us-business

At the Bitcoin Asia Conference 2025 in Hong Kong, Blockstream CEO Adam Back made a bold prediction: in the future, most companies will hold Bitcoin as part of their corporate treasury. According to Back, the smartest way for companies to keep pace with Bitcoin is to make it part of their strategy.  “The only way for a company to match or even outperform Bitcoin is to buy Bitcoin and use capital markets to increase Bitcoin per share, operate their core business, reinvest profits to buy more Bitcoin, and use additional profits to expand products and services.” “From that point of view, I think eventually, probably all companies will be Bitcoin treasury companies,” he added. Corporate Adoption Accelerates According to Bitwise, 28 new companies bought 140,600 BTC in July and August, which is about the same as a whole year’s supply of new Bitcoin. This shows how quickly businesses are adopting Bitcoin and adds to the bullish outlook. Institutions and governments continue to stack Bitcoin. Data from Bitcointreasuries.net  shows that publicly traded companies now hold close to 1 million BTC, led by MicroStrategy with over 632,000 BTC, followed by MARA Holdings and others.  Private companies together hold about 296,945 BTC, while government entities control 526,357 BTC. Adam Back’s BSTR Gears Up for Nasdaq Debut Adam Back’s Bitcoin Standard Treasury Company has also announced plans to go public by merging with Cantor Equity Partners I, a SPAC backed by Cantor Fitzgerald, in a deal with up to $1.5 billion in funding, the biggest ever for a Bitcoin treasury SPAC. BSTR will launch with 30,021 Bitcoin on its balance sheet, making it the fourth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder. The company expects to begin trading on Nasdaq under the ticker “BSTR” after the deal closes, expected in Q4 2025. How Corporate Treasuries Could Unlock Trillions Back has previously said that companies like MicroStrategy are taking advantage of the gap between today’s fiat money and Bitcoin’s future potential. He says that this strategy could be highly profitable and scalable, worth trillions if widely adopted, and could allow most large publicly traded companies to hold Bitcoin in their treasuries, positioning them ahead of a future where Bitcoin becomes a dominant global currency. With corporate adoption accelerating, Bitcoin is no longer just an asset; it’s becoming a foundation for the future of global finance. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Every avid Ethereum enthusiast knows ETH has maintained a bullish streak for weeks. However, it is now facing its first major obstacle of the present phase. Ethereum price prediction now looks like its 2021 all-time high is close to $4,945, a height it hasn’t surpassed despite solid ETF inflows and revived institutional backing. Several traders bemoan ETH falling back to $4,500, reflecting caution around this resistance level. As optimism wanes, many market experts turn to utility-backed altcoins like Remittix (RTX) for something more promising. Ethereum Price Prediction for 2026 Ethereum price prediction may not be able to record an upside before 2026, but there’s still room for significant growth. Recent Ethereum price prediction models support that. Standard Chartered recently bumped ETH’s year-end aim to $7,500, backed by rising ETF inflows and a clear stablecoin setup thanks to the Genius Act. Other bullish Ethereum Price Prediction models place ETH between $7,000 and $12,000 by 2026, depending on how well upgrades and adoption work together. That’s a massive growth, but not as high as Remittix might achieve! Source: TradingView Remittix Offers Promising Alternative to Ethereum Price Prediction Limitations Remittix comes in as the promising play serving as an alternative to ETH holders. Set to become “XRP 2.0,” Remittix is creating a robust PayFi system, enabling crypto-to-fiat transfers across 30+ countries, supporting 40+ cryptos and fiat currencies. It gets better with a user-friendly wallet set to launch on September 15, 2025. Remittix catalysts sparking the influx: Raised over $21,9M before launch with over 621M RTX tokens sold at less than $0.10 BitMart announced the first CEX listing, and another is expected once funding hits $22M; these listings are expected to offer more liquidity and visibility.  Backed by market-wide momentum and backed by multiple outlets that have tipped Remittix as one of the best cryptos to buy now, on the back of its PayFi utility appeal and expected massive ROI delivery.  