3 days ago
The Penthouse Pet accused of stealing from older men has hired an Israeli attorney who is trying to get her extradited to her home country — a day before a judge will decide if she is competent to stand trial.
Lawyer Tai Sharki told The Post about his plans to spring former model Adva Lavie from LA County Jail, where she has been locked up since Beverly Hills police spotted her without her ankle monitor in July.
Sharki, who once served a lengthy prison sentence himself, said he was retained by Lavie "just a couple days ago" and described her jail stay as "traumatic."
Adva Lavie, The Penthouse model has hired an attorney seeking extradition. Jam Press
Israeli attorney Tai Sharki, retained by Adva Lavie. Extradition "by any means necessary." Obtained by CA Post
#adva
Lawyer Tai Sharki told The Post about his plans to spring former model Adva Lavie from LA County Jail, where she has been locked up since Beverly Hills police spotted her without her ankle monitor in July.
Sharki, who once served a lengthy prison sentence himself, said he was retained by Lavie "just a couple days ago" and described her jail stay as "traumatic."
Adva Lavie, The Penthouse model has hired an attorney seeking extradition. Jam Press
Israeli attorney Tai Sharki, retained by Adva Lavie. Extradition "by any means necessary." Obtained by CA Post
#adva
4 days ago
The 10-year Treasury yield recently hit its highest level in 24 years at 5.3%. That high yield has income-seeking investors wondering whether to load up on Treasuries while they're at a historically high level.
Here's a look at how much passive income you can generate over the next 10 years on Treasury bonds compared to another popular income-focused investment: the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHD).
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 14x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ***** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
Image source: Getty Images.
A 10-year Treasury bond is a fixed-income investment backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. It's a global financial benchmark that influences the rates of almost all consumer and corporate credit, including mortgages.
#treasury #missed #year #investors
Here's a look at how much passive income you can generate over the next 10 years on Treasury bonds compared to another popular income-focused investment: the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHD).
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 14x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ***** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
Image source: Getty Images.
A 10-year Treasury bond is a fixed-income investment backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. It's a global financial benchmark that influences the rates of almost all consumer and corporate credit, including mortgages.
#treasury #missed #year #investors
4 days ago
For a subset of young workers, the name of the game is to squirrel away enough savings and investments so retirement can come early, substituting strategic personal finance for a lifetime of labor. (FIRE!)
It turns out that the post-pandemic boom and explosion of stock prices has already gifted many older Americans with a version of that lifestyle, according to Bank of America — and it's affecting the economy.
Labor force participation — which measures the share of people employed or seeking work among the total population — never recovered after the shock of the pandemic.
According to BofA's economics team, led by Aditya Bhave, the biggest driver behind the decline in overall labor force participation has been workers over age 55 leaving the workforce.
"This debunks a popular bearish narrative on the labor market: 'the u-rate would have been higher if participation hadn't fallen,'" Bhave wrote.
#according #workers #FIRE #americans
It turns out that the post-pandemic boom and explosion of stock prices has already gifted many older Americans with a version of that lifestyle, according to Bank of America — and it's affecting the economy.
Labor force participation — which measures the share of people employed or seeking work among the total population — never recovered after the shock of the pandemic.
According to BofA's economics team, led by Aditya Bhave, the biggest driver behind the decline in overall labor force participation has been workers over age 55 leaving the workforce.
"This debunks a popular bearish narrative on the labor market: 'the u-rate would have been higher if participation hadn't fallen,'" Bhave wrote.
#according #workers #FIRE #americans
4 days ago
Daily · The day's top stories, summarized for you.
The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday proposed a rule that would charge schools $70,000 per international student seeking to work in the U.S. through a program known as Optional Practical Training. It marks the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to curb foreign enrollment.
#daily #optional
The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday proposed a rule that would charge schools $70,000 per international student seeking to work in the U.S. through a program known as Optional Practical Training. It marks the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to curb foreign enrollment.
#daily #optional
5 days ago
Kevin Hart's 2017 ***** tape scandal could resurface in court as Montia Sabbag may be called to testify in the comedian's ongoing legal battle. Sabbag, who was involved in the controversial recording, could now face questions about the incident and the investigation that followed.
Kevin Hart's former ***** istant Miesha Shakes is seeking testimony from Montia Sabbag in her legal dispute with the comedian, potentially bringing Hart's controversial 2017 ***** tape scandal back into the spotlight. According to TMZ, Shakes wants Sabbag questioned about the video and the investigation that followed.
Sabbag was at the center of the scandal after a video involving her and Hart became the subject of an extortion investigation. She has acknowledged that she appears in the recording but has denied any involvement in making it or in the extortion attempt that followed. Shakes now reportedly wants her account of those events to become part of the current proceedings.
Sabbag's potential involvement comes amid a separate dispute between Hart and Shakes over a non-disclosure agreement. Hart has accused his former ***** istant of violating the agreement by discussing his personal life in an interview with a blogger. Shakes has disputed that claim and argued that Hart failed to fulfill obligations under the agreement, which she says makes the deal invalid.
The two sides also disagree over who is responsible for damage to Hart's reputation. Hart has accused Shakes of harming his public image, while Shakes has argued that Hart's own actions have contributed to it, citing the ***** tape controversy among other examples. Shakes plans to testify in the case and wants Hart to do the same. The legal proceedings are ongoing.
#sabbag
Kevin Hart's former ***** istant Miesha Shakes is seeking testimony from Montia Sabbag in her legal dispute with the comedian, potentially bringing Hart's controversial 2017 ***** tape scandal back into the spotlight. According to TMZ, Shakes wants Sabbag questioned about the video and the investigation that followed.
Sabbag was at the center of the scandal after a video involving her and Hart became the subject of an extortion investigation. She has acknowledged that she appears in the recording but has denied any involvement in making it or in the extortion attempt that followed. Shakes now reportedly wants her account of those events to become part of the current proceedings.
