INTERNACIONAL
Starbucks resolves Florida DEI lawsuit with blockbuster agreement
EXCLUSIVE — Starbucks will pay Florida $1 million and will not use race-and sex-based goals, quotas and preferences in employment practices companywide under a sweeping settlement ending the state’s civil rights lawsuit against the coffee giant.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office confirmed to Digital that the agreement applies to all Starbucks operations nationwide, not just the company’s locations in Florida.
«Every Floridian deserves to be hired, promoted and compensated based on merit, qualifications and character — not race or sex,» Uthmeier told Digital. «This resolution ensures that Starbucks’ policies and practices fully comply with Florida’s civil rights laws. DEI can never be an excuse to violate civil rights.»
The negotiated resolution ends the lawsuit Uthmeier filed in December 2025 accusing Starbucks of violating the Florida Civil Rights Act through racial and sex-based goals, quotas and preferences in its workplace policies.
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Under the agreement, Starbucks committed to complying with the state civil rights law, which prohibits race and sex-based preferences in hiring, promotions, pay, executive compensation, mentorship programs, supplier selection and board composition.
The company also agreed it will not participate in organizations that require it to increase the racial diversity of its board of directors.
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Starbucks’ chief legal officer will be required to submit annual certifications of the company’s continued compliance for four years. The company will also pay $1 million to the Florida Department of Legal Affairs to reimburse the office for the time, expenses and costs of bringing the case.
«We’re pleased to have resolved this matter without admission of wrongdoing and appreciate the constructive engagement of the Attorney General’s Office throughout this process,» Pilar Ramos, executive vice president and chief legal officer of Starbucks said.
«We will continue to focus on offering great jobs and career opportunities to our partners who wear the green apron, while making a positive impact on the communities we serve in Florida and around the world.»
The agreement includes no admission of liability or wrongdoing by Starbucks.
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The settlement follows Uthmeier’s lawsuit, which alleged Starbucks had turned diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives into a system that discriminated based on race.
The December complaint pointed to goals Starbucks announced in 2020 to have people of color fill 40% of retail and manufacturing jobs and 30% of corporate positions by 2025.
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It also alleged the company paid certain employees more than workers of other races with the same experience and skills and, before March 2024, tied executive bonuses to diversity goals.
For fiscal year 2024, the lawsuit alleged that bonus criteria included executives mentoring Black, Indigenous and other employees of color, holding monthly meetings with mentees and keeping retention among those workers above a stated threshold.
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The complaint further alleged that Florida Starbucks employees and job applicants contacted the attorney general’s office and reported feeling excluded or humiliated because they were White. Uthmeier accused the company of «systemic discrimination» against workers it considered «non-diverse.»
«Starbucks made DEI more than a slogan,» Uthmeier said when the lawsuit was announced. «They turned it into a mandatory hiring and promotion system based on race.»
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He said at the time that race-based hiring goals and executive bonuses tied to meeting them amounted to discrimination prohibited under Florida law.
The state initially sought $10,000 in damages for each alleged instance of racial discrimination against a Florida resident, an amount Uthmeier’s office said could have reached tens of millions of dollars or more. Starbucks operates more than 900 stores in Florida, according to the complaint.
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The effort began in 2024 under then-Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, now a Republican U.S. senator, after she called for an investigation into the company’s hiring practices.
Florida was not the only state to challenge Starbucks’ DEI policies. Then-Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a separate federal lawsuit in February 2025 alleging the company used race and sex-based hiring quotas and unlawfully tied executive pay to diversity targets.
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A federal judge dismissed that case in February 2026, finding that Missouri had not identified a resident who was actually harmed by the policies. The state appealed the ruling.
Starbucks previously disputed Florida’s allegations, telling Digital after the lawsuit was filed that its programs and benefits were open to everyone and lawful.
«Our hiring practices are inclusive, fair and competitive and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time,» a company spokesperson said at the time.
Digital’s Rachel del Guidice and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated to reflect Starbucks’ commitment to not using race-and sex-based goals, quotas and preferences in employment practices companywide.
politics, organization, florida, diversity, woke, controversies state and local, law
INTERNACIONAL
Talarico hit with ‘blatant corruption’ allegation over hefty salary from consulting firm, campaign pushes back
EXCLUSIVE: Senate Democratic nominee James Talarico, who has repeatedly accused his Republican opponent, Ken Paxton, of corruption, is now facing Republican accusations of «blatant corruption» over consulting work he performed for a progressive firm while serving on the Texas House’s influential Public Education Committee. Talarico’s campaign has denied the allegation as a «lie.»
