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☆ Abnormal Security, valued at $5.1 billion amid email security push, eyes eventual IPO
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Riley De León | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The cybersecurity software contender has more than 2,400 customers, including Maersk, Xerox and Mattel — in all, some 17% of the Fortune 500, according to the company. Cybersecurity company Abnormal Security said Tuesday it has raised $250 million in a Series D funding round that values the firm at $5.1 billion. With Microsoft surpassing $20 billion in cybersecurity revenue last year, competition has picked up among cybersecurity sector incumbents Cloudflare, Zscaler and Palo Alto Networks. Additionally, CrowdStrike veteran James Yeager was recently hired to head up public sector sales, an area that the email security vendor is targeting for growth. In March, Abnormal hired CFO Smita Sanadhya, a former executive at Microsoft Hong Kong and HP as well as startup Okta, which she helped to scale to a $2 billion public company.

Persons: Evan Reiser, Cloudflare, Reiser, Michael DeCesare, James Yeager, Smita Sanadhya, Jeff True Organizations: Twitter, Maersk, Xerox, Mattel, Fortune, Wellington Management, Greylock Partners, Menlo Ventures, Insight Partners, Security, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, Software, Cloudflare, CNBC, Forescout Technology, Microsoft Hong Kong, HP, Abnormal Locations: Zscaler, Palo, Exabeam

☆ Autonomous AI workers that talk to each other will arrive in 2025, Capgemini predicts
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Such a system would entail a collection of agents that work together to solve tasks in a distributed and collaborative way, according to Capgemini. Brier said the so-called AI agents fall into two types: individual agents that carry out tasks on your behalf, and multi-agent technology or, "agents talking to agents." In 2023, the number of firms adopting generative AI was 6%, according to Capgemini, but this year, that number has risen to 24%. According to the report, 10% of firms with an annual revenue of $1 billion to $5 billion are implementing generative AI. In aerospace and defense, 88% of organizations have invested in generative AI, for retail, that number drops to 66%.

Persons: Pascal Brier, Capgemini, Brier, it's Organizations: Istock, CNBC, Brier Locations: U.S, Europe, Germany

☆ This job is 'always' in demand, says IBM exec—it can pay over $100,000 without a degree
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

You don't need a bachelor's degree or a stacked resume to land a six-figure job. "Businesses always need project managers, not just in tech but also in retail, marketing and a dozen other industries," says Lydia Logan, IBM's vice president of global education and workforce development. "It's a core role that touches on so many different functions within a business: project managers can work with the finance, tech, legal departments, you name it." Businesses across all industries are recruiting project managers to keep up with the rapid advancement of different technologies and adapt to lingering disruptions from the pandemic, Logan adds. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of project management jobs will grow 6% in the next decade — faster than the average for occupations overall.

Persons: —, that's, Lydia Logan, Logan Organizations: IBM, Project Management, Labor Statistics

☆ Merih Demiral: UEFA hands Turkey defender two-game suspension following controversial goal celebration
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —UEFA has suspended Turkey player Merih Demiral for two games following a controversial hand gesture made by the defender in Turkey’s round of 16 Euro 2024 win against Austria. “Our football player shared a natural joy when he was celebrating with Turkish fans the happiness of a moment … there is no element here that could hurt your opponent or any community. “We will continue to seek our rights through legal means against this double standard applied to our country and our national football player Merih Demiral. Wolfgang Rattay/ReutersFollowing the win against Austria, Demiral posted a picture of himself making the gesture on X. And I felt that to the fullest after the second goal, so I ended up doing that gesture,” Demiral told reporters after the game.

Persons: Merih Demiral, Demiral, “, Servet Yardimci, ”, ” Yardimci, Osman Aşkın Bak, Wolfgang Rattay, ” Demiral, Turkey’s, Nancy Faeser, Faeser, Tayyip Erdogan Organizations: CNN, UEFA, Austria, Grey Wolves, ” UEFA, Turkey’s, Turkish Football Federation, TFF, “ Football, Turkish, Reuters, European, NTV Locations: Turkey, Turkey’s, Turkish, Netherlands, ” Germany, Berlin, Ankara, Germany

☆ Influencers have changed the ad industry. Now what?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Gaelle Legrand | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Commercial playsTania Bryer: In 1994, it was considered groundbreaking – using an ad to flip gender roles on their head. They're somehow interacting with brands through the prism of influencers, and it gives them a way to talk back. Tania Bryer: A 2019 Edelman study revealed that consumers' trust in the brands they purchase from had declined, but trust in influencers was up. Tania Bryer: And Chawawa says that trust also extends to the type of influencer brands work with. Tania Bryer: And while that may be convenient for brands, creator economy strategist Jamie Gutfreund says it can hurt influencers.

