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An essential guide to all the Targaryen kids on 'House of the Dragon' 2024-06-20 20:12:27+00:00 - The Targaryens have a confusing at best family tree in "House of the Dragon." Alicent and Rhaenyra's kids grew from toddlers to young adults within the first season. We put together a guide for all the children, with photos of all the actors who played them. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Advertisement "House of the Dragon" is finally back — and so is its wildly expansive Targaryen brood . By season two, Westeros is coalescing around two potential rules: Aegon II, King Viserys' eldest male descendant, and Rhaenyra, his eldest daughter and chosen heir. By the time Viserys dies, both Aegon II and Rhaenyra have children of their own. Furthermore, some of the Targaryen children are finally coming of age, making them players in the war themselves. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in .

Meta's huge AI investment is expected to boost returns and ease investor spending concerns 2024-06-20 20:06:00+00:00 - Artificial intelligence-driven momentum in Meta Platforms' advertising business is boosting Wall Street's confidence that the company's massive investment in AI will deliver substantial revenue over time. KeyBanc on Wednesday increased its Meta price target to $540 per share from $475 — citing a "meaningful uptick in Meta ad prices" quarter to date. The analysts attribute the strength to the Facebook and Instagram company's growing success using AI to boost ad engagement and relevance as well as advertisers' return on investment (ROI). If this trend were to play out as KeyBanc describes, it would ease investor worries that Meta is spending too much on AI without seeing enough of a return, and give us more confidence as shareholders that Meta is appropriately allocating its money. "If they can show that these spendings are driving a return being through engagement, higher returns for advertisers leading to higher ad prices, that would be a good thing," Investing Club Director of Portfolio Analysis Jeff Marks said during Thursday's Morning Meeting for members. META YTD mountain Meta stock performance year-to-date. Riding the tech and AI trade, Meta shares closed at a record high of $527 each on April 5. The stock pulled back some going into the company's first-quarter results after the bell on April 24. The next day shares sank 10.5% on weak revenue guidance and an increased capital expenditure outlook. On the post-earnings call, management said it will continue to "invest aggressively to support our AI research and product development efforts." This dynamic raised concerns Meta may not be making as much money from AI as competitors such as Alphabet . Like Meta, the Google parent is using AI to enhance its consumer platforms and the potential for more advertising dollars . However, Alphabet is also charging $20 per month for its AI assistant Gemini Advanced. The subscription comes with two terabytes of storage and the ability to use the tool across Google's productivity apps such as Gmail. Google also has a major cloud business and can benefit from the enterprise side of AI as well. While the new Meta AI generative artificial intelligence assistant is currently free to use, the company has been using AI to improve how its social media apps work, which makes ads perform better. Reels uses AI to suggest interesting content to users, which keeps them watching longer. This increased engagement helps brands better reach their audience. Meta believes its commitment to investing in AI will create more value for advertisers and is expected to be a long-term growth catalyst for the company. KeyBanc sees "potential for upside on AI investments flipping to monetization earlier than we envision," despite expenses trending higher, which could pressure on earnings and Meta's price-to-earnings multiple. "We are already seeing initial returns in engagement trends and monetization, suggesting that this capex cycle is worth supporting," the analysts argued. They also point to Meta's strong free cash flow generation as a key component to raising revenue estimates. Following the steep decline in Meta shares after earnings, we upgraded the stock to our buy-equivalent 1 rating . We weren't concerned about the short-term drop, thinking rather it could lead to a potential buying opportunity. We did, however, reduce our price target to $525 from $550 on outlook worries. While roughly flat since the quarterly report, shares have gained more than 40% year to date after nearly tripling last year. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long META, GOOGL. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Omar Marques | Lightrocket | Getty Images

IRS says ‘vast majority’ of 1 million pandemic-era credit claims show a risk of being improper 2024-06-20 20:01:06+00:00 - NEW YORK (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service said Thursday a review of 1 million claims for the Employee Retention Credit representing $86 billion shows the “vast majority” are at risk of being improper. The ERC was designed to help businesses retain employees during pandemic-era shutdowns, but it quickly became a magnet for fraud. Its complex eligibility rules allowed scammers to target small businesses, offering help applying for the ERC for a fee — even if they didn’t qualify. About 10% to 20% of the 1 million claims show “clear signs of being erroneous” and tens of thousands of those will be denied in coming weeks, the IRS said. Another 60% to 70% show an “unacceptable risk” of being improper and will be further evaluated. “The completion of this review provided the IRS with new insight into risky Employee Retention Credit activity and confirmed widespread concerns about a large number of improper claims,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “We will now use this information to deny billions of dollars in clearly improper claims and begin additional work to issue payments to help taxpayers without any red flags on their claims.” About 10% to 20% show low risk, and the IRS will begin processing those claims. The first payments for that group should begin later this summer. The IRS stopped processing new claims in September and it said Thursday that the moratorium on ERC claims submitted after Sept. 14, 2023 will continue. The IRS said businesses can pursue the claim withdrawal process if they need to ask the IRS not to process an ERC claim for any tax period that hasn’t been paid yet.

I.R.S. Extends Freeze of Pandemic-Era Tax Credit Amid Widespread Fraud 2024-06-20 20:00:06+00:00 - The Internal Revenue Service is expanding its efforts to crack down on fraud in a pandemic-era tax credit program following an internal analysis that found a majority of outstanding claims appeared to be improper. The agency said on Thursday that it was extending its freeze on new claims for the program, the Employee Retention Tax Credit, which was created in 2020, during the throes of the pandemic and allows businesses to collect up to $26,000 for each employee on its payroll. The I.R.S. is also denying tens of thousands of claims that it determined to be erroneous. The original program, which was expanded in 2021, was projected to cost the federal government $55 billion over a decade. But by last September, the I.R.S. had received nearly four million applications and had paid out $230 billion in employee retention refunds. It currently has a backlog of 1.4 million claims. Daniel Werfel, the I.R.S. commissioner, warned that the agency’s enforcement teams are scrutinizing claims closely and investigating illicit tax preparation companies that have been encouraging ineligible taxpayers to apply.

