Latest news with #Politico
The Hill
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
RNC Chair Whatley to run for North Carolina Senate seat with Trump's support
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley is planning to run for Senate in North Carolina to succeed retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R), a source familiar confirmed to The Hill. The source said Whatley will run with President Trump's blessing for the seat, confirming Politico, who first reportedthe news. The development comes after former RNC Co-Chair Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law, was openly considering a bid for the seat. Politico reported that she has decided against a run. Whatley's candidacy tees up one of the marquee Senate races of the midterms, as former Gov. Roy Cooper (D) reportedly plans to jump in next week. The Cook Political Report currently rates the seat as a 'toss up.' Developing
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trade bodies welcome Ireland alcohol health warning labels delay
The local and European drinks trade has reacted positively to Ireland's delay of implementing health warnings and calorie information on alcoholic beverages. Reports emerged last week indicating the government's intention to delay putting the legislation into force. Two senior government officials told Politico the move was being made due to fears of US tariffs affecting Ireland's drinks exports. In a statement to Just Drinks yesterday (23 July), the Department of Health said: "Following the Government's decision to defer the implementation of alcohol labelling requirements from 2026 to 2028, the Department of Health will arrange for the necessary amendments to the relevant regulations." National drinks trade body Drinks Ireland welcomed the delay. It said the move brings "much-needed relief" for producers, "and allows our exporters to focus their resources and efforts on market diversification and indeed, survival of their businesses". The Irish drinks sector is already facing "major trade uncertainty, new tariffs on product[s] entering our most important export market, the US, and threats of further tariff escalation", the association said, adding while Irish producers are focused on exports, they also require a "strong, competitive domestic marketplace". The country passed the legislation in 2023. It required alcohol producers to include health warning labels on drinks labelling information for alcoholic beverages. The labels were intended to highlight the risks of drinking alcohol and include information on a product's calorie content. They were supposed to come into effect from May next year. The labelling law which was to be implemented "as a unilateral national measure" would have seen packaging and labelling costs go up "by some 35%", according to Drinks Ireland. The trade body argued that the law should be implemented at the EU level "to maintain the integrity of the EU Single Market and avoid additional costs on Irish businesses versus our competitors". "Pushing through this unilateral change would have resulted in some businesses forgoing the Irish market, would have driven up the price of doing business for all drinks producers and would have impacted on the cost and choice for consumers." EU wine trade body Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) also welcomed the Irish government's decision, describing it as "an important opportunity to re-align regulatory efforts with EU law and the principles of the Single Market". 'Introducing a unilateral and disproportionate health warning on all alcoholic beverages sold in Ireland would have imposed significant costs and administrative burdens, especially for small and medium-sized wine producers, while undermining the integrity of the EU Single Market and legal framework," said Marzia Varvaglione, president of the CEEV. "Public health objectives must be pursued in a legally sound and coordinated way. Fragmentation only leads to confusion for consumers and unnecessary costs for producers,' she added. The CEEV filed a complaint to the European Commission on Ireland's new labelling laws when they were announced two years ago, it said, stating that the legislation went against "the Union's legal framework". 'This pause shall be more than just a delay, it is a much-needed chance to rethink how we ensure consumers are well-informed, while also safeguarding the legal and economic coherence of the European market,' Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, the secretary general of CEEV, said. 'Wine producers and consumers deserve rules that are balanced, evidence-based, and applied consistently across the EU.' Delay with "real-life consequences", says charity Local charity Alcohol Action Ireland however said it was "disappointed" by the delay, arguing that the legislation was a crucial part of Ireland's Public Health (Alcohol) Act (2018), which looks to reduce the negative effects of alcohol, and cut down national consumption. Dr Sheila Gilheany, the CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, said: 'To say that this delay is a blow for public health in Ireland is an understatement. It is a failure of leadership and of democracy. "It's not just that Irish people are being denied their right to information regarding some of the facts about alcohol so that they can make informed decisions. It's not just that the government is allowing its own groundbreaking legislation to be undermined by the very industry it is designed to regulate. "This delay will have real-life consequences that will be felt by ordinary Irish people every day." "Trade bodies welcome Ireland alcohol health warning labels delay" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Microsoft confirms Chinese cyber groups behind major SharePoint exploit; US agencies and global companies among affected
Three China-linked cyber espionage groups have been implicated in a major hacking campaign that has compromised a wide range of organisations globally, including multiple US government agencies. The cyberattack, which exploits critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft's widely used SharePoint server software, has prompted urgent investigations by federal officials and private security experts, according to a report by Politico. Microsoft confirmed in a recent blog post that the three threat actors, identified as Violet Typhoon, Linen Typhoon, and Storm-2603, are actively involved in the campaign. These groups are believed to be state-affiliated and have been previously associated with cyber operations targeting Western interests. Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, disclosed that at least four to five federal agencies have been affected, though the full scale of the breach remains unclear. 'More than one' agency had been confirmed as compromised as of Monday, one of the officials added. The attackers are exploiting a serious flaw in customer-managed, on-premises versions of Microsoft SharePoint, a collaborative platform used extensively across government and corporate sectors. Microsoft stated that the cloud-hosted versions of SharePoint are not impacted by the vulnerability. Since the breach was detected over the weekend, both federal cybersecurity teams and private analysts have been working to contain the damage. Microsoft said it is confident the threat actors will continue to exploit unpatched systems, warning of the urgent need for organisations to update their software. The tech giant has said it is working closely with the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Department of Defense's Cyber Defence Command, and international cybersecurity partners to mitigate the threat. A CISA spokesperson noted that Microsoft had been 'responding quickly' since the agency first raised the alarm. This latest breach adds to a growing list of high-profile cybersecurity incidents involving Microsoft and suspected Chinese hackers. In 2023, attackers linked to China reportedly accessed email accounts belonging to the US ambassador to China and the US Commerce Secretary by exploiting a string of Microsoft security flaws, shortcomings that were later criticised by a federal review board. More recently, the Pentagon announced it would reassess all its cloud services after it emerged that Chinese-based engineers had been providing technical assistance for sensitive US military systems.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is Candace Owens? Right-wing commentator sued by French President Macron for defamation
