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☆ Progressives blast Supreme Court over secret payments of at least $1 million to the ex-Bush official who reviewed the leak investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Supreme Court failed to disclose its past relationship with Michael Chertoff, CNN reported. Chertoff, a security consultant, recently reviewed the court's internal leak investigation. The firm also assessed COVID-19 practices at the court, CNN reported. The hidden payments come as progressive groups, congressional lawmakers, court observers, and ethics advocates demand greater financial transparency at the Supreme Court, which is not required by law to disclose its contracts. A spokesperson for Chertoff declined to comment and referred Insider to the Supreme Court's public information office for questions.

WASHINGTON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The Hive ransomware gang has been disrupted by international law enforcement action, according to a person familiar with the matter and an announcement posted to the group's website. A flashing message posted to Hive's page said: "The Federal Bureau of Investigation seized this site as part of coordinated law enforcement action taken against Hive Ransomware." The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the European law enforcement organization Europol did not immediately return messages seeking comment but the person familiar with the matter said a Department of Justice announcement was coming imminently. Hive is one of a wide range of cybercriminal groups that extort international businesses by encrypting their data and demanding massive cryptocurrency payments in return. "Hive is one of the most active groups around, if not the most active," he said in an email.

☆ Man who sex trafficked and extorted daughter’s Sarah Lawrence schoolmates sentenced to 60 years in prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | The Associated Press | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

A New York man convicted on charges that he moved into his daughter’s dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College and abused students at the elite school in a nearly 10-year scheme was sentenced Friday to 60 years in prison. Manhattan federal court Judge Lewis J. Liman told Lawrence Ray, 63, that his crimes were "particularly heinous." Ray was convicted at trial last year of charges including racketeering, conspiracy, forced labor and sex trafficking. Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y. Stephanie Keith / Getty Images fileOne woman testified at the trial that Ray had convinced her that she had poisoned him and became a sex worker to try to pay reparations to him. The woman said she paid Ray $2.5 million over four years in installments that averaged $10,000 to $50,000 a week.

☆ Democrats have a Gen Z problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Samuel Abrams | Jeremi Suri | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

November's midterms heralded a new force in American politics: Gen Z voters. Given the narrow margins and the Democrats' ability to retain the Senate despite historical precedent, commentators and analysts declared that Gen Z helped Democrats thwart a Republican wave. Gen Z isn't sold on the whole 'party' thingAmericans are increasingly unhappy with the two-party system. Given these circumstances, Democrats shouldn't take the political loyalty of Gen Z voters for granted. Despite assumptions about their left leanings, members of Gen Z are not firmly behind the Democratic Party, President Joe Biden, or many other well-known Democrats.

[1/5] U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy arrive for dinner at Trump's golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 14, 2018. They ignored him, voting three more times against McCarthy after three such votes on Tuesday, and instead backing second-term Representative Byron Donalds. "That's because Trump's relationship with the party is increasingly becoming less about Trump the man, and more about the forces Trump has unleashed on the party." His allies have privately contacted offices of several House Republicans who voted against McCarthy, including the office of Donalds himself, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Some in the party blame Trump for the weaker-than-expected performance in the November midterm elections that gave them a narrow 222-212 majority in the House, amplifying the power of hardliners representing less than 10% of House Republicans.

The World Bank management aims to have specific proposals to change its mission, operating model and financial capacity ready for approval by the joint World Bank and International Monetary Fund Development Committee in October, according to the document. A World Bank spokesman said that the document aimed to provide details on the scope, approach, and timetable for the evolution, with regular updates for shareholders and decisions later in the year. A U.S. Treasury spokesperson declined comment on the World Bank document. Development experts say this shift would greatly increase the amount of lending compared to the current capital structure, which only utilizes paid-in capital. "The challenges the world is facing call for a massive step up in the international community's support," the bank said in the document.