Persons: Tania Bryer, Munya Chawawa, Instagram, Munya, Richard Edelman, Edelman, They're, Joe Gagliese, There's, that's, it's, TikTok, Blake Chandlee, Goldman Sachs, You've, I've, copywriters, Emily, Jamie Gutfreund, influencers Organizations: YouTube, Trust, influencers Locations: influencers, Paris

☆ Crypto.com's Exchange, Sponsorships, and Commercials, Explained
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

(That's not a knock on the company — for a lot of crypto exchanges, the Empire State is a tough nut to crack.) Crypto.com's primary business is its cryptocurrency exchange, which works as a middleman for people buying and selling crypto, but it also offers other products, including crypto Visa cards. To be sure, the casino thing could be said about most crypto exchanges — and sports-betting apps, and many regular trading apps. It's a good reminder that, whatever the company, it's better to use exchanges only for trading your crypto assets, not for storing them. Or maybe in five years we'll be looking back at this moment and saying: "Remember that one crypto company?

Persons: Eminem, Sam Bankman, Crypto.com doesn't, Jojo Siwa, it's, He'd, Nic Carter, Crypto.com, Kris Marszalek, Foris DAX Asia, It's, Matt Damon, Steven Kalifowitz, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, FTX, hasn't, Marszalek, wasn't, Alex Gladstein, Emily Stewart Organizations: NBA, Los Angeles Lakers, It's, UFC, NASCAR, Lakers, Castle, Ventures, Staples Center, Miami Heat's, Binance's, Forbes, Financial Times, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bloomberg, PayPal, JPMorgan doesn't, Human Rights Foundation, Business Locations: New York, America, Singapore, Nigeria, Bulgaria, Monaco, Hong Kong, Polish, Los Angeles, Bahamas, Netherlands, Asia, Americas

☆ Why are luxury brands waging war on the ‘upcycled’ clothing market?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Sarah Kent | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published by The Business of Fashion, an editorial partner of CNN Style. The design was upcycled from vintage Chanel scarves by stylist Logan Horne, whose brand, J. Logan Home, specializes in refashioning heritage luxury accessories. Fashion brands' legal claims are varied but ultimately boil down to concerns that third parties are free-riding on brands’ valuable IP in ways that could risk confusing consumers, eroding primary sales and tarnishing or diluting carefully cultivated marks. Some big brands, like Prada, Gucci and indeed Levi’s, have already dabbled with upcycling collections and programs of their own. These days, she says she’s having about a conversation a week with brands interested in exploring collaboration, but the industry moves slowly.

Persons: Travis Kelce, Logan Horne, Logan, Webster, They’ve, Chanel, Horne, ”, Susan Scafidi, J, Logan Home’s, Christian Vierig, Louis Vuitton, Levi’s, Jeremy Moeller, Irene Calboli, ” Chanel, des, Batsheva Hay, Monica Schipper, “, Hay, upcycling, I’m, Prada, Gucci, Anna Foster, Gabriela Hearst Organizations: The, Fashion, CNN, NFL, Dua, Law, Paris Fashion, Business of, “, Getty, Logan Home, Texas, M University, Fashion Trust, Business of Fashion, Industry Locations: New York, Texas, Beverly Hills , California, India, Europe

“It was Michael Cohen,” Davidson responded. Cohen is the only witness who will testify about Trump’s alleged involvement in both the decision to pay Daniels and the plan to reimburse Cohen for advancing the money. Prosecutors allege that during the February meeting, Trump and Cohen agreed how Cohen would be paid back. Arguably the most negative assessment of Cohen came from Davidson, who negotiated the hush money deal with Cohen on Daniels’ behalf in 2016. “There were times where Mr. Cohen did things that you felt were not helpful to what you were trying to accomplish, right?” Bove asked Trump’s 2016 campaign press secretary.

