Money can’t buy happiness or a presidential election. Democratic donors just learned that the hard way. After a candidate loses a high-profile, competitive race, the blame game begins. There are many places to point the finger when assessing Vice President Kamala Harris’ run. She entered the race late and only after President Joe Biden had a career-ending debate implosion. She didn’t run a primary gauntlet, which meant voters didn’t know her very well. Having to endure even a token primary may have helped her improve her interview skills. She struggled to separate herself from the failed policies of the Biden-Harris administration. She took a number of radical positions when running for president in 2019. The Trump campaign effectively used her own words to show voters that she was a radical leftist. But one common excuse for political failure, a lack of funding, doesn’t apply. Harris spent an astonishing $1.5 billion during her 15-week campaign. That works out to around $100 million a week. But even that understates her financial resources. When combined with Biden’s fundraising, the two Democratic campaigns had more than $2.1 billion, according to The New York Times. The Times reported the Trump campaign and Republican Party raised $1.2 billion. Money is certainly an important factor in political races. But the election results show its limits. “There is not a single expenditure in a different spot that would have changed the outcome of the race,” Bakari Sellers, a close ally of Harris, told the Times. Instead, “we had so much money it was hard to get it out the door.” Perhaps this explains why the Harris campaign spent millions on celebrity performances and social media influencers. It even paid $900,000 to advertise on the Las Vegas Sphere. All this is especially ironic given the progressive battle to limit free speech by restricting political expenditures. The far-left Brennan Center for Justice says it’s committed to a “long-term push to overturn Citizens United,” in which the Supreme Court affirmed that arbitrary limits on political spending ran afoul of the Bill of Rights. During oral arguments, the government admitted that the law in question would potentially allow federal regulators to ban books. Ouch. Despite the massive fundraising numbers, Axios reported recently that the Harris campaign is likely to conclude with “millions of dollars in debt.” There’s an old adage about politicians not being responsible with other people’s money. That’s certainly true when it comes to taxpayer dollars. In Harris’ case, it applied to her donors as well. They may have been costly, but the Harris campaign has provided the American public with valuable lessons. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
( MENAFN - Jordan Times) The tech industry, a vibrant jungle of innovation, is constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. But amidst the rapid growth and groundbreaking ideas lurks a persistent threat which is insider threat. These threats, emanating from disgruntled employees, financially stressed individuals, or even those tempted by lucrative offers from competitors, can cause significant damage, jeopardising intellectual property, customer data and ultimately, public trust, because of that governance emerges as the essential root system, nourishing a secure and responsible tech landscape. Imagine a thriving tech startup. Ideas blossom, code flows freely and collaboration thrives. However, this very openness can be a breeding ground for insider threats. Hence, Tech company governance refers to the framework of rules, processes, and practices that guide how these companies are directed and controlled. Strong tech governance is essential for several reasons such as Mitigating Risk; Unchecked power can lead to disastrous consequences. Governance frameworks help prevent scandals, data breaches and anti-competitive practices. Also governance guide is important to Build Trust: Strong governance fosters public trust in tech companies. Users are more likely to embrace new technologies when they believe their data is safe and platforms are used responsibly. Another reasons why tech governance is vital is Promoting Innovation: Governance can actually encourage innovation by establishing clear parameters for ethical development and deployment of new technologies. Tech governance is not a static concept. As technology evolves, so too must the frameworks that guide its development and use. By prioritising good governance, stakeholders can ensure that tech companies continue to be engines of innovation and progress, while mitigating the risks and fostering a more responsible and inclusive digital future. Strong governance acts as a multilayered defense against such threats, offering more than just perimeter walls. A well-defined governance framework establishes clear lines of authority and accountability. This transparency minimises confusion and reduces the likelihood of unauthorised access to sensitive information. Think of it as a well-maintained access control system within the organisation, where everyone knows their designated path and restricted areas are clearly marked. When roles are clearly outlined, employees understand their specific tasks and limitations. This minimises confusion and prevents overlap, reducing the chances of accidental data breaches or unauthorised access attempts due to a misunderstanding of responsibilities. Also, clear roles enhance Accountability and Transparency: Well-defined roles create a clear chain of command, assigning accountability for specific tasks and decisions. This transparency fosters trust within the organisation and allows for swift identification of potential issues. If a security breach occurs, clear roles help pinpoint the source and prevent similar incidents in the future. Hence, implementing the principle of least privilege ensures that employees only have access to the data and systems they need to perform their assigned duties. This minimises the potential damage an insider threat can inflict, as they would not have access to sensitive