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Meanwhile, Johnson’s allies have asked Trump to publicly support the speaker, or at least stay out all together of his back-and-forth with House Republicans, according to multiple sources close to both Johnson and Trump. Johnson’s strategy also shows the continued grip Trump has on the House Republican Conference. Johnson told House Republicans during a closed-door meeting Wednesday that he had spoken to the former president the previous day. Johnson added: “It would be chaos in the House” if a motion to vacate the speaker’s chair were to succeed. “President Trump’s support on anything would be helpful for the Republican Party,” Hern told CNN.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Johnson, ”, Johnson’s, Trump, speakership, “ I’m, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Greene, Greene, ‘, Johnson –, –, Troy Nehls, he’s, Kevin Hern, Trump’s, ” Hern, David Cameron, Cameron Organizations: CNN, Republican Party, Trump, House Republicans, GOP, House Republican Conference, Electoral, Supreme, Republicans, Texas Rep, Oklahoma, Republican, Committee, British, FISA Locations: Ukraine, Texas, Georgia , Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Washington, “, Mar

☆ Google takes another bite out of Apple, offering Find My Device for Android phones even if they're offline
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Google on Monday announced its enhanced Find My Device feature for Android phones is now available. Using a crowdsourced network of Androids, the feature can find your device even if it's offline. AdvertisementAfter missing its original summer 2023 release target, Google announced Monday that its enhanced Find My Device feature is now available for Android phones and tablets. The feature leverages Bluetooth technology across a network of over a billion Android devices to help users find their misplaced devices — even if they're offline. A representative for Apple declined to comment on the new Android feature when reached for comment by Business Insider.

Persons: —, they've Organizations: Google, Monday, Service, Motorola, Apple, Business

Editor’s note: Follow along with CNN’s live updates of the total solar eclipse. Special eclipse momentsWhile totality is considered to be the most exciting part of a total solar eclipse, there are other special phases to watch for before the big moment arrives. Amateur astronomers prepare to watch a total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico, on Monday. After the total solar eclipse ends, it’s a bit of a wait for the next such celestial sightings in the United States. Those living in Alaska will catch a glimpse of a total solar eclipse on March 30, 2033, and a partial solar eclipse will shine over most of the US during that event.

Persons: Ron Jenkins, Karen Siegel, ” Siegel, Michael Zeiler, Heinz, Peter Bader, Pons, Brooks, Fernando Llano, it’s, Don’t Organizations: CNN, NASA, Indianapolis, GPS, Reuters, JPL, Caltech, Amateur Locations: United States, North America, Texas, Maine, Kerrville , Texas, Cleveland, Newfoundland, Canada, Mazatlan, Coast, Fort Worth , Texas, Texas , Oklahoma , Arkansas , Missouri , Illinois , Kentucky , Indiana , Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York , Vermont , New Hampshire, Vermont, Missouri, Indiana, Lincoln , New Hampshire, Newton , Massachusetts, Barton , Vermont, Mexico, Alaska, North Dakota, Montana, California , Nevada , Utah , Colorado , Kansas , Oklahoma , Arkansas , Mississippi, Alabama, Florida

☆ Disney's cinematic drought may have opened a door for activist investor Peltz
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

DisneyDisney has struggled to return to the lofty box office records of 2019 — and that may have helped open the door for its recent troubles with activist Nelson Peltz. Just four years ago, the studio had seven billion-dollar films, which contributed to a global box office haul of more than $13.2 billion. Sony produced and distributed "Spider-Man: No Way Home," which made $1.9 billion, although Disney's Marvel Studios did serve as a co-producer. "People go to watch a movie or a show to be entertained," Peltz said in recent interview with The Financial Times. Peltz has also taken particular issue with Disney's failed succession plans and what he's described as a disjointed streaming strategy.

