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☆ Amazon CEO Andy Jassy now has 16 direct reports. See the growing and evolving list here, including a newly promoted executive from Alexa.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently expanded his group of direct reports. Jassy has added at least 8 new executives to his direct reports since becoming CEO in 2021. Amazon recently created a new AI group that reports to CEO Andy Jassy. In his 2 years since becoming CEO, Jassy has added or replaced at least 8 executives in his top leadership team. (Jassy's direct reports are different from the S-team, a group of more than two dozen most senior decision-makers at Amazon).

Persons: Andy Jassy, Rohit Prasad, Prasad, Doug Herrington, Adam Selipsky, Brian Olsavsky, Jassy, There's, Dave Clark, Jay Carney, Jeff Blackburn, James Hamilton, Mike Hopkins, Eric Remling, Beth, Dave Limp, David Zapolsky, Drew Herdener, WW Communications Eric Rimling, Paul Kotas, Peter Krawiec, Alexa Stacey Pistole, Steve Boom, Steve Schmidt, Eugene Kim Organizations: Amazon, Alexa, Business, Amazon Studios, Amazon Devices, WW Amazon, WW Communications, Amazon Video, Corporate Locations: It's

☆ Fact Check-Surviving cameras do not prove nuclear tests are ‘fake’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Cameras used to film nuclear tests were placed far enough away from the test site or designed to withstand the blast and radiation. However, photography of nuclear tests has been well documented since 1945, with safeguards such as camera distance and special design features to withstand explosions. Footage by the Federal Civil Defense Administration of 1950s nuclear tests is viewable (here). The world’s first nuclear test was conducted by the United States in 1945, known as the Trinity test. It is well documented that cameras or film can survive nuclear tests and is not proof that footage of the tests is fake.

Persons: “, Joe Rogan, Alan Carr, ” Carr, Peter Kuran, ”, Carr, Kuran, Annie, Read Organizations: United, YouTube, Federal Civil Defense Administration, CNN, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Trinity, Atomic Heritage Foundation, White, Missile, Museum, Teapot, Defense Technical, Operation Teapot, Reuters Locations: United States

Copper M&A more than doubled in 2002 to $14.24 billion from the previous year, according to an S&P Intelligence report. "So the large miners are saying it is difficult to build new supply, so let's just buy companies," McDonald said. Copper prices have been gradually losing steam since hitting their strongest levels in over seven months in January when optimism abounded about the reopening of China. The lower copper price presents M&A opportunities for Hudbay, Kukielski said, but it will also get "squeezed" if the price of copper falls below $3.50. With lack of large mines up for grabs, he is expecting that large miners will be looking to expand their production by acquiring smaller mines.

Persons: Lundin, Newmont, Stuart McDonald, Taseko, McDonald, Antaike, Peter Kukielski, Kukielski, Minto Metals, Aaron Colleran, Colleran, David Lennox, Divya Rajagopal, Melanie Burton, Denny Thomas, Marguerita Choy Organizations: TORONTO, Reuters, Nippon Mining, Metals, P Intelligence, Taseko, London Metal Exchange, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Hudbay, Japan's Sumitomo Corp, Minto Metals, Yukon, Royal Bank of Canada, Quantum Minerals, Ivanhoe Mines, Capstone, Barrick Gold, Bloomberg News, Barrick, AIC Mines, AIC, Sydney, Thomson Locations: SYDNEY, Toronto, Chile, Vancouver, Arizona, China, Hudbay, Canada, Yukon, Ivanhoe, Australia, Queensland, Melbourne

CNN —Devastating floods causing havoc across northern India have reached the iconic Taj Mahal in a rare event that experts warn could become a regular occurrence as the climate crisis brings ever more extreme weather. While floods occur regularly in the area during India’s monsoon season from June to September, experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity. India, the world’s most populous nation, is one of the countries worst affected by the climate crisis, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – potentially affecting 1.4 billion people nationwide. Ancient Buddhist cave murals and statues along China’s Silk Road, dating back to the 4th century, are under “direct threat” from extreme rainfall brought by climate change, researchers found. And in South Korea, heavy rain has damaged dozens of cultural heritage sites, the country’s Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said Tuesday.

