Senators ask Jeff Bezos to crack down on thousands of unsafe products on Amazon

Three Senate Democrats sent a letter to Amazon urging the company to do something about the thousands of unsafe or banned products listed on the e-commerce site. In a letter sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on Thursday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., asked him to take action to stop the sale of unsafe products on Amazon.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/29/senators-ask-jeff-bezos-to-crack-down-on-unsafe-products-on-amazon.html?source=Snapzu

Visiting space will be "just like going on a cruise" says space hotel architect

The first commercial space hotel will be more like a cruise ship than Stanley Kubrick's sleek space station from 2001, says Tim Alatorre, senior design architect of the Von Braun Space Station. The Gateway Foundation is designing the world's first space hotel – the Von Braun Space Station – with the aim of making visiting space accessible to everyone.
Read more: https://www.dezeen.com/2019/08/29/space-hotel-architect-von-braun-space-station/?source=Snapzu

Parts of America may already be facing recession

Slowdowns in housing construction and manufacturing are ominous
Read more: https://www.economist.com/united-states/2019/08/31/parts-of-america-may-already-be-facing-recession?source=Snapzu

Uber proposes policy that would pay drivers a minimum wage of $21 per hour

On the heels of a driver-led protest outside Uber’s San Francisco headquarters, where drivers showed their support for gig worker protections legislation (via Assembly Bill 5) and demanded a union, Uber is circulating a petition urging people to “protect ridesharing in California.” In the petition, Uber advocates for a policy that would offer drivers a minimum of $21 per hour while on a trip,* paid time off, sick leave and compensation if they are injured while driving, as well as a collective voice and “the ability to influence decisions about their work.”
Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/28/uber-proposes-policy-that-would-pay-drivers-a-minimum-wage-of-21-per-hour/?source=Snapzu

Uber and Lyft Are Recruiting Their Own Drivers to Lobby Against Drivers' Rights

“Gig economy” tech companies that rely on armies of “independent contractors” are panicked at a bill being considered in California that could force them to classify their workers as actual employees. Now, they’re busily enlisting their own workers to lobby against... improving the lives of their own workers. Read the emails below.
Read more: https://splinternews.com/uber-and-lyft-are-recruiting-their-own-drivers-to-lobby-1837714017?source=Snapzu

Senate Democrats raise 'serious concerns' about Ticketmaster, Live Nation fees

Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Wednesday called for a federal investigation of the online ticketing industry, citing a report that Ticketmaster-Live Nation has defied a 2010 consent decree.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/459140-senate-democrats-raise-serious-concerns-about-ticketmaster-live-nation-fees?source=Snapzu

Criteria for Choosing a Tech Stack for Your Startup

Our team collected several criteria that could influence the tech stack for your startup.
Read more: https://2muchcoffee.com/blog/criteria-for-choosing-a-tech-stack-for-your-startup/?source=Snapzu

For Business, Veganism Is the New Vaping

Big food is salivating over fake meat after the blockbuster initial public offering of Beyond Meat Inc., the leading plant-based protein brand, in May. Traditional producers have rushed into the booming market for meat substitutes, which threaten to take a slice of their business. Tyson Foods Inc. was an early investor in Beyond Meat, but sold its stake before the company’s trading debut and announced its own line of faux meat. Other U.S. companies, such as Smithfield Foods Inc., are introducing alternative protein products.
Read more: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/business-veganism-vaping-060005443.html?source=Snapzu

From Animal Farm to Catch-22: the most regrettable rejections in the history of publishing

Faber is being urged to make amends for turning down George Orwell’s novella in 1944. But it is far from the only publisher to miss out on a future bestseller
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/books/shortcuts/2019/aug/26/animal-farm-catch-22-most-regrettable-rejections-history-publishing?source=Snapzu

The Next Recession Will Destroy Millennials

Millennials are already in debt and without savings. After the next downturn, they’ll be in even bigger trouble.
Read more: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/08/millennials-are-screwed-recession/596728/?source=Snapzu

America is obsessed with beef. But it has no use for hides, so leather prices plunge

A glut of cowhides has caused leather prices to plummet.
Read more: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-08-18/america-is-obsessed-with-beef-but-it-has-no-use-for-hides-so-leather-prices-plunge?source=Snapzu

