GM extends talks on $2 billion deal with Nikola after fraud, sexual assault allegations surface against Trevor Milton

General Motors and Nikola are not expected to finalize a $2 billion deal scheduled to close before Wednesday after allegations of fraud and sexual abuse surfaced against the embattled start-up’s founder and former executive chairman, Trevor Milton, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/gm-extends-talks-on-2-billion-deal-with-nikola-after-fraud-sexual-assault-allegations-surface-against-trevor-milton-.html?source=Snapzu

Yes, Donald Trump Is Still A Billionaire. That Makes His $750 Tax Payment Even More Scandalous

“Is Donald Trump really a billionaire?” everyone seemed to be asking Sunday night, after the New York Times dropped a bombshell report about the president’s taxes, which detailed big losses in some years and limited income in others. The answer: Yes, he is indeed.
Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2020/09/28/yes-donald-trump-is-still-a-billionaire-that-makes-his-750-tax-payment-even-more-scandalous/#59281c802885?source=Snapzu

'I monitor my staff with software that takes screenshots'

Shibu Philip admits he knows what it's like to "maybe waste a bit of time at work". Shibu is the founder of Transcend - a small London-based firm that buys beauty products wholesale and re-sells them online. For the last year and a half he has used Hubstaff software to track his workers' hours, keystrokes, mouse movements and websites visited.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54289152?source=Snapzu

Amazon Restricts How Rival Device Makers Buy Ads on Its Site

Some makers of smart speakers, video doorbells and other hardware have hit roadblocks buying key ads in search results. Gadgets made by e-commerce giant get the edge.
Read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-restricts-advertising-competitor-device-makers-roku-arlo-11600786638?source=Snapzu

Uber secures right to continue operating in London

Uber has secured its right to continue operating in London after a judge upheld its appeal against Transport for London (TfL). The ride-hailing giant has been granted a new licence to work in the capital, nearly a year after TfL rejected its application over safety concerns. It ends uncertainty for the 45,000 drivers who use the taxi app in London. Westminster Magistrates' Court said Uber was now a "fit and proper" operator "despite historical failings".
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54322579?source=Snapzu

How Charlie Massy turned his ravaged property into an oasis — and how other farmers can do it too

For five generations, Charles Massy's family rode on the sheep's back and nearly destroyed their land in the process. But going back to nature changed his property and turbocharged a "revolution".
Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-28/charlie-massy-regenerative-farming-movement/12438352?source=Snapzu

Spijkenisser Eurobruggen (Euro Banknote Bridges)

The bridges portrayed on EU currency aren't fictional anymore.
Read more: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/euro-banknote-bridges?source=Snapzu

A new book offers a rare glimpse inside North Korea's frozen-in-time tourist hotels

From poolside stands decorated with pumpkin vines to neon karaoke bars, Pyongyang's tourist hotels look nothing like their exteriors make them seem.
Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-north-korea-frozen-in-time-hotels-photos-architecture-travel-2020-9?source=Snapzu

NYT got 2 decades of Donald Trump income taxes — paid no federal income taxes for 10 of past 15 years, and $750 for two years

The New York Times has obtained two decades of impeached and manifestly unfit U.S. President Trump. The resulting report shows he is in massive debt, and The full $100 million comes due in 2022.
Read more: https://boingboing.net/2020/09/27/nyt-has-2-decades-of-donald-trumps-taxes-hes-in-massive-debt-and-paid-no-federal-income-taxes-for-10-of-past-15-years.html?source=Snapzu

Inside eBay’s Cockroach Cult: The Ghastly Story of a Stalking Scandal

“People are basically good” was eBay’s founding principle. But in the deranged summer of 2019, prosecutors say, a campaign to terrorize a blogger crawled out of a dark place in the corporate soul.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/26/technology/ebay-cockroaches-stalking-scandal.html?source=Snapzu

Remember 1929 when looking for the cause of the coming financial crisis

Alarm bells are ringing in the market for commercial mortgage-backed securities
Read more: https://www.ft.com/content/f9ff9ed0-c7ff-4718-a65b-8be712379e84?source=Snapzu

How Work Became an Inescapable Hellhole

Instead of optimizing work, technology has created a nonstop barrage of notifications and interactions. Six months into a pandemic, it's worse than ever.
Read more: https://www.wired.com/story/how-work-became-an-inescapable-hellhole/?source=Snapzu

