activity. In a statement Wednesday, Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Iranians wanted to help Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee, "because they know President Trump will restore his tough sanctions and stand against their reign of terror." To be known as the Iran, Iran, Iran case!" Harris campaign spokesperson Morgan Finkelstein said the campaign has cooperated with law enforcement since it learned about the hacking effort. Law enforcement agencies contacted those people and the Biden campaign to make them aware of the emails, the sources said.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden's, Trump, Karoline Leavitt, Kamala Harris, Biden, Harris, Morgan Finkelstein, We’re, Finkelstein Organizations: Democratic, FBI, National Intelligence, Infrastructure Security Agency, NBC, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Trump, Biden, NBC News, Justice Department, United Nations Locations: Iran, Russia, China, Iranian

☆ Mansion to misery: A glimpse inside the prison Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs now calls home
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Artemis Moshtaghian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Described as “disgusting” with “horrifying” conditions, the detention center music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs now calls home is a far cry from the Miami and Los Angeles mansions he once lived in. A federal judge denied Combs bail Wednesday saying the bail proposal set forth by his defense attorneys was “insufficient” in addressing the court’s concerns. This after the Federal Bureau of Prisons shuttered its Manhattan complex shortly after multimillionaire financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in 2019. A month later, inmate Edwin Cordero died in a fight that broke out inside the prison. The incident prompted a Justice Department investigation assessing whether the Bureau of Prisons had “adequate contingency plans” to address inmate living conditions.

Persons: Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, he’s, ” Michael Cohen, Donald Trump, Cohen, R, Kelly, “, “ Pharma Bro ” Martin Shkreli, Ghislaine Maxwell, Sam Bankman, Ismael “ El, Ismael “ El Mayo ” Zambada Garcia, Combs, Judge Andrew Carter, Jeffrey Epstein, Emery Nelson, ” Nelson, ” Combs, Marc Agnifilo, “ He’s, ” Cohen, Combs ’, Uriel Whyte, Edwin Cordero Organizations: CNN, Miami, Metropolitan Detention Center, “ Pharma, Wap, Ismael “ El Mayo ”, Federal Bureau of Prisons, MDC, of Prisons, Urgent, MDC Brooklyn, Housing Unit, Prisons, New York Times, Department Locations: Los Angeles, “, New York, Brooklyn, Manhattan, New York City, M.D.C . Brooklyn

☆ Fantasy football feud leads to fake bomb threat, international investigation and federal charges, prosecutors say
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Josh Campbell | Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Gabriel wrote that the fellow fantasy football player was “headed around Oslo and has a shooting planned with multiple people on his side involved. Law enforcement officers in Norway and the US dedicated five days and hundreds of hours to investigating the threat, prosecutors said. While investigating Gabriel for the international hoax in Norway, prosecutors said they learned that Gabriel emailed another fictitious threat earlier this year – this time to the University of Iowa. In March, Gabriel emailed the university indicating the same fantasy football group member was threatening to “blow up the school,” which Gabriel knew was untrue, prosecutors said. Romero warned in her statement that hoax threats are a crime.

Persons: Matthew Gabriel, Gabriel, “, ”, Jacqueline Romero, ” Gabriel, Romero, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Philadelphia, US Justice Department, US, Office, Eastern, Eastern District of, Norwegian Police Security Service, FBI, University of Iowa, Eastern District of Pennsylvania Locations: Philadelphia, Eastern District, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Norway, Oslo

His new home is a notorious federal jail in New York City known for extreme violence and abominable medical care. Still, the conditions are horrid across the facility, according to interviews with more than a half-dozen defense lawyers and a review of court documents. “The agency as a whole has failed to assist MDC Brooklyn with the staffing crisis, hence allowing MDC Brooklyn to fail,” the union head, Rhonda Barnwell, wrote in a memo to Bureau of Prisons officials in June 2023. "That is why, earlier this year, the director appointed an Urgent Action Team to take a holistic look at the challenges at MDC Brooklyn," the spokesman added. A statute in the federal court system requires defendants who are out on bail to be remanded to jail after they are convicted.

