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☆ GOP House candidate declared himself a 'homophobe' as college student body president
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

An article in the school's student paper that included Coughlin's purported remarks. Coughlin, first elected student body president in 1989, had the power to appoint a new senator. That led another student senator to accuse Coughlin of discriminating against the student on the basis of his sexuality, at which point the student paper quoted Coughlin in February as saying he was "homophobic." In the guest column he wrote two weeks later, Coughlin sought to straighten things out, saying he had appoint another student because of his previous service in student government. The future state lawmaker would go on to lose reelection as student body president that spring, owing in part to the controversy.

Persons: —, Kevin Coughlin, Emilia Sykes, Coughlin, shirk, Coughlin's, they're, it's, Cierra Shehorn Organizations: Service, Republican, Democratic Rep, Ohio Senate, Ohio House, Bowling Green State University, Business, BG, Gay Alliance Locations: Ohio

☆ Space elevators could get us to Mars in record time — and Japan is planning one for 2050
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The concept of space elevators isn't new, but engineering such a structure would be no easy feat, and many other issues besides technology stand in the way. Japan aims to build a space elevator by 2050Japan's Skytree Tower is tall, but it's nowhere near as big as a space elevator. AdvertisementAccording to some designs, space elevators would shuttle cargo to orbit on electromagnetic vehicles called climbers. Other estimates for space elevators in general have put the price at $227 per pound. For instance, a space elevator's tether would be under such incredible tension that it would be prone to snapping, Johnson said.

Persons: —, Yoji Ishikawa, Ishikawa, Christian Johnson, Johnson, Garlic, There's, Victor Habbick, Obayashi, haven't Organizations: Service, Business, Obayashi Corporation, Kyodo, Science, Getty, NASA, Obayashi Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Earth

☆ Opinion | Alito No Longer Tries to Hide His Theocratic Worldview
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Jesse Wegman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Alito has long made clear his special solicitude for religious claims, whether before the court or on the flagpole outside his house. Still, it should shock us to hear him lay out his worldview so bluntly — and to a woman he never met before. It shows an utter lack of regard for the court’s delicate posture of neutrality in the constitutional system and American society. For a long time, Alito seemed like an outlier on the court, lobbing his sour, grievance-filled dissents from the sidelines. In that regard, this is really the Alito court.

Persons: Roberts, Samuel Alito can’t, “, ”, Alito, Mike Johnson, theocrats Locations: godliness

☆ French Open quarterfinal recap: Sinner world No. 1, Roland Garros feels like clay again
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Matthew Futterman | Charlie Eccleshare | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Follow live coverage of Day 10 at the 2024 French OpenWelcome back to the French Open briefing, where The Athletic will explain the stories behind the stories on each day of the tournament. On Day 10 of Roland Garros 2024, the men’s tour got a new world No. Today’s headline was defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrawing from the French Open. 1 on Monday, regardless of who wins the French Open title. Ons Jabeur may have lost, but her French Open run has been a boost to her confidence.

Persons: Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Ash Barty, Aryna Sabalenka, Grigor Dimitrov, Djokovic, Sinner, “ It’s, ”, Dimitrov, Coco Gauff, what’s, Gauff, Jabeur, “, It’s, Carlos Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Alcaraz, Swiatek, Rafael Nadal —, Marketa Vondrousova, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Mirra, Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur, Christian, Eamonn Dalton Organizations: U.S, Bulgarian, Wimbledon, French, Getty, The Athletic Locations: Paris, 3400RPM

☆ Opinion: The Paris Olympics are holding an uncomfortable mirror up to France
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Opinion Adam Plowright | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Every host country of the Olympic Games faces a reckoning. But the world’s biggest sporting event holds a mirror up to a nation like few other events. After a public investment of billions of dollars and years of preparations, what do we, the host country, want to show the world about ourselves? Far-right leader Marine Le Pen took aim at Nakamura’s supposed “vulgarity,” suggesting that her representing France would “humiliate” the country. “What is the point of holding the Olympic Games in France if we then hide who we are?” asked Marion Marechal, an arch-conservative whose party attracts the country’s disaffected Catholics.

