Latest news with #Weiss
New York Post
an hour ago
- Business
- New York Post
Bari Weiss looking to sell The Free Press for $250M: report
Bari Weiss has been shopping her start-up news outlet The Free Press for as much as $250 million, according to a report. Weiss, who quit the New York Times opinion page over its woke policies and launched the outlet in 2022, had reportedly met with Skydance Media CEO David Ellison at the high-powered Allen & Co. 'summer camp for billionaires' in Sun Valley, Idaho, earlier this month. Ellison, the son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, was reportedly interested in buying The Free Press as Skydance continues to await regulatory approval of its $8 billion merger with CBS parent Paramount. 5 Bari Weiss has been shopping her start-up news outlet The Free Press for as much as $250 million, according to a report. Getty Images for The Free Press Weiss is seeking a valuation of between $200 million and $250 million and Ellison wants to position 'anti-woke' Free Press alongside CBS News, according to the Financial Times. Weiss's strong pro-Israel stance is one of the factors that is said to have appealed to Ellison, people familiar with the relationship told the publication. The FT report also cited sources as saying that Weiss held discussions with The Post's parent company News Corp about a possible 'collaboration' though that did not include any discussions about a possible acquisition. A News Corp spokesperson declined to comment. 5 Weiss has reportedly met with Skydance CEO David Ellison about a possible role at CBS News once the merger with Paramount is complete. AFP via Getty Images Talks of a potential sale took place just three years after Weiss started the venture with funding from venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and David Sacks. Last year, The Free Press, which is hosted on the Substack newsletter platform, raised $15 million from investors at a company valuation of $100 million. In April, Axios reported that the outlet had 1.25 million subscribers on Substack with around 155,000 paid subscribers. The reported talks come as Ellison looks to reshape assets he would inherit through the Paramount transaction. 5 Weiss (seen left with House Speaker Mike Johnson) founded The Free Press after leaving the New York Times. Getty Images for Uber, X and The Free Press Paramount, like other media giants, is in the midst of a cost-cutting spree. Its television property CBS recently announced that it would discontinue production of the 'Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' Critics charged that the move was done to curry favor with President Donald Trump, a frequent target of Colbert. Trump recently agreed to a $16 million settlement with Paramount after he filed a lawsuit against CBS News over a '60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris that he claims was deceptively edited. 5 Ellison is reportedly eyeing wholesale changes at CBS News once Skydance mergers with the network's corporate parent Paramount Global. Christopher Sadowski The president said that the total value of the settlement is $36 million when factoring in a 'side deal' that includes $20 million worth of public service announcements promoting causes favored by Trump. Paramount Global has denied the existence of a side deal. Skydance has declined to comment. Since setting out on her own, Weiss has successfully positioned herself as an alternative to mainstream publications such as the Times. 5 In 2020, Weiss resigned from the New York Times claiming that she was 'bullied' in the newsroom for her political views. csuarez In 2017, the Times hired Weiss 'with the goal of bringing in voices that would not otherwise appear in your pages: first-time writers, centrists, conservatives.' But she soon became a lightning rod inside the paper. In her July 2020 resignation letter she warned, 'Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times, but Twitter has become its ultimate editor,' and charged that the newsroom was shaping coverage for 'the narrowest of audiences.' Weiss said colleagues 'bullied' her, 'called me a Nazi and a racist,' and fostered a 'hostile' environment for non‑left‑of‑center views — an episode conservatives cite as proof of mainstream media intolerance. The Post has sought comment from Weiss.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Hunter Biden special counsel David Weiss claimed his team ‘couldn't prove' first son was foreign agent: testimony
WASHINGTON — House Republicans released long-anticipated testimony from former Delaware US Attorney David Weiss on Monday, revealing that the prosecutors of former first son Hunter Biden felt they lacked sufficient evidence to prove he acted as a foreign agent. Weiss, who brought tax and gun crime cases against the Hunter, now 55, admitted in a June 6 interview with the House Judiciary Committee that he 'personally' considered bringing charges under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) but dropped the matter when his team 'couldn't prove it.' 3 House Republicans released long-anticipated testimony from former Delaware US Attorney David Weiss on Monday. Getty Images Advertisement 3 Weiss 'personally' considered bringing charges against Hunter Biden under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) but dropped the matter when his team 'couldn't prove it.' AFP via Getty Images '[W]e didn't have enough evidence to prove that Hunter Biden had acted as a — as an agent of a foreign principal and had engaged in political activity in that regard. We just couldn't put together a sufficient case,' Weiss said, according to a transcript of the interview released by the Judiciary panel. '[W]hat I'd say is personally I viewed consideration of a FARA charge — I did give some credence to whether the agent was acting on behalf of a foreign government as opposed to a foreign principal — a foreign individual or a foreign private corporation,' added the former Delaware US attorney. Advertisement 'I do view them differently. However, the statute encompasses — the way it's written, it would encompass both activity. But I do agree, as your question suggested, there is — in my mind, there is a difference in the seriousness or the — of the conduct that you're talking about, acting on behalf of a foreign government versus a foreign corporation.' A House Republican impeachment inquiry dug up instances of Hunter Biden invoking his father's name to secure lucrative business deals and engage with clients from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia and China. 3 Joe Biden repeatedly denied ever interacting with any of his son's business associates — despite emails and witness testimonies contradicting his claims — and claimed that Hunter had 'done nothing wrong' in his work abroad. Joe Biden repeatedly denied ever interacting with any of his son's business associates — despite emails and witness testimonies contradicting his claims — and claimed that Hunter had 'done nothing wrong' in his work abroad. This is a developing story. Please check back for more information.
