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☆ Jeff Bezos just made his latest bet in the AI robotics space. Here are the 6 startups he's backed so far.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Samantha Stokes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

BI has compiled a list of which AI robotics startups Bezos has backed so far, per PitchBook. Physical Intelligence is at least the third spatial intelligence startup Bezos has backed this year, according to PitchBook. Related storiesFigure AIFigure AI builds AI robots that can take over unsafe jobs from humans. Bezos invested in an undisclosed funding round in 2021, while Bezos Expeditions invested in its $24 million Series A funding round in 2020. Bezos Expeditions invested in the startup's $30 million Series E in 2017, $40 million Series D in 2015, $30 million Series C in 2012, $20 million Series B in 2010, $7 million Series A1 in 2009, and $5 million Series A in 2008.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, —, Andreessen Horowitz, Bezos, OpenAI Organizations: Service, Khosla Ventures, Intelligence, The New York Times, Bezos Expeditions, New York Times, Sentinel, HAHN Group

He recently told the Wall Street Journal editorial board that Chinese President Xi Jinping respects him but also knows he’s “crazy” and wouldn’t provoke him. But Chinese officials might also see potential for Musk to be a mitigating influence on issues such as tariffs. Like other American business leaders, Musk has met with senior Chinese officials as Beijing courts international companies. AP fileIf Chinese officials receive Musk almost like a world leader, the Chinese public treats him like a rock star. Chinese officials have not been shy about making the connection between what Musk says and where he makes his money.

Persons: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Jia Qingguo, Trump, ” Jia, Xi Jinping, he’s, ” Trump, Joe Biden’s, “, they’re, ”, Kelly Grieco, Musk, Li Qiang, Qin Gang, ” Grieco, Jennifer Lian, Henry Kissinger, Ian Bremmer, Tesla, Kuan, “ He’s, ” Tesla, Li Keqiang, Li, ” Musk, Grieco, didn’t, Xi, Qin, Hsiao, Kamala Harris, Janis Mackey Frayer, Jennifer Jett Organizations: SHANGHAI, Trump, Peking University, NBC News, Wall Street, Stimson, Qin, Weibo, Communist Party ., Eurasia Group, SpaceX, Shanghai Gigafactory, Getty, U.S, Shanghai, NBC, Global Times, Financial Times, Beijing, Washington, U.S ., Democratic Locations: China, Beijing, Musk, Washington, U.S, United States, York, Shanghai, Chinese, Jiangsu, Xinjiang, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Starlink, Ukraine, Russian, British, European

☆ The election is a big test for AI companies
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AI companies have been adjusting their election offerings and guidelines ahead of Election Day. Perplexity launched an Election Information Hub with information on candidates, voting logistics, and results. Related VideoThe AI search engine launched a dedicated "Election Information Hub" that uses AI to provide information about the upcoming election and results tracking. While the live election updates may be helpful to users, AI-generated election content poses a number of risks. AdvertisementGoogle , which experienced some highly publicized AI fails with its Gemini AI and AI Overviews, chose to implement constraints on what users can ask its AI products about the election.

Persons: Perplexity, —, Sara Platnick, Platnick, Perplexity Alon Yamin, Yamin, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, Anthropic, Brad Carson, it's, Carson Organizations: Google, Service, Business, Associated Press, Democracy, Reuters, Innovation

☆ Sam Altman's hiring strategy bets on talent, not age
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sam Altman says he prioritizes talent over age in his hiring decisions. The job market in Big Tech is increasingly polarized with many job seekers facing a bleak outlook. AdvertisementOpenAI CEO Sam Altman says his hiring strategy is focused on talent over age. Advertisement"You want both, and I think what you really want is just like an extremely high talent bar of people at any age, " Altman said. While Altman may prioritize talent over age at OpenAI, some older tech employees say they are experiencing ageism in the workforce.