Persons: Adam Plowright, “, Emmanuel Macron –, Read, Adam Plowright Adam Plowright, —, it’s, Emmanuel Macron, Aya Nakamura, John Shearer, Edith Piaf, ’ Marion Marechal The, Marine Le, ”, clapped, Marion Marechal Organizations: CNN, Olympic Games, trudging, Twitter, Facebook Locations: France, Paris, tracksuits, New York City, Mali, Invalides

☆ Go inside one of the world’s most iconic hotels: Raffles Hotel Singapore
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Few hotels are as synonymous with old world grandeur and colonial architecture as the Raffles Hotel Singapore — the hotel of choice for the city-state's visiting elite since it first opened in 1887. Built upon three hectares near the city's Central Business District, the hotel is itself a tourist attraction. Visitors stop to photograph its ornate façade or to sip a Singapore Sling at the drink's birthplace, the hotel's Long Bar. But half of the hotel is reserved for guests only, said Managing Director Christian Westbeld. Watch the full video to see more of Raffles Hotel Singapore.

Persons: Rudyard Kipling, Catherine , Princess, Christian Westbeld Organizations: Raffles Hotel, Central Business District, Sling, CNBC Locations: Raffles Hotel Singapore, Wales

☆ Ukraine claims it hit missile system in Russian territory with Western weapons
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Anneclaire Stapleton | Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Ukrainian forces claimed Monday that they had successfully hit a Russian S-300 missile system using Western-supplied weapons inside Russian territory. On Russian territory. The first days after permission to use Western weapons on enemy territory,” Ukrainian government minister Iryna Vereshchuk posted on Facebook alongside a picture purporting to show the strike. This comes just days after US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine permission to carry out limited strikes using US weapons in Russian territory around Kharkiv, after several European nations had removed restrictions on how the weapons can be used. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised Biden’s decision to allow some strikes in Russian territory as a “step forward” that will help his forces defend the embattled Kharkiv region.

Persons: Iryna Vereshchuk, Joe Biden, Vereshchuk, Franz, Stefan Gady, Ukraine “, ” Mathieu Boulegue, Vladimir Putin, Biden, Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: CNN, Facebook, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Kharkhiv, Chatham House, Ukrainian Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Kharkiv, Washington, Moscow, Russia, Crimea, United Kingdom, Kherson, France, Germany

☆ Nigel Farage enters UK election race, in more bad news for Sunak’s Conservatives
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Christian Edwards | Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

While that might not be enough to win Reform more than a few seats, it could contribute to the Conservatives losing dozens more seats to Labour. The Conservatives’ Farage problem will not fade soon. As well as becoming leader, Farage announced he is “coming back for the next five years.”“We already know that the Conservative Party will be in opposition. The weaker the Conservative Party is after the election, the more heat Farage can put on them. There are as many in the Conservative Party who find Farage appalling as there are who’d like to see him join the party.

Persons: Nigel Farage, ”, Farage, Rishi Sunak, Donald Trump, “, I’ve, It’s, Farage’s, Sunak Organizations: London CNN, Conservative Party, European Union, Reform, Independence Party, UKIP, Conservatives, Labour Party, Labour, Tories, Conservative Locations: Clacton, Manhattan, London, Rwanda

☆ Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid transfer: The full inside story
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Mario Cortegana | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +12 min

Real Madrid have been trying to land Kylian Mbappe for years — and now they finally have their man. Several meetings were held on the matter, but some senior figures at Madrid were not convinced it was a good idea. First of all, there were concerns the club’s interests could be damaged again after Mbappe’s rejection two years ago. On February 13, a Tuesday, Real Madrid played away against RB Leipzig in the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie. In his acceptance speech, he did acknowledge Al-Khelaifi, who in 2021, 2022 and 2023 repeated that his star player would not leave PSG for free.

