12 days ago
By Simon Johnson and Johan Ahlander
STOCKHOLM, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Canadian poet and writer Anne Carson won the 2026 **** el Prize in Literature "for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature", the Swedish Academy said on Thursday.
"She was very taken by surprise," said Ingrid Carlberg, permanent secretary of the academy, which awards the prize worth 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.2 million).
"We didn't have so much time to speak, and all she had time to tell me was that she is for the moment in Iceland, where she's listening to the wind."
Carson's work often blends verse, prose, dialogue and translation in a genre-defying mix. Born in Toronto, the 76-year-old has also held Icelandic citizenship since 2022 and has spent considerable time on the Arctic island in recent years.
#swedish #academy #dialogue #simon
STOCKHOLM, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Canadian poet and writer Anne Carson won the 2026 **** el Prize in Literature "for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature", the Swedish Academy said on Thursday.
"She was very taken by surprise," said Ingrid Carlberg, permanent secretary of the academy, which awards the prize worth 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.2 million).
"We didn't have so much time to speak, and all she had time to tell me was that she is for the moment in Iceland, where she's listening to the wind."
Carson's work often blends verse, prose, dialogue and translation in a genre-defying mix. Born in Toronto, the 76-year-old has also held Icelandic citizenship since 2022 and has spent considerable time on the Arctic island in recent years.
#swedish #academy #dialogue #simon
12 days ago
Prosecutors in New York are expected to bring new charges against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores over the alleged torture of Americans who were held in Venezuelan government custody in recent years, according to multiple people familiar with the investigation.
An announcement could come as soon as Thursday, the people said.
The new charges relate to what the US government has said was the wrongful detention of more than a dozen US citizens in Venezuelan prisons during the time Maduro led a repressive regime in Venezuela, the people briefed on the investigation said.
Investigators have also discussed charging several additional people for their alleged role in the torture of Americans, according to a source familiar with the matter.
CNN has reached out to lawyers for Maduro and Flores.
#americans #government
An announcement could come as soon as Thursday, the people said.
The new charges relate to what the US government has said was the wrongful detention of more than a dozen US citizens in Venezuelan prisons during the time Maduro led a repressive regime in Venezuela, the people briefed on the investigation said.
Investigators have also discussed charging several additional people for their alleged role in the torture of Americans, according to a source familiar with the matter.
CNN has reached out to lawyers for Maduro and Flores.
#americans #government
13 days ago
Andrew Garfield rose to fame thanks to his major roles in The Social Network and The Amazing Spider-Man series of films. But although you're used to the star on-screen, what do you know of his life away from the camera?
The 41-year-old often shies away from speaking about his personal life, with the actor having kept his current partner away from the media spotlight. Despite holding dual American-British citizenship, the star has spoken about preferring to live in his home country.
The star keeps his private life out of the spotlight (@ Variety via Getty Images)
Here's everything you need to know about his private life…
Andrew is currently dating fellow actor, Monica Barbaro, who is known for films like Top Gun: Maverick and A Complete Unknown. The pair were first linked in 2025, when Andrew was seen with his arm around the star at a W Magazine event.
#away
The 41-year-old often shies away from speaking about his personal life, with the actor having kept his current partner away from the media spotlight. Despite holding dual American-British citizenship, the star has spoken about preferring to live in his home country.
The star keeps his private life out of the spotlight (@ Variety via Getty Images)
Here's everything you need to know about his private life…
Andrew is currently dating fellow actor, Monica Barbaro, who is known for films like Top Gun: Maverick and A Complete Unknown. The pair were first linked in 2025, when Andrew was seen with his arm around the star at a W Magazine event.
#away
13 days ago
Prince William has reportedly unknowingly imbibed his wife Kate Middleton's traits, even in her absence. The Prince of Wales seemingly echoed his wife's mannerisms during his solo visit to Somerset through spontaneous actions. Notably, the Waleses are focusing on their royal engagements amid Prince Harry's return and Charles Spencer's book drama, seemingly choosing not to react to the ongoing controversies.
Prince William reportedly appeared to emulate one of Kate Middleton's physical gestures during his solo visit to Somerset. As per The Royal Observer, the Waleses have always maintained a united front and have indulged in subtle, romantic gestures to showcase their sweet bond.
William's recent solo appearance at Somerset also seemingly confirms that he has subconsciously started mirroring Kate's expressions. During his trip, he visited the Town Football Club and interacted with senior citizens, fans, and kids at a local cafe. He rounded the trip with a visit to the fire station. While Kate wasn't there, her presence was strongly felt through William's actions. He seemingly made the same hand gestures as the Princess of Wales does when talking.
As per the outlet, the future queen is known for being a social and affable person. Not only that, her hand gestures and animated mannerisms are almost her trademark style. The prince made similar hand gestures during emergency scenarios with volunteers and young kids.
Not only that, as per the outlet, he had exciting conversations with children and even indulged them with high-fives. Fans have often viewed Middleton as a people person.
#somerset #solo
Prince William reportedly appeared to emulate one of Kate Middleton's physical gestures during his solo visit to Somerset. As per The Royal Observer, the Waleses have always maintained a united front and have indulged in subtle, romantic gestures to showcase their sweet bond.
William's recent solo appearance at Somerset also seemingly confirms that he has subconsciously started mirroring Kate's expressions. During his trip, he visited the Town Football Club and interacted with senior citizens, fans, and kids at a local cafe. He rounded the trip with a visit to the fire station. While Kate wasn't there, her presence was strongly felt through William's actions. He seemingly made the same hand gestures as the Princess of Wales does when talking.
As per the outlet, the future queen is known for being a social and affable person. Not only that, her hand gestures and animated mannerisms are almost her trademark style. The prince made similar hand gestures during emergency scenarios with volunteers and young kids.
Not only that, as per the outlet, he had exciting conversations with children and even indulged them with high-fives. Fans have often viewed Middleton as a people person.
#somerset #solo
14 days ago
A source claims that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not seeing eye to eye on an important decision. The news comes as the Sussexes are settling back into life in the UK following their return after six years. However, the transition has not been entirely smooth due to security concerns regarding their children's schools and King Charles' confirmation of their status as private citizens.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly "not on the same page" regarding a crucial element of their move back to the UK.
Adding to their existing challenges, the Sussexes may now be facing another disagreement. As reported by Heat World, the pair are divided over their Christmas plans. A source told the publication, "With the kids in school, they can't keep bouncing between California and the UK whenever they feel like it, so they've got some difficult decisions coming up because they are not on the same page."
