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☆ CNBC TechCheck Evening Edition: May 20, 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | 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 EmailCNBC TechCheck Evening Edition: May 20TH, 2024CNBC's TechCheck brings you the latest in tech news from CNBC's 1 Market in the heart of San Francisco.

Persons: TechCheck Organizations: CNBC Locations: San Francisco

☆ Britain expands AI safety institute to San Francisco amid scrutiny over regulatory shortcomings
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The government on Monday announced it would open a U.S. counterpart to its AI safety summit, a state-backed body focused on testing advanced AI systems to ensure they're safe, in San Francisco this summer. The U.S. iteration of the AI Safety Institute will aim to recruit a team of technical staff headed up by a research director. In a statement, U.K. Technology Minister Michelle Donelan said the AI Safety Summit's U.S. rollout "represents British leadership in AI in action." The AI Safety Institute was established in November 2023 during the AI Safety Summit, a global event held in England's Bletchley Park, the home of World War II code breakers, that sought to boost cross-border cooperation on AI safety. The government said that, since the AI Safety Institute was established in November, it's made progress in evaluating frontier AI models from some of the industry's leading players.

Persons: Ian Hogarth, Michelle Donelan, it's, Anthropic Organizations: LONDON, Monday, AI, Technology, Safety, U.S, Microsoft, AI Safety, Institute, Seoul, European Union Locations: San Francisco, California, United States, U.S, London, British, Bay, OpenAI, England's Bletchley, South Korea, Bletchley Park, Seoul, Britain, European

☆ Exxon faces opposition from CalPERS after 'devastating' anti-ESG activist suit
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Exxon Mobil 's monthslong battle with two environmentally focused activist investors has cost the company the support of the California Public Employees' Retirement System. The two activists submitted a shareholder proposal that would have forced the company to reduce direct emissions and set a target for lowering emissions at suppliers and customers. Exxon sued the investors in Texas federal court in January, prompting them to withdraw the proposal. Even with the activists backing off, Exxon has continued its lawsuit to prevent the activists from ever again submitting such a proposal. CalPERS said in its letter that Exxon's "reckless" lawsuit threatened shareholder activism efforts on any issue.

Persons: Darren Woods, Arjuna, CalPERS, Marcie Frost, Theresa Taylor, it's, Greg Goff, Kaisa Hietala, Andy Karsner, Jeff Ubben Organizations: APEC, Summit, Moscone West, Exxon Mobil, California Public Employees, Exxon, CNBC, ExxonMobil, Securities and Exchange Commission, Inclusive Capital Locations: San Francisco , California, Texas

☆ What Walmart's RTO mandate is really about
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Dominick Reuter | Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Walmart's chief people officer, Donna Morris, commented similarly in a memo announcing the layoffs and relocations earlier that week. She wrote that working in an office would help workers collaborate, innovate, and "move even faster." Still, some employees continued working remotely, and several satellite offices remained open in cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Toronto, and Seattle. He also said he doesn't think the company is using this RTO mandate as a cover for achieving cost savings through workforce reductions, commonly referred to as "quiet firing," but that it's more part of Walmart's ethos. For the remote worker BI spoke with, the next few weeks will be filled with uncertainty.

Persons: —, it's, Sam Walton, Nelson Lichtenstein, Doug McMillon, Donna Morris, Morris, Suresh Kumar, Walmart's, Kumar, Kelli Oakes, she'd, I'm, Oakes, Lichtenstein, there's, Gartner Organizations: Service, Walmart, Business, University of California, Executives, BI, Home, LinkedIn, Walmart Global Tech, Sam's Club, UC Locations: Arkansas, Bentonville , Arkansas, New York, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Bentonville, Atlanta, Dallas, Toronto, Seattle, Bay, Hoboken , New Jersey, South Carolina, Northwest Arkansas

☆ Opinion | Israel and Gaza: Despair and What-Ifs
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

To the Editor:Re “In Israel, ‘the Darkness Is Everywhere,’” by Megan K. Stack (Opinion guest essay, May 18):I appreciate Ms. Stack’s essay, in which she makes several important observations about current attitudes among Israelis. However, she leaves out the tragic choices that Palestinians have themselves made in Gaza and the West Bank. Instead, they diverted essentially all investment into war preparations, including the rocket and tunnel technology that has proved so formidable in several wars with Israel since then. Stephen HallSan FranciscoTo the Editor:I am grateful to The New York Times for publishing Megan K. Stack’s essay. We need more articles on what it is really like on the ground in Israel, and, as disheartening as it may be, we are all better and more informed for reading it.