Persons: Sean, Diddy, Combs, Gary Brown, Sam Bankman, Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, “, Xavier Donaldson, ”, Jeffrey Epstein’s, Rhonda Barnwell, Luis Rivas, Uriel Whyte, Edwin Cordero, Mr, Cordero, Andrew Dalack, Terrence Wise, wasn’t, LaShann DeArcy, Jonathan Goulbourne, Jesse Furman, Furman, Judge Brown, Brown, Daniel Collucci, Richard Kestenbaum Organizations: Metropolitan Detention, MDC, District, Justice Department, Metropolitan Correctional Center, Brooklyn, MDC Brooklyn, of Prisons, NBC News, . Justice, Urgent, New York Daily News Locations: New York City, Brooklyn, U.S, New York, Queens , New York, “

☆ Justice Department sues over Baltimore bridge collapse and seeks $100 million in cleanup costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A view of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., March 26, 2024. The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday sued the owner and manager of the cargo ship that caused the Baltimore bridge collapse, seeking to recover more than $100 million that the government spent to clear the underwater debris and reopen the city's port. The collapse snarled commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore for months before the channel was fully opened in June. The case was filed against Dali owner Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and manager Synergy Marine Group, both of Singapore. The companies filed a court petition days after the collapse seeking to limit their legal liability in what could become the most expensive marine casualty case in history.

Persons: Dali, Francis Scott Key, Merrick Garland, Grace, Grace Ocean, Chetan Patil Organizations: U.S . Justice Department, Wednesday, Francis Scott Key Bridge, Port, Justice Department, Grace Ocean Private Ltd, Synergy Marine Group, Synergy Locations: Baltimore , Maryland, U.S, Baltimore, Maryland, Port of Baltimore, Singapore, Sri Lanka, United States

☆ New $100M DOJ lawsuit details the 'unseaworthy' condition of the ship behind Baltimore bridge collapse
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. The ship's owner and manager, the lawsuit says, sent an "ill-prepared crew on an abjectly unseaworthy vessel to navigate the United States' waterways." The lawsuit calls the actions by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, the owner of the vessel, and the ship's operator, Synergy Marine Group, "outrageous, grossly negligent, willful, wanton, and reckless." Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for Grace Ocean Private Ltd and Synergy Marine Group, told Business Insider in a statement that the legal claim was "anticipated." AdvertisementThe lawsuit is also seeking punitive damages to deter any future "misconduct" by the owner and operator of the Dali.

Persons: —, Francis Scott Key, Dali, Grace, Darrell Wilson, Wilson, Merrick Garland, Garland Organizations: Service, Department, DOJ, Business, Grace Ocean Private Ltd, Synergy Marine Group, Grace Ocean Private, Justice Department, Synergy Marine, Private Locations: Singapore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, Port of Baltimore

☆ Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Alaska Airlines said on Wednesday it had completed its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines after reaching an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The airlines on Tuesday agreed to maintain key Hawaiian routes and adopt consumer protections under an agreement that will last six years. The Justice Department in August chose not to block the deal that was announced in December by Alaska, the fifth-largest domestic U.S. airline, to merge with Hawaiian, the 10th-largest carrier. Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci said in an interview that the deal would be good for competition and consumers and would expand access for consumers to both networks and give Alaska access to Hawaiian’s fleet of wide-body airplanes. Hawaiian Airlines’ stock will be de-listed and will cease trading on the Nasdaq on Wednesday, Alaska said in a statement.

