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☆ A high-stakes report looms over Biden on whether Israel violated international law
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Kylie Atwood | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

Nic Antaya/Getty Images Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate on the New York University campus in New York on Friday, May 3. Mike Blake/Reuters Pro-Palestinian protesters stand their ground after police breached their encampment at UCLA on May 2. Before police were deployed to campus, pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters were clashing at the school , according to multiple reports. Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images Columbia University students gather for a picket organized by the Student Workers Union (UAW Local 2710) on Monday, April 29. Stefan Jeremiah/AP Israeli flags are reflected in the sunglasses of a demonstrator in front of Columbia University on April 22.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, “, Matthew Miller, Adam Schultz, Netanyahu, Israel, Mahmud Hams, It’s, ”, Democratic Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Sen, Alex Brandon, Van Hollen, Miller, ” Miller, Melissa Overton, Nic Antaya, Seth Harrison, Jenny Kane, Chip Somodevilla, Mathieu Lewis, Rolland, Craig Hudson, Emma, Roberto Schmidt, Etienne Laurent, Mike Blake, Spencer Platt, Frederic J . Brown, Caitlin Ochs, David Dee Delgado, Charly Triballeau, Kena Betancur, Seyma, Alex Kent, Joseph Prezioso, Suzanne Cordeiro, Diane Handal, Cliff Owen, Qian Weizhong, Mike Stewart, Sarah Reingewirtz, Jay Janner, Brandon Bell, Brian Snyder, Mike Johnson, Timothy A, Clary, Matthew Hatcher, Nuri Vallbona, Jordan Vonderhaar, Zaydee Sanchez, Cameron Jones, Stephanie Keith, Andres Kudacki, Tayfun, Joe Buglewicz, Fatih Aktas, Michael M, Mary Altaffer, Scott Eisen, Columbia's, Stefan Jeremiah, Selcuk Organizations: CNN, State Department, Israeli, Congress, Hamas, Capitol, ”, National Security, Getty, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, Defense Department and National Security Council, Biden, Israel, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations Office, Human Rights, Biden Democrats, Democratic, Democratic Party, Republican, Department, Protesters, University of Michigan's, New York University, Westchester County Journal, USA, Network Police, Portland State University, AP, George Washington University, The George Washington University, AFP, Police, University of California, UCLA, Reuters, Fordham, Lincoln Center, Getty Images Police, Hamilton, Columbia University, Reuters Police, Columbia, The City College of New, Getty Images, Columbia Students, Justice, Hamilton Hall, Brown University, Getty Images Columbia University, Student Workers Union, UAW, University of Texas, Low, Sunday, Rueters Georgia State Patrol, Emory University, MediaNews, Los Angeles Daily News, Austin Statesman, Network, Austin, University, Emerson College, Swarthmore College, Bloomberg, University of Southern, Reuters New York, Reuters Columbia, New York Times, Sproul Hall, Yale University, University police, York University, The New School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Library, USAID Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Capitol Hill, Iran, Palestinian American, Jabalia, AFP, Ann Arbor , Michigan, New York, Westchester, Portland , Oregon, Washington ,, Portland, The, Los Angeles, The City College of New York, Columbia, Columbia's, Palestine, Providence , Rhode Island, Texas, Austin, New, Rueters Georgia, Atlanta, Getty Images Texas, Boston, Swarthmore , Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Berkeley, Sproul, Anadolu, New Haven , Connecticut, Cambridge

☆ Tesla must provide NHTSA with Autopilot recall data by July or face up to $135 million in fines
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Lora Kolodny | In Lorakolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Since the recall, at least 20 Tesla vehicles have been involved in crashes in which the system was thought to be in use, according to a filing on the NHTSA's website. The "recall remedy" probe follows a three-year investigation by the agency that found safety issues with Tesla Autopilot contributed to at least 467 collisions and 14 deaths from January 2018 through August 2023. The NHTSA is seeking detailed crash data from the electric vehicle maker since the agency issued the recall update on Autopilot, including data and video stored in or streamed from its cars and retained by the company. The company hasn't disclosed how many jobs in its Autopilot and vehicle-safety engineering teams may have been cut. For about a decade, CEO Elon Musk has been promising that Tesla is on the cusp of a self-driving breakthrough.