The insider further shared that the Duke wants to remain in Britain for the holidays, as Christmas is the time he cherishes most. On the other hand, the "Suits" star is reportedly missing home and longing to be with her mother, Doria Ragland.
They stated, "[Meghan] misses her friends, she misses her day-to-day routine and she really misses her mom. She talks to Doria every day, usually multiple times but it's not the same as spending every weekend with her."
#markle #sussexes
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly "not on the same page" regarding a crucial element of their move back to the UK.
Adding to their existing challenges, the Sussexes may now be facing another disagreement. As reported by Heat World, the pair are divided over their Christmas plans. A source told the publication, "With the kids in school, they can't keep bouncing between California and the UK whenever they feel like it, so they've got some difficult decisions coming up because they are not on the same page."
The insider further shared that the Duke wants to remain in Britain for the holidays, as Christmas is the time he cherishes most. On the other hand, the "Suits" star is reportedly missing home and longing to be with her mother, Doria Ragland.
They stated, "[Meghan] misses her friends, she misses her day-to-day routine and she really misses her mom. She talks to Doria every day, usually multiple times but it's not the same as spending every weekend with her."
#markle #sussexes
15 days ago
Chuck Lorre's remarks about President Donald Trump at a Los Angeles charity gala have drawn a White House response. The creator of The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men called Trump a "bloated orange piece of s--- in the White House" during Project Angel Food's Sept. 26 Angel Awards, according to Entertainment Weekly.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital that Lorre should "seek psychiatric help," accusing him of "Trump Derangement Syndrome." TheWrap reported the reply on Oct. 3.
The gala took place at The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Kitchen & Campus. Project Angel Food's meal program serves seriously ill people across Los Angeles County at no cost to clients, with dietitians and chefs developing menus around their medical needs.
Director Nikki Lorre presented her father with the Founders Angel Award, the organization's highest honor. The nonprofit says it has bestowed the award only once before, on founder Marianne Williamson and her co-founders.
In the political portion of his speech, Lorre said he wanted a government that prioritized citizens' health and welfare. He also made jokes about Trump's health and directed personal insults at first lady Melania Trump, according to TheWrap's account.
#lorre #chuck #project #award
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital that Lorre should "seek psychiatric help," accusing him of "Trump Derangement Syndrome." TheWrap reported the reply on Oct. 3.
The gala took place at The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Kitchen & Campus. Project Angel Food's meal program serves seriously ill people across Los Angeles County at no cost to clients, with dietitians and chefs developing menus around their medical needs.
Director Nikki Lorre presented her father with the Founders Angel Award, the organization's highest honor. The nonprofit says it has bestowed the award only once before, on founder Marianne Williamson and her co-founders.
In the political portion of his speech, Lorre said he wanted a government that prioritized citizens' health and welfare. He also made jokes about Trump's health and directed personal insults at first lady Melania Trump, according to TheWrap's account.
#lorre #chuck #project #award
15 days ago
Chuck Lorre ignited a feud with White House after a charity gala speech put Donald Trump on notice.
Lorre lamented that while he'd love to champion a "compassionate government," he instead feels compelled to "say a few words about that bloated orange piece of s--- in the White House."
A spokesperson for the White House responded, encouraging Lorre to "immediately seek psychiatric help to treat his severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome."
Add Chuck Lorre to the overstuffed rolodex of Hollywood legends who have personal beef with Donald Trump.
The creator of such modern classics as The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men took no prisoners in his acceptance speech after winning the Founders Award at a Project Angel Food fundraiser in Los Angeles on Sept. 26. "Sure, I'd love to stand here and talk about my deep yearning for a more compassionate government, one that prioritizes the health and welfare of its citizens," he lamented. "But the burden of my profession demands that I take this opportunity to say a few words about that bloated orange piece of s--- in the White House" (per The Daily Beast).
#lorre #speech #compassionate
Lorre lamented that while he'd love to champion a "compassionate government," he instead feels compelled to "say a few words about that bloated orange piece of s--- in the White House."
A spokesperson for the White House responded, encouraging Lorre to "immediately seek psychiatric help to treat his severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome."
Add Chuck Lorre to the overstuffed rolodex of Hollywood legends who have personal beef with Donald Trump.
The creator of such modern classics as The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men took no prisoners in his acceptance speech after winning the Founders Award at a Project Angel Food fundraiser in Los Angeles on Sept. 26. "Sure, I'd love to stand here and talk about my deep yearning for a more compassionate government, one that prioritizes the health and welfare of its citizens," he lamented. "But the burden of my profession demands that I take this opportunity to say a few words about that bloated orange piece of s--- in the White House" (per The Daily Beast).
#lorre #speech #compassionate
16 days ago
President Donald Trump on Thursday said he is following the upcoming Brazilian election “very closely,” referring to Brazil as a “very important" country. "The people of Brazil are fantastic people,” he told reporters outside the White House. “It’s a very important election.”
The U.S. State Department later announced the suspension of its consular services in Brazil ahead of the election taking place on Sunday, citing unspecified security concerns. “U.S. citizens seeking emergency ****** istance during this time should not come to the Embassy, the Consulates, or other U.S. diplomatic facilities,” the security alert advised.
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Brazilians are heading to the polls for a set of federal elections spanning congressional and gubernatorial races, alongside the first round of the presidential election votes. It’s set to be a decisive moment for Latin America’s largest nation, as the region has seen a shift toward the right in recent years. An Oct. 25 runoff is expected, as polls show a tight contest between leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and far-right Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted last year for plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election loss. Trump led the conservative voices denouncing the conviction, referring to the trial as a “witch hunt.”
While Trump has acknowledged his active interest as Brazil votes on its political future, there are concerns he could be too involved. Trump and his Administration have been accused of attempting to interfere with the high-stakes overseas election.
#Brazil #important #people
The U.S. State Department later announced the suspension of its consular services in Brazil ahead of the election taking place on Sunday, citing unspecified security concerns. “U.S. citizens seeking emergency ****** istance during this time should not come to the Embassy, the Consulates, or other U.S. diplomatic facilities,” the security alert advised.
Recommended Stories
Brazilians are heading to the polls for a set of federal elections spanning congressional and gubernatorial races, alongside the first round of the presidential election votes. It’s set to be a decisive moment for Latin America’s largest nation, as the region has seen a shift toward the right in recent years. An Oct. 25 runoff is expected, as polls show a tight contest between leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and far-right Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted last year for plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election loss. Trump led the conservative voices denouncing the conviction, referring to the trial as a “witch hunt.”
