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Politico
a day ago
- Business
- Politico
Who lobbies for each side of the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand
With help from Daniel Lippman CAMBODIA STEPPED UP LOBBYING THIS SPRING: The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia announced today that they have agreed to end the fighting that broke out on the countries' border last week, killing dozens and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump had announced a pause on trade negotiations with both countries pending resolution of the conflict — a threat that endangered both countries' efforts to avoid being hit with steep tariffs at the end of the week. — The 'immediate and unconditional' ceasefire, if it holds, would bring to an end what The New York Times reports was the deadliest clash between the Southeast Asian neighbors in decades and lead to resumed trade talks — a priority that has pushed both sides to seek out new lobbying help in Washington. — The Cambodian Embassy in March inked a 15-month contract with Don Benton, a former Washington State legislator who worked on Trump's first transition team, according to DOJ filings. The Vogel Group's Matt Keelen has also been working with Benton as an independent contractor, according to DOJ filings. — For a monthly fee of $38,000, Benton's firm, National Consulting Services, aims to 'position the Kingdom of Cambodia as a strong friend to the United States without damaging the Kingdom's good relationship and friendship with China,' filings show. — Among the firm's goals are the growth of the Congressional Cambodia Caucus, a future CODEL to Cambodia, and working to 'refute any claims that may harm the Kingdom's image or trading status.' Throughout the spring, NCS circulated fact sheets on who provides foreign aid to Cambodia, the structure of the Cambodian government and where Cambodian Americans are concentrated throughout the U.S. — Meanwhile in April, the embassy tapped Qorvis, which has provided PR services to boost Cambodia's travel and tourism industries since 2021, to offer a crash course on U.S. diplomacy and messaging, DOJ filings show. — One training was set to focus on the Trump administration, while others were to focus on members of Congress, committees and staffers; U.S. media and online platforms; and think tanks and academia, per disclosure filings. — The embassy has also worked with a team of more than a dozen lobbyists at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld since 2022, DOJ filings show. — The filings show the firm helped coordinate a trade mission by Cambodia's deputy prime minister to San Francisco last fall, worked to facilitate a call between Trump and Cambodia's prime minister following the election and set up a meeting with the office of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in May when Cambodian officials were in town for trade talks with the Trump administration. — The arsenal of lobbyists working for the Cambodian government in Washington dwarfs the Thai government's representation in the U.S. Thailand maintains tourism promotion offices in New York and Los Angeles, while the country's Civil Aviation Authority registered a pair of lobbyists earlier this year to coordinate with U.S. officials on events like the 2034 Olympics, according to filings. — Apart from that, Thailand's government has no outside representation in D.C., according to a PI review of disclosure filings. That appears likely to change, however. After facing pressure from Thai business leaders earlier this year, Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced last month that the government had hired lobbyists in the U.S. to help advise Thailand in trade negotiations, according to a local news outlet. PI has yet to see any registrations, though, and the Thai Embassy did not respond to a request for more information. Happy Monday and welcome to PI. Were you hired by the Thai Embassy or do you have any leads on who was? Drop me a line. Add me on Signal at caitlinoprysko.17, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. DANS WITH THE ONES WHO BROUGHT YA: 'A chief architect of Project 2025, Paul Dans, is launching a Republican primary challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, joining a crowded field that will test the loyalties of President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement in next year's midterm election,' The Associated Press' Lisa Mascaro and Meg Kinnard report. — 'Dans told The Associated Press the Trump administration's federal workforce reductions and cuts to federal programs are what he had hoped for in drafting Project 2025. But he said there's 'more work to do,' particularly in the Senate.' — 'Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Graham's campaign who co-managed Trump's 2024 bid, predicted in a statement to the AP that Dans' campaign would 'end prematurely,'' and referenced Dans' departure from the Heritage Foundation at the height of the blowback against the think tank's policy blueprint. WHO'S GETTING THIEL BUCKS: 'Peter Thiel's vacation from politics is over,' per Business Insider's Bryan Metzger. 