Tensions are rising in Iran as thousands of people are taking to the streets in protests against the government. Center for Human Rights in Iran's Deputy Director Omid Memarian explains the economic factors driving the unrest, and implications of social platforms being blocked inside the nation.
"The protests have been spontaneous," says Memarian. "Economy is one of the major problems in Iran. Embezzlement by Iranian officials--corruption is deeply rooted in ranking officials."
The Iranian government has blocked social media platforms including Facebook, Telegram, and Instagram. Memarian says this move is dangerous. "It shows how the government is very insecure," said Memarian.
From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, these are the top stories that moved markets and had investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs talking this week on Cheddar.
With uncertainty in Washington over a looming government shutdown, investors are keeping an eye on Wall Street. As stocks look to close at their worst spot in a decade, one expert says we have yet to hit the bottom. Jason Rotman from Lido Isle Advisors talked to Cheddar about what investors can expect in the new year.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Friday, Dec. 21, 2018.
As Cheddar reflects on 2018, we are profiling the most innovative, flamboyant, and often-controversial entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who delivered the year's most memorable moments in business. Of the CEO Class of 2018, who was crowned Biggest Flirt? Class Clown? Cheddar's Most Outspoken Award Goes to Tim Cook.
Stocks plunged on Thursday for the second day running, as the renewed threat of a government shutdown over the Christmas holiday weekend contributed to residual market weakness after the Fed's latest rate hike.
CEO Mary Barra made national headlines when General Motors announced in late November that 14,000 salaried and hourly workers would be cut for the sake of the company's growth. Backlash against Barra was swift; it populated the White House Twitter feed and echoed through the hall of Congress.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018.
Facebook can add another problem to its tally: a disappointing update to a civil rights audit the company posted on Tuesday, just hours before The New York Times published an explosive report on the company's mishandling of user data. The audit has been a "black box," according to Rashad Robinson, the president of Color of Change, one of the groups that has strongly criticized Facebook over civil rights issues on the platform.
Stocks plunged following the Federal Reserve's decision to hike interest rates for the fourth time this year, despite heavy criticism from President Trump that the central bank has been too aggressive in raising borrowing costs.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo may have radically changed his stance on marijuana ー but his former Democratic primary opponent Cynthia Nixon shouldn't be congratulated for his shift, according to New York State Assembly Health Committee chair Richard Gottfried. "On this particular issue, I don't think she gets any credit," Gottfried, who has been working on marijuana policy reform since the 70s, told Cheddar Wednesday.
