DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Supreme Court acknowledges document in pending abortion case accidentally posted online
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Lawrence Hurley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Abortion rights activists hold signs as they gather at the U.S. Supreme Court to mark the second anniversary of the Court overturning Roe v. Wade, in Washington, U.S., June 24, 2024. , U.S., June 24, 2024. The Supreme Court on Wednesday acknowledged that it inadvertently posted online a document related to a pending abortion case, which was obtained by Bloomberg Law before it was removed from the website. Supreme Court spokeswoman Patricia McCabe confirmed that a document was "inadvertently and briefly uploaded" to the court website, but added that the ruling "has not been released." The case concerns whether a federal law that regulates emergency room treatment overrides Idaho's strict abortion ban. The Supreme Court is due to issue rulings on Thursday and Friday as it reaches the end of its current term.

Persons: Roe, Wade, Patricia McCabe, Biden Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Bloomberg Law, NBC, Bloomberg, Labor Locations: Washington , U.S, Idaho

☆ Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Biden Administration’s Contacts With Social Media Companies
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Adam Liptak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Supreme Court handed the Biden administration a major practical victory on Wednesday, rejecting a challenge to its contacts with social media platforms to combat what administration officials said was misinformation. The court ruled that the states and users who had challenged the contacts had not suffered the sort of direct injury that gave them standing to sue. The decision, by a 6 to 3 vote, left fundamental legal questions for another day. “For months,” Justice Alito wrote, “high-ranking government officials placed unrelenting pressure on Facebook to suppress Americans’ free speech. Because the court unjustifiably refuses to address this serious threat to the First Amendment, I respectfully dissent.”

Persons: “, Amy Coney Barrett, ”, Samuel A, Alito Jr, Clarence Thomas, Neil M, Gorsuch, Alito, unjustifiably Organizations: Court, Biden, Facebook

☆ Corruption Law Allows Gifts to State and Local Officials, Supreme Court Rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Abbie Vansickle | Adam Liptak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The Supreme Court limited the sweep of a federal law on Wednesday aimed at public corruption, ruling that it did not apply to gifts and payments meant to reward actions taken by state and local officials. The 6-to-3 ruling, which split along ideological lines, was the latest in a series of decisions cutting back federal anti-corruption laws. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, writing for a conservative majority, said that the question in the case was whether federal law makes it a crime for state and local officials to accept such gratuities after the fact. He wrote, “The answer is no.”Federal prosecutors’ interpretation of the law created traps for public officials, leaving them to guess what gifts were allowed, he added. If they guessed wrong, the opinion continued, the officials could face up to a decade in prison.

Persons: Brett M, Kavanaugh, “

☆ Anti-corruption laws: Supreme Court sides with mayor accused of accepting a bribe
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( John Fritze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with the former mayor of an Indiana city accused of accepting a bribe in exchange for a towing contract, the latest decision in which the high court has weakened federal anti-corruption laws. James Snyder, the former mayor of Portage, Indiana, was convicted of accepting $13,000 from a trucking company weeks after it was awarded a contract. The law at issue makes it a federal crime for local officials to “corruptly” take anything valued at over $5,000. Part of the challenge of the case was setting a standard for how to define “corruptly.”In a series of recent decisions, the Supreme Court has adopted a narrow interpretations of federal anti-corruption laws. Last year, the court tossed out fraud convictions in two cases involving former aides of then-New York Gov.

Persons: James Snyder, Snyder, Brett Kavanaugh, Portage Mayor James Snyder, Kyle Telechan, “, Andrew Cuomo Organizations: CNN, Portage Mayor, Tribune, New York Gov Locations: Indiana, Portage , Indiana, Hammond , Indiana

☆ Abu Dhabi wants to be an AI leader. Aligning with the US is just the start
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Amy Gunia | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The world’s first minister dedicated to developing artificial intelligence (AI) strategy is already becoming embroiled in a global power struggle for tech supremacy. The UAE is one of the world’s largest producers of fossil fuels, and Abu Dhabi sees its AI push as crucial for diversifying away from oil. Christopher Pike/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesWashington has also limited the sale of sophisticated US chips to ensure China doesn’t use Middle Eastern nations as a back door to access the newest AI technology, according to Reuters. By opening up the technology, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as an ally to developing nations that don’t have the resources to build their own AI tools. In March, a report commissioned by the US State Department warned that the most advanced AI systems could, in a worst-case scenario, “pose an extinction-level threat to the human species.”Olama has some specific concerns.