Beta wallet launch expected in Q3 2025 to simplify and deliver seamless instant settlement The Following Ethereum price prediction for 2026 shows how the path toward $7K—$10K remains feasible, thanks to upgrades, ETF hype and rising mainstream backing. However, if you’re seeking asymmetric returns, Remittix stands out. This PayFi sensation is not just another altcoin. Here’s a real-world payments disruptor recording traction, funding and massive utility demand. That trajectory is attracting deep-pocket investors as ETH takes a breather below $5K. Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out the project here: Website: https://remittix.io/  Socials: https://linktr.ee/remittix  $250,000 Giveaway: https://gleam.io/competitions/nz84L-250000-remittix-giveaway Disclaimer and Risk Warning The content featured on Coinpedia’s press release page is provided for informational purposes only. Coinpedia does not endorse, verify, or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any press releases or associated materials. Any views, opinions, or statements expressed in these press releases are those of the respective issuers and do not reflect the opinions or positions of Coinpedia. Coinpedia is not liable for any content, products, services, or actions mentioned in the press releases. Readers should independently verify the information before taking any actions related to the subject matter of the releases. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

The MNT price today is exchanging hands at $1.15, marking a 7.70% intraday decline. Despite this brief dip, the Mantle crypto has managed to retain over 75% of its August rally gains.  Now, this month, its ecosystem growth has accelerated, exchange support has increased, and new institutional opportunities have been opened, which broadly suggests that the MNT price might continue to attract attention from traders and investors alike. MNT Price Performance and August Rally Delighted Investors Throughout August, Mantle showcased notable strength from a falling wedge pattern’s breakout, resulting in a gain of 103% with the MNT price USD spiking from $0.70 to $1.41. However, as the month is about to close, profit-taking emerged, pulling the token slightly lower. Still, the Mantle price chart reflects resilience, as the asset still continues to trade well above its early August levels. Even with the current intraday decline, MNT has not lost its bullish structure. The fact that MNT/USD retained the majority of its gains suggests that sentiment remains supportive, particularly as the asset consolidates within a tight trading range. If momentum builds again, the next upside target on the chart sits at $2. ByBit Exchange Growth and Ecosystem Expansion Major Factor For MNT Crypto Recently, on X, an analyst mentioned one of the most compelling drivers behind the latest bullish MNT price forecast, which comes from its direct connection to Bybit.  As the exchange continues to grow despite its hack in Q1 2025, Mantle crypto benefits directly as its native token. Now, Comparisons from other big players like Binance, which carries a market capitalization above $120 billion, highlight potential upside for Mantle given its current $3.86 billion valuation. Adding further context, other exchange tokens like HYPE and OKB have recently surged following ecosystem developments, and their price has exploded. Now analysts are expecting Bybit to release updates and initiatives of some kind that promote it among retail. This speculation remains that Mantle could see a similar rally once fresh news hits the market. Main Development Of August: Regulatory – Aligned Staking and Potential Institutional Interest Recently, Santiment Insights Brianq. shared his opinion that Bybit introduced a MiCA-compliant staking framework for MNT in Europe.  This move provides regulated yield opportunities and has been an important bullish factor because it is positioning Mantle as a more accessible and compliant option for both traditional crypto users and investors seeking structured products. Similarly, another factor was the institutional confidence in MNT crypto, which was further reinforced on August 18, 2025, when Coinbase added Mantle to its derivatives offerings.  The listing of perpetual markets has strengthened the MNT’s credibility in institutional trading circles. This development is also critical for the long-term MNT price prediction narrative as it signals broader market acceptance. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Women, most of all working mothers, are more likely than men to stay in a role for its flexibility and less likely to stay solely for higher pay. getty The gig economy has made its way to the C-suite. A new report from executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that over a third of CEOs hired in the first six months of 2025 were appointed on an interim basis. Dubbing it the “CEO gig economy,” the report found that companies are increasingly opting to hire temporary CEOs instead of full-time leaders. Redefining Executive Leadership Through the CEO Gig Economy Andy Challenger, workplace and labor expert at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, explains that the rise of the CEO gig economy reflects a broader trend of executives reentering the workforce “on their own terms” post-pandemic. In the report, Challenger states that interim CEO roles offer valuable opportunities for career development, along with a new level of flexibility for executives. According to Challenger, these temporary positions allow CEOs “the opportunity to take on fresh challenges, keep their skills sharp, and maintain flexibility over their workload and boundaries.” The shift toward more flexibility in leadership roles is echoed in a recent Harvard Business Review article titled “How Part-Time Senior Leaders Can Help Your Business.” In this piece, authors Tomoko Yokoi and Amy Bonsall explore a related concept known as fractional leadership, which is when companies hire “fractional leaders, or part-time senior talent” to serve in executive positions. According to Yokoi and Bonsall, hiring fractional leaders is becoming an appealing option for organizations as it provides access to skilled, experienced senior talent without the high cost of a full-time executive salary. The authors emphasize that this advantage is especially compelling for early-stage or small to mid-size companies, which “often lack the financial resources or the volume of work to justify hiring full-time experienced senior executives.” And much like the rise in companies hiring interim CEOs, the trend toward hiring fractional executive talent has also been growing in recent years. A LinkedIn search conducted by Yokoi and Bonsall found that, as of 2024, over 110,000 professionals identify themselves as fractional leaders (that’s up from just 2,000 in 2022). The CEO Gig Economy, Fractional Leadership and Potential Drawbacks While the CEO gig economy and fractional leadership roles may offer newfound flexibility for executives and can be financially prudent for businesses, they also present their own set of challenges. Temporary leadership may struggle to earn internal trust and loyalty, for instance. The Challenger report found that hiring interim CEOs can make it harder to cultivate trust among work teams since employees often know that “their leader could leave at any moment.” Similarly, Yokoi and Bonsall’s research reinforces this sentiment, stressing that “the foundation of a successful fractional engagement” depends on “transparency and trust.” Moreover, the data suggests that addressing ongoing gender disparities in leadership will become increasingly important as temporary and fractional leadership models continue to gain traction. If interim roles are introduced without focusing on gender equity, they could impede women’s long-term success in executive positions. According to the Challenger report, the rate of new women CEOs in the first half of this year remained at 25%, down from 28% during the same period last year. And a separate report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that in the first quarter of 2025, 23% of CEOs who exited their roles were women, up from 20% the previous year, and over half of those women were replaced by men. In contrast, of the nearly 500 men who left CEO positions during the same period, only 17% were succeeded by women (a decline from 22% in 2024). This is troubling given the persistently low representation of women in leadership overall and the typically shorter tenure of women CEOs compared to men. According to LinkedIn’s recent “The State of Women in Leadership” report, as of 2024, just 30.6% of leadership positions are occupied by women, which is up only 0.2% from 2022. And a report from Russell Reynolds Associates illustrates a “CEO tenure gap”, with the average tenure for women CEOs being 5.2 years, nearly three years less than the 7.9-year average for men. If the already small number of women leaders are appointed primarily to interim CEO appointments, only to be quickly replaced by men, it could further undermine efforts to achieve gender equity in executive leadership. The lack of women in senior leadership is also in large part driven by persisting workplace gender biases. This includes the glass cliff, where women are more likely to be placed in leadership positions during times of crisis or instability, when the risk of failure is higher. In fact, Russell Reynolds Associates’ report attributes the CEO tenure gap between men and women to the glass cliff, finding that women are more likely to be promoted to leadership roles during times of crisis, and are more likely to be fired and subjected to harsher scrutiny from boards, regardless of their performance. In addition to the glass cliff, there’s the broken