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☆ An Ambitious Antiracism Center Scales Back Amid a Funding Slowdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Stephanie Saul | More About Stephanie Saul | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The reorganization is partly a sign of the times. Until the university established the center, the 41-year-old Mr. Kendi had never run an organization anywhere near its size. On Wednesday, Boston University announced it was conducting an inquiry into complaints from staff members, which include questions about the center’s management culture and the faculty and staff’s experience with it, as well as its grant management practices. The university said Friday that the center has raised nearly $55 million and its endowment contains about $30 million, with an additional $17.5 million held in reserves. The bulk of the donations came from pledges made during the first year, and the university reported $5.4 million in cash and pledge payments in the most recent fiscal year.

Persons: Floyd’s, Kendi, America — Organizations: ESPN, Boston University Locations: America

☆ Prince William Takes a Dip in New York’s East River
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Callie Holtermann | More About Callie Holtermann | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Wearing a fluorescent orange life preserver and rubber gloves that reached his biceps, Prince William waded — ever so carefully — into New York’s East River. Damp onlookers watched the prince toss a few juvenile oysters in a bucket, then wade through waist-deep water until he reached the shore. Relief was palpable among staff of Billion Oyster Project, a nonprofit aiming to restore oyster reefs to New York’s waterways. This time around, the staff’s preparations included ordering new waders, the type of waterproof overalls worn by fly fishermen. “We were like, what size waders does the prince wear?” Jessi Olsen, the corporate partnerships manager for Billion Oyster Project, said.

Persons: Prince William waded —, Queen Elizabeth II, Jessi Olsen Locations: New, East

CNN —A federal judge on Friday rejected former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows’ bid to move his Georgia criminal case to federal court, a significant setback for Meadows and a troubling sign for former President Donald Trump. Meadows was the first of five defendants who already filed motions to move the case to federal court – and Trump is expected to do so, too. ‘Outside Meadows’ federal role’The indictment identifies eight overt acts Meadows allegedly took in furtherance of the scheme to overturn the 2020 election results. Meadows argued that these actions were part of his federal duties – and thus, the case should be moved to federal court – but Jones disagreed. independent of its conclusion” in the Meadows case, Jones wrote.

Persons: Mark Meadows, Donald Trump, Steve Jones, Meadows, ”, Jones, Obama, –, Trump, Fulton, ” Jones, Brad Raffensperger, Joe, “, Fani Willis ’, Jeffrey Clark, David Shafer, Cathy Latham, – Shawn Still, Shafer, Latham, would’ve, “ It’s, ” Meadows, Raffensperger, ” Raffensperger Organizations: CNN, White House, Meadows, US, White, Staff, Circuit, Appeals, Georgia, Trump, Fulton, Prosecutors, DOJ, GOP, Former Georgia Republican, GOP Coffee, House, Republican Locations: Georgia, Fulton County, Meadows, ”, Meadows ’, New York, Trump’s, United States, Fulton

☆ Capitol physician medically clears McConnell after health scares prompt new questions over his leadership position
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is medically cleared to continue his schedule, the US Capitol physician said Thursday, after he froze for the second time in as many months in public. “I have consulted with Leader McConnell and conferred with his neurology team. Even if they have a meeting, there’s no mechanism to force a vote on the party’s leadership. “The leader sounded like his usual self and was in good spirits,” said Ryan Wrasse, a spokesman for Senate GOP Whip John Thune, who spoke to the GOP leader. “Obviously his first responsibility is to the voters of Kentucky,” GOP Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota told CNN in July.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, McConnell, “, Dr, Brian Monahan, ”, Monahan, –, hasn’t, McConnell’s, Sen, John Barrasso, Jim Banks, McConnell didn’t, Banks, Joe Biden, neurosurgeons, ” Biden, Ryan Wrasse, John Thune, Kelley Moore, Shelley Moore Capito, “ Sen, Capito, ” Capito’s, GOP Sen, Kevin Cramer of North, ” Cramer, John Cornyn, Cornyn Organizations: Washington CNN, GOP, Capitol, CNN, Republican, West Virginia Republican, Senate, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota Locations: Covington , Kentucky, Indiana, Kentucky, “

That's because the Federal Reserve has been hiking interest rates since March 2022 in an effort to cool inflation. So the question remains: When will we finally see interest rates start to come down? CNBC Select asked three experts to give their take on what lies ahead for interest rates. What we'll coverWhen will interest rates come back down? Existing loans with a variable rate may also start charging less interest as the Fed lowers interest rates.