Persons: Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones, Nelson Peltz, Disney's, Strange, Peltz, Jay Rasulo, he's, Marvel, Ike Perlmutter Organizations: Disney Disney, Disney, Century Fox, Star, Sony, Disney's Marvel Studios, Guardians, Galaxy, Trian Fund Management, Financial Times, Marvel, U.S . Air Force, Financial, Marvel Entertainment Locations: U.S

☆ Special moments to watch for during the April 8 total eclipse
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —When the total solar eclipse traces a path across Mexico, the United States and Canada on April 8, spectators can anticipate a multitude of awe-inspiring moments. For those living outside of the path of totality, a crescent-shaped partial eclipse, rather than a total eclipse, will be the main event. A partial solar eclipse is seen between clouds from Socorro in Sao Paulo, Brazil on October 14, 2023. The diamond ring effect is seen during the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, in St. Louis, Missouri. And we’re living at the right time to truly enjoy the sight of a total eclipse on Earth, he said.

Persons: ”, John Mulchaey, Crawford H, Greenewalt, it’s, Robyn Beck, Igor, ” Mulchaey, “, It’s, you’re, Mulchaey, Francis Baily, Heinz, Peter Bader, X00316, Tim Spyers, Andrew Farnsworth Organizations: CNN, Carnegie Institution, Carnegie, NASA, Cornell, of Ornithology Locations: Mexico, United States, Canada, “, Prairie, AFP, Socorro, Sao Paulo, Brazil, St, Louis , Missouri

☆ Elon Musk says there could be a 20% chance AI destroys humanity — but we should do it anyway
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He estimates there's a 10-20% chance AI could destroy humanity but that we should build it anyway. An AI safety expert told BI that Musk is underestimating the risk of potential catastrophe. AdvertisementElon Musk is pretty sure AI is worth the risk, even if there's a 1-in-5 chance the technology turns against humans. "One of the things I think that's incredibly important for AI safety is to have a maximum sort of truth-seeking and curious AI." Musk said his "ultimate conclusion" regarding the best way to achieve AI safety is to grow the AI in a manner that forces it to be truthful.

Persons: Elon Musk, —, Elon, recalculated, Geoff Hinton, Yamploskiy, Musk, Sam Altman, Hinton Organizations: Service, Cyber Security, University of Louisville, New York Times, Summit, Independent, CNN, Business

☆ Op-ed: The effusive China tour is a failing playbook for Apple, Tim Cook, and every CEO
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Dewardric L. Mcneal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

This ritual, epitomized by high-profile engagements — such as Apple CEO Tim Cook's effusive overtures and statements of commitments to China — signals that American corporate titans think the strategy can still work. Tim Cook's narrative of China as "critical" to Apple , coupled with his admiration for the country's advanced manufacturing capabilities, embodies the ethos of this engagement playbook. Apple's Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook attends the China Development Forum in Beijing on March 24, 2024. It's not that the Apple CEO is doing anything wrong. Chinese Apple superfans jostled to enter the smartphone maker's newest store as it opened on March 21 night.

Persons: Tim Cook's, Tim Cook, Pedro Pardo, Jim McNerney, Xi Jinping's, Mark Zuckerberg, Deirdre O'Brien, Strstr, Xi, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang Organizations: Apple, American, titans, U.S, Apple's, China Development Forum, AFP, Getty, Boeing, Airbus, Volkswagen, Qualcomm, Google, Facebook, Huawei, Afp Locations: China, Beijing, Weibo, Shanghai

☆ Polar ice is melting and changing Earth’s rotation. It’s messing with time itself
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Laura Paddison | Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself. The hours and minutes that dictate our days are determined by Earth’s rotation. But after a long trend of slowing, the Earth’s rotation is now speeding up. Melting polar ice is slowing the impact on Earth’s rotation and has delayed the date by three years, pushing it from 2026 to 2029, the report found. Changes in Earth’s rotation over the long term have been dominated by the friction of the tides on the ocean floor — which has slowed down its rotation.

