"To try to time short-runs, even if you get out before the bottom, it's getting back in that's the hardest part," Siegel said. Wharton professor Jeremy Siegel is a long-time market commentator.REUTERS/Steve MarcusWall Street's growing chorus of a lost decade for stocks is unfounded, according to Wharton professor Jeremy Siegel.Siegel believes the stock market could deliver annualized returns of 6% net of inflation going forward."If you're a long-term investor I would absolutely buy now. I think these are absolutely great long-term values," Siegel said. From Stanley Druckenmiller to Ray Dalio, there's a growing chorus on Wall Street that thinks the stock market is about to embark on a "lost decade," in which returns are virtually flat, similar to the mid-2000s or the 1970s.Their concerns are valid when you consider the multi-decade highs in inflation, elevated geopolitical tensions with Russia, and surging volatility in global currency markets.But Wharton professor Jeremy Siegel believes those views are unfounded, as he still expects healthy returns going forward for the stock market, according to an interview with CNBC on Friday. "I disagree with that completely that the Dow or S&P 500 would be flat [over the next decade]," Siegel said, arguing that there is great value in current stock market prices."When you're talking about 16x earnings, and even if they're clipped by a recession, I think there are absolutely excellent values," Siegel said, though he admitted that in the short-term, "anything can happen... Could it go down more? Of course, in the short run. In bear markets it has gone down more."In the short-term, investor concerns are increasingly focused on what the Federal Reserve does with interest rates as they continue to aim for lower inflation. Siegel thinks the Fed would be better served by looking at current market data rather than lagging economic indicators."The Fed has to be forward looking. They have to look at what's going on in the market, in the housing market, in the rental market, in the commodities market," Siegel said, referencing the drop in prices in recent weeks and months.But all of this uncertainty ultimately represents a great opportunity for long-term investors, given the value Siegel currently sees in stock prices."If you're a long-term investor I would absolutely buy now. I think these are absolutely great long-term values," Siegel said. "To say 10 years from now we're going to have the same Dow when the earnings yields that I see on the market show that your returns are going to be probably in the neighborhood of 6% per year after inflation. That's a bit below the long-term average, but still much better than bonds, and certainly far above a flat average," Siegel said.Another big difference between now and prior lost decades that began at peaks like in 2001 or the early 1970s is that the stock market is no longer at a peak. "We're down 25% from the peak! You're not starting from a peak, and at that peak you're not starting at levels that too me were particularly overvalued. You're starting from a position, certainly not the cheapest that we've ever had, but certainly economic circumstances are not that negative at all," Siegel said.Given the low unemployment rate and resilient consumer spending, Siegel is not wrong to say that the current economic circumstances look nowhere near as dire as they did during prior bear markets like in 2009.Siegel recommended that investors take advantage of the current decline in stocks by buying index funds and owning exposure to value stocks, and to not get tempted by trying to time the stock market."A lot of these people say 'I see downside, another 15% [lower], and then I'm going to load up'... they all see short-term turmoil and [then] a long-term rally. My experience is when people get out and then it starts going down, they don't get back in until its much higher then the point that they get out. And that is the big danger," Siegel said."To try to time short-runs, even if you get out before the bottom, it's getting back in that's the hardest part," Siegel concluded.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

"Smile" is expected to remain in theaters for at least 45 days before you can watch it at home on Paramount Plus ($5/month). When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more."Smile" is a new horror movie from Paramount Pictures.Paramount "Smile," the new horror film from Paramount Pictures, is now playing exclusively in theaters. The movie is about a doctor who experiences terrifying horrors related to a series of mysterious deaths. Following its exclusive theatrical window, "Smile" is expected to stream on Paramount Plus. "Smile," the creepy psychological horror movie from Paramount Pictures, is now playing only in theaters. An official streaming release date hasn't been announced, but the film is expected to hit Paramount Plus in the coming months. In "Smile," a doctor is haunted by troubling events after she witnesses a bizarre incident that involves a patient. With her life now in danger, she starts to investigate a series of mysterious deaths that seem to involve distorted smiling faces.Check out the trailer for 'Smile'Sosie Bacon ("Scream") plays the spooked doctor, Rose Cotter. She's joined by Jessie T. Usher ("Survivor's Remorse"), Kyle Gallner ("The Haunting in Connecticut"), Robin Weigert ("Sons of Anarchy"), Caitlin Stasey ("Reign"), Kal Penn ("Harold & Kumar"), and Rob Morgan ("This Is Us").  "Smile" is writer and director Parker Finn's feature-film debut. The movie is based on his 2020 short "Laura Hasn't Slept." It's produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner, and Robert Salerno. How to watch 'Smile'"Smile" is now available to watch exclusively in theaters. The movie debuted in cinemas on September 30. You can buy tickets to see it in local and national theater chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark.You can find out where "Smile" is playing near you through sites like Fandango.When will 'Smile' be available to stream?"Smile" has yet to receive an official streaming release date, but it's expected to arrive on Paramount Plus later this year. In fact, the movie was originally slated to debut on Paramount's streaming service before the studio decided to give it a theatrical release. Paramount typically adds new movies to Paramount Plus 45 days after they premiere in theaters. If this strategy holds true for "Smile," subscribers should be able to start streaming the film by November 14. Paramount Plus costs $5 a month with ads or $10 a month without ads. The ad-free plan also gives you livestreaming access to your local CBS station.Is 'Smile' a remake?"Smile" is not a remake in the traditional sense, but it is an expansion of an earlier short film. The movie is based on director Parker Finn's short film "Laura Hasn't Slept," which was released in 2020.Is 'Smile' worth watching?Sosie Bacon in "Smile."ParamountEarly reviews of "Smile" are generally positive. As of September 30, the film holds a "78% Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praise the movie's chilling imagery and lead performance, which could make it an excellent watch for viewers looking to get the Halloween season started with a new horror flick.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The third lawsuit attempting to stop Biden's student-debt relief comes from Arizona's attorney general who says the plan will hurt recruiting efforts. President Joe Biden speaks outside Independence Hall, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed a lawsuit against Biden's student debt relief. It's the third lawsuit filed against the impending relief, with one borrower decrying a new tax bill. The state lawsuits argue that the relief will hurt revenues, and that Biden has said the pandemic is over. Another lawsuit has entered the fray to try and halt President Joe Biden's student debt forgiveness ahead of the program's rollout.Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed a lawsuit on Thursday against President Biden, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and the Department of Education, arguing that the cancellation will harm Arizona in myriad ways. Those include making it harder to recruit lawyers through public loan forgiveness programs, cutting potential tax revenues, and upping borrowing and law enforcement costs."This mass debt forgiveness program is fundamentally unfair, unconstitutional, and unwise," Brnovich said in a statement. "The question Americans need to be asking is why college costs so much in the first place."The suit points to Biden's comments that the pandemic has ended, even though the legal maneuver to provide relief hinges on the pandemic still being in force. It also cites the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's estimate that student loan relief will cost $400 billion over a 30-year projection, a figure that's about half of what the administration will spend on defense this year alone. Under Biden's plan, borrowers making under $125,000 will qualify for $10,000 in federal relief, with recipients of Pell Grants eligible for $20,000 in cancellation under the same income cap."Here, the presence of half a trillion dollars of student debt cancellation is a clear admission that the higher education industry needs structural reforms, but contains no reforms whatsoever such as requiring colleges to reduce costs, or be more transparent about the low job prospects of certain courses of study," the filing says. The "cancellation instead is a naked handout by one administration and one party to favored political classes (college graduates and those employed by the higher education industry) at the expense of taxpayers everywhere," the suit continues.Arizona's lawsuit marks yet another major suit being brought against the impending relief, on which the Education Department has begun sending out guidance to borrowers.A lawsuit hinging on the tax burden that automatic relief will cost one plaintiff was filed by a conservative law organization earlier this week, although the Biden administration seems to have sidestepped that legal challenge by clarifying that borrowers will have the option to opt out of relief. On Wednesday, a group of six GOP-led states filed their own lawsuit, saying that relief will impact their revenues and harm Missouri loan servicer MOHELA.Student loan borrowers who are set to see their full debts relieved previously told Insider that the relief would be life-changing, and, in at least one case, allow them to keep their home. Around 20 million borrowers are expected to see all of their debt wiped, with over 40 million borrowers impacted in total by relief.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Trump has long been fixated with Haberman and once referred to her as his "psychiatrist," according to Politico. Former President Donald Trump speaks at CPAC in Dallas, Tex., on August 6, 2022.Brandon Bell/Getty Images Trump asked his aides to get the NYT reporter Maggie Haberman's phone records, Politico reported. Trump has long been fixated with Haberman and once called her his "psychiatrist." Her book about the former president, "Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America," will be released next week. Former President Donald Trump asked his advisors to get the New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman's phone records.That's according to Politico, which published a lengthy profile of Haberman ahead of the release of her book, "Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America."Trump has long been fixated on Haberman and frequently skewers her in public. On Friday, he called Haberman's forthcoming book "boring and stale," adding that she was a "failing" reporter who tells "made up stories."But in private, Politico reported, Trump reveres Haberman."I love being with her," he once told two aides, according to Politico. "She's like my psychiatrist.""I've never seen a psychiatrist," he added. "But if I did, I'm sure it would not be as good as this, right?Haberman, for her part, has been on the Trump beat for decades. She covered his real estate business when she was a New York tabloid reporter before moving to Politico and later The Times. Her father, Clyde, is a longtime journalist at The Times, and her mother, Nancy, is a public relations executive in New York.When Trump mounted his first presidential run in 2015, Haberman asked her editors if she could cover his campaign, according to the Showtime documentary, "The Fourth Estate."Politico reported that Haberman didn't ask Trump for the first interview for her forthcoming book; instead, he approached her."He recognizes her genetic code," Michael Caputo, a longtime Trump aide, told Politico.Haberman's book is slated for release on October 4. But some snippets have already been published, including that Trump privately asked then-President Barack Obama how he kept his approval ratings high; that he called then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel a "bitch"; that he told his former personal defense lawyer Rudy Giuliani to "go wild" and "do anything you want" to overturn the 2020 election results; and that he nearly fired his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner via tweet.After Trump criticized Haberman on his social media website Truth Social on Friday, Haberman tweeted out a photo of what appear to be his handwritten answers to her questions about her upcoming book.—Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) September 30, 2022 Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Insider created a mentorship program, in partnership with Indeed, to help five entrepreneurs navigate the challenging labor market. BI GraphicsZhe Scott, the founder of the SEO Queen, is participating in Insider's first entrepreneurship mentorship program.Courtesy of Zhe Scott Small-business owners are still competing to attract and retain talent amid a looming recession.  Insider created a mentorship program as part of the Talent Insider series, in partnership with Indeed, to help five entrepreneurs. Here are the mentees, the businesses they've created, and the talent issues they're hoping to solve. For entrepreneurs, the war over talent continues. Small-business owners are still competing to attract and retain talent, but they're facing stiff competition from larger companies that can afford to offer hefty signing bonuses and lucrative perks. Meanwhile, experts predict a recession is looming, intensifying the scramble to hire and keep staff. Insider created a mentorship program, in partnership with Indeed, to help five entrepreneurs navigate the challenging labor market. We paired them with five experts to help them solve specific talent problems, like increasing DEI efforts, hiring to scale up, and crafting robust benefits packages. Here are the five mentees, the businesses they've created, and the talent issues they're hoping to solve through their mentorship. Aisha Taylor IssahCourtesy of Aisha Tayler IssahName: Aisha Taylor IssahTitle: CEO and founder  Business: Sistahs in Business Expo  Business description: A small-business expo and community designed for entrepreneurial women of color. Participants receive an affordable and accessible platform where women of color can showcase their products and services while gaining valuable resources and information.Founded: 2017 Size: 15 employeesHeadquarters: RemoteAge: 40 Pronouns: she/her/hers Talent issue to solve: Issah is proactively thinking about how she can create a benefits package that is both good for her employees and her business. She wants to grow in the coming years and knows that offering benefits is an important part of attracting and retaining talent. Issah had to pay for fertility treatments out-of-pocket because she did not have coverage, so she understands firsthand the importance of such offerings. Mentor: Leslie Neitzel, Carrot FertilityDeidre MathisCourtesy of Deidre MathisName: Deidre MathisTitle: Founder  Business: Wanderstay Hospitality GroupBusiness description: A hostel located in Houston. To date, more than 11,000 guests from nearly 29 countries have stayed at Wanderstay. The company's second location, a boutique hotel, is expected to open in a few weeks.Founded: 2018 Size: 5 employeesHeadquarters: Houston, TexasAge: 36 Pronouns: she/her/hers Talent issue to solve: Mathis is looking for advice on hiring as she scales her business. With a second location opening, Mathis is preparing to hire additional workers. The more pressing issue she hopes to solve is successfully hiring for more leadership roles.Mentor: Donna Harris, Builders and BackersHans SchreiHans ShreiCourtesy of Hans Shrei.Name: Hans SchreiTitle: Cofounder  Business: WunderkeksBusiness description: Direct-to-consumer startup that makes and sells cookies.Founded: 2019 Size: 8 employeesHeadquarters: Austin, TexasAge: 36 Pronouns: he/him/hisTalent issue to solve: Wunderkeks needs to hire a CFO, content manager, sales manager, and head of e-commerce as it focuses on scaling up. Schrei has learned that in e-commerce, it's all about execution, so his main hiring goal is to strike the right balance between technical experience and cultural fit. He said Wunderkeks is more than a brand selling cookies — he hopes to create safe spaces for people to tell their stories. Through this mentorship, he hopes to pinpoint how Wunderkeks can stay true to its mission while in a pivotal growth period. Mentor: Judy Nam, IndeedRachel SchneiderCourtesy of Rachel SchneiderName: Rachel SchneiderTitle: Founder  Business: CanaryBusiness description: Canary works with employers and organizations of all sizes to ensure that in times of financial need, employees can access emergency cash. Founded: 2021 Size: 8 full-time employees, one part-time worker, and several contractors. Headquarters: RemoteAge: 51 Pronouns: she/her/hers Talent issue to solve: Schneider is focused on what happens after hiring employees. She has a team that does have some diversity on it, but wants to establish working norms and ways of communicating so everybody feels included and able to do their best work.Mentor: Rhonda Moret, Elevated DiversityZhe ScottCourtesy of Zhe ScottName: Zhe ScottTitle: Founder  Business: The SEO QueenBusiness description: The SEO Queen aims to help businesses get more clients and revenue without paying for advertising. Founded: 2017 Size: 6 full-time employees and one part-time workerHeadquarters: Long Beach, CaliforniaAge: 44 Pronouns: she/her/hers Talent issue to solve: Scott is looking to hire more people so she can delegate tasks and reduce her workload. Currently, she's the main person working on sales, customer service, and fulfillment. She's aiming to scale her business and reach certain milestones but understands that she must remove some of the many hats she's wearing in order to accomplish those goals. Mentor: Bernard Coleman III, GustoRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Insider created a mentorship program, in partnership with Indeed, to help five entrepreneurs navigate the challenging labor market. InsiderJudy Nam, the vice president of SMB marketing at Indeed, is one of this year's mentors.Courtesy of Judy Nam In today's difficult labor market, founders are creating new DEI initiatives and benefits packages. Insider created a mentorship program as part of the Talent Insider series, in partnership with Indeed, to help five entrepreneurs. Here are the mentors, their professional experience, and how they plan to help their mentees. Hiring and retaining strong talent is a struggle for small business owners in the challenging labor market.In response, many entrepreneurs are trying to craft creative and welcoming initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as benefits packages that both entice employees to stay and attract applicants. But they're facing stiff competition from big businesses with hefty budgets, and as a result, they may not be growing at the pace they'd prefer.Insider created a mentorship program, in partnership with Indeed, to help five entrepreneurs navigate the labor market. We paired them with five experts to help them solve talent problems like hiring to scale, retaining employees, and increasing DEI efforts.Here are the five mentors, their backgrounds in business, and how they can help their mentees.Leslie NeitzelNeitzel is Carrot's chief human-resources officer.Courtesy of Leslie NeitzelName: Leslie NeitzelTitle: Chief human-resources officerBusiness: Carrot FertilityBusiness description: Carrot offers fertility benefits regardless of a person's age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or geography.Founded: 2016Size: 335 employeesHeadquarters: RemoteAge: 48Pronouns: she/her/hersExperience: Neitzel has experience building benefit plans at small and large organizations. She understands how business owners can offer low-cost but effective benefits to help entrepreneurs, like her mentee, attract and retain employees.Mentee: Aisha Taylor Issah, Sistahs in Business Expo  Rhonda MoretMoret, the founder of Elevated Diversity, aims to help organizations with their DEI efforts.Courtesy of Rhonda MoretName: Rhonda MoretTitle: FounderBusiness: Elevated DiversityBusiness description: Elevated Diversity, a DEI training and consulting firm, offers programs addressing issues such as unconscious bias, antiracism, and inclusive leadership, as well as consulting services.Founded: 2017Size: 10 employeesHeadquarters: San Diego, CaliforniaAge: 57Pronouns: she/her/hersExperience: Moret, who started her career from a communications-strategist perspective, believes one of her strengths is the ability to look at a situation and determine the opportunities and areas to bolster. At Elevated Diversity, she helps organizations explain and communicate their DEI initiatives so employees are aware of and can engage in them.Mentee: Rachel Schneider, CanaryBernard Coleman IIIColeman is the chief diversity and engagement officer at Gusto.Courtesy of Bernard Coleman IIIName: Bernard Coleman IIITitle: Chief diversity and engagement officerBusiness: GustoBusiness description: Gusto is a payroll, benefits, and HR platform designed for small businesses. Through his role, Coleman helps entrepreneurs build an employee journey that attracts and retains workers, while also helping companies build DEI policies.Founded: 2011Size: 2,400 employeesHeadquarters: San Francisco, CaliforniaAge: 44Pronouns: he/him/hisExperience: Coleman leads the employee-engagement team at Gusto, which focuses on DEI and employee relations. Previously, he was the global head of inclusive engagement at Uber.Mentee: Zhe Scott, The SEO QueenJudy NamJudy Nam, the vice president of SMB marketing at Indeed, is one of this year's mentors.Courtesy of Judy NamName: Judy NamTitle: Vice president of SMB marketingBusiness: IndeedDescription of her role: Nam works with Indeed's hiring products, which aim to help small business owners with hiring, understanding their customers, and overcoming problems.Founded: 2004Size: 13,300 employeesHeadquarters: Austin, TexasAge: 44Pronouns: she/her/hersExperience: Nam has been working with small businesses for the past 15 years. She spent 11 years at Google focused on a small-business products and is the child of an immigrant small-business owner.Mentee: Hans Schrei, WunderkeksDonna HarrisHarris founded Builders and Backers.courtesy of HarrisName: Donna HarrisTitle: Founder and CEOBusiness: Builders and BackersBusiness description: Builders and Backers is a venture-capital fund that frequently works with companies in fintech, healthcare, education, and civil society.Founded: 2021Size: 10 full-time employees, plus a rotating group of project-based experts and mentors who work with new investeesHeadquarters: Arlington, VirginiaAge: 54Pronouns: she/her/hersExperience: Harris' expertise in business development comes from a decade of working as an investor. She's invested in companies such as Guild Education, ID.me, Pacaso, NXCR, and Twiga. She's also been an entrepreneur.Mentee: Deidre Mathis, Wanderstay Hospitality GroupRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The best gifts for college students are practical and fun. Here are 59 gift ideas from a recent college graduate. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.Amazon; Urban OutfittersWhen students enter university and are first introduced to the world of adulting, the more practical and helpful the gift is, the better. A reliable face cleanser that manages stress breakouts? Check. Professional accessories to defeat imposter syndrome at their new internship? Check. Dorm decor that makes their place feel like a real home? Check, check, check.Between studying and working and more studying and more working, college students can use a break – or a helpful gift to keep them motivated. Keep scrolling to browse gifts beyond the essentials, from cool neon signs to a unisex skincare routine.The 59 best gifts for college students in 2022:A trendy Trader Joe's-inspired cookbookUrban Outfitters"The I Love Trader Joe's College Cookbook" by Andrea Lynn, available at Urban Outfitters and Amazon, from $15.29If there's one place you hear all these Gen Z'ers talking about, it's Trader Joe's. This quirky cookbook contains 160 easy recipes for busy (and usually broke) college students, drawing from some of the brand's favorite ingredients to create mouth-watering hors d'oeuvres, party-worthy appetizers, and nourishing meals.Does your student prefer to cook with the air fryer? Check out this equally nifty "I Love Trader Joe's Air Fryer Cookbook"! A helpful air purifierBed Bath & BeyondHoMedics TotalClean 4-in-1 Air Purifier, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Amazon, and Home Depot, $69.99For college students living in a traditional dorm room, a breath of fresh air is more than welcome. This HoMedics TotalClean 4-in-1 air purifier creates cleaner air no matter how small the space is, clearing pollen, dust, smoke, pet dander, mold spores, and germs for easy breathing. Bonus points: It has an auto shut-off timer, a built-in night light, and a three-year manufacturer's warranty for optimal satisfaction.A bottle or two of famous toilet spraysPourriPoo-Pourri Toilet Sprays, available at Pourri and Amazon, $9.99Whether they're in a community bathroom or a private one, odds are they'll be sharing it with a roommate. These Poo-Pourri toilet sprays use essential oils and plant-based ingredients to eliminate bathroom odor before it begins. Just pick their fave scent, spray, and go — no stink necessary!Neon light signs for ultimate dorm vibesDormify"Good Vibes Only" Neon Sign, available at Dormify, $79Nothing screams college vibes more than a quirky neon light or color-changing LED-rimmed walls. Dormify's options are perfect for achieving this, and the brand has everything from wholesome neon signs to goofy ones. A manifestation of good vibes is probably helpful for the average student, but there are plenty of other options like GRLPWR, Happy, and Party.Coffee table books that add a touch of personalityAmazon"In Vogue: An Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Fashion Magazine" by Alberto Oliva dna Norberto Angeletti, Available at Amazon and Walmart, $50.99"Color Scheme: An Irreverent History of Art and Pop Culture in Color Palettes" by Edith Young, available at Amazon and Walmart, $19.29For all the books college students have to read for class, it's nice to have some decor books laying around that are beautiful to look at and fun to flip through. Depending on their interests and aspirations, "In Vogue: An Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Fashion Magazine" is perfect for a fashionista. For an artsy student, "Color Scheme: An Irreverent History of Art and Pop Culture in Color Palettes" is a great choice. A statement scrunchie that'll make any outfit look goodAmazonKitsch Dinner Scrunchie, available at Amazon and Target, from $13.53There are few accessories that can pull together an outfit and make it look chic, even if that outfit is sweatpants. The massive dinner scrunchies by Kitsch are the perfect accessory to add to a quick outfit and make it look put together. Gifting this to someone means they will always have the option to add an easy, fashionable touch to their look.A trio of unisex products that makes skincare clean and simpleAtticusBest Seller Trio, available at Atticus, $83.70Stress affects how our skin looks, especially in college. Skincare, however, can get overwhelming because of how many options are available. Atticus's high-quality skincare line makes it simple for everyone and is made to be gender inclusive. Its trios, like the Best Seller, include all the products you need: a cleanser, daily moisturizer with SPF, and night cream with anti-aging ingredients. A modern card game for nights in and partiesAmazonWhat Do You Meme Game, available at Amazon and Walmart, $29.99College students today are of the meme generation, so this game will be highly appreciated. This set includes 75 of the funniest memes plus 360 caption cards to make the wonkiest combinations for a game during study breaks or chill wine nights.One of the easiest ways to find your favorite fragranceScentbirdPerfume subscription (6-months), available at Scentbird, $89Finding a fragrance that speaks to you is a step towards finding your style. But buying a bunch of different scents can take a long time and cost a lot. Scentbird is a perfume and cologne discovery subscription that helps you find your favorite perfumes by sending monthly options based on your preferences.A sunrise alarm clock for a gentle, phone-free wakeupSuzy Hernandez/InsiderHatch Restore, available at Amazon and Target, $129.99Using your phone as an alarm clock makes it a lot more tempting to start scrolling on your phone first thing in the morning, which isn't the healthiest habit. A sunrise alarm clock can help your student have a much better start to their day than immediately checking emails or scrolling on Instagram. The Hatch Restore is a great sunrise alarm option with a ton of special features.One of the nicest and most classic notebooksMoleskineMoleskine Classic Notebook, available at Amazon and Walmart, from $18.63Moleskine journals have a history of belonging to creatives and being the place where great ideas and art begin. If the student you're thinking of is a writer or artist, a Moleskine journal is a perfect gift to let them know you support them. These are also stellar for note-taking.An air fryer for the snack loverAmazonThe Philips Premium TurboStar Air Fryer, available at Amazon and Walmart, from $149.95Air fryers are all the buzz for how they can turn just about anything into a warm, crispy delight. Plus, they save a ton of time, which every college student can appreciate. The Philips Premium TurboStar Air Fryer is one of the best air fryers on the market today.There's some controversy about how good air fryers actually are, so you can also think about gifting a toaster oven.A good wallet to hold their cards, cash, and student IDVera BradleyVera Bradley Microfiber Zip ID Wallet, available at Vera Bradley and Amazon, from $20Vera Bradley's Zip ID Wallet is a great option for students who have to frequently show or swipe their student ID, but don't need an overstuffed bifold. The O-ring is a convenient and sturdy place to hold all their keys. It also makes it easy to clip the wallet into their other bags.A steady supply of healthier (and still tasty) snacksThrive Market1-Year Membership + $25 Shopping Credit, available at Thrive Market, $84.95College students live off good food and snacks. Gifting a subscription to Thrive Market means access to healthier snacks, which leads to them feeling more energized and better studying.A long-lasting backpack that'll look good on campus and at job interviewsHerschelHerschel Little America Backpack, available at Herschel and Amazon, from $94.99Typical backpacks work great for class, but what about everything that happens outside of class? Having a sturdy backpack that's well-suited for traveling and job interviews helps a ton. Herschel's Little America is a great option because it's versatile, sturdy, and stylish. Similarly, the Dagne Dover backpack ($215) is specifically designed for a woman's body and is made to store everything you need and go anywhere you go. If the student is a tote person and doesn't touch backpacks, the Longchamp Le Pliage Shoulder Bag ($155) is a staple for students and young workers alike.An aroma diffuser to set the moodGrove CollaborativeCollaborative Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser, available at Grove, $39.99An aroma diffuser delivers calming, in-home aromatherapy and is a great fragrance option for dorms where candles usually aren't allowed. This one from Grove Collaborative diffuses essential oils for up to five hours at a time, has LED light options, and elegantly blends into any room thanks to its minimalistic ceramic design.If you're looking for more diffusing options, check out our guide to the best essential oil diffusers we tested. A weighted blanket that'll change the way you sleepTranquilityTranquility Weighted Blanket, available at Target and Walmart, from $49Every college student ever has needed better sleep. Weighted blankets apply a calming pressure on you, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up more rested. Tranquility's weighted blanket is perfectly-sized it is to move from bed to couch, fits a standard dorm twin XL bed, and is easily washable.A foolproof planner to keep everything in orderDay DesignerWeekly Planner, available at Day Designer, $68A planner keeps them organized between all their assignments, exams, and social events. Day Designer makes luxurious planners that students love. Planners come in daily or weekly options which each have space for all your checklists and schedules, plus extra pages for goal setting, future planning, and notes.If this style doesn't suit them, pick another from our favorite planners for college students.The most comfortable socks college students can ownBombasWomen's and Men's Ankle Sock 4-Pack, available at Bombas, $49.40Bombas makes the best socks on the market. They benefit from upgrades like a supportive honeycomb stitch, blister tabs built into ankle-height styles, and a Y-stitched heel and "invisitoe" that minimizes annoying bumps. Even if it seems like socks aren't an exciting gift, comfort is pretty much always a hit in college. Plus, for every pair purchased, Bombas donates a specially designed sock to someone in need.A cult-favorite tumbler to keep their drinks just the right temperature for hoursHydro FlaskHydro Flask 40 oz. Wide Mouth Water Bottle, available at Hydro Flask, REI, and Amazon, from $49.95This HydroFlask will keep cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours with the lid on, perfect for when they need coffee during a long night studying.Great coffee from all over the world to help them stay energizedAtlas Coffee Club3-Month Coffee Subscription, available at Atlas Coffee Club, $60If they drink coffee, they'll likely drink a fair amount of it during college. And it's really nice to have a cup better than one from the dining hall. Atlas Coffee is a monthly subscription that's sort of like a worldwide coffee tour — bringing the best single-origin coffee (with a postcard from its origin country) to your door. They'll also get brewing tips and flavor notes. A book that helps them build good habits and break bad onesAmazon"Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, from $11.98Many college students are trying to map out what they want out of life and how to build the habits that get them where they want to go. In the popular book "Atomic Habits," James Clear, an expert on habit formation, teaches practical strategies for building lasting habits and ditching detrimental ones. Popular wireless over-ear headphones for quality noise-cancelingAmazonBeats Solo3 Wireless Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones, available at Amazon, Walmart, and Apple, from $116.09If there's one thing every college student needs, it's good wireless headphones. This Beats pair has rich sound and up to 40 hours of listening time. And if they let the battery run out, a five-minute charge converts to three hours of playback.If they're a runner and need something lightweight and in-ear, you should opt for Jaybird Vista.An inexpensive way to get the iced coffee they love at homeAmazonTakeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, available at Amazon and Walmart, from $30.39If the student you're thinking of drinks coffee — and there's a very good chance they do — having access to one of the best cold brew contraptions will be a gift that keeps on giving. A cold brew machine means you can go 4-5 days in a row without brewing another pot. It's also easy to clean. Find a full review here.A waterproof speaker that can bring the bassJBLJBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker, available at JBL, Amazon, and Walmart, from $89A Bluetooth speaker is a must-have: it helps set the mood for study nights and brings the party to life whenever they're hosting. JBL's Flip 5 speaker is the best choice. It has vibrantly booming bass, lasts for up to 12 hours without a charge, and is waterproof.Clothes