Will Smith said Friday that he will resign from his membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and "fully accept any and all consequences" for slapping Chris Rock at Sunday's Oscars, Financial Times reports.
Why it matters: The Academy said this week that it has launched "disciplinary proceedings" against Smith, whose actions made headlines around the world. Smith, who won the Best Actor award that night, slapped Rock after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.
In our misinformation age,it’s increasingly risky for companies to fib for fun on April 1.
Why it matters: April Fools' Day entices businesses to circulate false information to bolster their brands — but many people struggle to discern fact from fiction online.
Amazon workers at a Staten Island warehouse voted to form a union on Friday.
Why it matters: This marks a landmark moment for organized labor and the e-commerce behemoth Amazon, which has resisted unionization efforts in its U.S. operations.
The lead producer of the Oscars said Friday on "Good Morning America" that he urged the Academy not to physically remove Will Smith from the Oscars after slapping Chris Rock on stage.
Why it matters: Will Packer's comments help shed light on why Smith stayed at the ceremony after the incident.
Journalists at the Miami Herald and its sister outlets Bradenton Herald and El Nuevo Herald took to Twitter Friday to say they were walking out for the day to protest low wages at McClatchy.
Why it matters: It's the latest labor battle at a major local news outlet. Labor-management hostility erupted last year across Gannett newsrooms.
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating a breakfast meeting between Activision CEO Bobby Kotick and investor Alexander von Furstenberg, as part of its probe into possible insider trading related to Microsoft's $69 billion takeover bid for Activision, per the WSJ.
Why it matters: There's often unusual options trading activity ahead of big merger announcements, but the Feds either look the other way or nab small-timers. If there's a real case to be made here, it would be the highest-profile in memory.
Companies announced just over $1 trillion of mergers and acquisitions in the first quarter of 2022, which ended yesterday, according to Refinitiv.
That's a big number for a first quarter, which begins as many deal-makers are still shaking sand from their vacation shoes. In fact, it's the fourth-largest Q1 tally ever.
Bitcoin hit a milestone today that gets the world ever closer to the moment when the final new bitcoin will enter the world — the supply of coins broke 19 million.
Why it matters: Bitcoin was created to be money with a fixed supply that no one can change. It launched amidst The Great Recession, when governments were issuing lots of new money to help ease the economic pain.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki is in exclusive talks with MSNBC to join the network after she leaves the White House around May, according to a source close to the matter.
Why it matters: It's been speculated for weeks that Psaki would leave the White House for a TV gig. White House communications staffers often negotiate TV jobs once they leave an administration.
Bond Capital, the growth equity firm co-founded by Mary Meeker, has raised $2.5 billion for its third fund, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Many growth equity investors, particularly mutual funds and hedge funds, are slowing down their investment pace as public tech valuations decline and IPOs prove elusive. Firms like Bond, however, will remain dedicated to the space, as it doesn't have another business line.
The post-pandemic job market boom continues. That's the takeaway from the March numbers, out this morning.
Why it matters: After a year of labor shortages and high inflation, Americans are going back to work in massive numbers. And they're getting paid more — though not enough to raise new inflation alarms.
The ruble is back. Russia's currency bounced back this week to roughly its pre-invasion value — but that doesn't mean everything's fine and dandy in the Russian economy.
Why it matters: Even if the West doesn't impose stricter sanctions, Russia's GDP is expected to contract by as much as 15% over the next year as the country enters a steep recession, according to a projection from the Institute of International Finance, which is tracking the country's economy.
Customer service chatbots are becoming kinder, smarter and even more helpful, thanks to huge leaps in artificial intelligence.
Why it matters: Chatbots can be aggravating if their formulaic responses don't provide the help you're searching for — what customer service experts refer to as "the spiral of misery," per the New York Times.
/2022/04/01/1648821255052.gif?w=3840)
