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☆ Putin's mouthpiece lashed out after the US announced plan to send $5.4 million in seized Russian oligarch funds to Ukrainian veterans
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US announced plans to send $5.4 million in seized Russian oligarch assets to Ukraine. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the venture during his visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, saying the US would transfer to Ukraine $5.4 million in assets that once belonged to Russia's powerful oligarchs. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said such a transfer would be unlawful, Russian state media outlet TASS reported. The US and other Western allies have frozen at least $58 billion worth of Russian oligarch-owned assets since the war began.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Dmytro Kuleba, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, Vladimir Putin, Konstantin Malofeyev, Malofeyev, Jack Hanick, Hanick, Blinken's Organizations: US, Russian, Department, Service, Ukrainian Foreign, Russian Federation, US State Department, Daily, Putin, Fox News, Justice Department, Ukraine —, The Justice Department Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Kyiv, Russia, Moscow, Crimea, Texas, Greece, London

It wasn’t until 2018 that the Archdiocese of New Orleans publicly identified Hecker as a suspected predator when it released its list of “credibly accused” priests. He is accused of choking the teen unconscious under the guise of performing a wrestling move and sexually assaulting him. The current archbishop, 73-year-old Gregory Aymond, has rebuffed calls by clergy abuse survivors to step down, saying he would not do so until canonically required to when he turns 75. “In my opinion, the Archdiocese of New Orleans is morally bankrupt, not financially bankrupt.”A New Orleans native, Hecker was ordained as an archdiocesan priest in 1958. Like the other secret church records, those emails remain under lock and key today.

Persons: Lawrence Hecker, Hecker, “ credibly, ”, Eugene Redmann, Gregory Aymond, Aymond, ” “ Lawrence Hecker, Richard Trahant, Soren Gisleson, John Denenea, Francis Xavier, “, Aaron Hebert, Hebert, Hecker groped, ” Hebert, Father Hecker, Hecker’s, George F, Brignac, Mike McDonnell, Kevin McGill Organizations: ORLEANS, Roman Catholic, FBI, Guardian, Archdiocese, Francis Xavier Catholic Church, archdiocesan, New Orleans Saints, Survivors Network, Press Locations: New Orleans, St, ”, Catholic New Orleans, Louisiana

The state Democratic Party has given liberal Justice Jill Karofsky's campaign more than $1.3 million. In Wisconsin, there is no requirement that justices step down from hearing cases involving campaign donors. Those threats were denounced by Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler as “political extortion." She also cited Democratic Party campaign donations and the campaign comments. The Democratic Party did not bring either of the pending redistricting cases, even though Democrats would benefit from new maps being drawn.

Persons: she's, Ann Walsh Bradley —, Brian Hagedorn, Rebecca Bradley, Jill Karofsky's, ”, Jay Heck, “, Heck, Brennan, Janet Protasiewicz, Dan Kelly, Joe Biden, Tony Evers, Protasiewicz, Robin Vos, Protasiewicz doesn't, Vos, Ben Wikler, Annette Ziegler, Ziegler, Michael Gableman, recusing, Bradley, ” Protasiewicz Organizations: —, — Wisconsin Republicans, Democratic Party, Wisconsin Democracy, Republican Party, Wisconsin Supreme, Brennan Center for Justice, Wisconsin Democratic Party, Republican, Republicans, Gov, Democratic, GOP, Wisconsin Judicial Commission, Wisconsin Democratic, Wisconsin Manufacturers, Commerce, Conservative, United, Constitution Locations: MADISON, Wis, — Wisconsin, Wisconsin, In Wisconsin

☆ Hunting alligators is actually good for the environment and for people
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Maiya Focht | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Mississippi hunters just broke the state record for the largest alligator ever caught. These hunting programs help control alligator populations and fund state wildlife agencies. This has drawn attention to the state's alligator hunting program, which may provide more benefits for the reptiles than you might think. Because of this system, state officials were able to track the 776 alligators that were harvested in Mississippi in 2021. It's best for both the alligators and humans to keep their populations separate, at least from a public relations standpoint, Watkins said.

