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Boston Globe
16 hours ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
The Market Basket boardroom battle is a real-life ‘Succession' saga
Demoulas's ouster is an example of the ugly maneuvering that can happen when the relationships underpinning a family business go sour. And some of the same dynamics that have made Market Basket one of the juiciest business stories of the century are strikingly similar to those that made HBO's boardroom epic a hit. Kimberly Eddleston, a professor at Northeastern University who teaches courses on family-owned business management, said that the hallmarks of the show — 'the family infighting, the dysfunction from brothers, cousins, siblings; that absolute discord, not learning from past mistakes' — all appear to be happening at Market Basket. Related : Advertisement In both cases, the dysfunction can be traced back decades. In the first season of the show, family patriarch Logan Roy (played by Brian Cox) has long been estranged from his brother Ewan (James Cromwell), a fact that becomes pivotal to the schemes of Logan's son Kendall (Jeremy Strong). Similarly, the power struggle at Market Basket has its roots in the 1990s, when the families of two Demoulas brothers — the sons of founder Athanasios Demoulas — went to court over a dispute about company shares. (The cousins, Arthur S. and Arthur T., even got into a fistfight in court). Advertisement The court eventually ruled in favor of Arthur S.'s side of the family, giving them majority control over the business. And yet, in 2008, a wayward board member on the Arthur S. side was the deciding vote to name Arthur T. as CEO. The rivalry between the two branches erupted into all-out war in 2014, when the Arthur S. side of the family attempted to push out his cousin. Arthur T., who characterized it as a fight between shareholder profits versus lower prices and employee benefits, Employees and customers held a rally in support of Arthur T. Demoulas in 2014 in Tewksbury. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff But When the board's executive committee pushed Demoulas out on Thursday, they said that he had refused to cooperate with board members over budgeting, capital expenditures, and a clear succession plan. The shifting family loyalties are also apparent, both on screen and in the grocery business. Like in 'Succession' — where Kendall is betrayed by brother Roman (Kieran Culkin) and sister Shiv (Sarah Snook) eventually takes sides against both — the move against Demoulas was apparently spearheaded by the same three sisters who had once helped him finance the 2014 buyout that kicked his cousin, Arthur S., out of the picture. Advertisement 'That's a real similarity, that shows you the lack of trust between family members, and the lack of communication too,' Eddleston said. 'It just created all this conflict and tension.' Eddleston said that roughly 60 percent of family-owned businesses don't have a succession plan. Or, as in 'Succession,' 'the leader has one in his head, but doesn't communicate it, which is just as damaging.' There are, of course, key differences from the show. For one thing, there is no Logan Roy figure holding everything together for Market Basket; family patriarch Athanasios Demoulas is long gone, and there's an argument to be made that the current jockeying is essentially the long-delayed fallout from his death. Arthur T. Demoulas might even be closer to Kendall — the proverbial 'eldest boy' who (though he rarely conducts interviews) has shown he's willing to And more obviously, 'Succession' took place in the halls and boardrooms of a massive, multinational media conglomerate — a far cry from a Tewskbury-based regional supermarket chain. The Roy children, for their part, would no doubt be uncomfortably out-of-place in an everyday grocery store environment. Jesse Armstrong (center, holding trophy) and the cast and crew of "Succession" accepted the Outstanding Drama Series award onstage during the 74th Primetime Emmys on Sept. 12, 2022, in Los Angeles. Kevin Winter/Getty But both companies, real and fictional, inhabit a shifting industry landscape that makes their continued relevance uncertain. Just as Waystar Royco is shown straddling the gulf between cable news and digital media, Market Basket's peers are Advertisement 'Retail is brutal,' Eddleston said. 'It's a very tough industry, especially the grocery store industry. That could add pressure, all these changes and the level of competition.' Arthur T. Demoulas has The question of whether and how the company should modernize its shopping experience may be another factor in the turmoil. 'The board definitely sees some different visions,' Eddleston said, 'Which we definitely saw those conflicts play out in the show. ' Camilo Fonseca can be reached at
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man charged with murder after woman's body is discovered near Northeastern University
A Boston man is facing a murder charge in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found near Northeastern University last month. Kevin Boyette, 36, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Tatyiana Flood, according to a Boston police press release. He pleaded not guilty to the charge during his arraignment in Roxbury District Court on Friday. Officers found Flood's body outdoors on May 20 after responding to 20 Annunciation Road shortly after 6 a.m. They located the body in front of an apartment complex, The Boston Globe reported. Read more: Body of a woman found near Northeastern University in Boston Boyette is accused of beating Flood to death, the newspaper wrote. He was already facing assault charges in connection with her death prior to being charged with murder. A warrant for Boyette's arrest on the murder charge was issued on Thursday, according to court records. He was arrested Friday and held without bail. Boyette is due back in court on July 1 for a probable cause hearing, according to court records. 2nd victim in Boston double shooting from last weekend dies, both men identified Springfield man charged with 16 counts of sexual assault including rape 'It's complete': Officials detail 'chilling sequence' prior to fatal shooting Mass. firefighter arrested at work in connection with child sex abuse materials Central Mass. firefighter arrested on child sexual abuse material charges Read the original article on MassLive.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
