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Disney Succession Drama Heats Up as Nelson Peltz Targets Bob Iger

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Disney Channels Remain Blocked on YouTube TV, Causing $30 Million

Disney’s long-running leadership drama is heating up again as activist investor Nelson Peltz accuses outgoing CEO Bob Iger of shaping the company’s succession plan to keep control behind the scenes.

The clash centers on Iger’s choice of theme parks chief Josh D’Amaro as his successor, a move Peltz claims is designed to justify Iger’s continued influence at the company.

In comments to The Wall Street Journal, Peltz said Iger favored D’Amaro over entertainment executive Dana Walden so he could stay involved after stepping down.

“Iger needs a reason to stay on,” Peltz said, arguing that choosing a parks executive over a Hollywood veteran creates space for Iger to remain a guiding force.

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D’Amaro, 54, is set to take over as CEO next month, while Iger will stay on as a Disney director and senior adviser through the end of the year.

Walden, once seen by many as the top contender for the role, was instead named president and chief creative officer, a newly created position. The decision has raised questions about whether Disney’s leadership transition will truly mark a clean break or repeat past mistakes.

Peltz pointed to Disney’s troubled last succession as a warning. In early 2020, Iger handed the CEO job to Bob Chapek, another parks executive, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic shook the company.

Iger remained as executive chairman, which led to overlapping authority and internal tension.

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Disney Board Defends Succession

Chapek’s short tenure was marked by clashes with talent, employee unrest, political backlash in Florida, and growing losses in streaming. In November 2022, Disney’s board fired Chapek and brought Iger back as CEO.

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According to Peltz, history could repeat itself. He predicted that Iger may later claim D’Amaro lacks movie business experience and step in again to “guide” the company. Disney has not commented on Peltz’s latest remarks.

The Disney board, however, has defended the new plan. Board chairman James Gorman said the succession process was handled carefully and unanimously approved.

He noted that D’Amaro has spent years on Iger’s operating committee and has worked closely with film leaders, including helping bring major franchises like Avatar into Disney’s parks.

Peltz has been a vocal critic of Disney for years. Through his hedge fund, Trian Fund Management, he built a large stake in the company in late 2022 and launched multiple proxy fights, arguing Disney lost focus and failed at leadership planning.

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After losing a high-profile shareholder vote in April 2024, Peltz sold his entire Disney stake for a significant profit.

Originally published on vcpost.com

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Fuel security level unchanged despite blaze at refinery

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Fuel security level unchanged despite blaze at refinery

Australia won’t increase its fuel-security measures despite a fire wiping out nearly half of petrol production at one of the country’s only refineries, the prime minister says.

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Fuchs SE (FUPBY) Analyst/Investor Day – Slideshow

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Fuchs SE (FUPBY) Analyst/Investor Day – Slideshow

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Stocks in news: Wipro, HUL, Angel One, Alembic Pharma, HDFC Life

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Stocks in news: Wipro, HUL, Angel One, Alembic Pharma, HDFC Life
Markets witnessed a volatile session on Thursday, eventually ending on a flat note as the index took a breather after the recent rebound. Analysts reiterate positive stance on the Nifty and recommend a buy on dips approach, focusing on stock selection based on rotational sectoral trends.

In today’s trade, shares of Wipro, HUL, Angel One, Alembic Pharma, HDFC Life among others will be in focus due to various news developments and fourth quarter results.

Angel One

Angel One reported a sharp rise in profit for the March quarter, driven by strong client activity and operating leverage. Profit after tax stood at Rs 320 crore in the fourth quarter, marking an 84% year-on-year (YoY) increase, while rising 19% sequentially. The strong profit growth was supported by higher trading volumes and better monetisation across segments.Wipro

IT services major Wipro reported 2% fall in its consolidated net profit at Rs 3502 crore in the fourth quarter. The company’s board has also approved a buyback of Rs 15,000 crore, along with its financial results. Revenue from operations, meanwhile, increased 8% YoY to Rs 24,236 crore.


HDFC Life

HDFC Life Insurance said it will issue shares worth Rs 1,000 crore to promoter HDFC Bank on a preferential basis, even as the insurer reported a modest rise in March quarter profit. The company will allot 1.45 crore equity shares at Rs 688.52 apiece to HDFC Bank, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. The capital raise aims to strengthen solvency and support future growth.
HUL
Hindustan Unilever Limited has hiked prices across its soap portfolio, passing on rising raw material and packaging costs to consumers, The Times of India reported, with increases ranging between Rs 1 and Rs 20. For FMCG companies that were counting on GST cuts to revive consumption after a prolonged slowdown, the current situation may push back a demand recovery just as early signs of improvement had begun to reflect in recent quarterly earnings.

