Author: Victor Blackwell
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wears an ICE vest during a briefing with law enforcement agents ahead of immigration raids in New York City, U.S., January 28, 2025 in this image obtained from social media. @sec_noem Via ReutersThe Department of Homeland Security has begun performing polygraph tests on employees to determine who might be leaking information to the media about immigration operations, according to four sources familiar with the practice. The department’s plans to perform these tests was first reported by Bloomberg Government.A spokesperson for DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Border czar Tom Homan and Homeland…
House Republicans unveiled a spending bill Saturday that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30, pushing ahead with a go-it-alone strategy that seems certain to spark a major confrontation with Democrats over the contours of government spending.The 99-page bill would provide a slight boost to defense programs while trimming nondefense programs below 2024 budget year levels. That approach is likely to be a nonstarter for most Democrats who have long insisted that defense and nondefense spending move in the same direction.Congress must act by midnight Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown.Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is teeing up the…
“Close up photograph of Social Security cards against currency background, selective focus.Similar Images:”Richcano | E+ | Getty ImagesA group of labor unions are asking a federal court for an emergency order to stop Elon Musk ‘s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing the sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans.The motion for emergency relief was filed late Friday in federal court in Maryland by the legal services group Democracy Forward against the Social Security Administration and its acting commissioner, Leland Dudek. The unions want the court to block DOGE’s access to the vast troves of personal data held by the agency.Included in the…
They’re generally reserved for the ultrawealthy and financial institutions.But the exchange-traded fund industry is looking to give retail investors more access to alternative investments including private credit.BondBloxx’s Joanna Gallegos thinks it’s a great idea despite the asset class’ reputation for charging high fees and academic research that have shown sluggish returns. Her firm launched the BondBloxx Private Credit CLO ETF (PCMM) about three months ago.”We don’t believe in the velvet rope. We believe in connecting markets,” the firm’s co-founder and chief operating officer told CNBC’s “ETF Edge” this week. “People have not had access to it. It makes sense in a portfolio. People…
A drone view shows the aftermath of a pro-Palestinian protest on U.S. President Donald Trump’s golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, March 8, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.Hassan Ghani | Hassan Ghani Via ReutersU.S. President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland has been daubed with pro-Palestinian graffiti, with a protest group claiming responsibility.Local media on Saturday showed images of red paint scrawled across walls at the course with the slogans “Free Gaza” and “Free Palestine” as well as insults against Trump.”Gaza is not for sale” was also painted on one of the greens and…
In honor of International Women’s Day, The Economist released its annual glass-ceiling index which analyzes working conditions for women across the 29 countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).The countries were ranked based on these ten measures:Higher educationGMAT exams taken by womenLabor-force participation rateGender wage gapWomen in managerial positionsWomen on company boardsWomen in governmentNet child-care costsPaid leave for mothersPaid leave for fathersThe United States failed to make the top 10 ranking — taking the no. 19 position on the list. It’s something Lizzy Peet, data researcher at The Economist, says is not surprising, as America typically falls…
The market’s message and intentions are always worth debating — especially so during an intense pullback, with cacophonous policy headlines and piqued investor emotions animating the action day to day. Here’s an assessment of the weight of the evidence, after another rough week — but one that ended in a perky, if apprehensive, rally off a six-month low Friday afternoon, leaving the S & P 500 more than 6% from its record high reached less than three weeks ago — in the form of a bull-bear debate. The bear case: This tape is guilty until proven innocent. The Nasdaq ended…
Meta’s Facebook’s influence remains strong globally, but younger users are logging in less. Only 32% of U.S. teens use Facebook today, down from 71% in 2014, according to a 2024 Pew Research study. However, Facebook’s resale platform Marketplace is one reason young people are on the platform.”I only use Facebook for Marketplace,” said Mirka Arevalo, a student at Buffalo University. “I go in knowing what I want, not just casually browsing.”Launched in 2016, Facebook Marketplace has grown into one of Meta’s biggest success stories. With 1.1 billion users across 70 countries, it competes with eBay and Craigslist, according to BusinessDasher.”Marketplace…
Landis+Gyr Group AG’s residential and commercial FOCUS electric meter installation. Landis+Gyr Group AGCompany: Landis+Gyr Group AG (LAND-CH)Business: Landis+Gyr Group is a Switzerland-based company primarily engaged in the electrical components and equipment manufacturing business. It specializes in metering solutions for electricity, gas, heat/cold and water for energy measurement solutions for utilities. Landis+Gyr product portfolio consists of advanced metering and intelligent energy management products, such as electricity meters, heating and cooling meters, grid management solutions and personal energy management solutions. In addition, the company offers various software services, managed services, cloud services, smart grid services, systems integration, training, as well as consulting and…
Growing up with very little money and six older siblings in the 1910s and 20s, Shirley Hodes and her sister Ruth “Ruthy” Sweedler didn’t have their own rooms. They didn’t even have their own places to sleep.The 10 members of their immediate family were all wedged into a 2-bedroom, 1-bath apartment with an attic. Five girls slept up there. Ruthy, Shirley, and a third sister shared one bed. One bonus of the cramped arrangement: The sisters formed a tight and enduring bond and stayed close their entire lives. When they passed away this winter, it was within days of each…