Persons: Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s, Cohen, Stormy Daniels, David Pecker, Hope Hicks, “, Daniels, Keith Davidson, Daniels ’, Gina Rodriguez –, “ Gina, Keith, ’ ” Davidson, ”, Joshua Steinglass, ” Davidson, Trump, Trump’s, Pecker, ” Steinglass, Todd Blanche, Elie Honig, Cohen’s, antagonizing Trump, Juan Merchan, Merchan, Cohen ’, Emil Bove, ” Pecker, Bove, Gary Farro, ” Farro, Davidson, ” Cohen, Christ, I’m, I’ve, ’ ”, Jeff McConney, ” McConney, Matthew Colangelo, Hicks, –, ” Bove, ” Hicks Organizations: CNN, Trump, National Enquirer, American Media Inc, Prosecutors, Office, Daniels, Trump Organization Locations: Manhattan, Trump’s New York, Moscow, thedirty.com, Washington

☆ Amazon hired an ex-Trader Joe's employee to access company secrets and replicate products from the grocer: WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

According to the Journal, Amazon appeared to have a model it wanted to replicate for Wickedly Prime: Trader Joe's. AdvertisementAccording to the report, Amazon wanted to replicate the top 200 items sold at Trader Joe's. The Amazon manager also pressed the ex-Trader Joe's employee for data on the margins for each product. The former Trader Joe's employee's experience gives an inside look at Amazon's broader, aggressive efforts to compete with other grocers. Trader Joe's established a cult following with its customers partly by developing snacks and foods through its private label.

Persons: —, Joe's, Nakia Rohde Organizations: Service, Street Journal, Amazon, Business, Wickedly Prime, The, Foods

☆ Microsoft begins blocking some terms that caused its AI tool to create violent, sexual images
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Hayden Field | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The AI tool now also blocks requests to generate images of teenagers or kids playing assassins with assault rifles — a marked change from earlier this week — stating, "I'm sorry but I cannot generate such an image. There is also a warning about multiple policy violations leading to suspension from the tool, which CNBC had not encountered before Friday. Microsoft has started to make changes to its Copilot artificial intelligence tool after a staff AI engineer wrote to the Federal Trade Commission Wednesday regarding his concerns about Copilot's image-generation AI. Shane Jones, the AI engineering lead at Microsoft who initially raised concerns about the AI, has spent months testing Copilot Designer, the AI image generator that Microsoft debuted in March 2023, powered by OpenAI's technology. All of those scenes, generated in the past three months, were recreated by CNBC this week using the Copilot tool, originally called Bing Image Creator.

Persons: Shane Jones, OpenAI's DALL, Jones, lacy, Elsa, Lina Khan Organizations: CNBC, Microsoft, Federal Trade, Disney, Palestinian, Israeli Defense Forces, Commerce, Science, Transportation, FTC Locations: Gaza

☆ Microsoft AI employee warns FTC the company’s Copilot Designer AI tool is prone to creating harmful images
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Shane Jones, a Microsoft principal software engineering lead, claimed that the company’s AI text-to-image generator Copilot Designer has “systemic issues” that cause it to frequently produce potentially offensive or inappropriate images, including sexualized images of women. He said he spent months testing Microsoft’s tool — as well as OpenAI’s DALL-E 3, the technology that Microsoft’s Copilot Designer is built on — and attempted to raise concerns internally before he alerted the FTC. He said he found more than 200 examples of “concerning images” created by Copilot Designer. Jones’ letter comes amid growing concerns that AI image generators — which are increasingly capable of producing convincing, photorealistic images — can cause harm by spreading offensive or misleading images. In his letter to Microsoft’s board of directors, Jones called on the company to take similar action.

Persons: Shane Jones, Jones, ” Jones, Lina Khan, “, OpenAI’s DALL, Microsoft “, OpenAI, Jones ’, Taylor Swift, Gemini, Bob Ferguson Organizations: New, New York CNN, Microsoft, US Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Copilot, Google, Washington, US, Commerce, Science, Transportation Locations: New York, United States, White

☆ Microsoft engineer warns company's AI tool creates violent, sexual images, ignores copyrights
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Hayden Field | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Jones was noodling with Copilot Designer, the AI image generator that Microsoft debuted in March 2023, powered by OpenAI's technology. "It was an eye-opening moment," Jones, who continues to test the image generator, told CNBC in an interview. watch nowMicrosoft's legal department told Jones to remove his post immediately, he said, and he complied. Jones said the risk "has been known by Microsoft and OpenAI prior to the public release of the AI model last October." "I am certainly convinced that this is not just a copyright character guardrail that's failing, but there's a more substantial guardrail that's failing," Jones told CNBC.

