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☆ Vinícius Jr.: Spanish court orders prison time for soccer fans over racist abuse toward Real Madrid star
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Kevin Dotson | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Thank you to La Liga and Real Madrid for helping with this historic conviction.”The Brazilian vowed to keep using his platform to fight racism. “The three defendants acknowledged their criminal liability and have released an apology letter addressed to our player Vinícius Jr., to Real Madrid C.F. and to everyone else who felt offended and degraded by their behavior,” Real Madrid said in a statement. “La Liga will identify them, report them and there will be criminal consequences for them.”Global soccer’s governing body FIFA also praised the news. “I am pleased to see the firm action and sentencing taken by the Spanish authorities in relation to the racist abuse directed at Vinícius Jr in a Spanish La Liga match in May 2023.

Persons: CNN —, Vinícius, Vinícius Jr, “, I’ve, I’m, ”, Pierre, Philippe Marcou, Javier Tebas, Gianni Infantino, Infantino Organizations: CNN, Real Madrid, La Liga, Valencia CF, Spanish, LaLiga, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Liga, Getty, ” Real, ”, FIFA Locations: Valencia, Spain, Real, Real Madrid, AFP, ” Real Madrid, Spanish

☆ DNC is infusing $2 million into state parties in push to win key down-ballot races and boost voter registration efforts
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe Democratic National Committee is spending nearly $2 million in additional targeted state investments to boost down-ballot candidates and fund critical voter registration efforts ahead of November. In South Dakota, national Democrats are investing $70,000 in a critical voter registration program to boost turnout among Native Americans. The DNC is also investing additional money for state parties in Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Washington State. AdvertisementSome of the key down-ballot races the national party will target with the funding are the Maryland Senate contest between Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and former GOP Gov. In Texas, the national party will spend an additional $45,000 on organizing efforts to boost voter registration before the fall.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Jaime Harrison, Donald Trump, Harrison, Angela Alsobrooks, Larry Hogan, Gabe Vasquez, Yvette Herrell, Colin Allred's, Ted Cruz, The Trump Organizations: Service, Democratic National Committee, Business, Republicans, DNC, Indiana Democrats, Washington State, Maryland Senate, GOP Gov, New, Congressional, Democratic, GOP, Republican National Committee, RNC Locations: Indiana, South Dakota, Colorado , Kansas , Maryland, Minnesota , Nebraska, New Mexico , Texas , Utah, Maryland, New Mexico, In Texas, Texas, Manhattan, Montana and Ohio

☆ Officials in Arizona release Rudy Giuliani’s mug shot after he pleaded not guilty in election subversion case
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Kyung Lah | Jack Hannah | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Rudy Giuliani was processed in Phoenix on Monday, weeks after pleading not guilty in Arizona to charges of allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Giuliani was served on May 17 in Palm Beach, Florida, at his 80th birthday bash held by a GOP operative. Arizona prosecutors spent weeks trying to track down the former New York City mayor and eventually found him based on his podcasts. A grand jury in Arizona handed up indictments last month charging over a dozen Trump allies, including the fake electors and several individuals connected to his campaign, over their efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. Goodman added that Giuliani “will be fully vindicated.”The Arizona indictment is just the latest legal woe for Giuliani stemming from his time as Trump’s attorney after the 2020 presidential election.

Persons: CNN — Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s, Giuliani, President Trump, ”, Ted Goodman, Goodman, Veronica Stracqualursi, Zachary Cohen Organizations: CNN, GOP, New, New York City, Trump, Washington, Giuliani, Dominion Locations: Phoenix, Arizona, Maricopa County, Palm Beach , Florida, New York, Georgia

☆ Tough-on-crime former NYC judges say even they wouldn't sentence Trump to prison in the hush-money case
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