Persons: Sam Altman, —, Harry Stebbings's, Altman, wouldn't, Noam Shazeer, Mustafa Suleyman, Karen Simonyan, Zers Organizations: Big Tech, Service, Tech, Google, Microsoft, BI Locations: OpenAI

☆ A rare bee species reportedly put an end to Meta's plans for a nuclear-powered AI data center
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A rare bee species reportedly threw a wrench in Meta's plans for an AI data center. Other tech giants are spending billions on data centers to further their AI ambitions. A rare species of the insect threw a wrench in the company's plans for an AI data center, the Financial Times reported Monday. Rivals, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, also invest billions in data centers to power their AI. AdvertisementThe boom in data centers to power AI also comes with high costs environmentally, not just financially.

Persons: Meta, —, Mark Zuckerberg, IBM's Jonathan Adashek Meta, Kairos Power, Marc Wulfraat, MWPVL Organizations: Service, Financial Times, Google, Microsoft, Kairos, Bloomberg, McKinsey

☆ An Oregon airport is trying to alleviate travel anxiety with llama therapy
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Joshua Nelken-Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Portland airport is using llamas and alpacas for stress relief at its terminals. Animal therapy appears to lower anxiety and promote mood-lifting hormones. AdvertisementAn airport in Oregon is trying to ease nervous flyers' concerns by providing them with access to an unusual animal therapy program. Most existing studies are focused on therapy dogs, which are increasingly being used in airports, such as London Stansted and Istanbul Airport. Denver International Airport has the world's largest animal therapy program, for which it was awarded the Guinness World Record in 2021.

Persons: —, Allison Ferre, Mintel Organizations: Service, Portland International, NPR, UCLA Health, London Stansted, Istanbul Airport, Port, Business, International, Guinness, Disease Control, Prevention Locations: Portland, Oregon, Ridgefield , Washington, New York City, Istanbul, Port of Portland

☆ More wealthy travelers are going on luxury safaris — some for more than $2,500 a day
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Some luxury travel agencies and tour operators say they've seen an uptick in travelers booking luxury safaris. She's not alone — as of late, a growing number of travelers have been itching to go on a luxurious African safari, too. Micato SafarisLuxury tour operator Abercrombie and Kent's African safaris have always been among its best-selling vacations, the company told BI in an email. AdvertisementSome luxury travel agencies are noticing it, tooLuxury travel agency Indagare told BI in an email that safari bookings are "trending upward. AdvertisementWith such prices, some travelers might consider luxury safaris a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Persons: —, Sophie Serrano, Serrano, " Serrano, She's, Abercrombie, buffalos —, Dennis Pinto, Safaris, Micato, Pinto, Richard Waite, Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, — Singita, Singita, Melissa Krueger, Indagare, Scott Dunn, Julie Durso, Jackie Roth, Sophie Serrano Misty Belles, Take Serrano, Isabella John Organizations: Service, Micato's, Scott Dunn Private, Nomad, Kruger Locations: Zanzibar, Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Tanzania's, Botswana, South, Umlani's

☆ HPE CEO tells BI why he's redoubling DEI initiatives as some companies waver
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Emma Cosgrove | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Antonio Neri prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. AdvertisementHewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Antonio Neri started his career at the company as a "Customer Service Engineer" in a call center nearly 30 years ago. Neri said he addresses DEI initiatives at the company in internal quarterly leadership discussions and company surveys multiple times a year. The CEO role has changedThe 57-year-old CEO wants a diverse workforce that stays with the company and moves up the ranks. If you're sitting on the sideline, that means you're you're not contributing your best," he said.

Persons: Antonio Neri prioritizes, John Deere, —, Antonio Neri, " Neri, HPE, Harley Davidson, Neri, He's, it's, Meg Whitman, he's Organizations: Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Service, Hewlett, Enterprise, Business, HP, Partners, eBay Locations: Kenya

☆ Russia hit Google with a fine so big it defies comprehension, exposing a legal system adrift
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Joshua Nelken-Zitser | Kieran Corcoran | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The fine points to a Russian legal system focused more on symbolic punishment than enforcement. All the same, that is what a Russian court maintains the company owes, as punishment for suspending accounts from YouTube. Related storiesLegal experts told Business Insider what it symbolizes is a Russian legal and economic system estranged from much of the world. AdvertisementRussia has effectively annulled intellectual property rights, enabling its companies to freely use patents and designs from Western companies. The scholars BI spoke to did not expect any other nation's court to try to enforce the Google fine.

