Sam bankman fried

Failed digital currency exchange FTX, which is going through bankruptcy proceedings and legal battles, is asking lawmakers to return donations. FTX Group said on Sunday it sent “confidential letters” to politicians and other political groups that have received donations from disgraced FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and other executives at the company. The FTX debtors said they also “reserve the right” to try to force the repayments, with interest, through court action. Coindesk reported that this announcement was the latest escalation in the fight over $93 million in political donations made to various lawmakers and political organizations. The cryptocurrency outlet also claimed that one-in-three members of Congress received contributions from Bankman-Fried or other executives at FTX. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Maxine Waters (D-CA) dodged questions on whether Democrats who received donations from the disgraced former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried should return the … [Read more...] about FTX Asks Lawmakers Who Received Donations to Return Funds

A Goldman C.E.O. also-ran gets to lead Carlyle said this morning that it had hired Harvey Schwartz , a former co-president of Goldman Sachs, as its new chief executive. It’s a bet by Carlyle that it has finally found the right leader — and a chance for Mr. Schwartz to finally become a Wall Street chieftain, after losing a succession race at his former employer. Schwartz is joining Mr. Carlyle seven months after its last C.E.O. stepped down. Kewsong Lee, who became the firm’s co-chief executive in 2018 and then sole C.E.O. in 2020, resigned after clashing with the private equity giant’s co-founders over priorities and control. (So sudden was Mr. Lee’s departure that Carlyle didn’t have a replacement lined up; a co-founder, Bill Conway, has been serving as interim chief.) Carlyle’s board reportedly considered a variety of potential candidates , according to The Financial Times, including John Waldron, Goldman’s current president; Mark Mason, Citigroup’s C.F.O.; and current … [Read more...] about Carlyle Taps a Former Goldman Executive to Fill Its Leadership Void

The buzz in recent weeks over leaps in artificial intelligence, or AI, technology has caused venture capitalists and marquee companies like Microsoft to pour billions of dollars into the trending industry. And with many of the most recognizable AI companies based in San Francisco, there are hopes that the rising industry could shift the city’s fortunes and revitalize not just its tech sector, but help fill empty downtown streets, offices, and shops with the next wave of tech workers whose spending could filter through the rest of the city’s economy. But some economists aren’t so sure. On one hand, overall hiring in San Francisco’s tech sector in recent months has been flat. That is a mostly positive sign, according to city data and San Francisco Chief Economist Ted Egan, especially since ongoing layoffs have battered companies based in the city in recent weeks and months. But job posting data aggregated from thousands of hiring sites nationally by jobs site ZipRecruiter … [Read more...] about There’s hope AI companies could revive downtown S.F., but economists aren’t so sure

Long queues in front of Popeyes Korea's Gangnam location in southern Seoul on Dec. 16, 2022 [POPEYES KOREA] Popeyes is back in Korea after a two-year hiatus, the fried chicken chain returning with three locations since December 2022. The franchisee is optimistic despite reentering a market that's a sea of red for fast food joints. The Popeyes exit from Korea was a “strategic withdrawal for a fresh start,” according to Sally Lee, COO of Non Luxurious Company (NLC). NLC, a subsidiary of KRX-listed Silla, is the operator of the Popeyes brand in Korea. Lee said NLC chose Popeyes for several reasons — but mostly for its brand value. Rather than growing a brand from scratch, it believed it is more efficient to use a brand that has already proven its value. “One of the things I strongly believe is that there is no brand stronger than the one that the whole country knows,” said Lee. “A ‘hip’ brand is not a brand that is hot but that is familiar. It’s a huge asset that every Korean … [Read more...] about Popeyes is back in Korea and optimistic after exit in 2020

Pfizer's involvement with the 2023 Grammy Awards sparked speculation online, with some viewers wondering how much input the pharmaceutical company had. The annual music ceremony was held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on Sunday night, with Beyoncé winning big, and Harry Styles nabbing album of the year. Putting the awards to one side, the choice of sponsors irked some viewers, who voiced their frustration on social media. Comedian and political commentator Tim Young was one of many on Twitter who called out the link with Pfizer . Director Robby Starbuck called Pfizer's inclusion "on the nose" after its logo appeared after a satanic-themed performance by Sam Smith. Newsweek reached out to Pfizer, which clarified its involvement with the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. The Claim Viewers of the 2023 Grammy Awards spotted a number of mentions of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. This led to the conclusion that Pfizer must be an official sponsor of this … [Read more...] about Fact Check: Were the Grammys sponsored by Pfizer?