Persons: Ben Minicucci, It’s, ” Minicucci, “, Joe Biden Organizations: Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, U.S . Department of Transportation, Justice Department, U.S, Department, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, American, JetBlue, Alliance, The Transportation Department, Nasdaq, New York Stock Exchange Locations: Alaska, U.S, New York City, Boston, United States, Honolulu

☆ Diddy remains jailed as judge expresses concern he could send 'coded messages' to employees
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewSean "Diddy" Combs will remain in jail after failing to convince the second federal judge in as many days to accept his $50 million bond package. Carter's decision may keep Combs confined in a notoriously violent and uncomfortable Brooklyn jail until he takes a plea or goes to trial. On Wednesday, Carter heard Comb's appeal on that decision — but agreed with Tarnofsky that Combs should remain behind bars. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have accused Combs of sex-trafficking, illegally transporting people for sex, and running a racketeering conspiracy. He said Combs could still try to use the employees at his many companies — possibly by using "coded messages" — to act on his behalf and potentially pressure witnesses.

Persons: —, Sean, Diddy, Combs, Andrew Carter, Cassandra, Cassie, Ventura, Carter, Robyn Tarnofsky, Tarnofsky, Emily Johnson, Johnson, I'm, he's, Marc Angliofo, Angliofo, Sam Bankman, Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, Michael Cohen, Cassie Ventura, Emma McIntyre, Agnifilo, Angifilio Organizations: Service, Business, Miami, Sage Intelligence, Records, of Prisons, Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention, Prosecutors Locations: Brooklyn, Manhattan, Ventura, Miami, Brooklyn's

☆ Diddy's lawyers are headed back to court Wednesday to negotiate his release from jail on a $50 million bond
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewLawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs are trying again Wednesday to keep him out of jail ahead of his criminal trial, asking another federal judge to accept a $50 million bond package. Tarnofsky's decision meant Combs would be in jail ahead of his criminal trial, which has not yet been scheduled. Related storiesAngifilio stressed at the Tuesday hearing and in court documents that Combs had taken extraordinary measures to cooperate with prosecutors for months. Carter, the district court judge, may now decide whether to reconsider the terms of Comb's release and set him free pending trial. Combs or prosecutors may also appeal Carter's decision to the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and from there to the US Supreme Court.

Persons: —, Sean, Diddy, Combs, Robyn Tarnofsky, Tarnofsky, Andrew Carter, Sam Bankman, Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, Michael Cohen, Marc Agnifilo, Cassie Ventura, Ventura, Agnifilo, Angifilio, Carter Organizations: Service, Business, of Prisons, Detention, Federal, Miami, Prosecutors, Metropolitan Detention, US, Circuit, Appeals Locations: Manhattan, Brooklyn's

☆ Russian disinformation peddlers are targeting Harris-Walz campaign with fake videos, Microsoft says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Kevin Collier | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Brandy-Zadrozny-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Russian disinformation peddlers are producing videos targeting the Harris-Walz campaign with false and disparaging claims, Microsoft said Tuesday. At least three Russian disinformation actors have been working to denigrate the Harris-Walz campaign, Microsoft said. Some of the disinformation comes in the form of two videos that have been disseminated since late August, Microsoft said. NBC News has viewed an upload of that video posted to X, which Microsoft confirmed is the alleged Russian disinformation. The report comes after the U.S. accused the Kremlin of running a multifaceted disinformation campaign to boost former President Donald Trump and disparage Harris.

Persons: Harris, Walz, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn’t, Darren Linvill, ” Linvill, Kamala Harris, Linvill, ”, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Microsoft, Justice Department, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NBC News, Media, Clemson, Democratic, Russia’s Internet Research Agency, Tenet Media, National Intelligence, Intelligence, Biden, Ukraine, FBI, The Justice Department, Trump Locations: San Francisco, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, U.S, China

☆ FBI investigating threatening letters sent to elections officials in several states
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Michael-Kosnar-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Michael Kosnar | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

The FBI is warning election offices to be on the lookout after threatening letters containing suspicious substances were sent to the offices of multiple secretaries of state throughout the country. A senior law enforcement official confirms elections officials in at least six states received packages on Monday, but so far none of the packages have been found to contain any actual hazardous material. Secretaries of state, attorney general offices and state election offices in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee, Wyoming and Oklahoma were targeted. The FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and state and local law enforcement partners are investigating multiple letters containing suspicious substances which have been mailed to Secretary of State's offices. The incident is also the second time in the past year that threats have hit multiple state election offices simultaneously.