While Trump has acknowledged his active interest as Brazil votes on its political future, there are concerns he could be too involved. Trump and his Administration have been accused of attempting to interfere with the high-stakes overseas election.
#Brazil #important #people
17 days ago
The Supreme Court begins its latest term on Monday with a docket full of high-stakes cases that touch on some of the most contentious issues in American politics, including guns, voting and transgender rights.
This will be the second full term for the nation's highest court since President Trump returned to the White House. The previous term, which wrapped up in June, was packed with landmark rulings in a long list of major cases, including Trump's tariffs, birthright citizenship and a slate of key immigration decisions.
The justices will likely take on additional cases over the course of the term, but there are already plenty of pivotal cases for the court to consider in the coming months.
Here's a rundown of the big cases headed to the Supreme Court this term and what their eventual rulings might mean for the country.
Over the past two decades, the Supreme Court has issued a series of decisions that have significantly expanded gun rights. It could go even further next term when it considers whether laws banning certain semiautomatic rifles, like the AR-15, violate the Second Amendment.
#court #term #full #rights
This will be the second full term for the nation's highest court since President Trump returned to the White House. The previous term, which wrapped up in June, was packed with landmark rulings in a long list of major cases, including Trump's tariffs, birthright citizenship and a slate of key immigration decisions.
The justices will likely take on additional cases over the course of the term, but there are already plenty of pivotal cases for the court to consider in the coming months.
Here's a rundown of the big cases headed to the Supreme Court this term and what their eventual rulings might mean for the country.
Over the past two decades, the Supreme Court has issued a series of decisions that have significantly expanded gun rights. It could go even further next term when it considers whether laws banning certain semiautomatic rifles, like the AR-15, violate the Second Amendment.
#court #term #full #rights
17 days ago
A quiet pub lunch for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has created considerably more noise online. The Duke and ****** ss of Sussex were photographed holding hands while walking to a historic Cotswolds pub during their latest stay in Britain. Although the couple reportedly behaved like ordinary customers once inside, their photographed arrival quickly became the focus of a heated debate. Critics accused the Sussexes of importing a "Hollywood circus" into the picturesque English countryside, while others questioned why two private citizens grabbing lunch had become news at all.
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Harry and Meghan were photographed heading to The Falkland Arms in Great Tew, Oxfordshire, on October 1, marking their first joint public outing in Britain since returning to the country. According to The Sun, the couple held hands as they approached the traditional 16th-century pub. Meghan wore an all-black ensemble with contrasting white shoes, while Harry dressed casually in jeans and a jacket. He completed his outfit with a Santa Barbara Fire Department baseball cap. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were reportedly at school during the outing. The couple apparently opted for hearty British dishes once inside. Meghan reportedly ordered gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce, while Harry selected chicken, ham and leek pie served with mashed potatoes, greens and gravy.
MEGA
The cozy outing drew a considerably less welcoming response from some social-media users.
#reportedly
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Harry and Meghan were photographed heading to The Falkland Arms in Great Tew, Oxfordshire, on October 1, marking their first joint public outing in Britain since returning to the country. According to The Sun, the couple held hands as they approached the traditional 16th-century pub. Meghan wore an all-black ensemble with contrasting white shoes, while Harry dressed casually in jeans and a jacket. He completed his outfit with a Santa Barbara Fire Department baseball cap. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were reportedly at school during the outing. The couple apparently opted for hearty British dishes once inside. Meghan reportedly ordered gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce, while Harry selected chicken, ham and leek pie served with mashed potatoes, greens and gravy.
MEGA
The cozy outing drew a considerably less welcoming response from some social-media users.
#reportedly
19 days ago
PUBLISHED
SEP 30, 2026 AT 06:39 AM EDT
The U.S. government has revealed a new, redesigned passport and announced plans to dramatically modernize the way Americans can apply for one.
Speaking at President Donald Trump's America.gov Event on September 29, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demonstrated a new passport application process that he said U.S. citizens can "complete entirely from home" and showed off a "beautiful" new U.S. passport that’s expected to roll out in 2028.
The changes are part of the Trump administration's new AI-powered government services platform, America.gov, which he launched on Tuesday, touting it as a "single digital point of entry" designed to simplify how Americans access government services.
#passport #Services #donald
SEP 30, 2026 AT 06:39 AM EDT
The U.S. government has revealed a new, redesigned passport and announced plans to dramatically modernize the way Americans can apply for one.
Speaking at President Donald Trump's America.gov Event on September 29, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demonstrated a new passport application process that he said U.S. citizens can "complete entirely from home" and showed off a "beautiful" new U.S. passport that’s expected to roll out in 2028.
The changes are part of the Trump administration's new AI-powered government services platform, America.gov, which he launched on Tuesday, touting it as a "single digital point of entry" designed to simplify how Americans access government services.
#passport #Services #donald
19 days ago
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The Treasury Department said that over 60 million children have been automatically enrolled in Trump Accounts, according to guidance filed with the Federal Register.
"Millions of children have already enrolled in Trump Accounts. With automatic enrollment, over 60 million more eligible children now have an account ready to be claimed," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
The idea behind Trump Accounts is to give children a head start on building wealth. The accounts are a new type of tax-deferred individual retirement account for children. Any eligible child under 18 with a valid Social Security number can open an account, while U.S. citizens born between 2025 and 2028 may also qualify for a one-time $1,000 contribution from the government.
Until now, parents or guardians were required to sign up for accounts on their children's behalf. Participation has been low, however.
#accounts #treasury #million
The Treasury Department said that over 60 million children have been automatically enrolled in Trump Accounts, according to guidance filed with the Federal Register.
"Millions of children have already enrolled in Trump Accounts. With automatic enrollment, over 60 million more eligible children now have an account ready to be claimed," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
The idea behind Trump Accounts is to give children a head start on building wealth. The accounts are a new type of tax-deferred individual retirement account for children. Any eligible child under 18 with a valid Social Security number can open an account, while U.S. citizens born between 2025 and 2028 may also qualify for a one-time $1,000 contribution from the government.
Until now, parents or guardians were required to sign up for accounts on their children's behalf. Participation has been low, however.
#accounts #treasury #million
1 month ago
The United States warned Saturday that hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthis could "escalate rapidly" after a missile attack targeted Riyadh for the first time since the Yemen conflict resumed.
US President Donald Trump cut short a weekend at Camp David, a secluded presidential complex in rural Maryland, to return unexpectedly to the White House on Saturday.
