“The Tortured Poets Department” comes out on Friday in a number of different versions and formats including CD, left, and cassette. |
Mr. Giorgi's 2023-2024 Blog
A class guide
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Taylor Swift Sells a Rainbow of Vinyl Albums. Fans Keep Buying Them
Tesla Calls for New Vote on Elon Musk’s Pay Package
Tesla Calls for New Vote on Elon Musk’s Pay Package - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
In 2018, Tesla came up with a package that would give Musk the right to buy up to 304 million shares at a preset price of $23.34 — if he met a series of increasingly difficult-to-achieve financial milestones. If he didn’t meet them, he would get nothing. At the time, the company was worth $59 billion.
If Mr. Musk were somehow to increase the value of Tesla to $650 billion — a figure many experts would contend is laughably impossible and would make Tesla one of the five largest companies in the United States, based on current valuations — his stock award could be worth as much as $55 billion.
About 73 percent of non-Musk shareholders approved the plan in a 2018 vote.
Musk managed to surpass those high hurdles. But in January, a Delaware judge struck down the plan, agreeing with shareholders who had sued to block the payouts because, they said, it was created with the help of overly compliant Tesla directors.
The Global Turn Away From Free-Market Policies Worries Economists; U.S. on track to grow 2.7% this year and continued growth is expected through 2025
The Global Turn Away From Free-Market Policies Worries Economists - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
More countries are embracing measures meant to encourage their own security and independence, a trend that some say could slow global growth.
Biden to Call for Tripling Tariffs on Chinese Steel Products - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
In a speech to union steelworkers in Pittsburgh, the president will announce several new measures meant to raise new barriers against floods of Chinese imports.
The three European countries have joined the parade of others that are enthusiastically embracing industrial policies — the catchall term for a variety of measures like targeted subsidies, tax incentives, regulations and trade restrictions — meant to steer an economy.
More than 2,500 industrial policies were introduced last year, roughly three times the number in 2019, according to a new study. And most were imposed by the richest, most advanced economies — many of which could previously be counted on to criticize such tactics.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, has pushed back against the growing use of industrial policies.Credit...Mandel Ngan/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images |
Trump Election Inquiries Gain Ground in Swing States
Trump Election Inquiries Gain Ground in Swing States - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Georgia, Michigan and Nevada have already brought charges against people who posed as electors for Donald Trump, and Arizona and Wisconsin have active investigations.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Johnson’s Plan for Ukraine Aid Meets Republican Pushback, Muddying Its Path
The Republican speaker’s strategy for moving foreign aid measures for Israel and Ukraine through the House has outraged many in his own party, increasing calls for his ouster.
Speaker faces ouster from GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
AMD, Intel, Qualcomm...and Apple are all debuting new AI chips this year, but what will we do with it? Beauty contest anyone?
Latest AMD Ryzen Pro chips are similar silicon, more smarts (msn.com)
Apple will handle AI locally with iOS 18 update — no need for the cloud (msn.com)
Related in a strange way: AI-Generated Contestants Will Compete for the Title of ‘Miss AI’ in World’s First AI Beauty Pageant (msn.com)
Fanvue AI creator Lexi |
Scattered Spider and other security concerns
Related:
Protect yourself: Windows includes built-in ransomware protections. Here’s how to turn it on (msn.com)
Protect yourself: How to Use Windows Security in Windows 10 - YouTube
Protect yourself: Everything You Need to Know About Smartphone Backups - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Apple Issues New Spyware Attack Warning To iPhone Users (forbes.com)
Apple Issues Spyware Alert to iPhone Users Worldwide (msn.com)
Microsoft, Beset by Hacks, Grapples With Problem Years in the Making - Bloomberg
Microsoft is 'ground zero' for state-sponsored hackers, exec says (qz.com)
Microsoft’s $1.5B funding for G42 signals growing US-China rift | TechCrunch
Monday, April 15, 2024
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Scottie Scheffler wins by 4 shots, captures second Masters
Scottie Scheffler wins by 4 shots, captures another Masters - ESPN
Scottie Scheffler wins the 2024 Masters Tournament (msn.com)
Masters 2024 prize money: From Scottie Scheffler to Tiger Woods, what they earned - NBC Sports
Scottie Scheffler wins his second green jacket by 4 strokes. |
History is made: Trump, Former President and Presumptive GOP Nominee, Criminal Trial to start on Monday, 4/15/24
What to Know About Trump’s Hush-Money Trial - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Prosecutors accused Mr. Trump of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal. It will be the first criminal trial of a former president.
As Trial Looms, Trump Plays to a Jury of Millions - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Donald J. Trump and his lawyers realize his chances in the courtroom are dicey. He intends to make whatever happens a political triumph.
Trump's Criminal Trial to Begin in Manhattan: Live Updates - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Donald J. Trump, accustomed to the White House and his Florida estate, will spend days in a dingy Manhattan courthouse.Credit...Pool photo by Brendan McDermid |
Strikes Upend Israel’s Belief About Iran’s Willingness to Fight It Directly
Israel had grown used to targeting Iranian officials without head-on retaliation from Iran, an assumption overturned by Iran’s attacks on Saturday.
