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Worldwide boy-band sensation BTS may be on hiatus, but refreshing new financial acts threaten to upend the world of K-pop, and perhaps South Korea. The battle over 28-year-old SM Entertainment, the $2.3 billion force behind Girls' Generation and EXO, is at heart a family feud. It helps, too, that K-pop has turned into one of South Korea’s strongest exports, thanks largely to “Butter” and “Dynamite” singers BTS. "We oppose all aggressive outside mergers and acquisitions, including Hybe," SM said in a statement, according to Reuters. Separately, internet conglomerate Kakao said on Feb. 7 it would acquire a 9.05% stake in SM via 112 billion won of new shares and 105 billion won of convertible bonds.

Identity theft is often a crime of opportunity, so reducing risk goes a long way to protect against identity theft. How to reduce the risk of identity theftEva Velasquez, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center, says it's best to take multiple steps to secure your identity. Editor's Rating 4.6/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.7/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.8/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Learn more On Aura's website Learn more On IDShield's website Learn more On IdentityForce's website1. While this doesn't necessarily prevent identity theft, it does mitigate any potential damages as a result of identity theft. You can report identity theft over the phone; however, you will not receive an identity theft report.

☆ Improving Italian business cushions TIM's profit decline
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Elvira Pollina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Italy's biggest phone group said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) including lease costs fell 10.6% to 5 billion euros in the 12 months to Dec. 31. That compares with a "low-teens" decrease targeted by TIM and was in line with an average analyst forecast of 4.988 billion euros, according to a company-provided consensus. Total group service revenue rose by 1.3% to 14.6 billion euros, exceeding analysts expectations for a rise of 0.6% and the company's target for a 'low single digit decrease'. Net financial debt stood at 25.4 billion euros as of Dec. 31, up by 3.2 billion euros from the year before. TIM is expected later on Tuesday to issue an update of its business plan for 2023-2025, including new financial targets.

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Banking and payments processing conglomerate Fidelity National Information Services Inc (FIS.N) took a $17.6 billion write-down on its merchant business as it unveiled plans on Monday to spin it off, undoing a $43 billion acquisition that went sour. FIS built its merchant business, which processes transactions for companies, on the back of its $43 billion purchase of WorldPay four years ago. "The pace of disruption in payments is rapidly accelerating, requiring increased investment in growth and a different capital allocation strategy for our merchant solutions business," FIS Chairman Jeffrey Goldstein said in a statement. Charles Drucker, the former CEO of Worldpay, will lead the merchants business after it is spun out, FIS said. Merchant solutions makes up about 30% of FIS' revenue, while its banking solutions arm constitutes about 46%, and capital market solutions the remainder.

FIS plans to pursue a tax-free spin-off of its merchant business, which processes payments for companies, the sources said. The spin-off will take many months to be completed, and FIS will also entertain any acquisition offers for the unit during this period, the sources added. Much of FIS's merchant business consists of Worldpay, which it bought for $43 billion in 2019. The sources cautioned that no transaction is certain and asked not to be identified discussing confidential deliberations. Merchant solutions makes up about 30% of the company's revenue, while its banking solutions arm constitutes about 46%, and capital market solutions the remainder.

☆ Amazon Studios is growing fast and spending big on shows like 'Citadel,' but insiders say unclear creative direction, leadership shifts, and tech bureaucracy threaten to drive away staff and talent
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Lucia Moses | Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

The dust has been settling at Amazon Studios after a big reorg in the fall that solidified Jen Salke's power. Yet Amazon Studios faces major challenges. Amazon Studios' Head of Global Television Vernon Sanders told Insider that the goal is to deliver content with global cultural relevance. Amazon Prime VideoWhile spending on such big swings has soared, some insiders see far less budgetary support for underrepresented casts. "I do think people wonder what's the commitment to Amazon Studios," the current insider said.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics adjusts the raw numbers for January (and every other month) to strip out these seasonal effects and focus on the underlying trend by applying a set of seasonal adjustment factors. The application of seasonal adjustment factors then transformed smaller-than-normal actual job losses into a reported job gain of 443,000 in the private sector. There were also reported employment increases in construction (25,000), manufacturing (19,000) and mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction (3,000). Labour hoarding probably exaggerated the strength of the jobs market in January 2023 and is likely to reverse in the next few months if economic growth continues to slow. There is a strong incentive to hold on to recently and expensively hired staff until the softening of the economy and the labour market is actually confirmed.

☆ Fintech startup Meadow wants to make paying for college easier and update the 'outdated tech' at many colleges. It just raised $3.5 million.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Meadow is a fintech-meets-edtech startup that lets students calculate what they'd pay for college. On Meadow, students can see what their full cost for school would be after financial aid. The startup has landed partnerships with big universities and just raised $3.5 million in funding. It was especially hard for first generation or immigrant students, Brillembourg said, because of the hoops they needed to jump through to secure funds from multiple sources. "You're 18, not financially literate, and being thrown into this large complex financial payments journey with little or no support to navigate it," he said.

