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☆ E-commerce tech startup Rokt valued at $2.4 bln in latest funding amid plans for IPO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Tech startup Rokt said on Monday it raised its valuation to $2.4 billion in a secondary funding round led by investment firm Square Peg and asset manager Wellington Management, and is planning for an initial public offering encouraged by the e-commerce boom. Growth in e-commerce since the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a demand for marketing software companies such as Rokt. The company uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze online shoppers and their engagement with products and services. "This has further propelled Rokt's growth and we're pleased to see this expression of support from existing investors as Rokt looks towards an IPO," Buchanan added. New York-based Rokt was valued at $1.95 billion in December last year after it raised capital in a Series E funding round led by Tiger Global that also saw participation from Wellington Management, Whale Rock Capital Management, Pavilion Capital and Square Peg.

☆ Help us map New York City’s neighborhoods.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Eve Washington | Larry Buchanan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Help us map New York City’s neighborhoods. of hundreds of New York City neighborhoods are as old as the city itself. We’re trying to create a reader-sourced map of where these boundaries are now. Please help us in our quest. If you do not accept these terms, do not submit any content.

☆ House Democrats reviewing Trump's tax returns split into publish-everything and there-are-rules camps with GOP takeover looming
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

After finally scoring Trump's tax records, House Democrats have to figure out what to do with them. "I want them all released," Ways and Means Committee member Bill Pascrell told MSNBC ahead of Neal's group-wide meeting. José Luis Villegas/AP"Democrats' relentless pursuit of President Trump's tax returns is nothing more than a partisan attack against a political opponent that serves no legitimate or legislative purpose," Buchanan wrote in an email to Insider. Ways and Means Committee member Dan Kildee said he was backing Neal's call in this case. And while he acknowledged they were racing against the clock, Kildee said Ways and Means Democrats would rise to the challenge.

But it is spreading across finance, energy, retail and aviation, threatening to push up labour costs in industries facing supply-chain bottlenecks and worker shortages. The turmoil is especially pronounced because union power was curtailed in Australia under laws in place since the 1990s. In the year to June, the average Australian wage rose 2.6%, compared with inflation of 6.1%, according to official data. Despite seven interest-rate hikes since May, inflation is set to climb further before subsiding in 2023, the government says. But in the current climate in Australia, workers are in no mood to back down.

☆ Croatia's Vlasic replaced by Livaja against Canada
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Croatia's Nikola Vlasic was left out of their starting side to face Canada in their second World Cup Group F game at Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday. Vlasic, who was substituted at halftime in their opening 0-0 draw with Morocco after suffering a calf injury, was replaced in the starting line-up by Marko Livaja in the only change to the side. Canada's Atiba Hutchinson will become the first man to win 100 caps for the country after he was named in their staring line-up. Cyle Larin came in for Junior Hoilett in the only change to the Canada side that were beaten 1-0 by Belgium in their opener. Teams:Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lovren, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Marko Livaja, Borna Sosa, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Juranovic.

Todd and Julie Chrisley’s attorney says the couple will appeal following their sentencing Monday for bank fraud and tax evasion. An attorney for the Chrisleys, known for their USA Network series “Chrisley Knows Best,” said in a statement that the couple is planning to appeal. But Todd and Julie are people of faith, and that faith gives them strength as they appeal their convictions,” family attorney Alex Little said Tuesday. Todd Chrisley was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison, and Julie Chrisley to seven years. Additionally, as part of sentencing, both Todd and Julie Chrisley will have to pay an undetermined amount in restitution that will be determined at a later date.

CNN —Reality TV Stars Julie and Todd Chrisley were sentenced to prison in federal court Monday. In addition, they were found guilty of several tax crimes, including attempting to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. Judge Eleanor L. Ross sentenced Todd Chrisley to 12 years in prison with three years of supervised release. His wife Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven years in prison and three years of supervised release. In a short statement to CNN in June, one of Todd Chrisley’s attorneys, Bruce Morris, said they were, “disappointed in the verdict” and planned to appeal.