How different kitchen items can cause life-changing illnesses
Kitchens are usually home to the most delicious items in your house, but mounting research has revealed that almost every appliance can also make you incredibly sick. From countertops and sinks to refrigerators and microwaves, scientists have found some disturbing links between these items and conditions like cancer, dementia, and sepsis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that 48 million people in the U.S. get sick from foodborne diseases each year, leading to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. While food poisoning cases involving salmonella, listeria, norovirus, and E coli contribute to many kitchen-related illnesses and deaths, contaminated food is not the only thing people have to worry about. Here are 11 of the most concerning ways danger could be lurking in your kitchen. Countertops Kitchen counters can harbor a load of harmful pathogens due to poor cleaning habits and cross-contamination between different foods being prepared. Dr Darin Detwiler, a food safety expert at Northeastern University in Boston, recently told Daily Mail that the number of food poisoning outbreaks has continued to grow since the CDC's last full review of the problem in 2019. 'Each time you wipe a countertop or rinse a dish, you risk transferring millions of harmful microbes to your hands, cooking tools, and food,' Dr Detwiler added. Sponges The tool many people use to clean their kitchen counters may be an even more dangerous hiding place for germs. The moist environment of a sponge makes them notoriously one of the dirtiest items in the kitchen. Food safety expert Sylvia Anderson told the Daily Mail that a sponge's porous structure and ability to soak up water makes it an ideal incubator for microorganisms. 'Bacteria from sponges can transfer to dishes, counters, and hands, leading to foodborne illnesses or infections,' she added. In 2017 a study in Scientific Reports analyzed microbial communities in used kitchen sponges and found 45 billion bacteria per square centimeter of sponge. That same report revealed that these microbial colonies can cause skin infections, especially among individuals with weakened immune systems. Specifically, scientists have found that dirty sponges can carry Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, potentially deadly bacteria that cause skin infections if transferred to hands or open wounds. Sinks Another place where sponges are often used or kept, kitchen sinks are notorious traps for harmful pathogens that can cause food poisoning. They can become reservoirs for pathogens like E coli, salmonella, and pseudomonas due to food residue and moisture building up on the sink surface or in the drains. A 2016 study in Journal of Applied Microbiology found that kitchen sinks are often more contaminated than toilets, with biofilms harboring bacteria that can contaminate food or utensils, leading to food poisoning. Cutting boards Even if someone tries to stay safe by practicing good hygiene in their kitchen, germs will find you. Cutting boards are filled with harmful bacteria, and are perhaps the riskiest kitchen utensil when it comes to contracting infections. 'Cross-contamination is the biggest concern. If you use the same chopping board for raw meat and vegetables without washing it, bacteria like Campylobacter or E coli can transfer to ready-to-eat foods, leading to serious illness,' Anderson told the Daily Mail. One 2023 study by the UK's Food Standards Agency found about half of household cutting boards harbor bacteria. These pathogens include salmonella and campylobacter, which are leading causes of diarrheal disease. The study concluded that you may be safer opting for a wooden cutting board over a plastic one. 'Wooden boards are naturally antimicrobial but need regular oiling to prevent cracking. Plastic boards, while dishwasher safe, can develop deep cuts that trap bacteria, making thorough cleaning difficult,' Anderson warned. Dishwashers A new study has found that dishwashers may be a secret cause of the rising rates of dementia throughout the world. Scientists from the University of Queensland warned that placing plastic items in the dishwasher leads to the release of toxic microplastics, which can then contaminate other utensils. Microplastics are small enough to breach biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier, raising concerns about their potential impact on human health and brain function. These particles have been linked not only to dementia, but also to cancer, heart disease, and fertility issues. The 2025 study found that a single dishwasher cycle involving plastic plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery can release nearly a million particles. Refrigerators According to Professor Judith Evans, of London South Bank University, and Oleskii Omelchenko, a PhD researcher at the Quadram Institute, your refrigerator could be a breeding ground for disease. Although this everyday appliance is meant to keep your food fresh and safe, fridges can help bacteria grow if the temperature is not right. However, the experts warn that even a 'well-chilled' fridge could harbor invisible dangers if you don't take the right precautions. A 2020 study in Food Control found that refrigerator temperatures above 41°F (5°C) can allow pathogens like listeria or salmonella to survive, potentially contributing to foodborne illness. 