and shoes for their upcoming interviews and presentationsEverlaneThe Oversized Blazer, available at Everlane, $228Workday Khakis, available at Dockers, $66Wool Coat, available at Other Stories, from $219College is full of big meetings, presentations, and nerve-wracking interviews. For days when sweatpants aren't an option and something more formal is needed, these are some great options for women's staples. We've also created a list of our personal favorite workwear stores for women and men — plus the best styles to buy from each one. A nice watch they can wear to internshipsMVMTMVMT Men's Chrono Watch, available at MVMT and Amazon, from $135MVMT Women's Avenue Watch, available at MVMT and Amazon, $128MVMT makes beautiful watches for men and women at great prices, and they feel more contemporary to wear than most on the market. It's a versatile, sentimental gift you can feel good about giving because you know they'll feel good — and perhaps more put-together — wearing it. One of the best tablets for note-taking, entertainment, and everything elseAmazonApple 10.2-inch iPad (32 GB), available at Amazon, Apple, and Walmart, from $299.95 If you go on a college campus today, you'll probably see iPads all over the place — and for good reason. These slim rectangular boxes are bundles of joy for students. They make note-taking, e-reading, Netflix, and leisure drawing easy to do all in one place. The new 256GB iPad ($479) will make an unforgettable gift. If you want to take it up a notch, the highly-coveted and ultrafast 11" iPad Pro ($799) is even better.If they already have an iPad, you can think about getting them an Apple Pencil ($129), which will level up their gadget even more.A key-, wallet-, and iPhone-finderAmazonTile Mate, available at Amazon, Target, and Walmart, $24.99You can't go wrong with a tracker for their keys, wallet, or phone. The Tile Mate is compact, thoughtful, and useful for everyone — especially an oft-frazzled college student.  A bed frame that can easily move with themLauren Savoie/InsiderThuma Bed Frame (Full), available at Thuma, from $995A good bed frame is the foundation of good sleep and this one by Thuma features interlocking Japanese joinery that makes it incredibly sturdy but easy to disassemble, move, and store. It's a great option for young adults on the move, especially if they're moving into older or smaller buildings. A smartphone-sized travel photo printerStaplesFujifilm Instax Mini Link Bluetooth Photo Printer, available at Amazon, B&H Photo, and Apple, from $89.95Mini portable Bluetooth printers make turning iPhone photos into tangible memories quick and easy — which is especially convenient for decorating their room. All they'll have to do is download the app (which also has internal PhotoShop elements and features like themed stickers and collages) and connect via Bluetooth. Their favorite comfort foodsGoldbellyFood gifts, available at Goldbelly, prices varyGoldbelly makes it possible to satisfy their most specific and nostalgic cravings no matter where they live in the US — a cheesecake from Junior's, deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati, and more. Browse the iconic gifts section for inspiration.A media streamer that transforms a normal TV into a smart oneAmazonRoku Ultra 4K/HDR/HD Streaming Player, available at Amazon, Roku, and Walmart, from $86.89Most college students aren't forking over a monthly payment to cable. This streaming player is, overall, the best one you can buy, and it transforms an otherwise ordinary TV into one that can stream shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Prime Video, and others all in one spot.  One of the best facial cleansers for a clean and effective routineFOREOFOREO Luna 3 Facial Cleansing Device, available at FOREO, Amazon, and Sephora, $219FOREO's cult-favorite Luna 2 cleansing device gently and effectively cleans with thin, antimicrobial silicone touch points, and it removes 98.5% of dirt and makeup residue without irritating the skin. Plus, it's 100% waterproof and the battery life lasts for a few months per charge. Find a full review from a female reporter and a male reporter here.Trendy and convenient Apple AirPodsAppleApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with Charging Case, available at Target, Amazon, and Apple, from $239.99If you're after the title of their favorite relative of the year, here's a good place to start. AirPods are both easy to use and functional as well as trendy. A comfy Patagonia pullover they'll rely onPatagoniaMen's and Women's Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover, available at Patagonia, $129Men's and Women's Better Sweater 1/4-Zip Fleece, available at REI, $129It's a good bet that many of their peers will also have this Snap-T pullover from Patagonia. This and the Better Sweater are long-held favorites, and both are comfortable classics that they'll no doubt come to rely upon. A Patagonia sweater is also a particularly good gift for students who are invested in sustainability. The company has been turning plastic bottles into polyester for its clothing since 1993, and continues to do so today.The world's comfiest shoesAllbirds/InstagramMen's and Women's Wool Runners, available at Allbirds, $110Startup Allbirds makes wildly popular shoes out of soft, sustainable materials. Their Runners, made of super-soft merino wool, have been nicknamed "the world's most comfortable shoes." You can find a full review here. A portable projector that's the size of a soda canAmazonAnker Nebula Capsule Smart Mini Projector, available at Amazon and Walmart, $299.99Anker's Nebula Capsule is a powerful and versatile mini projector, and its portability makes it a great option for college students who want a cozy movie-viewing experience in the comfort of their own room. It's 1 pound and the size of a soda can, but it has surprisingly crisp image quality and 360-degree sound. Find a full review here.College merchandise for school spiritAmerican EagleShop American Eagle's Tailgate ApparelParticularly if they're going to a school with a big sports team, you can be sure they'll both need and appreciate all the fan gear. A great game for a night in with friendsAmazonCards Against Humanity, available at Amazon, Target, and Walmart, $29Grab a fun card game they'll inevitably end up pulling out to play with friends on the weekend nights and snow days. Check out What Do You Meme, too.A Brooklinen gift card for really nice sheetsBrooklinenGift Card, available at Brooklinen, from $50Few things sound as nice as comfortable, beautiful sheets that you don't need to buy for yourself. Brooklinen is one of our favorite startups to shop at, and we ranked their sateen cotton sheets the best luxury sheets you can buy.A monthly subscription of personalized new makeup, haircare, and skincare samplesBirchbox Man/InstagramOne Year Subscription, available at Birchbox, $156College students like to look and feel good, but tight budgets aren't conducive to trying a lot of new grooming products. Birchbox sends samples of new and beloved products once a month, so they can test out new finds and discover products they may want to buy a full size of in the future. It's also just fun to get a monthly gift that is all about them. An Echo Dot with a built-in clockAmazonEcho Dot (4th Gen) with Clock, available at Amazon, B&H Photo, and Best Buy, $59.99The newest Echo Dot is more convenient than ever. The all-new design features a larger speaker for better audio, a digital clock to display the time and timer countdowns, and all of Alexa's other features. A savvy suitcase for traveling on holiday breaksAway/FacebookThe Carry-On, available at Away, from $275Away's popular suitcases deserve their hype. Their hard shell is lightweight but durable, their 360-degree spinner wheels make for seamless traveling, and the external (and ejectable and TSA-compliant) battery pack included can charge a smartphone five times over. It's also guaranteed for life by Away. Find our full review here.We also recommend Calpak for other luggage options. A book about capitalizing on the huge choices to make in your 20sAmazon"The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter — And How to Make the Most of Them Now" by Meg Jay, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, from $12.19The decisions you make in your 20s can greatly impact the rest of your life. The best defense is a good offense and your grad should know now, before any life-altering events crop up, how to get the most out of their "defining decade."An Amazon Prime membershipTommaso Boddi / Getty ImagesGift an Amazon Prime membership, $139An Amazon Prime membership is one of those things that immediately makes life easier. If you decide to gift one, the recipient will enjoy free two-day shipping; access to the Prime Now app, which provides free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items; Prime Video, Amazon's streaming video service; Prime Music; the Kindle Lending Library; Prime Reading; Prime Audible Channels; unlimited photo storage, and more.If you want to see how Amazon Prime actually gives you a lot more than free shipping, you can read about the benefits of the service here.A candle to remind college students of their favorite place or hometownAmazonHomesick Location Scented Candle, available at Amazon, Homesick, and Uncommon Goods, from $34If they're away from family or friends, a reminder of home is a wonderful thing to have around. Make sure to check the rules of their dorm or living situation before buying them a candle.Childlike cereal for adultsMagic SpoonFour Flavors, available at Magic Spoon, $39Magic Spoon is a "childlike cereal for adults" that's high in protein and low in sugar — and all four flavors are delicious. Here's one way to show college kids it is completely possible to transition to adulthood without losing all the joy of being a kid. You can read more in a personal review here. Framed memoriesFramebridgeGift Card or Frame a Memory, available at Framebridge, from $45Help them honor some of their best memories — whether it's from friends now studying across the country, family, or best-loved locales. Framebridge is relatively affordable, but decor is one of the luxuries plenty of college students shirk to save elsewhere, so give them permission and funds to make their dorm a home.A monogrammed leather shave bagLeatherologyLeatherology Small Shave Bag, available at Leatherology and Amazon, from $95The dreaded truth of college is that you'll most likely need to schlep your shower belongings to a communal area if you live in the dorms. No one wants to rely on a plastic shower caddy to do that. Grab them a leather shave bag that they'll use for years to come — they probably wouldn't justify the expense on their own, and they'll be grateful to have it. If you're looking for a chic aesthetic, Dagne Dover also makes a great neoprene toiletry bag named the Hunter (from $45) that's built to accommodate makeup. If they have a lot of toiletries, you'll probably want to get the large size for $55.The most comfortable lounge pants we've ever tried for lazy weekend morningsMeUndiesMen's and Women's Lounge Pant, available at MeUndies, $68MeUndies is a popular LA startup that makes some of the most comfortable underwear we've ever tried. Their lounge pants, however, are the real hidden gem — perfect for lounging around on weekend mornings, and they're sleek enough to avoid feeling too unkempt.The best pillow you can buyCoop Home GoodsPremium Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow, available at Coop Home Goods and Amazon, $72Make sure they're optimizing their sleep with the best pillow you can buy. Thanks to the shredded memory foam, they'll get the support and comfortable "sinking in" sensation of a traditional memory foam pillow, but none of the excessive heat or firmness that can be a problem with solid foam. Read more in our buying guide here.A wonderful addition to any skincare routineSephoraKiehl's Ferulic Brew Antioxidant Facial Treatment with Lactic Acid, available at Kiehl's and Sephora, $54This new facial essence from Kiehl's is a great addition to any skincare routine. It's especially good for those who want to even out their skin tone, smooth skin texture, and add some extra moisture. It's made with rich ingredients and is simple to use: you just pat a few drops onto your face, rub it in, and it'll do its magic.A custom poster of their