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☆ The history of the swastika: From a sign of luck and fortune to a symbol of evil
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The statue was discovered alongside a range of "phallic objects," suggesting the swastika was used as a good luck symbol to invite fertility. Swastika in EuropeWorshipers of the Norse religion used the swastika symbol as early as 401 AD. US art director Steven Heller, author of "Swastika: Symbol Beyond Redemption?" Co-opted by the NazisSome researchers believe that people of Aryan culture used the symbol as a sign of luck and prosperity. Sheetal Deo and her husband, Sanmeet Deo, hold a Hindu swastika symbol in their home in Syosset, N.Y., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.

☆ Bodycam footage shows cops forcefully arresting a Black family at a Starbucks car park. A jury awarded them $8.25 million in damages.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Black mother and her two daughters were detained at a Starbucks car park in California in 2019. A California jury awarded the family more than $8 million on Wednesday, court documents show. After an altercation, Holland ordered all three family members out of the car and detained them, the video shows. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Insider's for comment. It happened in a Starbucks car park, not in the actual shop.

☆ Bodycam footage shows cops forcefully arresting a Black family at Starbucks. A jury awarded them $8.25 million in damages.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Black mother and her two daughters were detained at a Starbucks in California in September 2019. Bodycam footage shows the family were handcuffed after the mother refused to show her ID. A California jury awarded the family more than $8 million on Wednesday, court documents show. After an altercation, Holland ordered all three family members out of the car and detained them, the video shows. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Insider's for comment.

☆ The vote on DC's crime law has nothing to do with crime for some House Democrats
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Most House Democrats voted to uphold DC's criminal code revisions to support the District's right to self governance. That's why he was among 173 Democrats who opposed a GOP-led House measure last month to overturn the District's controversial crime law revisions. "The District of Columbia residents and their local leaders should have the ability to make those decisions," Horsford, of Nevada, told Insider. Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut also told Insider the problem for her was, "Congress intervening and overturning a local vote." House Democrats are furious that Biden left them hanging, especially after his administration put out a statement opposing the GOP measure.

[1/2] A Pilot Flying J travel center is pictured, as motor fuel retailer has expanded into oil and petroleum trading, transportation and biofuels, in Channelview, Texas, U.S., October 31, 2021. REUTERS/Gary McWilliams/File PhotoFeb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. fuel retailer Pilot Company is trimming its energy trading operation, according to three people familiar with the matter, days before billionaire investor Warren Buffett is expected to take majority control of the firm. About 15 employees were released on Monday, most tied to an expansion two years ago into crude oil trading, said two of the people. "Pilot Company is committed to sustained growth and innovation across our travel center network and energy division," Konar said. That year, Pilot expanded its fuel trading business by adding financial trading and a Mexico trading specialist to gain better insight into the market and sell fuel it did not need for its own operations.

Biden will deliver his second State of the Union address at about 9 p.m. (0200 GMT Wednesday). It will be broadcast live on major U.S. broadcast television networks and online by the White House and the House of Representatives. The speech could deliver Biden his largest television audience of the year. The White House has also invited Brandon Tsay, who disarmed a gunman responsible for a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California. Republicans have picked Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as White House press secretary under Donald Trump, to deliver their response.

☆ Biden says police who 'violate' trust should be held accountable in State of the Union
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday renewed his call for police reform, saying officers who "violate the public trust" should be held accountable and law enforcement officials should be given the necessary training and be held to higher standards. We have to do better," Biden added, referring to the death of Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old Black man who was fatally beaten by Memphis police officers in January. "Public safety depends on public trust but too often that trust is violated .... "When police officers or police departments violate the public trust, they must be held accountable." Members of the Congressional Black Caucus had called on Biden to use his State of the Union speech to push for police reform in the wake of Nichols' death.

Following are some of the guests expected to attend:* Brandon Tsay: Tsay was called a hero by authorities for disarming a gunman who shot dead 11 people during a celebration of the Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, California. The White House called it a "recognition of sustained U.S. support for Ukraine nearly a year after Russia launched its unprovoked attack." * The White House has also invited Paul Pelosi, husband of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "The attack reportedly was politically motivated, with the intruder's alleged intent to harm and kidnap the former Speaker," the White House said. The United States completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan in August 2021 after a 20-year war.

☆ Factbox: Biden State of the Union guests include Monterey Park hero, ex-Afghan diplomat
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Brandon Tsay displays the Metal of Courage award he received for stopping the Monterey Park shooter, at a Lunar New Year ceremony in Alhambra, California, U.S., January 29, 2023. Following are some of the guests expected to attend:* Brandon Tsay: Tsay was called a hero by authorities for disarming a gunman who shot dead 11 people during a celebration of the Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, California. * The mother of Tyre Nichols, RowVaughn Wells, and his stepfather, Rodney Wells: Nichols, a Black motorist, died after being beaten by police following a Jan. 7 traffic stop. * Former Afghan Ambassador to the United States, Roya Rahmani: Rahmani was Afghanistan's first female ambassador to the United States, serving in the post from December 2018 until July 2021. The United States completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan in August 2021 after a 20-year war.