Persons: —, Dmitri Peskov, Tyler Kustra, Kustra, Heineken, Christine Abely, Abely, Nathanael Tilahun, hasn't, Oleksandra, Snellman Organizations: YouTube, Google, Service, UK's University of Nottingham, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, New England Law, University of Essex, Bloomberg Locations: Russian, Russia, Ukraine, Dutch, Hong Kong , South Africa, Netherlands

☆ The typical first-time homebuyer in America is older than ever before
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The typical age of a first-time homebuyer in the US has reached an all-time high: 38. First-time buyers make up 24% of all buyers, the lowest level since NAR started tracking in 1981. The changing characteristics of the typical first-time homebuyer in America are proof of the strain. The typical first-time buyer now has a median age of 38 — up from 35 in 2023. The typical first-time homebuyer is richer than ever, too.

Persons: It's, —, — Gen Zers, millennials, haven't, Jorge Argota, Argota, He's Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Service, NAR Locations: America, Miami, Florida

☆ James Van Der Beek says there's 'no playbook' on how to share news about colorectal cancer diagnosis
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Erin Liam | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

James Van Der Beek announced his colorectal cancer diagnosis in a People interview on Sunday. Van Der Beek's announcement comes as more people under 50 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. AdvertisementJames Van Der Beek has announced his diagnosis of colorectal cancer. "There's reason for optimism, and I'm feeling good," Van Der Beek, 47, added. AdvertisementThe rise of colorectal cancer in young peopleVan Der Beek's announcement comes as more young people are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a 2023 report by the American Cancer Society found.

Persons: James Van Der Beek, Instagram, Van Der, —, Van Der Beek, Michael Shusterman, NYU Langone's, JJ Singleton, Josh Herting Organizations: Service, Business Insider, American Cancer Society, NYU, NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center

☆ China and Europe's EV fight just stepped up a notch
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China said it plans to sue the European Union after the bloc cracked down on its EV giants. The EU imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese EV companies, including BYD, last week. The measures have raised fears that China might retaliate by slapping its own tariffs on European automakers. The EU voted to impose sweeping tariffs on Chinese EV companies like BYD in October. Advertisement"With this in mind, the Commission takes note of the request for WTO consultations lodged by China.

Persons: —, Xpeng Organizations: European Union, EV, Service, World Trade Organisation, EU, WTO, Business, Commission, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes Locations: China, European, Europe, Hungary, Turkey

☆ Rivian's head of software says the company is not trying to be like Tesla regarding automation
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid says the future of cars will be hands-free. Related storiesA $5 billion investment from Volkswagen announced in June could help the struggling EV company deliver on its cheapest model yet, the R2, priced at $45,000 and set to launch in 2026. In January, Goldman Sachs analysts said Rivian's software is "a key part of the value proposition and monetization opportunity" for the company. "Software is, really behind the scenes, pervasive throughout the entire company," Bensaid told BI. "And we see Rivian as a tech company.

Persons: Wassym Bensaid, Bensaid, —, we're, robotaxis, wasn't, RJ Scaringe, EVs, Scaringe, Kleiner Perkins, Tesla, Rivian, We're, Goldman Sachs Organizations: Service, Business, Rivian, TechCrunch, CSO, EV, Motors, Volkswagen, Tesla Locations: Irvine , California, San Francisco

☆ A 45-year-old personal trainer to celebrities including Naomi Campbell shared how he eats and trains to boost his longevity and stay fit
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Rachel Hosie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Celebrity personal trainer Luke Worthington focuses on longevity over hitting fitness personal bests. AdvertisementWorthington, who has trained celebrities including Dakota Johnson, Naomi Campbell, and Jodie Comer, shared his longevity non-negotiables with BI. Luke Worthington used to prioritize his work over his fitness. Luke WorthingtonThree times a week, Worthington strength trains using the "3 x 52" format he uses with his clients. While Worthington used to rely on recipe boxes and convenience foods, he's started cooking from scratch over the past year.