Local Spain
4 days ago
- Business
- Local Spain
Why Vienna is Europe's hidden gem for life sciences
With its impressive architecture and coffee house-lined streets, Vienna is a city like no other. Situated on the banks of the Danube, it is steeped in history and has long been a cultural capital of Europe. These days, however, the city is just as defined by its future as its past. Thanks to forward-thinking research centres, top-ranked universities and an expanding base of life sciences companies, Vienna is a rising powerhouse in biotech, medtech, and pharmaceutical research. Vienna is the European leader in life sciences 'Life sciences are one of Vienna's key drivers of innovation,' said Dominic Weiss, Managing Director of the Vienna Business Agency, which supports the ecosystem through funding programs, location scouting and other expert support, such as immigration advice. 'Over many years, life sciences companies ranging from international pharmaceutical giants to startups working on the bleeding edge of technology have repeatedly chosen to move to, invest and expand in this city, collaborating with local universities to create an internationally competitive hub that produces game-changing therapies, devices and diagnostic tools.' The sector is made up of over 750 organisations, generating about €22.7 billion a year. The vast majority of revenue – just over 80 percent – stems from the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors alone. More than 49,000 people currently work in life sciences – and the numbers are rising as ever more international experts are drawn into the ecosystem. 'Part of what makes Vienna an attractive location for life science companies is that the city combines an excellent research landscape and university talent pool with a great deal of attractiveness for top international researchers and executives,' Weiss added. 'Moving to Vienna is not a hard sell.' Combining top-ranked livability, affordability and a strong work-life balance, it's no wonder that international researchers and entrepreneurs are choosing to call Vienna home. In fact, around 40 percent of the Austrian capital's two million residents were born abroad, giving the city a truly diverse feel. Thriving life sciences hub Some of the world's top life science firms – including pharma giants Takeda, Boehringer Ingelheim and Novartis – have offices in Vienna. Meanwhile, cutting-edge research institutions working on everything from tissue regeneration and cancer therapies to prosthetics are well established in the Austrian capital. What really sets Vienna apart is how closely connected this ecosystem is. Research labs, clinical research facilities and companies are often within walking distance of each other. 'This spatial density creates collaboration opportunities and translational potential that researchers find on par with top global locations,' says Dr Michael Stampfer, Managing Director of the Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF). Groundbreaking research is underway in facilities such as the Vienna BioCenter, which has more than 2,000 scientists covering fields like cancer biology, immunology, and RNA therapeutics. One standout project is US biochemist Elly Tanaka's work in regeneration biology. By studying animals that can regrow limbs and tissues, Tanaka's lab at the IMP is researching potential treatments for human diseases. And the city isn't slowing down. The soon-to-launch AITHYRA Institute, a revolutionary research hub for biomedical AI, will be one of the first of its kind in Europe. With Michael Bronstein, DeepMind Professor of AI at the University of Oxford, at the helm, the institute will bring together experts and apply state-of-the-art technology to better understand diseases, speed up diagnoses, and help develop new treatments. Dr Stampfer sees this growth as part of a larger trend. He describes Vienna's life sciences sector as being 'on a qualitative and quantitative growth course', which means there are 'lots of attractive positions available' for international talent. Young pharmacy researchers. Supportive community and funding opportunities Moving to a new country can feel daunting but there is plenty of support for newcomers. The Vienna Business Agency offers free consultations, events and guidance to researchers and entrepreneurs on everything from funding applications to finding a flat. Support is also available at the WWTF, which provides research funding as well as a Dual Career Service to assist researchers and their partners in settling in Vienna. According to Dr Stampfer, researchers are 'pleasantly surprised by our comprehensive support system for international scientists and the efficiency of our funding administration'. LISAvienna, the city's life sciences platform, offers targeted support for biotech and digital health startups, including help with grants, contacts and networking. Vienna is also gaining recognition on the global stage. Researchers are publishing in prestigious journals, while centres such as the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), are winning competitive European Research Council grants. 