The White House gave no explanation for the early return, which comes as a new threshold was crossed in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who control a large part of Yemen and are fighting government forces backed by a coalition led by Riyadh.
Loud explosions rang out twice on Saturday in the Saudi capital, where AFP journalists saw a fuel tank bearing the logo of oil giant Aramco on fire near the airport.
"This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly," the US State Department warned, adding American citizens outside the Middle East should "seriously reconsider travel to and through the region".
#saturday #arabia #riyadh #white
US President Donald Trump cut short a weekend at Camp David, a secluded presidential complex in rural Maryland, to return unexpectedly to the White House on Saturday.
The White House gave no explanation for the early return, which comes as a new threshold was crossed in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who control a large part of Yemen and are fighting government forces backed by a coalition led by Riyadh.
Loud explosions rang out twice on Saturday in the Saudi capital, where AFP journalists saw a fuel tank bearing the logo of oil giant Aramco on fire near the airport.
"This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly," the US State Department warned, adding American citizens outside the Middle East should "seriously reconsider travel to and through the region".
#saturday #arabia #riyadh #white
1 month ago
Immigrants applying to live permanently in the United States can be rejected if they receive public benefits, beginning this week.
Use of Medicaid, food stamps, tuition ******* istance and free school lunch programs, among other government ******* istance, could all be grounds for denying a green-card application.
Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.
The policy from President Donald Trump's administration, which took effect Friday, marks a dramatic change to a long-standing federal policy consistent with the president's efforts to restrict legal immigration pathways.
The rule could reduce federal and state payments by $13 billion a year, by persuading some 950,000 people to disenroll from or avoid federal safety net programs, according to estimates from the Department of Homeland Security. The agency said that the rule aligns with Congress's intent that noncitizens "in the United States be self-sufficient and not dependent on taxpayer-funded government benefits."
#states
Use of Medicaid, food stamps, tuition ******* istance and free school lunch programs, among other government ******* istance, could all be grounds for denying a green-card application.
Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.
The policy from President Donald Trump's administration, which took effect Friday, marks a dramatic change to a long-standing federal policy consistent with the president's efforts to restrict legal immigration pathways.
The rule could reduce federal and state payments by $13 billion a year, by persuading some 950,000 people to disenroll from or avoid federal safety net programs, according to estimates from the Department of Homeland Security. The agency said that the rule aligns with Congress's intent that noncitizens "in the United States be self-sufficient and not dependent on taxpayer-funded government benefits."
#states
1 month ago
With a market cap of $48 billion, Entergy Corporation (ETR) is an energy company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to millions of customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The company focuses on providing reliable and affordable energy while investing in a more resilient and cleaner energy system through natural gas, nuclear, and renewable generation.
Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally considered "large-cap" stocks, and Entergy fits this criterion perfectly. Entergy also contributes to the communities it serves through philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and corporate citizenship.
Billionaire Charlie Munger, Who Died at 99, Skipped Insurance on His Mansion Since He Could Just Write a Check to Rebuild — 'All Intelligent People Do It My Way'
The Case for Selling CrowdStrike Stock
Dear Tesla Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for October 1
#energy #company
Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally considered "large-cap" stocks, and Entergy fits this criterion perfectly. Entergy also contributes to the communities it serves through philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and corporate citizenship.
Billionaire Charlie Munger, Who Died at 99, Skipped Insurance on His Mansion Since He Could Just Write a Check to Rebuild — 'All Intelligent People Do It My Way'
The Case for Selling CrowdStrike Stock
Dear Tesla Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for October 1
#energy #company
1 month ago
The White House on Thursday withdrew the nomination of Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a Republican blocked his confirmation hearing.
Schroyer's nomination stalled after Senate Homeland Security Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a foe of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, requested that the Department of Homeland Security provide his committee with more information about its investigation into two ICE and Border Patrol agents accused of killing two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January.
Paul, who as chair controls the committee's hearing and markup agenda, did not oppose Schroyer's nomination, per Drew Carmichael, a spokesperson for the senator.
Schroyer was a surprise pick to lead ICE. He had no experience leading a major law enforcement agency, let alone an organization the size of ICE. But Schroyer has close ties with the DHS secretary. Schroyer at one point led Mullin's security detail and Mullin made Schroyer a senior adviser at DHS.
The White House and DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
#homeland #mullin #enforcement
Schroyer's nomination stalled after Senate Homeland Security Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a foe of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, requested that the Department of Homeland Security provide his committee with more information about its investigation into two ICE and Border Patrol agents accused of killing two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January.
Paul, who as chair controls the committee's hearing and markup agenda, did not oppose Schroyer's nomination, per Drew Carmichael, a spokesperson for the senator.
Schroyer was a surprise pick to lead ICE. He had no experience leading a major law enforcement agency, let alone an organization the size of ICE. But Schroyer has close ties with the DHS secretary. Schroyer at one point led Mullin's security detail and Mullin made Schroyer a senior adviser at DHS.
The White House and DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
#homeland #mullin #enforcement
1 month ago
AARP projects a 3.6% Social Security COLA for 2027, adding roughly $75 monthly to the average check, while the Senior Citizens League forecasts 3.5%.
The official COLA drops October 14, but the Medicare Part B premium that offsets it won't be announced until November, leaving budgeters with incomplete data.
Hold-harmless rules protect most retirees from net payment cuts, but higher-income enrollees facing IRMAA surcharges and newly enrolled Medicare recipients get no such protection.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
The projected Social Security raise for 2027 is the biggest in years, and it is also a moving target, according to recent reports. In the same week, two of the most closely watched forecasters revised their estimates in opposite directions. Neither is official, and the actual number will not be announced until October; the Medicare premium that determines how much of the raise reaches a retiree's bank account will not be announced until November. Anyone budgeting today is working with half the picture.
#medicare #announced #november
The official COLA drops October 14, but the Medicare Part B premium that offsets it won't be announced until November, leaving budgeters with incomplete data.
Hold-harmless rules protect most retirees from net payment cuts, but higher-income enrollees facing IRMAA surcharges and newly enrolled Medicare recipients get no such protection.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
The projected Social Security raise for 2027 is the biggest in years, and it is also a moving target, according to recent reports. In the same week, two of the most closely watched forecasters revised their estimates in opposite directions. Neither is official, and the actual number will not be announced until October; the Medicare premium that determines how much of the raise reaches a retiree's bank account will not be announced until November. Anyone budgeting today is working with half the picture.
#medicare #announced #november
1 month ago
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The man who sprayed vinegar at Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar during a Minneapolis town hall was sentenced Thursday to 14 months in prison after reaching a deal with prosecutors.
