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☆ Behind CNN’s investigation on deceptive political fundraising that costs elderly donors their retirement savings
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —A new CNN investigation documents how political campaigns have deceived the elderly and people with dementia with badgering, personalized text messages and prechecking boxes for recurring donations. Read the report, which illustrates the aggressive text messaging and charts how recurring donations can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars drained from retirement savings. The team spent a significant chunk of that time gathering and reviewing the stories of elderly donors from a variety of sources: public records, complaints filed with government agencies, lawsuits and cold-calling donors. RAPPARD: Experts we spoke to told us that elderly donors are the backbone of grassroots fundraising efforts. It became clear to us throughout our reporting process the kind of effect these tactics were having on elderly donors.

Persons: Blake Ellis, Melanie Hicken, Yahya Abou, Ghazala, Audrey Ash, Anna, Maja Rappard, ELLIS, WinRed, Donald, Trump, –, ABOU, Casey Tolan, ”, Donald Trump, Don Jr, Karen, Gabe Ramirez, Democratic Sens, Amy Klobuchar, Dick Durbin, WOLF, TRUMP, Marjorie Taylor Greene Organizations: CNN, Republican, New York Times, Republican Party, Golden Eagles, Netflix, Democratic, Federal, Commission, Republicans, Trump Locations: WinRed, inboxes

☆ From Ukraine to Hawaii, associates of Trump assassination attempt suspect say his ‘delusion of grandeur’ and odd behavior left them questioning his mental state
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Isabelle Chapman | Casey Tolan | Curt Devine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

In one tweet, Routh wrote that “I would like to invite you to Hawaii for vacation. Newsweek Romania journalist Remus Cernea, one of the people listed on the website, told CNN he met Routh in Kyiv’s Maidan Square in June 2022. Tracy Fulk, a Greensboro police officer at the time, told CNN that the incident started when she pulled Routh over for a traffic stop. Audrey McAvoy/APA Hawaiian man who gave Routh’s company a bad review on Facebook told CNN he was unsettled by Routh’s response to the criticism. “We must push forward with logical leadership that supports the ones that wish to accomplish great things,” Routh wrote in one post.

Persons: Donald Trump, Ryan Wesley Routh, Joe Biden, “, Ukraine ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, Routh, hadn’t, Biden, Zelensky, Ryan Routh's, Trump, Routh’s, –, ”, Tulsi Gabbard, Beto O’Rourke, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, Andrew Yang, Joe, hillary, ” Routh, Kim Jong Un, ” Zelensky, Routh’s fiancée, Kathleen Shaffer, Shaffer, Efrem, Semafor, Oleksandr Shaguri, ” Michael Wasiura, ” Wasiura, ” Evelyn Aschenbrenner, Aschenbrenner, ” Aschenbrenner, Ryan O’Leary, ” O’Leary, Remus Cernea, Cernea, it’s, ” Cernea, barricading, Tracy Fulk, Fulk, ” Fulk, didn’t, ” Ryan Routh's, Audrey McAvoy, Saili Levi, Levi, you’re, ” Levi, Ryan Routh ”, Nelli Black, Benjamin Brown, Scott Glover, Lex Harvey, Winter, Rob Kuznia, Kyung Lah, Daniel Medina, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Rob Picheta, Puy Kamp, Sabrina Shulman, Teele Rebane, Adam Renton, Jessie Yeung Organizations: CNN, Twitter, Trump, Martin County Sheriff’s, Martin County Sheriff's, Facebook, Service, Republican, X, Machine, Commission, Democratic, North, “ WE, New York Times, Ukraine’s Land Forces Command, Legion, country’s International, Army National Guard, Global Citizen, Taiwan, Taiwan Foreign Legion, Newsweek Romania, Greensboro, Sheriff’s Office, Guilford County North Carolina Sheriff’s, Honolulu Star, Star, Advertiser, Honolulu, roosters Locations: Ukraine, Hawaii, Afghanistan, Ukrainian, Honolulu, Oahu, Florida, Martin County, Russia, Zelensky, American, Kyiv’s, Kyiv, Taiwan, North Korea, China, Kyiv’s Maidan, North Carolina, Greensboro, Guilford, Guilford County North Carolina, Kaʻaʻawa, Oahu Island, Oran, Majlie

Routh tagged Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, in separate posts, encouraging them to visit those injured at the rally. Trump will never do anything for them,” he wrote in a post directed at Harris. In an April post on X tagging President Biden’s presidential account, he wrote that Biden’s campaign should be: “called something like KADAF. “Work has never been about money rather building frameworks for people to thrive and succeed,” Routh wrote on his LinkedIn page. Levi said when he asked Routh to improve the work via email, Routh ranted at him.

