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5 ways to help your kids be more successful than most—including one 'many parents fail to teach,' expert says 2024-03-10 14:26:00+00:00 - Parents regularly worry about how their children will navigate the world as adults. Will they grow up to be happy and well-adjusted? Will they get a good job and live comfortably? Every child is different, and everyone develops at their own pace. But some strategies are proven to be more effective than others, when it comes to raising successful children. Here are five ways parents can help set their kids up for future success, according to psychologists and other parenting experts. Prioritize self-confidence over self-esteem You might use "self-confidence" and "self-esteem" interchangeably. But when it comes to raising a successful child, one is more important than the other, educational psychologist Michele Borba wrote for CNBC Make It in 2022. Self-esteem represents how we view ourselves overall. Self-confidence is a reflection of how confident we are in our own abilities in a given situation. The two concepts are related, but research shows that self-confidence is a better indicator of future success, because it helps firm kids' beliefs that their skills and efforts will lead to strong outcomes — like getting good grades or performing well in athletics. "Real self-confidence is an outcome of doing well, facing obstacles, creating solutions and snapping back on your own," Borba wrote. Parents can best boost their child's self-confidence by stepping back and allowing them to succeed or fail on their own, instead of hovering and trying to fix their kid's problems for them, Borba noted. Doing so can help them learn to dust themselves off and try again if they fail, and believe that they'll ultimately succeed. Teach self-control Self-control helps determine future success, research shows. When kids learn to ignore unnecessary distractions and control their own emotions and behavior, they typically grow up to be smarter and more motivated, according to a decades-long study by researchers at New Zealand's University of Otago. "Becoming indistractable is the most important skill for the 21st century — and it's one that many parents fail to teach their kids," author and psychology expert Nir Eyal wrote for Make It in 2019. Eyal recommends starting early. Toddlers can begin to understand the concept of time, which means parents can start explaining the importance of budgeting time to focus on important developmental activities. Kids can even learn self-control through play, including games like freeze tag and "red light, green light." Give them autonomy The ability to self-motivate is one of the two important traits that can help kids grow into successful adults, child psychologist Dr. Tovah Klein told Make It last year. (The other? Confidence.) Establish expectations for your child, with their input, when it comes to everyday actions like getting themselves ready for school, choosing after-school activities and doing their chores, bestselling author and parenting expert Esther Wojcicki recommends. "The more you trust your children to do things on their own, the more empowered they'll be," Wojcicki wrote for Make It in 2022. Eyal also suggested using tactics like making "effort pacts" with their kids, where they commit to specific limits on tempting distractions — like a one-hour daily limit on screen time. Don't stress over perfection Wojcicki raised three successful children — a doctor and two high-profile CEOs — but she never demanded perfection from them. That made a big difference, she noted. Give your children room to fail, treating their mistakes and setbacks with empathy rather than scorn, to help them maintain confidence while learning to view failures as learning opportunities, she advised. "Mastery means doing something as many times as it takes to get it right ... It was the learning and the hard work that I wanted to reward, not getting it right the first time," she wrote. Perfectionism doesn't make your child more likely to succeed in the future, and it can contribute to mental health issues like anxiety and low self-esteem, research shows. You can teach your kids to reframe how they think about making mistakes by openly discussing errors you've made, how you've solved problems and what you learned in the process, Bryant University psychology professor Allison Butler told Make It in January. Talk about financial literacy
First it was warehouses taking over America. Now it's data centers. 2024-03-10 14:24:18+00:00 - By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview Welcome back to our Sunday edition. If you have a sweet tooth and some time to spare, I recommend this story about an entrepreneur who tried to scale his artisanal marshmallows. On the agenda today: This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. But first: Warehouses were the first to take over America. Now it's data centers. If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here. Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images This week's dispatch Data center boom America's biggest warehouse owner is getting in on the data center game. Advertisement Prologis, the $100 billion-plus real-estate giant, has hired a new global head of data centers and could invest more than $25 billion into the sector in the coming years. Prologis had previously driven a boom in warehouse investment as ecommerce took off during the pandemic. Now, along with Blackstone, it's placing a big bet on data centers. "There is insatiable demand," Prologis's CEO said on a recent earnings call. "We can see easily 10, 15, 20 years of projects out there." The data center boom is being supercharged by the growing interest in AI. Big Tech companies and venture capitalists are pouring billions into generative AI efforts based on its potential to reshape our virtual realities. Advertisement The building boom is a reflection of the physical infrastructure required to make that virtual world a possibility. And it's having very real-world consequences. Data centers are going up across rural America, impacting communities and placing strains on utilities. It's a story we'll be following in the months to come. Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI Bitcoin isn't going anywhere It was a bumpy week for bitcoin. First, the digital currency surpassed its all-time high of nearly $69,000 only to see its price quickly fall again. We've been here before: Bitcoin has had sudden, exciting price jumps (and falls) in 2013, 2017, and 2021, to name a few. The cryptocurrency's most recent boom is proving that its chaotic, roller coaster nature isn't a bug — it's a feature. And it's here to stay. What's going on with bitcoin. LedyX/Shutterstock Fear the "Walking Dead" VCs According to PitchBook, the number of VCs in US deals peaked at 18,504 in 2021 and fell to 9,966 last year. Unlike other businesses, venture firms don't suddenly go out of business. Some become zombies, wreaking havoc on startup founders. Advertisement Some founders said they have to make sure firms they meet with are still even in business. BI looked at PitchBook's data to identify some of the most inactive VC firms. See which firms have been inactive. Alastair Grant/AP; Rebecca Zisser/BI Sam Altman's expanding empire Altman, much like Elon Musk, has transcended merely running a business. He's selling a worldview. It's one where private companies and billionaires can solve humanity's problems. Such a dream will require more money than has ever been spent on any business venture in history. But with a network of startups preparing for the rise of artificial general intelligence, Altman is on it. Advertisement Inside Altman's sprawling network of investments. Also read: This week's quote: "It's called embedding with the enemy. It's an age-old military tactic." Advertisement Jeff Peticolas, a Michigan man protesting the arrival of a Chinese electric-vehicle-parts manufacturer to his hometown. More of this week's top reads The Insider Today team: Matt Turner, deputy editor-in-chief, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York.