So long plastic air pillows: Amazon shifting to recycled paper filling for packages in North America 2024-06-20 19:49:00+00:00 - Amazon is shifting from the plastic air pillows used for packaging in North America to recycled paper because it’s more environmentally sound, and it says paper just works better. The company said Thursday that it’s already replaced 95% of the plastic air pillows with paper filler in North America and is working toward complete removal by year’s end. “We want to ensure that customers receive their items undamaged, while using as little packaging as possible to avoid waste, and prioritizing recyclable materials,” Amazon said. It is the company’s largest plastic packaging reduction effort in North America to date and will remove almost 15 billion plastic air pillows from use annually. Almost all customer deliveries for Prime Day this year, which happens next month, will contain plastic no air pillows, according to Amazon. The e-commerce giant has faced years of criticism about its use of plastic from environmental groups, including a nonprofit called Oceana, which has been releasing its own reports on Amazon’s use of plastic packaging. Matt Littlejohn, senior vice president of strategic initiatives at Oceana, said that Amazon’s efforts to reduce plastic packaging is welcome news, but that there’s still more that the company can do. “While this is a significant step forward for the company, Amazon needs to build on this momentum and fulfill its multiyear commitment to transition its North America fulfillment centers away from plastic,” Littlejohn said in a prepared statement. “Then, the company should expand these efforts and also push innovations like reusable packaging to move away from single-use packaging everywhere it sells and ships.” There has also been broad support among Amazon investors who have urged the company to outline how will will reduce waste. The company disclosed the total of single-use plastic across global operations for the first time in 2022 after investors sought more details on plans to reduce waste. The company said that it used 85,916 metric tons of single-use plastic that year, an 11.6% decrease from 2021. Amazon began transition away from plastic air pillows in October at an automated fulfillment center in Ohio. The company said that it was able to test and learn at the center there, which helped it move quickly on transitioning to recycled paper filling. The transition process included changing out machinery and training employees on new systems and machines. Amazon discovered through testing that the paper filler, which is made from 100% recyclable content and is curbside recyclable, offers the same, if not better protection during shipping compared with plastic air pillows, the company said. Christian Garcia, who works at Amazon’s fulfillment center in Bakersfield, California, said in a release that the paper filler is easier to work with and that the machinery gives staff more space so that it’s easier to pack orders. Ongoing efforts to reduce waste include a campaign to ship items without any additional packaging, the company said. In 2022, 11% of all of Amazon’s packages shipped worldwide were without added delivery packaging. Other efforts include piloting new technology with artificial intelligence and robotics company Glacier to use AI-powered robots to automate the sorting of recyclables and collect real-time data on recycling streams for companies. It’s also partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy on new materials and recycling programs.

Texas electricity demand could nearly double in six years, grid operator predicts 2024-06-20 19:45:40+00:00 - The state’s main electric grid operator has sharply increased its prediction for how much power demand will increase in coming years. If it’s accurate, the state would need to be able to provide nearly double the amount of power within six years. Two factors led to the higher forecast: A new law allows officials to count companies’ requests for grid connections before they are finalized. And there has been a significant rise in requests from large users such as data centers, hydrogen production facilities and oil and gas companies that are electrifying their operations. On top of that, the state’s population continues growing, Electric Reliability Council of Texas President and Chief Executive Officer Pablo Vegas told state lawmakers in a Senate Business and Commerce Committee hearing last week, repeating information he shared with the ERCOT board in April. “All of that is putting together a picture of a very significant, different demand growth that is forcing us to really re-think how we’re looking at planning to make sure we can meet those needs and continue to deliver on the expectations of all Texans,” Vegas told lawmakers. Demand on the power grid hit a record of 85 gigawatts last year, which was the hottest ever recorded in the state. ERCOT experts now say demand could reach around 150 gigawatts by 2030. More than a third of the forecast growth is coming from the Permian Basin, where oil and gas operators are converting operations to run on electricity instead of gas or diesel. Much is also coming from large users such as data centers that are powering artificial intelligence and crypto currency mining. Some are requesting several times more power than what the city of Lubbock now uses, according to ERCOT. The new estimates raise crucial questions, such as whether large power users that can ramp up and down need greater state oversight, the committee’s chair, state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, said in an interview. One bitcoin mining company last year reported making millions of dollars in the electricity market by selling back pre-purchased power when grid conditions became tight, which provoked the ire of some Texans who saw their power bills rise. “I think we need to rise to the challenge of getting the needed generation onto the grid,” Schwertner said. “But there is eventually a prioritization that could be discussed, and obviously Texans — their families, their homes, their businesses — are the most important individuals, the most important clients for electricity.” In a post on X after the hearing, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the Legislature needed to “take a close look” at data centers and crypto operations. “We want data centers, but it can’t be the Wild Wild West of data centers and crypto miners crashing our grid and turning the lights off,” he wrote. Electricity experts said the projected growth also makes clear that the grid will need more transmission lines — which are paid for by customers and take more time to build than many of the facilities that want more power. “There’s no question there’s going to be additional need for generation,” said Michael Lozano, a communications and government affairs officer for the Permian Basin Petroleum Association. “But I think the most important thing right now that we’re trying to address is the lack of transmission.” Previously, to plan for future transmission needs, ERCOT could only count power users that signed agreements with a utility, said Mark Bell, president of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas. House Bill 5066 allowed grid operators to count potential users without a signed agreement if the utility considered it “a serious project and very likely to interconnect,” Bell said. Judging whether data centers will actually be built in Texas is difficult, said Katie Coleman, energy counsel for the Texas Association of Manufacturers, which represents large power users. Companies that want to build data centers could be “shopping around for places to do business,” she said, by making requests in multiple places where they might build. Cyrus Reed, conservation director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, said demand could be lower if some projects never materialize. “There’s a lot of unknowns,” Reed said, “but it’s what they’re putting into their system for planning purposes.” “If I were ERCOT, I’d rather over predict so that we have more capacity, so we don’t have a shortage,” said Michael Webber, an energy resources professor at the University of Texas at Austin. “It’s hard to say whether it’s hype or whether it’s real.” The state’s grid has come under intense public and legislative scrutiny since a 2021 winter storm crippled its operations, causing power outages across the state for days amid freezing temperatures that left millions of Texans without lights or heat. Hundreds died. Lawmakers responded by requiring power facilities to prepare better to operate in extreme weather. They put $5 billion into a fund to give low-interest loans to companies that planned to build gas-fueled power plants, which legislators prioritized because they can provide power quickly on demand. State regulators are accepting applications for that money now. Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, a member of the Senate committee, said the need to meet higher demand could push innovation with renewable energy; drive more programs for people to use less power by making their homes or businesses more efficient; and spur ways for people and small businesses to get paid for using less power in tight times. “This massive increase in load is going to provide greater momentum behind some very good trends,” Johnson said. ___ This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

