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☆ U.S. regulators rejected Elon Musk’s bid to test brain chips in humans
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +23 min

Musk’s missed deadlines for FDA approval of Neuralink July 2019:Musk says Neuralink is aiming to receive regulatory approval for human trials of brain implants by the end of 2020. “Everybody in the industry was saying: ‘Oh my God, they’re going to run straight into a brick wall,’” Ludwig said of Musk’s bid for FDA approval. For example, NeuroPace, which makes the brain implant to treat epilepsy, received final FDA approval in 2013 – 16 years after the company’s launch. The FDA’s concerns about the battery are also potentially serious, experts in brain devices said. Still, that proposal disappointed Neuralink because it could delay progress toward final FDA approval, one of the sources said.

☆ U.S. regulators rejected Elon Musk’s bid to test brain chips in humans, citing safety risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Rachael Levy | Marisa Taylor | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +19 min

Companies that do secure human-testing approval typically conduct at least two rounds of trials before applying for FDA approval to commercially market a device. "Everybody in the industry was saying: 'Oh my God, they're going to run straight into a brick wall,'" Ludwig said of Musk's bid for FDA approval. For example, NeuroPace, which makes the brain implant to treat epilepsy, received final FDA approval in 2013 – 16 years after the company's launch. Beyond grants, it provides access to government experts who advise on how to gain FDA approval and commercialize a device. Musk's emails to Neuralink staffers often come from his SpaceX address, said two people who reviewed them.

☆ In the three-way battle between YouTube, Reels and TikTok, creators aren't counting on a big payday
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Zach Vallese | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Several told CNBC still earn higher monthly payouts on YouTube than on other platforms, including TikTok and Reels. Since the launch of YouTube Shorts' new partnership program on February 1, the results have been mixed. MrBeast's ongoing multi-million dollar investments in his YouTube videos demonstrate the platform's potential for generating strong returns, attracting influencers with significant followings. Creators' past criticism of YouTube Shorts paymentCreators had been expressing dissatisfaction with YouTube's approach to paying them for Shorts. TikTok pays its creators through its own TikTok Creator Fund, which the company has pledged to grow from $200 million to $1 billion over the next three years.

☆ ‘Liaison’ Review: A Spy Thriller in Brexit’s Shadow
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( John Anderson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Global intrigue and international coproductions can go together like socks and sandals, but “Liaison” is a rather delicious thriller and one that’s reality-based—meaning there’s respect for real physics as well as for realpolitik. They’ve all trusted the wrong people, made decisions that endanger national security and committed romantic miscues that have worldwide consequences. But what sets off the bilateral contretemps in “Liaison” isn’t the U.K.’s departure from the European Union, exactly, but a consequent lack of cybersecurity agreements with its continental neighbors. Terrorism is a transnational enterprise after all, and per this story the appropriate treaties have to be renegotiated. And the Brits find themselves at a disadvantage when their vaunted national security apparatus proves to be a bit tatty.

☆ How Putin's Russian goon squad used Mexican gig workers to troll an American election
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Mattathias Schwartz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +25 min

Posting to social media sounded like an easy work-from-home gig, so he applied. This post from the Prigozhin-backed Social CMS network in Mexico referred to America as "we." He verified his account by providing chat transcripts, screenshots, contracts, and internal company documents. But just because Social CMS didn't yield an immediate, large-scale impact doesn't mean it should be ignored. "I didn't know who are you," wrote the person who is listed in the corporate directory as Prigozhin's media liaison.

☆ 6 YouTubers break down how much they're getting paid for Shorts in the first month of ad-revenue sharing — and what they think of the rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Marta Biino | Amanda Perelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The platform began sharing advertising revenue from Google-placed ads that show on the Shorts feed — YouTube's short-form video offering — with creators. In 2022, eight YouTube creators shared with Insider their RPMs, which ranged from $1.61 to $29.30. With the debut of the ad-revenue sharing, YouTube is shutting down its Shorts Fund. The final Shorts Fund invites for January activity will go out in mid-February, with final payments in March. Khadair's channel earned a YouTube Shorts Bonus for January of $1,232.75 based on his Shorts' performance.

☆ Rep. George Santos' press secretary said she fields endless angry calls, gets dirty looks on the Hill, but still thinks her boss is a 'borderline genius'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Insider interviewed Rep. George Santos' 24-year-old press secretary, Gabrielle Lipsky. The scandal-ridden lawmaker is facing calls to resign, but Lipsky still thinks he's a "borderline genius." Compared to Gabrielle Lipsky, the 24-year-old press secretary for embattled congressman George Santos, we probably have it easy. Being the press secretary for a member of Congress was always likely to involve long hours, challenging work, and lots of stress. Despite all this, Lipsky says that working for Santos, who she claims is a "borderline genius," is an invaluable learning experience.