The Lone Star State’s Senate race is entering its final stretch, with Talarico leading Paxton in recent polling. A Republican loss could damage the GOP’s chances of retaining its Senate majority.
Paxton has projected confidence that, after emerging from a particularly bitter primary race, Texans will respond to his campaign once they hear his message. Talarico, meanwhile, has continued targeting Paxton through major ad buys, including one in which the Democrat calls him «the most corrupt politician in Texas.»
Republicans are now responding with allegations of their own, characterizing Talarico’s past arrangement with the consulting firm as a «textbook pay-to-play scheme.»
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They are pointing to paychecks Talarico received from a firm called MAYA Consulting that simultaneously drew in millions in state contracts awarded by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), which he helped provide oversight to as a member of the Public Education Committee.
Talarico announced he was joining MAYA Consulting in a 2019 Facebook post. In the post, he stated that as a consultant he would be «working with districts, nonprofits, and communities to build excellent and equitable educational opportunities for all our students.»
According to a Senate campaign financial disclosure filed in 2025, Talarico worked with MAYA Consulting, which has since been rebranded as VIDA Collaborative, from 2019 until 2025.
During those same years, official legislative records show that Talarico served as a voting member of the Texas House’s Public Education Committee from 2019 to 2025. Among its responsibilities, the committee oversees the Texas Education Agency, which awards government contracts to firms for services, including then-MAYA Consulting.
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TEA registers from 2021 and 2022 show that the agency awarded MAYA two contracts worth $3.578 million and $1.635 million, respectively. The contracts were related to priorities Talarico was pushing in the Texas House at the time, including addressing learning loss due to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Talarico’s disclosure shows that he earned $83,333.40 from the nonprofit in 2025, in addition to his $13,904.92 part-time salary as a member of the Texas House of Representatives.
Kassi Longoria, CEO of VIDA Collaborative, confirmed with Digital that Talarico served as an «independent contractor consultant» with the group from 2019 to 2025. She said that Talarico «has no current role with our organization» and clarified that «during his time at VIDA, his consulting work was structured, specifically to remain separate from his role as a Texas state legislator.»
She said that Talarico «never worked under, received compensation from, or was involved in securing any state- or federally-funded contracts.» She noted that «as a matter of standard practice, VIDA discloses any outside employment or potential conflicts of interest for our staff — including Rep. Talarico’s legislative role — in our proposals when we apply for publicly-funded opportunities» and that «similarly, Rep. Talarico’s relationship with VIDA was disclosed in his required public financial disclosure filings.»
However, Republican National Committee spokesman Zach Kraft accused Talarico of wrongdoing, calling the Democrat’s involvement with MAYA an example of «blatant corruption.»
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«We are looking at a textbook pay-to-play scheme with James Talarico steering millions in taxpayer funds to his DEI consulting agency under the condition he gets commission through a scam no-show job,» Kraft told Digital.
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As a member of the Texas House’s Public Education Committee, Talarico was not involved in TEA’s process for awarding outside contracts and did not vote on the contracts. Digital is also not aware of any evidence that Talarico received a commission for contracts awarded to MAYA, a claim that both the organization and Talarico’s campaign denied.
Kraft alleged that Talarico is «one of the most morally bankrupt individuals to ever run for public office in Texas.»
JT Ennis, a spokesperson for Talarico’s campaign, pushed back, saying, «This is a lie.»
Ennis said that «James’ relationship to MAYA was fully disclosed in compliance with Texas House rules» and that «James had no involvement in MAYA Consulting securing any public contracts and his contract with MAYA barred him from representing MAYA before the Texas Legislature or education agencies.»
«Ken Paxton is making up lies about James to distract from the fact that he’s been impeached by his own party for bribery, reported to the FBI by his own staff, and indicted for investment fraud for scamming his own friends,» Ennis alleged, while adding, «Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in Texas, and this November, Republicans, Democrats, and independents will come together to reject Ken Paxton’s corruption and stand up to this broken, corrupt political system.»