Sabbag's potential involvement comes amid a separate dispute between Hart and Shakes over a non-disclosure agreement. Hart has accused his former ***** istant of violating the agreement by discussing his personal life in an interview with a blogger. Shakes has disputed that claim and argued that Hart failed to fulfill obligations under the agreement, which she says makes the deal invalid.
The two sides also disagree over who is responsible for damage to Hart's reputation. Hart has accused Shakes of harming his public image, while Shakes has argued that Hart's own actions have contributed to it, citing the ***** tape controversy among other examples. Shakes plans to testify in the case and wants Hart to do the same. The legal proceedings are ongoing.
#sabbag
5 days ago
Dividend-paying stocks are taking a beating as surging Treasury yields make bonds a more competitive income source, creating a difficult environment for baby boomers who lean on dividend funds and individual stocks to cover living expenses in retirement.
Utilities, real estate, and materials have all experienced share-price declines as climbing bond yields have drawn income-seeking investors away from dividend stocks. The 10-year Treasury yield has remained north of 5%, recently hovering between 5.2% and 5.3%, while the 20-year has hit 5.68% and the 30-year has reached 5.62% — marks last seen more than two decades ago, according to Benzinga.
The pain shows up clearly in fund performance. The Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) lost 7.59% over the trailing month, and the iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) shed 6.02% in the same window, according to CNBC. The Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VYM) gave back 3.85% over the past month. The WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW) stands apart, with its heavy tilt toward technology helping limit its one-month loss to just 0.81%.
The Federal Reserve raised its overnight rate by a quarter percentage point on Sept. 16, and markets are pricing in additional increases, keeping pressure on rate-sensitive dividend sectors. The 10-year yield touched 5.342% and the 30-year reached 5.683%, their highest marks in 24 years, driven in part by rising public debt, geopolitical tensions, and the prospect of a prolonged high-rate environment.
Despite the pressure, financial advisors caution retirees against making reactive moves. "The worst thing that a retiree could do is sell a high-quality dividend payer at depressed prices to chase income somewhere else in the stock market just to get higher yield," Timothy Chubb, chief investment officer at Girard, a Univest Wealth Division, told CNBC. Chubb said he would rather own a company growing 4% to 5% annually with a 3% dividend yield than pursue an 8% yield from a deteriorating business.
#Dividend #yield #month #treasury
Utilities, real estate, and materials have all experienced share-price declines as climbing bond yields have drawn income-seeking investors away from dividend stocks. The 10-year Treasury yield has remained north of 5%, recently hovering between 5.2% and 5.3%, while the 20-year has hit 5.68% and the 30-year has reached 5.62% — marks last seen more than two decades ago, according to Benzinga.
The pain shows up clearly in fund performance. The Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) lost 7.59% over the trailing month, and the iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) shed 6.02% in the same window, according to CNBC. The Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VYM) gave back 3.85% over the past month. The WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW) stands apart, with its heavy tilt toward technology helping limit its one-month loss to just 0.81%.
The Federal Reserve raised its overnight rate by a quarter percentage point on Sept. 16, and markets are pricing in additional increases, keeping pressure on rate-sensitive dividend sectors. The 10-year yield touched 5.342% and the 30-year reached 5.683%, their highest marks in 24 years, driven in part by rising public debt, geopolitical tensions, and the prospect of a prolonged high-rate environment.
Despite the pressure, financial advisors caution retirees against making reactive moves. "The worst thing that a retiree could do is sell a high-quality dividend payer at depressed prices to chase income somewhere else in the stock market just to get higher yield," Timothy Chubb, chief investment officer at Girard, a Univest Wealth Division, told CNBC. Chubb said he would rather own a company growing 4% to 5% annually with a 3% dividend yield than pursue an 8% yield from a deteriorating business.
#Dividend #yield #month #treasury
6 days ago
Halle Berry is seeking to restore the 50-50 custody agreement of her 13-year-old son Maceo with ex Olivier Martinez.
Martinez accused Berry of abusing Maceo in a suit filed last week, which sought both full custody of Maceo and an emergency restraining order against Berry, which was granted.
Berry claims that Martinez has worked to prejudice their son against her, explaining that Maceo often repeats Martinez's side of their private arguments to her, and returns from his care "angry and combative."
Halle Berry is asking a court to restore the 50-50 custody agreement of her 13-year-old son Maceo with ex Olivier Martinez.
That agreement was established in 2023 as their divorce was finalized, eight contentious years after the couple formally separated. Last week, Martinez accused Berry of abusing Maceo in a stunning lawsuit that sought both full custody and an emergency restraining order against Berry. That order was granted the following day, meaning Berry must stay away from her ex and their son for a temporary period, and a judge also restricted Berry's visitation rights.
#agreement #halle #olivier #last
Martinez accused Berry of abusing Maceo in a suit filed last week, which sought both full custody of Maceo and an emergency restraining order against Berry, which was granted.
Berry claims that Martinez has worked to prejudice their son against her, explaining that Maceo often repeats Martinez's side of their private arguments to her, and returns from his care "angry and combative."
Halle Berry is asking a court to restore the 50-50 custody agreement of her 13-year-old son Maceo with ex Olivier Martinez.
That agreement was established in 2023 as their divorce was finalized, eight contentious years after the couple formally separated. Last week, Martinez accused Berry of abusing Maceo in a stunning lawsuit that sought both full custody and an emergency restraining order against Berry. That order was granted the following day, meaning Berry must stay away from her ex and their son for a temporary period, and a judge also restricted Berry's visitation rights.
#agreement #halle #olivier #last
7 days ago
Tyrese Gibson's ongoing custody battle with his ex-wife has taken another turn, with the actor now seeking an arrest warrant against Samantha Lee Gibson over allegations that she violated their parenting agreement by moving their daughter across the country.
According to court documents that TMZ obtained, the Fast & Furious star alleges that Samantha's decision to relocate their daughter, Soraya, from Georgia to Oregon in September 2025 was "premeditated." He also accuses her of failing to facilitate visitation, despite a parenting agreement the former couple had reached just one month before the move.
