Latest news with #Sonnenfeld
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First Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Moscow blacklists Yale University over 'anti-Russian' activities
The Vladimir Putin-led government has singled out the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, which houses the university's International Leadership Centre, responsible for training 'opposition leaders of foreign countries' read more Russia has blacklisted Yale University, accusing the Ivy League school of carrying out anti-Russian activities and training foreign opposition leaders. Being added to Russia's blacklist would mean that Yale cannot conduct any operation in the country and individuals connected to the institution are subject six years of prison time for carrying out activities on behalf of the 'undesirable organisation'. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office, in a statement, said, 'The university's activities are directed at the violation of the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, the international blockade of the country and the undermining of its economic foundations, as well as destabilizing the socio-economic and political situation in the country.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Vladimir Putin-led government has singled out the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, which houses the university's International Leadership Centre, responsible for training 'opposition leaders of foreign countries.' The statement claimed that Russian graduates of the program later joined the Anti-Corruption Foundation, the nonprofit founded by opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison last year, alleging they 'used the knowledge and technologies they acquired at the school to escalate protest activity in the Russian Federation.' Navalny's organisation was recognised by Yale's Jackson School in 2010, which offers a scholarship to a fellowship program. Moscow has barred dozens of American academics, including Yale professors Larry Samuelson and Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, from entering Russia, accusing them of engaging in anti-Russian activities since the country launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Scholars from the prestigious university, including Sonnenfeld, have endorsed the idea of freezing Russian assets and directing them to Ukraine. Sonnenfeld was added to Russia's no-entry list in June 2022. 'I think it is a proud patriotic moment where we're waving the flag to show that the national interests and the interests of institutions like this are inextricably intertwined,' Sonnenfeld said Tuesday in an interview. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Politico
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Moscow adds Yale to ‘undesirable organizations' list
Russia has added dozens of foreign nonprofits, media organizations and charities — including human rights NGO Amnesty International and American liberal arts school Bard College — to the state blacklist since 2015. The Russian government also singled out the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, which houses the university's International Leadership Center, accusing the school of training 'opposition leaders of foreign countries.' The statement said Russian graduates of the program have gone on to join the Anti-Corruption Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny — who died in a Russian prison last year — alleging they 'used the knowledge and technologies they acquired at the school to escalate protest activity in the Russian Federation.' The Jackson School recognized Navalny in 2010 with a scholarship to a fellows program. Moscow has banned dozens of American academics accused of partaking in anti-Russia activities — including Yale professors Larry Samuelson and Jeffrey Sonnenfeld — from entering the country since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Several scholars at the university, including Sonnenfeld, have promoted the idea of directing Russia's frozen assets to Ukraine. Sonnenfeld, who was added to Russia's no-entry list in June 2022 along with several academics, U.S. senators and members of the Biden family, said he considers the Kremlin's attacks to be a 'badge of honor.' 'I think it is a proud patriotic moment where we're waving the flag to show that the national interests and the interests of institutions like this are inextricably intertwined,' Sonnenfeld said Tuesday in an interview. Yale did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
One of America's biggest companies is imploding