Persons: Biden, Omar Al Olama, “, Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, ”, ” Olama, Al Olama, ’ ”, Christopher Pike, Olama, Abu Dhabi’s, ” James Lewis, Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed bin, Gifty Sahany, Lewis, ” He’s Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, United Arab Emirates, UAE, PwC, Commerce Department, Huawei, Etihad, United, Bloomberg, Getty, Washington, Reuters, Nvidia, Apple, Technology Innovation Institute, Google, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Washington DC, University of Artificial Intelligence, Systems, US State Department Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, China, United States, Dubai, Gulf, United Arab Emirates, Beijing, Washington, University, Valley

☆ US new home sales plunged unexpectedly last month
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —Sales of newly built homes dropped last month as mortgage rates remained elevated. New home sales, which make up only about 10% of the market, fell 11.3% in May from the prior month, to 619,000, according to government data released Wednesday. That was the steepest monthly decline since September 2022 and marks the lowest level since November. Mortgage rates soared to the highest level of the year in early May and have since trended down. “Persistently high mortgage rates are keeping many prospective buyers on the sidelines,” NAHB chairman Carl Harris said in a release.

Persons: That’s, “, ”, Carl Harris Organizations: Washington CNN —, Federal, National Association of Home Builders, Housing, “ Locations: Wells Fargo

☆ Coup attempt underway in Bolivia as president urges people to mobilize against it
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In a video of Arce surrounded by ministers in the palace, he said: "The country is facing an attempted coup d'état. Military troops fire tear gas at people outside the Quemado Palace at the Plaza Murillo in La Paz on June 26, 2024. Bolivian President Luis Arce on Wednesday denounced the unauthorized gathering of soldiers and tanks outside government buildings in the capital La Paz, saying "democracy must be respected." Military troops are deployed at the Plaza de Armas in La Paz on June 26, 2024. Bolivian President Luis Arce on Wednesday denounced the unauthorized gathering of soldiers and tanks outside government buildings in the capital La Paz, saying "democracy must be respected."

Persons: Radoslaw, Luis Arce, Arce, Juan José Zúñiga, Raldes, Zúñiga, Evo Morales Organizations: Plaza Murillo, Getty, Army, Military, Bolivian, Wednesday, La Paz, AFP, Plaza de Armas, La Locations: Plaza, Casa Grande, Bolivian, La Paz, Murillo

☆ Biden may let US defense contractors deploy to Ukraine, but not like in Iraq and Afghanistan: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewPresident Joe Biden's administration is moving toward a plan that would allow US military contractors to deploy to Ukraine for the first time in a limited capacity, CNN reported. Advertisement"The President is absolutely firm that he will not be sending US troops to Ukraine," they added. AdvertisementThey also said that the move would likely see numbers from just a few dozen, up to around 200, contractors in Ukraine at any one time. In February, European leaders balked at French President Emmanuel Macron's statement that the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out. Allowing US private contractors to go to Ukraine would not be the first time that the Biden White House has crossed its self-imposed red lines regarding support for Ukraine.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Biden, Emmanuel Macron's, Macron Organizations: Service, CNN, Pentagon, Business, NATO, Biden White Locations: Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan

☆ NATO Will Offer Ukraine a ‘Bridge’ to Membership, Hoping That’s Enough
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Steven Erlanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

NATO will offer Ukraine a new headquarters to manage its military assistance at its upcoming 75th anniversary summit in Washington, officials said, an assurance of the alliance’s long-term commitment to the country’s security that has been heralded as a “bridge” to Kyiv’s eventual membership. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine — along with some Central European nations — had fervently hoped his country would be offered membership negotiations by NATO at the summit, which runs from July 9 to 11. Instead, the alliance will announce that it has agreed to set up a mission in Germany to coordinate aid of all kinds to Ukraine over the longer term, American and NATO officials said. The move is intended to send a strong signal of allied commitment, both to Kyiv and to Moscow, which hopes the West will grow tired of supporting the war. Because the mission will be under NATO’s auspices, it is designed to function even if Donald J. Trump, a sharp critic of the alliance and of aid to Ukraine, wins the U.S. presidency in November.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, —, Donald J, Trump Organizations: NATO, Central, Kyiv Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Germany, Moscow

