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☆ Black rappers call out double standard of using hip-hop lyrics as evidence in rapper Young Thug’s criminal trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Safia Samee Ali | Safia Samee Ali Is A Reporter For Nbc News Digital | Based In Chicago. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

Authorities had no physical evidence or weapon that linked Phipps to the shooting, and the then 22-year-old had no criminal record. Through her research Kubrin has found bias against rap music and artists, she said, adding that much of that bias is racialized. That means using lyrics from rap music, a historically Black genre, can infect jurors with anti-Black racism regardless of whether the defendant himself is Black, she said. Defending the practiceFulton County prosecutor Fani Willis, whose office is trying the case against Young Thug and other YSL members, has defended using music lyrics in trials. Gavin Newsom signed the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, which made it the first state to restrict the use of rap lyrics as evidence in state court.

Other cards offering increased welcome bonuses are the United Quest℠ Card, United℠ Explorer Card, and United Gateway℠ Card. For a limited time, four United credit cards are offering elevated welcome bonuses, worth up to 100,000 miles. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. Earn 3x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel, 1x on all other purchases. Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases including tickets, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.

☆ Hedge funds are aggressively buying Chinese stocks, betting on a deeper, but shorter Covid setback
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Since the start of November, hedge funds have been consistent net buyers of China equities for eight of the past 10 weeks, according to data from Morgan Stanley. After witnessing the massive rebound from the pandemic low in U.S. stocks, hedge funds are betting that the same scenario will play out in China as it tries to return to a pre-pandemic "normal" after ending most Zero Covid controls. Since November, 80% of hedge fund buying activity has come from hedge funds adding long positions in China, while 20% was from short covering, Morgan Stanley said. Investors getting in early on the trade are betting that China's economy will suffer a deeper — albeit shorter —setback. "Such a dramatic U-turn then implies deeper economic contraction in 4Q22 but also faster reopening and recovery in 2023."

☆ Canada, U.S. Agree to Workaround on Border-Security Dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Paul Vieira | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

OTTAWA—The U.S. and Canada said Tuesday they have reached a partial resolution over a yearslong border-security dispute that has disrupted plans for business travelers and others who frequently cross the border. Details were released on the margins of the North American Leaders’ Summit in Mexico City. In a joint statement, the U.S. and Canada said the measures to be implemented would help clear a backlog of applications—peaking last year at 330,000—related to the joint U.S.-Canada trusted traveler program called Nexus.

How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards pointsThe only way to earn rewards in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem is by opening and using a Chase credit card that operates within this program. Pay Yourself Back with Chase points (up to 1.5 cents per point)During the pandemic, Chase introduced a compelling new way to redeem points for everyday, non-travel expenses. Redeem points for experiences (point values vary)You can also use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book special experiences, including one-of-a-kind events hosted by Chase. Book hotels through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portalWhile the Chase Ultimate Rewards program partners with IHG Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt, it's important to price shop awards before you transfer Chase points to these programs. For example, you may find that a Marriott stay that costs 50,000 points will only set you back 12,000 Chase points through the portal.

Proptech customers, employees, and investors said they went from delighted to disillusioned. Proptech investors eager to capture these trends pumped $32 billion into the industry in 2021. As markets deteriorated, disillusionment set in among proptech customers, investors, and employees. Some customers say they were disappointed buying homes via proptech startupsReal-estate startups like Divvy Homes and Better launched under the auspices of helping customers afford quality homes. Investors in proptech firms are taking financial hitsYou don't need to ask proptech investors whether they're disappointed in the sector's performance — just look at share prices.

Review: Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express card the best credit card for you? With the launch of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card (and its new sibling card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card ), there are now a whopping six Marriott credit cards available to new applicants. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, with a $250 annual fee, is positioned as a mid-tier card between the popular Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card ($95 annual fee) and premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card ($650 annual fee). On other Marriott Bonvoy cards, like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, the free anniversary night certificate is one of the best perks, so its absence on the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card really sticks out. If have or have had The Ritz-Carlton® Credit Card from JPMorgan, J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 30 days, you won't be eligible for the $250.