rung, where women struggle to advance from entry-level roles into leadership roles. An increase in interim or temporary executive roles could further limit the number of full-time leadership opportunities available for women. Thus, if companies continue to pursue interim CEO appointments and fractional leadership roles without acknowledging the potential impact these trends have on equity at the top, they risk deepening the systemic barriers that hold women back from attaining and succeeding in executive roles. Reimagining the CEO Gig Economy as a Pathway for Women’s Career Advancement On the other hand, if companies actively recognize and address gender bias in hiring interim or fractional leaders, this trend could become a major opportunity for women in business rather than an enormous setback. After all, the recent “Women at Work 2025” poll conducted by CNBC and SurveyMonkey found that women, most of all working mothers, are more likely than men to stay in a role for its flexibility and less likely to

Topline A federal grand jury declined to indict a Washington, D.C., resident charged with throwing a sandwich at a federal agent, multiple outlets reported Wednesday, the latest instance of residents blunting the effects of President Donald Trump’s military takeover by declining to endorse the government’s increased efforts to arrest people for minor infractions. Members of the National Guard patrol Union Station on August 25 in Washington, DC. Getty Images Key Facts A grand jury in Washington declined to indict Sean Dunn, a former Justice Department employee who was charged with assaulting a federal officer after he threw a “sub-style” sandwich at a federal immigration agent, The New York Times first reported. The reported grand jury action came after the Trump administration previously failed three times to get a grand jury to bring charges against a Washington woman who was charged with assaulting an FBI agent, after the woman allegedly tried to forcibly stop immigration officials from taking two people into federal custody. Prosecutors present evidence to grand juries in cases where a defendant faces felony charges, and the jurors then decide whether an indictment can be brought—with the Times noting it’s extremely rare for them to reject the request to indict. The grand jury process is heavily biased in favor of prosecutors, who can present whatever evidence they want to the jury, so it’s notable to have grand juries routinely rejecting the government’s cases. But it’s becoming more commonplace as Trump sends the military to Democratic-leaning cities: Grand juries also rejected indictments against protesters when the National Guard was deployed to Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported in July, noting that out of the more than three dozen people who were targeted with federal charges, only seven were actually indicted. The Trump administration’s failure to secure indictments come as U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has directed prosecutors to seek the harshest charges possible against people who are arrested in Washington—but prosecutors are now having to either reduce or drop charges altogether as they fail in court, the Times notes. What To Watch For It’s still possible the Trump administration could ask a grand jury a second time to approve an indictment against Dunn, the Times notes, though it’s unclear whether it intends to. Trump has suggested he wants to keep using the military in other Democratic-controlled cities, like Chicago and New York, suggesting similar trends with grand juries could be seen in other places going forward. Chief Critic Pirro, the former Fox News host who’s now overseeing prosecutions in Washington, D.C., has defended the government’s actions despite the repeated grand jury refusals. “The burden is on us to prove these cases, and we welcome that burden — beyond a reasonable doubt,” Pirro told reporters Tuesday. “Sometimes a jury will buy it and sometimes they won’t. So be it. That’s the way the process works.” Big Number Less than 1% of the time. That’s how often grand juries typically reject indictments, historical data suggests. In 2016, the most recent year that the Justice Department publicly specified its reasons for declining to bring prosecutions, federal data shows that out of 155,615 total offenses the government investigated, only six cases were dropped because prosecutors failed to get an indictment. (Numerous cases were dropped without being prosecuted for other reasons, like insufficient evidence or the case getting moved to a different jurisdiction.) The figures were similar in previous years, with only 19 out of 163,005 total offenses in 2015 getting dropped because of the grand jury’s refusal to prosecute, along with 14 out of 170,161 offenses in 2014 and five out of 196,969 in 2013. Tangent Judges have also been pushing back against the Trump administration’s efforts to ramp up arrests against Washington residents, The Washington Post reports, rebuking the government for bringing cases that traditionally either wouldn’t be prosecuted at all, or would be handled in local, rather than federal, court. Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui has repeatedly condemned the Trump administration in multiple cases, the Post reports, saying law enforcement’s decision to search one man’s bag—where they found firearms—was “without a doubt, the most illegal search I’ve seen in my life.” In another case, in which federal agents tackled and detained a delivery person leaving a coffee shop, the judge commented, “This is not consistent with what I understand the United States of America to be.” Key Background Trump sent federal troops to Washington, D.C., earlier this month and temporarily took control of the city’s police department, part of a purported crackdown on crime in the Democratic-led city—despite statistics showing crime was already on the decline. The takeover is the second major incursion Trump has made into left-leaning cities, following his decision to send National Guard troops to Los Angeles earlier this year in response to protests against his hardline immigration agenda. Trump has deployed thousands of troops to Washington, with other GOP governors also sending their own National Guard forces to the capital city as well. He has said he intends to continue the takeover longer-term, suggesting he wants Congress to extend his control over the city’s police past the 30-day period he’s allowed under law. Further Reading ForbesTrump’s Transportation Department Reclaims Control Of Union Station In DC Amid National Guard TakeoverBy Sara Dorn ForbesTrump Wants Death Penalty For D.C. MurdersBy Sara Dorn ForbesCan Trump Legally Control D.C.’s Police Department And Deploy National Guard? What To KnowBy Alison Durkee Read More

Furnace slag skimming at a nickel plant operated by PT Vale Indonesia in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg © 2022 Bloomberg Finance LP Sovereign wealth fund, Danantara Indonesia, has agreed to invest in the $1.4 billion nickel smelting facility being developed by Chinese battery maker GEM and Brazilian miner Vale in Central Sulawesi in eastern Indonesia. The new high-pressure acid leaching smelter will produce 66,000 tons of nickel in mixed hydroxide precipitate each year when completed, using nickel ore from Vale Indonesia’s mines. “By joining forces with a global pioneer in green metallurgy, we are advancing the country’s downstream agenda while ensuring sustainability and innovation remain at the forefront,” Rosan Roeslani, CEO of Danantara Indonesia said in a statement. Danantara is investing in Indonesia’s nickel industry, the world’s biggest supplier of the raw material used to make batteries for electric vehicles, as the fund seeks to raise 50 trillion rupiah ($3 billion) by selling so-called Patriot Bonds to Indonesian companies. Since its inception earlier this year, Danantara has provided financing for cash-strapped national airline Garuda and invested in billionaire Prajogo Pangestu-backed Chandra Asri Pacific’s $800 million chemical plant project near Jakarta. Read More

All products and services featured are independently selected by Forbes Vetted contributors and editors. When you make a purchase through links on this page, we may earn a commission. Learn more Whitney Bruno, Forbes Staff Forbes Vetted The U.S. Virgin Islands are an ever-popular destination for visitors across the globe—especially Americans seeking tropical sands without the need for a passport. Approximately 2.5 million tourists visit the islands yearly for their stunning white-sand beaches, vibrant culture and relaxing vibes. Whether you’re looking to partake in Carnival festivities or indulge in delicious Caribbean cuisine, choosing the right hotel can ensure a memorable stay. We’ve rounded up the best hotels in the U.S. Virgin Islands for every type of traveler; these include luxurious resorts like the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas and Lovango Resort And Beach Club as well as couples-friendly spots like the Pink Palm Hotel. Hikers will particularly adore the Gallows Point Resort, which is surrounded by gorgeous hiking trails. Below, find our top picks based on multiple trips and stays. Best Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands Overall: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Best High-End Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands: Lovango Resort And Beach Club Best Boutique Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands: The Waves At Cane Bay