Finding Old Instruction Manuals for Free Online

Just because you've got a device without a manual doesn't mean you need to throw it away. There are plenty of places on the Internet that can help you find its instructions.
Read more: https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2019/08/no-sweat-tech-finding-old-instruction-manuals-for-free-online/?source=Snapzu

Toy maker Hasbro to buy Peppa Pig owner for $4bn

The US toy maker will expand its entertainment portfolio with other preschool brands including PJ Masks.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49443785?source=Snapzu

Amazon was caught selling thousands of items that have been declared unsafe by federal agencies

According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, Amazon was selling thousands of items declared unsafe by federal agencies.
Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-selling-unsafe-items-third-party-sellers-report-2019-8?source=Snapzu

$63b sign recession is ‘looming’

Last week’s panic from the $63 billion selloff in the Australian stock market is subsiding. But if the bond-market fiasco continues, and it will, that’s a drop in the ocean of what’s to come, which means it’s worth considering investment alternatives like gold and bitcoin.
Read more: https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/world-economy/australia-is-not-immune-63-billion-warning-sign-recession-is-looming/news-story/f5291a8e0dd3e8ed32de6936fbd1ffd9/?source=Snapzu

After seven roof fires, Walmart sues Tesla over solar panel flaws

Walmart filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Tesla on Tuesday. The retail giant says Tesla's "negligent installation and maintenance" of solar panels caused fires on the roofs of as many as seven Walmart stores since 2012. Most people think of Tesla as an electric car manufacturer, but Tesla also sells other products related to renewable energy.
Read more: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/08/after-seven-roof-fires-walmart-sues-tesla-over-solar-panel-flaws/?source=Snapzu

Overstock CEO resigns after ‘deep state’ comments

Overstock .com announced today that CEO Patrick Byrne has resigned from his role as chief executive and board member. Another board member, Jonathan Johnson, will be taking over as Overstock’s interim CEO.
Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/22/overstock-ceo-resigns/?source=Snapzu

Eminem publisher Eight Mile Style sues Spotify

Eminem's publisher, Eight Mile Style, is suing Spotify. It claims the music-streaming service failed to correctly copyright the rapper's work. Eminem has never been properly paid for songs "streamed on Spotify billions of times", court papers say.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49436077?source=Snapzu

How to Be a Copywriting Genius: The Brilliantly Sneaky Trick You Must Learn

Most copy doesn't do this. Which is why most copy gets weak results.
Read more: https://www.copyblogger.com/copywriting-tip/?source=Snapzu

How does an independent bookstore survive for 90 years?

As Weller Book Works celebrates its 90th anniversary — a millennia in bookstore years — on Aug. 17, its owners Tony and Catherine Weller look back on their bookstore’s history, how the store is doing now and their plans for the future.
Read more: https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2019/8/15/20804020/how-does-an-independent-bookstore-survive-for-90-years-utahs-weller-book-works-found-an-answer?source=Snapzu

Google's acquisitions are in the spotlight 15 years after it went public

Since its IPO 15 years ago, Google has become more and more powerful. Today, that power is being highly scrutinized.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/19/googles-best-and-worst-acquisitions-are-in-the-spotlight-15-years-later.html?source=Snapzu

Trump says the Fed is the 'only problem' with the economy, calls Powell 'a golfer who can't putt'

President Donald Trump insisted Wednesday that the economy is healthy and said the only thing holding U.S. growth back is the Federal Reserve. In his latest slap at the central bank, the president called Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to a “golfer who can’t putt.” In tweets, he also claimed the country is “doing great with China and other Trade Deals” with “the only problem” being “Jay Powell,” whom Trump appointed to the top position in February 2018.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/21/trump-says-the-fed-is-the-only-problem-with-economy-calls-powell-a-golfer-who-cant-putt.html?source=Snapzu

A 125-year-old dime just sold for $1.32 million

The 1894-S Barber Dime is one of only 24 that were ever made, according to Stack's Bowers Galleries, which held the auction Thursday night.
Read more: https://wtvr.com/2019/08/19/a-125-year-old-dime-just-sold-for-1-32-million/?source=Snapzu

Marketing Strategies for FinTech Startup

Marketing strategies for FinTech will benefits your business a lot. We mentioned the most effective ones in the article.
Read more: https://2muchcoffee.com/blog/marketing-strategies-for-fintech-startup/?source=Snapzu