Persons: Mbappe, Germain, —, Madrid, Florentino Perez, “, ” Mbappe, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, ”, –, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Perez, Jose Angel Sanchez, Sanchez, Angel Martinez, Vinicius Jr, waiving, PSG’s, Franck Fife, Carlo Ancelotti, Mbappe’s, Fayza Lamari, Mustafa Yalcin, Luis Enrique, Le Parisien, Hala Organizations: Real, Paris Saint, Santiago Bernabeu, PSG, Toulouse, Trophee des, Ligue, Athletic, Supercopa de Espana, Madrid, France, Getty, Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund Locations: Real Madrid, Madrid, Santiago, England, Spanish, Paris, Saudi Arabia, France, AFP, Germany, Barcelona, Anadolu, Mbappe, Monaco, Hala Madrid

☆ Faith-Based Groups That Assist Migrants Become Targets of Extremists
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Miriam Jordan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A man posing as a pest exterminator tried to gain access to a San Diego hotel that operates as a shelter for migrant families. The next day, a woman showed up claiming to be an immigrant in need of help. Voice mail left for the chief executive called him “scum” and “not really Christian.” A woman left another staff member an expletive-laced message about Catholics. She claimed that the nonprofit was flying migrants all over the country and profiting from an illegal operation. For decades, Catholic Charities and other faith-based organizations have played a crucial role helping federal authorities and local governments manage influxes of migrants.

Persons: “, ”, James O’Keefe, O’Keefe, Donald J, Trump Organizations: Workers, Catholic Charities, Veritas Locations: San Diego

☆ Why the price of chocolate's key ingredient skyrocketed in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Christian Nunley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chocolate's key ingredient has soared in commodities markets throughout 2024. Factors such as crop disease, El Niño, farm-gate prices and market speculation all played big roles in cocoa's historic price run-up. As the chocolate industry grapples with higher input costs, consumers are feeling the pinch, and chocolate providers are beginning to consider alternatives. The food and beverage company partnered with Voyage Foods in April to produce the alternatives. Watch the video above to learn more about the causes of this prolonged price rise, and what's next for the industry.

Persons: El, Paul, Cargill, Adam Maxwell, what's Organizations: Rabobank, Voyage Foods, Foods

☆ Election Updates: Trump goes from court to Trump Tower to the octagon for a U.F.C. fight.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Chris Cameron | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Its unfounded allegations became an article of faith for an untold number of Americans convinced that the election had been stolen. Mr. Andrews sued Mr. D’Souza, along with Salem and two individuals associated with the right-wing election-monitoring group True the Vote, for defamation in October 2022. “It was never our intent that the publication of the ‘2,000 Mules’ film and book would harm Mr. Andrews,” Salem said in a statement on Friday. In February, a lawyer for True the Vote told a Georgia court that it had no evidence to support its allegations of election fraud in the state. Mr. D’Souza did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Dinesh D’Souza, Biden, Salem, Mark Andrews, D’Souza, Andrews’s, Tucker Carlson’s, Charlie Kirk, Andrews, Mr, ” Salem, “, Donald J, Trump, ”, Rudolph W, Giuliani, Trump’s, Catherine Engelbrecht Organizations: Salem Media, Fox News, Mr, CNN, Internal Revenue Service Locations: Georgia, ”, Salem, Atlanta, ” Salem, Palm Beach, Fla, Arizona

☆ Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: What we know and where it goes from here
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Lisa Respers France | Josh Campbell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Months after singer Cassie Ventura filed suit against her ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs, his life looks very different. But the video could become evidence in an ongoing federal investigation related to Combs and allegations of sex trafficking. Members of law enforcement are seen outside of Sean "Diddy" Combs' home in Los Angeles on March 25, 2024. Sean "Diddy" Combs with Cassie Ventura attend the premiere of 'The Perfect Match' at the Arclight Theatre in Los Angeles in 2016. An aerial image of Sean "Diddy" Combs' home in Los Angeles on March 25, 2024.