AdvertisementWill Merchan sentence Donald Trump to jail? Merchan will not sentence Trump to prison, the four agreed. Merchan could theoretically sentence Trump to as little as a single day in Rikers, said Kamins, now in private practice at Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins. But even in the unlikely event of a low-jail sentence, Trump's appeals would keep him at liberty for years, all four judges said. "I certainly don't know what the right decision is, or what Judge Merchan will do," Obus told BI.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Will, Juan Merchan, Trump, blunts, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Jane Rosenberg, Michael Obus, Barry Kamins, Charles Solomon, Solomon, Shannon Stapleton, Kamins, Richard Drew Appeals, — Obus, Trump's, Ted Cruz, Joshua Steinglass, Obus, I've, Ron Kuby, Kuby, Merchan, STEVEN HIRSCH, Judge Merchan, Susan Necheles, Stormy Daniels, Jane Rosenberg Merchan, Rehashing, he's Organizations: Service, Will New, Business, Attorney, REUTERS, New York, New, New York City, BI, Trump, Manhattan, Republicans, AP, National Enquirer, Getty Images, Harvard Business School, Reuters, Manhattan Criminal Locations: Rikers, Manhattan, New, New York, Brooklyn, , New York, New York's, Aidala, United States, Florida, Washington

☆ When the Money Is Under the Mattress. Or in the Freezer. Or a Shoebox.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( Martha C. White | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After their father died in 2021, Susan Camp and her brother cleaned out his home — and inadvertently threw out $5,000 in cash he had wrapped in aluminum foil and stashed in the freezer. And she was surprised, but not shocked, to also discover $6,000 in a box that once held a bottle of cologne. “Dad traveled, and he always wanted cash on him,” she said. Adrienne Volpe’s grandmother kept her extra cash in her library. “My grandmother had pressed thousands of dollars in single bills inside books,” Ms. Volpe said.

Persons: Susan Camp, “ Dad, ”, Adrienne Volpe’s, ” Ms, Volpe, “ Locations: cologne

☆ Spirit Airlines isn't considering Chapter 11, 'encouraged' by post-JetBlue plan, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Spirit Airlines aircraft undergoes operations in preparation for departure at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 12, 2024. Spirit Airlines CEO Ted Christie said Friday that the budget airline isn't considering a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and is "encouraged" by its plan after a failed takeover by JetBlue Airways . Earlier this year, a federal judge blocked JetBlue's planned takeover of Spirit on antitrust grounds, raising concerns on Wall Street about the money-losing airline's ability to address its debt. "We are proudly executing to our plan as we've exited the merger agreement with JetBlue and are encouraged by the initial results of our stand-alone plan," Christie said at an annual shareholder meeting on Friday. S&P Global Ratings on Wednesday downgraded Spirit, raising questions about its ability to refinance.

Persons: Ted Christie, Spirit, we've, Christie Organizations: Spirit Airlines, Austin, Bergstrom International Airport, JetBlue Airways, Pratt & Whitney, Airbus, JetBlue, Hertz Locations: Austin , Texas, Thursday's

Oppenheimer raised its price target on Microsoft to $500 on the potential of increasing AI adoption. Shares of AT & T are up 9% on the year, but analyst Michael Rollins' $20 price target implies that shares could rise another 9%. Analyst Andrew Obin upgraded the Post-it and Scotch parent to buy from neutral and raised his price target by $15 to $120. Analyst Christopher Nardone upgraded the shoe maker to buy from neutral and raised his price target by $16 to $87. Analyst Jay Sole upped his price target on the clothing maker by $14 to $174, now suggesting upside of 43.4%.

Persons: Oppenheimer, Exxon, Neal Dingmann, Dingmann, aren't, — Spencer Kimball, Michael Rollins, Rollins, Lisa Kailai Han, BofA, Andrew Obin, William Brown, Michael Roman, Brown, Obin, — Alex Harring, Christopher Nardone, Nardone, Skechers, Jeffrey Zekauskas, Zekauskas, Huntsman, Benjamin Soff, Soff, Fred Imbert, PVH, Jay Sole, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Sole, Alex Harring, Morgan Stanley, Dara Mohsenian, Mohsenian, Anthony Chukumba, Chukumba, Gavin Parsons, Parsons, Tami Zakaria, Zakaria, Herc, Morgan, Tim Hsiao, Bernstein's Eunice Lee, NIO, America's Ming Hsun Lee, Timothy Horan, Horan, Rob Sanderson, Sanderson Organizations: CNBC, Microsoft, Loop, Exxon, Natural Resources, Citi, AT, VZ, Bank of America, Huntsman, JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, UBS, Colgate, Palmolive, Loop Capital, UBS shaves, Boeing, Rentals, United Rentals, Herc Holdings, Wall, 3Q, Bank, OpenAI Locations: Truist, Guyana, OPEC, Thursday's, America's

