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☆ The world's top H.P. Lovecraft expert weighs in on a monstrous viral meme in the A.I. world
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Mike Calia | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Lovecraft's novella "At the Mountains of Madness" — aren't quite perfect, according to the world's leading Lovecraft scholar, S.T. "While I'm sure Lovecraft would be grateful (and amused) by the application of his creation to AI, the parallels are not very exact," Joshi wrote. Read more: How to talk about AI like an insiderFirst of all, it's "shoggoth," not "Shoggoth," Joshi said. "It is a species name, not a proper name," Joshi wrote in an email to CNBC. For instance, a recent fake Toronto Blue Jays ad, created by a TSN producer who used text-to-video AI tech, is packed with horrifying images such as people feasting on each other's hot dog tentacles.

Persons: H.P, S.T, Joshi, Lovecraft, it's Joshi, He's, Kevin Roose, Roose, Harlan Ellison's Organizations: Lovecraft, Providence, The New York Times, CNBC, Times, Workers, Toronto Blue Jays, TSN Locations: A.I, Antarctica

☆ How to watch the PGA Championship: Start time, channels, and other things to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Rob Schumacher/USA Today Network Tiger Woods walks the 18th green during the second round on Saturday, April 8. David J. Phillip/AP Fred Couples waves to patrons after finishing his second round on Saturday. Patrick Smith/Getty Images Patrick Cantlay plays a shot from a bunker on the 18th hole on Saturday. Rob Schumacher/USA Today Network Adam Scott plays a bunker shot on the second hole Thursday. Rob Schumacher/USA Today Network Hideki Matsuyama, who won the tournament two years ago, looks over a putt on the second hole.

☆ Tyson Foods aims to resume slaughtering pigs in mid May at Nebraska plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHICAGO, May 9 (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N) plans to resume slaughtering pigs in mid-May at a Madison, Nebraska, pork plant damaged by fire two weeks ago, the meatpacker said on Tuesday. The extended halt to slaughtering comes as weak consumer demand for pork and low prices are squeezing margins for meatpackers and hurting hog farmers. The Madison plant is doing limited "further processing" work, she said, after hogs are slaughtered elsewhere. The company previously said it was repairing the plant and expected it to resume production the second week of May. U.S. meatpackers slaughtered an estimated 451,000 hogs on Tuesday, down from 470,000 hogs a week ago and 478,000 hogs a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

For most of the day, stocks struggled for direction amid disappointing earnings from Tyson Foods and Catalent and a short-lived rebound in regional banks. The struggle for a clearer direction comes after a rally on Friday, when U.S. jobs data pointed to a resilient labor market. Producer prices, weekly jobless claims and consumer sentiment data are all lined up for the week. Shares of regional banks tumbled for much of last week on worries tied to the collapse of First Republic Bank. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc's Class B shares rose after posting a $35.5 billion first-quarter profit, boosted by gains from stocks such as Apple.

The struggle for a clearer direction comes after a rally on Friday, when U.S. jobs data pointed to a resilient labor market. Producer prices, weekly jobless claims and consumer sentiment data are all lined up for the week. A rally in regional banks' shares proved short-lived, with PacWest Bancorp (PACW.O) rising 5.6% after gaining as much as about 30% earlier in the session after the lender sharply cut its quarterly dividend to boost capital. Shares of regional banks tumbled for much of last week on worries tied to the collapse of First Republic Bank. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc's Class B shares rose 0.9% after posting a $35.5 billion first-quarter profit, boosted by gains from stocks such as Apple.

Producer prices, weekly jobless claims and consumer sentiment data are all lined up through the week. "The bigger picture is inflation will remain higher for longer and that we are heading into a recession. The KBW Regional Banking index (.KRX) fell 2.2% after posting its best single-day performance in seven weeks on Friday. Shares of regional banks tumbled for much of last week on worries tied to the collapse of First Republic Bank. The S&P index recorded 10 new 52-week highs and four new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 47 new highs and 53 new lows.