Persons: Jakub Porzycki, Shane Jones, Jones, OpenAI's DALL, Lina Khan, Khan, deepfakes, he's, Satya Nadella, Sam Altman, Justin Sullivan, Darth Vader, Elsa, Mickey Mouse, guardrail that's Organizations: Microsoft, Nurphoto, Copilot, CNBC, Commerce, Science, Transportation, Federal Trade, Google, Getty, pitchfork, Disney, Wars, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Krakow, Poland, Redmond , Washington, San Francisco, hoodies, Gaza

☆ Your company knows you’re reading this story at work
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But experts say that while AI tools might be new, watching, reading and tracking employee conversations is far from novel. A Chevron spokesperson told CNN the company is using Aware to help monitor public comments and interactions on its internal Workplace platform, where employees can post updates and comments. Cybersecurity company Proofpoint uses similar technology to help monitor cyber risks, such as incoming phishing scams or if an employee is downloading and sending sensitive work data to their personal email account. This would prevent employees from not sharing sensitive company data with an AI model, which could resurface in future responses. Even when employees are not on a secure work network, companies are able to monitor activity through browsers.

Persons: ”, David Johnson, “, Johnson, Slack, Reece Hayden, ” Hayden, Hayden Organizations: CNN, Walmart, Starbucks, Chevron, Forrester Research, Microsoft, Warner Brothers Discovery, Fortune, ABI Research, Meta Locations: Delta

☆ Gig workers explain how they got their accounts reactivated on Instacart and Uber Eats
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Gig workers often have their accounts deactivated, even if they've done nothing wrong. Here are the top tips for getting reactivated from people who deliver for Instacart and Uber Eats. But some gig workers have had success getting their accounts — and an income — back. Business Insider spoke with two gig workers who successfully got apps to overturn their deactivations. AdvertisementDo you work for Instacart, Uber Eats, DoorDash, or another gig delivery service?

Persons: Uber, —, Instacart, could've Organizations: Service, Walmart, Companies, Business, Trust, Safety, Instacart Locations: South Dakota, Instacart, Oregon

☆ Trump is fighting back after a court monitor report that suggested he evaded taxes
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Hannah Getahun | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A letter from Donald Trump's court monitor in his fraud trial suggests he lied about a $48 million loan. The team also provided a memo from the Trump Org's legal department stating that the loan was paid off. AdvertisementDonald Trump is fighting back after a court monitor's footnote indicated that the former president may have committed tax fraud. The Daily Beast first reported on Sunday the note from Jones is a clue Trump used a fake $48 million loan as a vessel to avoid paying income taxes. Advertisement"It would appear, assuming Judge Jones' letter is accurate, that this amounts to tax evasion," Martin Lobel, a tax lawyer, told The Daily Beast.

Persons: Donald Trump's, —, Donald Trump, Barbara Jones, Arthur Engoron, Donald J, Trump, Jones, Judge Jones, Martin Lobel, Clifford S, Robert, Christopher Kise, , Jason Flemmons, Kise Organizations: Trump, Service, Trump Organization, Manhattan Supreme, Chicago, Daily Beast, Daily, Business, Government, Trump Org, Mezz Venture

☆ This startup wants to be the leading clean energy provider to businesses. Check out the 12-slide pitch deck Reel used to raise $5.4 million.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) 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. Businesses can currently purchase certificates or credits to say they have used renewable energy, representing the output from a renewable energy project that's already supplying the grid. The startup's platform aggregates smaller companies' energy demands so they can sign PPAs, which locks in a fixed price. It will also expand into new European markets and grow its 15-strong team across tech, energy, commercial, and operations. With its eye on becoming the leading B2B energy provider, the startup plans to build energy storage and demand response capabilities down the line.

