Last updated: April 24, 2024 19:30 EDT | 1 min read Source: Dalle-3 Crypto custodian Fireblocks announced on Wednesday that it has launched its dApp Protection and Transaction Simulation products, which will help protect institutions from run-ins with scammers in decentralized finance (DeFi).Fireblocks’ DeFi Protection ToolsBoth products have undergone beta testing with Galaxy and FlowDesk since December of last year. They are now available to safety check decentralized applications (dApps) across over 40 blockchains using Fireblocks’ APIs, including WalletConnect and MetaMask Institutional.“As the DeFi sector experiences unprecedented growth, the need for proactive security measures has never been more critical,” wrote…

New York    Ford’s electric vehicle unit reported that losses soared in the first quarter to $1.3 billion, or $132,000 for each of the 10,000 vehicles it sold in the first three months of the year, helping to drag down earnings for the company overall. Ford, like most automakers, has announced plans to shift from traditional gas-powered vehicles to EVs in coming years. But it is the only traditional automaker to break out results of its retail EV sales. And the results it reported Wednesday show another sign of the profit pressures on the EV business at Ford and other…

New York City-based private equity firm Blackstone announced Wednesday that it was entering into an agreement to purchase Tropical Smoothie Cafe, for what has been reported to be a $2 billion deal. In a press release, Blackstone said it entered into an agreement with Levine Leichtman Capital Partners to purchase Tropical Smoothie Cafe. It marks the first transaction from Blackstone’s private equity vehicle, the release read, and is intended to speed up the franchise’s already-rapid expansion by continuing to invest in the company’s menu, operations and marketing.”Tropical Smoothie Cafe has had an impressive growth trajectory, consistently building on its loyal…

Last updated: April 24, 2024 20:11 EDT | 2 min read American credit ratings firm S&P Global said that a change in rules under the Lummis-Gillibrand Payment Stablecoin Act could see U.S. stablecoin adoption soar as the regulatory framework could bolster confidence.In a research note Andrew O’Neill, managing director and co-chair of S&P Global’s Digital Assets Research Lab said the act promises a legislative and regulatory framework to bolster confidence in stablecoins, accelerate institutional usage, facilitate bank issuance, and simplify the provision of digital custody services.Regulatory Clarity Will See More Banks Dabbling in StablecoinsThe Lummis-Gillibrand Payment Stablecoin Act was introduced on…

In May 2019, I flew to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to attend a conference on the future of carbon capture, the technology the oil industry was betting on to slash the climate impact of burning fossil fuels. Just six months after the release of a dire report giving humanity roughly a decade to halve emissions that were then still growing year over year, I braced myself for what I expected to be a roomful of unreformed climate deniers. Instead, I spent most of two days listening to conversations detailing the surprisingly complex reality: technologies to keep carbon from leaving smokestacks and…

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images By now, it’s clear to see that nothing in Kim Kardashian’s life has ever really been “normal,” including her childhood job. On an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! that aired on Monday, April 22, the 43-year-old reality star revealed that she and her sister Kourtney Kardashian used to be Madonna’s dog walker. “She was my next door neighbor when I was like seven or eight years old,” she told Kimmel, 56. “I was her dog walker. Kourtney and I would walk her dog after school.” Kim went on to explain that although the sisters weren’t paid any…

NEW YORK — House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Louisiana Republican, held a press conference on the steps of Columbia University above an encampment where demonstrators demanding the school divest itself from Israel-linked businesses have occupied since last week.The speaker blasted university leaders for permitting “mob rule” and intimidation tactics “overtake” the Founding Fathers’ ideals of freedom of speech, freedom of religion and “the free exchange of ideas.” Columbia President Minouche Shafik was seen walking away from the Low Memorial Library after Johnson’s speech.  “We just can’t allow this kind of hatred and enemy antisemitism to flourish on our campuses, and it…

