on Meet the 10 Oracle execs backing CEO Safra Catz and founder Larry Ellison in the tech giant's cloud offensive against Amazon, Microsoft, and Google (ORCL) By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 09:30:00 -0400 Oracle's bid to become a bigger player in the cloud has become more aggressive in the COVID-19 crisis, highlighted by a new partnership with Zoom. The tech giant is up against stronger rivals led by Amazon, Microsoft and Google, but the need for more cloud capacity sparked by the sudden pivot to remote work has created opportunities for the Silicon Valley behemoth. Here are the 10 Oracle executives who are playing key roles in CEO Safra Catz and founder Larry Ellison bold cloud offensive. Click here for more BI Prime stories. Oracle has been through some jarring changes in the last seven months. The tech giant lost a well-regarded and experienced co-CEO when Mark Hurd died in October after taking leave for health reasons, leaving Safra Catz as the solo CEO. Now, like other major tech companies, Oracle is grappling with the impact of the coronavirus crisis. But Oracle has been through tough times in its 43-year history. In fact, the Silicon Valley giant has been known to seize opportunities during rough spots. It's already seen some success during this crisis, too: Oracle just scored a big win when videoconferencing company Zoom — suddenly facing a surge in demand — chose to expand on Oracle Cloud, instead of other platforms like top cloud provider Amazon. Oracle is generally considered a smaller player in the cloud wars, behind giants Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Alibaba. Yes, Oracle still has a long way to go to match its rivals' reach, but its strategy of expanding its capacity by building more data centers seems to be paying off, IDC President Crawford Del Prete told Business Insider. That increased capacity and Oracle's "world class" applications are key in the cloud words, Del Prete said: "Oracle is one of the few companies able to deliver both at scale in order to compete." While Catz and founder, executive chairman, and chief technology officer Larry Ellison the lead company, they're also relying on key top executives, including cloud veterans from rival Amazon, to advance Oracle's cloud strategy. Nearly all are white men, something Oracle has criticized for in the past: Over 30 members of Congress slammed the company late last year about the lack of diversity in its leadership team and on its board. Meet the 10 top executives playing important roles in Oracle's cloud offensive:SEE ALSO: Oracle is known for making bold M&A moves in a recession and it's sitting on a fresh $20 billion. Here are the 7 companies experts think it could acquire as the coronavirus crisis drives down valuations SEE ALSO: Experts lay out five moves that Oracle founder Larry Ellison, one of tech's best tacticians, might take in a coronavirus-driven downturn Don Johnson left Amazon to focus on Oracle's cloud infrastructure. Title: Executive vice president, cloud infrastructure Reports to: Larry Ellison Johnson played a key role in Amazon's dramatic expansion in the cloud before joining Oracle in 2014. He was instrumental in setting up Oracle's cloud engineering development center in Seattle and in the tech giant's expanding data center footprint. Johnson has also led another major Oracle initiative: forming a cloud partnership with Microsoft. Oracle's chief corporate architect Edward Screven has been with the company since 1986. Title: Chief corporate architect Reports to: Larry Ellison Screven is an Oracle veteran who helped lead the company through all of the major industry changes of the past 30 years. He admits that cloud market-leader Amazon had a head start, but says that there are benefits to following it. "We definitely started after Amazon: The bad news is they have market share, the good news is we get to learn a lot," he told Business Insider in an interview in May 2019. "Mindshare, that may be their biggest asset. But there is no technology they have that is concerning to me at all." As one of Oracle's top technologists, he's focused on making Oracle's cloud infrastructure more secure, with more sophisticated and efficient ways to manage data. "We have hundreds of thousands of customers that store their most important data in Oracle databases," Screven said. "We could do a far better job for them than any other cloud provider. We are doing a far better job for them." Clay Magouyrk leads cloud infrastructure engineering and played a key role in forging Oracle's new alliance with Zoom. Title: Executive vice president, cloud infrastructure engineering Reports to: Don Johnson Magouyrk is another veteran of Amazon Web Services who joined the Oracle team in Seattle in 2014. He was Oracle's point-man in forging its new partnership with Zoom, which was seen as a major victory for Oracle. "They needed capacity," Magouyrk told Business Insider last month "They reached out to us and we were like, 'Awesome, we can work with you.' Within a day, we had their application up and running." Magouyrk was a founding team member of Oracle's cloud engineering development center in Seattle, which is spearheading the company's cloud infrastructure efforts. Ariel Kelman left Amazon Web Services to become Oracle's chief marketing officer. Title: Chief Marketing Officer Reports to: Safra Catz One of the biggest hurdles for Oracle is the public perception that it's a minor player in the cloud. In other words, it's a marketing problem. This is where Kelman comes in. Before Oracle brought him on board in January 2020, Kelman led rival Amazon's cloud marketing efforts, and served as a marketing executive at Salesforce for six years before that. "Ariel is a super smart hire for Oracle," analyst Ray Wang of Constellation Research told Business Insider. "He brings the cred in the market and understands how to counter all of Amazon's tactics and long-term strategy. He has the ear of Larry and Safra and is making progress with some great hires on his team." Juergen Lindner left SAP to lead Oracle's software-as-a-service marketing strategy. Title: Senior vice president, software-as-a-service marketing Reports to: Ariel Kelman, chief marketing officer Lindner spent most of his career helping SAP outsell Oracle in the traditional business software market: both dominated teh market for software installed in private data centers. He switched sides and roles four years ago to support Oracle's bid to become a stronger player in cloud software, also referred to as software-as-a-service, where businesses access applications through cloud platforms and pay via a subscription, usually based on the number of users granted access. Lindner has said it became clear to him that Oracle had a better strategy for the cloud-software era. "Oracle has architected a very sustainable cloud infrastructure and applications strategy," he told Business Insider last year. Steve Daheb left Citrix to lead Oracle's cloud marketing strategy. Title: Senior vice president, cloud go-to-market Reports to: Ashley Hart, senior vice president, global marketing cloud platform and database Daheb joined Oracle in 2015 after serving as the chief marketing officer of Citrix, a cloud pioneer that first let businesses set up computing networks on web-based platforms instead of on-premise data centers, leading to dramatic IT cost savings. Daheb witnessed the unexpected rise of Amazon in cloud computing, which began in the early : 2000s when the online retail giant realized it could make some extra money by giving businesses access to its massive but underutilized computing infrastructure, hosted from its data centers. "Amazon had spare computing resources to rent out," he told Business Insider last year. "It's like, 'Hey, man, I got an extra room in the house during the summer when it's not spike retail time. There's nobody in there, so why don't I put this thing on Airbnb and see if anybody wants it?'" Amazon Web Services has led the industry ever since. Like others on the Oracle team, Daheb thinks the software giant's technology and track record of working with major players across industries will eventually propel it to the front of the cloud pack. "There's a level of understanding we have and a level of empathy we have for enterprise users: We serve the major banks, we serve transportation, we serve healthcare," he said. "We brought this enterprise mentality to it." Juan Loaiza, who has been with Oracle since 1988, is in charge of mission-critical database technologies. Title: Executive vice president, mission-critical database technologies Reports to: Larry Ellison Loaiza is another Oracle veteran who has been with the company for more than 30 years and is currently focused on its bid to expand the reach of its flagship database product. The tech giant's cloud-based automated data-management platform Autonomous Database uses machine learning to quickly repair and update itself.Loaiza has compared the status of this fairly new initiative to the development of the self-driving car: "It took a long time to get to a point