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☆ After Letitia James Wins Big in Courtrooms, She Celebrates in Public
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Jesse Mckinley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

This has been a very good year for Letitia James. Over the past month, Ms. James, New York’s attorney general, has racked up hard-fought victories over two formidable opponents. First, in mid-February, her office won a staggering $454 million judgment against former President Donald J. Trump in a civil fraud trial stemming from accusations that he had inflated his net worth. A week later, Ms. James, a Democrat, prevailed again, this time against the National Rifle Association and its longtime leader, Wayne LaPierre, who was found personally liable for more than $5 million in misused funds. Ms. James, who won a second term handily in 2022, is seemingly reveling in her reputation as an antagonist of right-wing political figures, some of whom have reacted to her public pronouncements with fury.

Persons: Letitia James, James, Donald J, Trump, Wayne LaPierre, Nick Suplina Organizations: National Rifle Association, Safety Locations: James , New

☆ What’s behind Wall Street’s flip-flop on climate?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( David Gelles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Many of the world’s biggest financial firms spent the past several years burnishing their environmental images by pledging to use their financial muscle to fight climate change. Now, Wall Street has flip-flopped. In recent days, giants of the financial world, including JPMorgan, State Street and Pimco, have pulled out of a group called Climate Action 100+, an international coalition of money managers that was pushing big companies to address climate issues. Bank of America reneged on a commitment to stop financing new coal mines, coal-burning power plants and Arctic drilling projects. And Republican politicians, sensing momentum, called on other firms to follow suit.

Organizations: JPMorgan, State, Bank of America, Republican Locations: BlackRock

☆ More Wall Street Firms Are Flip-Flopping on Climate. Here’s Why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( David Gelles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Many of the world’s biggest financial firms spent the past several years burnishing their environmental images by pledging to use their financial muscle to fight climate change. Now, Wall Street has flip-flopped. In recent days, giants of the financial world including JPMorgan, State Street and Pimco all pulled out of a group called Climate Action 100+, an international coalition of money managers that was pushing big companies to address climate issues. Bank of America reneged on a commitment to stop financing new coal mines, coal-burning power plants and Arctic drilling projects. And Republican politicians, sensing momentum, called on other firms to follow suit.

Organizations: JPMorgan, State, Bank of America, Republican Locations: BlackRock

The results will either buttress Trump's claims of massive wealth or expose him as a poseur. The biggest potential judgment comes in the civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The court has already determined that Trump committed fraud by securing loans through false financial statements – including inflating the value of his properties. The fraud case is more complicated, experts say, since there was no clear victim identified. Judge Arthur Engoron, who will deliver the judgment on financial damages as well as the fate of Trump's businesses in New York, hasn't been sympathetic to the idea that Trump's fraud caused no harm.

Persons: Donald Trump, ”, Trump, E, Jean Carroll –, Laurie Levenson, Levenson, Carroll, Letitia James, Gregory Germain, Arthur Engoron, hasn't, Germain, He's, Anna Cominsky, –, William Thomas, Stephen M, Thomas, James, hamstringing Trump Organizations: Trump, New, Forbes, Bloomberg, Loyola Law, New York, Syracuse University, Donald Trump View, New York University Law, Federal, Commission, America, PAC, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan Locations: New York, Engoron

☆ Beautycounter’s founder sold the $1 billion business and lost her job—now she’s back as CEO: 'Failure is not an option'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Gregg Renfrew built a billion-dollar brand, only to end up on the outside looking in after investors brought in a replacement CEO. Renfrew, 55, founded clean beauty brand Beautycounter in 2011 with the mission of disrupting the cosmetics industry by only selling products made without "questionable or harmful chemicals." Along the way, Renfrew and Beautycounter raised more than $93 million from investors, according to Crunchbase. Renfrew: It was really, really difficult. I sold the business right before the world opened up with Covid and so much was changing and swirling around.