Persons: Megan K, Gazans, Stephen Hall Organizations: West Bank, Stephen Hall San Francisco, The New York Times Locations: Israel, Gaza

☆ Cybersecurity professionals share best practices for securing 5G networks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Rosalie Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Professionals at the RSA Conference shared insights on securing 5G devices and networks. Business Insider spoke with several cybersecurity professionals at the annual RSA Conference, which took place from May 6 to 9 in San Francisco. Private 5G networks will change the way in which everything connects." Here are cybersecurity professionals' best practices for securing 5G devices and networks. That's because as more devices get connected to 5G networks, the bigger the attack surface becomes.

Persons: —, Nathan Howe, it's, Andrea Carcano, Boaz Gelbord, Donna Johnson, you've, Christine Gadsby, It's, Darren Guccione, Guccione, Jimmy Mesta, Carcano Organizations: RSA, Service, Business, RSA Conference, Nozomi Networks, BlackBerry, RAD Security Locations: San Francisco, cybersecurity

☆ If you want to fight depression, head to a sauna
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Regular sauna sessions may help alleviate depression, a new study shows. 11 out of 12 no longer met depression criteria after the study. AdvertisementThe next time you need to boost your mood: Head to the sauna . According to a new study conducted by Ashley Mason, a clinical psychologist at the UC San Francisco Osher Center for Integrative Health, regular sauna sessions might benefit individuals with depression. By the end of the trial, 11 out of the 12 participants no longer met the criteria for major depressive disorder.

Persons: —, Ashley Mason, Mason Organizations: Service, UC San Francisco Osher Center, Integrative Health, Business

Read previewLegal challenges by conservative lawmakers and activists against guaranteed basic income programs are heating up nationwide. Guaranteed basic income programs differ from their idealistic cousin — a universal basic income. AdvertisementWhile localized guaranteed basic income programs are tiny compared to a nationwide universal basic income, they are the subject of no less conservative opposition. Local politicians in places like South Dakota and Arizona have moved to block basic income programs for this reason alone. AdvertisementWhile these arguments appear to support giving basic income payments to a broader group of people, it's unlikely many conservatives would actually support a universal basic income.

Persons: —, Andrew Yang, Sam Altman, Republican Sen, John Wiik, Kathryn Blankenberg, Ken Paxton, Paxton, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Republican, Judicial Watch, American Civil Rights, Texas Locations: South Dakota, Arizona, Dakota, San Francisco, Texas, Houston, Harris County

☆ Opinion: Biden has a critical opportunity with his Morehouse commencement speech
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Opinion Jamal Simmons | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

He was most recently communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House and is currently a CNN political commentator. About half knew Biden was for marriage equality but only one knew he was for it before President Barack Obama. These students knew little about the warmer parts of Biden’s pre-presidential story, but a lot about the more troublesome aspects. A speech like the one at Morehouse, therefore, provides a critical opportunity for Biden. The president must let these students know he is not just the lesser of two evils, because he’s not evil.

Persons: Jamal Simmons, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s, Michael Levesque, White, Steve Benjamin, Morehouse, ”, Biden, Levesque, Beau Biden’s, Barack Obama, Terrance Woodbury, That’s, ” Woodbury, “, Harris, —, he’s Organizations: Democratic, White, CNN, Morehouse College, Sunday, Apple News, Guardian, Wall Street, USA, Oakland, San, Democratic pollster, HIT, Morehouse, Israel, Hamas, Twitter, Facebook, America Locations: Gaza, Scranton , Pennsylvania, Biden’s, San Francisco

☆ Media giants lean on sports as Hollywood strikes still loom over content slates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Media giants relied on sports last year when they had to woo advertisers during the Upfronts meeting week at a time when a Hollywood strike and cost cutting bit into their content and star power. This year, while stars once again graced the stages following the end of the strikes, the presentations still leaned more on sports than scripted shows. The hangover from last year's work pause meant some media companies had fewer series and movies to highlight during their presentations. He noted two key issues for the traditional media companies: the decline of traditional TV and the increasing fees companies have to pay to air live sports. "If you're going to maintain a reduced level of content spending, by definition, that means your entertainment programming has to be reduced," Rogers said.

