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Some Traders Redeemed Shares of Trump-Tied SPAC at 75% Loss Ahead of Vote 2024-03-26 02:45:00+00:00 - (Bloomberg) -- Some investors in the blank-check firm taking Donald Trump’s nascent media company public voluntarily took a 75% loss by pulling out of the deal. Most Read from Bloomberg Nearly 5,000 Digital World Acquisition Corp. shares were redeemed for $10.87 each ahead of a vote to approve the special-purpose acquisition company’s deal to take Trump Media & Technology Group public, according to a Friday filing. DWAC, as the SPAC is known, hasn’t traded below the redemption value since the tie-up with Trump Media was announced in October 2021. The stock closed at $42.90 on Wednesday, the redemption deadline, meaning one or more investors swapped shares worth roughly $212,000 for about $54,000. The money came out of the more than $275 million the parent of Trump’s Truth Social platform is set to receive from the SPAC. “Either they had no clue what they were doing — and perhaps thought they could redeem at current market price” or they did it out of spite for the former president, said Matthew Tuttle, the chief executive officer of Tuttle Capital Management. Regardless, redeeming shares at a huge discount to what they trade for on the open market is “as smart as lighting money on fire,” he said. SPAC deals typically offer shareholders the option to swap shares for about $10 — the price many SPACs go public at — plus interest and added sweeteners. The potential to redeem rather than participate in the merger has been a way for SPACs to protect investors from bad deals. Redemption rates have topped 90% on average since the SPAC boom cratered over the past two years. Representatives for DWAC didn’t respond to a request for comment. For DWAC, it’s not the first time investors redeemed shares for a fraction of the money they could’ve sold it for on the Nasdaq. Story continues Some 29,000 shares were redeemed in September when investors extended the deadline for DWAC, according to an earlier filing. In the two years since DWAC’s market debut, about 40,000 shares have been redeemed, according to SPAC Research calculations. The SPAC merger completed on Monday, and the combined company is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker DJT Tuesday. DWAC, which is up 185% this year, is trading at about $50 on Monday. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Judge tosses out X lawsuit against hate-speech researchers, saying Elon Musk tried to punish critics 2024-03-25 23:29:00+00:00 - Misinformation spreads online as some in Congress fight what they see as censorship A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit by Elon Musk's X Corp. against the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate, ruling that the case was about "punishing" the research group for its speech. The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) has documented the increase in hate speech on the site since it was acquired by the Tesla owner in 2022. X, formerly known as Twitter, sued the nonprofit last year, claiming the center's researchers violated the site's terms of service by improperly compiling public tweets. X argued that the CCDH's reports on the rise of hate speech on the service had cost it millions of dollars when advertisers fled. On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer dismissed the suit, writing in his order that it was "unabashedly and vociferously about one thing" — punishing the nonprofit for its speech. In a statement posted to X, the social media platform said it "disagrees with the court's decision and plans to appeal." Today a federal court in San Francisco issued a decision in the case X brought against the Center for Countering Digital Hate for illegally obtaining platform data to create misleading research. X disagrees with the court's decision and plans to appeal. — News (@XNews) March 25, 2024 It's not the only time Musk's X has sued after a group flagged issues with hate speech on the social media platform. Last November, several big advertisers including IBM, NBCUniversal and its parent company Comcast, said that they stopped advertising on X after a report from the liberal advocacy group Media Matters said their ads were appearing alongside material praising Nazis. The report proved to be yet another setback as X sought to win back big brands and their ad dollars, X's main source of revenue. In November, X sued Media Matters, alleging that the group was trying to "drive advertisers from the platform and destroy X Corp." Later that month, Musk went on an expletive-ridden rant in response to advertisers that halted spending on X in response to antisemitic and other hateful material, saying they are are engaging in "blackmail" and, using a profanity, essentially told them to go away. Seeking millions from CCDH In suing the CCDH, X had sought millions of dollars in damages from group, arguing that the nonprofit's reports led to the exodus of advertisers and the loss of ad revenue. But the judge agreed with CCDH's argument saying X cannot seek damages for the independent acts of third parties based on CCDH's reports, or its "speech." X had also alleged that the CCDH had "scraped" its site for data, which is against its terms of service. But the judge found that X failed to "allege losses based on technological harms" — that is, the company didn't show how the scraping led to financial losses for X. The center is a nonprofit with offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom. It regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism or harmful behavior on social media platforms like X, TikTok or Facebook. The organization has published several reports critical of Musk's leadership, detailing a rise in anti-LGBTQ hate speech as well as climate misinformation since his purchase. "Hypocritical campaign of harassment" Imran Ahmed, the center's founder and CEO, said the lawsuit amounted to a "hypocritical campaign of harassment" by a billionaire who talks about protecting free speech but who then uses his wealth to try to silence his critics. He said the lawsuit shows the need for a federal law requiring tech companies to release more information about their operations, so that the public can understand how these powerful platforms are shaping society. "We hope this landmark ruling will embolden public-interest researchers everywhere to continue, and even intensify, their vital work of holding social media companies accountable for the hate and disinformation they host and the harm they cause," said Ahmed. Roberta Kaplan, the center's attorney, said the dismissal of X's suit shows "even the wealthiest man cannot bend the rule of law to his will." "We are living in an age of bullies, and it's social media that gives them the power that they have today," Kaplan said in an email to reporters. "It takes great courage to stand up to these bullies; it takes an organization like the Center for Countering Digital Hate. We are proud and honored to represent CCDH."

Costco is cracking down on its food court. You now need to show your membership card to eat there. 2024-03-25 22:44:00+00:00 - Costco cracking down on membership sharing Costco cracking down on membership sharing 00:23 Wholesale store Costco is taking action to ensure that only paying members get to enjoy its popular $1.50 hot dog and soda combo deal, available at its food courts. Images of signs posted on Reddit, the social media platform that recently went public, suggest the discount shopping club is cracking down on interlopers. While Costco officially restricted food court access to members in 2020, the newly posted signs detailing store policy suggest tougher enforcement is needed. "Effective April 8, 2024, an active Costco membership card will be required to purchase items from our food court. You can join today. Please see our membership counter for details," reads one sign, seen at a Costco store in Orlando, Florida. The move is the latest effort made by the wholesaler to enforce its membership requirements, so that people who wish to shop at the store actually pay up for the privilege. In January, Costco started rolling out new technology, requiring members to scan their cards at some store entrances, in an effort to crack down on membership sharing and nonmember walk-ins. Presumably, the more restrictive stance is designed to entice more people to purchase memberships and in turn boost Costco's bottom line. Membership fees accounted for $4.6 billion, or 73% of Costco's total profit in 2023. Costco will be checking membership cards in its food courts. Screenshot/Reddit Costco did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment on its existing policies and whether or not those rules are formally changing. A basic membership costs $60 annually, while the executive membership, which has perks like a 2% cash-back reward, is $120 per year. Costco explained how it feels about non-members getting access to perks reserved for members. "We don't feel it's right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members," Costco said over the summer, when it started asking for members' photo IDs along with their membership cards at self-checkout registers.