UnitedHealth Group, one of America's biggest corporations and a member of the exclusive Dow Jones Industrial Average, is suddenly unraveling. The crisis engulfing UnitedHealth hit a crescendo this week when CEO Andrew Witty stepped down abruptly for 'personal reasons.' UnitedHealth also swiftly abandoned its financial guidance, blaming skyrocketing medical costs. And then The Wall Street Journal dropped the hammer, revealing that UnitedHealth is under federal criminal investigation for possible Medicare fraud. The developments have stunned investors, triggering a dramatic loss of confidence. UnitedHealth's (UNH) stock has lost half its value – a staggering $288 billion – in the span of a month. Its share price plunged on Thursday to its lowest level since April 2020, during the height of the pandemic. It's a spectacular reversal of fortunes for one of America's most powerful companies and the nation's largest health insurer. The trouble at UnitedHealth comes almost exactly six months after the murder of Brian Thompson, one of its top executives. The brazen shooting of Thompson, in Midtown Manhattan, captured international attention and surfaced deep public resentment toward the healthcare industry. The UnitedHealth selloff gathered steam on Thursday, with the Journal report of a federal criminal investigation driving UnitedHealth shares down another 13%, leaving them on track for their worst week since 1998, according to FactSet data. The DOJ's healthcare-fraud unit is overseeing an investigation into possible Medicare fraud at UnitedHealth, the Journal reported. UnitedHealth responded to the report by posting a statement online that described the Journal's reporting as 'deeply irresponsible' because the paper acknowledged the precise nature of the potential criminal allegations is unclear. 'We have not been notified by the Department of Justice of the supposed criminal investigation reported, without official attribution, in the Wall Street Journal today,' UnitedHealth said in the statement. 'We stand by the integrity of our Medicare Advantage program.' The DOJ declined to comment. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, founder of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute, said the abrupt nature of the CEO transition at UnitedHealth is quite telling. 'The fact the board moved with this much speed means they obviously lost confidence in the CEO. It's got to be pretty bad if they moved this fast,' Sonnenfeld said. 'It's astounding.' UnitedHealth described the CEO switch as a decision Witty made 'for personal reasons' and the company said he has agreed to serve as a senior adviser. But Sonnenfeld suspects Witty was forced out. ''Personal reasons' is the humiliation of this implosion,' he said. UnitedHealth is turning to a familiar face to clean up the mess: Stephen Hemsley, its former longtime CEO and current chairman. Hemsley praised Witty for displaying 'real integrity and compassion during one of the most difficult periods any company could endure.' The new CEO also, however, made clear his displeasure with UnitedHealth's stumbles. 'To all stakeholders, including employees and shareholders, I am deeply disappointed in and apologize for the performance setbacks we have encountered from both external and internal challenges,' Hemsley said during a conference call on Tuesday. Sonnenfeld hailed the decision by UnitedHealth's board to bring back Hemsley, who led the company to success between 2006 and 2017. 'He does know where the bodies are buried, and he's the perfect guy to go to,' he said. Morgan Stanley analyst Erin Wright agrees, describing Hemsley in a research report as 'the most appropriate person to step in as CEO at this juncture in light of the recent setbacks.' UBS analyst AJ Rice, in a report to clients, praised Hemsley as a 'steady hand to lead the company in this turbulent time.' Hemsley will have his work cut out for him. Beyond the reported DOJ investigation, UnitedHealth is facing intense scrutiny from multiple parts of the federal government. In its annual report, UnitedHealth acknowledged the company 'has been involved or is currently involved in various governmental investigations, audits and reviews.' UnitedHealth said these include 'routine, regular and special investigations, audits and reviews' by a wide range of agencies, including the DOJ, the Internal Revenue Service, the Labor Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The developments have unnerved investors – especially the decision to abandon 2025 financial guidance. Bank of America downgraded UnitedHealth from 'buy' to 'neutral' on Tuesday, warning that it could take years for the company to recover.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
One of America's biggest companies is imploding
UnitedHealth Group, one of America's biggest corporations and a member of the exclusive Dow Jones Industrial Average, is suddenly unraveling. The crisis engulfing UnitedHealth hit a crescendo this week when CEO Andrew Witty stepped down abruptly for 'personal reasons.' UnitedHealth also swiftly abandoned its financial guidance, blaming skyrocketing medical costs. And then The Wall Street Journal dropped the hammer, revealing that UnitedHealth is under federal criminal investigation for possible Medicare fraud. The developments have stunned investors, triggering a dramatic loss of confidence. UnitedHealth's (UNH) stock has lost half its value – a staggering $288 billion – in the span of a month. Its share price plunged on Thursday to its lowest level since April 2020, during the height of the