Persons: Brock Purdy, Tom Rogers, Rogers Organizations: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs0, Las Vegas , Nevada . Media, Hollywood, Disney, Warner Bros, Oorbit Gaming, Entertainment, NBC Cable Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada

☆ Some consumers are punting big purchases like pools and mattresses
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Rachel Wisniewski | ReutersAmericans are kicking the can down the road on some more-costly, traditionally financed purchases as elevated inflation and interest rates bite. "As a result, consumers continue to scrutinize their spending and make near-term decisions based primarily on need, price and perceived value. But those options have fallen out of favor as interest rates rose. He also cited increased interest rates as another weight on their shoulders. Lofty interest rates have also hampered housing improvement efforts for those staying put, according to Home Depot .

Persons: Rachel Wisniewski, Joe, Shelly Ibach, Ibach, FactSet, Mark Mathews, Platt, J, Mitchell Dolloff, Dow Jones, it's, Mathews, Enphase, Badri Kothandaraman, Marc Bitzer, Patrick T, bode, Robert Ohmes, Richard McPhail, It's, McPhail Organizations: Reuters, Reserve, Prosper, National Retail Federation, San Francisco Fed, New York Fed, Management, Commerce Department, Consumers, Whirlpool, Fallon, Bloomberg, Getty, Bank of America, CNBC Locations: Gilbertsville , Pennsylvania, Minneapolis, U.S, California, Torrance , Calif, Minnesota

CNN —A federal judge has granted a motion to reopen the sentencing in the case against David DePape, the man convicted of the 2022 attack on House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul, because he did not get a chance to speak during his sentencing hearing Friday. The judge will reopen the sentencing portion of the case on May 28 at 9:30 a.m. Nonetheless, it was the Court’s responsibility to personally ask Mr. DePape if he wanted to speak. Testifying in his own defense, DePape recalled that he was looking for Nancy Pelosi and that her husband was not on his list of targets. A state case against DePape that includes charges of attempted murder, burglary and assault is expected to go to trial this summer.

Persons: David DePape, Nancy Pelosi’s, Paul, DePape, ” DePape, didn’t, ”, Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi, “, ‘, I’ll, Pelosi “, ” Pelosi, “ I’ve Organizations: CNN Locations: San Francisco

☆ Robots and AI are being used to help women get pregnant. Is this the future of IVF?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Blake Dodge | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +21 min

There, a startup called Conceivable Life Sciences is automating the IVF lab from start to finish. Conceivable Life SciencesEleven women so far have become pregnant with help from one or more of these Conceivable robots. Conceivable Life Sciences"No baby, no fee"Today, IVF demand is surging, despite the treatment being slow, uncertain, and expensive. Conceivable's future IVF lab. Conceivable Life SciencesFrom prayer to AIHalf a continent away, a physician was growing frustrated by the constraints of his job.

Persons: —, robotically, embryologist Jacques Cohen, Cohen, Joshua Abram, Conceivable's, Abram, Lora Shahine, Emma wasn't, Emma, Alan Murray, Murray, — embryologists, that's, Alejandro Chávez, Badiola, REI, didn't, Conceivable's cofounders, Dr, REIs, What's, Langham, Conceivable's cofounders tinker, Tesla, Brian Bixon, Gerardo Mendizabal, Ruiz, Bixon, Carla Patricia Barragan Álvarez, OBGYNs, aren't, Eduardo Hariton, Hariton Organizations: Service, Business, Sciences, BI, New York City, pipettes, Life Sciences, San, Langham Hotel, Quest Diagnostics Locations: Guadalajara, Mexico, New York, Seattle, pipettes, Petri, San Francisco, London, Abram, Mexico City

☆ Tony Pigg, Celebrated D.J. of FM’s Golden Age, Dies at 85
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Alex Williams | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Tony Pigg, a silky-voiced disc jockey who rode high during FM radio’s golden era — first supplying extended jams to the psychedelic underground on the seminal San Francisco radio station KSAN in the 1960s and later at the powerhouse rock station WPLJ in New York — died on April 26 at his home in Manhattan. His death was announced by his wife, Lucinda Scala Quinn. Howard Stern recently said on his SiriusXM satellite radio show that he was enamored with Mr. Pigg’s work when he was growing up on Long Island. “He was one of those guys I was really jealous of,” Mr. Stern said. His talent was a major reason why in the 1970s, WPLJ became the most-listened-to FM station in America and is so fondly remembered today.”