Persons: Amy Hubble, hasn't, Preston Caldwell, Caldwell, Hubble, Elliot Eisenberg, you'll, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, CNBC, Federal, Market, Morningstar Research Services, Ally Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, Jumbo, Navy Federal Credit, PNC Bank, PNC Bank Mortgage, Savings, Axos Bank, FDIC, CNBC Select's, Facebook, Twitter Locations: U.S

☆ Analysis: A remarkable day at Fulton County jail as Trump's surrender looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

And yet, the flurry of activity on Tuesday in Fulton County, Georgia, showed that more than two years after Trump’s effort to defy the will of voters, the wheels of justice are grinding forward and that consequences may be nearing. Eastman later defiantly claimed the country had crossed a “Rubicon” in the Georgia case and declared he still believed the election was stolen – despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary. And Rudy Giuliani, the hero of 9/11, is set to meet with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday to discuss a bond agreement, sources told CNN. What the Fulton County theatrics say about the caseThe events unfolding at the Fulton County jail this week are important because they shed light on the contours and complexity of the Georgia case. He also visited the site of a post-election audit in Cobb County, Georgia.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, he’s, Jenna Ellis, she’s, John Eastman, Mike Pence, Joe Biden’s, Eastman, Scott Hall, Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, He’s, Bernie Kerik –, Giuliani, who’d, Jack, Lago, Taveras, Fani Willis, Meadows, Brad Raffensperger, Jeffrey Clark, Willis, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, Republican, Electoral College, White House, New York Police, Trump, Mar, Georgia, Former Locations: Atlanta, Fulton County , Georgia, Georgia, Fulton County, Fulton, Manhattan, Meadows, Cobb County , Georgia

☆ Ukraine counteroffensive: 'Partial success' near Robotyne, Russian attacks repelled in Kupiansk area, says Ukraine's Military
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Olga Voitovych Mariya Knight Sophie Tanno | Olga Voitovych | Mariya Knight | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Ukraine has claimed “partial success” at a village along the southern front, as Kyiv’s counteroffensive continues to struggle to make significant progress. Ukraine claimed “partial success” near the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces said. The Institute for the Study of War [ISW] said even marginal gains by Ukraine in this area are significant. On Thursday, Ukraine claimed “partial success” in gaining positions in the area. Russian forces attempted offensives near Kupiansk which were repelled in a number of settlements in the area, according to the Ukraine General Staff’s daily update.

Persons: ”, Ukraine’s Organizations: CNN, Staff of, Armed Forces, Ukraine, Russian, Staff, Lyman, Eastern Military Group, Strategic Communications, Staff’s Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Kupiansk, Kharkiv, Crimea, Donetsk, Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia, Urozhaine, Eastern Ukraine

The Biden Administration announced $39 billion in automatic loan forgiveness to 804,000, according to a July 14 press release from the U.S. Department of Education. This wave of student loan forgiveness is separate from the forgiveness plan outlined in August 2022 that the Supreme Court recently struck down in June 2023. Under Secretary James Kvaal said in the statement that "millions of borrowers had earned loan forgiveness but never received it." Who qualifies for the Biden Administration's student loan forgiveness? With the Biden administration's widespread student debt relief blocked by the Supreme Court, the future of student loan forgiveness is currently on hold.

Persons: James Kvaal, Kamala Harris, Mark Kantrowitz, they've, accrual Organizations: Biden Administration, U.S . Department of Education, Supreme Court, Federal, Department of Education, Biden, CNBC, of Education, Department, Education, Supreme, The, CNBC Select's, Facebook, Twitter

☆ Fact Check-Online conspiracies link Pixar’s use of the number A113 with adrenochrome
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Yet, some online link Pixar to the QAnon conspiracy theory by saying the number represents the chemical adrenochrome. A tweet that has garnered at least 980 retweets reads: “Has anyone heard of this A-113 equals Adrenochrome? A113 AT PIXARInsider reported in February that references to the number A113 are in at least 23 Pixar movies, including its first studio film Toy Story (here). GOOGLEThe link between adrenochrome and A113 may stem from screenshots accompanying these claims on social media that show that searching the terms “a113 chemical” or “A-113 chemical” on Google brings up the Wikipedia page for adrenochrome. There is no chemical link between “A113” and the substance adrenochrome.

