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☆ I got fired from my dream tech job but now I make more money and work less hours a week as a content creator. Here's how I built it up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Zulie Rane | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Zulie Rane makes six figures as a content creator after being fired from her job at a tech company. Over the next two years, I worked to build my real dream job in content creation. Within two years, I went from being a mediocre account manager at a tech company to a six-figure content creator who loves her job and works 20 hours a week. If I'd let go of that sooner, I could have started on my real dream job much earlier. Zulie Rane is a content creator, cat mom, and freelancer.

WASHINGTON, May 4 (Reuters) - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Thursday that granting U.S. access to Philippine military bases was a defensive step that would be "useful" if China attacked Taiwan. Marcos told Reuters the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) reached with the United States in 2014 was originally conceived to improve disaster responses. Marcos said Washington "has not proposed any kind of action for the Philippines in terms of taking part in the defense of Taiwan." Biden said on Monday that the U.S. commitment to the defense of its ally was "ironclad," including in the South China Sea, and that the guidelines issued on Wednesday laid out treaty commitments if either side were attacked in the South China Sea. He said the patrols would help preserve freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, where China has a growing military presence.

☆ Cubans, waylaid by weather and fuel shortage, march for May Day five days late
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] People gather at the seafront Malecon to watch the International Worker's Day celebration in Havana, Cuba May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Alexandre MeneghiniHAVANA, May 5 (Reuters) - Cubans rallied on Havana's Malecon waterfront boulevard to celebrate International Worker's Day on Friday, five days after the planned May 1 event was called off due to foul weather and a fuel crisis that has crippled public transport on the island. "This year it was not possible, due to the fuel situation," said university professor Javier Sanchez, 24, as he cheered during the morning celebration. Though May 1 dawned clear in Havana, a wind and rain storm the previous day hindered preparations, leading Cuban officials to postpone the event until Friday. Cuban state-run media estimated that 100,000 Cubans had gathered on the Malecon by early Friday morning.

☆ ‘The Melt Goes On Forever’ Review: David Hammons Makes, and They Take
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Wesley Morris | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The title of this new documentary about the artist David Hammons is a mouthful: “The Melt Goes On Forever: The Art & Times of David Hammons.” It’s playing at Film Forum, and I don’t envy whoever has to make it fit the marquee. But they should figure that out because the title feels crucial to the aim of this movie, a sly, toasty, piquant consideration of Hammons’s conceptual art, the way it mocks and eludes easy ownership. Which is to say: the way his art is aware of — the way it’s often about — the stakes for Black people navigating the straits of the market. That piece is like a lot of Hammons’s work: tragicomic. It would have been enough to behold the assortment of thrilling footage of Hammons at work, in conversation and, in one contentious encounter, under interrogation by a group of students.

☆ World's longest bridge could transform Sicily. But not if the Mafia and earthquakes get in the way
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Barbie Latza Nadeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Since then, various plans, including a short-lived idea for a tunnel, have come and gone – like water under the bridge. If built, the bridge across the Straits of Messina would span two miles (3.2 kilometers) and would be the longest suspension bridge in the world. When Salvini became transport minister, he made it his priority, betting his legacy on the bridge. “The bridge over the Strait of Messina is a project that can break ground immediately. The recent arrest of Cosa Nostra boss Matteo Messina Denaro after 30 years on the lam in Sicily represented a victory.

☆ Russian oil cargoes earn a premium for carrying sanctioned crude, but weaker markets are squeezing those margins
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tankers carrying Russian oil command a "sanctions premium," but those margins have narrowed, Argus data shows. "Rates are likely to remain under pressure throughout April and into May as chartering is muted and looming OPEC+ cuts keep nibbling at shipowners' confidence." Argus data shared with Insider showed that the sanctions premium for Russian-origin cargoes from the Black Sea to the west coast of India narrowed by 50¢ per barrel month-on-month. Still, he added that the premium could hold for some time longer even in a weakening market, as sanctioned cargoes remain a valuable business. Tracking data from Kpler showed earlier this month that total Russian oil exports have now surpassed pre-war levels.

☆ Civilians Flee Fighting in Sudan for Troubled Neighboring Countries
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Civilians fleeing the fighting between two rival generals in Sudan streamed into neighboring countries on Monday, raising concerns about a humanitarian crisis spreading to countries already grappling with conflict, hunger and dire economic straits. The heavy gunfire, shelling and airstrikes that have rocked Sudan for 10 days prompted foreign countries to begin evacuating diplomatic staff and nationals over the weekend. It also has driven thousands of Sudanese and other people across borders into Chad, Egypt and South Sudan, aid workers said. Sudan, a country of 45 million people and the third-largest by area in Africa, is surrounded by seven countries racked by poverty and instability. Most of those were South Sudanese returning home after having fled Khartoum in cars and on the backs of trucks, carrying whatever they could on the 280-mile journey south.