Anthony Kazmierczak, 56, was sentenced nearly eight months after the Jan. 27 ******* ault. At the time, Minneapolis-St. Paul was subject to an immigration crackdown that led to angry protests, arrests and the deaths of two U.S. citizens. Prosecutors had recommended a 14-month prison term.
He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release, which includes no contact with Omar. U.S. marshals escorted him from the courtroom after the hearing.
During an earlier hearing, Kazmierczak was unable to explain his actions.
"It's fuzzy," he told U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen when asked what he remembered.
#ilhan
Anthony Kazmierczak, 56, was sentenced nearly eight months after the Jan. 27 ******* ault. At the time, Minneapolis-St. Paul was subject to an immigration crackdown that led to angry protests, arrests and the deaths of two U.S. citizens. Prosecutors had recommended a 14-month prison term.
He was also sentenced to three years of supervised release, which includes no contact with Omar. U.S. marshals escorted him from the courtroom after the hearing.
During an earlier hearing, Kazmierczak was unable to explain his actions.
"It's fuzzy," he told U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen when asked what he remembered.
#ilhan
1 month ago
Broyhill **** et Management, a Charlotte-based firm, issued its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, which is available for download here. The Broyhill Equity Composite gained 8.8% in Q2, trailing the MSCI All Country World Index's 15.1% and the MSCI ACWI Value Index's 10.8%. For the first half, the Composite returned 2.3%, versus 11.5% for the Index. The letter highlights that a significant portion of the shortfall occurred in April due to market dynamics and geopolitical events, with tech, particularly semiconductors, driving recent gains. Broyhill notes its lack of direct semiconductor exposure but acknowledges potential interest in the sector if opportunities arise, maintaining its investment philosophy focused on capital protection in fragile market conditions. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Broyhill **** et Management highlighted First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA). First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) operates as the holding company for First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, providing retail and commercial banking services. On September 14, 2026, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) closed at $2,173.88 per share. Over the past month, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) declined 1.03%, but its shares are up 17.10% over the past year. First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) has a market capitalization of $24.55 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $1,623.76 to $2,296.30.
Broyhill **** et Management stated the following regarding First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA), initiated in June, is a well-run company which we believe to be undervalued and with catalysts on the horizon. The company has retired almost 20% of its Class A shares since July 2024, and inside its roughly $25 billion market capitalization sits a rail leasing fleet of approximately 128,000 cars valued by the market at bank multiples. Management has proven themselves highly competent and highly aligned with shareholders, with the Holding family in key executive positions, owning over 20% of the economics and controlling roughly half the vote through their Class B shares. Much of what we are waiting on has a date attached to it: two separations have completed, and Masco and First Citizens are retiring shares at a pace that improves per-share value whether or not the multiples change."
#fcnca #market
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Broyhill **** et Management highlighted First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA). First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) operates as the holding company for First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, providing retail and commercial banking services. On September 14, 2026, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) closed at $2,173.88 per share. Over the past month, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) declined 1.03%, but its shares are up 17.10% over the past year. First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) has a market capitalization of $24.55 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $1,623.76 to $2,296.30.
Broyhill **** et Management stated the following regarding First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA), initiated in June, is a well-run company which we believe to be undervalued and with catalysts on the horizon. The company has retired almost 20% of its Class A shares since July 2024, and inside its roughly $25 billion market capitalization sits a rail leasing fleet of approximately 128,000 cars valued by the market at bank multiples. Management has proven themselves highly competent and highly aligned with shareholders, with the Holding family in key executive positions, owning over 20% of the economics and controlling roughly half the vote through their Class B shares. Much of what we are waiting on has a date attached to it: two separations have completed, and Masco and First Citizens are retiring shares at a pace that improves per-share value whether or not the multiples change."
#fcnca #market
1 month ago
Broyhill ******* et Management, a Charlotte-based firm, issued its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, which is available for download here. The Broyhill Equity Composite gained 8.8% in Q2, trailing the MSCI All Country World Index's 15.1% and the MSCI ACWI Value Index's 10.8%. For the first half, the Composite returned 2.3%, versus 11.5% for the Index. The letter highlights that a significant portion of the shortfall occurred in April due to market dynamics and geopolitical events, with tech, particularly semiconductors, driving recent gains. Broyhill notes its lack of direct semiconductor exposure but acknowledges potential interest in the sector if opportunities arise, maintaining its investment philosophy focused on capital protection in fragile market conditions. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Broyhill ******* et Management highlighted First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA). First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) operates as the holding company for First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, providing retail and commercial banking services. On September 14, 2026, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) closed at $2,173.88 per share. Over the past month, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) declined 1.03%, but its shares are up 17.10% over the past year. First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) has a market capitalization of $24.55 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $1,623.76 to $2,296.30.
Broyhill ******* et Management stated the following regarding First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA), initiated in June, is a well-run company which we believe to be undervalued and with catalysts on the horizon. The company has retired almost 20% of its Class A shares since July 2024, and inside its roughly $25 billion market capitalization sits a rail leasing fleet of approximately 128,000 cars valued by the market at bank multiples. Management has proven themselves highly competent and highly aligned with shareholders, with the Holding family in key executive positions, owning over 20% of the economics and controlling roughly half the vote through their Class B shares. Much of what we are waiting on has a date attached to it: two separations have completed, and Masco and First Citizens are retiring shares at a pace that improves per-share value whether or not the multiples change."
#first #fcnca
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Broyhill ******* et Management highlighted First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA). First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) operates as the holding company for First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, providing retail and commercial banking services. On September 14, 2026, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) closed at $2,173.88 per share. Over the past month, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) declined 1.03%, but its shares are up 17.10% over the past year. First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) has a market capitalization of $24.55 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $1,623.76 to $2,296.30.
Broyhill ******* et Management stated the following regarding First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA), initiated in June, is a well-run company which we believe to be undervalued and with catalysts on the horizon. The company has retired almost 20% of its Class A shares since July 2024, and inside its roughly $25 billion market capitalization sits a rail leasing fleet of approximately 128,000 cars valued by the market at bank multiples. Management has proven themselves highly competent and highly aligned with shareholders, with the Holding family in key executive positions, owning over 20% of the economics and controlling roughly half the vote through their Class B shares. Much of what we are waiting on has a date attached to it: two separations have completed, and Masco and First Citizens are retiring shares at a pace that improves per-share value whether or not the multiples change."
