Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (ARCA: PGRO)

Latest News for Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (ARCA:PGRO)

Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF

As we wrap up another eventful week in the tech world, we&#8217;ve seen some major developments from industry giants. From Nvidia Corp.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) stock split announcement to Intel Corp.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) AI-focused strategy, the week was buzzing with news. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories.
NVIDIA Announces Stock Split
In a move to make shares more accessible, NVIDIA announced a 10-for-1 stock split on Friday. The semiconductor giant revealed this decision during its recent quarterly earnings report. The split-adjusted trading will commence on Monday, June 10.&#8217;
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/06/39231607/nvidia-stock-split-what-investors-need-to-know-what-past-history-shows-whats-next-for-chip-giant">Read the full article here.</a>
Intel Steps Up AI Game
Intel has unveiled its new Lunar Lake chips with enhanced AI processors at the ongoing Computex technology trade show. These chips are aimed at Copilot+ AI PCs and data center chips, positioning Intel to compete with Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>). The Lunar Lake series is set to launch later this year.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39151993/intel-steps-up-ai-game-with-lunar-lake-chips-for-microsoft-copilot-pcs-new-data-center-rivals-to-amd">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39178960/exclusive-apple-suppliers-subsidiary-behind-supercomputer-donated-to-openai-predicts-ai-server-sales?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exclusive: Apple Supplier Behind Supercomputer Donated To OpenAI Predicts AI Server Sales Tripling To $31B</a>
Foxconn Predicts AI Server Sales Surge
Apple Inc. supplier Hon Hai Technology Group (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HNHPF#OTC">HNHPF</a>), operating as Foxconn, is expecting a significant surge in AI server revenue in the next year. This prediction comes amid Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang&#8217;s forecast that data center spending will double to $2 trillion by 2029.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39178960/exclusive-apple-suppliers-subsidiary-behind-supercomputer-donated-to-openai-predicts-ai-server-sales">Read the full article here.</a>
Nvidia CEO Mesmerizes at Computex
Nvidia&#8217;s Huang delivered a captivating keynote address at the Computex 2024 pre-event. He credited Nvidia&#8217;s partners and highlighted the company&#8217;s focus on computer graphics, simulations, and artificial intelligence.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39130128/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-mesmerizes-analysts-market-watchers-with-computex-keynote-w">Read the full article here.</a>
Musk Explains Nvidia Chip Diversion
Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk responded to a report about him redirecting thousands of NVIDIA chips, initially reserved for Tesla, to X and xAI. Musk explained that Tesla had no facilities to activate the chips, and they would have otherwise sat idle in a warehouse.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39175635/tesla-had-no-place-to-send-the-nvidia-chips-says-elon-musk-after-report-suggests-he-diverted-thousan">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/06/39209804/it-is-time-to-cancel-adobe-new-photoshop-terms-conditions-spark-outrage-among-professionals?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;It Is Time To Cancel Adobe&#8217;: New Photoshop Terms &amp; Conditions Spark Outrage Among Professionals</a>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

HNHPF

INTC

NVDA

From Nvidia's Stock Split, Intel's Revitalized AI Strategy To Tesla's Chip Saga: This Week In The World Of AI

This week was a rollercoaster ride in the world of finance and cryptocurrency. From 50 Cent&#8216;s Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) earnings to Ark Invest&#8217;s Cathie Wood&#8217;s prediction about King Crypto, and Roaring Kitty&#8217;s YouTube live stream resulting in a surge in a cat-themed cryptocurrency, there was no shortage of action. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories that made headlines.
50 Cent&#8217;s Bitcoin Vision Pays Off
Grammy Award-winning rapper 50 Cent, also known as Curtis Jackson, made a groundbreaking move a decade ago by accepting Bitcoin as payment for his album &#8220;Animal Ambition&#8221;. Fast forward to today, and his decision has paid off handsomely, making him a multi-millionaire. Jackson reportedly amassed 700 Bitcoins from the album sales, which at the time were worth around $460,000.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39131172/rapper-50-cent-accepted-bitcoin-for-his-album-animal-ambition-10-years-ago-heres-how-much-">Read the full article here.</a>
Cathie Wood&#8217;s Bitcoin Prediction
Renowned investor ARK Invest&#8217;s Wood has made a daring prediction about the future value of Bitcoin. According to Wood, if corporations continue to diversify their balance sheets into Bitcoin, the digital currency could reach a staggering $500,000. This would mean that an investment of just $100 in Bitcoin today could be worth as much as $200,000 if Wood&#8217;s prediction comes true.
<a href="https://dash.parsely.com/benzinga.com/posts/Uy3pEryILTC-heres-how-much-just-100-in-bitcoin-will-be-worth-if-cathie-woods-btc-prediction-is-correct/?start=2024-06-03&amp;end=2024-06-08">Read the full article here.</a>
Kitty-Themed Crypto Rides the Roaring Kitty Wave
In anticipation of Roaring Kitty&#8217;s YouTube livestream, Kitty AI, a cat-themed cryptocurrency, saw a significant surge. The Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)-based memecoin moved 65% higher with trading volume more than doubling to $8.73 million in the last 24 hours as of late Thursday.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39220208/kitty-themed-crypto-pumps-65-in-anticipation-of-roaring-kitty-youtube-livestream-trading-v">Read the full article here.</a>
Roaring Kitty Stream Triggers Crypto Sell-Off
The cryptocurrency markets ended the week on a sour note, with Bitcoin, Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>), and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) experiencing a strong sell-off following the end of the Roaring Kitty live stream.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39235463/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-end-week-with-strong-sell-off-as-traders-react-to-roring-kitty-s">Read the full article here.</a>
Shiba Inu Burn Rate Skyrockets
Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>), often referred to as the &#8220;Dogecoin Killer,&#8221; saw a significant spike in its burn rate over 24 hours on Monday. This led traders to be bullish about its upcoming price momentum, with some predicting the price potentially doubling or even tripling.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39145173/dogecoin-killer-shiba-inu-burn-rate-spikes-1-442-trader-predicts-price-potentially-doublin">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39197744/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-rise-on-weakening-labor-market-indicator-analyst-says-he-will-di?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Rise On Weakening Labor Market Indicator: Analyst Says He Will Dish Out Cash For Retweets If King Crypto Doesn&#8217;t Hit $95K By This Time</a>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
 This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anan-ashraf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anan Ashraf.</a>

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

News

Markets

$BTC

$DOGE

$ETH

$SHIB

$SOL

HOOD

This Week In Crypto: 50 Cent's Bitcoin Bonanza, Cathie Wood's Prediction, Kitty-Themed Crypto Surge, And More