Bethesda founder: Microsoft deal is "brilliant counter-move against Sony"

"What Microsoft owns, Sony cannot get," Bethesda founder Christopher Weaver tells Inverse.
Read more: https://www.inverse.com/gaming/bethesda-microsoft-xbox-exclusivity-elder-scrolls-6-interview?source=Snapzu

Inside eBay’s Cockroach Cult: The Ghastly Story of a Stalking Scandal

“People are basically good” was eBay’s founding principle. But in the deranged summer of 2019, prosecutors say, a campaign to terrorize a blogger crawled out of a dark place in the corporate soul.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/26/technology/ebay-cockroaches-stalking-scandal.amp.html?source=Snapzu

Google to block U.S. election ads after polls close

Alphabet Inc's Google will block election-related ads on its platforms after polls close in the U.S. election on Nov. 3, the company told advertisers in an email on Friday.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alphabet-election/google-to-block-election-ads-after-november-3-idUSKCN26G2Q8?il=0?source=Snapzu

How open-source software transformed the business world

People still think of open-source software as general programs for general problems. And, it is, but it's also become vital for vertical markets and companies as well.
Read more: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-open-source-software-transformed-the-business-world/?source=Snapzu

Blizzard cofounder Mike Morhaime launches new gaming endeavor Dreamhaven

Mike Morhaime, cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment, has launched a new game company called Dreamhaven, with two new game studios.
Read more: https://venturebeat.com/2020/09/23/blizzard-cofounder-mike-morhaime-launches-new-gaming-endeavor-dreamhaven/?source=Snapzu

EU's farm animals 'produce more emissions than cars and vans combined'

Greenpeace says bloc must get a grip on reducing greenhouse gases from livestock or risk missing Paris agreement targets
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/22/eu-farm-animals-produce-more-emissions-than-cars-and-vans-combined-greenpeace?source=Snapzu

Facebook denies it will pull service in Europe over data transfer ban

Facebook’s head of global policy has denied the tech giant could close its service to Europeans if local regulators order it to suspend data transfers to the US following a landmark Court of Justice ruling in July that has cemented the schism between US surveillance laws and EU privacy rights.
Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/23/facebook-denies-it-will-pull-service-in-europe-over-data-transfer-ban/?source=Snapzu

Elizabeth Warren And Bernie Sanders Want Big Banking Reforms Following The FinCEN Files Investigations

Lawmakers, regulators, and activists across the globe Monday called for swift action into the findings of a new investigation from BuzzFeed News and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists about corruption in the global banking system and how governments facilitate it.
Read more: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/elizabeth-warren-bernie-sanders-fincen-files?source=Snapzu

Target's Own-Brand Vegan Range Branded 'A Sign Of Major Progress'

U.S retailer Target's vegan offering has been branded a 'sign of major progress' by animal advocates. Target announced its Good and Gather line - which is not vegan but includes a number of vegan items - in 2019. Yesterday, the retail giant announced it was expanding the label with new plant-based protein products including beef-style patties and crispy chickenless tenders among others.
Read more: https://www.plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/targets-own-brand-vegan-sign-of-major-progress?source=Snapzu

Popcorn farmers are sitting on mountains of unsold popcorn, in part due to closed movie theaters

With movie theaters shut down, people are obviously eating less movie theater snacks. This has left the farmers who supply theaters (and other venues) with a massive surplus of unsold food.
Read more: https://www.foxla.com/news/popcorn-farmers-are-sitting-on-mountains-of-unsold-popcorn-in-part-due-to-closed-movie-theaters?source=Snapzu

Bed Bath and Beyond to close 63 stores by year's end

Bed Bath and Beyond announced the first 63 U.S. locations that will close after Christmas, 2020, as part of a restructuring plan due to financial losses from COVID-19.
Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2020/09/21/Bed-Bath-and-Beyond-to-close-63-stores-by-years-end/6601600732689/?source=Snapzu

A million students and counting have learned Linux

The Linux Foundation's Free Introduction to Linux class has just passed the million enrollment mark.
Read more: https://www.zdnet.com/article/a-million-students-and-counting-have-learned-linux/?source=Snapzu

Amazon Tries to Make the Climate Its Prime Directive

The company just gave itself two decades to reach zero emissions. Can it put both customers and the climate first? The vast Illinois factory floor that will produce electric delivery vans for Amazon.com Inc. is starting to fill up. Battery and chassis assembly here. Tire storage there. A titanic, three-story metal press.
Read more: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/amazon-tries-to-make-the-climate-its-prime-directive-1.1496938?source=Snapzu