Persons: Taj, Taj Mahal, Peter Kalmus, Mahal Organizations: CNN, Survey, India, NASA, Heritage Administration Locations: India, floodwater, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Asia, South Korea

☆ Expedia CEO Peter Kern on One Key rewards program, summer travel demand, A.I. impact
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailExpedia CEO Peter Kern on One Key rewards program, summer travel demand, A.I. impactPeter Kern, CEO of Expedia, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the company's new One Key rewards program, summer travel demand, the impact of A.I., and more.

Persons: Peter Kern

☆ Fireworks cause $59 million of property damage a year. Your insurance policy may cover it
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Renphoto | E+ | Getty ImagesWhat homeowners and renters insurance likely coverThe typical homeowners insurance policy has two coverage areas. The second is for liability; this covers you if you're liable for injury or property damage to another person, perhaps a friend or neighbor harmed by an errant firework. Fireworks caused $59 million in direct property damage in 2021, according to the most recent data from the National Fire Protection Association. Homeowners policies generally cover fire damage, whether to the house, patio furniture or other property, Passmore said. Insurance policies generally carry exclusions.

Persons: Robert Passmore, Passmore, they're, Kochenburger, Peter Kochenburger Organizations: National Fire Protection Association, American, Casualty Insurance Association, NFPA, University of Connecticut Locations: U.S

☆ Opinion | Was the Supreme Court Right to Block Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

How have higher education fees soared so high that so many students are forced to borrow big dollars to pay the bills? Has the quality of our higher education in any way tracked these rising costs? Stephen BlankNew YorkThe writer is a retired professor of international business at Pace University. To the Editor:We should not ignore the impact of the way student loans are structured. The student loan industry is preying upon people for whom borrowing may be the only option to receive a college education.

Persons: Peter Kestenbaum, Stephen Blank Organizations: Stephen Blank New, Pace University Locations: Peter Kestenbaum Philadelphia, Stephen Blank New York

☆ Alan Arkin, Comic Actor With a Serious Side, Dies at 89
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Robert Berkvist | Peter Keepnews | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

His son Matthew Arkin said that Mr. Arkin, who had heart ailments, died at home. Mr. Arkin was not quite a show-business neophyte when he was cast in the 1963 Broadway comedy “Enter Laughing,” Joseph Stein’s adaptation of Carl Reiner’s semi-autobiographical novel about a stage-struck boy from the Bronx. He had toured and recorded with the Tarriers, a folk music group, and he had appeared on Broadway with the Second City, the celebrated improvisational comedy troupe. In a cast that included established professionals like Sylvia Sidney and Vivian Blaine, Mr. Arkin stole the show and won the hearts of the critics. “‘Enter Laughing’ is marvelously funny, and so is Alan Arkin in the principal role,” Howard Taubman wrote in The New York Times.

Persons: Alan Arkin, Matthew Arkin, Mr, Arkin, Joseph Stein’s, Carl Reiner’s, Sylvia Sidney, Vivian Blaine, “, ” Howard Taubman Organizations: Broadway, Calif, Second, The New York Times Locations: San Marcos, Bronx, Second City

☆ Sheldon Harnick, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Lyricist, Dies at 99
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Robert Berkvist | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Lady Bird: First Lady of the Land,” an opera about Lady Bird Johnson, for which he wrote the libretto and Henry Mollicone wrote the music, had its premiere in Texas in 2016 and has been performed in New York and elsewhere. In an interview with The Times, he said that he had no thoughts of retirement, and that he continued to attend every show on Broadway, as he had for many years. He added that he was working on a new show of his own. “I hope I live long enough to complete it,” he said. “I won’t tell you what idea I have, because you’ll steal it.”Robert Berkvist, a former New York Times arts editor, died in January.