pandemic. It's a spectacular reversal of fortunes for one of America's most powerful companies and the nation's largest health insurer. The trouble at UnitedHealth comes almost exactly six months after the murder of Brian Thompson, one of its top executives. The brazen shooting of Thompson, in Midtown Manhattan, captured international attention and surfaced deep public resentment toward the healthcare industry. The UnitedHealth selloff gathered steam on Thursday, with the Journal report of a federal criminal investigation driving UnitedHealth shares down another 13%, leaving them on track for their worst week since 1998, according to FactSet data. The DOJ's healthcare-fraud unit is overseeing an investigation into possible Medicare fraud at UnitedHealth, the Journal reported. UnitedHealth responded to the report by posting a statement online that described the Journal's reporting as 'deeply irresponsible' because the paper acknowledged the precise nature of the potential criminal allegations is unclear. 'We have not been notified by the Department of Justice of the supposed criminal investigation reported, without official attribution, in the Wall Street Journal today,' UnitedHealth said in the statement. 'We stand by the integrity of our Medicare Advantage program.' The DOJ declined to comment. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, founder of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute, said the abrupt nature of the CEO transition at UnitedHealth is quite telling. 'The fact the board moved with this much speed means they obviously lost confidence in the CEO. It's got to be pretty bad if they moved this fast,' Sonnenfeld said. 'It's astounding.' UnitedHealth described the CEO switch as a decision Witty made 'for personal reasons' and the company said he has agreed to serve as a senior adviser. But Sonnenfeld suspects Witty was forced out. ''Personal reasons' is the humiliation of this implosion,' he said. UnitedHealth is turning to a familiar face to clean up the mess: Stephen Hemsley, its former longtime CEO and current chairman. Hemsley praised Witty for displaying 'real integrity and compassion during one of the most difficult periods any company could endure.' The new CEO also, however, made clear his displeasure with UnitedHealth's stumbles. 'To all stakeholders, including employees and shareholders, I am deeply disappointed in and apologize for the performance setbacks we have encountered from both external and internal challenges,' Hemsley said during a conference call on Tuesday. Sonnenfeld hailed the decision by UnitedHealth's board to bring back Hemsley, who led the company to success between 2006 and 2017. 'He does know where the bodies are buried, and he's the perfect guy to go to,' he said. Morgan Stanley analyst Erin Wright agrees, describing Hemsley in a research report as 'the most appropriate person to step in as CEO at this juncture in light of the recent setbacks.' UBS analyst AJ Rice, in a report to clients, praised Hemsley as a 'steady hand to lead the company in this turbulent time.' Hemsley will have his work cut out for him. Beyond the reported DOJ investigation, UnitedHealth is facing intense scrutiny from multiple parts of the federal government. In its annual report, UnitedHealth acknowledged the company 'has been involved or is currently involved in various governmental investigations, audits and reviews.' UnitedHealth said these include 'routine, regular and special investigations, audits and reviews' by a wide range of agencies, including the DOJ, the Internal Revenue Service, the Labor Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The developments have unnerved investors – especially the decision to abandon 2025 financial guidance. Bank of America downgraded UnitedHealth from 'buy' to 'neutral' on Tuesday, warning that it could take years for the company to recover. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hey, It's Baz/Ba/Barry Sonnenfeld
True Stories from a Career in Hollywoodby Barry Sonnenfeld Hachette, 332 pp., $25 AS A LONGTIME DIRECTOR and cinematographer, Barry Sonnenfeld understands the importance of introducing characters quickly and succinctly. You see this principle of characterization in action throughout his latest memoir, Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time, via the manner with which his famous interlocutors address him. For instance, when Sonnenfeld meets the dulcet-toned Delroy Lindo on the set of Get Shorty, we learn the following: 'By the end of the show, it was common for Delroy's vocal exercises to illicit cow mooing sounds from the crew. Delroy insisted on calling me BARRY SONNENFELD. [All caps in original.] Perhaps he learned this in acting school along with his 'Uuuuuuummmmmaaaahhhhhh' vocalizations.' And, indeed, Delroy Lindo is seen throughout the rest of the chapter thusly addressing his director, as when he makes the case for carrying a briefcase throughout a scene: 'Barry Sonnenfeld. I would not, my character would not, let go of this money. It is my whole raison d'être.' Lindo's intonation of Sonnenfeld's name