This promo will open to all IHG members — but IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, and IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card members receive early access. For a limited time, Chase IHG credit card holders get early access to a sale for IHG award bookings lasting three nights or less. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightIf you hold an IHG credit card such as the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, or legacy IHG Select Card (not available to new applicants) you will get 20% off award stays at IHG hotels when you complete your booking by January 20, 2023. Conversely, this benefit is great for those holding a free anniversary night offered by the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, and the legacy IHG Select card. IHG is also a Chase Ultimate Rewards® transfer partner — but we do not recommend converting Chase points into IHG points.

Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 19.74% - 26.74% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it Check mark icon A check mark. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightRewards on food delivery: You'll earn 4 points per dollar on takeout, food delivery, and dining. Review: U.S. Bank Altitude Go card reviewFood delivery credit cards frequently asked questions (FAQ)Which is the best credit card for food delivery?

Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it Check mark icon A check mark. Very high annual fee Highlights Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Annual companion certificate can help you recoup most, if not all, of the annual fee Check mark icon A check mark. $325 annual travel and dining credit can offset most of the $400 annual fee Check mark icon A check mark. Statement credits can help you recoup the annual fee Check mark icon A check mark.

Of course, there isn't one best credit card to use in New York City. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 20.74% - 27.74% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Details Rewards Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. It earns 2x Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel (outside of purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards) and 3x points on dining. It's the best card to use for dining out, takeout, and food delivery in New York City because you'll earn 4 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent.

The best hotel credit cards all have one outstanding benefit that gives cardholders the incentive to renew year after year: free night certificates and/or bonus points that are worth more than the annual fee. 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/23, then your top two categories each quarter. Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, Card Members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 20.24% - 27.24% Variable Editor's Rating 4.4 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.4 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Credit Cards With Annual Free Nights Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)How do I use a free night certificate?

Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightThe best credit cards for adding authorized users reviewsBest overall: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardCost to add an authorized user: $0 for up to four authorized users. Authorized users aren't the main account holder; instead, they're using a credit card that's tied to the main account. Credit history isn't a factor in adding an authorized userFor people who are building or rebuilding credit, getting approved for a premium credit card usually isn't a possibility in the short term. Some banks will even allow you to add an authorized user under 18 to your account — read our guide to adding children as credit card authorized users for all the details.

☆ Exclusive: Nexus Venture eyes $700 million fund to bet on India, U.S. tech startups
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( M. Sriram | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It would also expand the pool of funds available to startups, at a time when fundraising by Indian startups fell by a third last year to $24 billion, Venture Intelligence data showed. Founded in 2006, Nexus was one of the first Indian venture capital firms to invest in U.S. and India-based software startups. The new fund will be its seventh so far and take the firm's assets under management to more than $2 billion. The new fund has received a strong response from endowments, one of the sources said, without sharing names of any specific investors. Nexus was co-founded by Naren Gupta who ran a software company in the United States for 15 years before selling it to Intel.

However, most airlines also offer a credit card that provides priority boarding, and if they don't there are plenty of credit cards that'll reimburse you for priority boarding fees. Airline credit cards with priority boardingIt's worth noting that priority boarding isn't the only reason to get an airline credit card. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightEven if you don't have a co-branded airline credit card, you can still enjoy priority boarding by paying for it with a credit card that offers annual travel credits. Do you have to pay with an airline credit card to get priority boarding?

Here are four climate and environment lawsuits that are likely to make headlines in 2023. The oil companies in the nation's high court are hoping to upend a series of circuit court decisions saying the cases belong in state courts where they were filed. If the court takes the appeal and rules for the oil companies, then the cases would be moved to federal court, the preferred venue for the industry defendants. (Bellwether trials are chosen as test cases and are used to work through common legal and factual issues.) "I think it will be a huge year for this issue," Conroy said of 2023.

☆ Chase's Pay Yourself Back feature has been devalued, and the update eliminates the bonus for Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Joseph Hostetler | Credit Cards Reporter | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is losing its Pay Yourself Back bonus. The tool is being devalued for both Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders. Chase aimed to provide cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® with practical ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® points aside from travel. In fact, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders no longer have any special incentive to use it. In other words, there's no point in Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders using Pay Yourself Back at all.

With the right travel credit card, you might find yourself actually looking forward to arriving at the airport. Just by holding a single card like the United℠ Explorer Card, you can travel better than the vast majority of everyone else. Just by opening a single credit card, you can up your travel game in a profound way. Let's take a look at five ways you can drench your travel experience with Tabasco sauce by opening just a single credit card: The United℠ Explorer Card. But you can avoid paying for checked bags with an airline credit card like the United℠ Explorer Card.