The past week has been a rollercoaster for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), with significant updates and revelations making headlines. From changes in warranty policies to the revelation of the iPhone support period, Apple has been in the spotlight. Here&#8217;s a quick round-up of the top stories.
Apple&#8217;s New Stance on Hairline Cracks
Apple has reportedly ceased covering hairline cracks on iPhone and Apple Watch displays under its standard warranty. This shift means customers will now have to foot the bill for such repairs, a departure from the previous policy. Previously, single hairline cracks were considered screen defects and were covered for free. Now, all hairline cracks are being treated as accidental damage.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39223488/apple-no-longer-covers-hairline-cracks-on-iphones-and-watches-under-warranty-how-much-youll-need-to">Read the full article here.</a>
Apple&#8217;s iPhone Support Duration Revealed
In compliance with the UK's Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regulation, Apple has disclosed the minimum period for which it will provide security updates to its iPhones. The iPhone 15 Pro Max will receive security updates for a minimum of five years from the first supply date.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39225583/apple-officially-confirms-this-is-how-long-it-will-support-iphones-for-and-surprisingly-its-less-tha">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39178960/exclusive-apple-suppliers-subsidiary-behind-supercomputer-donated-to-openai-predicts-ai-server-sales?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exclusive: Apple Supplier Behind Supercomputer Donated To OpenAI Predicts AI Server Sales Tripling To $31B</a>
Apple&#8217;s Back To School Promotion
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its annual Back to School promotion for university students in the U.S. and Canada. The promotion, as advertised on Instagram, offers a gift card of up to $200 for Mac purchases.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39176435/apples-upcoming-back-to-school-promotion-reportedly-features-gift-cards-for-mac-buyers">Read the full article here.</a>
iPhone 16 to Feature World&#8217;s Thinnest Bezels?
A new leak suggests that Apple&#8217;s upcoming iPhone 16 Pro could feature the world&#8217;s thinnest bezels, potentially outshining the current record holder, Samsung Galaxy S24.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39129016/iphone-16-destined-to-have-the-worlds-thinest-bezels-new-leak-reveals-it-could-outshine-current-reco">Read the full article here.</a>
Nvidia Surpasses Apple in Market Cap
Nvidia Corp. has surpassed Apple in terms of market capitalization, becoming the second most valuable company in the world. This development fulfills a prediction made three months ago by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39197787/ming-chi-kuos-prediction-comes-true-as-nvidia-surpasses-apple-becoming-the-second-most-valuable-comp">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39226348/taiwan-semi-rides-ai-wave-reports-7-1b-revenue-in-may?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taiwan Semi Rides AI Wave, Reports $7.1B Revenue In May</a>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Tech

AAPL

Apple's Warranty Updates, iPhone Support Duration, And More: This Week In Apple News

The past week has been a whirlwind of economic news and market movements. From Mark Cuban&#8217;s defense of minimum wage increases to central banks slashing interest rates, the financial landscape has been anything but dull. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories that made headlines over the week.
Mark Cuban Defends Minimum Wage Increase&nbsp; 
Following the sudden closure of 48 Rubio's Coastal Grill restaurants in California, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has stepped up to support the recent hike in minimum wage. The closures came in the wake of a law signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, raising the minimum wage for fast-food workers from $16 to $20. Cuban&#8217;s stance was in response to a comment by Collin Rugg, owner of Trending Politics, who criticized both Cuban and President Joe Biden for their economic policies.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39176508/mark-cuban-takes-a-stand-on-minimum-wage-increase-following-rubios-restaurant-closures-the-last-thin">Read the full article here.</a>
Central Banks Cut Interest Rates
The Bank of Canada (BoC) and the European Central Bank (ECB) have both announced interest rate cuts this week, signaling a potential shift towards policy easing among major central banks. The BoC reduced its policy rate by 25 basis points to 4.75%, while the ECB followed suit with a similar cut.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39210617/central-banks-are-cutting-interest-rates-will-the-fed-be-the-next-to-move">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39202679/us-stock-futures-tread-water-as-indices-perch-at-record-highs-amid-nvidia-spike-and-ecb-rate-cut?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Stock Futures Tread Water As Indices Perch At Record Highs: Amid Nvidia Spike And ECB Rate-Cut Hopes, Analyst Sees More Volatility In Summer</a>
Oil Prices Hit 4-Month Low
Crude oil prices have fallen for the fifth consecutive session, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light crude, tracked by the United States Oil Fund, closing at $73.32. This is the lowest level since Feb. 7, 2024. The decline is largely attributed to concerns about economic growth and a less restrictive-than-expected OPEC+ decision on supply.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39172073/oil-prices-drop-for-fifth-straight-session-hit-4-month-low-on-growth-concerns-beari">Read the full article here.</a>
Lauren Goodwin Dismisses Stock Market Correction Fears
Despite signs of an economic slowdown, Lauren Goodwin, economist and chief market strategist at New York Life Investments, believes that equity markets may continue to perform until the labor market weakens. Goodwin expressed her views during CNBC's "Last Call," stating that significant market correction or recession concerns are unlikely to materialize.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39180714/lauren-goodwin-dismisses-stock-market-correction-fears-amid-recession-concerns-we-h">Read the full article here.</a>
Larry Summers Warns of Inflation Spike
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has warned of a potential inflation spike if Donald Trump wins a second term. Summers, who previously warned the Biden administration of the risk of rising inflation, believes Trump&#8217;s re-election could lead to another bout of inflationary pressure.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39131503/ex-treasury-secretary-larry-summers-warns-trumps-re-election-may-push-mortgage-rate">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39186394/bank-of-canada-cuts-rates-by-0-25-as-policy-no-longer-needs-to-be-restrictive-canadian-stocks-ra?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bank Of Canada Cuts Rates By 0.25% As Policy &#8216;No Longer Needs To Be Restrictive&#8217;: Canadian Stocks Rally, Loonie Drops</a>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

Economics

This Week In Economics: From Mark Cuban's Wage Stand, Central Banks' Rate Cuts, Oil Price Slump To Inflation Warnings

The past week has been a whirlwind of political news, with former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden at the center of it all. From warnings of potential inflation spikes to surprising poll results in Georgia, the political landscape continues to shift and evolve. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories.
Ex-Treasury Secretary Larry Summers on Trump&#8217;s Potential Re-election
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers has voiced concerns about the potential inflationary impact of a second Trump term. Summers, a member of the &#8220;inflation truthers&#8221; camp, warned that Trump&#8217;s re-election could lead to a significant increase in inflation, potentially pushing mortgage rates beyond 10%. He also expressed doubts about the effectiveness of Biden&#8217;s policies and the Federal Reserve&#8217;s strategies in achieving the central bank&#8217;s 2% inflation target.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39131503/ex-treasury-secretary-larry-summers-warns-trumps-re-election-may-push-mortgage-rate">Read the full article here.</a>
Trump Leads Biden in Georgia Polls
Despite a recent guilty verdict in the New York election interference case, Trump appears to have more support than Biden in the key swing state of Georgia. According to a Quinnipiac University Poll, Trump leads Biden 49-44 in a head-to-head matchup. The poll also revealed that party loyalty remains strong, with 94% of Republicans backing Trump and 93% of Democrats supporting Biden.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/06/39220959/biden-vs-trump-matchup-shows-clear-lead-for-one-candidate-in-georgia-heres-how-ex-presidents-guilty">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39150828/donald-trump-says-criminal-conviction-has-been-very-hard-on-melania-vows-for-revenge-in-upcoming-ele?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump Says Criminal Conviction Has Been &#8216;Very Hard&#8217; On Melania, Vows For &#8216;Revenge&#8217; In Upcoming Elections</a>
Former FBI Director Comments on Trump&#8217;s Potential Jail Sentence
Former FBI Director James Comey has shared his thoughts on the potential jail sentence for Trump following his guilty verdict in the hush money criminal trial. Comey suggested that Trump&#8217;s actions may warrant a jail term, emphasizing the seriousness of his offenses.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39180789/former-fbi-director-says-trump-begging-for-a-jail-term-after-hush-money-verdict-he-needs-to-spend-so">Read the full article here.</a>
Michael Cohen&#8217;s Family Doxxed After Trump&#8217;s Conviction
Following Trump&#8217;s conviction in the hush money case, Michael Cohen, Trump&#8217;s former attorney, revealed that his family was doxxed. Cohen expressed his disappointment at the malicious act, calling it a sad reflection of the times.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39175485/michael-cohens-family-doxxed-after-trumps-hush-money-conviction-says-ex-trump-attorney-what-sad-time">Read the full article here.</a>
Trump&#8217;s Superior Marketing Gives Him an Edge, Says Political Expert
Political expert and entrepreneur Patrick Bet-David believes that Trump&#8217;s superior political campaign marketing could give him a significant advantage over Biden in the upcoming presidential election. Bet-David praised Trump&#8217;s team for their ability to craft compelling media narratives.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39162107/in-trump-vs-biden-race-political-expert-says-ex-presidents-better-marketing-team-gives-him-edge-over">Read the full article here.</a>
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39236840/desantis-is-less-popular-than-floridas-legal-cannabis-amendment-new-poll-that-also-shows-biden-g?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DeSantis Is Less Popular Than Florida&#8217;s Legal Cannabis Amendment: New Poll That Also Shows Biden Gaining On Trump</a>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
 This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anan-ashraf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anan Ashraf.</a>