'The conservative tech billionaire made his first publicly disclosed political contribution in two and a half years in February, giving $852,200 to House Speaker Mike Johnson's joint fundraising committee. That group, called 'Grow the Majority,' then distributed almost 90% of that money to other campaigns.' — 'All told, Thiel's money has now made its way into the coffers of the Republican National Committee, House Republicans' main campaign arm, over a dozen state parties, and nearly 30 GOP House members. It's a significant shift' for the PayPal and Palantir co-founder, who sat out the 2024 election 'after spending tens of millions of dollars to support Blake Masters and now-Vice President JD Vance during the 2022 midterms.' AMA WARNS AGAINST GUTTING ANOTHER PANEL: 'U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should not fire an advisory panel that determines what cancer screenings and other preventive health measures insurers must cover, an influential doctors' group said on Sunday,' per Reuters' Ahmed Aboulenein. — In a letter to Kennedy on Sunday, the American Medical Association denounced a report from the Wall Street Journal that the HHS secretary planned to oust members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. HHS has said a decision had not been finalized. — 'USPSTF members play in weighing the benefits and harms of preventive services such as screenings, behavioral counseling, and preventive medications, and making evidence-based recommendations for implementation in primary care settings,' AMA chief executive John Whyte wrote. 'We urge you to keep the previously appointed USPSTF members and continue the task force's regular meeting schedule to ensure recommendations are put forth, updated, and disseminated without delay.' — The plea comes after the CDC fired every member of the agency's vaccine advisory committee last month and replaced many of the vaccine experts with vaccine skeptics. AMA protested that move at the time, and later called for a Senate investigation of the firings. PENTA-GONE: 'A wide swath of Defense Department officials fear that new rules banning employees from participating at think tank and research events — a key way the Pentagon delivers its message and solicits feedback — will leave the military muzzled and further isolated from allies,' POLITICO's Jack Detsch, Paul McLeary and Felicia Schwartz report. — 'The move, according to more than a dozen officials and think tank leaders, hampers the department's ability to make its case both in Washington policy circles and to allies struggling to understand how they fit into President Donald Trump's worldview. That's particularly important now as the Pentagon assesses whether to end decades of U.S. policy and remove thousands of troops stationed abroad.' Jobs report — DeFi Education Fund is adding Ayana Dow as senior counsel and Talia Davis as vice president of government relations. Dow was most recently at WilmerHale, and Davis was most recently at Kia Corporation. — The Pet Food Institute has promoted Atalie Ebersole to vice president of government relations and Dana Waters to director of international affairs. — Michael Muller is joining TargetSmart as its new senior strategist, where he will focus on 'guiding TargetSmart's political and advocacy clients.' He was previously president of Muller Public Strategies and is a longtime New Jersey Dem strategist. — Matthew Bisenius is joining Procter & Gamble as director of government relations. He most recently led external affairs at the National Automatic Merchandising Association and is an American Cleaning Institute and Jim Sensenbrenner alum. — Eiman Siddiqui is now director of U.S. government affairs at American Express. Siddiqui was previously director of state and local government affairs at Amex. — Darin Guries is joining the Futures Industry Association in September as its new head of U.S. government affairs. Guries has worked as a vice president of federal government relations for JPMorgan Chase for the last several years. — Daniella Gibbs Léger is joining SquadBuck Consulting as a partner. She most recently was executive vice president for comms and strategy at the Center for American Progress. — Juven Jacob is now principal of his own practice, Juven Capitol Strategies. He previously was a senior adviser at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. — Jennifer Kuskowski is now senior vice president of government affairs and public policy at Edwards Lifesciences. She previously was a vice president and head of government affairs for the Americas at Siemens Healthineers. — Rachel Tripp is now senior director of communications at America First Policy Institute. She previously was vice president of media relations at Alliance Defending Freedom. New Joint Fundraisers Hurd Victory Fund (Rep. Jeff Hurd, Colorado Western Political Action Committee, NRCC) New Politics Hellcats (Cait for New