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☆ Netflix's Hit Man has a dark but satisfying ending. Here's how it compares to Gary Johnson's real-life story.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Ayomikun Adekaiyero | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewNetflix's "Hit Man" is based on the true story of former fake hitman Gary Johnson (Glen Powell) — but the ending is different from reality. Adria Arjona as Madison and Glen Powell as Gary Johnson in "Hit Man." Last year, Netflix bought "Hit Man" for $20 million to stream on their platform. In 'Hit Man,' Gary and Madison get away with killing two people and raise a family togetherAdria Arjona and Glen Powell in "Hit Man." The real Gary Johnson didn't murder anyone or marry MadisonAustin Amelio, Sanjay Rao, and Retta as New Orleans detectives Jasper, Phil, and Claudette in "Hit Man."

Persons: —, Gary Johnson, Glen Powell, Gary, Austin Amelio, Adria Arjona, Brian Roedel, Skip Hollandsworth, Richard Linklater, Powell, Linklater, Madison, Ron, empathizes, Jasper, Gary suffocates, Madison Austin Amelio, Sanjay Rao, Phil, Claudette, Johnson, Hollandsworth, Rick Kern, Netflix Powell, floodgate, It's Organizations: Service, New Orleans Police Department, Business, Madison, Netflix, Texas Monthly, Monthly, AGC, Gary, Texas, Getty, UPI Locations: New Orleans, Jasper, Madison, Gary

☆ Missing American couple: Search for continues after alleged yacht hijacking in Grenada, but a violent scene suggests the worst, family says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Polo Sandoval | Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Police in the Caribbean are investigating the disappearance of an American couple after escaped inmates in Grenada allegedly hijacked their yacht. The Virginia couple, identified by their sailing club as Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry, were living out a long-held dream of cruising the Caribbean in their sailing yacht, Simplicity. “The boat itself was ransacked and everything was strewn about in the entire cabin, so clearly there was an altercation of some type that took place on the boat,” Buro told CNN Sunday. The person also contacted the coast guard, who notified St. Vincent police, the association said. Grenada police said the escapees were recaptured the same day by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.

Persons: they’ll, Kathy Brandel, Ralph Hendry, Vincent, George, Brandel’s, Nick Buro, ” Buro, “, ”, Buro, Bryan Hendry, “ Kathy, Ralph, Ron Mitchell, Trevon Robertson, Abita Stanislaus, O, Simmons, Mitchell, Vincent police, Ben Osborn, Kathy, ” Osborn, CNN’s Sharif Paget, Chris Boyette Organizations: CNN — Police, Sailing Association . Police, Royal Grenada Police Force, CNN, Grenadines Police Force, US State Department, Sailing Association, Grenada police Locations: Caribbean, Grenada, Virginia, St, Grenadines, Royal St, Royal

☆ Climate change is driving insurance rates up, forcing developers to add weather-proofing
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Along East Boston's waterfront sits The Eddy, a two-building property with over 250 luxury apartments. When developers imagined The Eddy in 2014, they kept that weather exposure in mind. According to the Urban Land Institute, or ULI, the developers built The Eddy nine inches higher than the original property that was previously located on the site. The developers also constructed The Eddy with walls that can withstand up to 100 miles per hour of wind. It found that implementing mitigation measures according to modern building codes could save 600 lives and prevent 1 million nonfatal injuries.

Persons: Eddy, ULI, Lindsay Brugger Organizations: Urban Land Institute, Global, National Institute of Building Sciences Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Lahaina , Hawaii, Boston

The president of one of Japan’s most influential entertainment agencies resigned after an independent investigation confirmed the company’s founder, Johnny Kitagawa, had sexually abused young men in his care since the 1970s. His reputation as a hitmaker associated with some of Japan’s most popular boy bands protected Mr. Kitagawa from scandal, even after his death in 2019 at age 87. Under immense scrutiny, Johnny & Associates announced in May that it was forming an internal investigative panel to “prevent the recurrence” of future abuse. At a news conference on Thursday, Julie Keiko Fujishima, Mr. Kitagawa’s niece, acknowledged the results of the investigation and apologized on behalf of herself and the company. She also announced she had resigned as the company’s president on Wednesday.

