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☆ Analysis: Icahn's mark-up of meat packager extraordinary but possible, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Koh Gui Qing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Hindenburg said Icahn Enterprises LP (IEP) (IEP.O) valued a meat packing company in which it owns a 90% stake three times over its market value. IEP cited "the lack of material trading volume" in Viskase's stock as grounds for the valuation mark-up in the filing. Viskase's shares are traded in the over-the-counter market rather than a major exchange such as Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange. On Thursday, IEP said after the stock market closed that it would preserve its dividend at $2 per unit for the first quarter. IEP's stock rose 10% in afterhours trading on the announcement.

☆ Summer movie preview 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Most moviegoers can pinpoint one summer movie – or perhaps, a summer of movies – in their formative years that really and truly cemented their love for going to the cinema, whether it be 1975’s “Jaws,” “E.T. And while streaming has clearly siphoned off part of the audience, particularly for more serious films, what we think of as “summer movies” still have the potential to rake in cash just like the old days. (CNN and DC are both part of the same parent company, Warner Bros. Courtesy Warner Bros. PicturesInitially meant for streaming platforms, this vehicle will herald the cinematic arrival of DC Studios’ first Latino superhero, played by Xolo Maridueña of “Cobra Kai” and “Parenthood” fame. If the fast-paced trailer is any indication, the movie looks sure to whisk those dog days of summer doldrums away quite nicely.

☆ Chris Pratt's Met Gala post sparked conversation
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Marianne Garvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Chris Pratt has upset some on the internet by showing off his toe. The “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. Playing off his role in “Guardians,” one commenter suggested the Marvel group help. “You want a toe, I can get you a toe,” they quipped. “You need the guardians of Podiatry.”

☆ A federal immigration judge rated female colleagues and lawyers by which ones he wanted to have sex with, shocking lawsuit alleges
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Jack Newsham | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A federal immigration judge's former staffer accused him of sexual harassment in a shocking lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges LA judge Scott Laurent ranked female colleagues and lawyers by which ones were "fuckable." Esocoto also alleged Laurent ranked female colleagues, judges, and lawyers by which ones he deemed were "fuckable." Escoto also alleges Laurent often asked her to come "sit on Daddy's lap," referring to himself as "Daddy." The lawsuit alleges Garland then "acted on Judge Laurent's recommendation to fire" Escoto "shortly after receiving" her "complaints of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation."

☆ Ron DeSantis' memoir could come back to bite him in Disney legal battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Statements in DeSantis' bestselling memoir may hold the proof Disney needs to win its case. Ron DeSantis may have inadvertently handed Disney key evidence it needs to beat him in their escalating legal and political battle. In addition to supporting legislation against Disney, DeSantis has also frequently and fervently railed against the "woke" company. Ron DeSantis is again going after Walt Disney World, after the company launched a stealth power play. Executive Office of the Governor, State of FloridaAs promotion for his memoir, DeSantis also penned a February Wall Street Journal editorial entitled "Why I Stood up to Disney."

NEW YORK, May 4 (Reuters) - The practice of short selling is coming under increased scrutiny as shares of regional banks remain under pressure, with some calls for more regulatory oversight of the practice. Short sellers, who borrow shares they expect to fall and hope to repay the loan for less later to pocket the difference, have profited from the banking crisis. During the financial crisis, short selling was temporarily banned in the U.S., although a New York Federal Reserve review later showed the curb did not achieve the intended effect. The SEC declined to comment on Thursday when asked if it should impose a short selling ban. While some market participants criticized the practice, others, like non-profit group Better Markets, said short sellers warned markets about the challenges regional banks were facing.

[1/5] Cast member Chris Pratt attends the premiere of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. Pratt had seen one or two short unfinished sequences of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," but at the premiere he took the time to savor the entirety of the swan song in Marvel’s “Guardians” trilogy. “I wanted to be swept away on the journey alongside my friends, my family, all of the fans in the audience, the cast and crew. While that wasn’t the actual moment that Pratt and Gunn had, the two recalled feeling the emotional weight of saying goodbye to the “Guardians” movies together.