Persons: Gregg Renfrew, Beautycounter, Carlyle, Renfrew, Marc Rey, Martha Stewart, Rey, burnishing, Renfrew's, Carlyle Roberto Marques, it's, It's, you've Organizations: CNBC, Ulta, Carlyle Group Locations: Renfrew, New York, Denver, U.S, Washington

☆ ‘I.S.S.’ review: Ariana DeBose stars in an outer-space thriller that can’t maintain the gravity of its premise
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —If “Alien” broke ground as a haunted house movie in outer space, “I.S.S.” moves the suspense thriller into a similar confined and tense setting. Set in the near future, the film hinges on a mixed Russian-American crew aboard the International Space Station. Bringing that modern wrinkle to Cold War-era paranoia is ripe with possibilities, especially given the frostier interactions between the US and Russia in recent years. Ariana DeBose in the outer-space thriller "I.S.S." “I.S.S.” premieres January 19 in US theaters.

Persons: Ariana DeBose, John Gallagher Jr, Gordon, “, ” Chris Messina, Costa, Pilou Asbæk, Masha Mashkova, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, CNN Films ’, Nick Shafir, burnishing, ” Organizations: CNN, Space, CNN Films, “ Locations: Russian, American, Russia, I.S.S

☆ Stock-market bulls are growing bolder: Now Deutsche Bank predicts the S&P 500 will hit a record 5,100 in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The benchmark S&P 500 will climb 12% to hit a new all-time high of 5,100, strategists said. Much of Wall Street has turned bullish on the index, which has defied gloomy predictions to rack up stellar gains this year. AdvertisementDeutsche Bank has become the latest big name on Wall Street to issue a bullish stock-market forecast for 2024, with analysts predicting the S&P 500 will soar to a fresh all-time high next year. AdvertisementWall Street bullishnessThere's clearly an optimistic atmosphere amongst stock-pickers right now, with Deutsche Bank far from the only big name on Wall Street to predict the S&P 500 could climb to record highs. Burnishing Chadha's credentials is the fact that he was one of the only Wall Street strategists who called this year's surprise stock-market rally.

Persons: —, Goldman Sachs, …, Binky Chadha, Tesla, Société Générale, Brian Belski, Burnishing Organizations: Deutsche Bank, Service, Bank of America, RBC Capital Markets, BMO Capital, Deutsche, Business, Big Tech, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, Facebook, Nasdaq, Dow Jones

☆ Once upon a time, the 'Disney adult' was ridiculed. Now, kidless millennials and Gen Z-ers with money to burn are packing into the parks — here's how Disney is winning them over.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +22 min

Newlyweds Natalie and Brett Schwartz exchanged vows at Walt Disney World in Orlando this summer. "Our approach was to shine a light on the beautiful tapestry of people that come to Walt Disney World," Trejo said. Francis Dominic, the former parks worker turned influencer, has also been tapped to promote Disney parks and films. It's a difficult tightrope to navigate, but it could define the future of Disney parks. Are you a Disney parks or Walt Disney Co. insider?

Persons: Sarah Rachul, I'm, Rachul, Orlando —, —, Molly May, Francis Dominic, Dominic, who's, Taylor, Ron DeSantis —, Japan pavilion's Takumi, Jonathan de Araujo, it's, Tara Goldstein, Ann van Oostendorp, Disney, Van Oostendorp, Natalie Schwartz, Brett, Schwartz, Sierra Keller's, Keller, Natalie, Brett Schwartz, Jason Petrina, he's, Disney's, He's, They're, Petrina, Mickey, Chris Evans, Zoe Saldaña, What's, Wan Kenobi, Emperor Palpatine, she'd, welling, haven't, Neph Trejo, Walt, " Trejo, It's, Halle Bailey, Kent Phillips, Gaston, Jeremy Singh, I'd, Singh couldn't, he'd, Singh, they're, Patrick Dougall, Mark Eades, Eades, we've, Amanda Krause, Reed Alexander Organizations: Walt Disney, Epcot, Disney Vacation, Disney, Mouse, Disneyland, Disney Parks, Walt Disney Co, Florida Gov, Universal, Guardians, Galaxy, University of Tampa, Disney World, Honeymooners, Star Wars, Marvel, Magic, Cafe Orleans, Disney World's Hollywood Studios, Hollywood Studios, Star, Gucci, Dooney, Animal, Dole, Walt Disney World's, ABC, Getty, Management, Disney Imagineer, Disneyland Alumni Locations: Ohio, Disney, Orlando , Florida, Anaheim , California, Italy, China, Tuscany, Orlando, Florida, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo, Japan, Epcot, California, Anaheim, Belle Terrace, Hollywood

