AP – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday charged an auditing firm hired by Trump Media and Technology Group just 37 days ago with “massive fraud” – though not for any work it performed for former president Donald Trump’s media company.
The SEC charged the accounting firm BF Borgers and its owner, Benjamin F Borgers, with “deliberate and systematic failures” in more than 1,500 audits. The charges include failing to abide by accounting rules, fabricating documentation to cover up its shortcomings, and falsely stating in audit reports that its work met audit standards.
To settle the SEC charges, BF Borgers agreed to pay a USD12 million fine while its owner agreed to pay a fine of USD2 million, according to the SEC.
Benjamin Borgers did not immediately return a call seeking comment. BF Borgers and Benjamin Borgers also agreed to permanent suspensions, effective immediately, that will prevent them handling SEC-related matters as accountants.
Trump Media named BF Borgers as its auditor on March 28, according to the company’s most recent annual report filing.
The company disclosed at the time that BF Borgers had also handled its audits before the company went public by merging with a cash-rich shell company called Digital World Acquisition Corp The company had previously cycled through at least two other auditors one that resigned the account in July 2023 and another that was terminated by the board in March, just as it was re-hiring BF Borgers.
In a statement, Trump Media said it “looks forward to working with new auditing partners in accordance with today’s SEC order.”
United States Security and Exchange Commission logo. PHOTO: AP
LUTON (AFP) – Elijah Adebayo kept Luton in the hunt to avoid relegation from the Premier League as his equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw against Everton yesterday.
Rob Edwards’ side trailed to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty but Adebayo scored the crucial leveller before half-time at Kenilworth Road.
Despite earning just one win in their past 15 league games, third-bottom Luton are still in contention to beat the drop.
They are behind fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest on goal difference.
Luton have two games left against West Ham and Fulham to avoid an immediate return to the Championship after last season’s fairytale promotion.
“We are still in this fight as we speak. I’m proud of the performance but it would have been huge to win tonight. Almost but we’ve had a lot of them this year,” Edwards said.
Luton’s survival bid is further complicated by the wait for a verdict on Forest’s appeal against their four-point deduction for financial breaches, with a Premier League announcement expected before the end of the season.
Luton Town’s Elijah Adebayo scores against Everton at Kenilworth Road, Luton, England. PHOTO: AP
“There’s a long way to go and it’s over to them (Forest) tomorrow. There’s a situation that’s going on that’s out of our control that isn’t ideal,” Edwards said in reference to Forest’s appeal.
“I don’t really understand it. Everyone would just like to know where they stand. I think we’d all like that.”
Despite losing eight points as punishment for financial breaches of their own, Everton had already secured their Premier League status with three games to spare.
Winners of their previous three matches, Sean Dyche’s side had nothing to play for on their first visit to Kenilworth Road for 17 years but they did enough to frustrate the superstitious Edwards.
Edwards revealed this week that he drives the same route to the stadium, uses the same toothpaste and walks his dog at a certain time of day if Luton are on a winning streak.
Beaten in their last three matches, Edwards needed a change of fortune so he said he would switch his underwear for the Everton clash.
Unfortunately for Edwards, Luton’s luck was out initially as Tahith Chong appealed in vain for an early penalty after stumbling when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford rushed out to challenge the Luton forward.
Teden Mengi gifted Everton a 23rd-minute penalty when he needlessly wrestled Jarrad Branthwaite to the ground as the pair jostled at a corner.
Calvert-Lewin stepped up to drill the spot-kick down the middle for his fourth goal in his last five games.
But Luton had no intention of surrendering and they were level seven minutes later.
Targeting Everton’s Ashley Young time and again, Luton’s persistence paid off as Adebayo controlled Albert Sambi Lokonga’s high pass on his chest, muscled his way past the veteran defender and slammed a fine finish past Pickford from 10 yards.
In his first start since February after a hamstring injury, Adebayo had taken his goal tally for the season to 10.