Persons: Donald Trump, Ryan Wesley Routh, Routh, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Biden, Trump, ”, Biden’s, MASA …, ” Routh, Saili Levi, Levi, Routh ranted, “, you’re, ” Levi, barricading Organizations: CNN, Trump, Democratic, North Carolina State Board, Ukraine –, Box, Honolulu Star, Facebook, Russia, ” Records, Greensboro News, Sunday Locations: Florida, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Harris, North Carolina, KRAKOW, UKRAINE, Ukraine, State, Oran

Crooks lived in the Pittsburgh suburb of Bethel Park, about an hour’s drive south of the Trump rally where law enforcement officials say he fired at the former president. Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, according to a local media report and a video of the school’s graduation ceremony. Law enforcement descended on Crooks’ family home on a quiet street in Bethel Park on Saturday night. Explosive material was found in his residence, as well as in his car, law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation told CNN. Bethel Park is a predominantly white suburb that is wealthier than the surrounding Pittsburgh metro area.

Persons: Thomas Matthew Crooks, Crooks, Donald Trump, —, haven’t, Jason Kohler, Kohler, Sarah D’Angelo, ”, Trump, ” Crooks, –, “, Anna Moneymaker, Crooks ’, Matthew Crooks, Thomas Crooks, CNN Crooks, Marcie Grimm, ” Grimm, Dan Grzybek, Joe Biden, Grzybek, ” Grzybek, Andrew Bianco, you’d, ” Bianco, CNN’s Yahya Abou, Ghazala, Audrey Ash, Scott Glover, Allison Gordon, Holmes Lybrand, Sean Lyngaas Organizations: Bethel Park , Pennsylvania CNN, CNN, Republican, Democratic, Trump, Bethel Park High School, Secret, Commission, Progressive, Democrat, Secret Service, Bethel Park Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation Center Locations: Bethel Park , Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Bethel Park, ”, Butler , Pennsylvania, Democratic, Allegheny County, Crooks ’, BlackRock, Bethel

CNN —For years, Airbnb has known some of its hosts have used hidden cameras to secretly spy on guests, invading their most private and intimate moments. A CNN investigation found the use of hidden cameras is a persistent problem in the industry. The Airbnb representative testified that the company generated 35,000 customer support tickets about surveillance devices in the preceding decade. An Airbnb spokesperson told CNN that a single report could create multiple tickets. Airbnb makes “every effort” to support police investigations of hidden cameras, the company told CNN in a written statement.

Persons: Airbnb, ” Airbnb, “ I’ve, ”, Kim van Sparrentak, “ Organizations: CNN, European Union, EU Locations: United States

☆ Why the Fed is stressed about presidential elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

New York CNN —Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell sent investors mixed messages on Tuesday during his semiannual testimony to Congress. Powell is stressed about the election: Powell was asked by multiple senators about White House politics, which he dodged. While the Fed head noted that policy decisions are data dependent, “elevated inflation is not the only risk we face,” he said. The September Fed meeting will be “live”: Powell noted multiple times that every Fed policy decision is made “live” using the latest available economic data – in other words, decisions aren’t made in advance. About 75% of investors think the Fed will cut rates, and about 25% think they’ll remain the same.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Powell, “, Donald Trump, reappoint Powell, ”, Joseph Brusuelas, Trump, Gregory Daco, Chris Larkin, Morgan Stanley, Larkin, don’t, aren’t, David Rubenstein, he’ll, Airbnb, Isabelle Chapman, Majlie, Puy Kamp, Audrey Ash, Chris Isidore . Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN — Federal, White, “, Reserve, RSM, Federal Reserve, US Consumer, Treasury, Fed, Economics, Washington DC, Jackson, CNN, Boeing, Alaska Airlines Locations: New York, Powell, Washington, Alaska

A CNN investigation found that Airbnb consistently fails to protect its guests despite knowing hidden cameras are a persistent concern within its industry. Video Ad Feedback A woman describes the moment she realized her Airbnb host had placed a hidden camera in her room. And, while hotels can be held legally responsible for guests harmed on their property, Airbnb frequently is not. In January, CNN began reaching out to former Airbnb employees to ask about hidden camera concerns within the industry. “Less than a month for every victim,” said Wyzynajtys, the guest who found Allee’s hidden camera.