☆ U.S. SEC says focused on prosecuting misconduct that might threaten investors, markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

NEW YORK, May 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is focused on identifying and prosecuting any form of misconduct that might threaten investors, capital formation or markets more broadly, SEC Chair Gary Gensler told Reuters on Thursday. Gensler made the comment in a written response when asked about a Reuters report that federal and state regulators were assessing the possibility of "market manipulation" behind big moves in banking share prices in recent days. "As I’ve said, in times of increased volatility and uncertainty, the SEC is particularly focused on identifying and prosecuting any form of misconduct that might threaten investors, capital formation, or the markets more broadly,” he said. Reporting by Chris Prentice, writing by Andrea ShalalOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Companies Robinhood Markets Inc FollowMay 3 (Reuters) - Massachusetts' highest court on Wednesday heard arguments on whether to revive a state fiduciary duty rule that was central to an enforcement action securities regulators filed against the online brokerage Robinhood. Lawyers for a Robinhood Markets Inc (HOOD.O) subsidiary and Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin argued before the state's Supreme Judicial Court over the legality of a 2020 state regulation, which Robinhood has said oversteps Galvin's authority. He argued that Robinhood violated the rule he adopted that raised the investment-advice standard for brokers and that its broker-dealer license in the state should be revoked. "Secretary Galvin feels strongly in the need to apply fiduciary duty standards to financial professionals," a spokesperson said. "The Robinhood case is the perfect example of the need for such a rule in Massachusetts."

☆ Twitter is hiding who paid for a blue check mark while users keep dunking on Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Twitter is hiding who paid for a blue check mark, now noting that the account is simply "verified." The old blue check mark message said the user had "subscribed to Twitter Blue." Elon Musk's social media app is now hiding who paid for its derided Twitter Blue service. Twitter also applied blue check marks to accounts of famous dead people, saying they were Twitter Blue subscribers even though they were very much deceased. As the blue check mark lost its luster, verified power users quickly tried to distance themselves from Musk's push for Blue subscriptions.

☆ Gamers are using a secret level to dodge Russian censorship and share news about the war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Gamers are using a secret room in "CS:GO" to share news about the Ukraine war with Russian players. A Finish newspaper designed the room to bypass Russian censorship and get the news to citizens. Players can find the secret room and read information about Russia's shocking war crimes and high casualties in the ongoing conflict. A map shows Russia's civilian targets in the war, mass graves in Bucha and Irpin, 70,000 Russian deaths in the war so far, and more. They wrote that while "Countless Russians are unaware of what is happening in Ukraine," the secret room is where "they are forced to see the truth with their own eyes."

☆ After Pornhub shut down its site in Utah, Google searches for VPN access jumped
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

After Pornhub blocked access to its site in Utah, Google searches for VPN access spiked statewide. The pornography site pulled the plug on Monday in protest of a new Utah age-verification law. Other related topics — everything from different types of VPNs to "what is a VPN" — also saw spikes in search, according to Google data. Utahns' increased interest in virtual private networks comes after Pornhub revoked access to its site for state residents on Monday. 287, which passed in March and went into effect Wednesday, Pornhub published a video statement on its site.

☆ ‘Whatever It Takes’: The Street Teams Who Help Mentally Ill New Yorkers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Andy Newman | Hiroko Masuike | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Half a year with the street counselors who dispense free sneakers, monthly injections and gentle encouragement to some of the city’s most vulnerable and volatile residents. It had taken their team almost five months just to track down the 43-year-old homeless woman, chasing leads from the police and other homeless people. On this afternoon last August, they were trying to help her find the holy grail: an apartment where someone with a severe mental illness could build a stable life. The woman, M, flashed them a big smile. In her black baseball cap, long blond wig, oversize sunglasses and about 20 bracelets, she looked like a misplaced movie star.

