Latest news with #Washington-area
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New controversial plan wants to tokenize Gaza real estate for investors
New controversial plan wants to tokenize Gaza real estate for investors originally appeared on TheStreet. As the Israeli military action in occupied Palestinian territories continues, the Financial Times recently published two news reports that detail the involvement of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Tony Blair Institute in a project to "relocate" Gazans. Notably, BCG's plan used innovative models such as tokenization of real estate in Gaza via blockchain refers to the process of using blockchain technology to digitally represent real-world assets (RWAs) such as real estate as tradable tokens and offer fractional ownership of the assets to prospective investors. To put it simply, the process of tokenization digitizes and fractionalizes real estate. The BCG's plan envisioned all of Gaza's public land being put into a trust, whose assets could be tokenized and sold as digital tokens to prospective investors. The plan also considered offering the residents of Gaza an opportunity to "contribute" their privately owned land to the trust in return for a digital token. The token would give Gazans the right to a permanent housing unit. As per the report, BCG entered into a multimillion-dollar contract to help launch an aid scheme for the shattered enclave and also modelled the costs of 'relocating' Palestinians from Gaza, the report mentioned. As per the report FT published on July 4, the group considered a scenario that estimated that more than 500,000 Gazans would leave the enclave with 'relocation packages' worth $9,000 per person. It suggested that around 25% of Gaza's population might leave permanently. However, BCG claimed that the partners running the project repeatedly misled the consultancy's senior figures on the scope of the work. BCG said in reference to the work on post-war Gaza: 'The lead partner was categorically told no, and he violated this directive. We disavow this work.' The group added that it stopped the work, took no fees, and launched an independent investigation: 'We are taking steps to ensure this never happens again.' It was a Washington-area security contractor called Orbis that engaged BCG on the project. Orbis was preparing the study on behalf of an Israeli think tank, the Tachlith Institute, people familiar with the project told FT. As per the report FT published on July 6, the Tony Blair Institute staff also participated in the project. The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a non-profit founded by the former British prime minister Tony Blair in 2016. Titled the 'Great Trust' and shared with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, the plan envisioned a 'Trump Riviera' and an 'Elon Musk Smart Manufacturing Zone' in had earlier shared a plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip as the 'Riviera of the Middle East' and suggested emptying the region of its 2.2 million people, a plan rights groups and United Nations officials equated to ethnic cleansing, FT wrote. Though the TBI didn't author or endorse the final slide deck and its own document didn't refer to the relocation of Palestinians, its two staff members were part of message groups and calls as the project involving BCG developed, people familiar with the work told FT. The institute told FT that its staff were 'essentially in listening mode' on these chats and it has never authored, developed, or endorsed any proposal "about relocating Gazans." New controversial plan wants to tokenize Gaza real estate for investors first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 7, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Hill
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Revised plan sells 1.2M acres of public lands
The Big Story A revised plan from Senate Republicans would sell off as much as 1.2 million acres of publicly owned lands, according to legislative text obtained by The Hill. © Jason Goode The updated text would require the sales of between 0.25 and 0.5 percent of the 245 million acres currently owned by the Bureau of Land Management, or between 612,500 and 1.225 million acres. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), is spearheading the plan, which would be included in the GOP's megabill to advance much of President Trump's agenda. Lee has said he would revise his original plan, which would have sold off between 2.2 million and 3.3 million acres, after the Senate parliamentarian ruled it could not go inside the party's budget package. Lee's office did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment. The text obtained by The Hill only pertains to Bureau of Land Management lands, complying with Lee's promise to ax provisions in his original bill that would have also included National Forests. The updated version also makes further changes: It specifies that land that is sold must be used 'solely for the development of housing or to address any infrastructure and amenities to support local needs associated with housing. It also requires land sold to be within 5 miles of the 'the border of a population center.' Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Schumer taken to hospital for dehydration amid DC heat wave Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was taken to a Washington-area hospital Wednesday after becoming lightheaded at the Senate gym during the morning. Judge blocks Trump from withholding EV charger infrastructure funds A federal judge on Tuesday issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration from withholding funds for electric vehicle charger infrastructure from 14 states. 'Alligator Alcatraz': What to know about Florida Everglades migrant detention site The nearly 40-square-mile site was first developed in the late 1960s with plans to become a major hub, but the project fizzled because of environmental concerns, leaving just a single strip that has been used as a training site and for rare general aviation needs. What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Shell in Early Talks to Acquire Rival BP (The Wall Street Journal) On Tap Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Questions around success of Iran strikes spark fears on Capitol Hill Questions swirling around the success of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites are raising fears on Capitol Hill that more could be coming. Read more Trump calls for firing of CNN reporter over Iran nuclear damage report President Trump on Wednesday called for the firing of CNN correspondent Natasha Bertrand, who reported on air an internal U.S. intelligence assessment that found Saturday's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites set back Tehran's nuclear program by only a few months. Read more You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