Persons: Patrizia, ”, Duncan Agnew, Agnew, Ted Scambos, ” Agnew, “, Olivier Morin, Scambos Organizations: CNN, Time Department, International Bureau, University of California San, University of Colorado Boulder Locations: France, University of California San Diego, Scoresby Fjord, Greenland, AFP

☆ Israel has ‘no choice’ but Rafah offensive, Netanyahu tells US members of Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Benjamin Brown | Eugenia Yosef | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Israel has faced criticism internationally ahead of its planned offensive on the southern Gaza city, in which more than one million people are currently sheltering. Netanyahu had earlier told the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could “just move” out of Rafah and “move with their tents.”“There’s all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah,” Netanyahu said. “People move down, they can move up,” the prime minister added. Disagreements over the impending invasion of Rafah and the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza have driven relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden to a low. The White House said Wednesday that Netanyahu had agreed to reschedule the planned visit by the Israeli delegation to Washington to discuss the possible Rafah operation.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “ We’ve, We’ll, ” Netanyahu, Israel “, Said Khatib, Israel, Biden, Joe Biden, Yoav Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Gallant Organizations: Israel CNN, Israeli, ’, Wednesday, ”, Minister’s, Israel, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Getty, UN Security, Security, CNN, Defense, National Locations: Haifa, Israel, Gaza, It’s, Jerusalem, Rafah, AFP, Washington

Even in the past few weeks, it had evolved as Mr. Kennedy and his advisers spoke with more than half a dozen prospective candidates. A spokeswoman for Mr. Kennedy’s campaign declined to comment. Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Shanahan did not respond to requests for comment on Monday evening. quarterback, and Jesse Ventura, the former Minnesota governor and onetime professional wrestler, were at the top of Mr. Kennedy’s list. But she gave to Mr. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in May 2023, when he was running as a Democrat.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy, Kennedy’s, Ms, Shanahan, Aaron Rodgers, Jesse Ventura, Scott Brown, Tricia Lindsay, Tulsi Gabbard, Mike Rowe, Jobs, Rowe, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, Rodgers, Mediaite, Sergey Brin, Biden’s, Mr, Biden, ” Mr, Kennedy —, Donald J, Trump’s, “ Organizations: New York Times, Republican, Democratic Party, Google, Democratic, Times, Super, Fox News, Trump, The Times Locations: Oakland, Calif, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Hawaii

☆ Biden Should Campaign on Making Americans Live Longer Again - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Ashwin Vasan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. government’s strategic response to attack this cruel disease abroad was PEPFAR, an American initiative that has saved more than 25 million lives and shaped my understanding of what muscular public health policy could accomplish. Today, as New York City’s health commissioner and a practicing doctor, I see a desperate need for similar focus and ambition here in the United States. Because of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease — along with drug overdoses, suicide, violence — the United States has not. When developing countries needed H.I.V. When the world needed a Covid-19 vaccine, we combined government-funded research with private initiative and an enormous distribution campaign.

Persons: Biden, Covid Locations: U.S, American, New York, United States, America

☆ Here’s how to see the upcoming worm moon lunar eclipse
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Taylor Nicioli | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A glowing worm moon will light up the sky on Monday with a celestial performance in store for people venturing out in the early morning hours — a penumbral lunar eclipse. The moon looks slightly darker during a 2023 penumbral lunar eclipse in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. It’s not going to be a super dramatic change in what we see in the moon,” Schmoll said. The penumbral eclipse comes about two weeks before a total solar eclipse that will cross Mexico, the United States and Canada on April 8. While a penumbral eclipse is not as dramatic as a total lunar eclipse with the moon appearing an eerie red, there is no special equipment required to view a lunar eclipse such as the viewing glasses needed for a solar eclipse, Schmoll said, allowing for lunar eclipses to be viewed with the naked eye.

Persons: Mahyuddin, Dr, Shannon Schmoll, “ It’ll, It’s, ” Schmoll, you’re, Schmoll, • Lyrids, Alpha Capricornids, Perseids, Draconids, Orionids, Leonids, Geminids, Ursids Organizations: CNN, Farmers, Getty, Michigan State University, NASA, American Meteor Society, Alpha Locations: Banda Aceh, Indonesia, AFP, Europe, North, East Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, South America, Mexico, United States, Canada, Asia

☆ Katherine Woodward Thomas Looks Back at 10 Years of Conscious Uncoupling
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Katherine Woodward Thomas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

When Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their separation a "conscious uncoupling" 10 years ago, I was in Costa Rica on a writing retreat. What the heck is a "conscious uncoupling"? Within one day, conscious uncoupling was listed in an online dictionary as "redefining divorce in the 21st century." Katherine Woodward Thomas, the founder of Conscious Uncoupling Laura ReochYet Mark and I were determined to protect our daughter and resolved to not put her in the middle. Katherine Woodward Thomas, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is the New York Times bestselling author of "Conscious Uncoupling: 5 Steps to Living Happily Even After."

