Cyberattack on Washington Post Compromises Email Accounts of Journalists
Reporters covering national security and economic policy were among the employees affected by the breach.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
7 minutes ago
- Forbes
Honoring Juneteenth Through Black Economic Development In Houston
Juneteenth re-enactment celebration in Galveston, Texas. When the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 - two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on Jauary 1, 1863 - the message they carried freed over 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas. That day, now celebrated as Juneteenth, stands not only as a powerful reminder of delayed justice but also as a call to continue the fight for equity, opportunity, and liberation. While chattel slavery was legally abolished, African Americans continued to endure systemic oppression through laws like the Black Codes, which restricted basic rights such as earning fair wages and owning property. These post-emancipation barriers combined with generations of racial and economic discrimination contributed to today's racial wealth gap where Black households rank the highest in facing wealth deficits or indebtedness. Today, just 50 miles from Galveston Island, two community leaders are helping to carry that torch of freedom forward through affordable housing, wealth creation, and economic development. In Houston, President & CEO Marlon Mitchell of Houston Business Development, Inc. (HBDi) and Owner Malcolm Sykes of Private Leverage are building the infrastructure for long-term freedom by creating pathways to homeownership and small business success in historically excluded Black neighborhoods. Driven by their Houston roots, Private Leverage holds economic equity as its central commitment. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Private Leverage has committed over $25 million in capital to low-to-moderate income (LMI) neighborhoods across Texas, supporting minority real estate developers who rehabilitate and produce housing in these communities. In addition, minority-owned small businesses can access loans to help finance and secure their operating spaces, further strengthening local economic growth. In 2023, homeownership rates in the greater Houston area revealed significant disparities: approximately 72% of White and Asian American households owned their homes, compared to 55% of Hispanic households and just 42% of Black households. Similarly, in 2021, only 4.7% of small business owners in the region were Black, while 11.2% were Hispanic and 57.2% were White. Through residential, commercial, and small business loans, Private Leverage is addressing these gaps and working towards equitable balance by circulating money within Black communities through support of Black-owned businesses, thereby increasing financial velocity. To date, Private Leverage has closed 112 small business loans with 99% to CDFI Eligible Markets. In total 75% of their dollars benefitted CDFI Investment Areas (IA), and 55% High Poverty Areas (HPA). The organization recognizes that its work often leads to the creation of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH). Sykes emphasized the importance of building capacity to help borrowers track the creation of affordable homeownership and rental units and, where possible, to establish affordability agreements that ensure these homes remain affordable in the long term. 'Juneteenth, both personally and professionally, signifies the ongoing quest for freedom, justice, and equality,' said Sykes. 'Daily, we commit to advancing towards our objectives, with ultimate freedom as the paramount goal. While legal bondage has ended, the pursuit of genuine freedom persists.' At HBDi, Mitchell is tackling the same stark disparities through a multi-pronged approach. The organization revitalizes underutilized properties to expand affordable and mixed-income housing, provides loans and technical assistance to minority-owned small businesses as a certified CDFI, and supports entrepreneurs through business incubation programs. Additionally, HBDi offers commercial and co-working spaces to help local businesses thrive and leads adaptive reuse and redevelopment projects that drive neighborhood revitalization. Since its founding in 1986, HBDi has facilitated over $350 million in small business loans and grants, resulting in the creation of approximately 5,000 jobs for citizens in the Houston Metro area, of which 75% have been to Black businesses. To support the development and preservation of affordable housing and community facilities, HBDi spearheaded the renovation of Houston's Palm Center, a twenty-two-acre site that hosts more than 50 small businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations - catalyzing $26 million in economic development, affordable housing projects, and the creation of 400 jobs. According to a Brookings research report, Black business ownership is currently growing at a rate of about 4.72% annually. At that pace, it would take 256 years for the number of Black-owned businesses to reflect the percentage of Black people in the U.S. population. Yet, despite the magnitude of the racial wealth gap and the long road to parity, HBDi is actively investing in the future by advancing $66 million in single-family, multi-family, and adaptive reuse projects aimed at accelerating Black wealth-building and economic opportunity. 'The legacy of Juneteenth reminds us that justice and opportunity have never arrived on time for Black communities—and that we must be both vigilant and proactive in creating creative economic opportunities within our communities,' said Mitchell. 'As Galveston's neighbor and the most populous city in Texas, Houston has long been a place where African American communities have fought for—and created—economic opportunity against the odds. Our work at HBDi is an extension of that legacy.' Looking back 160 years ago, the thought of African Americans leading financial institutions that drive affordable housing and wealth creation was nearly unimaginable. This Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of how far we've come against great odds and a call to action to continue investing in the lasting prosperity of Black communities. Yet the data shows that African Americans lag in wealth and housing ownership, last in both categories. I submit that current national policies will erode African Americans past economic gains. If not careful, the losses will be so great that it will take decades to recapture current economic progress. The times call for radical efforts and bold leadership to ensure the challenges of the times are met. If not, history could repeat itself.