Persons: Brad Bird, Andrew Stanton, Pete Doctor, John Lasseter, Lasseter, Pete Docter, adrenochrome, ”, Kabrena Rodda, Read Organizations: Pixar, California Institute of the Arts, PIXAR, CalArts, Reuters, Wired, McGill University’s Office, Science and Society, American Chemical Society International, Committee, Google Locations: mater, adrenochrome

☆ The 101 Best Amazon Prime Day Deals 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Nick Guy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

We’ll be updating this page frequently over the course of Prime Day, so be sure to come back often to see what’s new. They’ll be coming and going throughout Prime Day, and we’ll regularly be updating this section with our favorites as they’re available. Thankfully, third-party retailers including Amazon have no such qualms, and we’re seeing plenty of deals for Prime Day. KitchenMake meal prep more enjoyable from your morning cup of coffee to your after-dinner tipple with these Prime Day deals. Check out these beauty buys on sale for Prime Day and as well as discounted fashion finds recommended by the team at the New York Post.

Persons: Nick Guy, They’ll, we’ll, We’ve, Smart, fryer Organizations: Apple, Apple Apple, Amazon, Tech, VR, New York

☆ Indian CEO of Dukaan replaced 90% of staff with an AI chatbot
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The average time taken to resolve a customer’s issue also dropped by almost 98% when they interacted with the chatbot, he tweeted. Shah said the job cuts were “tough” but “necessary.”Shah told CNN Wednesday that the 23 layoffs were made in September. By introducing the technology, the company has cut the cost of its customer support function by about 85%, Shah said. Shah told CNN that he believed “in a future where AI and humans work together, each doing what they do best,” and that he was exploring opportunities to use AI in work involving graphic design, illustration and data science. AI fearsThe news of the layoffs comes as fears that AI will result in mass job losses have escalated eight months after Open AI released its AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT to the public.

Persons: Shah, ” Shah, “, Dukaan, ChatGPT Organizations: London CNN, Summit Shah, Twitter, CNN, Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Development, OECD Locations: Bangalore

☆ Zaporizhzhia: Ukraine warns Russia might blow up nuclear power plant. How worried should we be?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Russian troops have placed “objects resembling explosives” on roofs at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address Tuesday that instantly sparked concerns around the world. That is, Russia may claim that any explosion at the power plant was the result of reckless Ukrainian shelling, rather than its own explosives. Grossi points on a map of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, March 2022. “The whole thing was saying: Russia’s basically going to have to kill me, in order for me not to make this nuclear power plant more safe. The Zaporizhzhia plant seen from the banks of the Dnipro on June 16, after the Nova Kakhovka dam collapse.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Zaporizhzhia, “, Kyrylo Budanov, ”, ” Karolina Hird, Dmitry Peskov, ” Peskov, –, Rafael Grossi, Petro Kotin, Joe Klamar, William Alberque, ” Alberque, Russia’s, Alberque, Alina Smutko, ” Cheryl Rofer, Stringer, Xi Jinping, Putin Organizations: CNN, Kremlin, Institute for, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, United Nations, Russian, Grossi, Getty, Technology, International Institute for Strategy Studies, CAN, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Rescuers, Reuters, Russia, Financial Times Locations: Ukrainian, Russia, Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia oblast, Kyiv, Europe –, Dnipro, Enerhodar, Russian, AFP, Nova, Moscow, ZNPP, Pennsylvania, India, Pakistan

☆ TikTokers are using this Google Flights trick to book cheap airfare — here’s how it works
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Jasmin Suknanan | Jason Stauffer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

However, TikTokers recently found a way to lower some of those travel costs, particularly when it comes to booking flights. The Google Flights "trick" is simple, but does require some flexibility in terms of where and when you're willing to travel. Here's how the feature works: Step 1: Open up your browser and type in Google Flights. Some TikTokers who posted about this trick have shown themselves finding flights to Cancun for $270 and Las Vegas for $94. Consider booking a flight with a layover While direct flights are convenient, flights with a layover often cost less.