#first #fcnca
1 month ago
Six Anthropic cofounders made their debut on the Forbes 400 list of America's wealthiest people on Tuesday, with a combined net worth of $93 billion. Daniela Amodei, Dario Amodei, Tom Brown, Jack Clark, Jared Kaplan, and Sam McCandlish are each worth an estimated $15.5 billion, according to Forbes.
The six cofounders left OpenAI in 2021 to found Anthropic and have built the company into a significant competitor in the artificial intelligence industry, partly through the popularity of its Claude chatbot. Their fortunes rose in May, when Anthropic closed a funding round that more than doubled the estimated value of their individual stakes of roughly 1.6% each, according to Forbes. A seventh cofounder holds Canadian citizenship and does not appear on the list.
The Anthropic group ranked among the most prominent of 34 first-time entrants to this year's Forbes 400, which set a record minimum net worth of $4.4 billion, up from $3.8 billion in 2025. America's 400 wealthiest people are collectively worth $8 trillion, up from $6.6 trillion a year ago. The 34 newcomers account for $321 billion of that total.
The AI sector drove the largest share of new entrants, with 15 of the 34 newcomers drawing their wealth from the industry. OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman topped the new members, debuting at No. 45 overall with an estimated $25.5 billion fortune. Robotics entrepreneur Brett Adcock ranked second among newcomers with an estimated $23.4 billion net worth, while investor Antonio Gracias, an early backer of multiple Elon Musk companies, placed third at $17.1 billion.
The Anthropic cofounders' arrival on the list follows a period of rapid growth at the company. Anthropic posted $11.6 billion in revenue in the second quarter, surpassing OpenAI's $6.7 billion for the same period — the first time Anthropic had led its rival on that measure. Anthropic also recorded a small adjusted operating profit of $559 million in the quarter, according to Forbes.
#estimated
The six cofounders left OpenAI in 2021 to found Anthropic and have built the company into a significant competitor in the artificial intelligence industry, partly through the popularity of its Claude chatbot. Their fortunes rose in May, when Anthropic closed a funding round that more than doubled the estimated value of their individual stakes of roughly 1.6% each, according to Forbes. A seventh cofounder holds Canadian citizenship and does not appear on the list.
The Anthropic group ranked among the most prominent of 34 first-time entrants to this year's Forbes 400, which set a record minimum net worth of $4.4 billion, up from $3.8 billion in 2025. America's 400 wealthiest people are collectively worth $8 trillion, up from $6.6 trillion a year ago. The 34 newcomers account for $321 billion of that total.
The AI sector drove the largest share of new entrants, with 15 of the 34 newcomers drawing their wealth from the industry. OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman topped the new members, debuting at No. 45 overall with an estimated $25.5 billion fortune. Robotics entrepreneur Brett Adcock ranked second among newcomers with an estimated $23.4 billion net worth, while investor Antonio Gracias, an early backer of multiple Elon Musk companies, placed third at $17.1 billion.
The Anthropic cofounders' arrival on the list follows a period of rapid growth at the company. Anthropic posted $11.6 billion in revenue in the second quarter, surpassing OpenAI's $6.7 billion for the same period — the first time Anthropic had led its rival on that measure. Anthropic also recorded a small adjusted operating profit of $559 million in the quarter, according to Forbes.
#estimated
1 month ago
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved legislation on Wednesday to bar government officials from pressuring private companies to censor speech, citing threats from the Trump administration against late-night talk shows as evidence of efforts to stifle free expression.
The measure would allow citizens to sue federal employees who pressure private companies into suppressing speech protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees free expression. Both Republicans and Democrats on the committee said the bill was needed to curb government overreach.
The committee approved the bill 18-10. It must still pass the full Senate, where it is unclear when it may be taken up, and the U.S. House of Representatives to become law.
Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the panel, said the bill, if it had been in effect, would have allowed Disney-owned ABC's late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel to file suit after Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr last year pressured station owners to stop airing Kimmel's show following remarks about the ****** assination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
#approved #government #private
WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved legislation on Wednesday to bar government officials from pressuring private companies to censor speech, citing threats from the Trump administration against late-night talk shows as evidence of efforts to stifle free expression.
The measure would allow citizens to sue federal employees who pressure private companies into suppressing speech protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees free expression. Both Republicans and Democrats on the committee said the bill was needed to curb government overreach.
The committee approved the bill 18-10. It must still pass the full Senate, where it is unclear when it may be taken up, and the U.S. House of Representatives to become law.
Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the panel, said the bill, if it had been in effect, would have allowed Disney-owned ABC's late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel to file suit after Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr last year pressured station owners to stop airing Kimmel's show following remarks about the ****** assination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
#approved #government #private
1 month ago
By Tom Hals
WILMINGTON, Delaware, Sept 15 (Reuters) - As U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to crack down on what he says is widespread illegal voting by noncitizens, several people charged with that crime are trying a novel strategy to get their cases dropped.
Five people being prosecuted in separate federal cases in Miami and Madison, Wisconsin, have argued for the first time in court that the 1996 law used to charge them is unconstitutional, according to a Reuters review of court filings.
A ruling for the defendants, which could come before the November 3 midterm elections, would raise questions about the federal government's authority to prosecute noncitizen voting cases. The Trump administration has pushed to deport noncitizen voters, raising the stakes for defendants who previously faced as little as a $150 fine if convicted.
The defendants were accused of violating the federal "Voting by Aliens" statute enacted three decades ago. The law makes it illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and violators can be fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned for up to a year.
#cases #people
WILMINGTON, Delaware, Sept 15 (Reuters) - As U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to crack down on what he says is widespread illegal voting by noncitizens, several people charged with that crime are trying a novel strategy to get their cases dropped.
Five people being prosecuted in separate federal cases in Miami and Madison, Wisconsin, have argued for the first time in court that the 1996 law used to charge them is unconstitutional, according to a Reuters review of court filings.
A ruling for the defendants, which could come before the November 3 midterm elections, would raise questions about the federal government's authority to prosecute noncitizen voting cases. The Trump administration has pushed to deport noncitizen voters, raising the stakes for defendants who previously faced as little as a $150 fine if convicted.
The defendants were accused of violating the federal "Voting by Aliens" statute enacted three decades ago. The law makes it illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and violators can be fined up to $100,000 or imprisoned for up to a year.
#cases #people
1 month ago
By Brad Brooks
COLUMBIA FALLS, Montana, Sept 16 (Reuters) - More than 15 years after the U.S. Supreme Court reshaped American politics with its Citizens United campaign finance ruling, Montana voters will decide this November whether to make their state the first in the nation to bar corporations from spending money on elections through a ballot initiative.