A meeting of Israel’s war cabinet ended with no decision on how to proceed after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones overnight, nearly all of them intercepted. World leaders urged restraint and Iran signaled that it would not strike further unless attacked.
The girl, who lives in a Negev desert community that is home to Arab Bedouins, was clinging to life in a hospital after the attack.
Speaker Mike Johnson left unclear whether the vote on the security package, coming after Iranian attacks on Israel, would also include aid for Ukraine.
Opinion | Iran Just Made a Big Mistake. Israel Shouldn’t Follow. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Saturday, April 13, 2024
India banned TikTok overnight but 200 million people learned to live without it; related content to TikTok in the U.S.
India banned TikTok overnight but 200 million people learned to live without it | CNN Business
Related:
House Passes Bill to Force TikTok Sale From Chinese Owner or Ban the App
TikTok, Congress, and Teens...hey teens!
Lawmakers Blast TikTok’s C.E.O. for App’s Ties to China, Escalating Tensions
U.S. Pushes for TikTok Sale to Resolve National Security Concerns
Thursday, April 11, 2024
O.J. Simpson, Football Star Acquitted of Murder, Dies of Cancer at 76
He ran to football fame and made fortunes in movies. His trial for the murder of his former wife and her friend became an inflection point on race in America.
Before He Died in Prison, Aleksei Navalny Wrote a Memoir. It’s Coming This Fall.
In the book, Navalny tells his story in his own words, chronicling his life, his rise as an opposition leader, and the attempts on his life.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon calls for US to strengthen position as world leader; High job growth (300,000) and 3.8% inflation complicate economic picture
E.P.A. Says ‘Forever Chemicals’ Must Be Removed From Tap Water; Industry says it is too expensive
E.P.A. Says ‘Forever Chemicals’ Must Be Removed From Tap Water - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
The rule applies to a family of chemicals known as PFAS that are linked to serious health effects. Water utilities argue the cost is too great.
Six Things to Know About ‘Forever Chemicals’ - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
The federal government is ordering the removal of PFAS, a class of chemicals that poses serious health risks, from drinking water systems across the country.
To Counter China’s Rising Power, Biden Looks to Strengthen Ties With Japan
Related: US Ally Intercepts Chinese Warships in Pacific (msn.com)
The Politics of a Steel Deal Hangs Over Biden’s Japan Summit - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
US and Japanese efforts to beef up defenses and alliance impact Okinawan Islands : NPR
At the Japan State Dinner, Jill Biden Turns to Oscar de la Renta - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
President Biden and the first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, before the state dinner for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan on Wednesday.Credit...Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times |
Iran Says Israel ‘Will Be Punished’ for Strike in Syria
Iran Says Israel ‘Will Be Punished’ for Strike in Syria - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
The leadership of Iran has repeatedly vowed to avenge the deadly April 1 strike on an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus.
How Iran Shapes the Mideast: Power by Proxy - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
A Timeline of Iran and Israel’s Shadow War Across the Middle East - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Samantha Power, head of USAID and author of The Problem from Hell, America in the Age of Genocide |
Arizona reinstates an 1864 law banning abortion originally passed by the Territorial Supreme Court
Some in the battleground state said they would still vote for former President Donald J. Trump even if they were frustrated by the reversal of abortion rights.
Arizona Abortion Ban: What We Know - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
The state’s highest court upheld an 1864 law that bans nearly all abortions. Here’s what to know about the ruling.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Tesla Settles Lawsuit Over a Fatal Crash Involving Autopilot
Tesla Settles Lawsuit Over a Fatal Crash Involving Autopilot - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
A Tesla driver’s family had sought damages for the 2018 crash, which happened while the carmaker’s driver-assistance software was in use.
Switzerland’s Climate Shortfalls Violate Human Rights, European Court Rules; U.S. needs a bigger grid
But the European Court of Human Rights ruled as inadmissible two other climate-related attempts to hold governments accountable.
Related:
The U.S. Urgently Needs a Bigger Grid. Here’s a Fast Solution. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
A rarely used technique to upgrade old power lines could play a big role in fixing one of the largest obstacles facing clean energy, two reports found. It is called “advanced reconductoring.”
Monday, April 8, 2024
Yellen Sees ‘More Work to Do’ as China Talks End With No Breakthrough; U.S. to give TSMC $6.6 Billion for U.S. Chip Manufacturing
TSMC Will Receive $6.6 Billion to Bolster U.S. Chip Manufacturing - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
A new Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company plant under construction in Phoenix, Ariz., in December 2022.Credit...T.J. Kirkpatrick for The New York Times |
Trump says abortion legislation should be left to states; Legal cases continue
Israel’s Account of World Central Kitchen Strike Raises Wider Legal Questions; Another Israeli Hostage’s Body Recovered, the Death Angering His Family
Some Colleges Will Soon Charge $100,000 a Year. How Did This Happen?
Some Vanderbilt students will have $100,000 in total expenses for the 2024-25 school year. The school doesn’t really want to talk about it.
Biden Announces Student Loan Debt Relief Plans for Millions - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
What to Know About Biden’s New Student Debt Relief Plan - The New York Times (nytimes.com)