Samantha isn't backing down. She has opposed the warrant, maintaining that she has primary custody of Soraya and accusing Tyrese of misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding their daughter's relocation. According to her response, Tyrese knew about the move well in advance, and she never attempted to conceal her plans.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
But the disagreement over Soraya's move began well before the latest filing. In August 2025, Samantha informed Tyrese that she intended to relocate to Oregon, explaining that the decision followed considerable prayer and reflection. She also suggested that living closer to his Los Angeles home could make extended visits easier.
#tyrese #move #soraya #custody
According to court documents that TMZ obtained, the Fast & Furious star alleges that Samantha's decision to relocate their daughter, Soraya, from Georgia to Oregon in September 2025 was "premeditated." He also accuses her of failing to facilitate visitation, despite a parenting agreement the former couple had reached just one month before the move.
Samantha isn't backing down. She has opposed the warrant, maintaining that she has primary custody of Soraya and accusing Tyrese of misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding their daughter's relocation. According to her response, Tyrese knew about the move well in advance, and she never attempted to conceal her plans.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
But the disagreement over Soraya's move began well before the latest filing. In August 2025, Samantha informed Tyrese that she intended to relocate to Oregon, explaining that the decision followed considerable prayer and reflection. She also suggested that living closer to his Los Angeles home could make extended visits easier.
#tyrese #move #soraya #custody
7 days ago
Kanye West is reportedly planning to seek help from Blake Lively to take revenge on Taylor Swift. West and Swift's feud dates back to 2009, when he grabbed the microphone from her as she accepted her award at the MTV VMAs. Although he later apologized, it seems the tension has not fully faded. The rapper is reportedly still determined to get back at the pop icon.
Kanye West is reportedly trying to get Blake Lively on board to seek "revenge" on Taylor Swift. For the unversed, at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2009, Swift won the award for Best Female Video. When she went onto the stage to accept the award, West unexpectedly stormed the stage. He took the microphone from her hands. On stage, he said that he believed Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.
The two later reconciled, but in 2016, West took another dig at Swift. He released the song, "Famous," which featured controversial lyrics about the "Opalite" hitmaker. Years later, it seems the feud is not over, as Star reports that the rapper is seeking revenge on her. The report says that he also wants Lively to help him with his plan.
A source said, "He genuinely believes that Blake's going to see this as an opportunity that's too good to pass up." However, it's not that easy to contact the Gossip Girl star. Hence, the "All Falls Down" hitmaker has reportedly been trying to contact people in her circle so that he can get in touch with her.
Even though Lively and Swift were once best friends, the two have reportedly fallen apart. This happened after Swift's name came up in the legal battle involving Lively and Justin Baldoni. West allegedly believes that since Lively has fallen out with Swift, she may be willing to help him with his plan.
#reportedly #Help
Kanye West is reportedly trying to get Blake Lively on board to seek "revenge" on Taylor Swift. For the unversed, at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2009, Swift won the award for Best Female Video. When she went onto the stage to accept the award, West unexpectedly stormed the stage. He took the microphone from her hands. On stage, he said that he believed Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.
The two later reconciled, but in 2016, West took another dig at Swift. He released the song, "Famous," which featured controversial lyrics about the "Opalite" hitmaker. Years later, it seems the feud is not over, as Star reports that the rapper is seeking revenge on her. The report says that he also wants Lively to help him with his plan.
A source said, "He genuinely believes that Blake's going to see this as an opportunity that's too good to pass up." However, it's not that easy to contact the Gossip Girl star. Hence, the "All Falls Down" hitmaker has reportedly been trying to contact people in her circle so that he can get in touch with her.
Even though Lively and Swift were once best friends, the two have reportedly fallen apart. This happened after Swift's name came up in the legal battle involving Lively and Justin Baldoni. West allegedly believes that since Lively has fallen out with Swift, she may be willing to help him with his plan.
#reportedly #Help
8 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
8 days ago
The lawyer for the woman who alleges she was raped at a Cornell University fraternity house says she is "not doing well" as she finds herself "under siege" from online sleuths seeking to identity her.
Thomas Giuffra said the woman known in legal documents as Jane Doe was "incapable of consent" because she was "completely, grossly intoxicated" when she turned up at the home where she says the ***** ault took place.
The woman alleges she was ***** aulted by seven men at the campus in Ithaca, New York, in 2024.
No charges were initially filed in the case. It has reopened since she filed a civil lawsuit that thrust the claims into the national spotlight, reigniting the possibility of criminal charges.
In an interview on Friday with CNN, Giuffra said: "She's under siege on social media where people are trying to identify her."
#woman #university #jane
Thomas Giuffra said the woman known in legal documents as Jane Doe was "incapable of consent" because she was "completely, grossly intoxicated" when she turned up at the home where she says the ***** ault took place.
The woman alleges she was ***** aulted by seven men at the campus in Ithaca, New York, in 2024.
No charges were initially filed in the case. It has reopened since she filed a civil lawsuit that thrust the claims into the national spotlight, reigniting the possibility of criminal charges.
In an interview on Friday with CNN, Giuffra said: "She's under siege on social media where people are trying to identify her."
#woman #university #jane
11 days ago
With his two reportedly sold-out concerts in Russia canceled amid a messy dispute, Kanye West is looking for better news on the legal front in California.
The artist now known as Ye has filed a new motion in Los Angeles seeking to dismiss the wrongful termination and harassment lawsuit brought by a staffer involved in Ye's now-defunct and highly controversial K-12 private Christian school, Donda Academy. A trial is scheduled for January.
More from Rolling Stone
Quinceañeras to Congress: Bobby Pulido Finds a New Way to Represent Tejanos
Trump Explodes on Reporter: 'You Haven't Asked Me One F-cking Positive Question'
#california
The artist now known as Ye has filed a new motion in Los Angeles seeking to dismiss the wrongful termination and harassment lawsuit brought by a staffer involved in Ye's now-defunct and highly controversial K-12 private Christian school, Donda Academy. A trial is scheduled for January.
