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☆ Skyfire lets your AI agent spend your money. We got an exclusive look at the pitch deck the startup used to raise $8.5 million.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-26 | by ( Samantha Stokes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Skyfire Systems just launched out of stealth and raised $8.5 million in seed funding. The startup lets AI agents make autonomous purchases on behalf of their users. Check out an exclusive look at the pitch deck the startup used to raise its seed funding round. A new startup is now tackling the next frontier in the space: using AI to make purchases on a user's behalf. The startup, Skyfire Systems, just emerged from stealth with $8.5 million in seed funding from financial firms Neuberger Berman, DRW, and Brevan Howard Digital.

Persons: —, Neuberger Berman, DRW, Brevan Howard, Draper, Ripple Organizations: Skyfire Systems, Service, Arrington Capital, RedBeard Ventures, Crossbeam Venture Partners, Inception, Draper Associates, ARCA, Business Locations: Silicon Valley, EveryRealm

☆ A laid-off baby boomer got frustrated with the job hunt, so he started his own business. He explains why age is an asset for entrepreneurs.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-26 | by ( John Towfighi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. "It's about leaning into my age and experience as an asset versus being 'too old' for the startup world," Loria, 61, said. A survey by Gusto, a payroll-services company for small businesses, found that nearly one in four new businesses started in 2023 were in the professional-services industry. It also found that among the businesses started by people 55 and older in 2023, about 35% were in the professional-services industry. He said there was a "natural match" between younger and older founders: He appreciates the boldness and drive of younger founders and thinks he can provide the wisdom that he's developed over the years.

Persons: —, Joseph Loria, Loria, RetentionCX, he'd, he's Organizations: Service, Business, Tulane University

☆ Move over Hinge and Tinder, there's a new crop of dating apps. Meet the founders behind 11 startups sparking romance.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-26 | by ( Sydney Bradley | Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

AdvertisementJoshi's dating app, Friend of a Friend, has ads plastered around New York City. AdvertisementThe anti-swipersWhen setting out to build a dating app, swiping fatigue was top of mind for Vaish Sesetty and Cyrus Belsoi, the founders of the dating app Pique. AdvertisementLast year, Chernyak followed her frustration out of her legal career and launched the video-profile dating app Fast-Forward Dating App with two cofounders. AdvertisementThe Instagram DMsOne of the biggest dating apps isn't even a dating app — it's Instagram. Fast-Forward Dating App is a video-profile dating app where users answer five questions on camera with no edits or filters.

Persons: —, Forbes, who'd, Serena Kerrigan, Kerrigan, Rex Woodbury, Vaish Sesetty, Cyrus Belsoi, Belsoi, Karima Ben Abdelmalek, France who's, Abdelmalek, they've, Happn, Joe Feminella, Feminella, Hannah, Elle Wilson, Wilson, Danielle Dietzek, Julie Griggs, Fourplay, Nicole Fara Silver, Dietzek, Anushka Joshi, Friend, Joshi, Derek Lee, Lee, Boo, David Chang, Richard Chang, Katya Chernyak, Chernyak, Aeen Avini, Victoria Todis, Bumble, Nandini Mullaji, Mullaji, Chad DePue, who's, Jeremy Liew, Sitch, Alex Weitzman, hasn't, Weitzman, Amori, Tabitha, Ethan, Pique, Lieu Organizations: Service, Match, Business, Bradley, Microsoft, Daybreak Ventures, Amazon Web Services, Manna, New, Lightspeed Locations: New York City, York City, Paris, TikTok, Park, Brooklyn, France, singlehood, Victoria, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Sitch

☆ NASA says astronauts stuck in space will not return on Boeing capsule, will wait for SpaceX craft
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Denise-Chow-Byline-Jm.Jpg | Denise Chow | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

NASA will call on SpaceX to bring home two astronauts who have been stuck on the International Space Station since early June after their Boeing spacecraft ran into several problems midflight, the agency said Saturday. While the agency has finally settled on how to bring the astronauts back, their return trip will not be immediate. Instead, Wilmore and Williams will remain at the space station for about six more months before flying home in February. NASA said it will free up two seats on an upcoming SpaceX launch, known as Crew-9, that will be taking a new rotation of space station crew members to the orbiting outpost. The beleaguered Starliner capsule, meanwhile, will journey back to Earth without a crew, likely sometime in early September, according to NASA.