Persons: Johnny Kitagawa, Kitagawa, Julie Keiko Fujishima, Kitagawa’s Organizations: Johnny & Associates Locations: Japan

☆ What Grayscale’s bitcoin ETF victory over the SEC means for the cryptocurrency and an exhausted market
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Bitcoin jumped 7% on investor hopes that the ruling will pave the way for approval of one or more spot bitcoin ETFs from BlackRock, Fidelity, Invesco and others. Yet the SEC's commitment to regulation by enforcement under Gensler, rather than laying out clear rules, has left companies struggling and hindered new bitcoin investors. If Tuesday's ruling does open the door to the first spot bitcoin ETF in the U.S., that could eventually push crypto prices higher. Owen Lau, an analyst at Oppenheimer, cautioned that Grayscale's court victory "doesn't necessarily mean the SEC will approve Grayscale's conversion, or that there will be a floodgate of spot bitcoin ETF approvals in the near term." Regardless, Tuesday's court decision "is not enough" to bust the market out of its summer stupor, Lau added.

Persons: Bitcoin, it's, Ric Edelman, Gary Gensler, Edelman, Owen Lau, Oppenheimer, Lau Organizations: SEC, ., Appeals, Securities and Exchange Commission, Fidelity, Digital Assets, Financial Professionals Locations: BlackRock, U.S

☆ The edtech startup funding slowdown may be hitting the 'bottom of the market'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Edtech venture capital funding in 2023 may be on pace for its lowest annual total since 2016. The one exception to this edtech funding dropoff is in AI tools for education and upskilling. This puts the estimated total funding for 2023 at only $3.5 billion, the lowest annual total since 2016, according to HolonIQ. Additionally, there has not been a single edtech "mega round," or a startup funding round valued at over $100 million since 2022, with the exception of the Indian edtech unicorn Byju's $250 million fundraise this spring. Pujji and Mushin also indicated that AI edtech deals were the exception in this slowdown period.

Persons: VCs, It's, Vinny Pujji, Iynna Halilou, Leeor Mushin, Avalanche's Katelyn Donnelly, Mushin, they've, Chegg's, Cheggmate, Khan, Pujji Organizations: Left Lane Capital, Global, Bloomberg, Investors

☆ Wall Street rides high into next week as traders brace for a major Fed decision and key earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The recent streak of gains in markets could be in jeopardy next week as traders come up against a big Federal Reserve meeting and earnings shift into high gear. However, markets are ramping up just ahead of several catalysts next week that could roil markets. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, 83% of traders expect monetary policymakers will be done at that point. 'Floodgate' of earnings season including tech The biggest week for earnings season is also up ahead, with results having been mixed thus far. Personal Consumption Expenditure index (June) 10 a.m.: Consumer sentiment (July final) Earnings: Exxon Mobil , Chevron , Procter & Gamble , T. Rowe Price

Persons: Jerome Powell, Hogan, Powell, Shannon Saccocia, Jackson, Yung, Yu Ma, that's, Saccocia, Northrop Grumman, Rowe Price Organizations: Reserve, Dow Jones, Riley Wealth Management, BMO Wealth Management, Big Tech, Microsoft, Chicago, P Global, PMI, GE, GE HealthCare, GM, Boeing, Hess, ADP, CME Group, eBay, Honeywell, Hershey, McDonald's, Mastercard, Northrop, Royal, Enphase Energy, Mobile, Ford Motor, Intel, Mondelez, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Procter, Gamble Locations: Royal Caribbean

☆ Barbie is everywhere this summer. Here are the stocks that can benefit from the highly anticipated film
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

But can the same be said for Mattel shares? Mattel stock is up more about 19% on a year to date basis after a mixed start to the year. Into the Barbie release, the stock reflects the growing buzz. Mattel shares moved from $17.59 on June 1 to breaking into the $20 range for the first time since February. Though Barbie is not a typical film in the space given its adult audience, Jefferies analyst Andrew Uerkwitz said, it can still help Mattel sales incrementally.