☆ Trump tax return fight would get dropped by Republicans vying for key U.S. House committee chair
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Christina Wilkie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Protestors take part in the 'Tax March' calling on President Donald Trump to release his tax records on April 15, 2017 in New York. The fight began in 2019, when the Democratic-controlled Ways and Means committee asked the IRS for Trump's returns. When Biden took office and the Treasury Department moved to hand over the returns, Trump countersued to stop the release. If the hold is lifted, Treasury would deliver the returns to the Ways and Means Committee, likely within days. Missouri GOP Rep. Jason Smith, who is not related to Nebraska's Adrian Smith, said he too would halt the years long effort to get Trump's tax returns.

☆ Amid court challenges to its student debt forgiveness, Biden administration could extend payment pause yet again
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

With the legal blows to President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan mounting, it's possible that the administration could extend the payment pause on the monthly bills yet again, experts say. "I'm sure they have to be considering it as an option," said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers. If the president's policy remains blocked in the courts by the end of the year, higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz said, "the Biden Administration is likely to further extend the payment pause." Federal student loan payments have been on pause since March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic first hit the U.S. and crippled the economy. The U.S. Department of Education closed its student loan forgiveness portal last week after a federal judge in Texas called Biden's plan "unconstitutional" and struck it down.

☆ Champions League: Glasgow Rangers suffers worst group stage campaign in tournament history
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The good news for Glasgow Rangers is the Scottish club has pocketed over $15 million for competing in the Champions League. The bad news is, after waiting 12 years to get back into the competition’s group stages, the club’s return has been nothing short of a nightmare. ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/AFP via Getty ImagesAfter its long awaited return to the group stages, Rangers was immediately up against it after being handed a very difficult draw. We were all happy we came into the Champions League because we weren’t competing at this level in 12 years so that’s very positive,” he told reporters on Tuesday. Despite its disappointment on the pitch in Europe, Rangers will benefit financially from its Champions League campaign.

☆ Meet a 30-year-old with $110,000 in student debt who chose her job in hopes of public-service loan forgiveness — but her balance just keeps growing
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Kjerstin Laine, 30, owes over $110,000 in student debt from undergraduate and graduate programs. But interest means she's barely paid it off, and Biden's forgiveness is just a drop in the bucket. For Laine, a 30-year-old who has over $110,000 in student debt, the $20,000 in forgiveness she's set to get from President Joe Biden's plan is just a drop in the bucket. Her situation points to the larger structural issues underpinning the student debt crisis, where first-generation and lower-income students take on huge debt burdens to get ahead and up their earnings but still find themselves buried under ever-growing balances. The company that manages the entire Public Service Loan Forgiveness portfolio — MOHELA — isn't making matters any easier.

☆ What do Indians think about Rishi Sunak’s rise? Like UK-India relations, it’s complicated
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Now, an Indian-origin man has become the Prime Minister of England,” a Zee News anchor said. Leon Neal/Getty Images Sunak and Boris Johnson watch as a sheep is sheared during a visit to a farm in North Yorkshire, England, in July 2019. Danny Lawson/PA Images/Getty Images Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff, Wales, in November 2019. Hollie Adams/Bloomberg/Getty Images Sunak and Murty are seen with their daughters, Krishna and Anoushka, while campaigning in Grantham, England, in July 2022. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested as much in a tweet welcoming Sunak’s appointment.

Like Truss, Sunak promised a tough approach to illegal immigration and vowed to expand the government’s controversial Rwanda immigration policy. At the time Johnson was running to lead Britain's Conservative Party and Sunak was a member of Parliament. Danny Lawson/PA Images/Getty Images Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff, Wales, in November 2019. Danny Lawson/PA/Getty Images Sunak delivers a speech during the annual Conservative Party Conference in Manchester in October 2021. Hollie Adams/Bloomberg/Getty Images Sunak and Murty are seen with their daughters, Krishna and Anoushka, while campaigning in Grantham, England, in July 2022.