Persons: Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Butch, Suni, Bill Nelson, Williams, Nelson, NASA’s Organizations: NASA, SpaceX, Space Station, Boeing, Spaceflight, Space, Wilmore, Space Center, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Locations: Houston, Florida

☆ A reenergized Democratic campaign draws convention ratings win over Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Harris’ viewership victory amounted to a blow for Trump, who is famously obsessed with television ratings and the size of his crowds. The boost in viewership was also seen at ABC with 4.2 million viewers, and CNN with 3.9 million. Last month’s Republican convention in Milwaukee took place just days after the assassination attempt on Trump. As pressure mounted, Biden ended his campaign the weekend after the Republican convention. The singer had previously given the Harris campaign permission to use her 2016 hit “Freedom,” which played Thursday night as Harris took the stage.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Harris ’, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling, Lil Jon, Last, Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock, Joe Biden, Biden, Beyoncé, Bey, ”, Taylor Swift Organizations: New, New York CNN, Democratic National Convention, Republican, Nielsen, Convention, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC, CNN, Fox, RNC, YouTube, SPAN, DNC, Trump, Democratic, CNN’s, TMZ, Hollywood Reporter, Beyoncé’s Locations: New York, Chicago, Milwaukee

☆ Seafood towers, endless Honey Deuces and $100,000 suites: How the US Open lures in high-rollers and celebrities
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

These are either run by the US Open’s top sponsors or available to rent privately for prices up to $100,000. Big spenders laying down the six figures to secure a suite are companies mostly from financial, insurance and legal businesses. A cabin crew staffs the suite checking people in, and the food served inside also matches its first-class offerings, with seafood towers, champagne and caviar. The Honey Deuce cocktail is served for free in many suites at the US Open. Last year, the Dutch beer used the US Open as part of its launch of Heineken Silver, its new low-carb beer.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Charlize Theron, Justin Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Timothée, Ashe, Sarah Stier, ”, Shiz Suzuki, aren’t, Arthur Ashe, speck, they’re, Billie Jean King, Bryan Bedder, Al Guido, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Theron, Ariana DeBose, Katie Holmes, Lander Otegui, Theron “, Otegui, Paloma, Charlize Theron sips, John Angelillo, Zendaya, Bieber, Haley, Nicole Kidman, Aaron Judge, Nicola Coughlin, Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, “, ” Ahmad, Nathan Congleton, Honey, ” Aleco Azqueta, Goose, Zach Braff, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, ” Azqueta, Bob Lynch, ” Lynch, Joe Keery, Craig Barritt, ” Pattie Falch, Silver, Taylor Fritz, Morgan Riddle Organizations: New, New York CNN, United States Tennis Association, American Express, ”, England’s Wimbledon, US, Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, San Francisco 49ers, CNN, Daily Mail, Maestro, UPI, Emirates Airline, Emirates, Yankees, Emirates ’, NBA, NBC, Getty, Bacardi, Heineken, Heineken “, Heineken Silver Locations: New York, Montauk, Bridgehampton, Queens —, Covid, Canada, ” Emirates

☆ Boeing Starliner astronauts: NASA set to decide how they’ll return
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The fate of two NASA astronauts — who have been in limbo aboard the International Space Station for about 80 days because of issues plaguing their Boeing Starliner spacecraft — may soon become clear. The space agency routinely delays news conferences, however, if discussions take longer than expected. Still, the federal agency funded SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and Boeing’s Starliner at the same time in 2014. The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by a Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, lifts off on an uncrewed test flight on December 20, 2019, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. If the Starliner capsule is ultimately certified, it could join SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in making routine trips to the space station to rotate staff.

Persons: —, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Williams, Wilmore, ”, Mark Nappi, we’ve, Ken Bowersox, Bowersox, Starliner, Joe Raedle, SpaceX’s Organizations: CNN, NASA, Space, Boeing, Engineers, NASA NASA, SpaceX, International, Soyuz, United Launch Alliance, V Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida

☆ America's X-37B vs. China's Shenlong: Top space planes and their shadowy role in orbital war
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Jeremy Webster/US Air ForceX-37BA space plane is a reusable spacefaring craft that can maneuver in space independently and also fly and glide within Earth's atmosphere. The most well-known space planes are the American Space Shuttle and the Soviet Buran. The program is surrounded in such extreme secrecy that there are no known images of the space plane in its current form. Though the exact start date is unknown, academic models of a Chinese space plane were reported as far back as 2000. AdvertisementOne of the most impactful possible uses of the space planes is as anti-satellite assets.