Australian Fintech Stables Launches International Remittances Between Australia and The Philippines 2024-03-25 22:39:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... SYDNEY, Australia, March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Australian digital wallet provider and payment startup Stables has today announced the launch of international remittances for its thousands of users (focusing on the AU-PH Corridor). From today, Stables users in over 130 countries can send Australian Dollars or Philippine Pesos to over 140 million people across Australia and the Philippines, all powered by stablecoins. As the largest importer of remittances within Southeast Asia, the Philippines has inflows in excess of $40 billion per year (with $5.76 billion from Australia alone). In recent years, the Philippines has increasingly adopted digital forms of payment due to 44% of the population aged 15 and over in the Philippines estimated to be unbanked, leading to increased acceptance of digital wallets and e-wallets like Gcash in the region. With the market capitalisation of stablecoins hitting new highs in March 2024, totalling over $140 billion, there is strong momentum this year for the cohort-leading venture. Stables and its Founders have an unwavering belief in stablecoins to offer users speed, low-cost settlement, security and reliability for its users. On the recent announcement, Stables Co-Founder and CEO Erez Rachamim said, "This is the first time in Australian history that a company has embedded stablecoins in remittance rails with both domestic jurisdictions covered to deliver a payload with no middlemen, intra-day with sub 1% fees, we cannot wait to bring feature parity to the Philippines by May 2024." "Our vision at Stables has always been to simplify the usage of stablecoins and drive their widespread adoption globally to improve access to basic financial services in emerging markets where a significant portion of the population is underbanked," Rachamim continued. "Initially, Stables set out to reimagine how stablecoins could power everyday payments, and today, we've turned that into a reality. Our users can now send Philippines Pesos or Australian Dollars from their stablecoin balance directly into any local bank account or eWallet, without the need for the other party to have a Stables wallet or know that the funds started as a digital asset on the blockchain," added Erez Rachamim, CEO of Stables. "Stablecoin remittances are a lifeline for many who need to send money to their loved ones, as they provide faster, cheaper and more transparent transactions than traditional methods. Stablecoins are challenging the status quo of remittance services. We believe they will shape the future of cross-border payments, and the little guys will keep more money in their pockets." Stables has forged strong relationships and partnerships with major global payment players like Mastercard in 2023, announcing the launch of the Stables Mastercard™ virtual prepaid card in Australia. This groundbreaking solution allowed users to seamlessly and securely spend their stablecoin balance anywhere Mastercard cards are accepted, in-store or online. Leveraging Circle Internet Financial (Circle)'s USDC, the Stables virtual card empowers customers to utilize their stablecoins in the physical world, meeting the growing demand for real-world spending among digital asset holders. Founded in February 2021, Stables is on a mission to empower people to access the global financial system through transparent and fair stablecoin products. Stablecoin remittances offer cheaper alternatives but still face challenges to adoption. Stables hopes to bridge that gap as it aggressively moves into new international markets in 2024. Loading... Loading... For more information or to sign up, visit https://stables.money About Stables: With a community of over 35,000 globally, Stables allows users to send, buy, and spend with their stablecoins - all on one balance. Founded in February 2021 and backed by leading VCs, Stables has assembled a stellar team focusing on bringing real-world use cases to digital assets. Powered by Mastercard, Australian users can pay with their USDC via Apple Pay and Google Pay in-store and online. Stables is the brainchild of experienced fintech leaders Erez Rachamim , Bernardo Bilotta , Daniel Li , David Nichols , and Tony Tao . Stables employs 23 full-time staff, operating out of Sydney & Melbourne. Key investors in Stables include global venture capital funds Rocket Internet, Fintech Collective and DACM, as well as high-profile angel investors, including Alvin Singh and Bosco Tan (co-founders at Pocketbook) and Larry Diamond (co-founder at Zip Co). A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c14bbb0d-0ab5-424b-bdf6-f444e9c5917b Contact: marketing@stables.money

ThreeD Capital Inc. Announces New YouTube Channel (AMENDED) 2024-03-25 22:15:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... TORONTO, March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ThreeD Capital Inc. ("ThreeD" or the "Company") IDKIDKFF a Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the junior resources and disruptive technologies sectors, is excited to announce its new YouTube channel created in conjunction with its previously announced investor relations agreement with PHK Investments LLC. Already uploaded on ThreeD's new YouTube channel is several interviews with certain companies of which ThreeD holds securities or digital assets within its investment and digital asset portfolio. These company's include AI/ML Innovations Inc., Avicanna Inc. AVCN, Gryphon Digital Mining, Inc. (NASDAQ : GRYP), HyperCycle, infinitii ai inc. IAI, and One Bullion Limited. In the coming months ThreeD hopes to complete additional interviews with other investees that currently make up part of the Company's investment and digital asset portfolio including Blockstation, LL Prosper Inc., MultiBank.io, Neurable Inc., Nirvana Life Sciences Inc. NIRV, Palitronica Inc., Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. PNRL, Tari, Tenet Fintech Group Inc. PKK, TODAQ Holdings Inc., Turn Biotechnologies, Inc., Volterra Energy Marketplace Inc., XREX Inc., and Yuvan Research, Inc. The companies noted above do not represent all of ThreeD's portfolio holdings. The holdings of securities of investees by ThreeD are managed for investment purposes. ThreeD could increase or decrease its investments in these companies at any time, or continue to maintain its current position, depending on market conditions or any other relevant factor. About ThreeD Capital Inc. ThreeD is a publicly-traded Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the junior resources and disruptive technologies sectors. ThreeD's investment strategy is to invest in multiple private and public companies across a variety of sectors globally. ThreeD seeks to invest in early stage, promising companies where it may be the lead investor and can additionally provide investees with advisory services and access to the Company's ecosystem. For further information: Jakson Inwentash Vice President Investments jinwentash@threedcap.com Phone: 416-941-8900 ext 107 The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, these forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "believes", "hopes", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations. Forward-looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, risks relating to the prospectivity of the Company's investments, determinations of the Company to increase or decrease its investment in any given investee from time to time, and such risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