Persons: Tesla, Autosteer, They're, Elon Musk, Musk Organizations: Traffic, Administration, NHTSA Locations: U.S

☆ 5 key slides from a presentation on how college athletes negotiate NIL brand deals, including a formula for pricing sponsored posts
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Tiara White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Rachel Maeng Brown is a former NCAA rower who now works with student-athletes at her firm Gen Agency. The agency has provided NIL education and consulting to college athletes, collectives, and schools. AdvertisementKnowing your worth is a struggle many college athletes face now that they can make money from their name, image, and likeness, known as NIL. To help athletes understand their value, influencer-marketing-and-production company Gen Agency has been educating and consulting college athletes on NIL. "Our big focus is creating a sustainable NIL marketplace at each university," Rachel Maeng Brown, the founder and CEO of Gen agency, told Business Insider.

Persons: Rachel Maeng Brown, Brown, — Organizations: Agency, Service, Gen Agency, Business

☆ SEC Chair Gary Gensler dodges Trump Media campaign finance questions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSEC Chair Gary Gensler dodges Trump Media campaign finance questionsSEC Chair Gary Gensler joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the agency's oversight of the crypto market, the SEC's Wells notice to Robinhood Crypto, Consensys lawsuit against the SEC, why the agency charged Trump Media auditor with 'massive fraud', and more.

Persons: Gary Gensler dodges, Gary Gensler, Wells, Robinhood Crypto Organizations: SEC, Gary Gensler dodges Trump Media, Trump Media

☆ U.S. probe finds widespread sexual misconduct at FDIC
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation must make sweeping changes to address widespread sexual harassment and other misconduct, according to an independent report released on Tuesday that raises questions about the future of the banking regulator's leadership. The report, prompted by a Wall Street Journal investigation, cited accounts from more than 500 people, including some who alleged FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg had engaged in bullying and verbal abuse. "For far too many employees and for far too long, the FDIC has failed to provide a workplace safe from sexual harassment, discrimination, and other interpersonal misconduct," said the report, adding that those accused of misconduct were frequently reassigned new roles. "Chair Gruenberg must accept responsibility and must immediately work to make fundamental changes to the agency and its culture." Some employees described Gruenberg as "harsh" and "aggressive", as well as prone to losing his temper, the report said.

Persons: Martin Gruenberg, Cleary Gottlieb, Gruenberg, Patrick McHenry, Sherrod Brown Organizations: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Wall Street Journal, FDIC, WSJ, Democrat, Republican, Financial Services, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs Committee

☆ Inquiry Finds a Toxic Culture at the F.D.I.C., and Takes Aim at Its Leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Emily Flitter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A report on workplace culture at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation released on Tuesday revealed a broad, yearslong pattern of sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse of mostly women and members of minority groups by senior officials. The findings are likely to lead to another potentially bruising round of questions for the agency’s chair, Martin Gruenberg, who is scheduled to testify in Congress later this month. It described “fiefdoms” in regional offices, where senior managers protected other longtime employees from potential consequences stemming from more junior employees’ claims of mistreatment. Examples of the behavior, including senior examiners texting junior women pictures of their genitalia or taking them to brothels, were first reported by The Wall Street Journal in November. Tuesday’s report was the result of an independent investigation by Cleary Gottlieb, which was hired by a special committee created by the agency’s board after The Journal’s report.

Persons: Martin Gruenberg, ”, “, Cleary Gottlieb, ’, Tuesday’s Organizations: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Wall Street

☆ Mark Zuckerberg considered acquiring or permanently funding the Associated Press to combat Facebook misinformation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Before Meta stepped away from nearly all its dealings with the news industry, Mark Zuckerberg considered getting more entangled with it than ever. Between 2017 and 2018, the founder and CEO of Facebook, as it was still known, seriously considered acquiring a news outlet. His focus eventually turned to The Associated Press, the storied news agency service, according to three people familiar with internal Facebook talks surrounding the idea. Around this time, Zuckerberg weighed another option for Facebook to start a news organization, the three people said. This idea was also ultimately abandoned, mostly due to concerns about public blowback and trust in Facebook at the time.

