DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Japanese store near Mount Fuji issues apology in response to overtourism
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Lawson’s, one of Japan’s largest convenience store chains, has an outpost in the small town of Fujikawaguchiko. Tourists have flooded into Fujikawaguchiko to take one specific picture – a shot of Mount Fuji behind a Lawson’s store, where the mountain’s classic elegance contrasts with the store’s modern neon signage. Although Lawson’s has not encouraged visitors to take pictures of their store, the company nevertheless issued a statement addressing the issue on May 5. Many of them headed to the same destinations, crowding Kyoto’s narrow streets and the walking trails of Mount Fuji. And Lawson’s is not the only Japanese tourist destination that has resorted to putting up signs warning visitors of bad behaviors.

Persons: Fuji –, Lawson’s, Lawson, –, overtourism, Fujikawaguchiko, Semans Organizations: CNN, Fuji, Mount Fuji, ”, Mount, UNESCO Locations: Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi prefecture, –, Japan, Mount, Yamanashi

☆ Big Tech is eating as much data as it can to win in AI — but it's not 'winner takes all,' CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Matt Calkins, CEO and co-founder of Appian, said that though internet giants like Microsoft , Amazon , and Google are spending billions on the tech, ensuring success in AI is "not just about money." "AI is not a place where money makes more money," Calkins told CNBC in an interview at its London bureau on Tuesday. Microsoft has struck a similar deal with Mistral, taking a 15 million euro ($16 million) stake in the French AI firm. Separately, Amazon has invested a whopping $4 billion into U.S. AI firm Anthropic, which is behind the Claude AI system. "The best AI will be the AI you put your data into, not whoever bought the biggest stack," he said.

Persons: Matt Calkins, Appian, Calkins, Sam Altman, Altman, Claude, you've, —, Sundar Pichai Organizations: Microsoft, Google, CNBC, Mistral, Amazon, OpenAI, Anthropic, British Locations: London, OpenAI, Redmond, Washington, French, Anthropic, Europe

☆ Macklemore criticizes Biden in new song supporting pro-Palestinian student protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Across the US, pro-Palestinian protesters have been occupying lawns and buildings on campuses, and many are requesting that their universities divest from Israel. Nic Antaya/Getty Images Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate on the New York University campus in New York on Friday, May 3. Before police were deployed to campus, pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters were clashing at the school , according to multiple reports. Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images Columbia University students gather for a picket organized by the Student Workers Union (UAW Local 2710) on Monday, April 29. Stefan Jeremiah/AP Israeli flags are reflected in the sunglasses of a demonstrator in front of Columbia University on April 22.

Persons: Macklemore, Joe Biden, ” Macklemore, Donald Trump, Columbia’s Hamilton, Hind Rajab, Hind, who’ve, ”, He’s, Biden, Jon Batiste, Selena Gomez, Annie Lennox, “, Melissa Overton, Nic Antaya, Seth Harrison, Jenny Kane, Chip Somodevilla, Mathieu Lewis, Rolland, Craig Hudson, Emma, Roberto Schmidt, Etienne Laurent, Mike Blake, Spencer Platt, Frederic J . Brown, Caitlin Ochs, David Dee Delgado, Charly Triballeau, Kena Betancur, Seyma, Alex Kent, Joseph Prezioso, Suzanne Cordeiro, Diane Handal, Cliff Owen, Qian Weizhong, Mike Stewart, Sarah Reingewirtz, Jay Janner, Brandon Bell, Brian Snyder, Mike Johnson, Timothy A, Clary, Matthew Hatcher, Nuri Vallbona, Jordan Vonderhaar, Zaydee Sanchez, Cameron Jones, Stephanie Keith, Andres Kudacki, Tayfun, Joe Buglewicz, Fatih Aktas, Michael M, Mary Altaffer, Scott Eisen, Columbia's, Stefan Jeremiah, Selcuk, Seattle concertgoers, Seth Rogen Organizations: CNN, Columbia University, Biden, University of California, University of Arizona, Dua Lipa, Scottish, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Hamas, Protesters, University of Michigan's, New York University, Westchester County Journal, USA, Network Police, Portland State University, AP, George Washington University, Getty, The George Washington University, Israel, AFP, Police, UCLA, Reuters, Fordham, Lincoln Center, Getty Images Police, Hamilton, Reuters Police, Columbia, The City College of New, Getty Images, Columbia Students, Justice, Hamilton Hall, Brown University, Getty Images Columbia University, Student Workers Union, UAW, University of Texas, Low, Sunday, Rueters Georgia State Patrol, Emory University, MediaNews, Los Angeles Daily News, Austin Statesman, Network, Austin, University, Emerson College, Swarthmore College, Bloomberg, University of Southern, Reuters New York, Reuters Columbia, New York Times, Sproul Hall, Yale University, University police, York University, The New School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Library, Seattle, Trump Locations: Gaza, Israel, University of California Los Angeles, Palestine, Dua, Ann Arbor , Michigan, New York, Westchester, Portland , Oregon, Washington ,, Portland, The, Los Angeles, AFP, The City College of New York, Columbia, Columbia's, Providence , Rhode Island, Texas, Austin, New, Rueters Georgia, Atlanta, Getty Images Texas, Boston, Swarthmore , Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Berkeley, Sproul, Anadolu, New Haven , Connecticut, Cambridge, Washington

