SEC Probes Trump’s New Venture | Billionaire Art Collector’s Ban | White Students’ Leg Up

Plus: The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women

Good morning.

Donald Trump’s social media venture is facing a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation just as it picked its chief executive. We’re also covering a billionaire hit with a lifetime ban from acquiring antiquities, and a study revealing what gives white students a leg up in college applications. Finally, make sure to check out our annual ranking of the world’s 100 most powerful women, which includes 40 CEOs, 19 heads of state, an immunologist and, for the first time in more than a decade, a new number one.

In The News Today

Elon Musk railed against tax credits for unionized electric vehicles makers—which would exclude Tesla—during an appearance at a Wall Street Journal conference.

Some of the world’s biggest producers of Covid-19 vaccines are divided over whether the shots protect against omicron, while new, variant-specific vaccines are already being developed. 

Top Take-Aways

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) announced his retirement from Congress to become chief executive of Donald Trump’s social media venture just as a filing from the SEC revealed authorities are probing the former president’s new company.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’s philanthropic initiative dedicated to fighting climate change and preserving the environment committed nearly half a billion dollars to environmental initiatives, including a U.S. federal government initiative supporting climate justice.

Michael Steinhardt, a hedge fund billionaire and one of the world’s largest ancient art collectors, agreed to an “unprecedented” lifetime ban from collecting antiquities and surrendered 180 pieces of stolen artwork worth $70 million.

Many Americans appear to think that Black students benefit from college admissions offices that want to increase diversity on predominantly white campuses. But a new survey shows that white applicants have a significant advantage over their Black peers.

Uber’s Estonian rival Bolt is planning to expand its fast grocery service to Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic by January after entering the booming business of couriering drinks and snacks to users earlier this year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added seven countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East to the Level 4 “avoid travel” list, reflecting upticks in the spread of Covid-19.

Today's Must Read

In Case You Missed It

Better.com CEO Vishal Garg fired 900 employees in a one-way video announcement last week. The mortgage lender startup boasts a valuation of nearly $7 billion, with investors apparently overlooking its leader’s scorch-earth management style and multiple lawsuits.

Tips You Can Trust

As the end of the year approaches, find time to take stock of your career. If you’re feeling stuck, here are five steps to reset and reimagine your priorities.

Cosmetics company Lush is quitting social media—but can small businesses afford to make the same choice? Consider these six ways to build brand awareness and loyalty without relying on social media.

Today's Must Watch

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