Persons: Tate Watkins, Bruce Bennett, Watkins, Mike Heithaus, Maureen Donnelly, Phys.org, he's Organizations: Service, Environment Research Center, Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries, Endowment Fund, gator, Mississippi, gators Locations: Mississippi, Wall, Silicon, Texas , Arkansas , Louisiana , Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Parks, Yellowstone, Willow

☆ Disney's wildest ride: Iger, Chapek and the making of an epic succession mess
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +88 min

Iger told Chapek that he lived for those "two-shower days," according to people familiar with the conversation. In January 2020, Iger told Chapek the plan was back on. During his 27 years at the company, Chapek had only attended one annual meeting — as a guest in the audience. Bob Iger, Disney CEO, during a CNBC interview, Feb. 9, 2023. WATCH: Disney CEO Bob Iger's exclusive July 2023 CNBC interviewTake the 'A'During Chapek's tenure as CEO, Disney lost more than a quarter of its market value.

Persons: Elham, Bob Iger, Bob Chapek, Iger, wasn't, Chapek, Michael Eisner, —, who's, he's, Clint Eastwood, Eastwood, Arthur Bochner, Jackie Hart, Kareem Daniel, Chapek —, Eisner, Michael Ovitz, Ovitz, Bob, Disney's, Kevin Mayer, Mayer, Bryan van der Beek, he'd, Tom Staggs, Staggs, Staggs —, Steve Jobs, cajoled Ike Perlmutter, George Lucas, Rupert Murdoch, Iger's, Susan Arnold, Arnold, Peter Rice, David Paul Morris, Rice, CNBC's Julia Boorstin, Mark Parker, Mary Barra, Michael Froman, Willow, Parker, John Donahoe, Roy Disney, Walt Disney, Stanley Gold, David A, CNBC Eisner, Big Bob, Little Bob, Christine McCarthy, Patrick T, He'd, McCarthy, Iger —, Coronavirus, Gavin Newsom, Michael Kovac, curtly, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Ben Smith, Smith, Disney, Randy Shropshire, Agnes Chu, Ricky Strauss, Chu, Strauss, Kevin Feige, Kathleen Kennedy, Who's, Alan Bergman, Bergman, Bob Kyncl, Daniel —, Iger didn't, Daniel rankled, Daniel, Chapek didn't, James Pitaro, Jesse Grant, CNBC Chapek, Jimmy Pitaro, Zenia Mucha, didn't, Mucha, Barbara Walters, Charles Eshelman, Scarlett Johansson, Scarlett Johansson —, Florence Pugh, Natasha, Yelena, " Johansson, Bryan Lourd, Johansson, Lourd, Steven Spielberg, Al Michaels, David Muir, Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, Spielberg, Geoff Morrell, Alan Braverman, Alan Horn, Jayne Parker, Bochner, Claire Lee, Paul Richardson, Josh D'Amaro, Ron DeSantis, Morrell, Disney Animation —, George Floyd, Reba Saldanha, Reuters Chapek, DeSantis, Nicholas Maldonado, Octavio Jones, Chapek she'd, we're, " Morrell, CNN's Chris Wallace, Kristina Schake, John Skipper, Daniel steamrolled, Latondra Newton, Newton, Charles Krupa, Pitaro, NBCUniversal's Peacock, Dana Walden, Thomas Murphy, Josh Kushner, Privately, Schake, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Michelle Obama's, David Dee Delgado, Kara Swisher, hadn't, Netflix's, overhiring, McCarthy hadn't, Safra Catz, Kareem, DMED, Horacio Gutierrez, Justin Warbrooke, Alexia Quadrani, Bryan Castellani, Michael Buckner, Quadrani, Lindsay Lohan, Winnie, Nelson Peltz, Catz, Donald Trump's, they'd, Walden, Gutierrez, D'Amaro, Rich Polk, Walden he'd, Iger she'd, Mickey Mouse, Mark Rightmire, haven't, Indiana Jones, Halle Bailey, Ariel, Hamilton Faber, Rich Greenfield, Bob Iger's, — Mayer, McCarthy —, doesn't, they'll Organizations: Disney, Marvel, CNBC, Bloomberg, Getty, Walt Disney, Indiana University, Michigan State University, Shanghai Disney, Man, Hong Kong Disneyland, Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, Pixar, Fox, Chapek, Nike, General, Mastercard, Foreign Relations, University of Pennsylvania, Grogan, Disney's, Fallon, ABC, ESPN, ABC News, California Gov, New York Times, Disney confidants, Hollywood, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Television, Walt Disney Studios, Hulu, HBO Max, Walt Disney Company, YouTube, Companies, Netflix, Apple, Disney Media, Entertainment, Stanford, Rights, Junior, petulant, Filmmagic, Brunswick Group, Covid, CAA, onetime Defense Department, Century Fox, Human, Florida Gov, Republican, Disney Animation, Reuters, Human Rights, HRC, Walt Disney World, Employees, American Foundation for Equal Rights, AP, Amazon Prime, Paramount, South Pacific, Capital Cities, Dow Jones, CVS, Kingdom, Variety, Trian Partners, Charter Communications, U.S, Comcast, Charter's, MediaNews, Orange, Allen, Co, Candle Media, Advisors Locations: Burbank , California, Midwestern, Brentwood, Los Angeles, Westlake Village, Iger, Hammond , Indiana, Shanghai, China, Hong, Fox, Willow Bay, Raleigh , North Carolina, Orlando, U.S, Hulu, Iger's Brentwood, coronavirus, Brunswick, Hollywood, Hawaii, Disney's, Marvel's, Anaheim , California, Montana, Florida, Rye , New Hampshire, Chapek, Hong Kong, California, missteps, South, DMED, Burbank, New York, India, Atlantic, Sun Valley , Idaho, America