Who Is Bernard Arnault? The LVMH founder is the richest man in the world. 2024-03-10 14:06:24+00:00 - Bernard Arnault is the world's richest man. He has a net worth of $201 billion, according to Bloomberg. He controls the massive luxury conglomerate LVMH, and his children all hold roles in the business. He's now in talks to buy French magazine Paris Match, according to the Wall Street Journal. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time. Advertisement No name is perhaps more synonymous with the world of luxury goods than Bernard Arnault. Arnault, the 75-year-old CEO of French luxury conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, or just LVMH for short, built his fortune over the span of almost four decades, amassing a luxury-goods empire that includes some of the best-known brands in fashion, jewelry, and alcohol, including Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer, and Dom Pérignon.
34-year-old quit her 6-figure tech job to go to pastry school in France: 'What would I want to be doing that would bring me joy?' 2024-03-10 14:03:00+00:00 - Valerie Valcourt is living what some might consider the dream life: The 34-year-old former executive assistant quit her tech job over a year ago and now makes pastries in the South of France. She recently went viral on TikTok for posting her experience of changing careers in her 30s: "Don't let society try to trick you into thinking that it's too late to start over or that you have to choose one set path," she says in the video. Valcourt lives by that mentality: Back in 2020, Valcourt was working her Big Tech corporate job in Seattle earning just over $100,000 after bonuses and equity but feeling "at a really low place" and wondering: "What would I want to be doing that would bring me joy?" She'd always wanted to go to culinary school abroad and, after some online research, submitted her application to a French school on a whim. She got accepted in October 2020 and resigned from her day job soon after. But, she now admits, she wasn't ready to make such a big life change. "I ended up kind of falling on my face," Valcourt tells CNBC Make It. "I didn't have enough saved, and I didn't realize the mental toll it would take to quit my job at the time." So, she put culinary school on the backburner and rejoined the corporate world to sort things out. More research, savings and a second attempt Valcourt realized she would need to double her savings to roughly $20,000 to live off of while in school. To accelerate her savings, she took on a new executive assistant job and moved from Seattle to New York and finally to Connecticut to live with her family. By the spring of 2022, she was feeling renewed. She spent more time researching schools that would help her learn French as well as cooking techniques through an internship placement. She landed on a school in the south of France called Gastronomicom and reached out to a former student on Instagram to get a feel for the experience. Tuition ranges from 4,300 euros ($4,666) for two months of just cooking lessons, or up to 18,700 euros ($20,290) for a year-long program with cooking lessons, pastry lessons, French lessons and an internship. Valcourt says she didn't need any prior culinary knowledge to enroll — "they just want people who are enthusiastic." She officially moved to France in January 2023 and began her accelerated three-month program of intensive pastry courses and French lessons, followed by a four-month internship. All in, she paid about 10,000 euros ($10,850) for tuition and another 1,800 euros ($1,953) for housing. A future in France Valcourt sailed through classes. Her first internship got extended to six months, and then she got hired to work full time as a pastry assistant at the restaurant Maison Chabran in Pont-de-l'Isere, France. She earns roughly 20,000 euros ($21,705) a year, and her employer covers her seasonal housing (at least until April, when a new intern class starts). When she eventually finds her own apartment, Valcourt expects to pay roughly 300 euros ($326) per month for a studio or 500 euros ($543) per month for a 1-bedroom apartment. Valcourt says the best things about her pastry job are learning new skills and working with her hands. Looking back, she's grateful her first try at culinary school didn't pan out. She needed more time to build her mental confidence, "because being in a kitchen is no joke." While she and her French colleagues work hard, Valcourt says she's surprised by their mentality around rest. "The French are very adamant about not working overtime," she says. "When it's time to stop, it's time to stop. Go home and rest." Valcourt says she doesn't have a five-year plan but generally wants to learn as many cooking and pastry techniques as possible, and see as much of France while she can. Her next goal: saving up for a car to drive around the countryside. She feels fortunate her school and employers have helped her with the necessary visas to stay in the country, and she currently has a permanent employment contract with her company, which employs many foreign and seasonal workers. Her advice to daydreaming career-changers
As Biden faces questions about his age, researchers weigh in on working in your 80s 2024-03-10 13:56:00+00:00 - U.S. President Joe Biden stops to talk to journalists about new Russian sanctions as he departs the White House on February 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden is traveling to California to attend campaign receptions across the state. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images 'Occasional gaffes' do not reflect anything The most recent blow Biden faced over his age came from the Feb. 8 special counsel's report about his handling of classified documents. Robert K. Hur wrote that no criminal charges against the president were warranted, but he referred to Biden as a "well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." Shortly after those findings were publicized, Biden defended himself from the White House. "My memory is fine," Biden said. But then he mistakenly called the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the "president of Mexico" while discussing the Israeli-Gaza war. Concerns over his age were hardly put to bed. watch now However, such "occasional gaffes" do not indicate anything about an older person's competence, said John Walsh, an associate professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California. "Fluid intelligence" slows with aging, Walsh said. That means people's reaction times might not be as fast as when they were young, or they might need more time to remember a particular name or date, he said. That knowledge hasn't been lost, though. Aging experts also refer to this as "benign forgetfulness," and say it's a normal part of the aging process. "Given more time, they perform at the same level as their younger counterparts," Walsh said. U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 7, 2024. Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters In fact, the hardest thing for people to remember as they get older are names, Selkoe said. "But that does not mean there are other aspects of their cognitive function that aren't quite strong," he said. People in highly stressful and emotional jobs are especially likely to forget certain details, Selkoe said. "I've seen some very famous politicians in my clinic," he said. "Those people are under a lot of pressure and would have more difficulty in quickly coming up with what is otherwise rather minor information." The special counsel interviewed Biden right after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. You're going see a lot more people in their 80s and 90s who are rock stars. Joel Kramer director of neuropsychology at the University of California San Francisco's Memory and Aging Center Ageism, or the discrimination of someone based on their age, may lead people to pay outsized attention to Biden's missteps, Walsh said. Nearly 80% of older workers say they've seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace, according to research by AARP. "People fear aging," Walsh said. "And we do not like the way aging looks and jump to conclusions that we all age the same, in a bad way." The research tells a different story. Age and job performance are largely unrelated At the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, Kramer said he sees lots of people who are still fully mentally and physically competent in their 80s and 90s. "Many of them still work," Kramer said. "What is striking is the variability: There are always people in their 80s who are doing better than people in their 50s." Age and job performance are largely unrelated, said Philip Taylor, a professor at the University of Warwick who studies the aging workforce "There are areas where older workers outperform younger workers," Taylor said. Employees later in their careers tend to be more engaged with the well-being of their organization and are likelier to arrive to work on time, he said. Some studies also show that people's vocabularies increase with age and that creativity doesn't wane. "Think about artists who remain creative at very late ages," Taylor said. (The painter Alex Katz is still working in his late 90s, and Toni Morrison published her last novel at 84.) "The idea that your most creative years are behind you when you enter your 50s?" Taylor said. "It is not so." There are areas where older workers outperform younger workers. Philip Taylor University of Warwick professor "Crystallized intelligence," considered wisdom, also grows throughout our life, experts say. "With that wisdom and experience, the older person may be able to sort through possible solutions and come up with an effective strategy for dealing with a situation faster and more successfully than a younger person," Walsh said. Selkoe seconded that. "People do get better cognitive function in some areas," he said. "More in their emotional intelligence, [they're] less likely to be bent out of shape by various events because they've experienced them all over decades." People fear aging. John Walsh associate professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California However, Taylor was reluctant of framing any age group as better than another. Ageism hurts younger people too, he said. "Age is just a really poor proxy for performance at work," he said. "When people ask me about these things, I tell them if you want to make a decision about who to hire, don't make it based on their age." In Biden's State of the Union address on Thursday evening, the president said that at the beginning of his career — he became a senator at 29 — he was told that he was "too young." "By the way, they didn't let me on the Senate elevator for votes sometimes," Biden said. Senator of Joseph Biden. Undated color slide circa. 1973. Bettmann | Getty Images
Lindsey Graham: Biden has 'screwed the world up every way you can' 2024-03-10 13:50:00+00:00 - South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday said that President Joe Biden “has screwed the world up every way you can.” Graham argued on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that Biden has perpetuated “broken borders” and that “the world’s on fire.” When moderator Kristen Welker mentioned Biden’s statement Friday that he regretted using the term “an illegal” to describe Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan who crossed the border into the U.S. and who has been charged in the murder of Laken Riley, Graham interjected to say that the reversal “really pisses me off.” The South Carolina Republican has crossed party lines to praise Biden on foreign policy in the past, applauding Biden’s efforts to normalize Israel-Saudi Arabia relations in December. Graham is a supporter of former President Donald Trump’s campaign, but he has broken with him on several issues, including Ukraine aid. Pressed by Welker about a quote from fellow GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in which she said, “Let’s just not even exist as a Senate then if we have to ask permission from Donald Trump for everything we do,” Graham disputed the notion that Trump “calls the shots” in the Senate. “I’ve voted against things that, you know, he doesn’t like,” Graham said, adding: “The point is, to Lisa: Would you support the idea that our allies should pay us back if they can when we’re $34 trillion in debt?” He referenced his support for providing more aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, but only in the form of a loan that Ukraine would pay back after the war. “This is ‘America First’ in action. It’s not isolationism, but it is considering the needs of the American people,” Graham added, referencing a term Trump often invokes to describe his approach to foreign policy. He also spoke about his support for Ukraine, saying, “I hope to be going to Ukraine soon and I hope to tell them, ‘The aid is coming.’” Graham also responded to questions about the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, saying, “I literally about fell out of my seat” during the president’s State of the Union address to Congress on Thursday when Biden said Hamas could end the conflict by releasing all of the hostages they took on Oct. 7. “Is the president saying that if the hostages are released by Hamas, they can stay in power?” Graham asked on Sunday. “President Trump believes it’s non-negotiable when it comes to Hamas. They have to be destroyed militarily. They can’t be in charge. So I’m challenging the Biden administration today to clear this up. You cannot allow Hamas to stay in power,” Graham added. The White House did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment. Graham also questioned Biden’s mental fitness, calling on him to “get in a room with [former President] Donald Trump and debate.” “If there’s ever an election in the history of America that deserves a debate between two candidates, it’s this election,” Graham told “Meet the Press.” He said he’s spoken with the Trump campaign, which Graham said told him that Trump is ready to debate “anytime, anywhere,” a phrase that the former president’s campaign has used before when calling for debates with Biden. The Biden campaign hasn’t ruled out general election debates, but it also hasn’t firmly committed to Biden debating Trump. As the president was departing Washington for Philadelphia on Friday, he told reporters, “It depends on [Trump’s] behavior,” in response to questions about whether he’ll debate the former president.