Persons: Tony Pigg, New York —, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Howard Stern, Pigg’s, ” Mr, Stern, “, ’, Jim Kerr, WPLJ, ” Organizations: New York Locations: Francisco, New York, Manhattan, America

☆ Man convicted of attacking ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer sentenced to 30 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

David DePape, right, records the nude wedding of Gypsy Taub outside City Hall on Dec. 19, 2013, in San Francisco. DePape is accused of breaking into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's California home and severely beating her husband with a hammer. The man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison. He also admitted to bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with a hammer after police showed up, saying his plan to end what he viewed as government corruption was unraveling. Defense attorneys argued DePape was motivated by his political beliefs, not because he wanted to interfere with Nancy Pelosi's official duties as a member of Congress, making the charges against him invalid.

Persons: David DePape, Gypsy Taub, DePape, Nancy Pelosi's, Nancy Pelosi, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Prosecutors, he's, bludgeoning Paul Pelosi, Paul Pelosi, Angela Chuang Organizations: San Locations: San Francisco, Nancy Pelosi's California, Berkeley, Calif

☆ Intruder Who Bludgeoned Pelosi’s Husband Gets 30-Year Sentence
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Tim Arango | Jonathan Wolfe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The man who broke into the San Francisco home of Nancy Pelosi two years ago and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer was sentenced on Friday to 30 years in federal prison, with credit for time already served. The assailant, David DePape, was convicted in November 2023 on federal charges. He admitted on the witness stand during the trial that he had carried out the attack, as he had done before in interviews with the police and media outlets. But he said that he never intended to hurt Ms. Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi. Mr. DePape said his intrusion into the couple’s home in the affluent Pacific Heights neighborhood was part of a plot to kidnap Ms. Pelosi and interrogate her about a supposed corrupt conspiracy led by Ms. Pelosi and other prominent liberal figures.

Persons: Nancy Pelosi, Pelosi, David DePape, Pelosi’s, Paul Pelosi, Mr, DePape, Ms Organizations: San Locations: San Francisco, Pacific Heights

☆ CNBC TechCheck Evening Edition: May 17, 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | 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 EmailCNBC TechCheck Evening Edition: May 17, 2024CNBC's TechCheck brings you the latest in tech news from CNBC's 1 Market in the heart of San Francisco.

Persons: TechCheck Organizations: CNBC Locations: San Francisco

CNN —A federal judge on Friday sentenced David DePape to 30 years in prison, after he was convicted in the violent October 2022 attack on Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul. DePape was sentenced to 30 years for assault and 20 years for attempted kidnapping, which will run concurrently. DePape recalled that he was looking for Nancy Pelosi and that her husband had not been on his list of targets. She’s in Washington,” Pelosi recalled answering. He was violently struck in the head following a struggle with DePape, Pelosi said.

Persons: David DePape, Nancy Pelosi’s, Paul, DePape, Jacqueline Scott Corley, ”, Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi, “, ‘, I’ll, ” DePape, Pelosi “, ” Paul Pelosi, Narendra Modi, Stefani Reynolds, Pelosi, “ She’s, ” Pelosi, “ I’ve Organizations: CNN, Northern, Northern District of, India's, White, Getty Locations: Northern District, Northern District of California, San Francisco federal, Washington ,, AFP, Washington

☆ Sam Altman says he can't go out to eat in public anymore in San Francisco: 'It's a strangely isolating way to live'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is one of the biggest names in the AI industry. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementSam Altman is one of the best-known names in AI, but he wasn't prepared for just how much he'd be recognized in public. The OpenAI CEO reflected on the privacy and anonymity he's lost as a result of his job during an episode of the podcast The Logan Bartlett Show, published Tuesday. It's like a much weirder thing.

Persons: Sam Altman, San Francisco —, —, wasn't, he's, Logan Bartlett, would've Organizations: Service Locations: San Francisco

☆ CNBC TechCheck Evening Edition: May 16, 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | 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 EmailCNBC TechCheck Evening Edition: May 16, 2024CNBC's TechCheck brings you the latest in tech news from CNBC's 1 Market in the heart of San Francisco.