York, Mendoza for Congress, Rebecca Bennett for Congress, Maura Sullivan for Congress) New PACs Christ First for America PAC (Super PAC) Conservative Reform Fund (Super PAC) M Visionaries PAC (PAC) PROGRESS & PROSPERITY PAC INC. (Super PAC) With Us (Hybrid PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Adams And Reese, LLP: Bauducco Foods, Inc. Alignment Government Strategies: Atlantic 10 Conference Alignment Government Strategies: Big Sky Conference Alignment Government Strategies: Horizon League Alignment Government Strategies: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Alignment Government Strategies: Ohio Valley Conference Alignment Government Strategies: The Southern Conference Alignment Government Strategies: The Summit League Alignment Government Strategies: West Coast Conference Alignment Government Strategies: Western Athletic Conference Anchor & Arrow Strategies: Holly Strategies Inc. On Behalf Of Synmax Inc. Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Pc: Polaris Industries, Inc. Connect Strategy LLC: Garner Environmental Services Delta Development Group, Inc.: Brookville Municipal Authority Delta Development Group, Inc.: University Of The Virgin Islands Federal Fennel Consulting, LLC: Arnall Golden Gregory (For Cms) Northern Compass Group LLC: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Obo Municipality Of Anchorage North South Government Strategies F/K/A Jdm Public Strategies, LLC: Fair Issac Corp (Fico) New Lobbying Terminations Emanuel & Associates, Inc. (Fka Adam Emanuel): Halo Maritime Defense Systems Mr. Jaime Steve: American Pipeline Contractors Association Mr. Jaime Steve: Power & Communications Contractors Assoc. (Pcca) Mr. Jaime Steve: State Technical College Of Missouri Mr. Jaime Steve: Wasda - Water And Sewer Distributors Assoc. The Criscom Company: City Of Coalinga The Gallagher Group, LLC: Bridgeway Advocacy (For Grid Market Research) Uncorked Advocates: Prevent Child Abuse America
Fox News
14-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Victims of 'Bernie Madoff of cows' take on major banks in massive ghost cattle Ponzi scheme
Victims of a deceased financier known as the "Bernie Madoff of cows" are suing three banks, alleging they enabled the fraud that resulted in a $100 million Ponzi scheme. Some of those duped by Brian McClain, of Benton, Kentucky, filed a lawsuit against Community Financial Services Bank, Rabo AgriFinance and Mechanics Bank, alleging the institutions ignored red flags that left dozens of Kentucky investors with financial losses, the New York Post reported. The fraud was uncovered days after McClain killed himself at age 52 on April 18, 2023. He initially promised 30% returns to investors while orchestrating a "ghost cattle" scheme in which the livestock never actually existed, authorities said. "CFSB strongly denies the allegations in question, and believes the claims against the bank to be entirely without merit," the bank said in a statement to The Post. "The bank through counsel has filed a Motion to Dismiss in the suit brought by the bankruptcy trustee." A spokesperson for Rabo AgriFinance told Fox News Digital that the courts will have the ultimate say. "Rabo AgriFinance remains strongly committed to providing financial solutions to U.S. cattle producers, feedlots, and processors," a statement from the bank reads. "As stated in prior court filings, the claims have no basis under the law, and many of the allegations are completely inaccurate. As the legal process unfolds Rabo AgriFinance will refrain from commenting further." Fox News Digital has reached out to all three banks named in the lawsuit. McClain's scheme collapsed when Rabo AgriFinance, McClain's primary lender, discovered a massive discrepancy in inventory, the newspaper reported. During an audit, only 10,000 cattle were found, far less than the 88,000 McClain claimed to have. While McClain claimed to have 88,000 head of cattle, only about 10,000 were found during an audit, exposing the bulk of the herd as "ghost cattle." After McClain's death last year, representatives from Rabo AgriFinance seized the remaining cattle from McClain's operation and sold them through Blue Grass Stockyards. Three of McClain's companies — McClain Farms in Benton, Kentucky; 7M Cattle Feeders in Hereford, Texas; and McClain Feed Yard in Friona, Texas — filed for bankruptcy in 2023. The unpaid livestock sellers could be protected under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, which requires that all livestock purchased by a dealer in cash sales, along with any receivables or proceeds from those livestock, be held in trust for the benefit of unpaid sellers, according to the Department of Agriculture. McClain's moniker is named after Bernie Madoff, the former Nasdaq chairman who masterminded the largest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history by defrauding thousands of investors. Madoff died in 2021 at the age of 81 while serving a 150-year sentence at the federal medical care center in a North Carolina federal prison.
