The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge threatens thousands of jobs as the Port of Baltimore remains closed, with officials warning that the cleanup effort will be challenging and costly. President Biden held a star-studded fundraiser to bolster campaign finances, while "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding customers. Additionally, a new image of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way has been shared, revealing its magnetic structure as a spiral.
Disney and Ron DeSantis have reached a settlement in the lawsuit over the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, ending almost two years of litigation. The settlement agreement involves dropping covenants and a development agreement made with Disney supporters and operating under an earlier plan. This comes after DeSantis took over the district following Disney's opposition to Florida's "Don’t Say Gay" law. The agreement also includes the appointment of new board members and signals a new chapter of constructive engagement between Disney and the district's new leadership.
Pennsylvania billionaire Jeffrey Yass' firm, Susquehanna, is the largest institutional shareholder in the company that merged with Truth Social, Donald Trump's social media platform. This connection between a powerful GOP megadonor and the presumptive Republican nominee has raised eyebrows. Trump stands to gain over $3 billion from the merger, approved by shareholders, and the new company, Trump Media & Technology Group, will trade under the ticker DJT. Yass, a Republican megadonor, has not donated to Trump's campaign but has donated to other GOP candidates. The recent meeting between Yass and Trump has sparked speculation about potential financial pressure on Trump and his efforts to court Yass.
EU member states have voted in favor of a stripped-down version of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive, requiring companies to check supply chains for environmental and labor practices. The legislation, which still needs to be voted on by MEPs, aims to hold companies accountable for their impact on people and the environment. While some see it as a victory, others argue that the diluted plans could indirectly impact smaller businesses and lead some to withdraw from the developing world.
Louisiana is among three states suing to block an SEC rule requiring companies to disclose climate change-related financial risks, while early voting for the presidential primary election has begun in the state. Additionally, tax season is underway in the U.S., prompting advice to start organizing early to avoid last-minute stress.
Wall Street appears to favor a Donald Trump victory in the upcoming presidential election, as stock returns have shown a clear pattern of performing better when Trump leads in the polls. Billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent noted that stock returns have been significantly higher when Trump is ahead, attributing this to the stark policy differences between Trump and Biden, particularly in areas such as tax cuts, regulation, and international relations. The collective wisdom of Wall Street seems to be aligning with Main Street, as both are showing preference for the candidate whose policies are perceived to be more favorable for American business and economic growth.
The Associated Press investigation reveals that U.S. prison labor supports a wide range of popular food brands, with goods produced by incarcerated individuals ending up in the supply chains of products from major companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Walmart. The investigation highlights the disproportionate impact on people of color, the legal and historical context of prison labor, and the involvement of large corporations and commodity traders. While some companies have acknowledged and are addressing their connections to prison labor, critics emphasize the need for fair compensation, humane treatment, and voluntary work for incarcerated individuals.
An investigation by The Associated Press has revealed that goods produced by U.S. prisoners are making their way into the supply chains of popular food brands, with people of color disproportionately affected. The use of prison labor, which is legal under the 13th Amendment, extends to a wide range of businesses, including giants like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Costco. While some companies have acknowledged connections to prison labor and are taking steps to address the issue, others have not responded to inquiries. Corrections officials argue that prison jobs provide valuable skills and a sense of purpose, but critics emphasize the need for fair compensation, humane treatment, and voluntary work.
Pro-life diaper company EveryLife has launched its "Make More Babies" campaign with a Times Square billboard featuring a quote from Elon Musk stating, "Having children is saving the world." The campaign aims to combat "population control ideologies" and will coincide with the upcoming March for Life rally. EveryLife, a financial partner of the pro-life group Live Action, emphasizes its support for parenthood and offers discounts to pro-life organizations and nonprofits.
Business leaders at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and vision, with Mukesh Ambani calling him the "greatest global leader" of the current generation. They credited Modi for the success of the summit and highlighted his impact on India's economic growth, belief in global unity, and support for manufacturing industries. The leaders expressed confidence in India's future as a major economic player under Modi's leadership.
The 2023 DealBook Summit is currently taking place in New York, featuring speakers such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Elon Musk. Topics discussed include artificial intelligence, the China-U.S. trade war, and the recent attacks on Israel by Hamas. President Herzog mentioned ongoing talks for a possible extension of the cease-fire with Hamas, while Vice President Harris addressed issues of political polarization and the regulation of social media platforms. Other speakers at the summit include Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Lina Khan of the F.T.C., and Shonda Rhimes.
French President Emmanuel Macron ended his China trip with a pact to strengthen business and military ties between the two countries. The joint statement with Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not include a commitment from Beijing to end Russia's war on Ukraine, which was a key request from Macron. The move reflects Macron's desire to increase French firms' presence in the Chinese market, while others in the West are looking to reduce their dependence on China.