Persons: Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Chan Zuckerberg, Donald Trump, Facebook's Organizations: Facebook, Associated Press, Washington Post, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, AP, Meta

☆ SEC Chair Gensler on crypto regulation: Right now investors aren't getting the required disclosures
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSEC Chair Gensler on crypto regulation: Right now investors aren't getting the required disclosuresSEC Chair Gary Gensler joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the agency's oversight of the crypto market, the SEC's Wells notice to Robinhood Crypto, Consensys lawsuit against the SEC, why the agency charged Trump Media auditor with 'massive fraud', and more.

Persons: Gensler, aren't, Gary Gensler, Wells, Robinhood Crypto Organizations: SEC, Trump Media

☆ Social Security now expected to run short on funds in 2035, one year later than previously projected, Treasury says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Valerie Macon | Afp | Getty ImagesThe trust funds the Social Security Administration relies on to pay benefits are now projected to run out in 2035, one year later than previously projected, according to the annual trustees' report released on Monday. The Social Security trustees credited the slightly improved outlook to more people contributing to the program amid a strong economy, low unemployment and higher job and wage growth. "This year's report is a measure of good news for the millions of Americans who depend on Social Security, including the roughly 50% of seniors for whom Social Security is the difference between poverty and living in dignity — any potential benefit reduction event has been pushed off from 2034 to 2035," Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley said in a statement. What reports reveal about Social Security, MedicareSocial Security's new 2035 depletion date applies to its combined trust funds. The Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund — used to fund Part A benefits — saw the biggest improvement in this year's trustees report.

Persons: Valerie Macon, Martin O'Malley, O'Malley, — Organizations: Social Security Administration, Afp, Getty, Social Security, Social, Medicare, Insurance Trust, Disability Insurance Trust, Medicare Hospital Insurance, Insurance Trust Fund, Department Locations: Burbank , California

☆ Robinhood says SEC could pursue enforcement actions over its crypto operations
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Securities and Exchange Commission could soon pursue enforcement action against Robinhood , according to the trading firm. Robinhood disclosed in a filing Monday that over the weekend the regulator sent it a warning that upon completion of an investigation the company could be charged. "We firmly believe that the assets listed on our platform are not securities and we look forward to engaging with the SEC to make clear just how weak any case against Robinhood Crypto would be on both the facts and the law," he said. Shares of the stock initially fell 2% but have reversed. They were recently trading up 1%.

Persons: Robinhood, Dan Gallagher, Robinhood's, Robinhood Crypto Organizations: Securities, Exchange Commission, Robinhood, SEC

☆ Elon Musk calls out Boeing's historic first crewed spaceflight, saying SpaceX beat them to the punch years ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

SpaceX beat Boeing to the punch, flying NASA astronauts to the space station four years ago for cheaper. NASA astronauts Suni Williams (left) and Butch Wilmore (right) conduct suited operations in a Boeing Starliner simulator. AdvertisementThe SpaceX Crew Dragon spaceship that accomplished the feat came from the same NASA initiative that's flying Starliner on Monday. NASA astronauts Bob Behnken (left) and Doug Hurley (right) were the first people to fly aboard a private spaceship, SpaceX's Crew Dragon. SpaceXWith each flight, SpaceX has earned money, while Boeing has been sinking more and more funds into Starliner.

Persons: Elon Musk, —, Boeing's, Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Robert Markowitz, Bob Behnken, Doug Hurley, bTXWAfxfrh — Elon, Musk, Eric Berger, Cory Huston, Starliner's, Berger, George Nield, Nield, Scrappy SpaceX Organizations: Boeing, SpaceX, NASA, Service, Twitter, International Space Station, ISS, Atlas, Reuters, Department of Defense, Space Transportation Locations: Starliner

☆ In a high-stakes test, Boeing will launch NASA astronauts to space for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After years of delays, Boeing is finally set to launch two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station on its Starliner spacecraft. ET, atop an Atlas V rocket at Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams will pilot the Starliner on its inaugural crewed flight — a crucial final test before NASA can authorize Boeing to conduct routine flights to and from the space station for the agency. If successful, the flight will enable Boeing to challenge the dominance held by Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has been ferrying NASA astronauts to and from the orbiting outpost since 2020. At a preflight briefing last week, Wilmore said safety is paramount and that previous Starliner launch attempts — both uncrewed and crewed — were delayed because the capsule simply was not ready until now.

