Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos donates $100 million to Feeding America
SEATTLE -- Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on Thursday, April 2 announced he was donating $100 million to help food banks across the United States.This, amid a growing need for donations, with millions of Americans out of work amid the coronavirus pandemic.In an Instagram post, Bezos said the donation would be made to Feeding America, which would quickly send the funding to its network of food banks:More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — doubling a record high set just one week earlier — a sign that layoffs are accelerating in the midst of the coronavirus.In Washington state, 181,975 filed for unemployment benefits the week of March 22-28.Applications for unemployment benefits generally reflect the pace of layoffs.
Amazon fights coronavirus price-gouging, suspends 3,900 accounts
SEATTLE -- Amazon officials said Monday, March 23 that more than 3,900 seller accounts were suspended for price-gouging during the coronavirus outbreak, a disclosure that came on the same day President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at curtailing the practice.Officials with the e-commerce giant said the banned accounts were all active on its U.S. marketplace and were suspended for “violating our fair pricing policies.” More than 500,000 product listings were removed over price-related violations related to the outbreak.“We are constantly monitoring our stores for unfair prices and listings that make false claims in regards to COVID-19,” Amazon said in a blog post. “We have dynamic, automated systems in place that locate and remove unfairly priced items.”Amazon officials said that sellers found to have violated its policies are referred to law enforcement agencies for potential action.
'We are depending on you!' FedEx worker shares thoughtful care package left for delivery drivers
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A FedEx delivery worker posted a photo on Instagram of a care package left for couriers on a front porch in Glendale, Arizona.The box, which was made out to UPS, FedEx, USPS and Amazon delivery drivers, contained toilet paper, water bottles, Gatorade and cans of soup.
More wipes, no jeans: Amazon limits shipments to warehouses
NEW YORK — Amazon, in an attempt to fill its warehouses with toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other items in high demand, said Tuesday that it will limit what suppliers can send to its warehouses for the next three weeks.Among the items that suppliers and third-party sellers can ship to Amazon include canned beans, diapers, dog food, disinfecting wipes, medical supplies and household goods.
Amazon seeks to hire 100K to keep up with crush of orders; will offer $2/hour raises
NEW YORK — Amazon officials said Monday, March 16 the company needs to hire 100,000 people across the U.S. to keep up with a crush of orders as the coronavirus spreads and keeps more people at home, shopping online.Officials with the online retailer said they will also temporarily raise pay by $2 an hour through the end of April for hourly employees, who work at warehouses, delivery centers, and Whole Foods grocery stores.
For 1st time in state history, law against price gouging is triggered by public health emergency
MADISON -- For the first time in Wisconsin history, a law against price gouging is in effect.
Amazon employee tests positive for COVID-19
SEATTLE – An Amazon employee in Seattle has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, The Seattle Times reported.The person who contracted the illness, also known as COVID-19, works in Amazon’s Brazil office building near downtown Seattle, according to a message to staff viewed by the paper.The unidentified employee was placed in quarantine after leaving work feeling ill on Feb. 25, Amazon said.The retail behemoth encouraged employees experiencing symptoms to stay home and get evaluated by a medical professional.
No checkout needed: Amazon opens cashier-less grocery store
NEW YORK — Amazon wants to kill the supermarket checkout line.The online retailing giant is opening its first cashier-less supermarket, where shoppers can grab milk or eggs and walk out without waiting in line or ever opening their wallets.
US, France reach tax deal averting broader trade war
DAVOS, Switzerland — France will delay its tax on the digital business of big tech firms like Google and Facebook in exchange for the United States' promise to hold off retaliatory sanctions - a deal that could avert a broader trade dispute.Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Wednesday he had agreed on the truce with U.S. Treasury chief Steven Mnuchin, at a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.Le Maire said France would delay collection of the digital tax until December - through the next U.S. election cycle, potentially easing pressure for President Donald Trump as he seeks reelection.But the French minister said his country would never scrap it entirely until an international accord can be reached.“Digital companies will pay their fair tax in 2020,” Le Maire told reporters in Davos.The U.S., in turn, will hold off imposing retaliatory tariffs that it had threatened to slap tariffs on French wine, cheese and other products.The move appears to dial down the risk of a wider trade war between the United States and the European Union, of which France is part.