East Side Games Group Announces Date of Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Webcast - East Side Games Grp (OTC:EAGRF) 2024-03-25 22:01:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... VANCOUVER, BC, March 25, 2024 /CNW/ - East Side Games Group EAGR EAGRF ("ESGG" or the "Company"), Canada's leading free-to-play mobile game group, will release its fourth quarter 2023 financial results on Monday, April 1, 2024 after market close. Following the release, the Company will hold a webcast and conference call to discuss its performance with the investment community at 9:00 a.m. PT on April 2, 2024. Related earnings release materials can be found in the Investors section of ESGG's website at https://eastsidegamesgroup.com/investors/financial-information/. Webcast and Conference Call Details: Webcast URL: https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=45B421E8-6344-4875-A894-C12D436717FC&LangLocaleID=1033 Toll Free Dial-In Number: +1 (800) 717-1738 Local Dial-In Number: +1 (289) 514-5100 Conference ID: 62568 A replay will be available by dialing +1 (888) 660-6264 or +1 (289) 819-1325 and entering passcode 62568 #. ABOUT EAST SIDE GAMES GROUP East Side Games Group is a leading free-to-play mobile game group, creating engaging games that produce enduring player loyalty. Our studio groups entrepreneurial culture is anchored in creativity, execution, and growth through licensing of our proprietary Game Kit software platform that enables professional game developers to greatly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of game creation in addition to organic growth through a diverse portfolio of original and licensed IP mobile games that include: The Office: Somehow We Manage, Star Trek: Lower Decks – The Badgey Directive, Doctor Who: Lost in Time, RuPaul's Drag Race Superstar, Trailer Park Boys Grea$y Money, Bud Farm Idle Tycoon, Cheech & Chong Bud Farm and AEW: Rise to the Top. We are headquartered in Vancouver, Canada and our games are available worldwide on the App Store and Google Play. For further information, please visit: www.eastsidegamesgroup.com and join our online communities at LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Additional information about the Company is available under East Side Games Group at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the proposed transactions described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. SOURCE East Side Games Group Inc.

Feds raid Sean Combs properties in LA, Miami on search warrants out of New York: NBC News 2024-03-25 21:46:00+00:00 - Federal agents on Monday raided homes owned by hip-hop music mogul Sean Combs in Los Angeles and Miami, NBC News reported, citing sources. The Department of Homeland Security agents were authorized to search the properties by warrants issued in Manhattan federal court, months after a series of lawsuit accused Combs of serious sexual misconduct, law enforcement sources said. A source familiar with the situation told NBC that three women and one man have been interviewed in New York by federal authorities in connection to a probe involving possible sex trafficking, sexual assault, the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms related to 54-year-old Combs, who is also known as "Diddy," "Puff Daddy," and "P. Diddy." Interviews with three more women, identified as "Jane Does," are scheduled. "Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners," Homeland Security said in a statement to NBC 4 Los Angeles. Benjamin Brafman, a New York attorney who has represented Combs, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC. Combs has denied the civil allegations against him. Douglas Wigdor, a New York lawyer for the singer Cassie Ventura, who quickly settled a bombshell lawsuit against Combs last fall accusing him of raping and sex trafficking her, said he was also representing a "Jane Doe" in the federal probe of him. "We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law," Wigdor said in a statement. "Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct," the lawyer said. The raids come a month after a music producer named Rodney "Li Rod' Jones filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court claiming that Combs sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him while he was living and traveling with Combs. Tyrone Blackburn, a lawyer for Jones, and two women who have sued Combs, in a statement to NBC News said, "We can appreciate today's raids by the federal government; however, today's events are not going to prevent nor delay my clients' pending and forthcoming actions for justice and resolution from the Combs RICO Enterprise." Combs was sued in Manhattan federal court by Cassie. Cassie's suit said that in 2005, when she was 19 years old, Combs lured her into a professional relationship by signing her to his label, Bad Boy Records, and within several years induced her into a sexual relationship, and introduced her "to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance abuse and required her to procure illicit prescriptions to satisfy his own addictions." The suit claimed Combs raped Cassie in her home after she tried to leave him, "blew up" another man's car after learning of his romantic interest in her and often beat and kicked her. Cassie and Combs agreed to settle her complaint for undisclosed terms just a day after she filed the suit. But after that settlement, two other women, Liza Gardner and Joie Dickerson-Neal, in lawsuits of their own accused Combs of sexually assaulting them. A fourth woman, identified in court filings as Jane Doe, sued Combs in December, accusing him of gang raping her two decades ago, when she was 17 years old, with the former president of his record label and another person. Blackburn, the attorney, represents Gardner and Jane Doe. A lawyer for Dickerson-Neal declined to comment to NBC News about the raids on Combs' homes. This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.

Reddit shares rise 30% to start week after social media company's IPO 2024-03-25 21:46:00+00:00 - Reddit CEO Steve Huffman hugs mascot Snoo as Reddit begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on March 21, 2024. Reddit shares were up 30% to $59.80 at the market's close on Monday. The social media company's stock has been rising ever since it went public last week and raised roughly $750 million from the IPO, of which the company brought in about $519 million. Reddit shares soared 48% when it began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock ticker "RDDT," resulting in a number of moderators and users, known as Redditors, earning millions of dollars as a group. Those Redditers, along with corporate insiders and their friends and family members, were able to partake in Reddit's IPO via a directed-share program, akin to similar offerings by tech companies like Airbnb, Rivian and Doximity. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who was a Reddit investor and a former board member, saw his stake in the company grow from $200 million to over $613 million via the IPO. Reddit's IPO came the same week that Astera Labs shares skyrocketed 72% on the day that the data center hardware company made its public market debut on the Nasdaq. Reddit was the first major social media company to have gone public since Pinterest's offering in 2019, and investors were monitoring its stock debut to gauge whether the IPO market might pick up after a long lull due to factors like high inflation, poor market responses to several 2023 debuts and concerns over the wider global economy. Plexo Capital founding managing partner and Reddit shareholder, Lo Toney, told CNBC that Reddit's debut was "a positive sign not only for Reddit, but I think also the tech industry and what it might mean for future IPOs." "One thing we know with certainty is that there [was] a lot of investor appetite during the roadshow for Reddit, and we see that it's continuing to hold up well," Toney said. "Clearly the market is signaling there's an appetite for more companies to come to the public markets." Still, Toney said that there are other "dynamics that need to happen," including a few more companies entering the public market before it's safe to say that the IPO floodgates have opened. Toney noted that some startups have raised a lot of money so they may not be in any hurry to go public and raise more cash. "At the same time there are instances where the last private market financing may be higher than what the public market will accept as a public company valuation," Toney said, adding that some startups with high private valuations may still have concerns about going public at a lower valuation. Reddit had a private market valuation of $10 billion in 2021 when it last raised a funding round, according to deal-tracking service Pitchbook, and was valued at roughly $6.5 billion based on its IPO price of $34 per share.