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Juan Soto hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the ninth inning, and the San Diego Padres rallied from an early five-run deficit for an 11-8 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night. Manny Machado homered twice for the Padres, who beat their playoff-bound rivals for only the third time in 11 meetings this season. The victory was a rare moment of satisfaction for the underachieving Padres, who eliminated the Dodgers from last year's playoffs before regressing this season. Max Muncy also hit his 35th homer, but Los Angeles’ patchwork pitching staff squandered a 7-2 lead. Dodgers: RHP Wander Suero went on the 15-day injured list with lower back tightness, clearing a roster spot for Stone.

Persons: — Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Josh Hader, Chris Taylor, I've, Bob Melvin, “, ”, Machado, Soto's, Xander Bogaerts, ” Machado, ” Mookie Betts, burnishing, Max Muncy, Hader, J.D, Martinez, Kiké Hernandez, Taylor, Robert Suárez, Trent Grisham, James Outman, Outman, Dave Roberts, Roberts, ” Roberts, It's, ” Fernando Tatis Jr, Evan Phillips, Soto, ” Soto, We're, Gavin Stone, Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin's Tommy John, Stone, ” Pedro Avila, Betts, Brady Anderson, Alfonso Soriano, George Springer, Soriano, Tim Hill, Nick Hernandez, Hill, . Machado, Wander Suero, Lance Lynn, Michael Wacha, ___ Organizations: ANGELES, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Padres, underachieving Padres, Dodgers, ” Padres, The Dodgers, Diego's, Los, Washington, Stone, Miami Locations: Diego, Angeles, Los Angeles

For Miyazaki, who painstakingly crafts thousands of hand drawings for a film, it's a long and laborious process. Several of Miyazaki's films rank among the biggest box-office hits ever in Japan; there are few other filmmakers today as revered — and fiercely beloved — as Miyazaki. “I am making this movie because I do not have the answer," Miyazaki told The New York Times in 2021. We are again, invited into a dizzyingly colorful otherworldly fantasy of Miyazaki's making. If this is to be the last Miyazaki movie (it would be unwise to ever really count him out), it's a tremendously moving goodbye.

Persons: Miyazaki's, Miyazaki, “, ”, —, Mozart, Guillermo del Toro, Mahito Maki, Soma Santoki, It's, Mahito's mother's, Yoshino Kimura, Mahito's, Masaki Suda, Mei, Mahito, Jake Coyle Organizations: TORONTO, Toronto, New York Times, Twitter Locations: Japan, Miyazaki, Toronto, Tokyo

☆ Why New York AG Letitia James is probably Trump's biggest worry right now (not Jack Smith, Fani Willis or Alvin Bragg)
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

In three months, Trump faces a civil fraud trial that could run his Trump Organization out of New York. There's Jack, and Fani, and Alvin, of course, all poised to prosecute the former president criminally. And Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump would further be banned from ever running a business anywhere in the state. The financial and psychic toll to being a mogul in exile would be great, two Trump biographers told Insider. Smith appears on the brink of winning a new indictment, relating to the 2020 election, as does District Attorney Fani Willis in Atlanta.

Persons: Trump, Donald Trump's, There's Jack, Alvin, there's, —, Letitia James —, James, Donald Trump, Donald Trump , Jr, Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, crowing, Michael D'Antonio, he's, D'Antonio, Alvin Bragg's, Jack Smith's Mar, Smith, Fani Willis, Chris Christie, David Aaron, Aaron, Perkins Coie, Aileen Cannon, Ira Judelson, Dominique Strauss, Kahn, Arthur Engoron, New York —, Nobody, Gwen Blair, Blair, he'll Organizations: Trump Organization, Service, — New York, Trump, New, Republican, Manhattan, Mar Locations: New York, Manhattan, Wall, Silicon, New Yorker, Florida, Atlanta, New Jersey, Washington, DC, Mar, Delaware, Trump Org's, York, Queens, Emerald City, Miami, Bedminster , New Jersey, New York City