May 8 (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N) shares plunged 16% to a three-year low on Monday as the U.S. meatpacker posted a surprise second-quarter loss and cut its full-year revenue forecast following a decline in prices for its beef and pork. CEO Donnie King, who is seeking to cut costs, said Tyson remains in an unusual position of facing challenges in its beef, pork and chicken businesses at the same time. The company cut its forecast for fiscal year 2023 sales to $53 billion to $54 billion from $55 billion to $57 billion. Reuters GraphicsSales volumes in Tyson's beef segment also fell 3% in the quarter, putting overall sales down 8.3% at $4.62 billion. The company pegged full-year beef margins at negative 1% to positive 1%, compared with its previous forecast of 2% to 4%.

May 8 (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N) posted a surprise second-quarter loss and cut its full-year revenue forecast on Monday as prices for its beef and pork have declined, sending the U.S. meatpacker's shares tumbling 9% before the bell. CEO Donnie King, who is seeking to cut costs, said meat markets are challenging and Tyson is focused on improving profit margins. The company lowered its forecast for fiscal year 2023 sales to $53 billion to $54 billion from $55 billion to $57 billion. Average sales prices of beef and pork fell 5.4% and 10.3%, respectively, in the quarter ending April 1. Sales volumes in Tyson's beef segment also fell 3%, leaving the unit's overall sales down 8.3% at $4.62 billion.

On the other end, regional banks' shares stretched gains from a rebound on Friday, with PacWest Bancorp (PACW.O) jumping 19.9% after the lender sharply cut its quarterly dividend to boost capital. Shares of such banks tumbled for much of last week on worries tied to the collapse of First Republic Bank. "We're in an information vacuum right now, waiting for the next inflation data. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc's Class B shares rose 1.2% after posting a $35.5 billion first-quarter profit, reflecting gains from stocks such as Apple. The S&P index recorded seven new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 31 new highs and 23 new lows.

☆ As earnings season winds down, investors turn to Tuesday's debt ceiling meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

With only a small fraction of the S & P 500 left to report quarterly earnings, investors are now turning their focus to another major hurdle for the markets and economy: the debt ceiling crisis. Earlier this week, we looked back to debt limit crisis of 2011 for potential lessons. The protracted fight ultimately ended in an agreement in early August of that year, but it was a choppy summertime ride for investors. Within the portfolio, Wynn Resorts will report Tuesday, after the closing bell, and Disney will report on Wednesday, after the closing bell. Estee Lauder (EL) and Emerson Electric (EMR) reported earnings before the opening bell.

☆ Shrinking US cattle herd squeezes meatpacker profits
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Tom Polansek | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Cargill, the world's largest ground beef producer, expects cattle prices will rise further, but it is still a question whether higher beef prices will ruin consumers' appetites, company executives said. Big profits for meatpackers during the pandemic and soaring beef prices fueled concerns in the Biden administration about consolidation and profiteering in the sector. The companies say supply and demand determine cattle and beef prices. In 2023, "the cattle feeder can negotiate more of the consumer dollar," said Brett Gottsch, managing partner Gottsch Cattle Co, which raises cattle in Nebraska. Gottsch remains concerned about a lack of competition among meatpackers, though others said surging cattle prices show the market works.

☆ Ukraine says it still holds parts of Bakhmut, Russia reports progress
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Nick Starkov | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Ukrainian service members from a 3rd separate assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, fire a howitzer D30 at a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the city of Bakhmut, Ukraine April 23, 2023. REUTERS/Sofiia GatilovaLVIV, Ukraine, April 30 (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Sunday its troops were holding onto parts of the eastern city of Bakhmut, focus of a prolonged Russian assault, while the head of a major pro-Moscow force said his men were making progress. Russian forces, which have struggled for months to capture Bakhmut, are slowly taking over more and more of the city. "The defence of Bakhmut is coping with its military tasks," she said in a Telegram post. Russia's defence ministry earlier said its forces had taken four blocks in western Bakhmut on Sunday.