Politics

From Trump's Possible Re-Election, Biden's Georgia Lead, To Michael Cohen's Family Being Doxxed: This Week In Politics

Despite her rising stardom and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports-betting/24/04/38276225/caitlin-clark-is-no-1-pick-in-wnba-draft-media-stocks-sportsbooks-to-watch-as-iowa-star-go">impressive accomplishments</a>, USA Basketball has decided not to include Caitlin Clark on its 12-player roster for the women's competition in Paris, <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/40304459/reports-caitlin-clark-usa-basketball-national-team-roster">reported</a> ESPN Saturday, citing various sources.
The U.S. has won gold in women's basketball at every Olympics since 1996, and they are heavily favored to win again in Paris.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Was Clark Not Chosen?</h2>
The Athletic pointed to the preference for a &#8220;veteran team,&#8221; adding that the U.S. women's basketball team is the "strongest collection of basketball talent in the world. Many of them have played together in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/wnba">WNBA</a> or in Olympic cycles."
Having just finished her college season, Clark has never participated at a senior national team camp. Though she was one of 14 players to earn an invitation to USA Basketball's pre-Olympics training camp in Cleveland Ohio this past April, she was unable to attend because she was playing with Iowa in the Final Four. Attending the training camp is not required for selection, but it typically plays a role in the selection committee's roster decisions.
The Athletic implied that Clark's lack of experience creates questions about how she'd fit in on the court at the Olympics.
The U.S. will take five-time gold medalist Diana Taurasi for a sixth Olympics run. Taurasi, who is turning 42, will be joined by Phoenix Mercury teammate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/brittney-griner">Brittney Griner</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Griner's First Time Abroad After Russian Prison Ordeal</h2>
This will be Griner&#8217;s first time playing internationally since she was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/03/26007231/breaking-russia-detains-wnba-all-star-brittney-griner-for-alleged-possession-of-hash-oil">detained for cannabis possession</a> in Russia where she played for several years during the off-season. Griner spent 10 months in prison and was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/12/30005431/brittney-griner-released-in-prisoner-swap-for-arms-dealer-viktor-bout" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">released on Dec. 8, 2022, in exchange</a> for Russian arms dealer and Putin ally <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/08/28297030/ny-attorney-for-russian-arms-dealer-viktor-bout-is-confident-about-brittney-griner-prisoner-swap" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viktor Bout</a>. Once finally home, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/04/32083801/brittney-griner-is-done-playing-overseas-vows-to-help-americans-detained-abroad-is-ready-to-get-">Griner said</a> she would only play overseas with USA Basketball.
Joining Griner and Taurasi will be Olympic veterans Breanna Stewart, A&#8217;ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who helped the U.S. win the inaugural 3&#215;3 gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021 will also be on the team.
The team will play Japan in its Olympics opener on July 29, with the gold medal game scheduled for Aug. 11.
Photo: Shutterstock

Cannabis

Sports Betting

Caitlin Clark Not Selected For US Olympic Basketball Team Roster, WNBA Rookie Will Miss Paris

Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur and minority owner of the NBA's&nbsp;Dallas Mavericks, has consistently rewarded his employees with substantial bonuses upon selling his businesses.
What Happened: In a social media <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1798160475764531362">post </a>on X last week, Cuban revealed that he has always allocated a portion of the sale proceeds to his employees. 
&#8220;In every business I've sold I've paid out bonuses to every employee that was there more than a year,&#8221; Cuban said.
The practice began after Cuban sold his first company, MicroSolutions, for $6 million to CompuServe in 1990. He distributed 20% of the sale price among 80 employees, equating to $15,000 per staffer if divided equally, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/07/mark-cuban-how-i-turned-most-of-my-companys-employees-into-millionaires.html">reported</a> CNBC.
When Cuban sold Broadcast.com to Yahoo for $5.7 billion in 1999, 300 of the company&#8217;s 330 employees became millionaires. He continued this tradition with the sales of HDNet in 2019 and the Dallas Mavericks last year.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/38013062/mark-cuban-reveals-the-one-reason-he-wont-vote-for-donald-trump-and-why-joe-biden-is-the-better-lead">Mark Cuban Reveals The One Reason He Won&#8217;t Vote For Donald Trump And Why Joe Biden Is The Better Leader: &#8216;To Me, That Says Everything&#8217;</a>
Cuban&#8217;s first major entrepreneurial success came with the co-founding and sale of MicroSolutions, despite nearly going bankrupt due to a theft by his secretary. 
&#8220;It made us get our s&#8212; together,&#8221; Cuban told Barstool Sports in 2020.
In 1995, Cuban took control of AudioNet, which later became Broadcast.com. Despite skepticism, the company thrived, and Cuban sold it for a significant profit, quickly cashing out his Yahoo stock before the dot-com bubble burst.
Last year, Cuban transferred a majority ownership of the Mavericks to the Adelson and Dumont families, putting the franchise&#8217;s value at roughly $3.5 billion. Despite the sale, he kept a 27% share and continued to oversee basketball operations.
According to Forbes, Cuban&#8217;s current net worth is $5.4 billion. 
Why It Matters: Cuban&#8217;s approach to rewarding employees is a testament to his unique entrepreneurial journey. Cuban&#8217;s early realization that traditional employment was not his calling, as he shared in a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36058376/how-being-a-lousy-employee-fueled-mark-cubans-success-i-was-a-know-it-all">candid interview</a>, fueled his success. 
He engaged in various entrepreneurial activities from a young age, ranging from door-to-door sales to offering dance lessons.
His resilience and self-discovery played a crucial role in his business ventures. Cuban&#8217;s decision to reward employees reflects his understanding of the value of a dedicated workforce. 
This practice not only boosts employee morale but also ensures loyalty and hard work, contributing to the overall success of his businesses.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/02/30870136/mark-cuban-shares-biggest-misconception-about-becoming-super-rich-and-how-his-friend-feel-about-it-1">Mark Cuban Reveals What People Don&#8217;t Understand About Becoming Super Wealthy</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