☆ How AI is changing OnlyFans and adult content creation, from chatting to 'AI twins,' and where the future is headed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Many AI adult influencers have turned to OnlyFans competitor Fanvue to monetize their content. MySentient has been investing in creating "sentient" AI chatbots based on people that range from adult creators like Amouranth to Jesus. Elaina St James has used different AI tools to generate images of herself in different contexts and outfits. To create these characters, they use a variety of AI tools, including Unstable Diffusion, an AI image generator that focuses on NSFW content. Others see the power of AI but also the issues it could create for the adult industry as a whole.

Persons: Riley Reid, Ana Levy, Isla Moon, Jada Sparks, Fanvue, it's, OnlyFans, Fortune, Riley Reid's Clona, immortalize, Riley, MySentient, Amouranth, Jesus, Reese Leysen, Leysen, We've, Robert Weiss, that's, she'd, James, Elaina, James Level, —, Eva AI, MyClub.ai, Eva, MyClub, Jessica Moore, Elaina St James, St James, Zoe Fox, Aika Kittie, Margot Robbie, Influencer Sophie Annaston, she's, Sophie Annaston, who's, It's, Charles Lyle Organizations: Business, MyClub, AVN, Media Locations: Philippines, India, Pakistan, Canada, Spanish, Fanvue, Lipa

☆ Whoopi Goldberg revealed what one 'Sister Act' star did after her mother died
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewWhoopi Goldberg revealed that her "Sister Act" costar, Maggie Smith, consoled her after she learned of her mom, Emma Johnson's, death in 2010. Goldberg recalled the touching moment in her new memoir " Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me ," released Tuesday. AdvertisementMaggie Smith as Mother Superior and Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris Van Cartier in "Sister Act." "I explained to Maggie Smith what was going on and apologized for having to fly home as soon as I could. "That's when this magnificent woman, Dame Maggie Smith, went from being my backstage company to being my friend through the rest of the night," she said.

Persons: —, Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Emma Johnson's, Goldberg, cohost, Superior, Clyde K, Johnson, Smith, Mother Superior, Deloris Van Cartier, Goldberg's, Emma Johnson, John Nacion, Dame Maggie Smith, Maggie, I've Organizations: Service, London Palladium, Business, Variety Locations: San Francisco

☆ A high-stakes report looms over Biden on whether Israel violated international law
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Kylie Atwood | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