Persons: Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin, she'd, Gwyneth, uncoupling, I'd, Mark, Katherine Woodward Thomas, Laura Reoch, That's Organizations: Hollywood, Disney, New York Times Locations: Costa Rica, goop, Star, Venice, Italy

☆ European Central Bank’s Lagarde signals June cut but says future rate path uncertain
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-20 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, at the ECB And Its Watchers conference in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 20, 2024. European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde on Wednesday reiterated that policymakers will consider bringing interest rates down in June, but sketched an uncertain path beyond that. "By June we will have a new set of projections that will confirm whether the inflation path we foresaw in our March forecast remains valid," Lagarde said in a speech in Frankfurt. Data available by June will also provide more insight into the path of underlying inflation and the direction of the labor market, according to Lagarde. So, there will be a period ahead where we need to confirm on an ongoing basis that the incoming data supports our inflation outlook."

Persons: Christine Lagarde, Lagarde Organizations: European Central Bank, ECB Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, ECB's

☆ I loved my company but still felt bored and uninspired at work. I carefully planned my next steps and found my dream job.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Kelli Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I worked at a bank for years and loved the company, but my work often left me bored and uninspired. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Part of this meant paying attention to my energy levels and grouping my "work tasks" into one of three energy categories: energy suckers, energy stallers, and energy surgers. Because the job was such a great fit, I ended up earning salary increases quickly, which turned a pay cut into a pay raise. I'm glad I didn't give in to my rust out and instead worked on a plan that led me to my dream job.

Persons: —, I'd, Rust, they'd Organizations: Service, Training, Energy

☆ Six more years of Putin will worry many countries. But not China
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A stable relationship with Moscow, too, allows Beijing to focus on other areas of concern such as Taiwan and the South China Sea. “Xi sees Putin as a genuine strategic partner,” said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London, ahead of the Russian election results, adding that anything less than a landslide win for Putin would be “a disappointment” for Beijing. The Russian leader has weathered an apparent miscalculation that what his government still calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine would be a swift success. Jose Colon/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesWatchful BeijingBut that doesn’t mean countries tied to Moscow aren’t also watching the conflict in Ukraine carefully. That may be especially true for China, Russia’s most powerful strategic partner.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Vladimir Putin’s, Xi Jinping, Xi, Putin, Jens Stoltenberg, ”, Steve Tsang, Mao Zedong, won’t, Putin’s, Kim Jong Un, Kim, Kim Jong, Sergei Shoigu, Yevgeny Prigozhin, he’s, Alexey Navalny, –, BRICS, Jose Colon, Moscow aren’t, “, Eurasia Li Hui, Wang Yiwei, Putin –, Li Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Ukraine grinds, Kremlin, NATO, Washington, SOAS China Institute, University of London, Putin, Russia's, KCNA, Reuters, United Arab Emirates, Russian, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Moscow, Renmin University, Beijing, CNN Locations: China, Hong Kong, Russia, Taiwan, Beijing, Moscow, South China, North Korea, Russia’s Far, Washington, Pyongyang, South Korea, Iran, India, Ukraine, Vladivostok, Russian, United States, Brazil, South Africa, UAE, Ethiopia, Egypt, Russia’s Kazan, Crimea, Sochi, West, Israel, Gaza, Ukrainian, Eurasia, Europe, Beijing –

☆ House GOP pushes ahead with TikTok bill despite Trump opposition
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Haley Talbot | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And he recognized that TikTok was a national security threat, and we are proceeding, because that threat continues today,” she said. Nowhere in the bill does it say Tiktok,” Pence told CNN. The measure’s fate, however, is less certain in the Senate, but Scalise told CNN he’s had conversations with senators who are “interested” in the legislation. While many senators told CNN they were still reviewing the legislation Monday night, there is a core group of senators who have expressed support or openness to the House bill. “He’s wrong,” Roy, a House Freedom Caucus member, told CNN.