Persons: Harnick, ”, Bizet’s “ Carmen, Jinks, Horse Marines ”, Jack Beeson, Norton Juster, Arnold Black, Bird, Lady Bird Johnson, Henry Mollicone, “, ” Robert Berkvist, Peter Keepnews Organizations: Horse Marines, The Times, New York Times Locations: Texas, New York, “ Dragons

[1/5] Participants react with Pride rainbow flags as they attend the Badilika festival to celebrate the LGBT rights in Nairobi, Kenya, June 11, 2023. Some regional lawmakers frame the issue as an almost existential battle to save African values and sovereignty, which they say have been battered by Western pressure to capitulate on gay rights. Spokespeople for the Kenyan presidency and government didn't respond to requests for comment about the proposed bill. Several called for legislation to strengthen penalties for same-sex acts, including the deputy majority leader, who said gay sex could be punished by hanging. President William Ruto, an evangelical Christian, has criticized a February supreme court decision allowing an LGBT rights group to register as a non-governmental organization.

Persons: Mohamed Ali doesn't, Ali, Weeks, Bill, Yoweri Museveni, Annette Atieno, John Agany, Jacqueline Ngonyani, Ngonyani, Damas Ndumbaro, William Ruto, Peter Kaluma, Uganda's, Kaluma, U.S . State Department didn't, Stella Kachina, Marylize Biubwa, Lorna Dias, Dias, Nuzulack Dausen, Waakhe Simon Wudu, Daphne Psaledakis, Estelle Shirbon, Aaron Ross, Pravin Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Kenyan, National Gay, Human Rights Commission, U.S . State Department, East, NAIROBI PRIDE, Gay and Lesbian Coalition of, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, NAIROBI, East Africa, Juba, United, Africa, Entebbe, Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, Ruto, Dar es, Washington

☆ Smaller-than-expected Turkey rate hike hits lira, bonds
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) - Turkey's new central bank governor Hafize Gaye Erkan delivered a smaller-than-expected interest rate hike at her first rate meeting on Thursday, sending the lira and the country's dollar-denominated sovereign bonds sharply lower. The bank lifted its key rate 650 basis points to 15% compared to the median of 21% expected in a Reuters poll. "On the other hand they are promising more tightening ahead... so you have to give them the benefit of the doubt." "I am more worried about the medium-term outlook which is likely to see further lira depreciation. TIM ASH, EM SENIOR SOVEREIGN STRATEGIST, BLUEBAY ASSET MANAGEMENT"Ouch - disappointing.

Persons: Hafize Gaye Erkan, PIOTR MATYS, Erkan, Erdogan, PETER KISLER, JON HARRISON, Amruta Khandekar, Ali Kucukgocmen, Marc Jones, Libby George, Karin Strohecker, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Thomson

☆ Fact Check-Did Biden break Flag Code during White House Pride event? Experts weigh in
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A Reuters photo of the flag display with the Progress Pride flag hanging between two U.S. flags can be seen (here). The Progress Pride flag is a reimagined version of the traditional Pride Flag, with added stripes (white, pink, light blue, black and brown) to represent the Trans community as well as minority or marginalized communities (here), (here). Other critics were less specific, saying the Progress Pride flag was displayed as more prominent overall. Consulted by Reuters Fact Check, vexillologists (flag experts) offered different perspectives on whether the White House display was a violation of the Flag Code. The U.S. flag on top of the White House can be seen in photos from the Pride celebration (here), (here), (here).