where we are now and say, 'The next step is a self-driving car,'" he told Business Insider last year. "It's got to be safe. It has to have seatbelts and airbags and a navigation system. All that stuff was necessary before you take it to the next stage." The database is ready for that next stage. Jason Williamson left Amazon to lead Oracle's outreach to startups. Title: Vice president, Oracle for Startups Reports to: Mamei Sun, Ellison's chief of staff Startups have played an important role in the growth of cloud computing and Oracle has launched a big push to establish closer ties with these smaller companies, given that they could eventually become the biggest power players. Williamson has been the company's point-man in this effort, as he develops ways to make Oracle's products and services more accessible to startups. Williamson is another veteran of Amazon Web Services where he led the cloud giant's private-equity team before joining Oracle in 2017. Evan Goldberg cofounded NetSuite, which is now part of Oracle. Title: Executive vice president, NetSuite Reports to: Safra Catz Goldberg is part of the elite club of Oracle alums who went on to launch successful enterprise-software companies. (Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is perhaps the best-known.) Goldberg left a long career at Oracle in the late 1990s to launch NetSuite, a cloud-based provider of financial- and accounting-management services. He was the chief technology officer alongside CEO Zach Nelson, another Oracle alum, and Ellison was actually one of their early backers. Oracle acquired the company in 2016 and it now has more than 18,000 customers. Steve Miranda has been with Oracle since 1992 and leads cloud-applications development. Title: Executive vice president, applications product development Reports to: Ellison Miranda is an Oracle veteran in charge of different aspects of the company's cloud-software business, including product development and strategy. This covers applications used for major business operations, like supply-chain management, human resources, and enterprise performance management. Full Article
on Blackstone's real-estate dealmakers; the investment banker of the future By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 09:50:48 -0400 Welcome to Wall Street Insider, where we take you behind the scenes of the finance team's biggest scoops and deep dives from the past week. If you aren't yet a subscriber to Wall Street Insider, you can sign up here. For certain corners of Wall Street, dealmaking is happening faster than ever. While M&A activity has plunged, bankers primed to help companies navigate the financial fallout, especially restructuring and debt-raising specialists, have been crushed with demand. Alex Morrell took a look at how top bankers — known for putting in long hours curating a white-glove experience for clients — are finding they can still provide service from afar. It turns out, when you take away the time spent at airports and restaurants, and when Zoom calls can be arranged in minutes, things can move at lightning speed. Read the full story here: 'Stunning efficiency': How remote dealmaking could mean a permanent lifestyle change for some bankers Meanwhile, it's been a tale of two approaches to job cuts in recent days. On Tuesday, Airbnb CEO and cofounder Brian Chesky emailed staff about sweeping layoffs that were impacting 1,900 people, highlighting where the company will focus in the future and what exit packages employees should expect. You can read the full email here. Over at WeWork, things have been rolling out gradually. Meghan Morris and Dakin Campbell wrote about a leaked WeWork document that revealed a huge reorg under way for people who manage its buildings. Here's how the new structure works — and the complex process for staff to save their jobs. Alex Nicoll and Meghan also reported that Flatiron School has slashed at least 100 jobs, building on their scoop last week that WeWork started making cuts in several key departments, with IT alone losing some 200 jobs. Keep reading for a preview of changes in store for Bloomberg terminals, a rundown of Blackstone's giant commercial real estate business, and a look at how PIMCO stocked up with $5.5 billion for private-credit strategies since the beginning of the year. Have a safe and healthy weekend, Meredith Inside Blackstone's massive CRE business Blackstone is the largest commercial real-estate investor in the world, with $160 billion in investor capital. Alex Nicoll chatted with Blackstone real estate's three heads of acquisition, and its head of debt origination, to learn more about their business. They spoke about some of their most interesting deals, and why Blackstone's global scale and thematic investing style is a huge advantage. Read the full story here: Meet the 4 dealmakers driving Blackstone's $325 billion commercial real estate portfolio. They walked us through how they're thinking about opportunities in the downturn. A Facebook office deal is a key test The coronavirus crisis has thrown into question whether tenants will ever occupy office space the same way again as companies and workforces around the world grow accustomed to remote work. Facebook has been in negotiations for months to lease over 700,000 square feet at the Farley Building on Manhattan's West Side. The rapid expansion of tech in recent years has propelled the city's office market, and Dan Geiger spoke with real-estate execs who laid out why Facebook's deal is a key barometer. Read the full story here: A blockbuster Facebook office deal is a make-or-break moment for the future of commercial real estate. 3 leasing experts lay out the stakes. Coming soon to a terminal near you As remote work becomes a long-term reality, a technology staple of Wall Street is in store for a makeover. Mark Flatman, global head of core terminal at Bloomberg, told Dan DeFrancesco that the financial technology giant is considering ways to revamp its ubiquitous terminal. One particular area of focus for Flatman and his team has been screen space, as many customers aren't working with the typical four-screen display. Another area that has gotten increased attention is mobile, where usage has jumped. Read the full story here: Bloomberg is eyeing big changes to its iconic terminals to make work-from-home easier. The exec leading its strategy laid out how he's rethinking screen space and mobile features. A new pile of cash for private credit Industry observers expect a surge in interest in specialized credit shops that have proven to be winners in distressed situations. And Bradley Saacks revealed how PIMCO has tapped into that demand, with sources saying that the fixed-income giant has raised $5.5 billion in private-credit strategies since the beginning of the year. PIMCO's nearly $4 billion Tactical Opportunities fund lost roughly 15% in March, but was able to avoid forced selling, sources tell Business Insider, and even added to positions in the month. That fund alone has raised $250 million — and is just one of several private-credit funds that PIMCO has raised money for. Read the full story here: PIMCO has raised $5.5 billion for private-credit funds despite a hellacious March — and is telling investors it's the best opportunity in a decade A tax break for big companies with heavy debt As Michael Rapoport writes, a tax break for debt-ladened companies, part of the CARES Act enacted in March, cuts their tax bills by allowing them to deduct more of the interest they pay on their debt. But some tax experts are concerned that the tax break is too indiscriminate: In addition to helping troubled companies, they say, boosting tax deductions on interest payments is going to give a lift to companies that aren't being hurt by the pandemic, or whose problems have nothing to do with the coronavirus. Read the full story here: A $13 billion tax break tucked into the coronavirus stimulus plan will save some big companies tens of millions — even if they aren't ailing. Here's how it works and who could benefit. On the move Dakin Campbell reported that Goldman Sachs has hired the distressed-situations and bankruptcy expert Kurt Hoffman as a managing director in a business that handles one-off loans for clients. The move comes just as industries battered by the economic shutdown are in need of emergency financing. Investing and hedge funds SoftBank's brutal treatment of WeWork founder Adam Neumann shows that it has given up any hope for Silicon Valley and it's leaving a scorched landscape in its wake April hedge fund performance numbers are in — here's how big names like Third Point and Renaissance turned things around after a rough March WeWork pain is still hitting mom and pops' mutual funds as managers like Fidelity slash valuations further 'Quantamental' investing is suddenly a buzzword in the hedge fund world, and we talked to the CEO of a fintech that just nabbed $8 million to help power the approach Steve Cohen's former right-hand man is launching his own fund. Here's everything we know about Tom Conheeney's EmeraldRidge Advisors. A data 'super contango' makes