The triumphant pair on Sunday will also receive a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. The Fitzpatrick brothers will pair together at the Zurich Classic. The golf world is very different from when I started to when he’s playing now so he’s going to focus on the Challenge Tour probably, he’s excited for that. Yet Fitzpatrick – dubbed the hardest-working golfer on the PGA Tour – has no intention of accepting his place in the food chain. “I’m constantly looking at ways to improve and get better, and that’s what’s really important is to keep pushing myself and try and catch them up.”

☆ 16 takeaways from Fox News' historic $787.5 million settlement with Dominion
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

In the moments after I watched the judge announce the settlement in court, 16 things went through my mind:1. Evidence obtained by Dominion in the lawsuit and filed to court ahead of the settlement appeared to support that theory. There's always the Smartmatic case. In court filings ahead of the settlement, Fox complained about the $1.6 billion price tag Dominion put on the lawsuit. "Would be pretty unreal if you guys like 20x'ed your Dominion investment with these lawsuits," read one text to a Staple Street executive cited in a Fox court filing.

☆ As New Wave of Violence Hits Sudan’s Capital, Civilians Feel the Strain
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

NAIROBI, Kenya — As a new wave of violence swept the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Monday, millions of residents hiding in their homes felt the growing strain from the battles, and doctors and hospitals were struggling to cope with casualties and get the supplies and staff members that they needed. The forces of rival generals battling for control of Sudan clashed for a third day in Khartoum, threatening to worsen a humanitarian crisis in a nation already facing dire economic straits, growing hunger and widespread unemployment. Some were too afraid to venture out for food or other supplies. A doctors’ group said that hospitals remained understaffed and were running low on supplies as wounded people streamed in. And the World Health Organization said that the insecurity in the capital was impeding medical workers and ambulances from reaching those in need of critical care.

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Fed minutes reignite recession fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Markets rose after the CPI was released — why wouldn't they? Then minutes from the FOMC's meeting came out and changed investors' day. Subscribe here to get this report sent directly to your inbox each morning before markets open.

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Recession fears resurface
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

☆ NATO's newest member means Russia's 'unsinkable aircraft carrier' will be even more isolated
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Constantine Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Finland also extends NATO's border along the Baltic Sea, which has been called a "NATO lake." That further isolates Russia's Kaliningrad region, which is surrounded by NATO member countries. Kaliningrad is a major military outpost, hosting Russia's Baltic Fleet and other forces, and has been called an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" that allows Moscow to project power deep into NATO and EU territory. However, some Baltic Fleet units were redeployed to Ukraine where they have reportedly suffered very high casualties. Russia's Baltic Fleet is based in Baltiysk and is composed of warships — mostly corvettes and a number of support ships — infantry and armored units, and aviation and air-defense forces.

☆ Bed Bath & Beyond's ousted CEO says he's not to blame for the company's failed turnaround and demands his $6.7 million severance
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Former Bed Bath & Beyond CEO Mark Tritton is suing the company, alleging non-payment of his severance agreement. Bed Bath & Beyond said Thursday it needs to raise up to $300 million in new funding to avoid bankruptcy. A representative for Bed Bath & Beyond told Insider the company does not comment on legal matters. One of Bed Bath & Beyond's biggest problems in 2019, the suit says, was its failure to have a serious private-label strategy and Tritton was specifically hired to give it one. If you are a current or former employee of Bed Bath & Beyond or Harmon who would like to share your story, please get in touch with Dominick via email.

☆ Belize reaffirms ties with Taipei as Taiwanese president visits
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Jose Sanchez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arrives at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, Belize City, Belize in this handout picture released April 3, 2023. Tsai's visit comes a week after Honduras severed diplomatic relations with Taipei in favor of Beijing amid heightened U.S.-China tensions. China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory with no right to state-to-state ties, a position Taipei strongly rejects. Guatemala and Belize are two of just 13 countries that Taiwan has diplomatic relations with. The Taiwanese leader is set to meet with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a second U.S. stopover in California on Wednesday.

☆ Singapore's banking authority says DBS outage was 'unacceptable'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A DBS Group Holdings Ltd. logo atop an automated teller machine (ATM) at a bank branch in Singapore, on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. SINGAPORE — Shares of Southeast Asia's largest bank DBS Group were down 1.4% on Thursday, a day after a 10-hour outage of its digital services. The Monetary Authority of Singapore said the outage was "unacceptable" and the lender had "fallen short of expectations." DBS was the largest loser in terms of index points on Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index on Thursday. In a statement issued late Wednesday, MAS said it instructed DBS to "conduct a thorough investigation to establish the root cause of the disruption and submit its investigation findings to MAS."

☆ 'Rust' case district attorney appoints new special prosecutors, recuses herself
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Natasha Piñon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The New Mexico district attorney who had overseen the "Rust" movie set manslaughter case recused herself Wednesday and appointed new special prosecutors after weeks of upheaval and controversy in the case. New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies appointed New Mexico attorneys Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis to serve as special prosecutors. "My responsibility to the people of the First Judicial District is greater than any one case, which is why I have chosen to appoint a special prosecutor in the 'Rust' case," Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. Reeb, a former district attorney, was named special prosecutor before being elected to New Mexico's legislature last fall. Gutierrez-Reed's legal team, however, called for the request to appoint a new special prosecutor to be denied.

