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BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Brutally cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills stayed put across much of the U.S. Monday, promising the coldest temperatures ever for Iowa's presidential nominating contest, holding up travelers, and testing the mettle of NFL fans in Buffalo for a playoff game that was delayed a day by wind-whipped snow. Saco, Montana, dropped to minus 51 F (minus 26 C). Subzero lows reached as far south as Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and parts of Indiana, Taylor said. The person killed — the fifth death nationwide attributed to the Arctic cold — was among four snowmobilers attempting to cross U.S. Highway 40 in the Strawberry Reservoir area. Ice jam warnings were issued in Wyoming and Montana, where the bitter cold could cause rivers and streams to lock up with ice and overflow their banks.

Persons: —, Zack Taylor, Taylor, Crews, shovelers, Bob Isaacs, Buffalo, “, Monday, Julie Walker, John Wawrow, Matthew Brown, Jack Dura Organizations: U.S, NFL, National Weather Service, Buffalo Bills, South Buffalo, Presidential, Republican, Utah, Patrol, Authorities, Washington, D.C, Associated Press Locations: BUFFALO, N.Y, Buffalo, College Park , Maryland, Montana . Saco , Montana, Kansas , Missouri , Illinois, Indiana, Highmark, Orchard Park , New York, Lake Erie, Hamburg, Angola, West Seneca, Blasdell, South, Iowa, United States, Utah, Salt Lake City, Colorado, East, Vail , Colorado, Jackson County, Wyoming, Montana, New York City, Billings , Montana, Bismarck , North Dakota

Sibanye-Stillwater announced the layoffs Wednesday at the only platinum and palladium mines in the United States, near Nye, Montana, and other Sibanye-owned facilities in Montana, including a recycling operation. Another 187 contract workers — about 67% of the mining contract workers at the mine — will also be affected. Some contract work has been phased out over the past couple of months, said Heather McDowell, a vice president at Sibanye-Stillwater. Palladium prices have since fallen from a peak of about $3,000 an ounce in March 2022 to about $1,000 per ounce now. South Africa-based Sibanye bought the Stillwater mines in 2017 for $2.2 billion.

Persons: Heather McDowell, McDowell, Sibanye, Jason Small, Noah Dinger, Matthew Brown Organizations: Stillwater, of Labor, Forest Service, Mine, Montana AFL, Department of Labor, Industry, Associated Press Locations: Montana, Sibanye, United States, Nye , Montana, Stillwater, Nye, South Africa, Boulder, Falls , Idaho, Billings , Montana

PENROSE, Colo. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the improper storage of human remains at a southern Colorado funeral home that performs “green” burials without embalming chemicals or metal caskets. The investigation centers on a building owned by the Return to Nature Funeral Home outside Colorado Springs in the small town of Penrose. Under Colorado law, green burials are legal but state code requires that any body not buried within 24 hours must be properly refrigerated. Under Colorado law, green burials are legal but state code requires that any body not buried within 24 hours must be properly refrigerated. The Return to Nature Funeral Home was licensed in Colorado Springs in 2017.

Persons: PENROSE, Joyce Pavetti, “, ”, Pavetti, Ron Alexander, Paul Saito Kahler, Hallfordhomes, Amy Beth Hanson, Mead Gruver, Matthew Brown, Jennifer Farrar Organizations: —, Deputies, Investigators, Fremont County Sheriff’s, . Navy, Nature, Pikes, Colorado, Hallfordhomes, Colorado Springs, Associated Press Locations: Colo, Colorado, Colorado Springs, Penrose, Fremont County, Fountain , Colorado, Fremont, Helena , Montana, Cheyenne , Wyoming, Billings , Montana, New York

REUTERS/Henry NichollsApril 8 (Reuters) - As the fortunes of Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit were crashing to Earth last month, a little-known investor called Matthew Brown appeared offering a $200 million rescue. Virgin Group, which owns 75% of Virgin Orbit, also declined to comment for this article. The group is providing financing to Virgin Orbit as the satellite launch company seeks a buyer in bankruptcy. Asked about this, Brown told Reuters he structured deals to protect investor confidentiality with a preference for "laying low below the radar." Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday.

☆ Branson's Virgin Orbit files for bankruptcy, to seek buyer
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Virgin Orbit went public in 2021 through a blank-check deal, raising $255 million less than expected. Spun off from Branson's space tourism firm Virgin Galactic in 2017, Virgin Orbit air-launches rockets from beneath a modified Boeing (BA.N) 747 plane to send satellites into orbit. Virgin Orbit's strategy has been that launching small rockets from a 747 in flight would allow for short-notice launches from anywhere. Virgin Investments, a unit of Virgin Group, will provide $31.6 million in new money to Virgin Orbit through debtor-in-possession financing to fund operations while it looks for a buyer in bankruptcy, the companies said. Virgin Orbit's bankruptcy filing showed its largest creditor as London-based Arqit Ltd, which was owed almost $10 million for services and as a customer deposit.