Persons: Gordon Haskett, Don Bilson, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Bilson, Goldman Sachs, Stephen Laszczyk, Davidson, Linda Bolton Weiser, Bolton Weiser, Barbie, Brett Feldman, Jefferies, Andrew Uerkwitz, Roth, David Bellinger, Bellinger, Mario, Morgan Stanley, Benjamin Swinburne, ramped, Oppenheimer, Laszczyk, David Karnovsky, Karnovsky, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Mattel, Warner Bros, Lions, Lions Gate, Hasbro, MAT, Analysts, Universal Pictures, Mario Bros, Hollywood, JPMorgan, CNBC, Alliance, Television Producers, Guild of America Locations: 2H23

☆ 6 signs you're ruminating on your ex—and how to stop, according to a relationship psychologist
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Aditi Shrikant | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

If you're ruminating, though, you don't need a picture to start thinking about your relationship. "Basically, any time there is some empty space where your mind isn't consumed, if you're thinking about your ex, you're ruminating," Larkin says. Basically, any time there is some empty space where your mind isn't consumed, if you're thinking about your ex you're ruminating. "Your family and friends can let you know if you're ruminating," Larkin says. If you're ruminating, though, you're comparing actions or traits that don't really matter, Larkin says.

Persons: Lisa Marie Bobby, Bobby, Pamela Larkin, you've, Larkin, you'll, didn't Organizations: American Psychological Association, Facebook Locations: rumination, Denver, ruminating

☆ Russia's top diplomat is blaming the US for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, saying HIMARS attacks caused the breach
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia's top diplomat on Tuesday blamed the US for the breach in the Kakhovka dam. He said Ukraine used US-supplied HIMARS to attack the dam, citing a media report from December. At a UN security council meeting, Nebenzya said earlier media reports recorded Ukrainian forces attacking the dam with HIMARS in December. The Post reported that Kovalchuk conducted a test strike with a HIMARS launcher targeting a floodgate at the Kakhovka dam. On Kyiv's part, Ukrainian UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said it was "physically impossible" to destroy the Kakhovka dam from the outside.

Persons: —, Vasily Nebenzya, Nebenzya, Andriy Kovalchuk, Kovalchuk, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Kyslytsya, it's, Robert Wood, Wood, Martin Griffiths Organizations: Kyiv, Service, United Nations, West, Washington Post, Post, Security, UN Locations: Dnipro, Ukraine, Russian, Russia, HIMARS, Ukrainian, Kakhovka, Crimea

☆ Traveling for March Madness? Where to Eat, Shop and Go Nuts in 6 Key Cities
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Valerie Stivers | Hank Zona | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

HOOPLA DREAMS At Mustang Harry’s in New York, there’s nothing like a cheerleading squad to get patrons in the spirit. MARCH MADNESS is upon us. For those who don’t follow college b-ball or live on earth, the term describes the adrenaline-fueled excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, which runs from March 14 to April 3 and the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament that goes from March 15 to April 2. Arguably the single biggest show in sports, March Madness trounces the Super Bowl by virtue of being played over multiple nights. Basketball purists love college games for the passionate young players and the David-versus-Goliath upsets that open a floodgate of cheers and tears.

☆ More than 110 VC firms, led by General Catalyst, are banding together in support of Silicon Valley Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( April Joyner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

More than 110 venture capital firms have signed a statement in support of Silicon Valley Bank. "Silicon Valley Bank has been a trusted and long-time partner to the venture capital industry and our founders," a joint statement from more than 110 firms reads. Hemant Taneja, the CEO of the VC firm General Catalyst, which led the effort to organize support for SVB, tweeted the statement on Friday evening. Alongside General Catalyst, 12 other firms signed the initial statement, including Accel, Greylock, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Upfront Ventures. Some VC firms, including Founders Fund, Y Combinator, and Union Square Ventures, advised their portfolio companies to pull the bulk of their funds out of the bank.