Ibogaine By David Dardashti Explains the Legal Status of Ibogaine 2024-03-25 21:40:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... MIAMI, March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ibogaine by David Dardashti is proud to announce more information about the legal status of ibogaine in Mexico and other countries for those recovering from an opiate addiction. Ibogaine Therapy Ibogaine is a revolutionary therapy which has been proven to reduce withdrawal symptoms and stop the cycle of substance abuse and opiate addiction in its tracks. Unlike strictly regulated treatments such as methadone and Suboxone, ibogaine is currently unregulated by governments around the world due to its low risk. Scientists and researchers are hopeful that governments around the world will recognize the medicinal benefits of ibogaine and how it can effectively help those struggling with addiction. "It is our hope that through continued research those struggling with addiction can soon benefit from ibogaine without the fear of persecution or legal trouble," said Gavriel Dardashti, Lead Scientific Researcher at Ibogaine By David Dardashti. "We believe that with the right information and proper education, darkness will one day merge into light, after those of sinister intent are removed from justifiable cause." The only risk associated with ibogaine is the potential for administering unethical doses to those with heart conditions. This is why it is critical for those considering ibogaine therapy to be under the supervision of trained and experienced medical professionals. It is also important to note ibogaine is not effective when used in conjunction with other substances and can only be used for opiate withdrawal symptoms. Ibogaine is a revolutionary therapy which can reduce withdrawal symptoms, stop the cycle of substance abuse, and potentially be regulated by governments around the world, although it is important to have trained and experienced medical professionals supervise its use due to potential risks. Ibogaine By david Dardashti continues to offer promises of hope despite drastic attempts of termination from those of greed and who lack a moral compass. Call 1-800-818-4511 to learn more or visit our website. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/906d0d43-9692-4579-87de-c7c3d2b365f2 Gavriel Dardashti +17869301880 gavriel@ibogaineclinic.com

Mega Millions jackpot is up to $1.1 billion—what billionaire Mark Cuban says you should do if you win 2024-03-25 21:39:00+00:00 - For the sixth time in Mega Millions lottery history, the jackpot prize is worth over $1 billion ahead of Tuesday night's 11 p.m. ET draw. If you match all six numbers on your ticket, you'll have the choice between $1.1 billion paid out as an annuity over 30 years or taking home a lump sum payment of $525.8 million, per usamega.com. Most winners choose the lump sum option, even though it's less than half of the total jackpot amount. That way, they get the most money possible right after winning, rather than receiving annual payments. In this case, those payments would be roughly $23 million a year after federal taxes are deducted. With the lump sum payout, winners are theoretically able to invest and start growing the funds right away. However, Mark Cuban, self-made billionaire and star of ABC's "Shark Tank," thinks winners should take the annuity instead. Here's why.

Surge pricing is coming to theme parks 2024-03-25 21:33:55+00:00 - Theme parks are the latest industry to implement a form of surge pricing. Merlin Entertainments, which owns Legoland and Madame Tussauds, plans to start "dynamic pricing" at its top attractions. Wendy's drew backlash and quickly walked back its announcement about exploring dynamic pricing. NEW LOOK 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. Advertisement If you're planning a visit to Legoland, you might want to first consider if it's going to be a busy weekend — it could end up costing you. Visitors to certain Legoland locations will soon start experiencing surge pricing — or "dynamic pricing," as the CEO of the company that owns the parks calls it — based on fluctuating demand. Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments plans to implement the system for its top 20 global attractions before the end of the year, a spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider. Merlin, which also owns Madame Tussauds and the Sea Life aquariums, will extend dynamic pricing to its other Legoland locations in the US next year, the Financial Times reported. The new system would charge visitors more during peak times, such as sunny summer weekends that draw higher attendance, than it would for rainy weekdays in the offseason, Merlin CEO Scott O'Neil told CNBC in an interview Monday. Advertisement "At least for our business, surge pricing is not the name, it's dynamic pricing," O'Neil said. "And that actually, ironically, does two things: It actually protects the guest experience. O'Neil said in the interview that dynamic pricing will help the parks, which have a limited capacity, deal with fluctuating demand in a way that cuts down on overcrowding and long wait times. "You don't want to go to Legoland Florida or Legoland New York or Legoland California or Madame Tussauds right down the street here and wait hours in line," he said. Related stories "You take the prices up, it keeps the numbers down to a reasonable number," he said. On days without as much foot traffic, the park could then lower the price of admission and attract those looking for a bargain. Advertisement O'Neil declined to provide specifics on the pricing swings under the model, but suggested that guests attending on off-peak days could potentially see a 10% discount, or even "a bit more." A company spokesperson told BI that they didn't have specifics to share yet on whether there would be a price limit for any price hikes under the new model. "For those of us who are a little more budget-conscious, a little more value-based, what an opportunity to have more people be able to experience it on the shoulder times," he said, referring to discounted prices. Price fluctuations are not new for Merlin properties, which already reduce entry fees during off-peak periods. But the dynamic pricing model is a step further, incorporating more data to better drive demand and adjust things more quickly, the company told BI. Advertisement "This change brings us in line with competitors and the broader holiday industry that have similar pricing structures, which benefit guests who choose to book off-peak," a Merlin spokesperson told BI. When pressed by CNBC on how families who are only able to visit during peak times, such as spring break or summer vacation, would deal with potentially higher prices, O'Neil said that the flexible entry fees were "more important than anything." Surge pricing has gotten more popular in recent years, thanks in part to the popularity of ride-share apps like Uber. While industries like hotels and airlines have used it for decades, other businesses like restaurants and movie theaters are increasingly following suit. Earlier this year, Wendy's faced swift backlash after announcing that it would experiment with dynamic pricing with its menus, though the fast food company later walked this back and clarified that it did not plan to raise prices in response to high demand (the company said it would, however, lower prices to drum up interest during slower periods).