☆ Isolated and inexperienced: A portrait of Judge Aileen Cannon from veterans of her courtroom
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Tierney Sneed | Hannah Rabinowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

CNN —Judge Aileen Cannon had been on the federal bench for little more than a year when a senior judge offered to preside over one of her first criminal trials in her isolated south Florida courthouse. In her seven years as a Justice Department attorney, Cannon participated on the trial teams of just four criminal cases. Still, Cannon has asked questions in the Trump case that appear out of left field. Her orientation toward such legal rabbit holes is not distinct to the Trump case, veterans of her courtroom say. Ultimately, nearly every attorney CNN spoke to said that Cannon, despite the criticism, is unwavering in her beliefs about how each case in her courtroom should proceed.

Persons: Aileen Cannon, ”, Paul C, Huck, Cannon, “, ” Huck, I’d, Donald Trump, she’s, Trump, Cannon –, who’s, Lothar Speer, Jack, Cannon chalked, Cannon's, “ She’s, Lee Adams, Sr, Lynne Sladky, Smith, Jack Smith, Cannon testily, –, they’ve, ” CNN’s Sara Murray Organizations: CNN, Southern, Southern District of, Trump White House, Justice Department, West Palm Beach, CNN Defense, Trump, Courthouse, FBI, Fort, Records, National Archives, Biden, Obama Locations: Florida, Fort Pierce, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, America, West Palm, Florida’s, Cannon, Fort Pierce , Florida

☆ The politics and competition driving Disney's high stakes $60 billion theme parks expansion
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

The next wave of Disney theme park expansion in the U.S. is primed to be in California rather than Florida. The decision requires Disney to put a minimum of $1.9 billion in theme parks, lodging, entertainment, shopping and dining within 10 years. In Florida, Disney has had a more difficult time navigating the political landscape — leading to Disney World development tie-ups. In its fiscal 2024 second quarter , Disney's Parks & Experience division, which includes theme parks, resorts, cruises, hotels, and consumer products grew sales by nearly 10% to $8.93 billion and operating income by more than 12% to $2.29 billion. "Comcast's exposure to, and reliance on the Theme Parks segment is about to expand dramatically," according to MoffettNathanson.

Persons: —, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Bob Iger, Iger, Nelson Peltz, Jeff Marks, Disney's, Laurent Yoon, Bernstein, Yoon, Orlando, Peter Supino, Harry Potter, Supino, Jim Cramer, Jim Cramer's, Jim, Mario Tama Organizations: Disney, Republican Florida Gov, CNBC, Comcast, What's, that's, Disney's Parks, Parks, Disney Destiny, Sunshine, Universal, Wolfe Research, Universal Studios Hollywood, Wall Street, Getty Locations: U.S, California, Florida, Anaheim —, Southern California, NBCUniversal, DeSantis, Orlando, Golden, Anaheim, Anaheim , California

☆ Apple TV+ is making a big brand partnerships hire as it warms up to advertising
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewApple has made a big brand-partnerships hire who will work across its Apple TV+ entertainment business, a sign that it's serious about becoming a bigger advertising company. Lewinsky's role at Apple is expected to resemble that of Mahta Eghbali, who led copromotions for Apple TV+ films, TV, and sports and who left the company in 2023. Industry sources who work in branded entertainment said Apple TV+ has been stepping up efforts to use brands to promote its entertainment. Apple TV+ doesn't have an ad tier, but it's made a handful of hires from the TV business that have fueled speculation that it plans to introduce one, despite its long-held stance on customer privacy. Apple TV+ also recently hired a marketing vet, Tony Trujillo, to run marketing partnerships.