More from Rolling Stone
Quinceañeras to Congress: Bobby Pulido Finds a New Way to Represent Tejanos
Trump Explodes on Reporter: 'You Haven't Asked Me One F-cking Positive Question'
#california
12 days ago
By Andrew Chung
Sept 29 (Reuters) - The US Supreme Court on Tuesday let President Donald Trump's administration resume deporting migrants to countries other than their own without offering them the chance to show the harms they may face, bolstering a tool his administration has used for rapid expulsions as part of his immigration crackdown.
The court granted the Justice Department's emergency request to put on hold Boston-based US District Judge Brian Murphy's ruling that the Department of Homeland Security's policy to remove migrants to so-called third countries is unlawful. The court also agreed to hear arguments in the dispute in December, with a formal ruling on the policy to follow.
The court has a 6-3 conservative majority. Its three liberal justices dissented from the decision to let the deportations immediately resume pending the final outcome of the litigation.
Murphy's ruling came in a class-action lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups on behalf of migrants seeking to prevent the US government from sending them to third countries without notice and a chance to **** ert the harms they could face.
#migrants #chance #harms
Sept 29 (Reuters) - The US Supreme Court on Tuesday let President Donald Trump's administration resume deporting migrants to countries other than their own without offering them the chance to show the harms they may face, bolstering a tool his administration has used for rapid expulsions as part of his immigration crackdown.
The court granted the Justice Department's emergency request to put on hold Boston-based US District Judge Brian Murphy's ruling that the Department of Homeland Security's policy to remove migrants to so-called third countries is unlawful. The court also agreed to hear arguments in the dispute in December, with a formal ruling on the policy to follow.
The court has a 6-3 conservative majority. Its three liberal justices dissented from the decision to let the deportations immediately resume pending the final outcome of the litigation.
Murphy's ruling came in a class-action lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups on behalf of migrants seeking to prevent the US government from sending them to third countries without notice and a chance to **** ert the harms they could face.
#migrants #chance #harms
22 days ago
Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang is challenging the people warning that AI could end humanity, suggesting their alarming predictions may serve another purpose.
Speaking with CBS News, Huang rejected the 'AI apocalypse' debate and questioned the motives behind those spreading that fear, adding a sharper edge to an increasingly public industry split.
OpenAI and Anthropic leaders, alongside Elon Musk, have backed calls to slow advanced AI development over safety concerns and fears that the technology might be advancing quicker than companies can control it, as reported by Financial Times.
For Nvidia investors, that debate carries financial weight. Shares have returned 20% year-to-date and 23% over the six months, according to Seeking Alpha data.
A coordinated slowdown could complicate the spending boom supporting its chip business. Huang's response, however, reaches beyond defending continued investment.
#NVIDIA #anthropic
Speaking with CBS News, Huang rejected the 'AI apocalypse' debate and questioned the motives behind those spreading that fear, adding a sharper edge to an increasingly public industry split.
OpenAI and Anthropic leaders, alongside Elon Musk, have backed calls to slow advanced AI development over safety concerns and fears that the technology might be advancing quicker than companies can control it, as reported by Financial Times.
For Nvidia investors, that debate carries financial weight. Shares have returned 20% year-to-date and 23% over the six months, according to Seeking Alpha data.
A coordinated slowdown could complicate the spending boom supporting its chip business. Huang's response, however, reaches beyond defending continued investment.
#NVIDIA #anthropic
22 days ago
A Wall Street Journal report on September 16 revealed that ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is nearing a preliminary agreement with Venezuela's state-owned PDVSA, potentially marking its return to the country almost two decades after its ***** ets were nationalized. According to Reuters, Exxon has shown interest in the large Petromonagas heavy oil project in the Orinoco Belt, as well as in areas in the neighboring Carabobo block.
While the talks are still in their preliminary phase and could still fall apart or be delayed, they mark a major turnaround from Exxon's previous stance on Venezuela. The company's CEO, Darren Woods, stated in January that the country was "uninvestable" without durable investment protections, legal reforms, and changes to its hydrocarbon laws.
The development comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to open Venezuela's oil industry to American companies and revive the country's dilapidated oil infrastructure. The South American nation is sitting on the largest proven crude oil reserves in the world, accounting for roughly 17% of the global total.
Venezuela could provide Exxon with access to an enormous resource base at a time when the company is actively seeking low-cost and long-duration ***** ets. The fields under consideration are estimated to contain more than 50 billion barrels of oil buried underground.
Exxon already holds an advantage through its previous experience in the country. Petromonagas, formerly called Cerro Negro, was once the energy firm's flagship project in Venezuela, giving it familiarity with the country's vast heavy and extra-heavy crude resources. Petromonagas also remains one of the few Venezuelan projects with an operational upgrader capable of turning the Orinoco's extra-heavy crude into lighter exportable grades.
#heavy #project
While the talks are still in their preliminary phase and could still fall apart or be delayed, they mark a major turnaround from Exxon's previous stance on Venezuela. The company's CEO, Darren Woods, stated in January that the country was "uninvestable" without durable investment protections, legal reforms, and changes to its hydrocarbon laws.
The development comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to open Venezuela's oil industry to American companies and revive the country's dilapidated oil infrastructure. The South American nation is sitting on the largest proven crude oil reserves in the world, accounting for roughly 17% of the global total.
Venezuela could provide Exxon with access to an enormous resource base at a time when the company is actively seeking low-cost and long-duration ***** ets. The fields under consideration are estimated to contain more than 50 billion barrels of oil buried underground.
Exxon already holds an advantage through its previous experience in the country. Petromonagas, formerly called Cerro Negro, was once the energy firm's flagship project in Venezuela, giving it familiarity with the country's vast heavy and extra-heavy crude resources. Petromonagas also remains one of the few Venezuelan projects with an operational upgrader capable of turning the Orinoco's extra-heavy crude into lighter exportable grades.