Here's How Mark Cuban Made 91% Of His Employees Millionaires

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/jensen-huang" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jensen Huang</a>, CEO of Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), has ascended the wealth ladder as his company&#8217;s market value nears <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/24/06/39214805/jensen-huangs-wealth-soars-in-2024-how-much-more-he-needs-to-surpass-warren-buffett-enter-worlds-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$3 trillion due to steady growth.</a>
Yesterday, Huang surpassed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/michael-dell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Dell</a>, the CEO of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>) to claim the 13th spot on the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-07/nvidia-hitting-3-trillion-propels-huang-s-wealth-above-dell-s?srnd=homepage-asia&amp;sref=TBDibEcD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg Billionaires Index</a>, with a net worth of $106.1 billion.
His wealth surged by over $62 billion this year, driven by a relentless demand for Nvidia chips fueling artificial intelligence tasks, Bloomberg reported.
At 61, Huang has led a cohort of tech billionaires in the AI-driven surge dubbed &#8220;Jensanity&#8221; by analysts, with Lisa Su of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) and Charles Liang of Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) also reaping benefits, the report added.
In the last month, Huang&#8217;s wealth eclipsed that of each member of the Walton family, America&#8217;s wealthiest, after another stellar quarter from Nvidia.
Read More: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/05/38974130/nvidia-reports-beat-and-raise-q1-announces-150-dividend-hike-10-for-1-stock-split" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nvidia Reports Beat-And-Raise Q1, Announces 150% Dividend Hike, 10-For-1 Stock Split (UPDATED)</a>
Huang&#8217;s riches originate from his 3.5% ownership in Santa Clara&#8217;s Nvidia, which was established with Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem in 1993.
Nvidia recently became the first chip firm to reach a $3 trillion market cap, surpassing Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>).
Dell, aged 59, boasts a $105.9 billion net worth, which stems from his computer hardware company. Despite software magnates dominating the tech billionaire landscape, Dell Technologies has flourished alongside Nvidia&#8217;s AI triumph, aligning with Super Micro as Nvidia&#8217;s favored collaborator for hardware needs.
Dell&#8217;s fortune soared to over $100 billion in March but faced a setback after underwhelming earnings reports, causing a nearly $12 billion dip in value in a single day.
Also See: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/05/39098704/dell-stock-slides-on-q1-earnings-no-company-is-better-positioned-than-dell-to-bring-ai-to-the-enter" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dell Stock Slides On Q1 Earnings: &#8216;No Company Is Better Positioned Than Dell To Bring AI To The Enterprise&#8217;</a>
Today, Nvidia dominates the market for high-end AI accelerators, amid competition from rivals like AMD and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>). With plans to annually upgrade its AI accelerators, Nvidia has maintained its lead in hardware and software solutions, impeding attempts by competitors to challenge its position, according to Bloomberg. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39241180/trump-could-face-life-incarceration-if-defeated-in-2024-election-former-federal-prosecutor-warns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Could Face Life Incarceration If Defeated In 2024 Election, Former Federal Prosecutor Warns: &#8216;He Has An Appreciable Chance Of Dying In Prison&#8217;</a>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
PhotoL: Shutterstock

Equities

Movers

General

DELL

SMCI

Nvidia's Jensen Huang Surpasses Michael Dell In Wealth As Company's Market Cap Nears $3T: Report

Breez, a leading cannabis brand, is making waves as it expands from California to Illinois. We spoke with Austin Hice, Breez&#39;s co-founder and CEO, to understand the strategies and innovations behind their success, despite the challenges of transitioning between states.
<h3>Strategic Expansion And Innovations</h3>
Breez&#39;s move to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/illinois-cannabis">Illinois</a> from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/california-cannabis">California</a> has required adapting to new challenges, particularly the harsh winter weather. However, the core strategy remains consistent: creating exceptional products that customers love and share. According to Hice, &quot;ROI usually comes down to making products so great that customers keep coming back.&quot;
<img alt="breez_products_hi-res-5.jpg" src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/u503488/breez_products_hi-res-5.jpg" style="height:422px; width:633px" />
<h3>Licensing Agreements And Market Growth</h3>
Historically, Breez has shied away from licensing agreements, opting instead to operate directly or choose partners with proven track records.
This cautious approach has paid off, with Breez&#39;s first local partner in Illinois, Contract Canna, successfully launching operations. Hice noted, &quot;We&#39;ve seen many cannabis businesses fail just by choosing the wrong partners.&quot;
<h3>Innovations For Operational Efficiency</h3>
Breez has distinguished itself by focusing on proprietary hardware and software to drive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/09/34625368/nasa-precision-meets-cannabis-roi-pre-rolled-infusion-robots-revolutionizing-indust">efficiency and automation</a>. This innovative approach has allowed the company to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38282615/cannabis-brands-leading-market-expansion-in-east-midwest-a-look-at-prices-and-trend">scale effectively</a>.
Hice emphasized, &quot;It&#39;s more about continually asking what can we cut out of our processes and systems to make them more scalable.&quot;
<img alt="breez_mints_hi-res-1.jpg" src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/u503488/breez_mints_hi-res-1.jpg" style="height:633px; width:633px" />
<h3>Maintaining Quality And Core Beliefs</h3>
Consistency in quality starts with consistent ingredients. Breez has delivered over 100 million doses, refining ingredient selections and quality control processes along the way.
Hice highlighted the importance of their in-house compliance and production staff in maintaining these standards.
<h3>Navigating Industry Challenges</h3>
Despite pressures from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/05/38885460/finally-tax-refunds-these-cannabis-companies-will-get-the-most-money-back-if-rescheduling-happen">heavy taxation</a>, overregulation&nbsp;and competition with the illegal market, Breez has managed to stay ahead by avoiding trends and hype.&nbsp;&quot;We try to follow the example set by Ben Graham and those who came before us. The old ways are often still the best.&quot;
<img alt="breez_mints_hi-res-9.jpg" src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/u503488/breez_mints_hi-res-9.jpg" style="height:422px; width:633px" />
Breez&#39;s expansion into Illinois is just the beginning. With a strong foundation and innovative approach, the company is poised for continued growth in the ever-evolving cannabis industry.
Learn more about leading cannabis companies and stocks, at&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://cannabismarketspotlight.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Benzinga Cannabis Market Spotlight</a>&nbsp;in New Jersey on June 17th! Grow your business, raise money, and capitalize on the booming NJ recreational market. Don&rsquo;t miss this must-attend event in New Brunswick. Secure your tickets now. Very few spots are left.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/benzinga-market-spotlight-new-jersey-cannabis-registration-871406729987?discount=JAVIER20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Use the code &quot;JAVIER20&quot; for 20% off!</a>
<img alt="c.events_600x250_0.png" src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/u503488/c.events_600x250_0.png" style="height:264px; width:633px" />
All Photos: Courtesy of Breeze.&nbsp;

Emerging Markets

Entrepreneurship

Success Stories

Exclusives

Interview

West Meets Midwest: California Cannabis Culture Lands With Breez In Illinois Expansion

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) is nearing a significant technical breakout, potentially reaching a milestone of $100,000, according to an analyst.
What Happened: Bitcoin is on the cusp of a significant technical breakout if it surpasses its previous peak of about $73,800. 
Technical analyst JC Parets of AllStarCharts noted that maintaining levels above $70,000 increases the likelihood of Bitcoin reaching $100,000. 
&#8220;The idea was we [Bitcoin] were gonna get to $47,000, take a break, get to $70,000, take a break, and then ultimately breakout to a $100,000,&#8221; Parets <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/bitcoin-price-outlook-100000-target-big-technical-breakout-crypto-analysis-2024-6?_gl=1&#x2A;1ljjdbh&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTg0NzY4ODM4Mi4xNjg2OTgyMzcy&#x2A;_ga_E21CV80ZCZ&#x2A;MTcxNzgyODQ5Mi40MzkuMS4xNzE3ODI5MjEyLjIzLjAuMA..">said</a> on a &#8220;Trends with Friends&#8221; podcast last month.
Parets highlighted that Bitcoin has followed this pattern so far. 
&#8220;We got to $47,000, we took a break. We broke out, got to $70,000, we&#8217;re taking a break. Like this is perfectly normal,&#8221; he added. 
A $100,000 target represents a 40% potential upside from current levels.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/01/36624790/crypto-analyst-foresees-upswing-in-bitcoins-value-before-major-plunge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crypto Analyst Foresees Upswing In Bitcoin&#8217;s Value Before Major Plunge</a>
The cryptocurrency has rebounded significantly over the past year, recovering from a severe bear market in 2022. Bitcoin is now forming a &#8220;cup and handle&#8221; pattern, a bullish technical formation. If this pattern materializes, Bitcoin could potentially reach a measured move price target of about $130,000.
Why It Matters: The potential breakout comes after a period of significant volatility for Bitcoin. In late May, pseudonymous trader and crypto analyst Rekt Capital provided insights into Bitcoin&#8217;s status and future prospects. Rekt Capital noted that Bitcoin was no longer in the &#8220;danger zone&#8221; but warned of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/05/39022983/is-bitcoin-really-out-of-the-danger-zone-crypto-analyst-predicts-potential-dip">possible 13% dip from its current value</a>.
Rekt Capital explained that Bitcoin typically enters the &#8220;danger zone&#8221; after a halving event, which reduces miners&#8217; rewards. Despite these concerns, Bitcoin has shown resilience and has been on an upward trajectory, indicating strong market confidence.
As Bitcoin approaches the $100,000 mark, it is essential to consider the broader context of its recent performance and the technical patterns that have emerged. Investors and analysts will be closely watching to see if Bitcoin can sustain its momentum and achieve this significant milestone.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/12/36274982/crypto-analyst-forecasts-monumental-bitcoin-rally-by-2026">Crypto Analyst Forecasts Monumental Bitcoin Rally By 2026</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Predicts Bitcoin To Reach Groundbreaking $100,000 Milestone