'We also witness an expanding life sciences startup ecosystem, and venture capital funds taking a closer look at what is happening in Vienna,' Dr Stampfer adds. Meanwhile, international recruitment is strong, particularly among early-career scientists. This can be seen in initiatives such as the WWTF's Vienna Research Groups programme. Dr Stampfer says the rising number of young people coming to Vienna 'creates a vibrant research environment with fresh perspectives'. Working in one of Vienna's many welcoming cafés. Life beyond the lab Science isn't the only reason for choosing Wien. The city is regularly crowned one of the most liveable in the world due to its excellent infrastructure, healthcare, cultural scene and green space. Residents enjoy affordable and efficient public transport alongside family-friendly policies like free childcare for young children. Vienna's international connections are another advantage. Thanks to a major airport and fast train links it's easy to travel around Europe or further afield. 'The central European location and rich cultural landscape exceed expectations, even for those with high initial hopes,' says Dr Stampfer. Of course, there is the odd Viennese quirk. 'Researchers might be a little surprised by the playful grumpiness of our local coffee house waiters – and the many urban legends around it,' adds Dr Stampfer. 'But this is something people get used to quickly.' 'Building the future' From Freud's psychoanalysis to Schrödinger's quantum theory, Vienna has long attracted brilliant minds. That tradition has continued with major contributions to fields such as gene editing, attosecond physics and quantum entanglement. Now, new projects in digital medicine and AI-driven health research are opening up even more possibilities. With centres like AITHYRA on the horizon, a flourishing startup scene and a growing international community, Vienna is quickly becoming the top choice for researchers and entrepreneurs looking for a European base. Through the platform ViennaBusiness, the city is now offering expert consultations and other support to international researchers and life-science companies interested in exploring the city. 'It's exciting to see great minds flourish in Vienna,' says Dr Stampfer. 'We are building the future here.'
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Rigetti shakes up quantum computing with bold advance
Quantum computing is arguably entering its make-or-break era. It's no longer an experiment, with tech giants, startups, and national governments shelling out billions to crack problems traditional computers struggle with. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Moreover, it's not about who's the loudest, but who's the most consistent. Progress is gauged in terms of qubits, fidelity gains, and architectures that don't break. Naturally, once the hype settles, investors will separate the wheat from the chaff in the quantum computing space. However, just as some thought momentum might stall, one quantum computing stock quietly surged, stunning everyone in the process. Image source: Weiss/Getty Images Quantum computing may sound like sci‑fi to many, but it's already flipping the script on the world's toughest problems. By simultaneously harnessing qubits representing 0 and 1, algorithms that once took millennia can finish in seconds. These qubits allow quantum computers to efficiently crunch far more possibilities at the same time. It's all thanks to crazy quantum effects like superposition and entanglement. The catch, though, is that they're super sensitive. Even the slightest of errors can wreck results. That's exactly why gate fidelity comes in, which serves as a score of how clean and accurate each operation is. Related: Elon Musk's xAI pushes Grok into Palantir territory Greater fidelity means lower error rates and a more useful output. Lowering error rates also cuts through the need for heavy error correction, so you gain greater power from the same hardware. Each jump in fidelity turns a theoretical promise into a practical possibility, reminding everyone how swiftly the quantum era is accelerating. And despite the early‑stage risks, the market is set for massive long-term expansion. McKinsey's latest quantum technology monitor forecasts the sector to hit $100 billion within a decade, led by hardware advances and quantum‑as‑a‑service models. From supercharging drug‑discovery simulations to optimizing supply chains, quantum applications efficiently cover every corner of business and science. Nonetheless, the challenges remain. Qubit stability, cryogenic cooling expenses, and error‑correction costs still pose a hurdle to widespread deployment. More Tech Stock News: Elon Musk's xAI is already shockingly massiveCathie Wood drops bold message on Apple, Tesla stockUnsung AI stock pops after joining S&P 500 Every step forward in fidelity and architecture chips away at those barriers, though, bringing real quantum advantage even closer. Rigetti Computing (RGTI) just gave its investors a new reason to pay attention. It announced a head-turning 99.5% median two-qubit gate fidelity on its modular 36-qubit system, a critical step that cuts error rates by 50% compared to its earlier 84-qubit Ankaa-3 chip. That 99.5% figure isn't just a figure, but a key signal