☆ Hours-long hold times with their student-loan company are keeping public servants in a 'limbo period' wondering if they'll get the debt relief they qualify for
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Student-loan borrowers in public service have reported issues reaching their loan company, MOHELA. Regardless of who is to blame for the long hold times, it's leaving Nathan in a financially precarious situation. "I'm not even trying to call and ask about the student loan forgiveness. 'Restarting payments is a massive concern'Neither Kate nor Nathan know how much they will have to pay monthly once student-loan payments resume in January. While Nathan and Kate are grateful for the broad debt relief, their primary concern is ensuring their time spent working in public service is accounted for.

☆ An early rise in respiratory viruses in children is overwhelming some hospitals
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Chris Boyette | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A surge in respiratory illnesses among children is beginning to put a strain on hospitals. In addition, hospitals are seeing a rise in cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common cold virus that can be associated with severe disease in young children and older adults. Connecticut Children’s Hospital in Hartford is over capacity due to children admitted for RSV, WTNH reports. We’ve never seen this before, and it’s creating challenges,” Dr. Juan Salazar, executive vice president and physician-in-chief at Connecticut Children’s Hospital told WVIT. The rise in cases is also coming earlier in the year than doctors would usually expect.

☆ How much small business owners should pay themselves
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Many small business owners have trouble figuring out an appropriate take-home pay as the company expands, and some don’t pay themselves at all. Understanding how to pay yourself appropriately — even if it’s only a small amount that grows over time — is important for the long-term health of a business, according to professionals that advise small businesses. “It doesn’t reflect the true health of your business if you aren’t taking something,” said Zahir Khoja, chief executive at Wave Financial, a provider of money management tools for small businessesThe mechanics are especially important given that 26% of small business owners don’t pay themselves a salary, according to a 2022 small business survey from Wave. Here are four tips small business owners should consider when setting their take-home pay. Business owners may think the money could be better spent on hiring marketing help, redoing the website or some other expense that can help the company expand.

☆ Education Department could flag up to 5 million student loan relief applications for review — what to do if yours is among them
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. Department of Education's application for student loan forgiveness, which officially went live earlier this week, is surprisingly easy to fill out. Borrowers just need to provide some basic contact information and their Social Security number. "There isn't any ID authentication process and no process to verify income, so the potential for fraud or benefit eligibility mistakes in this online form is massive," said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers. As a result, Buchanan said, "I understand why the Education Department has to audit many applications." Here's what to know about the extra step some borrowers will need to take.

☆ It is 'unconscionable' that a major student-loan company would be involved in lawsuits that would 'rob millions' of borrowers of Biden's debt cancellation, a Democratic lawmaker says. She wants answer
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Rep. Cori Bush requested information from student-loan company MOHELA on its involvement in a lawsuit. Six GOP-led states recently argued Biden's debt relief would hurt the business operations of MOHELA. "It is unconscionable that your company—as one of the largest student loan companies in the world—would be involved in overtly political efforts to rob millions of their right to student loan debt relief," Bush wrote. "To date, your company has remained silent about the legal efforts filed on your behalf to halt President Biden's student debt cancellation program. Does MOHELA support efforts to block debt relief in an effort to preserve its own profits?

☆ 8 million student-loan borrowers have already applied for debt cancellation 'without a glitch,' Biden says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Biden officially launched the student-loan forgiveness application website. He said 8 million borrowers had applied during the beta testing period "without a glitch." During his remarks, Biden noted that over 8 million borrowers applied over the weekend "without a glitch or any difficulty." "It means more than 8 million Americans are starting this week on their way to receiving life changing relief," Biden said. The department recommends applying before mid-November to ensure relief hits borrowers' accounts before payments resume in January 2023.

☆ Airlines are adding more flights in Asia. Here's how that may affect airfares
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Monica Buchanan Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Last week, Singapore Airlines and Scoot announced they're adding dozens of flights to cities across Asia. Citing strong demand and relaxed border restrictions, both airlines announced more flights between Singapore and Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. This month, it will start flying from Singapore to Lombok and Makassar, Indonesia. Singapore Airlines launched services to Beijing in September; this month, it will start flying to Chengdu, with a second weekly flight going to Shenzhen. Scoot is already flying into four Chinese cities, with flights to Wuhan and Zhengzhou starting this week.