Persons: Donald Trump, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, TikTok, ”, “ I’m, there’s, McMorris Rodgers, “, Morgan Griffith, doesn’t, Jeff Duncan, CNN he’s, we’ve, ByteDance, ” Duncan, “ We’ve, Greg Pence, Bill, can’t, ’, ” Pence, Steve Scalise, Scalise, Shou Chew, Chew, Mariannette Miller, Meeks, Chip Roy, ” Roy, it’s, Tik Tok, Bob Good, Troy Nehls, Trump, ” Nehls, CNN’s Sam Fossum, Manu Raju, Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, House Energy, Republican, GOP, of Justice, Energy, Commerce, ”, Caucus, CNN, Chinese Communist Party, South Carolina Republican, Republicans, Punchbowl News, Trump, Rep, Iowa Republican, Texas Republican, Communist, Texas Rep Locations: United States, Virginia, Indiana, Texas, China

☆ Photo agencies are refusing to publish a portrait of Kate Middleton with her children over concerns it was manipulated
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewMultiple photo agencies are sounding the alarm that Kate Middleton's newest portrait with her children could have been digitally altered. Many were focused on the cuff of Princess Charlotte's pink cardigan, which appears to disappear in the photo. AdvertisementA spokesperson for the AP pointed Business Insider to a story from the outlet, in which reporters explain why they believe the photo to be manipulated. "The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand," per the AP. Kensington Palace did not immediately answer questions from BI about allegations that the photos were altered and has not publicly responded.

Persons: —, Kate Middleton's, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William, Middleton, Charlotte's, Princess Charlotte's, Ben Smoke Organizations: Service, Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France, Presse, Business, AP, AFP, BBC, TMZ, Windsor Locations: Kensington, cardigan

☆ Kate Middleton picture fiasco shows we're at the point of no return with trusting anything online
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A family photo of the Princess of Wales has added fuel to the fire of a wild online conspiracy. The fiasco proves that trusting anything online has become a total nightmare in the AI age. AdvertisementHowever, concerns over the family image have had the opposite effect for an entirely understandable reason. AdvertisementOpenAI has attempted to introduce some form of digital watermarking for images generated by its AI tools, but studies indicate that most forms of marking out AI content are still rife with weaknesses. But in the age of AI, users also need to seek their own verification before trusting online content — something that's still easier said than done.

Persons: Princess, —, Kate Middleton, Wales, Kate, Prince William, Princess Charlotte's, Prince, Princess of Wales, Queen Consort, Henry Ajder, Adjer, Ajder, OpenAI, Pope Francis Organizations: Service, Getty, Associated Press, Reuters, AFP, BI, Vatican Media Locations: Wales, Kensington

☆ Why Amtrak is attempting to revive the Texas Central bullet train
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In 2023, Amtrak revived hopes for the bullet train in the Texas Triangle, when it announced its intention to broaden its partnership with Texas Central. The Texas Central project has been repeatedly delayed as its backers navigate various regulatory hurdles, including environmental reviews and disputes over property rights. The proposed alignment for the Texas high-speed rail project crosses Morney-Berry Farm, which Berry's family has cultivated for generations. And in late 2023, Texas Central received a Corridor ID program grant to study the route's potential for partnership with Amtrak. The backers of Texas Central declined repeated requests from CNBC for a comment on the project's progress and expected completion date.

Persons: Andy Byford, Seth Moulton, Brianne Glover, Jody Berry, Berry, Biden, Troy Nehls Organizations: U.S, Texas Central, Amtrak, Fort Worth metroplex, Texas, Dallas, CNBC, University's Transportation Institute, Texas Supreme Court, Reason, U.S ., Japan Bank, International Cooperation, Speed Rail Authority Locations: Texas, Dallas, Houston, U.S, It's, Berry, Japan, California, Los Angeles, San Francisco

☆ 'Holes' in Earth's magnetic field could cause extra northern lights this month. Here's how to spot them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

March 2024 may be the best month in the best year to see the Northern Lights, aka aurora borealis. Here's everything you need to know to spot the northern lights. AdvertisementThis could be the best month, of the best year for two decades, to see the Northern Lights, in part, thanks to openings in Earth's magnetic field. The northern lights dance in the skies above Riverton, Wyoming. If you're lucky and you plan right, you might be able to see the Northern Lights this month.