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Shark bites beach fisherman who dragged thrashing predator back to water after catch
A fisherman in a wealthy beach vacation hot spot became the object of nature's wrath while wrestling with a shark he caught during the July Fourth weekend. A 21-year-old man in Nantucket caught a common sandbar shark on Sunday and reeled it onto shore, according to the Nantucket Current. Advertisement When he attempted to return the shark to the ocean, it bit him on the leg, causing a serious injury. The unnamed victim was driven by friends to a local hospital, and later flown by Boston Medflight helicopter to a mainland hospital to be treated further for his injuries. As the summer beach season is in full effect nationwide, instances of shark bites are increasingly being reported. On the same day as the Nantucket incident, a 40-year-old surfer named Matthew Bender of Winter Park, Florida, was attacked by a shark in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Benton suffered a 10-inch bite that severed muscles, tendons and nerves, but survived the attack. Advertisement New Smyrna Beach is known as the 'shark bite capital' of the United States, according to 'Shark Week' host Forrest Galante, who recently spoke with Fox News Digital about summer safety tips for avoiding negative encounters with sharks. 3 A fisherman in Nantucket was bit by a shark during the July Fourth weekend. Chris – On June 11, a 9-year-old girl snorkeling off the coast of Boca Grande, Florida, on the state's Gulf Coast, sustained a gruesome shark bite that nearly severed her hand. Leah Lendel was rushed by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital, where she underwent a successful surgery involving artery grafts, bone reconstruction and nerve repair to save her hand. Advertisement Later in June, a beachgoer was injured in an attack on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, another popular tourist destination for summer getaways. 3 The victim was seriously injured when the shark bit him on the leg. Bokicbo – 3 New Smyrna Beach is known as the 'shark bite capital' of the US. Tropicalens – That incident 'involved a patient with a leg injury consistent with lacerations typically associated with a shark bite,' according to Hilton Head Fire Rescue. Advertisement Galante warned that the ocean is a shark's domain. 'Now, a lot of people fear them, and they see them as mindless killing machines, but the truth is, these are just animals that sit at the top of the food chain,' he said. 'And any time that we enter into the water, we're entering into their domain. So, when there is a shark attack or a shark bite, that is simply because we have gone into a habitat where we as human beings don't really belong, and we're not the apex predator.'
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Shark bites beach fisherman who dragged thrashing predator back to water after catch
A fisherman in a wealthy beach vacation hot spot became the object of nature's wrath while wrestling with a shark he caught during the July Fourth weekend. A 21-year-old man in Nantucket caught a common sandbar shark on Sunday and reeled it onto shore, according to the Nantucket Current. When he attempted to return the shark to the ocean, it bit him on the leg, causing a serious injury. The unnamed victim was driven by friends to a local hospital, and later flown by Boston Medflight helicopter to a mainland hospital to be treated further for his injuries. Florida Shark Attacks Surfer, Latched On 'Like A Bear Trap' In World's Bite Capital As the summer beach season is in full effect nationwide, instances of shark bites are increasingly being reported. On the same day as the Nantucket incident, a 40-year-old surfer named Matthew Bender of Winter Park, Florida, was attacked by a shark in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Benton suffered a 10-inch bite that severed muscles, tendons and nerves, but survived the attack. Read On The Fox News App New Smyrna Beach is known as the "shark bite capital" of the United States, according to "Shark Week" host Forrest Galante, who recently spoke with Fox News Digital about summer safety tips for avoiding negative encounters with sharks. 'Shark Week' Host Warns Beachgoers Where And When Predators Are Most Likely To Attack On June 11, a 9-year-old girl snorkeling off the coast of Boca Grande, Florida, on the state's Gulf Coast, sustained a gruesome shark bite that nearly severed her hand. Leah Lendel was rushed by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital, where she underwent a successful surgery involving artery grafts, bone reconstruction and nerve repair to save her hand. Later in June, a beachgoer was injured in an attack on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, another popular tourist destination for summer getaways. That incident "involved a patient with a leg injury consistent with lacerations typically associated with a shark bite," according to Hilton Head Fire Rescue. Galante warned that the ocean is a shark's domain. "Now, a lot of people fear them, and they see them as mindless killing machines, but the truth is, these are just animals that sit at the top of the food chain," he said. "And any time that we enter into the water, we're entering into their domain. So, when there is a shark attack or a shark bite, that is simply because we have gone into a habitat where we as human beings don't really belong, and we're not the apex predator." Fox News' Julia Bonavita contributed to this report. Original article source: Shark bites beach fisherman who dragged thrashing predator back to water after catch