Persons: Luke Worthington, —, he's, it's, Worthington, Dakota Johnson, Naomi Campbell, Jodie Comer, wasn't, Luke Worthington Worthington, I've Organizations: Service, Worthington Locations: London

☆ Inside the litigation election, where lawyers on both sides are duking it out in the courts like never before
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

"While Democrats continue to interfere in our election and dismantle election safeguards, we are protecting the vote for all Americans." The Trump campaign declined to comment for this story, referring BI to Zunk's statement. Harris' campaign referred BI to a previous interview with a campaign spokesperson discussing litigation strategy. AdvertisementDemocrats, they say, have already intervened in "dozens of baseless Republican lawsuits to debunk their lies and defeat them in court." Advertisement"The Republican litigation strategy doesn't seem to follow any particular rules, but really is an attempt to throw anything against the wall and see if anything sticks," he said.

Persons: Trump, —, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, John Hardin Young, Sandler Reiff Lamb, Young, Harris, Claire Zunk, Dana Remus, Joe Biden's, Monica Guardiola, Marc Elias, Patrick T, Fallon, Sophia Lin Lakin, Lakin, graf, Jason Torchinsky, Holtzman Vogel, Torchinsky, Elias, It's Organizations: Republicans, Democrats, Service, Republican, Democratic, Trump, Republican National Committee, RNC, Trump Republicans, Business, White, Democratic National, District of Columbia, Stanford, MIT, American Bar Association, Getty, Appeals, American Civil Liberties Union, The ACLU Locations: Washington, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina

☆ A lawsuit accuses Bain Capital's PowerSchool of trafficking in student data. The edtech giant says everything it does is legal.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

PowerSchool sells student data without parents' informed consent, a federal lawsuit alleges. Related storiesPowerSchool spokesman Austin Zerbach told BI that no PowerSchool product sells any form of student data. The public disclosures of PowerSchool say the edtech company "may" collect data such as "extracurricular program membership" and "student assessments." AdvertisementTechnology can easily re-identify anonymized student data, said Chad Marlow, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, where he focuses on privacy, surveillance, and technology issues. "No PowerSchool product, including Connected Intelligence P20W, sells any form of student data," the spokesman said.

Persons: PowerSchool, —, It's, Emily Cherkin, Cherkin, Hardeep Gulati, PowerSchools, Austin Zerbach, Zerbach, it's, — they're, Julie Liddell, Chad Marlow, Marlow, Liddell, James Donato, PowerSchool's Bain, The Bain Organizations: Service, Bain Capital, PowerSchool, Technology, ACLU, Data Systems, US, Apple, Vista Equity Partners, Vista Equity, Onex Partners, NYSE, The, KKR, Co, Instructure Holdings, Inc Locations: San Francisco, Seattle, Folsom , California, Boston, Austin , Texas, Salt Lake City

☆ Judith Kent, Jamie Dimon's wife, went door to door in Michigan canvassing voters for Kamala Harris
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Judith Kent, Jamie Dimon's wife, hit the campaign trail for Kamala Harris on Sunday. Kent went door to door to speak to voters in Lansing, Michigan. AdvertisementJudith Kent, the wife of JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, was out in Michigan canvassing voters for Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Sunday. "I have a lot of respect for Jamie Dimon," Trump told the outlet. In addition to Kent, the Harris campaign has won the support of multiple powerful women in business and entertainment alike.

Persons: Judith Kent, Jamie Dimon's, Kamala Harris, Kent, Dimon hasn't, —, Jamie Dimon, Dimon, Harris, Maggie Haberman, Walz, Andrew Restuccia, I'm, I've, Donald Trump, Trump, BI's Grace Eliza Goodwin, Taylor Swift, Melinda French Gates, Laurene Powell, Gates Organizations: Service, Democratic, New York Times, Democratic Party, Kent, Harris, Business, JPMorgan, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Truth, Democratic National Committee Locations: Lansing , Michigan, Michigan, Lansing, Maggie Haberman . Michigan, Kent

☆ Elon Musk has a lot to gain if Trump wins. A Harris presidency is more uncertain.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Musk could gain influence at the federal level if Trump is elected president. It's unclear what a Harris administration would mean for Musk and his business empire. Musk under HarrisWhile Musk could gain power, government contracts, and looser regulations under Trump, it's unclear how he might be impacted under a Harris administration. For X, which Musk has branded as the platform for freedom of speech, Gordon said a Harris administration could pressure it to ban material labeled as "misinformation." AdvertisementIt's also possible nothing would meaningfully change for Musk under a Harris administration.