☆ Opinion: Here are the jobs AI will impact most
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Bethany Cianciolo | Jessica Chia | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +42 min

Dan’s research and teaching focus is on using AI for legal services and the regulation of AI in society. For instance, we can develop AI tools to help individuals understand their responsibilities and rights, and preserve and enforce those rights. People in businesses, large and small, are already using chatbots, AI assistants and other AI tools to help them comply with laws, regulations and internal policies. Additionally, new roles are emerging in the legal industry, such as legal engineers who build systems, legal data scientists and legal operations professionals. AI tools will then quickly re-optimize decisions associated with inventory shipments, staffing and promotions.

Persons: ” That’s, Dropbox, Goldman Sachs, isn’t, Erich S, Huang, ” Erich S, Huang I’ve, Regina Barzilay, Barzilay, Geoffrey Hinton, radiologists, —, ’, Daniel W, Linna, Dan, …, ” Daniel W, Refik, Anadol, ”, Adam Elmachtoub, Nisreen, Theodore Kim, don’t, ” Theodore Kim Moreover, Janis Joplin, Jackie Jormp, We’re, Baz Luhrmann’s “, Gatsby, That’s, Leonardo DiCaprio, mockbusters, Eirini, GitHub Copilot, Ashok Goel, Jill Watson, ” Ashok Goel, Kristen DiCerbo, Alireza, Davis Organizations: CNN, CNET, International Association of Machinists, Aerospace Workers, Informatics, Verily, Duke Health, Biomedical Informatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Adobe, Apple, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science Department, MIT, Jameel Clinic, Machine Learning, MacArthur, National Academy of Engineering, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern’s Pritzker School of Law, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University’s CS, Center, Better Housing, UCLA’s Department of Design Media Arts, The Museum, Modern Art, Centre Pompidou, Walt Disney Concert, Department of Industrial Engineering, Research, Columbia University, NBA, Spice, Digital Organisation and Society, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK Academy of Information Systems, Yale, Pixar, Technical, Writers Guild of America, SAG, Hollywood, YouTube, Tech, Developers, Georgia Institute of Technology, National AI, Adult, Education, US National Science Foundation, Georgia Tech, Khan Academy, Systems, Studies, Agricultural Engineering, University of California, university’s, Agriculture, Labor Locations: outplacement, Iceland

☆ Making Sure 1.4 Billion People Are Very Aware India Is Hosting the G20
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Suhasini Raj | More About Suhasini Raj | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In cities across India, the beaming face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi adorns giant posters promoting the country’s G20 presidency. A hundred national monuments, including the Red Fort in Delhi, were illuminated with the G20 logo to encourage people to post selfies. But India, and its governing party, were primed to capitalize on the moment. Mr. Modi has seized on the G20 presidency as confirmation and celebration of India’s ascent — a rise to which he has fused his own image — as he seeks a third term in an election early next year. “That India has arrived on the world stage will go strongly in his favor with the electorate.”