Nic Antaya/Getty Images Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate on the New York University campus in New York on Friday, May 3. Mike Blake/Reuters Pro-Palestinian protesters stand their ground after police breached their encampment at UCLA on May 2. Before police were deployed to campus, pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters were clashing at the school , according to multiple reports. Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images Columbia University students gather for a picket organized by the Student Workers Union (UAW Local 2710) on Monday, April 29. Stefan Jeremiah/AP Israeli flags are reflected in the sunglasses of a demonstrator in front of Columbia University on April 22.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, “, Matthew Miller, Adam Schultz, Netanyahu, Israel, Mahmud Hams, It’s, ”, Democratic Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Sen, Alex Brandon, Van Hollen, Miller, ” Miller, Melissa Overton, Nic Antaya, Seth Harrison, Jenny Kane, Chip Somodevilla, Mathieu Lewis, Rolland, Craig Hudson, Emma, Roberto Schmidt, Etienne Laurent, Mike Blake, Spencer Platt, Frederic J . Brown, Caitlin Ochs, David Dee Delgado, Charly Triballeau, Kena Betancur, Seyma, Alex Kent, Joseph Prezioso, Suzanne Cordeiro, Diane Handal, Cliff Owen, Qian Weizhong, Mike Stewart, Sarah Reingewirtz, Jay Janner, Brandon Bell, Brian Snyder, Mike Johnson, Timothy A, Clary, Matthew Hatcher, Nuri Vallbona, Jordan Vonderhaar, Zaydee Sanchez, Cameron Jones, Stephanie Keith, Andres Kudacki, Tayfun, Joe Buglewicz, Fatih Aktas, Michael M, Mary Altaffer, Scott Eisen, Columbia's, Stefan Jeremiah, Selcuk Organizations: CNN, State Department, Israeli, Congress, Hamas, Capitol, ”, National Security, Getty, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, Defense Department and National Security Council, Biden, Israel, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations Office, Human Rights, Biden Democrats, Democratic, Democratic Party, Republican, Department, Protesters, University of Michigan's, New York University, Westchester County Journal, USA, Network Police, Portland State University, AP, George Washington University, The George Washington University, AFP, Police, University of California, UCLA, Reuters, Fordham, Lincoln Center, Getty Images Police, Hamilton, Columbia University, Reuters Police, Columbia, The City College of New, Getty Images, Columbia Students, Justice, Hamilton Hall, Brown University, Getty Images Columbia University, Student Workers Union, UAW, University of Texas, Low, Sunday, Rueters Georgia State Patrol, Emory University, MediaNews, Los Angeles Daily News, Austin Statesman, Network, Austin, University, Emerson College, Swarthmore College, Bloomberg, University of Southern, Reuters New York, Reuters Columbia, New York Times, Sproul Hall, Yale University, University police, York University, The New School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Library, USAID Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Capitol Hill, Iran, Palestinian American, Jabalia, AFP, Ann Arbor , Michigan, New York, Westchester, Portland , Oregon, Washington ,, Portland, The, Los Angeles, The City College of New York, Columbia, Columbia's, Palestine, Providence , Rhode Island, Texas, Austin, New, Rueters Georgia, Atlanta, Getty Images Texas, Boston, Swarthmore , Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Berkeley, Sproul, Anadolu, New Haven , Connecticut, Cambridge

☆ Inquiry Finds a Toxic Culture at the F.D.I.C., and Takes Aim at Its Leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Emily Flitter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A report on workplace culture at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation released on Tuesday revealed a broad, yearslong pattern of sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse of mostly women and members of minority groups by senior officials. The findings are likely to lead to another potentially bruising round of questions for the agency’s chair, Martin Gruenberg, who is scheduled to testify in Congress later this month. It described “fiefdoms” in regional offices, where senior managers protected other longtime employees from potential consequences stemming from more junior employees’ claims of mistreatment. Examples of the behavior, including senior examiners texting junior women pictures of their genitalia or taking them to brothels, were first reported by The Wall Street Journal in November. Tuesday’s report was the result of an independent investigation by Cleary Gottlieb, which was hired by a special committee created by the agency’s board after The Journal’s report.

Persons: Martin Gruenberg, ”, “, Cleary Gottlieb, ’, Tuesday’s Organizations: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Wall Street

Ms. Daniels could take the stand to testify against Mr. Trump as early as this week. Her presence would let Mr. Trump’s defense lawyers attack Ms. Daniels as an extortionist and question her credibility. Nor can she testify about the plan for Mr. Trump to hide his reimbursements to Mr. Cohen by characterizing them as legal fees. Mr. Trump’s lawyers contend that he did not know that the checks he signed for Mr. Cohen were not for legal fees, and that Mr. Cohen and Mr. Trump’s employees were responsible for any false records. “He has never thought that the little man, or especially women, and even more, women like me, matter,” Ms. Daniels said.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Alvin L, Bragg, Trump’s, Michael Bachner, Bachner, Dave Sanders, Stephanie Clifford, Barrett, “ I’m, Donald Trump, ” Ms, Norm, ”, Peacock, J., r. “ Organizations: Mr, The New York Times Locations: Manhattan, New York City, Baton Rouge, La, Texas, Florida, New York