oil the new data, not the other way around. Here's why. Careers Deloitte is delaying many of its full-time hires and switched summer internships to a 2-week online intro course. Here's everything we know. Jobs for thousands of young consultants are being upended. From delaying start dates to cutting internships, here's what 8 top firms are doing. Investment manager TIAA is offering 75% of its US employees buyouts and some could get their full salaries for nearly 2 years Real estate The CEO of real estate heavy-hitter Eastdil explains the types of deals that are must-do right now — and warns that a 'de-retailing' trend is set to accelerate Inside the drama over control of the iconic Chrysler Building: A real-estate tycoon and a prestigious college are renegotiating a critical $150 million deal Fintech and e-commerce E-commerce giant Shopify just launched a way for retailers to transform stores into fulfillment centers by quickly adding curbside pickups Visa's fintech chief explains how a new program to bring startups on board in just a few weeks will help it tap a $185 trillion opportunity Startup QuadPay is dramatically expanding its reach by partnering with payments giant Stripe to offer shoppers the ability to buy now, pay later at any store Digital bank N26 just raised $100 million. Now, it's rolling out features like contactless payments as users seek a safer way to pay. Tencent just snapped up a $250 million stake in Afterpay. Now the 2 are gearing up to bring buy-now-pay-later options to China's massive e-commerce market. Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: How waste is dealt with on the world's largest cruise ship Full Article
on The top 9 shows on Netflix and other streaming services this week By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 10:10:00 -0400 Every week, Parrot Analytics provides Business Insider with a list of the nine most in-demand original TV shows on streaming services in the US. This week includes "The Midnight Gospel," a surprise animated hit from Netflix. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Netflix's new animated series, "The Midnight Gospel," is a surprise hit and gaining in audience demand while the one-time sensation, "Tiger King," dramatically dipped to the point where it's not among this week's most in-demand streaming originals. Every week, Parrot Analytics provides Business Insider with a list of the nine most in-demand TV shows on streaming services in the US. The data is based on "demand expressions," Parrot Analytics' globally standardized TV-demand measurement unit. Audience demand reflects the desire, engagement, and viewership weighted by importance, so a stream or a download is a higher expression of demand than a "like" or a comment on social media, for instance. Disney Plus' final season of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" dramatically surged in demand this week after the series finale debuted on May 4, otherwise known as "Star Wars" Day. But last week's newcomers, Apple TV Plus' "Defending Jacob" and Hulu's "Little Fires Everywhere," disappeared this week. Below are this week's nine most popular original shows on Netflix and other streaming services: SEE ALSO: Insiders say major questions hang over DC Universe as its parent company prepares to launch Netflix rival HBO Max 9. "The Midnight Gospel" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 32,846,492 Description: "Traversing trippy worlds inside his universe simulator, a space caster explores existential questions about life, death and everything in between." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 90% What critics said: "We often say that a show is 'like nothing else on television' and it's usually an act of critical hyperbole. Trust me. It's true here." — RogerEbert.com (Season 1) Season 1 premiered on Netflix on April 20. See more insights here. 8. "Narcos: Mexico" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 33,194,298 Description: "Witness the birth of the Mexican drug war in the 1980s as a gritty new ‚Narcos' saga chronicles the true story of the Guadalajara cartel's ascent." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 87% What critics said: "The second season of Narcos: Mexico, then, is far from flawless - but there are enough reminders of what has made the show such a phenomenon to make it a worthy watch." — Radio Times (Season 2) Season 2 premiered February 13 on Netflix. See more insights here. 7. "The Witcher" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 34,076,054 Description: "Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster-hunter for hire, journeys toward his destiny in a turbulent world where people often prove more wicked than beasts." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 67% What critics said: "It is messy, and absurd, but also — it is fun." — The Atlantic (Season 1) Season 1 premiered on Netflix on December 20. See more insights here. 6. "Harley Quinn" (DC Universe) Average demand expressions: 34,470,458 Description: "Harley Quinn has taken down the Joker and Gotham City is finally hers for the taking…whatever's left of it that is. Gotham has become a desolate wasteland, left in ruins, following the huge earthquake caused by the collapse of Joker's tower. Harley's celebration in this newly created chaos is cut short when Penguin, Bane, Mr. Freeze, The Riddler, and Two-Face join forces to restore order in the criminal underworld. Calling themselves the Injustice League, this group now stands in the way of Harley and her crew from taking sole control of Gotham as the top villains of the city." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 88% What critics said: "If you weren't sold on the first season of Harley Quinn, the Season 2 premiere probably won't change your mind. However, the series looks to be even stronger in its sophomore outing." — IGN (season 2) Season 2 premiered April 3 on DC Universe. See more insights here. 5. "Titans" (DC Universe) Average demand expressions: 40,950,684 Description: "'Titans' follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age and find belonging in a gritty take on the classic Teen Titans franchise. Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, a special young girl possessed by a strange darkness, get embroiled in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Joining them along the way are the hot-headed Starfire and lovable Beast Boy. Together they become a surrogate family and team of heroes." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2): 81% What critics said: "This hard-hitting drama provided much of the talented cast with some juicy material, while also allowing the show to continue to go from strength-to-strength." — What Culture (Season 2) Season 2 premiered on DC Universe on September 6. See more insights here. 4. "Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 45,905,200 Description: "Eight thieves take hostages and lock themselves in the Royal Mint of Spain as a criminal mastermind manipulates the police to carry out his plan." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 4): 75% What critics said: "If you are looking for addictive entertainment, this fourth season of 'Money Heist' has more than enough doses of it." — Espinoff (Season 4) Season 4 premiered on Netflix April 3. See more insights here. 3. "The Mandalorian" (Disney Plus) Average demand expressions: 53,820,742 Description: "After the fall of the Empire, a lone gunfighter makes his way through the lawless galaxy." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 93% What critics said: "[The Mandalorian] has an empire of sentiment serving as the wind at its back, and as long as it keeps up its momentum, even those of us programmed to dissect and critique programs may be content to simply sail along with it." — Salon (Season 1) Season 1 premiered on Disney Plus on November 12. See more insights here. 2. "Stranger Things" (Netflix) Average demand expressions: 57,853,672 Description: "When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments." Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 3): 89% What critics said: "Even the most distinctive moments feel disconnected from the rest, especially a segment in the final episode that feels as if its sole purpose is to be extracted and recirculated as a meme." — Slate (Season 3) Season 3 premiered July 4 on Netflix. See more insights here. 1. "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (Disney Plus) Average demand expressions: 126,320,893 Description: "From Dave Filoni, director and executive producer of 'The Mandalorian,' the new Clone Wars episodes will continue the storylines introduced in the original series, exploring the events leading up to 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.'" Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 7): 100% What critics said: "The overall ending to seven seasons can feel rudely abrupt when other threads are hanging. But the solemn meditation on the casualties of war and the slow-yet-swift-feeling disintegration of a seemingly secure world is the microcosm of the entire series." — Slashfilm (season 7) Season 7 premiered on February 21 on Disney Plus. See more insights here. Full Article