Persons: Narendra Modi, Modi, ”, Neerja Chowdhury Organizations: Democracy Locations: India, Fort, Delhi

☆ US unions have flexed their muscle this past year. Are they winning?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Since last year’s Labor Day, US unions have flexed their muscle in a way not seen in decades. When including those smaller strikes, the total number of strikes in the past year increased to nearly 400. The United Mine Workers union never reached a deal on a new contract. The public also sees unions having more power than in the past, and they approve of that, according to the poll. More major strikes loomA number of major labor disputes are still looming.

Persons: They’ve, “ It’s, ”, Wheaton, “ You’ve, it’s, they’re, Biden, AFTRA Organizations: New, New York CNN, Labor, Cornell University’s Industrial, Labor Relations, Teamsters, UPS, Cornell University, Unions, Warrior, United Mine Workers, Congress, SAG, Writers Guild, Observers, Gallup, “ Labor, United Auto Workers, —, Motors, Ford, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, GM, Kaiser Permanente Locations: New York, Buffalo , New York, Los Angeles, New York City, Alabama

☆ Leaked Recording of U.A.E. Officials Reveals the Nation’s Concern Over Its Public Image
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Hiroko Tabuchi | More About Hiroko Tabuchi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When the United Arab Emirates hosts this year’s United Nations climate summit, it will elevate the Gulf nation’s global profile. But the conference is also inviting scrutiny of the Emirates’ record on human rights as well as its position as a leading oil producer. A leaked recording of a February meeting between representatives from the United Arab Emirates and summit organizers provides a candid look at their efforts to respond to the criticism. It also highlights the authoritarian state’s focus on its image, managed through contracts with public relations companies, lobbyists and social media specialists around the world. The Times verified the recording with the person who made it, who asked to remain anonymous out of concerns about retaliation.

Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Emirates, United Arab, Centre, Climate, The New York Times, Times Locations: United Nations, United Arab Emirates, London

☆ 28-year-old's side hustle makes up to $113,500 per year—and it only costs $50 to start
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It was 2017 and Osborne realized he could get paid to advise high school seniors on their college admissions essays. He went back to that mentor for help getting the side hustle off the ground. The upside: The side hustle costs almost nothing to start, he says. Here, Osborne details how he started and maintains his six-figure side hustle:CNBC Make It: Do you think your side hustle is replicable? How do you help students improve their essays without making it yours?

Persons: they've, Carter Osborne, Osborne, There's, you've, who's, I'm, I'd, Warren Buffett Organizations: CNBC, Stanford University Locations: Seattle , Washington

☆ Here’s what it takes to become an ‘It Girl’ today
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Diana Pearl | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Today, it’s a job in and of itself — one that, to do successfully, requires a team behind you. Richie Grainge had been working as a model for years, and was also known as the little sister of 2000s It girl Nicole Richie. Madison McGaw/BFA.com/ShutterstockGetty has all the makings of a classic It girl — famous family, beautiful looks, a distinct sense of style. “It takes a different kind of confidence to be a little more quiet and still be noticed,” said Baruch. “Even if you have the tools and are following all the calculations of what it takes to be an It girl, it still might not pop,” said Delmonte.

Persons: aren’t, they’re, Clara Bow —, it’s, Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, Bianca Jagger, Carolyn Bessette, Kennedy, Alexa Chung, Jagger, ”, Jeni Rose, That’s, Sofia Richie Grainge, she’s, Jo Malone, Richie Grainge’s nuptials, Liat Baruch, Richie Grainge’s, that’s, We’ve, Anne Hathaway, Erin Walsh, Valentino minidress, Richie Grainge, Nicole Richie, Robyn DelMonte, Ivy Getty, J, Paul Getty, Madison McGaw, Shutterstock Getty, Savannah Engel, —, “, ” Getty, Engel, Federica Parruccini, ” Parruccini, Getty, Hailey Bieber, Rose, John Springer, It’s, influencers, Baruch Organizations: The, Fashion, CNN, Cannes Film, Vogue, San, &, Cannes, Rhode Locations: South, France, Maybelline, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Savi, “

