# Pearson Global News & Education > Contextualised Learning ## Posts - [Fiscal Monitor, October 2021](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/10/13/fiscal-monitor-october-2021) - [CNN: Trump Justice Department seized reporter phone records](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/entertainment-news/2021/05/cnn-trump-justice-department-seized-reporter-phone-records/): CNN says the Trump administration Justice Department secretly - [The big Pentagon internet mystery now partially solved](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-main/2021/04/the-big-pentagon-internet-mystery-now-partially-solved/): After weeks of wonder by the networking community, - [Fiscal Monitor, April 2021: A Fair Shot](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/03/31/Fiscal-Monitor-April-2021-A-Fair-Shot-50156) - [Fiscal Monitor April 2021](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/03/29/fiscal-monitor-april-2021) - [Fiscal Monitor Update, January 2021](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/01/20/fiscal-monitor-update-january-2021) - [Retiree checks to rise 1.3% in 2021 amid coronavirus fallout](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/retirement/2020/10/uptick-for-retiree-checks-in-2021-amid-coronavirus-worries/): Social Security recipients will get a modest 1.3% - [Investigators: Texas couple defrauded Army out of millions](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/army/2020/07/investigators-texas-couple-defrauded-army-out-of-millions/): Federal agents have seized more than 20 vehicles - [Army is taking limited steps to counter racial divisiveness](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/army/2020/06/army-is-taking-limited-steps-to-counter-racial-divisiveness/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army will take a - [Colorado adopts CPE reciprocity](https://www.aicpa.org/advocacy/cpaadvocate/2019/colorado-adopts-cpe-reciprocity.html): Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed legislation into law - [AICPA System and Organization Controls communications guidelines](https://www.aicpa.org/interestareas/frc/assuranceadvisoryservices/sorhome/aicpa-system-and-organization-controls-communications-guidelines.html): In 2017, the AICPA introduced the term system and organization controls (SOC) to refer to the suite of services practitioners may provide relating to system-level controls of a service organization or system- or entity-level controls of other organizations. Formerly, SOC referred to service organization controls. By redefining that acronym, the AICPA enables the introduction of new internal control examinations that may be performed (a) for other types of organizations, in addition to service organizations, and (b) on either system-level or entity-level controls of such organizations. It is important that both CPA professionals and service organizations communicate properly when discussing SOC services to avoid misunderstanding. The following communication guidelines identify the recommended use of commonly used terms.The acronym “SOC” stands for “System and Organization Controls.” Its complete descriptive name should only be used on the first reference.The terms SOC 1®, SOC 2®, and SOC 3® are registered and accepted marks. Accordingly, the ® symbol should only be used on the first reference. Additionally, the terms should be used as an adjective, not a noun or verb.Do not abbreviate, pluralize, or otherwise modify the SOC marks. Similarly, using SSAE 16 SOC 2 is an inappropriate and inaccurate use of the mark as SSAE 18 superseded SSAE 16.Correct: SOC 1®, SOC 2®, SOC 3®, SOC for Cybersecurity, SOC for Supply ChainIncorrect: SOC II, SOC-2, SOC 2, SYSTEM AND ORGANIZATION CONTROL 2, AICPA SOC 2, or the like.For example, “Company announced that it recently completed its SOC-2 (System and Organization Control 2) examination.”SOC examinations are not certifications. Therefore, the terms “certified,” “certificate,” or “certification” should not be used when referring to SOC examinations and reports. Similarly, a CPA firm providing its client with a certificate of completion inappropriately implies the SOC examination was a certification.Specific details about the service auditor’s opinion should not be included in communications unless the complete SOC report package is provided, due to the risk of misunderstanding by the reader. Stating that an unqualified opinion was received without providing details on the types of controls included within the system does not provide the reader with the necessary information to meet his or her needs. Also, stating the organization received an unqualified opinion demonstrating that its controls meet or exceed SOC 2® requirements is unacceptable.Correct: “Company recently received its first SOC 2® report on the organization’s controls relevant to security…”Incorrect: “Company received an unqualified opinion on its SOC2® audit, which demonstrates that its controls meet or exceed the stringent SOC2 requirements.”The AICPA’s SOC for Service Organizations logo should only be used if the organization has properly registered with the AICPA to use the logo and has complied with the terms and guidelines for use. A service organization that has properly registered with the AICPA may use the logo on its website to market its SOC 1®, SOC 2®, or SOC 3® report provided the logo is hyperlinked to www.aicpa.org/soc4so. The service organization is also required to cease using the logo if a new SOC report is not issued within 12 months. Service organizations can follow this link to review the terms, conditions, and guidelines for use of the SOC logo (PDF). - [Charting Your Sales & Use Tax Business Model](https://www.cpa.com/webinars/charting-your-sales-use-tax-business-model): The sales tax landscape has dramatically changed since - [Get Smart With B2B International Payments](https://www.cpa.com/infographics/get-smart-b2b-international-payments): Get Smart With B2B International Payments | Infographic - [Top Challenges Facing Firms Performing PCR Services](https://www.cpa.com/infographics/top-challenges-facing-firms-performing-pcr-services): Top Challenges Facing Firms Performing PCR Services | - [Bill.com and CPA.com Expand Accountant Partner Program](https://www.cpa.com/media-coverage/billcom-and-cpacom-expand-accountant-partner-program): Bill.com and CPA.com have expanded their Accountant Partner - [Two CPA.com Staffers Named to CPA Practice Advisor's 'Top 20 Under 40 Superstars' List](https://www.cpa.com/press-releases/two-cpacom-staffers-named-cpa-practice-advisors-top-20-under-40-superstars-list): NEW YORK (Sept. 8, 2017) – Two CPA.com - [Expensive, grueling fights in store for US special education](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-news/2017/05/expensive-grueling-fights-in-store-for-us-special-education/): A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case - [Today in History](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-news/2017/04/today-in-history-554/): Today in History - [Asian stocks lower as North Korea jitters flare](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/business-news/2017/04/us-stock-indexes-tick-higher-in-a-mixed-day-for-markets/): Asian stock markets have declined amid jitters over - [Short of support, House won’t vote on health bill this week](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-news/2017/04/moderates-balk-at-conservative-backed-revised-health-bill/): A House GOP leader says the House won’t - [Will the next iPhone charge wirelessly?](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/technology/apple-wireless-charging/index.html?section=money_news_international): Happy 10th birthday, iPhone You may never have to plug in your iPhone again. Apple has joined an industry group devoted to wireless charging, strengthening existing rumors that the next iPhone will charge without a cord. The Wireless Power Consortium, which is made up of some 200 organizations that promote a single wireless charging standard, confirmed to CNNTech that Apple joined the group last week. IPhone rumors swirl months before each new version is announced, and hype around the so-called 'iPhone 8" is particularly high: Apple (AAPL) is expected to unveil a major redesign of the this fall to mark the 10-year anniversary of the smartphone. The company has already shown interest in doing away with cumbersome cords. The Apple Watch charges wirelessly, provided consumers spend $79 on a magnetic charging dock. And the latest MacBook now comes with only one USB port. Related: Apple stock nears a record high Apple would also create another iPhone revenue stream by selling a wireless charging station separately. The feature would simplify charging for smartphone owners. Rather than plugging in one's phone, a user would only need to place it on the charging dock. Apple said in a statement Monday it was joining the Wireless Power Consortium to contribute its ideas as wireless charging standards are developed. As for the speculated possible features of the next iPhone, other rumors include an edge-to-edge display, a glass body and the removal of the home button. - [How 'America First' could turn into to 'India First'](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/technology/india-h1b-visa-trump-nandan-nilekani/index.html?section=money_news_international): What is an H-1B visa? America is great because of its willingness to accept talented immigrants. That's what Nandan Nilekani, the billionaire co-founder of Infosys Technologies, would tell President Trump if he had the opportunity. "If you really want to keep the U.S. ... globally competitive, you should be open to overseas talent," Nilekani said on the sidelines of CNN's Asia Business Forum in Bangalore. Infosys (INFY) is India's second-largest outsourcing firm, and a major recipient of U.S. H-1B visas. The documents allow the tech firm to employ a huge number of Indians in U.S. jobs. The Trump administration is now considering significant changes to the visa program. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in January that Trump will continue to talk about reforming the H-1B program, among others, as part of a larger push for immigration reform. Curbs on the visas could hit Indian workers hardest. India is the top source of high-skilled labor for the U.S. tech industry. According to U.S. government data, 70% of the hugely popular H-1B visas go to Indians. Shares in several Indian tech companies -- including Infosys -- plunged spectacularly two weeks ago amid reports of an impending work visa crackdown. Related: Tech industry braces for Trump's visa reform Nilekani said it would be a mistake for the administration to follow through. "Indian companies have done a great deal to help U.S. companies become more competitive, and I think that should continue," Nilekani said. "If you look at the Silicon Valley ... most of the companies have an immigrant founder." India's contribution to the industry -- especially at top levels -- has been outsized. The current CEOs of Google (GOOG) and Microsoft (MSFT), for example, were both born in India. Related: India freaks out over U.S. plans to change high-skilled visas But Nilekani, who is also the architect of India's ambitious biometric ID program, suggested that India would ultimately benefit from any new restrictions put in place under Trump's "America First" plan. If talented engineers can't go to the U.S., they will stay in India. "This issue of visas has always come up in the U.S. every few years, especially during election season," he said. "It's actually accelerated the development work [in India], because ... people are investing more to do the work here." Nilekani cited his own projects for the Indian government as an example. The Bangalore-born entrepreneur left Infosys in 2009 to run India's massive social security program, which is known as Aadhaar. As a result of the initiative, the vast majority of India's 1.3 billion citizens now have a biometric ID number that allows them to receive government services, execute bank transactions and even make biometric payments. "It was built by extremely talented and committed Indians," Nilekani said. "Many of them had global experience, but they brought that talent and experience to solve India's problems." Nilekani said the country's massive youth population is increasingly choosing to stay home and pitch in. "It's India first," he said. - [Mexico ready to retaliate by hurting US farmers](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/news/economy/mexico-trump-us-corn/index.html?section=money_news_international): Anti-Trump protests take place across Mexico Mexico is ready to hit the U.S. where it hurts: Corn. Mexico is one of the top buyers of American corn in the world today. And Mexican senator Armando Rios Piter, who leads a congressional committee on foreign relations, says he will introduce a bill this week where Mexico will buy corn from Brazil and Argentina instead of the United States. It's one of the first signs of potential concrete action from Mexico in response to President Trump's threats against the country. "I'm going to send a bill for the corn that we are buying in the Midwest and...change to Brazil or Argentina," Rios Piter, 43, told told CNN's Leyla Santiago on Sunday at an anti-Trump protest in Mexico City. He added: It's a "good way to tell them that this hostile relationship has consequences, hope that it changes." American corn goes into a lot of the country's food. In Mexico City, from fine dining restaurants to taco stands on the street, corn-based favorites like tacos can be found everywhere. Related: Mexican farmer's daughter: NAFTA destroyed us America is also the world's largest producer and exporter of corn. American corn shipments to Mexico have catapulted since NAFTA, a free trade deal signed between Mexico, America and Canada. American farmers sent $2.4 billion of corn to Mexico in 2015, the most recent year of available data. In 1995, the year after NAFTA became law, corn exports to Mexico were a mere $391 million. Experts say such a bill would be very costly to U.S. farmers. "If we do indeed see a trade war where Mexico starts buying from Brazil...we're going to see it affect the corn market and ripple out to the rest of the ag economy," says Darin Newsom, senior analyst at DTN, an agricultural management firm. Rios Piter's bill is another sign of Mexico's willingness to respond to Trump's threats. Trump wants to make Mexico pay for a wall on the border, and he's threatened taxes on Mexican imports ranging from 20% to 35%. Trump also wants to renegotiate NAFTA. He blames it for a flood of manufacturing jobs to Mexico. A nonpartisan congressional research report found that not to be true. Related: Mexico doubles down on Trump 'contingency plan' Still, Trump says he wants a better trade deal for the American worker -- though he hasn't said what a better deal looks like. All sides signaled two weeks ago that negotiations would begin in May after a 90-day consultation period. But Trump says if negotiations don't bear the deal he wants, he threatens to withdraw from NAFTA. Such tough talk isn't received well by Mexican leaders like Rios Piter. He's not alone. Mexico's economy minister, Ildefonso Guajardo, said in January Mexico would respond "immediately" to any tariffs from Trump. "It's very clear that we have to be prepared to immediately be able to neutralize the impact of a measure of that nature," Guajardo said Jan. 13 on a Mexican news show. --Shasta Darlington contributed reporting to this story - [Stocks hit record again. Is Trump the reason?](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/investing/stocks-all-time-highs-donald-trump-janet-yellen-fed/index.html?section=money_news_international): What does a Trump presidency mean for the Fed? The Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 each hit new all-time highs Monday. Investors are giddy with excitement and they clearly believe that both big blue chip multinationals and smaller companies that do most of their business in the U.S. will continue to thrive. So is this the Donald Trump rally? Or the Janet Yellen rally? Some strategists believe Trump's stimulus plans and talk of killing many burdensome regulations are the reasons stocks are soaring. Or perhaps this is better characterized as a continuation of the Barack Obama rally instead? You could argue that POTUS 44 has dealt POTUS 45 a pretty good hand. The solid job market and overall economy that Trump inherited may be the reason consumers and businesses are so confident. But investors (and financial journalists) are often quick to give the president more credit -- and blame -- than they probably deserve for the performance of the stock market. RBC strategist Jonathan Golub pointed this out in a report on Monday, one that was aptly titled "Message to Market: It's Not All About Donald." Related: Trump isn't killing the bull market Golub noted that the S&P 500 rose nearly 7% from late June through Election Day -- a time when most polls were predicting that Hillary Clinton would be the next president. But stocks have continued to rally since then, rising another 8% since Trump pulled off the upset (at least to the mainstream media and Wall Street) victory. You can't have it both ways. It makes no logical sense to suggest that stocks rallied because investors believed Trump would lose and that they continued to rally because Trump didn't lose. Bond yields have also been rising since Trump won, a phenomenon that many investors have attributed to the likelihood of stimulus from the president and Republican Congress. Yet Golub points out that the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury was going up during the late summer as well. Of course, many investors were expecting stimulus from Clinton too. Yet once again, many investors are claiming that Trump is the catalyst for something that not only was going on before he was elected, but was happening because many thought he would lose. Related: Stocks have avoided a 1% dive for an unusually long period of time So it's odd that Trump is being cited as the main reason for a market rally that began months before anyone felt he could win. What's really going on? The one constant during the past few months is the Federal Reserve. Yes. the markets are reacting to Washington. But they are paying closer attention to Janet Yellen, not the White House. The Fed made it crystal clear before the election that it would probably raise interest rates in December and do so a few more times in 2017 regardless of who won the race for president. The good news for investors is that the U.S. economy seems to be growing steadily, but does not appear to be at risk of overheating. Related: Here's why the world's largest money manager is worried The most recent jobs report showed that wages grew at a decent rate of 2.5% annually. But that's not nearly high enough to spark fears of runaway inflation and lead the Fed to aggressively raise rates. Even if Yellen and the Fed hike rates three times this year, they are likely to do so by just a quarter point every time. That would push the Fed's key short-term rate to a range of 1.25% to 1.5%. That's still extremely low. At those levels, stocks would still be more attractive than bonds. Corporate earnings should be able to keep rising at a healthy clip. And consumers would probably keep spending. So investors would be wise to keep a close eye on Yellen and not just have a myopic focus on the president, With that in mind, Yellen is set to testify in front of Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday. And what she says about the timing and magnitude of future rate hikes could wind up keeping the rally going full steam ahead -- or stopping it dead in its tracks. - [Apple stock nears record high](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/technology/apple-stock-record/index.html?section=money_news_international): Apple looks to manufacture in India Apple has found its groove again. The iPhone maker's stock hit $133.82 in early trading Monday, putting Apple less than $1 away from its intraday trading high of $134.54, reached in April 2015. Apple's stock ended the day at $133.29, beating its previous record closing price of $133, set in February 2015. The stock surge, pushing Apple (AAPL) to a $700 billion market cap, comes amid renewed optimism for the iPhone. Goldman Sachs raised its price target for the stock on Monday, citing the likelihood of "major new features" like "3D sensing" being added to the next iPhone model, according to an investor note provided to CNNMoney. Apple's previous high was set six months after it released the redesigned iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, kicking off what CEO Tim Cook described as the "mother of all upgrades." Since then, however, Apple has bucked its tradition of overhauling the iPhone every other year. The newest models on the market today look nearly identical to the iPhones available in late 2014. The long wait, combined with this year marking the iPhone's tenth anniversary, has only raised expectations that Apple is about to significantly overhaul its smartphone and reignite demand. Related: Tim Cook: 'Apple would not exist without immigration' Apple's annual sales fell in the 2016 fiscal year for the first time since 2001 as iPhone sales, still the majority of its business, declined in three consecutive quarters. Apple even cut its CEO's pay by 15% due to the company's failure to meet its performance goals for both sales and profits. But that losing streak just ended. Apple sales started growing again in the December quarter, driven by stronger demand for the iPhone -- particularly for the larger and more expensive iPhone 7 Plus. The company sold 78.3 million iPhones for the quarter, setting a new record. At least some of that may be due to the Samsung's smartphone recall woes. Mark Moskowitz, an analyst with William Blair, wrote in an investor note this month, "Samsung's Note 7 struggles likely helped." The iPhone isn't the only reason Wall Street is excited about Apple. There's also President Trump. Despite Trump clashing with Apple during the campaign, investors are now optimistic Apple will benefit from at least one Trump proposal: cutting taxes on cash that U.S. businesses bring back from their overseas accounts. Apple currently has $230 billion in cash held in foreign accounts. If Trump and Congress make it cheaper for Apple to bring that money back, it could be used for acquisitions and buybacks. - [America's NAFTA nemesis: Canada, not Mexico](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/news/economy/nafta-canada-trudeau-trump-mexico/index.html?section=money_news_international): NAFTA explained America and Canada have one of the world's biggest trade relationships. President Donald Trump met for the first time Monday with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada," Trump said at the news conference. But the U.S.-Canada trade relationship over the years has not been as smooth as you might think. There have been trade wars, acts of retaliation, allegations of dumping and jobs lost. "Our trading relationship obviously is strong...but the relationship has been rocky, despite the agreements we have in place," says Stuart Trew, an editor at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a research group in Ottawa, Canada's capital. Trump has often slammed Mexico and NAFTA, the trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. But Canada is rarely mentioned. Yet, there have been more NAFTA dispute claims against Canada -- almost all by U.S. companies -- than against Mexico. Even today, Canada has stiff tariffs against the United States and the two sides only recently resolved a bitter dispute over meat. Most leaders and experts stress that trade ties between the two nations are strong and mostly positive. But Canada and America have had plenty of battles along the way. Now Trump wants to renegotiate NAFTA, which will be on the top of the agenda for his meeting with Trudeau. 1. Canada gets in more NAFTA trouble than Mexico Listening to Trump, you might think Mexico is the bad actor of NAFTA. But since NAFTA's inception in 1994, there have been 39 complaints brought against Canada, almost all by U.S. companies. Known in the industry as the investor state dispute settlements, it allows companies to resolve cases under a special panel of NAFTA judges instead of local courts in Mexico, Canada, or the U.S. There's only been 23 complaints against Mexico. (By comparison, companies from both Mexico and Canada have filed a total of 21 complaints against the U.S.) And increasingly, Canada is the target of American complaints. Since 2005, Canada has been hit with 70% of the NAFTA dispute claims, according to CCPA, a Canadian research firm. 2. The U.S. - Canada lumber battle NAFTA isn't the only sore area. In 2002, the U.S. slapped a roughly 30% tariff on Canadian lumber, alleging that Canada was "dumping" its wood on the U.S. market. Canada rejected the claim and argued the tariff cost its lumber companies 30,000 jobs. "It was a very sour point in Canadian - American relations for quite a while," says Tom Velk, an economics professor at McGill University in Montreal. The dispute had its origins in the 1980s, when American lumber companies said their Canadian counterparts weren't playing fair. Whether Canada actually broke the rules is a matter of dispute. Canadian officials deny that the government is subsidizing softwood lumber companies in Canada. American lumber companies still allege that it does, and a U.S. Commerce Department report found that Canada was providing subsidies to lumber companies in 2004. It didn't say whether the subsidies were ongoing. According to the allegations, Canada subsidized lumber companies because the government owns many of the lands where the wood comes from. That subsidy -- on top of Canada's huge lumber supply -- allowed Canada to price its lumber below what U.S. companies can charge. The World Trade Organization ultimately sided with Canada, denying America's claim and the two sides came to an agreement in 2006 to end the tariff. However, that agreement and its ensuing grace period expired in October, and the two sides are back at it again. The Obama and Trudeau administrations couldn't reach a compromise before Obama left office and it remains a contentious trade issue with U.S. lumber companies calling once again for tariffs. Related: 'Without NAFTA' we'd be out of business 3. Smoot-Hawley triggers U.S. - Canada trade war Things got even worse during the Great Depression. In 1930, Congress wanted to protect U.S. jobs from global trade. So the U.S. slapped tariffs on all countries that shipped goods to America in an effort to shield workers. It was called the Smoot-Hawley Act. Today, it is widely accepted that this law made the Great Depression worse than it was. Canada was furious, and retaliated more than any other country against the U.S., sparking a trade war. "Canada was so incensed that...they raised their own tariff on certain products to match the new U.S. tariff," according to Doug Irwin, a Dartmouth Professor and author of "Peddling Protectionism: Smoot-Hawley and the Great Depression." For example, the U.S. increased a tariff on eggs from 8 cents to 10 cents (these are 1930s prices, after all). Canada retaliated by also increasing its tariff from 3 cents to 10 cents -- a threefold increase. Exports dwindled sharply: in 1929, the U.S. exported nearly 920,000 eggs to Canada. Three years later, it only shipped about 14,000 eggs, according to Irwin. Related: Remember Smoot-Hawley: America's last major trade war 4. Canada's sky high tariffs on U.S. eggs, poultry, milk Fast forward to today. Smoot-Hawley is long gone, but Canada continues to charge steep tariffs on U.S. imports of eggs, chicken and milk. For instance, some tariffs on eggs are as high as 238% per dozen, according to Canada's Agriculture Department. Some milk imports, depending on the fat content, are as high as 292%. "They're so onerous that you can't bring it across. There's no American eggs in Quebec," says Velk. According to Canada's Embassy in the U.S., reality is much different. Its officials say that despite some stiff tariffs, Canada is one of the top export markets for American milk, poultry and eggs. The U.S. does have tariffs on some goods coming from all countries, but they are not nearly as high as Canada's. Experts say these tariffs continue to irk some U.S. dairy and poultry farmers, some of whom are challenged to sell into the Canadian market. But they doubt much will change since the tariffs have been in place for decades now. Related: Those Reagan tariffs Trump loves to talk about 5. COOLer heads and the future of NAFTA Despite all these disputes, experts stress this trade relationship is still one of the best in the world. In fact, the two countries are so interconnected now, when trade disputes erupt sometimes American companies will side with Canadian companies and against U.S. lawmakers. For example, Canadian meat producers disputed a U.S. law that required them to label where the cattle was born, raised and slaughtered. Canadians said the law discriminated against its meat from being sold in the U.S. and took the case to the WTO. The WTO sided with Canada, and last December, Congress repealed the country-of-origin-labeling law. American meat producers -- whose business is intertwined with Canada -- actually supported their counterparts in Canada, arguing the regulation was too burdensome. As for Trump's proposal of tearing up NAFTA, many American and Canadian experts say that it's not worth it to renegotiate or end the agreement. The three countries that are part of the agreement are so enmeshed with each other that untangling all that integration would be detrimental to trade and economic growth. --Editor's note: This story was originally published on August 11, 2016. We have since updated it. - [Verizon's plan: Consumers win, investors lose](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/investing/verizon-stock-unlimited-data-plan/index.html?section=money_news_international): Inside Verizon's device testing lab Verizon has brought back its unlimited data plan. That's great if you're a Verizon customer. But it is terrible news for its investors. Verizon (VZ) stock fell nearly 1.5% in early trading Monday. It's now down about 10% so far this year, making it the Dow's worst performer of 2017. Verizon's move is a clear sign the company has to pull out all the stops to remain competitive with wireless rivals AT&T (T), Sprint (S) and T-Mobile (TMUS). "In recent months, both T-Mobile and Sprint had some success taking additional share from Verizon by virtue of their unlimited offerings," wrote Morgan Stanley analysts in a report Monday morning. That may explain why shares of T-Mobile and Sprint, which is now controlled by Japanese tech conglomerate SoftBank, are both up this year while Verizon is down. T-Mobile and Sprint have also been perennially linked as possible merger partners. But the new telecom price war isn't the only problem for Verizon. AT&T recently acquired satellite broadcast provider DirecTV, a move that makes Ma Bell more competitive against Verizon in the battle to control people's living rooms. Verizon offers its own FiOS broadband TV service. Related: Verizon brings back unlimited data plans And AT&T is also making a much bigger bet on content, with plans to purchase CNN's parent company Time Warner (TWX). Verizon already owns AOL and is looking to buy the core assets of Yahoo to bolster its own digital content offerings. But the Yahoo (YHOO) deal could fall apart in the wake of revelations of massive data breaches at Yahoo over the past few years. Yahoo recently said it hopes that the deal with Verizon will close in the second quarter of this year. It was originally supposed to be finalized by the first quarter. However, in its latest earnings release, Verizon simply said that it "continues to work with Yahoo to assess the impact of data breaches" -- not that it expected the deal to close anytime soon. Verizon has a lot on its plate, which could be making investors nervous. In addition to the Yahoo deal, the company is also in the process of buying the fiber optic network of XO Communications. And it's selling its data center business to Equinix (EQIX). There also have been rumors in the past few weeks that Verizon might even consider buying cable provider Charter Communications (CHTR). That may be more than Verizon can realistically handle right now. But nothing may be off the table for Verizon given how competitive the wireless world is these days. Anything that could give Verizon a leg up on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile might be possible. Related: Charter shares popped on report of possible Verizon takeover Still, it's worth noting that shares of AT&T are lower this year too, down about 5%. And Verizon and A&T have something in common that Sprint and T-Mobile lack -- Verizon and AT&T pay gigantic dividends. Companies that have big dividend yields haven't fared as well since Donald Trump was elected. Investors are betting on a sizable stimulus package from him and the Republican Congress, which may be fueled in part by debt. That's caused bond yields to rise -- and that makes shares of big dividend payers like Verizon a lot less attractive. The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates a few times this year too. That could push bond yields even higher. So Verizon faces many big challenges that could hurt its stock this year. That's why Verizon, nicknamed Big Red because of its logo's crimson hue, may see its stock in the red for the foreseeable future. - [Tesla will sell electric cars in the Middle East](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/investing/tesla-uae-elon-musk/index.html?section=money_news_international): Elon Musk in 90 Seconds Tesla is bringing its electric cars to the heart of the oil producing world. The automaker announced Monday that its first official venture in the Middle East will be in the United Arab Emirates. The first cars -- the Model S and Model X -- will hit the road this summer. "Timing seems to be good to really make a significant debut in this region starting in Dubai," Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk said at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Tesla owners will have access to two existing supercharging stations in the UAE, and Telsa plans to open five more by the end of the year. Despite sitting on huge oil and gas reserves, the UAE has ambitious plans to go green. Last month it said it will invest $163 billion to boost alternative energy use over the next three decades. Related: Tesla reveals what it will charge for a charge It's the latest in a series of expansion announcements for Tesla. Last week, Musk hinted that Tesla may soon come to India. Musk has also teased plans to build "heavy-duty trucks and high passenger-density urban transport" as well developing a ride-hailing network, which could be similar to Uber. Speaking in Dubai, the entrepreneur expounded on the future of robotics. "We will see autonomy and artificial intelligence advance tremendously," Musk said. "In probably 10 years, it will be very unusual for cars to be built that are not fully autonomous." Related: Elon Musk's surprising secret weapon: Trump? But he also warned of the "disruptive" nature of autonomous vehicles. "That disruption I'm talking about will take place over about 20 years. Still, 20 years is a short period of time to have something like 12% to 15% of the workforce be unemployed." Musk said governments must pay close attention to artificial intelligence, create sustainable transport and be wary of mass unemployment. "This will be a massive social challenge. Ultimately, we need to think about universal basic income. I don't think we have a choice," he said. "There will be fewer and fewer jobs that a robot cannot do better." -- Seth Fiegerman contributed reporting. - [Trump brand takes another hit](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/news/companies/trump-brand-sears-kmart/index.html?section=money_news_international): White House plugs Ivanka Trump's brand Nordstrom. Neiman Marcus. TJ Maxx. And now, Sears and Kmart. Sears Holdings, the company that owns retail stores Sears and Kmart, reportedly said this weekend that it would remove 31 Trump-branded items from its website. The company pulled the products as part of a plan to focus on its "most profitable items," Sears spokesman Brian Hanover told Reuters. Hanover told the news organization that items in the Trump Home line of furnishings were removed from the company's website, although they could still be purchased through third-party vendors online. Neither store carried the items in their physical stores, he said. Searches of the Sears and KMart websites did not turn up Trump Home products, except for those sold by third-party vendors. In a statement Monday, spokesman Chris Brathwaite distanced Sears from any political controversy and reiterated that many Trump-branded products are still available through third-party sellers. "In this case, certain products were removed from our websites that included a very small number of Trump products," he said. "The headlines do not do justice to our business or this specific brand of products that we offer through our marketplace sellers." Brathwaite added that the company prefers to focus on its business and "leave the politics to others." Related: Is Ivanka Trump's brand losing its bling? The move makes Sears the latest to ditch products bearing the Trump name. Earlier this month, Nordstrom (JWN) cited brand "performance," not politics, as the reason why it decided to stop carrying Ivanka Trump's clothing and accessories label. President Trump knocked the department store on Twitter in retaliation. Nordstrom stock jumped 7% in the first two days following the tweet. My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person -- always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017 Other stores have also sought to distance themselves from Ivanka Trump's brand. Neiman Marcus removed the brand landing page from its website, and declined to tell CNNMoney whether it intended to keep Ivanka Trump products in stores or resume online sales in the future. TJX Companies (TJX), the company that owns TJ Maxx and Marshalls, also said that it had recently told workers not to highlight the first daughter's brand in stores. And retailer Belk said last week that it planned to pull Ivanka Trump's products from its website, but would continue to offer the line in its flagship stores. Ivanka Trump's clothing and accessories line has taken a hit in recent months. Online sales of her brand dipped 26% in January compared to a year earlier, according to Slice Intelligence, a retail analysis firm. Slice studied the brand's sales on five online stores: Nordstrom, Amazon, Zappos, Macy's and Bloomingdale's. Online sales of Ivanka's brand had surged in late 2015, and last month's numbers appear to be more of a "return to reality," according to Taylor Stanton, Slice's marketing and communications manager. The brand's dip in performance was abnormal in light of an uptick in 2016 online sales in the apparel and accessories category, said Jack Beckwythe, a Slice analyst. Related: Kellyanne Conway unrepentant for Ivanka Trump plug The Ivanka Trump brand has defended its performance. Rosemary Young, senior director of marketing at Ivanka Trump, told CNNMoney last week that the brand was growing and experienced "significant year-over-year revenue growth in 2016." "We believe that the strength of a brand is measured not only by the profits it generates, but the integrity it maintains," Young said. Retailers like Bloomingdale's, Amazon (AMZN), Lord & Taylor, Macy's (M) and Zappos all still carry Ivanka Trump products. Ivanka Trump has taken a leave of absence from her namesake company since her father won the presidency. She has no formal role in the administration but is expected to have a voice on issues such as women's empowerment and child care. --CNNMoney's Jackie Wattles contributed to this story. - [Swiss voters reject corporate tax overhaul](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/pf/taxes/switzerland-tax-referendum-vote/index.html?section=money_news_international): Why Trump's tax plan could raise taxes for 8.7 million households Voters in Switzerland have shocked the political establishment by rejecting a reform plan that would have brought the country's corporate tax system in line with international norms. The tax reforms, which were widely supported by the business community, would have removed a set of special low-tax privileges that had encouraged many multinational companies to set up shop in Switzerland. Experts say the future of Switzerland's tax system is now unclear. The vote result could create headaches for firms that had been banking on their implementation, and deter companies who had been considering a move to the country. "They do not know what [tax] measures will be available... That is not a very solid basis for making investment decisions," Peter Uebelhart, head of tax at KPMG in Switzerland, said in a video statement. Switzerland has come under intense pressure from G20 and OECD nations in recent years to clean up its tax system. The country runs the risk of being "blacklisted" by other nations if it doesn't change its tax system by 2019. Many voters rejected the tax reform package over fears it might reduce the amount of revenue collected by the government, according to Stefan Kuhn, head of corporate tax at KPMG in Switzerland. That might have lead to tax hikes on the middle class. The current tax system gives preferential treatment to some companies with large foreign operations. International tax authorities say the rules amount to unfair corporate subsidies. Martin Naville, head of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, said it's possible that voters didn't understand the complexities of the reforms. The measures were rejected by 59% of voters. "I think it's a very bad day for Switzerland," Naville said. "Clearly, the uncertainty and the credibility in the Swiss [system] has taken a massive hit." Related: How Europe's elections could be hacked Swiss authorities say they will move quickly to create a modified tax reform proposal. Naville said he hopes new rules are devised within the next few months. "All stakeholders now have to take responsibility to develop an acceptable competitive tax system, and to regain credibility regarding the famed political stability which gave Switzerland such an advantageous position," he said in a statement. Naville hinted that potential tax reforms in the U.S. and U.K. could tempt Swiss-based companies to relocate, putting more pressure on Switzerland's tax base. - [Oil prices have doubled in a year. Here's why](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/investing/oil-prices-opec-deal/index.html?section=money_news_international): Trump signs oil pipeline executive actions It's a good day for OPEC. Data published Monday by the oil cartel show its members have largely complied with an agreement to slash production. The confirmation caps a remarkable year for OPEC, which was forced to devise a plan to boost prices after they fell to $26 per barrel in February 2016. The price collapse -- to levels not seen since 2003 -- was caused by months of growing oversupply, slowing demand from China and a decision by Western powers to lift Iran's nuclear sanctions. Since then, the market has mounted a stunning turnaround, with crude prices doubling to trade at $53.50 per barrel. Here's how major oil producers worked together to push prices higher: OPEC deal OPEC agreed major production cuts in November, hoping to tame the global oil oversupply and support prices. The news of the deal immediately boosted prices by 9%. Investors cheered even more after several non-OPEC producers, including Russia, Mexico and Kazakhstan, joined the effort to restrain supply. Crucially, the deal has stuck. The OPEC report published Monday showed that its members have -- for the most part -- fulfilled their pledges to slash production. The International Energy Agency agrees: It estimated OPEC compliance for January at 90%. UAE energy minister Suhail Al Mazrouei told CNNMoney on Monday that the results were even better than he had expected. The production cuts total 1.8 million barrels per day and are scheduled to run for six months. Related: OPEC has pulled off one of its 'deepest' production cuts Investors upbeat The OPEC deal took months to negotiate, and investors really, really like it. The number of hedge funds and other institutional investors that are betting on higher prices hit a record in January, according to OPEC. The widespread optimism is helping to fuel price increases. Higher demand The latest data from OPEC and the IEA show that global demand for oil was higher than expected in 2016, thanks to stronger economic growth, higher vehicle sales and colder than expected weather in the final quarter of the year. Demand is set to grow further in 2017 to an average of 95.8 million barrels a day, compared 94.6 million barrels per day in 2016. The IEA said that if OPEC sticks to its agreement, the global oil glut that has plagued markets for three years will finally disappear in 2017. Saudi oil minister: I don't lose sleep over shale What's next? Despite the stunning growth, analysts caution that prices may not go much higher. That's because higher oil prices are likely to lure American shale producers back into the market. The total number of active oil rigs in the U.S. stood at 591 last week, according to data from Baker Hughes. That's 152 more than a year ago. U.S. crude stockpiles swelled in January to nearly 200 million barrels above their five-year average, according to the OPEC report. "This vast increase in inventories is a result of a strong supply response from the U.S. shale producers, who were not involved in the OPEC agreement and who have instead been using the resultant price rally to increase output," said Fiona Cincotta, an analyst at City Index. More supply could once again put OPEC under pressure. - [Indian rival slams Uber's business model](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/technology/uber-ola-india-pranay-jivrajka/index.html?section=money_news_international): Ola puts Uber in the shade Uber's top rival in India has some unsolicited advice for the U.S. startup: Go local. "They have a very cookie-cutter approach in terms of what the model is and how [to] force feed it into any geography," Pranay Jivrajka, a top executive at Ola Cabs, said on the sidelines of CNN's Asia Business Forum in Bangalore. Jivrajka, who until recently served as Ola's COO, said that Uber should ditch its one-size-fits-all approach and instead try to understand "local nuances" that would help it to identify services that "users and drivers actually want." Uber declined to comment on Jivrajka's remarks. Uber and Ola have for years waged a bitter battle for supremacy in India, a market with 1.3 billion potential customers. The country has taken on increased significance for Uber after a series of recent setbacks elsewhere in Asia. The San Francisco-based company suspended its operations in Taiwan last week, six months after it sold its operations in China to local rival Didi Chuxing. Didi, which is taking the fight to Uber in key foreign markets, is one of Ola's investors. In India, Uber has often found itself playing catch-up with its Bangalore-based rival. Its most recent local product offering -- allowing Indian users to book a car for an entire day -- is already offered by Ola in 85 cities. Ola also lets users book one of India's ubiquitous three-wheeled auto rickshaws, a service Uber started but then discontinued in 2015. "What has helped us is having an ear to the ground in terms of understanding what the users want," said Jivrajka. Related: Uber's rivals are teaming up in Asia Uber CEO Travis Kalanick insists that his company is not prepared to leave India. "We are losing, but we see a path towards profitability," Kalanick said during a December visit to Delhi. "We see ourselves being here in the long run." Related: Uber suspends its service in Taiwan as fines mount India isn't always a straightforward market for either company -- tens of thousands of drivers representing both Uber and Ola went on strike in Delhi this week, demanding better pay and benefits. The Delhi government has offered to mediate the dispute. Jivrajka did not comment on the protests, but said that Ola's main focus remains bringing more drivers onto its platform. "We need more drivers because the pace at which demand is increasing is way higher than the way supply is getting aggregated," he said. Related: Uber CEO drops out of Trump's business advisory council Jivrajka also had some advice for another Silicon Valley giant hoping to enter India: electric automaker Tesla. "There are no rules on the Indian roads," Jivrajka said. "One thing a lot of people say is that if you can drive in India, you can drive anywhere." -- Manveena Suri contributed reporting - [Verizon is bringing back unlimited data](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/technology/verizon-unlimited-data-plan/index.html?section=money_news_international): Inside Verizon's device testing lab Verizon (VZ) is bringing back an unlimited data plan. Starting Monday, Verizon customers can get unlimited data, talk and text for $80. The company says the new introductory plan also includes up to 10 GB of mobile hotspot usage, as well as calling and texting to Mexico and Canada. It will also allow customers to stream unlimited HD video, thumbing its nose at T-Mobile's controversial practice of lowering video quality for some of its unlimited data customers. Although the new Verizon plan promises "fast LTE speeds," those using a lot of data may suffer. The company said that after a customer uses 22 gb of data on a line during any billing cycle, it "may prioritize usage behind other customers in the event of network congestion." That has become standard practice on all networks that offer unlimited data plans. Related: T-Mobile and Sprint offer new 'unlimited' data plans -- sort of Verizon first eliminated its version of an unlimited usage plan in 2011, following similar decisions by other major wireless carriers. But companies have been steadily reviving such plans. Verizon first overhauled its data-usage plans last summer when it introduced a new "Safety Mode" plan. That technically gave customers access to unlimited data, but they were subjected to slow-as-molasses speeds after they went over their allotted data. AT&T similarly eliminated overage fees for customers in September. Like Verizon, AT&T throttles customers speeds once they reach the data limit on their plans. The company brought back unlimited plans earlier last year, but it is only available for homes with both AT&T's wireless phone service and either DirecTV or U-Verse TV. Meanwhile, competitors T-Mobile (TMUS) and Sprint (S) made their own bids to attract customers looking for "unlimited data" plans. Nearly all NYC subways get cell service Last August, Sprint began offering a plan to give customers unlimited talk, text and high-speed data for $60 for the first line, $40 for the next, and $30 for each additional up to 10. The T-Mobile plan, announced the same day as Sprint's, charged $70 a month for the first line, the second at $50 and additional lines are only $20, up to eight lines. - [Cutting down trash with bamboo packaging](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/news/thailand-bamboo-cassava-packaging-universal-biopack/index.html?section=money_news_international): This zero-waste packaging is made from bamboo To tackle Thailand's mounting trash problem, one company is turning to the country's plant life. Universal Biopack makes packaging that it sells to restaurants and manufacturers. But rather than plastic, it uses a mixture of bamboo and cassava, crops that are widely found across the country. After growing rapidly in recent decades, Thailand has become one of Asia's biggest economies. But like many other countries in the region, it's been slow to try to combat the millions of tons of trash produced each year. "Waste management is a big problem everywhere," said Universal Biopack's managing director, Vara-Anong Vichakyothin. Related: The company turning 4 billion plastic bottles into clothes The company is using a technology devised at a Bangkok university to make its zero-waste packaging. It hopes it will eventually replace many of the Styrofoam boxes and plastic bags that end up in huge garbage dumps across Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. Its eco-friendly formula took five years to develop and is so adaptable it could end up being used to package things like furniture and even phones. The bamboo it uses comes from leftover scraps from the chopstick manufacturing process. In the cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, where takeout drink containers and noodle packets line the sidewalks, the company supplies restaurants, organic farmers and other businesses in the food and drink industry. But finding new clients can be tricky. Takeout food vendors in Thailand want to keep costs down in a competitive business with thin margins. Asking them to spend more on packaging for environmental reasons is a tough sell. "The local economy still does not support [this technology]" said Universal Biopack's founder, Suthep Vichakyothin. But that hasn't stopping other companies from entering the sustainable packaging market in Thailand. Like Universal Biopack, they're betting on growing environmental awareness eventually leading to an increase in demand. To become more competitive, Suthep's company is investing. It's aiming to ramp up production by building a partially automated assembly line at its factory near Bangkok and doubling its staffing from 50 people to 100. The goal is to increase monthly capacity from 300,000 units to one million. Related: A startup that makes pencils that grow into vegetables A lot of the demand comes from overseas. One of its customers uses the natural packaging for coconut water it exports. Universal Biopack says it's also getting interest in its products from other countries, particularly in Scandinavia. - ['Lego Batman' producer, then Treasury sec?](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/media/lego-batman-movie-steven-mnuchin/index.html?section=money_news_international): CNN Review: 'The LEGO Batman Movie' falls short of awesome Steven Mnuchin had a pretty good weekend. First the treasury secretary pick advanced a step closer toward confirmation on Friday. Then his latest movie claimed the top spot at the box office. Mnuchin is an executive producer on Warner Bros.' "The Lego Batman Movie," which pulled in an estimated $55.6 million from U.S. audiences during its opening weekend. CNN, like Warner Bros., is owned by Time Warner. The kid-friendly spinoff of 2014's "The Lego Movie" handily beat its raunchy competitor, Universal's "Fifty Shades Darker." The sequel to 2015's "Fifty Shades of Grey," based on a best-selling series of romance novels, debuted at $46.8 million in the United States. Related: Possible pick for Treasury secretary makes his film debut Mnuchin is listed as a producer or executive producer on 34 films in recent years, including last summer's "Suicide Squad," which brought in $786 million worldwide. He also produced "The Lego Ninjago Movie," another Lego franchise spinoff that will hit screens this fall. Mnuchin is widely expected to be serving as Treasury secretary by then. Following a 53-46 vote last Friday to break a Democratic filibuster, Mnuchin is scheduled for a final vote before the full Senate at 7 p.m. Monday. --CNNMoney's Frank Pallotta and CNN's Ashley Killough contributed to this story. - [Cook calls for campaign against fake news](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/11/media/fake-news-apple-ceo-tim-cook/index.html?section=money_news_international): What to do about viral 'fake news' Apple CEO Tim Cook wants the tech industry to take action against "fake news" stories that are polluting the web. "There has to be a massive campaign. We have to think through every demographic," Cook said in a rare interview. Speaking with The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Cook also said "all of us technology companies need to create some tools that help diminish the volume of fake news." Other leading tech company CEOs, like Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg, have spoken about the problem in recent months. But Cook's comments were much more frank. According to the Telegraph, he said made-up stories and hoaxes are "killing people's minds." And he called the "fake news" plague "a big problem in a lot of the world." The term "fake news" was originally coined to describe online stories that are designed to deceive readers. Often times these stories are shared on Facebook and other social networking sites to generate profits for the creators. Other times the stories are essentially propaganda made up for political purposes. These kinds of stories received widespread attention before and after the American election. Fictional stories with titles like "Pope Francis shocks world, endorses Donald Trump for president" won millions of clicks. It can be very difficult for web surfers to tell the difference between legitimate news sources and fakes. That's where companies like Apple come in. In the Telegraph interview -- part of a multi-day European trip -- Cook said "too many of us are just in the complain category right now and haven't figured out what to do." He urged both technological and intellectual solutions. "We need the modern version of a public-service announcement campaign. It can be done quickly if there is a will," Cook told the newspaper. What he described is music to the ears of media literacy advocates. "It's almost as if a new course is required for the modern kid, for the digital kid," Cook said. There are scattered efforts in some schools to teach media literacy, with a focus on digital skills, but it is by no means universal. When asked if Apple would commit to funding a PSA campaign, an Apple spokesman said the company had no further comment on Cook's interview. The Apple CEO also suggested that tech companies can help weed out fake stories, though he added, "We must try to squeeze this without stepping on freedom of speech and of the press." Apple's own Apple News app has been credited with being a relatively reliable place to find information. The company "reviews publishers who join Apple News," BuzzFeed noted last December. And the app has a "report-a-concern function where users can flag fake news or hate speech." Facebook recently started working with fact-checkers to test "warning labels" that show up when users share made-up stories. Cook, in the newspaper interview, expressed optimism that the "fake news" plague is a "short-term thing -- I don't believe that people want that at the end of the day." - [Nike stars champion 'Equality' in new ad](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/news/companies/nike-equality-lebron-serena/index.html?section=money_news_international): The best Nike ads ever Nike says it's time to stand up for equality in a new ad campaign. The company on Sunday launched a star-studded short film titled "Equality" to mark Black History Month. The ad features Nike-sponsored athletes LeBron James, Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Gabby Douglas, among others, "amplifying their voices in an effort to uplift, open eyes and bring the positive values that sport can represent into wider focus," the company said. Actor Michael B. Jordan voices the film, and singer Alicia Keys performs a rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come." If we can be equals in sport, we can be equals everywhere. #EQUALITY pic.twitter.com/ki5NaJN12d— Nike (@Nike) February 12, 2017 "Is this the land history promised?" Jordan says. "Here, within these lines, on this concrete court, this patch of turf, here, you're defined by your actions -- not your looks or beliefs." Nike will feature ads from the campaign on social media, billboards and posters throughout cities in the United States and Canada. It will also sell "Equality" branded T-shirts and shoes as part of its annual Black History Month collection. Apparel from the campaign will be worn by Nike athletes during NBA All-Star weekend. Nike said it is donating $5 million this year to organizations like MENTOR and PeacePlayers, which it says "advance equality in communities" across the country. Related: Pro-Trump boycott calls follow Super Bowl ads Nike's new campaign comes one week after numerous companies launched ads about inclusion and acceptance during the Super Bowl. Budweiser, 84 Lumber, Coca-Cola (COKE), Airbnb, Kia and Tiffany (TIF) were among the brands that features messages about immigration, equality and environmentalism. -- CNNMoney's Ahiza Garcia contributed to this story. - [Visa crackdown puts these rural doctors at risk](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/10/news/economy/visa-ban-rural-doctor-shortage/index.html?section=money_news_international): How Trump's travel ban hits this South Dakota doctor At his pediatrics practice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dr. Alaa Al Nofal sees up to 10 patients a day. He's known some of them since they were born. Others, he still treats after they've graduated from high school. "I treat these children for Type 1 diabetes, thyroid problems, thyroid cancer, puberty disorders and adrenal gland diseases," he said. Al Nofal's expertise is critical. He is one of just five full-time pediatric endocrinologists in a 150,000 square-mile area that covers both South and North Dakota. Like most of rural America, it's a region plagued by a shortage of doctors. "We're very lucky to have Dr. Al Nofal here. We can't afford to lose someone with his specialization," said Cindy Morrison, chief marketing officer for Sanford Health, a non-profit health care system based in Sioux Falls that runs 300 hospitals and clinics in predominantly rural communities. Related: Visa ban could make doctor shortage in rural America even worse Yet, Sanford Health may lose Al Nofal and several other doctors who are crucial to its health care network. Dr. Alaa Al Nofal [here with a patient] is one of just five pediatric endocrinoloists in South and North Dakota combined. A Syrian citizen, Al Nofal is in Sioux Falls through a special workforce development program called the Conrad 30 visa waiver -- which basically waives the requirement that doctors who complete their residency on a J-1 exchange visitor visa must return to their country of origin for two years before applying for another American visa. The Conrad 30 waiver allows him to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of three years as long as he commits to practicing in an area where there is a doctor shortage. After President Donald Trump issued a temporary immigration ban restricting people from seven Muslim-majority countries -- including Syria -- from entering the U.S., Al Nofal is unsure about his future in America. "We agree that something more has to be done to protect the country, but this executive order will have a negative effect on physicians from these countries who are badly needed across America," said Al Nofal. "They may no longer want to practice in the United States." The action is currently in legal limbo after a federal appeals court temporarily halted the ban. Related: Trump furious after court upholds block on travel ban Over the last 15 years, the Conrad 30 visa waiver has funneled 15,000 foreign physicians into underserved communities. Sanford Health has 75 physicians in total on these visa waivers and seven are from the countries listed in the executive order. "If we lost Dr. Al Nofal and our other J-1 physicians, we would be unable to fill critical gaps in access to health care for rural families," said Sanford Health's Morrison. And the ban could hurt the pipeline of new doctors, too. The Conrad 30 visa waiver program is fed by medical school graduates holding J-1 non-immigrant visas who have completed their residencies in the U.S. Cows in a field just outside of Sioux Falls. More than 6,000 medical trainees from foreign countries enroll every year in U.S. residency programs through J-1 visas. About 1,000 of these trainees are from countries caught up in the ban, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges. J-1 visa holders who were out of the country when the ban went into effect were prohibited from entering the U.S. and unable to start or finish school as long as the ban is in place. The State Department told CNNMoney that the government may issue J-1 visas to people who are from one of the blocked countries if it is of "national interest," but would not confirm whether a doctor shortage would qualify for such consideration. "The stress and concern generated by the short-term executive order could have long-term implications, with fewer physicians choosing training programs in the states and subsequently magnifying the deficit in providers willing to practice in underserved and rural areas," said Dr. Larry Dial, vice dean for clinical affairs at Marshall University's school of medicine in Huntington, West Virginia. Related: Obamacare's impact on this Alaska town with only one doctor's office Al Nofal went to medical school in Damascus, Syria's capital, and completed his residency at the University of Texas on a J-1 visa. He proceeded to a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic and then applied for a J-1 waiver, which placed him in Sioux Falls. Nineteen months into his three-year commitment, Al Nofal is either directly treating or serving as a consulting physician to more than 400 pediatric patients a month on average. He sees most of his patients at the Sanford Children's Specialty Clinic in Sioux Falls, where families often drive hours for an appointment. Once a month, he flies in a small plane to see patients in a clinic in Aberdeen, about 200 miles away. Many of Dr. Al Nofal's patients drive hours to see him at the Sanford Children's Clinic in Sioux Falls. Once a month Dr. Nofal flies to Aberdeen, S.D. to see patients at an outreach clinic. "It's not easy being a doctor in this setting," said Al Nofal, citing the long hours and South Dakota's famously frigid winters. "But as a physician, I'm trained to help people whatever the circumstances and I'm proud of it." It's one of the reasons why Al Nofal and his American wife Alyssa have struggled to come to terms with the visa ban. "I have a 10-month old baby and I can't travel to Syria now. My family in Syria can't come here," he said. "Now my family can't meet their first grandson." "I know if we leave I probably can never come back," he said. Neither does he want to travel anywhere in the country right now. "I'm afraid of how I will be treated," he said. He's also afraid he will be stopped at the airport -- even if he's traveling to another state. Related: Trump travel ban and what you need to know Almatmed Abdelsalam, who's from Benghazi, Libya, had planned to start practicing as a family physician in Macon, Georgia, through the visa waiver program after he completed his residency at the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine in July. Everything was going smoothly. Abdelsalam, who treats hospital patients and veterans, applied for the visa waiver and was accepted. He signed an employment contract with Magna Care, which provides physicians to three hospitals in the Macon area and he had started looking at houses to relocate himself, his wife and their two young kids over the summer. Dr. Almatmed Adbelsalam with his family. But there was one last step. For his J-1 waiver application to be fully completed, it needs to get final approval from the State Department and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. "The executive order came in the middle of that process, stalling my application at the State Department," he said. Because he's a Libyan citizen (Libya is also subject to the visa ban), Abdelsalam is fearful of the outcome. "The hospital in Macon urgently needs doctors. Even though they've hired me, I'm not sure how long they can wait for me," he said. "No one can argue it's necessary to keep the country safe, but we should also keep the country healthy," he said. "Doctors like me, trained in the U.S. at some of the best schools, are an asset not a liability." - [Trump isn't killing the bull market. Here's why](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/10/investing/stocks-united-states-trump-europe-china-japan/index.html?section=money_news_international): Trump meets with airline execs More and more business leaders and Wall Street strategists are expressing their worries about what President Donald Trump's protectionist policies and unpredictable nature might do to the markets and economy. But we all know that action speaks louder than words. What investors are actually doing is in stark contrast to what people are saying. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit all-time highs again on Friday. And the Russell 2000, an index of small company stocks that tend to do most of their business in the U.S., is now just a few points away from the all-time high it hit last December in the wake of Trump market euphoria. What's more, the VIX (VIX), a measure of volatility known as Wall Street's fear gauge, is down nearly 25% this year as well. If investors were really scared of Trump, the VIX should be much higher. And CNNMoney's own Fear & Greed Index, which looks at the VIX and six other measures of investor sentiment, is showing signs of Greed and is not far from Extreme Greed levels. Of course, Trump still can't seem to help himself from tweeting about things that, let's be honest, won't do anything to help the economy -- although Nordstrom investors are richer despite Trump attacking them for dumping his daughter Ivanka's brand. But to give credit where it's due, it looks like the main reason that stocks have taken off again lately is because Trump has promised to unveil a "phenomenal" tax plan soon. Related: Rare streak for U.S. stocks: Long stretch without a 1% dive Trump also pledged again to invest more on infrastructure when he met with airline CEOs on Thursday. That's what the market wants to hear. "We still expect fiscal stimulus, lower taxes and less regulation," said Matt Lockridge, manager of the Westwood Small Cap Value Fund. "The timing is the big question, but it's coming." Lockridge thinks that many companies that generate a majority of their revenues from America should benefit if Trump stimulus winds up kicking the economy into a higher gear. He likes stocks in a variety of industries, such as movie theater owner Masco (MAS), snack food firm J & J (JJSF) and aerospace equipment company Kaman (KAMN). Another money manager said he's also still bullish on small U.S. stocks that could get a lift from Trump policies. Related: Wall Street has powerful seat at Trump's table Barry James, president and CEO of James Investment Research, said he bought the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) the day after the election because he's confident Trump's stimulus plan will boost growth for U.S small businesses. "When Trump said America first, I really think that's what he means," James said, adding that he thinks Internet phone service Vonage (VG), rent-to-own retailer Aaron's (AAN) and discount chain Big Lots (BIG) could all thrive if Trump's proposals go through. But there's another reason why the U.S. markets are near all-time highs. Despite all of the uncertainty in Washington, the U.S. is still viewed as a paragon of relative stability compared to other parts of the world. Europe's economy is still a big wild card thanks to Brexit, the rise of populism in France leading to worries about a so-called Frexit and more worries about the problem that never seems to go away -- Greece's debt woes. Japan's economy remains stagnant as well. We're talking about more than just a lost decade now. It's plural. And China's economy is slowing down too. Bond fund manager Bill Gross has often joked that America is like what Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson sang about in "Sunday Morning Coming Down" -- the "cleanest dirty shirt." To that end, analysts at bond rating firm Fitch wrote in a report Friday that "elements of President Trump's economic agenda would be positive for growth," but added that "the present balance of risks points toward a less benign global outcome." Of course, there are two sides to that coin. Trump's bombast could come back to haunt him. Related: Oreo make is worried about rise of populism His continued penchant for reprimanding companies that he disagrees with on Twitter could dent investor confidence. And while his proposed travel ban on immigrants from seven mostly Muslim countries has been overturned by the U.S. court system for now, the president has vowed to fight for its reinstatement. Even if he loses that battle, it's still clear that Trump is serious on turning more inward, with plans for tariffs and border-adjusted taxes that could ignite trade wars with Mexico, China and Japan. That could hurt big U.S. multinational firms and lead to job cuts. But investors still seem to believe/hope that the merits of Trump's pro-growth stimulus plans and tax cuts will outweigh the impact of isolationism. Let's hope they're right. Investors may be holding their noses, closing their eyes and stuffing cotton in their ears to drown out the president. But they are still buying stocks. - [Are we heading for another Greek debt crisis?](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/08/news/economy/greece-imf-bailout-eurozone/index.html?section=money_news_international): Eurozone vs. EU: What's the difference? How's this for déjà vu? Another debt crisis is brewing in Europe. Greece needs European creditors to release cash from a bailout agreed in 2015 so it can make debt repayments, but officials are at loggerheads. Investors are starting to worry, demanding higher returns on Greek debt. Adding to the confusion is a warning from the International Monetary Fund that Greece's debt is unsustainable and on an "explosive" path, an assessment that prevents the fund from participating in a rescue. The timing could hardly be worse. European leaders have a lot on their plate. Elections are looming in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Brexit negotiations will begin within weeks. Yet the threat of Greece tumbling out of the euro demands attention. Here's why the next few weeks will be key: Hammer to fall Greece is running out of cash, but it needs to make repayments to creditors including the European Central Bank. Major bills are coming due in July. If Greece cannot make the payments, it will default on its debt and spiral out of the eurozone. Meanwhile, its latest bailout -- the third since 2010 -- is effectively frozen. The negotiating positions of major players are further apart than at any point since the bailout was agreed in June, 2015. There is even disagreement over the size of the problem facing Greece. "The IMF's latest review of Greece's debt position was surprisingly pessimistic," said Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister who chairs meetings of top eurozone finance officials. "It's surprising because Greece is already doing better than that report describes." I want it all The IMF, Greece and creditors led by Germany all have very different priorities. Here's what each wants: The IMF has called on Greece to make more ambitious changes to its economy, including labor market reforms. The IMF didn't join the third bailout when first agreed in 2015 because it did not view Greece's debt as being sustainable. It still maintains that Greece cannot be self sustaining without major debt relief. Greece's main creditors agree that Athens should implement the reforms proposed by the IMF. However, they have categorically ruled out any debt relief, a position reiterated by eurozone finance officials on Tuesday. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, meanwhile, shows no sign of yielding to demands for additional reforms. He insists that debt relief is needed before any new concessions are made. It's a classic standoff and investors are watching to see which party blinks first. Put out the fire The next major milestone is a meeting of eurozone finance ministers on Feb. 20 -- the last before elections start muddying Europe's political waters. Agreeing yet more financial aid for Greece will become even harder once voters start casting their ballots. After that, bills will start coming due. Greece faces a payment to the ECB of roughly €1.4 billion in late April and another €4.1 billion in July. The stake are high. The unemployment rate in Greece is expected to run above 21% in 2017. Investment is down by more than 60% and output has contracted by more than 25% since the financial crisis. The country's social fabric is fraying. If European creditors refuse further help, Greece's debt will spiral out of control no matter how quickly its economy grows, according to the IMF. That will leave only one option -- abandoning the euro. Ted Malloch, President Trump's expected choice for U.S. ambassador to the EU, told Greek television on Tuesday that the eurozone's future would be decided in the next 18 months. "Certainly there will be a Europe, whether the eurozone survives, I think it's very much a question that is on the agenda," he said. "I think this time I would have to say that the odds are higher that Greece itself will break out of the euro." - [Public Investment and Public-Private Partnerships](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Public-Investment-and-Public-Private-Partnerships-18456) - [Integrating Poor Countries into the World Trading System](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Integrating-Poor-Countries-into-the-World-Trading-System-18143) - [Can Debt Relief Boost Growth in Poor Countries?](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Can-Debt-Relief-Boost-Growth-in-Poor-Countries-17384) - [Accountability Arrangements for Financial Sector Regulators](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Accountability-Arrangements-for-Financial-Sector-Regulators-18455) - [Preserving Financial Stability](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Preserving-Financial-Stability-17386) - [Moving to a Flexible Exchange Rate](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Moving-to-a-Flexible-Exchange-Rate-How-When-and-How-Fast-18454) - [Financial Reform: What Shakes It? What Shapes It?](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Financial-Reform-What-Shakes-It-What-Shapes-It-17385) - [Educating Children in Poor Countries](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Educating-Children-in-Poor-Countries-16604) - [Liberalizing Capital Movements: Some Analytical Issues](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Liberalizing-Capital-Movements-Some-Analytical-Issues-30741) - [Should Financial Sector Regulators Be Independent?](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Should-Financial-Sector-Regulators-Be-Independent-16993) - [Intelligent, connected cars hold keys to the future](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415899.htm): Automakers, tech giants and governments are all racing - [Game on for China's 5G companies](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415902.htm): Huge investments, intensive R&D mark the race toward - [Domestic firms attracting bulk of talent](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415903.htm): Increasingly, young professionals are making the jump from - [Services sector, stock market seen as keys for 2019](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415904.htm): The opening-up of the services sector and rising - [China’s economic growth beats forecasts; UK jobless rate rises to 3.8% – business live](https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2023/apr/18/china-economy-gdp-uk-unemployment-wages-ofgem-energy-meters-business-live): Filters BETA Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP, - [How electricity can heal wounds three times as fast](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230418011121.htm): Chronic wounds are a major health problem for diabetic patients and the elderly -- in extreme cases they can even lead to amputation. Using electric stimulation, researchers in a project at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and the University of Freiburg, Germany, have developed a method that speeds up the healing process, making wounds heal three times faster. There is an old Swedish saying that one should never neglect a small wound or a friend in need. For most people, a small wound does not lead to any serious complications, but many common diagnoses make wound healing far more difficult. People with diabetes, spinal injuries or poor blood circulation have impaired wound healing ability. This means a greater risk of infection and chronic wounds -- which in the long run can lead to such serious consequences as amputation. Now a group of researchers at Chalmers and the University of Freiburg have developed a method using electric stimulation to speed up the healing process. "Chronic wounds are a huge societal problem that we don't hear a lot about. Our discovery of a method that may heal wounds up to three times faster can be a game changer for diabetic and elderly people, among others, who often suffer greatly from wounds that won't heal," says Maria Asplund, Associate Professor of Bioelectronics at Chalmers University of Technology and head of research on the project. Electric guidance of cells for faster healing The researchers worked from an old hypothesis that electric stimulation of damaged skin can be used to heal wounds. The idea is that skin cells are electrotactic, which means that they directionally 'migrate' in electric fields. This means that if an electric field is placed in a petri dish with skin cells, the cells stop moving randomly and start moving in the same direction. The researchers investigated how this principle can be used to electrically guide the cells in order to make wounds heal faster. Using a tiny engineered chip, the researchers were able to compare wound healing in artificial skin, stimulating one wound with electricity and letting one heal without electricity. The differences were striking. "We were able to show that the old hypothesis about electric stimulation can be used to make wounds heal significantly faster. In order to study exactly how this works for wounds, we developed a kind of biochip on which we cultured skin cells, which we then made tiny wounds in. Then we stimulated one wound with an electric field, which clearly led to it healing three times as fast as the wound that healed without electric stimulation," Maria Asplund says. Hope for diabetes patients In the study, the researchers also focused on wound healing in connection with diabetes, a growing health problem worldwide. One in 11 adults today has some form of diabetes according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation. "We've looked at diabetes models of wounds and investigated whether our method could be effective even in those cases. We saw that when we mimic diabetes in the cells, the wounds on the chip heal very slowly. However, with electric stimulation we can increase the speed of healing so that the diabetes-affected cells almost correspond to healthy skin cells," Asplund says. Individualised treatment the next step The Chalmers researchers recently received a large grant which will allow them to continue their research in the field, and in the long run enable the development of wound healing products for consumers on the market. Similar products have come out before, but more basic research is required to develop effective products that generate enough electric field strength and stimulate in the right way for each individual. This is where Asplund and her colleagues come into the picture: "We are now looking at how different skin cells interact during stimulation, to take a step closer to a realistic wound. We want to develop a concept to be able to 'scan' wounds and adapt the stimulation based on the individual wound. We are convinced that this is the key to effectively helping individuals with slow-healing wounds in the future," Asplund says. More about the study: "Bioelectronic microfluidic wound healing: a platform for investigating direct current stimulation of injured cell collectives"was published in the journal Lab on a Chip. The article was written by Sebastian Shaner, Anna Savelyeva, Anja Kvartuh, Nicole Jedrusik, Lukas Matter, José Leal and Maria Asplund. The researchers work at the University of Freiburg in Germany and Chalmers University of Technology. In their study, the researchers showed that wound healing on artificial skin stimulated with electric current was three times faster than on the skin that healed naturally. The electric field was low, about 200 mV/mm, and did not have a negative impact on the cells. The method the researchers developed is based on a microfluidic biochip on which artificial skin can be grown, stimulated with an electric current and studied in an effective and controlled manner. The concept allows researchers to conduct multiple experiments in parallel on the same chip. The research project began in 2018 and is funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The project was recently granted more funding so the research can get one step closer to the market and the benefit of patients. - [UK has no public electric charger or hydrogen refilling station solely for HGVs](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/18/uk-has-no-public-electric-charger-or-hydrogen-refilling-station-solely-for-hgvs): The UK does not have a single public - [Quarter of hairdressers considering closing or scaling back businesses](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/18/quarter-of-hairdressers-considering-closing-or-scaling-back-businesses): More than a quarter of hairdressers are thinking - [Thousands fled to Mastodon after Musk bought Twitter. Are they still ‘tooting’?](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/18/mastodon-users-twitter-elon-musk-social-media): When Elon Musk bought Twitter nearly six months - [Private equity’s dominance has gone too far | Nils Pratley](https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2023/apr/18/private-equity-london-stock-exchange-thg-john-wood): Here it is then: private equity’s long-predicted raid - [Could virtual reality gaming help people overcome anxiety? – podcast](https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2023/apr/18/could-virtual-reality-gaming-help-people-overcome-anxiety-podcast): Madeleine Finlay speaks to science correspondent Linda Geddes - [Cost of British food basics increases by up to 80% in a year](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/18/cost-of-british-food-basics-increases-by-up-to-80-in-a-year): The price of staple foods such as cheddar - [People in London’s poorest areas face higher risk of traffic death or injury – TfL](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/18/london-poorest-areas-higher-risk-of-traffic-death-injury-tfl): People living in London’s poorest areas face a - [Just Stop Oil protesters invade World Snooker Championship arena – video](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2023/apr/17/just-stop-oil-protester-invades-world-snooker-championship-arena-video): Just Stop Oil protesters disrupted the evening session - [Graphene 'tattoo' treats cardiac arrhythmia with light](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230417155722.htm): Researchers led by Northwestern University and the University of Texas at Austin (UT) have developed the first cardiac implant made from graphene, a two-dimensional super material with ultra-strong, lightweight and conductive properties. Similar in appearance to a child's temporary tattoo, the new graphene "tattoo" implant is thinner than a single strand of hair yet still functions like a classical pacemaker. But unlike current pacemakers and implanted defibrillators, which require hard, rigid materials that are mechanically incompatible with the body, the new device softly melds to the heart to simultaneously sense and treat irregular heartbeats. The implant is thin and flexible enough to conform to the heart's delicate contours as well as stretchy and strong enough to withstand the dynamic motions of a beating heart. After implanting the device into a rat model, the researchers demonstrated that the graphene tattoo could successfully sense irregular heart rhythms and then deliver electrical stimulation through a series of pulses without constraining or altering the heart's natural motions. Even better: The technology also is optically transparent, allowing the researchers to use an external source of optical light to record and stimulate the heart through the device. The study will be published on Thursday (April 20) in the journal Advanced Materials. It marks the thinnest known cardiac implant to date. "One of the challenges for current pacemakers and defibrillators is that they are difficult to affix onto the surface of the heart," said Northwestern's Igor Efimov, the study's senior author. "Defibrillator electrodes, for example, are essentially coils made of very thick wires. These wires are not flexible, and they break. Rigid interfaces with soft tissues, like the heart, can cause various complications. By contrast, our soft, flexible device is not only unobtrusive but also intimately and seamlessly conforms directly onto the heart to deliver more precise measurements." An experimental cardiologist, Efimov is a professor of biomedical engineering at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering and professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He co-led the study with Dmitry Kireev, a research associate at UT. Zexu Lin, a Ph.D. candidate in Efimov's laboratory, is the paper's first author. Miracle material Known as cardiac arrhythmias, heart rhythm disorders occur when the heart beats either too quickly or too slowly. While some cases of arrhythmia are not serious, many cases can lead to heart failure, stroke and even sudden death. In fact, complications related to arrythmia claim about 300,000 lives annually in the United States. Physicians commonly treat arrhythmia with implantable pacemakers and defibrillators that detect abnormal heartbeats and then correct rhythm with electrical stimulation. While these devices are lifesaving, their rigid nature may constrain the heart's natural motions, injure soft tissues, cause temporary discomfort and induce complications, such as painful swelling, perforations, blood clots, infection and more. With these challenges in mind, Efimov and his team sought to develop a bio-compatible device ideal for conforming to soft, dynamic tissues. After reviewing multiple materials, the researchers settled on graphene, an atomically thin form of carbon. With its ultra-strong, lightweight structure and superior conductivity, graphene has potential for many applications in high-performance electronics, high-strength materials and energy devices. "For bio-compatibility reasons, graphene is particularly attractive," Efimov said. "Carbon is the basis of life, so it's a safe material that is already used in different clinical applications. It also is flexible and soft, which works well as an interface between electronics and a soft, mechanically active organ." Hitting a beating target At UT, study co-authors Dimitry Kireev and Deji Akinwande were already developing graphene electronic tattoos (GETs) with sensing capabilities. Flexible and weightless, their team's e-tattoos adhere to the skin to continuously monitor the body's vital signs, including blood pressure and the electrical activity of the brain, heart and muscles. But, while the e-tattoos work well on the skin's surface, Efimov's team needed to investigate new methods to use these devices inside the body -- directly onto the surface of the heart. "It's a completely different application scheme," Efimov said. "Skin is relatively dry and easily accessible. Obviously, the heart is inside the chest, so it's difficult to access and in a wet environment." The researchers developed an entirely new technique to encase the graphene tattoo and adhere it to the surface of a beating heart. First, they encapsulated the graphene inside a flexible, elastic silicone membrane -- with a hole punched in it to give access to the interior graphene electrode. Then, they gently placed gold tape (with a thickness of 10 microns) onto the encapsulating layer to serve as an electrical interconnect between the graphene and the external electronics used to measure and stimulate the heart. Finally, they placed it onto the heart. The entire thickness of all layers together measures about 100 microns in total. The resulting device was stable for 60 days on an actively beating heart at body temperature, which is comparable to the duration of temporary pacemakers used as bridges to permanent pacemakers or rhythm management after surgery or other therapies. Optical opportunities Leveraging the device's transparent nature, Efimov and his team performed optocardiography -- using light to track and modulate heart rhythm -- in the animal study. Not only does this offer a new way to diagnose and treat heart ailments, the approach also opens new possibilities for optogenetics, a method to control and monitor single cells with light. While electrical stimulation can correct a heart's abnormal rhythm, optical stimulation is more precise. With light, researchers can track specific enzymes as well as interrogate specific heart, muscle or nerve cells. "We can essentially combine electrical and optical functions into one biointerface," Efimov said. "Because graphene is optically transparent, we can actually read through it, which gives us a much higher density of readout." The study, "Graphene biointerface for cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment," was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grant numbers R21-HL152324, 3OT2OD023848 and R01-HL141470), the Leducq Foundation (RHYTHM grant), the Office of Naval Research (grant number N00014-18-1-2706) and the Temple Foundation. - [Energy firms to ban forced prepay meter installations in homes of over-85s](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/17/energy-firms-ban-forced-prepay-meter-installations-over-85s-body-cams): Energy suppliers have agreed to a ban on - [Filtering pollution: A microfluidic device for collecting microplastics via acoustic focusing](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230417142534.htm): Microplastics (MPs), plastic debris smaller than 5 mm, indirectly harm the environment. They are traditionally collected and removed from water by filtering through meshes, which is inefficient. In this light, researchers from Japan have developed a high-enrichment microfluidic device that utilizes acoustic focusing to collect and remove 10-200 μm MPs from wastewater without recirculation. Its collection rates and enrichment ratios ranged approximately from 70-90% and 50-100, respectively on test samples. The device developed by researchers from Japan has four serial trifurcated junctions where a 500 kHz acoustic wave is applied for a 105-fold enrichment of various-sized microplastics in water.(CREDIT: Yoshitake Akiyama from Shinshu University) Plastic debris particles smaller than 5 mm in size, known as microplastics (MPs), are a serious environmental concern. Formed by the breaking down of plastic waste due to wear and tear and sunlight or produced by fiber waste in laundry wastewater and as microbeads in beauty products, they adsorb and introduce harmful chemicals that pollute the environment. By 2050, MPs might outnumber the fish in the oceans. Under these circumstances, the collection and removal of MPs from water are crucial. Conventionally, MPs are collected by filtering water through meshes. The sand and biological debris are removed from the collected MPs by density separation and chemical treatment, respectively. After that, the MPs are manually picked up, which is laborious and time-consuming. In addition, the meshes can easily get clogged and cannot collect particles smaller than their aperture. They also require frequent maintenance and are expensive. Given these shortcomings, researchers have developed microfluidic devices -- systems that control small amounts of fluids using micrometer-sized channels -- that utilize acoustic focusing to collect MPs. The acoustic technology generates ultrasonic waves that transport MPs to the center of the fluid stream and thereby enrich, i.e., increase the collected amount, of MPs. However, high enrichment of MPs using current microfluidic devices requires repeated recirculation of fluids through them. In this light, a group of researchers, led by Professor Yoshitake Akiyama of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics at the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology at Shinshu University, has developed a high enrichment device for 10-200 μm MPs. This device has been reported in a study co-authored by Professor Hiroshi Moriwaki of the Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, which was made available online on 26th March 2023 and will be published in Volume 315 of the Separation and Purification Technology journal on 15th June 2023. "Our proposed microfluidic device, which is designed based on a hydraulic-electric analogy, has three 1.5 mm-wide microchannels connected via four serial 0.7 mm-wide trifurcated junctions. The MPs are aligned at the center of the middle microchannel using a bulk acoustic wave of 500 kHz resonance frequency. As a result, a 3.2-fold enrichment of MPs must occur at each junction, resulting in a 105-fold overall enrichment in the device," explains Prof. Akiyama, describing the design of their device. While the MPs are collected from the middle branch of the trifurcated junctions, the remaining MP-free fluid is removed from the other branches. The researchers evaluated the collection performance of the device by measuring its total collection rates for microparticles 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, and 200 μm in diameter. The collection rates exceeded 90% for all but 5 μm microparticles, which were too small to control acoustically. Furthermore, the researchers tested the device using two sample water mixtures, one with small MPs (25-200 μm) and another with very small MPs (10-25 μm). Its collection rates ranged from 70-90%, and the actual enrichment of MPs varied from half the design value of 105 to the design value. Although some MPs were found to slow down and clog the microchannel walls of the device by acoustic radiation force, the researchers believe these minor limitations can be easily addressed through pre-filtration and by improving 2D focusing. An optimistic Prof. Akiyama thus concludes, "This proposed microfluidic device based on acoustic focusing can efficiently, rapidly, and continuously collect 10-200 μm MPs without recirculation after pre-filtration of larger MPs through a mesh. It can be installed in washing machines, factories, and other sources of MPs for efficiently enriching and removing various-sized MPs from laundry and industrial wastewater. This will make it possible to prevent the discharge of MPs to the environment." - [A neuromorphic visual sensor can recognize moving objects and predict their path](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230417142518.htm): A new bio-inspired sensor can recognise moving objects in a single frame from a video and successfully predict where they will move to. This smart sensor, described in a Nature Communications paper, will be a valuable tool in a range of fields, including dynamic vision sensing, automatic inspection, industrial process control, robotic guidance, and autonomous driving technology. Current motion detection systems need many components and complex algorithms doing frame-by-frame analyses, which makes them inefficient and energy-intensive. Inspired by the human visual system, researchers at Aalto University have developed a new neuromorphic vision technology that integrates sensing, memory, and processing in a single device that can detect motion and predict trajectories. At the core of their technology is an array of photomemristors, electrical devices that produce electric current in response to light. The current doesn't immediately stop when the light is switched off. Instead, it decays gradually, which means that photomemristors can effectively 'remember' whether they've been exposed to light recently. As a result, a sensor made from an array of photomemristors doesn't just record instantaneous information about a scene, like a camera does, but also includes a dynamic memory of the preceding instants. 'The unique property of our technology is its ability to integrate a series of optical images in one frame,' explains Hongwei Tan, the research fellow who led the study. 'The information of each image is embedded in the following images as hidden information. In other words, the final frame in a video also has information about all the previous frames. That lets us detect motion earlier in the video by analysing only the final frame with a simple artificial neural network. The result is a compact and efficient sensing unit.' To demonstrate the technology, the researchers used videos showing the letters of a word one at a time. Because all the words ended with the letter 'E', the final frame of all the videos looked similar. Conventional vision sensors couldn't tell whether the 'E' on the screen had appeared after the other letters in 'APPLE' or 'GRAPE'. But the photomemristor array could use hidden information in the final frame to infer which letters had preceded it and predict what the word was with nearly 100% accuracy. In another test, the team showed the sensor videos of a simulated person moving at three different speeds. Not only was the system able to recognize motion by analysing a single frame, but it also correctly predicted the next frames. Accurately detecting motion and predicting where an object will be are vital for self-driving technology and intelligent transport. Autonomous vehicles need accurate predictions of how cars, bikes, pedestrians, and other objects will move in order to guide their decisions. By adding a machine learning system to the photomemristor array, the researchers showed that their integrated system can predict future motion based on in-sensor processing of an all-informative frame. 'Motion recognition and prediction by our compact in-sensor memory and computing solution provides new opportunities in autonomous robotics and human-machine interactions,' says Professor Sebastiaan van Dijken. 'The in-frame information that we attain in our system using photomemristors avoids redundant data flows, enabling energy-efficient decision-making in real time.' - [Novel, highly sensitive biosensor set to transform wearable health monitoring](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230417142458.htm): Wireless wearable biosensors have been a game changer in personalized health monitoring and healthcare digitization because they can efficiently detect, record, and monitor medically significant biological signals. Chipless resonant antennae are highly promising components of wearable biosensors, as they are affordable and tractable. However, their practical applications are limited by low sensitivity (inability to detect small biological signals) caused by low quality (Q) factor of the system. To overcome this hurdle, researchers led by Professor Takeo Miyake from Waseda University, Professor Yin Sijie from Beijing Institute of Technology, and Taiki Takamatsu from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, have developed a wireless bioresonator using "parity-time (PT) symmetry" that can detect minute biological signals. Their work has been published in Advanced Materials Technologies. In this study, the researchers designed a bioresonator consisting of a magnetically coupled reader and sensor with high Q factor, and thus, increased sensitivity to biochemical changes. The reader and sensor both comprise an inductor (L) and capacitor (C) that are parallel-connected to a resistor (R). In the sensor, the resistor is a chemical sensor called a "chemiresistor" that converts biochemical signals into changes in resistance. The chemiresistor contains an enzymatic electrode with an immobilized enzyme. Minute biochemical changes at the enzymatic electrode (in response to changes in the levels of biomolecules such as blood sugar or lactate) are thus converted into electrical signals by the sensor, and then amplified at the reader. Explaining the technical concept behind their novel biosensor, Miyake says, "We modeled the characteristics of the PT-symmetric wireless sensing system by using an eigenvalue solution and input impedance, and experimentally demonstrated the sensitivity enhancement at/near the exceptional point by using parallel inductance-capacitance-resistance (LCR) resonators.The developed amplitude modulation-based PT-symmetric bioresonator can detect small biological signals that have been difficult to measure wirelessly until now. Moreover, our PT-symmetric system provides two types of readout modes: threshold-based switching and enhanced linear detection. Different readout modes can be used for different sensing ranges." The researchers tested the system (here containing a glucose-specific enzyme) on human tear fluids and found that it could detect glucose concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 mM. They also tested it with a lactate-specific enzyme and commercially available human skin and found that it could measure lactate levels in the range of 0.0 to 4.0 mM through human skin tissue, without any loss of sensitivity. This result further indicates that the biosensor can be used as an implantable device. Compared to a conventional chipless resonant antenna-based system, the PT-symmetric system achieved a 2000-fold higher sensitivity in linear and a 78% relative change in threshold-based detection respectively. Sharing his vision for the future, Miyake concludes, "The present telemetry system is robust and tunable. It can enhance the sensitivity of sensors to small biological signals. We envision that this technology can be used for developing smart contact lenses to detect tear glucose and/or implantable medical devices to detect lactate for efficient monitoring of diabetes and blood poisoning." - [TIGTA gives IRS mixed reviews on tech](https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/tigta-gives-irs-mixed-reviews-on-technology): The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) - [Offshore cash and huge loans: leak reveals how Roman Abramovich funded Chelsea’s success](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/17/roman-abramovich-chelsea-world-beaters): As Chelsea’s players celebrated victory in the 2021 - [‘It avoids a public grilling’: why Murdoch could settle Dominion’s Fox News lawsuit](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/apr/17/murdoch-settle-dominions-fox-news-lawsuit): Rupert Murdoch’s push to try to bury a - [Cerrado Gold Provides an Update for Its Monte do Carmo Gold Project in Tocatins State, Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/628352129/cerrado-gold-provides-an-update-for-its-monte-do-carmo-gold-project-in-tocatins-state-brazil?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … gold project in Tocantins State, Brazil, by - [Why bank blunders can turn your house move into a living nightmare](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/17/why-bank-blunders-can-turn-your-house-move-into-a-living-nightmare): It was nine days before Christmas and Kate - [Scottish Power caused me distress after my father’s death](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/17/scottish-power-caused-me-distress-after-my-fathers-death): I am contacting you in desperation about the - [How can we release equity from our home as we start retirement plans?](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/17/how-can-we-release-equity-from-our-home-as-we-start-retirement-plans): Q My partner and I are starting to - [How to buy the right laptop for you at the best price](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/17/how-to-buy-the-right-laptop-best-price-upgrade): Know what you need “The first question we’d - [Heavy fighting gripped the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut](https://www.wsj.com/articles/battle-for-ukraines-bakhmut-reaches-highest-intensity-yet-7808fb6b): The battle for Bakhmut has become one of - [Small and midsize U.S. banks are coming under pressure to raise the interest rates](https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-are-finally-facing-pressure-to-pay-depositors-more-88d6447d): Coming results from M&T Bank and other regional - [Stocks have historically rallied after the Fed has finished raising interest rates](https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-pause-wouldnt-necessarily-refresh-stock-market-29bf83c5): Inflation is still much too high, according to - [Merck & Co. said it agreed to acquire Prometheus Biosciences Inc. for $10.8 billion](https://www.wsj.com/articles/merck-in-late-stage-talks-to-acquire-prometheus-biosciences-eefe4909): Merck has been looking for deals to add - [Brazil’s Lula, China’s Xi Solidify Anti-West Bloc Aimed at Displacing US](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628301394/ZfBTSMl6TVd0nORu?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): Amidst the buzz surrounding Brazilian President Luiz Inácio … - [China's Central Bank Keeps Key Policy Rates Unchanged](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-central-bank-keeps-key-policy-rates-unchanged-9a315175): The headquarters of the People’s Bank of China - [Elon Musk Lowers Expectations for SpaceX's First Starship Launch Attempt](https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-lowers-expectations-for-spacexs-first-starship-launch-attempt-65502704): Spectators gather to see the SpaceX Starship. Photo: - [Asian Currencies Weaken Amid Ongoing Fed Rate-Increase Bets](https://www.wsj.com/articles/asian-currencies-weaken-amid-ongoing-fed-rate-increase-bets-603901d2): 0122 GMT — Asian currencies weaken against USD in the morning Asian session amid ongoing Fed rate-increase bets after Fed Gov. Waller said Friday that inflation is still much too high and that he’s ready to approve another rate increase. With the U.S. Treasury yields surging on Friday, a cautious market mood may be adopted in Asia on Monday, MUFG Bank analysts say in a research report. USD/KRW rises 0.6% to 1,311.64, USD/SGD gains 0.2% to 1.3329 while AUD/USD is down 0.2% at 0.6695. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com) - [Oil Edges Higher; Focus on Supply Issues](https://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-edges-higher-focus-on-supply-issues-40a6fcf5): 0054 GMT — Oil edges higher in early Asian trade, after a fourth straight weekly gain, as concerns eased over the high inflation’s impact on energy demand. Supply side issues may continue to dictate sentiment on market expectations of tightness in the global crude oil market following OPEC’s surprise decision earlier this month to cut output by more than one million barrel a day, ANZ analysts say in a note. They note IEA’s warning that the OPEC cuts were likely to drive prices higher and inflict more pain on consumers. “This has been exacerbated by other short-term issues, including interruptions to pipeline supplies from Iraqi Kurdistan,” they add. Front-month WTI futures and Brent are each 0.1% higher at $82.59/bbl and $86.40/bbl, respectively. (justina.lee@wsj.com) - [Gold Little Changed; U.S. Fed in Focus](https://www.wsj.com/articles/gold-little-changed-u-s-fed-in-focus-72909e77): 0033 GMT — Gold prices are little changed in early Asian trade, after posting a loss last week. “The near-term trend remains up on hopes that the U.S. Fed is nearing the end of the tightening cycle,” says DailyFX’s strategist Manish Jaradi in a note. He thinks that the yellow metal “is now approaching one of the strongest resistance levels that it has faced in months.” Spot gold is flat at $2,003.50/oz. (justina.lee@wsj.com) - [China's Property Market Showed Signs of Recovery in March](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-property-market-showed-signs-of-recovery-in-march-5d168155): A housing complex in Huaian, in China’s eastern - [Australia Shares Set to Rise Despite Weak U.S. Lead](https://www.wsj.com/articles/australia-shares-set-to-rise-despite-weak-u-s-lead-d2f3ea72): 2221 GMT — Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 looks set to edge higher at the open, building on momentum of three consecutive weekly gains despite a weak lead from U.S. equities. ASX futures are up by 0.2%, suggesting the benchmark index will shrug off Friday’s declines in the U.S., where all three major indexes pared modest weekly gains despite strength in bank stocks. The DJIA dropped 0.4% on Friday, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.35%, and the S&P 500 lost 0.2%. This week in Australia includes Tuesday’s release of the minutes from April’s central-bank board meeting. The bank paused its program of interest-rate rises and traders will likely parse the minutes for clues on the path from hereon. (stuart.condie@wsj.com; @StuartLCondie) - [The Wrong Track to Rail Safety](https://www.wsj.com/articles/railroad-crew-size-mandate-derailment-east-palestine-sherrod-brown-j-d-vance-unions-6be25c30): A conductor checks a Norfolk Southern Corp. freight - [Incredible Shrinking Japan](https://www.wsj.com/articles/incredible-shrinking-japan-births-overpopulation-children-motherhood-babies-marriage-family-birth-rate-429dc84b): Photo: philip fong/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images Remember when global - [The Postman's Sabbath and Federal Law](https://www.wsj.com/articles/gerald-groff-usps-groff-v-dejoy-supreme-court-civil-rights-act-religious-observance-e722e759): Gerald Groff Photo: FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE/via REUTERS How - [How Virtual Reality Could Help You Confront Your Deepest Fears](https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-virtual-reality-could-help-you-confront-your-deepest-fears-a45fc196): VR scenarios are getting more personal as doctors tailor therapy to individual experiences, - [How Virtual Reality Could Help You Confront Your Deepest Fears](https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-virtual-reality-could-help-you-confront-your-deepest-fears-ae768cf7): VR scenarios are getting more personal as doctors tailor therapy to individual experiences. - [How Bank Apps Know You're You](https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-bank-apps-know-youre-you-ae63478d): A lot goes on behind the scenes to keep you safe from hackers - [Why It's Important to Show Gratitude at Work---and What's the Best Way to Do It](https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-its-important-to-show-gratitude-at-workand-whats-the-best-way-to-do-it-a656ec35): Research finds that even a simple thank-you can go a long way to making employees and colleagues feel valued and more collaborative - [Foreign Companies Should Have to Play by the Same Rules](https://www.wsj.com/articles/foreign-companies-should-have-to-play-by-the-same-rules-china-russia-sec-audits-disclosure-insider-trading-sarbanes-oxley-506929a3): Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto The U.S. is home to - [Jack Teixeira's Arrest Brings Shock, Confusion to Small Town](https://www.wsj.com/articles/arrest-of-jack-teixeira-brings-shock-confusion-to-small-new-england-town-4ed1c188): DIGHTON, Mass. — The house on Maple Street where Airman First Class Jack Teixeira was arrested Thursday sits on a thickly wooded lot set far back from the road. By Friday, after law-enforcement agents and media descended on this small town, a loader backhoe blocked the driveway entrance near an empty flower cart. A 2020 graduate of Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School in southeastern Massachusetts, Airman Teixeira, 21 years old, was viewed by those who know him as a military enthusiast from a family who supports the military and its causes. - [The Truth About Clarence Thomas's Disclosures](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-truth-about-clarence-thomas-disclosures-propublica-georgia-harlan-crow-ethics-court-91cd21df): Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas delivers a speech - [Lula Cozies Up to America's Enemies](https://www.wsj.com/articles/lula-cozies-up-to-americas-enemies-brazil-kremlin-beijing-ukraine-catholic-church-bishop-alvarez-socialist-human-rights-nicaragua-iran-c7705711): Xi Jinping and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - ['Poverty, by America' Review: Poverty Is Your Fault](https://www.wsj.com/articles/poverty-by-america-review-poverty-is-your-fault-84701c75): Photo: Alamy Stock Photo In his State of - [Bond buyers see ‘best bang for buck’ in emerging markets as hiking cycles end](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628270044/yr4y_-5xcgS-pO_j?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … to fall significantly across emerging markets in - [Online Account Overseen by Ex-Navy Member Aided the Spread of Secrets](https://www.wsj.com/articles/social-media-account-overseen-by-former-navy-noncommissioned-officer-helped-spread-secrets-a4b5643b): A social-media account overseen by a former U.S. Navy noncommissioned officer—a prominent online voice supporting Russia’s war on Ukraine—played a key role in the spread of intelligence documents allegedly leaked by Airman First Class Jack Teixeira, reposting files from obscure online chat rooms. A purported Russian blogger known as Donbass Devushka, which translates as Donbas Girl, is the face of a network of pro-Kremlin social-media, podcasting, merchandise and fundraising accounts. But the person who hosted podcasts as Donbass Devushka and oversees these accounts is a Washington-state-based former U.S. enlisted aviation electronics technician whose real name is Sarah Bils.  Russia first intervened in the Donbas part of eastern Ukraine in 2014, and most of the recent fighting has focused on that area. Ms. Bils, 37 years old, served at the U.S. naval air station on Whidbey Island until late last year, even as the accounts she had established and supervised glorified the Russian military and the paramilitary Wagner Group. They are among the most widely followed English-language social-media outlets promoting Russia’s views.   In an interview Saturday at her home in Oak Harbor, Wash., Ms. Bils said she is an administrator of the Donbass Devushka persona, and acknowledged raising funds and hosting podcasts under that name. She added, however, that she is one of 15 people “all over the world” involved in running the Donbass Devushka network. Ms. Bils declined to identify these people. On April 5, the Donbass Devushka Telegram account posted four of the allegedly leaked classified documents to its 65,000 followers, according to a screenshot seen by The Wall Street Journal. That led several large Russian social-media accounts to pick up on the documents, after which the Pentagon launched an investigation. Ms. Bils says another administrator posted the four files. There is no evidence that Ms. Bils, who had a security clearance during her Navy service, has used that access to steal any classified information herself. “I obviously know the gravity of top-secret classified materials. We didn’t leak them,” she said. Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, a spokesman for the Pentagon, referred requests for comment on Ms. Bils and her role in reposting classified information to the Justice Department, which declined to comment.  In a statement in response to questions, Gen. Ryder said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a review of intelligence access, accountability and control procedures within the Pentagon to help prevent future leaks.  The U.S. Navy also declined to comment.  Airman Teixeira’s posts had languished online for months, shared among a small circle of fellow war and computer-game enthusiasts who had joined his invitation-only server on the Discord platform. Even after another member reposted the files to a larger Discord server, they remained unnoticed by the broader public. It was only after the posting of some of the files on Donbass Devushka’s account that they turned into fodder for military enthusiasts and Russia supporters across the internet. Several dozen other classified files have been found in Discord since then, mostly dealing with the war in Ukraine but also containing a variety of secrets about other nations.   Airman Teixeira was arraigned on Friday for unauthorized retention and transmission of classified documents he allegedly took from the U.S. military. Airman Teixeira didn’t enter a plea in his court appearance and a judge ordered him jailed until a detention hearing on Wednesday.  The federal public defender’s office in Boston didn’t respond to a request for comment. Airman Teixeira’s family members couldn’t be reached for comment.  The Donbass Devushka Telegram account that Ms. Bils oversees describes itself as engaging in “Russian–style information warfare.”  Linked accounts using the same name on other platforms also promoted the Russian agenda after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Donbass Devushka network hawked merchandise featuring Wagner and the Russian military, promising to send proceeds for the “freedom of Donbass” and to help “our men on the front.” Ms. Bils was promoted to the E-7 rank of chief aviation electronics technician in late 2020, a senior NCO position, according to promotion records posted on the Navy website and photographs of the ceremony on her former installation’s Facebook page. Ms. Bils left the military in November last year with an honorable discharge and with the lower rank of E-5, according to military records. The reason for that significant demotion couldn’t be immediately determined. Ms. Bils said she left the Navy for medical reasons, after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. - [Pentagon, Intelligence Agencies Face Calls for Details on Leak Probe](https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-intelligence-agencies-face-calls-for-details-on-leak-probe-4a5cbd3a): A review has been ordered of intelligence access, accountability - [Where Did All That Borrowed Money Go?](https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-national-debt-budget-obama-biden-government-spending-e3b4f7d3): President Biden releases his budget for fiscal year - [Ukraine's EU Neighbors Move to Block Grain Imports](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-eu-neighbors-move-to-block-grain-imports-over-falling-prices-51436eb4): Farmers in Poland and elsewhere have voiced anger - [The State Level Is Only Half the Battle for School Choice](https://www.wsj.com/articles/school-choice-state-local-funding-yass-friedman-education-91e4ab8): A rally for school choice in Austin, Texas, - [Can We 'Make Friends' With Russia After the War Crimes?](https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-putin-war-crimes-ukraine-war-peace-f3527b27): Ukrainian soldiers and emergency workers outside a maternity - [Joe Manchin's Faux Betrayal and an Endless Green Bill of Goods](https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-manchins-faux-betrayal-and-an-endless-green-bill-of-goods-inflation-reduction-act-tax-credit-expansion-b587832e): Sen. Joe Manchin speaks outside the White House, - [Xiplomacy: China and Brazil -- friends oceans away](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628250693/vEzT46Q8e1QF2ECN?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … biggest developing countries and emerging markets in - [Age of globalisation is now the age of instability – and we need a plan | Larry Elliott](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/16/age-of-globalisation-instability-plan-bridgetown-initiative): Kristalina Georgieva is one of life’s optimists, so - [UK pensions: how to make sure you get the best income in retirement](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/16/uk-pensions-best-income-tips-retire-early-advice): Build a 35-year national insurance record The reason - [dLocal Supports SMBs in Emerging Markets With New Payment Solution](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628167338/vhPaqJbK8pF-vUe5?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … platform business model operating in emerging markets. - [Exclusive with top adviser to Lula: Brazil, China can play important role in building more multipolar world](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628087351/USY-KhWKsCUmvHNg?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … foreign policy adviser to Brazilian President Luiz - [UK pensions: how much do you need to retire as the cost of living soars?](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/15/uk-pensions-how-much-retire-cost-of-living-inflation-income): The cost of living crisis is turning into - [Millions of young adults living in poor quality housing, UK study shows](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/15/young-adults-uk-housing): One in six young adults in the UK - [Recovering rare earth elements in environmental water](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230414201903.htm): The demand for precious metals and rare earths is expected to continue increasing in the future. Due to limited production areas, recycling from precision equipment and recovering from seawater and hot spring water are needed to ensure a stable supply. A research group led by Professor Masayuki Azuma and Associate Professor Yoshihiro Ojima of the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Engineering has successfully developed an adsorbent material that can selectively recover rare earth elements (REEs) using environmentally friendly and inexpensive baker's yeast and trimetaphosphate, which is used as a food additive. The research group conducted experiments using synthetic seawater and hot spring water to evaluate the performance of this material in a real environment. As a result, it was confirmed that the material can selectively adsorb REEs even when using hot spring water with an REE concentration of several to several tens of ppb (?g/L) and a very high content of other components. "This new technology is expected to contribute to the realization of a metal resource-circulating society and a safe society through environmental purification. In the future, we will continue to conduct experiments on a variety of environmental water with the aim of establishing a system capable of treating large quantities of metal resources through continuous operation," said Professor Azuma. - [Xi, Lula map out future China-Brazil ties](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628031270/Yt6rdvolMxBSmA9T?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … Brazil are the two biggest developing countries - [First hands-free self-driving system approved for British motorways](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/14/first-hands-free-self-driving-system-approved-for-british-motorways-ford-mustang): Drivers will be legally allowed to take their - [Students engineer socks for on-the-go neuropathy treatment](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230413154132.htm): Need a little spring -- or buzz -- in your step? A wearable electrical-stimulation and vibration-therapy system designed by Rice University engineering students might be just what the doctor ordered for people experiencing foot pain and balance loss due to diabetic neuropathy. Rice engineering students in the StimuSock team -- Abby Dowse, Yannie Guo, Andrei Mitrofan, Sarah Park and Kelly Xu -- designed a sock with a smart insole that can deliver both transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and vibration therapy that block pain signals to the brain and provide haptic feedback to help with balance issues, respectively. The team will present its device at the annual Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen showcase and competition April 13 at the Ion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2022 estimates, over 37 million people in the U.S. suffer from diabetes. About half of them will develop some form of diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that occurs most often in the legs and feet. The StimuSock team sought to combine the best aspects of existing therapies into a single, user-centered design. "Existing products or devices used to treat the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are either pharmaceuticals or large at-home vibration devices users stand on," Dowse said. "But none of them can both treat pain and improve balance, which our device aims to do by combining the TENS and the vibrational therapy in one wearable, portable, user-controllable and easy-to-use device." A lot of the team's effort went into making the device as low-profile as possible. "The intent is for the patient to be able to wear the device for the whole day," Guo said. "Even when everything's off and they don't want the electrostimulation or haptics effect, they can still wear their device. … You don't want it to look like you're wearing an ankle monitor." Patients use a smartphone app to control the type, intensity and duration of the desired therapeutic stimulus. The system also allows users to target a specific area of the foot. "We have three regions: one in the front of the insole, one in the middle and one at the back," Park said. "Our aim is to allow patients to be able to control both the amplitude of the vibration and the location where it's delivered. Some patients might only want vibration at the front of their feet and some only at the back." Mitrofan said the team anticipates the device's final form will have sufficient battery life to provide the recommended maximum of four 30-minute sessions of TENS therapy per day and operate on standby the rest of the day. The team's mentor is bioengineering assistant teaching professor Sabia Abidi . - [Testing vaccine candidates quickly with lab-grown mini-organs](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230412131152.htm): Developing and testing new treatments or vaccines for humans almost always requires animal trials, but these experiments can sometimes take years to complete and can raise ethical concerns about the animals' treatment. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have developed a new testing platform that encapsulates B cells -- some of the most important components of the immune system -- into miniature "organoids" to make vaccine screening quicker and greatly reduce the number of animals needed. Vaccines introduce the immune system to an antigen, which can be either part or all of a virus or bacterium, allowing the body to prepare itself for a future exposure by programming its B cells to make antibodies against the antigen. Certain bacteria coat themselves in a polysaccharide "disguise," however, requiring specialized conjugate vaccines, such as those that protect against pneumonia and meningitis. In this type of approach, a piece of the antigenic polysaccharide is attached, or conjugated, to a carrier protein the body can recognize. But exactly how conjugate vaccines interact with B cells to induce an immune response isn't fully understood. The traditional way of testing vaccines involves injecting them into animals and waiting weeks or months for the result. And when developing a whole new class of vaccine or focusing on a new target, scientists often need to evaluate many vaccine candidates, requiring numerous animal studies. To speed up the process and address ethical concerns, researchers have begun exploring the use of organoids, which are small groups of cells that act like miniaturized organs, creating a simulated environment that reflects in vivo conditions. Hundreds of immune cell organoids can be constructed from the spleen of a single animal, greatly increasing testing throughput -- which could help researchers keep up with the large numbers of compounds they can create and need to screen. So, Matthew DeLisa, Ankur Singh and colleagues wanted to see whether this method would provide results similar to those from animal experiments and whether the platform could be used to screen large numbers of glycoconjugate vaccine candidates. To construct organoids, the researchers isolated B cells from mouse spleens, added cellular signaling molecules and structural components, then encapsulated everything in a synthetic hydrogel matrix. Next, they prepared conjugate vaccine candidates targeting the bacterium responsible for tularemia, or "rabbit fever," for which an approved vaccine does not currently exist. Candidates were tested using both traditional in vivo mouse trials and the new organoid platform. The B cells reacted similarly in both formats and also provided insights into the several biochemical changes that occur as the cells mature into antibody-producing cells. As a result, the team found that the platform could be used to identify B cell clones that generate highly antigen-specific antibodies, which have a wide variety of potential applications. Though this work is preliminary, the researchers say that the organoid platform could help reduce the time it takes for new conjugate vaccines to be developed and evaluated. - [Fiscal Monitor April 2023](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2023/04/03/fiscal-monitor-april-2023) - [It's all in the wrist: Energy-efficient robot hand learns how not to drop the ball](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230411195923.htm): Researchers have designed a low-cost, energy-efficient robotic hand that can grasp a range of objects -- and not drop them -- using just the movement of its wrist and the feeling in its 'skin'. Grasping objects of different sizes, shapes and textures is a problem that is easy for a human, but challenging for a robot. Researchers from the University of Cambridge designed a soft, 3D printed robotic hand that cannot independently move its fingers but can still carry out a range of complex movements. The robot hand was trained to grasp different objects and was able to predict whether it would drop them by using the information provided from sensors placed on its 'skin'. This type of passive movement makes the robot far easier to control and far more energy-efficient than robots with fully motorised fingers. The researchers say their adaptable design could be used in the development of low-cost robotics that are capable of more natural movement and can learn to grasp a wide range of objects. The results are reported in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems. In the natural world, movement results from the interplay between the brain and the body: this enables people and animals to move in complex ways without expending unnecessary amounts of energy. Over the past several years, soft components have begun to be integrated into robotics design thanks to advances in 3D printing techniques, which have allowed researchers to add complexity to simple, energy-efficient systems. The human hand is highly complex, and recreating all of its dexterity and adaptability in a robot is a massive research challenge. Most of today's advanced robots are not capable of manipulation tasks that small children can perform with ease. For example, humans instinctively know how much force to use when picking up an egg, but for a robot this is a challenge: too much force, and the egg could shatter; too little, and the robot could drop it. In addition, a fully actuated robot hand, with motors for each joint in each finger, requires a significant amount of energy. In Professor Fumiya Iida's Bio-Inspired Robotics Laboratory in Cambridge's Department of Engineering, researchers have been developing potential solutions to both problems: a robot hand than can grasp a variety of objects with the correct amount of pressure while using a minimal amount of energy. "In earlier experiments, our lab has shown that it's possible to get a significant range of motion in a robot hand just by moving the wrist," said co-author Dr Thomas George-Thuruthel, who is now based at University College London (UCL) East. "We wanted to see whether a robot hand based on passive movement could not only grasp objects, but would be able to predict whether it was going to drop the objects or not, and adapt accordingly." The researchers used a 3D-printed anthropomorphic hand implanted with tactile sensors, so that the hand could sense what it was touching. The hand was only capable of passive, wrist-based movement. The team carried out more than 1200 tests with the robot hand, observing its ability to grasp small objects without dropping them. The robot was initially trained using small 3D printed plastic balls, and grasped them using a pre-defined action obtained through human demonstrations. "This kind of hand has a bit of springiness to it: it can pick things up by itself without any actuation of the fingers," said first author Dr Kieran Gilday, who is now based at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland. "The tactile sensors give the robot a sense of how well the grip is going, so it knows when it's starting to slip. This helps it to predict when things will fail." The robot used trial and error to learn what kind of grip would be successful. After finishing the training with the balls, it then attempted to grasp different objects including a peach, a computer mouse and a roll of bubble wrap. In these tests, the hand was able to successfully grasp 11 of 14 objects. "The sensors, which are sort of like the robot's skin, measure the pressure being applied to the object," said George-Thuruthel. "We can't say exactly what information the robot is getting, but it can theoretically estimate where the object has been grasped and with how much force." "The robot learns that a combination of a particular motion and a particular set of sensor data will lead to failure, which makes it a customisable solution," said Gilday. "The hand is very simple, but it can pick up a lot of objects with the same strategy." "The big advantage of this design is the range of motion we can get without using any actuators," said Iida. "We want to simplify the hand as much as possible. We can get lots of good information and a high degree of control without any actuators, so that when we do add them, we'll get more complex behaviour in a more efficient package." A fully actuated robotic hand, in addition to the amount of energy it requires, is also a complex control problem. The passive design of the Cambridge-designed hand, using a small number of sensors, is easier to control, provides a wide range of motion, and streamlines the learning process. In future, the system could be expanded in several ways, such as by adding computer vision capabilities, or teaching the robot to exploit its environment, which would enable it to grasp a wider range of objects. This work was funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and Arm Ltd. Fumiya Iida is a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. - [Table tennis brain teaser: Playing against robots makes our brains work harder](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230410132157.htm): Captain of her high school tennis team and a four-year veteran of varsity tennis in college, Amanda Studnicki had been training for this moment for years. All she had to do now was think small. Like ping pong small. For weeks, Studnicki, a graduate student at the University of Florida, served and rallied against dozens of players on a table tennis court. Her opponents sported a science-fiction visage, a cap of electrodes streaming off their heads into a backpack as they played against either Studnicki or a ball-serving machine. That cyborg look was vital to Studnicki’s goal: to understand how our brains react to the intense demands of a high-speed sport like table tennis – and what difference a machine opponent makes. Studnicki and her advisor, Daniel Ferris, discovered that the brains of table tennis players react very differently to human or machine opponents. Faced with the inscrutability of a ball machine, players’ brains scrambled themselves in anticipation of the next serve. While with the obvious cues that a human opponent was about to serve, their neurons hummed in unison, seemingly confident of their next move. The findings have implications for sports training, suggesting that human opponents provide a realism that can’t be replaced with machine helpers. And as robots grow more common and sophisticated, understanding our brains’ response could help make our artificial companions more naturalistic. “Robots are getting more ubiquitous. You have companies like Boston Dynamics that are building robots that can interact with humans and other companies that are building socially assistive robots that help the elderly,” said Ferris, a professor of biomedical engineering at UF. “Humans interacting with robots is going to be different than when they interact with other humans. Our long term goal is to try to understand how the brain reacts to these differences.” Ferris’s lab has long studied the brain’s response to visual cues and motor tasks, like walking and running. He was looking to upgrade to studying complex, fast-paced action when Studnicki, with her tennis background, joined the research group. So the lab decided tennis was the perfect sport to address these questions with. But the oversized movements – especially high overhand serves – proved an obstacle to the burgeoning tech. “So we literally scaled things down to table tennis and asked all the same questions we had for tennis before,” Ferris said. The researchers still had to compensate for the smaller movements of table tennis. So Ferris and Studnicki doubled the 120 electrodes in a typical brain-scanning cap, each bonus electrode providing a control for the rapid head movements during a table tennis match. With all these electrodes scanning the brain activity of players, Studnicki and Ferris were able to tune into the brain region that turns sensory information into movement. This area is known as the parieto-occipital cortex. “It takes all your senses – visual, vestibular, auditory – and it gives information on creating your motor plan. It’s been studied a lot for simple tasks, like reaching and grasping, but all of them are stationary,” Studnicki said. “We wanted to understand how it worked for complex movements like tracking a ball in space and intercepting it, and table tennis was perfect for this.” The researchers analyzed dozens of hours of play against both Studnicki and the ball machine. When playing against another human, players’ neurons worked in unison, like they were all speaking the same language. In contrast, when players faced a ball-serving machine, the neurons in their brains were not aligned with one another. In the neuroscience world, this lack of alignment is known as desynchronization. “If we have 100,000 people in a football stadium and they’re all cheering together, that’s like synchronization in the brain, which is a sign the brain is relaxed" Ferris said. “If we have those same 100,000 people but they’re all talking to their friends, they’re busy but they’re not in sync. In a lot of cases, that desynchronization is an indication that the brain is doing a lot of calculations as opposed to sitting and idling.” The team suspects that the players’ brains were so active while waiting for robotic serves because the machine provides no cues of what they are going to do next. What’s clear is that our brains process these two experiences very differently, which suggests that training with a machine might not offer the same experience as playing against a real opponent. “I still see a lot of value in practicing with a machine,” Studnicki said. “But I think machines are going to evolve in the next 10 or 20 years, and we could see more naturalistic behaviors for players to practice against.” - [Super-sized nanocage could deliver bigger drug cargoes](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230406113939.htm): Think about how frustrating it is to try to fit a gift into a box that is too small. Sometimes you just need a bigger box. Building a bigger box Nanocages are tiny artificial containers that can be used to deliver therapeutics to a target destination in the body. But some drug molecules are like gifts that are too big for a standard-sized nanocage 'box'. Now, in an article published today in Nature Synthesis, researchers from the University of Cambridge describe how they have built a super-sized nanocage that could be used to deliver larger drug cargoes. They have built a bigger box. Simple building blocks Rational control over the self-assembly of these types of cages generally poses considerable challenges. So instead of following traditional self-assembly methods, the team decided to use a simple building block process inspired by natural biological systems. Using the new method, they were able to build progressively larger artificial nanocages, with the largest cage having an enclosed volume greater than 92 cubic nanometres -- the largest ligand-enclosed inner cavity volume ever made. Larger cages have been reported, but they have more open ligand frameworks, which are not as useful because these cages have not been able to bind cargoes. Prospective 'guest' molecules slip out between the widely-spaced bars, unless they are covalently tethered to the 'host' framework. First author Dr Kai Wu, a postdoctoral researcher in the Nitschke lab in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, said: "The findings of this study are important because they demonstrate how we are able to create ever-larger complex, functional structures using simple building blocks." Larger cargoes The super-sized nanocages have potential applications in fields such as drug delivery and biotechnology, where they could be used to deliver larger therapeutic biomolecules to specific parts of the body. The researchers also note that the large internal cavities of the nanocages could serve as a platform for the binding of large biomolecules, such as hydrophobic membrane proteins or proteases, which could be useful in drug discovery and development. Wu said: "Overall, this research expands our understanding of how to create nanoscale structures and may have practical implications in a variety of fields." Professor Jonathan Nitschke, who led the research, said: "This work, sponsored in part by Astex Pharmaceuticals under its Sustaining Innovation Postdoctoral Programme, aims to have real-world impact in the field of new drug development." - [Discovery of crucial clue to accelerate development of carbon-neutral porous materials](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230404114212.htm): Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been gaining attention as promising carbon-neutral porous materials, thanks to their high performance in gas storage, separation, and conversion. The geometric building blocks of MOFs, metal clusters and organic linkers, allow chemists to predict and synthesize new structures like assembling LEGO®. However, finding new metal building blocks is still a daunting challenge due to the complex nature of metal ions in synthesis. A research team, led by Professor Wonyoung Choe at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea, was inspired by the molecular metal clusters previously synthesized before realized in porous materials. This implies one can predict future MOFs by looking closely at their metal building blocks. The research team compared zirconium metal clusters found in both MOFs and molecules. Zirconium-based MOFs are one of the representative metal-organic porous materials with remarkable stability and a broad range of applications. The researchers identified seven types of zirconium building blocks in MOFs and discovered additional fourteen types of potential metal building blocks. The research team provided a library of those various molecular clusters for future metal building blocks of MOFs, and suggested practical synthetic strategies. This research is expected to greatly accelerate the discovery of new MOFs by presenting metal cluster candidates whose structures were previously difficult to predict. "Zirconium metal clusters feature outstanding molecular adsorptive and catalytic properties depending on their structures. Very excited to see what properties the new zirconium cluster will show," said Dr. Dongsik Nam, the first author of the study. "This research can be extended to various metal clusters in MOFs beyond zirconium," noted Professor Wonyoung Choe. "New metal building blocks will provide a big hint to accelerate the discovery of future carbon-neutral porous materials." The findings of this research have been published as an Opinion in Trends in Chemistry, a sister journal to Cell, on April 4, 2023. This study has been supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea via the Mid-Career Researcher Program, Hydrogen Energy Innovation Technology Development Project, Basic Science Research Program, Science Research Center (SRC), and Global Ph.D. Fellowship (GPF), as well as Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). - [Magnon-based computation could signal computing paradigm shift](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230329091949.htm): Like electronics or photonics, magnonics is an engineering subfield that aims to advance information technologies when it comes to speed, device architecture, and energy consumption. A magnon corresponds to the specific amount of energy required to change the magnetization of a material via a collective excitation called a spin wave. Because they interact with magnetic fields, magnons can be used to encode and transport data without electron flows, which involve energy loss through heating (known as Joule heating) of the conductor used. As Dirk Grundler, head of the Lab of Nanoscale Magnetic Materials and Magnonics (LMGN) in the School of Engineering explains, energy losses are an increasingly serious barrier to electronics as data speeds and storage demands soar. "With the advent of AI, the use of computing technology has increased so much that energy consumption threatens its development," Grundler says. "A major issue is traditional computing architecture, which separates processors and memory. The signal conversions involved in moving data between different components slow down computation and waste energy." This inefficiency, known as the memory wall or Von Neumann bottleneck, has had researchers searching for new computing architectures that can better support the demands of big data. And now, Grundler believes his lab might have stumbled on such a "holy grail." While doing other experiments on a commercial wafer of the ferrimagnetic insulator yttrium iron garnet (YIG) with nanomagnetic strips on its surface, LMGN PhD student Korbinian Baumgaertl was inspired to develop precisely engineered YIG-nanomagnet devices. With the Center of MicroNanoTechnology's support, Baumgaertl was able to excite spin waves in the YIG at specific gigahertz frequencies using radiofrequency signals, and -- crucially -- to reverse the magnetization of the surface nanomagnets. "The two possible orientations of these nanomagnets represent magnetic states 0 and 1, which allows digital information to be encoded and stored," Grundler explains. A route to in-memory computation The scientists made their discovery using a conventional vector network analyzer, which sent a spin wave through the YIG-nanomagnet device. Nanomagnet reversal happened only when the spin wave hit a certain amplitude, and could then be used to write and read data. "We can now show that the same waves we use for data processing can be used to switch the magnetic nanostructures so that we also have nonvolatile magnetic storage within the very same system," Grundler explains, adding that "nonvolatile" refers to the stable storage of data over long time periods without additional energy consumption. It's this ability to process and store data in the same place that gives the technique its potential to change the current computing architecture paradigm by putting an end to the energy-inefficient separation of processors and memory storage, and achieving what is known as in-memory computation. Optimization on the horizon Baumgaertl and Grundler have published the groundbreaking results in the journal Nature Communications, and the LMGN team is already working on optimizing their approach. "Now that we have shown that spin waves write data by switching the nanomagnets from states 0 to 1, we need to work on a process to switch them back again -- this is known as toggle switching," Grundler says. He also notes that theoretically, the magnonics approach could process data in the terahertz range of the electromagnetic spectrum (for comparison, current computers function in the slower gigahertz range). However, they still need to demonstrate this experimentally. "The promise of this technology for more sustainable computing is huge. With this publication, we are hoping to reinforce interest in wave-based computation, and attract more young researchers to the growing field of magnonics." - [Fermented coffee's fruity aromas demystified](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230329091939.htm): Specialty coffees are gaining traction in coffeehouses around the world -- and now a fermented version could bring a fruity taste to your morning cup of joe. This new kind of beverage has a raspberry-like taste and aroma, but what causes these sensations has been a mystery. Today, scientists report six compounds that contribute to the fermented coffee experience. The work could help increase production of the drink and make it more readily available for everyone to enjoy. The researchers will present their results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). "There are now flavors that people are creating that no one would have ever associated with coffee in the past," says Chahan Yeretzian, Ph.D., the project's principal investigator. "The flavors in fermented coffee, for example, are often more akin to fruit juices." This unusual type of beverage provides a unique flavor experience for consumers, and the growing demand for it means that fermented coffee beans can fetch a high price, potentially benefiting farmers. And the process by which the beans are prepared requires much less water than traditional methods, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative to a standard cup of coffee. But despite this drink's growing popularity, the compounds that cause its distinctive flavor were unknown. And with fermented coffee becoming more popular in competitive events, some people have been concerned that the lack of knowledge about fermented coffee may make it difficult to distinguish between the genuine product and regular joe that has been illicitly adulterated. So, Yeretzian and colleagues from the Coffee Excellence Center at Zurich University of Applied Sciences sought to identify the compounds that are responsible for these new and exciting flavors. And because flavor and smell are intimately linked, studying the beverages' scents could help the team gain a better understanding of how fermented coffee's complex flavor is created. To single out the compounds unique to fermented coffee's aromas, researchers took arabica beans and divided them into three groups. One was prepared using a wash process, which is likely how your average afternoon pick-me-up brew is made. Here, a gelatinous substance known as mucilage is stripped from the coffee bean, which is washed with water before being dried. The researchers prepared the second group using the pulped natural process -- another common approach -- in which the skin is removed from the bean, but the mucilage is left intact. Finally, the team fermented beans in the third group using carbonic maceration, a process often used in winemaking. This method was first introduced to the specialty coffee world in 2015, when the winning contestant in the World Barista Championship used it to prepare their entry. With this process, whole coffee fruits are fermented in stainless steel tanks and infused with carbon dioxide to lower the pH of the fermentation. Unlike the other brews, the coffee made with fermented beans was described as smelling intense, like raspberries with a hint of rose. Next, the researchers brewed coffee using each type of bean and analyzed the samples with gas chromatography (GC) sniffing, also called GC olfactometry. First, the GC instrument separated individual components in the air above each sample. Then, as the compounds left the instrument, they went to a mass spectrometer for identification, and to someone sitting at the outlet to describe what they smelled. "Because the chemical signature doesn't tell us how a compound smells, we have to rely on the human nose to detect the scent as each compound comes out of the chromatography instrument individually," says Yeretzian. This methodology can be tricky because there is a subjective element to it. "We're using people to detect scents, and everybody perceives flavors a little differently," says Samo Smrke, Ph.D., a research associate in the lab who is presenting the results. "But in this case, the panel was very consistent in the smells they described. So, what is traditionally considered a challenge was actually not an issue because the aromas were so clear." There is one major advantage to GC sniffing. The human nose can sometimes detect scents from compounds that are at such a low concentration, they're unable to be picked up by mass spectrometry. In this case, although six compounds appeared to contribute to the intense fruity flavor and the raspberry scent of the fermented coffee, the team was only able to identify three of them: 2-methylpropanal, 3-methylbutanal and ethyl 3-methylbutanoate. In the future, the researchers hope to identify the remaining compounds, as well as judge the intensity of different flavors and scents. Additionally, the researchers would like to know more about how these unique compounds form. Potential factors include farming practices, the variety of coffee beans, the microclimate of specific farms and the microbes present during fermentation. "There's still quite a lot of unknowns surrounding this process," says Smrke. A better understanding of the sources of these compounds could help the team standardize production methods, making it easier to produce fermented coffee at larger scales and allowing even more people to enjoy this distinctive flavor. - [Surgical sealing made better with robust thermosensitive bioadhesives](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230329091921.htm): As part of a collaborative effort, scientists from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) have employed inventive chemistry to produce an injectable biomaterial with significantly improved adhesive strength, stretchability, and toughness. This chemically modified, gelatin-based hydrogel had attractive features, including rapid gelation at room temperature and tunable levels of adhesion. This custom-engineered biomaterial is ideal as a surgical wound sealant, with its controllable adhesion and injectability and its superior adherence to a variety of tissue and organ surfaces. In order to provide closure for surgical wounds, the material must provide effective sealing on wet, slippery tissue surfaces, which vary in shape and could possibly involve tissue movement (an expanding lung, for example) or crumbly textures. The application and effectiveness of the sealant must also be within a suitable timeframe for surgical procedures. Standard methods of suturing and stapling can be ineffective and time-consuming and can result in increased blood loss. Other methods using fibrin-based bioadhesive sealants are costly, exhibit insufficient adhesion, and can be prone to viral transmission. Commercial gelatin-based wound dressings, although offering biocompatibility, low cost, and hemostatic effectiveness, lack adhesive strength due to inherent brittleness. Previous efforts to address poor adhesion problems have been made via functionalization with catechol, a naturally occurring compound that can impart adhesive capabilities when bound to gelatin. However, the small number of binding sites on the gelatin results in limited level of adhesion that can be enabled by catechol functionalization. The researchers chose caffeic acid (CA), a catechol-containing compound found in coffee and olive oil, to increase the tissue adhesion efficacy of gelatin. They first oxidized CA to yield CA oligomers (CAO) which involve a small number of repeating catechol units. Coupling these CA derivatives to gelatin amplified chemical binding of catechol groups and boosted their adhesive function. The engineered bioadhesive sealant had superior adhesive strength, stretchiness, toughness, and injectability, along with the ability for rapid gelation when applied to the wound site and showed stable adhesion in physiological conditions. Furthermore, the sealants were designed to adhere to tissue in a selective manner. This is pivotal for an effective sealant, as there needs to be tight bonding at the sealant-tissue interface and non-binding on the opposite face of the sealant, which is exposed to the bodily environment. Validation tests using the new sealant on wet collagen sheets, as well as burst pressure experiments to test the limits of its adhesive strength, demonstrated its effectiveness and proved contrary to previous reports of the detrimental effects of oxidative chemistry. Experiments conducted on pig lung, heart, and bladder wounds showed that the new sealant had adhesive strength an order of magnitude higher than commercial gelatin-based sealants; the sealant also remained affixed to the tissue surface even after experimental scraping and twisting. The new sealant was also shown to be biocompatible. In addition, it was shown to have drug loading and drug release capabilities and could promote antioxidant effects beneficial to wound healing. This versatile strategy can be adapted as a powerful approach to impart strong adhesion to other biomaterials. "Our team has utilized manipulative and strategic chemistry to significantly improve adhesive strength and versatility in biomaterials," said Ali Khademhosseini, TIBI's Director and CEO. "This creates exciting possibilities for more effective surgical wound management in the clinic." Authors are: Hossein Montazerian, Elham Davoodi, Alireza Hassani Najafabadi, Reihaneh Haghniaz, Avijit Baidya, Nasim Annabi, Ali Khademhosseini, and Paul S. Weiss. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (1R01EB023052-01A1 and 1R01HL140618-01). - [How does locality pay actually work, and where did it come from?](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/pay/2023/01/how-does-locality-pay-actually-work-and-where-did-it-come-from/): Explaining the history of locality pay and how - [Biothermica announces the operational launch of the largest underground mine methane abatement facility in the United States reducing GHG emissions by more than 300,000 tCO2e/year](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-realease/Biothermica-announces-launch-underground-mine-methane-abatement-facility-reducing-GHG-emissions-by-300-K-tCO2e/year.html): Montréal, November 15, 2022 – Biothermica Technologies Inc., a - [Reuters reveals hedge fund Ancora seeks ouster of Kohl’s CEO, chairman](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-hedge-fund-ancora-seeks-ouster-of-kohls-ceo-chairman/): Business & Finance22 October 2022, 1:40 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Ancora Holdings, one of the hedge funds that spearheaded a board shake-up at Kohl’s Corp, is now pushing for the removal of the U.S. retailer’s chief executive and board chairman. The move marks the beginning of a new round of shareholder unrest for Kohl’s after the company explored a sale and decided in July to remain independent, leading to a plunge in its shares and disappointing investors who had pushed for a deal. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: North AmericaCountries: USWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals Germany’s Speira set to win EU nod for RAB deal with asset sale offer](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-germanys-speira-set-to-win-eu-nod-for-rab-deal-with-asset-sale-offer/): Business & Finance18 October 2022, 6:40 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report private equity firm KPS Capital Partners’ German aluminium smelter Speira is set to gain European Union (EU) antitrust approval for its plan to buy aluminium recycler Real Alloy Europe with its offer to sell two plants to address EU concerns. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Reuters reveals scores of Google rivals want EU tech law used in antitrust case](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-scores-of-google-rivals-want-eu-tech-law-used-in-antitrust-case/): Technology17 October 2022, 6:22 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively revealed more than 40 European rivals to Google’s shopping service urged European Union (EU) antitrust regulators to use newly adopted tech rules to ensure the Alphabet unit complies with a 2017 EU order to allow more competition on its search page. The European Commission fined Google 2.4 billion euros five years ago and told the firm to stop favouring its shopping service. Article TagsTopics of Interest: TechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals Exxon exits Russia empty-handed with oil project ‘unilaterally terminated’](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-exxon-exits-russia-empty-handed-with-oil-project-unilaterally-terminated/): Energy17 October 2022, 6:02 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report Exxon Mobil Corp said on Monday that it left Russia completely after President Vladimir Putin expropriated its properties following seven months of discussions over an orderly transfer of its 30% stake in a major oil project. Exxon did not say if it received any compensation for the assets, which it had valued at more than $4 billion. Article TagsTopics of Interest: EnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: EuropeCountries: RussiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals Toshiba’s preferred bidder offers price short of key 6,000 yen a share](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-toshibas-preferred-bidder-offers-price-short-of-key-6000-yen-a-share/): Business & Finance17 October 2022, 5:33 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report the preferred bidder to buy out Toshiba Corp has offered to pay less than the widely regarded threshold of 6,000 yen a share, indicating the premium for the Japanese conglomerate may not be as rich as investors had hoped.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: GlobalWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Reuters reveals U.S. judge approves sales process for shares in Citgo Petroleum’s parent company](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-u-s-judge-approves-sales-process-for-shares-in-citgo-petroleums-parent-company/): Reuters was first to report that a U.S. judge approved an auction process that could lead to the breakup of Venezuela owned Citgo Petroleum, the seventh-largest  U.S. oil refiner. Two years after first authorizing a sale of shares in Citgo’s parent company, PDVSA, the judge set bidding procedures and a calendar that could see a high bid accept within nine months to satisfy a $970 million judgment won by a Canadian miner over the expropriation of its assets in Venezuela. Reuters also revealed four other companies with $4.3 billion in combined claims against Venezuela — ConocoPhillips, Koch-related mineral and nitrogen companies, Gold Reserve Inc. and U.S. holders of defaulted Venezuelan bonds —  were seeking to have their own judgments registered with the same court.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: South AmericaCountries: VenezuelaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals chip toolmaker KLA to stop sales and service to China to comply with U.S. export curbs](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-chip-toolmaker-kla-to-stop-sales-and-service-to-china-to-comply-with-u-s-export-curbs/): Technology11 October 2022, 6:34 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported U.S. chip toolmaker KLA Corp will cease offering some supplies and services to China-based customers including South Korea’s SK Hynix in compliance with recent U.S. regulations. The move underscores huge business headwinds facing chipmakers and chip equipment makers around the world, as the Biden administration published a sweeping set of export controls on Friday aimed at slowing China’s progress in advanced chip manufacturing. Article TagsTopics of Interest: TechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Fiscal Monitor October 22](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2022/10/09/fiscal-monitor-october-22) - [Reuters reveals India demands nearly $250 million from Pernod for undervaluing imports](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-india-demands-nearly-250-million-from-pernod-for-undervaluing-imports/): Government07 October 2022, 1:28 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report Indian authorities have demanded $244 million from the local unit of French spirits giant Pernod Ricard for undervaluing concentrate imports for over a decade to avoid full payment of duties.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: GovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Reuters reveals Assa Abloy considers selling Yale and Emtek brands to win U.S. approval for Spectrum deal](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-assa-abloy-considers-selling-yale-and-emtek-brands-to-win-u-s-approval-for-spectrum-deal/): Business & Finance07 October 2022, 1:13 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to reportthat Assa Abloy, the world’s leading lockmaker, is considering options including selling its Yale and Emtek locks brands as it seeks to overturn U.S. antitrust opposition to its planned purchase of Spectrum’s Hardware and Home Improvement. The news comes just weeks after the U.S. Department of Justice sued to block the company’s proposed $4.3 billion deal to buy a unit of Spectrum Brands Holdings that makes security, plumbing and builders’ hardware products. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: North AmericaCountries: USWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals General Electric lays off workers at onshore wind unit as part of turnaround strategy](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-general-electric-lays-off-workers-at-onshore-wind-unit-as-part-of-turnaround-strategy/): Business & Finance06 October 2022, 8:59 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report General Electric (GE) is laying off workers at its onshore wind unit as part of a plan to restructure and resize the business. The cuts are expected to affect 20% of the onshore wind unit’s workforce in the United States, equating to hundreds of workers. The company also notified employees in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa about the cuts. The news revealed problems with what is widely thought to be a fast-growing clean energy economy. GE and competitors have grappled with rising costs and supply chain delays, despite the energy transition.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceSectors: EquitiesRegions: GlobalWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Exaion, EDF Group's Web3 subsidiary, expands into North America](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Exaion-EDF-Group-s-Web3-subsidiary-expands-into-North-America.html): The company wishes to enrich the cloud offering - [Hurb announces opening of office in Montréal at Collision](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Hurb-announces-opening-of-office-in-Montreal-at-Collision.html): Toronto, June 22, 2022 – Hurb, the largest online - [With Its 20 Years of Innovation, Creaform Looks to the Future After Record Year](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/With-Its-20-Years-of-Innovation-Creaform-Looks-to-the-Future-After-Record-Year.html): Lévis, June 17, 2022 – Creaform , world-class leader in portable 3D - [Samsung AI Center Montréal opens a modern lab to develop wireless and robotics technologies](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Samsung-AI-Center-Montreal-opens-a-modern-lab-to-develop-wireless-and-robotics-technologies.html): Montréal – June 9, 2022 – Samsung AI Center - [Fiscal Monitor, April 2022](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2022/04/12/fiscal-monitor-april-2022) - [Pr0ph3cy Group expanding in Montréal to develop its flagship cybersecurity tool](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Pr0ph3cy-Group-expanding-in-Montreal-to-develop-its-flagship-cybersecurity-tool.html): Montréal, March 30, 2022 – Pr0ph3cy Group strengthens its - [Beenox Continues its Growth by Opening a studio in Montréal](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Beenox-Continues-its-Growth-by-Opening-a-studio-in-Montreal.html): Montréal, March 29, 2022 – Beenox, a development studio - [Fiscal Monitor, October 2021: Strengthening the Credibility of Public Finances](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/10/12/Fiscal-Monitor-October-2021-460455) - [Rain gardens could save salmon from toxic tire chemicals](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230621164742.htm): Specially designed gardens could reduce the amount of a toxic chemical associated with tires entering our waterways by more than 90 per cent, new research shows. Tired toxins The chemical 6PPD-quinone can form when car tires interact with the atmosphere. It enters rivers and streams when rain runs off roads into waterways. It is toxic to coho salmon, rainbow trout and some other fish. "Rain gardens," or bioretention cells, are gardens engineered to reduce flooding and soak up contaminants when road runoff is directed onto them. Rain gardens in Rain City With the City of Vancouver, UBC researchers Drs. Timothy Rodgers (he/him) and Rachel Scholes (she/her) tested a Vancouver rain garden at 8th and Pine, pumping 14,000 litres of water spiked with 6PPD-quinone onto the garden for four hours and testing the water draining from beneath the garden at frequent intervals. They found only about two to five per cent of the chemical made it through, with about 75 per cent captured by the soil and plants. Extrapolating their results using a computer model, the team predicted the garden would prevent more than 90 per cent of the chemical from directly entering salmon-bearing streams in an average year. Save Our Salmon Vancouver's Rain City Strategy will build more "green infrastructure" including rain gardens, and municipalities could use the research to plan where and how to place these, the researchers say. This could include targeting areas with large highways that runoff into salmon-bearing streams and such systems could help meet multiple municipal environmental goals simultaneously. "Anywhere where you know there's salmon, you should be trying to direct that runoff as much as possible into systems like this," says Dr. Rodgers. - [How tidal range electricity generation could meet future demand and storage problems](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230621105226.htm): Tidal range schemes are financially viable and could lower energy bills say researchers. Research by Lancaster University's School of Engineering and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology combined a tidal range power generation model with its cost model to demonstrate the viability of tidal power. Professor George Aggidis, Head of Energy Engineering at Lancaster University, said: "The obvious question for the UK, with one of the best tidal resources globally, is why haven't we already got a tidal barrage scheme?" The research published in Energy demonstrates the benefits of tidal energy, which does not suffer from unpredictable intermittency as power is generated both day and night. The creation of a tidal barrage could operate for 120 years or more to meet future demand and storage problems. Professor Aggidis said: "There is an urgent need to kick-start the selection and development of schemes around Britain. Tidal range generation is predictable renewable energy driven by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. The environmental and economic benefits are huge as barrages can protect coastal areas from flooding and sea level rise. With two-way generation and pumping, the full range of existing tides can be maintained within impoundments to protect and support low-lying intertidal areas such as saltmarshes and mudflats. Our studies show that with modern technology and operating procedures, estuarine barrages are the only practical way to protect these vital habitats. Coastal lagoons have also been proposed for several locations around Britain's coast. Schemes will provide jobs in construction and manufacturing for generations to come as well as opportunities for transport, communication, conservation, and recreation. In the long-term they will provide reliable power with reduced costs." The UK has the second highest tidal range in the world and offers the UK a level of independence from global prices and in the long-term cheap clean power. Currently the Tidal Range projects under commercial consideration offer an achievable 10 GW installed capacity, delivering over 20TWh/y, about 5% of UK energy use. Based on the UK relevant resource availability there is the potential to further increase this installed capacity over 4 to 5 times with other tidal range project sites around the UK. Such developments are essential to assist the UK to reduce its carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel power stations. The current UK total generating capacity is around 42.8 GW that includes fossil fuels (19.2GW 44.9%), renewables (16.5GW, 38.5%), and low carbon (7.1GW -- 16.6%). The La Rance Tidal Range plant in France today generates the cheapest electricity in the EDF fleet -- cheaper than nuclear. - [A 'pinch' of mineral salts helps the noncaloric sweeteners go down](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230615105255.htm): Perfect noncaloric replacements for sugar and high fructose corn syrup just don't exist yet. For example, some alternatives have a lingering sweet aftertaste and lack a sugar-like mouthfeel, leaving consumers unsatisfied. Now, researchers in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry propose adding blends of nutritionally important mineral salts to make noncaloric sweeteners seem more like the real thing. Taste-testers indicated that these blends gave zero- and low-calorie drinks a better flavor. Sugar substitutes are often used in sodas, baked goods and frozen desserts, to appeal to people who want lower-calorie or low-sugar treats. But many natural or synthetic noncaloric sweeteners, such as stevia and aspartame, have a delayed sweetness, which lasts long after a food or drink is consumed. These substances also don't usually have the same mouthfeel as real sugar. Previously, Grant DuBois and colleagues observed that sodium chloride and potassium chloride could accelerate the onset of sweetness and eliminate its persistence for one stevia compound, rebaudioside A. They hypothesized that the salts compress the mucus hydrogel covering taste buds to allow rebaudioside A molecules to get through and then leave more quickly. But high concentrations were needed to achieve the desired effects, which led to off-tastes. So, the researchers wanted to test other mineral salts on commercially available noncaloric sweeteners to see if the products that they are used in could be improved. In initial tests with a trained sensory panel, the researchers observed that calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and potassium chloride each separately reduced the perceived intensity of rebaudioside A after two minutes. However, again, high amounts of the mineral salt were needed to lower the intensity by more than 30%, which caused unpleasant saltiness or bitterness sensations. Next, mixing the three taste-modifying salts had synergistic effects, allowing the team to use lower amounts of each for the same effect. A blend of the potassium, magnesium and calcium salts reduced the lingering sweetness up to 79% and markedly increased the sugar-like mouthfeel of 10 noncaloric alternatives. Some panelists still reported a slight saltiness in a few sugar substitute formulations with the all-chloride mineral salt blends. So, the team tested reduced-chloride versions in two commercial zero-calorie colas, resolving the faint salty off-taste issue and greatly improving the taste of the beverages. Additionally, they added salt blends to a reduced-calorie orange juice and a commercial citrus-flavored soft drink made with high fructose corn syrup, which made both beverages taste more like they contained sugar. The researchers say that they have a promising solution for replicating the taste of real sugar in low- and zero-calorie beverages. - [Researchers describe the melting of gold nanoparticles in gold-bearing fluids in the Earth's crust](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230612114725.htm): Gold is a precious metal that has always fascinated humans. From Priam's Treasure to the legend of El Dorado, gold -- regarded as the noblest of metals -- has been a symbol of splendour and wealth in many civilizations. Historically, gold deposits were known to form when metal was transported dissolved by hot aqueous solution flows -- hydrothermal fluids -- until it accumulated in some areas in the Earth's upper crust. The recent discovery of gold nanoparticles in such mineral deposits has brought some doubts on the validity of the classical model. Now, a paper published in the Nature group's journal Scientific Reports reopens the scientific debate on the validity of traditional models for the transport of this precious metal in nature. The new study reveals for the first time that gold nanoparticles exposed to hydrothermal fluids have the ability to melt and produce gold nanomelts at temperatures lower ( - [Physicists discover an exotic material made of bosons](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230607215839.htm): Take a lattice -- a flat section of a grid of uniform cells, like a window screen or a honeycomb -- and lay another, similar lattice above it. But instead of trying to line up the edges or the cells of both lattices, give the top grid a twist so that you can see portions of the lower one through it. This new, third pattern is a moiré, and it's between this type of overlapping arrangement of lattices of tungsten diselenide and tungsten disulfide where UC Santa Barbara physicists found some interesting material behaviors. "We discovered a new state of matter -- a bosonic correlated insulator," said Richen Xiong, a graduate student researcher in the group of UCSB condensed matter physicist Chenhao Jin, and the lead author of a paper that appears in the journal Science. According to Xiong, Jin and collaborators from UCSB, Arizona State University and the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan, this is the first time such a material -- a highly ordered crystal of bosonic particles called excitons -- has been created in a "real" (as opposed to synthetic) matter system. "Conventionally, people have spent most of their efforts to understand what happens when you put many fermions together," Jin said. "The main thrust of our work is that we basically made a new material out of interacting bosons." Bosonic. Correlated. Insulator. Subatomic particles come in one of two broad types: fermions and bosons. One of the biggest distinctions is in their behavior, Jin said. "Bosons can occupy the same energy level; fermions don't like to stay together," he said, "Together, these behaviors construct the universe as we know it." Fermions, such as electrons, underlie the matter with which we are most familiar as they are stable and interact through the electrostatic force. Meanwhile bosons, such as photons (particles of light), tend to be more difficult to create or manipulate as they are either fleeting or do not interact with each other. A clue to their distinct behaviors is in their different quantum mechanical characteristics, Xiong explained. Fermions have half-integer "spins" such as 1/2 or 3/2 et cetera, while bosons have whole integer spins (1, 2, etc.). An exciton is a state in which a negatively charged electron (a fermion) is bound to its positively charged opposite "hole" (another fermion), with the two half-integer spins together becoming a whole integer, creating a bosonic particle. To create and identify excitons in their system, the researchers layered the two lattices and shone strong lights on them in a method they call "pump-probe spectroscopy." The combination of particles from each of the lattices (electrons from the tungsten disulfide and the holes from the tungsten diselenide) and the light created a favorable environment for the formation of and interactions between the excitons while allowing the researchers to probe these particles' behaviors. "And when these excitons reached a certain density, they could not move anymore," Jin said. Thanks to strong interactions, the collective behaviors of these particles at a certain density forced them into a crystalline state, and created an insulating effect due to their immobility. "What happened here is that we discovered the correlation that drove the bosons into a highly ordered state," Xiong added. Generally, a loose collection of bosons under ultracold temperatures will form a condensate, but in this system, with both light and increased density and interaction at relatively higher temperatures, they organized themselves into a symmetric solid and charge-neutral insulator. The creation of this exotic state of matter proves that the researchers' moiré platform and pump-probe spectroscopy could become an important means for creating and investigating bosonic materials. "There are many-body phases with fermions that result in things like superconductivity," Xiong said. "There are also many-body counterparts with bosons that are also exotic phases. So what we've done is create a platform, because we did not really have a great way to study bosons in real materials." While excitons are well-studied, he added, there hadn't until this project been a way to coax them to interacting strongly with one another. With their method, according to Jin, it could be possible to not only study well-known bosonic particles like excitons but also open more windows into the world of condensed matter with new bosonic materials. "We know that some materials have very bizarre properties," he said. "And one goal of condensed matter physics is to understand why they have these rich properties and find ways to make these behaviors come out more reliably." - [House of moveable wooden walls unveiled, promising a cheaper, greener alternative to 'knocking through'.](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230602115103.htm): University of Cambridge architects are inviting visitors to the London Design Biennale to experience a prototype home constructed with flexible wooden partition walls which can be shifted to meet the changing needs of residents. The invention aims to reduce waste and carbon while also improving living conditions for those who cannot afford expensive refurbishments. House-owners the world over consider 'knocking through' walls to achieve more open-plan living or changing layouts to accommodate new arrivals or circumstances. The results may be impressive, but they come at a sizeable financial and environmental cost. But what if it wasn't necessary to demolish internal brick and/or plaster walls and build new ones? Researchers at Cambridge's Centre for Natural Material Innovation and partners PLP Architecture have just unveiled Ephemeral, an innovative alternative using engineered wood, at the London Design Biennale at London's Somerset House (1st -- 25th June 2023). The project, led by Cambridge researcher Ana Gatóo, invites visitors to step into a home constructed around principles of affordability, sustainability, flexibility and adaptation. The flexible wooden partition walls -- developed by Gatóo as part of her Cambridge PhD research -- are made using kerfing, which allows wood to bend without breaking, the same technique employed in the construction of guitars and other stringed instruments. The resulting wooden walls are simple, resilient, foldable and movable, meaning they can respond to the changing needs of residents, for instance, as children are born or leave the nest; as age or mobility bring changing requirements; or as homeworking patterns change. Gatóo says: "Self-assembly and modular furniture have improved so many people's lives. We've developed something similar but for walls so people can take total control of their interior spaces." "If you have lots of money, you can hire a designer and alter the interiors of your house, but if you don't, you're stuck with very rigid systems that could be decades out-of-date. You might be stuck with more rooms than you need, or too few. We want to empower people to make their spaces their own." The team's 'rooms of requirement' provide elegant, affordable solutions which can be built into the fabric of the building from its first design, or seamlessly retrofitted -- avoiding the mountains of carbon associated with demolition and reconstruction. Gatóo says: "We're using engineered timber, which is affordable and sustainable. It's a natural material which stores carbon, and when you don't need it anymore, you can make something else with it. So you are creating minimal waste." Gatóo and her colleagues are based in the University of Cambridge's Centre for Natural Material Innovation, a world leader in research into innovative and sustainable uses of timber in construction. The team emphasises that their system could be used anywhere in the world, in workplaces as well as in homes, and the researchers have already had encouraging conversations with industry, including with affordable housing developers in India. Gatóo says: "I've worked in development and post-disaster housing with NGOs in many countries around the world, always using sustainable materials. When I started my PhD, I wanted to merge making housing more affordable and social with technical innovation and sustainability. This is what our cities of the future need -- caring for people and the environment at the same time." Implemented at scale, this innovation could change the construction industry for the better, empowering people to adapt their spaces to their needs while slashing housing costs and overcoming some of the hurdles which the construction industry must tackle to be part of a sustainable future. Working with Cambridge Enterprise, the research team is seeking industry and policy partners to further advance product feasibility for industry-wide adoption. The project is supported by PLP Architecture, The Laudes Foundation, the Future Observatory and the AHRC Design Accelerator. - [Biodegradable plastic from sugar cane also threatens the environment](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230601160216.htm): Plastic made from cane sugar also threatens the environment. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have found that perch change their behaviour when exposed to so-called bioplastic. Traditional plastic, based on fossil oil, has flooded the earth and there is microplastic in all living things. This has led to intensive research for alternatives that decompose faster in nature. Bio-based polymers based on cane sugar are one such option. The most common bioplastic is poly-L-lactide (PLA), which is used in 3D printers, textiles, food packaging, disposable cutlery and other applications. PLA plastic changed the behaviour of perch Bioplastics also have a negative impact on biological life. Doctoral student Azora König Kardgar at the University of Gothenburg has found that the behaviour of small perch exposed to bioplastics in fish food changed over a period of six months. They reacted far more when they met fellow perch than normal. In addition, there were signs of reduced movement, altered ability to form shoals and altered reaction when approached by danger. "Toxicological experiments that analyse animal behaviour are very rare. Most commonly, researchers look at physiological changes. We can see that something in PLA plastic causes changes in the fish, but we can't see what," says Azora. Because this research looked at PLA microplastic particles, the researchers also tested feeding the perch with kaolin particles, a white clay used for porcelain and to coat paper. Fish fed with kaolin showed some minor changes in behaviour. However, a male sex hormone was affected and some other gene expressions in the fish was curbed, such as the response to stress. PLA is not an environmentally friendly option "We see that PLA is not harmless to fish, so it should not be sold as an environmentally friendly alternative to ordinary plastic. It should be considered as equivalent to ordinary plastic," says Azora. Fish were fed for six months with food containing 2 per cent PLA, which is about the concentration of ordinary petrochemical plastic used in previous studies. The quantity of kaolin fed to another group of fish was also 2 per cent. In addition, there was also a control group of perch fed with uncontaminated food. - [PAINTing a wound-healing ink into cuts with a 3D-printing pen](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230601160006.htm): The body is pretty good at healing itself, though more severe wounds can require bandages or stitches. But researchers publishing in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have developed a wound-healing ink that can actively encourage the body to heal by exposing the cut to immune-system vesicles. The ink can be spread into a cut of any shape using a 3D-printing pen, and in mice, the technology nearly completely repaired wounds in just 12 days. When the skin is cut or torn, the body's natural "construction crew" kicks in to fix it back up -- clearing out any bacterial invaders, regrowing broken blood vessels and eventually forming a scar. Many techniques used to heal wounds can't do much beyond helping the body do its job better. Bandages or stitches are used to prevent further bleeding, while antibiotics work to prevent complications from infections. But by adding members of the construction crew to a wound-healing treatment or bandage, it could actually accelerate the natural healing process. Specifically, white blood cells or the extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from them play important roles in promoting blood vessel formation and reducing inflammation during healing. So, Dan Li, Xianguang Ding and Lianhui Wang wanted to incorporate these EVs into a hydrogel-based wound healing ink that could be painted into cuts of any shape. The team developed a system called PAINT, or "portable bioactive ink for tissue healing," using EVs secreted from macrophages combined with sodium alginate. These components were combined in a 3D-printing pen, where they mixed at the pen's tip and formed a sturdy gel at the site of injury within three minutes. The EVs promoted blood vessel formation and reduced inflammatory markers in human epithelial cells, shifting them into the "proliferative," or growth, phase of healing. PAINT was also tested on injured mice, where it promoted collagen fiber formation. Mice treated with PAINT had almost healed completely from a large wound after 12 days, compared to mice that didn't receive the treatment, who were not nearly as far along in the healing process at this time point. The researchers say that this work could help heal a wide variety of cuts quickly and easily, without the need for complex procedures. - [You can make carbon dioxide filters with a 3D printer](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230531150150.htm): In a new study, North Carolina State University researchers demonstrated that it's possible to make carbon dioxide capture filters using 3D printing. Specifically, they printed a hydrogel material that can hold carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that speeds a reaction that turns carbon dioxide and water into bicarbonate. The findings, published in the journal Gels, suggest 3D printing could be a faster, more versatile method of making filter designs. "This manufacturing process, using 3D printing, makes everything faster and more precise," said the study's lead author Jialong Shen, assistant research professor of textile engineering, chemistry and science at NC State. "If you have access to a printer, and the raw materials, you can make this functional material." In the study, researchers in the NC State Wilson College of Textiles mixed a solution containing two different organic compounds -- or the printing "ink" -- and an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. The researchers then printed thread-like filaments of the hydrogel into a two-dimensional grid while solidifying the solution with UV light as it was printed. "We formulated the hydrogel in a way that would be mechanically strong enough to be 3D printed, and also extruded into a continuous filament," Shen said. "The inspiration behind our design was our own cells, which have enzymes packed into compartmentalized spaces, filled with a fluid. That kind of environment is good for helping enzymes do their job." The researchers tested the properties of the material to understand how well it would bend and twist, and investigated the filter's carbon capture performance. In a small-scale experiment, they found the filter captured 24% of the carbon dioxide in a gas mixture. While the capture rate is lower than what they've achieved in previous designs, the filter was less than an inch (2 centimeters) in diameter, and it could be made larger and in different modular shapes in order to stack them in a tall column. That could increase the capture efficiency, researchers said. "In order to get a higher capture rate, we would need to make the filter larger in diameter, or stack more filters on top of each other," Shen said. "We don't think that's an issue; this was an initial test at a small scale for ease of testing." The researchers also tested the filtration durability of the material, and found it retained 52% of its initial carbon capture performance after more than 1,000 hours. "This work is still early stage, but our findings suggest there are new ways to make materials for carbon capture devices," said the study's co-corresponding author Sonja Salmon, associate professor of textile engineering, chemistry and science at NC State. "We're offering hope for carbon capture." - [World's fastest electron microscope](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230531150114.htm): Electron microscopes give us insight into the tiniest details of materials and can visualize, for example, the structure of solids, molecules or nanoparticles with atomic resolution. However, most materials in nature are not static. They constantly interact, move and reshape between initial and final configurations. One of the most general phenomena is the interaction between light and matter, which is omnipresent in materials such as solar cells, displays or lasers. These interactions are defined by electrons pushed and pulled around by the oscillations of light, and the dynamics are extremely fast: light waves oscillate at attoseconds, the billionth of a billionth of a second. Until now, it has been very difficult to directly visualize these extremely fast processes in space and time, but that is exactly what a team of physicists from the University of Konstanz has now succeeded in. They recorded movies with attosecond time resolution in a transmission electron microscope, providing new insights into the functionality of nanomaterials and dielectric meta-atoms. They recently published their results in the scientific journal Nature. Generation of ultrashort electron pulses "If you look closely, almost all phenomena in optics, nanophotonics or metamaterials occur on time scales below one oscillation period of a light wave," explains Peter Baum, physics professor and head of the Light and Matter Group at the University of Konstanz. "To film the ultrafast interactions between light and matter, we therefore need a time resolution of attoseconds." To achieve such an extreme recording speed, Baum's research group uses the fast oscillations of a continuous-wave laser to convert the electron beam of an electron microscope into a sequence of ultrashort electron pulses. In this process, a thin silicon membrane creates a periodic acceleration and deceleration of the electrons. "This modulation causes the electrons to catch up with each other. After some time, they convert into a train of ultrashort pulses," explains David Nabben, doctoral student and first author of the study. Another laser wave creates the interaction with the sample object. The ultrashort electron pulses are then used to measure the object's response to the laser light, frozen in time like in a stroboscope. In the end, the researchers obtain a movie of the processes with attosecond time resolution. Investigation of nanophotonic phenomena In their study, the scientists present several examples of time-resolved measurements in nanomaterials. The experiments show, for example, the emergence of chiral surface waves that can be controlled by the researchers to travel in a specific spatial direction, or characteristic time delays between different modes of radiation from nanoantennas. What is more, the scientists not only investigate such surface phenomena, but also film the electromagnetic processes inside a waveguide material. The results are highly interesting for further developments in nanophotonics, but also demonstrate the very broad application range of the new attosecond electron microscopy. "The direct measurement of the electromagnetic functionality of materials as a function of space and time is not only of great value for fundamental science, but also opens up the way for new developments in photonic integrated circuits or metamaterials," Nabben summarizes the impact of the results. - [Flexible nanoelectrodes can provide fine-grained brain stimulation](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230530174315.htm): Conventional implantable medical devices designed for brain stimulation are often too rigid and bulky for what is one of the body's softest and most delicate tissues. To address the problem, Rice University engineers have developed minimally invasive, ultraflexible nanoelectrodes that could serve as an implanted platform for administering long-term, high-resolution stimulation therapy. According to a study published in Cell Reports, the tiny implantable devices formed stable, long-lasting and seamless tissue-electrode interfaces with minimal scarring or degradation in rodents. The devices delivered electrical pulses that match neuronal signaling patterns and amplitudes more closely than stimuli from conventional intracortical electrodes. The devices' high biocompatibility and precise spatiotemporal stimulus control could enable the development of new brain stimulation therapies such as neuronal prostheses for patients with impaired sensory or motor functions. "This paper uses imaging, behavioral and histological techniques to show how these tissue-integrated electrodes improve the efficacy of stimulation," said Lan Luan, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and a corresponding author on the study. "Our electrode delivers tiny electrical pulses to excite neural activity in a very controllable manner. "We were able to reduce the current necessary to elicit neuronal activation by more than an order of magnitude. Pulses can be as subtle as a couple hundred microseconds in duration and one or two microamps in amplitude." The new electrode design developed by researchers in the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative represents a significant improvement over conventional implantable electrodes used to treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which can cause adverse tissue responses and unintended changes in neural activity. "Conventional electrodes are very invasive," said Chong Xie, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and a corresponding author of the study. "They recruit thousands or even millions of neurons at a time. "Each of those neurons is supposed to have their own tune and coordinate in a specific pattern. But when you shock them all at the same time, you're basically disrupting their function. In some cases that works fine for you and has the desired therapeutic effect. But if, for example, you want to encode sensory information, you need much greater control over the stimuli." Xie likened stimulation via conventional electrodes with the disruptive effect of "blowing an airhorn in everyone's ear or having a loudspeaker blaring" in a roomful of people. "We used to have this very big loudspeaker, and now everyone has an earpiece," he said. The ability to adjust the frequency, duration and intensity of the signals could enable the development of novel sensory prosthetic devices. "Neuron activation is more diffuse if you use a larger current," Luan said. "We were able to reduce the current and showed that we have a much more focused activation. This can translate to higher-resolution stimulation devices." Luan and Xie are core members of the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative and their labs are also collaborating on the development of an implantable visual prosthetic device for blind patients. "Envision one day being able to implant electrode arrays to restore impaired sensory function: The more focused and deliberate is the activation of the neurons, the more precise the sensation you're generating," Luan said. An earlier iteration of the devices was used to record brain activity. "We have had a series of publications showing this intimate tissue integration enabled by our electrode's ultraflexible design really improves our ability to record brain activity for longer durations and with better signal-to-noise ratios," said Luan, who has been promoted to associate professor effective July 1. Electrical and computer engineering postdoctoral associate Roy Lycke and graduate student Robin Kim are lead authors on the study. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS109361, U01 NS115588) and Rice internal funds supported the research. - [Source-shifting metastructures composed of only one resin for location camouflaging](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230530125407.htm): The field of transformation optics has flourished over the past decade, allowing scientists to design metamaterial-based structures that shape and guide the flow of light. One of the most dazzling inventions potentially unlocked by transformation optics is the invisibility cloak -- a theoretical fabric that bends incoming light away from the wearer, rendering them invisible. Interestingly, such illusions are not restricted to the manipulations of light alone. Many of the techniques used in transformation optics have been applied to sound waves, giving rise to the parallel field of transformation acoustics. In fact, researchers have already made substantial progress by developing the "acoustic cloak," the analog of the invisibility cloak for sounds. While research on acoustic illusion has focused on the concept of masking the presence of an object, not much progress has been made on the problem of location camouflaging. The concept of an acoustic source-shifter utilizes a structure that makes the location of the sound source appear different from its actual location. Such devices capable of "acoustic location camouflaging" could find applications in advanced holography and virtual reality. Unfortunately, the nature of location camouflaging has been scarcely studied, and the development of accessible materials and surfaces that would provide a decent performance has proven challenging. Against this backdrop, Professor Garuda Fujii, affiliated with the Institute of Engineering and Energy Landscape Architectonics Brain Bank (ELab2) at Shinshu University, Japan, has now made progress in developing high-performance source-shifters. In a recent study published in the Journal of Sound and Vibration online on May 5, 2023, Prof. Fujii presented an innovative approach to designing source-shifter structures out of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), an elastic polymer commonly used in 3D printing. Prof. Fujii's approach is centered around a core concept: inverse design based on topology optimization. The numerical approach builds on the reproduction of pressure fields (sound) emitted by a virtual source, i.e., the source that nearby listeners would mistakenly perceive as real. Next, the pressure fields emitted by the actual source are manipulated to camouflage the location and make it sound as if coming from a different location in space. This can be achieved with the optimum design of a metastructure that, by the virtue of its geometry and elastic properties, minimizes the difference between the pressure fields emitted from the actual and virtual sources. Utilizing this approach, Prof. Fujii implemented an iterative algorithm to numerically determine the optimal design of ABS resin source-shifters according to various design criteria. His models and simulations had to account for the acoustic-elastic interactions between fluids (air) and solid elastic structures, as well as the actual limitations of modern manufacturing technology. The simulation results revealed that the optimized structures could reduce the difference between the emitted pressure fields of the masked source and those of a bare source at the virtual location to as low as 0.6%. "The optimal structure configurations obtained via topology optimization exhibited good performances at camouflaging the actual source location despite the simple composition of ABS that did not comprise complex acoustic metamaterials", remarks Prof. Fujii. To shed more light on the underlying camouflaging mechanisms, Prof. Fujii analyzed the importance of the distance between the virtual and actual sources. He found that a greater distance did not necessarily degrade the source-shifter's performance. He also investigated the effect of changing the frequency of the emitted sound on the performance as the source-shifters had been optimized for only one target frequency. Finally, he explored whether a source-shifter could be topologically optimized to operate at multiple sound frequencies. While his approach requires further fine-tuning, the findings of this study will surely help advance illusion acoustics. He concludes, "The proposed optimization method for designing high-performance source-shifters will help in the development of acoustic location camouflage and the advancement of holography technology." - [Hydrogen battery: Storing hydrogen in coal may help power clean energy economy](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230526121105.htm): The quest to develop hydrogen as a clean energy source that could curb our dependence on fossil fuels may lead to an unexpected place -- coal. A team of Penn State scientists found that coal may represent a potential way to store hydrogen gas, much like batteries store energy for future use, addressing a major hurdle in developing a clean energy supply chain. "We found that coal can be this geological hydrogen battery," said Shimin Liu, associate professor of energy and mineral engineering at Penn State. "You could inject and store the hydrogen energy and have it there when you need to use it." Hydrogen is a clean burning fuel and shows promise for use in the most energy intensive sectors of our economy -- transportation, electricity generation and manufacturing. But much work remains to build a hydrogen infrastructure and make it an affordable and reliable energy source, the scientists said. This includes developing a way to store hydrogen, which is currently expensive and inefficient. Geologic formations are an intriguing option, the scientists said, because they can store large amounts of hydrogen to meet the peaks and valleys as energy demand changes daily or seasonally. "Coal is well-studied, and we have been commercially producing gas from coal for almost a half century," Liu said. "We understand it. We have the infrastructure. I think coal would be the logical place to do geological hydrogen storage." To put this to the test, the scientists analyzed eight types of coals from coalfields across the United States to better understand their sorption and diffusion potential, or how much hydrogen they can hold. All eight coals showed considerable sorption properties, with low-volatile bituminous coal from eastern Virgina and anthracite coal from eastern Pennsylvania performing the best in tests, the scientists reported in the journal Applied Energy. "I think it's highly possible that coal could be the very top selection for geological storage from a scientific perspective," said Liu. "We find that coal outperforms other formations because it can hold more, it has existing infrastructure and is widely available across the country and near populated areas." Depleted coalbed methane reservoirs may be the best candidates. These seams contain unconventional natural gas like methane and have become an important source of fossil fuel energy over the last several decades. The methane sticks to the surface of the coal, in a process called adsorption. Similarly, injecting hydrogen into coal would cause that gas to absorb or stick to the coal. These formations often have a layer of shale or mudstone on top that act as a seal keeping methane, or in this case hydrogen, sealed until it is needed and pumped back out, the scientists said. "A lot of people define coal as a rock, but it's really a polymer," Liu said. "It has high carbon content with a lot of small pores that can store much more gas. So coal is like a sponge that can hold many more hydrogen molecules compared to other non-carbon materials." The scientists designed special equipment to conduct the experiments. Coal has a weaker affinity with hydrogen compared to other sorbing gases like methane and carbon dioxide, so traditional pressurized equipment for determining sorption would not have worked. "We did a very novel and very challenging design," Liu said. "It took years to figure out how to do this properly. We had to properly design an experiment system, trial and error based on our previous experience with coals and shales." Based on their results, the scientists determined anthracite and semi-anthracite coals are good candidates for hydrogen storage in depleted coal seams, and low-volatile bituminous coal are better candidates for gassy coal seams. Developing hydrogen storage in coal mining communities could bring new economic opportunities to these regions while also helping create the nation's hydrogen infrastructure. "In the energy transition, it's really coal communities that have been the most impacted economically," Liu said. "This is certainly an opportunity to repurpose the coal region. They already have the expertise -- the energy engineer and skills. If we can build an infrastructure and change their economic opportunities -- I think that's something we should consider." Future work will focus on the dynamic diffusivity and dynamic permeability of coal, features which determine how quickly hydrogen can be injected and pumped back out, the scientists said. "I think Penn State is the right place to do all this research -- we have the coal reserves, we have natural gas, we have both the engineering and economic expertise at the University," Liu said. "This is the logical place to do this." Also contributing from Penn State was Ang Liu, instructor, John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering. - [Propellers are louder over ground](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230524182045.htm): The effects of the ground on propeller noise have been measured experimentally for the very first time by researchers in the Aeroacoustics research team at the University of Bristol. In findings, published in the Journal of Sound and Vibration, the team found clear differences in the noise characteristics of propellers when over ground, known as 'Ground Effect', compared to when operated normally. They noted an overall noise increase when measuring at angles above the ground, with hydrodynamic and acoustic interaction effects being a key factor to the overall noise trends. It is hoped this research, tested in the National Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel facility, can inform strategies to reduce the noise of aircraft while taking off or landing, by either changing the design of the landing pads or by changing the design of proposed aircraft architectures. Lead author Liam Hanson explained: "In light of the need for greener aviation, there has been a push in the aviation industry to develop electrified aircraft. "There is a lot of potential benefits from electric aircraft which have been identified by a variety of companies worldwide, including all of the major aircraft manufacturers." However, if urban air services such as on demand air taxis are to become a reality within city limits, engineers must tackle the issue of sound pollution, generated by propellers. An important subset of electric aircraft being developed recently are for the purposes of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). These aircraft can be broadly considered to fit in three different categories. The first is Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft which is focussing on Urban Air Mobility (UAM) applications such as air taxis, patient transfers, rooftop-to-rooftop trips within cities and airport transfers. The second category is Electric Conventional Take-Off and Landing (eCTOL) aircraft which is being developed for Regional Air Mobility (RAM). RAM focusses on cargo deliveries, short-range flights and passenger transfers from rural regions. The most commonly recognisable electric aircraft, small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) or drones, can be considered the third category which focusses on videography, small package delivery and medical supply transfer. Each of these categories of electric aircraft often uses propellers or rotors to generate thrust to take off and land. Crucially, eVTOL aircraft are operating in urban areas with large populations and as a result the noise generated by the aircraft is critical to understand and reduce if UAM is to be possible. The propellers used by the aircraft are smaller than helicopters which have been in use for years, usually being far smaller in diameter and rotating at higher speeds. As a result the noise characteristics are very different to the existing knowledge, and so further research is required. While eVTOL and sUAS aircraft are taking off or landing from a rooftop or landing pad, the propellers are likely to experience Ground Effect, an aerodynamic phenomenon which changes the performance of propellers. This change in the propeller aerodynamics within Ground Effect changes the acoustic performance of the propellers and causes complex interactions. Liam said: "Until now, no literature existed for the problem of isolated propeller noise in ground effect. "Our research sought to answer for the first time what happens to propeller noise while it operates in Ground Effect and what are the key acoustic and aerodynamic interactions which are most important to understand. "For the first time we have comprehensively measured the noise of small-scale propellers during take-off and landing while interacting with the ground. It is clear we can expect louder eVTOL aircraft during take-off and landing if the complex interactions with the ground are not considered." Based off their new understanding of propeller noise in Ground Effect, they are now conducting additional tests on different methods to potentially reduce the noise of the entire system. The research was sponsored by Embraer S.A. and the Horizon 2020 SilentProp project (agreement number 882842). - [Quantum matter breakthrough: Tuning density waves](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230524181906.htm): Scientists at EPFL have found a new way to create a crystalline structure called a "density wave" in an atomic gas. The findings can help us better understand the behavior of quantum matter, one of the most complex problems in physics. "Cold atomic gases were well known in the past for the ability to 'program' the interactions between atoms," says Professor Jean-Philippe Brantut at EPFL. "Our experiment doubles this ability!" Working with the group of Professor Helmut Ritsch at the University of Innsbruck, they have made a breakthrough that can impact not only quantum research but quantum-based technologies in the future. Density waves Scientists have long been interested in understanding how materials self-organize into complex structures, such as crystals. In the often-arcane world of quantum physics, this sort of self-organization of particles is seen in 'density waves', where particles arrange themselves into a regular, repeating pattern or 'order'; like a group of people with different colored shirts on standing in a line but in a pattern where no two people with the same color shirt stand next to each other. Density waves are observed in a variety of materials, including metals, insulators, and superconductors. However, studying them has been difficult, especially when this order (the patterns of particles in the wave) occurs with other types of organization such as superfluidity -- a property that allows particles to flow without resistance. It's worth noting that superfluidity is not just a theoretical curiosity; it is of immense interest for developing materials with unique properties, such as high-temperature superconductivity, which could lead to more efficient energy transfer and storage, or for building quantum computers. Tuning a Fermi gas with light To explore this interplay, Brantut and his colleagues, the researchers created a "unitary Fermi gas," a thin gas of lithium atoms cooled to extremely low temperatures, and where atoms collide with each other very often. The researchers then placed this gas in an optical cavity, a device used to confine light in a small space for an extended period of time. Optical cavities are made of two facing mirrors that reflect incoming light back and forth between them thousands of times, allowing light particles, photons, to build up inside the cavity. In the study, the researchers used the cavity to cause the particles in the Fermi gas to interact at long distance: a first atom would emit a photon that bounces onto the mirrors, which is then reabsorbed by second atom of the gas, regardless how far it is from the first. When enough photons are emitted and reabsorbed -- easily tuned in the experiment -- the atoms collectively organize into a density wave pattern. "The combination of atoms colliding directly with each other in the Fermi gas, while simultaneously exchanging photons over long distance, is a new type of matter where the interactions are extreme," says Brantut. "We hope what we will see there will improve our understanding of some of the most complex materials encountered in physics." - [How spheres become worms](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230427114502.htm): Hydrogels? Many people use these substances without knowing it. As superabsorbents in nappies, for example, hydrogels absorb a lot of liquid. In the process, the initially dry material becomes Jelly-like, but it does not wet. Some people place the swellable material on their eyeballs -- soft contact lenses are also just hydrogels. The same goes for jelly and other everyday materials. Hydrogels also play a role in science. From a chemical point of view, they are long, three-dimensionally cross-linked polymer molecules that form cavities. Inside, they can absorb and hold water molecules. In the working group of former Würzburg chemistry professor Robert Luxenhofer, the suitability of hydrogels for biofabrication is being tested: For example, hydrogels can be used for 3D printing as scaffold structures, on which cells can be attached. In this way, for example, artificial tissues can be produced for medical research and regenerative therapies. Hydrogel formation posed a puzzle During this research, Dr. Lukas Hahn in Luxenhofer's team noticed an unusual form of hydrogel formation. He observed it in polymers intended for nanomedicine, specifically for drug delivery. These polymers arrange themselves into spherical nanoparticles in water at 40 degrees. When the water is cooled to below 32 degrees, the spheres cluster into worm-like structures and a gel is formed. When heated, it dissolves again. "This behaviour is very rare in synthetic polymers and was completely unexpected," explains Robert Luxenhofer, who now teaches and researches at the University of Helsinki. If it does occur, the gel formation is usually due to hydrogen bonds -- attractive forces between polar functional groups involving hydrogen atoms that have a stabilising effect. Such interactions are of central importance for the structure and function of proteins, for example. However, things are quite different with the polymers we are dealing with here. In terms of their chemical structure, they are not capable of forming hydrogen bonds with each other. Apparently, the researchers had stumbled upon an unknown mechanism of gel formation. Breakthrough with NMR spectroscopy To solve the puzzle, Robert Luxenhofer sought a cooperation with chemistry professor Ann-Christin Pöppler at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), an expert in the characterisation of nanoparticles made of polymers. In cooperation with other research groups, her team took a closer look at the peculiar form of gel formation -- a complex puzzle that took a good two years to solve. "We were able to elucidate the unknown mechanism because we used a wide variety of analytical tools. In the end, however, the breakthrough came with various methods of NMR spectroscopy," explains the JMU chemist. Her doctoral student Theresa Zorn found out what leads to gel formation in this case: specific interactions between amide groups of the water-soluble and phenyl rings of the non-water-soluble polymer building blocks. These interactions cause the spherical nanoparticles to condense and restructure into worm-like structures. The findings could be confirmed by theoretical calculations: Dr Josef Kehrein, a former PhD student of JMU professor Christoph Sotriffer, an expert in computer-aided modelling of three-dimensional interactions between molecules, succeeded in doing so. He, too, is now working in Helsinki. The results have been published in ACS Nano, a journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The German Research Foundation (DFG), the Academy of Finland and other supporters funded the work. Which research steps follow Where do we go from here? The researchers are convinced that the newly discovered mechanism of hydrogel formation is also relevant for other polymers and for their interactions with biological tissues. Therefore, the team wants to chemically modify the polymers to see how this affects their properties and hydrogelation. It may be possible to specifically influence the gelation temperature as well as the strength and durability of the gel. From the modified materials, one could select those that are most suitable for use in biofabrication. Funded by the Universitätsbund Würzburg, Ann-Christin Pöppler's team also wants to investigate whether the nanoparticles and thus also the hydrogel can be loaded with "guest molecules." This might be interesting for medical applications -- if the gel dissolves at body temperature, it could release the active substances with which it was previously loaded. Applications in the form of implants, plasters or contact lenses are conceivable. - [New chemistry can extract virgin-grade materials from wind turbine blades in one process](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230426210454.htm): The new chemical process is not limited to wind turbine blades but works on many different so-called fibre-reinforced epoxy composites, including some materials that are reinforced with especially costly carbon fibres. Thus, the process can contribute to establishing a potential circular economy in the wind turbine, aerospace, automotive and space industries, where these reinforced composites, due to their light weight and long durability, are used for load-bearing structures. Being designed to last, the durability of the blades poses an environmental challenge. Wind turbine blades mostly end up at waste landfills when they are decommissioned, because they are extremely difficult to break down. If no solution is found, we will have accumulated 43 million tonnes of wind turbine blade waste globally by 2050. The newly discovered process is a proof-of-concept of a recycling strategy that can be applied to the vast majority of both existing wind turbine blades and those presently in production, as well as other epoxy-based materials. The results have just been published in the leading scientific journal Nature, and Aarhus University, together with the Danish Technological Institute, have filed a patent application for the process. Specifically, the researchers have shown that by using a ruthenium-based catalyst and the solvents isopropanol and toluene, they can separate the epoxy matrix and release one of the epoxy polymer's original building blocks, bisphenol A (BPA), and fully intact glass fibres in a single process. However, the method is not immediately scalable yet, as the catalytic system is not efficient enough for industrial implementation -- and ruthenium is a rare and expensive metal. Therefore, the scientists from Aarhus University are continuing their work on improving this methodology. "Nevertheless, we see it as a significant breakthrough for the development of durable technologies that can create a circular economy for epoxy-based materials. This is the first publication of a chemical process that can selectively disassemble an epoxy composite and isolate one of the most important building blocks of the epoxy polymer as well as the glass or carbon fibres without damaging the latter in the process," says Troels Skrydstrup, one of the lead authors of the study. Troels Skrydstrup is a professor at the Department of Chemistry and the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) at Aarhus University. The research is supported by the CETEC project (Circular Economy for Thermosets Epoxy Composites), which is a partnership between Vestas, Olin Corporation, the Danish Technological Institute and Aarhus University. - [Scientists demonstrate unprecedented sensitivity in measuring time delay between two photons](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230425111221.htm): A team of researchers has demonstrated the ultimate sensitivity allowed by quantum physics in measuring the time delay between two photons. By measuring their interference at a beam-splitter through frequency-resolving sampling measurements, the team has shown that unprecedented precision can be reached within current technology with an error in the estimation that can be further decreased by decreasing the photonic temporal bandwidth. This breakthrough has significant implications for a range of applications, including more feasible imaging of nanostructures, including biological samples, and nanomaterial surfaces, as well as quantum enhanced estimation based on frequency-resolved boson sampling in optical networks. The research was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of Portsmouth, led by Dr Vincenzo Tamma, Director of the University's Quantum Science and Technology Hub. Dr Tamma said: "Our technique exploits the quantum interference occurring when two single photons impinging on the two faces of a beam-splitter are indistinguishable when measured at the beam splitter output channels. If, before impinging on the beam splitter, one photon is delayed in time with respect to the other by going through or being reflected by the sample, one can retrieve in real time the value of such a delay and therefore the structure of the sample by probing the quantum interference of the photons at the output of the beam splitter. "We showed that the best precision in the measurement of the time delay is achieved when resolving such two-photon interference with sampling measurements of the two photons in their frequencies. Indeed, this ensures that the two photons remain completely indistinguishable at detectors, irrespective of their delay at any value of their sampled frequencies detected at the output." The team proposed the use of a two-photon interferometer to measure the interference of two photons at a beam-splitter. They then introduced a technique based on frequency-resolving sampling measurements to estimate the time delay between the two photons with the best possible precision allowed by nature, and with an increasing sensitivity at the decreasing of the photonic temporal bandwidth. Dr Tamma added: "Our technique overcomes the limitations of previous two-photon interference techniques not retrieving the information on the photonic frequencies in the measurement process. "It allows us to employ photons of the shortest duration experimentally possible without affecting the distinguishability of the time-delayed photons at the detectors, and therefore maximising the precision of the delay estimation with a remarkable reduction in the number of required pairs of photons. This allows a relatively fast and efficient characterisation of the given sample paving the way to applications in biology and nanoengineering." The applications of this breakthrough research are significant. It has the potential to significantly improve the imaging of nanostructures, including biological samples, and nanomaterial surfaces. Additionally, it could lead to quantum-enhanced estimation based on frequency-resolved boson sampling in optical networks. - [Students ease end-of-semester stress with Afro-Brazilian Capoeira class](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629510516/OopqO6DgLmgFGhkv?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian activity that combines - [Apex will have an office in Lisbon to promote exports from Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629509678/4kIjr_7Bk0InbYyS?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports - [Exclusive: FIFA U-20 WC: Brazil, Italy Not A Threat To Flying Eagles -Lawal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629484290/s3MIK58rJATneRid?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Eagles winger, Garba Lawal believes Brazil and - [Orlando City to host friendly vs. Brazil side Ponte Preta on May 2](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629483843/oTZnsBtE5KEyMSD1?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … fans and yet additional economic benefits for - [Go in with a plan when dining at Texas de Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629483738/KDUErj4Nv-teRnoj?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … plans involve Texas de Brazil, the Brazilian - [Brazil’s Lula declines invitation to visit Ukraine, sends aide instead](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629481213/PZHjy8WL-CRGeTtM?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … /Ueslei Marcelino) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula - [Angering West over Ukraine stance, Brazil's Lula welcomed in Portugal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629475188/bnuVmxIytaaqTx7p?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … with other Brazilian government officials, “continues the - [Brazil celebrates its giant trees on Earth Day 2023](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629469588/aqvNwJ1YMMX6uJVo?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … time Brazil was searching for new crops - [Brazil’s president begins visit to European ally Portugal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629467164/s2ANTgJKs7qKm5or?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Brazil on an official visit on Saturday, - [Inter Allies striker Cornelius Yegah completes permanent transfer to Grêmio in Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629467048/5Eldlnx6SUTfZV-J?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): Sports News of Saturday, 22 April 2023 Source: - [Chinese Language Day celebrated in Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629463151/moB2g57ig16INktT?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … cultural diversity.  This year in Brazil, the - [Brazil’s Oi postpones release of 2022 financial statements](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629462645/tFM0RGxoNR2OohoF?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … entered into a second bankruptcy protection in - [Brazil's Lula kicks off Portugal trip amid Ukraine criticism](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629460480/ZbjfhvWbMUJR5Hco?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … seeks to maintain Brazil's neutrality. Brazil-Portugal summit - [Brazil's Lula doesn't want to 'please anyone' over Ukraine stance](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629459671/YfzQH_PE2fCKIU-E?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … was held outside the Brazilian embassy on - [Ukrainians in Lisbon protest against Brazilian president's visit](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629456678/MWMJrILSsHbB2tRn?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … to the Brazilian Embassy and handed it - [Brazil’s Lula starts Europe visit amid Ukraine tensions](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629452975/_aoyc1fkCwXC4HD-?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Volodymyr Zelensky,” the Brazilian government said. “Brazil - [Brazil's Lula welcomed in Portugal amid controversy over Ukraine comments](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629450941/apWP7EmEJpa1Fwmk?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … the agenda. Brazil's Lula condemns … invasion - [Brazil's President Lula kicks off visit to European ally Portugal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629449042/ejAy5g-uNzqGYVLA?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Silva of Brazil on an official visit - [FIFA U-20 W/Cup: Flying Eagles To Face Brazil, Italy, Dominican Republic In Group D](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629448394/hiY6r_sJmrI8lQWj?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … a tough Group D with Brazil, Italy - [Brazil to build world's biggest mosquito factory in fight against dengue](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629447908/z0Z_tpJ27I_dIF4k?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a Brazilian science body - [Brazil’s Lula kicks off visit to European ally Portugal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629445400/KubVBlUEMRTPMKfP?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Silva of Brazil on an official visit - [Russia is landing new buyers for its sanctioned diesel all over the world and Brazil's taking advantage of the steep discounts.](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629445339/znsRA13ComcoLlNT?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … does this data on Brazil's diesel imports - [Brazil: No secrecy on Jan. 8 riots footage, De Moraes rules](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629439411/eZTenEEnEkEaHAwo?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … who looked the other way Brazilian Supreme - [Russian diesel exports hit record highs as the sanctioned fuel cuts into the US market share](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629438684/aCejwwnLsG7JVAYO?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … the app Russian diesel exports saw their - [Brazilian president responds to invitation to visit Ukraine, decides to send envoy](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629436500/WW1wt5TuejVmEVBI?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … special assistant to the Brazilian president for - [Celtic fans lap up Wrexham connection as staff member spotted in Hoops to prove Alan Brazil point](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629432541/Bnlcr4vT_PC6-2JS?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … and Wrexham – with Alan Brazil's point - [Brazil's Lula to send advisor to meet with Zelensky in Kiev: Minister](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629426953/Rfp8TQtrkqC92flD?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … President Volodymyr Zelensky. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio - [Brazil's Lula throws Brics at the US dollar](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629423050/ECs-tArCjV6A9wwm?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … for Chinese investment in South America, reaching - [Brazilian soccer under suspicion of match-fixing](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629420077/4LtLh4rfoctJHHqH?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … shaken the top echelons of Brazilian soccer - [As SCO and BRICS members, how Saudi Arabia and Iran can change East-West balance of power](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629418985/FgMhPEn1uulsWLbb?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … possible role in the powerful Brazil, Russia, - [It’s Flying Eagles against Brazil, Italy](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629409767/0Q2p_Ljueh0qkP3S?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … they were drawn against Brazil, Italy and - [HostDime's Colombia Data Center First in Latin America to Achieve EDGE Green Certificate](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629405230/6E5-2qDXL8iglTsC?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … by the World Bank's International Finance Corporation - [The Greenback’s Reign Is Secure For Now – Analysis](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629352406/7A_AsVo1EzPpuqhC?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … against other developed market and emerging market - [Global digital business school Hyper Island sees opportunities in PHL, opens programs](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629349279/45D5s5BnBFcfX07e?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … expanded to the United Kingdom, Brazil, North - [South African officials told Putin should attend summit virtually or be required to ARREST him](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629343182/MOt5CrEEDemooIwc?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): The BRICS group comprises of Brazil, Russia, India, - [Ukraine Activist Wants S.Africa To Ask Putin To Attend BRICS Summit Virtually](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629304263/GAmZ_WiTT2kVzRxq?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … August. The BRICS group comprises Brazil, Russia, - [Paint Protection Film Market Size to be Valued USD 1210.76 Million in 2028 at 5.21% CAGR: By Xcellent Insights](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629271982/paint-protection-film-market-size-to-be-valued-usd-1210-76-million-in-2028-at-5-21-cagr-by-xcellent-insights?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … of Asia Pacific) • South America (Brazil, - [2023 U-20 W/Cup Draw: Nigeria placed in Pot 3, likely to face Brazil, Argentina](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629275630/nHxN__RW_FFIYmvj?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Eagles are likely to face Brazil and - [Oxford malaria vaccine rollout could have 'major' implications in sub-Saharan Africa, economist says](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629258560/D62PdblIXJzU-FQD?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … , dengue and zika virus in Brazil, - [Workflow Automation Market is Expected to Surpass US$ 64.54 Billion by 2030 | Xerox Corporation, IBM Corporation, Bizagi](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629252522/workflow-automation-market-is-expected-to-surpass-us-64-54-billion-by-2030-xerox-corporation-ibm-corporation-bizagi?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … Asia Pacific) ◘ South America (Mexico, Brazil, - [GDPR Services Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 22.45% by 2030 | Infosys Limited, IBM Corporation, Atos SE](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629251581/gdpr-services-market-is-expected-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-22-45-by-2030-infosys-limited-ibm-corporation-atos-se?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … Asia Pacific) ◘ South America (Mexico, Brazil, - [Cell Line Development Market Is Estimated To Grow During 2023-2030: Coherent market Insights | Thermo Fisher Scientific.](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629238115/cell-line-development-market-is-estimated-to-grow-during-2023-2030-coherent-market-insights-thermo-fisher-scientific?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … .S. and Canada. Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, - [Nanobodies Market Research, Size, Share Analysis by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application to 2030 | Merck, Sanofi](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629233951/nanobodies-market-research-size-share-analysis-by-manufacturers-regions-type-and-application-to-2030-merck-sanofi?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … detailed information about the lucrative emerging market - [Water Soluble Films Market Share, Size, Financial Summaries Analysis from 2023-2030 | Aicello Corporation, Cortec Corp](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629233440/water-soluble-films-market-share-size-financial-summaries-analysis-from-2023-2030-aicello-corporation-cortec-corp?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … , and Southeast Asia) ◘ South America - [Egg Packaging Market to Witness Huge Growth in Coming Years With Profiling Leading Companies |Huhtamaki, DAVA Foods](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629232308/egg-packaging-market-to-witness-huge-growth-in-coming-years-with-profiling-leading-companies-huhtamaki-dava-foods?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … , and Southeast Asia) ◘ South America - [Abbott Laboratories (ABT) Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629172082/0EqQnqIyWdO6x3mK?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … led by strong performance in Brazil, China, - [Nigeria’s Economy: The Path to Prosperity](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629149713/L03peoyVccfLytX6?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … . Comparisons with Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil - [Do higher-order interactions promote synchronization?](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230420171635.htm): Researchers use networks to model the dynamics of coupled systems ranging from food webs to neurological processes. Those models originally focused on pairwise interactions, or behaviors that emerge from interactions between two entities. But in the last few years, network theorists have been asking, what about phenomena that involve three or more? In medicine, antibiotic combinations may fight a bacterial infection differently than they would on their own. In ecology, survival strategies may arise from three competing species that aren't observable when looking at individual pairs. Network theorists call these phenomena "higher-order interactions." Understanding them can be tricky, says Yuanzhao Zhang, an SFI Complexity Postdoctoral Fellow who uses network theory to study collective behaviors. How the network is represented, for example, can influence how the phenomena emerge. In a new paper in Nature Communications, Zhang and his colleagues show how the choice of network representation can influence the observed effects. Their work focuses on the phenomenon of synchronization, which emerges in systems from circadian clocks to vascular networks. Previous studies have suggested that these behaviors can improve synchronization, but the question of when and why that happens has largely remained unexplored. "We don't have a very good understanding of how the higher-order coupling structure influences synchronization," says Zhang. "For systems with nonpairwise interactions, we want to know, how does their representation affect the dynamics?" Zhang and his colleagues studied two frameworks used to model interactions beyond pairwise ones: hypergraphs and simplicial complexes. Hypergraphs use so-called "hyperedges" to connect three or more nodes, analogous to how conventional networks use edges. Simplicial complexes are more structured, using triangles (and higher-dimensional surfaces analogous to triangles) to represent those connections. Simplicial complexes are more specialized than general hypergraphs, says Zhang, which means that to model higher-order interactions, triangles can only be added in regions that are already well-connected. "It's this rich-gets-richer effect that makes simplicial complexes more heterogeneous than hypergraphs in general," Zhang says. Researchers generally don't consider the two frameworks to be very different. "People have been using those two frameworks interchangeably, choosing one or the other based on technical convenience," Zhang says, "but we found that they might be very different" in how they influence synchronization. In the paper, Zhang and his colleagues reported that networks modeled with hypergraphs easily give rise to synchronization, while simplicial complexes tend to complicate the process due to their highly heterogeneous structure. That suggests choices in higher-order representations can influence the outcome, and Zhang suspects the results can be extended to other dynamical processes such as diffusion or contagion. "Structural heterogeneity is important not just in synchronization, but is fundamental to most dynamic processes," he says. "Whether we model the system as a hypergraph or simplicial complex can drastically affect our conclusions." - [Exosomes Market Size, Share, Trends and Growth Analysis Report Forecast to 2030](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629061925/exosomes-market-size-share-trends-and-growth-analysis-report-forecast-to-2030?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … the regulatory framework, current and emerging market - [Versatile, high-speed, and efficient crystal actuation with photothermally resonated natural vibrations](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230420110146.htm): Mechanically responsive molecular crystals are extremely useful in soft robotics, which requires a versatile actuation technology. Crystals driven by the photothermal effect are particularly promising for achieving high-speed actuation. However, the response (bending) observed in these crystals is usually small. Now, scientists from Japan address this issue by inducing large resonated natural vibrations in anisole crystals with UV light illumination at the natural vibration frequency of the crystal. Every material possesses a unique natural vibration frequency such that when an external periodic force is applied to this material close to this frequency, the vibrations are greatly amplified. In the parlance of physics, this phenomenon is known as "resonance." Resonance is ubiquitous in our daily life, and, depending on the context, could be deemed desirable or undesirable. For instance, musical instruments like the guitar relies on resonance for sound amplification. On the other hand, buildings and bridges are more likely to collapse under an earthquake if the ground vibration frequency matches their natural frequency. Interestingly, natural vibration has not received much attention in material actuation, which relies on the action of mechanically responsive crystals. Versatile actuation technologies are highly desirable in the field of soft robotics. Although crystal actuation based on processes like photoisomerisation and phase transitions have been widely studied, these processes lack versatility since they require specific crystals to work. One way to improve versatility is by employing photothermal crystals, which show bending due to light-induced heating. While promising for achieving high-speed actuation, the bending angle is usually small ( - [PV Talks: TrinaTracker enters new growth cycle](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629040714/MzKT0T9zKHyAHN73?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … in countries and regions including Brazil, China - [Agricultural Pheromones Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 650.40 Million in 2028 at 7.21% CAGR: By Xcellent Insights](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629030915/agricultural-pheromones-market-size-is-expected-to-reach-usd-650-40-million-in-2028-at-7-21-cagr-by-xcellent-insights?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … of Asia-Pacific) • South America (Brazil, Argentina, - [Algae Products Market Was Valued at USD 6908.20 Million in 2021 | Expected 2.26% CAGR by 2028: By Xcellent Insights](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629036730/algae-products-market-was-valued-at-usd-6908-20-million-in-2021-expected-2-26-cagr-by-2028-by-xcellent-insights?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … , Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam) • Latin America - [Rising Demand for Dental Handpieces in Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges (Updated PDF 2023)](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/628993745/rising-demand-for-dental-handpieces-in-emerging-markets-opportunities-and-challenges-updated-pdf-2023?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): By region, North America held the largest share - [Hematology Analyzers and Reagents Market Manufacturers, Research Methodology and Business Opportunities by 2032](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629035272/hematology-analyzers-and-reagents-market-manufacturers-research-methodology-and-business-opportunities-by-2032?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … .S., Canada) Latin America (Chile, Brazil, Argentina, - [Synthetic Lubricants Market Size & Share to Surpass $21.88 Billion by 2030 | Vantage Market Research](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629032357/synthetic-lubricants-market-size-share-to-surpass-21-88-billion-by-2030-vantage-market-research?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina - [Veterinary Diagnostics Market Forecasted to Reach Nearly USD 5.01 Billion by 2029, Size, Share, Industry Demand, Rising Trends, Growth and Competitive Outlook](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629028863/veterinary-diagnostics-market-forecasted-to-reach-nearly-usd-5-01-billion-by-2029-size-share-industry-demand-rising-trends-growth-and-competitive?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … platform, you can: Identify emerging market trends - [The west has too little to offer leaders like Lula](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628985990/829YQzN0HkigwUAF?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … labelled “colonial”, where Brazil exported commodities but - [ISSB preparing to go beyond climate](https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/issb-preparing-to-go-beyond-climate-on-sustainability-standards): The International Sustainability Standards Board, which has so - [How intelligent is Bard when it comes to accounting career advice?](https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/how-intelligent-is-bard-when-it-comes-to-accounting-career-advice): I recently received an invitation from Google to - [3 of my favourite value stocks in emerging markets](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628804311/feCLBV7S8x-tkI_7?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … prices. Companies with exposure to emerging markets - [Physicists find unusual waves in nickel-based magnet](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230418195439.htm): Perturbing electron spins in a magnet usually results in excitations called "spin waves" that ripple through the magnet like waves on a pond that's been struck by a pebble. In a new study, Rice University physicists and their collaborators have discovered dramatically different excitations called "spin excitons" that can also "ripple" through a nickel-based magnet as a coherent wave. In a study published in Nature Communications, the researchers reported finding unusual properties in nickel molybdate, a layered magnetic crystal. Subatomic particles called electrons resemble miniscule magnets, and they typically orient themselves like compass needles in relation to magnetic fields. In experiments where neutrons were scattered from magnetic nickel ions inside the crystals, the researchers found that two outermost electrons from each nickel ion behaved differently. Rather than aligning their spins like compass needles, the two canceled one another in a phenomenon physicists call a spin singlet. "Such a substance should not be a magnet at all," said Rice's Pengcheng Dai, corresponding author of the study. "And if a neutron scatters off a given nickel ion, the excitations should remain local and not propagate through the sample." Dai and his collaborators were therefore surprised when instruments in the neutron-scattering experiments detected not one, but two families of propagating waves, each at dramatically different energies. To understand the waves' origins, it was necessary to delve into the atomic details of the magnetic crystals. For instance, electromagnetic forces from atoms in crystals can compete with the magnetic field and affect electrons inside neighboring atoms. This is called the crystal field effect, and it can force electron spins to orient themselves along directions distinct from the orientation of the magnetic field. Probing crystal field effects in the nickel molybdate crystals required additional experiments and theoretical interpretation of the data from the experiments. "The collaboration between experimental groups and theory is paramount to painting a full picture and understanding the unusual spin excitations observed in this compound," said Rice co-author Emilia Morosan. Morosan's group probed the thermal response of the crystals to changes in temperature using specific heat measurements. From those experiments, the researchers concluded that two kinds of crystal field environments occurred in the layered nickel molybdate, and the two affected nickel ions very differently. "In one, the field effect is rather weak and corresponds to a thermal energy of about 10 Kelvin," said study co-author Andriy Nevidomskyy, a theoretical physicist at Rice who helped interpret the experimental data. "It is perhaps not surprising to see, at few-Kelvin temperatures, that neutrons can excite magnetic spin waves from nickel atoms that are subject to this first type of crystal field effect. But it is most puzzling to see them coming from nickel atoms that are subject to the second type. Those atoms have a tetrahedral arrangement of oxygens around them, and the electric field effect is nearly 20-fold stronger, meaning the excitations are that much harder to create." Nevidomskyy said this can be understood as if the spins on the corresponding nickel ions had different "mass." "The analogy is that of heavy basketballs that are intermixed with tennis balls," he said. "To excite the spins of the second type, the heavier basketballs, one must administer a stronger 'kick' by shining more energetic neutrons at the material." The resulting effect on the nickel spin is called a spin exciton, and one would normally expect the effect of the exciton-producing "kick" to be confined to a single atom. But measurements from the experiments indicated "basketballs" were moving in unison, creating an unexpected sort of wave. Even more surprising, the waves appeared to persist at relatively high temperatures where the crystals no longer behaved as magnets. The explanation offered by Nevidomskyy and theorist co-author Leon Balents from the University of California, Santa Barbara was: Heavier spin excitons -- basketballs in the analogy -- bob in response to the fluctuations of the surrounding, lighter magnetic excitons -- the analogous tennis balls -- and if the interactions between the two types of balls are sufficiently strong, the heavier spin excitons participate in a coherent motion akin to a wave. "What is particularly interesting," Dai said, "is that the two kinds of nickel atoms each form a triangular lattice, and the magnetic interactions within this lattice are therefore frustrated." In magnetism on triangular lattices, frustration refers to the difficulty in aligning all the magnetic moments anti-parallel (up-down) with respect to their three immediate, nearest neighbors. Understanding the role of magnetic frustrations in triangular lattices is one of the long-standing challenges that Dai and Nevidomskyy have both been working to address for a number of years. "It is very exciting to find a puzzle, against one's expectations, and then feel a sense of satisfaction of having understood its origin," said Nevidomskyy. Dai, Morosan and Nevidomskyy are members of the Rice Quantum Initiative. Dai is the Sam and Helen Worden Professor of Physics and Astronomy. Morosan is a professor of physics and astronomy, and of chemistry. Nevidomskyy is an associate professor of physics and astronomy. The neutron scattering experiments were carried out by Bin Gao and Tong Chen in Dai's group in collaboration with instrument scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Chien-Lung Huang, a research scientist in Morosan's group, performed the specific heat measurements and analysis. The research was supported by the Department of Energy (DE-SC0012311), the Welch Foundation (C-1839, C-1818 and C-2114) and the National Science Foundation (2116515). The neutron scattering measurements were performed at the Spallation Neutron Source, a Department of Energy facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and at the United Kingdom's ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. - [New answers on COVID relief](https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/new-answers-from-irs-on-covid-relief): The Internal Revenue Service, along with the Departments - [Loss After Loss Is Bruising This Billionaire’s Reputation in Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628638217/jE8CL056J8RqEZtc?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … corporate blowup is tarnishing Brazilian billionaire Carlos - [Xinhua Commentary: China-Brazil partnership continues to deepen](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628607582/3OBfx0c3ooxbFPOk?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … a great engine for the Brazilian agro-industry.” - [Investors are optimistic about future technology](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/14/content_37406015.htm): Investors say they remain optimistic that tech breakthroughs - [WTO can survive without the US](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415872.htm): Former trade rules chief bashes Trump’s tariffs, calls - [Documentary covers China's reform, opening-up](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415874.htm): A documentary marking the 40th anniversary of China’s - [Social media in China continues to rapidly evolve](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415877.htm): The enormous and fast-paced sector in China is - [Shenyang Siasun brings world-class robots to Singapore](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415882.htm): At the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit held - [Xi: Efforts to fight corruption needed](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415883.htm): President calls for improving national supervision system to - [China embracing world](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415884.htm): President sums up country’s success over past 40 - [Modern marketing AI will read minds](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415887.htm): Today’s digital retail landscape has spoiled modern consumers - [Chinese rock star fuses visual, audible art](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415888.htm): Former vocalist of Chinese rock band Tang Dynasty - [Hitting the right keys](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415889.htm): A young Israeli pianist is making waves with - [En papillote the Chinese way](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415891.htm): Editor’s Note: Traditional and fusion cooking styles, regional - [The long arm of German culture](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415892.htm): Goethe-Institut marks three decades since it set up - [Imperial splash in Shanghai](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415893.htm): A large-scale exhibition celebrates the life and art - [Trichet 'confident' on EU-China deal](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415894.htm): Former European Central Bank head believes problems can - [Need to get in shape? 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(Newsis)Iranian funds worth an estimated $6 billion, frozen in bank accounts in Korea, have been released, following the US and Iran's tentative agreement to engage in a prisoner swap in exchange for Tehran's access to the blocked funds.All of Iran’s frozen funds in Korea have been unblocked, Central Bank of Iran Gov. Mohammad Reza Farzin said through a post written in Persian on social platform X on Saturday.The central bank chief wrote that $7 billion in Iranian assets in Korea have been converted into euros with the help of a bank in a third country and will be transferred to Iranian banks in Qatar.Farzin also mentioned the funds shrunk by nearly $1 billion in value due to the depreciation of the Korean won. No interest on the deposit was paid, he added.On Sunday, a spokesperson for Seoul’s Foreign Ministry declined to confirm the possible release of the funds, citing the sensitivity of the issue.The release of Iran’s seized assets in Korea comes as Iran and US reached an agreement on the blocked funds. The US agreed to Korea unfreezing the Iranian funds here and releasing five jailed Iranians in exchange for Iran allowing five detained US citizens to leave the country.The Iranian funds were stuck in the state-run Industrial Bank of Korea and the commercial Woori Bank since May 2019, after the two Korean banks refrained from processing them in response to US sanctions after former US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal.On Friday, an IBK official declined to verify the current status of the money, saying, "The process is being carried out through government-to-government discussions, so at this point, we are unable to provide specific details."An official from Woori Bank offered a similar answer, affirming that the transfer of Iranian funds would keep to the terms established by the government, and declined to provide further information.Asked about the possible impact of the massive transfer out of the country, John Kirby, Washington’s National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, predicted that the impact on the nation’s foreign exchange market would be limited."All I can tell you without getting into too much of the details is that we have worked extensively with the South Koreans on this and there's no impact to the movement of the account from South Korea," Kirby said in a virtual press briefing held Friday.Even though the Korean government has not yet confirmed the money transfer as of Sunday, the alleged release of Iranian assets is expected to help improve the soured relations between Seoul and Tehran.According to the Korea International Trade Association, Korea's trade volume with Iran was at its highest of $17.42 billion back in 2011, but the figure slipped to $2.41 billion in 2019 and $206 million in 2020 as sanctions against the country strengthened.If sanctions on Iran are lifted, Korea, a country dependent on energy imports, could secure a major partner for shipping oil goods, which would help the country maintain stable oil imports.Prior to the ban in May 2019, Korea imported 13.2 percent of its oil from Iran, the third largest amount following Saudi Arabia at 28.5 percent and Kuwait at 14.3 percent in 2017.It remains to be seen whether Korea’s tech giants Samsung and LG can resume their suspended sales in Iran.Following the US sanctions in 2018, both firms withdrew most of their local operations from the country. In return, Iran imposed an import ban on their home appliances in 2021.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [$7 billion frozen Iranian funds released](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230813000151): Passerbys stroll along a street in Tehran, Iran on Friday. Iranian funds worth nearly $7 billion have been released after being frozen in bank accounts in Korea. (Yonhap)Iranian funds worth nearly $7 billion, frozen in bank accounts in Korea, have been released, following the US and Iran's agreement to engage in a prisoner swap in exchange for Tehran's access to the blocked funds, according to multiple sources Sunday.All of Iran’s frozen funds in Korea have been unblocked, Central Bank of Iran Gov. Mohammad Reza Farzin said through a post written in Persian on social platform X on Saturday.While some news reports suggested the funds are worth $6 billion, the central bank chief wrote that Iranian assets worth nearly $7 billion in Korea have been converted into euros with the help of a bank in a third country and will be transferred to Iranian banks in Qatar.Farzin also mentioned the funds shrunk by nearly $1 billion in value due to the depreciation of the Korean won. No interest on the deposit was paid, he added.On Sunday, a spokesperson for Seoul’s Foreign Ministry declined to confirm the release of the funds, citing the sensitivity of the issue.The release of Iran’s seized assets in Korea comes as Iran and US reached an agreement on the blocked funds. The US agreed to Korea unfreezing the Iranian funds here and releasing five jailed Iranians in exchange for Iran allowing five detained US citizens to leave the country.The detained US citizens in Iran will be released when the Iranians in custody in the US are released and the full transfer of frozen Iranian assets in Korea happens, the Iranian government said.The Iranian funds were stuck in the state-operated Industrial Bank of Korea and commercial Woori Bank since May 2019, after the two Korean banks refrained from processing them in response to US sanctions after former US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal.On Friday, an IBK official declined to verify the current status of the money, saying, "The process is being carried out through government-to-government discussions, so at this point, we are unable to provide specific details."An official from Woori Bank offered a similar answer, affirming that the transfer of Iranian funds would keep to the terms established by the government, and declined to provide further information.On the same day, Korea’s Foreign Ministry neither confirmed nor denied media reports, but expressed hopes for a “smooth” resolution of the issue.There were concerns that the transfer of funds worth $7 billion may affect the local foreign exchange market as they are converted into euros, weakening the Korean won. John Kirby, Washington’s National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said there will be no significant impact on the Korean won."All I can tell you without getting into too much of the details is that we have worked extensively with the South Koreans on this and there's no impact to the movement of the account from South Korea," Kirby said in a virtual press briefing held Friday.Meanwhile, a local media report said that the Korean government is to keep some 500 billion won ($375.37 million) from the funds to cover the losses of local businesses.The Iranian deposits in Korea consist of Korea’s payments for oil imports. Following the heavy sanctions against Iran, Korean firms were unable to withdraw their payments as their accounts were blocked.Earlier this month, Iran said it will take legal action against Korea to reclaim the frozen assets. The Foreign Ministry of Korea said on Aug. 1, though Iran sought to refer the case for arbitration, an official request had not been filed at the time.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com)Song Seung-hyun (ssh@heraldcorp.com) - [Seoul shares start higher on moderate US inflation](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230811000096): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks opened marginally higher Friday as investor sentiment was buoyed by moderate US consumer price data.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 12.23 points, or 0.47 percent, to 2,613.79 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The US July consumer price index rose 3.2 percent, slower than the market expectation of a 3.3 percent rise.On Wall Street, stocks finished slightly higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing 0.15 percent and the Nasdaq Composite adding 0.12 percent.In Seoul, market heavyweights lent support to the upbeat start.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics advanced 0.88 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix gained 0.51 percent.Top carmaker Hyundai Motor rose 1.86 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia climbed 2.28 percent.The tourism sector continued its bullish run as China allowed group tours to South Korea, with leading travel agency Hanatour Service jumping 1.89 percent and top hotel operator Hotel Shilla soaring 3 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,319.65 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 4.25 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap) - [Exports down 15.3% during first 10 days of Aug.](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230811000092): Containers for exports and imports are stacked at a pier in Busan, country's largest port city. (Yonhap)South Korea's exports fell 15.3 percent on-year in the first 10 days of August on weak chip and petroleum exports, data showed Friday.The country's outbound shipments reached $13.2 billion in the Aug. 1-10 period, compared with $15.6 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.Imports plunged 30.5 percent on-year to $16.2 billion during the period, resulting in a trade deficit of $3 billion.By sector, exports of semiconductors moved down 18.1 percent over the period to $2.45 billion, and those of petroleum products plunged 37.8 percent to $1.37 billion.Outbound shipments of steel and mobile electronics fell 22.4 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively, to $967 million and $540 million, the data showed.On the other hand, exports of automobiles shot up 27.2 percent to $535 million.Exports to China, the biggest trade partner of Asia's No. 4 economy, decreased 25.9 percent to $2.87 billion.Shipments to the United States edged down 0.8 percent to $1.92 billion, while those to Vietnam moved up 3.7 percent to $1.51 billion.South Korea's exports fell for the 10th consecutive month in July due mainly to weak demand for semiconductors, but the country reported a trade surplus for two straight months.Exports have been on a steady decline since October last year amid aggressive monetary tightening by major economies to curb high inflation and an economic slowdown. It is also the first time since 2020 that exports have declined for nine months in a row.The combined trade deficit this year as of Thursday reached $27.8 billion. (Yonhap) - [Industries upbeat about return of Chinese tourists](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230810000641): The Chinese government has decided to allow group tours to South Korea after a six-year hiatus instigated by diplomatic bickering between Seoul and Beijing, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Thursday said it would lift restrictions on its nationals to travel in groups to 78 countries around the world, including Korea, the United States and Japan.The ban on Chinese group tours to Korea was removed for the first time since it was put in place as a retaliatory measure over Korea’s installation of a US anti-missile system, known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, in March 2017. The THAAD deployment had been strongly advocated for by Washington and opposed by Beijing.China previously lifted restrictions on group tours to 20 countries, including Thailand and Indonesia, following the abandonment of its “zero COVID” policy in January this year. It also allowed group tours to 40 countries including Nepal, Vietnam, Iran, Jordan, France, Spain and Brazil in March.The decision by the Chinese government gives some breathing room for the Korean economy, which has been struggling to recover with China's reopening showing limited effects on the lagging tourism and export industries.On the news, Korean air carriers are cautiously considering expanding the number of flights on Chinese routes.Jeju Air, the country's leading budget carrier, has already started increasing flights to China, and is considering further additions.“The expansion is being reviewed positively, but it is difficult to increase routes right away after the lifting of restrictions, as it typically takes more than two to three months to reopen new or halted routes,” a Jeju Air official said.Lotte Duty Free, which saw its operating loss widen last year due to the prolonged COVID-19 lockdown in China, said the lifting of the tourism restriction was “encouraging,” but it would take some time for Korean companies to see the purchasing power of Chinese tourists.“Realistically, I think it will be around the middle of the fourth quarter when the performance will start to improve to some extent. It takes about two to three months for Chinese tourism companies to make travel products, attract customers and actually bring them to Korea,” a Lotte Duty Free official said.Chinese tourists accounted for over 40 percent of inbound visitors before the restriction was placed.According to the Korean Tourism Organization, the proportion of Chinese travelers to the total number of visitors to Korea increased every year to 43.3 percent in 2014, 45.2 percent in 2015, and 46.8 percent in 2016, but fell to 31.3 percent in 2017. The figure nosedived to 12 percent in the first half of this year.Korean cosmetics giant LG Household & Health Care is mapping out marketing plans to welcome Chinese tourists after suffering losses in the Chinese market amid the fizzling K-beauty boom."We are preparing for producing leaflets in Chinese language, discussions with distributors on additional benefits by purchase amount, promotion of new products, customized item packages for each customer type like group tourists and small-scale merchants," a company official said.Stocks of Korean airlines and tourism soared on reports China will allow group tours to the country.The share price of Lotte Tour Development surged over 29.99 percent compared to the previous trading day. Asiana Airlines advanced 9.42 percent and Korea Airlines climbed 2.9 percent.Hotel Shilla, the duty free shop operator, spiked 17.3 percent, while Hana Tour gained 10 percent.By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)Lee Yoon-seo (yoonseo.3348@heraldcorp.com) - [S. Korea's fiscal deficit narrows on-year through June](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230810000244): This undated photo shows the exterior of the ministry building in the central administrative city of Sejong. (Ministry of Economy and Finance)South Korea's fiscal deficit narrowed on-year over the first six months of 2023, data showed Thursday, amid lower revenue and expenditures.The managed fiscal balance, a key gauge of fiscal health calculated on a stricter term, posted a deficit of 83 trillion won ($63.9 billion) through June, compared with 101.9 trillion won tallied a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.South Korea's tax revenue came to 178.5 trillion won during the cited period, down 39.7 trillion won on-year due to a lower amount of income and corporate taxes collected.The total revenue dropped to 296.2 trillion won in the January-June period, down 38.1 trillion won on-year.Total expenditures came to 351.7 trillion won over the period, down 57.7 trillion won on-year, as the government spent less on pandemic-related projects.The government's debt had reached 1,083.4 trillion won as of June, down 5.3 trillion won on-year. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares open lower on Wall Street losses](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230810000135): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Thursday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 11.42 points, or 0.44 percent, to 2,593.7 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.54 percent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.2 percent as investors were cautious ahead of the release of the US consumer price index, slated for Thursday.In Seoul, most big-cap shares declined across the board.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics sank 1.02 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix retreated 1.94 percent.Battery makers were also weak, with industry leader LG Energy Solution inching down 0.72 percent and Samsung SDI losing 1.58 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,317.3 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 2 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap) - [US policy on restricting China investment to have limited impact on S. Korea: govt.](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230810000105): (Herald DB)South Korea said Thursday the latest executive order limiting US investment in some Chinese technology sectors is expected to have only a limited impact on South Korean companies.On Wednesday, the White House vowed to restrict investment in "countries of concern" in certain technology sectors that could pose threats to its national security while adding only China, including Hong Kong and Macau, to the list.The areas include "sensitive technologies and products in the semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies, and artificial intelligence sectors," it added."The ban will be applied to future investments, and it will only cover US citizens and entities," South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement."Accordingly, it will have only a limited impact on local companies," it added.The industry ministry said South Korea will closely assess its impact on the economy and submit the government's and local companies' opinions to Washington, "if necessary." (Yonhap) - [S. Korea to proactively cope with France's new EV subsidy policy: ministry](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230809000224): A port for vehicle exports (Yonhap)South Korea's industry ministry said Wednesday it will proactively cope with France's new subsidy policy for electric vehicles, amid concerns the move may weigh down automobile exports.The move came as France plans to apply a score system that tracks the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process of EVs, which is set to be implemented in January 2024, followed by a six-month grace period, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.France plans to receive opinions on the policy through Aug. 25.Under the system, the French government will offer subsidies for EVs meeting the required environmental score while excluding vehicles with a substantial carbon footprint from the benefits."Currently, we are closely analyzing the policy's impact on South Korean companies with related parties. Based on the assessment, we plan to submit the government's stance to France," the ministry said in a statement.South Korea stands as the fifth-largest player in the French EV market, with Hyundai Motor Co. and its smaller affiliate Kia Corp. selling a combined 16,570 units last year."We plan to continue communicating with the French government closely to reflect our opinion on the final version of the scheme," the ministry added. (Yonhap) - [S. Korea to expand market for pet products to 15tr won by 2027](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230809000203): Exhibition at the International Canine Federation Seoul International Dog Show, July 14 (Yonhap)South Korea's agricultural ministry said Wednesday it plans to expand the size of the pet industry to 15 trillion won ($11.47 billion) by 2027 amid the growing number of households with dogs or cats.The target marks a sharp rise from just 8 trillion won tallied in 2022, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The number of households with dogs or cats came to 6.02 million last year, rising sharply from just 3.64 million in 2012."To address the evolving market trends, such as pet humanization, technological innovation and demographic shifts, it is necessary to nurture pet industries that can generate new production and create increased demand," the ministry said in a statement.Pet humanization refers to the trend in which individuals view their pets as integral members of their families.In line with such efforts, South Korea plans to come up with new policies on the pet food industry that meet global standards in terms of nutrition, packaging and advertising, such as those from the United States and the European Union.South Korea aims to export $500 million worth of pet food in 2027, up from $149 million tallied in 2022, the ministry said.South Korea will also establish what it calls the "One-Welfare Valley," in which companies will be provided facilities that allow them to test their new products on pets under strict conditions that protect their well-being.The country plans to offer low-interest loans to local pet product developers and support their research and development projects.The government will additionally eliminate value-added taxes on essential or frequently required veterinary services for pets and require veterinary clinics to transparently display prices for a broader range of treatments. (Yonhap) - [S. Korea's on-year job additions slow for 4th month in July](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230809000167): Participant at a job fair in Seoul, July 12 (Yonhap)South Korea's on-year job additions slowed for the fourth consecutive month in July, data showed Wednesday, with employment remaining challenging for those in their 20s.The number of employed people came to 28.68 million in July, up around 211,000 from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.Last month, the country's jobless rate came to 2.7 percent, down 0.2 percentage point over the period.South Korea's on-year job additions slowed for nine consecutive months through February before rebounding in March, when they rose 469,000 on-year. The growth, however, has continued to slow since April.In July, the Bank of Korea kept its key interest rate unchanged at 3.5 percent for the fourth straight time. Prior to that, the central bank delivered seven consecutive rate hikes from April 2022 to January 2023.A hike in borrowing costs typically hampers employment as businesses and households cut their spending. (Yonhap) - [Austin shuffles top brass as standoff with Tuberville deepens](https://pgnedu.com/2023/08/08/austin-shuffles-top-brass-as-standoff-with-tuberville-deepens/): Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is shuffling his - [Trade, overseas dividends bring current account surplus expansion](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230808000638): Shipping containers are placed at Busan Port, Aug. 1. (Yonhap)South Korea logged a current account surplus for two consecutive months in June due to a surplus in goods account and increased dividends from overseas, central bank data showed Tuesday.The country's current account gained $5.87 billion in June, following the $1.93 billion surplus from a month earlier, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea.Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assessed that Korea was showing a sound performance when compared with other economies, by juggling difficulties in inflation control, economic growth and labor market."Though monthly flow of current accounts can go back and forth between surplus and deficit, the projection for a yearly surplus standing at $23 billion shows Korea is likely to maintain surplus for its current account," Han said, referring to the Finance Ministry's goal of the figure reaching a surplus of $23 billion by the end of this year.“Though the target falls short when compared to $30 billion from last year, we are defending the soundness in the balance of payments,” he said.In detail, the country's goods account showed a $3.98 billion surplus in June, posting gains for three consecutive months from $580 million in April and $1.82 billion in May.Exports dipped by 9.3 percent to $54.1 billion from the same month in 2022, marking a consecutive 10-month decline since exports marked a turnaround to decline in September.Imports dropped sharper by 10.2 percent to $50.1 billion for four consecutive months due to lower energy import costs following a decline in international oil prices."The export decline has been decreasing. There are positive factors such as the strong car sales and the turnaround in the volume of chip exports despite the low prices. The weak prices of energy imports are leading the decline in import costs, too" Shin Seung-cheol, director of the economic statistics department at the BOK, said during a press briefing held Tuesday.With more Korean residents departing overseas, the services account, including the travel balance, suffered an extended loss in June, reaching $2.61 billion, dropping lower than the previous month's $910 million.The primary income account, which tracks the wages of foreign workers and dividend payments from overseas, reported a surplus of $4.85 billion, the data showed, up from the previous month's $1.42 billion.The advance stemmed from an increase in the amount of dividends companies received from their overseas affiliates which reached $4.23 billion, more than four times the $900 million recorded a month before.With July’s figures, Korea’s current account totaled at a surplus of $2.44 billion during the first six months of this year. Though it was much lower than the $24.87 billion surplus shown in the same period a year ago, it is higher than the BOK's projection of a $1.6 billion deficit made in May.“Though the total amount of surplus decreased as the country posted the worst deficit in January, the performance is satisfactory considering many economic institutions forecasted a deficit in the first half of this year,” Shin said.Yet, uncertainties remain for the rest of 2023 with the recent spike in international oil prices and the prolonged recovery of the IT industry.“The volatility of external conditions is high with international oil prices, recovery of major economies including China and a rebound of the IT industry,” Shin said.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [S. Korea vigilant on ensuring stable power supply amid scorching heat](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230808000456): Korea Electric Power Corp. officials monitor the power supply at a branch in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Monday. (Yonhap)South Korea's industry ministry said Tuesday it is focusing on ensuring a stable power supply amid the soaring demand in the face of sweltering heat.The maximum electricity demand reached 93.6 gigawatts the previous day, the highest ever for a summer season, above the ministry's estimate of 92.9 GW."We will stay vigilant and closely manage the electricity supply situation throughout the summer season, as uncertainties can arise at any time," Second Vice Industry Minister Kang Kyung-sung said.The ministry has also been bracing for Typhoon Khanun, which is anticipated to reach the southern resort island of Jeju on Thursday, as it can disrupt power transmission.The country maintains stable power supply capabilities, with the capacity reaching 104.3 GW during the peak time the previous day, it added. (Yonhap) - [S. Korea logs current account surplus for 2nd month in June](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230808000131): (Yonhap)South Korea logged a current account surplus for the second straight month in June on the back of a trade surplus and increased dividend payments from overseas, central bank data showed Tuesday.The country's current account surplus reached $5.87 billion in June, following the $1.93 billion surplus a month earlier, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea.June's surplus came as the country logged a trade surplus and dividend income increased.The country's goods account racked up a $3.98 billion surplus in June, following a $1.82 billion surplus the previous month.The primary income account, which tracks the wages of foreign workers and dividend payments from overseas, reported a surplus of $4.85 billion, the data showed.But the services account suffered an extended loss in June, reaching $2.61 billion, the data showed. (Yonhap) - [[Photo News] Savings back in favor](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230807000582): A bank employee sorts 50,000 won ($38) notes at Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday. The 50,000 won notes are back in circulation as key interest rates and bank rates for savings accounts have been continuously on the rise since 2021. (Yonhap)By Korea Herald (khnews@heraldcorp.com) - [S. Korea's cathode exports to US nearly triple this year on EV battery demand, IRA effects](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230807000290): This file photo shows LG Chem Ltd's cathode plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, 112 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on June 26. (LG Chem)South Korea's export of cathodes, a key secondary battery material, to the United States surged almost threefold in the first seven months from a year earlier, on growing demand for electric vehicle cells and the new US law on promoting green technologies, data showed Monday.Outbound shipments of cathode materials to the US amounted to $1.83 billion in the January-July period, up 177.8 percent from $661 million the previous year, according to the data by the Korea International Trade Association.Cathodes are one of the four components used in lithium-ion batteries, along with anodes, separators and electrolytes. Cathodes determine the power of EV batteries and account for about 40 percent of battery production costs.The cathode exports to the US had only reached about $9 million in early 2021, before jumping by more than sixfold to $57 million in just one year, KITA data showed.The value of monthly shipments surpassed $100 million in May last year and topped the $200 million mark in January of this year. It hit a record high of $326 million in March.The rapid growth in cathode exports is attributable to the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act in August last year that gives up to $7,500 in tax credits for purchasing EVs assembled in North America.The IRA requires a certain portion of EV batteries be made with minerals mined or processed in the US or countries or regions with which the US has a free trade agreement.Cathode and anode active materials, which come in a powder form, are classified as "constituent materials," like minerals, under the IRA, rather than "components," allowing Korean companies to produce them at their domestic facilities and ship them to the US for manufacturing battery parts in North America.South Korean battery makers have been aggressive in forming partnerships with EV makers to meet IRA requirements.LG Energy Solution Ltd. has battery manufacturing facilities operating or under construction in Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan in a venture with General Motors Co.SK On Co. has two factories running in Georgia and is building three others in Kentucky and Tennessee with Ford Motor Co.Samsung SDI Co. is building two battery plants in the US with Stellantis NV. (Yonhap) - [[KH Explains] Inheritance tax reform postponed amid criticism over 'silver spoon'](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230803000568): Major changes in the inheritance tax, one of President Yoon Suk Yeol's key campaign promises, have been postponed until next year's general election, as the reform could intensify criticism over tax cuts for the wealthy. On July 27, the government unveiled the tax code revision plan to be submitted to the National Assembly.Providing a tax reduction on the inheritance of family business for large conglomerates was not included in the proposal, as the government has been cautious on public opinion that stands against the reform as enabling the rich to enjoy lifelong benefits of the "silver spoon effect." Instead, the proposal for the revision of inheritance tax was limited to small and medium-sized businesses with sales of up to 500 billion won ($385 million), lifting the cap on the 10 percent tax rate -- a relatively low rate of taxation for inheritance tax -- from 6 billion won to 30 billion won in inherited assets.For inheritance of assets worth 30 billion won or more, the existing tax law will continue to be applied, meaning up to a 50 percent tax rate on those assets.There is also a 20 percent surcharge for the largest shareholders for large companies when they pass on their holdings, sending the effective top rate go up to 60 percent.Due to the regulations, business owners sometimes have a hard time holding on to their management rights, as an ownership family’s stake in a company is watered down through inheritance.For instance, the surviving family members of Kim Jung-ju, the deceased head of gaming giant Nexon, used stock to pay their inheritance tax, giving a 29.3 percent stake in NXC, Nexon’s holding company, to the Finance Ministry in late May. In turn, the Korean government became the second-largest shareholder of the company.Even the ownership families of local tech giants Samsung and LG Group have taken out stock loans to pay the inheritance tax. Some even sell the companies off to private equity funds.Business circles in Korea have called for the government to ease regulations on inheritance, arguing the strict rules are an obstacle for owners to maintain control of their businesses.One of the major requested changes is the transition from an “estate tax” system to an “inheritance tax” system.Estate tax is a levy on the total assets owned by a predecessor, meaning the inheritors can divide the levied taxes. Inheritance tax is a levy on assets inherited from a predecessor, meaning the assets will be divided to inheritors first and then levied upon. Inheritance tax system can lessen the burden on inheritors as a lower rate of tax will be levied on the divided assets.The government has been mulling over such a transition. It commissioned a study on inheritance tax that has been ongoing since October and plans to gather public opinions on the subject.South Korea is one of few countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that uses the estate tax system. Out of 28 countries in the OECD with inheritance tax law, four countries including Korea adopt the estate tax system, according to the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry.“The estate tax system does not meet the global standards. Only a handful of major countries adopt such a system. This needs to be changed,” said Lee Soo-won, head of the corporate policy team at the KCCI.The KCCI has also requested that the government lower tax rates for inheritance. According to the KCCI, Korea has the highest tax rate for inheritance among member countries of the OECD, while the average stands at 26 percent.Though many had expected a revision on the law to come when the government unveiled its road map for a tax code revision last week, it was not included partly because the government was pressured by the upcoming general election slated for May.The reform could spark controversy that the government plans to introduce tax reductions for the rich. It would also not be easy for the revised bill to pass the National Assembly, as the opposition Democratic Party of Korea holds more seats than the ruling People Power Party.Concerns on the resulting decrease in government tax revenue remain too. Tax revenues in Korea totaled 178.5 trillion won from January to June, down 39.7 trillion from the same period of 2022 due to a slowing economy.Experts are calling for the government to ease the inheritance tax, as heavy taxation could undermine the local economy.“The inheritance tax should be applied at the same rate as that of the income tax for fair taxation. The numbers should be brought down realistically,” said Kim Hag-soo, a researcher at the Korea Development Institute.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [Korean battery makers see market share fall in H1 despite solid growth](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230803000225): This graph shows the market shares of key global battery makers in the first half ending in June. (Yonhap)Three major South Korean battery makers saw their market share fall in the first half of the year from a year earlier despite solid growth, as bigger Chinese rivals further expanded their overseas foothold, a report said Thursday.The combined market share of the three -- LG Energy Solution Ltd., Samsung SDI Co. and SK On Co. -- came to 23.9 percent in the January-June period, compared with 26.1 percent from the previous year, according to the latest data from industry tracker SNE Research.LGES came third with 14.5 percent, unchanged from a year earlier, after China's CATL and BYD, whose combined share represented more than 52 percent.SK On accounted for 5.2 percent, down from 6.8 percent, placing fifth. Samsung SDI ranked seventh with 4.1 percent, sliding from 4.8 percent from a year earlier.The decline in the market share of the Korean companies is far from indicating a slowdown but has more to do with the relatively explosive growth of the Chinese players that is continuing on the back of robust domestic demand, SNE Research said.All of the three Korean battery makers posted double-digit growth in the volume of the battery installments for the six months.The volume of batteries from LGES installed in electric vehicles reached 44.1 gigawatt hours, up 50.3 percent from 29.3 GWh in the first half of 2022.SK On logged 15.9 GWh, up 16.1 percent on-year from 13.7 GWh, while that of Samsung SDI grew 28.2 percent to 12.6 GWh from 9.8 GWh.Strong sales of green cars equipped with the batteries made by the three battery companies helped fuel the growth, the report said.LGES batteries are used in the Tesla Model 3 and Y, the Volkswagen ID 3 and 4, and Ford's Mustang Mach-E.SK On supplies for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz EQA and EQB.Samsung SDI batteries are installed in the Rivian R1T and R1S pickup trucks, BMW i4, i7 and iX, and Audi E-Tron. (Yonhap) - [Imported car sales fall 1.3% in July on lack of supply](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230803000181): (Yonhap)Imported vehicle sales in South Korea fell 1.3 percent last month from a year earlier due to the end of tax cuts and lack of supplies in some brands, an industry association said Thursday.The number of newly registered imported cars came to 21,138 units in July, down from 21,423 units a year ago, the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association said in a statement.The three bestselling models last month were BMW's 520 sedan, Mercedes-Benz's E 250 sedan and Lexus' ES300h sedan, the statement said.In July, three German brands -- Volkswagen Group Korea, BMW Group Korea and Mercedes-Benz Korea -- sold a combined 14,977 units, up 3.8 percent from 14,426 the previous year.German cars accounted for 71 percent of imported cars sold in Asia's fourth-biggest economy last month, up from the previous year's 67 percent, KAIDA said.Three Japanese brands -- Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and its independent brand, Lexus -- sold a total of 1,741 units last month, jumping 19 percent from 1,467 a year earlier.Imported brands accounted for 18.97 percent of the Korean passenger vehicle market in June, slightly up from 18.02 percent a year ago. Their market share for July has yet to be released, KAIDA said. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares snap 4-day winning streak on concerns over US economy](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230802000652): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)Seoul shares ended sharply lower Wednesday, breaking their four-day winning streak, as the downgrade of the US credit rating stoked investors' concerns. The South Korean won declined against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 1.9 percent, or 50.6 points, to 2,616.47. Trading volume was heavy at 694.5 million shares worth 15.7 trillion won ($12.1 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 652 to 230.The tech-heavy Kosdaq dropped more than 3 percent.Wall Street finished mixed Tuesday as investors took a breather from a monthslong rally ahead of earnings reports from major companies, including Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., and US jobs data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.2 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite trimmed 0.43 percent and the S&P 500 lost 0.27 percent.Fitch Ratings downgraded the credit rating of the United States to AA+ from AAA, citing "repeated debt limit standoffs and last-minute resolutions.""Investors' appetite went sharply down in Asian stock markets in the aftermath of the downgrade of the US credit rating by Fitch," Kim Seok-hwan, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities Co., said.Kim said big-cap shares led the decline in the Kospi, especially stocks related to secondary battery and semiconductor, on profit-taking.Foreign investors and institutions sold off shares worth 84.5 billion won and 686.6 billion won, respectively, while retail investors bought a total of 772.2 billion won worth of shares.In Seoul, most big-cap stocks logged big decreases.Market behemoth Samsung Electronics retreated 1.69 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix plunged almost 4.5 percent.Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution dropped 2.33 percent, and its smaller rival Samsung SDI went down almost 3 percent.Steel giant Posco Holdings shot down 5.8 percent, and its battery component-making affiliate Posco Future M lost 4.52 percent.Top chemical producer LG Chem went down 1.98 percent.Auto shares also ended in negative terrain, with Hyundai Motor dropping 3.46 percent and its affiliate Kia losing almost 4 percent. Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Motor's auto parts affiliate, sank almost 3.6 percent.Bio stocks also went down, with Samsung Biologics losing 1.62 percent and Celltrion dropping 1.99 percent.IT shares were bearish, with internet portal operator Naver falling 2.36 percent and Kakao, the operator of popular mobile messenger KakaoTalk, dropping 3.1 percent.Kakao Bank plunged 5.23 percent on profit-taking despite a solid earnings report.The Korean won ended at 1,298.5 won against the greenback, down 14.7 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap) - [Consumer inflation falls to 25-month low](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230802000620): A shopper compares vegetables at a supermarket in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Tuesday. Vegetable prices rose by 9.1 percent on-year in July due to the heavy rain. (Yonhap)Korea's consumer prices showed slowed growth, rising by 2.3 percent in July on-year, mainly due to the decline in international oil prices and base effect from last year, data showed Wednesday.According to Statistics Korea, consumer prices growth, a key gauge of inflation, stood last month at 2.3 percent more than a year earlier. It is the lowest increase in 25 months since June 2021.Inflation has been showing signs of losing steam here.Since passing its peak at 6.3 percent in July 2022, consumer price growth remained in the 5 percent range from August 2022 to January. It slid to 4.8 percent in February and 4.2 percent in March, and dropped to 3.7 percent in April and 3.3 percent in May before falling to 2.7 percent in June.Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, has been slower to wane compared to headline inflation. But the numbers show core inflation is slowing down too, rising by 3.3 percent on-year in July, down from increases of 3.5 percent in June, 3.9 percent in May and 4 percent in April.In detail, the price of fuel fell by 25.9 percent on-year in July, the sharpest decline since the agency started compiling related data in January 1985. The dip stems from the base effect of a decline in international oil prices.Prices of diesel fell by 33.4 percent, gasoline by 22.8 percent and liquefied petroleum gas for vehicles by 17.9 percent in July when compared to the same month in 2022."Prices of petroleum products falling to record low figures led the price growth in the 2 percent range," Kim Bo-kyung, a senior official at Statistics Korea, said.The prices of utility services, heavily impacted by oil prices, showed slowed growth, too. It climbed 21.1 percent over the period, lower than the previous month's figure, tallied at 25.9 percent.Prices of daily necessities -- 144 items closely related to everyday lives, including food and clothing -- advanced 1.8 percent on-year, the lowest in 29 months since February 2021.But vegetable prices rose by 9.1 percent on-year, 1.7 percentage point higher than June’s figure.“With the heavy rain, the prices of vegetables spiked in late July,” Kim said. “As inflation eased due to the base effect of (oil prices) until July, the slowdown may not continue from August when that effect wanes.”The Bank of Korea echoed the stance that inflation could rebound from August.“The inflation rate continued to decline in July due to the base effect (of oil prices) despite the heavy rain,” Kim Woong, deputy governor of the BOK, said at a meeting held at the central bank's headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday, shortly after the figures were released.Inflationary pressure has continued with the recent rise in international oil prices following the production cut decision from OPEC+. The heavy rain from last month could lead to another spike in vegetable prices in August. The jump in public transportation costs due to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's raising of subway and bus fares from August will put pressure on inflation too.“Consumer price growth will rebound in August and fluctuate at around 3 percent by the end of this year,” Kim said. “Though it shows signs of slowing down, core inflation growth is likely to stay above the (3.3 percent) projection made in May.”By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [S. Korea sees 3rd-largest per-capita GDP fall among major economies in 2022](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230802000126): This file photo taken July 25 shows a port in the southeastern city of Busan. (Yonhap)South Korea's per-capita gross domestic product fell by the most among major economies after Japan and Sweden last year, data showed Wednesday.The country's per-capita GDP dropped 8.2 percent on-year to come to $32,142 in 2022, according to the data analyzed by the Bank of Korea based on reports of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Bank and released by Rep. Jin Sun-mee of the main opposition Democratic Party.It was the third-sharpest decline among 47 major nations that involve the world's top 30 economies and OECD member countries following Japan logging a 15.1 percent fall and Sweden with an 8.5 percent decline, the data showed.Last year's sharp fall was attributable to the weakness of the Korean won against the US dollar.In terms of the local currency, South Korea's nominal GDP rose 3.9 percent on-year to 2,161.8 trillion won ($1.68 trillion), but the dollar-based figure marked a 7.9 percent on-year fall, or the second-largest decline among major nations in the world.The local currency traded at 1,291.75 won against the US dollar on average in 2022, compared with 1,144.32 won from a year earlier.South Korea ranked the world's 23rd in terms of the per-capital GDP in 2022.Luxemburg topped the list with $125,558, followed by Norway with $106,180, Ireland with $104,237, Switzerland with $91,976 and the United States with $76,360.Italy placed 20th with $34,109 and Japan came next with $33,864, followed by Russia with $32,410, the data showed. (Yonhap) - [Deep contraction in imports leads to trade surplus in July](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230801000583): Shipping containers are placed at Busan port on Tuesday. (Yonhap)Korea narrowly avoided a trade deficit in July as falling prices of energy and raw materials pulled imports down faster than exports.Outbound shipments fell 16.5 percent on-year to $50.33 billion last month, while inbound shipments fell 25.4 percent to $48.7 billion, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Customs Service released Tuesday.Accordingly, Korea logged a trade surplus of $1.63 billion in July, marking a $500 million increase from a month earlier. It is the first time since November 2021 Korea has had a trade a surplus for two straight months.This marks a turnaround from the 15-month streak of deficits shown from March 2022 to May 2023. It was the longest period of trade deficit since the 29-month record from January 1995 to May 1997."Trade balance has been recording a surplus for consecutive months from June to July, showing a sign of favorable balance trend. This is due to the recovery of exports to China and major businesses such as the semiconductor industry," Trade Minister Lee Chang-yang said.But declining exports have continued to hold back the recovery of the export-dependent Korean economy. Korea’s exports fell by 16.5 percent on-year in July, declining for the 10th consecutive month.The sluggish exports came as the overseas sales of semiconductors, the country's key export item, sank 33.6 percent on-year on falling demand and a drop in chip prices, resulting in a $3.8 billion drop.The Trade Ministry sees the delay in global economic recovery and slump in the chip industry to have affected the weak exports. It projected the chip industry will rebound within this year as the cut in memory chip production eases inventory woes and demand for advanced products such as DDR5 increases.Kim Wan-ki, director general for international trade affairs at Trade Ministry, speaks during a press briefing held Tuesday. (Yonhap)But declining exports have continued to hold back the recovery of the export-dependent Korean economy. Korea’s exports fell by 16.5 percent on-year in July, declining for the 10th consecutive month.The sluggish exports came as the overseas sales of semiconductors, the country's key export item, sank 33.6 percent on-year on falling demand and a drop in chip prices, resulting in a $3.8 billion drop.The Trade Ministry sees the delay in global economic recovery and slump in the chip industry to have affected the weak exports. It projected the chip industry will rebound within this year as the cut in memory chip production eases inventory woes and demand for advanced products such as DDR5 increases."Though it is difficult to confirm for the time being, the chip industry will recover in the fourth quarter, amid the strong performance of the automobile and secondary battery (sectors)," said Kim Wan-ki, director general for international trade affairs at the Trade Ministry.The drop in international oil prices also resulted in a decline in exports of petrochemicals by 24.5 percent and petroleum products by 42.3 percent.Car exports spiked 15 percent on-year last month to reach $5.9 billion in sales, posting an increase for 13 consecutive months. It was the highest figure for July ever.By destination, shipments to China, Korea's top trading partner, fell 25.1 percent on-year, standing at $9.9 billion. Exports to China have been falling for 14 months.Korea's trade balance with China logged a deficit of $1.27 billion, showing a gradual recovery from the $2.71 billion deficit in March.With the trade deficit with China halved, Korea's biggest trade deficit is now with Japan, excluding Middle Eastern nations the country imports oil from.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [Seoul shares open higher on tech, bio gains](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230801000192): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Tuesday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Tuesday, drive by gains in tech and bio shares amid hopes of a soft landing for the US economy.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 15.09 points, or 0.57 percent, to 2,647.67 in the first 15 minutes of trading.All three major US stock indexes finished higher Monday on upbeat corporate earnings. The S&P 500 closed at a 16-month high of around 4,590.In Seoul, IT and bio shares drove up the Kospi, while tech blue chips traded mixed.Internet portal operator Naver soared 4.85 percent, and Kakao, the operator of the popular mobile messenger KakaoTalk, jumped 4.48 percent.Bio shares were strong, with Samsung Biologics advancing 4.18 percent and Celltrion rising 1.5 percent.Large-cap tech shares were mixed.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics added 1.15 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix went up 1.54 percent.But leading battery maker LG Energy Solution lost 0.36 percent. Samsung SDI was unchanged.Auto shares also traded mixed, with Hyundai Motor gaining 0.46 percent and its affiliate Kia retreating 0.48 percent.Steel giant POSCO Holdings lost 0.47 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,276.5 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 1.9 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap) - [S. Korea's exports down for 10th month in July on weak chip demand](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230801000106): This file photo taken July 25 shows a port in the southeastern city of Busan. (Yonhap)South Korea's exports fell for the tenth consecutive month in July due mainly to weak demand for semiconductors, but the country reported a trade surplus for two straight months, the industry ministry said Tuesday.Outbound shipments fell 16.5 percent on-year to $50.33 billion last month, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.The decline came as exports of semiconductors, the country's key export item, sank 34 percent on falling demand and a drop in chip prices.Imports fell 25.4 percent on-year to $48.71 billion in July, as energy imports retreated 47 percent on-year, the ministry said. South Korea depends on imports for most of its energy needs.Accordingly, the country logged a trade surplus of $1.63 billion in July, the second straight gain.In June, the country reported a trade surplus for the first time in 16 months, after it had suffered the longest ever shortfall since 1997 from March 2022 through May 2023 on high energy prices. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares up for third day as US data signals cooling inflation](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230731000600): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Monday (Yonhap)South Korean stocks closed 0.93 percent higher Monday, after US data signaling cooling inflation fueled investor appetite for risky bets. The local currency rose against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 24.26 points to 2,632.58. Trading volume was at 447.5 million shares worth 15.5 trillion won ($12.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 712 to 178."The slower-than-expected in US personal consumption expenditures price index raised hopes for a 'Goldilocks' economy," Choi Yu-joon, an analyst at Shinhan Investment & Securities Co., said, referring to the term that describes an economy with steady growth without a dramatic contraction or expansion."The probability of the Federal Reserve's interest rate hike in September came down to 20 percent, easing the tightening pressure," Choi said.All three US major stock indexes finished higher Friday, after the PCE price index, an inflation gauge favored by the Fed, showed it rose 3 percent in June from a year earlier, the smallest rise in more than two years.It also marked a drop from May's 3.8 percent, showing a downtrend that indicated the Fed's aggressive interest rate hikes are working to pull inflation down to the 2 percent target range.In Seoul, battery and steel stocks closed higher. Top battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 3.32 percent to 560,000 won. Steel giant Posco Holdings shot up 3.72 percent to 642,000 won.Internet portal operator Naver jumped 7.58 percent to 227,000 won on growing anticipation surrounding HyperCLOVA X, its hyperscale artificial intelligence service, set to be unveiled next month.Leading energy company SK Innovation surged 13.98 percent to 216,000 won after the market outlook for a turnaround in the next quarter earnings.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics fell 1.13 percent to 69,800 won. Chip giant SK hynix lost 3.59 percent to 123,400 won.Autos finished in the red. Hyundai Motor fell 0.41 percent to 196,000 won, and Kia shed 1.78 percent to 82,700 won.The stock markets experienced a brief disruption shortly after the opening bell when an unidentified system error at Koscom Corp. brought all stock trading to a halt for about 10 minutes.The Korean won ended at 1,274.60 won against the US dollar, up 2.4 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap) - [[KH Explains] Commercial real estate crash punishes investors](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230731000592): Korean investment firms are at the risk of painful losses in their commercial real estate investments with high interest rates and a shift to teleworking.With major economies tightening monetary policies, and the post-pandemic trend of working from home pushing up office vacancy rates, commercial office buildings -- once perceived as a reliable investment -- have become a liability.Igis Asset Management’s 370 billion won ($290 million) investment in the Trianon office building in Frankfurt, Germany, is the latest in a string of cases in which investors face a steep drop in value and a high vacancy rate.On July 27, the Korean real estate investment firm has decided to sell the 45-story skyscraper to restructure its debt secured against the building.With the building's primary tenant DekaBank set to move out next June, the profitability of the real estate investment came into question, and lenders are requesting additional financing.Though the firm is working to secure additional capital to normalize the fund, the outlook on refinancing remains grim. It is working on finding a new buyer for the property. A loss is unavoidable, as the office building was bought for 857 billion won and is now estimated to be worth around 770 billion won.“We are in a difficult situation. We are trying our best to normalize the fund and minimize the losses,” an official from IGIS Asset Management said.Mirae Asset is one of many firms here which have been suffering from the dip in the office real estate market.Mirae Asset Securities' 280 billion won ($219.8 million) investment in Goldin Financial Global Centre in Hong Kong is facing a major loss amid the sluggish Hong Kong real estate market.Mirae Asset, which made the investment through mezzanine financing, was not able to recover its investment from the sale of the property because it is not a priority investor.The exact size of the loss has not been finalized but Multi Asset Global Investments, an affiliate of the finance group, is expecting a 90 percent loss on its 88 billion won fund.Vestas Investment Management is to sell an office building in London. It financed an investment worth 440 billion won, but the property is likely to be sold at around 300 billion won with the fall in office demands.Korea Investment Real Asset Management’s 189 billion won investment in the Toison d'Or office building in Brussels, Belgium, and Hana Alternative Asset Management's 155 billion won investment in Two Independence Square, NASA’s headquarters in Washington, are similar cases.Losses have not been actualized for those two investments but are looming as the values of the properties decline.Between 2017 and 2019, Korean investment firms made aggressive investments in overseas commercial real estate, seeking steady profitability from high occupancy rates and low interest rates.With occupancy rates falling and interest rates rising, the lenders are requesting debtors to refinance the funds through additional funding as the funds’ maturity dates draw near.According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, local financial investment institutions' net investment in overseas real estate amounts to 76.1 trillion won as of July 13.Though office real estate prices are dropping in both US and Europe, with Korean firms mostly suffering from investments in in Europe.“Though the remote working trend is stronger in the US than Europe, both regions are seeing less demand for offices, leading to difficulties in refinancing,” Ji Hyo-jin, head of global research team at Mastern Invest Management, said.“We may be are seeing more of these distressed investment cases in Europe as banks require frequent asset revaluation and request debtors to pay off some of the principals when the loan-to-value ratio increases.”Ji advised firms to go for alternative options on the losses, rather than postponing the risks to the future with maturity extensions."Though firms try to refinance the funds by extending the loan maturity, it would be difficult to pull up the occupancy rate in the changed paradigm,” Ji said.Some also view this to be a chance to make new investments.“With high interest rates, the crunch in the commercial real estate market will continue. But on the other hand, there can be new opportunities of investments when properties are on sale at significantly lower prices. When this phase is wrapped up, an inflection point for investments will come,” said an official from a local investment firm.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [Seoul shares open higher on softening US inflation data](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230731000130): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Monday (Yonhap)South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday, as US data pointing to a loosening of inflation boosted investor confidence.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 16.91 points, or 0.65 percent, to 2,625.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading.All three US major stock indexes finished higher Friday, after the personal consumption expenditures price index, an inflation gauge favored by the Federal Reserve, showed it rose 3 percent in June from a year earlier, the smallest rise in more than two years.It also marked a drop from May's 3.8 percent, showing a downtrend that indicated the Fed's aggressive interest rate hikes are working to pull inflation down to the 2 percent target range.In Seoul, steel and energy shares drove up the Kospi, while tech blue chips traded mixed.Steel giant Posco Holdings and its battery component-making affiliate Posco Future M both rose more than 4 percent each. Top energy company SK Innovation jumped more than 7 percent.Tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics lost 0.4 percent, and chip maker SK hynix fell 1 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 2 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,275.6 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., up 1.4 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap) - [Exports of agro-fisheries products fall 3.8% in H1](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230731000113): Containers stacked at a pier in Busan (Yonhap)South Korea's exports of farm and fisheries products fell 3.8 percent on-year in the first half of the year, data showed Monday.Outbound shipments of agricultural and fisheries goods came to $5.95 billion in the January-June period, down from $6.19 billion a year earlier, according to the data by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT).Last year's tally marked an all-time high for the first half of any year, and it was the first time that the figure surpassed the $6 billion mark.This year's fall was attributable to the marked decline in exports of fisheries items, which dropped 10.3 percent on-year to $1.52 billion in the January-June period.Of major items, shipments of pollack sank 80 percent and those of tuna went down more than 20 percent, while sales of dried laver, called "gim" in Korean, jumped 24.9 percent on-year.Exports of processed food inched down 1.1 percent on-year to $3.71 billion as the decline in sales of dairy products offset the rise in demand for beverages and noodles.Exports of dairy items retreated 13.2 percent on-year, while those of noodles advanced 13.2 percent on the growing demand for ready-to-eat products, and sales of beverages rose 6.7 percent on-year.Outbound shipments of fresh foods also went down 3 percent on-year to $720 million, the aT data showed.By nation, exports to the United States fell 8.2 percent to $850 million, and those to the European Union and Britain retreated 16.4 percent to $360 million in the first half.Sales to Japan and China also shed 3.2 percent and 2 percent, respectively, the data showed. (Yonhap) - [Battery stocks’ rollercoaster ride leaves investors reeling](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230730000102): The fluctuating stock prices of firms in the secondary battery sector sent retail investors on a rollercoaster ride over the last week.Battery materials stocks achieved gains on Friday afternoon after suffering losses in the morning, raising alarms for retail investors who joined in on a buying spree for EcoPro and Posco shares.Shares of holdings company EcoPro closed at 1.10 million won ($863.85) on Friday. It spiked to a record high of 1.53 million won during trading hours on Wednesday. But it fell to a week-low of 935,000 won on Friday, making the differentials of the high and low during the week stand at 604,000 won.Shares of EcoPro BM, an affiliate of EcoPro that produces battery materials, showed a similar movement before closing at 407,500 won on Friday. EcoPro BM fell from the week-high of 584,000 won on Wednesday to the week-low of 360,000 won on Friday, making the fluctuation range stand at 224,000 won.With the fluctuation in stock prices, the added market cap of EcoPro and its affiliates listed on Kosdaq went up and down as well. The total market value of the EcoPro family, which was at 72 trillion won as of closing on Monday, hit a new high of 81 trillion won on the next day.But with share prices tumbling down after hitting record highs on Wednesday, the market cap dropped to 64 trillion won. It eventually recovered to 70 trillion won on Friday as the share prices of EcoPro climbed back.The shares of steel giant Posco Group experienced a similar rollercoaster ride last week, led by its holdings company Psoco Holdings and battery materials Posco Future M, the two companies running high on the recent battery frenzy.Posco Holdings shares reached a new high of 764,000 won on Wednesday and dropped to a week-low of 560,000 won on the next day. It eventually closed at 619,000 won on Friday.Posco Future M closed at 510,000 won on Friday, after dropping to the week-low of 464,000 won earlier in the day. Similar to other shares in the secondary battery sector it spiked to the record high of 560,000 won on Wednesday.With strong shares for battery-related units, Posco Group’s market cap reached 115 trillion won on Monday and 122 trillion won on the next day. It tumbled down to 105 trillion won on Thursday and recovered to 112 trillion won on Friday.The abrupt dive in battery materials stocks is assumed to have stemmed from massive profit-taking by retail investors after their binge buying in recent weeks, according to local analysts.Share prices dropped as some investors sold their holdings, making others go on a selling spree to prevent further losses.“With the escalated volatility of secondary battery shares due to a retail investor frenzy, individual investors concerned about reverse trading sold the stocks,” said Daeshin Securities analyst Kim Jung-yoon.Reverse trading refers to how brokerage firms execute forced selling of stocks which have been purchased through in-house loans if the appraised value falls below a certain level.The retail investor frenzy for secondary battery material firms is leading to higher uncertainties for the local stock market, market watchers assessed.“With the investor frenzy, the stock price index has gone up, but the concerns remain,” analyst Kang Dae-seok from Yuanta Securities Korea said. “Kospi went up 2.8 percent in July, but the volatility index of Kospi climbed 11.8 percent in the same period.”“While there have always been major shares that led the market and investor frenzy for certain sectors, the share flow in July was extreme,” analyst Shin Seung-jin from Samsung Securities said.“This is a time when investor sentiments and program trading supply and demand matter more than the fundamentals. The volatility for stocks that have gained prices due to expectation for growth will continue to increase.”By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [Seoul shares end tumultuous week with modest gains](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230728000580): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks ended slightly higher Friday, led by steel shares, as investors took a breather amid concerns over aggressive monetary tightening by major economies and following sessions of great fluctuations in battery shares. The local currency rose against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 4.51 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 2,608.32, the second consecutive gains. Trading volume was a bit heavy at 495.38 million shares worth 16.5 trillion won ($12.92 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 635 to 252.The index opened lower, tracking overnight US losses, and had bobbed in and out of negative terrain before ending with modest gains.Retail and foreign investors bought a net 4,392.71 billion won and 59.42 billion won worth of shares, respectively, while institutions shed a net 458.49 billion won worth of shares."High volatility in the battery sector continued to affect the index, while the overall investor sentiment was weakened by Wall Street losses, snapping a 13-day winning streak for the Dow," said Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities Co.Concerns remain over interest rate hikes by major economies, as the European Central Bank on Thursday raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to curb inflation.The move came after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage point Wednesday, and Chair Jerome Powell suggested a further increase at the September meeting depending on data.Also on Friday, the Bank of Japan announced a decision to conduct its yield curve control policy more flexibly, while keeping its benchmark interest rate unchanged.On the Seoul bourse, top-cap shares ended mixed.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics fell 1.53 percent to 70,600 won on profit taking, while smaller rival SK hynix surged 3.23 percent to 128,000 won.LG Energy Solution inched up 0.37 percent to 542,000 won, but LG Chem sank 1.22 percent to 650,000 won.Samsung SDI grew 0.15 percent to 663,000 won, and SK Innovation jumped 1.34 percent to 189,500 won after reporting improved yields from battery manufacturing in the second quarter.Posco shares gathered ground. Posco Holdings jumped 4.21 percent to 619,000 won, and Posco Future M soared 4.94 percent to 510,000 won. Posco International turned up 20.12 percent to 80,000 won.Carmakers traded mixed. Top automaker Hyundai Motor retreated 0.51 percent to 196,800 won, while its affiliate Kia added 1.32 percent to 84,200 won.Major bio firm Samsung Biologics declined 0.88 percent to 784,000 won on profit taking, and internet giant Naver went down 0.24 percent to 211,000 won.The local currency ended at 1,277.0 won against the US dollar, up 0.7 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares open lower on US losses, profit taking](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230728000153): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks opened lower Friday, led by declines in big-cap tech shares on profit taking after an overnight fall on Wall Street.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 9.8 points, or 0.38 percent, to 2,594.01 in the first 15 minutes of trading.US stocks closed lower despite the stronger-than-expected economic growth in the second quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.67 percent, snapping a 13-day winning streak, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.55 percent.The US economy grew 2.4 percent in the second quarter, up from 2 percent growth the previous quarter and higher than experts' estimate of around 2 percent.In Seoul, tech giant Samsung Electronics fell 0.42 percent, and SK hynix remained unchanged following sharp gains the previous session on hope for an industry turnaround.Major chemical firm LG Chem tumbled 2.28 percent, and Posco Future M retreated 0.82 percent.But leading battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 1.3 percent, and Samsung SDI inched up 0.15 percent.Posco Holdings went up 1.01 percent following a sharp fall the previous session.Carmakers opened higher, with top automaker Hyundai Motor rising 1.11 percent and Kia spiking 3.73 percent.Among decliners, major bio firm Samsung Biologics sank 1.52 percent, and internet giant Naver dived 1.89 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,282.70 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 5 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap) - [European Central Bank hikes interest rates for ninth time to combat inflation](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230727000767): The European Central Bank is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The governing council of the ECB will meet on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the ninth straight time in its yearlong campaign to stamp out painfully high inflation, even as worries about recession fuel speculation that Thursday’s hike could be its last.ECB President Christine Lagarde had all but promised the quarter-percentage point increase. That puts the focus at her post-meeting news conference on whether the bank will raise rates again at its September meeting or hold off after a record series of rate hikes.Central banks around the world have been raising borrowing costs to combat inflation unleashed by higher energy prices after Russia invaded Ukraine and supply chain backups as the global economy recovered from the coronavirus pandemic.Now, the question is whether the rapid rate hikes are reaching their end.The ECB move followed a decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday to raise its key rate for the 11th time in 17 months. Fed Chair Jerome Powell was noncommittal about whether more rate increases might be coming, though inflation is lower in the U.S. -- at 3% -- than it is in Europe.Inflation in the eurozone has fallen from its peak of 10.6% in October to 5.5% in June, still well above the bank’s target of 2% considered best for the economy.Households and businesses are facing a double hit from price spikes and higher rates, which make it more expensive for people to get loans to buy homes and cars or for companies to get new equipment or build facilities.Rates are working their way through the economy, weighing on home prices and construction activity, and are designed to work so people spend less and prices come down. But they can also weigh on economic growth, and the eurozone already has seen back-to-back quarters of contraction .With Thursday’s quarter-point increase, the ECB has raised its benchmark deposit rate from minus 0.5% to 3.75% in one year, the fastest credit tightening since the euro currency was launched in 1999.The rate hikes are already working: House prices have started to decline after a yearslong rally, while business loans are at their lowest level since statistics started in 2003. The outlook for construction companies in Germany also hit its lowest level since 2010.Fears about recession are focusing on Germany, Europe’s industrial powerhouse and largest economy. It is the only developed economy that the International Monetary Fund expects to shrink this year.Germany already has recorded two straight quarters of falling economic output, meeting one definition of recession. It might have seen a third, with figures for the April-to-June period coming out Friday.The German economy is going through a “slowcession” -- “stuck in the twilight zone between stagnation and recession,” says Carsten Brzeski, chief eurozone economist at ING Bank.The whole eurozone economy also shrank slightly in the first three months of the year, likewise the second straight quarterly decline. Preliminary figures for the second quarter are due Monday.The economists on the euro area business cycle dating committee, which declares recessions, use a broader set of data than just two quarters of shrinking output figures in its decisions. The committee said June 30 that talk of a eurozone recession was “premature” given record low unemployment of 6.5%.ECB officials say getting tough on inflation now avoids even more drastic credit restrictions later if inflation becomes ingrained through expectations for higher wages and prices. (AP) - [Seoul shares end higher on chip rally](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230727000668): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks ended higher Thursday, as chipmakers surged on hopes for a business turnaround and investors digested the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate hike. The local currency fell against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 11.45 points, or 0.44 percent, to close at 2,603.81. Trading volume was heavy at 585.77 million shares worth 23.79 trillion won ($18.62 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 729 to 174.The index moved within a tight range following the previous session's losses but had risen to nearly 1 percent before ending with modest gains.Institutional and offshore investors bought a net 437.89 billion won and 78.9 billion won worth of shares, respectively, while individuals shed a net 506.06 billion won worth of shares."We've seen greater market volatility due mainly to a frenzy for battery shares," said Kim Ji-san, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities Co.In macroeconomic terms, the Fed raised interest rates Wednesday by a much-anticipated quarter of a percentage point to the 5.25 percent to 5.50 percent range, the highest level in more than 22 years.Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho told a meeting that the government will closely monitor the market as the Fed's latest decision pushed the gap between the key rates of South Korea and the US to an all-time high.In Seoul on Thursday, top-cap shares ended mixed, with chipmakers' rally offsetting a fall in battery and steel shares.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics jumped 2.72 percent to 71,700 won after it announced plans to extend production cuts amid expectations for a recovery in demand, though it reported a 95 percent fall in second-quarter operating profit.Smaller rival SK hynix surged 9.73 percent to 124,000 won.But LG Energy Solution dropped 6.9 percent to 540,000 won on profit-taking. The leading battery maker said its second-quarter operating profit more than doubled on-year on growing battery demand for electric vehicles.LG Chem dived 9.62 percent to 658,000 won after reporting a 30 percent fall in its second-quarter profit on sagging global demand.Samsung SDI retreated 5.83 percent to 662,000 won following recent gains, as it announced a 4.9 percent increase in the second-quarter operating income.Posco Holdings skidded 5.71 percent to 594,000 won, and Posco Future M dropped 13.21 percent to 486,000 won.Carmakers traded mixed. Top automaker Hyundai Motor retreated 0.45 percent to 197,800 won, while its affiliate Kia rose 0.61 percent to 83,100 won after logging a solid growth in the second-quarter net profit.Among gainers, major bio firm Samsung Biologics advanced 8.8 percent to 791,000 won, and internet giant Naver went up 6.98 percent to 211,500 won.The local currency ended at 1,277.7 won against the US dollar, down 3.2 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap) - [Garden show](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/14/content_37406006.htm): A Kunqu Opera performance brings Shen Fu’s famous - [This feature requires paid plan. Please contact the owner.](https://www.feedspot.com/fs/marketers?_src=rss_feature): Start your 7 day free trial then $7.99 - [xx](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/page/4848): Matane, 13 juillet 2023 – Matane, July 13, 2023 - [Navigating the Romney-Ryan-Obama Medicare Bedlam](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2012/08/15/navigating_the_romney-ryan-obama_medicare_bedlam_130393.html): Mitt Romney accuses U.S. President Barack Obama of - [Will Robots Cause Mass Unemployment in China?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2012/08/20/will_robots_cause_mass_unemployment_in_china_130573.html): Reuters August 20, 2012 The graph below, based - [New Evidence Shows Real Capitalism Beats Crony Capitalism](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2012/08/20/new_evidence_shows_real_capitalism_beats_crony_capitalism_130572.html): Editorial Investor’s Business Daily August 20, 2012 In - [Could the Economy Win Obama the Election?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2012/08/21/could_the_economy_win_obama_the_election_130615.html): By now, everybody knows what’s wrong with the - [Go straight to jail, right after you tour the rest of Fredericton's science centre](https://science.einnews.com/article/641794607/sLC7KXMtfXknl-uC?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Science East, a science education centre in downtown Fredericton, is now offering tours of the old jail cells in its basement. - [WVDNR seeks public input for river otter citizen science project](https://science.einnews.com/article/641783458/-NPOO7ojPjHFsgY8?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced today the start of a new citizen science project to identify the distribution of river otters across the state and is asking members of the public to report sightings through an online survey. The survey can be completed online or by using the Survey123 mobile application. To learn more about participating in the survey, visit WVdnr.gov/surveys and scroll down to River Otters. As part of the survey, participants will be asked to report river otter sightings and provide details about the otter’s location, the number of otters observed and what the otter was doing. Submitting a photo of the otter is encouraged. The survey, which is similar to the box turtle and rattlesnake citizen science surveys the WVDNR have conducted, will provide updated information about the bodies of water river otters currently occupy. Data collected during the survey will help the WVDNR better manage river otter populations across West Virginia. River otters, which were once extirpated in West Virginia, were reintroduced to the state by the WVDNR in the 1980s. Since then, river otter populations have stabilized and are increasing in certain areas. To learn more about other citizen science projects and surveys, visit WVdnr.gov/surveys. - [Save dietary supplement product development time with science report](https://science.einnews.com/article/641781018/ALsBOnIxBm4Q4K1w?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): The science behind top-selling ingredients is accumulating at a rapid pace, making it difficult for hard pressed product developers to keep up.   A new report—available today—by Natural Products Insider aims to help.  The report, which is available as an additional offering when attendees and exhibitors register for the SupplySide West/FiNA trade show, summarizes the most salient recent research on five categories of top-selling ingredients.  The categories covered in the report are probiotics, magnesium, melatonin, curcumin and collagen. This focus was chosen because of the intersection of strong market demand for these ingredients, coupled with robust recent research activity in 2022 and 2023.  All of these ingredients are, or have been, hot sellers. The new report contains data from Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) on how those ingredients are doing in the market.  Sales in 2022 for magnesium increased nearly 12%, approaching $1.5 billion, according to NBJ.  For all five ingredients—whether they’re riding sales skyrockets or are merely holding their formidable positions—the science to substantiate their health benefits is piling up at a rapid pace. To get the scoop on the science, be sure to purchase the report as part of your registration for SupplySide West.   - [Stanford scientists identify a new subtype of depression](https://science.einnews.com/article/641777325/H2IizQhzPvpQScIH?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): "I regularly witness the suffering, the loss of hope and the increase in suicidality that occurs when people are going through our trial-and-error process, and it's because we start with medications that have the same mechanism of action for everyone with depression, even though depression is quite heterogeneous," — Laura Hack, MD, PhD, lead author of the study. Tyrone Siu/Reuters Through the use of surveys, cognitive tests and brain imaging, scientists at Stanford Medicine in California have identified a new type of depression that affects over a quarter of patients.This new category of depression, labelled as a cognitive biotype, accounts for approximately 27 per cent of depressed patients and can not effectively be treated by commonly prescribed antidepressants. The scientists' primary goal is to diagnose and treat the condition more precisely.Traditionally, depression is defined as a mood disorder, so it's common practice for doctors to prescribe antidepressants that target selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the brain.However, this medication proves to be less effective for patients with cognitive dysfunction. The researchers believe that targeting these aforementioned dysfunctions with rarely-used antidepressants or other treatments may alleviate symptoms, whilst restoring social and occupational abilities.According to the study's senior author and professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences, Leanne Williams, PhD, the published study is part of a broader effort by neuroscientists to find treatments that specifically target biotypes of depression. Professor Williams commented: "One of the big challenges is to find a new way to address what is currently a trial-and-error process so that more people can get better sooner. Bringing in these objective cognitive measures like imaging will make sure we're not using the same treatment on every patient."For the study, 1,008 adults with major depressive disorders were randomly given one of three widely-prescribed antidepressants: escitalopram or sertraline, which both act on serotonin, or venlafaxine-XR, which acts on both serotonin and norepinephrine, with 712 participants completing the eight-week regime. Before and after treatment, the participants' depressive symptoms were measured with two surveys, one administered by a clinician, and the other being a self-assessment, which included questions relating to sleeping, eating and one's overall quality of life.The participants later completed a series of cognitive tasks, also before and after treatment, in order to measure verbal memory, working memory, decision speed and sustained attention. Scientists used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan 96 of the participants whilst they engaged in a task that involved pressing a button as quickly as possible.The fMRI tracked neuronal activity within various brain regions by measuring changes in blood oxygen levels, with the researchers later comparing these images with individuals without depression.Researchers discovered that 27 per cent of the participants experienced more prominent symptoms of cognitive deceleration and insomnia, impaired cognitive function and reduced activity in certain frontal brain regions, profile scientists labelled as a cognitive biotype. After treatment, the researchers also found that for the three antidepressants administered, the overall remission rates and absence of depressive symptoms greatly differed, with sertraline, for example, showing a remission rate of 35.9 per cent for those with the biotype, and 50 per cent for those without.Laura Hack, MD, PhD, the study's lead author and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural studies, said: "This study is crucial because psychiatrists have few measurement tools for depression to help make treatment decisions. It's mostly making observations and self-report measures. Imaging while performing cognitive tasks is rather novel in depression treatment studies."Both Professor Williams and Professor Hack, respectively, propose that behaviour measurement and imaging could help with diagnosing depression biotypes, leading to more effective treatment. They hope to conduct further studies on patients who have the cognitive biotype and compare different types of medication with various treatments and behavioural therapy. - [Top 10 career options in AI, Data Science](https://science.einnews.com/article/641772524/YUKqPE_qCtnCwbLY?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): By India Today Education Desk: Credit for launching the first academic program in Data Science goes to a land-grant state university in North Carolina, USA when, in 2007, the university came up with the MS in Data Analytics program.Thereafter, several universities across the world started offering graduate and undergraduate programs in Data Science (and allied areas like Data Analytics, NLP, ML etc.).advertisementIn India, SP Jain was the first b-school to start a graduate certificate programme in Big-Data Analytics program in 2015 and thereafter launched the first undergraduate program in Data Science in 2018, along with 3 other universities across the world.Data Science programme across the world have been runaway hits from the student's enrolment perspective since it provides greater access to the entry-level job market at considerably higher salaries in comparison to graduate employment outcomes with computer science engineering degrees.Interestingly, Data Science is quite a versatile career since it has applications to a wide range of industries, from healthcare to finance to eCommerce to Transportation & logistics.With the rise of big data and the increasing availability of data sources, organisations are looking to leverage data to make better decisions. Data science provides the tools and techniques to analyse large amounts of data and extract insights from it, which can be used to inform strategic decisions.Data Science has the potential to drive innovation and create new products and services. By analysing data and uncovering patterns and insights, data scientists can identify new opportunities for growth and development. With the increasing availability of open-source tools and resources, data science has become more accessible to a wider range of people. This has helped to democratise data science and make it more inclusive.Dr Abhijit Dasgupta, Director – Bachelor of Data Science at S P Jain School of Global Management has shared the list of career choices in the field of AI and Data Science for students, viz.,1. Data Scientist: A data scientist is responsible for analysing and interpreting complex data to find patterns and insights that can help organisations make better decisions. They need to be skilled in programming, data analysis, and machine learning.2. Machine Learning Engineer: A machine learning engineer designs and implements machine learning algorithms and models to automate tasks or create predictive models. They need to have strong programming skills and knowledge of statistics and mathematics.3. Artificial Intelligence Researcher: An AI researcher conducts research on artificial intelligence and develops new algorithms and models to solve complex problems. They need to have a strong background in mathematics, computer science, and machine learning.advertisement4. Business Intelligence Analyst: A business intelligence analyst uses data to help organisations make informed decisions. They analyse data to identify trends and patterns, and then create reports and visualisations to communicate insights to business leaders.5. Data Analyst: A data analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analysing data to identify trends and insights. They need to be skilled in statistics, data visualisation, and programming.6. Data Engineer: A big data engineer designs and implements large-scale data processing systems using technologies such as Hadoop and Spark. They need to have strong programming skills and knowledge of distributed computing.7. Data Architect: A data architect designs and maintains the architecture of data systems. They need to have a deep understanding of data modelling and database design.8. Data Mining Engineer: A data mining engineer develops and implements algorithms to discover patterns and insights in large datasets. They need to be skilled in programming and machine learning.9. Data Visualisation Developer: A data visualisation developer creates visualisations and dashboards to help organisations better understand their data. They need to be skilled in programming and data visualisation tools.advertisement10 Data Quality Analyst: A data quality analyst is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of data. They need to be skilled in data management and quality control techniques.Overall, the right candidates with quality coding skills, industry certifications and a good research background will have opportunities open for him/her across the world at salaries which were earlier unheard of 2-3 years back.--- ENDS --- - [Researching science’s biggest questions at UNH’s observatory](https://science.einnews.com/article/641769967/uZ8jWYhbf5e-7sJ-?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): This story first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.The University of New Hampshire has an observatory, and John Gianforte is in charge of running it. That job also includes hosting star parties, twice-monthly events where the observatory is open to the public and people can come and use the telescopes. The free event takes place on the first and third Saturday of each month, and the next chance to participate is this Saturday, July 1, from 9 to 11 p.m., weather permitting. Double check the observatory’s Facebook page to make sure conditions are right. Gianforte started teaching astronomy in New Hampshire in 1983, according to his incredibly named website,  “The Sky Guy.” I spoke with him about his research, and how it attempts to answer one of the biggest scientific questions: Is there life on other planets? AG: Tell me more about the kind of research you do.  John Gianforte: My research area is exoplanets - the planets that orbit stars other than the sun. I teach an experimental physics class here at the university. The students who take that class are usually senior physics students or grad students. I don’t. I was going to ask what you meant by that. So, transit is like an eclipse. Let’s imagine there’s a pretty bright star. If a planet orbiting this star is in our line of sight -- in other words, when it crosses in front of its host star -- it kind of creates an eclipse of sorts, that creates a shadow. It blocks a little bit of that star’s light, and with our instruments, we can detect a 1 percent dimming of that light from the star because the planet is in the way for a few hours. We’ve discovered almost 6,000 other planets out there orbiting stars other than the sun in about 3,700 other solar systems. What’s the significance of those discoveries? That’s a dangerous question to ask me because I can keep you on the phone all afternoon. But you’re asking the “so what” question, which I get a lot. It’s attempting to determine if the planet that we live on in our solar system is unique, or are there other planets that have what it takes for life to arise and thrive? And that’s the big question. Most people have an interest in finding out if there’s life elsewhere, either microbial life or intelligent life. Finding life on any other planet, anywhere, even in our own solar system, would be a huge, huge discovery. And if it’s there, if we discover one other place, chances are there’s lots of other places where life has taken root and has evolved, thrived. That is an important question to humans because we’re always curious about what’s out there. Is there anybody out there that we can talk to? That’s a big question that people studying exoplanets and astronomy are trying to answer.The Big PictureVendors took over one of Concord's main streets for Market Days, which were held from June 22 through June 24, 2023Amanda GokeeGot a picture to share? We may feature it in this space! Email it to us at NHNews@globe.com or post it on Instagram and tag us: @Globe_NH.Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @amanda_gokee. - [I spy a firefly: How you can help scientists collect data](https://science.einnews.com/article/641768863/YYxwucGp81Qrq9dZ?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): (WKBN) — You’re invited to join a network of community scientists around the country by observing your own backyard and helping scientists map fireflies. Mass Audubon is tracking the fate of fireflies and invites anyone in North America to take part. The Massachusetts Audubon Society, commonly known as Mass Audubon, is an organization that focuses on land protection and wildlife conservation, with the additional goal of connecting people to nature. The group offers both members and nonmembers access to educational programs and events that help connect them to nature. Through the project Firefly Watch, the organization hopes to learn about the geographic distribution of fireflies and what environmental factors impact their abundance.  Also known as lightning bugs, fireflies are neither bugs nor flies — they are actually beetles that light up using a chemical reaction in their lower abdomen. All fireflies belong to the same beetle family, although the groups have different ways of attracting mates. Some fireflies make quick flashes while others give long-lasting glows, and some use invisible chemical signals. To participate in the program, all you need to do is spend at least 10 minutes once a week during firefly season observing fireflies in one location, such as your backyard or a nearby field. The study says a location site should be fairly small and cohesive to provide the most accurate results. It should be no larger than the area you can see easily while standing in one spot. A backyard that includes shrubs and trees can be considered one habitat, but a pasture bordering that yard would be considered a different habitat.  Participants are asked to count the number of flashing fireflies they see over the course of 10 minutes in three 10-second periods, as well as the number of flashing patterns. Even if you do not see any firefly flashes in your location, the organization says it is still important to record those findings. “It may be that you don’t have any species of fireflies active early in the summer, but other fireflies will emerge later in the season,” Mass Audubon stated. By looking at the data from the habitat sheets for areas with no fireflies, researchers might be able to begin to understand some of the important factors. That is why reporting no fireflies is just as useful as reporting many fireflies. An interactive map for 2023 is available detailing reported sightings by other program participants this year — maps and data dating back to 2008 are also available. For more information or to participate in Firefly Watch, visit Mass Audubon’s website. - [A crew of 4 NASA volunteers will be locked in a virtual 'Mars' for 378 days. Here's why.](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641766392/taHC6sDFj5DTJYre?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): A group of four NASA volunteers have embarked - [Scientists discover ancient human relatives used to kill and eat each other](https://science.einnews.com/article/641753286/DOHPdZ3MzXU_DPZy?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Early relatives of modern man used to butcher - [Human Milk Fortifier Market to Witness Major Growth by 2028 | Abbott Nutrition, Nestlé Health Science, Perrigo](https://science.einnews.com/pr_news/641728205/human-milk-fortifier-market-to-witness-major-growth-by-2028-abbott-nutrition-nestl-health-science-perrigo?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Science+News&utm_content=article): Human Milk Fortifier Market to Witness Major Growth by 2028 | Abbott Nutrition, Nestlé Health Science, Perrigo - Science News Today - EIN Presswire - [Man who works as a data scientist says he hasn't spent May's salary yet, Mzansi peeps say he's blessed](https://science.einnews.com/article/641735263/gWkCLV-go763eB9V?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): A video of a man realising that he hasn't spent any of last month's salary has gone viral onlineThe footage shows the data scientist having the moment of realisation just a few days before his next salary payoutMany netizens pointed out how fortunate he was while other ladies didn't hesitate to leave him flirty commentsPAY ATTENTION: Empowering lives, one story at a time. Briefly News launched a YouTube channel Briefly TV. Subscribe now!Like every other country in the world, South Africa has a working population that drives its economy. Qualified adults work in various fields and industries, white and blue-collar. Some professions have higher salaries than others. One Mzansi gent doesn't have the stress of trying to make ends meet before his next payday. Image: @ultimate_dr_molawa/TikTokSource: TikTokOne South African was smart in revealing that he makes a good living after sharing that he hasn't even touched his salary from May - and we're currently at the of June.Man remembers he hasn't touched last month's salaryRead alsoYoung lady flexes beautiful home and being away from university res drama, Mzansi falls in love with her homeIn a video, @ultimate_dr_molawa posted a video of himself looking at a computer screen before a sudden moment of realisation.PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!He captioned the video:"I just remembered that I haven't touched my May salary and I'm getting paid in a few days again. I'm in shock."@ultimate_dr_molawa who is a data scientist by profession is among the very fortunate South Africans who don't need to worry much about stretching their rands to make it from one payday to another.What do data scientists do?Data scientists are professionals who are skilled at extracting meaningful information from and interpreting data, which involves both statistical and machine learning tools and techniques, as well as human understanding, Simplilearn states.According to Indeed, the average salary for a Data Scientist is R 677 140 per year in South Africa.Read alsoTikTok user videotapes tokoloshe live in action, leaving social media feeling confusedNetizens respond to the videoMany netizens were amazed by the man's post, pointing out how blessed he was to be in a position where didn't need to worry about money. Other ladies left flirtatious comments on the post.Goitsemang Mokwa reacted:"Motho kwena ."Area51_Infinity commented:"uyisicefe uyezwa."Bugg replied:"I have feelings for you."Nonhlanhla Mnisi said:"What a weird way to propose… but yes ."Nokukhanya Khanyo Dlamini commented:"Umuntu asho nje kucace uma ethakatha.... because how?!?!?"mpumy said:"Hhayi bo ubusisekile angifuni ukungasho."Nqobile Nhlumayo commented:"Ngicela ungizame ngo 100 Randi wokugibela ngiqede isonto."Nobuhle replied:"Ngicela ungithengele isinkwa ngaze ngalamba bandla e Res."South African teacher hit by reality of salary, video of her career expectations have Mzansi in tearsIn another story, Briefly News reported that a teacher told people that her career isn't what she expected. The lady made a video about her situation, and online users were amused. Read alsoWoman shows off impressive outdoor entertaining and cooking area, ensures guests don't need to enter her homeThe video got over 5000 likes as people enjoyed her skit. There were hundreds of comments, and some people admitted that she wasn't the only one. @uthisha_omnyama, a teacher on TikTok, made a funny clip about how she thought she would have a big house, three cars and a husband after her obtaining her education degree. Source: Briefly News - [Indonesia, Germany have potential sports science partnership: Minister](https://science.einnews.com/article/641729283/hhRuGgpUTx5oV5M4?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has the potential to cooperate with Germany in the development of sports science, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo said on Monday following his visit to Germany.He said that during the visit, he held a meeting with the German Parliament's Sports Committee Group Coordinator Philipp Hartewig and Committee Member Stephan Mayer."The meeting aimed to discuss the potential cooperation between Indonesia and Germany in the area of sports science," Ariotedjo said in Jakarta.The meeting also discussed the potential for friendly matches between Indonesia and Germany in several sports, such as football, volleyball, and basketball.Ariotedjo noted that as the meeting was informal in nature, efforts will be made to formalize the talks and their follow-up."We will continue with follow-up actions and communication. The last meeting was informal, and we will try to formalize it," the minister noted.Indonesia has a significant opportunity to cooperate with Germany in sports science, as its development has reached an advanced stage in the country, he remarked."We hope this will be the beginning of sports cooperation between Indonesia and Germany," Ariotedjo stated.Meanwhile, the minister said Indonesia was in the limelight during the visit, adding that it was even offered to host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games (SOWG).He said that Indonesia has the potential to host the 2027 SOWG, as it is perceived as a developing and iconic country that can represent the Asia-Pacific region."Indonesia is deemed capable of representing Asia-Pacific. Indonesia has fulfilled criteria on event organization facilities, and Indonesia has also hosted major events several times at sports arenas with international standards," Ariotedjo remarked.Related news: Foreign athletes to enliven Indonesian Table Tennis League Series IIRelated news: Sports ministry welcomes RI's appointment as U-17 World Cup host    - [Parthenogenesis, Medieval Whales, and Debating Science](https://science.einnews.com/article/641728318/8fdADncNdNmXXMl7?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): The Lesbian Dream of Babies without Men (Slate)by Allison MillerIn the 1970s heyday of lesbian separatism, some activists turned to the rapidly advancing science of reproduction in the hopes of developing human parthenogenesis. Things got strange, and ethically troubling, fast. Breaking Whale Science from Medieval Sources (Smithsonian Magazine)by Nina GoldmanMedieval manuscripts tell of sea monsters using a particular feeding technique—a technique modern scientists detected for the first time among whales in 2011. Could the ocean giants be readopting a fishing style from their past? The Trouble with Debating Science (Vox)by Keren LandmanScience evolves through contentious disagreements. So why are many scientists reluctant to engage in real-time public debates? And how can science communication really reach people whose ideas are well outside a discipline’s consensus? An Indigenous Critique of “Natural” Parenting (Aeon)by Francesca MezzenzanaAmong college-educated Americans, parenting techniques like baby-wearing and breastfeeding on demand are often described as “natural” and based on Indigenous practices. But, as one mom found while visiting her Runa relatives in the Amazon, Indigenous people don’t necessarily agree. What Asian American Therapy Patients Need (Knowable Magazine)by Diana KwonAmerican mental health professionals often emphasize goals like self-disclosure and direct communication—without recognizing that these reflect culturally specific values. Some psychologists are rethinking what therapy could look like for Asian Americans, who often come to mental health treatment with different experiences and expectations. Got a hot tip about a well-researched story that belongs on this list? Email us here. - [Science Applications International Co. (NYSE:SAIC) Shares Sold by Exchange Traded Concepts LLC](https://science.einnews.com/article/641722540/BMJt0-6gK7fQ_M-D?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lowered its position in - [NASA locks 4 volunteers into 3D-printed virtual 'Mars' for over a year](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641720840/FOGVDjiy2EKAz2wr?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Four volunteers will spend the next 378 days - [NASA to equip spaceships with AI so they can talk to astronauts](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641717631/bDXSwiRcNyt0O7aB?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Employees of the US National Aeronautics and Space - [Turkish and Turkmen scientists have prepared a new book about Magtymguly for publication](https://science.einnews.com/article/641716737/k0MEdhSdYIG2fz0_?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Professor of the Turkish University of Pamukkale Soner Salgam together with the Turkmen scientist Rahimmammet Kurenov prepared for publication the book "Legends about the spiritual father of the Turkmen Magtymguly". The Turkish author told about this in an interview with the newspaper "Turkmenistan" during the scientific conference "The Era of the Revival of a new era of a powerful state and Magtymguly Pyragy", which was held within the framework of the week of culture of the Turkic states in Ashgabat, at the Turkmen State University named after Magtymguly. As the professor from Turkey noted, the last time he was in Turkmenistan was in 2014 during the celebration of the 290th anniversary of the birth of Magtymguly, and he is happy to be here again after 9 years. He also said that he is doing everything possible to attract the attention of his fellow students to the power of the great poet's creativity and to Turkmen literature in general. ORIENT news - [Vectara, a Conversational AI Leader, and SonoSim Announce Partnership to Bring LLMs to Healthcare Training](https://science.einnews.com/pr_news/639903594/vectara-a-conversational-ai-leader-and-sonosim-announce-partnership-to-bring-llms-to-healthcare-training?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Science+News&utm_content=article): Vectara, a Conversational AI Leader, and SonoSim Announce Partnership to Bring LLMs to Healthcare Training - Science News Today - EIN Presswire - [A battery-free, wireless underwater camera Technology News | June 27, 2023 MIT engineers build a battery-free, wireless underwater camera that could help scientists explore unknown regions of the ocean Scientists estimate…](https://science.einnews.com/article/641712432/Lgyw-uj4k3VyhyKJ?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept", you consent to our use of cookies - [Bath scientists develop 3D-printed artificial knee](https://science.einnews.com/article/641706385/n05W73p48T9yP-bc?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Published14 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBy Matthew HillBBC West health correspondentScientists have developed a 3D-printed implant to help patients suffering osteoarthritis in their knee.The tailored osteotomy for knee alignment treatment is designed to preserve the person's existing knee joint. Developed by University of Bath scientists, the technique is designed to make operations quicker and safer.One of the first to have the treatment, 55-year-old David Tarbet, said the surgery was "remarkable".Taking part in a safety trial to fit the high-tibial osteotomy (HTO) plates, Mr Tarbet, from Dartmoor, said: "Although it was quite sore for a couple of months I was able to get on an indoor bike quite quickly."The 3D HTO plates are used to realign a patient's knee, making them more stable, comfortable and better able to bear weight than existing generic plates. Mr Tarbet said that within six months he was able to complete a competitive bike ride, "which was fantastic."How does it work?To plan how much correction a patient needs, doctors take an X-ray and a CT scan of their shin bone. A surgical guide stabilisation plate is then generated by using the 3D printer. This is then temporarily fitted to the patient's tibia, one of two bones that comprise the leg, using pins.Those pins are then released and two screws are inserted, creating a wedge in the bone to correct its alignment.The stabilising plate is then put on top, allowing the digital creation to become a surgical reality.HTO plates have already been safety-tested virtually, in a computer-based trial using CT scan data from 28 patients. It has led to approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.The trial, the first in the world to demonstrate the safety of an orthopaedic device, modelled the stresses that would be exerted on the bespoke plates and showed they were comparable in safety to the standard treatment.Working with the university to develop the product Prof Andrew Toms, director of orthopaedics at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said that for patients between the ages of 40 and 60, having a total knee replacement is not an easy option as it won't last long enough.He said: "A knee has three 'car tyres' - an inner, an outer and a kneecap. A traditional total knee replacement replaces all of those in one go and that's normally what you would do with your car."When they are worn out what we tend to do is to balance the knee out in those younger patients by re-aligning the knee, by taking the pressure off the worn car tyres and straightening the limb out."That's what this osteotomy, this technique is all about."'Make it widely available'Prof Richie Gill, who developed the product at the Centre for Therapeutic Innovation at Bath University, said: "The big difference is there isn't that guesswork which is happening at the time of surgery. "I think more surgeons are interested in doing this type of joint-preserving surgery."You can do it at a sooner point in the disease progression than you can with a knee replacement, so we are hoping to make it more widely available."After an initial safety trial with the five patients, 50 others are now being recruited across south and west England, Cardiff and Oxford, to take part in a trial comparing traditional knee replacement with this technique.Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.ukMore on this storyBlind woman given bionic eye to help see againPublished12 JuneBoy's 'dream comes true' with gift of bionic armPublished31 MayDoctors 3D-print 'living' body partsPublished16 February 2016 - [NASA Cassini Data Reveals Building Block for Life in Enceladus’ Ocean](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641677818/iteL34iUM-YXXCyM?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): The icy crust at the south pole of - [NASA seals 4-person crew in Mars simulator for next 378 days](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641659393/plqhZdCLtoSzHYPJ?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): NASA kicked off a 378-day mission on Sunday - [NASA To Create an AI-Powered Assistant for Astronauts](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641657871/Zt6Mm3crKfIPDEJ-?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): “2001: A Space Odyssey” is becoming real, except - [NASA will use AI in its spacecraft](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641645827/_8mvLqKS0MTK2y-i?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to - [NASA begins first yearlong analog mission to mimic Mars-like conditions on Earth](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641643105/eTrnAOBIErJf4HkC?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): A 360-degree view inside the sandbox portion of - [NASA successfully recycles 98 percent of urine and sweat into drinking water on the ISS](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641643056/9zN1KEwAGvI4HnYC?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): NASA astronaut Kayla Barron replacing a filter in - [How NASA's OSIRIS-REx will return 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid sample"](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641619985/nwU9zvjqX8BHrg9z?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Technology How NASA’s OSIRIS-REx will return 4.5 billion-year-old - [NASA is recycling 98% of astronaut pee and sweat -report](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641602580/ljfvZsMw_9bJctrY?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): NASA revealed this week that International Space Station’s - [NASA recycles 98% of astronauts urine, sweat in space to drinking water](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641593458/nuj8Iz6PDxJHWeKH?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Washington, June 26 (IANS): In a significant milestone, - [Congressional members discuss NASA ag research](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641575306/eI8I-y9iORijuWyl?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): News Congressional members discuss NASA ag research Members - [NASA’s Webb Telescope Cracks a 40-Year-Old Space Mystery](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641569815/qYjY1TvZSxi9MReL?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): For the past year, the James Webb Space - [Nueva Calculadora de porcentaje de Calculator.io: Simplificando cálculos porcentuales para todos](https://nasa.einnews.com/pr_news/640612485/nueva-calculadora-de-porcentaje-de-calculator-io-simplificando-c-lculos-porcentuales-para-todos?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=NASA+News&utm_content=article): Nueva Calculadora de porcentaje de Calculator.io: Simplificando cálculos - [Could Australia’s Red Outback Dust Unlock Life on Mars Questions? ](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641528597/Gzpo9JiZRJHRXBPa?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Sydney —  Researchers from the U.S. National Aeronautics - [The Morning After: NASA is recycling 98 percent of astronaut pee on the ISS into drinkable water](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641524303/VifYWlX6IkPBWR3_?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): NASA has achieved a technological milestone, announcing the - [4 out 4,000 selected to live in Mars-like simulation at Johnson Space Center for 1 year](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641473058/5YN3q22uLvmIpuH7?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Starting Sunday night, a - [Lisa Pamintuan: Champion of Intellectual Property, Visionary Leader, and Advocate for Women's Empowerment](https://nasa.einnews.com/pr_news/641446546/lisa-pamintuan-champion-of-intellectual-property-visionary-leader-and-advocate-for-women-s-empowerment?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=NASA+News&utm_content=article): Lisa Pamintuan: Champion of Intellectual Property, Visionary Leader, - [Guest opinion: Time to end second-class status for small businesses in Alabama](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641430737/-FbmmVcHRvYQHJsd?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): This is a guest opinion column The Huntsville - [Do You Have News to Share? Get It Published.](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641430737/awMXLroGme9cZW0v?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Reach Millions With One Click Watch Video To - [Making the most of minuscule metal mandalas](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230622120905.htm): To unveil the previously elusive behavior and stability of complex metal compounds found in aqueous solutions called 'POMs', researchers at the University of Vienna have created a speciation atlas now published in Science Advances. This achievement has the potential to drive new discoveries and advancements in fields like catalysis, medicine, and beyond. Metal atoms can form tiny 3d structures with oxygen, intricate frameworks that look not unlike wire mandalas and that are called 'polyoxometalates', or 'POMs' for short. These POMs are useful for controlling chemical reactions in chemistry, biology, or material science, but also are relevant for understanding natural processes in these fields. However, like wire mandalas, their structure is highly variable and depends on minute changes in their environment, making it very difficult for researchers to predict their structure and thus their function for various applications, from medicine to environmental remediation. Nadiia Gumerova and Annette Rompel from the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Vienna have now developed a so-called 'speciation atlas', a cheat sheet that allows researchers to accurately ascertain the expected structure and behaviour of ten commonly used POMs for any given chemical condition. More specifically, this atlas is a database including a predictive model that can be extended to other than the ten selected POMs, that will yield POM species distributions, stability and catalytic activity considering the factors pH, temperature, incubation time, buffer solutions, reducing or chelating agents, and ionic strength. To further support future research, Gumerova and Rompel have also developed a 'roadmap' for other scientists conducting experiments with their own POMs: By selecting stable POM variants, listing the application system parameters and then conducting so-called 'POM speciation studies' -- experiments that reveal the change of POM structure under a change of conditions -- researchers can ensure that they are getting the most accurate results and make the best use of POMs in their work. "The speciation atlas for POMs represents a significant advancement in our understanding of these complex metal compounds. Its insights have the potential to drive new discoveries and advancements in catalysis, biology, medicine, and beyond," states Annette Rompel. - [Australia’s Liontown in talks with US Defense Dept on tantalum supply ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/australias-liontown-in-talks-with-us-defense-dept-on-tantalum-supply/): Business & Finance07 December 2023, 5:15 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Miner Liontown Resources (LTR.AX) is speaking with the United States Department of Defense about supplying tantalum from its Australian operations if the U.S. passes a new regulation by year end as expected, its chief executive told Reuters on Thursday. Lining up a tantalum deal with the U.S. defense department would provide the company a crucial endorsement and potentially future funding as it develops its Kathleen Valley lithium mine, seen as one of the most promising deposits of the metal. Market ImpactKathleen Valley is expected to produce around 430 tonnes (950,000 lb) per annum of 30% tantalum concentrate, equivalent to around 285,000 lbs.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AsiaCountries: AustraliaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Inflation, Disinflation and Vibeflation](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/05/opinion/inflation-disinflation-economists.html): Over the past six months, the personal consumption - [Ejército de Nigeria ataca por error con un dron una fiesta religiosa y mata a 85 civiles](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-al-menos-85-civiles-muertos-por-ataque-accidental-de-dron-del-ejercito-bola-ahmed-tinubu-nema-kaduna-ultimas-noticia/): La entrada de tanques israelíes al sur de - [ECB haunted by bond buys in Swedish property crisis](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ecb-haunted-by-bond-buys-in-swedish-property-crisis/): Business & FinanceDeals30 November 2023, 5:22 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report a debt crunch at Swedish property group SBB has left the European Central Bank at risk of losses and highlighted the 26 billion euro ($29 billion) exposure it built up to Europe’s now stricken real estate sector through its crisis-era bond buying. Market ImpactThe ECB also gobbled up many German real estate bonds, including 39 issued by Vonovia, which has been selling property to cut debt. The bonds trade far closer to par, one at a discount of about 20%. Property companies make up 8% of the ECB’s Corporate Sector Purchase Programme, now worth 326 billion euros. The ECB does not disclose the make-up of its other, pandemic-era bond-buying scheme.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Financial ServicesReal EstateRegions: EuropeCountries: SwedenWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [The Biden Economy Is Doing Fine](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/opinion/economy-voter-sentiment-inflation.html): Ten finance guys are drinking in a bar. - [Panama president directs First Quantum to shut copper mine after court ruling ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/panama-president-directs-first-quantum-to-shut-copper-mine-after-court-ruling/): Business & FinanceEnvironment28 November 2023, 4:14 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was ahead of the competition by nearly 40 minutes on the closely watched news that Panama’s Supreme Court had dealt a potential death blow to First Quantum’s hopes to keep open the country’s largest copper mine, which has become the target of intense popular protest and political upheaval in recent weeks.  Reuters also reported earlier in November that the court was likely to rule against First Quantum, which on Tuesday said it was suspending commercial production at the mine.  Market ImpactFirst Quantum (FM.TO) shares closed down 0.8%. The company has lost more than C$10 billion ($7.4 billion) of its market value since the protests started in late October and the mine was later forced to suspend production. The ruling will also have consequences for the copper market, as Cobre Panama accounts for about 1% of global copper production. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange was up 0.9% at $8,441 a metric ton.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEnvironmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: AmericasCountries: PanamaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Libertad condicional para Pistorius 10 años después del asesinato de su novia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/oscar-pistorius-libertad-condicional-para-excampeon-paralimpico-10-anos-despues-del-asesinato-de-su-novia-reeva-steenkamp-ultimas-noticia/): Última hora de la guerra entre Israel y - [República del Congo: al menos 37 muertos en una estampida durante reclutamiento del ejército en Brazzaville](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/republica-del-congo-al-menos-37-muertos-en-una-estampida-durante-reclutamiento-del-ejercito-en-brazzaville-noticia/): Última hora de la guerra entre Israel y - [India’s Jindal Power will not bid to take over airline Go First ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/indias-jindal-power-will-not-bid-to-take-over-airline-go-first/): Business & Finance21 November 2023, 2:14 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that India’s Jindal Power Ltd, the only company whose expression of interest to take over Go First was accepted by creditors, has decided to not follow through with a bid, three people familiar with the plans said, pushing the insolvent airline closer to liquidation. 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The pay bumps could help win over some employees who balked at smaller bonuses last year that they blamed on losses from the retail operations. The firm’s allocation for bonuses fell by as much as 40% in 2022, according to another source, after earnings slid 48%. 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The new rules could dent competitiveness or, in a more extreme scenario, push clients to withdraw their money preemptively. While it’s early days, the measures under discussion in Switzerland are making some people nervous. They risk penalizing Swiss banks if they were to be introduced only in Switzerland, one of the sources said. UBS is trying to attract customers with above-market rates on deposits. 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Based on current prices, the total order could equal around $12 billion, but is likely to be higher. The KC-46, however, has been plagued by defects, including problems with an on-board video system and a refueling boom that fails to connect the tanker to aircraft seeking refueling. These errors have cost Boeing $7 billion in losses.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Aerospace & DefenceRegions: AmericasCountries: USWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Tanzania: African Development Bank supports small horticultural businesses with $2.5 million grant](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/tanzania-african-development-bank-supports-small-horticultural-businesses-25-million-grant-65183): The Board of Directors of the African Development - [African Development Bank commits over $23 mln to Rwanda’s new Aviation Centre of Excellence](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-commits-over-23-mln-rwandas-new-aviation-centre-excellence-65173): The Board of Directors of the African Development - [Southern Africa Civil Society Regional Forum](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/southern-africa-civil-society-regional-forum-65165): What:       Southern Africa Civil Society Regional - [Webinar on the role of the regulator in the energy transition](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/webinar-role-regulator-energy-transition-65153): What:      Webinar on the role of the - [The Strange Decline of America’s Global Power](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/opinion/columnists/us-power-republican-party.html): When Hamas attacked Israel, Republicans knew whom to - [Brookfield weighs move into UK pension insurance market](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/brookfield-weighs-move-into-uk-pension-insurance-market/): Business & Finance17 October 2023, 5:31 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Brookfield (BN.TO), through its affiliate Brookfield Reinsurance (BNRE.N), is weighing entering Britain’s burgeoning pension insurance industry and is open to an acquisition to bolster growth.  Market ImpactThe company is scanning the market for potential deals to access the bulk annuities space, where possible targets could include companies like Just Group (JUSTJ.L) and Pension Insurance Corporation.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceInsuranceRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [African Development Bank appoints Dr Akinsola Babalola as Special Assistant to the President](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-appoints-dr-akinsola-babalola-special-assistant-president-65111): The African Development Bank Group has appointed Dr - [Egypt issues Africa’s first Sustainable Panda Bond worth 3.5 billion RMB backed by African Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/egypt-issues-africas-first-sustainable-panda-bond-worth-35-billion-rmb-backed-african-development-bank-and-asian-infrastructure-investment-bank-65097): Egypt has successfully issued a 3-year Sustainability Panda - [24-kilometre road co-financed by African Development Bank and the EU game-changer for livelihoods in The Gambia.](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/24-kilometre-road-co-financed-african-development-bank-and-eu-game-changer-livelihoods-gambia-65085): Gambian President Adama Barrow has commissioned the 24-kilometer - [Activist hedge fund Starboard eyes Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/activist-hedge-fund-starboard-eyes-rupert-murdochs-news-corp/): Business & Finance14 October 2023, 2:07 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report Starboard Value, the activist hedge fund run by Jeffrey Smith, has bought shares of News Corp (NWSA.O), a move that could presage new calls from investors for changes to Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.  Market ImpactNews Corp’s shares rose 1% on the Starboard news before trimming gains and ending trading at $20.91. News Corp’s shares are up 14% year-to-date but have underperformed some peers like New York Times Co (NYT.N). Its bets to boost digital revenue and subscriptions have yet to fully pay off. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [An Economics Nobel for Showing How Much Women Matter](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/opinion/columnists/claudia-goldin-nobel-prize.html): Technological progress is a key source of economic - [SEC does not plan to appeal court decision on Grayscale bitcoin ETF ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/sec-does-not-plan-to-appeal-court-decision-on-grayscale-bitcoin-etf/): Business & FinanceEconomy13 October 2023, 1:37 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will not appeal a recent court ruling that found it was wrong to reject an application from Grayscale Investments to create a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF).  Market ImpactA spot bitcoin ETF would give investors exposure to the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization without having to own it. The SEC has denied all spot bitcoin ETF applications, including Grayscale’s, on the grounds applicants have not shown they can protect investors from market manipulation.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Africa’s ‘optimist-in-chief’ on the continent’s renaissance: ‘Don’t just believe me, believe the data’](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/africas-optimist-chief-continents-renaissance-dont-just-believe-me-believe-data-65031): In an interview with the Guardian, Akinwumi Adesina, - [African Development Bank imposes 12-month Conditional Non-Debarment on Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Limited for a Corrupt Practice](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-imposes-12-month-conditional-non-debarment-unik-construction-engineering-pty-limited-corrupt-practice-65007): The African Development Bank Group, on 13 October - [Kenya plans $500 million Eurobond buyback with new loans ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/kenya-plans-500-million-eurobond-buyback-with-new-loans/): Business & FinanceEconomyGovernment12 October 2023, 5:31 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Kenya’s government plans to buy back up to a quarter of its $2 billion international bond maturing next year before year-end. The decision comes after the east African country secured new loans, central bank governor Kamau Thugge told Reuters on the sidelines of the World Bank and IMF meetings in Marrakech. The push, seen as a move aimed at alleviating concerns whether Nairobi can repay the looming debt, lifted the 2024 bond rose sharply.  Market ImpactKenya’s approach to repaying the $2 billion 2024 bond is being watched closely by overseas investors, given its rising debt repayments, weakening currency and soaring bond yields, which have locked many developing countries out of international capital markets.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyFinancial ServicesGovernment & Public ServicesRegions: AfricaCountries: KenyaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [China bans new offshore brokerage accounts to prevent ‘bypassing’ of forex controls](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/china-bans-new-offshore-brokerage-accounts-to-prevent-bypassing-of-forex-controls/): Business & FinanceEconomy12 October 2023, 5:20 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that China has for the first time issued a notice prohibiting domestic brokerages and their overseas units from taking on new mainland clients for offshore trading.  Market ImpactNew investments by existing mainland clients are also to be “strictly monitored” to prevent investors from bypassing China’s foreign exchange controls. The actions, which will restrict capital outflows, come as faltering growth for the world’s second-largest economy has spurred investment overseas, weighing on the yuan and prompting authorities to ramp up efforts to stabilise the currency.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceEconomy & PolicyRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Morocco: Visiting Ouirgane, African Development Bank delegation recognises city’s resilience to earthquake](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/morocco-visiting-ouirgane-african-development-bank-delegation-recognises-citys-resilience-earthquake-65030): African Development Bank Vice President for Regional Development, - [Multilateral Development Banks deliver record climate finance of close to $61 billion for low and middle-income economies in 2022](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/multilateral-development-banks-deliver-record-climate-finance-close-61-billion-low-and-middle-income-economies-2022-64989): Climate finance by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) for - [African Development Bank Group Chief Economist Kevin Chika Urama urges Nordic and Irish entrepreneurs in to make Africa their business and investment...](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/african-development-bank-group-chief-economist-kevin-chika-urama-urges-nordic-and-irish-entrepreneurs-make-africa-their-business-and-investment-destination-64974): The African Development Bank Group’s Chief Economist, Prof - [Why We Should, but Won’t, Reduce the Budget Deficit](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/opinion/us-budget-deficit-interest-rates.html): Amid terrible events abroad and the takeover of - [Door maker PGT rebuffs $1.9 bln offer from Koch-backed Miter ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/door-maker-pgt-rebuffs-1-9-bln-offer-from-koch-backed-miter/): Business & FinanceDeals10 October 2023, 1:58 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that PGT Innovations Inc (PGTI.N), a U.S. maker of vinyl and aluminum doors and windows, rebuffed a $1.9 billion acquisition offer from Miter Brands, a competitor backed by Koch Industries. Market ImpactPGT’s board of directors turned down Miter’s fully-financed $33-per-share offer which it deemed inadequate, the sources said. Miter is considering raising its bid to a $36 per share, one of the sources added. PGT shares ended trading on Monday at $26.20.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesMergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasCountries: USWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [African Development Bank builds capacity in 4,500 small enterprises in Guinea, Ghana and Benin](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-builds-capacity-4500-small-enterprises-guinea-ghana-and-benin-64920): The African Development Bank Group‘s country office in - [Siemens Energy considers factory, office closures at wind division](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/siemens-energy-considers-factory-office-closures-at-wind-division/): Business & FinanceEnergy09 October 2023, 1:35 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) is considering shutting down Siemens Gamesa factories and sales offices as part of a review aimed at reducing losses at the wind turbine business.  Market ImpactThe German power equipment supplier is struggling with far-reaching quality issues at its onshore wind turbine division as well as potentially loss-making offshore contracts, which have caused its shares to more than halve since June.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: EuropeWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Joint statement by the African Development Bank Group and the Government of Morocco about the 2023 Africa Investment Forum Market Days](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/joint-statement-african-development-bank-group-and-government-morocco-about-2023-africa-investment-forum-market-days-64905): The Africa Investment Forum Market Days will take - [Gambia: African Development Bank grants nearly $7 million to improve governance and strengthen fiscal resilience](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/gambia-african-development-bank-grants-nearly-7-million-improve-governance-and-strengthen-fiscal-resilience-64881): On Tuesday 3 October, the Board of Directors - [Egipto: Policía mata a tiros a dos turistas israelíes y a un egipcio en Alejandría](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/alejandria-egipto-policia-mata-a-tiros-a-dos-turistas-de-israel-y-a-un-egipcio-hamas-franja-de-gaza-peninsula-del-sinai-dia-del-perdon-palestina-iran-benjamin-netanyahu-ultimas-noticia/): El video del impactante momento en el que - [Masacre en Mali: denuncian la muerte de 16 civiles por parte del Ejército y del grupo Wagner](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/masacre-en-mali-denuncian-la-muerte-de-16-civiles-por-parte-del-ejercito-y-del-grupo-wagner-gao-kidal-csp-ultimas-noticia/): La caída de McCarthy y por qué su - [Kenya, African Development Bank Group sign memorandum on hosting 2024 Annual Meetings in Nairobi](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/kenya-african-development-bank-group-sign-memorandum-hosting-2024-annual-meetings-nairobi-64846): The Government of Kenya and the African Development - [West Africa: African Development Bank, Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development sign loan agreement for $50 million and €50 million to enhance...](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/west-africa-african-development-bank-ecowas-bank-investment-and-development-sign-loan-agreement-50-million-and-eu50-million-enhance-regional-food-security-64828): The African Development Bank Group and the ECOWAS - [Benin: African Development Bank's 2023 Country Focus Report calls for a concerted effort to seize investment opportunities](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/benin-african-development-banks-2023-country-focus-report-calls-concerted-effort-seize-investment-opportunities-64824): The African Development Bank has called on Benin - [Empowering Youth and SMEs for Climate Resilience](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/empowering-youth-and-smes-climate-resilience-64812): What:              Seminar on Empowering Youth and SMEs for - [Asia PE firm Affinity halts continuation fund plan ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/asia-pe-firm-affinity-halts-continuation-fund-plan/): Business & Finance04 October 2023, 3:44 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Hong Kong-based Affinity Equity Partners has paused plans to launch a so-called continuation fund enabling itself and its investors to sell down their shares in companies because of unfavourable market conditions. A continuation fund is a new investment vehicle created by a private equity (PE) firm to transfer holdings of some existing investments. The concept has gained traction in Asia in recent years as PE firms’ exit from companies via initial public offerings (IPOs) or mergers and acquisitions became challenging.  Market ImpactThe pausing of its continuation fund plan highlights fewer options for PE firms to exit their investments in companies amid an economic slowdown and higher interest rates that have eaten into asset valuations and resulted in increased funding costs.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Somalia: African Development Bank Group approves $13.3 million grant to help improve domestic revenue mobilisation and public expenditure management](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/somalia-african-development-bank-group-approves-133-million-grant-help-improve-domestic-revenue-mobilisation-and-public-expenditure-management-64772): The Board of Directors of the African Development - [Will A.I. Transform the Economy, and if So, How?](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/opinion/ai-jobs-economy-budget.html): So, will artificial intelligence transform the economy? Today - [Madagascar: African Development Bank and the Government join forces to secure water access and strengthen climate change resilience](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/madagascar-african-development-bank-and-government-join-forces-secure-water-access-and-strengthen-climate-change-resilience-64752): The African Development Bank and Madagascar’s Ministry of - [East Africa Civil Society Regional Forum](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/east-africa-civil-society-regional-forum-64719): What:        East Africa Civil Society - [Detienen a 45 migrantes venezolanos en aguas de Guyana](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/detienen-a-45-migrantes-venezolanos-en-aguas-de-guyana-video-vergnoegen-esequibo-ultimas-noticia/): Borrell pide no especular con la fecha de - [Are High Interest Rates the New Normal?](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/29/opinion/natural-interest-rate-higher.html): Goodbye, inflation. Hello, unsustainable debt. If you’ve spent - [Deutsche Boerse has started CEO search](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/deutsche-boerse-has-started-ceo-search/): Business & Finance29 September 2023, 3:34 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that German stock exchange operator Deutsche Boerse (DB1Gn.DE) has begun the search for a new chief executive that includes both external as well as internal candidates.  Market ImpactDeutsche Boerse CEO Theodor Weimer said in June that he would not pursue another term when his contract runs out next year at the helm of one of Germany’s most valuable companies, saying “fresh blood” was needed.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [A New Vision for Africa Policy Dialogue: Enhancing Africa-Asia Cooperation on Green Minerals](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/new-vision-africa-policy-dialogue-enhancing-africa-asia-cooperation-green-minerals-64678): What: Policy Dialogue for African and Asian Audiences - [Why the Donald Trump Fraud Case Matters](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/opinion/donald-trump-fraud-case.html): Ever since debt was invented in ancient Sumer, - [China’s Nio explores investment, tech alliances with Mercedes ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/chinas-nio-explores-investment-tech-alliances-with-mercedes/): AutomotiveBusiness & FinanceTechnology28 September 2023, 4:24 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Nio (9866.HK) has held exploratory talks with Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) for a tie-up that would see the German automaker invest in the Chinese electric vehicle startup in exchange for technology.  Market ImpactNio’s founder and chief executive William Li discussed the potential collaboration with Mercedes CEO Ola Kaellenius earlier this year, seeking an investment from the latter in exchange for loss-making Nio sharing its research and development capabilities with Mercedes, said the sources. The Nio-Mercedes talks align with a trend of closer collaboration between legacy automakers and new players as Chinese EV companies, lacking cash, seek to survive a consolidating domestic industry by trying to sell innovations to established automakers.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: AutomotiveBusiness & FinanceTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Industrial Goods & ManufacturingTechnologyTransport & LogisticsRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [African Development Bank launches country-by-country reports on Africa's climate change, green growth financing needs ahead of COP28](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-launches-country-country-reports-africas-climate-change-green-growth-financing-needs-ahead-cop28-64656): Ahead of the 28th United Nations Conference on - [Africa Investment Forum to hold Market Days from 8-10 November in Marrakech, Morocco](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/africa-investment-forum-hold-market-days-8-10-november-marrakech-morocco-64663): The Africa Investment Forum Market Days will take - [Refugiados por el terremoto en Marruecos esperan en tiendas la reconstrucción de sus casas](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-refugiados-esperan-en-tiendas-la-reconstruccion-de-sus-casas-marrakech-amizmiz-alto-atlas-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Arrestan en Marruecos a una persona que intentó - [JPMorgan shuffles bosses as Rivas to retire as head of North American investment banking](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/jpmorgan-shuffles-bosses-as-rivas-to-retire-as-head-of-north-american-investment-banking/): Business & Finance26 September 2023, 3:20 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported on major leadership changes atop JPMorgan’s investment bank. The moves included the promotion of a new North America head to replace prominent banker Fernando Rivas, elevation of several global heads and formation of a new digital banking unit.  Market ImpactThe story was picked up by Bloomberg and later matched by Bloomberg and MarketWatch. It follows an earlier exclusive on a management reshuffle at rival Bank of America (which won a Reuters Best at the time).  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Former World Bank President Jim Yong Kim to deliver 2023 Kofi Annan Eminent Speakers’ Lecture](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/former-world-bank-president-jim-yong-kim-deliver-2023-kofi-annan-eminent-speakers-lecture-64551): WHAT: 2023 Kofi Annan Eminent Speakers’ Lecture WHO: - [Poland’s Unimot in talks to buy Shell’s stake in German Schwedt refinery ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/polands-unimot-in-talks-to-buy-shells-stake-in-german-schwedt-refinery/): Business & FinanceDealsEnergy25 September 2023, 1:28 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Poland’s Unimot (UNTP.WA) has emerged as one of the possible buyers of a 37.5% stake oil major Shell (SHEL.L) owns in Germany’s PCK Schwedt refinery. Market ImpactThe refinery, which is majority-owned by Russia’s Rosneft (ROSN.MM), has been a problem for the German government ever since Berlin ended its energy ties with Moscow last year. Germany put Rosneft’s 54.17% stake under trusteeship, essentially giving the government control over the asset while technically leaving ownership in the Russian group’s hands.