America's Hot New Job Is Being a Rich Person's Servant

“Wealth work” is one of America’s fastest-growing industries. That’s not entirely a good thing.
Read more: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/08/americas-hot-new-job-being-rich-persons-servant/595774/?source=Snapzu

‘Ethical’ eggs could save male chicks from mass slaughter

Scientists find ways to sex chicks before they hatch
Read more: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/08/ethical-eggs-could-save-male-chicks-mass-slaughter?source=Snapzu

Apple Card launches today for all US customers

Apple Card, a new kind of credit card from Apple designed to help customers lead a healthier financial life, is available in the US starting today.
Read more: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/08/apple-card-launches-today-for-all-us-customers/?source=Snapzu

President Trump says Tim Cook made 'good case' why tariffs are unfair to Apple

Trump has long been threatening to impose a tariff, with the latest being a 10% assessment on electronics imported from China, which would have covered most of Apple's product line. This latest move was seen as retaliatory against the Chinese government for a failed trade deal.
Read more: http://appleinsider.com/articles/19/08/18/president-trump-says-tim-cook-made-good-case-why-tariffs-are-unfair-to-apple?source=Snapzu

Insurance Companies Are Paying Cops To Investigate Their Own Customers

A cozy alliance between insurers and law enforcement has turned the justice system into the industry’s hired gun and left innocent customers facing prison.
Read more: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kendalltaggart/insurance-fraud-erie-state-farm-farmers?source=Snapzu

The end of capitalism has begun

Without us noticing, we are entering the postcapitalist era. At the heart of further change to come is information technology, new ways of working and the sharing economy. The old ways will take a long while to disappear, but it’s time to be utopian
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/17/postcapitalism-end-of-capitalism-begun?source=Snapzu

How to Compete With Technology in the Age of Automation

It's all about staying in demand in the workplace.
Read more: https://fortune.com/2019/08/18/job-replaced-by-automation-artificial-intelligence-ai/?source=Snapzu

The Trucking Industry Is In a Recession. Here’s What It Means for the Economy.

The trucking industry is already in a recession. The question for investors is, however, does freight industry weakness presage a full-blown economic downturn?
Read more: https://www.barrons.com/articles/trucking-industry-is-in-a-recession-will-economy-follow-51565880739?source=Snapzu

This AI startup claims to automate app making but actually just uses humans

Who could have seen that coming?
Read more: https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/14/20805676/engineer-ai-artificial-intelligence-startup-app-development-outsourcing-humans?source=Snapzu

Uber stock hits a new all-time low as shares continue to slide following $5 billion Q2 loss

Uber shares traded below $36 for the first time.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/14/uber-stock-hits-a-new-all-time-low.html?source=Snapzu

‘Shooting,’ ‘Bomb,’ ‘Trump’: Advertisers Blacklist News Stories Online

Companies are increasingly insisting their ads do not appear near articles or videos that contain any of a long list of words. The blacklists are becoming more sophisticated, specific and extensive. Publishers worry about the revenue hit.
Read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/advertisers-blacklist-hard-news-including-trump-fearing-backlash-11565879086?source=Snapzu

Amazon launches program to donate unsold products, after reports millions being destroyed

The new Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Donations program is meant to encourage third-party sellers to donate unsold inventory, rather than having Amazon destroy it.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/08/14/amazon-launches-fba-donations-program-for-unsold-inventory.html?source=Snapzu

Harvard Just Discovered that PowerPoint is Worse Than Useless

Intuitively, anecdotally, and scientifically, PowerPoint may be the worst business tool ever created.
Read more: https://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/harvard-just-discovered-that-powerpoint-is-worse-than-useless.html?source=Snapzu

World's largest urban farm to open – on a Paris rooftop

The 14,000m² farm is set to open in the south-west of Paris early next year
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/aug/13/worlds-largest-urban-farm-to-open-on-a-paris-rooftop?source=Snapzu

Why Disney's $13 Streaming Bundle May Be a Double-Edged Sword

Offering Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ together takes direct aim at Netflix's standard plan — but it also could hasten cord-cutting and "hurt" Disney as it negotiates new carriage fees for its (still very profitable) linear channels.
Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-disneys-1299-streaming-bundle-may-be-a-double-edged-sword-1230928?source=Snapzu