Elon Musk tells staff they must give new customers a demo of Full Self Driving mode before giving them their car 2024-03-25 21:32:09+00:00 - Elon Musk sent an email mandating Tesla staff give demos of Full Self-Driving mode to new customers. Musk said "almost no one" realizes how well the software works. The software acts as a driver-assist add-on Tesla owners can purchase for $199 per month or $12,000. NEW LOOK 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. Advertisement Elon Musk said Tesla employees must give new customers a "short test ride" using the carmaker's latest Full Self-Driving software, according to a leaked email that was first reported by Tesla fan @WholeMarsBlog and confirmed by Business Insider. In an early morning email to staff, Musk said it was "mandatory" that staff install and activate the FSD software on the vehicle, as well as give a test drive. "Almost no one actually realizes how well (supervised) FSD actually works," Musk wrote. "I know this will slow down the delivery process, but it is nonetheless a hard requirement." Related stories Musk later sent a companywide follow up email telling staff to give customers demos after the vehicles are returned from service centers as well. Advertisement "This is very important," Musk wrote in the follow up email. A spokesperson for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. All current Tesla models come with the carmaker's Autopilot driver-assist program. Tesla owners can also buy the company's Full Self-Driving beta feature for $12,000 or through a $199 monthly subscription. The beta feature enables the vehicle to automatically change lanes, enter and exit highways, recognize stop signs and traffic lights, and park. Both programs still require a licensed driver to monitor the system at all times, and Tesla's AI system collects driver data to improve the system as drivers use it. Tesla regularly rolls out new versions of FSD using over-the-air updates. The recent version of FSD, V12.3.1 started coming out this month, Musk said on X. Advertisement "Three significant improvements to FSD will roll out roughly every two weeks," Musk wrote on X earlier in March. "Should be really shining bright by late April or early May." Over the past few years, Tesla has come under increased scrutiny from regulators over the self-driving software and the company's marketing of the services . Do you own a Tesla or work for the company? Reach out to the reporter via a non-work email or device at gkay@businessinsider.com

MGM Resorts International Prices $750,000,000 in Senior Notes - MGM Resorts Intl (NYSE:MGM) 2024-03-25 21:32:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... LAS VEGAS, March 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts International (the "Company") MGM today announced that it has priced a public offering of $750,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 6.500% senior notes due 2032 at par. The transaction is expected to close on April 9, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the notes to repay existing indebtedness, including its outstanding 6.750% senior notes due 2025. Pending such use, the Company may invest the net proceeds in short-term interest-bearing accounts, securities or similar investments. The notes being offered will be general unsecured senior obligations of the Company, guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's wholly owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the Company's other senior indebtedness, and equal in right of payment with all existing or future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company and each guarantor. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, Fifth Third Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., and Truist Securities, Inc. will act as joint book-running managers and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC will act as co-managers for the proposed offering. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. This press release shall not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the 6.750% senior notes due 2025. Any such notice of redemption will be delivered in accordance with the indenture governing the 6.750% senior notes due 2025. The offering of the notes will be made under a prospectus supplement related to the notes and an accompanying prospectus filed as part of the Company's existing effective shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company will file a final prospectus supplement with the SEC for the notes offering to which this communication relates. Alternatively, the Company, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus and the final prospectus supplement if you request it from Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Attn: Prospectus Group, 1 Columbus Circle, New York, New York 10019, Email: Prospectus.Ops@db.com. About MGM Resorts International MGM Resorts International MGM is an S&P 500® global gaming and entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 31 unique hotel and gaming destinations globally, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. The Company's 50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers sports betting and online gaming in North America through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker, and the Company's subsidiary, LV Lion Holding Limited ("LeoVegas"), offers sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands in several jurisdictions throughout Europe. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its "Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet" philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies®. Forward Looking Statements Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and/or uncertainties, including those described in the Company's public filings with the SEC. The Company has based forward-looking statements on management's current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to: completion of the senior notes offering; our ability to reduce expenses and otherwise maintain our liquidity position; the Company's ability to generate significant cash flow and execute on its strategic initiatives, including the development of an integrated resort in Japan and investments we make in sports betting and iGaming; amounts we will spend in capital expenditures and investments; our expectations with respect to future share repurchases; and the impact of cybersecurity incidents, including the Company's September 2023 cybersecurity issue. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include: the effects of economic conditions and market conditions in the markets in which the Company operates and competition with other online gaming and sports betting operators and destination travel locations throughout the United States and the world; the design, timing and costs of expansion projects; risks relating to international operations, permits, licenses, financings, approvals and other contingencies in connection with growth in new or existing jurisdictions; and additional risks and uncertainties described in the Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports). In providing forward-looking statements, the Company is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If the Company updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those other forward-looking statements. MGM RESORTS CONTACTS: Loading... Loading... Investment Community: SARAH ROGERS, Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance (702) 730-3942, srogers@mgmresorts.com ANDREW CHAPMAN, Director of Investor Relations (702) 693-8711, achapman@mgmresorts.com News Media: BRIAN AHERN, Executive Director of Communications media@mgmresorts.com SOURCE MGM Resorts International