Best Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands For Families: The Westin St. John Resort Villas Best Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands For Couples: The Pink Palm Hotel Best Beachfront Hotel On Saint Thomas In The U.S. Virgin Islands: The Westin Beach Resort & Spa At Frenchman’s Reef Best Beachfront Hotel On Saint Croix In The U.S. Virgin Islands: The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort Best Beachfront Hotel On Saint John In The U.S. Virgin Islands: Gallows Point Resort Best Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands For Groups: Marriott Frenchman’s Cove Best Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands Overall: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Exterior of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Who Will Love It: Adventurous couples; families All-Star Amenities: Personalized concierge; private beach; spacious suites; spa; poolside cabanas; luxury sailing excursions; Ritz Kids program What Not To Miss: The adult-only, 125-foot infinity edge pool Location: Nazareth, St. Thomas According to Michaela Miller, owner and director of operations at Caribbean Concierge, “The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas delivers classic Ritz service and oceanfront elegance.” The high-end hotel underwent recent renovations that give its traditional Caribbean architecture a contemporary upgrade: Accommodations are designed with neutral colors and plush fabrics that give it a modern feel while accentuating window views of the sprawling ocean. Wellness fanatics will appreciate the property’s tennis court, fitness center and Ritz-Carlton Spa. If lounging by the pool is more your style, this hotel has a brand new family pool with a waterslide and—the crown jewel—an adults-only, 125-foot infinity edge pool that’s the stuff of tropical vacation dreams. For more adventurous travelers, head to the beach for everything from kayaking and snorkeling to a luxury sailing excursion via the Lady Lynsey II. The dining options include a diverse selection of restaurants (our favorite being Alloro, the resident Sicilian eatery that’s guaranteed to have guests dreaming of Italy). Best High-End Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands: Lovango Resort And Beach Club Aerial view of Lovango Resort and Beach Club. Lovango Resort And Beach Club Lovango Resort And Beach Club Who Will Love It: Wellness-focused travelers; couples seeking a more secluded escape All-Star Amenities: 70-foot infinity pool; hiking trails to Crescent Beach; snorkeling; local spirits; gourmet dining; concierge services What Not To Miss: Hopping on a private ferry to Honeymoon Beach Location: Lovango Cay, St. John A 10-minute boat ride from St. John will land you at Lovango Resort and Beach Club: a secluded, private island resort catering to the more low-key vacationer. “The property is family-owned and offers incredible service, panoramic views and exceptional dining,” says Miller. Accommodations are comprised of luxury treehouses and deluxe one- to three-bedroom villas with sweeping beachfront vistas and boho-chic design details. Guests are welcome to spend their days lounging by the sea or, if they’re Beach Club members, at the resort’s 70-foot saltwater infinity pool (lined with cabanas and sunbeds for day-long relaxation sessions). Members also have access to poolside food and beverage services—or you can head to the property’s sandpit or waterfront restaurants for gourmet dishes infused with a local flair. Best Boutique Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands: The Waves At Cane Bay The Venetian-plastered, air-conditioned suites feature floor-to-ceiling marble-tiled bathrooms, cozy tropical woods and private balconies. The Waves At Cane Bay The Waves At Cane Bay Who Will Love It: Solo travelers; honeymooners looking for a quiet stay All-Star Amenities: Modern, eco-conscious suites with kitchenettes; sustainable seafood restaurant; artisan cocktails; ocean views from suite balconies; guest services via text What Not To Miss: The two outdoor bars built above a natural grotto Location: Kingshill, St. Croix With 11 newly renovated rooms built on a natural grotto, The Waves At Cane Bay provides a relaxing island experience featuring chic design and modern amenities. Its Venetian-plastered, air-conditioned suites feature floor-to-ceiling marble-tiled bathrooms, cozy tropical woods and balconies with broad views of the sea and beyond. The Waves also prides itself on a sustainability program that includes housekeeping service focused on limiting water usage and a cistern collection system that repurposes rainwater for cooking and bathing. After a long day of snorkeling, ocean-wading or scuba diving at the neighboring Cane Bay beach, you can relax with sundowners at the outdoor bar just above the grotto. Best Hotel In The U.S. Virgin Islands For Couples: The Pink Palm Hotel This adults-only paradise boasts extraordinary hillside views of the city and the sea. The Pink Palm Hotel The Pink Palm Hotel Who Will Love It: Couples; design lovers; parents craving an adults-only vacation All-Star Amenities: A jacuzzi; curated gardens; craft cocktails at El Barsito; beautiful hillside views What Not To Miss: Dog-friendly amenities for pet-conscious travelers Location: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas In the heart of downtown St. Thomas lies the Pink Palm Hotel: “An