Microsoft is pouring billions into San Francisco artificial intelligence startup OpenAI in a multiyear partnership, the tech giant confirmed on Monday . The massive investment, which the New York Times reported would total $10 billion, is a sign of a potential new era for a tech industry reeling from hundreds of thousands of global layoffs, including 10,000 at Microsoft just last week. More on tech : There’s hope AI companies could revive downtown S.F., but economists aren’t so sure . It’s a huge bet that AI will be a transformative force for the tech industry and society, on par or perhaps surpassing the mobile phone and desktop revolutions. Microsoft said its partnership would help OpenAI scale globally and integrate the startup’s technology into Microsoft services like Azure. “We formed our partnership with OpenAI around a shared ambition to responsibly advance cutting-edge AI research and democratize AI as a new technology platform,” said Microsoft CEO Satya … [Read more...] about Microsoft is pouring $10 billion into S.F. tech startup despite mass layoffs — here’s why

“Are you ready for a little controversy?” a nearly unrecognizable Madonna said when she took the stage as a surprise presenter at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards, holding a riding crop in one hand and a microphone in the other. “Here’s what I learned after four decades in music,” she continued. “If they call you shocking, scandalous, troublesome, problematic, provocative, or dangerous, you’re definitely onto something.” When that line got no reaction from the star-studded crowd, she added, “That’s where you make noise.” Madonna ultimately got what she wanted after Sam Smith and Kim Petras took the stage to perform their Grammy-winning song “ Unholy ”, which included Smith donning a top hat with devil horns on it as flames rose up around them. That alone—not to mention the fact that Smith is gender nonbinary and Petras is a transgender woman—would have been enough to get America’s pearl-clutching conservatives up in arms. But what really seems to have them outraged is what happened … [Read more...] about Right-Wingers Melt Down Over ‘Satanic’ Pfizer-Sponsored Grammys

Want to know why so many people are giving up on “mainstream” pop culture? Take a look at Sam Smith and Kim Petras ’ performance of their hit song “ Unholy ” at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night. In case you missed it, Variety described the performance as including “Petras dancing in a cage, flanked by some dominatrices wearing satanic headgear. Smith also donned a satanic top hat, as huge flames heated up the stage.” You know, wholesome family entertainment. Cardi B , hold their beer. Now, it’s totally possible for a mature adult to watch this and see it for what it is: an aggressive reach for attention through controversy. This isn’t my first rodeo; I lived through the 1980s “satanic panic” —when politicians’ wives were able to get congressional hearings held to tackle the supposed scourge of heavy metal bands that seem harmlessly campy with the passage of time. And last night’s satan/bondage show reminded me of that Onion headline from 22 years ago : … [Read more...] about Did We Really Need a Satan Bondage Show at the Grammys?

Kim Petras becomes first trans woman to win Grammy for Best Pop Duo Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Harry Styles took home the biggest prize at this year’s Grammy Awards , marking a shock upset on what many expected to be Beyonce ’s night. The British pop singer won for his 2021 record Harry’s House , beating projects by Beyoncé, Adele and Lizzo . “S***, well s***,” he said, upon accepting the trophy. “I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me, and a lot of different times in my life I’ve listened to everyone in this category when I’m alone. “On nights like tonight, it’s so important to remember there’s no such thing as best. This is so kind, this doesn’t happen to people like me very often and it’s so nice.” Despite missing out on Album of the Year, which she has still never won, … [Read more...] about Grammys 2023: Six biggest talking points, from Ben Affleck memes to Beyoncé’s record-breaking win

Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter A woman unleashes a howl as blood dribbles down her chin. Tiny shark-like stumps become visible as her mouth opens, revealing her raw gums to the camera. “#Turkeyteeth,” reads the caption. The woman in the video is in a dental clinic in Turkey, mid-way through a cosmetic procedure that involves shaving down your natural teeth to miniature pegs and having pearly white crowns affixed to achieve a flawless smile. This beaming, milk-white, spotless grin has been popularised by reality TV stars such as Love Island’ s Luca Bish and Jack Fincham, who have both publicly confirmed they visited Turkey to get the work done. While critics of the Love Island smile cruelly liken it to Donkey’s chompers in Shrek , piano keys or Ross after his notorious teeth-whitening experience in … [Read more...] about Grin and bear it: Dental tourists are having teeth ‘mutilated’ at clinics in Turkey