Persons: TechCheck Organizations: CNBC Locations: San Francisco

From the durable Tree Runners and the popular Wool Runners to the vintage-style Couriers and the slip-on Tree Loungers, the brand designs minimalistic pieces that carry you from the running trail to your daily errands. Allbirds Memorial Day deals on women's shoesAllbirds Women's Tree Runners $62.40 $98.00 Save 36% Allbirds Women's Tree Runner sneakers are crazy comfortable with a flattering and close-fitting silhouette and have a smooth but texturized upper. Shop at AllbirdsAllbirds Women's Wool Runner 2 $74.40 $110.00 Save 32% The Wool Runner 2 introduces design tweaks that make the shoe even more comfortable and durable. Allbirds Memorial Day deals on men's shoesAllbirds Men's Tree Runners $62.40 $98.00 Save 36% Allbirds Men's Tree Runner sneakers are crazy comfortable with a flattering and close-fitting silhouette and have a smooth but texturized upper. Shop at AllbirdsAllbirds Men's Wool Runners $66.40 $98.00 Save 32% Allbirds Men's Wool Runners sneakers are super comfortable, lightweight, and stylish.

Persons: we've, Allbirds Organizations: Business, Flyers, Shop Locations: San Francisco

☆ United Airlines says FAA cleared it to add new aircraft, routes after safety review
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

United Airlines said the Federal Aviation Administration has cleared it to add new aircraft and routes months after the regulator stepped up its scrutiny of the carrier following several safety incidents. United said in March that the FAA had stepped up scrutiny of the airline after a spate of incidents earlier this year. That prevented it from launching new routes, including flights to Faro, Portugal, ahead of the busy summer travel season. The clearance from the FAA is welcome news as United and other carriers expect a record peak season this year. "We will continue to see an FAA presence in our operation as they review our work processes, manuals and facilities," it said in its employee memo.

Persons: United Organizations: Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Management, Boeing, Max, Alaska Airlines Locations: Faro, Portugal, Japan, San Francisco, Oregon

Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of Figma, speaks at the startup's Config conference in San Francisco on May 10, 2022. Figma, a cloud-based design tool company, said Thursday it will allow investors, including current and former employees, to sell their shares in a tender offer that values the company at $12.5 billion. That's up 25% from the valuation at which the company fundraised in 2021, but below the $20 billion acquisition offer Adobe made in 2022. Adobe and Figma called off the planned acquisition in December following regulatory scrutiny. In December, a regulatory filing said Adobe would pay Figma a $1 billion breakup fee.

Persons: Dylan Field, Kleiner Perkins, Salesforce, Figma, Morgan, CNBC's Jordan Novet Organizations: Figma, Adobe, Microsoft, Google, Oracle Locations: San Francisco, Sequoia

☆ How one rising Miami VC raised more money for his first fund. Other emerging investors haven't been so lucky.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Vishal Persaud | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Evans is the founder of Exceptional Capital, which launched in 2022 among the many emerging VC firms that sprouted during the fundraising boom years. Before pursuing a life in venture capital and tech, Evans hoped to make it to the NFL as a linebacker at the University of Michigan. And then in 2022, Evans decided to launch Exceptional Capital and invest as a solo VC. Exceptional CapitalBecause he's been able to increase the size of his fund, Evans has been able to expand his team. "I could see that for Marell as well, just his work with Exceptional Capital and kind of his determination there."

Persons: —, Marell Evans, Evans, he's, Dave Brandon, Brandon, Ben Horowitz, Andreessen Horowitz, Horowitz, A16z, Okta, Owen Van Natta, Hustling, Melissa Morano Aurigemma, Graham Stoddard, Andrew Van Nest, I've, Cody Coleman, Coleman, what's Organizations: Service, Exceptional, Business, NFL, University of Michigan, NCAA, IBM, Facebook, Vision, SV Angel, A16z, Exceptional Capital Locations: Miami, Michigan, San Francisco, Okta, Silicon Valley, SoftBank, —, Bessemer

☆ Richard Branson doesn’t like being called ‘billionaire’—why that’s healthy, leadership expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Richard Branson doesn't want to be defined by his net worth. Neither should you, according to leadership expert Rohan Verma. Anyone, billionaire or not, should try to make career choices that can foster long-term happiness, Verma says — rather than simply chasing the job that pays the most. One way to think about it: the Japanese concept of "ikigai," which is intended to help people find purpose in a busy and happy life. "Ikigai is a conflation of four different things: what you're good at, what you love doing, what the world really needs, and what you can be paid for," Verma explains.

Persons: Richard Branson doesn't, Rohan Verma, Verma, it's, — Organizations: LinkedIn Locations: San Francisco

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