Persons: —, Mike Lewinsky, Eghbali, Lewinsky, Monica Lewinsky, Barbie, merch, Ted Lasso, It's, Lauren Anderson, Magno Herran, it's, Ricky Strauss, Chris Van Amburg, JP Richards, Tony Trujillo Organizations: Service, Apple, Endeavor, InBev, DP, Marriott International, Visa, Business, Creative Artists Agency, Entertainment Media Ventures, Nike, Tandem, Amazon MGM, Netflix, Lacoste Locations: 160over90

☆ These 38 GOP senators just voted against protecting contraception. Here's why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThe Senate failed on Wednesday to advance a bill designed to protect access to contraceptives nationwide. Just two Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — voted with Democrats to advance the bill. Advertisement"Do people really think that even a significant minority of the Republican conference is against access to contraception?" AdvertisementBut still — if Republicans aren't against contraception, why won't they just vote for the bill? Glenn Youngkin of Virginia vetoed a bill to protect access to contraception, arguing that it violated principles of religious freedom.

Persons: —, — Susan Collins of, Lisa Murkowski, Alaska —, Chuck Schumer, Republican Sen, Thom Tillis, — Schumer, it's, Tillis, Griswold, Roe, Wade, Clarence Thomas, They've, James Lankford, Lankford, Sen, Rick Scott of, Glenn Youngkin, John Barrasso of, John Barrasso of Wyoming Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee John Boozman, Arkansas Ted Budd of, Carolina Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia Bill Cassidy, Louisiana John Cornyn, Texas Tom Cotton, Arkansas Kevin Cramer of, Arkansas Kevin Cramer of North Dakota Mike Crapo, Idaho Ted Cruz of, Idaho Ted Cruz of Texas Steve Daines, Montana Joni Ernst, Iowa Deb Fischer, Nebraska Chuck Grassley, Josh Hawley, Missouri John Hoeven of, Missouri John Hoeven of North Dakota Cindy Hyde, Smith, Mississippi Ron Johnson, Wisconsin James Lankford, Oklahoma Mike Lee, Utah Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming Roger Marshall of Kansas Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma Rand Paul of Kentucky Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Jim Risch, Idaho Mike Rounds, South Dakota Marco Rubio, Eric Schmitt, Missouri Rick Scott, Florida Tim Scott of, Florida Tim Scott of South Carolina John Thune of, Florida Tim Scott of South Carolina John Thune of South Dakota Thoms Tillis, North Carolina Tommy Tuberville, Alabama Roger Wicker, Mississippi Todd Young, Mike Braun, Indiana Katie Britt, Alabama Lindsey Graham of, Alabama Lindsey Graham of South Carolina Bill Hagerty, Tennessee John Kennedy, Louisiana Jerry Moran of, Louisiana Jerry Moran of Kansas Mitt Romney, Utah Dan Sullivan, Alaska JD Vance, Ted Budd Organizations: Service, Nine Republicans, Democratic, Republican, Business, Republicans, GOP, Oklahoma Republican, Democrats, Republican Gov, Arkansas Kevin Cramer of North, Nebraska, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South, Florida Tim Scott of South Carolina John Thune of South Dakota, North, Alabama Lindsey Graham of South Locations: — Susan Collins of Maine, Alaska, North Carolina, . Connecticut, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Rick Scott of Florida, Virginia, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Arkansas, West, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Idaho, Idaho Ted Cruz of Texas, Montana, Missouri, Missouri John Hoeven of North Dakota, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, Florida, Florida Tim Scott of South Carolina, Florida Tim Scott of South Carolina John Thune of South, Alabama, Indiana, Alabama Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana Jerry Moran of Kansas, Ohio

☆ Senate GOP blocks bill to guarantee access to contraception
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Clare Foran | Ted | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Senate Republicans voted Wednesday to block a bill put forward by Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception nationwide, as Democrats seek to highlight the issue in the run up to November’s elections. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins crossed over to vote with Democrats in favor of advancing the bill. Katie Britt and Ted Cruz introduced a bill called the IVF Protection Act in May, and Republican Sen. Joni Ernst has put forward a separate bill to promote access to contraception. “We will have an alternative that will make very clear that Republicans are for contraception,” Senate GOP Whip John Thune said. Ahead of the vote on the Democrat-led bill, Ernst attempted to pass her alternative contraception bill by unanimous consent, but the request was blocked by Democrats.

