Latest news with #Leopold
Hypebeast
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Sale Price of Wu-Tang Clan's 'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin' Revealed
Summary Bloombergjournalist Jason Leopold has revealed the sale price ofWu-Tang Clan's elusiveOnce Upon a Time in Shaolinfollowing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in 2021. The album, previously owned byMartin Shkreliprior to his securities fraud conviction, was sold by the US Attorney's office in July 2021 to cover the forfeiture of his assets. However, the government did not divulge the buyer's name and price as part of 'confidentiality provision.' In October of the same year, the digital art and crypto collectivePleasrDAOannounced that they had acquiredOnce Upon a Time in Shaolinfor about $4 million USD in crypto. Leopold went through years of back and forth with the US government, who provided him with unseen images of the album and redacted documents due to 'trade secrets.' The journalist explained, 'The reason it took so long is that the DOJ still had to hand over other documents I requested, and I couldn't challenge the trade secrets and privacy exemptions until the agency finished its production.' Finally, Leopold received an unredacted copy of the album's bill of sale and purchase agreement. As it turns out,Once Upon a Time in Shaolinwas sold to WTC Endeavors for $2,238,482.30 USD — the exact amount Shkreli owed. WTC Endeavors was incorporated in Hong Kong in May 2020 but dissolved in March 2023. In June 2024, PleasrDAO filed a lawsuit against Shkreli claiming thathe had created and distributed copiesof Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. He was then ordered by a federal judge to turn over all the copies he made, as well as the names of any person that received a copy. While PleasrDAO is required to follow the same rules as Shkreli did when he owned the album (no streaming or distributing the album until 2103), the collective was able to turnOnce Upon a Time in Shaolininto an NFT. For $1 USD, interested fans can listen to five minutes of the record. As Leopold notes, each sale 'will speed up the release of the album by 88 seconds.'
Chicago Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: Wingfoot Air Express dirigible catches fire and crashes in the Loop, killing 13 people
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 21, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1919: For most of the day, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.'s Wingfoot Air Express airship cruised above the city. The powerful hum of its engines and a serene shadow were the only indicators of its passage as it flew from the South Side to Grant Park and as far north as Diversey Parkway. At about 5 p.m., the blimp hurtled through a lobby skylight of the Illinois Trust & Savings Bank at 231 S. LaSalle St., killing 13 people and injuring 27. It was America's first recorded commercial aviation disaster. 1924 Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb's attorney Clarence Darrow entered a plea of guilty on his clients' behalf. By entering guilty pleas, Darrow didn't have to persuade 12 jurors to spare his clients the hangman's noose. In a trial's sentencing phase, the judge has the ultimate say. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Leopold and LoebAfter the evidence had been presented, Darrow addressed the judge, speaking for 12 hours over two days. Darrow's eloquent plea had the desired effect. Leopold and Loeb were sentenced to life in prison. 1952: The Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago at the International Amphitheatre. Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson was chosen as the party's nominee. Stevenson, who did not seek the presidential nomination, was drafted on the third ballot. Although he was a reluctant candidate, he pledged a hard-fighting campaign. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Tradition of acceptance speeches at political conventions began in Chicago'I have no feeling of exultation, nor sense of triumph,' Stevenson said outside the home of William McCormick Blair at 1416 Astor St. 'I shall ask my God to give me courage in this great undertaking.' Eisenhower won the 1952 election on Nov. 4, 1952, bringing the Republican Party its first White House victory in 24 years. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Soldier Field's century of concerts, car races, circuses and contests1956: The Grand National 100-mile race, considered the first NASCAR cup series race held in Chicago, was witnessed by 14,402 fans who saw Fireball Roberts win by a car length over Jim Pascal, who was ahead until Roberts passed him on the 194th of 200 laps. 1980: Twelve-year-old Walter Polovchak, who said he did not want to go back home to Ukraine when his family returned to the then-Soviet Union, was granted political asylum in Chicago. Polovchak was dubbed the 'the littlest defector' by the media during a yearslong court battle between his parents and the U.S. government that raised complex questions about personal freedoms, parental rights and government overreach. 2002: Pyewacket, owned by Walt Disney's grandnephew Roy P. Disney, set a record finish time of 23 hours, 30 minutes, 24 seconds in the Race to Mackinac. It bested the 1987 record of 25:50:44 by Dick Jennings' Santa Cruz 70, Pied Piper. Pyewacket, named after the cat in the film 'Bell, Book and Candle,' retained the record in the race until 2024. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Herald Sun
19-07-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Melbourne: Less listings, rising prices facing home buyers
Melbourne home buyers are facing less choice and a growing risk of imminent price rises after the number of new listings across the city substantially slumped last month. A report released this week shows the amount of new abodes listed in Victoria's capital dropped 14.1 per cent in June, compared to May. While winter starting traditionally leads to fewer homes being put up for sale, there was also a 4.4 per cent decrease in new listings across the 12 months to June. RELATED: Melbourne houses tipped to hit new high by Christmas $3.75m Eaglemont auction shocks buyers Phone bidder from NSW swoops at entry-level Leopold auction And research arm, PropTrack, is expecting 666 across Victoria this week, 19 per cent less than the same time last year. PropTrack senior economist Angus Moore said that having less stock on the market could lead to increased competition and, in turn, support home prices. 'We're expecting to see a couple more rate cuts this year – coupled with the fact Melbourne home prices have been consistently increasing this year for the first time since the RBA started raising rates, that's likely to support vendor confidence,' Mr Moore said. Total Melbourne listings, meaning all homes up for sale, not just new ones, declined 5.8 per cent from June 2024 to June 2025. Plus, PropTrack data last week revealed the city's median house price rose 1.6 per cent to hit $979,979 in June. Industry experts have tipped that Greater Melbourne's median house vale could top seven-figures before December. Victoria also recorded a 66 per cent clearance rate last week. Real Estate Institute of Victoria interim chief executive Jacob Caine said that the state's weekly clearance rates had been incrementally ticking upwards. 'We would attribute that to even though we didn't get an interest-rate cut last week, buyers and sellers are pricing in interest rate cuts to their buying and selling decisions,' Mr Caine said. 'So there's an anticipation of an easing in terms of repayment amounts and interest rates – and as a result, people are starting to demonstrate a little bit more confidence, whether that's from a buying perspective, or from having the confidence to go to the market and sell.' Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Aussie property hotspots: Where homes sell in days AFL stars Mark and Lachie Hunter's family home sets 2025 record Trump role in Melbourne CBD office market's suburb-sized hole