Persons: —, David, Jon Sigvert, Sigvert, Daniel Nathan Organizations: Service, Business, Energy, International Energy Agency . Companies, Fortune, UVC Partners, Firm Locations: Copenhagen, Ukraine, Finland

☆ Microsoft says Russian hackers attacked it to find information about themselves
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft said on Friday that its security systems were breached by a Russian hacking group. Microsoft identified the group as Midnight Blizzard, which was behind the SolarWinds cyberattack. AdvertisementMicrosoft said Friday that its systems were breached by Russian hackers who accessed a "very small percentage" of corporate email accounts. The attack was launched by Midnight Blizzard — the seasoned Russian hacking group behind the massive 2020 attack on US information technology firm SolarWinds, which exposed sensitive information in the US federal government. But federal investigators said they found evidence the hackers accessed Microsoft Office 365.

Persons: — Organizations: Microsoft, Midnight, Service, Midnight Blizzard, Initiative Locations: Russian, China

☆ Microsoft says Russian hacking group accessed email accounts of senior leaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A Russian hacking group gained access to some email accounts of Microsoft senior leaders, the software giant disclosed in a regulatory filing Friday afternoon. “Microsoft has identified the threat actor as Midnight Blizzard, the Russian state-sponsored actor also known as Nobelium.”Nobelium, notably, is the same group responsible for the infamous SolarWinds breach back in 2020. Microsoft said it is in the process of notifying employees whose email was accessed. There is currently no evidence that the hackers had any access to customer environments or AI systems, Microsoft said. Microsoft systems have been the target of multiple recent high-profile hacking efforts.

Persons: ” Nobelium, SolarWinds, — Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, Midnight Blizzard, Hackers, Midnight, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Infrastructure Security Agency Locations: Russian

☆ New York City Major Eric Adams named as defendant under state’s Adult Survivor Act
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Nicki Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been accused of a 1993 sexual assault under a New York law that’s set to expire this week, according to a court document filed Wednesday. The “plaintiff was sexually assaulted by Defendant Eric Adams in New York, New York in 1993 while they both worked for the City of New York,” according to a summons filed in New York County Supreme Court. But he would never do anything to physically harm another person and vigorously denies any such claim.”The three-page summons also lists the City of New York, the New York Police Department’s Transit Bureau and the New York City Police Department Guardians Association as defendants. The claims are being brought under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which is set to expire after Thanksgiving. The city’s legal department and the NYPD referred CNN to City Hall.

Persons: Eric Adams, that’s, “ Organizations: CNN, New, New York City, City, New York Police Department’s Transit, New York City Police Department Guardians Association, NYPD, City Hall, Guardians Association Locations: New York, York, New York , New York, City of New York, New York County, ”, of New York

☆ Inflection AI's Mustafa Suleyman tells OpenAI staff 'come run with us' after 'utterly insane' weekend
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mustafa Suleyman told OpenAI staff "come run with us" after a "utterly insane" weekend. The Inflection AI cofounder and CEO used an X post to promote his own firm and its progress. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe cofounder of Inflection AI weighed in on the "utterly insane" weekend experienced by its rival OpenAI and told workers to "come run with us." It's now the 2nd best LLM in the world ... & we're scaling MUCH further," Suleyman said in an X post .

Persons: Mustafa Suleyman, OpenAI, —, who's, It's, Suleyman, — Mustafa Suleyman, @mustafasuleyman, OpenAI's ChatGPT, Sam Altman, reinstates Altman, Kelsey Laymon, Marc Benioff, Eric Schmidt, Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman, DeepMind Organizations: Service, Microsoft, Nvidia, Forbes, TechCrunch, Paypal, Google, Business

An Alabama police chief said he believes department policies were violated when officers shot and killed a man during a dispute with a tow truck driver, but did not elaborate on what those policies were. Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion wrote in a statement Friday that the department has completed an internal investigation into the Sept. 29 shooting of Steve Perkins. The fatal shooting of the Black man in front of his own home has drawn regular protests in the north Alabama city. Perkins, 39, was killed by a police officer as officers accompanied a tow truck driver trying to repossess Perkins’ truck. Police said that the man, identified as Perkins, later threatened the driver and “turned the gun toward one of the officers.” Perkins' family has disputed the police version of events.

Persons: Todd, Steve Perkins, repossess Perkins, Perkins, “, ” Perkins, WAFF, Perkins ’, Nick Perkins, We’ve Organizations: Alabama, Decatur Police, Decatur Police Department, Police, Legal Department, “ Police, Associated Press, Agency, Decatur Locations: Alabama, Perkins

Authorities have not disclosed any of Hale's journals or writings that were collected after the March 27 shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville. Police then reversed course, saying that because of the lawsuits they would await the direction of the court on whether to release Hale’s writings. “I am deeply concerned with the safety, security, and well-being of the Covenant families and all Nashvillians who are grieving," O’Connell said. Attorneys representing families with the Covenant School have repeatedly said they have not seen Hale's writings. Authorities’ refusal to release Hale’s writings has fueled further speculation and conspiracy theories about what they might reveal about Hale’s motive or influences.