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsEnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyPolandWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [African Development Bank debars Joycot General Contractors Limited for 15 months for fraudulent practices](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-debars-joycot-general-contractors-limited-15-months-fraudulent-practices-64532): The African Development Bank Group, on 25 September - [AfDB, EBRD announce joint task force to build entrepreneurship and jobs creation in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/afdb-ebrd-announce-joint-task-force-build-entrepreneurship-and-jobs-creation-egypt-morocco-and-tunisia-64480): The African Development Bank Group and the European - [Unilever launches new bid to sell Q Tips and other brands](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/unilever-launches-new-bid-to-sell-q-tips-and-other-brands/): Business & Finance20 September 2023, 2:14 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Unilever Plc (ULVR.L) has hired investment banks Morgan Stanley (MS.N) and Evercore Inc (EVR.N) to sell a basket of non-core beauty and personal care brands that include Q-Tips and Impulse, reviving an effort it abandoned two years ago. The revival of the sale process represents the first major move by Hein Schumacher, who took over as Unilever’s chief executive in July with a focus to streamline its business as it grapples with inflation.  Market ImpactThe brand portfolio, known as Elida Beauty, also includes Caress, TIGI, Timotei, Monsavon, St. Ives, Zwitsal, Ponds, Brut, Moussel, Alberto Balsam and Matey. Elida generated about $760 million in revenue in 2022. Unilever worked with Credit Suisse in 2021 to divest Elida but pulled the process later that year, after cherry-picking of the brands for sale by other consumer companies led to offers that did not meet its valuation expectations.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRetail & Consumer GoodsRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Tormenta, mar caliente y represas colapsadas: Así fue la tragedia en Libia que deja miles de muertos y desaparecidos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-como-ocurrieron-las-inundaciones-que-dejan-miles-de-muertos-derna-tormenta-daniel-el-nino-calentamiento-del-mar-clima-cambio-climatico-noticia/): El domingo empezó el diluvio en Libia. Luego - [African Development Bank and Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI) sign agreement to deploy environmental and climate-...](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-and-korea-environmental-industry-and-technology-institute-keiti-sign-agreement-deploy-environmental-and-climate-resilient-technologies-africa-64450): The African Development Bank and the Korea Environmental - [Why People Think Inflation Is Worse Than it Is](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/19/opinion/core-inflation-rate-data.html): A funny thing happened to me on the - [UBS names South Korea, India, others as ‘slow’ on Credit Suisse approval ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ubs-names-south-korea-india-others-as-slow-on-credit-suisse-approval/): Business & FinanceDeals19 September 2023, 2:58 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that UBS has identified at least four countries, including South Korea and India, as being “slow” to grant the regulatory approvals needed to complete its takeover of Credit Suisse, an internal document reviewed by Reuters shows. The Swiss banking giant has also highlighted Ireland and Saudi Arabia as “slow jurisdictions” in granting licenses, according to the previously unreported document which was dated Sept. 6 and was circulated to UBS (UBSG.S) staff globally.  Market ImpactPrepared by UBS after a global review to assess the timeline of regulatory approvals necessary for the integration of Credit Suisse to complete, the document said uncooperative regulators could put transactions such as the Swiss bank deal at risk. The document says that “a single non-cooperative regulator can jeopardize the timeline of the parent bank merger and other transactions”, impacting other related integration deals.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [El hombre que sobrevivió 60 horas en un barco hundido en el fondo del mar](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/harrison-okene-el-hombre-que-sobrevivio-60-horas-en-un-barco-hundido-en-el-fondo-del-mar-nigeria-narracion-historias-ec-noticia/): “Querían un golpe de Estado”: Cómo es el - [Mozambique: African Development Fund approves $20 million to improve business environment and drive investments to climate-smart agriculture](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/mozambique-african-development-fund-approves-20-million-improve-business-environment-and-drive-investments-climate-smart-agriculture-64389): The Board of Directors of the African Development - [Madagascar: African Development Bank launches digital platform to drive business linkages.](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/madagascar-african-development-bank-launches-digital-platform-drive-business-linkages-64393): The African Development Bank on 14 September 2023 - [Visit to African Development Bank by Swedfund delegation signals push for closer partnership](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/visit-african-development-bank-swedfund-delegation-signals-push-closer-partnership-64381): During a visit to the African Development Bank, - [Canadian lender BMO to wind down retail auto finance business ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/canadian-lender-bmo-to-wind-down-retail-auto-finance-business/): Business & Finance17 September 2023, 6:08 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was ahead in reporting that Bank of Montreal (BMO) is winding down its retail auto finance business and shifting focus to other areas in a move that will result unspecified number of job losses, Canada’s third largest bank. Market ImpactThe move, applicable in Canada and the United States, comes after BMO’s bad debt provisions in retail trade surged to C$81 million ($60 million) in the quarter ended July 31 compared with a recovery of C$9 million a year ago, in a sign of growing stress consumers face from a rapid rise in borrowing costs.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: AmericasNorth AmericaCountries: CanadaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [20 años agrietadas y sin mantenimiento: lo que revela la investigación sobre las represas de Libia que contribuyeron a la tragedia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-las-represas-de-derna-tenian-fisuras-y-falta-de-mantenimiento-desde-1999-tormenta-daniel-inundaciones-que-provoco-la-tragedia-en-libia-noticia/): A una semana de las inundaciones en Libia, - [A una semana de las inundaciones en Libia, socorristas buscan entre escombros a miles de desaparecidos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-socorristas-continuan-con-la-busqueda-de-miles-de-desaparecidos-una-semana-despues-de-inundaciones-derna-tormenta-daniel-othman-abdeljalil-media-luna-roja-tripoli-ultimas-noticia/): Libia: asciende a 11.300 el número de muertos - [Libia: asciende a 11.300 el número de muertos por inundaciones en Derna, según ONU](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-asciende-a-11300-el-numero-de-muertos-por-inundaciones-en-derna-segun-onu-tormenta-lluvias-ultimas-noticia/): Más de 10 mil migrantes en 72 horas: - [Tragedia en Libia: las represas que reventaron en Derna llevaban agrietadas desde 1998](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tragedia-en-libia-las-represas-que-reventaron-en-derna-llevaban-agrietadas-desde-1998-libia-muamar-gadafi-abu-mansur-al-bilad-ultimas-noticia/): Cazas y buques chinos alrededor de Taiwán: ¿qué - [Los niños afectados por el terremoto en Marruecos retomarán las clases el lunes en tiendas e internados](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-los-ninos-afectados-por-el-terremoto-en-marruecos-retomaran-las-clases-el-lunes-en-tiendas-e-internados-alto-atlas-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Cazas y buques chinos alrededor de Taiwán: ¿qué - [Arrestan en Marruecos a una persona que intentó vender ayudas para víctimas del terremoto](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-arrestan-en-marruecos-a-una-persona-que-intento-vender-ayudas-para-victimas-del-terremoto-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Cumbre entre Putin y Kim Jong-un: ¿de qué - [Siete golpes de Estado en tres años: ¿Cómo se explica la inestabilidad que viene sufriendo África?](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/africa-gabon-mali-guinea-conakri-sudan-burkina-faso-siete-golpes-de-estado-en-tres-anos-que-hay-detras-de-la-inestabilidad-que-esta-sufriendo-africa-ali-bongo-noticia/): Francia condena el golpe de Estado en Gabón - [Terremoto en Marruecos: Ministros donan un mes de salario para apoyar a las víctimas del poderoso sismo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-ministros-donan-un-mes-de-salario-para-apoyar-a-las-victimas-del-poderoso-sismo-aziz-ajanuch-consejo-del-gobierno-mohamed-vi-marrakech-ighil-ultimas-noticia/): Se agotan las esperanzas de encontrar más sobrevivientes - [How SoftBank played it safe in pricing Arm’s IPO](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/how-softbank-played-it-safe-in-pricing-arms-ipo/): Business & FinanceDealsTechnology14 September 2023, 2:56 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that SoftBank Group (9984.T) CEO Masayoshi Son was in San Francisco on Wednesday when he joined a call with his bankers in New York to make a final decision about his company’s most valuable asset: chip designer Arm Holdings (ARM.O). Arm’s blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed by 12 times, and could have been priced at $52 per share, above the indicated range of $47 to $51. Market ImpactArm’s blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed by 12 times, and could have been priced at $52 per share, above the indicated range of $47 to $51.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AmericasCountries: United StatesWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [“El mar no para de devolver cuerpos”: la angustia de sobrevivientes y familiares de víctimas de las inundaciones en Libia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-el-mar-no-para-de-devolver-cuerpos-la-angustia-de-sobrevivientes-y-familiares-de-victimas-de-las-inundaciones-en-derna-tormenta-daniel-noticia/): Imágenes de las devastadoras inundaciones que han dejado - [6 gráficos que muestran la destrucción provocada por las catastróficas inundaciones en Libia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-6-graficos-que-muestran-la-destruccion-provocada-por-las-catastroficas-inundaciones-en-derna-noticia/): ¿Cómo se conocieron Emma Coronel y El Chapo - [Libia superada tras el ciclón Daniel que ha dejado 6.872 muertos y 10.000 desaparecidos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tragedia-en-libia-libia-superada-tras-el-ciclon-daniel-que-ha-dejado-6872-muertos-y-10000-desaparecidos-ultimas-noticia/): La frontera EEUU – México es la ruta - [Imágenes de las devastadoras inundaciones que han dejado más de 3.000 muertos y 10.000 desaparecidos en Libia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-imagenes-de-las-devastadoras-inundaciones-que-han-dejado-mas-de-3000-muertos-y-10000-desaparecidos-por-la-tormenta-daniel-barriadas-enteras-fueron-arrastradas-con-sus-residentes-hasta-el-mar-noticia/): Tragedia en Libia: Cruz Roja advierte de número - [Tragedia en Libia: número de muertos por el ciclón Daniel alcanza los 5.200 en la ciudad de Derna](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-numeros-de-fallecidos-por-ciclon-daniel-alcanzo-los-5200-en-derna-ultimas-noticia/): Tragedia en Libia: Cruz Roja advierte de número - [Terremoto en Marruecos: Mohamed VI habla con heridos y médicos y dona sangre en su visita al hospital de Marrakech](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-mohamed-vi-habla-con-heridos-y-medicos-y-dona-sangre-en-su-visita-al-hospital-de-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): 50 años del golpe de Estado: Chile está - [Tragedia en Libia: Cruz Roja advierte de número de muertos “enorme” y 10.000 desaparecidos por inundaciones](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tragedia-en-libia-cruz-roja-advierte-de-numero-de-muertos-enorme-y-10000-desaparecidos-por-inundaciones-ultimas-noticia/): 50 años del golpe de Estado: Chile está - [Al menos 2.862 muertos y 2.562 heridos en el peor terremoto de la historia de Marruecos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-en-vivo-de-magnitud-7-deja-al-menos-820-muertos-y-672-heridos-marrakech-ighil-videos-usgs-adassil-ultimas-noticia/): Piden a la Corte Suprema de EE. UU. - [Por qué es inusual en Marruecos un terremoto tan potente como el que acaba de sufrir](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-por-que-es-inusual-en-la-nacion-africana-un-terremoto-tan-potente-como-el-que-acaba-de-sufrir-marrakech-noticia/): Al menos 2.012 muertos y 2.059 heridos en - [Terremoto en Marruecos: la búsqueda de sobrevivientes se acelera tras devastador sismo que deja más de 2.000 muertos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-marrakech-la-busqueda-de-sobrevivientes-se-acelera-tras-el-devastador-sismo-que-deja-mas-de-2000-muertos-noticia/): Cientos duermen en las calles de Marrakech por - [El papa Francisco pide ayuda concreta para Marruecos en este momento trágico](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/europa/papa-francisco-pide-ayuda-concreta-para-marruecos-en-este-momento-tragico-terremoto-marrakech-ighil-africa-el-vaticano-plaza-de-san-pedro-ultimas-noticia/): Por qué es inusual en Marruecos un terremoto - [Cientos duermen en las calles de Marrakech por temor a réplicas tras el terremoto en Marruecos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-cientos-duermen-en-las-calles-de-marrakech-por-temor-a-replicas-tras-el-poderoso-sismo-unidad-militar-de-emergencia-ume-mohamed-vi-usgs-ultimas-noticia/): Por qué es inusual en Marruecos un terremoto - [Mohamed VI decreta tres días de luto por las víctimas del terremoto en Marruecos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-rey-mohamed-vi-decreta-tres-dias-de-luto-por-las-victimas-del-terremoto-en-marruecos-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Qué riesgos representa que Corea del Norte cuente - [A Safe, Profitable Bet on the Green Transition](https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-safe-profitable-bet-on-the-green-transition-a6e96987?mod=rss_markets_main): April 10, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (3 - [Good Economy, Negative Vibes: The Story Continues](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/08/opinion/economy-vibes.html): When it comes to economic news, we’ve had - [Sudán: al menos 15 muertos por ataques de los paramilitares en Darfur Norte, según ONG](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudan-al-menos-15-muertos-por-ataques-de-los-paramilitares-en-darfur-norte-segun-ong-ultimas-noticia/): El caso del estadounidense hallado con dos menores - [Will the Baltimore Bridge Disaster Make Inflation Worse?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/02/opinion/baltimore-bridge-inflation-supply-chain.html): It has been a week since the Dali, - [Tragedia en Sudáfrica: 45 muertos tras la caída de autobús a un abismo en Limpopo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tragedia-en-sudafrica-cerca-de-45-muertos-tras-la-caida-de-autobus-a-un-abismo-en-limpopo-mamatlakala-mokopane-gaborone-botsuana-moria-polokwane-pascua-daily-sun-ultimas-noticia/): Israel acusa a Sudáfrica de actuar como “brazo - [Why Are Americans Still Down on the Economy?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/18/opinion/biden-trump-economy-election.html): Are you better off today than you were - [Níger rompe un acuerdo de cooperación militar con Estados Unidos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/niger-rompe-un-acuerdo-de-cooperacion-militar-con-estados-unidos-ultimas-noticia/): Asalto al Capitolio: Estos son los condenados a - [Los raptores de más de 280 alumnos y maestros en Nigeria piden un rescate de 567.000 euros](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-los-raptores-de-mas-de-280-alumnos-y-maestros-piden-un-rescate-de-567000-euros-kaduna-gss-kuriga-ultimas-noticia/): Nigeria: fuerzas de seguridad se movilizan para encontrar - [El presidente de Kenia reafirma el compromiso de su país para liderar la misión en Haití](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/haiti-el-presidente-de-kenia-reafirma-el-compromiso-de-su-pais-para-liderar-la-mision-en-haiti-william-ruto-ariel-henry-onu-ultimas-noticia/): Haití vive clima de incertidumbre tras la dimisión - [Nigeria: fuerzas de seguridad se movilizan para encontrar a más de 200 alumnos secuestrados](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-fuerzas-de-seguridad-se-movilizan-para-encontrar-a-mas-de-200-alumnos-secuestrados-kaduna-gss-kuriga-ultimas-noticia/): Nigeria: al menos 150 estudiantes de primaria fueron - [Reminder: Trump’s Last Year in Office Was a National Nightmare](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/07/opinion/trump-pandemic-president.html): One of the amazing political achievements of Republicans - [Nigeria: al menos 150 estudiantes de primaria fueron secuestrados por sujetos armados](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-al-menos-150-estudiantes-de-primaria-fueron-secuestrados-por-sujetos-armados-kaduna-ultimas-noticia/): Ejército de Nigeria ataca por error con un - [Fiserv, Amadeus vie to acquire Shift4 Payments](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/fiserv-amadeus-vie-to-acquire-shift4-payments/): Deals29 February 2024, 1:07 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Fiserv and Amadeus IT Group are competing to acquire Shift4 Payments, a payments processor that has a market value of nearly $7 billion.  Market ImpactShares of Shift4 jumped as much as 13% on the news.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: DealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [ECB to keep floor under market rates but with eye on demand ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ecb-to-keep-floor-under-market-rates-but-with-eye-on-demand/): Economy29 February 2024, 12:59 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that the European Central Bank will continue putting a “floor” under market interest rates in the years to come, but banks will play a greater role in deciding how much liquidity they want.  Market ImpactThe ECB is reviewing how it steers short-term interest rates in a new era in which inflation is higher and the massive amount of cash pumped into the banking system via stimulus programmes over the last decade is no longer needed and even creates some unwanted side-effects.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: EconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Grocery Prices, Inflation and ‘Bad Vibes’](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/27/opinion/grocery-prices-inflation-economy.html): Whenever I write about falling inflation, I get - [“Me dejaron en el desierto con el cadáver de mi madre”: la desesperada huida de Sudán, el país con la mayor crisis de desplazados](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudan-la-desesperada-huida-del-pais-con-la-mayor-crisis-de-desplazados-del-mundo-me-dejaron-en-el-desierto-con-el-cadaver-de-mi-madre-noticia/): Cómo el gobierno ruso ha reformado al grupo - [Broadcom nears $3.8 bln sale of remote access unit to KKR ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/broadcom-nears-3-8-bln-sale-of-remote-access-unit-to-kkr/): Business & FinanceDealsTechnology24 February 2024, 1:23 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that chipmaker Broadcom was nearing a $3.8 billion deal to sell its business that allows users to access desktops and applications from any device to private equity firm KKR.   Market ImpactThe deal was announced by KKR on February 26, two days after the Reuters story was published. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Bidenomics Is Still Working Very Well](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/opinion/biden-economy.html): The economic news in 2023 was almost miraculously - [Top UK pension fund Nest expects to lift private assets to 30% of holdings](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/top-uk-pension-fund-nest-expects-to-lift-private-assets-to-30-of-holdings/): Business & Finance20 February 2024, 10:20 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Nest, a 36 billion pound ($45 billion) UK workplace pension fund, expects to ramp up private assets holdings to as much as 30% of its portfolio, in one of the most significant moves into alternative investments by a large UK retirement scheme. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Financial ServicesRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Airbus CEO tells staff Space losses ‘not acceptable’](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/airbus-ceo-tells-staff-space-losses-not-acceptable/): Business & Finance14 February 2024, 11:54 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that the head of Europe’s Airbus has told staff that recent unexpected charges in its Space business are “not acceptable”, in a candid assessment of a business facing what he described as an internal crisis.  Market ImpactIn November, Airbus took a 300-million-euro ($320 million) charge on unidentified satellite programmes, said by industry sources to include the commercial telecoms OneSat family. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Aerospace & DefenceBusiness & FinanceRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Trump’s media deal partner nears $50 million financing](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/trumps-media-deal-partner-nears-50-million-financing/): Business & FinanceDealsGovernment08 February 2024, 5:10 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC.O), opens new tab, the blank-check acquisition company that has agreed to take former U.S. President Donald Trump’s social media platform public, is nearing a $50 million financing deal. Market ImpactDWAC’s shares jumped as much as 8% on the news. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesMergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasCountries: United StatesWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Trump, Immigration, and the ‘Lump of Labor’ Fallacy](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/opinion/trump-immigration-lump-of-labor.html): What did Kurt Vonnegut, the novelist, and François - [Nvidia’s new China-focused AI chip set to be sold at similar price to Huawei product  ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/nvidias-new-china-focused-ai-chip-set-to-be-sold-at-similar-price-to-huawei-product/): Business & FinanceTechnology01 February 2024, 1:43 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Nvidia (NVDA.O), has started taking pre-orders for a new China-specific artificial intelligence (AI) chip from distributors who are pricing it on par with a rival product from Huawei. Market ImpactBefore the U.S. curbs, Nvidia dominated China’s AI chip market with more than 90% share. However, it currently faces increasing competition from domestic rivals, chief among them being Huawei. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Las joyas de la corona de África que el Imperio británico saqueó y que ahora Reino Unido devuelve como préstamo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/europa/las-joyas-de-la-corona-de-africa-que-el-imperio-britanico-saqueo-y-que-ahora-reino-unido-devuelve-como-prestamo-noticia/): Cuándo y cómo China perdió Taiwán (y cuál - [Nigeria: más de 50 muertos por dos ataques en el centro del país](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-mas-de-50-muertos-por-dos-ataques-en-el-centro-del-pais-plateau-ultimas-noticia/): Paro en Argentina y por qué el reto - [China regulators ask funds to curb short selling of stock index futures ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/china-regulators-ask-funds-to-curb-short-selling-of-stock-index-futures/): EconomyGovernment24 January 2024, 10:29 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that China’s securities regulators have asked some hedge fund managers to restrict short selling in its stock index futures market, as authorities seek to stabilise sinking stocks.  Market ImpactThe blue chip CSI300 Index (.CSI300), plunged to near five-year lows this week, prompting fresh vows by the government to steady capital markets. Article TagsTopics of Interest: EconomyGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyEquitiesFinancial ServicesGovernment & Public ServicesRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [China’s Economy Is in Serious Trouble](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/opinion/china-economy-xi.html): In 2023, the U.S. economy vastly outperformed expectations. - [Worldline taps advisers for defence strategy amid share slump ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/worldline-taps-advisers-for-defence-strategy-amid-share-slump/): Business & FinanceDeals18 January 2024, 8:12 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Worldline (WLN.PA), opens new tab has lined up bankers to advise on a defence strategy in a bid to reassure shareholders and avoid a hostile takeover in the wake of a share price slump.  Market Impact Worldline declined to comment. Its shares rose as much as 4.2% on the Reuters report and were last up 2.9% on the day at 13.5 euros. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceMergers & AcquisitionRegions: EuropeCountries: LondonWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [ECB sounds out lenders on exposure to Spanish drugmaker Grifols ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ecb-sounds-out-lenders-on-exposure-to-spanish-drugmaker-grifols/): Business & FinanceHealth17 January 2024, 5:59 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that the European Central Bank was asking banks to detail their exposure to Spanish drugmaker Grifols and a network of companies linked to the founding family, days after the Barcelona-based business was accused of manipulating its financial accounts by a short-seller. The story also revealed how supervisors were concerned that the huge drop in Grifols’ share price could require family-connected companies which have borrowed using Grifols stock as collateral to post more margin. Grifols denies all the allegations made by Gotham City Research, the short-seller. The story was picked up by Bloomberg, Spain’s state-owned news agency, EFE, and made it into several newspapers including Expansion, El Mundo and the front page of business daily Cinco Dias.  Market ImpactSince Jan. 9, the stock has lost nearly 40%. Gotham’s report has wiped more than 3.3 billion euros from Grifols’ market value. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceHealthType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinancePharmaceuticals & HealthcareRegions: EuropeCountries: SpainWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Broad Losses Pull Stock Indexes Lower](https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-news-01-16-2024-5cc239e2?mod=rss_markets_main): Updated Jan. 16, 2024 4:34 pm ET Listen - [The Tech Employee Who Went Viral for Filming Her Firing Has No Regrets](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-tech-employee-who-went-viral-for-filming-her-firing-has-no-regrets-54b61ffe?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen to article (1 minute) A tech company - [Judge Blocks JetBlue's $3.8 Billion Acquisition of Spirit](https://www.wsj.com/articles/jetblue-spirit-airline-merger-blocked-4b2ba920?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 16, 2024 2:01 pm ET Listen - [Diddy and Diageo Are Breaking Up](https://www.wsj.com/articles/diageo-settles-disputes-with-rapper-diddy-939ed63c?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 16, 2024 12:25 pm ET Listen - [Chinese Premier Makes Surprise Economic Growth Reveal](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-premier-makes-surprise-economic-growth-reveal-f5221836?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 9:40 am ET Listen (2 - [J.P. Morgan Securities to Pay $18 Million for Whistleblower Protection Violations](https://www.wsj.com/articles/j-p-morgan-securities-to-pay-18-million-for-whistleblower-protection-violations-914edd32?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 9:13 am ET Listen (1 - [Goldman Sachs Reports Sharply Higher Earnings](https://www.wsj.com/articles/goldman-sachs-reports-sharply-higher-earnings-helped-by-asset-and-wealth-management-58b28520?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 16, 2024 8:04 am ET Listen (1 - [Shell Suspends Red Sea Shipments Amid Fears of More Houthi Attacks](https://www.wsj.com/articles/shell-suspends-red-sea-shipments-amid-fears-of-more-houthi-attacks-c7fa936d?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Share Listen (1 min) - [Restaurant Brands To Acquire Largest Burger King Franchisee In U.S. For $1 Billion](https://www.wsj.com/articles/restaurant-brands-to-acquire-largest-burger-king-franchisee-in-u-s-for-1-billion-2e993658?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 7:32 am ET Listen (1 - [Elon Musk Seeks Greater Control Over Tesla Ahead of AI Advancements](https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-seeks-greater-control-over-tesla-ahead-of-ai-advancements-f9139b12?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 16, 2024 7:28 am ET Listen - [Profits Comeback Paired With Rate Cuts Make a Powerful Mix](https://www.wsj.com/articles/profits-comeback-paired-with-rate-cuts-make-a-powerful-mix-b96fbf0d?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 16, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (3 - [The $65 Million Perk for CEOs: Personal Use of the Corporate Jet Has Soared](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-65-million-perk-for-ceos-personal-use-of-the-corporate-jet-has-soared-bc20a988?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 - [Global Battery Race Heats Up With Billions for Europe's Northvolt](https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-battery-race-heats-up-with-billions-for-europes-northvolt-dec5f2f1?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 12:01 am ET Listen (2 - [These Four Questions Are Top of Mind for Investors in 2024](https://www.wsj.com/articles/these-four-questions-are-top-of-mind-for-investors-in-2024-25aa2cda?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 15, 2024 11:00 pm ET Listen (1 - [ETFs Make Bitcoin's Problems Even Worse](https://www.wsj.com/articles/etfs-make-bitcoins-problems-even-worse-f48256d2?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 15, 2024 11:00 pm ET Listen (1 - [Full Employment Is Good for Society](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/opinion/full-employment-economy-mlk.html): On the day in 1968 when the Rev. - [Closing of Kroger, Albertsons, C&S Deal Postponed](https://www.wsj.com/articles/closing-of-kroger-albertsons-c-s-deal-postponed-6c2d019a?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 15, 2024 5:37 pm ET Listen (1 - [John Deere, Meet Elon Musk: SpaceX Satellites to Link Farm Giant's Equipment](https://www.wsj.com/articles/john-deere-meet-elon-musk-spacex-satellites-to-link-farm-giants-equipment-e0936668?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 15, 2024 3:48 pm ET Listen - [Stocks in Japan, India Notch Historic Highs; U.S. Markets to Reopen Tuesday](https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-news-01-15-2024-b4cb6b37?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 15, 2024 6:43 am ET Listen (1 - [Young Black Americans Embrace the Stock Market](https://www.wsj.com/articles/young-black-americans-embrace-the-stock-market-a5c09c62?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen to article (2 minutes) Young Black Americans - [Robots Are Looking Better to Detroit as Labor Costs Rise](https://www.wsj.com/articles/robots-are-looking-better-to-detroit-as-labor-costs-rise-ca1ef782?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 15, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (1 - [Peace and Prosperity in the Taiwan Strait Still Have a Chance](https://www.wsj.com/articles/peace-and-prosperity-in-the-taiwan-strait-still-have-a-chance-bd3f7b8a?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 15, 2024 4:16 am ET Listen (2 - [Boeing Faces Longer Wait to Resume MAX Deliveries in China](https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeing-faces-longer-wait-to-resume-max-deliveries-in-china-9277f534?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 15, 2024 12:03 am ET Listen - [Chiefs-Dolphins Playoff Game on Peacock Sets U.S. Streaming and Internet-Usage Records](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chiefs-dolphins-playoff-game-on-peacock-sets-u-s-streaming-and-internet-usage-records-c81a9980?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 14, 2024 10:34 pm ET Listen (2 - [Axel Springer Stands By Business Insider Reporting on Bill Ackman's Wife](https://www.wsj.com/articles/axel-springer-stands-by-business-insider-reporting-on-bill-ackmans-wife-921399f1?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 14, 2024 12:27 pm ET Listen (2 - [Chevy Blazer Troubles Add to GM's EV Growing Pains](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chevy-blazer-troubles-add-to-gms-ev-growing-pains-8f7e5c64?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 14, 2024 7:00 am ET Listen (2 - [Renting Clothes Was Supposed to Be the Future of Fashion. Then Shoppers Got Bored.](https://www.wsj.com/articles/rent-runway-stitch-fix-business-models-6db18bbd?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 14, 2024 7:00 am ET Listen (2 - [Goldman Sachs Goes Big on Lending to the Wealthy](https://www.wsj.com/articles/goldman-sachs-lending-wealthy-clients-e5dab436?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 14, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 - [The Last Man Standing in Crypto](https://www.wsj.com/articles/coinbase-co-founder-brian-armstrong-ce1617ce?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 14, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 - [Sparkling start puts spotlight on Nikkei in 2024](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/sparkling-start-puts-spotlight-on-nikkei-in-2024/): Business & Finance14 January 2024, 2:17 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Japanese stocks have made a blazing start to 2024, surging to three-decade highs as a weaker yen and expectations of interest rates staying low have re-ignited the strongest rally for years.  Market Impact A 6% gain in the Nikkei (.N225), opens new tab over the past two weeks is the best start to the year in a generation, according to LSEG data, and comes on the heels of a 28% jump last year — the biggest annual gain in 10 years.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesFinancial ServicesFX & Fixed IncomeRegions: AsiaCountries: JapanWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [The Surprising Aftermath of a Big Raise](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-surprising-aftermath-of-a-big-raise-a4358f21?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen to article (1 minute) Up and down - [Biggest U.S. Renewable Project Under Way, Finally](https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-s-biggest-renewable-project-is-under-way-finally-22b5a6ad?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 13, 2024 10:00 am ET Listen (2 - [How Musk Is Fully Embracing Trump's Billionaire Populism](https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-donald-trump-populism-6667499c?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 13, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 - [The Score: PepsiCo, Coinbase, Bank of America and More Stocks That Defined the Week](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-score-pepsico-coinbase-bank-of-america-and-more-stocks-that-defined-the-week-3bcd1c68?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 5:32 pm ET Listen (1 - [Heard on the Street's Stock-Picking Contest](https://www.wsj.com/articles/heard-on-the-streets-stock-picking-contest-bbb58f00?mod=rss_markets_main): Updated Jan. 12, 2024 4:47 pm ET Listen - [S&P 500 Falls Short of Record Despite Weekly Gain](https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-news-01-12-2024-0bee59cf?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 4:30 pm ET Listen (1 - [FAA Says It Will Ramp Up Inspections of Boeing Facilities](https://www.wsj.com/articles/faa-says-it-will-ramp-up-inspections-of-boeing-facilities-ec020af5?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 12, 2024 1:47 pm ET Listen - [Shein's IPO Plans Put It in U.S.-China Crosshairs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/sheins-ipo-plans-put-it-in-u-s-china-crosshairs-f73be928?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 1:29 pm ET Listen (1 - [Banks Can't Count on Loans For Growth](https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-cant-count-on-loans-for-growth-cc1772ce?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 12:06 pm ET Listen (2 - [Banks Can't Count on Loans For Growth](https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-cant-count-on-loans-for-growth-cc1772ce?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 12:06 pm ET Listen (2 - [Flying in America Has Actually Never Been Safer](https://www.wsj.com/articles/plane-safety-airlines-boeing-never-been-safer-adbe2453?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 12, 2024 10:55 am ET Listen (2 - [Citigroup Plans to Cut 20,000 Jobs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/citigroup-plans-to-cut-20-000-jobs-71619fd0?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 10:53 am ET Listen (2 - [Citigroup Plans to Cut 20,000 Jobs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/citigroup-plans-to-cut-20-000-jobs-71619fd0?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 10:53 am ET Listen (2 - [European Banks Brace for Testing Times After Peak in Interest Rates](https://www.wsj.com/articles/european-banks-brace-for-testing-times-after-peak-in-interest-rates-e0b90ccd?mod=rss_markets_main): By Helena Smolak Jan. 12, 2024 10:52 am - [European Banks Brace for Testing Times After Peak in Interest Rates](https://www.wsj.com/articles/european-banks-brace-for-testing-times-after-peak-in-interest-rates-e0b90ccd?mod=rss_markets_main): By Helena Smolak Jan. 12, 2024 10:52 am - [The Democrat, the Fracking Executive and the Deal They Struck. Can It Work?](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-democrat-the-fracking-executive-and-the-deal-they-struck-can-it-work-ae723286?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 12, 2024 10:00 am ET Listen (2 - [Morgan Stanley Agrees to Pay $249 Million to Settle Block-Trading Probes](https://www.wsj.com/articles/morgan-stanley-agrees-to-pay-249-million-to-settle-block-trading-probes-48ea4a54?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 8:57 am ET Listen (2 - [JPMorgan Posts Record Annual Profit Despite Quarterly Slip](https://www.wsj.com/articles/jpmorganchase-jpm-q4-earnings-report-2023-f29ff050?mod=rss_markets_main): Updated Jan. 12, 2024 8:00 am ET Listen - [Tesla Production in Europe Upended by Red Sea Conflict](https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-to-halt-production-at-german-car-factory-as-red-sea-conflict-hits-supply-chains-3735e991?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 12, 2024 7:11 am ET Listen - [Tax Guide 2024: Electric-Vehicle Tax Credits](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ev-federal-tax-credit-guide-ea2dde01?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 7:00 am ET Listen (1 - [Tax Guide 2024: Electric-Vehicle Tax Credits](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ev-federal-tax-credit-guide-ea2dde01?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 7:00 am ET Listen (1 - [Why Big Tech Is Still Minding Its Bills](https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-big-tech-is-still-minding-its-bills-f098bcad?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 6:30 am ET Listen (3 - [BlackRock to Buy Global Infrastructure Partners for $12.5 Billion](https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackrock-to-buy-global-infrastructure-partners-for-12-5-billion-22f8e3d9?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 6:01 am ET Listen (2 - [Companies Aren't Done Cutting White-Collar Jobs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-arent-done-cutting-white-collar-jobs-390347a3?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 12, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 - [America's Gas Bonanza Brings Biden New Political Dilemmas](https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-gas-bonanza-brings-biden-new-political-dilemmas-34404a5f?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 12, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (1 - [Nikkei Stock Average Heads for Fourth Day of Near 34-Year Highs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/nikkei-stock-average-heads-for-fourth-day-of-near-34-year-highs-998d15a6?mod=rss_markets_main): The Nikkei Stock Average appears headed for a - [Stocks Are Forever. That Doesn't Mean Now Is the Time to Buy.](https://www.wsj.com/articles/stocks-are-forever-that-doesnt-mean-now-is-the-time-to-buy-cdccaf7d?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 11, 2024 11:00 pm ET Listen (2 - [The Onetime Auditor Brought In to Reinvent Gucci](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-onetime-auditor-brought-in-to-reinvent-gucci-0cbf5915?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen to article (2 minutes) MILAN—When Gucci’s flagship - [Remote Workers Are Losing Out on Promotions](https://www.wsj.com/articles/remote-workers-are-losing-out-on-promotions-8219ec63?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 11, 2024 9:00 pm ET Listen (2 - [SEC Charges Future FinTech Group CEO Huang With Manipulative Trading](https://www.wsj.com/articles/sec-charges-future-fintech-group-ceo-huang-with-manipulative-trading-87f736c5?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 11, 2024 5:24 pm ET Listen (2 - [International Flavors & Fragrances Taps Fyrwald to Succeed Clyburn as Next CEO](https://www.wsj.com/articles/international-flavors-fragrances-taps-fyrwalk-to-succeed-clyburn-as-next-ceo-130d8e6c?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 11, 2024 5:10 pm ET Listen - [Is Poor Economic Sentiment All About MAGA?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/09/opinion/economy-survey-republicans.html): The economy is good, but Americans feel bad - [Liberia: 40 personas mueren cuando intentaban robar combustible de un camión volcado | VIDEO](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/liberia-40-personas-mueren-cuando-intentaban-robar-combustible-de-un-camion-volcado-video-totota-francis-kateh-george-weah-cruz-roja-ultimas-noticia/): Por qué me condenaron a 5.000 años de - [“El matrimonio interracial de mis padres provocó un escándalo internacional”](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/europa/ruth-holloway-y-john-kimuyu-el-matrimonio-interracial-de-mis-padres-provoco-un-escandalo-internacional-reino-unido-kenia-africa-racismo-narracion-historias-ec-noticia/): Los 5 bebés nacidos en Navidad en la - [Nigeria: Al menos 113 muertos tras dos días de ataques armados en Plateau](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-al-menos-113-muertos-en-dos-dias-de-ataques-armados-en-plateau-mushu-bokkos-mangu-barkin-ladi-monday-kassah-caleb-muftwang-paul-dakete-gyang-bere-ultimas-noticia/): Ejército de Nigeria ataca por error con un - [Ataque rebelde en Burundi deja 20 muertos, según el gobierno](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/ataque-rebelde-en-burundi-deja-20-muertos-segun-el-gobierno-vugizo-bujumbura-red-tabara-republica-democratica-del-congo-ultimas-noticia/): La sequía que desató las alarmas en el - [How Lags in Statistics Skew the Inflation Picture](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/opinion/inflation-statistics-economy.html): If you’re a normal human being trying to - [Why Some Economists Won’t Admit They Were Wrong](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/opinion/inflation-economists.html): From an economic point of view, 2023 will - [How Swiss authorities bungled Credit Suisse oversight ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/how-swiss-authorities-bungled-credit-suisse-oversight/): Business & Finance18 December 2023, 9:02 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that about six months before Credit Suisse was sold to rival UBS in a weekend rescue, the head of the Swiss central bank wanted to inject 50 billion Swiss francs ($57.6 billion) into the lender and nationalise it.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: EuropeCountries: SwitzerlandWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Watch What People Do, Not What They Say About the Economy](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/opinion/retail-economy-crime.html): Have you heard that there’s a huge wave - [The Progressive Case for Bidenomics](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/07/opinion/bidenomics-progressive-economy.html): There are two big questions right now about - [Fiscal Monitor October 2024](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2024/10/23/fiscal-monitor-october-2024) - [Mozambique’s 2024 National Elections: What to Know](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/09/world/africa/mozambique-elections-what-to-know.html): Four candidates are vying for the presidency in - [What to Know About the Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/health/marburg-virus-disease.html): In Rwanda, 11 deaths have been reported from - [The Oldest Termite Mound? 34,000 Years and Counting.](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/04/science/insects-termites-oldest-colony.html): Scientists recently found the planet’s longest continuously occupied - [Amid Sanctions, Russian Oil Tankers Are Flying New Flags](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/world/europe/russian-oil-tankers-gabon.html): A shadowy network of ships has registered in - [60 Dead After Boat Capsizes in Nigeria](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/02/world/africa/60-dead-drowning-nigeria.html): The boat was carrying about 300 people on - [CVS explores options including potential break-up ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/cvs-explores-options-including-potential-break-up/): Business & FinanceHealth01 October 2024, 6:03 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that CVS Health is exploring options that could include a break-up of the company to separate its retail and insurance units, as the struggling healthcare services company looks to turn around its fortunes amid pressure from investors. Market ImpactCVS has been discussing various options – including how such a split would work – with its financial advisers in recent weeks, sources told Reuters. The latest discussions come as CVS faces increasing pressure from investors such as Glenview Capital, which is said to be pushing for changes at the company to help improve its operations after it cut its 2024 earnings outlook for a third consecutive quarter in August. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceHealthType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinancePharmaceuticals & HealthcareRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [LT Magazine – VIRTUS 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/09/30/lt-magazine-virtus-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lt-magazine-virtus-2024): View Fullscreen The post LT Magazine – VIRTUS - [DirecTV to acquire EchoStar’s video distribution business including Dish TV and Sling TV](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/directv-to-acquire-echostars-video-distribution-business-including-dish-tv-and-sling-tv-23349832?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Senegal’s Young President Wants a New World Order](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/world/africa/president-senegal-bassirou-diomaye-faye.html): President Bassirou Diomaye Faye rocketed to international fame - [Tanzania Detains Opposition Party’s Top Leaders](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/world/africa/tanzania-opposition-leaders-arrested-protests.html): The East African country’s leading opposition party said - [Intel says it has no plans to divest majority stake in Mobileye ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/intel-says-it-has-no-plans-to-divest-majority-stake-in-mobileye/): Business & FinanceDealsTechnology19 September 2024, 10:35 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report on Intel’s decision not to divest its majority stake in Mobileye, boosting the Israeli company’s shares by over 16%. Mobileye shares, which have dropped 73% this year, took a beating earlier in the month after media reports that Intel was looking to sell a portion of its stake in the company.  Market ImpactIntel acquired Mobileye in a $15.3 billion deal in 2017 but relisted its shares five years later through an initial public offering. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon to visit Africa in growth push](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-to-visit-africa-in-growth-push/): 18 September 2024, 12:03 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon plans to travel to Africa in mid-October in a push by the biggest U.S. lender to expand on the continent. Dimon is expected to visit Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Ivory Coast during the trip, his first trip to the continent in seven years.   Market ImpactOverseas markets have been a key focus area to generate growth for JPMorgan — which has assets of over $4.1 trillion and operations in more than 100 countries. Article TagsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Trumpism, Stalinism and the Tariff Debate](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/17/opinion/trump-tariffs-economy.html): Do tariffs — taxes on imports — raise - [Floods Kill More Than 1,000 People in West and Central Africa](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/world/africa/floods-africa.html): Flooding caused by heavy rains has left more - [Moody’s places all of Boeing’s ratings on review for a downgrade](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/moodys-places-all-of-boeings-ratings-on-review-for-a-downgrade-be242697?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Microsoft to lay off 650 people from videogame business: WSJ](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-to-lay-off-650-people-from-videogame-business-wsj-72135ba9?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Ali Mohamed Kibao, Tanzania Opposition Official, Found Dead](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/world/africa/tanzania-opposition-official-killed.html): Ali Mohamed Kibao was beaten and acid had - [Donald Trump on the Dollar, in His Own Words](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/opinion/trump-tariffs-reserve-currency.html): This is the first in an occasional series - [At Least 59 Killed in Road Collision in Nigeria](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/world/africa/road-collision-nigeria.html): The traffic accident was the latest disaster to - [Latin America’s Profit Powerhouses: Top Performers in the Profitability Drivers Index 1Q 2024 ](https://latintrade.com/2024/09/06/latin-americas-profit-powerhouses-top-performers-in-the-profitability-drivers-index-1q-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=latin-americas-profit-powerhouses-top-performers-in-the-profitability-drivers-index-1q-2024): In a dynamic first quarter of 2024, companies - [US opposition to Nippon Steel deal ‘very unsettling’, Japan PM hopeful says](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/us-opposition-to-nippon-steel-deal-very-unsettling-japan-pm-hopeful-says/): Business & FinanceEconomy06 September 2024, 11:06 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that one of the frontrunners to become Japan’s next premier said that any U.S. move to block Japan’s Nippon Steel from buying U.S. Steel on national security grounds would be “very unsettling.” Shigeru Ishiba, a former defence minister, told Reuters in an interview that the move could dent trust between the allies. The White House is close to announcing that President Joe Biden will block the $15 billion deal, Reuters reported this week.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: JapanWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [En qué invierten y en qué podrían invertir los latinoamericanos hoy: Una entrevista con el CEO de Bancolombia Capital](https://latintrade.com/2024/09/05/en-que-invierten-y-en-que-podrian-invertir-los-latinoamericanos-hoy-una-entrevista-con-el-ceo-de-bancolombia-capital/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en-que-invierten-y-en-que-podrian-invertir-los-latinoamericanos-hoy-una-entrevista-con-el-ceo-de-bancolombia-capital): Este año ha sido interesante para los inversionistas - [Why Economists Worry About Trumpflation](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/27/opinion/trump-inflation.html): My latest column is about how inflation is - [Custody giant State Street expands crypto services in new partnership ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/custody-giant-state-street-expands-crypto-services-in-new-partnership/): Business & Finance20 August 2024, 8:33 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report on State Street’s partnership with Swiss crypto company Taurus to offer new digital asset services, including turning real-world assets into tradeable tokens, to tap growing institutional demand for such investments. Through the partnership, State Street, which provides crypto fund administration and accounting services, will hold clients’ crypto assets and help them create tokenized assets, such as funds and other securities.  Market ImpactAs cryptocurrencies have spread in the financial system through regulated products including futures and exchange-traded funds, they are drawing more interest from institutions seeking ways to hedge inflation and diversify portfolios.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: EuropeCountries: SwitzerlandWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Japan, Tokyo governments target $4.7 bln valuation for Tokyo Metro in IPO](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/japan-tokyo-governments-target-4-7-bln-valuation-for-tokyo-metro-in-ipo/): Business & FinanceEconomy19 August 2024, 8:25 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Japan’s national and Tokyo governments are seeking a 700 billion yen ($4.7 billion) valuation for Tokyo Metro as they prepare to list the subway operator as early as October-end, in what would be the nation’s biggest IPO in roughly six years. The two governments, which own 100% of Tokyo Metro, plan to arrange a meeting of brokerages within a week for a briefing on the IPO and expect to receive approval for the listing from the Tokyo Stock Exchange as soon as mid-September, the sources said.   Market ImpactWith half the company to be sold, the initial public offering could raise 350 billion yen at that valuation, which would exceed the size of Kokusai Electric’s IPO last year and become the largest since SoftBank Group listed its wireless unit in 2018.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceEconomy & PolicyRegions: AsiaCountries: JapanWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Olympic Games’ Memorability:  Brand Strategy and the Challenges of Modern Engagement](https://latintrade.com/2024/08/15/olympic-games-memorability-brand-strategy-and-the-challenges-of-modern-engagement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=olympic-games-memorability-brand-strategy-and-the-challenges-of-modern-engagement): The Olympics have long been more than a - [Workers at BHP’s Escondida copper mine will strike after failing to reach agreement ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/workers-at-bhps-escondida-copper-mine-will-strike-after-failing-to-reach-agreement/): Commodities14 August 2024, 11:02 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that workers at BHP’s Escondida copper mine in Chile, the world’s largest, would go on strike after failing to reach an agreement with the company.  The stoppage has potential to have a lasting impact, reminiscent of the last major Escondida walkout in 2017, which hit BHP’s copper production and pushed up global prices of the metal, used to make wiring and nearly every single electronic device.  Market ImpactThe stoppage has potential to have a lasting impact, reminiscent of the last major Escondida walkout in 2017, which hit BHP’s copper production and pushed up global prices of the metal, used to make wiring and nearly every single electronic device. Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AmericasCountries: ChileWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Alliances are Stronger than Agreements: A Column by Ingo Plöger](https://latintrade.com/2024/08/14/alliances-are-stronger-than-agreements-a-column-by-ingo-ploger/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alliances-are-stronger-than-agreements-a-column-by-ingo-ploger): By Ingo Plöger The contemporary world has built - [Ackman’s Pershing Square takes new stakes in Nike, Brookfield ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ackmans-pershing-square-takes-new-stakes-in-nike-brookfield/): Business & Finance14 August 2024, 8:15 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that billionaire investor William Ackman built new stakes in sportswear company Nike during the second quarter. A regulatory filing reviewed by Reuters showed that Ackman’s hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management owned roughly 3 million shares of Nike, amounting to a roughly 0.19% ownership. Nike’s stock, which has tumbled 26% since January, rose 4% in after-market trading.  Market ImpactNike’s stock, which has tumbled 26% since January, rose 4% in after-market trading. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [WTCA Prime Office Index June 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/08/12/wtca-prime-office-index-june-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wtca-prime-office-index-june-2024): This is the eighth Latin Trade and the - [China tells some brokerages to conduct compliance checks on bond trading ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/china-tells-some-brokerages-to-conduct-compliance-checks-on-bond-trading/): Business & Finance09 August 2024, 10:57 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that China’s securities regulator has ordered some brokerages to inspect their bond trading activities as authorities seek to rein in frenzied buying of Chinese government bonds. The brokerages, all of which are domestic, have been told to conduct compliance checks on all parts of their bond trading operations.  Market ImpactA wobbly Chinese economy, long hobbled by a protracted property crisis, has sent investors scurrying away from the volatile stock market while banks have also continued to cut deposit rates. That’s sent investors – from large banks and insurers to mutual funds to rural financial institutions – pouring into the bond market. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Market Crashes Happen. They Don’t Necessarily Mean Much.](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/opinion/stock-market-crashes-economy.html): On Oct. 19, 1987, Black Monday, stock prices - [ArcBest misses profit expectations, as soft rate environment weighed on revenue](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/arcbest-misses-profit-expectations-as-soft-rate-environment-weighed-on-revenue-4461160b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [OPEC+ sticks to oil policy, repeats could pause Oct hike](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/opec-sticks-to-oil-policy-repeats-could-pause-oct-hike/): Business & FinanceDeals01 August 2024, 7:38 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that a meeting of top OPEC+ ministers kept oil output policy unchanged including a plan to start unwinding output cuts from October. The oil producing group took the decision despite sharp oil price falls in recent weeks amid global demand concerns. Brent crude futures fell on the news settling down 1.6% below $80 a barrel. Market ImpactOPEC+ is currently cutting output by a total of 5.86 million barrels per day, or about 5.7% of global demand, in a series of steps agreed since 2022 to bolster the market amid uncertainty over global demand and rising supply outside the group.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: EuropeWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Alibaba stock climbs on report of vendor service fee increase](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/alibaba-stock-climbs-on-report-of-vendor-service-fee-increase-db9d1854?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Have Immigrants Been Taking Away Our Jobs?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/23/opinion/immigration-unemployment-inflation.html): On the eve of the 2020 election Donald - [Some investors demand change at LVMH after probe into Dior contractors ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/some-investors-demand-change-at-lvmh-after-probe-into-dior-contractors/): Business & Finance23 July 2024, 9:11 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Europe’s top asset manager Amundi and other LVMH investors want the $370 billion luxury behemoth to take more aggressive steps to monitor its suppliers’ treatment of workers after Italian prosecutors disclosed alleged sweatshop-like conditions at subcontractors for high-end brand Dior. Market ImpactThe investigation into suppliers for LVMH’s second-largest fashion label, which Reuters revealed on June 11, has shone a spotlight on potential worker exploitation in the $1.6 trillion global luxury goods industry. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [European stocks open lower after weak Wall Street finish, computer outages](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-open-lower-after-weak-wall-street-finish-computer-outages-a57c53a7?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [PwC weighs halving of China financial services audit staff ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/pwc-weighs-halving-of-china-financial-services-audit-staff/): Business & Finance17 July 2024, 1:57 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is considering slashing up to half its financial services auditing staff in China as a regulatory investigation and an exodus of clients darken business prospects. The move follows Chinese regulators’ scrutiny of PwC this year for its role as the auditor of troubled property giant China Evergrande Group.  Market ImpactChinese authorities have been examining PwC’s role in Evergrande’s accounting practices after the securities regulator accused the developer in March of a $78-billion fraud over a period of two years through 2020.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Traders face $1 bln loss on faltering Ghana cocoa supply ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/traders-face-1-bln-loss-on-faltering-ghana-cocoa-supply/): Business & FinanceCommodities15 July 2024, 2:09 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that trading houses face losses of at least $1 billion on cocoa derivatives after major producer Ghana failed to deliver beans this year, forcing traders to liquidate short positions in a rallying market.  Market ImpactGlobal cocoa prices soared this year after bad weather, bean disease, smuggling and illegal gold mining reduced production and the volume of beans available in Ghana, the world’s No.2 producer. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceCommoditiesType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: AfricaCountries: GhanaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [UAW considering next steps on worries Trump could beat Biden](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/uaw-considering-next-steps-on-worries-trump-could-beat-biden/): Business & FinanceGovernment12 July 2024, 2:02 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain met with the union’s executive board to discuss his deep concerns with President Joe Biden’s ability to defeat Donald Trump in the November elections. Fain and the UAW are important allies of the president and are expected to play a critical role in helping him win in key swing states like Michigan.  Market ImpactThe news added pressure on Biden at a time when he faced growing pressure to step aside as the Democratic candidate after a shaky debate performance.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceGovernment & Public ServicesRegions: AmericasCountries: USWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Why Are People Unhappy About a Strong Economy?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/09/opinion/economy-consumer-sentiment.html): The past two years have been very good - [Un turista español muere en Sudáfrica pisoteado por un elefante](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudafrica-un-turista-espanol-muere-pisoteado-por-un-elefante-johannesburgo-parque-nacional-de-pilanesberg-espana-ultimas-noticia/): Se eleva a más de 900 los muertos - [¿Sabes cuál es el país más joven del mundo que hoy conmemora su independencia?](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudan-del-sur-cual-es-el-pais-mas-joven-del-mundo-que-hoy-9-de-julio-conmemora-su-independencia-africa-13-anos-noticia/): Qué es el Nuevo Frente Popular de izquierda, - [Indian officials visit Foxconn iPhone plant, question executives about hiring ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/indian-officials-visit-foxconn-iphone-plant-question-executives-about-hiring/): Business & Finance04 July 2024, 5:57 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Indian labour officials visited a Foxconn factory in the country’s south this week and questioned executives about the company’s hiring practices after Reuters reported that the major Apple supplier has been rejecting married women from iPhone assembly jobs.  Market ImpactA Reuters investigation published last week found Foxconn systematically excluded married women from assembly jobs at its main Indian iPhone plant on the grounds they have more family responsibilities than their unmarried counterparts.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Turkish central bank chief ‘extremely determined’ to curb inflation ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/turkish-central-bank-chief-extremely-determined-to-curb-inflation/): Business & FinanceGovernment04 July 2024, 5:50 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters published an exclusive interview with Turkish Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan – his first with the media since becoming chief in February – on the heels of data showing a long-awaited turnaround in the country’s soaring inflation rate. Karahan’s comments that the central bank was “extremely determined” to combat soaring prices and would patiently maintain its tight policy tempered growing expectations of a rate cut within the next few months.  Market ImpactThe central bank has held policy steady, vowing to act if the inflation outlook worsens, since raising rates by 500 basis points, or 5 percentage points, to 50% in March.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceGovernment & Public ServicesRegions: Europe / Middle East / AfricaCountries: TurkeyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [LT Magazine – Trimester 1, 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/07/03/lt-magazine-trimester-1-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lt-magazine-trimester-1-2024): View Fullscreen The post LT Magazine – Trimester - [Kenia: La policía dispara en Nairobi munición real y gases lacrimógenos contra los manifestantes](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/kenia-la-policia-dispara-en-nairobi-municion-real-y-gases-lacrimogenos-contra-los-manifestantes-tom-mboya-street-tribunal-superior-de-malindi-william-ruto-knchr-ultimas-noticia/): UNESCO: “La IA es un riesgo para la - [UNESCO: “La IA es un riesgo para la celebración de unas elecciones democráticas”](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/unesco-la-inteligencia-artificial-es-un-riesgo-para-la-celebracion-de-unas-elecciones-democraticas-elecciones-estados-unidos-2024-ia-ultimas-noticia/): Biden cree que lo hizo bien ante un - [A Report Card on Latin America’s Bureaucratic Conundrum](https://latintrade.com/2024/06/27/a-report-card-on-latin-americas-bureaucratic-conundrum/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-report-card-on-latin-americas-bureaucratic-conundrum): by Jerry Haar* “Lethargic” best describes Latin America’s - [Bosch weighs offer for appliance maker Whirlpool](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/bosch-weighs-offer-for-appliance-maker-whirlpool/): Business & FinanceDeals26 June 2024, 6:14 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that German engineering group Robert Bosch is weighing a bid for U.S. appliances manufacturer Whirlpool, a move that would boost its position in the household appliances market.  Market ImpactWhirlpool’s shares rose 12.7% in early trading after the Reuters report. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceMergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasEuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Kenia: al menos 17 muertos en las graves protestas contra una subida de los impuestos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/protestas-en-kenia-al-menos-17-muertos-en-las-graves-manifestaciones-contra-una-subida-de-los-impuestos-prwg-kenya-proyecto-de-ley-de-finanzas-2024-nairobi-martha-koome-william-ruto-ultimas-noticia/): El presidente de Kenia dice que su misión - [Film cameras back in focus as Ricoh launches its first in 21 years](https://pgnedu.com/2024/06/22/film-cameras-back-in-focus-as-ricoh-launches-its-first-in-21-years/): TOKYO — Japanese company Ricoh launched presales of - [Ghana reaches deal in principle with bondholders on $13 bln debt ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ghana-reaches-deal-in-principle-with-bondholders-on-13-bln-debt/): EconomyGovernment21 June 2024, 6:13 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Ghana had reached an agreement in principle with its bondholders to restructure $13 billion worth of international debt, a key milestone for the nation, including details on the agreement.  Market ImpactGhana’s dollar bonds rallied on the Reuters report, with the 2027 bond rising to its highest price since 2022, Tradeweb data showed. Article TagsTopics of Interest: EconomyGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyRegions: AfricaCountries: GhanaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Dominican Republic: LatAm Champion in Easing Business Complexity](http://www.latinvex.com/) - [Chad: al menos 9 muertos y 46 heridos en incendio de depósito de municiones](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/chad-yamena-al-menos-9-muertos-y-46-heridos-en-incendio-de-deposito-de-municiones-abdelmadjid-abderahim-mahamat-idriss-deby-itno-goudji-kadidja-dakou-ultimas-noticia/): Sudáfrica: Parlamento elige al presidente Ramaphosa para un - [India regulator plans tweaks to address derivative trading risks](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/india-regulator-plans-tweaks-to-address-derivative-trading-risks/): Business & Finance18 June 2024, 8:18 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that India’s markets regulator is considering a series of tweaks to its derivative trading rules as it seeks to address risks arising from explosive growth in options trading. Market ImpactTrading in index and stock options has soared in India in the last few years, fueled mainly by retail investors. The notional value of index options traded more than doubled in 2023-24 to $907.09 trillion from the year before.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Sudáfrica: El presidente Cyril Ramaphosa será investido para un segundo mandato el próximo miércoles](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudafrica-el-presidente-cyril-ramaphosa-sera-investido-para-un-segundo-mandato-el-proximo-miercoles-ultimas-noticia/): ¿Es el fascismo en Italia realmente algo del - [Sudáfrica: Parlamento elige al presidente Ramaphosa para un segundo mandato](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/cyril-ramaphosa-parlamento-de-sudafrica-elige-a-presidente-para-un-segundo-mandato-ultimas-noticia/): El crudo relato de Noa Argamani sobre sus - [Ivory Coast cocoa regulator targets intermediary buyers in sector reform](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ivory-coast-cocoa-regulator-targets-intermediary-buyers-in-sector-reform/): Commodities14 June 2024, 8:21 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Ivory Coast’s cocoa regulator plans to implement a reform of the domestic cocoa marketing system that will, within a year, eliminate middlemen to prevent risk and overpayment. Market ImpactThe reform will rely on Ivory Coast’s new cocoa traceability and certification system, which will digitise payment for all cocoa bean sales or purchase transactions from the farmer to the exporter.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AfricaCountries: GhanaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Goldman Sachs aims to double lending to wealthy private bank clients](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/goldman-sachs-aims-to-double-lending-to-wealthy-private-bank-clients/): Business & Finance13 June 2024, 5:44 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Goldman Sachs aims to double its lending over the next five years to ultra-wealthy private bank clients with account sizes exceeding $10 million, as it gathers more deposits to supercharge lending.  Market ImpactThe expansion of lending to wealthy individuals who have assets of at least $30 million, as well as to private equity firms and asset managers, helps Goldman broaden its business beyond trading and investment banking. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Ospreys face flight restrictions through 2025 due to crashes, military tells Congress](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-main/2024/06/congress-sought-osprey-crash-and-safety-documents-from-the-pentagon-last-year-its-still-waiting/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The military’s hundreds of V-22 - [Saudi wealth fund holding talks to create boxing league ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/saudi-wealth-fund-holding-talks-to-create-boxing-league/): Business & FinanceSports12 June 2024, 4:04 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is in discussions with multiple boxing stakeholders to create a league, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of the sport.  Market Impact Saudi Arabia has poured billions of dollars into sport as it seeks to wean the kingdom off of oil dependency under de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030 program, which aims to bring in tourism, boost the private sector, and create jobs. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceSportsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceSportsRegions: Middle EastCountries: Saudi ArabiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Ghana to delay more cocoa deliveries as supply crisis worsens](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ghana-to-delay-more-cocoa-deliveries-as-supply-crisis-worsens/): Commodities12 June 2024, 2:13 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Ghana, the world’s second largest cocoa producer, is looking to delay delivery of up to 350,000 tons of beans to next season due to poor crops in a further worsening of the outlook for the global chocolate industry.  Market ImpactChocolate makers around the world are raising prices for consumers after cocoa more than doubled in value this year alone following a third year of poor harvests in Ghana and Ivory Coast, responsible for 60% of global production. Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AfricaCountries: GhanaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [“Latin America, the vision of its leaders” A book by Andrés Rugeles and 100 regional leaders](https://latintrade.com/2024/06/12/latin-america-the-vision-of-its-leaders-a-book-by-andres-rugeles-and-100-regional-leaders/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=latin-america-the-vision-of-its-leaders-a-book-by-andres-rugeles-and-100-regional-leaders): The Colombian Andrés Rugeles has achieved an almost - [Japan spot work startup Timee targets July listing](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/japan-spot-work-startup-timee-targets-july-listing/): Deals11 June 2024, 8:09 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Japan startup Timee, which operates a platform connecting workers seeking side gigs with labour-strapped businesses, is targeting a listing in July in Tokyo.  Market ImpactJapan’s spot work market is set to quintuple in size to 100 billion yen ($636 million) over the five years to the fiscal year ending March 2028, according to data disclosed by Dip.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: DealsType: Reuters BestSectors: TechnologyRegions: AsiaCountries: JapanWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [The Great Interest Rate Debate](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/11/opinion/interest-rates.html): Peter Coy: Hi, Paul. The Fed meets Tuesday - [Desaparece avión militar con el vicepresidente de Malaui y otras 9 personas a bordo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/malaui-saulos-klaus-chilima-desaparece-avion-militar-con-el-vicepresidente-y-otras-9-personas-a-bordo-lilongue-mzuzu-region-norte-lazarus-chakwera-colleen-zamba-afreximbank-ultimas-noticia/): La ingeniosa manera que encontró una isla de - [Norway gas flow to Britain resumes after repair](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/norway-gas-flow-to-britain-resumes-after-repair/): CommoditiesEnergy07 June 2024, 7:28 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Norwegian pipeline operator Gassco suffered an outage of gas exports to Britain that pushed Europe’s benchmark gas price to its highest level this year. Reuters revealed that the outage was caused by problems onboard an offshore platform, and later also broke the news when the flow of gas resumed after five days.  Market ImpactNorway in 2022 overtook Russia as Europe’s biggest gas supplier after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, meeting roughly a quarter of the continent’s demand and making any outages at Norwegian fields a possible trigger for higher prices.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesEnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: EuropeCountries: NorwayWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [India plans new shipping firm to capture revenue from growing trade ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/india-plans-new-shipping-firm-to-capture-revenue-from-growing-trade/): Business & Finance05 June 2024, 7:50 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that India plans to set up a new shipping company to expand its fleet by at least 1,000 ships in the next decade, as Asia’s third-largest economy seeks a bigger chunk of revenue from surging trade. Market ImpactThe turn to foreign carriers comes as India’s shipping fleet has not kept pace with its surge in trade, including imports of energy and exports of refined oil products.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Transport & LogisticsRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [La ingeniosa manera que encontró una isla de Zanzíbar para salvar sus corales](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/dia-mundial-del-medio-ambiente-la-ingeniosa-manera-que-encontro-una-isla-de-zanzibar-para-salvar-sus-corales-mnemba-cambio-climatico-noticia/): Elsa, la tercera bebé recién nacida que una - [Hibbett shares fall as Q1 sales miss analysts’ estimate](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/hibbett-shares-fall-as-q1-sales-miss-analysts-estimate-801a7cb0?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Goodbye Inflation, Hello Recession?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/04/opinion/inflation-fed-recession.html): Long ago I studied international economics with the - [Qatar sovereign fund agrees to buy 10% stake in China asset manager](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/qatar-sovereign-fund-agrees-to-buy-10-stake-in-china-asset-manager/): Business & FinanceDeals04 June 2024, 2:49 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has agreed to buy a 10% stake in China’s second-largest mutual fund company, underscoring Beijing’s increasing ties with the Middle East amid rising tensions with the West.  Market ImpactMiddle East sovereign wealth funds have invested $7 billion in China since June last year, five times the amount seen during the previous 12 months, according to industry data provider Global SWF. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaMiddle EastCountries: QatarWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [JPMorgan payments chief Georgakopoulos to leave](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/jpmorgan-payments-chief-georgakopoulos-to-leave/): Business & Finance03 June 2024, 2:36 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that JPMorgan Chase’s global head of payments, Takis Georgakopoulos, is leaving to pursue other opportunities, prompting the bank to install new leaders atop one of its fastest-growing divisions.  Market ImpactRevenue for JPMorgan’s payments business stood at $2.4 billion in the first quarter, higher than the $2 billion revenue brought in from investment banking. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Take a Look at the Profitability Drivers Index 4Q 2023](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/31/take-a-look-at-the-profitability-drivers-index-4q-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=take-a-look-at-the-profitability-drivers-index-4q-2023): Explore the index to gauge the financial details - [Investigación BBC: el lado oscuro de los perfumes de algunas de las grandes marcas de lujo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/egipto-investigacion-bbc-el-lado-oscuro-de-los-perfumes-de-algunas-de-las-grandes-marcas-de-lujo-lancome-aerin-beauty-noticia/): Estados Unidos afirma que la operación de Israel - [Is the Fed Waiting Too Long to Cut Interest Rates?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/28/opinion/inflation-federal-reserve-rates.html): Surging prices in 2021-22, after decades of low - [El Ejército de Mali mata a 30 supuestos yihadistas en el centro del país](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/mali-mourdiah-el-ejercito-mata-a-30-supuestos-yihadistas-en-el-centro-del-pais-fuerzas-armadas-fama-sahel-estado-islamico-al-qaeda-gaim-grupo-wagner-onu-ultimas-noticia/): Brasil: nueve cuerpos hallados en barco a la - [Global Tourism Industry on Track for Full Recovery by 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/24/global-tourism-industry-on-track-for-full-recovery-by-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=global-tourism-industry-on-track-for-full-recovery-by-2024): The global tourism industry is set to reach, - [Al menos 11 fallecidos incluido un brasileño, en una explosión en el este de Tanzania](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tanzania-al-menos-11-fallecidos-incluido-un-brasileno-en-una-explosion-en-el-este-en-fabrica-de-azucar-mtibwa-ultimas-noticia/): Ciclón tropical azota costas de Kenia y Tanzania, - [Emirati bank FAB in advanced talks to buy Turkey’s Yapi Kredi](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/emirati-bank-fab-in-advanced-talks-to-buy-turkeys-yapi-kredi/): Business & FinanceDeals21 May 2024, 6:17 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters reported first Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is in advanced talks to acquire Turkish conglomerate Koc Group’s 61.2% stake in Istanbul-based lender Yapi Kredi for about $8 billion. Shares in Yapi Kredi soared 10% after the news emerged, while Koc Holding jumped more than 9%, both touching record highs. FAB shares slipped slightly.  Market ImpactShares in Yapi Kredi soared 10% after the news emerged, while Koc Holding jumped more than 9%, both touching record highs. FAB shares slipped slightly. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: Middle EastCountries: TurkeyUAEWin Types: Impact (Long Term)Story Types: Special Report / InsightMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Return of the Inflation Truthers](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/21/opinion/inflation-data-economy.html): Has U.S. inflation come down? Yes. We have - [Take a Look at the Multilatina Ranking for 4Q 2023](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/21/take-a-look-at-the-multilatina-ranking-for-4q-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=take-a-look-at-the-multilatina-ranking-for-4q-2023): Explore the ranking to gauge the financial strength - [Fotógrafo español muere baleado en Etiopía mientras colaboraba con el Canal 13 de Chile](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/toni-espadas-etiopia-fotografo-de-espana-muere-baleado-mientras-colaboraba-con-el-canal-13-de-chile-socios-por-el-mundo-tribu-mursi-barcelona-francisco-saavedra-jorge-zavaleta-ultimas-noticia/): “Me enteré del asesinato de mi padre al - [Reuters ahead with key market-moving alerts from JP Morgan’s investor day](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-ahead-with-key-market-moving-alerts-from-jp-morgans-investor-day/): Business & Finance20 May 2024, 9:37 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency On May 20, Reuters was about a minute ahead on a news alert when JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, speaking to investors at an event in New York, revealed that major Wall Street bank is not planning to buy back its shares, driving a sharp slide in the stock from record highs. This was followed by a more than 1-minute win on the hotly anticipated announcement from Dimon on succession plans at the biggest US lender. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [El hombre que fue encontrado vivo en el sótano de un vecino 26 años después de su desaparición](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/argelia-omar-bin-omran-el-hombre-que-fue-encontrado-vivo-en-el-sotano-de-un-vecino-26-anos-despues-de-su-desaparicion-narracion-historias-ec-noticia/): Tren de Aragua: EE.UU. confirma la detención en - [Sudáfrica: 11 desaparecidos tras el naufragio de un pesquero](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudafrica-11-desaparecidos-tras-el-naufragio-de-un-pesquero-ciudad-del-cabo-ultimas-noticia/): Donald Trump elige El Bronx para su primer - [News Coverage and Inflation Negativity](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/07/opinion/inflation-news-coverage.html): By normal standards, the U.S. economy continues to - [Take a Look at the Top Latin American 100 Banks in 2023](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/06/take-a-look-at-the-top-latin-american-100-banks-in-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=take-a-look-at-the-top-latin-american-100-banks-in-2023): Explore the ranking of the 100 biggest banks - [Take a Look at the Financial Strength Index 4Q 2023](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/06/take-a-look-at-the-financial-strength-index-4q-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=take-a-look-at-the-financial-strength-index-4q-2023): Explore the ranking to gauge the financial strength - [The Peculiar Persistence of Trump-stalgia](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/02/opinion/trump-biden-economy.html): “Are you better off than you were four - [Are High Interest Rates Here to Stay?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/opinion/interest-rates-economy.html): Do you remember the economy of the late - [Más de 40 muertos en Kenia tras la ruptura de una represa](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nairobi-mas-de-40-muertos-en-kenia-tras-la-ruptura-de-una-represa-fenomeno-el-nino-nakuru-rio-tana-ultimas-noticia/): Pedro Sánchez evalúa renunciar tras denuncia contra Begoña - [Kenia: mueren 10 militares, incluido el jefe de las Fuerzas Armadas, al estrellarse un helicóptero](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/kenia-mueren-10-militares-incluido-el-jefe-de-las-fuerzas-armadas-al-estrellarse-un-helicoptero-william-ruto-ultimas-noticia/): Franja de Gaza: cerca de 34.000 muertos tras - [Get everyone to the developing table, the key to harness AI in LAC: a column by Kellee Wicker](https://latintrade.com/2024/04/17/get-everyone-to-the-developing-table-the-key-to-harness-ai-in-lac-a-column-by-kellee-wicker/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=get-everyone-to-the-developing-table-the-key-to-harness-ai-in-lac-a-column-by-kellee-wicker): By Kellee Wicker * Artificial intelligence (AI) is - [Fiscal Monitor: Fiscal Policy in the Great Election Year](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2024/04/17/fiscal-monitor-april-2024) - [Brasil: nueve cuerpos hallados en barco a la deriva portaban documentos de africanos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/brasil-nueve-cuerpos-hallados-en-barco-a-la-deriva-portaban-documentos-de-africanos-mauritania-mali-policia-federal-braganca-oceano-atlantico-salgado-para-islas-canarias-ultimas-noticia/): Por qué un juez de Brasil ordenó investigar - [Un año de guerra en Sudán: “Uno de mis compañeros intentó huir, pero vimos cómo le disparaban en el cuello, murió al instante”](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudan-un-ano-de-guerra-uno-de-mis-companeros-intento-huir-pero-vimos-como-le-disparaban-en-el-cuello-murio-al-instante-testimonios-noticia/): ¿Cómo Israel y sus aliados interceptaron más de - [Some African Leaders Are Optimistic About Trump](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/world/africa/trump-africa.html): In his first term, Donald Trump denigrated African - [Cyclone on French Archipelago Exposes Resentments Over Immigrants](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/25/world/africa/cyclone-on-french-archipelago-exposes-resentments-over-immigrants.html): In the ruins left by Cyclone Chido, people - [IRS proposes new rules for tax professionals](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/dec/irs-proposes-new-rules-for-tax-professionals.html): Treasury and the IRS on Friday proposed regulations - [Mozambique Court Upholds Result in Disputed Presidential Election](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/world/africa/mozambique-disputed-election-results-upheld-chapo.html): The ruling comes after protests that left more - [The Korea Herald](http://www.koreaherald.com/common/rss_xml.php?ct=305): National Not just moms, wives: Korean women's struggle for self-identity For generations, womanhood in South Korea has been inextricably linked to motherhood, a role often defined by self-sacrifice. But today, Korean women are questioning these norms, striving to reclaim t - [KB Kookmin Card obtains merger nod for Cambodian subsidiaries](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241220050037): KB Kookmin Card headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul (KB Kookmin Card) KB Kookmin Card said Friday that it has received approval from Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce to merge its two local subsidiaries -- auto finance firm KB Daehan Specialized Bank and leasing company i-Finance Leasing.Under the merger, iFL will be integrated into KDSB, with the new entity retaining the name KB Daehan Specialized Bank to leverage its brand recognition.“By merging our Cambodian subsidiaries, we have established a foundation for sustainable growth in the global market,” said a company official. “We aim to strengthen our position as a leading specialized bank in the Cambodian market.”Since acquiring KDSB in 2018, KB Kookmin Card has steadily expanded its presence in Cambodia. In 2022, the Korean card firm and KDSB fully acquired iFL.KDSB specializes in automobile installment financing, while iFL holds a leasing license in its business portfolio. Following the merger, the newly integrated company will reorganize its product offerings and combine leasing and loan services. It aims to provide comprehensive mobility financing solutions to cover automobiles, motorcycles and agricultural machinery.The integration is expected to enhance KDSB’s product portfolio as it can incorporate iFL's leasing services and expand its reach into local districts. KB Kookmin Card anticipates that the services tailored to local customers’ credit profiles and preferences will broaden its customer base. - [Seoul shares open sharply lower on Fed aftermath](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241220050013): Seoul shares started sharply lower Friday on the US Federal Reserve's hawkish turn, which signaled fewer rate cuts next year.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 24.88 points, or 1.02 percent, to 2,411.05 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The Korean won continued to hover above 1,450 won per US dollar, the lowest level in 15 years. It was trading at 1,450.9 won against the greenback at 9:15 a.m., up 1 won from the previous session.Overnight, Wall Street closed almost flat, failing to recover from the previous session's slide sparked by the Fed's hawkish rate cut.On Wednesday, the Fed cut its rate for the third consecutive time but hinted at a slower easing pace next year, considering the hotter-than-expected economy, driving down the global stock markets.In Seoul, most big-cap shares kicked off in negative territory.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics lost 1.13 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix shot down 3.14 percent.Top automaker Hyundai Motor shed 1.89 percent, and its sister Kia dipped 1.19 percent.Bio giant Samsung Biologics tumbled 3.86 percent, and major biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion dropped 1.09 percent.Korea Zinc, currently in the middle of a management control battle, slid 4.6 percent.Major shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy, meanwhile, rose for the second straight day, jumping 1.57 percent. (Yonhap) - [Business standard mileage rate increases for 2025](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/dec/business-standard-mileage-rate-increases-for-2025.html): The IRS increased the optional standard mileage rate - [Applicability date set for required minimum distribution regulations](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/dec/applicability-date-set-for-required-minimum-distribution-regulations.html): Treasury and the IRS announced on Wednesday (Announcement - [US govt. grants combined $958m subsidy to SK hynix](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050103): SK hynix's headquarters in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province (Yonhap) The US Commerce Department said Thursday it has decided to grant up to $458 million in direct funding to SK hynix Inc.'s project to build a new plant in Indiana.The US government will also provide up to $500 million in loans, both under the CHIPS and Science Act, according to the US Department of Commerce.In April, the company announced a plan to invest $3.87 billion to build a memory packaging plant for artificial intelligence products, and an advanced packaging research and development facility in West Lafayette in the US state to produce next-generation memory chips."By investing in companies like SK hynix and communities like West Lafayette, the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act continues to supercharge America's global technology leadership," US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a release.The Commerce Department added that the agreement "represents a significant step in advancing the security of the US supply chain," adding the project will fill "a critical gap in the US semiconductor supply chain." (Yonhap) - [Lotte Chemical bondholders agree to remove clause causing liquidity concerns](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050089): The holders of corporate bonds issued by loss-making Lotte Chemical Corp. agreed Thursday to remove a clause in the company's bond covenants that the company and others believe has been the cause of recent concerns over a potential liquidity crisis at Lotte Group.Under the clause in the covenants for 14 bonds issued between September 2013 and March 2023, investors are able to declare an event of default and demand an early redemption of the bonds if Lotte Chemical fails to maintain a certain level of profit over the previous three years.Declaration of an EOD in a certain bond could result in the cross-default of all Lotte Chemical borrowings, which in turn raises the possibility of liquidity risk for the entire group.Speculation of a liquidity crisis, denied by the group, was sparked by a sharp decline in the profitability of Lotte Chemical amid a significant downturn facing the whole petrochemical industry.Lotte Chemical needed to report earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization that are five times higher than its interest expenses for the bonds in the past three years that ended Sept. 30, but its operating losses deepened to 660.03 billion won ($455 million) in the January-September period from a 31.87 billion won loss a year earlier due to slowing demand, overcapacity and increased competition.Dismissing such liquidity woes, the company earlier said it had 4 trillion won in readily available deposits as of October, which it argued was enough to repay the principal and interest of its bonds.In addition, the company has preemptively secured 660 billion won based on its stake in its US production facility and plans to secure an additional 650 billion won using its stake in its plant in Indonesia, a company spokesperson said over the phone.It also plans to liquidate its synthetic rubber plant in Malaysia as part of the group's efforts to streamline businesses that do not align with its mid- and long-term strategy.The Korean retail giant plans to pursue a "two-track" strategy of selling off such businesses while expanding investments in emerging sectors, such as biohealth and artificial intelligence.Earlier this month, Lotte Group selected Hong Kong-based private equity fund Affinity Equity Partners for talks to sell its car rental arm Lotte Rental Co. for 1.6 trillion won.Last month, the group said it will provide Lotte World Tower in Seoul as collateral for the corporate bonds of the cash-strapped chemical unit. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares plunge nearly 2% on hawkish Fed, Micron shock; won tumbles](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050081): Seoul shares tumbled nearly 2 percent Thursday as risk appetite weakened after the US Federal Reserve hinted at a slower monetary easing cycle next year and US tech giant Micron Technology's sharp losses overnight. The Korean won was sliding against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index plummeted 48.5 points, or 1.95 percent, to close at 2,435.93.The local currency was trading at 1,451.9 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., down 16.4 won from the previous session to reach a 15-year low.The KOSPI's trade volume was moderate at 492.8 million shares worth 8.3 trillion won ($5.7 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 681 to 212.Foreigners and institutions dumped local shares worth 429.8 billion won and 504.2 billion won, respectively, as the Fed signaled fewer rate cuts in 2025 with hotter-than-expected inflation readings.The Fed's caution sapped investors' risk appetite despite its third consecutive rate cut, also driving down major US indexes overnight.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.58 percent, the S&P 500 dropped 2.95 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slid 3.56 percent.Wall Street was also hit by Micron Technology's 4.33 percent fall sparked by weaker-than-expected earnings guidance. The company's shares tumbled more than 10 percent during after-hours trading."The Fed's hawkish stance led to the weakening of the Korean won, sparking foreign and institutional investors to flock away from the Korean market," Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said.In Seoul, most blue chip tech shares steeply declined.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics lost 3.28 percent to 53,100 won, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix shot down 4.63 percent to 175,000 won.Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution shed 2.49 percent to 372,000 won, tracking Tesla's 8.28 percent slide overnight.Top automaker Hyundai Motor also dropped 2.08 percent to 212,000 won, and Kakao, the operator of the country's dominant mobile messenger, plummeted 5.07 percent to 41,200 won.Bio shares were also weak.Samsung Biologics dipped 2.24 percent to 958,000 won and Celltrion tumbled 3.41 percent to 192,400 won.Major shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy, meanwhile, surged 5.15 percent to 255,000 won. (Yonhap) - [Mirae Asset’s overseas stock holdings hit W40tr](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050079): With more South Korean retail investors flocking to US shares and other overseas stock markets, the balance of foreign equities held by Mirae Asset Securities customers has reached 40 trillion won ($27.6 billion), according to the country’s leading brokerage house Thursday.Investors at Mirae Asset Securities held over 40 trillion won in foreign equities, marking an over 10 trillion won gain from the 30 trillion won recorded in June, the firm said.The brokerage firm also saw its customers’ investment returns from overseas shares increase by over 14.6 trillion won from the beginning of this year for a gain of 61.4 percent. The percentage gain is sharply higher than the year-to-date returns of major stock indices, including the Nasdaq Composite (33 percent), the S&P 500 (27 percent) and Korea's benchmark Kospi (minus 7 percent).Among Mirae Asset Securities customers, 610,005 individuals held foreign equity balances exceeding 100 million won, reflecting a 64 percent year-on-year increase. Among customers with over 100 million won in assets in any form, including domestic stocks and bonds, around 60 percent were able to scale up their assets by investing in foreign stock markets, the firm said."With the sharp growth of foreign shares and easier access to investment information based on artificial intelligence, customers are rapidly expanding their foreign equity portfolios," an official from Mirae Asset Securities said.“Global asset (portfolios) are more than just an investment vehicle. They are like insurance that can protect assets and respond to economic changes. We will do our utmost to support our customers in their later years and grow their assets.”To meet growing local investor demand for overseas equities, Mirae Asset Securities has been proactively expanding its international operations. As of March this year, it operates a total of 12 overseas subsidiaries, spanning the US, Brazil, the UK, Greece, Mongolia, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and China.In particular, Mirae Asset Securities has been aggressively expanding into the Indian market. The firm announced in November that it had completed the acquisition of Indian brokerage house Sharekhan Limited. The merged entity has been rebranded as Mirae Asset Sharekhan. - [Authorities on alert as Korean won sinks to 15-year low](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050071): The Korean won fell Thursday to its weakest levels against the US dollar since the 2009 global financial crisis as the dollar strengthened after the US central bank signaled a slower pace of rate cuts, fueling concerns over further depreciation as markets continue to digest political turmoil unfolding here.The Korean currency opened at 1,453 per dollar, down 17.5 from the previous session. This is the first won slide to breach 1,450 against the greenback in over 15 years, since March 16 in 2009. As of 2:20 p.m., the won was quoted at 1,449.10 per dollar in onshore trade.The decline in the won came after the US Federal Reserve’s overnight decision to cut rates by a quarter point while penciling in just two rate cuts next year.The currency was mired in political uncertainty after President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly imposed martial law on Dec. 3, hitting the 1,440 level the following day but recovering to around 1,430.On Wednesday, the US Fed slashed interest rates by a quarter point, bringing the target range to between 4.25 percent and 4.5 percent. With the decision, the interest rate gap between the US and South Korea has now fallen to 1.5 percentage points from 1.75 as the BOK’s policy rate stands at 3.0 percent.The US central bank also indicated that there will be two reductions in 2025, compared with the four forecasts in September, marking a hawkish signal that could inject volatility into stock and bond markets.While external uncertainties such as the direction of the new US government's economic policy and geopolitical risks continue, the Federal Reserve's monetary policy easing is expected to be significantly delayed given last night's FOMC results, Bank of Korea’s Senior Deputy Governor Ryoo Sang-dai said.“Volatility in domestic financial and foreign exchange markets has shown signs of abating after heightening in the wake of the martial law declaration. But if the volatility in the markets increases excessively due to the coincidence of external uncertainty and the domestic political situation, we will make every effort to implement market stabilization measures swiftly,” he said.The sharp drop in the won deflated hopes for its rebound to previous levels with investors waiting for clearer signals regarding the stability of the currency.NH Securities & Investment Economist Ahn Ki-tae said that the US dollar would continue to demonstrate strength as US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico could raise prices for US consumers.“Considering the exchange rate, it is still difficult to expect a steady inflow of foreign investment funds into the Korean stock market,” he said.Woori Bank economist Min Kyung-won expected that the Korean currency could depreciate to 1500 against the greenback in the short term.“A decline in risk-taking appetite is inevitable as uncertainty about Korea’s monetary policy deepens next year and capital inflow into safe assets like the dollar is expected to continue,” he said.In an abrupt decision, the country’s state pension fund, the National Pension Service and the BOK have agreed to expand their foreign exchange swap line and extend it by one year until the end of next year.With the enhanced upper limit, the NPS can borrow up to $65 billion from the BOK foreign reserves when undertaking overseas investmentThis is because the NPS’ high volume of dollar purchases for overseas assets could further exacerbate won depreciation.Separately, Korea’s financial authorities decided to relax regulatory measures on soundness and capital reserve on banks and other financial firms to facilitate liquidity inflow into the real economy, including domestic companies.The stress capital buffer, a regulation that requires banks to increase their capital to maintain normal operations during a crisis, was scheduled to be toughened this month but postponed until the second half of next year.Some 17 banks and eight financial holding firms were subjected to the strengthened rule, requiring them to set aside an additional 2.5 percentage points of their assets as a stress capital buffer - [Will Shinsegae chief meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago?](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050053): Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin (left) with Donald Trump Jr., reportedly shared on Chung’s social media in January. (Chung's Instagram) Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin met with Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of US President-elect Donald Trump, at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this week, according to the Korean retail giant on Thursday.The meeting prompted immediate speculations, as Trump’s transition team is conducting much of the planning for the second presidency at the resort.Shinsegae downplayed the visit as Chung’s “personal trip,” saying the visit had been arranged months ago at the invitation of Trump Jr. The two are known to share a close bond, rooted in both religious and personal connections. Earlier this year, Chung posted a photo of himself with Trump Jr., noting that their first encounter was ten years ago at a media event where they were seated next to each other.Chung’s US visit comes as Korean conglomerates rush to get closer to the new US president and bolster their preparedness for any policy changes under his second term.Compared to its chaebol rivals, Shinsegae has maintained a low profile in the US. Its flagship supermarket chain E-Mart entered the US market in 2018 by establishing the local unit PKRH. It operates 55 stores and supplies ready-made meals to local retailers such as Trader Joe’s and Costco.Asked about any plans for US expansion, a Shinsegae official in Seoul declined to comment. “All US operations are managed independently by the US entity,” he said.It remains to be seen whether Chung will meet with President-elect Trump during a fundraising dinner set to be held at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday (local time). - [Doosan Enerbility to supply SMR parts to US TerraPower](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050049): Doosan Enerbility said Thursday that it secured a key component supply contract with TerraPower, a US nuclear reactor startup established by Bill Gates, as it expands its global presence in the nuclear power sector.Under the contract, Doosan Enerbility will carry out a feasibility study and provide design support for manufacturing key components of TerraPower's 345-megawatt small modular reactor project in Wyoming. Doosan Enerbility said it would also start manufacturing reactor guard vessels, reactor support structures and core barrel structures for the SMR project starting next year.“We are very proud to participate in TerraPower's first SMR project as our excellent manufacturing capabilities are recognized,” said Kim Jong-doo, CEO of Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear Business Group.“We will continue to advance our manufacturing capabilities and push for the construction of new manufacturing sites to establish ourselves as a leading global SMR foundry."Doosan Enerbility has been focusing on bolstering its business opportunities and by partnering with other US SMR players such as NuScale and X-Energy while it aims to supply key equipment and design core machinery for smaller nuclear power plants worldwide.TerraPower, established by the Microsoft founder in 2008, broke ground for the Wyoming site in June with construction expected to span five years.In March, the SMR startup submitted its construction permit application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC accepted the paperwork for review about two months later, marking the first time in more than 40 years that the NRC has docketed a commercial non-light water reactor.Due to the project’s unique design, TerraPower said nuclear construction will begin after the application is approved, with ongoing construction for the non-nuclear facilities.According to TerraPower, the 345 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system can boost the power plant’s output to 500 MW when necessary, which is equivalent to powering about 400,000 homes. The project is supported by the US Department of Energy and is projected to begin commercial operation in 2030. - [HD Hyundai chairman donates W200m to alma mater](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050046): HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap (left) and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies President Park Jeong-woon pose for a photo during a donation ceremony at the school in Seoul on Thursday. (HD Hyundai) HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap has donated 200 million won ($138,000) to his alma mater, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, to enhance its educational facilities and support scholarships, the company said Thursday.Of the total donation, 150 million won will be allocated to introduce the latest equipment and renovate deteriorating facilities, while 50 million won will fund four students' living stipends.“As an alumnus, I felt it was my duty to give back what I received from society. I hope this helps lay a solid foundation for our nation's continued growth,” said Kwon.In recognition of his dedication, HUFS plans to induct him into the Hall of Fame and display a commemorative copperplate at its headquarters.Kwon has been committed to philanthropic initiatives as a corporate leader. In 2011, he established the HD Hyundai 1% Nanum Foundation, supported by employees who donate 1 percent of their salaries. More recently, he launched a foundation to support families of shipyard workers affected by serious workplace accidents. - [[Photo News] World’s first wireless, transparent TV](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050031): LG Electronics announced Thursday the global launch of the LG Signature OLED T, the world’s first wireless and transparent TV. The 77-inch TV features a 4K resolution transparent screen with LG’s wireless transmission technology and the ability to switch between opaque and transparent modes at the push of a button. The opaque mode delivers stunning 4K picture quality, while the transparent mode offers an open view of the space behind the screen. Preorders are now open in North America, with a sequential rollout planned in major markets, including Europe and South Korea, with a starting price of $59,999. (LG Electronics) - [Korean Air fined for exceeding passenger wait time limit during takeoff prep](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050016): A Korean Air Co. aircraft is seen on the tarmac at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Nov. 29. (Yonhap) The transport ministry said Thursday it has imposed fines on Korean Air Co., Delta Air Lines Inc. and Air Astana JSC for violating South Korea's aviation laws during operations.Korean Air, South Korea's leading carrier, was fined 25 million won ($17,221) for keeping passengers on board for four hours and eight minutes while the aircraft was on the runway during takeoff preparations on its Incheon-Delhi flight on July 23.By law, aircraft with passengers on board cannot remain still on the tarmac for more than three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights.Delta Air Lines was fined 35 million won for keeping passengers on the runway for four hours and 58 minutes during its Incheon-Atlanta flight on Aug. 24, and also failing to report the fares for its new Incheon-Salt Lake City route to the ministry before selling tickets.Air Astana was fined 10 million won for failing to properly report fare details for its Incheon-Astana route, according to the ministry. (Yonhap) - [Korean won slides to breach 1,450 per US dollar, lowest in over 15 years](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050014): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap) The South Korean currency opened sharply lower against the US dollar Thursday, breaching the 1,450 won mark for the first time since the 2009 global financial crisis.The Korean won opened at 1,453 won per dollar, down 17.5 won from the previous session.It marks the lowest level since 1,488 won on March 16, 2009.The local currency had weakened notably against the greenback after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a short-lived martial law on Dec. 3. Since then, the won had remained well below the 1,400 won level.Thursday's sharp drop also follows a US rate cut.The Federal Open Market Committee concluded its two-day meeting Wednesday, lowering its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 4.25 to 4.50 percent. The latest rate cut followed a quarter percentage-point cut last month and a 50-basis-point reduction in September.Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok earlier forecast heightened volatility in the country's financial and foreign exchange markets in the short term, saying major global currencies are showing significant weakness. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares open sharply lower after Fed rate cut; won sharply down](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050013): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap) Seoul shares started over 1.8 percent lower Thursday after the US Federal Reserve cut its rate for the third consecutive time but signaled fewer rate cuts next year. The Korean won opened sharply lower against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 45.47 points, or 1.83 percent, to 2,438.96 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The Korean won also plummeted to breach 1,450 won per US dollar, reaching a 15-year low. It was trading at 1,450.8 won against the greenback at 9:15 a.m., down 15.3 won from the previous session.Overnight, the US central bank cut its key lending rate by a quarter percentage point to the 4.25 to 4.50 percent range but signaled a slower monetary easing pace in 2025 with hotter-than-expected inflation readings.The Fed's hawkish rate cut drove down major US indexes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.58 percent, the S&P 500 dropped 2.95 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slid 3.56 percent.In Seoul, most big-cap shares kicked off in negative territory.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics lost 2 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix shot down 4.03 percent.Top automaker Hyundai Motor dropped 1.62 percent, and its sister Kia fell 2.55 percent.Steel giant Posco Holdings shed 2.79 percent, and leading chemical producer LG Chem slid 3.08 percent.Major refiner SK Innovation also plummeted 3.11 percent. (Yonhap) - [Household spending projected to fall 1.6% next year: poll](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050010): This file photo from Dec. 3, shows people shopping for groceries at a supermarket in Seoul. (Yonhap) Households in South Korea are expected to reduce their spending by an average of 1.6 percent in 2025 from this year, a poll showed Thursday.According to the survey on 1,000 adults conducted by Mono Research from Nov. 13-20, 53 percent of respondents said they plan to reduce their spending next year, while 47 percent indicated an increase.When asked about the rate of change in spending, the average was recorded at minus 1.6 percent. The poll was commissioned by the Federation of Korean Industries.By income level, those in the bottom 60 percent expected a decline in spending, while those in the top 40 percent anticipated an increase."Lower-income households are more sensitive to the impacts of inflation and economic downturns, leading to a tendency where spending decreases more significantly," the federation said.Reasons cited for reduced spending included high inflation at 44 percent, reduced income at 15.5 percent and tax burdens at 8.5 percent. (Yonhap) - [US Fed cuts key lending rate by quarter-percentage point, signals fewer cuts next year](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050007): Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington on Wednesday. (AP-Yonhap) The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point and signaled the possibility of two reductions next year, two fewer than what it penciled in three months ago.After the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the central bank announced the decision to reduce the rate to the 4.25 to 4.50 percent range. It followed a quarter-percentage-point cut last month and a 50-basis-point reduction in September.FOMC members' new median economic projections showed that the federal funds rate would be cut to 3.9 percent at the end of next year, up from the September projection of 3.4 percent. The latest forecast signaled two more rate reductions next year.The median projections also indicated that Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation may reach 2.5 percent at the end of next year, higher than the September projection of 2.1 percent."I think that the slower pace of cuts for next year really reflects with the higher inflation readings we've had this year, and the expectation inflation will be higher," Fed Chair Jerome Powell told a press conference."You saw in the SEP that risks and uncertainty around inflation we see as higher," he added, referring to the summary of economic projections.He went on to say, "Nonetheless, we see ourselves as still on track to continue to cut. I think the actual cuts that we make next year will not be because of anything we wrote down today."This week's Fed rate cut put the gap between the key rates of South Korea and the United States at up to 1.5 percentage points. (Yonhap) - [KDI School professor ranked world's top 2% of social scientists](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050120): Kim Soon-hee, public administration professor at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management (KDI School of Public Policy and Management) The KDI School of Public Policy and Management said Thursday that its public administration professor, Kim Soon-hee, has been ranked among the world’s top 2 percent of social scientists in the Elsevier-Stanford University list for the second consecutive year.Affiliated with the Korea Development Institute, the KDI School is a government-run graduate school based in Sejong. Kim joined the School in 2014 after serving as a professor at Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University.The Stanford University and Elsevier "World's Top 2% Scientists" list is a prestigious list of the world's leading researchers.A research team led by Stanford University professor John Ioannidis evaluated over 100,000 researchers globally across 22 major disciplines and 174 subfields using Elsevier’s Scopus database. Among the 485 scholars recognized in the fields of political science and public administration, Kim stood out for her significant citation impact.“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” said Kim. “I'd like to dedicate this achievement to my colleagues who have collaborated with me on meaningful research projects and to the graduate students who have inspired my academic work.”Kim’s expertise includes public management, governance, human resource management and leadership development. She has worked with international organizations such as the OECD and served on the editorial boards of leading journals in public administration.Dean of KDI School Kim Joon-kyung praised her achievement, stating, “It is a great honor to witness Professor Kim’s world-class research excellence in the social sciences. The KDI School will continue to provide full support for her research endeavors.” - [KMI opens joint medical checkup center in Mongolia](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050081): Korea Medical Institute’s Chief Strategy Officer Lee Kwang-bae (front row, first from the right), poses for a photo with board members and employees of KMI and Mongolia's Family Medical Center at the opening ceremony of their joint medical center in Ulaanbaatar on Oct. 25. (Korea Medical Institute) Korea Medical Institute announced Wednesday that it has opened its first overseas medical check-up center, Family Medical Center with KMI, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.Located at the E-Mart Bayangol branch, the facility is a joint project between KMI and Mongolia’s Family Medical Center, aiming to improve access to health screenings for Mongolians while introducing advanced Korean medical services, KMI said.The center offers a range of services, including national health screenings, corporate check-ups and individual medical assessments since its opening in September.By integrating KMI’s specialized expertise with Mongolia’s healthcare needs, the center provides a tailored and differentiated experience for clients, according to the institute.“Merging KMI’s specialized expertise with Mongolia’s distinct healthcare needs will provide a differentiated service for our clients,” a KMI official noted.Mongolia implemented a mandatory national health screening program in May 2022 to encourage early disease detection and prevention, leading to growing demand for medical services. To support these efforts, the institute added that KMI and FMC will jointly operate the facility and collaborate on technology sharing and training programs for Mongolian medical professionals.“Starting with the launch of the K-Health Check-up System in Mongolia, we will continue to strive for the expansion of Korea’s advanced medical systems to other countries,” said KMI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Lee Kwang Bae.Established in 1985, KMI operates eight medical check-up centers in South Korea, including locations in Seoul, Busan and Jeju. It focuses on disease prevention and public health while engaging in various social contribution programs. - [Hanwha Ocean's fixed platfrom achieves early oil production](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050068): Hanwha Ocean, a shipbuilding unit of Korea’s Hanwha Group, announced Wednesday that its offshore oil platform began to produce crude oil two weeks before the expected date in Qatar.The fixed platform first saw oil spring out on Sunday in the Al-Shaheen oil field, one of the world's biggest offshore oil fields located 80 kilometers northeast off the coast of Qatari capital, Doha.It has been five months since the facility left Hanwha Ocean’s shipbuilding yard in Okpo, Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province in July.As the marine facility successfully produced crude oil on a trial basis, it is ready for commercial production. The platform is capable of producing 50,000 barrels of crude oil daily. The North Oil Company of Qatar, the operator of the oil development in Al-Shaheen, will take over the facility after test operations and conduct commercial production.Hanwha Ocean said early production was carried out without causing harm to the surrounding environment or to workers. The company also said it could be an example that proves Hanwha’s capability to produce and manage offshore plants, which require a high level of technology.The offshore platform project began when the company won a 725 billion won ($505 million) contract from the NOC in 2021.The facility was built by Hanwha Ocean by July and reached the oil field in the Persian Gulf. Over three months of assembly and testing of an operational system were completed there.“For this offshore project, Hanwha Ocean and the client formed a one-team approach, ensuring seamless communication and swift decision-making. This approach enabled high-quality, safe and efficient execution, earning recognition as a successful offshore plant management model,” said Hanwha Ocean's President of Offshore Business Philippe Levy.With the accomplishment in Qatar, Hanwha Ocean plans to accelerate its transformation from a shipbuilder to a lump-sum contractor which covers entire procedures of offshore projects, from engineering to project operation, especially in the Middle East region where more oil field developments are expected. - [Hyundai Motor keeping tabs on Honda-Nissan merger](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050063): Nissan Motor CEO Makoto Uchida (left) and Honda Motor CEO Toshihiro Mibe pose for a photo during a press conference in March this year. (Honda, Nissan) The reported merger plan between Japanese auto brands -- Honda and Nissan -- is set to increase competition for Hyundai Motor Group amid an unpredictable outlook brought on by geopolitical uncertainties.According to news reports Wednesday, Honda and Nissan began discussing a plan to establish a joint holding company as they look to better grapple with the fast-changing electric vehicle industry and bolster their competitiveness against EV leaders such as America’s Tesla and China’s BYD.Neither Honda nor Nissan confirmed the reports, saying that they will inform their stakeholders at an appropriate time if there are any updates.The latest merger talks followed up the two automakers’ memorandum of understanding in March this year that they would begin a feasibility study of a strategic partnership in vehicle electrification and intelligence. In August, Mitsubishi Motors, in which Nissan is a majority stakeholder with a 24 percent share, joined the alliance to create more synergies and new business opportunities.As of Wednesday’s market capitalization, the combined auto giant formed by Honda and Nissan would be worth $52 billion and oust Hyundai Motor from the No. 3 spot, behind Toyota and Volkswagen.As Honda and Nissan sold about 4.2 million and 3.4 million vehicles worldwide, respectively, in 2023, Hyundai Motor’s 7.3 million sales volume would also be overtaken.The merged entity would increase competition for the Korean auto conglomerate’s three brands -- Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis -- especially in the United States, which Hyundai Motor has emphasized in its aims to expand its global market share.According to automotive sales data analysis Goodcarbadcar, Hyundai Motor Group sold 425,814 units in the US in the third quarter of this year while Honda and Nissan sold 366,214 and 206,057 units, respectively, during the same period. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun delivers his New Year's address at Kia AutoLand Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province on Jan. 3. (Hyundai Motor Group) “Even if (Honda and Nissan) merge, that does not mean Hyundai Motor’s revenue or sales volume will decrease,” said Lee Ho-geun, an automotive engineering professor at Daeduk University.“Once Nissan and Honda co-work, they are going to share various infrastructures such as dealer networks and research and development, which will save them fixed costs and investment. In this way, they will be able to secure cost-competitiveness and enhanced quality by efficiently allocating their limited resources.”Although it may not be a big problem at the moment, Lee added that the combined forces of Japanese auto brands have given Hyundai and Kia a concern in the long term.An industry official noted that a Honda-Nissan merger was likely to shake up the auto landscape.“But not everything is a concern,” said the official. “As the auto industry is an economy of scale, the bigger the scale gets, the more production increases. So (the merger between Honda and Nissan) could lead to positive competition.”Kim Pil-su, an automotive engineering professor at Daelim University, pointed out that Nissan has an alliance with Renault, meaning that Nissan has laid the groundwork for global expansion.“In Honda’s case, they are a technology-oriented company,” he said. “So Honda and Nissan can create various synergies in many areas unlike how Stellantis group is not doing so well. (The merger between Honda and Nissan) is not a pretty picture for Hyundai and Kia. How the Japanese automakers will work together will matter but it’s going to have an impact on Hyundai’s position on the global stage.”Another industry official underscored that the Japanese automakers’ merger is a global trend in the automotive sector.“Even big, traditional auto powerhouses are seeking ways to join forces against the rising competitors from China and restrain Tesla’s EV dominance in the world,” said the official. “Honda and Nissan are trying to survive and their partnership will make the sector grow and accelerate the EV transition, which has not lived up to expectations.”Hyundai Motor Group announced in Sept. that Executive Chair Chung Euisun met with General Motors CEO Marry Barra in New York and agreed to explore future collaboration in vehicle development, supply chain and clean energy technology. Chung also met with Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota, at racing events in Korea and Japan in October and November, respectively, and said they are discussing collaboration. - [Incheon Airport projects most ever travelers next year](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050061): Incheon International Airport Corp. announced Wednesday that passenger traffic and operational performance this year have rebounded to prepandemic levels, with the upcoming year projected to set highest-ever records for both international passenger numbers and total revenue. For next year, international passenger traffic is forecast at 73.03 million, with revenue anticipated to hit 2.9 trillion won ($2 billion), according to the corporation.In line with the anticipated record-breaking traffic, Incheon Airport has strengthened its global presence by securing contracts in 18 countries to date."Expanding our global business portfolio is a vital strategy for Incheon Airport's future, and we are actively working to establish partnerships with additional countries, including Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia." Lee Hag-jae, IIAC's CEO and president, said at a press conference Wednesday.The corporation’s overseas achievements include managing Manila's main airport in the Philippines, in a deal valued at some 4 trillion won, and engaging in five ongoing projects, in South Africa, Vietnam, Kuwait, Ethiopia and Ecuador.The airport officially commenced commercial operations for its fourth phase on Dec. 3, positioning itself among the top three megahub airports globally in terms of passenger capacity. Key initiatives include digital transformation, renewable energy infrastructure expansion and achieving milestones in service and customer excellence.Incheon Airport is also driving economic growth by fostering a robust aviation industry ecosystem."We are currently working on developing an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) cluster, expanding cargo terminals and integrating tourism and cultural facilities. These efforts are projected to generate an economic ripple effect of 1.7 trillion won."The MRO complex, set to begin construction in April, is to feature a cutting-edge aviation industrial cluster, aiming to offer world-class one-stop maintenance services. High-profile projects include Israel’s IAI cargo conversion next year and Atlas Air cargo maintenance in 2026. By localizing outsourced maintenance, the initiative is expected to create over 5,000 jobs.The corporation plans to modernize operations by integrating domestic airlines following their upcoming merger, expanding smart security lanes and introducing innovative duty-free shopping services.Additionally, Incheon Airport aims to relaunch the controversial paid "Fast Track" system, previously halted due to concerns about creating inequities among passengers.The airport's estimated passenger and operational figures for this year are 71.04 million passengers and 413,000 flights, representing 99.8 percent and 102.3 percent of the corresponding 2019 pre-pandemic levels.This year's revenue is expected to reach 2.5 trillion won, recovering to 92.6 percent of 2.7 trillion won recorded in 2019. - [LG Electronics CEO says 'playbook' to navigate uncertainties in 2025](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050056): LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan urged employees on Wednesday to embrace a mindset of "preparing for the worst and hoping for the best" to navigate a new year marked by uncertainties.During the year-end talk with employees, dubbed "CEO Fun Talk," Cho shared detailed insights into anticipated changes in the global business environment for 2025, amid intensifying global competition and supply chain issues."A crisis is a combination of risk and opportunity. In times of crisis, we will focus on exploring opportunities for growth and navigate challenges wisely," Cho said at the event, held at the company's headquarters in Seoul."With a mindset of 'prepare for the worst and hope for the best,' and through thorough preparation for worst-case scenarios, we can overcome any crisis."During the event, themed "Reinvent for Sustainable Growth: Breaking Limits to Secure Structural Competitiveness," Cho provided an in-depth analysis on growing uncertainties in the global market, influenced by external and internal policy shifts. He also touched on the rising competitiveness of Chinese rivals, LG said."The world economy is shifting from a geopolitical era to a geoeconomic era. While global markets previously operated under shared rules and orders, we are entering an era where survival depends on fierce competition, in a world without the rules," Cho said.The CEO also underscored the need to address the growing challenges posed by Chinese firms, leveraging technological and price competitiveness to aggressively carve out their share in the market."To counter the pressure from Chinese companies, we will focus on securing structural competitiveness in terms of product costs and operations by thoroughly reviewing businesses and planning in advance," the CEO said.To tackle uncertainties, the company is working with experts to develop a "playbook," a strategic guide and response measures to enable proactive and effective responses to various situations, the company said.The electronics giant also announced plans to solidify its product leadership by refining its systems and strengthening its edge in quality, cost and delivery to enhance brand value.LG is doubling down on its strong technologies and security to gain a competitive edge against Chinese rivals, with a goal to differentiate itself by bolstering its reputation as a "premium" brand.In the TV segment, for example, the company unveiled its 2025 LG QNED TV model, which combines quantum dot and nanocell technologies to deliver premium LCD performance.Integrating advanced features that are exclusive to its organic light-emitting diode screen lineup, the company seeks to differentiate its products via superior picture quality and better security.About 10,000 employees participated in the event, both online and offline. Employees shared their feedback and encouragement via live comments over the candid discussion, the company said. - [Samsung to present AI-driven appliances at CES 2025](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050048): Samsung Electronics announced Wednesday that it will unveil a new lineup of home appliances powered by artificial intelligence at CES, the world’s largest tech trade show taking place in Las Vegas from Jan. 7-10, 2025.The lineup includes AI-driven refrigerators, washing machines and dryers designed to streamline household tasks and enhance connectivity.Central to these devices is Samsung’s “AI Home” solution, which allows users to remotely monitor and control all compatible appliances through Samsung’s SmartThings platform via touch screens embedded in the products.“Samsung’s screen-equipped appliances offer seamless device connectivity through AI Home technology, providing a competitive edge in the market,” said Moon Jong-seung, vice president of Samsung’s digital appliances division. “We aim to unveil various AI appliances and services to help consumers reduce household burdens while enhancing a wide range of device connections.”Leading the lineup are Bespoke refrigerators equipped with 9-inch touch screens, alongside Bespoke washing machines and dryers featuring 7-inch touch screens.The touch screens provide access to the “Map View” function, allowing users to oversee and control all connected devices in their homes. Future updates will enable advanced remote controls, such as mode adjustments and temperature settings.The devices are also compatible with Samsung’s AI assistant Bixby, so users can issue voice commands to answer calls, search for information, manage content and access product guides. Internet connectivity further enhances these devices, enabling weather updates, streaming Spotify music and viewing YouTube directly from the appliances.In particular, the AI refrigerator will double as a hub for SmartThings devices, enabling users to control other smart home devices such as door locks, curtains, blinds and lighting.The company said the fridge is preloaded with the Samsung TV Plus app, offering a variety of video content, and includes a “Voice ID” feature that recognizes individual family members’ voices for personalized interactions.AI is expected to be a major theme at CES this year, with participating firms rolling out their newest AI-driven products and technology. On the eve of the event, Samsung will host a press conference where CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee will present the company’s vision for AI technologies under the theme “AI for All.” - [Woori Bank’s Indonesian unit provides $200m funding for Posco](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050038): Bank Woori Saudara CEO Kim Eung-chul (right) and PT Krakatau Posco President Director Jung Bum-soo pose for a photo during a signing ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday. (Woori Bank) Korean lender Woori Bank announced Wednesday that its Indonesian subsidiary has signed a memorandum of understanding to provide financial support for PT Krakatau Posco, the Indonesian joint venture of Korea’s steel giant Posco.With plans to offer $200 million in funding, Bank Woori Saudara will support PT Krakatau Posco in areas such as operating funds, supply chain financing, exchange rate hedging and employee loans. Posco is expected to enhance its cost efficiency and maintain financial stability amid increased competition from Chinese imports, the company said.Recognizing the financial needs of Posco's local subsidiaries and partners, Bank Woori Saudara proposed customized financial support, including faster capital turnover in trade transactions.“We plan to extend our support to Posco’s affiliates and partners,” said Kim Eung-chul, CEO of Bank Woori Saudara. “Beyond short-term financial assistance, we will continue to foster long-term mutual growth with Posco.” - [S. Korean economy grows 6.9% per year since 1954 under new base year](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050012): Shipping containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan, in this file photo taken Nov. 29. (Yonhap) South Korea's economy grew at an annualized rate of nearly 7 percent after a change in the base year for economic growth data compilation, central bank data showed Wednesday.According to the data from the Bank of Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy expanded at an average 6.9 percent per year from 1954 to last year under the new base year of 2020, up from a 6.8 percent advance under the previous base year of 2015.The data also showed that the nominal gross domestic product (GDP) stood at 2,401 trillion won in 2023, sharply up from 47.7 billion won in 1953, with per capita gross national income spiking to $36,194 from a meager $6.7 over the cited period. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares open higher ahead of Fed rate decision](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050006): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap) Seoul shares started higher Wednesday as investors were paying attention to the results of the Federal Reserve's rate decision meeting.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) added 16.43 points, or 0.67 percent, to 2,473.24 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Overnight, Wall Street closed lower as investors awaited the Fed's rate decision. The US central bank is widely expected to make its third consecutive rate cut on Wednesday.In Seoul, most big-cap shares gained ground.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics rose 0.55 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix lost 0.92 percent.Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution increased 0.52 percent and top automaker Hyundai Motor jumped 2.18 percent.Major shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy soared 3.55 percent and biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion advanced 1.29 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,438.30 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., up 0.6 won from the previous session. (Yonhap) - [Martial law debacle likely to hurt job market: report](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050103): A job fair for those seeking work as architects is held in Busan on Nov.22. (Yonhap) The political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's ill-fated martial law declaration could negatively impact the labor market, according to a report by a state-run think tank.The Korea Labor Institute said that employment for 2025 is expected to increase by less than 100,000 compared to this year, in its report submitted to Rep. Kim Hyun-jung of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. This is significantly less than the institute's previous estimate of 120,000, which it projected prior to Yoon declaring martial law on Dec. 3.Another state-run agency, the Korea Development Institute, projected employment to increase next year by 182,000."If the (market's) faith in the consistency of government policy falters, the effects on the labor market could be shocking, comparable not even to the situation during the 2016 impeachment (of Park Geun-hye)," the report said, adding that the recent political situation could end up hurting both the management of major firms and the operations of smaller enterprises.The KLI likened the current situation to 1980, which was the last time martial law was declared in South Korea prior to Dec. 3. Martial law was declared in Busan in October of 1979 amid the pro-democracy protests against dictator Park Chung-hee, and was expanded to the entire country the next year after Gen. Chun Doo-hwan's military coup and his bloody crackdown on protesters.In 1980, employment increased by 81,000, which was less than half of the 190,000 increase from 1978 to 1979."In order to minimize the negative effects of the martial law declaration and the related (political) situation, the political circles should not aggravate the uncertainty across sectors of the economy... They should gather at the National Assembly and find measures to stabilize and stimulate the economy while considering (economic) buffering through expansive fiscal policies," the report said. - [Seoul shares dip over 1% on tech, battery losses](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050096): Seoul shares dipped nearly 1.3 percent Tuesday on big losses by tech and battery shares sparked by a media report on the incoming Trump administration's push for roll back tax credits for the electric vehicle industry. The Korean won lost ground against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 32.16 points, or 1.29 percent, to close at 2,456.81.Trade volume was moderate at 547.9 million shares worth 9.03 trillion won ($6.3 billion), with losers surpassing winners 493 to 384.Foreigners dragged the Kospi down by dumping 712.5 billion won worth of local shares, while retail investors and institutions purchased 465.5 billion won and 151.9 billion won, respectively.Overnight, Wall Street closed mixed as investors were paying attention to the Federal Reserve's rate decision Wednesday.The Fed is widely expected to cut its key rate for the third consecutive time.Analysts said battery shares fell big in particular on news that US President-elect Donald Trump's transition team will push to cut off support for EVs and impose tariffs on battery materials.Leading Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution plunged 3.89 percent to 382,500 won, and its smaller rival Samsung SDI shot down 6.08 percent. Posco Future M shot down 8.24 percent to 152,600 won.Market behemoth Samsung Electronics slid 2.52 percent to 54,200 won, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix jumped 2.62 percent to 184,000 won.Top automaker Hyundai Motor also declined 2.13 percent to 206,500 won, and major chemical producer LG Chem dipped 4.1 percent.IT shares were also weak.Internet portal operator Naver lost 2.1 percent to 209,500 won, and Kakao, the operator of the country's dominant mobile messenger, shed 2.5 percent to 42,850 won.The local currency was quoted at 1,438.9 won against the US dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 3.9 won from the previous session. (Yonhap) - [Hyundai Mobis to roll out battery cooler material for EV](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050083): A heat emissions test shows a 19 degree Celsius difference between Hyundai Mobis’ pulsating Heat Pipe (right) and a general aluminum cooling plate. (Hyundai Mobis) Hyundai Mobis, the automotive parts maker affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group, said Tuesday that it is ready to commercialize a new battery cell cooler material expected to boost electric vehicle charging efficiency and safety.The material, called “Pulsating Heat Pipe,” consists of aluminum alloy tubes filled with refrigerants. In the battery module assembly, the tubes, located between battery cells, cool down the heat, especially during fast charging.With the breakthrough in battery safety, the company said it aims to expand its presence in the global EV market despite a recent slowdown within the industry overall.Heat pipe coolers have been used in gadgets including personal computers and smartphones. In Hyundai Mobis’ PHP, refrigerants circulate and vibrate in the pipes and convey heat to cooling blocks, maintaining the temperature stable in the battery module. It is the first ever to be used in an EV battery.For mass production, the company simplified the material’s manufacturing process and lowered the production costs so that it could be used in batteries for passenger cars, the company said.The pipes are also 0.8 millimeters thick, much thinner than the current 6 mm heat pipes that have affected the bulkier battery design.“The new material will be used first for high-end EVs that require ultra-fast charging,” said a Hyundai Mobis official, adding plans to contact global carmakers to promote the new technology. - [Celltrion launches CDMO subsidiary to drive growth beyond biosimilars](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050071): Celltrion Group has launched a new contract development and manufacturing organization, Celltrion BioSolutions, signaling its strategic ambition to position CDMO services as the group’s next growth engine beyond its core biosimilar business."We will start contract research and development services from 2025, with the facility construction set to start by the first half. By 2030, we aim to record 1.5 trillion won ($1.04 billion) in CDMO business," Chairman Seo Jung-jin said during a press conference Tuesday.The new company will be led by Lee Hyuk-jae, Celltrion's senior vice president, who brings extensive experience in product approval, clinical trials and manufacturing within the group.The group’s decision to expand into the CDMO market was formalized in September, driven by the growing global demand for biopharmaceuticals and increasing outsourcing requests both domestically and internationally, Seo recalled.Celltrion BioSolutions aims to provide comprehensive end-to-end biopharmaceutical services, including drug candidate screening, cell line and process development, clinical trial planning, regulatory documentation and commercial production.Seo announced the company’s strategy to minimize expansion costs by implementing "manufacturing automation" and designing "flexible, small-scale multi-product production systems" to efficiently secure production orders.Meanwhile, Celltrion BioSolutions is currently reviewing potential sites for its production facility.The first plant, designed for up to 100,000 liters, will commence construction next year, with full-scale commercial productions expected to commence by 2028. In the meantime, the group plans to evaluate optimal locations to ensure sustainable production and supply, potentially expanding capacity to 200,000 liters domestically.“We will adjust the timeline for a second plant based on market needs. While continuously expanding our CDMO sales network, we will also consider building a 100,000-liter plant overseas, if needed," Seo explained.In addition, the company plans to establish research centers globally in the coming years, particularly in the United States, Europe and India, to expand its R&D capabilities.“While Korea will serve as the main research hub, we will also open research centers in some 40 countries, in conjunction with our direct sales networks there," Seo said.Seo projected the need for some 500 personnel for the CDMO business alone, hinting that the company would recruit Ph.D.-level researchers in these regions.The new venture will be financed through a combination of internal and external investments.Celltrion Group will initially invest up to 1.5 trillion won for facility construction and CDO services. An additional 1.5 trillion won will be secured externally to fund the development of overseas specialized research centers and next-generation modality facilities.According to global market research firm Mordor Intelligence, the global biopharmaceutical CDMO market is projected as $243.29 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $331.98 billion by 2029, reflecting an annual growth rate of 6.41 percent. Celltrion Group plans to accelerate its CDMO business through the subsidiary to swiftly capture market share and establish a stronger foothold in the industry. - [Looking for Korean friends? Check out Karrot](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050063): Karrot, the go-to app for buying and selling secondhand items, is increasingly becoming a hub for forging friendships, particularly among foreigners seeking language exchange opportunities in South Korea.In Seoul's Yongsan-gu on Tuesday, a search for “Korean friends” revealed several postings reflecting a growing trend of cross-cultural connections on the app, which is South Korea's largest community marketplace platform.One user, identified as "chamhug," wrote: "I am a Japanese woman in my 20s, an international student in Seoul. I would like to meet a female friend to practice speaking Korean." She emphasized that her interest is purely platonic.Koreans also use the platform to make international friends.A user named “Hwang Doo-cheol” posted: "I am looking for a friend to chat with in English for about an hour, once every week." Another user, "Scorpion," commented on this post: "I’m a foreigner living in Yongsan. I can help you with your English and would love to learn Korean in return."According to Karrot, there is a significant rise in interactions like these, with the number of users searching for "Korean friends" and "foreign friends" jumping 4.3 times and 3.1 times, respectively, compared to the same period last year.This occurs on Karrot’s neighborhood-based community forums, which connect users within their local areas.“The forums are becoming vibrant spaces for cultural interaction, attracting users from diverse backgrounds,” a company official said.Posts seeking language exchange partners or friendships with Koreans have also increased by 30 percent on-year, according to the company's data.However, when asked by The Korea Herald on Tuesday, the platform declined to disclose specific search figures or the share of non-Korean participants among its users. - [Hanmi Semiconductor heir promoted to chairman](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050060): Hanmi Semiconductor Vice Chair Kwak Dong-shin has been promoted to take the helm of the chip packaging equipment maker, after leading the development and launch of a flagship product used in producing next-generation artificial intelligence DRAM chips.Kwak joined the company in 1998, eight years after his late father Kwak Noh-kwon founded the company in 1980. Kwak Dong-shin has been the effective leader of the chip equipment firm since 2007, when his father stepped back from front-line management.He spearheaded the development of the Thermal Compression bonder, a critical piece of equipment for producing High Bandwidth Memory chips -- the most advanced DRAM chips used to enhance AI processing performance of graphic processing units. Driven by strong sales of the TC bonders amid the AI boom, the company has grown to achieve a market capitalization of 8 trillion won ($6.15 billion).Announcing the promotion Monday, the company cited Kwak’s contributions to the company’s growth into a global firm with over 320 clients worldwide, including his consistent investment in research and development, as well as his commitment to customer satisfaction.“Driven by the explosive growth of the AI market, global demand for High Bandwidth Memory is increasing rapidly every year,” Kwak said Monday. “Nvidia’s next-generation AI chip Blackwell is produced using Hanmi Semiconductor’s TC bonders. As the global leader in HBM TC bonding equipment, our competitiveness and market position will remain firm.”Hanmi Semiconductor has been the main supplier of crucial equipment to all three HBM producers -- SK hynix, Samsung Electronics and US-based Micron Technology -- supplying Nvidia.On Monday, Kwak also unveiled the company’s new TC Bonder Griffin Super Bonding Head, which incorporates a new bonding head that enhances productivity and precision in chip stacking processes.“The new product is tailored for advanced HBM production and is expected to drive significant revenue growth next year,” Kwak said.To support growing demand from US big tech companies, the company is also reviewing plans to establish a US subsidiary, and selecting agents capable of providing after-sales support for key customers, Kwak said. The chairman referred to "M7," which are seven leading technology companies listed on the S&P 500: Apple, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Facebook parent Meta and Tesla. - [LG Electronics hires Capitol Counsel to strengthen Washington ties](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050059): LG Electronics' headquarters Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul (Yonhap) South Korean electronics giant LG Electronics has hired a new lobbying firm in the US to bolster its negotiating leverage with Washington, amid rising concerns over US President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.According to a US disclosure report Tuesday, LG Electronics USA, the company’s US office, has recently hired Capitol Counsel, a government relations firm in Washington, to lobby on trade and supply chain issues.Lisa Whisler, a lobbyist at the Capitol Counsel, has been appointed to represent LG, according to the registration document. Whisler previously served as a senior policy advisor for former Senator Max Baucus, who held the position of US Ambassador to China under the Obama administration. Her expertise spans national security and international affairs.The global industry is on edge following Trump’s election to a second term as president, as he has vowed to impose tariffs of up to 20 percent on all US imports. Under the plan, foreign companies would have to sell their products at higher prices in the US, leading Americans to pay more for everything foreign-made.For LG Electronics, Trump’s proposed tariffs pose a threat, given that it is one of the leading electronics appliances suppliers in the US. In 2023, the company captured 19 percent of the US home appliances market share after Samsung Electronics, which took 21 percent share, according to market tracker TraQline.American rivals General Electric and Whirlpool Corp. came in third and fourth with 18 percent and 15 percent market shares, respectively. - [US approves $9.63b loan to SK On, Ford’s battery joint venture](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050048): BlueOval SK, a joint venture between SK On and Ford Motor Co., received approval from the US Department of Energy for a $9.63 billion loan Monday, securing funds to construct three battery manufacturing plants in the US.The loan is part of the government’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, which offers low-cost loans with an interest rate equivalent to the US 10-year Treasury bond at approximately 4 percent, according to SK On. It targets companies producing electric vehicles, battery cells and other advanced technology vehicles and components. The loan is due by July 15, 2040, though the deadline is subject to change.“The funds will be used to complete construction of three manufacturing plants – two in Kentucky and one in Tennessee – by next year,” said an SK On official. “It is meaningful that BlueOval SK has received the go-ahead after 10 months of company inspection (by the US government).” The annual production capacity of the facilities is projected at 20 gigawatt-hours, enough to power around 1.2 million EVs. SK On batteries will be installed in Ford’s E-Transit Van, F-150 Lightning Pickup and other battery-powered lineups.Following LG Energy Solution and General Motors’ Ultium Cells’ $2.5 billion loan, SK On became the second Korean battery company to get the green light from the ATVM program for its US joint venture. Meanwhile, a $7.5 billion loan approval for Samsung SDI and Stellantis’ Starplus Energy remains pending.The Energy Department’s final approval comes after SK Innovation and SK On’s commitment last month to provide a $4.82 billion financial guarantee for the loan. BlueOval SK received initial loan approval in June last year, but it was canceled because the company could not secure third-party financing in case of a default.The ATVM loan is expected to reduce the financial burden for the debt-ridden SK On to ramp up its production expansion in North America. In the third quarter of this year, the battery-maker turned a profit for the first time since it was established in 2021, though its debt remains at approximately 23 trillion won ($16 billion).Despite the $9.63 billion loan, industry insiders say uncertainties lie ahead for the battery-maker’s financing scheme for its US operations due to the second Donald Trump administration’s pledge to scrap the Inflation Reduction Act, which grants up to a $7,500 EV consumer subsidy.While the ATVM loan program is not part of the IRA, it removed the $25 billion cap on the loan and allocated $3 billion in funds to cover the potential costs of issuing the loan. “It is challenging, even for Trump, to cancel a loan that had already been taken out,” said Lee Ho-geun, a car engineering professor at Daeduk University. “However, he could potentially accelerate the repayment schedule of the loan faster than the planned expiration date.” - [[Photo News] Hana joins W100b donor club](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050042): Hana Financial Group has joined the Community Chest of Korea's 100 billion won ($69.6 million) donation club for the nonprofit's "Hope Sharing Campaign," contributing approximately 113.5 billion won since 2003. This includes 15 billion won donated Tuesday as part of the "2025 Hope Sharing Campaign," which supports underrepresented communities and promotes a sustainable future. In the photo, Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo (left) poses with Community Chest of Korea President Kim Byong-joon after the donation at CCK's headquarters in Jung-gu, central Seoul. (Hana Financial Group) - [LX Hausys listed on DJSI Korea for 10th straight year](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050040): LX Hausys' solar system Louver (LX Hausys) South Korean building materials company LX Hausys has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices Korea for the 10th consecutive year, the company announced Tuesday, making it the only Korean interior company to earn this recognition.The DJSI, managed by global financial information provider S&P Global, evaluates companies worldwide on their environmental, social and governance performance.LX Hausys received high scores in key areas such as environmental policies, climate strategies, safety management and information security. Notably, it excelled in greenhouse gas management, reducing emissions by about 6 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to LX. This marks its fifth consecutive year of cutting emissions since 2019.The company added that it has also maintained its A-grade ESG rating from the Korea ESG Standards Institute for nine consecutive years, a recognition it first achieved in 2016.“Being listed on the DJSI Korea Index for 10 consecutive years solidifies our leadership in ESG management within the domestic interior industry,” an LX Hausys official said. “We will continue to align our ESG practices with global standards to become a sustainable company recognized both at home and abroad.” - [BC Card CEO secures 4th term](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050037): BC Card, one of South Korea's leading card issuers, has confirmed the reappointment of CEO Choi Won-seok for another term.The company announced Tuesday that its executive nominee recommendation committee selected Choi as the sole candidate for the CEO position.This will mark Choi's fourth consecutive term since he took office in March 2021, and the first time a BC Card CEO has served a fourth term since the company joined KT Group in 2011.The committee selected Choi as the nominee, citing his extensive finance experience, alignment with the company’s vision, commitment to public interest and sound management, as well as his leadership and innovative mindset, noting that he meets the qualifications outlined in BC Card’s CEO succession regulations.Choi, a financial data expert, joined BC Card in 2021 from FnPricing, the financial product evaluation platform he founded in 2011. Previously, he worked at various financial research institutions and securities firms.His reappointment comes as the domestic card industry faces pressure to find new profit sources, with the company likely seeking innovation and stable growth under Choi's leadership. His efforts to diversify BC Card’s business structure, particularly by expanding into the proprietary card business, have helped the company increase its profits. As a result, BC Card's cumulative net profit for the third quarter surged 85.8 percent on-year to 129.3 billion won ($90.1 million).A key challenge Choi faces is the delayed market listing of the online-only K bank, in which BC Card holds the largest 33.72 percent stake. K bank’s initial public offering attempt failed again in October, marking its second setback after a similar failure in 2022.K bank's IPO is crucial for BC Card’s future, as the card issuer is required to repurchase 725 billion won worth of K bank shares from financial investors if the bank fails to list by July 2026. The company appears to have opted to retain CEO Choi, who has a deep understanding of its internal dynamics, to navigate the process amid heightened market volatility.Choi's reappointment is to be finalized at a shareholders meeting in March. - [LG unveils high-performance in-cabin camera module](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050034): LG Innotek's RGB-IR in-cabin camera module (LG Innotek) LG Innotek said Tuesday it has developed a high-performance in-cabin camera module equipped with a 5-megapixel RGB-infrared dual sensor for automotive use.The new technology enables real-time monitoring of vehicle occupants, detecting driver conditions while checking seatbelt usage for front and rear passengers. With the rise of autonomous driving, demand for in-cabin monitoring systems has surged to ensure passenger safety.The key feature of LG’s solution is its versatility, offering multiple monitoring functions with a single camera. The company implemented its proprietary wide-angle technology, achieving a horizontal field of view of up to 143 degrees -- more than twice that of conventional products -- while reducing the module size by 15 percent.It reduced the size using wedge bonding, an ultrasonic process that connects chips and substrates. This enables flexible installation in locations such as rear-view mirrors and passenger seat areas, extending coverage to both the driver and second-row passengers.The module delivers image quality five times clearer than existing products. Additionally, it features an RGB-IR sensor for accurate passenger monitoring even in low-light or nighttime conditions.According to market research firm S&P Global, the global market for automotive camera modules is projected to grow from $6.92 billion in 2023 to $10.77 billion by 2030, at an annual growth rate of 7 percent.The company has expanded its vehicle sensing solution portfolio, introducing innovations such as high-performance heating camera modules and advanced LiDAR systems this year. It is promoting these solutions to automakers in North America and Europe.LG plans to showcase its RGB-IR in-cabin camera module at the annual CES, which kicks off in Las Vegas on Jan. 7.“Vehicle sensing solutions such as camera modules and LiDAR, alongside communication and lighting systems, are key pillars of LG Innotek’s autonomous driving components business,” said CEO Moon Hyuk-soo. “We aim to grow the vehicle sensing solutions sector to over 2 trillion won ($1.39 billion) by 2030.” - [Congo files criminal complaints against Apple in Europe over conflict minerals ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/congo-files-criminal-complaints-against-apple-in-europe-over-conflict-minerals/): The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech firm of using conflict minerals in its supply chain, lawyers for the Congolese government told Reuters.  Apple strongly disputes the allegations and says it has told its suppliers they must not use the minerals in question sourced from Congo or Rwanda.  Why it matters  Congo is a major source of tin, tantalum and tungsten, so-called 3T minerals used in computers and mobile phones. But some artisanal mines are run by armed groups involved in massacres of civilians, mass rapes, looting and other crimes, according to U.N. experts and human rights groups.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AfricaCountries: CongoWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Fears of Humanitarian Crisis on Mayotte After Tropical Cyclone Chido](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/world/africa/mayotte-cyclone-chido-deaths.html): The official death toll so far is 14, - [Rosneft, Reliance agree biggest ever India-Russia oil supply deal](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/rosneft-reliance-agree-biggest-ever-india-russia-oil-supply-deal/): Business & FinanceDeals12 December 2024, 8:33 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Russia’s state oil firm Rosneft has agreed to supply nearly 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude to Indian private refiner Reliance in the biggest ever energy deal between the two countries, three sources familiar with the deal said.  Why it matters  The 10-year agreement amounts to 0.5% of global supply and is worth roughly $13 billion a year at today’s prices. It would further cement energy relations between India and Russia, which is under heavy Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaRussiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Adani Group, a Symbol of India’s Soft Power, Stumbles After Indictments](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/business/adani-group-indictment-modi.html): Countries in Asia, Africa and elsewhere have been - [John Dramani Mahama Is Set to Return as Ghana’s President](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/world/africa/ghana-presidential-election.html): John Dramani Mahama, who served as president from - [McKinsey to Pay $122 Million to Settle South Africa Bribery Case](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/world/africa/mckinsey-bribery-case-south-africa.html): The global consultancy was accused of bribing foreign - [Coming for Selfies, Staying for Art: Dakar’s Biennale Draws Young Crowd](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/world/africa/dakar-biennale-youth-audience.html): Every two years, the Dakar Biennale draws in - [Namibia Elects Its First Woman President as Ruling Party Keeps Power](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/world/africa/namibia-election-results.html): Across southern Africa, political parties that have led - [China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/china-bans-export-of-critical-minerals-to-us-as-trade-tensions-escalate/): Reuters was more than two minutes ahead of major rivals with news that China had banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony, with immediate effect, a day after Washington’s latest crackdown on China’s semiconductor sector.  China’s move marked the latest escalation in trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office next month and sparked fresh concern that Beijing could next target other critical minerals, including those with even broader usage such as nickel or cobalt.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AmericasAsiaCountries: ChinaUSWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Venice Biennale Names Koyo Kouoh as Next Curator](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/arts/design/venice-biennale-curator-koyo-kouoh.html): Kouoh, who was born in Cameroon and currently - [Amazon says it had best-ever Thanksgiving Holiday week with record sales and number of items sold](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-says-it-had-best-ever-thanksgiving-holiday-week-with-record-sales-and-number-of-items-sold-786e0143?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Internal transactions at food giant ADM spark a sprawling criminal probe](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/internal-transactions-at-food-giant-adm-spark-a-sprawling-criminal-probe/): ADM’s rattled shareholders are asking questions about the mounting accounting troubles – and they aren’t the only ones.  Building upon a criminal investigation first reported by Reuters in February, federal prosecutors in recent months have expanded their inquiries into whether ADM or its employees committed crimes including securities fraud and conspiracy, according to subpoenas reviewed by Reuters and people familiar with the probe.   The sprawling scope of the investigation, underway at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, hasn’t previously been reported.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Human InterestType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: Impact (Long Term)Story Types: Special Report / InsightCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Biden Visits Angola to Promote Lobito Corridor and Counter China](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/world/africa/us-faces-stiff-test-against-chinese-dominance-in-africa.html): When President Biden visits Angola on Monday, he - [What Happens When Undersea Internet Cables Snap?](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000009778604/what-happens-when-undersea-internet-cables-snap.html): new video loaded: What Happens When Undersea Internet - [Nigeria Boat Capsizes, Killing at Least 27](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/world/africa/nigeria-boat-drownings.html): Rescuers were searching for survivors after the vessel, - [Volkswagen India unit faces $1.4 billion tax evasion notice](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/volkswagen-india-unit-faces-1-4-billion-tax-evasion-notice/): AutomotiveBusiness & Finance29 November 2024, 1:56 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that India has issued a notice to German automaker Volkswagen for allegedly evading $1.4 billion in taxes by “wilfully” paying lesser import tax on components for its Audi, VW and Skoda cars. Volkswagen shares fell as much as 2.13% on the Frankfurt stock exchange after the Reuters report.  Why it matters  News about the potential liability, which could be as high as $2.8 billion with penalties, could strain VW’s India business. The company is a small player in India but has plans to invest $1.8 billion to build EVs and hybrids in Maharashtra. The Wolfsburg-based carmaker is also locked in an escalating dispute with its labour in Germany over plant closures and layoffs while Chinese competitors are attacking Europe’s established carmakers on their home turf.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: AutomotiveBusiness & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [CFM juggles engine supply in boost to Airbus ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/cfm-juggles-engine-supply-in-boost-to-airbus/): Business & Finance28 November 2024, 2:14 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Jet engine maker CFM has agreed to divert some engines to Airbus to narrow a supply gap as the planemaker battles to hit end-of-year targets, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Aerospace & DefenceBusiness & FinanceRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Namibia Election: What to Know](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/world/africa/namibia-election-swapo.html): Voters head to the polls on Wednesday in - [India’s Andhra Pradesh state likely to suspend Adani power deal ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/indias-andhra-pradesh-state-likely-to-suspend-adani-power-deal/): Business & FinanceDeals26 November 2024, 7:52 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency India’s Andhra Pradesh state is likely to suspend a power purchase deal linked to Adani Group due to the U.S. indictment of the group’s billionaire founder Gautam Adani over an alleged bribery scheme, Reuters exclusively revealed.  Why it matters  The suspension, likely to be announced soon, would be the first such action by an Indian state government after U.S. prosecutors charged Gautam Adani and seven others with agreeing to pay bribes of $265 million to unidentified Indian government officials to obtain solar power-supply contracts.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Nvidia’s AI chip demand still booming but slowing sales growth worries investors](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/nvidias-ai-chip-demand-still-booming-but-slowing-sales-growth-worries-investors/): Business & Finance22 November 2024, 11:54 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was 10 seconds ahead of rivals on NVIDIA’s slowest revenue growth forecast in seven quarters. The artificial intelligence chipmaker’s shares dipped almost 3% in U.S. post-market trading on Wednesday as the forecast failed to meet investors’ expectations.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Amazon likely to face investigation under EU tech rules next year](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/amazon-likely-to-face-investigation-under-eu-tech-rules-next-year/): Business & FinanceTechnology21 November 2024, 2:04 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Amazon shares fell 3% after a Reuters exclusive that the online retailer will likely face an EU investigation next year into whether it favours its own brand products on its online marketplace.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [In high-wage Germany, VW’s labour costs outstrip the competition](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/in-high-wage-germany-vws-labour-costs-outstrip-the-competition/): As Volkswagen and unions gear up for the next round of talks over wages and plant closures in Germany, company and industry data reviewed by Reuters show that the automaker spends a higher proportion of sales on labour costs than major rivals.  Why it matters  The data, in an internal memo by Volkswagen’s works council reviewed by Reuters, underscores the company’s challenge to remain competitive in its pricey home market as cheaper models from China arrive.  Volkswagen’s troubles also come amid broader anxiety in Germany over competitiveness, as politicians gear up for an election battle in February over how to revive a weakening industrial base.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [U.S. stock futures and bond yields drop on reports Putin has updated nuclear doctrine](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-stock-futures-and-bond-yields-drop-on-reports-putin-has-updated-nuclear-doctrine-4b9792c4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [U.S. stock futures and bond yields drop on reports Putin has updated nuclear doctrine](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-stock-futures-and-bond-yields-drop-on-reports-putin-has-updated-nuclear-doctrine-4b9792c4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Compass Minerals attracts takeover interest from buyout firms, sources say](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/compass-minerals-attracts-takeover-interest-from-buyout-firms-sources-say/): Business & FinanceDeals16 November 2024, 11:58 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Compass Minerals’ shares jumped more than 30% on Friday after an exclusive Reuters report on the company’s talks with potential suitors, including several private equity firms.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceMergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Charter Communications announces buyout deal for Liberty Broadband at terms above its previous proposal](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/charter-communications-announces-buyout-deal-for-liberty-broadband-at-terms-above-its-previous-proposal-552f7acd?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [US scrutinizes Russia accounts UBS took over from Credit Suisse](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/us-scrutinizes-russia-accounts-ubs-took-over-from-credit-suisse/): The United States is pursuing an inquiry into Russian clients that UBS took on when it bought Credit Suisse, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, heightening scrutiny of one of the world’s biggest wealth managers.  Why it matters  The news of the inquiry by the globe’s most powerful sanctions enforcer OFAC highlighted the perils of integrating Credit Suisse, a bank that foundered more than a year ago and was bought by UBS, and the high stakes for Switzerland for overseeing Russian money.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: AmericasEuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [General Motors unveils new all-electric Cadillac called the Vistiq with 300-mile range](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/general-motors-unveils-new-all-electric-cadillac-called-the-vistiq-with-300-mile-range-c16fb8a6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Commerzbank considers buying domestic rival in UniCredit defence plan ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/commerzbank-considers-buying-domestic-rival-in-unicredit-defence-plan/): Commerzbank is weighing the acquisition of a mid-sized German bank as part of its strategy to fend off a possible takeover by Italy’s UniCredit, three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The deliberations of an acquisition are at an early stage and possible targets could include Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB) or Oldenburgische Landesbank  Why it matters  If Commerzbank were to pull off a deal before UniCredit has time to swoop, it could unravel the mooted cross-border merger, which would be Europe’s biggest since the crisis of 2008. Germany fears the Italian plan could cost jobs and influence.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceMergers & AcquisitionRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Facing Outrage, Nigeria Drops Capital Charges Against Minors](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/05/world/africa/nigeria-teenagers-charges-dropped.html): Dozens of teenagers had been accused of treason - [Vestas Wind Systems stock slumps as company says margins to be at low end of guidance](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/vestas-wind-systems-stock-slumps-as-company-says-margins-to-be-at-low-end-of-guidance-a33bf5c4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Top 20 Latin American Telecommunication Companies: Mixed economic landscape during 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/11/04/top-20-latin-american-telecommunication-companies-mixed-economic-landscape-during-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-20-latin-american-telecommunication-companies-mixed-economic-landscape-during-2024): Most Latin American telecom companies experienced a decline - [Ambani’s Reliance Jio IPO set for 2025, retail debut much later ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ambanis-reliance-jio-ipo-set-for-2025-retail-debut-much-later/): Reuters was first to report that Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani is targeting a 2025 Mumbai listing for his telecom business Jio, valued by analysts at over $100 billion, but plans to launch his retail unit’s IPO much later. The story shed light on the plans of Asia’s richest man, who has for years been silent on the timelines of the mega IPOs of Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail.   Why it matters  News of the IPO timelines is critical for some of the world’s biggest investors and also for India’s equity markets. Reliance is targeting that the Jio listing will be India’s biggest ever stock offering. A lot is riding on the two Reliance IPOs as Ambani has raised $25 billion collectively for digital, telecom and retail businesses from the likes of KKR, General Atlantic and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in recent years, valuing both ventures at over $100 billion.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTelecommunicationsRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Burberry shares rise on report Moncler could bid for it](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/burberry-shares-rise-on-report-moncler-could-bid-for-it-9de42b98?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Chevron beats quarterly profit expectations on higher oil output ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/chevron-beats-quarterly-profit-expectations-on-higher-oil-output/): Business & FinanceCommoditiesEnergy01 November 2024, 2:07 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was nearly 17 minutes ahead when Chevron released its third-quarter earnings, beating Wall Street expectations. The results sent the oil major’s shares up almost 4%.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceCommoditiesEnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Kazatomprom reports 17% increase in production during the third quarter](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/kazatomprom-reports-17-increase-in-production-during-the-third-quarter-68742d5c?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Anheuser-Busch InBev shares slip as sales come up shy of estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/anheuser-busch-inbev-shares-slip-as-sales-come-up-shy-of-estimates-508282c4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [OPEC+ could delay December oil output hike, sources say ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/opec-could-delay-december-oil-output-hike-sources-say/): Commodities30 October 2024, 2:46 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that the OPEC+ had agreed to do delay its planned December oil output hike, prompting global oil prices and European oil equity prices to rally.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: Developed MarketsEmerging MarketsWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Wingstop’s stock slides 12% after profit falls short of estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/wingstops-stock-slides-12-after-profit-falls-short-of-estimates-1146f0ec?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Eyeing US election, China considers over $1.4 trillion in extra debt over next few years ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/eyeing-us-election-china-considers-over-1-4-trillion-in-extra-debt-over-next-few-years/): China is considering approving next week the issuance of over 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) in extra debt in the next few years to revive its fragile economy, a fiscal package which is expected to be further bolstered if Donald Trump wins the U.S. election, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.  Why it matters  The planned total amount, to be raised by issuing both special treasury and local government bonds, equates to over 8% of the output of the world’s second-largest economy, which has been hit hard by a protracted property sector crisis and ballooning debt of local governments.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: EconomyGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyRegions: AmericasAsiaCountries: ChinaUSWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Novartis hikes sales and profit guidance for the year](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/novartis-hikes-sales-and-profit-guidance-for-the-year-eed24ebf?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [‘Dahomey’ Celebrated Looted Art’s Return. What Happened Next?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/28/arts/design/dahomey-benin-museum.html): Since the documentary’s cameras stopped rolling, plans for - [Cybersecurity firm Rapid7 fields buyout interest ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/cybersecurity-firm-rapid7-fields-buyout-interest/): Business & Finance28 October 2024, 9:27 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Rapid7’s shares jumped more than 9% after Reuters revealed that the cybersecurity firm is exploring options with its investment bankers after attracting acquisition interest from buyout firms.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Plus500 says it will meet expectations after quarterly revenue climbs 11%](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/plus500-says-it-will-meet-expectations-after-quarterly-revenue-climbs-11-b68b5ef1?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trainline boosts guidance for the second time this year](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trainline-boosts-guidance-for-the-second-time-this-year-513373f6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [‘Dahomey’: Mati Diop’s New Documentary on the Painful Legacy of Looted Artifacts](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/25/movies/dahomey-documentary-mati-diop.html): Mati Diop examines the fate of 26 treasures - [Allianz weighs options for AllianzGI unit ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/allianz-weighs-options-for-allianzgi-unit/): Allianz, one of Europe’s biggest insurers, is weighing options for its Allianz Global Investors unit, including a possible merger or partial sale of the division, four people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, in a move that would give the business greater scale. AllianzGI, which oversees 555 billion euros ($560 billion) of assets according to its website, could be valued at more than 4 billion euros, including debt, one of people said.  Why it matters  The considerations come on the heels of BNP Paribas’ decision to buy AXA Investment Managers for more than 5 billion euros, a transaction that bankers expected would spur more dealmaking.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Mergers & AcquisitionRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Barclays reports 18% profit rise as it lifts income guidance](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/barclays-reports-18-profit-rise-as-it-lifts-income-guidance-ceef3caf?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [London Stock Exchange Group says income grew, led by Tradeweb](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/london-stock-exchange-group-says-income-grew-led-by-tradeweb-65d00f97?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Starbucks suspends annual forecast as new CEO prepares turnaround plan](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/starbucks-suspends-annual-forecast-as-new-ceo-prepares-turnaround-plan/): Business & Finance23 October 2024, 6:03 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was nearly two minutes ahead on the news that Starbucks had suspended its forecast through the next fiscal year as new CEO Brian Niccol looks to turn around the coffee giant struggling with falling demand for its pricey drinks. The news sent Starbucks’ shares down more than 7% in post-market trading.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Mergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Carlyle quits bidding process for Thyssenkrupp marine arm](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/carlyle-quits-bidding-process-for-thyssenkrupp-marine-arm/): Business & Finance22 October 2024, 4:50 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Private equity firm Carlyle has dropped out of a process to buy the marine division of German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, marking the latest blow to the firm’s ongoing restructuring efforts, Reuters exclusively reported. Thyssenkrupp shares fell as much as 4.5% on the news.  Why it matters  Carlyle’s withdrawal as a suitor for Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is the latest setback for Thyssenkrupp Chief Executive Miguel Lopez’s efforts to disentangle the sprawling conglomerate, which has been in crisis-mode for several years.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasEuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Tensions Spike in Mozambique After Killing of 2 Political Activists](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/19/world/africa/mozambique-election-activists-killed.html): Leading supporters of the top opposition presidential candidate, - [Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, Is Impeached](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/18/world/africa/kenya-deputy-president-impeachment.html): It’s the first impeachment under the country’s new - [Saudi’s Manara in advanced talks to buy stake in First Quantum’s Zambian mines ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/saudis-manara-in-advanced-talks-to-buy-stake-in-first-quantums-zambian-mines/): Business & FinanceDeals16 October 2024, 5:38 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals is closing in on a deal to buy a minority stake in Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals’ Zambian copper and nickel assets. Manara, a joint venture between Saudi Arabian mining company Ma’aden and its $925 billion Public Investment Fund, is in advanced talks to acquire between 15% and 20% equity in the Zambian assets, sources told Reuters. First Quantum shares rose as much as 4.9% after the story was published.  Why it matters  The potential deal is in the spotlight as copper is a much sought-after element for the clean energy transition due to its uses in the manufacture of EVs and data centers powering artificial intelligence. First Quantum shares rose as much as 4.9% in early morning trade in Toronto after the Reuters story was published.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: Europe / Middle East / AfricaCountries: Saudi ArabiaZambiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Hairballs Shed Light on Tsavo Man-Eating Lions’ Menu](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/11/science/tsavo-lions-man-eating-dna.html): The Tsavo man-eaters terrorized railroad workers in British - [Trump administration owes US business millions in unpaid bills amid USAID shutdown, lawsuit says](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/02/trump-administration-owes-us-business-millions-in-unpaid-bills-amid-usaid-shutdown-lawsuit-says/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s dismantling of - [Property Development FAQs](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/property-development-faqs/): Developing property is not for the weak. It takes a lot of time, money, manual labour and a load of compliance requirements. Property development is a popular business venture in South Africa because of the vast amount of undeveloped land and the growing population’s need for housing. Property development, a.k.a real estate development, is the process of taking a building or land to develop and raise its monetary value. Property development as a business has a number of features including building a new property, renovating an existing one or redesinging properties to serve a new purpose. In this article, we answer some of the most pressing frequently asked questions around property development. What is Rezoning a Property? Rezoning is the process of changing the zoning classification of your property. By rezoning your property it enables you to have different land use rights and activities. This basically changes the rules of what can be built on the property. What Does it Mean to Buy Property Off-plan? Buying off-plan refers to the purchasing of a property that has not yet been built or is currently under construction. By purchasing a property off-plan it allows you to buy it at a lower cost because developers offer special discounts to early investors. What are the Different Types of Property I Can Invest In? There are many types of properties you can invest in. In South Africa, the most common types of properties include residential, commercial and industrial properties. What are the Different Types of Property Ownership in South Africa? There are various types of property ownership in South Africa. Some of the most popular include: Full-title Ownership: This is when you own a property outright and have complete control over the land and any structures on it. Sectional Ownership: This type of ownership is popular with people looking to purchase an apartment or townhouse. In sectional ownership, you would own a unit in a complex and share common property such as a swimming pool, clubhouse and other common areas. Long-term Rental Ownership: Long-term rental is when you rent a residential or commercial property. While renting the property you have the right to occupy and use it as if you own it. What are the Property Taxes in South Africa? There are a number of taxes in South Africa associated with property ownership. These include municipal rates, property transfer duties and capital gains tax. It’s always advisable to get a professional consultant to help you with the legal requirements that come with owning property. What are the Financing Options for Property Investment in South Africa? There are many ways to get the capital you need for property investment. Some examples include: Department of Human Settlement Housing Projects The Department of Human Settlement has various affordable housing programmes. These programmes are: First home finance programme Enhanced people’s housing process programme Social housing programme Additionally, you can apply to banks for a loan. Most South African banks have offerings tailored for customers looking to invest in property. Do You Have to Pay Transfer Fees for a New Development in South Africa? In South Africa, you have to pay transfer duty on any existing property priced over R1 million. The transfer duty can increase with the cost of the house. Transfer duties don’t apply to the sale of newly built property developments. What is Escrow? Escrow is an arrangement where a third party (usually a bank), safeguards the funds of the buyer until all the terms of the agreement between the buyer and seller have been met and finalised. What is a Sellers’ Market? A sellers’ market occurs when there are few properties listed for sale but a lot of buyers are ready to purchase. When the supply is low, but demand is high, buyers usually compete with each other for a limited number of properties. Should You Use an Estate Agent to Sell Your Property? Yes, estate agents can be helpful in advising you on the market, handling viewings and setting up the sale of your property. Additionally, using an estate agent or estate agency will ensure that the sale of your property is handled by someone with experience and knowledge in the process. When picking an estate agent, ensure they come from a trustworthy agency, and they have their Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC) from the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority. These frequently asked questions and answers can help guide you on your property development journey. For more information on investing in a property business, visit SME South Africa. - [Business Research – The What, Why and How](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/business-research-the-what-why-and-how/): Many people think that the research needed to start a business is the only research they will ever do, however, this is not true. As your business grows so do the costs and the market changes, so you need to research to make sure you stay in alignment. It’s also important to conduct research for your business because there are regulatory requirements you need to keep up with. Business research is the process of acquiring detailed information on all the areas of business and using such information to maximise the sales and profits of the business. For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) conducting research can be the difference between success and failure. In this article, we look at the concept of business research and its benefits for your business. Types of Business Research and Methodologies There are various ways to conduct business research with different methodologies. Business research can be carried out using research steps in qualitative or quantitative research methods. Quantitative Business Research Methods 1. Survey Research Survey research is mostly used to gather data for conducting business research. Surveys are great for gathering data because you can conduct them in various ways such as online polls, online surveys, and questionnaires amongst others. 2. Correlational Research Correlational research is done to understand the relationship between two entities and the impact they have on each other. Using mathematical analysis methods, this type of research enables you to correlate two or more variables and understand patterns, relationships and market research trends etc. 3. Casual-comparative Research Casual-comparative research is a method based on comparison. This method is used to deduce the cause-effect relationship between variables. It involves establishing an independent variable and analysing the effects on the dependent variable. 4. Experimental Research Experimental research is a research method used to prove a theory. In business research it can let you know about the behaviour of your customers. By understanding your customers, you will be able to increase sales and overall revenue. 5. Online/literature Research Literature/online research involves the gathering of information from existing documents and studies. This type of research is usually used by marketing and salespeople to understand their customers and the market better. Qualitative Business Research Methods 1. Interviews Interviews are a research method used to give the researcher detailed information from the perspective of the interview’s subject. The information gathered from interviews can help a business tailor its products to fit its market. 2. Focus Group Focus groups are when a set of individuals are selected to understand their opinions and behaviours. The group is usually small and are selected as part of a business’s target market audience to discuss a certain product or service. 3. Ethnographic Research Ethnographic research involves the researcher adapting to the natural environment and observing its target audience to collect data. This method is typically used to understand cultures, challenges and other things in a particular setting. 4. Case Study Research Case study research is used to assess customer satisfaction, the challenges they face, and the solutions provided. Most businesses use case studies as marketing material to attract more clients. 5. Website Visitor Profiling Website visitor profiling is a research method that uses collected feedback from your website to understand customer behaviour better. Additionally, the data collected from website visitor profiling can help you create new products or services that fit customer demand. Importance of Business Research Research in general is good for your business because it provides you with valuable insights, leading to more informed business decisions. Some other reasons as to why business research is important are: It helps you gain information about your customers including demographics, pain points and their preferences. Help you understand market trends and adapt to them easily. Give you insights into your customers’ buying patterns and the supply and demand of the market. Helps you determine how to develop the best product or service for your audience. Helps you find areas in your business where costs can be reduced. Helps you track your competitors’ work to help you differentiate your company in the market. Helps you determine the right time to launch a new product or service. Provides you with insights which can lead to higher revenue and increased market share. Business research is vital when establishing your business to ensure it survives ever-changing markets and is agile enough to adapt. For more information on what to expect for your business in 2025, read our article. - [What Are Paywalls and When Should You Use Them](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-are-paywalls-and-when-should-you-use-them/): If you have a content-heavy website for your business, you might be curious about paywalls and when to use them. These are used as a means to generate more revenue, but does this mean it will work for your website too? There are different types of paywalls, and based on the type of publication you have and your goals, you can find a suitable paywall for you. Here, we will help you understand what paywalls are, as well as when to use them for your website. What Are Paywalls? Paywalls are a way to restrict content through a digital wall, typically with the aim of monetising content. How it works is that when a user tries to access an article with a wall, the notification that informs you are blocked from viewing the content will pop up, prompting them to subscribe to access restricted content on the website. Most websites that have these blocks are news companies that have moved from newspapers to digitised content. Different Types? There are various types of paywalls. Some websites tease readers by allowing them to read the first few paragraphs, while others might let you view the content once, and then the paywall will appear when you try to re-open the link. The different types are as follows: Hard Paywall Hard paywalls have a definitive barrier of content that hides content from readers until they subscribe. With this type, the intention is clear, you need to pay to access their content.With this type of paywall, it will most likely appear as soon as you try to scroll through the content. This type of paywall is beneficial because it sets a clear precedent that readers will require a subscription. However, the downside is that readers might want to know what your content is like before touching their pockets. Soft Paywall A soft paywall is found on websites that offer both free and premium content. Users can read through free pieces on the website, but, when they try to access the premium content, that’s when the soft wall will appear, prompting them to subscribe to the website. Integrating a soft paywall into your website can benefit your users and your business simultaneously. This way, you can meet your revenue goals as well as increase user satisfaction. Dynamic Paywall Dynamic paywalls display based on the behaviour of the user. The wall is dynamic because it does not stick to a specific set of rules, thus, it does not use a one-size-fits-all approach. So, two users from different locations with their own browsing habits may be blocked at different points of their browsing. This type uses advanced technology that looks at the patterns of a user’s browsing habit. Dynamic paywalls are also a great way to strike a balance between meeting revenue goals and satisfying your website visitors through accessible content. Metered Paywall Have you ever read a couple of articles on a site, and then all of a sudden, a paywall shows up? Those are metered paywalls, hence the amount of articles you can access is regulated. They are a type of soft paywalls that give your visitors a taste of your content to entice them to subscribe to your paid options. If you’re wondering what best practices you should follow, like what a good number would be for free articles you allow, you should consider the amount of articles you have rolling out on a regular basis. Major publications can afford to allow up to 20 free articles, but if you’re a small publication, you should release a realistic number of free articles based on the capacity of your team, and your goals for monetisation. Should You Use Paywalls For Your Website? Paywalls are a useful strategy that businesses can implement to increase their revenue. However, it’s crucial to research each type and ensure you choose the best one for your kind of business. Additionally, consider looking at your competitors to analyse the type of paywalls they use. Ensure you understand the type of reader you have on your website and how these blocks can affect your viewers. Once that’s done, you’re on the right track to incorporating paywalls and reaching your financial goals. - [The Exit Interview](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/the-exit-interview/): Seeing an employee leave your business is bittersweet. Under good circumstances, they are leaving to pursue other opportunities and growth that your company cannot offer them. On the other hand, it means losing an employee, perhaps one with scarce skills who understood your business. When an employee leaves, it’s not a matter of just saying goodbye and having a nice farewell party. When you lose an employee, you need to follow due process and conduct an exit interview. An exit interview is a discussion which allows a departing employee and their organisation to exchange information. The exit interview is typically done on the employee’s last work day. Employees use this opportunity to talk to their employer and explain their reasons for leaving. Additionally, the exit interview is the exiting employee’s chance to give feedback about their experience working for the company. In this article, we take you through the various stages of the exit interview and how to conduct your own. Benefits of Exit Interviews Exit interviews are not always friendly especially if emotions are high. However, for employers, the this interview can be beneficial because of the insights it provides. Reveals Structural or Cultural Issues An employee who leaves is usually more willing to let you know what problems there are. Exit interview questions allow you to gain insights into your corporate and leadership culture. Retention Strategy Insights These interviews offer valuable insights into why employees leave your company – this is vital if you have a high turnover without a clear reason. Your human resources (HR) manager can use this information to develop targeted retention strategies. These strategies will address specific concerns, leading to better employee retention rates. For instance, if it seems to be a common reason that staff leave due to a lack of skills development, then a solid retention strategy is to create a space for development like training or studying. Improved Company Reputation Taking exit interviews seriously shows your company’s commitment to employee satisfaction and continuous improvement. This can positively impact your company’s reputation and make it more attractive to potential employees. Optimised Onboarding Process The feedback you get during exit interviews can help your HR person streamline and improve the onboarding process. This ensures that new employees feel engaged, supported and motivated from the start of their employment. Mistakes to Avoid in the Exit Interviews Now that you know the benefits of exit interviews for employees, you need to understand the don’ts. Here are some mistakes to avoid. Do Not Dismiss Any Feedback One mistake you can make during exit interviews is dismissing any feedback provided by your employee. Dismissing the information they provide undermines the whole process. You should always approach the interviews with a willingness to listen and understand their perspective. Don’t Become Defensive Some managers succumb to being defensive. Being defensive can stop the open and honest communication needed to get valuable insights from departing employees. When exiting staff feel comfortable enough to raise concerns, and listen without becoming defensive. Don’t Make Any Promises You Can’t Keep During exit interviews, do your best to avoid making promises that cannot be realistically fulfilled. Offering assurances of changes or solutions is tempting to help the company’s reputation, however, you must ensure the promises align with your company’s capabilities. Don’t Break Confidentiality A lack of confidentiality within the interview process can undermine the whole function. Departing employees often share confidential information and trust you to handle it discreetly. Failing to uphold confidentiality can result in employees being reluctant to give you honest feedback. (Don’t tell Suzie that Johnny was uncomfortable with her management style, rather address the issue delicately and diplomatically.) Don’t Ignore Any Trends A critical mistake to avoid in exit interviews is overlooking any consistent trends identifiable across multiple interviews. Failing to identify and address these patterns can result in missed opportunities to address systemic issues within your company. By avoiding these mistakes you can conduct effective and efficient exit interviews for your departing employees. Questions to Ask During Exit Interviews The questions you ask during an exit interview should be ones that will give you valuable insights. Consider the following questions for your exit interviews: Why are you leaving the company? What could we have done to retain you? Were you comfortable talking to your manager about your concerns? Were you given helpful feedback and clear objectives? What was the best part of your job? What do you wish was different about this job? How can we improve our employee training and development programme? How would you describe the company culture? And how can we improve it? Would you refer others to the company? You can use these questions as a guideline for your own exit interviews. Remember, as an employer your reasons for doing exit interviews are to gain insights and provide support to departing employees. For more information about employee rights, visit the SME South Africa guide on employee rights. - [Some Afrikaners Cheer as Trump Amplifies Claims of Persecution](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/world/africa/afrikaners-trump-south-africa.html): An executive order from President Trump on Friday - [Consumer credit growth soars in December](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-credit-growth-soars-in-december-d405d18e?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [BOI penalties increase while reporting rules remain on hold](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/boi-penalties-increase-while-reporting-rules-remain-on-hold.html): As legal challenges to the reporting rules for - [Private equity interest in Scotland up by a third in 2024](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/private-equity-interest-scotland-up-34628882): Total private equity investment in Scotland increased by - [U.S. productivity slows down in fourth quarter while unit labor costs accelerate](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-productivity-slows-down-in-fourth-quarter-while-unit-labor-costs-accelerate-3c2b9092?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Your Ultimate Funding Checklist](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/your-ultimate-funding-checklist/): Finding funding opportunities is no longer as difficult thanks to publications like SME South Africa. In comparison, obtaining funding is still a problem in South Africa especially for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Because most SMEs are informal (unregistered), the financing gap is estimated to be around 45-48% of all SMEs in South Africa. This emphasises that beyond access to funding, some SMEs are not meeting the requirements for funding. To meet the requirements for funding opportunities, you need a checklist. You will use this checklist to ensure you have all the necessary information needed for your funding application. In this article, we create a funding checklist for you. This checklist will serve as a guideline for your funding applications. The 3 Ps of a Business Proposal Before we can get into the checklist, we need to revisit the basics of business proposals. A good business proposal has within it the 3 Ps: problem statement, proposed solution and pricing information. P1: Problem Statement A successful business proposal needs to clearly outline and define the problem you are trying to solve with your business. The problem statement is vital because it showcases that you have a great understanding of the identified problem. This builds overall trust with investors because they will have greater belief in your expertise. P2: Proposed Solution The point of a business proposal is to offer a solution to the problem you have identified. The solution you provide should be highly detailed and address each and every need you have discovered. P3: Pricing Information For funders, the funding amount is vital in deciding whether or not they invest in a business. Your pricing will be dictated by the solutions you have provided. If your solution entails a short period, you will most likely get less funding than longer projects. As part of your pricing information, you need to create a comprehensive budget. The budget should outline everything from raw materials and labour to technology integration costs. Funding Checklist Below is a checklist guideline for you to use and ensure your chances of success when applying for funding. Remember, you need to register your business before you can think about applying for funding opportunities. 1. Create a Business Plan Before you can send in your application, you need a business plan. Your business plan must outline your business model, objectives and financial projections. Also, include details on how the funding will be used and how and when the business will be able to meet its financial obligations. 2. Decide on Your Funding or Financing Needs You need to calculate (down to the last cent) the exact amount of funding you need. Be precise about how the funding will be used. It could be for start-up costs, expansion, working capital or other purposes. Do not write ‘I need R2 million’ on your proposal if it’s not accompanied by detailed forecasts as investors need to know where their money will be spent. Be reasonable and ensure that you calculate enough – not too little, and not too much. 3. Check your Credit Score Check both your personal and business credit scores before applying for funding. A good credit score can drastically improve your chances of securing funding. Most funders will be interested in your credit score because it shows you are financially responsible. 4. Legal Structure of Your Business You must make sure your business has the right legal structure. You should know your business structure by what you registered it as with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). All funders will only approve your application if your business is registered. 5. Prepare ALL Financial Statements Prepare all the financial statements including balance sheets, income statements and cash flow projections. Keep these statements up to date and accurate for when you need to apply for funding.Depending on what type of funding you are looking for, sometimes a bank statement and Excel spreadsheets are acceptable. However, for funding opportunities such as venture capital, you need more detailed statements. 6. Collateral In some cases, the funder will need you to have assets or collateral to secure the loan. This is typically seen in things like working capital loans or loans with large amounts. If you’re going to apply for these types of funding, you need to ensure you have some form of collateral before applying such as a car, house or equipment. 7. Craft a Compelling Business Pitch You need to draft a really good business pitch/proposal. We mentioned above that a good business proposal has a problem statement, provided solution(s) and pricing information. If your business pitch does not touch on these points comprehensively, investors won’t buy into your business idea. If you’re going to approach investors, venture capitalists or banks, you will also need a pitch presentation. This pitch must highlight your business’s potential for growth and profitability. 8. Make Sure You are Compliant This is the most important tip. Make sure your business is compliant with all relevant South African laws and tax regulations. Being non-compliant can lead to your application getting rejected. 9. Ask for Advice If you are unsure of any part of the application process, ask for help. You can speak to other business owners or to an investor who will give you advice on what to improve to ensure success.Use these tips and optimise your funding application to ensure maximum success. Remember, you know your business better than anyone else and with that alone, you should be able to create a compelling application and get the funding you need. To speak to an expert about funding, visit SME Advice for more information. - [Business confidence struggles amid weak economy](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/business-confidence-struggles-amid-weak-34618790): Scottish businesses are increasingly pessimistic about their outlook - [Critical tax season IRS workers receive later date for resignation program](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/critical-tax-season-irs-workers-receive-later-date-for-resignation-program.html): IRS employees who work in “critical filing season - [Proposed Changes to the Consumer Protection Act](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/proposed-changes-to-the-consumer-protection-act/): In October 2024, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) announced draft amendments to the regulations under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The proposed changes are aimed at revising regulations 1 and 4 of the CPA regulations established in 2011. Comments on the amendments were open until the 15th of January 2025. These amendments were one of many made by the government last year. In July 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the First and Second Companies Amendment bills. The proposed changes to the CPA will give significant attention to legislation empowering South Africans to block unwanted marketing communications. In this article, we look through the new proposed changes and its effect on elements like POPIA. Proposed Changes to the Consumer Protection Act The following are the proposed amendments to the CPA: Pre-emptive Block Consumers will be able to register a pre-emptive block in the opt-out registry. This is to help them avoid receiving unsolicited direct marketing electronic communication from direct marketers. Opt-out Registry The opt-out registry mentioned in the above-proposed amendment will be operated and managed by the Commission. Direct Marketer Obligations In the proposed amendments a direct marketer is defined as a person who engages in direct marketing. In the new changes, a direct marketer will have to register as such in the opt-out registry before contacting any consumer for purposes of direct marketing via electronic communication. Registration for direct marketers is subject to annual renewal and payment of a prescribed fee. Additionally, direct marketers will have to check their contact list against the opt-out registry before sending messages to consumers. If a consumer has registered on the opt-out registry, direct marketers are not allowed to send marketing messages to the consumer. Lastly, there is an obligation on the direct marketer to remove from its database everyone who has registered a pre-emptive block by cleansing such data monthly with the Commission. Consumer Obligations Under the new changes, consumers must register a pre-emptive block in the opt-out registry through the prescribed form. This is to prevent receiving marketing messages via electronic communication. Additionally, it’s the consumer’s responsibility to make sure their information in the opt-out registry is always up to date. Enforcement Any consumer who receives a direct marketing message despite having registered a pre-emptive block on the opt-out registry may file a complaint to the Commission using the updated complaint form provided in the proposed amendments. After investigating the complaint, the Commission may issue a compliance notice to the relevant direct marketer. The Commission will outline the required steps that must be taken within a set period and any penalty that may be imposed in terms of the CPA. If the direct marketer fails to comply with the compliance notice, the Commission may either: (a) apply to the National Consumer Tribunal to impose an administrative fine; or (b) refer the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution as an offence. The Tribunal may impose an administrative fine not exceeding the greater of: (a) 10% of the direct marketer’s annual turnover during the preceding financial year; or R1 million. Furthermore, failure to comply with a compliant notice is an offence and a direct marketer convicted of such may be liable to a fine or imprisonment (12 months) or both. However, no direct marketer may be prosecuted for the above-mentioned offence if, as a result of the failure of that direct marketer to comply with the issued notice, the Commission has applied to the Tribunal for the imposition of an administrative fine. These amendments apply to direct marketing in the form of unsolicited electronic communication which is subsequently regulated in terms of Section 69 of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Impact on POPIA The most impacted section of POPIA is Section 69. This section of the Act prohibits the processing of personal information of a data subject for direct marketing through electronic communication. The exceptions to section 69 are: Unless the data subject has given their consent to the processing. The subject is a customer of the responsible party (person who determines the purpose of and means of processing the data subject’s personal information). Implementation of the proposed amendments will not mean that a direct marketer can send marketing messages to an individual just because the individual has not registered a pre-emptive block in the opt-out registry. Direct marketers still need to obtain consent for the purposes of direct marketing. Additionally, direct marketers will need to check their customer contact list against the opt-out registry before sending marketing messages. This applies to existing customers of any direct marketers. For more information on any other new regulatory changes, read our article about the Competition Commission ‘Relaxes’ Block Regulations for SMMEs. - [Five Whys: The Key to Problem-solving](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/five-whys-the-key-to-problem-solving/): Picture yourself: Frustrated with the problem in front of you, it feels like running into a wall. Something isn’t working. Product development flops. Calculations aren’t adding up. Manufacturing is slow. You lift your metaphorical fist to the sky and cry: “Why!?”. Without realising, you just took your first step to root cause analysis. Congratulations. What are the Five Whys? The five whys are known as the root cause analysis. It aims to trace the problem back to where the issue arises and identify the culprit for the overall problem. The five whys technique originated in Japan, just like the Kanban system. The founder and inventor of Toyota Industries, Sakichi Toyoda, developed the 5 Whys technique in the 1930s. Born from their “go and see” philosophy, it solved many problems and is still used today. After its popularity increased among the rest of society, during the 1970s, it has proved itself to deliver an in-depth understanding of what’s actually happening on the ground, not just based on assumptions by executives. The technique is most effective when it is asked by someone who has hands-on experience with the process that the questions are being asked about. It forces the problem-solver to think of the problem before finding a solution. Multiple team members can participate to bring various ideas that drive change to the table When to Use the Five Whys This technique is incredibly simple and flexible, making it ideal for a variety of contexts. These include manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, education, and food services. It helps to solve problems regarding troubleshooting, quality improvement, and moderately difficult issues. How to Use the Five Whys To start your questioning, you can write down the Five Whys, and their following answers on a piece of paper. Step 1: Assemble a team of interdepartmental and cross-functional members who are familiar with the process. Include a facilitator who will focus the team and guide the process. This ensures unique viewpoints and thorough knowledge of the process. Step 2: Define the problem that is being observed so a brief but clear problem statement can be written. Discussing it with the team before writing will ensure that the scope of the issue is well-understood Step 3: Take your statement and ask your first “Why?”. Guide the team in giving you specific answers. Every answer should be based in fact, not emotion. Take note that there might be multiple causes, but attempt to only find one. Step 4: Ask why four more times (or as much as it takes). In some cases, it can take less than five questions to find the answer. However, there might be a few questions more than five, but generally, asking why five times gets you the answer. Record every answer and follow the answer with a why. Step 5: Act on the result and address the root cause. It is a good idea to implement measures that will prevent the cause from occurring in the future. Step 6: Monitor the effects to determine if the solution was correct and implemented correctly. If it isn’t working, repeat the five steps again until the problem is solved. Example Problem to Solve When implementing the five whys to solve a problem in your business, you can use the following example to see how the process is supposed to work. Let’s use the example of a bakery where a batch of muffins that are part of a big order cannot be delivered on time. Problem: The order cannot be delivered on time. Why 1? Why was the order not delivered on time?Answer: Because the last batch of muffins had to be rebaked.Why 2? Why did they need to be remade?Answer: Because the batch burnt.Why 3? Why did the muffins burn?Answer: It wasn’t removed from the oven on time.Why 4? Why wasn’t the muffins removed from the oven when the baking time was over?Answer: The head baker had too many batches that were done at the same time.Why 5: Why were there so many batches the head baker had to take care of alone?Answer: The only other staff member was sick. Solutions to implement to solve the problem can include hiring more staff, or ensuring there is always someone to step in when a worker is absent. If the above example had multiple causes, it could for instance be that not only was someone ill, but a huge delivery was taken on short notice. Future solutions can include setting a minimum to the time between taking and delivering the order, batch limits or ensuring that emergency staff is available when huge orders are being made. Asking why shouldn’t make you feel like a failure. In fact, it is key to your success. It helps determine the root cause of your issues, making problem-solving a breeze. - [Former NFL player making an impact as a CPA](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/from-nfl-to-cpa-richie-brockel-journey.html): If you want to learn what it’s really - [Beyond to buy rights to Buy Buy Baby brand and reunite it with Bed Bath & Beyond](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/beyond-to-buy-rights-to-buy-buy-baby-brand-and-reunite-it-with-bed-bath-beyond-4383c6be?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [The 2 Main Benefits of a Business Plan](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/the-2-main-benefits-of-a-business-plan/): For the majority of South African entrepreneurs, the likelihood of launching a company that is profitable after three years is quite slim. However, the chances of success are increased considerably if an entrepreneur takes the time to put together a business plan. It’s even estimated that businesses that plan, grow 30% faster and are more likely to increase profit than those that don’t. What is a Business Plan? A business plan is a written statement of your business’s goals and the methods for realising them. A typical business plan will cover some of the following points – a vision statement; your team; business profile; financial and marketing plan and expansion plans, among others. See also: Starting a Business in South Africa While some entrepreneurs swear by business plans and use them as a blueprint for every step of their business, others question if it’s still a requirement. Below we outline the two main reasons why a business plan is still a good idea today. A Business Plan Helps Obtain Financing Most new businesses need funding to launch. The good news is that there are potential investors that entrepreneurs can reach out to in the early stages of their business development, including banks, VCs, private lenders or the government. Most of these investors will require that you present a business plan. It should have a financials section that details your future financial projections, including your budget for expenses and projected revenue. Martin Zwilling, an American entrepreneur and writer in a Forbes magazine article, explains it the following way. “Most professional investors, even if they like your story, and were properly introduced by a friend, will ask for a business plan at the due diligence stage,” he says. Above all, investors will look at your business plan to see if your business makes sense financially and how they can expect to recieve a return. A Business Plan Obtains Customers We all know that knowledge is power. This is even more true when you are launching a business that will ultimately find success among its target market. According to a study by CBInsights, 42% of businesses that fail did not plan or research if there is a market for their product or service. In this case, a good business plan demonstrates that the entrepreneur has done their research and knows their customer well. Your business plan should include a customer profile which includes your customers’ age, location, purchasing habits and even their goals and motivations. A customer profile is useful beyond just the initial business plan. This is explained by Marang Marekimane, a business strategist and founder of Business Processes Mechanics. “Creating a customer profile makes it easier to communicate the value of your products and services to potential customers and convert them to buyers,” she says in the article, ‘How To Create A Customer Profile To Find Out Who Your Real Customers Are‘. Ultimately, a business plan puts you ahead of your competitors as it forces you to research one of the most important factors of business success: having a keen understanding of your customers and the market you are operating. Beyond these two main advantages, there are many benefits to having a business plan, including a clear roadmap for achieving your goals, gaining insight into the viability of your business idea and achieving structure, among others. With all these benefits, it’s clear that putting in the work to craft a business plan is well worth the effort. See Also: How to create a Business Plan for your Startup - [Life in Goma After a Rebel Takeover](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/world/africa/dr-congo-rwanda-rebels.html): After a week of fighting, rebels backed by - [Life After a Rebel Takeover](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/world/africa/life-after-a-rebel-takeover.html): After a week of fighting, rebels backed by - [How to Set Business Objectives to Achieve Your Goals](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-set-objectives-to-achieve-your-business-goals/): Business goals and objectives are an important part of business planning, a process which involves building a roadmap for the success of your business. While these terms are often used interchangeably, it’s important that business owners know the differences between the two to effectively execute the plans they set in place. Read: Starting a Business in South Africa  The Differences Between a Goal and an Objective It’s almost impossible to speak about objectives without speaking about goals as the two terms are linked. A goal is a target that a person or business wants to achieve. Goals are generally broader and are set over a longer term, for example annually or quarterly. Objectives, on the other hand, support goals, they are specific, measurable and are set over a short-term period. Simply put, “objectives are the individual actions you need to take to achieve a goal”, it’s therefore possible to have multiple objectives for a goal. An example of how goals and objectives work in a real-world setting is an online business looking to increase sales on its e-commerce website. To achieve this, the business can set a goal to grow its website traffic. Some examples of the objectives they can use to achieve this goal include, using digital ads, creating engaging content or optimising their SEO, to achieve a certain percentage increase in traffic over a set period. Read: How To Set Financial Goals For Your Business How to Set Effective Business Objectives The foundation for setting achievable goals and objectives is to first assess where your business is currently and where you want to be in the future. Start by Setting Goals that Align with Your Vision Your vision is your overall mission for your business, it is your big ‘why’ for wanting to go into business. Some individuals choose entrepreneurship as an opportunity to build great wealth, to make a dream they have always had come true, or to create employment in their community. Your business goals should align with your big vision otherwise you may head in a direction you don’t want to go. Typical goals a business will set is to increase profits, expand to new markets or drive more sales. Set Your Objectives to Support your Goals With your goals set, it’s time to put your objectives in place. Objectives break down your goals into smaller achievable actions and give you an action plan for achieving the specific goal. To create business objectives that get you results, be sure to focus on specific actions that are achievable in your chosen timeframe. Your objectives should also be measurable so you know when they have been achieved. Writing down your goals and objectives can help business owners reach their growth targets. A good place to start is with a business plan. Download the SME South Africa Business Plan template to: Set out company goals and objectives Test out a new idea to see if it holds real promise of success Help you obtain financing and attract potential investors Identify and arrange strategic alliances - [Tips For Getting Your Funding Application Approved](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/tips-for-getting-your-funding-application-approved/): Applying for funding can be as easy as clicking on ‘apply’ on a website. However, the point of applying for funding is so that you can get it and make your business grow. For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), getting funding approved can be the difference between a successful business and one that failed. To ensure that your funding application is accepted, you need to have a comprehensive application. This means attaching all documents and following the guidelines of the funder. A funding application is a document or set of documents which are submitted to an organisation with the intent of securing funding for a research project. In South Africa, there is quite a gap when it comes to funding SMEs. According to research, the SME sector accounts for approximately 80% of the workforce in South Africa. However, 15% of small businesses remain financially excluded. Because of these statistics, we need to do a refresher course on how to ensure your funding application gets approved. Guidelines for Writing a Funding Application No matter which organisation you are applying to, you need to always have a guideline to help you prepare your funding application. This is especially important for venture capital and government funding applications. Some guidelines to keep in mind: Always keep the core value of your project in mind when applying. Write your application in plain English. This makes it easier to understand your funding needs. Be clear about what you want to do with your funding. Align your application with the funder’s priorities. For example, if they want companies with tech integration, integrate technology into your business. Provide concise evidence that your company is providing a service or product that is needed by your target market. Make sure you attach ALL necessary documentation and any additional information with your application. Make sure that you meet the deadline as there are rarely any second chances. Draw up a budget that is as detailed and specific as possible. Do not include any non-related costs or items in your budget. Do not apply to more than one funder for the same thing at the same time. These guidelines are for you to use before you even put together your application. Use this as a checklist to ensure you are hitting every mark when it comes to your funding application. Each funder will most likely have its own requirements and sometimes a guideline. Use this one as the foundation and customise it with every funding application. Tips for Getting Your Funding Application Approved The following tips are not written in stone as sure-fire ways to get funding; however, they will definitely increase your chances. Tip 1: Know What the Funder is Looking For Before you can put any pen to paper or start typing your name (online applications), you need to research the priorities of your chosen funder. Research what they are looking for and what projects they funded in the past. Knowing what your potential funder is looking for will show you if your project fits and what they look for when funding a project. Tip 2: Keep your Application Clear and Concise Your application needs to be written in clear and concise language. Try not to use jargon acronyms that the funder might not be familiar with. Use simple language to explain your project so anyone can understand. Tip 3: Address all Requirements In your funding application, you need to understand all the requirements and address each one in your application. If you don’t do this, it could result in your application being rejected. Tip 4: Draft a Comprehensive Budget In some cases, the funder will ask for your budget so they can see what you plan to do with the funding. Ensure all costs are accurately represented and that you have drawn up a plan on how the funds will be spent. Tip 5: Proofread, Proofread, Proofread Before you can even think of sending in your application, make sure you go through it at least three times. This will ensure you catch any grammatical or numerical mistakes. Additionally, you will be able to better any documents or written content for the funder. Using these tips, you can create a comprehensive funding application for any funder, in any part of the world. It’s still early in the year so start preparing your funding applications soon before it’s too late. - [Scottish business confidence falls, but remains above UK average](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-falls-remains-34588560): Business confidence in Scotland fell two points during - [Where the Taxis Are Motorcycles, and the Drivers Are Women](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/31/world/africa/kenya-women-motorcycle-boda-boda-taxi-drivers.html): When her three children didn’t have enough to - [Rekisa: Empowering SMEs in the Digital World of E-commerce](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/rekisa-empowering-smes-in-the-digital-world-of-e-commerce/): Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the economy. However, many business owners face challenges in accessing the tools needed to succeed online. Rekisa’s e-commerce solution aims to solve this by providing an affordable, user-friendly platform designed specifically for entrepreneurs to succeed in the digital age. The Birth of Rekisa Rekisa E-commerce Solutions was founded with a mission to help small businesses create and manage their online stores. “The inspiration came from seeing how difficult it was for many small businesses to access the digital economy. There were no tailored solutions for their needs, “ says founder Thato Garekoe. Rekisa was created to simplify businesses to tap into online markets, helping them to expand their reach from local markets to worldwide markets. Simplifying E-commerce for Small Businesses Building an online store is overwhelming to business owners with limited technical knowledge. Rekisa makes this process easy by offering a user-friendly platform with customisable templates, integrated payment systems, and step-by-step guides. “Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for businesses to launch and manage their stores, “ explains Thato. The platform also provides training and ongoing support, helping businesses feel confident about managing their online presence. Rekisa stands out due to its focus on SMEs in emerging markets, offering localised solutions that other global platforms don’t. “While many platforms are global and generic, we focus on localising our tools to meet the specific needs of businesses in South Africa and other emerging markets,” Thato says. Rekisa provides subscribers with adaptable payment plans together with personalised assistance and educational training programs. The platform delivers solutions that accommodate businesses at all stages of development from new start-ups to established enterprises. Rekisa’s Subscription Plans Rekisa offers different subscription plans to meet the needs of businesses at different stages of growth. These plans are as follows: Venture Plan: New businesses who want to try e-commerce can benefit from this subscription plan.Business Plan: Designed for established businesses looking to scale, with access to additional marketing toolsUnlimited Plan: Comprehensive for larger businesses with more complex needs, offering advanced features like analytics and integrations. The Rekisa team is always ready to help businesses choose the right plan based on their budget and specific requirements. Technology Stands as a Fundamental Driver for Small Business Expansion Technology plays an important role in the growth of small businesses, especially in emerging markets. It reduces barriers to entry and opens up new revenue streams. “Technology is the great equaliser. It provides small businesses with the same opportunity to innovate and grow that were available to large companies,” he highlights. “For entrepreneurs who lack access to capital, technology empowers them to create and be innovative to drive economic growth.” Advice for New Small Business Owners For individuals who are starting to sell online, Rekisa’s founder offers valuable advice. “New business owners should begin with small steps while they learn about their market audience. Small businesses can use Rekisa’s simple tools and organic social media marketing to streamline their operations. The e-commerce environment continues to shift, therefore, it’s imperative that new small business owners maintain their readiness to learn and adapt.” What’s Next for Rekisa? Rekisa has set its sights on establishing leadership positions in both cloud solutions and sales and marketing enablement. HubSpot inbound marketing and Apollo.io outbound sales tools are being integrated into the platform. Rekisa also plans to bring AI analytics solutions to the platform that will empower businesses to make informed decisions bades on data. According to the founder, their ultimate goal is to innovate continuously while giving SMEs the best available tools for success. Rekisa E-commerce Solutions features reach far beyond the traditional concept of an e-commerce platform because it serves as a committed business partner to help small enterprises thrive digitally. Rekisa provides entrepreneurs with user-friendly tools alongside localised solutions and robust customer support to help them cross barriers while attracting new customers. Through its continuous innovation, Rekisa maintains its position as a trusted partner for small business owners across the globe. To compare Rekisa to other top e-commerce platforms before you make your decision, take a look at our review. - [What is Financial Literacy?](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-is-financial-literacy/): Financial literacy is more than just a word. It defines a person’s financial knowledge and understanding, as well as how effectively that information is put into practice. It covers many aspects of working well with your finances such as budgeting, saving and growing your wealth. What makes financial literacy a verb is how important it is to not only understand these concepts but truly be able to apply them. Being financially literate is vital to your personal and business finances. The same principles apply to both areas of your life. Therefore, when you improve your financial literacy and start practising it in your business, your overall personal finances should also be easier to manage. So, where should you start? Let’s explore. Components of Financial Literacy Some of the key components that financial literacy consists of are: Earn: To manage your money, you have to have money. Your earnings will be your generated income from sales, purchases, interest on investments, or any other passive income. Spend: Expenditures of any nature need to align with your financial goals. This can cover running costs, funds invested in stocks, acquiring stock, and buying assets. All decisions need to be carefully considered and avoid unnecessary debt. Savings: For financial stability, it’s important to save funds where possible. It will be useful when sales are slow or bad clients leave you in financial turmoil. Save for a rainy day, as the saying goes… Investments: Investments are one of the ways to meet your long-term financial goals. It helps you to grow your existing earnings. Protection: Financial literacy is also understanding how to protect your money and prevent potential losses. This includes insurance, and protecting yourself against fraud or cyber-attacks on your bank accounts. Borrow: In business, it is necessary to sometimes borrow money. However, borrowing responsibly from a lender is an important part of being financially literate. Donations: Being charitable is not only a good mindset to have but can result in tax benefits. Taxes: Speaking about taxes, these are also a vital part of financial literacy as you need to know why and how it is deducted. You will also need to understand what makes you tax-compliant. Benefits of Being Financially Literate Becoming financially literate has a multitude of benefits. All of these benefits tie into making the individual more financially empowered in their decision-making. Prevents you from making devastating financial mistakes Fortifies you against financial emergencies Improves your chances of reaching financial goals Makes you less vulnerable to financial fraud How to Become Financially Literate If you are lacking in your knowledge about this topic, the good news is that you are heading in the right direction: You are reading this article! Becoming well-versed in your finances starts by obtaining knowledge. You can achieve this by reading blogs, books and guides about financial literacy. Listening to podcasts and obtaining other content about the topic. There are many free resources available that you can start with. Additionally, if you are still feeling like you don’t understand it, you can reach out to a financial advisor to guide you. Next, you need to practice what you are reading and listening. Use the strategies that you are learning. Strategies to Employ Here are several practical strategies to consider. 1. Create a Budget The quickest way to start becoming financially savvy is to set up a budget. This will help you see what your earnings and expenses are, giving you immediate insight into where you are spending on non-essentials, or where you need to look into areas of business that are bleeding money. It will also indicate what funds you have available for saving or investing. 2. Know Your Credit Score Knowing your business’s credit score is vital. You will have to know this for loan applications, as well as understand how to create a healthy score. 3. Use Financial Tools Many banks have tools that can help you budget by automatically allocating transactions to set categories. If you are not comfortable with this, you can track your budget the old-fashioned way: With a Budgeting Template. 4. Save First Where you are able to, it is a good idea to put a set amount away in your savings before you use funds for anything else. 5. Pay Bills On Time Paying your bills when they are due is a simple way to ensure you stay on top of your finances. 6. Manage Debt If you have debt, you need to ensure that you increase your repayment to not only keep up with debt but conquer your debt as quickly as possible. This will save you time and money in the long run. Financial literacy is key if you want to ensure that your business’s finances are healthy. If you are not already knowledgeable about the topic is, the good news is that you can learn. Practice what you’ve learnt, because practice makes perfect. Struggling to become financially fit? Reach out to an expert on SME Advice to become financially literate. - [Brexit trade barriers 'hit Scottish economy by £4 billion'](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/brexit-trade-barriers-hit-scottish-34576579): Analysis published today by the Office of the - [What Does South African Tax Law Say about Digital Assets?](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-does-south-african-tax-law-say-about-digital-assets/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [How to Create Standard Operating Procedures](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-create-standard-operating-procedures/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Stocks Sink in Broad AI Rout Sparked by China's DeepSeek](https://www.wsj.com/articles/nikkei-may-rise-as-weak-yen-raises-earnings-hopes-776a8056?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Technology stocks tumbled Monday on - [DeepSeek Won't Sink U.S. AI Titans](https://www.wsj.com/articles/deepseek-us-ai-stocks-nvidia-broadcom-6cdfae81?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (3 min) Necessity might be the mother - [Rebels Backed by Rwanda Announce Capture of Key City in Eastern Congo](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/world/africa/rebels-capture-goma-congo.html): The M23 militia, funded and directed by Rwanda, - [Arabica Coffee Prices Hit Record on U.S., Colombia Tariff Spat](https://www.wsj.com/articles/arabica-coffee-prices-hit-new-high-on-u-s-colombia-tariff-spat-582446fe?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Arabica coffee prices hit a - [Building-Products Distributor QXO Launches Hostile Bid for Beacon](https://www.wsj.com/articles/building-products-distributor-qxo-launching-hostile-bid-for-beacon-de024410?mod=rss_markets_main): Building-products distributor QXO QXO 3.49% increase; green up - [How to Deal with PR Scandals and Crises](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-deal-with-pr-scandals-and-crises/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Natural-Gas Firm Diversified Energy Strikes Deal for Permian Basin Player](https://www.wsj.com/articles/natural-gas-firm-diversified-energy-nears-deal-for-permian-basin-player-4c1c5ff5?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (1 min) Diversified Energy DEC 0.57%increase; green - [The Top Legal Documents Entrepreneurs Need When Launching a Business](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/documents-entrepreneurs-need/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Chinese Investors With Few Options Turn to Dividends](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-investors-with-few-options-turn-to-dividends-ad31dcc4?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Chinese stocks have been a - [What is a Marketable Product and How to Develop One](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-is-a-marketable-product-and-how-to-develop-one/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [A Guide on How to Start A Taxi Business in South Africa](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/a-guide-on-how-to-start-a-taxi-business-in-south-africa/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Heard on the Street's Stock-Picking Series](https://www.wsj.com/articles/heard-on-the-streets-stock-picking-series-98f04640?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) The waning days of summer - [Now Wanted in Silicon Valley: Ho-Hum Businesses With Thin Profit Margins](https://www.wsj.com/articles/now-wanted-in-silicon-valley-ho-hum-businesses-with-thin-profit-margins-ab07de5f?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Forget virtual-reality headsets and brain-chip - [In China, a Cat-and-Mouse Game to Rein In Crypto](https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-cryptocurrency-market-trading-restrictions-3e050cd9?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Three years ago, China’s government - [One House, Three Owners: The Ballooning Cost of the American Dream](https://www.wsj.com/articles/rising-house-mortgage-costs-north-carolina-home-468a46e5?mod=rss_markets_main): The three-bedroom Victorian-style home at 1139 Great Ridge - [One House, Three Owners: The Ballooning Cost of the American Dream](https://www.wsj.com/articles/rising-house-mortgage-costs-north-carolina-home-468a46e5?mod=rss_markets_main): The three-bedroom Victorian-style home at 1139 Great Ridge - [Executive order’s hiring freeze causes IRS to cancel some job offers](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/executive-orders-hiring-freeze-causes-irs-to-cancel-some-job-offers.html): The IRS has rescinded all job offers with - [Wall Street Banks Prepare to Sell Billions of Dollars of X Loans](https://www.wsj.com/articles/wall-street-banks-prepare-to-sell-billions-of-dollars-of-x-loans-c609beb1?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Banks are getting ready to - [Canada to Provide $720 Million to Canada Post to Avoid Insolvency at Mail Service](https://www.wsj.com/articles/canada-to-provide-720-million-to-canada-post-to-avoid-insolvency-at-mail-service-fc09a6b9?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) The Canadian government said Friday - [Target Drops DEI Goals and Ends Program to Boost Black Suppliers](https://www.wsj.com/articles/target-drops-dei-goals-and-ends-program-to-boost-black-suppliers-77cb4c75?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Target TGT 1.42%increase; green up - [Basic Materials Roundup: Market Talk](https://www.wsj.com/articles/basic-materials-roundup-market-talk-f817645e?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (4 min) The latest Market Talks covering - [Auto & Transport Roundup: Market Talk](https://www.wsj.com/articles/auto-transport-roundup-market-talk-f1469058?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (4 min) The latest Market Talks covering - [Financial Services Roundup: Market Talk](https://www.wsj.com/articles/financial-services-roundup-market-talk-fb36548b?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): The latest Market Talks covering Financial Services. Exclusively - [EU Conditionally Approves International Paper's $7.16 Billion DS Smith Buy](https://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-conditionally-approves-international-papers-7-16-billion-ds-smith-buy-c1ce87f1?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (1 min) European Union antitrust regulators conditionally - [Tech to transform cities](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415869.htm): Experiments with artificial intelligence, cloud computing and 5G - [Ericsson Shares Slump as Earnings Hit by Weakness Outside of Core Networks Business](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ericsson-sees-further-signs-of-market-stabilization-as-north-america-sales-rise-19ac5238?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): opinion Epstein Is a Failure of the 21st-Century - [Verizon Results Boosted by Higher Prices, Gain in Wireless Customers](https://www.wsj.com/articles/verizon-results-boosted-by-higher-prices-gain-in-wireless-customers-5f0ff6e9?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Verizon Communications’ VZ -0.39%decrease; red - [Trade Capital Investments: What You Need to Know](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/trade-capital-investments-what-you-need-to-know/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [If You Need to Escape a Wildfire in an EV, Here Is What to Know](https://www.wsj.com/articles/if-you-need-to-escape-a-wildfire-in-an-ev-here-is-what-to-know-0fa41f51?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (1 min) The ongoing wildfires in Los - [What to Expect in your Business Finances in 2025](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-to-expect-in-your-business-finances-in-2025/): The beginning of the year is the ideal time to outline your finances for 2025. This means planning budgets, salaries, growth plans and possibly funding plans. To ensure you’re ready for this fiscal year, you need to know what to expect in finances in 2025. When it comes to business finance, it’s always best to stay ahead of the curve. This means understanding the trends driving any changes so you can make better-informed decisions for business success. In this article, we explore some of the trends and forecasts for business finance in 2025. We also give you some key strategies for navigating this financial year. Key Business Finance Trends for 2025 Growth of Sustainable Finance One of the emerging trends in business finance is sustainable finance. Sustainable finance provides financing to help combat climate change and environmental degradation. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles have changed from being a value-add to becoming an important prerequisite for investors and stakeholders. If you are planning on embracing green bonds, sustainable loans and transparent supply chain practices, you will gain a competitive advantage, both financially and reputationally. Digital Transformation Technology and automation are at the forefront of digital transformation. In 2025 you need to invest in cloud-based platforms and advanced analysis tools. This technology will help you streamline your business processes and make more accurate real-time decisions. Digital transformation has the power to transform businesses of all sizes and create a more equal playing field which prioritises innovation and agility. Resilience and Risk Management In 2025, it is predicted that businesses will focus on better cash flow management and flexible financial structures. This will increase their flexibility, better risk management and allow them to prepare for any potential disruptions. Additionally, this helps businesses avoid any risks and position themselves to take advantage of any opportunities in unpredictable and international markets. Evolving Consumer Preferences The power of consumers is more evident now than ever before. Consumers are only going to get more vocal and discerning than ever before. As a business, you will need to invest in new or evolved business practices to keep up with consumer demand. Financially invest in developing ethical practices, sustainable business practices and tailored financial strategies to fit what your consumers want. These trends are just some of the ones that will influence your business’ financial year. Now we can look at some key strategies to help you navigate this financial year. Key Strategies for Navigating the Financial Year To help you prepare financially for this year, here are some tips you can follow. Tip 1: Align Goals with Regulatory Changes To ensure your business functions smoothly, you need to stay on track with all regulator changes and amendments. This will ensure your business runs smoothly, aligns with laws and reduces the risk of any financial costs to not being compliant. Additionally, being aligned with regulations will ensure stability in your business and foster trust amongst your stakeholders. Tips 2: Leverage Digital Transformation Initiatives In 2025, you need to start thinking of how you will digitally transform your business. Leverage digital transformation technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence to streamline processes and create innovative products and services. Tip 3: Find the Right Team Members You need to invest in talent development to create a culture of innovation and excellence in your business. This will save you money from getting external consultants and will empower employees to embrace new technologies and best practices. Tip 4: Strengthen Relationships with Customers Being customer-focused is very important. Your customers are vital to the sustainability, growth and profitability of your business. Invest in customer engagement tools for data analytics and customer relationship management to better the relationship with your customers. Use technology to offer custom solutions and offerings which will help you increase engagement with customers and strengthen your profits for growth and sustainability. Tip 5: Keep Cash Flow in Mind Understanding your cash flow trends helps you anticipate any financial issues you might encounter. A greater understanding of your cash flow will enable you to plan for when you need funding and ensure you get that funding. Also, a better understanding of your cash flow will help you make more informed financial decisions about investments, debt management and capital acquisition.This article will help guide you in preparing for this year. Remember, do not go into this year blindly. Plan your finances throughout to ensure you don’t face any issues you did not prepare for. For more information on building a strong business, read our article. To get your tickets for our upcoming funding summit, visit the SME South Africa Funding Summit page. - [Korea Zinc Shares Rally After Adopting New Investor Protection Rules](https://www.wsj.com/articles/korea-zinc-shares-rally-after-rules-for-better-minority-investors-protection-8874c125?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Korea Zinc’s 010130 -4.01%decrease; red - [Burberry Sees Positive Signs as Turnaround Plan Continues](https://www.wsj.com/articles/burberry-sees-positive-signs-as-turnaround-plan-continues-d3713aff?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Trench-coat maker Burberry BRBY 3.13% increase; green up - [Rolls-Royce Strikes Contract to Supply Nuclear Reactors for U.K. Submarines](https://www.wsj.com/articles/rolls-royce-gets-9-37-bln-contract-to-supply-nuclear-reactors-for-u-k-submarines-4ad2961c?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Rolls-Royce RR 14.99%increase; green up - [China's WeRide Wants to Build Global Robotaxi Empire](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-weride-wants-to-build-global-robotaxi-empire-6804cc80?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Chinese autonomous-driving company WeRide WRD - [Supreme Court lifts BOI injunction; filing timeline unclear](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/supreme-court-lifts-boi-injunction-filing-timeline-unclear.html): The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a stay - [The South African Companies Act Amendments](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/the-south-african-companies-act-amendments/): In July 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the First and Second Companies Amendment bills. The amendments came into effect on the 27th of December 2024. The changes affect certain sections of the Companies Amendment Act and the whole of the Companies Second Amendment Act. The Companies Amendment Act of 2024 was developed with the aim to enhance transparency and make way for more disclosure by companies. Additionally, it aims to reduce red tape and make it easier to do business in South Africa. Lastly, the new Act aims to clarify certain technical provisions in the Companies Act. In this article, we take you through the new changes and what it means for businesses in South Africa. Companies Amendment Act of 2024 New remuneration provisions applicable to public and state-owned companies include: Public and state-owned companies have a duty to prepare a remuneration policy. This policy must be prepared once every three years or when there are material changes to the policy. Additionally, there must be a remuneration report each year at the annual general meeting (AGM) for approval by ordinary shareholder resolution. Lastly, remuneration disclosures including pay gap disclosures must be made in the implementation report which is part of the remuneration report. If the remuneration report is not approved at the AGM, the next AGM the remuneration committee must explain how concerns have been addressed and non-executive directors on the remuneration committee must stand for re-election as remuneration committee members. If the remuneration report is again not approved, in-scope non-executive directors must stand down from the committee for a period of two years. They can remain as directors on the board, provided they are successful in standing for re-election. Application of takeover provisions in respect of private companies: – Takeover provisions will now apply to affected transactions involving a private company that has ten or more shareholders with a direct or indirect shareholding in the company, meets or exceeds a financial threshold of annual turnover or asset value to be determined by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. A private company will be considered a regulated company for purposes of application of the takeover provisions. The TRP may exempt any particular transaction involving an in-scope private company. Third parties now have the right to access a company MOI, the records of the directors, the AFS and the register of disclosure of beneficial interests (where needed), directly from the company. This is an addition to the securities register and register of directors to which the third parties have access. Refinements to the provisions relating to a company’s social and ethics committee (SEC) are: A company with a formal mechanism with its structures which substantially performs the functions of an SEC, is allowed to apply for an exemption from the requirement to have an SEC regardless of whether legislation is requiring it to have the formal mechanism. For public and state-owned companies, the majority of the SEC members must be non-executive directors who have not been involved in the day-to-day management within the previous three financial years. Public and state-owned companies must elect the SEC every year at the AGM and the SEC must provide its report to shareholders at the AGM. For other companies, the board must annually appoint the SEC, and the committee must present its report annually at the shareholder’s meet or by written solution. The SEC report should be prepared in the ‘prescribed’ manner and form. Validation of Irregular Share Creation and Issues On receipt of an application, a court may validate an invalid share creation, allotment or issue if the court finds it just and equitable to do so. The shares are deemed valid after payment of all fees. Effective Date of MOI Amendments Changes to the MOI (other than name change) will take effect 10 business days after receipt by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) or at a later date specified in the Notice of Amendment. Financial Assistance Exemption in Certain Instances A company that provides financial assistance to its subsidiary will be exempted from section 45 financial assistance provisions. This exemption does not apply to a foreign entity beneficiary that otherwise meets the subsidiary definition. Relaxation of Share Repurchase Requirements All share repurchases will now require the passing of a special resolution by shareholders unless the repurchased shares are acquired as a result of a pro-rate offer made to all shareholders of a particular class or shareholders. Or transactions effected on a recognised stock exchange on which the shares are traded. Companies Second Amendment Act of 2024 Extension of Director Liability Time Bar A court may, on good cause shown, extend the three-year period in which to bring proceedings under section 77 of the Companies Act. This is to recover any loss for which a director or prescribed officer may be held liable under the section. Extension of time bars to bring director delinquency and probation applications The period within which to make an application to declare a person a delinquent director or under probation to be a director has been extended to 60 months after the person stops being a director. A court may, on good cause shown, extend the period. These are the amendments that have been put into law. Further than that, there was also a lift on the block exemption regulations for small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs). To find out more information about this, visit SME South Africa’s article about block regulations. Visit the SME South Africa events page to get your tickets to our exciting SME SA Funding Summit. - [FASB proposes series of changes to accounting standards](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/fasb-proposes-series-of-changes-to-accounting-standards.html): News ACCOUNTING & REPORTING By Bryan Strickland FASB - [AICPA: Executive order shouldn’t affect IRS tax season hiring](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/executive-order-should-not-affect-irs-tax-season-hiring.html): An executive order signed by President Donald Trump - [Scottish business confidence still outstripping rest of UK](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-still-outstripping-34521851): Business confidence has dipped quarter-on-quarter, but remains higher - [Mother Chimp and Daughter Share a Special Sign](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/science/chimpanzees-language-gestures.html): Humans are known to invent private hand gestures. - [At 90, the Ghanaian Highlife Pioneer Ebo Taylor Finds a New Voice](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/arts/music/ebo-taylor-jazz-is-dead.html): The singer, guitarist and composer released heralded music - [Unemployment in Scotland falls slightly](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/unemployment-in-scotland-falls-slightly-34519641): Unemployment in Scotland fell slightly in the last - [Economic conditions 'weak' at the start of 2025](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/economic-conditions-weak-start-2025-34513965): Economic and business conditions and expectations were weak - [In African Publishing, ‘There Is a Renaissance Going On’](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/books/african-publishing.html): A new ecosystem of publishers, bookstores, literary magazines - [Mozambique’s Ex-Finance Minister Sentenced to Prison Over ‘Tuna Affair’](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/nyregion/manuel-chang-mozambique-tuna.html): Manuel Chang will spend eight and a half - [Werfel to resign Monday as IRS commissioner](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/werfel-to-resign-monday-as-irs-commissioner.html): IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel announced Friday that he - [Final regs address taxes on gifts to taxpayers from ex-U.S. citizens, residents](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/final-regs-address-taxes-on-gifts-to-taxpayers-from-ex-us-citizens-residents.html): The IRS issued final regulations (T.D. 10027) regarding - [SEC accepting Professional Accounting Fellow applications](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/sec-accepting-professional-accounting-fellow-applications.html): News ACCOUNTING & REPORTING By Bryan Strickland The - [Final regs. address resolution of federal tax controversies by Appeals](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/final-regs-address-resolution-of-federal-tax-controversies-by-appeals.html): The IRS issued final regulations (T.D. 10030) on - [UK economy sees weaker-than-expected growth in November](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/uk-economy-sees-weaker-expected-34490816): Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted she will “fight - [Prop. regs. address expanded annual compensation deduction limitation](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/proposed-regulations-address-expanded-annual-compensation-deduction-limitation.html): The IRS issued proposed regulations (REG-118988-22) providing guidance - [Economic optimism rises among CFOs](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/economic-optimism-rises-among-cfos.html): Finance leaders at larger companies are beginning the - [Prop. regs. issued for spinoff transactions and their reporting](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/prop-regs-issued-for-spinoff-transactions-and-their-reporting.html): The IRS issued proposed regulations for certain corporate - [Dozens of Bodies Recovered From Illegal Mine in South Africa](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/world/africa/south-africa-illegal-mine-deaths.html): The authorities had at one point limited the - [Update: Digital assets practice aid addresses new FASB standards](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/update-digital-assets-practice-aid-addresses-new-fasb-standards.html): News ACCOUNTING & REPORTING By Bryan Strickland The - [Regs. identify microcaptive transactions as reportable transactions](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/regs-identify-microcaptive-transactions-as-reportable-transactions.html): The IRS issued final regulations (T.D. 10029) that - [Scottish private sector activity softens in December](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-private-sector-activity-softens-34469365): Scotland’s private sector ended last year with a - [Prop. regs. address 401(k), 403(b) automatic enrollment requirement](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/prop-regs-address-401k-403b-automatic-enrollment-requirement.html): Treasury and the IRS issued proposed regulations addressing - [Who cares? 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}form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Trump appointment of junior official to oversee State Department personnel meets resistance](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-oversight/2025/04/trump-appointment-of-junior-official-to-oversee-state-department-personnel-meets-resistance/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The appointment of a junior - [6 Tips to Effectively Plan and Execute Business Expansion](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/6-tips-to-effectively-plan-and-execute-business-expansion/): In your entrepreneurial journey, you may reach a point where your business demands growth. When this happens, you need to start planning for business expansion. Business expansion is when a company intentionally increases its reach, scale and profitability through methods that grow its operations, revenue, and market share. When you reach this point in your business, you may not know how to approach your business strategy. A solid strategy requires that you set clear goals, go through stages of assessment, conduct market research, set systems to prepare your business to scale, and more. 1. Assess If Your Business Is Ready to Grow It’s crucial to know when to expand a small business, especially because it may experience fluctuations. However, the first step is to assess whether consistency and stability in its internal operations have been achieved. Being confident in your staff is fundamental to ensure your internal operations are solid enough to consider business expansion. Additionally, your business needs to have positive cash flow to give room for the growth and disruption that comes with business expansion. 2. Set Clear, Achievable Growth Goals Setting clear and achievable goals is essential for business expansion. This involves creating a roadmap with specific targets, measurable outcomes, and deadlines for short- and long-term objectives. Here are some examples to help clarify: Short-term goals might include launching a new product or service, or increasing your audience and sales by a certain percentage. Long-term goals, on the other hand, could involve launching a subsidiary business under your company. When you’re looking at long-term goals as an SME, they may seem far-fetched, yet by breaking down the overall vision into smaller, manageable steps, businesses can track their progress, make adjustments as needed, and progressively achieve business expansion. 3. Conduct Market Research Research is crucial before expanding your business, as it helps you make informed decisions instead of relying on assumptions. By studying your industry and competitors, you gain valuable insights into what’s working in the market and what’s not. Observing your competition can inspire your strategies, highlight industry best practices, and help you avoid common pitfalls other businesses have faced. So, don’t merely look at where your competitors are thriving, but where they have shortfalls. Understanding your target market is equally important. Market research helps you uncover customer demand, affordability, buying behavior, and potential gaps you can fill with your products or services. This gives you a clearer picture of the state of your industry, like what’s trending, what’s becoming obsolete, and how your business can position itself for sustainable growth. Thorough market research better equips you to align your expansion plan with real-world demand, which increases your chances of long-term success. 4. Choose the Right Expansion Strategy There are quite a few avenues to business expansion. You must carefully consider your capacity and not simultaneously overwhelm your business with various expansion methods. If you have plans to enter new geographic markets and launch new products, it’s better to focus on one expansion at a time. Look at the resources you have available and whether they can sustain your expansion. This allows you to avoid the risk of overextending your resources. 5. Set a Budget and Secure Funding Set a clear budget outlining the costs required to execute and sustain your expansion before your business can profit. Many SMEs don’t have expansion funds lurking around, so you’ll also need to look at what funding options are available for SMEs. Fortunately, a variety of funding avenues exist for businesses aiming to expand. These options include, but are not limited to, angel investors who provide capital in exchange for equity, private equity firms that invest in established companies, crowdfunding platforms that allow businesses to raise funds from numerous individuals, and government grants and incentives designed to support business growth. Additionally, traditional bank loans should also be considered as potential funding sources. 6. Monitor, Review, and Adapt Keep a close eye on your expansion strategy’s performance. Set clear, measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) and track them regularly. This gives you a good idea of what’s working and what’s not. Don’t be afraid to change course if your KPIs aren’t being met. Be flexible and willing to adapt your strategy or even pivot to a new one. Remember, what works for one business may not work for another, so find what suits your business’s unique needs and goals. - [Salone del Mobile: Lani Adeoye Curates ‘Craft West Africa’](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/05/arts/design/lani-adeoye-salone-del-mobile.html): Lani Adeoye brings her Nigerian heritage and global - [Much-needed Boost for Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather, Thanks to This Accelerator](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/much-needed-boost-for-clothing-textile-footwear-and-leather-thanks-to-this-accelerator/): Inspiring opportunities are available in South Africa’s Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather sector (CTFL). In response to the unpredictability of international supply chains, there needs to be an emphasis on local production. According to the KwaZulu-Natal Clothing and Textile Cluster (KZNCTC), a 2024 industry analysis indicated that South African retailers are placing more efforts into domestic sourcing. In fact, localisation in the CTFL sector has grown by 58% since 2019. A huge contributor to this is that the big five retailers are all signatories of the Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Master Plan. “It’s not often you hear about Woolworths, Mr Price, TFG, and Pepkor Speciality in the same sentence,” says Kyle Ballard, Head of SME Development for the KwaZulu-Natal Clothing and Textile Cluster. “but when it comes to driving transformation in South Africa’s CTFL economy, they’re united by a shared goal.” The Retail-Clothing Textile Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Masterplan is a national strategy that has set out ambitious targets to increase local sourcing in the sector to 65% by 2030. “The vision of the masterplan is to develop a competitive, sustainable and dynamic R-CTFL value chain that provides its customers with compelling products and that is invested in growing employment and advancing inclusion and transformation,” Ballard says. “The masterplan signatories, a coalition of stakeholders including government representatives, labour unions, major retailers and manufacturers, are committed to the localisation and transformation of the sector.” KZNCTC Accelerator Overview KZNCTC Accelerator was developed in response to this opportunity. The motivation for its development was to help SMEs connect with these major retailers. “Qualifying SMMEs will be equipped with practical training and resources to develop and deliver a compelling business pitch to customers. Selected SMMEs will have the unique opportunity to pitch their business offering to a panel of leading customers (made up of Woolworths, Mr Price Sport & Apparel, TFG and Pepkor Speciality) to unlock significant sales opportunities with these customers,” Ballard explains. “Successful applicants will also have ongoing support to unlock the identified commercial opportunities and receive expert coaching to scale their business.” The SME Accelerator focuses on building sustainable relationships by fostering long-term collaboration between retailers and high-potential local manufacturers. “The programme prioritises continuous engagement, capacity-building, and competitiveness upgrading to align SMEs with market needs. By actively linking retailers with SMEs and supporting their growth, the Accelerator helps establish trust-based partnerships that drive systemic, lasting change in local sourcing,” he adds. Proven Success Through the KZNCTC Accelerator The Accelerator was first launched three years ago, and it is still going strong. It is supported by the eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development Programmes Unit and demonstrates its effectiveness over and over. “It is a practical and proven platform helping small manufacturers with market access, standards upgrading and capital investment interventions to scale their business.” Since 2019, the Accelerator has had the following impact across the CTFL, furniture, chemicals and automotive sectors: 170+ SMEs supported 120+ new commercial partnerships secured between big and small businesses Over R 169 million in new commercial opportunities unlocked in the first year of these opportunities being identified More than 1070 new jobs created For every R1 invested in the Accelerator, R4 in commercial opportunities has been created annually 20 corporate B-BBEE scorecards optimised annually Applications for 2025 are currently open, and they will be closing soon on the 14th of April. This year’s participating retailers are seeking suppliers with specific capabilities in: Ladies’ and men’s outerwear Babywear Legwear and hosiery Leather goods and accessories Grass bag and accessory suppliers Technical sports shoes Denim Small businesses in the CTFL sector that meet the following criteria should consider applying: A South African-owned manufacturing business 51% or more Black-owned Have an annual turnover of R50 million or less Are CIPC registered, tax compliant, and have been operating for at least 2 years Ready to offer products or services to large retail customers and scale your business Don’t miss your chance to join the opportunity of a lifetime. Apply before 14 April. - [Latin American migrants transfer money like never before](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/03/latin-american-migrants-transfer-money-like-never-before): Antonio Orduña has lived in Arizona for 30 - [Your Guide to Funding for Small Business Development in SA](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/your-guide-to-funding-for-small-business-development-in-sa/): A key part of small business development is funding. You might have a game-changing idea and a watertight business plan, but without funding, you won’t be able to put it into action.   The good news is that South African entrepreneurs have many different funding opportunities available to them. This includes both private and government funding schemes.   In this guide, we’ll cover some of the key small business development steps, including how to gain funding for your business.   How to Develop a Small Business?  Small businesses vary greatly in size, organisational structure, and growth capacity. However, all small businesses face the same common challenges during different growth phases.   To address these challenges, any new venture needs to have the right small business development plan. Here are a few key strategies and steps that this should include:  Clear growth plan: It’s essential to always think ahead and plan the next stages and growth opportunities for the business. A clear business plan is necessary for securing funding and ensuring the business operates effectively.  Established revenue sources: Successful small business development requires consistent, growing revenue. When developing a business, understand how to attract repeat revenue as well as to find new revenue streams.  Understand the competition: A clear competitor analysis is necessary to help any business establish its place in the market.  Find the right team: Before worrying about your small business growth trajectory, you need the right team in place. Hiring the best people for the job is the most effective way to grow quickly  Understand and manage risk: A key part of small business development is being able to take calculated risks that grow the business. Understand the risk potential and opportunity of every action, and manage these risks carefully   These are just a few of the most important small business development steps and strategies to focus on. Of course, to get to the stage where you can start to develop your business, you will need to access funding and support.  How Do I Get Funded for Business Development?  Getting funding for small business development can seem like one of the biggest challenges any new entrepreneur faces. You might have a great business idea and a solid plan, but none of it can be put into action without putting some money behind it.   There are two options to get funded for business development. You can either secure private funding or you can secure government funding and grants.   In terms of private funding, there is a long list of investors that back South African startups. To gain the attention of these investors, you will need a solid business plan and model. Many of these investors are only interested in developing small businesses that are already generating revenue, so starting your business small is usually the first step before gaining funding.  Private funding generally follows the form of equity funding. This is when an investor buys a portion of your business in return for a shareholder percentage. This means the investor receives a portion of profits. The other option is to take out a small business loan, with a bank or lender, that your business repays with interest.   To get funded for business development, some of the most important things you will need are:  A unique business idea  Proof of earning potential for your business  A clear market and growth potential  A reason for investors to trust and choose you to develop this business (Do you have expert knowledge and experience? Do you hold valuable copyrights or patents? What do you offer that other entrepreneurs don’t?)  Government Funding Options for Small Business Development  If private funding seems out of reach or unsuitable for your business model, South African entrepreneurs also have the option of government funding.  Obtaining government funding for SMEs can be done for all kinds of industries and small businesses. Funding could range from grants to incentives, each option offering a form of financial support for small business development. Government funding options include:  Full or cost-sharing grants: Grants that are usually not repayable  Incentives: This includes things like tax incentives to make it easier to start and grow a business  Equity funding: The same as private equity funding, but from a government funding agency   Seeking funding for your small business may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many different funding and business development opportunities, suitable for all kinds of businesses and entrepreneurs.   As long as your idea and plan are strong, funding and developing your business doesn’t have to be an impossible hurdle.   - [Angola Rail Line Offers Clues to Trump’s Africa Policy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/world/africa/trump-angola-lobito-corridor.html): The $4 billion project was the Biden administration’s - [Social Security Administration probes origin of website portal outage](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/benefits/2025/04/social-security-administration-probes-origin-of-website-portal-outage/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration said - [A newly discovered killing site shocks Mexico](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/03/25/a-newly-discovered-killing-site-shocks-mexico): Mexicans rarely express outrage commensurate with the country’s - [Scottish business confidence rises in March](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-rises-march-34950948): Business confidence in Scotland rose by two points - [How Climate-Resilient Chickens Could Help Fight Poverty](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/29/business/zambro-chickens-eggs-zambia.html): “How old do you think these chickens are?” - [How to Remove a Shareholder](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-remove-a-shareholder/): Business has many aspects to it, and often, there are problems that force your hand. One such case can be linked to shareholders. Shares are often given to individuals in exchange for capital, whether to expand the business or give it a financial injection. Most of the legal obligations that need to be followed by a company are set out in the Companies Act 71 of 2008. It explains what needs to happen with regard to shareholders, directors and any other aspect of “being a company”. According to the law, there are no detailed steps specifically focused on the removal of a shareholder. However, it is stipulated that a shareholder may not be forced to sell or let go of their shares. This is because shares deal with ownership, and not the operation of a company. Why Remove A Shareholder? The truth of the matter is that removing a shareholder is a last resort in a difficult situation. No business starts out thinking about how relationships are going to end. As Stirk Law explains, the company is a legal entity in its own right, apart from its shareholders or directors. The nature of the shareholder relationship, however, means that it has a powerful impact on the company’s direction and future. When a shareholder is removed, the reasons are usually one of the following: Conflicts with shareholders, pursuing other investments, and personal motives (good or bad). Where the choice to remove a shareholder isn’t the shareholder’s choice, there are many complexities at play. The rest of the shareholders will need to identify the impact the shareholder has on the company before taking any action. This can be reputational, financial and operational (i.e. making a productive, functional work environment impossible). If you drafted a solid shareholders’ agreement beforehand, it should also detail the steps for a shareholder’s removal. But if this is not available, it is recommended that you reach out to a professional solicitor to provide legal advice. A shareholders’ agreement will have clauses that stipulate what the agreement is with regard to removing a shareholder, which will determine your next steps. The Shareholders Agreement A shareholders’ agreement is the document that outlines what is expected of the individual shareholders and what their rights are. Valuation mechanism and processes to buy shares are included in the document. The agreement guides them in how to act in the best interests of the company, as well as highlights what the company provides in return, like dividend payments The binding document outlines the right clauses that pertain to removing a shareholder, such as grounds for removal (breach of contract or misconduct), or protection against removal. A drag-along clause, for instance, permits the majority of shareholders to compel the minority to join in the buyout of a company. In some cases, a forfeiture of shares can be provided as a penalty, but this is extremely aggressive and is only used in extreme cases. Your Legal Options To ensure the entire process – that is already going to be tedious – runs as smoothly and conflict-free as possible, you must factor in your legal options. In all cases, it is recommended that you approach this matter with legal counsel at your side. Share Buyout The simplest option at your disposal is to buy the shares from the individual who is being removed. It can conclude if all parties agree to both the buyout and the price. Involuntary Transfer of Shares The involuntary transfer of shares will only occur if a strict shareholder agreement made provision for it. This refers to the strict and aggressive penalty earlier mentioned. Forced Sale of Shares A ‘drag-along’ provision forces a minority shareholder to sell their shares in the event of a company being sold. Liquidation Liquidation is another last resort to be taken if you are dealing with a problematic shareholder. It involves selling the company’s assets and settling debts before distributing any remaining money to the shareholders. It is important to note that attempting to resolve disputes should be the first step in resolving problems between shareholders. Yet, a problematic situation might call for escalating the matter. Attempting to negotiate the removal process. The best-case scenario should be that the two sides part ways amicably and under acceptable terms. Where a shareholder is unwilling to part ways, the dispute will need to be resolved legally, because the individual still has rights that need to be protected. - [4 Funding Programmes open Right Now for SMEs in South Africa](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/4-funding-programmes-open-right-now-for-smes-in-south-africa/): Being an entrepreneur comes with its challenges and one of them is gaining access to funding. The time it takes to find various funding programmes can be daunting, from the research stage to the application process. Fortunately, you no longer have to search on your own. We have compiled a list of funding programmes that are open in 2025. There’s a range of programmes available with different requirements for turnover, duration of business operation, diversity requirements, and more. 1. The JSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme The JSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme aims to support the growth of private companies in South Africa. They plan to achieve this by providing a network that will position SMEs to attract the funding they need. Through this programme, SMEs gain access to one-on-one mentoring, masterclasses, expert assistance on KPIs within the programme, as well as preparation on raising capital. Like all programmes, there’s a set criterion you need to meet, which is: SME must be in operation for a minimum of two years Be a founder-led business. Turnover must be at least R 20 million. Have a teachable team of founders and management. High growth prospects. Have your funding needs outlined clearly. The business must have a desire to give back to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Must be diverse in having black and female representation in the management teams. Once you know that you’re ready to go on the hunt for funding, you need to ensure your business has a funding checklist to guide your funding applications. 2. Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) provides blended finance and business development support to informal, micro, and small enterprises in township and rural economies. The goal is to help these businesses integrate into the mainstream economy by enhancing their quality, competitiveness, and ability to tap into local and export markets. TREP also seeks to assist businesses in leveraging opportunities created by economic disruptions. Eligible businesses span multiple sectors, including clothing and textiles, bakeries, retail, automotive, personal care, and artisanal services. The scheme covers production costs, working capital, compliance assistance, business training, and market access. Financial support is structured as a mix of loans and grants, with a maximum funding of R 1 million. The financial support provided by TREP is divided into two parts. 50% is given as a grant, which has a maximum limit of R 100 000. The remaining 50% is a loan that has a fixed interest rate of 5% and must be repaid over 36 months. To apply for TREP, businesses must meet the following criteria: Be registered with CIPC, including cooperatives. Be 100% South African-owned. Have at least 70% South African employees (non-citizen employees must have valid work permits). Operate in a township or rural area. Possess a business license with the local municipality. Be registered with SARS and UIF. Have a valid business bank account. 3. National Empowerment Fund The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) was established by the National Empowerment Fund Act No 105 of 1998 (NEF Act). As a catalyst for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). The NEF exists to provide financial and non-financial support to black owned businesses in order to promote the participation of black people in the South African economy. To apply for funding through NEF, businesses must meet the following criteria: A minimum of 50,1% black ownership or interest is required. Black people must be operationally involved at the managerial and board levels.The business must create a reasonable number of jobs. The business must demonstrate the ability to repay the NEF funding The business must be commercially viable. The business must comply with all relevant laws and regulations. Rural and Community Development Projects must have substantial involvement from the communities they serve. Significant participation by black women is encouraged. Possibility of co-funding with private or public sector institutions is encouraged in larger projects. 4. Technology Innovation Agency The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) falls under the the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. TIA exists to promote innovation in South Africa that improves quality of life. The TIA aims to support the government in stimulating an environment of innovation and invention. TIA supports SMMEs, innovators, as well as research and higher education institutions. They provide support in all stages, from proof of concept all the way to the pre commercialisation stage. These are the funds established by TIA: the Seed Fund, the Technology Development Fund, and the Commercialisation Support Fund.​ All applicants for TIA must meet the following requirements: Be a South African citizen or a permanent resident with valid South African identity documents. Must be compliant with corporate governance practices.Must be tax compliant. Registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). Have the contractual capacity to engage with TIA. Any primary technology development must be carried out in South Africa unless officials from TIA give written permission to do otherwise. Divestment by public servant shareholders (no shareholding by public servants). Must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD), unless National Treasury has advised that you are precluded from doing so. Intellectual Property (IP) owned by foreign entities must be licensed or assigned to a South African entity, such as a university, science council, or a registered legal entity with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), to be eligible for funding. Applicants must comply with the B-BBEE Act and other policy and legislative requirements. Foreign owned IP applicants must ensure their South African entity has the minimum required equity ownership. Now that you know what some of the open programmes are, you can apply to get your business funded. Or, come and find out more about funding opportunities for businesses that want to scale at the Funding Summit. - [Colombia’s president had a bold peace plan. It is not working](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/01/colombias-president-had-a-bold-peace-plan-it-is-not-working): Anthony Colmenares would pick up some nappies for - [A crushing blow for the Justin Trudeau show](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/16/a-crushing-blow-for-the-justin-trudeau-show): Correction (December 17th 2024): An earlier version of this - [Canada has finally decided where to store its nuclear waste](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/05/canada-has-finally-decided-where-to-store-its-nuclear-waste): It took 14 years to find a spot - [Brazilian football looks like the next Premier League](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/05/brazilian-football-looks-like-the-next-premier-league): On November 30th 70,000 football fans piled into - [Can an agreement with the EU resurrect Mercosur?](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/12/can-an-agreement-with-the-eu-resurrect-mercosur): It took a full quarter of a century, - [Scottish economy grows 0.3% in January](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-economy-grows-03-january-34936207): Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has hailed a “strong - [A newly discovered killing site shocks Mexico](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/03/25/a-newly-discovered-killing-site-shocks-mexico): Mexicans rarely express outrage commensurate with the country’s - [A Journey on South Africa’s Blue Train](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/travel/south-africa-blue-train.html): Chaos surrounded us. Informal porters rolling luggage carts - [Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro looks set to take the throne](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/02/venezuelas-nicolas-maduro-looks-set-to-take-the-throne): “They are preparing for the coronation,” says a - [Canada and America have been fighting about timber for 40 years](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/09/canada-and-america-have-been-fighting-about-timber-for-40-years): When the boss of the US Lumber Coalition - [Justin Trudeau steps down, leaving a wrecked party and a divided Canada](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/06/justin-trudeau-steps-down-leaving-a-wrecked-party-and-a-divided-canada): On January 6th Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, - [Canada has adopted assisted dying faster than anywhere on Earth](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/16/canada-has-adopted-assisted-dying-faster-than-anywhere-on-earth): Sandra Demontigny watched early-onset Alzheimer’s transform her athletic - [From Greenland to Panama and Mexico, leaders are in shock](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/14/from-greenland-to-panama-and-mexico-leaders-are-in-shock): At Miraflores locks trains guide a ship through - [Can Brazil’s left survive without Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva? ](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/23/can-brazils-left-survive-without-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva): Since leaving hospital in December, Luiz Inácio Lula - [Ecuador chooses a leader amid murder, blackouts and stagnation](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/06/ecuador-chooses-a-leader-amid-murder-blackouts-and-stagnation): Running Ecuador seems an unenviable job. In recent - [Javier Milei’s liberal reforms are hurting yerba mate growers](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/13/javier-mileis-liberal-reforms-are-hurting-yerba-mate-growers): Many Argentines sip mate daily. The brewed, bitter - [Mexico deploys 10,000 troops to the US border](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/23/mexico-deploys-10000-troops-to-the-us-border): On the Mexican side of the border that - [Javier Milei’s crypto misadventure](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/20/javier-mileis-crypto-misadventure): Javier Milei is facing his presidency’s first big - [How Mexico and Canada handled Trump’s tariff threat](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/06/how-mexico-and-canada-handled-trumps-tariff-threat): Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, beamed as she announced - [The Trump tariff saga offers Canada’s Liberals a lifeline](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/04/the-trump-tariff-saga-offers-canadas-liberals-a-lifeline): When Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as prime - [SME South Africa Funding Summit: Bootstrapping 101](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/sme-south-africa-funding-summit-bootstrapping-101/): Are you bootstrapping your business, but just not stretching your Rands enough, or do you think there’s something you’re not doing right? Well, the SME South Africa Funding Summit will cover the ins and outs of bootstrapping a business. Bootstrapping might not be the most preferred method of funding a business, but it’s one of the most practical, and it’s how many entrepreneurs start, even if they do get other forms of funding down the line. Initially bootstrapping your business means that you have a proof of concept that investors can look at, and funding institutions can see that your business idea is indeed viable. Why Would an Entrepreneur Need to Know About Bootstrapping? According to the South African Accounting Academy, one of the reasons why businesses in South Africa fail is not only because of a lack of access to finance, but lack of planning, financial expertise and poor cash flow management. In other words, the little cash they have to start their own business is either not effectively used or isn’t properly planned for. It’s easy to think that funding your businesses out of pocket is bound to fail without big funding, but success isn’t just about having money, it’s about managing what you have wisely. With a solid strategy, a clear plan, and strong financial literacy, even a small amount of startup capital can be stretched to build something sustainable. It’s not just about how much you have, but how well you use it. Fortunately, the SME South Africa Funding Summit will have experts with real bootstrapping experience to give you the guidance you need. How Will the Summit Help With Bootstrapping? There are essential aspects of bootstrapping that every entrepreneur needs to know. Attendees of the SME South Africa Funding Summit can expect the following: Bootstrapping 101: Bootstrapping is a challenging way to fund your business, and it surely isn’t a process that should be the result of thumb-sucking. Entrepreneurs need to ensure that they conduct the necessary research to increase the likelihood of succeeding. At the summit, you’ll receive guidance on the holistic process of bootstrapping a business. Bootstrapping mistakes to avoid: When you’re starting a business with little to no guidance, you’re bound to make mistakes, and some of those mistakes can have a financial strain on you and your business. At the SME South Africa Funding Summit, we’ll have industry leaders like Sheldon Tatchell of Legends Barber to provide necessary insight on bootstrapping your business, bootstrapping mistakes to avoid, and how to scale your business with funding at the right time. When to stop bootstrapping your business: While this type of funding can work for some time, it’s important to know when to stop bootstrapping your business and take the next step. Entrepreneurs will receive insight on how to start looking for investors when they’re ready to stop bootstrapping. The Funding Summit takes place on the 12th of June, 2025 and will be the highlight of your search for funding. Come and join the eventful day for only R 350 entrance fee. No tickets will be sold at the door, so make sure you grab yours before it’s too late! Book yours on our events page. - [The Foreman-Ali Rumble That Changed Their Careers, and Congo](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/world/africa/george-foreman-muhammad-ali-rumble-jungle.html): Half a century ago, the “Rumble in the - [The Battle for Sudan’s Capital](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010061835/battle-for-khartoum-sudans-capital.html): new video loaded: The Battle for Sudan’s Capital - [Will Donald Trump shape the Mexican president’s domestic agenda?](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/03/20/will-donald-trump-shape-the-mexican-presidents-domestic-agenda): Dealing with Donald Trump is a nightmare for - [How Cuba competes with Uncle Sam in the Caribbean islands](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/03/20/how-cuba-competes-with-uncle-sam-in-the-caribbean-islands): In the middle of the covid-19 pandemic one - [Unemployment in Scotland increases slightly](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/unemployment-in-scotland-increases-slightly-34896130): Unemployment in Scotland rose slightly in the last - [Congo and Rwanda Call for Cease-Fire in Their Deadly Conflict](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/world/africa/congo-rwanda-conflict-ceasefire.html): After talks in Qatar, the two countries’ presidents - [5 Essential Tips to Improve Your CTAs](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/5-essential-tips-to-improve-your-ctas/): One of the key aspects of user-friendliness is good CTAs. If you want to improve a call to action that isn’t performing well, it’s important to revisit your strategy. The idea behind a CTA is to have a button that persuades users to act based on the message it conveys. This may seem simple, but there is a lot more that goes into it than simply commanding users to take action. Instead of placing a simple command on a button, an effective CTA is strategically positioned, considers the visual aspect, uses the appropriate tone suitable for the audience, and more. Here, we will give you 5 essential tips to help you improve your CTAs. 1. The Shorter the CTA, the Better While they don’t need to be extremely short, aim for conciseness, especially when they tend to be lengthy. For instance, if you want to say something along the lines of “buy now so you don’t miss out on your spot”, you can keep it short and concise by saying “buy now so you don’t miss out”. Short, powerful and precise CTAs allow you to get straight to the point, which gives the user exactly enough information to know what they’ll get after clicking that button. 2. Motivate Action by Starting With a Verb What’s a CTA without a verb? Nothing, right? Verbs play an essential role in urging the user to take action and increase sales from your website. The verb you start with will depend on the type of CTA you’re working on. If it is educational, then you’ll include verbs like “learn”, “start”, “read”, “see”, and many others. If you’re working on a sales conversion, you can start with verbs like “buy”, “show”, “add”, “get”, and other verbs that are associated with making a purchase. Another example is lead generation CTAs, where your verbs would be “sign up,” “join,” or “request”, 3. Use Power Words to Create FOMO and Increase Your CTA Clicks In close relation to action words, there are powerful words that can encourage users to click on CTAs. Power words are words that add to the urgency of why users should act, this includes “now”, “today”, “don’t miss out”, and “immediately”, just to mention a few. These words add a sense of fear of missing out (FOMO). It’s important not to overwhelm users with powerful words. They need to be placed strategically and used as a means to guide your user. When used accurately, powerful words can invoke emotion in your audience, urging them to act intentionally. 4. Consider the Visibility of Your CTA There are various aspects to consider with regard to the visibility of CTAs. This doesn’t merely refer to whether or not the CTA can be seen, but if it’s placed strategically, visually appealing, the typography, shape, size, colour, etc. When you’re working on your call to action, you can ask yourself the following questions: Placement: Is the CTA located in a prominent position on the page, where users are likely to see it?Visual appeal: Does the CTA stand out from the surrounding content? Is it visually appealing and eye-catching?Typography: Is the font size and style easy to read? Does it complement the overall design of the page?Shape and size: Is the CTA button large enough to be easily clickable, but not so large that it dominates the page? Does the shape of the button contribute to its visual appeal?Colour: Does the colour of the CTA button contrast well with the background and surrounding elements? Does it align with your brand’s colour scheme? 5. Run A/B Tests for Your CTAs A/B testing is a crucial step for marketers. It involves examining two versions of marketing material, such as a web page or an email marketing campaign, and making progressive changes to one version to determine which performs better. These changes could include the copy, font, colour, shape, size, or positioning of your call to action. With A/B testing, you can use data to optimise your CTA. This is done by measuring the effectiveness of your changes by analysing your performance metrics. For example, if you want to run a successful e-mail marketing campaign, you can A/B test your CTA by changing the text to something a bit more persuasive. Given that your goal is to improve your Click-Through Rate (CTR), then you’ll monitor whether the CTR of the changed CTA has improved in comparison to the unchanged one. - [Pentagon is cutting up to 60,000 civilian jobs. About a third of those took voluntary resignations](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/03/pentagon-aims-to-cut-up-to-60000-civilian-jobs-about-a-third-of-those-took-voluntary-resignations/): WASHINGTON (AP) — Roughly 50,000 to 60,000 civilian - [6 Types of Adventure Tourism Businesses](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/6-types-of-adventure-tourism-businesses/): There are various types of travel and tourism businesses, and one of them is adventure tourism. Even within adventure tourism, you will find a variety of adventure tourism businesses. South Africa offers many opportunities for adventure lovers. As a host of one of the best mountain biking scenes, free falls, hiking and trekking trails with incredible views, and much more, it is a great opportunity for adventure enthusiasts to venture into the business of adventure tourism. In this article, we’ll explore 6 types of adventure tourism businesses. 1. Hiking and Trekking Adventures Hiking involves taking a long walk in a natural setting, like a nature reserve. These walks are typically marked to guide the hikers. Trekking, on the other hand, isn’t always marked and refers to taking a lengthy, difficult journey by foot in a natural setting for multiple days. It often has rocky areas to climb, different terrain to navigate and might even have treacherous obstacles to overcome. If you choose to venture into hiking and trekking as a business, it’s best to ensure that you are deeply knowledgeable about various trails and have gone on the trails yourself. If you haven’t, you may want to build relationships with reliable tour guides who have a good understanding of hiking and trekking and know their way through wild nature. Some business ideas include guided tours, creating a hiking trail, and planning travel itineraries for hikers. 2. Rock Climbing South Africa has plenty of rock climbing locations across the country. The Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) is a national body that promotes mountaineering, hiking, and conservation. This also includes climbing of all types and hiking for its members. The benefit of being a member of the MCSA is their involvement in mountain search and rescue. In addition to that, since a lot of rock climbing locations are on private land. The MCSA negotiates access to climbing areas. A rock climbing business requires thorough planning, a deep understanding of the terrain, different locations, safety, regulations, a climbing community, and research, among other essential factors.Business ideas include becoming a climbing instructor, guided climbing tours, selling climbing gear, opening a rock climbing facility (outdoors and indoors, man-made or natural), and starting a blog about climbing. 3. Mountain Biking Mountain biking tours are an increasingly popular option for adventure tourism. If you’re knowledgeable about the sport and the area, you could start a company that offers guided tours on mountain biking trails. Alternatively, if you’re not an expert in the field, consider partnering with an experienced individual to launch a mountain biking tour company. Another side of the business you can explore is to either sell or repair mountain bikes. The general rule is that mountain bikes should be serviced every 3-4 months, so, if you position your business properly and build good relations with your customers, they’ll continue to support your business. 4. Water Sports as an Adventure Tourism Business A water sports tourism business caters to tourists who love water. Water sports contain travel activities that are water-based. This includes kayaking, surfing, river rafting, water skiing, scuba diving, and more. In water sports, you can either supply the demand for rental equipment or offer services where you have professional guides who lead people in these activities. This is a risky business, as you are dealing with large amounts of water, and nature can be unpredictable. Therefore, it’s crucial to work with experienced professionals. Water sports businesses that offer activities typically cater to individuals, tourists, groups for team-building activities, and even schools. You can also offer safety courses conducted by a trained instructor. 5. Camping Camping gives businesses the opportunity to provide an all-rounded experience. Camp tour businesses cover one part by providing the campsite and the necessary equipment, but there’s an opportunity to make it even more adventurous by adding some of the above-mentioned activities such as hiking and water sports. This type of business requires collaborating with many entities, including campsites and facilities that offer activities like kayaking, river rafting, and hiking. A camping adventure tourism business could offer two different rate options: one that covers the tent, campsite, and food, with the option to add on activities, and another that offers an all-inclusive rate encompassing activities. 6. Safari With the Big Five being such an integral part of wildlife in South Africa, safari tours are extremely popular for both local and international tourists. Safari businesses offer tours where people can spot wildlife. In addition to spotting wildlife, safari tours allow tourists to witness how wild animals engage with one another. To run a successful safari business, you need to have expert safari guides who are knowledgeable about wildlife, ecosystems, and first aid, and who can manage large and diverse groups of people. Additionally, you need to understand wildlife hotspots and travel trends and develop strategies to collaborate with local communities to encourage positive relationships and ensure business success. Photographers, bird watchers, international tourists and nature lovers are your perfect clientele. Businesses in adventure tourism is endless — start your own business today. - [AICPA Auditing Standards Board tabs Creps as chair](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/auditing-standards-board-chair.html): Catherine “Halie” Creps, CPA, has been selected as - [Netanyahu’s Move to Fire Shin Bet Chief Reflects Wider Push for Control](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-shin-bet-firing.html): The effort is part of a dispute between - [Video: Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/science/lunar-eclipse-blood-moon.html): Earth’s shadow will block most of the light - [PCAOB offers reporting guidance on a number of fronts](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/pcaob-pending-guidance.html): The PCAOB recently withdrew a rule aimed at - [Accounting & Financial Reporting](https://us.aicpa.org/interestareas/frc.rss.xml): This site is brought to you by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the global voice of the accounting and finance profession, founded by the American Institute of CPAs and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. - [How Does Peer-to-Peer Lending Work in South Africa](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-does-peer-to-peer-lending-work-in-south-africa/): With traditional funding, banks and financial institutions use their own finances to lend businesses money and charge and interest rate. Peer-to-peer Lending, also known as P2P funding is different as they do not lend out their own money, but instead, they directly match you with investors. Peer-to-peer platforms act as the middleman in this process. This is done by matching businesses who are looking for funding with investors. The platform will review your application to evaluate your status and review your credit. Additionally, they will also manage the transaction between the borrower and the investor, or multiple investors, as some loans may be collected from multiple investors. Key Benefits of Peer-to-Peer Lending in South Africa South African businesses do not have the greatest luck when it comes to accessing funding through traditional funding methods like a bank or financial institution. There are alternative funding options, one of them is peer-to-peer funding. Peer-to-peer funding brings about a wide range of benefits, which include the following: Accessibility: Accessing funding is a challenge for many businesses in South Africa, and peer-to-peer funding provides a solution for the lack of funding. Flexible loan terms: Businesses looking to borrow money may benefit from flexible repayment periods. Easier application: The application process for P2P funding is easier and more convenient in comparison to how complex applications can get through traditional funding methods. Lower interest rates: This form of funding gives businesses the chance to access competitive rates as there are different investors bidding and there are no bank overheads. Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer Lending Puts your credit status at risk: Like the risk of taking out a loan through traditional methods, P2P loans could put your credit status at risk when you miss payments. No insurance: With peer-to-peer lending, there isn’t always insurance offered to cover instances of business failure. Cost of platform fees: P2P platforms need to cover operating costs, which, in many cases, falls on the users. Peer-to-Peer Funding Platforms Sourcing funding platforms can be difficult, but there are quite a few existing peer-to-peer funding platforms for South African businesses to apply. These platforms are: RainFin RainFin is one of the popular platforms for peer-to-peer lending. RainFin exposes businesses to a secure online marketplace where businesses and individuals borrow from and lend funds to each other. FunderJet SA FunderJet is a digital platform that gives businesses and investors an opportunity to benefit from borrowing and investing. FunderJet is committed to working with South Africans and offering them improved lending rates for borrowers. How to Choose the Right Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform? Sourcing funds can be a drag, and at times, you might even become desperate, but it is important to be cautious when you’re looking for a lending platform. Conduct thorough research: Make sure you compare interest rates, fees, as well as penalties for late payments. Additionally, ensure the platforms you’re considering follow the right procedures. Look for success stories: Finding stories of businesses that have successfully accessed and repaid loans can be beneficial is legitimising the platform. Conduct thorough research: Make sure you compare interest rates, fees, as well as penalties for late payments. Additionally, ensure the platforms you’re considering follow the right procedures. Look for success stories and reviews: Finding stories of businesses that have successfully accessed and repaid loans can be beneficial in legitimising the platform. Reviews and ratings from other businesses who have used the platform can provide insight into how effective the platform is. Register on the platform: Once you’ve found a platform you feel confident in, register your business on the platform. Make sure you complete all the necessary details. Assess the platform’s customer support: A responsive and helpful customer support team can make a big difference if you encounter any issues. Position yourself as a qualifying business: Consider the platform’s requirements. P2P lending platforms have various eligibility requirements. It’s best to ensure you meet the criteria before settling on a specific platform. Propel Your Business With Alternative Finance Options Now that you know of peer-to-peer lending, you no longer have to do the run around of traditional funding methods. Peer-to-peer lets you access money for your business. Whether you’re looking for funds to invest in new equipment, expand, or cover essential operations, peer-to-peer lending platforms provide quicker access to money without the complexity of dealing with banks or financial institutions. - [Athol Fugard’s Plays Illustrated the Value of Every Human Life](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/theater/athol-fugard-plays-apartheid.html): In “Sizwe Banzi Is Dead” and other works, - [February marks third consecutive decline in Scottish private sector output](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/february-marks-third-consecutive-decline-34835436): Royal Bank of Scotland’s monthly Growth Tracker has - [7 Small Business Councils to Empower Your Business Success](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/7-small-business-councils-to-empower-your-business-success/): Trying to succeed as an entrepreneur can seem quite difficult. In actual fact there are many challenges you’re likely to come across. Whether it’s a lack of networking opportunities, lack of funding, or a need for mentorship and access to tools, all these aspects are critical in the stepping stones of a successful business. Entrepreneurs need avenues to ease the workload in some areas of business. Luckily, there are various small business councils aimed at supporting business. In this article, we’ll tell you all about them. 1. The National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) The National Small Business Chamber is a non-profit membership organisation aimed at supporting the growth of small businesses throughout Africa. The goal behind this is to sustain progression in the SME sector, job creation, and encouraging entrepreneurship. These goals are achieved through networking opportunities, practical guides and resources, events and initiatives to drive business growth. One of the initiatives that stand out is the Small Business Friday Movement, sponsored by Absa, where they motivate South Africans every Friday to go and support a small business. 2. Small Business Institute (SBI) The SBI, also known as the big voice for small businesses, aims to play a fundamental role in building an entrepreneurial environment for the SME sector. The state of the SME sector greatly affects other sectors in the South African economy, thus the improvement of SMEs would have a positive ripple effect on other sectors such as employment, economic growth, poverty reduction, and more. The SBI’s mission is to push for the government to have more support for SMEs procurement policies, legislations, and regulation. They achieve this through campaigns with big businesses whereby SMEs are prioritised in the supply chain process. 3. Ekurhuleni Community Enterprise Development Fund (ECEDF) The ECEDF aims to support the development of community enterprises. Small businesses based in the region of Ekurhuleni can benefit from this organisation. The community enterprises include individual entrepreneurs, cooperatives, informal traders, small, micro and medium enterprises, and formal businesses. This fund falls under the Ekurhuleni Ten Point Economic Plan, which is a program that aims to boost Ekurhuleni’s role in the provincial economy. 4. The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) is a federated chamber that was established in 1964 by black traders in Soweto. The chamber exists to encourage an environment of entrepreneurship, specifically for black businesses. An emphasis is also placed on being a voice for black businesses, driving collaboration and togetherness among black businesses. There are currently over 156 000 members across businesses in the NAFCOC. 5. Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) The JCCI is an independent, non-political association that aims to promote a business-friendly environment. The JCCI accommodates for every sector and all sizes of businesses, from independent entrepreneurs to large corporations. This gives room for opportunities for big businesses to collaborate and support small businesses. The Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) facilitates international trade and negotiates contracts and funding for projects. Among various benefits, businesses also benefit from opportunities to trade intentionally. 6. The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) There are various benefits to collaboration, and fortunately, this council is great for businesses looking to gain global recognition by partnering with international businesses. The ICSB offers membership opportunities where businesses can position themselves as experts, engage with other professionals, and share real-world business experiences. A membership on ICSB also lets you have your own webpage, allowing you to publish content where you can display your skills and experience. Your business will get to participate in workshops, programs, training sessions, and more. 7. The Black Business Council (BBC) In South Africa, black people are still disproportionately marginalised, which is why the Black Business Council (BBC) exists. The BBC is a membership-based organisation that aims to drive the long-term success of black businesses. Members of this council benefit from a range of tools and resources, and events. An SMME membership lets you enjoy the following: A new member profile on the BBC website and newsletter. Participate in activities like the National Economic Development and Labour Council. Nominate 2 people to sit on BBC Portfolio Committees. Access to business events, which include the BBC workshops, BBC roundtable discussions, and Annual Black Business Summit. 1 Representative at BBC’s National Council and Annual General Meeting only. Don’t miss your chance to speak to industry role players at the SME South Africa Funding Summit. Grab your ticket before it’s sold out! - [AICPA seeks feedback on independence rules related to private equity](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/independence-rules-private-equity.html): An AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) task - [AICPA emphasizes importance of a modern IRS in statement](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/aicpa-emphasizes-importance-of-a-modern-irs-in-statement.html): The AICPA is discussing conflicting reports about the - [VAT Rate Changes and The Impact on SMEs](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/vat-rate-changes-and-the-impact-on-smes/): It was expected to see many VAT changes in 2025. In the third quarter of 2024, many outlets started reporting the proposed changes to value added tax in South Africa. These included changes such as a change in the VAT rate expanding the zero-rated food basket, amending VAT charges on e-commerce transactions, and narrowing the period for VAT claims. VAT is tax that is charged on every stage of the production and distribution process, as well as on imported goods and services. Currently, it is the government’s second biggest source of income with income tax being the number one. Proposed VAT Rate in South Africa One of the biggest areas of debate the past few weeks has been about the potential VAT hike. The proposed rate change would move value added tax from 15% to 17%. The last time that the rate was increased was on 1 April 2018, when it was raised by 1%. “Any increase to VAT will have a ripple effect on the cost of most goods and services as they will significantly go up,” says Nkosinathi Mahlangu, Youth Employment Portfolio Head at Momentum Group. “This will make day to day living more expensive for the South African consumers.” He highlights that daily items like groceries, clothing, electronics and services will cost more for all consumers. “The poor households will find it steep to deal with the cost of essentials, even though some are deemed to be zero rated, but most items will remain in the VAT basket.” But it isn’t just households that will be affected, small businesses will also feel the pinch. “Businesses, especially SMEs will be expected to increase prices to cover the rising cost of trade, and this may lead to loss of customers. “The 2% VAT increase means an increase of goods and services for SMEs for two reasons. Firstly because of tax being added throughout the value chain such as raw materials and services that are VAT inclusive. Secondly, profit margins will be affected by the rising input cost thereof and business owners might struggle to keep up. Mahlangu states that with the volatile economy in South Africa, consumers might reduce their spending due to the rise in prices. “VAT reporting may continue to be a challenge for the informal sector as it may be difficult to comply with VAT reporting,” he adds. Why VAT Rate Changes Were Propposed The easy answer to why the value added tax rate increase was recommended to parliament was because the income that the government received from VAT over the past few years have been steadily decreasing. Within the previous financial year, the government only collected an additional 0,4% income through VAT. However, to make a noticeable difference in income, the government can increase the money received by R 60 billion if tax was increased to 17%. This additional income is vital because the budget for the next tax year (2025/2026) had a R 22,3 billion shortfall. The minister failed to get cabinet approval for 15% to 17% and the publication of the new budget was withdrawn last minute, throwing the coalition cabinet into a deadlock of raising and not raising value added tax. To break the stalemate, President Ramaphosa suggested a 0,75% increase. Coalition leaders have until 12 March to discuss the change before the new budget is implemented on 1 April. What Can SMEs Expect? Mahlangu highlighted that should the VAT not increase, or be implemented at a lower rate, there will be relief for SMEs. “This would mean consumers will continue to spend since prices will relatively be the same and input costs will not be tempered for the entrepreneurs. “SMEs close to the VAT registration threshold will not feel the pressure for registration purposes. Overall prices will remain the same and this may be a competitive advantage for businesses.” He concluded that this would possible the better outcome for small businesses, because the knock-on effect across the SME value chain would mean no administrative nightmare to adjust pricing. “This is a positive outlook for their survival and growth prospects in these tough economic times.” - [9 Must-Have Business Documents for Your SME](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/9-must-have-business-documents-for-your-sme/): Having the correct documentation plays a fundamental role in the smooth running of your business. Business documents can help you ensure your business is compliant with laws, easier management of employees and onboarding with your internal documents such as contractual agreements. You might have an existing small business, or perhaps you’ve been bitten by the entrepreneurship bug, and you want to find out what are the must-have business documents. Well, stick around, because we have the intel you need to ensure your business has all the required documentation. 1. CIPC Company Registration The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) deals with the registration of your company and its intellectual property. One of the legal requirements for starting a business in South Africa is to register with the CIPC. If you have a business website, you can register your domain name with the CIPC. 2. Employment Contracts There are various types of contracts you will need to have to ensure the smooth running of your business. One of them is an employment contract, these are crucial in ensuring that there are clear terms and an agreement outlined to protect both yourself as the employer and your employees. Drafting an employment contract might seem like a complex task, but it doesn’t have to be as you can draft your own employment contract. 3. Lease Agreement You need to ensure that you keep your lease agreement in your records should anything happen, and you need to revisit it. Changes may occur in your business that may need you to try and get out of your fixed-term lease. When that happens, you’ll want to be able to look back and refer to the signed agreement. 4. Files for Business Tax In order to comply with small business tax regulations, you must have good record-keeping. You need to keep various documents such as invoices, receipts, cancelled checks, credit purchases, assets, liabilities, and stock-taking. SARS requires that you keep a record of all financial losses and gains for five years. Additionally, you need to submit your tax documents to SARS every business year-end. So, keeping record of your spending and financial gains makes it easier for you when you need to get ready for tax season. 5. Finance Records Accurately keeping track of the financial records of your business not only helps you comply with SARS’ requirements but allows you to track your business’s finances effectively. One of the essential ways to track the financial status of your business is to draft a balance sheet. A balance sheet allows you to have a bird’s eye view of your business’s assets and liabilities. 6. Company Policies Developing company policies is one of the basic aspects of human resources in the workplace. In your business, you should have various company policies to outline the conduct and guidelines of your company. The policies can include health and safety guidelines, harassment and discrimination, remote work policy, device usage, and many other aspects that are necessary to cover. Company policies are essential as they allow for better management of your staff and a harmonious workflow. 7. Client, Partnership and Contractor Agreements Before you enter into any sort of agreement as a business, you must draft a written agreement to ensure that there’s proof of the agreement. It’s also important to store them safely and have a backup of the agreement. Luckily, there are digitised contracts now, as well as cloud storage options to ensure that your documents don’t get lost. 8. Employee Training and Development Documents If your business has any training and development efforts (which it should), documenting it allows you to keep track of who has completed their training and who still needs to. Documenting the process also makes it better when you reflect on your strategy and assess whether your training efforts are effective or not. 9. Legislation Wall Charts All South African employers must display the following wall charts in areas that are visible to all employees. The compulsory wall charts are as follows: Summary of the Employment Equity Act (EEA) Summary of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) Employers with machinery and boilers must display health and safety notices. A copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) for employers with 5 or more employees. - [Domestic economic sentiment declines 20 percentage points among CPA execs](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/domestic-economic-sentiment-declines-20-percentage-points-among-cpa-execs.html): Optimism about the U.S. economy dropped among CPA - [Proposed model law changes support a new path to CPA licensure](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/new-cpa-licensure-path.html): The AICPA and the National Association of State - [Is Being a House Sitter a Good Business Idea?](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/is-being-a-house-sitter-a-good-business-idea/): Visiting people’s homes and taking care of their plants and pets might seem unusual, but, when a house sitting business is marketed and managed correctly, you can turn it into a stable business. If you’re exploring ways to make income through a small business, and you’re considering house sitting, you need to find out if it’s truly the best business for you. To help you do this, we’ll look at a number of factors; what kind of person should go into this business, the benefits and disadvantages of being a house sitter, as well as understanding what house sitting entails. What is House Sitting? House sitting is the act of being in someone else’s house while they are away. One of the primary intentions behind house sitting is to allow the owner of the house to be at ease while they are away. In many cases, house sitting and pet sitting tends to be a package deal, so depending on how you set up your business, you might be required to take care of pets or plants while you house sit. You may also be required to keep the house clean while you are there. It’s important to have a clear idea of what the house owner expects from you while they are away. What Should You Charge as a House Sitter? There are different house sitting arrangements, some are paid, while others consider your free stay in their property as a payment. If you’re approaching it as a business idea to make extra money, a non-payment arrangement is not profitable. You need to establish a daily rate, depending on the type of work you’d need to do while you’re house sitting. House sitters in South Africa charge between R 400 and R 800 for a day of house sitting. If you’re doing minimal work and just started out as a house sitter, you can start off with a lower daily rate and increase it as you gain authority and traction. Who is Most Suitable for this Business? House sitting is great for people who love moving around and can adjust easily to new environments. Since many house sitting arrangements might require you to take care of pets or/and plants, you should probably be an animal lover with some experience caring for animals, and have knowledge on how to properly take care of plants. Benefits of Being a House Sitter There are many benefits that come with being a house sitter, especially if you run it efficiently, like it’s a business. These benefits are: 1. Free accommodation: House sitting serves as a form of alternative accommodation. This is especially beneficial for nomadic house sitters. 2. Get paid to travel: If you’re someone who loves to hit the road, you could avail yourself to house sit out of your city. If you’re considering this option, you should include a travel fee in your overall charge. 3. Make new friends, or pet pals: If you’re in an arrangement that includes pet sitting, you get to enjoy building bonds with new furry friends. Additionally, you can acquaint yourself with neighbours nearby. Disadvantages of Being a House Sitter While there are many benefits to running a house sitting business, there are quite a few disadvantages as well. These include: 1. Safety concerns: When you’re staying in someone else’s house, especially if it’s your first time there, you might feel unsafe and uneasy. 2. House sitting is a huge responsibility: House sitting involves more than just staying in someone’s home; it demands responsible behaviour. This includes following the homeowner’s security measures, as overlooking something as simple as locking all the doors could lead to a burglary. 3. Loneliness: Being in an unfamiliar environment can bring the challenge of feeling lonely, especially if it’s your first time in that location. How to Run a Successful House Sitting Business House sitting does sound like something you can casually arrange and run informally, but, to increase your chances of succeeding, it’s best to have a plan in place. Here are 3 ways to help your house sitting business succeed: 1. Have a business plan: No matter how small your business may be, it’s never too small for a thorough business plan. Among other things, outline your business description, your marketing strategy, and the specific services you offer to avoid overlapping roles. 2. Collect reviews: Find ways to collect and share customer success stories from your previous clients. This will help you build trust among your current customers and any new potential customers. 3. Consider diversifying your services: If you can highlight other strengths you have, such as pet sitting, cleaning or perhaps, you’ve got gardening experience. You can even go the extra mile and offer to shop their groceries closer to the time the owners will be back home. - [Treasury says it won’t enforce BOI fines or penalties against U.S. citizens, businesses](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/treasury-says-it-wont-enforce-boi-fines-or-penalties-against-us-citizens-businesses.html): U.S. citizens and businesses will not be subject - [Why Congo’s Vast Army Is Struggling to Fight M23](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/world/africa/congo-army-weak-rwanda-m23.html): Its soldiers are underpaid and underarmed. Its ranks - [Unknown Illness Kills Dozens in Congo as Experts Clash on Cause](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/world/africa/congo-mystery-illness.html): The World Health Organization speculated that a mass - [Top 20 firm CohnReznick executes the latest private-equity deal](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/cohnreznick-private-equity-deal.html): News FIRM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT By Bryan Strickland Another - [FinCEN extends BOI reporting deadline, halts enforcement](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/fincen-extends-boi-reporting-deadline-halts-enforcement.html): The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will extend - [Cash Versus Accrual Accounting](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/cash-versus-accrual-accounting/): You’ve come across cash and accrual accounting, but are you unsure of the difference between the two? Differentiating between cash and accrual accounting might seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. The difference is distinguished based on when the timing of the purchases was noted. With cash basis accounting, the expenses and revenue are recorded only when there is evident cash. With accrual accounting, the expenses and revenue can be recognised even when they have not been released yet, for instance, an invoice for a future payment falls under accrual accounting, whereas cash accounting would not record that payment until it’s received. Who Should Use Cash Accounting? Cash accounting is most suitable for small businesses that want to easily manage cash flow or make below a certain revenue threshold. In South Africa, the only businesses allowed to use cash basis accounting are sole owners and partnerships that have a turnover of less than R 2,5 million. Additionally, national and provincial governments use a modified cash basis form of accounting. How Does Cash Accounting Work? To look at cash accounting practically, look at the following example: Business X has a printing shop and prints t-shirts for client Y, who they’ve had a long-term working relationship with. The cost of printing 250 t-shirts is R 42 000. Business X sends out an invoice to client Y on March 3, however, the payment terms only require the client to pay within 14 days. Client Y only makes the payment on 16 March. With cash accounting, the payment is not recognised on March 3 when the invoice was sent, but it is recognised on 16 March when the payment has been received. Benefits of Cash Basis Accounting Simpler bookkeeping processes which allow you to manage the finances on your own. Allows you to easily manage your business’s cash flow. Income is only taxed with recognised payments. SMEs can deduct their expenses in the year they are paid, even if the expenses were for the previous year. Disadvantages of Cash Basis Accounting Does not provide an accurate view of your business’s finances. Does not provide a view of long-term finances of your business, making it harder to plan for certain aspects required to propel your business. Delayed recognition of your expenses, since expenses like bills are only recognised when they are paid. Who Should Use Accrual Accounting? The term accrual refers to the accumulation of something over a certain time. In the context of finance, refers to the gradual accumulation of accrued payments over a period of time. If you’re the sole owner of a business or in a partnership with a turnover of more than R 2,5 million, you are required by law to use accrual accounting. Additionally, if the nature of your business doesn’t typically deal with immediate payments. For instance, if you have a service-based business and long-term clients where projects take months or are continuous for years. Benefits of Accrual Accounting Provide stakeholders with a clear view of your finances. Gives businesses the opportunity to analyse their finances and assess whether they can afford to provide the services/goods they provide or take on any new projects. You get to view your finances in real time. Suitable for long-term partnerships and large amounts of money. Disadvantages of Accrual Accounting How Does Accrual Accounting Work? Let’s refer back to the scenario we mentioned earlier. Business X has a printing shop and prints t-shirts for client Y. They have printed 250 t-shirts for R42000. Business X sends out an invoice to client Y on March 3, giving the client a deadline of 14 days to make payment. Client Y only makes the payment on 16 March. With accrual accounting, the payment is recognised even when there is an anticipated payment, such as an invoice, so, when the invoice is sent out on March 3, the expected amount will be recorded. Which Accounting Method Is The Best for Your Business? The best method to use is dependent on the type of business you have and the needs of your business. If you run a small business that focuses on short-term cash flow, cash accounting might be the best method for you. - [How to Find the Right Hashtags for Your Business](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-find-the-right-hashtags-for-your-business/): Online business growth requires entrepreneurs to utilise hashtags effectively. The appropriate use of hashtags allows businesses to reach a wider audience, increase engagement, and attract potential customers. However, using the wrong hashtags can result in low online visibility and wasted time and effort. This article will guide you on how to find the right hashtags to boost your business. Understand the Purpose of Hashtags Hashtags categorise your content. Making it easy for people to find your posts related to a specific topic. When you are using hashtags the correct way, your posts appear in search results and reach people who are interested in your industry. The use of #FreshBread and #BakingTips or #SweetTreats hashtags enables food enthusiasts to locate your bakery content. Research Your Industry Hashtags Every industry has specific hashtags that attract potential customers. Start by looking at businesses similar to yours and see what hashtags they use. You can check what influencers in your industry are using. For example, if you are in the fitness industry, common hashtags include #FitnessGoals, #HealthyLiving, and #WorkoutMotivation. If you are in the fashion business, try #StylePro or #TrendyLooks. Use Hashtag Research Tools There are many free and paid tools that exist to help users discover the most suitable hashtags. Some popular tools include: Hashtagify: Helps you discover trending hashtags. RiteTag: Provides hashtag recommendations according to your written content. Instagram and Twitter Search: Type a keyword related to your business and see which hashtags are popular. These tools enable you to discover hashtags that maintain a healthy combination of high popularity and lower competition. Choose a Mix of Hashtag Types Different types of hashtags should be combined to successfully reach your target audience. The following three hashtag types should be considered: Popular Hashtags: These have a high number of posts and can increase exposure. Examples: #SmallBusiness, #Entrepreneur, #Marketing. Specific Hashtags: Target your industry sector and have less competition. Examples: #HandmadeJewelry, #VeganRecipes, #DigitalMarketingTips. Branded Hashtags: Create a unique hashtag for your business. This helps customers find all your content easily. Example: if your business is called “GreenEarth Cosmetics,” you can use # GreenEarthBeauty. Check Hashtag Performance Some hashtags fail to produce results for business marketing purposes. The performance of your hashtags needs evaluation to understand which ones generate the most engagement. Multiple social media sites, including Instagram and LinkedIn, allow users to view metrics that show the number of viewers who accessed your content because of specific hashtags.If certain hashtags are not working, try different ones until you find the best combination. Avoid Banned or Overused Hashtags Instagram and other platforms prohibit specific hashtags because they contain spam or inappropriate content. Your posts may become hidden when you use these particular hashtags. Before using hashtags, make sure they are not banned from use. Avoid using overly popular hashtags like #Love or #InstaGood, as your post will get lost among millions of others. Keep Updating Your Hashtags Hashtag trends change over time. What works today may not be effective in a few months. Keep researching and updating your hashtag strategy to stay relevant. Follow industry news, monitor competition, and use hashtag research tools to keep up with the latest trends. Best Practices for Using Hashtags The following best practices will help you achieve maximum benefit from using hashtags: Use the right number: Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but using 10 to 15 relevant hashtags is usually effective. On Twitter, 1 to 2 hashtags work best. Place Hashtags Wisely: You can include hashtags in the caption or the comments section to keep your post looking clean. Be specific: Instead of using broad hashtags like #Food, try something more specific like #HealthyEatingTips. Engage with hashtags: Don’t just use hashtags; engage with posts under the same hashtags by liking, commenting, and sharing. According to best-hashtags.com, the best business hashtags popular on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok are: #Business#Entrepreneur#Marketing#Smallbusiness#Motivation#Money#Businessowner#Entrepreneurship#Success Investing time and effort into finding appropriate hashtags will lead to valuable outcomes. Your business growth and customer acquisition can be achieved through industry hashtag research, tool selection performance tracking, and trend monitoring. Experience different hashtags for your brand today to identify which ones provide optimal results for your brand. - [Scottish business confidence rises to six-month high](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-rises-six-34761170): Business confidence in Scotland rose 11 points during - [PEEC releases final revised guidance for Sec. 529 plans](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/peec-releases-final-revised-guidance-for-sec-529-plans.html): The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) approved - [Business Ideas to Try in 2025](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/business-ideas-to-try-in-2025/): There are many people around the world who dream of starting their own business. Having your own business means you can take control over the business and its operations and have a say on its growth. Also, having your own business gives people more control over their professional careers and finances. In order to start taking control of your future and money, you need to find the right business idea for yourself. The right business idea needs to align with your skills, finances and your future career plans. In this article, we look at the entrepreneurship ideas you should consider pursuing in 2025. Determining the Right Business Idea Here are some factors that you should consider when finding the right business idea. Keep in Mind Your Skills and Credentials As you seek the right business idea, you need to consider your skills and what you can bring to the business. If you have skills in cooking, consider starting a catering company or a cooking class business. Or if you have experience as a writer, you might want to do an editorial services business. Also consider what licenses, permits or certificates you will need depending on the industry you work in and overall government regulations. Outline Your Business Goals You need to do a comprehensive outline of the goals you want to hit with your business. Consider factors such as: How much money do you want to earn from the business How many clients/customers do you need to be profitable How many hours will you need to work to make the business feasible What are the capital costs Will the business require equipment or other financial investments Do you need employees Will you expand to multiple locations Will it be an online business or location-based The answers to these considerations will help you create a robust business plan that considers all your business goals. Market Analysis You need to conduct proper market analysis before you open up shop. Part of the research is looking at your competition, target audience and location (if needed). For example, if you want to run a boat cleaning business, you need to have a location next to the coast and ensure you offer services not offered by other boat cleaning businesses. Additionally, you need to ensure that you have enough demand for your product or service. The demand for your offering will give you a good client base for the launch of your business, and shows that people are willing to spend on your offering. Business Ideas for 2025 Here are some business ideas you should consider taking on in 2025. Dropshipping First time business owners are going to benefit greatly from dropshipping. Dropshipping is usually done online and involves using an e-commerce website to help customers make purchases.Dropshipping is easier because you don’t need to fulfill any deliveries. You are only a facilitator for purchases and the product is delivered by the company that makes it. Airbnb/short Term Rentals This type of business can be a great way to generate high profits in a short space of time. You can do this by registering for Airbnb or renting out the extra space in your backyard. Ensure you read up on all regulations and licenses needed before starting your rental business. Graphic Designer This is a great business idea especially in the digital marketing age. You don’t need a lot of equipment for graphic design, just your experience, your graphic design programme and laptop. Ensure you have a robust portfolio showcasing your work so you can get a good client base. Content Creation Content creation is a growing business idea for many people. Businesses are now prioritising their content creation and looking for people who can do it for them. Content creation includes anything from podcasts to written content to visuals. Property Development Property development is becoming a viable business idea for many people. You can do anything from commercial, residential, luxury residential complexes, and mixed-use property. Property development does need a lot of capital, but there are long-term financial benefits to it. Remember to always check that you have all the necessary licenses and permits needed to start your property development business. Now that you have the tools necessary to start your business, you can go ahead and get started. Remember to find the right business for you and ensure it aligns with your goals and future plans. For more information on business ideas and opportunities, check out this article about ideas. Head to our events page to buy your ticket for the SME South Africa Funding Summit today! - [Acting IRS commissioner steps down](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/acting-irs-commissioner-steps-down.html): Douglas O’Donnell, the acting IRS commissioner, told employees - [Catholics Pray for Ailing Pope Francis at Sunday Mass](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/world/asia/mass-pope-francis-prayers-photos.html): The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized for more - [As Conflict Rages in Congo, President Offers U.S. Minerals Deal](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/world/africa/congo-rwanda-tshisekedi-interview.html): As vast swaths of Congolese territory are seized - [The cost of doing business: Pay increases may be muted in 2025](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/pay-increases-2025.html): Boosting spending on technology remained ahead of pay - [AICPA ethics committee corrects authoritative guidance](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/aicpa-ethics-committee-corrects-authoritative-guidance.html): The official release containing revised authoritative guidance published - [BOI injunction lifted; FinCEN promises 30-day filing delay](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/boi-injunction-lifted-fincen-promises-30-day-filing-delay.html): A federal district court lifted the last remaining - [Top Tips to Improve Your Social Media Engagement](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/top-tips-to-improve-your-social-media-engagement/): Social media is the new ‘it girl’ of marketing for businesses. Through social media tools and resources, businesses can now market to individual customers while also giving their businesses a personality, continuously aiming to improve social media. For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), social media can be a great cost-effective way to get connected with existing and potential customers. However, for this to happen you need a proper social media strategy that also addresses social media engagement strategies. Social media engagement is a factor that measures how your audience interacts with your social media content. The engagement is measured through likes, comments, shares, clicks and other measurable actions. In this article, we look at social media engagement as a concept and give you tips on how to improve your own. The 50-30-20 Social Media Engagement Rule The 50-30-20 rule is there to help you balance out your content. The breakdown of the rule is as follows: 50% of your social media posts should be about your audience 30% of your posts should reflect your brand 20% should be dedicated to promotional materials This rule will help you shift your perspective about your social media posts. Instead of only focusing on pushing promotions, you need to consider the people who see your content. The 50% The 50% is all about your audience. This means you will create content that resonates with your audience, makes them think and maybe makes them laugh or smile. Your content needs to tell a story to your audience. This can be done with new, recycled and user-generated content. If you have done proper research into your target market, you will be able to curate your content so that it fits their interests, challenges and all the little things that make your audience unique. The 30% The 30% is about your brand. This section should outline your brand identity, values and what makes you tick. When posting your brand, you should integrate personality and ethos into your posts. The goal with the 30% is to make your brand relatable. You can share content such as behind-the-scenes looks, stories on how your product came to be or what motivates you on a daily basis. Creating a narrative around your brand encourages followers to invest in your cause through interest, admiration and community involvement. The 20% The smallest slice of this pie is the 20% dedicated to promoting your offerings. Use your small slice to tell your audience about what items or services you have, the latest promotions or any sales/discounts they should know about. However, be careful not to turn your feed into a sales catalogue. When posting about your promos, think about framing them in such a way that they still align with other posts. Invite your audience into your promotional ‘circus’ by presenting them with irresistible deals, a limited-time offer, or a giveaway that aligns with 50% of audience-focused content. The 50-30-20 rule is such a great guideline for your content strategy. Before you are ready to start implementing it, you need to ensure you have a comprehensive content calendar. Tips for Improving Your Engagement Here are some tips you can use to help you improve your social media engagement. Tip 1: Grow Your Following Social media is all about the numbers. If you have more followers, your posts will receive more engagement. Focus on attracting quality followers who not only boost engagement but also provide the opportunity to convert those followers into loyal customers who make purchases. Tip 2: Authenticity Goes a Long Way Social media users will (sometimes) base their likes and support for a brand based on their attraction to its voice and personality. This means to increase your engagement; you need to be more authentic. Find a social media marketing voice that aligns with your brand and use it to interact with your online audience. Tip 3: Respond to Your Followers You need to reply to your followers to create a conversation with them. You can do this by replying to incoming mentions, comments and direct messages (DMs). This shows you care about your customers and want to talk to them about their issues or queries. Tip 4: Share Good Quality Content Social media is not just about sharing content but also about sharing quality content. You should use the 80/20 rule when creating social media content. This means 80% of your posts are there to either educate, entertain or help your followers with their problems. 20% should be focused on promoting your business. Tip 5: Use Visual Assets Social media is a fast-paced game. When posting you need to use content that will grab the attention of your followers. You can capture attention by using visual assets such as videos (at the ideal length), photos and infographics. This will help you stand out amongst your competition and improve overall engagement. Tip 6: Follow Your Post Schedule When and how often you post will have a significant impact on your social media engagement. To ensure you maximise engagement, you need a content schedule that outlines the best time of day to post and the right content to post. Tip 7: Track Everything To see if your content is working, you need to track key performance metrics. This means tracking everything from likes, and comments to shares and saves. You can use analytics tools (most platforms have them built-in) and social media listening tools. Using these tips you can fully improve your social media engagement and overall conversion rates. Social media can be such a great way to increase your sales revenue and connect with your audience in a more personal way. For more information on leveraging social media for your SME, read about the social media app features you must try. Remember to purchase your SME South Africa Funding Summit tickets today! - [What Is The National Small Business Chamber?](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-is-the-national-small-business-chamber/): South Africa has many businesses and with that comes a lot of business chambers. Business chambers are there to ensure its members and their interests are protected and promoted. Having business chambers is important for businesses as they elevate the concerns of businesses and ensure they are operating in a fair environment. With so many businesses, one of the biggest chambers is the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC). The NSBC is a non-profit member organisation that works to foster the sustainability and growth of the small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) industry. As SMEs continue to search for opportunities in funding, education, talent and other skills, the NSBC provides a centralised resource for all this. In this article, we take a deep dive into the NSBC and how it helps SMEs. How Does the NSBC Work? The NSBC works to address the challenges, needs and wants of its SME base. The NPO’s purpose is to foster sustainability, growth, job creation, reducing unemployment and nurturing South Africa’s entrepreneurial sector and spirit. Additionally, the organisation bases whatever it does on the results of its large-scale national surveys. Currently, there are over 234 thousand SMEs and global brands that work with the NSBC as partners. NSBC Initiatives The organisation has a range of initiatives on its website. These are designed to help SMEs with access to various resources. Access to Finance Initiative The NSBC’s access to finance initiative is not yet launched but will be available to SMEs soon. Under the initiative, members can apply for their required financing and receive the following: Free credit report Guides on how to get funding ready Free ticket to the Finance Indaba How to “Become Financially Fit” Initiative Under this initiative, SMEs are educated on their financial and credit health and empowered to improve their personal and business credit profiles to access the funding required to grow and maintain their businesses. The ‘How to become financially fit’ initiative is in partnership wit Experian and gives members access to free credit information through the Experian education app. Launch My Start-up Initiative Launch My Startup is an enterprise and supplier development (ESD) programme developed by the NSBC. The aim of the initiative is to sponsor over 100 high-potential startups every year using ESD funding. To qualify for the programme, you need to meet the following criteria: Your business must be 51% or more black-owned Your business must be operating longer than 6 months Your business can be operating in any industry Once you have applied, the NSBC will get back to you within 5 days if your application is successful. Prompt Payment Code Initiative The Prompt payment code initiative is aimed at ensuring big businesses pay SMEs within 30 days for services rendered. Public supporters of this initiative commit to: Paying SMEs within 30 days once the final and compliant invoice is received or terms have been agreed Provide SME suppliers with clear and accessible guidance on payment procedures Ensure there is a system for dealing with complaints and disputes Advising within 7 days if the invoice is incorrect Search Engine Gateway Initiative The search engine gateway initiative is in partnership with Google. This programme is aimed at helping SMEs get a high Google ranking for their businesses. Through the initiative, you can build your online profile and: Build your digital presence Get your business found easily online Increase website traffic Boost sales and conversion rates Small Business Friday Initiative Small Business Friday is an initiative in partnership with Absa. The movement is aimed at encouraging South Africans to support local businesses and is done throughout the year with its peak being the first Friday of Spring every year. Build a Business Academy The Build a Business Academy is an online education platform for SMEs and entrepreneurs. The platform works with the NSBC to deliver ongoing learning through Build a Business Guides. The guides on the platform can be accessed from anywhere and anytime, are produced with high-quality content, are cost-effective and easy-to-use. NSBC Licensee Initiative This initiative is for individuals or businesses who want to help SMEs reach their goals. The function of this initiative is to network with SMEs through referrals and invite them to become members of the NSBC. The NSBC licensee initiative is for people who have commercial experience and entrepreneurial flair. Once in the programme, you get the following benefits: NSBC licensee status Personalised Microsoft Exchange NSBC e-mail Personalised and branded e-mail signature Personalised NSBC licensee dashboard to help you manage your new business Full training and implementation Ongoing support from the NSBC If you want to be part of this programme, there is a required startup investment fee of R 38 500. The NSBC is a one-stop shop for all things small business. For SMEs looking for support, resources and information on the SME sector, the NSBC is a great membership to have. Head to our events page to get your tickets for the SME South African Funding Summit today! - [AICPA urges IRS to meet needs of taxpayers, preparers during filing season](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/aicpa-urges-irs-to-meet-needs-of-taxpayers-preparers-during-filing-season.html): AICPA leaders said Sunday the IRS should consider - [M23 Rebels in Congo Say They Have Entered Bukavu](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/world/africa/in-latest-advance-rebels-in-congo-say-they-have-entered-a-key-city.html): Last month, M23 rebels backed by Rwanda took - [Gold Mine Collapse in Mali Kills at Least 43](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/world/africa/mali-gold-mine-collapse.html): The accident took place in an open-pit area - [AICPA auditing board approves two exposure drafts for public comment](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/aicpa-auditing-standards-board-exposure-drafts.html): The AICPA Auditing Standards Board (ASB) voted Thursday - [Jobless claims stay low in latest week](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-stay-low-in-latest-week-27b4b50b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [BOI reporting deadline extension passes US House](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/boi-reporting-deadline-extension-passes-us-house.html): A bill to extend the deadline for an - [Lower auto depreciation limits issued for first time in at least 3 years](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/lower-auto-depreciation-limits-issued-for-first-time-in-at-least-3-years.html): For the first time in at least three - [Consumer sentiment improves for first time in six months](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-improves-for-first-time-in-six-months-5abff86e?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [How Immigrants and Labor, Long Joined in L.A., Set the Stage for Protest](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/business/economy/la-protests-immigrants-unions.html): Unions have backed immigrant rights in California and - [Trump Hails Progress With China, but Details Are Sketchy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/business/economy/us-china-trade-deal.html): Two days of trade talks resulted in what - [Israel Deports Greta Thunberg and Other Activists on Gaza Aid Boat](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/world/middleeast/israel-greta-thunberg-deport-gaza-flotilla.html): The environmental campaigner was sent home after she - [As Trump’s Tariffs Reshape Trade, Businesses Struggle With Economic Uncertainty](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/business/economy/trump-tariffs-economy-uncertainty.html): At the worst point of the labor shortage - [Why Trump Is Trying to Send Deportees to South Sudan](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010202665/why-trump-is-trying-to-send-deportees-to-south-sudan.html): new video loaded: Why Trump Is Trying to - [Marina von Neumann Whitman Dead: International Trade Expert Was 90](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/business/economy/marina-von-neumann-whitman-dead.html): She was the first woman to serve on - [Imports Plummet in April as Trump’s Tariffs Weigh on Trade](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/business/economy/us-trade-data-deficit.html): Americans bought fewer pharmaceuticals, cellphones and cars from - [Procter & Gamble slashing up to 7,000 jobs amid restructuring effort](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/procter-gamble-slashing-up-7000-jobs-amid-restructuring-effort): Waddell & Associates CEO and chief investment strategist David Waddell - [Proctor & Gamble slashing up to 7,000 jobs amid restructuring effort](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/proctor-gamble-slashing-up-7000-jobs-amid-restructuring-effort): Waddell & Associates CEO and chief investment strategist David Waddell - [Suriname’s chaotic democracy just chose its first woman president](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/05/surinames-chaotic-democracy-just-chose-its-first-woman-president): His finger ink-stained from voting, Wagirin Tjokrosetiko, a - [Swimming-pool economics haunt Latin America](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/05/swimming-pool-economics-haunt-latin-america): TO SEE REALITY in the Buenos Aires suburb - [Mexico’s ruling party, Morena, has captured the judiciary](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/05/mexicos-ruling-party-morena-has-captured-the-judiciary): On the evening of June 1st, as polls - [U.S. trade deficit cut in half in April on plunge in imports from Trump tariffs](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-trade-deficit-cut-in-half-in-april-on-plunge-in-imports-from-trump-tariffs-41aa8985?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Service side of the U.S. economy contracts for first time in almost a year due to trade fights](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/service-side-of-the-u-s-economy-contracts-for-first-time-in-almost-a-year-due-to-trade-fights-ff53818f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump’s Domestic Policy Bill Could Hurt Global Poor, Especially Africa](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/world/africa/trump-bill-remittance-tax-africa.html): After slashing foreign assistance and introducing steep tariffs, - [Dollar General stock soars on better-than-expected Q1 results, raised guidance](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-general-stock-soars-on-better-than-expected-q1-results-raised-guidance-327ff0da?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Consumer sentiment improves at the end of May following temporary trade truce with China](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-improves-at-the-end-of-may-following-temporary-trade-truce-with-china-549ab54c?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [How Skateboarders Helped Rebuild San Francisco’s U.N. Plaza](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/business/economy/san-francisco-skateboarding-un-plaza.html): Made quickly and with minimal fuss, a park - [U.S. trade deficit in goods plummets in April, pointing to higher GDP in second quarter](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-trade-deficit-in-goods-plummets-in-april-pointing-to-higher-gdp-in-second-quarter-099c55f7?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Scottish business confidence rises in May](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-rises-35304883): Business confidence in Scotland rose 12 points during - [Powell met with Trump at White House and stressed he would be non-political, Fed says](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/powell-met-with-trump-at-white-house-and-stressed-he-would-be-non-political-fed-says-3d95641a?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Venezuela’s sound of silence](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/29/venezuelas-sound-of-silence): Venezuelans are calling it the “ghost election”. On - [Why Latin American Surrealism is surging in a down art market](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/29/why-latin-american-surrealism-is-surging-in-a-down-art-market): In 1956 the painter Diego Rivera stated that - [Kohl’s stock climbs on Q1 revenue beat, reaffirmed outlook](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/kohls-stock-climbs-on-q1-revenue-beat-reaffirmed-outlook-e5baf4a7?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading effort to slash federal government](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/people/2025/05/elon-musk-criticizes-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-a-fracture-in-a-key-relationship/): Musk’s departure comes after he criticized the centerpiece - [Best Buy’s stock drops after it cuts profit outlook on tariff impact](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/best-buys-stock-drops-after-it-cuts-profit-outlook-on-tariff-impact-ce97a764?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Nvidia shares rise on strong Q1 earnings, despite export control headwinds](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/nvidia-shares-rise-strong-q1-earnings-despite-export-control-headwinds): Making Money host Charles Payne discusses artificial intelligence - [GameStop buys over $500M worth of bitcoin in 1st crypto investment](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/gamestop-buys-over-500m-worth-bitcoin-first-crypto-investment): Vertical Research Advisory managing partner Kip Herriage discusses - [The king “loves” Canada. Many Albertans want out](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/28/the-king-loves-canada-many-albertans-want-out): “The true north is indeed strong and free.” - [Forbes demands action from UK Government after GDP falls](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/forbes-demands-action-uk-government-35299444): Scotland’s economy shrank in both February and March - [Macy’s stock rises as earnings, revenue beats offset a cut to profit outlook](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/macys-stock-rises-as-earnings-revenue-beats-offset-a-cut-to-profit-outlook-9dbbd9a6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump’s Tariffs Drive a Rise in Trade Crime](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/business/economy/trump-tariffs-trade-crime.html): As President Trump’s tariffs have ratcheted up in - [Consumer confidence rebounds in May on easing of U.S.-China tensions](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-confidence-rebounds-in-may-on-easing-of-u-s-china-tensions-c3e635c8?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Volvo to cut 3,000 jobs amid Trump tariff fight](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/volvo-cut-3000-jobs-amid-trump-tariff-fight): President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters on - [Autozone stock rises on first revenue beat in five quarters](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/autozone-stock-rises-on-first-revenue-beat-in-five-quarters-4f696358?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump’s Plan to Revive US Shipbuilding Would Take Billions and Many Years](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/business/economy/trump-shipbuilding-china.html): President Trump and members of Congress want to - [Trump Makes False Genocide Claims. South Africans Respond With Humor.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/world/africa/trump-false-genocide-claims-south-africans-respond-humor.html): The jokes mask a deep-seated anger over the - [Have You Seen Evidence of Trade Crime? We Want to Hear From You.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/business/economy/have-you-seen-evidence-of-trade-crime-we-want-to-hear-from-you.html): The New York Times is looking to talk - [U.S. economy improves in May after slump last month, S&P PMI surveys show](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-economy-improves-in-may-after-slump-last-month-s-p-pmi-surveys-show-2c17690f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [An election win boosts Javier Milei’s reform project](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/22/an-election-win-boosts-javier-mileis-reform-project): In most of the world mid-term elections for - [BJ’s Wholesale’s stock rises as retailer maintains guidance despite Q1 revenue and comparable sales miss](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bjs-wholesales-stock-rises-as-retailer-maintains-guidance-despite-q1-revenue-and-comparable-sales-miss-ef556452?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Wildfires devastated the Amazon basin in 2024](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/21/wildfires-devastated-the-amazon-basin-in-2024): Smoke choked Earth’s lungs last year. Of the - [Target’s stock drops as earnings fall below forecasts, and the outlook was lowered](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/targets-stock-drops-as-earnings-fall-below-forecasts-and-the-outlook-was-lowered-5e3012a3?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [When U.S. and Israel Bomb the Houthis, Civilians Pay the Highest Price](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/world/middleeast/houthi-militants-civilians-us-israel.html): Military strikes in Yemen and sanctions targeting the - [Musk says he will remain Tesla CEO in coming years](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/musk-says-he-remain-tesla-ceo-coming-years): ‘The Big Money Show’ panelists react to Elon - [Home Depot’s profit falls short as same-store sales lag estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/home-depot-falls-short-on-adjusted-profit-as-same-store-sales-lag-a3910561?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [U.S. Says It Wants Trade, Not Aid, in Africa. Cuts Threaten Both.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/world/africa/us-africa-foreign-assistance.html): President Trump’s slashing of foreign assistance threatens road - [Bath & Body Works brings on former Nike exec as new CEO](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/bath-body-works-brings-former-nike-exec-new-ceo): Cable operators merge in mega deal; Luxury sector - [STEPHEN MOORE: Why Moody's credibility should be questioned after downgrade of US federal bonds](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/stephen-moore-why-moodys-credibility-should-questioned-after-downgrade-us-federal-bonds): SlateStone Wealth’s Kenny Polcari and Key Advisors Wealth - [Consumer sentiment falls for 5th straight month in May as inflation worries grow](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-falls-for-5th-straight-month-in-may-as-inflation-worries-grow-58e124d8?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [The World Is Wooing U.S. Researchers Shunned by Trump](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/business/economy/trump-research-brain-drain.html): As President Trump guts American research institutions, world - [UnitedHealth shares slide as criminal probe report adds to investor fears](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/unitedhealth-shares-slide-criminal-probe-report-adds-investor-fears): Palumbo Wealth Management CEO & CIO Philip Palumbo - [Mexico will be the only country that elects all its judges](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/15/mexico-will-be-the-only-country-that-elects-all-its-judges): On June 1st Mexicans will vote to elect - [Walmart’s stock jumps as outlook maintained, streak of earnings beats extended](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/walmarts-stock-jumps-as-outlook-maintained-streak-of-earnings-beats-extended-4b2d557f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [José Mujica became the antithesis of a caudillo](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/14/jose-mujica-became-the-antithesis-of-a-caudillo): It is not a flashy country and José - [Brazilian supercows are taking over the world](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/14/brazilian-supercows-are-taking-over-the-world): The master of ceremonies at ExpoZebu, a cow - [Trump’s China Deal Frees Up Shipping. Will Goods Pour Into the U.S.?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/business/economy/trump-china-trade-shipments.html): The temporary lowering of tariffs may compel some - [Trump Administration Considers Large Chip Sale to Emirati A.I. Firm G42](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/business/economy/trump-chip-sale-to-emirati-ai-firm-g42.html): The firm, which the U.S. government scrutinized for - [Lay Catholics Expected to Retain Big Role in Pope Leo XIV’s Church](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/world/europe/pope-leo-xiv-lay-catholics-synodal.html): When still a cardinal, the new pope led - [Trump Suggests Openness to Slashing China Tariffs Ahead of Trade Talks](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/us/politics/trump-us-china-tariffs-80-percent.html): The president said reducing tariffs to 80 percent - [Disney CEO Bob Iger delivers new magic for investors](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/disney-ceo-bob-iger-delivers-new-magic-investors): Disney wowed investors by announcing its seventh theme - [Trump Administration to Announce Trade Deal With Britain](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/business/economy/trump-trade-britain.html): A deal would be a positive sign for - [Xi Jinping tries to press China’s advantage in South America ](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/08/xi-jinping-tries-to-press-chinas-advantage-in-south-america): On May 12th Xi Jinping, China’s president, will - [U.S. productivity, secret sauce of economy, falls for first time in almost three years](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-productivity-secret-sauce-of-economy-falls-for-first-time-in-almost-three-years-3297e340?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Jobless claims fall in latest week, no sign of wider layoffs](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-fall-in-latest-week-no-sign-of-wider-layoffs-c582b32d?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [4 Lessons for Trump From the UK’s Failed Rwanda Migrant Deportation Deal](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/world/europe/trump-migrants-rwanda-us-uk.html): The United States is said to be in - [WW, known as Weight Watchers, files for bankruptcy and the stock plunges](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ww-known-as-weight-watchers-files-for-bankruptcy-and-the-stock-plunges-4062393b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Can President Trump Turn Back the Economic Clock?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/magazine/trump-economy-finance-history.html): Historians make their names by persuading people to - [Trump Officials to Meet With Chinese Counterparts Amid Trade Standoff](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/business/economy/us-china-trade-talks.html): Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, and Jamieson Greer, - [Trade deficit hit record in March on stockpiling of goods ahead of tariffs](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trade-deficit-hit-record-in-march-on-stockpiling-of-goods-ahead-of-tariffs-8002aa81?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Ford Says Tariffs Will Cost Company $1.5 Billion in 2025](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/business/economy/ford-earnings-tariffs.html): Ford Motor also reported a sharp drop in - [Ford Says Tariffs Will Cost Company $1.5 Billion in 2025](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/business/economy/ford-earnings-tariffs.html): Ford Motor also reported a sharp drop in - [Rwanda in Talks With Trump Administration to Take in Migrants Deported From U.S.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/world/africa/rwanda-trump-deportees.html): Discussions with the Central African country come as - [Would the Housing Crisis Ease if Boomers Rented Out Their Empty Rooms?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/business/economy/housing-crisis-multifamily-adu.html): Millions of single-family homes are underused, on spacious - [‘People Who Are Salaried Are Crying’: Taxes on Workers Add to Debt Misery](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/business/economy/kenya-debt-taxes.html): The pay stubs tell the story. Hefty deductions - [Trump Ends Chinese Tariff Loophole, Raising the Cost of Online Goods](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/business/economy/trump-china-tariffs-de-minimis.html): Supporters say the change is important to stop - [Apple edges past expectations as world girds for tariff impact](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/apple-edges-past-expectations-world-girds-tariff-impact): Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Apple on - [GM Cuts Profit Forecast by 20% and Says Auto Tariffs Will Cost It Billions](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/business/gm-tariffs-profits.html): General Motors now expects to earn a lot - [A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/business/economy/trump-trade-economy.html): When the Covid pandemic hit, factories in China - [Kohl's fires CEO Ashley Buchanan after investigation](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/kohls-fires-ceo-after-investigation): Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Kohl’s announced - [Canada’s new Conservative coalition resembles Donald Trump’s](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/30/canadas-new-conservative-coalition-resembles-donald-trumps): On the surface, Canada’s election on April 28th - [Taiwan Condemns Somalia for Barring Its Passport Holders From Entering](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/world/africa/taiwan-somalia-passport-ban-china.html): The decision comes as Taipei has been building - [Scottish onshore GDP shrunk 0.2% in February](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-onshore-gdp-shrunk-02-35144760): Scotland’s onshore gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by - [Scottish business confidence falls - but remains above UK average ](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-falls-remains-35137276): Business confidence in Scotland fell 15 points during - [New Data Provide a Pre-Tariff Snapshot of a Stable but Slowing Labor Market](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/29/business/economy/slow-but-stable-labor-market-pre-tariffs.html): But the effects of the levies, which have - [Mark Carney leads Canada’s Liberals to a remarkable victory](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/29/mark-carney-leads-canadas-liberals-to-a-remarkable-victory): CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER Mark Carney has won a - [Israeli Spy Chief to Step Down After Clash With Netanyahu](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/world/middleeast/israeli-spy-chief-netanyahu-ronen-bar-clash.html): The departure of Israel’s domestic intelligence chief appeared - [Scottish businesses 'struggle against policy changes'](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-businesses-struggle-against-policy-35103357): Scottish businesses are raising prices and hiring fewer - [Trump Team Races to Form Trade Deals After Tariffs Sow Global Chaos](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/business/economy/trump-tariffs-trade-deals.html): The president’s threats of tariffs have brought countries - [Scott Bessent Accuses IMF and World Bank of ‘Mission Creep’](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/business/bessent-imf-world-bank-overhauls.html): Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday called for - [UK private sector activity falls to more than two-year low](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/uk-private-sector-activity-falls-35102390): Activity across the UK’s private sector has plunged - [Chobani Plans to Invest Over $1 Billion in New N.Y. Factory](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/business/dealbook/chobani-dairy-factory-ny.html): The company, which has branched out from Greek-style - [Trump Joins Japan Trade Talks, Says ‘Big Progress’ Made](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/world/asia/japan-trump-tariffs.html): For his first face-to-face talks on tariffs, the - [American Pastor Kidnapped in South Africa Is Rescued After Shootout](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/world/africa/south-africa-pastor-kidnapping-rescue-josh-sullivan.html): Three suspects were killed as the police moved - [Guatemala’s indigenous people grow impatient with their champion](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/16/guatemalas-indigenous-people-grow-impatient-with-their-champion): When a cabal of elites that many Guatemalans - [Why Bootstrapping Builds Better Businesses – Even If It’s Harder](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/why-bootstrapping-builds-better-businesses-even-if-its-harder/): Given the choice, most entrepreneurs would probably choose outside funding over bootstrapping, and honestly, who can blame them? Getting a cash injection upfront sounds a lot easier than building from the ground up with limited resources. But here’s the thing: bootstrapping might just be the best thing you do for your business. You learn how to make smart decisions with your own money, build resilience for your business, and you stay in control, with no investors steering the ship, and no pressure to scale before you’re ready. You might end up reaching a point where you feel your business demands external support, however, there are reasons to build your business from the ground up. In this article, we’ll help you understand exactly why bootstrapping might be your best bet – for now. 1. Maintain Independence in Your Business One of the biggest upsides of bootstrapping? You don’t have to answer to anyone. No board meetings packed with people who’ve never run a business like yours, telling you what direction to take. No pressure to hit impossible growth targets just to satisfy investor expectations. When it’s your money on the line, you call the shots. That means you can stick to your original vision, or change it without someone asking you to change the plan every now and again. One of the popular examples of a successfully bootstrapped business is Basecamp. For a while, they chose to stay small and focused, even when they could’ve chased funding. Even though they did get some funding later on (after rejecting over 100 investors), Basecamp’s founder and CTO, David Heinemeier Hansson, stated in a piece that Basecamp was already doing well without outside money, and that they accepted some investment, but it didn’t change how the business was run. 2. Reach Your Full Potential Bootstrapping is hard, no doubt, and you might make mistakes on the way. But the long nights and that grind? It shapes you. When you’ve only got a few thousand in the bank and you’re trying to make your personal expenses while growing a business, you learn how to become clever. Bootstrapping mistakes directly impact your own finances, so you’re forced to think creatively, to solve problems with what you’ve got. That mindset can stick with you long after the scrappy phase is over. It’s how companies like Mailchimp did it. It started as a side hustle with no outside funding and eventually became one of the biggest bootstrap exits by selling at $12 billion. They were able to achieve that on their own terms. That’s the kind of long game bootstrapping lets you play. 3. Fast Money Can Backfire Getting a big cash injection sounds great, until the pressure kicks in. The risks of funding include a slippery slope of growth targets, investor updates, and premature scaling. Scaling too soon can put a strain on your team and company as a whole, potentially leading to issues like a misallocation of funds, inefficient processes, and a loss of focus on core business objectives. Additional issues include operational bottlenecks, customer dissatisfaction, and ultimately, financial instability. Bootstrapping, on the other hand, allows businesses to grow organically, ensuring that expansion is aligned with their capabilities and market demand. 4. Avoid the VC Hamster Wheel Angel investors and venture capitalists (VCs) are primarily interested in significant returns, typically achieved through rapid growth and eventual company exits. This investment model often pressures startups to prioritise aggressive expansion over sustainable development.​ Bootstrapping allows entrepreneurs to avoid the “VC hamster wheel.” The VC hamster wheel refers to how businesses are placed in an endless cycle (like a hamster wheel) where continuous funding rounds lead to escalating expectations and potential loss of autonomy. 5. Steady and Sustainable Growth Bootstrapping allows your business to grow steadily and sustainably. By carefully allocating funds and scaling as your business grows, you can build a sustainable growth model. Without the constant pressure to deliver massive growth in a short time, you can focus on building a solid foundation, understanding your customers, refining your offerings, and solidifying your business systems. Once your business model has proven itself over a couple of years and demands significant growth, you can consider alternative funding options for your business. - [How to Fund Your First Commercial Property Build with a Construction Loan](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-fund-your-first-commercial-property-build-with-a-construction-loan/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Did Trump Manipulate the Stock Market?](https://www.nytimes.com/video/business/economy/100000010106635/did-trump-manipulate-the-stock-market.html): new video loaded: Did Trump Manipulate the Stock - [The Breakaway State That Wants a Deal With Trump](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010100198/somaliland-us-international-recognition.html): new video loaded: The Breakaway State That Wants - [Earth Is Spinning Faster, Making Some Summer Days Shorter](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/science/earth-speeding-up-summer-days-shorter.html): The planet’s rotation fluctuates as it travels around the sun, and measurements suggest we’re losing more than a millisecond during the long days of summer.It wouldn’t be summer without the stretched out days. The dawns break early and the dusks come late, affording more time for lazy beach trips and long barbecues under the slow curve of the sun.But when it comes to the full astronomical day — a single rotation of planet Earth in which the hour hand moves twice around a standard clock — some of this year’s shortest are happening in July and August.This week has seen the shortest days of the year so far. According to data from the U.S. Naval Observatory and the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service, Tuesday’s rotation was about 1.34 milliseconds less than 24 hours.More quick spins are expected this week, later this month and in early August, according to predictions from the website Time and Date.This isn’t completely out of the ordinary: Our world’s spins have been faster than usual lately. The average day has mostly shortened over the past decade, and within the past five years or so, the full rotation has clocked in at a hair less than 24 hours more often than not. Factors driving the change include movements at Earth’s core, atmospheric changes and the moon’s position.But long-term trends do not suggest that the days will shorten in perpetuity. In fact, it is just the opposite. For many millenniums, the days have been growing longer. A Tyrannosaurus rex that lived 70 million years ago would have experienced an average daily rotation of about 23 1/2 hours, studies have found.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Celebrating Humanity, Stubbornly, at Europe’s Photography Mecca](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/arts/design/arles-france-rencontres-de-la-photographie.html): Since the 1970s, the Rencontres d’Arles has been - [As Climate Change Heats Up Europe’s Summers, Avignon Festival Tries to Adapt](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/theater/avignon-festival-heat-climate-change.html): Rising temperatures pose an existential threat to the - [Cairo Telecommunications Building Hit With 2nd Fire in a Week](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/world/middleeast/egypt-fire-cairo-telecom.html): A blaze on Thursday at one of Egypt’s main telecommunications hubs was extinguished, days after a larger fire there killed four people and disrupted internet, transport and banking services.A fire broke out at one of Egypt’s main telecommunications hubs on Thursday evening, according to state news media, days after a blaze there killed four people and disrupted internet, transport and banking services.The fire on Thursday in central Cairo at a building known as the Ramses Exchange was much smaller than the one on Monday and was quickly extinguished, the media company Al Ahram reported, citing local authorities.There was no official information about the cause of either fire. Egyptian prosecutors said they had launched an investigation.The telecommunications exchange is run by state-owned Telecom Egypt and is one of many handling phone and internet services. Officials said that services had largely been restored, but some Egyptians still complained on Friday of patchy internet connections, especially in the area near the Ramses Exchange.The earlier blaze killed at least four people and injured at least two dozen others, according to the local government. Internet connectivity dropped to about 40 percent of normal levels, according to NetBlocks, a group that tracks internet outages.The fire also disrupted the stock exchange and banking sectors and delayed flights, according to local news reports, with some Egyptians posting photos on social media of air travelers using handwritten boarding passes. Customers were unable to buy train tickets for nearly two days in parts of the country, according to local media. The stock exchange reopened on Wednesday.Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly visited the exchange on Wednesday and said the government would produce a recovery plan to ensure that the building returned to full operation as soon as possible, the Egyptian cabinet said in a statement.The fire on Monday started on a floor that houses equipment run by telecommunications operators, the nation’s Ministry of Communications said in a statement. Despite the presence of fire suppression equipment, the blaze quickly spread to other floors, it said. - [Interesting Times: A Mind-Bending Conversation with Peter Thiel](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/podcasts/interesting-times-a-mind-bending-conversation-with-peter-thiel.html): Listen to and follow ‘Hard Fork’Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTube | iHeartRadioThis week, we’re bringing you a recent interview from “Interesting Times with Ross Douthat,” one of The New York Times’s newest podcasts. In this episode, Ross sits down with Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal and Palantir and one of the most contrarian thinkers in tech. Together, they unpack Thiel’s theory that we’re living through an era of technological stagnation, and debate whether President Trump’s populism and the development of artificial intelligence will help us unlock new progress.Guest:Peter Thiel, co-founder of Paypal and Palantir.Additional Reading:Peter Thiel and the AntichristThe New York TimesCredits“Hard Fork” is hosted by - [Is A.I. the Future of Web Browsing?