☆ Gap will cut 1,800 corporate jobs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Gap said Thursday that it will lay off 1,800 employees as the struggling retailer looks to cut costs. As of January, Gap had around 95,000 employees globally, and 9% of them were corporate staff. In September, Gap slashed roughly 500 corporate jobs. Dozens of major companies have cut jobs in recent months, including Tyson Foods (TSN), 3M (MMM) and Lyft (LYFT) in April. The slew of widely publicized layoffs comes as the job market begins to slow, following months of historic post-pandemic growth.

☆ Tyson Foods to eliminate 10% of corporate jobs -memo
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Tom Polansek | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHICAGO, April 26 (Reuters) - Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N) will eliminate about 10% of corporate jobs and 15% of senior leadership roles, Chief Executive Donnie King told employees on Wednesday. Discussions with most affected employees are slated to take place this week, King said in a memo to employees seen by Reuters. The eliminated roles in senior leadership are mostly vice presidents and senior vice presidents, a company spokesperson said. Some corporate employees already left the company after Tyson said in October it was relocating all corporate jobs to its headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. However, the 10% reduction in corporate roles is not related to the relocation, a Tyson spokesperson said.

April 12 (Reuters) - Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG.N) said on Wednesday Chief Financial Officer Gina Goetter was leaving the company at the end of April, and toymaker Hasbro Inc (HAS.O) said she would take over as its finance chief. Harley issued a statement saying that Vice President, Treasurer David Viney will serve as interim CFO after Goetter's departure on April 28. Shares of the company were down 2.8% in extended trading after falling more than 6% on Wednesday. After cutting hundreds of jobs in 2020, Harley has either beaten or met Wall Street earnings forecasts in recent years, while navigating high inflation and supply chain constraints. Hasbro said Goetter will assume the role as CFO on May 18, succeeding Deborah Thomas at the company that makes Transformers action figures.

April 12 (Reuters) - Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc (HOG.N) said on Wednesday Chief Financial Officer Gina Goetter was leaving the company at the end of April to pursue another job. The Milwaukee-based company said Vice President David Viney will take over as interim CFO after Goetter's departure on April 28. Shares of the company fell 6.3% in extended trading. Before joining Harley, Goetter held top finance roles at meat company Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N) and cereal maker General Mills Inc. (GIS.N)The company did not respond to a request for additional information. After cutting hundreds of jobs in 2020, Harley has either beaten or met Wall Street earnings forecasts in recent years.

April 12 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Tuesday approved a $75 million settlement between Smithfield Foods Inc and a class of consumers who accused the pork producer of conspiring to restrict supply in order to keep prices artificially high. Pork consumers last year settled with Smithfield rival JBS SA for $20 million. The judge in a separate order on Tuesday awarded nearly $25 million in legal fees to the plaintiffs firms representing the consumer class. The consumer class attorneys said in a court filing in January that they'd spent more than 37,000 hours pursuing antitrust claims over four years. The case is In re Pork Antitrust Litigation, U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, No.

WASHINGTON, April 12 (Reuters) - Meat companies should examine their supply chains for evidence of child labor, the Biden administration said in a letter sent to top meatpacking companies on Wednesday. The letter is part of an effort by several agencies, led by the Department of Labor, to curb the use of illegal child labor across sectors. In February, the Labor Department found that more than 100 children had been illegally employed by Packers Sanitation Services Inc, a company that contracts with meat-packers to clean slaughterhouses. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asked meat and poultry companies in the letter to determine whether illegal child labor is being used in their supply chains and to adopt stronger child labor standards for subcontractors. The Department of Agriculture is exploring enforcement mechanisms that would allow stronger oversight of child labor use in food supply chains and plans to take future steps on the issue, an agency spokesperson said.

☆ U.S. Tyson Foods workers strike at Arkansas chicken plant set to close
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Tom Polansek | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHICAGO, April 10 (Reuters) - About 150 employees of a Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N) chicken plant in Arkansas went on strike on Monday for better treatment before the company shuts the facility, an organizer said. Tyson plans to close the plant in Van Buren, Arkansas, on May 12, eliminating jobs for 969 non-union employees, as it seeks to improve performance in its chicken business. Some employees quit after Tyson announced the plant would close, leaving more work for fewer employees, Licolli said. Tyson has offered to transfer plant workers to another facility in Texas, with compensation for relocating, but many do not want to uproot their lives or their families, Licolli said. Tyson said in an email that it is offering employees relocation support to work at other facilities in Arkansas as well.