☆ Big Tech predictions for 2023: A rival for Twitter, Amazon deceleration, Google's AI wake-up call, Microsoft's serious game, cloud bills, and DTC decline
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Hugh Langley | Kali Hays | Ashley Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The painful adjustments will ripple across the industry in 2023.Insider's Big Tech reporters share what to watch this coming year. At $44 billion, the debt-fueled deal was completed quickly at valuations from the frothy tech bull market of 2021. Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesThe slow breakdown of Twitter under Musk appears to be upon us. Mastodon has experienced a major influx of users, hitting more than 5 million accounts after Musk took over Twitter. With intense tech antitrust scrutiny, these new services are unlikely to be gobbled up by Big Tech.

☆ Hit by climate change, farmers in Cambodia are risking everything on microfinance loans
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The loans are also seeing farmers put assets including their land up as collateral, even when the loans are high-interest and have short repayment windows. Taylor Weidman | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesNGOs estimate around 167,000 Cambodians have sold their land to pay microfinance loans over the last five years. A 2016 book published by the World Bank argued microfinance loans had reduced poverty and increased incomes in Bangladesh, and banking giant HSBC still promotes its funding of microfinance in the country. But the World Bank, an early and longstanding advocate of microfinance, has also been warning for years of risks including overindebtedness and the growing commercialization of the industry. In the capital Phnom Penh, she added, she commonly meets people working seven days a week to pay off spiraling MFI loans.

Here are 12 of the weirdest and most fascinating animal behaviors scientists spotted in 2022. Here are 12 bizarre and amazing things animals were spotted doing, some of which had never been seen before. It turned out that at least 12 species of primates had been reported doing so, a review published in the Journal of Zoology in October found. A dolphin swallowed 8 venomous sea snakesA sea snake (indicated with pink arrow), moments before it is captured and eaten by a Navy dolphin. Though animals have often been spotted using tools, these usually are used to give the animal a clear survival advantage.

☆ Warren Buffett's right-hand man Charlie Munger might not get his windowless dorm built at UC-Santa Barbara
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

UC-Santa Barbara's Munger Hall may not be built after 13 people said it could pose health risks. The dorm — backed by a $200 million donation from Munger — was supposed to be 11-stories high with 4,500 beds across 70 square-foot bedrooms with no windows, according to the Times. Munger Hall has been criticized for its lack of windows in the bedrooms where students would live. Panelists said that Munger Hall could pose challenges to the mental and physical health of students, Vice reported. As far as the report, Munger told The Real Deal that the it's "all horseshit," adding that "it's ridiculous."

Another option is to pay for priority boarding using a travel rewards credit card that offers statement credits for airline or travel purchases. However, most airlines also offer a credit card that provides priority boarding, and if they don't there are plenty of credit cards that'll reimburse you for priority boarding fees. Airline credit cards with priority boardingIt's worth noting that priority boarding isn't the only reason to get an airline credit card. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightEven if you don't have a co-branded airline credit card, you can still enjoy priority boarding by paying for it with a credit card that offers annual travel credits. Do you have to pay with an airline credit card to get priority boarding?

☆ Justice Department tells bankers to confess their misdeeds to cut better enforcement deals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Banks and other corporations that proactively report possible employee crimes to the government instead of waiting to be discovered will get more lenient terms, according to a Justice Department official. "When misconduct occurs, we want companies to step up," Miller told the bank attorneys and compliance managers in attendance. "When companies do, they can expect to fare better in a clear and predictable way." The carrot that Justice officials are dangling before the corporate world includes a promise that companies that promptly self-report misconduct won't be forced to enter a guilty plea, "absent aggravating factors," Miller said. They will also avoid being assigned in-house watchdogs called monitors if they fully cooperate and bootstrap internal compliance programs, he said.

It's impossible to name one single best credit card, given the wide range of benefits, rewards, and annual fees available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 19.74% - 26.74% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 20.74% - 27.74% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightBest secured rewards card for building credit Discover it® Secured Credit Card 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Intro offer Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 26.74% Variable Editor's Rating 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

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