Texting scam disguises itself as delivery notification from Amazon, FedEx
There's a new scam to watch out for.This time it's a texting scam that disguises itself as a delivery notification from companies like Amazon and FedEx, according to How to Geek.Within the text, there will be a link that takes you to a fake Amazon page that offers you to take a "free survey."The survey will then ask for your credit card information to pay for shipping, and it will automatically sign you up to receive a product each month with a charge of $98.95.Of course, one of the easy ways to detect this scam is to note what is said in the address bar of the web page.For example, if the web address has Amazon or FedEx in the name, it is likely OK.However, if it doesn't note the companies and displays a web page claiming to be one of those companies, it is likely a scam.This tweet highlights the difficulty in telling which text is which:
Family searching for Amazon driver to say 'thank you' for helping out
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Getting packages dropped off is common - especially during the holiday season.
Procrastinators, rejoice - Amazon’s operations are ready to deliver packages until Christmas Eve
MILWAUKEE --The clock is ticking.
Nearly 300 Amazon packages stolen from California post office
PIONEER, Calif. (KTXL) - Nearly 300 Amazon packages were stolen from the Pioneer Post Office after a driver dropped them off over the weekend while the post office was closed.The Amador County Sheriff's Office reports a deputy was called to the post office Monday after the postmaster reported the theft.The postmaster says a driver for an Amazon courier service left four pallets behind the post office Sunday.
Amazon sues Pentagon over $10 billion contract awarded to Microsoft
WASHINGTON — Amazon is suing the Pentagon over a $10 billion cloud-computing contract awarded to Microsoft.Amazon said it filed a legal complaint Friday with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims seeking to challenge the decision.The complaint is sealed, but the company said earlier this month there was “unmistakable bias” on the government’s part.Amazon’s competitive bid for the “war cloud” project drew criticism from President Donald Trump, who said over the summer that he wanted the Pentagon to take a closer look.The Pentagon awarded the contract to Microsoft in late October.U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has said the procurement was done fairly without outside influence.The contract, formally called the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI, was sought by Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle and IBM.
Amazon announces deals, says Black Friday sale starts Nov. 22
Amazon will kick off its Black Friday sale on Friday, Nov. 22, as it offers deals on electronics, TVs, toys, clothing, Amazon devices and more.Deals will run through Nov. 29.
Google, Amazon, and Apple add new ways to protect your privacy
Here is how to use new settings from Google, Amazon, and Apple to better protect your privacy.We’ve seen report after report of contractors listening to your voice commands and history logs that go back way too far.
Florida police obtain Amazon Alexa recordings in death case
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Police in South Florida think there may have been a witness to a homicide and are trying to get "her" to talk.Hallandale Beach officials say the Amazon Echo or a similar device was in a home where a woman was slain in July.The Sun Sentinel reports that the device, nicknamed "Alexa" after its wake word, might have heard and recorded more than a shopping order in the house of Silvia Galva and her boyfriend, Adam Reechard Crespo.
Amazon offering free grocery delivery for Prime members
Amazon is eliminating its fee for grocery delivery in the United States as competition heats up in the rapidly expanding food delivery business.Before today, Amazon charged Prime members a $14.99 monthly subscription fee for its Amazon Fresh online grocery delivery service.
Alexa in your ear: Amazon launches wireless earbuds
NEW YORK — Amazon doesn't want you to leave home without Alexa.The online shopping giant unveiled wireless earbuds at a Seattle event Wednesday, its first major attempt at getting its Alexa voice assistant outside of homes and worn by customers all day long.The Echo Buds, which cost $130, let users order an Uber ride or find the nearest coffee shop as they stroll down the street.
Can a new space race connect the world to the internet?
NEW YORK — It's a 21st-century space race: Amazon, SpaceX and others are competing to get into orbit and provide internet to the earth's most remote places.And like the last century's battle for space supremacy that was triggered by the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 1, this one involves satellites.