☆ Biden's bully pulpit is Democrats' best policing reform tactic as Congress grapples with Tyre Nichols' death
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Warren Rojas | Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

On Monday he said making the George Floyd Act the law of the land is long overdue. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the funeral service for Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Now he wants to see Congress act in a bipartisan way to "make transformational change," she said. House Democratic Caucus chair Pete Aguilar was much less optimistic about policing reform opponents suddenly rallying around the Floyd Act or any other substantive proposals. "The thing is, it may have been Tyre Nichols yesterday.

☆ Biden to discuss police reform with Congressional Black Caucus members Thursday
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Summer Concepcion | Ghael Fobes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Congressional Black Caucus will meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday to discuss police reform in the wake of the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by police in Memphis, Tennessee. The caucus confirmed Tuesday that its meeting with Biden was set for Thursday and will include Horsford and a small group of attendees, not the entire caucus. "President Biden spoke yesterday with Representative Horsford and plans to host a small group of Congressional Black Caucus members at the White House this Thursday to discuss police reform legislation and other shared priorities," Olivia Dalton, White House principal deputy press secretary, told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday. Several White House officials are scheduled to attend the funeral for Nichols on Wednesday, Dalton said. Biden expressed his condolences for Nichols' death and commended the family's courage and strength, the White House said.

☆ Tyre Nichols' parents and man who disarmed Monterey Park gunman invited to Biden's State of the Union
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Summer-Concepcion-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Summer Concepcion | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

The parents of Tyre Nichols and the man who disarmed the suspected Monterey Park shooter have been invited to attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address Feb. 7. The brutal beating of Nichols by Memphis police and the mass shooting at a dance hall in Monterey Park, California, this month have renewed calls for policing and gun control measures. But only an hour after she spoke with Tsay, the president himself asked Tsay to be his guest, Chu said. TODAYThe president spoke with Nichols’ parents and Tsay in the wake of the tragedies. Biden called Tsay last week to thank him for his act of courage in disarming the Monterey Park shooter.

☆ Parents of Tyre Nichols invited to State of the Union address after public outcry following his death: 'Law enforcement has an obligation to do its job'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The parents of Tyre Nichols are invited to next week's presidential State of the Union address. Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, extended the invitation. Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, extended the invitation to Nichols' grieving parents. "Everyone should agree people should be safe, safe in our communities and law enforcement has an obligation to do its job," Horsford told host Rev. Reuters reported the war in Ukraine is expected to be a prevalent topic in the annual speech, but Nichols' death has reignited national protests and political conversation about police accountability and reform that may also be highlighted.

☆ Tyre Nichols' mother, stepfather to attend Biden State of the Union speech
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Laure AndrillonWASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols, the Black man who was fatally beaten by Memphis police officers, have accepted an invitation to attend U.S. President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in February. The Congressional Black Caucus also said it was in talks with the White House about a meeting to discuss police reform. Biden spoke on Friday to Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, and his stepfather, Rodney Wells. Nichols' mother hoped the tragedy could lead to a "greater good," the family's attorney said. Biden will deliver his second State of the Union address on Feb. 7.

☆ Six battleground states will hold the key to the White House in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

AP Photo/Andrew HarnikGeorgia2012 margin: Romney +7.8%2016 margin: Trump +5.1%2020 margin: Biden +0.2%For decades, Republicans could easily depend on the Peach State's electoral votes falling into their column. Two years later, Biden won the state by roughly 12,000 votes over Trump, followed by the dual 2021 runoff victories of Sens. AP Photo/Matt RourkePennsylvania2012 margin: Obama +5.4%2016 margin: Trump +0.7%2020 margin: Biden +1.2%Biden's hometown of Scranton is dear to his heart so Pennsylvania was always going to be a key state for the party in 2024. AP Photo/Andy Manis, FileWisconsin2012 margin: Obama +6.9%2016 margin: Trump +0.8%2020 margin: Biden +0.6%Wisconsin is one of the most politically-divided states in the country. But Trump flipped Wisconsin to the GOP in 2016, the first time it had supported a Republican presidential nominee since 1984.

☆ House Democrats reject a rules change that could've empowered junior members amid concerns about aging leadership
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

"Six years is a pretty long time," Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia told Insider at the Capitol earlier this month. "I'm not for term limits," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told Insider during a briefing with reporters at the end of November. "I'm not taking a position on any single rules proposal that is before the House Democratic Caucus," he said. Another prominent young lawmaker — 33-year-old Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York — has also been vocal in her criticism of the system. "Whatever the mechanism is, we need to have more opportunities for people to bring their leadership to bear in different places," she told Insider.

☆ Mistrial declared after jurors deadlocked in Danny Masterson rape trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Taylor Romine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge declared a mistrial in the rape trial of actor Danny Masterson on Wednesday after jurors remained deadlocked, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said. Masterson was charged in 2020 with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents occurring between 2001 and 2003, CNN previously reported. “While we are disappointed with the outcome in this trial, we thank the jurors for their service,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement. In 2017, Netflix and producers of “The Ranch” wrote Masterson off the show amid rape allegations. At the time, Masterson said he was “obviously very disappointed” by the decision, in a statement to CNN.