Vilcek Foundation announces expansion of Prizes Program: Open call for immigrant artists and curators 2024-03-25 21:32:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... The Vilcek Foundation will award $300,000 in prizes to immigrant artists and curators in 2025 with the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Visual Arts and the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Curatorial Work. NEW YORK, March 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vilcek Foundation in 2025 will double the amount of prizes they award in the arts and humanities as part of the philanthropic organization's annual prize program. Applications for the 2025 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Visual Arts and in Curatorial Work are now open; applications will be accepted through June 10, 2024, at 5:00pm ET. Immigrant artists and curators can apply for a $50,000 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise by June 10, 2024 . Since 2006, the foundation has awarded the Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science and in a rotating category in the arts and humanities. With the 2025 prize cycle, the foundation will continue to award the Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science, but will award prizes in two separate categories in the arts and humanities: Visual Arts and Curatorial Work . The Vilcek Foundation Prizes are awarded to immigrant professionals living and working in the United States. The prizes recognize and celebrate the contributions of foreign-born scientists and artists to the country's arts, culture, and society, and help to raise awareness of the importance of immigration for intellectual and cultural life in the United States. This expansion of the Prize program coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Vilcek Foundation's establishment in 2000. "As we come to this important milestone, we are increasing our overall prizemaking by 50%," says Vilcek Foundation President Rick Kinsel. "Immigrant artists and cultural workers have had an indelible impact on culture and society in the United States, but are historically under-supported financially. With the expansion of our prizemaking to foreign-born professionals in the arts and humanities, the foundation can have a meaningful impact on these individuals, and increase recognition of diverse immigrant professionals in the United States." The Vilcek Foundation Prizes are composed of the Vilcek Prizes and the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise. The Vilcek Prizes are $100,000 awards that are bestowed on senior professionals in biomedical research or in the arts and humanities whose work has had a profound impact on their field; Vilcek Prize winners are selected by a jury of industry experts appointed by the Vilcek Foundation. The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise are $50,000 awards that are bestowed on young professionals who are selected through a juried open-call process; three Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise are awarded in each category each year. In 2025, three Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise will be awarded in the category of Visual Arts, and three Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise will be awarded in recognition of Curatorial Work, totaling $300,000 in prizes. To be eligible for a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise, applicants must have been born outside the United States to non-American parents, and must have lived and worked in the United States for at least four years. Applicants must be full-time arts or cultural professionals, and must intend to continue their career in visual art or in curatorial work. Candidates must be 38 years old or younger at the time of application; exceptions will be made for candidates up to the age of 40 who have taken time off work for family, medical, or military leave. Applicants for the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Visual Arts will be considered across the following areas of practice: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, ceramics, textile, installation, film/video, digital art, and performance that manifests in time-based visual presentation. Applicants for the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Curatorial Work will be considered for having organized and developed single-artist or group exhibitions at any scale or extending over any time period with private or public institutions, foundations, galleries, biennials or art fairs, or in independent curatorial practice. All applications will be reviewed after the close of the open call on June 10, 2024. Prizewinners in each category will be selected by a jury of experts appointed by the Vilcek Foundation. Prizewinners are selected for the artistic value, intellectual rigor, and cultural integrity and impact of their work. The 2025 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Visual Art and the 2025 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Curatorial Work will be announced in early 2025. Prizewinners will each receive an unrestricted cash award of $50,000 and a commemorative trophy. Prize recipients will also be celebrated in a media campaign published by the Vilcek Foundation highlighting their professional achievements and life experiences. Full application details and eligibility requirements are available at the Vilcek Foundation website at https://vilcek.co/2025cpp-art-prn . Please direct any questions about the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise or the application process to Program Officer Zahra Banyamerian at creativepromise@vilcek.org . Loading... Loading... The Vilcek Foundation The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $7 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported organizations with over $6 million in grants. The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit vilcek.org . Contact Elizabeth Boylan The Vilcek Foundation 212-472-2500 elizabeth.boylan@vilcek.org SOURCE The Vilcek Foundation

Trump tells Michigan’s Republican chair to ramp up outreach to Black voters in Detroit, chair says 2024-03-25 21:31:54+00:00 - LANSING, Michigan (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is urging Republicans in Michigan to target Black voters in Detroit and other predominantly African American areas in the swing state, state GOP leaders said Monday. Michigan GOP leaders, including the state party’s new chair, traveled to Florida to strategize the Trump campaign’s approach to winning the state in 2024. Much of the discussion centered on southeast Michigan, an area with large groups of minority voters who have been critical of President Joe Biden, particularly over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war that has caused high civilian casualties in Gaza. “The president believes that there’s a case to be made for reaching out to African American voters and to Hispanic voters, whether it’s in Saginaw or going into Wayne County or Muskegon, anywhere across the state,” said Michigan GOP chair Pete Hoekstra. Wayne County is home to much of metro Detroit. Both Biden and Trump will hotly contest Michigan, a state that flipped Democratic in 2020 and is widely seen as critical to both candidates’ chances in November. Arab American protests over the war have driven protest vote campaigns in Michigan’s Democratic primary and subsequent party races. But Democratic leaders in southeast Michigan have expressed concern that the party is overlooking restlessness among Black voters, a core Democratic constituency from which Trump’s campaign argues it can win more support. Only 58% of Black adults said they approved of Biden’s performance as president in a February AP-NORC poll, down from 94% in January 2021. At the same time, however, only 24% of Black adults said they have a favorable view of Trump. Some community members in Saginaw — a key bellwether county — were angry that Biden last week skipped going to a Black church during a visit to the 46% Black city and ultimately went to the front porch of two local leaders, who are both white. Afterward, he met with a Black family at a public golf course. The pushback in metro Detroit has seemingly caught Trump’s eye. Hoekstra, who was the lone Michigan leader to meet directly with Trump, said their conversation centered on southeast Michigan and targeting “nontraditional Republicans voters and traditional Democrat voters.” “This meeting was about let’s talk about southeast Michigan and creating relationships, and then make sure that we continue this dialogue over the next seven and a half months,” said Hoekstra. Hoekstra said that the Trump campaign is “very interested in Wayne,” which is home to Detroit and the Democrats’ largest base, having voted nearly 70% for Biden in 2020. Other focuses are Saginaw, Kent and Ottawa counties, places where Trump did well in 2016 before losing support in 2020, according to Hoekstra. The Biden campaign said in a statement that Michigan voters “remember Trump’s racist record, and they’re not going to fall for his desperate pandering.” “As president, Trump peddled bigoted policies, tried to cut health care for thousands of Black Michiganders, and sent thousands of Michigan jobs overseas,” said Alyssa Bradley, the Biden campaign’s Michigan communications director. “Folks here know Joe Biden has delivered where Trump failed, and they’ll reject this cheap effort to win their votes in November.” Both the Michigan GOP and Trump’s campaign are well behind Democrats and facing a short timeline to catch up in fundraising. Hoekstra only recently took over the state party, which was thousands in debt and plagued by infighting after over a year of Kristina Karamo’s leadership. While Hoekstra has worked quickly to reach out to top donors, the party is nowhere close to reaching the $30 million it was able to fundraise in past election cycles. Hoekstra said that the state party’s leadership team is close to finalized and that Trump’s campaign would likely be announcing a lead person in the state this week. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Biden’s reelection team has been in place for months. His campaign co-chair is the state’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer. “Michiganders remember Trump’s racist record, and they’re not going to fall for his desperate pandering. As president, Trump peddled bigoted policies, tried to cut health care for thousands of Black Michiganders, and sent thousands of Michigan jobs overseas. Folks here know Joe Biden has delivered where Trump failed, and they’ll reject this cheap effort to win their votes in November.” GOP chairs in two of Michigan’s largest counties, Oakland’s Vance Patrick and Macomb’s Mark Forton, met with senior Trump adviser James Blair in a separate meeting to discuss strategy in metro Detroit and ways for the campaign to be as “proactive as possible,” said Patrick. Patrick said that he specifically mentioned launching outreach efforts for Black and Hispanic voters “as soon as possible rather than waiting until June.” “The sense of urgency in Michigan is pretty apparent with all of us that went down there,” said Patrick, who added that he was told that Trump said “we have no other choice but to win” the state.

