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☆ Hacked Washington law firm fights SEC subpoena in effort to protect attorney-client privilege
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Rohan Goswami | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

People exit the headquarters of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington, D.C., May 12, 2021. Covington & Burling has more than 700 lawyers in Washington, D.C., where the international firm has built a reputation of working with regulators rather than fighting them. "The SEC's subpoena turns advocate into informant, conscripting Covington as a source for investigative leads against its own clients," the firm said in a filing. Covington remains unyielding in its opposition, and the firm is getting a hefty dose of support from its legal peers. Officials have said cooperation and support from the private sector, ranging from small businesses to top law firms, is a critical part of law enforcement's efforts to protect U.S. interests.

The Sandy Hook families said that they need specialized assistance to review Jones' assets, income, and ability to pay those verdicts. Jones filed preliminary financial statements earlier in February, but listed several trusts that held unknown assets. Jones filed for personal bankruptcy in December, saying he could afford to pay less than 1% of the judgments handed down in two Sandy Hook defamation trials. Lopez will decide in March if Jones has to face a third Sandy Hook defamation trial. The Sandy Hook families have expressed concern that Jones is using bankruptcy to limit payments on the defamation judgments while attempting to collect income outside of the bankruptcy court's oversight.

"We started making a film on the last war in Europe and then a new war broke out," Sicin-Sain told reporters. "It's about the resilience of all of us and that's a wonderful thing to put out into the world, particularly now," Damon told Reuters. His production company is in the early stages of researching a film about the war in Ukraine, he added. Footage of Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic - now serving a life sentence for genocide - denying war crimes makes the parallels with today's war inescapable. Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Additional reporting by Hanna Rantala; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ In the audience at the State of the Union
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Jeremy Schultz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Rodney Wells and RowVaughn Wells, the stepfather and mother of Tyre Nichols, a Black motorist who died after being beaten by Memphis police following a traffic stop, talk with Bono, the lead singer of U2, as they arrive to take their seats in the...moreRodney Wells and RowVaughn Wells, the stepfather and mother of Tyre Nichols, a Black motorist who died after being beaten by Memphis police following a traffic stop, talk with Bono, the lead singer of U2, as they arrive to take their seats in the first lady's box. REUTERS/Leah MillisClose

Biden will deliver his second State of the Union address at about 9 p.m. (0200 GMT Wednesday). It will be broadcast live on major U.S. broadcast television networks and online by the White House and the House of Representatives. The speech could deliver Biden his largest television audience of the year. The White House has also invited Brandon Tsay, who disarmed a gunman responsible for a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California. Republicans have picked Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as White House press secretary under Donald Trump, to deliver their response.

Following are some of the guests expected to attend:* Brandon Tsay: Tsay was called a hero by authorities for disarming a gunman who shot dead 11 people during a celebration of the Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, California. The White House called it a "recognition of sustained U.S. support for Ukraine nearly a year after Russia launched its unprovoked attack." * The White House has also invited Paul Pelosi, husband of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "The attack reportedly was politically motivated, with the intruder's alleged intent to harm and kidnap the former Speaker," the White House said. The United States completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan in August 2021 after a 20-year war.

☆ The guests invited to Biden's State of the Union address
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsThe guests invited to Biden's State of the Union addressPostedU.S. President Joe Biden's second State of the Union address will feature a guest list that includes Tyre Nichols’s parents, Monterey Park shooting hero Brandon Tsay, Paul Pelosi, and U2 star Bono.

☆ George Santos once lied that he was a producer on 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,' one of the biggest Broadway debacles of all time
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Azmi Haroun | Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Rep. George Santos told campaign donors he produced the most expensive Broadway play of all time. But it turns out Santos was never a producer for "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," per Bloomberg. The play cost $75 million to produce and at the time, Santos was a customer service rep in Queens. On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Santos told donors on the campaign trail that he was a producer on "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," a Broadway adaptation of the superhero saga. Michael Cohl, who produced the play, told Bloomberg that Santos was not a producer and that his name was nowhere on the playbill.

Advertising meme account @digital_chadvertising had decidedly humble beginnings on its way to becoming a popular outlet for industry workers to voice their frustrations, connect with each other and share marketing news. @digital_chadvertising has since gained nearly 80,000 followers on Instagram while mocking everything from industry acronyms to Twitter’s recent advertiser exodus. That does not match the Instagram followings of the leading ad trade publications, but it tops those of large ad-agency networks and other industry accounts. Some prefer formats and platforms that don’t fit the strict definition of a meme but still use the meme world’s sardonic tone to target an industry niche. “The line is so thin between meme and work with my specific niche,” said @digital_chadvertising.

☆ The Sundance Film Festival: A Lively Market for Indie Cinema
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Kyle Smith | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

After two years of Covid-19 fears, the Sundance Film Festival returned to in-person screenings, and exhilaration was in the air. Given the chance to screen most offerings remotely, I attended from my living room. These days, with indie cinema still having trouble attracting ticket buyers, the festival is becoming more and more of a shopping center for streaming services. Drawing a similar price, this time from Apple for its streaming service, was “Flora and Son,” another musical drama from writer-director John Carney (“Once”). Keeping its titular promise, the film is thoroughly campy, far too much for my taste.