☆ Edtech startup Meadow wants to make it easier for students to track the cost of their tuition and update the 'outdated tech' at many colleges. It just raised $3.5 million.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Meadow is a fintech-meets-edtech startup that lets students calculate what they'd pay for college. On Meadow, students can see what their full cost for school would be after financial aid. The startup has landed partnerships with big universities and just raised $3.5 million in funding. It also sends reminders to current students to keep track of when their tuition payments are coming up and how much they owe. "You're 18, not financially literate, and being thrown into this large complex financial payments journey with little or no support to navigate it," he said.

☆ DOJ appointee releases new plan for ‘tenuous’ Jackson water
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

The plan would relieve the water system of its debt and introduce a new billing model that would become effective in the budget year that begins on Oct. 1. Jackson is struggling with access to safe drinking water after a disruption at the water processing facility. The plan would change the way Jackson issues fees for water use. The new rate structure would reduce the system’s dependence on city water meters, which have been mired in problems, Henifin said. The metering bill isn’t the only legislation advancing in the state legislature that would impact Jackson’s water system.

☆ Wizz Air sees strong summer, but more wary than rivals
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Sarah Young | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] People stand next to a Wizz Air aircraft at Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, August 18, 2022. Low cost rivals Ryanair (RYA.I), Europe's biggest airline, and Britain's easyJet (EZJ.L) have reported record bookings for summer holidays, in a sign that consumers are still keen on trips despite a looming recession. Asked if Wizz had seen the same, CEO József Váradi said: "Bookings are strong, but I don't want to get over-excited." Separately on Thursday, British airline and holiday group Jet2 (JET2.L) upgraded its annual profit forecast after strong demand for winter holidays and said bookings for the summer were encouraging. For the new financial year, Wizz will benefit from hedging and new capacity, forecasting growth of 25% to 30% this summer versus last, helping unit costs to improve.

[1/5] Supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro demonstrate against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as security forces operate, outside Brazil?s National Congress in Brasilia, Brazil, January 8, 2023. Launched in November 2020 and run by Brazil's central bank, Pix is free of charge for individuals, allowing them to instantly transfer money to others via online banking apps. Since its launch, over 133 million Brazilians and almost 12 million companies have made or received Pix transfers, according to the central bank. INVESTIGATIVE TRAILPolice, money-laundering experts and central bank officials said Pix donations will be central to investigators' efforts to uncover who orchestrated the insurrection. Pix transfers are covered by bank secrecy laws, and police can only access a suspect's transaction history with judicial authorization.

Parafin, launched in 2020, works with so-called platform partners, or companies that other small businesses sell their products through. All the cofounders knew was that they wanted to build technology that would help small businesses. And they may not get their first contract payment from the government for as long as 120 days," Reed, the startup's CEO, told Insider. Helping small businesses manage their taxesComplYant's founder Shiloh Jackson wants to help people be present in their bookkeeping. HoneyBookWhile countless small businesses have been harmed by the pandemic, self-employment and entrepreneurship have found ways to blossom as Americans started new ventures.

☆ CD&R Hires Former Marsh & McLennan CEO Dan Glaser as Operating Partner
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Miriam Gottfried | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Marsh & McLennan’s market capitalization climbed to over $80 billion during the decade Dan Glaser spent as its chief executive. Dan Glaser , the former chief executive of insurance broker and benefits company Marsh & McLennan Cos., is joining private-equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice LLC as an operating partner. Mr. Glaser, who said in September that he would be retiring after a 40-year career in insurance, will work for a new financial-services unit that CD&R recently launched, firm executives said.

☆ Layoffs at Amazon and Salesforce point to why January is often the worst month for job cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Shana Lebowitz | Rebecca Knight | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Amazon just told staff it's cutting 18,000 roles, the largest layoff in the company's history. Compass has cut staff three times in eight months, but it's best to avoid multiple rounds of layoffs. For all the layoffs that swept corporate America in the final months of 2022, this month is poised to bring even more. January is historically the worst month for layoffs, according to data from the US government. Already, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has told staff that the company would broaden its job cuts to 18,000 employees, the largest layoff in the company's history.

Insider's experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In the coming year, I'm changing how I spend on last-minute takeout, produce, coffee, and Amazon. Last-minute takeoutAside from fixed expenses, like rent and utilities, I spend the most money every single month on food purchases, whether groceries or takeout. One of the biggest financial mistakes I made this year was spending more money on food than I needed to. That way, I can save money and not waste food that goes bad or that I forget to eat by the end of the week.