☆ A passenger had their flight ticket canceled after trying to smuggle a bag of snakes in their pants past TSA
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A passenger was caught with a bag of snakes in their pants at Miami International Airport. AdvertisementA passenger was caught trying to smuggle a bag of snakes onto a plane at Miami International Airport last month. Transportation Security Agency officials said officers detected the small bag "hidden in a passenger's pants" on April 26. Officers at @iflymia detected this bag of snakes hidden in a passenger’s pants at a checkpoint on Fri, April 26. pic.twitter.com/CggJob8IT8 — TSA_Gulf (@TSA_Gulf) April 30, 2024Upon discovering the reptiles at a security checkpoint, the TSA called in the police and Customs and Border Protection.

Persons: —, Oakley, @TSA, Kanitha, frontliners Organizations: Miami International Airport, Daily Mail, Service, Transportation Security Agency, Miami - Dade Police, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, TSA, Customs, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Guardian, Airlines, Protection Locations: Asia, Miami, Thailand, Southeast Asia, South Asia

☆ I was laid off from my job at a fancy convenience store chain when it suddenly shuttered. My final shift felt like 'The Purge.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Foxtrot, an upscale convenience-store chain, shuttered its 33 locations on April 23. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Declan Rhodes, a 25-year-old former employee of Foxtrot, an upscale convenience store chain that was based in Chicago. This will be a nice little survival job while I'm auditioning." It was just: "Kick everyone out of the store, take out the trash, lock doors, and close the store officially." My next move after FoxtrotIt's back to square one in terms of finding a survival job.

Persons: Declan Rhodes, —, I've, John J, Kim, strapping, we'd, Rhodes, It's, I'm Organizations: Service, Washington DC, Business, Caesars, Chicago Tribune, Tribune, Getty, Foxtrot Locations: Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Springfield , Missouri, Illinois

☆ Katy Perry’s mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Marianne Garvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did. Pictures of the singer seemingly taken at the event circulated on X, but they were created through artificial intelligence (AI). The fake photos included Perry dressed in looks that fit the Met Gala’s garden theme this year. Perry also included a text from her mom, who complimented her on her gown. Her mom wrote, “Ha Feather!

Persons: Katy Perry, Perry, “, ”, ” Perry Organizations: CNN

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Berkshire Hathaway, Micron, Tyson Foods, Spirit Airlines and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Spirit also forecast second-quarter revenue between $1.2 billion and $1.34 billion, below a FactSet estimate of $1.46 billion. Paramount — Shares popped 3.3% following a report that the owner of Paramount Pictures and CBS Entertainment Group began formal acquisition negotiations with a group led by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo . U.S. Steel shares have room to rise due to internal improvements, even if the Nippon Steel buyout deal collapses, Morgan Stanley said in a note. Morgan Stanley said the market is likely overlooking the Canadian-based company's progress on improving core profit margins. Morgan Stanley downgraded the intimate apparel maker to underweight due to expectations for negative earnings per share revisions.

Persons: Baird, Warren Buffett, Morgan Stanley, Tyson, StreetAccount, Bausch, Coinbase, Li Auto, Alex Harring, Jesse Pound, Samantha Subin, Hakyung Kim, Sarah Min, Matthew Staver Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, Berkshire, Micron Technology, Spirit Airlines, Paramount, Paramount Pictures, CBS Entertainment Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, United States Steel, . Steel, Nippon Steel, Medical Properties, Health Care, EHang Holdings, Barclays, Micron Technology Inc, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: The Boise , Idaho, Berkshire, Pittsburgh, China, Weibo, Boise , Idaho

☆ Stocks making the biggest premarket moves: Berkshire Hathaway, Paramount, Spirit Air, Victoria's Secret and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Paramount — Shares popped 2.4% following a report that the owner of Paramount Pictures and CBS Entertainment Group began formal acquisition negotiations with a group led by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo. Morgan Stanley downgraded Victoria's Secret to underweight and cut its price target, citing expectations for negative EPS revisions and a tough second half for specialty retail. EHang Holdings — The autonomous aircraft stock advanced 3.2% on the heels of a bullish initiation of research coverage from Morgan Stanley. United States Steel — Shares of the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker rose more than 2% after Morgan Stanley upgraded it to overweight from equal weight. U.S. Steel shares have room to rise thanks to internal improvements, even if the Nippon Steel buyout deal collapses, Morgan Stanley said in a note.