Persons: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Musk, Trump, Harris, —, He's, Francesco Trebbi, Erik Gordon, Gordon, Tesla, eyeing Musk's, Trebbi, X, Tevi Troy, Troy, Joan MacLeod Heminway, Cary Coglianese, Tom Narayan, Karoline Leavitt, Leavitt, he's, Coglianese, it's, Carl Icahn, Tim Cook, Heminway, Elon Organizations: Service, Elon, Republican Party, Trump, Trump Many, University of California Berkeley, Musk, University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, Traffic Safety Administration, SpaceX, Department of Defense, Bank of America, Center, White House, University of Tennessee, University of Pennsylvania, Penn, RBC Capital Markets, Democratic, Green New Deal, Twitter, Apple Locations: Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Texas, California, Mexico

☆ Putin is in no hurry to end the Ukraine war, no matter who wins the US election
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin is engaging in a war of attrition in Ukraine. AdvertisementKamala Harris and Donald Trump have starkly different visions of how they'll seek to end one of the gravest security crises in recent decades: the Ukraine war. North Korea is also believed to have sent thousands of troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine, per officials from South Korea, Ukraine, and the US. It's a war Putin has staked Russia's economic future on, underlining the importance of victory for the Russian leader. China is observing the Ukraine conflict closely as it weighs whether to launch an invasion of US-ally Taiwan.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, —, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Harris, Joe Biden, Trump, Putin, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Robert Dover, Mikhail Svetlov, he's, Biden, JD Vance, Paul Cormarie, it's, Alexander Mertens, Taiwan, Dover, Jonathan Ward, Peter Schroeder, Schroeder Organizations: Service, National Security Council, Ukraine, Intelligence, National Security, University of Hull, UK, Business, Trump, Russia, NATO, RAND, Anadolu, Getty, Allies, Hudson Institute, BI, National Intelligence Council, Foreign Relations Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Ukraine Russia, Korea, South Korea, Helsinki, Ukrainian, Europe, Washington, Moscow, It's, China, India, Dover, Taiwan, United States, Asia, Eurasia

☆ Chip giant Nvidia wants to bring robots to the hospital
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Rebecca Torrence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Nvidia wants to bring "physical AI" to hospitals, with robots for X-rays, linen delivery, and more. AdvertisementNvidia is digging deeper into healthcare — and the tech giant has big ambitions to bring AI to every part of the hospital. "This physical AI thing is coming where your whole hospital is going to turn into an AI," Powell told BI. Physical AI is getting more sophisticated for real-time surgeries, too. But Nvidia sees robots being used far beyond the operating room — including to monitor a patient for falls in their hospital room, or bring them fresh linens, Powell said.

Persons: —, Healthcare Kimberly Powell, Powell, III, Nvidia doesn't, Abridge Organizations: Nvidia, Service, Healthcare, University of Florida Health, Mayo Clinic, AP, Inc, Catalyst, Microsoft Locations: Las Vegas, Florida, Abridge, HLTH

☆ Americans are probably getting another interest rate cut this week — just days after the election
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday. It follows a 50-basis-point rate cut in September — the first cut in four years. CME FedWatch, which forecasts interest rate changes based on market predictions, estimated an all-but-certain 25 basis point cut as of Friday afternoon. Advertisement"Borrowers should understand that 'falling interest rates' are not the same as 'low interest rates,'" Greg McBride, Bankrate's chief financial analyst, said in a commentary. What are your financial plans if the Fed makes another rate cut?