United Airlines jet turns back to Connecticut after a piece of engine lining fell off during takeoff 2024-06-20 19:37:49+00:00 - A United Airlines plane turned back to a Connecticut airport Thursday after a piece of lining from an engine cover fell off during takeoff. A United spokesperson said a portion of the engine’s sound-dampening outer liner was found on the runway at Bradley International Airport near Hartford. The Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate the incident. The FAA said crew members on the Airbus A320 jetliner heard an “abnormal noise” shortly after the Denver-bound flight’s takeoff, and pilots flew safely back to Bradley airport. United said it was arranging other flights for the passengers. There were 124 passengers and five crew members on board. Earlier this year, United suffered a series of mishaps on flights that led the FAA to tighten its oversight of the airline. An outer piece of fuselage fell off one plane, another lost a wheel during takeoff, and others suffered an engine fire and other problems. CEO Scott Kirby assured travelers that the incidents were unrelated to each other and that the carrier is safe. He said, however, that United would review its safety training for employees.

SpaceX unveils backpack-sized 'Starlink Mini' satellite internet antenna for $599 2024-06-20 19:34:00+00:00 - "Our goal is to reduce the price of Starlink, especially for those around the world where connectivity has been unaffordable or completely unavailable," SpaceX wrote in the email. The company is offering a "limited number" of the Starlink Mini antennas for $599 each in an early access release. That's $100 more than the base model "Standard" antenna sold with its Residential service, although the company aspires to reduce the price tag. "Starlink Mini is a compact, portable kit that can easily fit in a backpack, designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet on the go," according to a customer email sent by SpaceX on Wednesday and viewed by CNBC. SpaceX is rolling out a compact version of its Starlink antennas, which the company is advertising as a mobile option for its satellite internet customers. In addition to the upfront hardware cost, service for a Starlink Mini is effectively $150 per month — as SpaceX is offering the service for a Mini as an additional $30 per month bundle on top of a $120 per month Residential service. The "Mini Roam" service "can be used anywhere in the United States" but has a cap of 50 gigabytes of data per month, with Starlink charging $1 per gigabyte for additional data. The Starlink Mini antenna is about the size and weight of a laptop, at just over two pounds and measuring at about 12 inches by 10 inches by 1.5 inches. It's roughly half the size and one-third the weight of Starlink's Standard antenna. SpaceX's email said Starlink Mini comes with a built-in WiFi router and "lower power consumption" than its other antennas, yet it still boasts download speeds of over 100 megabits per second. The email did not specify when Starlink Mini deliveries would begin. In a post on social media, Vice President of Starlink Engineering Michael Nicolls said the company is "ramping production" on Starlink Mini and that it "will be available in international markets soon." SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote in a post Monday that setting up a Starlink Mini took less than five minutes. "This product will change the world," Musk declared. SpaceX has steadily expanded its Starlink network and product offerings since debuting the service in 2020. There are about 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit that connect more than 3 million customers in 100 countries, according to the company. SpaceX initially targeted consumer customers, but has expanded into other markets — including national security, enterprise, mobility, maritime and aviation — and disrupted the existing satellite communications sector.

Manhattan DA drops charges against most of the Columbia University protesters 2024-06-20 19:32:00+00:00 - Nearly all of the people who were arrested inside Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall last month had their cases dropped Thursday. Of the 46 people charged with trespassing in connection with the building’s occupation, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office dismissed cases against 31 people largely due to a lack of evidence. Prosecutors told 14 others that their cases would be dropped if they avoid being arrested in the next six months, but those defendants rejected that offer and will be due back in court on July 25. The remaining defendant, James Carlson, has two other open cases against him involving separate charges, including flag burning. Carlson has no affiliation with the school. Protesters had seized the building on the Manhattan campus of Columbia University on April 30 as demonstrations against the war in Gaza erupted on some U.S. college campuses and as tensions at Columbia intensified over mass suspensions. Dozens were arrested the next day when police with riot helmets cleared the damaged and barricaded building. Those arrested included at least 14 Columbia undergraduates, nine graduate students, two employees and six students from affiliated schools, a Columbia spokesperson previously said. At least 13 of them had no affiliation with Columbia, the school said. The 31 people whose cases were dismissed were students or staff at Columbia, Barnard or Union Theological Seminary. Of the defendants who would have later had their cases dismissed, pending no further arrests, 12 were not staff members or students at Columbia and two were students, the district attorney’s office said. At a news conference after the hearing, some of them, flanked by supporters, said they rejected the prosecutors’ conditional dismissal to show solidarity with those facing the most extreme repression across the pro-Palestinian movement. During the court appearances Thursday afternoon, a prosecutor said the defendants do not have criminal histories and that they will face internal disciplinary proceedings at Columbia. A Columbia University official said the disciplinary process is ongoing but declined to comment further. The prosecutor said it would have been “extremely difficult” to prove the dismissed cases because the district attorney’s office lacks evidence, including surveillance footage from cameras that were covered up. The fact that some of the defendants wore masks also made it difficult to identify their specific actions. An attorney for the defendants asked the court to immediately dismiss the charges against all of the accused, saying there are no allegations that the defendants hurt people or damaged property. In the downtown courtroom, some of the defendants wore face masks and some wore kaffiyehs, which are distinctly patterned Palestinian scarves. At least two wore sunglasses. As the hearings began, police confiscated what appeared to be a protest sign found under one of the seats. When a prosecutor told the court that Carlson was accused of burning an Israeli flag, some of the defendants seated in the room could be heard snickering. A police officer instructed them to be quiet. Hamilton Hall was famously occupied by people protesting the Vietnam War in 1968.