Persons: Warren Buffett, Li, Tyson, Howard Shultz, Morgan Stanley, Coinbase, Bausch, Johnson, —, Sarah Min, Tanaya Macheel, Jesse Pound, Michelle Fox, Samantha Subin Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, Paramount, Paramount Pictures, CBS Entertainment Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Spirit Airlines, Li Auto, StreetAccount, Starbucks, EHang Holdings, United States Steel, . Steel, Nippon Steel, Barclays, UBS Locations: Berkshire, China, Pittsburgh

☆ Palestinians fleeing Rafah describe their fear and despair: ‘I am leaving for the unknown’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Palestinian civilians told to evacuate eastern Rafah by the Israeli military have described their fear and despair at being uprooted from their homes and shelters, as Israel airstrikes hit Gaza’s southernmost city. “We left because they distributed leaflets,” Mohammed Ghanem, a resident in eastern Rafah told a CNN stringer in the area on Monday. They are killing women and children.”Another woman from eastern Rafah said, “The Israelis sent us messages ordering us to leave. It is not only my feeling, it is everyone’s feeling.”Many of those leaving eastern Rafah have been previously displaced multiple times as Israel’s focus moved from city to city. A woman called Maha said Palestinian civilians were at the mercy of the Israeli military.

Persons: ” Mohammed Ghanem, “, ”, Ghanem, Khan Younis, Ramadan Abed, Volker Türk, Faisal Barbakh, Malek, Yousef, ’, Mohammad Abu Khamash, It’s, ” Scott Anderson, Jan Egeland, Ahmad Safi, Safi, Abu Salah, Maha Organizations: CNN, Reuters, United Nations, Norwegian Refugee Council, Israel Defense Forces, Frontieres, ” MSF, UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, UN, Palestinian Civil Defense Locations: Rafah, Israel, “, Mawasi, Gazan, Rafah’s, Gaza, ”, Israeli, Palestinian

☆ With Schools in Ruins, Education in Gaza Will Be Hobbled for Years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Liam Stack | Bilal Shbair | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Amjad Abu Daqqa was among the top students at his school in Khan Younis, excelling in math and English, and he was applying for a scholarship to study in the United States when war erupted in the Gaza Strip last October. Teachers used to reward his good grades with trips to local historical sites or to the pier, where they would watch boats and take pictures of the sunset. He dreamed of going into medicine like his big sister, Nagham, who studied dentistry in Gaza City. But his old life and old dreams now feel far away. “I feel like I am a body without a soul, and I want to feel hopeful again.”

Persons: Amjad Abu Daqqa, Khan Younis, Nagham, ”, Amjad Locations: United States, Gaza, Gaza City, Rafah

☆ How a romance scammer defrauded 3 Tinder dates out of over $100,000
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementThe victims of a romance scammer who defrauded women he met on Tinder out of over $100,000 have spoken out about being targeted. Peter Gray, 35, from Yorkshire, UK, found his victims on Tinder and won their trust, BBC News reported. Romance scams have boomed since the onset of the pandemic, with Americans losing over $1.3 billion to the practice in 2022, up 164% from 2019, Business Insider previously reported. In the UK, over £92 million (about $115 million) was lost to romance scams in the same year, according to data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. AdvertisementGray used information from driving licenses to scam Tinder dates"It was shocking," a sister of one of Gray's victims told BBC News.

Persons: Peter Gray, —, Gray, Jessica, Hannah, Elizabeth, Tinder Organizations: Service, BBC News, Business, Federal Trade Commission, National Fraud Intelligence, BBC Locations: Yorkshire

☆ I earn $150K a year as a creator on OnlyFans. I work 9-hour days, 7 days a week.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Lauren Spencer is a top-performing OnlyFans content creator. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Content creators are in charge of their own promotionMy husband and I only have to rely on each other. I work on and off from 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., seven days a week, usually averaging about nine hours a day. On OnlyFans, content creators are responsible for promoting themselves.