Persons: Astronauts Barry, Butch, Wilmore, Sunita Williams, Elon Musk's Organizations: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, United, Alliance, Boeing's, NASA's Boeing, Cape Canaveral Space Force, Boeing, International, Atlas, Canaveral Space Force, Astronauts, Elon, Elon Musk's SpaceX Locations: Florida

☆ Dozens of former employees plan to sue Bowlero alleging discrimination after EEOC closes case, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

During the company's earnings call with Wall Street analysts later Monday, executives said that the EEOC investigation was now behind them and would no longer be a distraction. "Because of limited resources, we cannot file a lawsuit in every case where we find discrimination," the EEOC explains on its website. It's unclear if the question of whether to sue Bowlero made it to a vote with the EEOC's commissioners. He told CNBC he plans to sue Bowlero for $80 million, plus legal fees. In response, Bowlero's attorneys Alex Spiro and Hope Skibitsky at law firm Quinn Emanuel said they "are pleased with the outcome of the EEOC investigation."

Persons: Bowlero, Thomas Shannon, Robert Lavan, there's, it's, Daniel Dowe, EEOC, Dowe, Alex Spiro, Hope Skibitsky, Quinn Emanuel, Thomas Tanase, Tanase's, didn't Organizations: U.S, Commission, CNBC, AMF, Lucky, Wall Street, Bowlero Locations: North America, Virginia

☆ F.A.A. Is Investigating Boeing Over 787 Dreamliner Inspections
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Mark Walker | Niraj Chokshi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The Federal Aviation Administration has opened a new investigation into Boeing after the plane maker told the regulator that it might have skipped required inspections involving the wings of some 787 Dreamliners. In a statement on Monday, the F.A.A. As part of its inquiry, the agency said it was looking into whether employees at the company may have falsified aircraft records. said that Boeing was reinspecting all Dreamliners still in production and that the company needed to create a plan to address aircraft already in service. will take any necessary action — as always — to ensure the safety of the flying public,” the statement said.

Organizations: Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing

☆ Man Behind California Forever, Silicon Valley's City of the Future
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Hugh Langley | Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +29 min

He sees California Forever. And if he can't undo the damage, there may never be a California Forever. California Forever may be a subdivision, but it's precisely the kind of subdivision America needs right now. But here's the thing: California Forever may be a subdivision, but it's precisely the kind of subdivision America needs right now. Places like California Forever aren't being opposed by the people who are desperate for a place to live.

Persons: Jan Sramek's, Goldman Sachs, Sramek, Reid Hoffman, Laurene Powell Jobs, Marc Andreessen —, They've, Christie Hemm, Peter Thiel, Jan Sramek, Jan, Thiel, Goldman, CheatSheet, Sramek's, hadn't, Jonas Rave, who's, —, Guy Saidenberg, Evernote, Marc Andreessen, Jane Jacobs, He's, he'd, Robert Moses, growth.y Christie Hemm, Flannery, Bronson Johnson, David George, Andreessen Horowitz, Marilyn Farley, Farley, Solano County's, Kathleen Threlfall, Bill Mortimore, California Forever's, Jessica Christian, he's, Lyle Lanley, Solano, Sam Houston, weren't, Gabriel Metcalf, You've, John Garamendi, Garamendi, isn't, they'll, latte, Christie, Travis, I've, aren't, They're Organizations: Silicon, California, BI Development, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, Party, Rising Star, Facebook, York, Sramek's, BI Sramek, Google, American, Planners, Sacramento -, Travis Air Force Base, Area, titans, Farmers, councilwoman, California Forever, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Air Force, Flannery Associates, Disney, San Francisco, Vallejo Naval, Historical Museum, Rep, BI, Solano, Sierra, Goldman Locations: San Francisco, It's, Sramek, California, Rio Vista, Solano County, Napa, Sacramento, Silicon Valley, America, London, Zurich, England, Czech Republic, Dřevohostice, York, British, Eastern Europe, Cambridge, Bay Area, Hayes Valley, America's cutest, Atlanta, Phoenix, Copenhagen, Barcelona, New York, Sacramento - San Joaquin, San Francisco Bay, Lake Tahoe, Toledo , Ohio, Silicon, Google's, Toronto, Big Tech, China, Calif, Springfield, Vallejo, He's, Atherton, Foreverville, Fairfield, Austin, Solano, Valley, Europe