Tony Khan and AEW are facing protests over fair wages among IATSE union stagehands inside Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena. AEW/Lee South AEW has arrived in Philadelphia just in time to deal with union protests over wages. The upstart promotion begins its seven-show residency in the famed 2300 Arena, beginning with Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, but IATSE Local 8 members are now challenging the promotion’s “substandard wages and benefits.” “This week, IATSE Local 8 members are out in force to inform the public that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) events in Philadelphia are failing to meet area standards by paying substandard wages and benefits,” read a post from the union’s X account. “When employers undercut these standards it threatens wages, benefits, and job opportunities for all entertainment workers in the community. We stand in solidarity with our Local 8 kin as they hold employers accountable and fight to protect the fair standards that entertainment workers deserve!” The complaint went on to claim that “neither AEW nor the 2300 Arena has signed a collective bargaining agreement with any IATSE Local for their Philadelphia based productions. This means it is not an IATSE union production.” When AEW first launched, worker’s rights became one of its many calling cards as the promotion looked to differentiate itself from WWE with a wrestler-first mentality. In regards to providing health insurance for wrestlers, which is virtually unheard of among national wrestling promotions, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan said the following at an AEW Double or Nothing rally in 2019: So many times you hear stories from wrestlers past or legends where they don’t have anything left and there’s nothing to show for it. One thing that we’ve always wanted to do is, if we started a wrestling organization, we wanted to take care of the guys. So, that’s one thing we’re working on. The executives are gonna have benefits and stuff [sic]. They’re gonna get taken care of. We’re in the day one process of that and we’re still working on it. But that’s the plan. IATSE Local 8 Stagehands Speak Out Against AEW And The 2300 Arena In a real “die as a hero…” moment, AEW now finds itself at odds with a top union in Philadelphia. IATSE claims AEW is underpaying non-union stagehands for its 2300 Arena residency, which spans from Wednesday, August 27, 2025 to Thursday, September 11, 2025. With over 800 members in the Philadelphia area, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States (IATSE Local 8) is the largest union representing workers in the entertainment industry. IATSE has posted multiple videos on its Facebook page encouraging AEW and the 2300 Arena to pay workers a fair wage. As of this writing, 75 letters have been sent on behalf of IATSE via the Action Network. “IATSE Local 8 is investigating the wages, benefits and working conditions under which the employees working this event in our jurisdiction are being paid,” read an IATSE Facebook post. The post went on to claim AEW is “undermining area standards and that the labor for this event are receiving substandard wages, benefits and working conditions.” IATSE Local 8 listed standard wages as follows: IATSE Local 8 Standard Wages $40.00 Journeyman hourly wages 15% Health and Welfare contribution on gross wages 12% Annuity contribution on gross wages 8% Pension contribution on gross wages 1% Training contribution on gross wages $54.40 All In Total “AEW, though they might not typically work in non-union venues, they’re doing it now,” said a stagehand on the picket line at the 2300 Arena. “And also, being probably the biggest show to come to this venue in a long time, they have the ability to make that change. They have the ability to say ‘hey, we’re not gonna do this show with the 10 high school kids you pulled off the park bench.’” Another IATSE Local stagehand weighed in with similar sentiments. “Unfortunately, 2300 Arena is not doing right by the workers in this area. They’re not doing right by their workers, they’re not doing right by anybody that works in this industry, they’re not paying area-standards in wages, they are not providing healthcare for their employees and we just want to really make sure that everybody inside [the 2300 Arena] that’s working all these shows are able to have a good living and a safe work environment.” AEW did not respond to a request for comment. This article will be updated if they do. Read More