Persons: Airbnb, ”, Brian Chesky, Chloe LeBrument, “, LeBrument, … it’s, Bianca Zuniga, Goldwater, “ I’ve, Comfort , Texas David Wyzynajtys, Airbnb’s, Wyzynajtys, ” Wyzynajtys, David Wyzynajtys, Austin Steele, CNN Wyzynajtys, Jay Allee, Allee, –, Vrbo, CNN Allee, Butch Matjeka, ” Matjeka, Kim van Sparrentak, Murray Cox, Cox, Shannon Schott, “ They’re, They’re, ” Schott, Jan Schakowsky, Kyung, ’ Allee, didn’t, Airbnb superhost Peter Madden, Madden, he’d, “ I’m, ” Madden, undressed, Patricia DiCarlo, Matt Lait, Logan Whiteside, Yahya Abou, Ghazala Organizations: CNN, Social, ” CNN, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, Ontario Airbnb, Police, Sheriff’s, European Union, EU, Communications, Facebook, Illinois, Democratic, Airbnb’s San, Attorney, Westbrook Police, Vrbo Locations: Texas, San Francisco, London , Ontario, Ontario, Comfort , Texas, Jay Allee Kendall, Allee’s, California, Kendall, Allee, United States, New York, York, Florida, Airbnb’s, Airbnb’s San Francisco, Chesky, Melbourne, Australia, Maine, Cumberland County

☆ Video: Inside CNN’s investigation of Airbnb’s hidden camera problem
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( John General | Audrey Ash | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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Video footage shows the young man in a white hoodie, identified as Edan On, striking at the barrier around the pro-Palestinian encampment. From Social MediaOn, a local high school senior, was captured on video striking a pro-Palestinian protester with a pole. A pro-Palestinian demonstrator is beaten by counterprotesters attacking a pro-Palestinian encampment set up at UCLA's campus. Etienne Laurent/AFP/Getty ImagesA counterprotester, identified by CNN as Malachi Marlan-Librett, pushes a pro-Palestinian protester in the barrier of the UCLA encampment. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty ImagesMarlan-Librett is seen throwing the bottom of a broom at a pro-Palestinian protester.

Persons: counterprotesters, UCLA –, –, “ Edan, Sharon, Edan, William Gude, “ We’re, counterprotesters calmy, “, ”, Chaim Seidler, Feller, Hillel, On’s, wasn’t, Malachi Marlan, Etienne Laurent, Wally Skalij, Librett, Dolores Quintana, Quintana, ” Dolores Quintana, Tom Bibiyan, Bibiyan, Trump, William Gude Tom Bibiyan, William Gude “, Angie Givant, she’d, Narek Palyan, Palyan, Catherine Hamilton, Hamilton, UCLA’s, Boosinger, ” Dylan Kupsh, ” Kupsh, Kupsh, Audrey Ash, Isabelle Chapman, Scott Glover, Curt Devine Organizations: CNN, UCLA, Fox, Facebook, Israel, Social, Social Media, Los Angeles Police Department, Patrol, UCLA Police Department, Bruins, LA, Key, Beverly Hills High School, Israel Defense Forces, UC Santa Cruz, Getty, Los Angeles Times, ”, Los Angeles Valley College, USC, Green Party, ucla, “, Student, ” Thistle, Thistle Locations: Gaza, Israel, California, Angeles, UCLA's, Los, Los Angeles

Orleck and Tamari are among at least 50 professors arrested at campus protests across the country, according to a CNN review of police records, court filings, and news reports. (Since April 18, more than 2,400 students have been arrested amid protests on more than 50 campuses.) Officials from several universities where professors were arrested in connection with recent protests declined to comment on individual cases. All the professors, Blair said, were “expecting to get arrested.” Though Blair himself was not arrested, at least four other UCLA professors were that day. “I want to say some of my colleagues, particularly at Emory and Washington University, were treated much more brutally.