Luton striker Carlton Morris had a towering header cleared off the line by Ben Godfrey just before half-time.
Jack Harrison almost put Everton in front against the run of play with a deflected effort that was clawed away from under the bar by Thomas Kaminski.
Calvert-Lewin’s powerful header forced a brilliant tip over from Kaminski, while Pickford made a fine stop from Luke Berry’s header in stoppage-time.
LONDON (AFP) – Erik ten Hag has revealed he wanted to sign Harry Kane for Manchester United last year but is convinced Rasmus Hojlund will deliver on his potential.
England captain Kane joined Bayern Munich after leaving boyhood club Tottenham and has scored 43 goals in all competitions for the Bundesliga giants.
Instead of Kane, United recruited Denmark international Hojlund for GBP72 million (USD90 million) from Atalanta – the 21-year-old has so far scored 14 goals.
“We have to win every game,” Ten Hag told former United captain Gary Neville on Sky Sports.
“There’s an expectation around every game from us so you can only fulfil that expectation when you have those outstanding players.”
But the United manager said the Old Trafford club had not always been able to bring in the players they had wanted over the past decade.
“Then you have to build and you have to accept that you get talent in instead of players who have already proved it in the past,” he explained.
Harry Kane. PHOTO: AFP
“We have had some choices made with talents like Rasmus Hojlund.
“I can see a striker (Harry Kane) who already proved it, who we want to sign and we couldn’t get him. And then we went to Rasmus because he’s a talent.
“With Harry Kane you know you get 30 goals. I think Rasmus will get there but he needs time.
“It’s not fair to assess him the same as Harry Kane. I would never compare two players because they are very different. But with Rasmus Hojlund, we get the highest potential in the striker position last summer.”
United have stumbled badly this season after a positive first campaign under Ten Hag, who has had to deal with a lengthy injury list and a drop-off in form from key players.
They are through to an FA Cup final against Manchester City but were knocked out of Europe in December and have missed out on qualification for next year’s Champions League, ramping up pressure on the manager.
However, Ten Hag repeated his belief the club are on the right track, saying patience is needed as young talents progress and players return to fitness.
The Dutchman’s future remains uncertain as ambitious new co-owners INEOS look to turn the club around.
Jason Wilcox arrived as technical director recently as part of widespread changes and Ten Hag said there was no time to waste on a rebuild, where he wants to be involved.
“The initial meetings are good, and of course with INEOS several meetings from January on,” he said.
“Jason first came in last week and now we have to take things quickly because the summer is coming.
“It’s a very important period coming when you have another (transfer) window and, of course, we want to make the next step into our squad, and also to make plans and to create an environment that, let’s say, avoids this year’s problems in injuries.”
LONDON (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed England to win Euro 2024 if they follow his club’s route to continental glory.
Guardiola finally guided City to their first Champions League crown last season after a number of near misses earlier in his reign.
The Spaniard feels Gareth Southgate can do the same with England following their own painful failures on the brink of silverware.
England were beaten in the European Championship final by Italy on penalties at Wembley in 2021, lost the World Cup semi-final against Croatia in 2018 and were beaten by France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
“They are really good. It’s not just the talent of the strikers, it’s the whole package, the whole group and Gareth knows perfectly what he has to do,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
“So I have the feeling, everyone has the feeling, that the England national team, (from) the last events – the World Cup and European Championship – they make steps, they are on the verge, they are really close. They lost a final, got to a semi-final.
“When you arrive at these stages every two years, it’s going to happen. It’s quite similar to us, we were close, and in the end we lifted it.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. PHOTO: AP
Guardiola believes the English passion for football, which has often weighed heavily on their players at tournaments, will prove a more uplifting factor this time.
“I see the reaction when they play European Cups or World Cups, people go crazy on the streets. They go crazy for the national team,” Guardiola said.
