Amazon’s profit streak comes to an end, Virgin Galactic cleared for takeoff, and more top news

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Soaring shipping costs have cut into Amazon’s bottom line, putting an end to more than two years of back-to-back quarterly growth. The online retail giant reported a 26% drop in third-quarter profit as its global shipping cost climbed 46% to $9.6 billion. Amazon has been working to get Prime customers one-day shipping, as well as expanding its workforce — adding nearly 100,000 full-time and part-time employees, largely in fulfilment and transportation roles. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Virgin Galactic’s public debut has been cleared for takeoff, making it the first human space flight company to trade on public markets, CNBC reports. The space tourism company will list directly on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, after closing its merger with “blank check” company Social Capital Hedosophia. The listing allows public markets to weigh in on the potential for space tourism for the first time. The company aims to bring tourists to sub-orbital space in a 90-minute flight for about $250,000. ? Here’s what people are saying.

California is grappling with a fast-moving fire that has already burned more than 10,000 acres since it began Wednesday evening and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. California’s three major utilities, including PG&E, have also cut power from more than 200,000 homes to prevent further fires, with PG&E forecasting "more extensive" blackouts this weekend around the San Francisco Bay Area. Small businesses are bracing for a blow from lost activity. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Twitter shares had their worst day in over a year after product and advertising problems hit the social media company’s third-quarter results. The company said it was plagued by advertising issues, such as bugs that hurt its ability to target ads and share personal information, and warned that these challenges will continue. The silver lining? Content tied to the U.S. election and upcoming Olympics could offer a huge boost to Twitter in the months ahead, says a Bloomberg analyst. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Those in the hiring seat at job interviews often decide whether they're going to employ a candidate after hearing them speak just seven words. Researchers at Yale University found recruiters make assumptions about people's class after just a few seconds of speech, and then make snap decisions. Dr Michael Kraus, an assistant professor at Yale, said those doing the interviewing may not intentionally discriminate in this way, but it does happen and the practice "limits economic mobility and perpetuates inequality." ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: For businesses that sell knowledge and expertise, billing for time has never made sense, writes Tim Williams, founder of Ignition Consulting Group.

“Computer chips and algorithms are ruthlessly proficient, and the information and results they produce can be immensely valuable. But the speed with which they assemble information and solve problems bears no relationship whatsoever to the value created.”

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