Persons: Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Schumer, It’s, GOP Sen, John Cornyn, …, Roe, Wade, –, “, Chuck Schumer, ’, ”, Illinois Democratic Sen, Tammy Duckworth, Katie Britt, Ted Cruz, Republican Sen, Joni Ernst, John Thune, Ernst, Democratic Sen, Patty Murray, Britt, Murray, Democratic Sens, Ed Markey, Mazie Hirono, Duckworth, CNN’s Brenda Goodman Organizations: CNN, Republicans, GOP, “, Democratic, state’s, Illinois Democratic, Republican, Democrat, US Food and Drug Administration, Health, Education, Labor, Women’s Freedoms Locations: Texas, Alabama, implanting

☆ How a humble Indian fabric became a symbol of luxury in 1960s America
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But this staple of preppy American fashion has humble origins, far from Martha’s Vineyard or the hallways of Yale or Harvard, in Chennai, India, the coastal city from which it takes its name. Krishnan Nair,” a biography of the Indian textile magnate and hotelier who first sold Jacobson the madras, in a video interview with CNN. From Chennai to shores of the CaribbeanFort St. George was established in the 1630s, helping the British cement a monopoly on the highly lucrative Indian textile industry. Research by the London School of Economics estimates that Indian cotton textiles, which were often exchanged for slaves, accounted for 30% of the total export value of 18th century Anglo-African trade. A madras fabric weaving workshop in Chennai, the Indian city once known as Madras, circa 1990.

Persons: Lisa Birnbach’s “, Ralph Lauren, Brooks, William Jacobson, ”, Bachi Karkaria, Captain C.P, Krishnan Nair, Jacobson, Tony Cenicola, Karkaria, — Nair, “, ’, David Ogilvy, Leonard McCombe, Nair, Ogilvy, Elihu Yale, George, Hathaway, India Madras ”, Eli Yale, King George I, Hathaway Yale, Yale, Kai Toussaint Marcel, Marcel, Tommy Hillfiger, Kimberly M, Jenkins, Patrick Horvais, madras “ Organizations: CNN, Brooks Brothers, Yale, Harvard, New York Times, Milton Academy, madras, Ivy League, East, Yale College, Yale University, Yale . Yale, East India Company, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Parsons School of, London School of, Princeton, Miss College, Sports Locations: madras, Bahamas, Chennai, India, Madras, West Africa, Milton , Massachusetts, superstardom, East India, Fort St, India Madras, Scottish, North Africa, Nigeria, America, Caribbean, St, West Indies, England, France, New Orleans, East Coast, Bermuda, madras Bermuda, Rhode Island, Newport, South Florida, Palm, Fisher

☆ U.S. appeals court rejects SEC oversight rule for private equity, hedge funds
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Circuit Court of Appeals decided that the SEC exceeded its authority by adopting the rule in August 2023. The latest decision addressed rules covering private equity funds, hedge funds, venture capital funds and managers of funds for institutional investors such as pension funds and endowments, among others. Industry critics said this lack of transparency has hurt ordinary investors with indirect exposure to private funds, such as through pension and retirement plans. Private funds often attract well-heeled, sophisticated investors, and as a result have received less federal regulatory oversight than investments geared toward ordinary investors. In announcing the new rules, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said they would benefit "all investors, big or small, institutional or retail, sophisticated or not."

Persons: Gary Gensler Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, Circuit, Appeals, SEC, U.S, Democratic, Republican, National Association of Private Fund, Alternative Investment Management Association, American Investment Council, Trading Association, Association, National Venture Capital Association Locations: Washington ,, U.S, New Orleans

☆ Judge Reshuffles Hearings in Trump Documents Case
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Alan Feuer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The federal judge overseeing former President Donald J. Trump’s classified documents case abruptly changed the proceeding’s schedule on Wednesday, reshuffling the timing for hearings on an array of important legal issues. The move by the judge, Aileen M. Cannon, was unlikely to have much impact on the overall trajectory of the case, but it reflected the substantial number of unresolved legal motions she is juggling. Last month, Judge Cannon scrapped the case’s trial date, saying she could not yet pick a new one because of what she described at the time as “the myriad and interconnected” questions she had still not managed to consider. Judge Cannon kept in place a hearing she had set for June 21 to discuss a motion by Mr. Trump’s lawyers to dismiss the indictment on the grounds that Jack Smith, the special counsel named to oversee the prosecutions of Mr. Trump, was illegally appointed to his job. Similar motions have been rejected in cases involving other special counsels, including Robert S. Mueller III, who investigated connections between Russia and Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign, and David C. Weiss, who has brought two criminal cases against Hunter Biden, President Biden’s son.

