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☆ Manhattan prosecutor's office says Trump created a 'false expectation' of immediate arrest and accuses House Republicans of interfering with investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office fired back at Republicans on Thursday. In a letter, the DA's office accused the GOP of interfering in a legal investigation. Former President Donald Trump had earlier claimed he would be arrested on Tuesday. The letter from Bragg's office was published Thursday afternoon by Axios. That came after Trump, over the weekend, asserted that he would be arrested on Tuesday of this week.

☆ Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus Supplier Paid California Workers $1.58
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Department of Labor randomly investigated 50 clothing companies in Southern California. It found that more than 80% were breaking one or more provisions of federal labor law. One garment maker was paying workers just $1.58 an hour. In what the department described as a "particularly egregious case," one garment manufacturer — making clothes for brands including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Stitch Fix, and Von Maur, per investigators — was found to be paying some workers an hourly rate of just $1.58. It shows, she argued, "that strong federal action is needed to change the abusive pay rates in the American garment manufacturing industry."

☆ Kanye West's hateful comments about Jews may have inspired dozens of antisemitic incidents, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Charles R. Davis | Azmi Haroun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Anti-Defamation League counted 59 incidents in which antisemites cited the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Overall, ADL researchers found there was a 59% increase in antisemitic incidents last year. Overall, ADL researchers found there was a 36% spike in antisemitic incidents in 2022 compared to the year before, with the ADL tracking just under 3,700 cases across the country, the highest on record. "We're deeply disturbed by this dramatic and completely unacceptable surge in antisemitic incidents," ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. The ADL report comes after the FBI last year said that white supremacists "pose the primary threat" of domestic terrorism.

☆ Chinese media is claiming an Instagram post shows the US military stealing aid for earthquake victims in Syria. It's a bogus conspiracy theory.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Chinese state media promoted a conspiracy theory about the US stealing aid for earthquake victims. The false claims were based on US soldiers helping to distribute humanitarian aid in Turkey. That writing, the article states, is "exactly the same" as the writing on the aid "that China sent to earthquake victims in Syria." "The Americans are not only stealing oil from Syria," one user wrote, "but also humanitarian aid." A US soldier helps distribute aid to earthquake victims in Turkey.

☆ Trump is back on Facebook just in time to raise money as likely criminal indictment looms overhead
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Former President Donald Trump has returned to Facebook. On Friday, Trump used the platform to share a 12-second campaign video. Trump had been suspended from Facebook following the January 6 insurrection. Facebook parent company Meta had suspended Trump after the January 6 insurrection, citing his praise of violent rioters that sought to overturn the 2020 election at his behest. Trump has denied having any affair with Daniels and said he did not approve a "hush money" payment.

☆ A Spanish firm wants to kill one million octopuses a year using 'ice slurry' baths at first-ever factory farm
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A proposed commercial octopus farm is sparking outrage among experts and animal rights campaigners. The farm would slaughter roughly one million octopuses each year by submerging them in icy water. In a report released Thursday, the activist group said that Nueva Pescanova intends to slaughter around one million octopuses each year by submerging them in a freezing "ice slurry." In particular, it said, the slaughter of the octopuses "involves proper handling that avoids any pain or suffering to the animal." "To kill them with ice would be a slow death," Dr. Peter Tse, who studies octopus cognition at Dartmouth, told the BBC.

☆ A Philly cop has been charged with assault over a bar fight. In 2011, the Fraternal Order of Police made sure he didn't lose his job after being accused of punching his wife in the face.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Philadelphia police officer has been charged with assault over an alleged bar fight. The officer became enraged when someone put on hip-hop or R&B music, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The same cop was arrested in 2011 and accused of punching his wife. The same officer was arrested in 2011 and charged with simple assault and reckless endangering after he was accused of punching his estranged wife in the face at another bar. An FOP spokesperson told Insider that, this time around, the union "is not representing the officer and has no further comment."

☆ All 500 original members of a Ukrainian battalion were killed or wounded in fighting with Russia, commander says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

One commander said all 500 original members of his battalion had been killed or injured. Soldiers with significant combat experience "are all already dead or wounded," the commander said. "And there are only a few soldiers with combat experience," he told the Post. Off the 500 men he commanded last year, 400 have been wounded and another 100 killed, according to the Post. And for some reason, he has never thrown a grenade," he told the Post.

Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson bought $10 million worth of his company's stock last week, putting him at the top of the list for insider buying, according to VerityData and securities filings. Twilio, like many other tech stocks, deflated in 2022, and the stock is down about 80% since mid-October 2021. A $10 million buy from Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson on Feb. 24. A nearly $2 million buy from Impinj chairman Steve Sanghi on Feb. 23. On the smaller side, Charles Rivers Labs director Richard Wallman made his second insider buy in three months.