on Goldman Sachs is going through a huge transformation under CEO David Solomon By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 11:19:00 -0400 The storied investment bank is seeing leadership shakeups under CEO David Solomon and a slew of partner departures. Goldman has been moving away from high-risk businesses like trading and is making pushes into more stable areas like consumer lending, wealth management, and transaction banking. There have been big cultural changes, too. Solomon is looking to create a more transparent workplace, while new tech execs are taking cues from Silicon Valley heavy-hitters. At Business Insider, we are closely tracking the latest developments at Goldman. You can read all of our Goldman coverage on BI Prime. Storied Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs is going through some massive changes under CEO David Solomon. It's taken big steps involving transparency and inclusion to change up its culture. It has seen a slew of partner departures — many in the securities division. And it's making big pushes into businesses like wealth management and transaction banking. The latest people moves Goldman Sachs just hired Kurt Hoffman, an expert in distressed situations and bankruptcy, to join a trading unit known for some of the bank's most lucrative deals Goldman Sachs' top tech exec explains how a fresh slew of senior hires are transforming the bank's approach to building products Read the full memo Goldman Sachs just sent naming 4 execs to lead its private-equity investments across the merchant-banking division Culture and talent Read the full memo Goldman Sachs just sent to staff announcing its new head of regulatory affairs. The former White House counsel will be tasked with helping clean up the bank's 1MDB drama. Goldman Sachs just hired 2 senior recruiting execs focused on luring top talent from other firms —and it's a huge departure from the firm's traditional promote-from-within mentality Read the full memo David Solomon just sent to 38,000 Goldman Sachs employees explaining why he's moving his management team out of stuffy offices and into open seating Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and his management team are ditching their stuffy offices and moving to an open floor plan closer to the people so they can feel the buzz of New York headquarters Goldman Sachs just unveiled a new gender pronouns initiative as part of a broader inclusion push at the Wall Street firm Read the memo Goldman Sachs just sent to its employees unveiling a new pronouns initiative Coronavirus response Inside a 38,000-person remote work rollout at Goldman Sachs: sleepless nights, assembly lines, and an Amazon-like hub on a Manhattan trading floor How a massive New York hospital secured 130,000 N95 masks from China with help from a senior partner at Goldman Sachs, private jets, and a call to Warren Buffett Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon just sent a firm-wide voicemail about the coronavirus crisis. Here's what he told employees. Goldman Sachs and Bank of America just updated their WFH policies — again. Here's what they're telling employees about the latest steps aimed at combating the spread of coronavirus. Read the full memo Goldman Sachs top brass just sent detailing the firm's coronavirus contingency plans, including separating employees into 'blue' and 'white' teams to alternate working from the office and home Consumer push, transaction banking, wealth management Goldman Sachs just announced its first partnership for transaction banking as it looks to build a new $1 billion business moving money around the world Goldman Sachs is sending much less mail to potential Marcus customers. A senior exec lays out the reason why. A Goldman Sachs exec explains why the bank isn't sweating concerns over the Apple Card's profitability A Wall Street firm crunched the numbers around how much Apple will make from its new credit card with Goldman Sachs Here's why Goldman Sachs just did its biggest deal in nearly 20 years as part of a pivot to less wealthy clients Goldman Sachs execs are opening up about their plans for Marcus, and they think it can do to banking what iTunes did to the music industry Goldman Sachs' partnership with Apple could move it a step closer to being 'a bank branch in your pocket' Human resources is the next battleground for Wall Street wealth advisers as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs jockey over new turf Goldman Sachs has a novel method for predicting the next economic slump, and it's at the heart of its hot new business Technology JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are finally beginning to embrace fintech startups. Here's how they test the waters before committing to working with them. We talked to the execs behind Bloomberg's new data partnership with Goldman Sachs. Here's why they think it's a sign of Wall Street's future. Goldman Sachs is putting its own Marquee app on Amazon's cloud in a pitch to lure more fintech developers Goldman Sachs is embracing open-source code and its chief data officer says it's part of a "new world" of software Read the memo the new Goldman tech chief sent to the firm's 9,000-plus engineers where he urges them to ditch presentations in favor of Amazon's famous narratives A new Goldman Sachs tech exec hired from Amazon is taking a page from the Jeff Bezos playbook by urging engineers to ditch PowerPoint and write memos Goldman Sachs' new CTO shares his strategy for attracting outside developers to work more closely with the bank, giving a glimpse into the future of how Wall Street will work A Verizon executive is joining Goldman Sachs as chief technology officer as the Wall Street bank reshuffles its ranks Marty Chavez is retiring from Goldman Sachs. We chatted with him about the bank's tech transformation, why now is the right time for him to step down, and what he's planning next. Goldman Sachs tech guru Marty Chavez is retiring from the bank Goldman Sachs' CEO just warned that the bank's big tech bets might not pay off as quickly as people hope Goldman Sachs is scrapping a homegrown email app it once touted — and it's a sign the bank is moving away from building tech in house Goldman Sachs is exploring plans to create a Netflix for data, and it marks a new frontier for Wall Street Goldman Sachs' internal idea factory hatched a plan for the Google of Wall Street, and it's now looking for the next big thing to disrupt the bank Goldman Sachs' big bet on the future of Wall Street had a rocky start. Here's the inside story of the bank's struggle to grow its next business and an exclusive look at its plans Trading Bank of America is shaking up its global markets division and poached a Goldman Sachs exec to fill a key new role Goldman Sachs' massive quant business now rivals AQR and Two Sigma. We talked to the bank's top quant about asset growth, finding data sources, and why critics of computerized trading are wrong. Goldman Sachs' CEO tells us the bank is winning over quant clients. That helped it outpace rivals like JPMorgan last quarter. Goldman Sachs is cutting about 5% of sales and trading staff after senior equities leaders delivered a tough town-hall talk Goldman Sachs is moving away from a tool championed by its former CFO as it pushes its traders to see clients where they once saw quick wins Goldman Sachs is shuffling its top stock trading executives as the business tries to claw back market share from Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Goldman Sachs's bond trading unit is still trying to find its way — and it represents a key challenge for new CEO David Solomon Alternatives Read the full memo Goldman Sachs just sent naming 4 execs to lead its private-equity investments across the merchant-banking division Goldman Sachs is making targeted hires for a 'storefront' for alternative investments that's modeled after firms like KKR and Blackstone Goldman Sachs' push into private equity is ruffling feathers at Blackstone — and it might be a sign of big client skirmishes to come Goldman Sachs execs are jockeying for control of the firm's lucrative private investing units after a plan to merge it — and the stakes couldn't be higher Meet the Goldman Sachs execs tasked with building the firms' new Blackstone-esque private-investing unit — and pumping up the bank's flagging stock price 'It's good to be Rich': Meet the Goldman Sachs banker who has built a private investing empire that goes head-to-head with Blackstone — and you've probably never heard of him Goldman Sachs is considering a shakeup of its alternative investing units as part of a plan to simplify the bank's strategy Deals Goldman Sachs is assembling a team of senior bankers focused on middle-market private equity. Here are the key hires and the playbook they'll use to land new clients. Goldman Sachs unloaded some of its WeWork shares before its investment bankers pitched investors on what it once considered a $60 billion-plus