☆ Tyson Foods workers strike at US chicken plant set to close
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Tom Polansek | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHICAGO, April 10 (Reuters) - About 150 employees of a Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N) chicken plant in Arkansas went on strike on Monday for better treatment before the company shuts the facility, an organizer said. Tyson plans to close the plant in Van Buren, Arkansas, on May 12, eliminating jobs for 969 employees, as it seeks to improve performance in its chicken business. Some employees quit after Tyson announced the plant would close, leaving more work for fewer employees, Licolli said. Tyson has offered to transfer plant workers to another facility in Texas, with compensation for relocating, but many do not want to uproot their lives or their families, Licolli said. Tyson also received pushback over a plan to shut a chicken plant in Glen Allen, Virginia, with 692 employees.

☆ The beef supply is shrinking. That means meat isn't going to get much cheaper
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A contraction in beef supplies “has been coming for a while,” said David Anderson, a professor in Texas A&M University’s agricultural economics department. Beef supplies are shrinking after farmers sold off cattle in response to drought and high costs. The “big unknown is going to be consumer demand.”The beef supply tends to grow and shrink in roughly 10-year cycles, said Lance Zimmerman, senior beef analyst for the North American market with Rabobank. “If that’s the case, beef prices may be steadier.”And with food inflation stubbornly high, consumers are already cutting back on certain items, including beef. If demand remains strong, “we may see some higher beef prices,” towards the fall and later, Bernt said.

☆ Report: McDonald's tells corporate employees to work from home for layoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —McDonald’s instructed corporate employees to work from home this week in anticipation of layoffs, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. McDonald’s has 150,000 employees in its company-owned locations and offices globally, with 70% of those positions outside of the United States, according to the Journal. McDonald's CEO said in January that job cuts were coming. Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service/Getty ImagesIn January, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a memo to staff that job cuts are coming. Meta (META), owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, said in March that it would make a second round of job cuts.

San Diego State will play UConn in the NCAA men's basketball national championship game on April 3. ETHow to watch the NCAA national championship game in the USYou can watch the NCAA men's basketball national championship game on CBS or Paramount Plus. If you don't already have access to CBS via antenna or cable TV, Paramount Plus is the cheapest way to watch the NCAA national championship game. How to watch the NCAA national championship game in CanadaThe NCAA men's national championship game will air on TSN networks in Canada; TSN offers monthly streaming passes for $20, four month passes for $49.96, and annual passes for $199.90. How to watch the NCAA national championship game in the UKIn the UK, you can watch the NCAA men's national championship game with ESPN Player, which costs £10 a month or £70 a year.

The women's national championship game is April 2, while the men's championship is April 3. CBS and Paramount Plus will air the men's Final Four; the women's Final Four is on ESPN and ESPN+. How to watch NCAA Final Four in the USThe men's March Madness 2023 tournament enters the Final Four round on April 1, and the championship game follows on April 3. How to watch NCAA Final Four in the UKIn the UK, you can watch the men's and women's Final Four with ESPN Player, which costs £10 a month or £70 a year. March Madness NCAA Final Four 2023 TV scheduleBrian Rothmuller /Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesMen's NCAA Final Four scheduleRound Date and time Channels/Service #5 San Diego State versus #9 Florida Atlantic April 1, 6:09 p.m.

The planned closure of the plant has left dozens of Virginia chicken growers scrambling to find new buyers in a region with few other options. Tyson alerted Virginia farmers by phone on March 13 and later by mail that it will shut its Glen Allen plant on May 12, according to three poultry farmers who supply the plant. The USDA, which enforces the PSA, told Reuters it is "closely monitoring" Tyson's planned plant closure. 'WE'RE DONE'Under normal circumstances, Tyson supplies farmers with chicks, while farmers assume the costs of land and chicken houses. On Monday, about 20 Tyson farmers and local government officials gathered in a fire station in Burkeville, Virginia, and raised concerns about Tyson's short timeline for closure of the plant, attendees said.

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