Persons: Lauren Spencer, —, OnlyFans, COVID, It's, Spencer, Lauren Spencer Next, Max, I've, they're Organizations: Service, I'm, pedicures, Business

☆ Sony and Apollo in Talks to Acquire Paramount
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | Lauren Hirsch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Paramount has decided to formally open negotiations with a bidding group led by Sony Pictures Entertainment and the private equity giant Apollo, according to three people familiar with the matter. The move comes after a period of exclusive talks with the Hollywood studio Skydance lapsed on Friday night. A special committee of Paramount’s board of directors met Saturday and signed off on beginning deal talks with Sony and Apollo, which last week submitted a letter of interest valuing the company at $26 billion, the people said. The committee also decided to push for further negotiations with Skydance, a studio founded by the technology scion David Ellison. Any deal between the Sony group and Paramount faces hurdles.

Persons: David Ellison Organizations: Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Hollywood, Sony, Skydance, Nickelodeon, MTV, CBS, Paramount Pictures Locations: Japan, United States

☆ A full-time Cleveland Uber driver who took home $17,000 in 2023 shares why the full-time gig isn't worth the money anymore
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewGeorge, a full-time Uber driver in Cleveland, was once quite satisfied with his ride-hailing gig. The 40-year-old, who has been driving for Uber since 2017, is considering quitting and becoming a truck driver, he previously told Business Insider via email. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. George is one of several Uber and Lyft drivers who have told Business Insider their gigs are less profitable than they were a few years ago. AdvertisementMany ride-hailing drivers are actively tracking their income and expenses to make sure driving is worth their time.

Persons: —, George, Uber, he's, He's, Patrick's, aren't, they've, hasn't, Roger Kaiser Organizations: Service, Uber, Business, BI Locations: Cleveland

☆ Hard Rock leans into F1's luxury image, selling $200 baskets of wings at the Miami Grand Prix ($400 for added caviar)
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewLuxury was on full display during the Miami Grand Prix, especially at the Hard Rock Beach Club, where an order of wings cost nearly $200. The racetrack spans 3.7 miles and is set up around Hard Rock Stadium. Hard Rock International announced its Hard Rock Beach Club in March, writing in a press release that the day club experience overlooked the racetrack and included star-studded performances. AdvertisementScreenshot from the Hard Rock Beach Club website. Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty ImagesRepresentatives for Hard Rock did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: —, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Ryan Ellis, Ellis, Armand de Brignac, Qian Jun, Adam Minter Organizations: Service, Miami Grand Prix, Beach Club, Miami International, Hard, Business, Beach, Rock International, Beach Club Nascar, nascar, Heineken, Miami, Prix, Getty, Motorsports, NASCAR, Europe, Blackbook Motorsport, Bloomberg Locations: SoFlo, Maine, United States

☆ The ‘Star Wars’ timeline is confusing. Here’s when ‘The Acolyte,’ ‘Ahsoka’ and more take place
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Worry not, padawans: CNN has laid out a comprehensive timeline of the “Star Wars” canon so you can follow all of the franchise’s time-jumps without getting lost in space. These details are pulled from the official “Star Wars” resources “Ultimate Star Wars” and “Star Wars Character Encyclopedia,” as well as a chart of the eras explored throughout the franchise. ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (animated series)Ahsoka is Anakin's padawan in "The Clone Wars," and he lovingly calls her "Snips." ‘Star Wars Rebels’Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios and Sabine Wren take on the Empire in "Star Wars Rebels." ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’Heroes attempt to find the plans to blow up the Death Star in "Rogue One."

Persons: we’ve, Rey Skywalker, Jin, Anakin Skywalker, Wan, Anakin, who’s, Anakin’s, Darth Maul, Palpatine, Darth Sidious, Obi, “, Padmé, ”, Count Dooku, Warner, Ahsoka Tano, Sidious, Darth Vader, Luke, Leia, Vader, ‘, Han, Chewie, Jonathan Olley, scoundrel Han, Thrillist, frenemy, Lando Calrissian, ‘ Obi, Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios, Sabine Wren, ‘ Andor, Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, Jyn, ’ Luke, —, Yoda, batty, Lando, Yikes, Jabba, redeems, VI, VII, Grogu, Mando, Boba Fett, Jango Fett, flitted, Boba, Din, ” It’s, Ahsoka, Jabba the, Suzanne Tenner, Ezra Bridger, Hera Syndulla, Thrawn, Rey, Kylo Ren, ” Rey, stormtrooper Finn, Kylo, ’ Finn, Phasma, Ren, Snoke, MacGuffin, Poe, Emperor Palpatine, she’s, Jude, Kerry Condon, Lee Jung, jae, Amandla, Leslye Headland, James Mangold, Indiana Jones, Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley Organizations: CNN, “, “ Star, Lucasfilm, Everett, Lucasfilm Ltd, USA, ‘, Warner Bros, Fox, Empire, Tech, Disney, Walt Disney Studios, ‘ Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Rebels, AV, Pictures, Rebel, Rebels, Galaxy, imperials, Rotten, “ Star Wars Rebels, Force, Rey, C3PO, Jude Law, Variety Locations: Yavin, “, Republic, Hunter, Luke’s, ”, USA, carbonite, New Republic, Endor