Aramco pays nearly $100bn in dividends as profits tumble 2024-03-10 13:29:00+00:00 - Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company Aramco has paid out dividends of nearly $100bn (£77bn), despite the company’s annual profits tumbling from the record earnings raked in the year before. The group, in which the Saudi government owns a 82% stake, said in its annual accounts that dividends to shareholders increased by 30% to $97.8bn in 2023. Overall profits fell by just under 25% to $121.3bn, owing to a drop in oil prices and lower sales when compared with the previous 12 months. Despite this fall, the profit figure was the second highest reported by Saudi Aramco after its record $161.1bn in 2022, the largest profit recorded by an oil or gas firm. The 2022 bumper results were largely driven by escalating oil prices as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, which affected global supply. The price of Brent crude, the benchmark oil price, fell from as high as nearly $120 a barrel in the middle of 2022 to as low as $67 a barrel last year. It is trading at about $82, despite fears that tensions in the Middle East could push crude prices above $100 a barrel. The dividend payout is likely to anger campaigners who have condemned the huge profits made by energy companies – and the bonuses handed to their executives – since the surge in commodity prices, against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis for households. On Friday, the £8m pay packet of the new boss of BP was labelled “sickening”. Aramco’s huge payout is expected to be mirrored by some of the world’s other big oil firms. A report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) in January forecast that thefive other large oil companies – BP, Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies – would pay dividends for 2023 that would exceed the $104bn paid out last year. Aramco said its base dividend for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $20.3bn, up 4% on the previous year while its performance-related dividend would be $43.1bn, an increase of 9%. The company’s capital expenditure for 2023 was $49.7bn, up from $38.8bn in 2022. It also expects this investment to reach between $48bn and $58bn this year, and grow further by the middle of the decade, with some of this investment going into non-oil projects. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Business Today Free daily newsletter Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Amin H Nasser, Aramco president and chief executive, said: “Our capital expenditures increased in line with guidance as we seek to create and capture additional value from our operations, positioning the company for a future in which we believe oil and gas will be a key part of the global energy mix for many decades to come, alongside new energy solutions.” Armaco has said it will commit to delivering 12m barrels a day (bpd) after the Saudi government in January ordered it to scrap its plan to increase production to 13m bpd.
Ex-Microsoft VP of HR: If the application process is bad, the job will probably be worse. Beware of these red flags when interviewing. 2024-03-10 13:07:01+00:00 - Chris Williams was the VP of HR at Microsoft and is now an advisor and consultant. He writes that common "tells" include chaos, bureaucracy, secrecy, and conceit. These can indicate potential problems within the company and what working there might be like. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time. Advertisement In every game, part of the challenge is knowing the other side. Whether it's poker, football, or the hiring game, understanding tells — unspoken signals — from the opponent can help you hone your strategy to win. As the former VP of HR for Microsoft, I helped define job candidates' experiences. We worked hard to treat candidates well and land the most outstanding talent. At the same time, I've seen countless red flags in the hiring process for other companies that serve as tells for their culture. The company at its best Hiring is one of the few external faces of a company, the others being sales and media or investor relations. Advertisement But hiring is unique: The company is trying to get you to be part of the team. Recruiters and hiring managers want you not just to believe them, but to join them. They should, therefore, be on their very best behavior. But some tells can expose company problems and should be red flags for job seekers. Here are the most common tells I've seen in hiring. 1. Chaos The most frequent issue in hiring is chaos: unclear processes, missed appointments, confusion in scheduling, or erratic communication. Advertisement Perhaps the candidate sees long periods of silence followed by a frantic need for instant turnaround. Maybe there is confusion about who will conduct the interview or when it will take place. Often, details are missing or change constantly. This kind of chaos can result from many factors: Maybe the company is in turmoil, maybe the recruiting team doesn't have the highest priority, maybe they are all contract employees, or maybe they're just disorganized people. Whatever the cause, this chaos is a tell. If the face of the company to potential hires can't even schedule an interview, imagine what working there could be like. Advertisement 2. Bureaucracy Another important tell is the extent of red tape, such as applications that require uploading information to multiple systems, or multiple hoops to jump through before even a screening phone call. Hiring processes that involve seven rounds of interviews or extensive prework, such as completing sample projects, are often relics of a bygone era — leftovers from processes that once might have made sense. They are a sign of a company that doesn't work efficiently and doesn't constantly iterate to improve. If they can't streamline their hiring process to make it work for the company and the candidates, one can only imagine the bureaucracy in the everyday work there. Advertisement 3. Secrecy Some companies are overly vague about the role, the group, and even the company. They talk of a great mission but won't answer direct questions about everything from compensation to organization. Even the most mundane things, such as who you'll work for or how they'll judge your work, are left as strictly "need to know." They present fronts that would make national-security organizations wince. They often treat this level of secrecy as a badge of honor, as if it's a sign of the importance of their great work. Often, it's just conceit or bravado. Worse, it might be hiding terrible working conditions behind closed doors. The company keeps managers and employees alike in the dark yet asks them to work tirelessly for vague goals. Advertisement You want me to uproot my life and dedicate my career to a job I don't fully understand? No, thank you. 4. Conceit This tell of organizational conceit is common in the tech world but is also found in some high-level consulting and other "elite" firms. They profess to hire only the best and want you to believe you're lucky even to be considered for their role. This conceit leads to many problematic issues with hiring. These companies often have abusive interviews where a panel virtually hazes candidates. They pile endless prework that they then judge in a harsh, derisive manner. They never allow the candidate to ask similarly challenging questions of the firm, or they instantly reject those who do. Advertisement What's worse about these firms is that this conceit can hide a dirty secret of the reality behind the curtain. Many entry-level employees are treated to years of abuse and drudgery, itself a form of hazing — and the firms expect them to be happy to be there. It often is best to reflect on your own feelings when interviewing. If the interviewer doesn't treat you as a peer or at least like you're of value in the interview, imagine what working there as a new hire could be like. Read the Tells When you're walking away or hanging up from that job interview, spend a few minutes thinking about the tells you identified. Ask yourself what the hiring experience might tell you about working there. Even if you do end up taking a job at a place with one or more red flags, reading the tells can help prevent you from being surprised when you get there. Advertisement Chris Williams is the former VP of HR at Microsoft. He's an executive-level advisor and consultant with more than 40 years of experience leading and building teams.
