In An Exclusive CNBC Interview, Kenneth Jacobs, Lazard, Chairman & CEO Discusses The Financial Crisis,

How advertisers became the NSA’s best friend

This week, new documents from NSA leaker Edward Snowden arrived with some troubling revelations: the NSA has been piggybacking on Google’s network, using the company’s “preferences” cookie to follow users from site to site, proving their identity before targeting them with malware. It means the agency has tapped into one of the most popular features on the web and the core of Google’s multibillion-dollar ad-targeting empire. Instead of just targeting ads and saving preferences, the infrastructure is being used to find people the NSA is interested in and silently infect their devices with malware. 

KKR to invest $100 million into wireless infrastructure

KKR is making its 11th infrastructure investment. This time they are focussing on wireless infrastructure in rural America. KKR will be a minority investor in its three different communication companies. 1. PEG Bandwidth is a company that builds and operates backhaul networks. Their focus is on connecting wireless communication towers to the data and fiber backbone networks on the ground. 2. AP Wireless buys cell sites both on the ground and on rooftops (domestic and international.) 3. AP Towers develop wireless communication towers and purchase already existing towers. With the explosion of smart devices there has been a dramatic increase in demand for data. This demand is driving investments into wireless infrastructure. The current infrastructural grid is drastically outdated and in a large part of the country still consists of copper cable, which is unable to handle the burden of big data. Raj Agrawal, KKR's Head of North American Infrastructure said, "The need for wireless infrastructure will continue to be driven by increases in wireless data usage that is overwhelming existing network capacity... We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Associated Partners to grow this premier set of businesses with critical telecom infrastructure assets." KKR appears to be betting on factions of the economy that are driven by technical revolutions. In the last year they have also invested into natural gas. With the development of shale natural gas, the amount of natural gas available has skyrocketed. "As the shale revolution is driving the growth of natural gas pipelines to transport molecules, the advent of the smart phone is driving a similar wireless explosion to transmit electrons. Wireless communication networks are an essential component of the nation's infrastructure," said Scott Bruce, Managing Director of Associated Partners, L.P. "We are excited to have KKR partner with us as we expand our businesses."

About KKR Founded in 1976 KKR is  led by Henry R. Kravis and George Roberts. KKR is a leading investment firm with $90.2 billion under management as of September 30, 2013. With offices around the world, and notable global voices such as David Petraeus,  KKR manages assets through a variety of investment funds and accounts covering multiple asset classes. KKR seeks to create value by bringing operational expertise to its portfolio companies and through active oversight and monitoring of its investments.

http://assetsandmanagement.blogspot.com/2013/10/kkr-to-invest-100-million-in-wireless.html

Learn what type of impact a credit rating score downgrade can have on your personal life and what steps you can take to recover from a downgrade.

Lazard Ltd : Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund Declares Monthly Distribution

Lazard

http://www.4-traders.com/LAZARD-LTD-13358/news/Lazard-Ltd--Lazard-World-Dividend--Income-Fund-Declares-Monthly-Distribution-17474880/

The Board of Directors of Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE:LOR) has authorized the Fund to declare today, pursuant to a level distribution policy, a monthly distribution of $0.07822 per share on the Fund's outstanding common stock. The distribution is payable on December 23, 2013 to shareholders of record on December 12, 2013. The ex-dividend date is December 10, 2013.

Portfolio data as of October 31, 2013, including performance, asset allocation, top 10 holdings, sector weightings, regional exposure, and other Fund characteristics have been posted on Lazard Asset Management LLC's ("LAM") website, www.LazardNet.com. Additionally, the notice required by Section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which provides information regarding the respective estimated amounts of each monthly distribution derived from net investment income, net realized capital gains (short- and long-term) and return of capital, will also be available on www.LazardNet.com.

The Fund's objective is total return, through a combination of dividends, income, and capital appreciation. The Fund's net assets are invested in a portfolio of approximately 60 to 90 world equity securities, consisting primarily of stocks selected from the current holdings of other accounts managed by LAM. The equity portfolio is broadly diversified in both developed and emerging market countries and across the capitalization spectrum. The Fund seeks enhanced income by investing in short duration (typically less than one year) emerging market forward currency contracts and other emerging market debt instruments.

An indirect subsidiary of Lazard Ltd (NYSE:LAZ), LAM, the Fund's investment manager, offers a range of equity, fixed-income, and alternative investment products worldwide. As of September 30, 2013, LAM and affiliated asset management companies in the Lazard Group managed $176 billion worth of client assets. For more information about LAM, please go to www.LazardNet.com.

How ‘Gravity’ Defied Box-Office Odds | ‘Gravity’ News - WallStreetJournal

Fiat to buy the rest of Chrysler

Fiat is again moving in on Chrysler. In 2009 they took over a large percentage of the company and are now trying to take over the remaining 41.5%. This remainder is currently held by UAW health. The two companies have been in conversation over the sale but have been unable to agree on a price, they have a discrepancy of around $2 million.

The recently hired Lazard Ldt (NYSE: LAZ) vice chairman Ron Bloom to help with the buyout. Other notable leadership at Lazard include chairman and CEO Kenneth Jacobs. Ron Bloom is also currently representing the retirees in their case against Detroit's filing for bankruptcy.

Bill Gates holds back tears as he discusses Microsoft’s CEO search

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates held back tears today as he discussed the significance of his company’s search for its next CEO. Gates didn’t have any major updates on Microsoft’s efforts to replace Steve Ballmer, but he did acknowledge the company is interviewing external and internal candidates. “It’s a complex role to fill,” said Gates, before noting that Ballmer’s successor will need to be comfortable running a company like Microsoft. 

VIDEO: Mary J. Blige’s Father ‘Critical’ After Stabbing

Mary J. Blige’s father Thomas is stabbed multiple times in the neck and is in a critical…

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