#heavy #project
22 days ago
JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) is the largest bank in the U.S., by far. It's a financial giant with robust consumer and commercial segments, and it's reliable in driving growth under pressure. It also pays a growing dividend that yields 1.7% at the current price, and it's a fantastic value addition to any investor's diversified portfolio.
While it's likely to become the first bank stock with a $1 trillion valuation in the near future (it currently sports a $927.5 billion market capitalization), there are smaller digital banks that are likely to grow much faster in the next two years, and probably a lot longer. SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) and Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU) are two of them.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
SoFi is a young digital bank that's growing at the rate of a tech start-up, which makes sense, since it's a combination of both -- a classic fintech company.
What started as a loan cooperative for college students has expanded into a comprehensive financial app for anyone seeking an easy-to-use digital platform. It's attracting new members at a fast pace, and its strategy of bringing customers into the ecosystem and getting them to adopt more products is working.
#sofi #bank
While it's likely to become the first bank stock with a $1 trillion valuation in the near future (it currently sports a $927.5 billion market capitalization), there are smaller digital banks that are likely to grow much faster in the next two years, and probably a lot longer. SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) and Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU) are two of them.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
SoFi is a young digital bank that's growing at the rate of a tech start-up, which makes sense, since it's a combination of both -- a classic fintech company.
What started as a loan cooperative for college students has expanded into a comprehensive financial app for anyone seeking an easy-to-use digital platform. It's attracting new members at a fast pace, and its strategy of bringing customers into the ecosystem and getting them to adopt more products is working.
#sofi #bank
22 days ago
Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) primarily generates its revenue by designing, developing, manufacturing, and selling the critical fabrication equipment, specialized factory automation software, and materials engineering solutions utilized to produce integrated circuits for customers globally.
While launching multiple new hardware systems to address technical production challenges in advanced memory scaling, it formalized a joint development agreement for augmented reality optics and reported a 34% operating margin for the quarter ended July 26, 2026.
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) primarily generates its revenue by designing, developing, and manufacturing commercial central processing units, discrete graphics processors, and edge computing components, alongside operating its independent wafer fabrication and advanced packaging services.
It finalized a large-scale public common stock offering and confirmed pending organizational workforce reductions within its data center operations, while reporting a 12% operating margin for the quarter ended June 27, 2026.
Revenue establishes a fundamental baseline for investors seeking to measure the total incoming capital a business generates before any operating expenses, interest, or taxes are deducted. This metric reveals whether an organization is successfully attracting customers and growing its overall business volume over time.
#generates #primarily
While launching multiple new hardware systems to address technical production challenges in advanced memory scaling, it formalized a joint development agreement for augmented reality optics and reported a 34% operating margin for the quarter ended July 26, 2026.
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) primarily generates its revenue by designing, developing, and manufacturing commercial central processing units, discrete graphics processors, and edge computing components, alongside operating its independent wafer fabrication and advanced packaging services.
It finalized a large-scale public common stock offering and confirmed pending organizational workforce reductions within its data center operations, while reporting a 12% operating margin for the quarter ended June 27, 2026.
Revenue establishes a fundamental baseline for investors seeking to measure the total incoming capital a business generates before any operating expenses, interest, or taxes are deducted. This metric reveals whether an organization is successfully attracting customers and growing its overall business volume over time.
#generates #primarily
22 days ago
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking interviews with current and former Guggenheim Investments employees as regulators deepen inquiries into CEO Mark Walter's business.
The SEC is specifically looking at people who have managed insurance-company ******* et portfolios, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Some individuals contacted by the agency are hiring lawyers to help them respond to confidential inquiries.
The request for interviews suggests that regulators are continuing to scrutinize the billionaire's business empire despite public ******* urances from Guggenheim officials and TWG Holdings, Walter's holding company, that they are cooperating and working with the government on its inquiries.
Read Also:Deal Dispatch: Egg Maker Vital Farms Considers Sale, Blackstone Buys Flow Control, Kennedy Center Troubles
#regulators #securities
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking interviews with current and former Guggenheim Investments employees as regulators deepen inquiries into CEO Mark Walter's business.
The SEC is specifically looking at people who have managed insurance-company ******* et portfolios, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Some individuals contacted by the agency are hiring lawyers to help them respond to confidential inquiries.
The request for interviews suggests that regulators are continuing to scrutinize the billionaire's business empire despite public ******* urances from Guggenheim officials and TWG Holdings, Walter's holding company, that they are cooperating and working with the government on its inquiries.
Read Also:Deal Dispatch: Egg Maker Vital Farms Considers Sale, Blackstone Buys Flow Control, Kennedy Center Troubles
#regulators #securities
22 days ago
FleetCor and CEO Ronald Clarke agreed to a $100 million payment resolving Federal Trade Commission litigation. The settlement follows years of court action over hidden charges involving commercial fuel cards. Harm reached tens of thousands among small-business customers seeking lower operating costs. Regulators say promised savings disappeared beneath undisclosed billing practices.
Federal regulators accused FleetCor, which now operates as Corpay, of imposing unauthorized fees totaling hundreds of millions. Investigators found improper late penalties despite timely remittance or company barriers that prevented payment. Officials cited misleading claims about gas savings, fraud controls, plus card-related expenses. Those practices harmed operators across the United States, according to a 2019 complaint.
Regulators found FleetCor often waited several billing cycles before adding many charges. Delayed timing made extra costs harder for customers to notice. Invoices omitted fee disclosures, pushing account holders toward separate management reports. Even those documents obscured some amounts among unrelated details or excluded them entirely.
"FleetCor deceived its small business customers by promising fuel savings that never materialized," Christopher Mufarrige said. He directs FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. Agency officials also criticized hidden and unauthorized charges. Settlement terms channel restitution toward harmed account holders.
In 2023, one federal district court granted summary judgment to the FTC on every count. Its ruling found hidden charges and false representations involving savings, fees, plus fraud-control features. Permanent injunction terms barred FleetCor from billing without informed consent alongside clear disclosures. That order also prohibited deceptive fuel-card claims or hiding material information behind hyperlinks.