Fossil fuel opponents score victory in a UK Supreme Court ruling on case near a London airport 2024-06-20 19:24:19+00:00 - LONDON (AP) — Fossil fuel opponents won a major victory Thursday as the U.K. Supreme Court ruled that planners reviewing well-drilling permits must consider the greenhouse gas emissions from burning the extracted oil. A woman had challenged a decision by Surrey County Council south of London to allow additional oil wells at a site called Horse Hill near London Gatwick Airport. Sarah Finch, acting on behalf of Weald Action Group, argued that the environmental impact assessment conducted before the permit was approved had failed by only considering emissions from extracting the oil. She argued it should also have considered the future emissions, when the oil produced over 20 years was burned. The Supreme Court agreed in 3-2 decision. “The council’s failure to assess the effect on climate of the combustion of the oil that would be produced from the proposed well site means that its decision to grant planning permission for the project was unlawful,” the court said. Finch, who had lost at the High Court and Court of Appeal, called the ruling “a massive vindication” and said she was “over the moon.” “In climate science we hear a lot about tipping points, Amazon deforestation, melting permafrost, things that accelerate global warming in an unpredictable and frightening way,” she said. “Today we’ve seen a tipping point in the other direction. No longer will any planning authority be allowed to wave through fossil fuel production without fully considering the climate impact.” The victory comes as the number of climate-related court cases has more than doubled since 2017, according to a 2023 report by the United Nations, as activists take to the courts to force climate action. In April this year, a group of older Swiss women won a landmark ruling at Europe’s highest court urging countries to better protect their citizens from the effects of climate change. And in January, Montana’s Supreme Court upheld a ruling in favor of a group of young environmental activists saying state agencies were violating their right to a clean and healthy environment. Activists have also taken oil conglomerates, like Shell and TotalEnergies to court to force them to slash their emissions or halt new projects. The area where the drilling was permitted was once dubbed the “Gatwick Gusher” and U.K. Oil & Gas announced in 2015 that tests showed it could produce 30% of the country’s oil demand — all within a short drive from London. Protesters opposed to the project increased in number after a series of small earthquakes that began in 2018 were blamed by some on oil drilling. A report produced by the Oil & Gas Authority found no causal link between the quakes the petroleum activity, but skeptics remain. The approval by the council in 2019 would have allowed the site to expand from two to six wells that would extract 3.6 metric tons (3.3. million U.S. tons) of oil over 20 years. UKOG indicated that its plans for the site would now change as part of a larger strategic shift and be toned to down to avoid an environmental review. “The court’s rather perplexing retrospective ruling, which is counter to all prior judgments, further underscores why the company’s focus over the past few years has shifted away from oil and gas and firmly towards creating and delivering strategic underground hydrogen storage,” Stephen Sanderson, UKOG’s chief executive, said in a statement. The company said it would work with the council to come up with a plan that would call for producing fewer than the 3,700 barrels of oil a day that triggers a mandatory environmental impact report.

Docs case judge was reportedly encouraged to hand off the case 2024-06-20 19:13:46+00:00 - It was a year ago this month when Donald Trump’s classified documents case was assigned to, of all people, U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, a controversial Trump appointee. According to a striking new report from The New York Times, two of the jurist’s more experienced colleagues on the same court urged Cannon to hand the case off to someone else. The judges who approached Judge Cannon — including the chief judge in the Southern District of Florida, Cecilia M. Altonaga — each asked her to consider whether it would be better if she were to decline the high-profile case, allowing it to go to another judge, the two people said. But Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Mr. Trump, wanted to keep the case and refused the judges’ entreaties. Altonaga, it’s worth noting for context, is a George W. Bush appointee. The Times’ report has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, but if it’s accurate, it’s a rare and important peek behind the curtain. According to the Times, one judge called Cannon early on in the process, making a logistical argument for her handing off the case to a colleague: Cannon’s courthouse is a two-hour drive from the courthouse in Miami, where the grand jury was located. When that didn’t work, the local chief judge encouraged the jurist to pass on the case for optics reasons, given a related controversy from months earlier related to Cannon and the underlying Trump investigation, which left Cannon looking incompetent and biased. This pitch didn’t work, either. By any fair measure, the judges who encouraged Cannon to do the responsible thing were offering sound advice. The Trump-appointed conservative really did lack the relevant experience to oversee such a case, and she really was on record leaving little doubt about her ideological pro-Trump disposition. What’s more, we now know with the benefit of hindsight that those who urged Cannon to hand the case off to someone better suited to hear it were right. The Times’ report added, “Judge Cannon has exhibited hostility to prosecutors, handled pretrial motions slowly and indefinitely postponed the trial, declining to set a date for it to begin even though both the prosecution and the defense had told her they could be ready to start this summer.” She’s also, incidentally, repeatedly given observers reason to question her competence, lent credence to questions that legal experts consider absurd, and justified procedural delays by pointing to logjams that she created. I’m reminded anew of an infamous quote attributed to Roy Cohn: “Don’t tell me what the law is, tell me who the judge is.”

