DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ World's oldest Hebrew Bible could fetch $50 million at auction
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Robert Frank | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Images of the Codex Sassoon, which Sotheby's will auction in May. A Hebrew Bible that's more than 1,000 years old could sell for up to $50 million at auction this spring, which would make it the most valuable historical document ever auctioned. The sales estimate for the Bible is between $30 million to $50 million. In 2021, hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin paid $43.2 million for a first edition copy of the U.S. Constitution at a Sotheby's auction. In 1994 Bill Gates paid $30.8 million for the Codex Leicester, a collection of scientific writings that contains drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.

☆ Colombia's central bank may need more rate hikes depending on inflation - IMF
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Colombia's central bank may need to consider additional hikes to its benchmark interest rate, depending on how inflation in Latin America's fourth-largest economy behaves, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a statement on Tuesday. The board of Colombia's central bank has raised borrowing costs by a total of 1,100 points to 12.75%, its highest rate since 1999, since launching into an upward monetary cycle in September 2021. "Additional increases in the monetary policy rate could be necessary depending on the evolution of inflation, inflation expectations, and conditions of demand, among other factors," the IMF said. Last week central bank board chief Leonardo Villar warned that inflation in the Andean country had yet to top out, which will likely lead to a more restrictive monetary policy than expected. That sentiment was echoed by the IMF, which said Colombia's central bank will have to maintain a restrictive monetary police until after 2023.

☆ Biologists found 5 new species of snakes and Leonardo DiCaprio named one that produces a 'musky and distasteful odor' after his mom
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

One of the snakes was named by actor Leonardo DiCaprio in honor of his mother, Irmelin Indenbirken. The snakes are being threatened by mining operations in the country, scientists noted. Biologist Alejandro Arteaga examining a preserved snail-eating snake in a museum Jorge CastilloOf the five species, one — a red-orange snake with large, glowing orange eyes — is called DiCaprio's snail-eating snake. "When threatened, individuals may hide the head among body coils and produce a musky and distasteful odor," the study read. Alejandro ArteagaThe four other snakes include the canopy snail-eating snake, Marley's snail-eating snake — named after the daughter of billionaire Brian Sheth — as well as Vieira's snail-eating snake, and Welborn's snail-eating snake.

☆ Wolfgang and Helene Beltracchi fooled the art market — and made millions
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“The forgery was almost incidental,” Wolfgang told Fischer. “They are storytellers, together, which is why they did a lot of research,” Fischer told CNN in a video call. Wolfgang told her that he only produced pictures he considered beautiful, and he believed the owners enjoyed them as much as the art market profited from them. In 2014, Wolfgang told CBS’ “60 Minutes” that in addition to the court-imposed damages, he had settled lawsuits worth $27 million. From her conversations with Wolfgang, Fischer concluded that both of his parents were “severely traumatized” by their experiences during World War II.

Persons: Wolfgang Beltracchi, Heinrich Campendonk —, Steve Martin, Wolfgang, Helene, Heinrich Campendonk, Peter Endig, Max Ernst, Fernand Léger, Kees van Dongen, Derain, Jeannette Fischer, Fischer, ” Wolfgang, “, ”, ’, ” Fischer, Paul Hahn, Hendrick Avercamp, Christie’s, Robin Hood, hadn’t, CNN Fischer, Picasso, —, aren’t, Leonardo da Vinci’s, Salvador Mundi, Andy Warhol, Vincent van Gogh Organizations: CNN, New York Times, Der, Art, CBS, Scheidegger Locations: Halle, Germany, Hitler’s Germany, Switzerland, France, Cologne, ”, Stalingrad

☆ In Peru’s Andes, anger hardens as fast election hopes fade
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Alexander Villegas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Congress has rejected multiple bills for early elections, a key demand by protesters, including shelving a proposal by President Dina Boluarte on Friday. It is the worst violence in Peru in two decades, and threatens to destabilize one of region's most reliable economies. Adelma Quispe, a protestor in the southern town of Ayavire, said protests would have calmed down if there had been an agreement on snap elections. Zamata, Quispe and others say they have collected money to send people to protest in Lima, but are dedicated to maintaining blockades in their towns. Throughout the region, protesters said they can survive on local crops and livestock, and outlast the capital until their demands are met.

☆ How a 27-Year-Old Designer Is Reviving Your Grandma’s Favorite Shoe Brand
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Rory Satran | Photography Joshua Woods For Wsj. Magazine | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

“Honestly, it’s a huge machine,” Davis continues, referring to the company that Ferragamo launched in 1927. Ferragamo had six children with his wife, Wanda, a powerful matriarch who oversaw the company after her husband’s death in 1960. The Ferragamo family is still involved, owning about 65 percent of the publicly traded company’s shares, with the couple’s son Leonardo serving as chairman of the board. On that first day, Davis met his new assistant, who showed him around and introduced him to the different teams he’d be working with. “Obviously, I had trouble remembering everyone’s names because I think it’s 17 designers, but it was exciting,” he says.