A revelation came to light on Friday in the hush-money trial of former President Donald Trump.
What Happened: Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan disclosed that a Facebook user claimed to have insider information <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/05/39022768/donald-trump-attempts-to-block-release-of-biopic-that-includes-controversial-rape-scene-inv">about the trial&#8217;s outcome.</a>
The announcement was made in a <a href="https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/PDFs/People%20v%20DJT%206-7-24%20Letter%20to%20Parties.pdf">letter</a> addressed to Trump&#8217;s attorney Todd Blanche and the Manhattan District Attorney&#8217;s Office.
Merchan noted the user, identified as Michael Anderson, alleged that his cousin, a juror, had foreknowledge of Trump&#8217;s conviction.
"In the comment, the user, ‘Michael Anderson,' states: ‘My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted … Thank you folks for all your hard work!!! ….'" the judge wrote in the letter.  <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/06/07/us-news/judge-merchan-alerts-trump-lawyer-manhattan-das-office-to-facebook-comment-purportedly-made-by-a-jurors-cousin/#"></a>
The questionable comment was spotted on a May 29 post on the New York court system's Facebook page, which was not directly related to Trump's ongoing legal proceedings.
Although the comment has since been removed from Facebook, its existence has raised alarms about potential breaches of judicial confidentiality.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39124499/following-trumps-guilty-verdict-legal-experts-say-he-could-face-this-punishment-instead-of-prison-ti">Following Trump&#8217;s Guilty Verdict, Legal Experts Say He Could Face This Punishment Instead Of Prison Time</a>
According to Al Baker, a spokesperson for the New York State Office of Court Administration, the court acted swiftly to inform involved parties upon discovering the online comment. 
In his profile, Anderson describes himself as a &#8220;Transabled &amp; a professional sh&#x2A;&#x2A; poster.&#8221; 
The latest development follows Trump&#8217;s recent conviction on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to conceal payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
The potential impact of Anderson's claim on the trial's verdict remains uncertain, as does the authenticity of his alleged insider knowledge.
Now Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/39023320/trump-vs-biden-young-voters-are-leaning-toward-one-candidate-more-than-other-citing-concerns-over-is" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Vs. Biden: Young Voters Are Leaning Toward One Candidate More Than Other, Citing Concerns Over Israel-Hamas War And More</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

Legal

Trump Lawyer Notified About Concerning Facebook Post That Claimed Prior Knowledge Of Hush-Money Verdict

California Governor <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/gavin-newsom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gavin Newsom</a>, a Democrat, has suggested reducing budgets for public safety, including prisons and law enforcement, amid fiscal challenges and a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/california" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">focus on equity-driven climate objectives.</a>
The budget proposed by the California Democrat in May acknowledges the need for &#8220;difficult decisions&#8221; to tackle the state&#8217;s ongoing $27.6 billion deficit, which is expected to persist in the coming years, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/newsom-proposes-defunding-law-enforcement-prisons-public-safety-panic-california-faces-massive-deficit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> Fox News.
The proposed budget entails a $97 million reduction in trial court operations, a $10 million cut to the Department of Justice&#8217;s Division of Law Enforcement and over $80 million slashed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Fox News added.
Check This Out:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39241180/trump-could-face-life-incarceration-if-defeated-in-2024-election-former-federal-prosecutor-warns" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Trump Could Face Life Incarceration If Defeated In 2024 Election, Former Federal Prosecutor Warns: &#8216;He Has An Appreciable Chance Of Dying In Prison&#8217;</a>
Initially, a spokesperson for Newsom informed Fox News Digital that there were &#8220;no cuts to law enforcement.&#8221;
&#8220;Since Governor Newsom took office in 2019, the state has made record investments in law enforcement, including $1.1 billion to tackle crime, support police, and hold criminals accountable,&#8221; the spokesperson said.&nbsp;
Nonetheless, an official from the Department of Finance acknowledged a 1.6% decrease in the overall proposed budget of California&#8217;s Department of Justice.
&#8220;What&#8217;s happening in California is just the greatest disrespect of taxpayer&#8217;s resources in the history of America,&#8221; Florida&#8217;s chief financial officer, Jimmy T. Patronis, told&nbsp;Fox News Digital. &#8220;They&#8217;re in a panic. They&#8217;re in a free fall. They&#8217;re looking for money to make up this enormous budget deficit they&#8217;ve got right now.&#8221;&nbsp;
Also See: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39125598/ex-trump-attorney-and-star-witness-michael-cohen-unleashes-fury-after-hush-money-conviction-i-wi" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ex-Trump Attorney And Star Witness Michael Cohen Unleashes Fury After Hush-Money Conviction: &#8216;I Will Never Be A Punching Bag To Donald Trump … I Want Peace</a>&#8216;
Patronis contends that California&#8217;s population exodus has contributed to the budget deficit. The state saw the highest net loss of movers, per a United Van Lines study.
Additionally, Chapman University&#8217;s research suggests that green energy policies led to stagnation in blue-collar businesses and drove historically white middle-class individuals to leave due to soaring home prices, Fox News added.
Despite this, Newsom has proposed allocating $1.7 billion from the general fund for climate goals, with a focus on equity programs.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39240736/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-gamestop-nvidia-tesla-amazon-and-dogecoin-trader-predicts-breakou" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Bulls And Bears: GameStop, Nvidia, Tesla, Amazon And Dogecoin Trader Predicts &#8216;Breakout To Occur Any Day&#8217;</a>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

As California Faces Budget Crisis, Gov. Newsom Proposes Defunding Law Enforcement And Prisons Amid Massive Deficit