Persons: Cassie Ventura, Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Ventura, Combs, “, Here’s, HSI, Sean, Diddy, ” Aaron Dyer, Justin, Misa Hylton, Christian, ”, Hylton, Kim Porter, Sean Combs, Jessie, Rodney “, Rod ” Jones, Jones, ” Jones, Chris Delmas, ” Ben Brafman, Shawn Holley, they’ve, Department’s, Kelly, –, Elie Honig, CNN’s Sandra Gonzalez, John Miller, Elizabeth Wolfe, Eric Levenson, Denise Royal, Holmes Lybrand, Carlos Suarez Organizations: CNN, Bad Boy Records, Los Angeles County, Attorney’s, US Justice Department, Authorities, Federal, Homeland Security Investigations, US Department of Homeland Security, KCBS, Arclight Theatre, Getty Locations: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, “, AFP

☆ Sam Butcher, Who Gave the World Precious Moments, Dies at 85
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Penelope Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Mr. Butcher was the Michelangelo of Missouri, and his adorable snub-nosed Precious Moments characters were “the Beanie Babies of porcelain,” as The Wall Street Journal once put it. Their zealous collectors, who numbered in the hundreds of thousands, built rooms for their Precious Moments figurines, convened in regional clubs and made pilgrimages to Carthage, where they slept in the Precious Moments motel or the R.V. park, marveled at the Precious Moments Fountain of the Angels, dined in the Precious Moments food courts and wandered the 30-acre grounds. (Carthage also hosted Precious Moments weddings.) There were hundreds and hundreds of Precious Moments licensees, which made hats, keychains, watches, greeting cards, books and a children’s Bible.

Persons: Sam Butcher, Jon, Mr, Butcher, Michelangelo, Missouri, marveled, Van —, —, . Butcher Organizations: Wall Street, Angels Locations: Carthage, Mo

☆ Is the US decision on Ukraine weapons a game-changer?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The story of the past 27 months since Russia invaded Ukraine has been one of crumbling taboos. Despite securing more weapons from the United States last month, Ukraine has not been able to use them as it pleases. Red lines fadeThe US is joining the United Kingdom, France, Germany and several others in removing restrictions on how Ukraine uses the weapons it is given. Before Biden gave the green light, Putin had made veiled nuclear threats to countries considering allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with their weapons. In both cases, Russia had warned Ukraine and its Western allies not to cross its red line.

Persons: Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valentyn Ogirenko, Adam Kinzinger, Ben Hodges, ”, Vladimir Putin’s, Kateryna, Narciso Contreras, Franz, Stefan Gady, Ukraine “, Mathieu Boulegue, “, Putin, ” Stepanenko Organizations: CNN, Russian, Firefighters, Reuters, Institute for, Anadolu, Getty, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Kharkhiv, Center for, United, Russia Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, United States, Moscow, Kharkiv, Washington, “, Prague, Czech, pummel Kharkiv, Russian, Kharkiv Oblast, Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Crimea, Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia

☆ Right-wing media company Salem apologizes, stops distributing 2020 election conspiracy film ‘2000 Mules’ after lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“It was never our intent that the publication of the 2000 Mules film and book would harm Mr. Andrews,” Salem said in a Friday statement. In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Trump’s media allies promoted false claims that the election had been stolen by then-candidate Joe Biden. Those election lies, however, have led to legal consequences for outlets that promoted the claims, with right-wing media companies facing a slew of costly lawsuits stemming from their coverage of the 2020 election. Last month, the pro-Trump network One America News settled a lawsuit brought by voting technology company Smartmatic over the outlet’s promotion of lies about the 2020 election. And last year, Fox News settled a historic $787 million defamation lawsuit filed by election company Dominion Voting Systems.