☆ Europe is at risk of over-restricting AI and falling behind U.S. and China, Dutch prince says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Prince Constantijn is special envoy to Techleap, a Dutch startup accelerator. Patrick Van Katwijk | Getty ImagesAMSTERDAM — Europe is at risk of falling behind the U.S. and China on artificial intelligence as it focuses on regulating the technology, according to Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands. Prince Constantijn is the third and youngest son of former Dutch Queen Beatrix and the younger brother of reigning Dutch King Willem-Alexander. "We've seen this in the data space [with GDPR], we've seen this now in the platform space, and now with the AI space," Constantijn added. Plus, when it comes to developing applications that use AI, "Europe is definitely going to be competitive," Constantijn noted.

Persons: Prince Constantijn, Patrick Van Katwijk, Constantijn, Dutch Queen Beatrix, Dutch King Willem, Alexander, innovating, hasn't Organizations: Getty, CNBC, Union, EU, U.S, National Academies of Sciences Locations: Techleap, Dutch, AMSTERDAM, Europe, China, Netherlands, Amsterdam, U.S

☆ Treasury yields climb as investors weigh comments from Fed speakers
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The 2-year Treasury yield was last at 4.7306% after rising by close to four basis points. U.S. Treasury yields were higher on Wednesday as investors considered the latest comments from Federal Reserve officials about monetary policy and awaited key economic data. Investors digested remarks from Federal Reserve officials about the U.S. economy and the outlook for interest rates. Bowman also did not take further interest rate hikes off the table. Meanwhile, Fed Governor Lisa Cook on Tuesday said she only expects little change to inflation rates this year, but sees inflation "slowing more sharply" next year.

Persons: Michelle Bowman, Bowman, Lisa Cook Organizations: Treasury, U.S, Federal Reserve, Investors, PCE Locations: U.S

☆ The US Navy's turning to its third carrier strike group as its warships react to Middle East conflicts with no end in sight
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is currently in South Korea, but it will soon depart for the US Central Command area of responsibility. US Navy photo via APA carrier strike group is a naval formation that includes a carrier, its air wing, and several other warships such as cruisers and destroyers. Eisenhower strike groupThe Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group first deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean in October, bringing in more firepower alongside the Ford. Roosevelt strike groupSlated to replace the Eisenhower is the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. As for the other crises, the incoming Roosevelt carrier strike group has its work cut out for it.

Persons: —, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier, Gerald R, Ford refuels, Arleigh Burke, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, USS Carney, Roosevelt, Carney, Eisenhower, Dwight D, Ike, Theodore Roosevelt, Kyung, Maj, Pat Ryder, Ryder, Israel Organizations: Service, US Navy, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike, US Central Command, CSG, Business, Pentagon, Ford Carrier Strike Group, AP, Ford, Ticonderoga, Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, Eisenhower, British, European Command Locations: —, Gaza, South Korea, Gulf of Aden, Israel, Lebanon, Laramie, Normandy, Iran, Persian, Gulf, Aden, Yemen, Busan

☆ Crypto industry super PAC is 33-2 in primaries, with $100 million for House, Senate races
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Emily Wilkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Yet crypto's Fairshake PAC also got into the race and spent $2 million to air an ad critical of Bowman. But it's not just money that the crypto industry plans to deploy this fall. Jordan Vonderhaar | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe effort is also meant to showcase a matured crypto industry. Meanwhile, Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester told "Meet the Press" in 2022 that crypto did not "pass the smell test." Tester told reporters that he is keeping an open mind about several crypto bills before the Senate.