'Part of the problem is that many fridges lack an accurate, accessible way to monitor their internal temperature,' Evans and Omelchenko said in The Conversation. 'On top of that, every time you open the door, warm air rushes in. The longer the door stays open, especially if you're lingering while choosing a snack, the more the internal temperature climbs toward room temperature, creating a more suitable environment for bacteria to thrive.' Gas stoves According to Dr Ben Ewald, gas stoves are among the most dangerous household appliances today. 'Living with a gas stove is the health equivalent of living with a smoker,' he warned. Studies have shown that tiny but harmful nanoparticles, such as nitrogen dioxide, produced by the flames are the perfect size to flow into the human respiratory system and stick to your lungs, triggering several respiratory illnesses. Dr Ewald warned that breathing in these particles while cooking can lead to acute asthma, increased allergies, and even pneumonia. Scientists said the flames also release formaldehyde, which is another respiratory irritant, and tiny amounts of benzene, a known carcinogen. A 2023 study in Environmental Health Perspectives found that 12.7 per cent of childhood asthma cases in the U.S. could be attributed to gas stove emissions. Cookware As for the pots and pans you're placing on these gas burners, non-stick cookware is coated with chemicals now linked to severe hormone dysfunction. Scientists have repeatedly warned about the dangers of PFAS. These toxins are called 'forever chemicals' because they can linger in the environment for thousands of years. Multiple studies have been linked to everything from cancer to infertility. Dr Nathan Cohen, an expert in environmental medicine and public health at Mount Sinai Health in New York, said that these recent findings, 'should serve as a warning to women everywhere about the potentially harmful effects of PFAS when they are planning to conceive.' 'We can minimize PFAS exposure by avoiding foods that are associated with higher levels of these chemicals and by purchasing PFAS-free products.' Microwaves Microwave ovens can harbor bacteria if not cleaned properly, as food splatters create environments for microbial growth. A 2024 study in Frontiers in Microbiology investigated bacterial contamination in household appliances, including microwaves, and found bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus in uncleaned microwaves. These bacteria can cause infections if transferred to food or surfaces. S. aureus can cause severe infections, including sepsis, if it enters the bloodstream through contaminated food or wounds. Laundry machines Cancer can be caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, radiation, or environmental pollutants. Laundry machines can contribute to cancer risk by dispersing chemical residues from detergents, solvents from dry-cleaned clothes, or microplastics into the clothes you wear. Some detergents may also contain cancer-causing compounds that persist on clothes or in the environment long after the wash cycle. The 2011 Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health study confirmed that scented detergents and dryer sheets release cancer-causing volatile organic compounds like acetaldehyde and benzene through dryer vents, posing a potential risk of breathing in these toxins. Garbage cans Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by the botulinum neurotoxin and produced by Clostridium botulinum, a spore-forming bacterium. It leads to paralysis, which can be life-threatening if untreated. Household garbage cans could contribute to botulism by harboring Clostridium botulinum spores in food waste, particularly from improperly canned or spoiled food. A 2018 case report in Journal of Medical Case Reports described two cases of foodborne botulism in Germany linked to home-canned green beans. The infections caused cranial nerve paralysis and descending quadriparesis - weakness or paralysis starting in the upper body and spreading to the legs - in a 47-year-old woman and her husband. The diagnosis was confirmed by detecting botulinum toxin type A in the woman's blood. Symptoms of the condition included dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, and breathing problems severe enough to need a machine to help them breathe.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Boston Pushes Harvard, Other Colleges for Money Even as Trump Steps Up Attacks