☆ 4 lessons for success from Berkshire shareholders' best Buffett and Munger stories
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Around these parts, the honchos at Berkshire do have one key thing in common with Murray: everyone who's met them seems to have a story. Just about everyone who had encountered one of the Berkshire luminaries shared some of the wisdom they imparted. Indeed, it's advice that Buffett echoed at the shareholder meeting on Saturday. In response to a question about advice everyone needs to hear, Buffett urged shareholders to think about the way they'd like their obituaries to read and to pursue life accordingly. An encounter with his friend, Berkshire board member Chris Davis, reminded him of a key piece of advice from Munger: surround yourself with images of your idols.

Persons: Bill Murray, Murray, Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, who's, Guy Spier, Doerthe Obert, —, It's, Buffett, William Greene, Michael O'Brien, Chris Davis, Charlie, Munger, Benjamin Franklin, Greene, Gillian Segal, Segal Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, Drew Investment Research, Buffett Locations: Washington ,, Omaha, Nebraska, Berkshire, Zurich, Munger

Paramount’s proposed merger with Skydance has been the most tumultuous media deal in years. Now it has taken yet another turn after the exclusivity period for negotiations expired without an agreement in hand. Paramount shareholders grumbled that granting exclusivity was a mistake, and that the company should have engaged with Apollo instead. This week, the special committee told Skydance that it was letting the exclusivity period lapse. But it does allow Paramount to open up negotiations with Apollo and Sony Pictures Entertainment, which joined Apollo’s bid.

Persons: Paramount’s, Skydance, David Ellison — Organizations: Apollo Global Management, Paramount, Skydance, Apollo, Sony Pictures Entertainment

☆ Taiwan says Chinese planes crossed median line, China carries out landing drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan's defense ministry said on Friday it had detected a renewed incursion by Chinese military aircraft across the sensitive Taiwan Strait, as China reported its navy had carried out combat drills with landing craft. Taiwan's defense ministry said on Friday it had detected a renewed incursion by Chinese military aircraft across the sensitive Taiwan Strait, as China reported its navy had carried out combat drills with landing craft. The median line is used to serve as an unofficial border between the two sides, but Chinese military aircraft now regularly cross it. Taiwan said on Thursday that China had carried out a "joint combat readiness patrol" near the island for the second time in a week. China's defense ministry did not answer calls seeking comment on Friday, the country being in the middle of its Labor Day holiday.

Organizations: Labor, Eastern Theatre Command, Liberation Army Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, Keelung

☆ I was Ryan Gosling's stunt double on 'The Fall Guy.' Filming car crashes was dizzying, but I broke a Guinness World Record.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Ayomikun Adekaiyero | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Holladay was driving the cars during the early car crash scene and the final car jump scene. He recalled breaking the Guinness World Record for most cannon rolls performed in a car to Business Insider. When I was hired as Ryan Gosling's stunt driver for "The Fall Guy," the film's stunt coordinator gave me one big objective. Although we had other stunts and cannon rolls to perform for other scenes, completing this big stunt felt like a real victory. A side-by-side picture of the car jump.

Persons: Logan Holladay, Ryan Gosling's, Guy, Holladay, —, Adam Kirley, Daniel Craig's, Eric Laciste, we'd, Ryan Gosling, David Leitch, Colt, Tom Ryder, Aaron Taylor, Johnson, Emily Blunt, Chris O'Hara, Ryder Organizations: Business, Service, Guinness, Universal Pictures Locations: Sydney, Australia

Search resuls for: "Pictures"

25 mentions found