A proposal to allocate $20 million in city funds to the developers of Miami Freedom Park drew sharp criticism during a Miami City Commission meeting Thursday, with opponents calling it a “gift” to billionaires and a betrayal of public trust. Albert Gomez, a critic of the project, argued that the deal benefits private developers at the expense of taxpayers. “Effectively, it gives the development team at Freedom Park a $20 million gift,” Gomez said. “It’s is a gift of $20 million to the billionaires behind the soccer stadium,” another critic added. “This is a bait and switch … It lacks…
Author: MAK Gojar
The U.S. sanctioned the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor Thursday, following up on President Donald Trump’s order last week targeting the court over its investigations of Israel. The prosecutor, Karim Khan, was added Thursday to Washington’s list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.” Those on the list are barred from doing business with Americans and face restrictions on entry to the U.S. The Hague-based court is tasked with prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The U.S. never has recognized the ICC’s authority, and Trump has criticized the court for years. His first administration sanctioned Khan’s predecessor, Fatou…
President Donald Trump on Thursday rolled out his plan to increase U.S. tariffs to match the tax rates that other countries charge on imports, possibly triggering a broader economic confrontation with allies and rivals alike as he hopes to eliminate any trade imbalances. “I’ve decided for purposes of fairness that I will charge a reciprocal tariff,” Trump said in the Oval Office at the proclamation signing. “It’s fair to all. No other country can complain.” Trump’s Republican administration has insisted that its new tariffs would equalize the ability of U.S. and foreign manufacturers to compete, though under current law these…
Atmospheric rivers are a plume of moisture that extend across the Pacific to near Hawaii. When they hit land they can cause heavy rains and snow. Here’s a look at the phenomenon: What is an atmospheric river? Atmospheric rivers are long and relatively narrow bands of water vapor that form over an ocean and flow through the sky, transporting much of the moisture from the tropics to northern latitudes. They occur globally but are especially significant on the West Coast of the United States, where they create 30% to 50% of annual precipitation and are vital to water supplies but…
A New Jersey man whose wife was killed in a horrific hippopotamus attack last year during a safari in Africa is suing the U.S. company that arranged the trip, alleging it failed to ensure their safety and did not adequately screen and supervise the tour guides. Craig and Lisa Manders were on a guided walk in Zambia in June when a hippo charged out of the water, grabbed Lisa Manders by its mouth and crushed her head and body with its bite, according to the lawsuit filed against African Portfolio, a safari tour company based in Greenwich, Connecticut. The company…
Russian officials and state media took a triumphant tone Thursday after President Donald Trump jettisoned three years of U.S. policy and announced he would likely meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal in the almost three-year war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said he would not accept any negotiations about Ukraine that do not include his country in the talks. European governments also demanded a seat at the table. Trump’s change of tack seemed to identify Putin as the only player that matters in ending the fighting and looked set to sideline Zelenskyy,…
It’s a chicken-and-egg problem: Restaurants are struggling with record-high U.S. egg prices, but their omelets, scrambles and huevos rancheros may be part of the problem. Breakfast is booming at U.S. eateries. First Watch, a restaurant chain that serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, nearly quadrupled its locations over the past decade to 570. Eggs Up Grill has 90 restaurants in nine southern states, up from 26 in 2018. Florida-based Another Broken Egg Café celebrated its 100th restaurant last year. Fast-food chains are also adding more breakfast items. Starbucks, which launched egg bites in 2017, now has a breakfast menu with 12…
Legislation to let Volkswagen-backed Scout Motors sell its electric SUVs directly to people in South Carolina, where the vehicles will be built, has stalled after fierce opposition from traditional automobile dealers. A House subcommittee held a carefully prepared meeting this week, hearing just an hour of testimony from Scout and its supporters as well as dealers and opponents of direct sales. Then they adjourned debate on the bill, leaving it in a limbo unlikely to be resolved before the legislative session ends in May. Virginia-based Scout has made a big push to get the General Assembly to let South Carolina…
Parents looking for spring break activities for their children will soon be able to register for Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces spring camps, which run from March 24-28. The camps, open to children ages 6-14, will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at multiple park locations across the county. Registration is $15 (if not registered in the Fit2Lead after-school program) or $45 for the full week, with a 10% sibling discount available. Campers will also take part in indoor and outdoor activities, arts and crafts, and educational excursions. Camps will be held at: North Trail Park Westwind…
Valentine’s Day could bring a dazzling display of the northern lights for stargazers in some parts of the U.S.