☆ Macron campaign accounts cleared by French audit body
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Jan 27 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron's 2022 election campaign finances, which came under scrutiny amid a wider controversy linked to U.S. consultancy McKinsey's ties to his government, were cleared by an audit commission, the body saidon Friday. The independent state body said it had received two tips about alleged irregularities in Macron's re-election campaign accounts which cited "irregular" assistance from unspecified consultancies, but said they appeared to be unfounded. Macron has said his campaign accounts had been flawless and that, as president, he does not directly deal with public tenders, adding: "The core of the investigation is not about me." With his campaign accounts now cleared and confirmation he did not break the legal ceiling applied to presidential election spending, Macron will get back about 10.4 million euros ($11.30 million) from the state towards his campaign spending. All the other contenders in the 2022 presidential election had their campaign accounts cleared by the state body.

☆ A Navy officer explains how she built a $1 million real estate portfolio with $14,000 — and shares 5 ways that anyone can start buying property with little or no money down
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Before purchasing her first property, Snider had been living in military-base housing and wanted her own space. However, she was able to use a VA Loan, backed by the Department of Veteran Affairs, for her first purchase, which required no money down. Her new monthly mortgage payment would amount to $1,600, plus utilities which were about $150 to $200 a month. "I realized, oh well, I got this asset for free and now somebody's paying my rent," Snider said. Altogether, the three properties Snider now owns add up to a total value of $1.1 million, according to Zestimate.

Then there’s Eve Hewson, daughter of Bono, who claimed that the Vulture team behind the “nepo baby” piece was “jealous” and called out the editor-in-chief for her own familial privilege. But one self-described “nepo baby” has finally cracked the code of how to defuse these attacks: by owning the title, not shying away from it. shutting out countless talented newcomers who might have more talent than a “nepo baby” but lack a famous name or face and thus are denied opportunities — would be a major mistake. More “nepo babies” could take a page out of Williams’ book and recognize this duality. Hollywood isn’t an equal playing field, and any “nepo baby” who pretends like it is is not only ignoring reality, but doing a disservice to their own reputation.

Ulloa had been discussing ways to work with Latino Media Network's owners Stephanie Valencia and Jess Morales Rocketto, Castro said. Valencia and Morales Rocketto called Ulloa "a true trailblazer in Latino media." "He saw the value and promise of the Latino media industry before many others did. He's got that kind of money and he's very committed to the community,'" Castro said. “I am heartbroken by the sudden passing of my friend, Walter Ulloa, a trailblazer who has helped transform Spanish-language media,” Ruiz, the outgoing chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a tweet Tuesday.

☆ JD Vance is joining a distinctive club of conservatives who parlayed their celebrity into a GOP seat
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Incoming Sen. JD Vance continues a tradition of celebrities who broke into Republican politics. Their pre-congressional careers include stints on Broadway and reality TV, and in blockbuster movies. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyNewly minted Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio won't just be replacing retiring Sen. He'll be joining the cadre of right-leaning actors, singers, and reality TV personalities who traded on their celebrity to secure a spot on Capitol Hill. Here are five other cultural figures, listed by when they joined Congress, who beat Vance to the punch of becoming Republican lawmakers.

☆ Cassidy Hutchinson knew she was going to be 'nuked' for turning on Trump. She did it anyway.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Alex-Seitz-Wald-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Alex Seitz-Wald | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

“I was scared,” she told committee investigators last September in sworn testimony. “I almost felt like at points Donald Trump was looking over my shoulder.”“I was scared. “I want to make this clear to you: Stefan never told me to lie," she told the committee. Her Trumpworld lawyer, Passantino, was not happy, she said, and began frantically calling his colleagues to do damage control. “I’m about to be f------ nuked,” she said she told a committee staffer as she left that third meeting.

☆ Africa’s World Cup: how a continent that usually underperforms finally got it right
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —After the first round of games at the World Cup, an all too familiar script looked to be playing out for African football fans. Zaire was the first sub-Saharan nation to participate at the World Cup. But not only is this the most affordable World Cup for Africans, it is also the most accessible. It was a very big challenge for Brazil [in 2014].”Mohamed Kudus was the breakout star of Ghana's World Cup, scoring a brace against South Korea. That investment, along with a crop of stellar talent and Africa’s best coach, has catapulted Morocco to the World Cup semifinals.

☆ Georgia Holt, actress and Cher’s mother, dies age 96
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Toyin Owoseje | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cher is mourning the loss of her mother, Georgia Holt, who has died at the age of 96. While no further details surrounding her death have been made public, Holt had struggled with health issues in recent months. In September, Cher shared that her mother had been hospitalized with pneumonia and had been suffering from recurring health issues. Mom is gone😔 — Cher (@cher) December 11, 2022Following news of Holt’s death, tributes poured in from fans and celebrities. “I cried from the special, I cried from the album coming out after all these years,” Holt told the Huffington Post at the time.