☆ What went wrong at Virgin Orbit? 4 red flags signaled trouble for Richard Branson's satellite launch firm.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit struggled to make a comeback after a failed launch in January. Unlike SpaceX, Virgin Orbit blasts its LauncherOne rocket into space with the help of a modified Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 called Cosmic Girl. This funding "was not enough to counter the strong headwinds and liquidity challenges Virgin Orbit continues to face," the spokesperson added. Ultimately, Virgin Orbit has been unable to reach the rate of launches needed to meet the required revenue, per CNBC. Funding issuesSince the failed UK launch, Virgin Orbit has attempted to rake in funding from investors, per reports.

☆ Virgin Orbit to lay off about 85% of staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 30 (Reuters) - Rocket maker Virgin Orbit Holdings(VORB.O) on Thursday said it was laying off about 85% of staff because it had not been able to raise new investment. Shares of the company, which is controlled by Richard Branson's Virgin Group, fell 38% in after hours trade. About 675 employees will lose their jobs, and the company expects to take related charges of about $15 million, Virgin Orbit said in a regulatory filing. Virgin Orbit went public in 2021 through a blank-check deal, where it raised $255 million less than expected. A small group of employees returned to work on March 23 to focus on rocket engine work, an email to staff said at the time.

☆ Virgin Orbit extends unpaid pause as Brown deal collapses, 'dynamic' talks continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Michael Sheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Virgin Orbit launches its LauncherOne rocket from the spaceport in Cornwall, marking the first ever orbital launch from the UK. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)Virgin Orbit is again extending its unpaid pause in operations to continue pursuing a lifeline investment, CEO Dan Hart told employees in a company-wide email. But discussions between Virgin Orbit and the Texas-based investor stalled and broke down late last week, a person familiar told CNBC. Virgin Orbit was spun out of Branson's Virgin Galactic in 2017 and counts the billionaire as its largest stakeholder, with 75% ownership. Mubadala, the Emirati sovereign wealth fund, holds the second-largest stake in Virgin Orbit, at 18%.

☆ Virgin Orbit extends worker furlough, continues funding talks -CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 27 (Reuters) - Billionaire Richard Branson's cash-strapped Virgin Orbit Holdings (VORB.O) will extend an unpaid furlough for most of its employees as talks seeking new funding continue, the company's chief executive said in an email to employees on Monday. Virgin Orbit declined further comment. Reuters reported last week that Texas-based Matthew Brown had been in talks to invest $200 million in the company. Branson owns a controlling stake of Virgin Orbit of roughly 75%. Virgin Orbit shares were down 12% in after-hours trading Monday after closing down 26 cents, or 33%, at 54 cents a share.

☆ Virgin Orbit says space startup in talks with potential investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

March 23 (Reuters) - Billionaire Richard Branson's cash-strapped satellite launch company Virgin Orbit Holdings (VORB.O) said on Thursday it is in talks with "interested parties" about an investment in the company. "As we disclosed on March 16, the company has taken cash preservation measures as it explores strategic options to secure Virgin Orbit's future," Virgin Orbit said in a statement. "The company can confirm that it is in discussions with interested parties about a potential investment in the company," Virgin Orbit added. Brown, who describes himself as a "space enthusiast" who has invested in more than 13 space companies, told CNBC he would own Virgin Orbit if the deal closes. Virgin Orbit said on Wednesday it would resume operations on Thursday and prepare for its next mission by recalling some employees.

☆ Investing in Space: The latecomer
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Michael Sheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. A small group of Virgin Orbit employees are rolling back into the company's Long Beach, California, headquarters today. Virgin Orbit this week announced a partial resumption of operations, potentially bolstered by a surprising new backer: private investor Matthew Brown. A person close to the Virgin Orbit deal described Brown as a "latecomer" and said company leadership initially considered his bid "super fringe." From another investor's perspective, Virgin Orbit was "the most likely to succeed after Rocket Lab " in the small satellite launch market.

☆ Venture capitalist talks Virgin Orbit, space investment, AI and Silicon Valley Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailVenture capitalist talks Virgin Orbit, space investment, AI and Silicon Valley BankMatthew Brown, founder of venture capital firm Matthew Brown Companies, discusses his potential investment in Virgin Orbit, and what he sees as the future role of artificial intelligence.

The U.S. central bank's two-day policy meeting will end at 2 p.m. ET to gauge the central bank’s rate-hike trajectory. U.S. Treasury yields rose, with the yield on the two-year note, which best reflects interest rate expectations, last at 4.212%. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.56-to-1 ratio on the NYSE a 1.75-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded no new 52-week high and four new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 13 new highs and 34 new lows.

The U.S. central bank's two-day policy meeting will end at 2 p.m. ET (1800 GMT), with investors keenly awaiting Fed Chair Jerome Powell's conference at 2:30 p.m. ET to gauge the central bank’s rate-hike trajectory. While the central bank is likely to continue its hiking cycle with a 0.25% move, we think the guidance for future meetings will be considerably more open," said Gabriele Foà, co-portfolio manager at Algebris Investments. ET, Dow e-minis were up 24 points, or 0.07%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 1.5 points, or 0.04%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 12.75 points, or 0.1%.