It's a test case for a novel legal strategy that sidesteps the 2010 ruling rather than challenging it head-on -- and taps into growing, bipartisan anger over the pervasiveness of so-called dark money in elections.
"Americans are losing the belief that they have any influence over our politics," said Tom Moore, a lawyer with the Center for American Progress left-leaning think tank in Washington and the legal architect of the movement.
With similar, coordinated efforts underway in over 30 states, Montana could help set a critical precedent, experts say, and potentially lead to another showdown at the Supreme Court. Hawaii's legislature passed a similar law earlier this year, inspired by those behind the effort here.
#court #similar
COLUMBIA FALLS, Montana, Sept 16 (Reuters) - More than 15 years after the U.S. Supreme Court reshaped American politics with its Citizens United campaign finance ruling, Montana voters will decide this November whether to make their state the first in the nation to bar corporations from spending money on elections through a ballot initiative.
It's a test case for a novel legal strategy that sidesteps the 2010 ruling rather than challenging it head-on -- and taps into growing, bipartisan anger over the pervasiveness of so-called dark money in elections.
"Americans are losing the belief that they have any influence over our politics," said Tom Moore, a lawyer with the Center for American Progress left-leaning think tank in Washington and the legal architect of the movement.
With similar, coordinated efforts underway in over 30 states, Montana could help set a critical precedent, experts say, and potentially lead to another showdown at the Supreme Court. Hawaii's legislature passed a similar law earlier this year, inspired by those behind the effort here.
#court #similar
1 month ago
Democratic state parties announced Monday that they are launching an operation for the midterm elections they're calling the "New Battlefield Project," intended to recruit 10,000 volunteers to guard polling places in case armed federal officers show up.
Activists are planning mass protests if the Trump administration tries to interfere with voting or ballot counting. And legal scholars are distributing white papers advising judges what they should do if the government tries to seize ballots.
The unprecedented efforts are in response to President Donald Trump's equally unprecedented moves to interfere in this year's midterm elections, which include attempts to impose proof-of-citizenship requirements to register to vote and directing the Postal Service to play a central role in deciding which voters should get a mail ballot.
The anxious contingency planning as voting gets underway has become a marker for how fraught democracy has become in the country that once stood as an example to the world.
"We have never prepared for an election sabotage event like we have now," said Ezra Levin of the left-leaning group Indivisible.
#interfere
Activists are planning mass protests if the Trump administration tries to interfere with voting or ballot counting. And legal scholars are distributing white papers advising judges what they should do if the government tries to seize ballots.
The unprecedented efforts are in response to President Donald Trump's equally unprecedented moves to interfere in this year's midterm elections, which include attempts to impose proof-of-citizenship requirements to register to vote and directing the Postal Service to play a central role in deciding which voters should get a mail ballot.
The anxious contingency planning as voting gets underway has become a marker for how fraught democracy has become in the country that once stood as an example to the world.
"We have never prepared for an election sabotage event like we have now," said Ezra Levin of the left-leaning group Indivisible.
#interfere
1 month ago
The Supreme Court will no longer hear an oral argument for a case centered on bond rights for noncitizens detained for lengthy periods, ruling the case moot after New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul pardoned a lawfully present Dominican citizen, who pleaded guilty to second-degree ******* ault.
Hochul pardoned Keisy Guerrero Mariano, who is identified in court documents as "Keisy GM," in late August, effectively killing the Trump administration's appeal to the Supreme Court arguing that noncitizens, including those with green card status, do not have a legal right to a bond hearing for a prolonged detention if they have committed crimes that are grounds for mandatory deportation.
Hochul, who is staunchly opposed to President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement crackdown, issued the pardon for Mariano just as the brief was due.
Federal Appeals Court Compares Trump Migrant Detention Policy To ******* anese American Internment
FILE - New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul pardoned Keisy Guerrero Mariano in late August.
#pardoned
Hochul pardoned Keisy Guerrero Mariano, who is identified in court documents as "Keisy GM," in late August, effectively killing the Trump administration's appeal to the Supreme Court arguing that noncitizens, including those with green card status, do not have a legal right to a bond hearing for a prolonged detention if they have committed crimes that are grounds for mandatory deportation.
Hochul, who is staunchly opposed to President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement crackdown, issued the pardon for Mariano just as the brief was due.
Federal Appeals Court Compares Trump Migrant Detention Policy To ******* anese American Internment
FILE - New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul pardoned Keisy Guerrero Mariano in late August.
#pardoned
1 month ago
WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Three U.S. lawmakers have called on the American government to blacklist a set of Indian IT firms over what they describe as "more than fifteen years of targeted espionage against U.S. citizens, businesses, and the lawyers representing them."
In a letter issued Wednesday, Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Republican Representative Pat Harrigan, asked the Commerce Department to add BellTroX, CyberRoot, and Sunkissed Organic Farms Pvt. Ltd. (formerly known as "Appin Technology Pvt. Ltd.") and its subsidiaries, to the Commerce Department's Entity List. Such a designation would cut them off from U.S. software, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity tools.
Sunkissed representatives, CyberRoot and the Commerce Department did not respond to requests for comment. BellTroX could not be reached for comment.
All three companies have been described in media coverage and in reports published by major tech firms as being fronts for hack-for-hire activities.
In 2022, Reuters named CyberRoot and BellTroX as key players in the cybermercenary industry, saying they were frequently tapped by Western lawyers and private investigators to spy on one another during legal and business disputes. A 2023 Reuters report identified Appin as a pioneer in the field, saying the company grew from an educational startup to a hack-for-hire powerhouse that stole secrets from executives, politicians, military officials and wealthy elites around the globe.
#three
In a letter issued Wednesday, Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Republican Representative Pat Harrigan, asked the Commerce Department to add BellTroX, CyberRoot, and Sunkissed Organic Farms Pvt. Ltd. (formerly known as "Appin Technology Pvt. Ltd.") and its subsidiaries, to the Commerce Department's Entity List. Such a designation would cut them off from U.S. software, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity tools.
Sunkissed representatives, CyberRoot and the Commerce Department did not respond to requests for comment. BellTroX could not be reached for comment.
All three companies have been described in media coverage and in reports published by major tech firms as being fronts for hack-for-hire activities.
In 2022, Reuters named CyberRoot and BellTroX as key players in the cybermercenary industry, saying they were frequently tapped by Western lawyers and private investigators to spy on one another during legal and business disputes. A 2023 Reuters report identified Appin as a pioneer in the field, saying the company grew from an educational startup to a hack-for-hire powerhouse that stole secrets from executives, politicians, military officials and wealthy elites around the globe.