Persons: —, Jeremy Webster, NASA's, Timothy Kirchner, NASA foresees, Wang Jiangbo, Paul Hennessy, NurPhoto, Shenlong, spaceplanes, Nick Hague, Benjamin Brimelow Organizations: Service, Business, Kennedy Space Center, Landing, US Air Force, American Space Shuttle, Soviet, Space Shuttle, NASA, Boeing, US Defense Department, Defense, Research Projects Agency, DARPA, United States Air Force Space Command, Orbital, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Atlas V, U.S . Space Force, . Air Force, Space Force, Force, Getty, Cape Canaveral Air Force, China Aerospace Science, Technology Corporation, US Department of Defense, Global Affairs, Fletcher School of Law, Diplomacy, Modern, Institute Locations: United States, China, U.S, Xinhua, US, India, Russia, West

☆ Gold bars just hit the $1 million mark, but that doesn't mean your Costco gold bars make you a millionaire
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

But if you're among the group of Costco shoppers who bought gold bars from the retailer in recent months, don't celebrate your newfound fortune too soon. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. AdvertisementThe gold bars sold at Costco, however, are much smaller than the standard size, typically ranging in size from 20-500 grams. The Costco gold bars are smaller, yes, but they are also more affordable for buyers looking to spend less than $10,000 on metal instead of $1 million. Despite the skyrocketing price of gold, a Bank of America investment strategist told Markets Insider that investors should keep buying gold.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business, Costco, Bank of America

☆ VCs are fighting, investors are annoyed, and the presidential election has become a constant distraction that Silicon Valley just wants to be over
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Ben Bergman | Melia Russell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. She didn't sign, not because she doesn't support Harris (she does) but because she sees no upside in broadcasting her political intentions. The former president has also received endorsements from famous VCs Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, Doug Leone, and David Sacks. Now, executives are waiting until after the election concludes to make any decision, according to a source familiar with the matter. Publicly supporting candidates has no upside for LPs, especially considering many LPs have their own agendas, added a VC.

Persons: —, Kamala, Kamala Harris, Harris, We're, Joe Biden, David Hornik, Israel —, There's, Leslie Feinzaig, VCs, Elon Musk, Trump, Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, Doug Leone, David Sacks, Reid Hoffman, Reed Hastings, Ron Conway, Graham, Walker, MAGA, they're, Divya Kakkad, Sacks, Jesse Middleton, Middleton, Cameron Lester, Lester, tradespeople, ServiceTitan, I've Organizations: Service, Business, San Francisco, Lobby Capital, August, Republicans, Israel, Netflix, Graham, Craft Ventures, Jefferies, Publicly Locations: San, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Bay, New York

☆ Commodity ETFs are sliding in the third quarter. Why that could be positive for patient investors
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

More than halfway through the third quarter, many of the biggest commodity ETFs in the United States are in sizable holes. Kathy Kriskey, senior commodities ETF strategist at Invesco, said that oil supply is actually tight at the moment. The commodities slump could be partially due to mechanical factors in the market, such as low trading volumes combined with large commodity trading advisors betting against the sector, Kriskey said. "The price of corn has taken almost three full years from those 2022 spike highs to get back down. And oil, one of the biggest weights in commodity indexes, could see stepped up supply in coming months.

Persons: It's, Ryan Grabinski, Strategas, Kathy Kriskey, Kriskey, Sal Gilbertie, We're, Gilbertie, What's, Jerome Powell, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Matijn, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Strategy, United States Oil Fund, U.S ., Commodities, 4Q, DB Base Metals Fund Locations: United States, Ukraine, U.S, China

☆ This couple went on one cruise together. Now, they're moving onto a never-ending residential cruise ship.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementThat is, until this spring, when Canen and Bodin, both 54, uprooted their lives in Maui, Hawaii, to move onto a new residential cruise ship called Villa Vie Odyssey. AdvertisementThe couple sold their business in MauiBodin told BI that before Villa Vie, the couple had never really considered leaving Maui. "We went pretty much every day for two weeks and spent all day there until they kicked us off," Canen told BI. AdvertisementBefore committing to Odyssey, Canen and Bodin looked into Storylines, which plans to construct its own residential cruise ship, MV Narrative. AdvertisementAre you sailing on a residential cruise ship like Villa Vie or have a tip?