May 1 (Reuters) - Regulators seized First Republic Bank (FRC.N) and sold its assets to JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) on Monday, in a deal to resolve the largest U.S. bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis and draw a line under a lingering banking turmoil. Shares of JPMorgan rose 2% on Monday, while those of mid-tier banks fell and the KBW Regional Banking Index (.KRX) closed down 2.7%. [1/3] People walk past a First Republic Bank branch in San Francisco, California, U.S. April 28, 2023. "This is not the world financial crisis, this is not the savings and loan crisis. The failed bank's 84 offices in eight states will reopen as branches of JPMorgan Chase Bank from Monday, it added.

Jessica Leeds, who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the 70s, said he recognized her two years later. Leeds testified at E. Jean Carroll's rape and defamation trial against Trump on Tuesday. Leeds testified in the E. Jean Carroll rape and defamation trial against Trump on Tuesday, saying she was a traveling saleswoman at the time of the alleged assault in 1979. Leeds said Trump recognized her, saying: "I remember you, you're that cunt from the airplane." In recent years, Leeds has spoken out about the alleged assault, detailing both the airplane incident and Trump's later comment in interviews.

☆ Ron DeSantis' new death-penalty law is an open invitation for the Supreme Court to overturn limits on executions nationwide
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ron DeSantis signed a law expanding the death penalty to include child rapists. It defies a 2008 Supreme Court ruling prohibiting the death penalty in crimes where the victim didn't die. DeSantis' office said they're prepared to go to the Supreme Court to overrule judicial precedents. Ron DeSantis is defying the Supreme Court with a new law expanding the death penalty to child rapists — and said the law sets up a way to allow the conservative-leaning court to overturn limits on executions across the US. On Monday, DeSantis signed three Florida House bills into law, including one that expands the death penalty to include child rapists.

☆ In race for efficient EVs, Mercedes taps F1 team to keep up with Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In this article MBG-FF Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTLewis Hamilton of Great Britain drives the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W13 on race day during the 2023 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park on April 2, 2023 in Melbourne. But Mercedes' F1 collaboration to build more efficient EVs faster is unprecedented because it embeds that racing mindset and technological expertise directly in product development. After decades of leadership in combustion-engine technology, legacy carmakers like Mercedes have lagged Tesla in electric vehicles. Mercedes' F1 team can help it get back in the race, said Steven Merkt, head of transportation solutions at TE Connectivity , a major autos supplier. Last year, Mercedes unveiled its EQXX concept car, a super-efficient EV capable of a range of more than 1,200 km (745 miles), which was jointly developed with the German premium carmaker's F1 team in England.

SummarySummary Law Firms Naomi Moore joins from Akin Gump to head DLA Piper's APAC restructuring practiceMoore will split her time between the firm's Hong Kong and Sydney officesMay 2 (Reuters) - Law firm DLA Piper has hired a partner from U.S.-founded rival Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in Hong Kong to serve as its new restructuring practice leader for the Asia Pacific region, the firm said Tuesday. Naomi Moore, who has been on sabbatical since she left Akin Gump in January, will divide her time between DLA Piper’s Sydney and Hong Kong offices, the firm said in a statement. In Hong Kong, Moore joins Trinh Hoang, DLA Piper’s only other restructuring-focused partner in the office, who joined the firm from Linklaters in October last year. Linklaters added a restructuring head in Hong Kong from Allen & Overy in October. An Akin Gump spokesperson wished Moore well on her new role.

☆ Dimmed Suns hope to recapture fire at home against Nuggets
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 2 (Reuters) - The Phoenix Suns return to the Valley with the grim task of turning around their Western Conference semi-final campaign against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, with star point guard Chris Paul's future uncertain. After the Nuggets humbled them 125-107 in Saturday's opener, the Suns improved their defense but little else in Monday's Game 2, losing 97-87. CURRY VS. LEBRONElsewhere in the playoffs picture, a star-studded California clash between LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers and defending champions Golden State Warriors kicks off in San Francisco on Tuesday. Philadelphia star James Harden equalled his career playoff high 45 points on Monday and will need another high-caliber performance for Game 2 in Boston on Wednesday with Embiid's future unclear. Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers told reporters their ability to win without Embiid was a testament to his players' preparedness.

