The Small Business Administration (SBA) suspended over 100,000 California borrowers suspected of fraud in pandemic-era loan programs, totaling nearly $9 billion, according to Fox News. In other news, a US court ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a woman who claimed she was raped by a driver, as reported by BBC Technology. Additionally, Google employees are demanding the company cut ties with ICE, and President Trump signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries trading with Iran, as detailed by BBC World.
The SBA announced the suspension of 111,620 California borrowers linked to suspected fraudulent activity across Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs, as stated by Fox News. These loans totaled over $8.6 billion. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler vowed to hold borrowers accountable and take decisive action to protect taxpayers.
In Arizona, a jury found Uber responsible for a driver's behavior, leading to the $8.5 million payment, according to BBC Technology. The plaintiff, Jaylynn Dean, said she was sexually assaulted in the car. Uber stated its intention to appeal the verdict.
Meanwhile, nearly 900 Google employees published an open letter demanding more transparency regarding the company's technology use within the US government, as reported by BBC Technology. The employees expressed concern over Google's ties to federal immigration enforcement. One Google employee of seven years found it "mind-boggling" that the company was maintaining its ties.
President Trump signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries trading with Iran, according to BBC World. The order could impose tariffs, using 25% as an example, on goods imported from nations that "directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran." The order comes amid ongoing talks between US and Iranian officials.
The situation in Iran is also impacting individuals. For Mojdeh and her husband, who were visiting family in Tehran, the protests and cancellations stranded them in a city that felt unpredictable, according to BBC World. "Life was on pause," Mojdeh said.
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