to the quantum space that Rigetti's modular approach is working. Wall Street got the message, with Rigetti stock jumping 30% Wednesday, trading at $16.56. The breakthrough system is built on four 9-qubit "chiplets," using Rigetti's tailor-made modular chip architecture. Related: JPMorgan reveals 9 stocks with major problems It's the company's latest effort in developing larger and more robust quantum machines. Rigetti is looking to launch the 36-qubit platform publicly on August 15. That launch serves as both a product debut and validation as the company looks toward a more ambitious goal of a 100+ qubit modular system delivering the same high-fidelity performance. A lot of it is about timing, too, as Rigetti previously set this mid-year milestone, and hitting its target boosts confidence in its 2025 roadmap. If it can achieve a 100+ qubit platform by the end of next year, that's likely to be a major leap in an industry where decoherence and error rates often slow real-world adoption. It would also help Rigetti close the performance gap with better-funded rivals like IBM and IonQ. It also raises the stakes for commercial traction. High-fidelity qubits are critical in running longer algorithms and solving critical problems that matter to enterprise users. For now, Rigetti's progress gives it new credibility in a race where results are now driving investor confidence. Related: Popular AI stock tanks after surprise tariff hit The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hegseth raged at DOGE official who was accused of calling the police to the Pentagon, report says
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out at a senior Department of Government Efficiency official who allegedly called the Pentagon police on a subordinate after a confrontation, according to a new report. The reprimand allegedly took place after a tense one-on-one meeting on April 4 between Yinon Weiss, Elon Musk's pick to lead DOGE at the Defense Department, and Justin Fulcher, another official at the advisory body, three sources told the Washington Post. It came at a tumultuous time for the defense secretary, who was dealing with the fallout from Signalgate, where top officials gave The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg a front row seat as they discussed impending strikes on Houthi terrorists in Yemen in March. After storming out of the meeting, Fulcher allegedly went to Hegseth's office and complained that he believed Weiss had reported him to the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. Weiss's alleged actions angered the defense secretary, the sources said. It's not clear what caused the argument between Weiss and Fulcher. Hegseth became irate after a spat between DOGE staffers allegedly ended in the Pentagon police being called (AP) At times raising his voice, the sources added that an irate Hegseth demanded that Weiss, who departed DOGE last week, explain why he believed he possessed the authority to evict someone from government property. Weiss attempted to explain to Hegseth that he had not contacted the Pentagon police but another government official, two people familiar with their argument said. One source claimed that Weiss contacted the Pentagon transition office that assists newly arriving political appointees. In a text message to The Post, Fulcher said that he believed no police were called, nor did he see any law enforcement officers. 'There was one person who was making claims that he was going to call PFPA (Pentagon Force Protection Agency) – that was clear,' he said. Despite Fulcher's admission, Hegseth did not appear to blame the DOGE employee. After his spat with Weiss, he was provided with a Pentagon office space. After his DOGE departure last week, Yinon Weiss (pictured) thanked Hegseth for the 'unprecedented opportunity' he gave DOGE (Fox News) After firing several senior Pentagon officials in mid-April, Hegseth named Fulcher a senior adviser. While Fulcher remains in his position, sources said he has been relocated from outside Hegseth's main office to a desk down the hall. Fulcher told The Post that the move was temporary, due to maintenance work being conducted. 'Justin Fulcher is a senior advisor to Secretary Hegseth,' Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to The Independent. 'Our senior advisors at the Department of Defense are unified and working together to carry out President Trump and Secretary Hegseth's agenda.' Reflecting on his departure from DOGE on Tuesday, Weiss thanked Hegseth for the 'unprecedented opportunity' he gave the group. '@SecDef carefully and fairly weighed in on every recommendation that was presented to him, and he fully embodied the values he promotes for the Department; reviving the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and reasserting deterrence,' he tweeted. The altercation highlights tension between senior Pentagon officials and those assigned to DOGE, whose mission to dismantle federal departments has reportedly clashed with national security priorities. Despite publicly praising DOGE's work, behind the scenes, Hegseth expressed frustration about its activity and unreliable communication, especially earlier in the year, according to sources.
