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Facebook-Executive Compensation
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg reaped a $3.3 billion gain last year by exercising stock options in the social networking company that he founded in a Harvard dorm room.
Facebook Inc. spelled out the windfall in regulatory documents filed Monday. It marks the second straight year that Zuckerberg has realized a huge gain from stock options. In 2012, he made $2.3 billion off his stock options.
The documents show Zuckerberg had no stock options remaining after exercising 60 million of them last year at a price of 6 cents per share. He then sold 41.35 million shares for $55.05 apiece in December primarily to cover his taxes.
The 29-year-old Zuckerberg still owns 426.3 million Facebook shares currently worth $25.7 billion.
Facebook paid Zuckerberg a $1 salary last year.
Sparkling Waters
NEW YORK (AP) — The soda wars appear to be shifting at least in part to another corner of the beverage industry — sparkling, flavored waters.
A report released Monday shows U.S. soda sales fell at an accelerated pace last year, extending a streak of declines that began in 2005. But Americans are apparently developing a taste for another type of sweet, carbonated beverage.
Last year, a small brand called Sparkling Ice saw sales more than double to $302.4 million from the previous year, according to IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm. That is still a tiny fraction of the broader soda industry but represents striking growth from 2009, when sales were just $2.7 million.
Replay-Call Overturned
MILWAUKEE (AP) — An umpire's call has been overturned for the first time under Major League Baseball's expanded replay system, with Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun ruled out instead of safe.
Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez challenged the sixth-inning play at Miller Park on Monday. Braun was originally called safe at first base by umpire Greg Gibson on an infield single.
The call was reversed to out after a review that lasted 58 seconds.
Minutes later, another call on opening day was overturned in Pittsburgh when a Chicago Cubs runner was eventually ruled out at first base on a pickoff.
Earlier in the day, expanded replay was used for the first time in the majors in the Cubs-Pirates game at PNC Park. That umpire's call at first base was confirmed.
National Zoo-Panda
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Zoo says giant panda cub Bao Bao (bow-bow) may soon start venturing outside for the first time with her mother.
The zoo said Monday that Bao Bao will have access to her mother Mei Xiang's (may-SHONG) yard this week beginning each day about 8 a.m.
Zookeepers say she'll have the option of going outside if the temperature is at least 35 degrees and it's not raining or snowing.
Animal keepers have "cub-proofed" the panda yards. They placed collars on trees to prevent Bao Bao from climbing too high. Some tree limbs have been trimmed, and the keepers spread out bales of hay to cushion any falls.
While she'll have the option of going outside, zookeepers say it may take several weeks before Bao Bao is venturing outside regularly.
Ferris Wheel-Vegas
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Riders are getting their first turns on a skyline-changing Las Vegas Strip observation wheel that's opening as the world's tallest.
A ceremony Monday at 11:30 a.m. local time marks the completion of the 550-foot High Roller — built by Caesars Entertainment Corp. as part of its $550 million LINQ development at the heart of the glittery Strip resort corridor.
The Ferris-style wheel has 28 glass-enclosed and air-conditioned gondolas that can each hold up to 40 people.
A full revolution takes 30 minutes. Tickets are $24.95 in the daytime and $34.95 at night.
The height tops the nearly 443-foot London Eye and the 541-foot Singapore Flyer.
A group in New York plans a 625-foot Ferris wheel on Staten Island with a view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.
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