Persons: Jakub Porzycki, Jamaal Bowman, George Latimer, Israel, crypto's, Bowman, Fairshake, glided, John Curtis, Jamal Bowman, Evelyn Hockstein, Andreesen Horowitz, Coinbase, it's, Crypto, Brad Garlinghouse, Garlinghouse, Jordan Vonderhaar, Sam Bankman, Faryar Shirzad, Goldman Sachs, Sherrod Brown, Republican Bernie Moreno, Tim Sheehy, Sen, Jon Tester, Tester, Brett Kavanaugh, Kavanaugh, Mike Segar Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty Images WASHINGTON, Fairshake PAC, Westchester, Republicans, Democrats, Republican, United States Capitol, Reuters, CNBC, Bloomberg, Getty, White, Senate, Democratic, SEC, U.S Locations: Westchester County, Bowman's, Washington, Fairshake, Austin , Texas, Ohio, Montana

☆ Supreme Court allows White House to press social media companies to remove disinformation
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( John Fritze | Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the White House and federal agencies such as the FBI may continue to urge social media platforms to take down content the government views as misinformation, handing the Biden administration a technical if important election-year victory. Republican officials in two states – Missouri and Louisiana – and five social media users sued over that practice in 2022, arguing that the White House did far more than “persuade” the tech giants to take down a few deceptive items. That might include, the justices theorized, social media threats targeting public figures or disclosures of sensitive information about US troops. The case arrived at the high court at a time when the government has repeatedly warned of foreign efforts to use social media to influence elections. The jawboning case was one of several high-profile matters the court is deciding at intersection of the First Amendment and social media.

Persons: Biden, Amy Coney Barrett, “, ” Barrett, ” Biden, –, Hunter, John Roberts, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Alito, Samel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, ”, ” Alito, ’, unjustifiably, Vivek Murthy, Roe, Wade, Roberts, Kavanaugh, Barrett Organizations: CNN, White, FBI, Biden, Department of Homeland Security, Facebook, Republican, Centers for Disease Control, Infrastructure Security Agency, Supreme, National Intelligence Locations: – Missouri, Louisiana, Florida, Texas

☆ Election Updates: J.D. Vance says he’ll be disappointed if Trump doesn’t pick him as his running mate.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Michael C. Bender | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

And AIPAC’s attacks have galvanized a concerted countercampaign by the left to try to discredit the group, which is bipartisan, among Democratic voters. Mr. Latimer ran up large margins in more moderate suburban communities, including ones with sizable Jewish populations. Mr. Bowman’s opponents churned out an unusually large amount of opposition research against him, including old blog posts dabbling in Sept. 11 conspiracy theories. Mr. Latimer returned to the episode repeatedly to argue that Mr. “He’s making the party look really bad,” said Sandra Altman, citing Mr. Bowman’s fire alarm episode and his left-leaning views, as she voted for Mr. Latimer in Scarsdale.

Persons: Jamaal Bowman, ”, Bowman, George Latimer, Dave Sanders, Israel, Marshall Wittmann, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Gregg Vigliotti, Bernie Sanders of, Ayanna Pressley, ’, Latimer, Cori Bush, Biden, “, Bowman’s, Stephen Colbert, Cash Cobain, Ocasio, Sanders, Reagan, Paul Feiner, “ I’ve, he’s, ” Marsha Gordon, Ms, Gordon, “ Jamaal Bowman, Sandra Altman, “ He’s, ” Molly Longman Organizations: Democratic, Israel, Westchester County, AIPAC, The New York Times, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, ., The New York Times Left, Justice Democrats, Cortez of New York, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Massachusetts, Jewish, Democratic Party, Mr Locations: York, New York City, Gaza, Westchester, Israel, New York, Bronx, Cortez of New, Mount Vernon, Missouri, Yonkers, Latimer, Scarsdale, “, N.Y

☆ What the Supreme Court ruling on social media means
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

What can the US government tell social media companies to do? Republican-led states, including Missouri and Louisiana, along with five social media users, claimed in 2022 that those contacts with social media companies were in fact part of an unconstitutional government campaign to silence free speech. Why is the government talking to social media companies? It avoided ruling on whether the government’s communications with social media companies violated the First Amendment. The FBI resumed sharing some threat information with social media companies earlier this year, prior to the Supreme Court’s decision, CNN has previously reported.