Bloomberg
8 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Trump Crypto Ally Justin Sun Poised to Take Tron Public Through Reverse Merger
Justin Sun, the China-born crypto entrepreneur with ties to the Trump family who saw a federal investigation of his business interests paused earlier this year, is set to take his Tron blockchain platform public in the US through a reverse merger. SRM Entertainment Inc., a maker of toys and related projects, said in a statement Monday that it entered into a securities purchase agreement with a 'private investor' for a $100 million equity investment. The name of Winter Park, Florida-based SRM will be changed to Tron Inc. and Sun will serve as an adviser. SRM said the investor is an affiliate of Sun, while Sun confirmed his involvement to Bloomberg News.
CNET
8 minutes ago
- CNET
Free iPhone 16 Pro or Galaxy S25 Plus: T-Mobile's Huge Offer for New Customers
If you're starting a new cellphone plan, most major mobile carriers require a multiyear commitment, so it's a big decision you need to consider carefully. First, think about the plan and provider itself: What's the best coverage in your area and how many lines do you want to add? Next, compare the best mobile phone plan deals to save yourself the most money. T-Mobile has some fantastic deals you can take advantage of that make it a competitive pick, especially for Samsung or Apple fans looking to upgrade. T-Mobile's incentives include free lines and streaming services, but one huge highlight is the chance to snag the top-rated Galaxy S25 Plus for free when you trade in any phone in any condition on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan. The catch? You'll see the savings reflected via billing credits over a 24-month period, which means you're locked into a two-year contract. But given the wide eligibility of this particular trade-in deal, this is a fantastic chance to grab a premium phone from the current Galaxy flagship lineup for free. Not a fan of Android? Don't fret. T-Mobile is also giving away the iPhone 16 Pro free, no trade-in required. The language on some of these offers can be a little confusing, so we've broken down how T-Mobile's current deals work below. Note that there aren't any set expirations for these offers so they could vanish at any moment. We wouldn't wait too long if you're hoping to take advantage of these savings. Free Galaxy S25 Plus Samsung's flagship S25 lineup is packed with some of the best Android phones of 2025, but the Galaxy S25 Plus comes with a premium $1,000 starting price. T-Mobile is offering you the chance to pick one up for free right now, making it a great time to consider an upgrade. To take advantage of this deal, you'll need to trade in an eligible device in any condition and be on an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan. This discount will then be applied as bill credits over a 24-month period. See at T-Mobile Apple/CNET Free iPhone 16 Pro The premium iPhone 16 Pro is one of the absolute best phones of 2025 but it also comes with a premium $1,000 starting price. So a chance to pick one up for free is a pretty serious bargain. To take advantage of this iPhone deal, you'll need to switch your existing number over from another carrier and activate a line on an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan. This discount will then be applied as bill credits over a 24-month period. See at T-Mobile T-Mobile/CNET Up to $800 to pay off current contracts T-Mobile is offering some serious savings if you're looking to switch carriers. Port in your existing number from a major competitor (including AT&T, US Cellular and Verizon) and it will give you up to $800 to help pay off your current device. It's important to note that this is a rebate offer, which means you'll have to pay off the phone first, bring in a copy of your most recent bill and then you'll get the cash back in the form of a virtual prepaid MasterCard. This offer is valid for up to four lines. See at T-Mobile T-Mobile/CNET 5-year price guarantee When you're signing a multi-year contract, you'll want to make sure you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. That's why T-Mobile is offering a five-year price guarantee on its Experience More and Experience Beyond plans. This means the monthly costs for all "on-network talk, text, and 5G data." Note that select taxes and fees are exempt from this promise. See at T-Mobile T-Mobile/CNET Save 20% on family plans vs. competitors T-Mobile is offering one of the best phone plan deals in the game right now for those adding multiple lines. Those on an Essentials, Experience More or Experience Beyond plan can add a third line free. That means you can get coverage for as little as $30 per line per month, which saves you up to 20% compared to similar plans at AT&T or Verizon. The Experience plans also come with tons of other benefits including free streaming services, unlimited texting in more than 200 countries and a one-year AAA membership. See at T-Mobile Why these deals matter You more or less need a phone with reliable coverage these days but costs can add up quickly. Whether you're looking to upgrade your mobile device or shopping for the best family plans, these T-Mobile deals can help save you some serious cash each month.