Frederick, the President of Howard University, at a press conference February 29, 2016, in the university's Founder's Library. Frederick is the 17th president of Howard University, one of 107 historically Black colleges and universities in the U.S., serving some 11,000 students across its undergraduate, graduate, and professional student programs. Frederick is the distinguished Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery at the Howard University College of Medicine. He is also a practicing cancer surgeon at Howard University Hospital, where he continues to see patients and perform surgeries. CNBC: The Department of Defense recently announced its selection of Howard University as the 15th university, and first HBCU, to lead a University Affiliated Research Center.

☆ War in Ukraine by the numbers: Mass deaths, billions in aid, thousands of destroyed tanks, and more stats that paint an image of Russia's unprovoked invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | Erin Snodgrass | Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

February 24, 2023, marked the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Billions of dollars of aid has been sent, and Russia has lost about half its fleet of tanks. When his troops invaded on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to quickly sweep through the country and capture Kyiv. Still, the cost of the war — in lives, dollars, and military equipment — has been high. AP Photo/Daniel ColeThe dead and woundedUkrainian refugees are seen after crossing into Poland on March 13, 2022.

☆ Alaska Republican Censured for Asking If Child Abuse Benefits Society
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An Alaska Republican has been censured by his colleagues for asking if fatal child abuse benefits society. At a hearing this week, Rep. David Eastman asked a witness if dead children save taxpayer money. ACT doesn't have a stance on abortion, per Alaska Public Media. On Wednesday, every one of his colleagues agreed to condemn him, voting 35-1 to censure him, according to Alaska Public Media. We cannot allow such atrocious, indefensible language to go undenounced," Alaska Democratic state Rep. Andrew Gray said, the outlet reported.

☆ First-Time CFOs Get a Crash Course in Managing Inflation, Volatile Markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Kristin Broughton | Anna Mutoh | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

Critical decisions made as CFO: Mr. Jepsen allowed the company to incur higher costs to expedite shipping for parts to factories and deliveries to customers. Enphase faced pressure last year from higher costs and the effects of a strong U.S. dollar. Ken Jacobson, CFO of Avnet Photo: AVNET INC.Ken Jacobson, Avnet Inc.Age: 45Career path: Mr. Jacobson, who had previously served as interim CFO from 2017 to 2018, stepped in officially as CFO in September. Mr. Jacobson says Avnet’s interest expenses on its debt have almost tripled over the past year. While there was some attrition in the beginning, it hasn’t been as bad as other companies, Mr. Jacobson said.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Palo Alto Networks, Coinbase, Dick's Sporting Goods, Amazon and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Coinbase — Shares of the cryptocurrency exchange fell 5% even after Coinbase reported a smaller-than-expected loss for the fourth quarter. Palo Alto Networks — The software company's stock gained more than 11% after its fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue beat analysts' estimates. Wingstop — Wingstop shares jumped 8% after topping analysts' estimates for the recent quarter, according to FactSet. Baidu — U.S.-listed shares of the Chinese tech company fell more than 3%, despite Baidu topping revenue estimates for the recent quarter. Wix.com — Shares of the website developer company surged nearly 14% after beating analysts' estimates for the fourth quarter, according to FactSet.

☆ McDonald's locations in Pennsylvania broke child labor laws, with kids under 16 operating deep fryers, Labor Department says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's locations in Pennsylvania employed more than 150 teenagers at hours prohibited by federal law. Children under the age of 16 were operating deep fryers, according to the US Department of Labor. In 2022, more than 3,800 children were found to be employed in violation of federal law; in 2012, that number was just over 1,600. Nine children were also found to be operating deep fryers before the legally required minimum age of 16. "The bottom line is that there is no excuse for jeopardizing young workers' safety or hindering their educational opportunities."

☆ Employers can't force you to keep quiet to get severance, labor board decides, reversing Trump-era rulings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Companies can't require employees to waive their rights as part of a severance agreement. In a ruling on Tuesday, the National Labor Relations Board said such requirements are "unlawful." Workers can't be forced to "choose between receiving benefits and exercising their rights," NLRB's Lauren McFerran said. Nondisparagement clauses, it reasoned, could prevent former workers from being able to assist investigations into ongoing labor law violations. In a statement, McFerran said Thursday's ruling reflected an understanding that "employers cannot ask individual employees to choose between receiving benefits and exercising their rights under the National Labor Relations Act."

☆ Republican Doug Mastriano told supporters he didn't get any money from Ohio derailment train operator Norfolk Southern. Records show he took $1,000.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano is holding a hearing Thursday on the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment. Mastriano, a Republican, recently denied receiving any money from train operator Norfolk Southern. "Biden's in Ukraine and Shapiro's MIA," the user wrote, praising Mastriano for visiting East Palestine over the weekend. Mike DeWine, a Republican, assured East Palestine residents that their drinking water is safe. He lauded the EPA for ordering Norfolk Southern to cover the cost of cleaning up the accident.