Persons: Laura Edelson, Edelson, we’ve, ” Edelson, “ That’s, – didn’t, Amy Coney Barrett, Barrett, ” Barrett, ”, James Grimmelmann, Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, Nora Benavidez, ” Benavidez Organizations: CNN, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Republican, Meta, Twitter, Northeastern University, Democracy, Cornell University, “, Free Press Locations: Murthy v . Missouri, Covid, Missouri, Louisiana, United States, Washington, Silicon

☆ US officials went line-by-line through arms shipments to Israel with defense minister to rebut Netanyahu’s delay claim
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —American officials went through a line-by-line explanation of hundreds of US weapons shipments to Israel in meetings this week with the country’s defense minister in a bid to rebut claims from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that President Joe Biden was delaying military assistance. The meetings with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant came amid a growing spat between the Biden administration and Netanyahu, who has claimed that armaments are being delayed to the intense frustration of Washington. “We had a very good opportunity to sit down with experts from across our system and go through every single case,” a senior US administration official said. Since Netanyahu first took his complaints public last week, White House officials have brushed off some of his comments as motivated by politics as he works to maintain a fragile grip on power. We look forward to constructive consultations with the defense minister in Washington this week,” a White House official said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Yoav Gallant, Biden, Netanyahu, Gallant, ”, Netanyahu’s, –, Antony Blinken “, ” Netanyahu, wasn’t, “ Organizations: Washington CNN — American, White, Officials Locations: Israel, Washington, Gaza, Rafah

☆ Deadly Fire Exposes Harsh Conditions Migrant Workers Face in South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Choe Sang-Hun | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

They were descendants of Koreans who moved to Northeast China, fleeing Japan’s brutal colonial rule in the early 20th century. In a twist of history, many like them have come to South Korea in recent decades, looking for better-paying jobs in their forebears’ homeland, now one of the world’s richest countries. The disaster drew new attention to the stark realities faced here by migrant workers, from China and from elsewhere. South Korea, with its shrinking population, has been rapidly increasing the number of workers it accepts from abroad to toil at the lowest rung of its labor market. Foreign workers are nearly three times as likely as the average South Korean to die in a work-related accident, according to a recent study.

Persons: Locations: China, South Korea, Hwaseong, Seoul, Koreans

☆ How the Midwest Floods Nearly Took Out a Century-Old Dam
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Mitch Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Rapidan Dam, a feature of the southern Minnesota landscape for more than a century, was “in imminent failure condition.”“We do not know if it will totally fail or if it will remain in place,” officials said on Monday as dead trees and other debris piled up at the dam and floods overwhelmed the Upper Midwest. At one point, a support structure alongside the dam partly failed and gushing waters carved out a nearby cliff. Video footage showed a nearby building collapsing on itself and being sucked into the river. But by Tuesday, the main part of the dam was intact, and water flows were beginning to slow. “The Rapidan Dam, we think, is going to continue to hold up,” Bob Jacobson, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, said late Tuesday afternoon after state officials flew over the dam to survey the damage.

Persons: ” Bob Jacobson, ” Organizations: Minnesota Department of Public Locations: Minnesota, Midwest

☆ Year After Failed Mutiny, Russia Tightens Grip on Wagner Units in Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Elian Peltier | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For years, Russia covertly propped up authoritarian leaders, exploited natural resources and fought extremists in a number of African countries. Russia worked through the Wagner group, a shadowy web of political advisers, entrepreneurs and mercenaries. Wagner was led by Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, a ruthless tycoon who was once a close ally of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. But after Mr. Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny against Mr. Putin in June last year, Mr. Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash. The Russian Ministry of Defense has taken control of Wagner’s mercenary arm in Africa and placed it under a bigger umbrella group, Africa Corps.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny V, Vladimir V, Putin, Prigozhin Organizations: Mr, Russian Ministry of Defense, Africa Corps Locations: Russia, Western, Ukraine, Africa

☆ 2-year Treasury yield inches higher as investors await key data
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

ET, the 10-year Treasury yield was down by less than one basis point to 4.2457%. The yield on the 2-year Treasury was last at 4.7466% after rising by more than one basis point. U.S. Treasury yields were little changed on Tuesday as investors looked ahead to key economic data slated for the week, including fresh inflation insights. Investors looked ahead to several economic data points due this week as well as comments from Federal Reserve officials. While chances of a summer rate cut appear low, investors are looking for hints about whether the Fed may move to cut rates in September.