☆ Fact Check-Hiroshima and Nagasaki hit by nuclear bombs in 1945, radiation dissipated
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Instantly, 78,000 people were killed, a number that increased to 140,000 by the end of 1945, Reuters has reported, citing the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (here). LINGERING HEALTH EFFECTSThe most enduring evidence of the 1945 nuclear explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki is the testimonials of survivors (time.com/after-the-bomb/) and (here) and their well-documented health effects due to the blasts. The RERF Life Span Study (here) of long-term health effects has followed 120,000 residents since 1950, including 94,000 blast survivors and 27,000 unexposed people. Further reading about health effects from the bombings can be found (here). Hiroshima and Nagasaki were each bombed with a nuclear weapon in 1945, killing more than 200,000 people, but radiation and radioactive contamination dissipated and decayed quickly.

Persons: Oppenheimer, Jeffrey Hart, RERF’s, ” Hart, Derek Haas, it’s, ” Haas, Haas, RERF, Read Organizations: Reuters, Research, Radiation, Radiation Engineering, University of Texas, ” Locations: Hiroshima, Nagasaki, U.S, Japan, Austin

☆ Fact Check-Video shows Arma 3 game, not Russian and Ukrainian planes
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A video of fighter jets shows a modified version of the Arma 3 video game, according to the game’s creator, not a Russian SU-57 shooting down NATO F-16 fighters in Ukraine, as claimed in online posts. Comments on the post suggest that some viewers recognize the video from the Arma 3 game, while others respond as though the footage shows real combat, including: “I didn’t know NATO was engaged in a fight . The company’s gameplay footage is often shared online by users as if it shows real altercations. At the end of 2022, Bohemia Interactive published a statement and video outlining how to detect Arma 3 video game footage shared online, including unnatural particle effects and poor resolution quality. The video shows modified video from the Arma 3 game.

Persons: ”, ” Pavel Krizka, Read Organizations: NATO, Fighters, Bohemia Interactive, Reuters Locations: Russian, Ukraine, NATO, Bohemia

☆ David Breg — Deputy Research Director, WSJ Pro at The Wall Street Journal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( David Breg | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

David BregDavid Breg is deputy research director at WSJ Pro, The Wall Street Journal’s professional arm, where he writes and edits cybersecurity research and analysis for executives and businesspeople. He also appears frequently at WSJ Pro events as a moderator. Dave has prior experience managing the research unit at public relations firm Burson-Marsteller and policy knowledge from serving as an analyst at the Congressional Research Service.

Persons: David Breg David Breg, Dave, Burson Organizations: WSJ Pro, Congressional Research Service

☆ Opinion: The surprise winner of the debate
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Opinion Cnn Contributors | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +30 min

CNN —CNN Opinion asked our political contributors to weigh on the first Republican presidential debate of the 2024 season. On Wednesday night, on more than one issue, Haley broke with the old guard in some meaningful ways. Karen Finney: Ron DeSantis falls flatKaren Finney Ralph AlswangeAfter weeks of buildup and reports of serious debate preparation with a top Republican debate coach, this was supposed to be the night that Florida Gov. Instead, DeSantis delivered a flat debate performance devoid of any standout moments, demonstrating why he is the best alternative to former President Donald Trump. Asa Hutchinson in a few instances, not one of the GOP candidates sounded like a serious contender for the White House.