But the visit also leaves several key questions unanswered, including how U.S. military support could evolve, whether Congressional support for the war will endure and - crucially - how the war will end. Biden announced that the United States would provide another $1.85 billion in military aid, including a Patriot missile defense system. The United States and its allies have been unwilling to provide other advanced weapons Ukraine has pleaded for. The next steps for Kyiv, the officials added, would be to receive additional air defense systems from the United States and other western countries along with better integrating them. "No more blank checks to Ukraine," Republican Representative Andy Biggs wrote on Twitter hours before Zelenskiy's visit to Washington.

☆ Sam-Bankman Fried to be released on $250 million bail and will be required to stay with parents ahead of FTX trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sam Bankman-Fried was granted release on $250 million bail at a court hearing Thursday. He will be required to surrender his passport and stay with his parents ahead of a federal trial on a list of charges tied to the failure of FTX. Bankman-Fried will be required to attend a court hearing in California at 10 a.m. Friday, Gorenstein ruled. Another court hearing is scheduled for January 3 in Manhattan, where Bankman-Fried is expected to enter a plea. Criminal allegations against Ellison and Wang, first filed on December 19, were unsealed in court on Thursday morning ahead of Bankman-Fried's court appearance.

☆ 15 high-paying freelance side hustles that can help people earn additional money during a recession
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Emily Canal | Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

If you have the skills, the right freelance job could support you and your business. Managing social media accounts, copyediting, and virtual assisting are among the top 15 gigs. Below are the 15 highest-paying freelance side hustles and the average hourly Upwork rates, according to the platform. Social media manager, $14 to 457. Entrepreneurship is glamorized through social media and pop culture, but the reality often involves working long hours, earning irregular pay, and experiencing intense pressure.

☆ I work with Gen Zers entering the job market. Yes, they want more money — but there's more to it than that.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Alli Hoff Kosik | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Williams said Gen Z job seekers have higher demands because they have more access to company data. For Gen Z, we can't overestimate the impact of the pandemic, social unrest, and an ever-increasing attachment to technology. Gen Z professionals certainly have higher expectations than those that came before themIt's about more than just salary. When making their ask, a Gen Z job candidate is likely to include their expectations about time off, remote work, and access to other corporate resources. Companies must address these questions in order to effectively negotiate with and bring Gen Zers into their organizations.

☆ I work with Gen Zers entering the job market. They're demanding more money, benefits, and opportunities and employers should actually be thrilled about it.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Alli Hoff Kosik | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Williams said Gen Z job seekers have higher demands because they have more access to company data. For Gen Z, we can't overestimate the impact of the pandemic, social unrest, and an ever-increasing attachment to technology. Gen Z professionals certainly have higher expectations than those that came before themIt's about more than just salary. Companies must address these questions in order to effectively negotiate with and bring Gen Zers into their organizations. Gen Zers ask them because they're savvy, ambitious, and motivated.

By implementing scary hour, we were able to stop overspending and prevent future credit card debt. Now, every Sunday morning we brew coffee, get out a pen and paper, and break down our credit card purchases. No annual fee (though you have to be an Amazon Prime member) Cons Dash icon A dash. More Information The information related to the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer. In the first few months of owning the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, we hadn't been paying off your purchases every week and actually ended up overspending.

This could change after negotiators at the U.N. nature summit in Montreal secured long-awaited formal support on Monday for a Global Biodiversity Framework to protect nature. Just 907.6 million euros are invested in Morningstar’s top 10 equity funds with biodiversity in their name. "We know the global economy and every company in it is negatively impacting biodiversity," said Tom Atkinson, portfolio manager at AXA Investment Managers, which has a 117 million euro Article 9 biodiversity impact fund. "At the moment we can only assess the negative impact (on biodiversity) of the companies in our portfolio, this is why more biodiversity funds don't exist and why regulation is arguably dragging." Three of the six largest biodiversity-named funds assessed by Reuters are overweight industrials versus the MSCI ACWI Index (USD).

☆ FTX flameout showed investors bought crypto for the wrong reasons. Why most are hoping that'll change in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In some ways, disgraced FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried helped bring more legitimacy to crypto, pushing it further into the mainstream. Decentralized finance has exploded in popularity, but there are other uses for digital assets that people are excited about. Now is a good time for investors to gain knowledge, and doing so would help them solidify their crypto investment thesis in 2023, he said. Specifically, Blumberg added, leaving funds on centralized exchanges is far more dangerous than keeping custody of funds yourself. "The smart investors are seeing this and remembering that what we have here is a fixed supply and, growing demand."

☆ Family offices' favorite investment for 2023: private equity
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Robert Frank | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Family offices are poised to pour billions into private equity and private companies in 2023 as they seek greater returns and control over their investments, according to family office experts. "The key story this year is about private equity," said Rebecca Gooch, senior director of research at Campden Wealth. While family offices have been shifting from public to private markets for years, 2023 could mark an acceleration, experts say. At the same time, family offices have plenty of cash on the sidelines ready to put to work. More willing to talk The attraction of family offices investing in family businesses -- or "family-to-family deals" -- is also likely to get a boost from valuations.

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