Unemployment drop-off reverses course

Americans were starting to fall off the rolls of unemployment. But Thursday's claims report shows the drop-off hasn't just stalled out — the trend continues to reverse course.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/unemployment-numbers-coronavirus-8afc996d-4e74-4e91-b33c-7f04d2a43dc2.html?source=Snapzu

Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda Softworks parent company ZeniMax

A $7.5 billion deal.
Read more: https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/21/21448877/microsoft-bethesda-softworks-zenimax-acquisition-xbox-game-pass-series-x?source=Snapzu

Microsoft prepares to go all in on iOS14 for Microsoft 365

If Apple announced the public release of iOS 14 earlier this week, Microsoft is keen to provide details about its suite of Office apps that are fully prepared for the new software update. Here̵…
Read more: https://www.onmsft.com/feature/microsoft-prepares-to-go-all-in-on-ios14-for-microsoft-365?source=Snapzu

Marc Andreessen On Productivity, Scheduling, Reading Habits, Work, and More

Marc Andreessen on how he spends his time, learns, the 'build' essay and much more.
Read more: https://www.theobservereffect.org/marc.html?source=Snapzu

How marketers convinced America to eat fish sticks

There was never demand for fish sticks. But through a lot of savvy marketing and government assistance, they became an American staple anyway.
Read more: https://thehustle.co/how-marketers-convinced-america-to-eat-fish-sticks/?source=Snapzu

'Tsunami' of hotel closures is coming, experts warn

The Luxe Rodeo Drive is the first L.A.-area luxury hotel to go out of business because of the pandemic. An unusually high loan delinquency rate may mean more hotel closures are likely to follow.
Read more: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-09-19/hotels-out-of-business-covid-pandemic?source=Snapzu

Why higher unemployment taxes are 'all but certain' for businesses

Businesses in many states are likely to face tax increases as early as next year to replenish depleted trust funds that pay unemployment benefits. Workers may also face cuts in unemployment benefits.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/18/employers-face-higher-payroll-taxes-as-state-trust-funds-run-dry.html?source=Snapzu

Netflix cancellations surge 'materially' in the wake of 'Cuties' controversy, data shows

Netflix is facing serious backlash following the release of the French coming-of-age film “Cuties” — and new data suggests it could be leading to cancellations on the platform.
Read more: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/netflix-cancellations-surge-following-cuties-controversy-data-shows-114312558.html?source=Snapzu

Adelaide flying car firm's Jetsons dream taking off

A South Australian company that is building a manned multicopter to compete in a flying electric car racing series has secured seed funding from leading technology venture capital firms. Based in Adelaide, Alauda will use the investment to ramp up design and manufacture of its vehicle, which it aims to test with a pilot aboard before the end of the year. Alauda also owns Airspeeder, the racing league that plans to host a flying car series at various global locations from as early as next year.
Read more: https://indaily.com.au/news/business/2020/04/09/adelaide-flying-car-firms-jetsons-dream-taking-off/?source=Snapzu

Companies Can Track Your Phone’s Movements to Target Ads

Google and Apple have taken steps this year they say will help users shield themselves from hundreds of companies that compile profiles based on online behavior. Meanwhile, other companies are devising new ways to probe more deeply into other aspects of our lives.
Read more: https://www.wired.com/story/companies-track-phones-movements-target-ads/?source=Snapzu

Amazon Spent $24,000 To Kill Portland's Facial Recognition Ban

The legislation would be the strongest ban on the technology in the US, blocking both government and commercial use.
Read more: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/g5p9z3/amazon-spent-dollar24000-to-kill-portlands-facial-recognition-ban?source=Snapzu

Amazon’s business generated $1.6 billion in 2019 profit for the USPS, new report finds

The total was about 30 percent of Amazon’s total volume last year
Read more: https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/17/21443933/amazon-post-office-revenue-delivery-trump?source=Snapzu

Backup driver in fatal Arizona Uber self-driving car crash charged with negligent homicide

PHOENIX -- The backup Uber driver involved in the first self-driving vehicle fatality has been charged with negligent homicide for being distracted in the moments before fatally striking a woman in suburban Phoenix.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/15/associated-press-the-backup-driver-in-fatal-arizona-uber-autonomous-crash-charged.html?source=Snapzu