French Business Leaders See Threat to Economy From Macron’s Opponents 2024-06-20 19:13:21+00:00 - Both the far-right National Rally party in France and its competing left-wing New Popular Front coalition are promising to save the country from financial ruin. But French executives gave a chilly reception Thursday to competing economic platforms from the rival parties, warning that both could endanger the French economy and distance France from the European Union. With less than two weeks before pivotal legislative elections, members of MEDEF, the main employers association in France, held an “audition” for candidates from the main political parties that are vying to seize power from President Emmanuel Macron, whose government has been severely weakened after his party was battered by the far right in European Parliament elections. Mr. Macron called for snap parliamentary elections, gambling that voters would reject extremes and embrace his centrist Renaissance party. The first round of voting is slated for June 30, and the final round for July 7.

Nvidia gives up gains — plus, what's behind another rough day for Danaher 2024-06-20 19:07:00+00:00 - Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch — an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Stocks fall: The S & P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reversed into the red Thursday after touching new intraday highs earlier in the session; at its peak, the S & P 500 traded slightly above 5,500 for the first time. Dragging the stock indexes lower was a round of profit-taking in mega cap tech, artificial intelligence and many other "momentum" stocks after their big runs. Nvidia rolled over and is down almost 2%. Fellow AI chipmaker Broadcom fell by roughly 3%. Pain for Danaher: Danaher is having another rough day, falling more than 3%. It is the second time in the past five sessions the stock has dropped more than 3% in a single day — a pretty quick reversal of fortunes after setting a 52-week high of $269.11 on June 6. When it fell last week on no company-specific news, we attributed the weakness in the entire life sciences and tools industry to the lack of guidance reaffirmation from peer Repligen after it announced a CEO transition. Thursday's sell-off appears to be tied to the German bioprocessing company Sartorius, which was hammered Wednesday in overseas markets. Investors were selling Sartorius on what seems to be cautious commentary by management at a conference in Europe and skepticism by an analyst on the company's ability to hit its targets. Danaher often trades with Sartorius whenever the latter company speaks, but the linkage isn't always correct. Danaher is much better managed and has consistently guided more conservatively than its peers. The customer bases have different mixes between early-stage biotech companies and large-cap pharmaceuticals. These factors were part of the reason why Danaher reported a much-better-than-expected first quarter in April while Sartorius struggled. Danaher also rallied more than 3% and hit a 52-week high at the time when it spoke in mid-May at a Bank of America health-care conference. That may have been a month ago, but we thought management's commentary was consistent with previous messaging. Where we come away is that Danaher should not be punished for the faults of peers when it's a higher-quality, better-run company. The stock has had these periodic gaps down, and it's worked out to buy them. Up next: There's not a lot of news due out over the next 24 hours. Used vehicle retailer CarMax reports before the opening bell Friday. Shortly after the market open, we'll get a preliminary read on June S & P Global US Manufacturing and Services PMI. There's also May existing home sales at 10 a.m. ET Friday. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch — an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street.

Actor Donald Sutherland, known for roles in 'Hunger Games' and '70s horror, dies after illness 2024-06-20 19:01:25+00:00 - Renowned actor Donald Sutherland, who starred in a number of iconic films including “The Dirty Dozen” and “M*A*S*H,” and who worked consistently throughout his decadeslong career, has died at 88 years old. The actor died in Miami after a long illness, according to a statement from Creative Artists Agency, which represented him. Sutherland grew up in Canada, surviving polio and rheumatoid fever as a child. He studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and later acted in numerous small roles before gaining attention as Vernon Pinkley in the 1967 movie “The Dirty Dozen.” But his breakout role came in “M*A*S*H,” a hit satirical comedy set during the Korean War. His other acclaimed acting roles include the historical epic “1900,” “Ordinary People” and the 1978 remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” More recently, he became known to a younger generation through his role as President Snow in “The Hunger Games” franchise. Sutherland was known for his ability to play a wide array of characters across genres: leading men, misfits, patriarchs, villains. In 2017, he received an Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He also won an Emmy Award and two Golden Globes. In 2015, he told the BBC that he would never retire. “It’s a passionate endeavor,” he said. “Retirement for actors is spelt ‘DEATH.’” Sutherland is survived by his wife, Francine Racette, five children and four grandchildren. One of his sons, actor Kiefer Sutherland, said in a post on social media Thursday that his father was “one of the most important actors in the history of film.” “Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly,” he wrote. “He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that.”

Industry Groups Back GSK's Effort To Halt 70,000 Lawsuits Associated With Heartburn Drug Zantac Caused Cancer - GSK (NYSE:GSK), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) 2024-06-20 18:59:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... A bid by GSK Plc GSK and other pharmaceutical companies to halt over 70,000 lawsuits in Delaware concerning the discontinued heartburn drug Zantac has gained support from prominent U.S. industry groups. These groups, including the United States Chamber of Commerce and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, argue that allowing the lawsuits to proceed jeopardizes Delaware’s business-friendly reputation, Reuters reported. Related: Pfizer Agrees To Settle Over 10,000 Lawsuits About Cancer Risks Associated With Discontinued Heartburn Drug Zantac. The report noted that in a friend-of-the-court brief filed to the Delaware Superior Court, these groups expressed concerns that a recent ruling by Judge Vivian Medinilla could turn Delaware into a “hotbed of products-liability and mass-tort litigation.” The report adds that the brief highlights the potential negative impact on Delaware’s judicial consistency and business climate if a more relaxed evidence standard is adopted for mass tort cases. Pfizer Inc. PFE, Sanofi SNY, and Boehringer Ingelheim, all previous sellers of Zantac, joined GSK in requesting Judge Medinilla to prevent plaintiffs from presenting expert testimony linking Zantac to cancer. The companies argue that this testimony is not based on reliable scientific methods, which is critical for the plaintiffs’ cases to proceed to trial. Industry groups supporting this petition emphasize the need for clarity, consistency, and predictability in Delaware’s handling of expert testimony in such cases. They argue that Judge Medinilla’s ruling contradicts a Florida federal court’s 2022 decision, which dismissed about 50,000 similar claims after deeming the evidence unreliable. Some plaintiffs are appealing that decision. Price Action: GSK shares are down 0.15% at $40.89 at last check Thursday. Read Next: Zantac Verdict: Jury Finds No Link To Colon Cancer In Initial Trial, GSK And Boehringer Prevail In First Zantac Cancer Lawsuit. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo by Aunt Spray via Shutterstock