here is practically audible off the page; it's nearly lyrical. The syllables roll together, and anyone who has heard the actor pronounce 'sesame cake' will pick up on it instantly. Speaking of: Getting access to all of The Bulwark's coverage of politics, culture, and ideas is a piece of cake. Just become a Bulwark+ member. Sometimes it's a matter of punctuation, as when Sonnenfeld recounts running into Martin Scorsese. They hadn't seen each other in 30 years, since Sonnenfeld shot the last two weeks of Goodfellas for the patron saint of gangster movies, and he wasn't sure if Scorsese would remember his well-dressed self. Writes Sonnenfeld: 'He came over to our table, took a look at me, and said, 'Barry. Where's your tie?'' Again, it helps that we know who Scorsese is and how he talks, but the clipped intonation here is key to visualizing Scorsese's rapid-fire patter. 'Mr. Barry' is how Number One, as the director is told to call his star, addresses Sonnenfeld. 'Mr. Barry. Can we do it tomorrow,' Number One begs, nervous about shooting his Men in Black II cameo. 'Mr. Barry. This is my dream. From the time I was a little boy—to be an agent of Men in Black.' But it was time to shoot and movie sets run on tight schedules and if Number One couldn't do it, well, so be it. Next shot, we're moving on. Unless, of course, the producer steps in, as Amy Pascal did when she got wind that Barry Sonnenfeld had just told the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson, that they were going to move on without him. Then you find a way to make it work. While discussing the inclusion of a pivotal plot point in Men in Black III, Sonnenfeld hears from two bold-faced names. The backstory: Sonnenfeld and script doctor David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, and several dozen more movies that have grossed several billion dollars, combined) want to insert a MacGuffin that will help characters understand the time travel plot at the heart of the film. Producer (and general pain-in-Barry's ass) Walter Parkes hates the idea and demands it not be shot, threatening to go over everyone's head if Sonnenfeld persists. The director decides to shoot it both ways so they can choose which to use. Star Will Smith shakes his head. 'You're the director, Baz. I'm going to do it one way only. What do you want because that's the only version I'll do.' The 'Baz' diminutive is an interesting one: both familiar and friendly sounding, yet (as best as I can tell, not having an electronic version of this book to search) unique to Will Smith, almost inarguably one of the two or three biggest stars in the world during their working relationship. Which, naturally, gives it a different heft. On the one hand, Smith is technically deferring to Sonnenfeld: 'I'm only going to do the thing you want to do.' On the other, it's an ultimatum: 'I'm only going to do one thing, Baz.' Sonnenfeld shoots the MacGuffin, which leads to the other bold-faced name getting in touch: 'Hey, Barry. What's up with the chocolate milk?' The questioner is Steven Spielberg, and that cadence is all him. The disarming 'Hey,' the directness of the question. You can almost see the half-smile as he's asking it, brows furrowed just a hair, dipping them under the signature eyeglasses. (I imagine he's wearing an Indiana Jones hat, but pick whatever dome-topper you want.) This theory of introductory labeling is not foolproof; at various points, John Turturro (who Sonnenfeld worked with on Miller's Crossing), Rob Reiner (Misery, When Harry Met Sally), and Danny DeVito (Throw Momma From the Train) all refer to Sonnefeld as 'Ba.' And none of this should distract from the fact that Sonnenfeld is telling hilarious stories spanning four-plus decades with brilliant actors like Tommy Lee Jones, visionary directors like the Coen brothers, and minor monsters such as Scott Rudin. (Indeed, the story of Rudin accidentally getting a free rewrite out of the Coens is like something out of a Coen brothers movie.) His work as a cinematographer doesn't get a ton of play in this book, but he was crucial to the look and feel of both Blood Simple and Raising Arizona, two early masterpieces that cemented the fraternal directing duo's placement in the pantheon. It's always amusing to be reminded that he, the Coens, and horror visionary Sam Raimi all ran in the same circles during this period. (Indeed, a key shot in Raising Arizona owes its existence to Raimi's The Evil Dead.) I would read a whole book about Sonnenfeld's theory of cinematography; his discussion of film stocks and screening rooms and projector brightness is endlessly fascinating and explained in such a way that even a layman like myself can grok it. All of which is to say that I emphasize the name thing not to diminish his work or reduce it to a series of silly anecdotes; rather, I hope to highlight for you that Sonnenfeld is a masterful storyteller, one who sets the tone with remarkable efficiency throughout. Yes, it helps that we know many of his subjects already. But you work with what you've got, and he's had a career filled with remarkable work. Share