Persons: it's, there's, TikTokers, You'll, you'll, Chase, Airfares Organizations: NerdWallet's, Google, Labor, New, Las, Chase, American, American Express, CNBC, Card, Delta, U.S . Supermarkets, CNBC Select's, Facebook, Twitter Locations: New York, New York City, Atlanta, Toronto, Cancun, Las Vegas, U.S, Italy

☆ Oregon Town’s Marijuana Boom Yields Envy in Idaho
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Kurtis Lee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

For John Leeds, the hour-and-a-half commute to and from his job as assistant manager at Treasure Valley Cannabis Company is exhausting, but logistically unavoidable. Like nearly half of the other employees, Mr. Leeds, 39, lives in Idaho and travels along Interstate 84, past sprawling alfalfa and onion fields, to the marijuana shop just across the Oregon state line, where cannabis is legal. “It’s really two different worlds,” Mr. Leeds said. “A lot of whiplash on this issue just in a car ride up and down the highway.”Every day, hundreds of customers and workers like Mr. Leeds make the pilgrimage from Idaho to Ontario, Ore., a small city nestled along the Snake River that is home to 11 dispensaries — roughly one for every 1,000 residents. They can compare the aromas of various strains of marijuana and gather the staff’s insights on THC levels in edibles.

Persons: John Leeds, “ It’s, Mr, Leeds Organizations: Treasure Valley Cannabis, Leeds, — Locations: Treasure, Leeds, Idaho, Oregon, ”, Ontario, edibles

It was one the president deployed once again behind closed doors at the White House. With Memorial Day on the horizon, senior White House officials said protecting veterans’ benefits was a top priority. They also knew it was a sensitive issue for Republicans’ politically, especially as House Republicans parried White House allegations about cuts to veterans’ services. White House officials would engage in conversations where their Republican counterparts would outline a potential resolution on issues. For months, White House officials hoped – and to some degree based on past battles, expected – Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell would engage in finding a resolution.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, “, ” Biden, Kevin McCarthy, simmered, Steve Ricchetti, Louisa Terrell, Shalanda Young, reticence, Biden didn’t, McCarthy, ’ carveouts, Republicans ’, Republicans parried, ” Terrell, ”, ” Young, Jeff Zients, –, would’ve, that’s, ” Zients, ” Ricchetti, Patrick McHenry, Young, Michael Linden, Ricchetti, McCarthy’s, Mitch McConnell, Terrell, McHenry, Garret Graves, Graves, Dan Meyer, they’ve, “ There’s, you’re, cleaver Organizations: CNN, Resolute, Legislative, White, Republican, FBI, Republicans, Internal Revenue Service, SNAP, Congressional, Office, Progressive, Young, White House, GOP, Biden, Republican Rep, Congress, dropoff, Air Force Academy Locations: Washington, Garret Graves of Louisiana, McHenry, Louisiana, Ukraine, Colorado

Follow our live updates for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment proceedings. The Republican-dominated Texas House has scheduled a vote on the impeachment of the state’s Republican attorney general, Ken Paxton, for Saturday at 1 p.m. In February, Mr. Paxton agreed to pay $3.3 million in a settlement with the four former senior aides. Many of the investigators’ findings about Mr. Paxton were already known publicly, from the allegations made in the aides’ lawsuit. In 2015, his first year in that office, Mr. Paxton was charged with felonies related to securities fraud and booked in a county jail outside Dallas.

☆ Staff Members Attacked With Bat at Congressman’s Virginia Office
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Remy Tumin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A person armed with a baseball bat attacked two congressional staff members at a district office in Northern Virginia on Monday after asking to speak with Rep. Gerry Connolly, the congressman said in a statement. Mr. Connolly, a Democrat, said the individual committed “an act of violence” at his Fairfax, Va., office against two members of his staff, who were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Fairfax City Police said on Twitter that an individual was in custody. My District Office staff make themselves available to constituents and members of the public every day,” Mr. Connolly said in a statement. “The thought that someone would take advantage of my staff’s accessibility to commit an act of violence is unconscionable and devastating.”Mr. Connolly represents a swath of the Northern Virginia suburbs west of Washington, D.C.