New legislation being proposed in California would restrict the expedited security screening company Clear from operating in the state’s airports, as proponents say the service raises equity issues given it effectively lets wealthier people skip ahead of passengers waiting in line to be screened by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents.  The bill, SB-1372, the first of its kind in the U.S., would require third-party vendors like Clear to get their own dedicated security lane or lose the ability to operate in California airports.Clear charges members $189 per year to verify passengers’ identities at airports, allowing them to bypass TSA checkpoints. The service is…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Arizona doctors could give their patients abortions in California under a proposal announced Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom to circumvent a ban on nearly all abortions in that state.It would apply only to doctors licensed in good standing in Arizona and their patients, and last only through the end of November. Arizona’s 1864 law banning nearly all abortions except if the mother’s life is in jeopardy takes effect June 8. Newsom said protecting access to abortions is “just about basic decency” and “respect for women and girls.””This Arizona law is the first border-state law that will directly…

The April 16-21 engagement of SIX at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA broke the record for the highest attended 8-performance week ever for a Broadway show or North American tour, with a total attendance of 36,160. The North American tour of SIX launched in Las Vegas at The Smith Center on September 20, 2022, and is playing cities throughout the US.  SIX is also currently playing at Broadway’s Lena Horne Theatre. SIX celebrated its official Broadway opening night on Sunday, October 3, 2021. The North American tour of SIX features Kristina Leopold as Catherine of Aragon, Cassie Silva as Anne Boleyn, Kelly…

A man on his deathbed confessed to killing a mother and daughter 24 years ago, leading to the recovery of their remains this week, officials announced Tuesday. Susan Carter and her 10-year-old daughter Natasha “Alex” Carter went missing in August 2000, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tony Rausa said at a news conference Tuesday. Their bodies were recovered in suspect Larry Webb’s West Virginia backyard Monday, the same day he died in custody. Rick Lafferty, Alex Carter’s father, said Tuesday that it was a “sad day but also a happy day,” because he could finally “bring my baby home.” He said…

Last updated: April 24, 2024 13:57 EDT | 3 min read Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao penned a letter to the judge overseeing his case on April 24, expressing remorse for his actions and accepting full responsibility for his “poor decisions.”Zhao’s letter comes after he and Binance settled charges with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in November 2023. Despite previously waiving the right to appeal any sentence up to 18 months, the DOJ is now seeking a 36-month sentence for Zhao.Support Letters for Binance Founder CZ Urge Judge to Consider Character Beyond Compliance FailureIn a letter addressed…

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas released a hostage video on Wednesday showing a well-known Israeli-American man who was among scores of people abducted by the militants in the attack that ignited the war in Gaza.The video was the first sign of life of Hersh Goldberg-Polin since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, and its release ignited new protests in Jerusalem calling on the government to do more to secure the captives’ release.In the video, Goldberg-Polin accused Israel’s government of abandoning the people who are being held hostage by Hamas. He also claimed that some 70 captives have been killed in…

The thong sandal is about to have its day in the sun if Elle Fanning has anything to say about it.The actor took a stroll in New York City today in an outfit befitting a cool spring day. She wore a prim white pointelle tank top underneath an open white button-up shirt, and a pair of baggy, low-rise indigo jeans which she rolled up to show off her shoes. Contrasting with her sweet top, Fanning donned a pair of shoes that could otherwise be expected at a climbing gym. Her Miu Miu thong slingbacks were made of red climbing rope.…

Nicola Coughlan is not here for trolls who criticize her style. Coughlan, 37, clapped back at a hater who questioned why she wore a bra as a top via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, April 23. In the mirror selfie, Coughlan took a screenshot of the social media user’s comment, which read: “Why is she in her bra??” Coughlan posed in the same plunging bandeau and responded, “Cos it looked good.” Coughlan’s bra top came from a recent photoshoot she did with her Bridgerton costar Luke Newton. In the images, she rocked a silky crop top featuring a low cut…