☆ A former producer of hit TV show Entourage is launching an altruistic social network and says he doesn't want 'shitty users'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Darius Rafieyan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Whether it's misinformation on Facebook, privacy concerns at TikTok, or the perpetual cloud of controversy hovering over Elon Musk's Twitter, social media has an image problem. "Because of the hot mess that is legacy social media, I believe there's a real opportunity for disruption," Weiss said. That's what led him to found Roar Social, a social media startup based on the idea that "humans are hardwired for altruism." So I want the right users and to get the right users, you need to be a little patient." "Nothing is stopping McDonald's from selling filet mignon," he said, "they could do it well, they could do it cheaply, but no one's really gonna gonna go to McDonald's to buy the filet mignon.

Persons: Robert Weiss, Weiss, Melinda Gates, There's, it's, filet mignon, mignon, I'm, Bluesky, Jack Dorsey, he'll Organizations: Elon Musk's Twitter, Roar, MTV, Melinda Gates Foundation, Elon, Twitter Locations: TikTok

☆ Why is the US dollar so strong again?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Harry Robertson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, May 18 (Reuters) - If investors agree on one thing this year, it's that the dollar is going to fall. The go-to explanation of currency strategists right now is the debt-ceiling debacle is boosting the dollar. Traders currently expect the U.S. central bank to cut interest rates sharply later this year as a recession takes hold, yet Tan is skeptical. If the dollar rises slightly, some traders may be forced to close out their short positions by buying the dollar, which then boosts its value. But a simple technical indicator is that it is very atypical for you to have a straight-line decline in the dollar."

☆ DeSantis says Disney lawsuit has no merit, is political
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Emily Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM, April 27 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday brushed off a lawsuit against him by Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), describing it as politically motivated and accusing the company of lacking accountability and transparency. But he faced questions on the lawsuit filed against him by Disney, which has accused his administration of "weaponizing its power to inflict political punishment" in a dispute over special provisions for the Disney World theme part in central Florida. "I don't think the suit has merit, I think it's political," DeSantis told reporters at a news conference. Florida has passed legislation ending special conditions that gave Disney virtual autonomy in the Florida district where Disney World is located and where it attracts millions of visitors a year. "They had no transparency, no accountability, none of that, and that arrangement was not good for the state of Florida," DeSantis said.

☆ DeSantis urges more cooperation with South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis shakes hand with South Korea's Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon during their meeting in Seoul, South Korea, April 26, 2023. DeSantis, in a meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, vowed support for South Korean companies and exchanges between the state of Florida, of which he is governor, and South Korean counterparts, Han's office said. South Korea was a key partner for Florida's economy and job creation, Han's office cited DeSantis as saying. Han called for the governor's support for South Korean companies in Florida. His visit comes as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is in Washington for a summit with President Joe Biden, accompanied by more than 120 South Korean business leaders.

☆ Inside Disney it's 'Revenge of the Creatives' and 'Shields Up!' against outside foes as returned CEO Bob Iger is taking no prisoners
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Since returning as Disney CEO, Bob Iger has vanquished foes and dumped many of predecessor Bob Chapek's hires. But it's a supercharged Bob Iger who is really taking command. "If I'm inside Bob's head coming back, after the downfall of Bob Chapek, this is all about taking no prisoners," said Will Schutte, a high-level executive coach. Disney World is scheduled to host a major conference on gay rights in September, according to the Miami Herald. Even if he wants to be the Bob Iger of old he can't be.

☆ Xi's visit to Russia was humbling for Putin and showed how much China is dominant, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

China appears to have cemented its dominance over Russia in a summit this week. China kept buying Russian oil — albeit at a hefty discount — and so helped keep the Russian economy afloat. Russia was offered no comparable stake in the far larger Chinese economy in return. The US has accused China of planning to send weapons and lethal aid to Russia to stem battlefield losses in Ukraine. China will likely seek to exert its new leverage over Russia to expand its global power, said Wyne.

