>TYB
BuzzFeed cutting 12 percent of workforce as CEO warns of downturn
December 6, 2022
BuzzFeed will cut about 12% of its workforce to rein in costs, the online media company said Tuesday, as it joins a growing number of US firms that have taken similar measures in anticipation of a potential economic downturn.
As of Dec. 31, BuzzFeed had 1,522 employees across six countries, according to a regulatory filing.
“Our revenues are being impacted by a combination of worsening macroeconomic conditions, and the ongoing audience shift to vertical video, which is still developing from a monetization standpoint,” chief executive officer Jonah Peretti said in a letter to affected employees.
“That requires us to lower our costs. Unfortunately, reducing our workforce is an essential part of cost cutting. Staff salaries are the single largest cost at the company.”
Peretti said he expected the economic downturn to extend well into 2023.
Several technology companies, including Meta Platforms, Twitter and Snap, have cut jobs and scaled back hiring in recent months as higher interest rates, rising inflation and an energy crisis in Europe start to take a toll on the economy.
BuzzFeed shares fell 4% to $1.09.
Sauce: https://nypost.com/2022/12/06/buzzfeed-cutting-12-of-workforce-as-ceo-warns-of-downturn/
>Vaccine Mandate
Congress to scratch Pentagon's COVID measure in major win for Republicans
December 6, 2022
Congressional Democrats are prepared to include language in the NDAA that would strip the U.S. Military of its vaccine mandate for all service members
The move would be a major defeat for President Joe Biden, who has insisted the Military should still require all service members to be vaccinated against COVID
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy is taking credit for spearheading the effort
Said during a White House meeting last month, the top four congressional leaders reached a bipartisan deal to nix the vaccination requirement
Thousands of troops were involuntarily separated from the Military for refusing the vaccinate and thousands of others lost pay or benefits for the same reason
Congressional Democrats are preparing to include language in the annual defense funding bill that would repeal a coronavirus vaccine mandate for all U.S. troops, according to a new Fox News report.
While the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will include a provision putting an end to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all service members, it will not reinstate those who were discharged or lost their benefits for refusing the jab the last few years.
It would, however, look into compensating those who face consequences for not getting the vaccine.
The bill, according to Fox, is expected to be released Wednesday and could be voted on in the House later this week.
The move is a big win for Republicans, who have since day one opposed compulsory vaccinations, and a defeat for President Joe Biden, who imposed the requirements shortly after the inoculations were developed.
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said earlier this month that he won bipartisan agreement to lift the mandate during a White House meeting with Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell
The White House confirmed at the time that Biden agreed to consider the idea.
'Leader McCarthy raised this with the president and the president told him he would consider it,' said White House spokesperson Olivia Dalton, according to Reuters. 'The secretary of defense has recommended retaining the mandate, and the president supports his position. Discussions about the NDAA are ongoing.'
In August 2021, about halfway into Biden's first year in office, the mandate was imposed that required all U.S. service members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Biden's White House also imposed a federal vaccine requirement, meaning anyone working for the federal government was required to show proof of immunization against COVID-19 to remain in their role.
Thousands of troops were involuntarily separated from the Military for refusing to get vaccinated and tens of thousands of others lost pay or benefits for the same reason.
The must-pass NDAA currently sits at $817 billion to fund and set policy guidelines for the Pentagon next year. It is expected to pass the House and Senate before the holidays this month.
Lawmakers on the Armed Services Committees in both chambers of Congress are looking to include language in the NDAA that allows the Defense Department to assess the status of service members who were impacted by the vaccine mandate.
A provision in the legislation, according to Fox, would require the Pentagon to look into ways to compensate service members who were punished for refusing a coronavirus vaccine.
The White House just reiterated on Monday its support for keeping the vaccine mandate.
White House National Security Council communications head John Kirby said: Defense 'Secretary Austin's been very clear that he opposes the repeal of that vaccine mandate, and the president actually concurs with the secretary that we need to continue to believe that all Americans, including those in the armed forces, should be vaccinated and boosted for COVID 19.'
Sauce/more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11508643/Defeat-Biden-Congress-prepares-STRIP-military-vaccine-mandate-defense-spending-bill.html
Perfect!