☆ Lessons from the deadly anthrax attacks of 2001
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( John Miller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

This was anthrax,” Pogan said, and he briefed his superiors. Between October 5, and November 22, 2001, five people who were exposed died from anthrax poisoning. For help, they turned to the US Department of Defense lab at Fort Detrick, Maryland, where anthrax expert Dr. Bruce Ivins worked. Investigators in protective suits prepare to enter the New York Times building in New York on October 12, 2001. Police cars are parked outside the American Media building in Boca Raton on Oct. 8, 2001 where environmental tests detected anthrax bacteria.

Persons: CNN —, Bin Laden, America, Robert Stevens, Tom Dachle’s, Tom Brokaw, Patrick Pogan, ”, “, Judith Miller, Pogan, Miller, ’ Pogan, “ Hey, ” Pogan, John Scarbeck, Saddam Hussein, Bin, Bruce Ivins, Steven Hatfill, FBI swabbed, John Ashcroft, Peter Morgan, ” Dr, Bob Mueller, Mueller, Hatfill, Luis M, Alvarez, Dr, Ivins, John J, He’s Organizations: CNN, Center for Domestic Preparedness, Army, New York Police Department, ABC News, ABC, American Media, Boca, New York Post, NBC News, Terrorism Task Forces, New York Times, FBI, New York, New York City Health Department, Unit, US Department of Defense, Department of Defense, Reuters, Counterterrorism, LAPD, Justice Department, Police, Intelligence, Los Angeles Police Department Locations: Anniston, Alabama, Florida, Boca Raton , FL, Staten, New York City, “, Fort Detrick , Maryland, Maryland, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, New Jersey, New York, Boca Raton

☆ Many Gen Zers in their 'decisive decade' are leaving school and struggling to find work. They're part of America's disconnected youth.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Allie Kelly | Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewYoung Americans are feeling increasingly isolated from their offices and classrooms, and these "disconnected youth" — or "opportunity youth" — may be ill-positioned for the future. Loneliness and a tough job market are leaving many Gen Zers feeling stuck, isolated, and unsupported. In fact, they're members of the disconnected youth — defined as Gen Zers who are not in school and not working. Disconnected youth are at risk of long-term stagnationMost Gen Zers — who are between the ages of 12 and 27 — are in this decisive decade. How to help disconnected youthAlthough many disconnected youth struggle with school and work, researchers cautioned against a "one size fits all" solution.

Persons: —, Gen Zers, Richard Reeves, Reeves, Zers, aren't, Zers —, Jonathan Zaff, Ian Rowe, Lara Aknin, Zaff, Zer, isn't Organizations: Service, Brookings, Business, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, National Center for Education Statistics, Boston University, American Enterprise Institute, Partnership Locations: North America, Brookings

☆ These sisters became co-owners of the family farm at 22 and 24, joining the ranks of women as key decision-makers on farms
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Rebekah Alstede Modery, left, and Sarah Alstede, sisters and co-owners of Alstede Farms in Chester, New Jersey. Courtesy: Alstede FarmsSisters Rebekah Alstede Modery and Sarah Alstede were raised on a New Jersey farm. In February, the sisters joined their father, Kurt Alstede, and their stepmother, Mary Thompson-Alstede, as co-owners of Alstede Farms. 'A huge undertaking' as a familyCo-owners of Alstede Farms from left to right: Mary Thompson-Alstede, Rebekah Alstede Modery, Kurt Alstede and Sarah Alstede. Rebekah Alstede Modery, left, and Sarah Alstede, sisters and co-owners of Alstede Farms in Chester, New Jersey.