The Hill
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Schumer taken to hospital for dehydration amid DC heat wave
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was taken to a local Washington-area hospital on Wednesday after becoming lightheaded at the Senate gym during the morning. Schumer was treated for dehydration, according to a spokesperson for the Democratic leader, and returned to the Capitol for work. 'Leader Schumer was at the Senate gym this morning and got lightheaded,' the spokesperson said in a statement. 'Out of an abundance of caution, he went to the hospital to be treated for dehydration and is now back at work in the Capitol.' 'He wants to remind everyone to drink some water and stay out of the heat,' the spokesperson added. The nation's capital is experiencing an intense heat wave this week, with temperatures hovering near triple digits in recent days and not set to dip until Friday. The hospital visit comes amid a key week at the Capitol as Democrats are fighting Republican leaders to keep key provisions out of their mammoth tax package through meetings with the Senate parliamentarian. Schumer's episode also marks the first health-related incident for a Senate leader this year after Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) experienced multiple falls and freeze-ups during his final years atop the Senate GOP conference.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Its corruption' PA Rep. aims to block $TRUMP, other crypto deals for public officials
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Pennsylvania Representative is attempting to block President Donald Trump-style cryptocurrency from being used by public officials. In January 2025, days before being sworn in, Trump launched a cryptocurrency called '$TRUMP,' which is currently worth $10.74 per stock. The currency was marketed as a 'meme coin,' with no real utility and no 'regulatory oversight,' according to Representative Ben Waxman (D-Philadelphia). Waxman argued in his latest legislation that the $TRUMP currency is 'corruption, plain and simple.' $TRUMP coin is described as a cryptocurrency supporting the Trump administration and its 'conservative followers and Patriots,' according to In May, Trump held a contest for coin buyers, awarding the top 220 holders of the meme coin the opportunity to go to a dinner at Trump's Washington-area golf club. The top 25 holders also got to attend a reception as well, according to the Associated Press. Waxman argued that as the coin gains momentum, Trump then benefits financially either directly through ownership of large reserves or indirectly via related entities and promotional deals. Then, Trump pushes to roll back federal oversight of crypto markets, and in doing so, Waxman wrote that it shields Trump's own schemes from 'scrutiny.' The legislation aims to prohibit elected officials from profiting off cryptocurrency while in office. This would include launching, promoting or trading coins where they hold a personal financial interest. Waxman added that public service must 'never be a get-rich-quick scheme.' The Associated Press Contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Congressional letter obtained by AP outlines drastic job cuts expected at Voice of America
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration appointee overseeing the Voice of America has outlined job cuts that would reduce employment at the state-run news organization from over 1,000 people to 81. The Voice of America, which has delivered news to countries all over the world for the better part of a century, has been largely silent for two months following an executive order by President Donald Trump. He believes Voice of America, and similar organizations like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, have reported with a liberal bias. Most of VOA's employees have been on administrative leave since mid-March amid reports that layoff notices were forthcoming. Kari Lake, who has been overseeing the U.S. Agency for Global Media for Trump, outlined planned employment changes in a letter Tuesday to U.S. Sen. James Risch that was obtained by The Associated Press. Lake said Trump had directed the agency 'to reduce the performance of its statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.' Some VOA employees are fighting for the organization's survival in court, and one of them — White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara — said Wednesday that it was absurd to think the staff could be cut to the levels Lake is suggesting. 'You can't make staff this size produce content for a global audience of 360 million weekly,' Widakuswara said. 'It's comical if it weren't so tragic. We're not just losing our jobs and journalism, we are abdicating our voice and influence in the world.' In April, a federal judge ruled that the administration illegally shut down VOA. But an appellate panel later said that a lower court did not have the authority to order that employees be brought back to work, keeping the agency in limbo. In court papers filed last week, lawyers for Widakuswara and fellow plaintiffs said the administration made a cursory attempt to indicate that VOA was operational by broadcasting five minutes of content to three provinces in Afghanistan on May 27. The Washington-area building where Voice of America has been operating has been put up for sale, while a lease has been canceled for a new building that the news operation was to move into, the court papers said. Lake's letter says the administration wants to keep 33 jobs overseen by her agency that broadcasts news to Cuba, along with two positions each to provide services to China and Afghanistan and in Farsi, the official language of Iran. Lake announced last month that the pro-Trump news outlet One America News Network had agreed to provide a feed of its newscasts to VOA and other state-run services that broadcast in other countries. It's not clear whether any OAN feeds have been used yet. ___ Bauder reported from New York. David Bauder And Aamer Madhani, The Associated Press Sign in to access your portfolio