From Biden Vs. Trump Race To Ex-President's $4B Saudi Deal And More: Top Politics News This Week 2024-03-10 12:56:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... The past week was buzzing with political activity and business moves. From the “My Pillow” guy, Mike Lindell, voicing his continued support for former President Donald Trump to the ongoing race between Joe Biden and Trump for the 2024 presidential election, there was no shortage of headlines. Meanwhile, Edward Snowden was not shy about expressing his opinions regarding Elon Musk’s political stance. And speaking of Musk, President Biden’s recent State of the Union address included him, along with Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett, in a proposed tax increase for the wealthiest Americans. Finally, Trump’s real estate activities in the Middle East highlighted his continued business pursuits. Now, let’s dive deeper into each of these stories. Mike Lindell’s Unwavering Support for Trump At a recent event organized by The Villages MAGA Club in Florida, My Pillow founder, Mike Lindell, restated his staunch support for former President Donald Trump. Lindell interacted with attendees, signed copies of his new book, and declared, “God is working through President Trump!” Read the full article here. Biden vs. Trump: The 2024 Race is On See Also: ‘Dogecoin Killer’ Shiba Inu Gears Up For A ‘Potential Rebound’: Transactions Surpass 400M, Shiba Names Launched As the 2024 presidential election approaches, both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have solidified their frontrunner statuses in their respective party nominations. A recent poll showed Biden retaking the lead for the first time in months, indicating a potential shift in the electoral landscape. Read the full article here. Snowden’s Jab at Musk’s Political Neutrality Elon Musk’s declaration of not financially supporting any U.S. presidential candidate sparked a response from former U.S. intelligence agent turned whistleblower, Edward Snowden. In a subtle jab, Snowden reminded Musk that there are “more than two” candidates. Read the full article here. Loading... Loading... Biden’s Tax Increase Proposal During his State of the Union address, President Biden proposed a tax increase on the wealthiest Americans, including billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Warren Buffett. Criticizing the previous administration’s tax policies, Biden declared that a fair tax code would be instrumental in investing in the country’s future. Read the full article here. Trump’s $4B Saudi Deal As Trump’s real estate mogul status seems to be slipping away in America, his organization is turning its focus to the Middle East with a $4 billion Saudi deal. This move sheds light on Trump’s ongoing business endeavors outside of his political pursuits. Read the full article here. Read Next: Edward Snowden Takes A Dig At Elon Musk: Tells Billionaire ‘There Are More Than Two’ Presidential Candidates Photos via Shutterstock. Engineered by Benzinga Neuro, Edited by Anan Ashraf The GPT-4-based Benzinga Neuro content generation system exploits the extensive Benzinga Ecosystem, including native data, APIs, and more to create comprehensive and timely stories for you. Learn more.
India signs a trade accord with 4 European nations for $100 billion investment over 15 years 2024-03-10 12:16:41+00:00 - NEW DELHI (AP) — India signed a trade agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland on Sunday that includes a commitment of $100 billion investment and creating 1 million direct jobs in India in the next 15 years, officials said. India on its part committed to reducing import tariffs on industrial products from the four European countries that comprise the European Free Trade Association, or EFTA. “The landmark agreement between India and EFTA is set to bring significant economic benefits, such as better integrated and more resilient supply chains, new opportunities for businesses and individuals on both sides leading to increased trade and investment flows, job creation, and economic growth,” an EFTA communique said. India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India for the first time had signed an agreement with an important economic bloc in Europe. India is also working on trade pacts with Britain and the European Union. The agreement includes trade in goods and services, investment promotion and cooperation, intellectual property, government procurement, trade and sustainable development, and dispute settlement. It will provide a window for Indian exporters to access European and global markets, Goyal said in a statement. The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Goyal, his Swiss counterpart Guy Parmelin, Iceland’s Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, Liechtenstein’s Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler, and Norway’s Trade and Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre. Parmelin, speaking on behalf of the EFTA member states, said that “EFTA countries gain market access to a major growth market. Our companies strive to diversify their supply chains while rendering them more resilient. India, in return, will attract more foreign investment from EFTA, which will ultimately translate into an increase in good jobs.”
'Porous' sanctions haven't stopped Russia's war, but there's still more the West can do to squeeze its economy 2024-03-10 12:15:01+00:00 - Western sanctions against Russia haven't significantly hindered its wartime economy. Analysts say the "porous" nature of sanctions has allowed Russia to sidestep restrictions. Sources say additional sanctions could pick better targets to put the squeeze on Russia. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time. Advertisement Western nations' attempts at ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine via economic sanctions are hitting a snag, and the measures seem not as large a hit to Vladimir Putin as expected. Sanctions and trade restrictions have slammed Russia's economy since it invaded Ukraine two years ago, targeting key areas like energy, freezing foreign assets, and cutting the nation's financial ties to much of the West. But the reality is that Russia's wartime economy has done OK despite all that. Following a 1.2% GDP dip in 2022, Moscow boasted a 3.6% annual growth in 2023, hitting an all-time low unemployment rate of 2.9%. Russia expert Owen Matthews, author of "Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin and Russia's War Against Ukraine," told Business Insider on Friday that the explosion of the Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022 seems to be a bigger blow to Russia's economy than the West's sanctions so far. Advertisement Analysts said the sanctions toolkit has been "porous," giving Moscow many ways to slip through the web of restrictions, but there's a lot more Western countries can do to ramp up the pressure. Liam Peach, a senior emerging markets economist of Capital Economics, highlighted Russia's adeptness at sidestepping trade restrictions in a note last week. "The US has tightened sanctions evasion on firms that help Russia import through third countries, but trade has a way of finding new routes and it's hard to police. If it is profitable to evade sanctions, some firms will take the risk," he wrote. According to Peach, sanctions haven't halted money from non-Western countries flowing to Russia. Even G7's bid to curb export income through a $60 per barrel cap on the price of oil hasn't really hobbled Moscow's oil trade. Advertisement FX Share of Russian Export Settlement (%) Source: Central Bank of Russia, Capital Economics "The US has noted a large increase in banking flows between Russia and Turkey and the UAE. The West has reduced imports of Russian energy significantly but Russia has largely re-routed oil exports to Asia." Meanwhile, Matthews notes that European nations rarely say no to certain energy supplies from Russia, sabotaging their own attempts at punishing Putin. "The whole kind of dirty secret behind all the European sanctions packages was that, for instance, Europe talked a big game about sanctions against Russia, but they never sanctioned Russian gas," he said. Even with regard to US-dominated financial sanctions, limited headway has been made, according to Matthews. Advertisement The dominance of the US dollar as a trade and reserve currency forced Russia to de-dollarize, and Russia can still bypass the US-controlled global finance system with the help of China. Russia-China Goods Trade (SA, $bn) Source: Refinitiv, Capital Economics "Inadvertently, that sort of sanctions regime has just encouraged more Renminbi denominated transactions and has massively boosted Dubai specifically as the major sort of non-American dominated hub for financial transactions," Matthews said. What else can the West do? Peach wrote that the West could squeeze Russian energy more by slapping secondary sanctions on third-party purchases of oil and gas from the country. "Russia doesn't need to borrow from abroad, but it does need foreign currency in the form of energy exports to finance the budget, pay for imports, and stabilize the ruble." Advertisement But it's unlikely for the West to take this path, he added, given Russia's energy dominance and the risk of sparking volatility that could end up antagonizing partners like India. Alternatively, the US could target Russia's non-oil exports, particularly industrial metals and liquefied natural gas, Peach added. With current sanctions falling short, Peach estimates GDP growth for the country to clock in at 3.0%-3.5% this year and year-end inflation at 5.5%-6.0%. However, he reaffirmed that sanctions are set to persist. "Sanctions are unlikely to be rolled back over the next six years, especially if Russia mobilizes further and pursues a more aggressive war," Peach said, adding that even with a negotiated settlement, unfreezing Russia's foreign exchange reserves is probably "out of the question."