#fleetcor #savings
Federal regulators accused FleetCor, which now operates as Corpay, of imposing unauthorized fees totaling hundreds of millions. Investigators found improper late penalties despite timely remittance or company barriers that prevented payment. Officials cited misleading claims about gas savings, fraud controls, plus card-related expenses. Those practices harmed operators across the United States, according to a 2019 complaint.
Regulators found FleetCor often waited several billing cycles before adding many charges. Delayed timing made extra costs harder for customers to notice. Invoices omitted fee disclosures, pushing account holders toward separate management reports. Even those documents obscured some amounts among unrelated details or excluded them entirely.
"FleetCor deceived its small business customers by promising fuel savings that never materialized," Christopher Mufarrige said. He directs FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. Agency officials also criticized hidden and unauthorized charges. Settlement terms channel restitution toward harmed account holders.
In 2023, one federal district court granted summary judgment to the FTC on every count. Its ruling found hidden charges and false representations involving savings, fees, plus fraud-control features. Permanent injunction terms barred FleetCor from billing without informed consent alongside clear disclosures. That order also prohibited deceptive fuel-card claims or hiding material information behind hyperlinks.
#fleetcor #savings
23 days ago
Bonds should be an essential part of a well-balanced portfolio. Factual differences between the Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHQ) and the State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEMKT:SPLB) center on credit quality, as the Schwab fund tracks government debt while the State Street fund targets investment-grade corporate bonds.
Investors seeking exposure to long-dated fixed income typically choose between government-backed securities and corporate credit. While both funds focus on maturities exceeding 10 years, they offer significantly different risk-reward profiles based on their underlying debt issuers and the credit risk investors are willing to accept for higher income.
Metric
SPLB
SCHQ
#nysemkt #state
Investors seeking exposure to long-dated fixed income typically choose between government-backed securities and corporate credit. While both funds focus on maturities exceeding 10 years, they offer significantly different risk-reward profiles based on their underlying debt issuers and the credit risk investors are willing to accept for higher income.
Metric
SPLB
SCHQ
#nysemkt #state
23 days ago
IBM raised its quarterly dividend a single penny, from $1.68 to $1.69, marking its 31st consecutive increase but delivering just $0.04 more annually to shareholders.
Microsoft grew its quarterly dividend from $0.13 to $0.98 since 2010, making it the stronger pick for investors seeking real income growth over IBM's 2.83% yield.
IBM's dividend appears safe, with $14.7B in free cash flow comfortably covering its $6.3B payout, though capital is flowing toward acquisitions, $62B in debt, and quantum computing bets.
Just released. Our ******* ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and IBM didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat IBM. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
The headline is easy to sell. IBM (NYSE:IBM) has paid consecutive quarterly dividends every year since 1916 and, with the April declaration, notched its 31st consecutive year of dividend increases. The reality a retiree actually banks is smaller. Much smaller.
#Dividend #year
Microsoft grew its quarterly dividend from $0.13 to $0.98 since 2010, making it the stronger pick for investors seeking real income growth over IBM's 2.83% yield.
IBM's dividend appears safe, with $14.7B in free cash flow comfortably covering its $6.3B payout, though capital is flowing toward acquisitions, $62B in debt, and quantum computing bets.
Just released. Our ******* ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and IBM didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat IBM. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
The headline is easy to sell. IBM (NYSE:IBM) has paid consecutive quarterly dividends every year since 1916 and, with the April declaration, notched its 31st consecutive year of dividend increases. The reality a retiree actually banks is smaller. Much smaller.
#Dividend #year
23 days ago
By Nolan D. McCaskill
WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Democrats are seeking to reclaim Congress, but lingering divisions from a bruising run-up to the November election threaten to imperil the party's attempt to claw back power from President Donald Trump's Republicans.
With control of both chambers at stake, Democrats have sought to move past the bad blood of the primaries, but in several competitive states, influential party figures have withheld endorsements or so far declined to campaign with nominees for the November 3 US midterm elections.
In Maine, the governor has yet to endorse the Democratic US Senate candidate. In Texas, a congresswoman has declined to campaign alongside the state representative who defeated her in the Democratic Senate primary. In Michigan, establishment centrists are steering clear of the party's progressive Senate pick. In New York, victorious democratic socialists are criticizing congressional Democrats for joining Republicans in condemning socialism. In Florida, the party has yet to rally behind its Senate nominee.
"Whether you are a progressive or an establishment Democrat or a conservative Democrat, we all have a vested interest in getting every single person over the finish line in November," said US Representative Summer Lee, a progressive Pennsylvania Democrat up for reelection.
#november #democrat #representative #declined
WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Democrats are seeking to reclaim Congress, but lingering divisions from a bruising run-up to the November election threaten to imperil the party's attempt to claw back power from President Donald Trump's Republicans.
With control of both chambers at stake, Democrats have sought to move past the bad blood of the primaries, but in several competitive states, influential party figures have withheld endorsements or so far declined to campaign with nominees for the November 3 US midterm elections.
In Maine, the governor has yet to endorse the Democratic US Senate candidate. In Texas, a congresswoman has declined to campaign alongside the state representative who defeated her in the Democratic Senate primary. In Michigan, establishment centrists are steering clear of the party's progressive Senate pick. In New York, victorious democratic socialists are criticizing congressional Democrats for joining Republicans in condemning socialism. In Florida, the party has yet to rally behind its Senate nominee.
"Whether you are a progressive or an establishment Democrat or a conservative Democrat, we all have a vested interest in getting every single person over the finish line in November," said US Representative Summer Lee, a progressive Pennsylvania Democrat up for reelection.
#november #democrat #representative #declined
23 days ago
Financially challenged fast-food franchisees have been lining up to file for bankruptcy protection in 2026 to reorganize their businesses and restructure debt.