Koume, a 5-year-old mongrel, was handed an official letter of appreciation by local fire officials at a special ceremony last month for her valiant work at a horse riding club in Wakaba-ku, Chiba City. According to the horse riding club, a man in his fifties collapsed at the riding park on February 25. Koume, a usually placid pup, raised the alarm with her barks which then allowed people to rush to the man’s aid. “Koume is usually quiet and barks only under rare circumstances,” Yuna Maruo, a 23-year-old riding instructor who took part in saving the man that day, said. “But when an emergency arises, Koume does bark.”The Wakaba Fire Department said life saving treatment can be given to heart attack victims if people are alert to “the slightest change.”The appreciation letter given to Koume by Wakaba Fire Department to recognize her life-saving effort.

☆ Intelligence leak: NYT: Leader of online group where leak documents were posted is a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Kevin Liptak Jeremy Herb Natasha Bertrand Evan Perez | Kevin Liptak | Jeremy Herb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guardsman has been identified by The New York Times as the leader of an online gaming chat group where a trove of classified documents was posted. CNN has not independently verified the identity of the chat leader or the FBI’s interest in talking with him. While there’s a large number of people who had access to the documents, investigators have been able to home in on a small number for closer scrutiny thanks to the forensic trail left by the person who posted the documents. On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that the person behind the leak worked on a military base and posted sensitive national security secrets in an online group of acquaintances. The Pentagon has begun to limit who across the government receives its highly classified daily intelligence briefs following a major leak of classified information discovered last week.

Washington CNN —The Pentagon has begun to limit who across the government receives its highly classified daily intelligence briefs following a major leak of classified information discovered last week. All the email lists have been reviewed, a senior defense official said, and some restrictions may only be temporary. Everyone on the lists had proper clearance, but not everyone needs to receive that information daily, the official added. Previously, slides from the Joint Staff briefing deck could be accessed by hundreds, if not thousands, of people across the government, officials said. “Having to scale that distribution back, even temporarily, is a bitter pill,” said the source familiar with internal joint staff deliberations.

CNBC Select asked Brian Walsh, a CFP and Senior Manager of Financial Planning at SoFi, to share some of his best tips for making travel more affordable. Plus, waiting too long could mean the more affordable hotel and vacation rental options fill up, leaving you stuck paying for pricey accommodations. Many travel rewards credit cards can make booking flights and hotels more affordable thanks to the large welcome bonuses they may offer. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Learn More Information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. Remaining flexible and using rewards points when booking your travel plans is key to significant savings.

☆ 3 ways to easily check if your bank account is FDIC insured
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Nearly all banks are insured by the FDIC, which protects your deposits up to $250,000 (per person, bank, and account type). CNBC Select explains how to check if your bank is an FDIC member, as well as what you need to know about the types of bank accounts the FDIC protects. 3 ways to check if your bank is FDIC insuredThe FDIC makes it easy to check if your bank is insured. Check online You can easily discover if your bank is FDIC insured using the BankFind Suite tool. Marcus by Goldman Sachs High Yield Online Savings Learn More Goldman Sachs Bank USA is a Member FDIC.

To help you get started, CNBC Select rounded up a list of the best mortgage lenders first-time homebuyers should consider. Types of loans offered: The most common kinds of mortgage loans include conventional loans, FHA loans and VA loans. The most common kinds of mortgage loans include conventional loans, FHA loans and VA loans. Fees: Common fees associated with mortgage applications include origination fees, application fees, underwriting fees, processing fees and administrative fees. Common fees associated with mortgage applications include origination fees, application fees, underwriting fees, processing fees and administrative fees.

☆ Is the money in your bank account safe? Here's what to know if you're worried about your deposits
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

But a checking account and savings account won't necessarily be in different categories. However, if you had a joint savings account, then the savings account balance would fall under a different category. As you're shopping around for a deposit account, you can find out if a bank is insured with the FDIC's BankFind tool. It's also a good idea to open checking accounts or savings accounts with no monthly maintenance fees and the highest interest rate you can find. Below are a few of the best deposit accounts with FDIC insurance, according to CNBC Select's rankings:Ally Interest Checking Account Learn More Ally Bank is a Member FDIC.

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