(Bloomberg) -- Boston is pressuring Harvard University and other local colleges to funnel millions more into the city's tax coffers, a push that's becoming increasingly complicated as the Trump administration intensifies its attacks on higher education. NYC Congestion Toll Brings In $216 Million in First Four Months NY Wins Order Against US Funding Freeze in Congestion Fight The discussions are part of an annual process whereby Boston asks tax-exempt universities and hospitals to contribute cash and other benefits in lieu of paying property taxes. The schools consistently decline to fund the city's full request, and some haven't increased their cash contributions in years. Boston officials are seeking to overhaul the program to lock in higher payments. But educational institutions, long the backbone of the Boston economy, are now under threat on multiple fronts. The White House and its Republican allies have slashed government research funding and are pursuing a steep tax increase for university endowments. Harvard has been hit harder than any school: The Trump administration has frozen more than $2.6 billion of funding, cut off future grants and moved to block the university from enrolling international students in an increasingly contentious standoff over the handling of alleged antisemitism on campus and government demands for more oversight. President Donald Trump has called for revoking Harvard's tax exemption and capping the number of foreign students at 15%. The administration this week also moved to cancel all remaining contracts with the school. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu still wants Harvard and other universities to make greater cash contributions and, for the first time, commit to longer-term agreements for future payments, according to city and university officials. Her administration started discussions on revamping the program last year. Wu is prioritizing new deals with Harvard, Northeastern University, Boston University and Boston College, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the information isn't public. Those four schools paid less than half of the $28.4 million in cash sought by Boston last year. City officials have asked the schools to commit to meeting its full request over time, one of the people said. Wu also wants to update the contribution formulas and funnel at least some of the payments to particular uses, like affordable housing. The city's continued push has flummoxed university officials who contend it's not the right moment to revisit the voluntary agreements. 'We are surprised by the timing of the request for additional contributions given the significant headwinds that higher education is facing in Washington,' said Renata Nyul, a spokesperson for Northeastern. Wu acknowledged Trump's actions are making the negotiations more difficult and Boston also wants to support the universities as they grapple with funding cuts. Massachusetts on Wednesday asked the judge overseeing Harvard's lawsuit against the Trump administration to allow the state to file an official letter in support of the university's efforts to block the international student enrollment ban. 'It's a very difficult time for this sector,' Wu said in an interview. The strain that universities are under is 'an important factor' in determining how much the city will seek, she said. Still, 'we all share the commitment to make sure that all of our institutions are doing right by Boston residents. We have to figure out what that looks like.' Property Empire Half of the acreage in the college-rich metropolis is tax-exempt. Harvard alone owns hundreds of acres in Boston's Allston neighborhood, including athletic facilities and its business school. Its total real estate empire in the city is worth an estimated $4 billion, according to a Bloomberg News analysis last year of data from the city assessing department. That poses a challenge for a city that relies on property taxes for nearly three-quarters of its revenue and is facing budget pressures of its own, thanks to plummeting office values downtown. The Trump administration has also threatened the $300 million in federal funding Boston receives each year over its sanctuary city policy and others. Since 2019, the total paid by the four schools has increased by 5.5% to $12.7 million, while Boston's overall property-tax revenue has jumped by more than 35% over the same time period. 'Everybody should be paying their fair share,' City Councilor Ed Flynn said in an interview. 'We want to support our nonprofits. They play a critical role. But we also know that we provide exceptional city services to them as well.' In Cambridge, city officials recently struck a one-year deal with Harvard for payments in lieu of taxes, putting off their pursuit of a 20-year agreement because of the uncertainty faced by the school. Harvard agreed to pay $6 million for the upcoming fiscal year, a more-than 25% increase from the most recent period. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology paid $2.4 million in fiscal 2024, based on a 40-year agreement it struck with Cambridge two decades ago. In the 2024 fiscal year, Harvard paid Boston just over $4 million, about 60% of what the city had sought in cash and a modest increase from prior periods. Boston University's annual $6.3 million contribution has held steady since 2019, while Northeastern has paid $1.9 million each year since 2020. The amounts at issue are a sliver of the billions of dollars in the schools' budgets, but the Trump administration's attacks have forced these institutions to cut costs and scrounge for alternative funds. Boston University has paused merit-based salary increases, while Northeastern has suspended non-essential travel and events. Harvard has implemented a hiring freeze and is redirecting $250 million of its own money to help sustain affected research projects. President Alan Garber has appealed to alumni to donate to special funds that would give his office the flexibility to plug spending gaps, a call he's likely to repeat when the school hosts its commencement ceremony Thursday. Harvard representatives declined to comment on the Boston discussions. Universities say Boston needs to give more weight to their contributions to the community, financial and otherwise. Schools in Boston provided nearly $1 billion in direct benefits to the city over the six-year period ending in 2023, according to an analysis by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts. Northeastern, for example, spends millions annually on scholarships, college readiness programs and infrastructure improvements, said Nyul, the spokesperson. Harvard expects to pay more than $20 million over the next decade to support initiatives including park improvements, while also providing local programming for residents and children. Boston University was the first nonprofit higher education institution to participate in the voluntary cash payment program in the 1980s and has contributed more than any other school every year since, spokesperson Colin Riley said. 