Georgia officials pushing to study another deepening of Savannah’s harbor gets a key endorsemen 2024-03-25 21:27:10+00:00 - SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Georgia officials picked up a key congressional endorsement Monday as they seek a federal study on whether the shipping channel to the Port of Savannah should be deepened again following a harbor expansion that was completed in 2022 and cost nearly $1 billion. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican and chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said during a visit to the port that he supports authorizing the study as part of a sprawling infrastructure bill being drafted in his committee. “One of those things that we want to make sure is a priority is further expansion of the port here in Savannah,” Graves told port employees and reporters as cranes unloaded a large ship at the dock. “It’s a priority of mine to get this study done.” Less than two years have passed since the Army Corps of Engineers finished the last project, which added 5 feet (1.5 meters) of depth to the stretch of the Savannah River connecting the port to the Atlantic Ocean. The expansion cost state and federal taxpayers $937 million. The Georgia Ports Authority has been pushing for Congress to consider another round of deepening Savannah’s shipping channel. The agency’s leaders say ever-growing classes of enormous cargo ships need even deeper water to be able to reach the port with full loads during lower tides. Savannah has the fourth-busiest U.S. seaport for cargo shipped in containers — giant metal boxes used to transport goods ranging from consumer electronics to frozen chickens. Savannah handled 4.9 million container units of imports and exports in the 2023 calendar year. “When you come to this port and ride by all these ships, you don’t even have to sell it to anybody,” said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a fellow Republican who joined Graves at the port. “Just let them look and they can see how unbelievable it is.” Both of Georgia’s Democratic senators and each its House members — nine Republicans and five Democrats — signed a Jan. 26 letter to leaders of Graves’s committee as well as the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee urging them to approve a study. The letter said an increasing percentage of ships arriving at Savannah have to wait for higher tides to reach the port. “There’s no such thing as standing still,” U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, a Georgia Republican whose district includes the port, said during Graves’ visit. “If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward. We need to continue to move forward. That’s why we need this study so much.” Graves said he’s pushing to get the 2024 Water Resources Development Act, including authorization for the Army Corps to study another Savannah harbor expansion, before the full House for a vote this summer. That would be an early step in a long process. Feasibility studies on the prior round of dredging began in 1997, and nearly two decades passed before it could begin. The job was finally completed in May 2022. Georgia Ports Authority CEO Griff Lynch has said he believes the Army Corps, which oversees navigation projects in U.S. waterways, could work more efficiently this time and finish a new one within 10 years.

Freddie Mac Issues Monthly Volume Summary for February 2024 - Federal Home Loan (OTC:FMCC) 2024-03-25 21:26:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... MCLEAN, Va., March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freddie Mac FMCC today posted to its website its Monthly Volume Summary for February 2024, which provides information on Freddie Mac's mortgage-related portfolios, securities issuance, risk management, delinquencies, debt activities and other investments. Freddie Mac's mission is to make home possible for families across the nation. We promote liquidity, stability, affordability and equity in the housing market throughout all economic cycles. Since 1970, we have helped tens of millions of families buy, rent or keep their home. Learn More: Website | Consumers | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube MEDIA CONTACT: Fred Solomon 703-903-3861 Frederick_Solomon@FreddieMac.com INVESTOR CONTACT: Mahesh Lal 571-382-3630

Why ruling against the abortion pill mifepristone would be a disaster 2024-03-25 21:20:34+00:00 - The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in the biggest abortion case in the two years since it rolled back women’s reproductive health protections by striking down Roe v. Wade. In that disastrous 6-3 decision, Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, said, “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.” The court is about to hear arguments in two consolidated cases that could create even more barriers to reproductive health care in all 50 states. And yet, the court is about to hear arguments in two consolidated cases that could create even more barriers to reproductive health care in all 50 states — including those where the people’s elected representatives have decided abortion should remain legal. Those two cases — Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine and Danco Laboratories v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine — were brought by anti-abortion extremists last year to challenge the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, a drug used to end early-stage pregnancies and manage miscarriages. Despite extensive scientific research supporting the use of mifepristone, these extremists argue that it’s unsafe, and they’re wagering that the conservative court will side with their ideology and ignore the medical and scientific judgment of the FDA. We, along with the 20 other governors of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, submitted an amicus brief to the court highlighting why such a decision would be an unmitigated disaster regardless of one’s position on abortion. Make no mistake, the decision in this case has the potential to interfere with every American’s right to make private, informed health care decisions with their doctor. The FDA applied its time-tested gold standard for rigor and risk mitigation when it approved mifepristone nearly a quarter century ago. Mifepristone is a safe, highly effective and widely used medication prescribed for medication abortions and miscarriage management. It is so safe, in fact, that the drug is used in over half of all abortions nationwide. Given mifepristone’s track record of safety, the FDA took steps in 2016 and 2021 to enable easier access under some circumstances, including allowing patients to obtain prescriptions via telemedicine and receive the drug by mail. This increased access to vital health care for women around the country. In New Mexico, medication abortions accounted for more than 80% of all abortions covered by Medicaid in 2023. In North Carolina, the use of medication abortion has steadily increased since 2011, accounting for 59.1% of all abortions by 2020 (as opposed to only 23.4% in 2011). In Asheville, North Carolina, wait times for medication abortion appointments have nearly doubled since 2022 because of the influx of out-of-state patients seeking abortions. New Mexico has seen a similar influx. With increased wait times and more crowded clinics, we should be focused on helping patients access care more easily — especially given that the average American lives 86 miles away from a provider. To have people without medical or scientific backgrounds determine which health care options are allowed sets a dangerous precedent and creates public health risks well beyond reproductive health care. If the FDA’s expert judgment on mifepristone can be challenged by activists and judges who lack medical expertise, then other lifesaving drugs could also be threatened. Do we really want to live in a country where politics — not science — ultimately determines what health care is available to our citizens? If these activists succeed in hindering access to medication abortion, then many women will be forced to instead seek out and undergo surgical abortions, which involve significantly more risk and recovery time. If the FDA’s expert judgment on mifepristone can be challenged by activists and judges who lack medical expertise, then other lifesaving drugs could also be threatened. These extremists pay no mind to the risks and very real harms that would result from the catastrophic decision they seek from the court. They pay no mind to the cycles of poverty they seek to enshrine, nor do they appear to have an ounce of concern for the women who are often making one of the hardest decisions of their lives. They don’t see the irony of arguing for less intrusion by the government and yet, in the same breath, asking the court to creep into the most private areas of women’s lives. The court not only runs the risk of upending state health care delivery and weakening the FDA, but also endorsing a thinly disguised ploy to take decision-making away from women and their doctors, and even the “elected representatives” the court majority professed to give power to decide abortion restrictions when it overturned Roe. As elected representatives in our states, we will fight to protect access to reproductive health care. One of the fundamental ideals that we hold close as Americans is that we have a right to privacy, which includes the right to make informed decisions about health care.