☆ World Cup quarterfinals: Morocco on the verge of history against Portugal as Kylian Mbappé’s France face England
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Moroccans have become the darlings of the World Cup. At the first “Arab” World Cup, they became the first Arab nation to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Cup and, as the first African side to qualify for the quarterfinals in over a decade, they represent so much more than just their own nation. Born in Madrid, Achraf Hakimi scored the goal to knock Spain out of the World Cup. No team has scored more than Portugal’s 12 at the World Cup, but will the unstoppable Portugal be able to beat the immovable Morocco? Mbappé has already surpassed Cristiano Ronalo's World Cup goal scoring record and is level with Lionel Messi on nine.

☆ Achraf Hakimi’s nerveless ‘Panenka’ penalty seals stunning World Cup shock as Morocco beats Spain in shootout to reach quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —Morocco continued its stunning run at Qatar 2022, beating Spain on penalties to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history. Spain missed all three of its spot kicks as Moroccan goalkeeper Bono made himself the hero of the shootout, saving efforts from Sergio Busquets and Carlos Soler, while Pablo Sarabia hit the post. Achraf Hakimi, who was born in Spain, buried the winning penalty with the cheekiest of Panenkas, chipping the ball gently into the middle of the goal to send the thousands of Moroccan fans inside Education Stadium into dreamland. More to follow…

☆ Gladys Knight, George Clooney, Amy Grant feted at Kennedy Center Honors
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

WASHINGTON — A heartfelt Patti LaBelle praised her lifelong friend Gladys Knight. Matt Damon playfully teased his friend George Clooney — a lot — while Sheryl Crow gave thanks and a heartfelt rendition of “Baby Baby” to her fellow singer Amy Grant during Sunday’s Kennedy Center Honors. Every year the Kennedy Center honors a select group of people for their artistic influences on American culture. 2022 Kennedy Center Honorees, front row from left, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, George Clooney, Tania León, join, back row from left, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge, and Bono for a group photo at the State Department following the Kennedy Center Honors gala dinner, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Washington. León said during an interview when the honorees were announced that she wasn’t expecting “anything spectacular” when the Kennedy Center initially reached out to her.

☆ George Clooney, Gladys Knight among Kennedy Center honorees
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, second from left, and his wife, Evan Ryan, left, join 2022 Kennedy Center Honorees, front row from left, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, George Clooney, Tania León, and Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, back row from left, Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein, along with fellow 2022 Honorees Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge, and Bono for a group photo at the State Department following the Kennedy Center Honors gala dinner, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Washington. Sometimes the Kennedy Center honors not just individuals but groups; "Sesame Street" once got the nod. Composer and conductor León said during an interview when the honorees were announced that she wasn't expecting "anything spectacular" when the Kennedy Center initially reached out to her. After all, she's worked with the Kennedy Center numerous times over the years going back to 1980, when she was commissioned to compose music for a play. León left Cuba as a refugee in 1967 and eventually settled in New York City.

[1/6] Kennedy Center honorees U2 band member Bono greets Cuban-born American composer, conductor and educator Tania Leon during a reception for Kennedy Center honorees ahead of the official gala at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 3, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah SilbigerWASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Actor George Clooney, singer-songwriter Amy Grant, singer Gladys Knight, composer Tania León and rock group U2 were set to be celebrated on Sunday for their contributions to the arts with a White House reception and Kennedy Center Honors show. The Kennedy Center event, now in its 45th year, honors stars from music, stage and screen for their "contribution to American culture." Grant rose to prominence as a contemporary Christian music singer who later crossed over to pop stardom, amassing six Grammy Awards. Irish band U2, with members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr., has won 22 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

☆ I traveled to every country in the world, including North Korea, in 558 days. These are my top 10 travel tips.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Cassie De Pecol has traveled to all 193 sovereign nations in addition to Taiwan, Kosovo, and Palestine. These are some of her top travel tips — from her favorite airlines to how to stay safe as a solo traveler. So I decided to go after the Guinness World Record for traveling to every country in the fastest amount of time. How I traveled to 193 countries in just over 18 monthsCassie De Pecol in North Korea. If you can, pack lightFor my trip around the world, I traveled with just a backpack.

☆ Man who punched 67-year-old Asian woman 125 times in N.Y. gets 17 years in prison
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A New York man who was caught on video punching an elderly Asian woman 125 times earlier this year was sentenced to over 17 years in jail in connection with the hate crime attack, officials announced Tuesday. In the brutal assault he called the woman of Filipino descent an “Asian b----” and she was left suffering bleeding on her brain and multiple facial fractures. She said the victim and her family worked with the district attorney's office all while recovering from her injuries. Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said there was no relationship between the two, and the incident was an isolated attack. "As the attack happened, all I could think was, ‘Please Lord let me live, please Lord my daughters need me,'" she continued.

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