Persons: —, Robert Evnen, Chuck Gray, State Paul Pate, State Tre Hargett, Doug Kufner, Donald Trump, Trump, State Jena Griswold Organizations: FBI, ”, NBC News, U.S . Postal, Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, Memorial Hall, Nebraska State Patrol, Lincoln, Lancaster County Health Department, Nebraska, State, Hargett Locations: Nebraska , Iowa , Kansas , Tennessee , Wyoming, Oklahoma, ” In Kansas, Iowa, Topeka , Kansas, Lincoln , Nebraska, Nebraska, Lancaster, Wyoming, Tennessee, California , Georgia, Nevada , Oregon, Washington, Colorado

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, left, and pilot Randy Holt dive in the company's submersible Antipodes in 2013. But Rush still had him inspect the Titan as it was nearing completion in early 2018, Lochridge said. The five people killed when the Titan submersible imploded in June 2023, clockwise from top left: Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Suleman and Shahzada Dawood. Lochridge testified Tuesday that he told Rush he shouldn't be in charge of that trip, but the CEO was adamant. (The submersible had gained attention when it was unveiled the previous year because it used a PlayStation controller for piloting.)

Persons: David Lochridge, OceanGate, Lochridge, Rush, Randy Holt, Wilfredo Lee, Andrea Doria, Stockton, Hamish Harding, Paul, Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood, Dawood, Tony Nissen, Nissen, —, shouldn't Organizations: Stockton Rush, U.S . Coast Guard, Coast Guard's Marine Board, Justice Department, Titan, Getty, LinkedIn, Coast Guard, Rush, PlayStation, Occupational Safety, Health Administration, OceanGate Locations: U.S, Washington, South Carolina, Scotland, Massachusetts

Social media giant Meta announced Monday that it is banning Russian media outlet RT, days after the Biden administration accused RT of acting as an arm of Moscow’s spy agencies. “After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. U.S. officials then accused RT of carrying out covert information warfare operations around the world on behalf of Russia's spy agencies. The Biden administration is imposing sanctions on a state-funded broadcaster that oversees RT, TV-Novosti; another state media company, Rossiya Segodnya; and its director, Dmitry Kiselyov, officials said. Meta started limiting Russian state-controlled media two years ago.

Persons: Biden, ”, James Rubin, Rossiya, Dmitry Kiselyov, cybercrimes, Meta Organizations: Meta, State Department, State, Global, Novosti, U.S . Justice Department, Democratic National Committee, Facebook Locations: Ukraine, Africa, Germany, Berlin, France, Paris, U.S, Russia

☆ Tech M&A has been thwarted by regulators, but dealmakers skeptical that election will change much
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Amazon abandoned its $1.7 billion purchase of iRobot in January after the FTC and European regulators raised concerns. Since peaking at $1.5 trillion in 2021, tech transaction volume has plummeted, dropping to $544 billion last year, according to Dealogic. Before the company announced its $27 billion purchase of data analytics software company Splunk last September, he said he viewed the risk as absolutely worth taking. Alphabet's last big deal was its $5.4 billion purchase of cybersecurity company Mandiant in 2022. Microsoft closed its massive $75 billion purchase of Activision in October, but it took 20 months and a protracted fight with U.S. and European regulators.