☆ King Charles's coronation to feature 12 new pieces of music
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Twelve newly commissioned pieces of music will play at the coronation of Britain's King Charles at Westminster Abbey this May, including Greek Orthodox music, Buckingham Palace said, with the 18th century "Zadok the Priest" also to be featured. Six orchestral commissions, five choral commissions and one organ commission have been composed for the occasion, the palace said on Saturday, including a new Coronation Anthem by musical theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber. Music by Elgar, Parry, and Williams were also performed at the crowning of Charles's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. Handel's coronation anthem "Zadok the Priest," which was composed for the coronation of King George II in 1727, will be played at the ceremony, the palace said. I hope my anthem reflects this joyful occasion," composer Lloyd Webber said of his coronation anthem in the statement.

☆ Ron DeSantis styles himself a culture warrior for God. But his push to expand the death penalty is 'deeply concerning' to the Catholic Church.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The Catholic Church is speaking out against a GOP push to expand the death penalty. Making it "easier to impose death is deeply concerning," Michael Sheedy of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops told Insider. 'Deeply concerning'Any effort to expand the death penalty in Florida will face obstacles: the state and US constitutions. "An execution represents a judgment by fallible human beings that a person is beyond redemption – a judgment the Catholic Church rejects," they said. Tony Argiz, right, recalled how the Catholic Church helped him when he came to the US from Cuba as an unaccompanied minor.

☆ IRS commissioner nominee to 'ensure that America's highest earners comply with tax laws.' Here are the key takeaways from Senate hearing
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., questions IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig at a Senate Finance Committee hearing. Tom Williams | Pool | ReutersPresident Joe Biden's nominee to lead the IRS answered questions during a Senate Finance Committee hearing this week, highlighting key issues from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, the audit and compliance priorities will be focused on enhancing IRS' capabilities to ensure that America's highest earners comply with tax laws. Daniel Werfel IRS Commissioner nominee"Just because [Werfel's hearing] was smooth doesn't mean there won't be a fairly charged environment with the House in Republican hands and the election coming," Everson said. During fiscal 2022, millionaires faced a 1.1% chance of an IRS audit, according to a recent report from Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

☆ Fox News producer said Laura Ingraham's interest in false Dominion voter fraud claims 'is going to give me a fucking aneurysm'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Charles R. Davis | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In a text message, a Fox News producer complained about Laura Ingraham promoting election conspiracy theories. "This dominion shit is going to give me a fucking aneurysm," Tommy Firth texted a Fox News colleague. The message was revealed in a court filing from Dominion Voting Systems, which is suing Fox for defamation. "This is the Bill Gates/microchip angle to voter fraud," Mitchell responded. Numerous audits and investigations have failed to uncover any evidence of mass voter fraud in any state.

☆ Childbirth is far more dangerous for women than the abortion pill, American Medical Association tells the Texas judge weighing mifepristone ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The American Medical Association is urging a Texas judge to reject an effort to ban mifepristone. This is not an opinion — it is a fact based on hundreds of medical studies and vast amounts of data amassed over the course of two decades," the brief states. But pregnant teenagers, the medical groups note, have levels of progesterone far greater than their non-pregnant peers. "There is no reason to think, nor is there evidence to show, that preventing the absorption of progesterone for a brief window would have any effects on adolescent development," the brief states. Republican attorneys general also submitted a brief arguing that the availability of the drug infringes on the right of states to regulate abortion.

☆ John Fetterman checks into Walter Reed hospital to receive treatment for depression
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

US Senator John Fetterman is currently at Walter Reed hospital receiving treatment for depression. In a statement, his office said Fetterman checked himself in on Wednesday night. Fetterman, elected last fall, is recovering from a May 2022 stroke that has impaired his ability to process speech. Fetterman is currently being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Jentleson said he is "receiving treatment on a voluntary basis." "After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself," Jentleson said.

☆ Trump and Kushner's Saudi Ties Are an Ethical Minefield: Watchdog
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Weeks after leaving office, Jared Kushner obtained a $2 billion investment from the Saudi government. The Saudi support came despite the kingdom's own financial advisers urging against any investment in Kushner's new company, citing the "inexperience" of its top brass. Let's start with Jared Kushner before we get into the LIV Golf situation. You have John Bolton, Trump's own national security advisor, making it very clear that you had somebody, like Jared — and President Trump, apparently — working to promote their business interests. Trump, not only did he keep his company, the Trump Organization, but he's a transactional president, right?

☆ Judge orders Samuel Bankman-Fried to stop using a VPN after his lawyers claim he only used one to watch the Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A judge on Tuesday ordered Bankman-Fried to stop using a VPN. To allay any concerns, however, the attorneys said Bankman-Fried would immediately stop using the VPN. On Tuesday afternoon, Judge Kaplan made that a condition of his bail, adding the use of a VPN to a list of other prohibited internet activities, Reuters reported. Use of a VPN, Kaplan ruled, "presents many of the same challenges." Prosecutors allege that Bankman-Fried used deposits in the cryptocurrency exchange to finance investments placed through Alameda Research, another company he founded.

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