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation case against American hard-right podcaster Candace Owens. The couple, as per a filing in the Delaware state court, alleged that Owens had profited off spreading rumors that the French First Lady was born a biological male, Politico reported. Conservative influencer Candace Owens has been accused of defamation by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.(AP) The suit also claimed that Candace Owens had used the rumor to 'promote her independent platform, gain notoriety, and make money.' She also launched an eight-part podcast, Becoming Brigitte, focusing on various conspiracy theories about the Macrons and their relationship. According to the Financial Times, the Macrons are ready to appear for a trial in Delaware. As the controversy rages on, here is a look at who Candace Owens is. Also read: French president Macron sues influencer for claims that first lady was born male Who is Candace Owens? She is a right-wing influencer who often supported Donald Trump in his first presidential term. She has taken a critical tone over the past few months, particularly on matters like the president's links with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, The Hill reported. Owens has worked for conservative organizations such as media outlet Daily Wire and the student group Turning Point. She launched her own podcast in 2024, the BBC reported. The influencer spent many of her early years in low-income housing in Connecticut's Stamford, a period she described as 'dysfunctional' to the New Yorker in 2023. Her family moved in with her grandparents when she was nine. Owens' grandfather, Robert, became a powerful influence in her life. Candace Owens is married to British-American entrepreneur George Farmer, who is the son of Baron Michael Farmer. The duo met while Owens was serving as the communications director of Turning Point in the US, while Faermer was working for the group's UK branch. They have three kids together, as per a People report. Baron Michael Farmer, a former Conservative Party treasurer and House of Lords peer, has distanced himself from some of Owens' views, the BBC said. Owens' political views have often thrust her into the limelight. She has promoted conspiracy theories regarding COVID-19 vaccines, the moon landings, and even the Holocaust. The 36-year-old influencer remains popular on social media, with over 6 million followers on Instagram and 4.47 million subscribers on YouTube. She had recently made headlines for calling President Donald Trump's comments on the Epstein files 'outright embarrassing.' Also read: Which MAGA figures are criticizing Trump's handling of Epstein files? Full list Candace Owens and the Marcons Owens, in 2024, had doubled down on her claims regarding Brigitte Macron. She said that she would 'stake [her] entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man,' the Guardian reported. Since then, she has continued to make controversial claims about the French First Lady. The lawsuit filed against her by the Macrons has asked for unspecified damages. It has also named her Delaware-headquartered companies in the matter. Under US law, the Macrons will need to prove 'actual malice' for defamation, meaning that the defendant knew the information was false, but broadcast or published it regardless. FAQs: 1. Who is Candace Owens? She is a right-wing influencer who is at the center of a lawsuit filed by the Macrons. 2. What has Candace Owens said about Brigitte Macron? She has claimed that the French First Lady was born as a biological male. 3. Where have the Macrons filed a lawsuit against Candace Owens? The lawsuit was filed in a Delaware court.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Republicans Are Already Giving Up Hope in This Key Election Race
Republicans have already written off this year's gubernatorial race in Virginia as a lost cause. With Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears facing weak polling and low fundraising hauls, state and national Republicans are convinced the party will lose the governorship in November—unless something major and unexpected happens, Politico reported. Fundraising disclosures revealed last week that Spears' opponent, former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, had more than three times as much cash on hand, or $15.2 million to Spears' $4.5 million. The problem isn't likely to improve anytime soon, because fundraising in years that are neither a presidential election year nor a midterm year tends to be a self-reinforcing cycle, according to Politico. Donors and party committees are wary of giving to candidates who seem to be struggling. Multiple sources also told Politico that Spears herself had exacerbated the problem by failing to reach out to some of the state's most reliable donors and top political figures, including President Donald Trump's campaign co-manager, Chris LaCivita. Sears and Trump met privately at the White House earlier this year, but the president has not endorsed her because she criticized him in between his two terms, according to Politico. The lieutenant governor's weak chances have put Republicans in a quandary because they can't abandon her completely, but they don't want to sink significant resources into what they see as a losing race. As a point of comparison, four years ago, the Republican Governors Association (RGA) funneled $10.7 million to current Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's winning campaign. Virginia law allows governors to only serve one term, and Youngkin all but assured Sears would succeed him as the Republican nominee. But now, the RGA has given Sears just $500,000 and is wary of offering anything more, according to Politico. Party leaders are convinced they have a better chance in New Jersey, the only other state holding a gubernatorial election this year. They prefer to focus on that race and save up for 2026, when a whopping 36 gubernatorial races will be held. Back in Virginia, some leading Republicans blame Youngkin—who appears to be gearing up for a presidential run—for not leaving the state party in a better position, according to Politico. But Republicans already faced an uphill battle in the state, which Trump has never won. State Attorney General Jason Miyares—who appears to be one of the few incumbent Republicans poised to win in November—decided not to run for governor after Trump was re-elected. Earlier this year, LaCivita hosted a fundraiser for Miyares and Miyares alone. In a highly unusual twist, Miyares has raised more money than Virginia's Republican candidates for governor and lieutenant governor combined.