Biden team brings in $10 million in the 24 hours after the State of the Union 2024-03-10 12:00:00+00:00 - President Joe Biden’s re-election machine brought in $10 million in the 24 hours following his State of the Union address on Thursday — a financial jolt as the campaign looks to build general election momentum off the speech. The sum, which was shared first with NBC News, is a record for Biden’s re-election effort, the campaign said. And it’s notable even in the context of big political fundraising numbers. Biden’s campaign and affiliated committees powering the Democratic National Committee and other party groups raised $42 million in the entire month of January, for example. The money flowed in via approximately 116,000 donations from 113,000 contributors, a senior Biden campaign adviser said. And the total builds on Biden’s early financial advantage over former President Donald Trump. Biden’s campaign proper had $56 million in the bank at the end of January, the most recent period covered by public campaign finance filings, while the DNC had $24 million. Trump and the Republican National Committee, meanwhile, had $30 million and $9 million on hand, respectively. Both operations also had additional money stashed away in other fundraising accounts. The Biden camp is leaning into its early cash edge, on Saturday launching the first ad of a $30 million, six-week effort to blanket swing states with the campaign’s message. The first ad features Biden speaking straight to camera, acknowledging his age but saying he “understand[s] how to get things done.” Biden then lists a slew of accomplishments since he was sworn in and makes a series of contrasts with Trump in the ad. Biden’s campaign said its $10 million post-State of the Union total came amid other highs in the past week. The president’s operation raised $1.5 million online Wednesday as Trump became the presumptive GOP nominee. The campaign said its grassroots fundraising has ticked up to record levels for the re-election bid in each of the past four months, culminating in new hourly online fundraising records three hours in a row during the State of the Union. “Ten million dollars in 24 hours. To quote the boss, that’s a BFD,” Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement, referencing Biden’s off-color hot-mic moment celebrating the passage of Obamacare when he was vice president. “We thank our grassroots supporters who are motivated more than ever to reelect President Biden and Vice President Harris. The President’s State of the Union address reminded so many of our supporters who is fighting for them, and the stakes of this election for our freedoms, our rights, and our democracy,” Chavez Rodriguez continued, adding: “We send our condolences to the other guy and his flailing, poor campaign. Turns out attacking women’s rights, cutting taxes for the rich, and attacking American democracy isn’t exactly a winning message.”
Snake oil on steroids: the dishonesty at the heart of Jeremy Hunt’s budget | Richard Partington 2024-03-10 11:10:00+00:00 - Before his budget last week, Jeremy Hunt said he knew voters could see through gimmicks. “And we are not going to do gimmicks on Wednesday”. Fast forward and what did the chancellor offer? A tax-cutting budget where taxes were still actually rising, and the promise of more funding for public services grounded in a £20bn austerity drive. Having made very few new pledges that hadn’t been leaked to the media, the most attention-grabbing promise Hunt made was to declare an ambition to abolish employee national insurance – an unfunded commitment worth more than £40bn; equivalent to the annual transport budget. Knowing that most people don’t like gimmicks, it should have been clear to the chancellor this would come across as snake oil on steroids. Managing the juggling act of tax cuts while improving public services and slashing government debt was already sounding a stretch. Now it appeared that the chancellor wasn’t serious at all about these things. There was a more important consideration: bribing Tory MPs. The Conservatives have gone from the party of fiscal responsibility to zero credibility. At the heart of the chancellor’s ambition, which he later conceded was unlikely to happen soon, is a dishonesty baked into the Tory economic promise: that the party can offer the nation everything. It is offering European levels of public services with American levels of tax; a growing economy, and falling government debt. Progress on each front is, however, clearly going backwards. And facing a general election the party is almost certain to lose, the Tories are desperately lurching from one policy idea to the next in search of an unlikely revival. Liz Truss was simply the most extreme version but Rishi Sunak’s government is playing the same discredited game. Labour is cashing in, with a commanding lead in the opinion polls. But to a lesser extent, Keir Starmer is also making fast and loose economic promises. So far Labour has matched the Tories all the way down to the bottom of the barrel on tax cuts, without saying how it would improve the nation’s battered public services. As Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said last week, both parties are joined in the same “conspiracy of silence” in refusing to acknowledge the scale of the choices and trade-offs facing the nation. Before a general election it might be tempting to promise the world, but it would be better to be honest. Both parties must grasp the nettle. Repairing public services will require higher taxes or borrowing. Deeper tax cuts would also mean driving up borrowing, or dismantling the state. The latter might appeal to a vocal and powerful libertarian minority. But opinion polls show that the former is increasingly popular. For the Conservatives, it is a deep source of shame that tax levels as a share of the economy are set to reach 37.1% within the next five years, the highest level since 1948. But perhaps it is time instead to make the case that this is a tough but essentially unavoidable position. While historically high, such levels are not wildly different from many other advanced economies. Tax-to-GDP levels in western Europe average about 40%, and almost 