As Ohio inches closer to launching its legal recreational marijuana market, a new Republican Senate bill is hovering over the process. The bill seeks to control where Ohioans can consume cannabis and impose new rules on home cultivation. Adult-use cannabis <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/11/35664155/ohio-legalizes-cannabis-and-overwhelmingly-approves-abortion-rights">was legalized in November 2023</a> with 57% of the vote.  
With just months, or even weeks, before Ohio's medical marijuana dispensaries are set to begin selling recreational cannabis, Republican State Senators Kirk Schuring and Stephen Huffman introduced a bill that would place a ban on smoking or vaping marijuana in public and would require home growers to file affidavits with the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (ODCC) promising to follow the law.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Advocates Frustrated With New GOP Attempts To Change Initiative</h2>
This is not the first time Republican lawmakers have attempted to change the initiative. Within days after Amendment 2 was approved last November, Ohio's GOP-led Senate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/11/35991719/gop-lawmakers-introduce-first-bill-to-alter-ohios-legal-marijuana-law-one-week-before-it-takes-e">began introducing bills</a> to alter its content.
In the latest attempt, cannabis advocates argue that the new Republican bill contradicts Amendment 2, under which adults are permitted to grow up to six marijuana plants per person, with a maximum of 12 plants per residence.
Johnny Cannabis, CEO of OhioCannabis.com, <a href="https://fox8.com/news/senate-bill-278-looks-to-ban-public-marijuana-use/">expressed</a> frustration. 
"2.1 million people voted for a rules and regulations to legally grow our own cannabis,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We know it's not legal to sell it. Nobody's interested in selling their own. All we want to do is grow our own cannabis for our own needs and be left alone."
Ohio&#8217;s indoor smoking ban also extends to marijuana, prohibiting its use in public indoor spaces. Amendment 2 foresees abiding by the same rules for consuming marijuana in public places.
Acknowledging the need for a legal framework, Cannabis says it's common courtesy among marijuana consumers not to smoke in public. &#8220;At the end of the day, not everyone likes to smell of weed. And as a consumer, we have to be respectful of other people and groups that don't like the smell of it.&#8221;
Tyrone Russell, president of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/08/28537065/the-cleveland-school-of-cannabis-in-partnership-with-the-cannabis-hub-launches-my-first-plant">Cleveland School of Cannabis</a>, supports appropriate regulation but cautions against excessive restrictions.
"We have a rule for smoking and whether it's cigars or cigarettes, so I believe this should be treated as such," Russell said. "So, if we're telling people they can't smoke in public, well, people can smoke in public already designated where you can and where you can't smoke. And I think that's okay. And I think that's fair to make sure that we're applying those regulations to the cannabis industry as well."
Meanwhile, the exact start date for recreational marijuana sales remains unclear, with dual-use applications being processed from June 7 and approval deadlines set for September 7.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39236840/desantis-is-less-popular-than-floridas-legal-cannabis-amendment-new-poll-that-also-shows-biden-g">DeSantis Is Less Popular Than Florida&#8217;s Legal Cannabis Amendment: New Poll That Also Shows Biden Gaining On Trump</a>
Photo courtesy of Maureen Meehan

Government

Regulations

GOP Senators Introduce New Bill With Changes To Ohio's Cannabis Initiative As Retail Sales Loom

At a campaign event in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/arizona" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arizona</a> last week, Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake spoke to supporters with a Confederate flag in the background while <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/39123564/10-of-republicans-less-likely-to-vote-for-trump-in-presidential-elections-after-felony-conviction-po" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">echoing debunked election fraud claims.</a>
Lake addressed supporters at the Trumped Store in Show Low, Arizona, with a Confederate battle flag and a yellow &#8220;Don&#8217;t Tread On Me&#8221; flag displayed behind her, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jun/07/kari-lake-confederate-flag" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> The Guardian.
Check This Out: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39241180/trump-could-face-life-incarceration-if-defeated-in-2024-election-former-federal-prosecutor-warns" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Could Face Life Incarceration If Defeated In 2024 Election, Former Federal Prosecutor Warns: &#8216;He Has An Appreciable Chance Of Dying In Prison&#8217;</a>
&#8220;America is stepping up. Arizona is stepping forward. It&#8217;s time to save this great Republic,&#8221; Lake<a href="https://x.com/KariLake/status/1796785662240477643" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> posted</a> on X after the event. 
The Confederate flag is widely criticized as a symbol of racism and slavery, and many institutions have distanced themselves from it. In 2020, Mississippi even removed the Confederate emblem from its flag.
&#8220;The Kari Lake campaign does not respond to British propaganda outlets. We stopped doing that in 1776,&#8221; a spokesperson told The Guardian.
In the video, Lake reiterates baseless claims of election fraud in the 2022 gubernatorial race, which she lost to Democrat Katie Hobbs.
Despite courts dismissing her legal challenges and sanctions against her lawyers for false statements, Lake insists she won, stating, &#8220;They stole our government.&#8221; She plans to reopen her appeal in the voting machines case.
Lake also continued to assert the false claim that Trump won the 2020 presidential election, framing her belief in election fraud as an advantage in the Senate race.
Widely expected to win the Republican primary on July 30, Lake will then face Democratic congressman Ruben Gallego in November, The Guardian added.
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39125598/ex-trump-attorney-and-star-witness-michael-cohen-unleashes-fury-after-hush-money-conviction-i-wi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Ex-Trump Attorney And Star Witness Michael Cohen Unleashes Fury After Hush-Money Conviction: &#8216;I Will Never Be A Punching Bag To Donald Trump … I Want Peace&#8217;</a>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

Donald Trump Ally Kari Lake Sparks Controversy With Speech In Front Of Confederate Flag: 'They Stole Our Government'

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump</a> aims to attract Wall Street donors with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/06/39235281/wealthy-households-looking-to-benefit-most-from-trumps-proposed-10-12-trillion-tax-cuts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">promises of new tax cuts next year.</a>
However, there are concerns about adding to the national debt due to the potential $4.6 trillion price tag attached to extending his 2017 tax cuts, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-07/trump-tax-cut-renewal-threatens-trillions-in-federal-debt-congress-fight?srnd=politics-vp&amp;sref=TBDibEcD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> Bloomberg.
Despite the projection, many Republicans believe the tax cuts will stimulate enough economic growth to offset the costs.
Trump&#8217;s 2017 Tax Cuts Didn&#8217;t Materialize
Independent analyses indicate that the economic gains promised by Trump&#8217;s 2017 tax cuts didn&#8217;t materialize, and the same is predicted if they&#8217;re extended in 2025, Bloomberg added.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/06/39230773/white-house-economist-highlights-strong-jobs-report-economy-continues-on-a-strong-but-stable-cou" rel="noreferrer noopener">White House Economist Highlights Strong Jobs Report: &#8216;Economy Continues On A Strong But Stable Course&#8217;</a>
This sets the stage for a contentious political battle over how, or whether, to fund them. The nation&#8217;s debt has significantly increased due to deficit-financed tax cuts under Trump, pandemic relief packages, and Biden&#8217;s spending on key initiatives like clean energy, infrastructure and chip manufacturing.
The U.S. government&#8217;s publicly held debt rose from 76% in 2017 to 97% of GDP in December. Yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds nearly doubled from 2.4% in 2017 to 4.3% on Thursday.
Annual net interest payments surged from $263 billion to an estimated $890 billion this year, surpassing the Defense Department budget.
The fiscal strain of the Baby Boom generation&#8217;s retirement has loomed large, with Social Security expected to exhaust its funds to pay full benefits by 2033 and Medicare by 2036.
Also See: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/05/38929174/treasury-secretary-yellen-rejects-global-billionaire-tax-big-relief-for-elon-musk-jeff-bezos-bill-ga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Treasury Secretary Yellen Rejects Global Billionaire Tax: Big Relief For Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates And Mark Zuckerberg</a>
Some conservatives have proposed cutting programs like Social Security and Medicare to address deficits, while others have suggested reversing Biden&#8217;s clean-energy tax breaks or increasing tariffs on imported goods, Bloomberg added.
Debt Above 200% Of GDP By 2054
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that extending the 2017 tax cuts could cost $4.6 trillion over a decade, potentially pushing debt above 200% of GDP by 2054.
While proponents have argued tax cuts may spur investment and growth, an analysis suggests the supposed dynamic effect would recover only a fraction of lost revenue (just 1% to 14%), the report said.
Achieving the necessary budget adjustments to offset revenue loss would be unprecedented given Washington&#8217;s trend of increasing spending and cutting tax rates since 2001, when the last surplus was recorded.
Treasury Secretary<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/janet-yellen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/janet-yellen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Janet Yellen</a> has emphasized the importance of fiscal sustainability, attributing the deficit increase to Trump&#8217;s tax cuts. However, Trump and other Republicans argue that tax cuts stimulated economic growth and increased government revenue.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39240736/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-gamestop-nvidia-tesla-amazon-and-dogecoin-trader-predicts-breakou" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Bulls And Bears: GameStop, Nvidia, Tesla, Amazon And Dogecoin Trader Predicts &#8216;Breakout To Occur Any Day&#8217;</a>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

Is Donald Trump's Gamble On Tax Cut Renewal Risking An Economic Disaster? The Numbers Seem To Suggest So.