An integrated geothermal complex owned and operated by First Gen’s EDC in the Philippines. Courtesy of First Gen Sinar Mas—controlled by tycoon Franky Widjaja and his family—has partnered with Philippine tycoon Federico Lopez’s First Gen Corp. to build six geothermal power plants with a combined capacity of 440 megawatts in Indonesia. The projects would entail about $2.2 billion in investments, or $500 million for every 100MW of installed capacity, a person familiar with the venture told Forbes Asia. The estimate includes drilling and other subsurface investments for the steam fields, and the power plants, the source said. Sinar Mas unit PT DSSR Daya Mas Sakti and PT First Gen Geothermal Indonesia, a unit of Manila-based First Gen, plan to develop six fields in West Java, Flores, Jambi, West Sumatra and Central Sulawesi, the partners said in a joint statement. Indonesia holds around 40% of the world’s geothermal reserves but only 10% has been developed, providing the archipelago a large untapped resource to fuel its clean energy transition goal. “Our goal is to strengthen national capacity in geothermal development and to fully harness the country’s natural potential for clean energy,” DSSR President Daya Mas Sakti Lokita Prasetya said in the statement. First Gen’s unit Energy Development Corp. (EDC)— which owns and operates 13 integrated geothermal power stations across the Philippines with a combined installed capacity of 1,189MW—will spearhead the geothermal project in Indonesia. Philippine-listed First Gen is reviving its international ambitions more than a decade since EDC first ventured overseas. In 2011, EDC entered Chile to explore potential geothermal sites but it has yet to build a facility in the country. First Gen is pushing forward with expansion plans after agreeing to sell 60% of its stake in gas assets to Philippine casino-to-ports billionaire Enrique Razon Jr. for 50 billion pesos ($875 million). It’s investing $9 billion to quadruple its renewable energy capacity to 13 gigawatts by 2030. Apart from gas, which provides 55% of First Gen’s capacity, and geothermal, the Philippine company’s energy portfolio includes hydro, solar and wind. With a net worth of $18.9 billion, the Widjaja family ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of Indonesia’s 50 Richest that was published in December 2024. Besides energy, the family’s Sinar Mas group has interests in agribusiness, in mining, paper mills, financial services, real estate, and telecommunications. The Lopez family, which has a net worth of $285 million, is the controlling shareholder of ABS-CBN, once the country’s largest broadcaster. It pivoted to online streaming and content sharing with other networks after Philippine lawmakers in 2020 rejected the media company’s bid to renew its franchise. Read More

The upcoming white Metal Build Sirbine toy. Bandai Spirits In a nice new video, famed mecha designer and anime director Yutaka Izubuchi talks about a new upcoming Metal Build Sirbine toy. To back up a bit, the Sirbine is a design from the later Aura Battler Dunbine OVA series and featured in the Aura Phantasm artbooks, which Izubuchi worked on. The Sirbine is meant as a more organic version of the original Dunbine, and over the years, it has become a fan favorite. So much so that it’s become a regular part of the long-running Super Robot Wars games, mostly notably in some of the recent releases such as X, T, and now Y. However, my favorite version of the Sirbine was in BX on the 3DS. In any case, the Dragon Scale spin-off Metal Build toys are gorgeous, and I already bought the regular (blue) Sirbine and the gorgeous Bellvine. Whereas this version of the Sirbine is white and arguably closer to how it appears in the OVA, at least towards the end. It’s also great that Izubuchi was asked to talk about the new toy, especially as the interview is dubbed into English (shown below). The only issue with these new Metal Build releases is that they are Premium Bandai releases, with this white Sirbine coming in at 38,500 yen (or around $262 at the current exchange rate). While the pre-orders for this white Metal Build Sirbine toy finish on August 31 and will ship in December, it’s very likely this will come Westward at some point. In the meantime, you can play with the Sirbine in Super Robot Wars Y, now available to play on the Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan. Read More