“That proves how proud they are and, at the end of the day, as a football player, that is the best, your country is proud of what you are doing for your country, and the way you are playing, reaching the last stages.
“Just believe it. If they believe it, they can do it. Believe it, believe it, they can do it.”
City forward Phil Foden could have a key role to play for England after an outstanding season at club level.
The 23-year-old’s performances were recognised as he was named the Football Writers’ Association men’s Player of the Year on Friday.
Guardiola believes Foden, who has progressed through the club’s youth ranks to become one of their most important players, could go on to become one of City’s greatest ever.
“This club has a long, long history. You can’t forget what happened with the players who played at Maine Road, like everyone knows.
“I think the club has been built with many, many top-quality players,” he said.
“But I have the feeling if he continues his career until the end here, and continues that level, he can be one of the best, that’s for sure.”
LOS ANGELES (AFP) – The Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 114-101 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs on Friday as Orlando forced a decisive game seven against Cleveland despite 50 points from Cavs star Donovan Mitchell.
The Magic dominated late on their home floor in Orlando to overcome a heroic performance from Mitchell, beating the Cavaliers 103-96 to knot their best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series at three games apiece.
In Dallas, Luka Doncic scored 28 points and Kyrie Irving scored 30 – 28 in the second half – as the Mavericks locked up a 4-2 Western Conference victory over the Clippers, who were again without injured star Kawhi Leonard.
Doncic added seven rebounds and 13 assists to gain a measure of revenge against a Clippers team that ousted his Mavs in the first round in 2020 and 2021.
Dallas next face the Oklahoma City Thunder, the surprise Western top seeds who swept New Orleans 4-0.
The series will offer a tantalising matchup between Slovenian star Doncic and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, both Most Valuable Player award finalists along with Nikola Jokic – whose reigning champion Denver Nuggets face Minnesota in the second round.
“We stayed together,” Doncic said of a Mavs team that led by 13 in the second quarter only for the Clippers to tie it up by halftime at 52-52.
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic steps back to take a shot. PHOTO: APDallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic shoots over Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac. PHOTO: APCleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell takes a shot around Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner. PHOTO: AP
Irving’s driving layup in the first minute of the third quarter put Dallas ahead for good.
It was just the beginning of Irving’s dazzling second half display that also featured an off-balance three-pointer as he was fouled, with Irving converting the free-throw to push the Mavs’ lead to 24 points.
His performance had former teammate LeBron James tweeting his admiration, which was echoed by Doncic after the game.
“He’s amazing,” Doncic said of Irving, who won a title with James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and joined the Mavs last year. “Never count him out – it’s amazing just having him on our team.”
Paul George scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Clippers. James Harden had 16 points and handed out 13 assists.
In Orlando, Paolo Banchero scored 10 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, drilling a three pointer that put the Magic ahead for good with 3:39 left to play in a tight back-and-forth battle.
Franz Wagner added 26 points for Orlando and Jalen Suggs made six three-pointers on the way to 22 in what Wagner called a “full team effort”.
It wasn’t the kind of rout Orlando put together in games three and four, but the Magic had enough to overcome Mitchell, who was clearly troubled by a nagging knee injury but nevertheless had all 18 of the Cavs’ fourth-quarter points.
“Obviously, Mitchell had an amazing game, but we stuck with it and got stops when we needed it,” Wagner said. “The whole group just stayed with it.”
With the series tied at three games apiece, the Cavs host game seven today. To advance to a second-round series against the Boston Celtics, the Magic will have to do what neither team has done this series and win on the road.
Cleveland made just seven three-pointers, but dominated the paint to keep it close.
Down by four at halftime, the Cavs continued to attack the rim, authoring a 13-0 scoring run to take a 62-55 lead in the third quarter.
Mitchell briefly departed the court in the third but returned to close the period with a floater at the buzzer that sent Cleveland into the fourth quarter with a 78-73 advantage. The lead would change hands five times in the final period before the Magic pulled away.