Persons: Rebekah Alstede Modery, Sarah Alstede, Rebekah, Kurt Alstede, Mary Thompson, It's, Dominique Sims, NASS, Agriculture hasn't, Inwood, Lance Honig, Sarah, that's, Bernt Nelson, Rachel Schattman, Alstede Organizations: Delaware Valley University, CNBC, Centenary University, Alstede, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S . Department of Agriculture, The Ohio State University, Agriculture, Agricultural Resource Management, USDA Economic Research Service, American Farm Bureau Federation, University of Maine, Farmers Locations: Chester , New Jersey, New Jersey, Sarah, Agriculture, U.S

☆ Bitcoin trader loses almost $70 million after sending crypto to wrong online account address
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewA cryptocurrency trader reportedly lost tens of millions of dollars in a so-called "address poisoning" scam. Because blockchains are public, it's easy for scammers to find people's crypto addresses and send out spoof transactions to phish for victims. Related storiesTrezor, another crypto trading platform, recommends double-checking every address before sending a transaction and never copying an address from transaction history when transferring funds to avoid address scams. Sending a small test transaction before making a large transfer is also an effective method of verifying the address, the company says. One study showed that crypto "pig butchering" scams cost investors $75 million from 2020 to 2024.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business, Federal Trade Commission, FTC Locations: Bitcoin, scammers

The auditing firm for Trump Media and the auditor's owner were charged Friday with "massive fraud" by the Securities and Exchange Commission for work that affected more than 1,500 SEC filings, the federal regulator announced. The auditor, BF Borgers CPA and its owner Benjamin Borgers have agreed to be permanently suspended from practicing as accountants before the SEC, and also agreed to pay a combined $14 million in civil penalties, without admitting or denying the allegations, the SEC said. The agency, calling BF Borgers a "sham audit mill," said the company and its owner engaged in "deliberate and systemic failures to comply with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ... standards in its audits and reviews incorporated in more than 1,500 SEC filings from January 2021 through June 2023," according to a press release. BF Borgers during that same time acted as the auditor for Trump Media, which was then privately held and moving toward a planned merger with the publicly traded shell company Digital World Acquisition Corp.Trump Media and DWAC finalized that merger in late March 2024, leading to Trump Media becoming publicly traded under the DJT ticker. The SEC said the Lakewood, Colorado-based BF Borgers and its owner were charged with falsely telling clients that the auditor's work would comply with PCAOB standards, fabricating audit documents to make it seem that the work did comply with those standards, and "falsely stating in audit reports included in more than 500 public company SEC filings that the firm's audits complied with PCAOB standards," the release said.

Persons: Benjamin Borgers, BF Borgers, DWAC Organizations: Trump Media, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, BF, CPA, Company, Corp Locations: Lakewood , Colorado

☆ New FTC transcript reveals juicy details on how Jeff Bezos and other top Amazon execs used disappearing messages
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

In the past, he set Signal messages to automatically delete after one week. "I never would have used Signal under any circumstances with disappearing messages on or off to discuss any complicated business issues. Associated PressJEDI ContractThe FTC lawyer also showed Bezos a log of Signal messages that were used with the disappearing message feature activated. He said he "did not" know Signal messages were covered by those legal guidelines. The company was "unable to determine" why that's the case, but said it's possible Signal messages were deleted when they got new phones.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, Bezos, Mike Hopkins, —, Andy Jassy, Amazon's, Jassy, Donald Trump, there's, I'm, Jeff Blackburn, Hopkins, Blackburn, Blackburn wasn't, Blackburn's, Max Organizations: Federal Trade, Amazon, Business, FTC, Associated Press, Defense Department, Microsoft, Department of Defense, Blackburn, Bezos Locations: Bezos, Blackburn

☆ Trump Media’s accounting firm charged with ‘massive fraud’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“Trump Media looks forward to working with new auditing partners in accordance with today’s SEC order,” Trump Media spokesperson Shannon Devine told CNN in a statement. According to filings, Borgers served as Trump Media’s independent registered accounting firm before the social media company went public in March. Later in March, the audit committee of Trump Media approved the hiring of Borgers as the public company’s accounting firm. The SEC review only focused on public companies, meaning BF Borgers’ work for Trump Media when it was private was not included. Trump Media is chaired and majority owned by former President Donald Trump, who is also the most popular user on Truth Social.