Persons: CNN —, Mark Andrews, ”, Dinesh D’Souza, Andrews, Donald Trump, Mr, ” Salem, “, Salem, Charlie Kirk, Sebastian Gorka, D’Souza, Joe Biden Organizations: CNN, CNN — Salem Media Group, Protect Democracy, Trump, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Republican Party, News, Fox News, Voting Systems Locations: Georgia, Salem, Salem . Salem

☆ ‘Appeal to Heaven’ flag meaning: A closer look at the flag flown outside Alito’s house
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Aj Willingham | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Like many flags and historical symbols, the Appeal to Heaven flag has multiple meanings and has been used in differing capacities. What is ‘An Appeal to Heaven?’The Appeal to Heaven flag, or “Pine Tree” flag, features a green pine tree on a white field, with the words “An Appeal to Heaven” in black text above it. The pine tree retained this meaning of resistance, and has appeared on some state flags and seals. However, the polarizing recent history of the Appeal to Heaven flag is starting to become known. This week, the city of San Francisco made the decision to remove an “Appeal to Heaven” flag that flew alongside several other flags over City Hall.

Persons: Samuel Alito, Mike Johnson’s, George Washington’s, Alito, Johnson, ”, John Locke’s “, Donald Trump, Trump, Carolyn Kaster, Jemar Tisby, Tisby, Barack Obama’s, Sheets, “ It’s, it’s, ” Sheets, “ There’s, Mike Johnson, CArlos Barria, George Washington, “, ” Alito, San Francisco, Daniel Montez, Josh Du Lac Organizations: CNN, American, Continental Army, Trump, Simmons College, Tea Party, Republican, Christian, Associated Press, ’, City, Francisco Recreation, Parks Locations: New Jersey, Massachusetts, San Francisco’s, British, New England, Washington ,, Kentucky, Gadsden, Ohio, San, Francisco

☆ Voters’ reactions: Trump trial verdict isn’t doing much to shift these voters’ 2024 picks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( John King | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But don’t expect committed Donald Trump voters to suddenly waver because their candidate is now a convicted felon. “This does not impact my plans to vote Republican. Linda Rooney is a Haley supporter from Media, Pennsylvania, wrestling with whether to cast a reluctant Trump vote or write in the former South Carolina governor or someone else. “I looked briefly at some of those things, and it just doesn’t hold water.”Former Trump voter Joan London had a mixed take on the convictions. Lots of Biden voters I talk to.”Pat Levin, another Biden voter in Northampton County, said of the verdict: “It supports and reinforces I believe in the rule of Law.

Persons: don’t, Donald Trump, “, Billy Pierce, “ Biden, Trump, ”, Joe Biden, Andrew Konchek, Bill Clinton’s, Cohen, Who’s, Michael Cohen, Debbie Katsanos, …, I’m, Chris Mudd, ” Mudd, Betsy Sarcone, Nikki Haley, Biden, “ I’ve, ” Pierce, Konchek, —, Matt Vrahiotes, ” Vrahiotes, you’ve, I’ll, ” Jan Gardner, ” Gardner, Hillary Clinton, Devin McIver, Linda Rooney, Haley, Rooney, Irma Fralic, it’s, ” Fralic, Joan London, Michael Cohen’s, Darrell Ann Murphy, Murphy, he’s, ” Pat Levin, ” David Moore, ” Moore, Jade Gray, Nanette Mees, Joanna Brooks Organizations: CNN, Trump, Democrats can’t, Iowa Trump, America, Biden, Republican, Republican National Convention, Media, South, White House, “, University of Michigan, College Democrats Locations: Hartsville , South Carolina, Manhattan, York, New Hampshire, Iowa, Hall County , Georgia, Dunwoody, an Atlanta, Media , Pennsylvania, South Carolina, New York, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Trump . London, London, Northampton County , Pennsylvania, Northampton County, Nogales , Arizona, Loudon County , Virginia, Milwaukee