Persons: —, Jerome Powell, Powell, Helene, Milton, Cory Stahle, Julia Pollak, Greg McBride Organizations: Federal, Service, FedWatch, Boeing, BLS, Federal Reserve, PCE, Fed, asheffey

☆ Here's a final breakdown of how both presidential candidates might affect your finances
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In today's big story, a final look at the impact a Harris or Trump presidency will have on your finances . The big storyThe White House and your walletGetty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BIOn the eve of election day, we're offering a final breakdown of how both candidates might affect your wallet. Let's get into it:Investing : The corporate tax rate is the major difference between the two sides that'll likely have the biggest impact on markets. Harris wants to raise the corporate tax rate, which would likely have the opposite effect. Cost of things : Both candidates are looking to keep leveraging tariffs, but Trump's policy is much more aggressive.

Persons: —, Harris, Trump, let's, Jenny Chang, Rodriguez, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Let's, she's, Mario Tama, Peacock, Chip Somodevilla, Dow, BI's Emma Cosgrove, Siri, We've, Montana Sen, Jon Tester, Colin Allred, Carl Godfrey, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, Ella Hopkins, Amanda Yen, Milan Sehmbi Organizations: Business, Service, BI, . Tech, Nvidia, Intel, Dow Jones, Trump, Mario, Fed, Street, CNBC, MSNBC, NBC, Apple Intelligence, WWDC, Apple, Democratic, Texas Rep, Fox Corp, Goodyear, Marriott Locations: Trump, New York, London

☆ Coinbase, a16z and others pour more than $78 million into pro-crypto PAC for 2026 election
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The pro-crypto and bi-partisan super PAC Fairshake said Monday that the committee and its affiliates have raised $78 million for the 2026 midterm elections. That $78 million includes more than $30 million raised, plus another $48 million in new commitments from centralized crypto exchange Coinbase and Silicon Valley venture fund Andreessen Horowitz, among other companies. All in, a16z has given $70 million to Fairshake as the VC looks to support the PAC's larger mission of building a Congress comprised of pro-crypto legislators. Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange, was sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission over claims that it engaged in unregistered sales of securities. Ripple Labs is another major political donor this cycle that has given around $50 million to Fairshake.

Persons: Fairshake, Andreessen Horowitz, a16z, Chris Dixon, we're, Dixon, Coinbase, Brian Armstrong Organizations: Securities and Exchange Commission, Labs Locations: U.S, Silicon Valley

☆ Japanese shoppers are entering their spending era. Not all luxury brands stand to benefit.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Luxury sales in Japan surged due to a weakened yen and increased tourist spending. Brands like Hermès are thriving there by aligning with Japanese values of subtlety and quality. Rasmus Jurkatam/Getty ImagesBut in Q3, both LVMH and Kering reported a slowdown in luxury spending in Japan. Still, while the tourist spending may have faded somewhat, experts say Japanese consumers are emerging from a frugal era and spending on luxury themselves. But the Japanese aren't just splashing their cash anywhere — a bitter pill for some luxury brands to swallow.

Persons: —, Amrita Banta, Kering, Rasmus Jurkatam, Jelena Sokolova, Daniel Langer, Martin Roll, Birkin, Banta, Louis Vuitton, Roll, Langer, " Langer Organizations: Brands, Service, Research, Gucci, Morningstar, Pepperdine University, McKinsey, Prada Locations: Japan, China, India

☆ Insider Today: Big Tech battle royale
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( Matt Turner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . On the agenda today:Related Video How Twitter panic took down Silicon Valley BankBut first: Takeaways from a big week in Big Tech. All about AI, all the timeGetty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BIThe trillion-dollar giants of Big Tech reported earnings this week, beating estimates and committing billions to AI. The disappearing tech freebiesMint Images - David Arky/Getty, masterzphotois/Getty, Tyler Le/BIAfter years of upping the ante with everything from exercise classes to laundry services, tech companies are clamping down on freebies.

Persons: —, we'll, Jenny Chang, Rodriguez, Sundar Pichai, execs, Mark Zuckerberg, Natalie Ammari, Tesla, James Yates, David Arky, Tyler Le, BI's Graham Flanagan, Matt Garman Organizations: Business, Service, Big, Big Tech, Apple Apple, underwhelmed, Apple Intelligence, Meta Meta, Nvidia, Microsoft Microsoft, United States Army, Amazon Locations: Big Tech, China, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Hawaii

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