Persons: BF, Benjamin Borgers, “ Borgers, ” Gurbir Grewal, Trump Media , “, ”, Shannon Devine, Borgers, BF Borgers, Donald Trump Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trump Media & Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Truth Social, Trump Media, BF Borgers, “ Trump Media, ” Trump Media, CNN, Trump, Borgers Locations: New York

☆ 4 Americans charged with ammunition offenses in Turks and Caicos
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Four Americans are charged with possession of ammunition offenses in the tropical Atlantic getaway of Turks and Caicos, according to a post from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. Carrying firearms in Turks and Caicos is prohibited, according to the TCI Government. Another man visiting Turks and Caicos from Pennsylvania is set to appear before a TCI court Friday on similar charges, according to CNN affiliate WPXI. Two additional Americans – a 31-year-old from Virginia and a 72-year-old from Texas – are also facing lengthy prison sentences for possessing ammunition, according to the TCI Government. Firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

Persons: Ryan Watson, Watson, Valerie, “, Valerie Watson, ”, Bryan Hagerich, Hagerich, Ashley, ” Ashley, WPXI, ” Hagerich, CNN’s Michael Rios, Tanika Gray, Forrest Brown Organizations: CNN, Turks, Caicos, Caicos Islands Government, TCI Government, British Overseas Territory, Embassy, Howard Hamilton International Airport, TCI, TSA, Will Rogers, Airport, WPXI, “, Transportation Security Administration, US State Department, British Overseas, State Department, United States, Firearms, Caicos Islands Locations: Caicos, Caicos Islands, Bahamas, Providenciales, Oklahoma, America, Oklahoma City, Turks, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, United States, United

☆ The future of Google — and Big Tech — hangs in the balance at trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Google's landmark antitrust trial is wrapping up this week in DC with closing arguments, capping off a yearslong saga. AdvertisementIn the end, Judge Mehta could clear Google or find it liable, which could result in changes to its search engine contracts. Mehta could even bar Google from making future deals around its search engine. In his testimony, Google SVP Prabhakar Raghavan noted the search giant is referred to as "Grandpa Google" in some circles and cited execs' fears that its influence might be dwindling.

Persons: —, Amit Mehta, Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, Google's, Kent Walker, Judge Mehta, Mehta, Prabhakar Raghavan, Google Organizations: Service, Apple, Business, US, Microsoft, Justice, Google, The New York Times, DOJ, FTC, Amazon, Meta, Big Tech, AP

☆ Wally Gator: Emotional support alligator is missing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Sydney Bishop | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Emotional support animals registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one:“Wally Gator” – his “gentle” certified emotional support alligator. The department “routinely” gets calls about “nuisance alligators,” she said, and refers callers to a permitted alligator agent trapper, per its protocols. Wally is often shown letting others pet and hold him, with Henney telling CNN in 2022, “He doesn’t show anger. We never could understand why.”Emotional support alligator, Wally, wanders in 2022 around Love Park in Philadelphia.

Persons: Joie Henney, Wally Gator ”, Wally, “, Melissa Cummings, ”, Cummings, Henney, Halle Sivalingam Henney, don’t, “ He’s, ” Henney, ” Cummings, Wally hasn’t, ” CNN’s Ben Morse, Zoe Sottile, Sara Smart Organizations: CNN, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources, Henney, Halle, State, Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank, US Department of Transportation, Phillies Locations: United, Pennsylvania, Brunswick, Georgia, Love, Philadelphia, Florida

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