Hardee's Phoenix-based restaurant franchisee Superior Star LLC , filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 9, facing an alleged seller financing dispute, according to court papers. A burger chain rival, Checkers Drive-In franchisee C.S. Holdings of Tampa LLC, which operates two locations in Tampa, Fla., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business on July 14.
Another Hardee's franchisee, ARC Burger LLC, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on April 20, 2026, after franchisor Hardee's Restaurants LLC sued the restaurant operator for alleged breach of contract, seeking to recover over $6.5 million in unpaid franchise fees and other obligations, according to Law.com.
And now, major Wendy's restaurant franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group Inc., which operates over 350 locations in 15 states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize its business and restructure its debt, almost 11 months after defaulting on its franchise agreements for failing to remit payments.
Meritage Hospitality and 14 affiliates filed their petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan on Sept. 17, 2026, listing $10 million to $50 million in **** ets and debts.
#chapter
Hardee's Phoenix-based restaurant franchisee Superior Star LLC , filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 9, facing an alleged seller financing dispute, according to court papers. A burger chain rival, Checkers Drive-In franchisee C.S. Holdings of Tampa LLC, which operates two locations in Tampa, Fla., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business on July 14.
Another Hardee's franchisee, ARC Burger LLC, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on April 20, 2026, after franchisor Hardee's Restaurants LLC sued the restaurant operator for alleged breach of contract, seeking to recover over $6.5 million in unpaid franchise fees and other obligations, according to Law.com.
And now, major Wendy's restaurant franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group Inc., which operates over 350 locations in 15 states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize its business and restructure its debt, almost 11 months after defaulting on its franchise agreements for failing to remit payments.
Meritage Hospitality and 14 affiliates filed their petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan on Sept. 17, 2026, listing $10 million to $50 million in **** ets and debts.
#chapter
23 days ago
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) announced a joint venture with Rönesans Infrastructure on September 14 to develop and operate data centers in Türkiye. The first Ankara campus is designed for more than 22 megawatts of IT capacity. Land, power and permits are secured, early construction has begun, and the first facility is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) has established credible development foundations. The investment question is whether those foundations can support attractive returns once construction spending, customer contracts, and operating costs enter the calculation.
For Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR), securing land, electricity and permits reduces uncertainty around whether development can proceed. That matters because customer interest has limited commercial value when a developer cannot offer a credible delivery schedule. Construction progress can make discussions with prospective tenants more concrete.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) also combines its global customer relationships and operating experience with Rönesans Infrastructure's local development and construction capabilities. The potential benefit is practical: a partner familiar with local execution can help deliver the buildings, while an established data-center operator can help attract customers and manage their deployments.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) is entering through a venture that also plans an additional Istanbul facility. A presence in both cities could appeal to customers seeking multiple locations for resilience and connectivity. Success in Ankara could therefore create a commercial foundation for further expansion, provided demand supports additional investment.
#digital #construction #development #venture
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) has established credible development foundations. The investment question is whether those foundations can support attractive returns once construction spending, customer contracts, and operating costs enter the calculation.
For Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR), securing land, electricity and permits reduces uncertainty around whether development can proceed. That matters because customer interest has limited commercial value when a developer cannot offer a credible delivery schedule. Construction progress can make discussions with prospective tenants more concrete.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) also combines its global customer relationships and operating experience with Rönesans Infrastructure's local development and construction capabilities. The potential benefit is practical: a partner familiar with local execution can help deliver the buildings, while an established data-center operator can help attract customers and manage their deployments.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) is entering through a venture that also plans an additional Istanbul facility. A presence in both cities could appeal to customers seeking multiple locations for resilience and connectivity. Success in Ankara could therefore create a commercial foundation for further expansion, provided demand supports additional investment.
#digital #construction #development #venture
24 days ago
AI poster-child Nvidia (NVDA) has jumped 14% year to date, but the ride's been noticeably ******* py according to Seeking Alpha data.
The stock's down nearly 6% in just one week and around the same amount over the past month, a pullback that has coincided with fresh questions over whether the breakneck AI buildout could finally lose momentum.
Consequently, that debate followed calls from some of the biggest names in AI to slow the development of frontier models for safety reasons. But on his latest "Mad Money" broadcast from Dreamforce, veteran ******* yst Jim Cramer made clear he's viewing Nvidia stock through a very different lens.
That's not hard to fathom because Nvidia continues giving bulls ammunition. Fiscal Q2 revenue more than doubled to $96.2 billion, with its Data Center business reaching $89 billion, as it pushes deeper into enterprise AI, including Salesforce's (CRM) new Koa reasoning model built on Nvidia Nemotron.
Cramer's takeaway after a sit-down with CEO Jensen Huang was hardly cautious, though. Instead of treating the latest AI scare as a reason to jump in and out of Nvidia, he framed the stock as something investors need to hold through the noise instead of trade.
#down #latest #billion
The stock's down nearly 6% in just one week and around the same amount over the past month, a pullback that has coincided with fresh questions over whether the breakneck AI buildout could finally lose momentum.
Consequently, that debate followed calls from some of the biggest names in AI to slow the development of frontier models for safety reasons. But on his latest "Mad Money" broadcast from Dreamforce, veteran ******* yst Jim Cramer made clear he's viewing Nvidia stock through a very different lens.
That's not hard to fathom because Nvidia continues giving bulls ammunition. Fiscal Q2 revenue more than doubled to $96.2 billion, with its Data Center business reaching $89 billion, as it pushes deeper into enterprise AI, including Salesforce's (CRM) new Koa reasoning model built on Nvidia Nemotron.
Cramer's takeaway after a sit-down with CEO Jensen Huang was hardly cautious, though. Instead of treating the latest AI scare as a reason to jump in and out of Nvidia, he framed the stock as something investors need to hold through the noise instead of trade.
#down #latest #billion
24 days ago
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York filed a civil forfeiture complaint on Sep. 14 seeking approximately $61 million in cryptocurrency linked to black-market sales of Iranian crude oil.
