Trading and Business
How Scarlett Johansson’s Disney Lawsuit Could Change Actor Pay
With more films being released direct to streaming services, stars like Scarlett Johansson are asking for a bigger cut of the at-home, early access profits for movies like Marvel’s “Black Widow.” Here’s a look at how streaming is changing film distribution.
Sotheby’s to Auction 11 Picasso Paintings With Links to Steve Wynn at the Bellagio
Works were earlier purchased for display at Picasso-themed restaurant in the Las Vegas casino, where the auction house is trying out a novel venue.
Southwest Airlines Warns Delta Variant Is Weighing on Its Business
Dallas carrier is seeing a slowdown in bookings and a rise in cancellations in August amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Covid-19 Rent-Relief Program Marred by Delays, Confusion, Burdensome Paperwork
Treasury counts on more than 450 state and local governments and agencies to distribute nearly $47 billion in aid.
Executive Stock Sales Are Under Scrutiny. Here’s What Regulators Are Interested In.
10b5-1 plans allow executives to create schedules for buying and selling shares in the future, but they can be modified without disclosure.
In Other News
Rand Paul suspended one week by YouTube over COVID-19 mask claims
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has been suspended from YouTube for a week.
That's stupid.
“As a libertarian leaning Senator, I think private companies have the right to ban me if they want to, so in this case I’ll just channel that frustration into ensuring the public knows YouTube is acting as an arm of government and censoring their users for contradicting the government.” — Sen. Rand Paul
That's bright!
U.S. consumer price increases slowed in July, inflation still high
U.S. consumer price increases slowed in July but inflation overall remained historically high amid continued supply-chain disruptions and stronger demand for travel-related services as economic activity rebounded.
Manchin sends warning shot over 'serious concerns' about $3.5T spending plan
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is sending a warning shot to President Biden and congressional leaders.
Cruz blocks Biden's State Department nominees ahead of Senate break
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) blocked the quick confirmation of dozens of State Department nominees.
U.S. calls on OPEC and its allies to increase oil production
President Joe Biden's top aides are pressuring OPEC and its oil-producing allies to boost production in an effort to combat climbing gasoline prices that they see as a threat to the global economic recovery.
Entertainment & Tech
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event: start time and how to watch
Samsung is holding its Galaxy Unpacked event today at 10AM ET / 7AM PT, and rumors and leaks have been swirling around it for weeks. Here’s how to watch the event to see what Samsung’s really announcing.
Build and sell interactive programming courses
Watch Samsung introduce its latest foldables live
Samsung is set to introduce a whole bunch of new products, starting today at 7 AM PT/10 AM ET. I wrote a whole bunch of words about what to expect from the company’s latest Unpacked event. It’s a long list and a kind of return to the pre-pandemic days, back b….
And also this...
3 men under investigation for allegedly using vulgarities against safe distancing enforcement officers
In Singapore, three men are under investigation in separate incidents for allegedly using abusive words towards safe distancing enforcement officers, the Singapore Police Force said on Wednesday.
Investigated for words. That's a thing. If it's not a thing where you are now don't let the pandemic make it a thing.
Said the man who’s part of that government. ;-)
Which makes the criticism more valid, not less. Even if Sen Paul weren't speaking in the sense of "contradicting [a branch of] the government", which he is, to criticize overreach is 100% consistent with his oversight role as a senator within government. So there'd be no contradiction.
Rand’s assertion that social media giants are doing the government’s bidding is facile. They don’t answer to the government, they answer to the bottom line. Why would a so-called libertarian have a problem with private companies doing what’s in their perceived best interests?
Doing its bidding? Probably not. At least probably not yet. Taking cues with an alarming amount of fealty to a left wing establishment to which many of its executives adhere. Definitely.
You don't need marching orders to toe the line.
Paul expressly acknowledged YouTube's legal right to make decisions that are bad for public discourse. This is one of their worst.
He's correct that they should face criticism for it.
If it were me I probably wouldn't have used the 'arm of government' angle. I'd emphasize the responsibility that should be expected of a company with YouTube's enormous market power.
The First Amendment is necessary to ensure free public discourse. It is not sufficient by itself. If freedom of speech disappears the effect on the life of the republic is the same whether by private whim or by public edict.