Month: January 2023

Corrupt Officer or Cartel Enemy? Former Mexico Drug Czar’s US Trial Kicks Off

NEW YORK—U.S. prosecutors on Monday accused a former top Mexican official on trial for allegedly taking bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel of betraying his country, while his defense said prosecutors were being played by drug traffickers out for revenge. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say Genaro Garcia Luna, who led Mexico’s Federal Investigation Agency from 2001…


Corrupt Officer or Cartel Enemy? Ex-mexico Drug Czar’s US Trial Kicks Off

NEW YORK—U.S. prosecutors on Monday accused a former top Mexican official on trial for allegedly taking bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel of betraying his country, while his defense said prosecutors were being played by drug traffickers out for revenge. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn say Genaro Garcia Luna, who led Mexico’s Federal Investigation Agency from 2001…


Sharpie-Owner Newell to Cut 13 Percent of Office Roles

Newell Brands Inc. said on Monday it will cut about 13 percent of its office positions, in a bid to save costs amid stubbornly high inflation that has pressured consumer spending. The sharpie maker joins a growing list of companies in corporate America—from Wall Street Banks and tech companies such as Spotify Technology SA to…


German Cartel Office Initiates Proceedings Against PayPal

BERLIN—Germany’s cartel office regulator said on Monday it had initiated proceedings against payment company PayPal Europe over the possibility that it hindered competition. The subject of the proceedings was PayPal’s rules for extra charges and the presentation of PayPal in the terms of use for Germany, the watchdog said. PayPal did not immediately reply to…


Consumer Reports Urges Dark Chocolate Makers to Reduce Lead, Cadmium Levels

NEW YORK—Consumer Reports on Monday urged four chocolate producers to commit by Valentine’s Day to reduce the amounts of lead and cadmium in their dark chocolate products, after testing revealed harmful levels of the heavy metals. In letters to Hershey Co., Mondelez International Inc., Theo Chocolate and Trader Joe’s, Consumer Reports said long-term exposure to…


US Ends Probe Into Ford SUV Exhaust Issues Without a Recall

DETROIT—The U.S. government’s road safety agency has closed a more than six-year investigation into exhaust odors in Ford Explorer passenger cabins, determining that the SUVs don’t have high levels of carbon monoxide and don’t need to be recalled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it reviewed more than 6,500 consumer complaints, tested SUVs in…


Hazing Suit at Bowling Green Ends With Nearly $3 Million Settlement

The family of a student who died from alcohol poisoning while pledging a fraternity will receive nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University to settle its hazing-related lawsuit, according to an agreement announced Monday. As part of the settlement, the family of Stone Foltz and the university both said they will work to address…


Iran Grapples With Winter Gas Shortages Despite Having World’s Second Largest Gas Reserves

For the past month, Iranian officials have been struggling with gas shortages and outages in the north and other parts of the country, where demand for energy is at high records due to unusually cold weather. Iran, which has the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves, is struggling to meet domestic demand, especially in winter months…


Shen Yun ‘Very Eye-Opening’ Says Marine

FAIRFAX, Va.—Sergeant Major Chester Wilson III, active-duty marine stationed in Quantico, Virginia, said he was exhilarated by the athleticism and spirituality of Shen Yun Performing Arts. “A very exhilarating event, something that more and more people should come to check out,” he said, “very eye-opening.” Mr. Wilson and his family attended the matinee performance at…


Ukraine Pledges Sweeping Personnel Changes as Allies Jostle Over Tanks

KYIV—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said personnel changes were being carried out at senior and lower levels, following the most high-profile graft allegations since Russia’s invasion that threaten to dampen Western enthusiasm for the Kyiv government. Reports of a fresh scandal in Ukraine, which has a long history of shaky governance, come as European countries bicker…