☆ Afraid of heights, he climbed Mount Everest — now he's helping others conquer their fears too
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-07 | by ( Monica Buchanan Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

He's also climbed the highest mountains on all seven continents, the so-called Seven Summits. The cost to climbRigney estimates he's paid between $170,000 and $180,000 to climb the Seven Summits, he said. But Mount Everest is a "massive logistical operation" that takes about two months, he said. Rigney climbed Mount Everest for about four to five hours a day. After climbing the "Seven Summits," Rigney said he is deliberately choosing travel experiences that are less risky.

☆ London, Paris, Frankfurt and beyond: CNBC names Europe's best hotels for business travel
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-04 | by ( Monica Buchanan Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

CNBC Travel and the market data firm Statista today release a ranking of the "Best Hotels for Business Travelers" in Europe. FrankfurtSofitel Frankfurt Opera JW Marriott Hotel Frankfurt Best Western Premier IB Hotel Friedberger Warte Le Meridien Frankfurt Steigenberger Airport Hotel FrankfurtSofitel Frankfurt Opera Source: Sofitel Frankfurt OperaThe Sofitel Frankfurt Opera is on Opera Square, or the Opernplatz, near the city's famed opera house. ParisLe Bristol Paris Les Jardins du Faubourg Kimpton - St Honore Paris Pullman Paris Center-Bercy Le MeuriceLe Bristol Paris Source: Le Bristol Paris | Claire CocanoGuests of Le Bristol Paris can count President Emmanuel Macron as a neighbor — Elysee Palace, the official residence of France's president — is just steps away. StockholmGrand Hotel Stockholm Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel Stockholm Hotel At Six Bank Hotel Lydmar HotelGrand Hotel Stockholm Source: Grand Hotel StockholmTying for No. ViennaPalais Coburg Hotel Residenz Hotel Sans Souci Wien The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna The Harmonie Vienna Grand Hotel Wien This grand hotel built in 1845 is the former home of Austrian royalty.

☆ Dubai, Tel Aviv and beyond: CNBC names the best hotels for business travel in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-04 | by ( Monica Buchanan Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

CNBC Travel and the market data firm Statista today release a ranking of the "Best Hotels for Business Travelers" in the Middle East. From Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, here is the full list of the winners in the Middle East in PDF format — complete with final scores — some of which are highlighted below. Alternatively, you can search by city or country using the table here:Abu DhabiRosewood Abu Dhabi Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi — Yas Island Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island Beach Rotana ResidencesRosewood Abu Dhabi Source: Rosewood Abu DhabiRosewood Abu Dhabi is the brand's only hotel in the United Arab Emirates. AnkaraAlegria Business Hotel Holiday Inn Ankara — Cukurambar Ankara Atli Hotel Ankara HiltonSA Occidental Ankara The Alegria is all business — as befits its name. It has the amenities that business travelers value — an on-site restaurant, bar and patisserie — all just a few miles from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.

In this article EXPE Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTTravelers headed to Hong Kong no longer need to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival. The news came the day after Hong Kong lost its No. Expedia's search data for accommodations in Hong Kong increased 50% over the weekend, compared to the week before the announcement. Pang Yiu-kai, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, acknowledged on Tuesday that the eased rules are "expected to initially attract mainly business travelers, family visitors and returning Hong Kong residents." The easing of Covid-19 measures in Hong Kong spurred hope among residents of China that they could soon see relaxed rules as well.

☆ You can visit Bhutan again — if you're willing to cough up $200 a day in fees
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Monica Buchanan Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Andrew Stranovsky Photography | Moment | Getty ImagesSam Blyth, chair of The Bhutan Canada Foundation and founder of the Trans Bhutan Trail, said the fees will go directly to help local communities. Travelers, too, will benefit from the increased fees, according to the Tourism Council. However, the Tourism Council of Bhutan said the pandemic provided the right time "to reset the sector." He is the founder of the Trans Bhutan Trail, a not-for-profit company that helped revitalize a 250-mile ancient trail that traverses the center of the country. Sam Blyth, Trans Bhutan Trail, visiting Bhutan, trekking Bhutan

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