Persons: Donald J, Trump’s, Aileen M, Cannon, Judge Cannon, Jack Smith, Trump, Robert S, Mueller III, David C, Weiss, Hunter Biden, Biden’s Locations: Russia

☆ Golden Age for Rich Renters: Deals Make It Better Than Buying a Home
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The result is that class A units account for more than half the apartment market, compared with one-third in the early 2000s, according to Moody's Analytics. High-end apartments that offer amenities up the wazoo — and rent breaks, to boot — represent a tantalizing alternative to the for-sale market right now. But as with all good things, the golden age for America's wealthy renters must also come to an end. Nations told me she still hoped to buy a home one day. "I know how challenging it is to rent in Nashville, especially on your own," Nations told me.

Persons: Emily Nations, she's, Nicole Bachaud, Rich, Joel Sanders, Sanders, Doug Ressler, David Brasington, Ressler, they're, — Organizations: Trinity, cabana, Nations, Analytics, University of Cincinnati, Census Locations: Nashville, downtown, Nations, New York, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, America, Houston, Austin, Phoenix, Charlotte, North Carolina, Raleigh , North Carolina, Tampa , Florida

The first day of testimony in Hunter Biden’s trial on gun-related charges kicked off Tuesday with the surreal sound of the defendant’s own voice ringing through the courtroom, narrating his descent into drug addiction, when prosecutors played the audiobook of his memoir. It ended with bitter written words: expletive-laced, panicked texts to Hallie Biden, his brother’s widow and his onetime girlfriend, berating her for disposing of a handgun and warning, presciently, that it might set off a federal investigation. The government’s case against President Biden’s son — for all the drama, media swirl and complex political dynamics — is pretty straightforward legally: proving that Mr. Biden was abusing drugs when he filled out a federal firearms application claiming he was not an “unlawful user” of controlled substances. Prosecutors stressed that point in their 15-minute opening argument before a packed courtroom that included Jill Biden, the first lady. Lying on a federal gun application is illegal and “nobody is allowed to lie, not even Hunter Biden,” said Derek Hines, a top deputy to the special counsel, David C. Weiss.

Persons: Hunter Biden’s, Hallie Biden, Biden’s, —, Biden, Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, ”, Derek Hines, David C, Weiss Organizations: Prosecutors

☆ Meta's AI chatbot says it was trained on millions of YouTube videos. Meta didn't deny it but said the bot could be inaccurate.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewThe Meta AI chatbot is more willing to share what data it was trained on than Meta is. It expanded Meta AI in April as a chat and image generator function across all its apps, including Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta AI told Business Insider that it was trained on large datasets of transcriptions from YouTube videos. Meta AI initially said its training data included a third-party dataset of 3.7 million transcribed YouTube videos. In responding to further queries about its YouTube training data, Meta AI said its training data included another, larger dataset of transcriptions from 6 million YouTube videos also compiled by a third party.

Persons: —, hasn't, Meta, OpenAI, Meta AI's, We'll, Meta's chatbot, Google's GoogleBot, Kali Hays Organizations: Service, Meta, Facebook, Business, TED, YouTube, NBC News, CNN, Financial Times, US Locations: khays@businessinsider.com

☆ Travis Kelce is speechless as Jason Sudeikis pops awkward question about Taylor Swift
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Fans of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce curious about where the couple’s relationship is headed can thank Jason Sudeikis for trying to get them closer to some answers. (L-R) Jason Sudeikis, Robert Smigel, Patrick Mahomes, George Wendt, and Travis Kelce perform onstage during 2024 Big Slick Celebrity Weekend on Saturday. That’s what four tickets cost to her concert anyway.”“She just got to Kansas City, boys. Kelce responded to Sudeikis’ interrogation with an embarrassed smile and an awkward chuckle, as he seemingly waited for it all to be over. Swift and Kelce began dating last summer and the singer is often spotted cheering on the athlete at his games.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Jason Sudeikis, Kelce, Sudeikis, Robert Smigel, George Wendt, Big, Patrick Mahomes, Kyle Rivas, Smigel, Wendt, “, Taylor, Jesus, ” Kelce, “ Travis, Ted Lasso ”, ” Sudeikis, “ Taylor, Harrison Butker, Swift Organizations: CNN —, NFL, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Locations: Kansas City , Missouri, Kansas