☆ Maduro negotiator says Venezuela government, opposition making progress on $3.2 billion humanitarian fund
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Vivian Sequera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro delivers a speech in front of the Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice magistrates during the opening of the new court term, in Caracas, Venezuela January 31, 2023. The opposition hopes the negotiations will help guarantee that elections tentatively scheduled for 2024 are held in fair conditions. Rodriguez did not offer details on what progress had been made toward creation of the humanitarian fund. The opposition's head negotiator, Gerardo Blyde, has said money from the frozen assets is spread across different jurisdictions, each with their own legal requirements. The opposition has said the money could be moved in small tranches to protect it from creditors.

☆ Google is asking employees to test potential ChatGPT competitors, including a chatbot called 'Apprentice Bard'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Jennifer Elias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Google is also testing a chatbot called “Apprentice Bard,” where employees can ask questions and receive detailed answers similar to ChatGPT. Apprentice BardOne of the test products is a chatbot called Apprentice Bard, which uses Google’s conversation technology LaMDA, or Language Model for Dialogue Applications. Apprentice Bard looks similar to ChatGPT: Employees can enter a question in a dialog box and get a text answer, then give feedback on the response. Apprentice Bard replaced Meena, a previous version of a smart chat bot that had launched internally but was later discontinued. In one example circulated internally, a tester asked Apprentice Bard if there will be another round of layoffs at Google.

☆ UN rights chief asks Venezuela to release arbitrary detainees, end torture
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Volker Turk looks on next to Human Rights Reporting Officer Helene Devaux, and Jose M. Aranaz during a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela January 28, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez ViloriaCARACAS, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Venezuela should release arbitrarily detained individuals and end torture, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on Saturday at the end of a trip to the country. Turk arrived in Venezuela on Thursday and met with President Nicolas Maduro on Friday, in addition to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, senior government officials, opposition figures and victims of human rights violations. Turk extended his call to governments around the world to release, pardon or grant amnesty to "all those arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental human rights." During his trip, Turk said he met with people who were arbitrarily detained and tortured.

☆ Everything coming to — and leaving — Netflix next month, from 'You' season 4 to new episodes of 'Outer Banks'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Netflix just released the list of TV shows and movies that are coming to and leaving the site next month. New seasons of "You" and "Outer Banks" will be added, as will all three "Lord of the Rings" movies. But some titles, including "Scream 4" and "Shutter Island," will be removed in February. NetflixAvailable 2/10/23"10 Days of a Good Man" — Netflix Film"Love is Blind: After the Altar Season 3" — Netflix Series"Love to Hate You" — Netflix Series"Your Place or Mine" — Netflix FilmAvailable 2/13/23"Squared Love All Over Again" — Netflix Film"VINLAND SAGA: Season 2" (new episodes)Available 2/14/23"All the Places" — Netflix Film"A Sunday Affair" — Netflix Film"In Love All Over Again" — Netflix Series"Jim Jefferies: High n' Dry" — Netflix Comedy"Pasión de Gavilanes: Seasons 1-2""Perfect Match" — Netflix Series"Re/Member" — Netflix FilmAvailable 2/15/23"#NoFilter" — Netflix Series"African Queens: Njinga" — Netflix Documentary"CoComelon: Season 7""Eva Lasting" — Netflix Series"Full Swing" — Netflix Documentary"The Law According to Lidia Poët" — Netflix Series"Red Rose" — Netflix SeriesAvailable 2/16/23"47 Meters Down: Uncaged""Ouija""The Upshaws: Part 3" — Netflix SeriesAvailable 2/17/23"A Girl and an Astronaut" — Netflix Series"Community Squad" — Netflix Series"Ganglands: Season 2" — Netflix Series"Unlocked" — Netflix FilmAvailable 2/19/23"Whindersson Nunes: Preaching to the Choir" — Netflix ComedyAvailable 2/20/23"Operation Finale""VINLAND SAGA: Season 2" (new episodes)Available 2/21/23"Perfect Match" — Netflix Series (new episodes)Available 2/22/23"Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal" — Netflix Documentary"The Strays" — Netflix Film"Triptych" — Netflix SeriesAvailable 2/23/23"Call Me Chihiro" — Netflix Film"Outer Banks: Season 3" — Netflix SeriesAvailable 2/24/23"Formula 1: Drive to Survive: Season 5" — Netflix Documentary"Oddballs: Season 2" — Netflix Family"Married at First Sight: Season 12""Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series: Part 2" — Netflix Family"The Real World: Season 12""We Have a Ghost" — Netflix Film"Who Were We Running From?" — Netflix SeriesAvailable 2/27/23"VINLAND SAGA: Season 2" (new episodes)Available 2/28/23"A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou" — Netflix Comedy"American Pickers: Season 15""Perfect Match" — Netflix Series (new episodes)"Too Hot to Handle: Germany" — Netflix SeriesEmma Roberts in "Scream 4."