☆ A husband-wife duo turned the $1,700 Snoo into the holy grail of parenting, but some say they run their company like a dysfunctional 'surveillance state'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Kate Taylor | Jake Swearingen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +31 min

Karp and Montée Karp built the hype into a parenting-media empire that put out three books and two instructional films in 10 years. Karp and Montée Karp met at a Hollywood party in the early '90s. Karp and Montée Karp promised her independence and flexibility to accommodate her two young children's day-care schedules and a 90-minute commute. Karp and Montée Karp insisted on being involved in minutiae that most top executives hand off. Karp and Montée Karp turned the Snoo into an award-winning holy grail of parenthood in just a few years.

☆ Nina Montée Karp and Dr. Harvey Karp turned the $1,700 Snoo into the holy grail of parenting. But some say they overhyped the crib's abilities and created a nightmarish corporate culture.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Kate Taylor | Jake Swearingen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +31 min

That number includes both rocket launches and capsule reentries, and has been steadily climbing. A Falcon Heavy rocket launches the USSF-67 mission on January 15, 2023 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "Air space is going to be a critical, critical issue," Isom said, calling on new industries to contribute to the cost of air traffic control. A graph of FAA-licensed or permitted commercial space launches (excludes launches licensed by other U.S. government agencies, such as NASA or the Department of Defense). Together they create a moving target for space launches and the commercial airlines eyeing the same air space.

The rebranded Capital One Venture X Business card will be available through Capital One Relationship Managers starting next week. It's very similar to the personal Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, except it's a charge card, not a credit card. The Capital One Spark Travel Elite card was noticeably similar to the issuer's premium credit card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, with parallel earning rates, travel benefits, and annual fees. The Capital One Spark Travel Elite card will rebrand next week as the new Capital One Venture X Business Card. Apart from that (and a yet-unknown welcome bonus offer), the Venture X Business Card is nearly identical to the Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

NEW YORK, Jan 30 (Reuters) - A grand jury is hearing evidence in New York over former President Donald Trump's role in hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. A grand jury could lay the groundwork for possible criminal charges against the former president by the Manhattan district attorney's office. Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified before the grand jury, one source told Reuters. Pecker was seen entering the lower Manhattan building where the grand jury is empaneled, according to the New York Times, which first reported on the grand jury on Monday. The moves are an indication that the district attorney, Alvin Bragg, is closer to a decision on whether to charge Trump.

Jan 30 (Reuters) - The case involving former President Donald Trump's role in hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign will go before a grand jury on Monday, the New York Times reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter. The Manhattan district attorney's office will start presenting its evidence in the case, the newspaper reported, which would lay out the groundwork for any criminal charges against Trump. A witness in the case, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, was seen entering the lower Manhattan building where the grand jury is empaneled, the Times reported. The publisher had offered to help Trump by buying rights to unflattering stories and never publishing them. The moves are an indication that the district attorney, Alvin Bragg, is closer to a decision on whether to charge Trump.

☆ I'm the first 'chief creator officer' at my company. Here's why I think more C-suite roles should focus on influencers and brands.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

She's now the company's first global chief creator officer, leading a team of 30 professionals. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ashley Rudder, Whalar's global chief creator officer. Now, I'm the company's first-ever global chief creator officer, a position I started in December after bringing some of my ideas to upper management. I'm responsible for all global creator sourcing, identification, and execution, including negotiations, contracts, and creative consultation on all creator-led campaigns. I hope we'll see many more chief creator officers in the future.

☆ I'm Whalar's first global chief creator officer, a new position focused on influencers and brands. Here's why I think more companies should add this role.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

☆ When were Pence classified documents found in his Indiana home?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Mike Pence found documents marked classified at his Indiana home this month which were taken by the FBI, a lawyer for the former Vice President said in letters to the National Archives. Here's how the situation unfolded, according to the letters:Jan. 16: After seeing reports that President Joe Biden had classified documents in his Delaware home, Pence engaged lawyers to review records in his Indiana home. They found "a small number of documentsthat could potentially contain sensitive or classified information," which were locked by Pence in a safe. Jan. 19: The Department of Justice requested "direct possession" of the documents, the Jan. 22 letter says. FBI agents arrived at his Indiana home at 9:30 p.m. to collect the documents, which were secured in his safe.

☆ Explainer: Who is Jeff Zients, incoming White House chief of staff?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden named businessman and former COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients to become his second White House chief of staff on Friday, replacing Ron Klain, who is departing the administration after two years on the job. WHO IS JEFF ZIENTS? In the Biden administration, Zients served as the first COVID-19 response coordinator, charged with rolling out a massive vaccine program nationwide in early 2021. He stepped down from that role in 2022 before being tapped to prepare for potential staff turnover at the White House after the midterm elections. The White House chief of staff is like the chief operating officer for the government, someone who runs daily operations, oversees implementation of the president's policies and serves as a liaison for cabinet members.