IPO Goldman Sachs just revealed it sold part of its Uber stake to SoftBank and it helped boost a $4.5 billion business A senior Goldman Sachs fintech banker was about to join JPMorgan — but then got lured back —and it's another sign of the fierce battle for M&A talent Goldman just promoted a star tech banker close to Tesla and Microsoft to co-head one of its most profitable businesses, as incoming CEO Solomon makes his mark Goldman Sachs just announced a shakeup of its leadership — and it signals the rise of bankers over traders A tug-of-war between Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan over a top banker highlights Wall Street's $1 trillion battleground Investor day 2020 Inside Goldman Sachs' first investor day, where avocado toast and crab apples were served with tech talk, 3-year plans, and a surprising trading mea culpa Goldman Sachs just revealed a new wealth brand at its first-ever investor day. It shows how the bank is trying to reshape its strategy — and image. Goldman Sachs just unveiled hundreds of slides laying out the future of the company. Here are the 10 crucial slides that show how it plans to transform into a bank for everyone. Goldman Sachs is rethinking how it makes private-equity bets with its own money – and one analyst thinks that shift will be a big driver of its stock price Careers Goldman Sachs is now hiring high-school graduates for roles in Salt Lake City, one of the company's 'high value' locations Goldman Sachs has lost at least 54 partners since David Solomon became CEO. We're keeping a running list — and compiling details from insiders about how the exits are being celebrated. Read the full memo Goldman Sachs' top brass just sent to staff announcing 2 heads of the bank's private-investing arm are out as it's gearing up to raise billions 2 coheads of Goldman Sachs' private-investing business are retiring, in a blow to David Solomon's fundraising plans A Goldman Sachs partner who just resigned is leaving behind a job overseeing $2 billion for a London VC with a leading stake in neobank Revolut Read the memo announcing the departure of Adam Korn, the Goldman Sachs exec who was 'instrumental in building and championing' innovations like the bank's Marquee platform Another Goldman Sachs partner is out. HR chief Dane Holmes is the latest key player to leave the Wall Street bank in a matter of days. Goldman Sachs is offering buyouts to encourage partners to leave as CEO David Solomon works to shrink one of the most elite clubs on Wall Street Goldman Sachs is making renewable energy a big priority based on its hiring strategy. It's a sign that its ideas incubator is working. The David Solomon era at Goldman Sachs kicked off with 43 words Lloyd Blankfein would never say Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon shares his best leadership advice Goldman Sachs is shaking up the way it stocks one of the most elite clubs on Wall Street — and it shows how banks are back to making money again Goldman Sachs' 1MDB problems are eating into employee morale, and insiders worry the firm will use its legal woes as an excuse to scrimp on bonuses Goldman Sachs is about to move dozens of jobs out of pricey New York to Utah as Wall Street turns to cheaper cities Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: A cleaning expert reveals her 3-step method for cleaning your entire home quickly Full Article
on The Polaris Slingshot is a car-motorcycle mashup that costs $33,000 and can do 0-60 mph in 5 seconds — on 3 wheels. By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 12:13:00 -0400 I tested a roughly $33,000 Polaris Slingshot R, a three-wheeled "autocycle." The three-wheeler category includes vehicles from Can-Am and Harley-Davidson, offering a motorcycle experience in a less demanding package. My Slingshot R had a new, Polaris-developed, 203-horsepower engine and an automatic transmission. In all but three US states, no motorcycle license is required to operate the Slingshot (New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska continue to require the motorcycle certification). The Slingshot is insanely fun, with a modest learning curve — it's a great alternative to a two-wheeler, although the price is definitely steep for the Slingshot R. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Motorcycles are cool, but they aren't for everybody. Fortunately, there are some alternatives out there that offer an equally compelling, open-air experience. One of the most popular is the the Polaris Slingshot, manufactured by the Minnesota-based powersports company. Until recently, Slingshots were available only with manual transmissions and GM-sourced engines, but for 2020, Polaris has updated the autocycle with an in-house motor and an automatic. The automatic transmission in particular really broadens the Slingshot's potential. So I was excited to sample the machine, which I first saw about five years ago. Polaris was kind enough to loan me a tester for a few weeks. Here's how it went:FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content! The Polaris Slingshot is a three-wheeled autocycle/motorcycle that Polaris industries has produced since 2014. My 2020 Slingshot R tester cost about $33,000 and was outfitted in a menacing red-and-black paint job. The cheapest Slingshot is about $20,000. This wasn't my first crack at a Slingshot. Polaris brought the vehicle to Insider's New York offices when the vehicle first launched. And I generally have a gander at the Slingshot when I visit the annual New York motorcycle show. The Slingshot is classified as either a motorcycle or an autocycle, depending on which state it's being operated in. Yep, it looks like the Batmobile. Or Batcycle. Hard to avoid feeling like a superhero when you're behind the wheel. In all but three US states, no motorcycle license is required to drive the Slingshot. In New Jersey, you are required to wear a helmet. Up front, you have 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, with an 20-incher at the back. The brakes have two-piece composite rotors. Permanent open-air motoring isn't for everybody. Polaris does sell and older model, the Grand Touring, which has a cockpit canopy. The Polaris R has a waterproof interior and drain holes in the floorboards, should you get caught in bad weather. My tester was the top-level "R" trim, complete with dual roll bars for drier and passenger. Let's talk fender fairings! The Slingshot's are dramatic and large — I was reminded of Chevy Corvettes while driving this thing. Like a motorcycle, there's no rear-view mirror, so you have to adjust slightly to using the sideviews. There's a new engine under the hood. Previously, Polaris used a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder GM-sourced Ecotech motor, making up to 175 horsepower. But my R had a ProStar four, also at 2.4-liters, cranking out 203 horsepower with a five-speed automatic transmission (a manual remains available). It's an in-house engine that was impressive in action. The top speed is limited at 125 mph, and the 0-60mph run, according to Polaris and confirmed by yours truly, is about five seconds. The four-banger redlines at 8,500 rpm and even with the automatic transmission does a pretty fair imitation of proper motorcycle acceleration. The auto is a tad crunchy, but in this context, that's a plus. It keeps you aware of what the engine is doing. The rear wheel — fat and wide — is yoked to the motor and transmission with a belt drive. The suspension is surprisingly compliant, but you do have to be mindful of bumps, potholes, and manhole covers if you want to preserve you lower spine. Polaris says the interior has been upgraded for 2020. No one would call it premium, but for a vehicle like this, it's rather comfortable. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, multifunctioned, and flat-bottomed to make getting into and out of the driver's seat easier. The instrument cluster is a basic analog affair with a central digital display. The red button to on the right steering-wheel spoke allows you to switch between Comfort and Slingshot modes (the latter being the high-performance option). The bucket seats are waterproof and extremely well-bolstered, with three-point seat belts. The Slingshot's tubular frame is apparent in the doorless frame. Not really much cargo capacity here, although I did use the Slingshot for a grocery-store run and quick jaunt to Target to buy a basketball. There is a place to stow a smartphone, located just above the push-button gear selector. The Slingshot also has push-button start-stop. The glove compartment is the only other storage available ... ... And it's actually pretty roomy. One could stash a rain jacket in there, for example. The RideCommand infotainment system is basic — but good! On a vehicle such as this, I wasn't expecting much, but the audio setup sounded decent, the screen was responsive, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity was on-par with what you'd find in any modern automobile. There's even GPS navigation, which can display a map and provide turn-by-turn guidance. The ride-mode selector is doubled in the infotainment system. So what's the verdict? I love three-wheelers. They aren't as cool as two-wheeled motorbikes, but they provide easy access to open-air motoring, and the driving/riding experience is much more engaging than what you find in convertible automobiles. For anybody who dislikes the impracticality of motorcycles but wants to partake of the open-road lifestyle, machines like the Slingshot (the Can-Am Spyder and the Harley-Davidson Freewheeler, to name two) are ideal. Not for nothing, they also offer aging riders a chance to yank their helmets and biker jackets out of storage to pursue moderately safer riding. With the Slingshot, gearing-up isn't necessary. The trade-off, of course, is price. The Slingshot R that I tested costs more than an entry-level car or SUV. So, an expensive plaything. But there's nothing wrong with that. Everybody needs a hobby. No doubt about it, the Slingshot captures attention. I lost count of how many little kids a stopped in their tracks as I tooled around the Jersey suburbs. The last vehicle that provoked such astonishment was the Lamborghini Huracán Performante. If you become a Slingshotter, prepare to be pointed at and asked for photo-ops. Driving-wise, the Slingshot scratches an itch: on the road, the experience is unexpurgated — you don't have to be constantly vigilant, as you would on a bike, but you do need to remain aware. Highway trips are demanding. And noisy. And exhilarating. The Slingshot R is also fast and torque-y and the power goes to the single back wheel, so the while the two-wheeled front is stable, the back end can get pretty wiggly, especially in Slingshot mode, if you stomp the throttle. I had iffy springtime Northeast weather to contend with, so I took the Slingshot out only on warm and sunny days; the rest of the time, I parked it in my garage. But the vehicle can handle being rained on, and one could also buy a cover to protect it from the elements. To be honest, however, I think it's a better choice in warm, dry climates. The performance is aggressively go-kart-y. This thing will make you a better drive, thanks to its point-and-shoot steering, crisp suspension, and easy access to power. It's insanely fun on curves and into corners. But it's also worthy of short road trips. In fact, the relative comfort was a shocker: I took the Slingshot out for a few hours one day and suffered no ill-effects to my lower back. Drawback? The design is thoroughly sporty, so if you don't go in for that, the Slingshot might not be your bag. It isn't a throwback, nor is it at all steam-punky. It also isn't a motorcycle, in that there aren't any handlebars, you don't throw a leg, and the single wheel takes up the rear. But the Slingshot is a absolute blast, and if you're a weekend warrior who wants to carve up a canyon or a country road without having the grapple with a motorcycle's demands — and you don't mind dropping some dollars — the Slingshot is perfect. Full Article
on I've been using Apple's new iPhone SE for 2 weeks — here are the best and worst things about it so far (AAPL) By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 12:20:35 -0400 The $400 iPhone SE stands out for its fast performance, compact design, and effective camera. Still, the iPhone SE is lacking some of the camera features found on similarly priced Android rivals. Overall, the phone is best suited for Apple loyalists upgrading from an older device like the iPhone 6S that want something affordable and familiar. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Apple's iPhone SE is unlike any iPhone Apple has released in the past two years. In fact, it looks a lot more like the the iPhone you probably remember from 2017 and earlier, back when iPhones still had home buttons and smaller-sized screens. I switched from the $1,000 iPhone 11 Pro to Apple's new iPhone SE recently, and overall I've found it to be a solid option for Apple fans looking for a cheap, portable device. The smaller and lighter size is easy to manage and operate with one hand, and Touch ID brings some convenience that Face ID can lack. But of course, since it's significantly cheaper than the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, it's lacking in some areas. It doesn't have an ultra-wide-angle camera or low-light photography capabilities, for example, even though similarly priced Android devices offer some of those features. After spending a couple of weeks with Apple's cheapest iPhone, here are my favorite (and least favorite) things about it. SEE ALSO: Apple is expected to release a new Apple Watch this fall — here are the features we want to see The iPhone SE runs on Apple's latest iPhone processor, which makes it feel snappy and fast. The iPhone SE runs on Apple's A3 Bionic processor, the same chip that powers the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. As a result, the iPhone SE feels snappy and fast in daily use. I found this to be especially true when switching from my old iPhone 8 to the SE. In most cases, it was able to launch apps, render 4K video clips, and find surfaces more quickly in augmented reality than Apple's more-than-two-year-old iPhone 8. That being said, the iPhone SE is pretty similar to the iPhone 8 in just about every other way, save for a few exceptions. It's best suited for those upgrading from an iPhone 7 or older. The A13 Bionic is the major advantage the iPhone SE has over similarly-priced Android phones, many of which may offer more sophisticated cameras but run on less powerful processors. It's small and compact, which means it's easier to use with one hand and fit into pockets. The iPhone SE is the most compact iPhone Apple has released in years. It has a 4.7-inch screen just like the iPhone 8, and weighs noticeably less than the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. The iPhone SE weighs 5.22 ounces, while the iPhone 11 weighs 6.84 ounces and the iPhone 11 Pro weighs 6.63 ounces. It's also the only iPhone Apple sells that comes with a Touch ID home button. Although I've grown accustomed to swiping up from the home screen to return home and unlocking my phone just by looking at it, I've really appreciated having Touch ID again. Apple's fingerprint sensor sometimes works a bit faster than Face ID in my experience when unlocking my phone. And since Face ID works best when held directly in front of your face, I often have to physically pick up my phone to unlock it when using the iPhone 11 Pro. With the iPhone SE, by comparison, I can unlock my phone just by resting a finger on the home button without having to move the device. It's a small convenience, but one that I've come to appreciate. The camera quality is good for the price. The iPhone SE has a single 12-megapixel camera that supports Portrait Mode and all six lighting effects that go with it. Overall, the camera system is very similar to the one found on Apple's iPhone XR from 2018. You won't get the more advanced photography features found on Apple's newer iPhone models, but you won't be disappointed by the SE's camera either. During my time with the phone, I've found that it takes sharp, crisp images that may not be as vibrant as the ones taken on the iPhone 11 Pro, but are in some cases an improvement over the iPhone 8. But the camera is lacking compared to some similarly priced Android phones. Given its cheap price, it's reasonable to think that the iPhone SE wouldn't come with all of the capabilities of the iPhone 11 or 11 Pro. But that hasn't stopped some Android phone makers from bringing features like low-light photography, multi-lens camera systems, and ultra-wide-angle lenses to their devices. Google, Samsung, and TCL all offer compelling smartphones with more feature-rich photography capabilities at similar price points as the iPhone SE. The iPhone SE's design also feels a bit antiquated compared to modern smartphones. While I appreciate the portability of the iPhone SE's design, its appearance does feel a bit outdated compared to other modern smartphones. Other affordable Android phones, like the $400 Samsung Galaxy A51 and $400 Google Pixel 3a, still offer screens with much smaller bezels for around the same price. And the battery life leaves me wanting more. I usually get roughly one full work day out of the iPhone SE, which is acceptable given its low price. But when switching from a more expensive phone like the iPhone 11 Pro, I often found myself scrambling to plug in my phone after work hours. Battery life will always vary depending on how you use your phone. During the workday, I tend to take a lot of phone calls, leave my screen on for long periods of time to avoid missing work notifications, and record audio frequently. All of these tasks will drain your battery faster than usual, which is why I tend to get more battery life out of the SE on the weekends. The bottom line is: If you're a power user that's frequently recording video or audio, or running graphics-heavy games, you may want to make sure you have a charger handy or opt for a phone with longer battery life. So is it right for you? The iPhone SE is a reliable, affordable choice for Apple fans that want something that feels familiar and won't break the bank. You shouldn't expect to get all of the benefits you'd find on a much more expensive phone like the iPhone 11 Pro. But the SE's A13 Bionic chip offers fast performance for the price, and should provide some reassurance that you're phone won't quickly feel outdated in terms of speed. Full Article