Top University Of California Scientists Tell Elsevier They'll No Longer Work On Elsevier Journals

Last week we highlighted the ongoing dispute between academic publishing giant Elsevier and the University of California (UC) system. Earlier this year, UC cancelled its contract with Elsevier, after the publishing giant -- which gets nearly all of...
Read more: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190812/16083542760/top-university-california-scientists-tell-elsevier-theyll-no-longer-work-elsevier-journals.shtml?source=Snapzu

Netflix needs to grow, but it’s sacrificing great original series to do so

Everything is changing.
Read more: https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/12/20791602/netflix-canceled-shows-originals-tuca-bertie-oa-streaming-wars-disney?source=Snapzu

Three Years of Misery Inside Google, the Happiest Company in Tech

Sexual harassment. Hate speech. Employee walkouts. The Silicon Valley giant is trapped in a war against itself. And there’s no end in sight.
Read more: https://www.wired.com/story/inside-google-three-years-misery-happiest-company-tech/?source=Snapzu

Bankruptcy filings rising across the country and it could get worse

Bankruptcies are back — flashing warnings that more Americans are knee-deep in debt in big cities like New York. While total bankruptcy petitions nationwide by consumers and businesses are still well below Great Recession levels, analysts say there is an unmistakable trend upward.
Read more: https://nypost.com/2019/08/11/bankruptcy-filings-rising-across-the-country-and-it-could-get-worse/?source=Snapzu

Billie Eilish's merch pulled off website after admitting to using stolen anime art

Billie Eilish was accused of using stolen Nozomi Tojo art for her new merchandise.The merch was pulled from the webiste after her team admitted to using it.
Read more: https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/billie-eilish-merch-stolen-anime-art/?source=Snapzu

The worst sales promotion in history

In 1992, an electronics company offered two free international flights with any £100 purchase. The rest, well... sucked.
Read more: https://thehustle.co/the-worst-sales-promotion-in-history/?source=Snapzu

22-year-old in Spain allegedly scammed Amazon out of $370K with return shipments filled with dirt

James Gilbert Kwarteng was arrested last Saturday for allegedly conning Amazon out of nearly $370,000 (€300,000) by sending return packages filled with dirt. In what is being called "the biggest Amazon scam ever recorded in Europe," (the second most lucrative financial scam against Amazon in general), the 22-year-old would fill up the ordered items' boxes with dirt with the exact weight of the product, and then register the item for a return.
Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/22-year-old-allegedly-scammed-amazon-out-370k-return-shipments-filled-dirt-1452452?source=Snapzu

Impossible Whopper's plant patties taste almost like real meat — and that's worrying cattle farmers

Impossible Whopper's plant patties taste almost like real meat — and that's worrying cattle farmers
Read more: https://www.knowledgeinflux.info/2019/08/impossible-whoppers-plant-patties-taste.html?source=Snapzu

A growing legion of debt-laden 'zombie consumers' has been enabled by low interest rates, economists say

Interest-rate cuts in the US have been cheered by Wall Street and the White House. To fend off a slowdown in the economy, the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate a quarter percentage point to a target range of between 2% and 2.25% last month. Such a move typically lowers the cost of borrowing for credit cards, mortgages, and other loans.
Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/us-consumer-debt-low-interest-rates-have-fueled-zombie-consumers-2019-8?source=Snapzu

How Big Pharma Was Captured by the One Percent

The industry's price-gouging economic model was engineered by Wall Street and its political enablers—and only Washington can fix it.
Read more: https://newrepublic.com/article/149438/big-pharma-captured-one-percent?source=Snapzu

U.S. Pay-TV Subscriber Losses More Than Triple To 1.5M In Q2

The largest pay-TV providers in the U.S. saw video subscriber losses more than triple to 1.53 million in the second quarter, according to the latest report from Leichtman Research Group. The tally marks is up dramatically from the 420,000 losses in the second quarter of 2018. LRG based the figures on its findings for companies representing 93% of the total marketplace.
Read more: https://deadline.com/2019/08/u-s-pay-tv-subscriber-losses-more-than-triple-to-1-5m-in-q2-report-1202666232/?source=Snapzu