favorite placeGrafomapA customized poster, available at Grafomap, from $19Commemorate their college town, hometown, or favorite place in the world with this customizable graphic map so they can keep it with them wherever life takes them.An extra-long, reinforced phone chargerAmazonNative Union 10-Foot Extra-Long Charging Cable with Leather Strap, available at Amazon, Walmart, and Native Union, from $24If they're going to be tethered to devices, you may as well give them a long leash. This long charging cable means no matter where one is, they'll have power — and they won't have to sit at the foot of their bed to reach it. A gym bag that can transition to a professional settingNordstromHerschel Supply Co. Novel Duffel Bag, available at Amazon, Nordstrom, and Herschel, from $67.64Just like bringing a beat-up JanSport everywhere, lugging an old nylon gym bag isn't ideal for anyone looking for versatile use. Herschel Supply Co. makes reliable, long-lasting bags, and this one has a separate compartment for gym or dress shoes. A microwave-safe ramen cooker for stressful or time-crunched nightsAmazonRapid Ramen Cooker, available at Amazon and Walmart, from $5.99There will be plenty of late nights filled with cheap and tasty ramen. If they're going to eat it anyway, at least let them make it quickly and perfectly every time.A super soft throw blanket they'll cocoon themselves in time and time againAmazonBEDSURE Sherpa Fleece Blanket, available at Amazon and Walmart, from $25.99Grab their favorite candy, this sherpa-lined fleece blanket with over 4,400 five-star reviews on Amazon, and a Hulu gift card to make their nights in actually fun.Gift cards — perhaps the best gift you can give a cash-strapped college studentFlickr Creative Commons/Lani EldertsWhat a stressed, broke college student needs most is money and probably a hug. If you're looking for a way to gift maximum convenience, gift cards are a surprisingly thoughtful way to do that — either for their favorite restaurant, transportation, school books, or music to keep them occupied during long study hours. Check out more gift card gifts here. Everything: Visa Gift Card / Amazon Gift Card Coffee: Starbucks Gift CardSchool books: Amazon Gift Card Entertainment: Netflix Gift Card / Hulu Gift Card / Sling Gift Card / StubHub Gift CardTransportation: Uber Gift CardFurniture: Amazon Gift Card / Wayfair Gift CardMusic: Spotify Gift CardGroceries and food: Whole Foods Gift Card / Chipotle Gift CardClothes: Nordstrom Gift Card / Everlane Gift CardTech: Best Buy Gift CardTravel: Delta Gift Card / Airbnb Gift CardRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Amazon's big-budget "Lord of the Rings" series had a strong premiere, but the coming weeks could better determine its staying power. "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power."Prime Video Nielsen said that "The Rings of Power" was watched for 1.25 billion minutes in its first four days. It's a strong premiere and, on the surface, ahead of HBO's "House of the Dragon." But Nielsen's data doesn't paint a complete picture. After months of anticipation, Amazon's mega-expensive "Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is here — and so are some early viewership figures.The show topped Nielsen's latest streaming chart — which reflected the week of August 29 through September 4 — the first for an Amazon series. The first two episodes of "The Rings of Power," which debuted September 1, were watched for a total of 1.253 billion minutes in the US in their first four days.At an hour in length for each episode, that would break down to roughly 10 million US viewers in that time period, assuming for the purposes of this analysis that there were no repeat viewers and everyone finished each episode (it's not a perfect science)."The Rings of Power" had a lot of pressure on it leading up to its premiere, largely because of its hefty pricetag. Amazon spent $250 million for the rights alone, and the first season cost $465 million to make, according to The Hollywood Reporter.The numbers indicate that "The Rings of Power" had a strong debut, but the show has also faced growing pains. It's been rocked by poor audience reception and online engagement has appeared lukewarm since its premiere, with Google searches related to the show peaking with its debut, for instance.Its fantasy counterpart, HBO's "Game of Thrones" prequel "House of the Dragon" — which premiered less than two weeks before "The Rings of Power" — hasn't seemed to faced those headwinds."House of the Dragon."HBOAt first glance, "The Rings of Power" won the "streaming battle of the prequels" in their premieres, as Nielsen put it. But "House of the Dragon" highlights limitations to the the company's data.Nielsen said last week that the first two episodes of "House of the Dragon" were watched for 741 million minutes on HBO Max from August 22 through August 28. This didn't include the show's premiere, which debuted Sunday, August 21 at 9 pm EST. Nor does it include linear programming on the traditional HBO network, only streaming viewership on HBO Max.With that in mind, "House of the Dragon" is more popular than the Nielsen data suggests. HBO said that the series premiere alone was watched by almost 10 million viewers in the US on its first night across streaming and linear platforms, the network's biggest premiere ever.The show is also driving viewership for "Game of Thrones," which Nielsen said was watched for nearly 800 million minutes over the week of August 22.But that doesn't mean that "The Rings of Power" didn't have a strong premiere (it did), and it's trending ahead of other recent hit Amazon series. But the coming weeks will  better suggest whether it has staying power — though Amazon told Insider that the series "continues to be the most-watched show worldwide on Prime Video, breaking all previous viewing records."Here's how it stacked up against other Amazon shows:As a reminder, "The Rings of Power's" first two episodes were watched for 1.253 billion minutes over its first four days."The Wheel of Time's" three-episode premiere was watched for 1.163 billion minutes in its first three-day weekend after it debuted last November."The Boys" was watched for 949 million minutes over the first weekend that its third season premiered with the first three episodes in June."The Terminal List" debuted all eight of its episodes at once in July, which were watched for 1.106 billion minutes in the show's debut weekend.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Japan last week spent up to $19.35 billion to prop up its currency against the dollar but the greenback has nearly gained back its lost ground. A bank employee holds South Korean won banknotes in Seoul.JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images Japan and Korea have dumped billions of dollars in FX markets to prop up their currencies against the dollar.  Japan last week spent up to 2.8 trillion yen ($19.35 billion) to aid the yen in its first market intervention since 1998.  The dollar was initially pushed down from ¥145 but it has since recovered ground to trade at  ¥144.  Japan and Korea have dumped billions of dollars into the foreign exchange market to prop up the value of their respective currencies against the US dollar, which has been steamrolling over most of its rivals this year. Japan last week spent up to 2.8 trillion yen ($19.35 billion) to aid the yen, a notice from the Ministry of Finance on Friday showed. The record amount represented 15% of funds available for intervention efforts, Reuters reported. This week's market intervention marked the country's first since 1998. South Korea sold $15.41 billion in the second quarter, the Bank of Korea said in its quarterly intervention notice. That was the largest amount since the central bank began disclosing figures in 2019, according to Bloomberg. This year, the dollar has surged 26% against the yen and has risen 21% versus the won. The Asian currencies, like other currencies from both developed and emerging market economies, have slumped against the dollar as the Federal Reserve's aggressive path of interest rate acts as a sturdy driver of strength for the greenback. The Fed this month issued its third straight rate hike of 75 basis points and its fifth rate hike of the year as it works to bring down inflation. The yen and the won have also been hurt by trade deficit concerns in part as both economies are importers of oil, the price of which has ballooned this year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine seven months ago. Japan's intervention knocked the dollar down from around 145 yen to the 141 handle but the greenback has nearly recovered its ground. The dollar was up 0.2% at 144.66 yen on Friday. The greenback on Friday was up 0.4% against South Korea's currency, buying 1,436 won. It advanced by 11.5% during the three months ended June, the quarter for which the Bank of Korea released its notification on Friday.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The President could increase the threshold for qualifying for overtime without Congress' help. It's a wildly popular policy with both sides. "If you prevent people from turning three 40-hour week jobs into two 60-hour week jobs, you can create a lot of jobs in an economy of our size," Nick Hanauer, a host on the "Pitchfork Economics" podcast, said on a recent episode.AndreyPopov/ iStock Paul Constant is a writer at Civic Ventures and the cohost of the "Pitchfork Economics" podcast. A recent episode explored why overtime pay has stagnated, and how President Biden can fix it. Only 15% of salaried workers qualify for overtime, despite working more hours than hourly staffers. This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed are those of the author. "Time is money" is more than a cliché — it should serve as a foundation for what work means in America. From the late 19th century into the 20th century, generations of workers — many of whom were working up to 100 hours a week — fought for a cap on work hours. But since the 40-hour workweek was written into law in 1940, employers have been quietly pulling back employees' personal time. A 2019 Gallup poll found that 39% of full-time American workers reported working at least 50 hours in an average week. Gallup also reports that salaried Americans work more than their hourly counterparts, averaging 49 hours a week — with few of them qualifying for overtime pay. In 1975, 62% of the salaried American workforce was earning time-and-a-half if they logged more than 40 hours in a week. But that threshold has only been updated once over the last few decades — in 2004 by the Bush administration — to account for inflation. As a result, only 15% of salaried workers today are eligible for overtime. In other words, every worker earning more than $35,568 per year is putting in every hour over 40 hours for free. President Biden could fix this — without needing the cooperation of Congress — by calling on the Department of Labor to raise the overtime threshold. It's a wildly popular policy, with one survey finding that 91% of Democratic voters and 85% of Republican voters support overtime protections, and its adoption could make or break Biden's political fortunes in the midterm elections and in 2024.We're used to working for free, and companies know it In a recent episode of the "Pitchfork Economics" podcast, hosts David Goldstein and Nick Hanauer interviewed Marcus Baram, a journalist who recently spoke with workers around the country about overtime protections for the nonprofit publication Capital & Main. Baram said politicians on both sides of the aisle allowed the overtime threshold to stagnate, and today it sits at an embarrassingly low level. As trickle-down economics gained dominance, he explained, politicians allowed worker protections to atrophy because they believed it was more important to prioritize shareholder primacy over employee pay — in other words, putting corporate profits over paychecks.One woman Baram interviewed for his story who earned a $24,000 annual salary in 2015 was ineligible for overtime pay because her salary was just above the threshold, despite working 10 to 15 hours per week over the 40-hour workweek. That worker went to her manager to demand overtime pay or higher wages, but she said he shrugged off her demands, telling her flatly, "That'll never happen."The "insidious" slow erosion of overtime standards means that "people