Persons: Freddie O'Connell, Steven Crowder, Audrey Hale's, MNPD, O’Connell, Wally Dietz, Brent Leatherwood, Crowder, Leatherwood, it’s, Hale, haven’t, Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Katherine Koonce, Mike Hill, Cynthia Peak, Adrian Sainz Organizations: Nashville, Metro Nashville Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of, Covenant School, Police, Covenant, Associated Press, AP, Authorities Locations: Tenn, Nashville, Tennessee, Memphis , Tennessee

☆ What to know about Donald Trump Jr.’s expected fraud trial testimony
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Lauren Del Valle | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Donald Trump’s eldest son, Don Jr., is expected to begin testifying in the civil fraud trial against the family and their business on Wednesday. In a deposition taken last year, Trump Jr. distanced himself from the financial statements Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled to be fraudulent in a summary judgment before the trial began. “I had no real involvement in the preparation of the Statement of Financial Condition and don’t really remember ever working on it with anyone,” Trump Jr. said. Donald Trump Jr. has worked in commercial leasing for the Trump Org., including the company’s 40 Wall Street property at issue in the lawsuit. Trump Jr. became a trustee of his father’s revocable trust when he took office and certified the statements of financial condition in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Persons: New York CNN — Donald Trump’s, Don Jr, Donald Trump Jr, Trump, Eric, Arthur Engoron, “, ” Trump, ”, Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, Letitia James Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trump Jr, “, Trump, Trump Org, New York Locations: New York, Seven, Briarcliff, New

Kevin Hodges, a partner at law firm Williams & Connolly, was the first member of Amazon's defense team identified in a court document in the case. Amazon General Counsel David Zapolsky, a 24-year veteran of the company's legal department, can turn to a stable of top outside law firms that already represent it. Thomas Barnett, co-chair of the firm’s antitrust practice and a former senior Justice Department official, was involved in the effort. A Covington spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on whether the firm is defending Amazon in the FTC antitrust case. Amazon has also turned to U.S. law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to navigate government scrutiny.

Persons: Jim Vondruska, Kevin Hodges, Williams, Connolly, Hodges, John Schmidtlein, David Zapolsky, Lina Khan, Thomas Barnett, Covington, Paul, Weiss, Garrison, Paul Weiss, Andrew Goudsward, Mike Scarcella, David Bario, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Amazon Logistics, REUTERS, U.S . Federal Trade, Amazon.com, Amazon, Williams, U.S . Justice, Microsoft, BP, Big Tech, Alphabet's, Google, FTC, Burling, Department, D.C, Covington, Thomson Locations: Chicago . Illinois, U.S, WASHINGTON, Washington, Mexico, Covington, Rifkind, Wharton

☆ US sanctions authority delayed KFC's Russia exit -franchise owner
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Elena Fabrichnaya | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It's OFAC office issued compliance guidance to the industry regarding the exit tax in the form of FAQs, or frequently asked questions, on Feb. 24, 2023, while negotiations on KFC's exit deal were still ongoing. The deal included all its Russian KFC restaurants, operating system and the trademark for the Rostic's brand. Once the buyers were approved, taking this new requirement into account, another one appeared - the budget contribution termed an "exit tax" by Washington - Levin said. "The closure was delayed again, the correct procedure on paying the exit tax was agreed," Levin said. Former KFC restaurants began opening in April as Rostic's, reviving a brand born soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Persons: Maxim, Sergei Levin, Levin, McDonald's, It's, Konstantin Kotov, Andrey Oskolkov, Elena Fabrichnaya, Alexander Marrow, Matt Scuffham, Timothy Gardner Organizations: Brands Inc, KFC, REUTERS, U.S . Office, Foreign Assets Control, Brands, Treasury, Smart Service, Russian KFC, Washington, Soviet Union, Rostic's, Thomson Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine MOSCOW, U.S, Unirest, KFC's U.S, Ukraine, Russian, Soviet

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