'We look forward to continued conversations with the city.' Boston College declines to make cash contributions because it believes doing so would jeopardize its status under tax exemptions for educational and religious institutions, said spokesperson Jack Dunn. It pays the city for fire services under a separate agreement and provides scholarships, financial aid and community grants to residents, he said. Boston's push for greater contributions from Harvard in particular comes amid a broader rallying of Democratic politicians around the university in its feud with Trump. In its letter in support of Harvard, Massachusetts said its economy and ecosystem of universities will be 'irreparably harmed' if the administration's ban on foreign students is allowed to stand. Still, the city sees its negotiations in a different light than Trump's hardball tactics. For one, officials say they're trying to reach a consensus with the universities. Also, their push for greater contributions predates the current turmoil. Universities have 'had many years of getting a pass at paying their fair share,' said Julia Mejia, a city councilor with an at-large seat representing the entire city. 'There's, to put it nicely, some back payments they still owe us.' --With assistance from Sarah McGregor. (Updates with Massachusetts filing in ninth and 24th paragraphs.) Mark Zuckerberg Loves MAGA Now. Will MAGA Ever Love Him Back? Millions of Americans Are Obsessed With This Japanese Barbecue Sauce Why Apple Still Hasn't Cracked AI YouTube Is Swallowing TV Whole, and It's Coming for the Sitcom Inside the First Stargate AI Data Center ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Justin Bieber's SZA performance, those videos and why fans are freaking out
Justin Bieber's SZA performance, those videos and why fans are freaking out Show Caption Hide Caption Justin Bieber apologizes for telling wife Hailey she'd never get a Vogue cover Justin Bieber has apologized to his wife, Hailey, for once saying that she would 'never be on the cover of Vogue' during an argument. unbranded - Entertainment Fans are freaking out over Justin Bieber — again. The 30-year-old Canadian pop star is back in the spotlight after joining SZA on SoFi Stadium's stage on Friday to sing their 2022 track "Snooze." Audience videos show Bieber closing his eyes while belting the sensual duet with SZA, who is on tour with Kendrick Lamar. As Bieber sings, SZA cups his chin with her hand. Bieber smiles at his song partner, then kisses her palm. Videos of the one-stage moment drew millions of views, and fans are expressing everything from admiration to concern. The internet is debating whether the emotive interaction was merely an intimate exchange between peer artists or an indication that Bieber is not doing as well as his fans would hope. Some said SZA's holding Bieber's face showed her "support and encouragement" for him, especially because he canceled his world tour to prioritize his health. Meanwhile, others said SZA made this gesture to "reel" Bieber in during the performance, claiming his ardent display of affection toward her was a sign Bieber is going through something unbeknownst to fans. Bieber has always had a fevered, dedicated fan base. He's grown up in front of them. Because his music illustrates their lives, some Beliebers have developed a parasocial relationship with the star: They claim to know him as well as they claim his art knows them. "We are encouraged through the nature of social media, through the nature of fandom ... to perceive ourselves as being in some sort of relationship with artists whose music we love," Rebekah Moore, assistant professor of music at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, previously told USA TODAY. But we can never really know what's going on with a star, despite how public their life seems. Bieber, a new father who has dealt with health issues in recent years as well as a microscopic intensity focused on his marriage to Hailey Bieber, may appear to be available for anyone to know. But whether it's his wife's "Vogue" cover or a performance in a sold-out arena, these interactions are mere pixels of a bigger picture and shouldn't be taken as a complete reality. "Whether or not the songs are actually about them (artists), we interpret these songs as something that reflects their inner workings, their emotional realities, their relationship realities," Moore said. "We think we know them because of their art." Bieber deserves as much space as anyone else − though privacy hardly comes easy these days. "In the age of social media, the general public has become trained to share not only their most private moments, but to also expect others to do the same," psychologist Reneé Carr previously told USA TODAY. Whatever Bieber is going through, it's not our business to speculate. "Public figures need privacy to cope, heal, and develop a strategy to move forward just like everyone else," explained Amy Morin, psychotherapist, author of "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" and the host of a podcast. "Working through issues privately can give them space to manage their emotions and strategize how to move forward without the distraction of outside opinions." Contributing: David Oliver and Greta Cross
