Student Survivors Describe Attackers in Classrooms

One email, every night, with the news you care about from Brian and the Nightly News team.

School Massacre  They were sitting in classrooms – children enjoying a normal day at school – until militants stormed the building, massacring more than 130 students in Pakistan. The Taliban gunmen entered an auditorium packed with students and detonated a suicide belt. One student described locking classroom doors, “but three attackers shot their way in.” It drew condemnation from the world, including Pakistan’s own young Nobel laureate, Malala Yousufzai.     Learn More

Sony Threat  The Sony Pictures hacking took a potentially dangerous turn today. Hackers want the movie “The Interview” pulled and issued an ominous threat to theaters who might show it. “The world will be full of fear. Remember the 11th of September,” the message said. The Department of Homeland Security has no credible intelligence about a plot, but the movie’s stars have cancelled all media appearances.     Learn More

Sydney’s Heroes  A sea of flowers in downtown Sydney grows every hour near the cafe where the hostage crisis ended with two killed Monday. The victims include a woman who was shielding her pregnant friend from gunfire and the cafe manager who tried to wrestle away the gunman’s weapon. Much of the ordeal was caught by a TV cameraman, who sat near snipers and captured what he described as “genuinely horrible.”     Learn More

In the Running  Jeb Bush announced today he is “pursuing” a run for the presidency in 2016, making him among the first to officially throw his hat in the ring. With early buzz on a slew of early Republican contenders, NBC’s Chuck Todd weighs in on the advantage Bush may now have in gaining support for his race.     Learn More

Ruble in a Freefall  The Russian Ruble has lost 50 percent of its value this year and is in such a freefall, Apple has suspended online sales in the country because it can’t properly value its products. What’s behind the drop? A mix of international politics, sanctions and falling oil and gas prices. While it’s benefiting the American consumer, it’s a different story in Russia.     Learn More

Alzheimer Fight & the Young  What if your behavior in your 30s could ward off the onset of Alzheimer’s? A unique study at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center is looking into that and how healthier brain choices might impact those at high risk. One 32-year-old participant looks healthy, but his blood tests tell a different story.     Learn More

Top Google Searches of 2014  What was everyone googling this year? The top searches of the year are out and they vary wildly by country, with a beloved star topping the American list.     Learn More

Breaking News: Sony tells theaters they don't have to show 'The Interview'

Sony tells theaters they don't have to show 'The Interview' Los Angeles Times | December 16, 2014 | 5:48 PM Sony Pictures Entertainment told theater owners on Tuesday that they are free to not show the North Korean-themed movie "The Interview." The decision follows a threat that hackers made to attack theaters that screened the movie on Christmas Day. For the latest information go to www.latimes.com

Breaking News: American Apparel fires founder Dov Charney

American Apparel fires founder Dov Charney Los Angeles Times | December 16, 2014 | 2:00 PM American Apparel today officially fired Chief Executive Dov Charney. The Los Angeles company said its board terminated Charney "for cause in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement." The board suspended Charney on June 18 for alleged misconduct and violations of company policy, and acted after completing an internal investigation.  The company, which suffered a summer of upheaval after suspending Charney, said Paula Schneider, a long-time fashion industry executive, will take over as CEO starting Jan. 5.  For the latest information go towww.latimes.com.

3 Day Startup heading to Australia?; Melbourne Angels invest in augmented reality nails startup; 5 words to boost your marketing

HOME | ADVERTISE | CONTACT US Dear StartupSmart reader, US entrepreneurship program 3 Day Startup is currently negotiating with a number of universities about the possibility of bringing the program to Australia. Melbourne Angels has led a syndicated investment worth more than $750,000 in Metaverse Makeovers, a wearable tech startup whose primary product is augmented reality nail accessories. Technology is a constant factor in everyday life and should be leveraged more often to tackle mental health issues, according to a clinical psychologist who started her own wellbeing app. Tapit opens US office following rapid international expansion. To help you gear up for a bigger, better year ahead, here are five words to put into action to help boost your marketing in 2015. Sydney-based startup Bidz Direct has developed a new shopping platform that’s attempting to give consumers more control over pricing. Employees leave their boss not the company: Survey. There is a lesson for us all in the continuing revelations from stolen Sony emails being splashed over world-wide media. When you are writing an email (or any other corporate document), imagine that it will inevitably one day end up on the internet for everyone to see. Kye White, Editor US entrepreneurship program 3 Day Startup sets its sights on Australia   by Kye White Entrepreneurship program 3 Day Startup could be coming to Australia to educate high school and university students about entrepreneurship, encouraging them to create their own startups. VIEW ALL NEWS Melbourne Angels nails it with $750,000 investment in augmented reality wearables startup   by Broede Carmody Melbourne Angels has led a syndicated investment worth more than $750,000 in Metaverse Makeovers, a wearable tech startup whose primary product is augmented reality nail accessories. Five words to boost your marketing in the new year   by Amanda Jesnoewski To help you gear up for a bigger, better year ahead, here are five words to put into action to help boost your marketing in 2015. Friend or foe? How modern technology can be used to make a positive change in people’s lives   by Broede Carmody Technology is a constant factor in everyday life and should be leveraged more often to tackle mental health issues, according to a clinical psychologist who started her own wellbeing app. Tapit opens US office following rapid international expansion   by Broede Carmody An Australian startup leading the way in contactless communications has opened an office in New York as part of its expansion into the US market. THE NEWS WRAP: Video journalism startup raises $6 million   by Broede Carmody New York-based video journalism startup NowThisMedia has raised $6 million in Series C funding lead by previous backer Oak Investment Partners, TechCrunch reports. READ MORE Resourcing for growth: why you need a flexible hiring strategy by Elance-oDesk Waiting until your workload explodes is far too late to start looking for staff, and it’s no good simply being reactive if you want to grow quickly. READ MORE Employees leave their boss not the company: Survey   by Karen Coombs As another year winds down, close to 50% of Australian workers are considering changing their jobs, according to the Australian Institute of Management. READ MORE Bid-based shopping platform promises fear-free haggling by Dinushi Das Sydney-based startup Bidz Direct has developed a new shopping platform that’s attempting to give consumers more control over pricing. READ MORE When emails go public. How to avoid sharing the things you should never have said   by David Glance There is a lesson for us all in the continuing revelations from stolen Sony emails being splashed over world-wide media. READ MORE