☆ Barbara Walters, pioneering TV journalist who began on ‘TODAY,’ dies at 93
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Ethan Sacks | Ethan Sacks Writes For Nbcnews.Com. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Barbara Walters, the pioneering TV broadcaster who blazed a trail for women in a male-dominated medium, died Friday. “Barbara Walters proved to be the evolutionary step between Edward R. Murrow and Oprah Winfrey.”Barbara Walters interviews Ronald Reagan in 1980 for ABC News. NBCMcGee, who died shortly after being partnered with Walters, demanded that he ask three questions to every one of Walter’s in studio interviews. So, Walters started fielding interviews outside the studio, quickly building a reputation as an incisive and probing questioner. After nearly 60 years in journalism, Walters announced she was retiring in 2014.

☆ Pioneering U.S. television journalist Barbara Walters dead at 93
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Bill Trott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Television personality Barbara Walters arrives for the premiere of the film "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" in New York September 20, 2010. "I asked Yeltsin if he drank too much, and I asked Putin if he killed anybody," Walters told the New York Times in 2013. "These two men were really quite brutal to me and it was not pleasant," Walters told the San Francisco Examiner. The New York Times called her "arguably America's best-known television personality" but also observed that "what we remember most about a Barbara Walters interview is Barbara Walters." Walters' three marriages - to businessman Robert Katz, theatrical producer Lee Guber and television executive Merv Adelson - ended in divorce.

CNN —Barbara Walters, the pioneering TV journalist whose interviewing skills made her one of the most prominent figures in broadcasting, has died, her spokesperson confirmed to CNN. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists but for all women,” Walters’ spokesperson Cindi Berger told CNN in a statement. At that network, Walters launched “The Barbara Walters Specials” and “10 Most Fascinating People” before becoming a co-host and correspondent for ABC News’ “20/20” in 1984. Barbara Walters sits on the set of NBC's "Today" show in New York on April 23, 1976. Barbara Walters is seen at a news conference on September 30, 1976, in New York.

NEW DELHI, Dec 27 (Reuters) - India is planning a $2 billion incentive programme for the green hydrogen industry, three sources told Reuters, in a bid to cut emissions and become a major export player in the field. The United States and the European Union have already approved incentives worth billions of dollars for green hydrogen projects. GREEN AMMONIA, TOOThe Indian government expects industry to invest 8 trillion rupees in green hydrogen and its derivative green ammonia by 2030, said the industry manager and another government official. The green hydrogen proposal is likely to be called "Strategic Intervention for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT)" and will be split into 45 billion rupees for electrolyser manufacturing for five years and the 135 billion rupees for green hydrogen and green ammonia production for three years, the manager and second official said. The incentive for making green hydrogen is likely to be 50 rupees per kg for three years, they said.

☆ Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects millions. Why isn't the medical profession paying more attention?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( Sarah Lazarus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

“Have you heard of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?” the podiatrist asked me. There are 13 types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), according to research and advocacy organization The Ehlers-Danlos Society. Drag queen Yvie Oddly, who has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, crab walks down the pink carpet at RuPaul's DragCon LA in 2019. Bluestein says that for many years it was thought that one in 5,000 people had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. But despite her career choice, Bluestein only received her hEDS diagnosis when she was 47 – more than 30 years later.

Investors have for years considered Pemex a laggard as rivals worldwide moved to dramatically decrease emissions from energy production and consumption over climate change concerns. In its updated business plan for 2023 to 2027, Pemex said its environmental, social and governance (ESG) record risked hurting its financing. "Limitations from ESG financing" are posing a threat, as is the "acceleration in energy transition that is decreasing the market for Pemex's crude oil and products," the company said. Further weaknesses are "important gaps in reaching net-zero-emissions" and operational challenges, particularly in gas exploration and production. "Pemex has to make significant efforts if it intends to access financing," said Gonzalez.

Companies BlackRock Inc FollowHONG KONG/SHANGHAI, Dec 21 (Reuters) - China plans to tighten rules to regulate environmentally friendly, or so-called green funds, as part of its efforts to rein in 'greenwashing' in the world's second-largest climate fund market, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. At present, China's green funds only operate within broad investment guidelines that came into effect in 2018 and do not have a mandatory labelling regime. China overtook the United States last year to become the second largest climate fund market globally after the European market, according to Morningstar, which compiles global ESG fund data. In the first nine months of this year, 43 climate-themed funds debuted in China, a 30% rise in total number of products from end-2020. AMAC's draft rules borrow from the 2021 version of China's green bond catalogue, a quasi scheme of classification, to define green assets.