State officials reported a sharp decline in the official number of abortions after the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
A renowned researcher and dean at Utah State University will serve as interim president while the search starts to find a replacement for Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell, who announced her sudden departure last week. A renowned researcher and dean at Utah State University will serve as interim president while the search starts to find a replacement for Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell, who announced her sudden departure last week. A renowned researcher and dean at Utah State University will serve as interim president while the search starts to find a replacement for Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell, who announced her sudden departure last week. Alan…
CVS Health has more room to run even as the broader health care segment remains troubled, according to Leerink Partners.CVS Health has more room to run even as the broader health care segment remains troubled, according to Leerink Partners. CVS Health has more room to run even as the broader health care segment remains troubled, according to Leerink Partners. Leerink upgraded the pharmacy operator and benefits manager to outperform from market perform and raised its price target to $75 per share from $55. Leerink’s new forecast calls for about 19% upside from Wednesday’s close. CVS Health has pulled back more than…
Inflation-wary consumers are still worried about rising prices — for good reason.Inflation-wary consumers are still worried about rising prices — for good reason. Inflation-wary consumers are still worried about rising prices — for good reason. And, the ripple effect could mean Corporate America spending less money on digital advertising this year. Among our portfolio companies, online ads are the bread and butter of Meta Platforms and Alphabet — both of which could face some headwinds. Digital advertising in the United States, the biggest market for Meta and Alphabet, is expected to increase by 9.1% in 2025, down from a 13.8% expansion…
It comes as the company leans more heavily into AI and as it faces pressure from lawmakers.It comes as the company leans more heavily into AI and as it faces pressure from lawmakers. Google chief executive Sundar Pichai speaks during the tech titan’s annual I/O developers conference on May 14, 2024, in Mountain View, California. Glenn Chapman | Afp | Getty Images Google will start using artificial intelligence to determine whether users are age appropriate for its products, the company said Wednesday. Google announced the new technique for determining users’ ages as part of a blog focused on “New digital…
Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai confirmed the company is partnering with Apple to help it roll out AI for iPhones sold in China.Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai confirmed the company is partnering with Apple to help it roll out AI for iPhones sold in China. An Apple Store on Jan. 26, 2025, in Chongqing, China. Cheng Xin | Getty Images News | Getty Images Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai confirmed on Thursday that the company was partnering with Apple to roll out AI for iPhones sold in China, speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. “[Apple] talked to a…
Software vendors SAP and Databricks are joining forces to help companies analyze their most critical data.Software vendors SAP and Databricks are joining forces to help companies analyze their most critical data. In this article SAP Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Christian Klein, CEO of the software group SAP, during the annual press conference. Europe’s largest software manufacturer SAP is today announcing its figures for the past financial year. Uwe Anspach | Picture Alliance | Getty Images SAP is one of the world’s largest software companies. Databricks is among the fastest growing. On Thursday, the two companies announced a partnership…
A Fed interest rate cut won’t be coming until at least September, if at all this year, following a troubling inflation report Wednesday.A Fed interest rate cut won’t be coming until at least September, if at all this year, following a troubling inflation report Wednesday. Cartons of eggs are displayed at a grocery store with a warning that limits will be placed on purchases as bird flu continues to affect the egg industry on Feb. 10, 2025 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images A Federal Reserve interest rate cut won’t be coming until at least September, if…
Shares have advanced about 12% in 2025.Shares have advanced about 12% in 2025. GE Vernova is more than ready to meet the rising demand for energy, according to Baird. The firm initiated coverage of the energy services and equipment company with an outperform rating and a $448 per share price target. Baird’s forecast implies more than 21% upside from Wednesday’s close. Analyst Ben Kallo said GE Vernova is an essential player to meet rising demand for energy and energy infrastructure, both of which will help margins expand. “The rising demand for energy generation solutions gives the company pricing power for out…
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to attend a major security conference in the German city Friday.Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to attend a major security conference in the German city Friday. Members of the emergency services work at the scene where a car drove into a crowd in the southern German city of Munich on February 13, 2025 leaving several people injured, police said. Michaela Stache | Afp | Getty Images MUNICH, Germany— German police said Thursday that 27 people were injured when a car plowed…