☆ Tech drags European stocks lower on earnings jitters
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Ankika Biswas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX) fell 0.3%, heading lower for a second day with technology (.SX8P) and telecom (.SX8P) declining the most. "The weak outlook painted by Microsoft is weighing on the wider tech sector," said Michael Hewson, chief markets analyst at CMC Markets in London. European stocks came under pressure on Tuesday, as an improvement in economic activity spurred speculation that the European Central Bank (ECB) might have more room to raise interest rates to tackle inflation. Boosting UK stocks, EasyJet PLC (EZJ.L) jumped 10.6% after projecting it would beat current market expectations for 2023 and deliver a full-year profit. Reporting by Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Sherry Jacob-PhillipsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Streaming services are spending bank on big-budget movies. That's not buying Oscar nods.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Streaming services came up short at this year's Oscar nominations, announced on Tuesday. This year, it only has 15 — nine of which were for its one best-picture contender, "All Quiet on the Western Front." But the nominations also reflect the shifting streaming priorities for media and tech companies coming out of the pandemic. Only one of those four movies got an Oscar nomination — an adapted screenplay nod for "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery." Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone in "Killers of the Flower Moon," an Oscar contender for next year.

☆ Venezuela public sector workers march for better salaries
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] A demonstrator holds a placard that reads "Together for a living salary", during a march by teachers, health workers, workers' unions members and members of the opposition to demand better salaries, as the government of President Nicolas Maduro faces renewed challenges in its attempt to fight inflation, in Caracas, Venezuela January 23, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez ViloriaCARACAS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Hundreds of public sector workers including teachers, nurses and retired police officers took to the streets in Venezuela on Monday to demand better salaries and pensions at a time when the government of President Nicolas Maduro faces growing inflation. Workers in Venezuela's education and health sectors have held three peaceful demonstrations in a dozen cities so far this year to demand more money. In Maracaibo, the capital of the once-powerful oil-rich Zulia state in northwestern Venezuela, protesters marched to the governor's office. "With a (monthly) salary of just $10 it's impossible for a family of four or five people to survive," Jimenez, 56, said.

☆ Analysis: Lula confronts Brazil military's pro-Bolsonaro lean with carrot and stick
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Anthony Boadle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

But at a Friday meeting the commanders of the armed forces, Lula did not bring up the attack, according to a government official who witnessed the meeting. The armed forces' strategic plans to modernize its equipment included developing a nuclear-powered submarine contracted with France's Naval Group, a subsidiary of defense contractor Thales (TCFP.PA). GENIE OUT OF THE BOTTLEWhether a splurge on military hardware will help tamp down pro-Bolsonaro sentiment in the armed forces is open to question. "Lula wants this to go away as soon as possible," he added. "Starting to punish members of the armed forces for what happened may be legally the right thing to do but politically it would open a Pandora's box."

☆ Over 50 injured as protests cause ‘nationwide chaos’ in Peru
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Dozens of people were injured after tensions flared again on Friday night as police clashed with protesters in anti-government demonstrations that are spreading across Peru. In the country’s southern Puno region, some 1,500 protesters attacked a police station in the town of Ilave, Interior Minister Vicente Romero said in a statement to news media. By late afternoon, 58 people had been injured nationwide in demonstrations, according to a report from Peru’s ombudsman. In the Cusco region, Glencore’s major Antapaccay copper mine suspended operations on Friday after protesters attacked the premises — one of the largest in the country — for the third time this month. “All the rigor of the law will fall on those people who have acted with vandalism,” Boluarte said on Thursday.

REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez ViloriaCARACAS, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group said on Saturday they will resume peace talks in Mexico next month, overcoming a recent impasse after the government recently declared and then called off a bilateral ceasefire. There was a first cycle of talks last year in Caracas to end the guerrillas' part in nearly six decades of war. The about-face on the ceasefire came after ELN said it had not agreed to it. "In said cycle, the issue of society's participation in peace building will be addressed. Colombia and the ELN said they would jointly examine progress in implementing agreements reached during the first cycle of talks and agreed to keep communication channels open even when not at the negotiating table.

