Berkshire Hathaway Q2 Net Profit Up; Operating Profit, Total Revenues Down – Quick Facts

Billionaire Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B) reported second-quarter net earnings attributable to shareholders rose to $26.3 billion, from last year’s $14.1 billion, with earnings per share increasing to $16,314 per Class A share from $8,608 per Class A share in the previous year.

Quarterly operating profit declined to $5.51 billion from $6.14 billion in the prior year.

Total revenues for the quarter were $56.84 billion, down from $63.6 billion a year earlier.

PRESENTING: How much Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC accountants and consultants make, from entry level to executive roles

The "Big Four" accounting firms — PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), KPMG, Ernst & Young (EY), and Deloitte — are known for paying their staff high salaries. 

In 2019, these four firms combined employed well over a million people worldwide. 

Business Insider analyzed the US Office of Foreign Labor Certification's 2019 disclosure data for permanent and temporary foreign workers to find out what PwC, KPMG, EY, and Deloitte paid employees for jobs ranging from entry-level consultant to executive roles. 

Some analysts and auditors made more than $120,000 at EY, associates at PwC were paid a ranging $70,041 to $137,255. Principals were given up to $950,000 in compensation at KPMG, or $804,751 at PwC. 

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'Big 4' salaries, revealed: How much Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC accountants and consultants make, from entry level to executive roles

These are the companies trying to solve the world's plastic waste problem

Since the 1950s, humans have produced about 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic. Every year, 8 million metric tons end up in the ocean. Globally, only 9% of plastics are recycled.

Plastics are useful. They're used tohelp make lifesaving medical supplies, lightweight, fuel-efficient car parts, and insulation for our homes. But nearly half of all plastic produced goes towards single-use items such as bags, straws, utensils and takeout containers. As the waste piles up, there's a growing demand for alternatives.

There's a number of companies trying to develop cost-efficient and eco-friendly substitutes, from mushroom packaging to advanced fibers and plastic-free online shopping. But it may take serious legislative efforts to incentive adoption and slow the rise of the industry overall.

'Useful Idiots' With Author Thomas Frank on Anti-Populism

In this week’s quarantine episode of our Useful Idiots podcast, hosts Matt Taibbi and Katie Halper are joined by author Thomas Frank to discuss his latest book, The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism.

Katie and Matt also dissect Biden’s most-stoned moment ever.

You can find the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Saudi hit squad allegations: US says al-Jabri a 'valued partner'

Saad al-Jabri has accused Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of plotting to assassinate him.

The US State Department has voiced its support for a former top Saudi intelligence agent who was reportedly targeted in a foiled assassination attempt.

It has described Saad al-Jabri as a valued partner.

Al-Jabri filed a lawsuit in Washington on Thursday accusing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman of sending a hit squad to Canada to try and kill him.

Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna reports.

Juventus Fires Coach Maurizio Sarri After Just One Season

Juventus Football Club SpA said Maurizio Sarri was relieved of his duties as head coach, a day after the team was knocked out of European soccer’s Champions League.

Juventus said it wanted to thank Sarri “for having written a new page in Juventus’s history” after the team secured a ninth consecutive title in Italy’s Serie A championship. The victory was “the culmination of a personal journey that led him to climb all the divisions of Italian football,” the club said in a website statement.

Juventus was eliminated from the Champions League by Lyon on away goals, even after winning the return game. The Italian club’s Chairman Andrea Agnelli said after the match that the Champions League title “was a dream before, now it’s an objective.”

Read more: Ronaldo’s Juventus Cuts Salary of Players as Virus Halts Games

Venezuela: Punishment for breaking lockdown rules

Opposition legislators and rights groups say Maduro is using the pandemic as an excuse to further militarise the country.

Venezuela’s government is being accused of taking punishing measures against people who break quarantine rules imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

But the prolonged lockdown has severely affected the economy and many simply cannot afford to stay at home any more.

Al Jazeera’s Laura Burdon-Manley reports.

Jobless Kenyans question misuse of foreign aid

More than 300,000 people in Kenya have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many Kenyans who lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic accuse the government of misusing foreign aid to help them.

Many say they are yet to receive any money.

Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi reports from Nairobi, Kenya.