India.com
25-06-2025
- Health
- India.com
Best Sunscreens with SPF 50 for All Skin Types
A good sunscreen not only shields the skin from UVA and UVB damage but also helps maintain an even skin tone and supports overall skin health. Daily use, regardless of the weather or season, is essential for long-term skin protection and preventing sun-induced damage. 1. Brinton – UV Doux D-Tan Aqua Sunscreen Lotion Image Source: Order Now Brinton's UV Doux D-Tan Aqua sunscreen lotion is for all those people who hate tanning and need sun protection for their skin. The aqua texture makes it very easy-silly and non-sticky making it an everyday-use formula for hot and humid countries. It would be perfect for every type of skin, oily or combinations specific. Key Features: SPF 50 broad spectrum protection D-Tan, which will minimize the solar pigmentation. Lightweight, creamy formula Non-comedogenic dermatologically tested Matte-feel fast absorber Cons: Not very easy to moisturize to dry-skinned customers. Not suitable for sensitive types of skin. Needs to be reapplied every after 3-4 hours outdoors. 2. Conscious Chemist – Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF 50 with Ceramide & No White Cast Image Source: Order Now Conscious Chemist Water-Resistant Sunscreen is a new-age sunscreen that is skin-barrier-friendly with an SPF of 50 and PA++++ protection. Enriched with ceramides, it strengthens the skin barrier when protecting it from harmful UV rays. The formula is totally non-greasy and leaves no white cast, making it perfect for every skin tone and perfect for daily wear. Key Features: SPF 50, PA++++ broad-spectrum protection Contains ceramides to support skin barrier Water-resistant formula No white cast, suitable for deeper skin tones Lightweight, non-greasy texture Cons: Feeling slightly heavy on very oily skin Price would be considered a little high as compared to drugstore brands Quite limited offline availability 3. The Formularx – Sun Relief Ceramide Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ with Niacinamide Image Source: Order Now This hybrid sunscreen from The Formula X has both real protection from the sun and skin care benefits. With the inclusion of niacinamide and ceramides, it protects the skin from sunlight damage, while contributing to better skin texture and complexion over time. It is suitable for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. Key Features: Broad-spectrum SPF 50 plus PA++++ Whiteens and calms the skin with niacinamide Ceramides maintain barrier function Non-irritating and fragrance-free Lightweight, hydrating formula Cons: May pill under heavy makeup or layering Slight tacky feel immediately after application Requires reapplication for prolonged sun exposure 4. Benton – Mineral Sun Cream Image Source: Order Now Benton's Mineral Sun Cream delivers 100% physical sun protection from zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, best suited for sensitive and reactive skin types. This gives the skin a soft matte finish with a formula that is very mild, free of anything synthetic such as fragrance, parabens, ingredients that can irritate, or alcohol, making it safe for daily wear. Key Features: Mineral-based SPF with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide Gentle and suitable for sensitive skin Soft matte finish No synthetic fragrance or irritants Ideal for acne-prone or compromised skin Cons: May leave a mild white cast, especially on deeper skin tones Not water-resistant Slightly thicker texture compared to chemical sunscreens The sunscreen is an indispensable step in any routine and provides excellent protection against damaging UVA and UVB rays. If you are after a lightweight, invisible option, Conscious Chemist offers some great sunscreens, whereas If you are after a gentle mineral sunscreen, Benton fits the bill. Even in the category of mineral sunscreens, products like The Formularx and Brinton UV Doux attempt to toss additional benefits into the mix with skincare ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and anti-tan properties. The most important thing to remember while picking a sunscreen is to have one for your skin type that you find comfortable wearing daily and has a broad spectrum of SPF 50 or above. Regular and generous application will prevent one from tanning, pigmentation, premature aging, and long-term skin damage. Disclaimer: At IDPL, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. It should not be construed as an endorsement to buy. IDPL may make a very small commission from its sale if one chooses to buy the product from any of the links in this article.