Persons: Mary Daly, Daly Organizations: Treasury, Federal Reserve, Traders, San Francisco Federal Locations: U.S

☆ Microsoft faces mega fine after EU takes issue with bundling of Teams and Office
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Hanna Ziady | Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Microsoft has violated European Union antitrust laws by bundling Teams with its other popular applications for businesses, EU officials said Tuesday, marking the bloc’s latest challenge to a US tech giant. If confirmed, the preliminary findings of an EU investigation could lead to a fine of up to 10% of Microsoft’s global revenue, which totaled $211 billion in its latest financial year. Apple, which has denied wrongdoing, also faces a huge fine if the charges are confirmed. “Preserving competition for remote communication and collaboration tools is essential as it also fosters innovation on these markets. If confirmed, Microsoft’s conduct would be illegal under our competition rules,” she added.

Persons: Apple, Slack, Margrethe Vestager Organizations: London CNN, Microsoft, Digital Markets, Apple, European Commission, Salesforce, CNN

☆ Surgeon General Declares Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Ellen Barry | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, on Tuesday declared gun violence in America a public health crisis, recommending an array of preventive measures that he compared to past campaigns against smoking and traffic safety. The step follows years of calls by health officials to view firearm deaths through the lens of health rather than politics. The National Rifle Association has vigorously opposed this framing and promoted legislation that effectively quashed federal funding for research into gun violence for a quarter-century. also unsuccessfully lobbied against Dr. Murthy’s nomination as surgeon general by Barack Obama in 2014, calling him “a serious threat to the rights of gun owners.”Dr. Murthy’s 32-page advisory calls for an increase in funding for firearm violence prevention research; advises health workers to discuss firearm storage with patients during routine medical visits; and recommends safe storage laws, universal background checks, “red flag” laws and an assault weapons ban, among other measures.

Persons: Vivek Murthy, Murthy’s, Barack Obama, ” Dr Organizations: National Rifle Association Locations: U.S, America

☆ Assange’s Plea Deal Sets a Chilling Precedent, but It Could Have Been Worse
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Charlie Savage | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The plea deal Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has reached with prosecutors is bad for American press freedoms. Under the deal, he is expected to walk free after spending more than five years in British custody, most of which were spent fighting extradition to the United States. The result is an ambiguous end to a legal saga that has jeopardized the ability of journalists to report on military, intelligence or diplomatic information that officials deem secret. Enshrined in the First Amendment, the role of a free press in bringing to light information beyond what those in power approve for release is a foundational principle of American self-government. This new precedent will send a threatening message to national security journalists, who may be chilled in how aggressively they do their jobs because they will see a greater risk of prosecution.

Persons: Julian Assange Organizations: WikiLeaks Locations: United States

☆ Fed officials are talking down the chance of rate cut this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —At the beginning of the year, Federal Reserve officials projected they would cut interest rates three times this year. The labor-force participation rate has leveled off after a post-Covid boom, and the US immigration policy rate may soon become more restrictive, limiting potential new labor market participants. “Reducing our policy rate too soon or too quickly could result in a rebound in inflation, requiring further future policy rate increases to return inflation to 2% over the longer run.”Investors weren’t happy to hear it. That’s why not taking preemptive action when it’s not necessary is so important.”Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee has also been particularly hawkish in his views. He also said rate hikes are “certainly not off the table.”Like Bowman and Kashkari, New York Fed President John Williams said rate hikes aren’t part of his baseline outlook.

Persons: Michelle Bowman, she’s, ” Bowman, Bowman, ”, Dow, Mary Daly, Daly, ” Daly, “ We’re, it’s, Austan Goolsbee, Goolsbee, Neel Kashkari, John Williams, he’s Organizations: London CNN —, Federal Reserve, Exchange, London ., Federal, Market, Nvidia, San Francisco Fed, Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California, Chicago Fed, Minneapolis, Kashkari , New York Fed, Commerce Department Locations: London, San Francisco, Kashkari , New

Search resuls for: "Officials"

25 mentions found