Persons: Nikki Haley, “, Donald Trump, Haley, won’t —, that’s, Trump, Joe Biden’s, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Haley’s, Karen Finney, Karen Finney Ralph Alswange, DeSantis, Donald Trump ., MAGA, George Soros, Florida’s, ” Karen Finney, Patrick T, Brown, Patrick, Mike Pence, Ramaswamy’s, Ramaswamy, Pence, “ It’s, ” Ramaswamy, Sophia A, Nelson, ‘ Rich, Richmond ’ Sophia A, Nelson Sophia A, Richmond ”, Oliver Anthony, Sen, Tim Scott of, Margaret Thatcher —, Michelle Obama, ” Scott Jennings, Scott Jennings, Nikki Haley overperforming, Doug Burgum, Asa Hutchison, Chris Christie, unapologetically, George W, Bush, Mitch McConnell, Jill Filipovic, Jill Filipovic Vivek Ramaswamy, G.T . Bynum, Bynum, Ronald Reagan —, —, shamefully, Putin, Nicole Hemmer, Robert Taft, Dwight Eisenhower, Ike, Ronald Reagan, Pat Buchanan, Carolyn T, Robert M, Who, Geoff Duncan, GOP Geoff Duncan CNN, Asa Hutchinson, ” Roxanne Jones, Roxanne Jones, Nikki Haley —, I’ve, Jones, ”, WURD, Kristen Soltis Anderson, Nikki Haley’s, ” Raul A, Reyes, Joe Biden, Biden, Raul A, Jon Gabriel, Jon Gabriel Immigration, I’m, ” DeSantis Organizations: CNN, South Carolina Gov, Republican Party of Trump, Florida Gov, Biden, Republican, Donald Trump . Time, New, New Jersey Gov, Democratic, Trump, GOP, Public Policy Center, Economic, North, Richmond, British, Republican Party, North Dakota Gov, Arkansas Gov, RunSwitch Public Relations, Twitter, Pew Research Center, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Education, Pew, Former South Carolina Gov, Rogers Center, Vanderbilt University, “ Partisans, Conservative, Wednesday, Department of Justice, UN, Former New Jersey Gov, America’s Conservative Party, White House . Florida Gov, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN, New York Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Kristen Soltis Anderson CNN Former South Carolina Gov, America, Reyes CNN, Special Forces, Fox, CNN Town Hall, USA, Gallup, The Arizona Locations: China, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, America, Washington , DC, Ukraine, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Georgia, Louisville , Kentucky, millennials, New York, Israel, United States, Tulsa , Oklahoma, Mexico, El Paso, dearer, Arizona, The Arizona Republic

☆ North Carolina Hooters sued for racial discrimination against employees
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued a North Carolina Hooters restaurant for allegedly discriminating against Black or darker-skinned “Hooters Girls,” the federal agency announced Thursday. In March 2020, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Greensboro, North Carolina, Hooters temporarily laid off around 43 employees, dubbed “Hooters Girls” by the restaurant chain. There was a “marked shift in the racial composition of the restaurant’s Hooters Girls workforce,” when employees were called back in, according to the EEOC release. The complaint also alleged that the darker-skinned Hooters Girls “experienced racial hostility and observed preferential treatment of White employees while employed at the restaurant” and received less-lucrative shifts. The Greensboro restaurant had no comment and directed CNN to the company’s public relations department.

Persons: EEOC, VII Organizations: New, New York CNN, Employment, Commission, North Carolina Hooters, Hooters, Hooters Girls, CNN, Civil, Court, Middle, Middle District of Locations: New York, Greensboro, North Carolina, Middle District, Middle District of North Carolina

REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - PayPal's (PYPL.O) stablecoin is likely to succeed where Facebook's failed, thanks to the payment giant's standing in Washington and policymakers' greater understanding of the issues in the last three years. "From a policy perspective, there is a seismic difference between Facebook's Libra and PayPal's stablecoin," said Isaac Boltansky, director of policy research for brokerage BTIG. Dan Dolev, a senior analyst at Mizuho, said PayPal USD is not a game-changer for PayPal investors. When Facebook unveiled Libra, a stablecoin whose operations were based in Switzerland and which was pegged to a basket of currencies, executives made no secret of their ambitions. Facebook rebranded Libra, scaled it back and moved the project to the United States, in a bid to win U.S. regulatory approval.