Nourishing Mind, Body, And Spirit: The Secrets Of Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea 2024-06-20 18:54:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea is a unique blend known for its ability to potentially support healthy blood sugar levels. Combining traditional herbal practices with modern scientific research, this cuppa offers a practical approach to enhancing metabolic health and overall well-being. Today, take an inside look at the ingredients, science, and benefits of Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea — and how it might be the game-changer your routine needs. Learn how Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea can be a valuable addition to any balanced lifestyle. Getting To Know Herbaly: A Deep Dive Into the Brand’s Commitment to Wellness Before exploring the specifics of Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea, why not take a closer peek at Herbaly as a brand? Born from a vision of holistic well-being and deep-rooted respect for nature’s bounty, Herbaly represents a philosophy that's about more than a beverage — it’s a way of life. Built on the principles of organic integrity and sustainability, Herbaly only sources the finest herbs and ingredients. Every sip of Herbaly tea — whether it's their Glucose Functional Tea, Heart Functional Tea, or Wellness Functional Herbal Tea — embodies a commitment to purity and environmental stewardship. By blending traditional herbal wisdom and cutting-edge research, Herbaly is at the forefront of the natural wellness movement, offering remedies that honor the body’s innate balance and vitality. Herbaly’s range of teas takes a holistic approach to health that resonates with those looking for a path to wellness rooted in nature’s healing gifts. A Comprehensive Exploration Into the Benefits of Herbaly’s Glucose Functional Tea Herbaly’s Glucose Functional Tea is designed to help provide holistic blood sugar support. Understanding the role blood sugar plays in overall well-being, Herbaly has meticulously selected an array of potent ingredients to create a tea that's wellness in a cup. This tea is a mindful fusion of herbs and botanicals known for their potentially beneficial properties when it comes to cell health, carbohydrate and glucose metabolization, and insulin secretion. Each ingredient in this tea has been chosen for its holistic approach to supporting metabolic health. Decoding Nature’s Wisdom: The Scientific Foundation of Herbaly’s Glucose Functional Tea Herbaly founder Michael Klein grew up in a household of intellectuals and professionals who believed in the healing power of herbs and the logic of science. Instead of putting herbalism and science at odds with one another, Klein's family dug deeply into the science within herbs to provide cumulative benefits over time. In the spirit of Klein's holistic upbringing and respect for the meticulous study of herbs, Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea is made of a blend of botanical ingredients that help support normal blood sugar levels. Using the potential blood sugar-supporting effects of superfoods like organic milk thistle and organic bitter melon, Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea delivers a potent combination of natural remedies. It also contains other beneficial ingredients like organic ginger, organic dandelion root, and organic fenugreek seed, all of which have robust potential benefits. The bioactive compounds in this tea’s ingredients interact with key metabolic pathways, promoting glucose utilization and helping maintain a balance in blood sugar levels. By harnessing these plant-based remedies, Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea offers a holistic approach to supporting metabolic health that aligns with the body’s innate wisdom. A Flavorful Journey Through the Aromas and Tastes of Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea supports overall health and wellness, but it also tastes delicious from the very first sip. It mixes the subtle sweetness of ginger dancing on your taste buds and the earthy notes of bitter melon mingling with hints of herbal botanicals, creating a balance of flavors that evoke a sense of tranquility and rejuvenation. Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea offers a sensory experience that goes beyond a simple beverage. It’s a journey of exploration, indulgence, and well-being, and it tastes great along the way. It invites you to savor the moment, to relish the flavors, and to nourish your body with every delicious sip. Try a delicious cup of Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea today! The Holistic Benefits of Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea Beyond its delectable taste and aromatic allure, Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea offers a range of benefits in addition to blood sugar support. By possibly supporting overall metabolic harmony, the tea may help maintain healthy energy levels and support overall well-being. The blend’s unique composition also boasts antioxidant properties that support cell integrity, contributing to a healthy immune system and vitality. Plus, Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea’s holistic approach to wellness resonates with individuals seeking a natural remedy that aligns with their values of organic integrity and environmental consciousness. By choosing a plant-based, sustainably sourced tea like Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea, you elevate your health while contributing to a healthier planet. Elevating Your Daily Routine With Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea Adding Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea into your daily routine is a seamless and delightful experience that can elevate your well-being in so many ways. Founder Michael Klein believes that a large part of tea’s magic is its ability to bring people together over the shared experience of drinking a cuppa. Begin your day with a revitalizing cup of Glucose Functional Tea around the kitchen table with loved ones, setting the tone for a balanced and energized day ahead while you make unforgettable memories. Whether enjoyed hot or cold, the tea can also be a refreshing midday pick-me-up or a soothing evening wind-down, providing a moment of respite in a busy schedule. Incorporating Glucose Functional Tea into your lifestyle is about embracing a holistic approach to wellness that celebrates the interconnectedness of body, mind, spirit, and community. You can even pair your tea with nutritious meals, mindful movement practices, and moments of relaxation to create a well-rounded routine that nurtures your every facet. When you make Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea a part of your daily rituals, you invite a wave of well-being into your life that lasts far beyond the cup. Building a Supportive Community Around Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea At the heart of Herbaly’s ethos is a vibrant community united by a shared passion for holistic wellness and a deep appreciation for the healing wonders of nature. The Herbaly community goes beyond geographical boundaries, bringing together individuals from all walks of life who want to live a lifestyle that nurtures both body and spirit. The Herbaly community fosters connections, shares stories of transformation, and supports each individual’s wellness journey. Whether you’re a seasoned herbal enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of natural remedies, the Herbaly community welcomes you with open arms, ready to inspire, encourage, and uplift you as you navigate the path to optimal health. Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea as Your Companion to a World of Health and Vitality Raise a toast to the transformative power of nature’s healing gifts and the boundless potential for well-being that lies within each cup. By embracing the art of holistic wellness, nurturing your body with the earth’s bounty, and honoring the vibrant community surrounding you, you can pave the way for a healthier, happier existence filled with vitality and balance. Let Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea infuse your days with energy, your nights with peace, and your being with a profound sense of harmony. May each sip remind you of the interconnectedness of all things, the beauty of embracing natural remedies, and the joy of embarking on a wellness journey that goes beyond boundaries and welcomes you home to yourself. Learn how you can sip towards holistic health benefits, one cup of Herbaly Glucose Functional Tea at a time. Image Credit: Photo credit: Herbaly This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga’s opinions and has not been edited for content. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. Benzinga does not make any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company.