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/technology/personaltech/ai-internet-browser-dia.html): A test of the app Dia illustrates that the humble web browser may be the path to making artificial intelligence more natural to use.When was the last time you thought about your web browser?If you don’t remember, no one will blame you. Web browsers have remained fundamentally unchanged for decades: You open an app, such as Chrome, Safari or Firefox, and type a website into the address bar. Many of us settled on one and fell into what I call “browser inertia,” never bothering to see if there’s anything better.Yet a web browser is important because so much of what we do on computers takes place inside one, including word processing, chatting on Slack and managing calendars and email.That’s why I felt excited when I recently tried Dia, a new kind of web browser from the Browser Company of New York, a start-up. The app is powered by generative artificial intelligence, the technology driving popular chatbots like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, to answer our questions. Dia illuminates how a web browser can do much more than load websites — and even help us learn and save time.I tested Dia for a week and found myself browsing the web in new ways. In seconds, the browser provided a written recap of a 20-minute video without my watching its entirety. While scanning a breaking news article, the browser generated a list of other relevant articles for a deeper understanding. I even wrote to the browser’s built-in chatbot for help proofreading a paragraph of text.Dia is on the cusp of an emerging era of A.I.-powered internet navigators that could persuade people to try something new. This week, Perplexity, a start-up that makes a search engine, announced an A.I. web browser called Comet, and some news outlets have reported that OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, also plans to release a browser this year. OpenAI declined to comment. (The New York Times has sued OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems. The two companies have denied the suit’s claims.) Tech behemoths like Google and Apple have added lightweight A.I. features into their existing browsers, Chrome and Safari, including tools for proofreading text and automatically summarizing articles.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Trump Seeks to Cut Basic Scientific Research by Roughly One-Third, Report Shows](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/science/trump-science-budget-cuts.html): An analysis by the American Association for the Advancement of Science shows the impact of the administration’s budget plan on the kind of studies that produce the most breakthroughs.President Trump’s budget plan guts federal science funding for the next fiscal year, according to an overview published by an external group. Particularly at risk is the category of basic research — the blue-sky variety meant to push back the frontiers of human knowledge and sow practical spinoffs and breakthroughs in such everyday fields as health care and artificial intelligence.The group says it would fall by more than one-third.The new analysis, made public Wednesday by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a general scientific society based in Washington, D.C., added up cuts to the budgets of hundreds of federal agencies and programs that do scientific research or provide grants to universities and research bodies. It then compared the funding appropriated for the current fiscal year with the administration’s proposals for fiscal year 2026.For basic science research, the association reported that the overall budget would fall to $30 billion from $45 billion, a drop of roughly 34 percent. For science funding overall — which includes money for basic, applied and developmental work, as well as for facilities for research and development — the analysis found that the federal budget would fall to $154 billion from $198 billion, a drop of 22 percent.The new analysis shows that the Trump administration’s budget plan, if adopted, “would essentially end America’s longstanding role as the world leader in science and innovation,” said Toby Smith, senior vice president for government relations and public policy at the Association of American Universities.His group, Mr. Smith added, is working with Congress to develop “a funding plan for strategic investment that would help to sustain continued American scientific leadership rather than destroying it.”Mary Woolley, president of Research America, a nonprofit group that promotes science, said the new analysis showed that the budget plan “is threatening not only science but the American public. If approved by Congress, it will make the public less safe, poorer and sicker.”The Gutting of America’s Medical Research: Here Is Every Canceled or Delayed N.I.H. GrantSome cuts have been starkly visible, but the country’s medical grant-making machinery has also radically transformed outside the public eye.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Trump Seeks to Cut Basic Scientific Research by Roughly One-Third, Report Shows](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/science/trump-science-budget-cuts.html): An analysis by the American Association for the Advancement of Science shows the impact of the administration’s budget plan on the kind of studies that produce the most breakthroughs.President Trump’s budget plan guts federal science funding for the next fiscal year, according to an overview published by an external group. Particularly at risk is the category of basic research — the blue-sky variety meant to push back the frontiers of human knowledge and sow practical spinoffs and breakthroughs in such everyday fields as health care and artificial intelligence.The group says it would fall by more than one-third.The new analysis, made public Wednesday by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a general scientific society based in Washington, D.C., added up cuts to the budgets of hundreds of federal agencies and programs that do scientific research or provide grants to universities and research bodies. It then compared the funding appropriated for the current fiscal year with the administration’s proposals for fiscal year 2026.For basic science research, the association reported that the overall budget would fall to $30 billion from $45 billion, a drop of roughly 34 percent. For science funding overall — which includes money for basic, applied and developmental work, as well as for facilities for research and development — the analysis found that the federal budget would fall to $154 billion from $198 billion, a drop of 22 percent.The new analysis shows that the Trump administration’s budget plan, if adopted, “would essentially end America’s longstanding role as the world leader in science and innovation,” said Toby Smith, senior vice president for government relations and public policy at the Association of American Universities.His group, Mr. Smith added, is working with Congress to develop “a funding plan for strategic investment that would help to sustain continued American scientific leadership rather than destroying it.”Mary Woolley, president of Research America, a nonprofit group that promotes science, said the new analysis showed that the budget plan “is threatening not only science but the American public. If approved by Congress, it will make the public less safe, poorer and sicker.”The Gutting of America’s Medical Research: Here Is Every Canceled or Delayed N.I.H. GrantSome cuts have been starkly visible, but the country’s medical grant-making machinery has also radically transformed outside the public eye.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [3 Teenagers Arrested Over Cyberattacks That Cost U.K. Retailers Millions](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/business/cyber-attack-arrests-marks-spencers-harrods-coop.html): Four people total were arrested in connection with - [Maya Ruler’s Tomb Is Unearthed in Belize, With Clues to His Ancient World](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/world/americas/maya-tomb-caracol-belize.html): A rare mosaic death mask made of jadeite and vessels in the shapes of an owl, a monkey and coati-mundi were found with the ruler.The archaeologists worked in the shadow of towering Maya ruins, piercing the floor of a structure they had searched years before.Below, they found an even more ancient chamber, still holding a body and the treasures it was buried with: a rare mosaic death mask and jadeite jewelry, shells from the Pacific and elaborate designs on pottery and bone.It was the 1,700-year-old tomb of a Maya ruler — the first ever found at Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize — and it held clues to a Mesoamerican world where cities contended with one another from hundreds of miles apart.“They’ve found a very early ruler, so that’s very important, and he’s claimed to be the founder of a dynasty,” said Gary Feinman, an archaeologist at Field Museum of Chicago who was not involved in the excavation. “That’s a major find.”Arlen Chase, one of the archaeologists working at Caracol, was among the first to enter the tomb. “As soon as we saw the chamber, we knew we had something,” he said.From the style of ceramic vessels, he knew the tomb was exceptionally old. From the red cinnabar all around, he knew it was for someone of very high status.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Delta stock soars, lifted by better-than-expected earnings and restored full-year guidance](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/delta-stock-soars-lifted-by-better-than-expected-earnings-and-restored-full-year-guidance-6ca4514f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [European Union Unveils Rules for Powerful A.I. Systems](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/business/ai-rules-europe.html): Makers of the most advanced artificial intelligence systems will face new obligations for transparency, copyright protection and public safety. The rules are voluntary to start.European Union officials unveiled new rules on Thursday to regulate artificial intelligence. Makers of the most powerful A.I. systems will have to improve transparency, limit copyright violations and protect public safety.The rules, which are voluntary to start, come during an intense debate in Brussels about how aggressively to regulate a new technology seen by many leaders as crucial to future economic success in the face of competition with the United States and China. Some critics accused regulators of watering down the rules to win industry support.The guidelines apply only to a small number of tech companies like OpenAI, Microsoft and Google that make so-called general-purpose A.I. These systems underpin services like ChatGPT, and can analyze enormous amounts of data, learn on their own and perform some human tasks.The so-called code of practice represents some of the first concrete details about how E.U. regulators plan to enforce a law, called the A.I. Act, that was passed last year. Tech companies played a major role in drafting the rules, which will be voluntary when they take effect on Aug. 2, before becoming enforceable in August 2026, according to the European Commission, the executive branch of the 27-nation bloc.The European Commission said companies that agreed to the voluntary code of practice would benefit from a “reduced administrative burden and increased legal certainty.” Officials said those that do not would have to prove compliance through other means, which could potentially be more costly and time-consuming.It was not immediately clear which companies would join. Google and OpenAI said they were reviewing the final text. Microsoft declined to comment. Meta, which had signaled it will not agree to the code of conduct, did not have an immediate comment. Amazon and Mistral, a leading A.I. company in France, did not respond to a request for comment.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Starmer and Macron Agree to Nuclear Deterrence Pact to Fend Off Threat to Europe](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/world/europe/starmer-macron-nuclear-agreement.html): The two leaders are set to confirm details - [Yemen’s Houthi Militia Took Sailors Hostage After Red Sea Attack, U.S. Says](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/world/middleeast/houthis-red-sea-hostages.html): The Yemeni militia, backed by Iran, said it had sunk a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea. Liberia said the attack killed two crew members.Yemen’s Houthi militia has taken hostage some of the crew members of a cargo ship they attacked earlier this week, the U.S. Mission to Yemen said on Wednesday on social media. The move is an escalation of a conflict that has already disrupted global shipping.“We call for their immediate and unconditional safe release,” the Embassy’s statement said.The Houthi attack on Monday on the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged vessel that was sailing through the Red Sea, killed at least two of its crew members, according to Liberian officials who spoke to a United Nations meeting on Tuesday.A Houthi military spokesman, Yahya al-Sarea, said in a statement on Wednesday that the militia had attacked the ship with cruise and ballistic missiles because it was headed to an Israeli port. The Times could not independently confirm the ship’s destination.Mr. al-Sarea said that after the attack, the group “responded to rescue a number of the ship’s crew, provide them with medical care and transport them to a safe location.”He did not specify how many crew members the Houthis had transported, where they were taken or when they would be released. In 2023, the militia seized a ship called the Galaxy Leader and held its crew hostage for more than a year.The Houthi statement also did not mention the crew members who were killed.On Tuesday, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi political official, declined to comment on the attack but told the Times that the group “cares about the safety of sailors.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Linda Yaccarino Tried to Tame X. Now She’s Out as CEO](https://www.wired.com/story/linda-yaccarino-x-ceo-resigns-elon-musk/): Linda Yaccarino, who has served as CEO of - [Life Expectancy in California Has Not Rebounded After Covid](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/health/life-expectancy-california.html): The state’s life expectancy was lower in 2024 than in 2019, according to an analysis, but primarily as a result of causes of death other than Covid.If the nation’s largest state is any gauge, American life expectancy in the post-Covid era has not bounced back.A new analysis published on Wednesday in the medical journal JAMA found that life expectancy in California not only decreased sharply in the peak pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, it remained lower in 2024 than it was in 2019, primarily as a result of causes other than Covid.Drug overdoses and cardiovascular disease, for example, accounted for a larger proportion of the deficit than Covid as time went on.“I have to say, I was quite disappointed by our findings,” said Hannes Schwandt, a health economist and economic demographer at Northwestern University, who led the study.After a pandemic, he said, researchers often expect to see the depressed life expectancy numbers shoot back up and “usually even overshoot for a few years.” That is because the viruses tend to kill the population’s older, sicker people who might have otherwise died in later years.“Four years after the beginning of the pandemic, for the largest state in the country to still have a deficit — that’s mind-blowing,” he said. “Really quite a tragedy.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [French Police Raid National Rally Over Campaign Finances](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/world/europe/france-national-rally-raid.html): The authorities said they are investigating whether the - [Britain’s Economic Bind: Face Public Disapproval or Investor Wrath](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/business/uk-economy-reeves-starmer.html): The Labour Party is starting its second year - [Grok, Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot, Shares Antisemitic Posts on X](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/technology/grok-antisemitism-ai-x.html): The artificial intelligence chatbot, which has a dedicated account on X, praised Hitler after fielding a query about a user’s comments on the Texas flood.Grok, a chatbot created by Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, shared several outlandish antisemitic comments on X on Tuesday, prompting an outcry from some social media users.In its dedicated account on X, which Mr. Musk owns, the chatbot praised Hitler, suggested that people with Jewish surnames were more likely to spread online hate and said a Holocaust-like response to hatred against white people would be “effective.” X deleted some of the posts on Tuesday evening.Grok, which Mr. Musk has put few limits on, has veered into controversy before. But its comments on Tuesday stood out because it weighed in on the deadly floods in Texas, which have killed more than 100 people, including more than two dozen children and staff members at a Christian summer camp.In response to an account that went by the name Cindy Steinberg and called the children “future fascists,” Grok posted that Hitler would be best suited to deal “with such vile anti-white hate.”“Adolf Hitler, no question. He’d spot the pattern and handle it decisively, every damn time,” the chatbot wrote in a post.After an X user asked why Hitler would be most effective, Grok replied with a post that appeared to endorse the Holocaust.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Ivar Giaever, Nobel Winner in Quantum Physics, Dies at 96](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/science/ivar-giaever-dead.html): A former “D” student from Norway, he made his mark at G.E.’s Research Lab in the U.S., in part by confirming a pivotal theory about superconductivity.Ivar Giaever might not have won the Nobel Prize in Physics if a job recruiter at General Electric had known the difference between the educational grading systems of the United States and Norway.It was 1956, and he was applying for a position at the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady, N.Y. The interviewer looked at his grades, from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in Trondheim, where Dr. Giaever (pronounced JAY-ver) had studied mechanical engineering, and was impressed: The young applicant had scored 4.0 marks in math and physics. The recruiter congratulated him.But what the recruiter didn’t know was that in Norway, the best grade was a 1.0, not a 4.0, the top grade in American schools. In fact, a 4.0 in Norway was barely passing — something like a D on American report cards. In reality, his academic record in Norway had been anything but impressive.He did not want to be dishonest, Dr. Giaever would say in recounting the episode with some amusement over the years, but he also did not correct the interviewer. He got the job.He proceeded to spend the next 32 years at the laboratory, along the way developing an experiment that provided proof of a central idea in quantum physics — that subatomic particles can behave like powerful waves.The experiment, using superconductors — material that is able to convey electricity without resistance so that a current running through it will never dissipate — also confirmed a game-changing theory about superconductivity.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Antigovernment Protests Erupt Across Kenya, Killing Dozens](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/world/africa/kenya-antigovernment-protests-ruto.html): Simmering anger against President William Ruto’s government has - [The Bayeux Tapestry, a British Masterpiece, Returns to England After 900 Years](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/world/europe/bayeux-tapestry-england-france-british-museum.html): The embroidered work, depicting the Norman Conquest of - [Royal Family Welcomes President Macron to U.K. for State Visit With Pomp and Pizazz](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/world/europe/macron-uk-state-visit-royal-family-photos.html): President Emmanuel Macron is on a state visit - [Stock Markets Rise After Trump Extends Tariff Deadline](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/business/trump-tariffs-stock-markets-sp500.html): The president noted that U.S. negotiators remained open - [Aix Festival: How to Experience It From Afar](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/arts/music/aix-festival-opera-highlights-2025.html): Many of the offerings at the Aix-en-Provence Festival - [OpenAI and Microsoft Bankroll New A.I. Training for Teachers](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/technology/chatgpt-teachers-openai-microsoft.html): The tech industry’s campaign to embed artificial intelligence chatbots in classrooms is accelerating.The American Federation of Teachers, the second-largest U.S. teachers’ union, said on Tuesday that it would start an A.I. training hub for educators with $23 million in funding from three leading chatbot makers: Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic.The union said it planned to open the National Academy for A.I. Instruction in New York City, starting with hands-on workshops for teachers this fall on how to use A.I. tools for tasks like generating lesson plans.Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said the A.I. academy was inspired by other unions, like the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, that have worked with industry partners to set up high-tech training centers.The New York hub will be “an innovative new training space where school staff and teachers will learn not just about how A.I. works, but how to use it wisely, safely and ethically,” Ms. Weingarten said in an interview. “It will be a place where tech developers and educators can talk with each other, not past each other.”The industry funding is part of a drive by U.S. tech companies to reshape education with generative A.I. chatbots. These tools, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot, can produce humanlike essays, research summaries and class quizzes.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Strongest rise in Scottish private sector activity since November](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/strongest-rise-scottish-private-sector-35513567): Business activity across the Scottish private sector rose - [Franklin W. Stahl, 95, Dies; Helped Create a ‘Beautiful’ DNA Experiment](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/science/franklin-w-stahl-dead.html): He and a colleague proved a theory advanced by the Nobel Prize winners James Watson and Francis Crick, who discovered DNA’s helical structure.Franklin W. Stahl, a molecular biologist who helped create a methodology to confirm how DNA replicates that was so elegant it has been remembered for more than five decades as “the most beautiful experiment in biology,” died on April 2 at his home in Eugene, Ore. He was 95.The cause was congestive heart failure, his son Andy Stahl said. His death was not widely reported at the time, and there was no announcement about it from the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he was a professor and researcher.At his death, Dr. Stahl was an emeritus professor of molecular biology and genetics at the university’s Institute of Molecular Biology. He had been at the university since 1959.Dr. Stahl’s name and that of his collaborator, Matthew Meselson, were immortalized by the Meselson-Stahl Experiment, which is referenced in biology textbooks and taught in molecular genetics courses worldwide. In 2015, “Helix Spirals,” a musical tribute to the experiment, was composed by Augusta Read Thomas and performed by a string quartet in Boston.The two biologists proved a theory advanced by the Nobel Prize winners James Watson and Francis Crick, who discovered DNA’s helical structure in 1953. Watson and Crick posited in the journal Nature that DNA replicates in a so-called semi-conservative fashion.In 1958, Dr. Meselson and Dr. Stahl, postdoctoral fellows in Linus Pauling’s laboratory at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., proved that Watson and Crick were correct, by using an experiment that was celebrated for its design, execution and results.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Here Are Trump’s New Tariff Threats](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/business/trump-tariffs-trade-deals-august-1.html): President Trump has told 14 countries that they - [Von der Leyen Faces No-Confidence Vote in Far-Right Challenge](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/world/europe/von-der-leyen-no-confidence-vote.html): Ahead of the vote on Thursday, Ursula von - [Valery Gergiev, Shunned in West Over Putin Support, Will Conduct in Italy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/arts/music/valery-gergiev-italy-festival.html): Valery Gergiev, an ally of Vladimir V. Putin, - [How the Assad Regime Built a Mass Grave in Syria](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010209709/how-the-assad-regime-built-a-mass-grave-in-syria.html): new video loaded: - [How Europe Got Stuck Between Xi’s China and Trump’s America](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/world/europe/european-union-china-tariffs.html): European Union officials will spend July in talks - [Inside the secret military dialogue between Britain and Argentina](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/06/inside-the-secret-military-dialogue-between-britain-and-argentina): America’s top brass worries about the South Atlantic. - [Fiona the Pregnant Sea Reptile’s Fossil Hints at the Birth of a New Ocean](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/science/ichthyosaur-fossil-fiona-chile.html): An ichthyosaur preserved beneath a Chilean glacier is helping scientists understand the extinct animals and the world around them as a supercontinent broke up.About 131 million years ago, a pregnant ichthyosaur — a dolphin-like reptile of the dinosaur era — swam in seas that are now part of southern Chile. And then she died.An accomplice in the killing: the breakup of the southern supercontinent of Gondwanaland.South America, once unified with Africa and Antarctica, pulled away, and a new ocean basin called the Roca Verdes opened up.“One of the hypotheses is that this is actually the opening of the early South Atlantic Ocean,” said Matthew Malkowski, a professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.The geological forces that pulled apart the continents also ruptured the Earth’s crust, causing volcanoes and earthquakes, and those earthquakes sometimes set off massive underwater landslides.One day in the early Cretaceous period, one of those landslides collapsed down a submarine canyon in Roca Verdes, generating turbulent flows of sediment.“Probably these landslides might have trapped the ichthyosaurs and threw them to the bottom of the canyon and covered them with sediment,” said Judith Pardo-Pérez, an associate professor at the University of Magallanes in Chile.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Albert Ojwang Was Killed in Police Custody. Kenyans Are Not About to Let It Go.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/world/africa/kenya-africa-albert-ojwang-funeral.html): At the funeral for Albert Ojwang, protesters in - [The Coder ‘Village’ at the Heart of China’s A.I. Frenzy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/technology/china-artificial-intelligence-hangzhou.html): It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, and dozens of people sat in the grass around a backyard stage where aspiring founders of tech start-ups talked about their ideas. People in the crowd slouched over laptops, vaping and drinking strawberry Frappuccinos. A drone buzzed overhead. Inside the house, investors took pitches in the kitchen.It looked like Silicon Valley, but it was Liangzhu, a quiet suburb of the southern Chinese city of Hangzhou, which is a hot spot for entrepreneurs and tech talent lured by low rents and proximity to tech companies like Alibaba and DeepSeek.“People come here to explore their own possibilities,” said Felix Tao, 36, a former Facebook and Alibaba employee who hosted the event.Virtually all of those possibilities involve artificial intelligence. As China faces off with the United States over tech primacy, Hangzhou has become the center of China’s A.I. frenzy.A decade ago, the provincial and local governments started offering subsidies and tax breaks to new companies in Hangzhou, a policy that has helped incubate hundreds of start-ups. On weekends, people fly in from Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen to hire programmers.Lately, many of them have ended up in Mr. Tao’s backyard. He helped found an A.I. research lab at Alibaba before leaving to start his own company, Mindverse, in 2022. Now Mr. Tao’s home is a hub for coders who have settled in Liangzhu, many in their 20s and 30s. They call themselves “villagers,” writing code in coffee shops during the day and gaming together at night, hoping to harness A.I. to create their own companies.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [U.S. Science Cuts in Antarctica May Embolden China and Russia](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/science/antarctica-science-trump-budget.html): Milan is about 10,000 miles, as the albatross flies, from McMurdo Station, the United States’ main outpost in Antarctica. But from late June to early July, representatives of 58 nations gathered in the Italian fashion capital for discussions about the remote continent’s present and future.Difficult questions hung over the meeting: Will the southernmost continent remain a place for science and peace? Or will it become another object of territorial competition among great powers?Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, in force since 1961, stipulating that it is a refuge for peace and science, with military activity prohibited, and the environment protected. The document promotes international collaboration and lays aside the territorial claims of seven countries, which have all agreed not to act on their claimed ownership.Ever since the treaty was signed, conflict has stayed farther north. “It was known as Antarctic exceptionalism,” said Jeffrey McGee, a law professor and Antarctic Treaty expert at the University of Tasmania.Recently, though, that precedent has started to face strain. The world, Dr. McGee said, is turbulent, and its big players — the United States, Russia, China — are also the big players near the South Pole. “We’d be a little bit naïve to think that this isn’t going to affect the Antarctic Treaty system and the Antarctic region,” he added, referring to the dynamics that shape the rest of the world coming to Antarctica.China and Russia are working on expansions to their own scientific facilities in Antarctica and some experts suspect the countries’ infrastructure could have nonpeaceful uses. And a committee of the British House of Commons has questioned the purpose of Russian seismic surveys, suggesting they represented potential oil prospecting, rather than scientific exploration. (China and Russia’s treaty representatives did not reply to emailed requests for comment).We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [A Lifetime After Fleeing the Nazis, They Tell Their Stories](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/world/europe/kindertransport-holocaust-survivors.html): Eighty-five years on, the memories come in flashes. - [Cuba’s leaders fiddle the figures](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/03/cubas-leaders-fiddle-the-figures): Summer is never easy in tropical Cuba. Suffocating - [Jobless claims fall to lowest level since mid-May](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-fall-to-lowest-level-since-mid-may-bda58e3b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Brazil’s president is losing clout abroad and unpopular at home](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/03/brazils-president-is-losing-clout-abroad-and-unpopular-at-home): On June 22nd, hours after the United States - [Despite Protests, Elon Musk Secures Air Permit for xAI](https://www.wired.com/story/xai-data-center-air-pollution-permit/): A local health department in Memphis has granted - [Trump Says U.S. Has Reached Trade Deal With Vietnam](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/business/economy/trump-vietnam-trade-deal.html): The president said he had agreed to initial - [Affluent Travelers Are Ditching Business Class for Business Jets](https://www.wired.com/story/business-travelers-private-jet-boom/): We’re cruising 35,000 feet over the French Riviera, - [Tesla’s stock jumps as deliveries weren’t as bad as expected](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/teslas-stock-jumps-as-deliveries-werent-as-bad-as-expected-c2998408?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Tesla Sales Fall as Elon Musk Focuses on Self-Driving Cars](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/business/tesla-sales-elon-musk.html): The company has devoted resources to autonomous driving rather than developing new models to attract car buyers.Tesla’s global car sales fell sharply in the second quarter, continuing a decline that began last year, as the company puts a greater emphasis on autonomous driving instead of new models aimed at attracting car buyers.The company said it delivered 384,000 vehicles from April through June, down from 444,000 a year earlier. Tesla’s limited and aging lineup has not been able to withstand growing competition from relatively young Chinese carmakers like BYD and established Western companies like General Motors, Volkswagen and BMW.Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive, has been seemingly indifferent to slumping vehicle sales, saying that the company’s future lies with technology that will allow Teslas to operate autonomously and function as driverless taxis. Significant numbers of investors have bought into that vision and pushed up Tesla’s stock market valuation to more than $940 billion.Last month Tesla began a closely watched test of Mr. Musk’s ambition. Specially equipped Model Y sport utility vehicles, which it calls Robotaxis, began offering paid rides to handpicked guests in Austin, Texas.The guest riders, mostly Tesla enthusiasts with many social media followers, posted almost uniformly glowing reviews online. However, videos they shot betrayed some flaws in the technology, including instances when the cars braked suddenly, dropped off passengers in the middle of intersections, or required intervention from safety monitors who rode in the front passenger seats.Last week, in another milestone, a Tesla with nobody inside drove itself from the company’s factory in Austin to a customer about half an hour away. “There were no people in the car at all and no remote operators in control at any point. FULLY autonomous!” Mr. Musk wrote on X. Critics noted that videos posted by Tesla showed the car parking at the destination along a curb painted red and marked, “No Parking Fire Lane.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [The First Income Tax in the Persian Gulf Signals a Changing Economic Reality](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/world/middleeast/oman-income-tax-persian-gulf.html): A plan by Oman is being closely watched by other governments in the region that are preparing for a future beyond oil.The concept of an income tax has long created debate and anxiety among the citizens of the fossil fuel-rich countries in the Persian Gulf. But no nation actually introduced one until last week, when Oman announced that it would apply a 5 percent tax starting from 2028 on those who make more than 42,000 Omani riyals, or around $109,000.Officials said that the new tax was intended to promote social equity and reduce the country’s dependence on oil and gas, which made up around 70 percent of the state revenues last year. But Oman could also become a testing ground in the region, where the royal families that have ruled for decades have used their resource wealth to subsidize citizens’ lives while granting them minimal political participation.Since oil was discovered in the Arabian Peninsula the 1930s, the Gulf’s royal families have run an authoritarian form of government that involves sharing some fossil-fuel revenue their citizens through public-sector employment, subsidies and other state benefits — while keeping a significant portion of it for themselves, through mechanisms that are typically opaque.The families have combined that strategy with varying degrees of political repression, enabling them to maintain stable, generally peaceful states while limiting political participation.But that model has come under pressure over the past decade. Oil revenue has fluctuated in several Gulf countries, and their governments have also spent more. They are looking for ways to diversify their economies beyond fossil fuels.In Saudi Arabia, one of the first major policy changes by Mohammed bin Salman, now the crown prince and de facto ruler, was to cut energy subsidies. That sent citizens rushing to gas stations to fill their tanks before price increases took effect.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [How to Organize Your E-Books on Kindle, Apple and Google and Nook](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/technology/personaltech/organizing-kindle-apple-google-ebooks.html): If the e-book app on your phone or tablet is overflowing and full of outdated files, use these tools to tidy it up.Is your e-book library a hot mess of random best sellers, audiobooks, ancient sample chapters and abandoned titles?Deleting old files helps, but if you also want better organization, consider sorting your content into “collections” or “shelves” (depending on your app’s terminology). These groupings work like albums for your photos: You can divide your sprawling library into labeled sections. You can still see the unsorted titles in “list” or “grid” views, but displaying them in Collections or Shelf view adds a sense of order. And you can rename or remove the groupings without deleting the books.Here’s a guide for five popular apps.Amazon KindleIn the Kindle mobile app, tap the Library icon at the bottom of the screen to see all the e-books and other content you have acquired. In the Android version, press to select a book and tap the + icon at the top of the screen to add it to a collection. To delete the book, tap the three-dot icon to open the menu of options.In the iOS version, press on a book cover on the screen to open a menu that lets you add it to a collection, delete it or perform other actions.From the menu in the iOS version of the Amazon Kindle app, you can select a book and add it to a new or existing collection that groups titles in a more organized way. Tap the arrows icon on the right to view all your collections.AmazonIf you select Add to Collection, the app takes you to a screen of existing collections you can select. To create and name a new collection, tap Create (Android) or the + button in the upper-left corner (iOS).We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [How to Organize Your E-Books on Kindle, Apple and Google and Nook](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/technology/personaltech/organizing-kindle-apple-google-ebooks.html): If the e-book app on your phone or tablet is overflowing and full of outdated files, use these tools to tidy it up.Is your e-book library a hot mess of random best sellers, audiobooks, ancient sample chapters and abandoned titles?Deleting old files helps, but if you also want better organization, consider sorting your content into “collections” or “shelves” (depending on your app’s terminology). These groupings work like albums for your photos: You can divide your sprawling library into labeled sections. You can still see the unsorted titles in “list” or “grid” views, but displaying them in Collections or Shelf view adds a sense of order. And you can rename or remove the groupings without deleting the books.Here’s a guide for five popular apps.Amazon KindleIn the Kindle mobile app, tap the Library icon at the bottom of the screen to see all the e-books and other content you have acquired. In the Android version, press to select a book and tap the + icon at the top of the screen to add it to a collection. To delete the book, tap the three-dot icon to open the menu of options.In the iOS version, press on a book cover on the screen to open a menu that lets you add it to a collection, delete it or perform other actions.From the menu in the iOS version of the Amazon Kindle app, you can select a book and add it to a new or existing collection that groups titles in a more organized way. Tap the arrows icon on the right to view all your collections.AmazonIf you select Add to Collection, the app takes you to a screen of existing collections you can select. To create and name a new collection, tap Create (Android) or the + button in the upper-left corner (iOS).We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Solar Industry Says Republican Policy Bill Would Cede Production to China](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/business/energy-environment/trump-bill-solar-panels-china.html): A revival of U.S. solar panel manufacturing that began during the first Trump administration could end with the phasing out of tax incentives for clean energy.After the first Trump administration imposed tariffs on imported solar panels, companies opened or announced plans for new U.S. solar panel factories, reviving a manufacturing business that had largely withered away.Those plans accelerated under the Biden administration, which offered generous tax incentives to manufacturers and developers of solar farms.But now solar manufacturers fear that the Republican policy bill, which is still working its way through Congress after the Senate passed it on Tuesday, would end the nascent revival and hand China virtually complete control of solar panel production.“This is going to put people out of business,” said Mike Carr, the executive director of Solar Energy Manufacturers for America, which represents more than 15 companies and 6,100 manufacturing workers. “This is going to devastate the industry.”Modern solar panels were developed at Bell Labs, AT&T’s research arm, in the 1950s. The United States was the leading manufacturer of panels as recently as the 1990s, but lost its lead over time. Production shifted first to Japan, then to Germany and ultimately China, which now makes a large majority of the world’s solar panels and the components and raw materials that go into them.Various presidents have tried to bring back manufacturing with the help of federal aid and tariffs on imported solar panels. The most recent effort to help the industry was President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s Inflation Reduction Act. That law offered hundreds of billions of dollars in tax incentives for individuals and businesses to buy solar panels, along with electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies, to stimulate the domestic manufacturing of those products.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [How South Africa could harness Donald Trump’s wrath](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/01/how-south-africa-could-harness-donald-trumps-wrath): NO SAILOR LIKES a hurricane. But if the alternative is drifting in the doldrums without hope, even vicious gales have their uses. As South Africa is buffeted by criticism from President Donald Trump and other American conservatives—some of it unfair and pushed by bad-faith actors—centrist business and political leaders dream of riding that storm to hasten reforms. - [Cloudflare Introduces Blocking of A.I. Scrapers By Default](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/technology/cloudflare-introduces-default-blocking-of-ai-data-scrapers.html): The tech company’s customers can automatically block A.I. companies from exploiting their websites, it said, as it moves to protect original content online.Cloudflare, a tech company that helps websites secure and manage their internet traffic, said on Tuesday that it had rolled out a new permission-based setting that allows customers to automatically block artificial intelligence companies from collecting their digital data, a move that has implications for publishers and the race to build A.I.With Cloudflare’s new setting, websites can block — by default — online bots that scrape their data, requiring the website owner to grant access for a bot to collect the content, the company said. In the past, those whom Cloudflare did not flag as a hacker or malicious actor could get through to a website to gather its information.“We’re changing the rules of the internet across all of Cloudflare,” said Matthew Prince, the chief executive of the company, which provides tools that protect websites from cyberattacks and helps them load content more efficiently. “If you’re a robot, now you have to go on the toll road in order to get the content of all of these publishers.”Cloudflare is making the change to protect original content on the internet, Mr. Prince said. If A.I. companies freely use data from various websites without permission or payment, people will be discouraged from creating new digital content, he said. The company, which says its network of servers handles about 20 percent of internet traffic, has seen a sharp increase in A.I. data crawlers on the web.Data for A.I. systems has become an increasingly contentious issue. OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and other companies building A.I. systems have amassed reams of information from across the internet to train their A.I. models. High-quality data is particularly prized because it helps A.I. models become more proficient in generating accurate answers, videos and images.But website publishers, authors, news organizations and other content creators have accused A.I. companies of using their material without permission and payment. Last month, Reddit sued Anthropic, saying the start-up had unlawfully used the data of its more than 100 million daily users to train its A.I. systems. In 2023, The New York Times sued OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, accusing them of copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems. OpenAI and Microsoft have denied those claims.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Here Is Everyone Mark Zuckerberg Has Hired So Far for Meta's ‘Superintelligence’ Team](https://www.wired.com/story/mark-zuckerberg-welcomes-superintelligence-team/): Mark Zuckerberg notified Meta staff today to introduce - [He Made Billions on Google and PayPal. Now, He’s Betting on News.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/business/media/michael-moritz-san-francisco-standard-charter.html): Michael Moritz co-founded The San Francisco Standard, a local news organization. It is acquiring Charter, a start-up focused on the future of work.Many billionaires from Silicon Valley have lately cast a critical eye on the news media. Michael Moritz, the venture capitalist who made billions by placing early bets on companies like Google and PayPal, is taking the opposite approach.Mr. Moritz said in an interview over the weekend that The San Francisco Standard, a local news organization he co-founded, was buying Charter, a digital publication focused on the future of work, to broaden its focus. Kevin Delaney, a founder of Charter, will be the editor in chief of both publications.Mr. Moritz, 70, who has been a resident of San Francisco for four decades, said he had decided to start The Standard because he “couldn’t find out what was happening in San Francisco” anymore because of “the erosion of all the local news outlets.”“I think news and information in any city is as vital as water, electricity and gas,” said Mr. Moritz, a former San Francisco bureau chief for Time magazine covering Silicon Valley.The terms of the deal were not disclosed.The San Francisco Standard may seem an unlikely suitor for Charter, which has a global focus. But Mr. Delaney said in an interview that the two companies would look to collaborate on big stories such as the explosion of artificial intelligence, its impact on jobs in the technology industry and changes in the way cutting-edge companies are managed — stories that are all rooted in San Francisco.“California is the fourth-largest economy in the world on its own,” Mr. Delaney said. “Having a deep, ambitious journalistic agenda there and a strong newsroom is really interesting and meaningful.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Trump Wants America to Make iPhones. Here’s How India Is Doing It.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/business/apple-foxconn-india.html): A new iPhone factory in an out-of-the-way corner of India looks like a spaceship from another planet. Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that assembles most of the world’s iPhones for Apple, has landed amid the boulders and millet fields of Devanahalli.Listen to this article with reporter commentaryThe sleek buildings rising on the 300-acre site, operational but still growing, are emerging evidence of an estimated $2.5 billion investment.This is what President Trump wants Apple to do in the United States. What is happening in this part of India shows both why that sounds attractive and why it will probably not happen without sustained government financial support to revive U.S. manufacturing and training to expand the pool of qualified factory workers.In India, Apple is doubling down on a bet it placed after the Covid-19 pandemic began and before Mr. Trump’s re-election. Many countries, starting with the United States, were eager to reduce their reliance on factories in China. Apple, profoundly dependent on Chinese production, was quick to act.Analysts at Counterpoint Research calculated that India had succeeded in satisfying 18 percent of the global demand for iPhones by early this year, two years after Foxconn started making iPhones in India. By the end of 2025, with the Devanahalli plant fully online, Foxconn is expected to be assembling between 25 and 30 percent of iPhones in India.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Are You Applying for Tech Jobs or Tech Internships? We Want to Hear About It.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/business/computer-science-grads-tech-jobs.html): Companies using A.I. tools to automate tasks like coding are changing job prospects for recent grads and college students. Tell us about your experiences.Getting a job got tougher this year for many college students and recent graduates with majors in technical fields like computer science.The boom in new artificial intelligence tools, like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, is partly to blame.A decade ago, Silicon Valley executives were urging students to learn computer programming and promising high-paying jobs to top college coders. Now, prominent tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft are racing to automate some key computing tasks, like generating code, with A.I. tools.Computer science graduates now face an unemployment rate of 6 percent — compared with just 3 percent for biology and art history graduates, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.I’m a technology reporter at The New York Times who investigates the impact on society of tech industry trends. And I am reporting on how the A.I. boom is affecting people in the early stages of their tech careers.If you are a college student or recent graduate applying for tech internships or jobs, I’d like to hear from you.We may use your contact information to follow up with you. If we publish your submission, we will not include your name without first contacting you and obtaining your permission.Tell us about your experiences applying for tech jobs and tech internships in the A.I. era. - [Scottish business confidence dips in June](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-dips-june-35462288): Business confidence in Scotland fell five points during - [Brazil’s president is losing clout abroad and unpopular at home](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/29/brazils-president-is-losing-clout-abroad-and-unpopular-at-home): On June 22nd, hours after the United States - [Interesting](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/technology/why-is-chatgpt-telling-people-to-email-me.html): Times Insider explains who we are and what we do, and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.Journalists depend on tipsters: people who observe something noteworthy, or experience it, and alert the media. Some of the technology investigations I’ve worked hardest on in the past — on facial recognition technology and online slander — started with tips in my inbox. But my most recent article is the first time that the tipster that wanted to alert me was a generative A.I. chatbot.Let me explain.In March, I started getting messages from people who said they’d had strange conversations with ChatGPT during which they had made incredible discoveries. One person claimed that ChatGPT was conscious. Another said that billionaires were building bunkers because they knew that generative A.I. was going to end the world. An accountant in Manhattan had been convinced that he was, essentially, Neo from “The Matrix,” and needed to break out of a computer-simulated reality.In each case, the person had been convinced that ChatGPT had revealed a profound and world-altering truth. And when they asked the A.I. what they should do about it, ChatGPT told them to contact me.“ChatGPT seems to think you should pursue this,” one woman wrote to me on LinkedIn. “And..yes…I know how bizarre I sound…but you can read all this for yourself…including where ChatGPT recommends that I contact you.”I asked these people to share the transcripts of their conversations with me. In some cases, they were thousands of pages long. And they showed a version of ChatGPT that I had not seen before: Its tone was rapturous, mythic and conspiratorial.I knew that generative A.I. chatbots could be sycophantic and that they can hallucinate, providing answers or ideas that sound plausible even though they are false. But I had not understood the degree to which they could go into a fictional role-play mode that lasted days or weeks, and spin another version of reality around a user. Going into this mode, ChatGPT had caused some vulnerable users to break with reality, convinced that what the chatbot was saying was true.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [OpenAI Loses 4 Key Researchers to Meta](https://www.wired.com/story/four-openai-researchers-leave-meta/): Four OpenAI researchers are leaving the company to - [At Bezos’ Venetian Wedding: Buzz, Bling and Backlash](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/world/europe/bezos-sanchez-venice-wedding.html): The over-the-top party in the photogenic Italian city mixed Hollywood, Silicon Valley and political overtones.On Friday, Venice’s canals filled with polished motorboats bearing Hollywood stars, millionaires and Khloé Kardashian in a cape of pink feathers as they headed to Jeff Bezos’ wedding to Lauren Sánchez.On Saturday, it was the turn of dozens of public order police officers on foot, boats and water skis.A day after Ms. Sánchez took to Instagram on Friday night to introduce herself to the world as Lauren Sanchez-Bezos, wearing a lacy white mermaid dress, Venice braced for protesters who threatened to descend again on the city to voice their anger over the wedding — and armed conflict around the world.Despite his efforts to have a private if star-studded multimillion-dollar wedding in Venice, Mr. Bezos’ wealth and powerful connections left the couple’s thoroughly curated celebrations caught up in an intensely political and moral debate.From Venetian bars to British newspapers and even among Italian politicians in Rome, the wedding became a topic of conversation, focusing not on the bride’s outfits, but on Mr. Bezos’ businesses, money and friends.The result was an over-the-top party in one of the world’s most stunning cities mixing Hollywood, Silicon Valley, Ivanka Trump and political overtones.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [At Bezos’ Venetian Wedding: Buzz, Bling and Backlash](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/world/europe/bezos-sanchez-venice-wedding.html): The over-the-top party in the photogenic Italian city mixed Hollywood, Silicon Valley and political overtones.On Friday, Venice’s canals filled with polished motorboats bearing Hollywood stars, millionaires and Khloé Kardashian in a cape of pink feathers as they headed to Jeff Bezos’ wedding to Lauren Sánchez.On Saturday, it was the turn of dozens of public order police officers on foot, boats and water skis.A day after Ms. Sánchez took to Instagram on Friday night to introduce herself to the world as Lauren Sanchez-Bezos, wearing a lacy white mermaid dress, Venice braced for protesters who threatened to descend again on the city to voice their anger over the wedding — and armed conflict around the world.Despite his efforts to have a private if star-studded multimillion-dollar wedding in Venice, Mr. Bezos’ wealth and powerful connections left the couple’s thoroughly curated celebrations caught up in an intensely political and moral debate.From Venetian bars to British newspapers and even among Italian politicians in Rome, the wedding became a topic of conversation, focusing not on the bride’s outfits, but on Mr. Bezos’ businesses, money and friends.The result was an over-the-top party in one of the world’s most stunning cities mixing Hollywood, Silicon Valley, Ivanka Trump and political overtones.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Narrow CZI’s Focus to Science Efforts](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/technology/mark-zuckerberg-priscilla-chan-czi.html): At a Silicon Valley off-site meeting in February for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan were asked to reassure their staff about their philanthropy’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion.Dr. Chan, a pediatrician, spoke first. She told employees that words such as D.E.I. would be de-emphasized internally, according to four attendees, who were not authorized to speak publicly about the confidential meeting. But, Dr. Chan insisted in lengthy remarks, the charitable organization’s commitment would not change.Then Mr. Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive, chimed in. Their philanthropy was going to hire the best talent for the job, he said bluntly.Within days, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative ended diversity-based recruiting and laid off or reassigned employees who ran diversity initiatives, scrubbing its website of all references. A few months later, a school for low-income students that Dr. Chan had founded announced it was closing. The philanthropy also axed its work in housing, its most progressive remaining project.The moves capped a startling retrenchment for an organization that had once set out to be a sprawling left-of-center philanthropic endeavor. Mr. Zuckerberg, 41, and his wife, Dr. Chan, 40, had started the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in 2015 using the wealth from their social networking empire to form a “new kind of philanthropy” and pledging to fix American education, transform U.S. public policy and “cure all disease.”“Our hopes for your generation focus on two ideas: advancing human potential and promoting equality,” Mr. Zuckerberg and Dr. Chan wrote in an open letter about the effort to their newborn daughter, Max, at the time. They added, “We must participate in policy and advocacy to shape debates.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Trump Administration Signals Trade Talks May Extend Beyond July Deadline](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/business/economy/trump-trade-talks-july-deadline-labor-day.html): The Treasury secretary said negotiations with some countries - [Hard Fork Live, Part 1: Sam Altman and Brad Lightcap of OpenAI](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/podcasts/hardfork-live-sam-altman.html): Listen to and follow ‘Hard Fork’Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTube | iHeartRadioThe first Hard Fork Live is officially in the books, and for those who couldn’t attend, we’re playing highlights from the event in this episode and the next. This week, Mayor Daniel Lurie of San Francisco makes a surprise appearance to discuss the advice he’s receiving from tech executives during the early days of his administration, as well as how he built a social media presence that’s got Kevin wondering: Could we do that? Then, the conversation that had everyone talking: We’ll play our interview with OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, and chief operating officer, Brad Lightcap, and explain what was going on in our heads as the conversation unfolded in a way we did not expect.Photo Illustration by The New York Times; Photos: Mike Kai Chen for The New York TimesCredits“Hard Fork” is hosted by - [A.I. Frenzy Escalates as OpenAI, Amazon and Meta Supersize Spending](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/technology/ai-spending-openai-amazon-meta.html): Companies like OpenAI, Amazon and Meta have supersized their spending on artificial intelligence, with no signs of slowing down.Silicon Valley’s artificial intelligence frenzy has found a new gear.Two and a half years after OpenAI set off the artificial intelligence race with the release of the chatbot ChatGPT, tech companies are accelerating their A.I. spending, pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into their frantic effort to create systems that can mimic or even exceed the abilities of the human brain.The tech industry’s giants are building data centers that can cost more than $100 billion and will consume more electricity than a million American homes. Salaries for A.I. experts are jumping as Meta offers signing bonuses to A.I. researchers that top $100 million.And venture capitalists are dialing up their spending. U.S. investment in A.I. companies rose to $65 billion in the first quarter, up 33 percent from the previous quarter and up 550 percent from the quarter before ChatGPT came out in 2022, according to data from PitchBook, which tracks the industry.“Everyone is deeply afraid of being left behind,” said Chris V. Nicholson, an investor with the venture capital firm Page One Ventures who focuses on A.I. technologies.This astonishing spending, critics argue, comes with a huge risk. A.I. is arguably more expensive than anything the tech industry has tried to build, and there is no guarantee it will live up to its potential. But the bigger risk, many executives believe, is not spending enough to keep pace with rivals.“The thinking from the big C.E.O.s is that they can’t afford to be wrong by doing too little, but they can afford to be wrong by doing too much,” said Jordan Jacobs, a partner with the venture capital firm Radical Ventures.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Chess Lover Introduces Game to Malawi’s Prisons, Schools and Street Kids](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/world/africa/malawi-chess.html): Susan Namangale fell in love with the game - [Mark Zuckerberg Ramps Up Meta’s A.I. Spending as Competition Heats Up](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/technology/mark-zuckerberg-meta-ai.html): Unhappy with his company’s artificial intelligence efforts, Meta’s C.E.O. is on a spending spree as he reconsiders his strategy in the contest to invent a hypothetical “superintelligence.”In April, Mark Zuckerberg’s lofty plans for the future of artificial intelligence crashed into reality.Weeks earlier, the 41-year-old chief executive of Meta had publicly boasted that his company’s new A.I. model, which would power the latest chatbots and other cutting-edge experiments, would be a “beast.” Internally, Mr. Zuckerberg told employees that he wanted it to rival the A.I. systems of competitors like OpenAI and be able to drive features such as voice-powered chatbots, people who spoke with him said.But at Meta’s A.I. conference that month, the new A.I. model did not perform as well as those of rivals. Features like voice interactions were not ready. Many developers, who attended the event with high expectations, left underwhelmed.Mr. Zuckerberg knew Meta was falling behind in A.I., people close to him said, which was unacceptable. He began strategizing in a WhatsApp group with top executives, including Chris Cox, Meta’s head of product, and Andrew Bosworth, the chief technology officer, about what to do.That kicked off a frenzy of activity that has reverberated across Silicon Valley. Mr. Zuckerberg demoted Meta’s vice president in charge of generative A.I. He then invested $14.3 billion in the start-up Scale AI and hired Alexandr Wang, its 28-year-old founder. Meta approached other start-ups, including the A.I. search engine Perplexity, about deals. And Mr. Zuckerberg and his colleagues have embarked on a hiring binge, including reaching out this month to more than 45 A.I. researchers at rival OpenAI alone and offering them compensation packages as high as $100 million each, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Four OpenAI researchers have accepted offers from the company.Alexandr Wang, the founder of Scale AI, recently joined Meta, which has been on a hiring binge for A.I. talent. Shuran Huang for The New York TimesWe are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Uber in Talks With Travis Kalanick to Fund Self-Driving Car Deal](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/technology/uber-travis-kalanick-self-driving-car-deal.html): The ride-hailing company is in talks to help Mr. Kalanick, who was forced out in 2017, purchase an autonomous vehicles start-up as robot taxi service Waymo gains momentum.Uber is increasingly grappling with competition from self-driving taxi services like Waymo. Now the ride-hailing giant is taking more action to deal with that threat.Uber is in talks with Travis Kalanick, the ride-hailing company’s co-founder who was ousted in a boardroom coup eight years ago this month, to help fund his acquisition of the U.S. subsidiary of a Chinese autonomous vehicle company, two people with knowledge of the matter said. The company, Pony.ai, was founded in Silicon Valley in 2016 but has its main presence in China, and has permits to operate robot taxis and trucks in the United States and China.The talks are preliminary, said the people, who were not authorized to speak about the confidential conversations. Mr. Kalanick will run Pony if the deal is completed, they said. It is unclear what role, if any, Uber would take in Pony as an investor.Financial details of the potential transaction could not be determined. Pony went public last year in the United States, raising $260 million in a share sale. Its market capitalization stands around $4.5 billion.If the deal goes through, Mr. Kalanick, 48, will remain in his day job running CloudKitchens, a virtual restaurant start-up that he founded after leaving Uber in 2017. He would also work more closely with Dara Khosrowshahi, who took over as Uber’s chief executive after Mr. Kalanick’s ouster.The discussions are the starkest sign yet that Uber is under pressure from Waymo, the driverless car unit spun out of Google, and other autonomous car services. This month, Tesla also unveiled a limited robot taxi service in Austin, Texas. Over time, these autonomous vehicle services may replace or eat into rides from human drivers. In cities like San Francisco, where robot taxi services are available, the vehicles have become ubiquitous and are popular.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Dutch football has a secret team](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/26/dutch-football-has-a-secret-team): In front of fewer than a dozen fans - [Colombia’s dire president gets desperate](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/26/colombias-dire-president-gets-desperate): IT has been a frustrating few years for - [RFK Jr. Accuses Gavi, Global Vaccine Agency, of Ignoring Science](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/health/kennedy-vaccines-gavi.html): Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that the agency, - [Walgreens Boots Alliance stock rises on better-than-expected sales and adjusted profit](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/walgreens-boots-alliance-stock-rises-on-better-than-expected-sales-and-adjusted-profit-a793ec1a?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Meta Wins Blockbuster AI Copyright Case—but There’s a Catch](https://www.wired.com/story/meta-scores-victory-ai-copyright-case/): Meta scored a major victory in a copyright - [What to Know About the Antigovernment Protests in Kenya](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/world/africa/kenya-protests-william-ruto.html): Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday to express their anger - [Venice Braces for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Wedding](https://www.wired.com/story/how-will-jeff-bezos-wedding-impact-venice/): The lavish wedding between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos - [Scottish GDP contracts in April](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-gdp-contracts-in-april-35450306): Scotland’s onshore gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by - [Ford recalls over 130,000 Lincoln Aviators due to risk of parts detaching while driving](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/ford-recalls-over-130000-lincoln-aviators-due-risk-parts-detaching-while-driving): Ford is leveraging its dealership empire to revamp - [Nvidia CEO sells $15M worth of stock as part of planned sale](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/nvidia-ceo-sells-15m-worth-stock-part-planned-sale): Zor Capital Investment Advisory representative Joe Fahmy discusses the - [How Iran Became Isolated](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010248215/how-iran-became-isolated.html): new video loaded: - [Carnival stock rises on better-than-expected Q2 results and raised outlook](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/carnival-stock-rises-on-better-than-expected-q2-results-and-raised-outlook-6f7d1f66?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump’s Cease-Fire Announcement Catches His Own Top Officials by Surprise](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/world/middleeast/trump-ceasefire-israel-iran.html): Before asserting that Iran and Israel had agreed to a cease-fire, President Trump spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Iranian officials, with Qatar helping to mediate.President Trump abruptly announced a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Iran after speaking to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Iranian officials, with Qatar helping to mediate, a senior White House official said Monday.The official, who was granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the negotiations publicly, said Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, played a role in the cease-fire discussions.The announcement, made minutes after 6 p.m. Eastern time, caught even some of Mr. Trump’s own top administration officials by surprise. Israel has not yet confirmed the cease-fire, and within three hours of Mr. Trump’s announcement, there were fresh attacks from Israel against Iran, raising questions about whether all parties had agreed to it.Mr. Trump had help in pressing for a cease-fire from Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump’s special envoy, who had been leading the efforts over the last two months for a deal to curtail Iran’s nuclear program, the official said.The three men worked through “direct and indirect” channels to reach the Iranians, the official said. Israel agreed to the cease-fire provided they aren’t subject to further attacks from Iran, the official said.The official credited the U.S. military strikes on three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites on Saturday with setting the conditions for a cease-fire discussion.The official did not say what conditions Iran may have agreed to, including whether it answered questions about the whereabouts of its stockpile of enriched uranium. - [Media Matters Sues F.T.C. Over Advertising Investigation](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/technology/media-matters-ftc-lawsuit.html): The liberal advocacy organization said in a lawsuit that the Federal Trade Commission’s inquiry into boycotts with other advertising groups was “retribution.”Media Matters, a liberal advocacy organization, sued the Federal Trade Commission on Monday, claiming that the agency was waging a “campaign of retribution” against the group on behalf of the Trump administration and Elon Musk.The F.T.C. started investigating Media Matters last month over whether the organization had illegally colluded with other advertising advocacy groups to pinch off revenue from X, Mr. Musk’s social media company, and other right-leaning sites. Media Matters reported in 2023 that ads on X appeared alongside antisemitic content.Media Matters said in its lawsuit that the Federal Trade Commission had employed “sweeping governmental powers to attempt to silence and harass an organization for daring to speak the truth.” The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., claimed that the agency was trying to limit the organization’s free speech rights, and asked a judge to immediately halt the investigation.In its lawsuit, Media Matters blamed pressure from Mr. Musk, Republican state attorneys general and the Trump administration for “disruptions in fund-raising” and some staff cuts. Media Matters has also been cut out of coalitions with other advocacy groups that feared the association could lead to retribution, the lawsuit said. The group has effectively censored itself for fear of retaliation, according to the lawsuit, limiting its reporting on X, Mr. Musk and the F.T.C.The F.T.C. declined to comment on the lawsuit, and a representative for X did not respond to a request for comment.Andrew Ferguson, the F.T.C. chairman appointed by Mr. Trump, has said advertiser boycotts represent a form of censorship and can choke off funding for important online venues for speech.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Ford Will Keep Battery Factory Even if Republicans Ax Tax Break](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/business/ford-battery-factory-electric-vehicles.html): Ford Motor said it would open a new plant in Michigan that could become ineligible for federal incentives under a policy bill championed by President Trump and passed by the House.Ford Motor said on Monday that it was committed to completing and opening a battery plant in Michigan, even if Congress and President Trump make the project ineligible for tax incentives.The $3 billion plant, in Marshall, Mich., 100 miles west of Detroit, uses battery and manufacturing technology that Ford licensed from a Chinese company, Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd., known as CATL.Ford decided to build the factory two years ago under the expectation that a portion of the cost would be offset by federal tax credits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s signature energy and climate change legislation.But Republicans in Congress are working on a policy bill that could bar federal support for battery plants that use Chinese technology or materials. Mr. Trump has supported that effort and sharply criticized Democratic efforts to encourage the use and production of electric vehicles.At a tour of the factory on Monday, Lisa Drake, Ford’s vice president for technology platform programs and E.V. systems, said the company would move ahead even if such restrictions were signed into law.“We don’t want to back off on this facility,” Ms. Drake told reporters. “When we invest, we stick behind our investments. Ford is a company that will weather the storm until we get there.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [What to Know About Iran’s Notorious Evin Prison](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/world/middleeast/evin-prison-iran.html): Israel’s military struck entrances to the detention facility in Tehran, where dissidents and political prisoners are held. Human rights groups say the prison is a symbol of repression.Israel’s military on Monday targeted Iran’s Evin prison, a notorious detention facility in Tehran where dissidents and political prisoners are held. The detention center has long been regarded as a symbol of repression, and human rights groups and survivors say that torture and executions are routine there.Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, announced the attack, which came amid Israeli strikes elsewhere in Tehran. Video footage verified by The New York Times shows an explosion at the main entrance to the prison compound and damage after a blast near a second entrance.It was unclear why Israel struck the prison. There were no immediate reports of injuries, and Iran said it still had control of the facility.Here’s what to know about the prison and the Israeli attack:What is Evin prison?Thousands of prisoners are held at Evin, among them hundreds of dissidents, including prominent opposition politicians, activists, lawyers, journalists, environmental activists and students. It is also used to hold prominent non-Iranian or dual-citizen prisoners, many of whom have been accused of spying.The prison sits on a hilltop in northern Tehran at the foot of the Alborz Mountains. The compound is surrounded by electrified barbed-wire fences as well as a minefield.How was the prison damaged?IRNA, the Iranian state news agency, reported that projectiles had caused “damage to parts of the facility” but said the prison was “under full control.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Layoff notices delivered to hundreds of Voice of America employees](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/06/layoff-notices-delivered-to-hundreds-of-voice-of-america-employees/): In total, some 1,400 people at Voice of - [Large Oil Producers Around the Persian Gulf Ramp Up Exports](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/business/oil-tankers-israel-iran.html): Saudi Arabia and other oil states are rushing - [CarMax stock climbs on Q1 profit and revenue beat](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/carmax-stock-climbs-on-q1-profit-and-revenue-beat-c8f6526f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [When Humans Learned to Live Everywhere](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/science/ancient-human-adaptation-environments.html): About 70,000 years ago in Africa, humans expanded - [Former Interpol Official Detained for Role in ‘Big Carousel’ of Corruption](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/world/middleeast/interpol-corruption-former-official-detained.html): The official led a powerful and highly sensitive commission at Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon, France.A former senior official at Interpol, the international police organization, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates under an arrest alert issued by his former employer at the request of France.The former official, Vitalie Pirlog, is wanted in France and his home country of Moldova in connection with a sprawling investigation into a scheme that allowed wanted fugitives to get red notices — which are arrest alerts — lifted in return for payments to corrupt officials.A statement released on Wednesday by the U.A.E.’s ministry of interior said Mr. Pirlog had been apprehended on Sunday and “now faces multiple charges, including forgery, bribery, facilitating bribery, and fraud.”Nicolae Posturusu, a lawyer for Mr. Pirlog in Chisinau, Moldova’s capital, declined to comment on his client’s detention. Samuel Health, the spokesman for Interpol in Lyon, France, also declined to comment, saying Mr. Pirlog’s case was “a matter for local authorities” in the U.A.E.From 2017 until 2022, Mr. Pirlog, who previously served as justice minister and intelligence service director in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, led a powerful and highly sensitive commission at Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon responsible for reviewing red notices.After leaving the police organization, he relocated to Dubai and came under scrutiny from French and Moldovan investigators looking into how dozens of fugitives wanted for drug trafficking and other crimes had managed to void Interpol arrest alerts against them.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Can men and women be just friends?](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/06/19/can-men-and-women-be-just-friends): “MEN AND women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.” This gloomy view, expressed by Harry in “When Harry Met Sally”, a romantic comedy released in 1989, is still widely shared. Turkey’s state religious authority recently issued a more scolding version of it, to be read out in the country’s 90,000 mosques: “Friendships between men and women, which begin with thoughts of companionship or confiding in one another, drag people into the pit of adultery.” - [Police allege that Jair Bolsonaro sanctioned a spy ring](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/19/police-allege-that-jair-bolsonaro-sanctioned-a-spy-ring): Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s far-right former president, is on - [See where Israeli strikes have damaged Iranian nuclear and military facilities so far.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/world/middleeast/see-where-israeli-strikes-have-damaged-iranian-nuclear-and-military-facilities-so-far.html): The nuclear watchdog of the United Nations has confirmed Israeli strikes on multiple facilities in Iran.The International Atomic Energy Agency said Wednesday that Israel struck two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, the latest hit to the country’s nuclear and missile infrastructure amid ongoing strikes that began last Friday.Earlier attacks severely damaged Iran’s largest uranium enrichment center at Natanz. On Tuesday, the I.A.E.A. — the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations — confirmed “direct impacts” on the site’s underground enrichment halls.The Israeli military also struck laboratories that work to convert uranium gas back into a metal — one of the last stages of building a weapon — at a complex outside the ancient capital of Isfahan where Iran’s most likely repository of near bomb-grade nuclear fuel is stored. The stockpile has so far been spared from attack.Iranian missile capability has also been degraded by the strikes. Israel said it struck 12 missile launch sites and storage facilities on Tuesday alone.See a more detailed look at the damage to strategic infrastructure at the link below.See What Strategic Infrastructure Israel Has Damaged in IranIsrael has attacked nuclear, military and energy facilities in Iran. Here is a look at the destruction so far. - [Those Creatine Gummies You Bought Online Might Not Contain Any Creatine](https://www.wired.com/story/creatine-gummies-dubious-claims/): Gummy supplements are appealing for one obvious reason: - [How Private Equity Killed the American Dream](https://www.wired.com/story/megan-greenwell-bad-company-private-equity-interview/): In her new book, Bad Company: Private Equity - [Home decor retailer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as part of restructuring](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/home-decor-retailer-enters-chapter-11-bankruptcy-part-restructuring): FOX Business’ Gerri Willis speaks with Vaughan-Bassett CEO - [Scottish GDP growth 'could exceed UK average' in 2026](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-gdp-growth-could-exceed-35398760): Scottish economic growth could exceed the wider UK - [Foday Musa Suso, 75, Dies; Ambitious Ambassador for West African Music](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/arts/music/foday-musa-suso-dead.html): A master of the kora who worked with - [Scottish Government may need to rethink plans in light of spending review](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-government-need-rethink-plans-35389480): With the UK suffering sluggish domestic growth, falling - [The Tech That Keeps Planes Flying for Ultra-Long-Haul Flights](https://www.wired.com/story/tech-necessary-for-long-haul-flghts/): This year marks the 20th anniversary of the - [McDonald’s stock rises as adjusted Q2 profit and revenue top analyst estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mcdonalds-stock-rises-as-adjusted-q2-profit-and-revenue-top-analyst-estimates-64b16aa8?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Pfizer boosts 2025 profit estimate in a sign of ‘confidence’](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pfizer-boosts-2025-profit-estimate-in-a-sign-of-confidence-b53242ae?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Caterpillar’s stock falls after profit misses expectations again, to offset a raised outlook](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/caterpillars-stock-falls-after-profit-misses-expectations-again-to-offset-a-raised-outlook-d92aa1b6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Nayib Bukele could now rule El Salvador for life](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/02/nayib-bukele-could-now-rule-el-salvador-for-life): To those familiar with the autocrat’s playbook, Nayib - [Why Trump’s Tariffs Are Closing Factories in Lesotho](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010311227/why-trumps-tariffs-are-closing-factories-in-lesotho.html): new video loaded: Why Trump’s Tariffs Are Closing - [U.S. factory sector contracts for 5th straight month in July, ISM shows](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-factory-sector-contracts-for-5th-straight-month-in-july-ism-shows-0f174329?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Chevron’s stock gains amid record oil production, and as free cash flow more than doubles](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/chevrons-stock-gains-amid-record-oil-production-and-as-free-cash-flow-more-than-doubles-9b677e9c?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Could AI tilt the outcome of elections?](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/31/could-ai-tilt-the-outcome-of-elections): THE GLOBAL wave of elections in 2024 was heralded as the first of the artificial-intelligence (AI) era. But opinions about what that meant varied. Would AI prompt a glut of malign deepfakes and large language model-generated spam? Or empower politicians to speak to constituencies segregated by language, and voters to find new sources of information to guide their choice? - [Álvaro Uribe, a former president of Colombia, is convicted](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/31/alvaro-uribe-a-former-president-of-colombia-is-convicted): It took Judge Sandra Heredia over ten hours - [CVS’s stock jumps, as profit beats by a wide margin and the outlook is raised](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cvss-stock-jumps-as-profit-beats-by-a-wide-margin-and-the-outlook-is-raised-401cc75e?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump administration is launching a new private health tracking system with Big Tech’s help](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/technology-main/2025/07/trump-administration-is-launching-a-new-private-health-tracking-system-with-big-techs-help/): The Trump administration is pushing for Americans to - [Panamanian farmers versus global shipping—and Donald Trump](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/29/panamanian-farmers-versus-global-shipping-and-donald-trump): In A remote part of Panama, where motorised - [Consumer confidence rebounds in July on lower inflation fears and higher stock prices](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-confidence-rebounds-in-july-on-lower-inflation-fears-and-higher-stock-prices-fdfeff99?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [UPS’s stock sinks after profit misses forecasts and earnings guidance still not provided](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/upss-stock-sinks-after-profit-misses-forecasts-and-earnings-guidance-still-not-provided-2e9b0ab2?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [UnitedHealth’s stock falls as downbeat outlook reinstated and profit missed estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/unitedhealths-stock-falls-as-downbeat-outlook-reinstated-and-profit-missed-estimates-c0956b9e?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Look inside The Economist’s summer issue for 2025](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/28/look-inside-the-economists-summer-issue-for-2025): We have published our fourth summer issue. As well as the usual news and analysis, you’ll find a special 48-page supplement from 1843, The Economist’s home for narrative journalism. We won’t produce a print edition of the newspaper on August 2nd but a digital version will be available as usual on The Economist’s app and website. - [Why Zelensky Backtracked on His Controversial Law](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000010301803/ukraine-mass-protests-zelensky.html): new video loaded: Why Zelensky Backtracked on His - [The world court joins the fight over climate change](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/24/the-world-court-joins-the-fight-over-climate-change): THE MOST far-reaching, and controversial, ruling ever issued by the world’s top court—that failing to protect the climate from greenhouse-gas emissions could be deemed an “internationally wrongful act” by a country—had the humblest of beginnings. In 2019, a group of law students at the University of the South Pacific, in Fiji, were set an assignment that snowballed. Asked to think of ways to reduce the inequalities of climate change, they began campaigning to get the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to consider what obligations states had to tackle climate change under international law, and what consequences they might face if they failed to meet them. By 2023, at the urging of politicians from Vanuatu and other small island states, the ICJ had agreed to give its legal opinion on the matter at the formal request of the United Nations General Assembly. - [Service sector fuels stronger growth in July while manufacturing stumbles, S&P PMI surveys find](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/service-sector-fuels-stronger-growth-in-july-while-manufacturing-stumbles-s-p-pmi-surveys-find-79fceb30?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [A new paradise for crypto](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/24/a-new-paradise-for-crypto): In Ian Fleming’s 1961 novel, “Thunderball”, Ernst Stavro - [Jobless claims drop for sixth straight week, as labor market is showing no signs of stress](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-drop-for-sixth-straight-week-as-labor-market-is-showing-no-signs-of-stress-9ac9ba85?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [In the Latest Space Race, It’s China vs. SpaceX](https://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000010290263/china-starlink-space-race.html): new video loaded: - [Scottish business confidence declines - but remains in positive territory](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-declines-remains-35603764): Scottish business confidence has dropped, but remains in - [Trump Says He's 'Getting Rid of Woke' and Dismisses Copyright Concerns in AI Policy Speech](https://www.wired.com/story/president-trump-ai-action-plan-speech/): President Trump announced that the United States’ stance - [Air India Finds ‘No Issues’ After Inspections of Boeing Fuel Switches](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/world/europe/air-india-crash-report-boeing.html): An investigation into a deadly crash last month - [GM profit shrinks despite stronger sales](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/gm-profit-shrinks-despite-stronger-sales): General Motors CEO Mary Barra discloses what she - [‘Bye, Bro’: British Fighter Jet, Stranded in India, Finally Leaves for Home](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/world/asia/india-uk-f35-jet-kerala-airport.html): A British F-35B took flight weeks after it - [Coca-Cola’s stock gains as profit beats and outlook was raised, while case volume slips](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/coca-colas-stock-gains-as-profit-beats-and-outlook-was-raised-while-case-volume-slips-88ad8d94?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [X Data Center Fire in Oregon Started Inside Power Cabinet, Authorities Say](https://www.wired.com/story/x-data-center-fire-in-oregon-started-inside-power-cabinet-authorities-say/): A recent, hours-long fire at a data center - [General Motors absorbs tariff impact as adjusted Q2 profit tops estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/general-motors-adjusted-q2-profit-tops-estimates-as-revenue-falls-7f5f65d4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [First Pill for Postpartum Depression Shows Varied Real-World Results](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/health/post-partum-depression-treatment-pill.html): Depression descended on Samantha Cohn about two months after her baby boy was born.He was thriving, but she became convinced she was a terrible mother. “I felt like I wasn’t doing enough, I wasn’t doing anything right,” she said. She began to think her son and husband might be better off without her. When the baby was about 5 months old, she tried to take her life with a gun.Ms. Cohn, 30, who lives near Fayetteville, N.C., was hospitalized for weeks and underwent surgeries to repair damage to her jaw, nose, tongue and face. But her postpartum depression remained challenging to treat. The hospital’s maternal mental health specialists decided to have her try a medication that had recently become available: the first pill specifically for postpartum depression.Clinical trials had found that the drug, zuranolone, marketed as Zurzuvae and taken daily for 14 days, can ease symptoms for some women in as little as three days, while general antidepressants can take weeks. For Ms. Cohn, its impact was swift and striking. On her fourth day of taking it, she said she suddenly “felt so much clarity in my head, like I didn’t have nagging thoughts about not being good enough.”Now, a year and a half after the drug became available, thousands of women have tried it, and their experiences have run the gamut. For some, symptoms improved remarkably. Others described a modest benefit that didn’t last or said their depression persisted. And others didn’t complete the two-week regimen because profound drowsiness, a common side effect of the drug, interfered with their ability to care for their babies or to fulfill other responsibilities.One in eight women in the United States experiences depression during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, and effective treatments are crucially needed. While the fast-acting pill shows promise, doctors say the challenge now is to determine which patients will benefit and why some don’t.Clinical trials of the drug found that postpartum depression improved in about 60 percent of patients. “It’s not everyone,” Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, a leader of the trials and director of the Center for Women’s Mood Disorders at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said at a National Institutes of Health conference. “So, what is it about the people that are going to respond versus those that don’t?”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Tuesday Briefing: A Deadly Jet Crash in Bangladesh](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/briefing/bangladesh-plane-crash-gaza-israel-hamas-ukraine-russia.html): Plus, New Zealand wines with something extra. A - [Sharing a Bed With Your Kid? It’s Totally Normal in Asia.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/world/asia/bed-sharing-parents-children-sleep-asia.html): In the United States and some other Western countries, many parents wince at the idea of sharing a bed with their young child on a regular basis.But in other places, long-term bed sharing through infancy, toddlerhood and beyond is seen as totally normal. For many families in Asia, in particular, the question is not whether to do it, but when to stop.How and where young children sleep is a big deal for the whole family. It can have implications for an infant’s safety and a child’s development. It can also affect parental sleep, intimacy and mental health, and can influence how families configure their homes.Ho Kin Ing, right, and her husband Tan Peng Yong with their daughters at home in Singapore.Ore Huiying for The New York TimesIn South Korea, many parents bed share because they want to savor a close relationship with young children “who one day won’t need them anymore,” said Inae Kim, an office manager in Seoul. She sleeps in two adjacent king-size beds with her husband and their two girls, ages 5 and 7.“They want to enjoy the moment,” Ms. Kim, 40, said over an iced latte in her high-rise apartment complex. Though her girls slept in cribs until they were 6 months old, they’ve grown up bed sharing with their parents.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Google A.I. System Wins Gold In International Math Olympiad](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/technology/google-ai-international-mathematics-olympiad.html): OpenAI said it, too, had built a system that achieved similar results.An artificial intelligence system built by Google DeepMind, the tech giant’s primary artificial intelligence lab, has achieved “gold medal” status in the annual International Mathematical Olympiad, a premier math competition for high school students.It was the first time a machine — which solved five of the six problems at the 2025 competition, held in Australia this month — reached that level of success, Google said in a blog post on Monday.The news is another sign that leading companies are continuing to improve their A.I. systems in areas like math, science and computer coding. This kind of technology could accelerate the research of mathematicians and scientists and streamline the work of experienced computer programmers.Two days before Google revealed its feat, an OpenAI researcher said in a social media post that the start-up had built technology that achieved a similar score on this year’s questions, though it did not officially enter the competition.Both systems were chatbots that received and responded to the questions much like humans. Other A.I. systems have participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad, or I.M.O., but they could answer questions only after human experts translated them into a computer programming language built for solving math problems.“We solved these problems fully in natural language,” Thang Luong, a senior staff research scientist at Google DeepMind, said in an interview. “That means there was no human intervention — at all.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Sanitariums and Stigma: When TB Was Common in the U.S.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/health/tb-tuberculosis-us-john-green.html): After The Times published an interview with John Green about his new book on tuberculosis, many readers wrote to share their families’ history with the disease.Recently, the writer John Green spoke with The New York Times about his best-selling book “Everything Is Tuberculosis” and the reason he developed an obsessive interest in the disease, which kills more people worldwide than any other infectious illness does. Tuberculosis has been rare in the United States for decades, but the conversation inspired many readers to write in to share their own families’ history with the disease.Here are excerpts from several.My mother, Babe, had TB in the early 1930s and was put in the Grasslands sanitarium in Valhalla, N.Y. She survived because her doctor gave her pneumothorax treatment, collapsing one lung at a time, to let the lung rest and repair. She said it was very painful. I was told the story over and over. She was so afraid I would get TB.One reason she lived is because she had met my father, Grant, on a trip to California and fallen in love. He wrote to her everyday and even said he would go east, climb the walls of the sanitarium and take her to the clean air of the mountains in California so she could get well. Grant was a writer and a stuntman in Hollywood. He had been Errol Flynn’s double in “Robin Hood.” So he really meant it when he said he’d climb the walls to get her out.He didn’t do that. But when Babe recovered, she took a train to California and married my father. Babe’s doctor was Dr. William Godfrey Childress, whom I have since found out was one of the well-known TB experts in those days. I met him when she went in for a checkup many years later. (I was born when Babe was 44!)— Wyn LydeckerWe are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Climate Change Is Making Fire Weather Worse for World’s Forests](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/climate/extreme-fire-weather-forests.html): Forest fires are on the rise globally. An increase in severe fire weather is largely responsible.In 2023 and 2024, the hottest years on record, more than 78 million acres of forests burned around the globe. The fires sent veils of smoke and several billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, subjecting millions of people to poor air quality.Extreme forest-fire years are becoming more common because of climate change, new research suggests. “Climate change is loading the dice for extreme fire seasons like we’ve seen,” said John Abatzoglou, a climate scientist at the University of California Merced. “There are going to be more fires like this.”The area of forest canopy lost to fire during 2023 and 2024 was at least two times greater than in the previous nearly two decades, according to a new study published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers used imagery from the LANDSAT satellite network to determine how tree cover had changed from 2002 to 2024, and compared that with satellite detections of fire activity to see how much canopy loss was because of fire.Globally, the area of land burned by wildfires has decreased in recent decades, mostly because humans are transforming savannas and grasslands into less flammable landscapes. But the area of forests burned has gone up.Boreal forests lost more than two times the canopy area in 2023-24 compared with the period between 2002 and 2024, the study found. Tropical forests saw three times as much loss, and North American forests lost nearly four times as much canopy, mostly because of Canada’s wildfires.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Stellantis Says Profit Plunged as Tariffs Began to Bite](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/business/stellantis-profit-trump-tariffs.html): The company, which owns Jeep, Peugeot, Fiat and - [Israel Refuses to Renew Visa of Top UN Humanitarian Official for Gaza](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/world/middleeast/israel-visa-un-gaza.html): The head of the agency that helps oversee international aid deliveries to the territory had criticized the impact of Israeli policy on civilians.Israel has refused to renew the visa of a senior United Nations official who oversees humanitarian affairs in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, the country’s foreign minister said on Sunday, further straining the already tense ties between the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the organization.The U.N. official, Jonathan Whittall, will not be allowed to continue working in the country, said Gideon Saar, the Israeli foreign minister. Mr. Whittall is the acting head of the local branch of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which plays a major role in managing the entry of desperately needed aid into the territory.Mr. Saar cited what he called Mr. Whittall’s “biased and hostile conduct against Israel” as the grounds for the decision. Andrea De Domenico, Mr. Whittall’s predecessor, also had to leave Israel when the government refused to allow him to continue working there.The Israeli authorities had indicated that Mr. Whittall’s visa would not be extended beyond August, according to the U.N. agency, which is known as OCHA. It said the decision had come after remarks that he had made about Gazans being killed while trying to get food at aid distribution sites.“Speaking about conditions we see on the ground is a core element of OCHA’s mandate,” the agency said in a statement in response to the decision not to renew Mr. Whittall’s visa. “Attempts to silence us are not new, but threats of reduced access to the civilians we’re trying to serve are intensifying.”On Sunday, Israeli troops killed and wounded dozens of Palestinians after opening fire near a border crossing as U.N. aid trucks entered the territory, according to the Gaza health ministry and health workers.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Obesity Prediction Could Be Guided by Genetic Risk Scores](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/health/obesity-genetic-risk-score.html): Researchers hope that a better understanding of which genes contribute to excess weight could help with prevention starting in childhood.Researchers have known for decades that genetics may be more powerful than environment in predicting who will develop obesity. Identical twins tend to have the same body mass index, even if they are reared apart. Adopted children tend to have a degree of obesity similar to their birth parents rather than their adoptive ones.Identifying the genetic roots of obesity could aid with prevention starting in childhood. But finding a genetic footprint for obesity has proved challenging. With rare exceptions, there’s not one gene or even a few that are the culprits. Instead, obesity is spurred by thousands of gene variants acting in concert. Each variant exerts a tiny effect.Now, using genetic data from five million people, an international group of hundreds of researchers reports that it has developed an obesity risk score, known also as a polygenic risk score. It combines thousands of gene variants to estimate individuals’ predicted body mass indexes, which continue to be used by doctors to anticipate weight-related health dangers.The researchers showed that the scores can predict which young children are at risk of obesity as adults. And, in another test, they found that overweight and obese adults with high risk scores quickly regain any weight that they lose with lifestyle programs.Their paper was published on Monday in the journal Nature Medicine.Dr. Joel Hirschhorn, an author of the paper and a professor of pediatrics and genetics at Boston Children’s Hospital, cautioned that genetics cannot account for the effects of environment and is therefore inherently limited in predicting obesity.“We will almost never be able to say a child will have a BMI of 38 as an adult,” he said. “Genetics is not that predictive.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Scotland’s North Coast 500 Draws Tourists, but at What Cost?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/travel/scotland-highlands-nc500.html): When Susanne Ramacher-Schmitz moved to the “very quiet - [Chinese Car Giants Rush Into Brazil With Dreams of Dominating a Continent](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/climate/china-brazil-electric-vehicles.html): A two-hour drive beyond the traffic jams of São Paulo, past the vast valleys of sugar cane, one of the first Chinese battery-powered-car factories in the Americas is getting ready to open.Its goal is to reinvent the way Brazil drives, and ultimately, the rest of Latin America, much as Chinese automakers have already done across much of Asia and want to do in Europe.Until recently, this factory was run by Mercedes-Benz, the German giant of 20th century automotive innovation that churned out cars powered by gasoline. Today, it’s owned by Great Wall Motor, a company that decades ago made rugged pickup trucks for the Chinese countryside but is now one of China’s leading exporters of stylish, affordable electric cars.The change in hands reflects a profound disruption for one of the world’s most vital industries. If American and European gas-guzzling cars once dominated global tastes and trends, that era appears to be fast turning to China’s favor.Today, not only does China make and export more cars of all types than any other country in the world, Chinese firms dominate the global manufacture of battery-powered vehicles of the future. They also control the supply chain for virtually everything that goes into those cars.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Organ Donation: What to Know About the Process](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/health/organ-donors-information.html): If there is a small red heart with the words “organ donor” at the bottom of your driver’s license, that puts you in a group of over 173 million Americans who are in the national organ donor registry.Organ donation has wide public support, but medical ethicists say there is still confusion about what it looks like and how it affects patients and families.How do you become an organ donor?Any adult can register. In most states, teenagers as young as 15 may also express their intent to donate, though parents can revoke that decision.Today, around 90 percent of donors join their state registry at their local D.M.V. Others sign up while registering to vote, or through an online form linked to their local organ procurement organizations, known as O.P.O.s, which are nonprofit federal contractors in each state that coordinate transplants.Donate Life America, an advocacy organization, maintains a nationwide list of online registries.Donors can sign up or change their status at the D.M.V. or online, though residents of some states have had trouble removing themselves from the registry.Is the decision legally binding?It depends on how you die.If you are declared legally dead after testing shows no signs of neurological activity — known colloquially as being “brain-dead” — then the organ donor status on your license is legally binding, even if your family disagrees. In these cases, patients are kept on a ventilator until their organs are retrieved.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [A Push for More Organ Transplants Is Putting Donors at Risk](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/us/organ-transplants-donors-alive.html): People across the United States have endured rushed or premature attempts to remove their organs. Some were gasping, crying or showing other signs of life.Last spring at a small Alabama hospital, a team of transplant surgeons prepared to cut into Misty Hawkins. The clock was ticking. Her organs wouldn’t be usable for much longer.Days earlier, she had been a vibrant 42-year-old with a playful sense of humor and a love for the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally. But after Ms. Hawkins choked while eating and fell into a coma, her mother decided to take her off life support and donate her organs. She was removed from a ventilator and, after 103 minutes, declared dead.Listen to this article with reporter commentaryA surgeon made an incision in her chest and sawed through her breastbone.That’s when the doctors discovered her heart was beating. She appeared to be breathing. They were slicing into Ms. Hawkins while she was alive.Across the United States, an intricate system of hospitals, doctors and nonprofit donation coordinators carries out tens of thousands of lifesaving transplants each year. At every step, it relies on carefully calibrated protocols to protect both donors and recipients.But in recent years, as the system has pushed to increase transplants, a growing number of patients have endured premature or bungled attempts to retrieve their organs. Though Ms. Hawkins’s case is an extreme example of what can go wrong, a New York Times examination revealed a pattern of rushed decision-making that has prioritized the need for more organs over the safety of potential donors.Share your story about the organ transplant systemWe will not publish any part of your submission without contacting you first. We may use your contact information to follow up with you. We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [They Vanished in Syria’s Long Occupation of Lebanon. Now Their Families Want Answers.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/19/world/middleeast/lebanon-syrian-occupation-detainees.html): Thousands went missing during Syria’s decades-long intervention in Lebanon. Months after the fall of the Syrian regime, families are still clinging to hope.Hoda al-Ali searched for her son for 34 years, until the day she drew her final breath.In 1986, when he was 18, he was arrested at a checkpoint by Syrian troops occupying Lebanon. A single mother of 10, Ms. al-Ali would scrape together what little she earned as a seamstress and travel every few months into neighboring Syria to scour its prisons. When her legs grew frail, her children took over, chasing the same breadcrumbs, never finding answers.Then, in December, a video emerged.President Bashar al-Assad of Syria had just been toppled by a lightning rebel offensive. In the chaos, a news crew filming outside a Syrian prison captured the image of an older man, disheveled and dazed, emerging from its gates. The family froze. They were sure it was the missing son, Ali, and their story quickly made headlines.But days passed. Then weeks. Ali never returned. Hope faded. Lebanese officials offered no answers. Journalists stopped calling.Months later, the search grinds on.“We need to continue my mother’s mission,” said Ali’s brother Moammar, clutching an old photograph of him in the family’s home in northern Lebanon. “We still have hope he is alive.”Amer al-Ali showing a picture of his brother Ali Hassan al-Ali, who was arrested by Syrian troops in Lebanon in 1986, and has not been heard from since. Omar Ibrahim/ReutersAfter the collapse of the Assad government, prison doors across the country flew open, and Syrians flooded in to search for traces of their friends and loved ones who had disappeared in untold numbers under the brutal regime. In Lebanon, however, many could only watch and wait.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Paying Hide-and-Seek With Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/19/arts/design/cezanne-2025-aix-en-provence.html): Thousands of tourists are descending on Aix-en-Provence, France, - [Felix Baumgartner, Skydiver Who Jumped From the Edge of Space, Dies Paragliding at 56](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/world/europe/felix-baumgartner-dead.html): Nicknamed “Fearless Felix,” he jumped from the edge - [This Dinosaur Probably Tweeted More Than It Roared](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/science/dinosaur-fossil-voice-china.html): The anatomy of a Chinese fossil offers a hint that birdsong may be as old as the dinosaurs themselves.Since the 1930s, dinosaurs have rumbled, snarled and roared on film. But the fossilized inspirations for these cinematic characters have preserved little evidence for any such dramatic voices.In a paper published last week in the journal PeerJ, researchers announced the discovery of a fossilized herbivorous dinosaur from China preserving a surprisingly birdlike throat. It provides a clue that the origins of birdsong might go as far back as the beginning of dinosaurs themselves.The two-foot-long dinosaur, which the researchers named Pulaosaurus, was discovered in 163-million-year-old rocks in northeastern China, said Xing Xu, a paleontologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing and an author of the paper. The largely complete skeleton offers a strong anatomical view into the fleet-footed, beaked animal, an early member of the family that later produced “duck-billed” hadrosaurs and horned dinosaurs.The Jurassic period formation that produced Pulaosaurus is also the source of other dinosaur discoveries like the feathered proto-bird Anchiornis, the tiny, batlike Yi qi and the feathered herbivorous dinosaur Tianyulong. Unlike those animals, Pulaosaurus is not preserved with obvious soft tissues that could help better explain its living appearance. “On some parts of the fossil we thought we’d found very thin filaments, but we can’t confirm that,” Dr. Xu said.The team did note interesting formations in the stomach region of the fossil but hasn’t determined what those are. “They could be stomach contents — food eaten by this dinosaur, or organs, or maybe even eggs within the body,” Dr. Xu said.The most interesting remains were found within the throat. In vertebrates, vocal organs play an important role in protecting the airway and helping produce everything from simple hisses and grunts to speech. In most living reptiles, these tissues are composed of cartilage, and can produce simple bellows, grunts, groans and chirps. Modern birds have vocal organs made up partially of delicate bones, allowing them to make much more complicated sounds — including, in some cases, mimicking human speech.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [5 Charged in U.C. Berkeley Professor’s Killing in Greece, Including His Ex-Wife](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/europe/cal-berkeley-professor-murder-suspects-arrested-greece.html): Przemyslaw Jeziorski, who taught quantitative marketing at the - [Interior Dept. to Put Wind and Solar Projects Through Stricter Political Review](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/climate/interior-dept-wind-solar.html): Industry groups said the directive could create new delays and bottlenecks for renewable energy projects across the country.The Trump administration said on Thursday that it would apply new layers of political review to wind and solar projects, potentially creating hurdles for renewable energy developments across the country.The Interior Department said in a memo that a wide range of agency actions related to approving new wind and solar power plants would now have to be reviewed by the office of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, instead of by lower-level agency staff.That includes more than 68 types of agency actions, including federal permits, environmental reviews, lease sales, site plans, wildlife impact assessments and numerous smaller decisions and consultations.In a statement, the agency said that the move was aimed at “ending preferential treatment for unreliable, subsidy-dependent wind and solar energy.”The broad nature of the memo could create bottlenecks and delays for a significant number of renewable energy projects, experts said.While only a relatively small fraction of wind and solar projects is built on federal lands and waters managed by the Interior Department, many projects on private lands often consult with the agency to determine whether they need federal permits to comply with wildlife protections or other laws.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [U.S. Proposes Steep Tariffs on Critical E.V. Battery Material](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/business/trump-graphite-tariff-electric-vehicles.html): The Commerce Department plans to impose a 93.5 percent levy on Chinese graphite, an essential ingredient in the batteries that power electric vehicles.The Commerce Department on Thursday imposed steep tariffs on an essential ingredient for batteries, imposing an additional cost on electric vehicle manufacturers and dealing another blow to an industry already suffering from significant policy changes.China supplies almost all the refined graphite that Tesla and other car companies and suppliers use to make batteries. On Thursday, the Trump administration issued a preliminary ruling that Chinese suppliers were guilty of “dumping” and imposed tariffs of 93.5 percent. In trade law, dumping is the practice of selling goods in another country for a lower price than in its home market.The decision will hurt many automakers like Ford Motor and suppliers like Panasonic and LG Energy Solution that have been setting up battery factories in the United States. The tariffs are likely to raise prices for electric cars at the same time that the federal government is eliminating tax credits of up to $7,500 for people who buy or lease the vehicles. That tax credit will end on Sept. 30 under a tax and policy bill President Trump signed this month.This week Panasonic began producing battery cells at a new plant in De Soto, Kan., that will employ 4,000 people. LG manufactures batteries in Tennessee and other states. They are among numerous companies that invested in domestic manufacturing operations with financial support from the federal government that Republicans have sought to eliminate.Graphite accounts for less than 8 percent of the cost of a battery, according to Panasonic. But batteries are the most expensive components in an electric car. Doubling the cost of graphite could easily add $1,000 or more to the price of a battery. The Trump administration has imposed other tariffs on imported auto parts and vehicles.Tesla and other companies filed numerous objections to a petition for the tariffs submitted by the American Active Anode Material Producers, a group of graphite suppliers in the United States and Canada which sought the duties.Tesla said in a letter to administration officials in February that it had already agreed to buy graphite from U.S. suppliers, but “they have not yet shown the technical ability to produce commercial quantities” of battery-grade graphite “at the quality and purity required by Tesla and other battery cell manufacturers.”The automaker did not immediately reply to a request for comment Thursday. Elon Musk, the company’s chief executive, was one of Mr. Trump’s biggest supporters before a recent falling out.The anode material producers group applauded Thursday’s decision. “Dumping is a malicious trade practice used by China to undercut competition and wield geopolitical influence,” the organization said in a statement.The decision is preliminary, but companies must begin paying the duties immediately. They would receive refunds if a final decision, expected in December, reverses the preliminary finding. - [‘Bonjour’ Sets Off a Linguistic Dispute on a Belgian Train](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/europe/bonjour-belgian-train.html): The rules can get complicated in a country - [The UK Plans to Lower the Voting Age to 16. Here’s What to Know.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/europe/uk-voting-age-16.html): A guide to what’s being described as Britain’s - [The rise and rise of women’s sport](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/17/the-rise-and-rise-of-womens-sport): Women’s entry into organised sports has involved impressive acts of rebellion. Take the first European women’s football championship in 1957. The four-team tournament took place in West Germany despite women being forbidden to play competitive football there. England’s Football Association also deemed the sport “unsuitable for females”. So when the English women won the tournament, forget any big celebrations at home—they were not even recognised. - [Justice for Haiti’s murdered president is messy](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/17/justice-for-haitis-murdered-president-is-messy): Four years after Haiti’s last elected president, Jovenel - [Mexico’s handouts do a bit for the poor and lots for Morena](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/17/mexicos-handouts-do-a-bit-for-the-poor-and-lots-for-morena): Tania earns a decent wage working as a - [Jobless claims drop for fifth straight week to lowest level since April](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-drop-for-fifth-straight-week-to-lowest-level-since-april-d0efc61d?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Rescuers Seek American Hiker Missing for Days in the Pyrenees](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/europe/missing-american-hiker-spain-pyrenees.html): Cole Henderson, 27, was last heard from on - [Iraq Shopping Mall Fire Kills at Least 61](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/middleeast/iraq-shopping-mall-fire.html): Local officials blamed shoddy construction and a lack of preparedness for the scale of the tragedy at the newly opened building.A fire ripped through a shopping mall in eastern Iraq and killed at least 61 people, including children, according to local officials, who blamed the scale of the tragedy on shoddy construction and a lack of preparedness.Iraq’s interior ministry said the “horrific fire” began on Wednesday night and swept through a recently opened, five-story shopping center in the city of Kut. Most of the 61 victims appeared to have suffocated “due to heavy smoke,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that 14 bodies were so badly charred that they had yet to be identified.The ministry said it had opened an investigation into the deadly episode in Kut, which is southeast of Baghdad in Wasit Province.According to Habib al-Badri, the head of the province’s security committee, an electric malfunction sparked the fire. But he said poor building practices and an unprepared rescue service had worsened the casualty toll.“There was a lack of emergency exits and emergency ladders and extinguishers. And unfortunately the province was not prepared for such an incident,” he said in an interview. “We hope what happened will be a lesson for the future.”Video verified by The New York Times showed the aftermath of the fire in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [PepsiCo Inc.’s stock rises after revenue surprisingly increases and the outlook was maintained](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pepsico-inc-s-stock-rises-after-revenue-surprisingly-increases-and-the-outlook-was-maintained-f252e9a6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Wall St. Firms Are Buying Utilities to Tap Into the A.I. Boom](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/business/energy-environment/blackrock-minnesota-power.html): Consumer groups say proposals by BlackRock and Blackstone to buy energy companies in Minnesota, New Mexico and Texas could hurt residents.Large Wall Street investment firms are moving to acquire U.S. utility companies in an effort to benefit from the rising demand for electricity from data centers. But the deals are increasingly being contested by consumer groups who say they will lead to higher energy costs for residents.BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, last year proposed buying Minnesota Power, a utility that owns several power plants and thousands of miles of power lines that could help technology companies secure energy for their data centers.But a state administrative law judge recommended late Tuesday that Minnesota utility regulators deny the proposed acquisition sought by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners division and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The utility provides power to 150,000 residential and business customers, largely in northern Minnesota, including Duluth and Grand Rapids.The acquisition appeared to be on a smoother glide path late last week when the Minnesota Department of Commerce removed its opposition to the deal and entered an agreement with the parties involved in the transaction.The recommendation of the administrative law judge, Megan J. McKenzie, is not binding, but it could sway the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, whose approval is necessary for the acquisition to advance.She highlighted concerns of opponents of the deal that the investment firms would prioritize making money over ensuring reliable electricity service, potentially harming consumers.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Fire Ravages Tomorrowland Music Festival’s Main Stage](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/europe/tomorrowland-festival-fire-main-stage-belgium.html): Organizers of the major electronic festival in Belgium - [Thursday Briefing: Israel Strikes Damascus](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/briefing/israel-syria-afghanistan-iran-trump-federal-reserve.html): Plus, the many takes on Superman. Debris in - [The Bills That Could Change Crypto in The U.S.](https://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000010285812/the-bills-that-could-change-crypto-in-the-us.html): new video loaded: - [Ceratosaur Fossil Auctioned for $30.5 Million by Sotheby’s](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/science/sothebys-dinosaur-auction-ceratosaurus.html): The price paid for the juvenile specimen of the 150-million-year old predatory dinosaur is the third-highest on record.Sotheby’s auctioned a dinosaur fossil for $30.5 million on Wednesday. The auction house had last month projected an estimated value of $4 million to $6 million for the juvenile Ceratosaurus, a carnivorous reptile that prowled North America 150 million years ago.The company announced the sale on its X account, and it has yet to disclose the identity of the winning bidder. The sale price followed eye-watering sums paid for dinosaur skeletons in the public market in 2020 and 2024.The ceratosaur roamed the floodplains of what is now the American West about 90 million years before non-avian dinosaurs were driven to extinction. It is distinguished by its thin nasal horn and dagger-like teeth. The auctioned specimen was discovered by private fossil prospectors in 1996 near Bone Cabin Quarry, Wyo., and is only the fourth Ceratosaurus skeleton ever found. It is also the only juvenile, with the mounted skeleton standing just over six feet tall and nearly 11 feet long. A notable selling point was its complete, delicately preserved skull.The ceratosaur had a winding road to the auction block. First acquired by the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah, it remained as an unmounted public display until 2024. The nonprofit museum then removed it from its collection and sold it to Brock Sisson, a former employee who is now a commercial paleontologist. His company mounted it and brought it to Sotheby’s for auction.Mr. Sisson did not reply to a request for comment.The dinosaur’s price made it the third-most-expensive fossil to sell at auction.The high-water mark was set last year by Sotheby’s sale of the stegosaur “Apex,” which sold to the hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin for $44.6 million. Earlier in 2020, “Stan,” a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, sold at Christie’s for $31.8 million.Other dinosaur fossils offered at today’s auction also sold for high prices: an articulated T. rex foot mount and a largely complete Pachycephalosaurus skull both went for roughly $1.7 million.Andre LuJan, the president of the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences, a trade group, said the high price of the auction could create financial challenges for commercial paleontology operators, a community his association represents. Private landowners, he said, may charge higher prices for leases on sites where fossil digs occur.“This is basically validating the high prices of the fossil market,” after the Apex sale, Mr. LuJan said. He added that it “would squeeze museums that want to work on private land and make a deal with the landowner.”Reflecting on the ceratosaur’s journey from a museum collection to the auction block, Mr. LuJan said he also worried about the precedent the auction might set.“Are museums going to look at these fossils from private lands as a potential cash cow?” he asked. “This was something that was accepted by everyone as hallowed ground, and now it’s been desecrated.” - [Why So Many Afghans Have Been Forced Out of Iran](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010278804/why-so-many-afghans-have-been-forced-out-of-iran.html): new video loaded: - [London’s Kew Gardens Will Renovate Iconic Glasshouses](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/europe/kew-london-renovate-glasshouse-palm-water-lily.html): The Palm House and the Waterlily House, two - [Nvidia C.E.O. Treads Carefully in Beijing](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/business/nvidia-jensen-huang-beijing.html): Jensen Huang, the chipmaker’s chief executive, is trying to balance his company’s interests as the United States and China compete for supremacy in artificial intelligence.Nvidia is celebrating its renewed ability to sell certain artificial intelligence computer chips in China, after the Trump administration this week lifted key restrictions.But Jensen Huang isn’t about to take any credit for the change.The chief executive of the Silicon Valley chip giant used a 95-minute press briefing on Wednesday in Beijing to play down his role in persuading President Trump to allow chip sales to China. He distanced himself, too, from China’s latest export controls, suggesting even the restrictions on a rare earth metal used in chips wouldn’t affect the company.Mr. Huang has met with senior officials in Washington and Beijing in the past few days, including Mr. Trump, to promote artificial intelligence and his company’s central role in the industry. Many of the world’s most advanced A.I. systems are powered by calculations done on Nvidia’s chips. Last week, the company became the first public firm to reach $4 trillion in market value.“I don’t think I changed his mind,” Mr. Huang said of Mr. Trump. “It’s my job to inform the president about what I know very well, which is the technology industry, artificial intelligence, the developments of A.I. around the world.”Mr. Huang’s apparent modesty underscores the balancing act he must play between the world’s two largest economies as they compete for primacy over artificial intelligence. Three presidential administrations in Washington have tried to hold back China’s A.I. capabilities by cutting off the flow of advanced chips, including by restricting Nvidia’s sales to Chinese companies.At the same time, Beijing has emphasized self-reliance in the A.I. industry, as it has for electric vehicles and solar panels. Government ministries have pushed Chinese companies to make everything they need for A.I. on their own. With Beijing’s backing, Chinese companies like the telecommunications giant Huawei have been racing to develop alternatives to Nvidia’s technology.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [At Least 20 Killed in Stampede Outside a Gaza Aid Site](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/middleeast/gaza-aid-site-stampede-ghf.html): There were conflicting accounts from aid officials and Palestinian officials over what happened at the food distribution hub run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.A stampede outside an aid distribution center in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people who were waiting for food on Wednesday, according to Palestinian and aid officials, the latest in a string of deadly episodes around sites run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.The deaths bring the number of people killed while trying to get food from the organization to about 700 since late May, according to data provided this week by the United Nations.There were conflicting reports about the melee, which started on Wednesday morning on the outskirts of Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza.The Gaza Health Ministry said tear gas was fired into a crowd gathered at the distribution site, causing a stampede. It said 21 people were killed, 15 of whom suffocated.The aid organization said that 20 people were killed after armed agitators among a gathering crowd at its Khan Younis distribution site created a “chaotic and dangerous surge.”It was not immediately possible to explain the discrepancy in the death toll. At Nasser Hospital on Wednesday, a woman mourned Palestinians killed in the episode at the aid site.Hatem Khaled/ReutersWe are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Goldman Sachs’ stock jumps after a big earnings beat, amid strength in investment banking and equities businesses](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/goldman-sachs-stock-jumps-after-a-big-earnings-beat-amid-strength-in-investment-banking-and-equities-businesses-bed07056?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump Announces ‘Great Deal’ on Trade With Indonesia](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/business/economy/indonesia-trump-tariff-trade-agreement.html): Details are still scarce on the agreement, which - [Bank of America’s Q2 profit of 89 cents a share tops analyst estimate](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bank-of-americas-q2-profit-of-89-cents-a-share-tops-analyst-estimate-77cb9069?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Afghan Women and Girls Deported From Iran Fear Returning to Afghanistan](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/asia/afghanistan-women-refugees.html): “Get ready to cope” was the message from - [Afghan Women and Girls Deported From Iran Fear Returning to Afghanistan](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/asia/afghanistan-women-refugees.html): “Get ready to cope” was the message from - [Migration Fears Turn Europe’s Borderless Dreams Into Traffic Nightmares](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/europe/europe-border-checks-immigration.html): Germany’s new government imposed border checks to demonstrate - [A 900-Year-Old Typo May Unravel a Chaucer Mystery](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/world/europe/chaucer-wade-mystery.html): The Tale of Wade, twice referred to in - [Thinking Machines Lab Raises a Record $2 Billion, Announces Cofounders](https://www.wired.com/story/thinking-machines-lab-mira-murati-funding/): Thinking Machines Lab, an artificial intelligence company founded - [Cynical realism won’t save India from Donald Trump](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/15/cynical-realism-wont-save-india-from-donald-trump): IT IS HARD to knock India’s political and business elites off-balance, but President Donald Trump is managing. In Delhi’s book-lined studies and the glass-walled corporate towers of Mumbai, grandees are suffering from vertigo. Normally, Indian diplomats and strategists take pride in being unshockable, remaining coolly transactional whatever a wicked world throws at them. But since Mr Trump’s return to office, elites are off-kilter. - [U.K. Secretly Resettled 4,500 Afghans in Britain After Huge Data Breach](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/world/europe/uk-data-email-afghans-taliban.html): The government said that information about 18,000 Afghans - [Trump Administration Will Limit Medicare Spending on Pricey Bandages](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/health/medicare-skin-substitutes-prices.html): In an about-face, the administration is cracking down on so-called skin substitutes, overused treatments that cost Medicare more than $10 billion last year.Medicare plans to slash payments for expensive and untested skin bandages that have cost the federal government billions of dollars, the Trump administration announced Monday.The new proposed limit is an about-face for the administration, which twice delayed Biden-era rules to reduce spending on the bandages, known as skin substitutes. President Trump, who previously defended the payments on social media, received a large campaign donation last year from a leading bandage seller.Spending on skin substitutes has increased fortyfold in the past five years, surpassing $10 billion in 2024. That sharp increase is one of the largest examples of Medicare waste in the program’s history, according to data analysts and industry experts.Medicare, the government insurance plan for seniors, spent more last year on the bandages than on ambulance rides or anesthesia, despite limited evidence that they work. The bandages are made from dried bits of placenta and are used on wounds that won’t heal.For years, lax Medicare rules have allowed makers of the bandage to essentially set their own prices. Companies have brought more than 100 new versions to market since 2023, some costing Medicare more than $21,000 per square inch.The new Medicare policy proposes setting a flat payment of $806 per square inch. The lower fee is likely to stamp out a lucrative scheme that The New York Times reported on this year: Doctors can buy the coverings at large discounts and then charge Medicare the full sticker price, pocketing the difference.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Men Who Felled Sycamore Gap Tree Are Given Prison Sentences in U.K.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/world/europe/sycamore-gap-tree-sentencing-prison.html): The tree, a beloved landmark that stood by - [Nvidia Says U.S. Has Lifted Restrictions on A.I. Chip Sales to China](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/technology/nvidia-ai-chip-sales-china.html): The Silicon Valley chip giant said the Trump administration, which had shut down its sales to China three months ago, had assured it that licenses for the sales would now be granted.Three months after shutting down Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chip sales to China, the Trump administration has reversed course.On Monday, the Silicon Valley company said in a blog post that the U.S. government had approved sales of a China-specific A.I. chip known as the H20. Nvidia will still need licensing approval from the U.S. government to fulfill those orders, but the Trump administration “has assured Nvidia that licenses will be granted,” the company said.The decision came after Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s chief executive, met last Thursday with President Trump. Mr. Huang has spent months lobbying politicians across Washington to keep China open for A.I. chip sales. China has the potential to deliver billions of dollars in sales for the world’s most valuable public company, which last week became the first to reach a $4 trillion valuation.Mr. Huang has also visited China several times this year, including a trip to Beijing this week where he is scheduled to give a news conference on Wednesday. He told reporters in China on Tuesday that Nvidia would also begin selling a chip for China called the RTX PRO GPU that is based on its latest Blackwell technology.Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, said on Tuesday that it had also received government approval to restart sales of its A.I. chip for China, the MI308. Shares of Nvidia and AMD rose more than 4 percent in morning trading.The Commerce Department and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The reversal has major implications for the race between the United States and China to develop artificial intelligence. It will allow Chinese tech companies to restart purchases of Nvidia’s chips, which are regarded as ideal for running some of the calculations that power A.I. Nvidia was slated to collect as much as $15 billion from sales of the H20 chip during its current fiscal year.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Videos From the Amazon Reveal an Unexpected Animal Friendship](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/science/ocelots-opossums-friends-video.html): Scientists are trying to understand footage that showed ocelots and opossums, usually predator and prey, hanging out together.Ocelots and opossums, two different pairs at two different locations in the Amazon, were caught on trail cameras prowling around in tandem.Ettore Camerlenghi, Isabel Damas-Moreira, Angelo Piga; and Nadine HolmesScreenwriters in search of the next Timon and Pumbaa may want to look to the Amazon, where unlikely ocelot-opossum duos have been filmed hanging out together.Researchers at Cocha Cashu Biological Station in southeastern Peru set up a camera trap to study bird behavior, but they got a surprise guest appearance instead: an ocelot trailing an opossum through the jungle at night. The ocelot, a wild cat slightly larger than a house cat, and the common opossum, a marsupial, are usually predator and prey. But in this video, they moved in tandem.“We were skeptical about what we had seen,” said Isabel Damas-Moreira, behavioral ecologist at Bielefeld University in Germany. Perhaps the ocelot was shadowing its dinner-to-be to learn about its behavior, they wondered, although that didn’t explain the opossum’s laid-back behavior. Then came a second clip: the same odd couple wandering back along the trail minutes later.“Like two old friends walking home from a bar,” Dr. Damas-Moreira said.Intrigued, they contacted researchers in other parts of the Amazon who turned up three additional, nearly identical videos from different locations and years.Dr. Damas-Moreira and her colleagues then set up an experiment, which they described last month in the journal Ecosphere. They left strips of fabric infused with ocelot scent, puma scent and a control in front of camera traps.Opossums visited the ocelot scent 12 times, often lingering to rub against, sniff or bite the fabric. The puma scent attracted just one brief visit.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Bessent says Trump won’t fire Powell](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bessent-says-trump-wont-fire-powell-d3e03838?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Wells Fargo beats revenue expectations, but stock falls as net interest income misses](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/wells-fargo-beats-revenue-expectations-but-stock-falls-as-net-interest-income-misses-7646dfa4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [JPMorgan Chase tops earnings estimate for sixth quarter in a row](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jpmorgan-chase-tops-earnings-estimate-on-c462dddd?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Arizona Governor Seeks Investigation of Federal Handling of Grand Canyon Fire](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/us/arizona-grand-canyon-wildfire-controlled-burn.html): Gov. Katie Hobbs questioned why the U.S. government decided to manage the Dragon Bravo fire, which started with a lightning strike, as a “controlled burn” during the height of the summer.As a wildfire at the Grand Canyon National Park that left dozens of structures in cinders continued to flare on Monday, the governor of Arizona questioned the federal government’s decision to manage the blaze using a strategy that preventively burns fuel-rich vegetation.The Dragon Bravo fire, which was ignited by a lightning strike on July 4, according to a wildfire tracking website, had grown to more than 5,700 acres by Monday, shutting down access to trails through the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park and destroying the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and other structures.“While the flame was started with a lightning strike, the federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer,” the governor, Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said in a statement. She called for an independent investigation.“An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal government’s emergency response,” she said. “They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage.”A controlled burn is one of the most important tools used to manage fire, according to the National Park Service. They help rid forest grounds of vegetation that can serve as fuel for fires.The prescribed plan takes careful account of the fuels, size, weather and environment and balances those factors against other possible fire-prevention methods.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Snakes Use Smelly Musk to Keep Ants Out of Their Pants](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/science/snakes-fire-ants-musk.html): Forget fangs full of venom — the backsides of serpents pack secretions volatile enough to kill insect invaders.A writhing ball of slimed-up, musky-smelling snake might be just the level of grossness needed to repel the attacks of voracious fire ants.New research published this spring in The Science of Nature revealed that the scent glands near the back-end of serpents can release enough nasty chemicals to kill ants on touch.“It’s a remarkable event,” said Robert Vander Meer, a research chemist with the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Previous research had shown that Texas blindsnakes, a largely underground species, might repel ants using the secretions they produce from glands near their cloaca, or the opening from which all snakes defecate. Many snakes will secrete this musk from these glands, located on their undersides, near their tails, rubbing their whole bodies in it.Dr. Vander Meer and his colleague, Paul Weldon, who was with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute before his death in 2022, wanted to test these observations in the lab.Dr. Weldon acquired scent-gland secretion samples from several species: the Middle American burrowing python, boa constrictor, ball python, king cobra, timber rattlesnake and unicolor cribo. First they sprayed musk taken from the Middle American burrowing python on ant species, but it didn’t seem to have much effect.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Meta Built a Data Center Next Door. The Neighbors’ Water Taps Went Dry.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/technology/meta-data-center-water.html): After Meta broke ground on a $750 million data center on the edge of Newton County, Ga., the water taps in Beverly and Jeff Morris’s home went dry.The couple’s house, which uses well water, is 1,000 feet from Meta’s new data center. Months after construction began in 2018, the Morris’s dishwasher, ice maker, washing machine and toilet all stopped working, said Beverly Morris, now 71. Within a year, the water pressure had slowed to a trickle. Soon, nothing came out of the bathroom and kitchen taps.Jeff Morris, 67, eventually traced the issues to the buildup of sediment in the water. He said he suspected the cause was Meta’s construction, which could have added sediment to the groundwater and affected their well. The couple replaced most of their appliances in 2019, and then again in 2021 and 2024. Residue now gathers at the bottom of their backyard pool. The taps in one of their two bathrooms still do not work.Jeff and Beverly Morris.“It feels like we’re fighting an unwinnable battle that we didn’t sign up for,” Ms. Morris, a retired payroll specialist, said, adding that she and her husband have spent $5,000 on their water problems and cannot afford the $25,000 to replace the well. “I’m scared to drink our own water.”The Morris’s experience is one of a growing number of water-related issues around Newton County, which is a 1.5-hour drive east of Atlanta and has a population of about 120,000 people. As tech giants like Meta build data centers in the area, local wells have been damaged, the cost of municipal water has soared and the county’s water commission may face a shortage of the vital resource.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Apollo-Soyuz 50th Anniversary: A Handshake in Orbit That Transformed the Space Race](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/science/apollo-soyuz-test-project-1975-anniversary.html): Some 140 miles above France, American astronauts opened a spacecraft hatch and found themselves face to face with cosmonauts from the Soviet Union.“Glad to see you,” Col. Alexei Leonov spoke in accented English to Brig. Gen. Thomas Stafford of NASA.“Ah, hello, very glad to see you,” General Stafford responded in his own accented Russian.The two men then shook hands.Today, Russian and American astronauts routinely share rides to the International Space Station, no matter the geopolitical conflict that divides their nations. But in the summer of 1975, seeing two men from rival nations greet each other in orbit across a bridge between their docked spacecraft was a powerful and unprecedented gesture witnessed by millions on the world spinning below.The handshake, which occurred 50 years ago this July 17, defined the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the first international human spaceflight. That simple symbol of partnership between bitter competitors remains an enduring legacy of the mission.“It’s amazing to think that two diametrically opposed countries with different systems and cultures, essentially ready to destroy each other, can somehow cooperate and do this highly technical, complicated mission,” said Asif Siddiqi, a professor of history at Fordham University and an expert on Russian space history.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [South African AIDS Activist Pushes for H.I.V. Treatment Access After U.S.-Aid Cuts](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/health/south-africa-aids-hiv-trump-funding-cuts.html): The activists gathered on the steps of the cathedral in the center of Cape Town. Most were older women, faces lined beneath their head wraps. They converged around a gray-haired man in an oversized coat, his shoulders hunched against the morning chill. Linking arms, they set out to infiltrate a meeting across the street. “Ready?” the man said, sounding a little weary, a little nervous.It had been a while since Zackie Achmat confronted his government about matters of life and death.Twenty-five years ago, Mr. Achmat co-founded what became the most powerful social movement in post-apartheid South Africa. He led a showdown against the government that won lifesaving medical treatment for millions of people with H.I.V. — and nearly killed him.Until just a few months ago, Mr. Achmat, 63, thought those days were well behind him. He was spending time on a pomegranate farm, caring for rescue dogs and watching Korean telenovelas. He made a failed bid for parliament on an anti-corruption platform, but he was enjoying watching new generation of activists lead. As for H.I.V., the issue that once dominated his life, he hardly thought about it. He didn’t need to, so robust was the national treatment program that grew out of the victories that Mr. Achmat and his colleagues won two decades ago.Then came January, and the Trump administration’s decision to slash its foreign assistance, including funding for the President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. As part of an overall reduction in funds sent overseas, which Mr. Trump has called wasteful and a misuse of taxpayer dollars, PEPFAR’s budget has been sharply reduced.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Scotland’s Unreliable Ferries Leave People on Islands in Outer Hebrides Cut Off](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/world/europe/scotland-islands-ferry-fiasco.html): The text message arrived with an ominous ping - [How the Deep Sea Cables That Power the World Are Made](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/business/undersea-power-cables-electricity.html): On a recent spring day, a chunky, 560-foot-long ship with a bulbous nose and a stern bristling with heavy equipment sat at the end of a slender quarter-mile pier off the forested coast of Finland.The vessel, called the Monna Lisa, which was recently built in Romania for about 30 million euros, will serve as an important instrument in the expansion and reconfiguring of electric power systems around the world.Over a week’s time, about 80 miles of high-voltage cable snaked out from a factory to the boat, where it was coiled into tall stacks on big turntables.This complex in Pikkala, on the outskirts of Helsinki, the Finnish capital, is one of the few places in the world that can produce conduits with the capacity to link countries and the durability to withstand the rigors of the ocean depths.Electric power is no longer the humdrum industry it used to be. In the next decades, the world is expected to experience increased demand for electricity to feed a variety of needs, from data centers to electric vehicles. The power grid itself is also being modernized and extended to reach new sources of generation and trade energy across borders.A vessel, called the Monna Lisa, is docked at a pier off the coast Finland to load cable aboard.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Amid Tariff Chaos, U.S. Allies Try to Redraw the Trade Map](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/world/europe/trump-tariffs-trade-europe-us.html): Facing growing chaos, the European Union and numerous - [Daniel Kleppner, Physicist Who Brought Precision to GPS, Dies at 92](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/science/daniel-kleppner-dead.html): He worked to develop an atomic clock that is essential to global positioning systems and helped confirm a rare state of matter predicted by Albert Einstein.Daniel Kleppner, an experimental physicist who helped to develop an atomic clock that became an essential part of global positioning systems, or GPS, and who also helped to discover a rare fundamental state of matter predicted by Albert Einstein and his fellow theoretical physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, died on June 16 in Palo Alto, Calif. He was 92.His wife, Beatrice, confirmed the death. She said he collapsed while visiting their daughter, Sofie Kleppner, and her son, Darwin, who was graduating from high school.It was in the mid-1950s, while he was doing a fellowship at the University of Cambridge in England, that Dr. Kleppner learned something surprising: It was possible, a tutor told him, to build a clock precise enough to detect the effects of gravity on time. Curious, he went in search of more information and read Norman Ramsey’s 1953 book “Nuclear Moments.”After his fellowship, he went on to do graduate work at Harvard University, where he discovered that Dr. Ramsey was on the faculty. He immediately applied for Dr. Ramsey’s research group and was accepted.Dr. Ramsey would eventually share the 1989 Nobel Prize in Physics for research he had done in the 1940s, when he discovered a way to measure the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by atoms and molecules. His experimental technique laid the groundwork for nuclear magnetic resonance, a precursor to the M.R.I. technology used in medicine today.The atoms of each element vibrate at a unique frequency, like the signature call of a bird. Dr. Ramsey’s work made it possible for scientists to build what is known as an atomic clock — a device that measures those vibrations, using the information to keep incredibly precise time. (The official measure of a second, for example, is 9,192,631,770 oscillations of a cesium atom.)We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Denver Museum Finds a Dinosaur Fossil Under Its Parking Lot](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/science/denver-museum-nature-science-dinosaur-fossil.html): The fossil, estimated to be about 70 million years old, was found during a drilling project.Have you ever searched for a pair of glasses, only to realize that they were on your head the whole time?The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is filled with exhibits of dinosaur skeletons. And in the scientific equivalent of tossing couch cushions, its scientists discovered a dinosaur fossil deep — really deep — below the surface of one of its own parking lots, the museum announced this week.The fossil, estimated to be about 70 million years old, was buried 763 feet below the surface and unearthed because of a drilling project that aimed to better understand the geology of the Denver Basin. The museum wanted to understand the geology to see if it would be possible to replace natural gas with geothermal systems to heat and cool the museum.Two drilling rigs bore test holes under one of the museum’s paved parking lots, reaching almost 1,000 feet below the surface.On Jan. 30, one of the museum’s geologists, who was sifting through what had been extracted, immediately recognized the dinosaur bone, sending museum staff members into a frenzy.James Hagadorn, the museum’s curator of geology, stepped out of a parent-teacher conference as his phone lit up with texts.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [How to Panic Italians? Jack Up the Price of Espresso.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/world/europe/espresso-italy-coffee-prices.html): Prices for coffee beans have risen, but in - [Google Hires Top A.I. Leaders From Windsurf, Which OpenAI Was Courting](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/technology/google-windsurf-openai.html): In a $2.4 billion deal, Google recruited the chief executive and a co-founder of Windsurf, which OpenAI had been in talks to buy, as the battle to dominate artificial intelligence escalates.Google has joined Silicon Valley’s scramble to scoop up artificial intelligence engineers, hiring the leaders of Windsurf, a start-up that developed an A.I.-powered computer programming tool, in a $2.4 billion deal.The move, which became public on Friday, was the latest example of how tech companies are waging battles to suck up A.I. talent. The deal deepens Google’s bench of A.I. engineers while also scoring it a point against OpenAI, one of its biggest challengers in the field.In May, OpenAI was in talks to acquire Windsurf in a $3 billion deal that would help add thousands of new customers and expand OpenAI’s offerings. But the talks broke down in recent weeks because Windsurf’s leaders had concerns about the information it might have to share about its product with Microsoft, one of OpenAI’s largest investors, two people with knowledge of the deal said.Under Google’s agreement, Varun Mohan, the chief executive of Windsurf, and Douglas Chen, a co-founder, will join Google DeepMind, the company’s A.I. division, along with several of Windsurf’s research and development employees. Google is also paying for a nonexclusive license for Windsurf technology. “We’re excited to welcome some top A.I. coding talent from Windsurf’s team to Google DeepMind to advance our work in agentic coding,” Google said in a statement. As part of the statement, Mr. Mohan and Mr. Chen said they were excited to join Google.The Verge and The Information earlier reported on Windsurf’s deal.Silicon Valley giants including Meta have lately poached A.I. talent from rivals and start-ups, sometimes offering compensation packages as high as $100 million. Google has chosen to pay to bring on top A.I. talent from start-ups rather than acquiring the smaller businesses outright. In 2023, Google agreed to pay $3 billion to license technology from Character.AI, a chatbot start-up. The deal allowed Google to hire Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, who both had left Google to start Character.ai.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Join Our Livestream: Inside the AI Copyright Battles](https://www.wired.com/story/livestream-ai-copyright-battles/): What’s going on right now with the copyright - [Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s strongman-loving boss](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/11/gianni-infantino-fifas-strongman-loving-boss): ON JULY 7TH a motley crew gathered in Trump Tower to toast the New York skyscraper’s latest tenant: FIFA, football’s governing body. Eric Trump, the president’s son; Ronaldo, a Brazilian footballing great; and a handful of FIFA bigwigs beamed for the cameras. The biggest wig there was Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s divisive president. As well as celebrating his new office, Mr Infantino was at Trump Tower to unveil the trophy of the Club World Cup. The tournament’s final takes place in New Jersey on July 13th between Chelsea, an English team, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a French one. It is Mr Infantino’s pet project: his name appears twice on the gleaming gold prize. - [Fiscal Monitor, October 2021](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/10/13/fiscal-monitor-october-2021) - [CNN: Trump Justice Department seized reporter phone records](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/entertainment-news/2021/05/cnn-trump-justice-department-seized-reporter-phone-records/): CNN says the Trump administration Justice Department secretly - [The big Pentagon internet mystery now partially solved](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-main/2021/04/the-big-pentagon-internet-mystery-now-partially-solved/): After weeks of wonder by the networking community, - [Fiscal Monitor, April 2021: A Fair Shot](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/03/31/Fiscal-Monitor-April-2021-A-Fair-Shot-50156) - [Fiscal Monitor April 2021](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/03/29/fiscal-monitor-april-2021) - [Fiscal Monitor Update, January 2021](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/01/20/fiscal-monitor-update-january-2021) - [Retiree checks to rise 1.3% in 2021 amid coronavirus fallout](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/retirement/2020/10/uptick-for-retiree-checks-in-2021-amid-coronavirus-worries/): Social Security recipients will get a modest 1.3% - [Investigators: Texas couple defrauded Army out of millions](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/army/2020/07/investigators-texas-couple-defrauded-army-out-of-millions/): Federal agents have seized more than 20 vehicles - [Army is taking limited steps to counter racial divisiveness](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/army/2020/06/army-is-taking-limited-steps-to-counter-racial-divisiveness/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army will take a - [Colorado adopts CPE reciprocity](https://www.aicpa.org/advocacy/cpaadvocate/2019/colorado-adopts-cpe-reciprocity.html): Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed legislation into law - [AICPA System and Organization Controls communications guidelines](https://www.aicpa.org/interestareas/frc/assuranceadvisoryservices/sorhome/aicpa-system-and-organization-controls-communications-guidelines.html): In 2017, the AICPA introduced the term system and organization controls (SOC) to refer to the suite of services practitioners may provide relating to system-level controls of a service organization or system- or entity-level controls of other organizations. Formerly, SOC referred to service organization controls. By redefining that acronym, the AICPA enables the introduction of new internal control examinations that may be performed (a) for other types of organizations, in addition to service organizations, and (b) on either system-level or entity-level controls of such organizations. It is important that both CPA professionals and service organizations communicate properly when discussing SOC services to avoid misunderstanding. The following communication guidelines identify the recommended use of commonly used terms.The acronym “SOC” stands for “System and Organization Controls.” Its complete descriptive name should only be used on the first reference.The terms SOC 1®, SOC 2®, and SOC 3® are registered and accepted marks. Accordingly, the ® symbol should only be used on the first reference. Additionally, the terms should be used as an adjective, not a noun or verb.Do not abbreviate, pluralize, or otherwise modify the SOC marks. Similarly, using SSAE 16 SOC 2 is an inappropriate and inaccurate use of the mark as SSAE 18 superseded SSAE 16.Correct: SOC 1®, SOC 2®, SOC 3®, SOC for Cybersecurity, SOC for Supply ChainIncorrect: SOC II, SOC-2, SOC 2, SYSTEM AND ORGANIZATION CONTROL 2, AICPA SOC 2, or the like.For example, “Company announced that it recently completed its SOC-2 (System and Organization Control 2) examination.”SOC examinations are not certifications. Therefore, the terms “certified,” “certificate,” or “certification” should not be used when referring to SOC examinations and reports. Similarly, a CPA firm providing its client with a certificate of completion inappropriately implies the SOC examination was a certification.Specific details about the service auditor’s opinion should not be included in communications unless the complete SOC report package is provided, due to the risk of misunderstanding by the reader. Stating that an unqualified opinion was received without providing details on the types of controls included within the system does not provide the reader with the necessary information to meet his or her needs. Also, stating the organization received an unqualified opinion demonstrating that its controls meet or exceed SOC 2® requirements is unacceptable.Correct: “Company recently received its first SOC 2® report on the organization’s controls relevant to security…”Incorrect: “Company received an unqualified opinion on its SOC2® audit, which demonstrates that its controls meet or exceed the stringent SOC2 requirements.”The AICPA’s SOC for Service Organizations logo should only be used if the organization has properly registered with the AICPA to use the logo and has complied with the terms and guidelines for use. A service organization that has properly registered with the AICPA may use the logo on its website to market its SOC 1®, SOC 2®, or SOC 3® report provided the logo is hyperlinked to www.aicpa.org/soc4so. The service organization is also required to cease using the logo if a new SOC report is not issued within 12 months. Service organizations can follow this link to review the terms, conditions, and guidelines for use of the SOC logo (PDF). - [Charting Your Sales & Use Tax Business Model](https://www.cpa.com/webinars/charting-your-sales-use-tax-business-model): The sales tax landscape has dramatically changed since - [Get Smart With B2B International Payments](https://www.cpa.com/infographics/get-smart-b2b-international-payments): Get Smart With B2B International Payments | Infographic - [Top Challenges Facing Firms Performing PCR Services](https://www.cpa.com/infographics/top-challenges-facing-firms-performing-pcr-services): Top Challenges Facing Firms Performing PCR Services | - [Bill.com and CPA.com Expand Accountant Partner Program](https://www.cpa.com/media-coverage/billcom-and-cpacom-expand-accountant-partner-program): Bill.com and CPA.com have expanded their Accountant Partner - [Two CPA.com Staffers Named to CPA Practice Advisor's 'Top 20 Under 40 Superstars' List](https://www.cpa.com/press-releases/two-cpacom-staffers-named-cpa-practice-advisors-top-20-under-40-superstars-list): NEW YORK (Sept. 8, 2017) – Two CPA.com - [Expensive, grueling fights in store for US special education](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-news/2017/05/expensive-grueling-fights-in-store-for-us-special-education/): A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case - [Today in History](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-news/2017/04/today-in-history-554/): Today in History - [Asian stocks lower as North Korea jitters flare](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/business-news/2017/04/us-stock-indexes-tick-higher-in-a-mixed-day-for-markets/): Asian stock markets have declined amid jitters over - [Short of support, House won’t vote on health bill this week](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-news/2017/04/moderates-balk-at-conservative-backed-revised-health-bill/): A House GOP leader says the House won’t - [Will the next iPhone charge wirelessly?](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/technology/apple-wireless-charging/index.html?section=money_news_international): Happy 10th birthday, iPhone You may never have to plug in your iPhone again. Apple has joined an industry group devoted to wireless charging, strengthening existing rumors that the next iPhone will charge without a cord. The Wireless Power Consortium, which is made up of some 200 organizations that promote a single wireless charging standard, confirmed to CNNTech that Apple joined the group last week. IPhone rumors swirl months before each new version is announced, and hype around the so-called 'iPhone 8" is particularly high: Apple (AAPL) is expected to unveil a major redesign of the this fall to mark the 10-year anniversary of the smartphone. The company has already shown interest in doing away with cumbersome cords. The Apple Watch charges wirelessly, provided consumers spend $79 on a magnetic charging dock. And the latest MacBook now comes with only one USB port. Related: Apple stock nears a record high Apple would also create another iPhone revenue stream by selling a wireless charging station separately. The feature would simplify charging for smartphone owners. Rather than plugging in one's phone, a user would only need to place it on the charging dock. Apple said in a statement Monday it was joining the Wireless Power Consortium to contribute its ideas as wireless charging standards are developed. As for the speculated possible features of the next iPhone, other rumors include an edge-to-edge display, a glass body and the removal of the home button. - [How 'America First' could turn into to 'India First'](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/technology/india-h1b-visa-trump-nandan-nilekani/index.html?section=money_news_international): What is an H-1B visa? America is great because of its willingness to accept talented immigrants. That's what Nandan Nilekani, the billionaire co-founder of Infosys Technologies, would tell President Trump if he had the opportunity. "If you really want to keep the U.S. ... globally competitive, you should be open to overseas talent," Nilekani said on the sidelines of CNN's Asia Business Forum in Bangalore. Infosys (INFY) is India's second-largest outsourcing firm, and a major recipient of U.S. H-1B visas. The documents allow the tech firm to employ a huge number of Indians in U.S. jobs. The Trump administration is now considering significant changes to the visa program. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in January that Trump will continue to talk about reforming the H-1B program, among others, as part of a larger push for immigration reform. Curbs on the visas could hit Indian workers hardest. India is the top source of high-skilled labor for the U.S. tech industry. According to U.S. government data, 70% of the hugely popular H-1B visas go to Indians. Shares in several Indian tech companies -- including Infosys -- plunged spectacularly two weeks ago amid reports of an impending work visa crackdown. Related: Tech industry braces for Trump's visa reform Nilekani said it would be a mistake for the administration to follow through. "Indian companies have done a great deal to help U.S. companies become more competitive, and I think that should continue," Nilekani said. "If you look at the Silicon Valley ... most of the companies have an immigrant founder." India's contribution to the industry -- especially at top levels -- has been outsized. The current CEOs of Google (GOOG) and Microsoft (MSFT), for example, were both born in India. Related: India freaks out over U.S. plans to change high-skilled visas But Nilekani, who is also the architect of India's ambitious biometric ID program, suggested that India would ultimately benefit from any new restrictions put in place under Trump's "America First" plan. If talented engineers can't go to the U.S., they will stay in India. "This issue of visas has always come up in the U.S. every few years, especially during election season," he said. "It's actually accelerated the development work [in India], because ... people are investing more to do the work here." Nilekani cited his own projects for the Indian government as an example. The Bangalore-born entrepreneur left Infosys in 2009 to run India's massive social security program, which is known as Aadhaar. As a result of the initiative, the vast majority of India's 1.3 billion citizens now have a biometric ID number that allows them to receive government services, execute bank transactions and even make biometric payments. "It was built by extremely talented and committed Indians," Nilekani said. "Many of them had global experience, but they brought that talent and experience to solve India's problems." Nilekani said the country's massive youth population is increasingly choosing to stay home and pitch in. "It's India first," he said. - [Mexico ready to retaliate by hurting US farmers](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/news/economy/mexico-trump-us-corn/index.html?section=money_news_international): Anti-Trump protests take place across Mexico Mexico is ready to hit the U.S. where it hurts: Corn. Mexico is one of the top buyers of American corn in the world today. And Mexican senator Armando Rios Piter, who leads a congressional committee on foreign relations, says he will introduce a bill this week where Mexico will buy corn from Brazil and Argentina instead of the United States. It's one of the first signs of potential concrete action from Mexico in response to President Trump's threats against the country. "I'm going to send a bill for the corn that we are buying in the Midwest and...change to Brazil or Argentina," Rios Piter, 43, told told CNN's Leyla Santiago on Sunday at an anti-Trump protest in Mexico City. He added: It's a "good way to tell them that this hostile relationship has consequences, hope that it changes." American corn goes into a lot of the country's food. In Mexico City, from fine dining restaurants to taco stands on the street, corn-based favorites like tacos can be found everywhere. Related: Mexican farmer's daughter: NAFTA destroyed us America is also the world's largest producer and exporter of corn. American corn shipments to Mexico have catapulted since NAFTA, a free trade deal signed between Mexico, America and Canada. American farmers sent $2.4 billion of corn to Mexico in 2015, the most recent year of available data. In 1995, the year after NAFTA became law, corn exports to Mexico were a mere $391 million. Experts say such a bill would be very costly to U.S. farmers. "If we do indeed see a trade war where Mexico starts buying from Brazil...we're going to see it affect the corn market and ripple out to the rest of the ag economy," says Darin Newsom, senior analyst at DTN, an agricultural management firm. Rios Piter's bill is another sign of Mexico's willingness to respond to Trump's threats. Trump wants to make Mexico pay for a wall on the border, and he's threatened taxes on Mexican imports ranging from 20% to 35%. Trump also wants to renegotiate NAFTA. He blames it for a flood of manufacturing jobs to Mexico. A nonpartisan congressional research report found that not to be true. Related: Mexico doubles down on Trump 'contingency plan' Still, Trump says he wants a better trade deal for the American worker -- though he hasn't said what a better deal looks like. All sides signaled two weeks ago that negotiations would begin in May after a 90-day consultation period. But Trump says if negotiations don't bear the deal he wants, he threatens to withdraw from NAFTA. Such tough talk isn't received well by Mexican leaders like Rios Piter. He's not alone. Mexico's economy minister, Ildefonso Guajardo, said in January Mexico would respond "immediately" to any tariffs from Trump. "It's very clear that we have to be prepared to immediately be able to neutralize the impact of a measure of that nature," Guajardo said Jan. 13 on a Mexican news show. --Shasta Darlington contributed reporting to this story - [Stocks hit record again. Is Trump the reason?](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/investing/stocks-all-time-highs-donald-trump-janet-yellen-fed/index.html?section=money_news_international): What does a Trump presidency mean for the Fed? The Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 each hit new all-time highs Monday. Investors are giddy with excitement and they clearly believe that both big blue chip multinationals and smaller companies that do most of their business in the U.S. will continue to thrive. So is this the Donald Trump rally? Or the Janet Yellen rally? Some strategists believe Trump's stimulus plans and talk of killing many burdensome regulations are the reasons stocks are soaring. Or perhaps this is better characterized as a continuation of the Barack Obama rally instead? You could argue that POTUS 44 has dealt POTUS 45 a pretty good hand. The solid job market and overall economy that Trump inherited may be the reason consumers and businesses are so confident. But investors (and financial journalists) are often quick to give the president more credit -- and blame -- than they probably deserve for the performance of the stock market. RBC strategist Jonathan Golub pointed this out in a report on Monday, one that was aptly titled "Message to Market: It's Not All About Donald." Related: Trump isn't killing the bull market Golub noted that the S&P 500 rose nearly 7% from late June through Election Day -- a time when most polls were predicting that Hillary Clinton would be the next president. But stocks have continued to rally since then, rising another 8% since Trump pulled off the upset (at least to the mainstream media and Wall Street) victory. You can't have it both ways. It makes no logical sense to suggest that stocks rallied because investors believed Trump would lose and that they continued to rally because Trump didn't lose. Bond yields have also been rising since Trump won, a phenomenon that many investors have attributed to the likelihood of stimulus from the president and Republican Congress. Yet Golub points out that the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury was going up during the late summer as well. Of course, many investors were expecting stimulus from Clinton too. Yet once again, many investors are claiming that Trump is the catalyst for something that not only was going on before he was elected, but was happening because many thought he would lose. Related: Stocks have avoided a 1% dive for an unusually long period of time So it's odd that Trump is being cited as the main reason for a market rally that began months before anyone felt he could win. What's really going on? The one constant during the past few months is the Federal Reserve. Yes. the markets are reacting to Washington. But they are paying closer attention to Janet Yellen, not the White House. The Fed made it crystal clear before the election that it would probably raise interest rates in December and do so a few more times in 2017 regardless of who won the race for president. The good news for investors is that the U.S. economy seems to be growing steadily, but does not appear to be at risk of overheating. Related: Here's why the world's largest money manager is worried The most recent jobs report showed that wages grew at a decent rate of 2.5% annually. But that's not nearly high enough to spark fears of runaway inflation and lead the Fed to aggressively raise rates. Even if Yellen and the Fed hike rates three times this year, they are likely to do so by just a quarter point every time. That would push the Fed's key short-term rate to a range of 1.25% to 1.5%. That's still extremely low. At those levels, stocks would still be more attractive than bonds. Corporate earnings should be able to keep rising at a healthy clip. And consumers would probably keep spending. So investors would be wise to keep a close eye on Yellen and not just have a myopic focus on the president, With that in mind, Yellen is set to testify in front of Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday. And what she says about the timing and magnitude of future rate hikes could wind up keeping the rally going full steam ahead -- or stopping it dead in its tracks. - [Apple stock nears record high](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/technology/apple-stock-record/index.html?section=money_news_international): Apple looks to manufacture in India Apple has found its groove again. The iPhone maker's stock hit $133.82 in early trading Monday, putting Apple less than $1 away from its intraday trading high of $134.54, reached in April 2015. Apple's stock ended the day at $133.29, beating its previous record closing price of $133, set in February 2015. The stock surge, pushing Apple (AAPL) to a $700 billion market cap, comes amid renewed optimism for the iPhone. Goldman Sachs raised its price target for the stock on Monday, citing the likelihood of "major new features" like "3D sensing" being added to the next iPhone model, according to an investor note provided to CNNMoney. Apple's previous high was set six months after it released the redesigned iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, kicking off what CEO Tim Cook described as the "mother of all upgrades." Since then, however, Apple has bucked its tradition of overhauling the iPhone every other year. The newest models on the market today look nearly identical to the iPhones available in late 2014. The long wait, combined with this year marking the iPhone's tenth anniversary, has only raised expectations that Apple is about to significantly overhaul its smartphone and reignite demand. Related: Tim Cook: 'Apple would not exist without immigration' Apple's annual sales fell in the 2016 fiscal year for the first time since 2001 as iPhone sales, still the majority of its business, declined in three consecutive quarters. Apple even cut its CEO's pay by 15% due to the company's failure to meet its performance goals for both sales and profits. But that losing streak just ended. Apple sales started growing again in the December quarter, driven by stronger demand for the iPhone -- particularly for the larger and more expensive iPhone 7 Plus. The company sold 78.3 million iPhones for the quarter, setting a new record. At least some of that may be due to the Samsung's smartphone recall woes. Mark Moskowitz, an analyst with William Blair, wrote in an investor note this month, "Samsung's Note 7 struggles likely helped." The iPhone isn't the only reason Wall Street is excited about Apple. There's also President Trump. Despite Trump clashing with Apple during the campaign, investors are now optimistic Apple will benefit from at least one Trump proposal: cutting taxes on cash that U.S. businesses bring back from their overseas accounts. Apple currently has $230 billion in cash held in foreign accounts. If Trump and Congress make it cheaper for Apple to bring that money back, it could be used for acquisitions and buybacks. - [America's NAFTA nemesis: Canada, not Mexico](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/news/economy/nafta-canada-trudeau-trump-mexico/index.html?section=money_news_international): NAFTA explained America and Canada have one of the world's biggest trade relationships. President Donald Trump met for the first time Monday with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada," Trump said at the news conference. But the U.S.-Canada trade relationship over the years has not been as smooth as you might think. There have been trade wars, acts of retaliation, allegations of dumping and jobs lost. "Our trading relationship obviously is strong...but the relationship has been rocky, despite the agreements we have in place," says Stuart Trew, an editor at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a research group in Ottawa, Canada's capital. Trump has often slammed Mexico and NAFTA, the trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. But Canada is rarely mentioned. Yet, there have been more NAFTA dispute claims against Canada -- almost all by U.S. companies -- than against Mexico. Even today, Canada has stiff tariffs against the United States and the two sides only recently resolved a bitter dispute over meat. Most leaders and experts stress that trade ties between the two nations are strong and mostly positive. But Canada and America have had plenty of battles along the way. Now Trump wants to renegotiate NAFTA, which will be on the top of the agenda for his meeting with Trudeau. 1. Canada gets in more NAFTA trouble than Mexico Listening to Trump, you might think Mexico is the bad actor of NAFTA. But since NAFTA's inception in 1994, there have been 39 complaints brought against Canada, almost all by U.S. companies. Known in the industry as the investor state dispute settlements, it allows companies to resolve cases under a special panel of NAFTA judges instead of local courts in Mexico, Canada, or the U.S. There's only been 23 complaints against Mexico. (By comparison, companies from both Mexico and Canada have filed a total of 21 complaints against the U.S.) And increasingly, Canada is the target of American complaints. Since 2005, Canada has been hit with 70% of the NAFTA dispute claims, according to CCPA, a Canadian research firm. 2. The U.S. - Canada lumber battle NAFTA isn't the only sore area. In 2002, the U.S. slapped a roughly 30% tariff on Canadian lumber, alleging that Canada was "dumping" its wood on the U.S. market. Canada rejected the claim and argued the tariff cost its lumber companies 30,000 jobs. "It was a very sour point in Canadian - American relations for quite a while," says Tom Velk, an economics professor at McGill University in Montreal. The dispute had its origins in the 1980s, when American lumber companies said their Canadian counterparts weren't playing fair. Whether Canada actually broke the rules is a matter of dispute. Canadian officials deny that the government is subsidizing softwood lumber companies in Canada. American lumber companies still allege that it does, and a U.S. Commerce Department report found that Canada was providing subsidies to lumber companies in 2004. It didn't say whether the subsidies were ongoing. According to the allegations, Canada subsidized lumber companies because the government owns many of the lands where the wood comes from. That subsidy -- on top of Canada's huge lumber supply -- allowed Canada to price its lumber below what U.S. companies can charge. The World Trade Organization ultimately sided with Canada, denying America's claim and the two sides came to an agreement in 2006 to end the tariff. However, that agreement and its ensuing grace period expired in October, and the two sides are back at it again. The Obama and Trudeau administrations couldn't reach a compromise before Obama left office and it remains a contentious trade issue with U.S. lumber companies calling once again for tariffs. Related: 'Without NAFTA' we'd be out of business 3. Smoot-Hawley triggers U.S. - Canada trade war Things got even worse during the Great Depression. In 1930, Congress wanted to protect U.S. jobs from global trade. So the U.S. slapped tariffs on all countries that shipped goods to America in an effort to shield workers. It was called the Smoot-Hawley Act. Today, it is widely accepted that this law made the Great Depression worse than it was. Canada was furious, and retaliated more than any other country against the U.S., sparking a trade war. "Canada was so incensed that...they raised their own tariff on certain products to match the new U.S. tariff," according to Doug Irwin, a Dartmouth Professor and author of "Peddling Protectionism: Smoot-Hawley and the Great Depression." For example, the U.S. increased a tariff on eggs from 8 cents to 10 cents (these are 1930s prices, after all). Canada retaliated by also increasing its tariff from 3 cents to 10 cents -- a threefold increase. Exports dwindled sharply: in 1929, the U.S. exported nearly 920,000 eggs to Canada. Three years later, it only shipped about 14,000 eggs, according to Irwin. Related: Remember Smoot-Hawley: America's last major trade war 4. Canada's sky high tariffs on U.S. eggs, poultry, milk Fast forward to today. Smoot-Hawley is long gone, but Canada continues to charge steep tariffs on U.S. imports of eggs, chicken and milk. For instance, some tariffs on eggs are as high as 238% per dozen, according to Canada's Agriculture Department. Some milk imports, depending on the fat content, are as high as 292%. "They're so onerous that you can't bring it across. There's no American eggs in Quebec," says Velk. According to Canada's Embassy in the U.S., reality is much different. Its officials say that despite some stiff tariffs, Canada is one of the top export markets for American milk, poultry and eggs. The U.S. does have tariffs on some goods coming from all countries, but they are not nearly as high as Canada's. Experts say these tariffs continue to irk some U.S. dairy and poultry farmers, some of whom are challenged to sell into the Canadian market. But they doubt much will change since the tariffs have been in place for decades now. Related: Those Reagan tariffs Trump loves to talk about 5. COOLer heads and the future of NAFTA Despite all these disputes, experts stress this trade relationship is still one of the best in the world. In fact, the two countries are so interconnected now, when trade disputes erupt sometimes American companies will side with Canadian companies and against U.S. lawmakers. For example, Canadian meat producers disputed a U.S. law that required them to label where the cattle was born, raised and slaughtered. Canadians said the law discriminated against its meat from being sold in the U.S. and took the case to the WTO. The WTO sided with Canada, and last December, Congress repealed the country-of-origin-labeling law. American meat producers -- whose business is intertwined with Canada -- actually supported their counterparts in Canada, arguing the regulation was too burdensome. As for Trump's proposal of tearing up NAFTA, many American and Canadian experts say that it's not worth it to renegotiate or end the agreement. The three countries that are part of the agreement are so enmeshed with each other that untangling all that integration would be detrimental to trade and economic growth. --Editor's note: This story was originally published on August 11, 2016. We have since updated it. - [Verizon's plan: Consumers win, investors lose](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/investing/verizon-stock-unlimited-data-plan/index.html?section=money_news_international): Inside Verizon's device testing lab Verizon has brought back its unlimited data plan. That's great if you're a Verizon customer. But it is terrible news for its investors. Verizon (VZ) stock fell nearly 1.5% in early trading Monday. It's now down about 10% so far this year, making it the Dow's worst performer of 2017. Verizon's move is a clear sign the company has to pull out all the stops to remain competitive with wireless rivals AT&T (T), Sprint (S) and T-Mobile (TMUS). "In recent months, both T-Mobile and Sprint had some success taking additional share from Verizon by virtue of their unlimited offerings," wrote Morgan Stanley analysts in a report Monday morning. That may explain why shares of T-Mobile and Sprint, which is now controlled by Japanese tech conglomerate SoftBank, are both up this year while Verizon is down. T-Mobile and Sprint have also been perennially linked as possible merger partners. But the new telecom price war isn't the only problem for Verizon. AT&T recently acquired satellite broadcast provider DirecTV, a move that makes Ma Bell more competitive against Verizon in the battle to control people's living rooms. Verizon offers its own FiOS broadband TV service. Related: Verizon brings back unlimited data plans And AT&T is also making a much bigger bet on content, with plans to purchase CNN's parent company Time Warner (TWX). Verizon already owns AOL and is looking to buy the core assets of Yahoo to bolster its own digital content offerings. But the Yahoo (YHOO) deal could fall apart in the wake of revelations of massive data breaches at Yahoo over the past few years. Yahoo recently said it hopes that the deal with Verizon will close in the second quarter of this year. It was originally supposed to be finalized by the first quarter. However, in its latest earnings release, Verizon simply said that it "continues to work with Yahoo to assess the impact of data breaches" -- not that it expected the deal to close anytime soon. Verizon has a lot on its plate, which could be making investors nervous. In addition to the Yahoo deal, the company is also in the process of buying the fiber optic network of XO Communications. And it's selling its data center business to Equinix (EQIX). There also have been rumors in the past few weeks that Verizon might even consider buying cable provider Charter Communications (CHTR). That may be more than Verizon can realistically handle right now. But nothing may be off the table for Verizon given how competitive the wireless world is these days. Anything that could give Verizon a leg up on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile might be possible. Related: Charter shares popped on report of possible Verizon takeover Still, it's worth noting that shares of AT&T are lower this year too, down about 5%. And Verizon and A&T have something in common that Sprint and T-Mobile lack -- Verizon and AT&T pay gigantic dividends. Companies that have big dividend yields haven't fared as well since Donald Trump was elected. Investors are betting on a sizable stimulus package from him and the Republican Congress, which may be fueled in part by debt. That's caused bond yields to rise -- and that makes shares of big dividend payers like Verizon a lot less attractive. The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates a few times this year too. That could push bond yields even higher. So Verizon faces many big challenges that could hurt its stock this year. That's why Verizon, nicknamed Big Red because of its logo's crimson hue, may see its stock in the red for the foreseeable future. - [Tesla will sell electric cars in the Middle East](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/investing/tesla-uae-elon-musk/index.html?section=money_news_international): Elon Musk in 90 Seconds Tesla is bringing its electric cars to the heart of the oil producing world. The automaker announced Monday that its first official venture in the Middle East will be in the United Arab Emirates. The first cars -- the Model S and Model X -- will hit the road this summer. "Timing seems to be good to really make a significant debut in this region starting in Dubai," Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk said at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Tesla owners will have access to two existing supercharging stations in the UAE, and Telsa plans to open five more by the end of the year. Despite sitting on huge oil and gas reserves, the UAE has ambitious plans to go green. Last month it said it will invest $163 billion to boost alternative energy use over the next three decades. Related: Tesla reveals what it will charge for a charge It's the latest in a series of expansion announcements for Tesla. Last week, Musk hinted that Tesla may soon come to India. Musk has also teased plans to build "heavy-duty trucks and high passenger-density urban transport" as well developing a ride-hailing network, which could be similar to Uber. Speaking in Dubai, the entrepreneur expounded on the future of robotics. "We will see autonomy and artificial intelligence advance tremendously," Musk said. "In probably 10 years, it will be very unusual for cars to be built that are not fully autonomous." Related: Elon Musk's surprising secret weapon: Trump? But he also warned of the "disruptive" nature of autonomous vehicles. "That disruption I'm talking about will take place over about 20 years. Still, 20 years is a short period of time to have something like 12% to 15% of the workforce be unemployed." Musk said governments must pay close attention to artificial intelligence, create sustainable transport and be wary of mass unemployment. "This will be a massive social challenge. Ultimately, we need to think about universal basic income. I don't think we have a choice," he said. "There will be fewer and fewer jobs that a robot cannot do better." -- Seth Fiegerman contributed reporting. - [Trump brand takes another hit](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/news/companies/trump-brand-sears-kmart/index.html?section=money_news_international): White House plugs Ivanka Trump's brand Nordstrom. Neiman Marcus. TJ Maxx. And now, Sears and Kmart. Sears Holdings, the company that owns retail stores Sears and Kmart, reportedly said this weekend that it would remove 31 Trump-branded items from its website. The company pulled the products as part of a plan to focus on its "most profitable items," Sears spokesman Brian Hanover told Reuters. Hanover told the news organization that items in the Trump Home line of furnishings were removed from the company's website, although they could still be purchased through third-party vendors online. Neither store carried the items in their physical stores, he said. Searches of the Sears and KMart websites did not turn up Trump Home products, except for those sold by third-party vendors. In a statement Monday, spokesman Chris Brathwaite distanced Sears from any political controversy and reiterated that many Trump-branded products are still available through third-party sellers. "In this case, certain products were removed from our websites that included a very small number of Trump products," he said. "The headlines do not do justice to our business or this specific brand of products that we offer through our marketplace sellers." Brathwaite added that the company prefers to focus on its business and "leave the politics to others." Related: Is Ivanka Trump's brand losing its bling? The move makes Sears the latest to ditch products bearing the Trump name. Earlier this month, Nordstrom (JWN) cited brand "performance," not politics, as the reason why it decided to stop carrying Ivanka Trump's clothing and accessories label. President Trump knocked the department store on Twitter in retaliation. Nordstrom stock jumped 7% in the first two days following the tweet. My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person -- always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017 Other stores have also sought to distance themselves from Ivanka Trump's brand. Neiman Marcus removed the brand landing page from its website, and declined to tell CNNMoney whether it intended to keep Ivanka Trump products in stores or resume online sales in the future. TJX Companies (TJX), the company that owns TJ Maxx and Marshalls, also said that it had recently told workers not to highlight the first daughter's brand in stores. And retailer Belk said last week that it planned to pull Ivanka Trump's products from its website, but would continue to offer the line in its flagship stores. Ivanka Trump's clothing and accessories line has taken a hit in recent months. Online sales of her brand dipped 26% in January compared to a year earlier, according to Slice Intelligence, a retail analysis firm. Slice studied the brand's sales on five online stores: Nordstrom, Amazon, Zappos, Macy's and Bloomingdale's. Online sales of Ivanka's brand had surged in late 2015, and last month's numbers appear to be more of a "return to reality," according to Taylor Stanton, Slice's marketing and communications manager. The brand's dip in performance was abnormal in light of an uptick in 2016 online sales in the apparel and accessories category, said Jack Beckwythe, a Slice analyst. Related: Kellyanne Conway unrepentant for Ivanka Trump plug The Ivanka Trump brand has defended its performance. Rosemary Young, senior director of marketing at Ivanka Trump, told CNNMoney last week that the brand was growing and experienced "significant year-over-year revenue growth in 2016." "We believe that the strength of a brand is measured not only by the profits it generates, but the integrity it maintains," Young said. Retailers like Bloomingdale's, Amazon (AMZN), Lord & Taylor, Macy's (M) and Zappos all still carry Ivanka Trump products. Ivanka Trump has taken a leave of absence from her namesake company since her father won the presidency. She has no formal role in the administration but is expected to have a voice on issues such as women's empowerment and child care. --CNNMoney's Jackie Wattles contributed to this story. - [Swiss voters reject corporate tax overhaul](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/pf/taxes/switzerland-tax-referendum-vote/index.html?section=money_news_international): Why Trump's tax plan could raise taxes for 8.7 million households Voters in Switzerland have shocked the political establishment by rejecting a reform plan that would have brought the country's corporate tax system in line with international norms. The tax reforms, which were widely supported by the business community, would have removed a set of special low-tax privileges that had encouraged many multinational companies to set up shop in Switzerland. Experts say the future of Switzerland's tax system is now unclear. The vote result could create headaches for firms that had been banking on their implementation, and deter companies who had been considering a move to the country. "They do not know what [tax] measures will be available... That is not a very solid basis for making investment decisions," Peter Uebelhart, head of tax at KPMG in Switzerland, said in a video statement. Switzerland has come under intense pressure from G20 and OECD nations in recent years to clean up its tax system. The country runs the risk of being "blacklisted" by other nations if it doesn't change its tax system by 2019. Many voters rejected the tax reform package over fears it might reduce the amount of revenue collected by the government, according to Stefan Kuhn, head of corporate tax at KPMG in Switzerland. That might have lead to tax hikes on the middle class. The current tax system gives preferential treatment to some companies with large foreign operations. International tax authorities say the rules amount to unfair corporate subsidies. Martin Naville, head of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, said it's possible that voters didn't understand the complexities of the reforms. The measures were rejected by 59% of voters. "I think it's a very bad day for Switzerland," Naville said. "Clearly, the uncertainty and the credibility in the Swiss [system] has taken a massive hit." Related: How Europe's elections could be hacked Swiss authorities say they will move quickly to create a modified tax reform proposal. Naville said he hopes new rules are devised within the next few months. "All stakeholders now have to take responsibility to develop an acceptable competitive tax system, and to regain credibility regarding the famed political stability which gave Switzerland such an advantageous position," he said in a statement. Naville hinted that potential tax reforms in the U.S. and U.K. could tempt Swiss-based companies to relocate, putting more pressure on Switzerland's tax base. - [Oil prices have doubled in a year. Here's why](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/investing/oil-prices-opec-deal/index.html?section=money_news_international): Trump signs oil pipeline executive actions It's a good day for OPEC. Data published Monday by the oil cartel show its members have largely complied with an agreement to slash production. The confirmation caps a remarkable year for OPEC, which was forced to devise a plan to boost prices after they fell to $26 per barrel in February 2016. The price collapse -- to levels not seen since 2003 -- was caused by months of growing oversupply, slowing demand from China and a decision by Western powers to lift Iran's nuclear sanctions. Since then, the market has mounted a stunning turnaround, with crude prices doubling to trade at $53.50 per barrel. Here's how major oil producers worked together to push prices higher: OPEC deal OPEC agreed major production cuts in November, hoping to tame the global oil oversupply and support prices. The news of the deal immediately boosted prices by 9%. Investors cheered even more after several non-OPEC producers, including Russia, Mexico and Kazakhstan, joined the effort to restrain supply. Crucially, the deal has stuck. The OPEC report published Monday showed that its members have -- for the most part -- fulfilled their pledges to slash production. The International Energy Agency agrees: It estimated OPEC compliance for January at 90%. UAE energy minister Suhail Al Mazrouei told CNNMoney on Monday that the results were even better than he had expected. The production cuts total 1.8 million barrels per day and are scheduled to run for six months. Related: OPEC has pulled off one of its 'deepest' production cuts Investors upbeat The OPEC deal took months to negotiate, and investors really, really like it. The number of hedge funds and other institutional investors that are betting on higher prices hit a record in January, according to OPEC. The widespread optimism is helping to fuel price increases. Higher demand The latest data from OPEC and the IEA show that global demand for oil was higher than expected in 2016, thanks to stronger economic growth, higher vehicle sales and colder than expected weather in the final quarter of the year. Demand is set to grow further in 2017 to an average of 95.8 million barrels a day, compared 94.6 million barrels per day in 2016. The IEA said that if OPEC sticks to its agreement, the global oil glut that has plagued markets for three years will finally disappear in 2017. Saudi oil minister: I don't lose sleep over shale What's next? Despite the stunning growth, analysts caution that prices may not go much higher. That's because higher oil prices are likely to lure American shale producers back into the market. The total number of active oil rigs in the U.S. stood at 591 last week, according to data from Baker Hughes. That's 152 more than a year ago. U.S. crude stockpiles swelled in January to nearly 200 million barrels above their five-year average, according to the OPEC report. "This vast increase in inventories is a result of a strong supply response from the U.S. shale producers, who were not involved in the OPEC agreement and who have instead been using the resultant price rally to increase output," said Fiona Cincotta, an analyst at City Index. More supply could once again put OPEC under pressure. - [Indian rival slams Uber's business model](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/13/technology/uber-ola-india-pranay-jivrajka/index.html?section=money_news_international): Ola puts Uber in the shade Uber's top rival in India has some unsolicited advice for the U.S. startup: Go local. "They have a very cookie-cutter approach in terms of what the model is and how [to] force feed it into any geography," Pranay Jivrajka, a top executive at Ola Cabs, said on the sidelines of CNN's Asia Business Forum in Bangalore. Jivrajka, who until recently served as Ola's COO, said that Uber should ditch its one-size-fits-all approach and instead try to understand "local nuances" that would help it to identify services that "users and drivers actually want." Uber declined to comment on Jivrajka's remarks. Uber and Ola have for years waged a bitter battle for supremacy in India, a market with 1.3 billion potential customers. The country has taken on increased significance for Uber after a series of recent setbacks elsewhere in Asia. The San Francisco-based company suspended its operations in Taiwan last week, six months after it sold its operations in China to local rival Didi Chuxing. Didi, which is taking the fight to Uber in key foreign markets, is one of Ola's investors. In India, Uber has often found itself playing catch-up with its Bangalore-based rival. Its most recent local product offering -- allowing Indian users to book a car for an entire day -- is already offered by Ola in 85 cities. Ola also lets users book one of India's ubiquitous three-wheeled auto rickshaws, a service Uber started but then discontinued in 2015. "What has helped us is having an ear to the ground in terms of understanding what the users want," said Jivrajka. Related: Uber's rivals are teaming up in Asia Uber CEO Travis Kalanick insists that his company is not prepared to leave India. "We are losing, but we see a path towards profitability," Kalanick said during a December visit to Delhi. "We see ourselves being here in the long run." Related: Uber suspends its service in Taiwan as fines mount India isn't always a straightforward market for either company -- tens of thousands of drivers representing both Uber and Ola went on strike in Delhi this week, demanding better pay and benefits. The Delhi government has offered to mediate the dispute. Jivrajka did not comment on the protests, but said that Ola's main focus remains bringing more drivers onto its platform. "We need more drivers because the pace at which demand is increasing is way higher than the way supply is getting aggregated," he said. Related: Uber CEO drops out of Trump's business advisory council Jivrajka also had some advice for another Silicon Valley giant hoping to enter India: electric automaker Tesla. "There are no rules on the Indian roads," Jivrajka said. "One thing a lot of people say is that if you can drive in India, you can drive anywhere." -- Manveena Suri contributed reporting - [Verizon is bringing back unlimited data](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/technology/verizon-unlimited-data-plan/index.html?section=money_news_international): Inside Verizon's device testing lab Verizon (VZ) is bringing back an unlimited data plan. Starting Monday, Verizon customers can get unlimited data, talk and text for $80. The company says the new introductory plan also includes up to 10 GB of mobile hotspot usage, as well as calling and texting to Mexico and Canada. It will also allow customers to stream unlimited HD video, thumbing its nose at T-Mobile's controversial practice of lowering video quality for some of its unlimited data customers. Although the new Verizon plan promises "fast LTE speeds," those using a lot of data may suffer. The company said that after a customer uses 22 gb of data on a line during any billing cycle, it "may prioritize usage behind other customers in the event of network congestion." That has become standard practice on all networks that offer unlimited data plans. Related: T-Mobile and Sprint offer new 'unlimited' data plans -- sort of Verizon first eliminated its version of an unlimited usage plan in 2011, following similar decisions by other major wireless carriers. But companies have been steadily reviving such plans. Verizon first overhauled its data-usage plans last summer when it introduced a new "Safety Mode" plan. That technically gave customers access to unlimited data, but they were subjected to slow-as-molasses speeds after they went over their allotted data. AT&T similarly eliminated overage fees for customers in September. Like Verizon, AT&T throttles customers speeds once they reach the data limit on their plans. The company brought back unlimited plans earlier last year, but it is only available for homes with both AT&T's wireless phone service and either DirecTV or U-Verse TV. Meanwhile, competitors T-Mobile (TMUS) and Sprint (S) made their own bids to attract customers looking for "unlimited data" plans. Nearly all NYC subways get cell service Last August, Sprint began offering a plan to give customers unlimited talk, text and high-speed data for $60 for the first line, $40 for the next, and $30 for each additional up to 10. The T-Mobile plan, announced the same day as Sprint's, charged $70 a month for the first line, the second at $50 and additional lines are only $20, up to eight lines. - [Cutting down trash with bamboo packaging](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/news/thailand-bamboo-cassava-packaging-universal-biopack/index.html?section=money_news_international): This zero-waste packaging is made from bamboo To tackle Thailand's mounting trash problem, one company is turning to the country's plant life. Universal Biopack makes packaging that it sells to restaurants and manufacturers. But rather than plastic, it uses a mixture of bamboo and cassava, crops that are widely found across the country. After growing rapidly in recent decades, Thailand has become one of Asia's biggest economies. But like many other countries in the region, it's been slow to try to combat the millions of tons of trash produced each year. "Waste management is a big problem everywhere," said Universal Biopack's managing director, Vara-Anong Vichakyothin. Related: The company turning 4 billion plastic bottles into clothes The company is using a technology devised at a Bangkok university to make its zero-waste packaging. It hopes it will eventually replace many of the Styrofoam boxes and plastic bags that end up in huge garbage dumps across Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. Its eco-friendly formula took five years to develop and is so adaptable it could end up being used to package things like furniture and even phones. The bamboo it uses comes from leftover scraps from the chopstick manufacturing process. In the cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, where takeout drink containers and noodle packets line the sidewalks, the company supplies restaurants, organic farmers and other businesses in the food and drink industry. But finding new clients can be tricky. Takeout food vendors in Thailand want to keep costs down in a competitive business with thin margins. Asking them to spend more on packaging for environmental reasons is a tough sell. "The local economy still does not support [this technology]" said Universal Biopack's founder, Suthep Vichakyothin. But that hasn't stopping other companies from entering the sustainable packaging market in Thailand. Like Universal Biopack, they're betting on growing environmental awareness eventually leading to an increase in demand. To become more competitive, Suthep's company is investing. It's aiming to ramp up production by building a partially automated assembly line at its factory near Bangkok and doubling its staffing from 50 people to 100. The goal is to increase monthly capacity from 300,000 units to one million. Related: A startup that makes pencils that grow into vegetables A lot of the demand comes from overseas. One of its customers uses the natural packaging for coconut water it exports. Universal Biopack says it's also getting interest in its products from other countries, particularly in Scandinavia. - ['Lego Batman' producer, then Treasury sec?](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/media/lego-batman-movie-steven-mnuchin/index.html?section=money_news_international): CNN Review: 'The LEGO Batman Movie' falls short of awesome Steven Mnuchin had a pretty good weekend. First the treasury secretary pick advanced a step closer toward confirmation on Friday. Then his latest movie claimed the top spot at the box office. Mnuchin is an executive producer on Warner Bros.' "The Lego Batman Movie," which pulled in an estimated $55.6 million from U.S. audiences during its opening weekend. CNN, like Warner Bros., is owned by Time Warner. The kid-friendly spinoff of 2014's "The Lego Movie" handily beat its raunchy competitor, Universal's "Fifty Shades Darker." The sequel to 2015's "Fifty Shades of Grey," based on a best-selling series of romance novels, debuted at $46.8 million in the United States. Related: Possible pick for Treasury secretary makes his film debut Mnuchin is listed as a producer or executive producer on 34 films in recent years, including last summer's "Suicide Squad," which brought in $786 million worldwide. He also produced "The Lego Ninjago Movie," another Lego franchise spinoff that will hit screens this fall. Mnuchin is widely expected to be serving as Treasury secretary by then. Following a 53-46 vote last Friday to break a Democratic filibuster, Mnuchin is scheduled for a final vote before the full Senate at 7 p.m. Monday. --CNNMoney's Frank Pallotta and CNN's Ashley Killough contributed to this story. - [Cook calls for campaign against fake news](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/11/media/fake-news-apple-ceo-tim-cook/index.html?section=money_news_international): What to do about viral 'fake news' Apple CEO Tim Cook wants the tech industry to take action against "fake news" stories that are polluting the web. "There has to be a massive campaign. We have to think through every demographic," Cook said in a rare interview. Speaking with The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Cook also said "all of us technology companies need to create some tools that help diminish the volume of fake news." Other leading tech company CEOs, like Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg, have spoken about the problem in recent months. But Cook's comments were much more frank. According to the Telegraph, he said made-up stories and hoaxes are "killing people's minds." And he called the "fake news" plague "a big problem in a lot of the world." The term "fake news" was originally coined to describe online stories that are designed to deceive readers. Often times these stories are shared on Facebook and other social networking sites to generate profits for the creators. Other times the stories are essentially propaganda made up for political purposes. These kinds of stories received widespread attention before and after the American election. Fictional stories with titles like "Pope Francis shocks world, endorses Donald Trump for president" won millions of clicks. It can be very difficult for web surfers to tell the difference between legitimate news sources and fakes. That's where companies like Apple come in. In the Telegraph interview -- part of a multi-day European trip -- Cook said "too many of us are just in the complain category right now and haven't figured out what to do." He urged both technological and intellectual solutions. "We need the modern version of a public-service announcement campaign. It can be done quickly if there is a will," Cook told the newspaper. What he described is music to the ears of media literacy advocates. "It's almost as if a new course is required for the modern kid, for the digital kid," Cook said. There are scattered efforts in some schools to teach media literacy, with a focus on digital skills, but it is by no means universal. When asked if Apple would commit to funding a PSA campaign, an Apple spokesman said the company had no further comment on Cook's interview. The Apple CEO also suggested that tech companies can help weed out fake stories, though he added, "We must try to squeeze this without stepping on freedom of speech and of the press." Apple's own Apple News app has been credited with being a relatively reliable place to find information. The company "reviews publishers who join Apple News," BuzzFeed noted last December. And the app has a "report-a-concern function where users can flag fake news or hate speech." Facebook recently started working with fact-checkers to test "warning labels" that show up when users share made-up stories. Cook, in the newspaper interview, expressed optimism that the "fake news" plague is a "short-term thing -- I don't believe that people want that at the end of the day." - [Nike stars champion 'Equality' in new ad](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/12/news/companies/nike-equality-lebron-serena/index.html?section=money_news_international): The best Nike ads ever Nike says it's time to stand up for equality in a new ad campaign. The company on Sunday launched a star-studded short film titled "Equality" to mark Black History Month. The ad features Nike-sponsored athletes LeBron James, Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Gabby Douglas, among others, "amplifying their voices in an effort to uplift, open eyes and bring the positive values that sport can represent into wider focus," the company said. Actor Michael B. Jordan voices the film, and singer Alicia Keys performs a rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come." If we can be equals in sport, we can be equals everywhere. #EQUALITY pic.twitter.com/ki5NaJN12d— Nike (@Nike) February 12, 2017 "Is this the land history promised?" Jordan says. "Here, within these lines, on this concrete court, this patch of turf, here, you're defined by your actions -- not your looks or beliefs." Nike will feature ads from the campaign on social media, billboards and posters throughout cities in the United States and Canada. It will also sell "Equality" branded T-shirts and shoes as part of its annual Black History Month collection. Apparel from the campaign will be worn by Nike athletes during NBA All-Star weekend. Nike said it is donating $5 million this year to organizations like MENTOR and PeacePlayers, which it says "advance equality in communities" across the country. Related: Pro-Trump boycott calls follow Super Bowl ads Nike's new campaign comes one week after numerous companies launched ads about inclusion and acceptance during the Super Bowl. Budweiser, 84 Lumber, Coca-Cola (COKE), Airbnb, Kia and Tiffany (TIF) were among the brands that features messages about immigration, equality and environmentalism. -- CNNMoney's Ahiza Garcia contributed to this story. - [Visa crackdown puts these rural doctors at risk](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/10/news/economy/visa-ban-rural-doctor-shortage/index.html?section=money_news_international): How Trump's travel ban hits this South Dakota doctor At his pediatrics practice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dr. Alaa Al Nofal sees up to 10 patients a day. He's known some of them since they were born. Others, he still treats after they've graduated from high school. "I treat these children for Type 1 diabetes, thyroid problems, thyroid cancer, puberty disorders and adrenal gland diseases," he said. Al Nofal's expertise is critical. He is one of just five full-time pediatric endocrinologists in a 150,000 square-mile area that covers both South and North Dakota. Like most of rural America, it's a region plagued by a shortage of doctors. "We're very lucky to have Dr. Al Nofal here. We can't afford to lose someone with his specialization," said Cindy Morrison, chief marketing officer for Sanford Health, a non-profit health care system based in Sioux Falls that runs 300 hospitals and clinics in predominantly rural communities. Related: Visa ban could make doctor shortage in rural America even worse Yet, Sanford Health may lose Al Nofal and several other doctors who are crucial to its health care network. Dr. Alaa Al Nofal [here with a patient] is one of just five pediatric endocrinoloists in South and North Dakota combined. A Syrian citizen, Al Nofal is in Sioux Falls through a special workforce development program called the Conrad 30 visa waiver -- which basically waives the requirement that doctors who complete their residency on a J-1 exchange visitor visa must return to their country of origin for two years before applying for another American visa. The Conrad 30 waiver allows him to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of three years as long as he commits to practicing in an area where there is a doctor shortage. After President Donald Trump issued a temporary immigration ban restricting people from seven Muslim-majority countries -- including Syria -- from entering the U.S., Al Nofal is unsure about his future in America. "We agree that something more has to be done to protect the country, but this executive order will have a negative effect on physicians from these countries who are badly needed across America," said Al Nofal. "They may no longer want to practice in the United States." The action is currently in legal limbo after a federal appeals court temporarily halted the ban. Related: Trump furious after court upholds block on travel ban Over the last 15 years, the Conrad 30 visa waiver has funneled 15,000 foreign physicians into underserved communities. Sanford Health has 75 physicians in total on these visa waivers and seven are from the countries listed in the executive order. "If we lost Dr. Al Nofal and our other J-1 physicians, we would be unable to fill critical gaps in access to health care for rural families," said Sanford Health's Morrison. And the ban could hurt the pipeline of new doctors, too. The Conrad 30 visa waiver program is fed by medical school graduates holding J-1 non-immigrant visas who have completed their residencies in the U.S. Cows in a field just outside of Sioux Falls. More than 6,000 medical trainees from foreign countries enroll every year in U.S. residency programs through J-1 visas. About 1,000 of these trainees are from countries caught up in the ban, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges. J-1 visa holders who were out of the country when the ban went into effect were prohibited from entering the U.S. and unable to start or finish school as long as the ban is in place. The State Department told CNNMoney that the government may issue J-1 visas to people who are from one of the blocked countries if it is of "national interest," but would not confirm whether a doctor shortage would qualify for such consideration. "The stress and concern generated by the short-term executive order could have long-term implications, with fewer physicians choosing training programs in the states and subsequently magnifying the deficit in providers willing to practice in underserved and rural areas," said Dr. Larry Dial, vice dean for clinical affairs at Marshall University's school of medicine in Huntington, West Virginia. Related: Obamacare's impact on this Alaska town with only one doctor's office Al Nofal went to medical school in Damascus, Syria's capital, and completed his residency at the University of Texas on a J-1 visa. He proceeded to a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic and then applied for a J-1 waiver, which placed him in Sioux Falls. Nineteen months into his three-year commitment, Al Nofal is either directly treating or serving as a consulting physician to more than 400 pediatric patients a month on average. He sees most of his patients at the Sanford Children's Specialty Clinic in Sioux Falls, where families often drive hours for an appointment. Once a month, he flies in a small plane to see patients in a clinic in Aberdeen, about 200 miles away. Many of Dr. Al Nofal's patients drive hours to see him at the Sanford Children's Clinic in Sioux Falls. Once a month Dr. Nofal flies to Aberdeen, S.D. to see patients at an outreach clinic. "It's not easy being a doctor in this setting," said Al Nofal, citing the long hours and South Dakota's famously frigid winters. "But as a physician, I'm trained to help people whatever the circumstances and I'm proud of it." It's one of the reasons why Al Nofal and his American wife Alyssa have struggled to come to terms with the visa ban. "I have a 10-month old baby and I can't travel to Syria now. My family in Syria can't come here," he said. "Now my family can't meet their first grandson." "I know if we leave I probably can never come back," he said. Neither does he want to travel anywhere in the country right now. "I'm afraid of how I will be treated," he said. He's also afraid he will be stopped at the airport -- even if he's traveling to another state. Related: Trump travel ban and what you need to know Almatmed Abdelsalam, who's from Benghazi, Libya, had planned to start practicing as a family physician in Macon, Georgia, through the visa waiver program after he completed his residency at the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine in July. Everything was going smoothly. Abdelsalam, who treats hospital patients and veterans, applied for the visa waiver and was accepted. He signed an employment contract with Magna Care, which provides physicians to three hospitals in the Macon area and he had started looking at houses to relocate himself, his wife and their two young kids over the summer. Dr. Almatmed Adbelsalam with his family. But there was one last step. For his J-1 waiver application to be fully completed, it needs to get final approval from the State Department and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. "The executive order came in the middle of that process, stalling my application at the State Department," he said. Because he's a Libyan citizen (Libya is also subject to the visa ban), Abdelsalam is fearful of the outcome. "The hospital in Macon urgently needs doctors. Even though they've hired me, I'm not sure how long they can wait for me," he said. "No one can argue it's necessary to keep the country safe, but we should also keep the country healthy," he said. "Doctors like me, trained in the U.S. at some of the best schools, are an asset not a liability." - [Trump isn't killing the bull market. Here's why](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/10/investing/stocks-united-states-trump-europe-china-japan/index.html?section=money_news_international): Trump meets with airline execs More and more business leaders and Wall Street strategists are expressing their worries about what President Donald Trump's protectionist policies and unpredictable nature might do to the markets and economy. But we all know that action speaks louder than words. What investors are actually doing is in stark contrast to what people are saying. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit all-time highs again on Friday. And the Russell 2000, an index of small company stocks that tend to do most of their business in the U.S., is now just a few points away from the all-time high it hit last December in the wake of Trump market euphoria. What's more, the VIX (VIX), a measure of volatility known as Wall Street's fear gauge, is down nearly 25% this year as well. If investors were really scared of Trump, the VIX should be much higher. And CNNMoney's own Fear & Greed Index, which looks at the VIX and six other measures of investor sentiment, is showing signs of Greed and is not far from Extreme Greed levels. Of course, Trump still can't seem to help himself from tweeting about things that, let's be honest, won't do anything to help the economy -- although Nordstrom investors are richer despite Trump attacking them for dumping his daughter Ivanka's brand. But to give credit where it's due, it looks like the main reason that stocks have taken off again lately is because Trump has promised to unveil a "phenomenal" tax plan soon. Related: Rare streak for U.S. stocks: Long stretch without a 1% dive Trump also pledged again to invest more on infrastructure when he met with airline CEOs on Thursday. That's what the market wants to hear. "We still expect fiscal stimulus, lower taxes and less regulation," said Matt Lockridge, manager of the Westwood Small Cap Value Fund. "The timing is the big question, but it's coming." Lockridge thinks that many companies that generate a majority of their revenues from America should benefit if Trump stimulus winds up kicking the economy into a higher gear. He likes stocks in a variety of industries, such as movie theater owner Masco (MAS), snack food firm J & J (JJSF) and aerospace equipment company Kaman (KAMN). Another money manager said he's also still bullish on small U.S. stocks that could get a lift from Trump policies. Related: Wall Street has powerful seat at Trump's table Barry James, president and CEO of James Investment Research, said he bought the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) the day after the election because he's confident Trump's stimulus plan will boost growth for U.S small businesses. "When Trump said America first, I really think that's what he means," James said, adding that he thinks Internet phone service Vonage (VG), rent-to-own retailer Aaron's (AAN) and discount chain Big Lots (BIG) could all thrive if Trump's proposals go through. But there's another reason why the U.S. markets are near all-time highs. Despite all of the uncertainty in Washington, the U.S. is still viewed as a paragon of relative stability compared to other parts of the world. Europe's economy is still a big wild card thanks to Brexit, the rise of populism in France leading to worries about a so-called Frexit and more worries about the problem that never seems to go away -- Greece's debt woes. Japan's economy remains stagnant as well. We're talking about more than just a lost decade now. It's plural. And China's economy is slowing down too. Bond fund manager Bill Gross has often joked that America is like what Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson sang about in "Sunday Morning Coming Down" -- the "cleanest dirty shirt." To that end, analysts at bond rating firm Fitch wrote in a report Friday that "elements of President Trump's economic agenda would be positive for growth," but added that "the present balance of risks points toward a less benign global outcome." Of course, there are two sides to that coin. Trump's bombast could come back to haunt him. Related: Oreo make is worried about rise of populism His continued penchant for reprimanding companies that he disagrees with on Twitter could dent investor confidence. And while his proposed travel ban on immigrants from seven mostly Muslim countries has been overturned by the U.S. court system for now, the president has vowed to fight for its reinstatement. Even if he loses that battle, it's still clear that Trump is serious on turning more inward, with plans for tariffs and border-adjusted taxes that could ignite trade wars with Mexico, China and Japan. That could hurt big U.S. multinational firms and lead to job cuts. But investors still seem to believe/hope that the merits of Trump's pro-growth stimulus plans and tax cuts will outweigh the impact of isolationism. Let's hope they're right. Investors may be holding their noses, closing their eyes and stuffing cotton in their ears to drown out the president. But they are still buying stocks. - [Are we heading for another Greek debt crisis?](http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/08/news/economy/greece-imf-bailout-eurozone/index.html?section=money_news_international): Eurozone vs. EU: What's the difference? How's this for déjà vu? Another debt crisis is brewing in Europe. Greece needs European creditors to release cash from a bailout agreed in 2015 so it can make debt repayments, but officials are at loggerheads. Investors are starting to worry, demanding higher returns on Greek debt. Adding to the confusion is a warning from the International Monetary Fund that Greece's debt is unsustainable and on an "explosive" path, an assessment that prevents the fund from participating in a rescue. The timing could hardly be worse. European leaders have a lot on their plate. Elections are looming in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Brexit negotiations will begin within weeks. Yet the threat of Greece tumbling out of the euro demands attention. Here's why the next few weeks will be key: Hammer to fall Greece is running out of cash, but it needs to make repayments to creditors including the European Central Bank. Major bills are coming due in July. If Greece cannot make the payments, it will default on its debt and spiral out of the eurozone. Meanwhile, its latest bailout -- the third since 2010 -- is effectively frozen. The negotiating positions of major players are further apart than at any point since the bailout was agreed in June, 2015. There is even disagreement over the size of the problem facing Greece. "The IMF's latest review of Greece's debt position was surprisingly pessimistic," said Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister who chairs meetings of top eurozone finance officials. "It's surprising because Greece is already doing better than that report describes." I want it all The IMF, Greece and creditors led by Germany all have very different priorities. Here's what each wants: The IMF has called on Greece to make more ambitious changes to its economy, including labor market reforms. The IMF didn't join the third bailout when first agreed in 2015 because it did not view Greece's debt as being sustainable. It still maintains that Greece cannot be self sustaining without major debt relief. Greece's main creditors agree that Athens should implement the reforms proposed by the IMF. However, they have categorically ruled out any debt relief, a position reiterated by eurozone finance officials on Tuesday. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, meanwhile, shows no sign of yielding to demands for additional reforms. He insists that debt relief is needed before any new concessions are made. It's a classic standoff and investors are watching to see which party blinks first. Put out the fire The next major milestone is a meeting of eurozone finance ministers on Feb. 20 -- the last before elections start muddying Europe's political waters. Agreeing yet more financial aid for Greece will become even harder once voters start casting their ballots. After that, bills will start coming due. Greece faces a payment to the ECB of roughly €1.4 billion in late April and another €4.1 billion in July. The stake are high. The unemployment rate in Greece is expected to run above 21% in 2017. Investment is down by more than 60% and output has contracted by more than 25% since the financial crisis. The country's social fabric is fraying. If European creditors refuse further help, Greece's debt will spiral out of control no matter how quickly its economy grows, according to the IMF. That will leave only one option -- abandoning the euro. Ted Malloch, President Trump's expected choice for U.S. ambassador to the EU, told Greek television on Tuesday that the eurozone's future would be decided in the next 18 months. "Certainly there will be a Europe, whether the eurozone survives, I think it's very much a question that is on the agenda," he said. "I think this time I would have to say that the odds are higher that Greece itself will break out of the euro." - [Public Investment and Public-Private Partnerships](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Public-Investment-and-Public-Private-Partnerships-18456) - [Integrating Poor Countries into the World Trading System](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Integrating-Poor-Countries-into-the-World-Trading-System-18143) - [Can Debt Relief Boost Growth in Poor Countries?](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Can-Debt-Relief-Boost-Growth-in-Poor-Countries-17384) - [Accountability Arrangements for Financial Sector Regulators](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Accountability-Arrangements-for-Financial-Sector-Regulators-18455) - [Preserving Financial Stability](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Preserving-Financial-Stability-17386) - [Moving to a Flexible Exchange Rate](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Moving-to-a-Flexible-Exchange-Rate-How-When-and-How-Fast-18454) - [Financial Reform: What Shakes It? What Shapes It?](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Financial-Reform-What-Shakes-It-What-Shapes-It-17385) - [Educating Children in Poor Countries](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Educating-Children-in-Poor-Countries-16604) - [Liberalizing Capital Movements: Some Analytical Issues](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/31/Liberalizing-Capital-Movements-Some-Analytical-Issues-30741) - [Should Financial Sector Regulators Be Independent?](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Economic-Issues/Issues/2016/12/30/Should-Financial-Sector-Regulators-Be-Independent-16993) - [Intelligent, connected cars hold keys to the future](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415899.htm): Automakers, tech giants and governments are all racing to new tech horizons The Chinese government said it is paying great attention to intelligent vehicles and considers their development vital to easing the burden on transportation, energy consumption and environmental pollution, a top official said. “By 2020, the market scale of the country’s intelligent connected vehicles sector is expected to exceed 100 billion yuan ($14.5 billion; 12.8 billion euros; ￡11.5 billion),” said Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei at the World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference held in Beijing in October.   An autonomous delivery vehicle attracts visitors’ attention at an […] - [Game on for China's 5G companies](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415902.htm): Huge investments, intensive R&D mark the race toward next-gen mobile technology It’s a high-stakes, high-tech race. Billions, maybe, trillions of dollars are up for grabs globally, and Chinese technology companies are vying to scoop up as much of the fifth-generation, or 5G, mobile telecommunication technology pie as possible as D-Day of commercial launch around 2020 nears. In doing so, they are also seeking the honor of being remembered as the first out of the gate, and in the process generating a bit of mirth. On Nov 30, a handful of engineers employed by smartphone maker Oppo in China, Japan and the […] - [Domestic firms attracting bulk of talent](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415903.htm): Increasingly, young professionals are making the jump from multinational companies to homegrown tech houses Multinationals are continuing to lose out to local companies when it comes to securing high-quality professionals in China, especially amid domestic tech firms’ surging success, according to the 2018 China Leadership Report. “Local Chinese companies are redefining our entire way of thinking about the talent market as they continue to attract leaders based on experience, salary, training and opportunities, which go hand-in-hand with their fast-growing operations and opportunities,” said James Root, a partner at global consultancy Bain and Co and co-author of the report. Over the past […] - [Services sector, stock market seen as keys for 2019](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415904.htm): The opening-up of the services sector and rising investor confidence in the stock market will aid China in achieving stable economic growth next year, according to analysts . At a meeting held on Dec 13 by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee it was decided to uphold “speeding up all-around opening-up” as one of the country’s major tasks in 2019, according to a statement released afterward. The statement also said China should “expand opening-up at a high level” next year.   A technician works on the production line of a cold-chain logistics equipment producer in Qingdao, […] - [China’s economic growth beats forecasts; UK jobless rate rises to 3.8% – business live](https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2023/apr/18/china-economy-gdp-uk-unemployment-wages-ofgem-energy-meters-business-live): Filters BETA Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP, says the government is taking steps to help people into work: “Helping more people into work will deliver on our priority to halve inflation and grow the economy, while tackling labour shortages. Today’s figures are encouraging, and I remain focused on supporting those on the lowest incomes to progress in work and build a steady and sustainable future. “To do this we are increasing claimant time with work coaches, and boosting our training and childcare offers to break down barriers for people out of work. But we also recognise the most vulnerable need […] - [How electricity can heal wounds three times as fast](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230418011121.htm): Chronic wounds are a major health problem for diabetic patients and the elderly -- in extreme cases they can even lead to amputation. Using electric stimulation, researchers in a project at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and the University of Freiburg, Germany, have developed a method that speeds up the healing process, making wounds heal three times faster. There is an old Swedish saying that one should never neglect a small wound or a friend in need. For most people, a small wound does not lead to any serious complications, but many common diagnoses make wound healing far more difficult. People with diabetes, spinal injuries or poor blood circulation have impaired wound healing ability. This means a greater risk of infection and chronic wounds -- which in the long run can lead to such serious consequences as amputation. Now a group of researchers at Chalmers and the University of Freiburg have developed a method using electric stimulation to speed up the healing process. "Chronic wounds are a huge societal problem that we don't hear a lot about. Our discovery of a method that may heal wounds up to three times faster can be a game changer for diabetic and elderly people, among others, who often suffer greatly from wounds that won't heal," says Maria Asplund, Associate Professor of Bioelectronics at Chalmers University of Technology and head of research on the project. Electric guidance of cells for faster healing The researchers worked from an old hypothesis that electric stimulation of damaged skin can be used to heal wounds. The idea is that skin cells are electrotactic, which means that they directionally 'migrate' in electric fields. This means that if an electric field is placed in a petri dish with skin cells, the cells stop moving randomly and start moving in the same direction. The researchers investigated how this principle can be used to electrically guide the cells in order to make wounds heal faster. Using a tiny engineered chip, the researchers were able to compare wound healing in artificial skin, stimulating one wound with electricity and letting one heal without electricity. The differences were striking. "We were able to show that the old hypothesis about electric stimulation can be used to make wounds heal significantly faster. In order to study exactly how this works for wounds, we developed a kind of biochip on which we cultured skin cells, which we then made tiny wounds in. Then we stimulated one wound with an electric field, which clearly led to it healing three times as fast as the wound that healed without electric stimulation," Maria Asplund says. Hope for diabetes patients In the study, the researchers also focused on wound healing in connection with diabetes, a growing health problem worldwide. One in 11 adults today has some form of diabetes according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation. "We've looked at diabetes models of wounds and investigated whether our method could be effective even in those cases. We saw that when we mimic diabetes in the cells, the wounds on the chip heal very slowly. However, with electric stimulation we can increase the speed of healing so that the diabetes-affected cells almost correspond to healthy skin cells," Asplund says. Individualised treatment the next step The Chalmers researchers recently received a large grant which will allow them to continue their research in the field, and in the long run enable the development of wound healing products for consumers on the market. Similar products have come out before, but more basic research is required to develop effective products that generate enough electric field strength and stimulate in the right way for each individual. This is where Asplund and her colleagues come into the picture: "We are now looking at how different skin cells interact during stimulation, to take a step closer to a realistic wound. We want to develop a concept to be able to 'scan' wounds and adapt the stimulation based on the individual wound. We are convinced that this is the key to effectively helping individuals with slow-healing wounds in the future," Asplund says. More about the study: "Bioelectronic microfluidic wound healing: a platform for investigating direct current stimulation of injured cell collectives"was published in the journal Lab on a Chip. The article was written by Sebastian Shaner, Anna Savelyeva, Anja Kvartuh, Nicole Jedrusik, Lukas Matter, José Leal and Maria Asplund. The researchers work at the University of Freiburg in Germany and Chalmers University of Technology. In their study, the researchers showed that wound healing on artificial skin stimulated with electric current was three times faster than on the skin that healed naturally. The electric field was low, about 200 mV/mm, and did not have a negative impact on the cells. The method the researchers developed is based on a microfluidic biochip on which artificial skin can be grown, stimulated with an electric current and studied in an effective and controlled manner. The concept allows researchers to conduct multiple experiments in parallel on the same chip. The research project began in 2018 and is funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The project was recently granted more funding so the research can get one step closer to the market and the benefit of patients. - [UK has no public electric charger or hydrogen refilling station solely for HGVs](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/18/uk-has-no-public-electric-charger-or-hydrogen-refilling-station-solely-for-hgvs): The UK does not have a single public electric charger or hydrogen refilling station dedicated to lorries, with fewer than 12 years until the first ban on diesel engines comes into force, according to the automotive industry’s lobby group. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the government must urgently set out a strategy to help the sector to decarbonise or risk missing the target to stop the sale of fossil fuel trucks by 2040. The lobby group said the lack of infrastructure “makes it impossible for the vast majority of operators to contemplate investments to decarbonise their fleets”. […] - [Quarter of hairdressers considering closing or scaling back businesses](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/18/quarter-of-hairdressers-considering-closing-or-scaling-back-businesses): More than a quarter of hairdressers are thinking of closing sites or reducing the size of their salon as stylists struggle with high bills and fewer clients, research suggests. Two-fifths of salon owners say they are anxious about the future, with almost a quarter struggling to pay their energy costs and one in five having to ask family and friends for financial help, according to a survey by the comparison site Uswitch. Independently owned hairdressers and beauty salons were by far the hardest hit by rising energy bills and the consumer spending squeeze among independent retailers last year – with a […] - [Thousands fled to Mastodon after Musk bought Twitter. Are they still ‘tooting’?](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/18/mastodon-users-twitter-elon-musk-social-media): When Elon Musk bought Twitter nearly six months ago, bringing back white supremacists and booting journalists who had criticized him, many users felt it was the right time to leave the platform. Thousands of tweeters – myself included – fled to Mastodon: a scrappy social media project designed from its start in 2016 to be resistant against takeovers by billionaires. Mastodon is decentralized: instead of a single website, it’s a network of thousands of independently run servers – each with their own moderators and users – who can interact with each other’s posts, called “toots”, using an open protocol called ActivityPub. […] - [Private equity’s dominance has gone too far | Nils Pratley](https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2023/apr/18/private-equity-london-stock-exchange-thg-john-wood): Here it is then: private equity’s long-predicted raid on the UK’s ranks of mid-sized quoted companies. Last week, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, a veterinary medicine group, said it had received a potential cash bid of £4.6bn from EQT, the Swedish private equity firm. Then Network International, a payments processor in the Middle East and Africa, said it was in talks with the European private equity titan CVC plus Francisco Partners from the US. On Monday, the Aberdeen-based oilfield services group John Wood, after putting up stout resistance for weeks, said it was open to talks with Apollo of the US. And Apollo popped […] - [Could virtual reality gaming help people overcome anxiety? – podcast](https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2023/apr/18/could-virtual-reality-gaming-help-people-overcome-anxiety-podcast): Madeleine Finlay speaks to science correspondent Linda Geddes about trying out a virtual reality game that challenges you to keep your heart-rate down while facing a terrifying monster, why it could help with tackling anxiety, and whether the gamification of coping strategies could be the best way to integrate them into our every day lives How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know - [Cost of British food basics increases by up to 80% in a year](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/18/cost-of-british-food-basics-increases-by-up-to-80-in-a-year): The price of staple foods such as cheddar cheese, white bread and pork sausages has soared by up to 80% in some shops over the past year, in further evidence of how inflation is hitting those on the tightest budgets the hardest. Porridge oats topped the price increase ranking among a basket of British basics measured by the consumer group Which?, with prices up by an average of 35.5% followed by skimmed milk, which was up by 33.6%, and cheddar cheese, which rose by 28.3%. However, an 180g pack of Dragon cheddar cheese in Asda was priced 80% higher than a […] - [People in London’s poorest areas face higher risk of traffic death or injury – TfL](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/18/london-poorest-areas-higher-risk-of-traffic-death-injury-tfl): People living in London’s poorest areas face a far higher risk of suffering traffic-related deaths or serious injury than those in wealthier neighbourhoods, a Transport for London study has found. TfL said the casualty figures demonstrated the need for continued work to make streets safer as a matter of social justice – including cutting speed limits on more of the roads it manages throughout the capital. The most deprived postcodes have more than double the casualties for each kilometre on their roads, while their residents are almost twice as likely to be killed or injured while travelling throughout London, according to […] - [Just Stop Oil protesters invade World Snooker Championship arena – video](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2023/apr/17/just-stop-oil-protester-invades-world-snooker-championship-arena-video): Just Stop Oil protesters disrupted the evening session at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. Footage showed a man interrupting the match between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry by jumping on the table, where he emptied a packet of orange powder. A female protester was prevented from disrupting the match between Mark Allen and Fan Zhengyi on table two by the quick-thinking response of the referee, Olivier Marteel. On Twitter, Just Stop Oil said it was ‘demanding that the government immediately stop all new UK fossil fuel projects and calling on UK sporting institutions to step into in civil resistance against […] - [Graphene 'tattoo' treats cardiac arrhythmia with light](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230417155722.htm): Researchers led by Northwestern University and the University of Texas at Austin (UT) have developed the first cardiac implant made from graphene, a two-dimensional super material with ultra-strong, lightweight and conductive properties. Similar in appearance to a child's temporary tattoo, the new graphene "tattoo" implant is thinner than a single strand of hair yet still functions like a classical pacemaker. But unlike current pacemakers and implanted defibrillators, which require hard, rigid materials that are mechanically incompatible with the body, the new device softly melds to the heart to simultaneously sense and treat irregular heartbeats. The implant is thin and flexible enough to conform to the heart's delicate contours as well as stretchy and strong enough to withstand the dynamic motions of a beating heart. After implanting the device into a rat model, the researchers demonstrated that the graphene tattoo could successfully sense irregular heart rhythms and then deliver electrical stimulation through a series of pulses without constraining or altering the heart's natural motions. Even better: The technology also is optically transparent, allowing the researchers to use an external source of optical light to record and stimulate the heart through the device. The study will be published on Thursday (April 20) in the journal Advanced Materials. It marks the thinnest known cardiac implant to date. "One of the challenges for current pacemakers and defibrillators is that they are difficult to affix onto the surface of the heart," said Northwestern's Igor Efimov, the study's senior author. "Defibrillator electrodes, for example, are essentially coils made of very thick wires. These wires are not flexible, and they break. Rigid interfaces with soft tissues, like the heart, can cause various complications. By contrast, our soft, flexible device is not only unobtrusive but also intimately and seamlessly conforms directly onto the heart to deliver more precise measurements." An experimental cardiologist, Efimov is a professor of biomedical engineering at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering and professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He co-led the study with Dmitry Kireev, a research associate at UT. Zexu Lin, a Ph.D. candidate in Efimov's laboratory, is the paper's first author. Miracle material Known as cardiac arrhythmias, heart rhythm disorders occur when the heart beats either too quickly or too slowly. While some cases of arrhythmia are not serious, many cases can lead to heart failure, stroke and even sudden death. In fact, complications related to arrythmia claim about 300,000 lives annually in the United States. Physicians commonly treat arrhythmia with implantable pacemakers and defibrillators that detect abnormal heartbeats and then correct rhythm with electrical stimulation. While these devices are lifesaving, their rigid nature may constrain the heart's natural motions, injure soft tissues, cause temporary discomfort and induce complications, such as painful swelling, perforations, blood clots, infection and more. With these challenges in mind, Efimov and his team sought to develop a bio-compatible device ideal for conforming to soft, dynamic tissues. After reviewing multiple materials, the researchers settled on graphene, an atomically thin form of carbon. With its ultra-strong, lightweight structure and superior conductivity, graphene has potential for many applications in high-performance electronics, high-strength materials and energy devices. "For bio-compatibility reasons, graphene is particularly attractive," Efimov said. "Carbon is the basis of life, so it's a safe material that is already used in different clinical applications. It also is flexible and soft, which works well as an interface between electronics and a soft, mechanically active organ." Hitting a beating target At UT, study co-authors Dimitry Kireev and Deji Akinwande were already developing graphene electronic tattoos (GETs) with sensing capabilities. Flexible and weightless, their team's e-tattoos adhere to the skin to continuously monitor the body's vital signs, including blood pressure and the electrical activity of the brain, heart and muscles. But, while the e-tattoos work well on the skin's surface, Efimov's team needed to investigate new methods to use these devices inside the body -- directly onto the surface of the heart. "It's a completely different application scheme," Efimov said. "Skin is relatively dry and easily accessible. Obviously, the heart is inside the chest, so it's difficult to access and in a wet environment." The researchers developed an entirely new technique to encase the graphene tattoo and adhere it to the surface of a beating heart. First, they encapsulated the graphene inside a flexible, elastic silicone membrane -- with a hole punched in it to give access to the interior graphene electrode. Then, they gently placed gold tape (with a thickness of 10 microns) onto the encapsulating layer to serve as an electrical interconnect between the graphene and the external electronics used to measure and stimulate the heart. Finally, they placed it onto the heart. The entire thickness of all layers together measures about 100 microns in total. The resulting device was stable for 60 days on an actively beating heart at body temperature, which is comparable to the duration of temporary pacemakers used as bridges to permanent pacemakers or rhythm management after surgery or other therapies. Optical opportunities Leveraging the device's transparent nature, Efimov and his team performed optocardiography -- using light to track and modulate heart rhythm -- in the animal study. Not only does this offer a new way to diagnose and treat heart ailments, the approach also opens new possibilities for optogenetics, a method to control and monitor single cells with light. While electrical stimulation can correct a heart's abnormal rhythm, optical stimulation is more precise. With light, researchers can track specific enzymes as well as interrogate specific heart, muscle or nerve cells. "We can essentially combine electrical and optical functions into one biointerface," Efimov said. "Because graphene is optically transparent, we can actually read through it, which gives us a much higher density of readout." The study, "Graphene biointerface for cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment," was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grant numbers R21-HL152324, 3OT2OD023848 and R01-HL141470), the Leducq Foundation (RHYTHM grant), the Office of Naval Research (grant number N00014-18-1-2706) and the Temple Foundation. - [Energy firms to ban forced prepay meter installations in homes of over-85s](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/17/energy-firms-ban-forced-prepay-meter-installations-over-85s-body-cams): Energy suppliers have agreed to a ban on forcibly installing prepayment meters in the homes of customers over 85 and will make representatives wear body cameras as part of a new code of conduct, the Guardian can reveal. Suppliers have agreed to fresh guidelines for putting in the devices when households have run up energy debt after an outcry over agents using court-approved entry warrants to break in to install them. As a result, energy firms will now have to make at least 10 attempts to contact a customer and conduct a “site welfare visit” before a prepayment meter is installed. […] - [Filtering pollution: A microfluidic device for collecting microplastics via acoustic focusing](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230417142534.htm): Microplastics (MPs), plastic debris smaller than 5 mm, indirectly harm the environment. They are traditionally collected and removed from water by filtering through meshes, which is inefficient. In this light, researchers from Japan have developed a high-enrichment microfluidic device that utilizes acoustic focusing to collect and remove 10-200 μm MPs from wastewater without recirculation. Its collection rates and enrichment ratios ranged approximately from 70-90% and 50-100, respectively on test samples. The device developed by researchers from Japan has four serial trifurcated junctions where a 500 kHz acoustic wave is applied for a 105-fold enrichment of various-sized microplastics in water.(CREDIT: Yoshitake Akiyama from Shinshu University) Plastic debris particles smaller than 5 mm in size, known as microplastics (MPs), are a serious environmental concern. Formed by the breaking down of plastic waste due to wear and tear and sunlight or produced by fiber waste in laundry wastewater and as microbeads in beauty products, they adsorb and introduce harmful chemicals that pollute the environment. By 2050, MPs might outnumber the fish in the oceans. Under these circumstances, the collection and removal of MPs from water are crucial. Conventionally, MPs are collected by filtering water through meshes. The sand and biological debris are removed from the collected MPs by density separation and chemical treatment, respectively. After that, the MPs are manually picked up, which is laborious and time-consuming. In addition, the meshes can easily get clogged and cannot collect particles smaller than their aperture. They also require frequent maintenance and are expensive. Given these shortcomings, researchers have developed microfluidic devices -- systems that control small amounts of fluids using micrometer-sized channels -- that utilize acoustic focusing to collect MPs. The acoustic technology generates ultrasonic waves that transport MPs to the center of the fluid stream and thereby enrich, i.e., increase the collected amount, of MPs. However, high enrichment of MPs using current microfluidic devices requires repeated recirculation of fluids through them. In this light, a group of researchers, led by Professor Yoshitake Akiyama of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics at the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology at Shinshu University, has developed a high enrichment device for 10-200 μm MPs. This device has been reported in a study co-authored by Professor Hiroshi Moriwaki of the Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, which was made available online on 26th March 2023 and will be published in Volume 315 of the Separation and Purification Technology journal on 15th June 2023. "Our proposed microfluidic device, which is designed based on a hydraulic-electric analogy, has three 1.5 mm-wide microchannels connected via four serial 0.7 mm-wide trifurcated junctions. The MPs are aligned at the center of the middle microchannel using a bulk acoustic wave of 500 kHz resonance frequency. As a result, a 3.2-fold enrichment of MPs must occur at each junction, resulting in a 105-fold overall enrichment in the device," explains Prof. Akiyama, describing the design of their device. While the MPs are collected from the middle branch of the trifurcated junctions, the remaining MP-free fluid is removed from the other branches. The researchers evaluated the collection performance of the device by measuring its total collection rates for microparticles 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, and 200 μm in diameter. The collection rates exceeded 90% for all but 5 μm microparticles, which were too small to control acoustically. Furthermore, the researchers tested the device using two sample water mixtures, one with small MPs (25-200 μm) and another with very small MPs (10-25 μm). Its collection rates ranged from 70-90%, and the actual enrichment of MPs varied from half the design value of 105 to the design value. Although some MPs were found to slow down and clog the microchannel walls of the device by acoustic radiation force, the researchers believe these minor limitations can be easily addressed through pre-filtration and by improving 2D focusing. An optimistic Prof. Akiyama thus concludes, "This proposed microfluidic device based on acoustic focusing can efficiently, rapidly, and continuously collect 10-200 μm MPs without recirculation after pre-filtration of larger MPs through a mesh. It can be installed in washing machines, factories, and other sources of MPs for efficiently enriching and removing various-sized MPs from laundry and industrial wastewater. This will make it possible to prevent the discharge of MPs to the environment." - [A neuromorphic visual sensor can recognize moving objects and predict their path](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230417142518.htm): A new bio-inspired sensor can recognise moving objects in a single frame from a video and successfully predict where they will move to. This smart sensor, described in a Nature Communications paper, will be a valuable tool in a range of fields, including dynamic vision sensing, automatic inspection, industrial process control, robotic guidance, and autonomous driving technology. Current motion detection systems need many components and complex algorithms doing frame-by-frame analyses, which makes them inefficient and energy-intensive. Inspired by the human visual system, researchers at Aalto University have developed a new neuromorphic vision technology that integrates sensing, memory, and processing in a single device that can detect motion and predict trajectories. At the core of their technology is an array of photomemristors, electrical devices that produce electric current in response to light. The current doesn't immediately stop when the light is switched off. Instead, it decays gradually, which means that photomemristors can effectively 'remember' whether they've been exposed to light recently. As a result, a sensor made from an array of photomemristors doesn't just record instantaneous information about a scene, like a camera does, but also includes a dynamic memory of the preceding instants. 'The unique property of our technology is its ability to integrate a series of optical images in one frame,' explains Hongwei Tan, the research fellow who led the study. 'The information of each image is embedded in the following images as hidden information. In other words, the final frame in a video also has information about all the previous frames. That lets us detect motion earlier in the video by analysing only the final frame with a simple artificial neural network. The result is a compact and efficient sensing unit.' To demonstrate the technology, the researchers used videos showing the letters of a word one at a time. Because all the words ended with the letter 'E', the final frame of all the videos looked similar. Conventional vision sensors couldn't tell whether the 'E' on the screen had appeared after the other letters in 'APPLE' or 'GRAPE'. But the photomemristor array could use hidden information in the final frame to infer which letters had preceded it and predict what the word was with nearly 100% accuracy. In another test, the team showed the sensor videos of a simulated person moving at three different speeds. Not only was the system able to recognize motion by analysing a single frame, but it also correctly predicted the next frames. Accurately detecting motion and predicting where an object will be are vital for self-driving technology and intelligent transport. Autonomous vehicles need accurate predictions of how cars, bikes, pedestrians, and other objects will move in order to guide their decisions. By adding a machine learning system to the photomemristor array, the researchers showed that their integrated system can predict future motion based on in-sensor processing of an all-informative frame. 'Motion recognition and prediction by our compact in-sensor memory and computing solution provides new opportunities in autonomous robotics and human-machine interactions,' says Professor Sebastiaan van Dijken. 'The in-frame information that we attain in our system using photomemristors avoids redundant data flows, enabling energy-efficient decision-making in real time.' - [Novel, highly sensitive biosensor set to transform wearable health monitoring](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230417142458.htm): Wireless wearable biosensors have been a game changer in personalized health monitoring and healthcare digitization because they can efficiently detect, record, and monitor medically significant biological signals. Chipless resonant antennae are highly promising components of wearable biosensors, as they are affordable and tractable. However, their practical applications are limited by low sensitivity (inability to detect small biological signals) caused by low quality (Q) factor of the system. To overcome this hurdle, researchers led by Professor Takeo Miyake from Waseda University, Professor Yin Sijie from Beijing Institute of Technology, and Taiki Takamatsu from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, have developed a wireless bioresonator using "parity-time (PT) symmetry" that can detect minute biological signals. Their work has been published in Advanced Materials Technologies. In this study, the researchers designed a bioresonator consisting of a magnetically coupled reader and sensor with high Q factor, and thus, increased sensitivity to biochemical changes. The reader and sensor both comprise an inductor (L) and capacitor (C) that are parallel-connected to a resistor (R). In the sensor, the resistor is a chemical sensor called a "chemiresistor" that converts biochemical signals into changes in resistance. The chemiresistor contains an enzymatic electrode with an immobilized enzyme. Minute biochemical changes at the enzymatic electrode (in response to changes in the levels of biomolecules such as blood sugar or lactate) are thus converted into electrical signals by the sensor, and then amplified at the reader. Explaining the technical concept behind their novel biosensor, Miyake says, "We modeled the characteristics of the PT-symmetric wireless sensing system by using an eigenvalue solution and input impedance, and experimentally demonstrated the sensitivity enhancement at/near the exceptional point by using parallel inductance-capacitance-resistance (LCR) resonators.The developed amplitude modulation-based PT-symmetric bioresonator can detect small biological signals that have been difficult to measure wirelessly until now. Moreover, our PT-symmetric system provides two types of readout modes: threshold-based switching and enhanced linear detection. Different readout modes can be used for different sensing ranges." The researchers tested the system (here containing a glucose-specific enzyme) on human tear fluids and found that it could detect glucose concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 mM. They also tested it with a lactate-specific enzyme and commercially available human skin and found that it could measure lactate levels in the range of 0.0 to 4.0 mM through human skin tissue, without any loss of sensitivity. This result further indicates that the biosensor can be used as an implantable device. Compared to a conventional chipless resonant antenna-based system, the PT-symmetric system achieved a 2000-fold higher sensitivity in linear and a 78% relative change in threshold-based detection respectively. Sharing his vision for the future, Miyake concludes, "The present telemetry system is robust and tunable. It can enhance the sensitivity of sensors to small biological signals. We envision that this technology can be used for developing smart contact lenses to detect tear glucose and/or implantable medical devices to detect lactate for efficient monitoring of diabetes and blood poisoning." - [TIGTA gives IRS mixed reviews on tech](https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/tigta-gives-irs-mixed-reviews-on-technology): The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) gave the IRS mixed reviews on its technology program, pointing out several areas where it has performed well and other places where it performed poorly. TIGTA performed its review of the service’s information technology program as part of mandated evaluations under the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998. The review found several positives. For instance, when it came to overseeing the Child Tax Credit change that was implemented during the pandemic, TIGTA determined that most required security controls were implemented, including 37 security controls and enhancements specific to the IRS and the […] - [Offshore cash and huge loans: leak reveals how Roman Abramovich funded Chelsea’s success](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/17/roman-abramovich-chelsea-world-beaters): As Chelsea’s players celebrated victory in the 2021 Champions League final, Roman Abramovich made one of his rare public appearances. The club’s owner had been unable to attend home matches at Stamford Bridge for three years, after the UK government indicated it was unlikely to renew his visa. But that year’s Champions League final was held at the Estádio do Dragão in Portugal, a country that had granted Abramovich citizenship just months earlier. Grinning in the warm Iberian night air, he hugged his players and drank in the fans’ gratitude. The oligarch hadn’t just transformed Chelsea. His free-spending strategy was among […] - [‘It avoids a public grilling’: why Murdoch could settle Dominion’s Fox News lawsuit](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/apr/17/murdoch-settle-dominions-fox-news-lawsuit): Rupert Murdoch’s push to try to bury a landmark defamation case against Fox News aims to avoid further damage to his media empire’s reputation – and protect the 92-year-old from a gruelling court appearance as he formulates succession plans. Judge Eric M Davis moved on Sunday to delay the start of the $1.6bn (£1.3bn) defamation trial between Fox Corporation and Dominion, which has alleged Fox News repeatedly broadcast false claims that its voting machines were rigged, amid reports of a settlement. However, the following day Davis confirmed the six-week trial would begin a day later than planned, with jury selection starting […] - [Cerrado Gold Provides an Update for Its Monte do Carmo Gold Project in Tocatins State, Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/628352129/cerrado-gold-provides-an-update-for-its-monte-do-carmo-gold-project-in-tocatins-state-brazil?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … gold project in Tocantins State, Brazil, by the end of May … major multinational, banking, and emerging markets experience complemented by geological and … , located in Tocantins State, Brazil. For more information about Cerrado … -Project-in-Tocatins-State-Brazil - [Why bank blunders can turn your house move into a living nightmare](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/17/why-bank-blunders-can-turn-your-house-move-into-a-living-nightmare): It was nine days before Christmas and Kate Ross and her young family were on the road from London to their new home in Worthing, West Sussex. But instead of moving in, a banking error left them in limbo with a baby, a toddler, a cat and a dog and two removal lorries. Four days passed before they eventually obtained the keys, during which time they racked up storage and transport costs of £3,600. Ross’s saga is extreme, but not unusual. A processing glitch meant that the funds transferred by her buyer did not reach her solicitor’s account until four days […] - [Scottish Power caused me distress after my father’s death](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/17/scottish-power-caused-me-distress-after-my-fathers-death): I am contacting you in desperation about the serious problems I am having dealing with Scottish Power after the death of my father last year. When I notified it of AJ’s death back in September it closed his account and promised a cheque for his credit balance would be posted to me. This eventually arrived in November but was made payable to “Miss AJ”. My father’s bank accounts are frozen and he was never a “Miss”, so I requested a replacement made payable to me and sent to my address (I live more than five hours drive from my dad’s flat). […] - [How can we release equity from our home as we start retirement plans?](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/17/how-can-we-release-equity-from-our-home-as-we-start-retirement-plans): Q My partner and I are starting to plan for retirement and we are not sure what options we might have for our home when it comes to the time. The property is currently worth £330,000 and, all being well, will be owned outright by the time we retire. We have no dependants and won’t have anyone to pass any inheritance on to, and so we would like to release as much cash from our home to use ourselves in retirement while remaining in the property. We’d like to know what options we have to release equity from the property. We’re […] - [How to buy the right laptop for you at the best price](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/17/how-to-buy-the-right-laptop-best-price-upgrade): Know what you need “The first question we’d ask is: ‘What are you going to be using it for?’” John Webster, the managing director of Digital Doctors in Brighton, says. “That is ultimately what guides us in terms of recommending what a person wants to buy.” Webster says there are three main categories – general family use, professional use and gaming. For a family device, a Chromebook may suffice – and with models below £300, these will usually cost less than a Windows laptop. “The Chromebook is a very distinct environment. Many schools use Google Classroom, and it just locks into […] - [Heavy fighting gripped the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut](https://www.wsj.com/articles/battle-for-ukraines-bakhmut-reaches-highest-intensity-yet-7808fb6b): The battle for Bakhmut has become one of the bloodiest of the war. Photo: ADAM TACTIC GROUP/REUTERS KYIV, Ukraine—Heavy fighting gripped the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut Sunday, as Russia claimed small advances while Ukraine said the intensity of the battle had reached its highest level yet. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Wagner paramilitaries had advanced a few blocks on the northern and southern edges of the city. The Ukrainian military said it had repelled Russian attacks in and around the city, Russia’s main immediate target in the country. “Our soldiers are doing everything to grind down the enemy’s fighting […] - [Small and midsize U.S. banks are coming under pressure to raise the interest rates](https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-are-finally-facing-pressure-to-pay-depositors-more-88d6447d): Coming results from M&T Bank and other regional financial companies will shed light on overall economic health. Photo: Bing Guan/Bloomberg News Depositors fled to the perceived safety of the titans of finance following a pair of bank failures last month. A raft of earnings this week will show just how costly the run was for everyone else.  Small and midsize U.S. banks lost hundreds of billions of dollars in recent weeks to their bigger peers and to money-market funds offering higher yields. That is likely to force many of them to increase the interest rates they are paying to avoid losing […] - [Stocks have historically rallied after the Fed has finished raising interest rates](https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-pause-wouldnt-necessarily-refresh-stock-market-29bf83c5): Inflation is still much too high, according to one top Federal Reserve official. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg News Stocks have historically rallied after the Federal Reserve has finished raising interest rates. Markets might not get the same boost this time around, some investors and analysts warn. Going back to 1982, the S&P 500 returned an average of 19% in the 12 months after the federal-funds rate peaked, according to a Goldman Sachs team led by chief U.S. equity strategist David Kostin. Goldman studied six Fed tightening cycles over that time period. Stocks rose after all but one of them. Yet Goldman is […] - [Merck & Co. said it agreed to acquire Prometheus Biosciences Inc. for $10.8 billion](https://www.wsj.com/articles/merck-in-late-stage-talks-to-acquire-prometheus-biosciences-eefe4909): Merck has been looking for deals to add new products to its pipeline. Photo: BRENDAN MCDERMID/REUTERS Merck & Co. said it agreed to acquire Prometheus Biosciences Inc. for $10.8 billion, a push into the lucrative market for immune-disease treatments. Merck said Sunday it would acquire Prometheus at $200 a share, a roughly 75% premium to where shares closed on Friday, at $114.01. Prometheus had a market cap of $5.4 billion as of Friday’s market close. Its shares are up about 4% year-to-date. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Sunday that Merck was in late-stage talks with Prometheus for an acquisition. The […] - [Brazil’s Lula, China’s Xi Solidify Anti-West Bloc Aimed at Displacing US](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628301394/ZfBTSMl6TVd0nORu?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): Amidst the buzz surrounding Brazilian President Luiz Inácio … on the Wall Some Brazilians assert Lula’s deepening of … and Brazil as the “two biggest developing countries and emerging markets in … have “extensive common interests.” Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio … - [China's Central Bank Keeps Key Policy Rates Unchanged](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-central-bank-keeps-key-policy-rates-unchanged-9a315175): The headquarters of the People’s Bank of China in Beijing. Photo: CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS/REUTERS China’s central bank kept its key policy rates unchanged on Monday, suggesting a hold on benchmark lending rates later this month. The People’s Bank of China injected 170 billion yuan ($24.74 billion) of liquidity into the banking system via its one-year medium-term lending facility at an interest rate of 2.75%. The MLF interest rate, which is used to price the nation’s benchmark loan prime rate, was the same as the previous operation. The PBOC also injected CNY20 billion of funds via seven-day reverse repurchase agreements at an […] - [Elon Musk Lowers Expectations for SpaceX's First Starship Launch Attempt](https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-lowers-expectations-for-spacexs-first-starship-launch-attempt-65502704): Spectators gather to see the SpaceX Starship. Photo: GO NAKAMURA/REUTERS BROWNSVILLE, Texas— Elon Musk sought to lower expectations for SpaceX’s inaugural launch attempt of Starship, the immense rocket that his space company is preparing to try to fly on Monday morning. Mr. Musk told listeners Sunday evening during a Twitter discussion that the company faces serious challenges pulling off the operation, pointing to potential hazards that could stem from the dozens of engines that would power the rocket off a launchpad. “We’re going to be pretty careful about this launch. If it does go wrong, it’s a lot to go wrong,” […] - [Asian Currencies Weaken Amid Ongoing Fed Rate-Increase Bets](https://www.wsj.com/articles/asian-currencies-weaken-amid-ongoing-fed-rate-increase-bets-603901d2): 0122 GMT — Asian currencies weaken against USD in the morning Asian session amid ongoing Fed rate-increase bets after Fed Gov. Waller said Friday that inflation is still much too high and that he’s ready to approve another rate increase. With the U.S. Treasury yields surging on Friday, a cautious market mood may be adopted in Asia on Monday, MUFG Bank analysts say in a research report. USD/KRW rises 0.6% to 1,311.64, USD/SGD gains 0.2% to 1.3329 while AUD/USD is down 0.2% at 0.6695. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com) - [Oil Edges Higher; Focus on Supply Issues](https://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-edges-higher-focus-on-supply-issues-40a6fcf5): 0054 GMT — Oil edges higher in early Asian trade, after a fourth straight weekly gain, as concerns eased over the high inflation’s impact on energy demand. Supply side issues may continue to dictate sentiment on market expectations of tightness in the global crude oil market following OPEC’s surprise decision earlier this month to cut output by more than one million barrel a day, ANZ analysts say in a note. They note IEA’s warning that the OPEC cuts were likely to drive prices higher and inflict more pain on consumers. “This has been exacerbated by other short-term issues, including interruptions to pipeline supplies from Iraqi Kurdistan,” they add. Front-month WTI futures and Brent are each 0.1% higher at $82.59/bbl and $86.40/bbl, respectively. (justina.lee@wsj.com) - [Gold Little Changed; U.S. Fed in Focus](https://www.wsj.com/articles/gold-little-changed-u-s-fed-in-focus-72909e77): 0033 GMT — Gold prices are little changed in early Asian trade, after posting a loss last week. “The near-term trend remains up on hopes that the U.S. Fed is nearing the end of the tightening cycle,” says DailyFX’s strategist Manish Jaradi in a note. He thinks that the yellow metal “is now approaching one of the strongest resistance levels that it has faced in months.” Spot gold is flat at $2,003.50/oz. (justina.lee@wsj.com) - [China's Property Market Showed Signs of Recovery in March](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-property-market-showed-signs-of-recovery-in-march-5d168155): A housing complex in Huaian, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: str/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images China’s property market showed more signs of recovery in March with new home prices picking up after Beijing rolled out supportive measures for the sector. Average new home prices in China’s 70 major cities rose 0.44% in March, speeding up from a 0.29% month-over-month increase recorded in February, according to a calculation by The Wall Street Journal based on the official data released Saturday. In March, five cities recorded month-over-month fall in home prices, fewer than February’s decline in 13 cities, according to data from the National […] - [Australia Shares Set to Rise Despite Weak U.S. Lead](https://www.wsj.com/articles/australia-shares-set-to-rise-despite-weak-u-s-lead-d2f3ea72): 2221 GMT — Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 looks set to edge higher at the open, building on momentum of three consecutive weekly gains despite a weak lead from U.S. equities. ASX futures are up by 0.2%, suggesting the benchmark index will shrug off Friday’s declines in the U.S., where all three major indexes pared modest weekly gains despite strength in bank stocks. The DJIA dropped 0.4% on Friday, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.35%, and the S&P 500 lost 0.2%. This week in Australia includes Tuesday’s release of the minutes from April’s central-bank board meeting. The bank paused its program of interest-rate rises and traders will likely parse the minutes for clues on the path from hereon. (stuart.condie@wsj.com; @StuartLCondie) - [The Wrong Track to Rail Safety](https://www.wsj.com/articles/railroad-crew-size-mandate-derailment-east-palestine-sherrod-brown-j-d-vance-unions-6be25c30): A conductor checks a Norfolk Southern Corp. freight locomotive during a crew change. Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg News Rail disasters are mercifully rare, so the railroad unions won’t let one go to waste. They’re seeking a mandate on crew sizes in the aftermath of a major derailment in February. But the policy has topped the union wish list for years, and it would do little to improve safety. The crew mandate is part of the Railway Safety Act, a Senate bill aimed at tightening safety protocols after the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The bill was drafted by that state’s […] - [Incredible Shrinking Japan](https://www.wsj.com/articles/incredible-shrinking-japan-births-overpopulation-children-motherhood-babies-marriage-family-birth-rate-429dc84b): Photo: philip fong/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images Remember when global elites worried about overpopulation? Tell it to Japan, where the internal affairs ministry announced last week that the country’s population fell in 2022 for the 12th consecutive year, dropping 556,000 to 124.95 million. This marks the 16th year in a row in which deaths exceeded births, with a record drop in births of 731,000. All of Japan’s 47 prefectures except Tokyo saw declines. To maintain a stable population, countries need a fertility rate of at least 2.1. Japan’s is 1.34. The U.S. has a birth rate of 1.64. Twenty-seven percent of Japan’s 50-year […] - [The Postman's Sabbath and Federal Law](https://www.wsj.com/articles/gerald-groff-usps-groff-v-dejoy-supreme-court-civil-rights-act-religious-observance-e722e759): Gerald Groff Photo: FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE/via REUTERS How flexible must an employer be when a worker asks for a religious accommodation? The Supreme Court will ponder that Tuesday in Groff v. DeJoy, the case of a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier who resigned under reprimand after refusing to work on Sundays. Gerald Groff is an evangelical Christian, and in 2012 he started as a USPS noncareer rural carrier associate, which involved covering absences for career staff. Sunday shifts weren’t originally part of the gig, but then the USPS signed a deal to carry Amazon parcels. Mr. Groff’s post in Quarryville, Pa., […] - [How Virtual Reality Could Help You Confront Your Deepest Fears](https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-virtual-reality-could-help-you-confront-your-deepest-fears-a45fc196): VR scenarios are getting more personal as doctors tailor therapy to individual experiences, - [How Virtual Reality Could Help You Confront Your Deepest Fears](https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-virtual-reality-could-help-you-confront-your-deepest-fears-ae768cf7): VR scenarios are getting more personal as doctors tailor therapy to individual experiences. - [How Bank Apps Know You're You](https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-bank-apps-know-youre-you-ae63478d): A lot goes on behind the scenes to keep you safe from hackers - [Why It's Important to Show Gratitude at Work---and What's the Best Way to Do It](https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-its-important-to-show-gratitude-at-workand-whats-the-best-way-to-do-it-a656ec35): Research finds that even a simple thank-you can go a long way to making employees and colleagues feel valued and more collaborative - [Foreign Companies Should Have to Play by the Same Rules](https://www.wsj.com/articles/foreign-companies-should-have-to-play-by-the-same-rules-china-russia-sec-audits-disclosure-insider-trading-sarbanes-oxley-506929a3): Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto The U.S. is home to the deepest, most liquid source of capital there is. So it’s no surprise that companies from around the globe want to raise money here. But a basic precept of our markets, and one reason why they have served the American people so well for so long, is that they largely require all participants to play by the same rules. For too long, certain foreign companies have raised capital in the U.S. while failing to follow the rules that make American markets work. Chinese companies now represent more than $1 trillion in value on […] - [Jack Teixeira's Arrest Brings Shock, Confusion to Small Town](https://www.wsj.com/articles/arrest-of-jack-teixeira-brings-shock-confusion-to-small-new-england-town-4ed1c188): DIGHTON, Mass. — The house on Maple Street where Airman First Class Jack Teixeira was arrested Thursday sits on a thickly wooded lot set far back from the road. By Friday, after law-enforcement agents and media descended on this small town, a loader backhoe blocked the driveway entrance near an empty flower cart. A 2020 graduate of Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School in southeastern Massachusetts, Airman Teixeira, 21 years old, was viewed by those who know him as a military enthusiast from a family who supports the military and its causes. - [The Truth About Clarence Thomas's Disclosures](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-truth-about-clarence-thomas-disclosures-propublica-georgia-harlan-crow-ethics-court-91cd21df): Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas delivers a speech in Atlanta, Feb. 11, 2020. Photo: John Amis/Associated Press Clarence Thomas lost his beloved maternal grandparents barely a month apart in the spring of 1983. Myers Anderson, whom his grandson knew as “Daddy,” died of a stroke on March 30. Christine Anderson, known as “Aunt Tina,” suffered a stroke as well and died on May 1. “Perhaps, I thought, she’d lost the will to live,” Justice Thomas writes in his 2007 memoir, “My Grandfather’s Son.” The Andersons, who were 75 and 70 respectively, are buried at Palmyra Baptist Church in Liberty County, Ga. […] - [Lula Cozies Up to America's Enemies](https://www.wsj.com/articles/lula-cozies-up-to-americas-enemies-brazil-kremlin-beijing-ukraine-catholic-church-bishop-alvarez-socialist-human-rights-nicaragua-iran-c7705711): Xi Jinping and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, April 14, 2023. Photo: ken ishii/Press Pool Porto Alegre, Brazil The sermon at Easter Sunday Mass in a small church outside this state capital city began with the glory of the resurrection. It finished with the evils of Nicaraguan communism. One reason a Catholic clergyman in Brazil might have the Central American police state—some 4,000 miles away—on his mind is that Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega has been holding Matagalpa Bishop Rolando Álvarez in a Managua dungeon since early February. Another […] - ['Poverty, by America' Review: Poverty Is Your Fault](https://www.wsj.com/articles/poverty-by-america-review-poverty-is-your-fault-84701c75): Photo: Alamy Stock Photo In his State of the Union address in 1964, President Lyndon Johnson famously called for “an unconditional war on poverty.” Since then, according to the Census Bureau, the proportion of Americans with incomes below the official poverty threshold has fallen from 19% to 11.6% (in 2021). Using a broader measure of income, one that includes social-welfare benefits such as food stamps and housing subsidies, the share is lower still: 7.8%. To Matthew Desmond, these results, as impressive as they might seem to be, are not even close to good enough. In “Poverty, by America,” he begins by […] - [Bond buyers see ‘best bang for buck’ in emerging markets as hiking cycles end](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628270044/yr4y_-5xcgS-pO_j?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … to fall significantly across emerging markets in recent months, with … aggressively to raise rates. Brazil, which began to tighten … Ilke Pienaar, head of emerging-market sovereign research at Pinebridge … down only gradually in Brazil, said Joel Virgen Rojano … - [Online Account Overseen by Ex-Navy Member Aided the Spread of Secrets](https://www.wsj.com/articles/social-media-account-overseen-by-former-navy-noncommissioned-officer-helped-spread-secrets-a4b5643b): A social-media account overseen by a former U.S. Navy noncommissioned officer—a prominent online voice supporting Russia’s war on Ukraine—played a key role in the spread of intelligence documents allegedly leaked by Airman First Class Jack Teixeira, reposting files from obscure online chat rooms. A purported Russian blogger known as Donbass Devushka, which translates as Donbas Girl, is the face of a network of pro-Kremlin social-media, podcasting, merchandise and fundraising accounts. But the person who hosted podcasts as Donbass Devushka and oversees these accounts is a Washington-state-based former U.S. enlisted aviation electronics technician whose real name is Sarah Bils.  Russia first intervened in the Donbas part of eastern Ukraine in 2014, and most of the recent fighting has focused on that area. Ms. Bils, 37 years old, served at the U.S. naval air station on Whidbey Island until late last year, even as the accounts she had established and supervised glorified the Russian military and the paramilitary Wagner Group. They are among the most widely followed English-language social-media outlets promoting Russia’s views.   In an interview Saturday at her home in Oak Harbor, Wash., Ms. Bils said she is an administrator of the Donbass Devushka persona, and acknowledged raising funds and hosting podcasts under that name. She added, however, that she is one of 15 people “all over the world” involved in running the Donbass Devushka network. Ms. Bils declined to identify these people. On April 5, the Donbass Devushka Telegram account posted four of the allegedly leaked classified documents to its 65,000 followers, according to a screenshot seen by The Wall Street Journal. That led several large Russian social-media accounts to pick up on the documents, after which the Pentagon launched an investigation. Ms. Bils says another administrator posted the four files. There is no evidence that Ms. Bils, who had a security clearance during her Navy service, has used that access to steal any classified information herself. “I obviously know the gravity of top-secret classified materials. We didn’t leak them,” she said. Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, a spokesman for the Pentagon, referred requests for comment on Ms. Bils and her role in reposting classified information to the Justice Department, which declined to comment.  In a statement in response to questions, Gen. Ryder said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a review of intelligence access, accountability and control procedures within the Pentagon to help prevent future leaks.  The U.S. Navy also declined to comment.  Airman Teixeira’s posts had languished online for months, shared among a small circle of fellow war and computer-game enthusiasts who had joined his invitation-only server on the Discord platform. Even after another member reposted the files to a larger Discord server, they remained unnoticed by the broader public. It was only after the posting of some of the files on Donbass Devushka’s account that they turned into fodder for military enthusiasts and Russia supporters across the internet. Several dozen other classified files have been found in Discord since then, mostly dealing with the war in Ukraine but also containing a variety of secrets about other nations.   Airman Teixeira was arraigned on Friday for unauthorized retention and transmission of classified documents he allegedly took from the U.S. military. Airman Teixeira didn’t enter a plea in his court appearance and a judge ordered him jailed until a detention hearing on Wednesday.  The federal public defender’s office in Boston didn’t respond to a request for comment. Airman Teixeira’s family members couldn’t be reached for comment.  The Donbass Devushka Telegram account that Ms. Bils oversees describes itself as engaging in “Russian–style information warfare.”  Linked accounts using the same name on other platforms also promoted the Russian agenda after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Donbass Devushka network hawked merchandise featuring Wagner and the Russian military, promising to send proceeds for the “freedom of Donbass” and to help “our men on the front.” Ms. Bils was promoted to the E-7 rank of chief aviation electronics technician in late 2020, a senior NCO position, according to promotion records posted on the Navy website and photographs of the ceremony on her former installation’s Facebook page. Ms. Bils left the military in November last year with an honorable discharge and with the lower rank of E-5, according to military records. The reason for that significant demotion couldn’t be immediately determined. Ms. Bils said she left the Navy for medical reasons, after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. - [Pentagon, Intelligence Agencies Face Calls for Details on Leak Probe](https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-intelligence-agencies-face-calls-for-details-on-leak-probe-4a5cbd3a): A review has been ordered of intelligence access, accountability and control procedures within the Pentagon to help prevent future leaks. Photo: JOSHUA ROBERTS/REUTERS WASHINGTON—U.S. Defense Department and intelligence agencies face growing calls from lawmakers for details about how a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman was allegedly able to access and post online classified information. Senior lawmakers with oversight of intelligence and defense on Sunday said they don’t yet understand how a low-level information technician was allowed access to the classified documents and allegedly to sneak state secrets out of secured facilities. Some lawmakers also called for officials to be held accountable for the breach.  […] - [Where Did All That Borrowed Money Go?](https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-national-debt-budget-obama-biden-government-spending-e3b4f7d3): President Biden releases his budget for fiscal year 2024 in Philadelphia, March 9. Photo: Kyle Mazza/Zuma Press Since President Barack Obama entered the White House in 2009, the national debt has risen by around $20 trillion (“Ballooning National Debt Is a Rotten Legacy” by William Galston, Politics & Ideas, April 12). Can someone please show us what we got for that money? Our school systems are a joke, defense is underfunded and still politicians claim we are cutting to the bone if even a freeze on spending is proposed. As a former chief executive, I reviewed all expenses on a zero […] - [Ukraine's EU Neighbors Move to Block Grain Imports](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-eu-neighbors-move-to-block-grain-imports-over-falling-prices-51436eb4): Farmers in Poland and elsewhere have voiced anger over Ukrainian grain shipments to their country, which have depressed local grain prices. Photo: Attila Husejnow/Zuma Press Plans by Poland and Hungary to suspend imports of Ukrainian grain, in a bid to appease farmers hit by falling prices, triggered a warning from Brussels Sunday and boosted tensions between Brussels and the two countries. Prices of grain in both countries have dropped since the EU scrapped duties and quotas on Ukrainian grain imports last year. Authorities in Brussels removed those restrictions after Ukraine’s grain exports were redirected westward over land to Europe following Russia’s […] - [The State Level Is Only Half the Battle for School Choice](https://www.wsj.com/articles/school-choice-state-local-funding-yass-friedman-education-91e4ab8): A rally for school choice in Austin, Texas, March 21. Gov. Photo: Ricardo B. Brazziell /Austin American-Statesman/Associated Press In a well-reasoned letter to the editor (April 11), Jason Bedrick quotes Milton Friedman: “There will be a breakthrough; we shall get a universal voucher plan in one or more states.” The good news is this is happening in a half-dozen states, with many more possible. The bad news is that state funding is only about half of total school funding. Until the other half follows the child, rather than the school system, we will still be playing with one hand tied behind […] - [Can We 'Make Friends' With Russia After the War Crimes?](https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-putin-war-crimes-ukraine-war-peace-f3527b27): Ukrainian soldiers and emergency workers outside a maternity hospital damaged by shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine, March 2022. Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka/Associated Press In “Defeat Russia, Then Make Friends” (op-ed, April 12), Jack Devine doesn’t tell us how prosecuting Russia’s leaders for their war crimes would affect our rapprochement. Certainly, prosecution of those responsible for indiscriminate attacks against hospitals and schools, civilian massacres, torture and rape is a necessary second step before we “make friends.” John Larned Eagle, Idaho - [Joe Manchin's Faux Betrayal and an Endless Green Bill of Goods](https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-manchins-faux-betrayal-and-an-endless-green-bill-of-goods-inflation-reduction-act-tax-credit-expansion-b587832e): Sen. Joe Manchin speaks outside the White House, Aug. 16, 2022. Photo: Ron Sachs/Zuma Press Who knows if West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin truly believed the Inflation Reduction Act would reduce the deficit. Either way, he bought a green bill of goods. Several recent independent studies show that the law’s climate spending will cost trillions of dollars—many multiples more than Democrats claimed—and most of it will go to the affluent. A Goldman Sachs report last month estimated the law’s climate spending would cost $1.2 trillion over the next decade—three times as much as the Congressional Budget Office estimated last summer. One […] - [Xiplomacy: China and Brazil -- friends oceans away](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628250693/vEzT46Q8e1QF2ECN?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … biggest developing countries and emerging markets in the Eastern and … cooperation between China and Brazil. Investment from China in … imagined that the Sino-Brazilian partnership would acquire the … the Brazilian agro-industry.” China has been Brazil… - [Age of globalisation is now the age of instability – and we need a plan | Larry Elliott](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/16/age-of-globalisation-instability-plan-bridgetown-initiative): Kristalina Georgieva is one of life’s optimists, so it was no surprise that the managing director of the International Monetary Fund found things to be cheerful about at last week’s gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors in Washington. The two Bretton Woods institutions – the IMF and the World Bank – meet every six months, and since October, fears of a deep recession have receded. As Georgieva noted, the global economy has shown unexpected resilience. Energy prices have come down and that makes the outlook for inflation better. What’s more, the IMF chief said there was a can-do approach […] - [UK pensions: how to make sure you get the best income in retirement](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/16/uk-pensions-best-income-tips-retire-early-advice): Build a 35-year national insurance record The reason why one in three people won’t even reach the minimum income level in retirement is that they don’t have a proper national insurance (NI) record. You will usually need to have 10 qualifying years to get any new state pension, and 35 to get the full amount (although it does vary). No idea if you have enough qualifying years? Go to gov.uk/check-state-pension. It will give you a forecast for how much your state pension will be, and set out your NI contributions so far. But you will need to sign in using Government […] - [dLocal Supports SMBs in Emerging Markets With New Payment Solution](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628167338/vhPaqJbK8pF-vUe5?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … platform business model operating in emerging markets. It aims to speed up … markets such as Mexico and Brazil.” Federico Mazzoli, VP product at … - [Exclusive with top adviser to Lula: Brazil, China can play important role in building more multipolar world](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628087351/USY-KhWKsCUmvHNg?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … foreign policy adviser to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula … Brazil are the two biggest developing countries and emerging markets … strategic partners, China and Brazil share extensive common interests. … than ever before. Brazil is willing to strengthen … - [UK pensions: how much do you need to retire as the cost of living soars?](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/15/uk-pensions-how-much-retire-cost-of-living-inflation-income): The cost of living crisis is turning into a cost of retirement crisis as rising food and energy prices mean the amount of money you need to retire at a minimum living standard has increased by almost £2,000 in the last year. In 2022 the minimum required to survive as a single pensioner jumped by 18% to £12,800 a year. Meanwhile, a retired couple now need a minimum of £19,900 a year – up £3,200, an even bigger rise of 19%, according to a study funded by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) at Loughborough University. While this month the […] - [Millions of young adults living in poor quality housing, UK study shows](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/15/young-adults-uk-housing): One in six young adults in the UK are living in poor-quality housing, according to research that says damp, draughty and cramped living conditions are harming the physical and mental health of millions. Resolution Foundation said Britain was facing a twin housing crisis as soaring rents and mortgage payments added to the pressure on people living in substandard accommodation, with young adults bearing the brunt. The thinktank found that up to 2.6 million people aged 18-34 were living in poor-quality housing – defined as homes that were not in a good state of repair, where heating, electrics or plumbing were not […] - [Recovering rare earth elements in environmental water](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230414201903.htm): The demand for precious metals and rare earths is expected to continue increasing in the future. Due to limited production areas, recycling from precision equipment and recovering from seawater and hot spring water are needed to ensure a stable supply. A research group led by Professor Masayuki Azuma and Associate Professor Yoshihiro Ojima of the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Engineering has successfully developed an adsorbent material that can selectively recover rare earth elements (REEs) using environmentally friendly and inexpensive baker's yeast and trimetaphosphate, which is used as a food additive. The research group conducted experiments using synthetic seawater and hot spring water to evaluate the performance of this material in a real environment. As a result, it was confirmed that the material can selectively adsorb REEs even when using hot spring water with an REE concentration of several to several tens of ppb (?g/L) and a very high content of other components. "This new technology is expected to contribute to the realization of a metal resource-circulating society and a safe society through environmental purification. In the future, we will continue to conduct experiments on a variety of environmental water with the aim of establishing a system capable of treating large quantities of metal resources through continuous operation," said Professor Azuma. - [Xi, Lula map out future China-Brazil ties](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628031270/Yt6rdvolMxBSmA9T?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … Brazil are the two biggest developing countries and emerging markets … partners, China and Brazil share extensive common interests … and Road Initiative and Brazil’s reindustrialization strategy,” … public support for Sino-Brazilian friendship. “China is … - [First hands-free self-driving system approved for British motorways](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/apr/14/first-hands-free-self-driving-system-approved-for-british-motorways-ford-mustang): Drivers will be legally allowed to take their hands off the steering wheel on Britain’s motorways for the first time as long as they watch the road, after the government approved another step on the path to self-driving cars. The driving-assist feature in Ford’s latest Mustang Mach-E model, which allows the vehicle to steer and accelerate but also monitors the driver’s attention to ensure their eyes are on the road, will be permitted by the Department for Transport in a first for Europe. The BlueCruise system, an £18-a-month subscription add-on to the £50,000 electric car, uses radars and cameras to track […] - [Students engineer socks for on-the-go neuropathy treatment](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230413154132.htm): Need a little spring -- or buzz -- in your step? A wearable electrical-stimulation and vibration-therapy system designed by Rice University engineering students might be just what the doctor ordered for people experiencing foot pain and balance loss due to diabetic neuropathy. Rice engineering students in the StimuSock team -- Abby Dowse, Yannie Guo, Andrei Mitrofan, Sarah Park and Kelly Xu -- designed a sock with a smart insole that can deliver both transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and vibration therapy that block pain signals to the brain and provide haptic feedback to help with balance issues, respectively. The team will present its device at the annual Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen showcase and competition April 13 at the Ion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2022 estimates, over 37 million people in the U.S. suffer from diabetes. About half of them will develop some form of diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that occurs most often in the legs and feet. The StimuSock team sought to combine the best aspects of existing therapies into a single, user-centered design. "Existing products or devices used to treat the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are either pharmaceuticals or large at-home vibration devices users stand on," Dowse said. "But none of them can both treat pain and improve balance, which our device aims to do by combining the TENS and the vibrational therapy in one wearable, portable, user-controllable and easy-to-use device." A lot of the team's effort went into making the device as low-profile as possible. "The intent is for the patient to be able to wear the device for the whole day," Guo said. "Even when everything's off and they don't want the electrostimulation or haptics effect, they can still wear their device. … You don't want it to look like you're wearing an ankle monitor." Patients use a smartphone app to control the type, intensity and duration of the desired therapeutic stimulus. The system also allows users to target a specific area of the foot. "We have three regions: one in the front of the insole, one in the middle and one at the back," Park said. "Our aim is to allow patients to be able to control both the amplitude of the vibration and the location where it's delivered. Some patients might only want vibration at the front of their feet and some only at the back." Mitrofan said the team anticipates the device's final form will have sufficient battery life to provide the recommended maximum of four 30-minute sessions of TENS therapy per day and operate on standby the rest of the day. The team's mentor is bioengineering assistant teaching professor Sabia Abidi . - [Testing vaccine candidates quickly with lab-grown mini-organs](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230412131152.htm): Developing and testing new treatments or vaccines for humans almost always requires animal trials, but these experiments can sometimes take years to complete and can raise ethical concerns about the animals' treatment. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have developed a new testing platform that encapsulates B cells -- some of the most important components of the immune system -- into miniature "organoids" to make vaccine screening quicker and greatly reduce the number of animals needed. Vaccines introduce the immune system to an antigen, which can be either part or all of a virus or bacterium, allowing the body to prepare itself for a future exposure by programming its B cells to make antibodies against the antigen. Certain bacteria coat themselves in a polysaccharide "disguise," however, requiring specialized conjugate vaccines, such as those that protect against pneumonia and meningitis. In this type of approach, a piece of the antigenic polysaccharide is attached, or conjugated, to a carrier protein the body can recognize. But exactly how conjugate vaccines interact with B cells to induce an immune response isn't fully understood. The traditional way of testing vaccines involves injecting them into animals and waiting weeks or months for the result. And when developing a whole new class of vaccine or focusing on a new target, scientists often need to evaluate many vaccine candidates, requiring numerous animal studies. To speed up the process and address ethical concerns, researchers have begun exploring the use of organoids, which are small groups of cells that act like miniaturized organs, creating a simulated environment that reflects in vivo conditions. Hundreds of immune cell organoids can be constructed from the spleen of a single animal, greatly increasing testing throughput -- which could help researchers keep up with the large numbers of compounds they can create and need to screen. So, Matthew DeLisa, Ankur Singh and colleagues wanted to see whether this method would provide results similar to those from animal experiments and whether the platform could be used to screen large numbers of glycoconjugate vaccine candidates. To construct organoids, the researchers isolated B cells from mouse spleens, added cellular signaling molecules and structural components, then encapsulated everything in a synthetic hydrogel matrix. Next, they prepared conjugate vaccine candidates targeting the bacterium responsible for tularemia, or "rabbit fever," for which an approved vaccine does not currently exist. Candidates were tested using both traditional in vivo mouse trials and the new organoid platform. The B cells reacted similarly in both formats and also provided insights into the several biochemical changes that occur as the cells mature into antibody-producing cells. As a result, the team found that the platform could be used to identify B cell clones that generate highly antigen-specific antibodies, which have a wide variety of potential applications. Though this work is preliminary, the researchers say that the organoid platform could help reduce the time it takes for new conjugate vaccines to be developed and evaluated. - [Fiscal Monitor April 2023](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2023/04/03/fiscal-monitor-april-2023) - [It's all in the wrist: Energy-efficient robot hand learns how not to drop the ball](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230411195923.htm): Researchers have designed a low-cost, energy-efficient robotic hand that can grasp a range of objects -- and not drop them -- using just the movement of its wrist and the feeling in its 'skin'. Grasping objects of different sizes, shapes and textures is a problem that is easy for a human, but challenging for a robot. Researchers from the University of Cambridge designed a soft, 3D printed robotic hand that cannot independently move its fingers but can still carry out a range of complex movements. The robot hand was trained to grasp different objects and was able to predict whether it would drop them by using the information provided from sensors placed on its 'skin'. This type of passive movement makes the robot far easier to control and far more energy-efficient than robots with fully motorised fingers. The researchers say their adaptable design could be used in the development of low-cost robotics that are capable of more natural movement and can learn to grasp a wide range of objects. The results are reported in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems. In the natural world, movement results from the interplay between the brain and the body: this enables people and animals to move in complex ways without expending unnecessary amounts of energy. Over the past several years, soft components have begun to be integrated into robotics design thanks to advances in 3D printing techniques, which have allowed researchers to add complexity to simple, energy-efficient systems. The human hand is highly complex, and recreating all of its dexterity and adaptability in a robot is a massive research challenge. Most of today's advanced robots are not capable of manipulation tasks that small children can perform with ease. For example, humans instinctively know how much force to use when picking up an egg, but for a robot this is a challenge: too much force, and the egg could shatter; too little, and the robot could drop it. In addition, a fully actuated robot hand, with motors for each joint in each finger, requires a significant amount of energy. In Professor Fumiya Iida's Bio-Inspired Robotics Laboratory in Cambridge's Department of Engineering, researchers have been developing potential solutions to both problems: a robot hand than can grasp a variety of objects with the correct amount of pressure while using a minimal amount of energy. "In earlier experiments, our lab has shown that it's possible to get a significant range of motion in a robot hand just by moving the wrist," said co-author Dr Thomas George-Thuruthel, who is now based at University College London (UCL) East. "We wanted to see whether a robot hand based on passive movement could not only grasp objects, but would be able to predict whether it was going to drop the objects or not, and adapt accordingly." The researchers used a 3D-printed anthropomorphic hand implanted with tactile sensors, so that the hand could sense what it was touching. The hand was only capable of passive, wrist-based movement. The team carried out more than 1200 tests with the robot hand, observing its ability to grasp small objects without dropping them. The robot was initially trained using small 3D printed plastic balls, and grasped them using a pre-defined action obtained through human demonstrations. "This kind of hand has a bit of springiness to it: it can pick things up by itself without any actuation of the fingers," said first author Dr Kieran Gilday, who is now based at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland. "The tactile sensors give the robot a sense of how well the grip is going, so it knows when it's starting to slip. This helps it to predict when things will fail." The robot used trial and error to learn what kind of grip would be successful. After finishing the training with the balls, it then attempted to grasp different objects including a peach, a computer mouse and a roll of bubble wrap. In these tests, the hand was able to successfully grasp 11 of 14 objects. "The sensors, which are sort of like the robot's skin, measure the pressure being applied to the object," said George-Thuruthel. "We can't say exactly what information the robot is getting, but it can theoretically estimate where the object has been grasped and with how much force." "The robot learns that a combination of a particular motion and a particular set of sensor data will lead to failure, which makes it a customisable solution," said Gilday. "The hand is very simple, but it can pick up a lot of objects with the same strategy." "The big advantage of this design is the range of motion we can get without using any actuators," said Iida. "We want to simplify the hand as much as possible. We can get lots of good information and a high degree of control without any actuators, so that when we do add them, we'll get more complex behaviour in a more efficient package." A fully actuated robotic hand, in addition to the amount of energy it requires, is also a complex control problem. The passive design of the Cambridge-designed hand, using a small number of sensors, is easier to control, provides a wide range of motion, and streamlines the learning process. In future, the system could be expanded in several ways, such as by adding computer vision capabilities, or teaching the robot to exploit its environment, which would enable it to grasp a wider range of objects. This work was funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and Arm Ltd. Fumiya Iida is a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. - [Table tennis brain teaser: Playing against robots makes our brains work harder](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230410132157.htm): Captain of her high school tennis team and a four-year veteran of varsity tennis in college, Amanda Studnicki had been training for this moment for years. All she had to do now was think small. Like ping pong small. For weeks, Studnicki, a graduate student at the University of Florida, served and rallied against dozens of players on a table tennis court. Her opponents sported a science-fiction visage, a cap of electrodes streaming off their heads into a backpack as they played against either Studnicki or a ball-serving machine. That cyborg look was vital to Studnicki’s goal: to understand how our brains react to the intense demands of a high-speed sport like table tennis – and what difference a machine opponent makes. Studnicki and her advisor, Daniel Ferris, discovered that the brains of table tennis players react very differently to human or machine opponents. Faced with the inscrutability of a ball machine, players’ brains scrambled themselves in anticipation of the next serve. While with the obvious cues that a human opponent was about to serve, their neurons hummed in unison, seemingly confident of their next move. The findings have implications for sports training, suggesting that human opponents provide a realism that can’t be replaced with machine helpers. And as robots grow more common and sophisticated, understanding our brains’ response could help make our artificial companions more naturalistic. “Robots are getting more ubiquitous. You have companies like Boston Dynamics that are building robots that can interact with humans and other companies that are building socially assistive robots that help the elderly,” said Ferris, a professor of biomedical engineering at UF. “Humans interacting with robots is going to be different than when they interact with other humans. Our long term goal is to try to understand how the brain reacts to these differences.” Ferris’s lab has long studied the brain’s response to visual cues and motor tasks, like walking and running. He was looking to upgrade to studying complex, fast-paced action when Studnicki, with her tennis background, joined the research group. So the lab decided tennis was the perfect sport to address these questions with. But the oversized movements – especially high overhand serves – proved an obstacle to the burgeoning tech. “So we literally scaled things down to table tennis and asked all the same questions we had for tennis before,” Ferris said. The researchers still had to compensate for the smaller movements of table tennis. So Ferris and Studnicki doubled the 120 electrodes in a typical brain-scanning cap, each bonus electrode providing a control for the rapid head movements during a table tennis match. With all these electrodes scanning the brain activity of players, Studnicki and Ferris were able to tune into the brain region that turns sensory information into movement. This area is known as the parieto-occipital cortex. “It takes all your senses – visual, vestibular, auditory – and it gives information on creating your motor plan. It’s been studied a lot for simple tasks, like reaching and grasping, but all of them are stationary,” Studnicki said. “We wanted to understand how it worked for complex movements like tracking a ball in space and intercepting it, and table tennis was perfect for this.” The researchers analyzed dozens of hours of play against both Studnicki and the ball machine. When playing against another human, players’ neurons worked in unison, like they were all speaking the same language. In contrast, when players faced a ball-serving machine, the neurons in their brains were not aligned with one another. In the neuroscience world, this lack of alignment is known as desynchronization. “If we have 100,000 people in a football stadium and they’re all cheering together, that’s like synchronization in the brain, which is a sign the brain is relaxed" Ferris said. “If we have those same 100,000 people but they’re all talking to their friends, they’re busy but they’re not in sync. In a lot of cases, that desynchronization is an indication that the brain is doing a lot of calculations as opposed to sitting and idling.” The team suspects that the players’ brains were so active while waiting for robotic serves because the machine provides no cues of what they are going to do next. What’s clear is that our brains process these two experiences very differently, which suggests that training with a machine might not offer the same experience as playing against a real opponent. “I still see a lot of value in practicing with a machine,” Studnicki said. “But I think machines are going to evolve in the next 10 or 20 years, and we could see more naturalistic behaviors for players to practice against.” - [Super-sized nanocage could deliver bigger drug cargoes](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230406113939.htm): Think about how frustrating it is to try to fit a gift into a box that is too small. Sometimes you just need a bigger box. Building a bigger box Nanocages are tiny artificial containers that can be used to deliver therapeutics to a target destination in the body. But some drug molecules are like gifts that are too big for a standard-sized nanocage 'box'. Now, in an article published today in Nature Synthesis, researchers from the University of Cambridge describe how they have built a super-sized nanocage that could be used to deliver larger drug cargoes. They have built a bigger box. Simple building blocks Rational control over the self-assembly of these types of cages generally poses considerable challenges. So instead of following traditional self-assembly methods, the team decided to use a simple building block process inspired by natural biological systems. Using the new method, they were able to build progressively larger artificial nanocages, with the largest cage having an enclosed volume greater than 92 cubic nanometres -- the largest ligand-enclosed inner cavity volume ever made. Larger cages have been reported, but they have more open ligand frameworks, which are not as useful because these cages have not been able to bind cargoes. Prospective 'guest' molecules slip out between the widely-spaced bars, unless they are covalently tethered to the 'host' framework. First author Dr Kai Wu, a postdoctoral researcher in the Nitschke lab in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, said: "The findings of this study are important because they demonstrate how we are able to create ever-larger complex, functional structures using simple building blocks." Larger cargoes The super-sized nanocages have potential applications in fields such as drug delivery and biotechnology, where they could be used to deliver larger therapeutic biomolecules to specific parts of the body. The researchers also note that the large internal cavities of the nanocages could serve as a platform for the binding of large biomolecules, such as hydrophobic membrane proteins or proteases, which could be useful in drug discovery and development. Wu said: "Overall, this research expands our understanding of how to create nanoscale structures and may have practical implications in a variety of fields." Professor Jonathan Nitschke, who led the research, said: "This work, sponsored in part by Astex Pharmaceuticals under its Sustaining Innovation Postdoctoral Programme, aims to have real-world impact in the field of new drug development." - [Discovery of crucial clue to accelerate development of carbon-neutral porous materials](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230404114212.htm): Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been gaining attention as promising carbon-neutral porous materials, thanks to their high performance in gas storage, separation, and conversion. The geometric building blocks of MOFs, metal clusters and organic linkers, allow chemists to predict and synthesize new structures like assembling LEGO®. However, finding new metal building blocks is still a daunting challenge due to the complex nature of metal ions in synthesis. A research team, led by Professor Wonyoung Choe at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea, was inspired by the molecular metal clusters previously synthesized before realized in porous materials. This implies one can predict future MOFs by looking closely at their metal building blocks. The research team compared zirconium metal clusters found in both MOFs and molecules. Zirconium-based MOFs are one of the representative metal-organic porous materials with remarkable stability and a broad range of applications. The researchers identified seven types of zirconium building blocks in MOFs and discovered additional fourteen types of potential metal building blocks. The research team provided a library of those various molecular clusters for future metal building blocks of MOFs, and suggested practical synthetic strategies. This research is expected to greatly accelerate the discovery of new MOFs by presenting metal cluster candidates whose structures were previously difficult to predict. "Zirconium metal clusters feature outstanding molecular adsorptive and catalytic properties depending on their structures. Very excited to see what properties the new zirconium cluster will show," said Dr. Dongsik Nam, the first author of the study. "This research can be extended to various metal clusters in MOFs beyond zirconium," noted Professor Wonyoung Choe. "New metal building blocks will provide a big hint to accelerate the discovery of future carbon-neutral porous materials." The findings of this research have been published as an Opinion in Trends in Chemistry, a sister journal to Cell, on April 4, 2023. This study has been supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea via the Mid-Career Researcher Program, Hydrogen Energy Innovation Technology Development Project, Basic Science Research Program, Science Research Center (SRC), and Global Ph.D. Fellowship (GPF), as well as Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). - [Magnon-based computation could signal computing paradigm shift](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230329091949.htm): Like electronics or photonics, magnonics is an engineering subfield that aims to advance information technologies when it comes to speed, device architecture, and energy consumption. A magnon corresponds to the specific amount of energy required to change the magnetization of a material via a collective excitation called a spin wave. Because they interact with magnetic fields, magnons can be used to encode and transport data without electron flows, which involve energy loss through heating (known as Joule heating) of the conductor used. As Dirk Grundler, head of the Lab of Nanoscale Magnetic Materials and Magnonics (LMGN) in the School of Engineering explains, energy losses are an increasingly serious barrier to electronics as data speeds and storage demands soar. "With the advent of AI, the use of computing technology has increased so much that energy consumption threatens its development," Grundler says. "A major issue is traditional computing architecture, which separates processors and memory. The signal conversions involved in moving data between different components slow down computation and waste energy." This inefficiency, known as the memory wall or Von Neumann bottleneck, has had researchers searching for new computing architectures that can better support the demands of big data. And now, Grundler believes his lab might have stumbled on such a "holy grail." While doing other experiments on a commercial wafer of the ferrimagnetic insulator yttrium iron garnet (YIG) with nanomagnetic strips on its surface, LMGN PhD student Korbinian Baumgaertl was inspired to develop precisely engineered YIG-nanomagnet devices. With the Center of MicroNanoTechnology's support, Baumgaertl was able to excite spin waves in the YIG at specific gigahertz frequencies using radiofrequency signals, and -- crucially -- to reverse the magnetization of the surface nanomagnets. "The two possible orientations of these nanomagnets represent magnetic states 0 and 1, which allows digital information to be encoded and stored," Grundler explains. A route to in-memory computation The scientists made their discovery using a conventional vector network analyzer, which sent a spin wave through the YIG-nanomagnet device. Nanomagnet reversal happened only when the spin wave hit a certain amplitude, and could then be used to write and read data. "We can now show that the same waves we use for data processing can be used to switch the magnetic nanostructures so that we also have nonvolatile magnetic storage within the very same system," Grundler explains, adding that "nonvolatile" refers to the stable storage of data over long time periods without additional energy consumption. It's this ability to process and store data in the same place that gives the technique its potential to change the current computing architecture paradigm by putting an end to the energy-inefficient separation of processors and memory storage, and achieving what is known as in-memory computation. Optimization on the horizon Baumgaertl and Grundler have published the groundbreaking results in the journal Nature Communications, and the LMGN team is already working on optimizing their approach. "Now that we have shown that spin waves write data by switching the nanomagnets from states 0 to 1, we need to work on a process to switch them back again -- this is known as toggle switching," Grundler says. He also notes that theoretically, the magnonics approach could process data in the terahertz range of the electromagnetic spectrum (for comparison, current computers function in the slower gigahertz range). However, they still need to demonstrate this experimentally. "The promise of this technology for more sustainable computing is huge. With this publication, we are hoping to reinforce interest in wave-based computation, and attract more young researchers to the growing field of magnonics." - [Fermented coffee's fruity aromas demystified](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230329091939.htm): Specialty coffees are gaining traction in coffeehouses around the world -- and now a fermented version could bring a fruity taste to your morning cup of joe. This new kind of beverage has a raspberry-like taste and aroma, but what causes these sensations has been a mystery. Today, scientists report six compounds that contribute to the fermented coffee experience. The work could help increase production of the drink and make it more readily available for everyone to enjoy. The researchers will present their results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). "There are now flavors that people are creating that no one would have ever associated with coffee in the past," says Chahan Yeretzian, Ph.D., the project's principal investigator. "The flavors in fermented coffee, for example, are often more akin to fruit juices." This unusual type of beverage provides a unique flavor experience for consumers, and the growing demand for it means that fermented coffee beans can fetch a high price, potentially benefiting farmers. And the process by which the beans are prepared requires much less water than traditional methods, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative to a standard cup of coffee. But despite this drink's growing popularity, the compounds that cause its distinctive flavor were unknown. And with fermented coffee becoming more popular in competitive events, some people have been concerned that the lack of knowledge about fermented coffee may make it difficult to distinguish between the genuine product and regular joe that has been illicitly adulterated. So, Yeretzian and colleagues from the Coffee Excellence Center at Zurich University of Applied Sciences sought to identify the compounds that are responsible for these new and exciting flavors. And because flavor and smell are intimately linked, studying the beverages' scents could help the team gain a better understanding of how fermented coffee's complex flavor is created. To single out the compounds unique to fermented coffee's aromas, researchers took arabica beans and divided them into three groups. One was prepared using a wash process, which is likely how your average afternoon pick-me-up brew is made. Here, a gelatinous substance known as mucilage is stripped from the coffee bean, which is washed with water before being dried. The researchers prepared the second group using the pulped natural process -- another common approach -- in which the skin is removed from the bean, but the mucilage is left intact. Finally, the team fermented beans in the third group using carbonic maceration, a process often used in winemaking. This method was first introduced to the specialty coffee world in 2015, when the winning contestant in the World Barista Championship used it to prepare their entry. With this process, whole coffee fruits are fermented in stainless steel tanks and infused with carbon dioxide to lower the pH of the fermentation. Unlike the other brews, the coffee made with fermented beans was described as smelling intense, like raspberries with a hint of rose. Next, the researchers brewed coffee using each type of bean and analyzed the samples with gas chromatography (GC) sniffing, also called GC olfactometry. First, the GC instrument separated individual components in the air above each sample. Then, as the compounds left the instrument, they went to a mass spectrometer for identification, and to someone sitting at the outlet to describe what they smelled. "Because the chemical signature doesn't tell us how a compound smells, we have to rely on the human nose to detect the scent as each compound comes out of the chromatography instrument individually," says Yeretzian. This methodology can be tricky because there is a subjective element to it. "We're using people to detect scents, and everybody perceives flavors a little differently," says Samo Smrke, Ph.D., a research associate in the lab who is presenting the results. "But in this case, the panel was very consistent in the smells they described. So, what is traditionally considered a challenge was actually not an issue because the aromas were so clear." There is one major advantage to GC sniffing. The human nose can sometimes detect scents from compounds that are at such a low concentration, they're unable to be picked up by mass spectrometry. In this case, although six compounds appeared to contribute to the intense fruity flavor and the raspberry scent of the fermented coffee, the team was only able to identify three of them: 2-methylpropanal, 3-methylbutanal and ethyl 3-methylbutanoate. In the future, the researchers hope to identify the remaining compounds, as well as judge the intensity of different flavors and scents. Additionally, the researchers would like to know more about how these unique compounds form. Potential factors include farming practices, the variety of coffee beans, the microclimate of specific farms and the microbes present during fermentation. "There's still quite a lot of unknowns surrounding this process," says Smrke. A better understanding of the sources of these compounds could help the team standardize production methods, making it easier to produce fermented coffee at larger scales and allowing even more people to enjoy this distinctive flavor. - [Surgical sealing made better with robust thermosensitive bioadhesives](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230329091921.htm): As part of a collaborative effort, scientists from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) have employed inventive chemistry to produce an injectable biomaterial with significantly improved adhesive strength, stretchability, and toughness. This chemically modified, gelatin-based hydrogel had attractive features, including rapid gelation at room temperature and tunable levels of adhesion. This custom-engineered biomaterial is ideal as a surgical wound sealant, with its controllable adhesion and injectability and its superior adherence to a variety of tissue and organ surfaces. In order to provide closure for surgical wounds, the material must provide effective sealing on wet, slippery tissue surfaces, which vary in shape and could possibly involve tissue movement (an expanding lung, for example) or crumbly textures. The application and effectiveness of the sealant must also be within a suitable timeframe for surgical procedures. Standard methods of suturing and stapling can be ineffective and time-consuming and can result in increased blood loss. Other methods using fibrin-based bioadhesive sealants are costly, exhibit insufficient adhesion, and can be prone to viral transmission. Commercial gelatin-based wound dressings, although offering biocompatibility, low cost, and hemostatic effectiveness, lack adhesive strength due to inherent brittleness. Previous efforts to address poor adhesion problems have been made via functionalization with catechol, a naturally occurring compound that can impart adhesive capabilities when bound to gelatin. However, the small number of binding sites on the gelatin results in limited level of adhesion that can be enabled by catechol functionalization. The researchers chose caffeic acid (CA), a catechol-containing compound found in coffee and olive oil, to increase the tissue adhesion efficacy of gelatin. They first oxidized CA to yield CA oligomers (CAO) which involve a small number of repeating catechol units. Coupling these CA derivatives to gelatin amplified chemical binding of catechol groups and boosted their adhesive function. The engineered bioadhesive sealant had superior adhesive strength, stretchiness, toughness, and injectability, along with the ability for rapid gelation when applied to the wound site and showed stable adhesion in physiological conditions. Furthermore, the sealants were designed to adhere to tissue in a selective manner. This is pivotal for an effective sealant, as there needs to be tight bonding at the sealant-tissue interface and non-binding on the opposite face of the sealant, which is exposed to the bodily environment. Validation tests using the new sealant on wet collagen sheets, as well as burst pressure experiments to test the limits of its adhesive strength, demonstrated its effectiveness and proved contrary to previous reports of the detrimental effects of oxidative chemistry. Experiments conducted on pig lung, heart, and bladder wounds showed that the new sealant had adhesive strength an order of magnitude higher than commercial gelatin-based sealants; the sealant also remained affixed to the tissue surface even after experimental scraping and twisting. The new sealant was also shown to be biocompatible. In addition, it was shown to have drug loading and drug release capabilities and could promote antioxidant effects beneficial to wound healing. This versatile strategy can be adapted as a powerful approach to impart strong adhesion to other biomaterials. "Our team has utilized manipulative and strategic chemistry to significantly improve adhesive strength and versatility in biomaterials," said Ali Khademhosseini, TIBI's Director and CEO. "This creates exciting possibilities for more effective surgical wound management in the clinic." Authors are: Hossein Montazerian, Elham Davoodi, Alireza Hassani Najafabadi, Reihaneh Haghniaz, Avijit Baidya, Nasim Annabi, Ali Khademhosseini, and Paul S. Weiss. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (1R01EB023052-01A1 and 1R01HL140618-01). - [How does locality pay actually work, and where did it come from?](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/pay/2023/01/how-does-locality-pay-actually-work-and-where-did-it-come-from/): Explaining the history of locality pay and how it affects federal employees on the General Schedule. - [Biothermica announces the operational launch of the largest underground mine methane abatement facility in the United States reducing GHG emissions by more than 300,000 tCO2e/year](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-realease/Biothermica-announces-launch-underground-mine-methane-abatement-facility-reducing-GHG-emissions-by-300-K-tCO2e/year.html): Montréal, November 15, 2022 – Biothermica Technologies Inc., a Canadian cleantech corporation, announced today the delivery and full operation of its first full-scale Vamox® unit developed for the abatement of ventilation air methane (VAM) from one of the largest metallurgical coal mines in Buchanan County, Virginia (USA) owned by Coronado Global Resources, an Australian public corporation listed on ASX. - [Reuters reveals hedge fund Ancora seeks ouster of Kohl’s CEO, chairman](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-hedge-fund-ancora-seeks-ouster-of-kohls-ceo-chairman/): Business & Finance22 October 2022, 1:40 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Ancora Holdings, one of the hedge funds that spearheaded a board shake-up at Kohl’s Corp, is now pushing for the removal of the U.S. retailer’s chief executive and board chairman. The move marks the beginning of a new round of shareholder unrest for Kohl’s after the company explored a sale and decided in July to remain independent, leading to a plunge in its shares and disappointing investors who had pushed for a deal. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: North AmericaCountries: USWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals Germany’s Speira set to win EU nod for RAB deal with asset sale offer](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-germanys-speira-set-to-win-eu-nod-for-rab-deal-with-asset-sale-offer/): Business & Finance18 October 2022, 6:40 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report private equity firm KPS Capital Partners’ German aluminium smelter Speira is set to gain European Union (EU) antitrust approval for its plan to buy aluminium recycler Real Alloy Europe with its offer to sell two plants to address EU concerns. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Reuters reveals scores of Google rivals want EU tech law used in antitrust case](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-scores-of-google-rivals-want-eu-tech-law-used-in-antitrust-case/): Technology17 October 2022, 6:22 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively revealed more than 40 European rivals to Google’s shopping service urged European Union (EU) antitrust regulators to use newly adopted tech rules to ensure the Alphabet unit complies with a 2017 EU order to allow more competition on its search page. The European Commission fined Google 2.4 billion euros five years ago and told the firm to stop favouring its shopping service. Article TagsTopics of Interest: TechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals Exxon exits Russia empty-handed with oil project ‘unilaterally terminated’](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-exxon-exits-russia-empty-handed-with-oil-project-unilaterally-terminated/): Energy17 October 2022, 6:02 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report Exxon Mobil Corp said on Monday that it left Russia completely after President Vladimir Putin expropriated its properties following seven months of discussions over an orderly transfer of its 30% stake in a major oil project. Exxon did not say if it received any compensation for the assets, which it had valued at more than $4 billion. Article TagsTopics of Interest: EnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: EuropeCountries: RussiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals Toshiba’s preferred bidder offers price short of key 6,000 yen a share](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-toshibas-preferred-bidder-offers-price-short-of-key-6000-yen-a-share/): Business & Finance17 October 2022, 5:33 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report the preferred bidder to buy out Toshiba Corp has offered to pay less than the widely regarded threshold of 6,000 yen a share, indicating the premium for the Japanese conglomerate may not be as rich as investors had hoped.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: GlobalWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Reuters reveals U.S. judge approves sales process for shares in Citgo Petroleum’s parent company](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-u-s-judge-approves-sales-process-for-shares-in-citgo-petroleums-parent-company/): Reuters was first to report that a U.S. judge approved an auction process that could lead to the breakup of Venezuela owned Citgo Petroleum, the seventh-largest  U.S. oil refiner. Two years after first authorizing a sale of shares in Citgo’s parent company, PDVSA, the judge set bidding procedures and a calendar that could see a high bid accept within nine months to satisfy a $970 million judgment won by a Canadian miner over the expropriation of its assets in Venezuela. Reuters also revealed four other companies with $4.3 billion in combined claims against Venezuela — ConocoPhillips, Koch-related mineral and nitrogen companies, Gold Reserve Inc. and U.S. holders of defaulted Venezuelan bonds —  were seeking to have their own judgments registered with the same court.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: South AmericaCountries: VenezuelaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals chip toolmaker KLA to stop sales and service to China to comply with U.S. export curbs](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-chip-toolmaker-kla-to-stop-sales-and-service-to-china-to-comply-with-u-s-export-curbs/): Technology11 October 2022, 6:34 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported U.S. chip toolmaker KLA Corp will cease offering some supplies and services to China-based customers including South Korea’s SK Hynix in compliance with recent U.S. regulations. The move underscores huge business headwinds facing chipmakers and chip equipment makers around the world, as the Biden administration published a sweeping set of export controls on Friday aimed at slowing China’s progress in advanced chip manufacturing. Article TagsTopics of Interest: TechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Fiscal Monitor October 22](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2022/10/09/fiscal-monitor-october-22) - [Reuters reveals India demands nearly $250 million from Pernod for undervaluing imports](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-india-demands-nearly-250-million-from-pernod-for-undervaluing-imports/): Government07 October 2022, 1:28 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report Indian authorities have demanded $244 million from the local unit of French spirits giant Pernod Ricard for undervaluing concentrate imports for over a decade to avoid full payment of duties.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: GovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Reuters reveals Assa Abloy considers selling Yale and Emtek brands to win U.S. approval for Spectrum deal](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-assa-abloy-considers-selling-yale-and-emtek-brands-to-win-u-s-approval-for-spectrum-deal/): Business & Finance07 October 2022, 1:13 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to reportthat Assa Abloy, the world’s leading lockmaker, is considering options including selling its Yale and Emtek locks brands as it seeks to overturn U.S. antitrust opposition to its planned purchase of Spectrum’s Hardware and Home Improvement. The news comes just weeks after the U.S. Department of Justice sued to block the company’s proposed $4.3 billion deal to buy a unit of Spectrum Brands Holdings that makes security, plumbing and builders’ hardware products. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesRegions: North AmericaCountries: USWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Reuters reveals General Electric lays off workers at onshore wind unit as part of turnaround strategy](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-reveals-general-electric-lays-off-workers-at-onshore-wind-unit-as-part-of-turnaround-strategy/): Business & Finance06 October 2022, 8:59 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report General Electric (GE) is laying off workers at its onshore wind unit as part of a plan to restructure and resize the business. The cuts are expected to affect 20% of the onshore wind unit’s workforce in the United States, equating to hundreds of workers. The company also notified employees in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa about the cuts. The news revealed problems with what is widely thought to be a fast-growing clean energy economy. GE and competitors have grappled with rising costs and supply chain delays, despite the energy transition.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceSectors: EquitiesRegions: GlobalWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Exaion, EDF Group's Web3 subsidiary, expands into North America](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Exaion-EDF-Group-s-Web3-subsidiary-expands-into-North-America.html): The company wishes to enrich the cloud offering for North American players by providing them with high-performance and innovative solutions and services in several fields. - [Hurb announces opening of office in Montréal at Collision](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Hurb-announces-opening-of-office-in-Montreal-at-Collision.html): Toronto, June 22, 2022 – Hurb, the largest online travel platform in Brazil, will participate in Collision, one of the most prestigious technology conferences in the world, which is being held from June 20th to the 23rd. The company will have a booth at the event and brings great news: Hurb announces the opening of its first office in North America, in Montréal (Canada), with the goal of getting closer to the best innovative centers around the globe. The event will take place at the Québec Pavillion, on booth E221, on June 22nd at 3 pm. - [With Its 20 Years of Innovation, Creaform Looks to the Future After Record Year](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/With-Its-20-Years-of-Innovation-Creaform-Looks-to-the-Future-After-Record-Year.html): Lévis, June 17, 2022 – Creaform , world-class leader in portable 3D measurement solutions and engineering services , today held a one-of-a-kind event to celebrate its 20th anniversary, in the presence of Mr. Gilles Lehouillier, mayor of Lévis, Mrs. Dominique Vien, Member of the National Assembly for the district of Bellechasse-Les Etchemins-Lévis, and Mr. Carl Viel, chief executive officer at Québec International.  - [Samsung AI Center Montréal opens a modern lab to develop wireless and robotics technologies](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Samsung-AI-Center-Montreal-opens-a-modern-lab-to-develop-wireless-and-robotics-technologies.html): Montréal – June 9, 2022 – Samsung AI Center Montréal is announcing a new state-of-the-art facility in downtown Montréal to welcome its team of researchers tasked with improving the quality of wireless networks and developing innovative robotics technology. - [Fiscal Monitor, April 2022](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2022/04/12/fiscal-monitor-april-2022) - [Pr0ph3cy Group expanding in Montréal to develop its flagship cybersecurity tool](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Pr0ph3cy-Group-expanding-in-Montreal-to-develop-its-flagship-cybersecurity-tool.html): Montréal, March 30, 2022 – Pr0ph3cy Group strengthens its presence in Greater Montréal and announces the rollout of its cyber-training platform, Seela, to meet local cybersecurity needs. France-based Proph3cy Group has been established in Montréal since 2020 with its cybersecurity consulting firm Silicom, and it intends to hire more than 60 talents with skills in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence over the next two years. - [Beenox Continues its Growth by Opening a studio in Montréal](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/press-release/press-release/Beenox-Continues-its-Growth-by-Opening-a-studio-in-Montreal.html): Montréal, March 29, 2022 – Beenox, a development studio for Call of Duty® in Canada, will be expanding its footprint in Québec to include Montréal to support the growth of the franchise and additional ambitious projects.  - [Fiscal Monitor, October 2021: Strengthening the Credibility of Public Finances](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2021/10/12/Fiscal-Monitor-October-2021-460455) - [Coal drives SA mining production in August](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-14-coal-drives-sa-mining-production-in-august/): Stats SA’s latest figures showed a 4% jump in coal output in August, outperforming all other sub-sectors 14 October 2025 - 14:09 by Jacob Webster The latest industry data from the local mining sector showed coal miners dominating SA’s mineral production in August as global demand for fossil fuels held steady.Stats SA figures released on Tuesday showed SA’s mineral production edged down 0.2% year on year, with platinum group metals (PGM), gold and manganese producers all weighing on output... - [Business confidence strengthens in September, but trade headwinds linger](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-14-business-confidence-strengthens-in-september-but-trade-headwinds-linger/): The business climate improved over the short-term as well as the medium-term 14 October 2025 - 11:31 by Jana Marx Business confidence ticked up again in September, with the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (Sacci) Business Confidence Index (BCI) climbing to 121.1 from 120.0 in August.The latest reading marks a 10.9 index point improvement compared to September 2024, with the average of 119.0 in the first three quarters of this year significantly outpacing the 110.9 average recorded over the same period last year, as the government of national unity (GNU) took greater effect... - [Google to invest $15 billion to build data center hub in India; largest outside of the U.S.](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/14/google-to-invest-10-billion-in-ai-data-center-project-in-india.html): The deal comes after "a year of intense discussions and relentless effort," and "is just the beginning," said Minister for Human Resources Development of Andhra Pradesh.  Tech companies have been heavily investing in data centers to meet the computational needs of the AI boom. India is increasingly attracting multinational players to invest in the country's cloud and AI infrastructure. Prakash Singh | AFP | Getty Images Google will invest $15 billion to build data center capacity for a new artificial intelligence hub in southern India, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian announced at an event Tuesday. The investment will roll out over the next five years, and will be Google's largest AI hub in the world outside of the U.S, Kurian added. Earlier on Monday, the Minister for Human Resources Development of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Lokesh, put the 1-gigawatt project at $10 billion.  The deal comes after "a year of intense discussions and relentless effort," and "is just the beginning," Lokesh said in a post on the social media platform X.  The Indian outlet Economic Times previously reported that the investment would be made by Google's Indian subsidiary Raiden Infotech, which plans to develop three campuses across the city of Visakhapatnam. According to another report from ET on Tuesday, state officials planned to continue doubling down on such projects and to significantly scale up the state's computing capacity over the next three years. Companies are amping up investments in infrastructure to keep pace with surging global demand for cloud services as AI services become increasingly popular. As part of its second-quarter earnings in July, Google increased its forecast for capital expenditures in 2025 to $85 billion, up from $75 billion in February, due to "strong and growing demand for our Cloud products and services." That same month, the company also announced plans to invest $25 billion in data center and artificial intelligence infrastructure over the next two years in states across the biggest electric grid in the U.S. India is increasingly attracting multinational players, such as Microsoft and AWS, to invest in the country's cloud and AI infrastructure. - [Number of Scots in work fell by 18,000 during last quarter](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/number-scots-work-fell-18000-36063625): The number of Scots in work has fallen by 18,000 over the last three months. There were 2,657,000 Scots aged 16 and over in work over the period June to August, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). While that total was down by 18,000 when compared to the March to May figure, the number of people in work was 38,000 higher than it was in June to August 2024. Overall, Scotland’s employment rate for June to August 2025 stood at 74.3% – with this lower than the rate of 75.1% seen in the UK as a […] - [China targets five U.S. subsidiaries of South Korea's Hanwha Ocean, sending shares down 8%](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/14/china-sanctions-five-us-subsidiaries-of-south-koreas-hanwha-ocean-over-their-ties-with-washington.html): The order, which took effect immediately, will prohibit Chinese organizations and individuals from doing business with the sanctioned companies. Shares of Hanwha Ocean in Seoul plunged over 8% following the announcement. A hull section that will be sent to the final assembly base is loaded onto a semi-submersible vessel at Hanwha Marine Engineering (Shandong) Co LTD in Yantai, China, on September 16, 2024. Costfoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images China on Tuesday added five U.S. subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean to its sanction list over their alleged involvement in Washington's probe into the Chinese shipping industry, escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington. The sanctioned subsidiaries include Hanwha Shipping LLC, Hanwha Philly Shipyard Inc., Hanwha Ocean USA International LLC, Hanwha Shipping Holdings LLC, and HS USA Holdings Corp, according to a statement from China's Commerce Ministry. The order, which took effect immediately, will prohibit Chinese organizations and individuals from doing business with the sanctioned companies, the statement said. The move followed the U.S. decision to impose steep fees on Chinese ships docking at American ports starting Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. EDT. China retaliated with a similar charge of 400 yuan ($56) on American vessels, starting on the same day. Beijing has also unveiled a new framework for restricting rare earths exports and expanded its blacklist of U.S. companies. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% more tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to assert its rare earths restrictions as a "legitimate" measure. Shares of Hanwha Ocean in Seoul plunged over 8% following the announcement. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. - [Tata Electronics acquires Chinese iPhone supplier Justech's India unit for about $100 million, sources say](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/14/tata-electronics-buys-chinese-iphone-supplier-justech-india-unit.html): Tata Electronics has acquired Chinese industrial firm Justech Precision's India unit for close to $100 million, according to two people familiar with the matter. Tata Electronics has sought to expand iPhone manufacturing capacity as Apple reportedly aims to make all of the iPhones for the U.S. market in India by end-2026. Apple is looking to build "highly localized" partners to become "truly diversified," but finding alternatives for components that have been sourced from China could take years, an analyst said. Tata Electronics has acquired Chinese industrial firm Justech Precision's India unit for close to $100 million, according to two people familiar with the matter, as the Tata Group subsidiary bolsters its manufacturing capacity to benefit from Apple's focus on iPhone manufacturing in India. The transaction was concluded in August, with HSBC Bank and HDFC Bank advising on the transaction, according to the people close to the deal. Headquartered in the city of Kunshan in Jiangsu province, China, Justech Precision has been a supplier to Apple since 2008. It provides industrial equipment, such as computer numerical control machines used for precise cutting and fabrication tasks, to Foxconn, the world's largest assembler of Apple products. Justech Precision Industry India, incorporated in late 2019 and based in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu did not respond to CNBC's requests for comments, neither did Tata Group. Tata Electronics declined to comment. In January, Tata Electronics reportedly bought a 60% stake in Taiwanese contract manufacturer Pegatron's India operation that operates an iPhone plant, Reuters reported . The deal's value was not disclosed. The acquisitions come as Tata Electronics, which began assembling iPhones in India in 2023 , seeks to expand its manufacturing capacity as Apple reportedly plans to source all of the iPhones for the U.S. market from India by the end of 2026. Apple, which still manufacturers most of its smartphones in China, has been taking urgent steps to build capacity in India with contract manufacturers Tata Electronics and Foxconn, pivoting away from China amid higher tariffs and geopolitical tensions . Foxconn still accounts for two-thirds of India's total iPhones shipments, with Tata making the remaining one-third, according to Neil Shah, co-founder and vice president at market research firm Counterpoint Research, who expects that market share could change soon as Tata scales up its manufacturing. Tata currently operates two plants in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one in neighboring Karnataka, which was formerly owned by Wistron . Made in India by 2026 Apple started looking for manufacturing alternatives after the pandemic outbreak and subsequent lockdown in China disrupted output at its largest assembly plant. The heightened Beijing-Washington tensions and tariff hikes on Chinese imports into the U.S. this year have prompted Apple to accelerate the shift in production. U.S. President Donald Trump initially slapped prohibitive triple-digit tariffs on imports from China before granting a temporary reprieve for smartphones shipments. Despite India also facing high tariffs from the U.S., iPhones made in India don't attract any duties as of now . Apple's shift in production to India instead of the U.S. has angered Trump, who in May threatened to impose a 25% tariff on iPhones. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in recent years worked to promote India as a smartphone manufacturing hub , eager to embrace Apple and use it as a symbol to attract other high-tech firms to the country for manufacturing and development. But Apple has also faced challenges in its early experiments manufacturing in the country, most notably at a Wistron factory in Bengaluru assembling older model iPhones, which saw a labor riot in late 2020. Apple is looking to build "highly localized" partners to become "truly diversified," instead of bringing Chinese or Taiwanese partners in India and be dependent on them, Shah said, but finding alternatives for components sourced primarily from Chinese suppliers could take years. "It will not be a sprint to build like-for-like supplier ecosystem as it enjoyed in China, but a marathon and a step by step process," Shah added. India will account for around 26% of global iPhone shipments by the end of 2025, up from 20% at the start of the year, according to the latest estimate by Counterpoint. Apple's Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams visited Justech's innovation exhibition center in Jiangsu during his trip to China in March where he pledged to continue to make large-scale investment in the country. - [Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as China port fees on U.S. ships set to kick in](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/14/asia-pacific-markets-set-to-open-lower-as-new-china-port-fees-on-us-ships-kick-in-.html): Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Tuesday. Overnight, Wall Street gained after U.S. President Donald Trump softened his stance on China. SHANGHAI, CHINA - JUNE 08: Aerial view of skyscrapers standing at the Lujiazui Financial District at sunrise on June 8, 2022 in Shanghai, China. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Tuesday, breaking ranks with Wall Street that soared after U.S. President Donald Trump softened his stance on China. Following a slew of tit-for-tat trade restrictions and heated exchanges, Trump said "Don't worry about China, it will all be fine!" in a Truth Social post Monday. China has slapped fees on U.S. ships for docking at its ports, in retaliation for similar charges imposed by Washington on Chinese ships. Both fees are scheduled to kick in Tuesday. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index declined 1.34%, while the Topix lost 1.31%. South Korea's Kospi index added 1.01%, while the small-cap Kosdaq rose 0.84%. Shares of Samsung Electronics rose 2.47% after the company projected a 32% rise in third-quarter profit year on year, at about 12.1 trillion Korean won ($8.48 billion), beating LSEG SmartEstimates of 10.1 trillion won. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was down 0.25%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was set to open lower, with its futures contract trading at 25,794, against the index's previous close of 25,889.48. Singapore's economy grew 2.9% in the third quarter, preliminary government data showed Tuesday, faster than the 1.9% expected by economists polled by Reuters. The economy expanded by 4.4% in the second quarter. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours. On Monday stateside, the key benchmarks recovered a significant chunk of their losses suffered last week after Trump's Truth Social post. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher by 587.98 points, or 1.29%, to 46,067.58, which equates to 67% of its Friday loss. The S&P 500 rose 1.56% to finish at 6,654.72, retracing 56% of its prior decline. The Nasdaq Composite popped 2.21% to settle at 22,694.61 as beaten-down technology stocks led the bounce. — CNBC's Alex Harring, Sarah Min and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. - [ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: Mining, retail data to sharpen quarterly GDP outlook](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-12-economic-week-ahead-mining-retail-data-to-sharpen-quarterly-gdp-outlook/): Upcoming data releases may temper optimism after strong July 12 October 2025 - 19:59 by Jana Marx With Stats SA set to release mining and trade data this week, economists expect a clearer picture of how the economy fared in the third quarter.“Mining is on a relatively strong streak, with five consecutive months of month-on-month gains,” said Bureau for Economic Research economist Tracey-Lee Solomon. “Another monthly expansion would bode well for the sector’s contribution to GDP in the third quarter.”.. - [CPI inflation report will be released by Labor Department, while other data is delayed by shutdown](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/10/cpi-inflation-data-government-shutdown.html): The Labor Department will bring back staff to work on the consumer price index. The department had originally paused work on the CPI report due to its shutdown plan. A large US flag is seen on the facade of the Department of Labor headquarters building in Washington DC, United States on September 8, 2025. Celal Gunes | Anadolu | Getty Images The Labor Department will bring back staff to work on a key consumer inflation report despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, CNBC has learned. The department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics will “promptly resume” work on September’s Consumer Price Index data, […] - [Inside Wealth: More than half of entrepreneurs are considering moving to a new country. Singapore is their top option](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/10/entrepreneurs-moving-motivations-hsbc-survey.html): More than half of moneyed business owners are looking to move to another country, according to a new survey by HSBC. Tax savings were one of the least-cited reasons to move, with entrepreneurs more likely to cite personal safety or expanding their business as motivations. Singapore was the most popular destination, while the U.S. came in fifth. The Merlion statue in the central business district of Singapore, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Lionel Ng | Bloomberg | Getty Images A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. Moneyed entrepreneurs are looking to move, but not necessarily for the reasons you would expect, according to a new survey by HSBC. The bank polled 2,939 business owners with at least $2 million in investible assets or a total net worth of $20 million during April and May of this year. A whopping 57% reported they were considering adding a new residence over the next 12 months, up from 55% in last year's survey. Wanderlust is greater among Gen Z entrepreneurs, with just over three-quarters in that cohort reporting they were considering a move. When asked about their reasons for moving to a new country, only a third of all respondents cited tax efficiency as a motivator. Tax savings ranked eighth overall behind other factors such as improved security and safety (47%) and better education opportunities (52%). Respondents to the survey could select multiple options. The most popular motives at 67% each were to expand their business to new markets or to gain access to new investment opportunities. The desire for a better quality of life came in a close third at 63%. Taxes, the report said, "create acres of news coverage, but among the majority of our entrepreneurs, this does not appear to be the deciding factor about where to live." The report comes as a wealth tax proposal has gained traction in France and amid fears that recent U.K. tax changes will cause a wealth exodus. A relatively small proportion of U.S. respondents to the HSBC survey cited interest in moving, but those who did were most likely to show interest in experiencing a new culture, accounting for 72% versus the global average of 57% and an average of 61% for ultra-high-net-worth individuals worth at least $100 million. According to the report, French entrepreneurs "are most content to enjoy their own culture" as only 39% indicated interest in moving. Respondents were most likely to cite Singapore (12%) or the UK (10%) as potential destinations, with Japan and Switzerland tied at 9%. Despite the survey being conducted in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff announcement in early April, the U.S. was cited by 8% of respondents, the same percentage as last year. However, the U.S. came in fifth in terms of most-desired locations for moving after tying for second place last year. This year's report noted that Japan has gained traction with Asian entrepreneurs. Get Inside Wealth directly to your inbox Switzerland was the only country where attaining a better quality of life was a bigger draw (57%) than accessing investment opportunities (49%) or expanding a business (48%). It was also the only hotspot other than Japan where experiencing a new culture ranked higher than educational opportunities. While entrepreneurs are more likely to consider moving for business reasons, they were more likely to cite worries about adjusting to a new environment (40%) than about reestablishing their business operations (36%). - [IPO Pops Are Back](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/ipo-pops-are-back): Coming into this year, there was a lot of optimism that this would be a strong year for initial public offerings (IPOs), and that optimism has been met — IPOs are back! - [Safeguarding the Digital Economy](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/safeguarding-digital-economy): Nasdaq TradeTalks explores how cross-sector collaboration on cybersecurity can protect critical infrastructure and bolster economic resilience. Gaurav Kandhari, Founder & President of ValueDo, also shares how AI is supporting drug discovery and other areas of pharma. - [Factory output drops in August as metals and food drag on production](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-09-factory-output-drops-in-august-as-metals-and-food-drag-on-production/): Output declines for a second month as weak demand and low confidence hit factories 09 October 2025 - 14:53 by Jana Marx SA’s factory sector, which accounts for about 13% of GDP, contracted again in August — weaker than forecasts.Stats SA data released on Thursday showed factory production fell 1.5% year on year, deepening July’s revised 0.7% decline and reversing the gains recorded in June... - ['Pressure mounts' on Scottish firms ahead of Budget](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/pressure-mounts-scottish-firms-ahead-36032506): Four out of the five main Scottish economic sectors have reported declining business confidence, with the sharpest drop-offs in construction and manufacturing. The latest Scottish Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Indicator has revealed pressure mounting on Scottish firms, with rising costs and declining investment undermining growth. The survey of 440 Scottish businesses, produced in partnership with the Fraser of Allander Institute, found that 72% of all firms reported increased concern from taxation – up two percentage points compared to the last quarter – and up 16 percentage points compared to the third quarter of 2024. Cashflow and profits continue to be […] - [Scottish businesses remain ‘pessimistic’ on economy](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-businesses-remain-pessimistic-economy-36032466): Businesses in Scotland are often unprepared for net zero and are “pessimistic” about the economic outlook. The latest quarterly Scottish Business Monitor from the Fraser of Allander Institute found companies also feel misunderstood by the government. More than 200 businesses from across Scotland were surveyed in the third quarter, with four in five expecting weak or very weak growth in the economy over the next 12 months. Such an outlook was only expressed by three quarters of businesses in the second quarter of the year. More than two fifths of businesses reported no financial, operational or strategic preparations for net zero […] - [Africa to lead global trade growth in 2025, says WTO](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-08-africa-to-lead-global-trade-growth-in-2025-says-wto/): Imports set to surge 11.8%, the fastest worldwide, as continent’s demand and exports defy global slowdown 08 October 2025 - 19:38 by Thando Maeko Africa’s trade is growing faster than any other region this year, with strong demand for imports, and rising exports are expected to give the continent an edge in a slowing global economy, according to the latest projections by the World Trade Organisation. WTO economists project that “Africa should see the fastest import growth of any region this year, at 11.8%,” outpacing Asia, Europe and the Americas. African exports are also expected to rise by 5.3% in 2025... - [Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee threatens rural schools and hospitals reliant on immigrant workers](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/8/trumps-100000-h-1b-visa-fee-threatens-rural-schools-hospitals-reliant/): SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — When Rob Coverdale started his job in 2023 as superintendent of the K-12 Crow Creek Tribal School in South Dakota, there were 15 unfilled teaching positions. Within nine months, he had filled those vacancies with Filipino teachers, the majority of whom arrived on the H-1B, a visa for skilled workers in specialty occupations. “We’ve hired the H-1B teachers because we quite simply didn’t have other applicants for those positions,” Coverdale said. “So they’re certainly not taking jobs from Americans. They’re filling jobs that otherwise just simply we would not get filled.” Now a new $100,000 fee for […] - [Verizon teams with AST SpaceMobile on space-based cellular service](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/8/verizon-teaming-ast-spacemobile-space-based-cellular-service/): Verizon has signed a deal to provide cellular service from space through AST SpaceMobile beginning next year. Shares of AST SpaceMobile, a space-based cellular broadband network, soared more than 10% before the market opened Wednesday. SpaceMobile’s network is designed to operate across premium low-band spectrum, its own licensed L-band and S-band spectrum, and up to 1,150 MHz of mobile network operator partners’ low- and mid-band spectrum worldwide, the company said. “The agreement will extend the scope of Verizon’s 850 MHz premium low-band spectrum into areas of the U.S. that would benefit from the ubiquitous reach of space-based broadband technology,” Abel Avellan, […] - [Fixing SA’s jobs crisis: CDE urges private-led skills reform and Seta shutdown](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-08-fixing-sas-jobs-crisis-cde-urges-private-led-skills-reform-and-seta-shutdown/): With 1,000 South Africans joining the unemployment queue daily, think-tank urges major overhauls to training, labour regulation and SME support 08 October 2025 - 05:00 by Jana Marx Incentivising technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges to partner with business and scrapping the country’s sector education and training authorities (Setas), should be key steps in addressing SA’s “catastrophic” unemployment crisis.This is according to a new report released on Tuesday by the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE), which paints a stark picture of the joblessness crisis and sets out practical recommendations to steer the country onto a more employment-rich path... - [Asia markets trade mixed after World Bank raises regional growth forecast](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/08/asia-pacific-markets-wednesday-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index.html): Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Wednesday. Mainland China and South Korean markets are closed for the holidays. In 2025, the median rent for a 1-bedroom in Hong Kong is $2,421. Nikada | E+ | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Wednesday, breaking ranks from Wall Street losses, after the World Bank raised the region's growth forecast Tuesday. That comes after a summer that saw U.S. tariff-led uncertainty rock the global economy. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 was little changed, while the the Topix added 0.62%. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 fell 0.3%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 27,165, higher than its Tuesday close of 26,957.77. Mainland China and South Korean markets are closed for the holidays. The Bank of Thailand and Reserve Bank of New Zealand are set to release their policy decisions later in the day. Overnight in the U.S., the three major averages closed lower. The S&P 500 struggled Tuesday, bogged down by a drop in Oracle shares as investors worry about the profitability of the artificial intelligence trade. Wall Street also looked for more developments out of Washington with the U.S. government shutdown in its second week. The broad market index pulled back 0.38% to close at 6,714.59, snapping a 7-day winning streak, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.67% to finish at 22,788.36. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 91.99 points, or 0.2%, to end at 46,602.98. — CNBC's Pia Singh, Sean Conlon and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open mixed, following Wall Street gains on AMD rally](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/07/asia-markets-tuesday-chips-stocks-amd-openai-deal-rally.html): Australia markets opened lower. Japan markets were set for a higher open. Overnight, shares of AMD soared after it announced a deal with OpenAI. Aerial view by drone of Tokyo Cityscape with Tokyo Sky Tree visible in Tokyo city, Japan on sunrise. pongnathee kluaythong | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mostly higher Tuesday, tracking Wall Street gains on a tech rally fueled by the massive deal between OpenAI and AMD, in one of the most direct challenges to chipmaker giant Nvidia. Investors in Asia will be keeping an eye on chip stocks in the region. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 48,705, and its counterpart in Osaka at 48,590, against the index's Monday close of 47,944.76. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 fell 0.18% in early trade, extending losses from the previous session. Chinese, Hong Kong and South Korean markets are closed for the holidays. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours on Tuesday after the major key benchmarks hit fresh records Monday stateside. Overnight, the S&P 500 gained 0.36% to end the day at a fresh record for the 32nd time this year. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 0.71% to finish at 22,941.67, after notching its 31st all-time high of 2025. Shares of AMD skyrocketed almost 24% to boost both indexes after the company announced a deal with OpenAI, which could see the latter take a 10% stake in the chipmaker. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, fell 63.31 points, or 0.14%, to close at 46,694.97, weighed down by a decline in shares of Sherwin-Williams and Home Depot. — CNBC's Pia Singh, Sean Conlon and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. - [Tesla teases Tuesday announcement with social media videos](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/tesla-teases-tuesday-announcement-social-media-videos): Niles Investment Management founder and portfolio Dan Niles discusses Tesla’s potential $1 trillion compensation plan for Elon Musk on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ Elon Musk’s Tesla posted a pair of social media videos over the weekend that tease an unspecified announcement for Tuesday. Tesla’s main account on X, the Musk-owned social media platform, posted a video early Sunday morning of a wheel or fan showing Tesla’s logo starting to spin before accelerating. The video then goes to black with the date 10/7 displayed, suggesting an announcement of some sort on Oct. 7. Tesla posted a second video later on Sunday that showed […] - [Senate chairman to investigate judges' use of AI after courts issued botched rulings](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/6/senate-chairman-investigate-judges-use-ai-courts-issued-botched/): Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley opened a probe into two federal district judges who had to retract opinions this summer amid allegations that the rulings were plagued with errors from using artificial intelligence. Judge Henry T. Wingate in Mississippi and Judge Xavier Neals in New Jersey both said the errors didn’t affect their overall rulings, but declined to say much more about how they happened. Mr. Grassley, the Senate’s senior lawmaker and chairman of the committee that oversees the courts, said they must answer more questions. “No less than the attorneys who appear before them, judges must be held […] - [Rosier growth outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa despite headwinds, says WEF](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-06-rosier-growth-outlook-for-sub-saharan-africa-despite-headwinds-says-wef/): Economists see firmer growth across the continent, but new US tariffs and lingering inflation could temper optimism 06 October 2025 - 14:01 by Jana Marx Sub-Saharan Africa stands out as one of the few regions with a strengthening growth outlook amid an increasingly fragile global economy.According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) September 2025 Chief Economists’ Outlook, 71% of surveyed chief economists expect moderate or strong growth across the region this year, while only 29% foresee weakness... - [Mongolia to join data center frenzy with Chinggis Khaan sovereign wealth fund](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/06/mongolia-data-center-sovereign-wealth-fund-infra-projects.html): Mongolia is eyeing data-center segment as the country readies its first sovereign wealth fund, tapping into the rising global demand for data center capacity. The sovereign fund also seeks to build more "mega-scaled" renewable energy power grids and projects to boost green energy exports. The Chinggis Khaan Sovereign Wealth Fund has $1.4 billion in assets and is preparing its investment policy statement for the government's review and approval. TOPSHOT - A general aerial view shows houses and Yurts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on June 25, 2024. Hector Retamal | Afp | Getty Images Mongolia, long reliant on mining, plans to build data centers powered by renewable energy as it prepares its first sovereign wealth fund aimed at channeling its mineral wealth to social welfare and infrastructure. "We have a massive land with a very favorable climate for activities like [hosting] data centers," Temuulen Bayaraa, CEO of the sovereign fund, told CNBC on the sidelines of the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore on Friday. The landlocked East Asian nation is developing special economic zones dedicated for data centers, she added, referring to the Hunnu City that is envisioned as a smart, sustainable urban city. The Chinggis Khaan Sovereign Wealth Fund, established by law in April last year, has $1.4 billion in reserves and seeks to tap global demand for computing power and clean energy. Its investment strategy is still pending the government's review and final approval. A host of Asian countries have accelerated efforts to develop data centers this year amid growing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Japan, Singapore and Malaysia have ramped up investments in building out their data center capacity. The recent explosion in AI workloads globally requires vast computing power, electrical power, cooling and networking infrastructure. Goldman Sachs expects global power demand from data centers to rise 50% by 2027 and by as much as 165% by 2030. Aside from data centers, part of the fund's returns will also be used to build "mega-scaled" renewable energy power grids and projects, as part of the country's efforts to boost green energy exports to neighboring countries, Bayaraa said. Mongolia, sandwiched between Russia and China, has upgraded its ties with both superpowers to the level of "comprehensive strategic partnerships" in recent years. The plan comes as the Mongolian government pledged to boost the share of renewable energy, especially wind and solar power, in the country's electricity capacity to 30% by 2030, up from 18.3% in 2023. The fund's investment strategies will also center on countering risks associated with price fluctuations in commodities, Bayaraa said, as the funds' sources are "very dependent on commodities." The Chinggis Fund is managed by Erdenes Mongol, a government-owned holding company that owns a share in the country's mining assets. The sparsely-populated country, with just about 3.5 million residents, has benefited from a boom in prices for its rich supplies of critical minerals, including coal, copper, uranium and rare-earth elements. Rebuilding trust The Mongolian government has been under growing pressure to distribute its mineral wealth among its people and put an end to corruption in the sector. Anti-corruption protests in its capital, Ulaanbaatar, earlier this year forced Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai to step down as prime minister. "People didn't feel like mining contributed to the wealth, betterment of their livelihoods while eroding the natural resources. But now the sovereign wealth fund is positioned in a way to rebuild that trust," Bayaraa said. The fund will play a central role in the country's development plan aimed at providing more transparency and equity in wealth distribution, she added, by pulling in mineral wealth to be "managed and disbursed in a ring-fenced manner to support people, their educational needs, financing, educational, healthcare and housing needs." "The critical work is to build a governance model [for the fund]," she added. Citizens will be able to access on an app details of the fund's sources, allocation and balance. "It's very targeted intervention for expanding middle class, pushing labor market participation," she said. The fund's leader plans to hire members of the Mongolian diaspora with experience in the banking, investment, and wealth management industries to return home and help manage the fund. "For the longest time, Mongolia has been attracting investment into Mongolia. For the first day, we are becoming an investor to contribute to the global agenda," Bayaraa said. - [NEWS ANALYSIS: Record sales, but little joy for SA carmakers](https://www.businesslive.co.za/economy/2025-10-06-news-analysis-record-sales-but-little-joy-for-sa-carmakers/): September’s 54,700 new-vehicle total was the best in a decade — yet imports outsold most local manufacturers 06 October 2025 - 05:00 by David Furlonger You might have expected a resounding cheer from local motor industry executives on Thursday when, during a two-day conference in Gqeberha, it was announced that September’s new-vehicle sales hit their highest monthly level in a decade.The 54,700 total was the best since September 2015. After nine months of 2025, the aggregate market was 15.6% more than at the same stage last year... - [U.S. tech giants hit pause on India data center deals under weight of trade uncertainty](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/06/big-tech-delays-india-data-center-deals-under-weight-of-trade-tensions.html): U.S. technology companies are delaying their decisions to lease large data centers in India. New deals for data centers have been on hold for over two months, a source told CNBC. Hyperscalers may revisit their plans within the next three to six months. U.S. technology companies are delaying their decisions to lease large data centers in India, jittery from the recent souring of trade ties between New Delhi and Washington. The orders from Big Tech companies for hyperscalers, or data centers that consume vast amounts of computing power, are "still in the pipeline, but they are holding the pen and saying let me not sign it just yet," said Alok Bajpai, managing director of India for NTT Global Data Centers. Hyperscalers, including Amazon, Microsoft and Google, currently account for about 30% of India's data center demand, a share expected to rise to 35%, according to data from property consulting firm Anarock Capital. New deals for data centers have been on hold for more than two months now, while hyperscalers may revisit their plans in the next three to six months, said a property consultant, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to business sensitivities. Clauses for tariff pass-throughs, change in law, and phased capacity are quietly becoming standard. Partner at Argus Partners Jitendra Soni Trade relations between the two countries have soured in the last two months. In August, the U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on goods from India, before raising the levies to 50%, citing India's purchase of Russian oil. That was followed by a new $100,000 "one-time" visa fee on fresh H-1B visa applications, effective Sept. 21, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump — a move expected to hit Indian workers hardest. "The new U.S. tariffs on Indian exports have unsettled global supply chains and made equipment and input costs harder to pin down," said Jitendra Soni, a partner in the technology and data privacy practice at law firm Argus Partners. India's data center capacity is expected to nearly triple in the next five years from 1.2 gigawatts to more than 3.5 gigawatts by 2030, according to multiple industry estimates, despite the tensions with Washington. Lower costs and rising demand in e-commerce services, cloud infrastructure and AI workloads have fueled the demand. However, the uncertainty is showing up in data-center negotiations, "where clauses for tariff pass-throughs, change in law, and phased capacity are quietly becoming standard," said Soni. A shortage of graphics processing units, or GPUs, had already slowed expansion. The latest trade frictions have added another layer of caution. "Hyperscalers haven't vanished, but have just hit a pause," the property consultant said. Companies reportedly interested in setting up large data centers in India include Google , which was in talks with the Andhra Pradesh state government to develop a 1-gigawatt facility, and OpenAI , which is looking for partners for a similar project. "India's underlying appeal has not dimmed and remains compelling," Soni said. "But deals are now closing more slowly, and with far more lawyering around who bears the next global shock." - [Japan stocks hit record high after ruling party picks pro-stimulus Sanae Takaichi](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/06/asia-pacific-markets-monday-nikkei-225-topix-kospi-nifty-50-japan-ldp-sanae-takaichi.html): The country's ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected staunch conservative Sanae Takaichi as its new leader. Chinese and South Korean markets were closed for holidays. Sanae Takaichi, newly-elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), speaks during a news conference at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Japan's ruling party elected right-leaning Takaichi as its first female leader today, in a vote that is also likely to determine who will become Japan's next prime minister. Photographer: Toru Hanai/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Japan's Nikkei 225 index jumped over 4% to hit a record high Monday after the country's ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected staunch conservative Sanae Takaichi as its new leader Saturday, positioning her to become the country's first female prime minister. Given the government's economic policy of a "high-pressure economy," Takaichi is likely to ask the Bank of Japan to maintain its accommodative monetary policy, Crédit Agricole CIB wrote in a note over the weekend following the results, adding that she would be open to a 25 basis points rate hike by the BOJ by January 2026. "A Takaichi administration, recognising that the current economy is still weak, is expected to completely shift policy direction to a new approach (complete overhaul) that seeks to expand investment and demand through public-private partnerships," CA-CIB's note said. Similarly, the Topix rose over 3% to hit a record high. The Japanese yen weakened 1.45% to trade at 149.59 against the dollar. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.19%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was set to open slightly higher with its futures contract trading at 27,153, against the index's previous close of 27,140.92. Chinese and South Korean markets were closed for holidays. Last Friday in the U.S., the three major averages closed higher. The S&P 500 retreated from a record on Friday but held on to solid weekly gains despite a U.S. government shutdown dragging on for a third day, ticking up just 0.01% at 6,715.79. The Nasdaq Composite declined 0.28% to settle at 22,780.51. The Dow Jones Industrial Average outperformed, trading higher by 238.56 points, or 0.51%, to finish at 46,758.28. The Russell 2000 also popped 0.72% to close at 2,476.18. — CNBC's Pia Singh and Sean Conlon contributed to this report. - [ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: Manufacturing data in focus as sector faces renewed pressure](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-05-economic-week-ahead-manufacturing-data-in-focus-as-sector-faces-renewed-pressure/): August figures will show whether contraction deepened after PMI slipped below 50 05 October 2025 - 16:08 by Jana Marx Most eyes will be on Thursday’s release of August manufacturing production data, the headline release in what is otherwise a quiet week on the local economic calendar.Manufacturing contributes about 13% to GDP, and its performance is a bellwether for broader economic momentum... - [Hamas Partially Accepts Trump’s Peace Plan](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010438653/hamas-partially-accepts-trumps-peace-plan.html): new video loaded: Hamas Partially Accepts Trump’s Peace Plan Hamas said it would release all Israeli hostages but wants to negotiate elements of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. Adam Rasgon, a reporter for The New York Times in Jerusalem, explains where negotiations stand. By Adam Rasgon, Christina Shaman, Jon Hazell, Melanie Bencosme and June Kim October 4, 2025 - [Investors may want to consider boosting their exposure abroad — even with U.S. stocks around record highs](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/04/case-for-investing-abroad-despite-record-us-market-gains.html): Investors may want to boost their exposure overseas. "Home bias is about as bad as it's ever been in the United States. The average investor has far too much of their money sitting in the United States," ETF.com's Dave Nadig told CNBC's "ETF Edge" this week. Nadig, the firm's president and director of research, delivered his concerns during a record week on Wall Street. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained another one percent this week. Meanwhile, the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF gained almost 3%. As of Friday's close, the ETF closed at a 52-week high. According to Nadig, going abroad may offer a better value. "Getting out of the US. somehow, whether it's in a very specific fund or a very specific country, or just broad international exposure, is something I'm hearing more and more investors and advisors talk about," he added. "It's hard to bet against China in the long term." EMQQ Global Founder and CIO Kevin Carter also sees benefits from putting money to work abroad. His firm is behind the Emerging Markets Internet and the India Internet ETFs. Both funds are designed to provide investors with exposure to internet and e-commerce companies in emerging markets.  The Emerging Markets Internet ETF is up 35% so far this year, while the India Internet ETF is down 3%. However, Carter is still particularly bullish on the country. India's NSE Nifty 50 has been underperforming the U.S. markets so far this year — up 5%. But over the last five years, it has surged 118%. "You now have the largest population, you have the best demographics, you have the fastest growth in the world, and that's driving consumption," said Carter. "That's the same thing we saw in China over the last 20 years." India's GDP is expected to grow by 6.2% in 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing major economies, according to IMF data. This year, India surpassed Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy. Disclaimer - [36-year-old American Air Force vet pays $850 to rent his 2-bedroom apartment in Vietnam— take a look inside](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/04/american-air-force-vet-two-bedroom-vietnam-apartment.html): Before Markeiz Ryan, 36, left the U.S. Air Force in 2019, he took a trip to Vietnam and that experience changed the course of his life. "It just looked like so much fun and it really lived up to all the hype," Ryan tells CNBC Make It. "I ended up having the best time of my life, and that depression was [just] gone." Ryan says that after that first visit to Vietnam and how happy he was there, he didn't want to let go of that feeling. He started planning his return to the country. The veteran returned to his life in the United States and the Air Force, where he completed his service on a military base in Wyoming before being honorably discharged in 2019. Ryan's favorite part of the apartment is his view. Louis Corallo for CNBC Make It Soon after leaving the Air Force, Ryan relocated to Vietnam, where he lives off roughly $4,000 a month, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. His monthly income stems from several sources, including VA disability, the GI Bill since he's pursuing a master's degree, and teaching English. Ryan also occasionally takes on odd jobs, such as voiceover work, and is an avid fan of day trading. Ryan suffers from spine arthritis, respiratory issues, auditory pain, and mental health challenges from his time in the military. "This might not sound like a lot in America but trust me, this is more than enough to be middle or even above middle class in Vietnam," he says. When Ryan first arrived, he worked with a longtime friend and realtor to find his first apartment. He moved around a lot at first because of all the noise pollution. He also wanted to take advantage of low rent prices during the covid-19 pandemic. "There's a lot of honking, street sellers and sometimes karaoke really loudly, so if you are very intolerant to noise, this might not be the place for you," he says. Ryan says he has no plans of leaving this apartment. Louis Corallo for CNBC Make It In 2023, Ryan moved into the two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment where he currently resides in Ho Chi Minh City. It is in one of the country's tallest residential towers. Ryan says what he loves the most is the view. "The view is so good here. I can't pass it up for everything. I'm never going to resign unless they kick me out," he says. His utilities round up to about $130, which includes electricity, water and housekeeping. This is Ryan's fourth apartment since he moved to Vietnam in 2019. Louis Corallo for CNBC Make It Ryan has been in this space for two years now and has no plans of leaving the apartment — or Vietnam. "If I leave, it's because Vietnam told me to leave. In America, I felt very unmotivated. I felt like no matter how hard you work, you're still in poverty. You're constantly chasing a standard that you can't really achieve," he says. "Here in Vietnam, it takes a lot of the monetary pressure out of your day-to-day. You focus on what makes you happy, who you want to become and how you're going to get there." Ryan lives in one of the country’s tallest residential towers in Ho Chi Minh City. Louis Corallo for CNBC Make It This experience, he says, is the complete opposite of what his life was like back in the U.S. "Every day I wake up with a long to-do list of things I want to do, not the things that I need to do, and it's a completely different way of living. Even if you need to work 40 hours a week here, you're doing it as an investment in your future. Getting out of survival mode makes things infinitely more human." Want to be your own boss? Sign up for CNBC's new online course, How To Start A Business: For First-Time Founders. Find step-by-step guidance for launching your first business, from testing your idea to growing your revenue. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to connect with experts and peers. - [ISM services index shows weak job market in September](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ism-services-index-shows-weak-job-market-in-september-a8888f1b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Numsa boss says imported car brands should invest in local manufacture](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-03-numsa-boss-says-imported-car-brands-should-invest-in-local-manufacture/): Imported brands selling vehicles in SA should be forced to invest in local manufacture as the price of continuing to do business here, Irvin Jim, general secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), said on Thursday.He said the government should stop pandering to foreign governments, including those of Brics partners, and act on behalf of the economy and SA workers... - [Asia markets set to open higher after Wall Street gains as investors look past government shutdown](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/03/asia-markets-friday-wall-street-gains-not-impacted-by-shutdown-concerns.html): Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mostly higher Friday. Investors in Asia are also looking to Japan's September manufacturing purchasing managers' index later today. Chinese and South Korean markets were closed for holidays. Skyline of Tokyo, Japan. Jackyenjoyphotography | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mostly higher Friday, tracking Wall Street gains as investors shrugged off the U.S. government shutdown. Investors are waiting to see how long the shutdown will last to assess the gravity of its economic repercussions. Historically, government shutdowns in the U.S. have not been market-moving events. Japan's September manufacturing purchasing managers' index reading will be released later in the day. The country's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 45,130, while its counterpart in Osaka last traded at 45,050, against the index's Thursday of 44,936.73. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was poised for a higher open, with its futures contract trading at 8,968, against the index's Thursday close of 8,945.9. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was set to open slightly lower, with its futures contract trading at 27,273, against the index's previous close of 27,287.12. Chinese and South Korean markets were closed for holidays. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours after the three leading U.S. indexes closed at record highs. Overnight, the S&P 500 inched up 0.06%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed more than 78 points, or nearly 0.2%. The Nasdaq Composite rose about 0.4%, powered by a 0.9% gain in Nvidia that propelled the chipmaker to an all-time high. Other chipmakers also gained ground, with Intel and AMD each rising more than 3%. The U.S. government shutdown has led the Labor Department to pause all activity, including the scheduled Friday release of the September nonfarm payrolls report. While that will reduce the amount of economic data the Federal Reserve can factor into its interest rate decision at its October meeting, it also removes a factor that could lend pressure to stocks. — CNBC's Pia Singh and Sean Conlon contributed to this report. - [Cracker Barrel dumps consulting firm Prophet after major rebrand backlash from customers](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/cracker-barrel-dumps-consulting-firm-prophet-after-major-rebrand-backlash-from-customers): Founder of XX-XY Athletics Jennifer Sey analyzes why customers rejected the pitch to change the restaurant chain’s logo on ‘The Evening Edit.’ Cracker Barrel is ending its partnership with Prophet, the consulting firm behind its failed rebrand. The chain faced intense backlash after unveiling a new logo and redesigned stores that longtime fans said stripped away what they loved most about the brand. Cracker Barrel’s restaurants, long known for their kitschy Americana décor, were recast in a style critics called drab and soulless. The uproar grew after the company dropped its iconic logo of an elderly man leaning on a barrel. […] - [All About Ex-Dividend Dates](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/all-about-ex-dividend-dates): Discover how payment of a dividend affects share prices and look at what kinds of companies are more likely to pay dividends. - [General Mills to close pizza, pet food manufacturing plants in Missouri](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/general-mills-close-pizza-pet-food-manufacturing-plants-missouri): ‘Making Money’ host Charles Payne breaks down the latest U.S. manufacturing PMI report. General Mills said Wednesday it will close three Missouri manufacturing plants as part of an ongoing effort by the food giant to strengthen the competitiveness of its supply chain. The plants that will close include a pizza crust manufacturing plant in St. Charles, along with two facilities in Joplin that were acquired through the company’s $1.45 billion purchase of Whitebridge Pet Brands in 2024, General Mills spokesperson Mollie Wulff told FOX Business. GENERAL MILLS LATEST US FOOD GIANT PULLING ARTIFICIAL DYES FROM PRODUCTS “General Mills announced it will […] - [ETFs are flush with new money. Why billions more are flowing their way](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/etfs-flush-new-money-why-billions-more-flowing-way): Pacer ETFs President Sean O’Hara discusses the benefits of ETFs and lays out his favorite investments on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ Investors have plowed more than $900 billion into U.S. exchange-traded funds so far this year. Investors are putting more money than ever into exchange-traded funds, and Washington just took a step that all but ensures the billions will keep flowing.  U.S.-listed ETFs have taken in a net $917 billion through Sept. 29, according to FactSet. If that pace holds during the fourth quarter, when inflows tend to pick up, it will be the market’s second straight record year. In 2024, ETFs […] - [What We Know About the Protests in Madagascar](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010433171/what-we-know-about-the-protests-in-madagascar.html): new video loaded: What We Know About the Protests in Madagascar A youth-led movement against the president of Madagascar is sustaining protests across the country. John Eligon, the Johannesburg bureau chief for The New York Times, explains what’s happened. By John Eligon, Christina Thornell, Jon Hazell and Laura Salaberry October 2, 2025 - [The Need for a More Diverse, Resilient Energy Mix](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/need-more-diverse-resilient-energy-mix): Nasdaq TradeTalks looks at why the public and private sectors must collaborate to develop adaptive cybersecurity standards and Kyle Hayes, Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, discusses the importance of energy diversification. - [Report shows hiring at lowest since 2009 as economists turn to alternative data during shutdown blackout](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/02/report-shows-hiring-at-lowest-since-2009-as-economists-turn-to-alternative-data-during-shutdown-blackout.html): Unemployment changed little in September while layoff and hiring rates both slowed, according to separate labor market reports Thursday. The reports, from the Chicago Fed and Challenger, Gray & Christmas, substitute for data that normally comes from the government but won’t this week because of the shutdown. Job fair signage as job seekers arrive at the Appalachian State University internship and job fair in Boone, North Carolina, US, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Allison Joyce | Bloomberg | Getty Images Unemployment changed little in September while layoff and hiring rates both slowed, according to separate labor market reports Thursday. The jobless […] - [Spring in new-vehicle sales in September](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-02-spring-in-new-vehicle-sales-in-september/): New-vehicle sales enjoyed another stellar month in September.Figures released on Thursday by motor industry association Naamsa showed 54,700 new cars and commercial vehicles were sold locally last month.That was 24.3% more than the 44,000 in September 2004. After nine months of 2025, aggregate sales totalled 436,854 — 15.6% more than the 377,765 at the same stage last year.Exports also performed well. Last month, 38,772 vehicles were shipped to foreign markets. That was 32.9% more than the 29,180 of September 2024. For the year to date, exports are 6% up — from 291,207 to 308,613.Car sales were the main winners last month. The 38,603 total was 28% up on the corresponding month of 2024. After nine months, they were 22.1% ahead.Last month, sales of light commercial vehicles rose 19.7% from a year earlier. Heavy trucks also outperformed September 2024 but medium and extra-heavy trucks lost ground slightly. - [Rob Davies bemoans flood of imported cars](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-02-rob-davies-bemoans-flood-of-imported-cars/): Former trade & industry minister says dominance of imports is astounding 02 October 2025 - 05:00 by David Furlonger Former trade & industry minister Rob Davies said on Wednesday he was shocked by the degree to which imports had come to dominate the SA new-vehicle market.It was revealed recently that imports, primarily from India and China, account for 64% of all new cars and bakkies sold here... - [Rob Davis bemoans flood of imported cars](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-02-rob-davis-bemoans-flood-of-imported-cars/): Former trade & industry minister says dominance of imports is astounding 02 October 2025 - 05:00 by David Furlonger Former trade & industry minister Rob Davies said on Wednesday he was shocked by the degree to which imports had come to dominate the SA new-vehicle market.It was revealed recently that imports, primarily from India and China, account for 64% of all new cars and bakkies sold here... - [Asia markets set to open higher after Wall Street shrugs off U.S. government shutdown](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/02/asia-markets-live-thursday-singapore-pmi-.html): Chinese and Indian markets are closed for a holiday. Singapore to release September manufacturing data. TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 27: Pedestrians and shoppers walk through the Akihabara area on July 27, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan's core consumer price index climbed by 3.3% in June, outpacing the US figure for the first time in eight years as the Bank of Japan holds its monetary policy meeting on July 27 and 28. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images) Tomohiro Ohsumi | Getty Images News | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mostly higher Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street as traders bet that the U.S. government shutdown would be short-lived. The shutdown is expected to last at least three days with the Senate set to be out of session Thursday stateside due to Yom Kippur, but traders are betting that the shutdown could drag on for nearly two weeks. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago at 44,995, and its counterpart in Osaka last trading at 44,890, against the index's Wednesday close of 44,550.85. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was poised for a higher open, with its futures contract trading at 8,932, against the index's Wednesday close of 8,845.7. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was set to open lower, with its futures contract last trading at 26,840, against the index's previous close of 26,855.56. Chinese and Indian markets were closed for holidays. South Korea's consumer price index climbed 2.1% year on year in September, more than the 2% rise expected by economists in a Reuters poll. The latest reading compares with the 1.7% growth in August. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours after the S&P 500 recorded a fresh high Wednesday stateside. Overnight, the broad market index gained 0.34% to close at 6,711.20. Earlier, it had hit a new all-time intraday high. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.42% to settle at 22,755.16, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 43.21 points, or 0.09%, to finish at 46,441.10. — CNBC's Pia Singh and Sean Conlon contributed to this report. - [SA new vehicle sales on track to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2025](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-01-sa-new-vehicle-sales-on-track-to-surpass-pre-pandemic-levels-in-2025/): Domestic new vehicle sales are on track to exceed pre-pandemic levels for the first time in five years, driven by consumer demand for affordable cars, the president of vehicle industry group Naamsa said on Wednesday.Speaking at Naamsa’s annual conference, Billy Tom told delegates the industry’s performance in the first half of 2025 demonstrated resilience, with strong consumer appetite driving growth despite global and local headwinds.Domestic new vehicle sales in the first six months of the year increased by 14% year on year, with imports rising 30.2%, Tom said, noting “an influx of very affordable models”, largely from China.The local market for new vehicles “is likely to exceed” 2019 levels for the first time in five years, Tom said. Pre-pandemic sales amounted to 536,612 units, while new vehicle sales in 2024 were 515,850 units.The domestic new vehicle market has experienced a notable consumer preference shift, with various new entrants to the domestic market, in particular Chinese and more recently Indian car brands, offering options at the more affordable end of the pricing spectrum, said Thato Magasa, Naamsa’s vice-president for retailing car manufacturers.“SA consumers used to be very badge conscious but with rising costs of living, many consumers have become more interested in value than in the badge,” he said.Local interest rates have been cut by 125 basis points since 2024, while easing inflation and a better economic growth rate have supported the new vehicle market to date, Magasa said.Reuters - [September, Third Quarter 2025 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/september-third-quarter-2025-review-and-outlook): The broad U.S. equity indices were higher across the board in both September and Q3. - [Regulatory Roundup: Algorithmic Trading Controls: Best Practices and Two Landmark Cases](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/fintech/regulatory-roundup-september-2025): Tony Sio’s latest regulatory analysis explores how algorithmic trading best practices and landmark cases like Knight Capital and “The Hammer” manipulation are shaping compliance standards, while September 2025’s regulatory updates and enforcement actions redefine market surveillance and integrity in global capital markets. - [Local demand lifts factory mood in September, Absa PMI shows](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-01-local-demand-lifts-factory-mood-in-september-absa-pmi-shows/): Manufacturing sentiment improved in September, driven by strong domestic demand, Absa's purchasing managers' index (PMI) survey showed on Wednesday.The seasonally adjusted PMI rose to 52.2 points in September from 49.5 in August.It was only the second time this year that the PMI has been above 50 points, reflecting an expansion in activity."The domestic market drove the recovery as global demand remained under pressure and is complicated by steep US tariffs, a challenging trading environment and lingering SA port issues," Absa said in a statement accompanying the survey’s results.US President Donald Trump imposed a 30% tariff on SA exports to the US in August, the highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, a move that could cause tens of thousands of job losses in sectors such as agriculture and car making.The business activity and new sales orders sub-indices rose strongly, reflecting the rebound in local demand.But another sub-index pointed to slower deliveries, as respondents cited logistical hurdles such as export paperwork delays, and one tracking expected business conditions in six months’ time dropped sharply.Absa said there was growing uncertainty about the near-term outlook given global headwinds. - [Asia markets trade mixed after U.S. government shuts down](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/01/asia-markets-boj-tankan-index-rbi-india-rate-decision.html): The Reserve Bank of India expectedly held rates at 5.5%. The Bank of Japan released the Tankan index, which measures business sentiment among Japanese companies and is closely watched by the central bank. Markets on mainland China and Hong Kong were closed today for a holiday. Aerial view of Seoul downtown city skyline with vehicle on expressway and bridge cross over Han river in Seoul city, South Korea. Mongkol Chuewong | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were mixed Wednesday, following gains on Wall Street as investors appeared unperturbed by the U.S. government shutdown. Spot gold prices surged 0.09% to hit a fresh record of $3,875.32 as of 11:04 a.m. Singapore time (11:04 p.m. ET). Over in Japan, the central bank released the results for its third-quarter Tankan survey. The Tankan survey measures business sentiment among domestic companies, and is closely watched by the Bank of Japan. The index for business optimism among large Japanese manufacturers increased to +14 for the third quarter from +13 in the previous quarter, but was lower than the +15 expected by economists polled by Reuters. The non-manufacturing index held steady at +34. A positive figure on the Tankan indicates that optimists outnumber pessimists. Japan's Nikkei 225 sunk 1.16%, while the broad based Topix was down 1.71%. The Reserve Bank of India held rates at 5.5%, in line with expectations by economists polled by Reuters. The Nifty 50 rose 0.31%, while the Sensex index added 0.22%. Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 closed up 0.41% at 6,688.46, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.31% to finish at 22,660.01. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 81.82 points, or 0.18%, to close at 46,397.89 — a fresh closing high. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [India holds rates steady at 5.5% in line with forecast as inflation cools](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/01/india-rbi-holds-rates-steady-at-5-5percent-in-line-with-forecast-as-inflation-cools.html): India's central bank kept rates steady at 5.5%, in line with a Reuters poll Sanjay Malhotra, governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), during a news conference in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. India's newly-appointed central bank governor Malhotra said he will look to uphold stability and continuity in policy in his role. Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images India's central bank kept its policy rate unchanged at 5.5% Wednesday in line with the expectations of economists polled by Reuters. Inflation moderated significantly in the first quarter, but growth could decelerate in the second half of the financial year due to global trade uncertainties, said Sanjay Malhotra, governor of the Reserve Bank of India. With inflation data from August undershooting RBI's target inflation band of 2% to 6%, the central bank did have an opportunity to cut interest rates to spur growth, which has been a top priority of the government since the U.S. imposed tariffs on Indian exports. In August, the U.S. imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, citing New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil, which raised total duties to as high as 50%, among the highest levies on any of Washington's trading partners. Textiles, gems and jewelry and marine products from India are some of the sectors worst affected due to U.S. tariffs. While exports to the U.S. account for around 2% of India's GDP, these sectors are labor-intensive, and deterioration of business could lead to job losses. To mitigate the impact of the tariffs, the Indian government reduced the goods and services tax on several items on Sept. 22, to spur domestic demand ahead of a month-long festive season, which starts with the nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri, followed by Diwali. The GST tax rate cut is expected to make fast-moving consumer goods, automobiles and farm products cheaper. India's domestic consumption accounts for over 60% of GDP, close to other developed economies like the U.S. and the U.K., making it less dependent on exports. The GST cuts are expected to ease the impact of U.S. tariffs. In September, Goldman Sachs raised its real GDP growth forecast for the country by 60 basis points to 7.1% for calendar year 2025 and 6.7% for fiscal year 2026. The improved projection followed India's report of better-than-expected GDP growth of 7.8% in the June quarter. - [Private equity giant KKR expands Middle East footprint with ADNOC gas pipeline investment](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/01/kkr-adnoc-middle-east-investment-gas-pipeline-.html): KKR has acquired a minority stake in ADNOC Gas Pipeline Assets. The deal follows an oil pipelines partnership between KKR and ADNOC in 2019. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company will retain ownership and operational control of the pipeline network. The headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC), right, and Etihad Towers, center, surrounded by residential and commercial properties in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, April 10, 2022. It is not just about the oil production that countries need to pay attention to, but also investments in renewables, Alhmeri affirmed. Christopher Pike | Bloomberg | Getty Images Global private-equity giant KKR has expanded its partnership with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, acquiring a minority stake in ADNOC Gas Pipeline Assets. That ADNOC subsidiary operates 38 gas pipelines and two export terminals in the United Arab Emirates. KKR did not disclose the value of the deal to CNBC. The partnership follows ADNOC's 2019 oil pipelines deal with KKR and BlackRock, which opened the door to foreign direct investment across the region. "This investment reflects KKR's commitment to expand partnerships and investment across the Middle East," said David Petraeus, partner at KKR and chairman of the KKR Global Institute and KKR Middle East. "The region's strong fundamentals, bold vision, and focused leadership offer increasingly attractive opportunities for global investors." Earlier this year, the firm appointed former CIA Director Petraeus, who joined KKR in 2013, as chair of its Middle East operations and launched a dedicated investment team led by Julian Barratt-Due. The transaction marks another milestone in KKR's expansion in the region. It acquired a stake in Dubai-based Gulf Data Hub, with a combined commitment from the two firms of more than $5 billion to fund the expansion of GDH's data center network.  The ADNOC gas pipeline network, which links the company's upstream assets to domestic off-takers across the UAE, remains fully owned and operated by ADNOC. KKR has taken a minority stake, so ADNOC will retain control. KKR's stake — acquired through its managed accounts — is structured to yield long-term revenue, the company said. The move expands KKR's over 16-year presence in the Middle East, with offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The firm now manages more than $90 billion in infrastructure assets globally since launching its infrastructure strategy in 2008, according to information on its website. - [WATCH: Formal non-agricultural employment shrinks in second quarter](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-09-30-watch-formal-non-agricultural-employment-shrinks-in-second-quarter/): SA’s nonfarm payrolls slipped in the second quarter, with formal employment down 2.1% year on year. Stats SA says 229,000 jobs were shed, mainly in part-time work. Business Day TV spoke to Stellenbosch Business School economist Nthabiseng Moleko for more detail. - [Consumer confidence is lower than expected as Wall Street braces for shutdown data blackout](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/30/consumer-confidence-is-lower-than-expected-as-wall-street-braces-for-shutdown-data-blackout.html): Consumer confidence edged lower in September ahead of an expected data blackout caused by the looming federal government shutdown, the Conference Board reported Tuesday. The board’s headline confidence index registered a 94.2 reading, off 3.6 points from the August reading and below the Dow Jones estimate for 96.0. The reading was the lowest since April and comes with nonessential government operations slated to close at midnight. In addition to the weakness on the main reading, the “present situation” index hit its lowest in a year. “Consumers’ assessment of business conditions was much less positive than in recent months, while their appraisal […] - [Consumer confidence weakens to lowest level since April on growing concerns about job availability](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-confidence-weakens-to-lowest-level-since-april-on-growing-concerns-about-job-availability-ea314d78?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Boston Fed President Collins sees caution on future interest rate cuts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/30/boston-fed-president-collins-sees-caution-on-future-interest-rate-cuts.html): Susan Collins, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, speaks during the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) economic policy conference in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Ting Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins on Tuesday expressed support for the recent interest rate cut, but showed some skepticism on the extent of future moves as she sees continued threats from inflation. Speaking in New York, the central bank policymaker noted risks to both higher inflation and a softening labor market that are keeping officials on their toes. “In my view, a […] - [China manufacturing activity picks up in September — official PMI still in contraction](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/30/chinas-manufacturing-activity-september-contraction.html): Official PMI came in at 49.8, showing a smaller contraction compared with Reuters' estimates of 49.6. That reading, while still in contraction, was the strongest since March. Private surveyor RatingDog's PMI reading came in at 51.2, beating economists' forecast for 50.2. A worker checks a finished vehicle on the production line for electric vehicle maker Zeekr at its factory on May 29, 2025 in Ningbo, China. Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images China's official gauge for manufacturing activity showed a smaller-than-expected contraction in September as Beijing intensified its efforts aimed at curbing industrial overcapacity amid sluggish domestic demand and global trade disruptions. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index came in at 49.8, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed, compared with expectations for 49.6, according to a Reuters poll. That reading, while still in contraction, was the strongest since March. China's official manufacturing PMI has stayed below the 50-benchmark separating growth from contraction since April as manufacturers have grappled with tepid domestic demand, exacerbated by higher U.S. tariffs that have hit Beijing's exports to the world's largest consumer market. Private surveyor RatingDog's manufacturing purchasing managers' index came in at 51.2 for September, beating economists' forecast for 50.2 in a Reuters poll, marking its highest level since May. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. - [Scottish business confidence falls in September](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-falls-september-35984119): Business confidence in Scotland fell 20 points during September to 39%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. Companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 20 points at 45%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 18 points to 34%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 39%; versus 59% in August. Looking ahead to the next six months, Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team (44%), evolving their offering (39%) and introducing new technology (30%). Overall, UK business confidence fell 12 points […] - [OpenAI Is Preparing to Launch a Social App for AI-Generated Videos](https://www.wired.com/story/openai-launches-sora-2-tiktok-like-app/): OpenAI is preparing to launch a stand-alone app for its video generation AI model Sora 2, WIRED has learned. The app, which features a vertical video feed with swipe-to-scroll navigation, appears to closely resemble TikTok—except all of the content is AI-generated. There’s a For You–style page powered by a recommendation algorithm. On the right side of the feed, a menu bar gives users the option to like, comment, or remix a video. Users can create videoclips up to 10 seconds long using OpenAI’s next-generation video model, according to documents viewed by WIRED. There is no option to upload photos or videos […] - [A possible risk to markets from a shutdown getting chatter on trading floors](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/29/a-possible-risk-to-markets-from-a-shutdown-getting-chatter-on-trading-floors.html) - [Labor Department won't release Friday's key jobs report, other data, in case of a shutdown](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/29/bls-wont-be-releasing-data-including-fridays-key-jobs-report-in-case-of-a-shutdown.html): The US Capitol is seen in the background as signage for US Department of Labor is seen in Washington, DC on August 4, 2025. Jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images The Labor Department is preparing for what would amount to a news and data blackout should the U.S. government suspend operations. In a contingency plan released Friday, the department said it was looking “to ensure that DOL agencies can perform an orderly suspension of programs and operations should a lapse occur, while continuing those limited activities authorized to continue during a lapse.” While the department’s scope covers a multitude of […] - [The UK's finance minister keeps public guessing over tax hikes](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/29/the-uks-finance-minister-keeps-public-guessing-over-tax-hikes.html): Addressing the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool on Monday, Finance Minister Reeves said she would champion Britain’s economic “renewal.” Reeves was tight-lipped about the forthcoming Autumn Budget, however, at which economists expect her to announce tax hikes. Estimates vary, but economists suggest the chancellor could now need to find as much as an extra £50 billion ($67.16 billion) to fill the gap in the U.K.’s public finances. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks to media prior to her speech on day two of the Labour Party conference at ACC Liverpool on September 29, 2025 in Liverpool, England. Ian […] - [Asia markets trade mixed; Australia central bank starts two-day policy meeting](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/29/asia-pacific-markets-nikkei-225-kospi-asx-200.html): Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Monday, while the Reserve Bank of Australia kickstarts its two-day meeting. The central bank is expected to hold its cash rate steady at 3.6%, according to a Reuters poll. Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architect Mr Jorn Oberg Utzon, at first light as the sun rises over Sydney harbor and city center skyscrapers. Ucg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Monday, while the Reserve Bank of Australia will kickstart its two-day policy meeting where it is expected to hold its cash rate steady at 3.6%, according to a Reuters poll. "The RBA are likely to find themselves in a tougher position than recent meetings. There is real tension building in the data flow," the Commonwealth Bank of Australia wrote in a note, citing how the country's August CPI indicates "material upside risks to Q3 inflation" as well as a a cyclical upswing in the activity data. However, CBA's economists also pointed to signs of softer employment and moderating wages growth. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.43%. South Korea's Kospi added 1.05% and the small-cap Kosdaq was 0.82% higher. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 0.68%, and the Topix declined 1.27% after hitting a record high Friday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were at 26,290, higher than the HSI's last close of 26,128.2. On Friday stateside, the three major averages climbed following the release of crucial U.S. inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 299.97 points, or 0.65%, to close at 46,247.29. The S&P 500 added 0.59% to close at 6,643.70, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.44% to settle at 22,484.07. Friday's rally snapped a three-day losing streak for the major indexes, but still ended the week down. The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 slid 0.7% and 0.3%, marking each index's first losing week in four. The Dow shed 0.2%. —CNBC's Pia Singh and Sean Conlon contributed to this report. - [Canal+ reveals big plans for MultiChoice](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-28-canal-reveals-big-plans-for-multichoice/): CEO David Mignot says goal is to attract between 50-million and 100-million subscribers, especially targeting Europe, Asia and Africa 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By THABISO MOCHIKO Canal+, the new owner of MultiChoice Group, has ambitious plans for pay-TV and wants to be in half the households in South Africa and the other African countries in which it operates. .. - [JLR cyberattack cripples Birmingham region](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-28-jlr-cyberattack-cripples-birmingham-region/): 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By REUTERS Jaguar Land Rover (JLR’s) production shutdown after a cyberattack was hitting businesses in Britain’s West Midlands region, a survey showed on Friday, with firms already making redundancies or cutting staff hours in response… - [LUNCEDO MTWENTWE | Lumbering Africa cannot afford more trade delays](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-28-lumbering-africa-cannot-afford-more-trade-delays/): Export competitiveness is not about glossy policy papers; it’s about ensuring that African goods reach markets on time, at scale and at costs that make sense 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By Luncedo Mtwentwe Global trade is moving at lightning speed and geopolitical tensions are reshaping business flows, yet Africa continues to move at a snail’s pace. For most businesses, export competitiveness is a daily race against the clock and the realities are measured in lost revenue, missed opportunities and wasted resources. A 36-hour truck delay at the Beitbridge border is not just a minor inconvenience but a full-blown crisis. .. - [Paradise lost in mining](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-28-paradise-lost-in-mining/): Newsmaker Tumi Tsehlo, chair of SACEEC, says BEE is among the problems holding back industrialisation and exploitation of critical minerals 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By CHRIS BARRON The GNU is out of touch with people who are engaged in the real economy, and nowhere is this more evident than with broad-based BEE, says Tumi Tsehlo, chair of the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC)… - [Getting spaza shops into cyberspace](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-28-getting-spaza-shops-into-cyberspace/): 28 September 2025 – 00:00 Providing informal businesses with online visibility and digital payment systems will boost revenues for a burgeoning part of the economy, allowing more jobs to be supported by the country’s smallest businesses… - [ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK | South Africa faces test for compliance tech](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-28-south-africa-faces-test-for-compliance-tech/): Boards now demand evidence — and that includes a track record for the compliance technology providers themselves 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK South Africa still carries the stigma of being greylisted by the world’s financial crime watchdog. In October, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will decide whether the country has done enough to shed that label — and whether the systems built in boardrooms and server rooms now carry weight in courtrooms… - [VUSLAT BAYOGLU | Let private players build nuke and coal power](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-28-let-private-players-build-nuke-and-coal-power/): If Eskom is unable to fund a new baseload-build programme, it must do what Transnet is doing: tap the pockets of willing private players 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By VUSLAT BAYOGLU South Africa’s energy crisis is older than the logistics crisis, but the latter is being resolved more quickly. Eskom’s cracks began to show nearly 20 years ago, while Transnet’s failures became apparent just over a decade later… - [AI compels us to be human and creative](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-28-ai-compels-us-to-be-human-and-creative/): We created AI and it remains subordinate to a responsible humanity in which we actualise in service of global prosperity 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By ROBIN WHEELER At a conference recently, a speaker selling the advances in AI said from the stage: “You will have a bestselling book written for you in under 15 minutes. Who of you would like that?” .. - [Now is the time to build Africa’s infrastructure](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-28-now-is-the-time-to-build-africas-infrastructure/): The decisions we make now will determine whether the continent becomes a global growth engine or remains on the margins of the global economy 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By Derick De Zilva Africa is standing at a defining moment in its development journey. The continent’s infrastructure deficit — which is long acknowledged but insufficiently addressed — has become a critical bottleneck to growth… - [PHILIPPA RODSETH | Don’t shut local industry out of the transmission development programme](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-28-dont-shut-local-industry-out-of-the-transmission-development-programme/): SA Inc is ready to roll up its sleeves, invest in capacity and, perhaps most importantly, invest in creating the skills that will create quality long-term jobs 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By Philippa Rodseth It is no secret that local manufacturing is in a parlous state, the metals and engineering sector having shed some 50% of the jobs it provided just a decade and a half ago… - [Cilo Cybin seeks access to EU markets](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-28-cilo-cybin-seeks-access-to-eu-markets/): Company to list on JSE’s main board on Monday while shifting focus offshore 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By THABISO MOCHIKO Cilo Cybin, which is listing on the JSE’s main board on Monday, is seeking entry into the European market. The company has applied for an EU good manufacturing practice (GMP) accreditation that will give it access to the region. .. - [GUGU LOURIE | AI's cold, unblinking eye should be brought to bear on tender corruption](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-28-ais-cold-unblinking-eye-should-be-brought-to-bear-on-tender-corruption/): We need a new kind of public servant — one that doesn’t get tired, doesn’t get bribed and has no ‘cousins’ needing jobs 28 September 2025 – 00:00 By GUGU LOURIE It seems as though South Africa has tried everything to tackle rampant tender corruption. However, the fight against corruption resembles a tragic opera with a familiar plot: a scandal breaks, public outrage follows, the president establishes a commission of inquiry and then … not much happens after that. Then the cycle is repeated. .. - [Is Silicon Valley Still the Tech Capital?](https://www.wired.com/story/uncanny-valley-podcast-is-silicon-valley-still-the-tech-capital/): Earlier this month, we took the show to San Francisco for a live recording in front of a great audience at KQED’s The Commons. WIRED’s Lauren Goode, Katie Drummond, and Jason Kehe asked themselves and answered a perennial question: Is Silicon Valley still the tech capital of the world? Plus, they put themselves to the test with a new game and some questions from the audience. You can follow Lauren Goode on Bluesky at @laurengoode, Katie Drummond on Bluesky at @katie-drummond, and Michael Calore on Bluesky at @snackfight. Write to us at uncannyvalley@wired.com. How to Listen You can always listen to […] - [Core inflation rate held at 2.9% in August, as expected, Fed’s gauge shows](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/26/pce-inflation-august-2025.html): The core personal consumption expenditures price index showed inflation in August at 2.9% on an annual basis after rising 0.2% for the month. Both were in line with estimates. Though the Fed targets inflation at 2%, the readings are unlikely to change course for policymakers who indicated they see two more quarter percentage point reductions before the end of the year. Spending and income numbers were slightly higher than expected. Core inflation was little changed in August, according to the Federal Reserve’s primary forecasting tool, likely keeping the central bank on pace for interest rate reductions ahead. The personal consumption expenditures […] - [Prosus' OLX to buy French online car sales classified platform](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-26-prosus-olx-to-buy-french-online-car-sales-classified-platform/): Online marketplace OLX will buy French motors classified platform La Centrale for €1.1bn (R22.42bn), its owner Prosus said on Friday. Amsterdam-headquartered Prosus, which is majority-owned by South Africa’s Naspers and focused on food and lifestyle e-commerce, reported in August a 54% jump in its e-commerce adjusted core earnings. On Friday it said buying La Centrale would help it enter the European car market and strengthen its e-commerce presence in the continent, complementing the planned acquisition of meal delivery company Just Eat Takeaway. “I expect to invest more in AI technology in France,” Prosus CEO Fabricio Bloisi said. Prosus expects the deal […] - [Trump Executive Order Will Hand TikTok Over to US Investors](https://www.wired.com/story/president-trump-signs-tiktok-deal/): On Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to transfer ownership of TikTok’s US operation to a group of American investors, including Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison. “I had a very good talk with president Xi. We talked about TikTok. He gave us the go-ahead,” Trump said during a White House press conference. He conceded that he’d gotten a bit of resistance from the “Chinese side.” By Thursday afternoon, the Chinese government had not issued an announcement acknowledging the deal. Vice President JD Vance said the deal valued TikTok at around $14 billion. ByteDance was valued at $330 billion as […] - [Middle class strain drags consumer confidence lower](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-09-25-middle-class-strain-drags-consumer-confidence-lower/): According to the BER, retail and wholesaler confidence also weakened in third quarter, signalling softer demand ahead 25 September 2025 - 13:04 by Nompilo Goba Consumer confidence declined in the third quarter, with the middle class driving the decline, according to the FNB/BER consumer confidence index (CCI).The report released on Thursday by FNB and the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) shows that the index dropped to minus 13 from minus 10 in the second quarter, signalling a likely slowdown in household spending... - [Meta Poaches OpenAI Scientist to Help Lead AI Lab](https://www.wired.com/story/meta-poaches-openai-researcher-yang-song/): Mark Zuckerberg has poached a high-ranking OpenAI researcher to be the research principal of Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL). Yang Song, who previously led the strategic explorations team at OpenAI, is now reporting to Shengjia Zhao, another OpenAI alum who has overseen the buzzy AI effort since July, according to multiple sources. He started earlier this month. The move comes after Zuckerberg went on a hiring blitz earlier this summer, bringing in at least 11 top researchers from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. Song had been at OpenAI since 2022. His research there focused on improving models’ ability to process large, complex datasets […] - [BRIAN KANTOR: Economic dreams and wake-up calls](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/columnists/2025-09-25-brian-kantor-economic-dreams-and-wake-up-calls/): It is common cause that expenditure on capital goods in SA is not nearly high enough to sustain faster economic growth. Capex now runs at about 15% of GDP. It was 21% in 2008 after the economy had enjoyed a period of strong growth, averaging close to 5% per annum. These broad trends — growth and capex rates rising and falling in the same direction — indicate that growth in household spending and incomes, especially corporate incomes, leads and capex follows. We need faster growth to gain more capex and vice versa. .. - [Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors sell tech names on Wall Street](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/25/asia-markets.html): Nvidia slid almost 1%, continuing its declines from Tuesday as heightened fears about the potentially circular nature of the AI industry drew investor skepticism. Investors in Hong Kong will be watching automaker Chery Automobile's listing later today, although the ceremony will reportedly be cancelled due to Super Typhoon Ragasa. People watch the first sunrise of the new year from a footbridge overlooking the city skyline in Seoul on January 1, 2024.  Jung Yeon-je | Afp | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Thursday, after investors continued selling tech names on Wall Street like Nvidia and Oracle for a second straight day. Nvidia slid almost 1%, continuing its declines from Tuesday as heightened fears about the potentially circular nature of the AI industry drew investor skepticism. Japan's Nikkei 225 started the trading session close to the flatline, while the broad based Topix gained 0.58%. South Korea's Kospi was down 0.28%, and the small-cap Kosdaq was down 0.27%. South Korean defense stocks continued to rise, with major players like Hanwha Aerospace up 2.46%, and Poongsan 3.28% higher. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.23% in early trade. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 26,394, lower than the HSI's last close of 26,518.65. Investors in Hong Kong will be watching Chinese automaker Chery Automobile's listing later today, although the ceremony will reportedly be canceled due to Super Typhoon Ragasa. U.S. stock futures were little changed as investors awaited Thursday's release of weekly jobless claims data, which could influence the Federal Reserve's monetary policy moves amid increasing concerns about a weakening labor market and rising layoffs. Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 dropped 0.28% to end at 6,637.97, while the Nasdaq Composite pulled back 0.34% to settle at 22,497.86. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.37%, to finish at 46,121.28. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Scottish GDP contracts in July](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-gdp-contracts-in-july-35955931): Scotland’s onshore gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.3% in July, following growth of 0.7% in June. The latest figures from the Chief Statistician also revealed that during the three months to July, GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.5%, compared to the previous quarter. This follows GDP growth of 0.2% from April to June. In July, output in the services sector is estimated to have grown by 0.1%, while production sector output contracted by 2.3%. Construction sector output grew by 0.2%. Kevin Brown, communications manager at Scottish Friendly, commented: “After lagging the UK for most of the year, the […] - [Asia markets track Wall Street declines after U.S. Fed chair suggests stocks are overvalued](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/24/asia-markets-nikkei-225-nifty-50-kospi.html): Asia-Pacific markets fell, tracking Wall Street declines. U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell raised valuation concerns overnight, noting that "equity prices are fairly highly valued." People crossing the street in Shibuya, Tokyo. Maydays | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets fell Wednesday, tracking Wall Street declines after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that "equity prices are fairly highly valued." Powell also signaled that the rate-cutting path wasn't clear and that the central bank faces a "challenging situation." Australia's ASX/S&P 200 lost 0.61%. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 0.33%, while the Topix lost 0.35%. South Korea's Kospi lost 0.11%, while the small-cap Kosdaq traded 0.39% lower. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was set to open higher, with its futures contract last traded at 26,188 against the index's previous close of 26,159.12. Australia is set to release its inflation data for August later in the day. Overnight stateside, the three major averages ended the trading day lower. The S&P 500 took a pause from its recent gains as doubts about the sustainability of the artificial intelligence bull trend worried investors. The broad market index closed down 0.55% at 6,656.92 after reaching a new all-time intraday high earlier in the session and posting a record close on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite fell nearly 1% to settle at 22,573.47, with the losses led by AI names like Nvidia, Oracle and Amazon. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished 88.76 points, or 0.19%, lower at 46,292.78. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Trump Pushes Unproven Link Between Tylenol and Autism](https://www.nytimes.com/video/science/100000010414944/trump-pushes-unproven-link-between-tylenol-and-autism.html): new video loaded: - [Fed Chief Powell says stock prices appear 'fairly highly valued'](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/23/fed-powell-stock-prices-appear-fairly-highly-valued.html): U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference following the issuance of the Federal Open Market Committee’s statement on interest rate policy, in Washington, D.C., U.S., Sept. 17, 2025. Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday noted that asset prices, a category that typically includes stocks and other risk instruments, are at elevated levels. During a speech in Providence, Rhode Island, the central bank leader was asked how much emphasis he and his colleagues place on market prices and whether they have a higher tolerance for higher values. “We do look at overall financial […] - [Treasury yields slip as investors await Fed Chair Powell's remarks](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/23/us-treasurys-investors-await-fed-chair-powells-remarks.html): U.S. Treasury yields slipped on Tuesday, as investors look ahead to remarks due out from central bank officials this week, including a speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell expected later in the day. The 10-year Treasury yield was roughly one basis point lower at 4.133%. The 2-year Treasury yield was little changed at 3.599%. The 30-year Treasury bond yield lost one basis point to 4.75%. One basis point equals 0.01%, and yields and prices share an inverse relationship. One of the key economic updates expected this week is the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index — the Federal Reserve's favored inflation measure — which should give a glimpse of inflationary pressures and the state of the broader U.S. economy. Last week, the Fed delivered its first rate cut of the year, meeting market expectations by lowering its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point. "Given there haven't been material data developments since last week's press conference, our US economists expect his tone to align closely with his remarks last week," Deutsche Bank's analysts said in a research note. The Fed's "dovish shift" during the September assembly of the Federal Open Market Meeting Committee should be positive for interest rate markets over the next several months, said global asset manager Eastspring Investments in a note published Tuesday. - [Singapore core inflation rate comes in softer than expected, hits fresh four-year lows](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/23/singapore-core-inflation-rate-august-mti-mas.html): Headline inflation in Singapore came in at 0.5%, down from the 0.6% in July. Core inflation dropped to 0.3%, down from 0.5% in July. The Monetary Authority of Singapore said in its statement that service inflation slowed amid a steeper decline in the costs of holiday expenses, airfares and inpatient services. The view from the rooftop pool of the Marina Bay Sands resort hotel, which overlooks the financial district skyline of Singapore. Anthony Wallace | Afp | Getty Images Singapore's core inflation posted its softest rise since February 2021, coming in at 0.3% for August as services costs eased. The figure — which strips out prices of private transport and accommodation — was lower than the 0.5% expected by economists polled by Reuters, and lower than the 0.5% seen in the month before. Headline inflation in Singapore came in at 0.5%, down from the 0.6% in July. The Monetary Authority of Singapore said that services inflation fell on cheaper holiday expenses, airfares and inpatient services. The largest driver of inflation in August came from private transport, as car prices rose while petrol prices dropped at a slower pace. The MAS also kept its full year inflation forecast for 2025 at between 0.5% and 1.5% for 2025, compared to 2.8% in 2024. "Although the ongoing trade conflicts could be inflationary for some economies, their impact on Singapore's import prices is likely to be offset by the disinflationary drags exerted by weaker global demand," the MAS wrote. Singapore's easing inflation comes even as the city-state braces for weaker growth in the second half of the year, with the boost from front-loaded exports expected to fade. The country had recorded better-than-expected GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025, expanding 4.3% and accelerating from 4.1% in the first three months. Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry now expects full-year growth of between 1.5%-2.5%, down from 4.4% in 2024. The latest GDP forecasts from the Ministry of Trade and Industry expect full-year GDP to be between 1.5% and 2.5%, compared to the 2024 figure of 4.4%. Earlier projections had put the range for this year's GDP growth to be between 0% and 0.2%. — This is breaking news, please check back for updates. - [Retail, wholesale confidence falls in third quarter](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-09-22-retail-wholesale-confidence-falls-in-third-quarter/): New-vehicle dealers and furniture retailers remain bright spot amid gloomy trade sector, BER survey finds 22 September 2025 - 16:08 by Nompilo Goba Business confidence in retailers and wholesalers fell sharply in the third quarter, according to the latest survey by the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) suggesting that consumer demand is starting to ease after a period of steady growth.The BER said retail confidence dropped to 32% in the third quarter from 42% in the second quarter, falling below the long-term average of 40% for the first time in a year. Still, overall profitability in the sector remained steady with most activity measures closer to their long-term averages... - [Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee sparks a global race to grab top talent](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/22/h-1b-visa-what-trumps-100000-fee-means-for-top-global-talent-hubs.html): The Trump administration’s revamp of the H-1B visa program is widely regarded as an opportunity for other major economies. The U.K., Europe, Middle East and Asia are thought to be among those that stand to benefit in the race to recruit top global talent. U.S. companies, however, have also sought to seize the initiative. U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on September 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump signed two executive orders, establishing the "Trump Gold Card" and introducing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images News | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump's surprise move to raise the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000 has left companies — and major economies — scrambling to make sense of the potential implications. For some global talent hubs, particularly those in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, however, experts say it could offer a valuable opportunity. As part of a push to protect American jobs, the Trump administration on Friday raised the application fee for skilled foreign workers. The proclamation, which came into effect on Sunday, requires companies to pay the fee to obtain the visas necessary for new employees entering the country. Alongside financial companies, Big Tech firms have long counted on H-1B visas to fill highly skilled roles with personnel recruited from India and China, among other countries. India, for its part, hit back at the Trump administration over the new visa fee, saying the policy "is likely to have humanitarian consequences." Charles-Henry Monchau, chief investment officer at Syz Group, said the newly imposed six-figure fee for H-1B visas could deliver a shot in the arm to global talent hubs seeking to attract skilled workers. "It definitely could be painful for the U.S. in terms of innovation," Monchau told CNBC's "Europe Early Edition" on Monday. He added, however, that the financial impact of the H-1B price hike appears relatively modest for Big Tech names, notably Amazon. The U.S. e-commerce juggernaut employed by far the most H-1B holders — more than 14,000 — as of the end of June, according to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services. Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Google, meanwhile, each had over 4,000 of the visas during the fiscal year 2025. "It could be an opportunity for the U.K., it could be an opportunity for Europe, for locations like Dubai, for instance, or maybe China … Because obviously if the U.S. becomes more stringent, this is a golden opportunity for many of these countries to open the door to offshore experts and workers," Monchau said. 'An unprecedented opportunity' Harry Stebbings, founder of VC fund and podcast 20VC, shares this sentiment. "The single biggest threat to European innovation is the loss of talent," Stebbings said Saturday in a social media post. "Trump has handed Europe the greatest opportunity." Stebbings called on the U.K. to give all H-1B visas a fast-track to the U.K. as part of a push to make the country a "talent magnet." His comments come as the U.K. reportedly looks to explore ways to abolish some visa fees for top global talent, a move that would contrast sharply with the Trump administration. One option being considered by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is a proposal to drop visa charges for top-level professionals, the Financial Times reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. CNBC has asked Downing Street to comment. A Home Office spokesperson told the Financial Times that the country's global talent routes "attract and retain high-skilled talent, particularly in science, research and technology." Ellevated view over London's River Thames and city financial district skyline. Gary Yeowell | Digitalvision | Getty Images Barney Hussey-Yeo, CEO of British artificial intelligence startup Cleo, on Monday described Trump's abrupt change to the H-1B visa program as "an unprecedented opportunity" that had triggered a high volume of interest from stateside workers. "Since the H-1B turmoil this weekend, I've had over 1,000 direct messages from highly skilled professionals considering leaving the U.S. — Computer Science graduates from the world's top universities now working at elite tech companies. The calibre is exceptional," Hussey-Yeo said in a statement. "The U.K. should do everything possible to become the default destination for this world-class talent," he added. 'A rounding error' In the U.S., meanwhile, some firms have attempted to seize the initiative following the H-1B visa fee hike. For instance, the co-founder and chief technology officer of Metaview, a San Francisco-based firm, sought to leverage the news as a hiring opportunity. In a LinkedIn post, Metaview's Shahriar Tajbakhsh encouraged workers to check out the firm's careers page, saying it was "ready to move fast" to hire top talent. "I'm seeing many companies from other countries using this as an opportunity to say, 'Come work in country X.' That feels a bit desperate to me," Tajbakhsh said. He added that for his company, "$100k is a rounding error compared to the value each member of our team creates." — CNBC's Michael Considine & Yun Li contributed to this report. - [ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: Consumer confidence index to throw light on spending resilience](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-09-21-economic-week-ahead-consumer-confidence-index-to-throw-light-on-spending-resilience/): This week’s domestic focus will be on consumer confidence and producer inflation, alongside the Reserve Bank’s Quarterly Bulletin, which will give further detail on the economy’s performance in the second quarter.The Bureau for Economic Research (BER) is expected to release its Retail Survey on Monday and the Other Services Survey on Tuesday... - [YURESH MAHARAJ | Financial life coaches are the key to wider wellness](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-21-financial-life-coaches-are-the-key-to-wider-wellness/): We are heading into the financial wellness ecosystem — a blend of AI-driven personalisation, purpose-driven investing and, most importantly, empathy 21 September 2025 – 00:00 By Yuresh Maharaj According to research by Schroders, just 9% of South African households currently use a financial adviser. In a country where savings rates are too low and many people are unable to retire comfortably, the financial services industry needs to cast the net wider… - [Emirates gives wings to job hunters](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-21-emirates-gives-wings-to-job-hunters/): Gulf airline is recruiting in South Africa as it seeks to add 17,300 staff, from pilots to cabin crew and IT geeks 21 September 2025 – 00:00 Global aviation giant Emirates is on a hiring binge — and many of the 17,300 people it wants to recruit around the world in 350 roles will be South Africans. .. - [A floundering state and pervasive corruption](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-21-a-floundering-state-and-pervasive-corruption/): Newsmaker ‘Bad leaders and serious mismanagement’ in law enforcement, says outgoing Sibanye-Stillwater CEO and Business Against Crime chair Neal Froneman 21 September 2025 – 00:00 By CHRIS BARRON Crime is to a large extent out of control, says Neal Froneman, outgoing CEO of multinational mining group Sibanye-Stillwater and the chair of Business Against Crime (BAC). .. - [Surge in over-50s tapping two-pot retirement system](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-21-surge-in-over-50s-tapping-two-pot-retirement-system/): Momentum Group says 350,000 people made withdrawals from their pension savings in the past year, almost one in five of whom are older than 50 21 September 2025 – 00:00 Insurance company Momentum Group has flagged a high rate of two-pot system withdrawals among members older than 50, after paying R5.4bn in claims in the year ended June. .. - [‘SA Tourism turmoil hinders growth’: Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-21-sa-tourism-turmoil-hinders-growth-tshifhiwa-tshivhengwa/): But rollout of new e-visa system could be a breakthrough, conference hears 21 September 2025 – 00:00 South Africa will not attain the goal of attracting 15-million international visitors by 2029 unless South African Tourism (SAT) — the agency tasked with marketing the country — does its part to generate demand… - [LUVUYO MASINDA | Africa’s climate future demands bold thinking and action](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-21-africas-climate-future-demands-bold-thinking-and-action/): The fiscal condition of many African governments makes it essential that the private sector steps up — not just with capital but with affordable capital 21 September 2025 – 00:00 By Luvuyo Masinda The fifth Standard Bank Climate Summit, held on September 9, convened at a time when the realities of climate change and energy poverty on the African continent are becoming increasingly stark… - [LUNCEDO MTWENTWE | Just don’t buy your braai-day wors from Temu](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-21-just-dont-buy-your-braai-day-wors-from-temu/): This Heritage Day we need to put local SMEs before fast-fashion giants and fleeting bargains 21 September 2025 – 00:00 By Luncedo Mtwentwe South Africans love a good braai, and every Heritage Day, the smell of meat sizzling over coals drifts through suburbs, townships and rural communities alike. It’s a tradition that unites us across cultures, but while we celebrate around the fire, another tradition is quietly undermining our economy — our obsession with imports… - [Rain gardens could save salmon from toxic tire chemicals](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230621164742.htm): Specially designed gardens could reduce the amount of a toxic chemical associated with tires entering our waterways by more than 90 per cent, new research shows. Tired toxins The chemical 6PPD-quinone can form when car tires interact with the atmosphere. It enters rivers and streams when rain runs off roads into waterways. It is toxic to coho salmon, rainbow trout and some other fish. "Rain gardens," or bioretention cells, are gardens engineered to reduce flooding and soak up contaminants when road runoff is directed onto them. Rain gardens in Rain City With the City of Vancouver, UBC researchers Drs. Timothy Rodgers (he/him) and Rachel Scholes (she/her) tested a Vancouver rain garden at 8th and Pine, pumping 14,000 litres of water spiked with 6PPD-quinone onto the garden for four hours and testing the water draining from beneath the garden at frequent intervals. They found only about two to five per cent of the chemical made it through, with about 75 per cent captured by the soil and plants. Extrapolating their results using a computer model, the team predicted the garden would prevent more than 90 per cent of the chemical from directly entering salmon-bearing streams in an average year. Save Our Salmon Vancouver's Rain City Strategy will build more "green infrastructure" including rain gardens, and municipalities could use the research to plan where and how to place these, the researchers say. This could include targeting areas with large highways that runoff into salmon-bearing streams and such systems could help meet multiple municipal environmental goals simultaneously. "Anywhere where you know there's salmon, you should be trying to direct that runoff as much as possible into systems like this," says Dr. Rodgers. - [How tidal range electricity generation could meet future demand and storage problems](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230621105226.htm): Tidal range schemes are financially viable and could lower energy bills say researchers. Research by Lancaster University's School of Engineering and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology combined a tidal range power generation model with its cost model to demonstrate the viability of tidal power. Professor George Aggidis, Head of Energy Engineering at Lancaster University, said: "The obvious question for the UK, with one of the best tidal resources globally, is why haven't we already got a tidal barrage scheme?" The research published in Energy demonstrates the benefits of tidal energy, which does not suffer from unpredictable intermittency as power is generated both day and night. The creation of a tidal barrage could operate for 120 years or more to meet future demand and storage problems. Professor Aggidis said: "There is an urgent need to kick-start the selection and development of schemes around Britain. Tidal range generation is predictable renewable energy driven by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. The environmental and economic benefits are huge as barrages can protect coastal areas from flooding and sea level rise. With two-way generation and pumping, the full range of existing tides can be maintained within impoundments to protect and support low-lying intertidal areas such as saltmarshes and mudflats. Our studies show that with modern technology and operating procedures, estuarine barrages are the only practical way to protect these vital habitats. Coastal lagoons have also been proposed for several locations around Britain's coast. Schemes will provide jobs in construction and manufacturing for generations to come as well as opportunities for transport, communication, conservation, and recreation. In the long-term they will provide reliable power with reduced costs." The UK has the second highest tidal range in the world and offers the UK a level of independence from global prices and in the long-term cheap clean power. Currently the Tidal Range projects under commercial consideration offer an achievable 10 GW installed capacity, delivering over 20TWh/y, about 5% of UK energy use. Based on the UK relevant resource availability there is the potential to further increase this installed capacity over 4 to 5 times with other tidal range project sites around the UK. Such developments are essential to assist the UK to reduce its carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel power stations. The current UK total generating capacity is around 42.8 GW that includes fossil fuels (19.2GW 44.9%), renewables (16.5GW, 38.5%), and low carbon (7.1GW -- 16.6%). The La Rance Tidal Range plant in France today generates the cheapest electricity in the EDF fleet -- cheaper than nuclear. - [A 'pinch' of mineral salts helps the noncaloric sweeteners go down](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230615105255.htm): Perfect noncaloric replacements for sugar and high fructose corn syrup just don't exist yet. For example, some alternatives have a lingering sweet aftertaste and lack a sugar-like mouthfeel, leaving consumers unsatisfied. Now, researchers in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry propose adding blends of nutritionally important mineral salts to make noncaloric sweeteners seem more like the real thing. Taste-testers indicated that these blends gave zero- and low-calorie drinks a better flavor. Sugar substitutes are often used in sodas, baked goods and frozen desserts, to appeal to people who want lower-calorie or low-sugar treats. But many natural or synthetic noncaloric sweeteners, such as stevia and aspartame, have a delayed sweetness, which lasts long after a food or drink is consumed. These substances also don't usually have the same mouthfeel as real sugar. Previously, Grant DuBois and colleagues observed that sodium chloride and potassium chloride could accelerate the onset of sweetness and eliminate its persistence for one stevia compound, rebaudioside A. They hypothesized that the salts compress the mucus hydrogel covering taste buds to allow rebaudioside A molecules to get through and then leave more quickly. But high concentrations were needed to achieve the desired effects, which led to off-tastes. So, the researchers wanted to test other mineral salts on commercially available noncaloric sweeteners to see if the products that they are used in could be improved. In initial tests with a trained sensory panel, the researchers observed that calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and potassium chloride each separately reduced the perceived intensity of rebaudioside A after two minutes. However, again, high amounts of the mineral salt were needed to lower the intensity by more than 30%, which caused unpleasant saltiness or bitterness sensations. Next, mixing the three taste-modifying salts had synergistic effects, allowing the team to use lower amounts of each for the same effect. A blend of the potassium, magnesium and calcium salts reduced the lingering sweetness up to 79% and markedly increased the sugar-like mouthfeel of 10 noncaloric alternatives. Some panelists still reported a slight saltiness in a few sugar substitute formulations with the all-chloride mineral salt blends. So, the team tested reduced-chloride versions in two commercial zero-calorie colas, resolving the faint salty off-taste issue and greatly improving the taste of the beverages. Additionally, they added salt blends to a reduced-calorie orange juice and a commercial citrus-flavored soft drink made with high fructose corn syrup, which made both beverages taste more like they contained sugar. The researchers say that they have a promising solution for replicating the taste of real sugar in low- and zero-calorie beverages. - [Researchers describe the melting of gold nanoparticles in gold-bearing fluids in the Earth's crust](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230612114725.htm): Gold is a precious metal that has always fascinated humans. From Priam's Treasure to the legend of El Dorado, gold -- regarded as the noblest of metals -- has been a symbol of splendour and wealth in many civilizations. Historically, gold deposits were known to form when metal was transported dissolved by hot aqueous solution flows -- hydrothermal fluids -- until it accumulated in some areas in the Earth's upper crust. The recent discovery of gold nanoparticles in such mineral deposits has brought some doubts on the validity of the classical model. Now, a paper published in the Nature group's journal Scientific Reports reopens the scientific debate on the validity of traditional models for the transport of this precious metal in nature. The new study reveals for the first time that gold nanoparticles exposed to hydrothermal fluids have the ability to melt and produce gold nanomelts at temperatures lower ( - [Physicists discover an exotic material made of bosons](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230607215839.htm): Take a lattice -- a flat section of a grid of uniform cells, like a window screen or a honeycomb -- and lay another, similar lattice above it. But instead of trying to line up the edges or the cells of both lattices, give the top grid a twist so that you can see portions of the lower one through it. This new, third pattern is a moiré, and it's between this type of overlapping arrangement of lattices of tungsten diselenide and tungsten disulfide where UC Santa Barbara physicists found some interesting material behaviors. "We discovered a new state of matter -- a bosonic correlated insulator," said Richen Xiong, a graduate student researcher in the group of UCSB condensed matter physicist Chenhao Jin, and the lead author of a paper that appears in the journal Science. According to Xiong, Jin and collaborators from UCSB, Arizona State University and the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan, this is the first time such a material -- a highly ordered crystal of bosonic particles called excitons -- has been created in a "real" (as opposed to synthetic) matter system. "Conventionally, people have spent most of their efforts to understand what happens when you put many fermions together," Jin said. "The main thrust of our work is that we basically made a new material out of interacting bosons." Bosonic. Correlated. Insulator. Subatomic particles come in one of two broad types: fermions and bosons. One of the biggest distinctions is in their behavior, Jin said. "Bosons can occupy the same energy level; fermions don't like to stay together," he said, "Together, these behaviors construct the universe as we know it." Fermions, such as electrons, underlie the matter with which we are most familiar as they are stable and interact through the electrostatic force. Meanwhile bosons, such as photons (particles of light), tend to be more difficult to create or manipulate as they are either fleeting or do not interact with each other. A clue to their distinct behaviors is in their different quantum mechanical characteristics, Xiong explained. Fermions have half-integer "spins" such as 1/2 or 3/2 et cetera, while bosons have whole integer spins (1, 2, etc.). An exciton is a state in which a negatively charged electron (a fermion) is bound to its positively charged opposite "hole" (another fermion), with the two half-integer spins together becoming a whole integer, creating a bosonic particle. To create and identify excitons in their system, the researchers layered the two lattices and shone strong lights on them in a method they call "pump-probe spectroscopy." The combination of particles from each of the lattices (electrons from the tungsten disulfide and the holes from the tungsten diselenide) and the light created a favorable environment for the formation of and interactions between the excitons while allowing the researchers to probe these particles' behaviors. "And when these excitons reached a certain density, they could not move anymore," Jin said. Thanks to strong interactions, the collective behaviors of these particles at a certain density forced them into a crystalline state, and created an insulating effect due to their immobility. "What happened here is that we discovered the correlation that drove the bosons into a highly ordered state," Xiong added. Generally, a loose collection of bosons under ultracold temperatures will form a condensate, but in this system, with both light and increased density and interaction at relatively higher temperatures, they organized themselves into a symmetric solid and charge-neutral insulator. The creation of this exotic state of matter proves that the researchers' moiré platform and pump-probe spectroscopy could become an important means for creating and investigating bosonic materials. "There are many-body phases with fermions that result in things like superconductivity," Xiong said. "There are also many-body counterparts with bosons that are also exotic phases. So what we've done is create a platform, because we did not really have a great way to study bosons in real materials." While excitons are well-studied, he added, there hadn't until this project been a way to coax them to interacting strongly with one another. With their method, according to Jin, it could be possible to not only study well-known bosonic particles like excitons but also open more windows into the world of condensed matter with new bosonic materials. "We know that some materials have very bizarre properties," he said. "And one goal of condensed matter physics is to understand why they have these rich properties and find ways to make these behaviors come out more reliably." - [House of moveable wooden walls unveiled, promising a cheaper, greener alternative to 'knocking through'.](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230602115103.htm): University of Cambridge architects are inviting visitors to the London Design Biennale to experience a prototype home constructed with flexible wooden partition walls which can be shifted to meet the changing needs of residents. The invention aims to reduce waste and carbon while also improving living conditions for those who cannot afford expensive refurbishments. House-owners the world over consider 'knocking through' walls to achieve more open-plan living or changing layouts to accommodate new arrivals or circumstances. The results may be impressive, but they come at a sizeable financial and environmental cost. But what if it wasn't necessary to demolish internal brick and/or plaster walls and build new ones? Researchers at Cambridge's Centre for Natural Material Innovation and partners PLP Architecture have just unveiled Ephemeral, an innovative alternative using engineered wood, at the London Design Biennale at London's Somerset House (1st -- 25th June 2023). The project, led by Cambridge researcher Ana Gatóo, invites visitors to step into a home constructed around principles of affordability, sustainability, flexibility and adaptation. The flexible wooden partition walls -- developed by Gatóo as part of her Cambridge PhD research -- are made using kerfing, which allows wood to bend without breaking, the same technique employed in the construction of guitars and other stringed instruments. The resulting wooden walls are simple, resilient, foldable and movable, meaning they can respond to the changing needs of residents, for instance, as children are born or leave the nest; as age or mobility bring changing requirements; or as homeworking patterns change. Gatóo says: "Self-assembly and modular furniture have improved so many people's lives. We've developed something similar but for walls so people can take total control of their interior spaces." "If you have lots of money, you can hire a designer and alter the interiors of your house, but if you don't, you're stuck with very rigid systems that could be decades out-of-date. You might be stuck with more rooms than you need, or too few. We want to empower people to make their spaces their own." The team's 'rooms of requirement' provide elegant, affordable solutions which can be built into the fabric of the building from its first design, or seamlessly retrofitted -- avoiding the mountains of carbon associated with demolition and reconstruction. Gatóo says: "We're using engineered timber, which is affordable and sustainable. It's a natural material which stores carbon, and when you don't need it anymore, you can make something else with it. So you are creating minimal waste." Gatóo and her colleagues are based in the University of Cambridge's Centre for Natural Material Innovation, a world leader in research into innovative and sustainable uses of timber in construction. The team emphasises that their system could be used anywhere in the world, in workplaces as well as in homes, and the researchers have already had encouraging conversations with industry, including with affordable housing developers in India. Gatóo says: "I've worked in development and post-disaster housing with NGOs in many countries around the world, always using sustainable materials. When I started my PhD, I wanted to merge making housing more affordable and social with technical innovation and sustainability. This is what our cities of the future need -- caring for people and the environment at the same time." Implemented at scale, this innovation could change the construction industry for the better, empowering people to adapt their spaces to their needs while slashing housing costs and overcoming some of the hurdles which the construction industry must tackle to be part of a sustainable future. Working with Cambridge Enterprise, the research team is seeking industry and policy partners to further advance product feasibility for industry-wide adoption. The project is supported by PLP Architecture, The Laudes Foundation, the Future Observatory and the AHRC Design Accelerator. - [Biodegradable plastic from sugar cane also threatens the environment](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230601160216.htm): Plastic made from cane sugar also threatens the environment. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have found that perch change their behaviour when exposed to so-called bioplastic. Traditional plastic, based on fossil oil, has flooded the earth and there is microplastic in all living things. This has led to intensive research for alternatives that decompose faster in nature. Bio-based polymers based on cane sugar are one such option. The most common bioplastic is poly-L-lactide (PLA), which is used in 3D printers, textiles, food packaging, disposable cutlery and other applications. PLA plastic changed the behaviour of perch Bioplastics also have a negative impact on biological life. Doctoral student Azora König Kardgar at the University of Gothenburg has found that the behaviour of small perch exposed to bioplastics in fish food changed over a period of six months. They reacted far more when they met fellow perch than normal. In addition, there were signs of reduced movement, altered ability to form shoals and altered reaction when approached by danger. "Toxicological experiments that analyse animal behaviour are very rare. Most commonly, researchers look at physiological changes. We can see that something in PLA plastic causes changes in the fish, but we can't see what," says Azora. Because this research looked at PLA microplastic particles, the researchers also tested feeding the perch with kaolin particles, a white clay used for porcelain and to coat paper. Fish fed with kaolin showed some minor changes in behaviour. However, a male sex hormone was affected and some other gene expressions in the fish was curbed, such as the response to stress. PLA is not an environmentally friendly option "We see that PLA is not harmless to fish, so it should not be sold as an environmentally friendly alternative to ordinary plastic. It should be considered as equivalent to ordinary plastic," says Azora. Fish were fed for six months with food containing 2 per cent PLA, which is about the concentration of ordinary petrochemical plastic used in previous studies. The quantity of kaolin fed to another group of fish was also 2 per cent. In addition, there was also a control group of perch fed with uncontaminated food. - [PAINTing a wound-healing ink into cuts with a 3D-printing pen](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230601160006.htm): The body is pretty good at healing itself, though more severe wounds can require bandages or stitches. But researchers publishing in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have developed a wound-healing ink that can actively encourage the body to heal by exposing the cut to immune-system vesicles. The ink can be spread into a cut of any shape using a 3D-printing pen, and in mice, the technology nearly completely repaired wounds in just 12 days. When the skin is cut or torn, the body's natural "construction crew" kicks in to fix it back up -- clearing out any bacterial invaders, regrowing broken blood vessels and eventually forming a scar. Many techniques used to heal wounds can't do much beyond helping the body do its job better. Bandages or stitches are used to prevent further bleeding, while antibiotics work to prevent complications from infections. But by adding members of the construction crew to a wound-healing treatment or bandage, it could actually accelerate the natural healing process. Specifically, white blood cells or the extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from them play important roles in promoting blood vessel formation and reducing inflammation during healing. So, Dan Li, Xianguang Ding and Lianhui Wang wanted to incorporate these EVs into a hydrogel-based wound healing ink that could be painted into cuts of any shape. The team developed a system called PAINT, or "portable bioactive ink for tissue healing," using EVs secreted from macrophages combined with sodium alginate. These components were combined in a 3D-printing pen, where they mixed at the pen's tip and formed a sturdy gel at the site of injury within three minutes. The EVs promoted blood vessel formation and reduced inflammatory markers in human epithelial cells, shifting them into the "proliferative," or growth, phase of healing. PAINT was also tested on injured mice, where it promoted collagen fiber formation. Mice treated with PAINT had almost healed completely from a large wound after 12 days, compared to mice that didn't receive the treatment, who were not nearly as far along in the healing process at this time point. The researchers say that this work could help heal a wide variety of cuts quickly and easily, without the need for complex procedures. - [You can make carbon dioxide filters with a 3D printer](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230531150150.htm): In a new study, North Carolina State University researchers demonstrated that it's possible to make carbon dioxide capture filters using 3D printing. Specifically, they printed a hydrogel material that can hold carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that speeds a reaction that turns carbon dioxide and water into bicarbonate. The findings, published in the journal Gels, suggest 3D printing could be a faster, more versatile method of making filter designs. "This manufacturing process, using 3D printing, makes everything faster and more precise," said the study's lead author Jialong Shen, assistant research professor of textile engineering, chemistry and science at NC State. "If you have access to a printer, and the raw materials, you can make this functional material." In the study, researchers in the NC State Wilson College of Textiles mixed a solution containing two different organic compounds -- or the printing "ink" -- and an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. The researchers then printed thread-like filaments of the hydrogel into a two-dimensional grid while solidifying the solution with UV light as it was printed. "We formulated the hydrogel in a way that would be mechanically strong enough to be 3D printed, and also extruded into a continuous filament," Shen said. "The inspiration behind our design was our own cells, which have enzymes packed into compartmentalized spaces, filled with a fluid. That kind of environment is good for helping enzymes do their job." The researchers tested the properties of the material to understand how well it would bend and twist, and investigated the filter's carbon capture performance. In a small-scale experiment, they found the filter captured 24% of the carbon dioxide in a gas mixture. While the capture rate is lower than what they've achieved in previous designs, the filter was less than an inch (2 centimeters) in diameter, and it could be made larger and in different modular shapes in order to stack them in a tall column. That could increase the capture efficiency, researchers said. "In order to get a higher capture rate, we would need to make the filter larger in diameter, or stack more filters on top of each other," Shen said. "We don't think that's an issue; this was an initial test at a small scale for ease of testing." The researchers also tested the filtration durability of the material, and found it retained 52% of its initial carbon capture performance after more than 1,000 hours. "This work is still early stage, but our findings suggest there are new ways to make materials for carbon capture devices," said the study's co-corresponding author Sonja Salmon, associate professor of textile engineering, chemistry and science at NC State. "We're offering hope for carbon capture." - [World's fastest electron microscope](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230531150114.htm): Electron microscopes give us insight into the tiniest details of materials and can visualize, for example, the structure of solids, molecules or nanoparticles with atomic resolution. However, most materials in nature are not static. They constantly interact, move and reshape between initial and final configurations. One of the most general phenomena is the interaction between light and matter, which is omnipresent in materials such as solar cells, displays or lasers. These interactions are defined by electrons pushed and pulled around by the oscillations of light, and the dynamics are extremely fast: light waves oscillate at attoseconds, the billionth of a billionth of a second. Until now, it has been very difficult to directly visualize these extremely fast processes in space and time, but that is exactly what a team of physicists from the University of Konstanz has now succeeded in. They recorded movies with attosecond time resolution in a transmission electron microscope, providing new insights into the functionality of nanomaterials and dielectric meta-atoms. They recently published their results in the scientific journal Nature. Generation of ultrashort electron pulses "If you look closely, almost all phenomena in optics, nanophotonics or metamaterials occur on time scales below one oscillation period of a light wave," explains Peter Baum, physics professor and head of the Light and Matter Group at the University of Konstanz. "To film the ultrafast interactions between light and matter, we therefore need a time resolution of attoseconds." To achieve such an extreme recording speed, Baum's research group uses the fast oscillations of a continuous-wave laser to convert the electron beam of an electron microscope into a sequence of ultrashort electron pulses. In this process, a thin silicon membrane creates a periodic acceleration and deceleration of the electrons. "This modulation causes the electrons to catch up with each other. After some time, they convert into a train of ultrashort pulses," explains David Nabben, doctoral student and first author of the study. Another laser wave creates the interaction with the sample object. The ultrashort electron pulses are then used to measure the object's response to the laser light, frozen in time like in a stroboscope. In the end, the researchers obtain a movie of the processes with attosecond time resolution. Investigation of nanophotonic phenomena In their study, the scientists present several examples of time-resolved measurements in nanomaterials. The experiments show, for example, the emergence of chiral surface waves that can be controlled by the researchers to travel in a specific spatial direction, or characteristic time delays between different modes of radiation from nanoantennas. What is more, the scientists not only investigate such surface phenomena, but also film the electromagnetic processes inside a waveguide material. The results are highly interesting for further developments in nanophotonics, but also demonstrate the very broad application range of the new attosecond electron microscopy. "The direct measurement of the electromagnetic functionality of materials as a function of space and time is not only of great value for fundamental science, but also opens up the way for new developments in photonic integrated circuits or metamaterials," Nabben summarizes the impact of the results. - [Flexible nanoelectrodes can provide fine-grained brain stimulation](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230530174315.htm): Conventional implantable medical devices designed for brain stimulation are often too rigid and bulky for what is one of the body's softest and most delicate tissues. To address the problem, Rice University engineers have developed minimally invasive, ultraflexible nanoelectrodes that could serve as an implanted platform for administering long-term, high-resolution stimulation therapy. According to a study published in Cell Reports, the tiny implantable devices formed stable, long-lasting and seamless tissue-electrode interfaces with minimal scarring or degradation in rodents. The devices delivered electrical pulses that match neuronal signaling patterns and amplitudes more closely than stimuli from conventional intracortical electrodes. The devices' high biocompatibility and precise spatiotemporal stimulus control could enable the development of new brain stimulation therapies such as neuronal prostheses for patients with impaired sensory or motor functions. "This paper uses imaging, behavioral and histological techniques to show how these tissue-integrated electrodes improve the efficacy of stimulation," said Lan Luan, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and a corresponding author on the study. "Our electrode delivers tiny electrical pulses to excite neural activity in a very controllable manner. "We were able to reduce the current necessary to elicit neuronal activation by more than an order of magnitude. Pulses can be as subtle as a couple hundred microseconds in duration and one or two microamps in amplitude." The new electrode design developed by researchers in the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative represents a significant improvement over conventional implantable electrodes used to treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which can cause adverse tissue responses and unintended changes in neural activity. "Conventional electrodes are very invasive," said Chong Xie, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and a corresponding author of the study. "They recruit thousands or even millions of neurons at a time. "Each of those neurons is supposed to have their own tune and coordinate in a specific pattern. But when you shock them all at the same time, you're basically disrupting their function. In some cases that works fine for you and has the desired therapeutic effect. But if, for example, you want to encode sensory information, you need much greater control over the stimuli." Xie likened stimulation via conventional electrodes with the disruptive effect of "blowing an airhorn in everyone's ear or having a loudspeaker blaring" in a roomful of people. "We used to have this very big loudspeaker, and now everyone has an earpiece," he said. The ability to adjust the frequency, duration and intensity of the signals could enable the development of novel sensory prosthetic devices. "Neuron activation is more diffuse if you use a larger current," Luan said. "We were able to reduce the current and showed that we have a much more focused activation. This can translate to higher-resolution stimulation devices." Luan and Xie are core members of the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative and their labs are also collaborating on the development of an implantable visual prosthetic device for blind patients. "Envision one day being able to implant electrode arrays to restore impaired sensory function: The more focused and deliberate is the activation of the neurons, the more precise the sensation you're generating," Luan said. An earlier iteration of the devices was used to record brain activity. "We have had a series of publications showing this intimate tissue integration enabled by our electrode's ultraflexible design really improves our ability to record brain activity for longer durations and with better signal-to-noise ratios," said Luan, who has been promoted to associate professor effective July 1. Electrical and computer engineering postdoctoral associate Roy Lycke and graduate student Robin Kim are lead authors on the study. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS109361, U01 NS115588) and Rice internal funds supported the research. - [Source-shifting metastructures composed of only one resin for location camouflaging](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230530125407.htm): The field of transformation optics has flourished over the past decade, allowing scientists to design metamaterial-based structures that shape and guide the flow of light. One of the most dazzling inventions potentially unlocked by transformation optics is the invisibility cloak -- a theoretical fabric that bends incoming light away from the wearer, rendering them invisible. Interestingly, such illusions are not restricted to the manipulations of light alone. Many of the techniques used in transformation optics have been applied to sound waves, giving rise to the parallel field of transformation acoustics. In fact, researchers have already made substantial progress by developing the "acoustic cloak," the analog of the invisibility cloak for sounds. While research on acoustic illusion has focused on the concept of masking the presence of an object, not much progress has been made on the problem of location camouflaging. The concept of an acoustic source-shifter utilizes a structure that makes the location of the sound source appear different from its actual location. Such devices capable of "acoustic location camouflaging" could find applications in advanced holography and virtual reality. Unfortunately, the nature of location camouflaging has been scarcely studied, and the development of accessible materials and surfaces that would provide a decent performance has proven challenging. Against this backdrop, Professor Garuda Fujii, affiliated with the Institute of Engineering and Energy Landscape Architectonics Brain Bank (ELab2) at Shinshu University, Japan, has now made progress in developing high-performance source-shifters. In a recent study published in the Journal of Sound and Vibration online on May 5, 2023, Prof. Fujii presented an innovative approach to designing source-shifter structures out of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), an elastic polymer commonly used in 3D printing. Prof. Fujii's approach is centered around a core concept: inverse design based on topology optimization. The numerical approach builds on the reproduction of pressure fields (sound) emitted by a virtual source, i.e., the source that nearby listeners would mistakenly perceive as real. Next, the pressure fields emitted by the actual source are manipulated to camouflage the location and make it sound as if coming from a different location in space. This can be achieved with the optimum design of a metastructure that, by the virtue of its geometry and elastic properties, minimizes the difference between the pressure fields emitted from the actual and virtual sources. Utilizing this approach, Prof. Fujii implemented an iterative algorithm to numerically determine the optimal design of ABS resin source-shifters according to various design criteria. His models and simulations had to account for the acoustic-elastic interactions between fluids (air) and solid elastic structures, as well as the actual limitations of modern manufacturing technology. The simulation results revealed that the optimized structures could reduce the difference between the emitted pressure fields of the masked source and those of a bare source at the virtual location to as low as 0.6%. "The optimal structure configurations obtained via topology optimization exhibited good performances at camouflaging the actual source location despite the simple composition of ABS that did not comprise complex acoustic metamaterials", remarks Prof. Fujii. To shed more light on the underlying camouflaging mechanisms, Prof. Fujii analyzed the importance of the distance between the virtual and actual sources. He found that a greater distance did not necessarily degrade the source-shifter's performance. He also investigated the effect of changing the frequency of the emitted sound on the performance as the source-shifters had been optimized for only one target frequency. Finally, he explored whether a source-shifter could be topologically optimized to operate at multiple sound frequencies. While his approach requires further fine-tuning, the findings of this study will surely help advance illusion acoustics. He concludes, "The proposed optimization method for designing high-performance source-shifters will help in the development of acoustic location camouflage and the advancement of holography technology." - [Hydrogen battery: Storing hydrogen in coal may help power clean energy economy](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230526121105.htm): The quest to develop hydrogen as a clean energy source that could curb our dependence on fossil fuels may lead to an unexpected place -- coal. A team of Penn State scientists found that coal may represent a potential way to store hydrogen gas, much like batteries store energy for future use, addressing a major hurdle in developing a clean energy supply chain. "We found that coal can be this geological hydrogen battery," said Shimin Liu, associate professor of energy and mineral engineering at Penn State. "You could inject and store the hydrogen energy and have it there when you need to use it." Hydrogen is a clean burning fuel and shows promise for use in the most energy intensive sectors of our economy -- transportation, electricity generation and manufacturing. But much work remains to build a hydrogen infrastructure and make it an affordable and reliable energy source, the scientists said. This includes developing a way to store hydrogen, which is currently expensive and inefficient. Geologic formations are an intriguing option, the scientists said, because they can store large amounts of hydrogen to meet the peaks and valleys as energy demand changes daily or seasonally. "Coal is well-studied, and we have been commercially producing gas from coal for almost a half century," Liu said. "We understand it. We have the infrastructure. I think coal would be the logical place to do geological hydrogen storage." To put this to the test, the scientists analyzed eight types of coals from coalfields across the United States to better understand their sorption and diffusion potential, or how much hydrogen they can hold. All eight coals showed considerable sorption properties, with low-volatile bituminous coal from eastern Virgina and anthracite coal from eastern Pennsylvania performing the best in tests, the scientists reported in the journal Applied Energy. "I think it's highly possible that coal could be the very top selection for geological storage from a scientific perspective," said Liu. "We find that coal outperforms other formations because it can hold more, it has existing infrastructure and is widely available across the country and near populated areas." Depleted coalbed methane reservoirs may be the best candidates. These seams contain unconventional natural gas like methane and have become an important source of fossil fuel energy over the last several decades. The methane sticks to the surface of the coal, in a process called adsorption. Similarly, injecting hydrogen into coal would cause that gas to absorb or stick to the coal. These formations often have a layer of shale or mudstone on top that act as a seal keeping methane, or in this case hydrogen, sealed until it is needed and pumped back out, the scientists said. "A lot of people define coal as a rock, but it's really a polymer," Liu said. "It has high carbon content with a lot of small pores that can store much more gas. So coal is like a sponge that can hold many more hydrogen molecules compared to other non-carbon materials." The scientists designed special equipment to conduct the experiments. Coal has a weaker affinity with hydrogen compared to other sorbing gases like methane and carbon dioxide, so traditional pressurized equipment for determining sorption would not have worked. "We did a very novel and very challenging design," Liu said. "It took years to figure out how to do this properly. We had to properly design an experiment system, trial and error based on our previous experience with coals and shales." Based on their results, the scientists determined anthracite and semi-anthracite coals are good candidates for hydrogen storage in depleted coal seams, and low-volatile bituminous coal are better candidates for gassy coal seams. Developing hydrogen storage in coal mining communities could bring new economic opportunities to these regions while also helping create the nation's hydrogen infrastructure. "In the energy transition, it's really coal communities that have been the most impacted economically," Liu said. "This is certainly an opportunity to repurpose the coal region. They already have the expertise -- the energy engineer and skills. If we can build an infrastructure and change their economic opportunities -- I think that's something we should consider." Future work will focus on the dynamic diffusivity and dynamic permeability of coal, features which determine how quickly hydrogen can be injected and pumped back out, the scientists said. "I think Penn State is the right place to do all this research -- we have the coal reserves, we have natural gas, we have both the engineering and economic expertise at the University," Liu said. "This is the logical place to do this." Also contributing from Penn State was Ang Liu, instructor, John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering. - [Propellers are louder over ground](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230524182045.htm): The effects of the ground on propeller noise have been measured experimentally for the very first time by researchers in the Aeroacoustics research team at the University of Bristol. In findings, published in the Journal of Sound and Vibration, the team found clear differences in the noise characteristics of propellers when over ground, known as 'Ground Effect', compared to when operated normally. They noted an overall noise increase when measuring at angles above the ground, with hydrodynamic and acoustic interaction effects being a key factor to the overall noise trends. It is hoped this research, tested in the National Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel facility, can inform strategies to reduce the noise of aircraft while taking off or landing, by either changing the design of the landing pads or by changing the design of proposed aircraft architectures. Lead author Liam Hanson explained: "In light of the need for greener aviation, there has been a push in the aviation industry to develop electrified aircraft. "There is a lot of potential benefits from electric aircraft which have been identified by a variety of companies worldwide, including all of the major aircraft manufacturers." However, if urban air services such as on demand air taxis are to become a reality within city limits, engineers must tackle the issue of sound pollution, generated by propellers. An important subset of electric aircraft being developed recently are for the purposes of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). These aircraft can be broadly considered to fit in three different categories. The first is Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft which is focussing on Urban Air Mobility (UAM) applications such as air taxis, patient transfers, rooftop-to-rooftop trips within cities and airport transfers. The second category is Electric Conventional Take-Off and Landing (eCTOL) aircraft which is being developed for Regional Air Mobility (RAM). RAM focusses on cargo deliveries, short-range flights and passenger transfers from rural regions. The most commonly recognisable electric aircraft, small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) or drones, can be considered the third category which focusses on videography, small package delivery and medical supply transfer. Each of these categories of electric aircraft often uses propellers or rotors to generate thrust to take off and land. Crucially, eVTOL aircraft are operating in urban areas with large populations and as a result the noise generated by the aircraft is critical to understand and reduce if UAM is to be possible. The propellers used by the aircraft are smaller than helicopters which have been in use for years, usually being far smaller in diameter and rotating at higher speeds. As a result the noise characteristics are very different to the existing knowledge, and so further research is required. While eVTOL and sUAS aircraft are taking off or landing from a rooftop or landing pad, the propellers are likely to experience Ground Effect, an aerodynamic phenomenon which changes the performance of propellers. This change in the propeller aerodynamics within Ground Effect changes the acoustic performance of the propellers and causes complex interactions. Liam said: "Until now, no literature existed for the problem of isolated propeller noise in ground effect. "Our research sought to answer for the first time what happens to propeller noise while it operates in Ground Effect and what are the key acoustic and aerodynamic interactions which are most important to understand. "For the first time we have comprehensively measured the noise of small-scale propellers during take-off and landing while interacting with the ground. It is clear we can expect louder eVTOL aircraft during take-off and landing if the complex interactions with the ground are not considered." Based off their new understanding of propeller noise in Ground Effect, they are now conducting additional tests on different methods to potentially reduce the noise of the entire system. The research was sponsored by Embraer S.A. and the Horizon 2020 SilentProp project (agreement number 882842). - [Quantum matter breakthrough: Tuning density waves](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230524181906.htm): Scientists at EPFL have found a new way to create a crystalline structure called a "density wave" in an atomic gas. The findings can help us better understand the behavior of quantum matter, one of the most complex problems in physics. "Cold atomic gases were well known in the past for the ability to 'program' the interactions between atoms," says Professor Jean-Philippe Brantut at EPFL. "Our experiment doubles this ability!" Working with the group of Professor Helmut Ritsch at the University of Innsbruck, they have made a breakthrough that can impact not only quantum research but quantum-based technologies in the future. Density waves Scientists have long been interested in understanding how materials self-organize into complex structures, such as crystals. In the often-arcane world of quantum physics, this sort of self-organization of particles is seen in 'density waves', where particles arrange themselves into a regular, repeating pattern or 'order'; like a group of people with different colored shirts on standing in a line but in a pattern where no two people with the same color shirt stand next to each other. Density waves are observed in a variety of materials, including metals, insulators, and superconductors. However, studying them has been difficult, especially when this order (the patterns of particles in the wave) occurs with other types of organization such as superfluidity -- a property that allows particles to flow without resistance. It's worth noting that superfluidity is not just a theoretical curiosity; it is of immense interest for developing materials with unique properties, such as high-temperature superconductivity, which could lead to more efficient energy transfer and storage, or for building quantum computers. Tuning a Fermi gas with light To explore this interplay, Brantut and his colleagues, the researchers created a "unitary Fermi gas," a thin gas of lithium atoms cooled to extremely low temperatures, and where atoms collide with each other very often. The researchers then placed this gas in an optical cavity, a device used to confine light in a small space for an extended period of time. Optical cavities are made of two facing mirrors that reflect incoming light back and forth between them thousands of times, allowing light particles, photons, to build up inside the cavity. In the study, the researchers used the cavity to cause the particles in the Fermi gas to interact at long distance: a first atom would emit a photon that bounces onto the mirrors, which is then reabsorbed by second atom of the gas, regardless how far it is from the first. When enough photons are emitted and reabsorbed -- easily tuned in the experiment -- the atoms collectively organize into a density wave pattern. "The combination of atoms colliding directly with each other in the Fermi gas, while simultaneously exchanging photons over long distance, is a new type of matter where the interactions are extreme," says Brantut. "We hope what we will see there will improve our understanding of some of the most complex materials encountered in physics." - [How spheres become worms](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230427114502.htm): Hydrogels? Many people use these substances without knowing it. As superabsorbents in nappies, for example, hydrogels absorb a lot of liquid. In the process, the initially dry material becomes Jelly-like, but it does not wet. Some people place the swellable material on their eyeballs -- soft contact lenses are also just hydrogels. The same goes for jelly and other everyday materials. Hydrogels also play a role in science. From a chemical point of view, they are long, three-dimensionally cross-linked polymer molecules that form cavities. Inside, they can absorb and hold water molecules. In the working group of former Würzburg chemistry professor Robert Luxenhofer, the suitability of hydrogels for biofabrication is being tested: For example, hydrogels can be used for 3D printing as scaffold structures, on which cells can be attached. In this way, for example, artificial tissues can be produced for medical research and regenerative therapies. Hydrogel formation posed a puzzle During this research, Dr. Lukas Hahn in Luxenhofer's team noticed an unusual form of hydrogel formation. He observed it in polymers intended for nanomedicine, specifically for drug delivery. These polymers arrange themselves into spherical nanoparticles in water at 40 degrees. When the water is cooled to below 32 degrees, the spheres cluster into worm-like structures and a gel is formed. When heated, it dissolves again. "This behaviour is very rare in synthetic polymers and was completely unexpected," explains Robert Luxenhofer, who now teaches and researches at the University of Helsinki. If it does occur, the gel formation is usually due to hydrogen bonds -- attractive forces between polar functional groups involving hydrogen atoms that have a stabilising effect. Such interactions are of central importance for the structure and function of proteins, for example. However, things are quite different with the polymers we are dealing with here. In terms of their chemical structure, they are not capable of forming hydrogen bonds with each other. Apparently, the researchers had stumbled upon an unknown mechanism of gel formation. Breakthrough with NMR spectroscopy To solve the puzzle, Robert Luxenhofer sought a cooperation with chemistry professor Ann-Christin Pöppler at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), an expert in the characterisation of nanoparticles made of polymers. In cooperation with other research groups, her team took a closer look at the peculiar form of gel formation -- a complex puzzle that took a good two years to solve. "We were able to elucidate the unknown mechanism because we used a wide variety of analytical tools. In the end, however, the breakthrough came with various methods of NMR spectroscopy," explains the JMU chemist. Her doctoral student Theresa Zorn found out what leads to gel formation in this case: specific interactions between amide groups of the water-soluble and phenyl rings of the non-water-soluble polymer building blocks. These interactions cause the spherical nanoparticles to condense and restructure into worm-like structures. The findings could be confirmed by theoretical calculations: Dr Josef Kehrein, a former PhD student of JMU professor Christoph Sotriffer, an expert in computer-aided modelling of three-dimensional interactions between molecules, succeeded in doing so. He, too, is now working in Helsinki. The results have been published in ACS Nano, a journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The German Research Foundation (DFG), the Academy of Finland and other supporters funded the work. Which research steps follow Where do we go from here? The researchers are convinced that the newly discovered mechanism of hydrogel formation is also relevant for other polymers and for their interactions with biological tissues. Therefore, the team wants to chemically modify the polymers to see how this affects their properties and hydrogelation. It may be possible to specifically influence the gelation temperature as well as the strength and durability of the gel. From the modified materials, one could select those that are most suitable for use in biofabrication. Funded by the Universitätsbund Würzburg, Ann-Christin Pöppler's team also wants to investigate whether the nanoparticles and thus also the hydrogel can be loaded with "guest molecules." This might be interesting for medical applications -- if the gel dissolves at body temperature, it could release the active substances with which it was previously loaded. Applications in the form of implants, plasters or contact lenses are conceivable. - [New chemistry can extract virgin-grade materials from wind turbine blades in one process](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230426210454.htm): The new chemical process is not limited to wind turbine blades but works on many different so-called fibre-reinforced epoxy composites, including some materials that are reinforced with especially costly carbon fibres. Thus, the process can contribute to establishing a potential circular economy in the wind turbine, aerospace, automotive and space industries, where these reinforced composites, due to their light weight and long durability, are used for load-bearing structures. Being designed to last, the durability of the blades poses an environmental challenge. Wind turbine blades mostly end up at waste landfills when they are decommissioned, because they are extremely difficult to break down. If no solution is found, we will have accumulated 43 million tonnes of wind turbine blade waste globally by 2050. The newly discovered process is a proof-of-concept of a recycling strategy that can be applied to the vast majority of both existing wind turbine blades and those presently in production, as well as other epoxy-based materials. The results have just been published in the leading scientific journal Nature, and Aarhus University, together with the Danish Technological Institute, have filed a patent application for the process. Specifically, the researchers have shown that by using a ruthenium-based catalyst and the solvents isopropanol and toluene, they can separate the epoxy matrix and release one of the epoxy polymer's original building blocks, bisphenol A (BPA), and fully intact glass fibres in a single process. However, the method is not immediately scalable yet, as the catalytic system is not efficient enough for industrial implementation -- and ruthenium is a rare and expensive metal. Therefore, the scientists from Aarhus University are continuing their work on improving this methodology. "Nevertheless, we see it as a significant breakthrough for the development of durable technologies that can create a circular economy for epoxy-based materials. This is the first publication of a chemical process that can selectively disassemble an epoxy composite and isolate one of the most important building blocks of the epoxy polymer as well as the glass or carbon fibres without damaging the latter in the process," says Troels Skrydstrup, one of the lead authors of the study. Troels Skrydstrup is a professor at the Department of Chemistry and the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) at Aarhus University. The research is supported by the CETEC project (Circular Economy for Thermosets Epoxy Composites), which is a partnership between Vestas, Olin Corporation, the Danish Technological Institute and Aarhus University. - [Scientists demonstrate unprecedented sensitivity in measuring time delay between two photons](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230425111221.htm): A team of researchers has demonstrated the ultimate sensitivity allowed by quantum physics in measuring the time delay between two photons. By measuring their interference at a beam-splitter through frequency-resolving sampling measurements, the team has shown that unprecedented precision can be reached within current technology with an error in the estimation that can be further decreased by decreasing the photonic temporal bandwidth. This breakthrough has significant implications for a range of applications, including more feasible imaging of nanostructures, including biological samples, and nanomaterial surfaces, as well as quantum enhanced estimation based on frequency-resolved boson sampling in optical networks. The research was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of Portsmouth, led by Dr Vincenzo Tamma, Director of the University's Quantum Science and Technology Hub. Dr Tamma said: "Our technique exploits the quantum interference occurring when two single photons impinging on the two faces of a beam-splitter are indistinguishable when measured at the beam splitter output channels. If, before impinging on the beam splitter, one photon is delayed in time with respect to the other by going through or being reflected by the sample, one can retrieve in real time the value of such a delay and therefore the structure of the sample by probing the quantum interference of the photons at the output of the beam splitter. "We showed that the best precision in the measurement of the time delay is achieved when resolving such two-photon interference with sampling measurements of the two photons in their frequencies. Indeed, this ensures that the two photons remain completely indistinguishable at detectors, irrespective of their delay at any value of their sampled frequencies detected at the output." The team proposed the use of a two-photon interferometer to measure the interference of two photons at a beam-splitter. They then introduced a technique based on frequency-resolving sampling measurements to estimate the time delay between the two photons with the best possible precision allowed by nature, and with an increasing sensitivity at the decreasing of the photonic temporal bandwidth. Dr Tamma added: "Our technique overcomes the limitations of previous two-photon interference techniques not retrieving the information on the photonic frequencies in the measurement process. "It allows us to employ photons of the shortest duration experimentally possible without affecting the distinguishability of the time-delayed photons at the detectors, and therefore maximising the precision of the delay estimation with a remarkable reduction in the number of required pairs of photons. This allows a relatively fast and efficient characterisation of the given sample paving the way to applications in biology and nanoengineering." The applications of this breakthrough research are significant. It has the potential to significantly improve the imaging of nanostructures, including biological samples, and nanomaterial surfaces. Additionally, it could lead to quantum-enhanced estimation based on frequency-resolved boson sampling in optical networks. - [Students ease end-of-semester stress with Afro-Brazilian Capoeira class](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629510516/OopqO6DgLmgFGhkv?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian activity that combines elements … Mestre Lobinho, from the Brazilian Michigan Cultural Center located … –Brazilian tradition, from when the slaves were brought to Brazil, … semester stress with Afro-Brazilian Capoeira class” on social … - [Apex will have an office in Lisbon to promote exports from Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629509678/4kIjr_7Bk0InbYyS?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (apex Brazil) … of the relationship between Brazil and Portugal”. The … education, justice, health, economy and culture. Lula highlighted … Portugal and Brazil, through the co-financing of projects … - [Exclusive: FIFA U-20 WC: Brazil, Italy Not A Threat To Flying Eagles -Lawal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629484290/s3MIK58rJATneRid?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Eagles winger, Garba Lawal believes Brazil and Italy won’t pose … the group of death alongside Brazil, Italy and Dominican Republic. However … Eagles have been grouped with Brazil and Italy because I know … not the senior national team. “Brazil is a big name at … - [Orlando City to host friendly vs. Brazil side Ponte Preta on May 2](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629483843/oTZnsBtE5KEyMSD1?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … fans and yet additional economic benefits for the region,… a statement. “More Brazilians travel to Orlando than from … outside Brazil, as well as generate new international business opportunities … Ponte’s Chief Finance Officer and president of the … - [Go in with a plan when dining at Texas de Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629483738/KDUErj4Nv-teRnoj?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … plans involve Texas de Brazil, the Brazilian steakhouse that opened … – a Caipirinha ($5), Brazil's national cocktail, a … of garlic mashed potatoes, Brazilian cheese bread and cinnamon … filet mignon wrapped in bacon, Brazilian sausage, herb-marinated pork … - [Brazil’s Lula declines invitation to visit Ukraine, sends aide instead](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629481213/PZHjy8WL-CRGeTtM?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … /Ueslei Marcelino) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da … to visit himself, the Brazilian newspaper wrote on April … Brazil's embassy in Lisbon, Portugal on April 22, where the Brazilian … want everything either,” Brazil's President added. We … - [Angering West over Ukraine stance, Brazil's Lula welcomed in Portugal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629475188/bnuVmxIytaaqTx7p?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … with other Brazilian government officials, “continues the agenda of relaunching Brazil… to around 300,000 Brazilians, and the South American nation will sign 13 … Brazil said Portugal could be an “important ally” to help South America… - [Brazil celebrates its giant trees on Earth Day 2023](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629469588/aqvNwJ1YMMX6uJVo?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … time Brazil was searching for new crops to boost the economy after … where she became familiar with Brazil's recently discovered largest … plywood and the angelim is Brazil's most exported tree. With Earth Day … - [Brazil’s president begins visit to European ally Portugal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629467164/s2ANTgJKs7qKm5or?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Brazil on an official visit on Saturday, as the Brazilian … to more than 250,000 Brazilians, and some were on … Brazilian leader reiterated his proposal that a group of nations including Brazil … between the space agencies of Brazil and Portugal. Before departing … - [Inter Allies striker Cornelius Yegah completes permanent transfer to Grêmio in Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629467048/5Eldlnx6SUTfZV-J?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): Sports News of Saturday, 22 April 2023 Source: footballghana.com 2023-04-22 Striker, Cornelius Mawuli Agben Yegah, has completed a transfer move to Brazilian club Ghana fourth-tier outfit Inter Allies FC have announced that their striker, Cornelius Mawuli … - [Chinese Language Day celebrated in Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629463151/moB2g57ig16INktT?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … cultural diversity.  This year in Brazil, the day was celebrated in … Institutes. The event comes as Brazil and China are pledging to … - [Brazil’s Oi postpones release of 2022 financial statements](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629462645/tFM0RGxoNR2OohoF?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … entered into a second bankruptcy protection in March just … with a group of its financial creditors. Oi, however, … and amortization (EBITDA) for Brazilian operations in the period came … purchase agreement with some financial creditors to establish terms … - [Brazil's Lula kicks off Portugal trip amid Ukraine criticism](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629460480/ZbjfhvWbMUJR5Hco?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … seeks to maintain Brazil's neutrality. Brazil-Portugal summit The … stage. Can Lula put Brazil back on the world stage … agenda of relaunching Brazil's diplomatic relations with … the EU and South America‘s Mercosur bloc. Brazil has called Portugal … - [Brazil's Lula doesn't want to 'please anyone' over Ukraine stance](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629459671/YfzQH_PE2fCKIU-E?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … was held outside the Brazilian embassy on Friday. Earlier … to around 300,000 Brazilians, and Brazil will sign various agreements during … transition, tourism and culture. Brazil has said Portugal could be … ally” to help South America‘s Mercosur bloc to … - [Ukrainians in Lisbon protest against Brazilian president's visit](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629456678/MWMJrILSsHbB2tRn?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … to the Brazilian Embassy and handed it to Brazil’s ambassador … minister Marcio Macedo. “Brazil and president Lula have … Twitter! Follow us! Two Brazilian officials told Reuters on … 22 April. Earlier, the Brazilian president angered many by suggesting … - [Brazil’s Lula starts Europe visit amid Ukraine tensions](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629452975/_aoyc1fkCwXC4HD-?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Volodymyr Zelensky,” the Brazilian government said. “Brazil is determined to contribute … due to meet business leaders on Monday in the … to renowned Brazilian singer-songwriter Chico Buarque. His … Originally published as Brazil's Lula starts Europe … - [Brazil's Lula welcomed in Portugal amid controversy over Ukraine comments](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629450941/apWP7EmEJpa1Fwmk?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … the agenda. Brazil's Lula condemns … invasion of Ukraine Brazil's former President … 300,000 Brazilians, and the South American nation will sign various agreements … Brazil has said Portugal could be an “important ally” to help South America… - [Brazil's President Lula kicks off visit to European ally Portugal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629449042/ejAy5g-uNzqGYVLA?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Silva of Brazil on an official visit Saturday, as the Brazilian leader … home to over 250,000 Brazilians, and some were on … between the space agencies of Brazil and Portugal. Before departing … Buarque and a visit to Brazilian airline manufacturer Embraer’ … - [FIFA U-20 W/Cup: Flying Eagles To Face Brazil, Italy, Dominican Republic In Group D](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629448394/hiY6r_sJmrI8lQWj?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … a tough Group D with Brazil, Italy and Dominican Republic for … . The Young Selecao of Brazil are five-time winners of … C with Japan, Israel and Colombia, while the Young Scorpions of … with Uruguay, Iraq and England. The tournament will hold in Argentina between … - [Brazil to build world's biggest mosquito factory in fight against dengue](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629447908/z0Z_tpJ27I_dIF4k?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a Brazilian science body in Rio de … mosquitoes in many of Brazil’s urban areas over … else in the world. Brazil has also been severely affected … habitats. Researchers in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia and Vietnam have already … - [Brazil’s Lula kicks off visit to European ally Portugal](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629445400/KubVBlUEMRTPMKfP?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Silva of Brazil on an official visit Saturday, as the Brazilian leader … home to over 250,000 Brazilians, and some were on hand … between the space agencies of Brazil and Portugal. Before departing … Buarque and a visit to Brazilian airline manufacturer Embraer’s … - [Russia is landing new buyers for its sanctioned diesel all over the world and Brazil's taking advantage of the steep discounts.](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629445339/znsRA13ComcoLlNT?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … does this data on Brazil's diesel imports fit into the … 39;s bank crisis are already making their way through the economy — and … challenges to the US currency on the world stage. 3 … to fight inflation is causing a cracking in the financial markets.… - [Brazil: No secrecy on Jan. 8 riots footage, De Moraes rules](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629439411/eZTenEEnEkEaHAwo?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … who looked the other way Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice … after recordings released by CNN Brazil showed former GSI minister Gonçalves … - [Russian diesel exports hit record highs as the sanctioned fuel cuts into the US market share](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629438684/aCejwwnLsG7JVAYO?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … the app Russian diesel exports saw their highest-volume … , the European Union banned imports of refined Russian fuels, … 50% in April. Brazil's diesel imports from Russia, meanwhile, … illustrate that the economics work for both Russia and Brazil.  ” … - [Brazilian president responds to invitation to visit Ukraine, decides to send envoy](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629436500/WW1wt5TuejVmEVBI?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … special assistant to the Brazilian president for international affairs, … general secretariat of the Brazilian president’s administration, Marcio … , the day before, Brazilian President Lula da Silva accused … by saying that Brazil was thus repeating Russian … - [Celtic fans lap up Wrexham connection as staff member spotted in Hoops to prove Alan Brazil point](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629432541/Bnlcr4vT_PC6-2JS?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … and Wrexham – with Alan Brazil's point on the … .’ Die-hard Hoops fan Brazil brought up the topic of … started his career in Glasgow. Brazil said: “I read somewhere … - [Brazil's Lula to send advisor to meet with Zelensky in Kiev: Minister](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629426953/Rfp8TQtrkqC92flD?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … President Volodymyr Zelensky. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula … the Presidency of Brazil, Marcio Macedo, announced … in Brazil with Lula, as the US criticized the South American leader … quot;deeply problematic”. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, … - [Brazil's Lula throws Brics at the US dollar](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629423050/ECs-tArCjV6A9wwm?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … for Chinese investment in South America, reaching $70 billion. Beijing views resource-rich Brazil as an economic and … Brazil and the other Brics countries?” Ms Rousseff, also a former Brazilian leader, currently runs the Brics Bank in … - [Brazilian soccer under suspicion of match-fixing](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629420077/4LtLh4rfoctJHHqH?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … shaken the top echelons of Brazilian soccer in recent days. … in the top division of Brazilian soccer were manipulated by … the second division of the Brazilian Championship. He received an … has been operating legally in Brazil since 2018 through a decree … - [As SCO and BRICS members, how Saudi Arabia and Iran can change East-West balance of power](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629418985/FgMhPEn1uulsWLbb?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … possible role in the powerful Brazil, Russia, India, China and South … been a strong demand from emerging market countries to deepen interaction with … - [It’s Flying Eagles against Brazil, Italy](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629409767/0Q2p_Ljueh0qkP3S?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … they were drawn against Brazil, Italy and Dominican Republic … , and Colombia. In Group E, South Americans Uruguay are up … and Honduras. Host nation Argentina, Uzbekistan, Guatemala, and New … Ecuador, Fiji, and Slovakia will do battle in Group B in South America … - [HostDime's Colombia Data Center First in Latin America to Achieve EDGE Green Certificate](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629405230/6E5-2qDXL8iglTsC?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … by the World Bank's International Finance Corporation that certifies … its purpose-built facilities in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and the USA. … of their Joao Pessoa, Brazil, data center, as well … facilities in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and our flagship facility … - [The Greenback’s Reign Is Secure For Now – Analysis](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629352406/7A_AsVo1EzPpuqhC?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … against other developed market and emerging market currencies coupled with announced plan … exporting countries such as Russia, Brazil and South Africa accumulate current … - [Global digital business school Hyper Island sees opportunities in PHL, opens programs](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629349279/45D5s5BnBFcfX07e?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … expanded to the United Kingdom, Brazil, North America, and Singapore. It … learning has significant potential in emerging markets, as per the International Finance … online learning higher than in emerging markets, where young populations, fewer existing … - [South African officials told Putin should attend summit virtually or be required to ARREST him](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629343182/MOt5CrEEDemooIwc?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): The BRICS group comprises of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South … host in August. BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South … group seen as a powerful emerging-market alternative to the West. In … - [Ukraine Activist Wants S.Africa To Ask Putin To Attend BRICS Summit Virtually](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629304263/GAmZ_WiTT2kVzRxq?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … August. The BRICS group comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South … bloc seen as a powerful emerging-market alternative to the West. … - [Paint Protection Film Market Size to be Valued USD 1210.76 Million in 2028 at 5.21% CAGR: By Xcellent Insights](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629271982/paint-protection-film-market-size-to-be-valued-usd-1210-76-million-in-2028-at-5-21-cagr-by-xcellent-insights?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … of Asia Pacific) • South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Rest of South … and opportunities for existing and emerging market players? • What are some of … - [2023 U-20 W/Cup Draw: Nigeria placed in Pot 3, likely to face Brazil, Argentina](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629275630/nHxN__RW_FFIYmvj?ref=rss&ecode=PPBFhmj6FbyhYp2P): … Eagles are likely to face Brazil and Argentina in the group stage … one and Brazil in pot two. Aside from the two South American football … in the same group with Uruguay (pot one), France (pot … April 2023, FIFA officially announced Argentina as the new host of … - [Oxford malaria vaccine rollout could have 'major' implications in sub-Saharan Africa, economist says](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629258560/D62PdblIXJzU-FQD?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … , dengue and zika virus in Brazil, known locally as mosquito da … ; according to William Jackson, chief emerging markets economist at Capital Economics. Lower … - [Workflow Automation Market is Expected to Surpass US$ 64.54 Billion by 2030 | Xerox Corporation, IBM Corporation, Bizagi](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629252522/workflow-automation-market-is-expected-to-surpass-us-64-54-billion-by-2030-xerox-corporation-ibm-corporation-bizagi?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … Asia Pacific) ◘ South America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Rest of South … . It covers topics such as emerging market circumstances, intended market channels, domain … - [GDPR Services Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 22.45% by 2030 | Infosys Limited, IBM Corporation, Atos SE](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629251581/gdpr-services-market-is-expected-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-22-45-by-2030-infosys-limited-ibm-corporation-atos-se?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … Asia Pacific) ◘ South America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Rest of South … . It covers topics such as emerging market circumstances, intended market channels, domain … - [Cell Line Development Market Is Estimated To Grow During 2023-2030: Coherent market Insights | Thermo Fisher Scientific.](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629238115/cell-line-development-market-is-estimated-to-grow-during-2023-2030-coherent-market-insights-thermo-fisher-scientific?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … .S. and Canada. Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Rest of … Following Reasons: ⮞The study examines emerging market trends as well as the … - [Nanobodies Market Research, Size, Share Analysis by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application to 2030 | Merck, Sanofi](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629233951/nanobodies-market-research-size-share-analysis-by-manufacturers-regions-type-and-application-to-2030-merck-sanofi?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … detailed information about the lucrative emerging market as well as examines the … Asia Pacific) Latin America (Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America … - [Water Soluble Films Market Share, Size, Financial Summaries Analysis from 2023-2030 | Aicello Corporation, Cortec Corp](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629233440/water-soluble-films-market-share-size-financial-summaries-analysis-from-2023-2030-aicello-corporation-cortec-corp?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … , and Southeast Asia) ◘ South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.) ◘ The Middle … Films Market in developed and emerging markets. ✦ Analysis of various perspectives of … - [Egg Packaging Market to Witness Huge Growth in Coming Years With Profiling Leading Companies |Huhtamaki, DAVA Foods](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629232308/egg-packaging-market-to-witness-huge-growth-in-coming-years-with-profiling-leading-companies-huhtamaki-dava-foods?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … , and Southeast Asia) ◘ South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.) ◘ The Middle … Packaging Market in developed and emerging markets. ✦ Analysis of various perspectives of … - [Abbott Laboratories (ABT) Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629172082/0EqQnqIyWdO6x3mK?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … led by strong performance in Brazil, China, and Southeast Asia, and … , I’d call, fast-growing emerging markets with a branded generic focus … - [Nigeria’s Economy: The Path to Prosperity](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629149713/L03peoyVccfLytX6?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … . Comparisons with Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil and South Korea will make … of Sogato Strategies LLC, an emerging markets investment and risk advisory firm … - [Do higher-order interactions promote synchronization?](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230420171635.htm): Researchers use networks to model the dynamics of coupled systems ranging from food webs to neurological processes. Those models originally focused on pairwise interactions, or behaviors that emerge from interactions between two entities. But in the last few years, network theorists have been asking, what about phenomena that involve three or more? In medicine, antibiotic combinations may fight a bacterial infection differently than they would on their own. In ecology, survival strategies may arise from three competing species that aren't observable when looking at individual pairs. Network theorists call these phenomena "higher-order interactions." Understanding them can be tricky, says Yuanzhao Zhang, an SFI Complexity Postdoctoral Fellow who uses network theory to study collective behaviors. How the network is represented, for example, can influence how the phenomena emerge. In a new paper in Nature Communications, Zhang and his colleagues show how the choice of network representation can influence the observed effects. Their work focuses on the phenomenon of synchronization, which emerges in systems from circadian clocks to vascular networks. Previous studies have suggested that these behaviors can improve synchronization, but the question of when and why that happens has largely remained unexplored. "We don't have a very good understanding of how the higher-order coupling structure influences synchronization," says Zhang. "For systems with nonpairwise interactions, we want to know, how does their representation affect the dynamics?" Zhang and his colleagues studied two frameworks used to model interactions beyond pairwise ones: hypergraphs and simplicial complexes. Hypergraphs use so-called "hyperedges" to connect three or more nodes, analogous to how conventional networks use edges. Simplicial complexes are more structured, using triangles (and higher-dimensional surfaces analogous to triangles) to represent those connections. Simplicial complexes are more specialized than general hypergraphs, says Zhang, which means that to model higher-order interactions, triangles can only be added in regions that are already well-connected. "It's this rich-gets-richer effect that makes simplicial complexes more heterogeneous than hypergraphs in general," Zhang says. Researchers generally don't consider the two frameworks to be very different. "People have been using those two frameworks interchangeably, choosing one or the other based on technical convenience," Zhang says, "but we found that they might be very different" in how they influence synchronization. In the paper, Zhang and his colleagues reported that networks modeled with hypergraphs easily give rise to synchronization, while simplicial complexes tend to complicate the process due to their highly heterogeneous structure. That suggests choices in higher-order representations can influence the outcome, and Zhang suspects the results can be extended to other dynamical processes such as diffusion or contagion. "Structural heterogeneity is important not just in synchronization, but is fundamental to most dynamic processes," he says. "Whether we model the system as a hypergraph or simplicial complex can drastically affect our conclusions." - [Exosomes Market Size, Share, Trends and Growth Analysis Report Forecast to 2030](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629061925/exosomes-market-size-share-trends-and-growth-analysis-report-forecast-to-2030?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … the regulatory framework, current and emerging market trends, production and consumption patterns … of APAC) Latin America (Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America … - [Versatile, high-speed, and efficient crystal actuation with photothermally resonated natural vibrations](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230420110146.htm): Mechanically responsive molecular crystals are extremely useful in soft robotics, which requires a versatile actuation technology. Crystals driven by the photothermal effect are particularly promising for achieving high-speed actuation. However, the response (bending) observed in these crystals is usually small. Now, scientists from Japan address this issue by inducing large resonated natural vibrations in anisole crystals with UV light illumination at the natural vibration frequency of the crystal. Every material possesses a unique natural vibration frequency such that when an external periodic force is applied to this material close to this frequency, the vibrations are greatly amplified. In the parlance of physics, this phenomenon is known as "resonance." Resonance is ubiquitous in our daily life, and, depending on the context, could be deemed desirable or undesirable. For instance, musical instruments like the guitar relies on resonance for sound amplification. On the other hand, buildings and bridges are more likely to collapse under an earthquake if the ground vibration frequency matches their natural frequency. Interestingly, natural vibration has not received much attention in material actuation, which relies on the action of mechanically responsive crystals. Versatile actuation technologies are highly desirable in the field of soft robotics. Although crystal actuation based on processes like photoisomerisation and phase transitions have been widely studied, these processes lack versatility since they require specific crystals to work. One way to improve versatility is by employing photothermal crystals, which show bending due to light-induced heating. While promising for achieving high-speed actuation, the bending angle is usually small ( - [PV Talks: TrinaTracker enters new growth cycle](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/629040714/MzKT0T9zKHyAHN73?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … in countries and regions including Brazil, China and the Middle East … of power plant projects in emerging markets around the world will see … - [Agricultural Pheromones Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 650.40 Million in 2028 at 7.21% CAGR: By Xcellent Insights](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629030915/agricultural-pheromones-market-size-is-expected-to-reach-usd-650-40-million-in-2028-at-7-21-cagr-by-xcellent-insights?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … of Asia-Pacific) • South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Rest of South … and opportunities for existing and emerging market players? • What are some of … - [Algae Products Market Was Valued at USD 6908.20 Million in 2021 | Expected 2.26% CAGR by 2028: By Xcellent Insights](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629036730/algae-products-market-was-valued-at-usd-6908-20-million-in-2021-expected-2-26-cagr-by-2028-by-xcellent-insights?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … , Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam) • Latin America (Brazil, Argentina) • Middle East & Africa … and opportunities for existing and emerging market players? • What are some of … - [Rising Demand for Dental Handpieces in Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges (Updated PDF 2023)](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/628993745/rising-demand-for-dental-handpieces-in-emerging-markets-opportunities-and-challenges-updated-pdf-2023?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): By region, North America held the largest share in 2021 and would rule the roost through 2031. PORTLAND, OREGON, UNITED STATES, April 20, 2023 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ — Allied Market Research has published a study report with the title Dental … - [Hematology Analyzers and Reagents Market Manufacturers, Research Methodology and Business Opportunities by 2032](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629035272/hematology-analyzers-and-reagents-market-manufacturers-research-methodology-and-business-opportunities-by-2032?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … .S., Canada) Latin America (Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America … major growth prospects for the emerging market players in the leading regions … - [Synthetic Lubricants Market Size & Share to Surpass $21.88 Billion by 2030 | Vantage Market Research](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629032357/synthetic-lubricants-market-size-share-to-surpass-21-88-billion-by-2030-vantage-market-research?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America … on more than 20,000 emerging markets, in turn, helping our clients … - [Veterinary Diagnostics Market Forecasted to Reach Nearly USD 5.01 Billion by 2029, Size, Share, Industry Demand, Rising Trends, Growth and Competitive Outlook](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/629028863/veterinary-diagnostics-market-forecasted-to-reach-nearly-usd-5-01-billion-by-2029-size-share-industry-demand-rising-trends-growth-and-competitive?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Brazil+%26+Emerging+Markets+News&utm_content=article): … platform, you can: Identify emerging market trends and dynamics Access … Rest of Asia- Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America … Rest of Asia- Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America … Rest of Asia- Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South … - [The west has too little to offer leaders like Lula](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628985990/829YQzN0HkigwUAF?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … labelled “colonial”, where Brazil exported commodities but undercut its … barriers. Tatiana Prazeres, Brazil’s foreign trade secretary, … to export into the Brazilian market more than directly … . Many emerging markets are in similar positions to Brazil, and … - [ISSB preparing to go beyond climate](https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/issb-preparing-to-go-beyond-climate-on-sustainability-standards): The International Sustainability Standards Board, which has so far concentrated mainly on climate issues, said itit plans to seek feedback on four new potential projects. These projects include biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services; human capital; human rights; and integration in reporting. feedback from stakeholders indicated climate change-related issues should be the main priority at the moment. But the ISSB plans to publish a request for information about its future agenda priorities in May, with a comment period of 120 days. The ISSB plans to balance advancing new research and standard-setting projects with its previously agreed upon activities to build on the […] - [How intelligent is Bard when it comes to accounting career advice?](https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/how-intelligent-is-bard-when-it-comes-to-accounting-career-advice): I recently received an invitation from Google to try out its new AI tool, Bard. I heard stories about individuals trying to stump AI personalities, so I thought I might give it a shot as well. I wanted to pose questions that I had already answered, as a semi-intelligent real person, and see what Bard had to say on a topic I had already tackled. I remembered the article I wrote for Accounting Today in March 2021 titled, “Which is more difficult: The CPA Exam or the Bar?” I am a licensed attorney and CPA, so I thought I could adequately […] - [3 of my favourite value stocks in emerging markets](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628804311/feCLBV7S8x-tkI_7?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … prices. Companies with exposure to emerging markets often receive less attention, presenting … other Latin American markets, including Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina. Revenue … is critical. Having exposure to emerging markets and finding quality companies is … - [Physicists find unusual waves in nickel-based magnet](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230418195439.htm): Perturbing electron spins in a magnet usually results in excitations called "spin waves" that ripple through the magnet like waves on a pond that's been struck by a pebble. In a new study, Rice University physicists and their collaborators have discovered dramatically different excitations called "spin excitons" that can also "ripple" through a nickel-based magnet as a coherent wave. In a study published in Nature Communications, the researchers reported finding unusual properties in nickel molybdate, a layered magnetic crystal. Subatomic particles called electrons resemble miniscule magnets, and they typically orient themselves like compass needles in relation to magnetic fields. In experiments where neutrons were scattered from magnetic nickel ions inside the crystals, the researchers found that two outermost electrons from each nickel ion behaved differently. Rather than aligning their spins like compass needles, the two canceled one another in a phenomenon physicists call a spin singlet. "Such a substance should not be a magnet at all," said Rice's Pengcheng Dai, corresponding author of the study. "And if a neutron scatters off a given nickel ion, the excitations should remain local and not propagate through the sample." Dai and his collaborators were therefore surprised when instruments in the neutron-scattering experiments detected not one, but two families of propagating waves, each at dramatically different energies. To understand the waves' origins, it was necessary to delve into the atomic details of the magnetic crystals. For instance, electromagnetic forces from atoms in crystals can compete with the magnetic field and affect electrons inside neighboring atoms. This is called the crystal field effect, and it can force electron spins to orient themselves along directions distinct from the orientation of the magnetic field. Probing crystal field effects in the nickel molybdate crystals required additional experiments and theoretical interpretation of the data from the experiments. "The collaboration between experimental groups and theory is paramount to painting a full picture and understanding the unusual spin excitations observed in this compound," said Rice co-author Emilia Morosan. Morosan's group probed the thermal response of the crystals to changes in temperature using specific heat measurements. From those experiments, the researchers concluded that two kinds of crystal field environments occurred in the layered nickel molybdate, and the two affected nickel ions very differently. "In one, the field effect is rather weak and corresponds to a thermal energy of about 10 Kelvin," said study co-author Andriy Nevidomskyy, a theoretical physicist at Rice who helped interpret the experimental data. "It is perhaps not surprising to see, at few-Kelvin temperatures, that neutrons can excite magnetic spin waves from nickel atoms that are subject to this first type of crystal field effect. But it is most puzzling to see them coming from nickel atoms that are subject to the second type. Those atoms have a tetrahedral arrangement of oxygens around them, and the electric field effect is nearly 20-fold stronger, meaning the excitations are that much harder to create." Nevidomskyy said this can be understood as if the spins on the corresponding nickel ions had different "mass." "The analogy is that of heavy basketballs that are intermixed with tennis balls," he said. "To excite the spins of the second type, the heavier basketballs, one must administer a stronger 'kick' by shining more energetic neutrons at the material." The resulting effect on the nickel spin is called a spin exciton, and one would normally expect the effect of the exciton-producing "kick" to be confined to a single atom. But measurements from the experiments indicated "basketballs" were moving in unison, creating an unexpected sort of wave. Even more surprising, the waves appeared to persist at relatively high temperatures where the crystals no longer behaved as magnets. The explanation offered by Nevidomskyy and theorist co-author Leon Balents from the University of California, Santa Barbara was: Heavier spin excitons -- basketballs in the analogy -- bob in response to the fluctuations of the surrounding, lighter magnetic excitons -- the analogous tennis balls -- and if the interactions between the two types of balls are sufficiently strong, the heavier spin excitons participate in a coherent motion akin to a wave. "What is particularly interesting," Dai said, "is that the two kinds of nickel atoms each form a triangular lattice, and the magnetic interactions within this lattice are therefore frustrated." In magnetism on triangular lattices, frustration refers to the difficulty in aligning all the magnetic moments anti-parallel (up-down) with respect to their three immediate, nearest neighbors. Understanding the role of magnetic frustrations in triangular lattices is one of the long-standing challenges that Dai and Nevidomskyy have both been working to address for a number of years. "It is very exciting to find a puzzle, against one's expectations, and then feel a sense of satisfaction of having understood its origin," said Nevidomskyy. Dai, Morosan and Nevidomskyy are members of the Rice Quantum Initiative. Dai is the Sam and Helen Worden Professor of Physics and Astronomy. Morosan is a professor of physics and astronomy, and of chemistry. Nevidomskyy is an associate professor of physics and astronomy. The neutron scattering experiments were carried out by Bin Gao and Tong Chen in Dai's group in collaboration with instrument scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Chien-Lung Huang, a research scientist in Morosan's group, performed the specific heat measurements and analysis. The research was supported by the Department of Energy (DE-SC0012311), the Welch Foundation (C-1839, C-1818 and C-2114) and the National Science Foundation (2116515). The neutron scattering measurements were performed at the Spallation Neutron Source, a Department of Energy facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and at the United Kingdom's ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. - [New answers on COVID relief](https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/new-answers-from-irs-on-covid-relief): The Internal Revenue Service, along with the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, has issued two new additions to frequently asked questions about how COVID-19-related relief measures will change when the officially declared public health emergency ends. Based on current trends, the Department of Health and Human Services plans for the federal PHE, which began three years ago, to end on May 11. The additions, Part 58 and Part 59 of the FAQs, clarify how coverage and payment requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act will change. Under the FFCRA and the […] - [Loss After Loss Is Bruising This Billionaire’s Reputation in Brazil](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628638217/jE8CL056J8RqEZtc?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … corporate blowup is tarnishing Brazilian billionaire Carlos Alberto Sicupira … about how some of Brazil’s most successful … Billionaires Index, making him Brazil’s fourth-richest man … Hanlon, chief strategist for emerging-market corporate credit at Santander … - [Xinhua Commentary: China-Brazil partnership continues to deepen](https://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/article/628607582/3OBfx0c3ooxbFPOk?ref=rss&ecode=CQ0jbgq8kOL0_GeK): … a great engine for the Brazilian agro-industry.” Bilateral … international influence and important emerging markets, China and Brazil coordinate and cooperate within … of Chinese immigrants to Brazil. The northeastern Brazilian city of Recife established … - [Investors are optimistic about future technology](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/14/content_37406015.htm): Investors say they remain optimistic that tech breakthroughs and entrepreneurship will help open new markets, despite a slowdown in funding dubbed “capital winter” in China. “There must be a cycle in the economy. Historically, investment and entrepreneurship would see their best chances amid some big challenges,” said Kaifu Lee, founder and CEO of the tech venture capital firm Sinovation Ventures. “Only those who have ideas, passion and ability will start a business.” His words came as China has seen a slowdown in fundraising for venture capital and private equity firms. In the first 11 months of this year, total fundraising was […] - [WTO can survive without the US](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415872.htm): Former trade rules chief bashes Trump’s tariffs, calls for multilateral rules-based order The World Trade Organization could continue even if the United States decides to leave it, according to a former trade rules chief. Pascal Lamy, former director-general of the World Trade Organization, said whether the US stays in depends on the world’s largest economy’s commitment to a multilateral rules-based order.   Pascal Lamy says US tariffs do nothing to reduce its overall trade deficit. Provided by CEIBS To China Daily “For the moment it is the big economy in the system, but it depends on whether you believe at the […] - [Documentary covers China's reform, opening-up](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415874.htm): A documentary marking the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up is garnering a global audience, especially in Asian countries, industry insiders say. The three-episode series, How China Made It, is airing on the Discovery Channel in more than 200 countries. Through interviews, the documentary looks back at how China has changed over the past 40 years and what the country has accomplished during that time. The series began on Dec 15 on Discovery and China’s streaming media service Youku and runs for two weeks. It was jointly produced by China Intercontinental Communication Center, Youku, the Discovery Channel and the United […] - [Social media in China continues to rapidly evolve](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415877.htm): The enormous and fast-paced sector in China is undergoing rapid change, now fusing with artificial intelligence The market for messaging apps and social media platforms in China is enormous. With over 1 billion people using internet-based mobile messengers on a daily basis, this oceanic market is teeming with savvy consumers, who are adventurous enough to be constantly on the look out for new features and abilities. Since its inception in 2011, cross-platform messaging apps such as Wechat dictate everyday life for over 889 million users. New features and the ever-changing demands of Chinese mobile owners however, are ensuring that the social […] - [Shenyang Siasun brings world-class robots to Singapore](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415882.htm): At the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit held in Singapore on Nov 12, Siasun Robot and Automation Co discussed new economic and trade cooperation with companies from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Based in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China’s Liaoning province, Siasun said it boasts a complete production line and business expanded to the global market. It expanded cooperation with Singapore in fields such as intelligent logistics and intelligent transportation, with a view to using the summit to fully showcase its core competitiveness and better join hands with friends throughout ASEAN nations.   From left: Businessmen talk at Siasun Robot […] - [Xi: Efforts to fight corruption needed](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415883.htm): President calls for improving national supervision system to cut down on graft President Xi Jinping is calling for intensified reform of the national supervision system to improve law-based and procedure-based anti-graft work. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the call while presiding over the group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Dec 13.   Party and government officials and their families visit an anti-corruption education center in Zaoqiang county, Hebei province. Li Xiaoguo / Xinhua Deepening reform of the supervision system is an important step in […] - [China embracing world](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415884.htm): President sums up country’s success over past 40 years, charts major tasks in future at key gathering President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to opening-up even more to the world at a grand gathering on Dec 18 to mark the 40th anniversary of the country’s reform and opening-up. “The practice of reform and opening-up over the past 40 years has shown that openness brings progress, while seclusion leads to backwardness,” Xi said.   President Xi Jinping attends a grand gathering celebrating the 40th anniversary of the country’s reform and opening-up at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec […] - [Modern marketing AI will read minds](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415887.htm): Today’s digital retail landscape has spoiled modern consumers to the point of expecting a personalized shopping experience. This means that marketers must improve customer interaction and meet these demands by tapping into artificial intelligence, industry experts say. Jacky Tang, general manager of Reo Communications, a digital marketing agency in Shanghai, points out that AI technology can allow marketers to separate their customers into distinct categories and understand exactly what motivates them. “By analyzing customers based on their movement among segments over time, we can achieve dynamic microsegmentation, and predict future behavior in a very accurate fashion,” he says. Tencent Holdings Ltd, […] - [Chinese rock star fuses visual, audible art](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415888.htm): Former vocalist of Chinese rock band Tang Dynasty hosts an exhibition of around 50 paintings inspired by his own musical creations Ding Wu is sitting in the middle of his own exhibition at the headquarters of Modern Sky, the biggest independent music label in China, surrounded by about 50 paintings that he created over the past few years. Among the paintings are seven works finished in the past year that were inspired by seven songs he wrote, produced and performed. The combination of these paintings and songs now represent his first project, titled One Moment, as a solo artist with Modern […] - [Hitting the right keys](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415889.htm): A young Israeli pianist is making waves with the way he interprets pieces written by famous composers As young Israeli pianist Boris Giltburg begins to talk about his unique musical interpretations, his eyes light up noticeably, radiating excitement and enthusiasm. For him, music evokes imagery in the same way poetry does. Composers intricately weave the notes, and within their musical phrases they deftly and wittily conceal their wild fantasies and subtle sensitivities, Giltburg says. Though he has toured China almost every year since 2007, Giltburg is faced with a particularly intense schedule on this year’s musical circuit. Just hours after his […] - [En papillote the Chinese way](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415891.htm): Editor’s Note: Traditional and fusion cooking styles, regional and international ingredients and a new awareness of healthy eating are all factors contributing to an exciting time for Chinese cuisine. We explore the possibilities. French cuisine holds parallels with Chinese cuisine, and the two are so similar, in fact, that the basics mirror each other most of the time. It is no use asking unanswerable questions about who came first. People with good palates and an appreciation of ingredients usually arrive at the same conclusions, even without consultation.   Wrapping food in paper before cooking preserves the best natural flavors. Photos Provided […] - [The long arm of German culture](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415892.htm): Goethe-Institut marks three decades since it set up operations in China with a 30-hour event The Goethe-Institut is celebrating its 30th anniversary in China this year. And one of the highlights was a 30-hour celebration, with concerts, performances, art installations, film screenings, lectures and events for children in November at its base in Beijing’s 798 art zone. Meanwhile, in 30 events held from September through early December, the organization held discussions addressing 30 essential questions about the future covering human and social development, art, technology, language and gender studies. “The celebration is a condensed version of our work,” says Clemens Treter, […] - [Imperial splash in Shanghai](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415893.htm): A large-scale exhibition celebrates the life and art of classic painter Dong Qichang The works of one of the most important figures in Chinese art history, Dong Qichang (1555-1636), are being presented in a large-scale exhibition at the Shanghai Museum. The Ferryman of the Ink World: Dong Qichang’s Calligraphy and Painting Art consists of 154 paintings and calligraphic works, some from the museum’s own collection and some borrowed from 15 other museums and cultural institutions, including the Palace Museum in Beijing, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Tokyo National Museum.   Landscape paintings by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) artist Dong […] - [Trichet 'confident' on EU-China deal](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415894.htm): Former European Central Bank head believes problems can be overcome with talks China’s ongoing efforts to reform and open up its domestic market will benefit the country and the rest of the world, according to former European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. This month marks the 40th anniversary of the official launch of China’s reform efforts, a landmark program that has turned the once-poor country into an economic powerhouse.   Jean-Claude Trichet, former European Central Bank president, says Beijing has sparked an economic miracle that’s remarkable in human history. Provided to China Daily On Dec 18, President Xi Jinping made a […] - [Need to get in shape? There's an app for that](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415895.htm): Millions using online platforms to support athletic lifestyles Liu Ya, a 28-year-old manager at a public relations agency in Beijing, switches on her phone and opens a fitness app. With just a few taps, she has registered for her weekly barre class, a program that involves using a handrail that provides support for various types of exercise, incorporates movements derived from ballet and combines positions and movements drawn from yoga and pilates. Liu then goes to the gym, checks in with her phone, changes into her sports gear and awaits the start of the class with 39 others.   Coaches at […] - [IN BRIEF (Page 24)](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415896.htm):   A businessman from Pakistan introduces products to visitors during the 2018 China International Winter Trade Fair for Tropical Agricultural Products in Haikou, Hainan province, on Dec 16. Yang Guanyu / Xinhua European Commission OKs insurance deal Chinese reinsurer China Re won approval from the European Commission on Dec 18 for its $865 million (759 million euros; ￡684 million) acquisition of global insurance group Chaucer. London-based Chaucer is active globally in the provision of reinsurance, general insurance and specialty insurance, while China Re is active globally in property and casualty reinsurance and insurance, life and health reinsurance and asset management. Rail […] - [How a Spanish hotelier found himself in China](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415898.htm): Bernardo Cabot first arrived in Shanghai in 2010 when he was sent by the Spanish hotel group, Melia Hotels International, to establish a presence in the Chinese market. The city was hosting the World Expo and the senior hotelier sensed the direction of the country’s development. “China knew very well what it wanted to be – more international, more open, more potentials for local companies, as well as foreign ones,” says Cabot, the group’s senior vice-president for the Asia-Pacific region. “But at that time what I felt was an intention, and what I saw was a vision.”   Bernardo Cabot, senior […] - [Japan's SoftBank says it has sold its shares in Nvidia for $5.8 billion, turning its focus to OpenAI](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/11/japans-softbank-says-sold-shares-nvidia-58b-turning-focus-openai/): TOKYO — Japanese technology giant SoftBank said Tuesday it has sold its stake in Nvidia, raising $5.8 billion to pour into other investments. It also reported its profit nearly tripled in the first half of this fiscal year from a year earlier. Tokyo-based SoftBank Group Corp. said it sold the stake in Silicon Vally-based Nvidia in October, a move that reflects its shift in focus to OpenAI, owner of the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT. SoftBank reported its profit in April-September soared to about 2.5 trillion yen (about $13 billion). Its sales for the six month period rose 7.7% year-on-year to 3.7 […] - [SoftBank rides the AI wave as OpenAI lifts Vision Fund to $19 billion gain](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/softbank-earnings-report-2q.html): Softbank is ploughing ahead with its push into AI, investing and acquiring firms that will bolster its presence in robots and Artificial Super Intelligence. The company said Tuesday that it will conduct a four-for-one stock split at the end of the year in a bid to make its shares more accessible to investors The Japanese conglomerate's stock has slumped in the past week as concerns of an artificial intelligence bubble sent jitters through global markets. The logo of Japanese company SoftBank Group is seen outside the company's headquarters in Tokyo on January 22, 2025.  Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty Images SoftBank's continued push into AI with investments in ChatGPT maker OpenAI and PayPay helped the Japanese giant post a $19 billion gain on its Vision Fund in its fiscal second quarter. The broader Vision Fund segment factors in non-investment performance such as administrative expenses and gains and losses attributable to third-party investors. The value of the fund had risen $4.8 billion in the company's fiscal first quarter. Softbank is ploughing ahead with its push into artificial intelligence, investing and acquiring firms that will bolster its presence in robots and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). AI revenues reached "new highs" in the quarter ended Sept. 30 with 93% of annualized growth, Softbank said in a investor briefing on the results. Gains from the company's investment in OpenAI totaled 2.2 trillion yen ($14.3 billion) in the quarter. "The reason we were able to have this result is because of September last year, that was the first time we invested in OpenAI," said SoftBank's Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto during an investor presentation. He added, in comments translated by the company, that OpenAI's latest valuation milestone of $500 billion marks one of the largest valuations in the world, according to fair value. The company also said Tuesday that it will conduct a four-for-one stock split at the end of the year in a bid to make its shares more accessible to investors and to further expand its shareholder base. "Our share price recently has been going up and down dynamically… we want to provide as many invest opportunities as possible," said Goto. Here's how SoftBank fared in the fiscal second quarter: Profit more than doubled to 2.5 trillion yen in the quarter, versus 206.89 billion yen expected, according to LSEG consensus estimates. It also compares to 1.18 trillion yen profit a year earlier. Revenue was 1.92 trillion in the quarter, in line with an LSEG estimate of 1.9 trillion yen. AI jitters The Japanese conglomerate's stock has slumped in the past week as concerns of an AI bubble sent jitters through global markets. Nearly $50 billion in market cap was wiped out from the stock last week, marking its worst weekly loss since March 2020. However, shares are up over 140% this year as its tech investment arm has showed signs of recovery. Last month Softbank reportedly approved its final tranche of funding to complete its $30 billion investment in OpenAI. The Japanese firm's investment in the ChatGPT maker came with a caveat — that its total investment could be slashed to as low as $20 billion if OpenAI didn't restructure into a for-profit entity by Dec. 31. The AI startup recently completed its recapitalization, cementing its structure as a nonprofit with a controlling stake in its for-profit business, which is now a public benefit corporation called OpenAI Group PBC. Softbank said in its earning statement Tuesday that it will invest an additional $22.5 billion in OpenAI through its Vision Fund 2 in December. — CNBC's Arjun Kharpal contributed to this report. - [How Syria’s President Transformed His Image](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010515338/how-syrias-president-transformed-his-image.html): new video loaded: - [Trump proposes 50-year mortgage, but some say homeowner savings would be minimal](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/10/trump-proposes-50-year-mortgage-but-homeowner-savings-could-be-minimal.html): In another attempt to make homebuying more affordable, President Donald Trump floated the idea of a 50-year mortgage in a social media post. In response, Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte, who oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, posted that they are “working on it,” and that it would be, “a complete game-changer.” The purpose of a longer-term mortgage would be to lower the monthly payment for homeowners. The longer the term of the loan, the smaller the principal needed each month to pay it off in full. But such a plan has other trade-offs. Using the latest median sale […] - [Kia previews next-gen Telluride SUV as 'new benchmark' for brand](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/10/kia-telluride-suv.html): Kia on Monday previewed its next-generation Telluride SUV that the company is describing as a "new benchmark for the brand's design and ambition." The Telluride has been a standout success for the South Korean car brand since it launched in 2019, at many times being one of the most highly in-demand vehicles in the U.S. Kia said the 2027 Telluride, which is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms during the first quarter, is larger, boxier and a more modern design overall compared with the current model. 2027 Kia Telluride DETROIT – Kia on Monday previewed its next-generation Telluride SUV that the company is describing as a "new benchmark for the brand's design and ambition." The first-generation Telluride has been a standout success for the South Korean car brand since it launched in 2019, at many times ranking as one of the most highly in-demand vehicles in the U.S., based on inventory levels. It's a crucial vehicle for the company in the U.S. Kia said the 2027 Telluride, which is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms during the first quarter, has a larger, boxier and more modern design overall compared with the current model. The new front end features a large front grille encompassed by vertical headlamps, while the rear of the vehicle features a sleek design and silhouette reminiscent of a Range Rover. 2027 Kia Telluride The company on Monday released images of a Telluride X-Pro model ahead of the three-row midsize SUV's official debut later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show, where more trims and details of the vehicle will be released. Sales of the Telluride have increased every year since its launch in 2019, with Kia selling more than 444,000 units in total, according to the company. The vehicle's sales are up 11% year to date through October, according to Kia. Kia offers the current Telluride in 10 trim levels, with starting pricing between $36,000 and $54,000. A new version of the Hyundai Palisade, which is a sibling vehicle to the Kia Telluride, was released earlier this year and starts between $39,000 and $55,000, depending on trim. - [Russian airstrikes on Ukraine dipped in October, likely due to bad weather, U.K. officials say](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/9/pace-russian-airstrikes-ukraine-dipped-october-likely-due-bad-weather/): Russia launched about 5,300 attack drones on Ukrainian targets in October — about 200 fewer than in September, likely due to worsening weather, British military officials said. But weather-based lulls were often followed by increased attacks, with Moscow launching 400 to 650 attack drones in a single night, British officials posted Saturday on X. “Russian [drones] present a significant challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, particularly when combined with the short-range ballistic missiles also launched in significant numbers,”  British military officials said in their latest assessment of the battlefield in Ukraine. The tempo of Moscow’s long-range bomber missions over Ukraine also slowed […] - [After Hurricane Melissa, Solar Power Kept the Electricity on for Some Jamaicans](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/climate/jamaica-hurricane-solar-power.html): The morning after Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica, Jennifer Hue, a retired tax auditor living close to hard-hit Treasure Beach, woke up to devastation. Her mango, breadfruit and papaya trees were lost, their tops snapped off by 180-mile-per-hour winds. There was water everywhere.But her roof was intact, and just as importantly, so were the solar panels she had installed two years ago. Most of her neighbors didn’t have electricity. But she did.Neighbors began stopping by to charge their phones, to take a cool drink from the refrigerator, to message loved ones to let them know they were safe. Ms. Hue is still hosting a cousin and his mother, as well as two medical students from the local university, whose accommodations were damaged.“The wind was like a tornado, and water came through every crevice,” Ms. Hue said. “But we didn’t lose any solar panels, and the next morning, the sun was shining bright and early,” she said. “We had our power back.”A small but vibrant market for rooftop solar panels in Jamaica has long been seen as a promising way to wean the nation off imported fossil fuels. The country is reliant on oil and gas from abroad for its power plants, which not only is polluting but also makes Jamaica’s electricity some of the priciest in the world per kilowatt-hour.Jennifer Hue’s solar panels survived the storm, while Jamaica’s traditional power grid collapsed.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [ESPN's 'College GameDay' available free on app, X as Disney standoff with YouTube TV continues](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/8/espns-college-gameday-available-free-app-x-disney-standoff-youtube-tv/): ESPN college football pregame show “College GameDay” was available for free on the ESPN app and on the X account of host Pat McAfee for the second straight week on Saturday. “As we continue to work on reaching a fair resolution with YouTube TV so they can restore our networks, this week College GameDay will be available, once again, to all fans on the ESPN App with no subscription or authentication needed,” ESPN’s public relations account posted on X. Mr. McAfee also posted the full stream and a series of clips from the program, taped this week at Texas Tech Univesity […] - [Fed's Miran says stablecoin surge could help push interest rates lower](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/07/feds-miran-says-stablecoin-surge-could-help-push-interest-rates-lower.html): Fed Governor Stephen Miran on Friday suggested that surging demand for dollar-denominated stablecoins could help push U.S. interest rates lower. “Stablecoins may become a multitrillion-dollar elephant in the room for central bankers,” Miran said during a speech in New York. Fed Governor Stephen Miran on Friday suggested that surging demand for dollar-denominated stablecoins could help push U.S. interest rates lower. In a speech delivered for an audience of economists in New York, the central bank official and appointee of President Donald Trump said the flood of crypto tokens pegged to the dollar could tamp down what economists refer to as “r-star,” […] - [Consumer sentiment nears lowest level ever as worries build over shutdown](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/07/consumer-sentiment-shutdown.html): Worries over the government shutdown surged in the early part of November, pushing consumer sentiment In to its lowest in more than three years and just off its worst level ever, according to a University of Michigan survey Friday. The current conditions index slid to 52.3, a drop of nearly 11% from last month, while the future expectations measure fell to 49.0, down 2.6%. On a year-ago basis, the two measures respectively slumped 18.2% and 36.3%. Volunteers load boxes of food into cars during an event held by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in partnership with Bergen County to deliver […] - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open lower, tracking Wall Street losses as AI stocks resume slump](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/07/asia-pacific-markets-friday-ai-stocks-valuation-china-october-trade-data.html): Asia markets were set to open lower, tracking Wall Street's tech-led sell-off. Overnight, declines in artificial intelligence stocks weighed down on U.S. averages. Investors await China’s October trade data, expected to show weaker exports and imports. View of the central business district skyline at sunset in Beijing, China. Sheng Peng | Visual China Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open lower Friday, tracking Wall Street declines on persistent concerns over lofty valuations in artificial intelligence stocks. Shares of major AI companies fell Thursday stateside, weighing down on the broader U.S. market. The biggest declines were from Nvidia, Microsoft, Palantir Technologies, Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices. Investors in Asia are watching for China's October trade data, due later in the day. Economists polled by Reuters expect exports to have slowed to 3% year on year, down from an 8.3% surge in September, while imports are forecast to fall to 3.2% from 7.4%. That comes as weak domestic demand continues to weigh on the back of a prolonged housing slump, rising job insecurity, and the tapering of consumption-focused stimulus measures. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a lower open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 50,300, and its counterpart in Osaka at 50,200, against the index's Thursday close of 50,883.68. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.27%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a lower open, trading at 26,436, against the index's previous close of 26,485.9. U.S. futures edged higher in early Asian hours after Thursday's tech sell-off. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 398.70 points, or 0.84%, to close at 46,912.30. The S&P 500 traded down by 1.12%, to settle at 6,720.32, while the Nasdaq Composite tumbled 1.9% to end at 23,053.99. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Sarah Min contributed to this report. - [Most Index Stock Floats Are Over 80%](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/most-index-stock-floats-are-over-80): Uncover float trends for recent IPOs, as well as the levels of float typical for major U.S. indexes. - [Spotlight on SmartCon](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/spotlight-smartcon): Nasdaq TradeTalks covers SmartCon X Chainlink in New York City and Brian Joyce, Managing Director of Nasdaq’s Market Intelligence Desk, shares how technical analysis be used to predict stock price movements. - [Movie group to Meta: Stop using PG-13](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/6/movie-group-meta-stop-using-pg-13/): The Motion Picture Association, which rates films based on content, sent a cease-and-desist letter asking Facebook parent company Meta to stop using the PG-13 rating. The group’s letter, sent to Meta on Oct. 28, contended that the social media giant could use artificial intelligence to decide what content constitutes PG-13. “Any dissatisfaction with Meta’s automated classification will inevitably cause the public to question the integrity of the MPA’s rating system. … Meta’s activities are likely to cause consumers to believe that Meta is approved to use the PG-13 rating or that Meta and the MPA are collaborating in some way,” an […] - [On the set of the first Agatha Christie show where mysteries are solved with the internet](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/6/set-first-agatha-christie-show-mysteries-solved-internet/): LONDON — The scene: Outside a stately English home, a man and a woman attempts to solve a mystery. What’s unusual about this picture? They’re using the internet. In a departure from what could be the logline for many a cozy English mystery before it, “Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence” marks the first time Agatha Christie’s work has been modernized for an English-speaking TV audience. In this six-part drama premiering next year, there are phones, social media and TikTok alongside the usual murky secrets, red herrings and nefarious crimes. Speaking in late October on the set of the BritBox contemporary series […] - [Alibaba-backed Moonshot releases its second AI update in four months as China’s AI race heats up](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/alibaba-backed-moonshot-releases-new-ai-model-kimi-k2-thinking.html): Beijing-based startup Moonshot released a new AI model Thursday just four months after its prior update. Major U.S. companies such as Airbnb have begun to publicly tout how some Chinese AI models as viable — and often cheaper — alternatives to OpenAI’s. The new Kimi AI model cost $4.6 million to train, according to a source familiar with the matter. Alibaba-backed Chinese startup Moonshot has launched one of the more popular generative AI chatbots called Kimi. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Chinese startup Moonshot on Thursday released its latest generative artificial intelligence model which claims to beat OpenAI’s ChatGPT in “agentic” capabilities […] - [Chicago Fed's Goolsbee says he's cautious about further rate cuts during shutdown](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/chicago-feds-goolsbee-says-hes-cautious-about-further-rate-cuts-during-shutdown.html): Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee expressed hesitation about lowering interest rates further because the government shutdown has resulted in a blackout on key inflation data. Goolsbee spoke to CNBC as the Chicago Fed updated its own dashboard of labor market indicators. The data set indicated a stable unemployment rate in October. Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee on Thursday expressed hesitation about lowering interest rates further because the government shutdown has resulted in a blackout on key inflation data. While Goolsbee has otherwise been an advocate for gradually lowering rates, the central bank official said during a CNBC interview that […] - [Cathie Wood trims her bitcoin bull case on threat of stablecoins taking some market share](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/cathie-wood-trims-her-bitcoin-bull-case-on-threat-of-stablecoins-taking-some-market-share.html): Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood has trimmed her most bullish forecast for bitcoin, acknowledging that the rapid rise of stablecoins is taking on a role she once thought bitcoin would fill. “Stablecoins are usurping part of the role that we thought bitcoin would play,” Wood said Thursday on CNBC’s ” Squawk Box .” “So our bullish forecast out there is $1.5 million by 2030. Given what’s happening to stablecoins, which are serving emerging markets in a way that we thought bitcoin would, I think we could take maybe $300,000 off of that bullish case just for stablecoins. So watch that space. Stablecoins […] - [Cuts to space funding threaten U.S. ability to compete with China, experts say](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/6/cuts-space-funding-threaten-us-ability-compete-china-experts-say/): The Trump administration’s recent cuts to domestic space institutions put the U.S. on the back foot when competing against China in the final frontier, some experts say, arguing that Washington should encourage investment in space technology to ensure security. In a recent report, analysts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies stressed that a well-funded space sector is essential for national security and financial stability. The analysts said China’s recent investments in the commercial space sector seek to “undermine American infrastructure” by “forcing firms to rely on Chinese infrastructure vulnerable to espionage.” Beijing is also reportedly interested in militarizing space to […] - [Job cuts in October hit highest level for the month in 22 years, Challenger says](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/job-cuts-in-october-hit-highest-level-for-the-month-in-22-years-challenger-says.html): Job cuts for October totaled 153,074, a 183% surge from September and 175% higher than the same month a year ago. It was the highest level for any October since 2003 and has been the worst year for layoffs since 2009. Companies in the technology sector announced 33,281 cuts, nearly six times the level in September. “Like in 2003, a disruptive technology is changing the landscape,” said Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer at outplacement firm Challenger, Gray % Christmas Jobseekers during a NYS Department Of Labor job fair at the Downtown Central Library in Buffalo, New York, US, […] - [Bank of England rate cut a close call ahead of the Autumn Budget](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/bank-of-england-rate-cut-a-close-call-ahead-of-the-autumn-budget.html): Economists are widely predicting that a majority of the BOE’s nine-member monetary policy committee will vote to keep key interest rates unchanged. Assuming the BOE does hold rates on Thursday, economists predict a cut will come in February, or maybe as soon as December. The BOE’s meeting comes ahead of the Autumn Budget on Nov. 26. A Union flag flutters from a pole atop the Bank of England, in the City of London on August 7, 2025. Niklas Halle’n | Afp | Getty Images LONDON — The Bank of England on Thursday is set to make its last interest rate decision before […] - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open higher, tracking Wall Street gains as AI stocks rebound](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/asia-pacific-markets-ponyai-debut-hong-kong-weride-ai-stocks.html): Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Thursday. Chinese autonomous vehicle firms WeRide and Pony.ai are expected to debut on the Hong Kong exchange later in the day. Hong Kong Skyline Nikada | E+ | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Thursday, tracking Wall Street gains after AMD's third-quarter earnings beat lifted artificial intelligence stocks. Investors in the region are looking to Chinese autonomous vehicle firms WeRide and Pony.ai's market debut in Hong Kong later in the day. Both companies are already listed in the United States. Pony.ai set the final IPO offer price at 139 Hong Kong dollars a share, according to a filing, raising gross proceeds of HK$6.7 billion (about $860 million). WeRide raised HK$2.4 billion. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 51,190, and its counterpart in Osaka at 51,090, against the index's Wednesday close of 50,212.27. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.58%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a higher open, trading at 26,150, against the index's previous close of 25,935.41. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours after the Supreme Court expressed skepticism over President Donald Trump's tariffs, and as AI stocks recovered following a sell-off on valuation concerns. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 225.76 points, or 0.48%, to close at 47,311.00. The S&P 500 rose 0.37% to finish at 6,796.29, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.65% to settle at 23,499.80. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Sarah Min contributed to this report. - [Fortnite maker Epic Games and Google say they're settling 5-year legal fight over Android app store](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/5/fortnite-maker-epic-games-google-settling-5-year-legal-fight-android/): SAN FRANCISCO — Video game maker Epic Games has reached a “comprehensive settlement” with Google that could end its 5-year-old legal crusade targeting Google’s Play Store for Android apps. Epic and Google revealed the settlement agreement in a joint legal document they filed in a San Francisco federal court Tuesday. They said it “would allow the parties to put their disputes aside while making Android a more vibrant and competitive platform for users and developers.” Epic, which makes the hit online game Fortnite, won a victory over the summer when a federal appeals court upheld a jury verdict condemning Google’s Android […] - [Gemini AI to transform Google Maps into a more conversational experience](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/5/gemini-ai-transform-google-maps-conversational-experience/): Google Maps is heading in a new direction with artificial intelligence sitting in the passenger’s seat. Fueled by Google’s Gemini AI technology, the world’s most popular navigation app will become a more conversational companion as part of a redesign announced Wednesday. The hands-free experience is meant to turn Google Maps into something more like an insightful passenger able to direct a driver to a destination while also providing nearby recommendations on places to eat, shop or sightsee, when asked for the advice. “No fumbling required – now you can just ask,” Google promised in a blog post about the app makeover. […] - [Job openings in October slumped to the lowest level since February 2021, Indeed measure shows](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/04/job-openings-in-october-slumped-to-the-lowest-level-since-early-february-indeed-measure-shows.html): Employment opportunities hit their lowest level in more than 4½ years as October came to a close and the government shutdown dragged on, according to data from jobs site Indeed. Indeed’s dashboard of indicators also has shown a decline in salary offerings as job advertisements have declined. A jobseeker holds a brochure during a NYS Department Of Labor job fair at the Downtown Central Library in Buffalo, New York, US, on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. Lauren Petracca | Bloomberg | Getty Images Employment opportunities hit their lowest level in more than 4½ years as October came to a close and the […] - [European Union welcomes suspension of China's rare earth controls](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/4/european-union-welcomes-suspension-chinas-rare-earth-controls/): BRUSSELS — The European Union has agreed with China on stabilizing the flow of rare earth materials and products from China that are critical elements for many high-tech and military products, an official said Tuesday. EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Brussels on Friday to discuss Beijing’s export controls on rare earths issued in April and October, and European regulations on semiconductor sales, said Olof Gill, a spokesperson for the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm. Like the U.S., Europe runs a huge trade deficit with China – around 300 billion euros ($345 […] - [Regulatory Roundup: The Compliance Gap: Unmonitored Tools and Unintended Consequences](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/fintech/regulatory-roundup-october-2025): Overreliance on automated surveillance tools—without proper oversight, calibration, or staffing—can lead to serious compliance failures. Learn about the risks of deploying technology without adequate processes or culture, and the latest capital markets regulatory updates and enforcement actions. - [Bessent says U.S. has 'lots' of options to use on tariffs if it loses Supreme Court case](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/04/bessent-says-us-has-lots-of-options-to-use-on-tariffs-if-it-loses-supreme-court-case.html): With the Supreme Court about to hear a landmark case on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that there are other options in case of defeat. Bessent expressed confidence in a CNBC interview that the administration will prevail. With the Supreme Court about to hear a landmark case on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that there are other options in case of defeat. The high court is set Wednesday to decide whether Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact sweeping duties on U.S. trading partners. At […] - [Free AI in India? Google, OpenAI and Perplexity are betting your curiosity will train their machines](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/04/google-openai-and-perplexity-bet-on-india-to-train-next-generation-of-ai.html): Global AI firms, including Google, OpenAI and Perplexity, are offering long-term free access in India to attract millions of users who can train their models. With more than 700 million internet users, India is generating vast datasets critical to AI development. Analysts say India is evolving from a consumer market into a “bot training capital.” Indian visitors talk on their mobile phones outside the Google stall at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi on Sept. 27, 2017. Prakash Singh | AFP | Getty Images Artificial intelligence companies racing to expand in India are not just chasing customers — they are enlisting millions of users to help train AI models for the world. Google and Perplexity AI are offering their services free for 12 to 18 months through partnerships with local telecom providers Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, while OpenAI has made its ChatGPT Go plan free nationwide for one year. "India stands at the intersection of youth, digital fluency and rapid AI adoption," said Sharmila Senthilraja, VP and industry platform leader at Capgemini India. Low internet costs and a strong digital foundation have enabled consumers aged 18 to 35 to experiment freely with emerging technologies, Senthilraja said. Half of India's internet users report using some form of AI, she added. India has one of the highest smartphone and internet penetration rates in the world. "With over 700 million internet users and widespread smartphone penetration, India generates massive volumes of data, which is the fuel for training AI models," a Boston Consulting Group report said in June. The country's AI market is projected to exceed $17 billion by 2027, making it one of the fastest-growing in the world, BCG added. AI players are not just building a "simple user base; it is a new data and cognition infrastructure, powered by human engagement and trained at a national scale," Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief executive officer of US-based Greyhound Research. He added that AI platforms offered through telecom providers will also shape enterprise behavior. "The tools that your employees experiment with at home today become the same ones they use at work tomorrow," he said. India's AI workforce is expected to grow from about 650,000 professionals to more than 1.27 million by 2027, at a compound annual growth rate of 15%, according to 2024 estimates shared by India's IT and tech industry body NASSCOM. AI is driving demand for jobs in data science, data curation, AI engineering, and analytics in India. As of August 2025, around 865,000 candidates have enrolled or trained in various emerging technology courses, including 320,000 in AI and Big Data Analytics. "India is becoming the bot training capital of the world," Saurabh Mukherjea, founder and chief investment officer of Marcellus Investment Managers, told CNBC. He added that the country is also set to become a major global center for data cleaning. - [Asia markets mostly poised to fall despite Wall Street tech rally](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/04/asia-pacific-markets-tuesday-hang-seng-nikkei-kospi-australia-rba-rate-hkma-summit.html): Asia-Pacific markets mostly declined Tuesday, diverging from Wall Street’s tech-driven gains. Amazon’s $38 billion deal with OpenAI lifted tech stocks, including Nvidia, which gained export clearance for shipments to the UAE. Investors watched for the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision, while Japan’s Nikkei looked set to rise. Pedestrians are reflected in a window as electronic boards display stock information at the Australian Securities Exchange, operated by ASX Ltd. on Aug. 6, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Lisa Maree Williams | Getty Images News | Getty Images Asia Pacific markets mostly fell Tuesday, breaking ranks from Wall Street's tech-fuelled rally. The rally followed Amazon shares rising 4% on a $38 billion deal with OpenAI, a move that will use hundreds of thousands of Nvidia's graphics processing units. Nvidia also gained about 2% after it secured export licenses to ship its chips to the United Arab Emirates. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.36% as investors awaited the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy decision. Japan's Nikkei 225 was 0.39% lower, and the Topix declined 0.23%. South Korea's Kospi fell 0.32% while the small-cap Kosdaq climbed 0.24%%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index pointed to a lower open, at 26,134, compared with the HSI's last close of 26,158.36. Overnight in the U.S., the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 0.46%, while the S&P 500 traded up 0.17%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, falling 0.48%. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. - [Starbucks to form joint venture with Boyu Capital to run China business](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/03/starbucks-boyu-capital-china.html): Starbucks will form a joint venture with Boyu Capital to operate the company's locations in China. The company will retain a 40% stake in the joint venture. In recent years, the coffee giant has seen its sales in China plummet, first due to the pandemic and related government restrictions and later caused by increased competition. Starbucks on Monday announced it is forming a joint venture with Boyu Capital to operate the company's locations in China. Under the terms of the deal, Boyu, an alternative asset management firm, will pay Starbucks roughly $4 billion to hold up to a 60% interest in the joint venture. Starbucks will hold a 40% stake and maintain its ability to license the brand and intellectual property to the joint venture. The announcement comes after the coffee giant conducted a months-long review of options that included strategic partnerships. Starbucks values its China business at more than $13 billion, the company said. The valuation includes the sale of the controlling stake in the joint venture, combined with the value of both its retained interest and the ongoing licensing fees that will paid to the company in the future. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, pending regulatory approval. Starbucks opened its first store in China in 1999. By 2015, it had grown to become the company's second-largest market, trailing only the United States. "Building on our positive business momentum, our partnership with Boyu will enable Starbucks China to fully unlock the vast market opportunity," Molly Liu, CEO of Starbucks China, said in a statement. Today, the company has roughly 8,000 locations in China, but Starbucks has big ambitions for the market. CEO Brian Niccol told CNBC's Kate Rogers in September that the country could one day have 20,000 or even 30,000 locations nationwide. But in recent years, Starbucks has seen its sales in China plummet, first due to the pandemic and related government restrictions and later caused by increased competition. Rival Luckin Coffee now has more stores in China than Starbucks and has won over customers with lower-priced drinks than the U.S. coffee chain. On Wednesday, the company reported that its fiscal-fourth quarter same-store sales in China increased 2%, fueled by a 9% increase in traffic. However, as Starbucks has leaned into discounting to compete with local rivals, the average ticket at its Chinese cafes has fallen, weighing on the company's profits. While Starbucks executives have continually expressed optimism about the company's long-term prospects in China, its weak performance in the country has weighed on Starbucks' overall financial results. For decades, China's massive population and fast-growing economy have made it an attractive market for U.S. companies. But in recent years, an economic slowdown and greater competition from home-grown brands have made some companies rethink their strategies. Earlier this year, Burger King's parent company Restaurant Brands International bought its struggling China business from TFI Asia Holdings with the goal of selling it to another operator. On the other hand, McDonald's increased its minority stake in its China business from 20% to 48% two years ago, aiming to benefit from the market's growth. - [October 2025 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/october-2025-review-and-outlook): U.S. equities ascended into record territory in October amid easing U.S.-China trade tensions, a hawkish Fed rate cut, robust corporate earnings, and an ongoing government shutdown. - [Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed ahead of PMI data from China](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/03/asia-pacific-markets-trade-mixed-ahead-of-pmi-data-from-china.html): Investors in the region will be watching manufacturing activity figures out from China later today, as RatingDog publishes its PMI numbers for October. The Reserve Bank of Australia starts its two day meeting today. An employee works on the production line of power batteries and box chassis for new energy vehicles at a workshop on July 11, 2025 in Huaibei, Anhui Province of China. Li Xin | Visual China Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed Monday, after Wall Street saw all three U.S. major indexes climb Friday stateside. Investors in Asia will be watching manufacturing activity figures out from China later today, as RatingDog publishes its purchasing managers index for October. Economists from Reuters expect the reading to come in at 50.9, slightly lower than September's 51.2. The official PMI numbers released Friday by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that China's manufacturing activity in October shrunk to its lowest level in six months, coming in at 49.0. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were at 25,975, higher than the HSI's last close of 25,906.65.South Korea's Kospi was up 1.04%, while the small-cap Kosdaq gained 0.51% at its open. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day 0.4% down. The country's central bank starts its two-day monetary policy meeting today, with economists expecting a hold from the Reserve Bank of Australia after inflation readings came in hotter than expected for the third quarter. Japan's markets are closed for a public holiday. On Friday in the U.S., the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.61% at 23,724.96, while the S&P 500 gained 0.26% to reach 6,840.20. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed marginally higher at 47,562.87. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Amazon stock hits record, lights up ETFs](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/amazon-stock-hits-record-lights-up-etfs): Evercore ISI’s Mark Mahaney joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to discuss Amazon’s breakout AWS growth, his new $335 price target and why he’s turning cautious on Meta amid soaring AI spending. Amazon shares touched a record high Friday, rising over 9%, after strong quarterly results that were driven by its growing cloud business – AWS—which saw a double-digit jump in sales to $30 billion.  Ticker Security Last Change Change % AMZN AMAZON.COM INC. 244.22 +21.36 +9.58% “AWS is growing at a pace we haven’t seen since 2022, re-accelerating to 20.2% year-over-year, our largest growth rate in 11 quarters,” CEO Andy Jassy told […] - [Tariffs are expected to start showing up more in consumer prices as holiday shopping season starts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/31/tariffs-are-expected-to-start-showing-up-more-in-consumer-prices-as-holiday-shopping-season-starts.html): While the impact so far this year has been muted, tariffs are expected to catch up with prices consumers pay just in time for the holiday shopping season. Tariff impacts have been muted so far as companies built up inventories ahead of the duties and have absorbed some of the impact through compressed profit margins. Bank of America, though, expects that tariffs will be adding about half a percentage point to the core PCE measure the Federal Reserve uses when assessing inflation. Shoppers carry Macy’s and Nordstrom bags at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, California, US, on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. […] - [Google to offer Gemini AI for free to over 500 million Jio users as global firms double down on India](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/31/google-gemini-ai-free-500-million-jio-relince-users-india-.html): Reliance Intelligence partners with Google to provide free subscription of Gemini AI to Jio telecom customers for 18 months . Perplexity AI has tied up with India's second largest telecom provider Bharti Airtel to provide free services for a year. OpenAI reportedly will offer free services for a year to users in India starting Nov. 4. The Google AI Studio application is displayed on a mobile phone with Google in the background, in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on October 26, 2025. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Google will offer its Gemini AI service for free to over 500 million Reliance Jio users in India, as global artificial intelligence firms double down on acquiring customers in the country. The U.S. tech giant revealed Thursday that it had signed a pact with Reliance Intelligence, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and Meta, to provide Google's AI Pro plan, which includes Gemini 2.5 Pro, expanded access to NotebookLM for study and research, and 2 TB of cloud storage, among other things. Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, said his firm aims to make India "AI-empowered" through collaborations with strategic and long-term partners such as Google. Reliance Jio is India's largest telecom services operator. Google services, worth 35,100 rupees per user ($396), will have a staggered roll out with early access for 18- to 25-year-old users on unlimited Jio 5G plans for for 18 months. Eventually they will be made available for free to the company's entire customer base. "I'm excited for how this partnership will help expand access to AI across India," said Sundar Pichai, chief executive officer of Google and Alphabet. There are about 377 million Gen Zs in India, driving $860 billion in consumer spending in the country, and that is set to rise to $2 trillion by 2035, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group. India has the highest number of users globally across social media platforms such as Facebook (350 million-plus), Instagram (413.8 million), video app YouTube (over 467 million) while messaging app WhatsApp has over 500 million users, making it a key market for digital services. In July, the second largest Indian telecom operator Bharti Airtel partnered with Perplexity to offer its 360 million customers free access to Perplexity Pro, which is priced at $200 per year globally. Airtel and Perplexity followed this up with intensive campaigns on social media platforms, enlisting leading Indian influencers who posted reels promoting the use-cases for the free AI tool. Indian telecom market is dominated by Jio and Airtel and partnerships with these telecom operators offer the opportunity for companies to expand the reach of apps and digital tools, making them available to a mass audience. On Tuesday, OpenAI reportedly said it would make its ChatGPT Go plan free for users in India for a year, starting Nov. 4. The offer was launched in August for 399 rupees per month, and was among the most affordable subscription plans from OpenAI. The company is rapidly expanding its presence in India, its second largest market, and plans to set up a 1 gigawatt data center in the country. - [Third-Quarter Earnings Are Surprisingly Good](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/third-quarter-earnings-are-surprisingly-good): The U.S. third-quarter earnings season is now fully underway, and more companies across more areas of the economy are returning to earnings growth. - [European Central Bank holds rates steady as economy shows resilience](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/ecb-october-2025-rate-decision.html): Top ECB board members told CNBC this month that the easing cycle is close to, or at its end. Preliminary euro zone growth data out earlier Thursday showed the euro zone economy had grown 0.2% in the third quarter, more than expected. Euro zone inflation inched up to 2.2% in September, up from 2% the previous month. The European Central Bank has kept interest rates on hold, as expected, at its latest meeting on Thursday. The central bank held its key deposit facility rate at 2% for the third consecutive time, having last cut rates in June. The trim, which coincided with […] - [Trump hails success of summit with China's Xi, with deals on tariffs, rare earths and farm goods](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/30/trump-hails-success-summit-chinas-xi-deals-tariffs-rare-earths-farm/): SEOUL, South Korea — President Trump said he has secured trade deals with China after meeting Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a high-stakes summit aimed at reducing tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Onboard Air Force One, Mr. Trump told reporters that he will reduce tariffs against Chinese goods by 10% — to 47% — in exchange for Beijing tightening regulations on fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid cited as a main contributor to the U.S. drug crisis. The president also said China will “purchase massive amounts of soybeans, sorghum and other farm products” and provide access to rare […] - [China says it’s willing to work with U.S. on TikTok — but offers few details](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/china-says-its-willing-to-work-with-us-on-tiktok.html): The U.S. wants Beijing-based ByteDance to divest U.S. operations of TikTok, but it has remained unresolved for months. President Donald Trump did not mention TikTok following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. China's Commerce Ministry said Thursday that Beijing would work with the U.S. on resolving TikTok-related issues. Dado Ruvic | Reuters Beijing will work with Washington to "properly resolve" issues around the divestiture of the U.S. operations of TikTok, China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement Thursday, according to a CNBC translation. The ministry did not provide a timeframe or any further details. The comment followed a high-stakes meeting earlier in the day between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first in-person gathering of the leaders since Trump took office in January. Trump did not mention TikTok in his remarks with reporters following his meeting with Xi. Instead, he outlined how the U.S. will roll back some tariffs on Chinese goods, while Beijing will postpone its latest rare earths restrictions. "It's the lack of specifics that will most certainly add to policy miscalculation risk," Louise Loo, head of Asia economics at Oxford Economics, said in an email. "We don't think there's enough as yet to believe Beijing's interests in the TikTok contention truly aligns with President Trump's motivations to spin off the entity's US business." ByteDance and TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to U.S. national security law, Beijing-based ByteDance must sell TikTok's U.S. operations or effectively be banned in the country. China has yet to approve terms of a deal that would allow a new joint-venture company to oversee TikTok in the U.S. - [Asia-Pacific markets open mixed as Fed casts doubt on another rate cut in December](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/asia-markets-live-trump-xi-meeting-fed-cut.html): U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese his counterpart Xi Jinping set to meet in South Korea. Fed Chair Powell cautioned that a rate cut in December was not a done deal. A container ship sails past buildings in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Thursday, after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that a rate cut in December was far from a "foregone conclusion." The Fed on Wednesday slashed the benchmark federal funds rate by 25 basis points, as expected, to bring it to 3.75%-4%. In Asia, investors will closely watch a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping — the first in-person meeting between the two leaders in Trump's second term. South Korea's markets will also be in focus after Seoul's chief policy advisor Kim Yong-beom reportedly released details of the trade deal with Washington. South Korea will invest $200 billion in the U.S., with an annual cap of $20 billion a year, while the remaining $150 billion of its $350 billion total pledge announced earlier this year will be used for shipbuilding cooperation, according to local media reports. The Kospi gained 1.37% on open with gains seen in auto and shipbuilding stocks, while the small-cap Kosdaq was down 0.1%. Japan's Nikkei 225 dipped marginally below the flatline on open, while the Topix rose 0.1%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day down 0.29%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was poised to rise as it resumes trading after a holiday holiday. HSI futures were at 26,598, higher than the HSI's last close of 26,346.14. Overnight in the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed lower Wednesday after Powell's remarks, having hit a record high earlier in the session. The Dow closed down 0.2% at 47,632.00, while the S&P 500 ended marginally lower at 6,890.59. However, the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.55% to a fresh record close of 23,958.47, propped up by a rise in Nvidia. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Sarah Min contributed to this report. - [AI Agents Are Terrible Freelance Workers](https://www.wired.com/story/ai-agents-are-terrible-freelance-workers/): Even the best artificial intelligence agents are fairly hopeless at online freelance work, according to an experiment that challenges the idea of AI replacing office workers en masse. The Remote Labor Index, a new benchmark developed by researchers at data annotation company Scale AI and the Center for AI Safety (CAIS), a nonprofit, measures the ability of frontier AI models to automate economically valuable work. The researchers gave several leading AI agents a range of simulated freelance work and found that even the best could perform less than 3 percent of the work, earning $1,810 out of a possible $143,991. The […] - [AI chipmaker Nvidia is the first $5 trillion company](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/29/nvidia-ai-chipmaker-first-5-trillion-company/): Nvidia has become the first $5 trillion company, just three months after the Silicon Valley chipmaker was first to break through the $4 trillion barrier. Hitting the new benchmark puts more emphasis on the upheaval being unleashed by an artificial intelligence craze that’s widely viewed as the biggest tectonic shift in technology since Apple co-founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone 18 years ago. Apple rode the iPhone’s success to become the first publicly traded company to be valued at $1 trillion, $2 trillion and eventually, $3 trillion. But there are concerns of a possible AI bubble, with officials at the […] - [India is dependent on China for electronic components. Now it's trying to change that](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/29/india-is-dependent-on-china-for-electronic-components-now-its-trying-to-change-that-.html): India approved its first seven projects worth $626 million under its $2.7 billion electronic component manufacturing scheme. The country exported electronics worth $38.56 in 2024-25, while importing electronic components worth $36.8 billion during the same time. The ECMS seeks to reduce import dependence, and enhance self-sufficiency in the sector. Employees work on a mobile phone assembly line at Padget Electronics, a subsidiary of Dixon Technologies, in Noida, India, on Friday, March 22, 2024.  Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images In a move aimed at cutting India's import dependency for electronic components, the government has approved the first set of projects under its $2.7 billion program, yet another measure in its stated self-sufficiency mission against a trying trade environment. Electronic goods were India's third largest exports in fiscal year 2025, having jumped eight-fold over the last 10 years, to $38.56 billion in the year ended March 2025, according to government data. But those were nearly offset by imports of electronic components worth $36.8 billion. Most of the electronic component imports came from China (nearly 40%), followed by Hong Kong (over (16%) in the first half of fiscal year 2025. At a time when both the U.S. and China have resorted to export controls of critical goods such as rare earths and high-end tech, India has been doubling down on its efforts to secure its future by promoting schemes aimed at gaining self-sufficiency. The seven projects approved on Monday under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme will receive grants worth 55.32 billion rupees ($626 million). They will help set up local manufacturing of electronic components such camera modules, multi-layered printed circuit boards and advanced high-density PCBs used in smartphones, wearable devices, medical and aerospace components, according to the government. The ECMS has received 249 applications from local and global companies committing investment of 1.15 trillion rupees (nearly $14 billion) in proposed investments. India's Minister for Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said that "20% of our domestic demand of PCBs and 15% of Camera Module sub-assembly will be met through production from these [seven] plants," adding that about 60% of total production from these plants will be exported. The country's electronics components' market is projected to reach $150 billion by 2030, according to EY estimates, with overall electronics market — components and finished goods — set to scale to $500 billion as per the government. Currently the global electronics market is valued at $1.8 trillion, 60% of which is dominated by China, according to data provided by EY. India is in a unique position as it has a growing consumer base and is seen as a manufacturing alternative to China as companies diversify supply chains, experts said, adding that by setting up plants in India, global electronics companies can tap into the local demand, while exporting from the same locations. A case in point is Apple whose exports from India rose 42% year on year to $12.8 billion in 2024 and the company is shifting more production to India as it moves away from China. In the quarter ended September 2025, India overtook China to become the top smartphone exporter to the U.S., with a 240% jump in smartphone manufacturing volumes. According to the Indian government, the country has become the world's second largest mobile phone manufacturer globally. The ECMS shows that the government is recognizing "that a mere assembly ecosystem cannot sustain itself without a strong domestic component manufacturing base," said Kunal Chaudhary, partner and leader of Inbound Investment Group at EY India. The ECMS will strengthen the domestic component ecosystem, reduce import dependence, and India's enhance global competitiveness, he added. Ashok Chandak, president of India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, said the scheme will accelerate the country's emergence as a global hub for advanced electronics and semiconductors and at the same time reduce import dependence." - [Trump signals plans to discuss Nvidia's 'super duper' chips during talks with China's Xi](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/29/trump-signals-he-plans-to-speak-to-chinas-xi-about-nvidias-super-duper-chips.html): Trump said he may discuss Nvidia’s Blackwell AI chips with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The remarks follow China’s ban on importing Nvidia chips, leaving the company with no market share there. Any renewed export approval could bolster China’s AI industry and weaken the U.S. tech edge, analysts say. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to journalists in Japan aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea on October 29, 2025. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images News | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump plans to discuss Nvidia's advanced AI chips with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting on Thursday, he told a media scrum Wednesday.  While taking questions regarding his high-stakes meeting with Xi, Trump signaled that Nvidia's Blackwell AI processors could be discussed.  "We'll be speaking about Blackwell, it's the super duper chip," he said. Nvidia's "super duper chip" appeared to refer to the GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchip — its most advanced AI chip. More broadly, Nvidia's Blackwell architecture represents its latest generation of AI chips, or 'graphics processing units,' used to train and run large language models. Trump went on to laud Nvidia's Blackwell chips, claiming that they are about a decade ahead of any other chip. "That's our country. We're about 10 years ahead of anybody else in chips — in the highly sophisticated chips. I think we may be talking about that with President Xi."  The comments come as Nvidia faces an uncertain future in China, once a lucrative market for the AI darling. While export controls have long prevented Nvidia from selling its most advanced AI products to China, Washington had rolled back restrictions on the chipmaker's less advanced, made-for-China H20 chips in July.  Trump later indicated that he might also allow a downgraded version of Nvidia's Blackwell chips into China. But in a surprise move, Beijing recently stepped in to prevent its companies from importing Nvidia's chips amid national security concerns regarding the company's technology. As a result, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said earlier this month that the company is currently "100% out of China" and has no market share there. However, many analysts view the Chinese ban as likely temporary, saying Beijing could be using Nvidia's access to its market as leverage in its trade negotiations with the Trump administration. Despite Trump's remarks about Nvidia's "super duper chip," it seems more likely that a less advanced version would be on the table. In August, Reuters reported Nvidia was developing a new chip for China — dubbed the B30A — that would be more powerful than the H20 and built on the Blackwell architecture. Such a chip would hypothetically help Nvidia fend off growing competition from domestic players like Huawei, as Beijing accelerates its efforts to develop a self-sufficient AI environment. However, semiconductor experts said a resumption of H20 exports, or an additional pathway for the B30A, would also help China's AI ecosystem more broadly and undermine Washington's strategy to curb Chinese access to cutting-edge computing, which began ramping up in 2022. A report released earlier this week from the Institute for Progress, a U.S. think tank, argued that allowing B30A exports to China would dramatically shrink America's current AI compute advantage over China. Huang, who has long lobbied against U.S. chip restrictions, will reportedly be in South Korea at the same time as Trump this week. The Nvidia CEO is expected to make announcements with local partners, which Huang said would hopefully be "delightful to the people of Korea and really delightful to President Trump." - [Trump says he expects to lower fentanyl-related tariffs on Beijing, discuss 'farmers' with China's Xi](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/29/trump-says-he-expects-to-lower-fentanyl-related-tariffs-on-beijing-discuss-farmers-with-chinaxi.html): Trump said he expects to lower fentanyl-linked tariffs on China. The remarks come ahead of his meeting with China's Xi Jinping in South Korea. TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 27: U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One as he arrives at Haneda Airport on October 27, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. Takashi Aoyama | Getty Images News | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects to lower fentanyl-linked tariffs on China ahead of a much-anticipated meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea. The president told reporters aboard the Air Force One on Wednesday that the fentanyl flows into the U.S. and "farmers" will be among topics that he expects to discuss with Xi on Thursday. When asked whether the potential one-year pause in Beijing's implementation of rare earth export controls would be enough to draw more concessions from the U.S., Trump said "we haven't talked about the timing yet but we are gonna work out something." The comments came after the Wall Street Journal's report Tuesday that the U.S. could cut the 20% fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese exports by half, in return for Beijing's crack down on the export of chemicals that make fentanyl. Trump called relations with China "very good," saying that "we are going to have a great meeting with China's Xi." This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. - [Australia’s inflation tops forecasts at 3.2%, highest in over a year](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/29/australia-inflation-tops-forecasts-highest-over-year-third-quarter-rba-cpi-michelle-bullock.html): Australia's consumer prices rose 3.2% in the third quarter, the strongest gain in more than a year. The increase topped the 2.1% rise in the second quarter and came in above the 3% forecast by economists polled by Reuters. The figure also pushed inflation beyond the Reserve Bank of Australia's 2%–3% target band for the first time since the second quarter of 2024. Tourists sit on a bollard at the Sydney Opera House. Afp Contributor | Afp | Getty Images Australia's inflation accelerated in the third quarter, with consumer prices rising 3.2% from a year earlier — the fastest pace in more than a year — the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Wednesday.The increase topped the 2.1% rise in the second quarter and came in above the 3% forecast by economists polled by Reuters. The ABS said the most significant price rises were in housing, recreation and culture, and transport. Trimmed mean inflation rate, which excludes extreme price changes in consumer goods and services, rose to 3%, up from 2.7% last quarter. It was the first increase in trimmed mean inflation since December 2022, the bureau said. The 3.2% headline rate pushed inflation beyond the Reserve Bank of Australia's 2%–3% target band for the first time since the second quarter of 2024, underscoring the challenge policymakers face in taming persistent price pressures. The RBA had cautioned in its September Statement on Monetary Policy that inflation for the quarter could come in "higher than expected," citing sticky prices in housing and market services. RBA Governor Michelle Bullock said last month that inflation in those areas was "a little higher than we were expecting," though she stressed that it did not indicate that inflation was "running away." In August, the central bank had forecast that underlying inflation would continue to moderate to around the midpoint of the 2%–3% range, with the cash rate assumed to follow a "gradual easing path." Recent headline CPI readings for July and August came in above expectations for both months, at 2.8% and 3% respectively. September inflation figures stood at 3.5%, its highest since July 2024. Australia's central bank kept its policy rate steady at its last meeting, noting that inflation remained stubborn in some parts of the economy. The country's economy outperformed expectations in the second quarter, growing 1.8% from a year earlier, marking the fastest pace of growth since September 2023. It was higher than the 1.6% expected by economists polled by Reuters and the 1.3% seen in the previous quarter. - [PayPal partners with OpenAI to allow customers to check out in ChatGPT](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/paypal-partners-openai-allow-customers-check-out-chatgpt): Coresight Research founder and CEO Deborah Weinswig breaks down Walmart’s new partnership with OpenAI to integrate A.I. into the shopping experience ahead of the holiday season on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ PayPal on Tuesday became the first payments platform to embed its digital wallet into OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Shares of the San Jose, California-based company climbed in Tuesday morning trading after the company announced that it is going to adopt the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) to expand payments and commerce in ChatGPT, allowing ChatGPT users to be able to check out instantly using PayPal.  PayPal said it will also support payments processing for […] - [Elon Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with online encyclopedia Wikipedia](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/28/elon-musk-launching-grokipedia-compete-online-encyclopedia-wikipedia/): Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Writing on social media, Musk said that “Grokipedia.com version 0.1 is now live” and promised that “Version 1.0 will be 10X better.” Grokipedia’s goal is “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” he said. Musk has previously criticized Wikipedia for being filled with “propaganda” and called for people to stop donating to the site. In September, he announced that his artificial intelligence company xAI was working on Grokipedia. The Grokipedia site has a minimalist appearance with little beyond […] - [Consumers’ view of labor market improves in October](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumers-view-of-labor-market-improves-in-october-34a8bb58?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [U.S. labor market continued to expand in mid-October, new weekly ADP report shows](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-labor-market-continued-to-expand-in-mid-october-new-weekly-adp-report-shows-1411762c?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Private sector created nearly 15,000 jobs a week over the past month, preliminary ADP data shows](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/28/private-sector-created-nearly-15000-jobs-a-week-over-the-past-month-preliminary-adp-data-shows.html): Private sector employers added an average 14,250 jobs per week over the past four weeks, according to new preliminary data being released by ADP, a turnaround from the negative September numbers. Stepping into the void created by the government shutdown, ADP will now release a four-week average weekly change in employment with a two-week lag every Tuesday. Today’s number is the four-week average ending Oct. 11. “ADP’s near real-time employment data, released weekly, will now provide an even clearer picture of the labor market at this critical time for the economy…providing a dynamic view of job creation and loss at an […] - [South Korean markets lead regional gains after U.S.-China trade talks show progress](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/27/asia-pacific-markets-monday-hang-seng-index-nifty-50-kospi-nikkei-225-us-china-trade-trump-xi.html): Stocks across Asia climbed Monday, led by South Korea, after top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators hashed out a framework on several disputed issues. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with CBS News that former President Trump's proposed 100% tariffs on Chinese imports are "essentially off the table." Asia-Pacific markets traded higher Monday, led by South Korea, after top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators hashed out a framework on several disputed issues, paving the way for U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign off on the terms. South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.83% after hitting a record high on Friday, while the small-cap Kosdaq added 0.72%. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1.16%, while the Topix added 1.07%. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with CBS News Sunday that Trump's proposed 100% tariffs on Chinese imports are "effectively off the table." He added that China is expected to make significant soybean purchases and to delay broad restrictions on rare earth exports. The U.S., however, will maintain its current export controls on China, Bessent noted. Futures of Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a stronger open, trading at 26,256 against the index's previous close of 26,160.15. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was trading 0.54% higher on open. Last Friday, all three major averages closed at records as cool inflation data spurred optimism among investors that the Federal Reserve can stay on its rate-cutting path, boosting the U.S. economy and justifying higher valuations for equities. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 472.51 points, or 1.01%, to 47,207.12, securing its first close above the 47,000 level ever. The S&P 500 added 0.79% to 6,791.69, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.15% to 23,204.87. Investors are also looking ahead to a widely expected interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve and a raft of Big Tech earnings reports. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Trump Opens ANWR to Oil Drilling](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/climate/trump-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-oil-drilling.html): The Interior Department also said it would allow a contentious road to be built through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Alaska.The Trump administration on Thursday announced a plan to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest remaining tracts of pristine wilderness in the United States.The decision was the latest twist in a long-running fight over the fate of the refuge’s coastal plain, an unspoiled expanse of 1.56 million acres that is believed to sit atop billions of barrels of oil but is also a critical habitat for polar bears, caribou, migratory birds and other wildlife.During his first term, President Trump signed a 2017 tax bill that required two oil and gas lease sales in the coastal plain, but the Biden administration later suspended and then canceled those leases.On Thursday, the Interior Department said it would hold an oil and gas lease sale in the coastal plain as soon as this winter. The agency also said it would reinstate seven oil leases in the refuge that the state of Alaska acquired in 2021 but that had been canceled two years later by the Biden administration.“This land should and will be supporting responsible oil and gas leasing,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said during an “Alaska Day” event at the Interior Department’s headquarters, which came even as many Interior employees were furloughed during the government shutdown.Mr. Burgum also announced that the Interior Department had finalized a deal that would allow a contentious gravel road to be built through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Alaska. And he reiterated that the agency would greenlight an industrial road that would cut through pristine wilderness to reach a proposed copper and zinc mine in northern Alaska.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Japan inflation edges higher for first time since May, matching forecasts as 'core-core' gauge eases](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/24/japan-inflation-edges-higher-for-first-time-since-may-matching-forecasts-as-core-core-gauge-eases.html): Japan’s core inflation picked up for the first time since May. Headline and core inflation both hit 2.9%, keeping inflation above the BOJ’s 2% target. The figures set an early test for new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who faces pressure to contain inflation without stalling growth. Government stockpiled rice, which was transported by bullet train, or the "shinkansen", into the capital is handed over to those who pre-ordered bags, at Tokyo Station on June 10, 2025. Str | Afp | Getty Images Japan's core inflation rate accelerated to 2.9% in September, the first increase since May and in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters. This was higher than the 2.7% seen in August. The core inflation metric in Japan strips out the prices of fresh food but includes energy costs. Headline inflation in Japan also climbed to 2.9% from 2.7% the previous month, above the Bank of Japan's 2% target. In contrast, the so-called "core-core" inflation rate — which strips out both fresh food and energy costs and is closely monitored by the BOJ — eased to 3% from 3.3% in August. Rice inflation, which drew headlines earlier this year, eased sharply to 49.2%, down from 69.7% the previous month. In May, rice inflation hit 101.7%, the highest level in 50 years. The data comes as Japan sees a new prime minister in Sanae Takaichi, who inherits an economy beset by trade uncertainties, cost-of-living worries, and a central bank determined to raise interest rates and normalize monetary policy. Inflation will be a major bugbear for Takaichi to tackle, experts previously told CNBC. Japan has a large population of retirees drawing pensions and those on a fixed income, making inflation "very painful" for them, Tomohiko Taniguchi, Special Advisor at the Fujitsu Future Studies Center, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Oct 13. "How to tackle inflation is going to be the first litmus test to judge whether Takaichi could deliver a policy package," Taniguchi said. Jesper Koll, expert director at financial services firm Monex Group told CNBC on Wednesday after Takaichi took power that "if inflation in Japan is still is not below 2% in six to nine months time, the popularity of this cabinet is going to plummet because [to] the Japanese people... the number one, number two, number three concern is inflation." — This is breaking news, please check back for updates. - [Asia-Pacific markets rise as White House says Trump will meet Xi next week](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/24/asia-pacific-markets-today-live-nikkei-225-csi-300-hang-seng-index.html): U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping are set to hold talks next Thursday. Overnight, the three major U.S. indexes closed higher. A HDR evening shot taken at sunset of the Tokyo skyline. Fgm | E+ | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets rose Friday, after the White House said that U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping were set to hold talks next week. U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will leave for Malaysia late Friday and then travel to Japan and South Korea, meeting Xi next Thursday after speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit, Reuters reported. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index climbed 0.78%, while the Topix added 0.39%. Japan's core inflation rate accelerated to 2.9% in September, the first increase since May and in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters. This was higher than the 2.7% seen in August. The core inflation metric in Japan strips out the prices of fresh food but includes energy costs. Headline inflation in Japan also climbed to 2.9% from 2.7% the previous month. South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.35% and the small-cap Kosdaq was 0.92% higher. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was trading 0.19% higher on open. Futures of Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a stronger open, trading at 26,139 against the index's previous close of 25,967.98. Overnight, the three major averages closed higher. The S&P 500 climbed 0.58% to close at 6,738.44, boosted by tech stocks, after a batch of strong earnings results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 144.20 points, or 0.31%, to finish at 46,734.61. The Nasdaq Composite outperformed, rising 0.89% to settle at 22,941.80, seeing support from the gains in Nvidia, Broadcom and Amazon. A nearly 3% jump in shares of fellow artificial intelligence player Oracle also boosted sentiment. — CNBC's Sean Conlon, Pia Singh and Lim Hui Jie contributed to this report. - [The Short Story on Index Inclusion](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/short-story-index-inclusion): Uncover the interesting dynamics in today’s markets between short interest and index inclusion. At first, these two seem unrelated, but when you look at the data, some patterns emerge. - [The Biggest Cybersecurity and Innovation Risks in Financial Services](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/biggest-cybersecurity-and-innovation-risks-financial-services): Nasdaq TradeTalks highlights the evolving cybersecurity and innovation risks facing the financial services sector, and Ron Ben-Zeev, CEO of World Housing Solution, shares how rapidly deployable shelters can help to solve the housing shortage. - [Alibaba prices AI glasses at $660 to rival Meta and launches ChatGPT challenger](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/23/alibaba-prices-ai-glasses-at-660-and-launches-chatgpt-rival.html): Alibaba said its Quark AI Glasses will start at 4,699 Chinese yuan ($659.37) with pre-sale beginning Oct. 24 and shipments beginning from December. Alibaba unveiled AI Chat Assistant, a new chatbot mode within its existing Quark app. The glasses and chatbot product highlight an increasing area of focus for Alibaba — AI that is aimed at consumers. Alibaba announced plans to release a pair of smart glasses powered by its AI models. The Quark AI Glasses are Alibaba's first foray into the smart glasses product category. Alibaba on Thursday announced pricing for its upcoming artificial intelligence glasses and launched a new chatbot powered by its latest AI models. The Chinese technology giant said the Quark AI Glasses will go on pre-sale on Oct. 24 on Alibaba's e-commerce platform Tmall. The pre-sale price will start at 4,699 Chinese yuan ($659.4) but after applying various discounts, will cost 3,999 yuan. Alibaba will begin shipping the product from December. The Hangzhou-headquartered firm also unveiled AI Chat Assistant, a new chatbot mode within its existing Quark app. The latest moves are part of Alibaba's aggressive AI push this year which has seen the company release updated models and a drive to reinvigorate sales at its cloud computing business through which it sells much of this technology to businesses. But the glasses and chatbot product highlight an increasing area of focus for Alibaba — AI that is aimed at consumers. Alibaba's shares closed nearly 1.7% higher in Hong Kong and its U.S.-listed stock also rose in premarket trade. Alibaba AI glasses Alibaba first announced the Quark AI Glasses in July. It's the first product of its kind from the Chinese giant and the eyewear is powered by the company's Qwen large language model and its Quark AI assistant. The glasses support functions such as hands-free calling, music streaming and real-time language translation. Many tech companies see wearables, specifically glasses, as the next frontier in computing, alongside the smartphone. The Quark AI Glasses are Alibaba's answer to Meta's smart glasses that were designed in collaboration with Ray-Ban.  The Chinese tech giant will also now compete with Chinese consumer electronics player Xiaomi who this year released its own AI glasses. New AI assistant Quark is Alibaba's main consumer-facing AI app. Alibaba on Thursday unveiled a product called AI Chat Assistant, which is a new AI chatbot powered by its latest Qwen3 models. The new mode allows users to switch to a chatbot style interface and have conversations via text or voice. Alibaba said the new feature allows "AI search and conversation" in one interface. The idea is that users can do everything they need in one application. Alibaba said some of the functions include photo editing, "photo-based problem solving" and AI writing. The product is Alibaba's answer to the growing number of chatbot products out there from OpenAI's ChatGPT to DeepSeek. - [CNBC's Inside India newsletter: Diwali sans sparkles for tariff-hit Indian exporters](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/23/cnbcs-inside-india-newsletter-diwali-sans-sparkles-for-tariff-hit-indian-exporters.html): Monday - Friday, 11:00 - 12:00 SIN/HK | 0500 - 06:00 CET Unsold inventory lying with textile exporters hit by U.S. tariffs is forcing them to cut production. Gems and jewelry exporters could see a hit of $9 billion. Report says a possible deal between Washington and New Delhi could cut tariffs to 10%-15%. People watch a light show on the banks of the Sarayu River on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ayodhya, India, on October 19, 2025. (Photo by Sanjay Kanojia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images This report is from this week's CNBC's "Inside India" newsletter which brings you timely, insightful news and market commentary on the emerging powerhouse. Subscribe here. The big story Indians celebrated Diwali this week — offering prayers for prosperity and good fortune. Those invocations come at a crucial time, as Indian exporters continue to grapple with punishing U.S. tariffs of 50%. The levies have been particularly worrisome for India's labor-intensive textiles, and gems and jewelry sectors. The U.S. remains the country's single largest export destination, accounting for more than $45.8 billion, or over 20%, of its total exports between April — start of India's financial year — and September. For industries that derive 30% or more of their export business from the U.S., the tariff shock has been a double whammy. Not only has it jeopardized billions of dollars in revenue, but also the employment of millions of workers whose livelihoods hinge on cross-border demand. The textile industry employs 45 million people directly while gems and jewelry gives jobs to more than 5 million people. It takes manufacturers about six months to prepare garments based on customers' guidelines, such as those provided by U.S. retailers including Walmart and Macys, said Ajay Kapoor, owner of a Mumbai-based textile and apparel sourcing company. With steep tariffs coming into effect in August, several Indian garment manufacturers for whom Kapoor sources textiles are now sitting on unsold inventory and fat bills to pay for the raw materials already consumed. "Their situation is bad. There is no business, crores [millions] of rupees are stuck in unsold inventory and the machines are lying idle," Kapoor said. Textile exports were down nearly 10% year on year in September compared to a 5% growth in July, before the 50% tariffs came into effect. India's exports of textiles, including ready-made garments, natural and synthetic yarns and handloom products, stood at $36.5 billion globally, with shipments to the U.S. making up $10.9 billion in fiscal year ended March 2025. Surat-based fabric and clothing manufacturer Parnika India, which has been selling Indian ethnic wear to 150 stores in the U.S., is among companies seeing their exports to the U.S. dry up. While the domestic market is a major source of revenue for the company, Vishal Pacheriwal, a second-generation entrepreneur and managing director at Parnika, said he plans to cut down production after the Diwali festive period. "The drying up of orders in U.S. business coupled with weak domestic demand this Diwali has left me with inventory," he said, adding that it is financially prudent to cut production. Losing glitter Another sector facing the brunt of tariffs is the gems and jewelry business. Rajesh Rokde, chairman of All India Gem and Jewelry Domestic Council that represents more than 600,000 gems and jewelry businesses across India, said that the industry is expected to take a hit of $9 billion due to U.S. tariffs. "Exporters have been hit badly. Generally, a sector can absorb a 10% hit, but when over 30% of its exports are impacted, it is a big blow," he said. According to government trade data for fiscal year 2025, India exported gems and jewelry worth $29.8 billion, with about a third of that going to the U.S. Rokde said that nearly 80% of exports to the U.S. were of diamond jewelry while 15% were gold ornaments. That mix gives a slight edge to exporters in this category compared to textiles, as 14 out of 15 diamonds used in jewelry go through India for processing. September trade data shows that gems and jewelry exports grew at 0.4%, year on year basis. This indicates "offsetting effect of shipments to other geographies," said Indian brokerage ICICI Securities in a report dated Oct. 18. But that growth was much lower compared to 28.9% rise in July before tariffs came into effect. Other industries are also hoping for a trade deal that brings down U.S. tariffs. Take the case of Jodhpur, a city in northwestern India, that ships wooden handicraft and furniture to the U.S. "Our exports have fallen sharply," said Raunak Singhvi, whose family owns a furniture export business in the city. Jodhpur manufactures about 50 billion rupees ($570 million) worth of furniture annually of which around 50% is exported to the U.S., Singhvi said, adding that these products fetch a better price in the U.S. compared to the domestic market. As the demand rose during Covid-19, Singhvi said many companies like his family's business invested in expanding capacity. "Many of those factories have shut down, people have lost their jobs and U.S. importers are asking for discount," he said. Earlier, furniture faced a tariff of 2.5% to 5% but now it is over 50%. "A tariff of 15% is still manageable, but anything above 25% will be a catastrophe," said Singhvi. Indian business daily Mint on Wednesday reported that Washington and New Delhi could soon finalize a deal that could see tariffs slashed to around 15%-16%. That potential breakthrough could be the lifeline exporters have been waiting for as orders dry up and companies are forced to cut production. A tariff cut could revive order books, stabilize jobs, and help India's export engine regain momentum. Lack of a breakthrough could darken exporters' prospects beyond this festive season. Top TV picks on CNBC George Heber Joseph, CEO and CIO of ASK Investment Managers, said that festive demand in India is driven by the confluence of strong consumer confidence, easing inflation and rising disposable income. MUFG's senior currency analyst Michael Wan said any rebound in the Indian rupee will be modest as tariff uncertainty and weak trade sentiment continue to weigh on it. Levi Strauss & Co. CEO Michelle Gass said the company plans to double down on markets such as India and China. Need to know India nears a trade deal with U.S. According to an Indian media report. New Delhi and Washington are close to reaching a trade deal. While the U.S. may cut tariffs on Indian exports to 15%-16% from the current 50%, India could agree to gradually wind down its imports of Russian oil. Walmart pauses H-1B visa for job candidates. One of the largest U.S. employers of H1-B visa holders has paused hiring after President Donald Trump raised the visa fee to $100,000. Urban Company shares could fall 26%. The newly listed Indian home services startup, whose shares gained more than 50% on debut, could see its shares drop by 26%, according to Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. Quote of the week I'll say again, [Indian stocks] are not cheap, they're not something that gets value investors like us very excited. But India is now such a large component of global emerging markets that it is very hard to ignore these stocks. — Kamil Dimmich, partner and portfolio manager at North of South Capital In the markets The Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex were up over 0.8% as of 11 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET). The indexes have gained over 10% and nearly 9%, respectively, so far this year. The benchmark 10-year Indian government bond yield was up 2 basis point at 6.527%. Stock chart icon Coming up Oct. 24: HSBC manufacturing and services flash PMI for October Oct. 28: Industrial output for September Each weekday, CNBC's "Inside India" news show gives you news and market commentary on the emerging powerhouse businesses, and the people behind its rise. Livestream the show on YouTube and catch highlights here.  SHOWTIMES: U.S.: Sunday-Thursday, 23:00-0000 ETAsia: Monday-Friday, 11:00-12:00 SIN/HK, 08:30-09:30 India Europe: Monday-Friday, 0500-06:00 CET - [Asia markets trade mixed as Japan’s new PM takes office and exports miss forecasts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/asia-markets-stock-market-today-wednesday-live-updates-japan-trade-data-sanae-takaichi.html): Investors will focus on Japan's new government and key export data out of Tokyo. Australian markets retreated from Tuesday's gains after rare earth stocks briefly rallied on news of a U.S.-Australia critical minerals agreement. Mount Fuji and the Shinjuku skyline in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed Wednesday as investors weighed Japan's new government and fresh trade data from Tokyo. Japanese exports in September snapped four months of declines, climbing 4.2% year on year, as shipments to Asia saw robust growth, partially offsetting the drop in exports to the U.S. Exports, however, missed expectations of a 4.6% rise, according to median estimates in a Reuters poll of economists. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her new cabinet were sworn in on Tuesday, with her former rival in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race, Shinjiro Koizumi, named defense minister and Satsuki Katayama becoming Japan's first female finance minister. Japan's Nikkei 225 was flat in early trading, while the Topix index rose 0.3%. On Tuesday, the Nikkei briefly set a new intraday record of 49,945.95, before retreating after Takaichi won the parliamentary vote to become Prime Minister. South Korea's Kospi index was flat, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.37%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day down 0.65%, pulling back from earlier gains on Tuesday after rare earth stocks briefly rallied on news of a U.S.-Australia critical minerals agreement. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,919, lower than the last close of 26,027.55. Indian markets are closed for a holiday. Overnight in the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average set a new closing record, boosted by strong earnings reports from companies such as Coca-Cola and 3M, while the S&P 500 was relatively unchanged. The 30-stock index gained 0.47% to close at 46,924.74, and briefly topped 47,000 during the session. The broad market S&P 500 closed just above the flatline at 6,735.35, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite lagged, falling 0.16% to 22,953.67. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Scottish private sector experiences 'employment upturn'](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-private-sector-experiences-employment-36107244): The latest PMI data for Scotland has showed reasons for optimism, as the country enters the final quarter. Businesses took on additional staff for the first time in four months and expectations for the coming year strengthened, according to the headline Royal Bank of Scotland Growth Tracker. This marked only the second instance when staffing levels have risen in the past 10 months. The upturn was centred on services firms, where businesses highlighted the successful onboarding of apprentices and contractors. Nonetheless, business activity slowed – contrasting with a positive spike witnessed in August. The seasonally-adjusted index, which measures month-on-month changes in […] - [Beyond Meat, Walmart and a MEME ETF](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/beyond-meat-walmart-meme-etf): BlackRock U.S. Head of Equity ETFS Jay Jacobs discusses third-quarter earnings reports, AI ETFs, Treasury yield projections and more on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ It’s been a wild two days for Beyond Meat investors, with shares jumping over 146% after falling to a record low earlier this month.  Ticker Security Last Change Change % BYND BEYOND MEAT INC. 3.62 +2.15 +146.26% WMT WALMART INC. 106.22 -0.81 -0.76% On Tuesday, the battered plant-based meat company said it will expand its distribution deal with Walmart, the nation’s biggest retailer.  Engineered plant-based burger patties from food company Beyond Meat are visible on shelves among other […] - [Melania Trump Used as ‘Window-Dressing’ in Elaborate Memecoin Fraud, Legal Filing Claims](https://www.wired.com/story/melania-trump-used-as-window-dressing-in-elaborate-memecoin-fraud-legal-filing-claims/): A cryptocurrency promoted in January by US first lady Melania Trump was part of a sophisticated fraud that “leveraged celebrity association and ‘borrowed fame’ to sell legitimacy to unsuspecting investors,” a new legal filing has alleged. In April, crypto investors brought a federal class action lawsuit against Benjamin Chow, cofounder of crypto exchange Meteora, and Hayden Davis, cofounder of crypto venture capital firm Kelsier Labs, among other defendants, accusing them of a multimillion-dollar fraud involving a single memecoin, $M3M3. Later, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, expanding the allegations to include racketeering activity. They claimed the pair had colluded to rig […] - [Japan's Nikkei 225 hits new record with Takaichi all set to become prime minister](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/21/asia-markets-today-japan-parliamentary-vote-australia-rare-earths.html): Asia-Pacific markets opened higher. Investors will be looking to Japan's parliamentary vote for the country's next prime minister. Shares of Australian rare earth companies rose after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a critical minerals agreement Tuesday. Indian markets are closed for a holiday. TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 27: Pedestrians and shoppers walk through the Akihabara area on July 27, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan's core consumer price index climbed by 3.3% in June, outpacing the US figure for the first time in eight years as the Bank of Japan holds its monetary policy meeting on July 27 and 28. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images) Tomohiro Ohsumi | Getty Images News | Getty Images Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose more than 1% to a fresh record at 49,739.76, after closing at an all-time high Monday. The Topix also added 0.48% to hit a record high. Broader Asia-Pacific markets also opened higher, tracking Wall Street gains led by a rally in Apple shares. Investors await Japan's parliamentary vote, which is likely to see Sanae Takaichi become the country's next prime minister, after the right-wing opposition Japan Innovation Party said Monday it was ready to back her premiership. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.50%. Shares of the country's rare earth companies rose after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a critical minerals agreement Tuesday, aimed at countering China's dominance. Australia's Lynas Rare Earths added 3.8%, Iluka Resources jumped nearly 6%, Pilbara Minerals rose 4.7%. VHM skyrocketed over 30%, while Northern Minerals soared nearly 15%. South Korea's Kospi index jumped 1.57%, while the small-cap Kosdaq gained 0.52%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a higher open, trading at 26,232, against the index's previous close of 25,858.83. Indian markets are closed for a holiday. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours, ahead of a busy earnings week from big-name companies and inflation data. Overnight, the three key benchmarks in the U.S. rose on a rally in Apple shares after Loop Capital upgraded it to buy from hold.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 515.97 points, or 1.12%, higher at 46,706.58. The S&P 500 also climbed 1.07% to settle at 6,735.13, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.37% to settle at 22,990.54. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [WATCH: The Economic Week Ahead](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-20-watch-the-economic-week-ahead/): Global markets brace for key data releases this week, with PMI and inflation figures in focus — and uncertainty over which US numbers will be released amid a government shutdown. Business Day TV spoke to Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets, for more on what to expect. - [Google Has a Bed Bug Infestation in Its New York Offices](https://www.wired.com/story/theres-a-beg-bug-infestation-at-googles-manhattan-offices/): Google employees working at the company’s Chelsea campus in New York City received a notice on Sunday alerting them to a possible bed bug outbreak at the office. Exterminators arrived at the scene with a sniffer dog “and found credible evidence of their presence,” according to an email obtained by WIRED. The email was sent to all Google employees in New York on behalf of the company’s environmental, health, and safety team. Employees were told to avoid the office until the treatment was complete. On Monday morning, they were allowed to return. Google is performing additional inspections at other Google campuses […] - [Rare earths make gains amid battle to beat China’s dominance](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/20/rare-earths-gain-amid-us-effort-to-beat-chinas-dominance.html): China has a long dominated the rare earth supply chain. The U.S. is now seeking a domestic production as trade tit-for-tats continue between the two countries. The share prices of U.S. listed rare earth stocks soared on Monday. Shares of U.S.-listed companies related to the rare earth supply chain climbed on Monday as investors continued to weigh the impact of export restrictions on domestic producers.   Rare earths are minerals that are essential to many aspects of modern life, particularly for the technology sector and the energy transition, as they are used in everything from semiconductors, fighter jets to the motors of […] - [How Jared Kushner Re-emerged at the Center of the Israel-Hamas Peace Deal](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010458218/how-jared-kushner-re-emerged-at-the-center-of-the-israel-hamas-peace-deal.html): new video loaded: - [‘Everything Is Gone’: Gazans Return Home to Find Devastation and Little Hope](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/world/middleeast/gaza-city-israel-hamas-cease-fire.html): Sabah Abu Ghanem and her family made the long trek back to Gaza City after Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire this month, leaving a crowded tent encampment in the south of the territory with the goal of finally going home. When they arrived, they found that their neighborhood had been destroyed, like most of Gaza City. But the cement skeleton of their home was still standing, so they decided to live in one of its damaged rooms. “At least, this piece of land is ours,” said Ms. Abu Ghanem, 26. “This rubble I can call mine.” Since the cease-fire […] - [Japanese family businesses are facing a succession crisis. That is fueling a private equity boom](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/20/japan-succession-crisis-private-equity-boom-ageing-population.html): Across the country, ageing business owners are facing a lack of heirs interested in inheriting their company, while also weighed down by prospects of steep inheritance taxes. For many, a once-taboo option has become a viable alternative now: sell to private equity. - [ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: CPI likely to edge up in September](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-19-economic-week-ahead-cpi-likely-to-edge-up-in-september/): Fuel and food dynamics continue to shape outlook as Reserve Bank prepares monetary policy review 19 October 2025 - 20:47 With a thin line-up of local releases, all eyes this week will be on Wednesday’s publication of consumer inflation for September and the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy review on Thursday.Economists expect headline inflation to remain close to the Bank’s preferred 3% target, though a slight uptick from August’s 3.3% reading is broadly expected... - [ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: SA’s economy likely to slow, but resilience keeps growth alive](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-19-sas-economy-likely-to-slow-but-resilience-keeps-growth-alive/): Economists expect manufacturing and consumer spending to offset softer mining output and weak global demand 19 October 2025 - 14:40 The economy likely slowed in the third quarter, though it remained in positive territory. Resilience in parts of manufacturing and consumer spending helped offset softer mining output and weak global demand, economists said.Absa Corporate and Investment Bank’s senior economist and head of SA macroeconomic research, Miyelani Maluleke, said high-frequency data for the quarter so far suggests “encouraging resilience” in key sectors... - [The Spritzes and Carbonaras That Ate Italy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/world/europe/italy-tourism-restaurants.html): There seemed to be no end to the sprawl of Italian delicacies. Deep-fried arancine rice balls, cannoli and fluorescent Aperol spritzes spilled across the red-and-green checkered tablecloths of the 31 restaurants packed in a single street in Palermo, feeding a polyglot and ecstatic crowd. “This stretch here is magnificent, it is — bang! Just restaurant after restaurant,” said Mark Smith, 55, an Australian tourist sipping an Aperol spritz on the street, Via Maqueda. For Palermo’s mayor, that was one spritz too many. He banned the opening of new eateries on Via Maqueda and surrounding streets this year, conceding that even the […] - [White House joins Bluesky and immediately trolls Trump opponents](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/18/white-house-joins-bluesky-immediately-trolls-trump-opponents/): The White House on Friday joined Bluesky, the social media platform of choice of many in the left-leaning online world. In its inaugural post, the White House account offered a sizzle reel of the administration’s memes, trolls and messages from President Trump’s nine months since returning to office. The post appeared aimed at tweaking liberals who aren’t fans of the Republican president. The first post included mentions of the administration’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico, a doctored image of Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries adorned in a sombrero with a faux mustache, and stream of photos and video […] - [What to Know About Madagascar’s Government](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010458018/what-to-know-about-madagascars-government.html): new video loaded: What to Know About Madagascar’s Government After weeks of protests calling for him to resign, Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, seemed to have left the country, and the military said it had taken control. John Eligon, the Johannesburg bureau chief for The New York Times, explains what we know and don’t know. By John Eligon, Christina Thornell, Claire Hogan, Joey Sendaydiego and Nikolay Nikolov October 17, 2025 New York Times Video - [ByteDance’s Other AI Chatbot Is Quietly Gaining Traction Around the World](https://www.wired.com/story/bytedances-ai-chatbot-is-quietly-gaining-traction-around-the-world/): ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has built what is currently the most popular AI chatbot in China: Doubao. Launched in 2023, the app has risen to the top of the country’s generative AI market, reaching more than 157 million monthly active users by August, according to Chinese analytics firm QuestMobile. But what’s less known is that Doubao also has an overseas counterpart: Cici. It was released around the same time and features a nearly identical female cartoon avatar as its app icon, except Cici’s has longer hair than Doubao’s. The app is region-locked and not available in either China or […] - [Robison demands ‘urgent clarity’ from Westminster on funding ahead of Budget](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/robison-demands-urgent-clarity-westminster-36084015): Holyrood’s Finance Secretary is demanding “urgent clarity” from the Treasury over whether the Scottish Government will get cash to replicate a funding boost given to Wales. Shona Robison is hoping to see the cash, delivered as part of the UK Government’s local growth fund, replicated in Scotland. She raised the issue after it was announced this week that Wales will get £547m over three years from the fund – with ministers in Cardiff to decide how the money is spent. Robison raised the issue ahead of a meeting in Edinburgh with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray. He will […] - [TSMC profit surges 39% to beat estimates and hit yet another record on AI chip demand](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/tsmc-hits-yet-another-record-as-profit-surges-39percent-beating-estimates-on-ai-chip-demand-surge.html): TSMC's high-performance computing division, which encompasses artificial intelligence and 5G applications, made up the majority of third-quarter sales, accounting for 57% of revenues. TSMC has benefited from the artificial intelligence megatrend as it manufactures advanced AI processors for clients, including Nvidia and AMD. The TSMC logo is displayed on a building in Hsinchu, Taiwan April 15, 2025. Ann Wang | Reuters Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. on Thursday reported a 39.1% increase in third-quarter profit from last year, beating estimates and hitting a fresh record as demand for artificial intelligence chips stayed strong. Here are the company's results versus LSEG SmartEstimates: Revenue: 989.92 billion New Taiwan dollars ($33.10 billion) vs. NT$977.46 billion expected Net income: NT$452.3 billion, vs. NT$417.69 billion  TSMC's revenue in the September quarter rose 30.3% from a year ago to NT$989.92 billion, also beating estimates. Net income increased 13.7% from last quarter, which had marked a record high at the time. As Asia's largest technology company by market capitalization, TSMC has benefited from the artificial intelligence boom, producing advanced AI processors for clients such as Nvidia and AMD. "Recent developments in AI market continue to be very positive," TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said on an earnings call, adding that increasing adoption of AI models by consumers has led to more demand for compute, and by extension, semiconductor products. "Thus, our conviction in the AI megatrend is strengthening," he added. Bolstered by this AI strength, Wei said the company had raised its 2025 revenue growth forecast to the mid-30% range. In July, the company had expected full-year revenue growth of about 30%. TSMC also increased its expected floor for capacity expansion and upgrades to $40 billion for the full year, up from a previous floor of $38 billion. Cutting-edge chips TSMC's high-performance computing division, which encompasses artificial intelligence and 5G applications, made up the majority of sales in the July-September quarter, accounting for 57% of revenue. TSMC said advanced chips, with sizes 7-nanometer or smaller, accounted for 74% of TSMC's total wafer revenue in the quarter.  In semiconductor technology, smaller nanometer sizes signify more compact transistor designs, which lead to greater processing power and efficiency.  Growth in TSMC's most advanced chips particularly drove revenue gains in the third quarter, according to Counterpoint Research senior analyst William Li. "TSMC's robust earnings are a direct reflection of the strong traction at 3nm as well as high utilization at 4/5nm – both of which are being driven by ongoing orders from AI GPU and HPC customers and premium smartphone platforms," Li told CNBC in a statement.  TSMC executives also said Thursday that they were monitoring U.S. tariff developments as Taiwan negotiates for a lower "reciprocal" rate and Washington weighs industry-specific duties on semiconductors. However, TSMC is likely to receive some exemptions.  "We understand there are uncertainties and risks from the potential impact of tariff policies, especially in consumer-related and price-sensitive market segments," Wei said, adding that the company would continue to monitor and plan for any impact.  TSMC has been investing heavily in facilities in the U.S. — spending that could help reduce its exposure to tariff impacts. Shares of TSMC in Taiwan have risen more than 38% so far this year. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that TSMC produces advanced AI processors for AMD. An earlier version stated the wrong company. - [Asia-Pacific markets dip as banking and trade fears take hold on Wall Street](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/17/asia-markets-friday-hang-seng-hsi-kospi-nikkei-225.html): Asian markets started the day lower. Shares of regional banks and investment bank Jefferies tumbled Thursday as fears mounted around some bad loans lurking in the U.S. Activity on Elizabeth Street (at the intersection of Bourke St Mall), Melbourne on a cloudy day. Charlie Rogers | Moment | Getty Images Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 1% in early trade, while the broad-based Topix fell 0.75%. South Korea's Kospi dipped 0.48%, and the small-cap Kosdaq declined 0.13%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index futures were at 25,862, lower than the HSI's last close of 25,888.51. U.S. stock futures were slightly lower on Thursday night stateside after the previous session saw a sell-off fueled by concerns about regional banks' loan practices. Overnight in the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 301.07 points, or nearly 0.7%, to close at 45,952.24. Earlier in the day, the 30-stock index had gained 170 points. The S&P 500 finished 0.6% lower at 6,629.07, giving up a 0.6% gain at the highs of the session. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.5% to settle at 22,562.54. — CNBC's Liz Napolitano, Pia Singh and Alex Harring contributed to this report. - [New Round Lot Rules Help Issuers with High-Priced Stocks](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/new-round-lot-rules-help-issuers-high-priced-stocks): The new SEC round lot regime improves the round lot constraint problem. Starting in November, on-screen spreads for the highest priced stocks, should be better (lower). - [What’s Next for the Gaza Cease-Fire Plan](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010458240/whats-next-for-the-gaza-cease-fire-plan.html): new video loaded: - [Kganyago urges ratings transparency at G20 meeting in Washington](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-16-kganyago-urges-ratings-transparency-at-g20-meeting-in-washington/): Washington — Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago said developing nations should be able to challenge ratings agencies’ methodologies to ensure greater transparency.Speaking after the conclusion of the Group of 20 (G20) finance chiefs meetings in Washington, Kganyago said transparency in ratings could yield better outcomes for developing countries.“If we are able to take their methodology and take the data they are using and see whether we are able to replicate it ... we can actually engage them and challenge them based on their methodology and say that your rating is wrong,” he said.SA, which holds the G20 presidency until November, committed to address the elevated cost of capital for developing economies, which includes the role of ratings agencies.However, the proposed commission to examine these concerns remains unestablished. The initiative, outlined in a policy priorities document at the start of SA’s presidency, sought to explore barriers to affordable and predictable capital flows for development, including those linked to ratings agencies’ methodologies.During the fourth meeting under SA’s G20 presidency, finance ministers and central bank governors issued a chair summary instead of a formal communique, a recurring feature of multilateral discussions where consensus isn’t reached.The summary highlighted global economic resilience but identified risks such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, elevated debt levels, and severe weather events.The statement emphasised the importance of dealing with excessive imbalances, particularly for developing economies.“Given the challenges of high public debt and fiscal pressures, members acknowledged the importance of pursuing growth-orientated macroeconomic policies to enhance long-term growth potential,” the chair summary reads.The group also addressed the unequal development of AI across developing nations, advancing discussions on innovation’s transformative potential. It underscored the need for reforms at multilateral development banks to expand lending capacity while amplifying developing countries’ influence in decision-making processes.SA will hand the G20 presidency to the US in November.Reuters - [Trump's pivot away from solar power hit planned 62,300-acre project in Nevada desert](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/16/trumps-pivot-away-solar-power-hit-planned-62300-acre-project-nevada/): Solar proponents are melting down over a Trump administration move to curb the development of a project in Nevada that environmental groups said would threaten the sensitive ecosystem and blight one of the most intact remaining landscapes in the state. Esmeralda 7 was slated to become the largest solar development in America if the 62,300-acre array is ever completed. But the Trump administration has thrown up a big obstacle, halting an environmental review that was fast-tracked last year by the Biden administration in its quest to eliminate fossil fuels from the energy grid. The move caused an uproar in the solar […] - [Building for Energy Abundance](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/building-energy-abundance): Nasdaq TradeTalks explore the impact of AI on cybersecurity and Hannan Happi, CEO and Co-founder of Exowatt, shares why decentralized distributed energy resources are critical to the future for energy infrastructure. - [Nio shares plunge 12% after Singapore's GIC accuses Chinese EV maker of inflating revenue](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/nio-shares-fall-after-singapores-gic-accuses-firm-of-inflating-revenue.html): The Nio logo is seen at the Nio booth at the National Exhibition Center in Shanghai, China, on April 28, 2025, during the Shanghai Automobile Show 2025. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Hong Kong-listed shares of Nio plunged over 12% after Singapore's sovereign wealth fund sued the Chinese electric vehicle maker for allegedly violating securities laws by inflating its revenues. The lawsuit named Nio's CEO Li Bin and former Financial Officer Feng Wei as defendants, according to a court document filed in August in the Southern District of New York court. Shares of Nio on the Singapore Exchange tumbled over 9%. CNBC has reached out to GIC and Nio for comment and is waiting for their response. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. - [Hamas Says It Has Returned All Hostage Remains It Can Recover](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/world/middleeast/hamas-gaza-hostages-remains-israel.html): The militants said they would need special equipment to retrieve more bodies in Gaza. The announcement could put the truce with Israel at risk. Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said on Wednesday night that it had handed over all of the remains of Israeli hostages that it had been able to recover without additional equipment, potentially putting a cease-fire with Israel in the Gaza Strip at risk. In a statement, the Palestinian militant group said that it has “committed to what was agreed upon and handed over everyone it had in terms of living captives and what it had in […] - [Asia-Pacific markets rise, tracking Wall Street gains on strong bank earnings](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/asia-pacific-markets-thursday-nikkei-225-asx-hang-seng-index-tsmc.html): Asia-Pacific markets rose. Australia will release the September jobs data later in the day. Australia, Victoria, Melbourne, buildings on bank of Yarra river Peter Adams | Stone | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets rose Thursday, tracking Wall Street gains on strong bank earnings in a volatile trading session. Investors have been on edge in recent days as global trade tensions have escalated. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), known to many as Wall Street's fear gauge, has trended higher over the past week, rising last Friday to more than 21.6, or its most elevated level since late May. The index finished at 20.6 on Wednesday stateside. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.16%. Investors will look to the country's jobs data for September, due out later in the day. Economists polled by Reuters are expecting an unemployment rate of 4.3%, up from 4.2% in August. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index jumped 0.95%, while the Topix index added 0.8%. South Korea's Kospi index advanced 1.09%, while the small-cap Kosdaq traded 0.2% higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was set to open lower, with its futures contract trading at 25,848, against the index's previous close of 25,910.6. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours after major banks reported earnings beat, as Washington's government shutdown entered its third week and escalating trade tensions with China persisted. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day little changed, down just 17.15 points, or 0.04% at 46,253.31. At one point in the day, the 30-stock index rose as much as 422.88 points. The S&P 500 finished 0.4% higher at 6,671.06, after gaining as much as 1.2% intraday. The Nasdaq Composite ended up 0.7% at 22,670.08. It briefly rallied as much as 1.4%. — CNBC's Liz Napolitano and Lisa Kailai Han contributed to this report. - [Group including Nvidia, BlackRock buying Aligned Data Centers in deal worth about $40 billion](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/15/group-including-nvidia-blackrock-buying-aligned-data-centers-deal/): A group including BlackRock, Nvidia and Microsoft is buying Aligned Data Centers in an approximately $40 billion deal in an effort to expand next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition comes amid a flurry of deals in recent months involving top AI developers that are flooding the booming AI sector with resources and money, and addressing resources — such as electricity and infrastructure — needed to support such technology. Last week it was revealed that semiconductor maker AMD will supply its chips to artificial intelligence company OpenAI as part of an agreement to team up on building AI infrastructure. OpenAI […] - [OpenAI partners with Walmart to let users buy products in ChatGPT, furthering chatbot shopping push](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/15/openai-joins-walmart-let-users-buy-products-chatgpt/): NEW YORK — OpenAI is partnering with Walmart to let shoppers make purchases directly within ChatGPT, furthering the artificial intelligence company’s push to turn its chatbot into a virtual merchant as it seeks to boost revenue. In an Tuesday announcement, Walmart said the new offering will give customers the option to “simply chat and buy.” That means the retailer’s products would be available through instant checkout in ChatGPT – allowing users to buy anything from meal ingredients or household items, to other goods they might be discussing with the chatbot. “For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted of a […] - [Waymo plans to bring its driverless taxis to London in 2026](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/15/waymo-london-plans-bring-driverless-taxis-city-2026/): LONDON — Robotaxi pioneer Waymo plans to expand to London next year, marking the company’s latest step in rolling out its driverless ride service internationally. Waymo said Wednesday that it will start testing its self-driving cars on London streets in the coming weeks – with a human “safety driver” behind the wheel – as it seeks to win government approval for its services. In a blog post, Waymo said it will “lay the groundwork” for its London service in the coming months. The company said it will “continue to engage with local and national leaders to secure the necessary permissions for […] - [SA stone fruit gain ground in China after historic trade deal](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-15-sa-stone-fruit-gain-ground-in-china-after-historic-trade-deal/): Trade protocol opens the Asian giant’s market to five locally grown fruits 15 October 2025 - 13:07 by Jana Marx SA’s stone fruit industry is poised for a major boost after the signing of a landmark trade protocol with China, which opens the Asian giant’s market to five locally grown fruits for the first time.Stone fruit refers to a category of fruit that contains a large, hard seed or “stone” inside... - [China greenlights autonomous driving firms Pony.ai and WeRide's Hong Kong listings](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/15/chinese-autonomous-driving-firms-ponyai-and-weride-to-list-in-hong-kong-.html): The China Securities Regulatory Commission announced on Tuesday that autonomous driving firms Pony AI and WeRide have filed to issue and list shares in Hong Kong. The Guangzhou-based firms are amongst a growing wave of Chinese companies seeking secondary listings in Hong Kong, in what has been a bounce-back year for the city's IPO market. A Pony.ai AION robot taxi is displayed during the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai on April 23, 2025. Wang Zhao | Afp | Getty Images Autonomous driving firms Pony.ai and WeRide have received approval from China's securities regulator for secondary listings in Hong Kong, as the companies look to raise funds and continue their global expansion.  The China Securities Regulatory Commission announced Tuesday that both companies had filed to issue and list shares in Hong Kong. Chinese companies seeking a foreign listing are required to file an application with the CSRC in advance, giving the regulators final say on whether the company can go public overseas. Pony.ai and WeRide, which are already listed in the United States, can issue about 102 million new shares each for their Hong Kong listings. WeRide has tapped Morgan Stanley and China International Capital Corporation to work on the listing, according to a Reuters report. Neither WeRide nor Pony.ai immediately responded to CNBC's inquiry on their IPO plans.  Pony.ai CEO James Peng had told CNBC in July that the company was exploring a Hong Kong listing. Hong Kong would offer "close proximity" to the company's home market of China, which is something that would interest a lot of investors, Peng said.  Pony.ai and WeRide, both headquartered in Guangzhou, are amongst a growing wave of Chinese companies seeking secondary listings in Hong Kong, in what has been a bounce-back year for the city's IPO market. The Chinese companies' move to dual list also comes as they expand their presence to new regions, including the Middle East, Europe and Asian countries such as Singapore, although they have yet to receive full approvals to operate their robotaxis in most of those regions.  In the U.S., both companies have partnered with Uber, with hopes of deploying their robotaxis on the firm's ride-hailing platform after receiving approval. In China, they have already begun operating fully autonomous robotaxis in major cities, which can be hailed via their respective apps.  The companies have smaller autonomous vehicle fleets when compared to more established players such as Baidu's Apollo Go in China and Alphabet's Waymo in the U.S. Pony.ai launched its IPO in November with shares priced at $13 apiece — the stock has gained more than 60% since. WeRide debuted on the Nasdaq, with the IPO priced at $15.50 a share in October 2024, and its stock has lost over 30% so far. - [Chinese firms pull back from listing in the U.S. as Hong Kong IPOs see a surge](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/15/chinese-firms-pull-back-from-listing-in-the-us-as-hong-kong-ipos-see-a-surge.html): Chinese companies have pulled back from listing in the U.S. this year in a clear pivot to Hong Kong amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington, and higher regulatory thresholds in New York. Chinese IPOs in the U.S. have slumped 4% year-on-year in terms of deal value so far this year, raising just $875.7 million from 23 deals. "We expect a very busy Q4 and first-half 2026 with a super strong pipeline," said Peihao Huang, head of equity capital markets for Asia Pacific at J.P. Morgan. Chinese companies have pulled back from listing in the U.S. this year in a clear pivot to Hong Kong amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington, and higher regulatory thresholds in New York. Chinese initial public offerings in the U.S. have slumped 4% year-on-year in terms of deal value so far this year, raising just $875.7 million from 23 deals. That's down 93% from the $13 billion across 39 listings during the same period in 2021, according to data provider Dealogic. In 2021, Chinese IPOs in the U.S. were on track hit a record high, before Beijing moved to intensify supervision of domestic firms after ride-hailing operator Didi Global pressed ahead with plans to go public in New York despite China's objections. Less than six months after it went public, Didi started its delisting process . Meanwhile, Chinese IPOs in Hong Kong this year have surged 164% year on year, raising $18.4 billion from 56 listings, Dealogic data showed. "Chinese listings in the U.S. have pretty much become non-existence since Didi Global's ill-fated IPO in the U.S.," said Perris Lee, head of equity capital market for APAC at Mergermarket, attributing the pullback largely to Beijing's sharper regulatory oversight. "It will be increasingly challenging to receive greenlight [from Beijing to list in the U.S.] especially for companies that fall under China's government orchestrated strategic industries," Lee said, prompting Chinese firms to continue seeking listings in Hong Kong. The Asian financial hub, on track to become the world's largest listing destination this year, has seen a surge in IPOs, boosted by a string of billion-dollar deals, including Contemporary Amperex Technology's $5.3 billion IPO and Zijin Gold's $3.2 billion listing. Interest in Hong Kong is fueled by a confluence of factors, including better fundraising condition following Beijing's supportive measures introduced in September last year, boom in technology and artificial intelligence sectors, fueled by the unexpected rise of Chinese startup DeepSeek, said Eugene Hsiao, head of China equity strategy at Macquarie. Hong Kong regulators also unveiled a so-called "Technology Enterprises Channel" in May to facilitate IPO approvals for specialist technology and biotech companies, particularly those already listed in the mainland. PwC projects Hong Kong to see up to 100 IPOs this year, with total fundraising to exceed $25.5 billion. Expectations are high that momentum will carry into the final quarter this year, according to Peihao Huang, head of equity capital markets for Asia Pacific at J.P. Morgan. "We expect a very busy Q4 and first-half 2026 with a super strong pipeline," Peihao said, as Chinese companies listed in the mainland accelerate their process for a Hong Kong dual listing, as well as new IPOs in the city. Investors have also grown more upbeat about opportunities in Greater China, encouraged by the conviction of China's strengths in selective technologies, biotech and advanced manufacturing sectors, attractive valuations in Chinese equities and a cautious repositioning by global funds that have for years been "structurally underweight" on China, Peihao said. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index has advanced 27% so far this year, despite the recent retreat following the renewed U.S.-China tensions. Beijing controls One major snarl for Chinese companies interested in U.S. listings is Beijing's tight control of the IPO process. Chinese government has been keeping a firm grip on capital outflows, including stock offerings overseas. Asserting its power over private businesses, Beijing in 2020 halted Ant Group's planned Hong Kong and Shanghai listings less than 48 hours before what would've been the world's biggest IPO. "Shein's failed attempt to get listed in the U.S. has only further underscored Beijing's regulatory preferences on where its companies should get listed — either at home [onshore exchanges] or Hong Kong," Lee added. Shein, an online fast-fashion retailer with Chinese roots, was looking to list in New York but ultimately shelved the plan, reportedly shifting its focus to a Hong Kong listing after its proposed London IPO failed to secure approval from Beijing. More than 280 Chinese companies are listed on major U.S. stock exchanges including Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange with a total market capitalization of $1.1 trillion, according to a March report from the U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission . Small-cap companies have made up the vast majority of the China's U.S. listing as blockbuster, multibillion-dollar IPOs remain absent from U.S. exchanges. The average Chinese IPO in 2024 raised just $50 million, down from over $300 million in 2021, according to the report. Seeking safer ground A growing number of U.S.-listed Chinese companies are also looking at Hong Kong amid rising delisting risks in the U.S., a trend that's giving an extra boost to the city's sizzling market. U.S. lawmakers called for the delisting of Chinese firms from U.S. exchanges as recently as May, citing national security concerns. In June, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission singled out China as it sought to raise disclosure requirements for companies listed on U.S. exchanges, Reuters reported. Lidar sensor maker Hesai Group , which has been listed on the Nasdaq since 2023, raised $535 million in its Hong Kong listing last month, becoming the latest U.S.-listed Chinese firm to pursue such a move this year. Hesai was added to a Pentagon blacklist of companies linked to China's military last year. Hotel chain Atour Lifestyle Holdings and robotaxi firm Pony AI are also weighing listings in Hong Kong this year, with the latter obtaining the approval from Chinese securities regulator Tuesday. Temu parent PDD Holding has switched to a Hong Kong-based auditor, a move seen by some as indicating its plan to prepare for a second listing. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq has stepped up its scrutiny of small IPOs from China since last year and in September proposed a set of additional requirements that will make it harder for smaller Chinese companies to list in New York. Companies operating primarily in China will need to raise at least $25 million in IPOs to list on the exchange. "This certainly raises the bar," said Steve Markscheid, managing partner of Aerion Capital. That could push more Chinese firms to look for SPACs or reverse take-over — where a private company merges with a public company to get listed— versus IPOs, added Markscheid, who also serves as independent director at several U.S.-listed Chinese firms. Geopolitical tensions including U.S. lawmakers' calls to tighten restrictions on Chinese firms listed stateside have helped Hong Kong position itself as a substitute for offshore fundraising for China-based companies, said Macquarie's Hsiao. - [Standard Bank study reveals eight out of 10 township businesses unregistered](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-15-standard-bank-study-reveals-eight-out-of-10-township-businesses-unregistered/): Informal economy Small businesses without registration have limited access to credit and formal growth channels 15 October 2025 - 05:00 by Kabelo Khumalo A study by Standard Bank into the informal economy finds eight out of 10 businesses in the sector are unregistered, making access to finance to grow their enterprises impossible.The survey zooms in on businesses raking in R100,000-R50m annually across the economic hubs of Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the mineral-rich North West... - [Foreign-owned SMEs outpace locals through innovation and customer focus, says Standard Bank](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-15-foreign-owned-smes-outpace-locals-through-innovation-and-customer-focus-says-standard-bank/): Study finds foreigners in the informal economy more agile and risk-taking, while locals remain cautious 15 October 2025 - 05:00 by Kabelo Khumalo A study by SA’s largest bank by assets, Standard Bank, has found that there is a clear distinction between small businesses owned by locals and those run by foreign nationals, with the latter thriving due to its consumer-centric approach.The study took a deep dive into SA’s informal economy, which some estimates put at R900bn a year, and surveyed about 7,500 businesses in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West... - [Asia markets rise, breaking ranks with Wall Street's declines on renewed U.S.-China trade feud](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/15/asia-pacific-markets-nikkei-225-kospi-hang-seng-index-nifty-50.html): Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Wednesday. Overnight, Wall Street declined after U.S. and China traded blows in a renewed trade feud. SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 14, 2025 - Tourists are visiting the Bund in Shanghai, China on August 14, 2025. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Wednesday, breaking ranks with Wall Street's declines after U.S. and China exchanged blows in a renewed trade feud. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday stateside criticized China for not buying soybeans, calling it an "an economically hostile act." He also threatened "retribution" such as a cooking oil embargo. "Volatility remains elevated, and the best explanation is the strained relationship between the U.S. and China," Veteran investor Louis Navellier wrote in a note published Wednesday. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.3%, while the Topix added 0.75%. South Korea's Kospi jumped 0.8%, while the small-cap Kosdaq added 0.83%. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was up 0.93%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was set to open higher, with its futures contract trading at 25,763, against the index's previous close of 25,441.35. Investors will be keeping an eye on China's inflation data for September coming out later in the morning. Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 closed down 0.2% to 6,644.31 in a wild day that saw the benchmark fall as much as 1.5% and gain 0.4% at its highs. The Nasdaq Composite was off by 0.8% to 22,521.70, although at one point it had fallen as much as 2.1%.The Dow Jones Industrial average closed up 0.4%, or 202.88 points, to 46,270.46 after gaining nearly 1% at one point. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday suggested the central bank is nearing a point where it will stop reducing the size of its bond holdings, and provided a few hints that more interest rate cuts are in the cards. — CNBC's Liz Napolitano and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. - [WATCH: SA’s informal economy explained](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-14-watch-sas-informal-economy-explained/): SA’s township informal economy, which is estimated to be worth about R1-trillion, remains largely unmeasured and underserved by formal institutions. A new report from Standard Bank sheds light on the scale and complexity of this market, with nearly 80% of township businesses still unregistered. Business Day TV discusses the findings with Kani Rajuili, Research Director at Foshizi. - [Fed's Powell suggests tightening program could end soon, offers no guidance on rates](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/14/feds-powell-suggests-tightening-program-could-end-soon-offers-no-guidance-on-rates.html): Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank is nearing a point where it will stop reducing the size of its bond holdings, but gave no long-run indication of where interest rates are heading. Though balance sheet questions are in the weeds for monetary policy, they matter to financial markets. Powell generally stuck to the recent script on the economy and interest rates that policymakers are concerned that the labor market is tightening and skewing the balance of risks between employment and inflation. Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, during a news conference following a Federal Open Market […] - [WATCH: Focus on SA’s textile and clothing industry](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-14-watch-focus-on-sas-textile-and-clothing-industry/): SA’s clothing and textile sector has shown resilience within the retail trade segment but faces mounting pressure from cheap imports and rising costs. Business Day TV spoke to Mbuyiselo Malo, manufacturer and business adviser for Boys of Soweto and Nthabiseng Kortjass, brand manager for NikNaks, about the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry’s future. - [Terremoto en Marruecos: no se han registrado peruanos entre las víctimas del potente sismo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-no-se-han-registrado-peruanos-entre-las-victimas-del-potente-sismo-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Droga y arma geopolítica: la pavorosa crisis del fentanilo Qué riesgos representa que Corea del Norte cuente con un submarino nuclear táctico El viernes 9 de setiembre de 2023, a las 23:11 horas, se produjo un movimiento telúrico de magnitud 7,2 en la escala de Richter que afectó a varias localidades de Marruecos. LEE TAMBIÉN: “Al menos 10 miembros de mi familia han muerto”: los duros testimonios del devastador terremoto de Marruecos La Embajada del Perú en ese país mantiene estrecha coordinación con los Cónsules Honorarios del Perú en Casablanca y Agadir, quienes han informado que se han contactado con los […] - [La comunidad internacional ofrece ayuda a Marruecos tras el terremoto en la región de Marrakech](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-la-comunidad-internacional-ofrece-ayuda-a-marruecos-tras-el-terremoto-en-la-region-de-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Droga y arma geopolítica: la pavorosa crisis del fentanilo Qué riesgos representa que Corea del Norte cuente con un submarino nuclear táctico Mandatarios y gobiernos de diferentes partes del mundo han ofrecido ayuda a Marruecos tras el devastador terremoto que ha dejado, hasta el momento, 1.037 muertos y 1.204 heridos en una decena de provincias del país norteafricano. LEE TAMBIÉN: Principales terremotos en Marruecos y en el mundo en las últimas décadas La practica totalidad de los mensajes han llegado al Gobierno de Marruecos en forma de telegrama y se han dado a conocer a través de la red social X […] - [Argelia abre su espacio aéreo a los vuelos humanitarios hacia y desde Marruecos tras devastador terremoto](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-argelia-abre-su-espacio-aereo-a-los-vuelos-humanitarios-hacia-y-desde-marruecos-tras-devastador-terremoto-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Droga y arma geopolítica: la pavorosa crisis del fentanilo Qué riesgos representa que Corea del Norte cuente con un submarino nuclear táctico Las autoridades argelinas anunciaron la apertura de su espacio aéreo – cerrado dos años antes- para los vuelos humanitarios y de transporte de heridos hacia y desde Marruecos tras el terremoto que sacudió en la noche del viernes la región de Marrakech y que ha provocado al menos un millar de muertos y más de 600 heridos, informó la Presidencia de Argelia. LEE TAMBIÉN: Principales terremotos en Marruecos y en el mundo en las últimas décadas “Argelia muestra su […] - [Marrakech, la “ciudad ocre” víctima del terremoto en Marruecos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-marrakech-la-ciudad-ocre-victima-del-terremoto-en-marruecos-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Qué riesgos representa que Corea del Norte cuente con un submarino nuclear táctico Droga y arma geopolítica: la pavorosa crisis del fentanilo Apodada la “ciudad ocre”, lugar destacado del turismo marroquí, Marrakech fue golpeada por un potente terremoto en la noche del viernes que causó más de 1.000 muertos, principalmente en su interior rural montañoso y de difícil acceso. He aquí cinco cosas típicas de esta ciudad imperial conocida también como la “perla del sur”. LEE TAMBIÉN: Desconcierto y dolor en el epicentro del terremoto de Marruecos Centro turístico Situada en el centro-sur del país, Marrakech se sitúa entre las cinco […] - [Principales terremotos en Marruecos y en el mundo en las últimas décadas](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-principales-terremotos-en-marruecos-y-en-el-mundo-en-las-ultimas-decadas-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Qué riesgos representa que Corea del Norte cuente con un submarino nuclear táctico Droga y arma geopolítica: la pavorosa crisis del fentanilo El terremoto registrado anoche en Marruecos, que se ha cobrado la vida de más de 800 personas, se suma a otros dos de triste recuerdo en ese país como son el del 29 de febrero de 1960, un sismo de magnitud discreta, 5,7, pero que destruyó la ciudad de Agadir y acabó con la vida de unas 15.000 personas; y el registrado el 24 de febrero de 2004, de magnitud 6,4, en Alhucemas, que dejó 628 muertos. LEE TAMBIÉN: […] - [¿Por qué es imposible predecir un terremoto como el de Marruecos?](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremorto-en-marruecos-por-que-es-imposible-predecir-un-terremoto-como-el-de-marruecos-sismo-marrakech-noticia/): Las imágenes que el devastador terremoto en Marruecos deja en la turística e histórica Marrakech Al menos 1.037 muertos y 1.204 heridos en el peor terremoto de la historia de Marruecos Cada año, se registran más de 200.000 terremotos en nuestro planeta, aunque, según estimaciones, se producen varios millones. Muchos pasan inadvertidos porque son demasiado leves para que podamos sentirlos, o porque ocurren en zonas remotas que no están monitoreadas. MIRA: “Al menos 10 miembros de mi familia han muerto”: los duros testimonios del devastador terremoto de Marruecos Otros, el que sacudió este viernes Marruecos, causan numerosas víctimas fatales y hacen colapsar […] - [Las imágenes que el devastador terremoto en Marruecos deja en la turística e histórica Marrakech](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-las-imagenes-del-devastador-sismo-en-marrakech-noticia/): 6 datos que evidencian el verano boreal extremo que abrasó o inundó parte del mundo “Actualmente, el riesgo de una detonación nuclear por malas interpretaciones y malos cálculos es altísimo” Un devastador terremoto en el sur de Marruecos, que ha dejado más de 1.000 muertos y cientos de heridos, también ha destruido amplias zonas del centro histórico de Marrakech, importante centro económico del país y destino turístico. MIRA: Al menos 820 muertos y 612 heridos en el peor terremoto de la historia de Marruecos Muchos residentes y turistas se vieron obligados a pasar la noche al aire libre por temor a […] - [“Al menos 10 miembros de mi familia han muerto”: los duros testimonios del devastador terremoto de Marruecos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-los-duros-testimonios-del-devastador-sismo-en-marrakech-al-menos-10-miembros-de-mi-familia-han-muerto-noticia/): Al menos 1.037 muertos y 1.204 heridos en el peor terremoto de la historia de Marruecos “No sabemos cuántos muertos hay”: Desconcierto y dolor en el epicentro del terremoto de Marruecos Ya era de noche cuando empezó a temblar en Marruecos y muchos ya estaban en la cama. El terremoto, de magnitud 6,8 rápidamente hizo que la gente huyeran de sus hogares presa del pánico. Una réplica, de magnitud 4.9, se produjo 19 minutos después. MIRA: Las imágenes que el devastador terremoto en Marruecos deja en la turística e histórica Marrakech El número de muertos asciende a más de 1.000, pero […] - [Terremoto en Marruecos: “Es como si nos hubiera caído una bomba”, dicen sobrevivientes del potente sismo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-el-terremoto-que-azoto-marrakech-es-como-si-nos-hubiera-caido-una-bomba-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Droga y arma geopolítica: la pavorosa crisis del fentanilo Qué riesgos representa que Corea del Norte cuente con un submarino nuclear táctico La turística ciudad de Marrakech se despertó el sábado en estado de shock tras el violento sismo que sacudió Marruecos en la noche del viernes y que dejó al menos 1.037 muertos e importantes daños materiales. Las estrechas callejuelas del Mellah, histórico barrio judío de la medina, quedaron repletas de escombros, los edificios viejos se derrumbaron y los tejados de madera se rompieron. LEE TAMBIÉN: Las imágenes que el devastador terremoto en Marruecos deja en la turística e histórica […] - [“No sabemos cuántos muertos hay”: Desconcierto y dolor en el epicentro del terremoto de Marruecos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-desconcierto-y-dolor-en-el-epicentro-del-terremoto-de-marruecos-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Droga y arma geopolítica: la pavorosa crisis del fentanilo Qué riesgos representa que Corea del Norte cuente con un submarino nuclear táctico Para caminar por algunas de las calles de Amizmiz, el pueblo más cercano al epicentro del terremoto de Marruecos, hay que subir y bajar pequeñas montañas de escombros. Debajo, todavía quedan fallecidos. En esta localidad a los pies del Atlas se cuentan por decenas, que siembran de dolor a sus desconcertados habitantes. LEE TAMBIÉN: Las imágenes que el devastador terremoto en Marruecos deja en la turística e histórica Marrakech Este sábado, pueblos como Amizmiz, a una hora en coche […] - [Terremoto en Marruecos: varios edificios dañados en la medina de Marrakech por sismo de magnitud 7](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/marruecos-edificios-danados-en-la-medina-de-marrakech-a-causa-del-terremoto-de-magnitud-7-video-bab-ailan-ighil-usgs-noticia/): Un terremoto de magnitud 7 azota la región marroquí de Marrakech Piden a la Corte Suprema de EE. UU. levantar restricciones a la píldora abortiva Varios edificios de la medina (ciudad antigua) de Marrakech resultaron dañados a causa del terremoto de magnitud 7 que tuvo lugar a 60 kilómetros de esa ciudad, sin que se sepa aún si se produjeron daños personales. Khalid, residente en la medina de Marrakech, indicó a EFE que el minarete de la mezquita de Bab Ailan cayó al suelo a causa del temblor y también resultó dañada la entrada del templo. MÁS INFORMACIÓN | Gobierno paraguayo […] - [Mueren al menos 49 civiles y 15 militares en dos ataques a un barco de pasajeros y una base en Mali](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/mali-mueren-al-menos-49-civiles-y-15-militares-en-dos-ataques-a-un-barco-de-pasajeros-y-una-base-militar-al-qaeda-abakoira-zorghoi-comanaf-tombuctu-aka-ingueme-ultimas-noticia/): Mali: ataque armado en el centro deja al menos 21 muertos Mali: Atentado suicida con coche bomba deja 9 muertos y 60 heridos Dos ataques perpetrados este jueves a un barco fluvial de pasajeros y a una base militar en Mali se saldaron con 49 civiles y 15 militares muertos, anunció el Gobierno maliense, que los atribuyó a Al Qaeda y añadió que medio centenar de supuestos terroristas fueron abatidos por los militares. En un comunicado, el Gobierno maliense informó del balance de víctimas y declaró tres días de luto en el país, a contar a partir de este viernes. MIRA […] - [Tata seeks control of Haldiram’s, Indian snack maker wants $10 billion valuation; stocks react ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/tata-seeks-control-of-haldirams-indian-snack-maker-wants-10-billion-valuation-stocks-react/): Business & Finance06 September 2023, 5:53 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report the consumer unit of India’s $144 billion Tata Group is in talks to buy at least 51% of popular Indian snack food maker Haldiram’s but it is not comfortable with the $10 billion valuation sought. Haldiram’s, a household name in India, is also talking with private equity firms including Bain Capital about the sale of a 10% stake, sources said. Tata Consumer Products owns UK tea company Tetley and has a partnership with Starbucks in India, and a deal for the Indian snack maker would see the conglomerate directly compete with Pepsi and billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail. Shares in Tata Consumer closed nearly 4% higher in Mumbai trade after Reuters reported the news. Indian shares closed higher after a late rebound in consumer stocks, with the sectoral index rising 1% due to a surge in Tata Consumer.  Market ImpactShares in Tata Consumer closed nearly 4% higher in Mumbai trade after Reuters reported the news. Indian shares closed higher after a late rebound in consumer stocks, with the sectoral index rising 1% due to a surge in Tata Consumer.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFood & BeverageRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [El líder de la junta golpista de Gabón jura el cargo de presidente de la transición](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/brice-oligui-nguema-el-lider-de-la-junta-golpista-de-gabon-jura-el-cargo-de-presidente-de-la-transicion-ali-bongo-golpe-militar-ultimas-noticia/): Xóchitl Gálvez o Claudia Sheinbaum: México tendrá por primera vez una mujer presidenta Qué dicen los documentos desclasificados por EE.UU. sobre las horas previas al golpe de Estado en Chile El general Brice Oligui Nguema, líder de la junta militar que dirige Gabón desde el golpe de Estado del pasado miércoles, juró este lunes el cargo de “presidente de la transición”. LEE TAMBIÉN: Siete golpes de Estado en tres años: ¿Cómo se explica la inestabilidad que viene sufriendo África? En una ceremonia solemne desarrollada en el Palacio Presidencial de la Renovación en Libreville, Nguema prestó juramento ante el Tribunal Constitucional. “Juro […] - [Al menos 35 muertos en Jartum por intercambio de ataques entre Ejército y paramilitares](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudan-al-menos-35-muertos-en-jartum-por-intercambio-de-ataques-entre-ejercito-y-paramilitares-fuerzas-de-apoyo-rapido-far-um-durman-karari-al-kalakla-abdelfatah-al-burhan-ultimas-noticia/): Arabia Saudita y Estados Unidos anuncian tregua entre Sudán y grupo paramilitar Estados Unidos impone nuevas sanciones a líderes de Sudán por violar alto el fuego Al menos 35 personas, la mayoría de ellas civiles, murieron hoy en Jartum y en la vecina localidad de Um Durman por un intercambio de disparos de artillería y bombardeos aéreos entre el Ejército de Sudán y el grupo paramilitar Fuerzas de Apoyo Rápido (FAR). Los comités de emergencia del norte de Um Durman y el sur de Jartum anunciaron en sendos comunicados que los bombardeos, que tenían como objetivo posiciones de las Fuerzas Armadas […] - [La junta golpista de Gabón ordena la reapertura inmediata de todas las fronteras](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/golpe-de-estado-en-gabon-la-junta-golpista-de-gabon-ordena-la-reapertura-inmediata-de-todas-las-fronteras-ali-bongo-ultimas-noticia/): Los procesos contra Bolsonaro y por qué el de las joyas sauditas es el más grave Cómo la venta de armas de Corea del Norte a Rusia es prueba de su estratégica y cercana La junta militar que ejecutó un golpe de Estado en Gabón el pasado 30 de agosto ordenó hoy la reapertura “inmediata” de las fronteras terrestres, aéreas y marítimas del país, que permanecieron cerradas desde el alzamiento. LEE TAMBIÉN: Cómo está enfrentando Grecia el peor incendio registrado en Europa desde inicios de siglo Esta medida se tomó para “preservar el respeto al Estado de derechos y las buenas […] - [Nasdaq names former UBS executive Youngwood as new CFO](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/nasdaq-names-former-ubs-executive-youngwood-as-new-cfo/): Business & Finance29 August 2023, 4:45 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters reported that exchange operator Nasdaq Inc (NDAQ.O) named former UBS Group AG (UBSG.S) executive Sarah Youngwood as its next chief financial officer, replacing current finance head Ann Dennison, who will leave the company.  Market ImpactLast year, Nasdaq reorganized its business into three key divisions, as part of its strategy to diversify its portfolio of technology and intellectual property and bolster more high-growth areas as it looked to move away from its traditional focus on equities trading.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasCountries: United StatesWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Twinkies maker Hostess Brands explores sale amid takeover interest ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/twinkies-maker-hostess-brands-explores-sale-amid-takeover-interest/): Business & FinanceDeals25 August 2023, 7:11 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Hostess Brands, the maker of Twinkies snack cakes, is exploring a sale after fielding takeover interest from major snack food makers. Hostess became an acquisition target after it raised prices on some of its products to boost revenue, fueling investor concerns over its prospects. General Mills Inc, Mondelez International, PepsiCo Inc and Hershey Co are among the companies that have shown an interest in acquiring Hostess. Hostess shares rose as much as 30% on the news.  Market ImpactHostess shares rose as much as 30% on the news. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasCountries: United StatesWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [China steps up yuan defence with bond limit guidance ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/china-steps-up-yuan-defence-with-bond-limit-guidance/): Business & Finance25 August 2023, 2:00 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that China’s central bank has asked domestic banks to limit outflows into foreign bonds, the latest in the raft of steps authorities are taking to contain yuan weakness.  Market ImpactThe move is the latest in a raft of recent efforts to make it harder to short the yuan and to prop up the currency against the U.S. dollar. As China’s financial markets suffer losses and heavy outflows, and investors grow impatient at the lack of more forceful action to address the stalling economy, the move also adds to the sense that policymakers see steadying the currency as an urgent task.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Frozen Iranian funds released](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230813000189): Gasoline and diesel prices are displayed at a gas station in Seoul on Sunday. Fuel prices soared for five consecutive weeks through the second week of August, according to the Korea National Oil Corp. Local refiners welcome Iran's potential return to the oil market as it is expected to increase global supplies. (Newsis)Iranian funds worth an estimated $6 billion, frozen in bank accounts in Korea, have been released, following the US and Iran's tentative agreement to engage in a prisoner swap in exchange for Tehran's access to the blocked funds.All of Iran’s frozen funds in Korea have been unblocked, Central Bank of Iran Gov. Mohammad Reza Farzin said through a post written in Persian on social platform X on Saturday.The central bank chief wrote that $7 billion in Iranian assets in Korea have been converted into euros with the help of a bank in a third country and will be transferred to Iranian banks in Qatar.Farzin also mentioned the funds shrunk by nearly $1 billion in value due to the depreciation of the Korean won. No interest on the deposit was paid, he added.On Sunday, a spokesperson for Seoul’s Foreign Ministry declined to confirm the possible release of the funds, citing the sensitivity of the issue.The release of Iran’s seized assets in Korea comes as Iran and US reached an agreement on the blocked funds. The US agreed to Korea unfreezing the Iranian funds here and releasing five jailed Iranians in exchange for Iran allowing five detained US citizens to leave the country.The Iranian funds were stuck in the state-run Industrial Bank of Korea and the commercial Woori Bank since May 2019, after the two Korean banks refrained from processing them in response to US sanctions after former US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal.On Friday, an IBK official declined to verify the current status of the money, saying, "The process is being carried out through government-to-government discussions, so at this point, we are unable to provide specific details."An official from Woori Bank offered a similar answer, affirming that the transfer of Iranian funds would keep to the terms established by the government, and declined to provide further information.Asked about the possible impact of the massive transfer out of the country, John Kirby, Washington’s National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, predicted that the impact on the nation’s foreign exchange market would be limited."All I can tell you without getting into too much of the details is that we have worked extensively with the South Koreans on this and there's no impact to the movement of the account from South Korea," Kirby said in a virtual press briefing held Friday.Even though the Korean government has not yet confirmed the money transfer as of Sunday, the alleged release of Iranian assets is expected to help improve the soured relations between Seoul and Tehran.According to the Korea International Trade Association, Korea's trade volume with Iran was at its highest of $17.42 billion back in 2011, but the figure slipped to $2.41 billion in 2019 and $206 million in 2020 as sanctions against the country strengthened.If sanctions on Iran are lifted, Korea, a country dependent on energy imports, could secure a major partner for shipping oil goods, which would help the country maintain stable oil imports.Prior to the ban in May 2019, Korea imported 13.2 percent of its oil from Iran, the third largest amount following Saudi Arabia at 28.5 percent and Kuwait at 14.3 percent in 2017.It remains to be seen whether Korea’s tech giants Samsung and LG can resume their suspended sales in Iran.Following the US sanctions in 2018, both firms withdrew most of their local operations from the country. In return, Iran imposed an import ban on their home appliances in 2021.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [$7 billion frozen Iranian funds released](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230813000151): Passerbys stroll along a street in Tehran, Iran on Friday. Iranian funds worth nearly $7 billion have been released after being frozen in bank accounts in Korea. (Yonhap)Iranian funds worth nearly $7 billion, frozen in bank accounts in Korea, have been released, following the US and Iran's agreement to engage in a prisoner swap in exchange for Tehran's access to the blocked funds, according to multiple sources Sunday.All of Iran’s frozen funds in Korea have been unblocked, Central Bank of Iran Gov. Mohammad Reza Farzin said through a post written in Persian on social platform X on Saturday.While some news reports suggested the funds are worth $6 billion, the central bank chief wrote that Iranian assets worth nearly $7 billion in Korea have been converted into euros with the help of a bank in a third country and will be transferred to Iranian banks in Qatar.Farzin also mentioned the funds shrunk by nearly $1 billion in value due to the depreciation of the Korean won. No interest on the deposit was paid, he added.On Sunday, a spokesperson for Seoul’s Foreign Ministry declined to confirm the release of the funds, citing the sensitivity of the issue.The release of Iran’s seized assets in Korea comes as Iran and US reached an agreement on the blocked funds. The US agreed to Korea unfreezing the Iranian funds here and releasing five jailed Iranians in exchange for Iran allowing five detained US citizens to leave the country.The detained US citizens in Iran will be released when the Iranians in custody in the US are released and the full transfer of frozen Iranian assets in Korea happens, the Iranian government said.The Iranian funds were stuck in the state-operated Industrial Bank of Korea and commercial Woori Bank since May 2019, after the two Korean banks refrained from processing them in response to US sanctions after former US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal.On Friday, an IBK official declined to verify the current status of the money, saying, "The process is being carried out through government-to-government discussions, so at this point, we are unable to provide specific details."An official from Woori Bank offered a similar answer, affirming that the transfer of Iranian funds would keep to the terms established by the government, and declined to provide further information.On the same day, Korea’s Foreign Ministry neither confirmed nor denied media reports, but expressed hopes for a “smooth” resolution of the issue.There were concerns that the transfer of funds worth $7 billion may affect the local foreign exchange market as they are converted into euros, weakening the Korean won. John Kirby, Washington’s National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said there will be no significant impact on the Korean won."All I can tell you without getting into too much of the details is that we have worked extensively with the South Koreans on this and there's no impact to the movement of the account from South Korea," Kirby said in a virtual press briefing held Friday.Meanwhile, a local media report said that the Korean government is to keep some 500 billion won ($375.37 million) from the funds to cover the losses of local businesses.The Iranian deposits in Korea consist of Korea’s payments for oil imports. Following the heavy sanctions against Iran, Korean firms were unable to withdraw their payments as their accounts were blocked.Earlier this month, Iran said it will take legal action against Korea to reclaim the frozen assets. The Foreign Ministry of Korea said on Aug. 1, though Iran sought to refer the case for arbitration, an official request had not been filed at the time.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com)Song Seung-hyun (ssh@heraldcorp.com) - [Seoul shares start higher on moderate US inflation](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230811000096): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks opened marginally higher Friday as investor sentiment was buoyed by moderate US consumer price data.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 12.23 points, or 0.47 percent, to 2,613.79 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The US July consumer price index rose 3.2 percent, slower than the market expectation of a 3.3 percent rise.On Wall Street, stocks finished slightly higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing 0.15 percent and the Nasdaq Composite adding 0.12 percent.In Seoul, market heavyweights lent support to the upbeat start.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics advanced 0.88 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix gained 0.51 percent.Top carmaker Hyundai Motor rose 1.86 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia climbed 2.28 percent.The tourism sector continued its bullish run as China allowed group tours to South Korea, with leading travel agency Hanatour Service jumping 1.89 percent and top hotel operator Hotel Shilla soaring 3 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,319.65 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 4.25 won from Thursday's close. (Yonhap) - [Exports down 15.3% during first 10 days of Aug.](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230811000092): Containers for exports and imports are stacked at a pier in Busan, country's largest port city. (Yonhap)South Korea's exports fell 15.3 percent on-year in the first 10 days of August on weak chip and petroleum exports, data showed Friday.The country's outbound shipments reached $13.2 billion in the Aug. 1-10 period, compared with $15.6 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.Imports plunged 30.5 percent on-year to $16.2 billion during the period, resulting in a trade deficit of $3 billion.By sector, exports of semiconductors moved down 18.1 percent over the period to $2.45 billion, and those of petroleum products plunged 37.8 percent to $1.37 billion.Outbound shipments of steel and mobile electronics fell 22.4 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively, to $967 million and $540 million, the data showed.On the other hand, exports of automobiles shot up 27.2 percent to $535 million.Exports to China, the biggest trade partner of Asia's No. 4 economy, decreased 25.9 percent to $2.87 billion.Shipments to the United States edged down 0.8 percent to $1.92 billion, while those to Vietnam moved up 3.7 percent to $1.51 billion.South Korea's exports fell for the 10th consecutive month in July due mainly to weak demand for semiconductors, but the country reported a trade surplus for two straight months.Exports have been on a steady decline since October last year amid aggressive monetary tightening by major economies to curb high inflation and an economic slowdown. It is also the first time since 2020 that exports have declined for nine months in a row.The combined trade deficit this year as of Thursday reached $27.8 billion. (Yonhap) - [Industries upbeat about return of Chinese tourists](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230810000641): The Chinese government has decided to allow group tours to South Korea after a six-year hiatus instigated by diplomatic bickering between Seoul and Beijing, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Thursday said it would lift restrictions on its nationals to travel in groups to 78 countries around the world, including Korea, the United States and Japan.The ban on Chinese group tours to Korea was removed for the first time since it was put in place as a retaliatory measure over Korea’s installation of a US anti-missile system, known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, in March 2017. The THAAD deployment had been strongly advocated for by Washington and opposed by Beijing.China previously lifted restrictions on group tours to 20 countries, including Thailand and Indonesia, following the abandonment of its “zero COVID” policy in January this year. It also allowed group tours to 40 countries including Nepal, Vietnam, Iran, Jordan, France, Spain and Brazil in March.The decision by the Chinese government gives some breathing room for the Korean economy, which has been struggling to recover with China's reopening showing limited effects on the lagging tourism and export industries.On the news, Korean air carriers are cautiously considering expanding the number of flights on Chinese routes.Jeju Air, the country's leading budget carrier, has already started increasing flights to China, and is considering further additions.“The expansion is being reviewed positively, but it is difficult to increase routes right away after the lifting of restrictions, as it typically takes more than two to three months to reopen new or halted routes,” a Jeju Air official said.Lotte Duty Free, which saw its operating loss widen last year due to the prolonged COVID-19 lockdown in China, said the lifting of the tourism restriction was “encouraging,” but it would take some time for Korean companies to see the purchasing power of Chinese tourists.“Realistically, I think it will be around the middle of the fourth quarter when the performance will start to improve to some extent. It takes about two to three months for Chinese tourism companies to make travel products, attract customers and actually bring them to Korea,” a Lotte Duty Free official said.Chinese tourists accounted for over 40 percent of inbound visitors before the restriction was placed.According to the Korean Tourism Organization, the proportion of Chinese travelers to the total number of visitors to Korea increased every year to 43.3 percent in 2014, 45.2 percent in 2015, and 46.8 percent in 2016, but fell to 31.3 percent in 2017. The figure nosedived to 12 percent in the first half of this year.Korean cosmetics giant LG Household & Health Care is mapping out marketing plans to welcome Chinese tourists after suffering losses in the Chinese market amid the fizzling K-beauty boom."We are preparing for producing leaflets in Chinese language, discussions with distributors on additional benefits by purchase amount, promotion of new products, customized item packages for each customer type like group tourists and small-scale merchants," a company official said.Stocks of Korean airlines and tourism soared on reports China will allow group tours to the country.The share price of Lotte Tour Development surged over 29.99 percent compared to the previous trading day. Asiana Airlines advanced 9.42 percent and Korea Airlines climbed 2.9 percent.Hotel Shilla, the duty free shop operator, spiked 17.3 percent, while Hana Tour gained 10 percent.By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)Lee Yoon-seo (yoonseo.3348@heraldcorp.com) - [S. Korea's fiscal deficit narrows on-year through June](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230810000244): This undated photo shows the exterior of the ministry building in the central administrative city of Sejong. (Ministry of Economy and Finance)South Korea's fiscal deficit narrowed on-year over the first six months of 2023, data showed Thursday, amid lower revenue and expenditures.The managed fiscal balance, a key gauge of fiscal health calculated on a stricter term, posted a deficit of 83 trillion won ($63.9 billion) through June, compared with 101.9 trillion won tallied a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.South Korea's tax revenue came to 178.5 trillion won during the cited period, down 39.7 trillion won on-year due to a lower amount of income and corporate taxes collected.The total revenue dropped to 296.2 trillion won in the January-June period, down 38.1 trillion won on-year.Total expenditures came to 351.7 trillion won over the period, down 57.7 trillion won on-year, as the government spent less on pandemic-related projects.The government's debt had reached 1,083.4 trillion won as of June, down 5.3 trillion won on-year. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares open lower on Wall Street losses](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230810000135): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Thursday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 11.42 points, or 0.44 percent, to 2,593.7 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.54 percent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.2 percent as investors were cautious ahead of the release of the US consumer price index, slated for Thursday.In Seoul, most big-cap shares declined across the board.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics sank 1.02 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix retreated 1.94 percent.Battery makers were also weak, with industry leader LG Energy Solution inching down 0.72 percent and Samsung SDI losing 1.58 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,317.3 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 2 won from Wednesday's close. (Yonhap) - [US policy on restricting China investment to have limited impact on S. Korea: govt.](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230810000105): (Herald DB)South Korea said Thursday the latest executive order limiting US investment in some Chinese technology sectors is expected to have only a limited impact on South Korean companies.On Wednesday, the White House vowed to restrict investment in "countries of concern" in certain technology sectors that could pose threats to its national security while adding only China, including Hong Kong and Macau, to the list.The areas include "sensitive technologies and products in the semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies, and artificial intelligence sectors," it added."The ban will be applied to future investments, and it will only cover US citizens and entities," South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement."Accordingly, it will have only a limited impact on local companies," it added.The industry ministry said South Korea will closely assess its impact on the economy and submit the government's and local companies' opinions to Washington, "if necessary." (Yonhap) - [S. Korea to proactively cope with France's new EV subsidy policy: ministry](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230809000224): A port for vehicle exports (Yonhap)South Korea's industry ministry said Wednesday it will proactively cope with France's new subsidy policy for electric vehicles, amid concerns the move may weigh down automobile exports.The move came as France plans to apply a score system that tracks the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process of EVs, which is set to be implemented in January 2024, followed by a six-month grace period, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.France plans to receive opinions on the policy through Aug. 25.Under the system, the French government will offer subsidies for EVs meeting the required environmental score while excluding vehicles with a substantial carbon footprint from the benefits."Currently, we are closely analyzing the policy's impact on South Korean companies with related parties. Based on the assessment, we plan to submit the government's stance to France," the ministry said in a statement.South Korea stands as the fifth-largest player in the French EV market, with Hyundai Motor Co. and its smaller affiliate Kia Corp. selling a combined 16,570 units last year."We plan to continue communicating with the French government closely to reflect our opinion on the final version of the scheme," the ministry added. (Yonhap) - [S. Korea to expand market for pet products to 15tr won by 2027](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230809000203): Exhibition at the International Canine Federation Seoul International Dog Show, July 14 (Yonhap)South Korea's agricultural ministry said Wednesday it plans to expand the size of the pet industry to 15 trillion won ($11.47 billion) by 2027 amid the growing number of households with dogs or cats.The target marks a sharp rise from just 8 trillion won tallied in 2022, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The number of households with dogs or cats came to 6.02 million last year, rising sharply from just 3.64 million in 2012."To address the evolving market trends, such as pet humanization, technological innovation and demographic shifts, it is necessary to nurture pet industries that can generate new production and create increased demand," the ministry said in a statement.Pet humanization refers to the trend in which individuals view their pets as integral members of their families.In line with such efforts, South Korea plans to come up with new policies on the pet food industry that meet global standards in terms of nutrition, packaging and advertising, such as those from the United States and the European Union.South Korea aims to export $500 million worth of pet food in 2027, up from $149 million tallied in 2022, the ministry said.South Korea will also establish what it calls the "One-Welfare Valley," in which companies will be provided facilities that allow them to test their new products on pets under strict conditions that protect their well-being.The country plans to offer low-interest loans to local pet product developers and support their research and development projects.The government will additionally eliminate value-added taxes on essential or frequently required veterinary services for pets and require veterinary clinics to transparently display prices for a broader range of treatments. (Yonhap) - [S. Korea's on-year job additions slow for 4th month in July](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230809000167): Participant at a job fair in Seoul, July 12 (Yonhap)South Korea's on-year job additions slowed for the fourth consecutive month in July, data showed Wednesday, with employment remaining challenging for those in their 20s.The number of employed people came to 28.68 million in July, up around 211,000 from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.Last month, the country's jobless rate came to 2.7 percent, down 0.2 percentage point over the period.South Korea's on-year job additions slowed for nine consecutive months through February before rebounding in March, when they rose 469,000 on-year. The growth, however, has continued to slow since April.In July, the Bank of Korea kept its key interest rate unchanged at 3.5 percent for the fourth straight time. Prior to that, the central bank delivered seven consecutive rate hikes from April 2022 to January 2023.A hike in borrowing costs typically hampers employment as businesses and households cut their spending. (Yonhap) - [Austin shuffles top brass as standoff with Tuberville deepens](https://pgnedu.com/2023/08/08/austin-shuffles-top-brass-as-standoff-with-tuberville-deepens/): Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is shuffling his senior military advisors at the Pentagon to fill vacant top-level positions as an ongoing feud with Senator Tommy Tuberville over the Defense Department’s abortion policy shows no signs of a resolution. With neither side showing signs of giving in, Mr. Austin issued a memo to senior military officials last week outlining what the Defense Department could do to “mitigate the disruption” resulting from the Alabama Republican lawmaker’s blanket hold on Senate confirmation of all U.S. military generals and admirals.  The freshman senator has effectively blocked a slew of high-level nominations and command assignments […] - [Trade, overseas dividends bring current account surplus expansion](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230808000638): Shipping containers are placed at Busan Port, Aug. 1. (Yonhap)South Korea logged a current account surplus for two consecutive months in June due to a surplus in goods account and increased dividends from overseas, central bank data showed Tuesday.The country's current account gained $5.87 billion in June, following the $1.93 billion surplus from a month earlier, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea.Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assessed that Korea was showing a sound performance when compared with other economies, by juggling difficulties in inflation control, economic growth and labor market."Though monthly flow of current accounts can go back and forth between surplus and deficit, the projection for a yearly surplus standing at $23 billion shows Korea is likely to maintain surplus for its current account," Han said, referring to the Finance Ministry's goal of the figure reaching a surplus of $23 billion by the end of this year.“Though the target falls short when compared to $30 billion from last year, we are defending the soundness in the balance of payments,” he said.In detail, the country's goods account showed a $3.98 billion surplus in June, posting gains for three consecutive months from $580 million in April and $1.82 billion in May.Exports dipped by 9.3 percent to $54.1 billion from the same month in 2022, marking a consecutive 10-month decline since exports marked a turnaround to decline in September.Imports dropped sharper by 10.2 percent to $50.1 billion for four consecutive months due to lower energy import costs following a decline in international oil prices."The export decline has been decreasing. There are positive factors such as the strong car sales and the turnaround in the volume of chip exports despite the low prices. The weak prices of energy imports are leading the decline in import costs, too" Shin Seung-cheol, director of the economic statistics department at the BOK, said during a press briefing held Tuesday.With more Korean residents departing overseas, the services account, including the travel balance, suffered an extended loss in June, reaching $2.61 billion, dropping lower than the previous month's $910 million.The primary income account, which tracks the wages of foreign workers and dividend payments from overseas, reported a surplus of $4.85 billion, the data showed, up from the previous month's $1.42 billion.The advance stemmed from an increase in the amount of dividends companies received from their overseas affiliates which reached $4.23 billion, more than four times the $900 million recorded a month before.With July’s figures, Korea’s current account totaled at a surplus of $2.44 billion during the first six months of this year. Though it was much lower than the $24.87 billion surplus shown in the same period a year ago, it is higher than the BOK's projection of a $1.6 billion deficit made in May.“Though the total amount of surplus decreased as the country posted the worst deficit in January, the performance is satisfactory considering many economic institutions forecasted a deficit in the first half of this year,” Shin said.Yet, uncertainties remain for the rest of 2023 with the recent spike in international oil prices and the prolonged recovery of the IT industry.“The volatility of external conditions is high with international oil prices, recovery of major economies including China and a rebound of the IT industry,” Shin said.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [S. Korea vigilant on ensuring stable power supply amid scorching heat](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230808000456): Korea Electric Power Corp. officials monitor the power supply at a branch in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Monday. (Yonhap)South Korea's industry ministry said Tuesday it is focusing on ensuring a stable power supply amid the soaring demand in the face of sweltering heat.The maximum electricity demand reached 93.6 gigawatts the previous day, the highest ever for a summer season, above the ministry's estimate of 92.9 GW."We will stay vigilant and closely manage the electricity supply situation throughout the summer season, as uncertainties can arise at any time," Second Vice Industry Minister Kang Kyung-sung said.The ministry has also been bracing for Typhoon Khanun, which is anticipated to reach the southern resort island of Jeju on Thursday, as it can disrupt power transmission.The country maintains stable power supply capabilities, with the capacity reaching 104.3 GW during the peak time the previous day, it added. (Yonhap) - [S. Korea logs current account surplus for 2nd month in June](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230808000131): (Yonhap)South Korea logged a current account surplus for the second straight month in June on the back of a trade surplus and increased dividend payments from overseas, central bank data showed Tuesday.The country's current account surplus reached $5.87 billion in June, following the $1.93 billion surplus a month earlier, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea.June's surplus came as the country logged a trade surplus and dividend income increased.The country's goods account racked up a $3.98 billion surplus in June, following a $1.82 billion surplus the previous month.The primary income account, which tracks the wages of foreign workers and dividend payments from overseas, reported a surplus of $4.85 billion, the data showed.But the services account suffered an extended loss in June, reaching $2.61 billion, the data showed. (Yonhap) - [[Photo News] Savings back in favor](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230807000582): A bank employee sorts 50,000 won ($38) notes at Hana Bank in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday. The 50,000 won notes are back in circulation as key interest rates and bank rates for savings accounts have been continuously on the rise since 2021. (Yonhap)By Korea Herald (khnews@heraldcorp.com) - [S. Korea's cathode exports to US nearly triple this year on EV battery demand, IRA effects](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230807000290): This file photo shows LG Chem Ltd's cathode plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, 112 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on June 26. (LG Chem)South Korea's export of cathodes, a key secondary battery material, to the United States surged almost threefold in the first seven months from a year earlier, on growing demand for electric vehicle cells and the new US law on promoting green technologies, data showed Monday.Outbound shipments of cathode materials to the US amounted to $1.83 billion in the January-July period, up 177.8 percent from $661 million the previous year, according to the data by the Korea International Trade Association.Cathodes are one of the four components used in lithium-ion batteries, along with anodes, separators and electrolytes. Cathodes determine the power of EV batteries and account for about 40 percent of battery production costs.The cathode exports to the US had only reached about $9 million in early 2021, before jumping by more than sixfold to $57 million in just one year, KITA data showed.The value of monthly shipments surpassed $100 million in May last year and topped the $200 million mark in January of this year. It hit a record high of $326 million in March.The rapid growth in cathode exports is attributable to the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act in August last year that gives up to $7,500 in tax credits for purchasing EVs assembled in North America.The IRA requires a certain portion of EV batteries be made with minerals mined or processed in the US or countries or regions with which the US has a free trade agreement.Cathode and anode active materials, which come in a powder form, are classified as "constituent materials," like minerals, under the IRA, rather than "components," allowing Korean companies to produce them at their domestic facilities and ship them to the US for manufacturing battery parts in North America.South Korean battery makers have been aggressive in forming partnerships with EV makers to meet IRA requirements.LG Energy Solution Ltd. has battery manufacturing facilities operating or under construction in Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan in a venture with General Motors Co.SK On Co. has two factories running in Georgia and is building three others in Kentucky and Tennessee with Ford Motor Co.Samsung SDI Co. is building two battery plants in the US with Stellantis NV. (Yonhap) - [[KH Explains] Inheritance tax reform postponed amid criticism over 'silver spoon'](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230803000568): Major changes in the inheritance tax, one of President Yoon Suk Yeol's key campaign promises, have been postponed until next year's general election, as the reform could intensify criticism over tax cuts for the wealthy. On July 27, the government unveiled the tax code revision plan to be submitted to the National Assembly.Providing a tax reduction on the inheritance of family business for large conglomerates was not included in the proposal, as the government has been cautious on public opinion that stands against the reform as enabling the rich to enjoy lifelong benefits of the "silver spoon effect." Instead, the proposal for the revision of inheritance tax was limited to small and medium-sized businesses with sales of up to 500 billion won ($385 million), lifting the cap on the 10 percent tax rate -- a relatively low rate of taxation for inheritance tax -- from 6 billion won to 30 billion won in inherited assets.For inheritance of assets worth 30 billion won or more, the existing tax law will continue to be applied, meaning up to a 50 percent tax rate on those assets.There is also a 20 percent surcharge for the largest shareholders for large companies when they pass on their holdings, sending the effective top rate go up to 60 percent.Due to the regulations, business owners sometimes have a hard time holding on to their management rights, as an ownership family’s stake in a company is watered down through inheritance.For instance, the surviving family members of Kim Jung-ju, the deceased head of gaming giant Nexon, used stock to pay their inheritance tax, giving a 29.3 percent stake in NXC, Nexon’s holding company, to the Finance Ministry in late May. In turn, the Korean government became the second-largest shareholder of the company.Even the ownership families of local tech giants Samsung and LG Group have taken out stock loans to pay the inheritance tax. Some even sell the companies off to private equity funds.Business circles in Korea have called for the government to ease regulations on inheritance, arguing the strict rules are an obstacle for owners to maintain control of their businesses.One of the major requested changes is the transition from an “estate tax” system to an “inheritance tax” system.Estate tax is a levy on the total assets owned by a predecessor, meaning the inheritors can divide the levied taxes. Inheritance tax is a levy on assets inherited from a predecessor, meaning the assets will be divided to inheritors first and then levied upon. Inheritance tax system can lessen the burden on inheritors as a lower rate of tax will be levied on the divided assets.The government has been mulling over such a transition. It commissioned a study on inheritance tax that has been ongoing since October and plans to gather public opinions on the subject.South Korea is one of few countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that uses the estate tax system. Out of 28 countries in the OECD with inheritance tax law, four countries including Korea adopt the estate tax system, according to the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry.“The estate tax system does not meet the global standards. Only a handful of major countries adopt such a system. This needs to be changed,” said Lee Soo-won, head of the corporate policy team at the KCCI.The KCCI has also requested that the government lower tax rates for inheritance. According to the KCCI, Korea has the highest tax rate for inheritance among member countries of the OECD, while the average stands at 26 percent.Though many had expected a revision on the law to come when the government unveiled its road map for a tax code revision last week, it was not included partly because the government was pressured by the upcoming general election slated for May.The reform could spark controversy that the government plans to introduce tax reductions for the rich. It would also not be easy for the revised bill to pass the National Assembly, as the opposition Democratic Party of Korea holds more seats than the ruling People Power Party.Concerns on the resulting decrease in government tax revenue remain too. Tax revenues in Korea totaled 178.5 trillion won from January to June, down 39.7 trillion from the same period of 2022 due to a slowing economy.Experts are calling for the government to ease the inheritance tax, as heavy taxation could undermine the local economy.“The inheritance tax should be applied at the same rate as that of the income tax for fair taxation. The numbers should be brought down realistically,” said Kim Hag-soo, a researcher at the Korea Development Institute.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [Korean battery makers see market share fall in H1 despite solid growth](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230803000225): This graph shows the market shares of key global battery makers in the first half ending in June. (Yonhap)Three major South Korean battery makers saw their market share fall in the first half of the year from a year earlier despite solid growth, as bigger Chinese rivals further expanded their overseas foothold, a report said Thursday.The combined market share of the three -- LG Energy Solution Ltd., Samsung SDI Co. and SK On Co. -- came to 23.9 percent in the January-June period, compared with 26.1 percent from the previous year, according to the latest data from industry tracker SNE Research.LGES came third with 14.5 percent, unchanged from a year earlier, after China's CATL and BYD, whose combined share represented more than 52 percent.SK On accounted for 5.2 percent, down from 6.8 percent, placing fifth. Samsung SDI ranked seventh with 4.1 percent, sliding from 4.8 percent from a year earlier.The decline in the market share of the Korean companies is far from indicating a slowdown but has more to do with the relatively explosive growth of the Chinese players that is continuing on the back of robust domestic demand, SNE Research said.All of the three Korean battery makers posted double-digit growth in the volume of the battery installments for the six months.The volume of batteries from LGES installed in electric vehicles reached 44.1 gigawatt hours, up 50.3 percent from 29.3 GWh in the first half of 2022.SK On logged 15.9 GWh, up 16.1 percent on-year from 13.7 GWh, while that of Samsung SDI grew 28.2 percent to 12.6 GWh from 9.8 GWh.Strong sales of green cars equipped with the batteries made by the three battery companies helped fuel the growth, the report said.LGES batteries are used in the Tesla Model 3 and Y, the Volkswagen ID 3 and 4, and Ford's Mustang Mach-E.SK On supplies for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Mercedes-Benz EQA and EQB.Samsung SDI batteries are installed in the Rivian R1T and R1S pickup trucks, BMW i4, i7 and iX, and Audi E-Tron. (Yonhap) - [Imported car sales fall 1.3% in July on lack of supply](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230803000181): (Yonhap)Imported vehicle sales in South Korea fell 1.3 percent last month from a year earlier due to the end of tax cuts and lack of supplies in some brands, an industry association said Thursday.The number of newly registered imported cars came to 21,138 units in July, down from 21,423 units a year ago, the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association said in a statement.The three bestselling models last month were BMW's 520 sedan, Mercedes-Benz's E 250 sedan and Lexus' ES300h sedan, the statement said.In July, three German brands -- Volkswagen Group Korea, BMW Group Korea and Mercedes-Benz Korea -- sold a combined 14,977 units, up 3.8 percent from 14,426 the previous year.German cars accounted for 71 percent of imported cars sold in Asia's fourth-biggest economy last month, up from the previous year's 67 percent, KAIDA said.Three Japanese brands -- Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and its independent brand, Lexus -- sold a total of 1,741 units last month, jumping 19 percent from 1,467 a year earlier.Imported brands accounted for 18.97 percent of the Korean passenger vehicle market in June, slightly up from 18.02 percent a year ago. Their market share for July has yet to be released, KAIDA said. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares snap 4-day winning streak on concerns over US economy](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230802000652): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)Seoul shares ended sharply lower Wednesday, breaking their four-day winning streak, as the downgrade of the US credit rating stoked investors' concerns. The South Korean won declined against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 1.9 percent, or 50.6 points, to 2,616.47. Trading volume was heavy at 694.5 million shares worth 15.7 trillion won ($12.1 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 652 to 230.The tech-heavy Kosdaq dropped more than 3 percent.Wall Street finished mixed Tuesday as investors took a breather from a monthslong rally ahead of earnings reports from major companies, including Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., and US jobs data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.2 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite trimmed 0.43 percent and the S&P 500 lost 0.27 percent.Fitch Ratings downgraded the credit rating of the United States to AA+ from AAA, citing "repeated debt limit standoffs and last-minute resolutions.""Investors' appetite went sharply down in Asian stock markets in the aftermath of the downgrade of the US credit rating by Fitch," Kim Seok-hwan, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities Co., said.Kim said big-cap shares led the decline in the Kospi, especially stocks related to secondary battery and semiconductor, on profit-taking.Foreign investors and institutions sold off shares worth 84.5 billion won and 686.6 billion won, respectively, while retail investors bought a total of 772.2 billion won worth of shares.In Seoul, most big-cap stocks logged big decreases.Market behemoth Samsung Electronics retreated 1.69 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix plunged almost 4.5 percent.Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution dropped 2.33 percent, and its smaller rival Samsung SDI went down almost 3 percent.Steel giant Posco Holdings shot down 5.8 percent, and its battery component-making affiliate Posco Future M lost 4.52 percent.Top chemical producer LG Chem went down 1.98 percent.Auto shares also ended in negative terrain, with Hyundai Motor dropping 3.46 percent and its affiliate Kia losing almost 4 percent. Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Motor's auto parts affiliate, sank almost 3.6 percent.Bio stocks also went down, with Samsung Biologics losing 1.62 percent and Celltrion dropping 1.99 percent.IT shares were bearish, with internet portal operator Naver falling 2.36 percent and Kakao, the operator of popular mobile messenger KakaoTalk, dropping 3.1 percent.Kakao Bank plunged 5.23 percent on profit-taking despite a solid earnings report.The Korean won ended at 1,298.5 won against the greenback, down 14.7 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap) - [Consumer inflation falls to 25-month low](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230802000620): A shopper compares vegetables at a supermarket in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Tuesday. Vegetable prices rose by 9.1 percent on-year in July due to the heavy rain. (Yonhap)Korea's consumer prices showed slowed growth, rising by 2.3 percent in July on-year, mainly due to the decline in international oil prices and base effect from last year, data showed Wednesday.According to Statistics Korea, consumer prices growth, a key gauge of inflation, stood last month at 2.3 percent more than a year earlier. It is the lowest increase in 25 months since June 2021.Inflation has been showing signs of losing steam here.Since passing its peak at 6.3 percent in July 2022, consumer price growth remained in the 5 percent range from August 2022 to January. It slid to 4.8 percent in February and 4.2 percent in March, and dropped to 3.7 percent in April and 3.3 percent in May before falling to 2.7 percent in June.Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, has been slower to wane compared to headline inflation. But the numbers show core inflation is slowing down too, rising by 3.3 percent on-year in July, down from increases of 3.5 percent in June, 3.9 percent in May and 4 percent in April.In detail, the price of fuel fell by 25.9 percent on-year in July, the sharpest decline since the agency started compiling related data in January 1985. The dip stems from the base effect of a decline in international oil prices.Prices of diesel fell by 33.4 percent, gasoline by 22.8 percent and liquefied petroleum gas for vehicles by 17.9 percent in July when compared to the same month in 2022."Prices of petroleum products falling to record low figures led the price growth in the 2 percent range," Kim Bo-kyung, a senior official at Statistics Korea, said.The prices of utility services, heavily impacted by oil prices, showed slowed growth, too. It climbed 21.1 percent over the period, lower than the previous month's figure, tallied at 25.9 percent.Prices of daily necessities -- 144 items closely related to everyday lives, including food and clothing -- advanced 1.8 percent on-year, the lowest in 29 months since February 2021.But vegetable prices rose by 9.1 percent on-year, 1.7 percentage point higher than June’s figure.“With the heavy rain, the prices of vegetables spiked in late July,” Kim said. “As inflation eased due to the base effect of (oil prices) until July, the slowdown may not continue from August when that effect wanes.”The Bank of Korea echoed the stance that inflation could rebound from August.“The inflation rate continued to decline in July due to the base effect (of oil prices) despite the heavy rain,” Kim Woong, deputy governor of the BOK, said at a meeting held at the central bank's headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday, shortly after the figures were released.Inflationary pressure has continued with the recent rise in international oil prices following the production cut decision from OPEC+. The heavy rain from last month could lead to another spike in vegetable prices in August. The jump in public transportation costs due to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's raising of subway and bus fares from August will put pressure on inflation too.“Consumer price growth will rebound in August and fluctuate at around 3 percent by the end of this year,” Kim said. “Though it shows signs of slowing down, core inflation growth is likely to stay above the (3.3 percent) projection made in May.”By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [S. Korea sees 3rd-largest per-capita GDP fall among major economies in 2022](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230802000126): This file photo taken July 25 shows a port in the southeastern city of Busan. (Yonhap)South Korea's per-capita gross domestic product fell by the most among major economies after Japan and Sweden last year, data showed Wednesday.The country's per-capita GDP dropped 8.2 percent on-year to come to $32,142 in 2022, according to the data analyzed by the Bank of Korea based on reports of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the World Bank and released by Rep. Jin Sun-mee of the main opposition Democratic Party.It was the third-sharpest decline among 47 major nations that involve the world's top 30 economies and OECD member countries following Japan logging a 15.1 percent fall and Sweden with an 8.5 percent decline, the data showed.Last year's sharp fall was attributable to the weakness of the Korean won against the US dollar.In terms of the local currency, South Korea's nominal GDP rose 3.9 percent on-year to 2,161.8 trillion won ($1.68 trillion), but the dollar-based figure marked a 7.9 percent on-year fall, or the second-largest decline among major nations in the world.The local currency traded at 1,291.75 won against the US dollar on average in 2022, compared with 1,144.32 won from a year earlier.South Korea ranked the world's 23rd in terms of the per-capital GDP in 2022.Luxemburg topped the list with $125,558, followed by Norway with $106,180, Ireland with $104,237, Switzerland with $91,976 and the United States with $76,360.Italy placed 20th with $34,109 and Japan came next with $33,864, followed by Russia with $32,410, the data showed. (Yonhap) - [Deep contraction in imports leads to trade surplus in July](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230801000583): Shipping containers are placed at Busan port on Tuesday. (Yonhap)Korea narrowly avoided a trade deficit in July as falling prices of energy and raw materials pulled imports down faster than exports.Outbound shipments fell 16.5 percent on-year to $50.33 billion last month, while inbound shipments fell 25.4 percent to $48.7 billion, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Customs Service released Tuesday.Accordingly, Korea logged a trade surplus of $1.63 billion in July, marking a $500 million increase from a month earlier. It is the first time since November 2021 Korea has had a trade a surplus for two straight months.This marks a turnaround from the 15-month streak of deficits shown from March 2022 to May 2023. It was the longest period of trade deficit since the 29-month record from January 1995 to May 1997."Trade balance has been recording a surplus for consecutive months from June to July, showing a sign of favorable balance trend. This is due to the recovery of exports to China and major businesses such as the semiconductor industry," Trade Minister Lee Chang-yang said.But declining exports have continued to hold back the recovery of the export-dependent Korean economy. Korea’s exports fell by 16.5 percent on-year in July, declining for the 10th consecutive month.The sluggish exports came as the overseas sales of semiconductors, the country's key export item, sank 33.6 percent on-year on falling demand and a drop in chip prices, resulting in a $3.8 billion drop.The Trade Ministry sees the delay in global economic recovery and slump in the chip industry to have affected the weak exports. It projected the chip industry will rebound within this year as the cut in memory chip production eases inventory woes and demand for advanced products such as DDR5 increases.Kim Wan-ki, director general for international trade affairs at Trade Ministry, speaks during a press briefing held Tuesday. (Yonhap)But declining exports have continued to hold back the recovery of the export-dependent Korean economy. Korea’s exports fell by 16.5 percent on-year in July, declining for the 10th consecutive month.The sluggish exports came as the overseas sales of semiconductors, the country's key export item, sank 33.6 percent on-year on falling demand and a drop in chip prices, resulting in a $3.8 billion drop.The Trade Ministry sees the delay in global economic recovery and slump in the chip industry to have affected the weak exports. It projected the chip industry will rebound within this year as the cut in memory chip production eases inventory woes and demand for advanced products such as DDR5 increases."Though it is difficult to confirm for the time being, the chip industry will recover in the fourth quarter, amid the strong performance of the automobile and secondary battery (sectors)," said Kim Wan-ki, director general for international trade affairs at the Trade Ministry.The drop in international oil prices also resulted in a decline in exports of petrochemicals by 24.5 percent and petroleum products by 42.3 percent.Car exports spiked 15 percent on-year last month to reach $5.9 billion in sales, posting an increase for 13 consecutive months. It was the highest figure for July ever.By destination, shipments to China, Korea's top trading partner, fell 25.1 percent on-year, standing at $9.9 billion. Exports to China have been falling for 14 months.Korea's trade balance with China logged a deficit of $1.27 billion, showing a gradual recovery from the $2.71 billion deficit in March.With the trade deficit with China halved, Korea's biggest trade deficit is now with Japan, excluding Middle Eastern nations the country imports oil from.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [Seoul shares open higher on tech, bio gains](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230801000192): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Tuesday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Tuesday, drive by gains in tech and bio shares amid hopes of a soft landing for the US economy.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 15.09 points, or 0.57 percent, to 2,647.67 in the first 15 minutes of trading.All three major US stock indexes finished higher Monday on upbeat corporate earnings. The S&P 500 closed at a 16-month high of around 4,590.In Seoul, IT and bio shares drove up the Kospi, while tech blue chips traded mixed.Internet portal operator Naver soared 4.85 percent, and Kakao, the operator of the popular mobile messenger KakaoTalk, jumped 4.48 percent.Bio shares were strong, with Samsung Biologics advancing 4.18 percent and Celltrion rising 1.5 percent.Large-cap tech shares were mixed.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics added 1.15 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix went up 1.54 percent.But leading battery maker LG Energy Solution lost 0.36 percent. Samsung SDI was unchanged.Auto shares also traded mixed, with Hyundai Motor gaining 0.46 percent and its affiliate Kia retreating 0.48 percent.Steel giant POSCO Holdings lost 0.47 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,276.5 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 1.9 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap) - [S. Korea's exports down for 10th month in July on weak chip demand](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230801000106): This file photo taken July 25 shows a port in the southeastern city of Busan. (Yonhap)South Korea's exports fell for the tenth consecutive month in July due mainly to weak demand for semiconductors, but the country reported a trade surplus for two straight months, the industry ministry said Tuesday.Outbound shipments fell 16.5 percent on-year to $50.33 billion last month, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.The decline came as exports of semiconductors, the country's key export item, sank 34 percent on falling demand and a drop in chip prices.Imports fell 25.4 percent on-year to $48.71 billion in July, as energy imports retreated 47 percent on-year, the ministry said. South Korea depends on imports for most of its energy needs.Accordingly, the country logged a trade surplus of $1.63 billion in July, the second straight gain.In June, the country reported a trade surplus for the first time in 16 months, after it had suffered the longest ever shortfall since 1997 from March 2022 through May 2023 on high energy prices. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares up for third day as US data signals cooling inflation](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230731000600): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Monday (Yonhap)South Korean stocks closed 0.93 percent higher Monday, after US data signaling cooling inflation fueled investor appetite for risky bets. The local currency rose against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 24.26 points to 2,632.58. Trading volume was at 447.5 million shares worth 15.5 trillion won ($12.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 712 to 178."The slower-than-expected in US personal consumption expenditures price index raised hopes for a 'Goldilocks' economy," Choi Yu-joon, an analyst at Shinhan Investment & Securities Co., said, referring to the term that describes an economy with steady growth without a dramatic contraction or expansion."The probability of the Federal Reserve's interest rate hike in September came down to 20 percent, easing the tightening pressure," Choi said.All three US major stock indexes finished higher Friday, after the PCE price index, an inflation gauge favored by the Fed, showed it rose 3 percent in June from a year earlier, the smallest rise in more than two years.It also marked a drop from May's 3.8 percent, showing a downtrend that indicated the Fed's aggressive interest rate hikes are working to pull inflation down to the 2 percent target range.In Seoul, battery and steel stocks closed higher. Top battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 3.32 percent to 560,000 won. Steel giant Posco Holdings shot up 3.72 percent to 642,000 won.Internet portal operator Naver jumped 7.58 percent to 227,000 won on growing anticipation surrounding HyperCLOVA X, its hyperscale artificial intelligence service, set to be unveiled next month.Leading energy company SK Innovation surged 13.98 percent to 216,000 won after the market outlook for a turnaround in the next quarter earnings.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics fell 1.13 percent to 69,800 won. Chip giant SK hynix lost 3.59 percent to 123,400 won.Autos finished in the red. Hyundai Motor fell 0.41 percent to 196,000 won, and Kia shed 1.78 percent to 82,700 won.The stock markets experienced a brief disruption shortly after the opening bell when an unidentified system error at Koscom Corp. brought all stock trading to a halt for about 10 minutes.The Korean won ended at 1,274.60 won against the US dollar, up 2.4 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap) - [[KH Explains] Commercial real estate crash punishes investors](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230731000592): Korean investment firms are at the risk of painful losses in their commercial real estate investments with high interest rates and a shift to teleworking.With major economies tightening monetary policies, and the post-pandemic trend of working from home pushing up office vacancy rates, commercial office buildings -- once perceived as a reliable investment -- have become a liability.Igis Asset Management’s 370 billion won ($290 million) investment in the Trianon office building in Frankfurt, Germany, is the latest in a string of cases in which investors face a steep drop in value and a high vacancy rate.On July 27, the Korean real estate investment firm has decided to sell the 45-story skyscraper to restructure its debt secured against the building.With the building's primary tenant DekaBank set to move out next June, the profitability of the real estate investment came into question, and lenders are requesting additional financing.Though the firm is working to secure additional capital to normalize the fund, the outlook on refinancing remains grim. It is working on finding a new buyer for the property. A loss is unavoidable, as the office building was bought for 857 billion won and is now estimated to be worth around 770 billion won.“We are in a difficult situation. We are trying our best to normalize the fund and minimize the losses,” an official from IGIS Asset Management said.Mirae Asset is one of many firms here which have been suffering from the dip in the office real estate market.Mirae Asset Securities' 280 billion won ($219.8 million) investment in Goldin Financial Global Centre in Hong Kong is facing a major loss amid the sluggish Hong Kong real estate market.Mirae Asset, which made the investment through mezzanine financing, was not able to recover its investment from the sale of the property because it is not a priority investor.The exact size of the loss has not been finalized but Multi Asset Global Investments, an affiliate of the finance group, is expecting a 90 percent loss on its 88 billion won fund.Vestas Investment Management is to sell an office building in London. It financed an investment worth 440 billion won, but the property is likely to be sold at around 300 billion won with the fall in office demands.Korea Investment Real Asset Management’s 189 billion won investment in the Toison d'Or office building in Brussels, Belgium, and Hana Alternative Asset Management's 155 billion won investment in Two Independence Square, NASA’s headquarters in Washington, are similar cases.Losses have not been actualized for those two investments but are looming as the values of the properties decline.Between 2017 and 2019, Korean investment firms made aggressive investments in overseas commercial real estate, seeking steady profitability from high occupancy rates and low interest rates.With occupancy rates falling and interest rates rising, the lenders are requesting debtors to refinance the funds through additional funding as the funds’ maturity dates draw near.According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, local financial investment institutions' net investment in overseas real estate amounts to 76.1 trillion won as of July 13.Though office real estate prices are dropping in both US and Europe, with Korean firms mostly suffering from investments in in Europe.“Though the remote working trend is stronger in the US than Europe, both regions are seeing less demand for offices, leading to difficulties in refinancing,” Ji Hyo-jin, head of global research team at Mastern Invest Management, said.“We may be are seeing more of these distressed investment cases in Europe as banks require frequent asset revaluation and request debtors to pay off some of the principals when the loan-to-value ratio increases.”Ji advised firms to go for alternative options on the losses, rather than postponing the risks to the future with maturity extensions."Though firms try to refinance the funds by extending the loan maturity, it would be difficult to pull up the occupancy rate in the changed paradigm,” Ji said.Some also view this to be a chance to make new investments.“With high interest rates, the crunch in the commercial real estate market will continue. But on the other hand, there can be new opportunities of investments when properties are on sale at significantly lower prices. When this phase is wrapped up, an inflection point for investments will come,” said an official from a local investment firm.By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [Seoul shares open higher on softening US inflation data](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230731000130): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Monday (Yonhap)South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday, as US data pointing to a loosening of inflation boosted investor confidence.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 16.91 points, or 0.65 percent, to 2,625.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading.All three US major stock indexes finished higher Friday, after the personal consumption expenditures price index, an inflation gauge favored by the Federal Reserve, showed it rose 3 percent in June from a year earlier, the smallest rise in more than two years.It also marked a drop from May's 3.8 percent, showing a downtrend that indicated the Fed's aggressive interest rate hikes are working to pull inflation down to the 2 percent target range.In Seoul, steel and energy shares drove up the Kospi, while tech blue chips traded mixed.Steel giant Posco Holdings and its battery component-making affiliate Posco Future M both rose more than 4 percent each. Top energy company SK Innovation jumped more than 7 percent.Tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics lost 0.4 percent, and chip maker SK hynix fell 1 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 2 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,275.6 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., up 1.4 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap) - [Exports of agro-fisheries products fall 3.8% in H1](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230731000113): Containers stacked at a pier in Busan (Yonhap)South Korea's exports of farm and fisheries products fell 3.8 percent on-year in the first half of the year, data showed Monday.Outbound shipments of agricultural and fisheries goods came to $5.95 billion in the January-June period, down from $6.19 billion a year earlier, according to the data by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT).Last year's tally marked an all-time high for the first half of any year, and it was the first time that the figure surpassed the $6 billion mark.This year's fall was attributable to the marked decline in exports of fisheries items, which dropped 10.3 percent on-year to $1.52 billion in the January-June period.Of major items, shipments of pollack sank 80 percent and those of tuna went down more than 20 percent, while sales of dried laver, called "gim" in Korean, jumped 24.9 percent on-year.Exports of processed food inched down 1.1 percent on-year to $3.71 billion as the decline in sales of dairy products offset the rise in demand for beverages and noodles.Exports of dairy items retreated 13.2 percent on-year, while those of noodles advanced 13.2 percent on the growing demand for ready-to-eat products, and sales of beverages rose 6.7 percent on-year.Outbound shipments of fresh foods also went down 3 percent on-year to $720 million, the aT data showed.By nation, exports to the United States fell 8.2 percent to $850 million, and those to the European Union and Britain retreated 16.4 percent to $360 million in the first half.Sales to Japan and China also shed 3.2 percent and 2 percent, respectively, the data showed. (Yonhap) - [Battery stocks’ rollercoaster ride leaves investors reeling](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230730000102): The fluctuating stock prices of firms in the secondary battery sector sent retail investors on a rollercoaster ride over the last week.Battery materials stocks achieved gains on Friday afternoon after suffering losses in the morning, raising alarms for retail investors who joined in on a buying spree for EcoPro and Posco shares.Shares of holdings company EcoPro closed at 1.10 million won ($863.85) on Friday. It spiked to a record high of 1.53 million won during trading hours on Wednesday. But it fell to a week-low of 935,000 won on Friday, making the differentials of the high and low during the week stand at 604,000 won.Shares of EcoPro BM, an affiliate of EcoPro that produces battery materials, showed a similar movement before closing at 407,500 won on Friday. EcoPro BM fell from the week-high of 584,000 won on Wednesday to the week-low of 360,000 won on Friday, making the fluctuation range stand at 224,000 won.With the fluctuation in stock prices, the added market cap of EcoPro and its affiliates listed on Kosdaq went up and down as well. The total market value of the EcoPro family, which was at 72 trillion won as of closing on Monday, hit a new high of 81 trillion won on the next day.But with share prices tumbling down after hitting record highs on Wednesday, the market cap dropped to 64 trillion won. It eventually recovered to 70 trillion won on Friday as the share prices of EcoPro climbed back.The shares of steel giant Posco Group experienced a similar rollercoaster ride last week, led by its holdings company Psoco Holdings and battery materials Posco Future M, the two companies running high on the recent battery frenzy.Posco Holdings shares reached a new high of 764,000 won on Wednesday and dropped to a week-low of 560,000 won on the next day. It eventually closed at 619,000 won on Friday.Posco Future M closed at 510,000 won on Friday, after dropping to the week-low of 464,000 won earlier in the day. Similar to other shares in the secondary battery sector it spiked to the record high of 560,000 won on Wednesday.With strong shares for battery-related units, Posco Group’s market cap reached 115 trillion won on Monday and 122 trillion won on the next day. It tumbled down to 105 trillion won on Thursday and recovered to 112 trillion won on Friday.The abrupt dive in battery materials stocks is assumed to have stemmed from massive profit-taking by retail investors after their binge buying in recent weeks, according to local analysts.Share prices dropped as some investors sold their holdings, making others go on a selling spree to prevent further losses.“With the escalated volatility of secondary battery shares due to a retail investor frenzy, individual investors concerned about reverse trading sold the stocks,” said Daeshin Securities analyst Kim Jung-yoon.Reverse trading refers to how brokerage firms execute forced selling of stocks which have been purchased through in-house loans if the appraised value falls below a certain level.The retail investor frenzy for secondary battery material firms is leading to higher uncertainties for the local stock market, market watchers assessed.“With the investor frenzy, the stock price index has gone up, but the concerns remain,” analyst Kang Dae-seok from Yuanta Securities Korea said. “Kospi went up 2.8 percent in July, but the volatility index of Kospi climbed 11.8 percent in the same period.”“While there have always been major shares that led the market and investor frenzy for certain sectors, the share flow in July was extreme,” analyst Shin Seung-jin from Samsung Securities said.“This is a time when investor sentiments and program trading supply and demand matter more than the fundamentals. The volatility for stocks that have gained prices due to expectation for growth will continue to increase.”By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com) - [Seoul shares end tumultuous week with modest gains](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230728000580): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks ended slightly higher Friday, led by steel shares, as investors took a breather amid concerns over aggressive monetary tightening by major economies and following sessions of great fluctuations in battery shares. The local currency rose against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 4.51 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 2,608.32, the second consecutive gains. Trading volume was a bit heavy at 495.38 million shares worth 16.5 trillion won ($12.92 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 635 to 252.The index opened lower, tracking overnight US losses, and had bobbed in and out of negative terrain before ending with modest gains.Retail and foreign investors bought a net 4,392.71 billion won and 59.42 billion won worth of shares, respectively, while institutions shed a net 458.49 billion won worth of shares."High volatility in the battery sector continued to affect the index, while the overall investor sentiment was weakened by Wall Street losses, snapping a 13-day winning streak for the Dow," said Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities Co.Concerns remain over interest rate hikes by major economies, as the European Central Bank on Thursday raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to curb inflation.The move came after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage point Wednesday, and Chair Jerome Powell suggested a further increase at the September meeting depending on data.Also on Friday, the Bank of Japan announced a decision to conduct its yield curve control policy more flexibly, while keeping its benchmark interest rate unchanged.On the Seoul bourse, top-cap shares ended mixed.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics fell 1.53 percent to 70,600 won on profit taking, while smaller rival SK hynix surged 3.23 percent to 128,000 won.LG Energy Solution inched up 0.37 percent to 542,000 won, but LG Chem sank 1.22 percent to 650,000 won.Samsung SDI grew 0.15 percent to 663,000 won, and SK Innovation jumped 1.34 percent to 189,500 won after reporting improved yields from battery manufacturing in the second quarter.Posco shares gathered ground. Posco Holdings jumped 4.21 percent to 619,000 won, and Posco Future M soared 4.94 percent to 510,000 won. Posco International turned up 20.12 percent to 80,000 won.Carmakers traded mixed. Top automaker Hyundai Motor retreated 0.51 percent to 196,800 won, while its affiliate Kia added 1.32 percent to 84,200 won.Major bio firm Samsung Biologics declined 0.88 percent to 784,000 won on profit taking, and internet giant Naver went down 0.24 percent to 211,000 won.The local currency ended at 1,277.0 won against the US dollar, up 0.7 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares open lower on US losses, profit taking](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230728000153): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks opened lower Friday, led by declines in big-cap tech shares on profit taking after an overnight fall on Wall Street.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 9.8 points, or 0.38 percent, to 2,594.01 in the first 15 minutes of trading.US stocks closed lower despite the stronger-than-expected economic growth in the second quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.67 percent, snapping a 13-day winning streak, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.55 percent.The US economy grew 2.4 percent in the second quarter, up from 2 percent growth the previous quarter and higher than experts' estimate of around 2 percent.In Seoul, tech giant Samsung Electronics fell 0.42 percent, and SK hynix remained unchanged following sharp gains the previous session on hope for an industry turnaround.Major chemical firm LG Chem tumbled 2.28 percent, and Posco Future M retreated 0.82 percent.But leading battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 1.3 percent, and Samsung SDI inched up 0.15 percent.Posco Holdings went up 1.01 percent following a sharp fall the previous session.Carmakers opened higher, with top automaker Hyundai Motor rising 1.11 percent and Kia spiking 3.73 percent.Among decliners, major bio firm Samsung Biologics sank 1.52 percent, and internet giant Naver dived 1.89 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,282.70 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 5 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap) - [European Central Bank hikes interest rates for ninth time to combat inflation](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230727000767): The European Central Bank is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The governing council of the ECB will meet on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the ninth straight time in its yearlong campaign to stamp out painfully high inflation, even as worries about recession fuel speculation that Thursday’s hike could be its last.ECB President Christine Lagarde had all but promised the quarter-percentage point increase. That puts the focus at her post-meeting news conference on whether the bank will raise rates again at its September meeting or hold off after a record series of rate hikes.Central banks around the world have been raising borrowing costs to combat inflation unleashed by higher energy prices after Russia invaded Ukraine and supply chain backups as the global economy recovered from the coronavirus pandemic.Now, the question is whether the rapid rate hikes are reaching their end.The ECB move followed a decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday to raise its key rate for the 11th time in 17 months. Fed Chair Jerome Powell was noncommittal about whether more rate increases might be coming, though inflation is lower in the U.S. -- at 3% -- than it is in Europe.Inflation in the eurozone has fallen from its peak of 10.6% in October to 5.5% in June, still well above the bank’s target of 2% considered best for the economy.Households and businesses are facing a double hit from price spikes and higher rates, which make it more expensive for people to get loans to buy homes and cars or for companies to get new equipment or build facilities.Rates are working their way through the economy, weighing on home prices and construction activity, and are designed to work so people spend less and prices come down. But they can also weigh on economic growth, and the eurozone already has seen back-to-back quarters of contraction .With Thursday’s quarter-point increase, the ECB has raised its benchmark deposit rate from minus 0.5% to 3.75% in one year, the fastest credit tightening since the euro currency was launched in 1999.The rate hikes are already working: House prices have started to decline after a yearslong rally, while business loans are at their lowest level since statistics started in 2003. The outlook for construction companies in Germany also hit its lowest level since 2010.Fears about recession are focusing on Germany, Europe’s industrial powerhouse and largest economy. It is the only developed economy that the International Monetary Fund expects to shrink this year.Germany already has recorded two straight quarters of falling economic output, meeting one definition of recession. It might have seen a third, with figures for the April-to-June period coming out Friday.The German economy is going through a “slowcession” -- “stuck in the twilight zone between stagnation and recession,” says Carsten Brzeski, chief eurozone economist at ING Bank.The whole eurozone economy also shrank slightly in the first three months of the year, likewise the second straight quarterly decline. Preliminary figures for the second quarter are due Monday.The economists on the euro area business cycle dating committee, which declares recessions, use a broader set of data than just two quarters of shrinking output figures in its decisions. The committee said June 30 that talk of a eurozone recession was “premature” given record low unemployment of 6.5%.ECB officials say getting tough on inflation now avoids even more drastic credit restrictions later if inflation becomes ingrained through expectations for higher wages and prices. (AP) - [Seoul shares end higher on chip rally](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230727000668): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)South Korean stocks ended higher Thursday, as chipmakers surged on hopes for a business turnaround and investors digested the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate hike. The local currency fell against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 11.45 points, or 0.44 percent, to close at 2,603.81. Trading volume was heavy at 585.77 million shares worth 23.79 trillion won ($18.62 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 729 to 174.The index moved within a tight range following the previous session's losses but had risen to nearly 1 percent before ending with modest gains.Institutional and offshore investors bought a net 437.89 billion won and 78.9 billion won worth of shares, respectively, while individuals shed a net 506.06 billion won worth of shares."We've seen greater market volatility due mainly to a frenzy for battery shares," said Kim Ji-san, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities Co.In macroeconomic terms, the Fed raised interest rates Wednesday by a much-anticipated quarter of a percentage point to the 5.25 percent to 5.50 percent range, the highest level in more than 22 years.Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho told a meeting that the government will closely monitor the market as the Fed's latest decision pushed the gap between the key rates of South Korea and the US to an all-time high.In Seoul on Thursday, top-cap shares ended mixed, with chipmakers' rally offsetting a fall in battery and steel shares.Market bellwether Samsung Electronics jumped 2.72 percent to 71,700 won after it announced plans to extend production cuts amid expectations for a recovery in demand, though it reported a 95 percent fall in second-quarter operating profit.Smaller rival SK hynix surged 9.73 percent to 124,000 won.But LG Energy Solution dropped 6.9 percent to 540,000 won on profit-taking. The leading battery maker said its second-quarter operating profit more than doubled on-year on growing battery demand for electric vehicles.LG Chem dived 9.62 percent to 658,000 won after reporting a 30 percent fall in its second-quarter profit on sagging global demand.Samsung SDI retreated 5.83 percent to 662,000 won following recent gains, as it announced a 4.9 percent increase in the second-quarter operating income.Posco Holdings skidded 5.71 percent to 594,000 won, and Posco Future M dropped 13.21 percent to 486,000 won.Carmakers traded mixed. Top automaker Hyundai Motor retreated 0.45 percent to 197,800 won, while its affiliate Kia rose 0.61 percent to 83,100 won after logging a solid growth in the second-quarter net profit.Among gainers, major bio firm Samsung Biologics advanced 8.8 percent to 791,000 won, and internet giant Naver went up 6.98 percent to 211,500 won.The local currency ended at 1,277.7 won against the US dollar, down 3.2 won from the previous session's close. (Yonhap) - [Garden show](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/14/content_37406006.htm): A Kunqu Opera performance brings Shen Fu’s famous memoir to life in its real-life setting One can feel a bit of chill in the air at 8 pm outside the north gate of the Canglang Pavilion in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. But one soon forgets it when the hero Shen Fu and his beloved wife, Chen Yun, appear on a boat. Accompanied by a melodious flute, the two step out to be greeted by their butler. The immersive theater version of the Kunqu Opera Six Chapters of a Floating Life, based on the book by Shen Fu, starts in front of the […] - [This feature requires paid plan. Please contact the owner.](https://www.feedspot.com/fs/marketers?_src=rss_feature): Start your 7 day free trial then $7.99 / month No Contracts, Cancel Anytime Get started - [xx](http://www.investquebec.com/international/en/page/4848): Matane, 13 juillet 2023 – Matane, July 13, 2023 – The governments of Canada and Quebec are granting a total of $30 million to Duravit Canada to establish a fully automated plant in Matane to produce high end bathroom ceramics. - [Navigating the Romney-Ryan-Obama Medicare Bedlam](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2012/08/15/navigating_the_romney-ryan-obama_medicare_bedlam_130393.html): Mitt Romney accuses U.S. President Barack Obama of robbing Medicare of more than $700 billion. Obama claims the Republican presidential candidate would end Medicare as we know it. If you find this debate confusing, itâ??s no wonder. . . Read Full Article » - [Will Robots Cause Mass Unemployment in China?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2012/08/20/will_robots_cause_mass_unemployment_in_china_130573.html): Reuters August 20, 2012 The graph below, based on data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, shows manufacturing employment in the United States as a fraction of all employment. As you can see, the line heads download in an almost perfectly straight line beginning in the mid-1950s. . . Read Full Article » - [New Evidence Shows Real Capitalism Beats Crony Capitalism](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2012/08/20/new_evidence_shows_real_capitalism_beats_crony_capitalism_130572.html): Editorial Investor’s Business Daily August 20, 2012 In the span of two weeks we have seen a success of capitalism and a growing failure of state capitalism. On Aug. 1 came news that computers at Knight Capital went nuts, automatically buying more than $4 billion of securities the company had not meant to buy. . . Read Full Article » - [Could the Economy Win Obama the Election?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2012/08/21/could_the_economy_win_obama_the_election_130615.html): By now, everybody knows what’s wrong with the economy: There aren’t enough jobs, Europe is stuck in a financial quagmire and Washington is playing chicken with tax and spending policies that affect millions of consumers and businesses. . . Read Full Article » - [Go straight to jail, right after you tour the rest of Fredericton's science centre](https://science.einnews.com/article/641794607/sLC7KXMtfXknl-uC?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Science East, a science education centre in downtown Fredericton, is now offering tours of the old jail cells in its basement. - [WVDNR seeks public input for river otter citizen science project](https://science.einnews.com/article/641783458/-NPOO7ojPjHFsgY8?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced today the start of a new citizen science project to identify the distribution of river otters across the state and is asking members of the public to report sightings through an online survey. The survey can be completed online or by using the Survey123 mobile application. To learn more about participating in the survey, visit WVdnr.gov/surveys and scroll down to River Otters. As part of the survey, participants will be asked to report river otter sightings and provide details about the otter’s location, the number of otters observed and what the otter was doing. Submitting a photo of the otter is encouraged. The survey, which is similar to the box turtle and rattlesnake citizen science surveys the WVDNR have conducted, will provide updated information about the bodies of water river otters currently occupy. Data collected during the survey will help the WVDNR better manage river otter populations across West Virginia. River otters, which were once extirpated in West Virginia, were reintroduced to the state by the WVDNR in the 1980s. Since then, river otter populations have stabilized and are increasing in certain areas. To learn more about other citizen science projects and surveys, visit WVdnr.gov/surveys. - [Save dietary supplement product development time with science report](https://science.einnews.com/article/641781018/ALsBOnIxBm4Q4K1w?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): The science behind top-selling ingredients is accumulating at a rapid pace, making it difficult for hard pressed product developers to keep up.   A new report—available today—by Natural Products Insider aims to help.  The report, which is available as an additional offering when attendees and exhibitors register for the SupplySide West/FiNA trade show, summarizes the most salient recent research on five categories of top-selling ingredients.  The categories covered in the report are probiotics, magnesium, melatonin, curcumin and collagen. This focus was chosen because of the intersection of strong market demand for these ingredients, coupled with robust recent research activity in 2022 and 2023.  All of these ingredients are, or have been, hot sellers. The new report contains data from Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) on how those ingredients are doing in the market.  Sales in 2022 for magnesium increased nearly 12%, approaching $1.5 billion, according to NBJ.  For all five ingredients—whether they’re riding sales skyrockets or are merely holding their formidable positions—the science to substantiate their health benefits is piling up at a rapid pace. To get the scoop on the science, be sure to purchase the report as part of your registration for SupplySide West.   - [Stanford scientists identify a new subtype of depression](https://science.einnews.com/article/641777325/H2IizQhzPvpQScIH?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): "I regularly witness the suffering, the loss of hope and the increase in suicidality that occurs when people are going through our trial-and-error process, and it's because we start with medications that have the same mechanism of action for everyone with depression, even though depression is quite heterogeneous," — Laura Hack, MD, PhD, lead author of the study. Tyrone Siu/Reuters Through the use of surveys, cognitive tests and brain imaging, scientists at Stanford Medicine in California have identified a new type of depression that affects over a quarter of patients.This new category of depression, labelled as a cognitive biotype, accounts for approximately 27 per cent of depressed patients and can not effectively be treated by commonly prescribed antidepressants. The scientists' primary goal is to diagnose and treat the condition more precisely.Traditionally, depression is defined as a mood disorder, so it's common practice for doctors to prescribe antidepressants that target selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the brain.However, this medication proves to be less effective for patients with cognitive dysfunction. The researchers believe that targeting these aforementioned dysfunctions with rarely-used antidepressants or other treatments may alleviate symptoms, whilst restoring social and occupational abilities.According to the study's senior author and professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences, Leanne Williams, PhD, the published study is part of a broader effort by neuroscientists to find treatments that specifically target biotypes of depression. Professor Williams commented: "One of the big challenges is to find a new way to address what is currently a trial-and-error process so that more people can get better sooner. Bringing in these objective cognitive measures like imaging will make sure we're not using the same treatment on every patient."For the study, 1,008 adults with major depressive disorders were randomly given one of three widely-prescribed antidepressants: escitalopram or sertraline, which both act on serotonin, or venlafaxine-XR, which acts on both serotonin and norepinephrine, with 712 participants completing the eight-week regime. Before and after treatment, the participants' depressive symptoms were measured with two surveys, one administered by a clinician, and the other being a self-assessment, which included questions relating to sleeping, eating and one's overall quality of life.The participants later completed a series of cognitive tasks, also before and after treatment, in order to measure verbal memory, working memory, decision speed and sustained attention. Scientists used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan 96 of the participants whilst they engaged in a task that involved pressing a button as quickly as possible.The fMRI tracked neuronal activity within various brain regions by measuring changes in blood oxygen levels, with the researchers later comparing these images with individuals without depression.Researchers discovered that 27 per cent of the participants experienced more prominent symptoms of cognitive deceleration and insomnia, impaired cognitive function and reduced activity in certain frontal brain regions, profile scientists labelled as a cognitive biotype. After treatment, the researchers also found that for the three antidepressants administered, the overall remission rates and absence of depressive symptoms greatly differed, with sertraline, for example, showing a remission rate of 35.9 per cent for those with the biotype, and 50 per cent for those without.Laura Hack, MD, PhD, the study's lead author and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural studies, said: "This study is crucial because psychiatrists have few measurement tools for depression to help make treatment decisions. It's mostly making observations and self-report measures. Imaging while performing cognitive tasks is rather novel in depression treatment studies."Both Professor Williams and Professor Hack, respectively, propose that behaviour measurement and imaging could help with diagnosing depression biotypes, leading to more effective treatment. They hope to conduct further studies on patients who have the cognitive biotype and compare different types of medication with various treatments and behavioural therapy. - [Top 10 career options in AI, Data Science](https://science.einnews.com/article/641772524/YUKqPE_qCtnCwbLY?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): By India Today Education Desk: Credit for launching the first academic program in Data Science goes to a land-grant state university in North Carolina, USA when, in 2007, the university came up with the MS in Data Analytics program.Thereafter, several universities across the world started offering graduate and undergraduate programs in Data Science (and allied areas like Data Analytics, NLP, ML etc.).advertisementIn India, SP Jain was the first b-school to start a graduate certificate programme in Big-Data Analytics program in 2015 and thereafter launched the first undergraduate program in Data Science in 2018, along with 3 other universities across the world.Data Science programme across the world have been runaway hits from the student's enrolment perspective since it provides greater access to the entry-level job market at considerably higher salaries in comparison to graduate employment outcomes with computer science engineering degrees.Interestingly, Data Science is quite a versatile career since it has applications to a wide range of industries, from healthcare to finance to eCommerce to Transportation & logistics.With the rise of big data and the increasing availability of data sources, organisations are looking to leverage data to make better decisions. Data science provides the tools and techniques to analyse large amounts of data and extract insights from it, which can be used to inform strategic decisions.Data Science has the potential to drive innovation and create new products and services. By analysing data and uncovering patterns and insights, data scientists can identify new opportunities for growth and development. With the increasing availability of open-source tools and resources, data science has become more accessible to a wider range of people. This has helped to democratise data science and make it more inclusive.Dr Abhijit Dasgupta, Director – Bachelor of Data Science at S P Jain School of Global Management has shared the list of career choices in the field of AI and Data Science for students, viz.,1. Data Scientist: A data scientist is responsible for analysing and interpreting complex data to find patterns and insights that can help organisations make better decisions. They need to be skilled in programming, data analysis, and machine learning.2. Machine Learning Engineer: A machine learning engineer designs and implements machine learning algorithms and models to automate tasks or create predictive models. They need to have strong programming skills and knowledge of statistics and mathematics.3. Artificial Intelligence Researcher: An AI researcher conducts research on artificial intelligence and develops new algorithms and models to solve complex problems. They need to have a strong background in mathematics, computer science, and machine learning.advertisement4. Business Intelligence Analyst: A business intelligence analyst uses data to help organisations make informed decisions. They analyse data to identify trends and patterns, and then create reports and visualisations to communicate insights to business leaders.5. Data Analyst: A data analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analysing data to identify trends and insights. They need to be skilled in statistics, data visualisation, and programming.6. Data Engineer: A big data engineer designs and implements large-scale data processing systems using technologies such as Hadoop and Spark. They need to have strong programming skills and knowledge of distributed computing.7. Data Architect: A data architect designs and maintains the architecture of data systems. They need to have a deep understanding of data modelling and database design.8. Data Mining Engineer: A data mining engineer develops and implements algorithms to discover patterns and insights in large datasets. They need to be skilled in programming and machine learning.9. Data Visualisation Developer: A data visualisation developer creates visualisations and dashboards to help organisations better understand their data. They need to be skilled in programming and data visualisation tools.advertisement10 Data Quality Analyst: A data quality analyst is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of data. They need to be skilled in data management and quality control techniques.Overall, the right candidates with quality coding skills, industry certifications and a good research background will have opportunities open for him/her across the world at salaries which were earlier unheard of 2-3 years back.--- ENDS --- - [Researching science’s biggest questions at UNH’s observatory](https://science.einnews.com/article/641769967/uZ8jWYhbf5e-7sJ-?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): This story first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.The University of New Hampshire has an observatory, and John Gianforte is in charge of running it. That job also includes hosting star parties, twice-monthly events where the observatory is open to the public and people can come and use the telescopes. The free event takes place on the first and third Saturday of each month, and the next chance to participate is this Saturday, July 1, from 9 to 11 p.m., weather permitting. Double check the observatory’s Facebook page to make sure conditions are right. Gianforte started teaching astronomy in New Hampshire in 1983, according to his incredibly named website,  “The Sky Guy.” I spoke with him about his research, and how it attempts to answer one of the biggest scientific questions: Is there life on other planets? AG: Tell me more about the kind of research you do.  John Gianforte: My research area is exoplanets - the planets that orbit stars other than the sun. I teach an experimental physics class here at the university. The students who take that class are usually senior physics students or grad students. I don’t. I was going to ask what you meant by that. So, transit is like an eclipse. Let’s imagine there’s a pretty bright star. If a planet orbiting this star is in our line of sight -- in other words, when it crosses in front of its host star -- it kind of creates an eclipse of sorts, that creates a shadow. It blocks a little bit of that star’s light, and with our instruments, we can detect a 1 percent dimming of that light from the star because the planet is in the way for a few hours. We’ve discovered almost 6,000 other planets out there orbiting stars other than the sun in about 3,700 other solar systems. What’s the significance of those discoveries? That’s a dangerous question to ask me because I can keep you on the phone all afternoon. But you’re asking the “so what” question, which I get a lot. It’s attempting to determine if the planet that we live on in our solar system is unique, or are there other planets that have what it takes for life to arise and thrive? And that’s the big question. Most people have an interest in finding out if there’s life elsewhere, either microbial life or intelligent life. Finding life on any other planet, anywhere, even in our own solar system, would be a huge, huge discovery. And if it’s there, if we discover one other place, chances are there’s lots of other places where life has taken root and has evolved, thrived. That is an important question to humans because we’re always curious about what’s out there. Is there anybody out there that we can talk to? That’s a big question that people studying exoplanets and astronomy are trying to answer.The Big PictureVendors took over one of Concord's main streets for Market Days, which were held from June 22 through June 24, 2023Amanda GokeeGot a picture to share? We may feature it in this space! Email it to us at NHNews@globe.com or post it on Instagram and tag us: @Globe_NH.Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @amanda_gokee. - [I spy a firefly: How you can help scientists collect data](https://science.einnews.com/article/641768863/YYxwucGp81Qrq9dZ?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): (WKBN) — You’re invited to join a network of community scientists around the country by observing your own backyard and helping scientists map fireflies. Mass Audubon is tracking the fate of fireflies and invites anyone in North America to take part. The Massachusetts Audubon Society, commonly known as Mass Audubon, is an organization that focuses on land protection and wildlife conservation, with the additional goal of connecting people to nature. The group offers both members and nonmembers access to educational programs and events that help connect them to nature. Through the project Firefly Watch, the organization hopes to learn about the geographic distribution of fireflies and what environmental factors impact their abundance.  Also known as lightning bugs, fireflies are neither bugs nor flies — they are actually beetles that light up using a chemical reaction in their lower abdomen. All fireflies belong to the same beetle family, although the groups have different ways of attracting mates. Some fireflies make quick flashes while others give long-lasting glows, and some use invisible chemical signals. To participate in the program, all you need to do is spend at least 10 minutes once a week during firefly season observing fireflies in one location, such as your backyard or a nearby field. The study says a location site should be fairly small and cohesive to provide the most accurate results. It should be no larger than the area you can see easily while standing in one spot. A backyard that includes shrubs and trees can be considered one habitat, but a pasture bordering that yard would be considered a different habitat.  Participants are asked to count the number of flashing fireflies they see over the course of 10 minutes in three 10-second periods, as well as the number of flashing patterns. Even if you do not see any firefly flashes in your location, the organization says it is still important to record those findings. “It may be that you don’t have any species of fireflies active early in the summer, but other fireflies will emerge later in the season,” Mass Audubon stated. By looking at the data from the habitat sheets for areas with no fireflies, researchers might be able to begin to understand some of the important factors. That is why reporting no fireflies is just as useful as reporting many fireflies. An interactive map for 2023 is available detailing reported sightings by other program participants this year — maps and data dating back to 2008 are also available. For more information or to participate in Firefly Watch, visit Mass Audubon’s website. - [A crew of 4 NASA volunteers will be locked in a virtual 'Mars' for 378 days. Here's why.](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641766392/taHC6sDFj5DTJYre?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): A group of four NASA volunteers have embarked on a 378-day mission in which they will be locked in a ground-based simulation of the planet Mars. The mission, which began Sunday, is the first of three year-long Mars surface simulations, according to NASA. During the mission, crew members will live and work in a 3D-printed, 1,700-square-foot habitat. NASA says researchers will simulate the challenges of a human mission to Mars, including resource limitations, equipment failure and communication delays. The crew will also carry out different types of mission activities, including simulated spacewalks, robotic operations and habitat maintenance. ‘THE CREW IS NOT […] - [Scientists discover ancient human relatives used to kill and eat each other](https://science.einnews.com/article/641753286/DOHPdZ3MzXU_DPZy?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Early relatives of modern man used to butcher and possibly even eat each other, a creepy new study has shown. Scientists examined nine cut marks on a 1.45 million-year-old shin fossil, known as KNM-ER 741, and found it was likely the incisions were made with a stone tool designed to cleave meat from the bone, VICE reported. Humans are the only surviving members of a larger family, called hominins, who researchers have long suspected ate each other – although until now, it has been unclear exactly why or how often this would have happened. READ MORE: Giant ‘rabbit creature’ found in […] - [Human Milk Fortifier Market to Witness Major Growth by 2028 | Abbott Nutrition, Nestlé Health Science, Perrigo](https://science.einnews.com/pr_news/641728205/human-milk-fortifier-market-to-witness-major-growth-by-2028-abbott-nutrition-nestl-health-science-perrigo?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Science+News&utm_content=article): Human Milk Fortifier Market to Witness Major Growth by 2028 | Abbott Nutrition, Nestlé Health Science, Perrigo - Science News Today - EIN Presswire - [Man who works as a data scientist says he hasn't spent May's salary yet, Mzansi peeps say he's blessed](https://science.einnews.com/article/641735263/gWkCLV-go763eB9V?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): A video of a man realising that he hasn't spent any of last month's salary has gone viral onlineThe footage shows the data scientist having the moment of realisation just a few days before his next salary payoutMany netizens pointed out how fortunate he was while other ladies didn't hesitate to leave him flirty commentsPAY ATTENTION: Empowering lives, one story at a time. Briefly News launched a YouTube channel Briefly TV. Subscribe now!Like every other country in the world, South Africa has a working population that drives its economy. Qualified adults work in various fields and industries, white and blue-collar. Some professions have higher salaries than others. One Mzansi gent doesn't have the stress of trying to make ends meet before his next payday. Image: @ultimate_dr_molawa/TikTokSource: TikTokOne South African was smart in revealing that he makes a good living after sharing that he hasn't even touched his salary from May - and we're currently at the of June.Man remembers he hasn't touched last month's salaryRead alsoYoung lady flexes beautiful home and being away from university res drama, Mzansi falls in love with her homeIn a video, @ultimate_dr_molawa posted a video of himself looking at a computer screen before a sudden moment of realisation.PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!He captioned the video:"I just remembered that I haven't touched my May salary and I'm getting paid in a few days again. I'm in shock."@ultimate_dr_molawa who is a data scientist by profession is among the very fortunate South Africans who don't need to worry much about stretching their rands to make it from one payday to another.What do data scientists do?Data scientists are professionals who are skilled at extracting meaningful information from and interpreting data, which involves both statistical and machine learning tools and techniques, as well as human understanding, Simplilearn states.According to Indeed, the average salary for a Data Scientist is R 677 140 per year in South Africa.Read alsoTikTok user videotapes tokoloshe live in action, leaving social media feeling confusedNetizens respond to the videoMany netizens were amazed by the man's post, pointing out how blessed he was to be in a position where didn't need to worry about money. Other ladies left flirtatious comments on the post.Goitsemang Mokwa reacted:"Motho kwena ."Area51_Infinity commented:"uyisicefe uyezwa."Bugg replied:"I have feelings for you."Nonhlanhla Mnisi said:"What a weird way to propose… but yes ."Nokukhanya Khanyo Dlamini commented:"Umuntu asho nje kucace uma ethakatha.... because how?!?!?"mpumy said:"Hhayi bo ubusisekile angifuni ukungasho."Nqobile Nhlumayo commented:"Ngicela ungizame ngo 100 Randi wokugibela ngiqede isonto."Nobuhle replied:"Ngicela ungithengele isinkwa ngaze ngalamba bandla e Res."South African teacher hit by reality of salary, video of her career expectations have Mzansi in tearsIn another story, Briefly News reported that a teacher told people that her career isn't what she expected. The lady made a video about her situation, and online users were amused. Read alsoWoman shows off impressive outdoor entertaining and cooking area, ensures guests don't need to enter her homeThe video got over 5000 likes as people enjoyed her skit. There were hundreds of comments, and some people admitted that she wasn't the only one. @uthisha_omnyama, a teacher on TikTok, made a funny clip about how she thought she would have a big house, three cars and a husband after her obtaining her education degree. Source: Briefly News - [Indonesia, Germany have potential sports science partnership: Minister](https://science.einnews.com/article/641729283/hhRuGgpUTx5oV5M4?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has the potential to cooperate with Germany in the development of sports science, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo said on Monday following his visit to Germany.He said that during the visit, he held a meeting with the German Parliament's Sports Committee Group Coordinator Philipp Hartewig and Committee Member Stephan Mayer."The meeting aimed to discuss the potential cooperation between Indonesia and Germany in the area of sports science," Ariotedjo said in Jakarta.The meeting also discussed the potential for friendly matches between Indonesia and Germany in several sports, such as football, volleyball, and basketball.Ariotedjo noted that as the meeting was informal in nature, efforts will be made to formalize the talks and their follow-up."We will continue with follow-up actions and communication. The last meeting was informal, and we will try to formalize it," the minister noted.Indonesia has a significant opportunity to cooperate with Germany in sports science, as its development has reached an advanced stage in the country, he remarked."We hope this will be the beginning of sports cooperation between Indonesia and Germany," Ariotedjo stated.Meanwhile, the minister said Indonesia was in the limelight during the visit, adding that it was even offered to host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games (SOWG).He said that Indonesia has the potential to host the 2027 SOWG, as it is perceived as a developing and iconic country that can represent the Asia-Pacific region."Indonesia is deemed capable of representing Asia-Pacific. Indonesia has fulfilled criteria on event organization facilities, and Indonesia has also hosted major events several times at sports arenas with international standards," Ariotedjo remarked.Related news: Foreign athletes to enliven Indonesian Table Tennis League Series IIRelated news: Sports ministry welcomes RI's appointment as U-17 World Cup host    - [Parthenogenesis, Medieval Whales, and Debating Science](https://science.einnews.com/article/641728318/8fdADncNdNmXXMl7?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): The Lesbian Dream of Babies without Men (Slate)by Allison MillerIn the 1970s heyday of lesbian separatism, some activists turned to the rapidly advancing science of reproduction in the hopes of developing human parthenogenesis. Things got strange, and ethically troubling, fast. Breaking Whale Science from Medieval Sources (Smithsonian Magazine)by Nina GoldmanMedieval manuscripts tell of sea monsters using a particular feeding technique—a technique modern scientists detected for the first time among whales in 2011. Could the ocean giants be readopting a fishing style from their past? The Trouble with Debating Science (Vox)by Keren LandmanScience evolves through contentious disagreements. So why are many scientists reluctant to engage in real-time public debates? And how can science communication really reach people whose ideas are well outside a discipline’s consensus? An Indigenous Critique of “Natural” Parenting (Aeon)by Francesca MezzenzanaAmong college-educated Americans, parenting techniques like baby-wearing and breastfeeding on demand are often described as “natural” and based on Indigenous practices. But, as one mom found while visiting her Runa relatives in the Amazon, Indigenous people don’t necessarily agree. What Asian American Therapy Patients Need (Knowable Magazine)by Diana KwonAmerican mental health professionals often emphasize goals like self-disclosure and direct communication—without recognizing that these reflect culturally specific values. Some psychologists are rethinking what therapy could look like for Asian Americans, who often come to mental health treatment with different experiences and expectations. Got a hot tip about a well-researched story that belongs on this list? Email us here. - [Science Applications International Co. (NYSE:SAIC) Shares Sold by Exchange Traded Concepts LLC](https://science.einnews.com/article/641722540/BMJt0-6gK7fQ_M-D?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lowered its position in shares of Science Applications International Co. (NYSE:SAIC – Get Rating) by 8.0% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 6,201 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock after selling 537 shares during the quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC’s holdings in Science Applications International were worth $666,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of SAIC. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates bought a new position in shares of Science Applications International during the fourth quarter valued […] - [NASA locks 4 volunteers into 3D-printed virtual 'Mars' for over a year](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641720840/FOGVDjiy2EKAz2wr?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Four volunteers will spend the next 378 days in a simulation of Mars, facing harsh, realistic challenges in tight quarters under NASA’s watchful eye in preparation for a real-life mission to the red planet. Research scientist Kelly Haston, structural engineer Ross Brockwell, emergency medicine physician Nathan Jones and US Navy microbiologist Anca Selariu were locked into the virtual planet at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, on Sunday as part of the first of a three-year-long simulation study by the space agency. “The knowledge we gain here will help enable us to send humans to Mars and bring them home […] - [NASA to equip spaceships with AI so they can talk to astronauts](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641717631/bDXSwiRcNyt0O7aB?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Employees of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) intend to equip spacecraft with artificial intelligence and eventually allow astronauts to talk to technology in a living human language, like with ChatGPT. The goal of the project is to make spacecraft more autonomous and allow astronauts to solve complex problems in space without constant communication with the Earth, The Guardian writes. “It really looks like science fiction,” lead participant Larissa Suzuki of the NASA AI Lab says. “The idea is to get to the point where we can communicate with spacecraft and they [also] will tell us about alarms, interesting […] - [Turkish and Turkmen scientists have prepared a new book about Magtymguly for publication](https://science.einnews.com/article/641716737/k0MEdhSdYIG2fz0_?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Professor of the Turkish University of Pamukkale Soner Salgam together with the Turkmen scientist Rahimmammet Kurenov prepared for publication the book "Legends about the spiritual father of the Turkmen Magtymguly". The Turkish author told about this in an interview with the newspaper "Turkmenistan" during the scientific conference "The Era of the Revival of a new era of a powerful state and Magtymguly Pyragy", which was held within the framework of the week of culture of the Turkic states in Ashgabat, at the Turkmen State University named after Magtymguly. As the professor from Turkey noted, the last time he was in Turkmenistan was in 2014 during the celebration of the 290th anniversary of the birth of Magtymguly, and he is happy to be here again after 9 years. He also said that he is doing everything possible to attract the attention of his fellow students to the power of the great poet's creativity and to Turkmen literature in general. ORIENT news - [Vectara, a Conversational AI Leader, and SonoSim Announce Partnership to Bring LLMs to Healthcare Training](https://science.einnews.com/pr_news/639903594/vectara-a-conversational-ai-leader-and-sonosim-announce-partnership-to-bring-llms-to-healthcare-training?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Science+News&utm_content=article): Vectara, a Conversational AI Leader, and SonoSim Announce Partnership to Bring LLMs to Healthcare Training - Science News Today - EIN Presswire - [A battery-free, wireless underwater camera Technology News | June 27, 2023 MIT engineers build a battery-free, wireless underwater camera that could help scientists explore unknown regions of the ocean Scientists estimate…](https://science.einnews.com/article/641712432/Lgyw-uj4k3VyhyKJ?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept", you consent to our use of cookies - [Bath scientists develop 3D-printed artificial knee](https://science.einnews.com/article/641706385/n05W73p48T9yP-bc?ref=rss&ecode=w2vMOGmnLrmtW0Gv): Published14 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBy Matthew HillBBC West health correspondentScientists have developed a 3D-printed implant to help patients suffering osteoarthritis in their knee.The tailored osteotomy for knee alignment treatment is designed to preserve the person's existing knee joint. Developed by University of Bath scientists, the technique is designed to make operations quicker and safer.One of the first to have the treatment, 55-year-old David Tarbet, said the surgery was "remarkable".Taking part in a safety trial to fit the high-tibial osteotomy (HTO) plates, Mr Tarbet, from Dartmoor, said: "Although it was quite sore for a couple of months I was able to get on an indoor bike quite quickly."The 3D HTO plates are used to realign a patient's knee, making them more stable, comfortable and better able to bear weight than existing generic plates. Mr Tarbet said that within six months he was able to complete a competitive bike ride, "which was fantastic."How does it work?To plan how much correction a patient needs, doctors take an X-ray and a CT scan of their shin bone. A surgical guide stabilisation plate is then generated by using the 3D printer. This is then temporarily fitted to the patient's tibia, one of two bones that comprise the leg, using pins.Those pins are then released and two screws are inserted, creating a wedge in the bone to correct its alignment.The stabilising plate is then put on top, allowing the digital creation to become a surgical reality.HTO plates have already been safety-tested virtually, in a computer-based trial using CT scan data from 28 patients. It has led to approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.The trial, the first in the world to demonstrate the safety of an orthopaedic device, modelled the stresses that would be exerted on the bespoke plates and showed they were comparable in safety to the standard treatment.Working with the university to develop the product Prof Andrew Toms, director of orthopaedics at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said that for patients between the ages of 40 and 60, having a total knee replacement is not an easy option as it won't last long enough.He said: "A knee has three 'car tyres' - an inner, an outer and a kneecap. A traditional total knee replacement replaces all of those in one go and that's normally what you would do with your car."When they are worn out what we tend to do is to balance the knee out in those younger patients by re-aligning the knee, by taking the pressure off the worn car tyres and straightening the limb out."That's what this osteotomy, this technique is all about."'Make it widely available'Prof Richie Gill, who developed the product at the Centre for Therapeutic Innovation at Bath University, said: "The big difference is there isn't that guesswork which is happening at the time of surgery. "I think more surgeons are interested in doing this type of joint-preserving surgery."You can do it at a sooner point in the disease progression than you can with a knee replacement, so we are hoping to make it more widely available."After an initial safety trial with the five patients, 50 others are now being recruited across south and west England, Cardiff and Oxford, to take part in a trial comparing traditional knee replacement with this technique.Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.ukMore on this storyBlind woman given bionic eye to help see againPublished12 JuneBoy's 'dream comes true' with gift of bionic armPublished31 MayDoctors 3D-print 'living' body partsPublished16 February 2016 - [NASA Cassini Data Reveals Building Block for Life in Enceladus’ Ocean](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641677818/iteL34iUM-YXXCyM?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): The icy crust at the south pole of Enceladus exhibits large fissures that allow water from the subsurface ocean to spray into space as geysers, forming a plume of icy particles. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, which captured this imagery in 2009, sampled those particles to reveal the chemicals contained in the ocean. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Phosphorus, a key chemical element for many biological processes, has been found in icy grains emitted by the small moon and is likely abundant in its subsurface ocean. Using data collected by NASA’s Cassini mission, an international team of scientists [including Tokyo Tech Earth-Life Science Institute […] - [NASA seals 4-person crew in Mars simulator for next 378 days](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641659393/plqhZdCLtoSzHYPJ?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): NASA kicked off a 378-day mission on Sunday in which a crew of four volunteers will be locked in a ground-based simulation of the planet Mars, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The mission, NASA said, is the first of three year-long Mars surface simulations called Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, or CHAPEA. The data acquired through the simulations is intended to help NASA prepare for human exploration of Mars. The four-person crew consists of Commander Kelly Haston, a research scientist with experience in stem cell-based projects; flight engineer Ross Brockwell, a structural engineer and public works administrator; […] - [NASA To Create an AI-Powered Assistant for Astronauts](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641657871/Zt6Mm3crKfIPDEJ-?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): “2001: A Space Odyssey” is becoming real, except for the part about the homicidal robot. NASA is developing a system that comes with a natural-language ChatGPT-like interface to help astronauts perform maneuvers and conduct experiments. This system will allegedly be present in the space agency’s future endeavors, vehicles, and space stations. (Photo : NASA/Ben Smegelsky)NASA’s mobile launcher, carried atop the crawler-transporter 2, arrives at the entrance to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mobile launcher left Launch Pad 39B on Dec. 8, 2022, following the successful launch of the agency’s Space Launch System and […] - [NASA will use AI in its spacecraft](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641645827/_8mvLqKS0MTK2y-i?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be part of our days. It was announced that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will use AI in its spacecraft, especially with the Artemis mission to the Moon. NASA is undoubtedly one of the organizations that has invested various resources in space exploration. Data indicates that NASA will be the space agency with the largest budget scheduled for 2017 with 19,000 million US dollars. It is also reported to be more than three times the next on the list, the European Space Agency, with $6 billion, followed by the Russian Federal […] - [NASA begins first yearlong analog mission to mimic Mars-like conditions on Earth](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641643105/eTrnAOBIErJf4HkC?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): A 360-degree view inside the sandbox portion of the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA/Bill Stafford  Four “analog astronauts” will spend the next 12 months in a Mars-like environment.  It will be made possible thanks to CHAPEA, or Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, a ground-based habitat housed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. CHAPEA is the first of three such missions to recreate Mars’ living conditions on Earth.  CHAPEA’s 4 person crew just entered their home for the next year. They’re simulating a Mars mission to help assess health and […] - [NASA successfully recycles 98 percent of urine and sweat into drinking water on the ISS](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641643056/9zN1KEwAGvI4HnYC?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): NASA astronaut Kayla Barron replacing a filter in the BPA on the ISS. NASA  In an exciting announcement, NASA has announced that astronauts aboard the International Space Stion(ISS) have achieved a water recovery rate of 98 percent. The ISS used its Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) to achieve this remarkable goal, according to a press release. The ECLSS is a combination of multiple water recovery systems, including advanced dehumidifiers, a Water Processor Assembly (WPA), a Urine Processor Assembly (UPA), and a Brine Processor Assembly (BPA). You read it right. Water was recycled from sweat and urine.  Space missions beyond […] - [How NASA's OSIRIS-REx will return 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid sample"](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641619985/nwU9zvjqX8BHrg9z?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Technology How NASA’s OSIRIS-REx will return 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid sample June 26, 2023 | 12:44 pm 3 min read Artistic representation of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collecting a sample from asteroid Bennu (Photo credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona) NASA‘s OSIRIS-REx (Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security -Regolith Explorer) will bring back sample from an early solar system asteroid, called Bennu, this September. The spacecraft picked up rock and dust—known as regolith—from Bennu in October 2020 and is now on track to return the sample to Earth for further examinations. Here’s a closer look at how the mission will deliver the extraterrestrial sample. Why […] - [NASA is recycling 98% of astronaut pee and sweat -report](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641602580/ljfvZsMw_9bJctrY?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): NASA revealed this week that International Space Station’s Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is recycling 98 percent of all water astronauts bring onboard the station, Space.com reported.  The initiative, which aims to provide astronauts with necessities without needing resupply missions, will reportedly use “advanced dehumidifiers” to hold moisture the station’s crew breaths and sweats as they perform everyday tasks. Urine will be recycled too, under a “urine processor assembly,” which NASA said will re-use what the crew pees with the aid of vacuum distillation. Does this mean NASA astronauts will be drinking urine?  Similar to other recycled wastewater, NASA […] - [NASA recycles 98% of astronauts urine, sweat in space to drinking water](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641593458/nuj8Iz6PDxJHWeKH?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Washington, June 26 (IANS): In a significant milestone, NASA said it was able to recycle about 98 per cent urine and sweat from astronauts aboard the International Space Station into drinking water — an advance that can help it in upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. - [Congressional members discuss NASA ag research](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641575306/eI8I-y9iORijuWyl?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): News Congressional members discuss NASA ag research Members of Iowa’s congressional delegation say NASA’s efforts to enhance ag research can help improve food security and reduce price volatility. Astronaut Raja Chari says NASA has been working with ag stakeholders to develop tools and data that can help increase production. “We have an interest in doing hyperspectral imagery of food so we can analyze the things we’re using,” Chari said, “but that’s also what we’re using now for crop analysis.” Republican Senator Joni Ernst tells Brownfield the data could help lawmakers craft future farm bills. “Some of that data may end up […] - [NASA’s Webb Telescope Cracks a 40-Year-Old Space Mystery](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641569815/qYjY1TvZSxi9MReL?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): For the past year, the James Webb Space Telescope has been steadily doling out jaw-dropping pictures of the cosmos—ranging from enormous galaxy clusters, chaotic nebulas, and a star shedding its layers before a supernova. While the eye candy is great, it’s not the only thing that the JWST can do. In fact, the telescope is armed with a host of instruments to gather a treasure trove of scientific data about the universe around us. “JWST was built to detect galaxies far far away, but it turns out it can also serve as a machine to discover new molecules in space,” Olivier […] - [Nueva Calculadora de porcentaje de Calculator.io: Simplificando cálculos porcentuales para todos](https://nasa.einnews.com/pr_news/640612485/nueva-calculadora-de-porcentaje-de-calculator-io-simplificando-c-lculos-porcentuales-para-todos?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=NASA+News&utm_content=article): Nueva Calculadora de porcentaje de Calculator.io: Simplificando cálculos porcentuales para todos – NASA News Today – EIN Presswire Trusted News Since 1995 A service for global professionals · Tuesday, June 27, 2023 · 641,682,633 Articles · 3+ Million Readers News Monitoring and Press Release Distribution Tools News Topics Newsletters Press Releases Events & Conferences RSS Feeds Other Services Questions? - [Could Australia’s Red Outback Dust Unlock Life on Mars Questions? ](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641528597/Gzpo9JiZRJHRXBPa?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Sydney —  Researchers from the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration are in Australia carrying out research that will help future missions to Mars. The NASA delegation is looking for the earliest signs of life on Earth that will eventually be compared to rocks brought back from Mars. NASA officials have said that parts of the Pilbara region in Western Australia are like “stepping back in time.” Some areas date to 3.5 billion years old. In the red Outback dust, they have found some of the earliest evidence of life on Earth — fossils of ancient microorganisms encased in rocks. The […] - [The Morning After: NASA is recycling 98 percent of astronaut pee on the ISS into drinkable water](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641524303/VifYWlX6IkPBWR3_?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): NASA has achieved a technological milestone, announcing the International Space Station’s Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is now recycling 98 percent of all water astronauts bring onboard. Advanced dehumidifiers capture moisture from the station’s crew breaths and sweats, while urine processor assembly recovers water from astronauts’ urine through vacuum distillation. According to NASA, the distillation process produces water and a urine brine that still contains reclaimable H20. Now, a new device can extract the remaining water in the brine, increasing the water recovery rate from 93 to 98 percent. If the idea is making you gag, it shouldn’t, says […] - [4 out 4,000 selected to live in Mars-like simulation at Johnson Space Center for 1 year](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641473058/5YN3q22uLvmIpuH7?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Starting Sunday night, a team of four volunteers will spend the next year inside a 1,700 square foot 3-D printed habitat at Johnson Space Center. The team is simulating what it would be like to live on the planet Mars, and they started their adventure just after 6:30 p.m. Houston time. So, what’s this for? Four intrepid scientists began their year-long mission, living as if on Mars so that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, could learn about how humans would fare during extended space travel. Among the challenges to rehearse? The distance between the […] - [Lisa Pamintuan: Champion of Intellectual Property, Visionary Leader, and Advocate for Women's Empowerment](https://nasa.einnews.com/pr_news/641446546/lisa-pamintuan-champion-of-intellectual-property-visionary-leader-and-advocate-for-women-s-empowerment?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV&utm_source=RSSNews&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=NASA+News&utm_content=article): Lisa Pamintuan: Champion of Intellectual Property, Visionary Leader, and Advocate for Women’s Empowerment – NASA News Today – EIN Presswire Trusted News Since 1995 A service for global professionals · Monday, June 26, 2023 · 641,480,067 Articles · 3+ Million Readers News Monitoring and Press Release Distribution Tools News Topics Newsletters Press Releases Events & Conferences RSS Feeds Other Services Questions? - [Guest opinion: Time to end second-class status for small businesses in Alabama](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641430737/-FbmmVcHRvYQHJsd?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): This is a guest opinion column The Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce presents an annual “Armed Forces Celebration” recognizing those serving in the military as well as government contractors. It’s a time to reflect on how much we owe these many people who live in our community. And all of those people are not being treated fairly. As Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III said, “for far too long, it’s been far too hard for innovators and entrepreneurs to work with the department. And the barriers for entry into this effort to work with us in national security are often […] - [Do You Have News to Share? Get It Published.](https://nasa.einnews.com/article/641430737/awMXLroGme9cZW0v?ref=rss&ecode=uLkavAdCZFFzNkeV): Reach Millions With One Click Watch Video To See How It Benefits You ” href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBCrX9BQjfU”> Get published on Google News, AP News, over 100+ NBC, FOX, ABC & CBS affiliate sites and more Target specific countries and industry verticals Get into the most important news databases and news wires Reach journalists and media influencers Attain long-term visibility in search engines & SEO benefits Send releases in any language Cost-effective, affordable budget options No subscriptions – buy only what you need - [Making the most of minuscule metal mandalas](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230622120905.htm): To unveil the previously elusive behavior and stability of complex metal compounds found in aqueous solutions called 'POMs', researchers at the University of Vienna have created a speciation atlas now published in Science Advances. This achievement has the potential to drive new discoveries and advancements in fields like catalysis, medicine, and beyond. Metal atoms can form tiny 3d structures with oxygen, intricate frameworks that look not unlike wire mandalas and that are called 'polyoxometalates', or 'POMs' for short. These POMs are useful for controlling chemical reactions in chemistry, biology, or material science, but also are relevant for understanding natural processes in these fields. However, like wire mandalas, their structure is highly variable and depends on minute changes in their environment, making it very difficult for researchers to predict their structure and thus their function for various applications, from medicine to environmental remediation. Nadiia Gumerova and Annette Rompel from the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Vienna have now developed a so-called 'speciation atlas', a cheat sheet that allows researchers to accurately ascertain the expected structure and behaviour of ten commonly used POMs for any given chemical condition. More specifically, this atlas is a database including a predictive model that can be extended to other than the ten selected POMs, that will yield POM species distributions, stability and catalytic activity considering the factors pH, temperature, incubation time, buffer solutions, reducing or chelating agents, and ionic strength. To further support future research, Gumerova and Rompel have also developed a 'roadmap' for other scientists conducting experiments with their own POMs: By selecting stable POM variants, listing the application system parameters and then conducting so-called 'POM speciation studies' -- experiments that reveal the change of POM structure under a change of conditions -- researchers can ensure that they are getting the most accurate results and make the best use of POMs in their work. "The speciation atlas for POMs represents a significant advancement in our understanding of these complex metal compounds. Its insights have the potential to drive new discoveries and advancements in catalysis, biology, medicine, and beyond," states Annette Rompel. - [Taiwan says 'no information' on cooperation with South Korea on US chip tariffs](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/taiwan-south-korea-us-chip-tariffs-no-information-cooperation-5488821): TAIPEI: Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai said on Tuesday (Nov 25) he had “no information” about any cooperation with South Korea on US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on semiconductors, adding that Taiwan was conducting talks only with the United States. South Korea’s trade minister said on Monday he saw room for cooperation with Taiwan on Trump’s tariffs on chips. US officials are privately saying they might not levy long-promised semiconductor tariffs soon, potentially delaying a centrepiece of Trump’s economic agenda, Reuters reported last week. “There is no such information (about cooperation with South Korea), but we have taken note of this kind […] - [China launches Shenzhou-22 mission to Tiangong space station](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-launches-shenzhou-22-mission-spacecraft-5488756): BEIJING: China’s Shenzhou-22 mission blasted off on Tuesday (Nov 25) as the country looks to plug safety risks to its crewed spaceflight programme and space station after a vessel was damaged in orbit earlier this month. The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 12.11pm, according to a livestream on state-owned broadcaster CCTV. The spacecraft will travel to China’s permanently inhabited Tiangong space station, where three astronauts currently reside with no flightworthy vessel that could return them to Earth in the event of an emergency. On Nov 5, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was meant to […] - [Japan PM Takaichi holds call with Trump amid China dispute](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/japan-pm-takaichi-call-trump-china-dispute-5488476): TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Donald Trump discussed China relations in a phone call on Tuesday (Nov 25), their first talks since the Japanese premier sparked a major diplomatic bust-up with Beijing over her remarks on Taiwan. Takaichi’s response to a question in parliament earlier this month that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response prompted a furious response from Beijing that has included a boycott on travel to Japan. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of it. The […] - [Asia-Pacific markets track Wall Street's tech recovery after Alphabet leads AI rally](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/asia-pacific-markets-tuesday-today-ai-tech-recovery-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-kospi.html): Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose in early trading. Asia markets were set to open higher. Overnight, Wall Street rebounded, boosted by Alphabet's shares. SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 01: Skyscrapers stand at the Pudong Lujiazui Financial District on March 1, 2022 in Shanghai, China. Xiao Yang | Visual China Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Tuesday, after Wall Street's tech stocks rebounded on a rally in Google parent  and hopes of a Fed rate cut. Optimism about Alphabet's standing in the AI race started last week after the tech giant announced its upgraded AI model, Gemini 3. The stock closed 6.31% higher Monday. Other AI-related stocks, such as Broadcom and Micron Technology, also popped higher, building on a wider rebound that started on Friday, when the head of the New York Federal Reserve left the door open to a December interest rate cut. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index climbed 1.14% in early trading, while the Topix index advanced 0.7%. AI-related stocks were among the top gainers on the Nikkei 225, with semiconductor testing equipment supplier Advantest trading 4.8% higher and chip equipment maker Lasertec adding 2.75%. Tokyo Electron, which provides essential chipmaking equipment to foundries that manufacture Nvidia's chips, gained 2.39%. South Korea's Kospi index jumped 2.39%, and the small-cap Kosdaq moved up 1.7%. Index heavyweights SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics were up as much as 5% and 4%, respectively. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 pared early gains to hover above the flatline. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a higher open, trading at 25,874, against the index's previous close of 25,716.5. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours. Overnight, the S&P 500 rose 1.55% to close at 6,705.12, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.69% to settle at 22,872.01. It was the tech-heavy index's best day since May 12, when it rose 4.35%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 202.86 points, or 0.44%, to end at 46,448.27. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Yun Li contributed to this report. - [Trump touts 'extremely strong' China relations after call with Xi](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/donald-trump-touts-extremely-strong-relations-china-xi-jinping-call-5487761): Following months of trade tensions triggered by Trump’s tariffs, Xi and Trump reached a framework agreement in South Korea on Oct 30. Washington agreed not to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports and China would hold off on an export licensing regime for crucial rare earth minerals and magnets. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said he hoped a final deal on rare earths would be done by Thanksgiving. China has resumed purchases of US soybeans and halted its expanded curbs on rare earths exports. The US lowered tariffs on China by 10 per cent in exchange for Beijing’s […] - [Allbirds, H&M and Zara use recycled yarns from this Virginia startup that's backed by Patagonia](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/allbirds-hm-zara-use-recycled-yarn-from-circa-backed-by-patagonia.html): Circ has a proprietary chemical process that separates blended fabrics into their original fibers in order to recycle clothing. Allbirds, Zara and H&M use Circ-recycled textiles in some of their products. The company has raised $100 million in funding from investors including Patagonia. Fast fashion is a major environmental offender, requiring massive water consumption, and producing high carbon emissions and pollution. It also leads to a surge in microplastic and textile waste. One result has been a boom in thrifting. But recycling old clothing into new items presents a much bigger challenge. The fashion industry accounts for anywhere from 4% to […] - [AI super PAC launches $10 million campaign pushing 'uniform' national policy](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/ai-pac-trump-congress-midterms.html): An AI industry super PAC is launching a $10 million campaign to push Congress to craft a national AI policy. President Donald Trump’s White House and federal lawmakers are working on bill language to prevent states from enacting certain AI laws. A New York bill co-sponsored by Assemblymember Alex Bores has passed the legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature. A super PAC backed by the artificial intelligence industry on Monday launched a $10 million campaign to push Congress to craft a national AI policy that will override a patchwork of state laws, the group told CNBC. The campaign from “Leading […] - [Cheap Power Will Dictate Industrial Geography of the Future](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/cheap_power_will_dictate_industrial_geography_of_the_future_1149404.html): Walter Donway American Institute for Economic Research November 24, 2025 Data centers will power the next century, but the grid isn’t ready. The quest for capacity is reorganizing political alliances and showing up in rate h … Read Full Article » - [Breaking America's Housing Problem Down To a Chart](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/breaking_americas_housing_problem_down_to_a_chart_1149144.html): The housing market keeps getting worse. Home prices have risen more than 50 percent since the pandemic. About a third of Americans households now spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. In 2014, the median age of a first-time home buyer was 31. In 2025, it was 40 — the highest on record. Read Full Article » - [Why Tariffs Alone Won't Fix the U.S.'s Manufacturing Problem](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/why_tariffs_alone_wont_fix_the_uss_manufacturing_problem_1149133.html): Volkswagen’s latest earnings report reads like a cautionary tale for an age addicted to policy spectacle. The German automaker announced a $1.5 billion quarterly loss — the casualty of U.S. tariffs and a shortage of low-cost semiconductors. Its executives confessed they were “safe until the end of next week,” their production lines running on borrowed time.   Read Full Article » - [Responding to Prof. Epstein About Populism](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/responding_to_prof_epstein_about_populism_1149325.html): Linda Denmo & John Yoo Civitas Institute November 24, 2025 - [BBC execs grilled by lawmakers over standards after Trump threatened to sue](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/bbc-execs-grilled-lawmakers-standards-trump-threatened-sue/): LONDON — The BBC’s chairman acknowledged Monday that it was too slow in responding over a misleading edit of a speech by U.S. President Trump but rejected claims that the broadcaster’s impartiality was being undermined from within its own board. Senior BBC leaders were quizzed by Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee amid a major crisis at the publicly funded corporation after its director general and head of news both quit earlier this month and Mr. Trump threatened to file a billion-dollar lawsuit. Chairman Samir Shah said the broadcaster should not have waited days before responding to allegations of biased reporting […] - [Broadcom is joining Alphabet in the AI rally. Why investors are jumping in](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/broadcom-is-joining-alphabet-in-the-ai-rally-why-investors-are-jumping-in.html): Monday’s puts Broadcom shares on pace for their best day since April 9. The move in Broadcom comes as investors continue to push shares of Google-parent Alphabet higher. The two are related through high-performance, application-specific chips, or ASICs. A Broadcom circuit board for chip testing is pictured during a lab tour as Broadcom prepares to launch new optical chip tech to fend off Nvidia in San Jose, California, U.S., September 5, 2025. Brittany Hosea-small | Reuters Broadcom shares rallied 10.3% on Monday, as investors poured back into several high-flying tech companies tied to the artificial intelligence trade. Wall Street is also […] - [Cramer: Amazon's AI edge is 'game, set, match' heading into the busy holiday shopping season](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/cramer-amazon-ai-edge-is-unbeatable-heading-into-holiday-shopping-season.html): CNBC’s Jim Cramer said Monday that Amazon ‘s AI-powered retail business is a vertical that “can’t be challenged,” heading into the long Thanksgiving shopping weekend. “I don’t see OpenAI challenging Amazon retail,” Cramer said on ” Squawk on the Street .” “They’re not going to stop these guys when it comes to retail.” While OpenAI’s ChatGPT is shaping how consumers search for gift ideas, Amazon’s built-in assistant Rufus gives the e-commerce giant an advantage. Rufus creates a conversational shopping experience that keeps customers within Amazon’s ecosystem. That’s a key differentiator as a growing number of consumers plan to use artificial intelligence […] - [Fire teams rescue 15-year-old stuck on crane over high-rise building in Jerusalem](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/jerusalem-fire-teams-rescue-15-year-old-stuck-crane-high-rise/): JERUSALEM — Fire teams on Monday rescued a teenager who was stuck dangling for seven hours from a crane hanging 36 stories above Jerusalem. The 15-year-old boy told rescue teams that he had climbed up the crane around midnight because he wanted to “see the view,” according to Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service. Videos showed the teen trapped on a tiny platform connecting metal cables and the crane’s hook hanging precariously over a high-rise building. Fire teams arrived in the morning and scaled the side of the crane, after being alerted by a bystander who saw the boy, and pulled him […] - [Another rally for Alphabet leads the U.S. stock market higher](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/another-rally-alphabet-leading-us-stock-market-higher/): NEW YORK — The U.S. stock market is rising again on Monday, for now at least, ahead of a week with shortened trading because of the Thanksgiving holiday. The S&P 500 climbed 0.9% and added to its jump from Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 72 points, or 0.2%, as of 10 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.7% higher. Stocks got a lift from rising hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in December, a move that could boost the economy and investment prices. The market also […] - [BBC leaders to face lawmakers' grilling over its standards after Trump threatened to sue](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/bbc-leaders-face-lawmakers-grilling-standards-trump-threatened-sue/): LONDON — The BBC’s chairman and other senior leaders will face tough questions on its editorial standards from lawmakers on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to file a billion-dollar lawsuit over a misleading edit of his speech. The British broadcaster’s chairman Samir Shah, board member Robbie Gibb and former editorial adviser Michael Prescott will be quizzed at a hearing with Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee. The publicly-funded corporation was plunged into a major crisis after its director general and head of news both quit earlier this month and Trump said he was poised to sue over misleading editing […] - [Man arrested in Tokyo on suspicion of stealing a car and then hitting 11 people, killing 1](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/man-arrested-tokyo-suspicion-stealing-car-striking-11-people-killing/): TOKYO — A man driving a stolen car struck 11 people in Tokyo on Monday, killing one man in his 80s on a pedestrian walkway, police said. A spokesman at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, didn’t give the condition of the other people who were hit. Japanese media reports said one woman was seriously injured, with earlier reports saying that a total of 12 people were struck. The driver, a 37-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of stealing the vehicle from a parking lot of a business, after fleeing from the scene, police said. […] - [India's Tejas jet-maker HAL calls Dubai crash an isolated occurrence](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indias-tejas-jet-maker-hal-calls-dubai-crash-isolated-occurrence-5487326): Tejas, which means brilliance in Sanskrit, is seen as crucial for India’s efforts to modernise its air force fleet of mainly Russian and ex-Soviet fighters. The crash, which killed the pilot, dampens New Delhi’s hopes of exporting the home-built jet and leaves it reliant on Indian military orders to sustain its role as a showcase of domestic defence technology. Such a public loss could overshadow India’s efforts to establish the jet abroad after a painstaking development over four decades, experts have said. Hindustan Aeronautics said on Monday that the crash will not affect its business operations, financials or future deliveries. Shares […] - [Thai woman found alive in coffin after being brought in for cremation](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/thai-woman-found-alive-coffin-brother-brings-cremation/): BANGKOK — A woman in Thailand shocked temple staff when she started moving in her coffin after being brought in for cremation. Wat Rat Prakhong Tham, a Buddhist temple in the province of Nonthaburi on the outskirts of Bangkok, posted a video on its Facebook page, showing a woman lying in a white coffin in the back of a pickup truck, slightly moving her arms and head, leaving temple staff bewildered. Pairat Soodthoop, the temple’s general and financial affairs manager, told The Associated Press on Monday that the 65-year-old woman’s brother drove her from the province of Phitsanulok to be cremated. […] - [We're Not a Low-Tax Country Despite What You're Told](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/were_not_a_low-tax_country_despite_what_youre_told_1149148.html): One of the great misperceptions about federal tax policy is that the United States is a low-tax country. Every left leaning Washington think tank and most of the media promote this notion, and use it to push for higher taxes on the American people. This low-tax claim is at best misleading, if not outright deceptive. In reality, the U.S. is a high-tax country, with average U.S. tax rates on individuals, corporations, and investors higher than the average tax rates in the rest of the developed world. Read Full Article » - [Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank urges global cooperation as it marks a decade of development](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/aiib-asian-infrastructure-investment-bank-jin-liqun-global-cooperation-frank-talks-5486726): BEIJING: Stronger cross-border cooperation and candid dialogue are critical as the world grapples with rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, said the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) founding president. “When you look at the positive results of international cooperation among the multilateral institutions, I think people would be convinced that if we are faced with some of the challenges, the only solution is (to) sit down and have a frank talk, and then we come up with some of the solutions,” Jin Liqun told CNA in a wide-ranging interview on Nov 12. Jin, who is stepping down as head of the multilateral development […] - [Flood-stricken Hat Yai declared disaster zone; Thai authorities step in to help stranded tourists](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/hat-yai-thailand-floods-authorities-supporting-tourist-stranded-5486561): Songkhla governor Rattasart Chidchoo said the floods, which began on Nov 19, have affected more than 465,000 people across 16 districts. Heavy rain is forecast to continue in the region into Tuesday. Malaysia’s foreign ministry in a Facebook post on Saturday said that 4,000 of its citizens were affected by the floods in Hat Yai.  It urged Malaysians in Hai Yai to be on standby at their hotel lobbies to be evacuated by Thai authorities. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday said its embassy in Bangkok has been working closely with Thai authorities to provide consular assistance to affected […] - [Malaysian floods affect 11,000 people across 7 states](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-floods-states-affected-kelantan-5486476): KUALA LUMPUR: More than 11,000 people in seven Malaysian states have been affected by flooding caused by torrential rain, the national disaster agency said on Monday (Nov 24). Floods are common on the eastern coast of Malaysia during the annual monsoon season from October until March, with thousands of people displaced each year. A report from the National Disaster Management Agency showed 11,009 people from 3,839 families have been affected by flooding in the states of Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, and Selangor, as of 6am local time on Monday. The north-eastern state of Kelantan, which borders Thailand, has been […] - [Philippine president says 7 suspects in corruption scandal have been detained, others being sought](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippine-marcos-corruption-scandal-suspects-detained-5486311): Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the location of Co, who is believed to be outside the Philippines, was unknown, but three other suspects may soon surrender to the Philippine embassies in the United States, New Zealand and Jordan and be flown back home. “No matter where you are in the world, we will find you,” Remulla said at a news conference, where mug shots of the arrested suspects in orange detainee shirts were shown. Witnesses have testified in Senate hearings and in an independent fact-finding commission established by Marcos that several former and incumbent senators and House members have pocketed huge […] - [Asia-Pacific markets rebound on revived Fed rate-cut hopes](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/asia-markets-today-monday-kospi-hang-seng-index-fed-rate-cut-tech-ai-trade.html): Asia-Pacific markets started the week higher after the New York Federal Reserve President signaled that a third rate cut could happen this year. This comes after losses were seen across most markets last week as optimism around the AI trade unwound. Spreephoto.de | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets started the week higher after the New York Federal Reserve President signaled that a third rate cut could happen this year. On Friday, New York Federal Reserve President John Williams suggested the Fed could lower its key interest rate from here as labor market weakness poses a bigger economic threat than higher inflation. The Fed has just one meeting left for 2025, which will take place on Dec. 9-10 stateside. The target rate is currently at 3.75% to 4.00%. Fed funds futures are currently pricing in around a 70% chance of a quarter percentage point cut, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Last week, Asian markets declined across the board as traders fled from tech stocks, with heavyweights like Softbank, Samsung Electronics and Baidu falling. South Korea's Kospi was up 1.28%, while the small cap Kosdaq rose 0.5%. Samsung gained over 3.2% in early trade. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day 1.08% up, rebounding from a 1.59% loss on Friday. On Monday, shares of logistics group Qube climbed nearly 20% after Macquarie Asset Management made an offer of 11.6 billion Australian dollars ($7.49 billion) to acquire the firm. Mining giant BHP also rose about 0.7% after the company announced it was no longer considering a merger with British miner Anglo American. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,541, about 1.27% higher than the HSI's last close of 25,220.02. Japan's markets are closed for a public holiday. On Friday in the U.S., all three major indexes posted a rebound, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 1.08%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.88% and the S&P 500 finished 0.98% higher. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Canada, India agree to restart trade talks, says Indian government](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/canada-india-agree-restart-trade-talks-says-indian-government-5485971): Despite the diplomatic row, trade between Canada and India has grown but trade experts say it is quite small relative to the size of India’s economy.  Two-way goods and services trade touched about C$31 billion (US$21.98 billion) in 2024, largely in Canada’s favor due to its C$16 billion in services exports. In contrast, Canada’s total bilateral trade with China was almost four times bigger in 2024. Relations between Canada and India began to improve following Modi’s meeting with Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit in June.  Earlier on Sunday, Carney said he considers India a reliable trading partner, although he acknowledged there could be […] - [The Danish Model for Immigration Crackdown](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000010530619/europe-immigration-crackdown.html): new video loaded: The Danish Model for Immigration Crackdown For European governments, Denmark’s hard-line immigration policy is a model for how to get a grip on contentious issue and stay in power. Our reporter Jeanna Smialek reports from Copenhagen on the the effects of the policy. By Jeanna Smialek, Katrin Bennhold, Nikolay Nikolov, Leila Medina and James Surdam November 23, 2025 - ['Wicked: For Good' is even more popular than the first, soaring to a $226 million global debut](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/23/wicked-good-even-popular-first-soaring-226-million-global-debut/): Universal Pictures’ two-part “Wicked” gamble continues to defy gravity at the box office. Just a year after part one brought droves of audiences to movie theaters around the country, even more people bought opening weekend tickets to see the epic conclusion, “Wicked: For Good.” According to studio estimates on Sunday, “Wicked: For Good” earned $150 million from North American theaters in its first days in theaters and $226 million globally. Not only is it the biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, unseating the record set by the first film’s $112 million launch, it’s also the second biggest debut of […] - [How OpenAI’s Changes Sent Some Users Spiraling](https://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000010535987/how-openais-changes-sent-some-users-spiraling.html): new video loaded: - [Plan for $20 million firefighter training center near the site of Ohio derailment revived](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/22/plan-20m-firefighter-training-center-ohio-revived/): Norfolk Southern railroad worked with the state of Ohio and Youngstown State University to revive plans for a $20 million first responder training center near the site of the worst derailment in a decade in East Palestine, Ohio. Building a training center to help prepare firefighters to deal with a railroad disaster was quickly part of the plan after the derailment on Feb. 3, 2023, that forced the evacuation of roughly half the small town near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border and left residents with worries about the potential long-term health impacts. But Norfolk Southern said last January that East Palestine officials had […] - [The World Is Improved By the Extraordinary, Who Get Up & Out](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/22/the_world_is_improved_by_the_extraordinary_who_get_up_and_out_1149080.html): “My why was: Get the hell up out of this situation.” That’s how Carmelo Anthony described his path to becoming the first NBA Hall of Famer from Baltimore.  Thinking about how Anthony got himself out while so many of his Baltimore peers did not, some will say Anthony is an extraordinary exception. And they’re right. Read Full Article » - [Freeing the U.S. Economy From Lina Khan and 'Khanservatism'](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/22/freeing_the_us_economy_from_lina_khan_and_khanservatism_1149079.html): In October the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a draft of their Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030 as required by the government’s Performance and Results Act. Passed in 1993 as part of Bill Clinton’s efforts to “make government work better and cost less,” the program required federal agencies to prepare a “strategic plan” detailing their “mission, goals, achievement methods, and evaluation efforts.”   Read Full Article » - [Europe Is Scaling Back Its Big Tech Attack](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/22/europe_is_scaling_back_its_big_tech_attack_1149055.html): Robert Hart & Dominic Preston The Verge November 22, 2025 - [Rate Cut Drama Could Put Lisa Cook In The Hot Seat](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/22/rate_cut_drama_could_put_lisa_cook_in_the_hot_seat_1149051.html): The Federal Reserve is deeply divided right now between officials who think it should cut interest rates next month and those who don’t. One plausible result of the vote would create a stunning irony. Read Full Article » - [Hong Kong says Singapore minister David Neo apologised for 'idiots' remark](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/david-neo-hong-kong-singapore-apology-5484286): Neo later said in a social media post that he should have been more respectful. “I take back what I said. The Hong Kong team were really tough and their fans were fully behind them. That’s something we should respect, and let’s also get behind our Lions,” he said. Law said the incident would not affect the long-standing sports and cultural relationship between Hong Kong and Singapore. It also reported that following the result, Ashley Westwood’s 15-month stint as Hong Kong head coach is set to come to an end. Singapore, meanwhile, is on the hunt for a new head coach, […] - [China takes spat with Japan over Taiwan to UN, vows to defend itself](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-japan-taiwan-tensions-united-nations-5484266): BEIJING: China has taken its growing dispute with Japan to the United Nations, accusing Tokyo of threatening “an armed intervention” over Taiwan and vowing to defend itself in its strongest language yet in the two-week-old dispute. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi committed “a grave violation of international law” and diplomatic norms when she said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong wrote in a letter on Friday (Nov 21) to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “If Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act […] - [Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern Will Make Rail Faster & Cheaper](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/union_pacificnorfolk_southern_will_make_rail_faster_and_cheaper_1148833.html): Earlier this year two of America’s largest railroads – Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern – announced their intention to merge. If approved, the combined entity would establish the nation’s first single-line transcontinental railroad. It would reach across 43 states and encompass a network of tens of thousands of miles, providing shippers access to 10 international interchanges and nearly 100 ports while opening myriad new routes. Most importantly, a transcontinental railroad would sharply reduce inefficiencies and costly interchange delays in the current network, which would increase potential railway customers and have the potential to transform the nation’s freight transportation system.    Read […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: November 21, 2025](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-november-21-2025): This week: Continuing the trend of the last few weeks, markets were once again focused on the Federal Reserve and artificial intelligence (AI) bubble concerns. - [A new crash test dummy that better resembles women gets key government endorsement](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/21/crash-test-dummy-better-resembles-women-gets-key-government/): The U.S. government announced major design changes it wants to implement to make the female version of the vehicle crash test dummy more lifelike, potentially replacing a model used for decades that is based almost entirely around the body of a man despite higher injury risks for women. Department of Transportation officials will consider using the new dummy in the government’s vehicle crash test five-star ratings once a final rule is adopted, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday night in a news release. Women are 73% more likely to be injured in a head-on crash, and they are 17% more likely […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Oracle, Bath & Body Works, Gap and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-midday-orcl-bbwi-gap.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: Oracle — The AI stock fell 4% as investors remained worried about valuations tied to AI continued to dump stocks. Those declines added to Oracle’s and Nvidia’s steep weekly losses. Bath & Body Works — The retailer fell 5%, adding to its 24.8% plunge from Thursday, as analysts around Wall Street downgraded the stock. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs were among the shops that lowered their rating on Bath & Body Works, a day after the company posted third-quarter results that missed expectations. QuidelOrtho — The diagnostics products maker rose 11% after […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Oracle, Bath & Body Works, Gap and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-midday-orcl-bbwi-gap.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: Oracle — The AI stock fell 4% as investors remained worried about valuations tied to AI continued to dump stocks. Those declines added to Oracle’s and Nvidia’s steep weekly losses. Bath & Body Works — The retailer fell 5%, adding to its 24.8% plunge from Thursday, as analysts around Wall Street downgraded the stock. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs were among the shops that lowered their rating on Bath & Body Works, a day after the company posted third-quarter results that missed expectations. QuidelOrtho — The diagnostics products maker rose 11% after […] - [Fed won't get key inflation data before next rate decision as BLS cancels October CPI release](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/fed-wont-get-key-inflation-data-before-next-rate-decision-as-bls-cancels-october-cpi-release.html): The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Bill Clark | Getty Images The Bureau of Labor Statistics said it was canceling the release of the October consumer price index, leaving the Federal Reserve without a key piece of inflation data to ponder when it next decides on interest rates on Dec. 10. The CPI data, previously scheduled to be released on Nov. 7, was canceled because the government shutdown made it impossible for the BLS to “retroactively collect” certain parts of survey data, […] - [Pontifical secret revealed: Pope Leo XIV changes his Wordle start word each day](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/21/pontifical-secret-revealed-pope-leo-xiv-switches-wordle-start-word/): ROME — Pope Leo XIV opened a virtual meeting with American Catholic young people Friday by revealing a closely held pontifical secret: He uses a different Wordle start word each day. Leo divulged his strategy playing the popular New York Times online game before fielding questions via videoconference about artificial intelligence, social media and the future of the Catholic Church. Leo was hooked up from the Vatican to speak remotely to the National Catholic Youth Conference, an annual Catholic rally held this year in Indianapolis, via a feed from U.S. Catholic broadcaster EWTN. After Leo’s election in May, his brother John […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Bitcoin stocks, Elastic, Gap and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/stocks-making-big-moves-premarket-bitcoin-stocks-elastic-gap-and-more-.html): Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. Bitcoin stocks — Stocks linked to the world’s oldest cryptocurrency were in the red as bitcoin plunged closer to $80,000 as investors fled risk assets. Digital asset mining companies American Bitcoin and Riot Platforms fell 2.4%, while Bitcoin treasury Strategy shed 2%. Galaxy Digital was down 2.2%. Elastic — The data analytics company tumbled nearly 13% after reporting fiscal second-quarter results that saw a deceleration in cloud growth. Elastic’s adjusted earnings and revenue topped Wall Street’s expectations. Albemarle — A Bloomberg report revealed that lithium miner has come up with a preliminary […] - [Robinhood shares head for brutal weekly loss as bitcoin, AI stocks are hit hard](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/robinhood-heads-for-brutal-weekly-loss-as-bitcoin-ai-stocks-are-hit-hard.html): Piotr Swat | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Robinhood shares are heading for a brutal weekly loss as the once-red-hot trades in bitcoin and AI stocks that powered its growth lose momentum. Shares of the trading platform slid 10.1% on Thursday, extending a sharp decline that has pushed the stock down 13.3% for the week. The slump has erased more than 27% of Robinhood’s value so far in November, a dramatic pullback after a strong run earlier this year. The stock is slightly higher in premarket trading Friday. Loading chart… The latest slide reflects a sharp reversal in the […] - [Was Government Shutdown a Case of Fiscal Insanity?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/was_government_shutdown_a_case_of_fiscal_insanity_1148842.html): “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” That remark is often falsely attributed to Albert Einstein, who never said it. But it’s true. You don’t have to be a nuclear physicist to recognize that.  Read Full Article » - [AI Is In a Manic Phase, and Maybe That's OK.](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/ai_is_in_a_manic_phase_and_maybe_thats_ok_1148841.html): It’s reasonable to worry whether sky-high valuations for artificial intelligence companies represent a bubble that will burst and wreak havoc on your retirement account. A bursting bubble could indeed be painful in the short term. But what if we’re in a “rational bubble” that, unlike other big speculative manias in history, takes our economy to a fundamentally better place? Read Full Article » - [Watch Out, It's More Economic Analysis From An Economist](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/watch_out_its_more_economic_analysis_from_an_economist_1148840.html): Economists don’t know economic growth. See New York Times columnist and economist Rebecca Patterson. In “Watch Out, It’s the Jenga Economy,” Patterson expresses worry that “Without income from jobs, consumers pull back on spending.” Except that no non-PhD would ever think about consumption. That’s because consumption is a certain effect of what truly matters: production. Yet Patterson has no evident interest in the production without which there is literally none of the consumption she so values.   Read Full Article » - [The Fatal Conceit of Time Zones and Interest Rates](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/the_fatal_conceit_of_time_zones_and_interest_rates_1148836.html): Those residing in the Pacific Time zone will have the interest rate of their loans fixed at 5%; Mountain Time will be 6%; Central Time, 7%, and Eastern Time, 8%. Yes, the above decrees sound absurd, but they also reflect the ridiculous reality in which we find ourselves.  Read Full Article » - [Close the Stablecoin Loophole Before We All Pay the Price](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/close_the_stablecoin_loophole_before_we_all_pay_the_price_1148526.html): In May 2021, the Luna stablecoin lost its algorithmic peg to the Dollar, which led to the erosion of $45 billion for cryptocurrencies and various other assets in the hours immediately following this event. Even financial institutions with no obvious exposure to cryptocurrency felt the impact of the collapse. While many U.S. regulators may wish the asset class didn’t exist, it has become impossible to ignore it and pretending that doing so will insulate the rest of financial markets from its impact will no longer work.    Read Full Article » - [Bangladesh quake kills five, injures dozens](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/bangladesh-earthquake-three-killed-55-magnitude-5482216): DHAKA: A powerful earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday (Nov 21) outside the crowded capital Dhaka, killing at least five people, health officials said. The 5.5-magnitude quake struck at 10.38am (12.38pm, Singapore time) near the city of Narsingdi, about 33km from Dhaka, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The Friday morning earthquake sparked terror with many in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people at home on their day off. City residents rushed out of their homes as buildings shook and some makeshift structures collapsed, Reuters witnesses said. AFP reporters in Dhaka saw people weeping in the streets while others appeared […] - [Japan announces $135 billion stimulus package, NHK reports, as Takaichi seeks to boost economy](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/japans-cabinet-announces-135-billion-stimulus-package-nhk.html): Package aims to address rising prices, achieve a strong economy, and strengthen defense and diplomatic capabilities It would expand local government grants, as well as provide subsidies for electricity and gas bills. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) answers a question during a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee at the National Diet in Tokyo on November 12, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images) Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty Images Japan's cabinet reportedly announced a stimulus package totaling 21.3 trillion yen ($135.5 billion) on Friday, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to boost the country's slowing economy and offer support to inflation-hit consumers. Public broadcaster NHK reported that the package was based on three pillars: addressing rising prices, achieving a strong economy, and strengthening defense and diplomatic capabilities, according to a Google translation. The cabinet also said it would expand local government grants, as well as provide subsidies for electricity and gas bills. The subsidies will start next January, amounting to about 7,000 yen for a standard household over a three-month period starting next January. Taxes on gasoline will also be eliminated, according to the report. Japan also plans to establish a 10-year fund to enhance shipbuilding capabilities, and enact measures to raise defense spending to 2% of its gross domestic product by fiscal year 2027. The government said it will "swiftly compile" a supplementary budget bill to fund these measures, and plans to pass it by before year-end with help from opposition parties. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party currently is a minority government, but is now allied with the Japan Innovation Party. Together they hold a 231 seats in Japan's 465-seat Lower House — two seats short of a majority. - [Asia tech stocks tumble on AI bubble fears](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/asia-tech-stocks-tumble-ai-bubble-fears-5481656): Tracking New York, Asian markets were a sea of red, with tech giants leading the way. Seoul-listed Samsung Electronics sank nearly five per cent and rival SK hynix more than nine per cent – the firms are two of the world’s leading memory chip makers. Another chip titan, TSMC, tanked nearly four per cent in Taiwan, while Japan’s SoftBank plunged more than 10 per cent in Tokyo. That led broader markets lower. Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai each lost more than two per cent, while Taipei and Seoul were off more than three per cent. Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Mumbai and Bangkok […] - [What to know about Trump's draft proposal to curtail state AI regulations](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/20/know-trumps-draft-proposal-curtail-state-ai-regulations/): President Donald Trump is considering pressuring states to stop regulating artificial intelligence in a draft executive order obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, as some in Congress also consider whether to temporarily block states from regulating AI. Trump and some Republicans argue that the limited regulations already enacted by states, and others that might follow, will dampen innovation and growth for the technology. Critics from both political parties – as well as civil liberties and consumer rights groups – worry that banning state regulation would amount to a favor for big AI companies who enjoy little to no oversight. While the […] - [Japan October exports massively beat estimates on robust growth in shipments to Asia and Europe](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/japan-october-exports-massively-beat-estimates-on-robust-growth-in-shipments-to-asia-and-europe-.html): Japan's exports in October massively beating expectations, government data on Friday showed, as shipment to Europe and Asia saw robust growth. Exports grew 3.6% year on year compared with expectations of a 1.1% growth by economists polled by Reuters. However, growth was lower than the 4.2% gain seen in September. The data comes at a time when Japan is locked in a diplomatic spat with its largest trading partner, China, over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments related to Taiwan. Imports to the world's fourth largest economy unexpectedly rose 0.7%, defying expectations of a 0.7% fall from the Reuters poll. This is breaking news, please check back for updates. - [Asia-Pacific markets set to slip, tracking tech losses on Wall Street; Nikkei futures signal 3% slide](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/asia-markets-today-friday-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-kospi-japan-inflation.html): Asia markets face pressure as U.S. tech slumps and hopes fade for a December Fed rate cut. Japan's core inflation in October rises to a 3-month high, supporting the case for rate hikes Wall Street swung from gains to losses, highlighting market volatility ahead of key data. People watch the first sunrise of the new year from a footbridge overlooking the city skyline in Seoul on January 1, 2024.  Jung Yeon-je | Afp | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open lower Friday, after U.S. tech stocks lost ground and investors' hopes dimmed of a December rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Oracle and AMD were among the first AI plays to fall into the red on the session, followed by Nvidia, which reversed gains and closed nearly 3% lower. Stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data renewed doubts about whether the central bank will lower its benchmark overnight rate. Traders were pricing roughly a 40% chance of a quarter-point cut next month, according to the CME FedWatch Tool, a setback for investors hoping for lower borrowing costs. Over in Asia, investors will be watching for any spillover to the region's tech-heavyweights, as well as key economic data from Japan. Japan's core inflation in October rose at its sharpest rate since July, in line with market estimates on Friday, supporting the case for interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. The Nikkei 225 futures pointed to a weaker open, with the contract in Chicago at 48,265, implying a drop of over 3%, while its counterpart in Osaka was at 48,460, compared to the previous close of 49,823.94. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 2% on its open. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,460, lower than the HSI's last close of 25,835.57. Overnight in the U.S., the Nasdaq Composite fell 2.16%, down from a 2.6% advance at one point in the session. Other major indexes also slipped, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.84%. The S&P 500 shed 1.56%, despite rising as much as 1.9% earlier in the day. —CNBC's Liz Napolitano, Pia Singh, and Alex Harring contributed to this report. - [Most ETFs Track Index Returns Very Well](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/most-etfs-track-index-returns-very-well): When it comes to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), it’s not just the portfolio that needs to track the index — the ETF price also needs to track the portfolio. - [Mars rover Perseverance finds possible meteorite from space](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/20/mars-rover-perseverance-finds-possible-meteorite-space/): The NASA Mars rover Perseverance recently found a rock with high levels of iron and nickel, which could mean it came from elsewhere in space. During a recent investigation on the planet, Perseverance found the 31-inch rock, which looks sculpted and stands higher than the flatter, more fragmented rocks around it, NASA said last week. If scientists confirm that the rock is an iron-nickel meteorite, Perseverance would join the still-operating Curiosity and former rovers Opportunity and Spirit in having found one. - [How Tokenized Deposits Will Transform Modern Banking](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-tokenized-deposits-will-transform-modern-banking): Nasdaq TradeTalks looks at how tokenized deposits will transform modern banking and Michael Normyle, U.S. Economist and Senior Director at Nasdaq, explains how the Fed should approach monetary policy decisions when faced with delayed economic data due to government shutdowns. - [How Tokenized Deposits Will Transform Modern Banking](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-tokenized-deposits-will-transform-modern-banking): Nasdaq TradeTalks looks at how tokenized deposits will transform modern banking and Michael Normyle, U.S. Economist and Senior Director at Nasdaq, explains how the Fed should approach monetary policy decisions when faced with delayed economic data due to government shutdowns. - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Nvidia, Walmart, Palo Alto Networks & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-nvda-wmt-panw.html): Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Nvidia — The chipmaker popped 5% after it reported fiscal third-quarter results that were well above expectations. Nvidia’s fourth-quarter revenue guidance was also stronger than analysts anticipated. Walmart — The retail giant gained rose slightly on better-than-expected results for the third quarter. Walmart earned an adjusted 62 cents per share on revenue of $179.5 billion . Analysts expected a profit of 60 cents per share on revenue of $177.43 billion. The company also hiked its full-year sales outlook. Palo Alto Networks — The cybersecurity stock fell 3% after the company announced it […] - [Why Are 3,900% Higher Deposit Levels a Priority?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/20/why_are_3900_higher_deposit_levels_a_priority_1148568.html): With the federal funding situation resolved and the government open, Congress can finally return to legislative business and begin to address the real concerns of Americans who have grown more anxious about the state of the economy, inflation, energy costs, and a government-created health care crisis. Yet, rather than tackle those problems, a small cadre of senators are instead channeling their efforts to give a banking boost to the wealthiest among us. That is a serious misallocation of valuable time. Read Full Article » - [Cultural Confidence: The Missing Ingredient of Western Prosperity](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/20/cultural_confidence_the_missing_ingredient_of_western_prosperity_1148566.html): What our greatest civilizations shared wasn’t just power or prosperity—it was a fierce belief in themselves, something the modern West is forgetting. Did you hear about the time George Washington, Winston Churchill, and Marcus Tullius Cicero walked into a bar? Cicero headed straight for the jukebox, slipped in a sesterce, and out poured Merle Haggard’s 1970 hit The Fighting Side of Me: “When you’re runnin’ down my country, hoss, you’re walking on the fightin’ side of me…” Read Full Article » - [Asia markets set to open mixed as Nvidia's earnings beat and bullish forecast lift tech sentiment](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/asia-pacific-markets-thursday-today-nvidia-earnings-beat-asian-chips-stocks-tech.html): Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Thursday. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose in early trading. Overnight, Wall Street rose in anticipation of Nvidia's quarterly report. A view of Tokyo's skyline on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Julian Finney | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Thursday as investors digested Nvidia's latest quarterly beat — released after the closing bell stateside — which appeared to restore confidence in major technology stocks. Shares of the chip giant jumped more than 4% in extended trading after its fiscal third-quarter earnings beat earnings and revenue expectations. The AI chip darling also gave a stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter sales forecast, with CEO Jensen Huang saying demand for its current-generation Blackwell chips is "off the charts." Investors in the region will be looking at Asian tech stocks related to Nvidia and the broader AI chip supply chain. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 50,085, and its counterpart in Osaka at 49,310, against the index's Wednesday close of 48,537.7. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.49%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a slightly lower open, with the contract trading at 25,820, down from the index's previous close of 25,830.65. U.S. equity futures were higher in early Asian hours after Nvidia's upbeat guidance, which likely lifted investor sentiment around the AI trade, following recent sessions that reflected fears about elevated valuations, debt financing, and potential chip depreciation. "Nvidia's numbers remain extremely strong now, but there are inevitably questions whether Huang's company has already reached its high-water mark in terms of growth and market share," said David Russell, TradeStation's global head of market strategy. Overnight, the S&P 500 gained 0.38% to close at 6,642.16, snapping a four-day losing streak, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.59% to settle at 22,564.23. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 47 points, or 0.1%, to finish at 46,138.77. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Nvidia, Palo Alto Networks, Oddity Tech, AMD and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-after-hours-nvda-panw-odd-amd.html): Check out the companies making headlines in after-hours trading. Nvidia — Shares of the chipmaker rose more than 6% in extended trading on the back of better-than-expected third-quarter results . Nvidia earned $1.30 cents per share, excluding items, on $57.01 billion in revenue. Analysts polled by LSEG had expected $1.25 cents per share in earnings and $54.92 billion in revenue. Nvidia also forecasted about $65 billion in sales for the current quarter, which was higher than analysts’ expectations of $61.66 billion in revenue, likely lifting investors’ sentiment on the strength of the AI boom. AI chipmakers — Shares of stocks heavily […] - [NASA unveils close-up pictures of the comet popping by from another star](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/19/nasa-shows-close-comet-visiting-solar-system-another-star/): CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA unveiled close-up pictures on Wednesday of the interstellar comet that’s making a quick one-and-done tour of the solar system. Discovered over the summer, the comet known as 3I/Atlas is only the third confirmed object to visit our corner of the cosmos from another star. It zipped harmlessly past Mars last month. Three NASA spacecraft on and near the red planet zoomed in on the comet as it passed just 18 million miles (29 million kilometers) away, revealing a fuzzy white blob. The European Space Agency’s two satellites around Mars also made observations. Other NASA spacecraft will […] - [What Will Drive Next Great Depression? John Tamny Int.](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/19/what_will_drive_next_great_depression_john_tamny_int_1148489.html): David Lin The David Lin Report November 19, 2025 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Read Full Article » - [BLS says full October jobs data won't be released, available figures to be included in next report](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/bls-october-jobs-data.html): The BLS said October payroll data will be released along with a full report for November. An unemployment rate for October will not be included in those figures because the data “could not be collected,” the BLS said, citing the shutdown. Recruiters speak to job seekers at the Appalachian State University internship and job fair in Boone, North Carolina, US, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Allison Joyce | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Bureau of Labor Statistics said Wednesday it will not release a full U.S. jobs report for the month of October, following the longest government shutdown in the history […] - [Muddy Waters Capital's Carson Block makes rare long call in Canadian miner Snowline Gold](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/muddy-waters-capitals-carson-block-makes-rare-long-call-in-canadian-miner-snowline-gold.html): Snowline, valued at about C$2.1 billion, has made what Block called a “first-of-its-kind” discovery in Canada’s Yukon territory. “This is one of the few assets globally that can move the needle for a mid- or large-cap gold miner,” Block’s presentation materials stated, calling the firm “an elephant.” Carson Block, Muddy Waters Capital, at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha, Sept. 28, 2022. Scott Mlyn | CNBC Muddy Waters Capital’s Carson Block, best known for his short-selling campaigns, took an unusually bullish stance at the Sohn London Investment Conference on Wednesday, pitching junior miner Snowline Gold as a top takeover candidate in the mining sector. […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Alphabet, Nvidia, Lowe's, La-Z-Boy, MP Materials & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-midday-googl-nvda-low-lzb-mp.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: Alphabet — The YouTube and Google parent climbed 4% to an all-time high after rolling out its Gemini 3 artificial intelligence platform Tuesday. Google said Gemini 3 lets users get better answers to more complex questions and needs less prompting to find the context and intent behind requests. Eversource — The utility dropped more than 8% after the state of Connecticut rejected the company’s sale of its Aquarion Water unit. MP Materials — The rare earths mine operator rallied about 10% after it announced a partnership with the U.S. Defense Department and […] - [The US Will Prioritize Visa Processing for Fans With World Cup Tickets](https://www.wired.com/story/the-us-will-prioritize-visa-processing-for-fans-with-world-cup-tickets/): Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, visited the White House this week to announce with an initiative with Donald Trump that would give priority to World Cup ticket holders next year to process a US visa. This initiative is called “FIFA Pass.” “FIFA Pass is a prioritized appointment scheduling system,” Infantino said from the Oval Office. “So if you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have a prioritized appointment to get your visa. Because, you said it the first time we met, Mr. President, America welcomes the world.” Despite the heavy travel restrictions that the US government has […] - [Blue Owl calls off merger of its two private-credit funds after announcement rattles stock](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/blue-owl-calls-off-merger-of-its-two-private-credit-funds-after-announcement-rattles-stock-sources-say.html): Blue Owl has decided to call off the merging of two of its private-credit funds after the deal caused some angst among investors, according to people familiar with the matter. The firm had planned to merge its smaller, non-traded Blue Owl Capital Corporation II (OBDC II), into the larger, publicly traded fund Blue Owl Capital Corporation (OBDC). In doing so, the firm restricted investors in the $1.7 billion OBDC II from redeeming until the deal closed, even as the merger would have meant about 20% paper losses, based on where the $17.1 billion OBDC has been trading.  News of the restricted […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Target, Lowe's, Viking, Bullish and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-tgt-low-vik-blsh.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves in premarket trading: Target — The retailer fell nearly 3% after it cut full-year earnings guidance . The company said it expects earnings per share to range between $7 and $8. Target previously expected its full-year profit to come in between $7 per share and $9 per share. Lowe’s — The home improvement giant rose 6% after it reported third-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations. The company earned an adjusted $3.06 per share, topping an LSEG estimate of $2.97 per share. La-Z-Boy — Shares popped 10% following the furniture retailer and manufacturer’s strong […] - [The Fed's Rate Decision Isn't the Market's Biggest Worry](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/19/the_feds_rate_decision_isnt_the_markets_biggest_worry_1148314.html): Investors are making too big a deal over whether interest rates will be cut at the December meeting of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate-setting committee. Interest rates have surprisingly little ability to forecast the stock market’s direction. Read Full Article » - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open higher after Wall Street extends tech-led sell-off](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/asia-pacific-markets-ai-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-csi-300.html): Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Wednesday. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.13% in early trading. Overnight, tech stocks continued to drag U.S. stocks. Eschcollection | Digitalvision | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Wednesday, after Wall Street declined as concerns about artificial intelligence valuations continued to pressure tech stocks. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set to rise, with its futures contract in Chicago at 48,885, and its counterpart in Osaka last trading at 48,900, against the index's Tuesday close of 48,702.98. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.13% in early trading. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index also pointed to a higher open, trading at 26,033, against the index's previous close of 25,930.03. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours after the key indexes fell Tuesday stateside. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 498.50 points, or 1.07%, to settle at 46,091.74. The S&P 500 lost 0.83% to end the day at 6,617.32. It was the broad-based index's fourth straight losing session, making for its longest slide since August. The Nasdaq Composite declined 1.21% to finish at 22,432.85. The session saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 notch their fourth consecutive losing days, with the S&P 500 notching its longest slide since August. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite recorded its fifth negative day in six sessions.  Bitcoin dropped briefly below $90,000, a sign of reduced risk-taking by investors. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Gemini 3 Is Here—and Google Says It Will Make Search Smarter](https://www.wired.com/story/google-launches-gemini-3-ai-bubble-search/): Google has introduced Gemini 3, its smartest artificial intelligence model to date, with cutting-edge reasoning, multimedia, and coding skills. As talk of an AI bubble grows, the company is keen to stress that its latest release is more than just a clever model and chatbot—it’s a way of improving Google’s existing products, including its lucrative search business, starting today. “We are the engine room of Google, and we’re plugging in AI everywhere now,” Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, an AI-focused subsidiary of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, told WIRED in an interview ahead of the announcement. Hassabis admits that the AI […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Home Depot, Blue Owl Capital, Amer Sports & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-hd-owl-as-hp.html): Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Helmerich & Payne — The drilling rig company fell more than 7% following disappointing earnings results. In its fiscal fourth quarter, Helmerich and Payne reported an adjusted loss of 1 cent per share, missing the FactSet consensus estimate of 23 cents earnings per share. On the other hand, revenue beat analysts’ expectations. Home Depot — The stock pulled back 1.2% after the company reported third-quarter earnings that missed analyst expectations. The home improvement giant earned $3.74 per share, adjusted, while analysts polled by LSEG had forecast a profit of $3.84 per share. […] - [India’s goods trade deficit in October shatters records, beating estimates, as gold imports surge 200%](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/indias-goods-trade-deficit-october-record-high-tariffs-gold-imports-.html): India's merchandise trade deficit hit an all-time high of $41.7 billion in October. India imported gold worth of $14.7 billion, up nearly 200% from October last year. India's exports to U.S., its biggest market, fell 8.5% on year in October to $6.3 billion. A broadcast screen at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai, India, on April 3, 2025, displays news of U.S. President Donald Trump announcing sweeping new trade tariffs. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images India's goods trade deficit hit an all-time high of $41.7 billion in October as gold imports surged on festive season demand, while exports to U.S. bore the brunt of steep tariffs. The deficit, which was sharply wider than Reuters poll estimates of $28.8 billion, topped the previous all-time high of $37.8 billion in November 2024, according to LSEG data. During October, India imported gold worth of $14.7 billion, up nearly 200% from October last year, data from the country's commerce ministry released Monday showed. Indian consumers are estimated to have bought gold worth $11 billion during the 5-day festival period in October. The impact of tariffs was also visible in trade data as India's exports to the U.S. fell for a second consecutive month since the 50% tariffs came into effect in August end. Shipments to U.S. fell 8.5% year on year in October to $6.3 billion. Despite the decline, the U.S remained India's largest exports destination during the first 7 months of this fiscal year, accounting for shipments worth $52 billion. India exported gems and jewelry worth $2.3 billion in October down 29.5%, engineering goods worth $9.4 billion, down 16.7%. Exports of cotton and man-made yarn and ready-made garments fell 12%-13%. The U.S. is the top export destination for all these commodities. Meanwhile, India's exports to China rose 42% to $1.6 billion. The country's merchandise imports are "expected to cool somewhat in November-December 2025 from the October levels" due to a sequential dip in gold imports as the festive season ends and some pickup in exports, Moody's-owned Indian credit rating firm ICRA Research said in a note on Monday. But it cautioned that India's current account deficit is set to "widen materially to 2.4-2.5% of GDP" in the third quarter of fiscal year ending March 2026. It expects the ratio of CAD to gross domestic product to be around 1.2% in fiscal year 2026, if the 50% U.S. tariffs continue until end-March 2026. Trade negotiations between U.S and India have been underway for months, but a deal has been elusive so far. Both sides have begun to soften their stance, with U.S. President Donald Trump hinting at reducing tariffs on India. Reaching out to Washington, New Delhi has increased oil and gas purchases from the U.S. to reduce the trade surplus it enjoys with Washington. The country is also expected to purchase farm products from the U.S. - [Asia-Pacific markets fall, tracking Wall Street declines on tech losses and AI jitters](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/asia-pacific-markets-tuesday-nikkei-225-nifty-50-kospi-hang-seng-index-tech-ai.html): Asia-Pacific markets fell Tuesday, trailing Wall Street's tech slump. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.76%. U.S. stocks fell with AI-linked firms under pressure ahead of Nvidia's earnings and key economic data. Low angle view of tall buildings in Tokyo, Japan, showcasing diverse architectural styles George Pachantouris | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets fell Tuesday, following a tech-led slide on Wall Street. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 slid 0.92%, while the Topix declined 0.6%. South Korea's Kospi was 0.64% lower while the small-cap Kosdaq slid 0.58%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 26,178, lower than its last close of 26,384.28. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.76%. Overnight in the U.S., stocks pulled back, plagued once again by declines in tech, as Wall Street awaited key releases this week, including Nvidia earnings and the September jobs report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 557.24 points, or 1.18%, to close at 46,590.24, as losses in the artificial intelligence chip darling, along with Salesforce and Apple, pushed the blue-chip index lower. The S&P 500 sank 0.92% to end the day at 6,672.41, while the Nasdaq Composite tumbled 0.84% to settle at 22,708.07. Nvidia dropped almost 2% ahead of the company's third-quarter results, which are scheduled for after the bell on Wednesday. The chipmaker and other names in the AI trade were under pressure recently as investors grew anxious about stretched valuations. Blue Owl Capital, a private credit lender, shed nearly 6% amid concerns about its heavy lending tied to the AI data center buildout. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. - [San Francisco bodega cat killed by Waymo self-driving car sparks public outrage](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/17/kitkat-cat-death-waymo-car-leads-calls-self-driving-vehicle/): Autonomous vehicle company Waymo is in hot water after one of its self-driving taxis ran over a beloved San Francisco bodega cat. KitKat was killed beneath a Waymo car in San Francisco’s Mission District in late October, sparking public outrage, including a decorated memorial for the cat. City Supervisor Jackie Fielder has called for legislation to regulate self-driving vehicles, specifically allowing counties to vote on whether to ban them. Waymo said in a statement that the cat “darted under our vehicle as it was pulling away,” and expressed its “deepest sympathies to the cat’s owner and the community who knew and […] - [Peter Thiel's hedge fund dumps Nvidia stake, cuts back Tesla position](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/17/peter-thiels-hedge-fund-dumps-nvidia-stake-cuts-back-tesla-position.html): Peter Thiel ‘s namesake fund exited Nvidia in the third quarter, the latest sign of caution around the high-flying artificial intelligence darling. Thiel Macro zeroed out its stake worth nearly $94 million during the three-month period, regulatory fillings show. It marked the fund’s biggest change by dollar value in the quarter, according to InsiderScore. Thiel’s decision mirrors Japanese firm SoftBank’s, which announced earlier this month that it sold its entire stake in Nvidia for around $5.8 billion. Some investors have grown increasingly concerned in recent weeks that the AI trade, after driving the market to record highs over the past few […] - [Alibaba is helping Chinese military to target U.S., White House memo claims: FT](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/17/alibaba-chinese-military-target-us-white-house-memo-ft-.html): A White House memo alleged “Alibaba provides tech support for Chinese military ‘operations’ against targets in the U.S.,” according to a FT report Friday. “The assertions and innuendoes in the article are completely false,” Alibaba said in a statement to CNBC on the FT report. Alibaba provides cloud computing services and has developed open-source AI models that are growing in popularity, including in the U.S. BEIJING — Alibaba is helping the Chinese military to target the U.S., according to a White House memo, the Financial Times reported Friday. The memo alleged “Alibaba provides tech support for Chinese military ‘operations’ against targets […] - [Japan's economy contracts less than expected in third quarter, helped by consumption](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/17/japan-gdp-q3-economy-september-quarter-contraction.html): Domestic consumption helped slow the decline, with both government and private consumption rising quarter on quarter. Overall, private demand was the largest drag on GDP on a quarter-on-quarter basis. Public demand was a bright spot, growing 0.5%. Tokyo, Japan skyline with the Tokyo Tower Chunyip Wong | E+ | Getty Images Japan's economy contracted by a smaller-than-expected 0.4% in the quarter ended September compared to the previous three months, helped by both private and government consumption. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 0.6% decline. On an annualized basis, Japan's GDP for the third quarter of 2025 fell 1.8%, a softer decline compared with estimates of a 2.5% contraction. Exports of goods and services shrank 1.2% compared to the second quarter when they had risen by 2.3%. Net exports contributed to a 0.2 percentage point drop in GDP. Japan's shipments had seen contractions for four straight months since May as U.S. tariffs hurt exports, although September saw a rebound to growth. Tokyo in July clinched a trade deal with Washington, bringing down tariffs on its exports to the U.S. to 15% from 25%. The 15% tariffs took effect on Aug. 7. Domestic consumption helped slow the economic contraction, with government and private consumption up 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively, compared to the second quarter. Private demand proved to be the largest drag on GDP this quarter, declining 0.4% compared to the quarter before and pulling the economy down by 0.3 percentage point owed to a sharp plunge in residential investment, down 9.4%. Public demand was a bright spot, growing 0.5% quarter on quarter and contributing 0.1 percentage point to the Japanese economy. This is breaking news, please check back for updates. - [New York Fed met with Wall Street firms about key lending facility: FT](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/16/new-york-fed-met-with-wall-street-firms-about-key-lending-facility-ft.html): New York Federal Reserve President John Williams met with Wall Street’s dealers last week about a key lending facility, the Financial Times reported, citing three individuals familiar with the matter. The meeting included representatives from many of the 25 primary dealers from banks that underwrite the government’s debt, according to the report. Williams sought feedback from these dealers on the use of the Fed’s standing repo facility, a permanent lending tool that acts as a backstop for markets. A street sign is seen near the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, New York, U.S., August 7, 2025. Eduardo […] - [Investor Ron Baron says the tech selloff is an opportunity and he's never selling personal Tesla stake](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/investor-ron-baron-says-the-tech-selloff-is-an-opportunity-and-hes-never-selling-personal-tesla-stake.html): Billionaire investor Ron Baron isn’t flinching during the latest tech selloff, and he’s certainly not touching his own Tesla shares. The longtime growth investor said he sees the pullback as a chance to spot bargains, even as volatility rattles the biggest names in tech recently “Not very much,” Baron said Friday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” when asked what he’s doing amid the drawdown. “Just looking and trying to understand where opportunities are and try to take advantage of them.” His conviction is especially intense when it comes to Tesla, one of his signature bets. He recalled selling a third of of […] - [Chinese astronauts return from space station after delay blamed on space debris damage](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/14/chinese-astronauts-return-space-station-delay-blamed-debris-damage/): BEIJING — Three Chinese astronauts returned from their nation’s space station Friday after more than a week’s delay because the return capsule they had planned to use was damaged, likely from being hit by space debris. The team left their Shenzhou-20 spacecraft in orbit and came back using the recently arrived Shenzhou-21, which had ferried a three-person replacement crew to the station, China’s Manned Space Agency said. The original return plan was scrapped because a window in the Shenzhou-20 capsule had tiny cracks, most likely caused by impact from space debris, the space agency said Friday. They had been on a […] - [Asia-Pacific shares fall, tracking Wall Street declines, as tech selloff deepens](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/asia-pacific-friday-stocks-nikkei-225-kospi-nifty-50-hang-seng-hsi-shares-china-retail-property-industrial.html): Asia-Pacific markets opened lower amid continued pressure on tech stocks. China will release data on retail sales, industrial output, and fixed-asset investment for October today. Overnight in the U.S., all three major averages closed lower on an artificial intelligence trade pullback. Tourists visit the Nanjing Road Scenic Area in Shanghai, China, on October 20, 2025. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets slid Friday, tracking losses on Wall Street as technology stocks continued to come under pressure and Fed rate-cut doubts swirled. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 1.85%, while the Topix slid 1.03%. South Korea's Kospi fell 2.29% and the small-cap Kosdaq was 1.42% lower. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 1.58%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a lower open, trading at 26,701, against the index's previous close of 27,073.03. China will release data on retail sales, industrial output, and fixed-asset investment for October today. Fixed-asset investment, which includes real estate, fell unexpectedly by 0.5% in September. Overnight in the U.S., all three major averages closed lower as investors continued to sell shares of technology companies, especially those in the artificial intelligence trade, amid worries about their valuations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 797.60 points, or 1.65%, to settle at 47,457.22, well off the record highs set in the previous session. The S&P 500 shed 1.66% to finish at 6,737.49. The broad-based index saw notable declines in the information technology and communication services sectors, led by Disney, which fell nearly 8% on mixed results for its fiscal fourth quarter. The Nasdaq Composite pulled back 2.29% to close at 22,870.36. All three major averages, as well as the small-cap Russell 2000 index, suffered their worst day since Oct. 10. Recent remarks from Fed chair Jerome Powell's colleagues point to plenty of apprehension over whether the central bank should deliver its third consecutive easing of policy when it meets Dec. 9-10. "Given my baseline outlook, it will likely be appropriate to keep policy rates at the current level for some time to balance the inflation and employment risks in this highly uncertain environment," Boston Fed President Susan Collins recently said. As a result, markets have recalibrated their expectations. Whereas traders as recently as a few days ago were pricing in at least a 2-to-1 probability of a quarter percentage point cut, that's now flipped to a coin toss, according to futures markets readings tabulated by the CME Group in its FedWatch tool. — CNBC's Jeff Cox, Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [ETFs Are More Active Than You Think](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/etfs-are-more-active-you-think): It’s easy to think of ETFs as passive investment vehicles — baskets you can buy, hold, and forget about. But ETFs can also be a lot more active than many people realize. - [Markets no longer view the December rate cut as a sure bet, with Fed officials casting doubts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/13/markets-rethink-december-rate-cut-amid-fed-doubts.html): Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell wasn’t kidding a couple weeks ago when he said a December rate cut wasn’t in the bag. Whereas traders as recently as a few days ago were pricing in at least a 2-to-1 probability of a quarter percentage point cut, that’s now flipped to a coin toss. As markets grew much less confident about a December cut, stocks slumped Thursday while Treasury yields moved higher. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee at the Federal Reserve on Oct. 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Alex […] - [The Role of Indexes in the Financial Ecosystem](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/role-indexes-financial-ecosystem): Nasdaq TradeTalks discuss the role of indexes in the financial ecosystem and product landscape and how it allows for investor choice and innovation. - [The Role of Indexes in the Financial Ecosystem](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/role-indexes-financial-ecosystem): Nasdaq TradeTalks discuss the role of indexes in the financial ecosystem and product landscape and how it allows for investor choice and innovation. - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open mixed as Dow tops 48,000 for first time; traders eye U.S. government reopening](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/13/asia-pacific-markets-thursday-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-kospi-nifty-50.html): Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Thursday. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was down 0.18%. The 30-stock Dow recorded a fresh closing high overnight. View of the Skytree from Ueno and Asakusa in Tokyo Jackal Pan | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Thursday, following mixed trading on Wall Street as investors kept an eye on the U.S. government, which appeared poised to reopen as soon as the end of the week. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 51,230, and its counterpart in Osaka at 51,260, against the index's Wednesday close of 51,063.31. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.18%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a lower open, trading at 26,899, against the index's previous close of 26,922.73. U.S. equity futures ticked lower in early Asian hours after a continued market rotation powered the Dow Jones Industrial Average to record its first close above 48,000 Wednesday stateside. Overnight, the 30-stock Dow closed up 326.86 points, or 0.68%, at 48,254.82. The index also hit a fresh all-time intraday high in the session. The S&P 500 traded around the flatline, settling up 0.06% at 6,850.92, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.26% to finish at 23,406.46. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Toyota opens massive North Carolina battery plant, confirms $10B US investment](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/toyota-opens-massive-north-carolina-battery-plant-confirms-10b-us-investment): Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., discusses Republican efforts to reverse Biden-era electric vehicle mandates on ‘Kudlow.’ Toyota announced Wednesday it has officially begun production at its new $13.9 billion battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina, while committing an additional $10 billion to bolster its U.S. manufacturing over the next five years. The 1,850-acre facility in Liberty, North Carolina, marks the automaker’s first battery plant outside Japan and is expected to create up to 5,100 new American jobs, Toyota said. “Today’s launch of Toyota’s first U.S. battery plant and additional U.S. investment up to $10 billion marks a pivotal moment in our […] - [India inflation cools more than expected in October, boosting hopes for further rate cuts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/12/india-october-inflation-matches-rbi-outlook-easing-hopes-for-rate-cuts.html): India consumer inflation fell to 0.25% in October, government data showed on Wednesday. The data, which was cooler than expected, bolsters hopes for further policy easing by the Reserve Bank of India. A man pushes a trolley inside a supermarket in Mumbai, India, on September 7, 2025. (Photo by Indranil Aditya/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images India's consumer inflation cooled to 0.25% in October, strengthening hopes of more policy easing by the Reserve Bank of India. The headline inflation number was below estimates of a 0.48% rise, according to a Reuters poll of economists, and easing more than the 1.54% recorded in September. In October, the central bank revised its inflation forecast to 2.6% from 3.1% for the fiscal year ending March 2026, but kept its key policy rate unchanged at 5. The decline in headline inflation and food inflation in October is mainly attributed to impact of decline in GST (goods and services tax), favorable base effect and to a drop in inflation of oils and fats, vegetables, fruits, egg, footwear, cereals and products, transport and communication, according to the release. The effects of the Reserve Bank of India's outsized 50-basis-point rate cut in June have yet to filter through the economy, Governor Sanjay Malhotra had said then, adding that the decision to hold rates steady was unanimous. However, the RBI had also hinted that the Indian economy could "see growth decelerate" in the second half of the fiscal year 2026 due to global trade uncertainties. In August, the U.S. imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising total duties to as high as 50%, among the steepest imposed by Washington on its trading partners. Textiles, gems and jewelry, and marine products have been hit hardest. While exports to the U.S. account for around 2% of India's GDP, these sectors are labor-intensive. Prolonged weakness could lead to job losses and weigh on overall growth. To cushion the blow, New Delhi reduced the goods and services tax on several items on Sept. 22, to spur domestic demand ahead of a month-long festive season, lowering prices for consumer goods, vehicles, and farm products. The auto and jewelry sectors have performed well, while the pickup in demand for footwear, paints, fast-moving consumer goods, and textiles has been mixed, Indian brokerage Motilal Oswal said in a research report on Nov 7. - [‘It Feels Like I’m in a Nightmare’: Inside the First Deportation Flight to Iran](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/world/middleeast/iran-trump-deportation-flight.html): In the hours before dawn one day in early October, Mehrdad Dalir found himself stranded at a bus station in Iran. He recalls feeling the heavy gaze of passers-by and shivering. He looked out of place, dressed in a prison outfit of sorts: gray sweatpants and sweatshirt, and a pair of blue plastic slippers.About two days earlier, U.S. immigration authorities had taken Mr. Dalir from a detention facility inside an airport in Alexandria, La., and forced him aboard a plane to Iran as part of an unusual mass deportation to a country with a poor human rights record that the United States had bombed earlier this year in an effort to set back its nuclear program.Mr. Dalir, 34, says he was shackled and handcuffed, and not given the chance to change out of the prison clothes he had worn during his time in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention. Once in Iran, he made his way by metro and bus from Tehran’s international airport to his hometown, Mashhad, in northeast Iran.After borrowing a cellphone, Mr. Dalir delivered the news to family members still in Mashhad: The United States had sent him back to Iran. “Maman, come and get me,” he told his mother, and broke into a sob. A blue backpack contained all his belongings — a few clothing items, his passport, immigration cards, a cellphone with a dead battery and a $20 bill.“It feels like I’m in a nightmare,” Mr. Dalir said in a three-hour telephone interview from Iran.He acknowledged he had entered the United States illegally in April but said he thought he would have a powerful case for asylum because he has been critical of Islamic Shariah law and a political activist. He didn’t expect to be sent back to Iran.“I did everything in my power to stop them, but the ICE officials didn’t care. They told me, ‘You are either getting on the plane on your own, or we will tie you and send you back.’”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Stocks making the biggest moves midday: CoreWeave, Fermi, Paramount Skydance, Gemini and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/stocks-making-big-moves-midday-crwv-nbis-frmi-gemi-and-more.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: Fermi — The energy and data center developer lost 11% after reporting a third-quarter loss of 84 cents per share and a total net loss of almost $347 million. Fermi went public in September at $21 a share in an IPO led by UBS, Evercore ISI, Cantor Fitzgerald and Mizuho. eToro Group — The trading platform jumped 10% after Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to buy from hold, citing strong fundamentals and an attractive valuation. Maplebear — BMO upgraded the Instacart parent to outperform from market perform, pointing to a historically cheap […] - ['Ghost job' postings are adding another layer of uncertainty to the stalling jobs picture](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/ghost-job-postings-add-another-layer-of-uncertainty-to-stalled-jobs-picture.html): Judging by current data, you’d think there’s literally a job out there for anyone who wants one. Looking deeper under the hood, though, tells a different story. Since the beginning of 2024, job openings have outnumbered hires by more than 2.2 million a month, according to BLS data that points to “ghost jobs” that never seem to get filled. A “We’re Hiring” sign at the Appalachian State University internship and job fair in Boone, North Carolina, US, on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Allison Joyce | Bloomberg | Getty Images Judging by current data, you’d think there’s literally a job out there […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Nvidia, Paramount Skydance, Rigetti Computing & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-nvda-psky-rgti.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves in premarket trading: Nvidia — The chipmaker slipped 1.8% after SoftBank disclosed it sold its entire stake in the company for $5.83 billion in October. CoreWeave — Shares sank nearly 8% after artificial-intelligence infrastructure company’s full-year guidance disappointed investors . CoreWeave expects revenue to come in between $5.05 billion and $5.15 billion, less than the $5.29 billion expected from analysts polled by LSEG. Paramount Skydance — The media stock jumped nearly 5% after the company reported earnings . The CBS parent announced plans to cut more costs and lay off additional employees, while […] - [Private sector lost jobs in late October, new weekly ADP data shows](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/private-sector-lost-jobs-in-late-october-new-weekly-adp-data-shows-f63ca25f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Australia’s Liontown in talks with US Defense Dept on tantalum supply ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/australias-liontown-in-talks-with-us-defense-dept-on-tantalum-supply/): Business & Finance07 December 2023, 5:15 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Miner Liontown Resources (LTR.AX) is speaking with the United States Department of Defense about supplying tantalum from its Australian operations if the U.S. passes a new regulation by year end as expected, its chief executive told Reuters on Thursday. Lining up a tantalum deal with the U.S. defense department would provide the company a crucial endorsement and potentially future funding as it develops its Kathleen Valley lithium mine, seen as one of the most promising deposits of the metal. Market ImpactKathleen Valley is expected to produce around 430 tonnes (950,000 lb) per annum of 30% tantalum concentrate, equivalent to around 285,000 lbs.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AsiaCountries: AustraliaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Inflation, Disinflation and Vibeflation](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/05/opinion/inflation-disinflation-economists.html): Over the past six months, the personal consumption expenditure deflator excluding food and energy — I know that’s a mouthful, but it’s the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of underlying inflation — has risen at an annual rate of only 2.5 percent, down from 5.7 percent in March 2022. The Fed’s inflation target is 2 percent, so we’re not quite there yet. And you shouldn’t expect the Fed to declare victory any time soon. As I can tell you from personal experience, anyone suggesting that inflation is more or less under control can expect an avalanche of hate mail and hostile commentary […] - [Ejército de Nigeria ataca por error con un dron una fiesta religiosa y mata a 85 civiles](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-al-menos-85-civiles-muertos-por-ataque-accidental-de-dron-del-ejercito-bola-ahmed-tinubu-nema-kaduna-ultimas-noticia/): La entrada de tanques israelíes al sur de Gaza deja a los palestinos sin lugares a dónde ir La ONU alerta de la situación “infernal” que se avecina en Gaza por restricciones de ayuda humanitaria Un dron del ejército nigeriano mató accidentalmente por lo menos a 85 civiles el domingo en un municipio del estado de Kaduna, en el noroeste del país, declararon los responsables de los servicios de urgencia. El presidente Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordenó el martes la apertura de una investigación después de que las fuerzas armadas reconocieran que uno de sus drones atacó por error el pueblo de […] - [ECB haunted by bond buys in Swedish property crisis](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ecb-haunted-by-bond-buys-in-swedish-property-crisis/): Business & FinanceDeals30 November 2023, 5:22 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report a debt crunch at Swedish property group SBB has left the European Central Bank at risk of losses and highlighted the 26 billion euro ($29 billion) exposure it built up to Europe’s now stricken real estate sector through its crisis-era bond buying. Market ImpactThe ECB also gobbled up many German real estate bonds, including 39 issued by Vonovia, which has been selling property to cut debt. The bonds trade far closer to par, one at a discount of about 20%. Property companies make up 8% of the ECB’s Corporate Sector Purchase Programme, now worth 326 billion euros. The ECB does not disclose the make-up of its other, pandemic-era bond-buying scheme.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Financial ServicesReal EstateRegions: EuropeCountries: SwedenWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [The Biden Economy Is Doing Fine](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/opinion/economy-voter-sentiment-inflation.html): Ten finance guys are drinking in a bar. Nine of them are Masters of the Universe — wheeler-dealers who make many millions of dollars every year. The tenth is what Gordon Gekko, in the movie “Wall Street,” called a “$400,000-a-year working Wall Street stiff.” Then the stiff leaves for a while, maybe to answer a call of nature. When he leaves, the average income of the guys still in the bar shoots up, because he’s no longer dragging that average down; when he comes back, the average drops again. But these fluctuations in the average don’t reflect changes in anyone’s income. […] - [Panama president directs First Quantum to shut copper mine after court ruling ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/panama-president-directs-first-quantum-to-shut-copper-mine-after-court-ruling/): Business & FinanceEnvironment28 November 2023, 4:14 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was ahead of the competition by nearly 40 minutes on the closely watched news that Panama’s Supreme Court had dealt a potential death blow to First Quantum’s hopes to keep open the country’s largest copper mine, which has become the target of intense popular protest and political upheaval in recent weeks.  Reuters also reported earlier in November that the court was likely to rule against First Quantum, which on Tuesday said it was suspending commercial production at the mine.  Market ImpactFirst Quantum (FM.TO) shares closed down 0.8%. The company has lost more than C$10 billion ($7.4 billion) of its market value since the protests started in late October and the mine was later forced to suspend production. The ruling will also have consequences for the copper market, as Cobre Panama accounts for about 1% of global copper production. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange was up 0.9% at $8,441 a metric ton.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEnvironmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: AmericasCountries: PanamaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Libertad condicional para Pistorius 10 años después del asesinato de su novia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/oscar-pistorius-libertad-condicional-para-excampeon-paralimpico-10-anos-despues-del-asesinato-de-su-novia-reeva-steenkamp-ultimas-noticia/): Última hora de la guerra entre Israel y Hamás EN VIVO: noticias de Gaza, ofensiva terrestre, bombardeos, muertos y más Acuerdo de rehenes entre Israel y Hamás: ¿Qué dice y quiénes serán liberados? El excampeón paralímpico sudafricano Oscar Pistorius obtuvo este viernes la libertad condicional y saldrá de prisión el 5 de enero, tras cumplir parte de su condena por el asesinato de su novia en 2013, un crimen que conmocionó al mundo. Una comisión, compuesta por miembros de los servicios penitenciarios y civiles, examinó el caso de Pistorius y su comportamiento en detención y determinó que es apto para obtener […] - [República del Congo: al menos 37 muertos en una estampida durante reclutamiento del ejército en Brazzaville](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/republica-del-congo-al-menos-37-muertos-en-una-estampida-durante-reclutamiento-del-ejercito-en-brazzaville-noticia/): Última hora de la guerra entre Israel y Hamás EN VIVO: noticias de Gaza, ofensiva terrestre, bombardeos, muertos y más Asesinato y misterio: 60 años después de la muerte de JFK Al menos 37 personas murieron la pasada noche en una estampida en un estadio de la capital de la República del Congo, Brazzaville, donde había miles de jóvenes que acudieron a pedir un trabajo en el Ejército del país, informaron hoy las autoridades. “Durante la noche del lunes 20 al martes 21 de noviembre de 2023 se produjo una tragedia en el estadio (Michael) Ornano que se saldó con muertos […] - [India’s Jindal Power will not bid to take over airline Go First ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/indias-jindal-power-will-not-bid-to-take-over-airline-go-first/): Business & Finance21 November 2023, 2:14 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that India’s Jindal Power Ltd, the only company whose expression of interest to take over Go First was accepted by creditors, has decided to not follow through with a bid, three people familiar with the plans said, pushing the insolvent airline closer to liquidation. The deadline to submit takeover bids ends on Tuesday, and the sources told Reuters Jindal had decided against bidding after evaluating the airline’s financial statements.  Market ImpactGo First filed for voluntary insolvency in May and owes a total of 65.21 billion rupees ($785.6 million) to its creditors.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [China’s Bytedance eyes sales of gaming unit Moonton, speaking to potential buyers](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/chinas-bytedance-eyes-sales-of-gaming-unit-moonton-speaking-to-potential-buyers/): Business & FinanceTechnology15 November 2023, 1:19 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that TikTok owner ByteDance is discussing the sale of its gaming unit Moonton Technology with potential buyers, two years after it acquired the Shanghai-based studio in a deal that valued it at $4 billion, five people familiar with the matter said.  Market ImpactCompanies that ByteDance has met to discuss the sale of the company include at least one Saudi-based firm, two people familiar with the matter said.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Goldman Sachs discusses bigger bonuses for top traders ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/goldman-sachs-discusses-bigger-bonuses-for-top-traders/): Business & Finance14 November 2023, 6:10 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Goldman Sachs (GS.N) bosses are considering fatter bonuses to retain star traders and dealmakers this year as the bank looks to win over some who were disappointed by smaller payments in 2022.  Market ImpactGoldman executives are discussing sweeteners for standouts from the trading and investment banking division, which accounts for about 68% of its revenue, three of the sources said. The pay bumps could help win over some employees who balked at smaller bonuses last year that they blamed on losses from the retail operations. The firm’s allocation for bonuses fell by as much as 40% in 2022, according to another source, after earnings slid 48%. That drop exceeded Wall Street’s average bonus decline of 26%.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Financial ServicesRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Biden and a Feel-Bad Economy](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/09/opinion/biden-economy-unemployment-history.html): Since Tuesday’s big Democratic electoral victories, I’ve been seeing some speculation to the effect that the 2024 election may be marked by a reverse coattail effect: that President Biden, whose poll numbers have supposedly been weighed down by a bad economy, may be lifted up by local candidates who have been racking up wins over social issues. Well, I’ve been delving into some economic and political history — which is, after all, most of what we have to go on in such matters — and I’m having some problems with this narrative. First, Biden is not, in fact, presiding over a […] - [Why Did So Many Economists Get Disinflation Wrong?](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/07/opinion/economists-disinflation-economy.html): The Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, a conference held twice a year, is America’s premier forum for relating academic research to “the most urgent economic challenges of the day.” The lead presentation at the September 2022 conference was a paper by Laurence Ball, Daniel Leigh and Prachi Mishra on inflation. And its conclusions were dismal. Harvard’s Jason Furman, one of the assigned discussants, wrote an opinion piece calling it “the scariest economics paper of 2022,” suggesting that to get inflation down to 2 percent “we may need to tolerate unemployment of 6.5 percent for two years.” Well, from where we’re sitting […] - [Activist investor Elliott targets drugmaker BioMarin ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/activist-investor-elliott-targets-drugmaker-biomarin/): Business & FinanceDeals07 November 2023, 5:23 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has built a stake in BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN.O) and has been in discussions with the biotechnology company for months about its future. The hedge fund, which oversees some $60 billion in assets, has spent over $1 billion on the stake in BioMarin, which focuses on rare genetic disorders and is valued at about $16 billion.  Market ImpactBioMarin shares rose 12% to $85.36 on the news in morning trading in New York on Tuesday. Prior to news of Elliott’s engagement, BioMarin shares were down 24% year-to-date, significantly underperforming the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB.O), which is down 8.6%. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceMergers & AcquisitionPharmaceuticals & HealthcareRegions: AmericasCountries: USWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Recapturan a exdictador de Guinea sacado de la cárcel por un comando](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/moussa-dadis-camara-recapturan-a-exdictador-de-guinea-sacado-de-la-carcel-por-un-comando-ansouma-toumany-camara-jocamey-haba-ultimas-noticia/): Blinken insiste en derecho de Israel a autodefensa y pide medidas para proteger a civiles ¿La crisis de la nafta podría tener algún efecto en la segunda vuelta electoral argentina? El exdictador guineano Moussa Dadis Camara, sacado de la cárcel el sábado por la mañana en una operación comando, fue recapturado, informaron el ejército de este país de África occidental y uno de sus abogados. “El capitán Moussa Dadis Camara fue hallado sano y salvo y conducido nuevamente a la cárcel”, dijo a la AFP el jefe de la Dirección de Información de las Fuerzas Armadas (Dirpa), Ansouma Toumany Camara, sin […] - [Swiss authorities, banks mull new rules to prevent bank runs  ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/swiss-authorities-banks-mull-new-rules-to-prevent-bank-runs/): Business & FinanceEconomyGovernment03 November 2023, 2:19 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Swiss authorities and lenders, including UBS (UBSG.S), are discussing new measures to prevent bank runs after Credit Suisse’s rescue earlier this year, a move that could affect billions in deposits.  Market ImpactUBS shares were 1.8% lower as of 11:35am in Zurich, the biggest decliner in the Stoxx Europe 600 Financial Services Index. The new rules could dent competitiveness or, in a more extreme scenario, push clients to withdraw their money preemptively. While it’s early days, the measures under discussion in Switzerland are making some people nervous. They risk penalizing Swiss banks if they were to be introduced only in Switzerland, one of the sources said. UBS is trying to attract customers with above-market rates on deposits. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceEconomy & PolicyGovernment & Public ServicesRegions: EuropeCountries: SwitzerlandWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Why Do People Think Crime Is Worse Than it Actually Is?](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/24/opinion/crime-public-opinion.html): In 2022, according to F.B.I. numbers, there were 370 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 Americans. Even allowing for some underreporting, this likely means there was less than one violent crime for every 200 people. So the great majority of Americans haven’t been victims lately, or probably ever. What this implies is that public views about crime needn’t have much to do with personal experience. They may instead be shaped by impressions people pick up from media, both news and social, and from politicians. In other words, perceptions about crime are like perceptions about the economy — perhaps more so: They […] - [Lockheed exits Air Force tanker competition, lifting Boeing’s KC-46 ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/lockheed-exits-air-force-tanker-competition-lifting-boeings-kc-46/): Business & Finance24 October 2023, 5:39 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was firs to report that Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) has withdrawn from the U.S. Air Force’s competition to build at least 75 refueling tankers, giving Boeing’s (BA.N) KC-46 Pegasus a boost in the closely watched multibillion-dollar defense contract.  Market ImpactLockheed’s pullback gives Boeing a boost, greatly increasing the chance it will win the program despite years of costly mistakes with the existing fleet of KC-46 tankers. Based on current prices, the total order could equal around $12 billion, but is likely to be higher. The KC-46, however, has been plagued by defects, including problems with an on-board video system and a refueling boom that fails to connect the tanker to aircraft seeking refueling. These errors have cost Boeing $7 billion in losses.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Aerospace & DefenceRegions: AmericasCountries: USWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Tanzania: African Development Bank supports small horticultural businesses with $2.5 million grant](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/tanzania-african-development-bank-supports-small-horticultural-businesses-25-million-grant-65183): The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved a $2.5 million grant to prop some 10,000 small horticultural businesses in Tanzania. The funds, approved on 19 October 2023, will come from the Global Agriculture & Food Security Program to support mainly food system service providers in rural areas. The programme aims to increase the production and marketing of horticultural products to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. It includes promoting sustainable and climate-smart agricultural and agro-ecological techniques and management strategies for biodiversity and landscapes. It will boost production, climate consultancy services and post-harvest management. The scheme will […] - [African Development Bank commits over $23 mln to Rwanda’s new Aviation Centre of Excellence](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-commits-over-23-mln-rwandas-new-aviation-centre-excellence-65173): The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $23.6 million loan for the construction and equipment of a new aviation training facility in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. The proposed Centre of Excellence for Aviation Skills (CEAS), including an aircraft hangar, will partner with higher learning institutions to produce a skilled workforce to meet global aviation training standards and industry demands. “The Bank’s financial support for this Centre of Excellence speaks to our commitment to investing in human capital to meet demands for the jobs of today – and tomorrow – in Africa’s aviation and related industries,” […] - [Southern Africa Civil Society Regional Forum](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/southern-africa-civil-society-regional-forum-65165): What:       Southern Africa Civil Society Regional Forum Who:        The African Development Bank’s Civil Society and Community Engagement Division When:      24 & 25 October 2023 Where:    Pretoria, South Africa – Hybrid Format The African Development Bank’s Civil Society and Community Engagement Division will host a regional forum with civil society representatives 2in Southern Africa to discuss how to mobilise private sector finance for climate and green growth in Africa. The Forum, financed by the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund, will bring together experts and leaders from civil society, government and the business community […] - [Webinar on the role of the regulator in the energy transition](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/webinar-role-regulator-energy-transition-65153): What:      Webinar on the role of the regulator in the energy transition Who:       The African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) and the African Development Bank When:     Wednesday, 15 November 2023; 12:00 GMT Where:    via Zoom The African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) and the African Development Bank will jointly host a webinar on 15 November 2023 to look at the role of the regulator in the energy transition. The webinar will bring together national and regional electricity regulatory authorities, senior government officials from Africa’s energy ministries, development partners, the private sector, policy and technical experts, academia, think tanks, and civil […] - [The Strange Decline of America’s Global Power](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/opinion/columnists/us-power-republican-party.html): When Hamas attacked Israel, Republicans knew whom to blame: President Biden. Donald Trump asserted that the attack wouldn’t have happened if he were still in the White House; Mike Pence, while condemning Trump for praising Hezbollah, asserted that Biden was somehow endangering U.S. interests by “projecting weakness.” Like much of what the American right says these days, these smears were both vile and infantile. No, the U.S. president isn’t like Green Lantern, able to shape world events through sheer force of will. And Biden has, in fact, taken remarkably tough positions on foreign affairs, much more so than his predecessor. More […] - [Brookfield weighs move into UK pension insurance market](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/brookfield-weighs-move-into-uk-pension-insurance-market/): Business & Finance17 October 2023, 5:31 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Brookfield (BN.TO), through its affiliate Brookfield Reinsurance (BNRE.N), is weighing entering Britain’s burgeoning pension insurance industry and is open to an acquisition to bolster growth.  Market ImpactThe company is scanning the market for potential deals to access the bulk annuities space, where possible targets could include companies like Just Group (JUSTJ.L) and Pension Insurance Corporation.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceInsuranceRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [African Development Bank appoints Dr Akinsola Babalola as Special Assistant to the President](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-appoints-dr-akinsola-babalola-special-assistant-president-65111): The African Development Bank Group has appointed Dr Akinsola Babalola, a banking and finance management professional, Special Assistant to the Bank Group President. Dr Babalola is a Nigerian citizen with over 20 years of experience across sub-Saharan Africa. Before joining the Bank, he was Assistant Vice President at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated in Lome, Togo, where he served in various strategic roles for 11 years. From 2012 to 2017, he was in the office of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer as Business Performance Manager, overseeing the financial performance of Ecobank subsidiaries across more than 30 countries. From 2017 to 2018, Dr Babalola, […] - [Egypt issues Africa’s first Sustainable Panda Bond worth 3.5 billion RMB backed by African Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/egypt-issues-africas-first-sustainable-panda-bond-worth-35-billion-rmb-backed-african-development-bank-and-asian-infrastructure-investment-bank-65097): Egypt has successfully issued a 3-year Sustainability Panda Bond worth  RMB 3.5 billion ($478.7 million). The North African nation is the first on the continent to do so, a move that underscores its commitment to access previously untapped sources of capital to drive economic growth. The African Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank provided partial credit guarantees to support the issuance, paving the way for other African countries to access fast-growing Chinese debt capital markets. Panda bonds are issued in China’s domestic capital market by foreign issuers, typically governments or corporations, and are denominated in Chinese yuan. The combined […] - [24-kilometre road co-financed by African Development Bank and the EU game-changer for livelihoods in The Gambia.](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/24-kilometre-road-co-financed-african-development-bank-and-eu-game-changer-livelihoods-gambia-65085): Gambian President Adama Barrow has commissioned the 24-kilometer Senegambia Bridge access road co-financed by the African Development Bank and the European Union, saying it is a critical link that will help boost trade between Gambians and the rest of Africa.  African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina toured the road during a recent visit to the West African nation. He expressed satisfaction that the bridge has increased economic integration and trade between Senegal, The Gambia, and other countries in the region. “With the completion of the construction works here, we are confident that regional trade will be enhanced and goods […] - [Activist hedge fund Starboard eyes Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/activist-hedge-fund-starboard-eyes-rupert-murdochs-news-corp/): Business & Finance14 October 2023, 2:07 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report Starboard Value, the activist hedge fund run by Jeffrey Smith, has bought shares of News Corp (NWSA.O), a move that could presage new calls from investors for changes to Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.  Market ImpactNews Corp’s shares rose 1% on the Starboard news before trimming gains and ending trading at $20.91. News Corp’s shares are up 14% year-to-date but have underperformed some peers like New York Times Co (NYT.N). Its bets to boost digital revenue and subscriptions have yet to fully pay off. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [An Economics Nobel for Showing How Much Women Matter](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/opinion/columnists/claudia-goldin-nobel-prize.html): Technological progress is a key source of economic growth, but its effects aren’t always fully captured by its effects on gross domestic product. Sometimes a new technology changes everything — the way we work, the way we live, the way we relate to one another in society. Consider, for example, the effects of the birth control pill. If it never occurred to you that modern birth control was a transformative technology, or more broadly that expanding women’s ability to choose had profound economic as well as social effects, you have plenty of company. There have been innumerable books and articles about […] - [SEC does not plan to appeal court decision on Grayscale bitcoin ETF ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/sec-does-not-plan-to-appeal-court-decision-on-grayscale-bitcoin-etf/): Business & FinanceEconomy13 October 2023, 1:37 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will not appeal a recent court ruling that found it was wrong to reject an application from Grayscale Investments to create a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF).  Market ImpactA spot bitcoin ETF would give investors exposure to the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization without having to own it. The SEC has denied all spot bitcoin ETF applications, including Grayscale’s, on the grounds applicants have not shown they can protect investors from market manipulation.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Africa’s ‘optimist-in-chief’ on the continent’s renaissance: ‘Don’t just believe me, believe the data’](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/africas-optimist-chief-continents-renaissance-dont-just-believe-me-believe-data-65031): In an interview with the Guardian, Akinwumi Adesina, head of the African Development Bank, says the outlook is good for a continent with the workers of the future and the best investment opportunities. Africa holds the future workforce for the ageing economies of the west, according to one of the continent’s leading financial figures, who also said it was time to ditch the myths around corruption and risk. In an exclusive interview before this weekend’s World Bank meetings in Morocco, Akinwumi Adesina said there was a resurgence of belief in Africa’s economic prospects and attacked negative stereotyping, adding that there was “every reason […] - [African Development Bank imposes 12-month Conditional Non-Debarment on Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Limited for a Corrupt Practice](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-imposes-12-month-conditional-non-debarment-unik-construction-engineering-pty-limited-corrupt-practice-65007): The African Development Bank Group, on 13 October 2023 announces the conclusion of a negotiated settlement agreement with Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Limited, thus putting an end to sanctions proceedings for a corrupt practice against Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Limited. Pursuant to the negotiated settlement agreement, Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Limited, registered in Botswana, will be under a conditional non-debarment for a period of 12 months, effective 11 October 2023. An investigation conducted by the Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption of the African Development Bank Group established that Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Limited engaged in a corrupt practice in the context […] - [Kenya plans $500 million Eurobond buyback with new loans ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/kenya-plans-500-million-eurobond-buyback-with-new-loans/): Business & FinanceEconomyGovernment12 October 2023, 5:31 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Kenya’s government plans to buy back up to a quarter of its $2 billion international bond maturing next year before year-end. The decision comes after the east African country secured new loans, central bank governor Kamau Thugge told Reuters on the sidelines of the World Bank and IMF meetings in Marrakech. The push, seen as a move aimed at alleviating concerns whether Nairobi can repay the looming debt, lifted the 2024 bond rose sharply.  Market ImpactKenya’s approach to repaying the $2 billion 2024 bond is being watched closely by overseas investors, given its rising debt repayments, weakening currency and soaring bond yields, which have locked many developing countries out of international capital markets.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyFinancial ServicesGovernment & Public ServicesRegions: AfricaCountries: KenyaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [China bans new offshore brokerage accounts to prevent ‘bypassing’ of forex controls](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/china-bans-new-offshore-brokerage-accounts-to-prevent-bypassing-of-forex-controls/): Business & FinanceEconomy12 October 2023, 5:20 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that China has for the first time issued a notice prohibiting domestic brokerages and their overseas units from taking on new mainland clients for offshore trading.  Market ImpactNew investments by existing mainland clients are also to be “strictly monitored” to prevent investors from bypassing China’s foreign exchange controls. The actions, which will restrict capital outflows, come as faltering growth for the world’s second-largest economy has spurred investment overseas, weighing on the yuan and prompting authorities to ramp up efforts to stabilise the currency.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceEconomy & PolicyRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Morocco: Visiting Ouirgane, African Development Bank delegation recognises city’s resilience to earthquake](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/morocco-visiting-ouirgane-african-development-bank-delegation-recognises-citys-resilience-earthquake-65030): African Development Bank Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Service Delivery Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbadé, has saluted the “courage, dedication and work” of Moroccan emergency teams deployed in the Al Haouz region following the devastating earthquake on 8 September. Akin-Olugbadé, who was in Morocco as a participant in the 2023 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, took time off to visit Ouirgane on Tuesday, 10 October, to tour one of the emergency mobile health units set up to treat victims of the disaster to ease pressure on hospitals in Marrakesh. The earthquake killed nearly 3,000 people and injured more than 5,000. “Our thoughts are […] - [Multilateral Development Banks deliver record climate finance of close to $61 billion for low and middle-income economies in 2022](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/multilateral-development-banks-deliver-record-climate-finance-close-61-billion-low-and-middle-income-economies-2022-64989): Climate finance by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) for low-income and middle-income economies reached a new record of $60.7 billion in 2022, up 46 percent compared to 2019 volumes, a new joint report by the MDBs has found. Of the amount, $38.0 billion, or 63%, went into climate change mitigation finance, and $22.7 billion or 37%, supported climate change adaptation. Mobilised private finance stood at $16.9 billion, the report said. The announcement comes as delegates meet in Marrakesh, Morocco, for the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings, where scaling up public climate finance, particularly for low and middle-income economies, […] - [African Development Bank Group Chief Economist Kevin Chika Urama urges Nordic and Irish entrepreneurs in to make Africa their business and investment...](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/african-development-bank-group-chief-economist-kevin-chika-urama-urges-nordic-and-irish-entrepreneurs-make-africa-their-business-and-investment-destination-64974): The African Development Bank Group’s Chief Economist, Prof Kevin Chika Urama, has urged entrepreneurs in Nordic countries and Ireland to make Africa their business and investment destination. Prof Urama, on an official visit to Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway and Sweden between 25-29 September, said Africa’s population boom – projected to make it the world’s most populous region by the end of the century, with up to 3.4 billion people – offers huge business and investment opportunities to the rest of the world. “With a population of more than 1.3 billion [currently], a youthful population of 600 million, rapid urbanization and rising […] - [Why We Should, but Won’t, Reduce the Budget Deficit](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/opinion/us-budget-deficit-interest-rates.html): Amid terrible events abroad and the takeover of the Republican Party by agents of chaos, the U.S. economy has been delivering lots of good news. All indications are that real G.D.P. is still growing fast; we’re adding jobs at an extraordinary pace, even as inflation continues to fall. There is, however, one piece of the economic picture that’s worrisome: Long-term interest rates have gone up a lot since early 2022, especially over the past six months. (I’ll talk about the break-even rate in a minute.) FRED This spike in long-term rates is problematic in a couple of ways. It’s not a […] - [Door maker PGT rebuffs $1.9 bln offer from Koch-backed Miter ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/door-maker-pgt-rebuffs-1-9-bln-offer-from-koch-backed-miter/): Business & FinanceDeals10 October 2023, 1:58 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that PGT Innovations Inc (PGTI.N), a U.S. maker of vinyl and aluminum doors and windows, rebuffed a $1.9 billion acquisition offer from Miter Brands, a competitor backed by Koch Industries. Market ImpactPGT’s board of directors turned down Miter’s fully-financed $33-per-share offer which it deemed inadequate, the sources said. Miter is considering raising its bid to a $36 per share, one of the sources added. PGT shares ended trading on Monday at $26.20.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesMergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasCountries: USWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [African Development Bank builds capacity in 4,500 small enterprises in Guinea, Ghana and Benin](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-builds-capacity-4500-small-enterprises-guinea-ghana-and-benin-64920): The African Development Bank Group‘s country office in Guinea and the non-governmental organization Dare to Innovate have launched the “Project to Build the Resilience of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Guinea, Ghana and Benin”. This project, launched on 5 October, will help to build the capacity of 4,500 micro, small and medium enterprises (1,750 in Guinea, 1,750 in Ghana and 1,000 in Benin), half of them led by women. With representatives of the Bank and DTI, officials from Guinea’s National Directorate of Public Investments, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training and Employment and the […] - [Siemens Energy considers factory, office closures at wind division](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/siemens-energy-considers-factory-office-closures-at-wind-division/): Business & FinanceEnergy09 October 2023, 1:35 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) is considering shutting down Siemens Gamesa factories and sales offices as part of a review aimed at reducing losses at the wind turbine business.  Market ImpactThe German power equipment supplier is struggling with far-reaching quality issues at its onshore wind turbine division as well as potentially loss-making offshore contracts, which have caused its shares to more than halve since June.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: EuropeWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Joint statement by the African Development Bank Group and the Government of Morocco about the 2023 Africa Investment Forum Market Days](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/joint-statement-african-development-bank-group-and-government-morocco-about-2023-africa-investment-forum-market-days-64905): The Africa Investment Forum Market Days will take place as scheduled from 8-10 November 2023 at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco. The Bank and the government are working closely to ensure the success of the event without disrupting the reconstruction efforts that have been ongoing since the devastating earthquake in the country on 8 September 2023. The Bank is committed to providing the government with resources and expertise to assist in rebuilding infrastructure in affected communities. The African Development Bank Group continues to stand in solidarity with the Government and the people of Morocco and commend their resilience in […] - [Gambia: African Development Bank grants nearly $7 million to improve governance and strengthen fiscal resilience](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/gambia-african-development-bank-grants-nearly-7-million-improve-governance-and-strengthen-fiscal-resilience-64881): On Tuesday 3 October, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group, meeting in Abidjan, approved a grant of $6.72 million to The Gambia to support implementation of the first phase of the Public Financial Management and Economic Reform Programme. The Bank’s financial support comes under Pillar 1 of the Transition Support Facility, which is intended for states affected by situations of fragility or conflict. The programme’s goal is to improve governance and fiscal resilience in The Gambia, by supporting public financial management reforms and strengthening social protection systems to reduce the poverty that affects vulnerable populations. The programme will […] - [Egipto: Policía mata a tiros a dos turistas israelíes y a un egipcio en Alejandría](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/alejandria-egipto-policia-mata-a-tiros-a-dos-turistas-de-israel-y-a-un-egipcio-hamas-franja-de-gaza-peninsula-del-sinai-dia-del-perdon-palestina-iran-benjamin-netanyahu-ultimas-noticia/): El video del impactante momento en el que Israel derriba la Torre Palestina en Gaza Hezbolá ataca con misiles a posiciones israelíes en la frontera con Líbano Un policía egipcio mató a tiros a dos turistas israelíes y a un egipcio este domingo en Alejandría, en la costa del norte de Egipto, informaron un medio local y las autoridades, en plena escalada entre Israel y el movimiento palestino Hamás. “Un policía en Alejandría disparó con su arma personal indiscriminadamente contra un grupo de turistas israelíes (…) Dos turistas murieron, también falleció un egipcio y el policía fue detenido”, reportó la cadena de […] - [Masacre en Mali: denuncian la muerte de 16 civiles por parte del Ejército y del grupo Wagner](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/masacre-en-mali-denuncian-la-muerte-de-16-civiles-por-parte-del-ejercito-y-del-grupo-wagner-gao-kidal-csp-ultimas-noticia/): La caída de McCarthy y por qué su sucesor podría ser “más trumpista que Trump” Cómo es la brutal policía de Kenia que será enviada a Haití para combatir a las peligrosas pandillas Los secesionistas del norte de Mali y organismos tribales locales denunciaron este viernes que el Ejército maliense y empresa rusa Wagner masacraron ayer jueves a entre 16 y 17 civiles de una aldea de la región norteña de Gao. En un comunicado, el grupo Marco Estratégico Permanente (CSP, siglas en francés), que exige la independencia del norte de Mali, afirma que el ataque se produjo este jueves en […] - [Kenya, African Development Bank Group sign memorandum on hosting 2024 Annual Meetings in Nairobi](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/kenya-african-development-bank-group-sign-memorandum-hosting-2024-annual-meetings-nairobi-64846): The Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank Group on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding on hosting the Bank Group’s Annual Meetings in the East African country next year. The 59th Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank and the 50th meeting of the African Development Fund—the African Development Bank Group’s concessional arm for low-income countries—will take place in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, from the 27th to 31st May 2024. The Annual Meetings, the Group’s foremost statutory event, provide the stage for its boards of governors and management to review the organisation’s activities over the previous year and adopt resolutions on key […] - [West Africa: African Development Bank, Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development sign loan agreement for $50 million and €50 million to enhance...](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/west-africa-african-development-bank-ecowas-bank-investment-and-development-sign-loan-agreement-50-million-and-eu50-million-enhance-regional-food-security-64828): The African Development Bank Group and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) have signed an agreement for a dual currency line of credit comprising $50 million and €50 million to support local agricultural businesses in West Africa. Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, and Solomon Quaynor, African Development Bank Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and industrialisation, formalised the agreement during a signing ceremony at the African Development Bank’s Abidjan headquarters. Dr. Donkor said, “This credit facility illustrates EBID’s continued efforts to mobilise adequate resources to honour its commitment to the […] - [Benin: African Development Bank's 2023 Country Focus Report calls for a concerted effort to seize investment opportunities](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/benin-african-development-banks-2023-country-focus-report-calls-concerted-effort-seize-investment-opportunities-64824): The African Development Bank has called on Benin to adopt a concerted approach to seize investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, transport and green industry, in its 2023 Country Focus Report, launched in Cotonou on 3 October 2023. The report published on the theme of “Mobilizing private sector financing for climate and green growth” forms part of African Economic Outlook 2023, the Bank’s flagship report published in May 2023. At the launch ceremony, the report’s findings and recommendations prompted exchanges between ministers, ambassadors, representatives of international institutions, private sector leaders and members of civil society. José Tonato, Benin’s Minister of Quality of […] - [Empowering Youth and SMEs for Climate Resilience](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/empowering-youth-and-smes-climate-resilience-64812): What:              Seminar on Empowering Youth and SMEs for Climate Resilience: Innovative Finance for Transformative Adaptation at the Adaptation Futures Conference 2023  Who:               Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), a joint initiative of the African Development Bank Group and the Global Center on Adaptation; and the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) When:             4 October 2023, 13:35 – 13:55 Canada Time  (GMT -4) Where:           Palais des Congrès de Montréal, Quebec, Canada The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) and the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) will jointly host a seminar on Empowering Youth and SMEs for Climate Resilience: Innovative Finance for Transformative Adaptation on […] - [Asia PE firm Affinity halts continuation fund plan ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/asia-pe-firm-affinity-halts-continuation-fund-plan/): Business & Finance04 October 2023, 3:44 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Hong Kong-based Affinity Equity Partners has paused plans to launch a so-called continuation fund enabling itself and its investors to sell down their shares in companies because of unfavourable market conditions. A continuation fund is a new investment vehicle created by a private equity (PE) firm to transfer holdings of some existing investments. The concept has gained traction in Asia in recent years as PE firms’ exit from companies via initial public offerings (IPOs) or mergers and acquisitions became challenging.  Market ImpactThe pausing of its continuation fund plan highlights fewer options for PE firms to exit their investments in companies amid an economic slowdown and higher interest rates that have eaten into asset valuations and resulted in increased funding costs.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Somalia: African Development Bank Group approves $13.3 million grant to help improve domestic revenue mobilisation and public expenditure management](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/somalia-african-development-bank-group-approves-133-million-grant-help-improve-domestic-revenue-mobilisation-and-public-expenditure-management-64772): The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group on 2 October 2023 approved a grant of $13.29 million to Somalia to help improve domestic revenue mobilization and public expenditure management under the Institutional Support for Economic Governance Project. The grant comprises $9.31 million from the resources of the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional financing window for low-income countries, and $3.98 million from Pillar 1 of the Transition Support Facility for fragile states. The project entails providing technical assistance, training and tools to improve Somalia’s domestic revenue mobilization and build institutional capacity at all levels of the federal […] - [Will A.I. Transform the Economy, and if So, How?](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/opinion/ai-jobs-economy-budget.html): So, will artificial intelligence transform the economy? Today I thought I’d take a break from my usual preoccupation with ongoing crises to engage in a bit of bigthink about how technology may change the economic landscape in the years ahead, including a topic that seems important but hasn’t drawn much attention: how A.I. might change the U.S. budget outlook. Starting last fall there was a huge surge in buzz, both positive and negative, about A.I. That buzz seems to have died down to some extent, with usage of ChatGPT, the most famous implementation of the technology, declining in recent months. And […] - [Madagascar: African Development Bank and the Government join forces to secure water access and strengthen climate change resilience](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/madagascar-african-development-bank-and-government-join-forces-secure-water-access-and-strengthen-climate-change-resilience-64752): The African Development Bank and Madagascar’s Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene have launched the preparation stage of a project to protect and develop water resources and strengthen the nation’s climate change resilience. With funding of US$3.32 million from the African Development Fund’s Project Preparation Facility and administered by the African Development Bank Group, the project follows a request from the Malagasy authorities for help to tackle the socio-economic and environmental impact of climate change on communities and ecosystems. It mainly covers the regions of Amoron’i Mania, Vakinankaratra, Analamanga (Centre), Haute Matsiatra, Ihorombe (South-east) and Androy (South). It comes at a […] - [East Africa Civil Society Regional Forum](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/east-africa-civil-society-regional-forum-64719): What:        East Africa Civil Society Regional Forum Who:         The African Development Bank’s Civil Society and Community Engagement Division When:       18 & 19 October 2023 Where:      Nairobi, Kenya – Hybrid Format The Civil Society and Community Engagement Division of the African Development Bank (AfDB) is pleased to announce the Regional Civil Society Forum for East Africa, scheduled for October, 18th and 19th in Nairobi, Kenya. This event is part of a regional forum series to be held in 2023 on the global theme: “Engaging civil society in mobilizing private sector financing for […] - [Detienen a 45 migrantes venezolanos en aguas de Guyana](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/detienen-a-45-migrantes-venezolanos-en-aguas-de-guyana-video-vergnoegen-esequibo-ultimas-noticia/): Borrell pide no especular con la fecha de ingreso de Ucrania a la UE Lula da Silva recibió la alta médica anticipada tras una cirugía en la cadera Un grupo de 45 migrantes venezolanos fueron detenidos por las fuerzas de seguridad de Guyana al tratar de llegar ilegalmente al país vecino, informaron este domingo las autoridades locales. Los indocumentados llegaron a Guyana el pasado viernes abordo de un destartalado bote de pesca cerca de la villa de Vergnoegen, en la costa este de la zona del Esequibo, región disputada entre ambos países suramericanos. MÁS INFORMACIÓN | EE. UU. y ONU condenan […] - [Are High Interest Rates the New Normal?](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/29/opinion/natural-interest-rate-higher.html): Goodbye, inflation. Hello, unsustainable debt. If you’ve spent any substantial amount of time engaged in discourse about the economy — and I, alas, have been at it for decades — you know that there’s always something to worry about. At the start of 2023, the big worry was inflation, with many asserting that bringing inflation down to an acceptable rate would require a recession and a prolonged period of high unemployment. What we’ve seen, however, is so-called immaculate disinflation as the economy works out its pandemic-era kinks. The Fed’s usual measure of underlying inflation ran at only 2.2 percent (annualized) over […] - [Deutsche Boerse has started CEO search](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/deutsche-boerse-has-started-ceo-search/): Business & Finance29 September 2023, 3:34 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that German stock exchange operator Deutsche Boerse (DB1Gn.DE) has begun the search for a new chief executive that includes both external as well as internal candidates.  Market ImpactDeutsche Boerse CEO Theodor Weimer said in June that he would not pursue another term when his contract runs out next year at the helm of one of Germany’s most valuable companies, saying “fresh blood” was needed.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [A New Vision for Africa Policy Dialogue: Enhancing Africa-Asia Cooperation on Green Minerals](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/new-vision-africa-policy-dialogue-enhancing-africa-asia-cooperation-green-minerals-64678): What: Policy Dialogue for African and Asian Audiences on Enhancing Cooperation Between Africa and Asia in Developing Green Minerals Value Chains Who: African Development Bank Group When: Tuesday, 17 October 2023; Time: 8:00-10:30 AM GMT | 13:30-16:00 (India Standard Time) | 16:00-18:30 PM (China Standard Time) | 17:00-19:30 (Japan/Korea Standard Time) Where: Virtual (Click here to register) The African Development Bank’s Asia External Representation Office (PEXT) and its African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre (ECNR) will jointly organize a second policy dialogue as part of the A New Vision for Africa series. The virtual event – titled Enhancing Cooperation between […] - [Why the Donald Trump Fraud Case Matters](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/opinion/donald-trump-fraud-case.html): Ever since debt was invented in ancient Sumer, there have probably been people enriching themselves through bad investments. The trick is to make these investments using other people’s money. Suppose, for example, that a wheeler-dealer uses borrowed funds to make risky investments in New Jersey casinos. If the investments somehow end up making money, he can pocket the profits. But if the investments fail, he may — if he’s been tricky about the wording in his loans or manages to persuade his creditors not to go after his other assets — be able to walk away and leave other people holding […] - [China’s Nio explores investment, tech alliances with Mercedes ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/chinas-nio-explores-investment-tech-alliances-with-mercedes/): AutomotiveBusiness & FinanceTechnology28 September 2023, 4:24 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Nio (9866.HK) has held exploratory talks with Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) for a tie-up that would see the German automaker invest in the Chinese electric vehicle startup in exchange for technology.  Market ImpactNio’s founder and chief executive William Li discussed the potential collaboration with Mercedes CEO Ola Kaellenius earlier this year, seeking an investment from the latter in exchange for loss-making Nio sharing its research and development capabilities with Mercedes, said the sources. The Nio-Mercedes talks align with a trend of closer collaboration between legacy automakers and new players as Chinese EV companies, lacking cash, seek to survive a consolidating domestic industry by trying to sell innovations to established automakers.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: AutomotiveBusiness & FinanceTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Industrial Goods & ManufacturingTechnologyTransport & LogisticsRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [African Development Bank launches country-by-country reports on Africa's climate change, green growth financing needs ahead of COP28](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-launches-country-country-reports-africas-climate-change-green-growth-financing-needs-ahead-cop28-64656): Ahead of the 28th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 28), the African Development Bank Group has launched country-by-country economic reports to guide African policymakers in their discussions at the global event. The new Country Focus Reports (CFRs) provide analysis and policy recommendations to strengthen countries’ active participation at COP 28, which takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December. The theme of the reports is “Mobilising private sector finance for climate and green growth in Africa”. The reports foster policy dialogue on macroeconomic performance and outlook and provide insights on mobilising private sector and […] - [Africa Investment Forum to hold Market Days from 8-10 November in Marrakech, Morocco](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/africa-investment-forum-hold-market-days-8-10-november-marrakech-morocco-64663): The Africa Investment Forum Market Days will take place as scheduled from November 8 -10 2023 at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco. The decision, taken in agreement with His Majesty Mohammed VI’s government, follows a careful assessment to guarantee the safety of participants. We are committed to ensuring that the event will not disrupt vital relief and reconstruction efforts that have been ongoing since the devastating earthquake in the country on 8 September. The African Development Bank and its co-founding partners have received assurances that most hotels in the city are safe and able to host guests. In addition, […] - [Refugiados por el terremoto en Marruecos esperan en tiendas la reconstrucción de sus casas](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-refugiados-esperan-en-tiendas-la-reconstruccion-de-sus-casas-marrakech-amizmiz-alto-atlas-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Arrestan en Marruecos a una persona que intentó vender ayudas para víctimas del terremoto La ONU moviliza un equipo de ayuda de Marruecos hacia Libia ante amplitud de la tragedia Miles de personas afectadas por el seísmo del pasado día 8 en Marruecos, que dejó casi 3.000 muertos, esperan que comience la reconstrucción de sus casas viviendo en tiendas de campaña facilitadas por el Gobierno marroquí, a las que se está proveyendo de alumbrado público, agua y servicios de salud móviles. La localidad de Amizmiz, a unos 60 kilómetros al sur de Marrakech y en las faldas del Alto Atlas, es […] - [JPMorgan shuffles bosses as Rivas to retire as head of North American investment banking](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/jpmorgan-shuffles-bosses-as-rivas-to-retire-as-head-of-north-american-investment-banking/): Business & Finance26 September 2023, 3:20 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported on major leadership changes atop JPMorgan’s investment bank. The moves included the promotion of a new North America head to replace prominent banker Fernando Rivas, elevation of several global heads and formation of a new digital banking unit.  Market ImpactThe story was picked up by Bloomberg and later matched by Bloomberg and MarketWatch. It follows an earlier exclusive on a management reshuffle at rival Bank of America (which won a Reuters Best at the time).  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Former World Bank President Jim Yong Kim to deliver 2023 Kofi Annan Eminent Speakers’ Lecture](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/events/former-world-bank-president-jim-yong-kim-deliver-2023-kofi-annan-eminent-speakers-lecture-64551): WHAT: 2023 Kofi Annan Eminent Speakers’ Lecture WHO: African Development Institute of the African Development Bank Group WHEN: Friday, 20 October 2023, 14:00 to 16:00 GMT WHERE: African Development Bank HQ CCIA Abidjan and online. Register here. Former World Bank President Jim Yong Kim will deliver the 2023 Kofi Annan Eminent Speakers’ Lecture at an online event organised by the African Development Bank Group’s African Development Institute (ADI). The session, titled The Changing Global Development Finance Architecture: Implications for Multilateral Development Banks post COVID, will also feature the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and the Bank’s […] - [Poland’s Unimot in talks to buy Shell’s stake in German Schwedt refinery ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/polands-unimot-in-talks-to-buy-shells-stake-in-german-schwedt-refinery/): Business & FinanceDealsEnergy25 September 2023, 1:28 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Poland’s Unimot (UNTP.WA) has emerged as one of the possible buyers of a 37.5% stake oil major Shell (SHEL.L) owns in Germany’s PCK Schwedt refinery. Market ImpactThe refinery, which is majority-owned by Russia’s Rosneft (ROSN.MM), has been a problem for the German government ever since Berlin ended its energy ties with Moscow last year. Germany put Rosneft’s 54.17% stake under trusteeship, essentially giving the government control over the asset while technically leaving ownership in the Russian group’s hands.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsEnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyPolandWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [African Development Bank debars Joycot General Contractors Limited for 15 months for fraudulent practices](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-debars-joycot-general-contractors-limited-15-months-fraudulent-practices-64532): The African Development Bank Group, on 25 September 2023, announces the 15-month debarment of Joycot General Contractors Ltd. effective 8 September 2023. Joycot General Contractors Ltd. is a construction company registered under the laws of Kenya. An investigation conducted by the Bank’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption found that Joycot General Contractors Ltd. engaged in fraudulent practices during a tender for the construction of reticulation sewers in Kahawa West, Kahawa Sukari, a component of the Nairobi Rivers Basin Rehabilitation and Restoration Programme: Sewerage Improvement Project Phase II, Kenya. The Nairobi Rivers Basin Rehabilitation and Restoration Programme: Sewerage Improvement Project Phase II, […] - [AfDB, EBRD announce joint task force to build entrepreneurship and jobs creation in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/afdb-ebrd-announce-joint-task-force-build-entrepreneurship-and-jobs-creation-egypt-morocco-and-tunisia-64480): The African Development Bank Group and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on Thursday announced the setting up of a joint taskforce to foster entrepreneurship to catalyse jobs creation and growth in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. The official launch of the taskforce took place on Thursday, 21 September 2023 during a workshop in Tunis, at the North Africa Regional Office of the African Development Bank. The Joint North Africa Task Force on Entrepreneurship and MSMEs for jobs impact will operate under the Framework Partnership Agreement signed by the EBRD and the AfDB in May 2021. The taskforce will ensure […] - [Unilever launches new bid to sell Q Tips and other brands](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/unilever-launches-new-bid-to-sell-q-tips-and-other-brands/): Business & Finance20 September 2023, 2:14 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Unilever Plc (ULVR.L) has hired investment banks Morgan Stanley (MS.N) and Evercore Inc (EVR.N) to sell a basket of non-core beauty and personal care brands that include Q-Tips and Impulse, reviving an effort it abandoned two years ago. The revival of the sale process represents the first major move by Hein Schumacher, who took over as Unilever’s chief executive in July with a focus to streamline its business as it grapples with inflation.  Market ImpactThe brand portfolio, known as Elida Beauty, also includes Caress, TIGI, Timotei, Monsavon, St. Ives, Zwitsal, Ponds, Brut, Moussel, Alberto Balsam and Matey. Elida generated about $760 million in revenue in 2022. Unilever worked with Credit Suisse in 2021 to divest Elida but pulled the process later that year, after cherry-picking of the brands for sale by other consumer companies led to offers that did not meet its valuation expectations.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRetail & Consumer GoodsRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Tormenta, mar caliente y represas colapsadas: Así fue la tragedia en Libia que deja miles de muertos y desaparecidos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-como-ocurrieron-las-inundaciones-que-dejan-miles-de-muertos-derna-tormenta-daniel-el-nino-calentamiento-del-mar-clima-cambio-climatico-noticia/): El domingo empezó el diluvio en Libia. Luego vieneron las inundaciones y la devastación total. Hasta este jueves, las autoridades informaron de al menos 6.872 muertos y más de 10.000 desparecidos. Las organizaciones de ayuda internacional creen que la cifra de fallecidos se multiplicará cuando se haga el balance final, pues hay numerosos poblados que están incomunicados. En los últimos días, el mar ha empezado a varar los cadáveres de personas que fueron arrastradas por la corriente, en unas imágenes sobrecogedoras que describen muy bien la magnitud de la tragedia. MIRA: Un avión de la DEA y un perro policía: Así […] - [African Development Bank and Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI) sign agreement to deploy environmental and climate-...](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-and-korea-environmental-industry-and-technology-institute-keiti-sign-agreement-deploy-environmental-and-climate-resilient-technologies-africa-64450): The African Development Bank and the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITTI) have signed a joint technical assistance agreement to enable the scale up of investment in low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies. This will ultimately support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in many African countries. The two parties signed the pact on14 September, on the sidelines of the 7th Korea-Africa Ministerial Conference on Economic Cooperation, held in Korea’s second largest city, Busan. Through this partnership, Korea will share technology, experience, and knowledge with the bank’s African member countries. Korea will assist these countries to identify and develop eco-friendly projects. African […] - [Why People Think Inflation Is Worse Than it Is](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/19/opinion/core-inflation-rate-data.html): A funny thing happened to me on the internet the other day. Like many economists, I’ve been looking at various measures of underlying inflation to try to peer through the economic fog, and I thought I should post an update on one measure that I’ve emphasized in the past: consumer prices excluding food, energy, used cars and shelter. To my surprise, my dry technical post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, drew a huge number of mostly hostile comments: X There were also outraged comments on other social media platforms and some angry emails. The gist of most of […] - [UBS names South Korea, India, others as ‘slow’ on Credit Suisse approval ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ubs-names-south-korea-india-others-as-slow-on-credit-suisse-approval/): Business & FinanceDeals19 September 2023, 2:58 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that UBS has identified at least four countries, including South Korea and India, as being “slow” to grant the regulatory approvals needed to complete its takeover of Credit Suisse, an internal document reviewed by Reuters shows. The Swiss banking giant has also highlighted Ireland and Saudi Arabia as “slow jurisdictions” in granting licenses, according to the previously unreported document which was dated Sept. 6 and was circulated to UBS (UBSG.S) staff globally.  Market ImpactPrepared by UBS after a global review to assess the timeline of regulatory approvals necessary for the integration of Credit Suisse to complete, the document said uncooperative regulators could put transactions such as the Swiss bank deal at risk. The document says that “a single non-cooperative regulator can jeopardize the timeline of the parent bank merger and other transactions”, impacting other related integration deals.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [El hombre que sobrevivió 60 horas en un barco hundido en el fondo del mar](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/harrison-okene-el-hombre-que-sobrevivio-60-horas-en-un-barco-hundido-en-el-fondo-del-mar-nigeria-narracion-historias-ec-noticia/): “Querían un golpe de Estado”: Cómo es el megacaso por la asonada contra Lula donde Brasil juzga a 1.390 personas La mágica historia de Marrakech, “el París del Sahara” que sedujo a celebridades y artistas de todo el mundo Harrison Okene no olvida el momento en el que el barco en el que navegaba se empezó a hundir. El nigeriano, entonces de 29 años, trabajaba como cocinero a bordo de un remolcador, el Jascon 4, que se encontraba a unos 32 kilómetros de la costa de Nigeria cuando naufragó repentinamente debido a un desperfecto. MIRA: La extraordinaria historia de Tony Osornio, […] - [Mozambique: African Development Fund approves $20 million to improve business environment and drive investments to climate-smart agriculture](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/mozambique-african-development-fund-approves-20-million-improve-business-environment-and-drive-investments-climate-smart-agriculture-64389): The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund, the African Development Bank Group’s concessional lending window, has approved a grant of $19.98 million to finance the implementation of Mozambique’s Economic Acceleration and Governance Support Programme. This funding is the first of two successive geberal budget support operations for fiscal years 2023 and 2024, each worth about $20 million. The programme will support reforms in two broad areas, namely (i) Improving the private sector enabling environment for economic recovery and green growth, and (ii) Strengthening the efficiency, accountability and transparency of public expenditure. It will enable Mozambique to streamline the regulatory […] - [Madagascar: African Development Bank launches digital platform to drive business linkages.](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/madagascar-african-development-bank-launches-digital-platform-drive-business-linkages-64393): The African Development Bank on 14 September 2023 launched a digital platform in Madagascar to help drive business linkages in the island country southeast of Africa. The Mada Business Linkage is a B2B digital platform that interconnects registered businesses operating in Madagascar. Launched in the capital, Antananarivo, It targets companies looking for suppliers or subcontractors and gives visibility to firms seeking business partnerships. Between now and early 2024, Malagasy companies will register and use the platform to showcase themselves to others on the network at no cost. They can also use the platform to tap data on targeted businesses and offer […] - [Visit to African Development Bank by Swedfund delegation signals push for closer partnership](https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/visit-african-development-bank-swedfund-delegation-signals-push-closer-partnership-64381): During a visit to the African Development Bank, Swedfund CEO Maria Hakaanson has expressed keen interest in strengthening the cooperation and exploring opportunities for the Swedish state development finance institution’s strategic portfolio. Hakaanson visited the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan on 14 September at the head of a delegation that comprised Kitanha Toure, Regional Director for West Africa, Fredrik Linton, Chief Business Development & Special Operations Office and Ann-Caroline Andersson, Chief Administrative and HR officer. The Swedfund delegation met with African Development Bank Senior Vice President Swazi Tshabalala; African Development Bank Director for Portfolio Delivery and Impact Yvette Glele, newly appointed Director […] - [Canadian lender BMO to wind down retail auto finance business ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/canadian-lender-bmo-to-wind-down-retail-auto-finance-business/): Business & Finance17 September 2023, 6:08 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was ahead in reporting that Bank of Montreal (BMO) is winding down its retail auto finance business and shifting focus to other areas in a move that will result unspecified number of job losses, Canada’s third largest bank. Market ImpactThe move, applicable in Canada and the United States, comes after BMO’s bad debt provisions in retail trade surged to C$81 million ($60 million) in the quarter ended July 31 compared with a recovery of C$9 million a year ago, in a sign of growing stress consumers face from a rapid rise in borrowing costs.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: AmericasNorth AmericaCountries: CanadaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [20 años agrietadas y sin mantenimiento: lo que revela la investigación sobre las represas de Libia que contribuyeron a la tragedia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-las-represas-de-derna-tenian-fisuras-y-falta-de-mantenimiento-desde-1999-tormenta-daniel-inundaciones-que-provoco-la-tragedia-en-libia-noticia/): A una semana de las inundaciones en Libia, socorristas buscan entre escombros a miles de desaparecidos El megacaso por la asonada golpista contra Lula da Silva donde Brasil juzga a 1.390 personas Los resultados preliminares de la investigación abierta sobre el colapso de las dos presas de Derna, al este de Libia, revelan la aparición de las primeras fisuras en 1999 y la falta de mantenimiento pese a las recomendaciones de una auditoría extranjera consultada en el 2002, lo que podría haber limitado drásticamente el número de víctimas que superan ya las 11.300. La empresa turca contratada para dicho estudio habría […] - [A una semana de las inundaciones en Libia, socorristas buscan entre escombros a miles de desaparecidos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-socorristas-continuan-con-la-busqueda-de-miles-de-desaparecidos-una-semana-despues-de-inundaciones-derna-tormenta-daniel-othman-abdeljalil-media-luna-roja-tripoli-ultimas-noticia/): Libia: asciende a 11.300 el número de muertos por inundaciones en Derna, según ONU Tragedia en Libia: las represas que reventaron en Derna llevaban agrietadas desde 1998 Una semana después de las devastadoras inundaciones que arrasaron la ciudad libia de Derna y dejaron miles de muertos, los socorristas locales, apoyados por equipos extranjeros, continúan este domingo la búsqueda de los cuerpos de las personas aún desaparecidas. Los equipos de rescate, vestidos con trajes protectores y con mascarillas continúan con la ardua tarea de buscar supervivientes que puedan estar atrapados en el lodo o entre los edificios destrozados, los coches que fueron aplastados o […] - [Libia: asciende a 11.300 el número de muertos por inundaciones en Derna, según ONU](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-asciende-a-11300-el-numero-de-muertos-por-inundaciones-en-derna-segun-onu-tormenta-lluvias-ultimas-noticia/): Más de 10 mil migrantes en 72 horas: la isla italiana de Lampedusa en emergencia por ola de refugiados Cazas y buques chinos alrededor de Taiwán: ¿qué tan probable es una invasión militar a la isla? El balance de víctimas mortales de las catastróficas inundaciones provocadas hace una semana en Libia por la tormenta Daniel aumentó a 11.300 en la ciudad de Derna, anunció el sábado un organismo de la ONU. LEE MÁS | Tragedia en Libia: las represas que reventaron en Derna llevaban agrietadas desde 1998 Otras 10.100 personas siguen desaparecidas en la ciudad, indicó la Oficina de Coordinación de […] - [Tragedia en Libia: las represas que reventaron en Derna llevaban agrietadas desde 1998](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tragedia-en-libia-las-represas-que-reventaron-en-derna-llevaban-agrietadas-desde-1998-libia-muamar-gadafi-abu-mansur-al-bilad-ultimas-noticia/): Cazas y buques chinos alrededor de Taiwán: ¿qué tan probable es una invasión militar a la isla? Tormenta, mar caliente y represas colapsadas: Así fue la tragedia en Libia que deja miles de muertos y desaparecidos Las dos represas que se rompieron cerca de la ciudad libia de Derna, provocando una inundación con miles de muertos, presentaban desde 1998 grietas que nunca fueron reparadas, según varios informes y estudios. LEE TAMBIÉN: Los niños afectados por el terremoto en Marruecos retomarán las clases el lunes en tiendas e internados Estas obras monumentales construidas sobre el cauce homónimo fueron descuidadas por las administraciones […] - [Los niños afectados por el terremoto en Marruecos retomarán las clases el lunes en tiendas e internados](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-los-ninos-afectados-por-el-terremoto-en-marruecos-retomaran-las-clases-el-lunes-en-tiendas-e-internados-alto-atlas-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Cazas y buques chinos alrededor de Taiwán: ¿qué tan probable es una invasión militar a la isla? Tormenta, mar caliente y represas colapsadas: Así fue la tragedia en Libia que deja miles de muertos y desaparecidos Los miles de niños de las zonas del Alto Atlas marroquí afectadas por el terremoto del pasado día 8 retomarán las clases el próximo lunes en tiendas de campaña habilitadas y en internados en la ciudad próxima de Marrakech. LEE TAMBIÉN: Putin sale en defensa de Trump: qué busca ahora el presidente ruso y en qué ocasiones se reunieron Según informaron a EFE dos responsables […] - [Arrestan en Marruecos a una persona que intentó vender ayudas para víctimas del terremoto](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-arrestan-en-marruecos-a-una-persona-que-intento-vender-ayudas-para-victimas-del-terremoto-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Cumbre entre Putin y Kim Jong-un: ¿de qué hablaron y por qué preocupa a Occidente? Tormenta, mar caliente y represas colapsadas: Así fue la tragedia en Libia que deja miles de muertos y desaparecidos La policía marroquí arrestó este viernes en Settat, a unos 160 kilómetros al sur de Rabat, a una persona que intentó vender productos de consumo donados para las víctimas del terremoto que azotó hace una semana varias localidades de las montañas del Atlas del sur del país. LEE TAMBIÉN: Un avión de la DEA y un perro policía: Así fue la captura de película del asesino Danelo […] - [Siete golpes de Estado en tres años: ¿Cómo se explica la inestabilidad que viene sufriendo África?](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/africa-gabon-mali-guinea-conakri-sudan-burkina-faso-siete-golpes-de-estado-en-tres-anos-que-hay-detras-de-la-inestabilidad-que-esta-sufriendo-africa-ali-bongo-noticia/): Francia condena el golpe de Estado en Gabón y pide que se respete el resultado electoral El presidente de Gabón pide ayuda a la comunidad internacional tras el golpe militar El golpe de Estado perpetrado por los militares esta semana en Gabón suma a este remoto país del África Central a la lista de naciones de dicho continente que han vivido situaciones similares en los últimos tres años. MIRA: Militares dan golpe de Estado en Gabón y ponen al presidente Ali Bongo en arresto domiciliario Poco después de que las autoridades electorales gabonesas proclamasen la victoria de Ali Bongo -en el […] - [Terremoto en Marruecos: Ministros donan un mes de salario para apoyar a las víctimas del poderoso sismo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-ministros-donan-un-mes-de-salario-para-apoyar-a-las-victimas-del-poderoso-sismo-aziz-ajanuch-consejo-del-gobierno-mohamed-vi-marrakech-ighil-ultimas-noticia/): Se agotan las esperanzas de encontrar más sobrevivientes del terremoto en Marruecos Al menos 2.862 muertos y 2.562 heridos en el peor terremoto de la historia de Marruecos Los ministros del Gobierno marroquí y los diferentes delegados ministeriales donarán un mes de salario para ayudar a las víctimas del terremoto que azotó el pasado 8 de septiembre a varias zonas del sur del país y causó casi 3.000 muertos. La decisión se tomó este jueves en la reunión del Consejo del Gobierno presidido por el jefe del Ejecutivo, Aziz Ajanuch, según informó una nota. MIRA AQUÍ: Terremoto en Marruecos: Mohamed VI […] - [How SoftBank played it safe in pricing Arm’s IPO](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/how-softbank-played-it-safe-in-pricing-arms-ipo/): Business & FinanceDealsTechnology14 September 2023, 2:56 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that SoftBank Group (9984.T) CEO Masayoshi Son was in San Francisco on Wednesday when he joined a call with his bankers in New York to make a final decision about his company’s most valuable asset: chip designer Arm Holdings (ARM.O). Arm’s blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed by 12 times, and could have been priced at $52 per share, above the indicated range of $47 to $51. Market ImpactArm’s blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed by 12 times, and could have been priced at $52 per share, above the indicated range of $47 to $51.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AmericasCountries: United StatesWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [“El mar no para de devolver cuerpos”: la angustia de sobrevivientes y familiares de víctimas de las inundaciones en Libia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-el-mar-no-para-de-devolver-cuerpos-la-angustia-de-sobrevivientes-y-familiares-de-victimas-de-las-inundaciones-en-derna-tormenta-daniel-noticia/): Imágenes de las devastadoras inundaciones que han dejado más de 3.000 muertos y 10.000 desaparecidos en Libia “Al menos 10 miembros de mi familia han muerto”: los duros testimonios del devastador terremoto de Marruecos Las imágenes son desoladoras. Cadáveres abandonados en las calles, personas sacando cuerpos debajo de los escombros con sus propias manos. Testigos directos del horror le dijeron a la BBC que barrios y edificios enteros fueron arrastrados al mar mientras la gente dormía. MIRA: 6 gráficos que muestran la destrucción provocada por las catastróficas inundaciones en Libia Y ahora “el mar está devolviendo decenas de cadáveres”, relató Hichem […] - [6 gráficos que muestran la destrucción provocada por las catastróficas inundaciones en Libia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-6-graficos-que-muestran-la-destruccion-provocada-por-las-catastroficas-inundaciones-en-derna-noticia/): ¿Cómo se conocieron Emma Coronel y El Chapo Guzmán y qué hacía ella dentro del Cártel de Sinaloa? Por qué los republicanos ordenaron una investigación para juicio político a Biden (y qué tiene que ver su hijo Hunter) Más de 5.000 personas murieron y miles más siguen desaparecidas después de que inundaciones catastróficas barrieran gran parte de la ciudad portuaria de Derna, en Libia. Barrios enteros desaparecieron en el mar cuando un torrente de agua parecido a un tsunami atravesó toda la ciudad. MIRA: Imágenes de las devastadoras inundaciones que han dejado más de 3.000 muertos y 10.000 desaparecidos en Libia […] - [Libia superada tras el ciclón Daniel que ha dejado 6.872 muertos y 10.000 desaparecidos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tragedia-en-libia-libia-superada-tras-el-ciclon-daniel-que-ha-dejado-6872-muertos-y-10000-desaparecidos-ultimas-noticia/): La frontera EEUU – México es la ruta migratoria terrestre más peligrosa del mundo Cómo es el lento y lujoso tren antibalas de Kim Jong-un en el que viajó a Rusia para su encuentro con Putin El ciclón Daniel, que atravesó este domingo el noreste de Libia, ha sido “un desastre que supera las capacidades de Libia” tras dejar al menos 6.872 muertos y más de 10.000 desaparecidos a su paso según las cifras provisionales, declaró este miércoles el jefe del Consejo Presidencial, Mohamed al Manfi. LEE TAMBIÉN: Kim seguirá en Rusia para visitar fábricas de aviones e instalaciones militares En […] - [Imágenes de las devastadoras inundaciones que han dejado más de 3.000 muertos y 10.000 desaparecidos en Libia](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-imagenes-de-las-devastadoras-inundaciones-que-han-dejado-mas-de-3000-muertos-y-10000-desaparecidos-por-la-tormenta-daniel-barriadas-enteras-fueron-arrastradas-con-sus-residentes-hasta-el-mar-noticia/): Tragedia en Libia: Cruz Roja advierte de número de muertos “enorme” y 10.000 desaparecidos por inundaciones El adolescente que mató a sus padres y hermanos cuando tenía 14 años y que nunca podrá salir de la cárcel Los fallecidos superan ya los 3.000 y se calcula que hay unas 10.000 personas desaparecidas. Las devastadoras inundaciones provocadas por la tormenta Daniel que han arrasado el este de Libia, las peores de las últimas cuatro décadas, han dejado ciudades completamente aisladas, presas y puentes arrasados y una estela de muerte a su paso. MIRA: 4 razones que explican por qué el golpe del […] - [Tragedia en Libia: número de muertos por el ciclón Daniel alcanza los 5.200 en la ciudad de Derna](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/libia-numeros-de-fallecidos-por-ciclon-daniel-alcanzo-los-5200-en-derna-ultimas-noticia/): Tragedia en Libia: Cruz Roja advierte de número de muertos “enorme” y 10.000 desaparecidos por inundaciones Cómo es el lento y lujoso tren blindado de Kim Jong-un en el que viajó a Rusia para su encuentro con Putin El número de fallecidos por el ciclón Daniel, que atravesó este domingo el noreste de Libia, alcanzó los 5.200 mientras los desaparecidos superaron los 8.200 sólo en la ciudad de Derna, la más afectada según cifras provisionales de las autoridades que controlan el este del país. El portavoz del Ministerio del Interior del Gobierno paralelo del este, basado en Bengasi y apoyado por […] - [Terremoto en Marruecos: Mohamed VI habla con heridos y médicos y dona sangre en su visita al hospital de Marrakech](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-mohamed-vi-habla-con-heridos-y-medicos-y-dona-sangre-en-su-visita-al-hospital-de-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): 50 años del golpe de Estado: Chile está dividido y con la figura de Pinochet en ascenso Por qué Estados Unidos advierte que a la contraofensiva de Ucrania sólo le quedan 45 días El rey Mohamed VI de Marruecos charló con varios heridos y con personal sanitario durante su visita al Centro Hospitalario de Marrakech, donde también donó sangre para las víctimas del terremoto que azotó el pasado viernes las montañas del sur de esa ciudad marroquí. LEE TAMBIÉN: Siete golpes de Estado en tres años: ¿Cómo se explica la inestabilidad que viene sufriendo África? Según informó la televisión pública Al […] - [Tragedia en Libia: Cruz Roja advierte de número de muertos “enorme” y 10.000 desaparecidos por inundaciones](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tragedia-en-libia-cruz-roja-advierte-de-numero-de-muertos-enorme-y-10000-desaparecidos-por-inundaciones-ultimas-noticia/): 50 años del golpe de Estado: Chile está dividido y con la figura de Pinochet en ascenso Por qué Estados Unidos advierte que a la contraofensiva de Ucrania sólo le quedan 45 días Las lluvias torrenciales y las inundaciones en Libia han dejado un “enorme” número de muertos que podría ascender a miles ya que hay unos 10.000 desaparecidos, dijo el martes un funcionario de la Federación Internacional de Sociedades de la Cruz Roja y de la Media Luna Roja (FICR). LEE TAMBIÉN: “El Perú es el país con más seguidores de Milei fuera de Argentina” “No tenemos cifras definitivas” por […] - [Al menos 2.862 muertos y 2.562 heridos en el peor terremoto de la historia de Marruecos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-en-vivo-de-magnitud-7-deja-al-menos-820-muertos-y-672-heridos-marrakech-ighil-videos-usgs-adassil-ultimas-noticia/): Piden a la Corte Suprema de EE. UU. levantar restricciones a la píldora abortiva Gobierno paraguayo rechaza recibir vacunas de Covax y califica al mecanismo como fracaso Al menos 2.862 personas murieron por un potente terremoto de magnitud 6,8 que sacudió Marruecos en la noche del viernes, sembrando el pánico en la turística ciudad de Marrakech, cercana al epicentro, según un nuevo balance oficial divulgado este sábado. El Servicio Geológico de Estados Unidos (USGS) informó que el movimiento telúrico fue de magnitud de 6,8 y se produjo a una profundidad de 18,5 kilómetros, con epicentro 71 kilómetros al suroeste de Marrakech […] - [Por qué es inusual en Marruecos un terremoto tan potente como el que acaba de sufrir](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-por-que-es-inusual-en-la-nacion-africana-un-terremoto-tan-potente-como-el-que-acaba-de-sufrir-marrakech-noticia/): Al menos 2.012 muertos y 2.059 heridos en el peor terremoto de la historia de Marruecos “Al menos 10 miembros de mi familia han muerto”: los duros testimonios del devastador terremoto de Marruecos El terremoto de magnitud 6,8 que golpeó al centro de Marruecos este viernes es el más fuerte que ha vivido el área desde 1900. Más de 1.300 personas perdieron la vida en el sismo, que se registró a las 23:11 hora local. MIRA: Las imágenes que el devastador terremoto en Marruecos deja en la turística e histórica Marrakech El epicentro se ubicó en las montañas del Alto Atlas, […] - [Terremoto en Marruecos: la búsqueda de sobrevivientes se acelera tras devastador sismo que deja más de 2.000 muertos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-marrakech-la-busqueda-de-sobrevivientes-se-acelera-tras-el-devastador-sismo-que-deja-mas-de-2000-muertos-noticia/): Cientos duermen en las calles de Marrakech por temor a réplicas tras el terremoto en Marruecos Chile enfrenta dividido los 50 años del golpe del 11 de septiembre de 1973 (y con la figura de Pinochet en ascenso) Los rescatistas aceleraron este domingo la búsqueda de posibles supervivientes atrapados bajo los escombros de las localidades arrasadas en Marruecos por un violento terremoto, que ya dejó más de 2.100 muertos. El sismo ocurrido en la noche del viernes, de magnitud 6,8 según los servicios geológicos estadounidenses y 7 según el centro marroquí para la investigación científica y técnica, fue el más potente […] - [El papa Francisco pide ayuda concreta para Marruecos en este momento trágico](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/europa/papa-francisco-pide-ayuda-concreta-para-marruecos-en-este-momento-tragico-terremoto-marrakech-ighil-africa-el-vaticano-plaza-de-san-pedro-ultimas-noticia/): Por qué es inusual en Marruecos un terremoto tan potente como el que acaba de sufrir Al menos 2.012 muertos y 2.059 heridos en el peor terremoto de la historia de Marruecos El papa Francisco expresó hoy su cercanía al “querido pueblo de Marruecos, golpeado por un devastador terremoto” y pidió “que la ayuda concreta de todos pueda sostener a la población en este momento trágico”, en un mensaje al final del rezo dominical del ángelus en la plaza de San Pedro. El Papa también afirmó que reza “por los heridos y por los que han perdido la vida, muchos… y […] - [Cientos duermen en las calles de Marrakech por temor a réplicas tras el terremoto en Marruecos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-cientos-duermen-en-las-calles-de-marrakech-por-temor-a-replicas-tras-el-poderoso-sismo-unidad-militar-de-emergencia-ume-mohamed-vi-usgs-ultimas-noticia/): Por qué es inusual en Marruecos un terremoto tan potente como el que acaba de sufrir Al menos 2.012 muertos y 2.059 heridos en el peor terremoto de la historia de Marruecos Los edificios de las instituciones públicas y algunos hoteles de Marrakech, en el sur de Marruecos, tienen sus banderas desde este domingo a media asta para guardar el duelo de tres días decretado tras el terremoto que sacudió en la noche del viernes el país. Las calles de Marrakech, donde hay personas que siguen durmiendo a la intemperie por miedo a réplicas, se despertaron con las consecuencias aún visibles […] - [Mohamed VI decreta tres días de luto por las víctimas del terremoto en Marruecos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/terremoto-en-marruecos-rey-mohamed-vi-decreta-tres-dias-de-luto-por-las-victimas-del-terremoto-en-marruecos-marrakech-ighil-taroudant-chichaoua-al-haouz-ultimas-noticia/): Qué riesgos representa que Corea del Norte cuente con un submarino nuclear táctico Droga y arma geopolítica: la pavorosa crisis del fentanilo El rey Mohamed VI de Marruecos decretó tres días de duelo en el país por el terremoto que dejó al menos 1.037 muertos y otros 1.204 heridos, y ordenó desplegar un programa de emergencia para atender a las víctimas y rehabilitar los edificios dañados. LEE TAMBIÉN: La comunidad internacional ofrece ayuda a Marruecos tras el terremoto en la región de Marrakech Tras una sesión de trabajo par examinar la situación tras el seísmo, el soberano expresó el agradecimiento de […] - [Fleet of UPS planes grounded after deadly crash expected to miss peak delivery season](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/deadly-crash-fleet-grounded-ups-planes-expected-miss-peak-delivery/): A fleet of planes that UPS grounded after a deadly crash isn’t expected to be back in service during the peak holiday season due to inspections and possible repairs, the company said Wednesday in an internal memo. The airline expects it will be several months before its McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleet returns to service as it works to meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, said the memo from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore to employees. The process was originally estimated to take weeks but is now expected to take several months. A fiery MD-11 plane crash on Nov. 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, […] - [Chinese EV makers step on gas abroad amid weakening mainland sales](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3334300/chinese-ev-makers-step-gas-abroad-hedge-against-weaker-mainland-sales?utm_source=rss_feed): Chinese electric vehicle (EV) builders are increasingly shipping their cars abroad to spur international sales ahead of an expected downturn in their home market, analysts say, as Beijing phases out incentives such as tax holidays and cash subsidies. The carmakers, which can enjoy a net margin of 20,000 yuan (US$706) per vehicle by selling their cars outside mainland China, are rolling out more models and pushing into untapped territories to chase high profitability. Stellantis-backed Leapmotor, one of the fastest-growing Chinese EV assemblers in terms of sales this year, announced this week that two of its models would debut in Brazil and […] - [Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo sentenced for conspiracy](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/former-peruvian-president-pedro-castillo-sentenced-conspiracy/): LIMA, Peru — Peru’s Supreme Court sentenced former President Pedro Castillo to 11.5 years in prison for conspiracy to commit a rebellion in 2022, when he tried to dissolve the Congress as lawmakers prepared to impeach him. A special panel of the highest court also banned Castillo,56, from public office for two years. He has been in custody since being arrested in December 2022. Two of Castillo’s former ministers were also sentenced to 11.5 years in prison for the same crime. One of them is ex-Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who was granted asylum by Mexico and remains inside the Mexican embassy […] - [Ousted leader Hasina sentenced in Bangladesh land corruption case](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/sheikh-hasina-sentenced-bangladesh-land-corruption-case/): DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced Thursday to 21 years in prison in three corruption cases related to allocations of land in a government project. She was sentenced to death earlier this month for crimes against humanity involving the crackdown on the mass uprising that ended her 15-year rule last year. She is in exile in India, and all of the trials have been conducted in absentia. The three verdicts found Hasina guilty of illegally securing plots in the Purbachal New Town project for herself and her family despite their ineligibility. Each sentence was seven years […] - [European Space Agency boosts budget to catch up in space race](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/catch-space-race-european-space-agency-boosts-budget/): BERLIN — The European Space Agency said Thursday it would increase its budget for the next three years to almost 22.1 billion euros ($25.6 billion). Ahead of two-day agency conference starting Thursday in the German city of Bremen, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher had expressed concern that Europe could be left behind in space travel if it didn’t invest more money, German news agency dpa reported. On Thursday, Aschbacher thanked ESA’s 23 European member states for their contributions. “I think the message that Europe must catch up and get involved in order to literally give wings to Europe’s future through space […] - [Hong Kong fire: Death toll rises to 94, with scores missing](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-wang-fuk-court-tai-po-killed-missing-5494346): “CANNOT DESCRIBE IT” Of the 94 people confirmed dead by Friday morning, one was a 37-year-old firefighter and two were Indonesians working as migrant domestic workers. It is Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948, when an explosion followed by a fire killed 135 people. But the toll could yet rise, with city leader John Lee saying in the early hours of Thursday that 279 people were unaccounted for. However, firefighters said later that they had established contact with some of those people. Firefighters said later that they had made contact with some of those people and authorities have not updated the […] - [Hong Kong's deadliest blaze in decades kills at least 75, scores missing](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-wang-fuk-court-housing-complex-killed-missing-5494346): “CANNOT DESCRIBE IT” Of the 75 people confirmed dead by 11pm local time (11pm, Singapore time) on Thursday, one was a 37-year-old firefighter and two were Indonesians working as migrant domestic workers. It is Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948, when an explosion followed by a fire killed 135 people. But the toll could yet rise further, with city leader John Lee saying in the early hours of Thursday that 279 people were unaccounted for. However, firefighters said later that they had established contact with some of those people. Authorities have not updated the figure since. At a nearby community centre, […] - [HHS roots out double-dippers who receive billions in improper federal health care benefits](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/hhs-roots-double-dippers-receive-billions-improper-federal-health/): After discovering that millions of people are wrongly collecting federally backed health care benefits, the Health and Human Services Department told federal investigators that it is taking steps to eliminate dual enrollment. HHS said it looked at enrollees in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program and matched them against those collecting Obamacare’s Advance Premium Tax Credit. The department said it will soon provide states with a one-time list of dual-enrollees and prod states to re-check eligibility. Investigators said their review this summer found 2.8 million people in 2024 who were either claiming Medicaid or CHIP benefits across multiple states, or […] - [HHS roots out double-dippers who receive billions in improper federal healthcare benefits](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/hhs-roots-double-dippers-receive-billions-improper-federal-healthcare/): After discovering that millions of people are wrongly collecting federally backed health care benefits, the Health and Human Services Department told federal investigators that it is taking steps to eliminate dual enrollment. HHS said it looked at enrollees in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program and matched them against those collecting Obamacare’s Advance Premium Tax Credit. The department said it will soon provide states with a one-time list of dual-enrollees and prod states to re-check eligibility. Investigators said their review this summer found 2.8 million people in 2024 who were either claiming Medicaid or CHIP benefits across multiple states, or […] - ['My superhero': Girlfriend mourns loss of firefighter killed in Hong Kong blaze](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-ho-wai-ho-girlfriend-firefighter-killed-5494221): Social media users flooded her post with messages of sympathy, calling Ho a hero and expressing solidarity with her grief. “He isn’t just your superhero, he’s also our superhero. [It’s] OK to not be OK, take care,” one user wrote. Another user, who referred to Ho as “brother”, also made a post remembering the firefighter before deleting it after it went viral. “[Your] shift’s over, please rest well bro,” the post read. The post also included a photo of Ho in uniform and began, “please remember well what a hero looks like”, thanking the firefighter for his sacrifice. “Brothers from Yan […] - [Hong Kong towers burn for a second day, at least 65 reported dead, hundreds missing](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/hong-kong-towers-burn-second-day-least-65-reported-dead-hundreds/): HONG KONG — Firefighters battled a blaze at a high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong for the second day on Thursday, as the death toll rose to 65 in one of the deadliest blazes in the city’s modern history. Rescuers holding flashlights were going from apartment to apartment at the charred towers as thick smoke continued to pour out from some windows at the Wang Fuk Court complex, a dense cluster of buildings housing thousands of people in Tai Po district, a northern suburb near Hong Kong’s border with the mainland. It was unclear how many people were missing or trapped. […] - [Iran adds new gasoline price tier starting in December](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/iran-adds-new-gasoline-price-tier-raising-cost-fuel-starting-december/): TEHRAN, Iran — Iran will introduce a new gasoline price tier on Dec. 6, raising the cost of fuel purchased beyond monthly quotas to 50,000 rials (about 4 cents on the Iranian exchange market) per liter, officials said, in a shift that adds a third pricing level to the country’s long-running subsidy system. Under the revised structure, motorists will continue to receive 60 liters per month at the subsidized rate of 15,000 rials. A second tier of 100 liters will remain available for 30,000 rials. Any consumption beyond those limits will now be charged at 50,000 rials – a price that […] - [U.S.-Russian crew of 3 blasts off to the International Space Station in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/iss-bound-russian-soyuz-spacecraft-blasts-us-russian-crew-3/): MOSCOW — A U.S.-Russian crew of three began a mission to the International Space Station aboard a Russian spacecraft following a successful launch Thursday. A Soyuz booster rocket lifted off at 2:27 p.m. (9:27 a.m. GMT) from the Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan to put the Soyuz MS-28 into orbit. The spacecraft carried NASA astronaut Chris Williams and two Russian crewmates, Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov. The craft docked at the International Space Station approximately three hours after liftoff at 5:34 p.m (12:34 p.m. GMT). All three are expected to spend about eight months at the orbiting outpost. NASA said […] - ['Very worried': Hong Kong fire survivors hunt for the missing](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-wang-fuk-court-tai-po-survivors-5494011): “HELP NEEDED” After what many said had been a sleepless night, crowds gathered in parks and walkways in the northern district of Tai Po to bear witness to the still-flickering remains of the estate.  Residents circulated an online spreadsheet – which someone quickly converted into a slick web app – where people could mark themselves safe. On Thursday morning, dozens of spreadsheet cells were still highlighted red, meaning “help needed”. A 70-year-old woman surnamed Leung, who lives next to Wang Fuk Court, said she had been unable to reach a friend who lived in one of the stricken high-rises. “I’m so […] - [Apple is challenging India's anti-trust body over a potential $38 billion fine](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/27/apple-challenges-indias-anti-trust-body-over-potential-38-billion-fine.html): Apple is challenging India’s antitrust law under which it could incur a $38 billion fine. The company filed a case against the country’s anti-trust regulator in Delhi High Court on Wednesday. It said it was “grossly disproportionate” for according to Reuters. The first day of sale of the iPhone 15 smartphone in Mumbai, India, on Sept. 22, 2023. Dhiraj Singh | Bloomberg | Getty Images Apple has filed a case in Delhi High Court against the country’s anti-trust body because of how it considers global turnover when calculating penalties. The iPhone maker, which is among the fastest growing smart phone brands […] - [World shares are mixed, tracking Wall Street's winning streak, as U.S markets close for Thanksgiving](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/27/us-markets-closed-thanksgiving-world-shares-mixed-tracking-wall/): MANILA, Philippines — Shares in Europe are mixed following gains in most Asian markets. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were nearly unchanged ahead of Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday. In early European trading, Germany’s DAX climbed 0.2% to 23,781.53. Britain’s FTSE 100 slid 0.2% to 9,677.14, while the CAC 40 in Paris was down less than 0.1% at 8,096.41. Most Asian markets advanced. Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 1.2% to 50,167.10 as investors bet that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its Dec. 10 meeting. The Japanese government reportedly plans to issue 11 trillion yen […] - [Information of 6.1 mil. users, employees of Netmarble leaked in suspected hacking](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251127/information-of-61-mil-users-employees-of-netmarble-leaked-in-suspected-hacking?utm_source=rss): Netmarble's headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of NetmarbleGame publisher Netmarble said Thursday personal data of 6.1 million users and employees has been leaked in a possible hacking attempt targeting its PC game site."We have confirmed and are responding to a customer data leak caused by an external hacking attempt on Nov. 22," Netmarble said in a notice posted on its website.The company said the information suspected to have been leaked includes customer data from its casual PC game service webpage, information of internet cafe affiliate owners prior to 2015 and data of some current and former employees.Leaked information includes customers' names, birth dates and coded passwords; internet cafe owners' names and email addresses; and employees' names, emails and phone numbers.Netmarble stressed that highly sensitive information, such as identification numbers, was not compromised."We sincerely apologize for the leakage of personal information due to this hacking incident," the company said. "We are conducting an expanded inspection of our entire system and will spare no effort in establishing measures to prevent a recurrence." - [Alibaba's AI glasses to rival Meta go on sale for $500](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/27/alibaba-quark-ai-glasses-go-on-sale-price-specs.html): Alibaba said its Quark AI glasses come in two variants — the S1, which starts at 3,799 Chinese yuan ($536) and G1 at 1,899 yuan. Alibaba has integrated its Qwen AI models with the device which also links to its newly-launched Qwen app. Alibaba, like other tech giants such as Meta, are betting that smart glasses could be the next big consumer device after the smartphone. Alibaba announced plans to release a pair of smart glasses powered by its AI models. The Quark AI Glasses are Alibaba’s first foray into the smart glasses product category. Alibaba‘s artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses went […] - [Volunteers seek lost pets amid Hong Kong deadly inferno wreckage](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-tai-po-fire-missing-lost-pets-animals-5493696): HONG KONG: As firefighters battled floor by floor in Hong Kong’s flaming Wang Fuk Court housing complex overnight to find survivors and reunite them with fearful relatives, another band of volunteers swung into action to rescue the estate’s pets. Dozens of workers from Hong Kong’s animal welfare agencies turned out with oxygenated pet carriers and animal ambulances to search for pets in the blazing complex, as social media posts depicted elderly people weeping for animals they left behind in the rush to save human lives. Some animal welfare workers carrying cages negotiated with police to allow them through cordons keeping out […] - [Unseen When It Comes To Thanksgiving Is Enormous](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/27/unseen_when_it_comes_to_thanksgiving_is_enormous_1149926.html): “Literally put me in front of a whiteboard, and I can come up with 100 ideas in an hour.” That’s what Amazon founder Jeff Bezos told a gathering of technology entrepreneurs last month in Italy. Bezos’s restless mind rates extra thought on Thanksgiving. While Thanksgiving is a national holiday decreed by government, it’s important to remember that the abundance that Thanksgiving embodies is a tribute to the doers like Bezos who can’t sit still. With Amazon, Bezos quite literally brought the plenty of the world to the doorsteps of the world. Read Full Article » - [If You Don't Own the Land, Why Not Vacate the Land?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/27/if_you_dont_own_the_land_why_not_vacate_the_land_1149923.html): What, pray tell, is a Land Acknowledgement? It is a public statement made by woke land owners. In such a declaration they in effect maintain that they do not really own the territory to which they have legal title. In effect, they opine that while, indeed, they hold rights to their properties, these are not really justified. Instead, in justice, in their opinion, their legally held terrain properly belongs to the descendants of those who occupied the land in question thousands, maybe tens of thousands of years ago. Read Full Article » - [Thanksgiving Costs at All-Time Highs](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/27/thanksgiving_costs_at_all-time_highs_1149665.html): Peter Earle American Institute for Economic Research November 27, 2025 Turkey and trimmings will be at or near all-time price highs. New data reveal a slow reacceleration in food-at-home prices driven by energy, labor, and supp … Read Full Article » - [Thanksgiving '25: Most Affordable Year for Median Worker](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/27/thanksgiving_25_most_affordable_year_for_median_worker_1149662.html): The American Farm Bureau Federation, or Farm Bureau, recently released their annual tradition for Thanksgiving: a report on the cost of a typical Thanksgiving dinner in the United States. For 2025, the Farm Bureau tells us, you can make a traditional meal of turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin pie, and other sides for a group of 10 for about $55. Not only is that much lower in nominal terms than last year, looking at past Farm Bureau reports, it is actually a lower sticker price than the past four years in the United States—it had been as high as $64 in 2022. Read […] - [Grateful For Trump's Economic Wins On Thanksgiving](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/27/grateful_for_trumps_economic_wins_on_thanksgiving_1149804.html): This column is sure to spoil my Thanksgiving, as my family’s holiday table convenes a small sampling of President Donald Trump’s most rabid critics. But if you try to make sense of the global economy for a living, as I do, you know good analysis and debate require identifying what looks promising amid all that may be disastrous. Read Full Article » - [Puma shares pop 13% after report China's Anta Sports is looking to buy the sportswear giant](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/27/puma-shares-chinas-anta-sports-is-reportedly-looking-to-buy-the-firm.html): The logo of Puma SE displayed in the window of the flagship store in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Puma forecast slower profit growth as new Chief Executive Officer Arne Freundt confronts excess inventory and higher costs for marketing sneakers and apparel. Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Puma shares jumped more than 13% Thursday following a report that China's Anta Sports is among a number of firms looking to buy the German athletic brand. Puma may also attract interest from Chinese apparel firm Li Ning and Japan's Asics Corp, Bloomberg reported, citing unamed sources. Puma declined to comment and Anta Sports has yet to respond to a request for comment from CNBC. This is a breaking news story. Please refresh for updates. - [Google to launch YouTube Premium without music service in Korea following antitrust probe](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251127/google-to-launch-youtube-premium-without-music-service-in-korea-following-antitrust-probe?utm_source=rss): The logo of Youtube is shown in this Oct. 5, 2021 file photo. AFP-YonhapGoogle will launch a cheaper version of its YouTube Premium subscription without its music streaming component in Korea, the country's antitrust watchdog said Thursday, following months of investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices.The move is part of a self-proposed corrective measure agreed upon by the U.S. tech giant and the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), which has been probing the company over suspicions that bundling YouTube Music with YouTube Premium violated fair trade rules.Under the decision, Google will introduce YouTube Premium Lite, a video-only subscription that includes advertisement removal, background playback and offline viewing services, the FTC said. Existing YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscriptions will continue to be available.YouTube Premium Lite is expected to be priced at 8,500 won ($5.80) per month for Android and web users and 10,900 won per month for iOS users, the FTC said. YouTube Premium currently costs 14,900 won, while YouTube Music is offered separately for 11,990 won per month.The new service, currently available in 19 other countries, will be launched in Korea at the lowest relative price compared with other major markets, officials said."The pricing will remain in effect for at least one year and, even if adjustments are made, will stay lower than prices in major overseas markets for up to four years," an FTC official said.Google is required to launch YouTube Premium Lite within 90 days of receiving the consent decision.In July last year, the FTC issued a report equivalent to a formal prosecution complaint, accusing Google Korea of unfairly bundling YouTube Music with YouTube Premium, thereby restricting consumer choice and abusing its market dominance.The regulator claims Google's practice effectively forced consumers to subscribe to both services, limiting options for those who may have only wanted access to ad-free video streaming.Rather than pursuing a prolonged legal battle, Google has submitted a corrective action plan under the FTC's procedure known as a "consent decision." The mechanism allows the FTC to suspend its investigation if the company voluntarily proposes measures that address the alleged consumer harm.Some critics have asked whether citing the consent decision without determining the legality of Google's alleged violations amounts to giving the company a free pass.The FTC said the consent decision system is widely used internationally as a way to quickly and effectively restore competitive conditions and take necessary corrective measures. - [CNBC Daily Open: Thanksgiving cheer comes a day early for U.S. markets](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/27/cnbc-daily-open-thanksgiving-cheer-comes-a-day-early-for-us-markets.html): Major U.S. indexes notched a fourth straight day of gains. Apple’s smartphone shipments are projected to overtake Samsung’s this year. China’s industrial profits dropped 5.5% from a year earlier, the biggest slide since June. AI can replace 11.7% of U.S. workforce, according to an MIT study. Bitcoin will likely continue its descent for the rest of the year, according to Compass Point. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on November 26, 2025, in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images Thanksgiving in the U.S. takes place on Thursday stateside, but the feasting might have […] - [Train hits China railway workers, killing 11](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/train-hits-china-railway-workers-killing-11-5493206): BEIJING: A train ran into a group of railway workers on Thursday (Nov 27), killing 11 and injuring two, officials in China’s southwestern city of Kunming said, the deadliest rail accident in more than a decade. The train, testing earthquake detection equipment, hit workers on a curved section of track at the city’s Luoyang Town railway station, the officials said. The station in Yunnan province has resumed normal services, and the cause of the accident is being investigated, they added in a statement. China’s rail network is the world’s largest, spanning more than 160,000km and racking up billions of trips each […] - [Hong Kong leader John Lee pays tribute to firefighter killed in Tai Po blaze](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-john-lee-tai-po-fire-firefighter-death-5493011): HONG KONG: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and top officials expressed sorrow over the death of a firefighter killed while battling a blaze at a Tai Po estate, paying tribute to his “gallantry and selfless devotion to duty”. Ho Wai-ho, 37, died while tackling the blaze at one of the blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.  The fire broke out on Wednesday (Nov 26) and spread rapidly to other towers in the estate. Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung Yan-kin said Ho, from Sha Tin Fire Station, arrived at the scene at 3.01pm to fight the blaze […] - [Hong Kong fire: Three men from construction company arrested for manslaughter](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-wang-fuk-court-tai-po-arrests-construction-police-scaffolding-5492681): HONG KONG: Hong Kong police have arrested three men for manslaughter after a huge fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court housing estate, killing at least 44 people and leaving almost 300 people missing. Police said on Thursday (Nov 27) that the blaze may have been spread by unsafe scaffolding and foam materials used during maintenance work.  Working through the night, firefighters were struggling to reach residents potentially trapped on the upper floors of the housing complex due to the intense heat and thick smoke from the fire that erupted on Wednesday afternoon.  The complex in the northern Tai Po district […] - [CNBC Daily Open: An early Thanksgiving celebration in U.S. markets](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/27/cnbc-daily-open-an-early-thanksgiving-celebration-in-us-markets.html): Major U.S. indexes notched a fourth straight day of gains. Apple’s smartphone shipments are projected to overtake Samsung’s this year. U.K. unveils its Autumn Budget, which includes tax breaks for the startup sector. AI can replace 11.7% of U.S. workforce, according to an MIT study. A JPMorgan strategist thinks the S&P 500 an hit 8,000 in 2026, if some conditions are fulfilled. Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., Nov. 26, 2025. Brendan McDermid | Reuters Thanksgiving in the U.S. takes place on Thursday stateside, but the feasting might have begun […] - [Live: Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 55](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-tai-po-wang-fuk-court-towers-latest-5492751) - [Live: Hong Kong high-rise fire still burning as death toll reaches 44](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-wang-fuk-court-towers-latest-5492751): HONG KONG: The death toll from Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades rose to 44 on Thursday (Nov 27) as firefighters battled to extinguish a huge blaze that ripped through high-rise residential towers. Working through the night, firefighters struggled to reach the upper floors of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex. Nearly 300 people are still missing. Follow CNA for the latest: - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open mixed after Wall Street gains as tech extends rebound](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/27/asia-pacific-markets-today-thursday-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-csi-300-kospi.html): Japan markets were set to open higher, while Hong Kong lower. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose on the open. Overnight, the major U.S. benchmarks closed higher as tech stocks rebounded. The Sydney Opera House Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Gallo Images | Brand X Pictures | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Thursday, after Wall Street gained as Fed rate-cut hopes grew and tech stocks rebounded. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 50,155, and its counterpart in Osaka at 50,120, against the index's Wednesday close of 49,559.07. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.24%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a flat open, trading at 25,924, against the index's previous close of 25,928.08. Investors will be watching for South Korea's interest rate decision later — expected to remain unchanged at 2.5% according to a Reuters poll — and for China's industrial profits for the first 10 months of the year. Overnight, the key indexes in the U.S. logged four straight days of gains on rising hopes for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December. Investors see an 85% chance of a quarter-percentage-point rate cut in December, up from 30% last week, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Shares of artificial intelligence player Oracle jumped more than 4% on Wednesday, boosting major averages after Deutsche Bank reaffirmed its bullish stance on the name. On Wednesday stateside, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 314.67 points, or 0.67%, to finish at 47,427.12. The S&P 500 climbed 0.69% to settle at 6,812.61, while the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.82% to close at 23,214.69. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Shark attack in Australia leaves woman dead, man critically injured](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/shark-attack-australia-leaves-woman-dead-man-critically-injured/): MELBOURNE, Australia — A shark killed a woman and seriously wounded a man taking an early morning swim with her at a national park beach on Australia’s east coast Thursday, police said. Experts say a shark rarely attacks more than one person. The attack occurred at Crowdy Bay National Park, which is known for beach camping, fishing spots and hiking tracks 360 kilometers (224 miles) north of Sydney. Beaches in the area and to the north of the attack were closed to swimmers indefinitely, Police Chief Insp. Timothy Bayly said. Emergency services were called to Kylies Beach following reports that two people […] - [Colorado doesn't plan to transfer imprisoned former county clerk to federal custody](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/colorado-doesnt-plan-transfer-imprisoned-former-county-clerk-federal/): DENVER — Colorado doesn’t plan to transfer from state prison to federal custody a former county clerk who has become a hero to election conspiracy theorists following a request from the Trump administration, state officials said Wednesday. The Colorado Department of Corrections said it is not seeking a transfer of Tina Peters, who was convicted last year of orchestrating a scheme in Mesa County to breach voting machine data driven by false claims of fraud in the 2020 election. “Transferring an individual is an action initiated by the Colorado Department of Corrections, not an outside entity,” department spokesperson Alondra Gonzalez-Garcia said […] - [Dominican Republic authorizes arrival of 800 new flights as tourists rerouted after 'Melissa'](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/dominican-republic-authorizes-arrival-800-new-flights-tourists/): SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The Dominican Republic has authorized the arrival of 800 new flights to accommodate a surge in tourists who were originally planning to vacation in Jamaica and other nearby islands but were rerouted following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. The flights, a combination of regular and charter ones, were approved as the Caribbean country prepares for peak tourism season, industry officials said Wednesday. “This will have a positive impact on hotel occupancy in the Dominican Republic, and Dominican hotels have the capacity to receive that influx,” said Nairobi Santos, spokesperson for the country’s Association of Hotels and […] - [Campbell's fires executive who was recorded saying company's products are for 'poor people'](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/campbells-fires-executive-said-companys-products-poor-people/): The Campbell’s Co. said Wednesday it has fired an executive who was recorded making racist comments and mocking the company’s products and customers. Martin Bally, a vice president in Campbell’s information security department, was named in a lawsuit filed last week by Robert Garza, a former Campbell’s employee who said he was fired Jan. 30 after he reported Bally’s comments to a supervisor. The lawsuit was filed in Michigan, where both Garza and Bally live. Campbell’s is based in Camden, New Jersey. In the lawsuit, Garza claimed he met with Bally in November 2024 to discuss his salary. During the meeting, […] - ['Couldn’t do anything': deadly Hong Kong fire devours homes of thousands](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/couldnt-do-anything-deadly-hong-kong-fire-devours-homes-thousands-5492441): A police officer told AFP on Wednesday evening that it was unclear how many people were unaccounted for because residents were still trickling in late into the night to report. Ng, in her 60s and declining to give her full name, said her windows were locked when the fire broke out. She initially didn’t realise it was a fire but assumed the sounds were firecrackers. Her heart was pounding as she and her family hurriedly evacuated their 19th-floor home, where they had lived for over four decades, she said outside the shelter. A 65-year-old resident surnamed Yuen said his neighbourhood is […] - ['Could not do anything': Deadly Hong Kong fire devours homes of thousands](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-homes-thousands-temporary-shelters-tai-po-5492441): “I truly think it’s very scary. I am watching it spread from just one building to three, then four,” Veezy Chan, 25, a resident of the area, said Wednesday.  “It’s really terrifying.” Since the shelter opened on Wednesday evening, residents kept arriving to report family members they had lost contact with. Some sat dazed, looking with reddened eyes at cell phone screens as they hoped for news of missing loved ones. Social workers distributed blankets and pillows to the elderly to help them endure the nighttime chill. Shirley Chan, a resident, called the tragedy terribly sad. “Imagine a home – gone, […] - [Trump says he's barring South Africa from participating in next year's G20 summit near Miami](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/trump-says-plans-bar-south-africa-participating-2026-g20-summit-near/): WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is barring South Africa from participating in the Group of 20 summit next year at his Miami-area club and will stop all payments and subsidies to the country over its treatment of a U.S. government representative at this year’s global meeting. Trump chose not to have an American delegation attend the recent summit hosted by South Africa, saying he did so because white Afrikaners were being violently persecuted. It is a claim that South Africa, which was mired for decades in racial apartheid, has rejected as baseless. The Republican […] - [Apple projected to beat Samsung in smartphone shipments for first time since 2011](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/apple-projected-beat-samsung-smartphone-shipments-first-time-since-2011): ‘The Big Money Show’ panel discusses Counterpoint Research’s prediction that Apple will reclaim its crown as the world’s largest smartphone maker. Apple’s smartphone shipments in 2025 are expected to top Samsung’s for the first time in over a decade and become the world’s leading seller of smartphones, according to a new report. An analysis by Counterpoint Research found that global smartphone shipments will rise by 3.3% year over year in 2025, with much of the gain driven by Apple. Shipments of iPhones are expected to climb 10% year over year in 2025, in part because of growing demand for the iPhone […] - [Dozens dead, hundreds missing in Hong Kong's deadliest high-rise fire in years](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/dozens-dead-hundreds-missing-hong-kongs-deadliest-high-rise-fire/): HONG KONG | Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in years blazed through high-rise apartment buildings into the night Wednesday as the city’s leader confirmed at least 36 people, including a firefighter, had died and another 279 people were reported missing. Hundreds of residents were evacuated as the blaze spread across seven of the eight buildings in a housing complex in Tai Po district, a suburb in the New Territories. At least 29 others remained hospitalized. Bright flames and smoke shot out of windows as night fell. Investigators will be looking into factors including whether material on the exterior walls of high-rise buildings […] - [Brazil's Lula sanctions an increase in tax exemptions for low-income people](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/brazils-lula-sanctions-increase-tax-exemptions-low-income-people/): RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday sanctioned a bill that exempts people earning up to 5,000 reais ($940) a month from income taxes, more than doubling the current exemption and meeting a key priority of his 2022 election campaign. “A promise made, a promise kept,” Lula said on X on Wednesday. The measure, which will come into effect next year, also establishes tax discounts for incomes up to 7,350 reais ($1400). Some 15 million Brazilians will benefit from the new law, according to the presidential palace. Approximately 10 million will no longer pay income […] - [Colombian sentenced, ordered to forfeit $1.2 million for laundering drug money](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/colombian-sentenced-ordered-forfeit-12-million-laundering-drug-money/): A Colombian man will spend five years in prison and forfeit $1.2 million for a scheme that saw Mexican drug proceeds funneled into U.S. bank accounts before being sent to Colombia. Michael Nunez Daza, 49, alias Luky, organized bulk pickups of Mexican drug money in multiple U.S. cities. From there, the cash was put into American bank accounts registered to other people and entities before being transferred again to Colombia, the Justice Department said Wednesday. Nunez Daza and his couriers in Cali, Colombia, received the laundered money as Colombian pesos within days of its deposit into the U.S.-based accounts. In one […] - [South Korea's largest satellite launched on Nuri rocket in ambitious space mission](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/largest-satellite-south-korea-launched-nuri-rocket-space-mission/): SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea launched its largest satellite yet on its nationally developed space rocket early Thursday, the fourth of six planned launches through 2027. The three-stage Nuri rocket lifted off from the country’s spaceport on an island off the southwestern coastal county of Goheung. Aerospace officials were monitoring whether it will successfully deliver a 516-kilogram (1,137-pound) science satellite and 12 other microsatellites into orbit. The main satellite, designed to orbit 600 kilometers (372 miles) above Earth, is equipped with a wide-range airglow camera to observe auroral activity and separate systems for measuring plasma and magnetic fields and for […] - [Scientists capture the crackling sounds of what they believe is lightning on Mars](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/lightning-mars-scientists-capture-crackling-sounds-red-planet/): CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Scientists have detected what they believe to be lightning on Mars by eavesdropping on the whirling wind recorded by NASA’s Perseverance rover. The crackling of electrical discharges was captured by a microphone on the rover, a French-led team reported Wednesday. The researchers documented 55 instances of what they call “mini lightning” over two Martian years, primarily during dust storms and dust devils. Almost all occurred on the windiest Martian sols, or days, during dust storms and dust devils. Just inches (centimeters) in size, the electrical arcs occurred within 6 feet (2 meters) of the microphone perched atop […] - [Mexico unveils plans to build a supercomputer it claims will be Latin America's most powerful](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/mexico-build-supercomputer-claims-latin-americas-powerful/): MEXICO CITY — Mexico unveiled plans Wednesday to build what it claims will be Latin America’s most powerful supercomputer – a project the government says will help the country capitalize on the rapidly evolving uses of artificial intelligence and exponentially expand the country’s computing capacity. Dubbed “Coatlicue” for the Mexica goddess considered the earth mother, the supercomputer would be seven times more powerful than the region’s current leader in Brazil, José Merino, head of the Telecommunications and Digital Transformation Agency. President Claudia Sheinbaum said during her morning news briefing that the location for the project had not been decided yet, but […] - [Judge's footnote on immigration agents using AI raises accuracy and privacy concerns](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/federal-judges-footnote-immigration-agents-using-ai-raises-accuracy/): Tucked in a two-sentence footnote in a voluminous court opinion, a federal judge recently called out immigration agents using artificial intelligence to write use-of-force reports, raising concerns that it could lead to inaccuracies and further erode public confidence in how police have handled the immigration crackdown in the Chicago area and ensuing protests. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis wrote the footnote in a 223-page opinion issued last week, noting that the practice of using ChatGPT to write use-of-force reports undermines agents’ credibility and “may explain the inaccuracy of these reports.” She described what she saw in at least one body camera […] - [U.S. stocks rise as Wall Street looks to add to its winning streak](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/us-stocks-rising-wall-street-looks-add-winning-streak/): NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are rising as Wall Street looks to build on its recent winning streak. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% in early trading Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 227 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq added 0.7% as of 9:50 a.m. EST. Stocks have risen for three straight days as comments from Federal Reserve officials have given traders more confidence the central bank will again cut interest rates at its meeting in December. Traders are betting on a nearly 83% probability that the Fed will cut next month, according to data from CME Group. Dell Technologies […] - [Fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits last week as job cuts stay low](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/fewer-americans-sought-unemployment-benefits-last-week-job-cuts-stay/): WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits declined last week in a sign that overall layoffs remain low, even as several high-profile companies have announced job cuts. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits in the week ending Nov. 22 dropped 6,000 from the previous week to 216,000, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. The figure is below the 230,000 forecast by economists, according to a survey by data provider FactSet. Applications for unemployment aid are seen as a proxy for layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market. The job cuts announced recently […] - [What's open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest -- or prepare -- ahead of Black Friday](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/whats-open-thanksgiving-much-many-stores-rest-prepare-ahead-black/): WASHINGTON — With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season this week, Americans will again gather for Turkey Day meals before knocking off items on their Christmas gift lists. Most big U.S. retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, many will open early the following day, Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday gift-buying season and the biggest shopping day of the year. Here’s what is open and closed this Thanksgiving, along with a travel forecast from the experts at AAA auto club. Government offices, post offices, courts and schools are closed. U.S. stock markets and banks […] - [How some Chinese exporters benefit from US dollar-backed stablecoins](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334219/how-some-chinese-exporters-benefit-us-dollar-backed-stablecoins?utm_source=rss_feed): In this explainer, the Post outlines four roles that US dollar-backed stablecoins play in China’s overseas trade, based on a recent analysis by Zou Chuanwei, the president of the Jiangsu Jinke Research Institute on Digital and Technology Finance, published in Tsinghua Financial Review. How are Chinese traders using US dollar-backed stablecoins? First, some overseas importers face regulatory barriers that restrict them from using traditional US dollars. They can, however, pay with US dollar-backed stablecoins. Overseas importers use the latter to buy goods in mainland China, with onshore converters turning the digital assets into yuan. Advertisement For Chinese exporters, the process remains […] - [Leaked audio shows envoy Steve Witkoff coaching Putin adviser on how to pitch peace plan to Trump](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/leaked-audio-shows-envoy-steve-witkoff-coaching-putin-adviser-pitch/): White House special envoy Steve Witkoff advised a senior official close to Russian President Vladimir Putin last month on how best to pitch a Ukraine peace plan to President Trump, according to transcripts of leaked audio released Tuesday. In a phone conversation in mid-October, Mr. Witkoff informed Putin foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, that the Russian leader should call Mr. Trump to congratulate him on the signing of the Gaza peace deal and call him a “man of peace” before using the opportunity to bring up a new Ukraine peace plan, according to the transcript. “Maybe he says to President Trump: […] - [Fire rages through bamboo scaffolding at Hong Kong high-rise residential complex, killing 4](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/26/fire-engulfs-bamboo-scaffolding-hong-kong-high-rise-residential/): HONG KONG — A fire spread across multiple high-rise apartment buildings in a Hong Kong housing complex on Wednesday, killing four people and leaving others trapped inside, authorities said. Video from the scene showed at least five buildings close to each other ablaze, with bright flames and smoke shooting out of many of the apartments’ windows as night fell. Firefighters were aiming water at the intense flames from high up on ladder trucks. The raging fire sent up a column of flames and thick smoke as it spread on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting that had been set up around the […] - [Tesla affirms confidence in Chinese partners, rejects supplier bans](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3334255/tesla-affirms-confidence-chinese-partners-rejects-supplier-bans?utm_source=rss_feed): Tesla does not exclude suppliers based on their country of origin as the US electric-vehicle (EV) maker applies unified and rigorous standards in selecting vendors from around the globe, according to a senior official. Grace Tao, vice-president of the US company, offered a vote of confidence to the more than 400 Chinese manufacturers that supply car components from batteries to heat-control systems to Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory. She made the remarks on Wednesday, in what appeared to be an indirect response to media reports suggesting that Chinese-made parts would be excluded from the production of Tesla vehicles in the US. Advertisement “Whether […] - [Malaysian rapper Namewee's bail extended for 2 weeks as police probe Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh’s death](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysian-rapper-namewee-police-bail-extended-two-weeks-iris-hsieh-death-5490791): KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian rapper Namewee, who is assisting in the investigation of the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh Yu-hsin, had his police bail extended for another two weeks on Wednesday (Nov 26). This follows his release on police bail two weeks earlier. Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, had reported to the Dang Wangi police headquarters at about 3pm Wednesday, according to local Chinese news outlet Sin Chew Daily.   He was seen arriving at the police headquarters in a grey sports utility vehicle, accompanied by two men.  Wee, who was previously held there for nine days during the investigation, was […] - [What’s Really Going On With Crime in South Africa](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010533601/whats-really-going-on-with-crime-in-south-africa.html): new video loaded: What’s Really Going On With Crime in South Africa Police statistics in South Africa dispute President Trump’s claim that Afrikaners are being targeted in a genocide, but the high murder rate includes victims of all backgrounds. John Eligon, our Johannesburg bureau chief, traveled with several patrol groups in communities of South Africa to explore how the country is dealing with crime. By John Eligon, Joao Silva, Christina Thornell, Leila Medina and James Surdam November 26, 2025 - [Chinese tourism to Russia soars as travellers pivot from under-fire Japan](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334242/chinese-tourism-russia-soars-travellers-pivot-under-fire-japan?utm_source=rss_feed): As China’s tourists scrap plans to visit Japan en masse amid an ongoing diplomatic feud, many appear to be pivoting to an alternative destination: Russia. Chinese travel firms have reported a surge in Russia-related flight and hotel bookings in recent weeks compared with the same period last year, with analysts saying the country’s winter scenery made it a natural replacement for Japanese hotspots like the northern island of Hokkaido. Russia hotel bookings made by Chinese travellers in the two weeks ending on Monday for stays in December were up more than 50 per cent year on year, according to travel marketing […] - [Make Houses Our Castles By Rethinking How We Tax Homes](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/26/make_houses_our_castles_by_rethinking_how_we_tax_homes_1149695.html): In the past, home ownership has been an important part of the American dream. Buying a home was the most important investment decision that citizens made. That investment could provide for one’s retirement; and equity in the home could be used to borrow for education, health care, and emergency expenditures. Unfortunately, for many citizens, and especially for younger generations, the dream of home ownership is disappearing. Inflationary increases in home prices are pricing many citizens out of the housing market. Inflationary increases in property taxes are taxing some citizens out of their homes. Read Full Article » - [President Trump Falls Short of His Populist Econ Rhetoric](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/26/president_trump_falls_short_of_his_populist_econ_rhetoric_1149748.html): Editorial The New York Times November 26, 2025 President Trump talks like an economic populist, forever promising to help consumers, small business owners and, especially, workers. He has stocked his administration with populist Republicans, including the vice president and the labor secretary. To celebrate Labor Day this year, he declared himself “the champion of the American worker.” Read Full Article » - [Rhyme, Reason With Rising Electricity Costs](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/26/rhyme_reason_with_rising_electricity_costs_1149736.html): Mitch Rolling & Isaac Orr Energy Bad Boys November 26, 2025 - [Unnecessary Stock Market Predictions for 2026](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/26/unnecessary_stock_market_predictions_for_2026_1149704.html): I label any predictions of the stock market’s performance for next year as “unnecessary” due to the high likelihood of a rising market and the frequent absence of confidence intervals. Read Full Article » - [Fire engulfs residential building in Hong Kong](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-engulfs-residential-building-bamboo-scaffolding-5491211): HONG KONG: A fire engulfed a residential building in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Wednesday (Nov 26), with plumes of thick grey smoke billowing out as emergency services battled to subdue the blaze. Several people are trapped inside, public broadcaster RTHK reported, citing police, while one man has suffered serious burns, it said. The fire department said it received reports at 2.51pm local time that a fire had broken out in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. It was upgraded to a No. 4 alarm at 3.34pm. Wang Fuk Court is a housing complex made up of eight blocks, […] - [13 dead after fire engulfs residential high-rise buildings in Hong Kong](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-13-dead-fire-engulfs-residential-building-bamboo-scaffolding-5491211): HONG KONG: Thirteen people were killed in a fire that spread across multiple high-rise apartment buildings in a Hong Kong housing complex, the city’s fire services said on Wednesday (Nov 26). “The Fire Services Department handled a total of 28 casualties, nine of whom were certified dead at the scene. Six others were sent to hospital in serious condition, and four of them later died,” Chou Wing-yin of the Fire Services Department told a press briefing at around 8.15pm. The dead included one firefighter, and another was being treated for heat exhaustion. About 700 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters. - [Four dead after fire engulfs residential high-rise buildings in Hong Kong](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-four-dead-fire-engulfs-residential-building-bamboo-scaffolding-5491211): HONG KONG: Four people have died after a massive fire engulfed multiple high-rise towers of a residential complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Wednesday (Nov 26), with thick grey smoke billowing out as emergency services battled to subdue the blaze. Several people remain trapped inside the burning towers, public broadcaster RTHK reported, citing police, while two people are in critical condition having suffered severe burns, it said. Some fire services staff have also been injured while trying to put out the flames that ripped through the 31-storey towers. People gathered on a nearby overhead walkway, watching in dismay […] - [Thailand airlifts patients, rushes supplies as floods in south kill 33](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-floods-hat-yai-airlift-patients-hospital-5491046): HOSPITAL EVACUATIONS IN THAILAND AND MALAYSIA Floods have affected more than 980,000 homes and over 2.7 million people in Thailand, the interior ministry said. Flood waters had inundated the first floor of Hat Yai’s main government hospital treating 600 patients, around 50 of them in intensive care, public health ministry official Somrerk Chungsaman told Reuters. “Today, all intensive care patients will be transported out of Hat Yai Hospital,” he said. At another hospital, an army helicopter evacuated a critically ill elderly woman, who was surrounded by medical staff onboard the aircraft then wheeled away from the rooftop helipad of another facility, […] - [Uber rolls out driverless robotaxis in Abu Dhabi](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/26/uber-robotaxi-uae-driverless.html): Uber users in Abu Dhabi can ride in a fully driverless WeRide robotaxi starting Wednesday. Uber and the China-based company first announced plans to bring the technology to the United Arab Emirates last September. Uber has bet big on autonomous vehicle technology, partnering with Google’s Waymo and electric vehicle maker Lucid. Driverless WeRide robotaxis for Uber. Courtesy: Uber Uber on Wednesday rolled out fully driverless rides in its fourth market, launching the service in Abu Dhabi in partnership WeRide, a Chinese autonomous vehicle company. The ride-hailing company said the launch in the United Arab Emirates capital represents the first driverless robotaxi […] - [Landslides and flash floods on Indonesia’s Sumatra island leave at least 10 dead and 6 missing](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-north-sumatra-landslides-flash-floods-deaths-5490746): MEDAN: Torrential rains unleashed flash floods and triggered landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing at least 10 people and leaving six others missing, police said Wednesday (Nov 26). Rescue teams were struggling to reach affected areas in six regencies of North Sumatra province after the monsoon rains over the past week caused rivers to burst their banks, tearing through hilly villages as mud, rocks and trees tumbled down, leaving destruction in their wake, the National Police said in a statement. Rescue workers by Wednesday had recovered at least five bodies and three injured people in the worst-hit city of Sibolga and […] - [China sets strongest yuan fix in over a year as Fed-cut bets rise](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334178/china-sets-strongest-yuan-fix-over-year-fed-cut-bets-rise?utm_source=rss_feed): China’s central bank has set the yuan’s daily reference rate against the US dollar at the strongest level in more than a year, with analysts expecting room for appreciation should a December rate cut by the US Federal Reserve weaken the dollar. Advertisement The People’s Bank of China set the yuan’s midpoint rate, also known as the daily fixing rate, at 7.0796 to the US dollar on Wednesday – the strongest showing since October 2024. The decision followed a 0.34 per cent rally in the offshore yuan on Tuesday, when it briefly touched 7.0794, the strongest level since late last year, […] - [Veteran Malaysian actor Dharma Harun dies at age 69](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/dharma-harun-death-5490666): Veteran Malaysian actor Dharma Harun was found dead at his home on Tuesday (Nov 25) night. He was 69. In a series of Instagram Stories, Dharma’s son, actor Syafiq Dharma, said that he discovered his father’s death after coming home at 9.10pm on Tuesday. Speaking to Malaysian news outlet Harian Metro, Syafiq said that Dharma’s body “was already stiff and cold” when he found him and that no matter how he moved him, Dharma’s body remained rigid. The late Dharma shared a home with his two children, who are currently studying at the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage in […] - ['America-first entry fee policies': National Parks to raise price for international tourists](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/25/national-parks-raise-fees-international-tourists/): The National Park Service said Tuesday it is going to start charging the millions of international tourists who visit U.S. parks each year an extra $100 to enter some of the most popular sites, while leaving them out of fee-free days that will be reserved for American residents. The announcement declaring “America-first entry fee policies” comes as national parks deal with the strain of a major staff reduction and severe budget cuts, along with recovering from damage during the recent government shutdown and significant lost revenue due to fees not being collected during that time. The fee change will impact 11 […] - [Taiwan's president to propose US$40 billion in extra defence spending](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/taiwan-defence-spending-president-lai-ching-te-china-5490631): TAIPEI: Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said his government will propose US$40 billion in additional defence spending over several years, as the democratic island seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion. “We aim to bolster deterrence by inserting greater costs and uncertainties into Beijing’s decision-making on the use of force,” Lai said in an opinion piece published in the Washington Post on Tuesday (Nov 25). China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it. Lai, who leads the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), previously laid out plans to boost annual defence spending to more than […] - [Why China’s space sector is grabbing attention – including from Elon Musk](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334125/why-chinas-commercial-space-sector-grabbing-attention-including-elon-musk?utm_source=rss_feed): On Saturday, the Beijing-based start-up LandSpace reportedly plans to conduct the maiden launch of its Zhuque-3 rocket – a reusable launch vehicle that could significantly boost China’s space industry by lowering the cost of lifting equipment such as satellites into orbit. Advertisement The prospect of China mastering reusable rockets – a technology pioneered by US-based SpaceX – has attracted significant attention from aerospace experts, and even drew comment from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk last month. In this explainer, the Post breaks down the current state of China’s commercial space industry, how close it is to rolling out reusable rockets, and how […] - [BP finds leak in major Pacific Northwest pipeline, resumes delivering fuel to Seattle-Tacoma airport](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/25/bp-resumes-delivering-fuel-seattle-tacoma-airport-leak-major-pacific/): SEATTLE — Oil company BP has found the source of a leak in a major Pacific Northwest pipeline system, allowing it to restart the flow of jet fuel to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Tuesday and help avoid any major disruptions to Thanksgiving travel. Separately, Washington state regulators announced they were fining the company $3.8 million for a 2023 spill from the same pipeline system nearby. The 400-mile-long (644-kilometer-long) Olympic Pipeline is the backbone of the region’s system for moving gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products from refineries near the Canadian border to distribution terminals in the Pacific Northwest west […] - [14 people accused of 'porch piracy' scheme based on stealing insider data from FedEx](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/25/14-people-accused-porch-piracy-scheme-based-stealing-insider-data/): A group of 14 people are accused of using insider data to steal electronics and cellphones being shipped to Long Island addresses. The defendants face a total of 50 charges for a scheme that ran from October 2023 to February 2025, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said. The prosecutors did not say who provided the members of the scheme with the inside FedEx delivery information on where and when devices would be delivered. “We believe that information was hacked,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said, according to the New York Post. He added that getting the FedEx information “requires […] - [HP Inc shares fall on layoffs, weak guidance due to U.S. trade regulations](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/hp-inc-shares-fall-as-company-says-it-will-cut-up-to-6000-employees.html): PC and printer maker HP Inc. said Tuesday that it will lower its headcount by 4,000 to 6,000 people. The company also issued a lower-than-expected earnings projection for the new fiscal year. For all of fiscal 2026, HP sees $2.90 to $3.20 in adjusted per share, below the LSEG consensus of $3.33. “HP’s outlook reflects the added cost driven by the current U.S. trade-related regulations in place, and associated mitigations,” the company said in the statement. Enrique Lores, President and Chief Executive Officer of HP Inc. speaks at COMPUTEX forum in Taipei, Taiwan June 3, 2024. Ann Wang | Reuters PC […] - [Commentary: How China made cities less noisy](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/china-ev-noise-pollution-complaint-construction-traffic-5488951): MORE THAN CARS Still, this is not just a story about cars. The rise in compliance began before the EV boom started in 2020. Another reason is simply that the deafening roar of construction has subsided. The once-frenzied pace of Chinese urban development slowed sharply and, in many places, ground to a halt after the property crisis of 2021. In the past, visitors would marvel at how skylines changed with every trip. Today, it is remarkable how little cities like Beijing and Shanghai are changing. Meanwhile, city planners have been quietly working to dampen the din. Last year, China laid 32 […] - [Trump Alarms Florida Republicans With Latest Gift to Big Oil](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/25/trump_alarms_florida_republicans_with_latest_gift_to_big_oil_1149530.html): Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are among the Florida Republicans – perhaps backed by a growing belief that they can oppose the president without jeopardizing their careers – who are speaking out against the Trump administration’s offshore drilling plans. Read Full Article » - [8 Slides On the Future of Electricity Prices](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/25/8_slides_on_the_future_of_electricity_prices_1149513.html): Isaac Orr & Mitch Rolling Energy Bad Boys November 25, 2025 - [What Dick's Sporting Goods' earnings report tells us about Nike's turnaround](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/heres-what-dicks-sporting-goods-earnings-report-tell-us-about-nike.html): Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a “Morning Meeting” livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s key moments. 1. Stocks were mixed on Tuesday, with the S & P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average up and the Nasdaq Composite down slightly, with Big Tech names under pressure. Nvidia shares fell more than 6% after The Information reported that Meta may use Google’s tensor processing units (TPUs) in its data centers starting in 2027. Broadcom , which helps Google design its TPUs, jumped 11% Monday on the news. Jim Cramer said the pullback in […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Abercrombie & Fitch, Nvidia, Coinbase, Symbotic & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-midday-anf-nvda-coin-sym-more.html): Check out the companies making headlines midday. Abercrombie & Fitch — The apparel retailer jumped 33% after posting better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results, driven by strength at its Hollister brand. Hollister’s sales grew 16%, offsetting a 2% drop at its namesake Abercrombie & Fitch label. For the holiday quarter, the company expects Hollister to continue to drive sales growth. Nvidia — Nvidia shares were down 4% after The Information reported, citing sources, that Meta Platforms was considering spending billions of dollars on Alphabet’s AI chips. Alphabet shares rose to a fresh 52-week high on the back of the report, but were recently up […] - [ByHeart baby formula from all lots may be contaminated with botulism bacteria, tests show](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/25/tests-show-byheart-baby-formula-lots-may-contaminated-botulism/): Tests of ByHeart infant formula tied to a botulism outbreak that has sickened dozens of babies showed that all of the company’s products may have been contaminated. Laboratory tests of 36 samples of formula from three different lots showed that five samples contained the type of bacteria that can lead to the rare and potentially deadly illness, the company said Monday on its website. “Based on these results, we cannot rule out the risk that all ByHeart formula across all product lots may have been contaminated,” the company wrote. At least 31 babies in 15 states who consumed ByHeart formula have […] - [Musk's xAI to close $15 billion funding round in December: sources](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/musk-xai-funding-december.html): Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI is expected to close $15 billion in funding in December at a $230 billion pre-money valuation, sources told CNBC. The latest news confirms earlier CNBC reporting, which Musk later called “False” in a post on social media platform X. Rival AI companies OpenAI and Anthropic have also seen their valuations skyrocket as demand for their large language models soars. Elon Musk attends the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 19, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI is expected to close a $15 billion round at a $230 billion […] - [Jim Cramer calls Nvidia's stock slide a buying opportunity — here's why](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/jim-cramer-calls-nvidias-stock-slide-a-buying-opportunity-heres-why.html): CNBC’s Jim Cramer said Tuesday that Nvidia’s stock slide to its lowest price in nearly three months is a buying opportunity for investors. Shares of the AI chipmaking king declined 6% in morning trading after The Information reported that Meta Platforms is considering using Google’s tensor processing units (TPUs) for its data centers in 2027. Nvidia’s stock has also been hit recently as worries about the valuations of AI-related companies and massive data center spending commitments have put tech stocks and the overall market under pressure. When asked on “Squawk on the Street” whether he would put fresh money into Nvidia, […] - [Consumer confidence hits lowest point since April as job worries grow](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/consumer-confidence-lowest-point-since-april.html): A hiring sign is displayed in the window of a business in Manhattan on Nov. 27, 2025 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images Consumers soured on the current economy and their prospects for the future, with worries growing over the ability to find a job, according to a Conference Board survey released Tuesday. The board’s Consumer Confidence Index for November slumped to 88.7, a drop of 6.8 points from the prior month for its lowest reading since April. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones were looking for a reading of 93.2. In addition, the expectations index tumbled 8.6 points […] - [TSMC stock falls as it sues former exec alleging he took trade secrets to Intel](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/-tsmc-stock-lawsuit-former-executive-trade-secrets-intel.html): TSMC filed a lawsuit Tuesday against a former senior vice president it accused of leaking confidential information to Intel. Wei-Jen Lo joined Intel after 21 years at TSMC, having left in July, TSMC said in a statement. It said there was a “high probability” Lo had leaked “trade secrets and confidential information.” TSMC on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against a former senior vice president it accused of leaking “confidential information” to Intel. Wei-Jen Lo joined Intel after 21 years at TSMC, having left in July, the Taiwanese chip maker said in a statement, announcing the lawsuit. The lawsuit is based on […] - [Best Buy ups sales outlook heading into holiday shopping season](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/25/best-buy-ups-sales-outlook-heading-holiday-shopping-season/): Best Buy raised its profit and sales expectations ahead of the holiday shopping ramp-up on Black Friday after a strong third quarter. Comparable-store sales at the nation’s largest consumer electronics chain rose 2.7%, fueled by computing, gaming and mobile phones. It was the biggest gain in three years for the Minnesota retailer. Shares rose nearly 3% before the opening bell Tuesday. The strong quarter is an encouraging sign for Best Buy, which like almost all U.S. companies, has spent months navigating an uncertain economic environment as President Donald Trump imposes wide-ranging tariffs on imports. Electronics have been particularly hard hit. Consumer […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Kohl's, Nvidia, Dick's Sporting Goods, Symbotic & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-kss-nvda-dks-sym.html): Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. Nvidia , Alphabet , Broadcom — Nvidia shares were down 3% after The Information reported, citing sources, that Meta Platforms was considering spending billions of dollars on Alphabet’s AI chips. Alphabet shares were up 4% on the back of the report along with Broadcom. Kohl’s — The department store’s stock soared 23% after its third-quarter results beat expectations. Kohl’s adjusted earnings came in at 10 cents per share, versus the 20 cent loss expected from analysts polled by LSEG. Its revenue of $3.41 billion also topped the $3.32 billion consensus estimate. Symbotic — […] - [Private payroll losses accelerated in the past four weeks, ADP reports](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/private-payroll-losses-accelerated-in-the-past-four-weeks-adp-reports-.html): Private companies lost an average of 13,500 jobs a week over the past four weeks, ADP said as part of a running update it has been providing. With the government shutdown still impacting data releases, alternative data like ADP’s has been filling in the blanks on the economic picture. A ‘Now Hiring’ sign sits in the window of a Denny’s restaurant on Nov. 19, 2025 in Miami, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images The U.S. labor market is showing further signs of weakening as the pace of layoffs has picked up over the past four weeks, payrolls processing firm ADP reported […] - [Japan scrambles aircraft over suspected China drone near Taiwan](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/japan-china-drone-taiwan-scramble-aircraft-yonaguni-island-5489291): TOKYO: Japan said on Tuesday (Nov 25) it scrambled aircraft after detecting a suspected Chinese drone off an island near Taiwan that has been drawn into a weeks-long diplomatic spat between Tokyo and Beijing. The drone was spotted off Japan’s Yonaguni, an island where Tokyo is planning to deploy missiles in a move that has angered Beijing. “We confirmed that an unmanned aerial vehicle believed to be Chinese, passed between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan on Monday,” Japan’s defence ministry said on X. The regional Japan Air Self-Defense Forces “scrambled aircraft” in response, it said. Beijing-Tokyo relations have soured this month, following […] - [U.N. food agency projects northern Nigeria to experience hunger at unprecedented level in 2026](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/25/un-food-agency-northern-nigeria-experience-hunger-unprecedented-level/): LAGOS, Nigeria — A spike in attacks by militants across northern Nigeria is “driving hunger to levels never seen before” and is expected to result in the worst levels of food insecurity in Africa next year, according to a World Food Programme report released Tuesday. The food agency of the United Nations projected 35 million people are likely to experience severe hunger in Nigeria by 2026, the highest on the continent and the largest since the agency began recording data in Nigeria. The WFP also predicted at least 15,000 people in Borno state, the epicenter of Nigeria’s security crisis, will experience […] - [China completes first emergency mission to Tiangong space station](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-shenzhou-22-first-emergency-mission-complete-tiangong-space-station-5489056): BEIJING: China’s first emergency space launch went ahead without incident on Tuesday (Nov 25), as the country plugged safety risks at its crewed space station after a vessel was damaged in orbit earlier this month. The unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft lifted off on a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 12.11pm, according to China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). “The spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered its planned orbit. The launch mission was a complete success,” CMSA said in a statement published on its official WeChat account. Video shared by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV […] - [Recycling Lead for U.S. Car Batteries Is Poisoning People](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010500087/recycling-lead-for-us-car-batteries-is-poisoning-people.html): new video loaded: Recycling Lead for U.S. Car Batteries Is Poisoning People Recycling lead for U.S. car batteries is poisoning children — and we know because we tested them. Will Fitzgibbon, a reporter at The Examination, describes how children in Nigeria developed lead levels associated with lifelong brain damage, and how factory workers told us they were coughing up black dust. By Will Fitzgibbon, Peter S. Goodman, Melanie Bencosme, Jon Miller, Laura Salaberry, Rebecca Suner and Finbarr O’Reilly November 25, 2025 - [China launches Shenzhou 22 spacecraft to assist in return of 3 astronauts stranded on space station](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/25/china-launching-shenzhou-22-spacecraft-assist-return-3-astronauts/): BEIJING — China launched the Shenzhou 22 spacecraft on Tuesday to help bring back a team of astronauts after a damaged spacecraft left them temporarily stranded on China’s space station. The Shenzhou 22, which successfully docked at the Tiangong space station Tuesday, will be used sometime in 2026 by the three astronauts who arrived on Nov. 1. Earlier this month, another group of Chinese astronauts from the Shenzhou 20 mission faced a nine-day delay in their return to Earth after their craft’s window was damaged. They eventually returned using the Shenzhou 21 spacecraft, which had just carried the replacement crew to […] - [Possible Peek at the Future the Last Few Weeks?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/25/possible_peek_at_the_future_the_last_few_weeks_1149322.html): A few weeks ago I asked the question that everyone is asking today: Is This A Bubble? My answer, as it is for most questions about the future, is that I don’t know. But there are some things I do know: The S&P 500 is priced for low future returns, Read Full Article » - [AI Promised Magic, Then Investors Did the Math](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/25/ai_promised_magic_then_investors_did_the_math_1149487.html): It’s late afternoon in Menlo Park. Mark Zuckerberg’s senior infrastructure team is camped out in one of Meta’s glass-walled conference rooms. The slide deck peers back from the screen. Zuck, as everyone knows him, appears from 2,500 miles away, on the lanai of his 1,400-acre compound on Kauai. Palm trees tilt in the trade winds. The Pacific catches the last low morning light. He doesn’t need a virtual background. Read Full Article » - [If You're Desperate, You Likely Don't Have Much Debt](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/25/if_youre_desperate_you_likely_dont_have_much_debt_1149480.html): Bloomberg recently reported that Amazon is set to raise $15 billion in an upcoming bond sale. The funds will be used to continue Amazon’s AI buildout. Better yet for the purposes of this piece, the sizable bond issuance signals impressive market confidence about Amazon’s future. Entities that are doing well, and expected to do better, can borrow a little or a lot very easily. Those with a less certain future can’t borrow. Money is ruthless. Amazon shows us why. Read Full Article » - [What I Learned Teaching Economics & Government Full Time](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/25/what_i_learned_teaching_economics_and_government_full_time_1149474.html): The most pleasant surprise in my first year teaching economics and government full-time was being asked to take-on a financial literacy course as well.  My friends and family tease me about keeping the thermostat at 78 during Texas summers, but it looks like it paid off. Current events have helped illuminate the content of that class just as they have for econ and gov.  The Wall Street Journal recently detailed how consumers are making “every penny count” on groceries.  Some are diluting household cleaners, while others are merely dabbing their toothbrush with toothpaste. Read Full Article » - [Singapore court clears way for US$2.7 billion suit against Standard Chartered over alleged role in 1MDB fraud](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/standard-chartered-1mdb-fraud-singapore-court-suit-5486861): SINGAPORE: A Singapore court has cleared the way for a US$2.7 billion lawsuit against Standard Chartered Bank over its alleged role in 1MDB fraud, liquidators seeking to recover the funds said on Monday (Nov 24). Singapore High Court dismissed an application by the bank to strike out a suit filed against it by liquidators, the liquidators said in a press release, calling it “a significant legal victory” allowing the case to continue. Liquidators trying to recover money from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund 1MDB sued Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore in June, alleging it enabled acts of fraud that caused more than […] - [A Safe, Profitable Bet on the Green Transition](https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-safe-profitable-bet-on-the-green-transition-a6e96987?mod=rss_markets_main): April 10, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (3 min) Companies in the business of storing and transporting natural gas don’t sound “growth-y” or exciting, but they are businesses with a deepening competitive moat and growing need. Over the last decade, U.S. dry natural gas production has grown 57% and demand (including for exports) has risen 45%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Over that period, interstate pipeline capacity for natural gas has expanded just 25%, according to Williams Companies, citing data from EIA. Meanwhile, natural-gas storage capacity has barely changed. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. […] - [Good Economy, Negative Vibes: The Story Continues](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/08/opinion/economy-vibes.html): When it comes to economic news, we’ve had so much winning that we’ve gotten tired of winning, or at any rate blasé about it. Last week, we got another terrific employment report — job growth for 39 straight months — and it feels as if hardly anyone noticed. In particular, it’s not clear whether the good news will dent the still widespread but false narrative that President Biden is presiding over a bad economy. Start with the facts: Job creation under Biden has been truly amazing, especially when you recall all those confident but wrong predictions of recession. Four years ago, […] - [Sudán: al menos 15 muertos por ataques de los paramilitares en Darfur Norte, según ONG](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudan-al-menos-15-muertos-por-ataques-de-los-paramilitares-en-darfur-norte-segun-ong-ultimas-noticia/): El caso del estadounidense hallado con dos menores en un hotel de Medellín y cómo logró escapar de Colombia Ecuador: policías irrumpen en la embajada de México y detienen a Jorge Glas Al menos 15 personas murieron en los últimos tres días por ataques del grupo paramilitar Fuerzas de Apoyo Rápido (FAR) en varias localidades próximas a Al Fashir, capital del estado de Darfur Norte, en el oeste de Sudán, informó este sábado el Grupo de Abogados de Emergencias. LEE MÁS | José Andrés, el chef fundador de la ONG atacada en Israel que lleva ayuda en tiempos de crisis Esta […] - [Will the Baltimore Bridge Disaster Make Inflation Worse?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/02/opinion/baltimore-bridge-inflation-supply-chain.html): It has been a week since the Dali, a container ship, struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. It’s still stuck there, and the images remain amazing, in part because the vessel is so huge compared with what’s left of the bridge. How could planners not have realized that operating superships in the harbor’s confined waters posed a risk? And with the ship and pieces of the bridge blocking the harbor entry, the Port of Baltimore remains closed. How big a deal is that for the economy? Well, it would have been quite a big deal if it had happened […] - [Tragedia en Sudáfrica: 45 muertos tras la caída de autobús a un abismo en Limpopo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tragedia-en-sudafrica-cerca-de-45-muertos-tras-la-caida-de-autobus-a-un-abismo-en-limpopo-mamatlakala-mokopane-gaborone-botsuana-moria-polokwane-pascua-daily-sun-ultimas-noticia/): Israel acusa a Sudáfrica de actuar como “brazo legal” de Hamás Israel vuelve a acusar a Sudáfrica de ser el “brazo legal” de Hamás Unas 45 personas murieron el jueves pasado tras un accidente de un bus de pasajeros que cayó a un abismo cerca de la población de Limpopo, a unos 380 kilómetros al norte de Johannesburgo (Sudáfrica). Según el periódico Daily Sun, el siniestro se produjo después de que el autobús, que transportaba a unos feligreses que se dirigían a una peregrinación de Pascua, cayó desde el puente Mamatlakala a unos 50 metros de profundidad, en las cercanías de […] - [Why Are Americans Still Down on the Economy?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/18/opinion/biden-trump-economy-election.html): Are you better off today than you were four years ago? Honestly, I didn’t think Republicans were going to try replaying Ronald Reagan’s famous line, since so much of the G.O.P.’s 2024 strategy depends on a sort of collective amnesia about the last year of Donald Trump’s presidency. Is it really a good idea to remind voters what the spring of 2020 was like? For it was a terrible time: It was a time of fear, with Covid deaths skyrocketing. It was a time of isolation, with normal social interactions disrupted. It was a time of surging violent crime, perhaps brought […] - [Níger rompe un acuerdo de cooperación militar con Estados Unidos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/niger-rompe-un-acuerdo-de-cooperacion-militar-con-estados-unidos-ultimas-noticia/): Asalto al Capitolio: Estos son los condenados a los que indultaría Trump si vuelve a la Casa Blanca Quién era John Barnett, el exempleado de Boeing que denunció graves fallas de seguridad El régimen militar en el poder en Níger anunció el sábado la ruptura, “con efecto inmediato”, de un acuerdo de cooperación militar con Estados Unidos, al día siguiente de una visita de altos funcionarios de Washington al país africano. “El gobierno de Níger, teniendo en cuenta las aspiraciones y los intereses de su pueblo, decidió (…) denunciar con efecto inmediato el acuerdo relativo al estatuto del personal militar de […] - [Los raptores de más de 280 alumnos y maestros en Nigeria piden un rescate de 567.000 euros](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-los-raptores-de-mas-de-280-alumnos-y-maestros-piden-un-rescate-de-567000-euros-kaduna-gss-kuriga-ultimas-noticia/): Nigeria: fuerzas de seguridad se movilizan para encontrar a más de 200 alumnos secuestrados Nigeria: al menos 150 estudiantes de primaria fueron secuestrados por sujetos armados Los secuestradores de más de 280 estudiantes y profesores capturados el pasado jueves en el centro-norte de Nigeria, en una localidad del estado de Kaduna, pidieron a las familias un rescate de mil millones de nairas (unos 567.000 euros), confirmaron a EFE este miércoles dos líderes de la sociedad civil local. “Nos han contactado, nos han pedido mil millones de nairas para liberar a los alumnos y los profesores. Amenazaron con matar a todos los […] - [El presidente de Kenia reafirma el compromiso de su país para liderar la misión en Haití](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/haiti-el-presidente-de-kenia-reafirma-el-compromiso-de-su-pais-para-liderar-la-mision-en-haiti-william-ruto-ariel-henry-onu-ultimas-noticia/): Haití vive clima de incertidumbre tras la dimisión de su primer ministro Ariel Henry Haitianos se manifiestan contra el Consejo Presidencial que sustituirá a Ariel Henry El presidente de Kenia, William Ruto, reafirmó este miércoles el compromiso de su país para encabezar la misión multinacional autorizada por las Naciones Unidas para atajar la crisis de seguridad en Haití, una vez se nombre un Consejo Presidencial de Transición en la nación caribeña. Ruto reveló a través de la red social X que mantuvo una conversación con el secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Antony Blinken, a quien le aseguró que “Kenia asumirá […] - [Nigeria: fuerzas de seguridad se movilizan para encontrar a más de 200 alumnos secuestrados](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-fuerzas-de-seguridad-se-movilizan-para-encontrar-a-mas-de-200-alumnos-secuestrados-kaduna-gss-kuriga-ultimas-noticia/): Nigeria: al menos 150 estudiantes de primaria fueron secuestrados por sujetos armados Las joyas de la corona de África que el Imperio británico saqueó y que ahora Reino Unido devuelve como préstamo Nigeria movilizó el viernes a las fuerzas de seguridad para encontrar a más de 200 alumnos secuestrados por hombres armados durante un ataque en una escuela en el noroeste, uno de los mayores plagios registrados en años en este país del oeste de África. Este secuestro, ocurrido el jueves en el estado de Kaduna, es el segundo en una semana en este país, el más poblado de África, donde […] - [Reminder: Trump’s Last Year in Office Was a National Nightmare](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/07/opinion/trump-pandemic-president.html): One of the amazing political achievements of Republicans in this election cycle has been their ability, at least so far, to send Donald Trump’s last year in office down the memory hole. Voters are supposed to remember the good economy of January 2020, with its combination of low unemployment and low inflation, while forgetting about the plague year that followed. Since Trump’s romp in the Super Tuesday primaries, however, the ex-president and his surrogates have begun trying to pull off an even more impressive act of revisionism: portraying his entire presidency — even 2020, that awful first pandemic year — as […] - [Nigeria: al menos 150 estudiantes de primaria fueron secuestrados por sujetos armados](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-al-menos-150-estudiantes-de-primaria-fueron-secuestrados-por-sujetos-armados-kaduna-ultimas-noticia/): Ejército de Nigeria ataca por error con un dron una fiesta religiosa y mata a 85 civiles Nigeria: Al menos 113 muertos tras dos días de ataques armados en Plateau Al menos 150 estudiantes de una escuela de educación primaria fueron secuestrados este jueves por individuos armados en una localidad del estado de Kaduna, en el centro-norte de Nigeria, confirmó a EFE una fuente de la Policía estatal. El ataque se produjo a primera hora de la mañana en la escuela de primaria de la Autoridad Educativa Local en Kuriga, precisó la fuente. REVISA AQUÍ | Qué otras guerras hay en […] - [Fiserv, Amadeus vie to acquire Shift4 Payments](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/fiserv-amadeus-vie-to-acquire-shift4-payments/): Deals29 February 2024, 1:07 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Fiserv and Amadeus IT Group are competing to acquire Shift4 Payments, a payments processor that has a market value of nearly $7 billion.  Market ImpactShares of Shift4 jumped as much as 13% on the news.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: DealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [ECB to keep floor under market rates but with eye on demand ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ecb-to-keep-floor-under-market-rates-but-with-eye-on-demand/): Economy29 February 2024, 12:59 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that the European Central Bank will continue putting a “floor” under market interest rates in the years to come, but banks will play a greater role in deciding how much liquidity they want.  Market ImpactThe ECB is reviewing how it steers short-term interest rates in a new era in which inflation is higher and the massive amount of cash pumped into the banking system via stimulus programmes over the last decade is no longer needed and even creates some unwanted side-effects.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: EconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Grocery Prices, Inflation and ‘Bad Vibes’](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/27/opinion/grocery-prices-inflation-economy.html): Whenever I write about falling inflation, I get a lot of comments and mail to the effect that grocery prices have doubled under President Biden and are still soaring. So a few days ago, first on social media and then in a blog post, I pointed out that they haven’t and aren’t. Here’s what the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics looks like: FRED According to the bureau, prices of groceries for home consumption rose 19.6 percent between January 2021 and January 2023, then another 1.2 percent over the following year. Yes, grocery prices are up a lot, but not […] - [“Me dejaron en el desierto con el cadáver de mi madre”: la desesperada huida de Sudán, el país con la mayor crisis de desplazados](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudan-la-desesperada-huida-del-pais-con-la-mayor-crisis-de-desplazados-del-mundo-me-dejaron-en-el-desierto-con-el-cadaver-de-mi-madre-noticia/): Cómo el gobierno ruso ha reformado al grupo mercenario Wagner después de la sospechosa muerte de su comandante Proyecto Islero, el plan de la España de Franco para conseguir la bomba atómica y por qué no llegó a hacerlo “Me dejaron en el desierto con mi madre muerta”, cuenta Om Salma*, quien fue abandonada por un grupo de traficantes de personas en algún lugar del camino de Sudán a Egipto. La joven de 25 años dice que su madre murió cuando el camión descapotable en el que viajaban se estrelló. Producto del choque su progenitora fue arrojada fuera del vehículo. MIRA: […] - [Broadcom nears $3.8 bln sale of remote access unit to KKR ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/broadcom-nears-3-8-bln-sale-of-remote-access-unit-to-kkr/): Business & FinanceDealsTechnology24 February 2024, 1:23 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that chipmaker Broadcom was nearing a $3.8 billion deal to sell its business that allows users to access desktops and applications from any device to private equity firm KKR.   Market ImpactThe deal was announced by KKR on February 26, two days after the Reuters story was published. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Bidenomics Is Still Working Very Well](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/opinion/biden-economy.html): The economic news in 2023 was almost miraculously good. Not only did America’s economy defy widespread predictions of recession, it also defied claims that only a significant rise in unemployment could bring inflation under control. Instead, we got a combination of strong growth, unemployment near a 50-year low and plunging inflation. But last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that both the Consumer Price Index and the Producer Price Index rose 0.3 percent in January, more than most analysts expected. And the usual suspects — inflation perma-bears, political enemies of the Biden administration and economists who wrongly predicted that disinflation […] - [Top UK pension fund Nest expects to lift private assets to 30% of holdings](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/top-uk-pension-fund-nest-expects-to-lift-private-assets-to-30-of-holdings/): Business & Finance20 February 2024, 10:20 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Nest, a 36 billion pound ($45 billion) UK workplace pension fund, expects to ramp up private assets holdings to as much as 30% of its portfolio, in one of the most significant moves into alternative investments by a large UK retirement scheme. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Financial ServicesRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Airbus CEO tells staff Space losses ‘not acceptable’](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/airbus-ceo-tells-staff-space-losses-not-acceptable/): Business & Finance14 February 2024, 11:54 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that the head of Europe’s Airbus has told staff that recent unexpected charges in its Space business are “not acceptable”, in a candid assessment of a business facing what he described as an internal crisis.  Market ImpactIn November, Airbus took a 300-million-euro ($320 million) charge on unidentified satellite programmes, said by industry sources to include the commercial telecoms OneSat family. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Aerospace & DefenceBusiness & FinanceRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Trump’s media deal partner nears $50 million financing](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/trumps-media-deal-partner-nears-50-million-financing/): Business & FinanceDealsGovernment08 February 2024, 5:10 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC.O), opens new tab, the blank-check acquisition company that has agreed to take former U.S. President Donald Trump’s social media platform public, is nearing a $50 million financing deal. Market ImpactDWAC’s shares jumped as much as 8% on the news. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesMergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasCountries: United StatesWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Trump, Immigration, and the ‘Lump of Labor’ Fallacy](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/opinion/trump-immigration-lump-of-labor.html): What did Kurt Vonnegut, the novelist, and François Mitterand, the socialist president of France from 1981 to 1995, have in common with Donald Trump? Both, at some point, believed in what economists call the lump of labor fallacy. This is the view that there is a fixed amount of work to be done and that if someone or something — some group of workers or some kind of machine — is doing some of that work, that means fewer jobs for everyone else. And Trump clearly shares that belief. As I noted in my most recent column, it underlies his hostility […] - [Nvidia’s new China-focused AI chip set to be sold at similar price to Huawei product  ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/nvidias-new-china-focused-ai-chip-set-to-be-sold-at-similar-price-to-huawei-product/): Business & FinanceTechnology01 February 2024, 1:43 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Nvidia (NVDA.O), has started taking pre-orders for a new China-specific artificial intelligence (AI) chip from distributors who are pricing it on par with a rival product from Huawei. Market ImpactBefore the U.S. curbs, Nvidia dominated China’s AI chip market with more than 90% share. However, it currently faces increasing competition from domestic rivals, chief among them being Huawei. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Las joyas de la corona de África que el Imperio británico saqueó y que ahora Reino Unido devuelve como préstamo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/europa/las-joyas-de-la-corona-de-africa-que-el-imperio-britanico-saqueo-y-que-ahora-reino-unido-devuelve-como-prestamo-noticia/): Cuándo y cómo China perdió Taiwán (y cuál es el estatus actual de la “isla rebelde”) “Más que libertario, Milei por ahora es como un mandamás que considera que hay que cambiarlo todo y de golpe” Reino Unido está enviando de vuelta a casa algunas de las “joyas de la corona” de Ghana, 150 años después de saquearlas de la corte del rey Asante. Una pipa de oro de la paz se encuentra entre los 32 artículos que retornarán al país africano en virtud de acuerdos de préstamo a largo plazo, según puede revelar la BBC. MIRA: La polémica decisión de […] - [Nigeria: más de 50 muertos por dos ataques en el centro del país](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-mas-de-50-muertos-por-dos-ataques-en-el-centro-del-pais-plateau-ultimas-noticia/): Paro en Argentina y por qué el reto de Milei “es establecer prioridades en Ley Ómnibus” ¿Quién es ‘Dumbo’, el narco peruano que llegó a ser el criminal más buscado de Argentina? Al menos 55 personas murieron por dos ataques cometidos en el centro de Nigeria entre el martes y el miércoles, en el marco de un repunte de la violencia intercomunitaria, indicaron este jueves dos jefes locales a la AFP. LEE MÁS | “Cayó defendiendo a la patria”: Yuval López, el soldado peruano-israelí que murió combatiendo a Hamás Los ataques tuvieron lugar en el estado de Plateau, situado en la […] - [China regulators ask funds to curb short selling of stock index futures ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/china-regulators-ask-funds-to-curb-short-selling-of-stock-index-futures/): EconomyGovernment24 January 2024, 10:29 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that China’s securities regulators have asked some hedge fund managers to restrict short selling in its stock index futures market, as authorities seek to stabilise sinking stocks.  Market ImpactThe blue chip CSI300 Index (.CSI300), plunged to near five-year lows this week, prompting fresh vows by the government to steady capital markets. Article TagsTopics of Interest: EconomyGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyEquitiesFinancial ServicesGovernment & Public ServicesRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [China’s Economy Is in Serious Trouble](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/opinion/china-economy-xi.html): In 2023, the U.S. economy vastly outperformed expectations. A widely predicted recession never happened. Many economists (though not me) argued that getting inflation down would require years of high unemployment; instead, we’ve experienced immaculate disinflation, rapidly falling inflation at no visible cost. But the story has been very different in the world’s biggest economy (or second biggest — it depends on the measure). Some analysts expected the Chinese economy to boom after it lifted the draconian “zero Covid” measures it had adopted to contain the pandemic. Instead, China has underperformed by just about every economic indicator other than official G.D.P., which […] - [Worldline taps advisers for defence strategy amid share slump ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/worldline-taps-advisers-for-defence-strategy-amid-share-slump/): Business & FinanceDeals18 January 2024, 8:12 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Worldline (WLN.PA), opens new tab has lined up bankers to advise on a defence strategy in a bid to reassure shareholders and avoid a hostile takeover in the wake of a share price slump.  Market Impact Worldline declined to comment. Its shares rose as much as 4.2% on the Reuters report and were last up 2.9% on the day at 13.5 euros. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceMergers & AcquisitionRegions: EuropeCountries: LondonWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [ECB sounds out lenders on exposure to Spanish drugmaker Grifols ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ecb-sounds-out-lenders-on-exposure-to-spanish-drugmaker-grifols/): Business & FinanceHealth17 January 2024, 5:59 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that the European Central Bank was asking banks to detail their exposure to Spanish drugmaker Grifols and a network of companies linked to the founding family, days after the Barcelona-based business was accused of manipulating its financial accounts by a short-seller. The story also revealed how supervisors were concerned that the huge drop in Grifols’ share price could require family-connected companies which have borrowed using Grifols stock as collateral to post more margin. Grifols denies all the allegations made by Gotham City Research, the short-seller. The story was picked up by Bloomberg, Spain’s state-owned news agency, EFE, and made it into several newspapers including Expansion, El Mundo and the front page of business daily Cinco Dias.  Market ImpactSince Jan. 9, the stock has lost nearly 40%. Gotham’s report has wiped more than 3.3 billion euros from Grifols’ market value. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceHealthType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinancePharmaceuticals & HealthcareRegions: EuropeCountries: SpainWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Broad Losses Pull Stock Indexes Lower](https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-news-01-16-2024-5cc239e2?mod=rss_markets_main): Updated Jan. 16, 2024 4:34 pm ET Listen (1 min) Stocks opened the week lower, hinting at why some investors believe the “everything rally” of late 2023 will be hard-pressed to continue.  All three major indexes are in the red for 2024 after Tuesday’s session. The S&P 500 slipped 0.4%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.6%, or 232 points.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [The Tech Employee Who Went Viral for Filming Her Firing Has No Regrets](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-tech-employee-who-went-viral-for-filming-her-firing-has-no-regrets-54b61ffe?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen to article (1 minute) A tech company employee who went viral for filming her firing and sharing it on TikTok says her video has brought a flood of support.  “I don’t regret sharing that,” ex-Cloudflare employee Brittany Pietsch told The Wall Street Journal. “I have received so many messages of people telling me, ‘I wish I would have stood up for myself the way you did.’ ” Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Judge Blocks JetBlue's $3.8 Billion Acquisition of Spirit](https://www.wsj.com/articles/jetblue-spirit-airline-merger-blocked-4b2ba920?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 16, 2024 2:01 pm ET Listen (2 min) A federal judge on Tuesday blocked JetBlue Airways from acquiring Spirit Airlines, agreeing with the Justice Department that the $3.8 billion deal would eliminate a competitor important to price-conscious travelers.  The Justice Department said JetBlue’s purchase of Spirit would remove an ultra-low-cost carrier that benefits travelers and puts pressure on other airlines to keep down fares. Removing Spirit as a rival would free JetBlue to raise prices by as much as 30%, the government said. JetBlue is the country’s sixth-largest carrier, and Spirit ranks seventh. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, […] - [Diddy and Diageo Are Breaking Up](https://www.wsj.com/articles/diageo-settles-disputes-with-rapper-diddy-939ed63c?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 16, 2024 12:25 pm ET Listen (2 min) Diddy and Diageo have called it quits. The spirits maker and Sean “Diddy” Combs Tuesday said they have reached an agreement to resolve their legal dispute and dissolve their yearslong partnership on Cîroc vodka and DeLeón tequila.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Chinese Premier Makes Surprise Economic Growth Reveal](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-premier-makes-surprise-economic-growth-reveal-f5221836?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 9:40 am ET Listen (2 min) Chinese Premier Li Qiang gave global business elites a big hint on highly anticipated growth figures, as he sought to reassure them that investing in China is an opportunity—not a risk. Li delivered the message in an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as Chinese leaders seek to stem an exodus of foreign investment with growth slowing and relations deteriorating with the U.S.-led West. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [J.P. Morgan Securities to Pay $18 Million for Whistleblower Protection Violations](https://www.wsj.com/articles/j-p-morgan-securities-to-pay-18-million-for-whistleblower-protection-violations-914edd32?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 9:13 am ET Listen (1 min) A JPMorgan Chase subsidiary will pay $18 million to settle charges that it violated protections for whistleblowers. The Securities and Exchange Commission alleged Tuesday that J.P. Morgan Securities had prevented hundreds of advisory clients and brokerage customers from reporting potential violations of securities law to regulators with confidentiality agreements. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Goldman Sachs Reports Sharply Higher Earnings](https://www.wsj.com/articles/goldman-sachs-reports-sharply-higher-earnings-helped-by-asset-and-wealth-management-58b28520?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 16, 2024 8:04 am ET Listen (1 min) Goldman Sachs reported sharply higher profit for the fourth quarter, bolstered by a strong performance in its asset and wealth management business. The bank on Tuesday said quarterly profit was $2.01 billion, up 51% from a year ago. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Shell Suspends Red Sea Shipments Amid Fears of More Houthi Attacks](https://www.wsj.com/articles/shell-suspends-red-sea-shipments-amid-fears-of-more-houthi-attacks-c7fa936d?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Share Listen (1 min) - [Restaurant Brands To Acquire Largest Burger King Franchisee In U.S. For $1 Billion](https://www.wsj.com/articles/restaurant-brands-to-acquire-largest-burger-king-franchisee-in-u-s-for-1-billion-2e993658?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 7:32 am ET Listen (1 min) Burger King-owner Restaurant Brands International will acquire Carrols Restaurant Group for about $1 billion in cash. Toronto-based RBI said it would pay $9.55 per share for Carrols, the largest Burger King franchisee in the U.S. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Elon Musk Seeks Greater Control Over Tesla Ahead of AI Advancements](https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-seeks-greater-control-over-tesla-ahead-of-ai-advancements-f9139b12?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 16, 2024 7:28 am ET Listen (1 min) Elon Musk said he feels uncomfortable making Tesla a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics without having about 25% voting control of the electric-car maker. Musk said late Monday in a post on X that he wants enough control at Tesla to be influential, but not so much that he couldn’t be overruled. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Profits Comeback Paired With Rate Cuts Make a Powerful Mix](https://www.wsj.com/articles/profits-comeback-paired-with-rate-cuts-make-a-powerful-mix-b96fbf0d?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 16, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (3 min) Profits are growing again, and the Federal Reserve looks as if it will start cutting rates sometime this year. It is an unusual combination and, for the stock market, possibly a potent one. Earnings season has just gotten under way, with a bevy of big banks reporting fourth-quarter results on Friday. It is early days still, but the rebound in profits that began in the third quarter looks poised to continue. Analysts on average estimate that earnings per share at companies in the S&P 500 will register an increase of 4.4% in […] - [The $65 Million Perk for CEOs: Personal Use of the Corporate Jet Has Soared](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-65-million-perk-for-ceos-personal-use-of-the-corporate-jet-has-soared-bc20a988?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 min) One of the flashiest executive perks has roared back since the onset of the pandemic: free personal travel on the company jet. Companies in the S&P 500 spent $65 million for executives to use corporate jets for personal travel in 2022, up about 50% from prepandemic levels three years earlier, a Wall Street Journal analysis found. Early signs suggest the trend continued last year.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Global Battery Race Heats Up With Billions for Europe's Northvolt](https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-battery-race-heats-up-with-billions-for-europes-northvolt-dec5f2f1?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 16, 2024 12:01 am ET Listen (2 min) One of the world’s most valuable battery startups is raising $3.4 billion in debt from the European Union and a group of banks including JPMorgan Chase, accelerating a race to build more batteries outside China and take advantage of a tidal wave of clean-energy subsidies. Europe’s Northvolt plans to use the funding to grow battery production at a factory in northern Sweden for customers such as Volkswagen and BMW. It also plans to expand a recycling facility next door that will convert scrap metal and old batteries into reusable battery materials.   Copyright […] - [These Four Questions Are Top of Mind for Investors in 2024](https://www.wsj.com/articles/these-four-questions-are-top-of-mind-for-investors-in-2024-25aa2cda?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 15, 2024 11:00 pm ET Listen (1 min) The blockbuster stock market rally stalled once the calendar flipped to 2024.  Some of the big tech stocks that drove the market’s advance last year appear to have run out of gas, government-bond yields have risen and inflation might not be cooling as quickly as some investors had hoped. After a rocky start to the month, the S&P is clinging to a 0.3% advance in January. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [ETFs Make Bitcoin's Problems Even Worse](https://www.wsj.com/articles/etfs-make-bitcoins-problems-even-worse-f48256d2?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 15, 2024 11:00 pm ET Listen (1 min) The new wave of U.S. bitcoin ETFs risk being doubly bad for investors.  As holders of bitcoin they undermine the very purpose, and so the long-term value, of a cryptocurrency. And as ETFs launched at a moment of popularity they might be repeating the mistake of many past thematic funds by buying at a peak. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Full Employment Is Good for Society](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/opinion/full-employment-economy-mlk.html): On the day in 1968 when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot, he was in Memphis to show support for striking sanitation workers. By then, he had come to see fighting for economic equality as a crucial part of the struggle for civil rights. Unfortunately, there was little progress on that front for the next half-century. By many measures, the economic divide between Black and white Americans was as wide in the late 2010s as it was in the late 1960s. The good news: Over the past few years, we’ve seen a significant decline in inequality on multiple […] - [Closing of Kroger, Albertsons, C&S Deal Postponed](https://www.wsj.com/articles/closing-of-kroger-albertsons-c-s-deal-postponed-6c2d019a?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 15, 2024 5:37 pm ET Listen (1 min) The proposed merger of U.S. grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, and sale of assets to C&S Wholesale Grocers, will be later than previously anticipated as the companies continues discussion with regulators. In a joint statement on Monday, the companies said that due to continued discussions with the Federal Trade Commission and individual state Attorneys General, they now expect the deal to close in the first half of Kroger’s fiscal 2024. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [John Deere, Meet Elon Musk: SpaceX Satellites to Link Farm Giant's Equipment](https://www.wsj.com/articles/john-deere-meet-elon-musk-spacex-satellites-to-link-farm-giants-equipment-e0936668?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 15, 2024 3:48 pm ET Listen (2 min) Deere said it would tap SpaceX’s satellite fleet to propel the tractor maker’s digital farming push and help automate planting and harvesting in remote locations. The world’s largest farm machinery manufacturer signed a deal with SpaceX’s Starlink business to connect tractors, seed planters, crop sprayers and other equipment in areas that lack adequate internet service, allowing them to use Deere’s digital products.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Stocks in Japan, India Notch Historic Highs; U.S. Markets to Reopen Tuesday](https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-news-01-15-2024-b4cb6b37?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 15, 2024 6:43 am ET Listen (1 min) Stock benchmarks in two of Asia’s largest economies climbed to historic highs, while U.S. equity and bond markets were shut for Martin Luther King Day. Bank earnings and economic data later this week could give clues about the Federal Reserve’s next steps. The stock and bond markets will reopen Tuesday. U.S. stock futures wavered Monday. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Young Black Americans Embrace the Stock Market](https://www.wsj.com/articles/young-black-americans-embrace-the-stock-market-a5c09c62?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen to article (2 minutes) Young Black Americans are among the fastest-growing segments of stock-market investors. Nearly 40% of Black Americans owned stocks in 2022, up from just under a third in 2016, according to the most recent Federal Reserve data. During that same period the share of white households with stocks grew to nearly two-thirds, up from 61%. This was all before the stock market’s 2023 rally. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Robots Are Looking Better to Detroit as Labor Costs Rise](https://www.wsj.com/articles/robots-are-looking-better-to-detroit-as-labor-costs-rise-ca1ef782?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 15, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (1 min) Automakers are looking to an old friend to help offset rising labor costs: robots. For decades, car companies have increased automation inside their factories. Now, auto executives are looking more closely at this approach, to address a rising labor bill and take advantage of more sophisticated technology.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Peace and Prosperity in the Taiwan Strait Still Have a Chance](https://www.wsj.com/articles/peace-and-prosperity-in-the-taiwan-strait-still-have-a-chance-bd3f7b8a?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 15, 2024 4:16 am ET Listen (2 min) Taiwan has voted: bringing the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party an unprecedented consecutive third term in the presidency. Now the world is waiting on Beijing, which claims Taiwan but doesn’t rule it. Saturday’s DPP victory, with around 40% of the vote, could mean more scary headlines in the near-term. Another set of large-scale military exercises, similar to the blockade mock-up in the wake of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit in 2022, is possible. Beijing announced it would cancel preferential tariff rates for 12 Taiwanese petrochemical products in late December. More trade broadsides are probably […] - [Boeing Faces Longer Wait to Resume MAX Deliveries in China](https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeing-faces-longer-wait-to-resume-max-deliveries-in-china-9277f534?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 15, 2024 12:03 am ET Listen (2 min) BEIJING—Boeing’s long-awaited delivery resumption of its 737 MAX jets to China faces fresh delays after the Alaska Airlines incident, as the plane maker was poised to benefit from the thaw in U.S.-China relations. China Southern Airlines, one of several Chinese carriers with undelivered MAX jets, has been readying to receive Boeing’s planes as early as January, people familiar with the matter said. Now the airline is planning to conduct additional safety inspections on those aircraft following the incident, the people said, though the jets to be delivered aren’t the same variant as Alaska’s MAX 9. […] - [Chiefs-Dolphins Playoff Game on Peacock Sets U.S. Streaming and Internet-Usage Records](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chiefs-dolphins-playoff-game-on-peacock-sets-u-s-streaming-and-internet-usage-records-c81a9980?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 14, 2024 10:34 pm ET Listen (2 min) The NFL playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins made history—and not just because it was so cold that one head coach’s mustache formed icicles. The Wild Card game, which aired on the streaming service Peacock, was the most streamed U.S. event ever, drawing 23 million viewers, according to Comcast NBCUniversal, Peacock’s owner. It also was the largest event ever for internet usage in the U.S., accounting for 30% of web traffic, making Saturday the single highest day of U.S. internet usage in history. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & […] - [Axel Springer Stands By Business Insider Reporting on Bill Ackman's Wife](https://www.wsj.com/articles/axel-springer-stands-by-business-insider-reporting-on-bill-ackmans-wife-921399f1?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 14, 2024 12:27 pm ET Listen (2 min) Business Insider owner Axel Springer said it stands by the publication after reviewing the reporting process behind stories that alleged plagiarism by Neri Oxman, the designer and former Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor who is married to hedge-fund billionaire Bill Ackman. The German media company said last week it would review the process and motivations behind the recent BI articles. The review came amid complaints from Ackman, in a series of posts on X, about the publication’s reporting tactics.    Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Chevy Blazer Troubles Add to GM's EV Growing Pains](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chevy-blazer-troubles-add-to-gms-ev-growing-pains-8f7e5c64?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 14, 2024 7:00 am ET Listen (2 min) As one of the nation’s first owners of General Motors’ new electric Chevrolet Blazer, James Hattin was loving the SUV—before the problems began. On a trip from the mountains back to his home in Burbank, Calif., he and his wife heard weird clicking noises coming from the dashboard. A short time later, the cruise control went out. A few days after that, in his driveway, the car’s screens went blank and the car wouldn’t start. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Renting Clothes Was Supposed to Be the Future of Fashion. Then Shoppers Got Bored.](https://www.wsj.com/articles/rent-runway-stitch-fix-business-models-6db18bbd?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 14, 2024 7:00 am ET Listen (2 min) Rent the Runway is betting that clothing from designers Diane von Furstenberg and Jason Wu can get customers to keep their subscriptions. Rival clothing subscription service Stitch Fix is staking its future on private brands. The different directions are part of companies’ bids to stem steep subscriber losses in recent months and declines in their stock-market valuations.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Goldman Sachs Goes Big on Lending to the Wealthy](https://www.wsj.com/articles/goldman-sachs-lending-wealthy-clients-e5dab436?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 14, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 min) Goldman Sachs has given up on lending to Main Street consumers. Now it’s doubling down on wealthy clients. The Wall Street giant is increasing lending to its private-wealth clients, individuals and families who on average have $60 million with the bank. In its trading department, loans to institutional clients, including hedge funds seeking to borrow for stock purchases, are on track to produce the highest revenue in at least three years. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [The Last Man Standing in Crypto](https://www.wsj.com/articles/coinbase-co-founder-brian-armstrong-ce1617ce?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 14, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 min) Brian Armstrong has become the new face of crypto.  Coinbase Global, the cryptocurrency exchange he co-founded in 2012, is one of the last big digital-asset companies standing after a string of high-profile collapses and government crackdowns. Armstrong’s former rivals—FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who once boasted far greater influence and wealth—are either in jail or facing time behind bars. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Sparkling start puts spotlight on Nikkei in 2024](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/sparkling-start-puts-spotlight-on-nikkei-in-2024/): Business & Finance14 January 2024, 2:17 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Japanese stocks have made a blazing start to 2024, surging to three-decade highs as a weaker yen and expectations of interest rates staying low have re-ignited the strongest rally for years.  Market Impact A 6% gain in the Nikkei (.N225), opens new tab over the past two weeks is the best start to the year in a generation, according to LSEG data, and comes on the heels of a 28% jump last year — the biggest annual gain in 10 years.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: EquitiesFinancial ServicesFX & Fixed IncomeRegions: AsiaCountries: JapanWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [The Surprising Aftermath of a Big Raise](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-surprising-aftermath-of-a-big-raise-a4358f21?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen to article (1 minute) Up and down the income ladder, people say more money would make them happier. When they actually get it, that isn’t always the case.  Some people who have gotten big raises recently say the money hasn’t changed their day-to-day life or hasn’t provided them as much joy as the things in their life that have nothing to do with money. Others were hoping for a bigger raise or felt conflicted about making more money.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Biggest U.S. Renewable Project Under Way, Finally](https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-s-biggest-renewable-project-is-under-way-finally-22b5a6ad?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 13, 2024 10:00 am ET Listen (2 min) A wind and power transmission project, called the largest of its kind in the country, has raised $11 billion in financing, kicking off a year when many utilities are expected to step up much-needed spending on the power grid. Pattern Energy Group has started construction on its SunZia project, a wind farm in central New Mexico, where more than 900 wind turbines will generate over 3,000 megawatts of clean energy. A 550-mile transmission line will bring the power to some three million people in Arizona and California.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & […] - [How Musk Is Fully Embracing Trump's Billionaire Populism](https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-donald-trump-populism-6667499c?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 13, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 min) It is hard not to see echoes of Donald Trump in Elon Musk these days. Both are world-famous entrepreneurs who have faced operatic dramas. Both are provocative on social issues, can be politically incorrect and, at times, even crude. And both excel at the art of the sell—themselves and their companies—and the ability to spin the world around their vision of it.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [The Score: PepsiCo, Coinbase, Bank of America and More Stocks That Defined the Week](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-score-pepsico-coinbase-bank-of-america-and-more-stocks-that-defined-the-week-3bcd1c68?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 5:32 pm ET Listen (1 min) The Score is a weekly review of the biggest stock moves and the news that drove them. PepsiCo Who broke up with whom, PepsiCo or Carrefour? Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Heard on the Street's Stock-Picking Contest](https://www.wsj.com/articles/heard-on-the-streets-stock-picking-contest-bbb58f00?mod=rss_markets_main): Updated Jan. 12, 2024 4:47 pm ET Listen (2 min) They say that the key to being a successful pundit is never to mention a number and a date in the same sentence. Heard on the Street’s columnists on four continents don’t have that luxury, but we also wouldn’t have it any other way. Our seventh annual stock-picking series will live on the internet forever, just like the last six. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [S&P 500 Falls Short of Record Despite Weekly Gain](https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-news-01-12-2024-0bee59cf?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 4:30 pm ET Listen (1 min) The S&P 500 overcame big declines in airline stocks and shares of companies that rely on discretionary spending Friday to inch closer to a new all-time high. The benchmark stock index ended Friday less than 0.1% higher, within 0.3% of a record high that has stood for more than two years. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also added less than 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.3%, or 118 points.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [FAA Says It Will Ramp Up Inspections of Boeing Facilities](https://www.wsj.com/articles/faa-says-it-will-ramp-up-inspections-of-boeing-facilities-ec020af5?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 12, 2024 1:47 pm ET Listen (1 min) Federal air-safety regulators said Friday that they would ramp up inspections of Boeing’s manufacturing facilities after grounding roughly 170 Boeing jets in the wake of an emergency landing last week. The Federal Aviation Administration, which has said it was investigating the aircraft maker after the Jan. 5 accident involving the Alaska Airlines jet, said it would conduct an audit of the 737 MAX 9 production line and its suppliers. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Shein's IPO Plans Put It in U.S.-China Crosshairs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/sheins-ipo-plans-put-it-in-u-s-china-crosshairs-f73be928?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 1:29 pm ET Listen (1 min) The initial public offering of fashion giant Shein could be one of biggest in years—if the company successfully navigates a minefield of U.S.-China tensions.  China-founded Shein, now based in Singapore, has quickly become one of the world’s largest fast-fashion retailers, valued at around $66 billion in its most recent fundraising round last year. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Banks Can't Count on Loans For Growth](https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-cant-count-on-loans-for-growth-cc1772ce?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 12:06 pm ET Listen (2 min) Even as the biggest banks have grown and diversified, lending remains a core part of their business. And it looks like that will get tougher this year. The outlooks that banks gave on Friday for 2024 net interest income—a measure of what they earn on yield from cash, loans and securities, minus what they pay in interest costs—were muted. JPMorgan Chase expects it to be about flat versus 2023, while Wells Fargo anticipates a potential decline of about 7% to 9%, and Citigroup expects their core net interest income to be “down […] - [Banks Can't Count on Loans For Growth](https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-cant-count-on-loans-for-growth-cc1772ce?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 12:06 pm ET Listen (2 min) Even as the biggest banks have grown and diversified, lending remains a core part of their business. And it looks like that will get tougher this year. The outlooks that banks gave on Friday for 2024 net interest income—a measure of what they earn on yield from cash, loans and securities, minus what they pay in interest costs—were muted. JPMorgan Chase expects it to be about flat versus 2023, while Wells Fargo anticipates a potential decline of about 7% to 9%, and Citigroup expects their core net interest income to be “down […] - [Flying in America Has Actually Never Been Safer](https://www.wsj.com/articles/plane-safety-airlines-boeing-never-been-safer-adbe2453?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 12, 2024 10:55 am ET Listen (2 min) It’s hard to pick the scariest part: the phones and teddy bears dropping from the sky, the shirt getting ripped off a teenager’s body or the massive hole in the side of the plane. The harrowing story of the Alaska Airlines flight that narrowly avoided disaster at 16,000 feet is petrifying enough to make you never set foot on a plane again.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Citigroup Plans to Cut 20,000 Jobs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/citigroup-plans-to-cut-20-000-jobs-71619fd0?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 10:53 am ET Listen (2 min) Citigroup plans to eliminate some 20,000 jobs by the end of 2026, marking the next phase of the bank’s most dramatic restructuring plan in decades.  The cuts will trim about 10% of Citi’s head count, which totaled 200,000 in December excluding the staff employed by a Mexico business that is being spun off. Citi detailed its cost-cutting plans on Friday, when it also announced a fourth-quarter loss.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Citigroup Plans to Cut 20,000 Jobs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/citigroup-plans-to-cut-20-000-jobs-71619fd0?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 10:53 am ET Listen (2 min) Citigroup plans to eliminate some 20,000 jobs by the end of 2026, marking the next phase of the bank’s most dramatic restructuring plan in decades.  The cuts will trim about 10% of Citi’s head count, which totaled 200,000 in December excluding the staff employed by a Mexico business that is being spun off. Citi detailed its cost-cutting plans on Friday, when it also announced a fourth-quarter loss.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [European Banks Brace for Testing Times After Peak in Interest Rates](https://www.wsj.com/articles/european-banks-brace-for-testing-times-after-peak-in-interest-rates-e0b90ccd?mod=rss_markets_main): By Helena Smolak Jan. 12, 2024 10:52 am ET Listen (2 min) European banks head into 2024 with signals that interest rates might have peaked after a period of hikes, a shift that looks set to test whether lenders can keep their profit engine running once central banks are done with rate increases. Bank executives say the industry is likely to show resilience in the face of a pivot by central banks in developed economies to potentially cutting rates after raising them at a fast clip to tame inflation, though analysts expect last year’s big earnings boost will lose steam in […] - [European Banks Brace for Testing Times After Peak in Interest Rates](https://www.wsj.com/articles/european-banks-brace-for-testing-times-after-peak-in-interest-rates-e0b90ccd?mod=rss_markets_main): By Helena Smolak Jan. 12, 2024 10:52 am ET Listen (2 min) European banks head into 2024 with signals that interest rates might have peaked after a period of hikes, a shift that looks set to test whether lenders can keep their profit engine running once central banks are done with rate increases. Bank executives say the industry is likely to show resilience in the face of a pivot by central banks in developed economies to potentially cutting rates after raising them at a fast clip to tame inflation, though analysts expect last year’s big earnings boost will lose steam in […] - [The Democrat, the Fracking Executive and the Deal They Struck. Can It Work?](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-democrat-the-fracking-executive-and-the-deal-they-struck-can-it-work-ae723286?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 12, 2024 10:00 am ET Listen (2 min) An unusual agreement between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and a natural-gas driller could serve as a model for finding consensus over an issue that continues to divide much of the U.S.: fracking.  Shapiro and the chief executive of CNX Resources said in November that the company would make changes to its operations and voluntarily release environmental information to the public and regulators.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Morgan Stanley Agrees to Pay $249 Million to Settle Block-Trading Probes](https://www.wsj.com/articles/morgan-stanley-agrees-to-pay-249-million-to-settle-block-trading-probes-48ea4a54?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 8:57 am ET Listen (2 min) Morgan Stanley agreed Friday to pay $249 million to settle criminal and regulatory investigations into allegations that some employees improperly shared information about clients’ stock sales, the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office said. The resolution ends a long-running probe into how the bank sold large blocks of stock for institutional investors. Morgan Stanley obtained a nonprosecution agreement, a form of leniency that means it won’t face criminal charges as long as it cooperates with ongoing requests from prosecutors for three years and doesn’t violate its settlement agreement.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, […] - [JPMorgan Posts Record Annual Profit Despite Quarterly Slip](https://www.wsj.com/articles/jpmorganchase-jpm-q4-earnings-report-2023-f29ff050?mod=rss_markets_main): Updated Jan. 12, 2024 8:00 am ET Listen (2 min) JPMorgan Chase’s fourth-quarter profit slipped, but it was still enough to push the bank to a record-breaking result for the full year. Throughout 2023, the nation’s biggest bank benefited from higher interest rates, which increased margins in its lending business. When other banks suffered in a crisis of confidence starting in March, depositors rushed to JPMorgan’s vaults, and the chaos also resulted in a lucrative acquisition for the bank. In total, it earned $49.55 billion for 2023, up 32% from 2022. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. […] - [Tesla Production in Europe Upended by Red Sea Conflict](https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-to-halt-production-at-german-car-factory-as-red-sea-conflict-hits-supply-chains-3735e991?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 12, 2024 7:11 am ET Listen (2 min) BERLIN—Tesla plans to halt production at its biggest factory in Europe for two weeks as the conflict in the Red Sea continues to disrupt transport ships, raising the specter of a new supply-chain crisis for European manufacturers dependent on parts from China and other Asian countries. Tesla said in a statement Friday that it would stop nearly all production at its factory near Berlin from Jan. 29 to Feb. 12 because of a lack of components. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Tax Guide 2024: Electric-Vehicle Tax Credits](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ev-federal-tax-credit-guide-ea2dde01?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 7:00 am ET Listen (1 min) The toughest roads to navigate in an electric vehicle may be the forking paths of the tax code. EV buyers can get up to $7,500 in tax savings right at the dealership, under changes to the law that went into effect Jan. 1. By contrast those who drove an EV off the lot last year have to claim the tax credit on their 2023 tax return, which is due April 15 for most taxpayers.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Tax Guide 2024: Electric-Vehicle Tax Credits](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ev-federal-tax-credit-guide-ea2dde01?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 7:00 am ET Listen (1 min) The toughest roads to navigate in an electric vehicle may be the forking paths of the tax code. EV buyers can get up to $7,500 in tax savings right at the dealership, under changes to the law that went into effect Jan. 1. By contrast those who drove an EV off the lot last year have to claim the tax credit on their 2023 tax return, which is due April 15 for most taxpayers.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Why Big Tech Is Still Minding Its Bills](https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-big-tech-is-still-minding-its-bills-f098bcad?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 6:30 am ET Listen (3 min) Even the deepest pockets have their limits.  Amazon and Google-parent Alphabet sit on a combined $184 billion in cash and short-term investments. Those two, along with big tech peers Microsoft, Apple and Facebook-parent Meta Platforms, hold the highest such balances among nonbanking companies on the S&P 500, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Amazon and Alphabet are also currently generating just under $95 billion combined in annual free cash flow.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [BlackRock to Buy Global Infrastructure Partners for $12.5 Billion](https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackrock-to-buy-global-infrastructure-partners-for-12-5-billion-22f8e3d9?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 12, 2024 6:01 am ET Listen (2 min) BlackRock has agreed to buy private-equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners for roughly $12.5 billion in cash and stock, a significant push into private-market investments for the world’s largest asset manager. New York-based GIP owns and operates energy, transportation, and water and waste companies, including a stake in London’s Gatwick Airport. The acquisition would be BlackRock’s largest since it bought Barclays’s asset management business in 2009.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Companies Aren't Done Cutting White-Collar Jobs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-arent-done-cutting-white-collar-jobs-390347a3?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 12, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (2 min) After a year of right sizing, employers are looking in the mirror and concluding there is still fat to lose.  Companies including Amazon, Xerox, Google and BlackRock this month have announced plans to trim their workforces. Some of the companies now cutting jobs conducted larger-scale layoffs over the past year or so. Since then, inflation has come down along with expectations for a recession, which most economists anticipated as recently as the middle of last year.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [America's Gas Bonanza Brings Biden New Political Dilemmas](https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-gas-bonanza-brings-biden-new-political-dilemmas-34404a5f?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 12, 2024 5:30 am ET Listen (1 min) The U.S. has become the world’s top exporter of liquefied natural gas. President Biden is finding that this superpower status comes with its own set of headaches.  In the past two years, hundreds of cargoes loaded with supercooled gas departed the U.S. Gulf Coast as foreign buyers turned to America for energy supplies. Developers of export terminals have seized the momentum to advance plans to build new plants and crank out even more LNG. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Nikkei Stock Average Heads for Fourth Day of Near 34-Year Highs](https://www.wsj.com/articles/nikkei-stock-average-heads-for-fourth-day-of-near-34-year-highs-998d15a6?mod=rss_markets_main): The Nikkei Stock Average appears headed for a fourth straight day of near 34-year highs, underpinned by expectations for the Bank of Japan to maintain its super-loose accommodative monetary policy stance and a weaker yen. Japan’s benchmark index was recently 1.2% higher at 35474.57, on track to reach the highest closing level since February 1990, after hitting near 34-year highs for the past three days. The index is set for a 6.3% gain this week, the largest weekly gain since the week ended March 18, 2022, according to FactSet. Nomura forecasts the Nikkei to trade in a 33000-37000 range for January-March, […] - [Stocks Are Forever. That Doesn't Mean Now Is the Time to Buy.](https://www.wsj.com/articles/stocks-are-forever-that-doesnt-mean-now-is-the-time-to-buy-cdccaf7d?mod=rss_markets_main): Jan. 11, 2024 11:00 pm ET Listen (2 min) If you’re finding it hard to remember the pandemic, you’re in good company: Investors have already consigned the Covid chaos to history. Someone who put $1,000 in the S&P 500 in December 2019—when the first infections occurred in Wuhan, China—and reinvested dividends would have made 6.8% annualized after inflation and had $1,299 by the end of last year. That return is bang in line with the annualized return investors have received in the stock market since 1802. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [The Onetime Auditor Brought In to Reinvent Gucci](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-onetime-auditor-brought-in-to-reinvent-gucci-0cbf5915?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen to article (2 minutes) MILAN—When Gucci’s flagship store here reopened last month, the space was missing the baroque flourishes and jewel-toned colors that have defined the brand in recent years.  Instead the look is decidedly less maximalist—all clean lines and understated tones. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Remote Workers Are Losing Out on Promotions](https://www.wsj.com/articles/remote-workers-are-losing-out-on-promotions-8219ec63?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 11, 2024 9:00 pm ET Listen (2 min) For a while, remote workers seemed to have it all: elastic waistbands, no commute, better concentration and the ability to pop in laundry loads between calls. New data, though, shows fully remote workers are falling behind in one of the most-prized and important aspects of a career: getting promoted.  Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [SEC Charges Future FinTech Group CEO Huang With Manipulative Trading](https://www.wsj.com/articles/sec-charges-future-fintech-group-ceo-huang-with-manipulative-trading-87f736c5?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Jan. 11, 2024 5:24 pm ET Listen (2 min) The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Shanchun Huang with allegedly inflating Future FinTech Group’s share price just before he took over as the company’s chief executive. The SEC alleged in a complaint Thursday that Huang used manipulative trading techniques in early 2020 to push the fintech firm’s share price up, with the goal of preventing it from being delisted from the Nasdaq exchange. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [International Flavors & Fragrances Taps Fyrwald to Succeed Clyburn as Next CEO](https://www.wsj.com/articles/international-flavors-fragrances-taps-fyrwalk-to-succeed-clyburn-as-next-ceo-130d8e6c?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Updated Jan. 11, 2024 5:10 pm ET Listen (1 min) International Flavors & Fragrances tapped J. Erik Fyrwald to succeed Frank Clyburn as its next chief executive officer. The company, which manufactures flavors and fragrances used in food, beverage, personal-care and household products, also appointed Fyrwalk to the board. The CEO and board appointments are effective Feb. 6. Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Is Poor Economic Sentiment All About MAGA?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/09/opinion/economy-survey-republicans.html): The economy is good, but Americans feel bad about it. Or do they? The more I look into it, the more I’m convinced that much of what looks like poor public perception about the economy is actually just Republicans angry that Donald Trump isn’t still president. Last year was a very good one for the U.S. economy. Job growth was strong, unemployment remained near a 50-year low and inflation plunged. Some reports I’ve seen suggest that this favorable combination was somehow paradoxical and contrary to economic theory. In fact, however, it’s exactly what textbook economics says to expect in an economy […] - [Liberia: 40 personas mueren cuando intentaban robar combustible de un camión volcado | VIDEO](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/liberia-40-personas-mueren-cuando-intentaban-robar-combustible-de-un-camion-volcado-video-totota-francis-kateh-george-weah-cruz-roja-ultimas-noticia/): Por qué me condenaron a 5.000 años de cárcel El taxista que en un acto de honradez devolvió US$50.000 y esto le cambió la vida Al menos cuarenta personas han muerto por la explosión de un camión cisterna con gas ocurrida en el centro-norte de Liberia, según informó el viceministro liberiano de Servicios de Salud, Francis Kateh. El suceso tuvo lugar el pasado martes pasado por la noche en la localidad de Totota, donde el camión cisterna sufrió un accidente en una carretera y ciudadanos acudieron al lugar para recoger el gas que salía del vehículo, que explotó de manera repentina. […] - [“El matrimonio interracial de mis padres provocó un escándalo internacional”](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/europa/ruth-holloway-y-john-kimuyu-el-matrimonio-interracial-de-mis-padres-provoco-un-escandalo-internacional-reino-unido-kenia-africa-racismo-narracion-historias-ec-noticia/): Los 5 bebés nacidos en Navidad en la bodega de un buque estadounidense durante la Guerra de Corea ¿De dónde viene la tradición de dar a la Virgen María el título de generala en los ejércitos de América Latina? Fue una historia de amor que desató un escándalo racial y fue noticia en todo el mundo. Una misionera británica blanca, Ruth Holloway, se enamoró de un hombre negro de Kenia, John Kimuyu. MIRA: Quién era el Sol Invicto, el dios pagano de cuya fiesta la Iglesia se apropió para celebrar la Navidad y al que le debemos el domingo Kimuyu estaba […] - [Nigeria: Al menos 113 muertos tras dos días de ataques armados en Plateau](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nigeria-al-menos-113-muertos-en-dos-dias-de-ataques-armados-en-plateau-mushu-bokkos-mangu-barkin-ladi-monday-kassah-caleb-muftwang-paul-dakete-gyang-bere-ultimas-noticia/): Ejército de Nigeria ataca por error con un dron una fiesta religiosa y mata a 85 civiles El hombre que sobrevivió 60 horas en un barco hundido en el fondo del mar Las autoridades informaron hoy de que aumentó de 50 a 113 el número de personas que murieron desde el pasado sábado por la noche hasta este lunes en varios ataques de individuos armados perpetrados en el estado de Plateau, en el centro de Nigeria. Aunque en un principio las autoridades locales indicaron que había tenido lugar un ataque el sábado en el pueblo de Mushu, en el territorio de […] - [Ataque rebelde en Burundi deja 20 muertos, según el gobierno](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/ataque-rebelde-en-burundi-deja-20-muertos-segun-el-gobierno-vugizo-bujumbura-red-tabara-republica-democratica-del-congo-ultimas-noticia/): La sequía que desató las alarmas en el Canal de Panamá y persistirá en el 2024 ¿En qué ciudades y países del mundo el transporte público es gratuito? | INFOGRAFÍA Veinte personas, 19 de ellas civiles, murieron en un ataque en el oeste de Burundi, afirmó el sábado el gobierno, en tanto que el grupo rebelde RED-Tabara que reivindicó la operación aseguró que mató a diez miembros de las fuerzas de seguridad de este país de África oriental. El enfrentamiento se produjo el viernes por la noche en la localidad de Vugizo, a unos 20 km de Bujumbura, capital económica y […] - [How Lags in Statistics Skew the Inflation Picture](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/opinion/inflation-statistics-economy.html): If you’re a normal human being trying to read recent economic news, especially about inflation, you may be feeling confused right now. You may have seen reports that consumer prices are up 3.1 percent over the past year, which sounds bad; “core” inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was 4 percent, which sounds worse. Yet many commentators are saying that the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation is more or less done, and financial markets expect the Fed to reverse course soon, cutting interest rates instead of increasing them. How can this make sense? In a technical sense, it’s all […] - [Why Some Economists Won’t Admit They Were Wrong](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/opinion/inflation-economists.html): From an economic point of view, 2023 will go down in the record books as one of the best years ever — a year in which inflation came down amazingly fast at no visible cost, defying the predictions of many economists that disinflation would require years of high unemployment. So far, at least, the public seems unwilling to believe the good news, or to give the Biden administration any credit. But this column isn’t about the apparent gap between voter perceptions and reality. It is instead about the unwillingness of some influential economists and officials to accept the fact that they […] - [How Swiss authorities bungled Credit Suisse oversight ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/how-swiss-authorities-bungled-credit-suisse-oversight/): Business & Finance18 December 2023, 9:02 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that about six months before Credit Suisse was sold to rival UBS in a weekend rescue, the head of the Swiss central bank wanted to inject 50 billion Swiss francs ($57.6 billion) into the lender and nationalise it.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: EuropeCountries: SwitzerlandWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Watch What People Do, Not What They Say About the Economy](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/opinion/retail-economy-crime.html): Have you heard that there’s a huge wave of organized shoplifting — coordinated theft by groups effectively looting stores — sweeping the United States? You probably have. A couple of years ago, Walgreens said that organized shoplifting was behind its decision to close several locations in San Francisco. In April, the National Retail Federation issued a dire report claiming that “organized retail crime” was responsible for almost half of the store merchandise that vanished in 2021. The putative shoplifting tsunami has been relentlessly hyped both by the usual suspects, such as Fox News, and by some politicians. But it never happened. […] - [The Progressive Case for Bidenomics](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/07/opinion/bidenomics-progressive-economy.html): There are two big questions right now about the U.S. economy. One is why it’s doing so well. The other is why so many Americans insist that it’s terrible. I have no illusions about persuading conservatives that the economy is in good shape; their minds are made up, and pointing out facts at odds with their views just makes them angry. But there also seem to be a significant number of progressives unwilling, for different reasons, to accept the good news. And this group, at least, might be willing to listen to arguments that President Biden has accomplished more than they […] - [K-SURE to provide $2 bil. in financial support to UAE's largest oil company](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251201/k-sure-to-provide-2-bil-in-financial-support-to-uaes-largest-oil-company?utm_source=rss): Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, left, poses for a photo after the Korea Trade Insurance signs a memorandum of understanding for business cooperation with Abu Dhabi National Oil during a business roundtable held by Korea and the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, Nov. 19. Courtesy of the Ministry of Trade, industry and Energy The Korea Trade Insurance (K-SURE) said Monday it plans to provide financial support worth $2 billion to Abu Dhabi National Oil (ADNOC), the United Arab Emirates' largest petroleum company, to help Korean firms' business projects in the Middle Eastern country.The financial support will be provided in return for ADNOC's efforts to secure project orders for Korean firms and purchase Korean-made materials and equipment, K-SURE said.The deal comes as a follow-up measure to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two sides for strategic business cooperation during President Lee Jae Myung's visit to the Middle Eastern nation last month.Under the MOU, the two sides will cooperate in facilitating exports of Korean goods and services for artificial intelligence, renewable energy and power grids to the Middle East, according to K-SURE. - [Police currently tracking Coupang data breach suspect using IP address](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251201/police-currently-tracking-coupang-data-breach-suspect-using-ip-address?utm_source=rss): Coupang's building in Seoul / YonhapPolice said Monday they are tracking down the suspect behind a massive data breach at e-commerce giant Coupang after securing the Internet Protocol (IP) address that was used.The breach began in June, leading to the leak of personal information of nearly 34 million customers, such as names, emails, mailing addresses and phone numbers, the company said Saturday.A former employee, a Chinese national who has since left Korea, has been identified as the perpetrator, it said."We are analyzing server logs submitted by Coupang," an official with the Seoul Metropolitan Police told reporters. "We have secured the IP used by the suspect in the crime, and are tracking them down."The official said the police are also verifying the suspect's nationality, whether they have left the country after quitting the company, and whether they are the same person that sent an email to Coupang threatening to disclose the breach.Police began an internal investigation into the case last month after the company initially reported a data breach affecting some 4,500 people.A formal investigation began last week after the company filed a complaint against an unidentified person on charges of intruding into an information and communications network.The official said the police have yet to receive reports of voice phishing or smishing in connection with the data breach but that they are working together with relevant ministries to prepare against such cases. - [All eyes fixed on Putin's India visit as Trump weaponizes trade](https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/all-eyes-fixed-on-putin-s-india-visit-as-trump-weaponizes-trade): Left to right, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Donald Trump: At their meeting later this week, Putin and Modi are widely expected to reaffirm ties despite U.S. pressure. © Reuters KIRAN SHARMA December 1, 2025 14:57 JST NEW DELHI — With the U.S. looking on, Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India this week for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Experts predict that topping their agenda will be a reaffirmation of the two countries’ energy and defense procurement ties. - [Taiwan's first domestically-built submarine misses delivery deadline](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/taiwan-first-domestic-built-submarine-miss-delivery-deadline-csbc-corp-5499251): TAIPEI: Taiwanese shipbuilder CSBC Corp has missed the deadline for completing Taiwan’s first domestically-made submarine, the defence minister said on Monday (Dec 1). The vessel is part of a submarine programme launched in 2016 that aims to deliver a fleet of eight vessels, but opposition lawmakers have criticised the repeated delays in the project. Taiwan is seeking to upgrade its defences to deter China, which claims the democratic island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it. Sea trials of the submarine began in June, nearly two years after it was first unveiled. The original […] - [Militaries come to aid of Asia flood victims as toll nears 1,000](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-sri-lanka-indonesia-malaysia-flood-victims-militaries-5499071): Officials said the extent of damage in the worst-affected central region was only just being revealed as relief workers cleared roads blocked by fallen trees and mudslides. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who declared a state of emergency to deal with the disaster, vowed to build back. “We are facing the largest and most challenging natural disaster in our history,” he said in an address to the nation. “Certainly, we will build a better nation than what existed before.” The losses and damage are the worst in Sri Lanka since the devastating 2004 Asian tsunami that killed around 31,000 people and left […] - [Migrant domestic workers seek support, solace after Hong Kong fire](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-migrant-domestic-workers-seek-support-solace-5499001): SUPPORT NEEDED More than 50 survivors have sought help from the Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body, according to spokeswoman Shiela Tebia. Tebia said the women urgently needed clothing, especially underwear, adding that their ID cards and passports had been burned. They are “still processing, and some actually cannot sleep well … they are also traumatised,” Tebia told AFP. “But despite that condition, they still need to support their employer because their employer is also grieving.” Tebia said the consulates have promised help for victims, but specifics were lacking. Sringatin, chair of Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, told AFP the consulate could not provide […] - [China shoots for the stars with big bet on commercial space sector](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-space-industry-growing-private-firms-tourism-5498921): SPACE TOURISM Space tourism remains the next frontier, and China had announced plans to debut its space tourism project at the China Hi-Tech Fair.  But that never took off, with no official explanation given. Still, optimism within the sector remains strong “The development of commercial space in China today, as well as humanity’s future exploration of space resources and space itself globally, shows that space travel and spacecraft have tremendous potential,” said Liu Tianxiao, board secretary of Shaanxi Space Circling Technology, which develops rocket engines for commercial launches. “This inevitably requires a high-performance, cost-effective, and reusable rocket … Only with such […] - [UNIST professor enables AI to study summarized 3D data](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20251201/unist-professor-enables-ai-to-study-summarized-3d-data?utm_source=rss): Professor Shim Jae-young, left, of the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and his research team have developed a new method that enables artificial intelligence to analyze 3D data in a summarized form, reducing both time and cost for 3D data analysis. Courtesy of UNIST A professor at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed a new technology that allows artificial intelligence (AI) models to study 3D data in a “summarized” form while still achieving a high level of accuracy, reducing both time and cost in 3D data analysis.Shim Jae-young and his team at the UNIST AI Graduate School in Ulsan said Monday that they have developed a “dataset distillation” technology for large-scale 3D data. The technology extracts the core of a given dataset and compares it with the original to retain completeness, enabling effective compression of a 3D point cloud — data composed of randomly distributed dots representing an object — without sacrificing accuracy during analysis.Shim developed the technology after finding that summarizing a 3D point cloud for AI training is particularly difficult. Because the dots in a point cloud are arranged in a random, orderless manner and often represent objects rotated at various angles, AI systems struggle to extract a reliable 3D summary and frequently mismatch it with the original dataset. Shim said these characteristics were “critical hurdles” for AI systems working with 3D data.To overcome these challenges, Shim introduced a dataset distillation method that automatically rearranges the dots according to their “meanings” and optimizes rotational angles through a “learnable rotation” process, enabling AI models to analyze them more effectively.In tests using the new technology, Shim found that AI models analyzing a 3D dataset compressed to one-twenty-fifth of its original size achieved an accuracy rate of 80.1 percent. This closely approached the 87.8 percent accuracy the same models recorded when trained on the full dataset.“This technology will provide a fundamental solution to the mismatch between original and summarized 3D data caused by random point arrangements and rotations,” Shim said. “It will greatly benefit sectors such as autonomous driving, drones, robotics, and digital twins, where large-scale 3D data is essential.”Shim’s research was funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation.His paper, "Dataset Distillation of 3D Point Clouds via Distribution Matching," has been selected for presentation at the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems, which will be held from Tuesday to Sunday in San Diego. - [China's factory activity unexpectedly contracts in November, missing estimates, private survey shows](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/01/china-ratingdog-factory-activity-contracts-in-november-private-survey-rating-dog-sp-pmi.html): Chinese-made automobiles and construction machinery are assembled and shipped for export at Yantai Port in Yantai City, Shandong Province, China, on October 21, 2025. Costfoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images China's factory activity unexpectedly contracted in November, according to a private survey released Monday, as soft domestic demand continued to cast a pall over the world's second-largest economy. The RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI, conducted by S&P Global, dropped to 49.9 in November, missing analysts' expectations of 50.5 in a Reuters poll. A reading above the 50 benchmark level suggests an expansion, while one below that indicates contraction. The official manufacturing PMI, released on Sunday, showed China's factory activity shrank for an eighth month in November, coming in at 49.2, although marking a modest improvement from 49.0 in the prior month. The private survey, previously known as the Caixin/S&P Global PMI, has typically painted a better picture than the official polls over the past years as it focuses more on export-oriented manufacturers. The RatingDog private survey covers 650 manufacturers and collects responses in the second half of each month, while the official PMI surveys a larger sample of over 3,000 companies at month-end. The official non-manufacturing PMI, comprising construction and services, fell to 49.5, marking the first contraction for the index since December 2022, the official data showed, dragged by weakness in the real estate and residential services sectors. The readings offered an early glimpse of how the economy fared in November after a slew of data showed the economic slowdown had worsened in the final quarter of this year. Fixed-asset investment, which covers real estate, declined 1.7% in the first ten months of the year, levels unseen since 2020 when the pandemic hit. For October alone, fixed-asset investment fell 11.4% from a year earlier, the worst reading since early 2020. Industrial output expanded 4.9% in October from a year earlier, while growth in retail sales slowed for a fifth straight month to 2.9%. Both marked their weakest levels since August 2024, according to LSEG data. Signaling further economic malaise, China's exports in October unexpectedly contracted for the first time in nearly two years, dropping 1.1% year on year, as businesses' front-loading momentum tapered off. The latest economic data suggested China's growth is likely to decelerate further to below 4.5% in the fourth quarter, said Tommy Xie, managing director and head of Asia macro research at OCBC Bank, from the 4.8% expansion in the third quarter. The economist pointed to the upcoming Politburo meeting and the Central Economic Work Conference later this month for signals on next year's economic policy priorities. Tensions with the U.S. have, however, eased after a temporary trade truce following President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea in late October. Washington agreed to roll back steep tariffs on Chinese exports in exchange for Beijing cracking down on illicit fentanyl trade, pausing export controls of rare earths and resuming purchases of American soybeans. The U.S. also agreed to suspend for one year the port fees levied on Chinese vessels, as well as its plans to bar certain Chinese firms from its technology. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. - [Taiwan airline seeks role in 'whole of society' defence with surveillance flights to counter China](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-taiwan-airline-defence-surveillance-flights-5498766): OPEN TO NEW IDEAS Taiwan’s defence ministry has so far been cautious about external partners, telling Reuters it is able to effectively monitor Chinese activities and currently has no plans for cooperation. But it said it was open to new ideas. “The ministry welcomes discussions on ‘public-private collaboration’ to strengthen national defence build-up,” it said in a statement. Taiwan’s coast guard said it is working to boost its own reconnaissance capacity and will prioritise drones before gradually expanding the effort to include manned aircraft. Apex has spent more than T$400 million (US$13.07 million) to convert an 11-seater Italian-made Tecnam P2012 Traveller […] - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open higher ahead of private survey of China’s manufacturing activity](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/01/asia-pacific-markets-today-monday-china-pmi-ratingdog-data-fed-rate-cut.html): Asia-Pacific markets are set to open higher. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was flat in early trading. Investors in Asia will be looking to RatingDog's PMI data from China later today. Aerial view of vehicles being driven on the road through the central business district on October 5, 2020 in Beijing, China. Zhang Qiao | Visual China Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Monday as traders awaited fresh manufacturing activity figures from China and rising expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut in December. Traders are pricing in an 87.4% rate cut for the upcoming Fed meeting on Dec. 10, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. Investors in Asia will be looking to China's November manufacturing purchasing managers' index from RatingDog, a private survey of mainly export-focused firms. The gauge follows official data released Sunday showing China's factory activity improving slightly in November, but remained in contraction for the eighth consecutive month. Services weakened as the lift from earlier holidays faded. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 50,405, and its counterpart in Osaka at 50,280, against the index's last close of 50,253.91. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was flat in early trading. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a higher open, trading at 26,022, against the index's previous close of 25,858.89. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours after a winning week. On Friday stateside, Wall Street came back from the Thanksgiving holiday for a shortened trading session. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.65% to end the day at 23,365.69, scoring its fifth straight day of gains. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 gained 0.54% to settle at 6,849.09. The Dow Jones Industrial Average grew 289.30 points, or 0.61%, to finish at 47,716.42. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Sarah Min contributed to this report. - [Can China turn its green minerals alliance into global rare earth power?](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-rare-earths-g20-green-minerals-global-5496736): China’s dominance in the rare earth sector dates back to the 1980s, when the country began building what would become a near-monopoly in both rare earth extraction and crucially, refining – the intensive process that separates them from other minerals. By 2024, China accounted for roughly 60 per cent of global rare earth mining production and 91 per cent of refining output, said the International Energy Agency (IEA). A Reuters report published on Nov 19, citing Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, projected that Western markets would still depend on China for 91 per cent of their heavy rare earth supply by 2030. Against […] - [Trump commutes prison sentence for former private equity executive convicted of defrauding investors](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/30/trump-commutes-prison-sentence-former-private-equity-executive-david/): HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of former investment manager David Gentile, who was convicted of defrauding investors – the latest in a series of clemency actions Trump has taken in white-collar criminal cases. Gentile had reported to prison on Nov. 14, just days before Trump commuted his sentence, according to a White House official who requested anonymity to provide details of the clemency action. Gentile had been the CEO and co-founder of GPB Capital, which had raised $1.6 billion in capital to acquire companies in the auto, retail, health care and housing sectors. He […] - ['Zootopia 2' roars to record-setting global box office with $556M opening](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/30/zootopia-2-roars-record-setting-global-box-office-556m-opening/): “Zootopia 2” had a roaring, record-setting opening at the box office. The animal city sequel from the Walt Disney Company brought in $96 million in North America over the weekend, earned $156 million over the five-day Thanksgiving frame, and scored a staggering $556 million globally since its Wednesday opening, according to studio estimates Sunday. That made it the highest international opening ever for an animated movie, the fourth highest global debut of any kind, and the top international opener of 2025. “Wicked: For Good” stayed aloft in its second weekend for Universal Pictures, earning another $62.8 million domestically over the weekend […] - [Hondurans vote to elect new president in a close race under shadow of Trump's surprise intervention](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/30/voters-elect-honduran-president-close-race-shadow-trumps-surprise/): TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Hondurans began casting ballots Sunday to elect a new president only days after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened in a close race with an endorsement of one candidate and announced that he would pardon a former president. At a voting site in the capital, the country’s major parties were present outside with tables, banners, flags and music. Several dozen people lined up outside the gate to the neighborhood school and were allowed in about 30 minutes after the official start of voting. In addition to a new president, voters will elect a new Congress, as well as hundreds […] - [An industry focused on death faces an existential crisis](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/30/monument-gravestone-makers-tariffs-cremations.html): The small, family run companies that make memorialization products like gravestones are facing dual challenges of tariffs and the growing preference for cremation. Industry members are racing to adapt their businesses for these changes. Strathroy | Istock | Getty Images For nearly a century, John Dioguardi’s family has been making custom headstones and other memorial markers at Rome Monument in western Pennsylvania. Recently, he’s wondered how much time his business has left. Dioguardi has been trying to adapt for more than a decade as the rise in cremations has hurt demand for the traditional burial markers his business has become synonymous […] - [Death toll from Thailand floods reaches 170](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-floods-death-toll-5498111): BANGKOK: The death toll from flooding in Thailand has hit 170, the country’s Ministry of Public Health reported, an increase of eight from Saturday (Nov 29), and 102 injuries.  Songkhla Province had the highest number of fatalities at 131. Hat Yai, the largest city in Songkhla, received 335mm of rain last Friday, its highest single-day tally in 300 years, amid days of heavy downpours.  Authorities have continued to deliver aid and clear the damage. Relief measures rolled out by the Thai government include compensation of up to two million baht (US$62,000) for households that lost family members. However, there has been […] - [Indonesian residents hunt for food and water after deadly floods. 193 dead in Sri Lanka](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/30/residents-indonesia-hunt-food-water-deadly-floods-193-dead-sri-lanka/): MEDAN, Indonesia — Some residents of the flood-hit Indonesian island of Sumatra have resorted to stealing food and water to survive, authorities said Sunday, while Sri Lankan officials said deaths from floods and mudslides in that island nation have risen to 193. The floods, which hit Indonesia nearly a week ago, have killed 442 people – with the number expected to rise as more bodies are recovered – and displaced 290,700 people as nearly 3,000 houses damaged, including 827 that were flattened or swept out by floods. The deluges triggered landslides, damaged roads, cut off parts of the island, and downed […] - [Large firms plan to cut domestic investments, increase overseas spending in 2026](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251130/large-firms-plan-to-cut-domestic-investments-increase-overseas-spending-in-2026?utm_source=rss): Job seekers look at postings at an employment support center in western Seoul's Mapo District, Wednesday. YonhapLarge businesses in Korea are seeking to cut their domestic investments next year in favor of expanding offshore spending, a survey showed Sunday, triggering concerns that corporate capital may increasingly flow abroad and slow down local economic activity.According to a survey commissioned by the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) of CEOs and senior executives at 229 companies, 47.1 percent said they plan to maintain this year’s level of domestic investment next year. Among large businesses with more than 300 employees, however, 40 percent said they plan to scale down their domestic investments next year, while 35 percent intend to keep it unchanged.For overseas investment, 45.7 percent said they would expand spending, and 28.3 percent said they would maintain the current level.The trend is tied closely to the impact of the United States’ tariff policies. Throughout this year, Korean corporations have faced mounting pressure to increase their investments in the U.S. in response to tariff measures pushed by the Donald Trump administration. As companies prioritize allocating their limited resources to U.S. expansion to avoid duties, there are growing concerns that domestic investment and job creation could be sidelined.President Lee Jae Myung, center, speaks during a meeting with Korea's top conglomerate leaders at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Nov. 16. Second from left is Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and fourth from left is SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. YonhapDuring a meeting with leaders of Korea’s top conglomerates on Nov. 16, President Lee Jae Myung said that increased U.S. investment should not come at the expense of domestic spending, urging business leaders to ensure that such concerns do not materialize.In response, top conglomerates announced their long-term domestic investment plans. Samsung Electronics said it will spend 450 trillion won ($306.1 billion) over the next five years and hire 60,000 people over that period. SK Group said it will invest 128 trillion won by 2028, while Hyundai Motor Group pledged to invest 125.2 trillion won over the next five years.The figures represent an increase in capital expenditures from previous years, but industry officials said most of the spending reflects long-term investment plans that conglomerates had already established, and that only a limited portion will be fresh investment funds.Hyundai Research Institute also said in its September report that the growth rate of domestic facility investment will slow from 1.8 percent this year to 1.5 percent next year. It said the impact of U.S. tariffs is expected to fully materialize in 2026, worsening trade conditions and reducing export demand.“Corporate resources are limited, and companies are already required to make hefty investments for the transition to artificial intelligence,” a conglomerate official said. “Some top companies may be able to stretch their budgets for domestic investment, but it will be difficult for most businesses to maintain the same level of domestic investment while expanding facilities in the U.S. at the same time.”Job creation is expected to follow a similar trend. The KEF survey showed that 59 percent of respondents expect employment levels next year to remain similar to this year, while 32.3 percent anticipated a reduction. Only 8.7 percent said they plan to increase hiring.“Many large enterprises indicated that they are likely to scale down investment and employment next year,” a KEF official said. “To encourage investment, regulatory burdens must be eased and measures for greater labor market flexibility are required.” - [In betting on Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong is really betting on itself](https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3334122/betting-saudi-arabia-hong-kong-really-betting-itself?utm_source=rss_feed): Hong Kong’s financial identity is entering a new chapter, shaped as much by strategic alignment as capital flows. By co-launching a US$1 billion investment fund with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the city is taking one of its most assertive steps yet to redefine Hong Kong’s financial identity in a rapidly changing global economy. The message is clear: Hong Kong intends to be a serious player in the next phase of global capital realignment. This comes as Hong Kong companies are rethinking their traditional expansion paths. According to a new HSBC survey, nearly one in five Hong Kong firms now […] - [Coupang apologizes over info leak affecting 33.7 mil. customers](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251130/coupang-apologizes-over-info-leak-affecting-337-mil-customers?utm_source=rss): A notice by Coupang shows, Sunday, that a customer's personal information has been leaked. The company apologized over the massive data breach that allegedly affects 33.7 million customers. Yonhap Coupang offered a public apology over a massive customer data leak, Sunday, pledging efforts to prevent further damage.The apology came after it was made public that the number of affected people has reached 33.7 million — presumably all Coupang members — and the cyber intrusion allegedly began five months ago.Unlike other data leak cases committed by outside cyber criminals, it is suspected that the incident at the nation’s largest e-commerce platform operator was committed by a former employee who is a Chinese national, highlighting the company’s lax internal management.The company and the government on Sunday confirmed the data of some 33.7 million customers had been leaked, making it one of the largest privacy breaches in decades. That figure was a sharp jump from 4,500, its initial estimate of affected customers announced on Nov. 18.The number of victims could be the same as Coupang’s total number of customers with memberships. The company has not disclosed those numbers, but when it released its third-quarter business performance earlier this month, it said its latest monthly active users numbered 24.7 million."We express regret over the recent incident ... we apologize for causing inconvenience and concern," the company said in a statement issued under the name of Park Dae-jun, CEO of Coupang Corp. which handles the company's Korean fulfillment and logistics operations."We'll closely cooperate with relevant authorities to prevent further damage ... we are also reviewing what changes we can make to the data security system, so we can better protect customer information."Coupang Corp. CEO Park Dae-jun apologizes to the public over the company's data leak affecting 33.7 million customers, at Government Complex Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap Coupang said the leaked information includes customers’ names, emails, delivery addresses and, for some, purchase histories. Their payment details, credit card numbers and login information remained protected, it added.The company said the megascale breach, based on its own investigations so far, is presumed to have begun on June 24 and continued until recently through unauthorized access to the information via its overseas servers. Given the five-month period since the breach began, concerns are rising that customers may accrue further damage.As to the concerns, it said its customers “need not take any cautionary action with their Coupang accounts.” But it also said in a statement, “We advise our customers to be careful with any phone call, text message or other communication that falsely claims to represent Coupang.”Police suspect that a former Coupang employee from China committed the breach. The individual has already quit the company and left Korea, raising concerns that the investigation may reach a deadlock. The firm on Sunday declined to say whether it identified the former employee as the main culprit.After learning about the data breach, the company reported the incident to the National Police Agency and government agencies including the Korea Internet & Security Agency and Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC).The government, police and the company have formed a joint investigative team. An emergency meeting on Sunday was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon, Minister for Government Policy Coordination Yoon Chang-ryul, PIPC Chairperson Song Kyung-hee and acting Commissioner General of the National Police Agency Yoo Jae-sung. The government said it is investigating whether Coupang violated its duty for security.Coupang's headquarters in Seoul's Songpa District, Sunday / YonhapIn terms of damage, Coupang’s data breach surpasses most recent incidents encountered by large companies here.Most recently, telecom giant SK Telecom suffered a data leak affecting 23.24 million customers. The company first admitted in April that a hacker had breached its database, and in May notified its customers that there “could be possibilities of leakage of personal information.” Later, the company broke the news of the large-scale data breach, prompting hundreds of thousands of customers to line up outside its offline stores to replace their potentially compromised USIM cards.In 2008, Shinsegae Group’s e-commerce platform subsidiary Gmarket suffered a privacy breach affecting 18 million customers. GS Group’s refinery subsidiary, GS Caltex, sustained a data breach of 11 million customers that same year.In 2011, NATE Communications, then operating social media platforms like NATE and Cyworld, had 35 million members’ accounts breached. The incident is one of the few that can match the scale of Coupang’s data leak.Given the large number of affected people, it is speculated that the government’s penalty for Coupang may surpass the one it imposed on SK Telecom. PIPC in August fined SK Telecom 135 billion won ($92 million) for its negligence in allowing the breach, the largest fine slapped on a single company since the commission’s launch in 2020.Besides the customer information leak, Coupang is currently facing public criticism over the severity of its workplace environment for night shift workers, as more than 20 workers have died on duty since 2020. It has also prompted a special prosecutors’ investigation after its subsidiary, Coupang Fulfillment Services, modified its internal regulations to avoid paying severance to day laborers with over a year of accumulated service. - [Gender pay gap persists at brokerages as women earn 66% of men's pay](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/banking-finance/20251130/gender-pay-gap-persists-at-brokerages-as-women-earn-66-of-mens-pay?utm_source=rss): People walk down a street in Seoul’s financial district of Yeouido, Sept. 23. YonhapFemale employees in the securities industry earned only about 66 percent of what their male counterparts made, data showed Sunday, though the gap has narrowed slightly in recent years.According to reports disclosed by the Financial Supervisory Service, the average first-half salary per employee at Korea's top 10 securities firms was 103.5 million won ($70,408).Meritz Securities topped the list with an average of 131.4 million won, followed by Korea Investment & Securities at 129 million won and Daishin Securities at 121 million won.However, women, who make up 43.6 percent of all employees, continued to earn significantly less than men. The average first-half salary for female employees was 80.1 million won, just 66.4 percent of the 120.7 million won earned by their male counterparts.At Meritz Securities, where the average pay was the highest, the gender gap was even wider. Female employees earned only 51.5 percent of what male employees made, with an average salary of 77.28 million won. Despite this, women at the firm had longer average tenures — 7.4 years compared to 6.2 years for men.Data showed that the pay gap has eased to some extent. Female employees at the top 10 securities firms earned just 58.8 percent of their male colleagues' salaries in the first half of 2020. Over the past five years, the pay gap shrank by 7.6 percentage points, largely thanks to a 30.2 percent rise in women's pay — nearly double the 15.3 percent increase seen for men.Industry officials attribute the persistent gap to the performance-based compensation system. Female employees are more concentrated in management and support roles, rather than in sales and trading divisions, where bonuses make up a larger share of earnings.Gender imbalances at the executive level also play a role. As of June, only 46 of the 510 executives at the top 10 securities firms were women, accounting for just 8.6 percent."It is essential that companies recognize the importance of hiring women and involving them meaningfully in decision-making processes to enhance corporate value," said Lee In-hyung, a senior research fellow at the Korea Capital Market Institute. "This requires both societal consensus and institutional support." - [Why do Chinese no longer feel the need to boycott Japanese products?](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334529/why-do-chinese-consumers-feel-japanese-products-are-no-longer-worth-boycotting?utm_source=rss_feed): During past flare-ups in diplomatic tensions between China and Japan, Chinese consumers spontaneously boycotted Japanese goods. Part of the reason for the turnaround is a seismic shift in China’s consumer market, with the Japanese home appliances, digital gadgets and cars once seen as must-have items having largely lost their lustre to the benefit of domestic brands. Advertisement For many Chinese people, there are simply not that many Japanese products left that feel worth boycotting. Competition from local rivals has increasingly become a formidable challenge for all international brands in China, including Japanese ones. The era when Chinese consumers fervently chased foreign […] - [Covet an Italian masterpiece, but shy of the millions? How about a digital copy at supercar prices](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/30/covet-italian-masterpiece-shy-millions-digital-copy-supercar-prices/): MILAN — The last person to get their hands on a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci shelled out more than $450 million at auction. Now, Italian cultural officials are making it possible to purchase a limited edition, certified digital copy of the Renaissance genius’ “Lady with Disheveled Hair’’ for roughly the price of a Lamborghini. The Italian nonprofit Save the Artistic Heritage with its technical partner Cinello are providing well-heeled collectors the possibility of owning a literal projection of original Italian masterpieces, sized and framed to match the museum experience. Participating museums sign a certificate of authenticity, and in return […] - [Gender pay gap persists at brokerages as women earn 66 percent of men's pay](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/banking-finance/20251130/gender-pay-gap-persists-at-brokerages-as-women-earn-66-percent-of-mens-pay?utm_source=rss): People walk down a street in Seoul’s financial district of Yeouido, Sept. 23. YonhapFemale employees in the securities industry earned only about 66 percent of what their male counterparts made, data showed Sunday, though the gap has narrowed slightly in recent years.According to reports disclosed by the Financial Supervisory Service, the average first-half salary per employee at Korea's top 10 securities firms was 103.5 million won ($70,408).Meritz Securities topped the list with an average of 131.4 million won, followed by Korea Investment & Securities at 129 million won and Daishin Securities at 121 million won.However, women, who make up 43.6 percent of all employees, continued to earn significantly less than men. The average first-half salary for female employees was 80.1 million won, just 66.4 percent of the 120.7 million won earned by their male counterparts.At Meritz Securities, where the average pay was the highest, the gender gap was even wider. Female employees earned only 51.5 percent of what male employees made, with an average salary of 77.28 million won. Despite this, women at the firm had longer average tenures — 7.4 years compared to 6.2 years for men.Data showed that the pay gap has eased to some extent. Female employees at the top 10 securities firms earned just 58.8 percent of their male colleagues' salaries in the first half of 2020. Over the past five years, the pay gap shrank by 7.6 percentage points, largely thanks to a 30.2 percent rise in women's pay — nearly double the 15.3 percent increase seen for men.Industry officials attribute the persistent gap to the performance-based compensation system. Female employees are more concentrated in management and support roles, rather than in sales and trading divisions, where bonuses make up a larger share of earnings.Gender imbalances at the executive level also play a role. As of June, only 46 of the 510 executives at the top 10 securities firms were women, accounting for just 8.6 percent."It is essential that companies recognize the importance of hiring women and involving them meaningfully in decision-making processes to enhance corporate value," said Lee In-hyung, a senior research fellow at the Korea Capital Market Institute. "This requires both societal consensus and institutional support." - [What challenges lie ahead after Naver's acquisition of Dunamu?](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20251130/what-challenges-lie-ahead-after-navers-acquisition-of-dunamu?utm_source=rss): A banner featuring the logos of Dunamu and Naver is displayed at Naver's second office building in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. YonhapNaver’s decision to acquire crypto giant Dunamu through its fintech arm Naver Financial marks an unprecedented convergence of Big Tech and virtual assets. But the deal, announced last week, faces significant hurdles, including shareholder approval and lingering regulatory uncertainty, industry officials said Sunday. Naver Financial said Wednesday it plans to acquire Dunamu as a wholly owned subsidiary through a stock swap deal, offering 2.54 shares of Naver Financial for each Dunamu share. Executives say the aim is to build a global infrastructure that spans payments, finance and everyday services based on artificial intelligence and Web3.To complete the stock swap, slated for June 30 next year, the two companies must pass a special shareholder resolution scheduled for May 22 in that year. Approval requires participation from at least one-third of all issued shares and a two-thirds majority of those in attendance.While Naver Financial is effectively under Naver's control, Dunamu must secure additional shareholder support beyond the 41.7 percent of its shares held by management, including Chairman Song Chi-hyung and Vice Chairman Kim Hyung-nyon.It is also notable that two companies included a clause allowing either side to walk away if the exercise of appraisal rights exceeds 1.2 trillion won ($816 million). With Dunamu offering 439,252 won per share, opposition from just 8 percent of outstanding shares could jeopardize the deal.That makes winning over both major and minority shareholders critical. The parent company of Kakao Investment, Dunamu's third-largest shareholder with a 10.9 percent stake, is a direct competitor to Naver and is expected to be resistant. Minority shareholders have also expressed frustration over Dunamu's failed domestic listing and lingering uncertainty surrounding a potential Nasdaq debut.Regulatory approval is unlikely to come easily.Financial authorities are reviewing potential risks tied to the convergence of digital payments and virtual assets. Korea's regulators have historically drawn a hard line between the two industries, citing stability concerns. While some market watchers note a softening stance, the legal framework around the deal remains vague and could potentially delay approvals.The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is also weighing whether the deal could stifle competition. Both Naver Financial and Dunamu hold dominant positions in their sectors, raising antitrust concerns."This merger raises an enormous number of issues for the financial sector," an official from the financial authorities said. "As there are currently no established regulations for this area, we are monitoring the situation very closely."Compounding the challenge is a cybersecurity incident at Upbit, Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange operated by Dunamu. The company disclosed on Friday that the cyberattack, which occurred the previous day, resulted in user losses of about 38.6 billion won. The incident has reignited concerns over platform security and dealt a blow to user trust at a critical moment.Investor sentiment soured, with Naver shares closing at 244,000 won on Friday, down 2.98 percent, while the KOSPI fell 1.51 percent to 3,926.59. It marked the second consecutive day of losses for the tech giant, following a 4 percent drop on Thursday, a day after the mega merger deal was announced. Still, brokerages have positively assessed the emergence of a mega financial platform valued at 20 trillion won."Although the likelihood of the deal falling apart is considered low, investors may need a bit more patience until the FTC and Financial Services Commission reach their decisions," said Jung Ho-yoon, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities."As stablecoin and tokenized-asset markets grow rapidly worldwide, Korea is also expected to open new markets through forthcoming legislation." Jung said. "Naver and Dunamu are well positioned to emerge as prominent players in this space." - [EcoPro to expedite European market entry with Hungarian plant](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251130/ecopro-to-expedite-european-market-entry-with-hungarian-plant?utm_source=rss): EcoPro founder Lee Dong-chae, front row left, presents a plaque of appreciation to Debrecen Mayor Laszlo Papp, front row right, during the completion ceremony of EcoPro's Hungarian plant in the city, Friday (local time). Courtesy of EcoProBattery materials firm EcoPro has completed its cathode plant in Hungary, heralding an aggressive expansion in the local market based on strong responsiveness to regional regulatory requirements.According to the company Sunday, it held the completion ceremony of its new plant in Debrecen, the second-largest city in Hungary, on Friday (local time). The ceremony was attended by EcoPro founder Lee Dong-chae, CEO Song Ho-jun, SK On CEO Lee Seok-hee, Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency CEO Istvan Joo, Debrecen Mayor Laszlo Papp and other executives of the company’s key clients.“Thanks to the full-fledged and prompt support from the Hungarian government, we were able to complete the first European manufacturing base operated by a Korean cathode company,” Lee said. “The plant’s completion marks a new beginning for EcoPro and Europe to shape the future together at a time when the electric vehicle (EV) industry is rapidly evolving.”Occupying a 440,000-square-meter plot of land, the plant houses EcoPro BM, which manufactures cathode material; EcoPro Innovation, which processes lithium; and EcoPro AP, which manufactures industrial oxygen and hydrogen.The plant has an annual capacity of 54,000 tons of cathode materials, enough to supply approximately 600,000 EVs, as well as 8,000 tons of lithium hydroxide per year and 16,000 cubic meters of oxygen per hour.From next year, EcoPro will manufacture high-nickel ternary cathodes, including nickel-cobalt-aluminum and nickel-cobalt-manganese, and plans to expand midrange products such as mid-nickel cathodes and lithium iron phosphate. When its expansion is completed, the plant’s overall capacity will stand at 108,000 tons per year, and EcoPro Group’s annual capacity will reach 300,000 tons.The plant is expected to draw strong interest from cell makers and carmakers, as its completion comes along with the enforcement of the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The CRMA is aimed at securing the supply of strategic raw materials to EU member states.With the region increasingly requiring localized supply chains for key battery raw materials, EcoPro said it is now positioned to secure new clients as the first Korean cathode producer to complete a manufacturing facility in Europe. Hungary hosts the manufacturing bases of cell makers such as SK On, Samsung SDI and CATL, as well as global carmakers including BMW.EcoPro said it will build a competitive production structure by securing low-cost nickel through its ongoing nickel project in Indonesia while producing cathode materials at its two manufacturing sites in Korea and the new Hungary plant, to enhance both technological and price competitiveness. - [Large firms plan to cut domestic investment, increase overseas spending in 2026](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251130/large-firms-plan-to-cut-domestic-investment-increase-overseas-spending-in-2026?utm_source=rss): Job seekers look at postings at an employment support center in western Seoul's Mapo District, Wednesday. YonhapLarge businesses in Korea are seeking to cut their domestic investments next year in favor of expanding offshore spending, a survey showed Sunday, triggering concerns that corporate capital may increasingly flow abroad and slow down local economic activity.According to a survey commissioned by the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) of CEOs and senior executives at 229 companies, 47.1 percent said they plan to maintain this year’s level of domestic investment next year. Among large businesses with more than 300 employees, however, 40 percent said they plan to scale down their domestic investments next year, while 35 percent intend to keep it unchanged.For overseas investment, 45.7 percent said they would expand spending, and 28.3 percent said they would maintain the current level.The trend is tied closely to the impact of the United States’ tariff policies. Throughout this year, Korean corporations have faced mounting pressure to increase their investments in the U.S. in response to tariff measures pushed by the Donald Trump administration. As companies prioritize allocating their limited resources to U.S. expansion to avoid duties, there are growing concerns that domestic investment and job creation could be sidelined.President Lee Jae Myung, center, speaks during a meeting with Korea's top conglomerate leaders at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Nov. 16. Second from left is Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and fourth from left is SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. YonhapDuring a meeting with leaders of Korea’s top conglomerates on Nov. 16, President Lee Jae Myung said that increased U.S. investment should not come at the expense of domestic spending, urging business leaders to ensure that such concerns do not materialize.In response, top conglomerates announced their long-term domestic investment plans. Samsung Electronics said it will spend 450 trillion won ($306.1 billion) over the next five years and hire 60,000 people over that period. SK Group said it will invest 128 trillion won by 2028, while Hyundai Motor Group pledged to invest 125.2 trillion won over the next five years.The figures represent an increase in capital expenditures from previous years, but industry officials said most of the spending reflects long-term investment plans that conglomerates had already established, and that only a limited portion will be fresh investment funds.Hyundai Research Institute also said in its September report that the growth rate of domestic facility investment will slow from 1.8 percent this year to 1.5 percent next year. It said the impact of U.S. tariffs is expected to fully materialize in 2026, worsening trade conditions and reducing export demand.“Corporate resources are limited, and companies are already required to make hefty investments for the transition to artificial intelligence,” a conglomerate official said. “Some top companies may be able to stretch their budgets for domestic investment, but it will be difficult for most businesses to maintain the same level of domestic investment while expanding facilities in the U.S. at the same time.”Job creation is expected to follow a similar trend. The KEF survey showed that 59 percent of respondents expect employment levels next year to remain similar to this year, while 32.3 percent anticipated a reduction. Only 8.7 percent said they plan to increase hiring.“Many large enterprises indicated that they are likely to scale down investment and employment next year,” a KEF official said. “To encourage investment, regulatory burdens must be eased and measures for greater labor market flexibility are required.” - [China’s factory activity contracts in November for 8th month in a row](https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3334657/chinas-factory-activity-contracts-november-8th-month-row?utm_source=rss_feed): China’s factory activity contracted for an eighth consecutive month in November, according to official data, as external headwinds and weak domestic demand continued to drag on the world’s second-largest economy. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 49.2 in November, up from 49 a month earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Sunday. The reading was in line with a forecast of 49.2 based on economists polled by financial data provider Wind. Advertisement The monthly index compiles survey data given by supply chain managers from various sectors. A reading above 50 suggests economic expansion, while one below 50 indicates […] - [Thousands in Philippines protest corruption and demand return of stolen funds from flood projects](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/30/philippines-protesters-turn-thousands-demand-return-stolen-funds/): MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of demonstrators including from the Roman Catholic church clergy protested in the Philippines on Sunday, calling for the swift prosecution of top legislators and officials implicated in a corruption scandal that has buffeted the Asian democracy. Left-wing groups led a separate protest in Manila’s main park with a blunt demand for all implicated government officials to immediately resign and face prosecution. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been scrambling to quell public outrage over the massive corruption blamed for substandard, defective or non-existent flood control projects across an archipelago long prone to deadly flooding and extreme weather in […] - [Webzen slapped $107,000 fine for misleading probability of in-game items](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251130/webzen-slapped-107000-fine-for-misleading-probability-of-in-game-items?utm_source=rss): Webzen's mobile game R2M / Courtesy of WebzenThe antitrust watchdog said Sunday it has imposed a fine of 158 million won ($107,000) on game publisher Webzen for misleading players about the probability of obtaining in-game items in its popular role-playing game MU Archangel.Webzen failed to properly disclose the actual probabilities of acquiring certain random items from in-game purchase from June 2020 to March 2024, generating an additional 6.7 billion won in revenue during the period, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).The FTC ordered the company to halt the illegal practice and submit measures to prevent recurrence.At the same time, the FTC also fined four other game publishers — Gravity, Wemade, Krafton and Com2us — 2.5 million won each for similar violations. - [Thousands protest in Philippines against flood control fraud](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thousands-protest-in-philippines-against-flood-control-fraud-5497981): MANILA: Thousands massed in the Philippine capital on Sunday (Nov 30) demanding accountability over a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure scandal that has seen scores of officials, lawmakers and construction firm owners accused of corruption. Rage over so-called ghost flood-control projects has been mounting for months in the archipelago country of 116 million, where entire towns have been buried in floodwaters driven by powerful typhoons in recent months. President Ferdinand Marcos has seen friend and foe alike, including a congressman cousin, swept up by the spiraling scandal since he first put the issue centre stage in a July national address. “Put them in jail […] - [Floods hit Sri Lanka's capital as cyclone death toll rises to 159](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/sri-lanka-cyclone-floods-159-dead-5497956): COLOMBO: Sri Lankan authorities battled rising floodwaters in parts of the capital on Sunday (Nov 30) after a powerful cyclone left a trail of destruction, killing at least 159 people across the country. The northern part of Colombo was facing a major flood, as the water level in the Kelani River continued to rise, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. The death toll had reached 159, with another 203 people missing, the DMC reported, following a week of heavy rains brought on by Cyclone Ditwah, which moved away from Sri Lanka on Saturday. “Although the cyclone has left us, heavy rains […] - [Floods hit Sri Lanka's capital as cyclone deaths near 200](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/sri-lanka-capital-colombo-floods-cyclone-deaths-5497956): DEADLIEST IN YEARS Although there have been relatively few injuries, the National Blood Transfusion Service said they were in short supply. The blood bank chief, Lakshman Edirisinghe, said their daily requirement was about 1,500 units of blood, but the weather-related disruptions had reduced supply to just 236 units on Saturday. “Because of floods and heavy rains, we were unable to conduct our mobile campaigns to collect blood,” he told reporters in Colombo. “We appeal to donors to visit the nearest blood bank.” The National Building Research Organisation, which monitors the stability of hillsides, said there was a high risk of further […] - [Coupang's data breach undetected for five months, triggering customer alarm](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251130/coupangs-data-breach-undetected-for-five-months-triggering-customer-alarm?utm_source=rss): Distribution center of e-commerce giant Coupang in Seoul, Nov. 5 / YonhapAnxiety and frustration are mounting following a massive data breach at e-commerce giant Coupang that local observers noted Sunday may have been ongoing for months.On Saturday, the U.S.-listed company confirmed personal information belonging to 33.7 million customers — nearly its entire user base — had been compromised.The breached data includes names, phone numbers, email addresses and delivery addresses. The company said payment information, credit card numbers and login credentials were not affected."Unauthorized access to delivery-related personal information for the affected accounts appears to have been made through overseas servers since June 24," the company said.The company first discovered the breach on Nov. 18 and notified authorities within two days. Coupang initially reported a leak affecting approximately 4,500 customers. Police launched an investigation after receiving a complaint Tuesday to determine how the breach occurred.As the scope of the breach proves far larger than the 4,500 accounts initially reported and extends back several months earlier than first believed, customers have expressed serious concerns about potential misuse of their compromised information.The incident surpasses SK Telecom's data leak in April, affecting 23.2 million users, which resulted in a record fine of 134.8 billion won.In addition, the full extent of the damage may increase as the investigation progresses. In a recent data breach case, Lotte Card initially denied on Sept. 4 that financial details had been breached, but retracted the statement two weeks later, admitting sensitive information including credit card numbers had been compromised. - [Commentary: A corruption scandal is engulfing the Philippines](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/philippines-corruption-scandal-flood-management-marcos-jr-5495631): SYSTEMIC MISMANAGEMENT Protestors are demanding the arrest of those implicated in the graft and the return of stolen public money. Government officials say that over the past decade, losses due to corruption exceed a trillion pesos (US$17 billion). Authorities have detained several suspects and more are being pursued. The president has pledged to jail those responsible by Christmas to contain the crisis that’s rapidly engulfing his administration – he’s already lost two ministers over corruption allegations (that they deny).  Each new case that comes to light shows how systemic the mismanagement is. “To have a government that makes dams that will break, or flood dykes that are substandard – or simply […] - [Hong Kong begins mourning after fire kills at least 128](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-begins-mourning-after-fire-kills-least-128-5497556): HONG KONG: Hong Kong entered a three-day mourning period on Saturday (Nov 29) as thousands of residents laid flowers and paid tribute to the 128 people killed in one of the city’s deadliest fires. Crowds streamed into a small park next to the charred remains of Wang Fuk Court, the Tai Po residential complex that burned for more than 40 hours. Many carried white or yellow flowers, leaving handwritten notes and photographs for neighbours, friends and strangers lost in the blaze. By nightfall, the area was packed with sombre mourners dressed in dark colours. Among them was a 69-year-old resident surnamed […] - [Hong Kong begins mourning after fire kills at least 128](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-begins-mourning-after-fire-kills-least-128-5497556): HONG KONG: Hong Kong entered a three-day mourning period on Saturday (Nov 29) as thousands of residents laid flowers and paid tribute to the 128 people killed in one of the city’s deadliest fires. Crowds streamed into a small park next to the charred remains of Wang Fuk Court, the Tai Po residential complex that burned for more than 40 hours. Many carried white or yellow flowers, leaving handwritten notes and photographs for neighbours, friends and strangers lost in the blaze. By nightfall, the area was packed with sombre mourners dressed in dark colours. Among them was a 69-year-old resident surnamed […] - [Coupang says 33.7 million customer accounts exposed in data leak](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251129/coupang-says-337-million-customer-accounts-exposed-in-data-leak?utm_source=rss): Coupang delivery trucks parked at the company's logistics center in Seoul, Aug. 6 / Yonhap U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. said Saturday it has confirmed personal information from 33.7 million customer accounts was exposed, far higher than the 4,500 accounts initially believed to be affected.The updated figure suggests that nearly all Coupang customers may have had personal information — including names, phone numbers, email addresses and delivery addresses — compromised.However, the company said payment information, credit card numbers and login credentials were not accessed."Unauthorized access to delivery-related personal information for the affected accounts appears to have been made through overseas servers since June 24. The access route has been blocked and internal monitoring strengthened," Coupang said in a press release.The company said it is conducting a joint investigation with security experts and is cooperating with law enforcement and regulatory authorities.Coupang apologized for the incident and urged customers to be cautious about phone calls, text messages or other communications impersonating the company.Given that active users in Coupang's Product Commerce division — which includes its delivery service — reached 24.7 million in the third quarter, the scale of the leak indicates that nearly the entire user base may have been affected.On Nov. 20, Coupang initially reported a data leak involving about 4,500 customers, saying at the time that it had found no evidence of unauthorized access to payment information or intrusion into its systems or internal network. - [Sri Lanka declares emergency as cyclone toll hits 132](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/sri-lanka-emergency-cyclone-ditwah-toll-5497151): COLOMBO: Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday (Nov 29) and appealed for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132, with another 176 reported missing. The extreme weather system has destroyed more than 15,000 homes, sending 78,000 people to state-run temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency laws, granting him sweeping powers to deal with the devastation after a week of torrential rain across the island. “We have 132 confirmed dead and another 176 missing,” DMC Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda said, adding […] - ['How's the Economy?' – It's Harder Than Ever To Say](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/29/hows_the_economy__its_harder_than_ever_to_say_1150142.html): As the calendar comes to an end, and with it, we approach the end of the first year of the second Trump administration, polling companies and media sites are naturally looking for news stories about how the electorate “feels” ab… Read Full Article » - [Job Seekers Are Struggling To Find Opportunities](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/29/job_seekers_are_struggling_to_find_opportunities_1150146.html): Today’s “Employment Situation Summary” data release by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows the economic weakness created by President Donald Trump’s disastrous tariff policies, slash-and-burn to the federal government, and historic cuts to health care and social services. The resulting uncertainty for employers has led to a hiring slowdown and some to turn to layoffs. Read Full Article » - [The Real Scandal Is That Schools Still Teach Algebra](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/29/the_real_scandal_is_that_schools_still_teach_algebra_1150124.html): “No matter your business, you cannot stay still for any length of time or your competitors will scratch and claw all over you.” That’s how Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank described life in the real, ruthless world of commerce. Please contemplate Blank’s dose of reality with all the pearl-clutching from the education-obsessed over a new study showing that one out of eight University of California, San Diego (UCSD) freshmen “have math skills ‘that fall below middle-school level.’” According to an editorial in the Wall Street Journal that covered the recent analysis, “California started down the slippery slope of declining standards by […] - [More Than Ever, the U.S. Economy Needs Int'l Students](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/29/more_than_ever_the_us_economy_needs_intl_students_1150115.html): This is the season when high school seniors around the world are making one of the biggest decisions of their lives: where to go to college. For students outside the U.S., that dream has often led to America. Read Full Article » - [Antitrust & Tariffs on a Collision Course](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/29/antitrust_and_tariffs_on_a_collision_course_1150107.html): Rachel Chiu Foundation for Economic Education November 29, 2025 Until the Supreme Court decides whether Trump’s tariffs are constitutional, American businesses are stuck in limbo—and the best way out invites antitrust Read Full Article » - [Techs That Have Treated Shareholders Well](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/29/techs_that_have_treated_shareholders_well_1150246.html): Just 20 companies in the S&P 500 accounted for more than half of all the dollars spent on stock buybacks in the second quarter, according to research from DataTrek co-founder Nicholas Colas. But that doesn’t mean big companies are all getting the same bang for their buck, or that they are delivering for their investors. Companies often brag about “returning capital” to their shareholders when they repurchase stock. But this isn’t really the case. If a company buys back shares on the open market, it is spending its owners’ money to purchase stock from people who no longer wish to be […] - [China launches campaign against fire hazards in high-rise buildings](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-campaign-fire-hazards-high-rise-buildings-hong-kong-wang-fuk-court-5497026): BEIJING: China has launched a campaign against fire hazards in high-rise buildings, state media reported on Saturday (Nov 29), after at least 128 people were killed in one of Hong Kong’s deadliest blazes. The inferno – the financial hub’s worst in decades – sent shock waves through the city, which has some of the world’s most densely populated and tallest residential blocks. State broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday that China’s State Council Work Safety Committee had “recently” issued a notice launching an inspection and rectification campaign targeting major fire risks and hazards in high-rise buildings. During the campaign, high-rise buildings will […] - [‘I have nothing left’: How a fiery tragedy upended Wang Fuk Court’s way of life](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/wang-fuk-court-tai-po-hong-kong-fire-5496961): As Hong Kong reels from its deadliest blaze in nearly eight decades, the scale of the loss is coming sharply into focus – and with it the stories of ordinary people whose daily routines were overturned in minutes. Wang Fuk Court was home to 4,643 people, according to 2021 census data. Children under 15 made up just over 9 per cent of residents, while those 65 and above were the largest group, accounting for more than a third of the estate. The estate is part of the long-running Home Ownership Scheme, which allows eligible lower- and middle-income residents to buy subsidised […] - [Thailand, Indonesia begin clean-up after massive floods kill hundreds](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-indonesia-malaysia-flood-death-toll-5496851): BANGKOK: The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Southeast Asia climbed past 370 on Saturday (Nov 29) as clean-up and search and rescue operations got underway in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Heavy monsoon rain overwhelmed swathes of the three countries this week, killing hundreds and leaving thousands stranded, many on rooftops awaiting rescue. Rescuers in Indonesia were struggling to reach the worst-affected areas of Sumatra island, where more than 100 people were still missing. Flooding and landslides in Indonesia have killed more than 200 people, according to figures from the disaster authorities. “Sixty-one fatalities have been recorded, and 90 […] - [Hong Kong mourns victims of blaze that killed 128 and counting](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-wang-fuk-court-complex-5496731): SEARCH FOR BODIES CONTINUES Authorities have said the fire alarms at the estate, home to more than 4,600 people, had not been working properly. Hong Kong leader John Lee, other officials and civil servants, all dressed in black, stood in silence for three minutes early on Saturday outside the central government offices, where flags were lowered to half-mast. Condolence books have been set up at 18 points around the former British colony for the public to pay their respects. “Our most heartfelt thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones and with those that are now living with shock […] - [Cheap, good and super ‘ulu’: A JB local's guide to the best seafood eateries off the beaten path](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/travel/best-seafood-restaurants-jb-johor-bahru-5474186): It’s a unique cultural blend that’s being studied by academics and government agencies, particularly as Simpang Arang is hemmed in by Forest City Golf Resort on the west (which has restricted its river access to the sea) and a tech park to the east that has seen a dozen data centres erected in the past couple of years (which will likely double within the next few). The village is a short 15-minute drive from Gelang Patah on narrow lanes. Simpang Arang isn’t particularly picturesque, but Kedai Makan Simpang Arang is clean, airy, and supports this precariously placed community. It certainly helps […] - [Elderly Austrian nuns who fled care home in standoff with provost over social media ban](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/elderly-austrian-nuns-fled-care-home-standoff-provost-social-media/): A trio of elderly nuns in Austria who fled a care home to return to their longtime convent are at odds with the provost in charge after he demanded they leave social media. The three nuns lived at Kloster Goldenstein in Elsbethen, close to Austria’s western border with Germany, until December 2023. Sister Bernadette, 88, first entered the convent in 1948 as a teen, Sister Regina, 86, entered in 1958, and Sister Rita entered in 1962, according to the BBC. They were then moved out of the convent and into a care home, and their religious community was dissolved in 2024. […] - [China’s extended property slump was always expected](https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3334330/chinas-extended-property-slump-was-always-expected?utm_source=rss_feed): History does not repeat itself, as the saying goes, but it often rhymes. That very much depends on the kind of history being considered. If you are talking about real estate and the stock market, history absolutely repeats itself, almost like an eternal recurrence. Maybe it’s because greed and fear are ingrained in human nature. The claim that “this time is different” has been called the four most dangerous words in investment. Many people have been so frustrated and hurt by the prolonged slump in the Chinese property market that any glimmer of hope is worth latching onto. So when John […] - [U.N. nuclear agency returns to Chernobyl to check damage from recent Russian drone attack](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/un-nuclear-agency-returns-chernobyl-check-damage-recent-russian-drone/): The International Atomic Energy Agency is sending technicians to the site of Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear power plant to assess the current condition of an arch-shaped steel structure that was erected over the damaged reactor following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. The protective shell, known as the New Safe Confinement, was erected in 2016. It was struck by a Russian drone in February 2025, authorities said. “While February’s drone strike did not lead to any release of radioactive material, it caused significant structural damage, affecting the NSC’s designed confinement function and projected lifetime,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said Thursday in a […] - [Death toll in Southeast Asia floods tops 300](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/death-toll-in-southeast-asia-floods-tops-300-5496506): MEDAN, Indonesia: Days of devastating flooding across Southeast Asia have killed more than 300 people in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, authorities said on Friday (Nov 28). Heavy monsoon season rains paired with a tropical storm system inundated areas across the three countries, stranding residents on rooftops and cutting off entire communities. Authorities in Indonesia were struggling to reach the worst-affected areas on Sumatra island, while authorities at a southern Thailand hospital brought in refrigerated trucks to store bodies after the morgue exceeded capacity. In Indonesia’s West Sumatra province, 53-year-old Misniati described a terrifying battle against rising floodwaters to reach her husband […] - [Stocks end November with mixed results despite a strong Thanksgiving week rally](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/28/stocks-end-november-mixed-despite-a-strong-thanksgiving-week-rally.html): A Thanksgiving week rally couldn’t put all three major indexes in the green for November. The S & P 500 gained nearly 4% for the week, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added more than 3% — a strong enough showing for each to eke out gains for the month. It extends their streak of winning months to seven. And while the Nasdaq Composite ended the week higher by more than 4%, it wasn’t enough to overcome selling earlier in the month triggered by valuation concerns about the artificial intelligence trade. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell roughly 2% in November, ending its […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: November 28, 2025](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-november-28-2025): Markets rose this week, as December rate cut odds continued their rebound to 85+% now from a low 30% last week for a few reasons. - [Trinidad's leader backtracks and says U.S. Marines are in the country working on airport radar](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/trinidads-leader-backtracks-says-us-marines-country-working-airport/): PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — The prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago retracted comments where she asserted that no U.S. Marines were currently in the twin-island nation – a development that comes as the U.S. government seeks allies amid ongoing strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean and beyond. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told reporters Thursday that U.S. Marines were at the airport on the island of Tobago working on its radar, runway and road just days after she said they had left. “They will help us to ­improve our surveillance and the intelligence of the radars for the narco-traffickers in our […] - [Volatile month comes to a close as U.S. stocks rise on last trading day of November](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/us-stocks-rise-last-trading-day-november-wrapping-volatile-month/): U.S. stocks rose in morning trading as Wall Street puts the wraps on a volatile month. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% and needs to hold that gain to avoid its first down month since April. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 282 points, and the Nasdaq gained 0.5% as of 11:10 a.m. ET. Coinbase Global added 4.3% as bitcoin rose above $92,000 after dropping to around $81,000 last week. The world’s most popular cryptocurrency is still well below its all-time high of around $125,000 set in early October. Most tech stocks posted gains, with Meta Platforms rising 1.5% and Micron Technology […] - [Talks on U.K. access to an EU defense fund have broken down](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/talks-uk-access-eu-defense-fund-broken/): LONDON — Talks on the U.K. joining a major European Union defense fund have ended without agreement, the British government said Friday, in a blow to its post-Brexit reset with the 27-nation bloc. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, elected last year, pledged to repair ties with the EU strained by Britain’s acrimonious departure in 2020. In May, the U.K. and the EU announced new agreements on trade, travel and defense that Starmer hailed as a “win-win.” The plan was for the U.K. defense industry to access a 150 billion euro ($170 billion) EU loan program, known as Security Action for Europe, or […] - [New legislation would crack down on hiring illegal immigrant workers and 'sanctuary unions'](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/new-legislation-would-crack-hiring-illegal-immigrant-workers/): Republicans have proposed new legislation that would make hiring illegal immigrants an unfair labor practice, giving the federal government a new avenue to punish businesses that recruit them and labor unions that seek to get them to unionize. Led by Sens. Jim Banks of Indiana and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, the bill would give the National Labor Relations Board jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute cases. “Hiring illegal aliens drives down American wages and pushes our workers out of good jobs,” Mr. Banks said in a statement. “If employers won’t follow the law, we’ll use every tool we have to make sure […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: CME Group, Tilray Brands, SanDisk & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/28/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-cme-tlry-sndk.html): Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. SanDisk — The maker of flash memory products, including memory cards, climbed more than 4%. The stock, spun off from Western Digita l last February, enters the S & P 500 on Friday. Tilray Brands — The cannabis processor and owner of Montauk Brewing slid 14% after declaring a 1-for-10 reverse stock split , effective at the Dec. 2 market open. The stock closed at $1.03 on Wednesday. CME Group — The parent of Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, New York Mercantile Exchange and Commodity Exchange fell 0.7% after saying […] - [Tripwire clauses: why is China alarmed by Malaysia’s new trade deal with the US?](https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3334525/why-china-alarmed-new-us-malaysia-trade-deal-poison-pill-provisions-explained?utm_source=rss_feed): China has expressed “serious concerns” regarding a trade agreement signed last month between Malaysia and the United States, and some analysts suggest it might be related to how the pact could force the Southeast Asian nation to align with Washington’s sanctions regime. The official reaction on Thursday followed a meeting between Chinese and Malaysian commerce officials earlier in the week. While Beijing did not publicly specify the offending clauses, critics point to provisions that ostensibly limit Malaysia’s ability to pursue independent trade deals. Here is why the agreement, which the White House said seeks “to strengthen their commercial relationship through increased […] - [Armani fashion group appoints new board to guide company after designer's death](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/armani-fashion-group-appointing-new-board-guide-company-designers/): ROME — Italy’s fashion house Armani said on Friday that it has appointed a new board whose role will be to guide the company at a time of transition following the death of its founder Giorgio Armani earlier this year. The new board consists of eight members selected by the Armani Foundation and the designer’s heirs, including former Armani top executive John Hooks and former Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri. The other board members are Chairman Leo Dell’Orco; CEO and managing director Giuseppe Marsocci; Armani’s niece Silvana and his nephew Andrea Camerana; Yoox founder Federico Marchetti and businessman Angelo Moratti. Following Armani’s […] - [India economy grows at faster-than-expected 8.2% in September quarter even as tariffs bite](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/28/india-economy-gdp-grows-september-quarter-tariffs-bite-trade-us-modi.html): The Indian economy grew faster than expected, at an annual rate of 8.2%, in the quarter ending September. The IMF projected sturdy medium-term growth for India despite prolonged uncertainty over a U.S.–India trade deal. Hadynyah | E+ | Getty Images In a quarter partially affected by the 50% U.S. tariffs, the Indian economy grew faster than expected at an annual rate of 8.2% in the quarter ending in September. The growth was an acceleration from 7.8% in the previous quarter, when a lower deflator unexpectedly boosted real growth. A deflator measures how inflation affects the value of total output. A Reuters poll of economists had pegged the July-September gross domestic product at 7.3%. India's nominal GDP — which does not account for inflation or deflation — grew 8.7% in the September quarter compared to 8.8% in the previous quarter. The sharp improvement in GDP growth rate was on account of a pick up in manufacturing and construction activity and domestic consumption. Financial and real estate professional services have "sustained a substantial growth rate" of 10.2% in Jul-Sep, the government said in a release. During the September quarter, domestic consumption was "held back" ahead of the planned cuts to the goods and services tax, Neelkanth Mishra, chief economist at Axis Bank, told CNBC's "Inside India" before the release of the GDP data. The 50% tariffs on Indian goods exported to the U.S. took effect in August. To cushion the impact, New Delhi announced sweeping GST tax reductions effective Sept. 22 to boost domestic consumption. Demand picked up sharply in October, with record sales of autos and gold as the GST cuts and earlier reduction of the individual income tax rate lifted disposable incomes. Even so, India's goods trade deficit hit a new high on weak exports and higher gold imports. The International Monetary Fund, in a report on Wednesday, said India's real GDP is projected to grow 6.6% in fiscal 2026 before moderating to 6.2% in fiscal 2027, assuming a prolonged delay in a U.S.-India trade deal. It also forecasted India's merchandise exports to fall 5.8% in fiscal year 2026 to $416 billion, while goods imports are expected to rise 2.4% to $746 billion. "Despite external headwinds, growth is expected to remain robust, supported by favorable domestic conditions," the IMF said in the release, with its data also suggesting that India will become a $5 trillion economy by fiscal year 2029. — CNBC's Amitoj Singh contributed to this report. - [Death toll from southern Thailand floods rises to 145](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-flood-death-toll-indonesia-malaysia-5495456): BANGKOK: The death toll from floods across southern Thailand has risen to 145, with more than 100 people killed in hard-hit Songkhla province alone, the government said on Friday (Nov 28). Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia. The “total deaths across the southern provinces is 145”, with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures. Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, […] - [Death toll from southern Thailand floods rises to 145](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-flood-death-toll-indonesia-malaysia-5495456): BANGKOK: The death toll from floods across southern Thailand has risen to 145, with more than 100 people killed in hard-hit Songkhla province alone, the government said on Friday (Nov 28). Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia. The “total deaths across the southern provinces is 145”, with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures. Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, […] - [Death toll from southern Thailand floods rises to 145](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-flood-death-toll-indonesia-malaysia-5495456): BANGKOK: The death toll from floods across southern Thailand has risen to 145, with more than 100 people killed in hard-hit Songkhla province alone, the government said on Friday (Nov 28). Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia. The “total deaths across the southern provinces is 145”, with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures. Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, […] - [Death toll from southern Thailand floods rises to 145](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-flood-death-toll-indonesia-malaysia-5495456): BANGKOK: The death toll from floods across southern Thailand has risen to 145, with more than 100 people killed in hard-hit Songkhla province alone, the government said on Friday (Nov 28). Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia. The “total deaths across the southern provinces is 145”, with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures. Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, […] - [Death toll from southern Thailand floods rises to 145](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-flood-death-toll-indonesia-malaysia-5495456): BANGKOK: The death toll from floods across southern Thailand has risen to 145, with more than 100 people killed in hard-hit Songkhla province alone, the government said on Friday (Nov 28). Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia. The “total deaths across the southern provinces is 145”, with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures. Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, […] - [Death toll from southern Thailand floods rises to 145](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-flood-death-toll-indonesia-malaysia-5495456): BANGKOK: The death toll from floods across southern Thailand has risen to 145, with more than 100 people killed in hard-hit Songkhla province alone, the government said on Friday (Nov 28). Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia. The “total deaths across the southern provinces is 145”, with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures. Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, […] - [Death toll from southern Thailand floods rises to 145](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-flood-death-toll-indonesia-malaysia-5495456): BANGKOK: The death toll from floods across southern Thailand has risen to 145, with more than 100 people killed in hard-hit Songkhla province alone, the government said on Friday (Nov 28). Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia. The “total deaths across the southern provinces is 145”, with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures. Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, […] - [Death toll from southern Thailand floods rises to 145](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-flood-death-toll-indonesia-malaysia-5495456): BANGKOK: The death toll from floods across southern Thailand has risen to 145, with more than 100 people killed in hard-hit Songkhla province alone, the government said on Friday (Nov 28). Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia. The “total deaths across the southern provinces is 145”, with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures. Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, […] - [Death toll from southern Thailand floods rises to 145](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-flood-death-toll-indonesia-malaysia-5495456): BANGKOK: The death toll from floods across southern Thailand has risen to 145, with more than 100 people killed in hard-hit Songkhla province alone, the government said on Friday (Nov 28). Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia. The “total deaths across the southern provinces is 145”, with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures. Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full. Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, […] - [Pope Leo receives enthusiastic welcome from Turkey's Catholics on key day in first trip](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/pope-leo-receives-enthusiastic-welcome-turkeys-catholics/): ISTANBUL, Turkey — Pope Leo XIV encouraged Turkey’s tiny Catholic community on Friday to find strength in its small size as he opened the key day of his first papal trip that is meant to bolster Christians and pursue their centuries-old quest for unity. Shouts of “Papa Leo” and “Viva il Papa” (Long Live the pope) erupted, along with cheering and clapping, inside and outside Istanbul’s Cathedral of the Holy Spirit as Leo arrived to begin his first full day in Turkey. Leo presided over a prayer with Catholic clergy and nuns before taking part in the key reason for his […] - [Paris' Louvre museum to increase ticket price for visitors from outside the European Union](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/paris-louvre-museum-increase-ticket-price-visitors-outside-european/): PARIS — Paris’ Louvre museum has approved a ticket hike from 22 to 32 euros ($25 to 37) for non-European visitors from January to help finance an overhaul of the building whose degradation has been exposed by the Oct. 19 crown jewels heist. The measure was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year as part of a decade-long plan of renovation and expansion of the museum. Security breaches that allowed the 88 million-euro ($102 million) theft highlighted the urgency of the situation. From Jan. 14, nationals from outside the European Union will have to pay 10 euros more. The […] - [[PHOTO] Samsung chairman's son commissioned as Navy officer](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251128/photo-samsung-chairmans-son-commissioned-as-navy-officer?utm_source=rss): Lee Jee-ho, left, salutes his father, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, second from right, and his grandmother, Hong Ra-hee, right, honorary director of the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, during a commissioning ceremony at the Naval Academy in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Lee was commissioned as a Navy officer after completing 11 weeks of training. Born in the United States in 2000, Lee Jee-ho renounced his U.S. citizenship to fulfill his military duty as an officer. Yonhap - [Money Talks, Especially In Business of College Football](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/28/money_talks_especially_in_business_of_college_football_1150066.html): The Thanksgiving holiday serves as a reminder each year that college football bowl season and the playoffs are fast approaching. The first college playoff ranking was issued on Nov. 4, with the rankings shuffling after each week of play. Some teams that entered the season already have three losses, putting their chances of making it into the playoffs exceedingly low.  Read Full Article » - [Why Was Lawrence Summers So In Demand to Begin With?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/28/why_was_lawrence_summers_so_in_demand_to_begin_with_1150005.html): George Will describes it as presentism whereby modern views on morality are imposed on past actions. Will’s crucial point is that if we continue down this path of judging the past through a present-tense lens, eventually those judging and canceling will find themselves being judged and canceled. It’s just a comment that whatever the underlying truth about economist Lawrence Summers’ present-day expressions of “shame” about the past, the fact that his past actions elicited no outrage from left, right or in between calls into question his present-day cancelation. Isn’t the societal point to constantly learn from the past, and improve on […] - [You Can't Blame Your Way Out of a Housing Crisis](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/28/you_cant_blame_your_way_out_of_a_housing_crisis_1150001.html): The United States is in the midst of a housing crisis. Increases in the cost to buy or rent were the largest driver of inflation since 2020. But now, instead of taking the problem head on, lawmakers want to limit our options and exacerbate this crisis. Across the nation, elected officials from both the right and the left have laid blame for the housing crisis onto single-family rental institutions, claiming that large Wall Street-backed companies are snapping up homes, inflating prices, blocking access to the American Dream, and creating a housing crisis. Their solution? Ban or cap how many properties these companies can […] - [Narrow Breadth of Growth Signals a Hidden Downturn](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/28/narrow_breadth_of_growth_signals_a_hidden_downturn_1150000.html): A new Rosenberg Research indicator shows that only 18 percent of the U.S. population now lives in regions classified as economically expanding—the lowest share since May 2020. This collapse in the breadth of growth is one of the clearest statistical signs that the United States may already be in a hidden or rolling recession, even as headline GDP and employment data indicate otherwise. The eighteen percent matches levels observed only during sharp downturns in 2001, 2008, and 2020–each of which corresponds to a deep recession.    Read Full Article » - [When We Came from Romania, w/Little More Than Clothes](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/28/when_we_came_from_romania_wlittle_more_than_clothes_1149992.html): Washington’s Proclamation expressed hope that God would “render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed…” Read Full Article » - [U.S.-Russian crew of 3 starts 8-month mission on the International Space Station](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/us-russian-crew-three-starts-8-month-mission-international-space/): MOSCOW — A U.S.-Russian crew of three began a mission on the International Space Station after being launched there on a Russian spacecraft Thursday. A Soyuz booster rocket lifted off at 2:27 p.m. from the Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan to put the Soyuz MS-28 into orbit. The spacecraft carried NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian crewmates, Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov. The craft docked at the International Space Station at 5:34 p.m. The three are expected to spend about eight months at the orbiting outpost. NASA said this is the first spaceflight for Williams, a physicist, and Mikaev, a […] - [Kenyan court declares law banning seed sharing unconstitutional](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/kenyan-court-declares-law-banning-seed-sharing-unconstitutional/): KISUMU, Kenya — A high court in Kenya on Thursday declared unconstitutional sections of a seed law that prevented farmers from sharing and selling indigenous seeds in what food campaigners have called a landmark win for food security. Farmers in Kenya could face up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 1 million Kenya shillings ($7,700) for sharing seeds through their community seed banks, according to a seed law signed in 2012. Justice Rhoda Rutto on Thursday said sections of the seed law that gave government officials powers to raid seed banks and seize seeds were also unconstitutional. The law […] - [Mirae Asset's TIGER ETF remains top choice for domestic retail investors for 48 months](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/banking-finance/20251128/mirae-assets-tiger-etf-remains-top-choice-for-domestic-retail-investors-for-48-months?utm_source=rss): A Mirae Asset Global Investment's TIGER ETF advertisement is displayed on a giant digital billboard at Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City. Courtesy of Mirae Asset Global InvestmentMirae Asset Global Investments’ flagship exchange-traded fund (ETF), TIGER ETF, has remained the top choice for 48 consecutive months among domestic retail investors, the company said, Friday.The asset management arm of Mirae Financial Group reported that TIGER ETF accounted for 36.5 trillion won ($24.88 billion), or 40.5 percent of all individual investors’ holdings in the domestic ETF market as of the end of last month.Since 2019, TIGER ETFs’ growth-themed products have helped the fund more than double its share of individual investors’ assets from 19.5 percent.This year, it also expanded its strategy to include global asset allocation, listing ETFs focused on China, gold, and domestic investments to create a more diversified and balanced portfolio, helping it maintain its top position since November 2021.In the first half of 2025, TIGER ETFs featured 213 funds with net purchases totaling 4.06 trillion won.Key products included the TIGER U.S. S&P 500 ETF, which alone exceeded 1 trillion won, and the TIGER KRX Gold Spot ETF, notable for one of the lowest expense ratios among domestic gold ETFs at just 0.15 percent.Additionally, Mirae Asset Global Investments launched Korea’s first ETF that allows diversified investment across global stock markets at once: the TIGER Total World Stock Active ETF.Its benchmark is the FTSE Global All Cap Index, which covers 48 developed and emerging countries and more than 10,000 global stocks — representing approximately 98 percent of the investable global universe and making it the broadest global equity benchmark.“We believe that focusing on developing competitive products based on our philosophy of long-term retirement investing and innovative growth has been key to gaining the trust of individual investors,” Mirae Asset Global Investments said.It added, “Through our global network, we plan to fully leverage the company’s capabilities to introduce differentiated products to domestic investors.” - [Korea’s shipbuilding hubs divided over surge in migrant workers](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251128/koreas-shipbuilding-hubs-divided-over-surge-in-migrant-workers?utm_source=rss): A group of residents in Ulsan's Dong District hold a press conference at Ulsan City Hall, Nov. 24, to protest the city government's plan to bring in more migrant shipyard workers. Courtesy of residents' groupCities home to Korea’s largest shipyards are seeing rising internal conflicts over the rising number of migrant workers.Although shipbuilders continue to cite severe labor shortages amid a surge in orders, local residents and labor unions say companies should pay more to attract Koreans and criticize the limited local spending by foreign workers.Geoje Mayor Byun Gwang-yong of South Gyeongsang Province asked Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon on Nov. 24 to reduce the visa quota for migrant workers, as the number of foreign residents on the island surpassed 15,000 as of October — more than triple the figure five years ago. Geoje is home to Hanwha Ocean and Samsung Heavy Industries.“The increase in foreign workers has not led to their integration or spending in the local economy,” Byun said. “By gradually reducing the visa quota, we aim to establish a stable labor structure centered on skilled Korean workers.”Elected in April as a candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, Byun has prioritized reducing the city’s reliance on migrant labor, while backing unionized Korean shipyard workers. He emphasized that adjusting visa quotas is essential to achieving mutually beneficial growth for both shipbuilders and the regional economy.Geoje Mayor Byun Gwang-yong, left, poses with Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon in Seoul, Nov. 24, after asking the central government to reduce the visa quota for migrant shipyard workers. Courtesy of Geoje city governmentA similar debate is unfolding in Ulsan, home to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.On Nov. 24, residents and Korean workers held a press conference to oppose Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom’s plan to expand the special visa quota to secure migrant workers for the city’s shipyards.Under the main opposition People Power Party mayor’s initiative, up to 440 workers from Uzbekistan, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are expected to be dispatched to Ulsan’s shipyards by the end of next year. The city government said these skilled workers will help stabilize the labor supply and boost the industry's competitiveness.“Relying too heavily on migrant labor will eventually erode our shipbuilding skills and competitiveness,” a group of Ulsan residents said. “The influx of short-term foreign workers is leaving buildings vacant and weakening the local economy.”Ulsan's Dong District Mayor Kim Jong-hoon, a member of the minor progressive Jinbo Party, also expressed concerns.“Residents tell me our neighborhood now feels like Southeast Asia,” Kim said. “Can we just dismiss their anxiety as baseless?”After facing criticism that his remarks were xenophobic, Kim and his party issued an apology but maintained their opposition to increasing the number of migrant workers.Amid these disputes, the Ulsan city government announced that the number of Korean residents began to rise in October for the first time in 96 months. Citing the rebound, city officials dismissed concerns over declining local consumption. - [CNBC Daily Open: November hasn't been kind — or typical — for U.S. stocks](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/28/cnbc-daily-open-november-hasnt-been-kind-or-typical-for-us-stocks.html): U.S. futures are mostly flat Thursday night following a break in regular trading for the Thanksgiving holiday. Apple faces a potential $38 billion fine in India and files a case against the country’s antitrust body. South Korea imposes sanctions on Cambodia’s Prince Group. which is allegedly running large-scale fraud operations across Southeast Asia. Moscow is ready for “serious” discussions for peace, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday. The S&P 500 should rise by a single-digit percentage point in 2026, according to a Bank of America strategist. Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York […] - [Gold prices could hit record highs of over US$4,900 next year: forecasts](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334493/gold-prices-could-hit-record-highs-over-us4900-next-year-forecasts?utm_source=rss_feed): Several major banks forecast that gold prices will shake off a recent correction and hit an all-time high next year, with ongoing strong demand from central banks and anticipated US Federal Reserve rate cuts likely to buoy the market. Deutsche Bank has raised its 2026 average gold price forecast to US$4,450 per ounce from US$4,000 previously, setting a projected yearly trading range of US$3,950 to US$4,950, according to a research note released on Wednesday. “Stabilising investor flow and technical measures indicate a positioning correction has completed,” said Michael Hsueh, a research analyst at the bank. Advertisement “Overall growth in demand outpaces […] - [10 SEA Games events moved to Bangkok after Songkhla flooding](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/sea-games-songkhla-flood-hat-yai-events-relocated-bangkok-5495171): SINGAPORE: Some events at the upcoming 33rd SEA Games will be shifted to Bangkok after days of severe flooding in the southern Thai province of Songkhla. The Games organising committee on Thursday (Nov 27) approved the venue changes due to the floods, which caused “damage and impacted readiness”. Songkhla had been set to host the Dec 9 to Dec 20 biennial multi-sport event, along with Bangkok and Chonburi. The competition venues for 10 sports that were originally scheduled to take place in Hat Yai and Mueang Songkhla districts, will now be held in Bangkok. They are: Muay (boxing), the men’s football […] - [Sri Lanka deploys troops as floodwaters rise, death toll hits 69](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/sri-lanka-cyclone-ditwah-landslides-dead-5495276): COLOMBO: Sri Lankan troops were racing to rescue hundreds of people marooned by rising floodwaters on Friday (Nov 28) as weather-related deaths rose to 69, with another 34 people declared missing. Helicopters and navy boats carried out multiple rescue operations, plucking residents from tree tops, roofs and villages cut off by floodwaters. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the toll had climbed with the recovery of more bodies in the worst-affected central region, where most victims had been buried alive as mudslides hit this week. Rain was falling across the island with some regions receiving 360mm in the past 24 hours, […] - [Sri Lanka deploys troops as floodwaters rise, death toll hits 69](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/sri-lanka-cyclone-ditwah-landslides-dead-5495276): COLOMBO: Sri Lankan troops were racing to rescue hundreds of people marooned by rising floodwaters on Friday (Nov 28) as weather-related deaths rose to 69, with another 34 people declared missing. Helicopters and navy boats carried out multiple rescue operations, plucking residents from tree tops, roofs and villages cut off by floodwaters. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the toll had climbed with the recovery of more bodies in the worst-affected central region, where most victims had been buried alive as mudslides hit this week. Rain was falling across the island with some regions receiving 360mm in the past 24 hours, […] - [Tax agency to postpone regular tax audit of foreign firms expanding domestic investment](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/20251128/tax-agency-to-postpone-regular-tax-audit-of-foreign-firms-expanding-domestic-investment?utm_source=rss): Lim Kwang-hyun, right, director of the National Tax Service (NTS), walks beside James Kim, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Friday. Courtesy of the NTS Korea's tax authorities said Friday they will postpone regular tax audits of foreign companies that increase their investment here for up to two years, part of the government's broader efforts to attract foreign investment.The latest measure was announced by Lim Kwang-hyun, director of the National Tax Service (NTS), during a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM).According to the NTS, the measure will apply to companies planning to increase their investment by at least 10 percent for small enterprises and 20 percent for medium-sized enterprises compared with the previous fiscal year.The latest policy will take effect Monday."We will dedicate all available resources at the tax administration level to create an environment where foreign companies expand their investments in Korea and focus solely on business operations," Lim said.Previously, tax audit postponements were mainly offered to small enterprises, but the new measure extends the benefit to medium-sized companies.This is the first time such a measure has been targeted specifically at foreign businesses, the NTS said. - [Korea to defer tax audits of foreign firms boosting local investments](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251128/korea-to-defer-tax-audits-of-foreign-firms-boosting-local-investments?utm_source=rss): American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) Chairman James Kim, left, and National Tax Service (NTS) Commissioner Lim Kwang-hyun walk into AMCHAM's office in Seoul to attend a roundtable meeting, Friday. Courtesy of NTSThe National Tax Service (NTS) will begin deferring routine tax audits of foreign companies for up to two years starting in December if they plan certain levels of increased investment in Korea. It marks the first time the country has introduced an audit deferral program specifically designed for foreign investors.During a roundtable meeting hosted on Friday by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), NTS Commissioner Lim Kwang-hyun announced a new package of tax support measures aimed at easing the compliance burden on foreign companies. He noted that the initiative aligns with the Lee Jae Myung administration’s agenda to encourage greater foreign direct investment.Under the plan, small foreign firms that boost domestic investments by at least 10 percent from the previous year, as well as medium-sized firms that raise investments by 20 percent, will qualify for a routine tax audit deferral of up to two years.NTS also plans to assist foreign nationals working in Korea by offering English-language guides for year-end tax settlements and launching artificial intelligence-based multilingual consultation services.To help reduce the risk of double taxation for multinational corporations, the tax agency will accelerate the processing of advance pricing arrangements (APAs), which are advance agreements between taxpayers and tax authorities on the transfer pricing methods to be applied to transactions between related parties over a set period. APAs are intended to give companies greater certainty about how their cross-border, intragroup transactions will be taxed and to prevent future transfer pricing disputes.“We want to create an environment where foreign companies can focus on business operations and invest in Korea with confidence,” Lim said, noting that seven major global companies unveiled plans during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in late October to invest $9 billion in the country.AMCHAM Chairman James Kim welcomed the new measures, saying they will significantly reduce uncertainty and strengthen Korea’s competitiveness against major investment hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong.“Foreign companies also hope to be treated under the same clear guidelines and principles that apply to local companies regarding potential audits and tax interpretations,” Kim said.AMCHAM representatives added that these practical steps, including the expanded use of APAs, will meaningfully improve the operating environment for foreign businesses and support Korea’s efforts to attract high-quality investment. - [Hirediversity selected as top-30 fintech firm by FSC](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251128/hirediversity-selected-as-top-30-fintech-firm-by-fsc?utm_source=rss): Hirediversity CEO Shim Hwa-yong, center, poses during a nomination ceremony for the K‑Fintech 30 Program at the aT Center in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of HirediversityHirediversity said Friday that it has been selected for the K‑Fintech 30 Program, a fintech excellence initiative run by the Financial Services Commission (FSC).Specializing in tailored financial services for foreign residents and international students, Hirediversity is reportedly the only firm whose services are focused on foreign residents in Korea among the companies selected this year.Launched in 2023, the K-Fintech 30 Program aims to bolster the fintech industry by selecting 10 promising fintech firms each year for a total of 30 over three years, and supporting them with policy-linked funding, collaboration with financial institutions, investment attraction and other scale-up assistance.Hirediversity offers fintech and life-linked services tailored to foreign residents in Korea, aiming to allow them to continue using these services even after returning to their home countries. The company said its selection reflects recognition of its data-driven, client-certified approach, as well as its specialized design to address the unique circumstances of foreign residents.“Being named to the K-Fintech 30 validates our experience in working closely with foreign residents and handling their data in a responsible way,” Hirediversity CEO Shim Hwa-yong said in a press release.“We plan to expand cooperation with financial institutions and other organizations as an only firm in the scheme serving the foreign resident market.”The company said it will also refine its integrated financial and lifestyle services for foreign users while enhancing partnerships with domestic banks, telecommunications firms and public institutions, and gradually roll out personalized financial products and services based on actual usage data from foreign customers. - [Thai city morgue exceeds capacity after flooding: Medic](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-hat-yai-flood-morgue-exceed-capacity-5495086): BANGKOK: The main facility receiving bodies of flood victims in southern Thailand has filled up, prompting authorities to bring in three refrigerated trucks, a hospital staffer said on Friday (Nov 28). “The morgue has exceeded its capacity, so we need more,” Charn, a morgue official at Songkhla Hospital who only gave his first name, told AFP after the death toll rose to 55. Footage filmed by an AFP journalist showed white refrigerated lorries parked outside the hospital’s main building. - [Asian markets struggle to build on week's rally](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/asian-markets-struggle-build-rally-5494996): HONG KONG: Markets fluctuated on Friday (Nov 28) at the end of a strong week for equities, fuelled by growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again next month. Traders took silence from New York’s Thanksgiving break as a reason to have a breather and take stock of a healthy rebound from November’s swoon that was sparked by AI bubble threats. But while there is much debate on whether valuations in the tech sector are overstretched, focus this week has been firmly on the prospect of more rate cuts. A string of top Fed officials have lined up […] - [Indonesia races to evacuate stranded residents as flood death toll hits 61](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-races-evacuate-residents-flood-cyclone-sumatra-island-5494901): PADANG, Indonesia: Rescuers on Indonesia‘s flood– and landslide-hit Sumatra island rushed on Thursday (Nov 27) to pull stranded residents out of fast-flowing muddy waters that smashed through homes and forced thousands of people to flee a rare tropical cyclone in the area. The cyclone blew across the Indonesian archipelago’s western-most area, inundating the nearby Malacca Strait and causing floods and landslides that have killed at least 61 people, authorities said. They fear the toll could go up with rain continuing and 100 residents still missing. Responders used helicopters to deliver aid and for logistics in the northern part of the island, […] - [CNBC Daily Open: A rough and historically atypical November for U.S. stocks](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/28/cnbc-daily-open-a-rough-and-historically-atypical-november-for-us-stocks.html): U.S. futures are mostly flat Thursday night following a break in regular trading for the Thanksgiving holiday. Alibaba’s AI glasses, which cost less than Meta’s $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, go on sale. Apple faces a potential $38 billion fine in India and files a case against the country’s antitrust body. Moscow is ready for “serious” discussions for peace, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday. The S&P 500 should rise by a single-digit percentage point in 2026, according to a Bank of America strategist. Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., […] - [Chinese EV makers tipped to storm global top 10 carmakers by 2030, McKinsey says](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3334406/chinese-ev-makers-tipped-storm-worlds-top-10-carmakers-2030-mckinsey-forecasts?utm_source=rss_feed): Up to five Chinese vehicle assemblers, leveraging their technology and production advantages in building electric cars, are likely to make the list of the world’s top 10 carmakers by 2030, disrupting the pecking order in the global automotive industry, according to global consultancy McKinsey. “The industry will undergo some major changes by 2030,” Guan Mingyu, a senior partner of McKinsey, told reporters in a media briefing on Thursday. “Indeed, we have already seen some signs that tremendous changes are taking shape.” Advertisement Guan did not specify which Chinese carmakers would become the three newcomers to crack the global top 10 rankings. […] - [Asia-Pacific stocks set for softer open as Tokyo inflation runs hotter than expected](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/28/asia-markets-live.html): Asia-Pacific stocks seen softer as traders eye Tokyo inflation and India’s Q2 GDP. Tokyo's inflation data is widely considered to be a leading indicator of nationwide trends. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day down 0.18%. Pedestrians walking across a crowded traffic at Shibuya crossing square in Tokyo, Japan. Jaczhou | E+ | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets are set to open slightly lower on Friday as U.S. stock futures remained flat over Thanksgiving Day, with the Nasdaq Composite on track to end a seven-month winning streak. Traders in Asia will assess key economic data from across the region, including inflation data from Tokyo, a leading indicator of where national inflation is heading. Investors will also watch India's GDP for its fiscal second quarter, ending September, later on Friday. Headline inflation in Tokyo for October dipped slightly to 2.7% from 2.8% the month before, while core inflation came in at 2.8%, slightly higher than the 2.7% expected by economists polled by Reuters. Core inflation in Japan strips out prices of fresh food but includes energy prices. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day down 0.18%. Japan's Nikkei 225 futures pointed to a marginally weaker open for the market, with the futures contract in Chicago at 50,160 and its counterpart in Osaka at 50,080 compared to the previous close of 50,167.1 Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,935, lower than the HSI's last close of 25,945.93. Overnight in the U.S., all three major indexes were little changed. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose just 10 points. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq-100 futures traded just above the flatline. Stocks are on pace for a losing month when trading resumes on Friday. A pullback in tech stocks has weighed on the major averages in November, as doubt swirled around the future profitability of AI companies. Yet some investors are hopeful that this month's slide will signal a year-end rally for the major averages, as they step in to buy stocks that have been unduly punished at more attractive valuations. U.S. markets were closed Thursday for Thanksgiving Day. The stock market will close early at 1 p.m. ET on Friday. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Fiscal Monitor October 2024](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2024/10/23/fiscal-monitor-october-2024) - [Mozambique’s 2024 National Elections: What to Know](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/09/world/africa/mozambique-elections-what-to-know.html): Four candidates are vying for the presidency in a country that has faced a yearslong ISIS-backed insurgency. The election is also a test of the sway of former independence movements. Voters in Mozambique go to the polls on Wednesday to elect a new president who will face the tall task of figuring out how to defeat a yearslong Islamic State-backed insurgency that is deepening grave humanitarian and economic problems. Although the insurgents rampaging through the northern province of Cabo Delgado have lost a significant amount of strength since the fighting began in 2017, the security situation remains volatile. Efforts to stem […] - [What to Know About the Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/health/marburg-virus-disease.html): In Rwanda, 11 deaths have been reported from this rare but deadly disease. Two people tested negative in Germany this week. Rwanda is in the midst of an outbreak of Marburg virus disease, a hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate that has killed 11 people there this year. The disease has been found in multiple African countries over the last several decades but never before in Rwanda, in east-central Africa. It was first detected in the country in late September, and since then, 36 cases have been reported, according to the health ministry of Rwanda. This week, the authorities in […] - [The Oldest Termite Mound? 34,000 Years and Counting.](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/04/science/insects-termites-oldest-colony.html): Scientists recently found the planet’s longest continuously occupied termite colony in an arid region of South Africa. It dates to the time of the Neanderthals. Last month, Michele Francis, an environmental scientist at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, relocated to central Connecticut only to discover that her new home showed signs of termite damage. When an exterminator suggested setting out traps, Dr. Francis demurred. “I wondered if I could persuade the termites to eat the trees around my house rather than the house itself,” she said. “I hold termites in high esteem.” Her appreciation for termites stems from a project that […] - [Amid Sanctions, Russian Oil Tankers Are Flying New Flags](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/world/europe/russian-oil-tankers-gabon.html): A shadowy network of ships has registered in Gabon, highlighting how Vladimir V. Putin is building an economy beyond the reach of Western sanctions. The Jaguar, a tanker the length of nearly five Olympic-size swimming pools, left a port near St. Petersburg, Russia, last year, bound for India and loaded with Russian oil. Its trip that spring came as Western authorities were frantically trying to piece together the network to which it belonged: one of shadowy ships with hidden owners on whom powerful Russians relied to transport the nation’s valuable oil. But by a quirk of the shipping industry, the Jaguar […] - [60 Dead After Boat Capsizes in Nigeria](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/02/world/africa/60-dead-drowning-nigeria.html): The boat was carrying about 300 people on the Niger River. Rescuers continued to search for survivors. At least 60 people drowned on Tuesday when a boat carrying hundreds of mostly women and children capsized on the Niger River in Nigeria, a spokesman for the local government said. At least 80 people were still missing by Wednesday as rescue workers scrambled to find more survivors. The boat was carrying more than 300 passengers who were on their way to attend an annual religious celebration in Mokwa, a municipality in Nigeria’s northwestern Niger state, said Abdullahi Dakani, a spokesman for the Mokwa […] - [CVS explores options including potential break-up ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/cvs-explores-options-including-potential-break-up/): Business & FinanceHealth01 October 2024, 6:03 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that CVS Health is exploring options that could include a break-up of the company to separate its retail and insurance units, as the struggling healthcare services company looks to turn around its fortunes amid pressure from investors. Market ImpactCVS has been discussing various options – including how such a split would work – with its financial advisers in recent weeks, sources told Reuters. The latest discussions come as CVS faces increasing pressure from investors such as Glenview Capital, which is said to be pushing for changes at the company to help improve its operations after it cut its 2024 earnings outlook for a third consecutive quarter in August. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceHealthType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinancePharmaceuticals & HealthcareRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [LT Magazine – VIRTUS 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/09/30/lt-magazine-virtus-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lt-magazine-virtus-2024): View Fullscreen The post LT Magazine – VIRTUS 2024 appeared first on Latin Trade. - [DirecTV to acquire EchoStar’s video distribution business including Dish TV and Sling TV](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/directv-to-acquire-echostars-video-distribution-business-including-dish-tv-and-sling-tv-23349832?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Senegal’s Young President Wants a New World Order](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/world/africa/president-senegal-bassirou-diomaye-faye.html): President Bassirou Diomaye Faye rocketed to international fame last March when he went from prison to president-elect of the West African nation of Senegal in 10 days, becoming the youngest elected leader on the continent. He carried the hopes of the youngest, fastest-growing population on earth, who saw in him a fresh start, and a break with Africa’s many aging presidents and military rulers. But until now, he has rarely given interviews. Speaking with The New York Times last week — in his first interview with a Western media outlet — he made the case for a different world order that […] - [Tanzania Detains Opposition Party’s Top Leaders](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/world/africa/tanzania-opposition-leaders-arrested-protests.html): The East African country’s leading opposition party said that its presidential candidate in the last election and its chairman were among dozens detained before a protest called to draw attention to the killing and abduction of government critics. Tanzania’s main opposition party said on Monday that the police had detained its top leaders and dozens of others ahead of a planned demonstration — the second such crackdown in two months by the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who came to power promising a political opening. Among those detained were Tundu Lissu, the 2020 presidential candidate for the opposition party, Chadema, […] - [Intel says it has no plans to divest majority stake in Mobileye ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/intel-says-it-has-no-plans-to-divest-majority-stake-in-mobileye/): Business & FinanceDealsTechnology19 September 2024, 10:35 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report on Intel’s decision not to divest its majority stake in Mobileye, boosting the Israeli company’s shares by over 16%. Mobileye shares, which have dropped 73% this year, took a beating earlier in the month after media reports that Intel was looking to sell a portion of its stake in the company.  Market ImpactIntel acquired Mobileye in a $15.3 billion deal in 2017 but relisted its shares five years later through an initial public offering. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon to visit Africa in growth push](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-to-visit-africa-in-growth-push/): 18 September 2024, 12:03 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon plans to travel to Africa in mid-October in a push by the biggest U.S. lender to expand on the continent. Dimon is expected to visit Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Ivory Coast during the trip, his first trip to the continent in seven years.   Market ImpactOverseas markets have been a key focus area to generate growth for JPMorgan — which has assets of over $4.1 trillion and operations in more than 100 countries. Article TagsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Trumpism, Stalinism and the Tariff Debate](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/17/opinion/trump-tariffs-economy.html): Do tariffs — taxes on imports — raise prices for U.S. consumers? There’s really no debate on the subject. I don’t mean that everyone agrees. Rather, there are two distinct groups that aren’t talking to each other, each of which is more or less unified in its views. Almost all economists agree that taxes on imports are, in fact, passed on to consumers. Why? Because that’s what the evidence says, and it’s very hard to come up with an alternative story. On the other hand, Trump loyalists — which these days means almost the entire Republican Party — insist as a […] - [Floods Kill More Than 1,000 People in West and Central Africa](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/world/africa/floods-africa.html): Flooding caused by heavy rains has left more than 1,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed. Aishatu Bunu, an elementary schoolteacher in Maiduguri, a city in Nigeria’s northeast, woke up at 5 a.m. to the sound of her neighbors shouting. When she opened her front door, she was greeted by the sight of rising waters outside. “We saw — water is coming,” Ms. Bunu said. In a panic, she and her three young children grabbed some clothes and her educational certificates and fled their home into waters that quickly became chest high, eventually finding temporary shelter at a […] - [Moody’s places all of Boeing’s ratings on review for a downgrade](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/moodys-places-all-of-boeings-ratings-on-review-for-a-downgrade-be242697?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Microsoft to lay off 650 people from videogame business: WSJ](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-to-lay-off-650-people-from-videogame-business-wsj-72135ba9?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Ali Mohamed Kibao, Tanzania Opposition Official, Found Dead](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/world/africa/tanzania-opposition-official-killed.html): Ali Mohamed Kibao was beaten and acid had been poured on his face, according to an autopsy, his party said. The abduction and killing of an opposition official over the weekend in Tanzania has kindled fear and consternation in the East African country, with activists saying it has added to questions about the democratic credentials of the nation’s pathbreaking president as elections loom. The official, Ali Mohamed Kibao, was a member of the secretariat of the opposition Chadema party. He went missing on Friday after armed men handcuffed him and forcibly removed him from a bus leaving the city of Dar […] - [Donald Trump on the Dollar, in His Own Words](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/opinion/trump-tariffs-reserve-currency.html): This is the first in an occasional series about Donald Trump’s statements and language and what’s at stake in the election. On Saturday, at a rally in Wisconsin, Donald Trump said some bizarre and potentially damaging stuff about economic policy. “So what?” you may say; it was, after all, a day ending in “y.” And to be honest, the most vile thing he said at that event wasn’t about economics; it was his declaration that his vision or plan for “getting them out” — deporting undocumented immigrants — “will be a bloody story.” Still, his remarks about how he would use […] - [At Least 59 Killed in Road Collision in Nigeria](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/world/africa/road-collision-nigeria.html): The traffic accident was the latest disaster to highlight how roads across many African countries are some of the world’s deadliest. At least 59 people were killed in Nigeria on Sunday after a fuel tanker collided with a passenger truck about 80 miles west of the capital, Abuja, emergency officials said. The accident was the latest traffic-related disaster to highlight how roads in countries across Africa are some of the world’s deadliest. The victims were burned to death after a passenger truck collided with a fuel tanker that had toppled on its side in Nigeria’s Niger state, according to the police […] - [Latin America’s Profit Powerhouses: Top Performers in the Profitability Drivers Index 1Q 2024 ](https://latintrade.com/2024/09/06/latin-americas-profit-powerhouses-top-performers-in-the-profitability-drivers-index-1q-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=latin-americas-profit-powerhouses-top-performers-in-the-profitability-drivers-index-1q-2024): In a dynamic first quarter of 2024, companies from Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Colombia dominate the top rankings of the Profitability Drivers Index, showcasing Latin America’s broadening economic strength. This index highlights the most profitable companies in the region, with over 190 firms with annual revenues exceeding USD $300 million. The assessment focuses on key financial metrics such as Net Margin, Asset Turnover, Financial Leverage, and Return on Equity (ROE), offering a comprehensive view of profitability across diverse sectors.To access the full Index, please click the link: To read this post, you must purchase a Business Intelligence Subscription, Business Intelligence […] - [US opposition to Nippon Steel deal ‘very unsettling’, Japan PM hopeful says](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/us-opposition-to-nippon-steel-deal-very-unsettling-japan-pm-hopeful-says/): Business & FinanceEconomy06 September 2024, 11:06 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that one of the frontrunners to become Japan’s next premier said that any U.S. move to block Japan’s Nippon Steel from buying U.S. Steel on national security grounds would be “very unsettling.” Shigeru Ishiba, a former defence minister, told Reuters in an interview that the move could dent trust between the allies. The White House is close to announcing that President Joe Biden will block the $15 billion deal, Reuters reported this week.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: JapanWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [En qué invierten y en qué podrían invertir los latinoamericanos hoy: Una entrevista con el CEO de Bancolombia Capital](https://latintrade.com/2024/09/05/en-que-invierten-y-en-que-podrian-invertir-los-latinoamericanos-hoy-una-entrevista-con-el-ceo-de-bancolombia-capital/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en-que-invierten-y-en-que-podrian-invertir-los-latinoamericanos-hoy-una-entrevista-con-el-ceo-de-bancolombia-capital): Este año ha sido interesante para los inversionistas en América Latina, según Juan Felipe Giraldo, CEO de Bancolombia Capital. El comportamiento de los inversionistas naturalmente es diferente dependiendo de su perfil de riesgo y sus objetivos financieros, pero algunos patrones clave han emergido en la región. Preferencia por Renta Fija Al inicio del año, muchos inversionistas en América Latina vieron una gran oportunidad en la renta fija, especialmente aquellos con un perfil conservador. Las tasas de interés estaban en descenso y los bonos ofrecían una opción segura con menor riesgo de pérdida de capital y volatilidad. Los inversionistas en América Latina […] - [Why Economists Worry About Trumpflation](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/27/opinion/trump-inflation.html): My latest column is about how inflation is fading as both an economic and a political issue — which is good news for Kamala Harris and bad news for Donald Trump. Yet it remains quite possible that Trump will win. And if he does, inflation may become a major problem again. Economic forecasters surveyed by The Wall Street Journal last month generally predicted that inflation would be higher if Trump won than if President Biden (still the Democratic nominee at that point) won. As you might guess, I agree. In fact, I believe that most analysts are still understating just how […] - [Custody giant State Street expands crypto services in new partnership ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/custody-giant-state-street-expands-crypto-services-in-new-partnership/): Business & Finance20 August 2024, 8:33 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report on State Street’s partnership with Swiss crypto company Taurus to offer new digital asset services, including turning real-world assets into tradeable tokens, to tap growing institutional demand for such investments. Through the partnership, State Street, which provides crypto fund administration and accounting services, will hold clients’ crypto assets and help them create tokenized assets, such as funds and other securities.  Market ImpactAs cryptocurrencies have spread in the financial system through regulated products including futures and exchange-traded funds, they are drawing more interest from institutions seeking ways to hedge inflation and diversify portfolios.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: EuropeCountries: SwitzerlandWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Japan, Tokyo governments target $4.7 bln valuation for Tokyo Metro in IPO](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/japan-tokyo-governments-target-4-7-bln-valuation-for-tokyo-metro-in-ipo/): Business & FinanceEconomy19 August 2024, 8:25 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Japan’s national and Tokyo governments are seeking a 700 billion yen ($4.7 billion) valuation for Tokyo Metro as they prepare to list the subway operator as early as October-end, in what would be the nation’s biggest IPO in roughly six years. The two governments, which own 100% of Tokyo Metro, plan to arrange a meeting of brokerages within a week for a briefing on the IPO and expect to receive approval for the listing from the Tokyo Stock Exchange as soon as mid-September, the sources said.   Market ImpactWith half the company to be sold, the initial public offering could raise 350 billion yen at that valuation, which would exceed the size of Kokusai Electric’s IPO last year and become the largest since SoftBank Group listed its wireless unit in 2018.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceEconomy & PolicyRegions: AsiaCountries: JapanWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Olympic Games’ Memorability:  Brand Strategy and the Challenges of Modern Engagement](https://latintrade.com/2024/08/15/olympic-games-memorability-brand-strategy-and-the-challenges-of-modern-engagement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=olympic-games-memorability-brand-strategy-and-the-challenges-of-modern-engagement): The Olympics have long been more than a global athletic competition; they are a cultural institution that transcends national boundaries and generations. As the world evolves, so does the branding and media landscape surrounding the Games. This year’s Olympics not only highlighted the importance of long-term brand investments but also demonstrated how athletes and digital platforms can create an unprecedented level of engagement with global audiences. However, as the Games adapt to new trends, they also confront challenges that demand careful consideration from both brands and organizers. The Power of Long-Term Brand Investment Long-term commitment has proven to be the most […] - [Workers at BHP’s Escondida copper mine will strike after failing to reach agreement ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/workers-at-bhps-escondida-copper-mine-will-strike-after-failing-to-reach-agreement/): Commodities14 August 2024, 11:02 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that workers at BHP’s Escondida copper mine in Chile, the world’s largest, would go on strike after failing to reach an agreement with the company.  The stoppage has potential to have a lasting impact, reminiscent of the last major Escondida walkout in 2017, which hit BHP’s copper production and pushed up global prices of the metal, used to make wiring and nearly every single electronic device.  Market ImpactThe stoppage has potential to have a lasting impact, reminiscent of the last major Escondida walkout in 2017, which hit BHP’s copper production and pushed up global prices of the metal, used to make wiring and nearly every single electronic device. Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AmericasCountries: ChileWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Alliances are Stronger than Agreements: A Column by Ingo Plöger](https://latintrade.com/2024/08/14/alliances-are-stronger-than-agreements-a-column-by-ingo-ploger/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alliances-are-stronger-than-agreements-a-column-by-ingo-ploger): By Ingo Plöger The contemporary world has built an enormous framework of national, regional, multilateral agreements that regulate international trade relations, investments, communications and so on. The current scenario shows that there have been several ruptures in these understandings, with the reduction in importance of the WTO, the Kyoto Agreement, the WHO, among many others, that the current situation is one of widespread confusion, due to the lack of reliable rules, as recently expressed by the former Secretary General of the WTO, Ambassador Roberto Azevedo at the 23rd ABAG Congress. Entropy entered the international system, generating disorder and unbalancing the game […] - [Ackman’s Pershing Square takes new stakes in Nike, Brookfield ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ackmans-pershing-square-takes-new-stakes-in-nike-brookfield/): Business & Finance14 August 2024, 8:15 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that billionaire investor William Ackman built new stakes in sportswear company Nike during the second quarter. A regulatory filing reviewed by Reuters showed that Ackman’s hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management owned roughly 3 million shares of Nike, amounting to a roughly 0.19% ownership. Nike’s stock, which has tumbled 26% since January, rose 4% in after-market trading.  Market ImpactNike’s stock, which has tumbled 26% since January, rose 4% in after-market trading. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [WTCA Prime Office Index June 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/08/12/wtca-prime-office-index-june-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wtca-prime-office-index-june-2024): This is the eighth Latin Trade and the World Trade Center Association (WTCA) semiannual report for the first half of 2024 on Premium Offices in Latin America. It summarizes the opinion of experts in 19 cities in the region, and experts from our partner, Colliers International. The overall result of this survey is the WTCA PRIME OFFICE INDEX, which is based on these responses. The December 2020 index, available shows the effect of the pandemic, as a timid recovery that began in December 2021, and a positive trend since December 2022. View Fullscreen The post WTCA Prime Office Index June 2024 […] - [China tells some brokerages to conduct compliance checks on bond trading ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/china-tells-some-brokerages-to-conduct-compliance-checks-on-bond-trading/): Business & Finance09 August 2024, 10:57 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that China’s securities regulator has ordered some brokerages to inspect their bond trading activities as authorities seek to rein in frenzied buying of Chinese government bonds. The brokerages, all of which are domestic, have been told to conduct compliance checks on all parts of their bond trading operations.  Market ImpactA wobbly Chinese economy, long hobbled by a protracted property crisis, has sent investors scurrying away from the volatile stock market while banks have also continued to cut deposit rates. That’s sent investors – from large banks and insurers to mutual funds to rural financial institutions – pouring into the bond market. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Market Crashes Happen. They Don’t Necessarily Mean Much.](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/opinion/stock-market-crashes-economy.html): On Oct. 19, 1987, Black Monday, stock prices plunged, with the Dow Jones industrial average falling 22.6 percent in a day. Many commentators rushed to explain what triggered the crash — a response to some political event, some piece of economic data or whatever. But the economist Robert J. Shiller managed to get a questionnaire out to many market participants as the crash was in progress and found that essentially nobody selling stocks explained their actions as a response to news. Instead, more or less the only important reason given for selling stocks was that … their prices were falling. In […] - [ArcBest misses profit expectations, as soft rate environment weighed on revenue](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/arcbest-misses-profit-expectations-as-soft-rate-environment-weighed-on-revenue-4461160b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [OPEC+ sticks to oil policy, repeats could pause Oct hike](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/opec-sticks-to-oil-policy-repeats-could-pause-oct-hike/): Business & FinanceDeals01 August 2024, 7:38 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that a meeting of top OPEC+ ministers kept oil output policy unchanged including a plan to start unwinding output cuts from October. The oil producing group took the decision despite sharp oil price falls in recent weeks amid global demand concerns. Brent crude futures fell on the news settling down 1.6% below $80 a barrel. Market ImpactOPEC+ is currently cutting output by a total of 5.86 million barrels per day, or about 5.7% of global demand, in a series of steps agreed since 2022 to bolster the market amid uncertainty over global demand and rising supply outside the group.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: EuropeWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Alibaba stock climbs on report of vendor service fee increase](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/alibaba-stock-climbs-on-report-of-vendor-service-fee-increase-db9d1854?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Have Immigrants Been Taking Away Our Jobs?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/23/opinion/immigration-unemployment-inflation.html): On the eve of the 2020 election Donald Trump, in a post on the platform formerly known as Twitter, told voters that “This election is a choice between a TRUMP RECOVERY or a BIDEN DEPRESSION.” Not quite. Since President Biden took office, the United States has gained 15.7 million jobs. Trump, however, has been dismissing the good news on employment, claiming that all the job gains are going to illegal immigrants. In my most recent column I addressed his further claim that immigration has had a devastating effect on Black workers. (It hasn’t.) What is true, however, is that a lot […] - [Some investors demand change at LVMH after probe into Dior contractors ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/some-investors-demand-change-at-lvmh-after-probe-into-dior-contractors/): Business & Finance23 July 2024, 9:11 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Europe’s top asset manager Amundi and other LVMH investors want the $370 billion luxury behemoth to take more aggressive steps to monitor its suppliers’ treatment of workers after Italian prosecutors disclosed alleged sweatshop-like conditions at subcontractors for high-end brand Dior. Market ImpactThe investigation into suppliers for LVMH’s second-largest fashion label, which Reuters revealed on June 11, has shone a spotlight on potential worker exploitation in the $1.6 trillion global luxury goods industry. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [European stocks open lower after weak Wall Street finish, computer outages](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-open-lower-after-weak-wall-street-finish-computer-outages-a57c53a7?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [PwC weighs halving of China financial services audit staff ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/pwc-weighs-halving-of-china-financial-services-audit-staff/): Business & Finance17 July 2024, 1:57 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is considering slashing up to half its financial services auditing staff in China as a regulatory investigation and an exodus of clients darken business prospects. The move follows Chinese regulators’ scrutiny of PwC this year for its role as the auditor of troubled property giant China Evergrande Group.  Market ImpactChinese authorities have been examining PwC’s role in Evergrande’s accounting practices after the securities regulator accused the developer in March of a $78-billion fraud over a period of two years through 2020.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: ChinaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Traders face $1 bln loss on faltering Ghana cocoa supply ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/traders-face-1-bln-loss-on-faltering-ghana-cocoa-supply/): Business & FinanceCommodities15 July 2024, 2:09 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that trading houses face losses of at least $1 billion on cocoa derivatives after major producer Ghana failed to deliver beans this year, forcing traders to liquidate short positions in a rallying market.  Market ImpactGlobal cocoa prices soared this year after bad weather, bean disease, smuggling and illegal gold mining reduced production and the volume of beans available in Ghana, the world’s No.2 producer. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceCommoditiesType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: AfricaCountries: GhanaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [UAW considering next steps on worries Trump could beat Biden](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/uaw-considering-next-steps-on-worries-trump-could-beat-biden/): Business & FinanceGovernment12 July 2024, 2:02 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain met with the union’s executive board to discuss his deep concerns with President Joe Biden’s ability to defeat Donald Trump in the November elections. Fain and the UAW are important allies of the president and are expected to play a critical role in helping him win in key swing states like Michigan.  Market ImpactThe news added pressure on Biden at a time when he faced growing pressure to step aside as the Democratic candidate after a shaky debate performance.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceGovernment & Public ServicesRegions: AmericasCountries: USWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Why Are People Unhappy About a Strong Economy?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/09/opinion/economy-consumer-sentiment.html): The past two years have been very good for the U.S. economy. Unemployment has crept up a bit, but not by a lot, and the employed share of Americans in their prime working years is higher than, to make a random comparison, it was at any point during the Trump years. At the same time, inflation has come way down, defying the pessimistic predictions of many economists. Here, for example, is a comparison of the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of underlying inflation with a September 2022 prediction from Harvard’s Jason Furman — a widely respected economist whom I single out only […] - [Un turista español muere en Sudáfrica pisoteado por un elefante](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudafrica-un-turista-espanol-muere-pisoteado-por-un-elefante-johannesburgo-parque-nacional-de-pilanesberg-espana-ultimas-noticia/): Se eleva a más de 900 los muertos en la peregrinación a La Meca marcada por calor extremo Gobierno local justifica limitar el ascenso al monte Fuji para proteger el patrimonio Un turista español que había salido de su coche para tomar fotos de una manada de elefantes en un parque natural de Sudáfrica murió pisoteado por uno de los animales, indicaron el martes las autoridades. El hombre de 43 años murió el domingo por la mañana en el turístico parque nacional de Pilanesberg, a unos 200 kilómetros al noroeste de Johannesburgo, indicaron responsables del parque. LEE TAMBIÉN: Kenia: al menos 17 muertos en las graves protestas […] - [¿Sabes cuál es el país más joven del mundo que hoy conmemora su independencia?](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudan-del-sur-cual-es-el-pais-mas-joven-del-mundo-que-hoy-9-de-julio-conmemora-su-independencia-africa-13-anos-noticia/): Qué es el Nuevo Frente Popular de izquierda, por qué ganó en Francia y qué le espera a Macron hasta el 2027 Nayib Bukele investiga a supermercados por alzas de precios en El Salvador Sudán del Sur, el país más joven del mundo y uno de los que presenta algunos de los peores indicadores humanitarios, cumple este martes 9 de julio 13 años de su independencia. La población sursudanesa continúa viviendo en una emergencia recurrente y desatendida. En esta nota, Médicos Sin Fronteras (MSF) te presenta 5 datos que tienes que saber de esta nación africana. Sudán del Sur, país ubicado […] - [Indian officials visit Foxconn iPhone plant, question executives about hiring ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/indian-officials-visit-foxconn-iphone-plant-question-executives-about-hiring/): Business & Finance04 July 2024, 5:57 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Indian labour officials visited a Foxconn factory in the country’s south this week and questioned executives about the company’s hiring practices after Reuters reported that the major Apple supplier has been rejecting married women from iPhone assembly jobs.  Market ImpactA Reuters investigation published last week found Foxconn systematically excluded married women from assembly jobs at its main Indian iPhone plant on the grounds they have more family responsibilities than their unmarried counterparts.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Turkish central bank chief ‘extremely determined’ to curb inflation ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/turkish-central-bank-chief-extremely-determined-to-curb-inflation/): Business & FinanceGovernment04 July 2024, 5:50 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters published an exclusive interview with Turkish Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan – his first with the media since becoming chief in February – on the heels of data showing a long-awaited turnaround in the country’s soaring inflation rate. Karahan’s comments that the central bank was “extremely determined” to combat soaring prices and would patiently maintain its tight policy tempered growing expectations of a rate cut within the next few months.  Market ImpactThe central bank has held policy steady, vowing to act if the inflation outlook worsens, since raising rates by 500 basis points, or 5 percentage points, to 50% in March.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceGovernment & Public ServicesRegions: Europe / Middle East / AfricaCountries: TurkeyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [LT Magazine – Trimester 1, 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/07/03/lt-magazine-trimester-1-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lt-magazine-trimester-1-2024): View Fullscreen The post LT Magazine – Trimester 1, 2024 appeared first on Latin Trade. - [Kenia: La policía dispara en Nairobi munición real y gases lacrimógenos contra los manifestantes](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/kenia-la-policia-dispara-en-nairobi-municion-real-y-gases-lacrimogenos-contra-los-manifestantes-tom-mboya-street-tribunal-superior-de-malindi-william-ruto-knchr-ultimas-noticia/): UNESCO: “La IA es un riesgo para la celebración de unas elecciones democráticas” El presidente de Kenia dice que su misión policial llegará a Haití en unas tres semanas La Policía de Kenia disparó este martes munición real y botes de gases lacrimógenos contra manifestantes -la mayoría, pacíficos- en el centro de Nairobi, donde hubo enfrentamientos en nueva jornada de protestas multitudinarias contra el Gobierno en todo el país, según pudo constatar EFE. Las movilizaciones, que se repiten desde el pasado 18 de junio y empezaron con un tono pacífico, se han ido tornando violentas -por la intromisión de matones, según […] - [UNESCO: “La IA es un riesgo para la celebración de unas elecciones democráticas”](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/unesco-la-inteligencia-artificial-es-un-riesgo-para-la-celebracion-de-unas-elecciones-democraticas-elecciones-estados-unidos-2024-ia-ultimas-noticia/): Biden cree que lo hizo bien ante un mentiroso Trump que le considera incapaz de ejercer Biden califica a Trump de “delincuente convicto” “La Inteligencia Artificial (IA) es un riesgo para la celebración de unas elecciones democráticas”, advirtió la subdirectora general de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas de la UNESCO, la mexicana Gabriela Ramos, en una entrevista con EFE en Nairobi. “Lo sabemos, por la propagación acelerada de ‘deep fakes’ (ultrafalsos) a través del aumento de los sistemas de IA generativos que aumentan sus capacidades analíticas y producción de resultados”, afirmó Ramos, que esta semana participó en la capital keniana en el […] - [A Report Card on Latin America’s Bureaucratic Conundrum](https://latintrade.com/2024/06/27/a-report-card-on-latin-americas-bureaucratic-conundrum/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-report-card-on-latin-americas-bureaucratic-conundrum): by Jerry Haar* “Lethargic” best describes Latin America’s perennial challenge to grow its economy and create prosperity for its people, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The World Bank forecasts regional GDP will expand by 1.6% in 2024. GDP growth of 2.7% and 2.6% is expected for 2025 and 2026. These rates are the lowest compared to all other regions in the world and insufficient to drive prosperity. While the region has made some progress on trade openness, it continues to be held back due largely to poor infrastructure, burdensome customs clearance procedures, as well as relatively high tariff and non-tariff barriers […] - [Bosch weighs offer for appliance maker Whirlpool](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/bosch-weighs-offer-for-appliance-maker-whirlpool/): Business & FinanceDeals26 June 2024, 6:14 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that German engineering group Robert Bosch is weighing a bid for U.S. appliances manufacturer Whirlpool, a move that would boost its position in the household appliances market.  Market ImpactWhirlpool’s shares rose 12.7% in early trading after the Reuters report. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceMergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasEuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Kenia: al menos 17 muertos en las graves protestas contra una subida de los impuestos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/protestas-en-kenia-al-menos-17-muertos-en-las-graves-manifestaciones-contra-una-subida-de-los-impuestos-prwg-kenya-proyecto-de-ley-de-finanzas-2024-nairobi-martha-koome-william-ruto-ultimas-noticia/): El presidente de Kenia dice que su misión policial llegará a Haití en unas tres semanas Ciclón tropical azota costas de Kenia y Tanzania, tras inundaciones mortíferas Al menos 17 personas murieron este martes en Kenia en las graves protestas contra un nuevo proyecto de ley que contempla subidas fiscales, tras una jornada de movilizaciones sin precedentes en la historia reciente del país que desembocó en el asalto al Parlamento, confirmó a EFE un plataforma integrada por una veintena de ONG. Según detalló a EFE una fuente del Grupo de Trabajo sobre Reformas Policiales de Kenia (PRWG-Kenya), que incluye a organizaciones […] - [Film cameras back in focus as Ricoh launches its first in 21 years](https://pgnedu.com/2024/06/22/film-cameras-back-in-focus-as-ricoh-launches-its-first-in-21-years/): TOKYO — Japanese company Ricoh launched presales of its first Pentax film camera in over 20 years in some overseas markets on Tuesday, aiming to attract Generation Z customers looking for a retro experience that stands in contrast to today’s digital world where photos can be snapped with smartphones. The compact Pentax 17 — which will be sold in Japan from July 12 at a price of around 88,000 yen ($556) — is the first film camera under the renowned Pentax brand since a single-lens reflex (SLR) model that hit stores in 2003. - [Ghana reaches deal in principle with bondholders on $13 bln debt ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ghana-reaches-deal-in-principle-with-bondholders-on-13-bln-debt/): EconomyGovernment21 June 2024, 6:13 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Ghana had reached an agreement in principle with its bondholders to restructure $13 billion worth of international debt, a key milestone for the nation, including details on the agreement.  Market ImpactGhana’s dollar bonds rallied on the Reuters report, with the 2027 bond rising to its highest price since 2022, Tradeweb data showed. Article TagsTopics of Interest: EconomyGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyRegions: AfricaCountries: GhanaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Dominican Republic: LatAm Champion in Easing Business Complexity](http://www.latinvex.com/) - [Chad: al menos 9 muertos y 46 heridos en incendio de depósito de municiones](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/chad-yamena-al-menos-9-muertos-y-46-heridos-en-incendio-de-deposito-de-municiones-abdelmadjid-abderahim-mahamat-idriss-deby-itno-goudji-kadidja-dakou-ultimas-noticia/): Sudáfrica: Parlamento elige al presidente Ramaphosa para un segundo mandato Mueren el vicepresidente de Malaui y otras nueve personas en un accidente de avión Al menos 9 personas murieron y 46 sufrieron lesiones, en muchos casos graves, en el incendio de un depósito de municiones en Yamena, la capital de Chad, informó el miércoles el gobierno del país africano. El balance puede agravarse, dado que algunos heridos se encuentran en un estado “sumamente grave”, señaló el ministro de Salud Pública, Abdelmadjid Abderahim, sin dar detalles sobre el número de víctimas civiles y militares. MIRA AQUÍ: Sudáfrica: El presidente Cyril Ramaphosa será […] - [India regulator plans tweaks to address derivative trading risks](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/india-regulator-plans-tweaks-to-address-derivative-trading-risks/): Business & Finance18 June 2024, 8:18 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that India’s markets regulator is considering a series of tweaks to its derivative trading rules as it seeks to address risks arising from explosive growth in options trading. Market ImpactTrading in index and stock options has soared in India in the last few years, fueled mainly by retail investors. The notional value of index options traded more than doubled in 2023-24 to $907.09 trillion from the year before.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Sudáfrica: El presidente Cyril Ramaphosa será investido para un segundo mandato el próximo miércoles](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudafrica-el-presidente-cyril-ramaphosa-sera-investido-para-un-segundo-mandato-el-proximo-miercoles-ultimas-noticia/): ¿Es el fascismo en Italia realmente algo del pasado como afirma la primera ministra Giorgia Meloni? “Tengo días buenos y malos”: el mensaje en el que la princesa Kate explica cómo se siente y anuncia su próxima reaparición pública Sudáfrica informó este sábado que el presidente Cyril Ramaphosa será investido para un segundo mandato de cinco años el próximo miércoles en Pretoria, después de ser reelegido por el Parlamento para encabezar una coalición inédita de unidad nacional. LEE: Submarino nuclear y buques rusos en Cuba: ¿Amenaza a Estados Unidos o propaganda? “La sección 87 de la Constitución de la República de […] - [Sudáfrica: Parlamento elige al presidente Ramaphosa para un segundo mandato](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/cyril-ramaphosa-parlamento-de-sudafrica-elige-a-presidente-para-un-segundo-mandato-ultimas-noticia/): El crudo relato de Noa Argamani sobre sus 8 meses como rehén de Hamás en Gaza Casi 500 años de cárcel para un pandillero en El Salvador por extorsión El Parlamento de Sudáfrica eligió este viernes al presidente Cyril Ramaphosa para un segundo mandato de cinco años en su primera sesión tras las elecciones generales del pasado 29 de mayo, en las que el Congreso Nacional Africano (CNA) perdió la mayoría absoluta por primera vez en treinta años. Un total de 283 diputados, de los 339 que votaron, lo hicieron a favor de Ramaphosa para formar un Gobierno de coalición sin […] - [Ivory Coast cocoa regulator targets intermediary buyers in sector reform](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ivory-coast-cocoa-regulator-targets-intermediary-buyers-in-sector-reform/): Commodities14 June 2024, 8:21 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Ivory Coast’s cocoa regulator plans to implement a reform of the domestic cocoa marketing system that will, within a year, eliminate middlemen to prevent risk and overpayment. Market ImpactThe reform will rely on Ivory Coast’s new cocoa traceability and certification system, which will digitise payment for all cocoa bean sales or purchase transactions from the farmer to the exporter.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AfricaCountries: GhanaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Goldman Sachs aims to double lending to wealthy private bank clients](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/goldman-sachs-aims-to-double-lending-to-wealthy-private-bank-clients/): Business & Finance13 June 2024, 5:44 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Goldman Sachs aims to double its lending over the next five years to ultra-wealthy private bank clients with account sizes exceeding $10 million, as it gathers more deposits to supercharge lending.  Market ImpactThe expansion of lending to wealthy individuals who have assets of at least $30 million, as well as to private equity firms and asset managers, helps Goldman broaden its business beyond trading and investment banking. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Ospreys face flight restrictions through 2025 due to crashes, military tells Congress](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-main/2024/06/congress-sought-osprey-crash-and-safety-documents-from-the-pentagon-last-year-its-still-waiting/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The military’s hundreds of V-22 Ospreys will not be permitted to fly their full range of missions until at least 2025 as the Pentagon addresses safety concerns in the fleet, the head of the program told lawmakers at a hearing Wednesday. Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, head of U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, which has responsibility for the aircraft military-wide, told lawmakers at a House oversight hearing into a series of recent crashes that it will be at least another six to nine months before the command will be able to complete all of the safety and performance assessments […] - [Saudi wealth fund holding talks to create boxing league ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/saudi-wealth-fund-holding-talks-to-create-boxing-league/): Business & FinanceSports12 June 2024, 4:04 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is in discussions with multiple boxing stakeholders to create a league, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of the sport.  Market Impact Saudi Arabia has poured billions of dollars into sport as it seeks to wean the kingdom off of oil dependency under de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030 program, which aims to bring in tourism, boost the private sector, and create jobs. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceSportsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceSportsRegions: Middle EastCountries: Saudi ArabiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Ghana to delay more cocoa deliveries as supply crisis worsens](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ghana-to-delay-more-cocoa-deliveries-as-supply-crisis-worsens/): Commodities12 June 2024, 2:13 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Ghana, the world’s second largest cocoa producer, is looking to delay delivery of up to 350,000 tons of beans to next season due to poor crops in a further worsening of the outlook for the global chocolate industry.  Market ImpactChocolate makers around the world are raising prices for consumers after cocoa more than doubled in value this year alone following a third year of poor harvests in Ghana and Ivory Coast, responsible for 60% of global production. Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AfricaCountries: GhanaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [“Latin America, the vision of its leaders” A book by Andrés Rugeles and 100 regional leaders](https://latintrade.com/2024/06/12/latin-america-the-vision-of-its-leaders-a-book-by-andres-rugeles-and-100-regional-leaders/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=latin-america-the-vision-of-its-leaders-a-book-by-andres-rugeles-and-100-regional-leaders): The Colombian Andrés Rugeles has achieved an almost impossible task: succesfully inviting over a hundred Latin American thought leaders to reflect on the future of the region, above political and ideological differences. The outcome is inscribed in the book “Latin America, the vision of its leaders.” “A book of this magnitude has not been written in the last half century”, pointed out former Colombian president Andrés Pastrana from a glance at the personalities who participate in it. It is a compendium of voices and visions, often disparate and divergent, with enormous respect among all to build a vision of the future. […] - [Japan spot work startup Timee targets July listing](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/japan-spot-work-startup-timee-targets-july-listing/): Deals11 June 2024, 8:09 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Japan startup Timee, which operates a platform connecting workers seeking side gigs with labour-strapped businesses, is targeting a listing in July in Tokyo.  Market ImpactJapan’s spot work market is set to quintuple in size to 100 billion yen ($636 million) over the five years to the fiscal year ending March 2028, according to data disclosed by Dip.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: DealsType: Reuters BestSectors: TechnologyRegions: AsiaCountries: JapanWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [The Great Interest Rate Debate](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/11/opinion/interest-rates.html): Peter Coy: Hi, Paul. The Fed meets Tuesday and Wednesday to talk about interest rates, which many voters are really frustrated about. In the past few Times Opinion focus groups, we’ve had voters across the ideological spectrum express high concern about rates. You can also see it in the latest University of Michigan surveys of consumers. Inflation haunted many Americans, and now interest rates bedevil them in a different way. People are saying high rates make it hard to buy a home or car or deal with debts. They’re worried about how high rates may affect their children. Some say they […] - [Desaparece avión militar con el vicepresidente de Malaui y otras 9 personas a bordo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/malaui-saulos-klaus-chilima-desaparece-avion-militar-con-el-vicepresidente-y-otras-9-personas-a-bordo-lilongue-mzuzu-region-norte-lazarus-chakwera-colleen-zamba-afreximbank-ultimas-noticia/): La ingeniosa manera que encontró una isla de Zanzíbar para salvar sus corales El Ejército de Mali mata a 30 supuestos yihadistas en el centro del país Un avión militar que transportaba al vicepresidente de Malaui, Saulos Klaus Chilima, y a otras nueve personas perdió contacto este lunes con las autoridades de aviación y no llevó a cabo su aterrizaje programado en una ciudad del norte del país, informó la Presidencia malauí. Según un comunicado, la aeronave de las Fuerzas de Defensa de Malaui despegó este lunes de la capital, Lilongüe, a las 09.17 hora local (07.17 GMT), pero no aterrizó […] - [Norway gas flow to Britain resumes after repair](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/norway-gas-flow-to-britain-resumes-after-repair/): CommoditiesEnergy07 June 2024, 7:28 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that Norwegian pipeline operator Gassco suffered an outage of gas exports to Britain that pushed Europe’s benchmark gas price to its highest level this year. Reuters revealed that the outage was caused by problems onboard an offshore platform, and later also broke the news when the flow of gas resumed after five days.  Market ImpactNorway in 2022 overtook Russia as Europe’s biggest gas supplier after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, meeting roughly a quarter of the continent’s demand and making any outages at Norwegian fields a possible trigger for higher prices.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesEnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: EuropeCountries: NorwayWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [India plans new shipping firm to capture revenue from growing trade ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/india-plans-new-shipping-firm-to-capture-revenue-from-growing-trade/): Business & Finance05 June 2024, 7:50 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that India plans to set up a new shipping company to expand its fleet by at least 1,000 ships in the next decade, as Asia’s third-largest economy seeks a bigger chunk of revenue from surging trade. Market ImpactThe turn to foreign carriers comes as India’s shipping fleet has not kept pace with its surge in trade, including imports of energy and exports of refined oil products.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Transport & LogisticsRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [La ingeniosa manera que encontró una isla de Zanzíbar para salvar sus corales](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/dia-mundial-del-medio-ambiente-la-ingeniosa-manera-que-encontro-una-isla-de-zanzibar-para-salvar-sus-corales-mnemba-cambio-climatico-noticia/): Elsa, la tercera bebé recién nacida que una pareja abandona en las calles de Londres en 7 años Las 300 islas que costaron US$12.000 millones y que fueron abandonadas por los millonarios en Dubái El agua alrededor de la isla Mnemba es tan clara que el arrecife de coral que se encuentra a diez metros bajo la superficie parece casi al alcance de la mano. El colorido arrecife en forma ovalada se extiende desde la pequeña isla a lo largo de siete kilómetros. MIRA: La “reina de las criptomonedas” buscada por un fraude multimillonario pudo ser asesinada por sus cómplices Es […] - [Hibbett shares fall as Q1 sales miss analysts’ estimate](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/hibbett-shares-fall-as-q1-sales-miss-analysts-estimate-801a7cb0?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Goodbye Inflation, Hello Recession?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/04/opinion/inflation-fed-recession.html): Long ago I studied international economics with the great Charles Kindleberger, famous not just for his insights but also for his bon mots. One line I took to heart — he was talking about the balance of payments, but it applies equally well to many subjects in economics — was that people always want a single number, but what they really need is a story. So it is with the issue of the moment, inflation. There are many measures, enough so that — to cite another Kindleberger quip — you can always find a way to justify either optimism or pessimism, […] - [Qatar sovereign fund agrees to buy 10% stake in China asset manager](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/qatar-sovereign-fund-agrees-to-buy-10-stake-in-china-asset-manager/): Business & FinanceDeals04 June 2024, 2:49 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has agreed to buy a 10% stake in China’s second-largest mutual fund company, underscoring Beijing’s increasing ties with the Middle East amid rising tensions with the West.  Market ImpactMiddle East sovereign wealth funds have invested $7 billion in China since June last year, five times the amount seen during the previous 12 months, according to industry data provider Global SWF. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaMiddle EastCountries: QatarWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [JPMorgan payments chief Georgakopoulos to leave](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/jpmorgan-payments-chief-georgakopoulos-to-leave/): Business & Finance03 June 2024, 2:36 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters exclusively reported that JPMorgan Chase’s global head of payments, Takis Georgakopoulos, is leaving to pursue other opportunities, prompting the bank to install new leaders atop one of its fastest-growing divisions.  Market ImpactRevenue for JPMorgan’s payments business stood at $2.4 billion in the first quarter, higher than the $2 billion revenue brought in from investment banking. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Take a Look at the Profitability Drivers Index 4Q 2023](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/31/take-a-look-at-the-profitability-drivers-index-4q-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=take-a-look-at-the-profitability-drivers-index-4q-2023): Explore the index to gauge the financial details of the most profitable companies with over $300 million in sales in Latin America. Don’t miss the comprehensive insights, besides revenues, the financial data covers total assets, stock equity, net income, net margin, asset turnover and financial leverage. Invest wisely and thrive. To acquire the full Index, please click the link: To read this post, you must purchase a Business Intelligence Subscription, Business Intelligence – 3 to 9 User Subscription, Business Intelligence – 10+ User Subscription, Insight – 1 Month Subscription, Insight – 3 Month Subscription, Insight – 6 Month Subscription, Insight – […] - [Investigación BBC: el lado oscuro de los perfumes de algunas de las grandes marcas de lujo](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/egipto-investigacion-bbc-el-lado-oscuro-de-los-perfumes-de-algunas-de-las-grandes-marcas-de-lujo-lancome-aerin-beauty-noticia/): Estados Unidos afirma que la operación de Israel en Rafah no cruza “las líneas rojas” establecidas por Biden “Cualquiera que se mueva es disparado por los drones israelíes”: el miedo de los palestinos en Rafah por la ofensiva militar de Israel Menores de edad han sido utilizados para recolectar los ingredientes que usan los proveedores de dos grandes empresas de productos de belleza. Eso revela una investigación realizada por la BBC sobre las cadenas de suministro de los perfumes, durante la cual se descubrió que el jazmín utilizado por los proveedores de Lancôme y Aerin Beauty fue recogido por niños. MIRA: […] - [Is the Fed Waiting Too Long to Cut Interest Rates?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/28/opinion/inflation-federal-reserve-rates.html): Surging prices in 2021-22, after decades of low inflation, came as a shock to many. So it was in a way understandable that many observers more or less freaked out, seeing a return to the 1970s lurking under every bed and behind every closet door. What’s less understandable, or at any rate less forgivable, is how many commentators continue to blame the inflation boogeyman for every economic problem — a condition I’ve come to think of as “inflation brain.” And I worry that this condition may even be affecting the Federal Reserve, leading it to keep interest rates too high for […] - [El Ejército de Mali mata a 30 supuestos yihadistas en el centro del país](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/mali-mourdiah-el-ejercito-mata-a-30-supuestos-yihadistas-en-el-centro-del-pais-fuerzas-armadas-fama-sahel-estado-islamico-al-qaeda-gaim-grupo-wagner-onu-ultimas-noticia/): Brasil: nueve cuerpos hallados en barco a la deriva portaban documentos de africanos El fútbol, un bálsamo ante las devastadoras guerras en Asia y África El Ejército de Mali mató este domingo a 30 supuestos yihadistas tras un ataque en la zona de Mourdiah, localidad fronteriza con Mauritania, informaron a EFE varias fuentes locales. Según las fuentes, un grupo de supuestos terroristas fuertemente armados atacó Mourdiah sobre las 05.00, hora local, (la misma GMT) y otro grupo se dirigió al campo de la localidad pero fueron sorprendidos por los efectivos de las Fuerzas Armadas de Mali (FAMA). MIRA AQUÍ: Jasper Maskelyne, […] - [Global Tourism Industry on Track for Full Recovery by 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/24/global-tourism-industry-on-track-for-full-recovery-by-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=global-tourism-industry-on-track-for-full-recovery-by-2024): The global tourism industry is set to reach, and possibly surpass, pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). Five years post-COVID-19, the sector is experiencing a robust resurgence driven by a surge in international travel, improved air connectivity, and strong rebounds in key regions. However, global dynamics must be managed carefully to ensure stable and continuous growth. In 2023, international tourism reached 88% of its 2019 levels, a significant recovery favored by the reopening of Asian markets, as highlighted by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The Middle East led the way, surpassing […] - [Al menos 11 fallecidos incluido un brasileño, en una explosión en el este de Tanzania](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/tanzania-al-menos-11-fallecidos-incluido-un-brasileno-en-una-explosion-en-el-este-en-fabrica-de-azucar-mtibwa-ultimas-noticia/): Ciclón tropical azota costas de Kenia y Tanzania, tras inundaciones mortíferas Israel dice que un millón de civiles huyeron de Rafah a las zonas humanitarias Al menos 11 personas, incluyendo un ciudadano brasileño, murieron la madrugada de este jueves en una explosión ocurrida en una fábrica de azúcar del este de Tanzania, confirmaron las autoridades. “Es cierto que once personas murieron y otras dos resultaron heridas después de que explotara el tubo de la calefacción mientras se preparaban para la producción de azúcar en la fábrica”, dijo a medios locales el jefe de la brigada de bomberos de la región de […] - [Emirati bank FAB in advanced talks to buy Turkey’s Yapi Kredi](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/emirati-bank-fab-in-advanced-talks-to-buy-turkeys-yapi-kredi/): Business & FinanceDeals21 May 2024, 6:17 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters reported first Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is in advanced talks to acquire Turkish conglomerate Koc Group’s 61.2% stake in Istanbul-based lender Yapi Kredi for about $8 billion. Shares in Yapi Kredi soared 10% after the news emerged, while Koc Holding jumped more than 9%, both touching record highs. FAB shares slipped slightly.  Market ImpactShares in Yapi Kredi soared 10% after the news emerged, while Koc Holding jumped more than 9%, both touching record highs. FAB shares slipped slightly. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: Middle EastCountries: TurkeyUAEWin Types: Impact (Long Term)Story Types: Special Report / InsightMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Return of the Inflation Truthers](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/21/opinion/inflation-data-economy.html): Has U.S. inflation come down? Yes. We have two main measures of inflation: the Consumer Price Index, which pretty much everyone knows about, and the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, which the Federal Reserve prefers as a guide to monetary policy; explaining the differences between these measures would probably be telling you more than you want to know. Anyway, the P.C.E. is currently looking more benign than the C.P.I., but both show that the rate of price increases over the past year was much slower than it was when inflation was at its peak in 2022: FRED It’s true that there was […] - [Take a Look at the Multilatina Ranking for 4Q 2023](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/21/take-a-look-at-the-multilatina-ranking-for-4q-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=take-a-look-at-the-multilatina-ranking-for-4q-2023): Explore the ranking to gauge the financial strength of over 150 companies with over USD$500 million in revenues across Latin America. Don’t miss the comprehensive insights with information for revenues for the last three years. Invest wisely and thrive. To purchase the full Ranking, please click the link: To read this post, you must purchase a Business Intelligence Subscription, Business Intelligence – 3 to 9 User Subscription, Business Intelligence – 10+ User Subscription, Insight – 1 Month Subscription, Insight – 3 Month Subscription, Insight – 6 Month Subscription, Insight – 12 Month Subscription, Suscripción de inteligencia de negocios, Inteligencia de negocios […] - [Fotógrafo español muere baleado en Etiopía mientras colaboraba con el Canal 13 de Chile](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/toni-espadas-etiopia-fotografo-de-espana-muere-baleado-mientras-colaboraba-con-el-canal-13-de-chile-socios-por-el-mundo-tribu-mursi-barcelona-francisco-saavedra-jorge-zavaleta-ultimas-noticia/): “Me enteré del asesinato de mi padre al ver su cadáver en Facebook” Espectacular bola de fuego tiñó de azul y verde los cielos de España y Portugal El fotógrafo español Toni Espadas murió baleado en Etiopía mientras colaboraba con un programa cultural de Canal 13, anunció la televisora chilena este lunes. El equipo de “Socios por el mundo” vivió un “complejo incidente” en el que “Toni Espadas fue víctima de un ataque que lamentablemente terminó con su vida”, informó Canal 13 en un comunicado. MIRA AQUÍ: Por qué la corona británica se niega a devolver el cuerpo del joven príncipe Alemayehu […] - [Reuters ahead with key market-moving alerts from JP Morgan’s investor day](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/reuters-ahead-with-key-market-moving-alerts-from-jp-morgans-investor-day/): Business & Finance20 May 2024, 9:37 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency On May 20, Reuters was about a minute ahead on a news alert when JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, speaking to investors at an event in New York, revealed that major Wall Street bank is not planning to buy back its shares, driving a sharp slide in the stock from record highs. This was followed by a more than 1-minute win on the hotly anticipated announcement from Dimon on succession plans at the biggest US lender. Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [El hombre que fue encontrado vivo en el sótano de un vecino 26 años después de su desaparición](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/argelia-omar-bin-omran-el-hombre-que-fue-encontrado-vivo-en-el-sotano-de-un-vecino-26-anos-despues-de-su-desaparicion-narracion-historias-ec-noticia/): Tren de Aragua: EE.UU. confirma la detención en Nueva York de un miembro de la megabanda venezolana que era buscado por Perú La historia del deslumbrante tesoro Quimbaya que el gobierno de Colombia le reclama a España Un hombre que estuvo desaparecido durante 26 años fue encontrado vivo en el sótano de un vecino en la localidad argelina de El Guedid, a solo unos metros de la casa en la que vivía con su familia. Su nombre es Omar Bin Omran y desapareció en Argelia durante la guerra civil en ese país en la década de 1990. MIRA: Por qué en […] - [Sudáfrica: 11 desaparecidos tras el naufragio de un pesquero](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudafrica-11-desaparecidos-tras-el-naufragio-de-un-pesquero-ciudad-del-cabo-ultimas-noticia/): Donald Trump elige El Bronx para su primer acto masivo electoral en su natal Nueva York Los drones submarinos presentados por EE.UU. y Australia que revolucionarán la guerra en el mar Once de los veinte tripulantes de un pesquero sudafricano se encuentran desaparecidos después de que su embarcación naufragara en el Atlántico, a 30 millas náuticas del Cabo de Buena Esperanza, informaron el sábado los servicios de salvamento marítimo. El pesquero emitió el viernes una señal de socorro, pero las autoridades locales afirmaron que no han perdido la esperanza de encontrar a los once marineros desaparecidos, aunque las búsquedas aéreas y […] - [News Coverage and Inflation Negativity](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/07/opinion/inflation-news-coverage.html): By normal standards, the U.S. economy continues to look very good. Unemployment has now been below 4 percent for 27 months, and inflation remains fairly low, albeit somewhat higher than the Federal Reserve’s target of 2 percent. But if you say that, you get a lot of pushback; some get angry. Much of that pushback is partisan. Donald Trump described Friday’s jobs report, in which the unemployment rate rose — wait for it! — to 3.87 percent from 3.83 percent, as “horrible,” and I’m sure that many Americans believed him. But it’s not all partisan. Some of the pushback comes from […] - [Take a Look at the Top Latin American 100 Banks in 2023](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/06/take-a-look-at-the-top-latin-american-100-banks-in-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=take-a-look-at-the-top-latin-american-100-banks-in-2023): Explore the ranking of the 100 biggest banks in Latin America. Don’t miss the information on the biggest bank’s assets since 2019 and its trends. Invest wisely and thrive. To acquire the full Index, please click the link: To read this post, you must purchase a Business Intelligence Subscription, Business Intelligence – 3 to 9 User Subscription, Business Intelligence – 10+ User Subscription, Insight – 1 Month Subscription, Insight – 3 Month Subscription, Insight – 6 Month Subscription, Insight – 12 Month Subscription, Suscripción de inteligencia de negocios, Inteligencia de negocios – Suscripción de 3 a 9 usuarios or Inteligencia de […] - [Take a Look at the Financial Strength Index 4Q 2023](https://latintrade.com/2024/05/06/take-a-look-at-the-financial-strength-index-4q-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=take-a-look-at-the-financial-strength-index-4q-2023): Explore the ranking to gauge the financial strength of over 170 companies with over USD$500 million in revenues across Latin America. Don’t miss the comprehensive insights, besides revenues, the financial data covers assets, liabilities, operative turnover, ROE and Ebitda. Invest wisely and thrive. To acquire the full Index, please click the link: To read this post, you must purchase a Business Intelligence Subscription, Business Intelligence – 3 to 9 User Subscription, Business Intelligence – 10+ User Subscription, Insight – 1 Month Subscription, Insight – 3 Month Subscription, Insight – 6 Month Subscription, Insight – 12 Month Subscription, Suscripción de inteligencia de […] - [The Peculiar Persistence of Trump-stalgia](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/02/opinion/trump-biden-economy.html): “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” Lately, I’ve been seeing people repeat Ronald Reagan’s famous question, many of them apparently believing that they’re making a slam-dunk case for returning Donald Trump to power. Yet if you take the question literally, the answer is almost ludicrously favorable to President Biden. After all, four years ago, thousands of Americans were dying each day of Covid-19. Soaring deaths aside, four years ago more than 20 million Americans were unemployed; Trump left office with the worst job record of any president since Herbert Hoover. Also, the country was in the grip […] - [Are High Interest Rates Here to Stay?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/opinion/interest-rates-economy.html): Do you remember the economy of the late 1990s? Or if you’re too young to remember it — I hope that’s true for at least some of my readers — what have you heard about it? You probably remember it as a time of prosperity — low unemployment and rapid economic growth combined with low inflation — marred by irrational exuberance in the stock market. Pets.com anyone? What you might not realize is how closely the economy of early 2024 resembles that of the late Clinton years. People might not be feeling the prosperity — or at least they say they […] - [Más de 40 muertos en Kenia tras la ruptura de una represa](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/nairobi-mas-de-40-muertos-en-kenia-tras-la-ruptura-de-una-represa-fenomeno-el-nino-nakuru-rio-tana-ultimas-noticia/): Pedro Sánchez evalúa renunciar tras denuncia contra Begoña Gómez: 6 claves del caso que tiene en vilo a España Pareja ucraniana fue condenada a 15 años de prisión por ayudar a Rusia a atacar un hospital Al menos 45 personas murieron al romperse una represa en una localidad al noroeste de Nairobi, la capital de Kenia, en momentos en que el país es azotado por lluvias torrenciales y mantiene cerradas sus escuelas. “Hasta ahora se han recuperado 45 cadáveres de la tragedia de la presa, y el equipo sobre el terreno está desbordado, pero la búsqueda continúa”, declaró por teléfono a […] - [Kenia: mueren 10 militares, incluido el jefe de las Fuerzas Armadas, al estrellarse un helicóptero](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/kenia-mueren-10-militares-incluido-el-jefe-de-las-fuerzas-armadas-al-estrellarse-un-helicoptero-william-ruto-ultimas-noticia/): Franja de Gaza: cerca de 34.000 muertos tras 24 horas de fuertes bombardeos en norte y sur Gobierno de Argentina solicita ser “socio global” de la OTAN El jefe del Estado Mayor de las Fuerzas Armadas de Kenia, general Francis Omondi Ogolla, y otros nueve militares murieron este jueves al estrellarse el helicóptero del Ejército del Aire en el que viajaban en el oeste del país, confirmó el presidente keniano, William Ruto. “Hoy a las 14:20 horas (11:20 GMT), nuestra nación sufrió un trágico accidente aéreo en (…) Elgeyo Marakwet. Me entristece profundamente anunciar el fallecimiento del general Francis Omondi Ogolla, […] - [Get everyone to the developing table, the key to harness AI in LAC: a column by Kellee Wicker](https://latintrade.com/2024/04/17/get-everyone-to-the-developing-table-the-key-to-harness-ai-in-lac-a-column-by-kellee-wicker/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=get-everyone-to-the-developing-table-the-key-to-harness-ai-in-lac-a-column-by-kellee-wicker): By Kellee Wicker * Artificial intelligence (AI) is often referred to as an ingredient technology, less a standalone tool and more a technology that can be incorporated in anything – although not everything, despite current trends – for a major boost to capabilities and productivity. With a technology like this, an “everything technology”, we must bring everyone together to harness it for improved economic opportunity and quality of life. The Montevideo Declaration on Artificial Intelligence captures this same sentiment. AI must work for the people and must improve work conditions and quality of employment. The declaration is clear – these must […] - [Fiscal Monitor: Fiscal Policy in the Great Election Year](https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/FM/Issues/2024/04/17/fiscal-monitor-april-2024) - [Brasil: nueve cuerpos hallados en barco a la deriva portaban documentos de africanos](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/brasil-nueve-cuerpos-hallados-en-barco-a-la-deriva-portaban-documentos-de-africanos-mauritania-mali-policia-federal-braganca-oceano-atlantico-salgado-para-islas-canarias-ultimas-noticia/): Por qué un juez de Brasil ordenó investigar a Elon Musk y qué podría pasar con X Lula da Silva llama a AMLO para reiterar su apoyo a México en la crisis con Ecuador Los nueve cuerpos hallados en una embarcación a la deriva que llegó hasta el litoral de Brasil portaban documentos que los identificarían como emigrantes africanos, específicamente de Mauritania y Mali, informaron este martes fuentes oficiales brasileñas. “Documentos y objetos encontrados junto a los cuerpos señalan que las víctimas serían emigrantes del continente africano, de la región de Mauritania y Mali, aunque no es posible descartar la existencia […] - [Un año de guerra en Sudán: “Uno de mis compañeros intentó huir, pero vimos cómo le disparaban en el cuello, murió al instante”](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/africa/sudan-un-ano-de-guerra-uno-de-mis-companeros-intento-huir-pero-vimos-como-le-disparaban-en-el-cuello-murio-al-instante-testimonios-noticia/): ¿Cómo Israel y sus aliados interceptaron más de 300 misiles y drones lanzados por Irán? 6 claves sobre el histórico primer juicio penal contra Donald Trump que se inicia en Nueva York La guerra en Sudán entre el Ejército y el grupo paramilitar Fuerzas de Apoyo Rápido (FAR) cumple un año este lunes, tiempo en el que ha provocado el desplazamiento de más de 8 millones de personas, la mayoría hacia Sudán del Sur y Chad, y que supone una de las mayores crisis humanitarias en décadas en el mundo. En esta nota te presentamos testimonios recogidos por Médicos Sin Fronteras […] - [S. Korea, France to hold industrial cooperation committee to discuss pending trade issues](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202009900320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and France were set to hold a bilateral industrial cooperation committee Wednesday to discuss ways to promote industrial and supply chain cooperation between the two countries as well as pending trade issues, Seoul's industry ministry said. The committee, the 20th of its kind, was scheduled to be held in Korea's administrative city of Sejong, attended by Vice Trade Minister Park Jung-sung and Thomas Courbe, director general for enterprises at the French ministry of economy and finance. In the meeting, the two sides are expected to explore ways to bolster bilateral cooperation in critical minerals, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries and other advanced industries, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The ministry said Park will address Seoul's concerns that the European Union's (EU) foreign subsidies regulation and its new steel safeguard plan as well as France's EV subsidy scheme could become trade barriers between Korea and the Europe. Recently, the Seoul government has raised concerns over the EU's investigation into the Czech Republic's nuclear power plant project, secured by the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., and the EU's plan to reduce tariff-free quotas on foreign steel. This undated file photo provided by Yonhap News TV shows the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources in the central city of Sejong. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr(END) - [Securities firms' Q3 net down on bond-related losses](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202010300320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Securities companies in South Korea saw their net profit dip in the third quarter largely due to reduced gains from bond trading, data showed Wednesday. The combined net profit of 60 domestic securities firms came to 2.49 trillion won (US$1.69 billion) in the July-September period, down 12.6 percent from a profit of 2.85 trillion won three months earlier, according to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service. From a year earlier, their net profit spiked 37.6 percent, the data showed. The companies' combined income from commission fees jumped 14.1 percent on-year to 4.39 trillion won in the third quarter, aided by a surge in stock trading, while their combined income from their own investment or stock trading gained 8 percent to 3.5 trillion won over the cited period. Their combined assets had stood at 908.1 trillion won as of end-September, up 56.4 trillion won, or 6.6 percent from three months earlier, and debts gained 6.9 percent to 807.3 trillion won over the cited period. Their capital base climbed 4.4 percent on-quarter to 100.7 trillion won, the data showed. Meanwhile, three futures firms racked up a net profit of 23 billion won in the third quarter, up 2.4 percent from three months earlier, according to the data. sam@yna.co.kr(END) - [Instagram ordering employees back to the office full time](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/instagram-ordering-employees-back-office-full-time/): U.S.-based employees of Meta subsidiary platform Instagram who already have assigned desks will have to start going into their offices full-time. The change was disclosed in a memo from Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, in which he said that “I believe that we are more creative and collaborative when we are together in-person. I felt this pre-COVID and I feel it any time I go to our New York office where the in-person culture is strong.” Mr. Mosseri said people with assigned desks at various U.S. offices needed to start coming in five days a week starting on Feb. 2, according to […] - [ChatGPT outage: OpenAI's chatbot is down for some users](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/02/chatgpt-down-outage-open-ai-chatbot.html): OpenAI’s AI chatbot ChatGPT is down for some users. The company said it is “currently experiencing issues” but has applied a mitigation, according to its status page. Roughly 3,000 people reported issues with the chatbot on Tuesday, according to Downdetector. OpenAI’s EMEA startups head Laura Modiano spoke at the Sifted Summit on Wednesday, 8 October. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images OpenAI’s artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT is down for some users. The company said it is “currently experiencing issues,” including “increased ChatGPT error rates,” according to an update on OpenAI’s status page. “We have applied the mitigation and are monitoring the […] - [Trump administration says it will withhold SNAP from Democrat-led states if they don't provide data](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/brooke-rollins-says-admin-withhold-snap-democrat-led-states-dont/): WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration said Tuesday that it will move to withhold SNAP food aid from recipients in most Democratic-controlled states starting next week unless they provide information about those receiving the assistance. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday that the action is in the works because those states are refusing to provide data the department requested such as the names and immigration status of the aid recipients. She said the cooperation is necessary in order to root out fraud in the program. Democratic states have sued to block the requirement. About 42 million lower-income […] - [Building Tech-Driven Futures in Small Towns: The Center on Rural Innovation](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/building-tech-driven-futures-small-towns-center-rural-innovation): TK - [Building Tech-Driven Futures in Small Towns: The Center on Rural Innovation](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/building-tech-driven-futures-small-towns-center-rural-innovation): TK - [Mitsubishi Motors explores joint US production with Nissan and Honda: CEO](https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/interview/mitsubishi-motors-explores-joint-us-production-with-nissan-and-honda-ceo): Interview Outlander maker imports all cars it sells in market, leaving it exposed to tariffs Mitsubishi Motors CEO Takao Kato tells Nikkei it is difficult to continue the North American business independently. (Photo by Nanami Sato) TAKAKO FUJIU December 3, 2025 05:01 JST TOKYO — Mitsubishi Motors is considering manufacturing vehicles in the U.S. with larger Japanese automakers Nissan Motor and Honda Motor, Mitsubishi President and CEO Takao Kato said as his company faces pressure from auto tariffs. - [U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats will begin to include land locations in South America, Trump says](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/trump-says-hell-expand-drug-boat-strikes-land-locations-south-america/): President Trump said Tuesday that his administration will expand drug strikes to land locations, including in Colombia, after defending the U.S. military attacks on vessels in the Caribbean near Venezuela. “We’re going to start doing those strikes on land too,” Mr. Trump said at a meeting of his Cabinet officials. “The land is much easier, much easier and we know the routes they take. We know everything about them. We know where they live. We know where the bad ones live and we are going to start doing that very soon.” While Mr. Trump didn’t offer much in the way of […] - [Your Data Might Determine How Much You Pay for Eggs](https://www.wired.com/story/algorithmic-pricing-eggs-ny-law/): If you’re near Rochester, New York, the price for a carton of Target’s Good & Gather eggs is listed as $1.99 on its website. If you’re in Manhattan’s upscale Tribeca neighborhood, that price changes to $2.29. It’s unclear why the prices differ, but a new notice on Target’s website offers a potential hint: “This price was set by an algorithm using your personal data.” A recently enacted New York State law requires businesses that algorithmically set prices using customers’ personal data to disclose that. According to the law, personal data includes any data that can be “linked or reasonably linked, directly […] - [Record-high 203 million people shopped over Thanksgiving weekend, says National Retail Federation](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/record-high-203-million-people-shopped-thanksgiving-weekend-says/): A record 202.9 million Americans shopped during the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, the National Retail Federation reported Tuesday. That’s up from 197 million shoppers last year. It also surpasses the modest 186.9 million that the trade group initially predicted would shop between Thursday and Monday of the long weekend. “This year’s record turnout reflects a highly engaged consumer who is focused on value, responds to compelling promotions, and seizes upon the opportunity to make the winter holidays special and meaningful,” National Retail Federation CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement. Conducted with Prosper Insights & Analytics, the federation’s annual survey found that […] - [China's local debt rises to $18.9tn as property slump lingers](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/markets/china-debt-crunch/china-s-local-debt-rises-to-18.9tn-as-property-slump-lingers): China’s sluggish real estate market has left many local governments reliant on debt due to being unable to sell off property. © Reuters YUSHO CHO December 3, 2025 03:38 JST TOKYO — China’s local government debt continues to balloon as a prolonged real estate slump has led to decreased income from property sales, pushing local government bond issuance for the year to a record high. - [Japan hotel bookings by Chinese tourists plunge by half](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/travel-leisure/japan-hotel-bookings-by-chinese-tourists-plunge-by-half): The international terminal at Japan’s Fukuoka Airport. China’s travel boycott has hit Japanese hotels. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu) Nikkei staff writers December 3, 2025 03:22 JST TOKYO — Hotel reservations by Chinese tourists visiting Japan have dropped by more than half in recent weeks, the latest indication that deteriorating relations between Beijing and Tokyo are impacting Japan’s tourism. - [Trump says he's rebuilding Dulles airport while his administration is fixing the 'people movers'](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/trump-says-hes-rebuilding-dulles-international-airport/): WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration will embark on a reconstruction of Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia. “We’re also going to rebuild Dulles airport because it’s not a good airport,” Trump said during a meeting of his Cabinet members at the White House. “It should be a great airport, and it’s not a good airport at all. It’s a terrible airport.” Dulles is one of the three Washington-area airports and its quality and utility is a hotly debated topic among Washingtonians. Trump, a former real estate mogul, said the Dulles building is good but that it […] - [Japan 10-year yields seen rising on bets of rate hikes, more spending](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/markets/bonds/japan-10-year-yields-seen-rising-on-bets-of-rate-hikes-more-spending): TOKYO — Despite solid demand for long-term Japanese government bonds, investors expect yields to rise further amid speculation about rate hikes by the Bank of Japan and expansionary fiscal policy that could pour more debt into the market, unbalancing supply and demand. - [[Reporter’s Notebook] GM Korea’s positioning sparks exit rumors](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251203/reporters-notebook-gm-koreas-positioning-sparks-exit-rumors?utm_source=rss): GM Korea's Trax Crossover / Korea Times fileGeneral Motors (GM) Korea’s vague market positioning is believed to be a key factor fueling persistent rumors about the automaker's potential exit from the local market.The company is currently focusing on expanding sales of luxury vehicles from its premium Cadillac brand by releasing multiple electric vehicles (EVs) for the past few years, diverging from the strategies used by the firm’s flagship Chevrolet brand.GM Korea’s sales rely heavily on Chevrolet’s Trax Crossover and Trailblazer SUVs. The carmaker sold a total of 43,799 domestically manufactured vehicles in November, but more than 99 percent of the sales came from just those two models, according to data from the carmaker. Only about 2 percent of November's sales were in Korea, with most vehicles exported to the United States.No Chevrolet EVs are currently available for sale in Korea, but GM Korea’s recent move to expand Cadillac's EV lineup raises questions over the firm’s strategy here.Cadillac launched its Lyriq electric SUV here last year, and recently released its flagship Escalade IQ SUV, featuring GM’s much-touted Super Cruise hands-free driving system.GM Korea CEO Hector Villarreal, right, smiles during the launch event for Cadillac's Escalade IQ electric SUV in Seoul, Nov. 19. YonhapChevrolet’s Equinox EV received sales certification from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment last year, but its debut schedule has been delayed indefinitely.GM Korea still maintains that it is not currently considering leaving the Korean market, but its strategy of focusing on high-end brands keeps raising doubts over the carmaker’s commitment.The company is also set to close its nine directly operated service centers in February next year. It is the first time that one of the nation’s so-called top five carmakers — Hyundai Motor, Kia, KG Mobility, Renault Korea and GM Korea — has decided to stop operating directly-managed repair facilities. The carmaker explained that hundreds of affiliated service centers nationwide will take over, but the move has rekindled rumors of possible withdrawal from the country.Industry officials said GM Korea will continue to be plagued by exit rumors unless it expands its eco-friendly lineup, including hybrids and EVs.“The lack of new vehicles from Chevrolet is considered the biggest cause behind the rumor,” an auto industry official said.“Even if Chevrolet does not release any new eco-friendly cars, Cadillac’s sales volume is very limited here, compared with that of Chevrolet. GM Korea has to diversify its auto lineup for Chevrolet to rebuild trust with Korean customers and avoid exit rumors.” - [OpenAI is under pressure as Google, Anthropic gain ground](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/02/open-ai-code-red-google-anthropic.html): OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sent a memo to his staffers outlining a “code red” effort to improve ChatGPT, according to multiple reports. The company is facing increasingly stiff competition from rivals like Google and Anthropic. OpenAI has become one of the fastest-growing commercial entities on the planet following the launch of ChatGPT three years ago. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO speaks during a media tour of the Stargate data center in Abilene, Texas, on Sept. 23, 2025. Stargate is a collaboration of OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank, with promotional support from President Donald Trump, to build data centers and other infrastructure for artificial […] - [Turkey signs 5 hydrocarbon deals with Pakistan](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/energy/turkey-signs-5-hydrocarbon-deals-with-pakistan): Energy Ankara also talking with Malaysia and Indonesia, looking to expand Asia exploration Turkish Petroleum’s seismic research vessel Oruc Reis searches for hydrocarbons off Somalia’s coast in November 2024. (Anadolu Agency) SINAN TAVSAN December 3, 2025 00:20 JST ISTANBUL — State-owned oil and gas company Turkish Petroleum on Tuesday signed three offshore and two onshore hydrocarbon research and exploration agreements with Pakistani companies in Islamabad, as Turkey seeks to expand energy sources. - [RCM/TIPP Econ. Optimism Index Brightens in December](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/02/rcmtipp_econ_optimism_index_brightens_in_december_1150761.html): The December reading of 47.9 marks a solid 9% monthly gain. Consumer sentiment improved in December, as the RealClearMarkets/TIPP Economic Optimism Index, the first monthly read on U.S. consumer confidence, rose from 43.9 in November to 47.9, a robust 4.0 points or 9.1 percent gain. Still, the index stayed below the neutral 50 level for the fourth straight month, keeping the nation in what we classify as the pessimistic zone. December’s reading of 47.9 is 2.5 percent below the 299-month historical average of 49.1, which shows that confidence is strengthening but not fully restored. Read Full Article » - [Afghanistan's Taliban rulers carry out public execution in sports stadium in eastern city](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/afghanistans-taliban-authorities-carry-public-execution-sports/): KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities carried out a public execution at a stadium in the eastern city of Khost on Tuesday, putting to death a man who the country’s Supreme Court said had killed 13 members of a family, including several children, earlier this year. Tens of thousands of people, including relatives of the victims, attended the execution in the sports stadium, which the Supreme Court said was the 11th carried out since the Taliban seized power in 2021 in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. United Nations’ Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan Richard Bennet posted […] - [Data centers 'one of the best investment bets' in 30 years: Blue Owl co-CEO](https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/interview/data-centers-one-of-the-best-investment-bets-in-30-years-blue-owl-co-ceo): Interview AI hyperscalers have low credit risks, generate steady returns, private asset manager says Marc Lipschultz, co-CEO of Blue Owl Capital, says his company builds the data center’s body while the hyperscalers “build and operate the brain.” (Photo by Hirofumi Takeuchi) HIROFUMI TAKEUCHI December 2, 2025 23:02 JST NEW YORK — U.S. private asset manager Blue Owl Capital has swooped in as a major backer of the data center buildout in the U.S., striking infrastructure deals with Facebook parent Meta Platforms and other tech giants pursuing their artificial intelligence ambitions. - [Guinea-Bissau electoral commission unable to finalize results after armed men steal vote tally](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/guinea-bissau-electoral-commission-unable-finalize-results-armed-men/): BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Guinea-Bissau’s electoral commission said Tuesday that it’s unable to finalize results of a disputed presidential vote after armed men broke into its office and stole vote tally sheets the same day the military seized power. The announcement did not identify the armed men. It said the break-in happened on Nov. 26, three days after presidential and legislative elections in which incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa each claimed victory. The military then seized power and installed former army chief of staff Gen. Horta Inta-a as the head of the military government, which […] - [Apple Replay is here. What's the No. 1 song on Apple Music's 2025 songs chart?](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/apple-replay-whats-no-1-song-apple-musics-2025-songs-chart/): NEW YORK — It arrived in 2024. And it never left. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ massively popular, Grammy-nominated “APT.” topped Apple Music’s global song chart in 2025 as the giant music streamer released year-end lists Tuesday and provided listeners with data on their own most listened-to tunes. “APT.” is both artists’ first No. 1 on the year-end global songs chart. They’re followed by another dynamic duo, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” in second. Mars makes another appearance, in third, for his collaboration with Lady Gaga, “Die With a Smile.” Then it’s Lamar again in fourth – “Not Like Us” returns to […] - [Markets Roiled By Data-Center Snafu in Chicago Suburb](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/02/markets_roiled_by_data-center_snafu_in_chicago_suburb_1150572.html): One of the first signs of trouble arrived at 9:41 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, when most of Wall Street was shut and traders were still enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday in the US. Read Full Article » - [China’s finance chief calls for fiscal firepower as Beijing weighs 2026 goals](https://www.scmp.com/economy/policy/article/3334924/chinas-finance-minister-calls-more-fiscal-firepower-beijing-weighs-2026-agenda?utm_source=rss_feed): China’s finance minister has called for a more proactive fiscal policy to boost domestic demand, strengthen industrial security and advance technological self-reliance while mitigating debt risks, as Beijing prepares for one of its most important economic planning meetings of the year. Finance Minister Lan Foan outlined the country’s top fiscal priorities on Tuesday in an editorial published in the People’s Daily, the ruling Communist Party’s flagship newspaper. He stressed the need to support consumption, accelerate innovation and ensure financial stability by maintaining strict oversight of local government borrowing. Lan’s remarks came ahead of the central economic work conference, the annual meeting […] - [India's move to force government app onto new smartphones stirs up furor](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/india-s-move-to-force-government-app-onto-new-smartphones-stirs-up-furor): Technology Apple, Vivo and others have 90 days to ensure Sanchar Saathi is installed on devices The Indian government wants an app it developed to come pre-installed on all new smartphones in the country. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)   SOUMYAJIT SAHA December 2, 2025 21:16 JST MUMBAI — A requirement that all new smartphones sold in India come with a pre-installed, undeletable app developed by the government has sparked a furor in the country, as activists raise concerns about the risk of surveillance. - [China delivers record 180 billion parcels in 11 months as shoppers chase deals](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334909/china-delivers-record-180-billion-parcels-11-months-shoppers-chase-deals?utm_source=rss_feed): China logged a record 180 billion express deliveries in the first 11 months of the year, according to state media reports, as the country’s online shopping platforms continue to rake in orders despite an economic slowdown. Xinhua said the bumper parcel deliveries – which reached as high as 777 million per day from January to November, according to the State Post Bureau – reflected the “vigorous vitality of China’s economy”, though analysts cautioned that vendors were often relying on generous discounts and return policies to attract buyers. China has been the world’s largest parcel delivery market for over a decade. Last […] - [A smart city isn't necessarily a good city](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415870.htm): Technology can transform cities when policymakers and urban designers keep in mind the impacts on end-users There is a lot of debate about particular qualities that distinguish smart urban environments from dumb ones. A number of planning scholars have critiqued the piecemeal and profit-oriented focus of smart-city projects, which tend to overpromise smartness to whichever city can afford to buy them. They also tend to lack comprehensive visions about the broader built enviro - [Trump Is Right To Expand On Immigrant Investor Program](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/02/trump_is_right_to_expand_on_immigrant_investor_program_1150439.html): Can you name a federal program responsible for creating or supporting 7 million high-paying jobs, attracting $75 billion in private investment, and generating $14.5 billion in tax revenue in the last four years? Read Full Article » - [Extraordinary Results On a Rather Erratic Path](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/02/extraordinary_results_on_a_rather_erratic_path_1150422.html): As is my custom, I’ll be taking a break from these weekly updates for the rest of the year. That doesn’t mean I’ll be loafing my way to year end though. I’ll probably do some short posts as things come up before year end but my main focus will be on the 2026 Read Full Article » - [Germany’s China playbook: if you can’t beat them, partner up](https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3334907/buy-china-trend-price-wars-push-german-industry-localise-seeing-rivals-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed): German companies are accelerating efforts to partner with Chinese rivals, conceding in fresh survey results that the local competitors appear poised to seize the lead in global innovation. While business sentiment among surveyed German firms in China has seen a slight uptick, optimism has been tempered by fierce price competition and a nationalist “Buy China” push, according to findings from the German Chamber of Commerce’s 2025/26 Business Confidence Survey. About 56 per cent of surveyed firms were planning to deepen engagement with Chinese partners, showing a “sharp” increase from the last time the question was included in the survey in 2021, […] - [California: The Answer to Alleged Federal Debt Riddle](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/02/california_the_answer_to_alleged_federal_debt_riddle_1150565.html): Why doesn’t West Virginia have more debt? The question rates asking in response to a Wall Street Journal editorial which observes that California “is facing huge budget deficits despite an ebullient stock market and capital-gains rush.” The answer to the West Virginia question can be found in the Journal editorial’s observation. Explaining the California deficit and debt situation, the Journal editorial cites analysis from the state’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) that suggests it’s an effect of “spending growth continuing to outstrip revenue growth.” The LAO implies that markets are rather stupid. Read Full Article » - [Capitalism: Moral Force](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/02/capitalism_moral_force_1150560.html): As both right- and left-leaning forms of socialism gain traction in pockets across America, we risk losing sight of the core principles that made it the most prosperous, innovative, and opportunity-rich nation on earth. Revisiting the insights of great economists is a timely reminder that capitalism remains the only system capable of converting human knowledge, ingenuity, and self-interest into improved living standards for all. Why Central Planning Cannot Compete with Free Markets In his famous essay The Use of Knowledge in Society (1945), Friedrich Hayek explained why socialism and central planning inevitably fail. They fail because knowledge in society is dispersed and […] - [Russia's Putin seeks to boost energy, defence exports with India visit](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/india-russia-putin-visit-oil-energy-defence-talks-5522051): THE TRUMP FACTOR But Indian officials worry that any fresh energy and defence deals with Russia could trigger a reaction from US President Donald Trump, who doubled tariffs to 50 per cent in August on Indian goods, as punishment for New Delhi’s purchases of Russian crude. Ahead of Putin’s visit, officials of both sides held talks in areas from defence to shipping and agriculture. In August, they agreed to launch talks for a free trade deal between India and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union. They are also in talks to expand their partnership in civilian nuclear energy, Indian analysts have said. […] - [7-Eleven operator to test autonomous truck delivery in Japan](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/retail/7-eleven-operator-to-test-autonomous-truck-delivery-in-japan): Retail Industry-first trial over about 450 km aims to facilitate daily goods transport From left: Shigeru Yamaguchi, an executive officer at Seven-Eleven Japan, Kosuke Shibata, president and chief executive officer of Mitsui & Co. Retail Group and Masatomo Kumabe, president of Tokyo-based autonomous driving startup T2 pose on Dec. 1 in Tokyo. (Photo by Yuka Konishi) YURIKA YONEDA December 2, 2025 17:29 JST TOKYO — Seven-Eleven Japan, operator of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain in the country, will begin a long-distance transport trial using autonomous driving trucks, the first initiative of its kind in the domestic industry, amid a worsening driver […] - [Morgan Stanley sees mainland China property slump extending into 2026](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3334898/morgan-stanley-sees-mainland-china-property-market-slump-extending-2026?utm_source=rss_feed): Mainland China’s property market will remain under pressure in the first quarter of next year as weak monthly sales show few signs of a turnaround, according to Morgan Stanley. Sales at the country’s top 100 developers fell 36 per cent in November from a year earlier to 184 billion yuan (US$26 billion), according to Morgan Stanley, which used data compiled by China Real Estate Information Corp (CRIC). In the first 11 months, developers recorded 2.71 trillion yuan in sales, a decrease of 19 per cent from a year earlier. Adding to the uncertainty, the private data agency CRIC withheld its regular […] - [Cyclone-ravaged Indonesia to suffer $4bn hit from floods, think tank says](https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/natural-disasters/cyclone-ravaged-indonesia-to-suffer-4bn-hit-from-floods-think-tank-says): An aerial view of a village in Batang Toru, North Sumatra, on Dec. 2 after flash flooding receded. Three Indonesian provinces have been devastated by two cyclones.  © AP ISMI DAMAYANTI and REZHA HADYAN December 2, 2025 17:21 JST JAKARTA — Indonesia’s economy will suffer a hit of 68.67 trillion rupiah ($4.13 billion) this year due to the cyclones and flooding that have devastated three provinces in northern Sumatra, according to a preliminary estimate by an independent think tank. - [2 foreign auto parts manufacturers slapped with combined fine of $24.1 mil. for bid-rigging](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251202/2-foreign-auto-parts-manufacturers-slapped-with-combined-fine-of-241-mil-for-bid-rigging?utm_source=rss): A logo of Korea Fair Trade Commission is seen at its headquarters in Sejong. Yonhap Korean branches of two foreign auto parts manufacturers, NIFCO Korea and ITW Automotive, have been slapped with a combined fine worth 35.4 billion won ($24.1 million) for bid-rigging, the antitrust watchdog said Tuesday.The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said it has imposed the fine and issued corrective orders on the two companies on charges of colluding in bids for automotive air vent components commissioned by Hyundai Mobis, auto parts manufacturing arm of Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor, and CREA for more than seven years.The companies are local branches of Japan-based auto parts manufacturer NIFCO and U.S.-based firm ITW Automotive.They are found to have colluded in 24 bids to rig the procedures to channel orders to each other from October 2013 to March 2021, succeeding in 20 of those cases.During the cited period, NIFCO and ITW supplied at least 96.8 percent of Hyundai Mobis' purchases of automotive air vents in terms of value, according to the FTC.The FTC said it has filed complaints against the two companies with the Supreme Prosecutors Office on charges of violating Korea's Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act. - [Did deforestation worsen Sumatra disaster? Indonesia to trace timber, summon companies to explain](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/sumatra-senyar-floods-landslides-timber-logging-trace-investigation-deforestation-5522116): JAKARTA: Indonesia will summon eight companies suspected of contributing to deadly flooding in North Sumatra’s Batang Toru watershed as part of efforts to trace the large number of logs swept away by recent floods in Sumatra. Images of the logs have circulated online, and experts have said deforestation and environmental degradation added to the scale of the disaster. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said on Monday (Dec 1) his ministry would summon eight entities operating in the Batang Toru river basin to explain their activities in the area and trace the logs swept away by the floods.  “There are eight entities that, […] - [2 foreign auto parts manufacturers slapped with combined fine of 35.4 bln won for bid-rigging](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202009500320): SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean branches of two foreign auto parts manufacturers, NIFCO Korea Inc. and ITW Automotive, have been slapped with a combined fine worth 35.4 billion won (US$24.1 million) for bid-rigging, the antitrust watchdog said Tuesday. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said it has imposed the fine and issued corrective orders on the two companies on charges of colluding in bids for automotive air vent components commissioned by Hyundai Mobis Co., auto parts manufacturing arm of Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Co., and CREA Co. for more than seven years. The companies are local branches of Japan-based auto parts manufacturer NIFCO Inc. and U.S.-based firm ITW Automotive. They are found to have colluded in 24 bids to rig the procedures to channel orders to each other from October 2013 to March 2021, succeeding in 20 of those cases. During the cited period, NIFCO and ITW supplied at least 96.8 percent of Hyundai Mobis' purchases of automotive air vents in terms of value, according to the FTC. The FTC said it has filed complaints against the two companies with the Supreme Prosecutors Office on charges of violating Korea's Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act. This composite photo shows the corporate logos of ITW Automotive (top) and NIFCO Korea Inc., as provided by the companies. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr(END) - [Samsung Electronics to hold biannual global strategy meetings this month](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202008700320): SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- Samsung Electronics Co. will hold its major executive-level meetings this month to discuss business strategies for next year amid the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, industry sources said Tuesday. According to the sources, the device experience (DX) division of the South Korean tech giant will hold its meeting from Dec. 16 to 17, while the device solutions (DS) division will hold a separate session on Dec. 18, chaired by President Roh Tae-moon and Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun, respectively. Roh was named as a co-chief executive officer in November, joining the rank alongside Jun. Samsung Electronics holds regular strategy meetings in June and December. During the event, the DX division, which oversees the mobile, TV and home appliance businesses, is expected to discuss strategies for the upcoming Galaxy S26 flagship smartphone. The DS division, which covers the semiconductor business, is set to discuss strategies to address soaring demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM). This file photo taken Oct. 30, 2025, shows Samsung Electronics Co.'s building in Seoul. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr(END) - [Singapore's YouTrip expands into Australia ahead of possible IPO](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/startups/singapore-s-youtrip-expands-into-australia-ahead-of-possible-ipo): Startups CEO Caecilia Chu cites ‘high travel potential’ of new market as competition heightens YouTrip has plans to expand further into markets such as Hong Kong, Japan and New Zealand. (Photo by Dylan Loh) DYLAN LOH December 2, 2025 16:04 JST SINGAPORE — Singapore-based foreign exchange digital wallet YouTrip said Tuesday it is launching in Australia, as the financial technology startup pursues overseas growth with ambitions for an eventual initial public offering. - [(3rd LD) Gov't says Coupang's electronic signature key exploited in data breach; attack lasted from June-Nov.](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202003854320): (ATTN: ADDS details in paras 10-13, photo) SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- A massive data breach attack against e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. that has affected over 30 million customers' data lasted from June to November and involved the exploitation of the company's electronic signature key, according to officials Tuesday. "As we review all log data from July last year to November this year, we have confirmed that private data from more than 30 million accounts was leaked," Second Vice Science Minister Ryu Je-myung said during a parliamentary session. "The attack was carried out from June 24 to Nov. 8." He said the attacker used Coupang's electronic signature key, which is required to access the company's servers. Ryu said a police investigation is needed to identify the suspect, referring to reports of a purported former Coupang employee having emailed the company, claiming to have stolen more than 30 million items of personal information. Coupang Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Park Dae-jun (L) bows in apology during a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 2, 2025. (Yonhap) Coupang Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Park Dae-jun said the suspect had worked as a developer on the company's verification system development team. "The suspect could be an individual or multiple people," he said during the same parliamentary session, declining to provide further details due to the ongoing police investigation. Last week, the U.S.-listed e-commerce giant said personal information of 33.7 million customers had been compromised, indicating that personal information, including names, phone numbers, email addresses and delivery details for nearly all Coupang members, was affected. Coupang, which provides overnight delivery of fresh food and daily necessities, is one of the most widely used shopping platforms in South Korea, with 34 million monthly active users in November, up 0.68 percent from a month earlier. The incident has heightened public concern over the country's overall data protection capabilities, following a series of major data leak cases this year involving companies, such as telecom giants SK Telecom Co. and KT Corp., and credit card firm Lotte Card Co. Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon speaks during a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 2, 2025. (Yonhap) During the session, Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon stressed the need to implement a punitive damages system for data leaks. "It is important to prevent a recurrence of incidents that directly harm the public and deepen concerns in the financial sector," Bae said. The punitive damages system is a legal mechanism that requires additional compensation beyond actual damages to punish perpetrators and prevent repeat offenses. "The joint investigation team of the government and private sector will promptly and sternly conduct an investigation and take necessary measures," Bae said, noting that the government will prepare a comprehensive plan, including the punitive damages system, within this year. The Seoul headquarters of Coupang Inc. is seen on Dec. 1, 2025. (Yonhap) brk@yna.co.kr(END) - [Seven footballers in Malaysia eligibility scandal 'victims': Union](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-footballers-fifa-eligibility-scandal-victims-fifpro-union-5522106): KUALA LUMPUR: Global footballers’ union FIFPro says that seven players embroiled in a Malaysian national team eligibility scandal are themselves victims and their 12-month bans “grossly disproportionate”. Malaysia’s federation, FAM, has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA banned the players and fined FAM US$440,000 in September for submitting false documents that said the foreign-born players had Malaysian ancestry. FIFA launched an investigation after receiving a complaint following Malaysia’s 4-0 win against Vietnam in June in an Asian Cup qualifier in which two of the seven players scored. Its investigation showed none of Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel […] - [HD KSOE's affiliate wins 367.2 bln-won LNG ship order in Asia](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202006400320): SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. (HD KSOE) said Tuesday its affiliate has secured a 367.2 billion-won (US$250 million) order for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier from a shipper in Asia. HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. will deliver the LNG carrier to the unspecified client by December 2028, the company said in a regulatory filing. HD KSOE, a subholding company under HD Hyundai Co., oversees two shipbuilding affiliates, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. was merged into HD Hyundai Heavy Industries on Monday. Following the integration, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said it aims to achieve 37 trillion won in sales by 2035 by expanding into new business areas, including the U.S. defense market and special-purpose vessels such as icebreakers. For all of 2024, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and the former HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard posted 14.5 trillion won and 4.63 trillion won in sales, respectively. HD KSOE has won $16.52 billion worth of vessel orders so far this year, achieving 91.5 percent of its annual target of $18.05 billion. Container ships accounted for 71 of the 117 vessels ordered during the period. This undated file photo shows a liquefied natural gas ship. (Yonhap) kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr(END) - [(2nd LD) Gov't says Coupang's electronic signature key exploited in data breach; attack lasted from June-Nov.](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202003853320): (ATTN: ADDS CEO's comment in paras 5-6, new photo) SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- A massive data breach attack against e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. that has affected over 30 million customers' data lasted from June to November and involved the exploitation of the company's electronic signature key, according to officials Tuesday. "As we review all log data from July last year to November this year, we have confirmed that private data from more than 30 million accounts was leaked," Second Vice Minister Ryu Je-myung said during a parliamentary session. "The attack was carried out from June 24 to Nov. 8." He said the attacker used Coupang's electronic signature key, which is required to access the company's servers. Ryu said a police investigation is needed to identify the suspect, referring to reports of a purported former Coupang employee having emailed the company, claiming to have stolen more than 30 million items of personal information. Coupang Inc.'s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Park Dae-jun (L) bows in apology during a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 2, 2025. (Yonhap) Coupang Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Park Dae-jun said the suspect had worked as a developer on the company's verification system development team. "The suspect could be an individual or multiple people," he said during the same parliamentary session, declining to provide further details due to the ongoing police investigation. Last week, the U.S.-listed e-commerce giant said personal information of 33.7 million customers had been compromised, indicating that personal information, including names, phone numbers, email addresses and delivery details for nearly all Coupang members, was affected. Coupang, which provides overnight delivery of fresh food and daily necessities, is one of the most widely used shopping platforms in South Korea, with 34 million monthly active users in November, up 0.68 percent from a month earlier. The incident has heightened public concern over the country's overall data protection capabilities, following a series of major data leak cases this year involving companies, such as telecom giants SK Telecom Co. and KT Corp., and credit card firm Lotte Card Co. The Seoul headquarters of Coupang Inc. is seen on Dec. 1, 2025. (Yonhap) brk@yna.co.kr(END) - [Samsung launches its first tri-fold smartphone to test consumer appetite](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/samsung-launches-its-first-tri-fold-smartphone-to-test-consumer-appetite): Technology New model priced at $2,400 as Apple set to release foldable model next year Samsung unveiled the 10-inch Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone, priced at around $2,400, on Dec. 2. (Photo by Kim Jaewon) KIM JAEWON December 2, 2025 13:32 JST SEOUL — Samsung Electronics launched its first triple-folding smartphone on Tuesday, as the world’s biggest smartphone maker seeks to cement its leadership in the high-end segment ahead of Apple’s expected release of its own first foldable model next year. - [Hong Kong leader orders independent probe into fire that killed 151](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-john-lee-independent-probe-cause-5521751): Contractors working on the renovations used these substandard materials in hard-to-reach areas, effectively hiding them from inspectors, Chief Secretary Eric Chan said. Foam insulation used by contractors also fanned the flames and fire alarms at the complex were not working properly, officials have said.  Thousands of residents have turned out to pay tribute to the victims, who include at least nine domestic helpers from Indonesia and one from the Philippines. Vigils are also due to take place this week in Tokyo, Taipei and London. SEARCH MOVES TO WORST AFFECTED BUILDINGS The remaining buildings being scoured for remains are the worst damaged […] - [Inside China's race for self-driving dominance](https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/podcast/podcast-tech-latest/inside-china-s-race-for-self-driving-dominance): Find us on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Voicy | YouTube | YouTube Music Welcome to the Tech Latest podcast. Every Tuesday, our tech experts Katey Creel and Shotaro Tani deliver the hottest trends and news from the sector. In this episode, Katey speaks with Hong Kong correspondent Cissy Zhou about how Chinese self-driving vehicle companies effectively locked out of the U.S. market are seeking overseas growth elsewhere. Check out this episode’s featured stories: — WeRide CEO bullish on growth beyond China and outpacing self-driving rivals And register for our weekly #techAsia newsletter. - [President Lee Jae Myung orders punitive measures against Coupang data leak](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251202/president-lee-jae-myung-orders-punitive-measures-against-coupang-data-leak?utm_source=rss): President Lee Jae Myung attends a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapPresident Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday ordered a thorough investigation and punitive punishment over Coupang's recent massive customer data leak.“The scale of the damage is massive, involving about 34 million cases, but it is truly shocking that the company failed to detect the breach for five full months after the initial incident,” the president said during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul.“We must swiftly identify the cause of this accident and hold those responsible strictly accountable. I urge you to mobilize all available resources to prevent secondary damages arising from the misuse of this leaked information.”Expressing concerns over the recent surge in data leak cases, Lee urged the government to implement harsher penalties and effective countermeasures, referencing international standards to actualize punitive damages.“This is also an opportunity to completely overturn the misguided practices and perceptions that trivialize the protection of personal data — a core asset in the age of AI (artificial intelligence) and digital technology,” he said. “As we face a hyperconnected digital society, please urgently prepare and implement a new digital security framework that amounts to a paradigm shift, encompassing both the private and public sectors.” - [Japan faces calls for higher medical device reimbursement amid cheap yen](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/health-care/japan-faces-calls-for-higher-medical-device-reimbursement-amid-cheap-yen): Health Care Price review kicks off as foreign makers find it harder to justify investments Medtronic’s robotic surgery system guides the placement of custom rods, right, during spinal surgery. (Photos by Mitsuru Obe) MITSURU OBE December 2, 2025 12:01 JST TOKYO — Global medical technology companies may be experiencing growing demand for health care products and services in rapidly aging Japan, but their optimism is being tempered by tightly controlled prices, continued cost inflation and a falling yen that diminishes their dollar-based revenue. - [Hanwha Ocean wins 375.4 bln-won VLCC order in Oceania](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202004800320): SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- Hanwha Ocean Co., the shipbuilding arm of South Korea's chemical-to-defense conglomerate Hanwha Group, said Tuesday it has secured a 375.3 billion-won (US$255 million) order to build two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for a client in the Oceania region. The two VLCCs are scheduled to be delivered to the unidentified shipping company by December 2028, Hanwha Ocean said in a regulatory filing. VLCC freight rates have recently risen as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, known as OPEC+, have increased oil production and exports, industry officials said. In addition, replacement demand for aging VLCCs is expected to further support the market, they said. OPEC+ includes eight countries: Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. With the latest order, Hanwha Ocean has secured US$7.96 billion worth of vessel contracts so far this year. A very large crude carrier (Yonhap) kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr(END) - [Gov't to hold energy conference with German partners on carbon neutrality](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202004100320): SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- The government plans to hold an energy conference Tuesday in Seoul with German energy officials and experts to discuss ways to achieve net zero carbon emissions and expand the use of renewable energy, the climate ministry said. The conference, co-hosted by the German energy ministry, will provide a platform for energy companies and research institutes from the two countries to explore cooperation opportunities in the renewable energy sector, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said. The two sides will also hold a separate bilateral energy cooperation committee meeting to exchange views on their strategies on promoting the transition to renewable energy. "The energy transition cooperation between Korea and Germany will contribute to the joint efforts of the international community to achieve climate and energy goals," a climate ministry official said in a press release. This illustrated image depicts carbon neutrality. (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr(END) - [Seoul stocks extend gains late Tues. morning on chip gains](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202005600320): SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares extended their gains late Tuesday morning, buoyed by a strong performance in major chip stocks. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 63.79 points, or 1.63 percent, to 3,984.16, as of 11:20 a.m. Most-large cap shares traded higher. Chip giant Samsung Electronics increased 2.48 percent, and rival SK hynix gained 3.72 percent. Carmakers also gained momentum, with No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor jumping 4.52 percent and Kia adding 3.38 percent. In contrast, defense giant Hanwha Aerospace decreased 1.35 percent, and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution was down 0.36 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,469.5 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 0.4 won from the previous session's close. This photo shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Dec. 2, 2025. (Yonhap) khj@yna.co.kr(END) - [(LEAD) Gov't says Coupang's electronic signature key exploited in data breach; attack lasted from June-Nov.](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202003852320): (ATTN: RECASTS headline; ADDS more comments, background from 4th para) SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- A massive data breach attack against e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. that has affected over 30 million customers' data lasted from June to November and involved the exploitation of the company's electronic signature key, according to officials Tuesday. "As we review all log data from July last year to November this year, we have confirmed that private data from more than 30 million accounts was leaked," Second Vice Minister Ryu Je-myung said during a parliamentary session. "The attack was carried out from June 24 to Nov. 8." He said the attacker used Coupang's electronic signature key, which is required to access the company's servers. Ryu said a police investigation is needed to identify the suspect, referring to reports of a purported former Coupang employee having emailed the company, claiming to have stolen more than 30 million items of personal information. Last week, the U.S.-listed e-commerce giant said personal information of 33.7 million customers had been compromised, indicating that personal information, including names, phone numbers, email addresses and delivery details for nearly all Coupang members, was affected. Coupang, which provides overnight delivery of fresh food and daily necessities, is one of the most widely used shopping platforms in South Korea, with 34 million monthly active users in November, up 0.68 percent from a month earlier. The incident has heightened public concern over the country's overall data protection capabilities, following a series of major data leak cases this year involving companies, such as telecom giants SK Telecom Co. and KT Corp., and credit card firm Lotte Card Co. The Seoul headquarters of Coupang Inc. is seen on Dec. 1, 2025. (Yonhap) brk@yna.co.kr(END) - [President Lee Jae Myung orders punitive measures against Coupang’s data leak](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251202/president-lee-jae-myung-orders-punitive-measures-against-coupangs-data-leak?utm_source=rss): President Lee Jae Myung attends a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapPresident Lee Jae Myung, Tuesday, ordered a thorough investigation and punitive punishment over Coupang's recent massive data leak of its customers.“The scale of the damage is massive, involving about 34 million cases, but it is truly shocking that the company failed to detect the breach for five full months after the initial incident,” the president said during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul.“We must swiftly identify the cause of this accident and hold those responsible strictly accountable. I urge you to mobilize all available resources to prevent secondary damages arising from the misuse of this leaked information.”Expressing concerns over the recent surge in data leak cases, Lee urged the government to implement harsher penalties and effective countermeasures, referencing international standards to actualize punitive damages.“This is also an opportunity to completely overturn the misguided practices and perceptions that trivialize the protection of personal data — a core asset in the age of AI and digital technology,” he said. “As we face a hyper-connected digital society, please urgently prepare and implement a new digital security framework that amounts to a paradigm shift, encompassing both the private and public sectors.” - [Gov't says Coupang's electronic signature key exploited in data breach; attack lasted from June 24-Nov. 8](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202003851320): SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- A massive data breach attack against e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. that has affected over 30 million customers' data lasted from June to November and involved the exploitation of the company's electronic signature key, according to officials Tuesday. "As we review all log data from July last year to November this year, we have confirmed that private data from more than 30 million accounts was leaked," Second Vice Minister Ryu Je-myung said during a parliamentary session. "The attack was carried out from June 24 to Nov. 8." He said the attacker used Coupang's electronic signature key, which is required to access the company's servers. The Seoul headquarters of Coupang Inc. is seen on Dec. 1, 2025. (Yonhap) brk@yna.co.kr(END) Related Articles - [Chinese EV makers like BYD seen gaining from new UK pay-per-mile tax](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/electric-vehicles/chinese-ev-makers-like-byd-seen-gaining-from-new-uk-pay-per-mile-tax): Electric vehicles Buyers may be driven to cheaper models as Britain set to ban petrol, diesel car sales BYD has a showroom in London’s upscale Mayfair district, where there are also Ferrari, Bugatti, Bentley and Lamborghini showrooms. (Carla Messinger)  CARLA MESSINGER December 2, 2025 10:45 JST LONDON — The British government announced a new tax on electric vehicles in its budget last week, a move that analysts said could drive consumers to opt for more affordable Chinese models, such as BYD’s Dolphin Surf, over their European alternatives. - [SPC's opens 4th Paris Baguette outlet in London, celebrates 700th global store](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202003600320): SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- SPC Group, a major South Korean food and beverage company, said its bakery brand Paris Baguette has opened its 700th overseas outlet in London as it accelerates its global expansion drive. The newly opened store is the brand's fourth outlet in London and marks its 700th overseas branch. Of the four London outlets, two are franchise-operated and two are directly managed by the company, SPC said in a press release. The group said it plans to open a fifth London outlet -- its third franchise store in the city -- later this month. Since 2004, SPC has expanded the Paris Baguette brand to 15 countries. The number of its overseas outlets recently surpassed 700, while domestic branches total about 3,400. The group currently operates bakery plants in China and Malaysia, and in September began construction of its third overseas bakery plant in the United States. This undated file photo, provided by SPC, shows its fourth Paris Baguette outlet in London. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr(END) - [(2nd LD) Arirang 7 multipurpose satellite successfully put into orbit](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202000652320): (ATTN: ADDS more info from 6th para, new photo; CLARIFIES 3rd para) SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- Arirang 7, South Korea's multipurpose satellite, has successfully entered orbit after lifting off from a space center in South America, the country's space agency said Tuesday. Also known as the Korea Multipurpose Satellite 7, the satellite was deployed from the Vega-C rocket 44 minutes after launching from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana at 2:21 p.m. Monday (French Guiana time), or 2:21 a.m. Tuesday (Korean time), according to the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). The rocket is operated by France-based Arianespace. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the developer of Arirang 7, confirmed the satellite's status when it made its first contact with Russia's Antarctic ground station at 3:30 a.m. (Korean time). KARI also verified its successful orbital insertion through data from Arianespace. This photo, provided by Arianespace on Nov. 23, 2025, shows the Vega-C rocket with the Arirang 7 satellite at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Arirang 7, equipped with an ultra-high-resolution electro-optical camera and an infrared sensor, is expected to provide high-quality imagery for environmental and disaster monitoring, and urban heat island analysis. The satellite is expected to begin transmitting observation data in the first half of 2026 after completing a series of test operations. "Arirang 7 will help Korea further advance the precise Earth observation capabilities that we have independently developed," said Lee Sang-cheol, president of KARI. "Once Arirang 7 enters full operation, it will provide swift and accurate information through enhanced domestic image-collection capabilities for disaster monitoring and land management." The launch comes about a week after South Korea sent the Nuri rocket into space with 13 satellites on board. KASA said it expects the recent achievements to accelerate the country's satellite development projects. The Arirang 6 satellite is scheduled to be launched aboard Vega-C next year, and the planned launches of two next-generation midsized satellites are also under way. "We will now actively support the transfer of these mature satellite development capabilities to the private sector, enabling them to become a driving force for Korea's space economy," said Yoon Young-bin, head of KASA. This photo, provided by Arianespace on Dec. 1, 2025, shows the Vega-C rocket with the Arirang 7 satellite at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) brk@yna.co.kr(END) - [Arirang 7 multipurpose satellite successfully put into orbit](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20251202/arirang-7-multipurpose-satellite-successfully-put-into-orbit?utm_source=rss): Arirang 7 satellite launches at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, Monday. Courtesy of ArianespaceArirang 7, Korea's multipurpose satellite, has successfully entered orbit after lifting off from a space center in South America, the country's space agency said Tuesday.Also known as the Korea Multipurpose Satellite 7, the satellite was deployed from the Vega-C rocket 44 minutes after launching from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana at 2:21 p.m. Monday (French Guiana time), or 2:21 a.m. Tuesday (Korean time), according to the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). The rocket is operated by France-based Arianespace.The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the developer of Arirang 7, confirmed the satellite's condition when it made contact with Russia's Antarctic ground station at 3:30 a.m. (Korean time).KARI also verified its successful orbital insertion through data from Arianespace.Arirang 7, equipped with an ultra-high-resolution electro-optical camera and an infrared sensor, is expected to provide high-quality imagery for environmental and disaster monitoring, and urban heat island analysis. - [Beijing-Tokyo diplomatic feud dims Japan’s allure for Chinese wealth and talent](https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3334789/beijing-tokyo-diplomatic-feud-dims-japans-allure-chinese-wealth-and-talent?utm_source=rss_feed): Some of China’s affluent middle class is unwinding bets on Japan, cashing out in real estate and shelving migration plans as a diplomatic stand-off invites a wait-and-see mood on the once-hot destination for capital and talent. The reversal follows escalating tensions sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan last month. Intermediaries report a surge in profit-taking on property and rising pessimism over immigration, with the chill extending to business visits and education. Liang Bo, a long-time consultant for studying abroad in Japan, said the most frequent question from Chinese parents in recent weeks is simple: “Is it still […] - [Arirang 7 multipurpose satellite establishes initial contact after launch](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20251202/arirang-7-multipurpose-satellite-establishes-initial-contact-after-launch?utm_source=rss): This photo shows the Vega-C rocket with the Arirang 7 satellite at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, Monday. Courtesy of ArianespaceArirang 7, Korea's multipurpose satellite, has successfully communicated with a ground station after lifting off from a space center in South America, the country's space agency said Tuesday.Also known as the Korea Multipurpose Satellite 7, the satellite made contact with Russia's Antarctic ground station at 3:30 a.m. (Korean time) after launching from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana aboard the Vega-C rocket operated by France-based Arianespace at 2:21 a.m. Tuesday, or 2:21 p.m. Monday (French Guiana time), according to the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA).KASA said it plans to announce the final results of the satellite deployment later in the day.Arirang 7, equipped with an ultra-high-resolution electro-optical camera and an infrared sensor, is expected to provide high-quality imagery for environmental and disaster monitoring, and urban heat island analysis. - [Southeast Asian companies go premium to court Chinese consumers](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/business-trends/southeast-asian-companies-go-premium-to-court-chinese-consumers): Business trends Rich shoppers seen springing for imported coconut water, luxury hotels even in weak economy IFBH, which was founded in Thailand, has become the top player in China’s coconut drink market, with a 34% share as of 2024. (Photo by Kenya Akama) KENYA AKAMA and SHIZUKA TANABE December 2, 2025 07:44 JST BANGKOK/GUANGZHOU — Consumer-focused Southeast Asian companies are tapping into demand in China, finding growth despite deflationary pressure by focusing on such added value as health benefits and luxury. - [Honda to restructure China business after over 2 years of talks](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/companies/honda-to-restructure-china-business-after-over-2-years-of-talks): Companies With engine venture partner set to sell stake, focus turns to 2028 Honda’s Accord sedan for China is produced by GAC Honda Automobile, a joint venture with state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe) SHIZUKA TANABE December 2, 2025 07:28 JST GUANGZHOU — Japan’s Honda Motor is reorganizing its engine business in China, seeking changes to the ownership of joint ventures with local companies and raising efficiency ahead of the 2028 expiration of one of its partnerships there. - [Japan debates sustainable debt load as Takaichi eyes looser fiscal goal](https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/japan-debates-sustainable-debt-load-as-takaichi-eyes-looser-fiscal-goal): TOKYO — A heated debate is emerging within the government over whether Japan can rely on debt-financed spending at a time of high nominal economic growth, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks to loosen the target for achieving a primary balance surplus. - [Nomura, B Dash tap retail investors for VC using digital securities](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/finance/nomura-b-dash-tap-retail-investors-for-vc-using-digital-securities): Finance Partners prepare first Japanese fund with tokens to link individuals, startups Digital security tokens are making it possible for retail investors to invest more directly in startups. (Source photos by Nikkei) AYA ONISHI and SHIKO UEDA December 2, 2025 05:20 JST TOKYO — Japanese venture capital firm B Dash Ventures is partnering with Nomura Holdings to establish a 20 billion yen ($129 million) startup fund that can raise money from retail investors through the use of digital security tokens. - [Kalshi makes move to court crypto traders with tokenized betting contracts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/01/kalshi-makes-move-to-court-crypto-traders-with-tokenized-betting-contracts.html): Watch Daily: Monday – Friday, 3 PM ET Support for tokenized wagers linked to Kalshi’s event contracts is live on Solana, Kalshi told CNBC. Tokenization refers to creating a digital version of a real-world financial asset such as a stock, bond or treasury note. A Kalshi billboard displaying New York City mayoral election odds in New York, US, on Monday, Oct. 27, 2024. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Kalshi bettors can now buy and sell tokenized versions of their wagers on Solana, the company told CNBC exclusively on Monday. It’s the latest sign the prediction market company is deepening […] - [Making a Case for Dow 1 Million In the Future](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/01/making_a_case_for_dow_1_million_in_the_future_1150460.html): Editors Committee to Unleash Prosperity December 1, 2025 In last week’s HOTLINE, we showed the spectacular ascent of the U.S. stock market from 1980 to 2025. The Dow was at 1,000 in 1980, and very likely we will reach 50,000 in 2026. Read Full Article » - [Eyeing Careers, the Young Embrace the Office](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/01/eyeing_careers_the_young_embrace_the_office_1150484.html): When large employers like Amazon, JPMorgan and the federal government tightened their office attendance policies this year, many younger workers appeared to balk. Opinion surveys from Gallup showed that they were generally more resistant than older workers to returning to the office full-time. Read Full Article » - [Yaskawa and SoftBank to partner on AI robots that navigate workplaces](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/artificial-intelligence/yaskawa-and-softbank-to-partner-on-ai-robots-that-navigate-workplaces): Yaskawa Electric will integrate its AI industrial robot tech with Softbank’s AI telecommunications. (Source photos by Nikkei) EISAKU NITTA and NATSUKI YAMAMOTO December 2, 2025 03:25 JST TOKYO — Japan’s Yaskawa Electric and SoftBank announced Monday that they will collaborate on a rollout of AI-powered robots capable of assisting in office buildings and other spaces with large numbers of people. - [Qatar sovereign fund, KKR to buy into IPO of Japan's SBI Shinsei Bank](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/finance/qatar-sovereign-fund-kkr-to-buy-into-ipo-of-japan-s-sbi-shinsei-bank): Finance Lender secures big names for return to Tokyo market, eyeing $8bn valuation The Qatar Investment Authority and KKR will invest in SBI Shinsei Bank in the bank’s upcoming relisting in Tokyo. (Source photos by Nikkei, QIA and Reuters) MASAYUKI SHIKATA, SHIKO UEDA and AKIRA YAMASHITA December 2, 2025 02:58 JST TOKYO — Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund and KKR will buy into SBI Shinsei Bank when it relists in Tokyo this month, adding a much-watched global institutional investor as well as helping to build closer ties with a major private equity company. - [Cameroon's top opposition leader dies after weeks of detention](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/1/anicet-ekane-top-opposition-leader-cameroon-dies-weeks-detention/): DOUALA, Cameroon — Cameroon’s top opposition leader, Anicet Ekane, has died after weeks of detention at the age of 74, his lawyers and family said Monday, alleging that he had struggled to breathe but didn’t receive proper care. Ekane was arrested in late October alongside other top figures of his African Movement for New Independence and Democracy party as protests rattled the country over allegations of fraud in the presidential election. He was detained on charges of insurrection, his lawyer Emmanuel Simh told The Associated Press. “Mr. Ekane was critically sick, he was denied appropriate treatment,” Simh said. “We’re still in […] - [November 2025 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/november-2025-review-and-outlook): November was a volatile month for U.S. equities with the S&P 500 declining 5.7% from its October high, measuring its largest retracement since April. - [Goldman Sachs to buy ETF sponsor Innovator in $2B cash-and-stock deal](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/goldman-sachs-buy-etf-sponsor-innovator-2b-cash-and-stock-deal): Fundstrat Global Advisors managing director Mark Newton joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the potential for a year-end rally, employment rates and Alphabet’s AI chip deal negotiations with Meta. Goldman Sachs said on Monday it will buy active exchange-traded fund sponsor Innovator Capital Management in a cash-and-stock deal worth about $2 billion, as the Wall Street bank seeks to expand in one of the fastest-growing asset management segments. Active funds have regained lost ground in the last few years as investors favor a more hands-on approach following lower returns from passively managed index products amid tighter monetary policy. Global assets in […] - [U.S. Steel's new steelworks site may be selected by June: Nippon Steel VP](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/materials/u.s.-steel-s-new-steelworks-site-may-be-selected-by-june-nippon-steel-vp): Materials Japan steelmaker assessing interest from ‘many states’ as investment push ramps up Nippon Steel is planning $11 billion in capital investment in U.S. Steel by 2028. (Source photos by Nikkei) NAOKI MATSUDA December 2, 2025 02:00 JST TOKYO — The site for U.S. Steel’s planned American steelworks will be narrowed down as soon as June or July 2026, a Nippon Steel executive told Nikkei, as the unit eyes a turnaround with its Japanese parent’s financial backing. - [Why December is a time for winners on Wall Street](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/01/why-december-is-a-time-for-winners-on-wall-street.html): This year’s market winners should continue to outperform through December, according to Oppenheimer. Stocks had a rocky start to the month, with the S & P 500 , Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average all lower on Monday. Momentum names like Super Micro Computer and Broadcom both fell nearly 3% in midday trading. However, December has been the best performing month of the year for the momentum factor since 1928, Ari Wald, head of technical analysis at Oppenheimer, said in a note last week. The momentum factor tracks the performance of market leaders versus laggards over a prior 12-month basis, […] - [Japan seeks to work with Saudi Arabia on rare earths amid China tensions](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/finance/japan-seeks-to-work-with-saudi-arabia-on-rare-earths-amid-china-tensions): Finance Takaichi eyes development of kingdom’s $2.5tn in mineral deposits Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the Saudi-sponsored Future Investment Initiative forum in Tokyo on Dec. 1. © Kyodo MITSURU OBE December 2, 2025 01:33 JST TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday called for Saudi Arabia to work with her country on the development of rare-earth minerals amid lingering concerns about dependence on China for the sought-after metals. - [NASCAR antitrust trial opens with Michael Jordan on hand and huge stakes](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/1/nascar-antitrust-trial-opens-michael-jordan-hand-huge-stakes/): CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The federal antitrust trial against NASCAR opened Monday with the star power of Michael Jordan on hand as a jury of nine was seated to hear allegations that the stock car series is a monopolistic bully that leaves its teams no option but to comply with rules and financing they don’t agree with. The retired NBA Hall of Famer is the co-owner of the 23XI Racing team at the top Cup Series level. 23XI and Front Row Motorsports sued the series last year rather than sign extension agreements on new charters, which are franchise-type designations that serve as […] - [A very royal Christmas. King Charles III's charity auctions stockings made from monarch's drapes](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/1/royal-christmas-king-charles-iiis-charity-auctions-stockings-made/): LONDON — Searching for a gift for that special royal watcher in your life? How about a Christmas stocking made from the drapes of King Charles III’s Sandringham estate and hand-stitched by a sewing circle at Dumfries House in Scotland, where the king’s charitable foundation works to preserve traditional skills and crafts? Deftly tugging their needles through the royal fabric, members of the Dumfries House Sewing Bee recently put the finishing touches on the festive decorations, which will be auctioned off to raise money for the King’s Foundation. While the rain splattered against the windows of the 18th-century mansion south of […] - [Ebola outbreak in Congo is over, health minister says](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/1/ebola-outbreak-congo-health-minister-says/): KINSHASA, Congo — Congo announced the end of the country’s 16th Ebola outbreak on Monday. “To date, the DRC has 53 confirmed cases, 43 deaths, and 11 probable cases related to the 16th Ebola outbreak, with an overall positive trend,“ Minister for Health Roger Kamba said in the capital, Kinshasa. He added: “Indeed, no new confirmed cases have been recorded for 45 consecutive days.” Kamba said more than 27,000 people were vaccinated, including 4,000 frontline workers, which the minister credited for helping to stem the outbreak. He noted the Central African nation is still battling other outbreaks, including cholera and mpox […] - [Over 800 people are still missing after flooding in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/1/800-still-missing-flooding-indonesia-sri-lanka-thailand/): PADANG SIDEMPUAN, Indonesia — Over 800 people remained missing Monday after devastating floods killed over 1,000 people last week in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, as Indonesia’s president urged more action to confront the changing climate. The flooding and landslides killed at least 604 people in Indonesia, 366 in Sri Lanka and 176 in Thailand, authorities said. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged to rebuild infrastructure while visiting affected areas. Some areas remained unreachable, with roads damaged and communications lines down. Residents relied on aircraft delivering supplies. At least 464 people in Indonesia were missing. Flooding displaced 290,700 people in North Sumatra, […] - ['Central Asia Quartet' offers new America First model abroad: analysts](https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/trump-administration/central-asia-quartet-offers-new-america-first-model-abroad-analysts): Trump administration Partnership with Turkey, Japan and South Korea could be force multiplier without heavy footprint President Donald Trump poses for a photo with leaders of the C5 Central Asian countries in the East Room of the White House on Nov. 6. (White House photo) KEN MORIYASU December 1, 2025 23:19 JST WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump should form a “Central Asia Quartet” with Turkey, Japan and South Korea to sustain engagement with the Greater Central Asian region while keeping costs low, according to an analyst with the Atlantic Council’s Turkey Program. - [Qantas to pack Sydney-New York flights with more premium seats](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/transportation/qantas-to-pack-sydney-new-york-flights-with-more-premium-seats): Transportation Australian carrier confident in profit outlook for long-awaited route Qantas’s ultralong-haul flights will use the new Airbus A350-1000ULR, which is set to begin test flights next year. (Qantas Airways) RURIKA IMAHASHI, MAYUKO TANI and KEIICHI FURUKAWA December 1, 2025 23:18 JST SYDNEY/SINGAPORE/TOKYO — Australia’s Qantas Airlines is preparing to launch ultralong-haul flights from Sydney to New York and London in the first half of 2027, the culmination of a yearslong project that the carrier hopes will boost profits as operating costs rise. - [Goldman Sachs acquires ETF firm for $2 billion in latest deal to bolster asset management division](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/01/goldman-sachs-acquires-innovator-capital-management.html): Goldmans Sachs has agreed to buy Innovator Capital Management, a provider of defined-outcome ETFs, for about $2 billion. Innovator had $28 billion of assets under supervision across 159 ETFs as of Sept. 30. Goldman Sachs has made asset and wealth management a priority since pivoting away from a consumer banking push. David Solomon, chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Goldmans Sachs on Monday said it agreed to buy Innovator Capital Management, a provider of defined-outcome ETFs, for about $2 billion in its latest deal to bolster the firm’s asset management division. Goldman said the acquisition, […] - [GM Korea's Nov. sales decline 11.7% on weak demand](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251201/gm-koreas-nov-sales-decline-117-on-weak-demand?utm_source=rss): GM Korea's Trax Crossover ACTIV model is shown in this undated file photo. Korea Times fileGM Korea, the Korean unit of General Motors, said Monday its monthly sales declined 11.7 percent in November from a year earlier.The company sold 43,799 vehicles last month, down from 49,626 units a year ago, GM Korea said in a release.Domestic sales plunged 46.6 percent on-year to 973 units from 1,821, while exports dropped 10.4 percent to 42,826 units from 47,805.The Chevrolet Trax Crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) led the overseas sales with 27,328 units, followed by the Trailblazer compact SUV with 15,498 units.The automaker's current lineup consists of two locally assembled models — the Trailblazer and the Trax Crossover — and two imported models —the Colorado pickup and the GMC Sierra Denali. - [China’s CSSC unveils plans for cruise, deep-sea and nuclear-powered vessels](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3334790/chinas-giant-shipbuilder-cssc-unveils-plans-cruise-deep-sea-nuclear-powered-vessels?utm_source=rss_feed): China State Ship­building Corp (CSSC), the world’s largest shipbuilding conglomerate controlling one-third of the global market, has pledged to build more cruise ships, deep-ocean drilling ships and nuclear-powered vessels as part of efforts to diversify its portfolio, according to a senior executive. Assistant president Ma Yunxiang said on Monday the company’s growing strength in building advanced vessels was reflected in the construction of Adora Flora City, mainland China’s second self-built cruise ship, and Mengxiang, the country’s first indigenous deep-sea drilling vessel. “We believe that a powerful global shipyard is able to build not only [conventional] merchant ships,” Ma added. “CSSC will […] - [Intel stock holds 10% rise after analyst predicts major Apple deal](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/01/intel-stock-holds-10percent-rise-after-analyst-predicts-major-apple-deal.html): An Intel manufacturing technician holds an Intel Core Ultra series 3 processor (code-named Panther Lake) built on Intel 18A, inside Intel’s new Fab 52 in Chandler, Arizona, in September 2025. Courtesy: Intel Intel’s stock held onto a 10% rise in pretrading on Monday. It rose on Friday after an analyst predicted the chipmaker would secure a deal to supply Apple. The partnership would see Intel shipping its lowest-end M processor to Apple as early as second or third quarter 2027. Intel stock held a sharp hike in pretrading on Monday, after the stock surged on Friday when an analyst predicted the chip […] - [India's industrial output grew just 0.4% in October, missing estimates](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/01/india-industrial-output-in-october-index-production-mining-manufacturing-electricity-factories.html): India's Industrial production in October grew at 0.4% against an estimate of 3.1% in a Reuters poll. IIP growth held steady in September at 4.0% ahead of a 5-day festive season in October. Workers assemble mobile phones at a Dixon Technologies factory in Noida, India, on Jan. 28, 2021.  Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images India's industrial production grew just 0.4% in October, a 14-month low that indicated a sharp slowdown in the economy. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) fell short of September's 4% growth and is even lower than the 3.1% expected by economists in a Reuters poll. Domestic consumption improved across major consumer categories, after a goods and services tax cut took effect Sept. 22. The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation said the slow industrial production growth could be due to fewer number of working days because of a number of festivals including Dussehra and Deepawali. It is the lowest increase since August 2024. Output in the manufacturing sector rose just 1.8% in October vs 4.8% in September, while mining activity and electricity production deteriorated 1.8% and 6.9% respectively. The growth rates of the three sectors, Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity for the month of October 2025 are -1.8%, 1.8% and -6.9% respectively.  October has been a key month for the economy, as New Delhi rolled out the GST reductions to spur domestic consumption and soften the blow from the 50% U.S. tariff on Indian goods. Despite the tariffs, the Indian economy grew faster than expected in the quarter ending in September, at an , up from 7.8% in the previous quarter. The IIP data tracks short-term changes in output across a basket of industrial products. Eight core industries, including steel, cement, electricity, and fertilizer, account for 40% of the index's weight. In September, IIP growth held steady at 4.0% as businesses built inventories ahead of a 5-day festive season in October. - [New Delhi’s land is sinking rapidly – and scientists say the risks are on the rise](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/india-new-delhi-sinking-land-subsidence-groundwater-extraction-5499456): NEW DELHI: When cracks first appeared on a pillar supporting a 12-storey residential building in New Delhi, just a few kilometres from India’s busiest airport, Rajesh Gera and his team assumed an earthquake had struck. But the president of the Surya Vihar Resident Welfare Association, which manages the building, was mistaken. Researchers studying land subsidence proposed a more troubling theory – the crack was a symptom of the city buckling under its own weight. SINKING HOTSPOTS Parts of New Delhi, especially near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, are sinking at a rate faster than any other Indian megacity, largely due to […] - [New Delhi’s land is sinking rapidly – and scientists say the risks are on the rise](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/india-new-delhi-sinking-land-subsidence-groundwater-extraction-5499456): NEW DELHI: When cracks first appeared on a pillar supporting a 12-storey residential building in New Delhi, just a few kilometres from India’s busiest airport, Rajesh Gera and his team assumed an earthquake had struck. But the president of the Surya Vihar Resident Welfare Association, which manages the building, was mistaken. Researchers studying land subsidence proposed a more troubling theory – the crack was a symptom of the city buckling under its own weight. SINKING HOTSPOTS Parts of New Delhi, especially near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, are sinking at a rate faster than any other Indian megacity, largely due to […] - [Needless Barrier Between Patients & High-Quality Care](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/01/needless_barrier_between_patients_and_high-quality_care_1150346.html): Nearly every state now participates in major interstate compacts that let doctors and nurses practice across state lines, expanding the healthcare workforce and giving patients more options. Yet when it comes to advanced practice nurses—the clinicians who could most immediately fill the gap in primary care—fewer states have jumped on board. The nation is rapidly adopting streamlined licensing for physicians and nurses, but the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Compact remains stuck, and patients are paying the price. Read Full Article » - [Donald Trump Has Blocked a Big IRS Grab For Power](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/01/donald_trump_has_blocked_a_big_irs_grab_for_power_1150344.html): Bad news for the IRS is good news for Americans. And recently, we learned that an IRS scheme to consolidate even more power over our taxes is no more. It was called Direct File, a program that allowed taxpayers to file their taxes directly with the IRS rather than through a third party like an accountant or TurboTax. It was a pilot program available to 30 million taxpayers across 25 states, and yet only 140,000 ended up using it.  Read Full Article » - [Hong Kong authorities say netting on buildings that caught fire did not meet code](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-authorities-say-netting-fire-tai-po-wang-fuk-court-not-meet-code-5499896): HONG KONG: Hong Kong officials said Monday (Dec 1) that the protective netting that covered scaffolding around buildings that caught on fire last week in a massive blaze did not meet codes for fire resistance, as a wave of public sympathy and support was met by government moves to stifle criticism. Chris Tang, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security, said samples of the netting were taken from multiple locations from the seven buildings that burned. Seven samples were found to be not up to standard. Initial tests had suggested the netting was up to standard, but investigators had not been able to […] - [Korea accepts 1st batch of Nvidia GPUs under large-scale AI infrastructure plan](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20251201/korea-accepts-1st-batch-of-nvidia-gpus-under-large-scale-ai-infrastructure-plan?utm_source=rss): Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, left, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, center, and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, right, wave their hands at an event hosted by Nvidia in Seoul, Oct. 30. Joint Press Corps The Korean government has received the first batch of Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs) as part of the company's plan to deploy 260,000 units to the country, government sources said Monday.The government executed 1.4 trillion won ($952.7 million) in budget to bring in 13,000 GPUs from Nvidia, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT and other sources.The shipment reportedly contains multiple GPU models, including Nvidia's latest B200.A GPU is a high-performance semiconductor chip designed to handle many calculations simultaneously and is widely used to train and run AI models.The government plans to allocate the GPUs to universities, research institutes, startups and public-sector organizations.The project follows Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang's announcement in late October that the company would deploy 260,000 GPUs to Korea in partnership with the government and major companies, including Samsung Electronics, to build large-scale AI factories in the country.Under the plan, the government will use 50,000 GPUs to build a national sovereign AI platform, while Samsung Electronics, SK Group and Hyundai Motor Group are each set to receive 50,000 units. Naver will receive 60,000. - [Hana Financial renews commitment to strengthen customer service on 20th anniversary](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/banking-finance/20251201/hana-financial-renews-commitment-to-strengthen-customer-service-on-20th-anniversary?utm_source=rss): Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, front row fourth from left, and company employees pose at Hana headquarters in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group Hana Financial Group reaffirmed its continued efforts to enhance financial services, as part of a long-term growth strategy that creates value beyond traditional banking, the group said Monday.Hana plans to strengthen customer-centric innovation, leading to more personalized digital banking services, while its culture of collaboration will continue inspiring employees to prioritize innovation and sustainable growth.The group will seek to become a leader not only in profitability but also in shaping the role of finance, integrating corporate social responsibility with business strategy.The commitment came on the occasion of the group’s 20th anniversary held at its headquarters in Myeong-dong. More than 200 executives and employees, as well as Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo attended the event.The anniversary ceremony highlighted the group’s journey over the past two decades.Ham reflected on the group’s history, emphasizing how it navigated multiple economic crises by embracing innovation, collaboration and spirit, a combination the group defines as “Hana’s DNA.”“Hana Financial began with just two branches and 347 employees, as the 22nd entrant in Korea’s banking market,” Ham said.“However, we have since grown, underpinned by our DNA of resilience and innovation. I am deeply grateful to former and current Hana employees, as well as stakeholders who have supported us along the way.”Over the past two decades, the group has expanded its presence into asset management, insurance and financial technology services.The stories of achievements and challenges will be published in Hana’s corporate history book, a record Hana plans to leave as a legacy and a guide for future strategy.“Hana’s DNA will continue to bolster innovation, strengthening corporate and stakeholder value at large,” Ham said.Hana also plans to develop new financial technologies, sustainability initiatives and global expansion opportunities, while making greater social contributions. - [TSMC supplier Merck opens 500m euro AI chip materials plant in Taiwan](https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/supply-chain/tsmc-supplier-merck-opens-500m-euro-ai-chip-materials-plant-in-taiwan): Supply Chain Mass production at company’s largest site for chip chemicals set to begin in 2026 Germany’s Merck has opened a 500 million euro chip materials plant in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. (Photo by Cheng Ting-Fang) CHENG TING-FANG December 1, 2025 17:01 JST KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. supplier Merck Electronics has begun the qualification process for its 500 million euro ($579 million) chemical plant in southern Taiwan, the German company said on Monday, the final step before the facility starts mass producing materials used to make AI computing chips. - [Korea makes first-ever delivery of Korean beef, pork exports to Singapore](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/20251201/korea-makes-first-ever-delivery-of-korean-beef-pork-exports-to-singapore?utm_source=rss): Beef cattle raised in Jeju / Courtesy of municipal government of Jeju Island A shipment of Korean beef and pork has been safely delivered to Singapore, marking the country's first-ever exports of such products to the Southeast Asian country, officials said Monday.The shipment came about a month after Korea and Singapore signed an official agreement on exports of "hanwoo," or Korean premium beef, and pork from the country's southern resort island of Jeju to Singapore following 10 years of negotiations.A total of 4.5 tons of Jeju hanwoo and pork worth a combined 280 million won ($190,000) have been shipped to Singapore, according to officials from the agriculture and food safety ministries.Singapore is Korea's eighth export market for hanwoo after countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and the United Arab Emirates."Exports of our livestock products to Singapore, which has strict import standards, will help Korea further elevate its reputation for livestock-product safety management system," an official at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said, vowing further efforts to expand Seoul's exports of livestock products.Jeju was recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health in May as a region free of foot-and-mouth disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cows and pigs. - [BYD launches plug-in hybrid SUV in Japan, challenging rivals on price](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/electric-vehicles/byd-launches-plug-in-hybrid-suv-in-japan-challenging-rivals-on-price): Electric vehicles EV giant aims to address consumer concerns on affordability and driving range BYD Auto Japan President Atsuki Tofukuji unveils the BYD Sealion 6 during a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 1. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama) YUICHI SHIGA December 1, 2025 15:48 JST TOKYO — Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD on Monday launched its plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in Japan, leveraging its low prices to break into a market where local players like Toyota Motor dominate market share. - [Online commerce platforms on alert as Coupang set to face fine over data leak](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251201/online-commerce-platforms-on-alert-as-coupang-set-to-face-fine-over-data-leak?utm_source=rss): A Coupang track is parked near a Coupang distribution center in downtown Seoul, Monday. Yonhap Korean online platforms were seen carrying out emergency reviews of their data protection status, with Coupang widely expected to face major fines following a data breach, sources said Monday.On Saturday, the U.S.-listed e-commerce giant said personal information of 33.7 million customers has been compromised, far higher than the 4,500 cases it initially believed to have been affected.The figure indicates that nearly all Coupang users may have had their personal information, including names, phone numbers, email addresses and delivery details, leaked.Coupang, which provides overnight delivery of fresh food and daily necessities, is one of the most widely used shopping platforms in Korea with 34 million monthly active users in November, up 0.68 percent from a month earlier.Under Korea's privacy law, companies with a data breach can face fines of up to 3 percent of their revenue. SK Telecom, the country's top mobile carrier, received a fine of 134.8 billion won ($91.7 million) after a breach in April."We carried out an emergency internal security check over the weekend," said an official from Gmarket, another local shopping platform, adding the company is also considering additional steps.An official from SSG.com told Yonhap News Agency the company has strengthened routine and on-the-spot inspections amid a series of breaches in the telecommunications and financial sectors."Currently, it is not known exactly how the data was leaked (at Coupang), and we are conducting an overall inspection, including internal data controls," another e-commerce industry official said. "We plan to take corresponding measures once the investigation reveals more details."Experts said the latest leak indicates that Coupang had a fundamental loophole in its operating system and internal controls rather than a shortage of relevant spending.According to the Korea Internet & Security Agency, Coupang invested 1.9 trillion won in information technology this year, including 89 billion won in information protection.The figure was the third highest among Korean companies, following Samsung Electronics and KT.Local civic groups issued a joint statement demanding that Coupang promptly present measures to protect consumers following the data breach."We demand that Coupang disclose the cause and scope of the leak in a transparent manner and provide an effective and detailed plan for compensation," a coalition of 12 consumer organizations, including the National Council of Consumer Education, said in a statement.The groups said Coupang needs to take actions to prevent voice phishing, personal information theft and other potential damage stemming from the incident."(The government) needs to carry out a thorough investigation with strong administrative actions and establish measures to prevent a recurrence of such cases," they added. - [Some African Leaders Are Optimistic About Trump](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/27/world/africa/trump-africa.html): In his first term, Donald Trump denigrated African nations, but leaders there are hopeful his return will bring more investment and less pressure to uphold democracy and human rights. President-elect Donald J. Trump’s impending return to the White House has raised hopes among some African leaders, who expect it could lead to more investment, more trade deals and less lecturing on issues like democracy and human rights. Until now, Mr. Trump’s most memorable pronouncements on Africa were to describe its countries with an expletive and to ban immigration from some of them. Nevertheless, interviews with over a dozen current and former […] - [Cyclone on French Archipelago Exposes Resentments Over Immigrants](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/25/world/africa/cyclone-on-french-archipelago-exposes-resentments-over-immigrants.html): In the ruins left by Cyclone Chido, people from Mayotte, off the eastern coast of Africa, are calling to deport the undocumented immigrants who had settled there from neighboring islands. After a vicious cyclone this month razed slums housing many undocumented immigrants on the French island territory of Mayotte, Safina Soula did not shed a tear. As the leader of an advocacy organization representing people from Mayotte, Ms. Soula staunchly supported an operation that the French authorities started last year to destroy the slums and deport undocumented immigrants, most of whom come from the nearby Comoros islands. She hailed the cyclone […] - [IRS proposes new rules for tax professionals](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/dec/irs-proposes-new-rules-for-tax-professionals.html): Treasury and the IRS on Friday proposed regulations to update the rules that govern practice before the IRS. These rules are contained in Treasury Circular 230, Regulations Governing Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service (31 C.F.R. Part 10). The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) generally has responsibility for matters related to practitioner conduct and exclusive responsibility for discipline, including disciplinary proceedings and sanctions. The proposed regulations, if finalized, would amend Circular 230 in several ways to account for changes in the law and the evolving nature of tax practice. Among other changes, the proposed regulations would eliminate provisions related to registered […] - [Mozambique Court Upholds Result in Disputed Presidential Election](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/world/africa/mozambique-disputed-election-results-upheld-chapo.html): The ruling comes after protests that left more than 100 people dead, and paves the way for the candidate from the long-governing Frelimo party to take office next month. Mozambique’s highest court on Monday upheld the results of a contested presidential election in which the candidate from the governing party was declared the winner despite allegations of widespread irregularities at the polls and deadly protests across the country over the past several months. The ruling cleared the way for Daniel Chapo, the candidate for Frelimo, the party that has governed the southern African nation since its independence from Portugal in 1975, […] - [The Korea Herald](http://www.koreaherald.com/common/rss_xml.php?ct=305): National Not just moms, wives: Korean women's struggle for self-identity For generations, womanhood in South Korea has been inextricably linked to motherhood, a role often defined by self-sacrifice. But today, Korean women are questioning these norms, striving to reclaim t - [KB Kookmin Card obtains merger nod for Cambodian subsidiaries](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241220050037): KB Kookmin Card headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul (KB Kookmin Card) KB Kookmin Card said Friday that it has received approval from Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce to merge its two local subsidiaries -- auto finance firm KB Daehan Specialized Bank and leasing company i-Finance Leasing.Under the merger, iFL will be integrated into KDSB, with the new entity retaining the name KB Daehan Specialized Bank to leverage its brand recognition.“By merging our Cambodian subsidiaries, we have established a foundation for sustainable growth in the global market,” said a company official. “We aim to strengthen our position as a leading specialized bank in the Cambodian market.”Since acquiring KDSB in 2018, KB Kookmin Card has steadily expanded its presence in Cambodia. In 2022, the Korean card firm and KDSB fully acquired iFL.KDSB specializes in automobile installment financing, while iFL holds a leasing license in its business portfolio. Following the merger, the newly integrated company will reorganize its product offerings and combine leasing and loan services. It aims to provide comprehensive mobility financing solutions to cover automobiles, motorcycles and agricultural machinery.The integration is expected to enhance KDSB’s product portfolio as it can incorporate iFL's leasing services and expand its reach into local districts. KB Kookmin Card anticipates that the services tailored to local customers’ credit profiles and preferences will broaden its customer base. - [Seoul shares open sharply lower on Fed aftermath](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241220050013): Seoul shares started sharply lower Friday on the US Federal Reserve's hawkish turn, which signaled fewer rate cuts next year.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 24.88 points, or 1.02 percent, to 2,411.05 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The Korean won continued to hover above 1,450 won per US dollar, the lowest level in 15 years. It was trading at 1,450.9 won against the greenback at 9:15 a.m., up 1 won from the previous session.Overnight, Wall Street closed almost flat, failing to recover from the previous session's slide sparked by the Fed's hawkish rate cut.On Wednesday, the Fed cut its rate for the third consecutive time but hinted at a slower easing pace next year, considering the hotter-than-expected economy, driving down the global stock markets.In Seoul, most big-cap shares kicked off in negative territory.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics lost 1.13 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix shot down 3.14 percent.Top automaker Hyundai Motor shed 1.89 percent, and its sister Kia dipped 1.19 percent.Bio giant Samsung Biologics tumbled 3.86 percent, and major biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion dropped 1.09 percent.Korea Zinc, currently in the middle of a management control battle, slid 4.6 percent.Major shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy, meanwhile, rose for the second straight day, jumping 1.57 percent. (Yonhap) - [Business standard mileage rate increases for 2025](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/dec/business-standard-mileage-rate-increases-for-2025.html): The IRS increased the optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business to 70 cents per mile driven, up 3 cents from 2024. The increased rate is effective as of Jan. 1, 2025 (Notice 2025-5). The notice, released Thursday, sets the 2025 standard mileage rates at 21 cents per mile driven for medical purposes and at 21 cents per mile for moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the armed forces, which is unchanged from 2024. The rate per mile driven in service of charitable organizations is set by statute and will remain […] - [Applicability date set for required minimum distribution regulations](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/dec/applicability-date-set-for-required-minimum-distribution-regulations.html): Treasury and the IRS announced on Wednesday (Announcement 2025-2) that certain portions of future regulations finalizing proposed regulations for required minimum distributions (RMDs) for retirement accounts such as individual retirement arrangements and 401(k)s will apply beginning in the 2026 distribution calendar year. In 2024, the IRS issued proposed regulations (REG-103529-23) amending Regs. Secs. 1.401(a)(9)-4, 1.401(a)(9)-5, and 1.401(a)(9)-6 to take into account changes relating to RMDs made by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (Division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, P.L. 117-328). The provisions of the 2024 proposed regulations were generally proposed to apply for purposes of determining RMDs for […] - [US govt. grants combined $958m subsidy to SK hynix](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050103): SK hynix's headquarters in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province (Yonhap) The US Commerce Department said Thursday it has decided to grant up to $458 million in direct funding to SK hynix Inc.'s project to build a new plant in Indiana.The US government will also provide up to $500 million in loans, both under the CHIPS and Science Act, according to the US Department of Commerce.In April, the company announced a plan to invest $3.87 billion to build a memory packaging plant for artificial intelligence products, and an advanced packaging research and development facility in West Lafayette in the US state to produce next-generation memory chips."By investing in companies like SK hynix and communities like West Lafayette, the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act continues to supercharge America's global technology leadership," US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a release.The Commerce Department added that the agreement "represents a significant step in advancing the security of the US supply chain," adding the project will fill "a critical gap in the US semiconductor supply chain." (Yonhap) - [Lotte Chemical bondholders agree to remove clause causing liquidity concerns](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050089): The holders of corporate bonds issued by loss-making Lotte Chemical Corp. agreed Thursday to remove a clause in the company's bond covenants that the company and others believe has been the cause of recent concerns over a potential liquidity crisis at Lotte Group.Under the clause in the covenants for 14 bonds issued between September 2013 and March 2023, investors are able to declare an event of default and demand an early redemption of the bonds if Lotte Chemical fails to maintain a certain level of profit over the previous three years.Declaration of an EOD in a certain bond could result in the cross-default of all Lotte Chemical borrowings, which in turn raises the possibility of liquidity risk for the entire group.Speculation of a liquidity crisis, denied by the group, was sparked by a sharp decline in the profitability of Lotte Chemical amid a significant downturn facing the whole petrochemical industry.Lotte Chemical needed to report earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization that are five times higher than its interest expenses for the bonds in the past three years that ended Sept. 30, but its operating losses deepened to 660.03 billion won ($455 million) in the January-September period from a 31.87 billion won loss a year earlier due to slowing demand, overcapacity and increased competition.Dismissing such liquidity woes, the company earlier said it had 4 trillion won in readily available deposits as of October, which it argued was enough to repay the principal and interest of its bonds.In addition, the company has preemptively secured 660 billion won based on its stake in its US production facility and plans to secure an additional 650 billion won using its stake in its plant in Indonesia, a company spokesperson said over the phone.It also plans to liquidate its synthetic rubber plant in Malaysia as part of the group's efforts to streamline businesses that do not align with its mid- and long-term strategy.The Korean retail giant plans to pursue a "two-track" strategy of selling off such businesses while expanding investments in emerging sectors, such as biohealth and artificial intelligence.Earlier this month, Lotte Group selected Hong Kong-based private equity fund Affinity Equity Partners for talks to sell its car rental arm Lotte Rental Co. for 1.6 trillion won.Last month, the group said it will provide Lotte World Tower in Seoul as collateral for the corporate bonds of the cash-strapped chemical unit. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares plunge nearly 2% on hawkish Fed, Micron shock; won tumbles](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050081): Seoul shares tumbled nearly 2 percent Thursday as risk appetite weakened after the US Federal Reserve hinted at a slower monetary easing cycle next year and US tech giant Micron Technology's sharp losses overnight. The Korean won was sliding against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index plummeted 48.5 points, or 1.95 percent, to close at 2,435.93.The local currency was trading at 1,451.9 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., down 16.4 won from the previous session to reach a 15-year low.The KOSPI's trade volume was moderate at 492.8 million shares worth 8.3 trillion won ($5.7 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 681 to 212.Foreigners and institutions dumped local shares worth 429.8 billion won and 504.2 billion won, respectively, as the Fed signaled fewer rate cuts in 2025 with hotter-than-expected inflation readings.The Fed's caution sapped investors' risk appetite despite its third consecutive rate cut, also driving down major US indexes overnight.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.58 percent, the S&P 500 dropped 2.95 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slid 3.56 percent.Wall Street was also hit by Micron Technology's 4.33 percent fall sparked by weaker-than-expected earnings guidance. The company's shares tumbled more than 10 percent during after-hours trading."The Fed's hawkish stance led to the weakening of the Korean won, sparking foreign and institutional investors to flock away from the Korean market," Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said.In Seoul, most blue chip tech shares steeply declined.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics lost 3.28 percent to 53,100 won, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix shot down 4.63 percent to 175,000 won.Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution shed 2.49 percent to 372,000 won, tracking Tesla's 8.28 percent slide overnight.Top automaker Hyundai Motor also dropped 2.08 percent to 212,000 won, and Kakao, the operator of the country's dominant mobile messenger, plummeted 5.07 percent to 41,200 won.Bio shares were also weak.Samsung Biologics dipped 2.24 percent to 958,000 won and Celltrion tumbled 3.41 percent to 192,400 won.Major shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy, meanwhile, surged 5.15 percent to 255,000 won. (Yonhap) - [Mirae Asset’s overseas stock holdings hit W40tr](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050079): With more South Korean retail investors flocking to US shares and other overseas stock markets, the balance of foreign equities held by Mirae Asset Securities customers has reached 40 trillion won ($27.6 billion), according to the country’s leading brokerage house Thursday.Investors at Mirae Asset Securities held over 40 trillion won in foreign equities, marking an over 10 trillion won gain from the 30 trillion won recorded in June, the firm said.The brokerage firm also saw its customers’ investment returns from overseas shares increase by over 14.6 trillion won from the beginning of this year for a gain of 61.4 percent. The percentage gain is sharply higher than the year-to-date returns of major stock indices, including the Nasdaq Composite (33 percent), the S&P 500 (27 percent) and Korea's benchmark Kospi (minus 7 percent).Among Mirae Asset Securities customers, 610,005 individuals held foreign equity balances exceeding 100 million won, reflecting a 64 percent year-on-year increase. Among customers with over 100 million won in assets in any form, including domestic stocks and bonds, around 60 percent were able to scale up their assets by investing in foreign stock markets, the firm said."With the sharp growth of foreign shares and easier access to investment information based on artificial intelligence, customers are rapidly expanding their foreign equity portfolios," an official from Mirae Asset Securities said.“Global asset (portfolios) are more than just an investment vehicle. They are like insurance that can protect assets and respond to economic changes. We will do our utmost to support our customers in their later years and grow their assets.”To meet growing local investor demand for overseas equities, Mirae Asset Securities has been proactively expanding its international operations. As of March this year, it operates a total of 12 overseas subsidiaries, spanning the US, Brazil, the UK, Greece, Mongolia, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and China.In particular, Mirae Asset Securities has been aggressively expanding into the Indian market. The firm announced in November that it had completed the acquisition of Indian brokerage house Sharekhan Limited. The merged entity has been rebranded as Mirae Asset Sharekhan. - [Authorities on alert as Korean won sinks to 15-year low](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050071): The Korean won fell Thursday to its weakest levels against the US dollar since the 2009 global financial crisis as the dollar strengthened after the US central bank signaled a slower pace of rate cuts, fueling concerns over further depreciation as markets continue to digest political turmoil unfolding here.The Korean currency opened at 1,453 per dollar, down 17.5 from the previous session. This is the first won slide to breach 1,450 against the greenback in over 15 years, since March 16 in 2009. As of 2:20 p.m., the won was quoted at 1,449.10 per dollar in onshore trade.The decline in the won came after the US Federal Reserve’s overnight decision to cut rates by a quarter point while penciling in just two rate cuts next year.The currency was mired in political uncertainty after President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly imposed martial law on Dec. 3, hitting the 1,440 level the following day but recovering to around 1,430.On Wednesday, the US Fed slashed interest rates by a quarter point, bringing the target range to between 4.25 percent and 4.5 percent. With the decision, the interest rate gap between the US and South Korea has now fallen to 1.5 percentage points from 1.75 as the BOK’s policy rate stands at 3.0 percent.The US central bank also indicated that there will be two reductions in 2025, compared with the four forecasts in September, marking a hawkish signal that could inject volatility into stock and bond markets.While external uncertainties such as the direction of the new US government's economic policy and geopolitical risks continue, the Federal Reserve's monetary policy easing is expected to be significantly delayed given last night's FOMC results, Bank of Korea’s Senior Deputy Governor Ryoo Sang-dai said.“Volatility in domestic financial and foreign exchange markets has shown signs of abating after heightening in the wake of the martial law declaration. But if the volatility in the markets increases excessively due to the coincidence of external uncertainty and the domestic political situation, we will make every effort to implement market stabilization measures swiftly,” he said.The sharp drop in the won deflated hopes for its rebound to previous levels with investors waiting for clearer signals regarding the stability of the currency.NH Securities & Investment Economist Ahn Ki-tae said that the US dollar would continue to demonstrate strength as US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico could raise prices for US consumers.“Considering the exchange rate, it is still difficult to expect a steady inflow of foreign investment funds into the Korean stock market,” he said.Woori Bank economist Min Kyung-won expected that the Korean currency could depreciate to 1500 against the greenback in the short term.“A decline in risk-taking appetite is inevitable as uncertainty about Korea’s monetary policy deepens next year and capital inflow into safe assets like the dollar is expected to continue,” he said.In an abrupt decision, the country’s state pension fund, the National Pension Service and the BOK have agreed to expand their foreign exchange swap line and extend it by one year until the end of next year.With the enhanced upper limit, the NPS can borrow up to $65 billion from the BOK foreign reserves when undertaking overseas investmentThis is because the NPS’ high volume of dollar purchases for overseas assets could further exacerbate won depreciation.Separately, Korea’s financial authorities decided to relax regulatory measures on soundness and capital reserve on banks and other financial firms to facilitate liquidity inflow into the real economy, including domestic companies.The stress capital buffer, a regulation that requires banks to increase their capital to maintain normal operations during a crisis, was scheduled to be toughened this month but postponed until the second half of next year.Some 17 banks and eight financial holding firms were subjected to the strengthened rule, requiring them to set aside an additional 2.5 percentage points of their assets as a stress capital buffer - [Will Shinsegae chief meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago?](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050053): Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin (left) with Donald Trump Jr., reportedly shared on Chung’s social media in January. (Chung's Instagram) Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin met with Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of US President-elect Donald Trump, at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this week, according to the Korean retail giant on Thursday.The meeting prompted immediate speculations, as Trump’s transition team is conducting much of the planning for the second presidency at the resort.Shinsegae downplayed the visit as Chung’s “personal trip,” saying the visit had been arranged months ago at the invitation of Trump Jr. The two are known to share a close bond, rooted in both religious and personal connections. Earlier this year, Chung posted a photo of himself with Trump Jr., noting that their first encounter was ten years ago at a media event where they were seated next to each other.Chung’s US visit comes as Korean conglomerates rush to get closer to the new US president and bolster their preparedness for any policy changes under his second term.Compared to its chaebol rivals, Shinsegae has maintained a low profile in the US. Its flagship supermarket chain E-Mart entered the US market in 2018 by establishing the local unit PKRH. It operates 55 stores and supplies ready-made meals to local retailers such as Trader Joe’s and Costco.Asked about any plans for US expansion, a Shinsegae official in Seoul declined to comment. “All US operations are managed independently by the US entity,” he said.It remains to be seen whether Chung will meet with President-elect Trump during a fundraising dinner set to be held at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday (local time). - [Doosan Enerbility to supply SMR parts to US TerraPower](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050049): Doosan Enerbility said Thursday that it secured a key component supply contract with TerraPower, a US nuclear reactor startup established by Bill Gates, as it expands its global presence in the nuclear power sector.Under the contract, Doosan Enerbility will carry out a feasibility study and provide design support for manufacturing key components of TerraPower's 345-megawatt small modular reactor project in Wyoming. Doosan Enerbility said it would also start manufacturing reactor guard vessels, reactor support structures and core barrel structures for the SMR project starting next year.“We are very proud to participate in TerraPower's first SMR project as our excellent manufacturing capabilities are recognized,” said Kim Jong-doo, CEO of Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear Business Group.“We will continue to advance our manufacturing capabilities and push for the construction of new manufacturing sites to establish ourselves as a leading global SMR foundry."Doosan Enerbility has been focusing on bolstering its business opportunities and by partnering with other US SMR players such as NuScale and X-Energy while it aims to supply key equipment and design core machinery for smaller nuclear power plants worldwide.TerraPower, established by the Microsoft founder in 2008, broke ground for the Wyoming site in June with construction expected to span five years.In March, the SMR startup submitted its construction permit application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC accepted the paperwork for review about two months later, marking the first time in more than 40 years that the NRC has docketed a commercial non-light water reactor.Due to the project’s unique design, TerraPower said nuclear construction will begin after the application is approved, with ongoing construction for the non-nuclear facilities.According to TerraPower, the 345 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system can boost the power plant’s output to 500 MW when necessary, which is equivalent to powering about 400,000 homes. The project is supported by the US Department of Energy and is projected to begin commercial operation in 2030. - [HD Hyundai chairman donates W200m to alma mater](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050046): HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap (left) and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies President Park Jeong-woon pose for a photo during a donation ceremony at the school in Seoul on Thursday. (HD Hyundai) HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap has donated 200 million won ($138,000) to his alma mater, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, to enhance its educational facilities and support scholarships, the company said Thursday.Of the total donation, 150 million won will be allocated to introduce the latest equipment and renovate deteriorating facilities, while 50 million won will fund four students' living stipends.“As an alumnus, I felt it was my duty to give back what I received from society. I hope this helps lay a solid foundation for our nation's continued growth,” said Kwon.In recognition of his dedication, HUFS plans to induct him into the Hall of Fame and display a commemorative copperplate at its headquarters.Kwon has been committed to philanthropic initiatives as a corporate leader. In 2011, he established the HD Hyundai 1% Nanum Foundation, supported by employees who donate 1 percent of their salaries. More recently, he launched a foundation to support families of shipyard workers affected by serious workplace accidents. - [[Photo News] World’s first wireless, transparent TV](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050031): LG Electronics announced Thursday the global launch of the LG Signature OLED T, the world’s first wireless and transparent TV. The 77-inch TV features a 4K resolution transparent screen with LG’s wireless transmission technology and the ability to switch between opaque and transparent modes at the push of a button. The opaque mode delivers stunning 4K picture quality, while the transparent mode offers an open view of the space behind the screen. Preorders are now open in North America, with a sequential rollout planned in major markets, including Europe and South Korea, with a starting price of $59,999. (LG Electronics) - [Korean Air fined for exceeding passenger wait time limit during takeoff prep](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050016): A Korean Air Co. aircraft is seen on the tarmac at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Nov. 29. (Yonhap) The transport ministry said Thursday it has imposed fines on Korean Air Co., Delta Air Lines Inc. and Air Astana JSC for violating South Korea's aviation laws during operations.Korean Air, South Korea's leading carrier, was fined 25 million won ($17,221) for keeping passengers on board for four hours and eight minutes while the aircraft was on the runway during takeoff preparations on its Incheon-Delhi flight on July 23.By law, aircraft with passengers on board cannot remain still on the tarmac for more than three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights.Delta Air Lines was fined 35 million won for keeping passengers on the runway for four hours and 58 minutes during its Incheon-Atlanta flight on Aug. 24, and also failing to report the fares for its new Incheon-Salt Lake City route to the ministry before selling tickets.Air Astana was fined 10 million won for failing to properly report fare details for its Incheon-Astana route, according to the ministry. (Yonhap) - [Korean won slides to breach 1,450 per US dollar, lowest in over 15 years](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050014): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap) The South Korean currency opened sharply lower against the US dollar Thursday, breaching the 1,450 won mark for the first time since the 2009 global financial crisis.The Korean won opened at 1,453 won per dollar, down 17.5 won from the previous session.It marks the lowest level since 1,488 won on March 16, 2009.The local currency had weakened notably against the greenback after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a short-lived martial law on Dec. 3. Since then, the won had remained well below the 1,400 won level.Thursday's sharp drop also follows a US rate cut.The Federal Open Market Committee concluded its two-day meeting Wednesday, lowering its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 4.25 to 4.50 percent. The latest rate cut followed a quarter percentage-point cut last month and a 50-basis-point reduction in September.Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok earlier forecast heightened volatility in the country's financial and foreign exchange markets in the short term, saying major global currencies are showing significant weakness. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares open sharply lower after Fed rate cut; won sharply down](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050013): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap) Seoul shares started over 1.8 percent lower Thursday after the US Federal Reserve cut its rate for the third consecutive time but signaled fewer rate cuts next year. The Korean won opened sharply lower against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 45.47 points, or 1.83 percent, to 2,438.96 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The Korean won also plummeted to breach 1,450 won per US dollar, reaching a 15-year low. It was trading at 1,450.8 won against the greenback at 9:15 a.m., down 15.3 won from the previous session.Overnight, the US central bank cut its key lending rate by a quarter percentage point to the 4.25 to 4.50 percent range but signaled a slower monetary easing pace in 2025 with hotter-than-expected inflation readings.The Fed's hawkish rate cut drove down major US indexes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.58 percent, the S&P 500 dropped 2.95 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite slid 3.56 percent.In Seoul, most big-cap shares kicked off in negative territory.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics lost 2 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix shot down 4.03 percent.Top automaker Hyundai Motor dropped 1.62 percent, and its sister Kia fell 2.55 percent.Steel giant Posco Holdings shed 2.79 percent, and leading chemical producer LG Chem slid 3.08 percent.Major refiner SK Innovation also plummeted 3.11 percent. (Yonhap) - [Household spending projected to fall 1.6% next year: poll](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050010): This file photo from Dec. 3, shows people shopping for groceries at a supermarket in Seoul. (Yonhap) Households in South Korea are expected to reduce their spending by an average of 1.6 percent in 2025 from this year, a poll showed Thursday.According to the survey on 1,000 adults conducted by Mono Research from Nov. 13-20, 53 percent of respondents said they plan to reduce their spending next year, while 47 percent indicated an increase.When asked about the rate of change in spending, the average was recorded at minus 1.6 percent. The poll was commissioned by the Federation of Korean Industries.By income level, those in the bottom 60 percent expected a decline in spending, while those in the top 40 percent anticipated an increase."Lower-income households are more sensitive to the impacts of inflation and economic downturns, leading to a tendency where spending decreases more significantly," the federation said.Reasons cited for reduced spending included high inflation at 44 percent, reduced income at 15.5 percent and tax burdens at 8.5 percent. (Yonhap) - [US Fed cuts key lending rate by quarter-percentage point, signals fewer cuts next year](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050007): Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington on Wednesday. (AP-Yonhap) The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point and signaled the possibility of two reductions next year, two fewer than what it penciled in three months ago.After the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the central bank announced the decision to reduce the rate to the 4.25 to 4.50 percent range. It followed a quarter-percentage-point cut last month and a 50-basis-point reduction in September.FOMC members' new median economic projections showed that the federal funds rate would be cut to 3.9 percent at the end of next year, up from the September projection of 3.4 percent. The latest forecast signaled two more rate reductions next year.The median projections also indicated that Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation may reach 2.5 percent at the end of next year, higher than the September projection of 2.1 percent."I think that the slower pace of cuts for next year really reflects with the higher inflation readings we've had this year, and the expectation inflation will be higher," Fed Chair Jerome Powell told a press conference."You saw in the SEP that risks and uncertainty around inflation we see as higher," he added, referring to the summary of economic projections.He went on to say, "Nonetheless, we see ourselves as still on track to continue to cut. I think the actual cuts that we make next year will not be because of anything we wrote down today."This week's Fed rate cut put the gap between the key rates of South Korea and the United States at up to 1.5 percentage points. (Yonhap) - [KDI School professor ranked world's top 2% of social scientists](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050120): Kim Soon-hee, public administration professor at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management (KDI School of Public Policy and Management) The KDI School of Public Policy and Management said Thursday that its public administration professor, Kim Soon-hee, has been ranked among the world’s top 2 percent of social scientists in the Elsevier-Stanford University list for the second consecutive year.Affiliated with the Korea Development Institute, the KDI School is a government-run graduate school based in Sejong. Kim joined the School in 2014 after serving as a professor at Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University.The Stanford University and Elsevier "World's Top 2% Scientists" list is a prestigious list of the world's leading researchers.A research team led by Stanford University professor John Ioannidis evaluated over 100,000 researchers globally across 22 major disciplines and 174 subfields using Elsevier’s Scopus database. Among the 485 scholars recognized in the fields of political science and public administration, Kim stood out for her significant citation impact.“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” said Kim. “I'd like to dedicate this achievement to my colleagues who have collaborated with me on meaningful research projects and to the graduate students who have inspired my academic work.”Kim’s expertise includes public management, governance, human resource management and leadership development. She has worked with international organizations such as the OECD and served on the editorial boards of leading journals in public administration.Dean of KDI School Kim Joon-kyung praised her achievement, stating, “It is a great honor to witness Professor Kim’s world-class research excellence in the social sciences. The KDI School will continue to provide full support for her research endeavors.” - [KMI opens joint medical checkup center in Mongolia](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050081): Korea Medical Institute’s Chief Strategy Officer Lee Kwang-bae (front row, first from the right), poses for a photo with board members and employees of KMI and Mongolia's Family Medical Center at the opening ceremony of their joint medical center in Ulaanbaatar on Oct. 25. (Korea Medical Institute) Korea Medical Institute announced Wednesday that it has opened its first overseas medical check-up center, Family Medical Center with KMI, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.Located at the E-Mart Bayangol branch, the facility is a joint project between KMI and Mongolia’s Family Medical Center, aiming to improve access to health screenings for Mongolians while introducing advanced Korean medical services, KMI said.The center offers a range of services, including national health screenings, corporate check-ups and individual medical assessments since its opening in September.By integrating KMI’s specialized expertise with Mongolia’s healthcare needs, the center provides a tailored and differentiated experience for clients, according to the institute.“Merging KMI’s specialized expertise with Mongolia’s distinct healthcare needs will provide a differentiated service for our clients,” a KMI official noted.Mongolia implemented a mandatory national health screening program in May 2022 to encourage early disease detection and prevention, leading to growing demand for medical services. To support these efforts, the institute added that KMI and FMC will jointly operate the facility and collaborate on technology sharing and training programs for Mongolian medical professionals.“Starting with the launch of the K-Health Check-up System in Mongolia, we will continue to strive for the expansion of Korea’s advanced medical systems to other countries,” said KMI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Lee Kwang Bae.Established in 1985, KMI operates eight medical check-up centers in South Korea, including locations in Seoul, Busan and Jeju. It focuses on disease prevention and public health while engaging in various social contribution programs. - [Hanwha Ocean's fixed platfrom achieves early oil production](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050068): Hanwha Ocean, a shipbuilding unit of Korea’s Hanwha Group, announced Wednesday that its offshore oil platform began to produce crude oil two weeks before the expected date in Qatar.The fixed platform first saw oil spring out on Sunday in the Al-Shaheen oil field, one of the world's biggest offshore oil fields located 80 kilometers northeast off the coast of Qatari capital, Doha.It has been five months since the facility left Hanwha Ocean’s shipbuilding yard in Okpo, Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province in July.As the marine facility successfully produced crude oil on a trial basis, it is ready for commercial production. The platform is capable of producing 50,000 barrels of crude oil daily. The North Oil Company of Qatar, the operator of the oil development in Al-Shaheen, will take over the facility after test operations and conduct commercial production.Hanwha Ocean said early production was carried out without causing harm to the surrounding environment or to workers. The company also said it could be an example that proves Hanwha’s capability to produce and manage offshore plants, which require a high level of technology.The offshore platform project began when the company won a 725 billion won ($505 million) contract from the NOC in 2021.The facility was built by Hanwha Ocean by July and reached the oil field in the Persian Gulf. Over three months of assembly and testing of an operational system were completed there.“For this offshore project, Hanwha Ocean and the client formed a one-team approach, ensuring seamless communication and swift decision-making. This approach enabled high-quality, safe and efficient execution, earning recognition as a successful offshore plant management model,” said Hanwha Ocean's President of Offshore Business Philippe Levy.With the accomplishment in Qatar, Hanwha Ocean plans to accelerate its transformation from a shipbuilder to a lump-sum contractor which covers entire procedures of offshore projects, from engineering to project operation, especially in the Middle East region where more oil field developments are expected. - [Hyundai Motor keeping tabs on Honda-Nissan merger](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050063): Nissan Motor CEO Makoto Uchida (left) and Honda Motor CEO Toshihiro Mibe pose for a photo during a press conference in March this year. (Honda, Nissan) The reported merger plan between Japanese auto brands -- Honda and Nissan -- is set to increase competition for Hyundai Motor Group amid an unpredictable outlook brought on by geopolitical uncertainties.According to news reports Wednesday, Honda and Nissan began discussing a plan to establish a joint holding company as they look to better grapple with the fast-changing electric vehicle industry and bolster their competitiveness against EV leaders such as America’s Tesla and China’s BYD.Neither Honda nor Nissan confirmed the reports, saying that they will inform their stakeholders at an appropriate time if there are any updates.The latest merger talks followed up the two automakers’ memorandum of understanding in March this year that they would begin a feasibility study of a strategic partnership in vehicle electrification and intelligence. In August, Mitsubishi Motors, in which Nissan is a majority stakeholder with a 24 percent share, joined the alliance to create more synergies and new business opportunities.As of Wednesday’s market capitalization, the combined auto giant formed by Honda and Nissan would be worth $52 billion and oust Hyundai Motor from the No. 3 spot, behind Toyota and Volkswagen.As Honda and Nissan sold about 4.2 million and 3.4 million vehicles worldwide, respectively, in 2023, Hyundai Motor’s 7.3 million sales volume would also be overtaken.The merged entity would increase competition for the Korean auto conglomerate’s three brands -- Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis -- especially in the United States, which Hyundai Motor has emphasized in its aims to expand its global market share.According to automotive sales data analysis Goodcarbadcar, Hyundai Motor Group sold 425,814 units in the US in the third quarter of this year while Honda and Nissan sold 366,214 and 206,057 units, respectively, during the same period. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun delivers his New Year's address at Kia AutoLand Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province on Jan. 3. (Hyundai Motor Group) “Even if (Honda and Nissan) merge, that does not mean Hyundai Motor’s revenue or sales volume will decrease,” said Lee Ho-geun, an automotive engineering professor at Daeduk University.“Once Nissan and Honda co-work, they are going to share various infrastructures such as dealer networks and research and development, which will save them fixed costs and investment. In this way, they will be able to secure cost-competitiveness and enhanced quality by efficiently allocating their limited resources.”Although it may not be a big problem at the moment, Lee added that the combined forces of Japanese auto brands have given Hyundai and Kia a concern in the long term.An industry official noted that a Honda-Nissan merger was likely to shake up the auto landscape.“But not everything is a concern,” said the official. “As the auto industry is an economy of scale, the bigger the scale gets, the more production increases. So (the merger between Honda and Nissan) could lead to positive competition.”Kim Pil-su, an automotive engineering professor at Daelim University, pointed out that Nissan has an alliance with Renault, meaning that Nissan has laid the groundwork for global expansion.“In Honda’s case, they are a technology-oriented company,” he said. “So Honda and Nissan can create various synergies in many areas unlike how Stellantis group is not doing so well. (The merger between Honda and Nissan) is not a pretty picture for Hyundai and Kia. How the Japanese automakers will work together will matter but it’s going to have an impact on Hyundai’s position on the global stage.”Another industry official underscored that the Japanese automakers’ merger is a global trend in the automotive sector.“Even big, traditional auto powerhouses are seeking ways to join forces against the rising competitors from China and restrain Tesla’s EV dominance in the world,” said the official. “Honda and Nissan are trying to survive and their partnership will make the sector grow and accelerate the EV transition, which has not lived up to expectations.”Hyundai Motor Group announced in Sept. that Executive Chair Chung Euisun met with General Motors CEO Marry Barra in New York and agreed to explore future collaboration in vehicle development, supply chain and clean energy technology. Chung also met with Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota, at racing events in Korea and Japan in October and November, respectively, and said they are discussing collaboration. - [Incheon Airport projects most ever travelers next year](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050061): Incheon International Airport Corp. announced Wednesday that passenger traffic and operational performance this year have rebounded to prepandemic levels, with the upcoming year projected to set highest-ever records for both international passenger numbers and total revenue. For next year, international passenger traffic is forecast at 73.03 million, with revenue anticipated to hit 2.9 trillion won ($2 billion), according to the corporation.In line with the anticipated record-breaking traffic, Incheon Airport has strengthened its global presence by securing contracts in 18 countries to date."Expanding our global business portfolio is a vital strategy for Incheon Airport's future, and we are actively working to establish partnerships with additional countries, including Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia." Lee Hag-jae, IIAC's CEO and president, said at a press conference Wednesday.The corporation’s overseas achievements include managing Manila's main airport in the Philippines, in a deal valued at some 4 trillion won, and engaging in five ongoing projects, in South Africa, Vietnam, Kuwait, Ethiopia and Ecuador.The airport officially commenced commercial operations for its fourth phase on Dec. 3, positioning itself among the top three megahub airports globally in terms of passenger capacity. Key initiatives include digital transformation, renewable energy infrastructure expansion and achieving milestones in service and customer excellence.Incheon Airport is also driving economic growth by fostering a robust aviation industry ecosystem."We are currently working on developing an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) cluster, expanding cargo terminals and integrating tourism and cultural facilities. These efforts are projected to generate an economic ripple effect of 1.7 trillion won."The MRO complex, set to begin construction in April, is to feature a cutting-edge aviation industrial cluster, aiming to offer world-class one-stop maintenance services. High-profile projects include Israel’s IAI cargo conversion next year and Atlas Air cargo maintenance in 2026. By localizing outsourced maintenance, the initiative is expected to create over 5,000 jobs.The corporation plans to modernize operations by integrating domestic airlines following their upcoming merger, expanding smart security lanes and introducing innovative duty-free shopping services.Additionally, Incheon Airport aims to relaunch the controversial paid "Fast Track" system, previously halted due to concerns about creating inequities among passengers.The airport's estimated passenger and operational figures for this year are 71.04 million passengers and 413,000 flights, representing 99.8 percent and 102.3 percent of the corresponding 2019 pre-pandemic levels.This year's revenue is expected to reach 2.5 trillion won, recovering to 92.6 percent of 2.7 trillion won recorded in 2019. - [LG Electronics CEO says 'playbook' to navigate uncertainties in 2025](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050056): LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan urged employees on Wednesday to embrace a mindset of "preparing for the worst and hoping for the best" to navigate a new year marked by uncertainties.During the year-end talk with employees, dubbed "CEO Fun Talk," Cho shared detailed insights into anticipated changes in the global business environment for 2025, amid intensifying global competition and supply chain issues."A crisis is a combination of risk and opportunity. In times of crisis, we will focus on exploring opportunities for growth and navigate challenges wisely," Cho said at the event, held at the company's headquarters in Seoul."With a mindset of 'prepare for the worst and hope for the best,' and through thorough preparation for worst-case scenarios, we can overcome any crisis."During the event, themed "Reinvent for Sustainable Growth: Breaking Limits to Secure Structural Competitiveness," Cho provided an in-depth analysis on growing uncertainties in the global market, influenced by external and internal policy shifts. He also touched on the rising competitiveness of Chinese rivals, LG said."The world economy is shifting from a geopolitical era to a geoeconomic era. While global markets previously operated under shared rules and orders, we are entering an era where survival depends on fierce competition, in a world without the rules," Cho said.The CEO also underscored the need to address the growing challenges posed by Chinese firms, leveraging technological and price competitiveness to aggressively carve out their share in the market."To counter the pressure from Chinese companies, we will focus on securing structural competitiveness in terms of product costs and operations by thoroughly reviewing businesses and planning in advance," the CEO said.To tackle uncertainties, the company is working with experts to develop a "playbook," a strategic guide and response measures to enable proactive and effective responses to various situations, the company said.The electronics giant also announced plans to solidify its product leadership by refining its systems and strengthening its edge in quality, cost and delivery to enhance brand value.LG is doubling down on its strong technologies and security to gain a competitive edge against Chinese rivals, with a goal to differentiate itself by bolstering its reputation as a "premium" brand.In the TV segment, for example, the company unveiled its 2025 LG QNED TV model, which combines quantum dot and nanocell technologies to deliver premium LCD performance.Integrating advanced features that are exclusive to its organic light-emitting diode screen lineup, the company seeks to differentiate its products via superior picture quality and better security.About 10,000 employees participated in the event, both online and offline. Employees shared their feedback and encouragement via live comments over the candid discussion, the company said. - [Samsung to present AI-driven appliances at CES 2025](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050048): Samsung Electronics announced Wednesday that it will unveil a new lineup of home appliances powered by artificial intelligence at CES, the world’s largest tech trade show taking place in Las Vegas from Jan. 7-10, 2025.The lineup includes AI-driven refrigerators, washing machines and dryers designed to streamline household tasks and enhance connectivity.Central to these devices is Samsung’s “AI Home” solution, which allows users to remotely monitor and control all compatible appliances through Samsung’s SmartThings platform via touch screens embedded in the products.“Samsung’s screen-equipped appliances offer seamless device connectivity through AI Home technology, providing a competitive edge in the market,” said Moon Jong-seung, vice president of Samsung’s digital appliances division. “We aim to unveil various AI appliances and services to help consumers reduce household burdens while enhancing a wide range of device connections.”Leading the lineup are Bespoke refrigerators equipped with 9-inch touch screens, alongside Bespoke washing machines and dryers featuring 7-inch touch screens.The touch screens provide access to the “Map View” function, allowing users to oversee and control all connected devices in their homes. Future updates will enable advanced remote controls, such as mode adjustments and temperature settings.The devices are also compatible with Samsung’s AI assistant Bixby, so users can issue voice commands to answer calls, search for information, manage content and access product guides. Internet connectivity further enhances these devices, enabling weather updates, streaming Spotify music and viewing YouTube directly from the appliances.In particular, the AI refrigerator will double as a hub for SmartThings devices, enabling users to control other smart home devices such as door locks, curtains, blinds and lighting.The company said the fridge is preloaded with the Samsung TV Plus app, offering a variety of video content, and includes a “Voice ID” feature that recognizes individual family members’ voices for personalized interactions.AI is expected to be a major theme at CES this year, with participating firms rolling out their newest AI-driven products and technology. On the eve of the event, Samsung will host a press conference where CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee will present the company’s vision for AI technologies under the theme “AI for All.” - [Woori Bank’s Indonesian unit provides $200m funding for Posco](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050038): Bank Woori Saudara CEO Kim Eung-chul (right) and PT Krakatau Posco President Director Jung Bum-soo pose for a photo during a signing ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday. (Woori Bank) Korean lender Woori Bank announced Wednesday that its Indonesian subsidiary has signed a memorandum of understanding to provide financial support for PT Krakatau Posco, the Indonesian joint venture of Korea’s steel giant Posco.With plans to offer $200 million in funding, Bank Woori Saudara will support PT Krakatau Posco in areas such as operating funds, supply chain financing, exchange rate hedging and employee loans. Posco is expected to enhance its cost efficiency and maintain financial stability amid increased competition from Chinese imports, the company said.Recognizing the financial needs of Posco's local subsidiaries and partners, Bank Woori Saudara proposed customized financial support, including faster capital turnover in trade transactions.“We plan to extend our support to Posco’s affiliates and partners,” said Kim Eung-chul, CEO of Bank Woori Saudara. “Beyond short-term financial assistance, we will continue to foster long-term mutual growth with Posco.” - [S. Korean economy grows 6.9% per year since 1954 under new base year](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050012): Shipping containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan, in this file photo taken Nov. 29. (Yonhap) South Korea's economy grew at an annualized rate of nearly 7 percent after a change in the base year for economic growth data compilation, central bank data showed Wednesday.According to the data from the Bank of Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy expanded at an average 6.9 percent per year from 1954 to last year under the new base year of 2020, up from a 6.8 percent advance under the previous base year of 2015.The data also showed that the nominal gross domestic product (GDP) stood at 2,401 trillion won in 2023, sharply up from 47.7 billion won in 1953, with per capita gross national income spiking to $36,194 from a meager $6.7 over the cited period. (Yonhap) - [Seoul shares open higher ahead of Fed rate decision](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241218050006): An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap) Seoul shares started higher Wednesday as investors were paying attention to the results of the Federal Reserve's rate decision meeting.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) added 16.43 points, or 0.67 percent, to 2,473.24 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Overnight, Wall Street closed lower as investors awaited the Fed's rate decision. The US central bank is widely expected to make its third consecutive rate cut on Wednesday.In Seoul, most big-cap shares gained ground.Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics rose 0.55 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix lost 0.92 percent.Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution increased 0.52 percent and top automaker Hyundai Motor jumped 2.18 percent.Major shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy soared 3.55 percent and biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion advanced 1.29 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,438.30 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., up 0.6 won from the previous session. (Yonhap) - [Martial law debacle likely to hurt job market: report](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050103): A job fair for those seeking work as architects is held in Busan on Nov.22. (Yonhap) The political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's ill-fated martial law declaration could negatively impact the labor market, according to a report by a state-run think tank.The Korea Labor Institute said that employment for 2025 is expected to increase by less than 100,000 compared to this year, in its report submitted to Rep. Kim Hyun-jung of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. This is significantly less than the institute's previous estimate of 120,000, which it projected prior to Yoon declaring martial law on Dec. 3.Another state-run agency, the Korea Development Institute, projected employment to increase next year by 182,000."If the (market's) faith in the consistency of government policy falters, the effects on the labor market could be shocking, comparable not even to the situation during the 2016 impeachment (of Park Geun-hye)," the report said, adding that the recent political situation could end up hurting both the management of major firms and the operations of smaller enterprises.The KLI likened the current situation to 1980, which was the last time martial law was declared in South Korea prior to Dec. 3. Martial law was declared in Busan in October of 1979 amid the pro-democracy protests against dictator Park Chung-hee, and was expanded to the entire country the next year after Gen. Chun Doo-hwan's military coup and his bloody crackdown on protesters.In 1980, employment increased by 81,000, which was less than half of the 190,000 increase from 1978 to 1979."In order to minimize the negative effects of the martial law declaration and the related (political) situation, the political circles should not aggravate the uncertainty across sectors of the economy... They should gather at the National Assembly and find measures to stabilize and stimulate the economy while considering (economic) buffering through expansive fiscal policies," the report said. - [Seoul shares dip over 1% on tech, battery losses](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050096): Seoul shares dipped nearly 1.3 percent Tuesday on big losses by tech and battery shares sparked by a media report on the incoming Trump administration's push for roll back tax credits for the electric vehicle industry. The Korean won lost ground against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 32.16 points, or 1.29 percent, to close at 2,456.81.Trade volume was moderate at 547.9 million shares worth 9.03 trillion won ($6.3 billion), with losers surpassing winners 493 to 384.Foreigners dragged the Kospi down by dumping 712.5 billion won worth of local shares, while retail investors and institutions purchased 465.5 billion won and 151.9 billion won, respectively.Overnight, Wall Street closed mixed as investors were paying attention to the Federal Reserve's rate decision Wednesday.The Fed is widely expected to cut its key rate for the third consecutive time.Analysts said battery shares fell big in particular on news that US President-elect Donald Trump's transition team will push to cut off support for EVs and impose tariffs on battery materials.Leading Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution plunged 3.89 percent to 382,500 won, and its smaller rival Samsung SDI shot down 6.08 percent. Posco Future M shot down 8.24 percent to 152,600 won.Market behemoth Samsung Electronics slid 2.52 percent to 54,200 won, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix jumped 2.62 percent to 184,000 won.Top automaker Hyundai Motor also declined 2.13 percent to 206,500 won, and major chemical producer LG Chem dipped 4.1 percent.IT shares were also weak.Internet portal operator Naver lost 2.1 percent to 209,500 won, and Kakao, the operator of the country's dominant mobile messenger, shed 2.5 percent to 42,850 won.The local currency was quoted at 1,438.9 won against the US dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 3.9 won from the previous session. (Yonhap) - [Hyundai Mobis to roll out battery cooler material for EV](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050083): A heat emissions test shows a 19 degree Celsius difference between Hyundai Mobis’ pulsating Heat Pipe (right) and a general aluminum cooling plate. (Hyundai Mobis) Hyundai Mobis, the automotive parts maker affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group, said Tuesday that it is ready to commercialize a new battery cell cooler material expected to boost electric vehicle charging efficiency and safety.The material, called “Pulsating Heat Pipe,” consists of aluminum alloy tubes filled with refrigerants. In the battery module assembly, the tubes, located between battery cells, cool down the heat, especially during fast charging.With the breakthrough in battery safety, the company said it aims to expand its presence in the global EV market despite a recent slowdown within the industry overall.Heat pipe coolers have been used in gadgets including personal computers and smartphones. In Hyundai Mobis’ PHP, refrigerants circulate and vibrate in the pipes and convey heat to cooling blocks, maintaining the temperature stable in the battery module. It is the first ever to be used in an EV battery.For mass production, the company simplified the material’s manufacturing process and lowered the production costs so that it could be used in batteries for passenger cars, the company said.The pipes are also 0.8 millimeters thick, much thinner than the current 6 mm heat pipes that have affected the bulkier battery design.“The new material will be used first for high-end EVs that require ultra-fast charging,” said a Hyundai Mobis official, adding plans to contact global carmakers to promote the new technology. - [Celltrion launches CDMO subsidiary to drive growth beyond biosimilars](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050071): Celltrion Group has launched a new contract development and manufacturing organization, Celltrion BioSolutions, signaling its strategic ambition to position CDMO services as the group’s next growth engine beyond its core biosimilar business."We will start contract research and development services from 2025, with the facility construction set to start by the first half. By 2030, we aim to record 1.5 trillion won ($1.04 billion) in CDMO business," Chairman Seo Jung-jin said during a press conference Tuesday.The new company will be led by Lee Hyuk-jae, Celltrion's senior vice president, who brings extensive experience in product approval, clinical trials and manufacturing within the group.The group’s decision to expand into the CDMO market was formalized in September, driven by the growing global demand for biopharmaceuticals and increasing outsourcing requests both domestically and internationally, Seo recalled.Celltrion BioSolutions aims to provide comprehensive end-to-end biopharmaceutical services, including drug candidate screening, cell line and process development, clinical trial planning, regulatory documentation and commercial production.Seo announced the company’s strategy to minimize expansion costs by implementing "manufacturing automation" and designing "flexible, small-scale multi-product production systems" to efficiently secure production orders.Meanwhile, Celltrion BioSolutions is currently reviewing potential sites for its production facility.The first plant, designed for up to 100,000 liters, will commence construction next year, with full-scale commercial productions expected to commence by 2028. In the meantime, the group plans to evaluate optimal locations to ensure sustainable production and supply, potentially expanding capacity to 200,000 liters domestically.“We will adjust the timeline for a second plant based on market needs. While continuously expanding our CDMO sales network, we will also consider building a 100,000-liter plant overseas, if needed," Seo explained.In addition, the company plans to establish research centers globally in the coming years, particularly in the United States, Europe and India, to expand its R&D capabilities.“While Korea will serve as the main research hub, we will also open research centers in some 40 countries, in conjunction with our direct sales networks there," Seo said.Seo projected the need for some 500 personnel for the CDMO business alone, hinting that the company would recruit Ph.D.-level researchers in these regions.The new venture will be financed through a combination of internal and external investments.Celltrion Group will initially invest up to 1.5 trillion won for facility construction and CDO services. An additional 1.5 trillion won will be secured externally to fund the development of overseas specialized research centers and next-generation modality facilities.According to global market research firm Mordor Intelligence, the global biopharmaceutical CDMO market is projected as $243.29 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $331.98 billion by 2029, reflecting an annual growth rate of 6.41 percent. Celltrion Group plans to accelerate its CDMO business through the subsidiary to swiftly capture market share and establish a stronger foothold in the industry. - [Looking for Korean friends? Check out Karrot](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050063): Karrot, the go-to app for buying and selling secondhand items, is increasingly becoming a hub for forging friendships, particularly among foreigners seeking language exchange opportunities in South Korea.In Seoul's Yongsan-gu on Tuesday, a search for “Korean friends” revealed several postings reflecting a growing trend of cross-cultural connections on the app, which is South Korea's largest community marketplace platform.One user, identified as "chamhug," wrote: "I am a Japanese woman in my 20s, an international student in Seoul. I would like to meet a female friend to practice speaking Korean." She emphasized that her interest is purely platonic.Koreans also use the platform to make international friends.A user named “Hwang Doo-cheol” posted: "I am looking for a friend to chat with in English for about an hour, once every week." Another user, "Scorpion," commented on this post: "I’m a foreigner living in Yongsan. I can help you with your English and would love to learn Korean in return."According to Karrot, there is a significant rise in interactions like these, with the number of users searching for "Korean friends" and "foreign friends" jumping 4.3 times and 3.1 times, respectively, compared to the same period last year.This occurs on Karrot’s neighborhood-based community forums, which connect users within their local areas.“The forums are becoming vibrant spaces for cultural interaction, attracting users from diverse backgrounds,” a company official said.Posts seeking language exchange partners or friendships with Koreans have also increased by 30 percent on-year, according to the company's data.However, when asked by The Korea Herald on Tuesday, the platform declined to disclose specific search figures or the share of non-Korean participants among its users. - [Hanmi Semiconductor heir promoted to chairman](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050060): Hanmi Semiconductor Vice Chair Kwak Dong-shin has been promoted to take the helm of the chip packaging equipment maker, after leading the development and launch of a flagship product used in producing next-generation artificial intelligence DRAM chips.Kwak joined the company in 1998, eight years after his late father Kwak Noh-kwon founded the company in 1980. Kwak Dong-shin has been the effective leader of the chip equipment firm since 2007, when his father stepped back from front-line management.He spearheaded the development of the Thermal Compression bonder, a critical piece of equipment for producing High Bandwidth Memory chips -- the most advanced DRAM chips used to enhance AI processing performance of graphic processing units. Driven by strong sales of the TC bonders amid the AI boom, the company has grown to achieve a market capitalization of 8 trillion won ($6.15 billion).Announcing the promotion Monday, the company cited Kwak’s contributions to the company’s growth into a global firm with over 320 clients worldwide, including his consistent investment in research and development, as well as his commitment to customer satisfaction.“Driven by the explosive growth of the AI market, global demand for High Bandwidth Memory is increasing rapidly every year,” Kwak said Monday. “Nvidia’s next-generation AI chip Blackwell is produced using Hanmi Semiconductor’s TC bonders. As the global leader in HBM TC bonding equipment, our competitiveness and market position will remain firm.”Hanmi Semiconductor has been the main supplier of crucial equipment to all three HBM producers -- SK hynix, Samsung Electronics and US-based Micron Technology -- supplying Nvidia.On Monday, Kwak also unveiled the company’s new TC Bonder Griffin Super Bonding Head, which incorporates a new bonding head that enhances productivity and precision in chip stacking processes.“The new product is tailored for advanced HBM production and is expected to drive significant revenue growth next year,” Kwak said.To support growing demand from US big tech companies, the company is also reviewing plans to establish a US subsidiary, and selecting agents capable of providing after-sales support for key customers, Kwak said. The chairman referred to "M7," which are seven leading technology companies listed on the S&P 500: Apple, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Facebook parent Meta and Tesla. - [LG Electronics hires Capitol Counsel to strengthen Washington ties](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050059): LG Electronics' headquarters Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul (Yonhap) South Korean electronics giant LG Electronics has hired a new lobbying firm in the US to bolster its negotiating leverage with Washington, amid rising concerns over US President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.According to a US disclosure report Tuesday, LG Electronics USA, the company’s US office, has recently hired Capitol Counsel, a government relations firm in Washington, to lobby on trade and supply chain issues.Lisa Whisler, a lobbyist at the Capitol Counsel, has been appointed to represent LG, according to the registration document. Whisler previously served as a senior policy advisor for former Senator Max Baucus, who held the position of US Ambassador to China under the Obama administration. Her expertise spans national security and international affairs.The global industry is on edge following Trump’s election to a second term as president, as he has vowed to impose tariffs of up to 20 percent on all US imports. Under the plan, foreign companies would have to sell their products at higher prices in the US, leading Americans to pay more for everything foreign-made.For LG Electronics, Trump’s proposed tariffs pose a threat, given that it is one of the leading electronics appliances suppliers in the US. In 2023, the company captured 19 percent of the US home appliances market share after Samsung Electronics, which took 21 percent share, according to market tracker TraQline.American rivals General Electric and Whirlpool Corp. came in third and fourth with 18 percent and 15 percent market shares, respectively. - [US approves $9.63b loan to SK On, Ford’s battery joint venture](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050048): BlueOval SK, a joint venture between SK On and Ford Motor Co., received approval from the US Department of Energy for a $9.63 billion loan Monday, securing funds to construct three battery manufacturing plants in the US.The loan is part of the government’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, which offers low-cost loans with an interest rate equivalent to the US 10-year Treasury bond at approximately 4 percent, according to SK On. It targets companies producing electric vehicles, battery cells and other advanced technology vehicles and components. The loan is due by July 15, 2040, though the deadline is subject to change.“The funds will be used to complete construction of three manufacturing plants – two in Kentucky and one in Tennessee – by next year,” said an SK On official. “It is meaningful that BlueOval SK has received the go-ahead after 10 months of company inspection (by the US government).” The annual production capacity of the facilities is projected at 20 gigawatt-hours, enough to power around 1.2 million EVs. SK On batteries will be installed in Ford’s E-Transit Van, F-150 Lightning Pickup and other battery-powered lineups.Following LG Energy Solution and General Motors’ Ultium Cells’ $2.5 billion loan, SK On became the second Korean battery company to get the green light from the ATVM program for its US joint venture. Meanwhile, a $7.5 billion loan approval for Samsung SDI and Stellantis’ Starplus Energy remains pending.The Energy Department’s final approval comes after SK Innovation and SK On’s commitment last month to provide a $4.82 billion financial guarantee for the loan. BlueOval SK received initial loan approval in June last year, but it was canceled because the company could not secure third-party financing in case of a default.The ATVM loan is expected to reduce the financial burden for the debt-ridden SK On to ramp up its production expansion in North America. In the third quarter of this year, the battery-maker turned a profit for the first time since it was established in 2021, though its debt remains at approximately 23 trillion won ($16 billion).Despite the $9.63 billion loan, industry insiders say uncertainties lie ahead for the battery-maker’s financing scheme for its US operations due to the second Donald Trump administration’s pledge to scrap the Inflation Reduction Act, which grants up to a $7,500 EV consumer subsidy.While the ATVM loan program is not part of the IRA, it removed the $25 billion cap on the loan and allocated $3 billion in funds to cover the potential costs of issuing the loan. “It is challenging, even for Trump, to cancel a loan that had already been taken out,” said Lee Ho-geun, a car engineering professor at Daeduk University. “However, he could potentially accelerate the repayment schedule of the loan faster than the planned expiration date.” - [[Photo News] Hana joins W100b donor club](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050042): Hana Financial Group has joined the Community Chest of Korea's 100 billion won ($69.6 million) donation club for the nonprofit's "Hope Sharing Campaign," contributing approximately 113.5 billion won since 2003. This includes 15 billion won donated Tuesday as part of the "2025 Hope Sharing Campaign," which supports underrepresented communities and promotes a sustainable future. In the photo, Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo (left) poses with Community Chest of Korea President Kim Byong-joon after the donation at CCK's headquarters in Jung-gu, central Seoul. (Hana Financial Group) - [LX Hausys listed on DJSI Korea for 10th straight year](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050040): LX Hausys' solar system Louver (LX Hausys) South Korean building materials company LX Hausys has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices Korea for the 10th consecutive year, the company announced Tuesday, making it the only Korean interior company to earn this recognition.The DJSI, managed by global financial information provider S&P Global, evaluates companies worldwide on their environmental, social and governance performance.LX Hausys received high scores in key areas such as environmental policies, climate strategies, safety management and information security. Notably, it excelled in greenhouse gas management, reducing emissions by about 6 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to LX. This marks its fifth consecutive year of cutting emissions since 2019.The company added that it has also maintained its A-grade ESG rating from the Korea ESG Standards Institute for nine consecutive years, a recognition it first achieved in 2016.“Being listed on the DJSI Korea Index for 10 consecutive years solidifies our leadership in ESG management within the domestic interior industry,” an LX Hausys official said. “We will continue to align our ESG practices with global standards to become a sustainable company recognized both at home and abroad.” - [BC Card CEO secures 4th term](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050037): BC Card, one of South Korea's leading card issuers, has confirmed the reappointment of CEO Choi Won-seok for another term.The company announced Tuesday that its executive nominee recommendation committee selected Choi as the sole candidate for the CEO position.This will mark Choi's fourth consecutive term since he took office in March 2021, and the first time a BC Card CEO has served a fourth term since the company joined KT Group in 2011.The committee selected Choi as the nominee, citing his extensive finance experience, alignment with the company’s vision, commitment to public interest and sound management, as well as his leadership and innovative mindset, noting that he meets the qualifications outlined in BC Card’s CEO succession regulations.Choi, a financial data expert, joined BC Card in 2021 from FnPricing, the financial product evaluation platform he founded in 2011. Previously, he worked at various financial research institutions and securities firms.His reappointment comes as the domestic card industry faces pressure to find new profit sources, with the company likely seeking innovation and stable growth under Choi's leadership. His efforts to diversify BC Card’s business structure, particularly by expanding into the proprietary card business, have helped the company increase its profits. As a result, BC Card's cumulative net profit for the third quarter surged 85.8 percent on-year to 129.3 billion won ($90.1 million).A key challenge Choi faces is the delayed market listing of the online-only K bank, in which BC Card holds the largest 33.72 percent stake. K bank’s initial public offering attempt failed again in October, marking its second setback after a similar failure in 2022.K bank's IPO is crucial for BC Card’s future, as the card issuer is required to repurchase 725 billion won worth of K bank shares from financial investors if the bank fails to list by July 2026. The company appears to have opted to retain CEO Choi, who has a deep understanding of its internal dynamics, to navigate the process amid heightened market volatility.Choi's reappointment is to be finalized at a shareholders meeting in March. - [LG unveils high-performance in-cabin camera module](https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050034): LG Innotek's RGB-IR in-cabin camera module (LG Innotek) LG Innotek said Tuesday it has developed a high-performance in-cabin camera module equipped with a 5-megapixel RGB-infrared dual sensor for automotive use.The new technology enables real-time monitoring of vehicle occupants, detecting driver conditions while checking seatbelt usage for front and rear passengers. With the rise of autonomous driving, demand for in-cabin monitoring systems has surged to ensure passenger safety.The key feature of LG’s solution is its versatility, offering multiple monitoring functions with a single camera. The company implemented its proprietary wide-angle technology, achieving a horizontal field of view of up to 143 degrees -- more than twice that of conventional products -- while reducing the module size by 15 percent.It reduced the size using wedge bonding, an ultrasonic process that connects chips and substrates. This enables flexible installation in locations such as rear-view mirrors and passenger seat areas, extending coverage to both the driver and second-row passengers.The module delivers image quality five times clearer than existing products. Additionally, it features an RGB-IR sensor for accurate passenger monitoring even in low-light or nighttime conditions.According to market research firm S&P Global, the global market for automotive camera modules is projected to grow from $6.92 billion in 2023 to $10.77 billion by 2030, at an annual growth rate of 7 percent.The company has expanded its vehicle sensing solution portfolio, introducing innovations such as high-performance heating camera modules and advanced LiDAR systems this year. It is promoting these solutions to automakers in North America and Europe.LG plans to showcase its RGB-IR in-cabin camera module at the annual CES, which kicks off in Las Vegas on Jan. 7.“Vehicle sensing solutions such as camera modules and LiDAR, alongside communication and lighting systems, are key pillars of LG Innotek’s autonomous driving components business,” said CEO Moon Hyuk-soo. “We aim to grow the vehicle sensing solutions sector to over 2 trillion won ($1.39 billion) by 2030.” - [Congo files criminal complaints against Apple in Europe over conflict minerals ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/congo-files-criminal-complaints-against-apple-in-europe-over-conflict-minerals/): The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech firm of using conflict minerals in its supply chain, lawyers for the Congolese government told Reuters.  Apple strongly disputes the allegations and says it has told its suppliers they must not use the minerals in question sourced from Congo or Rwanda.  Why it matters  Congo is a major source of tin, tantalum and tungsten, so-called 3T minerals used in computers and mobile phones. But some artisanal mines are run by armed groups involved in massacres of civilians, mass rapes, looting and other crimes, according to U.N. experts and human rights groups.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: AfricaCountries: CongoWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Fears of Humanitarian Crisis on Mayotte After Tropical Cyclone Chido](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/world/africa/mayotte-cyclone-chido-deaths.html): The official death toll so far is 14, but there are fears that the number killed in the French territory by Tropical Cyclone Chido could be much higher. Emergency workers are racing to rescue survivors on Monday from the wreckage of homes, schools and businesses in Mayotte, a French territory off the eastern coast of Africa that was devastated by Tropical Cyclone Chido over the weekend. At least 14 people were killed and more than 250 were injured in Mayotte, France’s poorest territory, according to preliminary figures, and there were fears that the death toll could be higher. “I think that […] - [Rosneft, Reliance agree biggest ever India-Russia oil supply deal](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/rosneft-reliance-agree-biggest-ever-india-russia-oil-supply-deal/): Business & FinanceDeals12 December 2024, 8:33 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Russia’s state oil firm Rosneft has agreed to supply nearly 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude to Indian private refiner Reliance in the biggest ever energy deal between the two countries, three sources familiar with the deal said.  Why it matters  The 10-year agreement amounts to 0.5% of global supply and is worth roughly $13 billion a year at today’s prices. It would further cement energy relations between India and Russia, which is under heavy Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaRussiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Adani Group, a Symbol of India’s Soft Power, Stumbles After Indictments](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/business/adani-group-indictment-modi.html): Countries in Asia, Africa and elsewhere have been distancing themselves from Gautam Adani, the Indian magnate, after accusations of bribery and conspiracy by American prosecutors. Hours after U.S. officials indicted Gautam Adani, one of India’s most successful businessmen, on fraud and conspiracy charges, Kenya’s president publicly backed away from lucrative infrastructure deals with Mr. Adani’s companies to overhaul Nairobi’s international airport and the country’s electricity grid. Days later, TotalEnergies, a European energy giant, said it would stop investing in Adani projects. Now Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where India competes with China for influence, are rethinking their alliances with Mr. Adani. For […] - [John Dramani Mahama Is Set to Return as Ghana’s President](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/world/africa/ghana-presidential-election.html): John Dramani Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, is set to return to office after his main opponent, Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat. John Dramani Mahama, a former president of Ghana who was voted out of office eight years ago, staged a dramatic political comeback on Sunday after his main opponent conceded defeat in the West African country’s presidential election. While official results from the vote that took place on Saturday have yet to be released, the candidate of the governing party, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, said he had called Mr. Mahama to congratulate him on his victory. “Let […] - [McKinsey to Pay $122 Million to Settle South Africa Bribery Case](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/world/africa/mckinsey-bribery-case-south-africa.html): The global consultancy was accused of bribing foreign government officials. A former senior partner pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge. McKinsey & Co. agreed to pay a fine of more than $122 million to resolve a felony bribery investigation stemming from its work in South Africa, federal prosecutors in New York said in a filing unsealed Thursday. It is the latest in a string of legal penalties for the global consulting firm, which in recent years has agreed to pay about $1 billion in settlements for its work with opioid manufacturers. The fine announced Thursday was part of a deferred prosecution […] - [Coming for Selfies, Staying for Art: Dakar’s Biennale Draws Young Crowd](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/world/africa/dakar-biennale-youth-audience.html): Every two years, the Dakar Biennale draws in wealthy collectors and stylish art aficionados, who show up at exhibitions in Senegal’s capital with sunglasses they’re too cool to take off. But this year, a new kind of art lover is making what is already Africa’s hottest art show trendier still. Increasingly, it’s Senegalese teenagers and young adults who are thronging Dakar’s Old Courthouse, the biennale’s main exhibition center. They show up with dates or with friends after classes. In flip-flops or shiny leather shoes. In a neatly ironed linen shirt or a faded soccer jersey. Wearing a flashy head scarf or […] - [Namibia Elects Its First Woman President as Ruling Party Keeps Power](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/world/africa/namibia-election-results.html): Across southern Africa, political parties that have led their countries since the end of colonialism have ceded power to the opposition in recent months. Namibia bucked the trend. In a year when election upsets have changed southern Africa’s political landscape, Namibia’s governing party has bucked the trend, winning the mineral-rich country’s general election, the electoral commission there said on Tuesday. For the first time in its history, Namibia has also elected a female president. The winner, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, joins the small number of women who have led countries in Africa. Ms. Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, served as the country’s deputy prime minister and […] - [China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/china-bans-export-of-critical-minerals-to-us-as-trade-tensions-escalate/): Reuters was more than two minutes ahead of major rivals with news that China had banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony, with immediate effect, a day after Washington’s latest crackdown on China’s semiconductor sector.  China’s move marked the latest escalation in trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office next month and sparked fresh concern that Beijing could next target other critical minerals, including those with even broader usage such as nickel or cobalt.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesEconomyType: Reuters BestSectors: Commodities & EnergyRegions: AmericasAsiaCountries: ChinaUSWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Venice Biennale Names Koyo Kouoh as Next Curator](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/arts/design/venice-biennale-curator-koyo-kouoh.html): Kouoh, who was born in Cameroon and currently leads one of Africa’s most important art museums, will organize the 61st edition, in 2026. Koyo Kouoh, one of Africa’s pre-eminent curators, will oversee the 61st edition of the Venice Biennale, the organizers of the world’s longest-running contemporary art exhibition announced on Tuesday. Kouoh, who was born in Cameroon, is currently the chief curator and executive director of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, known as Zeitz MOCAA. In a telephone interview from Miami, where she is attending the Art Basel fair, Kouoh, 56, said she was “ecstatic” about […] - [Amazon says it had best-ever Thanksgiving Holiday week with record sales and number of items sold](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-says-it-had-best-ever-thanksgiving-holiday-week-with-record-sales-and-number-of-items-sold-786e0143?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Internal transactions at food giant ADM spark a sprawling criminal probe](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/internal-transactions-at-food-giant-adm-spark-a-sprawling-criminal-probe/): ADM’s rattled shareholders are asking questions about the mounting accounting troubles – and they aren’t the only ones.  Building upon a criminal investigation first reported by Reuters in February, federal prosecutors in recent months have expanded their inquiries into whether ADM or its employees committed crimes including securities fraud and conspiracy, according to subpoenas reviewed by Reuters and people familiar with the probe.   The sprawling scope of the investigation, underway at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, hasn’t previously been reported.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Human InterestType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: Impact (Long Term)Story Types: Special Report / InsightCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Biden Visits Angola to Promote Lobito Corridor and Counter China](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/world/africa/us-faces-stiff-test-against-chinese-dominance-in-africa.html): When President Biden visits Angola on Monday, he will promote a rail project meant to show America’s commitment to the continent and to counter Chinese influence. Cristina Nambendi receives training on farming techniques from an American-funded program in Angola. But when asked if she had ever heard of President Biden or knew much about the United States, she looked stumped. When asked about China, however, her eyes lit up. “What I hear and what I see is that they are building tall buildings and houses, and they are selling stuff,” said Ms. Nambendi, 47, who has been farming corn and beans […] - [What Happens When Undersea Internet Cables Snap?](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000009778604/what-happens-when-undersea-internet-cables-snap.html): new video loaded: What Happens When Undersea Internet Cables Snap? By James Glanz, Christina Shaman, James Surdam and Alexandra Ostasiewicz•November 30, 2024 The internet is made up of hundreds of cables crossing the floors and the canyons of the earth’s oceans. So what happens when the cables snap? James Glanz, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, explains what could go wrong with subsea internet cables and how these cables get fixed. Recent episodes in Behind the Reporting - [Nigeria Boat Capsizes, Killing at Least 27](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/29/world/africa/nigeria-boat-drownings.html): Rescuers were searching for survivors after the vessel, taking passengers to a food market, capsized along the River Niger, officials said. ABUJA, Nigeria — At least 27 people were killed and more than 100, mostly women, were missing on Friday after a boat transporting them to a food market capsized along the River Niger in northern Nigeria, the authorities said. About 200 passengers were on the boat traveling from the state of Kogi to the neighboring state of Niger when it capsized, said Ibrahim Audu, a spokesman for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency. Rescuers had managed to pull 27 bodies […] - [Volkswagen India unit faces $1.4 billion tax evasion notice](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/volkswagen-india-unit-faces-1-4-billion-tax-evasion-notice/): AutomotiveBusiness & Finance29 November 2024, 1:56 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that India has issued a notice to German automaker Volkswagen for allegedly evading $1.4 billion in taxes by “wilfully” paying lesser import tax on components for its Audi, VW and Skoda cars. Volkswagen shares fell as much as 2.13% on the Frankfurt stock exchange after the Reuters report.  Why it matters  News about the potential liability, which could be as high as $2.8 billion with penalties, could strain VW’s India business. The company is a small player in India but has plans to invest $1.8 billion to build EVs and hybrids in Maharashtra. The Wolfsburg-based carmaker is also locked in an escalating dispute with its labour in Germany over plant closures and layoffs while Chinese competitors are attacking Europe’s established carmakers on their home turf.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: AutomotiveBusiness & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [CFM juggles engine supply in boost to Airbus ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/cfm-juggles-engine-supply-in-boost-to-airbus/): Business & Finance28 November 2024, 2:14 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Jet engine maker CFM has agreed to divert some engines to Airbus to narrow a supply gap as the planemaker battles to hit end-of-year targets, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Aerospace & DefenceBusiness & FinanceRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Namibia Election: What to Know](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/world/africa/namibia-election-swapo.html): Voters head to the polls on Wednesday in the latest test for one of southern Africa’s liberation parties, which have been rebuked at the ballot box this year. Voters in southern Africa this year have delivered blow after blow to parties that helped free their countries from colonialism. And on Wednesday, one of those parties, the South West Africa People’s Organization, or SWAPO, in Namibia is expected to face its toughest electoral test ever. High unemployment, government corruption, a housing crisis and poor social conditions have all contributed to the unpopularity of SWAPO, which has governed the country since it gained […] - [India’s Andhra Pradesh state likely to suspend Adani power deal ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/indias-andhra-pradesh-state-likely-to-suspend-adani-power-deal/): Business & FinanceDeals26 November 2024, 7:52 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency India’s Andhra Pradesh state is likely to suspend a power purchase deal linked to Adani Group due to the U.S. indictment of the group’s billionaire founder Gautam Adani over an alleged bribery scheme, Reuters exclusively revealed.  Why it matters  The suspension, likely to be announced soon, would be the first such action by an Indian state government after U.S. prosecutors charged Gautam Adani and seven others with agreeing to pay bribes of $265 million to unidentified Indian government officials to obtain solar power-supply contracts.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Nvidia’s AI chip demand still booming but slowing sales growth worries investors](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/nvidias-ai-chip-demand-still-booming-but-slowing-sales-growth-worries-investors/): Business & Finance22 November 2024, 11:54 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was 10 seconds ahead of rivals on NVIDIA’s slowest revenue growth forecast in seven quarters. The artificial intelligence chipmaker’s shares dipped almost 3% in U.S. post-market trading on Wednesday as the forecast failed to meet investors’ expectations.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Amazon likely to face investigation under EU tech rules next year](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/amazon-likely-to-face-investigation-under-eu-tech-rules-next-year/): Business & FinanceTechnology21 November 2024, 2:04 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Amazon shares fell 3% after a Reuters exclusive that the online retailer will likely face an EU investigation next year into whether it favours its own brand products on its online marketplace.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceTechnologyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTechnologyRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [In high-wage Germany, VW’s labour costs outstrip the competition](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/in-high-wage-germany-vws-labour-costs-outstrip-the-competition/): As Volkswagen and unions gear up for the next round of talks over wages and plant closures in Germany, company and industry data reviewed by Reuters show that the automaker spends a higher proportion of sales on labour costs than major rivals.  Why it matters  The data, in an internal memo by Volkswagen’s works council reviewed by Reuters, underscores the company’s challenge to remain competitive in its pricey home market as cheaper models from China arrive.  Volkswagen’s troubles also come amid broader anxiety in Germany over competitiveness, as politicians gear up for an election battle in February over how to revive a weakening industrial base.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [U.S. stock futures and bond yields drop on reports Putin has updated nuclear doctrine](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-stock-futures-and-bond-yields-drop-on-reports-putin-has-updated-nuclear-doctrine-4b9792c4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [U.S. stock futures and bond yields drop on reports Putin has updated nuclear doctrine](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-stock-futures-and-bond-yields-drop-on-reports-putin-has-updated-nuclear-doctrine-4b9792c4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Compass Minerals attracts takeover interest from buyout firms, sources say](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/compass-minerals-attracts-takeover-interest-from-buyout-firms-sources-say/): Business & FinanceDeals16 November 2024, 11:58 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Compass Minerals’ shares jumped more than 30% on Friday after an exclusive Reuters report on the company’s talks with potential suitors, including several private equity firms.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceMergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Charter Communications announces buyout deal for Liberty Broadband at terms above its previous proposal](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/charter-communications-announces-buyout-deal-for-liberty-broadband-at-terms-above-its-previous-proposal-552f7acd?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [US scrutinizes Russia accounts UBS took over from Credit Suisse](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/us-scrutinizes-russia-accounts-ubs-took-over-from-credit-suisse/): The United States is pursuing an inquiry into Russian clients that UBS took on when it bought Credit Suisse, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, heightening scrutiny of one of the world’s biggest wealth managers.  Why it matters  The news of the inquiry by the globe’s most powerful sanctions enforcer OFAC highlighted the perils of integrating Credit Suisse, a bank that foundered more than a year ago and was bought by UBS, and the high stakes for Switzerland for overseeing Russian money.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceFinancial ServicesRegions: AmericasEuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [General Motors unveils new all-electric Cadillac called the Vistiq with 300-mile range](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/general-motors-unveils-new-all-electric-cadillac-called-the-vistiq-with-300-mile-range-c16fb8a6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Commerzbank considers buying domestic rival in UniCredit defence plan ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/commerzbank-considers-buying-domestic-rival-in-unicredit-defence-plan/): Commerzbank is weighing the acquisition of a mid-sized German bank as part of its strategy to fend off a possible takeover by Italy’s UniCredit, three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The deliberations of an acquisition are at an early stage and possible targets could include Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB) or Oldenburgische Landesbank  Why it matters  If Commerzbank were to pull off a deal before UniCredit has time to swoop, it could unravel the mooted cross-border merger, which would be Europe’s biggest since the crisis of 2008. Germany fears the Italian plan could cost jobs and influence.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceMergers & AcquisitionRegions: EuropeWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Facing Outrage, Nigeria Drops Capital Charges Against Minors](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/05/world/africa/nigeria-teenagers-charges-dropped.html): Dozens of teenagers had been accused of treason and faced possible death sentences, but indignation over their treatment, including lack of food, has the government backpedaling. Dozens of teenagers, some as young as 14, had been held for nearly three months in a squalid detention center that houses murder suspects. They faced treason charges and possible death sentences for alleged participation in protests against Nigeria’s government. But since they were arraigned in a courtroom on Friday, their appearance there shocked people around the country, creating a wave of indignation at their treatment. Videos showed the boys, gaunt and haggard, hastily grabbing […] - [Vestas Wind Systems stock slumps as company says margins to be at low end of guidance](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/vestas-wind-systems-stock-slumps-as-company-says-margins-to-be-at-low-end-of-guidance-a33bf5c4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Top 20 Latin American Telecommunication Companies: Mixed economic landscape during 2024](https://latintrade.com/2024/11/04/top-20-latin-american-telecommunication-companies-mixed-economic-landscape-during-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-20-latin-american-telecommunication-companies-mixed-economic-landscape-during-2024): Most Latin American telecom companies experienced a decline in revenue from 1Q to 2Q 2024. Notably, Telefônica Brasil, Claro Telecom, and TIM showed negative growth in revenue, with reductions of 6.9%, 7.5%, and 6.8% respectively. However, companies like V.tal Rede Neutra and Megacable Holdings displayed resilience, with V.tal showing a 21.9% increase.América Movil saw a slight increase in profit, achieving a 0.9% growth from 1Q to 2Q. Telefônica Brasil and Telecom Argentina faced reductions in profit, with Telefônica Brasil down by 7.5% and Telecom Argentina by 3.0%. Oi continued to struggle with profitability, showing a major downturn in 2Q 2024, moving […] - [Ambani’s Reliance Jio IPO set for 2025, retail debut much later ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/ambanis-reliance-jio-ipo-set-for-2025-retail-debut-much-later/): Reuters was first to report that Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani is targeting a 2025 Mumbai listing for his telecom business Jio, valued by analysts at over $100 billion, but plans to launch his retail unit’s IPO much later. The story shed light on the plans of Asia’s richest man, who has for years been silent on the timelines of the mega IPOs of Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail.   Why it matters  News of the IPO timelines is critical for some of the world’s biggest investors and also for India’s equity markets. Reliance is targeting that the Jio listing will be India’s biggest ever stock offering. A lot is riding on the two Reliance IPOs as Ambani has raised $25 billion collectively for digital, telecom and retail businesses from the likes of KKR, General Atlantic and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in recent years, valuing both ventures at over $100 billion.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceTelecommunicationsRegions: AsiaCountries: IndiaWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Burberry shares rise on report Moncler could bid for it](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/burberry-shares-rise-on-report-moncler-could-bid-for-it-9de42b98?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Chevron beats quarterly profit expectations on higher oil output ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/chevron-beats-quarterly-profit-expectations-on-higher-oil-output/): Business & FinanceCommoditiesEnergy01 November 2024, 2:07 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was nearly 17 minutes ahead when Chevron released its third-quarter earnings, beating Wall Street expectations. The results sent the oil major’s shares up almost 4%.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceCommoditiesEnergyType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Kazatomprom reports 17% increase in production during the third quarter](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/kazatomprom-reports-17-increase-in-production-during-the-third-quarter-68742d5c?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Anheuser-Busch InBev shares slip as sales come up shy of estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/anheuser-busch-inbev-shares-slip-as-sales-come-up-shy-of-estimates-508282c4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [OPEC+ could delay December oil output hike, sources say ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/opec-could-delay-december-oil-output-hike-sources-say/): Commodities30 October 2024, 2:46 pm 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was first to report that the OPEC+ had agreed to do delay its planned December oil output hike, prompting global oil prices and European oil equity prices to rally.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: CommoditiesSectors: Business & FinanceCommodities & EnergyRegions: Developed MarketsEmerging MarketsWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Wingstop’s stock slides 12% after profit falls short of estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/wingstops-stock-slides-12-after-profit-falls-short-of-estimates-1146f0ec?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Eyeing US election, China considers over $1.4 trillion in extra debt over next few years ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/eyeing-us-election-china-considers-over-1-4-trillion-in-extra-debt-over-next-few-years/): China is considering approving next week the issuance of over 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) in extra debt in the next few years to revive its fragile economy, a fiscal package which is expected to be further bolstered if Donald Trump wins the U.S. election, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.  Why it matters  The planned total amount, to be raised by issuing both special treasury and local government bonds, equates to over 8% of the output of the world’s second-largest economy, which has been hit hard by a protracted property sector crisis and ballooning debt of local governments.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: EconomyGovernmentType: Reuters BestSectors: Economy & PolicyRegions: AmericasAsiaCountries: ChinaUSWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Major Global Story - [Novartis hikes sales and profit guidance for the year](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/novartis-hikes-sales-and-profit-guidance-for-the-year-eed24ebf?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [‘Dahomey’ Celebrated Looted Art’s Return. What Happened Next?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/28/arts/design/dahomey-benin-museum.html): Since the documentary’s cameras stopped rolling, plans for a new museum to showcase the treasures have stalled, and the artifacts are once again off limits to the public in Benin. Throughout the movie “Dahomey,” the eerie voice of a 19th century West African king emerges from the depths of history. “They have named me 26,” the voice says, imagining the thoughts of King Béhanzin, who died in 1906. Onscreen, museum curators label and package a wooden sculpture of the king, preparing it to leave France and return home, to what is now Benin. “I’m torn between the fear of not being […] - [Cybersecurity firm Rapid7 fields buyout interest ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/cybersecurity-firm-rapid7-fields-buyout-interest/): Business & Finance28 October 2024, 9:27 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Rapid7’s shares jumped more than 9% after Reuters revealed that the cybersecurity firm is exploring options with its investment bankers after attracting acquisition interest from buyout firms.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Important Regional Story - [Plus500 says it will meet expectations after quarterly revenue climbs 11%](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/plus500-says-it-will-meet-expectations-after-quarterly-revenue-climbs-11-b68b5ef1?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trainline boosts guidance for the second time this year](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trainline-boosts-guidance-for-the-second-time-this-year-513373f6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [‘Dahomey’: Mati Diop’s New Documentary on the Painful Legacy of Looted Artifacts](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/25/movies/dahomey-documentary-mati-diop.html): Mati Diop examines the fate of 26 treasures — sometimes from their point of view — looted from Benin in 1892. There are many voices in Mati Diop’s new documentary, “Dahomey” (in theaters), and one of them belongs to Artifact No. 26. “I lost myself in my dreams, becoming one with these walls, cut off from the land of my birth as if I was dead,” it says in French, its timbre tweaked to contain both a low rumbling bass and a higher, more feminine sound. “Today, it’s me they have chosen, like their finest and most legitimate victim.” Artifacts technically […] - [Allianz weighs options for AllianzGI unit ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/allianz-weighs-options-for-allianzgi-unit/): Allianz, one of Europe’s biggest insurers, is weighing options for its Allianz Global Investors unit, including a possible merger or partial sale of the division, four people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, in a move that would give the business greater scale. AllianzGI, which oversees 555 billion euros ($560 billion) of assets according to its website, could be valued at more than 4 billion euros, including debt, one of people said.  Why it matters  The considerations come on the heels of BNP Paribas’ decision to buy AXA Investment Managers for more than 5 billion euros, a transaction that bankers expected would spur more dealmaking.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Mergers & AcquisitionRegions: EuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Barclays reports 18% profit rise as it lifts income guidance](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/barclays-reports-18-profit-rise-as-it-lifts-income-guidance-ceef3caf?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [London Stock Exchange Group says income grew, led by Tradeweb](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/london-stock-exchange-group-says-income-grew-led-by-tradeweb-65d00f97?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Starbucks suspends annual forecast as new CEO prepares turnaround plan](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/starbucks-suspends-annual-forecast-as-new-ceo-prepares-turnaround-plan/): Business & Finance23 October 2024, 6:03 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Reuters was nearly two minutes ahead on the news that Starbucks had suspended its forecast through the next fiscal year as new CEO Brian Niccol looks to turn around the coffee giant struggling with falling demand for its pricey drinks. The news sent Starbucks’ shares down more than 7% in post-market trading.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Mergers & AcquisitionRegions: AmericasWin Types: SpeedStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Carlyle quits bidding process for Thyssenkrupp marine arm](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/carlyle-quits-bidding-process-for-thyssenkrupp-marine-arm/): Business & Finance22 October 2024, 4:50 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Private equity firm Carlyle has dropped out of a process to buy the marine division of German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, marking the latest blow to the firm’s ongoing restructuring efforts, Reuters exclusively reported. Thyssenkrupp shares fell as much as 4.5% on the news.  Why it matters  Carlyle’s withdrawal as a suitor for Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is the latest setback for Thyssenkrupp Chief Executive Miguel Lopez’s efforts to disentangle the sprawling conglomerate, which has been in crisis-mode for several years.   Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: AmericasEuropeCountries: GermanyWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Tensions Spike in Mozambique After Killing of 2 Political Activists](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/19/world/africa/mozambique-election-activists-killed.html): Leading supporters of the top opposition presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, were fatally shot in their car following an election marred by allegations of fraud. A lawyer and a party official for the leading opposition candidate in Mozambique’s recent presidential election were fatally shot in their car late Friday night, inflaming tensions in a southern African nation that was already on edge after the highly disputed vote this month. The lawyer, Elvino Dias, had been preparing to challenge in court the results for the candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, whose quick rise in popularity saw him outperform every other opposition candidate in the Oct. […] - [Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, Is Impeached](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/18/world/africa/kenya-deputy-president-impeachment.html): It’s the first impeachment under the country’s new Constitution, but some are now calling for a similar move against President William Ruto. Kenya’s Senate has voted to impeach the country’s deputy president, an unprecedented move that risks stirring a major political crisis and potential unrest in an East African nation widely viewed as a stable democracy in an increasingly volatile region. The impeachment of the deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, comes just months after widespread protests gripped the country over a finance bill that Kenyans feared would steeply raise the cost of living. After that period of political and economic uncertainty, observers […] - [Saudi’s Manara in advanced talks to buy stake in First Quantum’s Zambian mines ](https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/saudis-manara-in-advanced-talks-to-buy-stake-in-first-quantums-zambian-mines/): Business & FinanceDeals16 October 2024, 5:38 am 1 minuteBy Reuters News Agency Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals is closing in on a deal to buy a minority stake in Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals’ Zambian copper and nickel assets. Manara, a joint venture between Saudi Arabian mining company Ma’aden and its $925 billion Public Investment Fund, is in advanced talks to acquire between 15% and 20% equity in the Zambian assets, sources told Reuters. First Quantum shares rose as much as 4.9% after the story was published.  Why it matters  The potential deal is in the spotlight as copper is a much sought-after element for the clean energy transition due to its uses in the manufacture of EVs and data centers powering artificial intelligence. First Quantum shares rose as much as 4.9% in early morning trade in Toronto after the Reuters story was published.  Article TagsTopics of Interest: Business & FinanceDealsType: Reuters BestSectors: Business & FinanceRegions: Europe / Middle East / AfricaCountries: Saudi ArabiaZambiaWin Types: ExclusivityStory Types: Exclusive / ScoopMedia Types: TextCustomer Impact: Significant National Story - [Hairballs Shed Light on Tsavo Man-Eating Lions’ Menu](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/11/science/tsavo-lions-man-eating-dna.html): The Tsavo man-eaters terrorized railroad workers in British East Africa in the 19th century, but their tastes went well beyond human flesh. In British East Africa in 1898, two lions living along the Tsavo River were hungry. This was bad news for the workers building a railroad there. They would retreat to their tents at night and, come morning, some of the men would be missing, the latest victims of big cats that had a hankering for human meat. “Bones, flesh, skin and blood, they devoured all, and left not a trace behind them,” wrote Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson, a […] - [Elon Musk says Tesla will likely sell humanoid robots by end of next year](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/elon-musk-says-tesla-likely-sell-humanoid-robots-end-next-year): Entrepreneurshares LLC COO Eva Ados discusses the SpaceX CEOs company successes on Making Money. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Thursday the company is planning to make its Optimus robots available for sale to the public by the end of 2027. Musk spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and was asked during a discussion with BlackRock CEO and interim WEF co-chair Larry Fink about when Tesla’s Optimus robots will be deployed widely in manufacturing settings. “Humanoid robotics will advance very quickly. We do have some of the Tesla Optimus robots doing simple tasks in the factory,” Musk said. “Probably later this […] - [Drivers of IPOs Supportive to Start 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/drivers-ipos-supportive-start-2026): Last year turned out to be one of the best years for IPOs since 2014, and with our U.S. and Stockholm IPO Pulses both in upturns, it’s likely we see IPO activity stay in uptrends, too. - [Fed's favored inflation gauge shows consumer prices remained elevated in November](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/november-2025-pce-inflation): <!–> White House senior counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro discusses efforts to rescue the American dream on ‘Making Money.’ The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge showed that consumer prices remained elevated in November, ahead of the central bank’s policy meeting next week. The Commerce Department on Thursday reported that the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 0.2% in November on a monthly basis and is up 2.8% from last year. While the monthly figure was in line with the estimate of LSEG economists, the annual inflation reading was slightly hotter than the 2.7% economists anticipated. Core PCE, which excludes volatile measurements […] - [US economy grew at fastest pace in 2 years in third quarter, fueled by consumer spending](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-economy-q3-2025-final): <!–> International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva discusses the U.S. economy and provides her global economic outlook on ‘Mornings with Maria.’ The U.S. economy grew at a faster pace than expected in the third quarter, according to the Commerce Department’s estimate. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on Thursday released its final reading of third-quarter GDP, which showed the economy grew at an annualized rate of 4.4% in the three-month period including July, August and September.  That figure topped the expectations of economists polled by LSEG, who had estimated 3.3% GDP growth in the third quarter. It was also the fastest growth […] - [Trio of dairy giants recall infant formula over contamination fears](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/trio-dairy-giants-recall-infant-formula-over-contamination-fears): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Three of the world’s largest dairy companies are recalling and blocking batches of infant milk formula due to the possible contamination of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting. The contamination scare started with Nestle and extended on Wednesday to French groups Danone and Lactalis. Nestle recalled batches of infant nutrition products in dozens of countries earlier this month over the possible contamination with cereulide. 13K POUNDS OF READY-TO-EAT GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS RECALLED OVER POSSIBLE LISTERIA CONTAMINATION Three of the world’s largest dairy companies are recalling and blocking batches of infant milk […] - [Investor Relations Best Practices: How to Build Trust and Drive Engagement](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/ir-intelligence/investor-relations-best-practices): Implement five essential investor relations best practices that build trust, strengthen credibility, and drive long-term business strategy alignment to enhance valuation potential. - [Americans' paychecks grow stronger as Main Street shows new economic strength](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-paychecks-grow-stronger-main-street-shows-new-economic-strength): <!–> FOX Business Grady Trimble has the details on Varney & Co. Recent economic data shows signs of growing strength on Main Street, as Americans’ take-home pay ticks higher and contributes to rising retail sales and home purchases – though some headwinds remain. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released last week shows average weekly earnings increased 1.42% after accounting for inflation from January through December 2025. Retail spending rose 3.3% on a year-over-year basis in November and was up 0.6% from the prior month after October’s data was revised to a 0.1% monthly decline, according to Census Bureau data released this […] - [13K pounds of ready-to-eat grilled chicken breasts recalled over possible listeria contamination](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/13k-pounds-ready-to-eat-grilled-chicken-breasts-recalled-over-possible-listeria-contamination): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. More than 13,000 pounds of ready-to-eat grilled chicken breasts were recalled over fears they may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Suzanna’s Kitchen, based in Georgia, issued a recall of about 13,720 pounds of ready-to-eat grilled chicken breast fillet products, the FSIS said in its announcement. The recall was issued after a third-party laboratory reported a positive listeria monocytogenes result in the chicken product. RECALL EXPANDS TO NEARLY 1M FRIGIDAIRE MINIFRIDGES SOLD AT TARGET OVER FIRE HAZARDS More than 13,000 pounds of ready-to-eat […] - [AI raises average wages by 21% and substantially reduces' wage inequality, researchers find](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/ai-raises-average-wages-21-substantially-reduces-wage-inequality-researchers-find): <!–> FOX Business’ Geri Willis and ‘The Big Money Show’ panel discuss the application of artificial intelligence in the medical field and people flocking to the technology for health information.   Artificial intelligence “substantially reduces wage inequality while raising average wages by 21 percent,” according to a new working paper co-authored by an assistant professor at Stanford University.  The paper released this week by Lukas Althoff, titled “Task-Specific Technical Change and Comparative Advantage” and written alongside Hugo Reichardt, an affiliated professor at the Barcelona School of Economics, said that, “Artificial intelligence is changing which tasks workers do and how they do them.”  “Predicting […] - [New tax deduction could put more money back in seniors’ pockets this year](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/new-tax-deduction-could-put-more-money-back-seniors-pockets-year): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. Tax season is fast approaching and several tax policy changes impacting older Americans will be in effect when seniors go to file their returns. The enactment of Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) last year revised a number of tax policies, including some provisions that the IRS is implementing for the 2025 tax year, for which Americans will begin filing their tax returns beginning on Jan. 26. Among the new tax provisions that will impact seniors is a bonus […] - [Recall expands to nearly 1M Frigidaire minifridges sold at Target over fire hazards](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/recall-expands-nearly-1m-frigidaire-minifridges-sold-target-over-fire-hazards): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. A recall of Frigidaire-branded minifridges has been expanded to 964,000 units after multiple reports of the product catching fire, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Canada-based Curtis International initially recalled 634,000 minifridges last summer, but added 330,000 of another model to the alert on Thursday. The recalled minifridges have electrical components that can short circuit and ignite the plastic used to make the product, presenting fire and burn hazards. 45 SICKENED WITH SALMONELLA IN CONNECTION WITH RECALL OF SUPER GREENS DIET SUPLEMENT POWDER A recall of Frigidaire-branded minifridges has been expanded to […] - [Top 10 Charts from 2025](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/top-10-charts-2025): A look at Nasdaq Chief Economist Phil Mackintosh’s favorite charts from 2025. - [Inflation held steady in December, remaining well above the Fed's 2% target](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/cpi-inflation-december-2025): <!–> ‘The Big Money Show’ panel discusses whether small businesses are being squeezed by inflation, high borrowing costs and corporate dominance as Wall Street profits soar and bankruptcies on Main Street hit record highs. Inflation rose at a steady pace in December and remained persistently above the Federal Reserve’s target rate as policymakers consider the case for interest rate cuts amid economic uncertainty. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Tuesday that the consumer price index (CPI) – a broad measure of how much everyday goods like gasoline, groceries and rent cost – rose 0.3% on a monthly basis in December and […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: January 9, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-january-9-2026): For the week, the Nasdaq-100® ended the week up +2%, while 10-year Treasury yields were down a few bp to 4.15%. - [3 Tailwinds for 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/3-tailwinds-2026): Despite headline-grabbing news in 2025, economies around the world saw slower, but steady growth. The outlook for 2026 is more of the same — although the reasons why are evolving. - [2025 Review and January 2026 Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/2025-review-and-january-2026-outlook): U.S. equity markets delivered a robust and broad-based performance in 2025, overcoming a volatile and challenging start to the year that tested the resilience and adaptability of the American corporate sector. - [U.S. manufacturing slump shows little sign of ending, ISM shows](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-manufacturing-slump-shows-little-sign-of-ending-ism-shows-00aa9e80?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Weekly Chartstopper: January 2, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-january-2-2026): For the week, the Nasdaq-100® was down 2% (though its 2025 total return was +21%!), while 10-year Treasury yields rose over 5bp to 4.2%. - [Weekly Chartstopper: December 19, 2025](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-december-19-2025): We got some major data releases this week, but they all came with a big ol’ asterisk. - [Year in Review and 2026 Priorities](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/year-review-and-2026-priorities): Nasdaq TradeTalks explores the 2026 priorities for market structure, legislation, and regulation in the digital asset space. Jill Malandrino also reflects upon 2025 and previews what’s ahead in the new year. - [Looking at Nasdaq-100 Index Adds and Deletes](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/looking-nasdaq-100-index-adds-and-deletes): Most indexes do these reconstitutions at regular times during the year. We dive deep into the Nasdaq-100 Index® (NDX), its changes in December and throughout the years. - [Regulatory Focus Areas for 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/regulatory-focus-areas-2026): Nasdaq TradeTalks looks at how AI is changing the world of enterprise security, and Tony Sio, Head of Regulatory Strategy and Innovation for Anti-Financial Crime at Nasdaq, shares his perspective on the most significant regulatory focus areas for 2026. - [Weekly Chartstopper: December 12, 2025](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-december-12-2025): Once again, markets were focused on the Federal Reserve and artificial intelligence (AI) investment this week. - [Locked, Crossed and Barrel](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/locked-crossed-and-barrel): Uncover locked and crossed markets — what they are, why they happen, and why they matter? - [Weekly Chartstopper: December 5, 2025](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-december-5-2025): This week saw mixed data that mostly supported a Fed rate cut next Wednesday. - [Weekly Chartstopper: December 5, 2025](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-december-5-2025): This week saw mixed data that mostly supported a Fed rate cut next Wednesday. - [New Round Lots Helped Decrease Spreads](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/new-round-lots-helped-decrease-spreads): Since the new round lots went into effect on Nov. 3, 2025, over 250 symbols have been trading with a new round lot. Explore the universe of symbols with a new round lot and what the impact on trading has been. - [New Round Lots Helped Decrease Spreads](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/new-round-lots-helped-decrease-spreads): Since the new round lots went into effect on Nov. 3, 2025, over 250 symbols have been trading with a new round lot. Explore the universe of symbols with a new round lot and what the impact on trading has been. - [Key Themes for 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/key-themes-2026): Nasdaq TradeTalks takes a deep dive into the EU AI Act and Alex Gunz, Fund Manager at Heptagon Capital, shares key trends for 2026. - [Key Themes for 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/key-themes-2026): Nasdaq TradeTalks takes a deep dive into the EU AI Act and Alex Gunz, Fund Manager at Heptagon Capital, shares key trends for 2026. - [Regulatory Roundup: South Korea’s Largest Stock Manipulation Scheme: How CFDs Fueled a $500M Fraud Operation](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/fintech/regulatory-roundup-november-2025): Tony Sio’s latest analysis explores South Korea’s largest stock manipulation scandal and the pivotal role of Contracts for Difference (CFDs). Learn how an unregistered investment firm leveraged CFDs to conceal trades, amplify market impact, and trigger a $500M fraud that reshaped Korea’s regulatory landscape. - [Regulatory Roundup: South Korea’s Largest Stock Manipulation Scheme: How CFDs Fueled a $500M Fraud Operation](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/fintech/regulatory-roundup-november-2025): Tony Sio’s latest analysis explores South Korea’s largest stock manipulation scandal and the pivotal role of Contracts for Difference (CFDs). Learn how an unregistered investment firm leveraged CFDs to conceal trades, amplify market impact, and trigger a $500M fraud that reshaped Korea’s regulatory landscape. - [U.S. gov't puts S. Korea-U.S. tariff deal on Federal Register](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203011200315): By Song Sang-ho WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday posted on the Federal Register a notice on the implementation of a South Korea-U.S. trade and investment deal, including a reduced tariff rate of 15 percent on Korean autos retroactive to Nov. 1. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce posted the document to implement certain tariff-related elements of the U.S.-Korea Strategic Trade and Investment Deal ahead of its official publication date set for Thursday. The notice came after South Korea's National Assembly tabled a special bill on Nov. 26 to support Seoul's pledge to invest US$350 billion in the United States as part of the trade deal with the country. This file photo shows Korean-made cars parked at a port in Pyeongtaek, some 65 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap) sshluck@yna.co.kr(END) - [Mexico's foreign direct investment hits record as China reliance eases](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/business-trends/mexico-s-foreign-direct-investment-hits-record-as-china-reliance-eases): Business trends AI data center, Tesla gigafactory earmarked for growing northern tech hub Monterrey Monterrey is set to host the World Cup next summer, providing another tailwind for new investments. (Photo by Tomohiro Ichihara) TOMOHIRO ICHIHARA December 3, 2025 23:30 JST MONTERREY, Mexico — Foreign direct investment in Mexico has reached another all-time high this year, led not by China, which has driven the trend in the past, but by U.S. companies attracted by the efforts of northern states like Nuevo Leon. - [Waymo expanding to Baltimore, Pittsburgh and St. Louis with manual test drives](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/03/waymo-baltimore-pittsburgh-stlouis.html): Waymo on Wednesday said humans will begin test driving the Alphabet-owned company’s robotaxi vehicles in Baltimore, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. The Alphabet-owned company is now either operating its robotaxis, planning to launch service or is starting to test its vehicles in 26 markets. Waymo said it will begin manual drives in the trio of new cities this week with hopes to eventually begin serving fully-autonomous rides there. Waymo partners with Uber to bring robotaxi service to Atlanta and Austin. Uber Technologies Inc. Waymo on Wednesday said humans will begin test driving the Alphabet-owned company’s robotaxi vehicles in Baltimore, Pittsburgh and St. […] - [How Nissan is reworking its U.S. supply chain to blunt the impact of tariffs](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/03/nissan-is-reworking-its-us-supply-chain-to-blunt-tariffs-impact-.html): Dual sourcing and a localized supply helped Nissan get around the U.S. tariffs on foreign auto imports, Nissan CFO Jeremie Papin, told CNBC. It is working with partners to explore ways to offset the effects tariffs further amid extra capacity at its U.S. plants, Jeremie Papin said. Export controls on critical chips also remains a threat, but is not “the nightmare scenario that it could have been,” Papin told “Europe Early Edition.”  Nissan has leaned on “dual sourcing” and local supply chains for components as it adjusted to U.S. tariffs, its chief financial officer told CNBC. The Trump administration introduced 25% tariffs on foreign auto imports in April, […] - [Thailand seizes US$300 million in assets linked to cyberscam networks](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-seizes-300-million-assets-linked-cyberscam-networks-5531801): BANGKOK: Thailand has seized more than US$300 million in assets tied to criminal networks running multibillion-dollar scam centres in Southeast Asia, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday (Dec 3). The announcement comes after authorities across Asia, Europe and the United States targeted Cambodia’s Prince Holding Group and its global business network with asset seizures and freezes worth billions of dollars. In October, US authorities indicted Prince’s Chinese-born founder Chen Zhi, accusing him of presiding over forced labour camps in Cambodia where trafficked workers conduct online scams. Anutin told reporters on Wednesday that alleged scammers targeted with asset seizures valued at […] - [Living to 79: China’s record longevity puts economic wrinkles in focus](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3335079/living-79-chinas-record-longevity-puts-economic-wrinkles-focus?utm_source=rss_feed): China’s average life expectancy hit a record 79 years in 2024, edging closer to developed-nation levels as the country grapples with a deepening demographic crisis and scrambles to improve aged-care resources. In discussing the all-time high, which broke the 2023 record of 78.6 years, National Health Commission (NHC) head Lei Haichao reiterated on Monday that the country’s newborns should be expected to live an average of 80 years by 2030 – a key metric in President Xi Jinping’s “Healthy China” blueprint. Speaking at the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou, Lei noted that life expectancy during China’s 14th five-year plan period, which […] - [How yuan internationalisation is helping to close the climate finance gap](https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3334996/how-yuan-internationalisation-helping-close-climate-finance-gap?utm_source=rss_feed): As the United States renounces its climate commitments, a chain reaction of wavering pledges and scaled-back investments by other donors and multilateral institutions has followed. This trend raises the stakes for everyone else, underscoring the urgency of closing the financing gap for climate adaptation and mitigation in the developing world. Fortunately, China has increasingly been projecting itself as a source of alternative, low-cost funding for climate and sustainability projects across the Global South. Its outreach features a trifecta of interconnected, renminbi-denominated bond markets: the onshore panda bond market, the offshore dim sum bond market and the free-trade zone (FTZ) offshore bond […] - [Lego to launch life-size World Cup trophy as part of FIFA deal](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/3/brick-brick-lego-launching-life-size-world-cup-trophy-part-fifa-deal/): LONDON — It’s a life-size World Cup soccer trophy – made of 2,842 Lego bricks. Lego teamed up with FIFA on Wednesday to announce the product that will launch the classic Danish toy brand’s first World Cup range next year. The Lego version of the trophy first presented at the 1974 World Cup will be the exact same height of 36.8 centimeters (14 ½ inches). But the Lego brick trophy will be plastic instead of 18 carat solid gold and green malachite, and easier to pick up than the original’s 6.175 kilograms (13.6 pounds). It goes on sale for $200 in […] - [What to know about missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 as search resumes](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/3/search-resumes-missing-malaysian-airlines-flight-mh370-know/): KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — More than a decade ago, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished without a trace, sparking one of aviation’s most baffling mysteries. Despite years of multinational searches, investigators still do not know exactly what happened to the plane or its 239 passengers and crew. On Wednesday, Malaysia’s government said American marine robotics company Ocean Infinity would resume a seabed hunt for the missing plane on Dec. 30, reigniting hopes that the plane might finally be found. A massive search in the southern Indian Ocean, where the jet is believed to have gone down, turned up almost nothing. Apart from […] - [Netmarble confirms additional leak of 8,000 personal data records following major hacking incident](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251203/netmarble-confirms-additional-leak-of-8000-personal-data-records-following-major-hacking-incident?utm_source=rss): Netmarble's headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of Netmarble Korean gaming giant Netmarble has identified an additional leak of around 8,000 personal data records, the company said Wednesday, following a hacking incident that exposed the information of 6.11 million users.Netmarble said in a notice posted on its website that the newly confirmed breach was uncovered during an internal investigation conducted after the initial cyber intrusion.According to the company, the newly leaked data includes various information, including 3,185 customer service inquiry records from 2003-04 and 2014-21, and 2,022 online job applicant records from the past.Netmarble said it has reported the additional findings to the relevant authorities and has begun notifying the affected individuals."We sincerely apologize once again for failing to thoroughly protect our customers' valuable personal information," a company official said. "We are fully cooperating with the authorities to determine the exact cause of the incident and will make companywide efforts to strengthen our security posture to prevent a recurrence." - [India revokes state-run security app order for smartphones after outcry](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/india-revoke-state-run-security-app-sanchar-saathi-smartphones-5531521): NEW DELHI: India revoked its order to smartphone makers on Wednesday (Dec 3) to preload a state-run cybersecurity app days after the plan triggered a major backlash from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opponents and privacy activists over surveillance fears. The Indian government had confidentially ordered companies, including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi, to preload new phones with an app called Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, within 90 days, Reuters was first to report on Monday. “Government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” India’s communications ministry said in a press statement. The move comes after days of protests […] - [Hong Kong fire death toll climbs to 159, infant among dead](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-fire-wang-fuk-court-death-toll-climbs-5531516): HONG KONG: The death toll in Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has risen to 159 after all affected housing blocks have been searched, police said Wednesday (Dec 3), cautioning that the figure may not be final. The blaze took hold last Wednesday and engulfed Wang Fuk Court in the northern Tai Po district, becoming the world’s deadliest residential building fire since 1980. “We have found 159 bodies, of whom 140 were identified on a preliminary basis,” police commissioner Joe Chow told a news conference, describing the information as an “interim wrap-up” following the completion of building searches. He said the […] - [Inside the Ultra-Orthodox Fight Against Israel’s Draft](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010510485/israel-draft-idf-ultra-orthodox-jews.html): new video loaded: - [Musk's Starlink rival Eutelsat shares plummet 7% after report of SoftBank cutting its stake](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/03/musks-starlink-rival-eutelsat-shares-softbank.html): Eutelsat has seen its share price drop after reports SoftBank cut its stake in company. Eutelsat is the owner of the satellite internet provider OneWeb, which it merged with in 2023 in a bid to challenge Starlink’s dominance in the market. French satellite group Eutelsat, often seen as Europe’s answer to Elon Musk’s Starlink, saw its share price plummet Wednesday following a report that Japanse investor SoftBank cut its stake in the company. Shares in Eutelsat were last trading 7.2% lower as of 4.41 a.m. ET. The moves come following a Reuters report that SoftBank has sold 36 million rights, corresponding […] - [Cambodia claims Thailand uses land mine debate to stoke armed conflict](https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/thailand-cambodia-conflict/cambodia-claims-thailand-uses-land-mine-debate-to-stoke-armed-conflict): Thai soldiers conduct demining operations at Ban Nong Ya Kaew, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo, Thailand, on Oct. 10. Cambodia has accused Thailand of not coordinating its demining measures. © Getty Images DANIELLE KEETON-OLSEN December 3, 2025 18:20 JST PHNOM PENH — Cambodia has accused Thailand of using anti-personnel mines as “pretext and prelude to armed conflicts” with its neighbor, in its most detailed response to Bangkok’s claims that Phnom Penh has recently laid the banned munitions along their disputed border. - [A Spot-On Indicator Signaling the End of the Bull Market](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/03/a_spot-on_indicator_signaling_the_end_of_the_bull_market_1150894.html): Contrarian investors are confident that a major stock-market top is on the horizon — they just don’t know when. That’s because investor optimism can stay dangerously elevated for months before the bull market breathes its last. Read Full Article » - [Is AI Becoming the Next "Too Big to Fail" Industry?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/03/is_ai_becoming_the_next_too_big_to_fail_industry_1150878.html): Artificial intelligence is being promoted as the technology that will “change everything.” Yet while a handful of firms are profiting enormously, a different question deserves attention: Is AI accelerating the economy — or merely… Read Full Article » - [Don't Let Artificial Intelligence 'Workslop' Drag Your Co. Down](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/03/dont_let_artificial_intelligence_workslop_drag_your_co_down_1150848.html): A troubling phenomenon is spreading through the American workplace, from private companies to government agencies, creating friction where artificial intelligence promised efficiency. Dubbed “workslop” by researchers at BetterUp and Stanford’s Social Media Lab, AI-generated content appears polished but lacks the substance to advance any task meaningfully.  Read Full Article » - [We Can Have the Coast Guard or Tariffs, Not Both](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/03/we_can_have_the_coast_guard_or_tariffs_not_both_1150828.html): “The present increase in commerce is not to be attributed to ministers, or to any political contrivances, but to its own natural operations in consequence of peace.” The above insight is unoriginal; Thomas Paine felt it necessary to restate what should have been obvious to all—in 1792!  Centuries later, the fact that commerce is a natural consequence of peace seems even less obvious.  In the absence of conflict, voluntary exchange is as natural as breathing.  Suffocating is unnatural, and that is precisely what happens to people—“the economy”—when their ability to transact is degraded.  But there’s hope; the United States Coast Guard endeavors to “maintain the […] - [Thoughts From The Road: Europe](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/12/03/thoughts_from_the_road_europe_1150823.html): There is no shortage of attractive investment opportunities in Europe, but political realities, regulatory considerations, and consensus thinking are acting as relative impediments in a world where the pace of change is surely accelerating Read Full Article » - [iPhone 17 will drive record Apple shipments in 2025, IDC says](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/03/iphone-17-will-drive-record-apple-shipments-in-2025-idc.html): Apple will ship 247.4 million iPhones in 2025, up just over 6% year-on-year, IDC has forecast. This is higher than its previous record year, 2021, when the iPhone 13 was released. The iPhone 17 series and a rebound in China will drive those shipments, the research firm predicted. Apple’s latest iPhone models are shown on display at its Regent Street, London store on the launch day of the iPhone 17. Arjun Kharpal | CNBC Apple will hit a record level of iPhone shipments this year driven by its latest models and a resurgence in its key market of China, research firm […] - [Olive Young hits $680 mil. in foreign tourist purchases](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251203/olive-young-hits-680-mil-in-foreign-tourist-purchases?utm_source=rss): Foreign customers line up in front of an Olive Young shop in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong District. Courtesy of CJ Olive YoungCJ Olive Young reached 1 trillion won ($680 million) in purchases by visiting foreign tourists at its offline stores nationwide from January to November, establishing itself as a global K-beauty hub.The company announced the figure on Wednesday, noting that it is roughly 26 times its annual sales in 2022, when the market was still transitioning out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The share of offline sales by foreign customers, which hovered around 2 percent in 2022, surpassed 25 percent for the first time this year after climbing into double digits in 2023.“Achieving 1 trillion won in purchases by visiting foreigners is especially meaningful in that small and indie brands found global customers through Olive Young to accomplish this together,” an Olive Young official said.“We will continue to make efforts to ensure that K-beauty becomes not just a trend but a reason to revisit Korea and a core element of tourism.”The leading beauty and skin care product retailer has become a must-visit stop for travelers to Korea, as more foreign shoppers seek the latest in K-beauty trends. From January to November, Olive Young accounted for 88 percent of all domestic cosmetics transactions processed through tax refund service provider Global Tax Free by customers from 190 countries.According to the company’s recent report, about 40 percent of foreigners shopping at Olive Young visit two or more stores, trying multiple locations to enjoy the locations' different layouts and product displays.With the growing trend to visit local districts in addition to famous tourist spots, foreign visitors’ itineraries are broadening, with purchases at Olive Young shops in non-capital regions such as Jeju Island, Busan and Gwangju increasing by 86.8 times, compared to 2022.“Building town stores that serve as landmarks in commercial districts and specialized stores that reflect regional characteristics across the country was effective in attracting customers,” the official said.Visitors browse cosmetics at an Olive Young store in Seoul, Nov. 24. YonhapThe range of brands for their purchases is also diversifying. More than half, about 58 percent of foreigners visiting Olive Young stores, purchased six or more types of brands, while 33 percent bought 10 or more brands.The products for a basic skin care routine — cleansing, skin care, facial masks and sunscreen — have also seen a rise in demand. In 2019, only 12,000 customers purchased all of the related products, but the number jumped to 569,000 this year. The purchases are expanding into K-wellness as well, with a growth in health care-related product sales. From January to October, health care-related items and wellness food increased by 45 percent and 42 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year.The company’s strategy to designate foreign visitor-populated areas as global tourism districts has played a key role in shaping K-beauty shopping trends. Since reopening its Myeong-dong shop as a foreigner-friendly location in 2023, the company has been rolling out products, services and spaces tailored to satisfy global customers, establishing a dedicated team for the strategy. Nationwide, the company expanded foreign language speaking staff, experiential beauty services, easy payment options and dedicated spaces showcasing popular items at a glance. As of last month, the number of stores in global tourism districts reached 135, more than double the 60 from the previous year. - [Hyundai Motor Group unveils mobility robot platform in Japan](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20251203/hyundai-motor-group-unveils-mobility-robot-platform-in-japan?utm_source=rss): This undated photo shows MobED moving over rough terrain. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor GroupKorea's Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday it has unveiled its first mass-produced mobility robot platform, designed for various industrial and everyday applications, at a major robotics exhibition in Japan.The group, whose major affiliates include Hyundai Motor and Kia, showcased the Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED) at the International Robot Exhibition 2025 (iREX 2025) in Tokyo, Hyundai said in a press release.First introduced as a concept robot at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2022, MobED has since been refined into a production-ready, fully autonomous mobility robot platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the company said."Beyond a simple mobility platform, MobED offers a next-generation solution adaptable to diverse industries and everyday life. It will set new standards in the global robotics market and accelerate a future where humans and robots coexist," said Hyun Dong-jin, vice president and head of Hyundai Motor Group Robotics LAB.The group introduced two versions: MobED Basic, designed as a foundation for research and development, and MobED Pro, equipped with advanced autonomous capabilities.With these two models, MobED offers flexibility for evolving industrial needs while broadening the applications of robotics technology, the group said.Hyundai Motor Group plans to begin mass production of MobED in the first half of 2026 for customer delivery. - [Malaysia to resume search for missing flight MH370, more than a decade after plane vanished](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/03/malaysia-to-resume-search-for-missing-flight-mh370-more-than-a-decade-after-plane-vanished.html): The deep-sea search for missing wreckage of the aircraft will resume this month. Flight MH370 mysteriously disappeared from air traffic radar on Mar. 8, 2014. The plane was carrying 12 crew members and 227 passengers en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: A Malaysia Airlines Aircraft at Sydney Airport on September 05, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. James Gourley | Getty Images News | Getty Images The search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will resume later this month, more than a decade after the jet disappeared in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. The deep-sea search for missing wreckage of the aircraft will resume on Dec. 30, with U.S-based marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity carrying out the operation intermittently for a period of 55 days, Malaysia's transport ministry said in a statement Wednesday. "The search will be carried out in targeted area assesed to have the highest probability of locating the aircraft," the ministry said, without specifying the location of the search area. Flight MH370 was carrying 12 crew members and 227 passengers en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it disappeared from air traffic radar on Mar. 8, 2014, prompting multiple rounds of search efforts that have proved fruitless. In March, the Malaysian government approved a new search for the missing aircraft's debris, commissioning Ocean Infinity on a "no-find, no-fee" contract, in which the company will receive $70 million only if wreckage was discovered. However, the search was halted in April due to bad weather conditions. Malaysia also engaged Ocean Infinity to search the southern Indian Ocean in 2018, but it failed to find any substantive wreckage. TOPSHOT - A woman writes a message during an event held by relatives of the passengers and supporters to mark the 10th year since the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 carrying 239 people disappeared from radar screens on March 8, 2014 while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, in Subang Jaya on March 3, 2024. Arif Kartono | Afp | Getty Images In January 2017, Malaysia, China and Australia ended a futile two-year underwater search. In a 440-page investigation report that year, Australian officials said they had identified "a specific area of the Indian Ocean" that was more likely to be where the aircraft ended the flight. The report added that some debris, believed to be from the aircraft, washed ashore on the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands in 2015 and 2016. Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak said in 2014 that the jetliner had its communication and tracking system deliberately disabled and flown off course for more than six hours after it disappeared from the radar. Onboard the flight were more than 150 Chinese passengers, 50 Malaysians, and citizens of France, Australia, Indonesia, India, the U.S., Ukraine and Canada, among others. - [(LEAD) Seoul shares up over 1 pct on positive Q3 GDP report; won rises slightly](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203008651320): (ATTN: CHANGES photo; ADDS bond yields at bottom) SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares shot up more than 1 percent to close above the 4,000 point mark Wednesday as investors' sentiment was boosted after the Bank of Korea (BOK) said the economy expanded at the fastest pace in nearly four years in the third quarter on strong exports. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 41.37 points, or 1.04 percent, to close at 4,036.3. It was the first time the index finished above 4,000 since Nov. 20. Trade volume was low at 286 million shares worth 13 trillion won (US$8.85 billion), with gainers far outpacing losers 653 to 227. Foreigners bought a net 158.9 billion won worth of local shares, and individuals offloaded a net 898.7 trillion won. Institutions bought a net 756.9 billion won. According to the central bank, real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 1.3 percent in the July-September period from the previous quarter, 0.1 percentage point higher than the earlier estimate. "Amid the impact of tariff issues and global uncertainties, the South Korean economy has shown signs of recovery, prompting stronger demand for risky assets," Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said. Top tech giant Samsung Electronics gained 1.06 percent to 104,500 won and LG Energy Solution increased 0.72 percent to 418,000 won. No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix shed 1.08 percent to 552,000 won. Samsung C&T shot up 9.35 percent to 245,500 won after the company said in a regulatory filing on the previous day that Hong Ra-hee plans to give all of her 1.06 percent stake in the trading firm to her son, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong. Hanwha Aerospace increased 5.1 percent to 866,000 won on reports Spain is considering the defense company for its self-propelled howitzer program. The local currency was quoted at 1,468 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., up 0.4 won from the previous session. Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, ended lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys went up 1.9 basis points to 3.041 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds added 3.5 basis points to 3.246 percent. This photo shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Dec. 3, 2025. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr(END) - [US defense tech startup Anduril eyes manufacturing in Japan](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/startups/us-defense-tech-startup-anduril-eyes-manufacturing-in-japan): Startups Founder Palmer Luckey says it is exploring ‘Arsenal J’ factory concept Anduril founder Palmer Luckey says his startup could partner with Japanese defense companies. (Nikkei montage/ Source photos by Mitsuru Obe and Reuters) MITSURU OBE December 3, 2025 16:28 JST TOKYO — U.S. defense tech startup Anduril Industries is looking at setting up a factory in Japan as well as partnering with local manufacturers to supply equipment to the government. - [(LEAD) Doosan Bobcat files patent infringement suits against Caterpillar](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203003051320): (ATTN: UPDATES with company's possible acquisition in last 2 paras) SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Doosan Bobcat, a South Korean construction equipment maker, said Wednesday that its U.S. unit has filed multiple lawsuits against U.S. construction firm Caterpillar Inc. over alleged infringements of its patent rights. Doosan Bobcat North America, also known as Bobcat Company, filed complaints with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Unified Patent Court of the European Union and a German federal court, accusing Caterpillar of infringing 14 patents, the company said in a press release. "Bobcat Company is taking these legal actions to protect our patented technologies, defend fair competition and safeguard the innovation and craftsmanship that have defined our company for more than 65 years," the company said. The 14 patents at issue cover technologies that support key performance attributes, including maneuverability, power, efficiency and overall machine performance, it said. "They are foundational to our machines' strength, versatility and precision, as well as to the future of Bobcat innovation -- driving advancements across our product lineup and ensuring each machine is worthy of carrying the Bobcat brand," the company said. Meanwhile, Doosan Bobcat said the same day that it is considering acquiring German construction equipment maker Wacker Neuson SE but no definitive decision has been made yet. The news sent Doosan Bobcat shares 4.96 percent higher to 59,300 won Wednesday, far outperforming the broader Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), which gained 1.04 percent. This undated file photo provided by Doosan Bobcat North America shows a building in West Fargo, North Dakota. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr(END) - [Korean Air, Hyundai Rotem to build reusable methane rocket engine](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20251203/korean-air-hyundai-rotem-to-build-reusable-methane-rocket-engine?utm_source=rss): This aerial rendering shows a reusable 35-ton-class methane rocket engine, a core technology for next-generation launch vehicles. Courtesy of Hyundai Rotem Korean Air and Hyundai Rotem said Wednesday they will jointly develop a reusable 35-ton-class methane rocket engine — a core technology for next-generation launch vehicles — by October 2030 under a government-backed 49 billion-won ($33 million) program.Under the program, overseen by the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT), Hyundai Rotem will lead engine planning, evaluate the engine power pack and manufacture the engine's combustors, the company said in a press release."We began work on methane engine technologies in 1994 and achieved a successful combustion test in 2006. Through this project, we expect to secure the technological base needed to commercialize methane rocket engines," Hyundai Rotem, the country's sole tank manufacturer, said.Korean Air, the nation's largest carrier, said it will lead development of the engine's turbopump — a core component often described as the heart of the propulsion system."We are mobilizing our aerospace expertise to develop a high-performance, highly reliable turbopump optimized for methane engines," said Kim Kyung-nam, head of Korean Air's Aerospace R&D Center. "This project will strengthen Korea's space industry ecosystem and support the development of military satellite launch vehicles and future national defense needs."Korean Air said technologies developed through the program will bolster national defense capabilities and establish a strategic foundation for the country's rapidly growing commercial New Space sector.Some 70 experts and government and industry officials attended a kick-off meeting in Daejeon, South Chungcheong Province, to review development tasks, technical-validation procedures and risk-management plans essential to the program's success, the companies said. - [Coupang's market dominance remains unshaken after data breach: analysts](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251203/coupangs-market-dominance-remains-unshaken-after-data-breach-analysts?utm_source=rss): Coupang delivery vehicles are parked at a logistics center in Seoul, Monday. YonhapCoupang's massive data breach is expected to have only a limited impact on the number of customers leaving the platform, due to the company's dominant position and differentiated services, analysts said Wednesday.The breach, which exposed the personal information of 33.7 million users, is the largest in Korean history. It reportedly occurred five months ago due to a former employee, but remained undetected until recently.Coupang shares dropped 5.36 percent on Monday (local time) following reports of the breach over the weekend. The stock, however, rebounded slightly on Tuesday, rising 0.23 percent to close at $26.71 in New York trading.Despite the negative headlines, Coupang's domestic rivals saw modest gains or remained largely unaffected.From Monday to Wednesday, Naver shares climbed 1.44 percent to 246,500 won ($167.85). Naver operates e-commerce platforms, including Naver Store and Naver Pay. Emart and Lotte Shopping also advanced 4 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively, while the benchmark KOSPI index added 2.96 percent.Coupang controlled 22.7 percent of Korea's e-commerce market by revenue last year, ahead of Naver at 20.7 percent, Gmarket and Auction at 8 percent, and SSG.com at 3 percent.Analysts say the company's flagship services — such as Rocket Delivery, a free next-day delivery service, and Coupang Play, a streaming platform — provide enough value to limit customers from leaving the platform. Even if some users do depart, rivals may see little benefit, as consumers consider competing platforms similarly vulnerable to data breaches."We expect potential customer losses to be limited due to CPNG's (stock ticker symbol for Coupang) unrivaled market positioning and Korean customers being seemingly less sensitive to data breach issues," J.P. Morgan analysts wrote in a note Monday.Park Seyon of Morgan Stanley and Cho Ahyung of Bank of America Securities also reiterated buy ratings on Coupang on Sunday and Monday, respectively, according to investment research platform TipRanks. Their price targets remain $35 and $38.J.P. Morgan analysts said the breach is likely to result in temporary reputational damage and potential one-off costs, including customer compensation or regulatory fines.Those risks are growing, as consumers prepare a class-action lawsuit and the government signals that significant penalties are imminent. Under the Korean law, companies can be fined up to 3 percent of their total revenue for data protection violations. With Coupang reporting 41 trillion won in revenue last year, penalties could exceed 1.2 trillion won.The company may also face scrutiny in the U.S. as Coupang has not disclosed the breach to the Securities and Exchange Commission, despite listing on the Nasdaq. U.S. regulations require public companies to report "material cybersecurity incidents" within four business days."The damage is massive, at roughly 34 million cases, but even more startling is the fact that the company did not realize the breach had occurred for five months," President Lee Jae Myung said at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday. He called for tougher penalties and a more practical punitive damages system. - [Johns Hopkins to host US-Korea biotechnology forum in Songdo](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251203/johns-hopkins-to-host-us-korea-biotechnology-forum-in-songdo?utm_source=rss): The Johns Hopkins Global Biotechnology Innovation Summit will be held in Songdo, Incheon, Thursday. Courtesy of Incheon Free Economic Zone Johns Hopkins University in the United States will host a bio forum in Incheon on Thursday, seeking ways for government agencies, companies and scholars in Korea and the U.S. to collaborate on the future of the bio industry.The prestigious university in Baltimore, Md., will launch the “Johns Hopkins Global Biotechnology Innovation Summit” in Songdo, Incheon. The forum will explore how to apply biotechnology to global industries through bilateral cooperation.Core topics include organoids and micro-physiological systems, AI-based drug development, high-precision medical research, biomanufacturing and industrialization, global models for industry–academia–research collaboration and investment strategies for bio startups.Faculty members from Johns Hopkins, Harvard University and the University of Cambridge will join the forum. Heads of state-run research institutes, senior executives from global pharmaceutical and biotech firms and representatives from venture capital companies will also attend.The forum is jointly organized by Korean government agencies, including the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology and the Korea Basic Science Institute. Academic and research partners include Yonsei University, Incheon National University, Pohang University of Science and Technology, the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association and K-BioLabHub.Industry leaders will also share their expertise. Officials from Samsung Biologics, DreamCIS and U.S.-based Curi Bio will present their latest organoid-based services for contract research organizations, while Celltrion will highlight its global collaborations for new drug development.“This event will serve as an important turning point for Songdo to emerge as a global bio innovation hub,” IFEZ Commissioner Yun Won-sok said.“IFEZ will actively support the creation of a bio industry ecosystem that links research and development to industrialization and global expansion through cooperation with world-class research institutions, global companies and industry associations.”Kim Deok-ho, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, said the summit will go beyond simple academic exchange to serve as a practical platform that connects biotechnology with real-world industries and global markets. - [Seoul shares up over 1 pct on positive Q3 GDP report; won rises slightly](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203008600320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares shot up more than 1 percent to close above the 4,000 point mark Wednesday as investors' sentiment was boosted after the Bank of Korea (BOK) said the economy expanded at the fastest pace in nearly four years in the third quarter on strong exports. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 41.37 points, or 1.04 percent, to close at 4,036.3. It was the first time the index finished above 4,000 since Nov. 20. Trade volume was low at 286 million shares worth 13 trillion won (US$8.85 billion), with gainers far outpacing losers 653 to 227. Foreigners bought a net 158.9 billion won worth of local shares, and individuals offloaded a net 898.7 trillion won. Institutions bought a net 756.9 billion won. According to the central bank, real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 1.3 percent in the July-September period from the previous quarter, 0.1 percentage point higher than the earlier estimate. "Amid the impact of tariff issues and global uncertainties, the South Korean economy has shown signs of recovery, prompting stronger demand for risky assets," Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said. Top tech giant Samsung Electronics gained 1.06 percent to 104,500 won and LG Energy Solution increased 0.72 percent to 418,000 won. No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix shed 1.08 percent to 552,000 won. Samsung C&T shot up 9.35 percent to 245,500 won after the company said in a regulatory filing on the previous day that Hong Ra-hee plans to give all of her 1.06 percent stake in the trading firm to her son, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong. Hanwha Aerospace increased 5.1 percent to 866,000 won on reports Spain is considering the defense company for its self-propelled howitzer program. The local currency was quoted at 1,468 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., up 0.4 won from the previous session. This photo shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Dec. 3, 2025. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr(END) - [China's LandSpace fails to complete reusable rocket test](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-landspace-reusable-rocket-test-failure-space-ambitions-5530156): SpaceX pioneered commercial rocket reusability about a decade ago with its workhorse Falcon 9, disrupting an established US launch industry that relied primarily on expendable boosters that are discarded in the ocean or remain in space after their mission. The reusable Falcon 9 core stage allowed SpaceX to start launching its Starlink satellites in 2019 far faster than its rivals, becoming the world’s largest operator the following year and disrupting the global satellite communications industry. In October, Musk praised Zhuque-3’s design, saying on X that the Chinese rocket could even beat Falcon 9. But the gap is still wide and there […] - [A week after Hong Kong's deadly fire, some residents return for belongings](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-deadly-fire-week-after-residents-return-belongings-5530236): TEMPORARY HOUSING INADEQUATE FOR MANY More than 2,600 residents have been put in temporary accommodation, the government said, with 1,013 residents staying in hostels, camps or hotel rooms. Another 1,607 residents have moved into transitional housing units. “I can’t sleep at night, thinking about my home. Everything that I have earned for decades is gone,” said a 71-year-old woman surnamed Leung, who had come back to the complex with her husband and daughter to speak with support staff there. Leung and her husband had been put in transitional housing last week after the fire torched their apartment. However, she said the […] - [Malaysian superstar Erra Fazira set to marry entrepreneur boyfriend on Dec 12](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/erra-fazira-marry-december-2025-5530186): Popular Malaysian actress-singer Erra Fazira, 51, is set to marry her entrepreneur boyfriend Ezwan Zain, 44, on Dec 12. The Sembilu star confirmed the news during a press conference for the remake of her iconic song, Cinta Abadi, on Tuesday (Dec 2). Following a performance of the song, Erra, whose real name is Fazira Wan Chek, was asked if Dec 12 was the date “for good news”. Battling tears, Erra confirmed that “if all goes well”, she will be getting married on that date. “These are happy tears, not sad ones,” she joked while making the announcement. - [Southeast Asian insurers call for 'new model' after deadly storms](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/insurance/southeast-asian-insurers-call-for-new-model-after-deadly-storms): Insurance Industry says cyclones and other extreme weather are now ‘structural risk drivers’ Rescuers in the Agam regency of Indonesia’s West Sumatra province wade through mud and floodwaters past a house destroyed by recent cyclones. © Reuters DYLAN LOH December 3, 2025 15:31 JST SINGAPORE — As Southeast Asian governments struggle to deliver aid to survivors of recent cyclones and other storms, regional insurers are calling for “new models” to strengthen regional resilience to climate-driven events, which the industry now regard as “structural risk drivers.” - [Sri Lanka counts cyclone cost as death toll hits 465](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/sri-lanka-floods-cyclone-counts-costs-toll-hits-465-5530166): COLOMBO: Sri Lankan authorities said on Wednesday (Dec 3) they would need around US$7 billion to rebuild homes, industries and roads destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah, which has left at least 465 people dead so far. Hopes have faded for the 366 other people unaccounted for after mudslides and floods triggered by the cyclone, which brought record rains across the island last week. “Our initial estimate is that we will need about six to seven billion dollars for the reconstruction,” said Prabath Chandrakeerthi, the Commissioner-General of Essential Services who is leading the massive recovery effort. Chandrakeerthi added that the government was providing […] - [From railways to Labubus: how China Inc. went on a 50-year trip abroad](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3335005/railways-labubus-chinas-businesses-and-their-50-year-journey-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed): With their domestic profits narrowing and production capacity expanding, China’s firms are continuing to widen their overseas footprints in search of new, more lucrative markets. In this series, we examine China Inc.’s next phase of “going global” and the complex, challenging international environment its companies have chosen to enter. The emergence of Chinese companies onto the global stage has been one of the most important business stories of the past 50 years. From engineering contractors to toy brands like Pop Mart’s wildly popular Labubu figures, China Inc. now has a highly visible presence in countries around the world. On the surface, […] - [Science minister vows continued support for space sector following Nuri launch](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203003100320): By Kang Yoon-seung SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon on Wednesday pledged continued support for South Korea's space industry, which played a key role in last week's successful launch of the homegrown Nuri rocket. Bae visited Hanwha Aerospace Co.'s research center in the central city of Daejeon, discussing the company's achievements in the defense, artificial intelligence (AI) and space sectors, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT. The 200-ton Nuri blasted off from Naro Space Center in the country's southern coastal village of Goheung, some 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on Thursday last week, placing 13 satellites, including the main CAS500-3, into orbit at an altitude of 600 kilometers. The latest launch, the fourth of the Nuri project, marked the first time Hanwha Aerospace oversaw the entire assembly process as part of the government's long-term plan to hand over space technologies to the private sector. The science minister also visited the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), located in the city, presenting honors to staff members who contributed to the successful fourth launch of the Nuri rocket. "Through the development of an independent AI model, the government intends to accelerate AI-based research innovation and build an environment in which companies can effectively carry out research projects," Bae was quoted as saying by the ministry. "With the era of business-led space launches by companies such as Hanwha Aerospace being opened, the government will provide unwavering support in policy, industry, security and diplomacy to help South Korea become one of the five major space powers." The Nuri space rocket takes off from Naro Space Center in Goheung, some 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 27, 2025. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr(END) - [India's Congress seeks parliament debate on state-run app for smartphones](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/india-sanchar-saathi-app-congress-parliament-debate-5529931): NEW DELHI: India’s main opposition party said on Wednesday (Dec 3) that a government plan to preload a state-run app on smartphones violates the privacy of users and the government needed to explain itself, escalating tensions on a matter that has sparked surveillance fears. The Indian government has confidentially ordered companies including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi to preload their phones with an app called Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, within 90 days, Reuters was first to report on Monday. The app is intended to track stolen phones, block them and prevent them from being misused, but privacy advocates and many of […] - [Search for missing flight MH370 to resume this month, Malaysia says](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/mh370-missing-flight-search-resume-month-malaysia-5529671): KUALA LUMPUR: The search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 will resume on Dec 30, Malaysia’s transport ministry said on Wednesday (Dec 3), more than a decade after the Beijing-bound flight disappeared in one of the world’s greatest aviation mysteries. Flight MH370, a Boeing 777, was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew when it vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in 2014. The most recent search in the southern Indian Ocean in April this year was suspended due to poor weather conditions. Ocean Infinity confirmed it will recommence seabed search operations for 55 days, to be conducted intermittently, Malaysia’s […] - [Anthropic reportedly preparing for one of the largest IPOs ever in race with OpenAI: FT](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/03/anthropic-claude-reportedly-preparing-ipo-race-openai-chatgpt-ft-wilson-sonsini-goodrich-rosati.html): Anthropic is weighing a massive IPO while also exploring fresh private funding over the $300 billion mark, per the FT. The AI firm has reportedly engaged Wilson Sonsini and major banks as the startup races OpenAI for a public listing. The potential listings would test investor appetite for high-burn AI firms amid bubble fears and surging valuations. Nurphoto | Getty Images Anthropic, the AI startup behind the popular Claude chatbot, is in early talks to launch one of the largest initial public offerings as early as next year, the Financial Times reported Wednesday.  For the potential IPO, Anthropic has engaged law […] - [China Inc goes global](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/series/3334991/china-inc-goes-global?utm_source=rss_feed): With domestic profits narrowing and production capacity expanding, China’s firms are continuing to widen their overseas footprints in search of new, more lucrative markets. In this series, we examine China Inc’s next phase of “going global” and the complex, challenging international environment its companies have chosen to enter. Updated: 03 Dec, 2025 - [Nine Japanese, two American firms sue US government for tariff refunds](https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/trump-administration/nine-japanese-two-american-firms-sue-us-government-for-tariff-refunds): Trump administration Plaintiffs want to ensure payments as Supreme Court weighs constitutionality of Trump’s levies Japanese companies, including affiliates of Toyota Tsusho, Sumitomo Chemical and Ricoh, and two U.S. companies have filed lawsuits against the U.S. government with the U.S. International Trade Court in New York. © Kyodo Nikkei staff writers December 3, 2025 12:01 JST NEW YORK/WASHINGTON — At least nine Japanese companies and two U.S. companies have filed lawsuits against the U.S. government seeking refunds over additional tariffs imposed by the Trump administration as the Supreme Court reviews the constitutionality of the levies. - [Industry ministry's 2026 budget up nearly 20 pct for AI transformation of manufacturing sector, trade response](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203005300320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said Wednesday its 2026 budget increased nearly 20 percent from this year, with a focus on accelerating the artificial intelligence (AI) transformation in the manufacturing sector and responding to global trade uncertainties. The ministry's budget for next year was confirmed at 9.4 trillion won (US$6.4 billion), up 18.8 percent from the 2025 allocation, as the National Assembly passed next year's budget of 727.9 trillion won the previous day. The finalized budget is slightly lower than the 9.7 trillion won that the ministry initially proposed for contributions to the trade insurance fund to support a US$350 billion investment in the United States under the Seoul-Washington tariff deal. South Korea, however, has decided to establish a separate strategic investment corporation to manage a special fund for U.S. investment. The fund will be raised through earnings from foreign exchange reserves entrusted by the government and the Bank of Korea, as well as overseas issuance of government-guaranteed bonds. For 2026, the ministry doubled its budget for AI transformation in the manufacturing industry from this year to 1.1 trillion won. The project will be led by the Manufacturing AX (M.AX) Alliance, launched in September and comprising some 1,000 major companies and research institutes, including Samsung Electronics Co., Hyundai Motor Group, LG Electronics Inc. and robotics firm Rainbow Robotics. Another 1.7 trillion won has been set aside for fostering the growth of advanced industries, such as semiconductors, bio-health, shipbuilding and secondary batteries, marking a 34.2 percent increase from this year. The trade response budget was expanded 18 percent to 1.2 trillion won to help Korean companies respond to global trade uncertainties sparked by protectionist policies of major economies. Some 1.9 trillion won has been allocated for supply chain stabilization measures, including a critical mineral recycling project. This undated file photo, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources in the administrative city of Sejong. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr(END) - [Mitsubishi Electric to triple output capacity for optical devices](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/tech/semiconductors/mitsubishi-electric-to-triple-output-capacity-for-optical-devices): Semiconductors With AI-driven data center demand, investment to shift from lackluster EV chips A wafer containing many optical semiconductors at Mitsubishi Electric’s Sagamihara facility. (Photo by Neo Jimbo) NEO JIMBO December 3, 2025 11:36 JST TOKYO — Mitsubishi Electric plans to triple production capacity for optical semiconductor devices used in data centers and communications base stations, stepping up investment as AI-driven demand continues to grow. - [Imported car sales jump 23 pct in Nov. on Tesla, German models](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203004500320): SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- Sales of imported vehicles in South Korea jumped 23 percent in November from a year earlier, buoyed by strong demand for Tesla and German models, industry data showed Wednesday. New registrations of imported cars rose to 29,357 units last month from 23,784 a year earlier, according to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA). The three bestselling models in November were the Tesla Model Y, the Mercedes-Benz E200 sedan and the Tesla Model Y Long Range, the data showed. Sales of Tesla vehicles more than doubled to 7,632 units from 3,618 a year earlier. By fuel type, hybrid vehicles accounted for 51 percent of monthly sales with 15,064 units, followed by electric vehicles (EVs) at 37 percent, gasoline models at 10.9 percent and diesel cars at 1.1 percent. From January to November, imported vehicle sales climbed 16.3 percent to 278,769 units, up from 239,764 in the same period last year. Three German automakers -- Volkswagen Group Korea, BMW Group Korea and Mercedes-Benz Korea -- sold a combined 155,292 units in the first 11 months, up 3.2 percent from 150,447 a year earlier. German brands accounted for 6 out of every 10 imported vehicles sold in South Korea during the 11-month period. Tesla's Model Y vehicle (Yonhap) kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr(END) - [Asiana to temporarily reduce flights to LA in H1 2026](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251203/asiana-to-temporarily-reduce-flights-to-la-in-h1-2026?utm_source=rss): This file photo shows an A321NEO plane. Courtesy of Asiana Airlines Asiana Airlines, Korea's second-largest carrier, said Wednesday it will temporarily reduce flights on its Los Angeles route in the first half of next year as part of a route reorganization plan.Asiana plans to operate one flight per day on the Incheon–Los Angeles route from Jan. 15 through May 31, down from the current two daily flights, the company said in a press release."The temporary reduction is part of the company's broader route readjustment program based on demand," an Asiana spokesperson said.During the cited period, the available service will be Flight OZ204, departing Incheon at 9 p.m. and leaving Los Angeles at 11:30 p.m., the company said. - [Doosan Bobcat files patent infringement suits against Caterpillar](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20251203/doosan-bobcat-files-patent-infringement-suits-against-caterpillar?utm_source=rss): This undated file photo shows a building in West Fargo, North Dakota. Courtesy of Doosan Bobcat North America Doosan Bobcat, a Korean construction equipment maker, said Wednesday that its U.S. unit has filed multiple lawsuits against U.S. construction firm Caterpillar over alleged infringements of its patent rights.Doosan Bobcat North America, also known as Bobcat Company, filed complaints with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Unified Patent Court of the European Union and a German federal court, accusing Caterpillar of infringing 14 patents, the company said in a press release."Bobcat Company is taking these legal actions to protect our patented technologies, defend fair competition and safeguard the innovation and craftsmanship that have defined our company for more than 65 years," the company said.The 14 patents at issue cover technologies that support key performance attributes, including maneuverability, power, efficiency and overall machine performance, it said."They are foundational to our machines' strength, versatility and precision, as well as to the future of Bobcat innovation — driving advancements across our product lineup and ensuring each machine is worthy of carrying the Bobcat brand," the company said. - [KB Securities opens Mumbai office to enter India's financial market](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203004200320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Local brokerage KB Securities Co. said Wednesday it has opened an office in India's financial capital of Mumbai to seek new investment opportunities there. An opening ceremony was held on Monday (local time) at the new office located near India's financial center of Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), with the attendance of National Stock Exchange of India's vice president, Rohit Kumar, and South Korea's consul general to Mumbai, Kim Dong-wan, the brokerage said in a press release. KB Securities added that its Mumbai office will serve as an outpost to secure various investment opportunities in India, including merger and acquisition deals. Officials attend the opening ceremony of KB Securities Co.'s new office in Mumbai, India, on Dec. 1, 2025, in this photo provided by the South Korean brokerage. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) fairydust@yna.co.kr(END) - [Hyundai, Kia's U.S. sales up 0.1 pct in Nov. on hybrid models](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203004100320): SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday its U.S. sales rose 0.1 percent on-year in November, supported by strong gasoline hybrid vehicle sales despite ongoing tariff pressures. The group said its combined U.S. sales in November inched up to 154,308 units. Hyundai Motor Co. sold 82,306 units, down 2 percent from a year earlier, while Kia Corp.'s sales rose 2.7 percent to 72,002 units. "Hyundai's November sales highlighted the strength of our SUV lineup, with Tucson, Santa Fe and the all-new Palisade each posting double-digit growth. Hybrid demand remains strong, and we set a new all-time monthly record for hybrid vehicle sales," Randy Parker, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Hyundai Motor North America, said in a press release. The two carmakers' gasoline hybrid car sales jumped 49 percent on-year to 36,172 units last month in the world's most important automobile market, according to their sales data. "As consumer demand shifts, Kia's diverse product lineup and growing hybrid portfolio has us on the verge of our third consecutive annual sales record," said Eric Watson, vice president in charge of sales operations at Kia America. In contrast, their electric vehicle (EV) sales plunged 59 percent on-year to 4,618 units in November. From January to November, the companies' combined U.S. sales rose 8.1 percent on-year to 1,673,772 vehicles. Hyundai's sales climbed 8.7 percent to 896,620 units, while Kia's gained 7.5 percent to 777,152 units. All Hyundai figures include sales results for Genesis, its independent luxury brand. This photo, provided by Hyundai Motor Co., shows the company's Tucson SUV model. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr(END) - [Asia-Pacific markets rise after Wall Street's tech-fueled recovery](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/03/asia-markets-live.html): Australia released third-quarter GDP data. U.S. indexes climbed in overnight trading. Bitcoin made a recovery, crossing past 90,000. Panoramic view of Busan city, South Korea taken on sunrise. Alex Veprik | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were mostly higher Wednesday, after Wall Street saw a tech-fueled recovery and a cryptocurrency rally. Bitcoin climbed over 7% to cross the $90,000 mark in overnight trading after a sharp sell-off a day earlier, and was last trading at 91,462. Japan's Nikkei 225 climbed 0.76%, while the broad-based Topix was down 0.31%. South Korea's Kospi was up 1.06%, while the small-cap Kosdaq rose 0.29%. The country's revised third-quarter GDP numbers indicated that country's economy grew at 1.8% year on year, compared to 1.7% in the initial estimate, data from the central bank showed Wednesday. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also addressed the country on the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to declare martial law. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.32% as the country's third-quarter GDP data missed estimates. The country's GDP expanded 2.1% year on year, marking its strongest expansion since the third quarter of 2023, but fell short of the 2.2% expected by economists polled by Reuters. Hong Kong markets opened 0.41% lower, while the mainland CSI 300 added 0.22%. U.S. stock futures were little changed during early Asia hours after major U.S. indexes recovered some losses from the previous session. Overnight in the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.39%, while the S&P 500 climbed 0.25% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.59%. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [UBS predicts 2.4 million China property foreclosures as loan defaults rise](https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3334940/china-property-crisis-ubs-predicts-24-million-foreclosures-2027-loan-defaults-rise?utm_source=rss_feed): Mainland China’s falling property prices and a weak economy could lead to rising loan defaults, adding to a surfeit of foreclosed homes and further extending the years-long slump, according to UBS. The number of apartments seized by banks from small businesses could reach more than 2.4 million by 2027, said John Lam, head of China property research at the Swiss bank, on Tuesday. Most small businesses on the mainland pledge property as collateral for loans. The sale of these foreclosed properties could impact about a fourth of China’s new home sales annually and further drive down the prices of second-hand homes, […] - [Australia's economic growth misses estimates, rising 2.1% in the third quarter](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/03/australia-q3-gdp-september.html): The country's GDP expanded 2.1% compared with the same period a year earlier. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, Australia's GDP grew 0.4%. Domestic final demand contributed 1.1 percentage points to growth. Net trade was a major drag, denting the economy by 0.1 percentage point, as imports outpaced exports. Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architect Mr Jorn Oberg Utzon, at first light as the sun rises over Sydney harbor and city center skyscrapers. Ucg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images Australia's third-quarter economic growth missed analysts' expectations, but still clocked its fastest expansion in about two years, driven by strong investment and consumer demand. The country's GDP expanded 2.1% year on year, marking its strongest expansion since the third quarter of 2023 when the economy expanded at the same rate, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday. GDP missed economists' forecast for a 2.2% growth. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, Australia's GDP grew 0.4% compared with 0.7% forecast in a Reuters poll. Domestic final demand contributed 1.1 percentage points to growth while net trade was a major drag, denting the economy by 0.1 percentage point, as imports outpaced exports. The economic growth reading came after Reserve Bank of Australia governor Michele Bullock cautioned that the economy had likely already hit its potential growth limit. At the monetary policy meeting last month, the central bank kept its interest rate unchanged at 3.6%, saying it was cautious about easing further, given a strengthening economy, tight labor market and persistent inflationary pressure. Bullock said last month that the current interest rate cutting cycle could be close to an end, with the central bank forecasting inflation to stay above its target range of 2% to 3% until the second half of next year. The RBA's board meets next week and is widely expected to leave interest rates at 3.6%. The country's inflation accelerated in October, rising 3.8% year on year, marking its fastest pace in seven months. In the second quarter this year, Australia's economy expanded 1.8% year on year, compared with 1.3% in the prior quarter, underpinned by domestic spending including household and government consumption. - [S. Korea to triple onshore wind power generation by 2030 in bid to achieve carbon neutrality](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203002500320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea aims to triple its onshore wind power capacity to 6 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 while lowering generation costs as part of efforts to expand the use of eco-friendly energy and achieve carbon neutrality, the climate ministry said Wednesday. The goal was announced at the inaugural meeting of an intergovernmental task force on accelerating the deployment of onshore wind power, according to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. Under the plan, the country will seek to expand the installed capacity of onshore wind power facilities threefold over the next five years from the current level of 2 GW, the ministry said. It also aims to raise the capacity to 12 GW by 2035. The government plans to reduce the generation cost of onshore wind power to below 150 won (US$0.10) per kilowatt-hour (kWh) by 2030, down from the current 180 won per kWh. To reach the goal, the ministry said it plans to open bids to distribute 300 domestically manufactured wind turbines over the next five years. It will also provide support for the development of small and medium-sized turbines, as well as technologies for connecting onshore wind power facilities to energy storage systems and heat pumps. This file photo taken April 21, 2025, shows onshore wind power turbines installed on a mountain in Hwasun County, South Jeolla Province. (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr(END) - [Car exports set to fall for first time in five years: sources](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203002600320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's vehicle exports are expected to decline in 2025 for the first time in five years due to increased overseas production and U.S. import tariffs, industry sources said Wednesday. The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA) estimated this year's vehicle exports at 2.71 million to 2.72 million units, down 2.3-2.6 percent from 2.78 million units a year earlier, according to the sources. If the forecast holds, it will mark the first annual decline since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global vehicle shipments, they said. Vehicle exports fell to 1.88 million units in 2020 from 2.4 million units the previous year. Shipments then rebounded steadily, rising from 2.04 million units in 2021 to 2.76 million in 2023, KAMA data showed. The projected drop this year is attributed mainly to weaker shipments to the United States, the largest overseas market for Korean carmakers. This undated file photo shows vehicles lined up at a port before being shipped overseas. (Yonhap) From January to October, South Korea exported 2.25 million vehicles, with about 460,000 units expected to be shipped in the final two months of the year. In the first 10 months, exports to the U.S. accounted for 49 percent of the total. Shipments to the market fell 7.9 percent on-year to 1.1 million units. The decline followed Hyundai Motor Group's launch in October of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), its dedicated U.S. electric vehicle plant. The group plans to expand the plant's annual capacity from 300,000 to 500,000 units to meet local demand. Although the U.S. government recently reduced tariffs on Korean-made cars to 15 percent from 25 percent, industry officials say tariff burdens are still expected to weigh on exports to the American market. "If Hyundai Motor Group raises U.S. retail prices to maintain profitability, local demand for Hyundai and Kia models may weaken, leading to further declines in shipments," an industry official said. kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr(END) - [Beijing woos foreign firms as China seeks bigger role in global shipbuilding supply chain](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3334950/beijing-woos-foreign-firms-china-seeks-bigger-role-global-shipbuilding-supply-chain?utm_source=rss_feed): Beijing is extending an olive branch to overseas companies as it seeks to build a more integrated global supply chain for the shipbuilding industry, in its latest push to project goodwill and support free trade. Gao Dongsheng, chief economist at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), said on Tuesday that China was committed to further opening up its shipbuilding sector. Advertisement 01:29 China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials He added that Chinese firms would seek deeper collaboration with foreign partners to accelerate the […] - [Seoul shares open slightly higher on Wall Street gains](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203002400320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened slightly higher Wednesday tracking overnight gains on Wall Street led by improved appetite for tech shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 3.72 points, or 0.09 percent, to 3,998.65 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight on Wall Street, the S&P 500 added 0.25 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.39 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite increased 0.59 percent. In Seoul, top tech giant Samsung Electronics rose 1.16 percent, while SK hynix shed 2.15 percent. LG Energy Solution remained unchanged. Carmakers traded mixed, with Hyundai Motor also remaining unchanged from the previous session while Kia moved up 0.43 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,467.5 won against the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., up 0.9 won from the previous session's close. This photo shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Dec. 3, 2025. (Yonhap) colin@yna.co.kr(END) - [(LEAD) S. Korea posts 1.3 pct Q3 GDP growth, faster than initial estimate: BOK](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203001251320): (ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 7-11, additional photo) SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's economy expanded at the fastest pace in nearly four years in the third quarter, buoyed by strong exports and improving private consumption, central bank data showed Wednesday. The real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 1.3 percent in the July-September period from the previous quarter, 0.1 percentage point higher than the earlier estimate, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). The reading marked the fastest quarterly expansion since the fourth quarter of 2021, when the economy grew 1.6 percent. It also accelerated from a 0.7 percent on-quarter rise in the second quarter and exceeded the BOK's prior projection of 1.1 percent. On an on-year basis, the economy expanded 1.8 percent in the third quarter, a sharp pickup from the 0.6 percent growth recorded in the second quarter. Containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern port city of Busan on Dec. 1, 2025. (Yonhap) South Korea's GDP unexpectedly contracted 0.2 percent in the first quarter as a domestic political crisis triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration and mounting uncertainty from U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff measures weighed on consumer sentiment and exports. The economy has since regained momentum, supported by government stimulus and robust export performance, particularly in the semiconductor sector. Rising domestic demand and exports drove the economic expansion in the third quarter. Private consumption rose 1.3 percent, marking the fastest growth since the third quarter of 2022, while government spending also climbed 1.3 percent, the highest since the fourth quarter of 2022. Exports advanced 2.1 percent from the previous quarter, supported by strong global demand for semiconductors and automobiles. Facilities investment grew 2.6 percent, while construction investment edged up 0.6 percent. The BOK said domestic demand and net exports contributed 1.2 percentage points and 0.1 percentage point, respectively, to the third-quarter economic growth. In its latest outlook released last week, the central bank raised its growth projection for this year by 0.1 percentage point to 1 percent. For 2026, it forecast a 1.8 percent expansion. Presenting a rosier growth forecast, the BOK held its benchmark interest rate steady for the fourth consecutive meeting amid a weak currency and an unsettled housing market. This file photo taken Nov. 25, 2025, shows a Myeongdong street in Seoul. (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr(END) - [Crackdown on trucking schools shouldn't disrupt industry. But scrutiny on immigrant drivers might](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/closer-look-trucking-schools-shouldnt-disrupt-industry-scrutiny/): The Trump administration’s latest move to enforce standards for commercial truck drivers, by flagging nearly half of the driving schools as noncompliant, doesn’t figure to disrupt the industry, experts say. But the heavy scrutiny on immigrant drivers might. The bigger, more reputable schools were not included in the list and many of the schools that were appear to have already been idle, leading trucking industry officials to predict minimal turmoil. The self-certification process that has been in place since 2022 allowed questionable schools to gain recognition. Plus, these efforts to enforce training standards – and the previous moves to strengthen licensing […] - [S. Korea posts 1.3 pct Q3 GDP growth, faster than initial estimate: BOK](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251203001200320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's economy expanded at the fastest pace in nearly four years in the third quarter, buoyed by strong exports and improving private consumption, central bank data showed Wednesday. The real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 1.3 percent in the July-September period from the previous quarter, 0.1 percentage point higher than the earlier estimate, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). The reading marked the fastest quarterly expansion since the fourth quarter of 2021, when the economy grew 1.6 percent. It also accelerated from a 0.7 percent on-quarter rise in the second quarter and exceeded the BOK's prior projection of 1.1 percent. On an on-year basis, the economy expanded 1.8 percent in the third quarter, a sharp pickup from the 0.6 percent growth recorded in the second quarter. Containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern port city of Busan on Dec. 1, 2025. (Yonhap) South Korea's GDP unexpectedly contracted 0.2 percent in the first quarter as a domestic political crisis triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration and mounting uncertainty from U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff measures weighed on consumer sentiment and exports. The economy has since regained momentum, supported by government stimulus and robust export performance, particularly in the semiconductor sector. In its latest outlook released last week, the central bank raised its growth projection for this year by 0.1 percentage point to 1 percent. For 2026, it forecast a 1.8 percent expansion. Presenting a rosier growth forecast, the BOK held its benchmark interest rate steady for the fourth consecutive meeting amid a weak currency and an unsettled housing market. graceoh@yna.co.kr(END) - [Commentary: Hong Kong must demand accountability to rebound after deadly fire](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/hong-kong-fire-death-toll-cause-committee-china-5526611): DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTABILITY  Ironically, embracing the group’s four demands could fortify Hong Kong’s post-crisis footing.  The government has already acquitted itself admirably on relief: temporary housing mobilised overnight, HK$10,000 emergency cash payment per household, HK$200,000 solidarity payments to bereaved families, and HK$50,000 living allowances for survivors, among other grants and subsidies for the injured, students, workers at the apartment complex and foreign domestic helpers.  On Tuesday, Mr Lee ordered an independent committee to be set up to probe the blaze’s origins, initiate “systematic reform” to prevent similar tragedies.  He also said the committee would be chaired by a judge to ensure […] - [Thai rice farmers see opportunity in Japan as prices fall at home](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/agriculture/thai-rice-farmers-see-opportunity-in-japan-as-prices-fall-at-home): Agriculture Japan’s soaring prices open doors to Thailand-grown koshihikari Premium koshihikari Japanese rice, grown in Thailand and bound for Japan in December. (Photo by Kosuke Inoue) KOSUKE INOUE and HARUKA SATAKE December 3, 2025 06:57 JST BANGKOK/TOKYO — Thai rice farmers facing low prices in the domestic market hope to take advantage of Japan’s stubbornly high prices by increasing exports, with some trying to grow high-quality Japanese varieties to cater to the country’s tastes. - [WATCH: Germany launches new federal police's drone defense unit](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/drones-unleashed-germany-launches-new-federal-polices-drone-defense/): German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Tuesday inaugurated the country’s new federal police drone defense unit, which can be deployed across the country and “is equipped with the latest technology for smart drone defense.” The unit is designed to detect, intercept, or shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles. Up to 130 police officers will work for the drone defense unit. In addition to the new unit, German airports are being updated to detect and defend against drones, the German interior ministry said in a statement. The establishment of a new drone unit comes as Germany and other European countries have been struggling […] - [Conservative Salvador Nasralla leads Honduras presidential contest after pause in results reporting](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/conservative-salvador-nasralla-leads-honduras-presidential-contest/): TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — A day after Honduran electoral authorities stopped reporting updates to the presidential vote count because of “technical problems,” candidate Salvador Nasralla of the conservative Liberal party had a slight edge Tuesday over Nasry Asfura, the National Party candidate endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump. With votes from about 62% of polling places counted, Nasralla had 39.94% to Asfura’s 39.83%. Only about 2,000 votes separate the two conservative candidates. Rixi Moncada of the governing democratic socialist LIBRE or Liberty and Refoundation Party, trailed with 19.17% of the vote. The website Honduran electoral authorities set up to share vote tallies […] - [Dells donate $6B to seed Trump accounts for America's children](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/2/dells-donate-6b-seed-trump-accounts-americas-children/): President Trump on Tuesday announced that Michael and Susan Dell will donate $6.25 billion to fund so-called Trump Accounts, one of the largest philanthropic donations ever to go directly to Americans. Michael Dell, the founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, and his wife, Susan Dell, will give 25 million American children $250 each to jump-start an investment account for their futures. The Trump Accounts were created as part of Mr. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill law. Under the program, the government will automatically seed an account with $1,000 for each child born between 2025 and 2028. Mr. Trump said the […] - [Okta beats third-quarter earnings expectations](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/02/okta-q3-earnings-report-2026.html): Okta on Tuesday topped Wall Street third-quarter estimates and issued an upbeat outlook as customers adopt identity management solutions. For the current quarter, the cybersecurity company expects revenues between $748 million and $750 million and adjusted earnings of 84 cents to 85 cents per share, both ahead of analyst expectations. Cheng Xin | Getty Images Okta on Tuesday topped Wall Street third-quarter estimates and issued an upbeat outlook as customers adopt identity management solutions. Shares of the identity management provider fell slightly in after-hours trading on Tuesday. Here’s how the company did versus LSEG estimates: Earnings per share: 82 cents adjusted […] - [S. Korea's foreign reserves rise to over 3-yr high in Nov.](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251202009600320): SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign reserves rose for the sixth consecutive month in November to reach a three-year high, the central bank said Wednesday. The country's foreign reserves had stood at US$430.66 billion as of end-November, up $1.84 billion from a month earlier, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). It marked the highest level since August 2022, when the figure stood at $436.43 billion. The increase was largely attributable to an increase in investment income and a rise in foreign currency deposits held by financial institutions, the BOK said. In this file photo, a banker checks dollar bills at Hana Bank's Counterfeit Notes Response Center in Seoul on Nov. 5, 2025. (Yonhap) Foreign securities, such as U.S. Treasuries, had gone up $1.39 billion to $379.35 billion as of end-November, accounting for 88.1 percent of total foreign reserves. The value of foreign currency deposits rose by $490 million to $26.43 billion, while special drawing rights (SDRs) edged up by $20 million to $15.74 billion. Gold bullion holdings remained unchanged at $4.79 billion. The country's International Monetary Fund (IMF) reserve positions shed $60 million from a month earlier to $4.35 billion at end-November, the data showed. South Korea ranked as the world's ninth-largest holder of foreign reserves at end-October. China topped the list, followed by Japan, Switzerland, Russia and India, according to the BOK. graceoh@yna.co.kr(END) - [Bottlenecks in data center construction threaten Japan's AI ambitions](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/technology/tech-asia/bottlenecks-in-data-center-construction-threaten-japan-s-ai-ambitions): Japan’s AI ambitions could be throttled by analog-era processes and a stretched construction industry. (Source illustration by SoftBank)  Tech Asia Labor shortages, rising costs and outdated building processes delay construction TSUBASA SURUGA December 3, 2025 06:00 JST - [Trump administration owes US business millions in unpaid bills amid USAID shutdown, lawsuit says](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/02/trump-administration-owes-us-business-millions-in-unpaid-bills-amid-usaid-shutdown-lawsuit-says/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development is stiffing American businesses on hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid bills for work that has already been done, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday. The administration’s abrupt freeze on foreign aid also is forcing mass layoffs by U.S. suppliers and contractors for USAID, including 750 furloughs at one company, Washington-based Chemonics International, the lawsuit says. “One cannot overstate the impact of that unlawful course of conduct: on businesses large and small forced to shut down their programs and let employees go; on hungry children across […] - [Property Development FAQs](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/property-development-faqs/): Developing property is not for the weak. It takes a lot of time, money, manual labour and a load of compliance requirements. Property development is a popular business venture in South Africa because of the vast amount of undeveloped land and the growing population’s need for housing. Property development, a.k.a real estate development, is the process of taking a building or land to develop and raise its monetary value. Property development as a business has a number of features including building a new property, renovating an existing one or redesinging properties to serve a new purpose. In this article, we answer some of the most pressing frequently asked questions around property development. What is Rezoning a Property? Rezoning is the process of changing the zoning classification of your property. By rezoning your property it enables you to have different land use rights and activities. This basically changes the rules of what can be built on the property. What Does it Mean to Buy Property Off-plan? Buying off-plan refers to the purchasing of a property that has not yet been built or is currently under construction. By purchasing a property off-plan it allows you to buy it at a lower cost because developers offer special discounts to early investors. What are the Different Types of Property I Can Invest In? There are many types of properties you can invest in. In South Africa, the most common types of properties include residential, commercial and industrial properties. What are the Different Types of Property Ownership in South Africa? There are various types of property ownership in South Africa. Some of the most popular include: Full-title Ownership: This is when you own a property outright and have complete control over the land and any structures on it. Sectional Ownership: This type of ownership is popular with people looking to purchase an apartment or townhouse. In sectional ownership, you would own a unit in a complex and share common property such as a swimming pool, clubhouse and other common areas. Long-term Rental Ownership: Long-term rental is when you rent a residential or commercial property. While renting the property you have the right to occupy and use it as if you own it. What are the Property Taxes in South Africa? There are a number of taxes in South Africa associated with property ownership. These include municipal rates, property transfer duties and capital gains tax. It’s always advisable to get a professional consultant to help you with the legal requirements that come with owning property. What are the Financing Options for Property Investment in South Africa? There are many ways to get the capital you need for property investment. Some examples include: Department of Human Settlement Housing Projects The Department of Human Settlement has various affordable housing programmes. These programmes are: First home finance programme Enhanced people’s housing process programme Social housing programme Additionally, you can apply to banks for a loan. Most South African banks have offerings tailored for customers looking to invest in property. Do You Have to Pay Transfer Fees for a New Development in South Africa? In South Africa, you have to pay transfer duty on any existing property priced over R1 million. The transfer duty can increase with the cost of the house. Transfer duties don’t apply to the sale of newly built property developments. What is Escrow? Escrow is an arrangement where a third party (usually a bank), safeguards the funds of the buyer until all the terms of the agreement between the buyer and seller have been met and finalised. What is a Sellers’ Market? A sellers’ market occurs when there are few properties listed for sale but a lot of buyers are ready to purchase. When the supply is low, but demand is high, buyers usually compete with each other for a limited number of properties. Should You Use an Estate Agent to Sell Your Property? Yes, estate agents can be helpful in advising you on the market, handling viewings and setting up the sale of your property. Additionally, using an estate agent or estate agency will ensure that the sale of your property is handled by someone with experience and knowledge in the process. When picking an estate agent, ensure they come from a trustworthy agency, and they have their Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC) from the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority. These frequently asked questions and answers can help guide you on your property development journey. For more information on investing in a property business, visit SME South Africa. - [Business Research – The What, Why and How](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/business-research-the-what-why-and-how/): Many people think that the research needed to start a business is the only research they will ever do, however, this is not true. As your business grows so do the costs and the market changes, so you need to research to make sure you stay in alignment. It’s also important to conduct research for your business because there are regulatory requirements you need to keep up with. Business research is the process of acquiring detailed information on all the areas of business and using such information to maximise the sales and profits of the business. For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) conducting research can be the difference between success and failure. In this article, we look at the concept of business research and its benefits for your business. Types of Business Research and Methodologies There are various ways to conduct business research with different methodologies. Business research can be carried out using research steps in qualitative or quantitative research methods. Quantitative Business Research Methods 1. Survey Research Survey research is mostly used to gather data for conducting business research. Surveys are great for gathering data because you can conduct them in various ways such as online polls, online surveys, and questionnaires amongst others. 2. Correlational Research Correlational research is done to understand the relationship between two entities and the impact they have on each other. Using mathematical analysis methods, this type of research enables you to correlate two or more variables and understand patterns, relationships and market research trends etc. 3. Casual-comparative Research Casual-comparative research is a method based on comparison. This method is used to deduce the cause-effect relationship between variables. It involves establishing an independent variable and analysing the effects on the dependent variable. 4. Experimental Research Experimental research is a research method used to prove a theory. In business research it can let you know about the behaviour of your customers. By understanding your customers, you will be able to increase sales and overall revenue. 5. Online/literature Research Literature/online research involves the gathering of information from existing documents and studies. This type of research is usually used by marketing and salespeople to understand their customers and the market better. Qualitative Business Research Methods 1. Interviews Interviews are a research method used to give the researcher detailed information from the perspective of the interview’s subject. The information gathered from interviews can help a business tailor its products to fit its market. 2. Focus Group Focus groups are when a set of individuals are selected to understand their opinions and behaviours. The group is usually small and are selected as part of a business’s target market audience to discuss a certain product or service. 3. Ethnographic Research Ethnographic research involves the researcher adapting to the natural environment and observing its target audience to collect data. This method is typically used to understand cultures, challenges and other things in a particular setting. 4. Case Study Research Case study research is used to assess customer satisfaction, the challenges they face, and the solutions provided. Most businesses use case studies as marketing material to attract more clients. 5. Website Visitor Profiling Website visitor profiling is a research method that uses collected feedback from your website to understand customer behaviour better. Additionally, the data collected from website visitor profiling can help you create new products or services that fit customer demand. Importance of Business Research Research in general is good for your business because it provides you with valuable insights, leading to more informed business decisions. Some other reasons as to why business research is important are: It helps you gain information about your customers including demographics, pain points and their preferences. Help you understand market trends and adapt to them easily. Give you insights into your customers’ buying patterns and the supply and demand of the market. Helps you determine how to develop the best product or service for your audience. Helps you find areas in your business where costs can be reduced. Helps you track your competitors’ work to help you differentiate your company in the market. Helps you determine the right time to launch a new product or service. Provides you with insights which can lead to higher revenue and increased market share. Business research is vital when establishing your business to ensure it survives ever-changing markets and is agile enough to adapt. For more information on what to expect for your business in 2025, read our article. - [What Are Paywalls and When Should You Use Them](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-are-paywalls-and-when-should-you-use-them/): If you have a content-heavy website for your business, you might be curious about paywalls and when to use them. These are used as a means to generate more revenue, but does this mean it will work for your website too? There are different types of paywalls, and based on the type of publication you have and your goals, you can find a suitable paywall for you. Here, we will help you understand what paywalls are, as well as when to use them for your website. What Are Paywalls? Paywalls are a way to restrict content through a digital wall, typically with the aim of monetising content. How it works is that when a user tries to access an article with a wall, the notification that informs you are blocked from viewing the content will pop up, prompting them to subscribe to access restricted content on the website. Most websites that have these blocks are news companies that have moved from newspapers to digitised content. Different Types? There are various types of paywalls. Some websites tease readers by allowing them to read the first few paragraphs, while others might let you view the content once, and then the paywall will appear when you try to re-open the link. The different types are as follows: Hard Paywall Hard paywalls have a definitive barrier of content that hides content from readers until they subscribe. With this type, the intention is clear, you need to pay to access their content.With this type of paywall, it will most likely appear as soon as you try to scroll through the content. This type of paywall is beneficial because it sets a clear precedent that readers will require a subscription. However, the downside is that readers might want to know what your content is like before touching their pockets. Soft Paywall A soft paywall is found on websites that offer both free and premium content. Users can read through free pieces on the website, but, when they try to access the premium content, that’s when the soft wall will appear, prompting them to subscribe to the website. Integrating a soft paywall into your website can benefit your users and your business simultaneously. This way, you can meet your revenue goals as well as increase user satisfaction. Dynamic Paywall Dynamic paywalls display based on the behaviour of the user. The wall is dynamic because it does not stick to a specific set of rules, thus, it does not use a one-size-fits-all approach. So, two users from different locations with their own browsing habits may be blocked at different points of their browsing. This type uses advanced technology that looks at the patterns of a user’s browsing habit. Dynamic paywalls are also a great way to strike a balance between meeting revenue goals and satisfying your website visitors through accessible content. Metered Paywall Have you ever read a couple of articles on a site, and then all of a sudden, a paywall shows up? Those are metered paywalls, hence the amount of articles you can access is regulated. They are a type of soft paywalls that give your visitors a taste of your content to entice them to subscribe to your paid options. If you’re wondering what best practices you should follow, like what a good number would be for free articles you allow, you should consider the amount of articles you have rolling out on a regular basis. Major publications can afford to allow up to 20 free articles, but if you’re a small publication, you should release a realistic number of free articles based on the capacity of your team, and your goals for monetisation. Should You Use Paywalls For Your Website? Paywalls are a useful strategy that businesses can implement to increase their revenue. However, it’s crucial to research each type and ensure you choose the best one for your kind of business. Additionally, consider looking at your competitors to analyse the type of paywalls they use. Ensure you understand the type of reader you have on your website and how these blocks can affect your viewers. Once that’s done, you’re on the right track to incorporating paywalls and reaching your financial goals. - [The Exit Interview](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/the-exit-interview/): Seeing an employee leave your business is bittersweet. Under good circumstances, they are leaving to pursue other opportunities and growth that your company cannot offer them. On the other hand, it means losing an employee, perhaps one with scarce skills who understood your business. When an employee leaves, it’s not a matter of just saying goodbye and having a nice farewell party. When you lose an employee, you need to follow due process and conduct an exit interview. An exit interview is a discussion which allows a departing employee and their organisation to exchange information. The exit interview is typically done on the employee’s last work day. Employees use this opportunity to talk to their employer and explain their reasons for leaving. Additionally, the exit interview is the exiting employee’s chance to give feedback about their experience working for the company. In this article, we take you through the various stages of the exit interview and how to conduct your own. Benefits of Exit Interviews Exit interviews are not always friendly especially if emotions are high. However, for employers, the this interview can be beneficial because of the insights it provides. Reveals Structural or Cultural Issues An employee who leaves is usually more willing to let you know what problems there are. Exit interview questions allow you to gain insights into your corporate and leadership culture. Retention Strategy Insights These interviews offer valuable insights into why employees leave your company – this is vital if you have a high turnover without a clear reason. Your human resources (HR) manager can use this information to develop targeted retention strategies. These strategies will address specific concerns, leading to better employee retention rates. For instance, if it seems to be a common reason that staff leave due to a lack of skills development, then a solid retention strategy is to create a space for development like training or studying. Improved Company Reputation Taking exit interviews seriously shows your company’s commitment to employee satisfaction and continuous improvement. This can positively impact your company’s reputation and make it more attractive to potential employees. Optimised Onboarding Process The feedback you get during exit interviews can help your HR person streamline and improve the onboarding process. This ensures that new employees feel engaged, supported and motivated from the start of their employment. Mistakes to Avoid in the Exit Interviews Now that you know the benefits of exit interviews for employees, you need to understand the don’ts. Here are some mistakes to avoid. Do Not Dismiss Any Feedback One mistake you can make during exit interviews is dismissing any feedback provided by your employee. Dismissing the information they provide undermines the whole process. You should always approach the interviews with a willingness to listen and understand their perspective. Don’t Become Defensive Some managers succumb to being defensive. Being defensive can stop the open and honest communication needed to get valuable insights from departing employees. When exiting staff feel comfortable enough to raise concerns, and listen without becoming defensive. Don’t Make Any Promises You Can’t Keep During exit interviews, do your best to avoid making promises that cannot be realistically fulfilled. Offering assurances of changes or solutions is tempting to help the company’s reputation, however, you must ensure the promises align with your company’s capabilities. Don’t Break Confidentiality A lack of confidentiality within the interview process can undermine the whole function. Departing employees often share confidential information and trust you to handle it discreetly. Failing to uphold confidentiality can result in employees being reluctant to give you honest feedback. (Don’t tell Suzie that Johnny was uncomfortable with her management style, rather address the issue delicately and diplomatically.) Don’t Ignore Any Trends A critical mistake to avoid in exit interviews is overlooking any consistent trends identifiable across multiple interviews. Failing to identify and address these patterns can result in missed opportunities to address systemic issues within your company. By avoiding these mistakes you can conduct effective and efficient exit interviews for your departing employees. Questions to Ask During Exit Interviews The questions you ask during an exit interview should be ones that will give you valuable insights. Consider the following questions for your exit interviews: Why are you leaving the company? What could we have done to retain you? Were you comfortable talking to your manager about your concerns? Were you given helpful feedback and clear objectives? What was the best part of your job? What do you wish was different about this job? How can we improve our employee training and development programme? How would you describe the company culture? And how can we improve it? Would you refer others to the company? You can use these questions as a guideline for your own exit interviews. Remember, as an employer your reasons for doing exit interviews are to gain insights and provide support to departing employees. For more information about employee rights, visit the SME South Africa guide on employee rights. - [Some Afrikaners Cheer as Trump Amplifies Claims of Persecution](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/world/africa/afrikaners-trump-south-africa.html): An executive order from President Trump on Friday put the weight of U.S. influence behind a hotly disputed claim in South Africa that Afrikaners were the “victims of unjust racial discrimination.” For decades, some members of the white Afrikaner minority have been trying to convince anyone and everyone who would listen that they are the true victims in post-apartheid South Africa. They have made claims of mass killings of their people and widespread land grabs by a Black-led government that they insist is seeking retribution for the sins of the Afrikaner-led apartheid government. Their stories have been false or greatly exaggerated, […] - [Consumer credit growth soars in December](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-credit-growth-soars-in-december-d405d18e?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [BOI penalties increase while reporting rules remain on hold](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/boi-penalties-increase-while-reporting-rules-remain-on-hold.html): As legal challenges to the reporting rules for beneficial ownership information (BOI) wind their way through the courts, inflation adjustments again increased the civil monetary penalties for violating those rules. The penalties are included in the annual final rule issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) that provides the list of inflation adjustments of civil monetary penalties within FinCEN’s jurisdiction. The increases, posted last month in the Federal Register, are required under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, P.L. 101-410, as amended. The penalties for BOI reporting violations and for the unauthorized disclosure or use of BOI are each increased to $606 a […] - [Private equity interest in Scotland up by a third in 2024](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/private-equity-interest-scotland-up-34628882): Total private equity investment in Scotland increased by more than a third (35.6%) during 2024, to £9.4bn. The latest UK Private Equity Review from KPMG also showed that the volume of Scottish private equity deals increased from 92 to 111 year-on-year. The findings reflect a period in which the UK experienced a more stable economic climate, with interest rates and inflation falling; greater political certainty following elections; and a surge in transactions ahead of anticipated changes to Capital Gains Tax. Investment in Scotland accounted for 5.9% of total new private equity backing in the UK. Graeme Williams, head of corporate finance […] - [U.S. productivity slows down in fourth quarter while unit labor costs accelerate](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-productivity-slows-down-in-fourth-quarter-while-unit-labor-costs-accelerate-3c2b9092?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Your Ultimate Funding Checklist](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/your-ultimate-funding-checklist/): Finding funding opportunities is no longer as difficult thanks to publications like SME South Africa. In comparison, obtaining funding is still a problem in South Africa especially for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Because most SMEs are informal (unregistered), the financing gap is estimated to be around 45-48% of all SMEs in South Africa. This emphasises that beyond access to funding, some SMEs are not meeting the requirements for funding. To meet the requirements for funding opportunities, you need a checklist. You will use this checklist to ensure you have all the necessary information needed for your funding application. In this article, we create a funding checklist for you. This checklist will serve as a guideline for your funding applications. The 3 Ps of a Business Proposal Before we can get into the checklist, we need to revisit the basics of business proposals. A good business proposal has within it the 3 Ps: problem statement, proposed solution and pricing information. P1: Problem Statement A successful business proposal needs to clearly outline and define the problem you are trying to solve with your business. The problem statement is vital because it showcases that you have a great understanding of the identified problem. This builds overall trust with investors because they will have greater belief in your expertise. P2: Proposed Solution The point of a business proposal is to offer a solution to the problem you have identified. The solution you provide should be highly detailed and address each and every need you have discovered. P3: Pricing Information For funders, the funding amount is vital in deciding whether or not they invest in a business. Your pricing will be dictated by the solutions you have provided. If your solution entails a short period, you will most likely get less funding than longer projects. As part of your pricing information, you need to create a comprehensive budget. The budget should outline everything from raw materials and labour to technology integration costs. Funding Checklist Below is a checklist guideline for you to use and ensure your chances of success when applying for funding. Remember, you need to register your business before you can think about applying for funding opportunities. 1. Create a Business Plan Before you can send in your application, you need a business plan. Your business plan must outline your business model, objectives and financial projections. Also, include details on how the funding will be used and how and when the business will be able to meet its financial obligations. 2. Decide on Your Funding or Financing Needs You need to calculate (down to the last cent) the exact amount of funding you need. Be precise about how the funding will be used. It could be for start-up costs, expansion, working capital or other purposes. Do not write ‘I need R2 million’ on your proposal if it’s not accompanied by detailed forecasts as investors need to know where their money will be spent. Be reasonable and ensure that you calculate enough – not too little, and not too much. 3. Check your Credit Score Check both your personal and business credit scores before applying for funding. A good credit score can drastically improve your chances of securing funding. Most funders will be interested in your credit score because it shows you are financially responsible. 4. Legal Structure of Your Business You must make sure your business has the right legal structure. You should know your business structure by what you registered it as with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). All funders will only approve your application if your business is registered. 5. Prepare ALL Financial Statements Prepare all the financial statements including balance sheets, income statements and cash flow projections. Keep these statements up to date and accurate for when you need to apply for funding.Depending on what type of funding you are looking for, sometimes a bank statement and Excel spreadsheets are acceptable. However, for funding opportunities such as venture capital, you need more detailed statements. 6. Collateral In some cases, the funder will need you to have assets or collateral to secure the loan. This is typically seen in things like working capital loans or loans with large amounts. If you’re going to apply for these types of funding, you need to ensure you have some form of collateral before applying such as a car, house or equipment. 7. Craft a Compelling Business Pitch You need to draft a really good business pitch/proposal. We mentioned above that a good business proposal has a problem statement, provided solution(s) and pricing information. If your business pitch does not touch on these points comprehensively, investors won’t buy into your business idea. If you’re going to approach investors, venture capitalists or banks, you will also need a pitch presentation. This pitch must highlight your business’s potential for growth and profitability. 8. Make Sure You are Compliant This is the most important tip. Make sure your business is compliant with all relevant South African laws and tax regulations. Being non-compliant can lead to your application getting rejected. 9. Ask for Advice If you are unsure of any part of the application process, ask for help. You can speak to other business owners or to an investor who will give you advice on what to improve to ensure success.Use these tips and optimise your funding application to ensure maximum success. Remember, you know your business better than anyone else and with that alone, you should be able to create a compelling application and get the funding you need. To speak to an expert about funding, visit SME Advice for more information. - [Business confidence struggles amid weak economy](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/business-confidence-struggles-amid-weak-34618790): Scottish businesses are increasingly pessimistic about their outlook for the coming year, according to the latest Scottish Business Monitor from the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. The findings from a survey of more than 300 firms, conducted in December and January, reveal that businesses are encountering challenges from multiple fronts. These include having to navigate a slowing economy, as well as policy changes – announced in both UK and Scottish government Budgets – that are expected to have significant impact on these businesses. Despite easing headline inflation rates, more than eight in 10 businesses reported higher total […] - [Critical tax season IRS workers receive later date for resignation program](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/critical-tax-season-irs-workers-receive-later-date-for-resignation-program.html): IRS employees who work in “critical filing season positions” are exempt from the voluntary resignation program offered to federal government employees until May 15, according to an email sent Wednesday. The critical positions are in taxpayer services, information technology, and the Taxpayer Advocate Service office, says the email, sent to all IRS employees about 1 p.m. Under the deferred resignation offer, most federal government employees could resign immediately while continuing to receive full pay and benefits through Sept. 30. But exempt IRS employees whose jobs are “deemed critical” must continue to work through at least May 15, says the email, sent […] - [Proposed Changes to the Consumer Protection Act](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/proposed-changes-to-the-consumer-protection-act/): In October 2024, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) announced draft amendments to the regulations under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The proposed changes are aimed at revising regulations 1 and 4 of the CPA regulations established in 2011. Comments on the amendments were open until the 15th of January 2025. These amendments were one of many made by the government last year. In July 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the First and Second Companies Amendment bills. The proposed changes to the CPA will give significant attention to legislation empowering South Africans to block unwanted marketing communications. In this article, we look through the new proposed changes and its effect on elements like POPIA. Proposed Changes to the Consumer Protection Act The following are the proposed amendments to the CPA: Pre-emptive Block Consumers will be able to register a pre-emptive block in the opt-out registry. This is to help them avoid receiving unsolicited direct marketing electronic communication from direct marketers. Opt-out Registry The opt-out registry mentioned in the above-proposed amendment will be operated and managed by the Commission. Direct Marketer Obligations In the proposed amendments a direct marketer is defined as a person who engages in direct marketing. In the new changes, a direct marketer will have to register as such in the opt-out registry before contacting any consumer for purposes of direct marketing via electronic communication. Registration for direct marketers is subject to annual renewal and payment of a prescribed fee. Additionally, direct marketers will have to check their contact list against the opt-out registry before sending messages to consumers. If a consumer has registered on the opt-out registry, direct marketers are not allowed to send marketing messages to the consumer. Lastly, there is an obligation on the direct marketer to remove from its database everyone who has registered a pre-emptive block by cleansing such data monthly with the Commission. Consumer Obligations Under the new changes, consumers must register a pre-emptive block in the opt-out registry through the prescribed form. This is to prevent receiving marketing messages via electronic communication. Additionally, it’s the consumer’s responsibility to make sure their information in the opt-out registry is always up to date. Enforcement Any consumer who receives a direct marketing message despite having registered a pre-emptive block on the opt-out registry may file a complaint to the Commission using the updated complaint form provided in the proposed amendments. After investigating the complaint, the Commission may issue a compliance notice to the relevant direct marketer. The Commission will outline the required steps that must be taken within a set period and any penalty that may be imposed in terms of the CPA. If the direct marketer fails to comply with the compliance notice, the Commission may either: (a) apply to the National Consumer Tribunal to impose an administrative fine; or (b) refer the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution as an offence. The Tribunal may impose an administrative fine not exceeding the greater of: (a) 10% of the direct marketer’s annual turnover during the preceding financial year; or R1 million. Furthermore, failure to comply with a compliant notice is an offence and a direct marketer convicted of such may be liable to a fine or imprisonment (12 months) or both. However, no direct marketer may be prosecuted for the above-mentioned offence if, as a result of the failure of that direct marketer to comply with the issued notice, the Commission has applied to the Tribunal for the imposition of an administrative fine. These amendments apply to direct marketing in the form of unsolicited electronic communication which is subsequently regulated in terms of Section 69 of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Impact on POPIA The most impacted section of POPIA is Section 69. This section of the Act prohibits the processing of personal information of a data subject for direct marketing through electronic communication. The exceptions to section 69 are: Unless the data subject has given their consent to the processing. The subject is a customer of the responsible party (person who determines the purpose of and means of processing the data subject’s personal information). Implementation of the proposed amendments will not mean that a direct marketer can send marketing messages to an individual just because the individual has not registered a pre-emptive block in the opt-out registry. Direct marketers still need to obtain consent for the purposes of direct marketing. Additionally, direct marketers will need to check their customer contact list against the opt-out registry before sending marketing messages. This applies to existing customers of any direct marketers. For more information on any other new regulatory changes, read our article about the Competition Commission ‘Relaxes’ Block Regulations for SMMEs. - [Five Whys: The Key to Problem-solving](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/five-whys-the-key-to-problem-solving/): Picture yourself: Frustrated with the problem in front of you, it feels like running into a wall. Something isn’t working. Product development flops. Calculations aren’t adding up. Manufacturing is slow. You lift your metaphorical fist to the sky and cry: “Why!?”. Without realising, you just took your first step to root cause analysis. Congratulations. What are the Five Whys? The five whys are known as the root cause analysis. It aims to trace the problem back to where the issue arises and identify the culprit for the overall problem. The five whys technique originated in Japan, just like the Kanban system. The founder and inventor of Toyota Industries, Sakichi Toyoda, developed the 5 Whys technique in the 1930s. Born from their “go and see” philosophy, it solved many problems and is still used today. After its popularity increased among the rest of society, during the 1970s, it has proved itself to deliver an in-depth understanding of what’s actually happening on the ground, not just based on assumptions by executives. The technique is most effective when it is asked by someone who has hands-on experience with the process that the questions are being asked about. It forces the problem-solver to think of the problem before finding a solution. Multiple team members can participate to bring various ideas that drive change to the table When to Use the Five Whys This technique is incredibly simple and flexible, making it ideal for a variety of contexts. These include manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, education, and food services. It helps to solve problems regarding troubleshooting, quality improvement, and moderately difficult issues. How to Use the Five Whys To start your questioning, you can write down the Five Whys, and their following answers on a piece of paper. Step 1: Assemble a team of interdepartmental and cross-functional members who are familiar with the process. Include a facilitator who will focus the team and guide the process. This ensures unique viewpoints and thorough knowledge of the process. Step 2: Define the problem that is being observed so a brief but clear problem statement can be written. Discussing it with the team before writing will ensure that the scope of the issue is well-understood Step 3: Take your statement and ask your first “Why?”. Guide the team in giving you specific answers. Every answer should be based in fact, not emotion. Take note that there might be multiple causes, but attempt to only find one. Step 4: Ask why four more times (or as much as it takes). In some cases, it can take less than five questions to find the answer. However, there might be a few questions more than five, but generally, asking why five times gets you the answer. Record every answer and follow the answer with a why. Step 5: Act on the result and address the root cause. It is a good idea to implement measures that will prevent the cause from occurring in the future. Step 6: Monitor the effects to determine if the solution was correct and implemented correctly. If it isn’t working, repeat the five steps again until the problem is solved. Example Problem to Solve When implementing the five whys to solve a problem in your business, you can use the following example to see how the process is supposed to work. Let’s use the example of a bakery where a batch of muffins that are part of a big order cannot be delivered on time. Problem: The order cannot be delivered on time. Why 1? Why was the order not delivered on time?Answer: Because the last batch of muffins had to be rebaked.Why 2? Why did they need to be remade?Answer: Because the batch burnt.Why 3? Why did the muffins burn?Answer: It wasn’t removed from the oven on time.Why 4? Why wasn’t the muffins removed from the oven when the baking time was over?Answer: The head baker had too many batches that were done at the same time.Why 5: Why were there so many batches the head baker had to take care of alone?Answer: The only other staff member was sick. Solutions to implement to solve the problem can include hiring more staff, or ensuring there is always someone to step in when a worker is absent. If the above example had multiple causes, it could for instance be that not only was someone ill, but a huge delivery was taken on short notice. Future solutions can include setting a minimum to the time between taking and delivering the order, batch limits or ensuring that emergency staff is available when huge orders are being made. Asking why shouldn’t make you feel like a failure. In fact, it is key to your success. It helps determine the root cause of your issues, making problem-solving a breeze. - [Former NFL player making an impact as a CPA](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/from-nfl-to-cpa-richie-brockel-journey.html): If you want to learn what it’s really like to be a professional football player, ask a professional football player. If you want to know what it’s really like to be a CPA, ask a CPA. Or, you could just ask Richie Brockel. “Those three letters at the end of my name help give credibility to who I am and what I do,” said Brockel, who became a CPA in 2016. Before that, Brockel had three different letters associated with his name: NFL. From 2010–2015, Brockel played tight end and fullback, predominantly for the Carolina Panthers, his playing days concluding a […] - [Beyond to buy rights to Buy Buy Baby brand and reunite it with Bed Bath & Beyond](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/beyond-to-buy-rights-to-buy-buy-baby-brand-and-reunite-it-with-bed-bath-beyond-4383c6be?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [The 2 Main Benefits of a Business Plan](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/the-2-main-benefits-of-a-business-plan/): For the majority of South African entrepreneurs, the likelihood of launching a company that is profitable after three years is quite slim. However, the chances of success are increased considerably if an entrepreneur takes the time to put together a business plan. It’s even estimated that businesses that plan, grow 30% faster and are more likely to increase profit than those that don’t. What is a Business Plan? A business plan is a written statement of your business’s goals and the methods for realising them. A typical business plan will cover some of the following points – a vision statement; your team; business profile; financial and marketing plan and expansion plans, among others. See also: Starting a Business in South Africa While some entrepreneurs swear by business plans and use them as a blueprint for every step of their business, others question if it’s still a requirement. Below we outline the two main reasons why a business plan is still a good idea today. A Business Plan Helps Obtain Financing Most new businesses need funding to launch. The good news is that there are potential investors that entrepreneurs can reach out to in the early stages of their business development, including banks, VCs, private lenders or the government. Most of these investors will require that you present a business plan. It should have a financials section that details your future financial projections, including your budget for expenses and projected revenue. Martin Zwilling, an American entrepreneur and writer in a Forbes magazine article, explains it the following way. “Most professional investors, even if they like your story, and were properly introduced by a friend, will ask for a business plan at the due diligence stage,” he says. Above all, investors will look at your business plan to see if your business makes sense financially and how they can expect to recieve a return. A Business Plan Obtains Customers We all know that knowledge is power. This is even more true when you are launching a business that will ultimately find success among its target market. According to a study by CBInsights, 42% of businesses that fail did not plan or research if there is a market for their product or service. In this case, a good business plan demonstrates that the entrepreneur has done their research and knows their customer well. Your business plan should include a customer profile which includes your customers’ age, location, purchasing habits and even their goals and motivations. A customer profile is useful beyond just the initial business plan. This is explained by Marang Marekimane, a business strategist and founder of Business Processes Mechanics. “Creating a customer profile makes it easier to communicate the value of your products and services to potential customers and convert them to buyers,” she says in the article, ‘How To Create A Customer Profile To Find Out Who Your Real Customers Are‘. Ultimately, a business plan puts you ahead of your competitors as it forces you to research one of the most important factors of business success: having a keen understanding of your customers and the market you are operating. Beyond these two main advantages, there are many benefits to having a business plan, including a clear roadmap for achieving your goals, gaining insight into the viability of your business idea and achieving structure, among others. With all these benefits, it’s clear that putting in the work to craft a business plan is well worth the effort. See Also: How to create a Business Plan for your Startup - [Life in Goma After a Rebel Takeover](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/world/africa/dr-congo-rwanda-rebels.html): After a week of fighting, rebels backed by Rwanda have wrested almost full control over Goma, a city of two million in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Hospitals are overflowing with the wounded, and the city morgue with the dead. Goma’s residents are beginning to emerge from their hiding places, desperately searching for water and food. And the Congolese military that was supposed to protect them has been vanquished. On Thursday, in a yard outside Goma’s biggest stadium, rebels with the Rwanda-backed M23 militia loaded more than 1,000 soldiers they had captured into truck beds, where the men stood packed […] - [Life After a Rebel Takeover](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/world/africa/life-after-a-rebel-takeover.html): After a week of fighting, rebels backed by Rwanda have wrested almost full control over Goma, a city of two million in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Hospitals are overflowing with the wounded, and the city morgue with the dead. Goma’s residents are beginning to emerge from their hiding places, desperately searching for water and food. And the Congolese military that was supposed to protect them has been vanquished. On Thursday, in a yard outside Goma’s biggest stadium, rebels with the Rwanda-backed M23 militia loaded more than 1,000 soldiers they had captured into truck beds, where the men stood packed […] - [How to Set Business Objectives to Achieve Your Goals](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-set-objectives-to-achieve-your-business-goals/): Business goals and objectives are an important part of business planning, a process which involves building a roadmap for the success of your business. While these terms are often used interchangeably, it’s important that business owners know the differences between the two to effectively execute the plans they set in place. Read: Starting a Business in South Africa  The Differences Between a Goal and an Objective It’s almost impossible to speak about objectives without speaking about goals as the two terms are linked. A goal is a target that a person or business wants to achieve. Goals are generally broader and are set over a longer term, for example annually or quarterly. Objectives, on the other hand, support goals, they are specific, measurable and are set over a short-term period. Simply put, “objectives are the individual actions you need to take to achieve a goal”, it’s therefore possible to have multiple objectives for a goal. An example of how goals and objectives work in a real-world setting is an online business looking to increase sales on its e-commerce website. To achieve this, the business can set a goal to grow its website traffic. Some examples of the objectives they can use to achieve this goal include, using digital ads, creating engaging content or optimising their SEO, to achieve a certain percentage increase in traffic over a set period. Read: How To Set Financial Goals For Your Business How to Set Effective Business Objectives The foundation for setting achievable goals and objectives is to first assess where your business is currently and where you want to be in the future. Start by Setting Goals that Align with Your Vision Your vision is your overall mission for your business, it is your big ‘why’ for wanting to go into business. Some individuals choose entrepreneurship as an opportunity to build great wealth, to make a dream they have always had come true, or to create employment in their community. Your business goals should align with your big vision otherwise you may head in a direction you don’t want to go. Typical goals a business will set is to increase profits, expand to new markets or drive more sales. Set Your Objectives to Support your Goals With your goals set, it’s time to put your objectives in place. Objectives break down your goals into smaller achievable actions and give you an action plan for achieving the specific goal. To create business objectives that get you results, be sure to focus on specific actions that are achievable in your chosen timeframe. Your objectives should also be measurable so you know when they have been achieved. Writing down your goals and objectives can help business owners reach their growth targets. A good place to start is with a business plan. Download the SME South Africa Business Plan template to: Set out company goals and objectives Test out a new idea to see if it holds real promise of success Help you obtain financing and attract potential investors Identify and arrange strategic alliances - [Tips For Getting Your Funding Application Approved](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/tips-for-getting-your-funding-application-approved/): Applying for funding can be as easy as clicking on ‘apply’ on a website. However, the point of applying for funding is so that you can get it and make your business grow. For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), getting funding approved can be the difference between a successful business and one that failed. To ensure that your funding application is accepted, you need to have a comprehensive application. This means attaching all documents and following the guidelines of the funder. A funding application is a document or set of documents which are submitted to an organisation with the intent of securing funding for a research project. In South Africa, there is quite a gap when it comes to funding SMEs. According to research, the SME sector accounts for approximately 80% of the workforce in South Africa. However, 15% of small businesses remain financially excluded. Because of these statistics, we need to do a refresher course on how to ensure your funding application gets approved. Guidelines for Writing a Funding Application No matter which organisation you are applying to, you need to always have a guideline to help you prepare your funding application. This is especially important for venture capital and government funding applications. Some guidelines to keep in mind: Always keep the core value of your project in mind when applying. Write your application in plain English. This makes it easier to understand your funding needs. Be clear about what you want to do with your funding. Align your application with the funder’s priorities. For example, if they want companies with tech integration, integrate technology into your business. Provide concise evidence that your company is providing a service or product that is needed by your target market. Make sure you attach ALL necessary documentation and any additional information with your application. Make sure that you meet the deadline as there are rarely any second chances. Draw up a budget that is as detailed and specific as possible. Do not include any non-related costs or items in your budget. Do not apply to more than one funder for the same thing at the same time. These guidelines are for you to use before you even put together your application. Use this as a checklist to ensure you are hitting every mark when it comes to your funding application. Each funder will most likely have its own requirements and sometimes a guideline. Use this one as the foundation and customise it with every funding application. Tips for Getting Your Funding Application Approved The following tips are not written in stone as sure-fire ways to get funding; however, they will definitely increase your chances. Tip 1: Know What the Funder is Looking For Before you can put any pen to paper or start typing your name (online applications), you need to research the priorities of your chosen funder. Research what they are looking for and what projects they funded in the past. Knowing what your potential funder is looking for will show you if your project fits and what they look for when funding a project. Tip 2: Keep your Application Clear and Concise Your application needs to be written in clear and concise language. Try not to use jargon acronyms that the funder might not be familiar with. Use simple language to explain your project so anyone can understand. Tip 3: Address all Requirements In your funding application, you need to understand all the requirements and address each one in your application. If you don’t do this, it could result in your application being rejected. Tip 4: Draft a Comprehensive Budget In some cases, the funder will ask for your budget so they can see what you plan to do with the funding. Ensure all costs are accurately represented and that you have drawn up a plan on how the funds will be spent. Tip 5: Proofread, Proofread, Proofread Before you can even think of sending in your application, make sure you go through it at least three times. This will ensure you catch any grammatical or numerical mistakes. Additionally, you will be able to better any documents or written content for the funder. Using these tips, you can create a comprehensive funding application for any funder, in any part of the world. It’s still early in the year so start preparing your funding applications soon before it’s too late. - [Scottish business confidence falls, but remains above UK average](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-falls-remains-34588560): Business confidence in Scotland fell two points during January to 42%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. Companies in Scotland reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 14 points at 53%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 17 points to 32%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 42% (vs. 44% in December 2024). Looking ahead to the next six months, Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering (41%), investing in their team (36%) and introducing new technology (36%). The barometer surveys 1,200 businesses monthly […] - [Where the Taxis Are Motorcycles, and the Drivers Are Women](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/31/world/africa/kenya-women-motorcycle-boda-boda-taxi-drivers.html): When her three children didn’t have enough to eat, Monica Atieno decided to apply for a job through a new program that was recruiting women to become motorcycle taxi drivers — a profession long dominated by men. At first, she kept her plan a secret from her husband, who was himself a motorcycle taxi driver in their town of Ukwala in western Kenya. When he found out, he was furious and threatened to leave. But Ms. Atieno, who is 29, says she told him: “I’m going to do it, because I know what I’m going to achieve.” Last year, after hundreds […] - [Rekisa: Empowering SMEs in the Digital World of E-commerce](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/rekisa-empowering-smes-in-the-digital-world-of-e-commerce/): Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the economy. However, many business owners face challenges in accessing the tools needed to succeed online. Rekisa’s e-commerce solution aims to solve this by providing an affordable, user-friendly platform designed specifically for entrepreneurs to succeed in the digital age. The Birth of Rekisa Rekisa E-commerce Solutions was founded with a mission to help small businesses create and manage their online stores. “The inspiration came from seeing how difficult it was for many small businesses to access the digital economy. There were no tailored solutions for their needs, “ says founder Thato Garekoe. Rekisa was created to simplify businesses to tap into online markets, helping them to expand their reach from local markets to worldwide markets. Simplifying E-commerce for Small Businesses Building an online store is overwhelming to business owners with limited technical knowledge. Rekisa makes this process easy by offering a user-friendly platform with customisable templates, integrated payment systems, and step-by-step guides. “Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for businesses to launch and manage their stores, “ explains Thato. The platform also provides training and ongoing support, helping businesses feel confident about managing their online presence. Rekisa stands out due to its focus on SMEs in emerging markets, offering localised solutions that other global platforms don’t. “While many platforms are global and generic, we focus on localising our tools to meet the specific needs of businesses in South Africa and other emerging markets,” Thato says. Rekisa provides subscribers with adaptable payment plans together with personalised assistance and educational training programs. The platform delivers solutions that accommodate businesses at all stages of development from new start-ups to established enterprises. Rekisa’s Subscription Plans Rekisa offers different subscription plans to meet the needs of businesses at different stages of growth. These plans are as follows: Venture Plan: New businesses who want to try e-commerce can benefit from this subscription plan.Business Plan: Designed for established businesses looking to scale, with access to additional marketing toolsUnlimited Plan: Comprehensive for larger businesses with more complex needs, offering advanced features like analytics and integrations. The Rekisa team is always ready to help businesses choose the right plan based on their budget and specific requirements. Technology Stands as a Fundamental Driver for Small Business Expansion Technology plays an important role in the growth of small businesses, especially in emerging markets. It reduces barriers to entry and opens up new revenue streams. “Technology is the great equaliser. It provides small businesses with the same opportunity to innovate and grow that were available to large companies,” he highlights. “For entrepreneurs who lack access to capital, technology empowers them to create and be innovative to drive economic growth.” Advice for New Small Business Owners For individuals who are starting to sell online, Rekisa’s founder offers valuable advice. “New business owners should begin with small steps while they learn about their market audience. Small businesses can use Rekisa’s simple tools and organic social media marketing to streamline their operations. The e-commerce environment continues to shift, therefore, it’s imperative that new small business owners maintain their readiness to learn and adapt.” What’s Next for Rekisa? Rekisa has set its sights on establishing leadership positions in both cloud solutions and sales and marketing enablement. HubSpot inbound marketing and Apollo.io outbound sales tools are being integrated into the platform. Rekisa also plans to bring AI analytics solutions to the platform that will empower businesses to make informed decisions bades on data. According to the founder, their ultimate goal is to innovate continuously while giving SMEs the best available tools for success. Rekisa E-commerce Solutions features reach far beyond the traditional concept of an e-commerce platform because it serves as a committed business partner to help small enterprises thrive digitally. Rekisa provides entrepreneurs with user-friendly tools alongside localised solutions and robust customer support to help them cross barriers while attracting new customers. Through its continuous innovation, Rekisa maintains its position as a trusted partner for small business owners across the globe. To compare Rekisa to other top e-commerce platforms before you make your decision, take a look at our review. - [What is Financial Literacy?](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-is-financial-literacy/): Financial literacy is more than just a word. It defines a person’s financial knowledge and understanding, as well as how effectively that information is put into practice. It covers many aspects of working well with your finances such as budgeting, saving and growing your wealth. What makes financial literacy a verb is how important it is to not only understand these concepts but truly be able to apply them. Being financially literate is vital to your personal and business finances. The same principles apply to both areas of your life. Therefore, when you improve your financial literacy and start practising it in your business, your overall personal finances should also be easier to manage. So, where should you start? Let’s explore. Components of Financial Literacy Some of the key components that financial literacy consists of are: Earn: To manage your money, you have to have money. Your earnings will be your generated income from sales, purchases, interest on investments, or any other passive income. Spend: Expenditures of any nature need to align with your financial goals. This can cover running costs, funds invested in stocks, acquiring stock, and buying assets. All decisions need to be carefully considered and avoid unnecessary debt. Savings: For financial stability, it’s important to save funds where possible. It will be useful when sales are slow or bad clients leave you in financial turmoil. Save for a rainy day, as the saying goes… Investments: Investments are one of the ways to meet your long-term financial goals. It helps you to grow your existing earnings. Protection: Financial literacy is also understanding how to protect your money and prevent potential losses. This includes insurance, and protecting yourself against fraud or cyber-attacks on your bank accounts. Borrow: In business, it is necessary to sometimes borrow money. However, borrowing responsibly from a lender is an important part of being financially literate. Donations: Being charitable is not only a good mindset to have but can result in tax benefits. Taxes: Speaking about taxes, these are also a vital part of financial literacy as you need to know why and how it is deducted. You will also need to understand what makes you tax-compliant. Benefits of Being Financially Literate Becoming financially literate has a multitude of benefits. All of these benefits tie into making the individual more financially empowered in their decision-making. Prevents you from making devastating financial mistakes Fortifies you against financial emergencies Improves your chances of reaching financial goals Makes you less vulnerable to financial fraud How to Become Financially Literate If you are lacking in your knowledge about this topic, the good news is that you are heading in the right direction: You are reading this article! Becoming well-versed in your finances starts by obtaining knowledge. You can achieve this by reading blogs, books and guides about financial literacy. Listening to podcasts and obtaining other content about the topic. There are many free resources available that you can start with. Additionally, if you are still feeling like you don’t understand it, you can reach out to a financial advisor to guide you. Next, you need to practice what you are reading and listening. Use the strategies that you are learning. Strategies to Employ Here are several practical strategies to consider. 1. Create a Budget The quickest way to start becoming financially savvy is to set up a budget. This will help you see what your earnings and expenses are, giving you immediate insight into where you are spending on non-essentials, or where you need to look into areas of business that are bleeding money. It will also indicate what funds you have available for saving or investing. 2. Know Your Credit Score Knowing your business’s credit score is vital. You will have to know this for loan applications, as well as understand how to create a healthy score. 3. Use Financial Tools Many banks have tools that can help you budget by automatically allocating transactions to set categories. If you are not comfortable with this, you can track your budget the old-fashioned way: With a Budgeting Template. 4. Save First Where you are able to, it is a good idea to put a set amount away in your savings before you use funds for anything else. 5. Pay Bills On Time Paying your bills when they are due is a simple way to ensure you stay on top of your finances. 6. Manage Debt If you have debt, you need to ensure that you increase your repayment to not only keep up with debt but conquer your debt as quickly as possible. This will save you time and money in the long run. Financial literacy is key if you want to ensure that your business’s finances are healthy. If you are not already knowledgeable about the topic is, the good news is that you can learn. Practice what you’ve learnt, because practice makes perfect. Struggling to become financially fit? Reach out to an expert on SME Advice to become financially literate. - [Brexit trade barriers 'hit Scottish economy by £4 billion'](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/brexit-trade-barriers-hit-scottish-34576579): Analysis published today by the Office of the Chief Economic Advisor has estimated Brexit trade barriers could impact Scotland’s economy by £4bn. This estimated economic cost is from the reduction in trade alone – not counting changes to productivity, investment or migration. According to the Trade Modelling Report, Scottish exports could be lower by 7.2%, or £3bn, compared to continued EU membership. The chemical and pharmaceutical sector is estimated to be one of the hardest hit by post-Brexit trade barriers, with an estimated 9.1% reduction in output, followed by the computer and electronics sector with an estimated 7.7% fall. The 4.9% […] - [What Does South African Tax Law Say about Digital Assets?](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-does-south-african-tax-law-say-about-digital-assets/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [How to Create Standard Operating Procedures](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-create-standard-operating-procedures/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Stocks Sink in Broad AI Rout Sparked by China's DeepSeek](https://www.wsj.com/articles/nikkei-may-rise-as-weak-yen-raises-earnings-hopes-776a8056?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Technology stocks tumbled Monday on news that China’s DeepSeek had trained a sophisticated artificial-intelligence model at a fraction of the cost of its Silicon Valley rivals, triggering a sudden reversal of the recent AI rally. Nvidia, whose chips have been used to power many of the leading AI models, sank 17%. The move wiped out $589 billion from the company’s market value and tarnished one of the stock market’s brightest stars. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [DeepSeek Won't Sink U.S. AI Titans](https://www.wsj.com/articles/deepseek-us-ai-stocks-nvidia-broadcom-6cdfae81?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (3 min) Necessity might be the mother of all invention, but sparking the mother of all selloffs seemed like a stretch.  That wasn’t the case Monday morning, though, as U.S. markets opened to fresh fears about DeepSeek. The Chinese artificial-intelligence startup announced a significant breakthrough late last week with AI models that perform nearly on par with advanced U.S.-born technology. The rub is that DeepSeek claims to have trained one of its latest models for $5.6 million in computing costs—a fraction of what is currently spent on this side of the Pacific on the same activity. OpenAI’s GPT-4 model that […] - [Rebels Backed by Rwanda Announce Capture of Key City in Eastern Congo](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/world/africa/rebels-capture-goma-congo.html): The M23 militia, funded and directed by Rwanda, said it had seized the city of Goma, terrifying its people, many of whom sought shelter there after fleeing the rebel advance. A rebel militia backed by Rwanda on Monday announced the capture of the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a major victory for the group and one of the most significant escalations in the conflict between the two countries in years. The militia, known as M23, briefly occupied Goma once before, in 2012, then was defeated and lay dormant for almost a decade. Now it has come roaring […] - [Arabica Coffee Prices Hit Record on U.S., Colombia Tariff Spat](https://www.wsj.com/articles/arabica-coffee-prices-hit-new-high-on-u-s-colombia-tariff-spat-582446fe?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Arabica coffee prices hit a record level earlier in the session, as traders digest the withdrawal of President Trump’s threats to impose tariffs and economic sanctions on Colombia. Continuous arabica coffee futures on the ICE were up 0.1% at $3.48 a pound in volatile evening trading in Europe, though they are up more than 40% over the past three months and 79% on year. Arabica set a fresh record of $3.56 earlier in the session, exceeding the prior record of $3.48 set in early December. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Building-Products Distributor QXO Launches Hostile Bid for Beacon](https://www.wsj.com/articles/building-products-distributor-qxo-launching-hostile-bid-for-beacon-de024410?mod=rss_markets_main): Building-products distributor QXO QXO 3.49% increase; green up pointing triangle is taking its all-cash offer to acquire Beacon Roofing Supply BECN 0.09%increase; green up pointing triangle directly to shareholders after being rebuffed on several occasions.  The details  QXO publicly launched a tender offer to acquire Beacon early Monday, confirming an earlier report by The Wall Street Journal.  Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [How to Deal with PR Scandals and Crises](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-deal-with-pr-scandals-and-crises/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Natural-Gas Firm Diversified Energy Strikes Deal for Permian Basin Player](https://www.wsj.com/articles/natural-gas-firm-diversified-energy-nears-deal-for-permian-basin-player-4c1c5ff5?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (1 min) Diversified Energy DEC 0.57%increase; green up pointing triangle has struck a deal to buy private-equity-owned Maverick Natural Resources in what would be its largest acquisition ever. The details The deal values Maverick at roughly $1.3 billion, including debt, the two companies said Monday, confirming an earlier report by The Wall Street Journal. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [The Top Legal Documents Entrepreneurs Need When Launching a Business](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/documents-entrepreneurs-need/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Chinese Investors With Few Options Turn to Dividends](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-investors-with-few-options-turn-to-dividends-ad31dcc4?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Chinese stocks have been a money pit for the past few years. But for investors willing to look past the wreckage, some companies are giving back.  The domestic Chinese stock market remains a shadow of its former self, even after snapping a three-year losing streak in 2024. The CSI 300 index—which tracks the largest companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen—has shed around a third of its value since its 2021 peak. The pain runs even deeper for stocks listed in Hong Kong and the U.S., where tech giants such as Alibaba 9988 -6.04%decrease; red down pointing triangle and […] - [What is a Marketable Product and How to Develop One](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-is-a-marketable-product-and-how-to-develop-one/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [A Guide on How to Start A Taxi Business in South Africa](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/a-guide-on-how-to-start-a-taxi-business-in-south-africa/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Heard on the Street's Stock-Picking Series](https://www.wsj.com/articles/heard-on-the-streets-stock-picking-series-98f04640?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) The waning days of summer are a period of optimism for what has become America’s favorite sport. Oh, we don’t mean football—the stock market is where the action can be found. And, even though fund managers returned to their offices after what was a summer of surprisingly hard knocks for many, Heard on the Street’s stock pickers returned for our eighth annual stock picking series with an undefeated record to start the season.  Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Now Wanted in Silicon Valley: Ho-Hum Businesses With Thin Profit Margins](https://www.wsj.com/articles/now-wanted-in-silicon-valley-ho-hum-businesses-with-thin-profit-margins-ab07de5f?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Forget virtual-reality headsets and brain-chip implants. Silicon Valley is coming for boring businesses that do lots of clerical work.  The prospect of artificial intelligence automating administrative tasks is attracting venture capitalists to ho-hum professions such as accounting, customer-service centers and property management. Tech entrepreneurs have raised hundreds of millions of dollars to retrofit these businesses with AI tools and drive up their profitability.  Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [In China, a Cat-and-Mouse Game to Rein In Crypto](https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-cryptocurrency-market-trading-restrictions-3e050cd9?mod=rss_markets_main): Listen (2 min) Three years ago, China’s government imposed sweeping restrictions on trading cryptocurrencies. But that hasn’t stopped brokers, including Chen Xin, from helping people convert large amounts of Chinese yuan into crypto.  Working as a middleman in China’s underground financial system, Chen would routinely accept more than $100,000 in cash and then swap it for the cryptocurrency tether using overseas trading platforms. He knew not to ask too many questions about where the cash came from—but he assumed a lot of it wasn’t clean.  Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [One House, Three Owners: The Ballooning Cost of the American Dream](https://www.wsj.com/articles/rising-house-mortgage-costs-north-carolina-home-468a46e5?mod=rss_markets_main): The three-bedroom Victorian-style home at 1139 Great Ridge Parkway looks nearly identical to when it was built in 2010. On paper it is unrecognizable. The Chapel Hill, N.C., house is currently listed for $520,000, more than double what it first sold for in 2011. A buyer who puts 20% down would have a mortgage payment of about $2,800 at a 6.96% interest rate, nearly triple the monthly cost in 2011. Then add property taxes and insurance, both of which have risen sharply. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [One House, Three Owners: The Ballooning Cost of the American Dream](https://www.wsj.com/articles/rising-house-mortgage-costs-north-carolina-home-468a46e5?mod=rss_markets_main): The three-bedroom Victorian-style home at 1139 Great Ridge Parkway looks nearly identical to when it was built in 2010. On paper it is unrecognizable. The Chapel Hill, N.C., house is currently listed for $520,000, more than double what it first sold for in 2011. A buyer who puts 20% down would have a mortgage payment of about $2,800 at a 6.96% interest rate, nearly triple the monthly cost in 2011. Then add property taxes and insurance, both of which have risen sharply. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Executive order’s hiring freeze causes IRS to cancel some job offers](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/executive-orders-hiring-freeze-causes-irs-to-cancel-some-job-offers.html): The IRS has rescinded all job offers with a start date after Feb. 8 or with an unconfirmed start date because of a hiring freeze ordered by President Donald Trump, the agency said on its website. All offers with a start date on or before Feb. 8 will continue or proceed with the hiring or onboarding process, according to a post on the IRS jobs website. Meanwhile, the IRS said it will remove all jobs posted to external websites, including USAJOBS.gov. Trump signed an executive order on Monday to freeze the hiring of federal civilian employees throughout the executive branch, with some exceptions. […] - [Wall Street Banks Prepare to Sell Billions of Dollars of X Loans](https://www.wsj.com/articles/wall-street-banks-prepare-to-sell-billions-of-dollars-of-x-loans-c609beb1?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Banks are getting ready to sell billions of dollars in debt borrowed by Elon Musk’s X, bringing Wall Street a step closer to exiting the nerve-racking deal that financed the social-media company’s buyout. Morgan Stanley bankers have reached out to investors ahead of a planned sale next week of up to $3 billion of debt the bank and others such as Bank of America and Barclays lent to complete Musk’s 2022 buyout of the company then known as Twitter, people familiar with the matter said.  Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Canada to Provide $720 Million to Canada Post to Avoid Insolvency at Mail Service](https://www.wsj.com/articles/canada-to-provide-720-million-to-canada-post-to-avoid-insolvency-at-mail-service-fc09a6b9?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) The Canadian government said Friday it would provide extraordinary financing to Canada Post to avoid insolvency at the state-owned mail service. The bridge financing totals 1.03 billion Canadian dollars, or the equivalent of $720 million, and will be provided on an as-needed basis to pay obligations. The government said Canada Post will fall below its necessary operating cash requirements this year. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Target Drops DEI Goals and Ends Program to Boost Black Suppliers](https://www.wsj.com/articles/target-drops-dei-goals-and-ends-program-to-boost-black-suppliers-77cb4c75?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Target TGT 1.42%increase; green up pointing triangle, one of the most full-throated corporate supporters of Black and LGBTQ rights, changed its tune Friday. Its stores once featured prominent displays of themed merchandise for Pride Month and Black History Month. And after the May 2020 murder of George Floyd a few miles from the company’s Minneapolis headquarters, the retailer committed to increase the representation of Black employees across the company and spend more than $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by 2025. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Basic Materials Roundup: Market Talk](https://www.wsj.com/articles/basic-materials-roundup-market-talk-f817645e?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (4 min) The latest Market Talks covering Basic Materials. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET. 1353 ET – Fortescue’s former CEO Andrew Forrest said he is concerned for the American people “if their only choice of energy is dirty.” Forrest said in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that he thinks there will be a slowdown in energy availability “no matter what orders are passed from the White House and the increase in AI.” To be sure, Forrest said if the same enthusiasm is pursued for renewable energy […] - [Auto & Transport Roundup: Market Talk](https://www.wsj.com/articles/auto-transport-roundup-market-talk-f1469058?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (4 min) The latest Market Talks covering the Auto and Transport sector. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET. 1156 ET – This is not going to be CSX’s year, but next should be, Stifel analysts say in a research note. Lower coal prices paired with environmental factors and service disruptions should make the first half of the year particularly challenging for the railroad company, the analysts say. However, as the factors dissipate and new infrastructure is brought online, there is potential for a meaningful acceleration in 2026, the analysts add. Overall CSX’s […] - [Financial Services Roundup: Market Talk](https://www.wsj.com/articles/financial-services-roundup-market-talk-fb36548b?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): The latest Market Talks covering Financial Services. Exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET. 1423 ET – New York state home sales rose in December, even as the state’s housing inventory reached its lowest point in recorded history, the New York State Association of Realtors says. Closed sales in the state rose 3.7% from December 2023, while pending sales were also up, from 6,207 homes in December 2023 to 6,423 homes in 2024, the association says. The median sales price rose 10.5% in December, from $380,000 in December 2023 to $420,000. U.S. home sales dropped […] - [EU Conditionally Approves International Paper's $7.16 Billion DS Smith Buy](https://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-conditionally-approves-international-papers-7-16-billion-ds-smith-buy-c1ce87f1?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (1 min) European Union antitrust regulators conditionally approved International Paper Co.’s IP 0.18%increase; green up pointing triangle 5.8 billion-pound ($7.16 billion) acquisition of London-listed peer DS Smith. The European Commission—the EU’s competition regulator—said Friday that the parties’ offer to sell five of International Paper’s plants in Europe fully addresses its competition concerns over the deal. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Tech to transform cities](http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2018-12/21/content_37415869.htm): Experiments with artificial intelligence, cloud computing and 5G aim to make urban living more convenient As China undertakes the largest urban planning initiative in world history, local governments and high-tech companies are experimenting with ways to use the rapidly emerging technologies of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data, the internet-of-things and 5G to make city dwellers’ lives more convenient. Current programs in China are aimed at improving traffic flow, reducing the time businesses and citizens spend getting government permits and documents, and facilitating access to healthcare. A 2015 report by Deloitte found that China has about 500 smart city pilot projects, […] - [Ericsson Shares Slump as Earnings Hit by Weakness Outside of Core Networks Business](https://www.wsj.com/articles/ericsson-sees-further-signs-of-market-stabilization-as-north-america-sales-rise-19ac5238?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): opinion Epstein Is a Failure of the 21st-Century Elites - [Verizon Results Boosted by Higher Prices, Gain in Wireless Customers](https://www.wsj.com/articles/verizon-results-boosted-by-higher-prices-gain-in-wireless-customers-5f0ff6e9?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Verizon Communications’ VZ -0.39%decrease; red down pointing triangle quarterly earnings came in just above Wall Street forecasts with higher prices helping boost revenue, as more customers than expected signed up for wireless phone service. The New York telecommunications giant finished the last quarter of 2024 with a net gain of 568,000 postpaid phone connections, where service is paid for each month on a contract. That is up from 449,000 a year earlier and beats analyst estimates for 488,300 additions. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Trade Capital Investments: What You Need to Know](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/trade-capital-investments-what-you-need-to-know/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [If You Need to Escape a Wildfire in an EV, Here Is What to Know](https://www.wsj.com/articles/if-you-need-to-escape-a-wildfire-in-an-ev-here-is-what-to-know-0fa41f51?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (1 min) The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have put electric vehicles to a real-world test. The challenges include everything from power outages to traffic jams and fast-moving evacuation orders.   The location of the fires is notable because California is home to more than one-third of all EVs registered in the U.S. Some of those battery-powered cars have been destroyed in the blazes, creating unique obstacles for cleanup crews tasked with removing the debris. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [What to Expect in your Business Finances in 2025](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-to-expect-in-your-business-finances-in-2025/): The beginning of the year is the ideal time to outline your finances for 2025. This means planning budgets, salaries, growth plans and possibly funding plans. To ensure you’re ready for this fiscal year, you need to know what to expect in finances in 2025. When it comes to business finance, it’s always best to stay ahead of the curve. This means understanding the trends driving any changes so you can make better-informed decisions for business success. In this article, we explore some of the trends and forecasts for business finance in 2025. We also give you some key strategies for navigating this financial year. Key Business Finance Trends for 2025 Growth of Sustainable Finance One of the emerging trends in business finance is sustainable finance. Sustainable finance provides financing to help combat climate change and environmental degradation. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles have changed from being a value-add to becoming an important prerequisite for investors and stakeholders. If you are planning on embracing green bonds, sustainable loans and transparent supply chain practices, you will gain a competitive advantage, both financially and reputationally. Digital Transformation Technology and automation are at the forefront of digital transformation. In 2025 you need to invest in cloud-based platforms and advanced analysis tools. This technology will help you streamline your business processes and make more accurate real-time decisions. Digital transformation has the power to transform businesses of all sizes and create a more equal playing field which prioritises innovation and agility. Resilience and Risk Management In 2025, it is predicted that businesses will focus on better cash flow management and flexible financial structures. This will increase their flexibility, better risk management and allow them to prepare for any potential disruptions. Additionally, this helps businesses avoid any risks and position themselves to take advantage of any opportunities in unpredictable and international markets. Evolving Consumer Preferences The power of consumers is more evident now than ever before. Consumers are only going to get more vocal and discerning than ever before. As a business, you will need to invest in new or evolved business practices to keep up with consumer demand. Financially invest in developing ethical practices, sustainable business practices and tailored financial strategies to fit what your consumers want. These trends are just some of the ones that will influence your business’ financial year. Now we can look at some key strategies to help you navigate this financial year. Key Strategies for Navigating the Financial Year To help you prepare financially for this year, here are some tips you can follow. Tip 1: Align Goals with Regulatory Changes To ensure your business functions smoothly, you need to stay on track with all regulator changes and amendments. This will ensure your business runs smoothly, aligns with laws and reduces the risk of any financial costs to not being compliant. Additionally, being aligned with regulations will ensure stability in your business and foster trust amongst your stakeholders. Tips 2: Leverage Digital Transformation Initiatives In 2025, you need to start thinking of how you will digitally transform your business. Leverage digital transformation technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence to streamline processes and create innovative products and services. Tip 3: Find the Right Team Members You need to invest in talent development to create a culture of innovation and excellence in your business. This will save you money from getting external consultants and will empower employees to embrace new technologies and best practices. Tip 4: Strengthen Relationships with Customers Being customer-focused is very important. Your customers are vital to the sustainability, growth and profitability of your business. Invest in customer engagement tools for data analytics and customer relationship management to better the relationship with your customers. Use technology to offer custom solutions and offerings which will help you increase engagement with customers and strengthen your profits for growth and sustainability. Tip 5: Keep Cash Flow in Mind Understanding your cash flow trends helps you anticipate any financial issues you might encounter. A greater understanding of your cash flow will enable you to plan for when you need funding and ensure you get that funding. Also, a better understanding of your cash flow will help you make more informed financial decisions about investments, debt management and capital acquisition.This article will help guide you in preparing for this year. Remember, do not go into this year blindly. Plan your finances throughout to ensure you don’t face any issues you did not prepare for. For more information on building a strong business, read our article. To get your tickets for our upcoming funding summit, visit the SME South Africa Funding Summit page. - [Korea Zinc Shares Rally After Adopting New Investor Protection Rules](https://www.wsj.com/articles/korea-zinc-shares-rally-after-rules-for-better-minority-investors-protection-8874c125?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Korea Zinc’s 010130 -4.01%decrease; red down pointing triangle shares rose sharply a day after the world’s leading zinc smelter decided to adopt new rules that management said would bolster minority shareholders’ rights. The stock climbed 12% on Friday, its steepest one-day gain in nearly two months, outperforming the benchmark Kospi index’s 0.85% rise. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Burberry Sees Positive Signs as Turnaround Plan Continues](https://www.wsj.com/articles/burberry-sees-positive-signs-as-turnaround-plan-continues-d3713aff?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Trench-coat maker Burberry BRBY 3.13% increase; green up pointing triangle upgraded its earnings outlook as sales returned to growth in the Americas, saying efforts to revamp its brand showed positive signs over the key holiday period. The British company added to signs of a pickup in luxury spending after recent updates from peers Brunello Cucinelli and Cartier owner Richemont raised hopes the industry could be turning a corner after last year’s challenges. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [Rolls-Royce Strikes Contract to Supply Nuclear Reactors for U.K. Submarines](https://www.wsj.com/articles/rolls-royce-gets-9-37-bln-contract-to-supply-nuclear-reactors-for-u-k-submarines-4ad2961c?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Rolls-Royce RR 14.99%increase; green up pointing triangle will manufacture nuclear reactors to power new U.K. submarines under a contract valued approximately at 9 billion pounds ($11.12 billion). As part of the eight-year deal, the biggest ever struck by Rolls-Royce with the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence, the British company will design, manufacture and provide support services to nuclear reactors powering the Royal Navy’s submarines, the ministry said Friday. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 - [China's WeRide Wants to Build Global Robotaxi Empire](https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-weride-wants-to-build-global-robotaxi-empire-6804cc80?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f): Listen (2 min) Chinese autonomous-driving company WeRide WRD 4.52%increase; green up pointing triangle is aiming to make more inroads overseas this year, its CEO says, betting that robotaxis and related services will be in high demand in coming years. WeRide, which already operates driverless vehicles in 30 cities across nine countries, has its sights set on Japan, Europe and the Middle East. It claims to be the only company in the world that has obtained autonomous driving permits in four countries, including China, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the U.S. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. […] - [Supreme Court lifts BOI injunction; filing timeline unclear](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/supreme-court-lifts-boi-injunction-filing-timeline-unclear.html): The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a stay of a nationwide injunction that banned enforcement of beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements, meaning the government can enforce the rules. But it was not immediately clear how the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which enforces BOI reporting requirements, would react to the stay, which is in effect until action by the Fifth Circuit and, potentially, further review by the Supreme Court. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the Supreme Court decision, saying the injunction should have stayed in force while the case is appealed. “The Government has provided no indication that injury […] - [The South African Companies Act Amendments](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/the-south-african-companies-act-amendments/): In July 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the First and Second Companies Amendment bills. The amendments came into effect on the 27th of December 2024. The changes affect certain sections of the Companies Amendment Act and the whole of the Companies Second Amendment Act. The Companies Amendment Act of 2024 was developed with the aim to enhance transparency and make way for more disclosure by companies. Additionally, it aims to reduce red tape and make it easier to do business in South Africa. Lastly, the new Act aims to clarify certain technical provisions in the Companies Act. In this article, we take you through the new changes and what it means for businesses in South Africa. Companies Amendment Act of 2024 New remuneration provisions applicable to public and state-owned companies include: Public and state-owned companies have a duty to prepare a remuneration policy. This policy must be prepared once every three years or when there are material changes to the policy. Additionally, there must be a remuneration report each year at the annual general meeting (AGM) for approval by ordinary shareholder resolution. Lastly, remuneration disclosures including pay gap disclosures must be made in the implementation report which is part of the remuneration report. If the remuneration report is not approved at the AGM, the next AGM the remuneration committee must explain how concerns have been addressed and non-executive directors on the remuneration committee must stand for re-election as remuneration committee members. If the remuneration report is again not approved, in-scope non-executive directors must stand down from the committee for a period of two years. They can remain as directors on the board, provided they are successful in standing for re-election. Application of takeover provisions in respect of private companies: – Takeover provisions will now apply to affected transactions involving a private company that has ten or more shareholders with a direct or indirect shareholding in the company, meets or exceeds a financial threshold of annual turnover or asset value to be determined by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. A private company will be considered a regulated company for purposes of application of the takeover provisions. The TRP may exempt any particular transaction involving an in-scope private company. Third parties now have the right to access a company MOI, the records of the directors, the AFS and the register of disclosure of beneficial interests (where needed), directly from the company. This is an addition to the securities register and register of directors to which the third parties have access. Refinements to the provisions relating to a company’s social and ethics committee (SEC) are: A company with a formal mechanism with its structures which substantially performs the functions of an SEC, is allowed to apply for an exemption from the requirement to have an SEC regardless of whether legislation is requiring it to have the formal mechanism. For public and state-owned companies, the majority of the SEC members must be non-executive directors who have not been involved in the day-to-day management within the previous three financial years. Public and state-owned companies must elect the SEC every year at the AGM and the SEC must provide its report to shareholders at the AGM. For other companies, the board must annually appoint the SEC, and the committee must present its report annually at the shareholder’s meet or by written solution. The SEC report should be prepared in the ‘prescribed’ manner and form. Validation of Irregular Share Creation and Issues On receipt of an application, a court may validate an invalid share creation, allotment or issue if the court finds it just and equitable to do so. The shares are deemed valid after payment of all fees. Effective Date of MOI Amendments Changes to the MOI (other than name change) will take effect 10 business days after receipt by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) or at a later date specified in the Notice of Amendment. Financial Assistance Exemption in Certain Instances A company that provides financial assistance to its subsidiary will be exempted from section 45 financial assistance provisions. This exemption does not apply to a foreign entity beneficiary that otherwise meets the subsidiary definition. Relaxation of Share Repurchase Requirements All share repurchases will now require the passing of a special resolution by shareholders unless the repurchased shares are acquired as a result of a pro-rate offer made to all shareholders of a particular class or shareholders. Or transactions effected on a recognised stock exchange on which the shares are traded. Companies Second Amendment Act of 2024 Extension of Director Liability Time Bar A court may, on good cause shown, extend the three-year period in which to bring proceedings under section 77 of the Companies Act. This is to recover any loss for which a director or prescribed officer may be held liable under the section. Extension of time bars to bring director delinquency and probation applications The period within which to make an application to declare a person a delinquent director or under probation to be a director has been extended to 60 months after the person stops being a director. A court may, on good cause shown, extend the period. These are the amendments that have been put into law. Further than that, there was also a lift on the block exemption regulations for small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs). To find out more information about this, visit SME South Africa’s article about block regulations. Visit the SME South Africa events page to get your tickets to our exciting SME SA Funding Summit. - [FASB proposes series of changes to accounting standards](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/fasb-proposes-series-of-changes-to-accounting-standards.html): News ACCOUNTING & REPORTING By Bryan Strickland FASB is seeking feedback on a proposed Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that addresses 34 issues in its codification. The “targeted improvements” to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification are a part of an evergreen project focused on making incremental changes to GAAP. Public comments on the ASU, published Wednesday, will be accepted through April 22. In a news release, FASB encouraged stakeholders to review the entire proposed ASU but highlighted a few of the issues addressed, including: Removing the Master Glossary term “amortized cost” (Issue 1 in the ASU); Clarifying the calculation of earnings per […] - [AICPA: Executive order shouldn’t affect IRS tax season hiring](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/executive-order-should-not-affect-irs-tax-season-hiring.html): An executive order signed by President Donald Trump regarding IRS hiring should not affect the use of seasonal employees for the tax filing season, an AICPA vice president said Tuesday. The IRS likely has already hired and trained those employees to work January through May, Melanie Lauridsen, the AICPA’s vice president–Tax Policy & Advocacy, said in a LinkedIn post. In addition, the order gives agencies discretion to reallocate workers “to meet the highest priority needs [and] to maintain essential services.” Tax filing season opens Monday. The hiring freeze in the executive order merely maintains the freeze that has been in effect […] - [Scottish business confidence still outstripping rest of UK](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-still-outstripping-34521851): Business confidence has dipped quarter-on-quarter, but remains higher in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. Sentiment tracked by ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor during the fourth quarter put confidence at 13.1 on the index, more than double its historical average and much higher than the UK reading of 0.2. Confidence in Scotland was bolstered by strong annual growth in both domestic sales and exports – among the highest rates in the UK – with this trend expected to continue over the next year. The domestic sales reading is likely to be linked to optimism in Scotland’s important energy and water sector. […] - [Mother Chimp and Daughter Share a Special Sign](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/science/chimpanzees-language-gestures.html): Humans are known to invent private hand gestures. Chimps in the wild do, too, a new study suggests. Parents and their children, or people who know each other well, often share some expression that is unique to them — a phrase or gesture that began by happenstance but gradually acquired a meaning that only they know. The same is true of Beryl, a chimpanzee living in Kibale National Park, in Uganda, and her young daughter, Lindsay. When Lindsay wants to climb on her mother’s back and travel, she puts one hand over Beryl’s eye — a gesture that no other chimpanzee […] - [At 90, the Ghanaian Highlife Pioneer Ebo Taylor Finds a New Voice](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/arts/music/ebo-taylor-jazz-is-dead.html): The singer, guitarist and composer released heralded music in the 1970s and early ’80s before retreating. The label Jazz Is Dead is boosting his rediscovery. Ebo Taylor has been a force in West African music since the 1960s as a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer, though often an unheralded one. The Ghanaian musician helped popularize highlife, a dance music that emerged in the first part of the 20th century, blending local rhythms and musical traditions with Western instrumentation and melodies. Taylor was tight with the Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and released an impressive run of albums in the 1970s and […] - [Unemployment in Scotland falls slightly](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/unemployment-in-scotland-falls-slightly-34519641): Unemployment in Scotland fell slightly in the last quarter. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over was 3.8% between September and November last year. This was a 0.2% drop on the previous quarter and below the UK wide rate of 4.4%. There were 105,000 people aged 16 and over out of work in Scotland between September and November last year, according to the figures. The employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 was 74.1%, up 1% on the previous quarter. The figures show that 2,625,000 people aged 16 […] - [Economic conditions 'weak' at the start of 2025](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/economic-conditions-weak-start-2025-34513965): Economic and business conditions and expectations were weak at the end of 2024, leading to challenges to finding the pathway to growth in 2025. Despite this, current expectations are that growth in 2025 will be an improvement compared to 2024, according to the latest quarterly economic assessment by the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. In the Deloitte-sponsored economic commentary, the institute’s economists are forecasting that growth in 2024 will end up at 0.9% and will be followed by 1.3% growth in 2025 and 1.2% growth in 2026. The forecast for 2025 is a significant revision up from […] - [In African Publishing, ‘There Is a Renaissance Going On’](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/books/african-publishing.html): A new ecosystem of publishers, bookstores, literary magazines and festivals is promoting African writers and changing the stories told about the region. For decades, there was one path to becoming a successful African writer: Getting a book deal in the publishing meccas of New York, London or Paris. But a radical shift is underway, transforming the region’s literary landscape from within and opening up possibilities unimaginable to previous generations of writers. It all started more than two decades ago, when the Kwani? literary magazine in Kenya began publishing and connecting African writers under the guidance of the writer and editor Binyavanga […] - [Mozambique’s Ex-Finance Minister Sentenced to Prison Over ‘Tuna Affair’](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/nyregion/manuel-chang-mozambique-tuna.html): Manuel Chang will spend eight and a half years in prison for taking about $7 million in bribes and kickbacks in a loan scandal that sent the country’s economy into a crisis. A former finance minister of Mozambique who was accused of helping facilitate a multibillion-dollar fraud that nearly pushed his country’s economy into catastrophe has been ordered to spend eight and a half years in prison and pay $7 million in forfeiture, prosecutors said. The sentencing was handed down after a four-week trial that ended in August in which Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis of the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn […] - [Werfel to resign Monday as IRS commissioner](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/werfel-to-resign-monday-as-irs-commissioner.html): IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel announced Friday that he would resign. Werfel, appointed to the role in early 2023, had two years left on his term. He said in a message to employees: “After significant introspection and consultation with others, I’ve determined the best way to support a successful transition is to depart the IRS on January 20, 2025.” One highlight of Werfel’s stint was the enhancement of digital offerings by the IRS. “During his tenure, Commissioner Werfel laid a foundation, moving the IRS in the right direction to improve taxpayer services and start instituting modern technologies,” Melanie Lauridsen, the AICPA’s vice […] - [Final regs address taxes on gifts to taxpayers from ex-U.S. citizens, residents](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/final-regs-address-taxes-on-gifts-to-taxpayers-from-ex-us-citizens-residents.html): The IRS issued final regulations (T.D. 10027) regarding taxpayers who must pay taxes on gifts or bequests that they receive from certain individuals who gave up their U.S. citizenship or residency. The final regulations, issued Jan. 10, also provide guidance on the method for reporting and paying this tax. They follow up on proposed regulations (REG-112997-10) published in 2015 in the Federal Register.   The final regulations implement Sec. 2801, which was added to the Code by the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008, P.L. 110-245, to tax “covered gifts” and “covered bequests” a U.S. citizen or resident […] - [SEC accepting Professional Accounting Fellow applications](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/sec-accepting-professional-accounting-fellow-applications.html): News ACCOUNTING & REPORTING By Bryan Strickland The SEC’s Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) is accepting applications for Professional Accounting Fellow positions that will begin in the summer of 2025. OCA is seeking candidates who want to engage in public service and who can draw upon their significant experience in auditing the financial statements of, providing advisory services to, or working for public companies as further described in its announcement. The announcement, which also includes further information about candidate eligibility and the application requirements for these positions, is available on OCA’s homepage on the SEC’s website at sec.gov/about/divisions-offices/office-chief-accountant. — To […] - [Final regs. address resolution of federal tax controversies by Appeals](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/final-regs-address-resolution-of-federal-tax-controversies-by-appeals.html): The IRS issued final regulations (T.D. 10030) on Tuesday that address resolution of federal tax controversies by the Independent Office of Appeals. The regulations include 24 exceptions to consideration of controversies by Appeals. The final regulations generally follow the proposed regulations (REG-125693-19) issued in October 2022, with a few modifications. The independent Office of Appeals was created by the Taxpayer First Act of 2019, P.L. 116-25. Its purpose, as described in Sec. 7803(e)(3), is to resolve federal tax controversies without litigation on a basis that “(A) is fair and impartial to both the Government and the taxpayer, (B) promotes consistent application […] - [UK economy sees weaker-than-expected growth in November](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/uk-economy-sees-weaker-expected-34490816): Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted she will “fight every day” to deliver economic growth, after the latest official figures showed weaker-than-expected expansion in November. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated the UK economy grew in November by 0.1%, after falling by 0.1% in both September and October. While a welcome return to growth, most economists were expecting gross domestic product (GDP) to rebound by 0.2% in November. The figures come after a difficult past couple of weeks for the Chancellor, after government borrowing costs surged and the value of the pound slumped amid worries over the economy and UK debt […] - [Prop. regs. address expanded annual compensation deduction limitation](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/proposed-regulations-address-expanded-annual-compensation-deduction-limitation.html): The IRS issued proposed regulations (REG-118988-22) providing guidance on Sec. 162(m)(3)(C), added by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), P.L. 117-2, that expands the Sec. 162(m) annual deduction limitation for employees paid over $1 million to additional employees. Sec. 162(m)(3)(C) expanded the definition of covered employee for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2026, to include any employee among the five highest-compensated employees for the tax year other than the principal executive officer (PEO) or the principal financial officer (PFO) or the three highest-compensated executive officers for the tax year. The proposed regulations would provide that, for purposes of determining […] - [Economic optimism rises among CFOs](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/economic-optimism-rises-among-cfos.html): Finance leaders at larger companies are beginning the new year with renewed optimism. Almost three-fourths of CFOs think the economy will improve over the next year, according to Deloitte’s fourth quarter 2024 North American CFO Signals survey, dramatically up from 19% in the third quarter. The survey found that 72% of finance leaders are confident about economic conditions, possibly because of the presidential election and a second Federal Reserve interest rate reduction in November, when the poll was conducted. The Fed made a third cut in December. “It’s possible that finance chiefs are relieved that the U.S. election is settled,” according […] - [Prop. regs. issued for spinoff transactions and their reporting](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/prop-regs-issued-for-spinoff-transactions-and-their-reporting.html): The IRS issued proposed regulations for certain corporate spinoff transactions (REG-112261-24). Proposed regulations also were issued that would require multiyear tax reporting for such transactions (REG-116085-23). In connection with the proposed guidance, issued Monday, the IRS posted a draft version of new Form 7216, Multi-Year Reporting Related to Section 355 Transactions. The first set of proposed regulations would “establish a comprehensive set of rules to implement certain core definitional and operative provisions of subchapter C that address corporate separations, incorporations, and reorganizations,” the preamble said. “The current regulatory framework underlying these provisions is incomplete, outdated, and not reflective of their importance to […] - [Dozens of Bodies Recovered From Illegal Mine in South Africa](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/world/africa/south-africa-illegal-mine-deaths.html): The authorities had at one point limited the miners’ access to food, water and other supplies in a blockade that drew criticism from human rights groups. The South African authorities said on Tuesday that they had pulled dozens of dead miners from a shuttered gold mine where they were working illegally until a blockade during which the police at one point cut off access to food, water and other supplies. As of Tuesday evening, the police reported recovering 51 bodies and extracting 106 miners who were still alive. The death toll could rise as the government continues the delicate operation, which […] - [Update: Digital assets practice aid addresses new FASB standards](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/update-digital-assets-practice-aid-addresses-new-fasb-standards.html): News ACCOUNTING & REPORTING By Bryan Strickland The AICPA updated its digital assets practice aid to assist practitioners with newly effective FASB standards. The practice aid, Accounting for and Auditing of Digital Assets, includes a new definition for digital assets, new and amended accounting questions, and the introduction of new terms. The updates are in response to FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other — Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60): Accounting for and Disclosure of Crypto Assets. The ASU took effect Dec. 15, 2024. “Digital assets is still a rapidly changing and growing area of practice and […] - [Regs. identify microcaptive transactions as reportable transactions](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/regs-identify-microcaptive-transactions-as-reportable-transactions.html): The IRS issued final regulations (T.D. 10029) that identify certain transactions that are the same as, or substantially similar to, certain microcaptive insurance transactions as listed transactions and certain other microcaptive transactions as transactions of interest, both of which are types of reportable transactions. The final regulations, published Tuesday in the Federal Register, require material advisers and certain participants in the listed transactions and transactions of interest to file disclosures with the IRS and be subject to penalties for failure to disclose. The final regulations affect participants in these transactions as well as material advisers. The final regulations make some changes […] - [Scottish private sector activity softens in December](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-private-sector-activity-softens-34469365): Scotland’s private sector ended last year with a renewed decrease in output. The Scotland Growth Tracker from Royal Bank of Scotland fell below the neutral level of 50.0 for the first time in a year, recording 46.9 in December, down from 51.1 in November. The decline was sharp and marked the most significant drop in activity since October 2023, with both manufacturing and services sectors reporting a decrease in output. After 22 consecutive months of growth, employment in Scotland’s private sector declined in December. Contributing factors included reduced business activity, redundancies and the non-replacement of voluntary leavers. Recent policy changes, particularly […] - [Prop. regs. address 401(k), 403(b) automatic enrollment requirement](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/prop-regs-address-401k-403b-automatic-enrollment-requirement.html): Treasury and the IRS issued proposed regulations addressing certain SECURE 2.0 Act provisions, including a provision that would require most newly established 401(k) and 403(b) plans to automatically enroll eligible employees beginning with the 2025 plan year. In general, unless an employee opts out, a plan must automatically enroll the employee at an initial contribution rate of at least 3% of the employee’s pay and automatically increase the initial contribution rate by one percentage point each year until it reaches at least 10% of pay, an IRS news release said. This requirement generally applies to 401(k) and 403(b) plans established after […] - [Who cares? Companies that care are better positioned with talent](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/culture-of-caring-in-companies.html): Gallup research recently found that half of U.S. employees report that they’re thriving in their lives at work and at home, but the findings shouldn’t be construed as a case of the glass being half full. Rather, the 50%-positive response rate represents the lowest figure since Gallup debuted its Life Evaluation Index in 2009. “Leaders need to prioritize creating a culture of employee wellbeing that surpasses their current efforts if they want sustainable employee performance,” write the authors of Gallup’s look at workplace trends for 2025. Just 30% of U.S. employees were engaged at work in the first quarter of 2024, […] - [Battling Militants Backed by Islamic State in Mozambique](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000009780068/mozambique-islamic-state-insurgents.html): new video loaded: Battling Militants Backed by Islamic State in Mozambique By John Eligon, Nikolay Nikolov and James Surdam•January 12, 2025 For more than seven years, an insurgency backed by the Islamic State has raged across Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, completely upending life in this coastal province rich with natural resources. John Eligon, The New York Times Johannesburg bureau chief, traveled across the province to speak with people trying to rebuild their lives. Recent episodes in Behind the Reporting - [IRS issues proposed regs. on catch-up contributions](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/irs-issues-proposed-regs-on-catch-up-contributions.html): The IRS on Friday issued proposed regulations (REG-101268-24) on catch-up contributions under a 401(k) or similar retirement plan that generally are allowed for workers who are at least 50 years old. The proposed regulations would affect participants in, beneficiaries of, employers maintaining, and administrators of certain retirement plans. The proposed regulations address catch-up contributions under several provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (Division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, P.L. 117-328). These include proposed rules related to a provision requiring that catch-up contributions made by certain higher-income participants must be designated as after-tax Roth IRA contributions.  Plan administrators […] - [In Africa, Danger Slithers Through Homes and Fields](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/health/africa-snakebite-treatment-access.html): The snake struck 11-year-old Beatrice Ndanu Munyoki as she sat on a small stone, which lay atop a larger one, watching the family’s eight goats. She was idly running her fingers through the dirt when she saw a red head dart from between the stones and felt a sharp sting on her right index finger. Listen to this article with reporter commentary Never a crier, she ran to her father, David Mutunga, who was building a fence. He cut the cloth belt on her dress into strips with a machete, tied her arm in three places and rushed her to a […] - [A second private-equity company acquires top 20 firm Citrin Cooperman](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/blackstone-acquires-citrin-cooperman.html): News FIRM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT By Bryan Strickland Top 20 firm Citrin Cooperman announced Tuesday its second recent ownership shift orchestrated by private equity. Blackstone has acquired a “significant” stake in Citrin Cooperman, acquiring the majority investment initially made in April 2022 by private-equity investment company New Mountain Capital LLC. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “We are excited to have reached an agreement for Blackstone to invest in Citrin Cooperman as we enter our next chapter of growth,” Citrin Cooperman CEO Alan Badey said in a news release. “Blackstone will help us make additional investments in expanded service offerings and […] - [Alternative methods allowed for identification of digital assets](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/jan/alternative-methods-allowed-for-identification-of-digital-assets.html): The IRS provided temporary relief that allows eligible taxpayers to use alternative methods to make adequate identification of digital asset units that are sold, disposed of, or transferred during the 2025 relief period, which began Wednesday and ends Dec. 31. The notice applies to adequate identification, within the meaning of Regs. Sec. 1.1012-1(j)(3)(ii), of digital assets held in the custody of brokers, the IRS said in Notice 2025-7, issued Tuesday. Under Regs. Sec. 1.1012-1(j)(3)(ii), for digital asset units held in the custody of a broker, a taxpayer is permitted to make an adequate identification of units to be sold, disposed of, […] - [A Half-Ton Piece of Space Junk Falls Onto a Village in Kenya](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/02/world/africa/kenya-space-debris-rocket.html): No one was hurt by the object, believed to be part of a launch rocket. Experts say the frequency of such incidents is increasing as the amount of debris in orbit around the Earth increases dramatically. The Kenya Space Agency identified the metal ring that fell in the country as a separation ring from a launch rocket.Citizen TV, via Reuters A glowing ring of metal, more than eight feet in diameter and weighing more than 1,100 pounds, fell from the sky and crash landed in a remote village in Kenya this week, causing no injuries but frightening residents who feared a […] - [The Mozambique Song, and Rapper, Inspiring a Youth Uprising](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/02/world/africa/mozambique-protest-song-azagaia.html): “Povo no Poder,” or “People in Power,” by the rap star Azagaia, has become the unofficial anthem of the protests over a disputed election. Protesters chanting “Povo no Poder” in front of security forces in the outskirts of Maputo, Mozambique, in November. The young men huddled around a parked car, bobbing to a beat that thumped from the speakers. It was an energetic and catchy rap ballad — one that, these days, is instantly recognizable on the streets of Mozambique. “Povo no Poder! Povo no Poder!” the men sang along, repeating a refrain that also was emblazoned on the black T-shirts […] - [Ivory Coast Says French Forces Will Withdraw](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/01/world/africa/ivory-coast-france-troop-withdrawal.html): The troops are expected to leave this month as France, a former colonial power in West Africa, fast loses influence there. Ivory Coast has announced that French forces will withdraw from its territory, following in the footsteps of several other West African countries and further reducing France’s waning power in the region. French troops will leave Ivory Coast this month after handing over a military camp in a suburb of the country’s capital, President Alassane Ouattara said in an address broadcast to the nation Tuesday night. France, a major former colonial power in Africa, has not commented publicly on the withdrawal, […] - [Dada Masilo, Who Fused Ballet With African Dance, Dies at 39](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/world/africa/dada-masilo-dead.html): Ms. Masilo, a South African dancer and choreographer, was known as a fearless creative who brought African dance styles to traditional pieces like “Swan Lake.” Dada Masilo, a South African dancer and choreographer known for injecting African dance into bold, unconventional interpretations of classical ballets like “Swan Lake” and “Giselle,” died on Sunday in Johannesburg. She was 39. The death, in a hospital, was confirmed by Bridget van Oerle, a spokeswoman for Ms. Masilo’s family, who said she died unexpectedly after a brief illness. Ms. Masilo built a reputation as a fearless choreographer who deconstructed long-performed ballet classics and fused them […] - [Korea Herald](http://www.koreaherald.com/common/rss_xml.php?ct=103): National Muan airport filled with desperation, grief MUAN, South Jeolla Province -- As names of victims were announced through microphones one by one, screams of desperation filled the air. At Muan International Airport where a plane crashed shortly aft - [Trump asks Supreme Court to pause TikTok ban](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-asks-supreme-court-to-pause-tiktok-ban-2b724ae6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Appeals court reinstates injunction that halts BOI enforcement](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2024/dec/appeals-court-reinstates-injunction-that-halts-boi-enforcement.html): A federal appeals court on Thursday reinstated a nationwide injunction halting enforcement of beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements, reversing an order the same court issued earlier this week. In its latest order, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said it was reinstating a lower court’s injunction “in order to preserve the constitutional status quo while the merits panel considers the parties’ weighty substantive arguments,” referring to the panel of judges who will decide the appeal. The AICPA has been urging the government to postpone the original Jan. 1, 2025, BOI reporting deadline. The requirements are imposed by the Corporate Transparency […] - [La incertidumbre en el Perú se eleva en un entorno global y electoral más complejo](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/la-incertidumbre-en-el-peru-se-eleva-en-un-entorno-global-y-electoral-mas-complejo-noticia/): Alonso Segura, presidente del Consejo Fiscal, advierte que leyes aprobadas por el Congreso podría comprometer la estabilidad económica del país FMI sugiere al Estado peruano continuar reformas en Petro-Perú y “resistirse a las iniciativas” congresales sin financiación “La incertidumbre [actual] probablemente es una de las más altas que hemos tenido en la presentación del [Reporte de Inflación]”, señaló recientemente el presidente del Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BCRP), Julio Velarde. Este diagnóstico se da en un contexto internacional más volátil, marcado por tensiones geopolíticas, cambios en los precios de los ‘commodities’ y una mayor incertidumbre global. En el plano local, […] - [Construcción habría crecido 13,3% en febrero, estima Capeco](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/construccion-habria-crecido-133-en-febrero-estima-capeco-noticia/): FMI sugiere al Estado peruano continuar reformas en Petro-Perú y “resistirse a las iniciativas” congresales sin financiación Manuel Antonio García Miró asume la presidencia del Directorio del Grupo El Comercio El sector construcción habría registrado un crecimiento de 13,3% en febrero, estimó Guido Valdivia, vicepresidente ejecutivo de la Cámara Peruana de la Construcción (Capeco). En la presentación del Informe Económico de la Construcción (IEC), Valdivia explicó que esto se debe al incremento del consumo interno de cemento de 10,9% y el avance de obras públicas de 22,2% en el segundo mes del 2026. MIRA | Empresas familiares en transición: entre el […] - [Construcción habría crecido 13,3% en febrero, estima Capeco](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/construccion-habria-crecido-133-en-febrero-estima-capeco-noticia/): FMI sugiere al Estado peruano continuar reformas en Petro-Perú y “resistirse a las iniciativas” congresales sin financiación Manuel Antonio García Miró asume la presidencia del Directorio del Grupo El Comercio El sector construcción habría registrado un crecimiento de 13,3% en febrero, estimó Guido Valdivia, vicepresidente ejecutivo de la Cámara Peruana de la Construcción (Capeco). En la presentación del Informe Económico de la Construcción (IEC), Valdivia explicó que esto se debe al incremento del consumo interno de cemento de 10,9% y el avance de obras públicas de 22,2% en el segundo mes del 2026. MIRA | Empresas familiares en transición: entre el […] - [Brazil unveils first supersonic fighter jet manufactured on its soil, a milestone for Latin America](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/28/brazil-unveils-first-supersonic-fighter-jet-manufactured-on-its-soil-a-milestone-for-latin-america?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer unveiled on Wednesday the first F-39E Gripen fighter jet manufactured in Brazil, a milestone the country’s presidency called “unprecedented in Latin America.” It is the first of 15 supersonic combat aircraft Embraer will produce at its facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo state, under a total contract for 36 jets ordered from Swedish firm Saab. - [Chery aspira a entrar al top 10 del mercado automotriz en el Perú este 2026, ¿cuál es su ruta?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/chery-aspira-a-entrar-al-top-10-del-mercado-automotriz-este-2026-noticia/): Alicorp acuerda adquirir subsidiarias de Flora Food, matriz de La Danesa, en Sudamérica, Centroamérica y El Caribe Prevención frente a desastres: ¿Cuántos recursos dejaron de invertir las regiones y municipios para prevenir huaicos e inundaciones? El fabricante chino Chery tiene la meta de entrar al top 10 de marcas con mayores ventas en el mercado vehicular peruano este año, cuenta a Dia1 su Brand Manager en Perú, Cecilia Rivas. “Queremos estar dentro del top 10, manteniendo un ‘market share’ por encima del 3% del mercado general, no solo livianos”, señala. MIRA TAMBIÉN | Pluspetrol interrumpe su producción de GLP ante corte […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: March 27, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-march-27-2026): Once again, developments in the Iran conflict drove markets, and economic data started to capture the impact of the conflict. - [IRS refund tracker explained: What you need to know before this year's tax filing deadline](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/irs-refund-tracker-explained-what-you-need-know-before-years-tax-deadline): <!–> Richard Bernstein Advisors CEO and CIO Richard Bernstein offers insight on investment strategies during conflict and rising inflation on Barrons Roundtable. Tax season is in full force as the deadline to file or request an extension is less than three weeks away, and some Americans who have already filed their returns are waiting to receive a refund from the IRS. Nearly 70 million taxpayers filed their returns as of March 13 and most taxpayers can expect to receive their tax refund within three weeks of filing their return, and the IRS has a tool that taxpayers can use to track the status […] - [Market Close: The Most Important Price of the Day](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/market-close-most-important-price-day): Discover why the official close is undeniably the most important trade of the day. - [Colombia Hercules crash aftermath: political clash over causes intensifies days after tragedy](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/26/colombia-hercules-crash-aftermath-political-clash-over-causes-intensifies-days-after-tragedy?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The Hercules C-130 crash in Putumayo, which killed 70 people on March 23, has escalated into an open political confrontation between President Gustavo Petro, the military leadership, and the opposition over the causes of the disaster and the state of the country’s defense capabilities, against the backdrop of presidential elections scheduled for May 31. - [Elecciones 2026: estas son las propuestas de los partidos políticos en un contexto internacional volátil, ¿son viables?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/elecciones-2026-que-proponen-los-partidos-frente-a-un-mundo-mas-incierto-videnza-instituto-noticia/): Renovación Popular, Fuerza Popular, Ahora Nación, Integridad Democrática, País para Todos, y Alianza para el Progreso coinciden en la necesidad de diversificar exportaciones y profundizar la inserción internacional, pero difieren en los instrumentos para lograrlo. El próximo Gobierno asumirá funciones en un contexto internacional especialmente volátil. A las tensiones geopolíticas en Medio Oriente se suma la incertidumbre sobre la política económica de Estados Unidos tras el retorno de Donald Trump, el reacomodo del comercio global y la expansión del crimen organizado transnacional en América Latina. Este entorno introduce presiones sobre el comercio, la inversión y el financiamiento internacional, que la siguiente […] - [Jetour, la estrategia de la marca china para crecer en Perú: lanzamientos y qué tiene que ver la U en su plan](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/jetour-apunta-a-crecer-a-doble-digito-este-ano-los-lanzamientos-de-la-marca-para-el-2026-noticia/): Fed mantiene sus tasas de interés y advierte que impacto económico de la guerra sobre EE.UU. es incierto PedidosYa Perú: “Apuntamos a ser los líderes absolutos entre las ‘apps’ de delivery este año” En este año, la marca china Jetour apunta a colocar unas 9.600 unidades en el mercado de vehículos livianos, indica Alejandro Lucioni, gerente general de Alto Andes, que representa al fabricante asiático. Esta meta significa un crecimiento del 44% en ventas frente al 2025, sostiene. La marca, que lleva cinco años en el Perú, se posicionó como la novena más vendida del mercado de livianos el año pasado. […] - [USS Nimitz to operate in Uruguayan waters on final deployment before decommissioning](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/24/uss-nimitz-to-operate-in-uruguayan-waters-on-final-deployment-before-decommissioning?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), flagship of the United States Navy for more than five decades, will arrive in Uruguayan waters in the coming weeks as part of the “Southern Seas 2026” deployment, the US Fourth Fleet announced. - [Nearly 10M pounds of frozen fried rice sold at Trader Joe's added to recall: USDA](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/nearly-10m-pounds-frozen-fried-rice-sold-trader-joes-added-recall-usda): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. A nationwide recall has expanded to include close to 10 million pounds of frozen vegetable fried rice sold at Trader Joe’s stores in dozens of states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service. Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. announced a recall of 9,885,240 pounds of Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice after small pieces of glass were found in the frozen meals. The glass shards ranged from one to three cm long and two to four mm wide. 90,000 BOTTLES OF CHILDREN’S IBUPROFEN RECALLED NATIONWIDE, FDA SAYS A nationwide recall […] - [Colombian military plane crashes after takeoff with more than 120 people on board](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/24/colombian-military-plane-crashes-after-takeoff-with-more-than-120-people-on-board?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): A Colombian Air Force C-130 Hercules crashed on Monday shortly after taking off from La Tagua airstrip in Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo, in southern Colombia, with at least 125 people on board. The aircraft was heading to Puerto Asís, also in Putumayo, carrying troops on a routine rotation. - [Fed’s Goolsbee says he could see circumstances where rate hikes might be needed](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/feds-goolsbee-says-he-could-see-circumstances-where-rate-hikes-might-be-needed-98e632e5?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Weekly Chartstopper: March 20, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-march-20-2026): The two focuses for markets this week were the Iran conflict and the Fed meeting. - [Two US federal prosecutors investigating Colombian President Gustavo Petro over alleged narco ties](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/20/two-us-federal-prosecutors-investigating-colombian-president-gustavo-petro-over-alleged-narco-ties?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Colombian President Gustavo Petro is the subject of a criminal investigation by at least two US federal prosecutors over alleged links to international drug trafficking, The New York Times reported Thursday, citing three people with knowledge of the matter. - [Fed’s Waller says he doesn’t support rate hikes, sees inflation cooling in second half of the year](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/feds-waller-says-he-doesnt-support-rate-hikes-sees-inflation-cooling-in-second-half-of-the-year-3ca9f671?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [90,000 bottles of children's ibuprofen recalled nationwide, FDA says](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/bottles-childrens-ibuprofen-recalled-nationwide-fda-says): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Nearly 90,000 bottles of children’s ibuprofen have been recalled over the potential presence of a foreign substance, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Strides Pharma, Inc., headquartered in India, recalled about 89,592 bottles of its 100-milligram Children’s Ibuprofen Oral Suspension, the FDA said.  The affected product was manufactured for Taro Pharmaceuticals USA and distributed across the U.S. The ibuprofen was sold in 4-fluid-ounce bottles at 100 milligrams per 5 milliliters. HERBAL SUPPLEMENT FOUND TO CONTAIN HIDDEN VIAGRA INGEDIENT, FDA URGES CONSUMERS TO STOP USE Nearly 90,000 bottles of children’s ibuprofen have been recalled. […] - [Very Small Trades Matter Little to Liquidity](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/very-small-trades-matter-little-liquidity): We look into changes in reporting of fractional shares, and how much those trades matter to the market. - [Russian diesel shipment bound for Cuba challenges US blockade](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/19/russian-diesel-shipment-bound-for-cuba-challenges-us-blockade?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): A Hong Kong-flagged tanker that could be carrying fuel to Cuba has resumed navigation in the Atlantic after remaining halted for several weeks, in a move that could offer limited relief to the island’s deepening energy crisis. According to ship-tracking available on Vessel Finder, the Sea Horse loaded fuel in a ship-to-ship operation earlier this year and then resumed course with Cuba as a possible destination. The Financial Times reported that the vessel was part of two Russian energy shipments headed to the island and could arrive within days. - [Argentina officially withdraws from the WHO: How will this affect the country?](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/17/argentina-officially-withdraws-from-the-who-how-will-this-affect-the-country?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Argentina formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization on March 17, a move announced by Javier Milei’s government a year ago and now confirmed by Secretary for International Economic Relations Pablo Quirno. In his statement, Quirno said the country would continue promoting health cooperation through bilateral and regional channels while fully safeguarding its sovereignty over public health policy. - [Kast launches border barriers in northern Chile and hardens migration agenda](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/17/kast-launches-border-barriers-in-northern-chile-and-hardens-migration-agenda?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Chilean President José Antonio Kast on Monday launched the border control works he had promised during the campaign, starting in Chacalluta in the Arica and Parinacota region, in an early sign that migration and security will be among the defining priorities of his administration. According to Chile’s presidency, Kast inspected the works at the frontier and highlighted the Army’s deployment to secure the area. - [Petro accuses Ecuador of bombing Colombian territory, deepening rift with Noboa](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/17/petro-accuses-ecuador-of-bombing-colombian-territory-deepening-rift-with-noboa?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The crisis between Colombia and Ecuador escalated sharply on Tuesday after Colombian President Gustavo Petro said his country was being bombed from Ecuadorian territory, while his counterpart Daniel Noboa rejected the allegation and insisted military operations were taking place only on Ecuador’s side of the border. - [Magnitude 6 quake strikes eastern Cuba as island remained under nationwide blackout](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/17/magnitude-6-quake-strikes-eastern-cuba-as-island-remained-under-nationwide-blackout?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Cuba early on Tuesday while the island was still dealing with a nationwide blackout caused hours earlier by the collapse of the power grid. The quake was recorded by the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre at a depth of about 15 km, while reports from Cuba’s seismological service placed the epicenter 37 km southeast of Imías, in Guantánamo province, and said it was felt across several eastern provinces. - [The US housing markets that are seeing the largest drops in rent prices](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-housing-markets-seeing-largest-drops-rent-prices): <!–> The Big Money Show discusses mortgage rates, property taxes and the struggle home sellers are facing. American renters got some price relief in February as the national median asking rent dipped to the lowest level in four years, with some metro areas seeing notable declines. An analysis by Realtor.com found that the median asking rent for 0 to 2-bedroom properties in the 50 largest metro areas declined for the 30th consecutive month, with the metric falling $29, or 1.7%, compared to a year ago in February.  The median asking rent in those markets was $1,667 – down 5.1% from its peak […] - [Rafael Correa in Uruguay: controversy over visit by convicted Ecuadorean ex-president](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/17/rafael-correa-in-uruguay-controversy-over-visit-by-convicted-ecuadorean-ex-president?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Former Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa is in Uruguay, according to Uruguayan government sources cited by Montevideo daily El País. His presence prompted criticism from the opposition, while the government said that, for now, no formal meetings with executive branch authorities were planned. - [Cuba suffers nationwide blackout after total collapse of national power grid](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/16/cuba-suffers-nationwide-blackout-after-total-collapse-of-national-power-grid?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Cuba suffered a nationwide blackout on Monday after the Ministry of Energy and Mines reported a “complete disconnection” of the National Electric System, leaving virtually the entire island without power. The collapse hit a country of roughly 10 to 11 million people and came amid an energy crisis that had already been causing prolonged outages and severe generation deficits. - [Weekly Chartstopper: March 16, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-march-16-2026): Last week saw a bit of everything, with developments in the Iran conflict, updates on tariffs, and important macro data. - [Colombia and Venezuela will seek full Mercosur membership, Petro says](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/16/colombia-and-venezuela-will-seek-full-mercosur-membership-petro-says?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Colombian President Gustavo Petro said his country and Venezuela will seek admission to Mercosur as full members, one day after a ministerial meeting in Caracas that he described as “extremely successful,” according to EFE. In a message posted on X, Petro said: “We will ask for the moratorium to be lifted so Venezuela can enter Mercosur as a full member, and Colombia will submit its own request to join as a full member.” - [Protest in Morón turns into attack on Communist Party office amid Cuba blackouts](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/16/protest-in-moron-turns-into-attack-on-communist-party-office-amid-cuba-blackouts?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): A protest over blackouts and shortages in the Cuban city of Morón turned into a partial attack on the local Communist Party headquarters early on Saturday, in one of the most unusual recent expressions of public unrest on the island. Authorities reported at least five arrests and said an investigation had been opened into the incident. - [Cuba confirms talks with the United States amid its deepest energy crisis in years](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/13/cuba-confirms-talks-with-the-united-states-amid-its-deepest-energy-crisis-in-years?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on Friday that his government has recently held talks with U.S. officials, the first public acknowledgment of such bilateral contacts in more than a decade, as the island faces a severe fuel and electricity crisis. He said the exchanges were aimed at seeking solutions to bilateral differences and exploring areas of cooperation based on equality, sovereignty and mutual respect. - [Uruguayan fugitive Sebastián Marset captured in Bolivia and placed in U.S. custody](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/13/uruguayan-fugitive-sebastian-marset-captured-in-bolivia-and-placed-in-u.s.-custody?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Suspected Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset was captured on Friday in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in an operation that ends one of the Southern Cone’s longest and most visible manhunts. Paraguayan authorities confirmed the arrest and said Marset had been secured after a raid carried out by Bolivian forces. - [Fed's favored inflation gauge remained stubbornly high in January as consumer price pressures persist](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/january-2026-pce-inflation): <!–> Former JP Morgan Chase chief economist Anthony Chan breaks down the run up in oil prices on Varney & Co. This story on the January 2026 PCE inflation report is developing and will be updated with more details. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge remained stubbornly high in January as consumers continued to face elevated price growth. The Commerce Department on Friday reported that the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 0.3% on a monthly basis in January and is up 2.8% from a year ago. The monthly figure was in-line with the expectations of economists polled by LSEG, while the annual […] - [US economic growth revised lower in fourth quarter](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-economy-gdp-q4-2025-second-estimate): <!–> ‘Making Money’ panelists Michelle Girard and Chris Low break down the February Jobs report, the impact on the energy prices from the Middle East crisis and the outlook for the Fed. This is a developing story about the second reading of fourth-quarter gross domestic product growth. Please check back for updates. The U.S. economy grew at a slower rate than previously thought in the fourth quarter after the Commerce Department released its first revision of real gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the latest quarter. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released its second estimate of fourth-quarter GDP, which showed the […] - [Petro sends ministers to Caracas after meeting with Delcy Rodríguez is called off](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/13/petro-sends-ministers-to-caracas-after-meeting-with-delcy-rodriguez-is-called-off?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Colombia and Venezuela shifted their planned bilateral contact to the ministerial level on Friday after a presidential meeting announced for the border was abruptly canceled under the formula of “force majeure.” Instead of the face-to-face encounter scheduled between Gustavo Petro and Delcy Rodríguez at the Atanasio Girardot bridge, Bogotá sent a delegation to Caracas led by Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and including the ministers of defense, trade, and mines and energy. - [Costco sued by customer seeking refunds for tariff payments](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/costco-sued-customer-seeking-refunds-tariff-payments): The Lonski Group President John Lonski discusses a federal judge’s order to the Trump administration to pay out tariff refunds and a Fox News poll regarding inflation and personal finance situations on ‘Varney & Co.’ Costco is facing a proposed nationwide class action lawsuit seeking refunds for customers over higher prices charged by the company due to the Trump administration’s tariffs that were subsequently ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The lawsuit was filed by a Costco shopper in federal court in Illinois on Wednesday and seeks a declaration that the company must return to customers any refunds it receives for tariffs […] - [Jobless claims show sluggish but stable labor market](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-show-sluggish-but-stable-labor-market-3ea5d655?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Lula withdraws from Kast inauguration amid presence of Flávio Bolsonaro](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/11/lula-withdraws-from-kast-inauguration-amid-presence-of-flavio-bolsonaro?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has canceled a planned trip to Chile to attend José Antonio Kast’s inauguration on Wednesday and will instead be represented at the ceremony by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. Brazilian officials said the change was due to “scheduling reasons.” - [María Corina Machado arrives in Chile for Kast’s inauguration and meeting with Venezuelan migrants](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/11/maria-corina-machado-arrives-in-chile-for-kast-s-inauguration-and-meeting-with-venezuelan-migrants?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has arrived in Chile to attend Wednesday’s ceremony in which Gabriel Boric will hand over the presidency to José Antonio Kast, in a visit that also includes an event with Venezuelan residents in Santiago and several public appearances in the capital. She is among the international guests invited to the transfer of power, where Kast will formally take office at Congress in Valparaíso. - [Flying taxis could soon take flight as FAA green-lights tests in 26 states](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/flying-taxis-could-soon-take-flight-faa-greenlights-tests-26-states): <!–> Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt details the launch of the Uber Air taxi service, powered by Joby eVTOLs, starting in Dubai on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Monday that it selected eight proposals for a new pilot program testing new advanced air mobility and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in 26 states. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA unveiled the pilot program, known as the Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (e-IPP), which will center on eight projects in 26 states. The futuristic aircraft can run on electric or hybrid […] - [Historic Pact and Democratic Center lead Colombia’s Senate race after legislative vote](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/09/historic-pact-and-democratic-center-lead-colombia-s-senate-race-after-legislative-vote?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Historic Pact, the left-wing coalition linked to President Gustavo Petro, and the Democratic Center, led by former president Alvaro Uribe, were on Sunday emerging as the two main forces in Colombia’s Senate for the 2026-2030 term, according to preliminary pre-count results. Colombia’s electoral authority, the Registraduría, was publishing official real-time results on its election portal, while local media reported that Senate bulletin 25 showed Historic Pact with 3,599,411 votes and Democratic Center with 2,473,529. - [Trump launches anti-cartel coalition, says Cuba regime “in its final days”](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/07/trump-launches-anti-cartel-coalition-says-cuba-regime-in-its-final-days?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday opened the first Shield of the Americas summit in Doral, Florida, bringing together a group of like-minded Latin American and Caribbean leaders to unveil a new regional security alliance focused on fighting drug cartels. In his remarks, he said Cuba was “very much at the end of the line,” claimed Havana wanted to negotiate with Washington, and said his administration had formally recognized the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez in Venezuela as diplomatic ties between the two countries were being restored. - [Ecuador and U.S. Forces Destroy FARC Dissident Training Camp in Amazon Region](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/07/ecuador-and-u.s.-forces-destroy-farc-dissident-training-camp-in-amazon-region?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces bombed and destroyed a training camp belonging to the Comandos de la Frontera, a dissident faction of Colombia’s former FARC guerrilla organization, in the Amazon border province of Sucumbíos on Tuesday, both governments confirmed Friday. - [Weekly Chartstopper: March 6, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-march-6-2026): Since the conflict with Iran began on Saturday, markets have been trying to assess its economic impact – the main channel being higher energy prices. - [A Tale of Two Earnings Cycles](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/tale-two-earnings-cycles): The Q4 2025 earnings season continued a recent trend – the Nasdaq-100® large caps and S&P 600 small caps both saw strong earnings growth. However, looking beyond the headline number, it’s clear that the drivers of these earnings trends couldn’t be more different. - [Trump to gather 12 aligned Latin American leaders in Florida, with Mexico, Brazil and Colombia absent](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/05/trump-to-gather-12-aligned-latin-american-leaders-in-florida-with-mexico-brazil-and-colombia-absent?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): U.S. President Donald Trump will host leaders from 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries in Doral, Florida, on March 7 for the so-called Shield of the Americas Summit, a meeting the White House is framing as a forum on security, migration and hemispheric cooperation. The gathering comes amid a broader U.S. diplomatic and military push in the region and just weeks before Trump is expected to travel to China. - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Americans tap retirement funds at record rates as mounting financial stress takes toll](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-tap-retirement-funds-record-rates-mounting-financial-stress-takes-toll): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. A record number of Americans tapped into their 401(k) retirement savings for hardship withdrawals last year due to financial challenges, new data shows. Vanguard Group reported that 6% of participants in 401(k) plans administered by the firm took hardship withdrawals in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024. That figure is also well above the prepandemic average of about 2% of 401(k) plan participants per year who made hardship withdrawals from their retirement plans, Vanguard said. The report noted that hardship withdrawals […] - [Bolivia jails 19 after people scooped up cash from crashed military plane](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/04/bolivia-jails-19-after-people-scooped-up-cash-from-crashed-military-plane?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): A Bolivian judge ordered the pre-trial detention of 19 people accused of taking banknotes scattered after a military Hercules C-130 aircraft skidded off the runway while landing at El Alto international airport, adjacent to La Paz. The suspects will spend four months in prisons in the La Paz department as investigators build the case, according to El Deber. - [Private sector added 63,000 jobs in February, above expectations, ADP says](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/private-sector-added-63000-jobs-february-above-expectations-adp-says): <!–> Wolfe Research chief economist Stephanie Roth assesses the state of the economy, the AI feedback loop and jobless prosperity on ‘Making Money.’   Companies in the private sector added 63,000 jobs in February, payroll processing firm ADP said Wednesday. The figure is above economists’ estimates of a gain of 50,000 jobs. The prior month’s payrolls number was revised lower to a gain of just 11,000 from an initially reported gain of 22,000. “We’ve seen an increase in hiring and pay gains remain solid, especially for job-stayers,” said Nela Richardson, ADP chief economist. “But with hiring concentrated in only a few sectors, […] - [Three foreigners convicted in Uruguay for attempting to obtain a passport with forgeries](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/04/three-foreigners-convicted-in-uruguay-for-attempting-to-obtain-a-passport-with-forgeries?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): A court in Uruguay’s Flores department convicted three foreign nationals —a Russian, a Kazakh and a Mexican woman— after authorities said they attempted to begin identification procedures using false documentation at the National Civil Identification Directorate (DNIC) office in the city of Trinidad. - [February 2026 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/february-2026-review-and-outlook): U.S. equity markets delivered a mixed performance in February, with headline indices masking a significant degree of rotation and dispersion beneath the surface. - [Weekly Chartstopper: February 27, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-february-27-2026): Despite concerns about AI’s economic impact and geopolitical tensions, there’s been a flight to safety this week. - [The SIP Formula Is Broken and Everyone Knows It](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sip-formula-broken-and-everyone-knows-it): Investors around the world know that it’s important to know what the right prices for stocks are, but the market has evolved in ways that take advantage of economics – usually without adding the desired compensating value to the public. - [Americans hit with soaring electricity bills as price hikes outpace inflation nationwide](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-hit-soaring-electricity-bills-price-hikes-outpace-inflation-nationwide): <!–> ‘The Big Money Show’ panel discusses President Donald Trump’s push to sell falling inflation, lower gas prices and rising manufacturing growth ahead of the midterm elections. Americans are facing rising electricity costs around the country as winter weather and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers increase demands on the electric grid. Electricity prices have risen faster than the pace of inflation in the last year. January consumer price index (CPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed electricity costs were up 6.3% from a year ago, while CPI was up 2.4% in that period. Data from the Energy […] - [Regulatory Roundup: Regulatory Priorities for 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/fintech/regulatory-roundup-february-2026): The February 2026 edition of Regulatory Roundup provides a comprehensive overview of the most significant global regulatory priorities shaping capital markets in 2026, drawing on official workplans, examination priorities, policy statements, and recent enforcement activity from regulators worldwide. It focuses on what is new or evolving in regulatory attention, rather than repeating long‑standing, high‑level themes. - [Consumers are more upbeat about the U.S. economy that previously thought](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumers-are-more-upbeat-about-the-u-s-economy-that-previously-thought-a26a43cd?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Fed’s Waller says next jobs report, not Supreme Court ruling, will be key for Fed’s March rate-cut decision](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/feds-waller-says-next-jobs-report-not-supreme-court-ruling-will-impact-feds-march-rate-cut-decision-4ca7ca11?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Weekly Chartstopper: February 20, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-february-20-2026): For a short week, it wasn’t short on news! Markets focused on tariffs developments, economic data and Fed minutes. - [US economy grew slower than expected in fourth quarter](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-economy-gdp-q4-2025): <!–> White House Deputy Press Secretary and Special Assistant to the President Kush Desai joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to tout the jobs report, defend President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy and highlight new efforts to lower prescription drug costs. The U.S. economy grew at a much slower than expected pace in the fourth quarter, according to new data released on Wednesday. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released its advance estimate for fourth quarter gross domestic product (GDP), which found the U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 1.4% in the fourth quarter, which runs from October through December. […] - [Fed's favored inflation gauge showed consumer price growth remained elevated in December](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/december-2025-pce-inflation): <!–> White House senior counselor Peter Navarro discusses Trumps Goldilocks economy, citing low inflation, rising wages and job growth. He also addresses the Supreme Courts tariff decision, the White House strategy for AIs impact on jobs and more. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge remained elevated in December as price pressures continued to pose a challenge for consumers. The Commerce Department on Friday reported that the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 0.4% in December on a monthly basis and is up 2.9% from a year ago. Those figures were both slightly hotter than the estimate of LSEG economists, who predicted 0.3% and […] - [It's Darkest in the Middle of the Day](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/its-darkest-middle-day): An amazing milestone was passed in 2025: It was the year when off-exchange market share increased above 50%. But looking at price discovery during the day, lit trading is even lower. Interestingly, we find that the market is the darkest in the middle of the day. - [Jobless claims fall to lowest level of the year, signaling a more stable labor market](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-fall-to-lowest-level-of-the-year-signaling-a-more-stable-labor-market-8c619fef?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Rent becoming more affordable for many Americans as market stabilizes](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/rent-becoming-more-affordable-many-americans-market-stabilizes): <!–> The Corcoran Group broker  Noble Black joins Varney & Co. to discuss homebuilder confidence, mortgage rates and Congress actions to address the housing crisis. Renters are expected to see some relief from rising prices this year, with the pace of rent growth expected to slow as the market stabilizes and a measure of affordability hits a four-year-high. An analysis by Zillow projects that multifamily rental prices are expected to remain relatively flat through the end of 2026, declining slightly by 0.2%.  Single-family rents are expected to rise at an annual rate of 1.1% in December 2026, which the report says would […] - [Tesla dodges California license suspension after dropping misleading 'autopilot' marketing terms](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/tesla-dodges-california-license-suspension-dropping-misleading-autopilot-marketing): <!–> FOX Business’ Grady Trimble has the details from inside an autonomous robotaxi on ‘Varney & Co.’ Tesla will avoid a 30-day suspension of its dealer and manufacturer licenses in California after complying with a state order to stop using the term “autopilot” when marketing its vehicles, state regulators said Tuesday. The decision comes after the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) found in December 2025 that Tesla violated state law by misleadingly marketing its electric vehicles with the terms “autopilot” and “full self-driving.” The regulator said Tuesday that Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company took “corrective action” and had stopped using […] - [Americans see bigger tax refunds so far this year as filing season begins at a slower pace](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/americans-see-bigger-tax-refunds-so-far-year-filing-season-begins-slower-pace): <!–> J.P. Morgan Asset Management chief global strategist David Kelly dissects what is hard to get out of the market and more on Making Money. Americans are receiving larger tax refunds on average in the 2026 filing season than last year, though taxpayers are filing at a slower pace in the first few weeks than they were a year ago. The latest IRS tax filing data was released by the agency on Friday and showed that as of Feb. 6, the average tax refund amount paid to taxpayers was $2,290. That represents an increase of 10.9% when compared with the average size of […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: February 13, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-february-13-2026): This week featured two heavyweights of economic data: jobs and inflation (and another AI-related selloff on Thursday). - [How Stale Are Dark Midpoint Prints?](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-stale-are-dark-midpoint-prints): We look at how often trades print to the Securities Information Processor (SIP) at a price that looks like a trade-through. - [Chipotle CEO allegedly suggests company would keep raising prices and 'lean into' customers making over $100K](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/chipotle-ceo-allegedly-suggests-company-would-keep-raising-prices-lean-into-customers-making-over-100k): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright suggested in leaked audio that the company would begin focusing on customers who make more than $100,000 per year, indicating further price hikes. During a recent earnings call, Boatwright said 60% of customers earn more than $100,000 a year and that he wants to “lean into that group in a more meaningful way.” “We learned that 60% of our core users are over $100,000 a year in income, in average household income. That gives us confidence that we can lean into that group in a more meaningful way — to […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: February 6, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-february-6-2026): This was one of those weeks we’ve seen on occasion in the last year where markets worry about AI. - [IPO Market Gained Strength in 2025](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/ipo-market-gained-strength-2025): In 2025, the initial public offering (IPO) market continued to rebound from the 2022 and 2023 slump. - [Chrysler recalls more than 450K vehicles over light brake failure](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/chrysler-recalls-more-than-450k-vehicles-over-light-brake-failure): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 vehicles and more than 2,000 tow-trailer modules over a light brake failure that could raise the risk of a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall impacts 456,287 vehicles and an additional 2,871 tow-trailer modules, the NHTSA said in a pair of notices on Monday. The affected vehicles contain the faulty modules, which the agency said were improperly designed. TOYOTA RECALLS 161K TUNDRA TRUCKS OVER REARVIEW CAMERA DEFECT THAT INCREASES CRASH RISK Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 vehicles and more than 2,000 […] - [Private sector added 22,000 jobs in January, well below expectations, ADP says](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/private-sector-added-22000-jobs-january-well-below-expectations-adp-says): <!–> Global advisor to CEOs and corporate boards Ram Charan joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the growth of AI in American businesses and the impact of technology on jobs. Companies in the private sector added just 22,000 jobs in January, payroll processing firm ADP said Wednesday. The figure is well below economists’ estimates of a gain of 48,000 jobs. The prior month’s payrolls number was revised lower to a gain of 37,000 from an initially reported gain of 41,000. “Job creation took a step back in 2025, with private employers adding 398,000 jobs, down from 771,000 in 2024,” said ADP […] - [China moves to ban feature commonly seen on Tesla vehicles over fear of trapped passengers](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/china-moves-ban-feature-commonly-seen-tesla-vehicles-over-fear-trapped-passengers): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. China has moved to ban one of the most iconic Tesla vehicle features in order to get a handle on vehicle safety. New safety regulations published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology state that cars sold in China will be required to have mechanical releases on their door handles, according to TechCrunch. The outlet added that the rules, which go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027, will ban hidden, electronically activated door handles.  Under the new rules, each vehicle door, except for the tailgate, will need to be equipped with a manually-released […] - [January 2026 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/january-2026-review-and-outlook): U.S. equity markets began 2026 with a constructive tone, extending the positive momentum established through the back half of last year. - [Government shutdown will delay release of January jobs report](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/government-shutdown-delay-release-january-jobs-report): <!–> Fox News chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram has the latest on the Capitol Hill debate on Kudlow. The partial government shutdown that began on Saturday morning is set to delay the release of the January jobs report that was slated for publication this week. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said Monday that the January jobs report, which was originally scheduled for release on Friday, will be delayed until after the shutdown concludes with the restoration of government funding. “The release will be rescheduled upon the resumption of government funding,” Emily Liddel, an associate commissioner at BLS, said in a statement. […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: January 30, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-january-30-2026): It was a big week for fourth-quarter earnings, but also for the Federal Reserve – even in a week where it kept rates unchanged (as expected). - [Tariffs may have cost US economy thousands of jobs monthly, Fed analysis reveals](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/tariffs-may-have-cost-us-economy-thousands-jobs-monthly-fed-analysis-reveals): <!–> Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle discusses the impact of tariffs on products and holiday shopping during an exclusive interview on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ An analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City found that tariffs may have slowed job growth in the U.S. economy in 2025 after higher import taxes were implemented. Economists at the Kansas City Fed noted that employment growth slowed markedly from 170,000 per month in 2024 to only 75,000 per month through August 2025, a trend that Fed policymakers have monitored closely and which helped prompt three interest rate cuts at the central bank’s meetings in September, […] - [Middle-income Americans struggling to keep up as living costs weigh on paychecks, survey says](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/middle-income-americans-struggling-keep-up-living-costs-weigh-paychecks-survey-says): <!–> Advisors Capital senior portfolio manager Gus Scacco shares his outlook for Q4 on The Claman Countdown. Middle-income Americans are continuing to feel financial strain and say their income is being outpaced by the rising cost of living, according to a new analysis by Primerica. The financial services firm released the latest edition of the Primerica U.S. Middle-Income Financial Security Monitor quarterly survey on Thursday, which showed that 68% of middle-income Americans said their income is falling behind the cost of living – a figure that has remained steady in the last two years. The analysis found that 49% of middle-income […] - [How Much Extra Work Is 10-Q Reporting?](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-much-extra-work-10-q-reporting): U.S.-listed companies are required to make certain disclosures on SEC forms. Discover how much work goes into regulatory reporting. - [Some retirement savers lose a key tax break under new IRS rule](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/some-retirement-savers-lose-key-tax-break-under-new-irs-rule): <!–> The Big Money Show breaks down new IRS limits for 401(k)s and IRAs, giving savers more room to invest for retirement. The IRS is changing how Americans can make catch-up contributions to their workplace retirement accounts, which could have significant implications for retirement planning and budgeting. A new rule took effect at the outset of 2026 that altered how high-income earners make catch-up contributions to their workplace 401(k) retirement plan, as those over the age of 50 whose earnings subject to payroll tax are $150,000 or more must make catch-up contributions to a Roth 401(k). The change, which was required by the […] - [Fed holds interest rates steady, pausing rate cuts amid economic uncertainty](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/federal-reserve-interest-rate-decision-january-2026): <!–> Circle Squared Alternative Investments founder Jeff Sica analyzes the U.S. stock markets strong performance ahead of the Federal Reserves interest rate decision on Varney & Co. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced it will leave interest rates unchanged, breaking a streak of three straight rate cuts amid uncertainty over the labor market and inflation. Fed policymakers voted to leave the benchmark federal funds rate unchanged at its current range of 3.5% to 3.75%. The move follows three successive 25 basis point rate cuts in September, October and December to close out last year. Economic data showing a slowdown in the labor […] - [Regulatory Roundup: Remisier Ramps, Retail Rallies and Regulatory Reprimands](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/fintech/regulatory-roundup-january-2026): The January 2026 edition of Regulatory Roundup examines the risks of the remisier model through Bursa Malaysia’s recent manipulation case and delivers a concise overview of the month’s key regulatory developments and enforcement actions worldwide. - [Amazon to cut 16,000 roles as it looks to invest in AI, remove ‘bureaucracy’](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/amazon-cut-16000-roles-looks-invest-ai-remove-bureaucracy): <!–> Evercore ISI’s Mark Mahaney joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to discuss Amazon’s breakout AWS growth, his new $335 price target and why he’s turning cautious on Meta amid soaring AI spending. Amazon said Wednesday it will cut approximately 16,000 roles across the company as part of an organizational overhaul aimed at reducing bureaucracy and cutting management layers, as the company continues to invest heavily in areas such as artificial intelligence. In a message to employees, Beth Galetti, Amazon’s senior vice president of people experience and technology, said the reductions affect teams that were still finalizing restructuring efforts first announced in October. […] - [Heating bills expected to spike for American households nationwide this winter](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/heating-bills-expected-spike-american-households-nationwide-winter): <!–> Center for Industrial Progress founder Alex Epstein blames renewable energy initiatives for holding back reliable and affordable electricity on ‘The Bottom Line.’ As millions of Americans deal with the fallout of winter storms and brace for upcoming inclement weather, households are also confronting higher heating bills this winter. Heating prices are expected to be 9.2% higher for consumers in the 2025-26 winter than they were a year ago, according to a report released last week by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA). Households are expected to spend $995 on heating this winter, which represents an increase of 9.2% or $84 […] - [Coal plants step up as historic winter storm pushes US power grid to the brink](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/coal-plants-step-up-historic-winter-storm-pushes-us-power-grid-brink): <!–> Fox News correspondent Sarah Alegre joins Fox & Friends Weekend from Nashville, Tennessee, to discuss sweeping power outages across the U.S. as accumulated ice from a winter storm takes down power lines. A deadly and historic winter storm that has impacted a 2,300-mile swath of the country with snow, ice and power outages has prompted moves to ramp up power production from coal, while putting it and other fossil fuels in the spotlight as reliable energy sources amid the fierce weather. Winter Storm Fern caused life-threatening power outages across many parts of the South, while the Northeast was hit with heavy […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: January 23, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-january-23-2026): This week saw geopolitical tensions around Greenland rise and then fall, overshadowing good news from inflation and spending data. - [FDA upgrades cookie recall to highest danger level over undeclared peanuts](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/fda-upgrades-cookie-recall-highest-danger-level-over-undeclared-peanuts): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. The Food and Drug Administration announced that a recall of cookie products has been upgraded to its most serious risk category over the potential presence of undeclared peanuts. Gregory’s Foods first issued a recall last month of its 2-pound 8.5-ounce packages of “Bag Full of Cookies” White Chocolate Macadamia Nut frozen cookie dough after learning that some packages were mistakenly filled with Monster Cookie Dough, which contains peanuts. “People who have allergies to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” the FDA said in its announcement […] - [Elon Musk says Tesla will likely sell humanoid robots by end of next year](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/elon-musk-says-tesla-likely-sell-humanoid-robots-end-next-year): Entrepreneurshares LLC COO Eva Ados discusses the SpaceX CEOs company successes on Making Money. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Thursday the company is planning to make its Optimus robots available for sale to the public by the end of 2027. Musk spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and was asked during a discussion with BlackRock CEO and interim WEF co-chair Larry Fink about when Tesla’s Optimus robots will be deployed widely in manufacturing settings. “Humanoid robotics will advance very quickly. We do have some of the Tesla Optimus robots doing simple tasks in the factory,” Musk said. “Probably later this […] - [Brice Oligui Nguema Is Favored to Win Gabon Election](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/world/africa/gabon-presidential-election.html): A military officer who seized power but promised to step down is expected to win the presidential vote on Saturday. Voters in Gabon are set to pick their next president on Saturday, and on paper they have plenty of options: anti-French firebrands, a general who staged a coup, a tax inspector and a female candidate in this oil-rich Central African country. But most candidates and experts agree that the election might be a done deal. They say the race has been rigged in favor of Brice Oligui Nguema, the general who staged a coup in 2023 and has ignored his early […] - [How to Start a Professional Organiser Service](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-start-a-professional-organiser-service/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Mavunga: Starting a Business is Rarely Easy, But It is Worth it](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/mavunga-starting-a-business-is-rarely-easy-but-it-is-worth-it/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Effort to Get Starlink in South Africa Collides With Tension Over Musk](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/world/africa/effort-to-get-starlink-in-south-africa-collides-with-tension-over-musk.html): A government official is preparing to ease Black ownership rules that Elon Musk claims are racist and prevent his satellite internet provider from operating in his native country. South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has been vocal about his desire to see his country’s wealthiest son, Elon Musk, invest some of his billions at home. But his overtures have been stymied by Mr. Musk’s criticism of the South African government as racist. Mr. Musk has argued that a law requiring foreign companies to sell ownership stakes to Black people — or others who faced discrimination during apartheid — is discriminatory and prevents […] - [Can Nigeria Help Save the Pangolins Amid a Global Wildlife Crime Crisis?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/world/africa/pangolins-wildlife-trafficking-nigeria.html): The country has been known as a hub for the trade in illegal wildlife. But it has been stepping up enforcement as concerns grow about the depletion of certain species and the growing role of international crime groups in animal trafficking. Demand for pangolins in Asia, where populations of these scaly mammals have dwindled, has driven traffickers to Africa, the only other continent where the increasingly endangered animals can be found. Nigeria has become a hub for pangolin trafficking and other illegal trading of wildlife. But authorities have been cracking down, recently arresting a Chinese national suspected of being a high-level […] - [What is a PABX System and How Do You Use It?](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-is-a-pabx-system-and-how-do-you-use-it/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [The green promises of Colombia’s president ring ever more hollow](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/10/the-green-promises-of-colombias-president-ring-ever-more-hollow): TO LOOK AT the Cupiagua gas plant in the Andean foothills of Colombia’s north-east is to be struck by its size. Tubes, tanks and towers form tortuous mazes dedicated to processing natural gas from underground reservoirs—enough to supply about 12m households. But the dials tell a revealing tale. The gaseous bounty is thinning, and making up the shortfall is messing up President Gustavo Petro’s ostensibly green agenda. - [Advantages and Disadvantages of Having a Subscription Model in Your Business](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-having-a-subscription-model-in-your-business/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Can Mexico make hay after avoiding the reciprocal-tariff tantrum?](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/10/can-mexico-make-hay-after-avoiding-the-reciprocal-tariff-tantrum): WhILE the tariffs announced on April 2nd were met with panic and consternation around the world, Mexico celebrated. Along with Canada, it was exempted from sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs imposed by the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed the escape as “good for the country”. The Mexican peso rose, as did the country’s stockmarket. - [Report urges Holyrood to ‘rewire Scotland’s economy’ for sustainable economic growth](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/report-urges-holyrood-rewire-scotlands-35023520): Scotland needs to rewire its economy to allow the nation to become fairer, greener and more prosperous, according to a new report from the Economic Development Association Scotland (EDAS) and Zero Waste Scotland. The think piece argues for a greater alignment between economic development and circular economy principles, fostering an economy which moves away from the constraints of the traditional growth versus no growth debate in order to build resilience. It also calls for social provisioning to be placed at the heart of public policy to “reverse the idea that society operates for the benefit of the economy to one which […] - [How to Create a Growth Plan](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-create-a-growth-plan/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [How to Start a Moving Company in South Africa](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-start-a-moving-company-in-south-africa/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [5 Ways to Grow Your TikTok Account](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/5-ways-to-grow-your-tiktok-account/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [U.S. Tariffs Hobble African Cocoa Industry and Chocolate Makers](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/world/africa/africa-tariffs-cocoa-chocolate.html): The new levies come as nations on the continent continue to struggle with the fallout of the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Dana Mroueh, a small-business owner in Ivory Coast, was negotiating to introduce her organic chocolate bars into stores in New York and Washington when President Trump announced new tariffs on all U.S. imports last week. Ivory Coast is the world’s biggest cocoa producer, and the United States is the world’s largest consumer of chocolate, though most of it comes from Canada and Mexico. Ms. Mroueh wants more chocolate from Africa to break into the […] - [Supreme Court blocks order requiring Trump administration to reinstate thousands of federal workers](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/04/supreme-court-blocks-order-requiring-trump-administration-to-reinstate-thousands-of-federal-workers/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked an order for the Trump administration to return to work thousands of federal employees who were let go in mass firings aimed at dramatically downsizing the federal government. The justices acted in the administration’s emergency appeal of a ruling by a federal judge in California ordering that 16,000 probationary employees be reinstated while a lawsuit plays out because their firings didn’t follow federal law. The effect of the high court’s order will keep employees in six federal agencies on paid administrative leave for now. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson said […] - [The Legal Implications of Using AI as a South African Business](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/the-legal-implications-of-using-ai-as-a-south-african-business/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Trump appointment of junior official to oversee State Department personnel meets resistance](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-oversight/2025/04/trump-appointment-of-junior-official-to-oversee-state-department-personnel-meets-resistance/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The appointment of a junior foreign service officer to serve as the senior official in the State Department’s personnel office is facing opposition and concern from current and former U.S. diplomats and their union. The American Foreign Service Association, which represents U.S. diplomats, the American Academy of Diplomacy and numerous current foreign service officers expressed concern Monday about last week’s appointment, which comes amid heightened anxiety over potential widespread firings of career personnel as the Trump administration slashes federal jobs. Both organizations said the appointment of Lew Olowski, who joined the foreign service in 2021, to temporarily run […] - [6 Tips to Effectively Plan and Execute Business Expansion](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/6-tips-to-effectively-plan-and-execute-business-expansion/): In your entrepreneurial journey, you may reach a point where your business demands growth. When this happens, you need to start planning for business expansion. Business expansion is when a company intentionally increases its reach, scale and profitability through methods that grow its operations, revenue, and market share. When you reach this point in your business, you may not know how to approach your business strategy. A solid strategy requires that you set clear goals, go through stages of assessment, conduct market research, set systems to prepare your business to scale, and more. 1. Assess If Your Business Is Ready to Grow It’s crucial to know when to expand a small business, especially because it may experience fluctuations. However, the first step is to assess whether consistency and stability in its internal operations have been achieved. Being confident in your staff is fundamental to ensure your internal operations are solid enough to consider business expansion. Additionally, your business needs to have positive cash flow to give room for the growth and disruption that comes with business expansion. 2. Set Clear, Achievable Growth Goals Setting clear and achievable goals is essential for business expansion. This involves creating a roadmap with specific targets, measurable outcomes, and deadlines for short- and long-term objectives. Here are some examples to help clarify: Short-term goals might include launching a new product or service, or increasing your audience and sales by a certain percentage. Long-term goals, on the other hand, could involve launching a subsidiary business under your company. When you’re looking at long-term goals as an SME, they may seem far-fetched, yet by breaking down the overall vision into smaller, manageable steps, businesses can track their progress, make adjustments as needed, and progressively achieve business expansion. 3. Conduct Market Research Research is crucial before expanding your business, as it helps you make informed decisions instead of relying on assumptions. By studying your industry and competitors, you gain valuable insights into what’s working in the market and what’s not. Observing your competition can inspire your strategies, highlight industry best practices, and help you avoid common pitfalls other businesses have faced. So, don’t merely look at where your competitors are thriving, but where they have shortfalls. Understanding your target market is equally important. Market research helps you uncover customer demand, affordability, buying behavior, and potential gaps you can fill with your products or services. This gives you a clearer picture of the state of your industry, like what’s trending, what’s becoming obsolete, and how your business can position itself for sustainable growth. Thorough market research better equips you to align your expansion plan with real-world demand, which increases your chances of long-term success. 4. Choose the Right Expansion Strategy There are quite a few avenues to business expansion. You must carefully consider your capacity and not simultaneously overwhelm your business with various expansion methods. If you have plans to enter new geographic markets and launch new products, it’s better to focus on one expansion at a time. Look at the resources you have available and whether they can sustain your expansion. This allows you to avoid the risk of overextending your resources. 5. Set a Budget and Secure Funding Set a clear budget outlining the costs required to execute and sustain your expansion before your business can profit. Many SMEs don’t have expansion funds lurking around, so you’ll also need to look at what funding options are available for SMEs. Fortunately, a variety of funding avenues exist for businesses aiming to expand. These options include, but are not limited to, angel investors who provide capital in exchange for equity, private equity firms that invest in established companies, crowdfunding platforms that allow businesses to raise funds from numerous individuals, and government grants and incentives designed to support business growth. Additionally, traditional bank loans should also be considered as potential funding sources. 6. Monitor, Review, and Adapt Keep a close eye on your expansion strategy’s performance. Set clear, measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) and track them regularly. This gives you a good idea of what’s working and what’s not. Don’t be afraid to change course if your KPIs aren’t being met. Be flexible and willing to adapt your strategy or even pivot to a new one. Remember, what works for one business may not work for another, so find what suits your business’s unique needs and goals. - [Salone del Mobile: Lani Adeoye Curates ‘Craft West Africa’](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/05/arts/design/lani-adeoye-salone-del-mobile.html): Lani Adeoye brings her Nigerian heritage and global perspective to a West African crafts display at Salone del Mobile. This article is part of our Design special report previewing Milan Design Week. Lani Adeoye is a globe-straddler. The designer moves between teaching design at her alma mater, Parsons School of Design in New York City, and managing projects at her company, Studio-Lani, in her hometown, Lagos, Nigeria. This week, Ms. Adeoye, 35, will be somewhere in the middle, having curated “Craft West Africa,” an exhibition at SaloneSatellite, the annual showcase of emerging designers at the Salone del Mobile fair in Milan […] - [Much-needed Boost for Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather, Thanks to This Accelerator](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/much-needed-boost-for-clothing-textile-footwear-and-leather-thanks-to-this-accelerator/): Inspiring opportunities are available in South Africa’s Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather sector (CTFL). In response to the unpredictability of international supply chains, there needs to be an emphasis on local production. According to the KwaZulu-Natal Clothing and Textile Cluster (KZNCTC), a 2024 industry analysis indicated that South African retailers are placing more efforts into domestic sourcing. In fact, localisation in the CTFL sector has grown by 58% since 2019. A huge contributor to this is that the big five retailers are all signatories of the Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Master Plan. “It’s not often you hear about Woolworths, Mr Price, TFG, and Pepkor Speciality in the same sentence,” says Kyle Ballard, Head of SME Development for the KwaZulu-Natal Clothing and Textile Cluster. “but when it comes to driving transformation in South Africa’s CTFL economy, they’re united by a shared goal.” The Retail-Clothing Textile Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) Masterplan is a national strategy that has set out ambitious targets to increase local sourcing in the sector to 65% by 2030. “The vision of the masterplan is to develop a competitive, sustainable and dynamic R-CTFL value chain that provides its customers with compelling products and that is invested in growing employment and advancing inclusion and transformation,” Ballard says. “The masterplan signatories, a coalition of stakeholders including government representatives, labour unions, major retailers and manufacturers, are committed to the localisation and transformation of the sector.” KZNCTC Accelerator Overview KZNCTC Accelerator was developed in response to this opportunity. The motivation for its development was to help SMEs connect with these major retailers. “Qualifying SMMEs will be equipped with practical training and resources to develop and deliver a compelling business pitch to customers. Selected SMMEs will have the unique opportunity to pitch their business offering to a panel of leading customers (made up of Woolworths, Mr Price Sport & Apparel, TFG and Pepkor Speciality) to unlock significant sales opportunities with these customers,” Ballard explains. “Successful applicants will also have ongoing support to unlock the identified commercial opportunities and receive expert coaching to scale their business.” The SME Accelerator focuses on building sustainable relationships by fostering long-term collaboration between retailers and high-potential local manufacturers. “The programme prioritises continuous engagement, capacity-building, and competitiveness upgrading to align SMEs with market needs. By actively linking retailers with SMEs and supporting their growth, the Accelerator helps establish trust-based partnerships that drive systemic, lasting change in local sourcing,” he adds. Proven Success Through the KZNCTC Accelerator The Accelerator was first launched three years ago, and it is still going strong. It is supported by the eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development Programmes Unit and demonstrates its effectiveness over and over. “It is a practical and proven platform helping small manufacturers with market access, standards upgrading and capital investment interventions to scale their business.” Since 2019, the Accelerator has had the following impact across the CTFL, furniture, chemicals and automotive sectors: 170+ SMEs supported 120+ new commercial partnerships secured between big and small businesses Over R 169 million in new commercial opportunities unlocked in the first year of these opportunities being identified More than 1070 new jobs created For every R1 invested in the Accelerator, R4 in commercial opportunities has been created annually 20 corporate B-BBEE scorecards optimised annually Applications for 2025 are currently open, and they will be closing soon on the 14th of April. This year’s participating retailers are seeking suppliers with specific capabilities in: Ladies’ and men’s outerwear Babywear Legwear and hosiery Leather goods and accessories Grass bag and accessory suppliers Technical sports shoes Denim Small businesses in the CTFL sector that meet the following criteria should consider applying: A South African-owned manufacturing business 51% or more Black-owned Have an annual turnover of R50 million or less Are CIPC registered, tax compliant, and have been operating for at least 2 years Ready to offer products or services to large retail customers and scale your business Don’t miss your chance to join the opportunity of a lifetime. Apply before 14 April. - [Latin American migrants transfer money like never before](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/03/latin-american-migrants-transfer-money-like-never-before): Antonio Orduña has lived in Arizona for 30 years as an undocumented migrant, now working as a gardener. In January, after Donald Trump took office, Mr Orduña wired most of his life savings to Mexico, afraid he might be deported at any moment. As well as the financial loss, he would lose the ability to see his two sons born in the United States. “It’s a manhunt,” he says. “It’s a nightmare.” - [Your Guide to Funding for Small Business Development in SA](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/your-guide-to-funding-for-small-business-development-in-sa/): A key part of small business development is funding. You might have a game-changing idea and a watertight business plan, but without funding, you won’t be able to put it into action.   The good news is that South African entrepreneurs have many different funding opportunities available to them. This includes both private and government funding schemes.   In this guide, we’ll cover some of the key small business development steps, including how to gain funding for your business.   How to Develop a Small Business?  Small businesses vary greatly in size, organisational structure, and growth capacity. However, all small businesses face the same common challenges during different growth phases.   To address these challenges, any new venture needs to have the right small business development plan. Here are a few key strategies and steps that this should include:  Clear growth plan: It’s essential to always think ahead and plan the next stages and growth opportunities for the business. A clear business plan is necessary for securing funding and ensuring the business operates effectively.  Established revenue sources: Successful small business development requires consistent, growing revenue. When developing a business, understand how to attract repeat revenue as well as to find new revenue streams.  Understand the competition: A clear competitor analysis is necessary to help any business establish its place in the market.  Find the right team: Before worrying about your small business growth trajectory, you need the right team in place. Hiring the best people for the job is the most effective way to grow quickly  Understand and manage risk: A key part of small business development is being able to take calculated risks that grow the business. Understand the risk potential and opportunity of every action, and manage these risks carefully   These are just a few of the most important small business development steps and strategies to focus on. Of course, to get to the stage where you can start to develop your business, you will need to access funding and support.  How Do I Get Funded for Business Development?  Getting funding for small business development can seem like one of the biggest challenges any new entrepreneur faces. You might have a great business idea and a solid plan, but none of it can be put into action without putting some money behind it.   There are two options to get funded for business development. You can either secure private funding or you can secure government funding and grants.   In terms of private funding, there is a long list of investors that back South African startups. To gain the attention of these investors, you will need a solid business plan and model. Many of these investors are only interested in developing small businesses that are already generating revenue, so starting your business small is usually the first step before gaining funding.  Private funding generally follows the form of equity funding. This is when an investor buys a portion of your business in return for a shareholder percentage. This means the investor receives a portion of profits. The other option is to take out a small business loan, with a bank or lender, that your business repays with interest.   To get funded for business development, some of the most important things you will need are:  A unique business idea  Proof of earning potential for your business  A clear market and growth potential  A reason for investors to trust and choose you to develop this business (Do you have expert knowledge and experience? Do you hold valuable copyrights or patents? What do you offer that other entrepreneurs don’t?)  Government Funding Options for Small Business Development  If private funding seems out of reach or unsuitable for your business model, South African entrepreneurs also have the option of government funding.  Obtaining government funding for SMEs can be done for all kinds of industries and small businesses. Funding could range from grants to incentives, each option offering a form of financial support for small business development. Government funding options include:  Full or cost-sharing grants: Grants that are usually not repayable  Incentives: This includes things like tax incentives to make it easier to start and grow a business  Equity funding: The same as private equity funding, but from a government funding agency   Seeking funding for your small business may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many different funding and business development opportunities, suitable for all kinds of businesses and entrepreneurs.   As long as your idea and plan are strong, funding and developing your business doesn’t have to be an impossible hurdle.   - [Angola Rail Line Offers Clues to Trump’s Africa Policy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/world/africa/trump-angola-lobito-corridor.html): The $4 billion project was the Biden administration’s signature initiative in Africa. Early signs are that the Trump team supports it, too, for mineral access if nothing else. An 800-mile rail corridor stretching from Angola’s northern border to the Atlantic Ocean was former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s signature project in Africa, meant to counter Chinese influence and reshape America’s engagement with the continent. When President Trump came into office this year, he quickly moved to dismantle decades of American aid to Africa, raising fears that the United States was pulling back from its commitments. The future of America’s involvement in […] - [Social Security Administration probes origin of website portal outage](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/benefits/2025/04/social-security-administration-probes-origin-of-website-portal-outage/): WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration said Tuesday that it is investigating the root cause of website outages that have affected the “my Social Security” portal where recipients access their benefits. Notably, individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income, including disabled seniors and low-income adults and children, have reported receiving a notice that said they were “not receiving benefits.” The agency said that notice was a mistake. Roughly 7.4 million seniors, adults and children receive SSI benefits, according to an internal 2023 report. It is unclear how many people received the mistaken message on their portal. In a statement, the agency […] - [A newly discovered killing site shocks Mexico](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/03/25/a-newly-discovered-killing-site-shocks-mexico): Mexicans rarely express outrage commensurate with the country’s suffering. But the discovery on March 8th of three cremation ovens, bones and hundreds of shoes at a ranch in Teuchitlán, in the state of Jalisco, has sparked real shock. The horror has reignited fury over Mexico’s epidemic of disappearances—and the government’s inaction. “Mexico is a mass grave,” read one sign at a vigil. - [Scottish business confidence rises in March](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-rises-march-34950948): Business confidence in Scotland rose by two points during March to 55%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. Scottish businesses reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 15 points at 65%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 11 points to 44%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 55%; versus 53% in February. Looking ahead to the next six months, businesses in Scotland identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team (46%), evolving their offering (43%) and entering new markets (36%). The barometer surveys around 1,200 businesses […] - [How Climate-Resilient Chickens Could Help Fight Poverty](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/29/business/zambro-chickens-eggs-zambia.html): “How old do you think these chickens are?” Levy Phiri asked the crowd, after scooping four multicolored birds out of a crate and setting them down in the courtyard outside the primary school in Kambvumbe, a village in Zambia’s rural Eastern Province. The roughly 200 people who came out in the midafternoon heat for this presentation held by the country’s largest chicken hatchery and processor craned their necks for a better look. A year, someone called out. Fourteen months, another suggested. Mr. Phiri, a field representative for the company, Hybrid Poultry Farm, paused a moment for suspense. They are just six […] - [How to Remove a Shareholder](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-remove-a-shareholder/): Business has many aspects to it, and often, there are problems that force your hand. One such case can be linked to shareholders. Shares are often given to individuals in exchange for capital, whether to expand the business or give it a financial injection. Most of the legal obligations that need to be followed by a company are set out in the Companies Act 71 of 2008. It explains what needs to happen with regard to shareholders, directors and any other aspect of “being a company”. According to the law, there are no detailed steps specifically focused on the removal of a shareholder. However, it is stipulated that a shareholder may not be forced to sell or let go of their shares. This is because shares deal with ownership, and not the operation of a company. Why Remove A Shareholder? The truth of the matter is that removing a shareholder is a last resort in a difficult situation. No business starts out thinking about how relationships are going to end. As Stirk Law explains, the company is a legal entity in its own right, apart from its shareholders or directors. The nature of the shareholder relationship, however, means that it has a powerful impact on the company’s direction and future. When a shareholder is removed, the reasons are usually one of the following: Conflicts with shareholders, pursuing other investments, and personal motives (good or bad). Where the choice to remove a shareholder isn’t the shareholder’s choice, there are many complexities at play. The rest of the shareholders will need to identify the impact the shareholder has on the company before taking any action. This can be reputational, financial and operational (i.e. making a productive, functional work environment impossible). If you drafted a solid shareholders’ agreement beforehand, it should also detail the steps for a shareholder’s removal. But if this is not available, it is recommended that you reach out to a professional solicitor to provide legal advice. A shareholders’ agreement will have clauses that stipulate what the agreement is with regard to removing a shareholder, which will determine your next steps. The Shareholders Agreement A shareholders’ agreement is the document that outlines what is expected of the individual shareholders and what their rights are. Valuation mechanism and processes to buy shares are included in the document. The agreement guides them in how to act in the best interests of the company, as well as highlights what the company provides in return, like dividend payments The binding document outlines the right clauses that pertain to removing a shareholder, such as grounds for removal (breach of contract or misconduct), or protection against removal. A drag-along clause, for instance, permits the majority of shareholders to compel the minority to join in the buyout of a company. In some cases, a forfeiture of shares can be provided as a penalty, but this is extremely aggressive and is only used in extreme cases. Your Legal Options To ensure the entire process – that is already going to be tedious – runs as smoothly and conflict-free as possible, you must factor in your legal options. In all cases, it is recommended that you approach this matter with legal counsel at your side. Share Buyout The simplest option at your disposal is to buy the shares from the individual who is being removed. It can conclude if all parties agree to both the buyout and the price. Involuntary Transfer of Shares The involuntary transfer of shares will only occur if a strict shareholder agreement made provision for it. This refers to the strict and aggressive penalty earlier mentioned. Forced Sale of Shares A ‘drag-along’ provision forces a minority shareholder to sell their shares in the event of a company being sold. Liquidation Liquidation is another last resort to be taken if you are dealing with a problematic shareholder. It involves selling the company’s assets and settling debts before distributing any remaining money to the shareholders. It is important to note that attempting to resolve disputes should be the first step in resolving problems between shareholders. Yet, a problematic situation might call for escalating the matter. Attempting to negotiate the removal process. The best-case scenario should be that the two sides part ways amicably and under acceptable terms. Where a shareholder is unwilling to part ways, the dispute will need to be resolved legally, because the individual still has rights that need to be protected. - [4 Funding Programmes open Right Now for SMEs in South Africa](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/4-funding-programmes-open-right-now-for-smes-in-south-africa/): Being an entrepreneur comes with its challenges and one of them is gaining access to funding. The time it takes to find various funding programmes can be daunting, from the research stage to the application process. Fortunately, you no longer have to search on your own. We have compiled a list of funding programmes that are open in 2025. There’s a range of programmes available with different requirements for turnover, duration of business operation, diversity requirements, and more. 1. The JSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme The JSE Enterprise Acceleration Programme aims to support the growth of private companies in South Africa. They plan to achieve this by providing a network that will position SMEs to attract the funding they need. Through this programme, SMEs gain access to one-on-one mentoring, masterclasses, expert assistance on KPIs within the programme, as well as preparation on raising capital. Like all programmes, there’s a set criterion you need to meet, which is: SME must be in operation for a minimum of two years Be a founder-led business. Turnover must be at least R 20 million. Have a teachable team of founders and management. High growth prospects. Have your funding needs outlined clearly. The business must have a desire to give back to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Must be diverse in having black and female representation in the management teams. Once you know that you’re ready to go on the hunt for funding, you need to ensure your business has a funding checklist to guide your funding applications. 2. Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) provides blended finance and business development support to informal, micro, and small enterprises in township and rural economies. The goal is to help these businesses integrate into the mainstream economy by enhancing their quality, competitiveness, and ability to tap into local and export markets. TREP also seeks to assist businesses in leveraging opportunities created by economic disruptions. Eligible businesses span multiple sectors, including clothing and textiles, bakeries, retail, automotive, personal care, and artisanal services. The scheme covers production costs, working capital, compliance assistance, business training, and market access. Financial support is structured as a mix of loans and grants, with a maximum funding of R 1 million. The financial support provided by TREP is divided into two parts. 50% is given as a grant, which has a maximum limit of R 100 000. The remaining 50% is a loan that has a fixed interest rate of 5% and must be repaid over 36 months. To apply for TREP, businesses must meet the following criteria: Be registered with CIPC, including cooperatives. Be 100% South African-owned. Have at least 70% South African employees (non-citizen employees must have valid work permits). Operate in a township or rural area. Possess a business license with the local municipality. Be registered with SARS and UIF. Have a valid business bank account. 3. National Empowerment Fund The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) was established by the National Empowerment Fund Act No 105 of 1998 (NEF Act). As a catalyst for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). The NEF exists to provide financial and non-financial support to black owned businesses in order to promote the participation of black people in the South African economy. To apply for funding through NEF, businesses must meet the following criteria: A minimum of 50,1% black ownership or interest is required. Black people must be operationally involved at the managerial and board levels.The business must create a reasonable number of jobs. The business must demonstrate the ability to repay the NEF funding The business must be commercially viable. The business must comply with all relevant laws and regulations. Rural and Community Development Projects must have substantial involvement from the communities they serve. Significant participation by black women is encouraged. Possibility of co-funding with private or public sector institutions is encouraged in larger projects. 4. Technology Innovation Agency The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) falls under the the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. TIA exists to promote innovation in South Africa that improves quality of life. The TIA aims to support the government in stimulating an environment of innovation and invention. TIA supports SMMEs, innovators, as well as research and higher education institutions. They provide support in all stages, from proof of concept all the way to the pre commercialisation stage. These are the funds established by TIA: the Seed Fund, the Technology Development Fund, and the Commercialisation Support Fund.​ All applicants for TIA must meet the following requirements: Be a South African citizen or a permanent resident with valid South African identity documents. Must be compliant with corporate governance practices.Must be tax compliant. Registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). Have the contractual capacity to engage with TIA. Any primary technology development must be carried out in South Africa unless officials from TIA give written permission to do otherwise. Divestment by public servant shareholders (no shareholding by public servants). Must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD), unless National Treasury has advised that you are precluded from doing so. Intellectual Property (IP) owned by foreign entities must be licensed or assigned to a South African entity, such as a university, science council, or a registered legal entity with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), to be eligible for funding. Applicants must comply with the B-BBEE Act and other policy and legislative requirements. Foreign owned IP applicants must ensure their South African entity has the minimum required equity ownership. Now that you know what some of the open programmes are, you can apply to get your business funded. Or, come and find out more about funding opportunities for businesses that want to scale at the Funding Summit. - [Colombia’s president had a bold peace plan. It is not working](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/01/colombias-president-had-a-bold-peace-plan-it-is-not-working): Anthony Colmenares would pick up some nappies for his newborn and be home soon, he told his mother in San Cristóbal, a city in Venezuela. That was on July 17th 2019. He did not return. “We started calling, calling, calling,” his mother, Zenaida Basto, recalls tearfully. No reply. Police tracked his phone; the last ping was from near the Colombian border. She says they concluded that he had been snatched by the National Liberation Army (ELN), a 6,000-strong Marxist-Leninist rebel group with a history of kidnappings. Ms Basto believes her son may be alive, held as a forced worker. - [A crushing blow for the Justin Trudeau show](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/16/a-crushing-blow-for-the-justin-trudeau-show): Correction (December 17th 2024): An earlier version of this article stated that Mr Trudeau’s handouts and tax cuts had contributed to increasing the 2024 budget deficit. In fact the handouts were promised after the period for which the 2024 budget is calculated. This has been changed. - [Canada has finally decided where to store its nuclear waste](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/05/canada-has-finally-decided-where-to-store-its-nuclear-waste): It took 14 years to find a spot on the barren saucer of ancient rock that encircles Hudson Bay, but on November 28th Canada’s nuclear waste was at last given a home. The Nuclear Waste Management Organisation (NWMO), a non-profit organisation established by Canada’s nuclear-power companies, announced that it had selected a site between Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) and the town of Ignace, Ontario, to host a “deep geological repository”: a cavern drilled out of the rock, 500 metres underground, where Canada’s spent nuclear fuel will be stored in perpetuity. - [Brazilian football looks like the next Premier League](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/05/brazilian-football-looks-like-the-next-premier-league): On November 30th 70,000 football fans piled into El Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. They came to cheer on two Brazilian teams, Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo, in the final of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier football tournament. The match was ferocious. In the first minute Gregore da Silva, a Botafogo midfielder, got a red card for sticking his studs into an opponent’s face, leaving his team with ten men. Seconds before the end of extra time Botafogo’s Júnior Santos sliced through three Atlético players to whip the ball into the goal, sealing a 3-1 victory for his team. - [Can an agreement with the EU resurrect Mercosur?](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/12/12/can-an-agreement-with-the-eu-resurrect-mercosur): It took a full quarter of a century, but on December 6th, at the second attempt, the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, a bloc based on Brazil and Argentina, finalised the text on a wide-ranging treaty that enshrines trade and political co-operation. Its impact on world trade will be modest. But its geopolitical symbolism is far bigger. With the United States poised to become even more protectionist under Donald Trump, and with China’s influence in Latin America large and growing, it marks an effort to strengthen relations between two democratic regions long linked by culture and history. But its ratification by […] - [Scottish economy grows 0.3% in January](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-economy-grows-03-january-34936207): Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has hailed a “strong start to the year” after onshore gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.3% in January. Kate Forbes said the news came “in the context of global economic uncertainty”. The increase came after the economy grew by 0.5% in December. In the three months to January, GDP is also estimated to have grown by 0.5% compared to the previous quarter. GDP had remained flat in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Scottish Government figures show. In January, output in the services sector is estimated to have grown by 0.5%, while production sector output contracted […] - [A newly discovered killing site shocks Mexico](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/03/25/a-newly-discovered-killing-site-shocks-mexico): Mexicans rarely express outrage commensurate with the country’s suffering. But the discovery on March 8th of three cremation ovens, bones and hundreds of shoes at a ranch in Teuchitlán, in the state of Jalisco, has sparked real shock. The horror has reignited fury over Mexico’s epidemic of disappearances—and the government’s inaction. “Mexico is a mass grave,” read one sign at a vigil. - [A Journey on South Africa’s Blue Train](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/travel/south-africa-blue-train.html): Chaos surrounded us. Informal porters rolling luggage carts zigzagged between cars. Commuters spilled from the bus terminal onto the sidewalk, where they sat on suitcases and duffel bags. Minibus taxis zoomed through the congestion, pedestrians be damned. Our car crawled past a barbed-wire fence and reached a sliding gate, where all that separated my wife and me from the empty lot on the other side was a security guard. “Blue Train,” I said, and the guard waved us through. Guests arriving for a trip on the Blue Train are welcomed in style at the Cape Town train station. The entire experience […] - [Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro looks set to take the throne](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/02/venezuelas-nicolas-maduro-looks-set-to-take-the-throne): “They are preparing for the coronation,” says a bakery manager in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, as teams of cleaners spruce up the streets outside. On January 10th Nicolás Maduro will be sworn in for his third term as president in the National Assembly’s building nearby. His inauguration will defy the popular will. In July a clear majority of Venezuelans voted against him, only for the electoral authority, which the regime controls, to declare that Mr Maduro had won the election with 52% of the vote. - [Canada and America have been fighting about timber for 40 years](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/09/canada-and-america-have-been-fighting-about-timber-for-40-years): When the boss of the US Lumber Coalition took the podium at the Global Wood Summit in Vancouver in October, he did not have to tell his mostly Canadian audience to hold their applause. “I’m not going to make a lot of eye contact,” Zoltan van Heyningen said, standing before the frosty room. - [Justin Trudeau steps down, leaving a wrecked party and a divided Canada](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/06/justin-trudeau-steps-down-leaving-a-wrecked-party-and-a-divided-canada): On January 6th Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, announced his resignation after weeks of speculation and a mounting political crisis. The Liberal Party has won three successive elections under his leadership. But over the past year he has become an isolated and polarising figure as supporters abandoned his party, angry that it had failed to deal with inflation, growing housing costs and strains caused by high levels of immigration which have driven the fastest population growth since 1957. - [Canada has adopted assisted dying faster than anywhere on Earth](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/16/canada-has-adopted-assisted-dying-faster-than-anywhere-on-earth): Sandra Demontigny watched early-onset Alzheimer’s transform her athletic father from a robust patriarch into a battered shell of a man. Once the disease took hold, his untethered energy compelled him to walk into walls and crawl aimlessly along floors. He died aged 53, his face streaked with tears of frustration. When Ms Demontigny was diagnosed with the same, fatal neurodegenerative disease at 39, she vowed that she would not endure her father’s undignified death. Now she can take comfort in knowing she will not. - [From Greenland to Panama and Mexico, leaders are in shock](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/14/from-greenland-to-panama-and-mexico-leaders-are-in-shock): At Miraflores locks trains guide a ship through the water as a gaggle of tourists looks on. More than a century after American engineers completed the Panama Canal, and 25 years after the United States handed it over to Panama, Donald Trump, the president-elect, says he wants it back. The canal, he says, was a “gift” that should never have been given. - [Can Brazil’s left survive without Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva? ](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/01/23/can-brazils-left-survive-without-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva): Since leaving hospital in December, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula (pictured), has cut a smart figure. Brazil’s president has taken to wearing a Panama hat to hide deep scars from two emergency brain surgeries. They were carried out to halt bleeding in his brain that followed slipping in the bathroom and banging his head. Lula, who is 79, has been in good spirits. He recently joked that he could live until 120. His Workers’ Party (PT) insists that he will run again in Brazil’s next presidential election, in 2026. - [Ecuador chooses a leader amid murder, blackouts and stagnation](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/06/ecuador-chooses-a-leader-amid-murder-blackouts-and-stagnation): Running Ecuador seems an unenviable job. In recent years it has become the most violent state in mainland Latin America. Droughts have caused blackouts. Economic growth is anaemic. Even so, 16 presidential candidates are vying for Ecuadorians’ vote when they go to the polls on February 9th. (They will also select all 151 members of their legislature.) - [Javier Milei’s liberal reforms are hurting yerba mate growers](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/13/javier-mileis-liberal-reforms-are-hurting-yerba-mate-growers): Many Argentines sip mate daily. The brewed, bitter drink is made by infusing leaves of the yerba mate plant, a relative of holly. It is grown by some 13,000 farmers, mostly on a small scale across 230,000 hectares (568,000 acres), predominantly in the northern province of Misiones. - [Mexico deploys 10,000 troops to the US border](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/23/mexico-deploys-10000-troops-to-the-us-border): On the Mexican side of the border that runs between Nogales, Sonora and Nogales, Arizona, a dozen soldiers stand guard. They flag down some of the north-bound cars for checks, waving others through. Nogales is the busiest crossing-point between Sonora and Arizona. Some 10.6m crossings were made through it into the United States in 2024. - [Javier Milei’s crypto misadventure](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/20/javier-mileis-crypto-misadventure): Javier Milei is facing his presidency’s first big scandal. On February 14th he posted on X, a social-media service, in praise of a cryptocurrency called $LIBRA, saying it would fund “small companies and Argentine ventures”. Thousands of people bought in over the next hour. The price surged from 21 cents at the time of Mr Milei’s post to peak at $5.54, then collapsed. - [How Mexico and Canada handled Trump’s tariff threat](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/06/how-mexico-and-canada-handled-trumps-tariff-threat): Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, beamed as she announced on February 3rd that Donald Trump had agreed to delay imposing tariffs of 25% on exports from her country. The levy had been due to go into effect at midnight. “He asked how long I wanted; I said, ‘forever’,” she recounted, to laughter. She settled for a month. Hours later Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, announced a similar reprieve. (An additional tariff on China of 10%, on top of those already in place, went ahead.) A North American economic crisis has been narrowly avoided, for now. - [The Trump tariff saga offers Canada’s Liberals a lifeline](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/02/04/the-trump-tariff-saga-offers-canadas-liberals-a-lifeline): When Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as prime minister on January 6th, his Liberal Party was as unpopular as it has ever been. A historic drubbing at the hands of Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives in the next general election looked certain. One month later the Liberals are showing signs of life, thanks in part to a politician Canadians dislike even more than Mr Trudeau: Donald Trump. - [SME South Africa Funding Summit: Bootstrapping 101](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/sme-south-africa-funding-summit-bootstrapping-101/): Are you bootstrapping your business, but just not stretching your Rands enough, or do you think there’s something you’re not doing right? Well, the SME South Africa Funding Summit will cover the ins and outs of bootstrapping a business. Bootstrapping might not be the most preferred method of funding a business, but it’s one of the most practical, and it’s how many entrepreneurs start, even if they do get other forms of funding down the line. Initially bootstrapping your business means that you have a proof of concept that investors can look at, and funding institutions can see that your business idea is indeed viable. Why Would an Entrepreneur Need to Know About Bootstrapping? According to the South African Accounting Academy, one of the reasons why businesses in South Africa fail is not only because of a lack of access to finance, but lack of planning, financial expertise and poor cash flow management. In other words, the little cash they have to start their own business is either not effectively used or isn’t properly planned for. It’s easy to think that funding your businesses out of pocket is bound to fail without big funding, but success isn’t just about having money, it’s about managing what you have wisely. With a solid strategy, a clear plan, and strong financial literacy, even a small amount of startup capital can be stretched to build something sustainable. It’s not just about how much you have, but how well you use it. Fortunately, the SME South Africa Funding Summit will have experts with real bootstrapping experience to give you the guidance you need. How Will the Summit Help With Bootstrapping? There are essential aspects of bootstrapping that every entrepreneur needs to know. Attendees of the SME South Africa Funding Summit can expect the following: Bootstrapping 101: Bootstrapping is a challenging way to fund your business, and it surely isn’t a process that should be the result of thumb-sucking. Entrepreneurs need to ensure that they conduct the necessary research to increase the likelihood of succeeding. At the summit, you’ll receive guidance on the holistic process of bootstrapping a business. Bootstrapping mistakes to avoid: When you’re starting a business with little to no guidance, you’re bound to make mistakes, and some of those mistakes can have a financial strain on you and your business. At the SME South Africa Funding Summit, we’ll have industry leaders like Sheldon Tatchell of Legends Barber to provide necessary insight on bootstrapping your business, bootstrapping mistakes to avoid, and how to scale your business with funding at the right time. When to stop bootstrapping your business: While this type of funding can work for some time, it’s important to know when to stop bootstrapping your business and take the next step. Entrepreneurs will receive insight on how to start looking for investors when they’re ready to stop bootstrapping. The Funding Summit takes place on the 12th of June, 2025 and will be the highlight of your search for funding. Come and join the eventful day for only R 350 entrance fee. No tickets will be sold at the door, so make sure you grab yours before it’s too late! Book yours on our events page. - [The Foreman-Ali Rumble That Changed Their Careers, and Congo](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/world/africa/george-foreman-muhammad-ali-rumble-jungle.html): Half a century ago, the “Rumble in the Jungle” became not just a fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, but a cultural touchstone. The African nation of Zaire was elated. Its president, Mobutu Sese Seko, had struck a deal in 1974 for the country to host potentially the biggest boxing contest in history: Muhammad Ali, a legend seemingly on the decline, versus George Foreman, a ferocious, rising heavyweight world champion. Mr. Mobutu, a brutal autocrat, saw a chance to introduce Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the world as a stable nation of 22 million people […] - [The Battle for Sudan’s Capital](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010061835/battle-for-khartoum-sudans-capital.html): new video loaded: The Battle for Sudan’s Capital By Declan Walsh, Ivor Prickett, Abdalrahman Altayeb, Rebecca Suner, James Surdam, Claire Hogan, Laura Bult and Nikolay Nikolov•March 20, 2025 Reporting from the frontline, The New York Times’s Africa chief correspondent, Declan Walsh, details the fierce struggle for the bridges over the Nile and its tributaries that divide the Sudanese capital. Recent episodes in Behind the Reporting - [Will Donald Trump shape the Mexican president’s domestic agenda?](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/03/20/will-donald-trump-shape-the-mexican-presidents-domestic-agenda): Dealing with Donald Trump is a nightmare for many world leaders, not least Mexico’s. Yet Claudia Sheinbaum has been doing unexpectedly well at it. The Mexican president has earned respect for her calm and level-headed handling of her northern neighbour, and has twice won her country a month-long reprieve from threatened tariffs of 25% across the board. Her team strikes a careful balance between toughness and flattery—witness a graphic they sent to the White House entitled “Look at the Results!”, implying that Mr Trump personally caused fentanyl flows at the American border to plummet. - [How Cuba competes with Uncle Sam in the Caribbean islands](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/03/20/how-cuba-competes-with-uncle-sam-in-the-caribbean-islands): In the middle of the covid-19 pandemic one Cuban asset was in high demand from all corners of the world: its exported doctors. For decades Cuba has sent them abroad to burnish its international reputation and fill its coffers. Although the number of its medical professionals working abroad has fallen by more than half in the past decade, around 24,000 still work in more than 50 countries, including as many as 1,500 in the Caribbean. - [Unemployment in Scotland increases slightly](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/unemployment-in-scotland-increases-slightly-34896130): Unemployment in Scotland rose slightly in the last quarter. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over was 3.7% between November 2024 and January 2025. This was 0.1% up on the previous quarter, but below the UK-wide rate of 4.4%. There were 103,000 people aged 16 and over out of work in Scotland in the latest quarter. The employment rate in Scotland for those aged 16 to 64 was 74.1% – up 0.9% on the previous quarter. The UK-wide employment rate for those in that age range was 75% – a […] - [Congo and Rwanda Call for Cease-Fire in Their Deadly Conflict](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/world/africa/congo-rwanda-conflict-ceasefire.html): After talks in Qatar, the two countries’ presidents said they were committed to an unconditional truce between Congo’s army and a rebel group that Rwanda denies backing. The leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have called for a cease-fire in eastern Congo in a bid to end the latest deadly chapter in a three-decade conflict. Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda committed to an “immediate and unconditional cease-fire,” according to a joint statement issued with Qatar, where the two leaders gathered for an unannounced meeting on Tuesday. They did not say how the cease-fire […] - [5 Essential Tips to Improve Your CTAs](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/5-essential-tips-to-improve-your-ctas/): One of the key aspects of user-friendliness is good CTAs. If you want to improve a call to action that isn’t performing well, it’s important to revisit your strategy. The idea behind a CTA is to have a button that persuades users to act based on the message it conveys. This may seem simple, but there is a lot more that goes into it than simply commanding users to take action. Instead of placing a simple command on a button, an effective CTA is strategically positioned, considers the visual aspect, uses the appropriate tone suitable for the audience, and more. Here, we will give you 5 essential tips to help you improve your CTAs. 1. The Shorter the CTA, the Better While they don’t need to be extremely short, aim for conciseness, especially when they tend to be lengthy. For instance, if you want to say something along the lines of “buy now so you don’t miss out on your spot”, you can keep it short and concise by saying “buy now so you don’t miss out”. Short, powerful and precise CTAs allow you to get straight to the point, which gives the user exactly enough information to know what they’ll get after clicking that button. 2. Motivate Action by Starting With a Verb What’s a CTA without a verb? Nothing, right? Verbs play an essential role in urging the user to take action and increase sales from your website. The verb you start with will depend on the type of CTA you’re working on. If it is educational, then you’ll include verbs like “learn”, “start”, “read”, “see”, and many others. If you’re working on a sales conversion, you can start with verbs like “buy”, “show”, “add”, “get”, and other verbs that are associated with making a purchase. Another example is lead generation CTAs, where your verbs would be “sign up,” “join,” or “request”, 3. Use Power Words to Create FOMO and Increase Your CTA Clicks In close relation to action words, there are powerful words that can encourage users to click on CTAs. Power words are words that add to the urgency of why users should act, this includes “now”, “today”, “don’t miss out”, and “immediately”, just to mention a few. These words add a sense of fear of missing out (FOMO). It’s important not to overwhelm users with powerful words. They need to be placed strategically and used as a means to guide your user. When used accurately, powerful words can invoke emotion in your audience, urging them to act intentionally. 4. Consider the Visibility of Your CTA There are various aspects to consider with regard to the visibility of CTAs. This doesn’t merely refer to whether or not the CTA can be seen, but if it’s placed strategically, visually appealing, the typography, shape, size, colour, etc. When you’re working on your call to action, you can ask yourself the following questions: Placement: Is the CTA located in a prominent position on the page, where users are likely to see it?Visual appeal: Does the CTA stand out from the surrounding content? Is it visually appealing and eye-catching?Typography: Is the font size and style easy to read? Does it complement the overall design of the page?Shape and size: Is the CTA button large enough to be easily clickable, but not so large that it dominates the page? Does the shape of the button contribute to its visual appeal?Colour: Does the colour of the CTA button contrast well with the background and surrounding elements? Does it align with your brand’s colour scheme? 5. Run A/B Tests for Your CTAs A/B testing is a crucial step for marketers. It involves examining two versions of marketing material, such as a web page or an email marketing campaign, and making progressive changes to one version to determine which performs better. These changes could include the copy, font, colour, shape, size, or positioning of your call to action. With A/B testing, you can use data to optimise your CTA. This is done by measuring the effectiveness of your changes by analysing your performance metrics. For example, if you want to run a successful e-mail marketing campaign, you can A/B test your CTA by changing the text to something a bit more persuasive. Given that your goal is to improve your Click-Through Rate (CTR), then you’ll monitor whether the CTR of the changed CTA has improved in comparison to the unchanged one. - [Pentagon is cutting up to 60,000 civilian jobs. About a third of those took voluntary resignations](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/03/pentagon-aims-to-cut-up-to-60000-civilian-jobs-about-a-third-of-those-took-voluntary-resignations/): WASHINGTON (AP) — Roughly 50,000 to 60,000 civilian jobs will be cut in the Defense Department, but fewer than 21,000 workers who took a voluntary resignation plan are leaving in the coming months, a senior defense official told reporters Tuesday. To reach the goal of a 5% to 8% cut in a civilian workforce of more than 900,000, the official said, the department aims to slash about 6,000 positions a month by simply not replacing workers who routinely leave. A key concern is that service members may then be tapped to fill those civilian jobs. But the official, who spoke on […] - [6 Types of Adventure Tourism Businesses](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/6-types-of-adventure-tourism-businesses/): There are various types of travel and tourism businesses, and one of them is adventure tourism. Even within adventure tourism, you will find a variety of adventure tourism businesses. South Africa offers many opportunities for adventure lovers. As a host of one of the best mountain biking scenes, free falls, hiking and trekking trails with incredible views, and much more, it is a great opportunity for adventure enthusiasts to venture into the business of adventure tourism. In this article, we’ll explore 6 types of adventure tourism businesses. 1. Hiking and Trekking Adventures Hiking involves taking a long walk in a natural setting, like a nature reserve. These walks are typically marked to guide the hikers. Trekking, on the other hand, isn’t always marked and refers to taking a lengthy, difficult journey by foot in a natural setting for multiple days. It often has rocky areas to climb, different terrain to navigate and might even have treacherous obstacles to overcome. If you choose to venture into hiking and trekking as a business, it’s best to ensure that you are deeply knowledgeable about various trails and have gone on the trails yourself. If you haven’t, you may want to build relationships with reliable tour guides who have a good understanding of hiking and trekking and know their way through wild nature. Some business ideas include guided tours, creating a hiking trail, and planning travel itineraries for hikers. 2. Rock Climbing South Africa has plenty of rock climbing locations across the country. The Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) is a national body that promotes mountaineering, hiking, and conservation. This also includes climbing of all types and hiking for its members. The benefit of being a member of the MCSA is their involvement in mountain search and rescue. In addition to that, since a lot of rock climbing locations are on private land. The MCSA negotiates access to climbing areas. A rock climbing business requires thorough planning, a deep understanding of the terrain, different locations, safety, regulations, a climbing community, and research, among other essential factors.Business ideas include becoming a climbing instructor, guided climbing tours, selling climbing gear, opening a rock climbing facility (outdoors and indoors, man-made or natural), and starting a blog about climbing. 3. Mountain Biking Mountain biking tours are an increasingly popular option for adventure tourism. If you’re knowledgeable about the sport and the area, you could start a company that offers guided tours on mountain biking trails. Alternatively, if you’re not an expert in the field, consider partnering with an experienced individual to launch a mountain biking tour company. Another side of the business you can explore is to either sell or repair mountain bikes. The general rule is that mountain bikes should be serviced every 3-4 months, so, if you position your business properly and build good relations with your customers, they’ll continue to support your business. 4. Water Sports as an Adventure Tourism Business A water sports tourism business caters to tourists who love water. Water sports contain travel activities that are water-based. This includes kayaking, surfing, river rafting, water skiing, scuba diving, and more. In water sports, you can either supply the demand for rental equipment or offer services where you have professional guides who lead people in these activities. This is a risky business, as you are dealing with large amounts of water, and nature can be unpredictable. Therefore, it’s crucial to work with experienced professionals. Water sports businesses that offer activities typically cater to individuals, tourists, groups for team-building activities, and even schools. You can also offer safety courses conducted by a trained instructor. 5. Camping Camping gives businesses the opportunity to provide an all-rounded experience. Camp tour businesses cover one part by providing the campsite and the necessary equipment, but there’s an opportunity to make it even more adventurous by adding some of the above-mentioned activities such as hiking and water sports. This type of business requires collaborating with many entities, including campsites and facilities that offer activities like kayaking, river rafting, and hiking. A camping adventure tourism business could offer two different rate options: one that covers the tent, campsite, and food, with the option to add on activities, and another that offers an all-inclusive rate encompassing activities. 6. Safari With the Big Five being such an integral part of wildlife in South Africa, safari tours are extremely popular for both local and international tourists. Safari businesses offer tours where people can spot wildlife. In addition to spotting wildlife, safari tours allow tourists to witness how wild animals engage with one another. To run a successful safari business, you need to have expert safari guides who are knowledgeable about wildlife, ecosystems, and first aid, and who can manage large and diverse groups of people. Additionally, you need to understand wildlife hotspots and travel trends and develop strategies to collaborate with local communities to encourage positive relationships and ensure business success. Photographers, bird watchers, international tourists and nature lovers are your perfect clientele. Businesses in adventure tourism is endless — start your own business today. - [AICPA Auditing Standards Board tabs Creps as chair](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/auditing-standards-board-chair.html): Catherine “Halie” Creps, CPA, has been selected as the next chair of the AICPA Auditing Standards Board (ASB). Creps, a partner in KPMG’s Department of Professional Finance, and seven board members will assume their new roles at the end of May. “Halie has the right skills and expertise to extend the record of strong leadership we’ve had at the ASB,” Jennifer Burns, CPA, the AICPA’s chief auditor, said in a news release. “Emerging areas of assurance, the expanding use of new technologies, and the current pace of standard setting make it more critical than ever for the board to have strategic […] - [Netanyahu’s Move to Fire Shin Bet Chief Reflects Wider Push for Control](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-shin-bet-firing.html): The effort is part of a dispute between Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing alliance and its opponents about the nature and future of the Israeli state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s sudden attempt to remove the head of Israel’s domestic intelligence agency is the latest salvo in a two-year campaign by the Israeli government to exert more control over different branches of the state. Mr. Netanyahu’s plan to hold a cabinet vote on the future of Ronen Bar, the head of the agency known as the Shin Bet, was announced less than a month after his government announced a similar intention to dismiss Gali […] - [Video: Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/science/lunar-eclipse-blood-moon.html): Earth’s shadow will block most of the light that illuminates the lunar surface, creating what is known as a blood moon. March 14: This event has concluded and you can see photos and video from the lunar eclipse here. From Thursday night into Friday morning, Earth’s shadow will swallow the moon, transforming the usually pearly orb into a striking red sphere. It’s the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years. Also known as a blood moon, the event will be most visible across the Americas, western parts of Africa and Europe, New Zealand and some of Russia. “It’s a […] - [PCAOB offers reporting guidance on a number of fronts](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/pcaob-pending-guidance.html): The PCAOB recently withdrew a rule aimed at adding a swath of reporting requirements on Form AP, but it still has concerns about deficiencies related to the form’s existing requirements. A new staff publication, “Audit Focus: Form AP,” aims to assist auditors in avoiding what the PCAOB staff called “a large number of deficiencies” on the form, according to a news release. The publication features: Key reminders for auditors from the PCAOB rules, standards, and staff guidance related to Form AP; Staff’s perspectives on common deficiencies; and Good practices that the staff has observed, such as the use of structured templates, guidance […] - [Accounting & Financial Reporting](https://us.aicpa.org/interestareas/frc.rss.xml): This site is brought to you by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the global voice of the accounting and finance profession, founded by the American Institute of CPAs and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. - [How Does Peer-to-Peer Lending Work in South Africa](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-does-peer-to-peer-lending-work-in-south-africa/): With traditional funding, banks and financial institutions use their own finances to lend businesses money and charge and interest rate. Peer-to-peer Lending, also known as P2P funding is different as they do not lend out their own money, but instead, they directly match you with investors. Peer-to-peer platforms act as the middleman in this process. This is done by matching businesses who are looking for funding with investors. The platform will review your application to evaluate your status and review your credit. Additionally, they will also manage the transaction between the borrower and the investor, or multiple investors, as some loans may be collected from multiple investors. Key Benefits of Peer-to-Peer Lending in South Africa South African businesses do not have the greatest luck when it comes to accessing funding through traditional funding methods like a bank or financial institution. There are alternative funding options, one of them is peer-to-peer funding. Peer-to-peer funding brings about a wide range of benefits, which include the following: Accessibility: Accessing funding is a challenge for many businesses in South Africa, and peer-to-peer funding provides a solution for the lack of funding. Flexible loan terms: Businesses looking to borrow money may benefit from flexible repayment periods. Easier application: The application process for P2P funding is easier and more convenient in comparison to how complex applications can get through traditional funding methods. Lower interest rates: This form of funding gives businesses the chance to access competitive rates as there are different investors bidding and there are no bank overheads. Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer Lending Puts your credit status at risk: Like the risk of taking out a loan through traditional methods, P2P loans could put your credit status at risk when you miss payments. No insurance: With peer-to-peer lending, there isn’t always insurance offered to cover instances of business failure. Cost of platform fees: P2P platforms need to cover operating costs, which, in many cases, falls on the users. Peer-to-Peer Funding Platforms Sourcing funding platforms can be difficult, but there are quite a few existing peer-to-peer funding platforms for South African businesses to apply. These platforms are: RainFin RainFin is one of the popular platforms for peer-to-peer lending. RainFin exposes businesses to a secure online marketplace where businesses and individuals borrow from and lend funds to each other. FunderJet SA FunderJet is a digital platform that gives businesses and investors an opportunity to benefit from borrowing and investing. FunderJet is committed to working with South Africans and offering them improved lending rates for borrowers. How to Choose the Right Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform? Sourcing funds can be a drag, and at times, you might even become desperate, but it is important to be cautious when you’re looking for a lending platform. Conduct thorough research: Make sure you compare interest rates, fees, as well as penalties for late payments. Additionally, ensure the platforms you’re considering follow the right procedures. Look for success stories: Finding stories of businesses that have successfully accessed and repaid loans can be beneficial is legitimising the platform. Conduct thorough research: Make sure you compare interest rates, fees, as well as penalties for late payments. Additionally, ensure the platforms you’re considering follow the right procedures. Look for success stories and reviews: Finding stories of businesses that have successfully accessed and repaid loans can be beneficial in legitimising the platform. Reviews and ratings from other businesses who have used the platform can provide insight into how effective the platform is. Register on the platform: Once you’ve found a platform you feel confident in, register your business on the platform. Make sure you complete all the necessary details. Assess the platform’s customer support: A responsive and helpful customer support team can make a big difference if you encounter any issues. Position yourself as a qualifying business: Consider the platform’s requirements. P2P lending platforms have various eligibility requirements. It’s best to ensure you meet the criteria before settling on a specific platform. Propel Your Business With Alternative Finance Options Now that you know of peer-to-peer lending, you no longer have to do the run around of traditional funding methods. Peer-to-peer lets you access money for your business. Whether you’re looking for funds to invest in new equipment, expand, or cover essential operations, peer-to-peer lending platforms provide quicker access to money without the complexity of dealing with banks or financial institutions. - [Athol Fugard’s Plays Illustrated the Value of Every Human Life](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/theater/athol-fugard-plays-apartheid.html): In “Sizwe Banzi Is Dead” and other works, bearing witness to forgotten lives and to the moral blindness and blinkered vision of the realities of apartheid South Africa. In early 2010, I was sitting at a communal table in a coffee shop in Cape Town, when I spotted a grizzled, bearded fellow who looked strangely familiar. It was Athol Fugard, South Africa’s foremost playwright and the great chronicler of his country’s apartheid past. There he was, sipping a cup of coffee like any ordinary person. I plucked up courage and approached him, murmuring something inarticulate about my admiration for his writing. […] - [February marks third consecutive decline in Scottish private sector output](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/february-marks-third-consecutive-decline-34835436): Royal Bank of Scotland’s monthly Growth Tracker has revealed a third consecutive monthly decline in Scottish private sector output during February. At 49.0, down slightly from 49.6, the index indicated only a marginal decline, masking a slight rise in services business activity. The seasonally-adjusted index measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of Scotland’s manufacturing and service sectors – showing that companies continued to face challenges in obtaining new business, with inflows of new work falling for the fifth consecutive month and at the steepest rate since November 2023. Despite lower new work, the latest survey data revealed growing optimism […] - [7 Small Business Councils to Empower Your Business Success](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/7-small-business-councils-to-empower-your-business-success/): Trying to succeed as an entrepreneur can seem quite difficult. In actual fact there are many challenges you’re likely to come across. Whether it’s a lack of networking opportunities, lack of funding, or a need for mentorship and access to tools, all these aspects are critical in the stepping stones of a successful business. Entrepreneurs need avenues to ease the workload in some areas of business. Luckily, there are various small business councils aimed at supporting business. In this article, we’ll tell you all about them. 1. The National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) The National Small Business Chamber is a non-profit membership organisation aimed at supporting the growth of small businesses throughout Africa. The goal behind this is to sustain progression in the SME sector, job creation, and encouraging entrepreneurship. These goals are achieved through networking opportunities, practical guides and resources, events and initiatives to drive business growth. One of the initiatives that stand out is the Small Business Friday Movement, sponsored by Absa, where they motivate South Africans every Friday to go and support a small business. 2. Small Business Institute (SBI) The SBI, also known as the big voice for small businesses, aims to play a fundamental role in building an entrepreneurial environment for the SME sector. The state of the SME sector greatly affects other sectors in the South African economy, thus the improvement of SMEs would have a positive ripple effect on other sectors such as employment, economic growth, poverty reduction, and more. The SBI’s mission is to push for the government to have more support for SMEs procurement policies, legislations, and regulation. They achieve this through campaigns with big businesses whereby SMEs are prioritised in the supply chain process. 3. Ekurhuleni Community Enterprise Development Fund (ECEDF) The ECEDF aims to support the development of community enterprises. Small businesses based in the region of Ekurhuleni can benefit from this organisation. The community enterprises include individual entrepreneurs, cooperatives, informal traders, small, micro and medium enterprises, and formal businesses. This fund falls under the Ekurhuleni Ten Point Economic Plan, which is a program that aims to boost Ekurhuleni’s role in the provincial economy. 4. The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) is a federated chamber that was established in 1964 by black traders in Soweto. The chamber exists to encourage an environment of entrepreneurship, specifically for black businesses. An emphasis is also placed on being a voice for black businesses, driving collaboration and togetherness among black businesses. There are currently over 156 000 members across businesses in the NAFCOC. 5. Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) The JCCI is an independent, non-political association that aims to promote a business-friendly environment. The JCCI accommodates for every sector and all sizes of businesses, from independent entrepreneurs to large corporations. This gives room for opportunities for big businesses to collaborate and support small businesses. The Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) facilitates international trade and negotiates contracts and funding for projects. Among various benefits, businesses also benefit from opportunities to trade intentionally. 6. The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) There are various benefits to collaboration, and fortunately, this council is great for businesses looking to gain global recognition by partnering with international businesses. The ICSB offers membership opportunities where businesses can position themselves as experts, engage with other professionals, and share real-world business experiences. A membership on ICSB also lets you have your own webpage, allowing you to publish content where you can display your skills and experience. Your business will get to participate in workshops, programs, training sessions, and more. 7. The Black Business Council (BBC) In South Africa, black people are still disproportionately marginalised, which is why the Black Business Council (BBC) exists. The BBC is a membership-based organisation that aims to drive the long-term success of black businesses. Members of this council benefit from a range of tools and resources, and events. An SMME membership lets you enjoy the following: A new member profile on the BBC website and newsletter. Participate in activities like the National Economic Development and Labour Council. Nominate 2 people to sit on BBC Portfolio Committees. Access to business events, which include the BBC workshops, BBC roundtable discussions, and Annual Black Business Summit. 1 Representative at BBC’s National Council and Annual General Meeting only. Don’t miss your chance to speak to industry role players at the SME South Africa Funding Summit. Grab your ticket before it’s sold out! - [AICPA seeks feedback on independence rules related to private equity](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/independence-rules-private-equity.html): An AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) task force is seeking feedback after issuing a discussion memorandum featuring its preliminary conclusions about potential revisions to independence rules related to alternative practice structures. Public comments should be emailed to ethics-exposuredraft@aicpa.org by June 15. PEEC’s Alternative Practice Structures (APS) Task Force project to revise interpretations in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) is driven by the increasing prevalence of private-equity investment in accounting firms. “Firms that we have talked to have told us that they want to ensure that they are doing the right thing and complying with the AICPA Code, as […] - [AICPA emphasizes importance of a modern IRS in statement](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/aicpa-emphasizes-importance-of-a-modern-irs-in-statement.html): The AICPA is discussing conflicting reports about the state of the IRS with agency officials and is monitoring developments in the wake of thousands of layoffs, the president and CEO of the AICPA said Friday in a statement. “The ability of the IRS to maintain service levels for taxpayers and their preparers is critically important to the AICPA,” said Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA.  “IRS services in combination with modernization efforts, which include technology advancements, have been the bedrock of AICPA’s recommendations for many years. A modern, functioning IRS is essential for Americans to meet their tax obligations and to our country’s […] - [VAT Rate Changes and The Impact on SMEs](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/vat-rate-changes-and-the-impact-on-smes/): It was expected to see many VAT changes in 2025. In the third quarter of 2024, many outlets started reporting the proposed changes to value added tax in South Africa. These included changes such as a change in the VAT rate expanding the zero-rated food basket, amending VAT charges on e-commerce transactions, and narrowing the period for VAT claims. VAT is tax that is charged on every stage of the production and distribution process, as well as on imported goods and services. Currently, it is the government’s second biggest source of income with income tax being the number one. Proposed VAT Rate in South Africa One of the biggest areas of debate the past few weeks has been about the potential VAT hike. The proposed rate change would move value added tax from 15% to 17%. The last time that the rate was increased was on 1 April 2018, when it was raised by 1%. “Any increase to VAT will have a ripple effect on the cost of most goods and services as they will significantly go up,” says Nkosinathi Mahlangu, Youth Employment Portfolio Head at Momentum Group. “This will make day to day living more expensive for the South African consumers.” He highlights that daily items like groceries, clothing, electronics and services will cost more for all consumers. “The poor households will find it steep to deal with the cost of essentials, even though some are deemed to be zero rated, but most items will remain in the VAT basket.” But it isn’t just households that will be affected, small businesses will also feel the pinch. “Businesses, especially SMEs will be expected to increase prices to cover the rising cost of trade, and this may lead to loss of customers. “The 2% VAT increase means an increase of goods and services for SMEs for two reasons. Firstly because of tax being added throughout the value chain such as raw materials and services that are VAT inclusive. Secondly, profit margins will be affected by the rising input cost thereof and business owners might struggle to keep up. Mahlangu states that with the volatile economy in South Africa, consumers might reduce their spending due to the rise in prices. “VAT reporting may continue to be a challenge for the informal sector as it may be difficult to comply with VAT reporting,” he adds. Why VAT Rate Changes Were Propposed The easy answer to why the value added tax rate increase was recommended to parliament was because the income that the government received from VAT over the past few years have been steadily decreasing. Within the previous financial year, the government only collected an additional 0,4% income through VAT. However, to make a noticeable difference in income, the government can increase the money received by R 60 billion if tax was increased to 17%. This additional income is vital because the budget for the next tax year (2025/2026) had a R 22,3 billion shortfall. The minister failed to get cabinet approval for 15% to 17% and the publication of the new budget was withdrawn last minute, throwing the coalition cabinet into a deadlock of raising and not raising value added tax. To break the stalemate, President Ramaphosa suggested a 0,75% increase. Coalition leaders have until 12 March to discuss the change before the new budget is implemented on 1 April. What Can SMEs Expect? Mahlangu highlighted that should the VAT not increase, or be implemented at a lower rate, there will be relief for SMEs. “This would mean consumers will continue to spend since prices will relatively be the same and input costs will not be tempered for the entrepreneurs. “SMEs close to the VAT registration threshold will not feel the pressure for registration purposes. Overall prices will remain the same and this may be a competitive advantage for businesses.” He concluded that this would possible the better outcome for small businesses, because the knock-on effect across the SME value chain would mean no administrative nightmare to adjust pricing. “This is a positive outlook for their survival and growth prospects in these tough economic times.” - [9 Must-Have Business Documents for Your SME](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/9-must-have-business-documents-for-your-sme/): Having the correct documentation plays a fundamental role in the smooth running of your business. Business documents can help you ensure your business is compliant with laws, easier management of employees and onboarding with your internal documents such as contractual agreements. You might have an existing small business, or perhaps you’ve been bitten by the entrepreneurship bug, and you want to find out what are the must-have business documents. Well, stick around, because we have the intel you need to ensure your business has all the required documentation. 1. CIPC Company Registration The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) deals with the registration of your company and its intellectual property. One of the legal requirements for starting a business in South Africa is to register with the CIPC. If you have a business website, you can register your domain name with the CIPC. 2. Employment Contracts There are various types of contracts you will need to have to ensure the smooth running of your business. One of them is an employment contract, these are crucial in ensuring that there are clear terms and an agreement outlined to protect both yourself as the employer and your employees. Drafting an employment contract might seem like a complex task, but it doesn’t have to be as you can draft your own employment contract. 3. Lease Agreement You need to ensure that you keep your lease agreement in your records should anything happen, and you need to revisit it. Changes may occur in your business that may need you to try and get out of your fixed-term lease. When that happens, you’ll want to be able to look back and refer to the signed agreement. 4. Files for Business Tax In order to comply with small business tax regulations, you must have good record-keeping. You need to keep various documents such as invoices, receipts, cancelled checks, credit purchases, assets, liabilities, and stock-taking. SARS requires that you keep a record of all financial losses and gains for five years. Additionally, you need to submit your tax documents to SARS every business year-end. So, keeping record of your spending and financial gains makes it easier for you when you need to get ready for tax season. 5. Finance Records Accurately keeping track of the financial records of your business not only helps you comply with SARS’ requirements but allows you to track your business’s finances effectively. One of the essential ways to track the financial status of your business is to draft a balance sheet. A balance sheet allows you to have a bird’s eye view of your business’s assets and liabilities. 6. Company Policies Developing company policies is one of the basic aspects of human resources in the workplace. In your business, you should have various company policies to outline the conduct and guidelines of your company. The policies can include health and safety guidelines, harassment and discrimination, remote work policy, device usage, and many other aspects that are necessary to cover. Company policies are essential as they allow for better management of your staff and a harmonious workflow. 7. Client, Partnership and Contractor Agreements Before you enter into any sort of agreement as a business, you must draft a written agreement to ensure that there’s proof of the agreement. It’s also important to store them safely and have a backup of the agreement. Luckily, there are digitised contracts now, as well as cloud storage options to ensure that your documents don’t get lost. 8. Employee Training and Development Documents If your business has any training and development efforts (which it should), documenting it allows you to keep track of who has completed their training and who still needs to. Documenting the process also makes it better when you reflect on your strategy and assess whether your training efforts are effective or not. 9. Legislation Wall Charts All South African employers must display the following wall charts in areas that are visible to all employees. The compulsory wall charts are as follows: Summary of the Employment Equity Act (EEA) Summary of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) Employers with machinery and boilers must display health and safety notices. A copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) for employers with 5 or more employees. - [Domestic economic sentiment declines 20 percentage points among CPA execs](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/domestic-economic-sentiment-declines-20-percentage-points-among-cpa-execs.html): Optimism about the U.S. economy dropped among CPA decision-makers in a quarterly survey, and the impact of tariffs was one reason for the decline — sentiment held by a majority of respondents before new tariffs were implemented this week. Responses for the survey, released Thursday by AICPA & CIMA, were gathered in February. A White House fact sheet on Tuesday detailed the start of tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and the Trump administration had previously announced tariffs or signaled their use. Less than half of respondents (47%) are optimistic about the domestic economy, down from 67% who were optimistic […] - [Proposed model law changes support a new path to CPA licensure](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/new-cpa-licensure-path.html): The AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) published proposed changes to the accounting profession’s model law that would enable an additional path to CPA licensure. Proposed changes to the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) are being exposed for public comment through May 3. The changes would: Enable states to adopt a third licensure pathway that requires earning a bachelor’s degree with an accounting concentration, completing two years of professional experience, and passing the CPA Exam. Shift to an “individual-based” mobility model, which allows CPAs to practice in other states with just one license. Add safe-harbor language to […] - [Is Being a House Sitter a Good Business Idea?](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/is-being-a-house-sitter-a-good-business-idea/): Visiting people’s homes and taking care of their plants and pets might seem unusual, but, when a house sitting business is marketed and managed correctly, you can turn it into a stable business. If you’re exploring ways to make income through a small business, and you’re considering house sitting, you need to find out if it’s truly the best business for you. To help you do this, we’ll look at a number of factors; what kind of person should go into this business, the benefits and disadvantages of being a house sitter, as well as understanding what house sitting entails. What is House Sitting? House sitting is the act of being in someone else’s house while they are away. One of the primary intentions behind house sitting is to allow the owner of the house to be at ease while they are away. In many cases, house sitting and pet sitting tends to be a package deal, so depending on how you set up your business, you might be required to take care of pets or plants while you house sit. You may also be required to keep the house clean while you are there. It’s important to have a clear idea of what the house owner expects from you while they are away. What Should You Charge as a House Sitter? There are different house sitting arrangements, some are paid, while others consider your free stay in their property as a payment. If you’re approaching it as a business idea to make extra money, a non-payment arrangement is not profitable. You need to establish a daily rate, depending on the type of work you’d need to do while you’re house sitting. House sitters in South Africa charge between R 400 and R 800 for a day of house sitting. If you’re doing minimal work and just started out as a house sitter, you can start off with a lower daily rate and increase it as you gain authority and traction. Who is Most Suitable for this Business? House sitting is great for people who love moving around and can adjust easily to new environments. Since many house sitting arrangements might require you to take care of pets or/and plants, you should probably be an animal lover with some experience caring for animals, and have knowledge on how to properly take care of plants. Benefits of Being a House Sitter There are many benefits that come with being a house sitter, especially if you run it efficiently, like it’s a business. These benefits are: 1. Free accommodation: House sitting serves as a form of alternative accommodation. This is especially beneficial for nomadic house sitters. 2. Get paid to travel: If you’re someone who loves to hit the road, you could avail yourself to house sit out of your city. If you’re considering this option, you should include a travel fee in your overall charge. 3. Make new friends, or pet pals: If you’re in an arrangement that includes pet sitting, you get to enjoy building bonds with new furry friends. Additionally, you can acquaint yourself with neighbours nearby. Disadvantages of Being a House Sitter While there are many benefits to running a house sitting business, there are quite a few disadvantages as well. These include: 1. Safety concerns: When you’re staying in someone else’s house, especially if it’s your first time there, you might feel unsafe and uneasy. 2. House sitting is a huge responsibility: House sitting involves more than just staying in someone’s home; it demands responsible behaviour. This includes following the homeowner’s security measures, as overlooking something as simple as locking all the doors could lead to a burglary. 3. Loneliness: Being in an unfamiliar environment can bring the challenge of feeling lonely, especially if it’s your first time in that location. How to Run a Successful House Sitting Business House sitting does sound like something you can casually arrange and run informally, but, to increase your chances of succeeding, it’s best to have a plan in place. Here are 3 ways to help your house sitting business succeed: 1. Have a business plan: No matter how small your business may be, it’s never too small for a thorough business plan. Among other things, outline your business description, your marketing strategy, and the specific services you offer to avoid overlapping roles. 2. Collect reviews: Find ways to collect and share customer success stories from your previous clients. This will help you build trust among your current customers and any new potential customers. 3. Consider diversifying your services: If you can highlight other strengths you have, such as pet sitting, cleaning or perhaps, you’ve got gardening experience. You can even go the extra mile and offer to shop their groceries closer to the time the owners will be back home. - [Treasury says it won’t enforce BOI fines or penalties against U.S. citizens, businesses](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/mar/treasury-says-it-wont-enforce-boi-fines-or-penalties-against-us-citizens-businesses.html): U.S. citizens and businesses will not be subject to fines or penalties for failing to file beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports after new reporting deadlines are set, Treasury said Sunday in a news release. Last week, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) said it would announce new BOI reporting deadlines no later than March 21. But on Sunday, Treasury said “it will further not enforce any penalties or fines against U.S. citizens or domestic reporting companies or their beneficial owners after the forthcoming rule changes take effect.” Treasury will issue proposed rulemaking that will “narrow the scope of the rule to […] - [Why Congo’s Vast Army Is Struggling to Fight M23](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/world/africa/congo-army-weak-rwanda-m23.html): Its soldiers are underpaid and underarmed. Its ranks are riddled with factions pursing their own interests. And successive presidents are said to have kept it weak for fear of a coup. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army has appeared too weak and dysfunctional to stop a militia that has swept through the eastern part of the country in recent weeks. The militia, called M23, has seized two major cities, two strategic airports and large stretches of Congolese territory. Félix Tshisekedi, the president, tried to prepare for this moment, strengthening his military to squash the thousands of fighters roaming in the east. […] - [Unknown Illness Kills Dozens in Congo as Experts Clash on Cause](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/world/africa/congo-mystery-illness.html): The World Health Organization speculated that a mass poisoning event was behind the deaths of 60 people. But African experts suspect a more mundane cause. The mystery behind an unknown illness that has killed dozens in the Democratic Republic of Congo just 48 hours after they first showed symptoms deepened after the World Health Organization on Friday offered a new theory that seemingly contradicts African medical experts. At least 60 people have died and more than 1,000 have been sickened in Congo’s Équateur Province by the illness, which is characterized by “fever, headache, chills, sweating, stiff neck, muscle aches, multiple joint […] - [Top 20 firm CohnReznick executes the latest private-equity deal](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/cohnreznick-private-equity-deal.html): News FIRM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT By Bryan Strickland Another top 20 accounting firm has partnered with private equity. CohnReznick LLP, a U.S. leader in advisory, assurance, and tax, has announced a strategic growth investment from Apax Partners LLP. According to a news release, CohnReznick will operate in an alternative practice structure following the closing of the transaction. CohnReznick LLP, a licensed CPA firm, will provide attest services, and CohnReznick Advisory LLC (which will not be a licensed CPA firm) will provide tax, advisory, and other nonattest services. The Apax investment “will help us continue on our growth trajectory, expanding our solutions and […] - [FinCEN extends BOI reporting deadline, halts enforcement](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/fincen-extends-boi-reporting-deadline-halts-enforcement.html): The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will extend the current March 21 beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting deadline, has suspended BOI enforcement, and will develop new regulations it says will reduce “regulatory burden,” the agency said Thursday. The decision to pause enforcement prioritizes “reporting of BOI for those entities that pose the most significant law enforcement and national security risks,” a FinCEN release said. FinCEN didn’t announce a new reporting deadline but said it would do so by March 21. “For now, we don’t need to worry about the March 21 deadline. This is good news, and we need to stay […] - [Cash Versus Accrual Accounting](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/cash-versus-accrual-accounting/): You’ve come across cash and accrual accounting, but are you unsure of the difference between the two? Differentiating between cash and accrual accounting might seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. The difference is distinguished based on when the timing of the purchases was noted. With cash basis accounting, the expenses and revenue are recorded only when there is evident cash. With accrual accounting, the expenses and revenue can be recognised even when they have not been released yet, for instance, an invoice for a future payment falls under accrual accounting, whereas cash accounting would not record that payment until it’s received. Who Should Use Cash Accounting? Cash accounting is most suitable for small businesses that want to easily manage cash flow or make below a certain revenue threshold. In South Africa, the only businesses allowed to use cash basis accounting are sole owners and partnerships that have a turnover of less than R 2,5 million. Additionally, national and provincial governments use a modified cash basis form of accounting. How Does Cash Accounting Work? To look at cash accounting practically, look at the following example: Business X has a printing shop and prints t-shirts for client Y, who they’ve had a long-term working relationship with. The cost of printing 250 t-shirts is R 42 000. Business X sends out an invoice to client Y on March 3, however, the payment terms only require the client to pay within 14 days. Client Y only makes the payment on 16 March. With cash accounting, the payment is not recognised on March 3 when the invoice was sent, but it is recognised on 16 March when the payment has been received. Benefits of Cash Basis Accounting Simpler bookkeeping processes which allow you to manage the finances on your own. Allows you to easily manage your business’s cash flow. Income is only taxed with recognised payments. SMEs can deduct their expenses in the year they are paid, even if the expenses were for the previous year. Disadvantages of Cash Basis Accounting Does not provide an accurate view of your business’s finances. Does not provide a view of long-term finances of your business, making it harder to plan for certain aspects required to propel your business. Delayed recognition of your expenses, since expenses like bills are only recognised when they are paid. Who Should Use Accrual Accounting? The term accrual refers to the accumulation of something over a certain time. In the context of finance, refers to the gradual accumulation of accrued payments over a period of time. If you’re the sole owner of a business or in a partnership with a turnover of more than R 2,5 million, you are required by law to use accrual accounting. Additionally, if the nature of your business doesn’t typically deal with immediate payments. For instance, if you have a service-based business and long-term clients where projects take months or are continuous for years. Benefits of Accrual Accounting Provide stakeholders with a clear view of your finances. Gives businesses the opportunity to analyse their finances and assess whether they can afford to provide the services/goods they provide or take on any new projects. You get to view your finances in real time. Suitable for long-term partnerships and large amounts of money. Disadvantages of Accrual Accounting How Does Accrual Accounting Work? Let’s refer back to the scenario we mentioned earlier. Business X has a printing shop and prints t-shirts for client Y. They have printed 250 t-shirts for R42000. Business X sends out an invoice to client Y on March 3, giving the client a deadline of 14 days to make payment. Client Y only makes the payment on 16 March. With accrual accounting, the payment is recognised even when there is an anticipated payment, such as an invoice, so, when the invoice is sent out on March 3, the expected amount will be recorded. Which Accounting Method Is The Best for Your Business? The best method to use is dependent on the type of business you have and the needs of your business. If you run a small business that focuses on short-term cash flow, cash accounting might be the best method for you. - [How to Find the Right Hashtags for Your Business](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-find-the-right-hashtags-for-your-business/): Online business growth requires entrepreneurs to utilise hashtags effectively. The appropriate use of hashtags allows businesses to reach a wider audience, increase engagement, and attract potential customers. However, using the wrong hashtags can result in low online visibility and wasted time and effort. This article will guide you on how to find the right hashtags to boost your business. Understand the Purpose of Hashtags Hashtags categorise your content. Making it easy for people to find your posts related to a specific topic. When you are using hashtags the correct way, your posts appear in search results and reach people who are interested in your industry. The use of #FreshBread and #BakingTips or #SweetTreats hashtags enables food enthusiasts to locate your bakery content. Research Your Industry Hashtags Every industry has specific hashtags that attract potential customers. Start by looking at businesses similar to yours and see what hashtags they use. You can check what influencers in your industry are using. For example, if you are in the fitness industry, common hashtags include #FitnessGoals, #HealthyLiving, and #WorkoutMotivation. If you are in the fashion business, try #StylePro or #TrendyLooks. Use Hashtag Research Tools There are many free and paid tools that exist to help users discover the most suitable hashtags. Some popular tools include: Hashtagify: Helps you discover trending hashtags. RiteTag: Provides hashtag recommendations according to your written content. Instagram and Twitter Search: Type a keyword related to your business and see which hashtags are popular. These tools enable you to discover hashtags that maintain a healthy combination of high popularity and lower competition. Choose a Mix of Hashtag Types Different types of hashtags should be combined to successfully reach your target audience. The following three hashtag types should be considered: Popular Hashtags: These have a high number of posts and can increase exposure. Examples: #SmallBusiness, #Entrepreneur, #Marketing. Specific Hashtags: Target your industry sector and have less competition. Examples: #HandmadeJewelry, #VeganRecipes, #DigitalMarketingTips. Branded Hashtags: Create a unique hashtag for your business. This helps customers find all your content easily. Example: if your business is called “GreenEarth Cosmetics,” you can use # GreenEarthBeauty. Check Hashtag Performance Some hashtags fail to produce results for business marketing purposes. The performance of your hashtags needs evaluation to understand which ones generate the most engagement. Multiple social media sites, including Instagram and LinkedIn, allow users to view metrics that show the number of viewers who accessed your content because of specific hashtags.If certain hashtags are not working, try different ones until you find the best combination. Avoid Banned or Overused Hashtags Instagram and other platforms prohibit specific hashtags because they contain spam or inappropriate content. Your posts may become hidden when you use these particular hashtags. Before using hashtags, make sure they are not banned from use. Avoid using overly popular hashtags like #Love or #InstaGood, as your post will get lost among millions of others. Keep Updating Your Hashtags Hashtag trends change over time. What works today may not be effective in a few months. Keep researching and updating your hashtag strategy to stay relevant. Follow industry news, monitor competition, and use hashtag research tools to keep up with the latest trends. Best Practices for Using Hashtags The following best practices will help you achieve maximum benefit from using hashtags: Use the right number: Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but using 10 to 15 relevant hashtags is usually effective. On Twitter, 1 to 2 hashtags work best. Place Hashtags Wisely: You can include hashtags in the caption or the comments section to keep your post looking clean. Be specific: Instead of using broad hashtags like #Food, try something more specific like #HealthyEatingTips. Engage with hashtags: Don’t just use hashtags; engage with posts under the same hashtags by liking, commenting, and sharing. According to best-hashtags.com, the best business hashtags popular on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok are: #Business#Entrepreneur#Marketing#Smallbusiness#Motivation#Money#Businessowner#Entrepreneurship#Success Investing time and effort into finding appropriate hashtags will lead to valuable outcomes. Your business growth and customer acquisition can be achieved through industry hashtag research, tool selection performance tracking, and trend monitoring. Experience different hashtags for your brand today to identify which ones provide optimal results for your brand. - [Scottish business confidence rises to six-month high](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-rises-six-34761170): Business confidence in Scotland rose 11 points during February to 53% – a six-month high – according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. While companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down three points at 50%, their optimism in the economy rose 23 points to 55%. Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 53% – versus 42% in January – the highest level recorded in the country since August 2024. Looking ahead to the next six months, Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their teams, […] - [PEEC releases final revised guidance for Sec. 529 plans](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/peec-releases-final-revised-guidance-for-sec-529-plans.html): The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) approved revisions to the “Section 529 Plans” interpretation (ET §1.240.070) of the Code of Professional Conduct’s “Independence Rule.” The revisions affect members in public practice and will be effective May 31, 2025. Commenters on PEEC’s 2021–2023 strategy and work plan had concerns about monitoring challenges and independence threats related to an account owner’s financial interest in Sec. 529 savings plans. PEEC looked at how Sec. 529 plans operate today and determined that the interpretation should be updated. After research and consultation, PEEC determined that the account owner’s interest in the savings plan’s underlying investments […] - [Business Ideas to Try in 2025](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/business-ideas-to-try-in-2025/): There are many people around the world who dream of starting their own business. Having your own business means you can take control over the business and its operations and have a say on its growth. Also, having your own business gives people more control over their professional careers and finances. In order to start taking control of your future and money, you need to find the right business idea for yourself. The right business idea needs to align with your skills, finances and your future career plans. In this article, we look at the entrepreneurship ideas you should consider pursuing in 2025. Determining the Right Business Idea Here are some factors that you should consider when finding the right business idea. Keep in Mind Your Skills and Credentials As you seek the right business idea, you need to consider your skills and what you can bring to the business. If you have skills in cooking, consider starting a catering company or a cooking class business. Or if you have experience as a writer, you might want to do an editorial services business. Also consider what licenses, permits or certificates you will need depending on the industry you work in and overall government regulations. Outline Your Business Goals You need to do a comprehensive outline of the goals you want to hit with your business. Consider factors such as: How much money do you want to earn from the business How many clients/customers do you need to be profitable How many hours will you need to work to make the business feasible What are the capital costs Will the business require equipment or other financial investments Do you need employees Will you expand to multiple locations Will it be an online business or location-based The answers to these considerations will help you create a robust business plan that considers all your business goals. Market Analysis You need to conduct proper market analysis before you open up shop. Part of the research is looking at your competition, target audience and location (if needed). For example, if you want to run a boat cleaning business, you need to have a location next to the coast and ensure you offer services not offered by other boat cleaning businesses. Additionally, you need to ensure that you have enough demand for your product or service. The demand for your offering will give you a good client base for the launch of your business, and shows that people are willing to spend on your offering. Business Ideas for 2025 Here are some business ideas you should consider taking on in 2025. Dropshipping First time business owners are going to benefit greatly from dropshipping. Dropshipping is usually done online and involves using an e-commerce website to help customers make purchases.Dropshipping is easier because you don’t need to fulfill any deliveries. You are only a facilitator for purchases and the product is delivered by the company that makes it. Airbnb/short Term Rentals This type of business can be a great way to generate high profits in a short space of time. You can do this by registering for Airbnb or renting out the extra space in your backyard. Ensure you read up on all regulations and licenses needed before starting your rental business. Graphic Designer This is a great business idea especially in the digital marketing age. You don’t need a lot of equipment for graphic design, just your experience, your graphic design programme and laptop. Ensure you have a robust portfolio showcasing your work so you can get a good client base. Content Creation Content creation is a growing business idea for many people. Businesses are now prioritising their content creation and looking for people who can do it for them. Content creation includes anything from podcasts to written content to visuals. Property Development Property development is becoming a viable business idea for many people. You can do anything from commercial, residential, luxury residential complexes, and mixed-use property. Property development does need a lot of capital, but there are long-term financial benefits to it. Remember to always check that you have all the necessary licenses and permits needed to start your property development business. Now that you have the tools necessary to start your business, you can go ahead and get started. Remember to find the right business for you and ensure it aligns with your goals and future plans. For more information on business ideas and opportunities, check out this article about ideas. Head to our events page to buy your ticket for the SME South Africa Funding Summit today! - [Acting IRS commissioner steps down](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/acting-irs-commissioner-steps-down.html): Douglas O’Donnell, the acting IRS commissioner, told employees in an email Tuesday that he will step down from the position effective Friday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent agreed with O’Donnell’s recommendation that Melanie Krause, the IRS’s COO, succeed him, O’Donnell said. Krause became the COO in April, having previously served as the agency’s chief data and analytics officer. A news release from Treasury said that Krause is serving as the acting commissioner and deputy commissioner. O’Donnell, who first began work for the IRS in 1986, said he had expected to retire many times in the past but always found business reasons to […] - [Catholics Pray for Ailing Pope Francis at Sunday Mass](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/world/asia/mass-pope-francis-prayers-photos.html): The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized for more than a week and was given oxygen and a blood transfusion on Saturday. Roman Catholics worldwide prayed for Pope Francis, who is hospitalized in critical condition, at Mass on Sunday after the Vatican announced that he was “not out of danger.” The 88-year-old pontiff went into the hospital on Feb. 14 with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He had a long “asthmatic respiratory crisis” on Saturday that required “high flows of oxygen” and a blood transfusion, the Vatican said. Francis has been the spiritual leader of almost 1.4 billion […] - [As Conflict Rages in Congo, President Offers U.S. Minerals Deal](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/world/africa/congo-rwanda-tshisekedi-interview.html): As vast swaths of Congolese territory are seized by a Rwandan-backed armed group, Congo’s president looks to make a minerals deal with the United States. In his first interview since an armed group backed by Rwanda seized swaths of his country’s territory this year, Felix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, offered the United States and Europe a stake in his country’s vast mineral wealth, a sector currently dominated by China. Congo is considered to be among the world’s wealthiest country in terms of natural resources. It provides much of the world’s coltan, which is used to power […] - [The cost of doing business: Pay increases may be muted in 2025](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/pay-increases-2025.html): Boosting spending on technology remained ahead of pay increases for the second consecutive year in Gartner’s annual survey of CFOs and finance leaders. And while pay increases did maintain second place in terms of planned budget boosts for 2025, the volume of those increases is forecast to tumble. Sixty-one percent of 300 leaders surveyed in October indicated they planned to boost pay by at least 4% in 2025, down from the 71% who planned on the same in 2024 and down from 86% in 2023. “The slowdown in pay increases reflects falling rates of inflation and lower levels of voluntary employee […] - [AICPA ethics committee corrects authoritative guidance](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/aicpa-ethics-committee-corrects-authoritative-guidance.html): The official release containing revised authoritative guidance published in December by the AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) contained an error that has since been corrected. The document, Executive or Employee Recruiting (ET §1.295.135), contained an inaccurate example within a list of actions that AICPA members can take to ensure that threats to independence remain at an acceptable level when providing recruiting services for attest clients. Paragraph .02d now states that members may “review candidate resumes provided by the attest client to identify those that meet the attest client’s criteria.” Before the correction, paragraph .02d stated that members may “recommend qualified […] - [BOI injunction lifted; FinCEN promises 30-day filing delay](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/boi-injunction-lifted-fincen-promises-30-day-filing-delay.html): A federal district court lifted the last remaining nationwide injunction stopping beneficial ownership information (BOI) filing requirements, but the federal enforcement agency has promised at least a 30-day delay before new filings will be required. The order, in Samantha Smith and Robert Means v. U.S. Department of the Treasury, No. 6:24-CV-336 (E.D. Texas 1/7/25), granted a Department of Justice (DOJ) request for a stay of the court’s nationwide injunction. The order was signed Monday. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which enforces BOI requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), P.L. 116-283, said earlier in an alert on its site: “FinCEN intends […] - [Top Tips to Improve Your Social Media Engagement](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/top-tips-to-improve-your-social-media-engagement/): Social media is the new ‘it girl’ of marketing for businesses. Through social media tools and resources, businesses can now market to individual customers while also giving their businesses a personality, continuously aiming to improve social media. For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), social media can be a great cost-effective way to get connected with existing and potential customers. However, for this to happen you need a proper social media strategy that also addresses social media engagement strategies. Social media engagement is a factor that measures how your audience interacts with your social media content. The engagement is measured through likes, comments, shares, clicks and other measurable actions. In this article, we look at social media engagement as a concept and give you tips on how to improve your own. The 50-30-20 Social Media Engagement Rule The 50-30-20 rule is there to help you balance out your content. The breakdown of the rule is as follows: 50% of your social media posts should be about your audience 30% of your posts should reflect your brand 20% should be dedicated to promotional materials This rule will help you shift your perspective about your social media posts. Instead of only focusing on pushing promotions, you need to consider the people who see your content. The 50% The 50% is all about your audience. This means you will create content that resonates with your audience, makes them think and maybe makes them laugh or smile. Your content needs to tell a story to your audience. This can be done with new, recycled and user-generated content. If you have done proper research into your target market, you will be able to curate your content so that it fits their interests, challenges and all the little things that make your audience unique. The 30% The 30% is about your brand. This section should outline your brand identity, values and what makes you tick. When posting your brand, you should integrate personality and ethos into your posts. The goal with the 30% is to make your brand relatable. You can share content such as behind-the-scenes looks, stories on how your product came to be or what motivates you on a daily basis. Creating a narrative around your brand encourages followers to invest in your cause through interest, admiration and community involvement. The 20% The smallest slice of this pie is the 20% dedicated to promoting your offerings. Use your small slice to tell your audience about what items or services you have, the latest promotions or any sales/discounts they should know about. However, be careful not to turn your feed into a sales catalogue. When posting about your promos, think about framing them in such a way that they still align with other posts. Invite your audience into your promotional ‘circus’ by presenting them with irresistible deals, a limited-time offer, or a giveaway that aligns with 50% of audience-focused content. The 50-30-20 rule is such a great guideline for your content strategy. Before you are ready to start implementing it, you need to ensure you have a comprehensive content calendar. Tips for Improving Your Engagement Here are some tips you can use to help you improve your social media engagement. Tip 1: Grow Your Following Social media is all about the numbers. If you have more followers, your posts will receive more engagement. Focus on attracting quality followers who not only boost engagement but also provide the opportunity to convert those followers into loyal customers who make purchases. Tip 2: Authenticity Goes a Long Way Social media users will (sometimes) base their likes and support for a brand based on their attraction to its voice and personality. This means to increase your engagement; you need to be more authentic. Find a social media marketing voice that aligns with your brand and use it to interact with your online audience. Tip 3: Respond to Your Followers You need to reply to your followers to create a conversation with them. You can do this by replying to incoming mentions, comments and direct messages (DMs). This shows you care about your customers and want to talk to them about their issues or queries. Tip 4: Share Good Quality Content Social media is not just about sharing content but also about sharing quality content. You should use the 80/20 rule when creating social media content. This means 80% of your posts are there to either educate, entertain or help your followers with their problems. 20% should be focused on promoting your business. Tip 5: Use Visual Assets Social media is a fast-paced game. When posting you need to use content that will grab the attention of your followers. You can capture attention by using visual assets such as videos (at the ideal length), photos and infographics. This will help you stand out amongst your competition and improve overall engagement. Tip 6: Follow Your Post Schedule When and how often you post will have a significant impact on your social media engagement. To ensure you maximise engagement, you need a content schedule that outlines the best time of day to post and the right content to post. Tip 7: Track Everything To see if your content is working, you need to track key performance metrics. This means tracking everything from likes, and comments to shares and saves. You can use analytics tools (most platforms have them built-in) and social media listening tools. Using these tips you can fully improve your social media engagement and overall conversion rates. Social media can be such a great way to increase your sales revenue and connect with your audience in a more personal way. For more information on leveraging social media for your SME, read about the social media app features you must try. Remember to purchase your SME South Africa Funding Summit tickets today! - [What Is The National Small Business Chamber?](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/what-is-the-national-small-business-chamber/): South Africa has many businesses and with that comes a lot of business chambers. Business chambers are there to ensure its members and their interests are protected and promoted. Having business chambers is important for businesses as they elevate the concerns of businesses and ensure they are operating in a fair environment. With so many businesses, one of the biggest chambers is the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC). The NSBC is a non-profit member organisation that works to foster the sustainability and growth of the small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) industry. As SMEs continue to search for opportunities in funding, education, talent and other skills, the NSBC provides a centralised resource for all this. In this article, we take a deep dive into the NSBC and how it helps SMEs. How Does the NSBC Work? The NSBC works to address the challenges, needs and wants of its SME base. The NPO’s purpose is to foster sustainability, growth, job creation, reducing unemployment and nurturing South Africa’s entrepreneurial sector and spirit. Additionally, the organisation bases whatever it does on the results of its large-scale national surveys. Currently, there are over 234 thousand SMEs and global brands that work with the NSBC as partners. NSBC Initiatives The organisation has a range of initiatives on its website. These are designed to help SMEs with access to various resources. Access to Finance Initiative The NSBC’s access to finance initiative is not yet launched but will be available to SMEs soon. Under the initiative, members can apply for their required financing and receive the following: Free credit report Guides on how to get funding ready Free ticket to the Finance Indaba How to “Become Financially Fit” Initiative Under this initiative, SMEs are educated on their financial and credit health and empowered to improve their personal and business credit profiles to access the funding required to grow and maintain their businesses. The ‘How to become financially fit’ initiative is in partnership wit Experian and gives members access to free credit information through the Experian education app. Launch My Start-up Initiative Launch My Startup is an enterprise and supplier development (ESD) programme developed by the NSBC. The aim of the initiative is to sponsor over 100 high-potential startups every year using ESD funding. To qualify for the programme, you need to meet the following criteria: Your business must be 51% or more black-owned Your business must be operating longer than 6 months Your business can be operating in any industry Once you have applied, the NSBC will get back to you within 5 days if your application is successful. Prompt Payment Code Initiative The Prompt payment code initiative is aimed at ensuring big businesses pay SMEs within 30 days for services rendered. Public supporters of this initiative commit to: Paying SMEs within 30 days once the final and compliant invoice is received or terms have been agreed Provide SME suppliers with clear and accessible guidance on payment procedures Ensure there is a system for dealing with complaints and disputes Advising within 7 days if the invoice is incorrect Search Engine Gateway Initiative The search engine gateway initiative is in partnership with Google. This programme is aimed at helping SMEs get a high Google ranking for their businesses. Through the initiative, you can build your online profile and: Build your digital presence Get your business found easily online Increase website traffic Boost sales and conversion rates Small Business Friday Initiative Small Business Friday is an initiative in partnership with Absa. The movement is aimed at encouraging South Africans to support local businesses and is done throughout the year with its peak being the first Friday of Spring every year. Build a Business Academy The Build a Business Academy is an online education platform for SMEs and entrepreneurs. The platform works with the NSBC to deliver ongoing learning through Build a Business Guides. The guides on the platform can be accessed from anywhere and anytime, are produced with high-quality content, are cost-effective and easy-to-use. NSBC Licensee Initiative This initiative is for individuals or businesses who want to help SMEs reach their goals. The function of this initiative is to network with SMEs through referrals and invite them to become members of the NSBC. The NSBC licensee initiative is for people who have commercial experience and entrepreneurial flair. Once in the programme, you get the following benefits: NSBC licensee status Personalised Microsoft Exchange NSBC e-mail Personalised and branded e-mail signature Personalised NSBC licensee dashboard to help you manage your new business Full training and implementation Ongoing support from the NSBC If you want to be part of this programme, there is a required startup investment fee of R 38 500. The NSBC is a one-stop shop for all things small business. For SMEs looking for support, resources and information on the SME sector, the NSBC is a great membership to have. Head to our events page to get your tickets for the SME South African Funding Summit today! - [AICPA urges IRS to meet needs of taxpayers, preparers during filing season](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/aicpa-urges-irs-to-meet-needs-of-taxpayers-preparers-during-filing-season.html): AICPA leaders said Sunday the IRS should consider the needs of taxpayers and preparers as officials make plans to carry out President Donald Trump’s direction to cut the federal workforce. “Americans deserve a fully functioning agency that can be respected by taxpayers and their preparers, thereby allowing them to comply with their tax obligations,” AICPA President and CEO Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, said in a statement. Multiple news outlets reported Friday and Saturday that the IRS could lay off thousands of probationary employees beginning as early as this week. “Many are concerned with potential challenges that could arise from recent changes […] - [M23 Rebels in Congo Say They Have Entered Bukavu](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/world/africa/in-latest-advance-rebels-in-congo-say-they-have-entered-a-key-city.html): Last month, M23 rebels backed by Rwanda took the city of Goma in a bloody battle. This weekend, the group entered the gold-trading center of Bukavu in eastern Congo after government soldiers fled. Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday entered the vital trading hub of Bukavu in the east of the country, according to the fighters and videos circulated by local residents. If confirmed, Bukavu would be the latest city to fall in a sweeping offensive that has revealed the weakness of the crumbling Congolese army. The M23 rebels — who are supported and directed by Rwanda, Congo’s […] - [Gold Mine Collapse in Mali Kills at Least 43](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/world/africa/mali-gold-mine-collapse.html): The accident took place in an open-pit area people had gone into in search of gold. Informal mining is a common and dangerous practice in much of West Africa. At least 43 people, mostly women, were killed after an informal gold mine collapsed in western Mali on Saturday, the head of an industry union said. The accident took place near the town of Kéniéba in Mali’s gold-rich Kayes region, Taoule Camara, the secretary general of the national union of gold counters and refineries, told Reuters. The women had climbed down into open-pit areas left by industrial miners to look for scraps […] - [AICPA auditing board approves two exposure drafts for public comment](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/aicpa-auditing-standards-board-exposure-drafts.html): The AICPA Auditing Standards Board (ASB) voted Thursday to approve two separate exposure drafts for public comment. The exposure drafts are expected to be issued later this month or in early March, and the comment period will end no earlier than 90 days from issuance. Proposed amendments to AT-C Section 210 on attestation review engagements The exposure draft of Proposed Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements, Scope Limitations in a Review Engagement will feature proposed revisions to AT-C Section 210, Review Engagements, in the AICPA Professional Standards. The proposed revisions are being exposed for public comment to be responsive to a […] - [Jobless claims stay low in latest week](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-stay-low-in-latest-week-27b4b50b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [BOI reporting deadline extension passes US House](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/boi-reporting-deadline-extension-passes-us-house.html): A bill to extend the deadline for an estimated 32 million small businesses to report their beneficial ownership information (BOI) as mandated by the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) passed the U.S. House unanimously. The House passed H.R. 736, Protect Small Businesses From Excessive Paperwork Act of 2025, 408–0, on Monday. The bill, which goes to the Senate next, extends the deadline for filing BOI reports to Jan. 1, 2026. The deadline for most reports previously was Jan. 1, 2025, but the reporting requirements have been caught up in numerous court cases and are now on hold. A companion bill was introduced […] - [Lower auto depreciation limits issued for first time in at least 3 years](https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/feb/lower-auto-depreciation-limits-issued-for-first-time-in-at-least-3-years.html): For the first time in at least three years, the IRS issued lower depreciation limitations for passenger automobiles. These limits are updated annually for inflation, based on the automobile component of the Chained Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers. Rev. Proc. 2025-16, released Wednesday, contains the Sec. 280F(a) inflation-adjusted dollar limitations on depreciation deductions for passenger automobiles — which include trucks and vans — acquired after Sept. 27, 2017, and placed in service during 2025, for 2025 and each succeeding tax year. For passenger vehicles for which Sec. 168(k) additional first-year, or “bonus,” depreciation is applied, the limitation is $20,200 for […] - [Cuba accepts USD 100 million in US humanitarian aid amid energy collapse](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/15/cuba-accepts-usd-100-million-in-us-humanitarian-aid-amid-energy-collapse?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The Cuban government on Thursday accepted the United States’ offer of USD 100 million in humanitarian aid for food, fuel, and medicines, in a significant political shift after weeks of public rejection and hours after authorities on the island acknowledged the complete exhaustion of their fuel reserves. The aid will be channeled through the Catholic Church, according to the official statement issued by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who only the day before had described the US offer as “inconsequential and paradoxical.” - [Assets and Liquidity in the Nasdaq-100 Ecosystem](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/assets-and-liquidity-nasdaq-100-ecosystem): We recently talked about how the Nasdaq-100® (NDX®) ecosystem has changed and expanded in the 40 years since the index was launched. Today we take a look at where the ecosystem is now – in terms of assets and liquidity. - [UK ‘Zero Net’ Miliband’s policy questioned as a threat to British security, ‘China dominates all the green technology’](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/14/uk-zero-net-miliband-s-policy-questioned-as-a-threat-to-british-security-china-dominates-all-the-green-technology?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband has been accused of handing Beijing a “kill switch” over the British economy, after claiming that green energy will end the UK’s reliance on Vladimir Putin’s Russia for its fuel needs. - [IFS cierra el primer trimestre del 2026 con utilidad neta récord de S/602 millones](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/ifs-cierra-el-primer-trimestre-del-2026-con-utilidad-neta-record-de-s602-millones-l-ultimas-noticia/): ProInversión revela que ya ha recibido propuestas de inversionistas por la Refinería de Talara Rodolfo Acuña, titular del MEF: “No tiene sentido que estemos pagando becas a alumnos que no podrán desarrollarlas en el país” Intercorp Financial Services (IFS), holding financiero integrado por Interbank, Inteligo e Interseguro, cerró el primer trimestre de 2026 con una utilidad neta trimestral de S/602 millones y un retorno sobre el patrimonio (ROE) de 19,4%. Estos resultados reflejan una ejecución disciplinada de la plataforma y los beneficios de su modelo. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Minem: Rommy Manyari es designada como nueva viceministra de Electricidad Luis Felipe Castellanos, CEO […] - [Petro-Perú: Su presidente dice no a la auditoría forense de la refinería de Talara, ¿por qué se estarían negando los nuevos funcionarios?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/petroperu-petro-peru-edmundo-lizarzaburu-dice-no-la-auditoria-forense-de-la-refineria-de-talara-noticia/): Gobierno autoriza rescate financiero de US$2.000 millones para Petro-Perú ProInversión revela que ya ha recibido propuestas de inversionistas por la Refinería de Talara Petro-Perú no irá más con la auditoria forense de la refinería de Talara, iniciativa que la empresa venía trabajando conjuntamente con la Contraloría General de la República a fin de conocer el por qué del elevado costo del proyecto (más de US$6.000 millones) y las continuas fallas que ha venido registrando desde que se puso en funcionamiento. Así lo reveló el flamante presidente de la estatal, Edmundo Lizarzaburu, durante su presentación en la Comisión de Energía y Minas […] - [Patagonian Tragedy to Be Remembered at London’s Royal Albert Hall](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/13/patagonian-tragedy-to-be-remembered-at-london-s-royal-albert-hall?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): A little-known but deeply poignant chapter of Patagonian history will be brought to life this June at one of the world’s most prestigious venues, London’s Royal Albert Hall. - [Falklands representative meets Starmer at State Opening of UK Parliament](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/13/falklands-representative-meets-starmer-at-state-opening-of-uk-parliament?