Alembic Pharma

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd on Thursday said it has received final approval from the US health regulator for its generic version of methotrexate injection used in treatment of different types of cancers and arthritis.

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Gelsinger Patrick P, Gloo Holdings director, buys $264k in shares

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Gelsinger Patrick P, Gloo Holdings director, buys $264k in shares

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Bloomberg Exec Accused of Turning Internal Chat Into Sexual Harassment Channel

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Bloomberg Exec Accused of Turning Internal Chat Into Sexual Harassment

A senior manager at Bloomberg LP is facing serious allegations after a lawsuit claimed the company’s internal chat system was used to send explicit and unwanted messages to an employee.

The case, filed in New York Supreme Court on April 13, accuses the company of failing to act on repeated complaints.

The lawsuit was brought by Charles Kyle O’Rourke, an account manager who has worked at Bloomberg since 2019.

He claims senior manager Peter Elliot sent him inappropriate sexual messages during work conversations, creating what the complaint describes as a hostile work environment.

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According to the filing, the messages were sent in February 2025 while O’Rourke was discussing travel plans.

The complaint alleges Elliot made crude comments involving sex acts and personal behavior that were not welcome.

One message reportedly included explicit language about travel and sexual activity, which O’Rourke says crossed professional boundaries.

“Over the course of his nearly six-year tenure, Mr. O’Rourke has been subjected to repeated acts of sexual harassment,” the complaint states, adding that the situation worsened due to what it describes as a lack of support from management, NY Post reported.

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O’Rourke says he reported the messages to senior leaders, but no action was taken. The lawsuit claims the harassment continued despite his complaints, placing responsibility on the company for not stepping in.

Bloomberg Lawsuit Alleges Retaliation

The filing also includes claims of retaliation. O’Rourke alleges that after he raised concerns and asked for workplace accommodations related to ADHD and anxiety, his direct manager, David LaPaglia, began treating him unfairly.

The complaint says LaPaglia micromanaged his work, reduced his client responsibilities, and told clients he was no longer with the company.

According to NationalToday , as a result of the situation, O’Rourke took a medical leave of absence on August 19, which the lawsuit describes as a response to pressure that pushed him toward leaving his job.

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The case brings several legal claims against Bloomberg under New York State and City laws.

These include allegations of a hostile work environment, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, and retaliation.

The lawsuit also argues that Bloomberg is responsible for the actions of its managers because of their leadership roles.

O’Rourke is seeking damages and is asking the court to require changes to Bloomberg’s internal policies, including stronger harassment reporting systems and better employee protections.

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In response, a spokesperson for Bloomberg said the company has reviewed the claims and believes they have no merit.

Originally published on vcpost.com

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Wall Street sets another record after US stocks tick higher

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Wall Street sets another record after US stocks tick higher

The US stock market ticked to another record high Thursday as Wall Street waits for more clues about what will happen in the Iran war before making its next big move.

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Tariq Musa, Guardant Health director, sells $9840 in stock

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Tariq Musa, Guardant Health director, sells $9840 in stock

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Bear costume scheme nets convictions in California insurance fraud case

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Bear costume scheme nets convictions in California insurance fraud case

Three Los Angeles-area residents were recently convicted in an unusual insurance fraud scheme using a person in a bear costume to fake attacks on high-end vehicles to collect insurance payouts.

As part of the California Department of Insurance’s Operation Bear Claw, Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, of Valley Village; Ruben Tamrazian, 26, of Glendale; and Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, of Glendale, pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud and were sentenced to 180 days in jail and two years of supervised probation and were ordered to pay restitution.

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A fourth suspect, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, of Glendale, is scheduled to return to court in September for a preliminary hearing.

The bear costume

The bear costume used in the alleged January insurance scam.  (California Department of Insurance / Fox News)

PERSON IN BEAR COSTUME ATTACKS LUXURY CARS IN INSURANCE SCAM, CALIFORNIA INSURERS SAY

The investigation began after an insurance company flagged a suspicious claim tied to a Jan. 28, 2024, incident in Lake Arrowhead. 

The suspects claimed a bear entered their 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost and caused interior damage, submitting video footage as evidence.

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Detectives later determined the “bear” in the video was a person wearing a bear costume and uncovered two additional fraudulent claims submitted to separate insurance companies involving the same date and location but tied to a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350.

Bear costume arrests

Ararat Chirkinian, left, Alfiya Zuckerman and Ruben Tamrazian were arrested in the alleged insurance fraud.  (California Department of Insurance / Fox News)

VISA REPORT HIGHLIGHTS EMERGING SCAMS TARGETING CONSUMERS AND TRAVELERS

A biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed the video and concluded the animal shown was “clearly a human in a bear suit,” according to authorities.

Detectives executed a search warrant and recovered the costume from the suspects’ home.