☆ StoryCo and 'Halo' showrunner team up to launch 'Disco Ball,' a blockchain-based immersive story that's a model for Hollywood's move into Web3
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The blockchain-based creative platform StoryCo is launching a new immersive storytelling concept. People who sign up for a StoryPass (an NFT) can collect digital art and have creative control over "The Disco Ball." StoryCo just raised $6 million in a seed funding round led by VC firms Collab + Currency and Patron. At the end of "Disco Ball," NFT holders "will assume control over the infinitely expanding Disco Ball universe." Half of all net revenue from projects like "Disco Ball" would then be split among the treasury's members after its story writers and creators are compensated.

☆ Read the 15-page pitch deck that raised $6 million for StoryCo, a blockchain-based platform that links Hollywood creatives directly with fans
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

StoryCo founders Justin and J.P. Alanis are part of a wave of entrepreneurs building blockchain-based storytelling platforms. StoryCo raised a $6 million seed round from Web3-focused VC firms and Hollywood insiders. In other words, Hollywood studios have been gatekeepers to content — and profits — for far too long. StoryCo is one of several startups that see blockchain and Web3 technology creating big new opportunities for TV and film creatives. Passholders will have access to a project's treasury, which will include NFT sales, IP licensing revenue, and royalties.

☆ In Peru, thousands march demanding president step down
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

LIMA — Thousands took to the streets of Peru’s capital Lima on Thursday in a peaceful protest against the new government and president, after weeks of bloody clashes triggered by the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo left at least 42 dead. “Why are you turning your back on the people, there are so many deaths, for God’s sake, stop this massacre,” said protester Olga Espejo, calling on President Dina Boluarte, previously Castillo’s vice president, to resign. The march, organized by trade unions and leftist groups, took place without incident. Peru’s top prosecutor’s office on Tuesday launched an inquiry against Boluarte and some top ministers. The same day, Peru’s Congress — which fiercely opposed leftist former leader Castillo — passed a vote of confidence in the new government.

☆ Thousands march in Peru capital demanding president step down
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Marco Aquino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] A demonstrator holds a flag as another demonstrator uses a speaker and security forces stand guard during a protest to demand the dissolution of Congress and democratic elections, rejecting Dina Boluarte as Peru's president, after the ouster of leftist President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru January 12, 2023. REUTERS/Alessandro CinqueLIMA, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Thousands took to the streets of Peru's capital Lima on Thursday in a peaceful protest against the new government and president, after weeks of bloody clashes triggered by the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo left at least 42 dead. "Why are you turning your back on the people, there are so many deaths, for God's sake, stop this massacre," said protester Olga Espejo, calling on President Dina Boluarte, previously Castillo's vice president, to resign. The same day, Peru's Congress - which fiercely opposed leftist former leader Castillo - passed a vote of confidence in the new government. Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Carolina Pulice and Sarah Morland; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Amazon employees are cobbling together lists of teams experiencing layoffs, and a 'Safe List,' in a communication vacuum from leadership
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Katherine Long | Ashley Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Staff anxious to know more formed a Slack channel to discuss layoffs. The channel keeps a tally of teams where employees appear to have been cut, and a "Safe List." In a Slack channel, created Tuesday morning, employees are swapping news of job cuts, sharing resources, and supporting laid-off colleagues. Members of the new Slack have also drafted a "Safe List" of divisions that likely have avoided serious layoffs, underscoring the uncertainty some Amazon employees are experiencing. Employees criticized the offer, including the warning of layoffs, on the internal Slack channel.

☆ Check out the pitch deck that payroll startup Comprehensive used to raise a $6 million seed round from investors like Inspired Capital
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Comprehensive is a new HR startup that wants to simplify employee compensation and raises. The startup just launched from stealth and raised a $6 million seed round led by Inspired Capital. Employers can also easily toggle to view employee compensation data by gender and race, along with the dates of each last employee's raise to increase transparency around pay equity. Comprehensive has already secured high profile clients like fintech startups Mercury and Titan, which attracted the attention of the venture team at Inspired Capital. Here's an exclusive look at the 10-slide pitch deck Comprehensive used to raise $6 million from Inspired Capital, Floodgate, SV Angel, and several angel investors:

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