Among the most prolific rulemakers was the European Union, which began to roll out sustainability rules for asset managers as part of a series of dictates aimed at ensuring the bloc hits its climate targets and helps rein in global warming. Regulatory scrutiny also broadened to include investment ratings and the labeling of sustainable investment funds. In the United States, for example, both Goldman Sachs Asset Management and BNY Mellon Investment Adviser were fined over ESG failures. ESG rules will also fast become mandatory rather than optional in 2023 - with the EU expected to push out 200 pages of guidance in January alone to help market participants use its green taxonomy, a list of environmentally friendly activities, and other ESG rules. However, this is only likely to happen in stages from 2023 given there are no global taxonomies or rules on what constitute sustainable investments.

Another was the requirement for companies to assess and disclose their impact and reliance on nature, despite the word "mandatory" being dropped from the final deal. While protecting nature comes at a cost, those companies that step up will attract more investors. "The big losers across the board will be 'business as usual'," said Eurasia Group senior analyst Franck Gbaguidi. A body representing some of the world's largest mining companies, including Glencore (GLEN.L) and Newcrest (NCM.AX), said disclosure would lead to a level playing field between sectors. The bill was ultimately calculated at $20 billion per year by 2025 and $30 billion per year by 2030.

☆ A GOP strategist says Mike Pence 'could not go to a Trump rally and be safe' and calls the former VP 'a relic'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A GOP strategist told Politico that Mike Pence "could not go to a Trump rally and be safe." Pence continues to tease a potential 2024 presidential run, which would pit him against Trump. But among base Republicans, many of whom remain solidly behind Trump as the 2024 presidential election approaches, Pence has lost much of his luster. "Mike Pence could not go to a Trump rally and be safe," she told Wren. Brian Kemp of Georgia who have frustrated Trump in the past — while continuing to mull over a 2024 presidential bid of his own.

☆ The local approach has been a pillar of our strategy since the beginning, says Centene CEO Sarah London
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe local approach has been a pillar of our strategy since the beginning, says Centene CEO Sarah LondonSarah London, Centene CEO, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss disruptions in the Medicaid market, collaboration between Centene and state agencies and data driven decision-making to improve community health outcomes.

☆ This couple paid $7,150 for items people returned to Amazon, Walmart and Target—and made $19,500 reselling them
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In December 2020, Jamie and Sarah McCauley stumbled into their strangest side hustle yet: Buying pallets of items people returned to Target, Walmart and Amazon. The process seemed simple: Interested parties visited a local warehouse and paid $550, on average, for a pallet of returns. Since then, Jamie, 33, and Sarah, 32, estimate they've spent about $7,150 on pallets from Amazon, Walmart and Target. They've made about $19,500 in profit by reselling the items in those boxes on eBay and Facebook Marketplace, they say. Even the lucrative Amazon pallet contained 19 pieces of inventory that still haven't sold, including some items too damaged to list at all.

☆ Venture Firm Fifth Wall Raises Record Real-Estate Startup Fund
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Konrad Putzier | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Fifth Wall partners Brendan Wallace and Sarah Liu with others on the roof terrace of the Fifth Wall headquarters in New York City. Fifth Wall Ventures Management LLC raised the largest-ever venture fund focused on real-estate technology companies, the company said, a sign that some major investors are still bullish on property startups despite this year’s surge in interest rates. The $866 million fund, which closed on Friday, will invest in both early- and late-stage startups. Annaly Capital Management Inc., Arbor Realty Trust Inc., CBRE Group Inc., Equity Residential and a number of other major real-estate companies invested in the fund.