In Arizona Senate, Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly is ahead of Republican Blake Masters by 115,000 votes with 80% in. On Dobbs, the national exit poll showed 27% of voters picking abortion as their No. And remember that our final NBC News poll found Trump as one of the most unpopular political figures we measured, especially compared with President Biden. In each state, those Democratic secretaries of state nominees were running against Republicans who cast doubt on the 2020 election result. Two of those five feature Democrat vs. Democrat contests, thanks to the state’s Top 2 primary, so those will stay in the Democratic column.

☆ Walmart's PAC has quietly donated nearly $1 million to campaigns ahead of the midterms. While the company has a ''don't rock the boat strategy,' it contributed to 41 election deniers.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Ben Tobin | Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

WALPAC donated almost 50-50 to Democratic and Republican federal candidates for the midterms. Walmart's PAC donated to 41 candidates who denied the 2020 presidential election results, ProPublica found. Of that, about 53% went to Republican candidates, and 47% went to Democrats. Some members of Congress, particularly among Democrats, also reject any corporate PAC contribution — WALPAC or otherwise — as a matter of practice. However, the company did donate a significant amount of money to candidates who voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results.

Chinese equities make up 31% of the MSCI Emerging Market index (.MIEF00000PUS), a popular stock index that many funds track and benchmark their performances against. Fund research firm Morningstar tracks nine new emerging market ex-China equity mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that were created this year, matching the number of launches in total over the previous two years. If Aubrey was to remove China from its emerging market strategy, the Indian market would take a significant portion, while the rest will be spread around other countries including Vietnam, Brazil and Mexico, he said. OUTFLOWSAndrew McCaffery, Fidelity International's global chief investment officer, said they have received increased requests from clients for emerging markets excluding China strategies, although the purpose was to “break China out as an allocation separately within global portfolios”. “The challenge is that they (global investors) are not going to be quick to add back in,” he said.

☆ Trial begins for Danny Masterson, 'That '70s Show' actor charged with rape
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

LOS ANGELES — A prosecutor described rape allegations by three women Tuesday against “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson from two decades ago that contained some of the same disturbing elements. One of them said he dragged her to his bed where she regained consciousness to find him having sex with her. Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo sternly reminded the lawyers that Scientology would not dominate the trial. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they were victims of sexual abuse unless they come forward publicly. Weinstein’s second rape and sexual assault trial — he’s already been convicted in New York — is happening simultaneously, just down the hall from Masterson’s.

☆ Blackstone and Prologis turned warehouses from safe and boring investments into white-hot assets. Now they're battling to see who can own more.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Alex Nicoll | Danielle Walker | Daniel Geiger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

In other words, big money is buying up warehouse space as fast as smaller owners can sell. The coronavirus pandemic accelerated this change, with warehouse investment outpacing office investment in 2020 and 2021, according to CBRE. A Prologis warehouse in Ichikawa City, Japan. Prologis, Blackstone, and the rest of big money duke it outOther big-money investors have increasingly invested in warehouses. The UK's Segro once sold warehouse space to Blackstone — now it's acquiring its own warehouses for last-mile delivery that Blackstone might have otherwise picked up for itself.

WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday passed a package of police funding and public safety bills, legislation that will help vulnerable Democrats blunt GOP campaign attacks that they want to “defund the police” and are ignoring rising crime. John Minchillo / AP fileThe passage of four policing and safety bills came after some last-minute, intraparty drama earlier in the day. Had they followed through, it would have derailed the entire package and dealt Democrats an embarrassing blow on a major campaign issue before the midterms. The Gottheimer bill, which easily passed 360-64, would provide grants to local police departments with fewer than 125 sworn officers. While there is Senate support for some of the House-passed bills, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has no plans to bring a policing package to the floor before the Nov. 8 midterm election.

WASHINGTON — Moderate and progressive House Democrats struck a deal Wednesday on a long-awaited policing and public safety package, a breakthrough they hope will unify the party on a key issue weeks before the midterm election. The package includes four bills written by moderate Democrats. Another by Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey would provide grants to local police departments with fewer than 125 sworn officers. A third, by Rep. Katie Porter of California, would provide grants for mental health professionals and other resources. Two other policing bills, written by moderate Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Dean Phillips, D-Minn., that had previously been a part of the negotiations were removed from the package announced Wednesday.

☆ Steve Bannon's donor-fraud charges in New York include money laundering, conspiracy, scheme to defraud
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-08 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Steve Bannon has been charged in Manhattan with money laundering, conspiracy, and scheme to defraud. The charges are less severe than in the federal 'We Build the Wall' case Trump pardoned him on. Read Bannon's new 'We Build the Wall' donor-scam indictment here. A handcuffed Steve Bannon is escorted to his seat at the defense table in Manhattan Supreme Court on September 8, 2022. Kolfage and co-defendant Andrew Badolato, both of Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan in April and have yet to be sentenced.

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