on 30 Big Tech Predictions for 2020 By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 12:27:00 -0400 Digital transformation has just begun. Not a single industry is safe from the unstoppable wave of digitization that is sweeping through finance, retail, healthcare, and more. In 2020, we expect to see even more transformative developments that will change our businesses, careers, and lives. To help you stay ahead of the curve, Business Insider Intelligence has put together a list of 30 Big Tech Predictions for 2020 across Banking, Connectivity & Tech, Digital Media, Payments & Commerce, Fintech, and Digital Health. This exclusive report can be yours for FREE today.Join the conversation about this story » Full Article
on Elon Musk says Tesla will 'immediately' leave California after coronavirus shutdowns forced the company to close its main car factory (TSLA) By feedproxy.google.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 13:34:00 -0400 Elon Musk says Tesla may leave its Palo Alto headquarters and Fremont, California factory. In a tweet Saturday morning, the chief executive continued his outrage against shelter-in-place orders that have forced most non-essential businesses to close. Last week, Musk likened the rules to fascism, and urged leaders to "give people their goddamn freedom back." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. After a week of decrying coronavirus shelter-in-place orders that have left Tesla's main factory shuttered and unable to produce vehicles, Elon Musk says the company may move its factory out of the state. "Tesla is filing a lawsuit against Alameda County immediately," the chief executive said on Twitter Saturday morning. "The unelected & ignorant 'Interim Health Officer' of Alameda is acting contrary to the Governor, the President, our Constitutional freedoms & just plain common sense!" That was followed up with a threat to move Tesla's headquarters outside the state. "Frankly, this is the final straw," he replied. "Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependent on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA." Frankly, this is the final straw. Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependen on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2020 It wasn't immediately clear if a suit had yet been filed, or in which court Tesla will file the lawsuit. Most state and federal courts are closed on weekends and do not allow filing. In a subsequent Tweet, Musk alsourged shareholders to file a class action suit for damages caused by shutdown. Tesla's press relations department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Alameda County did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Alameda County — the East Bay locale which includes Fremont, California, and Tesla's gigafactory about 30 miles southeast of San Francisco — extended its shelter-in-place order on April 29 "until further notice." Local authorities have not allowed Tesla to reopen the factory, and all manufacturing remains prohibited under the order. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Tesla was planning to resume some manufacturing operations at the factory as soon as last Wednesday, May 6. Local officials said it did not have permission to do so. "Right now, the same health order is in place so nothing has changed," Fremont Police Department spokeswoman Geneva Bosques told Business Insider at the time. "Operating the assembly line was determined early on to be a violation." Last week, following Tesla's first-quarter earnings announcement, Musk decried the shutdowns as a substantial risk to the company's financials. "Frankly, I would call it forcible imprisoning of people in their homes against all of, their constitutional rights, in my opinion," he said on a conference call. "It's breaking people's freedoms in ways that are horrible and wrong and not why they came to America or built this country. What the f---. Excuse me. Outrage. Outrage." "If somebody wants to stay in their house, that's great and they should be able to," he continued. "But to say they cannot leave their house and that they will be arrested if they do, that's fascist. That is not democratic — this is not freedom. Give people back their goddamn freedom." Some states, including Texas, Georgia, and others, have begun to slowly allow certain businesses to re-open in recent weeks. Musk praised counties neighboring Alameda, like San Joaquin for what he said were more "reasonable" responses. In a podcast released May 7, he told Joe Rogan that the company had learned from the coronavirus in China, where it briefly forced Tesla to close its Shanghai factory — a claim he repeated on Twitter Saturday. "Our castings foundry and other faculties in San Joaquin have been working 24/7 this entire time with no ill effects. Same with Giga Nevada," Musk said. "Tesla knows far more about what needs to be done to be safe through our Tesla China factory experience than an (unelected) interim junior official in Alameda County." As Musk began to complain about factory shutdowns in April, workers at Tesla's Fremont factory told Business Insider that the comments made them anxious. "I'm for going back to work, but only if it is safe for me, my family, coworkers," said one production employee. "I don't feel like I'm being forced to stay home or that my freedom has been taken away. It's for the good of California."Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: A cleaning expert reveals her 3-step method for cleaning your entire home quickly Full Article
on Mortgage rates hover near historic lows as investors assess where economy is headed By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 14:30:27 +0000 The 30-year fixed-rate average moved slightly higher this week, increasing to 3.26 percent. Full Article
on This Tudor-style house had to be in Herndon, Va. By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 09:30:00 +0000 HOUSE OF THE WEEK | Former mayor Tom Rust knew what he wanted to build and where he wanted to build it. Full Article
on Drag queens, voguing and thongs: First annual Hirshhorn Ball ushers in a new kind of D.C. party By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 16 Jun 2019 19:10:55 +0000 Unlike most D.C. galas where the political powerhouses steal the spotlight, drag queens reigned supreme at this shindig. Full Article
on Taylor Swift doubles down on politics in pro-LGBTQ video, ‘You Need to Calm Down’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 17 Jun 2019 17:03:08 +0000 The pop queen concludes her new music video with a call to sign a petition for the Senate passage of the Equality Act. Full Article
on Tiffany Haddish compares Georgia’s abortion law to slavery, says decision to cancel show ‘wasn’t tough at all’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 17 Jun 2019 18:47:09 +0000 In an emotional interview with TMZ, the comedian said she canceled her show there because of the state's attempt to, in effect, ban abortion. Full Article
on Michelle Obama goes low and leads Team USA to victory in celebrity dodgeball match on ‘Late Late Show’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Jun 2019 17:03:07 +0000 The former first lady and her A-list friends triumphed over late-night host James Corden and his squad. Full Article
on Presidential hopefuls swap the campaign trail for the field at Congressional Women’s Softball Game By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 20 Jun 2019 20:25:45 +0000 The Members team ultimately fell 10-4 to the press team, despite valiant efforts from players such as 2020 presidential hopeful and team pitcher Kirsten Gillibrand. Full Article
on A ball fit for Cinderella at the Library of Congress as the National Film Registry inducts the classic film By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:15:40 +0000 Fans of the Disney animated movie celebrated its addition to the National Film Registry. Full Article
on Rihanna has a message for President Trump about immigration By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 24 Jun 2019 14:51:48 +0000 The native of Barbados apparently doesn't like Trump's immigration policies. Full Article
on He’s on a boat: Obama hangs out with George Clooney in Italy By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 24 Jun 2019 16:01:57 +0000 The former president is living his best life on Lake Como. Full Article
on Actor Adam Scott and Sen. Mitch McConnell’s social media team are in a Twitter fight By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 27 Jun 2019 17:22:59 +0000 The actor responded unfavorably to a tweet by McConnell's campaign, and the beef didn't stop there. Full Article