CNN —European allies of former US President Donald Trump have rallied around him in support following his historic conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The conviction – which has been heralded as a somber moment for America with wide-reaching implications – has been painted by Trump’s allies in Europe as political persecution, aimed at derailing his bid to return to White House. Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called Trump’s conviction “judicial harassment” in a post on X, while Hungarian President Viktor Orban urged him to “keep on fighting” for the presidency. Meanwhile, Russia suggested there was a political conspiracy at play, despite Trump being convicted by a jury. “This is visible to the whole world with the naked eye.”Other countries, sticking to protocol, declined to comment on Trump’s conviction.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump’s, Matteo Salvini, Viktor Orban, “, ”, Trump, Salvini, Orbán, ” “, Vladimir Putin’s, Dmitry Peskov, Rishi Sunak, Christian Wagner Organizations: CNN, White, Trump, America, British Locations: –, Europe, Manhattan, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, Italy, Russia

☆ Kode Bergen’s ‘Indigenous Histories,’ illustrates an anthology of neglected stories
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Christian House | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

These are just some of the highlights of “Indigenous Histories,” an absorbing new show recently opened at Norway’s Kode Bergen Art Museum. Andreas Harvik/National Museum/Courtesy Kode Bergen Art Museum“Indigenous Histories” corresponds with fresh thinking about what is and what isn’t fine art. This piece "Oaivemozit/ Galskap/ Madness," from 2013 is part of the Sámi Dáiddamagasiidna (Sámi Art Collection). Sámi Art Collection/Courtesy Kode Bergen Art MuseumAlong with the vibrant color and cultural dynamism, there is righteous anger and political outrage on view, as artists grapple with the legacy of colonial oppression. Sámi Art Collection/Courtesy Kode Bergen Art MuseumThe climate emergency has changed orthodox opinions about Indigenous communities, says Katya García-Antón, who curated the Venice exhibition and is now director of the Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum in Tromsø.

Persons: Brazil’s, ”, Petter Snare, John Savio, Andreas Harvik, Duhigó, MASP, Katarina Spik Skum, “, Philippa Moxon, she’d, Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, Máret Ánne Sara, Tate, Anders Sunna, Katya García, Marét Anné Sara, Antón, Djan Organizations: CNN, Bergen Art Museum, National, Bergen Art, Venice Biennale, Nordic, Norwegian, of Locations: Bergen, South America, North America, Oceania, Nordic, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, —, Kode, Lapland, Zealand, Brazilian, Sápmi, Northern Territory, Norway, Venice, Swedish, Nordnorsk, Tromsø, Oslo, of Australia, Canberra

☆ Operator of San Francisco's $700-a-month sleeping pods is beefing with the city over planning approval
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThe company behind San Francisco's $700-a-month tiny sleeping "pods" has accused city officials of worsening the city's homelessness problem as it battles a lengthy investigation. James Stallworth, CEO of Brownstone Shared Housing, told Business Insider that San Francisco Planning Department staff had an "adversarial attitude toward housing." Brownstone says it is waiting for city officials to approve a change-of-use request so it can continue operating its 4-foot-high sleeping pods in Mint Plaza. City officials told BI that Brownstone still needed to complete important safety upgrades to comply with the law. AdvertisementThe pods made headlines late last year after proving a hit with some tech workers seeking affordable accommodation in central San Francisco.

Persons: —, James Stallworth, Daniel Sider, Stallworth, Sider, Christian Lewis Organizations: Service, Francisco's, San Francisco Planning Department, Business, Tech Locations: San Francisco, Francisco

☆ Zero-down mortgages are making a comeback
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

That massive roadblock is being removed by a new zero-percent down mortgage program launched two weeks ago by one of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders. ‘Demand has been huge’These mortgages are only open to first-time homebuyers and those making no more than 80% of the area’s median income. That’s because in order to refinance at a lower rate, the homeowner would need to fully pay off that second mortgage. For instance, Bank of America launched a zero-down payment mortgage program in 2022 for first-time homebuyers in certain Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. “These mortgages are going to be ticking time bombs – just like subprime mortgages –unless home prices continue to increase very substantially,” Kelleher said.