Persons: Lina Khan, Jonathan Kanter, Khan, Joe Biden, Drew Angerer, Biden, Permira, Thoma, Sen, JD Vance, Donald Trump's, Barry Diller, Reid Hoffman, Kamala Harris, Andrew Luh, Gunderson Dettmer, Figma, Dana Rao, Rao, We've, they've, Juniper, Salesforce, Antonio Neri, Pau Barrena, Neri, Sergio Letelier, hasn't, Letelier, Marc Benioff, It's Benioff's, Slack, Benioff, Derek Idemoto, who's, Idemoto, that's, Splunk, HPE's Letelier, it's, Harris, Trump Organizations: U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Justice, Brookings Institution, U.S, Senate, Getty, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Federal Trade Commission, iRobot, FTC, BlackRock, Thoma Bravo, KKR, Republican, CNBC, Democratic, Trump, Big Tech, Justice Department, DOJ, Apple, Meta, Adobe, European Commission, UK Competition, Markets Authority, Justice Department's Antitrust, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Mobile World Congress, MWC, AFP, Juniper, Markets, DOJ's Antitrust, European Union, EU, Software, Cisco, Activision, Foreign Investment, Regulators, Bloomberg, Tech Locations: Washington, Europe, Barcelona, Pau, Salesforce, United States

☆ Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian can close merger deal, DOT says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. Transportation Department said on Tuesday it had agreed to allow Alaska Airlines to close on its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, after the carriers agreed to maintain key Hawaiian routes and adopt consumer protections. The Justice Department in August opted not to block the deal that was announced in December by Alaska, the fifth-largest domestic U.S. airline, to Hawaiian, the 10th-largest carrier. The carriers said on Tuesday that they expect to close the deal in the coming days. DOT said Alaska and Hawaiian agreed to protect the value of frequent flyer rewards, maintain existing service on key Hawaiian routes to the continental United States and inter-island regions, ensure competitive access at the Honolulu airport and provide travel credits or frequent flyer miles for disruptions that are the fault of the airline. The agreement came after weeks of discussions between Alaska and DOT, which had sought wide-ranging concessions that went beyond what is in the agreement announced on Tuesday.

Organizations: U.S . Transportation Department, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Justice Department, U.S Locations: Alaska, United States, Honolulu, Alaska’s

Boeing 737-790 aircraft belonging to Alaska Airlines is seen flying at Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska, United States on July 2, 2024. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines can go through with their planned merger, but they must maintain the value of their airline reward systems and preserve several key routes, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Tuesday. The two carriers' $1.9 billion merger agreement cleared the U.S. Justice Department's review last month. That put it in the hands of the Transportation Department, which must also review airline mergers. The Department of Transportation noted that the airlines can begin the process of closing the merger, but still need approval for a transfer application, which allows them to combine and operate international routes under one certificate.

Persons: Anchorage Ted, Department's, Transportation Pete Buttigieg Organizations: Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Anchorage, International, Hawaiian Airlines, U.S . Department of Transportation, U.S ., Transportation Department, Transportation, Department Locations: Alaska, Anchorage , Alaska, United States, U.S

☆ Microsoft says Russian operatives are ramping up attacks on Harris campaign with fake videos
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Microsoft said Tuesday that Russian operatives have in recent weeks intensified their online attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign by producing and disseminating videos promoting “outlandish conspiracy theories” aimed at stoking US racial and political divisions. One of the inauthentic videos, which Microsoft said had been viewed millions of times, claimed to show Harris supporters attacking an attendee of a Donald Trump rally. Russian operatives promoted the latter story through a website pretending to be a local San Francisco media outlet, Microsoft researchers said. CNN has requested comment on the Microsoft report from the Harris-Walz campaign and from the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC. Tehran has conducted a covert social media activity in an effort to undercut Trump’s candidacy, US officials have said.

Persons: Kamala Harris ’, Harris, Donald Trump, denigrate, ”, haven’t, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Walz, ‘, Biden, “, ” Clint Watts Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, Russian, Ukraine, National Intelligence, Russian Embassy, Democratic, The, Department, Justice Department, Tenet Media, Monday, Trump, FBI Locations: San Francisco, Russia, Moscow, Russian, Washington , DC, Iran, Tehran

These notorious groups dominated organized crime in Chicago and New York for decades –- until prosecutors brought them down with one sweeping charge: racketeering. Blakey has helped draft racketeering laws in at least 22 statesIt’s not a specific crimeSimply put, racketeering means engaging in an illegal scheme. Prosecutors must prove a pattern involving at least two instances of racketeering activity to convict someone under the law. It’s purposefully broadCongress passed the RICO Act in 1970 to combat organized crime. But racketeering is “not only associated with organized crime,” Blakey says.