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Officials said the total loss to the insurance companies was $141,839, though the names of the businesses were not released.

Insurance papers

Investigators said the insurance fraud scheme involved more than $100,000. (iStock / iStock)

“What may have looked unbelievable turned out to be exactly that, and now those responsible are being held accountable,” Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara wrote in a statement Thursday. “My Department’s investigators uncovered the facts, exposed this scam and helped bring these defendants to justice.

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“Insurance fraud is a serious crime that drives up costs for consumers, and no scheme is too outrageous for us to investigate.”

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NFIB Small Business Survey: Optimism Drops To 11-Month Low

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NFIB Small Business Survey: Optimism Drops To 11-Month Low

Interior of a small coffee shop

Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision via Getty Images

By Jennifer Nash

Originally published on April 15, 2026

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 3.0 points to 95.8, dropping below the index’s historical average for the first time since April 2025. This was below

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David Ferrera on Building What Works in Medical Devices

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David Ferrera on Building What Works in Medical Devices

David Ferrera is a medical device engineer, entrepreneur, and inventor with nearly 30 years of experience in neurovascular and interventional medicine.

Based in Lake Forest, California, he has built a career focused on turning clinical ideas into real products that improve patient care.

He began his career at Boston Scientific before moving into more specialised roles in vascular and neurovascular technology. Over time, he co-founded and led several companies, including Micrus Endovascular, MindFrame, and Blockade Medical. Each company focused on solving specific problems in stroke treatment and interventional procedures. These ventures were later acquired by major industry players such as Johnson & Johnson, Terumo, Covidien, and Balt.

Ferrera is now CEO of RC Medical, a venture studio that partners with physicians to develop and commercialise new medical devices. He is also CEO and Chairman of Sonorous Neuro. His work centres on building structured, milestone-driven companies that address real clinical needs.

He holds more than 80 U.S. and international patents and is the author of Innovation in Translation, published by Advantage-Forbes. His approach is grounded in discipline, clear problem definition, and practical execution.

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Beyond his professional work, Ferrera has been active in philanthropy, serving as Chair of the American Heart Association’s Orange County Heart & Stroke Ball. His career reflects a consistent focus on building solutions that move from concept to clinical use.

David Ferrera on Building What Actually Works in MedTech

Q: How did your career in medical devices begin?

I started at Boston Scientific in the early 1990s. I had a background in plastics engineering, so I was drawn to how materials and design could solve medical problems. Early on, I realised that the field moves quickly, but only when products actually work in real procedures.

Q: What was your first major step into leadership?

Co-founding Micrus Endovascular was a turning point. We were focused on neurovascular devices. At that time, the space was still developing. We had to build technology while also proving clinical value. That company was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson, which gave me a clear view of how larger organisations evaluate products.

Q: What did you learn from your time at MindFrame?

At MindFrame, I led product development and clinical research. We worked on one of the early mechanical thrombectomy systems for stroke. I remember watching cases where time was critical. Every delay mattered. That shaped how I think about design. A device is not just about function. It is about workflow.

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Q: You have been part of several acquisitions. How did that shape your approach?

Each acquisition reinforced the same lesson. You need structure from the start. Regulatory planning, manufacturing, and clinical data cannot be afterthoughts. If those pieces are not aligned early, the company struggles later.

Q: Why did you decide to build RC Medical as a venture studio?

After building individual companies, I wanted a more repeatable model. At RC Medical, we partner with physicians who see problems every day. We validate early. We build in stages. We keep teams lean. It allows us to work on multiple ideas while maintaining discipline.

Q: How do physician partnerships influence your work?

They are essential. Physicians understand where procedures break down. One doctor once showed me a case where a device required multiple exchanges. It added several minutes. That insight led to a redesign focused on reducing steps. That is where real innovation comes from.

Q: What role does Sonorous Neuro play in your current work?

Sonorous Neuro is one of the companies formed through this model. I serve as CEO and Chairman. The focus is neurovascular care. We are working on improving how procedures are performed, especially in stroke intervention. It is about precision and efficiency.

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Q: What challenges have you seen in recent years?

Regulatory expectations have increased. Capital is more selective. You cannot rely on momentum alone. You need clear milestones and strong data. That has made discipline even more important.

Q: How do you stay close to what matters in the field?

I spend time with physicians. I review clinical data. I focus on what is happening in procedure rooms, not just what is being presented at conferences. Real feedback comes from real use.

Q: How has your leadership style changed over time?

Early on, I focused heavily on technical details. Over time, I shifted towards alignment. Clear goals. Clear accountability. Teams perform better when expectations are simple and direct.

Q: What advice would you give to someone entering this space?

Start with the problem, not the technology. Spend time understanding the clinical need. Then build with discipline. Big ideas are common. Turning them into products that work is the hard part.

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