Oct 15, 2018 - Economy & Business

Former Senate intel staffer pleads guilty to lying to the FBI

James Wolfe. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Former Senate Intelligence Committee staffer James Wolfe pleaded guilty on Monday to lying to the FBI about his communication with reporters, CNN reports.

Why it matters: Until this point, Wolfe's lawyers had vowed to fight the charges, per Buzzfeed. His guilty plea allows lawyers to avoid having to decide whether they can or should subpoena members of the media. President Trump referred to Wolfe's arrest earlier this year, saying federal prosecutors had "caught a leaker," but the former staffer didn't plead guilty to leaking classified information — only to lying to the FBI.

Go deeper: The allegations against Wolfe

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Dan Primack
7 mins ago - Economy & Business

The new buyout barons

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Last month I wrote that SPACs are the new IPOs. But I may have understated it, because SPACs are also becoming the new private equity.

By the numbers: Short for "special purpose acquisition company," SPACs have raised $24 billion so far in 2020, with a loaded pipeline of upcoming offerings. U.S. buyout firms raised nearly $102 billion through the end of June — a much larger amount, but not so much larger that the two can't play on the same field.

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Dave Lawler
3 hours ago - World

Macron visits Beirut promising a "new political pact" for Lebanon

Macron visits the hard-hit Gemmayzeh neighborhood. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron walked through the blast-damaged streets of Beirut on Thursday, swarmed by people chanting for the fall of Lebanon's government and pleading for international aid.

Why it matters: Lebanon is at a breaking point. Its economy was collapsing and its government hardly functioning — all before a massive explosion destroyed swathes of the capital city, including its vital port.

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Kendall Baker
3 hours ago - Sports

The PGA Championship is golf's first major in over a year

Photo: Gary Kellner/PGA of America via Getty Images

The 2020 PGA Championship tees off Thursday at San Francisco's TPC Harding Park, which is hosting its first-ever major.

Why it matters: It's the first major in more than a year — and the first of seven majors in the next 12 months. Though there won't be any fans in attendance, the excitement is palpable.

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