☆ Peru grapples with 'nationwide chaos' as protests spread
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Smoke and flames rise from a building during the 'Take over Lima' march to demonstrate against Peru's President Dina Boluarte, following the ousting and arrest of former President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru January 19, 2023. We are in a terrible uncertainty, the economy, vandalism," said Lima resident Leonardo Rojas. But President Dina Boluarte has dismissed calls to resign and for snap elections, instead calling for dialogue and promising to punish those involved in the unrest. "All the rigor of the law will fall on those people who have acted with vandalism," Boluarte said on Thursday. Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Isabel Woodford; Editing by Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Meat cultivated from cow cells is kosher, Israel's chief rabbi rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Ari Rabinovitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] People prepare Aleph Farms' cultivated thin-cut beef steaks in this handout image taken November 9, 2022. Cultivated meat, grown from animal cells in a lab or manufacturing plant, has been getting a lot of attention as a way to sidestep the environmental toll of the meat industry and address concerns over animal welfare. Jewish dietary law designates kosher meat as having come from a cow slaughtered in accordance with ritual - and requires that it be kept and consumed separately from dairy. Aleph Farms says it collects sample cells from a living animal and then grows more in a cultivator that mimics conditions in the animal's body. While the decision was specific for Aleph Farm's process, it sets a foundation for others.

☆ Italy set to appoint veteran economist Barbieri as new Treasury head
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Giuseppe Fonte | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Barbieri to replace Rivera, who failed to win over MeloniPrevious Treasury chiefs include former PM DraghiBureaucrats in Italy get substantial say in policy-makingROME, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Italy's government is set to appoint veteran economist Riccardo Barbieri as director general of the Treasury, replacing Alessandro Rivera in the influential position, the economy ministry said on Thursday. The move marks a victory for newly installed Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was looking to remove Rivera and put her stamp on key positions. "A cosmopolitan former banker and chief economist, Barbieri is one of the Treasury senior officials who liaises more frequently with Brussels," said Francesco Galietti, head of political risk consultancy Policy Sonar. MPS is 64%-owned by the Treasury following a 2017 bailout that cost taxpayers 5.4 billion euros ($5.8 billion). Rivera spent much of his career within the economy ministry, specialised in the handling of banking and financial crises.

☆ Italy’s Friuli region is one of Europe’s best kept secrets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Silvia Marchetti | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

With 13 natural reserves and the pristine park of the Friuli Dolomite Mountains, the region lures tourists seeking to connect with nature or explore the outdoors. There’s also the spellbinding Grotta Gigante, or Giant Cave, one of the world’s largest tourist caverns. Golden beachesThe Grotta Gigante is one of the world's largest tourist caverns. Trieste boasts an unusual segregated beach, with origins dating back several centuries. “Residents are very fond and proud of this place,” says Trieste local Maria Bonacci.

☆ Microsoft layoffs are not enough to shake our cautious view of the tech giant
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Microsoft 's (MSFT) layoff announcement Wednesday doesn't shake our guarded view of the stock. MSFT 1Y mountain Microsoft's stock performance over the past 12 months. While the Club wrote about ChatGPT's impact on Microsoft in December , the chatbot has continued to capture Wall Street's attention. Bottom line Layoffs at Microsoft are yet another sign of the tech industry's challenges and demonstrate why the Club has been cautious on the company's stock as of late. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

☆ Davos 2023: Brazil lacking world aid to fight climate change, Silva says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

She said Brazil has regained the trust of the European Parliament with regards to resistance to the EU trade deal with South America's Mercosur bloc. Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Silva said Brazil's new government that took office on Jan. 1, was rebuilding Brazil's environmental agencies and policies that were "completely dismantled" by the previous administration. Silva said President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had offered to hold the COP30 climate summit in the Amazon region in 2025 to show its commitment towards curbing in climate change. Silva and Finance Minister Fernando Haddad represented Brazil at the WEF and discussed the country's economic, social and environmental roadmap in a panel. Reporting by Alessandra Galloni in Davos, Anthony Boadle and Eduardo Simoes in Brazil; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 18 movies with valuable entrepreneurial lessons: From 'Startup.com' to 'Becoming Warren Buffett'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Vikas Jha | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +21 min

Takeaway: This movie shows the effect money, greed and power can have on relationships. "The Social Network" (2010)"The Social Network" shows us that business success requires more than just a great idea. "Becoming Warren Buffett" (2017)In this documentary, Warren Buffett reveals his day-to-day, and his two most important investing rules. Takeaway: This movie shows how two young men were pitted against each other, striving to grow in a cut-throat business. I've found myself feeling motivated after watching a great film with lessons I can transpose to my entrepreneurial journey.

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

☆ At least 16 killed in Nepal's worst air crash in 30 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Rescuers and onlookers gather at the site of a plane crash in Pokhara on January 15, 2023. An aircraft with 72 people on board crashed in Nepal on January 15, Yeti Airlines and a local official said. At least 16 people were killed on Sunday when an aircraft crashed in western Nepal's Pokhara, an army spokesman said, in the small Himalayan country's worst crash in more than 30 years. Yeti Airlines has a fleet of six ATR72-500 planes, according to its website. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called an emergency cabinet meeting after the plane crash, a government statement said.

Search resuls for: "Leonardo"

25 mentions found