In July 2015, Paxton was indicted on charges that he misled and defrauded tech startup investors and failed to disclose that the startup was paying him to promote its stock. Prosecutors agreed in 2024 to drop the charges under a deal requiring Paxton to pay about $271,000 in restitution, perform 100 hours of community service and complete 15 hours of legal ethics courses. Paxton did not enter a plea under the agreement and was never convicted.
Meanwhile, Madison Cercy, a spokeswoman for Paxton’s campaign, told Digital, «It couldn’t be clearer: James Talarico sees Texans tax dollars as his own personal slush fund.»
Digital is not aware of any evidence that Talarico has misused tax dollars.
Cercy called Talarico a «taxpayer-funded DEI consultant whose employer receives millions of dollars from Texans while pushing radical ideology in our schools.»
elections, corruption, midterm elections, texas, democratic party, woke, education
INTERNACIONAL
Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric after past Osama bin Laden praise surfaces
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The Archbishop of Canterbury’s office has withdrawn an interfaith award given to a Muslim cleric after past comments surfaced in which he praised Osama bin Laden.
Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi received the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation at Lambeth Palace last Friday, during a ceremony that coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Lambeth Palace announced the reversal Thursday after previous comments by Ashrafi had «come to light,» causing it to reconsider the award.
«It is a longstanding principle of interfaith dialogue and co-operation that we must engage with one another across deeply-held differences, and that remains the case,» Lambeth Palace said in a statement.
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Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally presented Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi with the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation at Lambeth Palace before the honor was later withdrawn. (Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
«However, previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award and we can now confirm today that the award has been withdrawn,» the statement continued. «We have contacted Imam Ashrafi to make him aware of this decision.»
Lambeth Palace added that it continues «to pray for the Christian community in Pakistan, and for all those working for interfaith dialogue and harmony in Pakistan and around the world.»
According to Lambeth Palace, the award was given to Ashrafi because of his «longstanding support for religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Christian community.»
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The Archbishop of Canterbury’s office withdrew an interfaith award given to Pakistani cleric Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi following scrutiny of his past remarks. (Neil Turner / Lambeth Palace)
According to the BBC, Ashrafi said in 2007 that bin Laden — the architect of the 9/11 attacks — had «been fighting for Islam against the Russians, Americans and British.»
The BBC also reported that Ashrafi said he would give bin Laden the title «Saifullah,» meaning «Sword of God.»
Ashrafi told the BBC that his remarks had been «totally taken out of context» and described the backlash against him as an «unfair campaign.»
He said he made the remarks about bin Laden in 2007 in response to «the hurt felt by many Muslims» over the British government’s decision to knight «The Satanic Verses» author Salman Rushdie.
Britain’s new Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, Sarah Mullally, speaks following the announcement of her posting, at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England on Oct. 3, 2025. (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)
During the award presentation last week, the Archbishop’s office said Ashrafi was being honored for «his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan, known for his commitment to promoting religious tolerance.»
world, religion, faith values, pakistan, honors, controversies religion
INTERNACIONAL
Problemas con nuevo sistema de pagos desatan huelga de más de 4,300 funcionarios de la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social
La huelga nacional convocada por organizaciones sindicales de la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) alcanzó este jueves a 4,355 funcionarios, según el corte institucional realizado a las 3:00 p. m., en medio de un conflicto originado por denuncias de trabajadores que aseguran haber recibido salarios incompletos, atrasados o incluso pagos en cero durante los últimos meses.
El movimiento comenzó a las 6:00 a. m. de este jueves 17 de septiembre y está previsto que se extienda durante 24 horas, hasta las 6:00 a. m. del viernes, abarcando los tres turnos laborales de la institución.
Entre los hospitales nacionales, el San Juan de Dios registró la mayor participación, con 752 funcionarios en huelga. Le siguieron el Hospital Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, con 435, y el Hospital México, con 243 trabajadores.
Sin embargo, detrás de las cifras de participación existe un conflicto que comenzó meses antes.
Los sindicatos atribuyen la protesta a problemas surgidos después de que la CCSS pusiera en funcionamiento, desde la primera bisemana de julio de 2026, el Sistema Integrado de Gestión de las Personas (SIPE), plataforma utilizada para procesos relacionados con la gestión del personal y las remuneraciones.