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co's (JPM.N) deal to buy First Republic Bank pushed the Biden administration into a corner, leaving officials scrambling to explain how their stance against mergers squared with allowing the largest U.S. bank to get even bigger. At a White House event on small business on Monday, President Joe Biden hailed the sale of the troubled San Francisco-based lender, saying it would protect all depositors and avert a government bailout. "A poorly supervised bank was snapped up by an even bigger bank — ultimately taxpayers will be on the hook," Warren tweeted. "No recent administration has done more to promote competition, address (the) concentration process across industries," she told a White House briefing. Jean-Pierre added that Biden administration officials valued the fact that community banks offer services to those who might not otherwise have banking access.

☆ Russian journalist seen in propaganda video breaking the rules by loading a rocket launcher says he figures it is ok since Ukrainians are Nazis
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A propaganda video shows a Russian journalist helping troops load a rocket launcher in battle. Russia has baselessly claimed that Ukrainians are fascists and the war is "denazifying" the area. The journalist baselessly says it's "a special case" because he's helping fight Nazis. In the video, he describes the operation and use of a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), according to English-translated captions. The journalist baselessly says that it is a "special case" because Russia is "fighting for our homeland" and against "the Nazis."

☆ Right-wing organizers built a giant statue of a Russian propagandist in Minecraft for a digital rally that saw over 10,000 people show up — and then the server crashed
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russian right-wing organizers built a monument to a dead Russian propagandist in Minecraft. The rally, held ahead of Russia's May Day, last week garnered 12,000 digital visitors. The event, held ahead of Russia's May Day, was organized by the right-wing populist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, according to Meduza. Zhirinovsky, who died last year, was an ultranationalist politician and propagandist considered to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin. He baselessly told BCC in 2018 that Ukraine was Russian territory: "It's our territory; it's our people.

☆ Trump's lawyer is asking for a mistrial in the E. Jean Carroll rape case because he thinks the judge hasn't been fair to him
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Trump's lawyer Joseph Tacopina has requested a mistrial in the E. Jean Carroll rape case. The request accused the court of acting in "pervasive unfair and prejudicial rulings." Tacopina said the court has "mischaracterized" evidence in favor of Carroll. Tacopina's request alleges that the court has "bolstered the testimony" of Carroll and allowed her to avoid clarifying information about surveillance cameras. Tacopina's request for a mistrial comes during ongoing testimony from Carroll in her civil trial against Trump, which is happening in Manhattan federal court.

☆ ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Crosses the $1 Billion Mark
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Nicole Sperling | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The animated film “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” crossed the $1 billion box-office threshold on Sunday, making it the fifth movie to do so since the start of the pandemic and the surest sign yet that the theatrical movie business is on the rebound after a prolonged downturn. Of the five films to cross the $1 billion mark since the pandemic began, “Super Mario” is the first animated one. In fact, “Super Mario” helped push the April domestic box office up 11.5 percent compared with prepandemic levels, according to the box office analyst David A. Gross called the stat “a breakthrough” since it marks the first month that has surpassed its prepandemic average. The 2023 year-to-date box office deficit is now down 21.8 percent compared with that average.

NEW YORK, April 30 (Reuters) - PNC Financial Services Group (PNC.N) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) were among banks set to submit final bids for First Republic Bank (FRC.N) by midday Sunday in an auction being run by U.S. regulators, sources familiar with the matter said. Citizens Financial Group Inc (CFG.N) was another bidder in the final phase of the process, according to one of the sources familiar with the matter. Guggenheim Securities is advising the FDIC, two sources familiar with the matter said on Saturday. Citizens Financial Group Inc (CFG.N) was another bidder vying for the bank, according to sources familiar with the matter on Saturday. But fearing further bank runs, regulators took the exceptional step of insuring all deposits at both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature.

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