White House Hits Back at , Inflation Criticism From Jeff Bezos.
White House Hits Back at , Inflation Criticism From Jeff Bezos.
President Joe Biden and the billionaire founder of Amazon have been sparring on Twitter since May 13.
.
You want to bring down inflation?
Letâs make sure the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share, President Joe Biden, via Twitter.
Biden's tweet seemed aimed at Amazon.
Bezos' reaction via Twitter is notable because it refers to the Biden administration's approach to rising inflation as a "misdirection.".
Raising corp taxes is fine to discuss.
Taming inflation is critical to discuss.
, Jeff Bezos, via Twitter.
Mushing them together is
just misdirection, Jeff Bezos, via Twitter.
Bezos has also criticized the president's Build Back Better plan, the passage of which Bezos claims has stoked inflation.
Part of the Build Back Better legislation includes increasing taxes for the wealthiest Americans and corporations.
Bezos suggested that Build Back Better has been detrimental to the poorest Americans
who are usually hit hardest by inflation.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates responded to Bezos' suggestion.
Itâs [...] unsurprising that this tweet comes after the president met with labor organizers, including Amazon employees, Andrew Bates, White House Spokesperson,
via CNBC.
Bezos accused Bates of attempting to "muddy the topic.".
They know inflation hurts the neediest the most.
But unions arenât causing inflation and neither are wealthy people, Jeff Bezos, via Twitter.
Biden has openly supported workers' rights to unionize, specifically at Amazon.
The choice to join a union belongs to workers alone.
By the way, Amazon, here we come, President Joe Biden, via CNBC.
The Twitter squabble is the first time
Biden and Bezos have publicly squared off
Second Amazon Union Vote , in NYC Fails.
Last month, Amazon workers on
Staten Island voted to unionize, becoming the first to do so in the United States.
Last month, Amazon workers on
Staten Island voted to unionize, becoming the first to do so in the United States.
But on May 2, 'New York Post' reports that a second, smaller Staten Island Amazon facility voted against following in their footsteps. .
But on May 2, 'New York Post' reports that a second, smaller Staten Island Amazon facility voted against following in their footsteps. .
The vote count was reportedly 380 for
and 618 against unionization.
Still, the Amazon Labor Union has
vowed to continue its fight.
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez showed up to support union activists in April.
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez showed up to support union activists in April.
I say to Jeff Bezos, who owns a $500 million yacht â I say, âJeff, when youâre out on your yacht, I want you to think about the workers. âThey want housing that is affordable. They want to be able to put away a few bucks to send their kids to college, Sen. Bernie Sanders, via statement, as reported by 'New York Post'.
I say to Jeff Bezos, who owns a $500 million yacht â I say, âJeff, when youâre out on your yacht, I want you to think about the workers. âThey want housing that is affordable. They want to be able to put away a few bucks to send their kids to college, Sen. Bernie Sanders, via statement, as reported by 'New York Post'.
Meanwhile, Amazon has appealed the vote to unionize at the first Staten Island warehouse and contested another union vote in Bessemer, AL.
Meanwhile, Amazon has appealed the vote to unionize at the first Staten Island warehouse and contested another union vote in Bessemer, AL.
The National Labor Relations Board
is looking into both situations
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Prime Minister Boris Johnson joins other NATO member leaders for a family photo on the second day of the summit in Madrid. Leaders were greeted in turn by NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg and Spanish prime minister Pedro SĂĄnchez before all joining on stage for a photograph. Britainâs PM stood between US president Joe Biden and Turkeyâs president Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Continuing with his efforts to highlight India's soft power on the global stage, PM Narendra Modi gifted a variety of products to heads of governments at the G7.. IndiaTimes
White House Says Biden Won't , Support Supreme Court Expansion.
ABC News reports President Joe Biden, despite his criticism of recent Supreme Court rulings, .
remains unmoved on the
topic of court expansion.