“Everything that happened tonight is over with,” Mitchell said. “(We) move on and figure out a way to win at home like we have been.”
MIAMI (AFP) – McLaren chief executive officer Zak Brown believes top designer Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull could mark the start of an exodus from the world champion Formula One team.
Red Bull confirmed this week that the highly respected and successful Newey would be leaving the team in early 2025.
The move came after the long-running controversy around allegations over the behaviour of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
“I think the stuff that’s going on there is a bit destabilising. It’s probably the first domino to fall,” Brown told a news conference at the Miami Grand Prix.
“My guess is he’s not the last based on the resumes that are flying around.”
Horner was accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour by a female employee. The team principal was cleared in February of wrongdoing by an internal investigation carried out by Red Bull’s parent company before the employee was then suspended. She is appealing that decision.
Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey. PHOTO: AP
Brown suggested that Newey’s departure may have been connected to that saga, saying he was not shocked by the technician’s exit. “Six months ago I would have been surprised. I think given everything that has gone on since the start of the year and knowing Adrian pretty well, and he’s a very high integrity individual, I’m not surprised, he’s moving on,” he said.
“We have seen an increase in CVs coming in our way from the team and Adrian is the most successful designer of all time,” added Brown.
“People want to work for people like Adrian Newey. I think they will be missing what he brings from a pure technical point of view and then the leadership and the excitement you get from working with him will be missed.”
Horner had earlier dismissed the idea that Newey’s decision was a result of the tensions within the team.
“Absolutely not. This has been coming for some time,” he told Sky Sports.
“There was discussion pretty much 12 months ago that it might have been the time for Adrian to look at stepping back, so I know it has been on his mind for some time. It’s something we’ve had to plan for.”
The British-based Red Bull team has won six constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ titles with Newey-designed cars to date.
HULU SELANGOR (BERNAMA) – The government is studying the proposal from marine robotics company Ocean Infinity to resume the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which went missing while en route to Beijing, 10 years ago.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that based on discussions held recently, the company had submitted a proposal paper along with evidence and information for examination by the relevant parties under his ministry.
He said the matter would need to be presented to the Cabinet before an agreement is finalised between the government and Ocean Infinity, and anticipated that the process would take about three months to complete.
“If all goes well, they have expressed their readiness to start the search mission in November. (However) we need Cabinet approval because I can’t preempt the Cabinet. We need to further discuss the information provided and there must be an agreement because this involves financial implications if the aircraft is found,” he said at a press conference after inaugurating the ECRL Career Carnival yesterday.
Yesterday, the Association for Families of the Passengers and Crew on board MH370 revealed on its Facebook page that Ocean Infinity had submitted a proposal to revive the search to Loke.
The company proposed that the search be carried out on a ‘No Find No Fee’ basis.
On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, carrying 239 passengers and crew, went missing while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
MADRID (AFP) – Felix Auger-Aliassime said “it’s crazy times for the elite of our sport” as the Canadian benefitted from yet another retirement to set-up a Madrid Open final clash against Andrey Rublev on Friday.
Czech 30th seed Jiri Lehecka became the latest player to withdraw in the Spanish capital through injury, as he sustained a back problem and was forced to retire at 3-3 in the opening set of his semi-final against Auger-Aliassime.
Top seed Jannik Sinner withdrew ahead of his quarter-final with Auger-Aliassime, citing a hip injury, while Jakub Mensik also gave the Canadian free passage when he retired early in the second set of their third round.
The Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid has been dealt one blow after another, starting with the pre-event withdrawal of world number one Novak Djokovic.
After losing Sinner to injury, the tournament also saw its third seed bow out as Daniil Medvedev retired midway through his quarter-final with Lehecka on Thursday.
Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka kneels on the court prior to retiring injured at Caja Magica in Madrid, Spain. PHOTO: AFP
Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, announced on Friday he was withdrawing from next week’s Masters 1000 in Rome due to a forearm injury. “It’s crazy. I don’t know if it’s ever happened to a player before, it’s kind of a weird situation to be in on my part,” said a stunned Auger-Aliassime, who is through to the first Masters final of his career by playing just three completed matches.
Lehecka felt something in his back as he attempted a serve early in the match and took an eight-minute off-court medical timeout before play resumed at 3-3.
It was all over three points later as Lehecka fell to the ground in pain, bringing the match to an abrupt end.
“I couldn’t believe what was happening when I saw that his back blocked on him. I feel really bad for him,” said Auger-Aliassime.
“It’s crazy times for the elite of our sport, withdrawing from many events. But obviously for me it’s kind of a weird rhythm not having played that much and being in the finals. But I can just focus on the first week of tennis I had.”
AFP – Make-up trends fly by on TikTok, but blush techniques are currently stealing the spotlight.
Users across the social network are on the hunt for the perfect blush application method, seeking out the easiest and most effective ways to achieve a radiant complexion.
This blush craze has even surpassed the popularity of contouring, a noteworthy feat in the beauty world.
Under the #blush hashtag, TikTok boasts millions of views, showcasing fresh discoveries, must-have products, and top-notch application techniques.
Enter the latest sensation sweeping the beauty community: the ‘L shape’ method, also known as the ‘L-shaped’ or simply ‘L’ blush trick.
This technique, which has become popular with a host of users – no doubt until the next one emerges – promises perfect blush application for all face shapes.
In other words, it delivers an immediate healthy-glow effect with minimal risk of getting it wrong. It’s a tantalising promise that has already won over the hearts – and cheekbones – of several million users.
It’s quite simple: all you need to do is make an ‘L’ shape with your hand to ensure you apply the blush in the right place.
Use your fingers and thumb to form the shape of the letter, and press your hand against your face so that the thumb is positioned just under the nose and the index finger points upwards towards the tip of the eyebrow.
It’s inside this ‘L’, on the cheek only, that the blush should be applied.
Thanks to this technique, it’s virtually impossible to go wrong, social media users said. They claim to appreciate the instant healthy-glow effect of the method, as well as the fact that it sculpts the face.
Contrary to what you might think, this trend isn’t actually all that innovative.
Not only have make-up artists been using it for many years, but it has also been proving its worth on the Chinese social network since 2022. The renewed interest in blush has simply brought the hack back to the forefront.
And it’s not the only blush technique going down a storm on the platform. Users are also going wild for “glazed blush”, which involves using blush and highlighter, and “purple blush” for an even healthier glow.
AFP – The United States (US) government gave automakers a reprieve on Friday when finalising electric vehicle (EV) tax credit rules, by letting cars that contain Chinese graphite qualify for the consumer credits through 2026.
The confirmation came as the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service published final rules on the clean vehicle provisions under US President Joe Biden’s landmark climate action plan, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Washington has been seeking to reduce its burgeoning EV industry’s reliance on China.
Starting this year, new rules came into effect restricting Chinese content in batteries if they were to qualify for EV tax credits of up to USD7,500.
From 2025, a qualifying clean vehicle cannot contain critical minerals from businesses controlled by a foreign entity of concern.
PHOTO: ENVATO
But in the final rules, the Biden administration also gave automakers another two years to improve sourcing of materials such as graphite that are considered tough to trace to their origin.
“The final rules being issued today strengthen and secure supply chains and provide certainty for manufacturers and taxpayers,” said the Treasury Department.
President of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation John Bozzella, a Washington lobby representing carmakers, said the rules appear to recognise the realities of the global supply chain.
He added they provide “temporary flexibility in terms of where the critical minerals in EV batteries can be sourced”.
“That’s helpful as more automotive supply chains and battery production is localised to the US and our allies,” he said.
But chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee, cautioned that the rule deepens the country’s reliance on China, urging the Biden administration to “reverse course”.