on SNL’s Kate McKinnon has her Marianne Williamson impression ready to go By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 30 Jun 2019 19:19:44 +0000 The "Saturday Night Live" star debuted a brief impression on "Late Night with Seth Meyers." Full Article
on Harry and Meghan make surprise appearance at major league baseball game in London By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 30 Jun 2019 19:36:01 +0000 The new parents showed up at the first official MLB game in Europe on Saturday. Full Article
on ‘American Idol’ and ‘The Voice’ winners describe what happens after the show — including a gig on ‘A Capitol Fourth’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 03 Jul 2019 17:22:36 +0000 Laine Hardy and Maelyn Jarmon may have won different shows, but their experiences are very similar. Full Article
on Cory Booker and his ‘boo,’ Rosario Dawson, take their relationship on the campaign trail By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 07 Jul 2019 16:51:34 +0000 Low-key no longer: The presidential candidate and his actress girlfriend appeared together at public events over the holiday weekend. Full Article
on ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star Ashley Darby welcomes a son By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:17:27 +0000 The reality TV star wrote that she and her husband, real estate developer Michael Darby, are "savoring every moment." Full Article
on Nicki Minaj pulls out of concert in Saudi Arabia ‘after better educating myself on the issues’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jul 2019 18:50:51 +0000 The rapper said she wanted to support women's and LGTBQ rights. Full Article
on Cause Celeb: Victor Garber testifies on diabetes research By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 10 Jul 2019 17:24:17 +0000 The "Alias" actor was diagnosed with the disease as a child. Full Article
on Wolf Blitzer, Kellyanne Conway and members of Congress celebrate Bastille Day at the French ambassador’s house By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 14 Jul 2019 16:51:07 +0000 Despite the potential of, um, awkwardness among the diplomatic core and official Washington, elbows were ripe for rubbing at the French ambassador’s residence. Full Article
on Monica Lewinsky jokes about the worst career advice she’s ever been given By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 15 Jul 2019 19:29:11 +0000 The former scandal figure is mining what was a traumatic experience for some dark humor. Full Article
on Pete Buttigieg may have stars such as Ellen DeGeneres and Jennifer Aniston to thank for his fundraising haul By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jul 2019 17:51:58 +0000 The small town mayor is raking in some cash from A-list donors. Full Article
on Alyssa Milano faces backlash for supporting a Marianne Williamson fundraiser: ‘I know. I know.’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 17 Jul 2019 17:11:44 +0000 The "Charmed" actress defended her decision to help raise money for the controversial Democratic candidate, saying Williamson is addressing the "soulful ache of the nation." Full Article
on After Nicki Minaj backs out of concert in Saudi Arabia, Janet Jackson, 50 Cent and others join lineup By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 18 Jul 2019 17:31:54 +0000 Human rights advocates have urged artists not to perform in the country because of its dismal human rights record. Full Article
on Kim Kardashian West appeals to White House on behalf of ASAP Rocky By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 18 Jul 2019 17:57:15 +0000 The reality star and her husband, Kanye West, tapped some high-ranking friends to help the rapper, who has been detained in Sweden. Full Article
on Trump pledges to help ASAP Rocky as rapper’s detention in Sweden approaches its third week By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Fri, 19 Jul 2019 21:14:01 +0000 The rapper was arrested earlier this month after an altercation in Stockholm. Full Article
on Trump popped in on a wedding at his golf course, and a ‘U-S-A!’ chant broke out By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 22 Jul 2019 15:08:02 +0000 The president stopped by a Staten Island couple's wedding and was greeted with cheers, screams and a supportive crowd. Full Article
on Trumps announce second state dinner, which will honor Australia By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 22 Jul 2019 16:35:01 +0000 President Trump and first lady Melania Trump will host the event in September. Full Article
on Chelsea Clinton welcomes third child with husband Marc Mezvinsky By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 22 Jul 2019 19:29:07 +0000 The former first daughter and her spouse welcomed a son on Monday. Full Article
on Which politician actually said that Ruth Bader Ginsburg would be dead soon? By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:11:43 +0000 The 86-year-old Supreme Court Justice repeated a regular clap back she's reserved for those who've counted her out. She isn't going anywhere. Full Article
on The Scene: Cirque du Soleil’s opening reception for Volta By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 28 Jul 2019 18:32:12 +0000 Washington VIPs (hint: allll the Housewives) showed up for Cirque's ode to street sports, "Volta," which plays at Tysons II through Sept. 29. Full Article
on Cardi B continues her support of Bernie Sanders by filming a campaign video together By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jul 2019 18:57:21 +0000 The rapper has been a supporter of the Democratic presidential candidate, and says she wants to help "a movement of young people to transform this country." Full Article
on Trump sends envoy for hostage affairs to Sweden ‘on a mission’ to bring back A$AP Rocky By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 18:02:09 +0000 The president wants the rapper, who is accused of assault, returned to the United States. Full Article
on Ben Folds makes a song called ‘Moscow Mitch’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Fri, 02 Aug 2019 16:03:55 +0000 Joe Scarborough of "Morning Joe" on MSNBC took credit for the name, which reportedly angers Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Full Article
on Kacey Musgraves, the rare country singer to address gun control, says ‘hold your politicians accountable’ By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 05 Aug 2019 20:38:50 +0000 The musician pointed out that she hails from Texas and is familiar with hunting and gun culture, but she said the recent tragedies deserve a different response. Full Article
on Brightest Young Things brings the millennials to the revamped International Spy Museum By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sun, 11 Aug 2019 18:42:13 +0000 A mostly millennial crowd explored the upgraded and interactive museum. Full Article
on Priyanka Chopra is confronted by Pakistani at Beautycon over tweets about India By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 19:11:26 +0000 The "Quantico" actress was called out during her appearance for a tweet sent during military hostility between the neighboring, nuclear-armed countries. Full Article
on Michelle Obama, Lin-Manuel Miranda, James Corden and more expected at National Portrait Gallery’s gala By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Aug 2019 18:51:42 +0000 Like the Kennedy Center Honors, the gallery’s gala has turned into a red-carpet affair. Full Article
on Ruth Bader Ginsburg met Kate McKinnon, her SNL doppelganger, at a musical By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Aug 2019 16:39:32 +0000 The "notorious" Supreme Court justice posed for pictures with the actress, who was attending a performance of "Fiddler on the Roof" in New York. Full Article
on Cardi B and Bernie Sanders talk police brutality and health care — while in a nail salon By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Aug 2019 17:59:25 +0000 The senator from Vermont and the rapper bantered and got into the issues in a new campaign video. Full Article
on Sean Spicer’s casting on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ draws backlash — including from the show’s host By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 21 Aug 2019 18:09:13 +0000 Tom Bergeron tweeted that he thought the producers had agreed the show should be “free of inevitably divisive bookings from ANY party affiliations.” Full Article
on In response to Taylor Swift’s advocacy, Kellyanne Conway starts singing one of her songs By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:07:39 +0000 Swift called on the White House to respond to her petition in support of the Equality Act, which would explicitly outlaw discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Full Article
on Full transcript: The toasts of President Trump and Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the state dinner for Australia By www.washingtonpost.com Published On :: Sat, 21 Sep 2019 01:55:07 +0000 The dinner was the second for the Trump administration. Full Article