Persons: —, Lanette Canen, Johan Bodin, Canen, Bodin —, we'd, Bodin, Mikael Petterson, Fred Olsen Cruise, Lanette, Villa Vie's, Villa, Maui Bodin, they've, Petterson, Villa Vie, We're, Angela, Stephen Theriac Canen, they'd, Kendra Holmes, they're Organizations: Service, Business, Villa, Residences, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, South Pacific, YouTube, Sea Cruises, Cruises, Victoria Cruises Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Europe, Asia, Australia, South, North America, Africa, Belfast, Ireland, Braemar, Maui —, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Sweden, Canary, Norwegian, Villa Vie, Canen, Petterson

☆ NASA picks SpaceX to bring home the American astronauts stuck in space. It's the latest blow to Boeing.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementBoeing's Starliner spacecraft during NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test in June. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe nor routine. So, the decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station, and bring the Boeing Starliner home un-crewed, is a result of a commitment to safety." Both Boeing and SpaceX have spent a decade working with NASA on their Starliner and Crew Dragon vehicles, respectively. AdvertisementAfter years of delays, technical issues, and rising costs, this Crew Flight Test was the last hurdle Boeing had to clear for NASA to certify Starliner for human spaceflight.

Persons: —, Bill Nelson, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Williams, Wilmore, Nelson, Kelly Ortberg, Wiliams, Starliner —, Joe Raedle, Russ DeLoach, Butch, Suni, Elon, CHANDAN KHANNA, SpaceX would've, Elon Musk Organizations: Service, NASA, Johnson Space Center, Business, Boeing, SpaceX, NASA's Boeing, Space Shuttle Columbia, Ars Technica, Challenger, Columbia, NASA's, Safety, Mission Assurance, Soyuz, ISS Locations: Houston, Boca Chica , Texas

☆ Chappell Roan called out invasive fans. How fan behavior can cause some stars to retreat
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

But there’s a fundamental misunderstanding on the part of the fans who believe Roan’s online persona is the real her. “I think that’s really what she’s trying to say: ‘I’m doing this as an act. What fans expect from celebrities is changingMost of what fans know about Chappell Roan comes through a screen. Chappell Roan’s videos show that we don’t know celebrities as well as we think we doThe behavior Roan describes in her videos — ”stalking” her family and following her out in public — is “very atypical” of fans, Theran said. “We think we know celebrities, but we don’t really know them,” Theran said.

Persons: CNN — Chappell, ”, Roan, Babe ! ”, “, she’s, Chappell Roan —, Sally Theran, ” Theran, Chappell Roan, Cheney Orr, Reuters Roan, ” Roan, isn’t, Lucy Bennett, ” Bennett, Doja, Doja Cat, Arturo Holmes, I’m, ” Doja, John Mulaney, Theran, —, Bennett, Megan Thee, Nicki Minaj, Chappell, That’s, they’re, It’s, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Gareth Cattermole, it’s, Tom Power Organizations: CNN, YouTube, Pony, Wellesley College, Reuters, Cardiff University, “ Locations: Chicago, Roan, Massachusetts, Wales

☆ I spend less than $300 on back-to-school shopping for my 2 kids. Here's what works to help me save money.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Jill Robbins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementI buy most of my kids' school clothes during the after-Thanksgiving sales. Even when buying school clothes for my kids on sale, I don't buy a lot. Keeping a stock of school supplies basics on hand saves both time and moneyI spent more on school supplies when my kids were in elementary school — school supply lists times two with crayons, colored pencils, and so many glue sticks drove my expenses up. That said, my kids still need school supplies, but they're usually the basics, such as paper, notebooks, folders, and pens and pencils. AdvertisementAlso, I never go to the store in person to buy school supplies.

Persons: —, I'm, they've, I've, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Facebook

☆ I'm a 101-year-old who just published my 9th book—here are my 8 best lessons for a long, happy life
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Babette Hughes | As Told To Stav Ziv | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

There's an idea in our culture that's so wrong: that life is over when you get to be a certain age. Take our new online course Today, as a 101-year-old in Austin, I'm living the kind of life I feel fortunate to have. Here are eight lessons I've learned that have helped me live a long, happy life:1. Do things you loveWhen I'm writing, I feel different. Sometimes I'll come back and I'll see something I wrote and think, "That's good."