Johnson & Johnson Faces New Lawsuit(s) Related To Its Talc Products - Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) 2024-06-20 18:49:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... Johnson & Johnson JNJ is reportedly facing a new proposed class action lawsuit seeking damages and medical monitoring for women who have developed or may develop cancer due to using the company’s talc products. Most recently, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $700 million to resolve a multi-state investigation into its talc-based products. Citing a lawsuit filed on Monday in New Jersey federal court, Reuters notes the lawsuit is the first to seek medical monitoring, which involves regular testing to detect cancer early, for talc users. This proposed class could potentially include thousands of women, excluding the over 61,000 individuals who have already filed personal injury lawsuits claiming the company’s talc contains cancer-causing asbestos. Johnson & Johnson maintains that its talc is safe, asbestos-free, and does not cause cancer. The law firms behind the new case are opposed to Johnson & Johnson’s proposal to settle nearly all talc claims for $6.48 billion through a prepackaged bankruptcy. They are also pursuing a separate class action seeking to block the bankruptcy. The bankruptcy proposal requires the support of 75% of talc claimants, with the voting period ending on July 26. Erik Haas, Johnson & Johnson’s worldwide vice president of litigation, criticized the lawsuit, describing it as “meritless” and an attempt to thwart the bankruptcy plan, Reuters highlights. Read Next: Johnson & Johnson Has An Opportunity In Talc-Cancer Lawsuit, Can Challenge Scientific Evidence In Federal Ruling. Price Action: JNJ shares are up 1.35% at $147.61 at last check Thursday. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo via Shutterstock

Start With The Adults: Thriving Leaders And Teachers In K-12 Education 2024-06-20 18:49:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... K-12 education is at a juncture as the pandemic's impact compounds challenges, like student mental health issues, increased workload for staff, and leadership turnover. This has led to higher staff burnout and many teachers are looking for other professions: 55,000 vacant positions and 270,000 positions filled by underqualified teachers, in 2023, teacher vacancies grew by 35%. Are there principles from the field of positive psychology that leaders can use to create environments where educators not only stay but also thrive? Imagine a school where every employee feels engaged and happy to be at work; where every student felt cared for; where leadership, teachers and students all worked together to drive well-being, connection and excellent educational outcomes. School Wellbeing Solutions (SWBS) works with school districts around the nation to make this a reality for schools. Rooted in positive psychology, the science of thriving, SWBS helps school leaders build environments where every staff member feels supported and energized, ensuring they can give their best to students every day. Martín Blank, the leader behind School Wellbeing Solutions, founded the company after 16 years as an educator and administrator in public schools throughout the United States. He recognized that a barrier to academic success was often a student's inability to handle stressors and emotions. "In 2006, I began teaching in the San Francisco East Bay area, and I noticed my students were experiencing chronic stress and had challenges dealing with their emotions," says Blank. "I trained in effective stress-management practices with the International Association for Human Values and started teaching them to students across the U.S." Blank then developed the Astronauts Social Emotional Learning Program in the San Francisco Bay Area, which was quickly adopted by several California schools to support student wellness. After a successful program launch of the program supported by foundation funding, Blank was awarded the Christopher Peterson Memorial Fellowship to pursue a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the world's leading institutions in this field of study. During his time in the program, Blank learned from leading researchers, offering him a nuanced understanding of the core principles of positive psychology and how individuals and organizations can use them to build better, more resilient cultures. After graduating and developing powerful interventions that boost wellbeing, Blank went back to schools at the start of the pandemic to support student mental health. As he reflects, "Stressed-out teachers didn't have the capacity to truly support student wellbeing. They were too stressed out, often because of the action or inaction of their administrators. Teacher-administrative relationships were strained, the work was increasingly bureaucratic, and work environments were often toxic for most employees, and this was all preventing adults from doing the work they were passionate about. This is still the case in many schools." Blank's mission was clear: to transform education by improving the wellbeing of educators and leaders in schools. But he realized that to create lasting improvement in schools, one-off self-care or resilience training wasn't enough. He needed to work with leaders to develop systems that supported the sustainable wellbeing of employees. Blank founded School Wellbeing Solutions, a company dedicated to supporting the happiness, well-being, and resilience of adults in K-12 education. He hired world-class positive psychology coaches and created the Resilience Journey for Leaders, a 4-month professional development program designed to improve the culture and dynamics of top leadership teams, including superintendents, principals, assistant principals, and central office supervisors. Positive psychology is the study of well-being. It is a fast-growing sub-discipline of psychology. Chris Peterson, one of the founders of the field, said "positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living” (Peterson, 2008). Rather than focusing on disorders, what's wrong, and what needs to be fixed, positive psychology asks, "What can you add? What is good about this? How can you use strengths to help you get to where you want to be, whether that's individually, in relationships with others, or in larger institutions like schools?" The Resilience Journey for Leaders is unique in that it focuses on the science of wellbeing at the leadership team level, going beyond the self-care programs that are traditionally offered in the workplace. It's also unique in that it's not a blanket training program but provides personalized support for leaders through one-on-one coaching sessions, leveraging biofeedback technology for stress management, mindfulness, and tools to avoid thinking traps. The program boosts psychological safety and trust in teams. It also empowers and guides leaders to make higher-quality, data-driven, district-wide decisions that create better work conditions for their staff. Martín Blank's programs are designed around three core pillars: (a) boosting the resilience of leaders through emotional intelligence, stress management, and mindfulness; (b) promoting healthy team dynamics rooted in trust and psychological safety; and (c) creating effective and sustainable systems for a healthy workforce. Blank shares, "We can't just start with the kids. We have to look at the well-being of adults, which is often a function of the quality of their work experience. We all know that miserable people make other people miserable. When leaders and their teams are thriving, they are in the best possible position to foster conditions for everyone else to flourish. Training for improved teacher retention needs to start with the mental and emotional conditions of the people driving the interventions. Otherwise, it's all bandaids and lip service. Let's truly support those at the top. Happy leaders are more equipped to create systems that enhance the quality of work experience for everyone." School Wellbeing Solutions welcomes all school leaders to embark on a journey to enhance student and staff well-being. School Wellbeing Solutions offers support for leaders at any stage, from those new to positive psychology to those seeking to expand their existing practices. Their mission is to collaborate with schools to create a future where well-being, resilience, and joy thrive within every learning environment, so that school leaders feel energized, capable, and centered; teachers feel respected, acknowledged, and heard; and, as a result, every single student feels supported and cared for. Learn more at www.schoolwellbeingsolutions.com or email them at info@schoolwellbeingsolutions.com. Summary: Many K-12 educators and staff are leaving the profession earlier than expected. This creates challenges for schools in finding qualified replacements. There are several factors contributing to this trend. The demanding nature of teaching can be emotionally draining, and working conditions in education can sometimes fall short of other industries. The recent pandemic has brought these issues to the forefront. It has also shown many educators the importance of factors like autonomy, feeling valued, and having professional respect in the workplace. Educators are increasingly looking for more than just a good salary. They value well-being, a sense of purpose, and opportunities for professional growth. This shift means that schools with negative work environments may struggle to retain staff, even if they offer competitive pay. The emotional investment required in K-12 education can be unique compared to other professions. This can contribute to workforce challenges in the field. Image Credit: School Wellbeing Solutions This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga’s opinions and has not been edited for content. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. Benzinga does not make any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company.