Persons: Joe Biden, Charles Spain, observer’s, Peter Keim, ”, Keim, “, Scot Guenter, Guenter, Read Organizations: White, Congressional Research Service, Reuters, Flag Research Center, U.S, ”, FRC, Facebook, Flag Foundation, San Jose State University, American Vexillological Association, NAVA, “, U.S . Locations: U.S, ” Spain, ”, American

☆ Not Your Father’s Pinball Arcade. But Maybe Your Mother’s.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Peter Kujawinski | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The store was called Video Hits Plus, with the Plus maybe referring to the basement attractions, which, in addition to the pinball machines, included an air hockey table and a pornographic video section. This was around the time that pinball machines, after nearly dying out in the early 2000s from competition with home gaming consoles, started becoming more popular again. Many of these events were sanctioned by the International Flipper Pinball Association, which ranks players globally. The back of the store housed a selection of pinball machines, and if you bought something, you could play the machines for free. In 2014, James Zespy, the owner of the store, transformed it into a pinball and arcade bar called Logan Arcade.

Persons: Rachel Karlic, Rebecca Hinsdale, Kate Porter, James Zespy Organizations: Western Michigan University, Pinball Association Locations: Chicago, Logan

☆ Priceline joins A.I. chatbot race, signing on with Google to help ease travel booking
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Seema Mody | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Booking , Expedia and Airbnb are among travel companies looking for ways to ease the booking process and help consumers more swiftly make plans. This tool will help you narrow that down pretty quickly," Priceline CEO Brett Keller told CNBC. The generative AI tools from Google will allow prospective travelers to communicate with a chatbot in a conversational way when making plans and receive personalized hotel bookings. Google Cloud is providing the tools and capabilities to help Priceline collect and scrub data that can then be used to help customers. Earlier this year, Expedia was among the first players to signal its investment in generative AI.

Persons: Brett Keller, Keller, Carrie Tharp, Tharp, Expedia, Peter Kern, Brian Chesky, you'll Organizations: Apple, CNBC, Google

☆ 3 reasons why 'Succession' tech bro Lukas Matsson is Elon Musk crossed with Daniel Ek
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Viewers say the character seems to resemble aspects of both Elon Musk and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. Alexander Skarsgard plays Matsson, the billionaire CEO of tech streaming media giant GoJo – a socially awkward, vaguely sinister tech bro. But viewers have been pointing out the character's similarities to two bosses in particular — Elon Musk, and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. "I definitely didn't try to play an Elon Musk character," Skarsgard said. In one recent episode of "Succession," Matsson tweets a "very nasty joke" after Kendall Roy's presentation about the Living+ initiative because he's less than pleased about the move.

☆ 9 useless body parts that humans no longer need
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Peter Kotecki | Frank Olito | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Some human body parts have become useless over the past few million years. Useless body parts include the appendix, the tail bone, and the muscle fibers that produce goose bumps. Take a look at nine body parts that remained in the human body despite having no function for millions of years. Several other body parts used to be important for humans' survival, but they have since become useless. Take a look at nine body parts that remained in the human body despite having no function for millions of years.

☆ ECB may need to raise rates for longer than anticipated: Kazimir
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FRANKFURT, May 9 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank may need to raise interest rates for longer than currently anticipated, and September could be the earliest moment when policymakers can judge whether past rate hikes have been effective, ECB policymaker Peter Kazimir said on Tuesday. The ECB has lifted rates at each of its past seven meetings to fight a historic surge in consumer prices and policymakers have signalled further hikes to come as inflation pressures continue to build. "Based on today's data, we will have to keep raising interest rates for longer than anticipated," Kazimir, Slovakia's central bank chief, said in a blog post. The ECB sees inflation falling under 3% by the final quarter of this year, then taking almost two more years to ease back to its 2% target. "The development of core inflation, the continued buildup of wage pressures, and high-profit margins call for vigilance and reconfirm the need to continue on our path," Kazimir said.

May 8 (Reuters) - Australia's Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) on Monday threw out a cost-cutting target citing inflation and flagged thinner profit margins going ahead, but investors pushed its shares higher after it handily beat expectations for first-half profit. Westpac shares closed 2% higher, ahead of a broader market advance (.AXJO) of 0.8%, as the market cheered the better-than-expected profit. Costs for Westpac came to A$5 billion for the half, down from A$5.2 billion a year earlier. Westpac declared an interim dividend of 70 Australian cents per share, up from 61 Australian cents last year. ($1 = 1.4810 Australian dollars)Reporting by Roushni Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Expedia CEO Peter Kern: We are using A.I. everywhere
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailExpedia CEO Peter Kern: We are using A.I. everywhereExpedia CEO Peter Kern joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss company shares surging post earnings and the outlook for the travel sector.