That is something that the president does not agree with. , White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, via ABC News.
Biden, when elected, appointed a 36-member bipartisan commission to study potential changes to the Supreme Court.
In a report from last year, the commission warned that altering the Supreme Court could potentially cause damage to the nation's democracy.
Though the panel found "considerable" support for term limits for justices.
the potential expansion of the court
beyond its current nine seats encountered "profound disagreement.".
There was a commission that
was put together about how to potentially move forward with
the court, reform the court. , White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, via ABC News.
I don't have anything more to share from any final decision that the president has made. , White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, via ABC News.
Biden said the repeal of Roe V Wade
was a "sad day" for the country.
It's a realization of an extreme ideology and a tragic error by the Supreme Court, in my view. , President Joe Biden, via ABC News
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Brittney Grinerâs Trial , Is Scheduled by Russian Court.
CNN reports Griner's lawyer has confirmed that the WNBA star's trial will start July 1.
CNN reports Griner's lawyer has confirmed that the WNBA star's trial will start July 1.
The Russian court also ruled in favor of Griner's detention being extended by six months pending the outcome of the trial.
The Russian court also ruled in favor of Griner's detention being extended by six months pending the outcome of the trial.
The 31-year-old basketball player has been detained in Russia since being arrested at a Moscow airport on February 17.
The 31-year-old basketball player has been detained in Russia since being arrested at a Moscow airport on February 17.
She had cannabis vaping cartridges in her luggage, resulting in smuggling charges since marijuana is classified as a narcotic substance in Russia.
She had cannabis vaping cartridges in her luggage, resulting in smuggling charges since marijuana is classified as a narcotic substance in Russia.
The offense is punishable by
up to a decade in prison. .
The offense is punishable by
up to a decade in prison. .
In May, the U.S. State Department classified Griner as "wrongfully detained.".
CNN reports that over 40 organizations have
signed a letter calling on President Biden and
Vice President Harris to negotiate for her release. .
CNN reports that over 40 organizations have
signed a letter calling on President Biden and
Vice President Harris to negotiate for her release. .
Advocates worry she may be used as a
political pawn amid Russia's war with Ukraine. .
Advocates worry she may be used as a
political pawn amid Russia's war with Ukraine. .
According to a U.S. official, an American diplomat from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow will appear at Griner's hearing on July 1.
According to a U.S. official, an American diplomat from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow will appear at Griner's hearing on July 1
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Amazonâs E-Book Policy , Sparks Author Protest .
Authors claim that the Kindle return policy that allows readers to "cancel an accidental book order within seven days" equates to stealing.
Self-published authors are reporting that refunds can sometimes leave their accounts in the red.
It really rattled me. You think, 'Can I still make a living if this continues?' and that's
very disheartening, Lisa Kessler, Paranormal Romance Author,
via NPR News.
One author recently tweeted that, "Amazon is NOT a library. When you read and return a book it COSTS the author." .
Reading it and making me think that I've made an income and then that income being taken away from me, that feels
like stealing, Eva Creel, Fantasy Writer, via NPR News.
Some authors question why policies for digital books are different from other digital products.
I don't really understand why digital movies and digital music aren't returnable, but digital books you have a whole week to read that book and return, Lisa Kessler, Paranormal Romance Author,
via NPR News.
That doesn't make sense to me. It's still a digital product, Lisa Kessler, Paranormal Romance Author,
via NPR News.
An Amazon spokesperson responded to the controversy.
Amazon aims to provide the best possible experience for customers and authors. , Amazon Spokesperson, via NPR News.
We have policies and mechanisms in place to prevent our e-books returns policy from being abused. , Amazon Spokesperson, via NPR News.
We're always listening to feedback and we investigate any concerns we receive, Amazon Spokesperson, via NPR News.
Some authors expressed hope that once readers understand how the policy affects authors,
readers will be more mindful.