☆ At right-wing CPAC forum, Trump shows why he'll be tough to topple
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/4] Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., March 4, 2023. The three-day conference illustrated the iron grip he holds over the right-wing, grassroots base of his party and how hard it could be for a challenger to deny Trump the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. DeSantis also attended a gathering for Republican donors in Florida held by the anti-tax group Club for Growth to which Trump was not invited. In his remarks, Bannon maintained that Trump should be the Republican nominee, saying DeSantis and other potential challengers lacked experience. Trump and DeSantis both are scheduled in the coming days to visit Iowa, which holds the first Republican nominating contest next year.

☆ Ron DeSantis attacks liberals in California speech as he mulls White House run
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Tim Reid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SIMI VALLEY, CA March 5 (Reuters) - Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took his fight against liberalism deep into the Democratic territory of California on Sunday, part of a national road show as he lays the ground for an expected White House bid. While he has not yet announced a White House bid, one candidate who has - former Republican President Donald Trump - clearly views DeSantis as a major potential threat as the Republican nominating contest kicks into gear. Trump has already launched personal and political attacks on DeSantis as the race for the Republican Party's 2024 White House nomination begins to heat up. DeSantis also took aim at the Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), which opposes a Florida law that restricts classroom instruction of gender and sexual orientation. "There's a new sheriff in town," DeSantis declared, referring to what he has called the end of Disney's "corporate kingdom."

☆ Inside the breakup between former allies Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis as the 2024 election grows closer
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Trump first mentioned DeSantis on Twitter almost 11 years ago. Back in 2018, when DeSantis was a little-known congressman whose district included St. Augustine, it was Trump's support that got him elected. When DeSantis was in the Florida governor's mansion, and Trump was in the White House, the two collaborated on several policies. Once Trump was out, DeSantis more aggressively began burnishing his own brand but still frequently drew comparisons to Trump. Should DeSantis choose to run for president in 2024 (and most assume he will, he would need to make the case for why voters should choose him instead of Trump.

☆ Meet 23 rising stars in public relations at top brands and agencies like CBS News and Bryson Gillette
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Michael Kaminer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Companies rely on the public relations industry for help burnishing their reputations and staying on trend. Insider identified the latest group of rising stars in PR who can craft a killer pitch, polish clients' reputations, and more. Insider has identified 23 rising stars in the PR industry who are meeting the challenge. Other rising stars are in-house, helping brands grow, managing comms teams, and working directly with CEOs. Two more rising stars are founders who left agency careers to run their own shops.

☆ Trump and DeSantis are on a collision course for the 2024 Republican nomination for the White House. Here's a timeline of their political relationship.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

☆ Western official: Putin's future in power has become less certain
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin's future in power has become less certain in the aftermath of the country's invasion of Ukraine, a Western official said on Thursday, but it isn't possible to predict when any changes in the Kremlin may occur. But he remains secure in power, according to five senior Russian sources. But what there isn't, in a place like Russia, is a clear pathway to change," the Western official told reporters, on condition of anonymity. The official said that it was hard to see Putin losing Russia's presidential elections, due in 2024, if he stood. "I think it's much less certain now, but I'm not saying that any change is about to happen imminently," the official added, saying the timing of any change was "impossible to predict".

☆ Putin, secure in power, sets stage for long and draining war
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Guy Faulconbridge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

One senior Russian source with knowledge of decision-making said Putin's hopes of burnishing his reputation had been dashed. "Ahead, it will be even more difficult and more costly for both Ukraine and Russia," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. For all the geopolitical shock waves Putin has caused, he still has no serious rival for power, according to five senior Russian sources close to decision-making. The source said Russia was at a disadvantage in both military technology and motivation, but that the war would still continue "for a very long time". "The president believes he can win in Ukraine," said one senior Russian source.

Biden noted that 2,200 trains ride through it daily, making it the busiest tunnel in the United States. "Folks talk about how badly the Baltimore tunnel needs an upgrade. Trains that travel through the tunnel now at 30 miles per hour will travel at 110 mph when renovations are through, Biden said. In Washington, Biden faces a colder reality as Republicans, now in control of the House of Representatives, threaten to block his economic agenda, bog down his programs in investigations and prevent the raising of the debt ceiling to force spending cuts. Biden plans a similar event on Tuesday in New York related to that city's Hudson Tunnel project.

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