☆ Asia Pacific stocks rise as banking concerns ease, recession fears continue ahead of Fed meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Stocks in the Asia Pacific region rose Tuesday as concerns about the global banking sector eased in response to a whirlwind of intervention by policymakers and industry players. The S&P/ASX 200 in Australia jumped 1.3%, boosted by its AXFJ index, a measure of banking stocks, which surged 1.7%. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index (HSI) opened up 0.8%. US stock futures were flat in Asian trade Tuesday, with Dow futures, S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures little changed. Still, recession fears continue to dog investors ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s meeting, which is set to conclude Wednesday.

"We truly don't know whether it will be days or weeks or months," a U.S. government official told Reuters on background. Since 2016, when Tsai Ing-wen was elected Taiwan's president, Panama, El Salvador and most recently, Nicaragua, have changed sides. China does not allow countries to hold diplomatic ties with both itself and Taiwan, regarding the island as its territory. "If Honduras' switch to Beijing is formalized, Taiwan will have just 13 diplomatic allies, including Belize and Guatemala. Reporting by Sarah Kinosian in Mexico City and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Dave Graham and Lincoln Feast.

☆ Why our brains are hard-wired for bank runs like those that toppled SVB, Signature
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Rebecca Noble | AFP | Getty ImagesCustomer fear became a self-fulfilling prophecyOur brains are hard-wired for a bank run. Last week, bank customers saw their peers run for the exits; sensing danger, that herd mentality meant they also rushed to withdraw their cash. More from Personal Finance:What small businesses should look for when choosing a bankWhat Signature Bank, Silicon Valley Bank failures mean for consumers and investorsWhat to know about FDIC insuranceWhy the bank run on SVB seemed 'rational' for someThere are firewalls against this kind of behavior. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, backstops bank customers' savings up to $250,000. "If you don't rationally understand the way the market interprets signals, you can make a mistake like Silicon Valley Bank," Shefrin said.

☆ Goldman’s new strategy gets baptism of fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Jeffrey Goldfarb | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK, March 15 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank is providing a slightly awkward showcase for Goldman Sachs’ (GS.N) manifold talents. It’s true to the new unified “One Goldman Sachs” strategy expounded by Chief Executive David Solomon, dampened by the client not living to tell the tale. The investment bank Solomon now leads scrambled throughout the financial crisis to help panicked clients shore up their finances. SVB’s financial models had to be revised on the fly and approved by its board as the situation deteriorated. There also was no soothing imprimatur from Buffett, or a rich Silicon Valley grandee such as Larry Ellison, Steve Ballmer or Larry Page.

☆ As global stocks fall, Asia-Pacific's benchmark index erases all of its gains for 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

On Tuesday, bank stocks in Japan declined sharply, weighing on the wider Topix, which led the sell-off in Asia-Pacific. Tokyo-listed shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group fell 8.59%, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group shed 7.57% and Mizuho Financial Group dropped 7.14%. Yeap also noted indexes such as the Straits Times Index in Singapore has close to 45% of its weightage in bank stocks. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart iconNomura equity strategists including Chetan Seth reiterated their February call and still expect more gains for the index. "We are inclined to believe that these issues will not be systemic to the health of the banking sector," he said.

☆ Turkey's quakes revive concern for northwestern industrial hub
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Birsen Altayli | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] The full moon, also known as the Supermoon or Flower Moon, rises above the Camlica Mosque during the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Istanbul, Turkey, May 7, 2020. Istanbul, Turkey's biggest city with a population of 16 million and the country's commercial engine, lies near fault lines that criss-cross the country. The southeast region has a sizeable manufacturing sector, albeit smaller than Turkey's northwest. "This is (Turkey's) industrial centre. The Marmara region is home to 25 million people and accounts for just over 40 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) as of 2021, according to figures from Turkey's Statistics Institute.

☆ A Thai drug lord evaded capture by having plastic surgery to make himself look like a 'handsome Korean man', police say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Thai drug dealer sought to evade capture by extensive cosmetic surgery, police say. He altered his appearance to look like a "handsome Korean man," reports say. Saharat Sawangjaeng, 25, who used the Korean alias Jimin Seong, was arrested by police in Bangkok last week, The Bangkok Post reported. Police said they were able to track down Sawangjaeng by tracing the sale of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, on the streets of Bangkok, with witnesses describing him as a "handsome Korean man." Sawangjaeng was able to evade capture for 3 months because of extensive facial surgical procedures to alter his appearance, officials said.

☆ ChatGPT failed miserably in Singapore's 6th-grade tests, averaging 16% for math and 21% for science. Days later, it was getting answers right.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

OpenAI's ChatGPT failed math and science tests that sixth-graders in Singapore take. It made errors in simple addition and could not comprehend any diagrams, per The Straits Times. It scored an average of 16 out of 100 marks for the three mathematics papers it took, per The Straits Times. ChatGPT fared a little better at the science papers, getting an average of 21 out of 100 marks. But on Monday, when Insider tested ChatGPT on two PSLE science questions — one from 2020 and another from 2022 — it got both questions right.

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