Persons: I've, It's, That's Locations: Cleveland , Ohio, Austin

☆ I fell for my neighbor, and he's now my boyfriend. We struggle with boundaries since we live so close to each other.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Isabel Ravenna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Whenever I get asked this, I always give a short and sweet answer: "He moved in next door to me." AdvertisementBut when a stranger moved into an apartment next door, it was the start of something special. But that was technically the first time I met Greg. Our situation demands unique conversations, and while they may be unconventional, they're exactly what makes our bond so strong.

Persons: —, Greg, He'd, Meredith Grey, smoothie, I'd, it's Organizations: Service, Business

☆ The battle of Kursk has unchained Ukraine from a failing war strategy
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

At the start of August, Ukraine seemed doomed to remain on the defensive, slowly but relentlessly being ground into retreat by Russian onslaughts. But its successful new Kursk offensive has done more than seize 480 square miles of Russian territory and humiliate Putin. After nearly a year of a grim defensive battle, the Kursk operation has also allowed Ukraine to seize the initiative and force Moscow to dance to Kyiv's tune. The Russians no longer hold the initiative across the entirety of the theater, like they have for most of last year." Which means Ukraine has to find some economical way of keeping up the pressure on Russia, without losing more territory of its own.

Persons: Putin, George Barros, Barros, Vladimir Putin, " Barros, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Kursk, Moscow, Donetsk, Russia, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Polohy, Zaporizhia, Zabrama, Bryansk, Belgorod, Forbes

WASHINGTON — The Harris campaign has tapped Yohannes Abraham for a top role in the presidential transition team, according to a source familiar with the planning. Covington and Burling LLP, the law firm where former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder works, will help the transition team get set up. Abraham's appointment comes as the General Services Administration prepares to engage the Harris and Trump campaigns in the presidential transition process. Federal law related to presidential transitions stipulates Sept. 1 as the deadline for GSA to enter into formal agreements with presidential transition teams. Several former Trump administration staffers are part of the groups behind Project 2025, but McMahon and Lutnick haven’t been connected to the effort.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Harris, Yohannes Abraham, Abraham, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Covington, Burling, Eric Holder, Holder, Biden, Rod Lamkey, Trump, Linda McMahon, Howard Lutnick, Cantor Fitzgerald, McMahon, Lutnick Organizations: Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, U.S, Burling LLP, State Department, National Security Council, General Services Administration, Trump, GSA, Foreign Relations, Reuters, Washington , D.C, Small Business Administration, Trump White House, Democrats Locations: U.S, Indonesia, Jakarta, Asia, Dirksen, Washington ,, USA

☆ On frontline island, Taiwan president rejects China’s rule for freedom
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

KINMEN, Taiwan — Taiwan wants to continue its free way of life and rejects being ruled by China’s Communist Party, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Friday, visiting a frontline island between the two sides to mark a key battle with Chinese forces. “Our aim is that we hope for peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan sent its own forces to keep watch, the ministry said, using its usual wording for when China carries out such activities. China’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the latest combat patrol was related to Lai visiting Kinmen. Formerly called Quemoy in English, Kinmen today is a popular tourist destination, though Taiwan maintains a significant military presence.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Mao Zedong’s, Kinmen, “, ”, Jessica Chen, Tao Organizations: China’s Communist Party, Beijing, Communist Party, Kuomintang, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, Taiwan Locations: KINMEN, Taiwan, Republic of China, Taipei, Kinmen, Taiwan Strait, China, Beijing, Taiwan’s, United States

☆ After Kennedy’s Endorsement of Trump, They Signal a New Alliance
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Kellen Browning | Simon J. Levien | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

One of the most attention-grabbing days of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential bid was also its last. After toiling for months as an electoral afterthought, Mr. Kennedy suspended his long-shot campaign on Friday and endorsed former President Donald J. Trump in a speech in Phoenix carried live by television networks. Then, he traveled across town to speak in front of the largest rally audience since he began his third-party run last year: an audience of 17,000 at a Trump event at an arena in Glendale, Ariz.As he shook hands with Mr. Trump amid bursts of fireworks, Mr. Kennedy was, briefly, the star of the show, a new attraction for the Trump campaign. But it was unclear what impact, if any, Mr. Kennedy’s endorsement of Mr. Trump would have on the 2024 race. Many voters had said they were frustrated with the lack of choice between two unpopular and familiar candidates: Mr. Trump and President Biden.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, toiling, Kennedy, Donald J, Trump, Biden Locations: Phoenix, Glendale, Ariz