Persons: Mat Ishbia, homebuyers, Christian Petersen, refinances, UWM, ” Alex Elezaj, they’d, ”, Patricia McCoy, McCoy, won’t, Bankrate, ‘, Anneliese Lederer, ” Lederer, ” Dennis Kelleher, ” Kelleher, Jonathan Adams, ” UWM, Elezaj, “, ” Elezaj, ” It’s, “ We’re, Greg McBride, Adams, ” Adams Organizations: CNN, United Wholesale Mortgage, Phoenix Suns NBA, Phoenix Suns, NBA, Oklahoma City, Footprint Center, Boston College Law School, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Reserve, Bank of America, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Responsible, Better, Saint Joseph’s University, Bankrate, “, Wall Street Locations: Phoenix , Arizona

☆ Sean ‘Diddy Combs’: A federal grand jury may soon hear from accusers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | Josh Campbell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Federal investigators are preparing to bring accusers of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs before a federal grand jury, two sources familiar with the probe tell CNN — signaling the US Justice Department is moving toward potentially seeking an indictment of Combs. Combs has been named in eight civil lawsuits since November – seven directly accusing him of sexual assault. One of the eight lawsuits, filed by former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, has been settled. Now, additional sources told CNN that the majority of the plaintiffs who have filed civil suits against Combs have been interviewed by federal investigators. Federal investigators are now “digging deeper,” and some of the accusers have been questioned numerous times, a source said.

Persons: Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Combs, Cassie Ventura, Christian Combs, Sean Combs, ”, Sean, Diddy, HSI, “, they’ve, Lampros, Crystal McKinney, Joi Dickerson, Neal, Dickerson Organizations: CNN, Federal, US Justice Department, Bad Boy Records, Homeland Security Investigations, Combs, Feds, Department of Homeland Security, KCBS CNN Locations: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami

☆ Opinion | You Can’t Perform a Good Marriage
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Jessica Grose | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

I saw the new Netflix documentary series “Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal,” anticipating just some prurient garbage to half-watch before drifting off to sleep. That’s because ashleymadison.com is a website for married people looking to find partners in infidelity — its tagline is “Life is short. The heart of the series comes from the couples who were affected. Though one couple that had an open marriage seemed unruffled by the invasion of privacy, two other families are featured that were devastated by the hack. One of those couples is Sam and Nia Rader, a Texas-based Christian vlogging couple who had gone viral a few times before the hack.

Persons: Ashley Madison, ”, Daniel Victor, Nia Rader, ” Sam Rader, “ vlogging, John Gibson, Christi Gibson Organizations: Netflix, YouTube, Disney Locations: Texas, Louisiana

☆ ‘Defeat by Truth’: Biden’s Gaza Critics Start an Anti-Trump Campaign
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Katie Glueck | Maya King | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Michael McBride was an early backer of a cease-fire in Gaza, publicly breaking with President Biden’s support for the war months before many other Democrats arrived in a similar place. Nearly five months before Election Day, Mr. McBride, a co-founder of the group Black Church PAC, remains critical of how the administration has stood by Israel. But he is now leading an effort, alongside other progressive Black activists, strategists and faith leaders, that would indirectly help Mr. Biden by working to defeat former President Donald J. Trump. It is one of the clearest signs yet that at least some of Mr. Biden’s critics on the left will still work to stop Mr. Trump — even if they are lukewarm on the incumbent president. But, he said, “we can’t wait for the Biden administration to change their course before we start to sound the alarm.”

Persons: Michael McBride, Biden’s, McBride, Biden, Donald J, Trump, “, Mr Organizations: Black Church PAC, Trump, Way Christian Center Locations: Gaza, Israel, Berkeley, Calif

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