S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices announced late Friday changes to various S&amp;P indices, coinciding with the quarterly rebalance. Notable among the additions to the prestigious <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/s-p-500-index">S&amp;P 500 Index</a> was cybersecurity company CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>).
What Happened: CrowdStrike will replace Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHI#NYSE">RHI</a>) in the S&amp;P 500 Index, while investment management company KKR &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KKR#NYSE">KKR</a>) and GoDaddy Inc. (NYSE:&nbsp;GDDY) will take the place of Comerica Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMA#NYSE">CMA</a>) and Illumina Inc. (NASD:ILMN), respectively in the broader gauge.
The changes will take effect, prior to the open of trading on Monday. S&amp;P Dow Jones said the changes ensure each index is more representative of its market capitalization range.
Illumina will be relegated to the S&amp;P MidCap 400 Index in lieu of GoDaddy, while Robert Half and Comerica will replace Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOUS#NYSE">HOUS</a>) and ADTRAN Holdings Inc. (NASD:ADTN) in the S&amp;P SmallCap 600 Index. Gene sequencing company Illumina has announced plans to spin off cancer blood test making unit Grail on June 24.
S&amp;P Dow Jones also announced a host of changes to its S&amp;P MidCap 400 and the S&amp;P 600 SmallCap indices.
Notable among the companies that have been kept out of the S&amp;P 500 list are AI-powered data analytics company Palantir Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) and computer and peripherals maker Dell Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>). Incidentally, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/03/37440459/palantir-misses-out-super-micro-computer-makes-the-cut-what-investors-should-know-about-s-p-500-">Palantir investors had anticipated inclusion in the S&amp;P 500 at the previous quarterly rebalance in early March.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-tech-stocks">Best Tech Stocks Right Now</a>
Why It&#8217;s Important: The S&amp;P 500 Index is considered the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. equities and includes 500 leading companies, covering approximately 80% of available market capitalization. The S&amp;P 500, a market-cap weighted index, is rebalanced quarterly, usually on the third Friday of March, June, September and December.
During the rebalancing process, companies are typically removed or added based on the most recent share count and float of constituent companies. Their weights in the index are adjusted accordingly.
The eligibility criteria for S&amp;P 500 Index inclusion are market capitalization of $15.8 billion or more, an annual dollar value traded to float-adjusted market capitalization greater than 0.75, a listing in either NYSE or NASDAQ, and a primary listing in the U.S. There is a a trading-volume criterion as well.
Index inclusion is typically positive for stocks, as funds holding portfolios mirroring the index will buy them to maintain the respective weightings of the component stocks. The stock will also benefit from increased volume and liquidity due to purchases by index funds and ETFs.
Following the announcement, CrowdStrike rose 5.35% to $367.80 in after-hours trading on Friday, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro data.</a> KKR &amp; Co. climbed 7.72% and GoDaddy added 3.72%.
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39188726/crowdstrike-outperforms-peers-against-tough-macro-in-q1-10-analysts-comment-on-top-"> CrowdStrike Outperforms Peers Against Tough Macro In Q1, 10 Analysts Comment On &#8216;Top Name To Own In Security&#8217;</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Trading Ideas

ADTN

CRWD

GDDY

HOUS

ILMN

PLTR

Cybersecurity Provider CrowdStrike And These 2 Companies Make The Cut For S&P 500 Inclusion, Palantir Misses Out Yet Again

Canadian business owner <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/05/39071549/shark-tanks-kevin-oleary-wants-to-buy-tiktok-can-mr-wonderful-save-it-from-us-ban">Kevin O'Leary</a>, also known as Mr. Wonderful from his Shark Tank days, has criticized student loan bailouts, calling them "un-American" and unfair. Here's why this successful investor thinks so.&nbsp;
Don't Miss:
<ul>
<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/red-ventures"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
<li>Boomers and Gen Z agree they need a salary of around $125,000 a year to be happy,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/genz-salary-adv"> but millennials say they need how much?</a></li>
</ul>
O'Leary, well-known for his successful investment career and personal finance advice, has voiced opposition to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/partner/commodities/24/06/39184068/bidens-chinese-battery-tariff-hike-could-see-us-manufacturers-like-dragonfly-energy-gain-grou">President Joe Biden</a>'s prioritization of student loan relief. Just recently, Biden approved an additional $7.7 billion for 160,500 borrowers. According to a news release from the White House, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved $146 billion in student debt relief for four million Americans by adjusting the Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Driven Repayment plans. Additionally, this administration plans to launch a more affordable student loan repayment plan to halve undergraduate loan payments and cancel runaway interest.&nbsp;
This is welcomed news for many borrowers, given that current data shows student debt in the U.S. amounts to a staggering $1.727 trillion, with an average federal student loan balance of $37,088. However, not everyone welcomes this news. O'Leary is among those who do not support Biden's approach to student debt. During an interview with Fox News, O'Leary told host Martha MacCallum, "I'm a taxpayer. I don't like this." O'Leary adds, "I don't think it's fair, and it's un-American in the sense that there are many people that already paid back their student loans."&nbsp;
O'Leary highlights the unfairness of this debt relief plan, citing people who never attended college because they believed they could not afford it. He also points out that the country is currently grappling with high inflation levels and that this plan may exacerbate the issue.&nbsp;
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
Trending: No generation before Gen Z has had this investment opportunity &#8211;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/retiring-at-30-adv"> How successful Zoomers plan to retire in their 30's</a>.
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
"There&#8217;s no way this isn&#8217;t inflationary. This is free money from a helicopter when we&#8217;re trying to tame inflation. This just makes it worse."&nbsp;
The U.S. Federal Reserve has implemented interest rate hikes to try to curb inflation, which rose slightly again in April 2024. Many predict that the U.S. central bank will cut interest rates in September, with tepid consumer spending encouraging this. However, O'Leary disagrees and is less optimistic that price levels will drop before the November elections, saying, "You can&#8217;t fix inflation in four months and three weeks."&nbsp;
O'Leary also suggests in the interview that if this debt relief plan is politically motivated, it may not be effective. He argues that voters who perceive the plan as unfair will question why these individuals have their debt cleared for the fourth time, while others do not.&nbsp;
"We teach everybody in America: ‘You got to pay your back your debts.' But not you five million people for the first time ever, maybe the last, you five million, you're off the hook." Again, O'Leary emphasizes the unfairness of this plan and explains that for people who understand the concept of repaying borrowed money, this is difficult concept to accept. O'Leary suggests that this may be particularly challenging for those who cannot comprehend why a select few receive a ‘free ride.'
During the interview, MacCallum plays a clip from the previous elections showing an interaction between Sen. Elizabeth Warren and a voter. In the clip, the voter informs Warren his daughter is leaving school without student loans as he has saved all his money. He wants to know if he will get his money back. When Warren answered no, the voter pointed out the injustice. He explained that the government would pay for people who didn't save and those who did save get screwed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
O'Leary agrees, "Where&#8217;s the free money for people that actually paid back their loans? They don&#8217;t get free money. I hate this. I really, really, really hate this."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Read Next:
<ul>
<li>Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." These<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/connect-invest-real-estate-notes"> high-yield real estate notes that pay 7.5% &#8211; 9%</a> make earning passive income easier than ever.</li>
<li>The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?</li>
</ul>

Kevin O'Leary Does Not Believe In A Bailout For Student Loans, Saying, "This Is So Un-American. It's So Unfair."