get used to this new miserable situation," Baram said on the podcast. "They have no expectations of anything better." Hanauer added that employers get more than just free labor with low overtime standards. If they're squeezing, say, 10 extra hours from their employees every week, they're getting the productivity of five workers out of every four employees. "If you prevent people from turning three 40-hour week jobs into two 60-hour week jobs, you can create a lot of jobs in an economy of our size," Hanauer said.'The minimum wage for the middle class'Overtime protections give workers the sense that their time has value. Under a restored overtime threshold, employers would have to either ask workers to work more hours in exchange for dramatically larger paychecks, or workers would get their personal time back to spend with their families or in their communities. During the early lockdowns of the pandemic, Baram said, workers enjoyed the extra time that they used to put toward commuting.Now, with increased labor activity and rising public support for unionization, workers are starting to demand that employers honor their time. Striking nurses and railroad workers have both cited overloaded work schedules as a reason for their labor disputes, demanding better schedules, higher pay, or both. For a president like Biden, who's repeatedly centered the working and middle class in his economic policies, raising the overtime threshold in this moment is a no-brainer. Baram said Biden should consider states like Washington, Oregon, and California as a model — all three have high overtime thresholds, and their economies are booming, with equal or better job creation than other states of the same size and high state GDPs.In Washington state, for example, the yearly salary threshold for workers eligible for overtime will reach $85,000 after a phase-in period of several years, a number the state reached after discussions with employers, unions, and many other stakeholders, Baram added. Additionally, Washington tied the threshold to the state minimum wage, meaning that middle-class workers enjoyed an increase in overtime protections every time the minimum wage increased. This makes sense, Goldstein said on the podcast, "because if you don't have maximum hours, the minimum wage is meaningless — employers will just pay you the minimum and then work you more hours."That, Goldstein added, is why he calls overtime "the minimum wage for the middle class." Someone looking to make inroads with voters in the midterm elections and in 2024 could do a lot worse than pass popular legislation that gives a majority of Americans a raise, more free time, or a little bit of both.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

"Because this pivot only happens if you have an economic accident or a financial accident," Mohamed El-Erian told Bloomberg TV. Mohamed El-Erian.REUTERS/Daniel Munoz Investors who are hoping for a policy pivot should be careful what they wish for, Mohamed El-Erian warned. The top economist told Bloomberg TV that a rate cut at this point would be a response to a major shock. "And the journey to an economic accident and financial accident is a very painful journey." Investors who are hoping for a policy pivot should be wary, as a rate cut at this point would be the Federal Reserve's response to a major shock, according to top economist Mohamed El-Erian.After inflation showed signs of cooling off over the summer, some on Wall Street called for the Fed to pivot away from its tightening campaign. But policymakers have been steadfast in their commitment to bringing inflation down to their 2% target."All of you who are looking for a pivot be careful what you wish for. Because this pivot only happens if you have an economic accident or a financial accident. And the journey to an economic accident and financial accident is a very painful journey," El-Erian, chief economic adviser at Allianz, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday. To be sure, notable market bears have been sounding the alarm on possible financial calamities. "Big Short" investor Michael Burry warned that aggressive Fed rate hikes could mean a market crash even more severe that what unfolded in 2008, and economist Nouriel Roubini has warned stocks could sink as much as 40%.Meanwhile, the UK bond market threatened to crash this week as yields soared after tax-cut plans were unveiled, forcing the Bank of England to buy gilts.That followed recent moves from other global central banks, including the Bank of Japan's intervention in the currency market to prop up the yen. On Friday, El-Erian dismissed such emergency actions as short-term Band-Aids. "And it tells you that the global economy is not clearing on its own. Or if it's allowed to clear on its own, there's going to be a lot of collateral damage. When you distort an economy for so long, getting out of the distortion is by definition problematic," he warned.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Elon Musk has said the robot could more important than its car business, but it'll join a long list of projects that haven't yet seen the light of day. Tesla OptimusCourtesy of Tesla Tesla showed off a teaser of its future humanoid robot on Friday.  The company is hosting an AI Day event, where it will unveil a prototype of the robot.  The Tesla Bot, also named Optimus, will take over dangerous and repetitive manual labor from humans.  Tesla is expected to unveil a prototype of its long-awaited humanoid robot on Friday night, and investors are surely hoping it will be more than the flailing dancer in a robot suit we saw last summer. The company is hosting an AI Day event where it'll provide updates on all sorts of advanced tech, including the Optimus robot (named after the Transformer). In teasing the event, Tesla tweeted out a video of robot hands moving into the shape of a heart. It's the most detailed depiction of the Tesla Bot yet.—Tesla (@Tesla) September 30, 2022Many specifics about Optimus remain a mystery, but Musk has laid out some details about the robot's design, capabilities, and importance to Tesla's business. It's designed for manual laborWhen announcing the Tesla Bot at the last AI Day, Musk said the robot will take over dangerous, boring, and repetitive tasks from humans. In the future, "physical work will be a choice," Musk said. The bot will be 5-foot-8, weigh 125 pounds, and walk 5 mph. A face-mounted screen will display "useful information," and its "human-level hands" will be able to deadlift 150 pounds, Tesla said. One of the first applications for Tesla Bots will be in the company's car factories. It will be 'friendly' and definitely not dystopianMusk insists that the Tesla Bot will be smart and strong, but not smart or strong enough rise up against its human overlords. "You can run away from it and most likely overpower it," Musk said at AI Day 2021. "Hopefully that doesn't happen, but you never know," During an interview in April, Musk said Tesla will include safety features that ensure "this doesn't become a dystopian situation."It will use Tesla's automated driving techGiven that Tesla is already developing neural networks and hardware for self-driving technology, it "kind of makes sense to put that onto a humanoid form," Musk said.Optimus will "see" the environment around it using Autopilot cameras in its head and "think" using the computer found in Tesla's cars. Musk sees it as Tesla's most important workMusk has touted the robot project as "the most important product development we're doing this year." He's also predicted that it could eclipse Tesla's car business and change the nature of the US economy. "What is the economy? It is, at the foundation it is labor. So what happens when there is no shortage of labor?," he said at the last AI Day. Consumers will be able to buy one somedayIn April, Musk predicted the Tesla Bot will be available to consumers in less than 10 years. It will be able to do household tasks like tidy up, make dinner, mow the lawn, shop for groceries, and take care of elderly family members, Musk said. By the time it's widely available, it will cost "less than a car," according to Musk. A grain of saltMusk is adding the Tesla bot to a plate already piled high with projects that haven't seen the light of day.There's the new Roadster, a $200,000 sports car that was supposed to launch in 2020 with acceleration-boosting rocket thrusters. Then there's the Cybertruck, a pickup truck that wowed onlookers with its stainless-steel body and doorstop shape when it debuted in 2019 but also hasn't materialized. For years, Musk has vowed that Teslas would soon be able to drive themselves. Against this backdrop, it's difficult to know when to take Musk's pronouncements and timelines seriously. We'll all learn more about his robotic ambitions soon enough.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Nike said it has a few seasons of products 'landing in the marketplace at the same time,' leading to an inventory surge for its fiscal first quarter. Mike Segar/Reuters Nike shares dropped 14% on Friday as the company logged a 44% rise in fiscal first-quarter inventory.  Supply-chain issues led to a build-up in seasonal products and retailers began ordering early.  The company also said dollar strength will dent its full-year revenue.  Nike shares tumbled to their lowest price in more than two years Friday after the company said inventories soared during its fiscal first quarter owning to supply-chain issues and that it's moving to rid itself of excess products. Shares dropped as much as 13.5% to $82.50, the weakest price since April 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was in its first months of slamming into the global economy. The stock has dropped about 49% in 2022. The stock plunged after the company late Thursday said inventories rose 44% to $9.7 billion compared with the year-ago period. Elevated in-transit inventories from ongoing supply chain volatility fueled the increase but Nike said the rise was partially offset by strong consumer demand.The company behind the Nike, Jordan, and Converse brands said on its conference call that inventory grew 65% in North America versus the same period a year ago as regional disruptions caused late arrivals for products while retailers started ordering early for the holiday season. ''[We] effectively have a few seasons landing in the marketplace at the same time," Matthew Friend, Nike's chief financial officer, said according to a call transcript. "Because we have a portion of that inventory being seasonally out of relevance, we've decided to take that inventory and more aggressively liquidate it so that we can put the newest and best inventory in front of the consumer in the right locations. So that's where we're focused." Nike said gross margin fell by 44.3% in the quarter ended August 31 in part by higher freight and logistics costs and US dollar strength. The company also sees the US dollar pressuring full-year revenue by $4 billion and expects gross margin to decline by 200-250 basis points compared with the prior year. Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

President Biden is now expected to sign the bill into law just hours before the midnight deadline to keep the government open. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.Scott J. Applewhite/AP Congress has moved to avert a government shutdown just hours before it would have begun. President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law before the midnight deadline. The legislation also contains funding for Ukraine, disaster relief, and heating assistance. House Democrats and ten House Republicans on Friday passed legislation to fund the federal government hours before a devastating shutdown would have begun. The final vote was 230-201.President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law shortly before the midnight deadline. The federal government is now set to be funded through December 16. The legislation also includes roughly $12 billion to support Ukraine's fight against Russia, $20 million to address Jackson, Mississippi's water crisis, $1 billion to help low-income Americans with heating assistance, and billions in disaster aid. The legislation also allocated billions for disaster relief, but Puerto Rico and Florida are expected to request much more in the coming months.House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy led Republicans in opposing the measure, unlike in the Senate where his counterpart Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell voted for it. The Senate passed the funding bill on Thursday by a 72-25 vote. Twenty-two Senate Republicans joined every single Senate Democrat in backing the measure. Conservatives have long railed against increased government spending and the process of funding the government through last-minute bills.For as much as lawmakers packed into the must-pass proposal, there are still things left out. The legislation is also known as a continuing resolution, meaning that Congress has continued its decade-long march of funding the government through a single massive bill as opposed to following the appropriations process which is supposed to end on September 30th.Republicans successfully blocked Democrats from including emergency aid for COVID-19 and monkeypox, though Democrats have vowed to keep pushing for it. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was also forced to request his permitting overhaul be pulled from the bill in the face of bipartisan opposition. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had promised to include Manchin's proposal as part of the deal that secured the West Virginian's vote to pass Democrats' massive climate and healthcare spending plan.Lawmakers aren't expected to return to Washington until after the midterm elections for the "lame duck" session.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has promised a busy end of the year.Florida has already begun the process of requesting more money to help recover from Hurricane Ian. Bipartisan groups of senators are trying to muster enough support for a historic codification of same-sex marriage rights and how Congress handles certifying the winner of a presidential election. Some lawmakers are still holding out hope that Congress will ban stock trading by members and senior staffers."Members should be prepared for an extremely, underline extremely, busy agenda in the last two months of this Congress," Schumer said on the floor on Thursday.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

There was so much anticipation behind Giuliani's decision that TV stations interrupted regularly-scheduled programs to broadcast his press conference. George Pataki, left, and Rudy Giuliani.James Leynse/Corbis via Getty Images Pataki didn't speak to Giuliani for weeks after winning the 1994 NY governor's race, per a new book. In the book "Giuliani," Andrew Kirtzman detailed the then-mayor's decision to endorse Mario Cuomo. Giuliani's endorsement was countered by a campaign calling it part of a "secret deal" for state aid. When Rudy Giuliani won the New York City mayoral office in 1993, it was seen as huge breakthrough for the Republican Party in the overwhelmingly Democratic metropolis.Although New York Republicans in 1994 could look to then-GOP Sen. Al D'Amato in Washington, DC, while also boasting control of the New York State Senate, their power base in New York City was largely centered in Staten Island.In 1994, the party was eager to retake the Governor's Mansion after twelve years of then-Democratic Gov. Mario Cuomo holding the office, and they nominated then-state Sen. George Pataki as their standard-bearer.But in a major twist, Giuliani would go on to endorse Cuomo — the father of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo — for a fourth term in office.And after Pataki bested Cuomo that November, the Republican governor-elect didn't speak to Giuliani for several weeks, according to a new book.Giuliani said that he backed the elder Cuomo — a Queens native — due to his strong commitment to New York City, but Pataki's team needled him over the cross-party endorsement before and after the election, which the writer Andrew Kirtzman detailed in his new book, "Giuliani: The Rise and Tragic Fall of America's Mayor."Pataki eagerly sought Giuliani's support in the gubernatorial race, but the then-mayor didn't make himself readily available for the GOP contender, according to the book."Pataki courted Giuliani's endorsement, which should have been a given for a fellow Republican. But the mayor was proving elusive, at one point making the candidate wait two hours on a bench at City Hall while Giuliani visited a crime scene. Pataki gave up and left," Kirtzman wrote.There was so much anticipation behind Giuliani's decision that television stations interrupted regularly-scheduled programs to broadcast the late October press conference, with megastar Oprah Winfrey's talk show even being preempted."From my point of view, as the mayor of New York City, the question that I have to ask is, 'Who has the best chance in the next four years of successfully fighting for our interests? Who understands them, and who will make the best case for it?'" Giuliani said during his announcement.He continued: "Our future, our destiny is not a matter of chance. It's a matter of choice. My choice is Mario Cuomo."Giuliani then proceeded to blast Pataki on television."Senator Pataki has almost uniformly voted against the interests of the city and often the metropolitan region ... Mario Cuomo is his own man. I prefer dealing with someone who is his own man," he said at the time.Pataki's polling lead morphed into a deficit after the Giuliani endorsement, as one of the state's top Republicans had backed the state's leading Democrat in dramatic fashion.But according to Kirtzman, a D'Amato strategist devised a plan rooted in revving up anti-New York City sentiment among Upstate GOP voters "by claiming the endorsement was part of a secret deal in which Giuliani backed Cuomo in exchange for massive amounts of state aid."Pataki would go to on defeat Cuomo — who had long been seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate — by three-percentage points."Giuliani had made the Cuomo campaign all about him, and brought it crashing down, along with Giuliani's political fortunes," Kirtzman wrote."Giuliani was scarred — Pataki refused to speak to him for weeks," he added.In later years, the two men worked together in the recovery efforts after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.Pataki would go on to serve as governor until December 2006; in December 2015, he ended his bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

In 2015, a senior British defense official described interference with undersea telecommunications cables as "a new risk to our way of life." Danish military video of bubbles in Baltic Sea where Nord Stream pipeline leaked.Danish Defense Command Western officials have blamed Nord Stream pipeline leaks on sabotage. The perpetrator hasn't been confirmed, but officials are pointing fingers at Russia. The incident shows how vulnerable seabed infrastructure is to interference, the Royal Navy's top admiral said. The apparent sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines has prompted further condemnation of Russia and raised fears of considerable environmental damage. It also makes clear that the valuable economic infrastructure on the seafloor is exposed, Adm. Sir Ben Key, first sea lord and chief of the British naval staff, said Thursday."There is a vulnerability around anything that sits upon the seabed, whether that's gas pipelines, whether that's data cables," Key said aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth as the Royal Navy aircraft carrier sat anchored off of New York City to host the Atlantic Future Forum."We've created a degree of scale around that economic infrastructure," Key told reporters. "That then places an obligation on organizations like the Royal Navy, but not just us, to have a means of monitoring and provide security around it."A leak in the Nord Stream pipelines was first detected on Monday, and on Tuesday, the pipeline operator said there was "unprecedented" damage to three of the four lines that compose Nord Stream 1 and 2. Four leaks have now been found — two in Swedish waters and two in Danish waters — in roughly 250 feet of water.Gas leaks have been reported in the pipelines running under the Baltic Sea from Russia to northern Germany.Yasin Demirci/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesThe pipelines were not operational, but they contained natural gas that is bubbling to the surface, creating patches of churning sea several hundred yards in size.Key said he would "steer clear of direct attribution" because the cause was not "at all clear." Others, including US officials, say the damage was deliberate."All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage," NATO's North Atlantic Council said in a statement on Thursday. Current and former officials have named Russia as the likely perpetrator.Norway and Denmark have increased security around energy infrastructure ashore and at sea. "Norway is aware of the special responsibilities it has to safeguard security on the Norwegian continental shelf," the prime minister said on Wednesday.A Norwegian military helicopter and Danish ships, including a navy frigate, are also patrolling the area around the leaks, Denmark's Ministry of Defense said Friday.Asked about potential responses if Russia is found responsible, Key declined to describe specifics but said the military shouldn't be the only option considered."We are but one of a number of instruments of national power, and the role for us is to offer up into the political leadership things that we could do potentially in concert with other actions or not," Key told reporters.'A murky strategic space'Pipes for the Nord Stream pipeline stored on the German Baltic sea island of Ruegen in April 2010.REUTERS/Christian CharisiusThe leaks are likely to raise new concerns about threats to undersea infrastructure, especially the undersea telecommunications cables that carry almost all of the world's internet traffic."There is nothing new in sabotaging critical seabed infrastructure," said Elizabeth Buchanan, head of Navy Research at the Sea Power Centre Australia."This is just a reminder of the central role of critical infrastructure in a state's security apparatus and a reminder that asymmetrical acceleration of conflict is happening," Buchanan told Insider. "Ukraine might be the land battle, but European security is also exposed at sea."Russia and China are seen as having growing interest in and the ability to interfere with those cables. Buchanan pointed to Taiwan's recent plan to develop a backup satellite internet network as a sign of ongoing concern about such interference.The most common risk to undersea cables is accidental damage from fishing or commercial activity or from natural disasters, but Buchanan said threats to undersea cables could be moving "into a grey zone in which a state with civil-military maritime strategies and policies might mask purposeful sabotage as an accident."In its statement, the North Atlantic Council said NATO members "have committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors." Under such circumstances, however, "enforcing international law at sea, not least assigning responsibility, becomes a murky strategic space," Buchanan said.A cable being laid to Hiddensee island in the Baltic Sea in 2009.Getty/ullstein bild/ContributorThe US has sanctioned Russians it said "directly contributed to improving" Russia's cyber and underwater capabilities, and Washington and its allies have sought to block Chinese involvement in undersea cables in the Pacific, fearing Beijing would use that access to gain leverage over the cables' users.British officials have raised concerns about interference with undersea cables affecting their country's links to North America and Europe, with one defense official in 2015 calling it "a new risk to our way of life.""We keep under constant review the security of undersea critical national infrastructure," Key said Thursday. "We are in the process, and have been for some time, of exploring ways of increasing out capability to keep an eye on it, because clearly there are pressures and tensions around that."Many Western countries have put infrastructure planning "on the back burner" in the post-Cold War period, Buchanan said."I believe there's plenty of planning underway for the next iteration of strategic competition," Buchanan added, "but for the short-term, states which haven't secured supply chains, invested to protect critical seabed infrastructure, enhanced maritime capability to shape and deter their coastal frontiers should expect to feel the pressure."Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Fiona Hill one of the foremost experts on Putin's Russia, said the West has been embroiled in conflict with Russia for some time. Fiona Hill,arrives to testify before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on November 21, 2019.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The West is already fighting World War 3 with Russia, Fiona Hill told The New Yorker. "We've been in this for a long time, and we've failed to recognize it," the former White House advisor said. Putin has made veiled threats to the West about nuclear weapons as he seeks to annex swathes of Ukraine.  The West is already embroiled in World War 3 with Russia but has failed to notice it, former White House Russia advisor Fiona Hill told The New Yorker. Hill, one of the world's foremost experts on Vladimir Putin's Russia, discussed escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine's Western allies. Last week, Putin menaced the West with veiled threats about nuclear weapons as the Kremlin staged referendums, widely denounced as shams, in eastern and southern Ukraine regions it's seeking to annex. "We've been in this for a long time, and we've failed to recognize it," Hill said. Putin's remarks have sparked urgent concern that the war between Russia and Ukraine could spill into a wider conflict. President Joe Biden has warned Putin against using nuclear weapons, and according to reports, US intelligence is monitoring Russia for signs that nuclear weapons are about to be deployed. Hill alluded to the fact that the US has backed Ukraine with military aid since the 2014 Maidan revolution. It led to Russia seizing parts of east Ukraine, annexing Crimea, and a protracted conflict. Russia and the US have also faced off on opposing sides of the Syrian civil war. The Kremlin has launched covert campaigns to subvert western elections and exacerbate internal tensions. Putin's warning was issued following huge battlefield losses and military setbacks for Russia, with Ukraine recently seizing control of 2,320sq miles of territory from Russia. The loss has prompted Putin to enlist thousands of civilians and reservists into the Russian military and consolidate its control of territory in the Donbas region via e  referendums. Hill addressed the potential the conflict could spiral out of control because of a failure of the opposing sides to read each other's intentions. "The problem is, of course, us misreading him, but also him misreading us," Hill observed.Hill served as an advisor to the Trump administration and has been sharply critical of the former president's policies towards Russia and Ukraine, which she claimed emboldened Putin.     Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The two men and their co-conspirators targeted the editor and publisher of a newsletter that was viewed as critical of eBay. The eBay executives viewed David and Ina Steiner's newsletter as critical of the company.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Two former eBay executives were sentenced to prison on Thursday for the harassment of a couple. The couple published a newsletter that was seen as critical of the company. The two men and their co-conspirators sent deliveries to the couple's home, including a fetal pig. Two former eBay executives were sentenced to prison on Thursday for partaking in the harassment of an editor and a publisher of a newsletter, eCommercebytes.James Baugh, eBay's former director of safety and security, and David Harville, eBay's former director of global resiliency, both pled guilty to the charges, according to a press release from the US attorney's office in Massachusetts.Baugh was sentenced to 57 months in prison and Harville was given two years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $20,000, per the release.As Insider's Dominick Reuter reported in May, the harassment took place in 2019. As well as sending threatening messages, the two men and their co-conspirators sent deliveries to David and Ina Steiner's home including a book on surviving the death of a spouse, a bloody pig mask, a fetal pig, a funeral wreath, and live insects. They also invited people to visit the couple's house for sexual encounters via Craigslist.Baugh and Harville had targeted the Steiners because they believed their newsletter had been critical of eBay, per the press release.EBay did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of normal working hours.Rachael S. Rollins, the US attorney for Massachusetts, said in the press release: "The defendants' toxic brand of online and real-world harassment, threats, and stalking was outrageous, cruel, and defies any explanation—all the more because these men were seasoned and highly paid security executives backed by the resources of a Fortune 500 corporation."Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The report on Australian stations describes a toxic culture of unwelcome requests for sex, pornographic materials being displayed, and period shaming. An aerial view of Australia's Casey station in Antarctica on January 17, 2008.Angela Wylie/The AGE/Fairfax Media via Getty Images via Getty Images Women working in Australian Antarctic research stations are plagued by sexual harassment, a report found.  The report describes unwanted advances, homophobia, prominently displayed pornography, and period shaming.  US stations are also rife with sexual harassment, an earlier report found.  Sexual harassment and homophobia are plaguing remote Australian Antarctic research stations, a new report found. The report, commissioned by the Australian Antarctic Division, was circulated among staff on Thursday per the Australian broadcaster ABC News.It describes a toxic environment of uninvited physical contact and unwelcome requests for sex. The predatory culture included the display of pornographic and offensive material on site and sex-based insults or taunts, per the report.Women reported having to "go to great lengths to make their menstruation invisible," and a voucher-by-request system that means women needed to "go through a gatekeeper to access free menstrual products," per the report.Homophobia is also rife, per the report, creating a toxic environment. Meredith Nash, an Associate Professor in Sociology of the University of Tasmania who led the report, told ABC News women "have to work in the field with their abusers for weeks at a time because they simply can't leave," Nash told ABC."Or, because of the power dynamics, they are not in a position to make a complaint or get support immediately as they would do back home," she said."I was actually gobsmacked to read some of the reports here talking about pornographic material up on the walls," Australia Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek told ABC News."I hope the report will be a catalyst for further change," she said.In a statement to staff, Australian Antarctic Division director Kim Ellis said he was "deeply concerned" by the report, per ABC News. "I think this lets the light in and gives us real authority to make change in the organization," he told ABC News.Women were told to carry hammers for protectionIt is the latest in a series of damning documents describing a toxic culture that puts women in danger in the remote location, including among US research stations. The issue was first brought to prominence in 2017 by news outlet Science with an investigation describing allegations of bullying from then assistant professor David Marchant.Jane Willenbring, then a 22-year-old graduate student at Boston University, described being pelted with rocks while urinating in the field by Marchant during US Antarctic field research in 1999 and 2000, being called a "slut" and a "whore," and being asked to sleep with Marchant's brother. After she reached tenure, Willenbring revealed the allegations and called for an investigation. Marchant was fired in 2019, and a glacier carrying his name was renamed.Though the events took place more than 20 years ago, a recent report from National Science Foundation published in June this year shows that only a little progress has been made since then, Nash said in a blog post published September 6. Seventy-two percent of women surveyed from the United States Antarctic Program said sexual harassment was a problem, per the report. In de-identified quotes, women describe being warned against attending parties at the McMurdo station, carrying hammers for protection, and men drunkenly following them to their rooms and intimidating them."Every woman I knew down there had an assault or harassment experience that had occurred on the ice," said one interviewee.The report also describes women feeling intimidated by human resources when bringing allegations and a widespread belief that they would be "blackballed" if they reported assault.Talking about the Australian report, Nash said that extent of the problem is such that it may be "unethical" to send women to Antarctica in these conditions. "I think on some level, it is unethical for us to continue trying to encourage women to enter a male-dominated field if we are not confident that organizations can keep them safe," she told ABC News.  Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Burry's concerns include surging interest rates, whipsawing currencies, and central banks scrambling to calm panicking investors. Michael Burry.Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images Michael Burry fears the market turmoil could herald a worst disaster than the financial crisis. He cited soaring interest rates, volatile currencies, and reactionary central banks as concerns. The "Big Short" investor diagnosed a historic asset bubble last year, and predicted a massive crash. Michael Burry, one of the few investors to see the financial crisis coming, fears the current market mayhem could be the prelude to an even greater catastrophe."Today I wondered aloud if this could be worse than 2008," Burry said in a now-deleted tweet on Thursday. "What interest rates are doing, exchange rates globally, central banks seem reactionary and in CYA mode," he added, using an acronym for "cover your a--."Burry was likely referring to the Federal Reserve and other central banks frantically raising rates to curb stubborn inflation. The Fed's aggressive hikes, combined with overseas headwinds such as the Russia-Ukraine war and continued lockdowns in China, have driven the US dollar to record highs against other world currencies such as the British pound.Moreover, the Bank of England embarked on a £65 billion ($72 billion) bond-buying spree this week, as soaring gilt yields were threatening the UK's financial stability. As for the People's Bank of China, it is reportedly preparing state-run banks to sell dollars and buy offshore yuan in a bid to shore up the Chinese currency.Soaring rates, whipsawing currencies, and authorities scrambling to calm markets and prevent economic disasters are clearly red flags to Burry, and remind him of the frenzied run up to the Great Recession.Other experts have voiced similar concerns, warning an overzealous Fed could plunge the US economy into a deep recession or spark "stagflation," where inflation remains high but growth stagnates and unemployment jumps. They have also cautioned that volatile markets and a loss of trust in policymakers could threaten consumer and investor sentiment, undercutting growth.Burry shot to fame after he predicted and profited from the collapse of the mid-2000s housing bubble, and his wager was immortalized in the book and the movie "The Big Short."The Scion Asset Management boss is also known for betting against Elon Musk's Tesla and Cathie Wood's Ark Innovation fund last year, and for buying a stake in GameStop before it became a meme stock. Moreover, he diagnosed "the greatest speculative bubble of all time in all things" in June last year, and predicted it would end in the "mother of all crashes."Burry ended his Thursday tweet on an ominous note. He wrote that one of his analysts said it was "spooky" to hear him compare the current chaos to the 2008 meltdown, on the 14th anniversary of Congress failing to pass a $700 billion plan to bail out banks reeling from the housing crash. The news sparked one of the steepest one-day declines in US stocks in history.Here's a screenshot of Burry's deleted tweet:Michael Burry/TwitterRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»