Persons: —, Matt Owens, SANKA VIDANAGAMA, Rune Stoltz Bertinussen, we've, It's Organizations: Service, NASA, International Space Station, University of Reading, Getty, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Reuters, Weather, NWS, Royal Photographic Society Locations: Riverton , Wyoming, Riverton, Arizona, Florida, Australia, New Zealand, Phoenix , Arizona, Christchurch , New Zealand, AFP, Alaska, Norway, Tromso, Gaylor , Missouri

☆ On Oscars Carpet, Red Pins Planned to Call for Cease-Fire in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Callie Holtermann | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Some attendees of the Academy Awards on Sunday night plan to wear red pins calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, a notable exception to an awards season in which many Hollywood stars have been reluctant to draw attention to the conflict. The pins represent the attendees’ alignment with Artists4Ceasefire, a group of celebrities and members of the entertainment industry who signed an open letter urging President Biden to call for a cease-fire. The nearly 400 signatories include Bradley Cooper and America Ferrera, who are both Oscar nominees this year, as well as Cate Blanchett, Drake, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. “The pin symbolizes collective support for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza,” Artists4Ceasefire said in a news release. “Compassion must prevail,” the release continued.

Persons: Biden, Bradley Cooper, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Drake, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, “, ” Artists4Ceasefire Organizations: Hollywood, America Locations: Israel, Gaza

LONDON (AP) — The first official photo of Kate, the Princess of Wales, since she underwent abdominal surgery nearly two months ago, was pulled from circulation by The Associated Press and several other news organizations because the image appeared to have been manipulated. Kensington Palace had issued the image Sunday as speculation swirled on social media about the whereabouts of the oft-photographed princess who hadn’t been seen in public since December. But efforts to tamp down rumors and supposition may have backfired after royal observers noticed inconsistencies in the photo's details. The story quickly became a top news story in Britain and the photo had almost 50 million views on the X social media platform by the end of the day. “At closer inspection it appears that the source has manipulated the image,” the AP said in its advisory.

Persons: Kate, Princess, Wales, hadn’t, Prince, Prince William, ”, Princess Charlotte’s, ’ Organizations: Associated Press, Getty, Reuters, AFP, AP Locations: United Kingdom, Windsor, Britain

☆ Private-equity and VC investors look to sports, AI, and live events as the era of peak TV draws to a close
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

That was a far steeper decline than the overall venture funding market, which declined 38% in 2023, the report said. (The report was based on data from Crunchbase, which Alignment Growth is an investor in.) Investors have been flocking to AI, live entertainment, and sports. Sports M&A nearly tripled in three years to $27.9 billion in 2023, driven by deals for team franchises, the Alignment Growth report showed. High ticket prices for live entertainment could dampen attendance, especially if consumer confidence takes a hit.

Persons: Wade Holden, Anthony Jasenski, CBRE's, Jasenski, haven't, IATSE, Alex Iosilevich, Schlogel, Craig Thompson Organizations: Venture, Business, Disney, Warner Bros, Global, P Global Market Intelligence, Blackstone, Bain Capital Real, Deloitte, Teamsters, Hollywood, Investors, Sports, Atwater, Mindspring Capital Locations: Hollywood, Crunchbase, Americas, OpenAI

☆ Google's Gemini firestorm shows the risks of the company's race to catch up with its AI rivals
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. The company has been defending itself against fierce backlash sparked by its AI chatbot's image-generating feature. The product has landed Google at the center of what was described in some circles as a "woke" culture war. AdvertisementGoogle's 'Gemini era' is all about GPT-4Pichai claimed late last year Google was entering its "Gemini era." The model is widely seen as the company's answer to OpenAI's GPT-4, a product heavily backed by Microsoft and already powering many of the company's AI products.

Persons: —, execs, Critics, Andrés, Sergey Brin, Sundar Pichai, Brin, Alex Heath, Heath, Pichai, OpenAI's, Google's Bard, Bing, Gvirtz, Sandra Wachter, Wachter Organizations: Service, Google, Business, Big Tech, King's Business School, Engineers, Gemini, Microsoft, chatbots, Financial, Oxford Internet Institute

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