The best thing to come out of this big scandal is that readers have writer's backs, and that means the world to writers, Lisa Kessler, Paranormal Romance Author,
via NPR News
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The successful vote is one of many unionisation drives occurring at global giants such as Starbucks and Amazon, mostly led by workers in their 20s and teens.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 00:50Published
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Biden Calls for , Gas Tax Holiday.
Biden Calls for , Gas Tax Holiday.
Politico reports that on June 22,
President Biden asked Congress to approve
a three-month pause on federal gas tax.
The request is the president's latest
attempt to provide struggling Americans relief amid surging inflation. .
Biden also encouraged states to follow suit during that time period or offer discounts in other ways.
But Politico reports the idea of a gas tax holiday hasn't gone over well with House Democrats.
Iâve not been a proponent of the gas tax. I just donât know that it gives much relief, Steny Hoyer, House Majority Leader, via Politico .
Typically, revenue from federal gas tax
funds road-building projects.
Biden says that going forward with a tax holiday is ânot going to have an impact on major road construction and major repairs.â.
Biden says that going forward with a tax holiday is ânot going to have an impact on major road construction and major repairs.â.
According to the White House, the three-month tax suspension would take $10 billion from the trust fund, but it could be offset via other avenues.
According to the White House, the three-month tax suspension would take $10 billion from the trust fund, but it could be offset via other avenues.
While some lawmakers have expressed support for the idea, Congress doesn't
seem to be on board as a whole
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The Reasons Why
Major Retail Businesses , Are Filing For Bankruptcy.
The Reasons Why
Major Retail Businesses , Are Filing For Bankruptcy.
After the recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of Revlon, .
experts say there could be a slew of retailer filings in the coming months.
Retail is in flux, Perry Mandarino, B. Riley Securities, via CNBC.
And within the next five years, the landscape will be much different than it is today, Perry Mandarino, B. Riley Securities, via CNBC.
Experts say that well known brands are at risk, including Serta Simmons, Rodan & Fields and Men's Warehouse.
We have potentially a perfect storm brewing, Sally Henry, Professor of Law at Texas Tech Law School, via CNBC.
I wouldnât be surprised to see an uptick in retail bankruptcies, Sally Henry, Professor of Law at Texas Tech Law School, via CNBC.
Experts say it comes down to demand.
Consumers arenât just buying less stuff, they are shopping less, which means a loss of the impulse-shopping moments that are critical to retail growth, Marshal Cohen, NPD Group, via CNBC.
Experts also say that the landscape is becoming increasingly complex.
There are many more variables, Steve Zelin, PJT Partners, via CNBC.
Some see danger signals in an overuse of credit.
Consumers have been willing to spend on credit cards, on mortgages and on buy now pay later programs, David Berliner, Chief of BDOâs Business Restructuring, via CNBC.
Iâm afraid a lot of consumers are are going to be tapping out their credit cards and then theyâre going to be forced into an
abrupt pullback, David Berliner, Chief of BDOâs Business Restructuring, via CNBC
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Amazon Alexa Can
Now Mimic the Voice , of a Deceased Relative.
The new feature was unveiled in a demonstration video at the Re:Mars conference in Las Vegas on June 22.
Senior Alexa VP Rohit Prasad did the unveiling.
In the video, a child speaks to Alexa.
Alexa, can Grandma finish reading me the Wizard of Oz?, Alexa Demonstration Video, via CNBC.
Alexa first confirms the child's question with its default voice.
It then switches to a voice that is more human sounding and similar to the child's deceased grandmother.
Prasad stated that the feature is not yet available to the public and continues to be in development.
According to the Alexa team.
âless than a minute of recorded audioâ of a person's voice
is all that is needed for the feature to work.
Prasad made it clear that the feature can be used to mimic any voice, .
but he focused on the fact that it could help a family remember someone they've lost.