☆ ‘ManhattAnt’: What to know about the invasive ant that’s ‘taken over’ NYC
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Taylor Nicioli | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Researchers first spotted the insect, dubbed the “ManhattAnt,” while doing a survey on ants in New York City in 2011. By comparing the New York ants with the European ones, Seifert was able to confirm the ant’s identity. Because the nests work together instead of against one another, they can spread faster and easily dominate an area by outcompeting native species, he added. “One of the things we know about a lot of invasive ant species is they displace the native species, and the native species that they’re displacing usually have very specialized roles in the ecosystem, so you’re sort of disrupting that ecosystem when these species get introduced,” Moreau said. Time will tell whether the ant has become more than just a nuisance and is disrupting the ecosystem, Penick said.

Persons: North America —, ”, Clint Penick, Samantha Kennett, Becca Senft, Penick, Corrie Moreau, Moreau, Bernhard Seifert, Seifert, Kennett, ” Moreau Organizations: CNN, New Yorkers, Auburn University, Apple, Cornell University, Clemson University Locations: North America, Manhattan, European, Europe, New York City, Alabama, Long, New Jersey, Maine, Georgia, New York, Germany, York, South Carolina

☆ Biden’s National Security Adviser Will Visit China Next Week
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Michael D. Shear | More About Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser at the White House, will travel to China next week to meet with Wang Yi, the country’s foreign minister, in their latest high-level meeting aimed at defusing tensions. “These meetings are consistent with efforts to maintain this strategic channel of communication to responsibly manage the relationship,” said Sean Savett, a spokesman for the National Security Council. Mr. Sullivan’s visit will be his fifth face-to-face meeting with Mr. Wang but his only trip to Beijing since the start of the Biden administration. It will also be the first by a U.S. national security adviser since Susan Rice traveled to China on behalf of President Barack Obama in 2016. A senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to comment on diplomatic discussions, said Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Wang would discuss potential issues of cooperation, such as efforts to limit the spread of fentanyl, as well as areas where the two countries are locked in disputes, including the future of Taiwan.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Wang Yi, ”, Sean Savett, Sullivan’s, Wang, Biden, Susan Rice, Barack Obama, Sullivan Organizations: White, National Security, U.S Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan

☆ Beyoncé hype ran high then popped like a balloon at the DNC
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Like most pop culture fantasies, speculation that Beyoncé would make an appearance at the DNC started – and ended – on social media. From the moment CNN reported in July that Beyoncé had granted the vice president permission to use her 2016 song “Freedom” for her presidential campaign, there were questions. People spotted wearing ‘COWBOY KAMALA’ sashes at the Democratic National Convention. Eva Hambach/AFP/Getty ImagesA bee emoji shared on X by White House political director Emily Ruiz further spiked the hype. “If you thought the Oprah surprise was big, just wait.”On Thursday evening, TMZ reported that Beyoncé would indeed be performing.

Persons: Kamala Harris, –, Beyoncé, Bey, Harris, Taylor Swift, Kamala, KAMALA, Shasti Conrad, ” Conrad, Eva Hambach, Emily Ruiz, Oprah Winfrey, ”, “ I’ve, Barack Obama’s, Obama’s, Hillary Clinton, Yvette Noel, Schure, TMZ, CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister Organizations: CNN, Democratic National Convention, Chicago’s United, DNC, Washington Democratic, Washington State Standard, United Center, Getty, White House, TMZ, Media, Democratic, Biden, Hollywood Locations: Chi, O’Hare, Washington, Chicago , Illinois, AFP, Ohio, Chicago

☆ ‘The time has come’: The Fed just sent a crucial message about its next move
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

And so does the broader US economy: Economic growth this year has been solid and the Atlanta Fed is projecting that growth hasn’t slipped. “The labor market is cooling, but it’s not getting soft. A slowing job market is also playing a role in nudging the Fed to ease borrowing costs. Translation: The recent weakness in the job market could result in American shoppers curbing their spending more than expected. A big question mark is the future of America’s job market, which is a key driver of the US economy.

Persons: Washington CNN —, “, Jerome Powell, ”, “ Powell, Seema Shah, hasn’t, ” Tom Porcelli, it’s, Powell, cooldown, ” Powell, aren’t, they’re, —, “ There’s, Elizabeth Renter Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal, Fed, Markets, Asset Management, Atlanta Fed, Treasury, CNN, Walmart, America’s Locations: Jackson Hole , Wyoming, nudging

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