#three
1 month ago
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA), through its First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company subsidiary, completed the acquisition of 138 BMO Bank N.A. branches on September 4. The locations span 11 states across the Midwest, Great Plains and West.
The completion announcement did not disclose final transferred balances. At the announcement, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) expected to ****** ume approximately $5.7 billion of deposits and acquire $1.1 billion of loans. Its July 2026 update lowered those estimates to $5.3 billion and $700 million, respectively. Both estimates imply roughly $4.6 billion of net liquidity. That difference represents funding capacity, not transaction income, and remains subject to final balances and acquisition accounting.
The deposit franchise could be the transaction's most valuable ****** et. At announcement, the acquired deposits carried a weighted average rate of 1.43%, with 21% in noninterest-bearing demand accounts. First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) reported a 2.07% average total deposit cost in the second quarter of 2026. Retaining the acquired accounts near their original pricing could lower the consolidated funding cost.
The 138 branches also establish or deepen a presence across 11 states. The original transaction presentation identified approximately $1.0 billion of wealth ****** ets under management, creating opportunities to cross-sell commercial lending, treasury services, and wealth products. Retaining branch personnel could help preserve local relationships.
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) can deploy the surplus funding in several ways. As of June 30, 2026, the company held $151.03 billion of loans and $32.19 billion of borrowings, including a $28.42 billion purchase money note owed to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The acquired liquidity could support loan growth, replace more expensive funding, or be invested in securities. The original presentation projected immediate earnings-per-share accretion and an approximately 27-basis-point reduction in the Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio.
#billion #first #citizens
The completion announcement did not disclose final transferred balances. At the announcement, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) expected to ****** ume approximately $5.7 billion of deposits and acquire $1.1 billion of loans. Its July 2026 update lowered those estimates to $5.3 billion and $700 million, respectively. Both estimates imply roughly $4.6 billion of net liquidity. That difference represents funding capacity, not transaction income, and remains subject to final balances and acquisition accounting.
The deposit franchise could be the transaction's most valuable ****** et. At announcement, the acquired deposits carried a weighted average rate of 1.43%, with 21% in noninterest-bearing demand accounts. First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) reported a 2.07% average total deposit cost in the second quarter of 2026. Retaining the acquired accounts near their original pricing could lower the consolidated funding cost.
The 138 branches also establish or deepen a presence across 11 states. The original transaction presentation identified approximately $1.0 billion of wealth ****** ets under management, creating opportunities to cross-sell commercial lending, treasury services, and wealth products. Retaining branch personnel could help preserve local relationships.
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) can deploy the surplus funding in several ways. As of June 30, 2026, the company held $151.03 billion of loans and $32.19 billion of borrowings, including a $28.42 billion purchase money note owed to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The acquired liquidity could support loan growth, replace more expensive funding, or be invested in securities. The original presentation projected immediate earnings-per-share accretion and an approximately 27-basis-point reduction in the Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio.
#billion #first #citizens
1 month ago
LAS MINAS, Cuba (AP) — Liexer De La Cruz took a deep breath as he entered a federal courtroom in Miami, where life as he knew it would end.
It was Jan. 9, and he thought he was attending a routine immigration hearing — not deciding on the rest of his life in just seconds, having to choose between returning to Cuba or risking deportation at any moment. He didn't have a chance to confer with his wife and sister who were waiting outside.
De La Cruz had spent five years putting down roots in the United States after crossing almost a dozen countries by car, foot, bus and boat. He thought of what he and his wife had accomplished after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas in August 2021, obtaining the immigration forms in hopes of requesting green cards via the Cuban Adjustment Act.
"The first thing I did was call my aunt and I told her, 'I'm in the United States. I'm in the United States.' And we began to cry," he recalled.
Cubans have historically received preferential access to a pathway to U.S. citizenship via the Cuban Adjustment Act, but they have been increasingly targeted under the second Trump administration.
#cuban
It was Jan. 9, and he thought he was attending a routine immigration hearing — not deciding on the rest of his life in just seconds, having to choose between returning to Cuba or risking deportation at any moment. He didn't have a chance to confer with his wife and sister who were waiting outside.
De La Cruz had spent five years putting down roots in the United States after crossing almost a dozen countries by car, foot, bus and boat. He thought of what he and his wife had accomplished after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas in August 2021, obtaining the immigration forms in hopes of requesting green cards via the Cuban Adjustment Act.
"The first thing I did was call my aunt and I told her, 'I'm in the United States. I'm in the United States.' And we began to cry," he recalled.
Cubans have historically received preferential access to a pathway to U.S. citizenship via the Cuban Adjustment Act, but they have been increasingly targeted under the second Trump administration.
#cuban
1 month ago
Prince Harry is preparing to return to the United States just weeks after moving back to the U.K. with Meghan Markle and their children. The Duke of Sussex, 41, is scheduled for another major appearance in New York.
Harry is set to attend Bill and Hillary Clinton's Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York City on Sept. 22 and 23. This will be his second appearance at the event after he joined in 2024. The meeting will take place during United Nations General ******* embly week. It will also feature Chrissy Teigen, Bill Nye and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.
Meanwhile, the trip comes less than a month after Harry, Meghan and their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, returned to the U.K. on Aug. 26. The family is now living outside London. However, they continue to maintain their home in Montecito, Calif.
This year's meeting is ******* led "How Do We Get It Right?" It will focus on artificial intelligence, climate resilience, democracy, humanitarian response, economic opportunity and health.
At the same time, Harry's appearance comes as attention remains on the Sussexes' public role following their move to Britain. Recently, sources close to the couple pushed back against guidance from King Charles that described their position as "akin to private citizens."
#back
Harry is set to attend Bill and Hillary Clinton's Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York City on Sept. 22 and 23. This will be his second appearance at the event after he joined in 2024. The meeting will take place during United Nations General ******* embly week. It will also feature Chrissy Teigen, Bill Nye and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.
Meanwhile, the trip comes less than a month after Harry, Meghan and their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, returned to the U.K. on Aug. 26. The family is now living outside London. However, they continue to maintain their home in Montecito, Calif.
This year's meeting is ******* led "How Do We Get It Right?" It will focus on artificial intelligence, climate resilience, democracy, humanitarian response, economic opportunity and health.
At the same time, Harry's appearance comes as attention remains on the Sussexes' public role following their move to Britain. Recently, sources close to the couple pushed back against guidance from King Charles that described their position as "akin to private citizens."
#back