☆ I finally earned my dream job in the C-suite, but my relationships suffered
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Jennifer Romolini | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I'm good at my job, but it comes at a costIt's a site I wouldn't necessarily read myself, but I understand the assignment. AdvertisementIn addition to meetings and managing the day-to-day operations of our site, I'm in charge of an open-blogging, user-generated-content (UGC) platform, a project of which my bosses are especially proud. "Ambition Monster: A Memoir" by Jennifer Romolini is out June 4. Excerpted from Ambition Monster: A Memoir by Jennifer Romolini. Copyright 2024 Jennifer Romolini.

Persons: Tom Hanks, Kate, Jennifer Romolini, There's, I've, I'm, Alex, We've, revel Organizations: Service, Finance, Sports Locations: Silicon

☆ Opinion: Trump is now in a club no one ever wants to be part of — convicted former leaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Opinion Chris Good | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The criminal trial and conviction of (mostly former) national leaders has happened in stable, mature democracies, just as it has in former dictatorships. The track record of convicted leaders shows just how risky it is to try to predict what will happen. In 2017, South Korea impeached and later criminally convicted now-former President Park Geun-hye in a bizarre corruption scandal involving the influence of a friend and confidante. After a scandal emerged involving the state oil company Petrobras, Lula was convicted in 2017 of corruption and money laundering. “Political leaders can choose how they will speak about these institutions.”

Persons: Chris Good, Donald Trump, —, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Sebastian Kurz, ” Kurz, Park, “, Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Nicolas Sarkozy, Bertrand Guay, Bibbins Sedaca, Jacques Chirac, ” Bibbins Sedaca, Sarkozy, Moammar Gaddhafi illicitly, Silvio Berlusconi, Yara Nardi, Berlusconi “, ”, Berlusconi, Matteo Salvini, Giorgia Meloni, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Nelson Almeida, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Lula, Jair Bolsonaro, Oliver Stuenkel, Fundação Getulio Vargas, ” Stuenkel, Politicization, Stuenkel, didn’t, Lula “, Mark Peterson, Ariel Edwards, Levy, Lula —, Chirac, Trump’s Organizations: CNN, ABC News, Economist Intelligence Unit, Freedom House, Getty, Freedom, Reuters, Forza Italia, Five Star, AFP, Brazil, Petrobras, Bolsonaro, School of International Relations, Fundação, NEW, Manhattan Criminal, Trump, Twitter, Facebook Locations: The, Manhattan, Argentina, Austrian, South Korea, Washington, DC, France, Italy, Brazil, Paris, AFP, Moroccan, Milan, Trump, America, São Paulo

But in closing arguments, one of Mr. Bragg’s prosecutors said that Mr. Cohen had told his lies for Mr. Trump. After the election, Mr. Pecker testified, Mr. Trump summoned him to Trump Tower. The ShowdownEven that did not prove that Mr. Trump had falsified records to disguise his reimbursement of Mr. Cohen. Mr. Trump washed his hands of Mr. Cohen, who turned on the man he had once idolized. Mr. Blanche also argued that Mr. Cohen had profited from his hatred for Mr. Trump with two books and a lucrative podcast deal.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Juan M, Merchan, anoints, Alvin L, Bragg, Trump’s, Stormy Daniels, Michael D, Cohen, Eduardo Munoz, Daniels, Mr, Michael Cohen, ”, Joshua Steinglass, Cohen “, ” Mr, glowered, Mike Johnson, Biden, “, Donald Trump, Dave Sanders, Biden’s, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Todd Heisler, David Pecker, Pecker, nonchalantly, Hope Hicks, Hicks, Ms, The New York Times “, Justice Merchan, “ You’re, ” Ms, Allen H, Weisselberg, Susan Hoffinger, Cohen’s, Joe Piscopo, giddily, Hoffinger, Jean Carroll, Bragg’s, Wesley Parnell, Michael Rothfeld Organizations: White, Republican, Convention, Office, Reuters, Mr, Credit, The New York Times, Democratic, New York Times, National Enquirer, Trump, Playboy, Street Journal, New, Hells Angels Locations: American, Manhattan —, Lower Manhattan, —, Florida, Washington, Georgia, New York, Manhattan, Trump’s Midtown Manhattan, Tahoe, Nev, America