44% in Scandinavia. There are clear economic reasons why pressure is growing in Britain for these sorts of levels. For most of the postwar era, public expenditure has bobbled about 40% of GDP. It fell during the 1980s under Margaret Thatcher, rose again under Tony Blair, then fell again in the post-2010 Tory austerity drive. Having surged in the Covid pandemic to a postwar high of 53% of GDP, spending is expected to fall back again, but will remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. Again, in the context of other advanced economies, this is fairly middle of the pack, with the UK ranking behind higher tax-and-spend nations including France, Germany and Spain, but ahead of the US and Japan. Underneath, a lot is going on. In particular for health and welfare, which includes pensions, where spending has risen from 25% of the total to almost 50%, fuelled by an ageing and increasingly unwell population. Three things made these growing demands on public spending easier to accommodate in recent decades. First, a steady decline in defence spending, which fell from about 6% of GDP to 2% as Britain dismantled its empire and after the fall of the Berlin Wall brought an end to the cold war. Second, debt interest spending, which gradually fell as the nation’s stock of debt declined after the second world war. Although debt levels rose from the early 2000s, record low interest rates after the 2008 financial crisis helped limit the cost of servicing the nation’s debts. The third is public investment, which has dropped from about 6% of GDP half a century ago to just under 2% at present. Cutting back on state housebuilding was a large part of that, while privatisations in the 1980s and 90s took some investment away from the government books. Now, of course, each of these pressures have been thrown into reverse: growing geopolitical tensions are leading to demands for higher defence spending, debt costs have surged, while higher investment is required to fix Britain’s crumbling infrastructure and flatlining productivity growth. “There is dishonesty really on both sides. Neither side has the incentive to be talking about this ahead of the election,” says Sir Charlie Bean, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England. “The whole talk about tax cuts and stuff like that is actually not engaging with what is the real challenge, which is actually that there is more demand being placed on the state. “You’ve either got to accept if you want reasonable public services, you have to pay the taxes. You can debate who pays the taxes, or you need a different view about what the state is going to provide.” Frankly, whoever is in power will need to confront these challenges. Pre-election gimmicks are the last thing the nation needs.
He’s Not Just Looking to Make a Quick Billion 2024-03-10 09:01:54+00:00 - When Marc Lore, the e-commerce billionaire, left his position as the chief executive of Walmart.com in 2021, he began to dabble in a variety of long-odds attempts to change the world. He backed a nuclear fusion start-up, and another designing flying taxis. Frustrated with the current state of capitalism, he embarked on plans to build, from scratch, a Bjarke Ingels-designed city of five million in the American West. Recently, though, Mr. Lore has put all that aside to focus on an even bigger moonshot: solving dinner. Mr. Lore’s business ideas often begin with a widely felt consumer frustration and back into a solution. In the aughts, his company Diapers.com keyed in on the annoyance, for new parents, of having to constantly run out for more diapers; imagine if they could be delivered to your door? His latest scheme, a start-up called Wonder, exists to tackle food delivery, which Mr. Lore believes too often disappoints customers by arriving too slowly. Wonder’s opening salvo, in 2021, was flooding the New Jersey suburbs with hundreds of Mercedes Sprinter vans that could cook menus designed by celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay or José Andrés in customers’ driveways. Demand for food delivery is most concentrated in cities, but Mr. Lore thought that the suburbs held plenty of untapped potential; a van-based strategy faced more challenges in crowded urban environments, which the company planned to work up to.
One Year After Bank Crisis, a Struggle Over What Needs to Change 2024-03-10 09:00:55+00:00 - A year ago, the government and America’s largest banks joined forces in a rare moment of comity. They were forced into action after Silicon Valley Bank collapsed on March 10, 2023, quickly followed by two other lenders, First Republic and Signature Bank. Faced with the threat of a billowing crisis that could threaten the banking industry — the worst one since 2008 — rivals and regulators put together a huge bailout fund. Eventually all three ailing banks were declared insolvent by the government and sold off. The biggest banks emerged from the period even larger, after picking up accounts from their smaller rivals. But they have also grown more confident in challenging regulators on what went wrong and what to do to prevent future crises. Indeed, many bankers and their lobbyists now rush to describe the period as a regional banking crisis, a term that tends to understate how worried the industry was at the time. One reason for the increased tensions is that government officials are proposing rule changes that lenders argue will crimp their businesses, and would not have done much to stem Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse. Regulators say that last year’s crisis proves that changes are needed. They point to the increasing risks in the commercial and residential real estate markets and the growing number of so-called problem banks, or those rated poorly for financial, operational or managerial weaknesses. Here is the state of play, one year after the crisis: What happened last spring? In just a few days last March, Silicon Valley Bank went from a darling of the banking world to collapse. The lender, which catered to venture capital clients and start-ups, had loaded up on what were assumed to be safe investments like Treasury bonds and mortgages that were turning sour in an era of higher interest rates.