Kendrick Lamar’s L.A. concert flexed his political might over Drake 2024-06-20 18:48:41+00:00 - Kendrick Lamar’s Los Angeles extravaganza on Sunday capped off (for now) his successful 2024 campaign against famed rapper Drake. With a performance in his hometown of Compton on Sunday, called “The Pop Out,” the rapper and an assortment of famous Californians appeared to put the finishing touches on what has essentially been a political dispute disguised as an old-fashioned rap feud. Lamar’s was the sort of campaign that would make K Street proud. After performing his Drake diss "Not Like Us" four times in a row, Lamar gave what amounted to a victory speech flanked by an California-based musicians, activists, artists and others. Everyone was there, from NBA star Russell Westbrook to Krump dance legend Tommy the Clown and budding rap duo BlueBucksClan. “This s--- ain’t got nothing to do with no motherf---ing song at this point,” he said, posing for a group photo. “It ain’t got nothing to do with no back-and-forth records. It’s got everything to do with this right here. That’s what this s--- was about.” This was a moment that was steeped in nostalgia and cultural pride — and a clear shot at Drake. The remarks — and the photo — underscored the loaded meaning of this feud, which featured catchy but cutting lyrics that played on political themes such as Blackness, regional pride, power, privilege, access and, most importantly, authenticity. This was not an argument over who was the better rapper. It was a battle to determine who better represented hip-hop culture. Over a five-track flurry, Lamar used oppo research — infused with a heavy dose of conspiracism — to portray Drake as a manipulator, a misogynist, a grifter who clings to Black gangsta rappers for clout, a deadbeat dad and, quite literally, a “pedophile.” (Drake denied the allegations in a song written in response, saying he was "way too famous" not to have been arrested already if anything like that had happened.) And much like a skilled politician, Lamar largely made these critiques while ignoring some of his own problematic behavior. Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during The Pop Out – Ken & Friends Presented by pgLang and Free Lunch at The Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Wednesday. Timothy Norris / Getty Images for pgLang, Amazon In song, Drake downplayed and denied many of the claims made by Lamar. But reminiscent of other political campaigns these days, the fact that some of Lamar’s claims stemmed from some actual incidents involving Drake that have been known for years appears to have made it difficult for some listeners to dismiss them outright. In this campaign, Lamar was always angling to win rap’s version of the Electoral College vote more than the popular vote, trying to appeal to respected artists and influencers who could give him their stamp of approval. And in the end, he may have won the popular vote, too, breaking Drake's single-day Spotify record. The tactic seems to have worked. As in the actual Electoral College, Lamar’s concert showed that winning California can be a boon for one’s campaign.

New Home Construction Slows as Mortgage Rates Remain High 2024-06-20 18:48:28.427000+00:00 - Construction of new homes in the United States dropped below expectations in May as builders pull back on new residential projects largely in response to high interest rates, reinforcing concerns about stubbornly high housing prices. Government data released on Thursday showed that new-home construction, or housing starts, fell 5.5 percent last month to an annualized rate of 1.28 million, a sign of more cracks in the already shaky housing market. Slower construction of both single-family and multifamily homes contributed to the overall drop. Building permits dipped 3.8 percent, pointing to less future construction. This downturn in home building comes as the average rate on 30-year mortgages, the nation’s most popular home loan, has reached highs not seen in decades, though the rate dipped slightly this week to 6.87 percent, Freddie Mac reported on Thursday. The magnitude of the decrease in construction last month underscores that high interest rates are both weakening housing demand and raising costs for builders — two dynamics that are ultimately contributing to builders’ reluctance to start projects. Home builder sentiment dropped in May to its lowest level this year before falling even further this month, suggesting relatively tepid home construction data in the coming months, Daniel Vielhaber, an economist at Nationwide, said in a statement.