Hospitality workers ratify new contract with 34 Southern California hotels, press 30 others to sign 2024-03-25 21:13:16+00:00 - LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thousands of Southern California hospitality workers overwhelmingly ratified a new contract with 34 hotels after repeated strikes since the summer, their union announced Monday. Workers won higher pay, increased employer contributions to pensions, and fair workload guarantees among other provisions of a contract that received 98% approval, Unite Here Local 11 said in a summary of highlights of the pact which runs until Jan. 15, 2028. The union has yet to reach settlements with 30 other hotels. Room attendants, cooks and other non-tipped workers will receive wage hikes of $10 an hour over the term of the contract, representing a 40% to 50% increase, the union said. Half of the increase will come in the first year. Room attendants at most hotels will earn $35 an hour by July 2027 and top cooks will earn $41 an hour, the union said. Tipped workers will see such improvements as double-time pay for holidays, vacation, sick days and increased shares of service charges. Automatic 20% gratuities at full-service restaurants will be 100% shared by staff. The union also stressed that the contract maintains health insurance in which workers pay no more than $20 monthly for full family coverage. “We have won a life-changing contract that transforms hotel jobs from low-wage service work to middle-class professional positions,” Kurt Petersen, co-president of Local 11, told workers at a rally outside a downtown Los Angeles hotel. The coalition of hotels involved in talks with the union didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the deal. Characterizing their demands as a fight for wages that will allow members to live in the cities where they work, more than 10,000 employees in greater Los Angeles began rolling strikes at 52 hotels in July 2023. Workers repeatedly went on strike, picketed and later returned to work. The union represents 15,000 workers but staff at some hotels have not engaged in strikes. The union scored a major achievement just before the wave of strikes when a tentative agreement was reached with its biggest employer, the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles, which has more than 600 union workers. Other hotels gradually came to terms with the strike actions. Petersen also pointed out that the new contract expires just months before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “We’re demanding a new deal for the Olympics that includes family-sustaining jobs and affordable housing for workers. And let me say, if they do not give us that new deal, are we ready to do what it takes?” he said to cheers from workers.

Homes of Sean 'Diddy' Combs searched by federal officials, sources say 2024-03-25 21:10:00+00:00 - LOS ANGELES — Sean "Diddy" Combs is the subject of a federal investigation amid a wave of lawsuits filed against the rap music mogul since November, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News on Monday. Three women and a man have been interviewed by federal officials in Manhattan in relation to allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms, the source familiar with the investigation said. Interviews with three other subjects are also scheduled. Four law enforcement sources told NBC News that federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations executed on Monday search warrants at the Los Angeles and Miami properties belonging to Combs. The sources said the warrant is out of the Southern District of New York. HSI confirmed in a statement that it "executed law enforcement actions" in New York as part of an ongoing investigation, along with teams in Los Angeles and Miami. Representatives for Combs, 54, did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment. News of a federal investigation comes after public scrutiny of Combs’ behavior after his former romantic partner, Cassie, accused him of physically and sexually abusing her for years. She made the allegations in a lawsuit filed in New York under the New York Adult Survivors Act, which offered a one-year window for adult victims of sexual assault to come forward with civil claims regardless of statute of limitations. Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, settled with Combs on Nov. 17, the day after it was filed on terms that have not been disclosed. Since then, three other women have come forward with lawsuits in the Southern District of New York alleging that they were sexually assaulted by Combs. Two of the women alleged they were teenagers at the time of the assaults. Douglas Wigdor, who represents Ventura and a Jane Doe who filed suit, said in a statement that this was hopefully the beginning of a process that “will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.” “We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law,” Wigdor said. An attorney for Joi Dickerson-Neal, one of Combs' accusers, declined to comment to NBC News. Combs has denied each of the sexual assault allegations, calling them “sickening.” A producer who worked for Combs between September 2022 and November 2023 also filed a lawsuit in February, alleging that Combs sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him more than a year. The former employee, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, also alleged that he had video and audio evidence of Combs, his staff and others “engaging in serious illegal activity.” Jones' attorney Tyrone Blackburn also represents Combs' accuser Liza Gardner. Blackburn said Monday that the federal investigation will not "prevent nor delay my clients’ pending and forthcoming actions for justice and resolution from the Combs RICO Enterprise.” Shawn Holley, an attorney for Combs, denied Jones’ allegations and said that Combs’ team has “overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies.” Combs had a number of legal issues going back before the recent lawsuits but has rarely faced criminal charges. In 1999, Combs pleaded guilty to assaulting a record executive and was ordered to one day of anger management. That same year, Combs was accused of criminal possession of a weapon after a shooting at a New York nightclub. Witnesses told law enforcement they saw Combs with a firearm at the club, but it was rapper Shyne, real name Moses Barrow, who witnesses said fired into the crowd. Combs was pulled over by police in a vehicle with then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, with a gun in the car. Combs was acquitted of weapons and bribery charges while Shyne was found guilty of the club shooting at trial. Since Cassie’s suit was filed and others have come forward accusing Combs of assault, Combs has been the center of scrutiny. He stepped down from his position as chairman of media network Revolt and Hulu pulled back from a planned reality series centered on his family. Diana Dasrath and Andrew Blankstein reported from Los Angeles, and Doha Madani and Jonathan Dienst from New York This is breaking news, please check back for updates.