Persons: Gambino, Lucchese, Donald Trump, Kelly, Young Thug, Sean ‘ Diddy ’ Combs, G, Robert Blakey, Blakey, It’s, ”, Antonio Corallo, ” Blakey Organizations: CNN, Chicago Mafia, Notre Dame University, US Justice Department Locations: Chicago, New York

☆ Meta is banning Russian outlets including RT just weeks ahead of the US election
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewMeta is banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya, and other Russian state media networks from its platforms, claiming the outlets had used deceptive tactics to carry out interference activity. AdvertisementMeta's decision comes as Russian media faces increased scrutiny from the Biden administration. On Friday, the Biden administration hit Russian state media outlets with new sanctions, accusing RT of acting as an arm of Moscow's spy agencies by engaging in covert information warfare operations around the world. Representatives for RT and Rossiya Segodnya did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI, sent outside normal working hours. AdvertisementMeta, along with YouTube and TikTok, has already banned some Russian state media, including RT, in the EU, following requests from national governments after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Persons: —, Segodnya, Biden, James Rubin, Merrick Garland, Donald Trump, Meta Organizations: Service, Business, Meta, RT, State, Global, NBC, Department of Justice, Reuters, YouTube Locations: Ukraine, Tennessee, Russia, Russian

☆ Trump pivots from second apparent assassination attempt to more incendiary claims
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Ex-President Donald Trump responded to a second apparent assassination attempt that he blames on incendiary political rhetoric by inflaming the situation even more. He accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of inviting assassins to target him when they warn that he is a threat to democracy. But Trump’s claims that Biden and Harris bear direct culpability underscore the extreme nature of his own political instincts. Biden and Trump had a telephone conversation, and the president conveyed his relief that his erstwhile rival was safe. And when he refused to concede that he lost the 2020 election, Trump called supporters to Washington, DC, and told them to “fight like hell” or they wouldn’t have a country anymore.

Persons: CNN —, Donald Trump, Trump, Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, “, Biden, Harris, ” Trump, ”, Vance, Harris Trump’s, ” Ohio Sen, JD Vance, Tim Pawlenty, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Ryan Wesley Routh, Vance wouldn’t, Biden’s, MAGA, Daniel Goldman, Goldman, Debbie Dingell, he’ll, — Elon Musk, Kamala, ” Musk, Anthony Fauci, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Fauci, Mike DeWine, ” Vance, It’s, he’s Organizations: CNN, Washington, Service, Fox News Digital, Democratic, White, ”, Republican, Former Minnesota Gov, Justice Department, Trump, Biden, New York Rep, White House, Michigan Democratic, Georgia Rep, Media, Republican Gov, Wittenberg University, “, Union Locations: Florida, ” Ohio, Springfield , Ohio, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Virginia, Washington, Trump, Springfield, “ State

UVALDE, Texas — Relatives and friends of the victims of the Uvalde school shooting shouted “Coward! Gonzales and former school district police chief Pete Arredondo had been in the courtroom a few minutes earlier for the hearing. A Justice Department report said it was possible some children might have been saved had officers gone into the classroom earlier. Gonzales’ attorney had stopped to talk to the media. Gonzales’ attorney told reporters that investigative reports on the shooting by the Justice Department and the Texas House did not suggest prosecuting his client.

Persons: “ Coward, Coward, ”, Adrian Gonzales, Gonzales, Pete Arredondo, Gonzales ’, Brett Cross, Uziyah Garcia, Arredondo, Cross, “, Uziyah, Cazares, Jesse Rizo, Rizo, ” Rizo, Torres ’, Ruben Torres, Christina Mitchell, Mitchell Organizations: Justice Department, Texas House, NBC News, Border Patrol, Judicial, Protection Locations: UVALDE, Texas, Uvalde’s, Arredondo

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