information beyond their designated role. When everyone understands their specific tasks, collaboration and workflow optimisation become easier. Employees can focus on their strengths and expertise, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. Accordingly, with clear roles, employees know who to contact for specific tasks. This eliminates confusion and streamlines processes, preventing bottlenecks that can hinder progress. Creating a secure and efficient tech environment begins with crafting clear and concise role definitions. The key steps of inside threat for tech companies are; Job Descriptions: Develop detailed job descriptions outlining the essential functions, responsibilities and required skills for each position. Secondly, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Implement RBAC systems that grant access to data and systems based on specific roles within the organisation. Thirdly, Communication and Training: Regularly communicate role expectations to employees and provide training on company policies and security protocols. To conclude, clearly defined roles and responsibilities are not just a security measure; they are the cornerstone of a thriving tech ecosystem. By establishing clear boundaries and expectations, companies can cultivate a secure environment where innovation flourishes alongside efficiency and employee satisfaction. Just as a well-planned garden fosters the growth of diverse plants, clearly defined roles allow each employee to contribute their unique skills, fostering a vibrant and secure tech landscape. Hamza Alakaleek is a corporate lawyer and tax attorney MENAFN02122024000028011005ID1108949045 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
NoneSeveral of Blake Lively’s former co-stars and collaborators have thrown their weight behind her, as she takes “It Ends With Us” star and director Justin Baldoni to court. Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment, retaliation and several other charges in a complaint filed Friday, months after rumors of a behind-the-scenes feud between the “It Ends With Us” stars overshadowed the film’s summer release. After reports of Lively’s allegations spread over the weekend, her former collaborators including America Ferrera and director Paul Feig have spoken out in support. “As Blake’s friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” Lively’s “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” co-stars Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel said in a shared social media statement. The “Traveling Pants” trio praised Lively’s “courage” to demand a “safe workplace” on set and condemned the allegations detailed in her lawsuit, which also lists Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios and some producers as defendants. Wayfarer owns “It Ends With Us.” The movie, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, follows a woman who faces domestic violence and emotional abuse. Lively alleged she experienced improper behavior on set, including producers allegedly showing nude videos and images of women, making comments about her weight, and physical touching and sexual remarks without consent. The complaint also details multiple scenes — including a birth scene — where Lively allegedly felt uncomfortable. Baldoni also allegedly pressed Lively about her sex life with her husband, “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds. In January, Lively participated in a meeting about the sexual harassment allegations before filming carried on after the Hollywood strikes, according to the complaint. Other members of the cast and crew also raised concerns about the work environment. Ultimately, the cast agreed to follow a contract that laid out protections against sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior and wrapped the film. Then the press tour drama, centered on their behind-the-scenes rift , ensued. “Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer associates embarked on a sophisticated press and digital plan in retaliation for Ms. Lively exercising her legally-protected right to speak up about their misconduct on the set, with the additional objective of intimidating her and anyone else from revealing in public what actually occurred,” the complaint said. Lively’s “Traveling Pants” collaborators accused the defendants “of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit [Lively’s] voice” and slammed the “exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety.” Feig, who directed Lively for “A Simple Favor,” dubbed the actor “one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with.” Speaking on her allegations, he tweeted on Sunday: “She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.” Hoover showed Lively love on Instagram, writing in a story that the actor has “been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient” since they connected, according to E! She added: “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.” Stars who have worked with Lively aren’t the only people coming to her defense. In a statement to NBC News, “Aquaman” star Amber Heard reacted to the Lively-Baldoni lawsuit. Two years ago, Heard and ex-husband Johnny Depp engaged in one of Hollywood’s most publicized defamation cases in recent years. Depp, amid the legal battle, enlisted the help of publicity veteran Melissa Nathan and Heard seemed to quickly fall from public grace . Baldoni reportedly hired Nathan amid the “It Ends With Us” scandal in the summer. “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” Heard said . “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.” Amid the legal fallout, Baldoni was reportedly dropped from agency WME, which also continues to represent Lively. In a statement, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman denied the allegations against his client, calling the complaint a “desperate attempt” by Lively to repair her “negative reputation.” “These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media,” Freedman said. Times staff writer Queenie Wong contributed to this report.