A pseudonymous cryptocurrency trader shared a cautionary tale about the dangers of sudden wealth from cryptocurrency and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-buy-solana-meme-coins">meme coin trading</a>.
What Happened: The story involves a girl who made $250,000 from Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) and some from Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>), GameStop (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">GME</a>) and AMC (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">AMC</a>) but squandered it within six months. In 2021, she had invested $6,000 and in the next six months experienced highs when the meme coins peaked.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Girl makes $250k on doge Proceeds to spend it at all in 6 months on donations, drugs, concerts, tattoos, etc. Goes crazy, gets hospitalized, loses her job, friends, etc. and doesn't have enough left to pay taxes Takes her last $4k and buys more &#x1f602; <a href="https://t.co/hEL9Nv5vaA">pic.twitter.com/hEL9Nv5vaA</a>
&mdash; DCF GOD (@dcfgod) <a href="https://twitter.com/dcfgod/status/1796688950058450974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
According to the tweet, she spent the money on donations, drugs, concerts, tattoos and more.  Her reckless spending led to a series of unfortunate events, including hospitalization, job loss and the loss of friends. 
She also found herself unable to pay taxes and in 2022 she ultimately took her last $4,000 to buy more cryptocurrency. She does not plan to sell it anymore.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/29155259/905735A6-57D3-4874-9AA1-75D037842DB3-2.gif" alt="Benzinga Future of Digital Assets conference" class="wp-image-270548" /></figure>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39188189/trader-sketches-somewhat-safe-bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-investment-ideas-for-4-to-7-figure">Trader Sketches &#8216;Somewhat Safe&#8217; Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Investment Ideas For 4 To 7 Figure Portfolios</a>
Why It Matters: The story shared by DCF GOD is a poignant example of how sudden wealth, particularly from speculative investments like Dogecoin, can lead to financial ruin if not managed wisely. As cryptocurrency continues to gain popularity, stories like these serve as cautionary tales for new investors.
The volatility of assets like Dogecoin can lead to significant gains, but without proper financial management, those gains can quickly turn into losses. In the past month, DOGE witnessed a 3.5% drop.
IntoTheBlock noted a 41% increase in large transaction volume, while transactions greater than $100,000 surged from 311 transactions as of June 5 to 375 transactions as of June 6. Holders making a profit at current levels increased to 84% from 83% earlier.
What&#8217;s Next: The influence of meme coins and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/is-bitcoin-a-good-investment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin as an institutional asset class</a> is expected to be thoroughly explored at Benzinga&#8217;s upcoming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Digital Assets</a> event on Nov. 19.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39191834/will-dogecoins-price-discovery-follow-bitcoin-like-it-did-historically">Will Dogecoin&#8217;s Price Discovery Follow Bitcoin Like It Did Historically?</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image: Shutterstock

$AMC

$GME

Dogecoin Trader Who Made $250K Spends It All On Donations, Drugs, Concerts, Tattoos...And Takes Her Last $4K To Buy More

Russian President Vladimir Putin&#8216;s daughters are making public appearances as the Russian president contemplates his legacy.
What Happened: According to a report, Putin&#8217;s daughters Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova spoke at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum this week. A former CIA agent <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/vladimir-putins-elusive-daughters-are-thrust-into-the-limelight">told </a>The Daily Beast that their<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/03/26313048/elon-musk-believes-vladimir-putin-is-richer-than-him-how-wealthy-is-the-russian-president"> appearances aim to enhance their father&#8217;s image.</a>
Putin, 71, has kept his children out of the spotlight until recently. Vorontsova, 39, a genetics researcher, and Tikhonova, 37, a tech executive, accepted invitations to speak at the summit, signaling Putin's focus on his legacy.
Ronald Marks, the former CIA agent who worked in the U.S. intelligence community for 38 years, said, &#8220;Remember it&#8217;s Putin world and we just live in it."
"That&#8217;s an extension of him … his desire to recreate the Russian empire, his desire to show himself as the most powerful guy in Russia. Young daughters represent vitality for him," Marks told the outlet.
Marks noted, &#8220;He's considering his mortality. He's getting to be at that age right now where he's now looking for his legacy. And both of those kids to my understanding are pretty sharp.&#8221;
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/05/32608472/putin-has-an-expanding-blacklist-of-people-amid-his-war-against-ukraine-heres-whos-on-it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Putin Has An Expanding Blacklist Of People Amid His War Against Ukraine: Here&#8217;s Who&#8217;s On It</a>
"If those daughters can step out front and center and represent him, I think he'll take advantage of it," he added. 
The summit in St. Petersburg serves as a platform to test the daughters&#8217; public relations skills, Marks added. 
Vorontsova and Tikhonova have been more visible in recent years, including being sanctioned by the U.S. and in 2022 for allegedly enriching themselves at the expense of the Russian people.
Why It Matters: The public appearances of Putin&#8217;s daughters come at a time when the Russian president&#8217;s health and security are under scrutiny. 
Last year, Russian authorities began <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/10/35136372/dark-conversation-at-karaoke-bar-leads-russian-authorities-to-investigate-alleged-plot-to-assassinat">investigating an alleged plot to assassinate Putin</a>, which was uncovered through a conversation at a karaoke bar.
The tip-off was first reported by the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, known for its insider information from Russia&#8217;s police and military sectors. A man named Mikhail Yurchenko informed Russia&#8217;s Ministry for Internal Affairs about the conversation.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/02/37195508/putin-pal-elon-musk-fires-back-at-critics-accusing-him-of-supporting-russia">Putin Pal? Elon Musk Fires Back At Critics Accusing Him Of Supporting Russia</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Putin's Daughters Enter The Limelight As Russian President Considers His Legacy: 'Young Daughters Represent Vitality For Him'

A former federal prosecutor suggested there&#8217;s a possibility that former President <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump</a> could reportedly face imprisonment for the remainder of his life should he lose the 2024 election, citing the multitude and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39127668/donald-trump-reveals-how-he-feels-about-prospect-of-jail-time-in-wake-of-conviction-im-not-sure-the" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> seriousness of criminal charges against him.</a>
Harry Litman, who served as a U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania during the Bill Clinton administration, shared his thoughts during a conversation with former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) on the latter&#8217;s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrh5UsfUjeI&amp;t=7s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">podcast </a>this week.
&#8220;If he doesn&#8217;t win, he has an appreciable chance of dying in prison,&#8221; Litman said. &#8220;The whole timeline, the whole crisis point of November goes away. So, if he doesn&#8217;t win on [November] the fifth, those cases lie ready to bring.&#8221;
Litman suggested that if Trump were to win the election, the former president could use his influence over the Department of Justice to dismiss the two criminal cases against him and leverage the presidency&#8217;s powers to evade prosecution in the 2020 election case in Georgia. 
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/06/39220959/biden-vs-trump-matchup-shows-clear-lead-for-one-candidate-in-georgia-heres-how-ex-presidents-guilty" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biden Vs. Trump Matchup Shows Clear Lead For One Candidate In Georgia: Here&#8217;s How Ex-President&#8217;s Guilty Verdict Impacted Voter Choice In This Key Battleground State</a>
Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts related to business fraud in his New York hush-money case. While he has appealed the conviction, his sentencing is set for July. He faces a potential prison term of up to four years for these charges.
Litman forecasted that Judge Juan Merchan could impose a brief prison term on Trump for the business fraud charges, though Trump may not have to serve it immediately due to pending appeals.
Trump also faces three other significant legal challenges: a federal prosecution in Washington, D.C., for election fraud and his actions related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots; a federal case in Florida for mishandling classified documents and obstructing government efforts to recover them; and a Georgia state case concerning attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
The cases in Florida and Georgia have been postponed indefinitely, while the D.C. case is on hold as the Supreme Court deliberates on Trump&#8217;s request for immunity.
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39240736/benzinga-bulls-and-bears-gamestop-nvidia-tesla-amazon-and-dogecoin-trader-predicts-breakou" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Benzinga Bulls And Bears: GameStop, Nvidia, Tesla, Amazon And Dogecoin Trader Predicts &#8216;Breakout To Occur Any Day&#8217;</a>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock