At just 19 years of age, Trevor Zablocki wants to spend the rest of his life working in the porn industry. So does his 23-year-old older brother, Justin, and close friend Harry Manno, 22, who has yet to tell his parents about this plan.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
3-Day Gaza Cease-Fire Goes Into Effect After Heavy Fighting
The cease-fire, announced hours earlier by the U.S. and the U.N., started at 8 a.m. local time Friday. Israel and Hamas both said they would respect it but would respond to attacks.
Massive gas explosions kill at least 24, injure 271 in Taiwan
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At least 24 people were killed and 271 others injured when several underground gas explosions ripped through Taiwan’s second-largest city overnight, hurling concrete through the air and blasting long trenches in the streets, authorities said Friday.
Was Your Job Replaced By Technology? There's A Decent Chance You'll Get Hired Back
In the real-world saga of humans vs. robots, many companies have put their money on the bots, according to a new survey conducted by Poll and released today by CareerBuilder.
Ebola Patient Will Be Treated In Atlanta Hospital
An isolation unit at Emory University’s hospital will be used to treat a patient infected with Ebola, the virus that has killed more than 700 people in a recent outbreak in West Africa.
Despite Progress Of LGBT Rights In U.S., Challenges Remain Abroad
Around the world, it can still be very hard to live as an openly gay man. Host Michel Martin learns more from two LGBT activists: Jamaican Maurice Tomlinson and Nigerian Bisi Alimi.
Ghanaian Rapper Hopes To Take His 'Afropolitan Dreams' Back Home
Host Michel Martin speaks with rapper Samuel Bazawule, better known as Blitz the Ambassador, about his new album, “Afropolitan Dreams.”
Flight Delays In China Leave Travelers Feeling Squeezed
Air traffic snarls at some of eastern China’s busiest airports have stranded thousands of travelers and highlighted the increasing competition for airspace between military and civilian flights.
4 Reasons Why Music Careers Are Getting Trounced By Tech
“Making a living is the new success.” It used to be that if our best and brightest had any affinity for music at all, they would go to great ends to enter the business, with a long-term vision in mind. Not so today, as music careers are getting trounced by the tech industry when it comes to job choice and availability, and there’s no end to this movement in sight.
'Into The Woods' Teaser Trailer (With Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Johnny Depp) Plays To Fans
Okay, I intentionally avoided yesterday’s Interstellar trailer, but this one I think I can safely watch. This first trailer, from iTunes Trailers, is obviously the very definition of a teaser trailer, offering not a hint of plot or even all-that-much character. We get a serious of somewhat random images and a cast roll-call of sorts, set to what I presume is an instrumental version of one of the main songs to the original play. To those unaware, Into the Woods is a Stephen Sondheim play first performed in 1986 that involves various classic fairy tale characters (the big bad wolf, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, etc.) in a somewhat older-skewing morality play that subverts and deconstructs some of the fairy tale tropes. You wouldn’t get any of that from the teaser above, but that’s somewhat the point. This teaser, like any number of teasers for film adaptations of famed musicals (think Rent or Phantom of the Opera), is meant to curry favor with those who presumably already know what is being sold. As such, we get the big cast (Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Lilla Crawford, Daniel Huttlestone, MacKenzie Mauzy, James Corden, Emily Blunt, and Johnny Depp. We get various visual bits of era-appropriate intrigue and basically a single line of relevant dialogue from Ms. Streep. Amusingly, is still somewhat hiding just what Johnny Depp as the Big Bad Wolf will actually look like, but I’m always in favor of a little mystery in these early teases. On the other hand, despite the fact that this teaser is basically for those who are already anticipating the film, there is not a drop of actual singing in the teaser. Marketing campaigns for musicals are infamous for hiding the actual on-screen singing (think Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd, which apparently caused outrage when ignorant Burton fans didn’t realize that Johnny Depp was going to be singing for his meat pie supper), so it will be worth paying attention to see if the next theatrical trailer actually has Kendrick and company belting tunes from the original show. The film, which is set to drop on Christmas Day, underwent about a week of controversy when Sondheim claimed in an interview with The New Yorker that Disney had somewhat gutted the more adult-skewing portions of the original show before more-or-less retracting said statements. As I wrote back in June when the “scandal” broke, the success or failure of this film will rest not on the approval of the die-hard fans but on the mass audience interest in spending Christmas weekend taking the family to see a fairy tale adventure starring a host of would-be movie stars from various demographic groups. Like any big-budget comic book adventure, the key to success isn’t pleasing the die-hards who have already mentally bought their Thursday night tickets but making a successful sell to those with at-best passing knowledge of the source material. The bad news is that the film is directed by Rob Marshall who, all due respect, has yet to make an honest-to-goodness good movie. If you liked Chicago, then you can alter that statement accordingly. But Memoirs of a Geisha and Nine didn’t work out and he then spent $410 million (article from Forbes contributor Christian Sylt) on the smallest-scale, most visually drab, and most inexplicably dull Pirates of the Caribbean movie imaginable. Still, the guy turned Alan Cummings into a star with his 1998 Cabaret revival, so my wife will always be thankful for that. And as always, since I’m prejudging, if he pulls this off I will shout a thousand “mea culpa”s to the high heavens. I’ll discuss this one more as the release date draws closer, but it is certainly the kind of ambitious, star-driven, and female-centric picture that we want to see from Disney as the year draws to a close. I don’t think the would-be changes will hurt the box office. But I do think accusations of “watering-down” the original content, if said accusations prove to be remotely true, will seriously hurt any year-end awards consideration that Disney is presumably gunning for. And it is a little odd that the big-scale filmed musical, a borderline endangered species, will have two major entries within a week of each other, as Annie drops December 17th. As someone who likes this stuff when it’s done well (I still think Hairspray is an under-loved gem), I have no objection to this potential embarrassment of riches. Into the Woods opens from Walt Disney on December 25th. As always, we’ll see. For those who know the original play better than I, did this teaser fill you with the same goosebumps that I got from the first Rent teaser?
LinkedIn's Mountain Of Data Is Now A $1,200 Sales Tool
Who wants to pay serious money to see your biographical details on LinkedIn? Cynics might say: “Nobody.” People familiar with LinkedIn’s business model to date will say: “Recruiters.” But the big answer going forward is like to be: “Sales people.”
LinkedIn Profit Jumps 34%, Stock Soars
LinkedIn shares were up around 8% in after hours trading to close to$195 after the social network reported better than expected earnings.
How Sweet It Would Be: National Law Would Tax the Stacks Of Sugar In Soda
If you want to see something truly scary, go to the website Sugar Stacks and look at the pyramids of sugar cubes stacked up next to soda containers. That 12-ounce can of Coke (now seen as a small serving) has 10 sugar cubes next to it. The 20-ounce Mountain Dew has 19-and-a-half. And the 64-ounce Double Gulp Coke sold at 7-Eleven has 45—45!—cubes of sugar piled alongside it. That’s how many cubes or teaspoons of sugar a person consumes every time they drink one of these sodas.
Reno Is Tesla's First Choice As A Gigafactory Site - But Elon Musk Sets A High Price Tag
made it official on Thursday: it has broken ground outside Reno, Nevada, for the first potential site of its $5 billion gigafactory plant.
U.S. Congress abandons bill addressing child immigration crisis
House Republicans abruptly abandoned a bill to address the immigration crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border Thursday after last-minute maneuvering failed to lock down sufficient conservative support.
Kidnapping Is A Lucrative Business For Al-Qaida, Documents Show
Last year, journalist Rukmini Callimachi found thousands of al-Qaida documents in Timbuktu in Mali. She tells Fresh Air about al-Qaida’s strategy of kidnapping Europeans and demanding ransoms.
Israel Allowed To Tap U.S. Munitions Cache For Gaza Offensive
The stockpile, located on Israeli soil, was set up in the 1980s as an emergency supply during wartime. The last time the U.S. granted Israel permission to use it was during the 2006 Lebanon war.
For Two Sarajevo Women, A Chance Friendship Forged In The Ashes Of War
A chance encounter in Sarajevo brings together two women of different generations, survivors of different wars, who connect over their shared loss.
Sierra Leone Declares Quarantine, As Ebola Outbreak Worsens
A surge of new cases in West Africa’s Ebola virus outbreak has health officials worried that the epidemic is getting worse. Sierra Leone, for one, has declared a state of emergency, sending in troops to quarantine some of the hardest hit communities.
To Understand Putin's Policy, Dissect The Kremlin's Inner Circles
Some foreign policy analysts say that factions in Moscow are competing to influence Russian President Vladimir Putin as he decides policy on Ukraine. Others say that Putin is pursuing his own line.
On Either Side Of Gaza, Leaders' Gain Support — But Blame Game Awaits
Nearly a month into the war in Gaza, pollsters have been taking a look at how attitudes in the region have changed among Israelis and Palestinians.
As Ebola Surges, CDC Sends Aid And Warns Against Travel
It will take at least three to six months to contain the largest Ebola outbreak in history, the health agency says. Fifty-seven people have died in four days, raising the death toll to 729.
When China Spurns GMO Corn Imports, American Farmers Lose Billions
China has been a big and growing market for U.S. corn. But then farmers started planting a kind of genetically engineered corn that’s not yet approved in China, and the Chinese government struck back.
Israel And Hamas Agree To 3-Day Cease-Fire, U.N. Says
A U.N. representative says Israel and Hamas agreed to an “unconditional humanitarian cease-fire.” The truce is set to begin at 8 a.m. local time Friday.
'Dark tourism' in strife-torn areas on the rise
The rise of dark tourism was explored on Q on Thursday, from the perspectives of a former security professional-turned-tour operator and a journalist from Tel Aviv who’s written on the subject.
Israel, Hamas agree to 72-hour ceasefire in Gaza
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire in the Gaza Strip starting on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday
The Dream Factory: How Putting Kids To Work Helps Them Stay In School
Georgia-based staffed a plant with troubled teens, who proved that hard work can overcome hard knocks. In the process they pioneered a model for education reform nationwide.
The Unfinished Business Of Health Care Reform: Real Access To Innovative Medicines
A year ago in this space, I wrote about the importance of adherence – patients taking prescribed medicines as directed. I cited an independent study by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, which estimated that non-adherence costs the U.S. health care system $105 billion each year.
Selfie-Starter: Scot McCracken Rethinks The Music Business
Scot McCracken is a second-generation music industry veteran who has managed and worked with countless producers and musicians, including Rihanna, The Black Eyed Peas, 98 Degrees, Joan Osborne and the Fugees. Among his many adventures in the music industry, McCracken once had to procure and look after 900lb white tiger for Wyclef Jean while on tour.
'It Has Now Become A Catastrophe': Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Israel’s military has called up 16,000 more reservists, stoking fears of a widening offensive in Gaza. Aid workers are warning of a growing humanitarian crisis in the region, including a significant displaced population and a potential shortage of drinking water.
Tiny Qatar Stands Tall In Middle East's New Diplomatic Landscape
The tiny Gulf state of Qatar is playing an outsized role in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza, with Secretary of State John Kerry using Qatar as a conduit to Hamas. Egypt used to moderate Hamas, but those relations have soured. This puts the U.S. in a difficult spot.
In Debt Duel, It Was Argentina V. Paul Singer
Argentina has defaulted on billions of dollars of government debt, and it’s partly due to a bunch of New Yorkers. Forbes writer Agustino Fontevecchia explains the confrontation between Argentina and a New York-based hedge fund manager named Paul Singer.
The Recession Generation: How Millennials Are Changing Money Management Forever
By Janet Novack and Samantha Sharf
Your Unwanted Gift Cards Are Worth Millions--These Guys Are Building An Empire With Them
Inside a dim office secured by a sensor lock, eight young men in yarmulkes sit before computer screens sifting through tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards. Toiling under a latticed ceiling, the workers (some in their late teens) field orders to buy preowned cards online, fetching each meticulously catalogued item from the company’s man-size vault, where at least $3 million worth wait for new owners at any given time.
Colleges Versus Their Dropouts: Who Comes Out On Top?
What do tech giant Michael Dell, queen of pop Lady Gaga and $80 billion man Bill Gates all have in common? They left school without earning a college degree. Most people believe that the road to high achievement lies at the end of the commencement stage. And they would be right, for the most part. But, some of the most powerful and successful people in the world have found their path to success along a different route.
How Today's Student Loan Debt Is Failing Future Generations
A college education is seen as one of the best paths to success, but the debt associated with it may be a significant roadblock to achievement. For some, the “ticket to the middle class” doesn’t end with a diploma, but when student loan balances are paid. Millennials are learning this lesson the hard way—those entering the job market today face some of the toughest conditions in recent memory.
15 Reasons Not To Take Your Phone On Vacation
Here’s a radical suggestion that’s not radical at all: next vacation, leave your smartphone at home. If absolutely necessary, buy the cheapest prepaid phone and give the number only to your closest family and friends. You’ll be ready for emergencies, but out of range for everything else.
1 Seattle cop has issued 80% of city's marijuana tickets this year
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The Seattle Police Department has reassigned an officer who single-handedly issued about 80 per cent of the marijuana tickets handed out in the city during the first half of this year, authorities said on Wednesday.
Argentina defaults again as debt talks break down
Debt talks between U.S. hedge funds and Argentina collapsed late Wednesday, and the country entered its second default since 2001.
Israel, Hamas both committing war crimes, says UN official
The UN’s top human rights official is accusing both the Israeli military and Hamas militants of committing war crimes in Gaza, where Israel is expanding its campaign to destroy Hamas rockets and tunnels.
WHO launches $100M Ebola response plan as West African death toll tops 700
The World Health Organization is launching a $100 million response plan to combat an “unprecedented” outbreak of Ebola in West Africa that has killed 729 people out of 1,323 infected since February, the agency said on Thursday.
Russia-U.S. relations are chilly, but is this another Cold War?
While the U.S., Europe and Canada continue to punish and isolate Russia with sanctions over its role in Ukraine there is an ongoing debate about whether a new Cold War is underway.
Investigators reach crash site where Malaysian jet went down
As fighting continued to rage in eastern Ukraine, an international team of investigators on Thursday managed to reach the crash site of the Malaysia Airline Flight MH17 for the first time since it was brought down by a missile two weeks ago.
Michigan soccer ref never saw fatal sucker punch, witness testifies
A soccer referee who was fatally punched by a player during a recreational game in suburban Detroit did not expect the attack, one of the player’s teammates testified Wednesday.
Pope Francis's 10 happiness tips? Turn off the TV and don't try to convert others
Be giving of yourself, move with kindness and don’t try to convert others are among Pope Francis’s 10 tips for happiness, which he shared in an interview with an Argentine newspaper.
Next Mars rover will make oxygen on Mars
NASA’s next Mars rover will carry seven instruments, including one that will be able to make oxygen on Mars.
Tesla partners with Panasonic for $5B Gigafactory battery plant
Electric car manufacturer Tesla is to partner with Japanese electronics giant Panasonic to build a $5-billion battery manufacturing plant on U.S. soil.
Inquiry into poisoning death of former Russian spy opens in U.K.
A British judge on Thursday opened an inquiry into the death of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko, saying the central question is whether the Russian state ordered the killing.
CIA director apologizes for searching Senate computers
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CIA Director John Brennan apologized to Senate intelligence committee leaders after his inspector general found that CIA employees acted improperly when the CIA searched Senate computers earlier this year.
Islamic militants declare control over Benghazi
Islamic hard-line militias on Thursday claimed to have taken control of Libya’s second largest city, Benghazi, after defeating army units, taking over military barracks and seizing tanks, rockets and hundreds of boxes of ammunition.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Moldova's Winemakers Seize Upon Region's Geopolitical Moment
The tiny European country of Moldova isn’t known for much of anything, and especially not its wine. But its winemakers are trying to find new export markets and overcome their post-Soviet reputation.
Amid Confusion, 17 Killed By Shelling At Market In Gaza
Israel’s army declared a humanitarian cease-fire on Wednesday but said it did not apply to all areas. A market that Palestinians had thought was safe was hit, killing 17 and wounding dozens more.
How One Billionaire's Bet On LyondellBasell Turned Into The Greatest Deal In Wall St. History
Billionaire financier Len Blavatnik’s bet on LyondellBasell has netted him a personal profit of nearly $8 billion. He says there’s more to come.
Can BlackBerry Become The Next Security Superpower?
BlackBerry announced its intent to acquire Secusmart. It’s a company that offers high-security voice and data encryption and anti-eavesdropping solutions for government organizations, enterprises and telecommunications service providers. BlackBerry had previously partnered with the company to offer Secusmart’s technology to its customers. John Chen said “We have addressed eavesdropping concerns with Secusmart, who has been a partner since 2009 and we currently have the SecuSUITE for BlackBerry 10. It’s a solution used by Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security for classified communications between the country’s top officials, including Chancellor Angela Merkel.”
Quantcast Is Working To Transform Advertising
A Series of Forbes Insights Profiles of Thought Leaders Changing the Business Landscape, Konrad Feldman, Co-Founder and CEO, Quantcast…
Argentina debt default imminent, warns mediator
The mediator trying to help Argentina negotiate an 11th-hour with U.S. bondholders to avoid defaulting on its debt said no agreement was reached on Wednesday and that “the Republic of Argentina will imminently be in default.”
Violence On The Ground Hobbles MH17 Investigations
Nearly two weeks since a Malaysia Airlines flight was downed over eastern Ukraine, fighting in the region continues to delay the start of an investigation. For more, Audie Cornish speaks with Paul Sonne, the Moscow correspondent for the Wall Street Journal.
A Tour Of The Tower That Fell Into Squatters' Hands
One of the tallest skyscrapers in Venezuela has been occupied by some 3,000 squatters since 2007. The half-finished “Tower of David” — named for its financier, David Brillembourg — is now being evacuated by the Venezuelan government. Ari Shapiro talks to architecture critic Justin McGuirk about the building.
Big Banks Rally For Argentina At Debt Deadline
Argentina’s biggest banks are offering to buy some of the debt the country owes to bondholders, but it’s not clear the move comes in time to avoid default.
A Market And A School Come Under Fire During A Violent Day In Gaza
An explosion rocked a crowded Gaza market during what was expected to be a lull in the fighting. Earlier in the day a United Nations school was hit by what U.N. officials say was Israeli artillery fire, killing at least 15 people. Meanwhile, rocket fire from Gaza continues to be fired into Israel.
Gaza's Network Of Tunnels Is A Major Hole In Israel's Defenses
Hamas militants are using tunnels in and out of Gaza to strike inside Israel. Israelis are questioning how the tunnels grew to be so complex and why the military hasn’t been able to shut them down.
New Company Offers 'No-Skim' Fundraising Tools To Nonprofits
Social venture CommitChange has developed a new fundraising platform for nonprofits that doesn’t rely on collecting a percentage of funds raised, potentially netting nonprofits with a higher percentage of total donations.
Does Delta Air Lines Finally Understand Kid Seat Safety Rule?
In an incident dismayingly similar to one involving American Airlines, a commuter, Shuttle America, refused to allow a passenger traveling with her 9-month old son to use an aircraft-approved infant car seat even though she had specifically purchased a seat so her child could fly safely. In this case, Katie Kinnane bought a ticket for her infant on Delta Air Lines for a trip on July 11 from LaGuardia Airport to Indianapolis. Unfortunately, the crew on that flight was not as educated on FAA rules for flying safely with children as Ms. Kinanne was. The crew thwarted her attempts to use an aircraft-approved car seat in what appears to be another violation of federal rules by an airline. Those rules require that an airline allow a parent to use an approved car seat if a seat has been purchased for the child and is weight-appropriate.
Xbox One Starting At $599 In China This September
The Xbox One will be the first non-Chinese gaming console to be sold in China in over a decade, since that country banned the sale of video game consoles.
Destiny Beta Played By 4.6 Million Gamers
Destiny is the king of hype these days. The moon wizard of hype, as it were.
Sony Was Right To Turn Down EA's Video Game Subscription Plan [Update]
Soon, Xbox One gamers will be able to pay $5 a month for a -like subscription to EA games. The EA Access program is coming exclusively to Xbox One because turned down the idea, stating that the company doesn’t think “asking our fans to pay an additional $5 a month for this EA-specific program represents good value to the PlayStation gamer.”
American economy expanding much faster than expected
After a dismal winter, the U.S. economy sprang back to life in the April-June quarter, growing at a fast 4 percent annual rate on the strength of higher consumer and business spending.
'They're frankly running for their lives': 2 women scramble to avoid train
A video camera captured the terrifying plight of two women who became trapped on an 80-foot-high railroad bridge in Indiana when a freight train surprised them as they walked along the tracks.
Top 25 Best Southern Colleges 2014
Davidson College in Davidson, NC, climbed from the No. 4 spot to steal the crown from Duke University as the top school in the South this year. Davidson also came in as the No. 10 ranked liberal arts school this year. The Blue Devils slipped just one spot and still come out on top as No. 2 on the Southern schools list. Rounding out the top five colleges in the region are Rice University in Houston, TX, Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA and University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
Startup Schools: America's Most Entrepreneurial Universities
For the second time, Stanford University out-muscled its East Coast rivals to top the FORBES 2014 most entrepreneurial universities list. Silicon Valley’s reach has extended across California, as the state’s schools took over half of this year’s top ten spots.
New Infrared iPhone 5 Case Lets You See Through Walls
The smartphone case industry is beginning to move away from bling-encrusted cheap tat and into the realms of ‘useful accessory’. FLIR systems has done just that and invented a case for iPhone with thermal-imaging capabilities, which it revealed at CES earlier this year but is finally about to go on sale. The FLIR One is an iPhone 5/5s case with both an infrared camera and a VGA one that’s supposed to add depth and detail to the infrared images. The device works by combining the heat signature information it gets from the infrared camera with the live camera image from the iPhone. This then delivers a composite thermal heat image. The result is a negative-type image of the various heat levels in an array of different colours – bright red and white being hottest. What is it used for? FLIR Systems explains that it will be useful for pinpointing the position of pipes in walls, finding weak spots in your home’s insulation, finding hidden animals in bushes and identifying leaks before they cause serious damage. Users will be able to take time lapse and panoramic thermal images, whilst being able to edit and share what they’ve captured. The case has its own battery pack, which holds a two hour charge, and weighs about the same as the phone. It retails for about $350 and will be available in August.
iPhone 6 Sapphire Display Myth Busted As Evidence For It Crumbles
There are two widely accepted ‘facts’ when talking about the upcoming iPhone 6. First it will be larger (4.7-inch and 5.5-inch variants, to be precise). Second that it will kick glass to the curb in favour of a super hard sapphire display. But new data suggests one of these may be completely wrong.
Williams College Ranks No. 1 On Forbes' 7th Annual Ranking Of America's Top Colleges
Plus, Forbes’ In-Depth Look at the Impact of Enrollment Managers on Tuition Prices NEW YORK (July 30, 2014) – Williams College tops Forbes’ 2014 rankings of The Top 100 U.S. Colleges (p. 86). The 7th annual rankings, calculated exclusively for Forbes by the Center for College Affordability & Productivity (CCAP), are featured in the August 18, 2014 issue of Forbes magazine, and online at www.forbes.com/top-colleges.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Deemed Best Tablet Display On The Market By Researchers
Microsoft’s Surface hybrid tablet line-up may have been met initially with a lukewarm reception on the company’s first effort out of the gate, costing them a cool $900 million once upon a time, but there is little question that Redmond has been making significant improvements to the product and fleshing out its ecosystem better with each iteration. It also can be said that, from a hardware standpoint, Microsoft’s Surface and Surface Pro lines have always offered a premium experience, with excellent build quality and top shelf components. Now it appears Microsoft’s design expertise has been underscored by research firm DisplayMate technologies, that cited the Surface Pro 3 as sporting the best tablet display on the market currently in a number of key metrics.
Sierra Leone Doctor Who Led The Fight Against Ebola Dies
Hailed as a “national hero,” Dr. Sheik Umar Khan had treated more than 100 Ebola patients before catching the virus himself last week.
UCLA campus flooded after burst water pipe spews 30M litres
The campus of UCLA found itself suddenly steeped in water and chaos after a major water pipe burst and spewed some 30 million litres, stranding people in parking garages and flooding the school’s storied basketball court.
Khmer Rouge tribunal paves way for genocide trial
A UN-backed tribunal on Wednesday began a hearing to prepare for the genocide trial of the two senior surviving leaders of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge, under whose rule an estimated 1.7 million people died in the late 1970s from starvation, exhaustion, disease and execution.
Is It Time To Take Your Career To Asia?
The job market for MBA graduates hasn’t looked this good since before Lehman Brothers collapsed. The GMAC 2014 Corporate Recruiters Survey shows employer demand on the rise, with more companies focused on improved performance and productivity and hiring business graduates to sustain and strengthen their growth. But if you are looking for a career move that will open up opportunities for the next decade, and not just the year, it is the Asian market that looks like the place to be.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
13 dead after Israeli tank shell hits UN school, Gaza health official says
A Palestinian man (L), whom medics said was wounded by Israeli shelling, is treated at a hospital at Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip July 29, 2014. Israel knocked out Gaza's only power plant, flattened the home of its Islamist Hamas political leader and pounded dozens of other high-profile targets in the enclave on Tuesday, with no end in sight to more than three weeks of conflict. More than 1,100 Gazans, most of them civilians, have been killed in the conflict. On the Israeli side, 53 soldiers have been killed as well as three civilians. Israel launched its offensive on July 8 with the aim of halting rocket attacks by Hamas and its allies. REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) TEMPLATE OUT - RTR40JWP' height='259' alt='Israel Palestine Gaza conflict' width='460' src='http://news.guugll.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/13-dead-after-israeli-tank-shell-hits-un-school-gaza-health-official-says.jpg' />
A Palestinian health official says 13 people were killed after tank shells hit a UN school in Gaza where hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge from Israeli attacks.
Argentina, U.S. bondholders meet as debt default deadline looms
Argentina’s economy minister emerged from daylong negotiations aimed at preventing a default Tuesday to say both sides had finally spoken for the first time, a development that raised hopes that a deal might be reached to avert a financial crisis.
The Millennials' Moment: Why 2014 Does Matter
When Senator Barack Obama was elected in 2008 with a majority vote over Republican Senator John McCain, he was heralded as a possibly transformational President — potentially in the same category as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. I know that argument well. I was one of the pundits making the case. It seemed very simple then: like his two iconic predecessors, Mr. Obama’s election created a new demographic coalition, one so radically different than before and one that would surely dominate the national landscape for at least a generation. Not only did he receive the solid majority of Hispanics, African Americans, and Asian Americans, but he was dominant among younger voters and the growing – strategically located – Creative Class.
How To Start Doing Work You Love And Illuminate The World With It
When I was stuck and miserable for years in my corporate career, I’d think every single day, “I’m wasting my life doing this work. It’s so pointless.” I’d agonize over the question, “What abilities do I have that I can apply to another field that I will love and find more meaningful?”
Do We Have Any Drugs To Treat Ebola?
Three west African countries are currently attempting to manage the largest outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in history. Originally reported in March as a cluster of outbreaks in southeastern Guinea, the disease has spread across the border to Liberia and, now, Sierra Leone.
Training Customer Service Employees To (Not) Take It Personally
Here’s a paradox of customer service training and customer service leadership. On the one hand, one of the keys to giving great customer service–profitable service that builds your company–is to be sure your employees know to make it clear to customers that they take things personally. “I appreciate your business” is a powerful statement, if delivered sincerely, as is, if necessary, “I’m so sorry that happened.”
Massive flood swamps UCLA campus
Los Angeles officials said an old pipe burst and spilled some 30 million litres of water at the UCLA campus on Tuesday.
5 Reasons Why You Should Admire Comcast
It’s very fashionable to hate nowadays. The recent viral audio of their overzealous rep trying anything to keep a customer from disconnecting. The numerous surveys that consistently rate the company as one of the worst for customer service. The tens of thousands of frustrated tweets and forum posts you can easily find online just by Googling. Comcast is hated by supporters of net neutrality, ridiculed for its bad service and parodied on late night TV shows.
Inside Forbes: Mobile Part II, Or 4 More Charts That Offer a Peek Into the Future of Journalism
As an editor-turned-product guy living in a mobile world, I often like to recall the simple years. We (editors, that is) pretty much had it our way. Reporters did what we wanted, the audience was an afterthought. It was a nice life, except for ads that intruded on a story’s word count or a designer’s handsome layout. Then came digital, with unique visitors, page views and banner ads. Suddenly, the newsroom elite faced accountability. The audience mattered, so did ads. Enter the world of smartphones, with limited “attention real estate” and “dwell time.” Editors, like it or not, must accept that mobile is changing their jobs again. In fact, it may alter the course of journalism like never before.
NetAppVoice: My Accidental Leadership Journey
by Marie Tillman, president and co-founder, Pat Tillman Foundation
StubHub Increases Sales By Playing To A Simple Game Of Psychology With "All In Pricing"
When it comes to marketing and sales, the best of the best play to what will ultimately make the consumer happy. If you think about that long enough, likely the first thing you want to believe with any purchase is that you got a good deal. Companies spend millions of dollars each year figuring out ways to balance charging what the market will bear for products and services, while luring you in with ways that make it seem like the best deal. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself when someone came up with the idea to charge $19.99 as opposed to $20.00. Somewhere someone figured out that the psychology of seeing “19” or “under $20” as a way to make you more likely to make the purchase, even if it’s one red cent below $20.00.
NATO's Canadian commander in Libya 'disappointed' with lack of progress
Retired lieutenant-general Charles Bouchard, former commander of the NATO-led mission in Libya, told CBC News he had hoped more would have been done to support the Libyan people in their transition toward democracy and stability once the military intervention ended.
Last Enola Gay airman, who helped bomb Hiroshima, dies
The last surviving member of the U.S. crew that dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, hastening the end of the Second World War and moving the world into the atomic age, has died.
The Best Companies For Work-Life Balance
Earlier this month Forbes took a look at the vast and varied array of careers–everything from data scientist to firefighter–that can provide great work-life balance. While the particular characteristics of many of these occupations contribute to an employee’s ability to find a healthy relationship between the professional and personal, in each case the individual priorities and values of a worker, their manager, and the company overall will play a major role.
The Woman Behind 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' -- Nicole Perlman
The millions of people who will pack theaters this weekend to watch Marvel’s latest comic book blockbuster, Guardians Of The Galaxy, likely won’t care who wrote the movie. They’ll plop down their ticket money for a fun ride complete with comedy, action and a talking raccoon.
Oops! Likely No Sapphire Screen For The iPhone 6
The size, shape and front of the iPhone 6 have all been the subject of a lot of speculation but it looks like the hard-to-scratch or break sapphire glass will not, after all, be one of its major assets. Sapphire is supposed to make the iPhone screen all but unbreakable. Today’s news is that sapphire is unlikely to happen this time round.
Israeli Bombing Ruins Gaza's Only Power Plant
Israel broadened its bombing campaign on Tuesday, bringing the Palestinian death toll above 1,200. Brief hope for a cease-fire was quickly dashed.
The Hidden Costs Of Fighting Polio In Pakistan
The effort to end polio is taking a toll on Pakistan’s already overstretched health system. With more children dying of measles and diarrhea, some question whether the focus on polio is worth it.
Women And Minorities Penalized For Promoting Diversity, Study Says
Ever hear that women and minorities are loath to promote their own kind?
American Express Express Shares Slip Despite 13% Earnings Bump
After closing trading slightly in the red, shares of American Express were down further in after hours to around $91.25.
Could Ebola Virus Become A Threat In The U.S.?
As the Ebola virus continues to spread throughout West Africa, with increasing concern among both health officials and the public alike, recent media reports about a death of a man who traveled to Lagos, Nigeria having been in an area rife with Ebola Virus, recently caught the world’s attention–and for good reason.
Is Tesla's EV The Future Of Autos? Probably Not
Answer by Jason Lancaster, editor of AccurateAutoAdvice.com, on Quora,
'Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare' Trailer Reveals Story Details, Awesome Kevin Spacey Animations
Call of Duty is the best-selling video game franchise on the market right now, and there’s little indication that this will change any time soon.
The $400,000 Social Security Mistake
Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) opened today’s hearings on Social Security with grim statistics. Unless Congress acts, Americans receiving disability benefits won’t get full benefits starting in 2016, and when Americans who are 48 today reach full retirement age in 2033, they and everyone else receiving retirement and survivor benefits would see a 23% benefit cut. “Social Security is facing the greatest challenge since 1983,” Rep. Johnson said, referring to last major overhaul under President Ronald Reagan.
France Presses On With Deal To Sell Two Warships To Russia
Amid ongoing fighting in Ukraine and stepped-up U.S. and EU sanctions on Russia, the deal has met with little criticism in the shipbuilding town of St. Nazaire, where it’s created 2,500 jobs.
12 of the cutest new arrivals at zoos around the world
From Sri Lanka leopards to white Bengal tigers to crowned lemurs, here’s a look at 12 adorable animals recently born in zoos around the world.
U.S., EU, Canada announce new sanctions against Russia
The United States, the European Union and Canada all announced a tightening of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday over the continuing crisis in Ukraine and Russia’s suspected involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
The Secret Lives Of Entrepreneurs: Pushing The Boundaries Of The Work Life Balance
If money never sleeps, then those of us who spend our days chasing the filthy lucre should not expect the work life balance to redress itself any time soon, and the curse of it is, the more successful you are, the less downtime you have.
One Gaza Family Observes A Grim Holiday In Wartime
The Eid festival, which celebrates the end of Ramadan, serves as a time for visiting relatives and exchanging gifts. But one family’s holiday in Gaza traces the death and displacement wrought by the war between Hamas and Israel.
Beijing Begins Apparent Corruption Probe Into High-Level Official
China has begun investigations into one of the country’s senior politicians. Zhou Yongkang was a former domestic security chief, and he’s suspected of “serious disciplinary violations.”
White House Accuses Moscow Of Violating Landmark Arms Control Deal
The Obama administration is accusing Russia of testing a banned cruise missile, thus violating a long-standing treaty that helped put an end to the Cold War. To learn more about the situation, Audie Cornish speaks with Steven Pifer, the director of the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative at the Brookings Institution.
In Treating Ebola, Doctors Have Only Containment, Not Yet A Cure
Virologist Thomas Geisbert has spent decades studying Ebola and other hemorrhagic fevers. He speaks to Audie Cornish about the current Ebola outbreak, the worst in history, and how it might be contained this time around.
White House Widens Scope Of Russian Sanctions To Finance And Defense
The Obama administration is slapping stronger sanctions on Russia. The sanctions — which target key sectors of the Russian economy, including finance and defense — come as a response to Moscow’s alleged involvement in Ukraine. The move comes on the same day that the European Union announced sanctions of its own.
American Doctor Sick With Ebola Now Fighting For His Life
After caring for Ebola patients for several months in West Africa, Dr. Kent Brantly noticed last week that he had symptoms. The 33-year-old immediately put himself into a Liberian isolation ward.
Want To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? Choose Mackerel Over Shrimp
Sardines and other small, oily fish are some of the most nutritious in the sea. Now there’s another reason to eat them: Fishermen use a lot less fuel to catch them than many other kinds of seafood.
Widely Used Insecticides Are Leaching Into Midwest Rivers
Researchers found that a class of chemicals similar to nicotine used on corn and soy farms have run off into streams and rivers in the Midwest. There they may be harming aquatic life, like insects.
Humble CEOs Are Best For Business, New Study Says
James Collins, author of the 2001 business classic Good to Great, likes to tell the story of Darwin E. Smith, the shy, reserved CEO of Kimberly-Clark for two decades until 1991. When Smith was asked how he turned around the maker of Kleenex and Huggies, generating returns to investors that were four times better than the stock market’s, Collins quotes him as saying, “I was just trying to become qualified for the job.”
The Biggest Mistakes 20-Something Job Seekers Make
There was the young job seeker who showed up at his interview 15 minutes late, failed to apologize, and then asked if the interviewer had a garbage can so he could throw away his gum. There was also the 20-something applicant whose call to the hiring manager went dead in the middle of the conversation. The young woman didn’t call back for two hours, only to explain, without apology, that she had dropped her phone in a tub of water while she was getting a manicure. Then there was the mother who called her son’s boss when he wasn’t hired at the end of his internship, and demanded to know why.
Dollar Tree Poised To Become $18 Billion Power Retailer
The acquisition of Family Dollar by [entity display="Dollar Tree" type="organization" subtype="company" active="true" key="dollar-tree" ticker="DLTR" exchange="NASDAQ" natural_id="fred/company/1324"]Dollar Tree[/entity] promises to create an $18 billion in sales, 13,000 store powerhouse. The combination of the two companies has some pretty big implications for not just the deep discount segment of retail, but mass merchants too.
Leadership Is About Enabling The Full Potential In Others
The 21st century leader must have the ability to make the most out of every situation. They are courageous and not afraid to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries to make things better. Because of these qualities and many others, the best leaders know how to get the most out of people; they enable the full potential in others.
Why Aren't Recent College Grads Getting Hired?
Among the sons and daughters of my friends are a ridiculous number of well-educated unemployed – or underemployed – young people. These are graduates from top schools who have had every advantage in life. They are smart and talented, with excellent social skills. They are hanging around watching Oprah on TV.
The iPhone 6 Isn't Official, But A 24-Carat Gold iPhone 6 Is
Until Tim Cook holds it up on a California stage a month or two from now, the iPhone 6 will remain subject to rampant rumors and speculation. But luxury design and accessory company Brikk is already taking pre-orders for its extravagant take on [entity display="Apple's" type="organization" subtype="company" active="true" key="apple" ticker="AAPL" exchange="NASDAQ" natural_id="fred/company/280"]Apple’s[/entity] next big thing.
Civil aviation authorities demand more information about risk in conflict zones
International civil aviation authorities have called for a task force to find a way for high-level information about risks in airspace over conflict zones to be sent to civil aviation authorities.
Buckingham Palace employee charged with taking bribes for work contracts
Prosecutors have charged a former top official working for Britain’s royal family with accepting thousands in bribes in return for contracts for work at royal palaces.
Internet usage-based pricing confuses consumers, U.S. watchdog finds
Consumers often incorrectly estimate how much data they consume online and pay internet providers for more downloading and uploading than they actually do, a U.S. government watchdog says.
U.S. Aid To Rebels In Syria: Too Little Too Late?
Washington Post reporter Liz Sly tells Renee Montagne that U.S. arms may be flowing to moderate Syrian rebels, but the aid seems to be too little too late to affect the course of the civil war.
Venezuelans Celebrate Chavez With A Focus On His Handwriting
The handwriting is familiar to Venezuelans: Chavez spent hours on national TV writing and drawing to explain his policies, mostly in caps and socialist red. It’s also a computer font: ChavezPro.
For Iraqis In Crisis, Dividing The Country Seems A Poor Solution
For centuries, Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds had coexisted in Mosul, but some fear ruptures there may be harbingers of the partition of Iraq. If that happens, Ahmed Ali may never see his farm again.
Waiting For the Human Workplace
In the fall of 2011 I was going crazy. I was looking for something — a point on the arrow to tie together the big and small ideas I’d been writing and speaking about for decades. My friend Molly said “Enlarge the lens, Liz. Go meet some new people.” I started to have coffees and lunches with people I didn’t know. It turns out that if you want to go meet a lot of new people, it’s very easy to do. I sat on LinkedIn and sent InMails to people I didn’t know — people who work in government, academia, big business, startups, the arts and the media — you name it. Seventy-five percent of them said “Sure! I’ll have lunch.” I had sixty lunches and forty-five coffees.
Israel targets symbols of Hamas control in Gaza with heaviest bombardment yet
Israeli aircraft, tanks and navy gunboats targeted symbols of Hamas control in Gaza City early Tuesday in the heaviest night of bombardment in three weeks of fighting after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a “prolonged” campaign.
Fears of Ebola spread in Nigeria after infected plane passenger dies in Lagos
Patrick Sawyer died in a Lagos hospital just days after arriving from a multinational trip throughout West Africa. Fears are now growing over a possible spread of Ebola in the continent’s most populous city.
Soho China Will Open Zaha Hadid Buildings In Beijing, Shanghai In Sept.
, the Beijing real estate developer whose billionaire founders Pan Shiyi and Zhang Xin have been in the news this month for donating $100 million for scholarships, will formally open two new buildings in China designed by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid in September.
Why India Should Welcome WalMart With Open Arms
There’s a debate going on in India about whether foreign retailers should be allowed full access to the consumers of that country. Or rather, there has been a debate going on in the background and now, after the election, people seem to have stopped talking about it as it’s a difficult political question. It is, however, an extremely simple one from the point of view of economic policy. India should abandon the restrictions that keep the WalMarts of this world out of the country as fully foreign owned organisations. Doing so would make the country vastly richer which is always a sign of a good piece of economic policy.
Today's Leaders Must Learn To Thrive In Disequilibrium
Many leaders today believe that striving for equilibrium is the key to building a healthy business. A balanced business outlook, a balanced team, and a balanced budget will result in success. No stress, no fuss, no problems, right? Wrong.
The Sales Funnel Is An Unholy Grail
Most, if not all, of us still religiously rely on the sales funnel to drive the effort to meet and exceed the revenue plan. And we do so even though the funnel fails us time and again. After more than 100 years of use, it’s not that the funnel concept is obsolete; it was just never the right way to model the problem in the first place.
NASA's Opportunity Rover Sets A Record For Off-World Driving
NASA’s Opportunity rover has been on Mars for over 10 years now, but it’s still going strong. And now it’s just set a new (off) world record: it’s traveled further than any other man-made rover to date.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Microsoft, IBM Surge Ahead of Amazon In Cloud Revenue Growth, Analysts Say
Cloud computing may be a disruptive force, but two of the leading establishment vendors appear to be surging ahead in the market for online infrastructure services. Its also become a highly lucrative space, now worth more than $13 billion a year.
3 Tips to Deal With Difficult Customers
With the good comes the bad, and in business this means dealing with difficult customers every now and again. Often, this is due to things you cannot avoid, such as a shipping issue that a third party has immediate control over or a vendor item defect that you had no idea existed. Other times this may be a direct response to something you or someone from your company did – including responses to your behavior, communication or lack of it. Either way, the tips below can help navigate the drama some difficult customers may deliver.
The Big Business Of Florida Georgia Line's Blurred Boundaries
As Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line settle into their dressing room after playing Jimmy Fallon’s show for the third time in 18 months, a minor crisis arises: the bottle of Jack Daniel’s they were hoping to find in their dressing room is missing.
'We've seen horrific things': Canadian MH17 crash site monitor describes the grisly scene
Ukrainian-Canadian OSCE monitor Michael Bociurkiw talks to CBC News about his emotional experiences at the grisly crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine.
U.S. Accuses Russia Of Violating Nuclear Treaty
Calling the matter “very serious,” an Obama administration official says Russia violated the pact by testing a ground-launched cruise missile.
Canadian Embassy in Libya remains 'operational'
The Canadian Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, remains “operational” amid heavy clashes between rebel militias, but government officials will not say whether the embassy is officially open or closed.
U.S. says Russia violated 1987 nuclear missile treaty
In an escalation of tensions, the Obama administration accused Russia on Monday of conducting tests in violation of a 1987 nuclear missile treaty, calling the breach “a very serious matter” and going public with allegations that have simmered for some time.
OkCupid Lied To Users About Their Compatibility As An Experiment
Ever since the big kerfuffle over Facebook’s emotion manipulation study — and the defense that this happens all over the Web all the time — we’ve been wondering what other experiments we may have been part of without knowing it. OkCupid came forward Monday with another one: it shot falsehood-tipped arrows through users’ hearts as an experiment. The dating site exhumed its three-year dormant “OkTrends” blog which used to share insights into online daters’ behavior, but went silent after the company was bought by IAC for $50 million. In a flippant entry that announces his upcoming book on data, OkCupid co-founder Christian Rudder defends Facebook, brags about experiments OkCupid’s done in the past, and reveals that at some point the site told people who were poor matches for each other that they were perfect pairs, and vice versa. The site wanted to see if OkCupid’s matching algorithm actually predicted whether people would go gaga for each other, or if they were just slaves to an algorithm and would fall in love (or lust) because the data told them they should. In other words, it wanted to know if it had blinded users with data science.
Want To Drive More Revenue? Stop Selling
Whether it’s an expensive piece of medical equipment, software or a consumer gadget, the job of selling has turned into a complicated game of hide and seek. Buyers hide from sales people with all sorts of creative forms of avoidance. Sales teams, in turn, are constantly inventing new ways of seeking out buyers. The problem is particularly vexing when sales teams try to engage the C-Suite.
Polluted water poses problem for 2016 Rio Olympics sailors
Sailors, coaches and the mayor of Rio de Janeiro acknowledge the problem that Guanabara Bay, the venue for sailing at the 2016 Olympics, is badly polluted.
Baseball's Most Underpaid Players 2014
The New York Yankees’ payroll issues are well chronicled. Dead money abounds thanks to big contracts for creaky players who are hurt or underperforming : CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, and even star Japanese import Masahiro Tanaka, who recently went down with a bad elbow after dominating on the mound during the first half of the season.
Snapchat Faces New 'Minimalist' Rival From The People That Gave Us Yo
The founding team behind the notoriously simple — and oddly popular — Yo app are hoping to create another viral hit, this time by taking on Snapchat.
Netanyahu: Israel Prepared For 'Long Operation' In Gaza
Ignoring calls for a cease-fire, Israel’s prime minister said the country’s incursion into Gaza wouldn’t halt until its “mission is accomplished.”
Sandwich Monday: The Korean Steak Sandwich
For this week’s Sandwich Monday, we try a sandwich with a cult following. It’s the Korean steak from Rhea’s Market and Deli in San Francisco.
Eid al-Fitr celebrations around the world
Tensions in much of the Middle East dampen this year’s Eid al-Fitre celebrations.
Ten Ways To Market Your Opportunities Through Your Job Ads
The typical job ad is a horrifying anti-marketing message to the talent community. When you read a job ad, you should immediately get a sense for why a smart person would want the job. The job ad should focus less on what the Selected Candidate Must Possess, and more on answering the question “What’s so great about our company, and about this job?”
The World's Highest Paid Country Musicians 2014
Country musicians are America’s new rock stars—commercially, at the very least. Of the ten best-selling albums in the U.S. last year, three were country, and only one (Imagine Dragons’ Night Visions) could possibly be classified as rock.
'The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies' Gets Somber Teaser Trailer
Fans got a pretty lengthy Comic-Con* panel on Saturday as well as a sneak peak of the third and final Hobbit film, but it looks like Peter Jackson and company didn’t want to make the general public wait. So here we have this initial theatrical teaser for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, which will end the three-part Hobbit trilogy on December 11th, 2014. The Warner Bros. (Time Warner, Inc.) release has little to prove financially in terms of the Peter Jackson-in-Middle Earth franchise, although it will all-but-certainly help Warner Bros. end the year on a positive note after a less-then-spectacular summer and relatively quiet Fall season (give or take if the Conuring spin-off Annabelle plays more like U.S. Marshals). Of course, back in the olden days (the 1990′s and the early 2000′s), that was the point of a tent pole.
Do We Need An Internet of Things Retail Superstore?
Remember the 90s? I do. I was in my twenties and finally had a job that didn’t involve wearing an apron, which meant I could finally buy my own computer.
Taliban In Pakistan Derail World Polio Eradication
The militant group threatens to kill parents who immunize their children. As a result, polio has come roaring back in Pakistan. Eradication now hinges on whether the country can control the virus.
An Uneasy End To Ramadan In Gaza, Where Fighting Intensifies Once More
NPR’s Emily Harris reports on the Muslim holiday of Eid in Gaza, where one where one family traces the course of three weeks of war in broken bread, temporary shelters and mourning for their dead.
International Court Rules Against Russia In $50 Billion Decision
Russia says it will appeal an unfavorable decision by a court in The Hague. The Permanent Court of Arbitration awarded $50 billion to shareholders of the defunct Yukos oil company.
Wife of disgraced Clippers owner Donald Sterling plotted takeover of family trust: lawyer
A lawyer argued Monday that the estranged wife of Donald Sterling plotted to strip his client from the family trust that owned the Los Angeles Clippers after the head of the NBA said she couldn’t negotiate a sale of the franchise unless she owned all the shares.
OracleVoice: The U.S. Economy Needs CIOs to Step Up
With corporate profits and Wall Street returns at historic highs, economists are calling for more trickle down. We don’t live in a trickle-down tax system, but the principle should nonetheless apply: Higher corporate profits should lead to more business spending and an indirect redistribution of wealth in the broader economy.
Forget The Hamptons, Chincoteague Island Is The Place To Be This Summer
By Stacey Sykes for Fathom | My two-year-old daughter, husband, and I just got back from a four-day vacation in Chincoteague Island — a small barrier island off the coast of Virginia, famous for its population of wild ponies, which have lived in the area for centuries. I cannot get the place out of my head. For days I’ve been thinking about how to accurately describe it, and I think it’s best to start with what you won’t find on Chincoteague.
How To Use Temporary Work To Uncover Your Career Direction
Are you a recent high school or college graduate trying to decide on your career direction? Returning to work after taking time off to raise children or taking care of elderly parents, but not sure about the kind of work that would make you happy? Then you might find it helpful to seek work at a temp agency – because it could help you determine your career direction.
The Bear Case For Uber (Yes, There Is One)
A world with less pollution and no traffic jams, where taxis are cheap and safe and you never have to wait for a pickup: It’s a rosy vision Uber is peddling, and venture capitalists, those professional optimists, are fully on board. An app-based service that lets anyone in need of a ride summon one within minutes, Uber recently raised $1.2 billion at a valuation of $18 billion, making it, on paper, one of the world’s biggest transportation companies, more valuable than such venerable competitors as Hertz, Avis and United Airlines.
The Top 5 Most Brutal Cyber Attacks Of 2014 So Far
In 2014, cyber attacks and data breaches don’t look like they’re going to slow down. We’ve seen high-end data breaches of large companies, with data, personal records and financial information stolen and sold on the black market in a matter of days. Analysts, Hold Security, startlingly announced in February that it had managed to obtain a list of 360 million account credentials for web services from the black market. That’s just after three weeks of research. Criminals are stepping up their game and data breaches are becoming both common and devastating. According to research from Arbor Networks, the number of DDoS events topping 20Gbps in the first half of 2014, are double that of 2013. With more than 100 attacks at over 100Gbps or higher recorded in the first half of the year. ’ State of the Internet report also showed that hacker attacks on websites went up 75% in the final quarter of 2013, with hackers in China responsible for 43% of all attacks. This incredible interactive map from Antivirus software firm Kaspersky, which depicts all the current cyber attacks occurring around the world in real time, shows the growing intensity of hacks as the year progresses. We’re only half way through the year, but there has already been a few high-profile hacks that have stopped presses. Here I’ll explore – in no particular order – the most brutal hacks that have taken place in 2014 so far.
Facebook Stock Is Classic Example Of Bubble
Facebook is utterly overvalued. It is becoming a bellwether for this equity boom and it will likely be the signal for the bust to come.
French aviation experts set to analyze black boxes from Air Algeria crash
The two black boxes from the Algerian passenger jet that went down in Mali last week, killing all 118 aboard, arrived early Monday in France for analysis.
U.K. opens doors to go 'all out for shale' in allowing fracking
Britain has begun to accept bids for licences to explore for shale gas in more than half the country, three years after putting a stop to hydraulic fracturing because of the fracking technique’s links to earth tremors.
Fast-Food Scandal Revives China's Food Safety Anxieties
An American-owned company that supplies meat to fast-food chains in China has pulled all its products made by a subsidiary. An expose revealed some of the products were mishandled and had expired.
How Not To Criticize Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin has never been popular in the US media. Ever since the downing of MH17, though, he’s become an almost mythic figure of evil. Newsweek proclaimed him “the West’s public enemy number one,” The Economist excoriated him for his “web of lies,” and Time Magazine warned us that “the West is losing Putin’s dangerous game.”
The One Thing You Should Do To Get A Raise
Most employees would love to see more money in their paychecks. Who couldn’t use more cash for retirement savings, a college fund or to pay down debt? (Because that’s what you would use the extra pay for, yes?)
Amazon Is Facing A Cloud Crisis, As Microsoft Muscles In
After two decades of relative peace, the Seattle area’s biggest tech companies — Amazon and Microsoft — have begun an all-out battle to see which one can dominate the high-stakes cloud-computing market. Amazon got there first. But Microsoft is muscling in so powerfully that Amazon may have a crisis on its hands.
Bungie's 'Destiny' Might Be Smaller Than Everyone Thinks
In my “review” of sorts of the Destiny PlayStation and Xbox beta posted this weekend, I had a lot of good things to say. The game is a blast from what I’ve played so far, and both the alpha and the beta have shown me enough to get me very excited for September.
More Hot Water For Red Lobster
It’s been no secret in the restaurant world that has been trying to 86 their Red Lobster restaurant chain for a while now. It hasn’t been a secret to us either.
Tax, Public Corruption Charges Net 'Our Man Downtown' In Dallas Scandal
On Friday, federal agents arrested Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price on 11 federal charges including filing fraudulent federal tax returns. Also included in the charges are accusations that Price used his position in Dallas County government for his personal benefit. Price pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On SAP And Its On-Again, Off-Again Mid Market Focus
There has been an ongoing saga over the past several years with regards SAP and its focus on the mid market. When SAP’s SMB focussed (although, let’s be honest here, any SAP product is likely to be more mid than small) ByDesign product was announced close to a decade ago, its promise was that it would deliver SAP-level functionality for an entirely new class of business. In part because of an organizational arrogance and in part because of technical limitations of the time, the strategy of taking parts of the core SAP offering and wrapping them with a web services layer really didn’t deliver what we now expect from a cloud solution. Not surprisingly the reception at launch was muted. Too little, too late and a product offering that SAP’s client base wasn’t asking for.
8 Lessons From Sports Marketing Experts For Brands And Athletes Resisting Move to Digital
If there is any endeavor whose fruits are ripening, that endeavor is surely the new brand and athlete relationship in the digital age. Statistically, according to Julie Frank of Navigation Research, sports fans that see a brand message on social media are 78% more likely to have a positive perception of them. So brands are experimenting with the best approach to reach them through social channels.
Hague Court; Russia Did Steal Yukos And Must Pay $50 Billion Damages
We’ve now got the arbitration decision in the Yukos case from the court in The Hague* and the essential finding is that Russia did in fact steal Yukos from its rightful owners, the shareholders of the company, and must pay $50 billion damages as a result. This is, obviously, by far the largest arbitration decision ever and we might, therefore, argue that this was also the largest theft ever. Over and above the joy at justice being done here there’s also a public policy point. There’s controversy over such arbitration courts being included in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership being negotiated at present: and this case shows exactly why those provisions are entirely and wholly justified.
Video Game Hype Train Better Watch Your Speed
These days, it’s almost impossible to be involved in video games and not be a part of the hype train.
Fighting In Ukraine Continues; Russia Dismisses Threat Of Sanctions
Fierce fighting continued overnight in eastern Ukraine along the Russian border, and Russia’s foreign minister rejected U.S. claims that his country has been supporting pro-Russia fighters there.