De acuerdo con el Sindicato Nacional de Enfermería y Afines (Sinae Afines), hay funcionarios que durante julio y agosto recibieron pagos de manera parcial, tardía o no los recibieron, una situación que, según los gremios, también amenaza con extenderse durante septiembre.
Los sindicatos sostienen que la implementación del nuevo sistema se realizó sin un periodo piloto suficiente y denuncian que las inconsistencias han afectado a trabajadores en propiedad, interinos, personas que cubren días libres, plazas vacantes y funcionarios que asumieron ascensos.
Trabajadores denuncian hasta tres meses con problemas de pago
Según el secretario general de Sinae Afines, Lenin Hernández, algunos funcionarios acumulan entre dos y tres meses sin recibir de manera completa su salario, provocando dificultades para cubrir alquileres, alimentación, servicios públicos, transporte y otras obligaciones familiares.
Los gremios incluso han denunciado casos de trabajadores que recurrieron a rifas, colectas, ayuda de compañeros y préstamos informales para enfrentar la falta de dinero mientras se corrigen las inconsistencias.
“No nos complace, pero es la medida última y necesaria a la que nos ha obligado la administración de la CCSS”, declaró Hernández al anunciar la protesta.
De acuerdo con las organizaciones sindicales, la huelga fue convocada después de agotar gestiones administrativas y considerar que no existían propuestas suficientes para evitar que continuaran presentándose problemas con los pagos.
Además de Sinae Afines, en la convocatoria participan organizaciones como el Sindicato Nacional de Servicios de Salud (Sinass), el Sindicato de Funcionarios Públicos y Privados de Costa Rica (Sifupcr), la Federación Costarricense de Trabajadores de la Seguridad Social (Fectsalud) y la Asociación Nacional de Profesionales en Enfermería (ANPE).
Los representantes sindicales han insistido en que el reclamo salarial es el principal motivo del movimiento y aseguraron que los servicios esenciales, entre ellos emergencias y cuidados intensivos, permanecerían cubiertos durante la protesta.
CCSS reconoce casos pendientes, pero asegura que la mayoría recibe su salario
La administración de la Caja sostiene una posición distinta sobre la magnitud del problema.
La institución aseguró que la mayoría de sus trabajadores continúa recibiendo las remuneraciones dentro de los ciclos ordinarios de pago, aunque reconoció que existen expedientes que requieren correcciones.
Según información institucional divulgada este jueves, se habían identificado más de 483 casos que necesitaban revisión administrativa, actualización de registros o normalización dentro de los sistemas.
La gerente administrativa de la institución, Gabriela Artavia Monge, aseguró que continúan trabajando sobre los expedientes pendientes.
“Nuestros esfuerzos están concentrados en resolver los casos pendientes y en fortalecer los controles para prevenir situaciones similares”, señaló.
La CCSS informó además que en el Hospital Calderón Guardia se habían resuelto más de 400 casos, cuyos pagos serían incorporados durante la segunda bisemana de septiembre. También mantiene acompañamiento técnico en otros establecimientos, incluido el Hospital México.
Huelga afectó cirugías y otros servicios
El movimiento tuvo repercusiones sobre la operación de centros médicos desde las primeras horas.
Con datos correspondientes a las 10:00 a. m., la CCSS reportó la suspensión de 202 de las 409 cirugías programadas para este jueves, equivalente aproximadamente al 49% de los procedimientos previstos.
Además, 68 de las 148 salas quirúrgicas disponibles permanecieron sin utilizarse, mientras 80 continuaron funcionando. Entre los centros con mayor afectación estuvieron los hospitales Max Peralta, San Rafael de Alajuela, San Juan de Dios, Nacional de Niños y San Vicente de Paúl.
En el Hospital Calderón Guardia, por ejemplo, la farmacia de consulta externa suspendió la atención durante la jornada por falta del personal necesario y priorizó los servicios de hospitalización y emergencias.
Caja pide reincorporación ante un juzgado
Mientras aumentaba la cantidad de trabajadores participantes, la Dirección Jurídica de la CCSS acudió al Juzgado de Trabajo del Primer Circuito Judicial de San José para presentar una solicitud de reincorporación a labores.
La gestión quedó registrada bajo el expediente 26-0001546-2024-LA, según informó la institución.
Con esta acción, la Caja busca que la autoridad judicial intervenga respecto de los funcionarios que permanecen incorporados al movimiento.
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