According to the DOJ, the funds were allegedly meant to support the Iranian government and its military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. The U.S. government has designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
A civil forfeiture complaint is a legal action in which the government seeks to seize money or property it believes was involved in or resulted from criminal activity. It is not a criminal charge, the allegations are not proven until a court rules in the government's favor.
Related: Cathie Wood dumps $65 million in crypto ahead of CLARITY vote
The complaint alleges that two Chinese companies, Blessed Trust and Hexa Whale, used trading accounts at Binance to launder proceeds from sanctioned Iranian oil sales. Binance is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume.
#government
According to the DOJ, the funds were allegedly meant to support the Iranian government and its military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. The U.S. government has designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
A civil forfeiture complaint is a legal action in which the government seeks to seize money or property it believes was involved in or resulted from criminal activity. It is not a criminal charge, the allegations are not proven until a court rules in the government's favor.
Related: Cathie Wood dumps $65 million in crypto ahead of CLARITY vote
The complaint alleges that two Chinese companies, Blessed Trust and Hexa Whale, used trading accounts at Binance to launder proceeds from sanctioned Iranian oil sales. Binance is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume.
#government
24 days ago
The financial unraveling of Jon Venetos' Lurin Capital is now the subject of a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe.
An email sent to an investor from the FBI's Dallas Division shared with The Real Deal revealed that the agency has opened an investigation into Venetos, Lurin Capital and **** ociated entities. The note provided an email address through which victims can provide comments and ask questions: LurinVictimsfbi.gov.
The Real Deal also obtained a public link to an FBI form **** led "Lurin Investigation Questionnaire" seeking information from "possible victim" investors. The form asks for details about investors' contributions and any distributions received.
The company's downfall has been punctuated by claims of fraudulent dealings from lenders and former Lurin employees. Keybank accused Venetos of transferring $25,000 from his accounts with the bank to a personal account. Vista Bank accused him of falsifying account statements from the lender in an attempt to take out loans elsewhere.
In addition, a former employee who worked in property management and asked to remain anonymous claimed Lurin lied on reimbursement requests to lenders by inflating costs of repairs and submitting invoices for work that wasn't done.
#email
An email sent to an investor from the FBI's Dallas Division shared with The Real Deal revealed that the agency has opened an investigation into Venetos, Lurin Capital and **** ociated entities. The note provided an email address through which victims can provide comments and ask questions: LurinVictimsfbi.gov.
The Real Deal also obtained a public link to an FBI form **** led "Lurin Investigation Questionnaire" seeking information from "possible victim" investors. The form asks for details about investors' contributions and any distributions received.
The company's downfall has been punctuated by claims of fraudulent dealings from lenders and former Lurin employees. Keybank accused Venetos of transferring $25,000 from his accounts with the bank to a personal account. Vista Bank accused him of falsifying account statements from the lender in an attempt to take out loans elsewhere.
In addition, a former employee who worked in property management and asked to remain anonymous claimed Lurin lied on reimbursement requests to lenders by inflating costs of repairs and submitting invoices for work that wasn't done.
24 days ago
Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEMKT:PPA) offers a long track record and broad industrial exposure, while Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSEMKT:SHLD) provides a lower-cost, technology-focused approach to the defense sector.
Defense spending often stays resilient throughout various economic cycles, making aerospace and defense exchange-traded funds a popular choice for investors seeking sector-specific growth. While both funds target the same broad industry, they differ in their approach to legacy hardware versus emerging technologies and software-defined systems. This comparison looks at how the veteran PPA stacks up against the newer SHLD.
Metric
SHLD
PPA
#approach
Defense spending often stays resilient throughout various economic cycles, making aerospace and defense exchange-traded funds a popular choice for investors seeking sector-specific growth. While both funds target the same broad industry, they differ in their approach to legacy hardware versus emerging technologies and software-defined systems. This comparison looks at how the veteran PPA stacks up against the newer SHLD.
Metric
SHLD
PPA
#approach
25 days ago
As high mortgage rates and elevated home prices continue to crimp housing affordability, Federal Housing Finance Agency's Bill Pulte is seeking cuts to a common "hidden cost" of homeownership.
Targeting private mortgage insurance, which around 800,000 borrowers used to buy homes last year, Pulte is aligning policies between mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to allow loan servicers to proactively call borrowers when they're eligible to drop their mortgage insurance. Previously, only Freddie Mac allowed servicers to do so.
"If your Home is worth more, or you have paid the loan down far enough, you should be able to drop EXTRA Mortgage Insurance," Pulte wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.
"Right now Fannie Mae will not let your loan company call and tell you that you may qualify because your home has gone up in value! You have to know to ask. Freddie Mac will let them call. That is crazy. We are fixing that. Fannie Mae will follow Freddie's rule: if you may qualify to drop unnecessary extra insurance because your home has gained value, they can contact you and walk you through how to cancel your PMI. You can stop paying for coverage you do not need and keep the money."
Read more: What is private mortgage insurance (PMI)? Definition, cost, and how to avoid it
#freddie #loan #call
Targeting private mortgage insurance, which around 800,000 borrowers used to buy homes last year, Pulte is aligning policies between mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to allow loan servicers to proactively call borrowers when they're eligible to drop their mortgage insurance. Previously, only Freddie Mac allowed servicers to do so.
"If your Home is worth more, or you have paid the loan down far enough, you should be able to drop EXTRA Mortgage Insurance," Pulte wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.
"Right now Fannie Mae will not let your loan company call and tell you that you may qualify because your home has gone up in value! You have to know to ask. Freddie Mac will let them call. That is crazy. We are fixing that. Fannie Mae will follow Freddie's rule: if you may qualify to drop unnecessary extra insurance because your home has gained value, they can contact you and walk you through how to cancel your PMI. You can stop paying for coverage you do not need and keep the money."
Read more: What is private mortgage insurance (PMI)? Definition, cost, and how to avoid it
#freddie #loan #call