The Lawrence Energy Center in Kansas burns coal for electric power. A federal lawsuit filed by 11 Republican attorneys general claims institutional investors BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street committed antitrust violations to lower supply and increase the cost of coal. (Jill Hummels/Kansas Reflector) Major institutional investors have artificially lowered coal production and raised energy costs for consumers in an effort to lower global carbon emissions, a federal lawsuit claims. Republican attorneys general in 11 states, including Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, filed a joint lawsuit last month against BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street, claiming the organizations’ efforts to pressure coal companies to lower carbon emissions and respond to climate change amount to anti-competitive business practices. All three companies, the lawsuit says, have acquired significant shares in the largest publicly-traded coal companies to coerce their management. “For the past four years, America’s coal producers have been responding not to the price signals of the free market, but to the commands of Larry Fink, BlackRock’s chairman and CEO, and his fellow asset managers,” the lawsuit says. BlackRock is the world’s largest financial asset manager. The case was in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on behalf of the states of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia and Wyoming. The case asks the court to find that the companies have violated federal antitrust laws and prohibit them from using their stock holdings in coal companies to limit output. In a statement, State Street called the lawsuit “baseless.” “State Street acts in the long-term financial interests of investors with a focus on enhancing shareholder value,” the company said. “As long-term capital providers, we have a mutual interest in the long-term success of our portfolio companies.” In 2020, Fink wrote in a letter to CEOs that “climate risk is investment risk” and announced efforts to “place sustainability at the center of our investment approach.” He said companies and investors had a meaningful role to play in the transition from fossil fuels and coal to clean energy. The following year, BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard joined the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, acknowledging an “urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net zero emissions” and committing to work to reduce carbon emissions. Black Rock and State Street also signed onto Climate Action 100+, a similar initiative where investors work with companies “on improving climate change governance, cutting emissions and strengthening climate-related financial disclosures. Burning coal produces carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas and a significant drive of climate change, scientists say. It also produces sulfur dioxide, particulates and other emissions that can be harmful to human health. Coal made up 19% of energy-related carbon emissions in 2022 and more than half of emissions from electric power companies, according to the Energy Information Administration . In a press release, Hilgers’ office accused the three companies of weaponizing their shares of the coal market. “Whether it comes from state or federal governments or the private sector,” Hilgers said, “the radical climate agenda harms Nebraskans.” Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey vowed to “not stand idly by while these companies hamper energy production and raise prices for Missouri consumers.” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office said in a press release that he was “taking further action to stop work corporatists and their left-leaning allies in government from driving up energy costs for hardworking Hoosiers.” “Coal has been the backbone of Indiana’s economic success for decades,” Rokita said. “The demand for electricity has gone up and these (environmental, social and governance) titans are reaping the benefits of these skyrocketed prices by keeping their thumb on production.” And Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said she would keep “fighting until we take down every cog of the woke machine and protect hardworking families and farmers.” “While Woke Wall Street lines its own pockets,” Bird said, “families and farmers are forced to pay the price.” This article first appeared in the Kansas Reflector , a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network. Originally published on nebraskaexaminer.com , part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
What’s happening in Korea?Daily Post Nigeria Police detain man for slitting friend’s throat in Kogi Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Metro Police detain man for slitting friend’s throat in Kogi Published on December 26, 2024 By Ochogwu Sunday A second-year undergraduate of Confluence University of Science and Technology, CUSTECH, Osara in Kogi, Usman Tijani, has been attacked and brutally injured by his friend, Abdulmuqeet Musari, Police have said. The Kogi Command’s Spokesman, SP Williams Aya, confirmed the incident and detention of the suspect by the command to NAN in Lokoja on Thursday. Aya said: “The suspect has been in our custody, and the investigation is ongoing. “He will be arraigned on completion of the investigation.” Narrating the incident in a statement, the Chairman, Adavi Local Government Area, LGA, Mr Bashiru Okatenwu, stated that the incident occurred at about 8 pm on December 23, around Adavi Burial Ground, New Zango in Adavi. According to the statement issued to NAN by Okatenwu’s Media Aide, Suleiman Acheneje, in Adavi, the victim is a 200-level student of the Department of Cyber Security in CUSTECH. “In the late hours of December 23, between 7 pm and 8 pm precisely, an unforeseen circumstance happened around Adavi Burial Ground, where a young boy, named Usman Tijani, got attacked by one of the bad eggs we still have in our society. “Usman was brutally injured by Abdulmuqeet Musari, whose intent was, no doubt, to kill him. “The victim was found nearly dead and rescued around 2 am in New Zango, Adavi LGA, where he was immediately rushed to Lokoja and has since been receiving treatment in a hospital there. “The culprit was already in the run but Kudos to the people’s Governor, the Chairman Of Adavi, and their Security intel, as they were able to apprehend the culprit in Ekiti,” Okatenwu said. He assured the good people of Adavi of his administration’s commitment to ensuring adequate security for their lives and property. Meanwhile, a relation of the victim, Zainab Avosuahu, who commented on the issue through her Meta, Facebook page post on Tuesday, said the suspect allegedly lured her nephew into the bush, collected N200,000 from him and slit his throat. Avosuahu stated: “The 19-year-old victim, who runs a POS business, is currently undergoing surgery in a Lokoja hospital. Related Topics: kogi police Don't Miss Police recover vehicle of kidnapped Anambra lawmaker You may like Police recover vehicle of kidnapped Anambra lawmaker Murder of retired Niger perm sec: Prime suspect dies in police custody Police arrest ex-convict for armed robbery two days after release from jail Police foil kidnap attempt in Katsina, rescue 10 hostages Imo police lose two officers, kill three kidnapping suspects Police enhance security measures for festive season in Taraba Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd
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