While AI canât eliminate that pain of loss, it can definitely make the memories last, Rohit Prasad, Senior VP Alexa Team, via CNBC.
Prasad stated that making Alexa more conversational
is a renewed goal for the technology, .
especially since âso many of us have lost someone we loveâ due to the pandemic.
A series of new features
have also been added to Alexa
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Broadway To Lift , Audience Mask Mandate.
On June 21, the Broadway League announced that audiences will no longer be required to wear a mask starting July 1.
CNBC reports that NYC's 41 Broadway theaters will institute a "mask optional" policy, though they are still encouraged.
Monthly re-evaluations will be implemented as health data is made available. .
Millions of people enjoyed the unique magic of Broadway by watching the 75th Tony Award Ceremony recently. , Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, via press release.
Millions of people enjoyed the unique magic of Broadway by watching the 75th Tony Award Ceremony recently. , Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, via press release.
Millions of people enjoyed the unique magic of Broadway by watching the 75th Tony Award Ceremony recently. , Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, via press release.
Millions more have experienced Broadway LIVE in theatres in New York City and throughout the U.S., since we reopened last fall, Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, via press release.
Weâre thrilled to welcome even more of our passionate fans back to Broadway in the exciting â22-â23 season that has just begun, Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, via press release.
Following COVID shutdowns, shows returned to Broadway nearly 18 months later with vaccine and mask mandates.
Broadway vaccine requirements
halted on April 30.
CNBC reports that the week ending June 12 saw about 240,000 Broadway patrons
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Netflix Greenlights âSquid Gameâ Reality Show , With $4.56 Million Cash Prize.
CNBC reports Netflix plans to make
a reality show called 'Squid Game: The Challenge.' .
456 contestants will compete in games inspired by Netflix's most-watched show of all time.
456 contestants will compete in games inspired by Netflix's most-watched show of all time.
Netflix will offer a $4.56 million reward.
The streamer says that is the biggest cash
prize ever for a reality TV series.
Squid Game took the world by storm with Director Hwangâs captivating story and iconic imagery. Weâre grateful for his support as we turn the fictional world into reality in this massive competition and social experiment, Brandon Riegg, Netflix VP of Unscripted and Documentary Series, via statement.
The stakes are high, but in this game the worst fate is going home empty-handed, Netflix, via blog.
CNBC reports filming is
set to take place in the U.K.
There will be a total of 10 episodes.
A second season of 'Squid Game'
is also in the works at Netflix
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Coinbase Lays Off
18 Percent of Workforce , as 'Crypto Winter' Looms.
Coinbase Lays Off
18 Percent of Workforce , as 'Crypto Winter' Looms.
The announcement that the company will lay off nearly a fifth of its employees was revealed via an email sent out by CEO Brian Armstrong.
It comes amid a recent plunge in its stock prices and a significant decline in the value of crypto.
The layoffs equate to 1,100 people of the 5,000 that currently work for Coinbase.
We appear to be entering a recession after a 10+ year economic boom. , Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO, via CNBC.
A recession could lead to another crypto winter, and could last for an extended period. , Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO, via CNBC.
While itâs hard to predict the economy or the markets, , Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO, via CNBC.
... we always plan for the worst so we can operate the business through any environment, Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO, via CNBC.
Armstrong also stated that the company has grown "too quickly" during the recent bull market.
Our employee costs are too high to effectively manage this uncertain market, Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO, via CNBC.
While we tried our best to get this just right, in this case it is now clear to me that we over-hired, Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO, via CNBC.
Coinbase shares are down 85 percent from their highest value.
The COO of Coinbase, Emilie Choi, stated that it is a "very difficult decision for Coinbase.".
However, she stated that it
"felt like the most prudent thing to do right now"
due to economic instability.
We will power through any macro environment, any crypto winter [...] The reality though, is that we have to adjust when we feel that thereâs a very dynamic economic environment in play, Emilie Choi, Coinbase COO, via CNBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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