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, stablecoin, Facebook's, Christopher Giancarlo, PayPal's, Isaac Boltansky, Dan Schulman, Dan Dolev, Maxine Waters, Joe Biden's, Janet Yellen, Yellen, TerraUSD, stablecoins, There's, Jack Fletcher, Patrick McHenry, Hannah Lang, Andrea Shalal, Pete Schroeder, Niket, Michelle Price, Matthew Lewis Organizations: PayPal, REUTERS, Rights, U.S ., Facebook, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Federal Reserve, Meta, Paxos Trust, New York State Department of Financial Services, Mizuho, Financial Services, Treasury, Congress, prudential, Republican, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Washington, U.S, Switzerland, United States, transact, stablecoins, Bengaluru

☆ Oil companies are approaching influencers and enlisting PR firms to reach younger generations on social media
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Katie Hawkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

TikTok influencers with millions of followers are partnering with companies like ExxonMobil and Shell. These companies are also using PR firms that help them target millenials and younger generations, The Washington Post reports. Oil companies are paying social media influencers to promote their brands and reach younger audiences, according to reports from The Washington Post and DeSmog. "ExxonMobil, like many companies, works with influencers to educate consumers about the full benefits of our rewards program," Julie King, a spokesperson for ExxonMobil, told Insider. For example, Edelman, a public relations firm, works with Shell to promote it to millenials and younger audiences, the Post reports.

Persons: influencers, Sam Bright, DeSmog's, They're, Curtis Smith, Julie King, Instagram influencer Nora Capistrano Sangalang, —, Meredith Steele, influencer, Edelman Organizations: ExxonMobil, Shell, Washington Post, Morning, The Washington Post, DeSmog, Companies

☆ How Many Former Vanity Fair Staffers Does It Take to Build a Roof?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Steven Kurutz | More About Steven Kurutz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

While doing things that felt familiar to the core business, the Davids were also expanding Standard Investments, an investment arm they established, which now manages more than $4 billion. The majority of that money is invested in the public markets, in other industrial companies like Shell. But in an email from Italy, where he was on vacation with his family, Mr. Carter dispelled that idea. “Hamilton was on the front lines in this,” Mr. Carter said. “He brought in Beth Kseniak to handle communications and, before you know it, the place was filled with the VF diaspora.”Stylish and well connected, Mr. South, 59, is also a Vanity Fair alum.

Persons: Davids, Carter, Kelly, “, ”, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, “ Hamilton, Mr, Beth Kseniak, Tina Brown Organizations: Investments, Shell, Standard Investments, Air Mail, Hamilton, HL Locations: Italy

☆ New York fines Avis Budget for denying car rentals to people who lack credit cards
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Budget rental car signage is seen at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York City, U.S., March 30, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Avis Budget Group Inc FollowNEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - New York state on Tuesday fined Avis Budget Group (CAR.O) $275,000 for refusing to rent vehicles to customers who did not have credit cards. Letitia James, the state's attorney general, said the civil fine resolved charges that the operator of Avis Car Rental, Budget Rent a Car and Payless Car Rental violated a state law against requiring credit cards for vehicle rentals. A probe begun late last year following a customer complaint found that 74 out of 106 Avis and Budget locations across New York insisted on credit cards, while 32 accepted debit cards. An outside public relations firm for Avis Budget did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Persons: John F, Andrew Kelly, Letitia James, James, Jonathan Stempel, Mark Potter Organizations: Kennedy International Airport, REUTERS, Avis Budget, Tuesday, Avis Budget Group, Rental, Avis, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, New York, , New Jersey

☆ A federal judge threw out a lawsuit seeking to block student-loan forgiveness for over 800,000 borrowers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit to block student-debt relief from income-driven repayment plans. Last week, conservative-backed groups filed a lawsuit to block relief for 800,000 borrowers. On Monday, Judge Thomas Ludington in the Eastern District of Michigan Northern Division ruled that a lawsuit seeking to block $39 billion in debt relief for 800,000 borrowers lacks standing and is dismissed. The ruling means that — barring other legal challenges — the Education Department will continue looking at borrowers' income-driven repayment accounts every two months to determine if they qualify for debt relief, and those who do not want the debt relief will have the option to opt out. Borrowers can also apply for the SAVE Plan before federal payments resume — a new income-driven repayment plan intended to make borrowers' monthly payments cheaper.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Judge Thomas Ludington, Lundington, Public Relations Holly Wetzel, Biden Organizations: Service, Eastern District of Michigan Northern Division, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Cato Institute, Mackinac Center for Public, Education Department, Public, Mackinac Center's, Public Relations, SAVE Locations: Wall, Silicon, Eastern District

☆ The PR manager for Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok on the downsides of the job, why backpackers are the bane of his existence, and how 'The White Lotus' changed his workday
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He loved "The White Lotus" despite its exaggerated versions of industry extremes. And for those wondering: There's still no word on whether those rumors about the next season of "The White Lotus" are true. Dan is also the regional director of public relations for the Four Seasons hotels and resorts for Asia-Pacific. I have to ask: How has the show "The White Lotus" changed your job? Two of our properties have been featured on "The White Lotus."