☆ Exclusive: Virgin Orbit near deal to raise $200 million from Matthew Brown
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - Billionaire Richard Branson's cash-strapped Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc (VORB.O) is near a deal for a $200 million investment from Texas-based venture capital investor Matthew Brown via a private share placement, according to a term sheet seen by Reuters. Virgin Orbit and Matthew Brown are aiming to close the deal on Friday, according to the term sheet, which is not binding and remains subject to final agreement. Virgin Orbit was not immediately available to comment, while Matthew Brown Companies did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Under the deal, Matthew Brown will be entitled to convert his $200 million investment in Virgin Orbit's preferred shares into common shares at the volume weighted average price in the 30 days before the deal is signed. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Virgin Orbit plans to recall a small team from the furlough on Thursday to work on rocket upgrades.

☆ Exclusive: Virgin Orbit in talks to raise $200 mln from Matthew Brown-term sheet
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - Billionaire Richard Branson's cash-strapped Virgin Orbit (VORB.O) is near a deal for a $200 million investment from Texas-based venture capital investor Matthew Brown via a private share placement, according to a term sheet seen by Reuters. The two companies are aiming to close the deal on Friday, according to the term sheet. Virgin Orbit was not immediately available to comment. Matthew Brown Companies did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Virgin Orbit plans to recall a small team from the furlough on Thursday to work on rocket upgrades.

☆ Virgin Orbit raising $200 million from investor Matthew Brown, closing deal as soon as Thursday
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Michael Sheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Virgin Orbit is in final talks to raise funds from Texas-based investor Matthew Brown, two people familiar with the deal told CNBC, amounting to an injection of $200 million. The deal comes as Virgin Orbit scrambles to rebuild its cash coffers and avoid a potential bankruptcy filing, CNBC earlier reported. Virgin Orbit did not respond to CNBC's request for comment. Shares of Virgin Orbit surged 50% in early trading Wednesday from the stock's previous close of 44 cents a share. Virgin Orbit has been looking for new funds for several months, with majority owner Richard Branson unwilling to fund the company further.

☆ Exclusive: Virgin Orbit near deal to raise $200 mln from Matthew Brown - term sheet
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - Billionaire Richard Branson's cash-strapped Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc (VORB.O) is nearing a deal for a $200-million investment from Texas-based venture capital investor Matthew Brown via a private share placement, according to a term sheet seen by Reuters. Matthew Brown Companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Virgin Orbit and Matthew Brown are aiming to close the deal on Friday, according to the term sheet, which is not binding and remains subject to final agreement. Virgin Orbit's board agreed to move forward with the deal at a meeting held on Tuesday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Under the deal, Matthew Brown will be entitled to convert his $200 million investment in Virgin Orbit's preferred shares into common shares at the volume weighted average price in the 30 days before the deal is signed.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: GameStop, Luminar Technologies, Virgin Orbit & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

GameStop — The meme stock surged 44% after the company posted a quarterly profit for the first time in two years Tuesday. Luminar Technologies — Shares dropped nearly 9.2% after being downgraded by Goldman Sachs to sell from neutral. Petco Health and Wellness — The stock fell by 7.8% in early morning trading after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that missed Wall Street's expectations. First Republic — Shares of the regional bank fell by 4.2% in premarket trading after jumping nearly 30% in Tuesday's session. Sales in China fell short of analyst expectations, and the company continued working through its inventories, which weighed on margins.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Nvidia, First Republic, Nike, GameStop and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Wall Street analysts lauded the company's artificial intelligence leadership following its developer conference Tuesday. First Republic Bank — Shares of the regional bank were down nearly 16% on Wednesday. Its results can't be compared with Wall Street estimates because too few analysts cover the company. Petco Health and Wellness — Shares fell 17.5% after the company reported earnings. The Wall Street firm believes the self-driving car software stock is too expensive and could fall 35% from Tuesday's close.

☆ Five states will have politically-split Senate delegations in the new Congress, reflecting the nation's continued partisan polarization
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The new Congress, which begins this week, will have five politically-split Senate delegations. But in the new Congress, which begins this week, only five states will have split Senate delegations: Maine, Montana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. AP Photo/Matthew BrownMontanaDemocratic Sen. Jon Tester and Republican Sen. Steve DainesTester was first elected to the Senate in 2006 and secured reelection in both 2012 and 2018. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesWest VirginiaDemocratic Sen. Joe Manchin and Republican Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoManchin is perhaps the nation's most recognizable moderate Democrat, having single-handedly scuttled Biden's Build Back Better agenda in December 2021. WisconsinRepublican Sen. Ron Johnson and Democratic Sen. Tammy BaldwinThe Badger State is often home to some of the closest races in the entire country.

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