Locked In U.S. Hedge Fund Battle, Argentina Faces Default
Argentina says it cannot pay certain debts and will fall into default by July 31 if it can’t come to an agreement with creditors. This would be Argentina’s second default in 13 years.
Israelis Broadly Support Military's Operation In Gaza
Recent polls show more than 8 in 10 Jewish Israelis support the military operation, even as the death tolls climb. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ratings are soaring.
'Water started to fill in': South Korean ferry disaster survivors testify at crew's trial
Six teenagers who survived South Korea’s worst maritime disaster in 44 years told on Monday how classmates helped them float free as water flooded their cabins despite crew instructions to stay put even as their ferry sank, killing more than 300 people.
Customer Experience Is The New Battleground
In the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution, functionality was paramount for businesses to win their clients’ dollars. Henry Ford aptly expressed that customers could choose any color of the Model T they desired, as long as that color was black. Fast forward to the mid-20th century: functionality alone became the ante to play in the wake of a design revolution. At that point, form entered the conversation and a product not only had to work well, but had to look nice, too. This has remained a constant expectation for clients ever since – form may follow function, but it’s certainly there as well.
Let Students Discharge College Debts In Bankruptcy? Yes, But...
Ever since the obstreperous Occupy Wall Street protests of 2011, Americans have been getting an earful about the alleged crisis of student loan debt. Sensing a chance to appear both compassionate and pro-education, many lawmakers want to do something to ease the plight of indebted students.
You Don't Need Permission to Change Careers
A fellow named Jeff came into one of our job search workshops. He said “I want to change careers. I’ve been a lawyer for eighteen years, working for the same law firm the whole time.”
'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1' Gets Spoiler-Free Teaser Trailer
After the two deliciously unconventional teasers (“Together As One” and “Unity”) for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part I, which were basically Donald Sutherland propaganda speeches on behalf of “the Capitol” with little-to-no mention of the fact that they were advertisements for The Hunger Games, it’s almost a little disappointing to see this far more run-of-the-mill teaser. Having said that, it’s a solid and sparse teaser, running about one minute and giving away very little beyond the rather obvious broad strokes. The Capitol is upset over the events of the first two films, Katniss is the face of the rebellion and thus must take a leading role whether she wants it or not, etc., etc. We get Phillip Seymour Hoffman doing most of the narration, which is an encouraging sign that Lionsgate ( Corporation) won’t be hiding his prescence on account of his unexpected death this past February. We also get the visual roll-call of faces both new (Natalie Dormer, Julianne Moore) and old (Liam Hemsworth, and eventually Jennifer Lawrence)and then a quick montage and we’re out. I know this because I saw the trailer on Saturday, not at Comic-Con* but at my local Best Buy.
The Real 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Is Dealing With IRS
Maybe the fact that the still not released ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Is ‘Too Hot For TV’ Trailer is just more marketing hype. Maybe it means there will be that much more reason to see it when it finally hits theaters on February 13, 2015—for Valentine’s Day. Still, every time I hear the title, I think of the fact that there are many more shades of grey in the tax code and the way the IRS interprets it.
Why We Think Ignorance Is Bliss, Even When It Hurts Our Health
People sometimes avoid information because they’re afraid of bad news. But this “information aversion” can lead people to avoid medical tests that could save their lives.
Rust Devastates Guatemala's Prime Coffee Crop And Its Farmers
Central American coffee farmers are facing off against a deadly fungus that has wiped out thousands of acres of crops. Coffee companies like Starbucks are pooling money to support them in the fight.
Investigators renew bid to access Malaysian jet crash site despite fighting
A joint Australian-Dutch probe team renewed efforts on Monday to gain access to the crash site of a Malaysian airliner in eastern Ukraine, Australian Federal Police said, after fierce fighting kept them away the previous day.
2014 air travel deaths surpass last 3 years
2014 has already broken the improving aviation safety pattern of recent years. The death toll so far this year already surpasses the number for each of the three previous years. Here’s a quick look at aviation safety by the numbers.
'We're not the Jetsons yet': Volvo's 'world first' safety features next step in a smarter car
‘World-first’ road sensors in the newest Volvos could eventually make car travel much safer, but probably only if every other automaker follows suit.
Boko Haram kidnaps wife of Cameroon's vice-PM, kills 3 in cross-border attack
Nigerian Boko Haram militants kidnapped the wife of Cameroon’s vice prime minister and killed at least three people on Sunday in a cross-border attack involving more than 200 assailants in the northern town of Kolofata, Cameroon officials said.
Deaf driver fleeing angry crowd at Comic-Con's Zombie Walk injures woman
A driver struck and seriously injured a woman while fleeing from angry members of the annual Zombie Walk held during Comic-Con, police said.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
UN backs calls for 'immediate and unconditional' Gaza ceasefire
The UN Security Council called for ‘an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire’ in the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas at an emergency meeting just after midnight Monday morning.
U.N. Security Council Calls For Humanitarian Cease-Fire In Gaza
The call for a cease-fire follows new attacks launched by Israel and Hamas despite going back and forth over proposals for another temporary halt to nearly three weeks of fighting.
Today, Imagination Is The Most Important Business Skill. Here's Why:
In a famous scene in the 1967 movie The Graduate, a family friend takes aside Dustin Hoffman’s character, Benjamin Braddock, and whispers in a conspiratorial tone “Plastics. There’s a great future in plastics.”
Long Term Review Of The Samsung Galaxy S5: Has It Secured Samsung's Smartphone Future?
Over the last six weeks I’ve been using Samsung’s flagship handset, the Galaxy S5. The smartphone strategy of the South Korean company hands this flagship a huge amount of responsibility. It needs to be able to command a significant volume of sales and providing revenue and income to the parent company; it needs to be seen as a leader in mobile technology; it needs to be a handset that people want to buy; and if they can’t afford it, the halo effect should see them happy to purchase another variant of the Galaxy S5 family.
How To Work Much Faster
Working quickly is one of the most important characteristics of the high performing business person.
Economy In Gutter, Brazil More Expensive Than Europe
Brazil’s economy might be growing near zero, and it’s currency isn’t as strong as it was in the heyday of the U.S. housing bubble of 2008, but that hasn’t stopped the country from becoming more expensive than the entire euro zone. In fact, according to The Economist magazine’s latest edition of the Big Mac index, Brazil’s currency is overvalued, and is third behind mega rich nations like Norway and Switzerland.
OSI Chairman Arrives In Shanghai, Will Meet Press Amid Meat Scandal -- Report
Sheldon Lavin, the chairman of the Aurora, Illinois meat producer at the center of a reported safety scandal that has dragged in McDonald’s in mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan, has arrived in Shanghai and is due to join a press conference with other senior company officials this afternoon, government-published Shanghai Daily said today.
New Study Says Probiotics May Help People With High Blood Pressure
A new study in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension suggests that probiotics (a.k.a., “good” bacteria) might offer another interesting benefit: Reduced blood pressure. Probiotics are well known to benefit gut health, the immune system, and possibly even brain health. More recent evidence has shown that the benefits may also extend to metabolic measures like cholesterol and insulin sensitivity. And it’s likely through these avenues that the benevolent microbes exert their effect on blood pressure, particularly in people who have high blood pressure to begin with.
The 3 Keys to Surviving Major Life Transitions
You might think that the most important work a financial advisor can do is related to allocating a client’s investment portfolio, or perhaps helping secure a timely insurance policy or drafting the optimal estate plan. In fact, their most important work is done when clients are in the midst of navigating life’s major transitions.
Would You Go This Far To Win A Project Or Job?
Would you ship yourself to a prospective employer in a crate, dressed in a Superman suit? “Hi, my name is Steve Schussler and I’m your new salesperson.” The stunt nearly killed this ambitious entrepreneur, but the risk paid off: He eventually became one of the most successful creators of theatrical experiences in the restaurant and retail world.
Hurricane Hernan forms in Pacific off Mexican coast
The storm Hernan strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane far off Mexico’s western coast Sunday as it headed out into the Pacific Ocean and posed little threat to land.
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