☆ White House Chief of Staff Planning to Step Down
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Andrew Restuccia | Ken Thomas | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—President Biden’s chief of staff, Ron Klain , is preparing to step down after more than two years as one of Mr. Biden’s top White House advisers, according to people familiar with the matter. Mr. Klain has been central to the president’s agenda during the administration’s first two years, frequently acting as a liaison between the White House and Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill, coordinating strategy on key policy proposals such as the infrastructure law and climate package, and helping oversee the president’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

☆ California public defender died in 'brutal crime' during Mexico anniversary trip, family says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Tim Stelloh | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The family of a California public defender who died while celebrating his first wedding anniversary in Mexico believes he was the victim of a "brutal crime," their lawyer said Tuesday. The liaison, who is not identified in the statement, told the family that Blair died of severe head trauma and that his case had been forwarded to prosecutors for a possible homicide investigation, the statement said. Blair's family plans to carry out its own independent investigation, hiring a private investigator and a forensic pathologist, Scarsone said. Orange County Public Defender Martin Schwarz told The Register that Blair had worked for the public defender’s office since 2017, the year he passed the bar exam. His wife, Kimberly, also worked for the public defender’s office, Schwarz told the newspaper.

☆ How China planted an FBI mole who was discovered only after gutting the CIA's vast spy network
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( James Bamford | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +25 min

At the time, four years after the handover from Britain to China, much of Hong Kong remained a world of neon and noise. "Five years ago, everyone looked down on you if you spoke Mandarin," said a Beijing executive living in Hong Kong. As soon as the Hong Kong Arts Festival ended, the Hong Kong International Film Festival began. In February 2006, Alex Ma, China's mole in the FBI, sent David photos he received from his handlers of five suspected human sources. Born in Hong Kong like Alex, Lee grew up in Hawaii and became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

☆ China Promotes National-Security Chief to Top Hong Kong Post
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Selina Cheng | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

China named Zheng Yanxiong as the new director of its liaison office in Hong Kong. HONG KONG—China signaled its intention to maintain a tough line on Hong Kong by promoting a law enforcer sanctioned by the U.S. for spearheading a national-security crackdown to its top representative post in the city. Beijing named Zheng Yanxiong, who ran Beijing’s Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong since mid-2020, as the director of its liaison office in the city. The liaison office represents the central government in Hong Kong and executes decisions from Beijing.

☆ Explainer: Why the U.S. is overhauling its marines on Japan's Okinawa
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Tim Kelly | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. military presence on Okinawa, which began during World War Two, includes most of the 18,000 U.S. marines stationed in Japan. MARINE LITTORAL REGIMENTSThe U.S. Marine Corps is creating 'Marine Littoral Regiments' of around 2,000 troops as part of restructuring plan proposed by the Marine Commandant General David Berger in 2020. Dispersing marine units across Okinawa, even if only temporarily, could see U.S. troops return to islands along the chain for the first time since Washington returned Okinawa to Japanese control in 1972. JAPAN'S OKINAWA PIVOTTo reinforce Okinawa, Japan is building new anti-ship and air defence missile bases, and radar stations, including one on Yonaguni, it hopes will deter Chinese forces from attacking. Those weapons, along with anti-ship missiles fielded in Okinawa by the new littoral regiments, could help close a growing missile gap with China, say experts.

☆ Ex-USC official involved in 'Varsity Blues' scandal gets six months in prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

BOSTON — A former University of Southern California athletics department official who accepted bribes from the ringleader of a nationwide college admissions scandal to help get often unqualified students into the school as sports recruits was sentenced Friday to six months in prison. Donna Heinel was also sentenced in U.S. District Court in Boston to two years of probation and was ordered to forfeit $160,000. The scheme involved bribes, embellished athletic accomplishments and entrance exam cheating to get the often unqualified children from wealthy families into some of the nation’s most prestigious universities. Heinel, Southern California’s former senior associate athletic director, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to a charge of honest services wire fraud. But it is also the product of the pressures put upon her by a dysfunctional university school system at USC, and the powerful men who inhabited her orbit.”

[1/3] A Palestinian medical worker prepares a patient for an X-ray scan in Shifa hospital in Gaza City, January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaGAZA, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Gaza's Health Ministry accused Israel on Thursday of delaying the entry of several X-ray machines needed to treat patients in the blockaded Palestinian territory. Dozens of other X-ray machines were allowed into the impoverished coastal enclave during the same period. Abbas said Israeli assertions about the medical equipment having dual uses were a lie. The ensuing blockade limiting the amount of goods crossing in and out has crippled Gaza's economy and health care system, which suffers from a chronic shortage of hospital beds and medical equipment.

☆ Ron and Casey DeSantis danced to the governor's campaign song 'Sweet Florida' at the state's inaugural ball, in final event of 2-day 'DeSantis-Palooza'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Casey DeSantis wore a gold embellished gown. Songs included "My Girl" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," two guests leaving the event told Insider. Bill Diamond of Palm Beach told Insider the food was "very good and very inventive" and raved about the lamb. "I have had clients coming back and saying that was very Kennedy-ish," one source who attended multiple inauguration events told Insider. Casey DeSantis and the couple's son, Mason, were also present, he said, as were Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and her husband Adrian Nuñez.

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