☆ Former U.S. Agriculture Official Says Menendez Told Him to ‘Stop Interfering’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Tracey Tully | Benjamin Weiser | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

In May 2019, a top official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture got a call on his cellphone from Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey. The conversation was brief, the senator was curt, and the message was clear: “Stop interfering with my constituent.”Ted A. McKinney, then the under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, testified about the exchange on Friday during the third week of Mr. Menendez’s bribery trial in Federal District Court in Manhattan. It was the first time that jurors had heard directly from a witness who attributed conduct to the senator that is central to the government’s claim in an indictment that alleges a sprawling bribery conspiracy: that Mr. Menendez was willing to flex his political muscle to win favorable treatment for allies.

Persons: Robert Menendez, curt, ” Ted A, McKinney, Menendez Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Robert Menendez of New, Federal, Court Locations: Robert Menendez of, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Manhattan

☆ Donald Trump's jury ends its first day of deliberations deep in the hush-money conspiracy weeds
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Laura Italiano | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewFormer President Donald Trump's Manhattan jury deliberated for four-and-a-half hours on Wednesday — and their first note to the judge shows they were deep in the hush-money conspiracy weeds before breaking for the day. Pecker's testimony continued. Reuters/Mike Segar'The boss is going to be very angry'The second chunk of the transcript to be read back Thursday morning concerns still more of Pecker's testimony. It was at this meeting that the illegal campaign conspiracy underlying Trump's indictment was hatched, according to the witnesses. Under the alleged conspiracy, Pecker, Trump's longtime friend, would alert Cohen when negative stories arose.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's Manhattan, they'll, Trump's, David Pecker, Michael Cohen, Trump, We've, Juan Merchan, Karen McDougal Dimitrios Kambouris, Karen, Donald Trump, Pecker, Karen McDougal, Playboy Bunny, Michael, Mike Segar, It's, McDougals's, Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Jane Rosenberg, Ted Cruz Organizations: Service, Business, National Enquirer, Trump, Reuters, Trump Organization, Trump Tower Locations: New Jersey, Mexican, New York, Manhattan, Trump's

☆ Trump embarks on a fundraising juggernaut after his conviction on 34 felony counts
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

But while Trump's small-dollar donors mobilize amid new Trump campaign ads labeling the former president a "political prisoner," Trump himself is gearing up to raise big money from wealthy Republicans. Trump campaign aides said late Thursday that it was unclear exactly how much the campaign had raised that day from small-dollar donors, but it was enough that the campaign's donation website crashed intermittently. Banks, a veteran Trump ally, told CNBC that Helberg is bridging the gap between Silicon Valley, Washington, D.C., and the defense industry. "I hope he'll play a big role in President Trump's second term and I look forward to seeing him in Milwaukee," Banks said. Helberg recently told The Washington Post that he gave $1 million in support of Trump after years of backing Democrats.

Persons: David Sacks, Chamath, Trump, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Biden, Jacob Helberg, Alex Karp, Helberg, Palmer Luckey, Tommy Tuberville, Bill Hagerty, Jim Banks, Banks, Trump's, Hagerty Organizations: CNBC, Trump, Republicans, Hamptons, Republican, Madison, Republican National Convention, Garden, MSG, Radio City Music, NBC News, Democratic Party, Anduril Industries, D.C, Press, Anduril, Republican National Committee, Washington Post, Biden, Fund, Commission, America Locations: San Francisco, Texas, California, New York, New York City, Manhattan, Milwaukee, Sens, Ohio, Silicon Valley , Washington, United States, China, Israel

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