☆ Sam Bankman-Fried gave $2.5 million to a leading political ethics watchdog. The group says it can't give the money back because officials already spent it.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Dave Levinthal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The Campaign Legal Center fights against lawlessness and unethical behavior in politics. Brendan Quinn, a spokesperson for the Campaign Legal Center, says the nonprofit organization cannot return or give away Bankman-Fried's money because the money is already spent. Asked whether the Campaign Legal Center would consider disgorging an amount of money equivalent to what Bankman-Fried contributed, Quinn noted that the Campaign Legal Center is not a political candidate or committee. The Campaign Legal Center has not yet provided Insider a copy, first requested December 2, of the most recent IRS 990 tax document filed by Campaign Legal Center Action, its advocacy arm. Former President Donald Trump has been a frequent target of the Campaign Legal Center's legal and ethics efforts.

☆ Despite economic uncertainty, it’s a ‘great moment’ for dollar-cost averaging, says Betterment CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Investors are bracing for 2023 amid stock market volatility, rising interest rates and geopolitical risk — with many carrying recession fears into the new year. But despite economic uncertainty, financial experts point to timely opportunities, urging investors to put cash into the market, rather than leaving it on the sidelines. "Over a five- and 10-year horizon, this is a great moment for that dollar-cost averaging opportunity," she said, speaking at CNBC's Financial Advisor Summit on Tuesday. While research shows investing a lump sum sooner may offer higher returns, some experts say dollar-cost averaging may help prevent emotional investment decisions. But experts say the fear of loss can be costly, and you may miss the market's best recovery days.

☆ How much money YouTubers get paid in a month
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Creators who are part of YouTube's Partner Program can earn money from ads on their videos. Here's how much 16 YouTubers get paid each month from their videos. As part of YPP, creators can also earn money through subscriptions and channel memberships. Here's how much 16 different YouTubers make from their videos each month. How much nano influencers, who have less than 10,000 YouTube subscribers, get paid in a month:How much micro influencers, who have between 10,000 and 100,000 YouTube subscribers, get paid in a month:How much mega influencers, who have more than 100,000 YouTube subscribers, get paid in a month:

☆ How Do You Pronounce Qatar? Probably Incorrectly.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Sarah Lyall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

WORLD CUP 2022 The 2022 World Cup is being hosted in Qatar, which, as everyone knows, is pronounced . Sepp Blatter, the former FIFA president, announcing in 2010 that “Ka-TAR” would host the 2022 World Cup. Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar’s World Cup organization QatarThis has not helped alleviate the general confusion among visitors. “I know it’s probably not the correct way — KUH-ter is for those who probably know what they’re talking about a little bit more — but I’m going with Ka-TAR.”Walker Zimmerman of the United States national team knows he doesn’t say Qatar correctly. Martin Tyler, the legendary Sky Sports broadcaster who is working his 12th World Cup this year, said he would do the same.

Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERSWASHINGTON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - The Biden administration ruled on Thursday that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has immunity from a lawsuit over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, drawing immediate condemnation from the slain journalist's former fiancee. In late September, Saudi King Salman named Prince Mohammed prime minister in a royal decree which a Saudi official said was in line with responsibilities that the crown prince was already exercising. FIST-BUMPBiden was criticized for fist-bumping the crown prince on a visit to Saudi Arabia in July to discuss energy and security issues. The White House said Biden had told Prince Mohammed that he considered him responsible for Khashoggi's killing. In a highly charged global atmosphere, the United States is keen to prevent its long-time ally from further distancing itself.

☆ U.S. moves to shield Saudi crown prince in killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The U.S. intelligence community concluded Saudi Arabia’s crown prince had approved the killing of the widely known and respected journalist, who had written critically of Prince Mohammed’s harsh ways of silencing of those he considered rivals or critics. The Biden administration statement Thursday noted visa restrictions and other penalties that it had meted out to lower-ranking Saudi officials in the death. Khashoggi’s fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, and DAWN sued the crown prince, his top aides and others in Washington federal court over their alleged roles in Khashoggi’s killing. Prince Mohammed serves as Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler in the stead of his aged father, King Salman. The Saudi king in September also temporarily transferred his title of prime minister — a title normally held by the Saudi monarch — to Prince Mohammed.

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