How to recognize the warning signs of a project crisis

You sometimes can identify markers for an imminent project meltdown. But you have to pay attention to the red flags. Here’s what to look for.
Read more: https://www.functionize.com/blog/how-to-recognize-the-warning-signs-of-a-project-crisis/?source=Snapzu

The Nintendo Switch Has Sold Over 15 Million Units in Japan

The Nintendo Switch has sold over 15 million units in Japan as of the month of September. This data has been gathered over the approximate time of three years and six months, according to Famitsu. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
Read more: https://www.siliconera.com/the-nintendo-switch-has-sold-over-15-million-units-in-japan/?source=Snapzu

After 34 years, one of Seattle’s oldest vegetarian restaurants closes permanently

Serving Seattle since 1986, all manner of Fremont’s beloved veggie goods like that of the vegan thai peanut stir fry and vegan BBQ beyond burger are coming to a wistful goodbye as Silence Heart Nest announced its permanent closure last week.
Read more: https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/food/article/one-of-Seattles-oldest-vegetarian-restaurant-close-15565920.php?source=Snapzu

The rise of ultra-processed foods and why they're really bad for our health

We looked at 37 studies which show eating ultra-processed foods is bad for our health. So why are we eating more of them than ever before?
Read more: https://theconversation.com/the-rise-of-ultra-processed-foods-and-why-theyre-really-bad-for-our-health-140537?source=Snapzu

Walmart to start using autonomous drones for 1-hour delivery

Starting next year, certain Walmart orders will literally fly to your door. The retailer announced a trial run with medical supply drone delivery company Zipline early Monday. Only medical and health and wellness products from Walmart will be part of the pilot program and it'll only be in Northwest Arkansas in early 2021.
Read more: https://mashable.com/article/walmart-zipline-drone-delivery/?source=Snapzu

TikTok rejects Microsoft bid at eleventh hour

Microsoft has said that its offer to buy the US operations of hugely popular video-sharing app TikTok has been rejected, paving the way for Oracle to secure a last-minute deal. US President Donald Trump gave a 15 September deadline for the Chinese-owned app to sell or shut down. The Trump administration claims TikTok and other Chinese apps are national security threats.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54143025?source=Snapzu

Oracle Chosen as TikTok’s Tech Partner, as Microsoft’s Bid Is Rejected

The moves came as the clock ticks down on President Trump’s executive order to block the Chinese-owned social media app.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/13/technology/tiktok-microsoft-oracle-bytedance.html?source=Snapzu

Nvidia Buys Arm From SoftBank for $40 Billion

The move gives Nvidia a way into mobile chips, but the acquisition is likely to face regulatory scrutiny.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/13/technology/nvidia-arm-softbank.html?source=Snapzu

Twenty years after the dotcom crash, is tech’s bubble about to burst again?

Everybody loves a party ... but, inevitably, after a big party there’s a hangover,” billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller said last week as stock markets seesawed amid fears that a new tech bubble was about to burst. “Right now, we’re in an absolute raging mania,” he said.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/12/twenty-years-after-the-dotcom-crash-is-techs-bubble-about-to-burst-again?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other?source=Snapzu

Apple 'increasingly focused' on succession plan for Tim Cook, leadership team

Apple's top leadership team is reportedly "focusing greater attention" on selecting and developing successors to some of its current senior executives, including CEO Tim Cook and others. As CEO Tim Cook enters his 10th year as Apple's chief executive, the company is spending more time cultivating a new — and younger — group of leaders. Most of Cook's management team has spent more than two decades at Apple and are nearing retirement age. Some top executives, such as Phil Schiller and Jony Ive, have recently departed their roles.
Read more: https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/09/11/apple-increasingly-focused-on-succession-plan-for-tim-cook-leadership-team?source=Snapzu

How Big Oil Misled The Public Into Believing Plastic Would Be Recycled

An NPR and PBS Frontline investigation reveals how the oil and gas industry used the promise of recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it would never work on a large scale.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/897692090/how-big-oil-misled-the-public-into-believing-plastic-would-be-recycled?utm_source=pocket-newtab?source=Snapzu

Pringles try to wake from 'recycling nightmare'

Kellogg's redesigns the snackfood container that was dubbed the "number one villain" for recycling.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54108336?source=Snapzu