Persons: Dan Schacter —, Dan, Bangkok . Dan, Ken Seet, wouldn't, Taylor Mahon, Michael, we've, Dan Schacter, Sakuragawa —, I'm, Jennifer Coolidge — Organizations: Service, Bangkok, Rak, Social, Bangkok isn't, Creative, Michelin, Google, HBO Locations: Wall, Silicon, Bangkok, Thailand, Bangkok ., Asia, Bhutan, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Japan, Hawaii, Taormina

☆ Militants attack Pakistani military convoy escorting Chinese nationals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Gul Yousafzai | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

QUETTA, Pakistan, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Militants attacked a Pakistani military convoy near the strategic southwestern port of Gwadar on Sunday as it was escorting a delegation of Chinese nationals to a construction project, the military and China's consulate in Karachi said. China's consulate in the southern city of Karachi condemned the attack, adding in a statement that there were no casualties among its citizens on the convoy. The attack targeted Chinese passengers travelling from Gwadar airport towards a construction site in the port area, the source said. The BLA and other militant groups say Pakistan exploits the province's natural resources and have targeted Chinese interests in recent years for supporting that. Gwadar is located near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route in the Arabian Sea, and is being developed under Chinese management.

Persons: Ethan Wang, Gibran Peshimam, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Initiative, Terrorists, Separatist, Balochistan Liberation, Thomson Locations: QUETTA, Pakistan, Gwadar, Karachi, China, Balochistan, China's, Hormuz, Beijing

☆ A conservative parents group that pushes for book bans is sharing videos on how to pressure your child's teachers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Utah Parents United is a conservative Christian group that pushes for education reform in Utah. Utah Parents United released a training video that teaches parents how to confront teachers. Utah Parents United is a Christian parents group that advocates for book bans as well as legislation that gives parents more power to make changes to school curriculums. As part of that effort, the group created a two-hour training video that aims to teach parents "how to have uncomfortable conversations with your teacher or principal." All these resources cover how to pressure teachers to conform to parents' views on their children's education.

Persons: Jen Brown, Utahns, Brown, Ken Ivory, Annie Massey, Massey, Corinne Johnson, George Floyd, Johnson Organizations: Utah Parents, Service, Salt Lake Tribune, Republican State Rep, Utah Parents United Public Locations: Utah, Wall, Silicon, Salt, Utah Utah, Davis County, Alaska

☆ A backlash is brewing against DEI in corporate America — and a venture-capital fund facing a racial-bias lawsuit is caught in the middle
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Vishal Persaud | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

VC firm Fearless Fund is being sued by the group behind the Supreme Court affirmative action case. The conservative group claims a grant program run by Fearless Fund is racially discriminatory. It also led some companies like Bank of America, Mastercard , PayPal and others to earmark millions of dollars to fund and address the racial funding gap. A small, Atlanta-based, Black women-led venture firm called Fearless Fund was one of them. "Their motive is clear: they want to disrupt the vital work of Fearless Fund and similar institutions and organizations whose primary mission is to provide underrepresented communities with an economic engine to build, sustain and scale their businesses," said Fearless Fund in a press release.

Persons: George Floyd, Edward Blum, Arian Simone, Ayana Parsons, George Floyd's, Eghosa Omoigui, Yasmin Cruz Ferrine, Ferrine, VCs Organizations: Fearless, Morning, Bank of America, Mastercard, PayPal, American Alliance for Equal Rights, Civil, Costco, MasterCard, Street Journal, Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros, Wall Street Journal, Pew Research Center, Microsoft, Walmart, TechCrunch, Warner Bros . Locations: Minneapolis, Atlanta, America

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