Persons: Orleck, whiplash, Steve Tamari, Louis, Tamari, “, Caroline Fohlin’s, Fohlin, Gregory Pflugfelder, Isaac Kamola, Alex Kent, ”, Kamola, “ There’s, Gregory Fenves, Fenves, Emory, Carol Folt, Andrew Guzman, Minouche Shafik, Joseph Howley, Graeme Blair, Blair, ‘, ” Orleck, she’d “, they’re, Sian Leah Beilock, WMUR, ” Tamari, Mo, Christine Tannous, Andrew Martin, hasn’t, ‘ Don’t, “ Don’t, ” Michael Allen, ” Allen, Allen, I’m, St . Louis, Michael Allen “, Chancellor Martin, Bikrum Gill, Gill, ” Gill, it’s Organizations: CNN, Dartmouth College, Washington University, Palestinian, Emory University, Columbia University, New York Times, American Association of University, ’ Center, Defense, Faculty of Columbia University, Getty, Emory, University of Southern, USC, Columbia, UCLA, Justice, Green, Hanover Police Department, Police, Louis Post, AP Protesters, Boeing Company, Israel Defense Forces, University, Desirée, Virginia Tech Locations: New Hampshire, St, Palestinian American, Atlanta, New York, Columbia’s, Palestine, Gaza, Los, Los Angeles, Dartmouth, Emory, Palestinian, American, Louis , Missouri, Missouri, Illinois, Louis, Washington, Israel, St .

The lies and taunts, which Musk engaged with on social media, turned his life upside down, Brody said. Brody filed a defamation lawsuit last month against Musk, the owner of X, formerly known as Twitter. Online conspiracy theorists soon jumped into the fray. Somehow, someone on social media had found a photo of Brody online and decided he looked like one of the people involved in the clash. The suit alleges that in August after Musk was made aware through his lawyers about Brody’s case for defamation, Musk refused to delete his tweets.

Persons: Ben Brody, Elon Musk, Brody, Musk, —, Alex Jones, Mark Bankston, who’ve, ”, CNN “, ‘ You’re, “ You’re, “, ” Brody, ‘, ” Musk, ’ ” Brody, wouldn’t, Alex Jones Bankston, Sandy Hook, Bankston, Jones, Musk’s, Ben, “ Musk, Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi, “ It’s, I’m, It’s Organizations: CNN, Nazi, Twitter, Sandy, Elementary, University of California Locations: California, Nazi, United States, Riverside , California, Portland , Oregon, Riverside, Oregon, Travis County , Texas

Cheap, second-hand, and purloined weapons comprised Hamas’ deadly makeshift arsenal that fueled a devastating, multi-pronged attack on Israel over the weekend. CNN analyzed dozens of photos and videos of Hamas militants during the surprise assault to identify the weapons used to kill at least 1,200 people in Israel. In previous battles with Israel, Hamas was known to have fired rockets made of old water pipes, the researcher noted. BulldozersPhoto-illustration: CNN/Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa/ReutersSeveral experts who spoke to CNN emphasized the ad hoc nature of the Hamas attack. In some videos, Hamas militants can be seen driving Israel Defense Forces (IDF) vehicles and using Israeli weapons that were likely taken during the initial fighting.

Persons: presumedly, ”, Mike Lyons, Lyons, “, Oren Ziv, ” Lyons, John Spencer, toted, Stephen Biddle, “ It’s, they’re, Spencer, Saddam Hussein, “ They’re, Din, ” Ali Baraka, Frank McKenzie, Jack Guez, David Benson, ” Benson, Biddle, ” Spencer, Paragliders, Sean Elliott, ” Elliott, –, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, — Organizations: CNN, US State Department, US, Urban Warfare, Modern, Institute, ” AK, toted AK, Columbia University, Hamas ’ Telegram, AK, ” Rockets, Telegram Hamas, Israel’s, ’, Hamas, Hamas National Relations, US Central Command, Nova, Industry & Regulatory, Experimental Aircraft Association, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Israel, Iran, Gaza, Egypt, Soviet, West, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, British, Jihad, Lebanon, Russia, Kalashnikovs, Sderot, Kfar Aza, Beit Lahia, Palestinian, Spain

☆ Jan. 6 Committee failed to hold social media companies to account for their role in the Capitol attack, staffers and witnesses say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Donie O'Sullivan Audrey Ash Zachary Cohen | Donie O'Sullivan | Audrey Ash | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But now these witnesses, along with some committee staff, are frustrated, saying the committee failed to adequately hold major social media companies to account for the role they played in the worst attack on the Capitol in 200 years. They also said the final report outlines structural issues across social media and society that need to be studied further. Jeremy Moorhead/CNNDisagreement about social media companies’ role in the Jan. 6 attack comes as 2023 looks to be a pivotal year for Silicon Valley firms in Washington, DC. “Indeed, the lack of an official Committee report chapter or appendix dedicated exclusively to these matters does not mean our investigation exonerated social media companies for their failure to confront violent rhetoric,” they wrote. “History has taught us what happens when political speech on social media companies is allowed to fester unchecked.”

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