☆ Expedia Group beats Street estimates on record lodging bookings
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Doyinsola Oladipo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, May 4 (Reuters) - Expedia Group Inc (EXPE.O) on Thursday beat Wall street estimates for first-quarter revenue on record lodging bookings and increased international travel demand. "The first quarter saw strong travel demand driven by increasing international travel, major city travel, and the reopening in Asia," Expedia Group CEO Peter Kern said in a statement. The Expedia.com and Hotel.com operator posted an adjusted first-quarter loss of 20 cents per share, missing analysts' expectations for a loss of 4 cent a share. The online booking company's revenue rose to $2.7 billion in the first quarter up 18% from a year ago, the highest first quarter revenue for the company, and beat analysts' average estimate of $2.6 billion. Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Tragedy chanting: ‘Vile’ soccer songs about deaths fueled by ‘need to hurt’ opposing fans
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Described as “vile” and “unacceptable” and fueled by “the need to hurt,” ‘tragedy chanting’ is becoming an increasing concern to soccer authorities. Then, in 1989, overcrowding in the stands ahead of the FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans. Nottingham Forest fans hold up a banner in memory of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster. The working group has also been in contact with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to discuss whether convictions can be pursued for fans that engage in tragedy chanting. Heysel Stadium Disaster, May 1985.

☆ Harry Belafonte: A Life in Photos
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Peter Keepnews | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Harry Belafonte, born in Harlem to West Indian immigrants, captivated audiences with his singing and almost single-handedly ignited a craze for Caribbean music. He achieved movie stardom with his striking good looks and won a Tony Award for best featured actor in a musical. But Mr. Belafonte, who died on Tuesday, was more than an entertainer; his primary focus from the late 1950s until the end of his life was civil rights. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and took part in the March on Washington in 1963. In the 1980s, he helped organize a cultural boycott of South Africa under apartheid to raise money to fight famine in Africa.

☆ Harry Belafonte, 96, Dies; Barrier-Breaking Singer, Actor and Activist
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Peter Keepnews | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

He provided money to bail Dr. King and other civil rights activists out of jail. His spacious apartment on West End Avenue in Manhattan became Dr. King’s home away from home. The suit was settled the next year, with Mr. Belafonte retaining possession.) In an interview with The Washington Post a few months after Dr. King’s death, Mr. Belafonte expressed ambivalence about his high profile in the civil rights movement. In Atlanta for a benefit concert for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1962, Mr. Belafonte was twice refused service in the same restaurant.

☆ Russian Shipbuilders Are Running Out of Parts
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Costas Paris | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Russian shipbuilding sector is facing its biggest challenge since the collapse of the Soviet Union, some executives say. Photo: Peter Kovalev/Zuma PressRussian shipbuilding behemoth United Shipbuilding Corp. is running out of key engine parts, delaying or halting the production of tankers and ocean vessels the country needs to move its oil and cargo. Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. and Europe slapped Russia with sanctions and export controls that have disrupted the flow of engine parts, propellers and fuel pumps.

PARLIAMENT 'CIRCUMVENTED'The Credit Suisse/UBS merger marked the first time that parliament had withheld its support for emergency laws designed to deal quickly with crises. Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter defended the use of the emergency powers, saying Switzerland was not an "emergency dictatorship." "The emergency law is based on the federal constitution and I don't think it's correct to say it's illegal." "Politicians might have wanted to show their disapproval about what happened, but they don’t want the UBS takeover to fail." The use of such emergency legislation, overturning antitrust rules, is a problem for Swiss democracy and rule of law.

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