Fashion Network
18-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
H&M Group's Linda Leopold steps down as head of AI strategy after seven years
Linda Leopold exits H&M Group after seven years leading its AI strategy, including its Responsible AI program. She now focuses on consulting, writing, and speaking on the ethical implications of AI in tech, fashion, and beyond. H&M Group, the Swedish fashion giant known for its global retail footprint and tech-forward initiatives, has announced the departure of Linda Leopold, who served as Head of AI Strategy. After seven years in strategic leadership roles, Leopold is stepping down to focus on consulting, writing, and speaking engagements centered on artificial intelligence and its ethical development across industries. Leopold joined H&M Group in 2018 and held several key roles within the company's growing AI division. As Head of AI Policy, she played a critical role in launching and expanding the brand's Responsible AI program. Under her guidance, H&M Group established frameworks for digital ethics and adopted strategic approaches to implementing generative AI technologies. 'These years were extraordinary—not only because I had the opportunity to help shape H&M's AI direction, but also because I witnessed AI evolve at lightning speed,' Leopold wrote on LinkedIn. 'I'm particularly proud of building the Responsible AI program from the ground up and contributing to the global conversation on ethical AI.' Her leadership earned international recognition. In 2022, Forbes named her one of the world's nine most influential women in AI. Before her time at H&M Group, Leopold worked as an innovation strategist bridging fashion and technology and also served as editor-in-chief of the Scandinavian fashion and culture magazine Bon. 'Now it's time for the next chapter,' she added. 'With AI at such a pivotal point, I want to help guide its development across different industries and organizations.' Leopold's exit comes as H&M Group continues its push into digital innovation. Earlier this month, the brand launched a new denim capsule collection powered by digital twin technology —part of a larger strategy to integrate generative AI into storytelling and customer engagement. According to Chief Creative Officer Jörgen Andersson, the goal is to create emotional connections with consumers without diluting brand identity. The first drop debuted on July 2 via H&M's global online store, with more launches planned this fall. While investing in new technologies, H&M Group also faces mounting economic pressures. The company reported a 5% year-over-year decline in net sales for the second quarter, falling to SEK 56.7 billion. However, operating profit rose slightly to SEK 5.9 billion—beating analyst forecasts. The group also improved inventory management, though deeper price cuts are expected in the third quarter as customers become more cautious with spending. 'We're seeing greater price sensitivity among customers due to ongoing uncertainty,' Group CEO Daniel Erver said during the latest earnings call.
Fashion Network
18-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
H&M Group's Linda Leopold steps down as head of AI strategy after seven years
Linda Leopold exits H&M Group after seven years leading its AI strategy, including its Responsible AI programme. She now focuses on consulting, writing, and speaking on the ethical implications of AI in tech, fashion, and beyond. H&M Group, the Swedish fashion giant known for its global retail footprint and tech-forward initiatives, has announced the departure of Linda Leopold, who served as Head of AI Strategy. After seven years in strategic leadership roles, Leopold is stepping down to focus on consulting, writing, and speaking engagements centred on artificial intelligence and its ethical development across industries. Leopold joined H&M Group in 2018 and held several key roles within the company's growing AI division. As Head of AI Policy, she played a critical role in launching and expanding the brand's Responsible AI programme. Under her guidance, H&M Group established frameworks for digital ethics and adopted strategic approaches to implementing generative AI technologies. 'These years were extraordinary—not only because I had the opportunity to help shape H&M's AI direction, but also because I witnessed AI evolve at lightning speed,' Leopold wrote on LinkedIn. 'I'm particularly proud of building the Responsible AI programme from the ground up and contributing to the global conversation on ethical AI.' Her leadership earned international recognition. In 2022, Forbes named her one of the world's nine most influential women in AI. Before her time at H&M Group, Leopold worked as an innovation strategist bridging fashion and technology and also served as editor-in-chief of the Scandinavian fashion and culture magazine Bon. 'Now it's time for the next chapter,' she added. 'With AI at such a pivotal point, I want to help guide its development across different industries and organisations.' Leopold's exit comes as H&M Group continues its push into digital innovation. Earlier this month, the brand launched a new denim capsule collection powered by digital twin technology —part of a larger strategy to integrate generative AI into storytelling and customer engagement. According to Chief Creative Officer Jörgen Andersson, the goal is to create emotional connections with consumers without diluting brand identity. The first drop debuted on 2 July via H&M's global online store, with more launches planned this fall. While investing in new technologies, H&M Group also faces mounting economic pressures. The company reported a 5% year-over-year decline in net sales for the second quarter, falling to SEK 56.7 billion. However, operating profit rose slightly to SEK 5.9 billion—beating analyst forecasts. The group also improved inventory management, though deeper price cuts are expected in the third quarter as customers become more cautious with spending. 'We're seeing greater price sensitivity among customers due to ongoing uncertainty,' Group CEO Daniel Erver said during the latest earnings call.