Saudi oil giant Aramco announces $121 billion profit last year, down from 2022 record 2024-03-10 07:18:36+00:00 - DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi oil giant Aramco on Sunday reported it made $121 billion in profit last year, down from its 2022 record due to lower energy prices. The results still marked the company’s second highest ever result, Aramco said, as members of the OPEC+ alliance continue to cut their production to try to boost global energy prices. However, lower results also squeeze the kingdom as it embarks on a massive development project under its assertive crown prince to wean itself off oil revenues. Aramco had reported a $161 billion profit in 2022, likely the largest ever reported by a publicly traded company. “The decrease mainly reflects the impact of lower crude oil prices and lower volumes sold, and weakening refining and chemicals margins,” the company said in its filing to the Tadawul stock market. Despite being lower this year, Aramco boosted the dividends due to its stock holders to over $31 billion in the fourth quarter, according to filings. The energy giant had planned a conference call Monday to discuss its results. Aramco reported overall revenue of $440 billion last year, down from $535 billion in 2022. “Our resilience and agility contributed to healthy cash flows and high levels of profitability, despite a backdrop of economic headwinds,” said Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser in a statement. Aramco, formally known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Co., put its output at 12.8 million barrels of oil a day. The company has been ordered by the Saudi government to keep its production there despite earlier plans to increase output. Saudi Arabia, a leader in the OPEC cartel, has allied with Russia and others outside of the group to try to keep production down to boost global oil prices. Benchmark Brent crude traded under $82 a barrel on Sunday. Aramco has a market value of $2 trillion, making it the world’s fourth most valuable firm, behind Apple, Microsoft and NVIDIA respectively. Aramco stock traded slightly up on the Tadawul at $8.64 a share Sunday. Saudi Arabia’s vast oil resources, located close to the surface of its desert expanse, make it one of the world’s least expensive places to produce crude. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hopes to use the oil wealth to pivot the kingdom off oil sales, such as with his planned $500 billion futuristic desert city, called Neom, and other projects. Meanwhile, activists criticized the profits amid global concerns about the burning of fossil fuels accelerating climate change. On Thursday, Prince Mohammed transferred another 8% of Aramco shares to the country’s prominent sovereign wealth fund, worth over $160 billion. The vast majority of the company remains held by the Al Saud royal family, with a sliver traded on the Tadawul stock market.
Elon Musk Has a Giant Charity. Its Money Stays Close to Home. 2024-03-10 07:00:40+00:00 - Before March 2021, Elon Musk’s charitable foundation had never announced any donations to Cameron County, an impoverished region at the southern tip of Texas that is home to his SpaceX launch site and local officials who help regulate it. Then, at 8:05 one morning that month, a SpaceX rocket blew up, showering the area with a rain of twisted metal. The Musk Foundation began giving at 9:27 a.m. local time.
NugHub NY Celebrates 1,000th Order Milestone and Expands Legal Weed Delivery to Manhattan and Nassau County, Long Island 2024-03-10 00:54:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... New York, New York, March 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NugHub NY, New York City's premier legal weed delivery service, is thrilled to announce the achievement of a significant milestone - the completion of our 1,000th successful delivery. This milestone marks a testament to our commitment to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality cannabis products to our valued customers. In response to the growing demand and positive feedback from our customers, NugHub NY is excited to expand our delivery service to include Manhattan and Nassau County, Long Island. Previously serving Staten Island and Brooklyn, this expansion ensures that more individuals across New York City have access to safe and legal adult-use cannabis delivered directly to their door. With brands like SpaceBuds, NY Honey, Silly Nice, and more, customers all over New York City can now enjoy a diverse selection of premium cannabis products from NugHub NY. Our mission is to provide a personalized and exceptional delivery experience, offering a wide range of products to meet the unique preferences of our clientele. Michael "Mo" Gertelman, Founder of NugHub NY, expressed his excitement about the expansion, stating, "Expanding our delivery service to Manhattan and Nassau County is a significant milestone for NugHub NY. It's a testament to our dedication to providing accessible and convenient access to high-quality cannabis products for adults across New York City. We're excited to continue serving our customers and providing them with the best possible experience." Additionally, NugHub NY is nearing the completion of its physical location, with anticipation building for the opening of our dispensary in Staten Island. This brick-and-mortar location will further enhance our commitment to providing a comprehensive cannabis experience for our customers. For more information and to place an order, visit www.NugHubNY.com. About NugHub NY: NugHub NY is New York City's premier cannabis delivery service, committed to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality cannabis products to our valued customers. With a focus on customer satisfaction and accessibility, NugHub NY offers a diverse selection of premium cannabis brands for delivery across New York City. Michael Gertelman NugHub NY mo@nughhubny.com
Potential Obstacle to Trump Media’s Merger Appears to Have Been Cleared 2024-03-09 23:34:01+00:00 - The threat of a last-minute obstacle to the merger of former President Donald J. Trump’s social media company and a cash-rich shell company appears to have subsided. Two early founders of Trump Media & Technology Group reached a temporary truce with Mr. Trump’s company at a hearing on Saturday morning in Delaware Court of Chancery. The agreement would preserve the two founders’ right to a significant equity stake in the parent company of Truth Social until a judge hears further arguments on the merits of their lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed on Feb. 28 by a company controlled by Wes Moss and Andy Litinsky, had the potential to delay a scheduled March 22 vote by shareholders of Digital World Acquisition Corp. on the long-delayed merger with Trump Media. If shareholders approve the merger, it would give Trump Media more than $300 million in badly needed cash to keep operating. The deal would also boost Mr. Trump’s net worth by more than $3 billion, based on Digital World’s current stock price.
William Whitworth, Revered Writer and Editor, Is Dead at 87 2024-03-09 22:42:35+00:00 - William Whitworth, who wrote revealing profiles in The New Yorker giving voice to his idiomatic subjects and polished the prose of some of the nation’s celebrated writers as its associate editor before transplanting that magazine’s painstaking standards to The Atlantic, where he was editor in chief for 20 years, died on Friday in Conway, Ark., near Little Rock. He was 87. His daughter, Katherine Whitworth Stewart, announced the death. She said he was being treated after several falls and operations in a hospital. As a young college graduate, Mr. Whitworth forsook a promising career as a jazz trumpeter to do a different kind of improvisation as a journalist. He covered breaking news for The Arkansas Gazette and later for The New York Herald Tribune, where his colleagues eventually included some of the most exhilarating voices in American journalism, among them Dick Schaap, Jimmy Breslin and Tom Wolfe.