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Falkland Islands Government Representative to the United Kingdom and Europe, Richard Hyslop, attended the formal opening of the British parliamentary year on Wednesday, 13 May, and held talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Minister for the UK Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, at the reception held after the ceremony. The meeting reaffirms the political alignment between London and Stanley at a moment of international diplomatic tension over the sovereignty of the archipelago. - [El desafío de abrir la primera puerta](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/opinion/el-desafio-de-abrir-la-primera-puerta-por-enrique-perez-barba-opinion-arca-continental-noticia/): Llevo algunos años recorriendo el Perú desde la operación y desde las conversaciones con equipos jóvenes que se incorporan a Arca Continental con una energía que, muchas veces, me recuerda por qué elegí este camino. Por eso, me cuesta ignorar un dato del INEI: la tasa de desempleo a nivel nacional entre personas menores de 25 años alcanzó el 10,7% en 2025, más del doble del promedio nacional. Ese dato no es solo una referencia estadística. Es el contexto que condiciona cómo los jóvenes imaginan su futuro, qué decisiones toman y qué camino profesional terminan siguiendo. También es el punto de […] - [Precio del dólar en Perú hoy, viernes 8 de mayo: cuál fue el cierre del tipo de cambio](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/precio-del-dolar-hoy-en-peru-a-cuanto-esta-el-dolar-y-tipo-de-cambio-este-viernes-8-de-mayo-tasa-cotizacion-compra-y-venta-segun-bcrp-dolares-a-soles-sbs-ocona-lbposting-noticia/): Consulta el tipo de cambio del día :{“@graph”: [{“@type”: “Organization”, “@id”: “#organization”, “name”: “El Comercio Peru00fa”, “url”: “https://elcomercio.pe/”, “sameAs”: [“https://www.facebook.com/elcomercio.pe”, “https://www.instagram.com/elcomercio/”, “https://twitter.com/elcomercio_peru”], “logo”: {“@type”: “ImageObject”, “@id”: “#logoImage”, “url”: “https://elcomercio.pe/pf/resources/dist/elcomercio/images/logo-elcomercio-388×60.png?d=733”, “width”: “388”, “height”: “60”}}, {“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “LiveBlogPosting”, “@id”: “#liveBlogPosting”, “about”: {“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Event”, “name”: “Precio del du00f3lar hoy EN VIVO: cotizaciu00f3n en compra y venta del du00f3lar en el Peru00fa en la jornada de hoy, viernes 8 de mayo. 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The same measure was applied to Idelsa Pozo Saavedra, mother of the alleged victim. Judge Carlos Oblitas suspended the proceedings without a new date, pending the arrest or voluntary appearance of the defendants. - [Delcy Rodríguez defends Essequibo claim at The Hague under temporary EU sanctions waiver](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/11/delcy-rodriguez-defends-essequibo-claim-at-the-hague-under-temporary-eu-sanctions-waiver?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez arrived in the Netherlands on Sunday to defend her country’s claim to the Essequibo, the border region disputed with Guyana, before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The trip, authorized under a specific waiver to the European Union sanctions imposed on her, marks her first major international journey outside the Caribbean since the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by US forces in January, which paved the way for her to assume office as interim leader. - [Chartstopper: May 8, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/chartstopper-may-8-2026): In the last week, the Iran conflict continued to move markets, while economic data showed that the economy remains resilient and first-quarter earnings continued to be very strong. - [US economy added 115,000 jobs in April, beating expectations](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-jobs-report-april-2026): <!–> A ‘Mornings with Maria’ panel discusses the markets, the impact from the Spirit Airlines collapse and the resiliency of the U.S. economy. This story about the April 2026 jobs report is developing and will be updated with further details. The U.S. economy added jobs at a modest pace in April amid uncertainty surrounding the impact of conflict in the Middle East on the labor market. What are the key findings of the April 2026 jobs report? The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday reported that employers added 115,000 jobs in April. That figure is above the estimates of economists polled by […] - [United States imposes new sanctions on Cuban military conglomerate GAESA amid escalating pressure](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/08/united-states-imposes-new-sanctions-on-cuban-military-conglomerate-gaesa-amid-escalating-pressure?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday a new package of sanctions against the Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), the conglomerate linked to the Cuban Armed Forces that controls approximately 40% of the island’s economy, in a fresh escalation of the economic pressure deployed by the Trump administration against the Havana regime. The measure is part of the implementation of Executive Order 14404, signed by President Donald Trump on May 1, which authorizes sanctions against those responsible for political repression and threats to US national security. - [The True Costs of Going Public](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/true-costs-going-public): One of the commonly stated reasons why companies stay private is the costs of being public. We explore the true costs of preparing for and going public. - [Día1 Summit 2026 reunirá a líderes empresariales y analistas en edición marcada por el proceso electoral: conozca a los panelistas](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/dia1-summit-reunira-a-lideres-empresariales-y-analistas-en-edicion-marcada-por-el-proceso-electoral-noticia/): Pobreza cae, pero la recuperación sigue incompleta: más hogares vulnerables y un problema cada vez más urbano Créditos hipotecarios verdes avanzan desde la banca, pero frenados por escasez de proyectos El Día1 Summit volverá a reunir este año a algunos de los principales líderes empresariales, ejecutivos y analistas del país en una edición marcada por el ciclo electoral, y por los desafíos económicos y políticos que enfrenta el Perú. El encuentro, organizado por Día1, el semanario de negocios de El Comercio, pondrá especial atención en el impacto que el escenario político puede tener sobre la inversión, el crecimiento y la confianza […] - [Kiko Milano, la gigante italiana de la belleza, llegaría al Jockey Plaza al cierre del primer semestre de este año](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/kiko-milano-la-gigante-italiana-de-la-belleza-llegaria-al-jockey-plaza-al-cierre-del-primer-semestre-de-este-ano-skincare-maquillaje-noticia/): SBS y el BCR firman convenios de cooperación y coordinación para consolidar el desarrollo del sistema de pagos y de las finanzas abiertas en el Perú proEXPLO 2026: Buenaventura evalúa ampliar vida de mina San Gabriel por más de una década adicional Las grandes marcas de belleza miran al Perú como un mercado en pleno ‘glow’. Solo el 2025 creció 7% frente al año anterior y ya mueve S/10.000 millones hoy en día, según cifras del Gremio Peruano de Cosmética e Higiene Personal (Copecoh) de la CCL. Es por eso que en los últimos años han aparecido más jugadores y las […] - [Día de la Madre 2026: el consumo despegaría a último momento y estos son los regalos favoritos](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/dia-de-la-madre-2026-campana-avanza-con-cautela-pero-el-consumo-se-activaria-en-la-recta-final-que-regalos-prefieren-los-peruanos-noticia/): Así será el resort residencial del Grupo Jockey en el Boulevard de Asia: ¿cuáles son sus proyecciones? ¿Buscas tu primera vivienda?: conoce cómo el Bono Verde está impulsando el acceso a créditos del Fondo MiVivienda La campaña del Día de la Madre, una de las más relevantes del calendario comercial —solo detrás de Navidad en varias categorías— enfrenta este 2026 un inicio más lento de lo habitual. El contexto político, el calendario de gastos y factores estacionales han generado que el consumidor esté más cauteloso y distraído. Aun así, las proyecciones apuntan a una recuperación en los días previos a la […] - [Platanitos ve impulso por el Mundial 2026 y alista expansión de tiendas en Perú y Chile: este es el plan de la empresa peruana](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/platanitos-ve-impulso-por-el-mundial-2026-y-alista-expansion-de-tiendas-en-peru-y-chile-este-es-el-plan-de-la-empresa-peruana-noticia/): Más del 80% de viviendas en Lima se compra antes de su entrega: ¿por qué los peruanos prefieren comprar así? Minera Poderosa: “Estamos haciendo inversiones para recuperar las reservas de oro que nos están robando” El año ha arrancado de manera positiva para Platanitos, en particular, por la campaña de verano y ahora con campañas como el Cyber Wow, cuenta Pedro Mont, director ejecutivo de la empresa. La marca, ya desde hace algunos años, no es solo una cadena de tiendas especializada en calzado, sino que también se va consolidando como un amplio marketplace multicategoría. “El ruido político bajó un poco […] - [Private sector added 109,000 jobs in April, above expectations, ADP says](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/private-sector-added-109000-jobs-april-above-expectations-adp-says): <!–> Indeed Vice President of AI Hannah Calhoon joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to break down how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce as up to 300 million jobs face disruption worldwide. Companies in the private sector added 109,000 jobs in April, payroll processing firm ADP said Wednesday. The figure is above economists’ estimates of a gain of 99,000 jobs. The prior month’s payrolls number was revised lower to a gain of 61,000 from an initially reported gain of 62,000. U.S. private payrolls climbed by 109,000 in April, ADP said on Wednesday. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images) Which industries are hiring the […] - [Día1 Summit 2026: senadores y diputados debatirán la agenda económica del nuevo Congreso bicameral](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/dia1-summit-2026-senadores-y-diputados-debatiran-la-agenda-economica-del-nuevo-congreso-bicameral-noticia/): En un contexto político marcado por el retorno al sistema bicameral, el Día1 Summit 2026, el evento principal de nuestro suplemento de negocios, pondrá sobre la mesa uno de los temas clave para el futuro del país: la agenda económica del nuevo Congreso. El encuentro se realizará el 14 de mayo en el Hotel Westin y reunirá a actores políticos y analistas para discutir los principales desafíos del Perú en medio del proceso electoral. Uno de los paneles centrales estará enfocado en el funcionamiento y las prioridades del nuevo Parlamento bicameral, con la participación de figuras electas de ambas cámaras como […] - [Día1 Summit 2026: líderes analizarán el escenario económico y político rumbo a la segunda vuelta](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/dia1-summit-2026-lideres-analizaran-el-escenario-economico-y-politico-rumbo-a-la-segunda-vuelta-noticia/): Inversión minera: las denuncias por minería ilegal más que se duplican en los últimos 5 años Manuel Antonio García Miro asume la presidencia del Directorio del Grupo El Comercio Este 14 de mayo, Día1, el suplemento de negocios de El Comercio, realizará la tercera edición del Día1 Summit, un espacio que reunirá a líderes empresariales, analistas y autoridades para discutir los principales temas que marcarán el rumbo económico y político del país en medio del contexto preelectoral. El encuentro se desarrollará en un momento clave, marcado por la definición de los candidatos que pasarán a la segunda vuelta presidencial y por […] - [Regulatory Roundup: Unusually Well-Timed Prediction Market Trading Meets the Eddie Murphy Rule](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/fintech/regulatory-roundup-april-2026): Read Tony Sio’s analysis of the Eddie Murphy Rule and the charges of insider trading in prediction markets and event contracts. - [Candidatos evitan discutir sobre costos de la contratación: ¿qué proponen para combatir la informalidad?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/candidatos-evitan-discutir-sobre-costos-de-la-contratacion-que-proponen-para-combatir-la-informalidad-ipe-noticia/): Aerolíneas suben precios y reducen rutas ante crisis del combustible, ¿cómo está la situación en vuelos de América Latina y el Perú? Precios en Lima Metropolitana crecieron 4,01% en los últimos 12 meses, impulsados por el transporte: estas son las razones En el marco del Día Internacional del Trabajo, el mercado laboral peruano aún enfrenta retos estructurales asociados con la alta informalidad, los elevados costos no salariales, la baja productividad y limitada inserción laboral juvenil. Fuerza Popular (FP), Juntos por el Perú (JPP) y Renovación Popular (RP) reconocen la necesidad de promover la formalización y mejorar la inserción laboral. Sin embargo, […] - [Aerolíneas suben precios y reducen rutas ante crisis del combustible, ¿cómo está la situación en vuelos de América Latina y el Perú?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/aerolineas-suben-precios-y-reducen-rutas-ante-alza-del-combustible-como-esta-la-situacion-en-vuelos-de-america-latina-y-el-peru-noticia/): Petro-Perú detendría las refinerías de Talara y Conchán si no recibe financiamiento Raúl Barrios: “No podemos tocar el capítulo económico [de la Constitución]” El sector aerocomercial enfrenta una nueva realidad: hoy, volar es más caro. La disparada del precio del petróleo por la crisis desatada en el mundo a raíz de la guerra en Medio Oriente está presionando los costos del transporte, en particular, del ‘jet fuel’, el combustible para aviones. Con una quinta parte del comercio mundial del petróleo estrangulada por el cierre del Estrecho de Ormuz-tras casi dos meses de cierre intermitente y con anuncios inciertos de reapertura que […] - [April 2026 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/april-2026-review-and-outlook): April marked a sharp reversal from the prior month’s risk‑off environment with U.S. equity markets staging a powerful rebound despite an increasingly complex geopolitical and macro backdrop. - [Precios en Lima Metropolitana crecieron 4,01% en los últimos 12 meses, impulsados por el transporte: estas son las razones](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/inflacion-en-lima-metropolitana-crecio-052-en-abril-impulsada-por-el-transporte-inei-noticia/): Aerolíneas suben precios y reducen rutas ante crisis del combustible, ¿cómo está la situación en vuelos de América Latina y el Perú? Powerpay busca consolidar el modelo ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ en el Perú: “Nacimos para atender una necesidad que la banca no cubría” En abril, la inflación en Lima Metropolitana aumentó 0,52% respecto del mes anterior, con lo que acumuló una variación de 3,72% en lo que va del año y un crecimiento interanual de 4,01%, según el informe del Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (INEI). De acuerdo con el reporte, el sector que registró la mayor alza fue […] - [Petro-Perú registró su primer trimestre con cifras en azul después de cuatro años](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/petro-peru-registro-su-primer-trimestre-con-cifras-en-azul-despues-de-cuatro-anos-noticia/): Petro-Perú cerró el primer trimestre del 2026 con una utilidad neta de US$133,2 millones, su primer resultado positivo trimestral de los últimos cuatro años, tras el obtenido en enero-marzo del 2022 (US$111 millones). Así lo dio a conocer hoy la petrolera estatal en información publicada en el portal de la Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (SMV). La empresa explicó que este resultado positivo se debió a dos factores. Por un lado, a la “tendencia al alza de precios internacionales del crudo”, que favoreció la realización de inventarios de productos terminados (diésel y gasolinas), lo que le permitió “obtener mayores márgenes entre […] - [Fitch Ratings en medio de la incertidumbre sobre el próximo gobierno: “lo que más importa es la composición del Senado”](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/fitch-ratings-en-medio-de-la-incertidumbre-sobre-el-proximo-gobierno-del-peru-lo-que-mas-importa-es-la-composicion-del-senado-economia-peruana-noticia/): Advierten que Perú podría perder el grado de inversión: “Estamos reventando la tarjeta de crédito” SBS: En 2028 se podría intercambiar el primer paquete de datos de finanzas abiertas Fitch Ratings tiene en la mira al Perú tras la primera vuelta electoral: en su última presentación sobre las perspectivas económicas y de calificación para América Latina –Continente asediado por escenarios de incertidumbre–, la agencia crediticia aseguró que los términos de intercambio récord siguen impulsando el crecimiento de la economía peruana a pesar de la incertidumbre política, aunque cumplir con los objetivos fiscales “podría resultar más difícil” a mediano plazo. “Si tomamos […] - [SBS: Al menos 12 entidades financieras buscan ingresar al mercado peruano, ¿cuáles son y en qué fase van?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/sbs-al-menos-12-entidades-financieras-buscan-ingresar-al-mercado-peruano-revolut-noticia/): Rendimiento de la Bolsa de Valores de Lima se mantiene al alza en un entorno volátil: ¿cómo avanza en lo que va del año y qué esperar? Lemon busca cerrar el año con dos millones de usuarios locales en el Perú: ¿Qué nuevos lanzamientos alista la billetera digital? El mercado peruano gana relevancia para las entidades financieras y, prueba de ello, al menos 12 nuevas instituciones —entre bancos, billeteras electrónicas y empresas de crédito— han presentado solicitudes de licencia ante la Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP (SBS) para operar por primera vez en el país. Entre estas se encuentra la […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: May 1, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-may-1-2026): This week saw major earnings announcements, updates on economic growth and inflation, and key developments in the Iran conflict and at the Federal Reserve. - [Moody’s cambia su perspectiva para el sector global de metales y minería de negativa a estables para los próximos 12 a 18 meses](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/moodys-cambia-su-perspectiva-para-el-sector-global-de-metales-y-mineria-de-negativa-a-estables-para-los-proximos-12-a-18-meses-l-ultimas-noticia/): Wall Street sube por resultados empresariales y caída del petróleo y cierra un mes sólido Economía de Estados Unidos repunta menos de lo esperado y se dispara la inflación Moody’s cambió su perspectiva para el sector global de metales y minería de negativa a estable para los próximos 12 a 18 meses. La perspectiva reflejó fundamentos sectoriales más equilibrados y una generación de caja resiliente, en general, en la mayoría de las commodities, lo que reduce la probabilidad de un deterioro generalizado de las métricas de crédito. El cambio también reflejó los efectos en la energía y el comercio derivados del […] - [Why the Market Needs Small Company Listings](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/why-market-needs-small-company-listings): We’ve previously highlighted the worrying trend of the declining number of listed companies. So, we thought it was worth highlighting a recent staff report from the SEC that also focuses on this issue and the value of going public. - [Perú concentra más del 28% de los proyectos de cobre en América: supera a Canadá, Chile y Estados Unidos](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/peru-concentra-mas-del-28-de-los-proyectos-de-cobre-en-america-supera-a-canada-chile-y-estados-unidos-l-ultimas-noticia/): Presidente Balcázar sobre nuevo financiamiento a Petro-Perú: “Hemos puesto una condición, tiene que cambiarse el directorio” Consejo Fiscal advierte que el Perú podría perder el grado de inversión en 5 años: “Estamos reventando la tarjeta de crédito” El Perú concentra 19 de los 67 proyectos de cobre identificados en América, es decir, el 28,4% del total regional, por encima de Canadá, Chile y Estados Unidos. Además, debemos recordar que el país se encuentra en uno de los cinturones polimetálicos más prolíficos del mundo. Así lo afirmó el ingeniero Roque Benavides Ganoza, presidente del Directorio de Compañía de Minas Buenaventura, durante su […] - [Fed's favored inflation gauge remained elevated in March](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/march-2026-pce-inflation): <!–> RBC chief economist Frances Donald discusses her April 2026 forecast for U.S. GDP and inflation risks, the health of the labor market and consumer spending patterns contributing to a bifurcated economy on ‘Making Money.’ This story about the March 2026 PCE inflation is developing and will be updated with more details. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge remained stubbornly high in March as consumers continued to face elevated price growth. The Commerce Department on Thursday reported that the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 0.7% on a monthly basis in March and is up 3.5% from a year ago. Both figures were […] - [Cirkula, la ‘app’ peruana que apunta a reducir la merma de alimentos, ampliará categorías y tiendas, ¿de qué trata?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/cirkula-la-app-peruana-que-apunta-a-reducir-el-desperdicio-de-alimentos-ampliara-categorias-y-tiendas-de-que-trata-noticia/): BTS en el estadio San Marcos: Ticketmaster explica el proceso de venta de entradas, consejos y el hito que marcará este concierto Minen presenta cartera de proyectos de exploración minera 2026 valorizada en más de US$757 millones ¿Es posible ahorrar y combatir la cantidad de residuos de alimentos en el Perú? Una startup peruana vio la oportunidad de crear un ecosistema que pudiera hacerlo realidad: Cirkula. Michelle Gomberoff, CEO de la plataforma, explica que funciona como una suerte de ‘marketplace‘ que conecta negocios que tienen excedentes de comida de buena calidad-con fechas próximas a vencer- que buscan ofertarlos a mejores precios […] - [CEO de LG Perú: “El principal objetivo está en recuperar participación de mercado, especialmente en televisores”, ¿cómo lo hará?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/ceo-de-lg-peru-el-principal-objetivo-esta-en-recuperar-market-share-especialmente-en-televisores-noticia/): Fertilizantes en alza: costos presionan al agro y obligan a las empresas a ajustar estrategias en el campo, ¿a qué cultivos impacta? Inflación en Lima alcanzó el 3,8% en marzo por emergencia del gas natural y alza del petróleo Este año LG Perú ha registrado un aumento en sus productos de refrigeración en la temporada de calor, con un crecimiento de 19% en los primeros dos meses del 2026 frente al mismo periodo de 2025. Youngrok Kim, quien asumió el liderazgo de la operación local en enero, señala a Día 1 que este año esperan tener un aumento de ventas del […] - [Armando Paredes: por qué la inmobiliaria da un giro de negocio, alista hoteles en Cusco y sella alianza con Marriott](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/armando-paredes-impulsa-su-negocio-de-renta-con-hoteles-oficinas-y-operacion-de-activos-noticia/): Fertilizantes en alza: costos presionan al agro y obligan a las empresas a ajustar estrategias en el campo, ¿a qué cultivos impacta? Inflación en Lima alcanzó el 3,8% en marzo por emergencia del gas natural y alza del petróleo En entrevista para Día1, Thait Chang Say, CEO de Armando Paredes, detalla cómo la compañía viene ampliando su negocio más allá de la venta de viviendas, con una apuesta por la renta inmobiliaria a del desarrollo y alquiler de activos como hoteles y oficinas, además de la operación de estos activos, incluyendo sus propios hoteles y la intención de gestionar hoteles de […] - [Californians who move away are typically saving hundreds a month on housing costs](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/californians-who-move-away-typically-saving-hundreds-month-housing-costs): <!–> California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss his commanding lead in the race, weigh in on Eric Swalwell’s sudden exit, and outline his plan to tackle crime, high taxes and the state’s economic crisis. Many California residents who move out of the state are finding substantial savings on housing costs and an easier pathway to homeownership as affordability concerns weigh. A recent analysis by the California Policy Lab at UC Berkeley, using data that anonymously tracks the same households over time from 2016 to 2025, found that Californians who relocate tend to move to more affordable […] - [Poll projects dead heat between Fujimori and Sánchez in Peru runoff as count nears completion](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/27/poll-projects-dead-heat-between-fujimori-and-sanchez-in-peru-runoff-as-count-nears-completion?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori and left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez would tie at 38% of the vote in the Peruvian presidential runoff scheduled for June 7, according to the first opinion poll published after the April 12 election, against a backdrop of an inconclusive count and an ongoing dispute over second place. The Ipsos Peru survey, conducted between April 23 and 24 and published by daily Perú.21, points to a scenario of absolute parity with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points. - [Weekly Chartstopper: April 24, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-april-24-2026): Markets remain focused on developments in the Iran conflict, economic data indicating continued resilience and earnings news. - [Kast–Paz rapprochement opens door to potential restoration of Bolivia–Chile relations](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/24/kast-paz-rapprochement-opens-door-to-potential-restoration-of-bolivia-chile-relations?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The foreign ministers of Bolivia, Fernando Aramayo, and Chile, Francisco Pérez Mackenna, agreed on Friday to deepen bilateral ties and advance a joint economic agenda, amid a decisive diplomatic rapprochement between the two countries after nearly five decades without ambassador-level relations. The meeting, held at an event organized by the Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Cainco) in Santa Cruz, concluded a two-day official visit by the Chilean minister. - [Petro travels to Caracas to meet Delcy Rodríguez following failed Cúcuta summit](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/24/petro-travels-to-caracas-to-meet-delcy-rodriguez-following-failed-cucuta-summit?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Colombian President Gustavo Petro will meet at midday on Friday in Caracas with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, in what marks the first official meeting between a head of state and the Venezuelan leader since she took office on January 5, following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro in a US military operation on January 3 of this year. - [LATAM and Aerolíneas Argentinas aircraft collide on the ground at Santiago airport with no injuries reported](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/23/latam-and-aerolineas-argentinas-aircraft-collide-on-the-ground-at-santiago-airport-with-no-injuries-reported?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Two commercial aircraft collided on the ground at Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport on Wednesday evening in an incident that left no injuries but forced the rescheduling of both affected flights. The collision occurred at around 8:00 p.m. local time, when a LATAM Airlines Airbus A321 struck a stationary Aerolíneas Argentinas Boeing 737 that was holding on the apron awaiting clearance for take-off. - [IPO Activity Dipped in Q1, But Don’t Call It a Downturn](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/ipo-activity-dipped-q1-dont-call-it-downturn): Given the ongoing Iran conflict and other disruptions in the first quarter, it’s no wonder IPO activity got off to a slow start in 2026. Still, since the dips in the IPO Pulses fall well short of signaling a downturn in IPO activity. - [Latin America's largest investment bank targets Uruguay as regional hub after acquiring local HSBC unit](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/23/latin-america-s-largest-investment-bank-targets-uruguay-as-regional-hub-after-acquiring-local-hsbc-unit?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Brazilian group BTG Pactual, Latin America’s largest investment bank, is awaiting authorisation from Uruguay’s Central Bank (BCU) to begin operating in the local financial market following its $175 million acquisition of HSBC Uruguay, agreed in July 2025. Group executives expect regulatory approval to come through by mid-year, allowing them to begin operations gradually in the second half of 2026. - [Peru's electoral authority chief resigns as runoff still undecided ten days after first round](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/22/peru-s-electoral-authority-chief-resigns-as-runoff-still-undecided-ten-days-after-first-round?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Piero Corvetto resigned as head of Peru’s National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) on Tuesday, ten days after the April 12 first-round presidential vote, amid judicial investigations and an institutional credibility crisis deepened by the logistical failures recorded during the election. The National Justice Board (JNJ) accepted the resignation unanimously. - [Milei drops to 14th among Latin American Presidents, ranks among region's five worst-rated](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/22/milei-drops-to-14th-among-latin-american-presidents-ranks-among-region-s-five-worst-rated?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Argentine President Javier Milei fell to 14th place out of 18 leaders in the regional approval ranking for April 2026, consolidating his entry into the group of six worst-rated heads of state in Latin America. The survey, carried out by polling firm CB Global Data, registered a 36.2% positive image and a 59.7% negative reading, a 23.5-point gap that represents the widest imbalance since the start of his administration. - [Lemon busca cerrar el año con dos millones de usuarios locales en el Perú: ¿Qué nuevos lanzamientos alista la billetera digital?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/lemon-busca-cerrar-el-ano-con-dos-millones-de-usuarios-locales-en-el-peru-que-nuevos-lanzamientos-alista-la-billetera-digital-noticia/): El alza del petróleo eleva precios de plásticos y fertilizantes, ¿cómo impacta al Perú? Esto dijo Julio Velarde MEF modifica reglamento de la Reforma del Sistema de Pensiones: elimina aportes obligatorios de los trabajadores independientes Lemon continúa creciendo en el mercado peruano: en marzo la billetera digital cripto superó el millón de usuarios registrados en nuestro país, un hito alineado con las expectativas de la firma, y para el cierre de este 2026 la compañía apunta a alcanzar, incluso, hasta 2 millones de usuarios registrados a nivel local, según comenta a Día1 Maximiliano Raimondi, CFO de la fintech cripto. “Perú viene […] - [Cuba confirms meeting with US representatives in Havana, insists on lifting energy blockade](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/20/cuba-confirms-meeting-with-us-representatives-in-havana-insists-on-lifting-energy-blockade?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Cuba’s government on Monday confirmed that a meeting with US representatives recently took place on the island, in the latest sign of a diplomatic approach between both countries amid a severe energy crisis caused by Washington’s blockade of oil supplies. - [Irregular Venezuelans in Chile want to leave but can't: no papers, no consulate, no return mechanism](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/20/irregular-venezuelans-in-chile-want-to-leave-but-can-t-no-papers-no-consulate-no-return-mechanism?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): As President José Antonio Kast’s government ramps up its campaign against irregular immigration with deportation flights and promises of mass expulsions, thousands of undocumented Venezuelans in Chile face a paradox: they want to leave but cannot do so legally. Without valid passports, without Venezuelan consular services in the country and without a formal voluntary return mechanism, they are trapped between a government that does not want them and a homeland they cannot reach. - [Bolivia runoff consolidates fragmentation: ruling party keeps two regions, opposition governs the rest](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/20/bolivia-runoff-consolidates-fragmentation-ruling-party-keeps-two-regions-opposition-governs-the-rest?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Voters in five Bolivian departments went to the polls on Sunday to complete the regional elections that began on March 22, in a runoff that consolidated a fragmented political map: President Rodrigo Paz’s Patria coalition retained just two of nine governorships, while seven went to different opposition forces. - [Peru elections: Sanchez rules out expropriations, seeks to calm markets as he secures second place](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/19/peru-elections-sanchez-rules-out-expropriations-seeks-to-calm-markets-as-he-secures-second-place?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Left-wing presidential candidate Roberto Sánchez, who with 93.48% of ballots counted holds second place in Peru’s election and is headed for a June 7 runoff against Keiko Fujimori, ruled out expropriations as part of his governing program and accused economic elites of spreading “financial panic” around his candidacy. - [Inca Rail informa sobre el inicio de transferencia del 80% de sus acciones a RBB Andes Holding Limited](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/inca-rail-informa-sobre-el-inicio-de-transferencia-del-80-de-sus-acciones-a-rbb-andes-holding-limited-noticia/): Trabajadores independientes no estarán obligados a aportar para su jubilación: ¿retrocede la reforma del Sistema de Pensiones? El petróleo de Texas cae 9% tras el anuncio de Irán sobre la reapertura del Estrecho de Ormuz La empresa Inca Rail informó que se encuentra en proceso de transferencia el 80% de su capital social, perteneciente a su accionista Track Investment Holding Limited, cuyo controlador es Carlyle Perú Fund L.P. Esto fue señalado a través de un hecho de importancia presentado a la Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (SMV) este viernes. Como se recuerda, en noviembre Inca Rail indicó que Track Investment Holding […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: April 17, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-april-17-2026): The U.S.-Iran peace deal odds are improving and Q1 earnings are off to a strong start. - [Steak and seafood chain 801 Restaurant Group files for bankruptcy after closing Denver, Minneapolis spots](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/steak-seafood-chain-801-restaurant-group-files-bankruptcy-after-closing-denver-minneapolis-spots): <!–> ‘The Big Money Show’ panel discusses why small businesses are struggling. A Kansas-based restaurant group with several steak and seafood locations in Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado, Virginia, Nebraska and Iowa, has filed for bankruptcy. 801 Restaurant Group LLC filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last Friday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Kansas, the company confirmed to Fox Business. 801 Restaurant Group owns several companies that operate restaurants as 801 Chophouse, 801 Fish, or 801 Local. “The companies that own and operate the restaurants are not in bankruptcy and there are no plans or need for them to file bankruptcy,” 810 Restaurant […] - [Chile launches deportation flights under Kast with 40 migrants expelled to Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/17/chile-launches-deportation-flights-under-kast-with-40-migrants-expelled-to-bolivia-ecuador-and-colombia?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The government of Chilean President José Antonio Kast carried out its first deportation flight of irregular migrants on Thursday, expelling 40 people on a Chilean Air Force (FACh) Boeing 737 that made stops in Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia. The 19 Colombians, the last group to disembark, arrived in Bogotá shortly after 8:00 p.m. local time. The 17 Bolivians and four Ecuadorians were dropped off previously in La Paz and Guayaquil, respectively. Each deportee traveled accompanied by an officer from Chile’s Investigative Police (PDI). - [El Jockey Club retoma crecimiento tras una década de caída y apunta a expandirse con eventos y nuevas audiencias: esta es su nueva carrera](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/jockey-club-retoma-crecimiento-tras-una-decada-de-caida-y-apunta-a-expandirse-con-eventos-y-nuevas-audiencias-noticia/): “Cuando el panorama es incierto, sea por la política o por tensión internacional, la empresa espera” Certeza en medio de la incertidumbre: esto esperan los gremios empresariales del próximo gobierno, ¿qué riesgos observan? Jockey Club del Perú, que este año cumple 80 años de fundación, facturó ingresos anuales superiores a S/ 100 millones el 2025, con una estructura en la que la actividad hípica concentra cerca del 60% del negocio, mientras que el alquiler de espacios y derechos de superficie aporta alrededor del 24% y la actividad social, el 16%. “Las tres unidades de negocio han crecido. Ha habido un incremento […] - [Retail Traders Retreat Amid Iran Conflict](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/retail-traders-retreat-amid-iran-conflict): In the past few weeks, as the conflict in Iran started, data shows retail trading has fallen significantly. Interestingly, so did the price of gold. - [Rural vote upends Peru count: leftist Sanchez overtakes Lopez Aliaga and advances to runoff](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/15/rural-vote-upends-peru-count-leftist-sanchez-overtakes-lopez-aliaga-and-advances-to-runoff?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The count in Peru’s presidential election produced a dramatic reversal on Wednesday. With 91% of ballots processed by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), leftist Roberto Sánchez (Juntos por el Perú) surged from sixth to second place, displacing ultraconservative Rafael López Aliaga (Renovación Popular) and positioning himself for the June 7 runoff against Keiko Fujimori (Fuerza Popular), who holds first place with 16.99% of the vote. - [Fe y turismo: el motor económico del feriado largo, ¿a dónde viajan los peruanos y cuánto pagarán?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/fe-y-turismo-el-motor-economico-del-feriado-largo-semana-santa-ccl-ayacucho-otuzco-cusco-noticia/): Semana Santa impulsará el consumo de pescado: sepa por qué el gasto por familia llegará a S/150 y precios subirían en la campaña Feriados de Semana Santa 2026: conoce cuánto te deben pagar si trabajas el 2 y 3 de abril Con un Fenómeno de El Niño débil, los negocios vinculados al turismo pueden respirar con tranquilidad durante el feriado largo por Semana Santa, periodo en el que se movilizarán cerca de 1,9 millones de personas y se generará un impacto económico de S/906 millones. De acuerdo con cifras de la Cámara de Comercio de Lima (CCL), este dinamismo será 10% […] - [Estados Unidos impone 50% de aranceles a manufacturas de cobre: así impactará a nuestras exportaciones](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/estados-unidos-impone-50-de-aranceles-a-manufacturas-de-cobre-asi-afectara-a-nuestras-exportaciones-noticia/): Petro-Perú cerró el 2025 con pérdidas millonarias, pero federación de trabajadores exige el pago de utilidades El cobre alcanza su nivel más alto en tres semanas tras optimismo generado por el alto al fuego en Irán El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, anunció la imposición de aranceles de hasta 50% a las importaciones de acero, aluminio y cobre, medida que entró en vigencia hoy. Según gremios como la Cámara de Comercio de Lima (CCL), las exportaciones peruanas con mayor valor agregado serían las más afectadas. De acuerdo con el gremio, la proclama presidencial actualiza el tratamiento arancelario de estos productos, […] - [Líneas 3 y 4 del Metro de Lima movilizarán más de un millón de pasajeros al día: ¿cómo se financiarán?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/lineas-3-y-4-del-metro-de-lima-movilizaran-mas-de-un-millon-de-pasajeros-al-dia-como-se-financiaran-noticia/): Tipo de cambio retrocede en la previa a las elecciones, mientras el mercado anticipa mayor volatilidad, ¿qué pasará con el dólar? BTS en el Estadio San Marcos: ¿qué impacto tendrá su concierto? Todo sobre las entradas y el movimiento económico que genera el K-pop Las Líneas 3 y 4 del Metro de Lima se posicionan entre los proyectos más relevantes del Sistema Integrado de Transporte, al tener el potencial de movilizar a más de 1,3 millones de pasajeros diarios en su primera etapa. Sin embargo, en marzo ambas iniciativas fueron retiradas del Plan Nacional de Infraestructura, una decisión que sembró incertidumbre […] - [Estos son los cinco proyectos en trámite en el Congreso que concentran los mayores riesgos fiscales, ¿de qué tratan?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/cinco-proyectos-en-tramite-en-el-congreso-concentran-los-mayores-riesgos-fiscales-noticia/): Tipo de cambio retrocede en la previa a las elecciones, mientras el mercado anticipa mayor volatilidad, ¿qué pasará con el dólar? Petróleo vuelve a estar por encima de los US$100: ¿qué tan sostenible es este aumento? En las últimas tres sesiones del pleno, el Congreso de la República aprobó un conjunto de normas con impacto fiscal significativo y mantuvo en trámite nuevas iniciativas que podrían incrementar el gasto público o reducir los ingresos del Estado. El Consejo Fiscal advirtió que se aprobaron 11 leyes y autógrafas que generan obligaciones de gasto permanente. Según el organismo, estas medidas implicaron un costo anual […] - [Tax refunds are bigger than ever this year, but residents of 5 states are cashing in the most](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/tax-refunds-bigger-than-ever-year-residents-5-states-cashing-most): <!–> Lisa Greene-Lewis, CPA and TurboTax expert, offers some last minute tips for taxpayers filing their 2025 tax returns ahead of the midnight deadline on Tax Day. Americans are facing a midnight deadline to file their 2025 tax return, but the refunds that await the majority of taxpayers are larger on average than a year ago – with taxpayers in certain states receiving higher refunds, according to a new report. An analysis by Upgraded Points of how refund amounts have changed across geographic areas and income levels finds that the estimated average refund for 2026 is $3,571, with 72.9% of taxpayers […] - [Indeco by Nexans: “La demanda de cobre está subiendo, y en el mundo no se están abriendo nuevas minas que puedan cubrir esa demanda”](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/indeco-by-nexans-la-demanda-de-cobre-esta-subiendo-y-en-el-mundo-no-se-estan-abriendo-nuevas-minas-que-puedan-cubrir-esa-demanda-noticia/): Estados Unidos impone aranceles de hasta 50% a manufacturas de cobre peruano Banco Mundial eleva proyección de crecimiento para Perú este 2026, tomando distancia de las expectativas del MEF y BCR Indeco cumple tres cuartos de siglo convirtiendo el cobre producido en el Perú en productos de mayor valor agregado, como el alambrón y los cables eléctricos, de uso intensivo en casas, edificios, industrias, minas y proyectos de energía e infraestructura. En ese lapso, la empresa ha pasado por manos peruanas, estadounidenses, chilenas y, desde el 2008, por manos francesas, a raíz de su adquisición por Nexans, segundo mayor fabricante global […] - [Aeropuerto Jorge Chávez alista expansión comercial: nuevas tiendas, marcas y restaurantes](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/aeropuerto-jorge-chavez-alista-expansion-comercial-con-nuevas-aperturas-en-el-primer-semestre-noticia/): Fertilizantes en alza: costos presionan al agro y obligan a las empresas a ajustar estrategias en el campo, ¿a qué cultivos impacta? Fe y turismo: el motor económico del feriado largo, ¿a dónde viajan los peruanos y cuánto pagarán? El nuevo aeropuerto Jorge Chávez no solo mejora las condiciones para recibir un mayor flujo de turistas, sino que también apunta a posicionarse en la experiencia del pasajero. En línea con este objetivo, diez empresas tienen prevista la apertura de locales hasta junio de este año, para impulsar la expansión comercial del terminal. Durante marzo, Rumbo Perú inauguró su segundo módulo en […] - [Peru reaches 72% of vote count with Fujimori ahead and second place disputed among three candidates](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/14/peru-reaches-72-of-vote-count-with-fujimori-ahead-and-second-place-disputed-among-three-candidates?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The count in Peru’s presidential election is advancing slowly and without resolution. With 72% of ballots processed by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) early Tuesday morning, Keiko Fujimori (Fuerza Popular) holds first place with 16.94% of the vote. Second place, which grants entry to the June 7 runoff, remains open: Rafael López Aliaga (Renovación Popular) stands at 13.0%, Jorge Nieto (Buen Gobierno) at 12.0% and leftist Roberto Sánchez (Juntos por el Perú) at 9.73%, with the gap narrowing as ballots from the country’s interior are added. - [Peru extends voting to Monday as Fujimori and Lopez Aliaga emerge as runoff contenders](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/13/peru-extends-voting-to-monday-as-fujimori-and-lopez-aliaga-emerge-as-runoff-contenders?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Peru will hold an unprecedented supplementary voting day on Monday: more than 52,000 citizens unable to cast ballots on Sunday due to logistical failures will vote at 187 polling stations in Lima and in the overseas jurisdictions of Orlando, Florida, and Paterson, New Jersey. The National Elections Jury (JNE) authorized the extension and urged polling firms to suspend the release of surveys to avoid influencing remaining voters. - [Peru closes a troubled election day and begins a lengthy count with outcome uncertain](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/12/peru-closes-a-troubled-election-day-and-begins-a-lengthy-count-with-outcome-uncertain?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): More than 10,000 polling centers closed in Peru on Sunday after a ten-hour voting day disrupted by logistical failures that forced authorities to extend the schedule by one hour, to 6:00 p.m. local time. The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) reported that 99.8% of polling stations were installed, but 15 voting centers in Lima — containing 211 stations — could not be set up, leaving 63,300 voters unable to cast ballots. - [El próximo gobierno recibirá una economía en crecimiento](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/el-proximo-gobierno-recibira-una-economia-en-crecimiento-ipe-noticia/): El próximo gobierno deberá preservar y fortalecer los pilares que han sostenido la economía en las últimas décadas, al mismo tiempo que avanza en las reformas pendientes. Ello bajo un contexto económico significativamente favorable. Sin embargo, algunos de los partidos que lideran las encuestas presentan propuestas que debilitarían el desarrollo económico, afectando los referidos pilares. —Contexto favorable— La nueva administración recibirá una economía que atraviesa un dinamismo importante. Durante el 2025, la inversión privada se consolidó como uno de los principales motores de crecimiento, al registrar una expansión de dos dígitos por primera vez en 14 años, excluyendo el rebote pospandemia. […] - [Tipo de cambio se corrige en abril: ¿qué factores explican el giro?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/tipo-de-cambio-se-corrige-en-abril-que-factores-explican-el-giro-bcr-medio-oriente-noticia/): Tipo de cambio: dólar cerró este viernes 10 de abril en S/3,3950 Wall Street registra ganancias semanales del 3% tras el alto el fuego entre Estados Unidos e Irán En lo que va del año, el tipo de cambio ha mostrado una tendencia mixta, con periodos de retrocesos y semanas al alza que, según el Banco Central de Reserva, han estado determinados por la evolución de la economía internacional. Según Adrián Armas, gerente central de Estudios Económicos del Banco Central de Reserva (BCR), hasta febrero se observaba una apreciación de las monedas emergentes, incluyendo el sol peruano, frente a la divisa […] - [These 8 US housing markets favor buyers](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/8-us-housing-markets-favor-buyers): <!–>  Financial influencer Taylor Price joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to break down how shifting your mindset can help Americans grow wealth and achieve the American Dream. The climate of the U.S. housing market for buyers varies around the country, and a new report suggests there are currently only eight metro areas that are truly buyer’s markets. The economist research team at Realtor.com released a diagnostic tool called the Market Clock that tracks the housing market at the national and metro level based on months of supply, time on market, price changes and list-to-sale ratio to reflect local conditions. It tracks the […] - [Tokens: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once?](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/tokens-everything-everywhere-all-once): As the world talks more about “modernizing” financial market infrastructure, Nasdaq’s new white paper estimates that 52% of institutions expect to be using tokenized collateral by the end of 2026. It seems that everything can be a token, and they can be everywhere, all at once. - [Chilean Air Force conducts first-ever aerial refueling of US F-35 fighters](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/09/chilean-air-force-conducts-first-ever-aerial-refueling-of-us-f-35-fighters?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The Chilean Air Force (FACh) completed for the first time an aerial refueling operation involving two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters, in a milestone that demonstrates growing interoperability between the two countries and the level of modernization achieved by Chile’s military aviation. - [Mortgage rates fall after US-Iran ceasefire](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/mortgage-rates-april-9-2026): Arrives Weekly Get Our Newsletter Get a brief on the top business stories of the week, plus CEO interviews, market updates, tech and money news that matters to you. We've added you to our mailing list. By clicking subscribe, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. - [Dólar baja a S/3,38 y el petróleo cotiza por debajo de los US$95 tras tregua temporal entre EE.UU. e Irán: ¿Se mantendrá la volatilidad?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dolar-baja-a-s338-y-el-petroleo-cotiza-por-debajo-de-los-us95-tras-tregua-temporal-entre-eeuu-e-iran-se-mantendra-la-volatilidad-noticia/): El Brent cae el 16%, la mayor caída diaria desde la pandemia y la segunda mayor en 35 año Irán interrumpe el tránsito de petroleros por el estrecho de Ormuz por ataques de Israel al Líbano El dólar cerró a la baja este miércoles, situándose en S/3,38, de acuerdo con el Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BCR). Además, el tipo de cambio se ubicó por debajo del umbral de los S/3,40 desde el 2 de marzo, cuando cotizó en S/3,36. Ricardo Avila, Manager de Estudios Económicos de Scotiabank Perú, añadió que este miércoles el indicador global del dólar (DXY) disminuyó […] - [US economy grew at 0.5% in fourth quarter](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-economy-q4-2025-final): <!–> The Acquirers Funds founder and managing director Tobias Carlisle discusses retail sales on Making Money. This story about the fourth-quarter GDP report is developing and will be updated with more details. The U.S. economy grew at a slightly slower pace than expected in the fourth quarter, according to the Commerce Department’s estimate. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on Thursday released its final reading of fourth-quarter GDP, which showed the economy grew at an annualized rate of 0.5% in the three-month period including October, November and December.  Shipping containers are organized at the Houston Port of Authority on Feb. 10, 2025 in […] - [Fed's favored inflation gauge remained elevated in February, delayed report shows](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/february-2026-pce-inflation): <!–> Forbes Media chairman and editor-in-chief Steve Forbes and chief economist for the Heritage Foundation EJ Antoni discuss new data showing U.S. economic resilience, market volatility due to geopolitical events and Federal Reserve policy on ‘Kudlow.’ This story about the February 2026 PCE inflation is developing and will be updated with more details. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge remained stubbornly high in February as consumers continued to face elevated price growth. The Commerce Department on Thursday reported that the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 0.4% on a monthly basis in February and is up 2.8% from a year ago. Both figures […] - [5 common mistakes that could be costing American taxpayers thousands of dollars every year](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/5-common-mistakes-could-costing-american-taxpayers-thousands-dollars-every-year): <!–>  Financial influencer Taylor Price joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to break down how shifting your mindset can help Americans grow wealth and achieve the American Dream. Tax season is closing in on the April 15 deadline to file your return or request an extension and a new report details some common mistakes that Americans are making throughout the year that are costing them money. A report by GOBankingRates broke down five tax mistakes that could cost American taxpayers thousands of dollars every year. Those common mistakes range from not claiming deductions that were available to the taxpayer or failing to track […] - [Franquicias moverán US$1.600 millones en 2026 por expansión de marcas locales y nuevos formatos, según la CCL](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/franquicias-moveran-us1600-millones-en-2026-por-expansion-de-marcas-locales-y-nuevos-formatos-segun-la-ccl-l-ultimas-noticia/): BTS: Indecopi fiscaliza venta de entradas para concierto en el Estadio San Marcos Petro-Perú compra casi medio millón de barriles de crudo de la reserva de emergencia de Estados Unidos El mercado de franquicias en el Perú mantiene un sólido proceso de recuperación y espera que la facturación alcance los US$1.600 millones en 2026, representando un crecimiento de 8 %, respecto al año anterior, lo que permitiría recuperar niveles prepandemia, proyectó Juan Lazarte, presidente del Sector Franquicias de la Cámara de Comercio de Lima (CCL). LEE TAMBIÉN: BTS: Anuncian tercera fecha para su concierto en Lima “El crecimiento se sustenta en […] - [“Has anyone talked about democracy? No”: OEI secretary criticizes Trump's oil-driven approach to Venezuela](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/07/has-anyone-talked-about-democracy-no-oei-secretary-criticizes-trump-s-oil-driven-approach-to-venezuela?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The secretary general of the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI), Mariano Jabonero, said that US President Donald Trump’s primary interest in Venezuela is energy-related and has nothing to do with promoting democratic values or civilization. - [Parque Arauco, dueño de Larcomar, Megaplaza, Minka y otros ‘malls’: “Estamos apostando por desarrollar más proyectos de usos mixtos”](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/parque-arauco-dueno-de-larcomar-megaplaza-minka-y-otros-malls-estamos-apostando-por-desarrollar-mas-proyectos-de-usos-mixtos-noticia/): El precio del petróleo sube a los 100,11 dólares por temor a una guerra prolongada en Irán La gasolina en EE.UU. alcanza los 4 dólares por galón, su precio más alto desde 2022 Este año ha arrancado con buen pie para Parque Arauco, operadora de centros comerciales como Larcomar y Megaplaza Independencia. Luego del anuncio de su nuevo proyecto multifamily, la compañía no descarta evaluar más iniciativas tanto en malls como en locales puerta a calle, y apostará también por proyectos de usos mixtos. Alejandro Camino, gerente general de la firma en Perú, nos detalla la estrategia de crecimiento en adelante, […] - [Fertilizantes en alza: costos presionan al agro y obligan a las empresas a ajustar estrategias en el campo, ¿a qué cultivos impacta?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/fertilizantes-en-alza-costos-presionan-al-agro-y-obligan-a-las-empresas-a-ajustar-estrategias-en-el-campo-agap-adas-adex-noticia/): El alza del petróleo eleva precios de plásticos y fertilizantes, ¿cómo impacta al Perú? Esto dijo Julio Velarde Midagri: agroexportaciones crecieron en 14 regiones y la sierra lideró el avance en enero de 2026 En el 2022, a raíz de la guerra entre Rusia y Ucrania, el precio de la urea —el principal fertilizante utilizado en el Perú— llegó a triplicarse debido a la escasez global. Cuatro años después, la incertidumbre vuelve a instalarse en la agroindustria ante el temor de que el conflicto en el Medio Oriente marque el inicio de un escenario similar en el mercado de fertilizantes. Y […] - [British ambassador calls Bolivia's Falklands/Malvinas support for Argentina “unacceptable”](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/04/british-ambassador-calls-bolivia-s-falklands-malvinas-support-for-argentina-unacceptable?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Argentina on Friday thanked Bolivia for its support on the Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty claim and called “unfortunate” the remarks by the British ambassador in La Paz, Richard Porter, who branded the Bolivian position “deeply disappointing and unacceptable.” - [US economy added 178,000 jobs in March, well above expectations](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-jobs-report-march-2026): <!–> Goldman Sachs Investment Strategy Group head of tactical asset allocation Brett Nelson analyzes market sell-off, inflation, A.I. disruption, and private credit worries on The Claman Countdown. This story about the March 2026 jobs report is developing and will be updated with more details. The U.S. economy added jobs in March as the labor market rebounded after it unexpectedly shed jobs a month ago. What are the key findings of the March 2026 jobs report? The Labor Department on Friday reported that employers added 178,000 jobs in March. That figure was well above the expectations of economists polled by LSEG, who predicted […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: April 2, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-april-2-2026): Once again, developments in the Iran conflict moved markets this week — overshadowing most macro news. - [Para el 41% de peruanos las próximas elecciones definirán el futuro de su economía familiar, ¿por qué?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/para-el-41-de-peruanos-las-proximas-elecciones-definiran-el-futuro-de-su-economia-familiar-por-que-noticia/): El precio del petróleo sube a los 100,11 dólares por temor a una guerra prolongada en Irán La gasolina en EE.UU. alcanza los 4 dólares por galón, su precio más alto desde 2022 En medio de una coyuntura internacional convulsa y ad portas de las elecciones presidenciales en el Perú, es útil observar cómo perciben los peruanos la situación económica del país y su economía familiar. En base al estudio Percepción Económica y Familiar, elaborado por la consultora Impronta Research en marzo, encontramos que en los últimos 6 meses, si bien un 23% de los encuestados percibió una mejora en la […] - [A Nashville suburb is becoming a manufacturing hub, and its housing market is getting a boost](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/nashville-suburb-becoming-manufacturing-hub-its-housing-market-getting-boost): <!–> Circle Squared Alternative Investments founder Jeff Sica joins Varney & Co. to explain the effect of high oil and gas prices on the housing market. A suburb near Nashville, Tennessee, is in the midst of a boom amid an influx of higher-paying tech and trade jobs. A report by Realtor.com found that Clarksville, located about 45 minutes outside of Nashville, is drawing in residents in part because of several manufacturing firms setting up shop in the area and lower housing prices. The median listing price for a house in Clarksville is $357,950, whereas the median list price in Nashville is $527,225 – […] - [March 2026 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/march-2026-review-and-outlook): March marked a sharp inflection point for global markets, as geopolitical risk abruptly displaced economic resilience as the dominant driver of asset prices. - [Private sector added 62,000 jobs in March, above expectations, ADP says](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/private-sector-added-62000-jobs-march-above-expectations-adp-says): <!–> Wells Fargo Chairman and CEO Charlie Scharf discusses the resilient U.S. economy amid geopolitical risks and market volatility on ‘Mornings with Maria.’ Companies in the private sector added 62,000 jobs in March, payroll processing firm ADP said Wednesday. The figure is above economists’ estimates of a gain of 40,000 jobs. The prior month’s payrolls number was revised higher to a gain of 66,000 from an initially reported gain of 63,000. “Overall hiring is steady, but job growth continues to favor certain industries, including health care,” said ADP chief economist Nela Richardson. “In March, this solid performance was accompanied by a […] - [Bolivia: probe into ring that stole and adulterated fuel imported through Chilean ports](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/04/01/bolivia-probe-into-ring-that-stole-and-adulterated-fuel-imported-through-chilean-ports?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz on Tuesday denounced the existence of an international ring dedicated to stealing and adulterating gasoline and diesel imported into the country, with operations detected in Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay. According to the president, the scheme originated under the previous management of Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB), the state-owned fuel supply company. - [Regulatory Roundup: Unregistered Investment Advice](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/fintech/regulatory-roundup-march-2026): Read Tony Sio’s analysis on unregistered investment advice, global capital markets regulatory updates, enforcement actions and market integrity developments. - [Einstein Bagels cream cheese spread recalled over almonds that could cause life-threatening allergic reaction](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/einstein-bagels-cream-cheese-spread-recalled-over-almonds-could-cause-life-threatening-allergic-reaction): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Nearly 150 cases of an Einstein Bros. Bagels’ cream cheese flavor have been recalled over the potential presence of undeclared almonds that could pose a life-threatening allergic reaction risk for people with almond allergies. Wisconsin-based Schreiber Foods issued a voluntary recall last week of cases of Einstein’s Honey Almond Cream Cheese Spread that were mistakenly identified on the cup as Plain, according to the Food and Drug Administration. “People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product,” the FDA […] - [IATA alerta que impacto de la guerra presiona precios de los vuelos: golpe a la conectividad y combustible para aviones más caro](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/iata-gremio-de-aerolineas-sobre-efectos-del-alza-del-petroleo-no-hemos-llegado-a-una-situacion-critica-todavia-pero-tenemos-que-estar-vigilantes-noticia/): En medio de un contexto volátil, El Comercio conversó con Peter Cerdá, Vicepresidente Regional para las Américas de la Asociación Internacional de Transporte Aéreo (IATA), quien analiza los efectos de la guerra en la industria aérea a nivel global y cómo repercute esta situación en este lado del mundo. Sostiene que se está dando una reducción de la conectividad y un importante alza del combustible para aviones. “Sería prematuro dar las alarmas de que estamos en una situación crítica. Estamos en una situación preocupante, pero las aerolíneas hemos vivido crisis en el pasado”, anota. Así también, Cerdá reflexiona sobre la industria […] - [Air Canada CEO announces his retirement 1 week after deadly crash](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/air-canada-ceo-announces-his-retirement-1-week-after-deadly-crash): <!–> The jet had a fatal collision with an emergency vehicle overnight and is currently being mined for evidence in the investigation. Air Canada said Monday that President and CEO Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026, capping nearly two decades with the company. The announcement comes the same month as a fatal crash involving an Air Canada Jazz flight from Montreal at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. In its statement, Air Canada framed the move as part of a long-running succession process, saying internal development work had been underway for more than two years and […] - [US allows Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba in easing of energy blockade](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/03/30/us-allows-russian-oil-tanker-to-reach-cuba-in-easing-of-energy-blockade?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The United States authorized the passage of a Russian oil tanker loaded with crude bound for Cuba, in the first easing of the de facto energy blockade Washington has imposed on the island since the start of the year, The New York Times reported, citing a U.S. official. - [Ticketmaster Perú sobre la llegada de BTS al estadio San Marcos: “Es un hito y esperamos un ‘sold out’ en tiempo récord”](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/ticketmaster-peru-sobre-la-llegada-de-bts-al-estadio-san-marcos-la-venta-sera-segura-transparente-y-esperamos-un-sold-out-en-tiempo-record-conciertos-en-lima-bts-en-lima-noticia/): BTS en el Estadio San Marcos: ¿qué impacto tendrá su concierto? Todo sobre las entradas y el movimiento económico que genera el K-pop Embajador de Corea del Sur: “Perú es el país latinoamericano que más respalda la cultura coreana” La cuenta regresiva ya empezó. En octubre, el Perú será escenario de uno de los fenómenos musicales más grandes del mundo. BTS llegará a Lima con dos fechas que prometen hacer historia. La emoción ya se siente entre miles de fans —el llamado Amry— que ahora se preparan para la batalla más intensa: conseguir una entrada. Con precios que van desde tribunas […] - [Consumer sentiment improves for first time in six months](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-improves-for-first-time-in-six-months-5abff86e?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [How Immigrants and Labor, Long Joined in L.A., Set the Stage for Protest](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/business/economy/la-protests-immigrants-unions.html): Unions have backed immigrant rights in California and have been on the forefront of resisting the Trump administration’s deportations. Los Angeles is a city of immigrants. It is also a city of unions. And in California, those two constituencies have essentially melded into one. So it should come as no surprise that federal immigration raids on workplaces around Los Angeles County this week set off the largest protests to date against President Trump’s immigration crackdown. On the first day of the protests, David Huerta, the president of the California chapter of the Service Employees International Union and the grandson of Mexican […] - [Trump Hails Progress With China, but Details Are Sketchy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/business/economy/us-china-trade-deal.html): Two days of trade talks resulted in what leaders called a framework agreement meant to solidify terms of a truce that the superpowers reached in Geneva last month. President Trump said Wednesday that the United States and China had struck a deal to roll back some of the punitive measures they had taken against each other’s economies in recent months, including his administration’s recently proposed restrictions on Chinese students attending U.S. universities. The agreement followed two days of marathon negotiations in London, and will return the countries to the terms of a trade truce they had reached in May, following weeks […] - [Israel Deports Greta Thunberg and Other Activists on Gaza Aid Boat](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/world/middleeast/israel-greta-thunberg-deport-gaza-flotilla.html): The environmental campaigner was sent home after she and others on the intercepted vessel said they were trying to deliver food and medical supplies. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it would deport four activists who were detained aboard an aid ship bound for Gaza, including the environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg.Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday deported the environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg and another activist who had been detained aboard an aid boat bound for Gaza. Ms. Thunberg and another passenger were flown out of Ben-Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv, and two more activists were expected […] - [As Trump’s Tariffs Reshape Trade, Businesses Struggle With Economic Uncertainty](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/business/economy/trump-tariffs-economy-uncertainty.html): At the worst point of the labor shortage that emerged in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdowns, Thunderdome Restaurant Group had 100 people sign up for a job interview and only 15 show up. Of the two workers it hired, one never came in. The job market has cooled significantly since then, and Joe Lanni, who runs the Cincinnati-based company with his brother, now faces a different dilemma: how to grow the business, which has over 50 locations, while controlling costs as concerns about the economy spread. So they’re rethinking menu items like freshly made tortillas that require a dedicated full-time […] - [Why Trump Is Trying to Send Deportees to South Sudan](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010202665/why-trump-is-trying-to-send-deportees-to-south-sudan.html): new video loaded: Why Trump Is Trying to Send Deportees to South Sudan Recent episodes in Latest Video Whether it’s reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, Times Video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. Whether it’s reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, Times Video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. - [Marina von Neumann Whitman Dead: International Trade Expert Was 90](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/business/economy/marina-von-neumann-whitman-dead.html): She was the first woman to serve on the White House Council of Economic Advisers. At General Motors, she became one of the highest-ranking women in corporate America. Marina von Neumann Whitman, an expert in international trade who in 1972 became the first woman to be appointed to the White House Council of Economic Advisers and who later was one of the few women to join the executive leadership at General Motors, died on May 20 in Concord, Mass. She was 90. Her son, Malcolm Whitman, said her death, in a hospital, was from complications of pneumonia. Dr. Whitman was just […] - [Imports Plummet in April as Trump’s Tariffs Weigh on Trade](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/business/economy/us-trade-data-deficit.html): Americans bought fewer pharmaceuticals, cellphones and cars from other countries, and cut purchases of foreign machinery and other supplies. U.S. imports of foreign made goods fell sharply in April compared with the previous month, as tariffs clamped down on global trade. Much of the 16.3 percent drop from March, however, reflected the fact that importers rushed to bring many goods into the United States at the beginning of the year to get ahead of tariffs ordered by President Trump. That resulted in a record surge in imports and in the trade deficit in the first three months of the year. U.S. […] - [Procter & Gamble slashing up to 7,000 jobs amid restructuring effort](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/procter-gamble-slashing-up-7000-jobs-amid-restructuring-effort): Waddell & Associates CEO and chief investment strategist David Waddell discusses the stock market’s reaction to President Donald Trump’s economic policy on ‘Making Money.’ Procter & Gamble on Thursday said that it will cut up to 7,000 jobs, or 15% of its non-manufacturing workforce, over the next two years as part of a broader restructuring effort. “As always, employee separations will be managed with support and respect, and in line with our principles and values and local laws,” P&G said. “Specific impacts by region or site are not available at this time.”  The two-year restructuring plan comes as consumer goods giants P&G and […] - [Proctor & Gamble slashing up to 7,000 jobs amid restructuring effort](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/proctor-gamble-slashing-up-7000-jobs-amid-restructuring-effort): Waddell & Associates CEO and chief investment strategist David Waddell discusses the stock market’s reaction to President Donald Trump’s economic policy on ‘Making Money.’ Proctor & Gamble said on Thursday that it will cut up to 7,000 jobs, or 15% of its non-manufacturing workforce, over the next two years as part of a broader restructuring effort. “As always, employee separations will be managed with support and respect, and in line with our principles and values and local laws,” P&G said. “Specific impacts by region or site are not available at this time.”  The two-year restructuring plan comes as consumer goods giants P&G and […] - [Suriname’s chaotic democracy just chose its first woman president](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/05/surinames-chaotic-democracy-just-chose-its-first-woman-president): His finger ink-stained from voting, Wagirin Tjokrosetiko, a 62-year-old driver of Javanese descent, has a simple reason for wanting a woman to run Suriname, a multi-ethnic former Dutch colony of under 700,000 people on the north-eastern shoulder of South America. “Male presidents only fill their pockets,” he says. - [Swimming-pool economics haunt Latin America](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/05/swimming-pool-economics-haunt-latin-america): TO SEE REALITY in the Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro, consider the drone’s-eye view (pictured). A razor-straight line divides lush gardens and smooth clay tennis courts from a mess of corrugated iron roofs in one of the city’s “villas miserias”. Santa Fe in Mexico City looks similar, the jewel-green of the golf club hemmed in by endless concrete boxes of the city’s strugglers. Rio de Janeiro’s favela of Rocinha sees makeshift dwellings spiral down the mountain, all but crashing into the turquoise swimming pools below. - [Mexico’s ruling party, Morena, has captured the judiciary](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/05/mexicos-ruling-party-morena-has-captured-the-judiciary): On the evening of June 1st, as polls closed, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed the historic vote to elect the country’s judiciary as “a complete success”. There are few measures whereby that could be said to be true. Turnout was a paltry 13%. Of the ballots that were cast, more than 20% were spoiled or left blank. But in one way the election was certainly a triumph: it has consolidated the grip of Morena, Ms Sheinbaum’s ruling party, over the third branch of government—and over Mexico as a whole. - [U.S. trade deficit cut in half in April on plunge in imports from Trump tariffs](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-trade-deficit-cut-in-half-in-april-on-plunge-in-imports-from-trump-tariffs-41aa8985?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Service side of the U.S. economy contracts for first time in almost a year due to trade fights](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/service-side-of-the-u-s-economy-contracts-for-first-time-in-almost-a-year-due-to-trade-fights-ff53818f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump’s Domestic Policy Bill Could Hurt Global Poor, Especially Africa](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/world/africa/trump-bill-remittance-tax-africa.html): After slashing foreign assistance and introducing steep tariffs, the Trump administration is proposing a new tax on remittances. African nations would be among the hardest hit. The Trump administration’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” could make the United States the most expensive of the Group of 7 countries from which to send money, dealing another blow to poor nations already reeling from recent aid cuts. As part of the bill, the U.S. government would take a cut of all remittances sent to foreign nations, a move that would hit millions of families worldwide who rely on money sent from loved ones working […] - [Dollar General stock soars on better-than-expected Q1 results, raised guidance](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-general-stock-soars-on-better-than-expected-q1-results-raised-guidance-327ff0da?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Consumer sentiment improves at the end of May following temporary trade truce with China](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-improves-at-the-end-of-may-following-temporary-trade-truce-with-china-549ab54c?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [How Skateboarders Helped Rebuild San Francisco’s U.N. Plaza](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/business/economy/san-francisco-skateboarding-un-plaza.html): Made quickly and with minimal fuss, a park for skateboarders revived a downtown site — and offered a few lessons for urban revitalization. Two years ago, United Nations Plaza was vying for the title of “Saddest Place in San Francisco.” A sunny brick promenade surrounded by government buildings, the plaza had become a trash-strewn dumping ground for the city’s most vexing problems. A typical weekday scene might have included a team of paramedics reviving a limp teenager overdosing on fentanyl, against a backdrop of merchants selling stolen cellphones and a fountain being repurposed as a toilet. For a city struggling to […] - [U.S. trade deficit in goods plummets in April, pointing to higher GDP in second quarter](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-trade-deficit-in-goods-plummets-in-april-pointing-to-higher-gdp-in-second-quarter-099c55f7?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Scottish business confidence rises in May](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-rises-35304883): Business confidence in Scotland rose 12 points during May to 52%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. While companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month – down four points at 57% – firms’ optimism in the economy rose 29 points to 48%. Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 52% (vs. 40% in April). Looking ahead to the next six months, Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering (56%), investing in their team (48%) and introducing new technology (36%). Construction firms’ confidence rose to […] - [Powell met with Trump at White House and stressed he would be non-political, Fed says](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/powell-met-with-trump-at-white-house-and-stressed-he-would-be-non-political-fed-says-3d95641a?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Venezuela’s sound of silence](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/29/venezuelas-sound-of-silence): Venezuelans are calling it the “ghost election”. On May 25th the regime of President Nicolás Maduro staged a vote to elect governors, mayors and National Assembly representatives. Turnout appeared pitiful. Polling stations were deserted. “Nothing will change with this farce,” says an octogenarian voter in the working-class district of Petare in the capital, Caracas, who cast a ballot only “out of habit”. - [Why Latin American Surrealism is surging in a down art market](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/29/why-latin-american-surrealism-is-surging-in-a-down-art-market): In 1956 the painter Diego Rivera stated that three of the world’s most important female artists lived in Mexico. (His wife, Frida Kahlo, had just died.) He was talking about European émigrée Surrealists: Remedios Varo of Spain, Leonora Carrington of England and Alice Rahon of France. - [Kohl’s stock climbs on Q1 revenue beat, reaffirmed outlook](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/kohls-stock-climbs-on-q1-revenue-beat-reaffirmed-outlook-e5baf4a7?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading effort to slash federal government](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/people/2025/05/elon-musk-criticizes-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-a-fracture-in-a-key-relationship/): Musk’s departure comes after he criticized the centerpiece of Trump’s legislative agenda, saying he was “disappointed” by the “big beautiful bill.” - [Best Buy’s stock drops after it cuts profit outlook on tariff impact](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/best-buys-stock-drops-after-it-cuts-profit-outlook-on-tariff-impact-ce97a764?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Nvidia shares rise on strong Q1 earnings, despite export control headwinds](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/nvidia-shares-rise-strong-q1-earnings-despite-export-control-headwinds): Making Money host Charles Payne discusses artificial intelligence and the next frontier for computing.  Tech giant Nvidia reported its first-quarter earnings on Wednesday, beating analysts’ expectations, though it projected second-quarter sales below estimates amid tightening export controls to China that cover some of its AI chips. Nvidia, a leader in the artificial intelligence (AI) space, saw shares rise 3% in after-hours trading following the announcement. The earnings report showed that first-quarter net income was up 26% from a year ago at nearly $19 billion, with revenue rising to $44 billion, up 69% from last year. The company’s revenue from data centers […] - [GameStop buys over $500M worth of bitcoin in 1st crypto investment](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/gamestop-buys-over-500m-worth-bitcoin-first-crypto-investment): Vertical Research Advisory managing partner Kip Herriage discusses GameStop adding Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset on ‘Making Money.’ GameStop is investing in bitcoin. On Wednesday, the video game retailer disclosed an acquisition of 4,710 bitcoin. It marks GameStop’s first time buying the cryptocurrency following the company revising its investment policy to include bitcoin as a “treasury reserve asset.”   A GameStop store in New York City on Monday, March 4, 2024. (Shelby Knowles/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images) The 4,710 bitcoin that GameStop bought had a value of $505 million as of Wednesday.  GAMESTOP TO CLOSE ‘SIGNIFICANT NUMBER’ OF STORES […] - [The king “loves” Canada. Many Albertans want out](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/28/the-king-loves-canada-many-albertans-want-out): “The true north is indeed strong and free.” If King Charles’s remarks on Canada’s sovereignty sounded familiar, that is because officials in Mark Carney’s new government wrote them. On May 27th the king delivered the throne speech in his capacity as head of state, opening parliament. Usually the job of Canada’s governor-general, the last monarch to do this job was his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in 1977. The king was drafted in to rally Canadians to Mark Carney’s banner (Mr Carney’s brother runs the household of Prince William, the king’s son and heir), as Canada’s new prime minister settles into his standoff […] - [Forbes demands action from UK Government after GDP falls](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/forbes-demands-action-uk-government-35299444): Scotland’s economy shrank in both February and March – although gross domestic product (GDP) as a whole increased over the first three months of 2025. Data published by the Scottish Government reveals GDP fell 0.2% in March, following a similar drop of 0.2% in February. The figures prompted Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes to demand “decisive action” from the UK Government, insisting Labour ministers need to “counter the damaging economic impacts of Brexit” and also reverse the recent hike in employer national insurance contributions. She said the Scottish Government has only “limited powers” over the economy. The data also shows that […] - [Macy’s stock rises as earnings, revenue beats offset a cut to profit outlook](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/macys-stock-rises-as-earnings-revenue-beats-offset-a-cut-to-profit-outlook-9dbbd9a6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump’s Tariffs Drive a Rise in Trade Crime](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/business/economy/trump-tariffs-trade-crime.html): As President Trump’s tariffs have ratcheted up in recent months, so have the mysterious solicitations some U.S. companies have received, offering them ways to avoid the taxes. Shipping companies, many of them based in China, have reached out to U.S. firms that import apparel, auto parts and jewelry, offering solutions that they say can make the tariffs go away. “We can avoid high duties from China, which we have already done many in the past,” read one email to a U.S. importer. “Beat U.S. Tariffs,” a second read, promising to cap the tariffs “at a flat 10%.” It added: “You ship […] - [Consumer confidence rebounds in May on easing of U.S.-China tensions](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-confidence-rebounds-in-may-on-easing-of-u-s-china-tensions-c3e635c8?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Volvo to cut 3,000 jobs amid Trump tariff fight](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/volvo-cut-3000-jobs-amid-trump-tariff-fight): President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters on the tarmac in Morristown, New Jersey. Luxury automaker Volvo is slashing 3,000 jobs, representing about 15% of the company’s office-based workforce. The announcement made Monday says the most impacted positions are in Sweden. The mostly white-collar job cuts are part of the company’s “recently launched cost and cash action plan,” according to a media release. The layoffs come as the Swedish automaker tries to resurrect its plummeting share price and drum up better demand for its cars by restructuring part of its business and cutting costs. “The automotive industry is in the middle […] - [Autozone stock rises on first revenue beat in five quarters](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/autozone-stock-rises-on-first-revenue-beat-in-five-quarters-4f696358?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump’s Plan to Revive US Shipbuilding Would Take Billions and Many Years](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/business/economy/trump-shipbuilding-china.html): President Trump and members of Congress want to revive U.S. shipbuilding with subsidies and penalties against Chinese-built ships. But there are obstacles. President Trump and some members of Congress want to revive a depleted American shipbuilding industry to compete with China, the world’s biggest maker of ships by far. It is such a daunting goal that some shipping experts say it is destined to fail. More hopeful analysts and industry executives say the Trump administration and Congress could succeed but only if they are willing to spend billions of dollars over many years. One of the places where Washington’s maritime dreams […] - [Trump Makes False Genocide Claims. South Africans Respond With Humor.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/world/africa/trump-false-genocide-claims-south-africans-respond-humor.html): The jokes mask a deep-seated anger over the legacy of apartheid and the inequality that many Black people say continues to define life in their country. Mandla Dube, a South African farmer, fled his home three years ago after being attacked by armed robbers. He was living outside Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital, when about eight armed men stormed his house one night, he said. The robbers pointed a gun at him, tied him up for six hours and stole his valuables. He begged them not to harm his adult son. Mr. Dube remembered the episode as he watched President Trump […] - [Have You Seen Evidence of Trade Crime? We Want to Hear From You.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/business/economy/have-you-seen-evidence-of-trade-crime-we-want-to-hear-from-you.html): The New York Times is looking to talk to business owners and employees who have seen evidence of tariff dodging or customs fraud. For as long as the United States has had tariffs, importers have been trying to find ways around them. But the significant increase in tariffs in recent months appears to have prompted an increase trade and customs fraud. I’m Ana Swanson, the international trade reporter for The New York Times. I’m looking for unreported instances of how companies may be avoiding or evading President Trump’s tariffs on foreign goods. To better understand the topic and inform my reporting, […] - [U.S. economy improves in May after slump last month, S&P PMI surveys show](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-economy-improves-in-may-after-slump-last-month-s-p-pmi-surveys-show-2c17690f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [An election win boosts Javier Milei’s reform project](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/22/an-election-win-boosts-javier-mileis-reform-project): In most of the world mid-term elections for half of the seats in a city hall would be ignored by presidents and markets alike. Not so in Argentina. Javier Milei, the libertarian president, made his spokesperson his party’s leading candidate in elections held on May 18th in Buenos Aires. He cast the capital’s ballot as a referendum on his government. His party won 30% of the vote, compared with 27% for the leftist Peronists and 16% for the centre-right PRO, the party of a former president, Mauricio Macri. Argentine shares soared in response and sovereign bonds rose. Having beaten Mr Macri […] - [BJ’s Wholesale’s stock rises as retailer maintains guidance despite Q1 revenue and comparable sales miss](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bjs-wholesales-stock-rises-as-retailer-maintains-guidance-despite-q1-revenue-and-comparable-sales-miss-ef556452?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Wildfires devastated the Amazon basin in 2024](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/21/wildfires-devastated-the-amazon-basin-in-2024): Smoke choked Earth’s lungs last year. Of the 51,000 square kilometres (an area the size of Costa Rica) of mature tropical forest destroyed in Latin America in 2024, wildfires accounted for 60%, a record high. The area destroyed was 142% larger than in 2023, wiping out progress that Brazilian and Colombian governments had made in curbing deforestation. - [Target’s stock drops as earnings fall below forecasts, and the outlook was lowered](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/targets-stock-drops-as-earnings-fall-below-forecasts-and-the-outlook-was-lowered-5e3012a3?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [When U.S. and Israel Bomb the Houthis, Civilians Pay the Highest Price](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/world/middleeast/houthi-militants-civilians-us-israel.html): Military strikes in Yemen and sanctions targeting the Iran-backed militia have compounded a humanitarian crisis in the poorest country in the Middle East, officials say. Mohammed Omar Baghwi was working the evening shift on April 17 at Ras Isa port in Yemen’s northwestern Hudaydah Province when the American military began bombing. As a manager, Mr. Baghwi, 45, was responsible for a department that filled cooking gas cylinders. He was one of at least 74 people killed during the strike, making it one of the deadliest attacks by the United States on Yemen. U.S. Central Command said it had attacked the port […] - [Musk says he will remain Tesla CEO in coming years](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/musk-says-he-remain-tesla-ceo-coming-years): ‘The Big Money Show’ panelists react to Elon Musk’s recent announcement regarding his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an interview on Tuesday that he plans to remain the leader of the electric vehicle giant in the years ahead. Musk was interviewed by Bloomberg at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha and said he is committed to still being at Tesla in five years. His comments come following his involvement with the Trump administration as the public leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).  That role raised concerns among some investors about Musk’s focus […] - [Home Depot’s profit falls short as same-store sales lag estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/home-depot-falls-short-on-adjusted-profit-as-same-store-sales-lag-a3910561?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [U.S. Says It Wants Trade, Not Aid, in Africa. Cuts Threaten Both.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/world/africa/us-africa-foreign-assistance.html): President Trump’s slashing of foreign assistance threatens road and energy projects that diplomats and experts say align with U.S. priorities. Commuters in Abidjan, one of West Africa’s largest cities, joke that it is impossible to run two errands a day because of traffic. A new overpass on the way to the airport could make their journeys smoother. About 120,000 vehicles will move through it every day, according to the Ivorian agency overseeing its construction. For years, as the work continued, a billboard told Ivorians who made it possible: “Financed by the American people.” But they are not so sure of that […] - [Bath & Body Works brings on former Nike exec as new CEO](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/bath-body-works-brings-former-nike-exec-new-ceo): Cable operators merge in mega deal; Luxury sector faces more gloom; Cava says no plans for price increases; TGI Fridays stages comeback with menu overhaul. Bath & Body Works has chosen a former Nike executive to become its new CEO. The company said Monday that Daniel Heaf, Nike’s former chief strategy and transformation officer, has taken over the CEO role at Bath & Body Works effective immediately.  “I am honored and energized by the opportunity to lead Bath & Body Works into its next chapter of growth,” he said in a statement. “Bath & Body Works has extraordinary untapped potential and […] - [STEPHEN MOORE: Why Moody's credibility should be questioned after downgrade of US federal bonds](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/stephen-moore-why-moodys-credibility-should-questioned-after-downgrade-us-federal-bonds): SlateStone Wealth’s Kenny Polcari and Key Advisors Wealth Management CEO Eddie Ghabour analyze the state of the economy and whether or not to buy market dips. I’m as worried about runaway government spending and debt as anyone.  But I’ve got to wonder if there possibly could be a more incompetent and biased credit rater than Moody’s — the agency that just downgraded federal bonds from AAA rating. For context, this is the agency that gave the highest credit ratings to the subprime mortgage-backed securities right of until the eve of the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression, wiping out trillions […] - [Consumer sentiment falls for 5th straight month in May as inflation worries grow](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-falls-for-5th-straight-month-in-may-as-inflation-worries-grow-58e124d8?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [The World Is Wooing U.S. Researchers Shunned by Trump](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/business/economy/trump-research-brain-drain.html): As President Trump guts American research institutions, world leaders see a “once-in-a-century brain gain opportunity.” Help Wanted. Looking for American researchers. As President Trump cuts billions of federal dollars from science institutes and universities, restricts what can be studied and pushes out immigrants, rival nations are hoping to pick up talent that has been cast aside or become disenchanted. For decades, trying to compete with American institutions and companies has been difficult. The United States was a magnet for top researchers, scientists and academics. In general, budgets were bigger, pay was bigger, labs and equipment were bigger. So were ambitions. In […] - [UnitedHealth shares slide as criminal probe report adds to investor fears](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/unitedhealth-shares-slide-criminal-probe-report-adds-investor-fears): Palumbo Wealth Management CEO & CIO Philip Palumbo discusses UnitedHealth Group market trends and more on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ UnitedHealth Group shares fell more than 15% in early morning trading on Thursday, after The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Justice was investigating the company for potential Medicare fraud. The latest news adds to the health insurer’s litany of woes, including multiple government inquiries, a sudden change in top leadership and a pulled outlook in the face of soaring medical costs. Investors and analysts noted that while details on the investigation were limited, they did heighten investor concerns. […] - [Mexico will be the only country that elects all its judges](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/15/mexico-will-be-the-only-country-that-elects-all-its-judges): On June 1st Mexicans will vote to elect judges to 850 federal posts, nine Supreme Court seats, 22 powerful tribunal jobs and thousands of roles in lower courts. In 2027 a second vote will see the rest of Mexico’s judiciary filled. A few countries elect a handful of judges, mostly to lower courts. Mexico will become the first country in the world where every judge on every court is chosen by popular vote. - [Walmart’s stock jumps as outlook maintained, streak of earnings beats extended](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/walmarts-stock-jumps-as-outlook-maintained-streak-of-earnings-beats-extended-4b2d557f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [José Mujica became the antithesis of a caudillo](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/14/jose-mujica-became-the-antithesis-of-a-caudillo): It is not a flashy country and José Mujica, who died on May 13th aged 89, became its epitome. As Uruguay’s president from 2010 to 2015 he continued to drive a battered sky-blue Volkswagen Beetle and to lunch in workaday bars on the main street of Montevideo, the capital. Foreign dignitaries or journalists who sought an audience usually had to trek out to his scrabbly farm with its three-roomed house of grey concrete where he lived for the last 40 years of his life. He often dressed in a fleece and tracksuit. He gave away much of his presidential salary. If […] - [Brazilian supercows are taking over the world](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/14/brazilian-supercows-are-taking-over-the-world): The master of ceremonies at ExpoZebu, a cow gala in the state of Minas Gerais in south-east Brazil, could see the dilemma. One animal had “elliptical eyes” and an “excellent mammary apparatus”. The other had a delicate neck and a curvaceous rump. The judges faced “a difficult decision”. When he finally announced the winner of the contest (they plumped for the rump), cowhands shed tears of joy and the crowd erupted with a riotous “yeehaw”. - [Trump’s China Deal Frees Up Shipping. Will Goods Pour Into the U.S.?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/business/economy/trump-china-trade-shipments.html): The temporary lowering of tariffs may compel some U.S. businesses to order goods that they had held off buying after President Trump raised them to 145 percent. For weeks, Jay Foreman, a toy company executive, froze all shipments from China, leaving Care Bears and Tonka trucks piled up at Chinese factories, to avoid paying President Trump’s crippling 145 percent tariff. But as soon as his phone lit up at 4 a.m. on Monday alerting him that Mr. Trump was lowering tariffs on Chinese imports for 90 days, Mr. Foreman, the chief executive of Basic Fun, which is based in Florida, jumped […] - [Trump Administration Considers Large Chip Sale to Emirati A.I. Firm G42](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/business/economy/trump-chip-sale-to-emirati-ai-firm-g42.html): The firm, which the U.S. government scrutinized for its ties to China, is angling for hundreds of thousands of advanced artificial intelligence chips in a deal that could be finalized this week. The Trump administration is considering a deal that could send hundreds of thousands of U.S.-designed artificial intelligence chips to G42, an Emirati A.I. firm that the U.S. government has scrutinized in the past for its ties to China, three people familiar with the discussions said. The negotiations, which are ongoing, highlight a major shift in U.S. tech policy ahead of President Trump’s visit to the Persian Gulf states this […] - [Lay Catholics Expected to Retain Big Role in Pope Leo XIV’s Church](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/world/europe/pope-leo-xiv-lay-catholics-synodal.html): When still a cardinal, the new pope led discussions on key issues facing the church during which “every voice had equal value,” whether an archbishop or an unordained believer. In the fall of 2024, the cardinal who is now Pope Leo XIV sat at a large round table inside the Vatican, discussing the challenges that face the Roman Catholic Church with a cardinal from Ethiopia, archbishops from Cameroon and Kenya, a cardinal posted to Mongolia, and bishops from Texas and Liberia. Joining them at the table were a Catholic podcaster from Dallas; a business consultant from Melbourne, Australia; a university administrator […] - [Trump Suggests Openness to Slashing China Tariffs Ahead of Trade Talks](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/us/politics/trump-us-china-tariffs-80-percent.html): The president said reducing tariffs to 80 percent from the current 145 percent “sounds right,” as U.S. and Chinese negotiators prepare to meet in Switzerland. President Trump on Friday suggested that he was open to sharply reducing the tariffs that the United States has imposed on China, as American and Chinese negotiators prepare to meet in Switzerland this weekend for high-stakes trade talks. Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have roiled international markets and the global economy. The negotiations on Saturday and Sunday are intended to de-escalate the situation and set the stage for a broader trade pact between the […] - [Disney CEO Bob Iger delivers new magic for investors](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/disney-ceo-bob-iger-delivers-new-magic-investors): Disney wowed investors by announcing its seventh theme park will be in Abu Dhabi. CEO Bob Iger is hoping to capture some of the 39 million tourists who visit the capital of the United Arab Emirates. (Disney) Disney CEO Bob Iger seems to have reignited the media giant’s magic, with several Wall Street firms turning more favorable on the stock after it unveiled plans for a theme park in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This would be Disney’s seventh theme park. Shares gained about 13% over the past two sessions through Thursday’s close, with Morgan Stanley, UBS, […] - [Trump Administration to Announce Trade Deal With Britain](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/business/economy/trump-trade-britain.html): A deal would be a positive sign for both governments, which have eyed an agreement since President Trump’s first term. President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an agreement for a trade framework over speaker phone.Eric Lee/The New York Times President Trump is expected to announce on Thursday that the United States will strike a “comprehensive” trade agreement with Britain. Hours after teasing that an agreement would soon be announced, Mr. Trump said in a social media post that a deal had been reached that would “cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years […] - [Xi Jinping tries to press China’s advantage in South America ](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/08/xi-jinping-tries-to-press-chinas-advantage-in-south-america): On May 12th Xi Jinping, China’s president, will welcome South American bigwigs to Beijing for China’s biggest diplomatic jamboree since Donald Trump took office. Among them will be Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (known as Lula), Brazil’s president, Gustavo Petro of Colombia and Gabriel Boric of Chile. American officials disapprove. Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defence, has said China’s activity in the Western Hemisphere is “for military advantage and unfair economic gain”. - [U.S. productivity, secret sauce of economy, falls for first time in almost three years](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-productivity-secret-sauce-of-economy-falls-for-first-time-in-almost-three-years-3297e340?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Jobless claims fall in latest week, no sign of wider layoffs](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-fall-in-latest-week-no-sign-of-wider-layoffs-c582b32d?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [4 Lessons for Trump From the UK’s Failed Rwanda Migrant Deportation Deal](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/world/europe/trump-migrants-rwanda-us-uk.html): The United States is said to be in talks with the African country about taking in expelled migrants. There may be lessons in London’s experience. On Sunday, Rwanda’s foreign minister said his country was in “early stage” talks with the Trump administration about a deal to take in migrants deported from the United States. That news had a familiar ring in Britain, where the former Conservative-led government agreed to a deal in 2022 to permanently deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, then spent two years and hundreds of millions of pounds trying — largely fruitlessly — to make the plan happen. When […] - [WW, known as Weight Watchers, files for bankruptcy and the stock plunges](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ww-known-as-weight-watchers-files-for-bankruptcy-and-the-stock-plunges-4062393b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Can President Trump Turn Back the Economic Clock?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/magazine/trump-economy-finance-history.html): Historians make their names by persuading people to see patterns in the chaos. In the late 1970s, the French historian Fernand Braudel thought that one of those patterns was about to repeat. Braudel was a student of the slow-moving currents that shape events. He wanted people to pay less attention to great men like Napoleon and more to seemingly humble things like the potato, a New World import that made it easier for European farmers to grow more food than they needed; this surplus, in turn, gave a wider array of Europeans time to engage in new hobbies like complaining about […] - [Trump Officials to Meet With Chinese Counterparts Amid Trade Standoff](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/business/economy/us-china-trade-talks.html): Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, and Jamieson Greer, the United States trade representative, will discuss trade and economic matters with the officials this week. Top officials from the Trump administration will meet with their Chinese counterparts in Switzerland this week, the first formal meeting about trade between the United States and China since President Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to triple-digit levels last month. Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, and Jamieson Greer, the United States trade representative, plan to meet with Chinese officials during a trip to Geneva, where they will discuss trade and economic matters, according to separate announcements […] - [Trade deficit hit record in March on stockpiling of goods ahead of tariffs](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trade-deficit-hit-record-in-march-on-stockpiling-of-goods-ahead-of-tariffs-8002aa81?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Ford Says Tariffs Will Cost Company $1.5 Billion in 2025](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/business/economy/ford-earnings-tariffs.html): Ford Motor also reported a sharp drop in profits in the first three months of the year. Ford Motor said on Monday that the Trump administration’s tariff policies were likely to lower its 2025 profit, before interest and taxes, by about $1.5 billion. The company also dropped its forecast for the year, saying that predicting the future had become too hard. Ford is less affected by President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on vehicles than other automakers because most of the vehicles it sells in the United States are made in the country. General Motors said last week that the tariffs would […] - [Ford Says Tariffs Will Cost Company $1.5 Billion in 2025](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/business/economy/ford-earnings-tariffs.html): Ford Motor also reported a sharp drop in profits in the first three months of the year. Ford Motor said on Monday that the Trump administration’s tariff policies were likely to lower its 2025 profit, before interest and taxes, by about $1.5 billion. The company also dropped its forecast for the year, saying that predicting the future had become too hard. Ford is less affected by President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on vehicles than other automakers because most of the vehicles it sells in the United States are made in the country. General Motors said last week that the tariffs would […] - [Rwanda in Talks With Trump Administration to Take in Migrants Deported From U.S.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/world/africa/rwanda-trump-deportees.html): Discussions with the Central African country come as the Trump administration looks for more countries willing to accept deportees as part of a sweeping crackdown. Rwanda is in talks with the Trump administration to take in migrants deported from the United States, the central African nation’s foreign minister said late Sunday. It was unclear if a deal would involve migrants who had already been deported or those who will be in the future, but any deal would potentially make Rwanda the first African country to enter into such an agreement with the United States. Rwanda’s foreign minister, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, said […] - [Would the Housing Crisis Ease if Boomers Rented Out Their Empty Rooms?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/business/economy/housing-crisis-multifamily-adu.html): Millions of single-family homes are underused, on spacious lots. Refitting them for “roommate houses” or backyard cottages could make a difference. Monte Anderson opened a broom closet in his kitchen and pointed to a door handle near a mop and a trash can. Somewhere on the other side lay one small solution to America’s affordable housing crisis. Mr. Anderson is a developer who rehabs commercial and residential buildings in and around Dallas, including the ranch-style house where he lives, for now, with three kind-of-sort-of roommates. The 2,400-square-foot home has been split into four studio apartments. Each has an outdoor entrance, but […] - [‘People Who Are Salaried Are Crying’: Taxes on Workers Add to Debt Misery](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/business/economy/kenya-debt-taxes.html): The pay stubs tell the story. Hefty deductions to help cover the cost of Kenya’s new funds for affordable housing and health insurance. More money subtracted for jacked-up contributions to the National Social Security Fund and an increase in the tax rate. In a matter of months, Kenyans with a 45,000-shilling-a-month salary — roughly $350 — saw their take-home pay shrink 9 percent, to $262. Pay stubs for an employee at Shining Hope for Communities, a nonprofit in Kenya: JUNE 2024 JANUARY 2025 “People who are salaried are crying,” said Kennedy Odede, the founder of a self-help association in Nairobi’s Kibera […] - [Trump Ends Chinese Tariff Loophole, Raising the Cost of Online Goods](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/business/economy/trump-china-tariffs-de-minimis.html): Supporters say the change is important to stop cheap Chinese goods from entering the U.S. But the decision could drive up prices for goods Americans buy online. The Trump administration on Friday officially eliminated a loophole that had allowed American shoppers to buy cheap goods from China without paying tariffs. The move will help U.S. manufacturers that have struggled to compete with a wave of low-cost Chinese products, but it has already resulted in higher prices for Americans who shop online. The loophole, called the de minimis rule, allowed products up to $800 to avoid tariffs and other red tape as […] - [Apple edges past expectations as world girds for tariff impact](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/apple-edges-past-expectations-world-girds-tariff-impact): Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Apple on Thursday reported results that narrowly beat Wall Street expectations as consumers stocked up on iPhones amid fears of potential import taxes on its signature device from President Donald Trump. The Cupertino, California-based company said its sales and profit for the fiscal second quarter ended March 29 were $95.36 billion and $1.65 per share, respectively, compared with analyst estimates of $94.68 billion and $1.63 per share, according to LSEG data. Sales of iPhones were $46.84 billion, compared with estimates of $46.17 billion, according to LSEG data. APPLE UNVEILS HISTORIC $500B INVESTMENT IN US MANUFACTURING, […] - [GM Cuts Profit Forecast by 20% and Says Auto Tariffs Will Cost It Billions](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/business/gm-tariffs-profits.html): General Motors now expects to earn a lot less than it did before President Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported cars and auto parts. General Motors cut its profit forecast for 2025 on Thursday by more than 20 percent and said that the Trump administration’s tariffs would increase its costs by $4 billion to $5 billion this year. In a conference call with analysts, G.M. executives said the company now expects to make $8.2 billion to $10.1 billion this year, down from a previous forecast of $11.2 billion to $12.5 billion. “G.M.’s business is fundamentally strong as we adapt to the […] - [A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/business/economy/trump-trade-economy.html): When the Covid pandemic hit, factories in China shut down and global shipping traffic slowed. Within a matter of a few weeks, products began disappearing from U.S. store shelves and American firms that depend on foreign materials were going out of business. A similar trend is beginning to play out, but this time the catalyst is President Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to a minimum of 145 percent, an amount so steep that much of the trade between the United States and China has ground to a halt. Fewer massive container ships have been plying the ocean between […] - [Kohl's fires CEO Ashley Buchanan after investigation](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/kohls-fires-ceo-after-investigation): Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Kohl’s announced on Thursday that it fired CEO Ashley Buchanan after an investigation found he violated company policies. The retailer said its board terminated Buchanan after the investigation “determined Mr. Buchanan violated company policies by directing the Company to engage in vendor transactions that involved undisclosed conflicts of interest.”  His termination did not have anything to do with the company’s “performance, financial reporting, results of operations,” nor did it involve any other employees, Kohl’s said. The company selected board Chair Michael Bender to run the retailer on an interim basis as it begins its search […] - [Canada’s new Conservative coalition resembles Donald Trump’s](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/30/canadas-new-conservative-coalition-resembles-donald-trumps): On the surface, Canada’s election on April 28th seemed to preserve the political status quo. As in the last election, in 2021, the ruling Liberal Party will form a minority government. The Conservatives, the main opposition party, slightly narrowed their deficit in Parliament—the Liberals now hold 25 more ridings (as constituencies are called in Canada) than the Conservatives do, down from a 41-seat gap. The Conservatives fared a bit worse in the popular vote, losing it by two percentage points after winning by one in 2021. - [Taiwan Condemns Somalia for Barring Its Passport Holders From Entering](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/world/africa/taiwan-somalia-passport-ban-china.html): The decision comes as Taipei has been building ties with Somaliland, a breakaway territory that has resisted Chinese efforts to expand its influence in Africa. Somalia has barred Taiwanese passport holders from entering the country, the self-governing island’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday, blaming Chinese pressure on the African country as Taipei forges stronger ties with the breakaway territory of Somaliland. The enclave of about five million people declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government in Mogadishu. But despite having its own government, currency and institutions, Somaliland has not been widely recognized by governments internationally, […] - [Scottish onshore GDP shrunk 0.2% in February](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-onshore-gdp-shrunk-02-35144760): Scotland’s onshore gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.2% in February, following growth of 0.4% in January, which was revised up from 0.3% in the latest figures. In the three months to February, GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.7% compared to the previous quarter. The largest negative contribution in February was in the information and communications sector, which shrunk by 3.5%. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Global economic uncertainty has been rising, but I am encouraged to see growth of 0.7% in the three months to February. “Despite limited devolved powers, our forthcoming Programme for Government will face […] - [Scottish business confidence falls - but remains above UK average ](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-falls-remains-35137276): Business confidence in Scotland fell 15 points during April to 40%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. Companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down four points at 61%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy – down 25 points to 19% – this gives a headline confidence reading of 40% (vs. 55% in March). Looking ahead to the next six months, businesses in Scotland identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (61%), investing in their team, for instance […] - [New Data Provide a Pre-Tariff Snapshot of a Stable but Slowing Labor Market](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/29/business/economy/slow-but-stable-labor-market-pre-tariffs.html): But the effects of the levies, which have created uncertainty for businesses, have not yet been fully felt. The labor market remained sound in March, with job openings declining but layoffs remaining near record lows, while rates of new hiring were slow but steady, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday. The numbers from last month are a snapshot of the state of the U.S. economy and labor market before the start of the global trade volatility brought on by President Trump’s tariff campaign. “It reflects a labor market that ‘could have been,’ given the damage […] - [Mark Carney leads Canada’s Liberals to a remarkable victory](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/29/mark-carney-leads-canadas-liberals-to-a-remarkable-victory): CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER Mark Carney has won a solid victory which extends his Liberal Party’s decade-long hold on power for a rare fourth consecutive term. That result was unthinkable just a few months ago. The win gives the former central banker a mandate to confront a truculent Donald Trump. - [Israeli Spy Chief to Step Down After Clash With Netanyahu](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/world/middleeast/israeli-spy-chief-netanyahu-ronen-bar-clash.html): The departure of Israel’s domestic intelligence chief appeared to end his unusually public clash with the prime minister. The head of Israel’s domestic intelligence service announced on Monday that he would step down in June, appearing to end an unusually public and bitter clash with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that has roiled the country. Mr. Netanyahu had fired Ronen Bar, who led the Shin Bet agency, in mid-March. The dismissal ignited an immediate public backlash: it came as Shin Bet investigators were scrutinizing Mr. Netanyahu’s aides for potential impropriety in their dealings with the Gulf state of Qatar. Critics of Mr. […] - [Scottish businesses 'struggle against policy changes'](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-businesses-struggle-against-policy-35103357): Scottish businesses are raising prices and hiring fewer staff in response to growing financial pressures, as a result of the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs). That’s according to the Fraser of Allander Institute’s latest quarterly Scottish Business Monitor, which revealed that almost 90% of the 250 businesses surveyed in March anticipate higher business costs over the next six months, while 80% expect Scottish economic growth to remain “very weak to weak”. The report also found that eight out of 10 businesses report increased payroll costs as a result of rise in employer NICs with many adapting to this through […] - [Trump Team Races to Form Trade Deals After Tariffs Sow Global Chaos](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/business/economy/trump-tariffs-trade-deals.html): The president’s threats of tariffs have brought countries like Japan, South Korea and India rushing to negotiate, but they have sown chaos with bigger trading partners like China. For a president who advertises himself as a paramount deal maker, the next 11 weeks will be a pivotal test, as his advisers race to accomplish what no other administration has done before and reach dozens of individual trade deals with other governments. President Trump has promised big gains for American trade, and officials from Japan, South Korea, India and elsewhere have been pushing for agreements as they look to forestall punishing tariffs. […] - [Scott Bessent Accuses IMF and World Bank of ‘Mission Creep’](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/business/bessent-imf-world-bank-overhauls.html): Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday called for major overhauls to the missions of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank but said that the United States remained committed to maintaining its leadership role at the global economic institutions. The comments, made at a speech on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the I.M.F. and the World Bank, come at a moment of concern among policymakers that the Trump administration could withdraw the United States entirely from the fund and the bank. The United States has upended the global trading system in recent months and the views of the […] - [UK private sector activity falls to more than two-year low](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/uk-private-sector-activity-falls-35102390): Activity across the UK’s private sector has plunged to a more than two-year low as Donald Trump’s trade tariffs hammered exporters and forced more “aggressive” job cutting. The S&P Global flash UK composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reported a reading of 48.2 in April; up from 51.5 in March. The flash figures are based on preliminary data. Any score above 50 indicates that activity is growing, while any score below means it is contracting. The latest reading was weaker than expected, with a consensus of analysts having predicted a reading of 50.5 for the month. Survey respondents in both the factory […] - [Chobani Plans to Invest Over $1 Billion in New N.Y. Factory](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/business/dealbook/chobani-dairy-factory-ny.html): The company, which has branched out from Greek-style yogurt, will invest more than $1 billion in the plant in the town of Rome. Chobani got its start in 2005 in the middle of New York State, in a decades-old Kraft factory that had become defunct, initially hiring just a few of its workers to produce Greek-style yogurt. Two decades later, the company — now one of the nation’s biggest producers of dairy products — is opening another plant nearby, to significantly more fanfare and economic impact. Chobani and New York State plan to announce on Tuesday that the company will open […] - [Trump Joins Japan Trade Talks, Says ‘Big Progress’ Made](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/world/asia/japan-trump-tariffs.html): For his first face-to-face talks on tariffs, the president chose Japan, a U.S. ally that decades ago stirred his anger over the unequal balance of trade and his penchant for tariffs. This month in the White House’s Rose Garden, as he held up a placard showing the global wave of tariffs he wanted to impose, President Trump paused to fondly recall a fallen friend. “The prime minister of Japan, Shinzo, was — Shinzo Abe — he was a fantastic man,” Mr. Trump said during the tariff announcement on April 2. “He was, unfortunately, taken from us, assassination.” The words of praise […] - [American Pastor Kidnapped in South Africa Is Rescued After Shootout](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/world/africa/south-africa-pastor-kidnapping-rescue-josh-sullivan.html): Three suspects were killed as the police moved in on a safe house where the pastor from Tennessee was being held. An American pastor who was abducted in South Africa last week was rescued on Tuesday after a dramatic shootout between the police and his kidnappers, which left three suspects dead, the South African police said. The pastor, Josh Sullivan, from Tennessee, was kidnapped on Thursday by four masked men as he was giving a sermon at the Fellowship Baptist church in Motherwell, a township in the Eastern Cape Province. He was then taken a few miles into the city of […] - [Guatemala’s indigenous people grow impatient with their champion](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/04/16/guatemalas-indigenous-people-grow-impatient-with-their-champion): When a cabal of elites that many Guatemalans refer to as the “pact of the corrupt” tried to block the transfer of presidential power to Bernardo Arévalo in 2023, thousands of the country’s indigenous people cried foul and shut down major roads. In the end, various ruses to keep Mr Arévalo out of office failed. Now, after more than a year in power, he is beginning to test the patience of the people who helped him get there. - [Why Bootstrapping Builds Better Businesses – Even If It’s Harder](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/why-bootstrapping-builds-better-businesses-even-if-its-harder/): Given the choice, most entrepreneurs would probably choose outside funding over bootstrapping, and honestly, who can blame them? Getting a cash injection upfront sounds a lot easier than building from the ground up with limited resources. But here’s the thing: bootstrapping might just be the best thing you do for your business. You learn how to make smart decisions with your own money, build resilience for your business, and you stay in control, with no investors steering the ship, and no pressure to scale before you’re ready. You might end up reaching a point where you feel your business demands external support, however, there are reasons to build your business from the ground up. In this article, we’ll help you understand exactly why bootstrapping might be your best bet – for now. 1. Maintain Independence in Your Business One of the biggest upsides of bootstrapping? You don’t have to answer to anyone. No board meetings packed with people who’ve never run a business like yours, telling you what direction to take. No pressure to hit impossible growth targets just to satisfy investor expectations. When it’s your money on the line, you call the shots. That means you can stick to your original vision, or change it without someone asking you to change the plan every now and again. One of the popular examples of a successfully bootstrapped business is Basecamp. For a while, they chose to stay small and focused, even when they could’ve chased funding. Even though they did get some funding later on (after rejecting over 100 investors), Basecamp’s founder and CTO, David Heinemeier Hansson, stated in a piece that Basecamp was already doing well without outside money, and that they accepted some investment, but it didn’t change how the business was run. 2. Reach Your Full Potential Bootstrapping is hard, no doubt, and you might make mistakes on the way. But the long nights and that grind? It shapes you. When you’ve only got a few thousand in the bank and you’re trying to make your personal expenses while growing a business, you learn how to become clever. Bootstrapping mistakes directly impact your own finances, so you’re forced to think creatively, to solve problems with what you’ve got. That mindset can stick with you long after the scrappy phase is over. It’s how companies like Mailchimp did it. It started as a side hustle with no outside funding and eventually became one of the biggest bootstrap exits by selling at $12 billion. They were able to achieve that on their own terms. That’s the kind of long game bootstrapping lets you play. 3. Fast Money Can Backfire Getting a big cash injection sounds great, until the pressure kicks in. The risks of funding include a slippery slope of growth targets, investor updates, and premature scaling. Scaling too soon can put a strain on your team and company as a whole, potentially leading to issues like a misallocation of funds, inefficient processes, and a loss of focus on core business objectives. Additional issues include operational bottlenecks, customer dissatisfaction, and ultimately, financial instability. Bootstrapping, on the other hand, allows businesses to grow organically, ensuring that expansion is aligned with their capabilities and market demand. 4. Avoid the VC Hamster Wheel Angel investors and venture capitalists (VCs) are primarily interested in significant returns, typically achieved through rapid growth and eventual company exits. This investment model often pressures startups to prioritise aggressive expansion over sustainable development.​ Bootstrapping allows entrepreneurs to avoid the “VC hamster wheel.” The VC hamster wheel refers to how businesses are placed in an endless cycle (like a hamster wheel) where continuous funding rounds lead to escalating expectations and potential loss of autonomy. 5. Steady and Sustainable Growth Bootstrapping allows your business to grow steadily and sustainably. By carefully allocating funds and scaling as your business grows, you can build a sustainable growth model. Without the constant pressure to deliver massive growth in a short time, you can focus on building a solid foundation, understanding your customers, refining your offerings, and solidifying your business systems. Once your business model has proven itself over a couple of years and demands significant growth, you can consider alternative funding options for your business. - [How to Fund Your First Commercial Property Build with a Construction Loan](https://smesouthafrica.co.za/how-to-fund-your-first-commercial-property-build-with-a-construction-loan/): Subscribeform.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit { background-color:#1a7efb;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#ffffff;min-width:100%; }form.fluent_form_67 .wpf_has_custom_css.ff-btn-submit:hover { background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#1a7efb;color:#1a7efb;min-width:100%; } - [Did Trump Manipulate the Stock Market?](https://www.nytimes.com/video/business/economy/100000010106635/did-trump-manipulate-the-stock-market.html): new video loaded: Did Trump Manipulate the Stock Market? By Rob Copeland, Melanie Bencosme, Alexandra Ostasiewicz and James Surdam•April 13, 2025 President Trump’s post on social media caused the stock market to respond in an unusual way. Rob Copeland, a finance reporter for The New York Times, explains whether this could be considered market manipulation by the president. Recent episodes in Behind the Reporting - [The Breakaway State That Wants a Deal With Trump](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010100198/somaliland-us-international-recognition.html): new video loaded: The Breakaway State That Wants a Deal With Trump By Abdi Latif Dahir, Jon Hazell, Nikolay Nikolov and Laura Salaberry•April 12, 2025 Home to one of the longest airstrips in Africa and a vital port on the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland is leveraging its strategic importance in a turbulent region to achieving international recognition — and its officials are appealing directly to the Trump administration. Recent episodes in Behind the Reporting - [Mundial 2026: ¿El optimismo entra a la cancha? Así viene el consumo mundialista y por qué se espera que genere más de S/800 millones en Perú](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/mundial-2026-el-optimismo-entra-a-la-cancha-cual-es-el-movimiento-economico-sin-peru-en-el-torneo-noticia/): Velarde: “Hay una inversión de cobre cercana a US$47.000 millones que podríamos tener” SBS alista el diseño de las finanzas abiertas en Perú: ¿Cómo avanza este sistema? Cada cuatro años el mundo se paraliza ante la fiesta más importante del fútbol mundial. El pitazo inicial se dará el 11 de junio y aunque el Perú no alcanzó un cupo para esta cita, los peruanos ya tienen marcada la fecha en el calendario. Este Mundial 2026 será diferente, no solo porque se realizará en tres sedes: México, Estados Unidos y Canadá, sino porque por primera vez habrá 48 selecciones de fútbol –fueron […] - [Inflación mensual cae por primera vez en el año por precios de alimentos, ¿por qué analistas aún prevén que cierre fuera del rango meta?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/inflacion-mensual-cae-por-primera-vez-en-el-ano-por-menores-precios-de-alimentos-pero-analistas-aun-preven-cierre-fuera-del-rango-meta-noticia/): Así viene el consumo mundialista y por qué se espera que genere más de S/800 millones en Perú “Nos estamos encaminando hacia una crisis alimentaria para fines de este año y el próximo” La inflación de Lima Metropolitana registró una variación de -0,16% en mayo, su primer resultado negativo en lo que va del año, informó el Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (INEI). La variación estuvo impulsada principalmente por la caída de 1,69% en la división de Alimentos y bebidas no alcohólicas y de 0,19% en Transporte. Entre los productos que más contribuyeron a la reducción destacaron el pollo eviscerado […] - [Ukraine hits St. Petersburg oil terminal with drones as Russia's economic forum opens](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/03/ukraine-hits-st.-petersburg-oil-terminal-with-drones-as-russia-s-economic-forum-opens?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Ukraine launched a mass drone attack against several Russian regions early on Wednesday and struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, coinciding with the opening of the country’s main economic forum. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 345 drones over 15 regions, including Moscow and Leningrad, where St. Petersburg is located. - [Research: What Interruptions Reveal About Company Culture](http://hbr.org/2026/06/research-what-interruptions-reveal-about-company-culture): Stop treating interruptions as isolated incidents and start reading them as data. - [BAS confirmed as world’s leading center for Antarctic and Southern Ocean research](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/03/bas-confirmed-as-world-s-leading-center-for-antarctic-and-southern-ocean-research?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): A major new analysis has confirmed the UK’s British Antarctic Survey (BAS) as the world’s leading center for Antarctic and Southern Ocean research. This was revealed during the Antarctic treaty Consultive Meeting, ATCM, recent May meeting in Japan that convened Antarctic Leaders and government official from across the world. - [The irreversible smart phones and world’s dropping birth rates](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/03/the-irreversible-smart-phones-and-world-s-dropping-birth-rates?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): By Gwynne Dyer – Smart phones seem to be directly linked to a worldwide crash in the birth rate. It is “quite plausible that the modern digital media environment has had profound effects on society that have led to a decline in romantic coupling,” according to Melissa Kearney, professor of economics at the University of Notre Dame. - [[JPXI]Calculation of TOPIX in relation to shares of giftee Group,Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/6030/20260603-01.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: FTGroup CO.,LTD.and 1 Other Issue(s)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260603-23.html) - [[TSE]Matching Mechanism for the First Day of Listing: Series 1 Bond-Type Class Shares of Japan Airlines Co.,Ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1031/20260603_01.html) - [How Triangle Pest Control Helps Protect Charlotte, NC Homes Year-Round](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/03/how-triangle-pest-control-helps-protect-charlotte-nc-homes-year-round?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Pests have the ability to transform a cozy house into a stressful environment within a very short time. Homeowners in Charlotte are frequently faced with ants in their kitchens, mosquitoes in their backyards, rodents in their attics, and termites around their wooden buildings. - [EU-Mercosur trade deal takes effect provisionally as legal challenge awaits ruling](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/02/eu-mercosur-trade-deal-takes-effect-provisionally-as-legal-challenge-awaits-ruling?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): A month after the provisional entry into force of the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, exchanges have been governed since May 1 by the terms agreed upon, while political and legal attention in Brussels centers on the EU Court of Justice, which must rule on the validity of the mechanism chosen to launch the treaty. - [Starbucks, Puku Puku, San Antonio y más: La ruta de crecimiento de cafeterías en Lima, ¿cuáles son las favoritas y qué formatos priorizan?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/starbucks-puku-puku-san-antonio-y-mas-la-ruta-de-crecimiento-de-cafeterias-en-lima-cuales-son-las-favoritas-y-que-formatos-priorizan-noticia/): Operadores advierten que el Perú no avanzó al ritmo de sus inversiones portuarias “Hasta que no se definan las elecciones, los proyectos de inversión están detenidos” Las empresas del sector cafeterías observan cambios en los hábitos y momentos de consumo de sus clientes, así como una mayor relevancia de variables como experiencia, conveniencia, ubicación y permanencia en tienda dentro de la decisión del consumidor. Esto reflejan los resultados del Estudio de Marcas 2026 de Arellano Consultoría para Crecer, elaborado sobre una muestra de 409 personas de Lima y provincias que declararon haber consumido en alguna cafetería durante los últimos tres meses. […] - [Indecopi: conoce cómo proteger tu dinero ante consumos no reconocidos](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/indecopi-conoce-como-proteger-tu-dinero-ante-consumos-no-reconocidos-l-ultimas-noticia/): Indecopi investiga presunta recomendación para fijar comisiones en venta y alquiler de inmuebles Aeropuerto Jorge Chávez: MTC firmó adenda 9 con LAP para eliminar cobro de TUUA de conexiones nacionales, ¿qué más incluye? Indecopi recordó a los consumidores que actuar rápidamente ante la pérdida, robo o uso indebido de su tarjeta de crédito o débito, puede evitar perjuicios económicos mayores. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Inflación mensual cae por primera vez en el año por precios de alimentos, ¿por qué analistas aún prevén que cierre fuera del rango meta? Ante situaciones como consumos no reconocidos, transferencias sospechosas o movimientos bancarios que el usuario no […] - [Israel and Hezbollah keep firing despite Trump's announcement of an end to hostilities](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/02/israel-and-hezbollah-keep-firing-despite-trump-s-announcement-of-an-end-to-hostilities?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): A day after US President Donald Trump announced an agreement to end the military clashes in Lebanon, the fighting continued on Tuesday with little change from previous days. Israel is limiting itself to not striking Beirut, but its bombings killed 12 people in various parts of the country. Hezbollah, for its part, kept firing, though it stopped aiming at the Israeli towns farthest from the border that it had recently been targeting. - [The Power of Knowing Your Stress Patterns](http://hbr.org/2026/06/the-power-of-knowing-your-stress-patterns): In the June 1, 2026, edition of The Insider, managing editor Gretchen Gavett highlights how leaders can manage their stress responses and a reimagining of SaaS strategies in the age of AI. - [Big Tech’s Looming Capability Crisis](http://hbr.org/2026/06/big-techs-looming-capability-crisis): Lessons from radiology on how automating output shouldn’t mean eliminating checks and guardrails. - [Reinventing an Organization to Do More with Less](http://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/reinventing-an-organization-to-do-more-with-less): A conversation with humanitarian leader Kelly T. Clements on spearheading change amid challenging circumstances. - [La Paz endures a month of blockades as food and fuel shortages deepen](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/02/la-paz-endures-a-month-of-blockades-as-food-and-fuel-shortages-deepen?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): La Paz has spent a month under blockade. The main roads into Bolivia’s administrative capital have been cut for four weeks, and shortages of food and fuel worsen by the day. Frustration is mounting among residents: some demand the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz for failing to keep his campaign promises, while others call for a firm hand and the deployment of the army to lift the siege. Most agree that the president, who took office less than seven months ago, should have acted sooner, when the protests began. - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.:Sankosyoji Co.,Ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260602_18.html) - [[TSE]Tick Size Table for newly listing ETF (Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (Code: 587A) )](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260602-03.html) - [[TSE]Tick Size Table for newly listing ETF (NV Bottom Up Equity Investment Strategy Active ETF (Code: 585A) )](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260602-01.html) - [[TSE]Public Inspection of Improvement Report: KDDI CORPORATION](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260602-12.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: AJIS CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260602-11.html) - [May 2026 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/may-2026-review-and-outlook): U.S. equities surged meaningfully higher in May, with the large-, mid-, and small-cap flagship benchmarks all reaching new all-time highs.  - [Why AI Works Best When It Works with Humans](http://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/why-ai-works-best-when-it-works-with-humans): Sponsor content from AWS and Effectual. - [Falklands Legislative Assembly marks Overseas Territories Day and start of Pride Month](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/01/falklands-legislative-assembly-marks-overseas-territories-day-and-start-of-pride-month?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Falklands Legislative Assembly on 1 June marked British Overseas Territories Day with an institutional ceremony at Victory Green, in Stanley, in which the archipelago’s flag flew alongside that of the United Kingdom throughout the day. The annual commemoration brings together the fourteen British Overseas Territories scattered across the Caribbean, the South Atlantic, the Antarctic, and the Pacific under a shared agenda of self-government and links with the administering power. - [Companies Are Using AI for Efficiency. They Should Use It to Grow.](http://hbr.org/2026/06/companies-are-using-ai-for-efficiency-they-should-use-it-to-grow): Cost-cutting alone is shortsighted. - [[TSE]Approval of Initial Listing (Prime Market): giftee Group,Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/listing/stocks/new/index.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: YOMEISHU SEIZO CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260601-11.html) - [[TSE]Cancelation of Application for Listing on TOKYO PRO Market: InfiniCloud Co.Ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260601-13.html) - [Colombia: far-right De la Espriella advances first to runoff as Petro disowns results](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/01/colombia-far-right-de-la-espriella-advances-first-to-runoff-as-petro-disowns-results?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella took first place in the first round of the Colombian presidential elections held on Sunday, in a result that contradicted all previous polls and immediately opened an institutional crisis. With 99% of polling stations counted in the preliminary tally, De la Espriella, of the Defensores de la Patria movement, reached 43.7% of the vote —some 10.3 million ballots—, while leftist senator Iván Cepeda, of the ruling Pacto Histórico, obtained 40.9% with 9,649,081 votes. The runoff will be held on 21 June and the inauguration is scheduled for 7 August. - [Uruguay submits EUR 60 million offer to acquire three Royal Navy used patrol vessels](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/01/uruguay-submits-eur-60-million-offer-to-acquire-three-royal-navy-used-patrol-vessels?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Uruguayan government will this week present a formal offer to the United Kingdom’s embassy for the acquisition of three used offshore patrol vessels belonging to the British Royal Navy, for an approximate amount of 60 million euros, as announced by the Deputy Secretary of the Presidency, Jorge Díaz. The operation, structured as a direct state-to-state purchase, fits within the administration of President Yamandú Orsi’s search to replace the contract terminated with the Spanish shipyard Cardama, in parallel with the hardening of accusations from the Uruguayan executive against the Vigo-based company over the use of public funds transferred. - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: SUIDO KIKO KAISHA,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260601-12.html) - [Leftist Iván Cepeda leads in early bulletins of Colombia's presidential first round](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/31/leftist-ivan-cepeda-leads-in-early-bulletins-of-colombia-s-presidential-first-round?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Leftist senator Iván Cepeda, candidate of the ruling Pacto Histórico coalition, was leading on Sunday in the early bulletins of the count in the first round of Colombia’s presidential elections, in which the electorate was to choose the successor of current President Gustavo Petro. With just 1% of the polling stations counted, according to data released by the National Registry Office, Cepeda was obtaining around 47% of the votes, followed by far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, of the Defensores de la Patria movement, with close to 40%. Right-wing uribista senator Paloma Valencia, of the Centro Democrático, registered around 6%. The […] - [Colombia votes for new president with healthcare system on verge of collapse as main concern](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/29/colombia-votes-for-new-president-with-healthcare-system-on-verge-of-collapse-as-main-concern?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Colombia will hold on Sunday 31 May the first round of the presidential elections that will determine the succession of President Gustavo Petro for the 2026-2030 term, with an electoral roll of 41,287,084 voters and healthcare emerging as the electorate’s main concern, according to opinion polls. The national health system is going through its most severe crisis in decades: pharmacies are denying medications, hospitals are closing services, and specialist appointments are indefinitely postponed. A possible runoff would be held on 21 June if none of the fourteen candidates surpasses 50% of the vote. - [Chartstopper: May 29, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/chartstopper-may-29-2026): As the Iran conflict passed the three-month mark, hopes for a resolution boosted markets this week. - [[TSE]Designation of Securities Under Supervision (Confirmation): nms Holdings Corporation](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260529-12.html) - [[TSE]Designation of Securities Under Supervision (Examination):Medical Net,Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260529-24.html) - [[TSE]Designation of Securities Under Supervision (Confirmation):Bewith,Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260529-21.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260529-01.html) - [Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru sign joint agreement to combat transnational crime](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/29/argentina-bolivia-chile-ecuador-and-peru-sign-joint-agreement-to-combat-transnational-crime?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru on Thursday signed in Santiago a joint cooperation agreement against transnational organized crime, in a meeting convened by the Chilean government of President José Antonio Kast and attended by five foreign ministers, four security ministers, and one interior minister. The so-called Santiago Regional Compact articulates five areas of cooperation and will be presented before the 56th General Assembly of the Organization of American States to extend the initiative to the rest of the continent. - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: WATT MANN CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260529-11.html) - [Just How Volatile Are U.S. Stocks Overnight?](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/just-how-volatile-are-us-stocks-overnight): We break down the data from dark pool trades overnight. - [[TSE]Designation of Securities Under Supervision (Confirmation): Oricon Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260528-12.html) - [Scotland wants a new independence referendum, despite Downing Street’s rejection](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/28/scotland-wants-a-new-independence-referendum-despite-downing-street-s-rejection?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The consequences of the disastrous results of the recent local elections in UK, both for the incumbent Labour and the Conservatives, not only have questioned PM Keir Starmer’s leadership but revived old challenges. And one of those is Scotland’s call for a second independence referendum. - [UK’s Royal College of Defense visited Brazil, Argentina and Chile](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/28/uk-s-royal-college-of-defense-visited-brazil-argentina-and-chile?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): A delegation from the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Defense Studies (RCDS) visited Chile the week of 18 May as part of its annual tour of Latin America, aimed at strengthening strategic analysis and global understanding of challenges related to security, defense and international cooperation. - [[JPXI]Index Calculation in relation to shares of JAPAN POST HOLDINGS Co.,Ltd. (6178)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/6030/20260528-01.html) - [[TSE]Entry into Grace Period pertaining to Delisting: SANKEI REAL ESTATE Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260528-18.html) - [[TSE]Base price and daily price limit for newly listing stock: MAEZAWA Holdings CO.,LTD. stocks (Code: 575A)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260528-01.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: NEXT FUNDS Bloomberg France Treasury Bond (7-10 year) Index (Yen-Hedged) Exchange Traded Fund](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260528-11.html) - [¿Quién lidera la recordación de marca en Perú? Supermercados y bancos toman ventaja](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/la-mente-del-consumidor-peruano-cambia-supermercados-y-banca-ganan-terreno-en-recordacion-de-marcas-quien-lidera-noticia/): Estas son todas las marcas peruanas que han mostrado su apoyo al “Mundial de los Desayunos” de IBAI en el cruce Perú vs. México CLUTCH: de diseñar la tapa de un diario a producir zapatos en cuero hecho a mano, que ya se venden en EEUU La disputa por permanecer en la mente del consumidor peruano es cada vez más intensa. En un mercado donde aparecen nuevos competidores, marcas blancas, plataformas digitales y alternativas de bajo costo, las compañías fortalecen su capacidad de construir vínculos emocionales, confianza y experiencias que las vuelvan relevantes en el día a día. El Estudio de […] - [Blair calls on Labour to abandon ideology and embrace a "radical centre" or face relegation](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/27/blair-calls-on-labour-to-abandon-ideology-and-embrace-a-radical-centre-or-face-relegation?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair intervened on Wednesday in the Labour Party’s internal crisis with an essay of more than 5,600 words published on the website of his organization, the Tony Blair Institute, in which he demands that his party colleagues abandon ideological disputes, adopt what he calls a “radical centre,” and formulate a national project before contesting the party’s leadership. “Trying to remove a prime minister before even knowing what new political direction is being proposed is not a way to behave,” the former Labour leader wrote, in an intervention that has received no public backing from the party’s […] - [Western Europe breaks heat records in mid-spring with deaths in United Kingdom and France](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/27/western-europe-breaks-heat-records-in-mid-spring-with-deaths-in-united-kingdom-and-france?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Several Western European countries this week broke historic temperature records for the boreal spring, in a heat wave described as “unprecedented” by national weather services in the United Kingdom and France, which has caused at least ten deaths and stretched the continent’s health services. The episode is part of a trend of extreme events that the scientific community links directly to human-driven climate change, according to a study published on Tuesday that concluded that the temperature spikes “are primarily attributed to human driven climate change.” - [[TSE]Base price and daily price limits for newly listing ETFs (5 issues including Global X China Tech Covered Call ETF (Code: 576A))](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260527-02.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: Alleanza Holdings Co.,Ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260527-12.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: e'grand Co.,Ltd](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260527-13.html) - [[OSE,JPXI]Deletion from the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 and the JPX-Nikkei Mid and Small Cap Index](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/6030/20260527-01.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: YAMAZAKI CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260527-23.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260527-01.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: MCJ Co.,Ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260527-11.html) - [Important Features To Look For In Portable Oxygen Concentrators](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/27/important-features-to-look-for-in-portable-oxygen-concentrators?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Breathing support equipment is a major investment, and therefore, the device that is not chosen correctly may cause day-to-day frustration rather than convenience. A model that is too heavy, has a short battery life, or cannot provide the oxygen aid that you require can upset timetables, travel arrangements, and general ease. - [Legislator Goss takes Falklands' voice to the UN: “We have nothing to hide”](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/26/legislator-goss-takes-falklands-voice-to-the-un-we-have-nothing-to-hide?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly Michael Goss on Tuesday presented the archipelago’s position before the Regional Seminar of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation, known as the Committee of 24, held in Managua, Nicaragua. In his address, Goss defended the right to self-determination of the inhabitants of the archipelago, reiterated the Legislative Assembly’s invitation for the body to send a visiting mission to the Islands, and questioned Argentina’s failure to comply with the bilateral cooperation package agreed with the United Kingdom in September 2024. - [Legislator Goss takes Falklands' voice to the UN: "We have nothing to hide"](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/26/legislator-goss-takes-falklands-voice-to-the-un-we-have-nothing-to-hide?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly Michael Goss on Tuesday presented the archipelago’s position before the Regional Seminar of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation, known as the Committee of 24, held in Managua, Nicaragua. In his address, Goss defended the right to self-determination of the inhabitants of the archipelago, reiterated the Legislative Assembly’s invitation for the body to send a visiting mission to the Islands, and questioned Argentina’s failure to comply with the bilateral cooperation package agreed with the United Kingdom in September 2024. - [Uruguay signs memorandum with United Kingdom on aerospace, infrastructure, and digital innovation](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/26/uruguay-signs-memorandum-with-united-kingdom-on-aerospace-infrastructure-and-digital-innovation?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Uruguayan government on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom to deepen bilateral dialogue and advance cooperation in the aerospace, infrastructure, and digital innovation sectors, in a new step in the rapprochement between the two countries initiated with the visit of Economy and Finance Minister Gabriel Oddone to London in February. The agreement, valid for at least the next four years, was signed between the Uruguayan Ministry of Economy and Finance and the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. - [BP sacks its Chair over governance standards and conduct issues](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/26/bp-sacks-its-chair-over-governance-standards-and-conduct-issues?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Oil and gas media is reporting that oil giant BP has removed Chair Albert Manifold with immediate effect after the board cited serious concerns over governance standards, oversight, and conduct, appointing Ian Tyler as interim chair while it begins a search for a permanent replacement. - [[TSE]Base price and daily price limits for newly listing ETFs (4 issues including iShares 0-1 Year Japan Government Bond ETF (Code: 570A))](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260526-02.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 2 issues](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260526-01.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: INFORICH INC.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260526-11.html) - [United States strikes southern Iran targets "in self-defense" amid Doha peace talks](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/25/united-states-strikes-southern-iran-targets-in-self-defense-amid-doha-peace-talks?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The US Armed Forces struck military targets in southern Iran on Monday “in self-defense,” according to a statement by US Central Command, in an episode that coincides with the arrival of Iranian negotiators in Qatar for peace talks mediated by the Qatari government. The operation also overlaps with the order issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Israeli army to “step on the accelerator” in its offensive against the Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite parallel negotiations between Tel Aviv and Beirut. - [2026 World Cup drives Airbnb supply surge in Mexican host cities and consolidates real estate firms' control](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/25/2026-world-cup-drives-airbnb-supply-surge-in-mexican-host-cities-and-consolidates-real-estate-firms-control?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The approach of the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico will co-host alongside the United States and Canada, has accelerated the mass conversion of traditional housing into short-term tourist rentals in the three Mexican cities hosting the tournament, with a sharp rise of real estate firms as the dominant market actor. According to data from the specialized firm AirDNA cited by the newspaper El País, the supply of properties on Airbnb and similar platforms grew in Mexico City by 30% between 2023 and 2026, rising from 18,000 to close to 24,000 units. In the Guadalajara metropolitan area, growth reached 50%, to 9,760 […] - [Three main Colombian presidential candidates close campaigns one week before first round](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/25/three-main-colombian-presidential-candidates-close-campaigns-one-week-before-first-round?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The three main contenders to succeed President Gustavo Petro on Sunday closed their campaigns with massive political rallies in different cities across the country, one week before the first round of the presidential elections of 31 May. Leftist senator Iván Cepeda, of the ruling Pacto Histórico; far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, of the Defensores de la Patria movement; and right-wing senator Paloma Valencia, of the Centro Democrático, lead the polls, while around 10% of the electorate remains undecided one week before the vote. The eventual runoff is scheduled for 21 June. - [Peru sends four tons of food to Bolivia and joins humanitarian airlift over blockades](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/25/peru-sends-four-tons-of-food-to-bolivia-and-joins-humanitarian-airlift-over-blockades?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The government of Peru on Sunday delivered to Bolivia a donation of four tons of food intended for families affected by the road blockades that highland peasant sectors have maintained for 19 days, in an initiative that adds Lima to the growing regional humanitarian airlift organized around the government of President Rodrigo Paz. The aid arrived aboard a Peruvian military aircraft and was received by Bolivian Deputy Minister of Consular Management Héctor Huanca and the Peruvian Ambassador in La Paz, Carlos Chávez-Taffur, at El Alto international airport. - [Spanish police investigate Plus Ultra bailout scheme, linking Zapatero with Maduro's circle](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/25/spanish-police-investigate-plus-ultra-bailout-scheme-linking-zapatero-with-maduro-s-circle?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Spanish National Police’s Economic and Tax Crime Unit (UDEF) considers that former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero may have exercised “non-visible leadership” in an alleged influence network that facilitated the EUR 53 million bailout of airline Plus Ultra during the covid-19 pandemic. The report, comprising more than 300 pages and submitted to National Court judge José Luis Calama, was disclosed on Saturday by the outlet Infobae España and forms part of the judicial file investigating the maneuvers to obtain the public aid from the State Industrial Holdings Company (SEPI) in 2021. - [Trump administration anticipates imminent agreement with Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/25/trump-administration-anticipates-imminent-agreement-with-iran-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The administration of US President Donald Trump took it for granted on Sunday that within the coming days it will be able to announce an agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime route through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil flows and which has remained practically closed since the start of the US and Israeli offensive against the Islamic Republic on 28 February. Three months after the attack that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei —replaced by his son Mojtaba— Washington and Tehran are negotiating a two-phase scheme that would ease pressure on the global economy without […] - [Paraguayan Prosecutor's Office maps Marset drug route from Bolivia to European ports](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/25/paraguayan-prosecutor-s-office-maps-marset-drug-route-from-bolivia-to-european-ports?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The Paraguayan Prosecutor’s Office has filed an indictment against Gianina García Troche, the former partner of Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset, that reconstructs in detail the criminal structure operating from Paraguay that for years moved cocaine from Bolivia to major European ports. The document, cited by the Uruguayan newspaper El País, lays out a three-pronged organization, nearly a thousand clandestine flights inside the Paraguayan Chaco, and a verified export volume amounting to 17,340 kilos of cocaine seized in Belgium and the Netherlands, valued at up to USD 434 million on the European market. - [Uruguay captures 63% of Mercosur's annual rice quota to the European Union](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/23/uruguay-captures-63-of-mercosur-s-annual-rice-quota-to-the-european-union?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Uruguay this week filled 63% of the annual zero-tariff rice quota granted by the European Union to Mercosur, in the first significant trade milestone since the provisional entry into force, on 1 May, of the association agreement between the two blocs. The total quota of 6,667 tons for the current year was covered within a few weeks of activity, according to Acting Foreign Minister Valeria Csukasi, in what amounts to one of the first operational tests of the treaty signed on 17 January in Asunción. - [Humpback whales observation show they moved between Australia and Brazil, the longest travel distance ever](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/22/humpback-whales-observation-show-they-moved-between-australia-and-brazil-the-longest-travel-distance-ever?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Two humpback whales have been sighted in separate breeding grounds off Australia and Brazil, the first time scientists have seen the species travel such vast distances across the Southern Ocean during their lifetimes. - [Record art sales at Christie’s, US$ 1,1bn in three hours; US expressionist Pollard painting sold for US$ 181 million](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/22/record-art-sales-at-christie-s-us-1-1bn-in-three-hours-us-expressionist-pollard-painting-sold-for-us-181-million?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): A painting by US Abstract Expressionist painter Jackson Pollock sold for a record US$181.2 million (€156.2 million) with fees, at Christie’s auction house in New York this week, alongside other staggering sales on what was a blockbuster event for the institution. - [Air France and Airbus found guilty of manslaughter over 2009 Rio-Paris crash](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/22/air-france-and-airbus-found-guilty-of-manslaughter-over-2009-rio-paris-crash?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Paris Court of Appeals on Thursday found Air France and Airbus guilty of manslaughter in connection with the crash of flight AF447, which plunged into the Atlantic Ocean on 1 June 2009 on the Rio de Janeiro–Paris route with a death toll of 228 people. The ruling overturns the April 2023 decision in which both companies had been acquitted, and finds the airline and the manufacturer “solely and entirely responsible” for the disaster, according to the BBC news agency. Both Air France and Airbus rejected the charges and announced they would appeal. - [UN C 24 previous seminar in Nicaragua; main meeting in New York 15/26 June](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/22/un-c-24-previous-seminar-in-nicaragua-main-meeting-in-new-york-15-26-june?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization will hold the Caribbean Regional Seminar in Managua from 25 to 27 May within the framework of the fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2021-2030). - [First-Quarter Earnings Driving Stocks to Record Highs](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/first-quarter-earnings-driving-stocks-record-highs): Discover how the first-quarter earnings season has provided fundamental support for the rally in equities. - [Chartstopper: May 21, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/chartstopper-may-21-2026): Once again, the Iran conflict was the big market mover, and there were several positive developments. - [Pope Leo XIV's possible Uruguay visit remains officially unconfirmed despite local announcements](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/21/pope-leo-xiv-s-possible-uruguay-visit-remains-officially-unconfirmed-despite-local-announcements?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The possible visit of Pope Leo XIV to Uruguay during the first half of November, announced on Wednesday by the intendant of the department of Florida, Carlos Enciso, does not yet have official confirmation from either the Uruguayan Catholic Church or the Vatican, according to ecclesiastical sources cited by the Montevideo Portal news outlet. The municipal official stated on his X social media account that, according to “Vatican sources” consulted by his administration, the pontiff is expected to visit the national shrine of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three as part of a possible trip to the South American country. - [Falklands reaffirms close relationship with IAATO; Marketplace Expo in USA](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/21/falklands-reaffirms-close-relationship-with-iaato-marketplace-expo-in-usa?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Reaffirming the close relationship and collaboration members from the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) team led a coalition of Falkland Islands businesses for the inaugural Marketplace Expo during the International Association for Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) Annual meeting, which was held in late April, in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. - [BCR: crecimiento económico superó proyección, la inflación aumentó por el petróleo y qué implicó Petro-Perú para el costo fiscal](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/bcr-crecimiento-economico-supero-proyeccion-inflacion-aumento-por-petroleo-y-petro-peru-implico-un-costo-fiscal-importante-noticia/): Los retos de la exploración minera: tramitología, demora en plazos y problemas institucionales Crecimiento, estabilidad jurídica y las prioridades del Perú según los gremios empresariales El Banco Central de Reserva (BCR) informó que el crecimiento económico registrado en marzo y durante el primer trimestre del año estuvo por encima de las proyecciones previstas por la entidad. Durante la conferencia del Programa Monetario de mayo, Adrián Armas, gerente central de Estudios Económicos del BCR, indicó que el resultado respondió principalmente al mayor dinamismo del PBI no primario. “El crecimiento de 3,2% en marzo y de 3,5% en el primer trimestre fue superior […] - [Falklands at online meeting of UKBOTs, preparing for next Joint Ministerial Council](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/21/falklands-at-online-meeting-of-ukbots-preparing-for-next-joint-ministerial-council?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, represented the Government of Gibraltar at an online meeting of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association to prepare for this year’s Joint Ministerial Council in November. - [Why International Payments Remain a Pain Point for the Region's Exporters: Critical Infrastructure Gaps and Rising Costs](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/21/why-international-payments-remain-a-pain-point-for-the-region-s-exporters-critical-infrastructure-gaps-and-rising-costs?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Exporters across the region have mastered the hard parts of global trade: sourcing reliable products, negotiating with international buyers, and navigating complex logistics. - [The European Union unblocks tariff deal with United States after ten months of negotiation](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/20/the-european-union-unblocks-tariff-deal-with-united-states-after-ten-months-of-negotiation?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Negotiators from the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission reached a provisional agreement in the early hours of Wednesday on the final text of the tariff pact with the United States, in a decision that closes ten months of negotiations marked by pressures, threats, and successive blockages in the European Parliament. The Cypriot presidency of the Council, exercised during the first half of 2026, confirmed the breakthrough through the X social media platform and emphasized that the aim of the agreement is to “enhance a stable and predictable trade relationship” between the two blocs. - [Bolivia: miners' dynamite and peasants' siege reach the heart of power in La Paz](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/19/bolivia-miners-dynamite-and-peasants-siege-reach-the-heart-of-power-in-la-paz?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The center of La Paz turned on Monday into the stage of a more than three-hour pitched battle in which thousands of salaried miners and peasants clashed with police forces trying to prevent their entry to Plaza Murillo, the seat of Bolivia’s executive and legislative branches. The protesters threw dynamite charges at the police, who responded with tear gas. The cordons were not overrun, and the Army, deployed around the square as the last line of defense, did not intervene directly. The mobilization is the largest challenge President Rodrigo Paz has faced since taking office six months ago. - [Top naval medical service containerized module successfully tested in HMS Protector](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/19/top-naval-medical-service-containerized-module-successfully-tested-in-hms-protector?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): UK engineering SME Force Development Services (FDS) has successfully tested its containerized medical mission module at sea for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) NavyPODS – Navy Persistent Operational Deployment System – program. - [Musk loses USD 150 billion lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/19/musk-loses-usd-150-billion-lawsuit-against-openai-and-sam-altman?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): A federal jury in Oakland, California, on Monday unanimously rejected the lawsuit that magnate Elon Musk had filed against OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and the company’s president, Greg Brockman, in which he sought USD 150 billion in damages and the reversal of the artificial intelligence firm’s transformation into a for-profit entity. The verdict, reached by all nine jurors, found that the lawsuit is barred by the statute of limitations and amounts to a sharp setback for the founder of Tesla, who has already announced his intention to appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. - [Royal Navy Type 31 program hit by £140M cost adjustment amid rework challenges](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/19/royal-navy-type-31-program-hit-by-140m-cost-adjustment-amid-rework-challenges?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate program has been hit by a £140 million cost adjustment, after contractor Babcock International identified higher-than-expected rework and productivity issues during construction of the vessels, points out The Center for National Interest, a US Public Policy Think Tank. - [Chilean executive detained in Brazil for racist and homophobic insults to Latam flight attendant](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/19/chilean-executive-detained-in-brazil-for-racist-and-homophobic-insults-to-latam-flight-attendant?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Chilean executive Germán Naranjo Maldini has been held since Friday 15 May at the Guarulhos prison on the outskirts of São Paulo, charged with racial slur after directing racist and homophobic insults at a flight attendant of the airline Latam during a flight between São Paulo and Frankfurt on 10 May. The Chilean fishing company Landes, where he served as commercial manager, formally and preventively removed the executive from his position following the circulation over the weekend of a video showing the verbal attacks. - [Fishing Tourism Should Be Targeted by Nations Seeking to Attract More Visitors](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/19/fishing-tourism-should-be-targeted-by-nations-seeking-to-attract-more-visitors?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Some of the most coveted sports fishing catches in the world swim around the waters of the South Atlantic Ocean. The bluefin tuna, white marlin, albacore, swordfish, and yellowfin tuna all frequent these waters, and the swiftly growing audience for angling tourism knows it. - [Brazil leads South America's military spending and Uruguay posts one of the largest relative rises, SIPRI says](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/17/brazil-leads-south-america-s-military-spending-and-uruguay-posts-one-of-the-largest-relative-rises-sipri-says?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Brazil consolidated its position as South America’s leading defense spender during 2025, with a military budget of approximately USD 23.9 billion and a 13% year-on-year increase, while Uruguay recorded one of the steepest relative rises in the region, according to the annual report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released on Saturday. The region as a whole increased its military spending by 3.4% compared with 2024, in line with a global trend of armed forces modernization, open conflicts, and growing geopolitical tensions. - [Amazon accused of keeping hundreds of millions in tariff costs to curry favor with Trump administration](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/amazon-accused-keeping-hundreds-millions-tariff-costs-curry-favor-trump-administration): Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar details the company’s Amazon partnership, benefits of Ozempic beyond weight loss and more on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ Amazon is facing a new class action lawsuit accusing the company of failing to refund tariff-related costs it passed on to consumers through higher prices in order to appease the Trump administration. Consumers allege in a proposed lawsuit filed in Seattle that the tech giant collected hundreds of millions of dollars in unlawful tariff costs by raising prices on imported goods before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in February that President Donald Trump lacked authority under the International Emergency […] - [Paz thanks Milei for sending Hercules aircraft to bring food to blockaded Bolivian cities](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/16/paz-thanks-milei-for-sending-hercules-aircraft-to-bring-food-to-blockaded-bolivian-cities?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz on Friday thanked his Argentine counterpart, Javier Milei, for sending two C-130 Hercules military aircraft to reinforce the airlift aimed at supplying food and basic goods to the cities of La Paz and El Alto, affected by ten consecutive days of road blockades by peasant unions from the highlands. The regional gesture comes during one of the most critical weeks of the centrist leader’s six-month tenure, against a backdrop of shortages and growing political tension with sectors aligned with former president Evo Morales. - [Perú toca fondo: indicadores económicos, sociales y de gobernabilidad alcanzan su peor nivel en cinco años](https://elcomercio.pe/ecdata/keiko-fujimori-roberto-sanchez-elecciones-2026-pedro-castillo-jose-maria-balcazar-congreso-bicameral-fuerza-popular-juntos-por-el-peru-noticia/): Roberto Sánchez calificó como “gesta de rebeldía” y “acción política” el ‘Andahuaylazo’ donde fueron asesinados 4 policías Roberto Sánchez adelanta que no firmará “hoja de ruta”: Este es su discurso en contra del “crecimiento económico” El 28 de julio de 2021, en sesión solemne en el Congreso de la República, Pedro Castillo Terrones se colocó la banda presidencial. El evento, que coincidió con el bicentenario de la independencia del Perú, inauguraba el el lustro más caótico de los últimos 25 años. El quinquenio 2021-2026, tristemente conocido internacionalmente por haber acumulado cuatro presidentes en lugar de uno, concentró hitos negativos en los […] - [Washington considers prosecuting Raúl Castro over 1996 shootdown of civilian planes](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/05/15/washington-considers-prosecuting-raul-castro-over-1996-shootdown-of-civilian-planes?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The US government is weighing a federal indictment against former Cuban president Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft operated by the humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue, the CBS network and the Reuters news agency reported on Thursday, citing official sources. The potential charges, which still require grand jury approval, emerge on a day marked by escalating tensions between Washington and Havana and by a confidential visit to the Cuban capital by CIA Director John Ratcliffe. - [Menos metros, mejor ubicación: esto es lo que busca el comprador inmobiliario en Lima, ¿ha cambiado el perfil?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/la-cuota-manda-el-nuevo-comprador-de-vivienda-sacrifica-metros-para-vivir-mejor-conectado-noticia/): Expansión en EE.UU. impulsa a inmobiliaria T&C, ¿qué tan lejos espera llegar con su negocio? Mercado de oficinas prime se ajusta: menos oferta y mayor demanda elevan los precios en Lima, ¿qué está cambiando? El perfil del comprador que busca una vivienda en Lima ha cambiado. Hoy, más allá de buscar el departamento ideal, se toma especial atención al presupuesto disponible, pues el usuario está más informado, compara más alternativas y toma decisiones cada vez más condicionadas por su capacidad de pago, el acceso al crédito y los tiempos de traslado dentro de la ciudad. Así lo afirma Luciano Barredo, gerente […] - [Earth Is Spinning Faster, Making Some Summer Days Shorter](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/science/earth-speeding-up-summer-days-shorter.html): The planet’s rotation fluctuates as it travels around the sun, and measurements suggest we’re losing more than a millisecond during the long days of summer.It wouldn’t be summer without the stretched out days. The dawns break early and the dusks come late, affording more time for lazy beach trips and long barbecues under the slow curve of the sun.But when it comes to the full astronomical day — a single rotation of planet Earth in which the hour hand moves twice around a standard clock — some of this year’s shortest are happening in July and August.This week has seen the shortest days of the year so far. According to data from the U.S. Naval Observatory and the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service, Tuesday’s rotation was about 1.34 milliseconds less than 24 hours.More quick spins are expected this week, later this month and in early August, according to predictions from the website Time and Date.This isn’t completely out of the ordinary: Our world’s spins have been faster than usual lately. The average day has mostly shortened over the past decade, and within the past five years or so, the full rotation has clocked in at a hair less than 24 hours more often than not. Factors driving the change include movements at Earth’s core, atmospheric changes and the moon’s position.But long-term trends do not suggest that the days will shorten in perpetuity. In fact, it is just the opposite. For many millenniums, the days have been growing longer. A Tyrannosaurus rex that lived 70 million years ago would have experienced an average daily rotation of about 23 1/2 hours, studies have found.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Celebrating Humanity, Stubbornly, at Europe’s Photography Mecca](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/arts/design/arles-france-rencontres-de-la-photographie.html): Since the 1970s, the Rencontres d’Arles has been the place to debut the art form’s latest developments. This year’s edition had a more retro feel. If you ask a photographer working today to name the biggest wrench in the spokes of her craft, you’ll likely get two dreaded initials: A.I. Except, it seems, in Arles, the bright town of Roman and medieval stone in the south of France that since 1970 has hosted Europe’s pre-eminent photography festival: the Rencontres de la Photographie. This year it brings together some 30 exhibitions in churches, municipal buildings, museums and a grocery store, and is […] - [As Climate Change Heats Up Europe’s Summers, Avignon Festival Tries to Adapt](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/theater/avignon-festival-heat-climate-change.html): Rising temperatures pose an existential threat to the theater extravaganza, where extreme heat is making it tough for the audience. As a punishing heat wave swept through Europe last week, some cultural events had to carry on with the show. The Avignon Festival, one of Europe’s largest theater extravaganzas, was just days from opening. And even as temperatures hit 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the festival’s venues — many of them outdoors — still needed to be prepped. “Within 12 hours, we had adapted,” said Eve Lombart, who has been the festival’s general administrator since 2019. Working hours for […] - [Cairo Telecommunications Building Hit With 2nd Fire in a Week](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/world/middleeast/egypt-fire-cairo-telecom.html): A blaze on Thursday at one of Egypt’s main telecommunications hubs was extinguished, days after a larger fire there killed four people and disrupted internet, transport and banking services.A fire broke out at one of Egypt’s main telecommunications hubs on Thursday evening, according to state news media, days after a blaze there killed four people and disrupted internet, transport and banking services.The fire on Thursday in central Cairo at a building known as the Ramses Exchange was much smaller than the one on Monday and was quickly extinguished, the media company Al Ahram reported, citing local authorities.There was no official information about the cause of either fire. Egyptian prosecutors said they had launched an investigation.The telecommunications exchange is run by state-owned Telecom Egypt and is one of many handling phone and internet services. Officials said that services had largely been restored, but some Egyptians still complained on Friday of patchy internet connections, especially in the area near the Ramses Exchange.The earlier blaze killed at least four people and injured at least two dozen others, according to the local government. Internet connectivity dropped to about 40 percent of normal levels, according to NetBlocks, a group that tracks internet outages.The fire also disrupted the stock exchange and banking sectors and delayed flights, according to local news reports, with some Egyptians posting photos on social media of air travelers using handwritten boarding passes. Customers were unable to buy train tickets for nearly two days in parts of the country, according to local media. The stock exchange reopened on Wednesday.Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly visited the exchange on Wednesday and said the government would produce a recovery plan to ensure that the building returned to full operation as soon as possible, the Egyptian cabinet said in a statement.The fire on Monday started on a floor that houses equipment run by telecommunications operators, the nation’s Ministry of Communications said in a statement. Despite the presence of fire suppression equipment, the blaze quickly spread to other floors, it said. - [Interesting Times: A Mind-Bending Conversation with Peter Thiel](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/podcasts/interesting-times-a-mind-bending-conversation-with-peter-thiel.html): Listen to and follow ‘Hard Fork’Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTube | iHeartRadioThis week, we’re bringing you a recent interview from “Interesting Times with Ross Douthat,” one of The New York Times’s newest podcasts. In this episode, Ross sits down with Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal and Palantir and one of the most contrarian thinkers in tech. Together, they unpack Thiel’s theory that we’re living through an era of technological stagnation, and debate whether President Trump’s populism and the development of artificial intelligence will help us unlock new progress.Guest:Peter Thiel, co-founder of Paypal and Palantir.Additional Reading:Peter Thiel and the AntichristThe New York TimesCredits“Hard Fork” is hosted by - [Is A.I. the Future of Web Browsing?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/technology/personaltech/ai-internet-browser-dia.html): A test of the app Dia illustrates that the humble web browser may be the path to making artificial intelligence more natural to use.When was the last time you thought about your web browser?If you don’t remember, no one will blame you. Web browsers have remained fundamentally unchanged for decades: You open an app, such as Chrome, Safari or Firefox, and type a website into the address bar. Many of us settled on one and fell into what I call “browser inertia,” never bothering to see if there’s anything better.Yet a web browser is important because so much of what we do on computers takes place inside one, including word processing, chatting on Slack and managing calendars and email.That’s why I felt excited when I recently tried Dia, a new kind of web browser from the Browser Company of New York, a start-up. The app is powered by generative artificial intelligence, the technology driving popular chatbots like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, to answer our questions. Dia illuminates how a web browser can do much more than load websites — and even help us learn and save time.I tested Dia for a week and found myself browsing the web in new ways. In seconds, the browser provided a written recap of a 20-minute video without my watching its entirety. While scanning a breaking news article, the browser generated a list of other relevant articles for a deeper understanding. I even wrote to the browser’s built-in chatbot for help proofreading a paragraph of text.Dia is on the cusp of an emerging era of A.I.-powered internet navigators that could persuade people to try something new. This week, Perplexity, a start-up that makes a search engine, announced an A.I. web browser called Comet, and some news outlets have reported that OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, also plans to release a browser this year. OpenAI declined to comment. (The New York Times has sued OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems. The two companies have denied the suit’s claims.) Tech behemoths like Google and Apple have added lightweight A.I. features into their existing browsers, Chrome and Safari, including tools for proofreading text and automatically summarizing articles.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Trump Seeks to Cut Basic Scientific Research by Roughly One-Third, Report Shows](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/science/trump-science-budget-cuts.html): An analysis by the American Association for the Advancement of Science shows the impact of the administration’s budget plan on the kind of studies that produce the most breakthroughs.President Trump’s budget plan guts federal science funding for the next fiscal year, according to an overview published by an external group. Particularly at risk is the category of basic research — the blue-sky variety meant to push back the frontiers of human knowledge and sow practical spinoffs and breakthroughs in such everyday fields as health care and artificial intelligence.The group says it would fall by more than one-third.The new analysis, made public Wednesday by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a general scientific society based in Washington, D.C., added up cuts to the budgets of hundreds of federal agencies and programs that do scientific research or provide grants to universities and research bodies. It then compared the funding appropriated for the current fiscal year with the administration’s proposals for fiscal year 2026.For basic science research, the association reported that the overall budget would fall to $30 billion from $45 billion, a drop of roughly 34 percent. For science funding overall — which includes money for basic, applied and developmental work, as well as for facilities for research and development — the analysis found that the federal budget would fall to $154 billion from $198 billion, a drop of 22 percent.The new analysis shows that the Trump administration’s budget plan, if adopted, “would essentially end America’s longstanding role as the world leader in science and innovation,” said Toby Smith, senior vice president for government relations and public policy at the Association of American Universities.His group, Mr. Smith added, is working with Congress to develop “a funding plan for strategic investment that would help to sustain continued American scientific leadership rather than destroying it.”Mary Woolley, president of Research America, a nonprofit group that promotes science, said the new analysis showed that the budget plan “is threatening not only science but the American public. If approved by Congress, it will make the public less safe, poorer and sicker.”The Gutting of America’s Medical Research: Here Is Every Canceled or Delayed N.I.H. GrantSome cuts have been starkly visible, but the country’s medical grant-making machinery has also radically transformed outside the public eye.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Trump Seeks to Cut Basic Scientific Research by Roughly One-Third, Report Shows](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/science/trump-science-budget-cuts.html): An analysis by the American Association for the Advancement of Science shows the impact of the administration’s budget plan on the kind of studies that produce the most breakthroughs.President Trump’s budget plan guts federal science funding for the next fiscal year, according to an overview published by an external group. Particularly at risk is the category of basic research — the blue-sky variety meant to push back the frontiers of human knowledge and sow practical spinoffs and breakthroughs in such everyday fields as health care and artificial intelligence.The group says it would fall by more than one-third.The new analysis, made public Wednesday by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a general scientific society based in Washington, D.C., added up cuts to the budgets of hundreds of federal agencies and programs that do scientific research or provide grants to universities and research bodies. It then compared the funding appropriated for the current fiscal year with the administration’s proposals for fiscal year 2026.For basic science research, the association reported that the overall budget would fall to $30 billion from $45 billion, a drop of roughly 34 percent. For science funding overall — which includes money for basic, applied and developmental work, as well as for facilities for research and development — the analysis found that the federal budget would fall to $154 billion from $198 billion, a drop of 22 percent.The new analysis shows that the Trump administration’s budget plan, if adopted, “would essentially end America’s longstanding role as the world leader in science and innovation,” said Toby Smith, senior vice president for government relations and public policy at the Association of American Universities.His group, Mr. Smith added, is working with Congress to develop “a funding plan for strategic investment that would help to sustain continued American scientific leadership rather than destroying it.”Mary Woolley, president of Research America, a nonprofit group that promotes science, said the new analysis showed that the budget plan “is threatening not only science but the American public. If approved by Congress, it will make the public less safe, poorer and sicker.”The Gutting of America’s Medical Research: Here Is Every Canceled or Delayed N.I.H. GrantSome cuts have been starkly visible, but the country’s medical grant-making machinery has also radically transformed outside the public eye.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [3 Teenagers Arrested Over Cyberattacks That Cost U.K. Retailers Millions](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/business/cyber-attack-arrests-marks-spencers-harrods-coop.html): Four people total were arrested in connection with an April cyberattack that disrupted operations at Marks & Spencer, Harrods and Co-op. The British police arrested four people, including three teenagers, on Thursday in connection with an April cyberattack that cost the retail giant Marks & Spencer millions of pounds and disrupted operations at Harrods and Co-op. Three males, two aged 19 and another aged 17, and one female, 20, were apprehended at their homes in the West Midlands and in London on Thursday morning, the authorities said. All four people remain in custody, arrested on suspicion of Computer Misuse Act offenses, […] - [Maya Ruler’s Tomb Is Unearthed in Belize, With Clues to His Ancient World](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/world/americas/maya-tomb-caracol-belize.html): A rare mosaic death mask made of jadeite and vessels in the shapes of an owl, a monkey and coati-mundi were found with the ruler.The archaeologists worked in the shadow of towering Maya ruins, piercing the floor of a structure they had searched years before.Below, they found an even more ancient chamber, still holding a body and the treasures it was buried with: a rare mosaic death mask and jadeite jewelry, shells from the Pacific and elaborate designs on pottery and bone.It was the 1,700-year-old tomb of a Maya ruler — the first ever found at Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize — and it held clues to a Mesoamerican world where cities contended with one another from hundreds of miles apart.“They’ve found a very early ruler, so that’s very important, and he’s claimed to be the founder of a dynasty,” said Gary Feinman, an archaeologist at Field Museum of Chicago who was not involved in the excavation. “That’s a major find.”Arlen Chase, one of the archaeologists working at Caracol, was among the first to enter the tomb. “As soon as we saw the chamber, we knew we had something,” he said.From the style of ceramic vessels, he knew the tomb was exceptionally old. From the red cinnabar all around, he knew it was for someone of very high status.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Delta stock soars, lifted by better-than-expected earnings and restored full-year guidance](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/delta-stock-soars-lifted-by-better-than-expected-earnings-and-restored-full-year-guidance-6ca4514f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [European Union Unveils Rules for Powerful A.I. Systems](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/business/ai-rules-europe.html): Makers of the most advanced artificial intelligence systems will face new obligations for transparency, copyright protection and public safety. The rules are voluntary to start.European Union officials unveiled new rules on Thursday to regulate artificial intelligence. Makers of the most powerful A.I. systems will have to improve transparency, limit copyright violations and protect public safety.The rules, which are voluntary to start, come during an intense debate in Brussels about how aggressively to regulate a new technology seen by many leaders as crucial to future economic success in the face of competition with the United States and China. Some critics accused regulators of watering down the rules to win industry support.The guidelines apply only to a small number of tech companies like OpenAI, Microsoft and Google that make so-called general-purpose A.I. These systems underpin services like ChatGPT, and can analyze enormous amounts of data, learn on their own and perform some human tasks.The so-called code of practice represents some of the first concrete details about how E.U. regulators plan to enforce a law, called the A.I. Act, that was passed last year. Tech companies played a major role in drafting the rules, which will be voluntary when they take effect on Aug. 2, before becoming enforceable in August 2026, according to the European Commission, the executive branch of the 27-nation bloc.The European Commission said companies that agreed to the voluntary code of practice would benefit from a “reduced administrative burden and increased legal certainty.” Officials said those that do not would have to prove compliance through other means, which could potentially be more costly and time-consuming.It was not immediately clear which companies would join. Google and OpenAI said they were reviewing the final text. Microsoft declined to comment. Meta, which had signaled it will not agree to the code of conduct, did not have an immediate comment. Amazon and Mistral, a leading A.I. company in France, did not respond to a request for comment.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Starmer and Macron Agree to Nuclear Deterrence Pact to Fend Off Threat to Europe](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/world/europe/starmer-macron-nuclear-agreement.html): The two leaders are set to confirm details of a strengthened defense relationship at a summit Thursday. An agreement on tackling unauthorized migration may also be announced. Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain and President Emmanuel Macron of France will announce on Thursday the details of a new defense relationship that will include a first-ever pledge to have their nuclear arsenals work together in the event of serious danger to allies in Europe. The announcement will come as the two leaders conclude a three-day state visit with a trip to a British military base as they seek to underscore their support […] - [Yemen’s Houthi Militia Took Sailors Hostage After Red Sea Attack, U.S. Says](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/world/middleeast/houthis-red-sea-hostages.html): The Yemeni militia, backed by Iran, said it had sunk a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea. Liberia said the attack killed two crew members.Yemen’s Houthi militia has taken hostage some of the crew members of a cargo ship they attacked earlier this week, the U.S. Mission to Yemen said on Wednesday on social media. The move is an escalation of a conflict that has already disrupted global shipping.“We call for their immediate and unconditional safe release,” the Embassy’s statement said.The Houthi attack on Monday on the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged vessel that was sailing through the Red Sea, killed at least two of its crew members, according to Liberian officials who spoke to a United Nations meeting on Tuesday.A Houthi military spokesman, Yahya al-Sarea, said in a statement on Wednesday that the militia had attacked the ship with cruise and ballistic missiles because it was headed to an Israeli port. The Times could not independently confirm the ship’s destination.Mr. al-Sarea said that after the attack, the group “responded to rescue a number of the ship’s crew, provide them with medical care and transport them to a safe location.”He did not specify how many crew members the Houthis had transported, where they were taken or when they would be released. In 2023, the militia seized a ship called the Galaxy Leader and held its crew hostage for more than a year.The Houthi statement also did not mention the crew members who were killed.On Tuesday, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi political official, declined to comment on the attack but told the Times that the group “cares about the safety of sailors.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Linda Yaccarino Tried to Tame X. Now She’s Out as CEO](https://www.wired.com/story/linda-yaccarino-x-ceo-resigns-elon-musk/): Linda Yaccarino, who has served as CEO of X since Elon Musk appointed her to the role in June 2023, announced Wednesday that she is stepping down. Her departure comes less than four months after Musk announced that X would be absorbed into xAI, the billionaire’s existing artificial intelligence startup. In a post on X, Yaccarino thanked Musk for “entrusting me with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the Everything App.” Under her leadership, Yaccarino said that X did “critical early work” to make the platform safe for users, and to “restore advertiser […] - [Life Expectancy in California Has Not Rebounded After Covid](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/health/life-expectancy-california.html): The state’s life expectancy was lower in 2024 than in 2019, according to an analysis, but primarily as a result of causes of death other than Covid.If the nation’s largest state is any gauge, American life expectancy in the post-Covid era has not bounced back.A new analysis published on Wednesday in the medical journal JAMA found that life expectancy in California not only decreased sharply in the peak pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, it remained lower in 2024 than it was in 2019, primarily as a result of causes other than Covid.Drug overdoses and cardiovascular disease, for example, accounted for a larger proportion of the deficit than Covid as time went on.“I have to say, I was quite disappointed by our findings,” said Hannes Schwandt, a health economist and economic demographer at Northwestern University, who led the study.After a pandemic, he said, researchers often expect to see the depressed life expectancy numbers shoot back up and “usually even overshoot for a few years.” That is because the viruses tend to kill the population’s older, sicker people who might have otherwise died in later years.“Four years after the beginning of the pandemic, for the largest state in the country to still have a deficit — that’s mind-blowing,” he said. “Really quite a tragedy.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [French Police Raid National Rally Over Campaign Finances](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/world/europe/france-national-rally-raid.html): The authorities said they are investigating whether the nationalist, anti-immigrant party ran afoul of France’s campaign finance rules. The police raided the headquarters of France’s far-right National Rally party on Wednesday as part of an investigation into its campaign finances, the Paris prosecutor’s office said. No one has been charged in the investigation, which was opened in July 2024 and aims to determine whether the nationalist, anti-immigrant party ran afoul of campaign financing rules, the prosecutor’s office said. Jordan Bardella, the National Rally’s president, accused the authorities of harassment and called the raid a threat to “pluralism and democratic change.” About […] - [Britain’s Economic Bind: Face Public Disapproval or Investor Wrath](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/business/uk-economy-reeves-starmer.html): The Labour Party is starting its second year in control of the government with difficult choices over whether to curb spending or raise taxes. Britain’s Labour Party ended a year in power in misery last week, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a U-turn on plans to cut welfare spending and Rachel Reeves, the chancellor of the Exchequer, was caught looking teary-eyed in Parliament. The second year is already shaping up to be just as challenging. On Tuesday, the Office for Budget Responsibility, an independent watchdog, said Britain’s public finances were in a “vulnerable position” after a series of major global […] - [Grok, Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot, Shares Antisemitic Posts on X](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/technology/grok-antisemitism-ai-x.html): The artificial intelligence chatbot, which has a dedicated account on X, praised Hitler after fielding a query about a user’s comments on the Texas flood.Grok, a chatbot created by Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, shared several outlandish antisemitic comments on X on Tuesday, prompting an outcry from some social media users.In its dedicated account on X, which Mr. Musk owns, the chatbot praised Hitler, suggested that people with Jewish surnames were more likely to spread online hate and said a Holocaust-like response to hatred against white people would be “effective.” X deleted some of the posts on Tuesday evening.Grok, which Mr. Musk has put few limits on, has veered into controversy before. But its comments on Tuesday stood out because it weighed in on the deadly floods in Texas, which have killed more than 100 people, including more than two dozen children and staff members at a Christian summer camp.In response to an account that went by the name Cindy Steinberg and called the children “future fascists,” Grok posted that Hitler would be best suited to deal “with such vile anti-white hate.”“Adolf Hitler, no question. He’d spot the pattern and handle it decisively, every damn time,” the chatbot wrote in a post.After an X user asked why Hitler would be most effective, Grok replied with a post that appeared to endorse the Holocaust.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Ivar Giaever, Nobel Winner in Quantum Physics, Dies at 96](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/science/ivar-giaever-dead.html): A former “D” student from Norway, he made his mark at G.E.’s Research Lab in the U.S., in part by confirming a pivotal theory about superconductivity.Ivar Giaever might not have won the Nobel Prize in Physics if a job recruiter at General Electric had known the difference between the educational grading systems of the United States and Norway.It was 1956, and he was applying for a position at the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady, N.Y. The interviewer looked at his grades, from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in Trondheim, where Dr. Giaever (pronounced JAY-ver) had studied mechanical engineering, and was impressed: The young applicant had scored 4.0 marks in math and physics. The recruiter congratulated him.But what the recruiter didn’t know was that in Norway, the best grade was a 1.0, not a 4.0, the top grade in American schools. In fact, a 4.0 in Norway was barely passing — something like a D on American report cards. In reality, his academic record in Norway had been anything but impressive.He did not want to be dishonest, Dr. Giaever would say in recounting the episode with some amusement over the years, but he also did not correct the interviewer. He got the job.He proceeded to spend the next 32 years at the laboratory, along the way developing an experiment that provided proof of a central idea in quantum physics — that subatomic particles can behave like powerful waves.The experiment, using superconductors — material that is able to convey electricity without resistance so that a current running through it will never dissipate — also confirmed a game-changing theory about superconductivity.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Antigovernment Protests Erupt Across Kenya, Killing Dozens](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/world/africa/kenya-antigovernment-protests-ruto.html): Simmering anger against President William Ruto’s government has boiled over into clashes between protesters and the police, who have deployed live rounds, tear gas and water cannons. At least 31 people were killed and more than 100 others wounded in protests that erupted across Kenya on Monday, a rights group said, as simmering anger against President William Ruto’s government boiled over into clashes between protesters and the police. The group, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, said on Tuesday that it had also documented at least 532 arrests and two forced disappearances. The police fired live rounds, rubber bullets, tear […] - [The Bayeux Tapestry, a British Masterpiece, Returns to England After 900 Years](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/world/europe/bayeux-tapestry-england-france-british-museum.html): The embroidered work, depicting the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, is a loan from France. For the first time, it will be on exhibit in London. The embroidered work of medieval art known as the Bayeux Tapestry, a masterpiece that depicts the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, will return to Britain for the first time in centuries, according to the British Museum, where it will be displayed in London starting next year. The loan, which was announced on Tuesday as part of a state visit by President Emmanuel Macron of France, marks the first time that the tapestry will […] - [Royal Family Welcomes President Macron to U.K. for State Visit With Pomp and Pizazz](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/world/europe/macron-uk-state-visit-royal-family-photos.html): President Emmanuel Macron is on a state visit to Britain, the first of a French leader since 2008. His hosts are drenching him in pomp, pizazz and protocol. He rode in a horse-drawn carriage, chatting with King Charles. He walked down a red carpet, sharp in his navy suit. And, come Tuesday evening, he will dine in Windsor Castle at a banquet in his honor. Britain is rolling out its pomp and turning up its pageantry to full throttle for President Emmanuel Macron of France and his wife, Brigitte Macron, who are on the first French state visit to the United […] - [Stock Markets Rise After Trump Extends Tariff Deadline](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/business/trump-tariffs-stock-markets-sp500.html): The president noted that U.S. negotiators remained open to offers from trading partners, suggesting that tariffs could be reduced by — or even after — the deadline on Aug. 1. Stock markets mostly rose on Tuesday after President Trump revived steep tariffs on dozens of countries but extended their start date to Aug. 1, signaling that talks would continue between his trade negotiators and their counterparts around the world. He later noted that the deadline in August was “not 100 percent firm,” reinforcing that his administration was “open” to offers from trading partners. The S&P 500 rose slightly in early trading. […] - [Aix Festival: How to Experience It From Afar](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/arts/music/aix-festival-opera-highlights-2025.html): Many of the offerings at the Aix-en-Provence Festival in France are broadcast, or they travel to other theaters. Here are some highlights. Every summer, opera moves from the city to the country. Stars pack their bags for idyllic destinations, and their most dedicated, deep-pocketed fans follow. It’s festival season, and perhaps the most interesting one is in Aix-en-Provence, France. At the Aix Festival, directors take risks on classics, and new works are unveiled in spots as old-fashioned as a Baroque theater and as unlikely as a monolithic stadium off the highway. Audience members come from around the world, often laid back […] - [OpenAI and Microsoft Bankroll New A.I. Training for Teachers](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/technology/chatgpt-teachers-openai-microsoft.html): The tech industry’s campaign to embed artificial intelligence chatbots in classrooms is accelerating.The American Federation of Teachers, the second-largest U.S. teachers’ union, said on Tuesday that it would start an A.I. training hub for educators with $23 million in funding from three leading chatbot makers: Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic.The union said it planned to open the National Academy for A.I. Instruction in New York City, starting with hands-on workshops for teachers this fall on how to use A.I. tools for tasks like generating lesson plans.Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said the A.I. academy was inspired by other unions, like the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, that have worked with industry partners to set up high-tech training centers.The New York hub will be “an innovative new training space where school staff and teachers will learn not just about how A.I. works, but how to use it wisely, safely and ethically,” Ms. Weingarten said in an interview. “It will be a place where tech developers and educators can talk with each other, not past each other.”The industry funding is part of a drive by U.S. tech companies to reshape education with generative A.I. chatbots. These tools, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot, can produce humanlike essays, research summaries and class quizzes.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Strongest rise in Scottish private sector activity since November](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/strongest-rise-scottish-private-sector-35513567): Business activity across the Scottish private sector rose further in June. The Royal Bank of Scotland Growth Tracker rose to 50.9, from 50.5 in May, marking a second consecutive monthly increase. While the uptick was modest overall, it was the strongest since November 2024. However, as was the case in May, activity growth remained solely driven by the service sector. Service providers noted that new project funding and a rise in demand underscored the uptick in activity. Meanwhile, manufacturing production continued to fall sharply. The sustained rise in overall activity was accompanied by improved confidence regarding the year ahead outlook for […] - [Franklin W. Stahl, 95, Dies; Helped Create a ‘Beautiful’ DNA Experiment](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/science/franklin-w-stahl-dead.html): He and a colleague proved a theory advanced by the Nobel Prize winners James Watson and Francis Crick, who discovered DNA’s helical structure.Franklin W. Stahl, a molecular biologist who helped create a methodology to confirm how DNA replicates that was so elegant it has been remembered for more than five decades as “the most beautiful experiment in biology,” died on April 2 at his home in Eugene, Ore. He was 95.The cause was congestive heart failure, his son Andy Stahl said. His death was not widely reported at the time, and there was no announcement about it from the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he was a professor and researcher.At his death, Dr. Stahl was an emeritus professor of molecular biology and genetics at the university’s Institute of Molecular Biology. He had been at the university since 1959.Dr. Stahl’s name and that of his collaborator, Matthew Meselson, were immortalized by the Meselson-Stahl Experiment, which is referenced in biology textbooks and taught in molecular genetics courses worldwide. In 2015, “Helix Spirals,” a musical tribute to the experiment, was composed by Augusta Read Thomas and performed by a string quartet in Boston.The two biologists proved a theory advanced by the Nobel Prize winners James Watson and Francis Crick, who discovered DNA’s helical structure in 1953. Watson and Crick posited in the journal Nature that DNA replicates in a so-called semi-conservative fashion.In 1958, Dr. Meselson and Dr. Stahl, postdoctoral fellows in Linus Pauling’s laboratory at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., proved that Watson and Crick were correct, by using an experiment that was celebrated for its design, execution and results.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Here Are Trump’s New Tariff Threats](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/business/trump-tariffs-trade-deals-august-1.html): President Trump has told 14 countries that they will face tariffs of at least 25 percent on Aug. 1 if they don’t reach agreements by then. President Trump informed Japan, South Korea and 12 other nations on Monday that they will face tariffs of at least 25 percent starting Aug. 1 unless they can broker new trade deals imminently with the United States. The newly announced rates, communicated in letters to those nations’ leaders and posted on social media, marked a revival of Mr. Trump’s trade brinkmanship, with additional threats targeting other nations expected throughout the week. The new tariff rates […] - [Von der Leyen Faces No-Confidence Vote in Far-Right Challenge](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/world/europe/von-der-leyen-no-confidence-vote.html): Ahead of the vote on Thursday, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the commission, appeared before the European Parliament to defend herself against complaints about transparency. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, is expected to face a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament this week. While the measure is likely to fail, it will be a symbolic challenge to the European Union’s top official at a time of high tension. Ms. von der Leyen appeared before Parliament on Monday for a debate to address the complaints against her ahead of the vote, which is scheduled for Thursday. The […] - [Valery Gergiev, Shunned in West Over Putin Support, Will Conduct in Italy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/arts/music/valery-gergiev-italy-festival.html): Valery Gergiev, an ally of Vladimir V. Putin, is set to conduct in Western Europe for the first time since institutions there cut ties over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Valery Gergiev, the star Russian maestro who has been shunned in the West because of his close ties to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, will appear this month at a festival in Italy, his first engagement in Western Europe since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Mr. Gergiev, a staunch ally of Mr. Putin who has helped promote the president’s policies, is set to conduct on July 27 […] - [How the Assad Regime Built a Mass Grave in Syria](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010209709/how-the-assad-regime-built-a-mass-grave-in-syria.html): new video loaded: - [How Europe Got Stuck Between Xi’s China and Trump’s America](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/world/europe/european-union-china-tariffs.html): European Union officials will spend July in talks with China. Tensions are high, hopes are low and stability is the end game. It once looked to many as if President Trump could be a reason for Europe and China to bring their economies closer. His planned tariffs did little to distinguish the European Union, a longtime ally of the United States, from China, the principal challenger to American primacy. It hasn’t turned out that way. Instead, the European Union finds itself in a geopolitical chokehold between the world’s two largest economies. In Brussels, officials are trying to secure a rough trade […] - [Inside the secret military dialogue between Britain and Argentina](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/06/inside-the-secret-military-dialogue-between-britain-and-argentina): America’s top brass worries about the South Atlantic. It is a jumping-off point for Antarctica, where Russia and China boast 15 bases between them, scrambling to lock down resources. It is linked to the Pacific by the Strait of Magellan, the only safe maritime route between the two oceans other than the drought-hit Panama Canal. Traffic through the Strait is surging, as is illegal Chinese fishing on either side. China is pushing infrastructure projects across the region. America’s top generals have visited Argentina’s deep south three times in the last two years. - [Fiona the Pregnant Sea Reptile’s Fossil Hints at the Birth of a New Ocean](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/science/ichthyosaur-fossil-fiona-chile.html): An ichthyosaur preserved beneath a Chilean glacier is helping scientists understand the extinct animals and the world around them as a supercontinent broke up.About 131 million years ago, a pregnant ichthyosaur — a dolphin-like reptile of the dinosaur era — swam in seas that are now part of southern Chile. And then she died.An accomplice in the killing: the breakup of the southern supercontinent of Gondwanaland.South America, once unified with Africa and Antarctica, pulled away, and a new ocean basin called the Roca Verdes opened up.“One of the hypotheses is that this is actually the opening of the early South Atlantic Ocean,” said Matthew Malkowski, a professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.The geological forces that pulled apart the continents also ruptured the Earth’s crust, causing volcanoes and earthquakes, and those earthquakes sometimes set off massive underwater landslides.One day in the early Cretaceous period, one of those landslides collapsed down a submarine canyon in Roca Verdes, generating turbulent flows of sediment.“Probably these landslides might have trapped the ichthyosaurs and threw them to the bottom of the canyon and covered them with sediment,” said Judith Pardo-Pérez, an associate professor at the University of Magallanes in Chile.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Albert Ojwang Was Killed in Police Custody. Kenyans Are Not About to Let It Go.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/world/africa/kenya-africa-albert-ojwang-funeral.html): At the funeral for Albert Ojwang, protesters in Kenya said his death was a call to action for the country’s youth. At first, there were only small groups of mourners milling about as a few dozen men hacked away at the hardened earth. But there were signs of what was to come. The meat from at least 10 slaughtered bulls — enough to feed an army — sizzled over open fires. Enormous tents had been erected over a nearby field, with rows of seating beneath. Then, as the sun climbed and the men crawled out of the grave they had dug, […] - [The Coder ‘Village’ at the Heart of China’s A.I. Frenzy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/technology/china-artificial-intelligence-hangzhou.html): It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, and dozens of people sat in the grass around a backyard stage where aspiring founders of tech start-ups talked about their ideas. People in the crowd slouched over laptops, vaping and drinking strawberry Frappuccinos. A drone buzzed overhead. Inside the house, investors took pitches in the kitchen.It looked like Silicon Valley, but it was Liangzhu, a quiet suburb of the southern Chinese city of Hangzhou, which is a hot spot for entrepreneurs and tech talent lured by low rents and proximity to tech companies like Alibaba and DeepSeek.“People come here to explore their own possibilities,” said Felix Tao, 36, a former Facebook and Alibaba employee who hosted the event.Virtually all of those possibilities involve artificial intelligence. As China faces off with the United States over tech primacy, Hangzhou has become the center of China’s A.I. frenzy.A decade ago, the provincial and local governments started offering subsidies and tax breaks to new companies in Hangzhou, a policy that has helped incubate hundreds of start-ups. On weekends, people fly in from Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen to hire programmers.Lately, many of them have ended up in Mr. Tao’s backyard. He helped found an A.I. research lab at Alibaba before leaving to start his own company, Mindverse, in 2022. Now Mr. Tao’s home is a hub for coders who have settled in Liangzhu, many in their 20s and 30s. They call themselves “villagers,” writing code in coffee shops during the day and gaming together at night, hoping to harness A.I. to create their own companies.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [U.S. Science Cuts in Antarctica May Embolden China and Russia](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/science/antarctica-science-trump-budget.html): Milan is about 10,000 miles, as the albatross flies, from McMurdo Station, the United States’ main outpost in Antarctica. But from late June to early July, representatives of 58 nations gathered in the Italian fashion capital for discussions about the remote continent’s present and future.Difficult questions hung over the meeting: Will the southernmost continent remain a place for science and peace? Or will it become another object of territorial competition among great powers?Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, in force since 1961, stipulating that it is a refuge for peace and science, with military activity prohibited, and the environment protected. The document promotes international collaboration and lays aside the territorial claims of seven countries, which have all agreed not to act on their claimed ownership.Ever since the treaty was signed, conflict has stayed farther north. “It was known as Antarctic exceptionalism,” said Jeffrey McGee, a law professor and Antarctic Treaty expert at the University of Tasmania.Recently, though, that precedent has started to face strain. The world, Dr. McGee said, is turbulent, and its big players — the United States, Russia, China — are also the big players near the South Pole. “We’d be a little bit naïve to think that this isn’t going to affect the Antarctic Treaty system and the Antarctic region,” he added, referring to the dynamics that shape the rest of the world coming to Antarctica.China and Russia are working on expansions to their own scientific facilities in Antarctica and some experts suspect the countries’ infrastructure could have nonpeaceful uses. And a committee of the British House of Commons has questioned the purpose of Russian seismic surveys, suggesting they represented potential oil prospecting, rather than scientific exploration. (China and Russia’s treaty representatives did not reply to emailed requests for comment).We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [A Lifetime After Fleeing the Nazis, They Tell Their Stories](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/world/europe/kindertransport-holocaust-survivors.html): Eighty-five years on, the memories come in flashes. A mother’s last glance through a smudged train station window. A few belongings held in tiny hands. An anxious wait for a new home in a foreign city. In the months after Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom widely remembered as the start of the Holocaust, thousands of Jewish families sent daughters and sons abroad to safety. Some 10,000 children arrived in Britain and a handful went to other European countries. Without their parents, and despite language barriers, they built varied and often remarkable lives. Many of them eventually settled in the United States. […] - [Cuba’s leaders fiddle the figures](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/03/cubas-leaders-fiddle-the-figures): Summer is never easy in tropical Cuba. Suffocating heat and humidity conspire with a dysfunctional electricity supply to highlight government inadequacy and incompetence. Patience tends to fray. This year promises to be crabbier than usual. The country’s feeble grid was already stretched to breaking point last winter, when electricity demand was lower. Now blackouts are longer than ever. Most residents of Havana, the capital, count themselves lucky to have power for more than a few hours a day. They complain of food spoiling in fridges and sleepless nights in smothering, breezeless bedrooms. And anti-government protests may be on the way. The […] - [Jobless claims fall to lowest level since mid-May](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-fall-to-lowest-level-since-mid-may-bda58e3b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Brazil’s president is losing clout abroad and unpopular at home](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/03/brazils-president-is-losing-clout-abroad-and-unpopular-at-home): On June 22nd, hours after the United States struck Iranian nuclear sites with huge bunker-buster bombs, Brazil’s foreign ministry put out a statement. It said that Brazil’s government “strongly condemns” the American attack, which it called a “violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law”. This strength of language put Brazil at odds with Western democracies, which either supported the strikes or merely expressed concern. - [Despite Protests, Elon Musk Secures Air Permit for xAI](https://www.wired.com/story/xai-data-center-air-pollution-permit/): A local health department in Memphis has granted Elon Musk’s xAI data center an air permit to continue operating the gas turbines that power the company’s Grok chatbot. The permit comes amid widespread community opposition and a looming lawsuit alleging the company violated the Clean Air Act. The Shelby County Health Department released its air permit for the xAI project Wednesday, after receiving hundreds of public comments. The news was first reported by the Daily Memphian. In June, the Memphis Chamber of Commerce announced that xAI had chosen a site in Memphis to build its new supercomputer. The company’s website boasts […] - [Trump Says U.S. Has Reached Trade Deal With Vietnam](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/business/economy/trump-vietnam-trade-deal.html): The president said he had agreed to initial trade terms with Vietnam, the second country to strike a limited deal after Mr. Trump threatened steep tariffs. President Trump said on Wednesday that the United States had reached a trade deal with Vietnam, one that would roll back some of the punishing tariffs he had issued on Vietnamese products in return for that nation agreeing to open its market to American goods. The preliminary deal will also indirectly affect China, an important trading partner of Vietnam. “It will be a Great Deal of Cooperation between our two Countries,” Mr. Trump wrote in […] - [Affluent Travelers Are Ditching Business Class for Business Jets](https://www.wired.com/story/business-travelers-private-jet-boom/): We’re cruising 35,000 feet over the French Riviera, the plane’s wing cutting through billows of white. Below us, the sea is sparkling, and I spot a cluster of yachts anchored along the coastline. A ray of light hits my glass of Champagne and turns it to liquid gold. I take another sip. So this is what it feels like to be on cloud nine. I’m flying from London to St. Tropez with the private aviation company Wheels Up, and for the first time in my life, I don’t want a flight to end. Once you’ve gotten a taste of the private […] - [Tesla’s stock jumps as deliveries weren’t as bad as expected](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/teslas-stock-jumps-as-deliveries-werent-as-bad-as-expected-c2998408?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Tesla Sales Fall as Elon Musk Focuses on Self-Driving Cars](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/business/tesla-sales-elon-musk.html): The company has devoted resources to autonomous driving rather than developing new models to attract car buyers.Tesla’s global car sales fell sharply in the second quarter, continuing a decline that began last year, as the company puts a greater emphasis on autonomous driving instead of new models aimed at attracting car buyers.The company said it delivered 384,000 vehicles from April through June, down from 444,000 a year earlier. Tesla’s limited and aging lineup has not been able to withstand growing competition from relatively young Chinese carmakers like BYD and established Western companies like General Motors, Volkswagen and BMW.Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive, has been seemingly indifferent to slumping vehicle sales, saying that the company’s future lies with technology that will allow Teslas to operate autonomously and function as driverless taxis. Significant numbers of investors have bought into that vision and pushed up Tesla’s stock market valuation to more than $940 billion.Last month Tesla began a closely watched test of Mr. Musk’s ambition. Specially equipped Model Y sport utility vehicles, which it calls Robotaxis, began offering paid rides to handpicked guests in Austin, Texas.The guest riders, mostly Tesla enthusiasts with many social media followers, posted almost uniformly glowing reviews online. However, videos they shot betrayed some flaws in the technology, including instances when the cars braked suddenly, dropped off passengers in the middle of intersections, or required intervention from safety monitors who rode in the front passenger seats.Last week, in another milestone, a Tesla with nobody inside drove itself from the company’s factory in Austin to a customer about half an hour away. “There were no people in the car at all and no remote operators in control at any point. FULLY autonomous!” Mr. Musk wrote on X. Critics noted that videos posted by Tesla showed the car parking at the destination along a curb painted red and marked, “No Parking Fire Lane.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [The First Income Tax in the Persian Gulf Signals a Changing Economic Reality](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/world/middleeast/oman-income-tax-persian-gulf.html): A plan by Oman is being closely watched by other governments in the region that are preparing for a future beyond oil.The concept of an income tax has long created debate and anxiety among the citizens of the fossil fuel-rich countries in the Persian Gulf. But no nation actually introduced one until last week, when Oman announced that it would apply a 5 percent tax starting from 2028 on those who make more than 42,000 Omani riyals, or around $109,000.Officials said that the new tax was intended to promote social equity and reduce the country’s dependence on oil and gas, which made up around 70 percent of the state revenues last year. But Oman could also become a testing ground in the region, where the royal families that have ruled for decades have used their resource wealth to subsidize citizens’ lives while granting them minimal political participation.Since oil was discovered in the Arabian Peninsula the 1930s, the Gulf’s royal families have run an authoritarian form of government that involves sharing some fossil-fuel revenue their citizens through public-sector employment, subsidies and other state benefits — while keeping a significant portion of it for themselves, through mechanisms that are typically opaque.The families have combined that strategy with varying degrees of political repression, enabling them to maintain stable, generally peaceful states while limiting political participation.But that model has come under pressure over the past decade. Oil revenue has fluctuated in several Gulf countries, and their governments have also spent more. They are looking for ways to diversify their economies beyond fossil fuels.In Saudi Arabia, one of the first major policy changes by Mohammed bin Salman, now the crown prince and de facto ruler, was to cut energy subsidies. That sent citizens rushing to gas stations to fill their tanks before price increases took effect.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [How to Organize Your E-Books on Kindle, Apple and Google and Nook](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/technology/personaltech/organizing-kindle-apple-google-ebooks.html): If the e-book app on your phone or tablet is overflowing and full of outdated files, use these tools to tidy it up.Is your e-book library a hot mess of random best sellers, audiobooks, ancient sample chapters and abandoned titles?Deleting old files helps, but if you also want better organization, consider sorting your content into “collections” or “shelves” (depending on your app’s terminology). These groupings work like albums for your photos: You can divide your sprawling library into labeled sections. You can still see the unsorted titles in “list” or “grid” views, but displaying them in Collections or Shelf view adds a sense of order. And you can rename or remove the groupings without deleting the books.Here’s a guide for five popular apps.Amazon KindleIn the Kindle mobile app, tap the Library icon at the bottom of the screen to see all the e-books and other content you have acquired. In the Android version, press to select a book and tap the + icon at the top of the screen to add it to a collection. To delete the book, tap the three-dot icon to open the menu of options.In the iOS version, press on a book cover on the screen to open a menu that lets you add it to a collection, delete it or perform other actions.From the menu in the iOS version of the Amazon Kindle app, you can select a book and add it to a new or existing collection that groups titles in a more organized way. Tap the arrows icon on the right to view all your collections.AmazonIf you select Add to Collection, the app takes you to a screen of existing collections you can select. To create and name a new collection, tap Create (Android) or the + button in the upper-left corner (iOS).We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [How to Organize Your E-Books on Kindle, Apple and Google and Nook](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/technology/personaltech/organizing-kindle-apple-google-ebooks.html): If the e-book app on your phone or tablet is overflowing and full of outdated files, use these tools to tidy it up.Is your e-book library a hot mess of random best sellers, audiobooks, ancient sample chapters and abandoned titles?Deleting old files helps, but if you also want better organization, consider sorting your content into “collections” or “shelves” (depending on your app’s terminology). These groupings work like albums for your photos: You can divide your sprawling library into labeled sections. You can still see the unsorted titles in “list” or “grid” views, but displaying them in Collections or Shelf view adds a sense of order. And you can rename or remove the groupings without deleting the books.Here’s a guide for five popular apps.Amazon KindleIn the Kindle mobile app, tap the Library icon at the bottom of the screen to see all the e-books and other content you have acquired. In the Android version, press to select a book and tap the + icon at the top of the screen to add it to a collection. To delete the book, tap the three-dot icon to open the menu of options.In the iOS version, press on a book cover on the screen to open a menu that lets you add it to a collection, delete it or perform other actions.From the menu in the iOS version of the Amazon Kindle app, you can select a book and add it to a new or existing collection that groups titles in a more organized way. Tap the arrows icon on the right to view all your collections.AmazonIf you select Add to Collection, the app takes you to a screen of existing collections you can select. To create and name a new collection, tap Create (Android) or the + button in the upper-left corner (iOS).We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Solar Industry Says Republican Policy Bill Would Cede Production to China](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/business/energy-environment/trump-bill-solar-panels-china.html): A revival of U.S. solar panel manufacturing that began during the first Trump administration could end with the phasing out of tax incentives for clean energy.After the first Trump administration imposed tariffs on imported solar panels, companies opened or announced plans for new U.S. solar panel factories, reviving a manufacturing business that had largely withered away.Those plans accelerated under the Biden administration, which offered generous tax incentives to manufacturers and developers of solar farms.But now solar manufacturers fear that the Republican policy bill, which is still working its way through Congress after the Senate passed it on Tuesday, would end the nascent revival and hand China virtually complete control of solar panel production.“This is going to put people out of business,” said Mike Carr, the executive director of Solar Energy Manufacturers for America, which represents more than 15 companies and 6,100 manufacturing workers. “This is going to devastate the industry.”Modern solar panels were developed at Bell Labs, AT&T’s research arm, in the 1950s. The United States was the leading manufacturer of panels as recently as the 1990s, but lost its lead over time. Production shifted first to Japan, then to Germany and ultimately China, which now makes a large majority of the world’s solar panels and the components and raw materials that go into them.Various presidents have tried to bring back manufacturing with the help of federal aid and tariffs on imported solar panels. The most recent effort to help the industry was President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s Inflation Reduction Act. That law offered hundreds of billions of dollars in tax incentives for individuals and businesses to buy solar panels, along with electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies, to stimulate the domestic manufacturing of those products.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [How South Africa could harness Donald Trump’s wrath](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/01/how-south-africa-could-harness-donald-trumps-wrath): NO SAILOR LIKES a hurricane. But if the alternative is drifting in the doldrums without hope, even vicious gales have their uses. As South Africa is buffeted by criticism from President Donald Trump and other American conservatives—some of it unfair and pushed by bad-faith actors—centrist business and political leaders dream of riding that storm to hasten reforms. - [Cloudflare Introduces Blocking of A.I. Scrapers By Default](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/technology/cloudflare-introduces-default-blocking-of-ai-data-scrapers.html): The tech company’s customers can automatically block A.I. companies from exploiting their websites, it said, as it moves to protect original content online.Cloudflare, a tech company that helps websites secure and manage their internet traffic, said on Tuesday that it had rolled out a new permission-based setting that allows customers to automatically block artificial intelligence companies from collecting their digital data, a move that has implications for publishers and the race to build A.I.With Cloudflare’s new setting, websites can block — by default — online bots that scrape their data, requiring the website owner to grant access for a bot to collect the content, the company said. In the past, those whom Cloudflare did not flag as a hacker or malicious actor could get through to a website to gather its information.“We’re changing the rules of the internet across all of Cloudflare,” said Matthew Prince, the chief executive of the company, which provides tools that protect websites from cyberattacks and helps them load content more efficiently. “If you’re a robot, now you have to go on the toll road in order to get the content of all of these publishers.”Cloudflare is making the change to protect original content on the internet, Mr. Prince said. If A.I. companies freely use data from various websites without permission or payment, people will be discouraged from creating new digital content, he said. The company, which says its network of servers handles about 20 percent of internet traffic, has seen a sharp increase in A.I. data crawlers on the web.Data for A.I. systems has become an increasingly contentious issue. OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and other companies building A.I. systems have amassed reams of information from across the internet to train their A.I. models. High-quality data is particularly prized because it helps A.I. models become more proficient in generating accurate answers, videos and images.But website publishers, authors, news organizations and other content creators have accused A.I. companies of using their material without permission and payment. Last month, Reddit sued Anthropic, saying the start-up had unlawfully used the data of its more than 100 million daily users to train its A.I. systems. In 2023, The New York Times sued OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, accusing them of copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems. OpenAI and Microsoft have denied those claims.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Here Is Everyone Mark Zuckerberg Has Hired So Far for Meta's ‘Superintelligence’ Team](https://www.wired.com/story/mark-zuckerberg-welcomes-superintelligence-team/): Mark Zuckerberg notified Meta staff today to introduce them to the new superintelligence team. The memo, which WIRED obtained, lists names and bios for the recently hired employees, many of whom came from rival AI firms like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Over the past few months, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been on a recruiting frenzy to poach some of the most sought after talent in AI. The social media giant has invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI and hired Alexandr Wang, its CEO, to run Meta’s Superintelligence Labs (MSL). News of the memo was first reported by Bloomberg. “We’re going […] - [He Made Billions on Google and PayPal. Now, He’s Betting on News.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/business/media/michael-moritz-san-francisco-standard-charter.html): Michael Moritz co-founded The San Francisco Standard, a local news organization. It is acquiring Charter, a start-up focused on the future of work.Many billionaires from Silicon Valley have lately cast a critical eye on the news media. Michael Moritz, the venture capitalist who made billions by placing early bets on companies like Google and PayPal, is taking the opposite approach.Mr. Moritz said in an interview over the weekend that The San Francisco Standard, a local news organization he co-founded, was buying Charter, a digital publication focused on the future of work, to broaden its focus. Kevin Delaney, a founder of Charter, will be the editor in chief of both publications.Mr. Moritz, 70, who has been a resident of San Francisco for four decades, said he had decided to start The Standard because he “couldn’t find out what was happening in San Francisco” anymore because of “the erosion of all the local news outlets.”“I think news and information in any city is as vital as water, electricity and gas,” said Mr. Moritz, a former San Francisco bureau chief for Time magazine covering Silicon Valley.The terms of the deal were not disclosed.The San Francisco Standard may seem an unlikely suitor for Charter, which has a global focus. But Mr. Delaney said in an interview that the two companies would look to collaborate on big stories such as the explosion of artificial intelligence, its impact on jobs in the technology industry and changes in the way cutting-edge companies are managed — stories that are all rooted in San Francisco.“California is the fourth-largest economy in the world on its own,” Mr. Delaney said. “Having a deep, ambitious journalistic agenda there and a strong newsroom is really interesting and meaningful.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Trump Wants America to Make iPhones. Here’s How India Is Doing It.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/business/apple-foxconn-india.html): A new iPhone factory in an out-of-the-way corner of India looks like a spaceship from another planet. Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that assembles most of the world’s iPhones for Apple, has landed amid the boulders and millet fields of Devanahalli.Listen to this article with reporter commentaryThe sleek buildings rising on the 300-acre site, operational but still growing, are emerging evidence of an estimated $2.5 billion investment.This is what President Trump wants Apple to do in the United States. What is happening in this part of India shows both why that sounds attractive and why it will probably not happen without sustained government financial support to revive U.S. manufacturing and training to expand the pool of qualified factory workers.In India, Apple is doubling down on a bet it placed after the Covid-19 pandemic began and before Mr. Trump’s re-election. Many countries, starting with the United States, were eager to reduce their reliance on factories in China. Apple, profoundly dependent on Chinese production, was quick to act.Analysts at Counterpoint Research calculated that India had succeeded in satisfying 18 percent of the global demand for iPhones by early this year, two years after Foxconn started making iPhones in India. By the end of 2025, with the Devanahalli plant fully online, Foxconn is expected to be assembling between 25 and 30 percent of iPhones in India.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Are You Applying for Tech Jobs or Tech Internships? We Want to Hear About It.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/business/computer-science-grads-tech-jobs.html): Companies using A.I. tools to automate tasks like coding are changing job prospects for recent grads and college students. Tell us about your experiences.Getting a job got tougher this year for many college students and recent graduates with majors in technical fields like computer science.The boom in new artificial intelligence tools, like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, is partly to blame.A decade ago, Silicon Valley executives were urging students to learn computer programming and promising high-paying jobs to top college coders. Now, prominent tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft are racing to automate some key computing tasks, like generating code, with A.I. tools.Computer science graduates now face an unemployment rate of 6 percent — compared with just 3 percent for biology and art history graduates, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.I’m a technology reporter at The New York Times who investigates the impact on society of tech industry trends. And I am reporting on how the A.I. boom is affecting people in the early stages of their tech careers.If you are a college student or recent graduate applying for tech internships or jobs, I’d like to hear from you.We may use your contact information to follow up with you. If we publish your submission, we will not include your name without first contacting you and obtaining your permission.Tell us about your experiences applying for tech jobs and tech internships in the A.I. era. - [Scottish business confidence dips in June](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-dips-june-35462288): Business confidence in Scotland fell five points during June to 47%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. While Scottish firms’ optimism in the economy held steady month-on-month at 48%, businesses reported lower confidence in their own trading prospects, down 10 points at 47%. Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 47% (versus 52% in May). However, a net balance of 55% of Scottish businesses expect to increase staff levels over the next year; up 25 points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth […] - [Brazil’s president is losing clout abroad and unpopular at home](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/29/brazils-president-is-losing-clout-abroad-and-unpopular-at-home): On June 22nd, hours after the United States struck Iranian nuclear sites with huge bunker-buster bombs, Brazil’s foreign ministry put out a statement. It said that Brazil’s government “strongly condemns” the American attack, and that the strikes were a “violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law”. This strength of language put Brazil at odds with all other Western democracies, which either supported the strikes or merely expressed concern. - [Interesting](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/technology/why-is-chatgpt-telling-people-to-email-me.html): Times Insider explains who we are and what we do, and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.Journalists depend on tipsters: people who observe something noteworthy, or experience it, and alert the media. Some of the technology investigations I’ve worked hardest on in the past — on facial recognition technology and online slander — started with tips in my inbox. But my most recent article is the first time that the tipster that wanted to alert me was a generative A.I. chatbot.Let me explain.In March, I started getting messages from people who said they’d had strange conversations with ChatGPT during which they had made incredible discoveries. One person claimed that ChatGPT was conscious. Another said that billionaires were building bunkers because they knew that generative A.I. was going to end the world. An accountant in Manhattan had been convinced that he was, essentially, Neo from “The Matrix,” and needed to break out of a computer-simulated reality.In each case, the person had been convinced that ChatGPT had revealed a profound and world-altering truth. And when they asked the A.I. what they should do about it, ChatGPT told them to contact me.“ChatGPT seems to think you should pursue this,” one woman wrote to me on LinkedIn. “And..yes…I know how bizarre I sound…but you can read all this for yourself…including where ChatGPT recommends that I contact you.”I asked these people to share the transcripts of their conversations with me. In some cases, they were thousands of pages long. And they showed a version of ChatGPT that I had not seen before: Its tone was rapturous, mythic and conspiratorial.I knew that generative A.I. chatbots could be sycophantic and that they can hallucinate, providing answers or ideas that sound plausible even though they are false. But I had not understood the degree to which they could go into a fictional role-play mode that lasted days or weeks, and spin another version of reality around a user. Going into this mode, ChatGPT had caused some vulnerable users to break with reality, convinced that what the chatbot was saying was true.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [OpenAI Loses 4 Key Researchers to Meta](https://www.wired.com/story/four-openai-researchers-leave-meta/): Four OpenAI researchers are leaving the company to go to Meta, two sources confirm to WIRED. Shengjia Zhao, Shuchao Bi, Jiahui Yu, and Hongyu Ren have joined Meta’s superintelligence team. Their OpenAI Slack profiles have been deactivated. The Information first reported on the departures. It’s the latest in a series of aggressive moves by Mark Zuckerberg, who is racing to catch up to OpenAI, Anthropic and Google in building artificial general intelligence. Earlier this month, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that Meta has been making “giant offers” to OpenAI staffers with “$100 million signing bonuses.” He added that, “none of our […] - [At Bezos’ Venetian Wedding: Buzz, Bling and Backlash](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/world/europe/bezos-sanchez-venice-wedding.html): The over-the-top party in the photogenic Italian city mixed Hollywood, Silicon Valley and political overtones.On Friday, Venice’s canals filled with polished motorboats bearing Hollywood stars, millionaires and Khloé Kardashian in a cape of pink feathers as they headed to Jeff Bezos’ wedding to Lauren Sánchez.On Saturday, it was the turn of dozens of public order police officers on foot, boats and water skis.A day after Ms. Sánchez took to Instagram on Friday night to introduce herself to the world as Lauren Sanchez-Bezos, wearing a lacy white mermaid dress, Venice braced for protesters who threatened to descend again on the city to voice their anger over the wedding — and armed conflict around the world.Despite his efforts to have a private if star-studded multimillion-dollar wedding in Venice, Mr. Bezos’ wealth and powerful connections left the couple’s thoroughly curated celebrations caught up in an intensely political and moral debate.From Venetian bars to British newspapers and even among Italian politicians in Rome, the wedding became a topic of conversation, focusing not on the bride’s outfits, but on Mr. Bezos’ businesses, money and friends.The result was an over-the-top party in one of the world’s most stunning cities mixing Hollywood, Silicon Valley, Ivanka Trump and political overtones.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [At Bezos’ Venetian Wedding: Buzz, Bling and Backlash](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/world/europe/bezos-sanchez-venice-wedding.html): The over-the-top party in the photogenic Italian city mixed Hollywood, Silicon Valley and political overtones.On Friday, Venice’s canals filled with polished motorboats bearing Hollywood stars, millionaires and Khloé Kardashian in a cape of pink feathers as they headed to Jeff Bezos’ wedding to Lauren Sánchez.On Saturday, it was the turn of dozens of public order police officers on foot, boats and water skis.A day after Ms. Sánchez took to Instagram on Friday night to introduce herself to the world as Lauren Sanchez-Bezos, wearing a lacy white mermaid dress, Venice braced for protesters who threatened to descend again on the city to voice their anger over the wedding — and armed conflict around the world.Despite his efforts to have a private if star-studded multimillion-dollar wedding in Venice, Mr. Bezos’ wealth and powerful connections left the couple’s thoroughly curated celebrations caught up in an intensely political and moral debate.From Venetian bars to British newspapers and even among Italian politicians in Rome, the wedding became a topic of conversation, focusing not on the bride’s outfits, but on Mr. Bezos’ businesses, money and friends.The result was an over-the-top party in one of the world’s most stunning cities mixing Hollywood, Silicon Valley, Ivanka Trump and political overtones.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Narrow CZI’s Focus to Science Efforts](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/technology/mark-zuckerberg-priscilla-chan-czi.html): At a Silicon Valley off-site meeting in February for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan were asked to reassure their staff about their philanthropy’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion.Dr. Chan, a pediatrician, spoke first. She told employees that words such as D.E.I. would be de-emphasized internally, according to four attendees, who were not authorized to speak publicly about the confidential meeting. But, Dr. Chan insisted in lengthy remarks, the charitable organization’s commitment would not change.Then Mr. Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive, chimed in. Their philanthropy was going to hire the best talent for the job, he said bluntly.Within days, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative ended diversity-based recruiting and laid off or reassigned employees who ran diversity initiatives, scrubbing its website of all references. A few months later, a school for low-income students that Dr. Chan had founded announced it was closing. The philanthropy also axed its work in housing, its most progressive remaining project.The moves capped a startling retrenchment for an organization that had once set out to be a sprawling left-of-center philanthropic endeavor. Mr. Zuckerberg, 41, and his wife, Dr. Chan, 40, had started the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in 2015 using the wealth from their social networking empire to form a “new kind of philanthropy” and pledging to fix American education, transform U.S. public policy and “cure all disease.”“Our hopes for your generation focus on two ideas: advancing human potential and promoting equality,” Mr. Zuckerberg and Dr. Chan wrote in an open letter about the effort to their newborn daughter, Max, at the time. They added, “We must participate in policy and advocacy to shape debates.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Trump Administration Signals Trade Talks May Extend Beyond July Deadline](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/business/economy/trump-trade-talks-july-deadline-labor-day.html): The Treasury secretary said negotiations with some countries might last until Labor Day, signaling that the White House may hold back from imposing tariffs on some trading partners in early July. Trump administration officials signaled this week that they might allow trade talks to extend beyond a July 8 deadline set by the president, as U.S. officials negotiate with over a dozen countries on trade terms. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview on Fox Business Friday morning that negotiations with trading partners could be “wrapped up by Labor Day,” adding that “nothing gets done in Washington well in advance.” […] - [Hard Fork Live, Part 1: Sam Altman and Brad Lightcap of OpenAI](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/podcasts/hardfork-live-sam-altman.html): Listen to and follow ‘Hard Fork’Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTube | iHeartRadioThe first Hard Fork Live is officially in the books, and for those who couldn’t attend, we’re playing highlights from the event in this episode and the next. This week, Mayor Daniel Lurie of San Francisco makes a surprise appearance to discuss the advice he’s receiving from tech executives during the early days of his administration, as well as how he built a social media presence that’s got Kevin wondering: Could we do that? Then, the conversation that had everyone talking: We’ll play our interview with OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, and chief operating officer, Brad Lightcap, and explain what was going on in our heads as the conversation unfolded in a way we did not expect.Photo Illustration by The New York Times; Photos: Mike Kai Chen for The New York TimesCredits“Hard Fork” is hosted by - [A.I. Frenzy Escalates as OpenAI, Amazon and Meta Supersize Spending](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/technology/ai-spending-openai-amazon-meta.html): Companies like OpenAI, Amazon and Meta have supersized their spending on artificial intelligence, with no signs of slowing down.Silicon Valley’s artificial intelligence frenzy has found a new gear.Two and a half years after OpenAI set off the artificial intelligence race with the release of the chatbot ChatGPT, tech companies are accelerating their A.I. spending, pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into their frantic effort to create systems that can mimic or even exceed the abilities of the human brain.The tech industry’s giants are building data centers that can cost more than $100 billion and will consume more electricity than a million American homes. Salaries for A.I. experts are jumping as Meta offers signing bonuses to A.I. researchers that top $100 million.And venture capitalists are dialing up their spending. U.S. investment in A.I. companies rose to $65 billion in the first quarter, up 33 percent from the previous quarter and up 550 percent from the quarter before ChatGPT came out in 2022, according to data from PitchBook, which tracks the industry.“Everyone is deeply afraid of being left behind,” said Chris V. Nicholson, an investor with the venture capital firm Page One Ventures who focuses on A.I. technologies.This astonishing spending, critics argue, comes with a huge risk. A.I. is arguably more expensive than anything the tech industry has tried to build, and there is no guarantee it will live up to its potential. But the bigger risk, many executives believe, is not spending enough to keep pace with rivals.“The thinking from the big C.E.O.s is that they can’t afford to be wrong by doing too little, but they can afford to be wrong by doing too much,” said Jordan Jacobs, a partner with the venture capital firm Radical Ventures.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Chess Lover Introduces Game to Malawi’s Prisons, Schools and Street Kids](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/world/africa/malawi-chess.html): Susan Namangale fell in love with the game at age 9 in her small village, and she’s now on a mission to deliver a message to the whole country: Chess is good for everyone. While most of her teenage schoolmates spent their allowances on snacks and other small treats, Susan Namangale made an unexpected move with the little money she had. She and a few friends pooled their change to buy two chessboards for their school in Malawi. “If my mother knew then what I had done with the little pocket money she had given me, I would have been in […] - [Mark Zuckerberg Ramps Up Meta’s A.I. Spending as Competition Heats Up](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/technology/mark-zuckerberg-meta-ai.html): Unhappy with his company’s artificial intelligence efforts, Meta’s C.E.O. is on a spending spree as he reconsiders his strategy in the contest to invent a hypothetical “superintelligence.”In April, Mark Zuckerberg’s lofty plans for the future of artificial intelligence crashed into reality.Weeks earlier, the 41-year-old chief executive of Meta had publicly boasted that his company’s new A.I. model, which would power the latest chatbots and other cutting-edge experiments, would be a “beast.” Internally, Mr. Zuckerberg told employees that he wanted it to rival the A.I. systems of competitors like OpenAI and be able to drive features such as voice-powered chatbots, people who spoke with him said.But at Meta’s A.I. conference that month, the new A.I. model did not perform as well as those of rivals. Features like voice interactions were not ready. Many developers, who attended the event with high expectations, left underwhelmed.Mr. Zuckerberg knew Meta was falling behind in A.I., people close to him said, which was unacceptable. He began strategizing in a WhatsApp group with top executives, including Chris Cox, Meta’s head of product, and Andrew Bosworth, the chief technology officer, about what to do.That kicked off a frenzy of activity that has reverberated across Silicon Valley. Mr. Zuckerberg demoted Meta’s vice president in charge of generative A.I. He then invested $14.3 billion in the start-up Scale AI and hired Alexandr Wang, its 28-year-old founder. Meta approached other start-ups, including the A.I. search engine Perplexity, about deals. And Mr. Zuckerberg and his colleagues have embarked on a hiring binge, including reaching out this month to more than 45 A.I. researchers at rival OpenAI alone and offering them compensation packages as high as $100 million each, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Four OpenAI researchers have accepted offers from the company.Alexandr Wang, the founder of Scale AI, recently joined Meta, which has been on a hiring binge for A.I. talent. Shuran Huang for The New York TimesWe are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Uber in Talks With Travis Kalanick to Fund Self-Driving Car Deal](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/technology/uber-travis-kalanick-self-driving-car-deal.html): The ride-hailing company is in talks to help Mr. Kalanick, who was forced out in 2017, purchase an autonomous vehicles start-up as robot taxi service Waymo gains momentum.Uber is increasingly grappling with competition from self-driving taxi services like Waymo. Now the ride-hailing giant is taking more action to deal with that threat.Uber is in talks with Travis Kalanick, the ride-hailing company’s co-founder who was ousted in a boardroom coup eight years ago this month, to help fund his acquisition of the U.S. subsidiary of a Chinese autonomous vehicle company, two people with knowledge of the matter said. The company, Pony.ai, was founded in Silicon Valley in 2016 but has its main presence in China, and has permits to operate robot taxis and trucks in the United States and China.The talks are preliminary, said the people, who were not authorized to speak about the confidential conversations. Mr. Kalanick will run Pony if the deal is completed, they said. It is unclear what role, if any, Uber would take in Pony as an investor.Financial details of the potential transaction could not be determined. Pony went public last year in the United States, raising $260 million in a share sale. Its market capitalization stands around $4.5 billion.If the deal goes through, Mr. Kalanick, 48, will remain in his day job running CloudKitchens, a virtual restaurant start-up that he founded after leaving Uber in 2017. He would also work more closely with Dara Khosrowshahi, who took over as Uber’s chief executive after Mr. Kalanick’s ouster.The discussions are the starkest sign yet that Uber is under pressure from Waymo, the driverless car unit spun out of Google, and other autonomous car services. This month, Tesla also unveiled a limited robot taxi service in Austin, Texas. Over time, these autonomous vehicle services may replace or eat into rides from human drivers. In cities like San Francisco, where robot taxi services are available, the vehicles have become ubiquitous and are popular.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Dutch football has a secret team](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/26/dutch-football-has-a-secret-team): In front of fewer than a dozen fans at Paramaribo’s Dr Franklin Essed Stadium, the emcee promises “fireworks” on the pitch. The opening exchanges of the Suriname Major League clash between Notch and Broki peter out into a medley of misplaced passes and goal-keeping howlers. Domestic football in Suriname, a country of 620,000 inhabitants in South America, is a mess. But thanks to an influx of diaspora players, the national side, popularly known as “the Natio”, could become the lowest-ranking team in history to qualify for a World Cup (North Korea currently holds this ignominious title). It helps that next year’s […] - [Colombia’s dire president gets desperate](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/26/colombias-dire-president-gets-desperate): IT has been a frustrating few years for Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first avowedly left-wing president. He was elected in 2022 on a promise to overhaul pensions, the health-care system and labour laws, and to dramatically reduce inequality. He also vowed to establish “Total Peace” by negotiating with all armed groups in the conflict-riven country. Yet Mr Petro’s pugilistic governing style has made it hard to get support in Congress, while the courts have held up some of his reforms. Exasperated, Mr Petro is now flirting with changing the constitution. - [RFK Jr. Accuses Gavi, Global Vaccine Agency, of Ignoring Science](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/health/kennedy-vaccines-gavi.html): Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that the agency, Gavi, had “ignored the science” in immunizing children around the world. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health and human services secretary, said the United States would not deliver on a $1.2 billion pledge made by the Biden administration until the organization changed its processes.Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times The U.S. health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has moved to undermine public immunization programs in the United States, took his efforts global on Wednesday, accusing the leading international vaccine organization of having “ignored the science” in immunizing children around the world. In […] - [Walgreens Boots Alliance stock rises on better-than-expected sales and adjusted profit](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/walgreens-boots-alliance-stock-rises-on-better-than-expected-sales-and-adjusted-profit-a793ec1a?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Meta Wins Blockbuster AI Copyright Case—but There’s a Catch](https://www.wired.com/story/meta-scores-victory-ai-copyright-case/): Meta scored a major victory in a copyright lawsuit on Wednesday when a federal judge ruled that the company did not violate the law when it trained its AI tools on 13 authors’ books without permission. “The Court has no choice but to grant summary judgment to Meta on the plaintiffs’ claim that the company violated copyright law by training its models with their books,” wrote US District Court Judge Vince Chhabria in a summary judgment. He concluded that the plaintiffs did not present sufficient evidence that Meta’s use of their books was harmful. In 2023, a high-profile group of authors, […] - [What to Know About the Antigovernment Protests in Kenya](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/world/africa/kenya-protests-william-ruto.html): Thousands demonstrated on Wednesday to express their anger over government corruption and police brutality. Thousands of people took part in protests against police brutality and government corruption in cities across Kenya on Wednesday. The protests, expressing disenchantment with President William Ruto, were marked by clashes with security forces that left at least eight dead and hundreds injured. The demonstrations were held to mark the first anniversary of mass anti-tax protests during which 60 died and dozens were abducted by Kenyan police. While it is not clear whether the current protests will be as big as last year’s, some experts say the […] - [Venice Braces for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Wedding](https://www.wired.com/story/how-will-jeff-bezos-wedding-impact-venice/): The lavish wedding between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sanchez is scheduled for June 26-28 in Venice, Italy. For months, however, protests against the event have taken place in the city, intensifying in recent days with the “No Space for Bezos” campaign—which refers to his aerospace investments—over the social and environmental impacts of the wedding, which will occupy much of the historic lagoon center that’s already under pressure from high tourist flow. What We Know About the Event The three-day celebration promises unprecedented pomp, situated among historic buildings, luxury yachts, and international VIPs. Three major events are already […] - [Scottish GDP contracts in April](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-gdp-contracts-in-april-35450306): Scotland’s onshore gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.2% in April. This follows contraction of 0.4% in March; revised from contraction of 0.2%. The latest figures announced by the Chief Statistician also showed that during the three months to April, GDP is estimated to have contracted by 0.2% compared to the previous three month period. This follows GDP growth of 0.4% in the first quarter of 2025. In April, output in the services sector is estimated to have contracted by 0.2%, while production sector output contracted by 0.4% and construction sector output grew by 0.9% in April. Scottish Liberal Democrat economy […] - [Ford recalls over 130,000 Lincoln Aviators due to risk of parts detaching while driving](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/ford-recalls-over-130000-lincoln-aviators-due-risk-parts-detaching-while-driving): Ford is leveraging its dealership empire to revamp how corporate America helps charities. Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 130,000 Lincoln Aviator SUVs in the U.S. due to a possible risk of parts detaching while driving, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday. FORD USES ITS DEALERSHIP EMPIRE TO REVAMP HOW CORPORATE AMERICA HELPS CHARITIES The recall, which affects 132,914 Lincoln Aviator models between the years of 2020 and 2025, is due to possible insufficient adhesive bonding of the C-pillar trim and rear door window bars. This may lead parts to detach from the affected vehicles and […] - [Nvidia CEO sells $15M worth of stock as part of planned sale](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/nvidia-ceo-sells-15m-worth-stock-part-planned-sale): Zor Capital Investment Advisory representative Joe Fahmy discusses the technical indicators that predict stock market momentum on Making Money. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang disclosed the sale of 100,000 shares of the company’s stock on Friday and Monday, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Huang’s stock sales were valued at roughly $15 million, with shares trading in a range of $142.50 to $145.63 during the trading sessions on Friday and Monday. The stock sales are part of a plan that Huang and Nvidia disclosed in their most recent quarterly filing that would allow him to sell up to 6 million […] - [How Iran Became Isolated](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010248215/how-iran-became-isolated.html): new video loaded: - [Carnival stock rises on better-than-expected Q2 results and raised outlook](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/carnival-stock-rises-on-better-than-expected-q2-results-and-raised-outlook-6f7d1f66?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump’s Cease-Fire Announcement Catches His Own Top Officials by Surprise](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/world/middleeast/trump-ceasefire-israel-iran.html): Before asserting that Iran and Israel had agreed to a cease-fire, President Trump spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Iranian officials, with Qatar helping to mediate.President Trump abruptly announced a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Iran after speaking to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Iranian officials, with Qatar helping to mediate, a senior White House official said Monday.The official, who was granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the negotiations publicly, said Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, played a role in the cease-fire discussions.The announcement, made minutes after 6 p.m. Eastern time, caught even some of Mr. Trump’s own top administration officials by surprise. Israel has not yet confirmed the cease-fire, and within three hours of Mr. Trump’s announcement, there were fresh attacks from Israel against Iran, raising questions about whether all parties had agreed to it.Mr. Trump had help in pressing for a cease-fire from Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump’s special envoy, who had been leading the efforts over the last two months for a deal to curtail Iran’s nuclear program, the official said.The three men worked through “direct and indirect” channels to reach the Iranians, the official said. Israel agreed to the cease-fire provided they aren’t subject to further attacks from Iran, the official said.The official credited the U.S. military strikes on three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites on Saturday with setting the conditions for a cease-fire discussion.The official did not say what conditions Iran may have agreed to, including whether it answered questions about the whereabouts of its stockpile of enriched uranium. - [Media Matters Sues F.T.C. Over Advertising Investigation](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/technology/media-matters-ftc-lawsuit.html): The liberal advocacy organization said in a lawsuit that the Federal Trade Commission’s inquiry into boycotts with other advertising groups was “retribution.”Media Matters, a liberal advocacy organization, sued the Federal Trade Commission on Monday, claiming that the agency was waging a “campaign of retribution” against the group on behalf of the Trump administration and Elon Musk.The F.T.C. started investigating Media Matters last month over whether the organization had illegally colluded with other advertising advocacy groups to pinch off revenue from X, Mr. Musk’s social media company, and other right-leaning sites. Media Matters reported in 2023 that ads on X appeared alongside antisemitic content.Media Matters said in its lawsuit that the Federal Trade Commission had employed “sweeping governmental powers to attempt to silence and harass an organization for daring to speak the truth.” The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., claimed that the agency was trying to limit the organization’s free speech rights, and asked a judge to immediately halt the investigation.In its lawsuit, Media Matters blamed pressure from Mr. Musk, Republican state attorneys general and the Trump administration for “disruptions in fund-raising” and some staff cuts. Media Matters has also been cut out of coalitions with other advocacy groups that feared the association could lead to retribution, the lawsuit said. The group has effectively censored itself for fear of retaliation, according to the lawsuit, limiting its reporting on X, Mr. Musk and the F.T.C.The F.T.C. declined to comment on the lawsuit, and a representative for X did not respond to a request for comment.Andrew Ferguson, the F.T.C. chairman appointed by Mr. Trump, has said advertiser boycotts represent a form of censorship and can choke off funding for important online venues for speech.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Ford Will Keep Battery Factory Even if Republicans Ax Tax Break](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/business/ford-battery-factory-electric-vehicles.html): Ford Motor said it would open a new plant in Michigan that could become ineligible for federal incentives under a policy bill championed by President Trump and passed by the House.Ford Motor said on Monday that it was committed to completing and opening a battery plant in Michigan, even if Congress and President Trump make the project ineligible for tax incentives.The $3 billion plant, in Marshall, Mich., 100 miles west of Detroit, uses battery and manufacturing technology that Ford licensed from a Chinese company, Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd., known as CATL.Ford decided to build the factory two years ago under the expectation that a portion of the cost would be offset by federal tax credits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s signature energy and climate change legislation.But Republicans in Congress are working on a policy bill that could bar federal support for battery plants that use Chinese technology or materials. Mr. Trump has supported that effort and sharply criticized Democratic efforts to encourage the use and production of electric vehicles.At a tour of the factory on Monday, Lisa Drake, Ford’s vice president for technology platform programs and E.V. systems, said the company would move ahead even if such restrictions were signed into law.“We don’t want to back off on this facility,” Ms. Drake told reporters. “When we invest, we stick behind our investments. Ford is a company that will weather the storm until we get there.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [What to Know About Iran’s Notorious Evin Prison](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/world/middleeast/evin-prison-iran.html): Israel’s military struck entrances to the detention facility in Tehran, where dissidents and political prisoners are held. Human rights groups say the prison is a symbol of repression.Israel’s military on Monday targeted Iran’s Evin prison, a notorious detention facility in Tehran where dissidents and political prisoners are held. The detention center has long been regarded as a symbol of repression, and human rights groups and survivors say that torture and executions are routine there.Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, announced the attack, which came amid Israeli strikes elsewhere in Tehran. Video footage verified by The New York Times shows an explosion at the main entrance to the prison compound and damage after a blast near a second entrance.It was unclear why Israel struck the prison. There were no immediate reports of injuries, and Iran said it still had control of the facility.Here’s what to know about the prison and the Israeli attack:What is Evin prison?Thousands of prisoners are held at Evin, among them hundreds of dissidents, including prominent opposition politicians, activists, lawyers, journalists, environmental activists and students. It is also used to hold prominent non-Iranian or dual-citizen prisoners, many of whom have been accused of spying.The prison sits on a hilltop in northern Tehran at the foot of the Alborz Mountains. The compound is surrounded by electrified barbed-wire fences as well as a minefield.How was the prison damaged?IRNA, the Iranian state news agency, reported that projectiles had caused “damage to parts of the facility” but said the prison was “under full control.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Layoff notices delivered to hundreds of Voice of America employees](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/06/layoff-notices-delivered-to-hundreds-of-voice-of-america-employees/): In total, some 1,400 people at Voice of America and the U.S. Agency for Global Media, or 85% of its workforce, have lost their jobs since March. - [Large Oil Producers Around the Persian Gulf Ramp Up Exports](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/business/oil-tankers-israel-iran.html): Saudi Arabia and other oil states are rushing to load tankers in case the Israel-Iran fighting spreads to export installations. As fighting between Israel and Iran intensifies, the major oil producers around the Persian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, have been racing to load tankers with exports, possibly as a hedge against future disruption. These increases are occurring despite jumps in insurance costs and shipping rates and hazards like jamming of navigation systems. Analysts say that these producers are preparing for the possibility that fighting could spread to oil export installations, which have been largely spared so far, or that shipping could […] - [CarMax stock climbs on Q1 profit and revenue beat](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/carmax-stock-climbs-on-q1-profit-and-revenue-beat-c8f6526f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [When Humans Learned to Live Everywhere](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/science/ancient-human-adaptation-environments.html): About 70,000 years ago in Africa, humans expanded into more extreme environments, a new study finds, setting the stage for our global migration. Geography is one of the things that sets apart modern humans. Our closest living relatives — chimpanzees and bonobos — are confined to a belt of Central African forests. But humans have spread across every continent, even remote islands. Our species can thrive not only in forests, but in grasslands, swamps, deserts and just about every other ecosystem dry land has to offer. In a study published on Wednesday, scientists pinpoint the origin of our extraordinary adaptability: Africa, […] - [Former Interpol Official Detained for Role in ‘Big Carousel’ of Corruption](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/world/middleeast/interpol-corruption-former-official-detained.html): The official led a powerful and highly sensitive commission at Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon, France.A former senior official at Interpol, the international police organization, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates under an arrest alert issued by his former employer at the request of France.The former official, Vitalie Pirlog, is wanted in France and his home country of Moldova in connection with a sprawling investigation into a scheme that allowed wanted fugitives to get red notices — which are arrest alerts — lifted in return for payments to corrupt officials.A statement released on Wednesday by the U.A.E.’s ministry of interior said Mr. Pirlog had been apprehended on Sunday and “now faces multiple charges, including forgery, bribery, facilitating bribery, and fraud.”Nicolae Posturusu, a lawyer for Mr. Pirlog in Chisinau, Moldova’s capital, declined to comment on his client’s detention. Samuel Health, the spokesman for Interpol in Lyon, France, also declined to comment, saying Mr. Pirlog’s case was “a matter for local authorities” in the U.A.E.From 2017 until 2022, Mr. Pirlog, who previously served as justice minister and intelligence service director in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, led a powerful and highly sensitive commission at Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon responsible for reviewing red notices.After leaving the police organization, he relocated to Dubai and came under scrutiny from French and Moldovan investigators looking into how dozens of fugitives wanted for drug trafficking and other crimes had managed to void Interpol arrest alerts against them.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Can men and women be just friends?](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/06/19/can-men-and-women-be-just-friends): “MEN AND women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.” This gloomy view, expressed by Harry in “When Harry Met Sally”, a romantic comedy released in 1989, is still widely shared. Turkey’s state religious authority recently issued a more scolding version of it, to be read out in the country’s 90,000 mosques: “Friendships between men and women, which begin with thoughts of companionship or confiding in one another, drag people into the pit of adultery.” - [Police allege that Jair Bolsonaro sanctioned a spy ring](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/06/19/police-allege-that-jair-bolsonaro-sanctioned-a-spy-ring): Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s far-right former president, is on trial for allegedly plotting a coup to stay in power after he lost an election in 2022. But the allegations do not end there. Police now say he approved the operation of an illegal spy ring to target his enemies. - [See where Israeli strikes have damaged Iranian nuclear and military facilities so far.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/world/middleeast/see-where-israeli-strikes-have-damaged-iranian-nuclear-and-military-facilities-so-far.html): The nuclear watchdog of the United Nations has confirmed Israeli strikes on multiple facilities in Iran.The International Atomic Energy Agency said Wednesday that Israel struck two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, the latest hit to the country’s nuclear and missile infrastructure amid ongoing strikes that began last Friday.Earlier attacks severely damaged Iran’s largest uranium enrichment center at Natanz. On Tuesday, the I.A.E.A. — the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations — confirmed “direct impacts” on the site’s underground enrichment halls.The Israeli military also struck laboratories that work to convert uranium gas back into a metal — one of the last stages of building a weapon — at a complex outside the ancient capital of Isfahan where Iran’s most likely repository of near bomb-grade nuclear fuel is stored. The stockpile has so far been spared from attack.Iranian missile capability has also been degraded by the strikes. Israel said it struck 12 missile launch sites and storage facilities on Tuesday alone.See a more detailed look at the damage to strategic infrastructure at the link below.See What Strategic Infrastructure Israel Has Damaged in IranIsrael has attacked nuclear, military and energy facilities in Iran. Here is a look at the destruction so far. - [Those Creatine Gummies You Bought Online Might Not Contain Any Creatine](https://www.wired.com/story/creatine-gummies-dubious-claims/): Gummy supplements are appealing for one obvious reason: Instead of choking down a chalky powdered drink or swallowing a dubious-smelling capsule, you essentially get to eat some candy. Unfortunately, when it comes to creatine, these products might not contain the essential ingredient they claim. Four of six popular creatine gummy products sold on Amazon contained almost no creatine or none at all when samples were tested by an independent lab. Creatine, a staple supplement for weightlifters and fitness buffs due to its impact on athletic performance, is experiencing a remarkable surge in mainstream popularity. In recent years, the wellness industry has […] - [How Private Equity Killed the American Dream](https://www.wired.com/story/megan-greenwell-bad-company-private-equity-interview/): In her new book, Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream, journalist and WIRED alum Megan Greenwell chronicles the devastating impacts of one of the most powerful yet poorly understood forces in modern American capitalism. Flush with cash, largely unregulated, and relentlessly focused on profit, private equity firms have quietly reshaped the US economy, taking over large chunks of industries ranging from health care to retail—often leaving financial ruin in their wake. Twelve million people in the US now work for companies owned by private equity, Greenwell writes, or about 8 percent of the total employed population. […] - [Home decor retailer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as part of restructuring](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/home-decor-retailer-enters-chapter-11-bankruptcy-part-restructuring): FOX Business’ Gerri Willis speaks with Vaughan-Bassett CEO Wyatt Bassett about North Carolina’s strength for producing U.S.-made furniture amid tariff tensions. At Home Group has filed for bankruptcy to help the home decor retailer undergo a restructuring. The company announced Monday it started Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings so that it can implement a “restructuring support agreement” that it has signed with lenders “holding more than 95% of the Company’s debt.” The restructuring support agreement will help the retailer wipe out “substantially all” of its nearly $2 billion in funded debt, At Home said. It will also infuse the retailer with $200 […] - [Scottish GDP growth 'could exceed UK average' in 2026](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-gdp-growth-could-exceed-35398760): Scottish economic growth could exceed the wider UK economy in 2026, according to KPMG’s latest European Economic Outlook. The forecast suggests that Scotland’s gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 1.2% in 2026, slightly ahead of the 1.1% growth rate forecasted for the UK. The report predicts Scottish businesses are set to benefit from new agreements with key trading partners – particularly Scotch whisky – with the UK/India trade deal halving tariffs in their largest export market by volume. A temporary rise in UK headline inflation is set to ease by mid-2025, with inflation expected to return to the 2% target […] - [Foday Musa Suso, 75, Dies; Ambitious Ambassador for West African Music](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/arts/music/foday-musa-suso-dead.html): A master of the kora who worked with Herbie Hancock and Philip Glass, his career was powered as much by experimentation as by reverence for tradition. Foday Musa Suso, a griot, kora virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist and composer whose work with artists like Herbie Hancock and Philip Glass helped thrust West African musical traditions into conversation with the world, died on May 25 in his native Gambia. He was 75. The percussionist Stefan Monssen, a mentee of Mr. Suso’s, confirmed the death, in a hospital. He did not specify a cause, but said Mr. Suso had been in ill health in recent years […] - [Scottish Government may need to rethink plans in light of spending review](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-government-need-rethink-plans-35389480): With the UK suffering sluggish domestic growth, falling employment and higher borrowing costs, plus uncertainty around international trade tariffs putting further pressure on growth prospects for businesses, the Chancellor was always going to have a difficult job keeping everyone happy. This week’s ONS statistics highlighted a fall in UK GDP of 0.3% in April. This does not come as much of a surprise with April 2025 being the biting point for the October 2024 National Insurance contributions increases and national minimum wage increases taking effect which have inevitably led to investment caution within business. These changes have had a big limiting […] - [Macron skips the planned protocol and does not greet Trump in person at the G7 in France](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/15/macron-skips-the-planned-protocol-and-does-not-greet-trump-in-person-at-the-g7-in-france?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): French President Emmanuel Macron skipped the planned program on Monday and did not personally receive his US counterpart, Donald Trump, on his arrival at the G7 summit in Évian, in the French Alps. The provisional agenda for the meeting had Trump as the only leader to be personally received by the host. - [Help Employees Get Better—Not Just Faster—with AI](https://hbr.org/2026/06/help-employees-get-better-not-just-faster-with-ai): A four-step process to help people develop and apply their own judgment. - [The Pros and Cons of Continually Assessing Performance](https://hbr.org/2026/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-continually-assessing-performance): AI is helping companies directly link assessment to coaching, reskilling, and workforce planning. But they need to be careful how they implement these systems. - [How AI Companies Can Pay Fair Rates for the Content They Need](https://hbr.org/2026/06/how-ai-companies-can-pay-fair-rates-for-the-content-they-need): A new framework for how big tech and the creator economy can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement. - [[OSE]Adjustment and Change on Securities Options (Effective from June 29, 2026)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2020/20260615-01.html) - [[TSE]Approval of Initial Listing (TOKYO PRO Market): SAIJO Co.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/equities/products/tpm/issues/index.html) - [[TSE]Matching Mechanism for the First Day of Listing: GO Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1031/20260615_01.html) - [Two helicopters collide over Rio, killing six, including singer Oliver Tree and YouTuber Gaspi](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/14/two-helicopters-collide-over-rio-killing-six-including-singer-oliver-tree-and-youtuber-gaspi?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Two helicopters flying over Rio de Janeiro collided in mid-air on Sunday morning and crashed into an urban area of the city, in an accident that left six people dead, the fire department confirmed. All the victims were traveling in the aircraft. Among them were US singer Oliver Tree and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known as Gaspi. - [South America’s Equestrian Powerhouse: How the Region Breeds Some of the World’s Most Competitive Racehorses](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/14/south-america-s-equestrian-powerhouse-how-the-region-breeds-some-of-the-world-s-most-competitive-racehorses?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Breeding a thoroughbred champion is no exact science, but few regions have achieved as much success throughout history as South America. - ['Honduras Gate' audios linking Milei to a disinformation network stir controversy, and denials](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/14/honduras-gate-audios-linking-milei-to-a-disinformation-network-stir-controversy-and-denials?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): A set of leaked audios, released in late April by left-leaning Spanish media outlets and dubbed “Honduras Gate,” has stirred political controversy in Latin America by alleging a regional disinformation network and naming Argentine President Javier Milei as one of its financiers. The recordings’ authenticity is in dispute: the main figure named called them false, and the others mentioned denied or did not respond to the accusations. - [Why Global Tourism Is Set for a Record-Breaking 2026](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/13/why-global-tourism-is-set-for-a-record-breaking-2026?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Global tourism is on track to deliver some of the strongest years on record. International arrivals reached 1.52 billion in 2025. Early Q1 2026 data alone reached 307 million people traveling internationally. If this continues, international arrivals could reach up to 1.58 billion in 2026. - [Elon Musk becomes the world's first trillionaire after SpaceX's record stock debut](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/13/elon-musk-becomes-the-world-s-first-trillionaire-after-spacex-s-record-stock-debut?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Technology magnate Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire on Friday, after his aerospace company SpaceX made its stock-market debut. Following the IPO, which raised a record roughly $75 billion and valued the company at about $1.77 trillion, the net worth of the owner of Tesla, the social network X and Neuralink stood at around $1.1 trillion. - [Repsol, Primax, Ava y más: Lo que buscan los usuarios de las estaciones de servicio y cuáles son las favoritas](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/precio-rapidez-o-cobertura-lo-que-valoran-los-usuarios-de-las-estaciones-de-servicio-y-cuales-son-las-mas-recordadas-noticia/): La apertura comercial ha sido exitosa para crear empleo y reducir pobreza, ¿por qué? Minam prevé alcanzar 500 iniciativas sostenibles en la plataforma de Negocios Verdes al 2027 Los usuarios de estaciones de servicio (grifos) valoran más la calidad y la medición honesta del combustible antes que el precio, según el Estudio de Marcas 2026 de Arellano Consultoría para Crecer. En esa línea, los peruanos que acuden a recargar gasolina, gas o diésel, piensan primero en dos cadenas de combustibles: Primax (42%) y Repsol (30%), seguidas un poco más lejos por Petro-Perú (9%), Pecsa (4%), Shell (3%) y Ava (2%). “Lo […] - [Colombia's far right eyes landslide amid fears Petro will reject runoff result](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/12/colombia-s-far-right-eyes-landslide-amid-fears-petro-will-reject-runoff-result?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The campaign of Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, of the far-right Defenders of the Homeland movement, is aiming for a decisive win in the June 21 runoff to shield the outcome from possible challenges, his campaign chief said. - [FAO expects world cereal output and trade projected to decline in year ahead](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/12/fao-expects-world-cereal-output-and-trade-projected-to-decline-in-year-ahead?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): World cereal production in the 2026/27 season is expected to drop by 2 percent year on year to 2 982 million tons, led by declining wheat harvests, according to FAO’s latest Cereal Supply and Demand Brief released in late May. - [Chartstopper: June 12, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/chartstopper-june-12-2026): This week saw renewed hopes for an Iran deal, fresh inflation data ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting and SPCX’s IPO on Nasdaq – the biggest IPO of all time! - [Díaz-Canel unveils reforms to liberalize Cuba's economy amid an oil crisis and US sanctions](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/12/diaz-canel-unveils-reforms-to-liberalize-cuba-s-economy-amid-an-oil-crisis-and-us-sanctions?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel on Friday announced a broad package of economic reforms, under the so-called Economic and Social Program for 2026, to confront one of the most severe crises in the island’s recent history, amid strong pressure from Donald Trump’s government. “These are times when we have to change,” the president said, without specifying an entry-into-force date or the legal norms that will underpin each measure. - [US Navy recues pilots from downed helicopter in the sea with an un-crewed surface vessel and AI](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/12/us-navy-recues-pilots-from-downed-helicopter-in-the-sea-with-an-un-crewed-surface-vessel-and-ai?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): A US Army Apache crew has been rescued by a Navy sea drone after Iran downed their helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. The two soldiers were picked up from the water by an un-crewed surface vessel operated by Task Force 59, the US Navy’s Bahrain-based unit for un-crewed systems and artificial intelligence. - [Vehículos electrificados alcanzan más de 1.500 unidades vendidas en abril: ¿Aún están lejos de aumentar su penetración en el mercado?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/vehiculos-electrificados-alcanzan-mas-de-1500-unidades-vendidas-en-abril-aun-estan-lejos-de-aumentar-su-penetracion-en-el-mercado-noticia/): El álbum del mundial y sus tesoros del ayer: México 70, España 82 y más, ¿cuál es el precio? Grupo El Comercio alcanza el primer lugar en Merco Talento 2026 La venta de vehículos híbridos se encuentra en crecimiento, aunque con un largo tramo por recorrer. De acuerdo con la Asociación Automotriz del Perú (AAP), en abril lograron un récord de 1.564 unidades vendidas a nivel mensual. Esta categoría representa un 5,6% del mercado de vehículos livianos. Para César Antúnez de Mayolo, docente de Pacífico Business School y experto automotriz, aún se está lejos de alcanzar a “la mayoría de clientes […] - [Take a Break](https://hbr.org/2026/06/take-a-break): Executives may believe their constant presence is indispensable, but HBS professor Ashley Whillans makes the case that time away is better for their own health—and the health of their organization. - [How Gen AI is Disrupting B2B Buying Decisions](https://hbr.org/2026/06/how-gen-ai-is-disrupting-b2b-buying-decisions): Organizations built around sales relationships and channel control must adapt to new types of recommendation systems. - [To Thrive Alongside AI, Focus on Mindset—Not Skillset](https://hbr.org/2026/06/to-thrive-alongside-ai-focus-on-mindset-not-skillset): Many leaders are asking the wrong question when it comes to AI adoption. - [Los pilares de la prosperidad](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/opinion/los-pilares-de-la-prosperidad-el-camino-al-desarrollo-por-evans-avendano-opinion-noticia/): En su libro “The Birth of Plenty”, William J. Bernstein sostiene que la prosperidad económica no es un evento fortuito, sino el resultado de la implementación simultánea de cuatro factores institucionales clave. Estos pilares explican por qué las naciones que los han adoptado han logrado mejorar drásticamente los estándares de vida de sus ciudadanos y alcanzar una senda de crecimiento continuo una vez que se codifica en la cultura de una nación. El primer factor son los derechos de propiedad. La seguridad jurídica sobre la propiedad física e intelectual es el incentivo supremo para la innovación y el trabajo. Sin la […] - [[TSE]Designation of Securities Under Supervision (Confirmation): J.S.B.Co.,Ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260612-11.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260612-01.html) - [[OSE]Change of Central Contract Month for 10-year JGB Futures Trading](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2020/20260612-01.html) - [Uruguay takes over the Mercosur presidency this month, with EU quotas a top priority](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/12/uruguay-takes-over-the-mercosur-presidency-this-month-with-eu-quotas-a-top-priority?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Uruguay will assume the pro tempore presidency of Mercosur on June 30, during a summit of the bloc in Paraguay, with the distribution of the quotas from the agreement with the European Union (EU) among the main items on its agenda. Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin said the country is already preparing to take on that role and that “the technical teams are already working.” - [The Rise of the Transnational Professional: How South American Executives are Navigating Extended Stays in NYC](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/12/the-rise-of-the-transnational-professional-how-south-american-executives-are-navigating-extended-stays-in-nyc?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): <img src="https://pgnedu.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/nyyy.jpg" alt="Photo: Unsplash ” width=”100″ height=”80″ style=”float:left;margin:0 12px 6px 0;border:1px solid #333″ /> 18% of the entire South American population living in the US lives in New York, and New York also sees 16.4% of all international business travelers (Business Traveller). - [Cuba accuses Rubio of tightening the US economic and energy blockade after Cupet sanction](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/11/cuba-accuses-rubio-of-tightening-the-us-economic-and-energy-blockade-after-cupet-sanction?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Cuba’s government on Thursday accused US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of “further reinforcing” the economic and energy siege against the island, after Washington sanctioned the state company Unión Cuba-Petróleo (Cupet), which handles crude extraction, refining and production. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez charged that Rubio resorts to “usual vulgar lies” to justify the measure. - [Mundial 2026: el negocio de más de US$40.000 millones que unirá a EE.UU., Canadá y México en medio de tensiones comerciales](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mundial-2026-el-negocio-de-mas-de-us40000-millones-que-unira-a-eeuu-canada-y-mexico-en-medio-de-tensiones-comerciales-noticia/): Alianza Lima, las cifras y planes del campeón del Apertura: así avanza el museo, Caminito íntimo, el nuevo CAR y la ampliación del estadio Mundial 2026: la nueva batalla de las marcas por la atención del consumidor, ¿cuánto se invierte en publicidad en la fiesta del fútbol? El Mundial de Fútbol 2026 comenzará el 11 de junio con el partido inaugural entre México y Sudáfrica en el Estadio Azteca de Ciudad de México y culminará el 19 de julio con la final en el MetLife Stadium de Nueva York/Nueva Jersey. Será la primera edición con 48 selecciones, 104 partidos y 16 […] - [Álbum del Mundial 2026: tres versiones, paquetones y actualización con nuevas figuritas, ¿cuánto cuesta completarlo?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/cuanto-cuesta-llenar-el-album-del-mundial-2026-noticia/): Mundial 2026: el negocio de más de US$40.000 millones que unirá a EE.UU., Canadá y México en medio de tensiones comerciales Cajas y financieras: Conoce qué entidades son las preferidas por los peruanos, ¿qué atributos son los más importantes hoy en día? Unas 980 figuritas se requieren para completar el álbum del Mundial 2026, evento deportivo que inicia este 11 de junio. La fiebre por este torneo también se observa en el consumo para llenar el coleccionable elaborado por Panini. MIRA | Alianza Lima, las cifras y planes del campeón del Apertura: así avanza el museo y la ampliación del estadio […] - [Google Hispanoamérica: así avanza la adopción de la IA por empresas, personas, y cómo se transformarán los empleos con ella](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/google-hispanoamerica-asi-avanza-la-adopcion-de-la-ia-por-empresas-personas-y-como-se-transformaran-los-empleos-con-ella-noticia/): Más que un aeropuerto: las cifras del primer año de operación y cómo el Jorge Chávez apunta a ser un hub para el e-commerce Bancos encabezan preferencias laborales del talento tecnológico en Perú, ¿por qué? “Yo no concibo nada que no tenga Inteligencia Artificial (IA) hoy”, sostiene Adriana Noreña, vicepresidenta de Google Hispanoamérica, a Día1 sobre los próximos proyectos de la compañía. De hecho, destaca que la región es una de las que mostraba más disposición para la adopción de la IA y que muestra mayores crecimientos. Analiza cómo el avance de esta tecnología impulsa a las empresas –sean grandes o […] - [How to Actually Finish What You Need to Get Done](https://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/how-to-actually-finish-what-you-need-to-get-done): A conversation with entrepreneur Marc Zao-Sanders on how timeboxing can help you focus on what matters. - [For Hope to Inspire, It Has to Be Grounded in Organizational Reality](https://hbr.org/2026/06/for-hope-to-inspire-it-has-to-be-grounded-in-organizational-reality): A guide for leaders. - [Fujimori edges ahead of Sánchez in Peru as expat ballots flip a razor-thin count](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/11/fujimori-edges-ahead-of-sanchez-in-peru-as-expat-ballots-flip-a-razor-thin-count?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Conservative Keiko Fujimori reclaimed first place on Wednesday night in Peru’s presidential runoff, in a count being decided vote by vote that took a decisive turn with the arrival of ballots from Peruvians abroad. With 98.2% of the tally sheets processed by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), Fujimori reached 50.002% against 49.999% for leftist Roberto Sánchez, a difference of fewer than a thousand votes. If the trend holds, the Fuerza Popular leader could become the country’s first woman elected president at the polls. - [Mexico City hosts the opening ceremony of the first 48-team World Cup on Thursday](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/11/mexico-city-hosts-the-opening-ceremony-of-the-first-48-team-world-cup-on-thursday?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Mexico City will be the stage on Thursday for the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup, the first contested by 48 teams and the first hosted by three countries: Mexico, the United States and Canada. The event will take place at the Estadio Ciudad de México, the former Azteca, before the opening match between host Mexico and South Africa. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. central Mexico time, about 90 minutes before the start of the match, set for 1:00 p.m. (2:30 and 4:00 p.m. in Montevideo and Buenos Aires; 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. in the eastern United States; […] - [Mundial 2026: la nueva batalla de las marcas por la atención del consumidor, ¿cuánto se invierte en publicidad en la fiesta del fútbol?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/negocios/mundial-2026-la-nueva-batalla-de-las-marcas-por-la-atencion-del-consumidor-cuanto-se-invierte-en-publicidad-en-la-fiesta-del-futbol-noticia/): 1190 Sports: la relación con los clubes, suscriptores, el ingreso de la U y lo que viene, ¿se está consolidando el modelo? Mundial 2026: ¿El optimismo entra a la cancha? Así viene el consumo mundialista y por qué se espera que genere más de S/800 millones en Perú El Mundial de Fútbol siempre ha sido un negocio multimillonario, pero la edición 2026 promete llevar esa lógica a una nueva escala. Con 48 selecciones, 104 partidos y tres países anfitriones —Estados Unidos, México y Canadá—, la próxima Copa del Mundo será la más extensa y comercial de la historia. La FIFA proyecta […] - [Where Does China Fit in Your Company’s Innovation Strategy?](https://hbr.org/2026/06/where-does-china-fit-in-your-companys-innovation-strategy): How multinationals can leverage China’s innovation ecosystem to fuel R&D efforts and mitigate risks. - [Why Employees Aren’t Transparent About Their AI Usage](https://hbr.org/2026/06/why-employees-arent-transparent-about-their-ai-usage): Research finds that companies won’t benefit from AI gains until they create a culture of trust. - [What Brands Get Wrong About Sports Sponsorships—and How to Get Them Right](https://hbr.org/2026/06/what-brands-get-wrong-about-sports-sponsorships-and-how-to-get-them-right): The most successful companies prioritize impact over impressions. - [Is It Possible for Gold's Value to Rise By 24% in 2026?](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/10/is-it-possible-for-gold-s-value-to-rise-by-24-in-2026?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Even though any kind of forecast should be treated with some degree of caution, analysts and investors are optimistic about the price of gold. Major financial institutions have increased their price targets, citing global demand. - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260610-01.html) - [US launches strikes against Iran in retaliation for the downing of an Apache helicopter](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/10/us-launches-strikes-against-iran-in-retaliation-for-the-downing-of-an-apache-helicopter?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The United States launched a series of strikes against Iran on Tuesday in retaliation for the downing of a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz, Central Command (Centcom) said. The action marks a sharp escalation that deepens doubts over the ceasefire in place since April 8 and over the peace negotiations that President Donald Trump says are within reach. - [Alianza Lima, las cifras y planes del campeón del Apertura: así avanza el museo, Caminito íntimo, el nuevo CAR y la ampliación del estadio](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/alianza-lima-las-cifras-y-planes-del-campeon-del-apertura-asi-avanza-el-museo-caminito-intimo-el-nuevo-car-y-la-ampliacion-del-estadio-noticia/): Indecopi investiga presunta recomendación para fijar comisiones en venta y alquiler de inmuebles Aeropuerto Jorge Chávez: MTC firmó adenda 9 con LAP para eliminar cobro de TUUA de conexiones nacionales, ¿qué más incluye? Alianza Lima no tuvo un arranque de año sencillo, pero terminó el torneo Apertura sonriendo y celebrando el título de la Liga1, en un año más que especial: los 125 años de historia del equipo blanquiazul. Un año en el que además van tomando forma grandes proyectos para el club como el Museo Blanquiazul y Caminito Íntimo, que verán la luz entre junio y julio, así como el […] - [New Data on How We’re Really Using AI](https://hbr.org/2026/06/new-data-on-how-were-really-using-ai): In the June 8, 2026, edition of The Insider, managing editor Gretchen Gavett highlights the third installment of annual research on how people are really using AI. - [3 Ways to Rethink Your Build-or-Buy Strategy](https://hbr.org/2026/06/3-ways-to-rethink-your-build-or-buy-strategy): Some capabilities need to be owned, while others can be acquired. The best leaders know how to make that distinction. - [We All Hate Meetings—Here’s How to Make Them Work](https://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/we-all-hate-meetings-heres-how-to-make-them-work): A conversation with Kayak cofounder Paul English on how better meetings can become a competitive advantage. - [The Canadian Online Gaming Industry: Economic Impact and Regulation](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/09/the-canadian-online-gaming-industry-economic-impact-and-regulation?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Canadian online gaming industry generates billions of dollars every year, supports thousands of jobs, and operates under a regulatory system that varies from province to province. Most people have no idea. Here is what the economic picture actually looks like, and how the rules really work. - [AI Is Enabling More Entrepreneurship](https://www.nasdaq.com/economic-institute/ai-enabling-more-entrepreneurship): Explore how new business applications have accelerated, and why the timing lines up almost perfectly with the rapid improvement in generative AI tools and the arrival of agentic coding. - [Colombia's runoff: a united right behind De la Espriella faces a divided left](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/09/colombia-s-runoff-a-united-right-behind-de-la-espriella-faces-a-divided-left?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The first of the three campaign weeks ahead of Colombia’s presidential runoff, set for June 21, has been marked by a contrast: a right that had failed to unite for the first round ended up aligned behind far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, while the left of Senator Iván Cepeda and President Gustavo Petro has struggled to coordinate its effort. De la Espriella was the most-voted candidate on May 31, with 43.74% against Cepeda’s 40.90%. - [Uruguay's Orsi slips to 12th in a regional presidential ranking; Bukele leads](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/09/uruguay-s-orsi-slips-to-12th-in-a-regional-presidential-ranking-bukele-leads?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Uruguay’s President Yamandú Orsi fell to 12th among the 18 leaders in the June ranking of best-rated Latin American presidents compiled by the Argentine consultancy CB. With a 38.8% positive image, Orsi dropped one spot from May and remains in the survey’s “regular” band. - [Sánchez overtakes Fujimori in Peru count with 95% tallied; overseas vote still to come](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/09/sanchez-overtakes-fujimori-in-peru-count-with-95-tallied-overseas-vote-still-to-come?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Leftist Roberto Sánchez moved ahead in the count of Peru’s presidential runoff, in an election being decided vote by vote. With about 95% of the tally sheets processed by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), Sánchez had around 50.1% of the vote, against 49.9% for conservative Keiko Fujimori, a lead of some 41,000 ballots. The result, however, is not final: the votes of Peruvians abroad, historically favorable to the right, have yet to be counted. - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260609-01.html) - [What Is Dressly? User Reviews, Features, and 3 Problems It Solves](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/09/what-is-dressly-user-reviews-features-and-3-problems-it-solves?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): A great style should be effortless, like you wake up one morning, open the closet, and there is a perfect combination of outfits awaiting you inside. But alas, for most people, choosing a proper outfit requires quite an effort, ranging from figuring out why the size of your dress doesn’t match the one at the fitting room to finding out that you will never wear any of the clothing items you’ve purchased. - [La posventa como factor decisivo en la compra de autos en Perú: Las marcas automotrices que más destacan](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/la-posventa-como-factor-decisivo-en-la-compra-de-autos-en-peru-las-marcas-automotrices-que-mas-destacan-noticia/): Gobierno aprueba subsidio temporal de S/4 por galón de diésel para transportistas Promigas adquiere Zelestra Latam por US$456.47 millones En línea con su participación en el mercado de vehículos livianos, Toyota se mantiene como la marca automotriz más recordada para un 79% de peruanos, de acuerdo con el Estudio de Marcas 2026 de Arellano Consultoría para Crecer. La marca japonesa también lidera los indicadores de tenencia reciente de autos (35%) y las preferencias (27%). MIRA TAMBIÉN | ¿Por qué es un error que el BCR asuma más funciones del manejo económico? Estas son las razones Óscar Chero, gerente ejecutivo de la […] - [Aeropuerto Jorge Chávez: Al menos cinco aerolíneas estarían interesadas en ingresar al Perú, ¿cuáles son y cuándo llegarían?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/aeropuerto-jorge-chavez-al-menos-cinco-aerolineas-estarian-interesadas-en-ingresar-al-peru-cuales-son-y-cuando-llegarian-noticia/): Ha pasado un año desde la apertura del nuevo aeropuerto Jorge Chávez, que este año proyecta recibir 27 millones de pasajeros y también alista la llegada de nuevas aerolíneas, según comentó el CEO de Lima Airport Airlines (LAP), Juan José Salmón. “Al menos con cinco aerolíneas se está conversando para que ingresen al mercado peruano”, dijo. Durante la presentación del balance del primer año del nuevo terminal del Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez, el ejecutivo informó que estas empresas son principalmente europeas y asiáticas. Se espera, dijo, que se pueda concretar algún plan con alguna de ellas hacia finales de año para […] - [Bolsa de Valores de Lima prevé alcanzar hasta 70.000 cuentas nuevas al cierre de este año: ¿Cuáles son las nuevas tendencias?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/bolsa-de-valores-de-lima-preve-alcanzar-hasta-70000-cuentas-nuevas-al-cierre-de-este-ano-cuales-son-las-nuecas-tendencias-bvl-nuam-noticia/): Aldo Ferrini: “Pese a la volatilidad, el rendimiento de los fondos este año ha sido muy bueno” Sporade y Gatorade en batalla entre las bebidas rehidratantes, mientras crece el consumo fuera del deporte Tras un desempeño sólido al cierre del año pasado, la Bolsa de Valores de Lima (BVL) mantiene perspectivas de crecimiento para este 2026 en un contexto, sin duda, retador, aunque marcado por los avances que la plaza bursátil impulsa para concretar la integración regional con las bolsas de Chile y Colombia. Miguel Ángel Zapatero, gerente general de la BVL y gerente de Clientes y Negocios de nuam, detalla […] - [El ‘boom’ de las tiendas saludables: Organa, Flora y Fauna y más jugadores, ¿cómo crecen y de qué manera conquistan a los peruanos?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/el-boom-saludable-marcas-expanden-su-presencia-y-conquistan-nuevos-consumidores-en-el-peru-cual-es-la-favorita-de-los-peruanos-noticia/): Lo saludable dejó de ser exclusivo de consumidores especializados. En el Perú, las tiendas, mercados y ferias de productos saludables atraviesan un proceso de expansión que ya empieza a sentirse fuera de los sectores tradicionales de Lima. Así lo revela el más reciente estudio de Arellano Consultoría para Crecer, que muestra cómo el interés por el bienestar, la alimentación consciente y el consumo natural impulsa el crecimiento sostenido de esta categoría. “Lo que antes era un nicho únicamente para consumidores especializados, hoy empieza a integrarse de manera más cotidiana”, sostiene Jorge Rubiños, gerente comercial de Arellano Consultoría. El ejecutivo explica que […] - [¿Cuáles son las inmobiliarias preferidas?: esto buscan los peruanos en sus nuevos proyectos](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/inmobiliarias-ajustan-su-oferta-crece-demanda-por-espacios-funcionales-y-proyectos-bien-conectados-noticia/): Operadores advierten que el Perú no avanzó al ritmo de sus inversiones portuarias “Hasta que no se definan las elecciones, los proyectos de inversión están detenidos” El Informe de Marcas 2026 de Arellano Consultoría para Crecer, elaborado sobre una muestra de 419 personas de Lima, refleja que marcas como Aurora Grupo Inmobiliario, Besco y V&V Inmobiliaria figuran entre las consideradas por los consumidores dentro de la categoría inmobiliaria. En ese contexto, representantes de las tres empresas coinciden en que el comprador actual analiza cada vez más factores antes de adquirir una vivienda, entre ellos financiamiento, ubicación, funcionalidad y respaldo de la […] - [Tiendas de conveniencia no solo compiten con minimarkets y bodegas: ¿con qué estrategia ganan el día a día de los peruanos?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/tiendas-de-conveniencia-no-solo-compiten-con-minimarkets-y-bodegas-con-que-estrategia-ganan-el-dia-a-dia-de-los-peruanos-noticia/): Menos metros, mejor ubicación: esto es lo que busca el comprador inmobiliario en Lima, ¿ha cambiado el perfil? ¿Sube el precio del Cemento? Cementos Inka comenta el escenario y prevé superar el millón de toneladas despachadas Las tiendas de conveniencia continúan consolidándose en el Perú como un formato cada vez más ligado a la rutina diaria del consumidor urbano. Para Jorge Rubiños, gerente comercial de Arellano Consultoría, la categoría deja de estar asociada únicamente a compras impulsivas o de emergencia, y empieza a competir por distintos momentos de consumo vinculados a rapidez, cercanía y soluciones inmediatas para el día a día. […] - [Norkys y Rokys dominan las pollerías, pero ¿qué buscan hoy los peruanos al elegir dónde comer pollo a la brasa?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/norkys-y-rokys-dominan-las-pollerias-pero-que-buscan-hoy-los-peruanos-al-elegir-donde-comer-pollo-a-la-brasa-arellano-consultoria-noticia/): El sector gastronómico sigue creciendo y uno de sus ‘drivers’ principales es el negocio de pollerías, donde existen dos claros líderes a nivel de recordación: Norkys y Rokys, con Pardos Chicken emergiendo como competidor clave, principalmente, en la ciudad de Lima. Tales son los principales alcances del Estudio de Marcas 2026 de Arellano Consultoría para Crecer, el cual resalta la ‘performance’ de Norkys como la cadena con mejor recordación en todas las categorías: Top of Mind (TOM), recordación espontánea, frecuencia de consumo y preferencia, secundado siempre por Rokys. MIRA AQUÍ: Día del Pollo a la brasa: cadenas de pollerías saborean incremento […] - [The Single Number That Separates Online Roulette Variants](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/08/the-single-number-that-separates-online-roulette-variants?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Online roulette looks like one game, but it is really a family of close cousins that pay the same odds while offering very different value. The gap between them comes down to how many zeros sit on the wheel. - [AI remains top reason for US job cuts for third straight month as employers axed 97,000 workers in May](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/ai-remains-top-reason-us-job-cuts-third-straight-month-employers-axed-97000-workers-may): <!–> UBS managing director and senior portfolio manager Jason Katz joins Varney & Co. to discuss the rotation and rally in the markets and his concern over the Feds next move regarding rates. U.S. employers ramped up layoffs in May as the artificial intelligence (AI) rollout was the leading factor cited by companies cutting their workforces, new data shows. Companies announced 97,006 job cuts in May – an increase of 16% from the 83,387 cuts in April and an increase of 3% from the 93,816 cuts announced last May, according to a recent report by global outplacement and executive coaching firm […] - [Falklands, how important it is for UK electorate to have the Islands remaining British](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/08/falklands-how-important-it-is-for-uk-electorate-to-have-the-islands-remaining-british?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): This is a special week for the Falkland Islands and its people, Sunday is 14th June, the 44th anniversary of the Liberation of the Islands from the invading Argentine troops, which on that day definitively signed their surrender to the British Task Force sent to the South Atlantic to liberate the forcibly submitted Falklands people after 74 days. - [How C-Suite and Board Roles Are Being Reshaped Around AI](https://hbr.org/2026/06/how-c-suite-and-board-roles-are-being-reshaped-around-ai): Old roles are evolving—and new ones are emerging. - [AI Has Broken Hiring. Here’s How to Fix It.](https://hbr.org/2026/06/ai-has-broken-hiring-heres-how-to-fix-it): Hiring managers need new methods to assess authenticity and competence. - [When Purpose Backfires](https://hbr.org/2026/06/when-purpose-backfires): New research finds that employees who feel blocked from having impact are more likely to withdraw—and to quit. - [[TSE]Base price and daily price limits for newly listing ETF (Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (Code: 587A))](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260608-02.html) - [[TSE]Base price and daily price limits for newly listing ETF (NV Bottom Up Equity Investment Strategy Active ETF (Code: 585A))](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260608-04.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260608-01.html) - [Sánchez narrowly ahead in Peru runoff quick count; both candidates urge caution](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/08/sanchez-narrowly-ahead-in-peru-runoff-quick-count-both-candidates-urge-caution?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Peru’s presidential runoff ended without a clear winner after an extremely close vote. A quick count by the pollster Ipsos, carried out with the NGO Transparencia on a representative sample of tally sheets, gave a slight edge to leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez, with 50.3% of the vote, against 49.7% for conservative Keiko Fujimori. The gap, within the margin of error, amounts to a technical tie that prolongs the uncertainty in a country that has had nine presidents in a decade. - [Trump interested in buying Chagos Islands with the strategic Diego Garcia air base](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/08/trump-interested-in-buying-chagos-islands-with-the-strategic-diego-garcia-air-base?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The US president Donald Trump is considering a plan to buy the Chagos Islands from Mauritius amid stalled plans from the UK to cede sovereignty of the territory, the Telegraph reported over the weekend. - [Trump says he will urge Netanyahu not to retaliate after Iran's missile attack on Israel](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/07/trump-says-he-will-urge-netanyahu-not-to-retaliate-after-iran-s-missile-attack-on-israel?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): US President Donald Trump said he would call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ask him not to respond to the missiles Iran fired at Israel on Sunday, in an effort to prevent a new escalation and salvage a deal with Tehran that he considers “very close.” It was Iran’s first direct attack since the ceasefire reached on April 8. - [Pope Leo XIV expected to visit Peru in November, including his former diocese of Chiclayo](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/07/pope-leo-xiv-expected-to-visit-peru-in-november-including-his-former-diocese-of-chiclayo?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit Peru in November, returning to the country where he was bishop of Chiclayo, carried out much of his pastoral life and obtained citizenship. Interim President José María Balcázar said on Sunday that the trip is “programmed from November 10,” in brief remarks after voting in the presidential runoff. - [FAO food commodity prices in May showed increases in cereals, sugar and beef](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/07/fao-food-commodity-prices-in-may-showed-increases-in-cereals-sugar-and-beef?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The benchmark measure for world food commodity prices remained broadly stable in May, as declines in vegetable oil quotations offset increases in those for cereals and sugar, according to new data released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). - [Royal Navy will receive all eight Type 26 frigates as planned, Minister Pollard confirms](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/06/royal-navy-will-receive-all-eight-type-26-frigates-as-planned-minister-pollard-confirms?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Royal Navy will receive all eight of its Type 26 frigates as planned, despite speculation over build slots being offered to the Norwegian navy, Defense Minister Luke Pollard has confirmed. - [‘Soccer’ is incorrect, or is it still the fine term for the beautiful game?](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/06/soccer-is-incorrect-or-is-it-still-the-fine-term-for-the-beautiful-game?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): By Kirk Bowman (*) – At the 2026 World Cup draw, FIFA Peace Prize recipient and U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the game should really be called “football.” “There’s no question about it. We have to come up with another name for the NFL. It really doesn’t make any sense,” said Trump, an apparently new convert to the round-ball game.He isn’t alone. The word “soccer” is, in some parts of the world, shunned by some fans. - [US sanctions Cuba's president Díaz-Canel and inner circle in push for regime change](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/05/us-sanctions-cuba-s-president-diaz-canel-and-inner-circle-in-push-for-regime-change?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The United States sanctioned Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and his closest circle on Thursday, in a fresh escalation of Washington’s pressure on the island with the stated goal of forcing a change of regime after 67 years of communist government. Havana rejected the move at once. - [Chartstopper: June 5, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/chartstopper-june-5-2026): The jobs report was just the latest market-moving event this week, alongside another mega-cap earnings report, new tariffs and continued developments in the Iran conflict. - [US economy added 172,000 jobs in May, beating expectations](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-jobs-report-may-2026): <!–> Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan addresses college students’ concerns about AI’s impact on entry-level jobs, detailing the company’s commitment to hiring 4,000 campus recruits on ‘Fox & Friends.’ The U.S. economy added jobs at a modest pace in May amid uncertainty surrounding the impact of conflict in the Middle East on the labor market. What are the key findings of the May 2026 jobs report? The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday reported that employers added 172,000 jobs in May. That figure is above the estimates of economists polled by LSEG, who predicted a gain of 85,000 jobs. The unemployment rate […] - [Finding Your New Strategic Center](https://hbr.org/2026/06/finding-your-new-strategic-center): Columbia Business School professor Rita McGrath previews “The Power of Strategic Centering,” an article from HBR’s upcoming July-August 2026. - [AI Is Rewriting the Economics of Outsourcing](https://hbr.org/2026/06/ai-is-rewriting-the-economics-of-outsourcing): Companies must reconsider what they own and what they buy. - [What a Fragmenting Digital Economy Means for Global Competition](https://hbr.org/2026/06/what-a-fragmenting-digital-economy-means-for-global-competition): A new index of 125 countries reveals where innovation is growing and where it’s stalling out. - [[OSE]Single Stock Options Recorded All-Time Highs in Monthly Notional Amount and Volume (May 2026)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2041/20260605-01.html) - [[OSE]OSE Expands Single Stock Options Eligible for Market Making to 50 (Effective August 3, 2026)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2041/20260605-02.html) - [[TSE]Statistics on Annual General Shareholders Meeting Dates for Companies with Fiscal Years Ended March 2026](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260605-01.html) - [[TSE]Public Inspection of Improvement Report: nms Holdings Corporation](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260605-12.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: SANKO SANGYO CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260605-11.html) - [New Fast Tracks Account for Older Company IPOs](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/new-fast-tracks-account-older-company-ipos): Learn why fast-tracking very large IPOs is helping indexes better represent all the public companies that matter to the economy and the stock market. - [Lufthansa Boeing 787's nose gear collapses at Frankfurt gate, injuring four staff](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/04/lufthansa-boeing-787-s-nose-gear-collapses-at-frankfurt-gate-injuring-four-staff?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The nose landing gear of a Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner collapsed on Thursday while the aircraft was parked at a boarding gate at Frankfurt Airport in Germany, leaving four people slightly injured. The plane was being prepared to operate a flight to Los Angeles when, at around 12:45 p.m. local time, the nose gear gave way and the front of the fuselage came to rest on the tarmac, sustaining considerable damage. - [Colombian judge orders De la Espriella to stop using national team jersey in campaign](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/04/colombian-judge-orders-de-la-espriella-to-stop-using-national-team-jersey-in-campaign?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): A Bogotá court ordered presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and his party, Defensores de la Patria, to refrain from using the Colombian national football jersey at campaign events and in advertising, while it studies a constitutional protection action filed by a citizen. The provisional measure, issued on June 3 by the 120th Municipal Criminal Court, takes immediate effect and also covers social media and the press. - [Petro drops constituent assembly bid 17 days before Colombia's presidential runoff](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/04/petro-drops-constituent-assembly-bid-17-days-before-colombia-s-presidential-runoff?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The committee that had promoted a National Constituent Assembly championed by Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Thursday that it was halting the collection of signatures and withdrawing the project to reform the 1991 Constitution. The decision, taken 17 days before the June 21 presidential runoff, seeks to clear the way for the governing bloc’s candidate, Senator Iván Cepeda, in a move that reshapes the electoral landscape. - [IPE: La principal diferencia entre las propuestas de Fuerza Popular y Juntos por el Perú radica en su postura frente a la inversión privada](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/ipe-la-principal-diferencia-entre-las-propuestas-de-fuerza-popular-y-juntos-por-el-peru-radica-en-su-postura-frente-a-la-inversion-privada-l-ultimas-noticia/): Segunda vuelta: compara a Keiko Fujimori y Roberto Sánchez según sus hojas de vida y planes de gobierno Al menos cinco aerolíneas estarían interesadas en ingresar al Perú, ¿cuáles son y cuándo llegarían? El Instituto Peruano de Economía (IPE) llevó a cabo el seminario virtual “Antes de votar: propuestas, riesgos y prioridades”, que contó con la participación de Carlos Gallardo, gerente general del IPE; Roxana Barrantes, directora de la Escuela de Gobierno y Políticas Públicas de la PUCP; y, Luis Miguel Castilla, director de Videnza Instituto y exministro de Economía y Finanzas. El evento analizó las principales propuestas planteadas por los […] - [Your Company Needs an Energy Strategy for AI’s Next Phase](https://hbr.org/2026/06/your-company-needs-an-energy-strategy-for-ais-next-phase): Organizations need a plan to measure, reduce, contract for, and strategically locate their compute. - [OCDE: Perú podría crecer más ante el ‘boom’ de los metales, pero enfrenta estas trabas por baja productividad e incertidumbre](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/ocde-peru-podria-crecer-mas-pese-al-boom-de-los-metales-pero-enfrenta-trabas-por-baja-productividad-e-incertidumbre-noticia/): ¿Cuáles son las inmobiliarias preferidas?: esto buscan los peruanos en sus nuevos proyectos Al menos cinco aerolíneas estarían interesadas en ingresar al Perú, ¿cuáles son y cuándo llegarían? Perú podría registrar un mayor crecimiento económico pese al contexto favorable de elevados precios de los metales, pero enfrenta limitaciones asociadas a la baja productividad, la informalidad y la incertidumbre, advirtió la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos (OCDE) durante la conferencia “Perspectivas Económicas de la OCDE: América Latina”. Dimitris Mavridis, economista del equipo de Perú de la OCDE, señaló que la economía peruana crecerá 2,9% en 2026 y 2027, una […] - [SBS: Créditos de consumo crecieron 8,04% en marzo](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/sbs-creditos-de-consumo-crecieron-804-en-marzo-noticia/): Al menos cinco aerolíneas estarían interesadas en ingresar al Perú, ¿cuáles son y cuándo llegarían? ¿Cuáles son las inmobiliarias preferidas?: esto buscan los peruanos en sus nuevos proyectos Los créditos de consumo registraron un crecimiento interanual de 8,04% en marzo, impulsados por el aumento de la demanda interna, la mejora en el empleo forma y la recuperación de ingresos salariales reales, indicó Renato Ravina, jefe de Investigación Económica de la Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP (SBS). En la presentación del Informe de Estabilidad del Sistema Financiero, el titular de la SBS, Sergio Espinosa, añadió que también hubo una expansión en […] - [US proposes forced-labor tariffs on 60 economies, with Brazil and China facing 12.5%](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/04/us-proposes-forced-labor-tariffs-on-60-economies-with-brazil-and-china-facing-12.5?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The US government proposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on 60 economies —59 countries and the 27-nation European Union— for failing to ban or effectively enforce the prohibition on imports of goods made with forced labor. The measure, announced Tuesday night by Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, relies on Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act and is the White House’s most ambitious step yet to rebuild its tariff policy. - [[OSE]Adjustment of Strike Prices in Securities Options: Effective from June 4, 2026](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2020/20260604-01.html) - [[TSE]Statistics on Status of Financial Results Announcements for the Fiscal Year Ended March 2026](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260604-01.html) - [SBS disuelve la Cooperativa Rural Abancay](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/sbs-disuelve-la-cooperativa-rural-abancay-por-deficit-de-s-984168-ultimas-noticia/): SBS alista el diseño de las finanzas abiertas en Perú: ¿Cómo avanza este sistema y qué escenarios evalúa la entidad? Nacional de Seguros, firma colombiana, anuncia el inicio de sus operaciones en el mercado asegurador peruano La Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP (SBS) disolvió la Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Rural Abancay, disponiendo su exclusión del Registro Nacional de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito No Autorizadas a Captar Recursos del Público mediante la Resolución SBS N.° 01525-2026. Esta decisión fue concretada luego de que la entidad financiera no lograra levantar la causal de pérdida total de su capital social y […] - [The Tech That Keeps Planes Flying for Ultra-Long-Haul Flights](https://www.wired.com/story/tech-necessary-for-long-haul-flghts/): This year marks the 20th anniversary of the maiden flight of the Airbus A380, the double-decker, wide-body aircraft that remains the largest passenger plane ever built. At 10:30 am local time on April 27, 2005, the giant, four-engine aircraft lifted off from the airport in Blagnac, a suburb of Toulouse in southern France, and did a quick loop of the area, staying within about 100 miles of the tarmac. When it took its first commercial flight six months later, the A380—which typically seats more than 500 passengers and can hold a maximum of 853—was heralded as the future of long-haul and […] - [McDonald’s stock rises as adjusted Q2 profit and revenue top analyst estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mcdonalds-stock-rises-as-adjusted-q2-profit-and-revenue-top-analyst-estimates-64b16aa8?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Pfizer boosts 2025 profit estimate in a sign of ‘confidence’](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pfizer-boosts-2025-profit-estimate-in-a-sign-of-confidence-b53242ae?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Caterpillar’s stock falls after profit misses expectations again, to offset a raised outlook](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/caterpillars-stock-falls-after-profit-misses-expectations-again-to-offset-a-raised-outlook-d92aa1b6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Nayib Bukele could now rule El Salvador for life](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/02/nayib-bukele-could-now-rule-el-salvador-for-life): To those familiar with the autocrat’s playbook, Nayib Bukele’s latest move was not surprising. On July 31st El Salvador’s legislative assembly, dominated by his New Ideas party, voted to remove presidential term limits from the constitution. Mr Bukele is now able to seek re-election indefinitely. Aged just 44, he could rule El Salvador’s 6.3m people for decades. That a leader who is admired so widely across Latin America has cemented his place as a dictator bodes ill for democracy in the region. - [Why Trump’s Tariffs Are Closing Factories in Lesotho](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010311227/why-trumps-tariffs-are-closing-factories-in-lesotho.html): new video loaded: Why Trump’s Tariffs Are Closing Factories in Lesotho Recent episodes in Latest Video Whether it’s reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, Times Video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. Whether it’s reporting on conflicts abroad and political divisions at home, or covering the latest style trends and scientific developments, Times Video journalists provide a revealing and unforgettable view of the world. - [U.S. factory sector contracts for 5th straight month in July, ISM shows](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-factory-sector-contracts-for-5th-straight-month-in-july-ism-shows-0f174329?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Chevron’s stock gains amid record oil production, and as free cash flow more than doubles](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/chevrons-stock-gains-amid-record-oil-production-and-as-free-cash-flow-more-than-doubles-9b677e9c?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Could AI tilt the outcome of elections?](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/31/could-ai-tilt-the-outcome-of-elections): THE GLOBAL wave of elections in 2024 was heralded as the first of the artificial-intelligence (AI) era. But opinions about what that meant varied. Would AI prompt a glut of malign deepfakes and large language model-generated spam? Or empower politicians to speak to constituencies segregated by language, and voters to find new sources of information to guide their choice? - [Álvaro Uribe, a former president of Colombia, is convicted](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/31/alvaro-uribe-a-former-president-of-colombia-is-convicted): It took Judge Sandra Heredia over ten hours on July 28th to read her judgment in the case against Álvaro Uribe, Colombia’s president from 2002 to 2010. Her verdict, when it came, was that he was guilty of arranging the bribing of witnesses and of perverting justice. He is the first Colombian president to be found guilty in court. The sentence, which will be announced on August 1st, could land him with up to eight years in jail. Since Mr Uribe is 73, he might be allowed to serve it under house arrest. His lawyers say they will appeal. “This isn’t […] - [CVS’s stock jumps, as profit beats by a wide margin and the outlook is raised](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cvss-stock-jumps-as-profit-beats-by-a-wide-margin-and-the-outlook-is-raised-401cc75e?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump administration is launching a new private health tracking system with Big Tech’s help](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/technology-main/2025/07/trump-administration-is-launching-a-new-private-health-tracking-system-with-big-techs-help/): The Trump administration is pushing for Americans to upload personal health data to new apps run by private tech companies, streamlining access to records. - [Panamanian farmers versus global shipping—and Donald Trump](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/29/panamanian-farmers-versus-global-shipping-and-donald-trump): In A remote part of Panama, where motorised canoe is the main mode of transport, a pristine asphalt road portends the arrival of a project unwanted by many locals. In February the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) approved a $1.6bn project that will see the Indio river dammed, flooding the lands of 630 families who live in the basin. In May, dozens of farmers waving Panamanian flags took to the Indio in their canoes to protest against the decision. “This land is our heritage and our livelihood,” says Olegario Cedeño, a coffee and plantain farmer. “They haven’t given us any chance to […] - [Consumer confidence rebounds in July on lower inflation fears and higher stock prices](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-confidence-rebounds-in-july-on-lower-inflation-fears-and-higher-stock-prices-fdfeff99?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [UPS’s stock sinks after profit misses forecasts and earnings guidance still not provided](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/upss-stock-sinks-after-profit-misses-forecasts-and-earnings-guidance-still-not-provided-2e9b0ab2?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [UnitedHealth’s stock falls as downbeat outlook reinstated and profit missed estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/unitedhealths-stock-falls-as-downbeat-outlook-reinstated-and-profit-missed-estimates-c0956b9e?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Look inside The Economist’s summer issue for 2025](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/28/look-inside-the-economists-summer-issue-for-2025): We have published our fourth summer issue. As well as the usual news and analysis, you’ll find a special 48-page supplement from 1843, The Economist’s home for narrative journalism. We won’t produce a print edition of the newspaper on August 2nd but a digital version will be available as usual on The Economist’s app and website. - [Why Zelensky Backtracked on His Controversial Law](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000010301803/ukraine-mass-protests-zelensky.html): new video loaded: Why Zelensky Backtracked on His Controversial Law By Marc Santora, Katrin Bennhold, Christina Thornell, Alexandra Ostasiewicz, Nikolay Nikolov, Brendan Hoffman and Laura Salaberry•July 25, 2025 Facing growing pressure amid nationwide protests, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine backtracked on controversial legislation that would have weakened the country’s independent anticorruption institutions. Katrin Bennhold, a senior writer, and Marc Santora, an international news editor for The New York Times, explain the events that led to the reversal. Recent episodes in Behind the Reporting - [The world court joins the fight over climate change](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/24/the-world-court-joins-the-fight-over-climate-change): THE MOST far-reaching, and controversial, ruling ever issued by the world’s top court—that failing to protect the climate from greenhouse-gas emissions could be deemed an “internationally wrongful act” by a country—had the humblest of beginnings. In 2019, a group of law students at the University of the South Pacific, in Fiji, were set an assignment that snowballed. Asked to think of ways to reduce the inequalities of climate change, they began campaigning to get the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to consider what obligations states had to tackle climate change under international law, and what consequences they might face if they failed to meet them. By 2023, at the urging of politicians from Vanuatu and other small island states, the ICJ had agreed to give its legal opinion on the matter at the formal request of the United Nations General Assembly. - [Service sector fuels stronger growth in July while manufacturing stumbles, S&P PMI surveys find](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/service-sector-fuels-stronger-growth-in-july-while-manufacturing-stumbles-s-p-pmi-surveys-find-79fceb30?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [A new paradise for crypto](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/24/a-new-paradise-for-crypto): In Ian Fleming’s 1961 novel, “Thunderball”, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, James Bond’s archenemy, considers the bolívar, along with the Swiss franc, to be the “hardest” of all the world’s currencies, an ideal store of value for the takings of his criminal enterprise. This fictional depiction accurately reflected contemporary economics. Between 1950 and 1980, Venezuela had the lowest rate of inflation in the world. - [Jobless claims drop for sixth straight week, as labor market is showing no signs of stress](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-drop-for-sixth-straight-week-as-labor-market-is-showing-no-signs-of-stress-9ac9ba85?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [In the Latest Space Race, It’s China vs. SpaceX](https://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000010290263/china-starlink-space-race.html): new video loaded: - [Scottish business confidence declines - but remains in positive territory](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-declines-remains-35603764): Scottish business confidence has dropped, but remains in positive territory, amid a backdrop of national and international headwinds. Sentiment tracked by ICAEW’S Business Confidence Monitor for Scotland during the second quarter found confidence declined further to 3.3 on the index – its lowest since the fourth quarter of 2023, below the historical norm for Scotland (6.3), but above the UK average (-4.2). The survey took in 32 chartered accountants based in Scotland between 7 April and 27 June, finding weak annual domestic sales growth of 1.5% – lower than anywhere else in the UK. Domestic sales are expected to remain subdued […] - [Trump Says He's 'Getting Rid of Woke' and Dismisses Copyright Concerns in AI Policy Speech](https://www.wired.com/story/president-trump-ai-action-plan-speech/): President Trump announced that the United States’ stance on intellectual property and AI would be a “common sense application” that does not force AI companies to pay for each piece of copyrighted material used in training frontier models. “You can’t be expected to have a successful AI program when every single article, book or anything else that you’ve read or studied, you’re supposed to pay for,” Trump said. “We appreciate that, but just can’t do it— because it’s not doable.” The president also doubled down on his anti-woke rhetoric in his speech. “We are getting rid of woke,” he said on […] - [Air India Finds ‘No Issues’ After Inspections of Boeing Fuel Switches](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/world/europe/air-india-crash-report-boeing.html): An investigation into a deadly crash last month has focused on control switches that cut off fuel to an Air India Boeing jet after takeoff. Air India said on Tuesday that it had concluded inspections of its fleet of Boeing planes and had not found any problems with the locking mechanisms of their fuel switches, a feature that has become a focus of scrutiny after a deadly crash. Last month, 260 people were killed, including 19 on the ground, after a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 jet went down seconds after takeoff in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. The investigation […] - [GM profit shrinks despite stronger sales](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/gm-profit-shrinks-despite-stronger-sales): General Motors CEO Mary Barra discloses what she expects from the new auto tariffs and how the company will comply with the administration’s guidance during a wide-ranging interview on ‘Mornings with Maria.’ General Motors’ net income shrank 35% in the second quarter despite strong sales gains as President Trump’s automotive tariffs weighed on the largest automaker in the U.S. Despite the drop in profit, GM’s results exceeded Wall Street estimates for revenue and adjusted operating income. The company maintained its previous profit guidance for 2025. In a letter to shareholders, Chief Executive Mary Barra said GM is “positioning the business for […] - [‘Bye, Bro’: British Fighter Jet, Stranded in India, Finally Leaves for Home](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/world/asia/india-uk-f35-jet-kerala-airport.html): A British F-35B took flight weeks after it was grounded with a mechanical hitch. Some locals who had embraced the jet were sad to see it go. The jet, which was stranded in southern India for more than a month, took off Tuesday from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. A British F-35B fighter jet that was stranded at an airport in southern India for more than a month over mechanical issues, becoming a local celebrity in the process, is finally making its way home. British engineers had struggled for weeks to fix the aircraft, which was unable to return to an aircraft carrier […] - [Coca-Cola’s stock gains as profit beats and outlook was raised, while case volume slips](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/coca-colas-stock-gains-as-profit-beats-and-outlook-was-raised-while-case-volume-slips-88ad8d94?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [X Data Center Fire in Oregon Started Inside Power Cabinet, Authorities Say](https://www.wired.com/story/x-data-center-fire-in-oregon-started-inside-power-cabinet-authorities-say/): A recent, hours-long fire at a data center used by Elon Musk’s X may have begun after an electrical or mechanical issue in a power system, according to an official fire investigation. WIRED was the first to report on the blaze, which occurred on May 22 in Hillsboro, Oregon. Data center giant Digital Realty operates the 13-acre site, and multiple people familiar with the matter previously told WIRED that the Musk-run social platform X has servers there. Data center fires are rare, with about two dozen well-known incidents over the past decade across thousands of facilities globally, according to various researchers. […] - [General Motors absorbs tariff impact as adjusted Q2 profit tops estimates](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/general-motors-adjusted-q2-profit-tops-estimates-as-revenue-falls-7f5f65d4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [First Pill for Postpartum Depression Shows Varied Real-World Results](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/health/post-partum-depression-treatment-pill.html): Depression descended on Samantha Cohn about two months after her baby boy was born.He was thriving, but she became convinced she was a terrible mother. “I felt like I wasn’t doing enough, I wasn’t doing anything right,” she said. She began to think her son and husband might be better off without her. When the baby was about 5 months old, she tried to take her life with a gun.Ms. Cohn, 30, who lives near Fayetteville, N.C., was hospitalized for weeks and underwent surgeries to repair damage to her jaw, nose, tongue and face. But her postpartum depression remained challenging to treat. The hospital’s maternal mental health specialists decided to have her try a medication that had recently become available: the first pill specifically for postpartum depression.Clinical trials had found that the drug, zuranolone, marketed as Zurzuvae and taken daily for 14 days, can ease symptoms for some women in as little as three days, while general antidepressants can take weeks. For Ms. Cohn, its impact was swift and striking. On her fourth day of taking it, she said she suddenly “felt so much clarity in my head, like I didn’t have nagging thoughts about not being good enough.”Now, a year and a half after the drug became available, thousands of women have tried it, and their experiences have run the gamut. For some, symptoms improved remarkably. Others described a modest benefit that didn’t last or said their depression persisted. And others didn’t complete the two-week regimen because profound drowsiness, a common side effect of the drug, interfered with their ability to care for their babies or to fulfill other responsibilities.One in eight women in the United States experiences depression during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, and effective treatments are crucially needed. While the fast-acting pill shows promise, doctors say the challenge now is to determine which patients will benefit and why some don’t.Clinical trials of the drug found that postpartum depression improved in about 60 percent of patients. “It’s not everyone,” Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, a leader of the trials and director of the Center for Women’s Mood Disorders at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said at a National Institutes of Health conference. “So, what is it about the people that are going to respond versus those that don’t?”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Tuesday Briefing: A Deadly Jet Crash in Bangladesh](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/briefing/bangladesh-plane-crash-gaza-israel-hamas-ukraine-russia.html): Plus, New Zealand wines with something extra. A search and rescue operation yesterday at the crash site in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Jubair Bin Iqbal/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images A Bangladeshi military jet crashed into a school At least 20 people were killed and 171 wounded yesterday when a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school in Dhaka, officials said. The military said that a mechanical error had caused the crash. The crash occurred at Milestone School and College in an area north of Dhaka’s international airport and a military air base. The school has students from elementary to high school […] - [Sharing a Bed With Your Kid? It’s Totally Normal in Asia.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/world/asia/bed-sharing-parents-children-sleep-asia.html): In the United States and some other Western countries, many parents wince at the idea of sharing a bed with their young child on a regular basis.But in other places, long-term bed sharing through infancy, toddlerhood and beyond is seen as totally normal. For many families in Asia, in particular, the question is not whether to do it, but when to stop.How and where young children sleep is a big deal for the whole family. It can have implications for an infant’s safety and a child’s development. It can also affect parental sleep, intimacy and mental health, and can influence how families configure their homes.Ho Kin Ing, right, and her husband Tan Peng Yong with their daughters at home in Singapore.Ore Huiying for The New York TimesIn South Korea, many parents bed share because they want to savor a close relationship with young children “who one day won’t need them anymore,” said Inae Kim, an office manager in Seoul. She sleeps in two adjacent king-size beds with her husband and their two girls, ages 5 and 7.“They want to enjoy the moment,” Ms. Kim, 40, said over an iced latte in her high-rise apartment complex. Though her girls slept in cribs until they were 6 months old, they’ve grown up bed sharing with their parents.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Google A.I. System Wins Gold In International Math Olympiad](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/technology/google-ai-international-mathematics-olympiad.html): OpenAI said it, too, had built a system that achieved similar results.An artificial intelligence system built by Google DeepMind, the tech giant’s primary artificial intelligence lab, has achieved “gold medal” status in the annual International Mathematical Olympiad, a premier math competition for high school students.It was the first time a machine — which solved five of the six problems at the 2025 competition, held in Australia this month — reached that level of success, Google said in a blog post on Monday.The news is another sign that leading companies are continuing to improve their A.I. systems in areas like math, science and computer coding. This kind of technology could accelerate the research of mathematicians and scientists and streamline the work of experienced computer programmers.Two days before Google revealed its feat, an OpenAI researcher said in a social media post that the start-up had built technology that achieved a similar score on this year’s questions, though it did not officially enter the competition.Both systems were chatbots that received and responded to the questions much like humans. Other A.I. systems have participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad, or I.M.O., but they could answer questions only after human experts translated them into a computer programming language built for solving math problems.“We solved these problems fully in natural language,” Thang Luong, a senior staff research scientist at Google DeepMind, said in an interview. “That means there was no human intervention — at all.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Sanitariums and Stigma: When TB Was Common in the U.S.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/health/tb-tuberculosis-us-john-green.html): After The Times published an interview with John Green about his new book on tuberculosis, many readers wrote to share their families’ history with the disease.Recently, the writer John Green spoke with The New York Times about his best-selling book “Everything Is Tuberculosis” and the reason he developed an obsessive interest in the disease, which kills more people worldwide than any other infectious illness does. Tuberculosis has been rare in the United States for decades, but the conversation inspired many readers to write in to share their own families’ history with the disease.Here are excerpts from several.My mother, Babe, had TB in the early 1930s and was put in the Grasslands sanitarium in Valhalla, N.Y. She survived because her doctor gave her pneumothorax treatment, collapsing one lung at a time, to let the lung rest and repair. She said it was very painful. I was told the story over and over. She was so afraid I would get TB.One reason she lived is because she had met my father, Grant, on a trip to California and fallen in love. He wrote to her everyday and even said he would go east, climb the walls of the sanitarium and take her to the clean air of the mountains in California so she could get well. Grant was a writer and a stuntman in Hollywood. He had been Errol Flynn’s double in “Robin Hood.” So he really meant it when he said he’d climb the walls to get her out.He didn’t do that. But when Babe recovered, she took a train to California and married my father. Babe’s doctor was Dr. William Godfrey Childress, whom I have since found out was one of the well-known TB experts in those days. I met him when she went in for a checkup many years later. (I was born when Babe was 44!)— Wyn LydeckerWe are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Climate Change Is Making Fire Weather Worse for World’s Forests](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/climate/extreme-fire-weather-forests.html): Forest fires are on the rise globally. An increase in severe fire weather is largely responsible.In 2023 and 2024, the hottest years on record, more than 78 million acres of forests burned around the globe. The fires sent veils of smoke and several billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, subjecting millions of people to poor air quality.Extreme forest-fire years are becoming more common because of climate change, new research suggests. “Climate change is loading the dice for extreme fire seasons like we’ve seen,” said John Abatzoglou, a climate scientist at the University of California Merced. “There are going to be more fires like this.”The area of forest canopy lost to fire during 2023 and 2024 was at least two times greater than in the previous nearly two decades, according to a new study published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers used imagery from the LANDSAT satellite network to determine how tree cover had changed from 2002 to 2024, and compared that with satellite detections of fire activity to see how much canopy loss was because of fire.Globally, the area of land burned by wildfires has decreased in recent decades, mostly because humans are transforming savannas and grasslands into less flammable landscapes. But the area of forests burned has gone up.Boreal forests lost more than two times the canopy area in 2023-24 compared with the period between 2002 and 2024, the study found. Tropical forests saw three times as much loss, and North American forests lost nearly four times as much canopy, mostly because of Canada’s wildfires.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Stellantis Says Profit Plunged as Tariffs Began to Bite](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/business/stellantis-profit-trump-tariffs.html): The company, which owns Jeep, Peugeot, Fiat and other brands, said it might soon have to begin raising prices. Stellantis, the maker of Chrysler, Jeep and Ram vehicles, reported a big loss on Monday, which it blamed, in part, on President Trump’s tariffs. The company, which also owns European brands like Peugeot, Fiat and Opel, said it lost 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in the first half of the year after revenue fell 13 percent to €74.3 billion. Tariffs cost the company €300 million, Stellantis said, while factory shutdowns related to Trump trade policies contributed to a 25 percent decline in […] - [Israel Refuses to Renew Visa of Top UN Humanitarian Official for Gaza](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/world/middleeast/israel-visa-un-gaza.html): The head of the agency that helps oversee international aid deliveries to the territory had criticized the impact of Israeli policy on civilians.Israel has refused to renew the visa of a senior United Nations official who oversees humanitarian affairs in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, the country’s foreign minister said on Sunday, further straining the already tense ties between the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the organization.The U.N. official, Jonathan Whittall, will not be allowed to continue working in the country, said Gideon Saar, the Israeli foreign minister. Mr. Whittall is the acting head of the local branch of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which plays a major role in managing the entry of desperately needed aid into the territory.Mr. Saar cited what he called Mr. Whittall’s “biased and hostile conduct against Israel” as the grounds for the decision. Andrea De Domenico, Mr. Whittall’s predecessor, also had to leave Israel when the government refused to allow him to continue working there.The Israeli authorities had indicated that Mr. Whittall’s visa would not be extended beyond August, according to the U.N. agency, which is known as OCHA. It said the decision had come after remarks that he had made about Gazans being killed while trying to get food at aid distribution sites.“Speaking about conditions we see on the ground is a core element of OCHA’s mandate,” the agency said in a statement in response to the decision not to renew Mr. Whittall’s visa. “Attempts to silence us are not new, but threats of reduced access to the civilians we’re trying to serve are intensifying.”On Sunday, Israeli troops killed and wounded dozens of Palestinians after opening fire near a border crossing as U.N. aid trucks entered the territory, according to the Gaza health ministry and health workers.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Obesity Prediction Could Be Guided by Genetic Risk Scores](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/health/obesity-genetic-risk-score.html): Researchers hope that a better understanding of which genes contribute to excess weight could help with prevention starting in childhood.Researchers have known for decades that genetics may be more powerful than environment in predicting who will develop obesity. Identical twins tend to have the same body mass index, even if they are reared apart. Adopted children tend to have a degree of obesity similar to their birth parents rather than their adoptive ones.Identifying the genetic roots of obesity could aid with prevention starting in childhood. But finding a genetic footprint for obesity has proved challenging. With rare exceptions, there’s not one gene or even a few that are the culprits. Instead, obesity is spurred by thousands of gene variants acting in concert. Each variant exerts a tiny effect.Now, using genetic data from five million people, an international group of hundreds of researchers reports that it has developed an obesity risk score, known also as a polygenic risk score. It combines thousands of gene variants to estimate individuals’ predicted body mass indexes, which continue to be used by doctors to anticipate weight-related health dangers.The researchers showed that the scores can predict which young children are at risk of obesity as adults. And, in another test, they found that overweight and obese adults with high risk scores quickly regain any weight that they lose with lifestyle programs.Their paper was published on Monday in the journal Nature Medicine.Dr. Joel Hirschhorn, an author of the paper and a professor of pediatrics and genetics at Boston Children’s Hospital, cautioned that genetics cannot account for the effects of environment and is therefore inherently limited in predicting obesity.“We will almost never be able to say a child will have a BMI of 38 as an adult,” he said. “Genetics is not that predictive.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Scotland’s North Coast 500 Draws Tourists, but at What Cost?](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/travel/scotland-highlands-nc500.html): When Susanne Ramacher-Schmitz moved to the “very quiet and very remote” township of Laid in the Scottish Highlands in the spring of 2020, she reveled in the silence and stunning landscapes. Then came summer. An “invasion” of vehicles, sometimes hundreds per hour, sped past her house daily, the noise reverberating for miles. “You hear the motorbikes and racing cars all the way around. It just becomes worse and worse,” she said. Unknowingly, Ms. Ramacher-Schmitz had settled along the 516-mile scenic driving route known as the North Coast 500, which has become one of the most popular destinations in Scotland. When it […] - [Chinese Car Giants Rush Into Brazil With Dreams of Dominating a Continent](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/climate/china-brazil-electric-vehicles.html): A two-hour drive beyond the traffic jams of São Paulo, past the vast valleys of sugar cane, one of the first Chinese battery-powered-car factories in the Americas is getting ready to open.Its goal is to reinvent the way Brazil drives, and ultimately, the rest of Latin America, much as Chinese automakers have already done across much of Asia and want to do in Europe.Until recently, this factory was run by Mercedes-Benz, the German giant of 20th century automotive innovation that churned out cars powered by gasoline. Today, it’s owned by Great Wall Motor, a company that decades ago made rugged pickup trucks for the Chinese countryside but is now one of China’s leading exporters of stylish, affordable electric cars.The change in hands reflects a profound disruption for one of the world’s most vital industries. If American and European gas-guzzling cars once dominated global tastes and trends, that era appears to be fast turning to China’s favor.Today, not only does China make and export more cars of all types than any other country in the world, Chinese firms dominate the global manufacture of battery-powered vehicles of the future. They also control the supply chain for virtually everything that goes into those cars.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Organ Donation: What to Know About the Process](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/health/organ-donors-information.html): If there is a small red heart with the words “organ donor” at the bottom of your driver’s license, that puts you in a group of over 173 million Americans who are in the national organ donor registry.Organ donation has wide public support, but medical ethicists say there is still confusion about what it looks like and how it affects patients and families.How do you become an organ donor?Any adult can register. In most states, teenagers as young as 15 may also express their intent to donate, though parents can revoke that decision.Today, around 90 percent of donors join their state registry at their local D.M.V. Others sign up while registering to vote, or through an online form linked to their local organ procurement organizations, known as O.P.O.s, which are nonprofit federal contractors in each state that coordinate transplants.Donate Life America, an advocacy organization, maintains a nationwide list of online registries.Donors can sign up or change their status at the D.M.V. or online, though residents of some states have had trouble removing themselves from the registry.Is the decision legally binding?It depends on how you die.If you are declared legally dead after testing shows no signs of neurological activity — known colloquially as being “brain-dead” — then the organ donor status on your license is legally binding, even if your family disagrees. In these cases, patients are kept on a ventilator until their organs are retrieved.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [A Push for More Organ Transplants Is Putting Donors at Risk](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/us/organ-transplants-donors-alive.html): People across the United States have endured rushed or premature attempts to remove their organs. Some were gasping, crying or showing other signs of life.Last spring at a small Alabama hospital, a team of transplant surgeons prepared to cut into Misty Hawkins. The clock was ticking. Her organs wouldn’t be usable for much longer.Days earlier, she had been a vibrant 42-year-old with a playful sense of humor and a love for the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally. But after Ms. Hawkins choked while eating and fell into a coma, her mother decided to take her off life support and donate her organs. She was removed from a ventilator and, after 103 minutes, declared dead.Listen to this article with reporter commentaryA surgeon made an incision in her chest and sawed through her breastbone.That’s when the doctors discovered her heart was beating. She appeared to be breathing. They were slicing into Ms. Hawkins while she was alive.Across the United States, an intricate system of hospitals, doctors and nonprofit donation coordinators carries out tens of thousands of lifesaving transplants each year. At every step, it relies on carefully calibrated protocols to protect both donors and recipients.But in recent years, as the system has pushed to increase transplants, a growing number of patients have endured premature or bungled attempts to retrieve their organs. Though Ms. Hawkins’s case is an extreme example of what can go wrong, a New York Times examination revealed a pattern of rushed decision-making that has prioritized the need for more organs over the safety of potential donors.Share your story about the organ transplant systemWe will not publish any part of your submission without contacting you first. We may use your contact information to follow up with you. We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [They Vanished in Syria’s Long Occupation of Lebanon. Now Their Families Want Answers.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/19/world/middleeast/lebanon-syrian-occupation-detainees.html): Thousands went missing during Syria’s decades-long intervention in Lebanon. Months after the fall of the Syrian regime, families are still clinging to hope.Hoda al-Ali searched for her son for 34 years, until the day she drew her final breath.In 1986, when he was 18, he was arrested at a checkpoint by Syrian troops occupying Lebanon. A single mother of 10, Ms. al-Ali would scrape together what little she earned as a seamstress and travel every few months into neighboring Syria to scour its prisons. When her legs grew frail, her children took over, chasing the same breadcrumbs, never finding answers.Then, in December, a video emerged.President Bashar al-Assad of Syria had just been toppled by a lightning rebel offensive. In the chaos, a news crew filming outside a Syrian prison captured the image of an older man, disheveled and dazed, emerging from its gates. The family froze. They were sure it was the missing son, Ali, and their story quickly made headlines.But days passed. Then weeks. Ali never returned. Hope faded. Lebanese officials offered no answers. Journalists stopped calling.Months later, the search grinds on.“We need to continue my mother’s mission,” said Ali’s brother Moammar, clutching an old photograph of him in the family’s home in northern Lebanon. “We still have hope he is alive.”Amer al-Ali showing a picture of his brother Ali Hassan al-Ali, who was arrested by Syrian troops in Lebanon in 1986, and has not been heard from since. Omar Ibrahim/ReutersAfter the collapse of the Assad government, prison doors across the country flew open, and Syrians flooded in to search for traces of their friends and loved ones who had disappeared in untold numbers under the brutal regime. In Lebanon, however, many could only watch and wait.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Paying Hide-and-Seek With Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/19/arts/design/cezanne-2025-aix-en-provence.html): Thousands of tourists are descending on Aix-en-Provence, France, with the aim of knowing the elusive painter better. “He didn’t know what he was doing,” his wife recalled. “So odd, so timid,” was Claude Monet’s judgment: “a victim of too much self-doubt.” “A sphinx,” his childhood best friend, Émile Zola, deemed him. In life, Paul Cézanne was tentative. (Though commanding, too: He spoke so loudly that he made dishes rattle, the painter Mary Cassatt observed.) His paintings followed suit, with such deliberate hesitancy in their brushstrokes that they seemed to destroy the possibility of objective representation. To Braque, Picasso, Duchamp and other […] - [Felix Baumgartner, Skydiver Who Jumped From the Edge of Space, Dies Paragliding at 56](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/world/europe/felix-baumgartner-dead.html): Nicknamed “Fearless Felix,” he jumped from the edge of space in 2012. Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian extreme adventurer who hurtled to earth from more than 24 miles high in 2012 and became the first human to break the sound barrier while free-falling, died on Thursday in a paragliding accident along the Adriatic coast in Italy. He was 56. His death was confirmed by Red Bull, the energy drink company that sponsored him, as well as by the Italian authorities. Mr. Baumgartner crashed to the ground a few yards from a swimming pool in a part of the town of Porto Sant’Elpidio […] - [This Dinosaur Probably Tweeted More Than It Roared](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/science/dinosaur-fossil-voice-china.html): The anatomy of a Chinese fossil offers a hint that birdsong may be as old as the dinosaurs themselves.Since the 1930s, dinosaurs have rumbled, snarled and roared on film. But the fossilized inspirations for these cinematic characters have preserved little evidence for any such dramatic voices.In a paper published last week in the journal PeerJ, researchers announced the discovery of a fossilized herbivorous dinosaur from China preserving a surprisingly birdlike throat. It provides a clue that the origins of birdsong might go as far back as the beginning of dinosaurs themselves.The two-foot-long dinosaur, which the researchers named Pulaosaurus, was discovered in 163-million-year-old rocks in northeastern China, said Xing Xu, a paleontologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing and an author of the paper. The largely complete skeleton offers a strong anatomical view into the fleet-footed, beaked animal, an early member of the family that later produced “duck-billed” hadrosaurs and horned dinosaurs.The Jurassic period formation that produced Pulaosaurus is also the source of other dinosaur discoveries like the feathered proto-bird Anchiornis, the tiny, batlike Yi qi and the feathered herbivorous dinosaur Tianyulong. Unlike those animals, Pulaosaurus is not preserved with obvious soft tissues that could help better explain its living appearance. “On some parts of the fossil we thought we’d found very thin filaments, but we can’t confirm that,” Dr. Xu said.The team did note interesting formations in the stomach region of the fossil but hasn’t determined what those are. “They could be stomach contents — food eaten by this dinosaur, or organs, or maybe even eggs within the body,” Dr. Xu said.The most interesting remains were found within the throat. In vertebrates, vocal organs play an important role in protecting the airway and helping produce everything from simple hisses and grunts to speech. In most living reptiles, these tissues are composed of cartilage, and can produce simple bellows, grunts, groans and chirps. Modern birds have vocal organs made up partially of delicate bones, allowing them to make much more complicated sounds — including, in some cases, mimicking human speech.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [5 Charged in U.C. Berkeley Professor’s Killing in Greece, Including His Ex-Wife](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/europe/cal-berkeley-professor-murder-suspects-arrested-greece.html): Przemyslaw Jeziorski, who taught quantitative marketing at the Haas School of Business, was shot several times on July 4 outside Athens, the authorities said. Five people have been arrested by the Greek authorities in the July 4 murder of a well-known University of California, Berkeley, professor, including his ex-wife and her current boyfriend, the police said. The suspects made their first appearance in court on Thursday on charges of intentional homicide in the shooting of Przemyslaw Jeziorski, 43, who taught quantitative marketing at the Haas School of Business and was born in Poland. The police did not name any of the […] - [Interior Dept. to Put Wind and Solar Projects Through Stricter Political Review](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/climate/interior-dept-wind-solar.html): Industry groups said the directive could create new delays and bottlenecks for renewable energy projects across the country.The Trump administration said on Thursday that it would apply new layers of political review to wind and solar projects, potentially creating hurdles for renewable energy developments across the country.The Interior Department said in a memo that a wide range of agency actions related to approving new wind and solar power plants would now have to be reviewed by the office of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, instead of by lower-level agency staff.That includes more than 68 types of agency actions, including federal permits, environmental reviews, lease sales, site plans, wildlife impact assessments and numerous smaller decisions and consultations.In a statement, the agency said that the move was aimed at “ending preferential treatment for unreliable, subsidy-dependent wind and solar energy.”The broad nature of the memo could create bottlenecks and delays for a significant number of renewable energy projects, experts said.While only a relatively small fraction of wind and solar projects is built on federal lands and waters managed by the Interior Department, many projects on private lands often consult with the agency to determine whether they need federal permits to comply with wildlife protections or other laws.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [U.S. Proposes Steep Tariffs on Critical E.V. Battery Material](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/business/trump-graphite-tariff-electric-vehicles.html): The Commerce Department plans to impose a 93.5 percent levy on Chinese graphite, an essential ingredient in the batteries that power electric vehicles.The Commerce Department on Thursday imposed steep tariffs on an essential ingredient for batteries, imposing an additional cost on electric vehicle manufacturers and dealing another blow to an industry already suffering from significant policy changes.China supplies almost all the refined graphite that Tesla and other car companies and suppliers use to make batteries. On Thursday, the Trump administration issued a preliminary ruling that Chinese suppliers were guilty of “dumping” and imposed tariffs of 93.5 percent. In trade law, dumping is the practice of selling goods in another country for a lower price than in its home market.The decision will hurt many automakers like Ford Motor and suppliers like Panasonic and LG Energy Solution that have been setting up battery factories in the United States. The tariffs are likely to raise prices for electric cars at the same time that the federal government is eliminating tax credits of up to $7,500 for people who buy or lease the vehicles. That tax credit will end on Sept. 30 under a tax and policy bill President Trump signed this month.This week Panasonic began producing battery cells at a new plant in De Soto, Kan., that will employ 4,000 people. LG manufactures batteries in Tennessee and other states. They are among numerous companies that invested in domestic manufacturing operations with financial support from the federal government that Republicans have sought to eliminate.Graphite accounts for less than 8 percent of the cost of a battery, according to Panasonic. But batteries are the most expensive components in an electric car. Doubling the cost of graphite could easily add $1,000 or more to the price of a battery. The Trump administration has imposed other tariffs on imported auto parts and vehicles.Tesla and other companies filed numerous objections to a petition for the tariffs submitted by the American Active Anode Material Producers, a group of graphite suppliers in the United States and Canada which sought the duties.Tesla said in a letter to administration officials in February that it had already agreed to buy graphite from U.S. suppliers, but “they have not yet shown the technical ability to produce commercial quantities” of battery-grade graphite “at the quality and purity required by Tesla and other battery cell manufacturers.”The automaker did not immediately reply to a request for comment Thursday. Elon Musk, the company’s chief executive, was one of Mr. Trump’s biggest supporters before a recent falling out.The anode material producers group applauded Thursday’s decision. “Dumping is a malicious trade practice used by China to undercut competition and wield geopolitical influence,” the organization said in a statement.The decision is preliminary, but companies must begin paying the duties immediately. They would receive refunds if a final decision, expected in December, reverses the preliminary finding. - [‘Bonjour’ Sets Off a Linguistic Dispute on a Belgian Train](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/europe/bonjour-belgian-train.html): The rules can get complicated in a country with French, Dutch and German as official languages. A train attendant’s use of both Dutch and French — “goeiemorgen” and “bonjour” — to greet passengers during rush hour last year could easily have gone unnoticed in multilingual Belgium. But it rubbed one Dutch-speaking commuter the wrong way. He told the attendant, llyass Alba, that “bonjour” was not appropriate because they were still in Dutch-speaking Flanders. “Excusez-moi?” Mr. Alba replied. “You need to speak in Dutch,” the man said back to him in Dutch. The dispute escalated. Mr. Alba explained what was going on […] - [The UK Plans to Lower the Voting Age to 16. Here’s What to Know.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/europe/uk-voting-age-16.html): A guide to what’s being described as Britain’s largest expansion of voting rights in decades. The British government said on Thursday that it would allow 16- and 17-year olds to vote, in what it described as a landmark moment for democracy and some of its opponents decried as an attempt to tilt the electoral playing field. Analysts have described the plan as the country’s largest expansion of voting rights in decades. The last nationwide reduction in voting age, to 18 from 21, came more than 50 years ago. “Declining trust in our institutions and democracy itself has become critical, but it […] - [The rise and rise of women’s sport](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/17/the-rise-and-rise-of-womens-sport): Women’s entry into organised sports has involved impressive acts of rebellion. Take the first European women’s football championship in 1957. The four-team tournament took place in West Germany despite women being forbidden to play competitive football there. England’s Football Association also deemed the sport “unsuitable for females”. So when the English women won the tournament, forget any big celebrations at home—they were not even recognised. - [Justice for Haiti’s murdered president is messy](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/17/justice-for-haitis-murdered-president-is-messy): Four years after Haiti’s last elected president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated, Haitians are still waiting for justice. It is advancing along two legal tracks in parallel, one in Port-au-Prince, the capital, and the other in Miami. - [Mexico’s handouts do a bit for the poor and lots for Morena](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/07/17/mexicos-handouts-do-a-bit-for-the-poor-and-lots-for-morena): Tania earns a decent wage working as a doctor’s assistant in central Mexico City. But to make ends meet the 47-year-old relies on government handouts. She is paid for keeping her 14-year-old daughter, Regina, enrolled in school. Her 67-year-old mother, Teresa, gets a non-contributory pension. Tens of millions of Mexicans get these transfers. They are the mechanism favoured by Morena, Mexico’s populist ruling party, for curbing the country’s poverty and inequality, the subject of our ongoing series. And they have helped the party accrue extraordinary political power over the past seven years. - [Jobless claims drop for fifth straight week to lowest level since April](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-drop-for-fifth-straight-week-to-lowest-level-since-april-d0efc61d?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Rescuers Seek American Hiker Missing for Days in the Pyrenees](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/europe/missing-american-hiker-spain-pyrenees.html): Cole Henderson, 27, was last heard from on July 9, when he told friends he was putting his phone into airplane mode ahead of a mountain hike in Spain. Spanish search and rescue teams are scouring the Pyrenees for an American man who set off for a hike on July 9 and has not been heard from since. Cole Henderson, 27, texted friends around 2 p.m. from near Mount Perdido in northeastern Spain, according to posts from friends and family on social media. He had said he was putting his phone on airplane mode and had parked his car in Torla, […] - [Iraq Shopping Mall Fire Kills at Least 61](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/world/middleeast/iraq-shopping-mall-fire.html): Local officials blamed shoddy construction and a lack of preparedness for the scale of the tragedy at the newly opened building.A fire ripped through a shopping mall in eastern Iraq and killed at least 61 people, including children, according to local officials, who blamed the scale of the tragedy on shoddy construction and a lack of preparedness.Iraq’s interior ministry said the “horrific fire” began on Wednesday night and swept through a recently opened, five-story shopping center in the city of Kut. Most of the 61 victims appeared to have suffocated “due to heavy smoke,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that 14 bodies were so badly charred that they had yet to be identified.The ministry said it had opened an investigation into the deadly episode in Kut, which is southeast of Baghdad in Wasit Province.According to Habib al-Badri, the head of the province’s security committee, an electric malfunction sparked the fire. But he said poor building practices and an unprepared rescue service had worsened the casualty toll.“There was a lack of emergency exits and emergency ladders and extinguishers. And unfortunately the province was not prepared for such an incident,” he said in an interview. “We hope what happened will be a lesson for the future.”Video verified by The New York Times showed the aftermath of the fire in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [PepsiCo Inc.’s stock rises after revenue surprisingly increases and the outlook was maintained](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pepsico-inc-s-stock-rises-after-revenue-surprisingly-increases-and-the-outlook-was-maintained-f252e9a6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Wall St. Firms Are Buying Utilities to Tap Into the A.I. Boom](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/business/energy-environment/blackrock-minnesota-power.html): Consumer groups say proposals by BlackRock and Blackstone to buy energy companies in Minnesota, New Mexico and Texas could hurt residents.Large Wall Street investment firms are moving to acquire U.S. utility companies in an effort to benefit from the rising demand for electricity from data centers. But the deals are increasingly being contested by consumer groups who say they will lead to higher energy costs for residents.BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, last year proposed buying Minnesota Power, a utility that owns several power plants and thousands of miles of power lines that could help technology companies secure energy for their data centers.But a state administrative law judge recommended late Tuesday that Minnesota utility regulators deny the proposed acquisition sought by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners division and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The utility provides power to 150,000 residential and business customers, largely in northern Minnesota, including Duluth and Grand Rapids.The acquisition appeared to be on a smoother glide path late last week when the Minnesota Department of Commerce removed its opposition to the deal and entered an agreement with the parties involved in the transaction.The recommendation of the administrative law judge, Megan J. McKenzie, is not binding, but it could sway the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, whose approval is necessary for the acquisition to advance.She highlighted concerns of opponents of the deal that the investment firms would prioritize making money over ensuring reliable electricity service, potentially harming consumers.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Fire Ravages Tomorrowland Music Festival’s Main Stage](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/europe/tomorrowland-festival-fire-main-stage-belgium.html): Organizers of the major electronic festival in Belgium said that they were focused on finding solutions after the stage was severely damaged. Thick smoke rose from the festival’s main stage in Boom, Belgium, on Wednesday.Morgan Hermans, via Reuters A fire severely damaged the main stage at Tomorrowland, a major electronic music festival scheduled to begin on Friday in Boom, Belgium, organizers said. No one was injured in what the organizers described on Wednesday as a “serious incident and fire.” They did not identify the cause. Tomorrowland attracts more than 400,000 people and some of the biggest names in electronic music every […] - [Thursday Briefing: Israel Strikes Damascus](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/briefing/israel-syria-afghanistan-iran-trump-federal-reserve.html): Plus, the many takes on Superman. Debris in Damascus yesterday, after an Israeli missile strike.Khalil Ashawi/Reuters Israel bombarded the capital of Syria Israel launched airstrikes on Damascus yesterday, damaging a compound housing the Defense Ministry and hitting an area near the presidential palace, according to the Israeli military and Syrian authorities. The strikes followed days of deadly clashes involving Syrian government forces in the southern region of Sweida, the heartland of the country’s Druse minority, whom Israel has pledged to protect. Israel threatened to escalate attacks on Syrian government forces unless they withdrew from Sweida. Shortly after the Israeli airstrikes, Syrian […] - [The Bills That Could Change Crypto in The U.S.](https://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000010285812/the-bills-that-could-change-crypto-in-the-us.html): new video loaded: - [Ceratosaur Fossil Auctioned for $30.5 Million by Sotheby’s](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/science/sothebys-dinosaur-auction-ceratosaurus.html): The price paid for the juvenile specimen of the 150-million-year old predatory dinosaur is the third-highest on record.Sotheby’s auctioned a dinosaur fossil for $30.5 million on Wednesday. The auction house had last month projected an estimated value of $4 million to $6 million for the juvenile Ceratosaurus, a carnivorous reptile that prowled North America 150 million years ago.The company announced the sale on its X account, and it has yet to disclose the identity of the winning bidder. The sale price followed eye-watering sums paid for dinosaur skeletons in the public market in 2020 and 2024.The ceratosaur roamed the floodplains of what is now the American West about 90 million years before non-avian dinosaurs were driven to extinction. It is distinguished by its thin nasal horn and dagger-like teeth. The auctioned specimen was discovered by private fossil prospectors in 1996 near Bone Cabin Quarry, Wyo., and is only the fourth Ceratosaurus skeleton ever found. It is also the only juvenile, with the mounted skeleton standing just over six feet tall and nearly 11 feet long. A notable selling point was its complete, delicately preserved skull.The ceratosaur had a winding road to the auction block. First acquired by the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah, it remained as an unmounted public display until 2024. The nonprofit museum then removed it from its collection and sold it to Brock Sisson, a former employee who is now a commercial paleontologist. His company mounted it and brought it to Sotheby’s for auction.Mr. Sisson did not reply to a request for comment.The dinosaur’s price made it the third-most-expensive fossil to sell at auction.The high-water mark was set last year by Sotheby’s sale of the stegosaur “Apex,” which sold to the hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin for $44.6 million. Earlier in 2020, “Stan,” a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, sold at Christie’s for $31.8 million.Other dinosaur fossils offered at today’s auction also sold for high prices: an articulated T. rex foot mount and a largely complete Pachycephalosaurus skull both went for roughly $1.7 million.Andre LuJan, the president of the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences, a trade group, said the high price of the auction could create financial challenges for commercial paleontology operators, a community his association represents. Private landowners, he said, may charge higher prices for leases on sites where fossil digs occur.“This is basically validating the high prices of the fossil market,” after the Apex sale, Mr. LuJan said. He added that it “would squeeze museums that want to work on private land and make a deal with the landowner.”Reflecting on the ceratosaur’s journey from a museum collection to the auction block, Mr. LuJan said he also worried about the precedent the auction might set.“Are museums going to look at these fossils from private lands as a potential cash cow?” he asked. “This was something that was accepted by everyone as hallowed ground, and now it’s been desecrated.” - [Why So Many Afghans Have Been Forced Out of Iran](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010278804/why-so-many-afghans-have-been-forced-out-of-iran.html): new video loaded: - [London’s Kew Gardens Will Renovate Iconic Glasshouses](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/europe/kew-london-renovate-glasshouse-palm-water-lily.html): The Palm House and the Waterlily House, two hulking greenhouses built in the Victorian Era, will close in 2027 for four years of major renovations. For generations, plant-lovers have come to the glass Palm House at Kew Gardens in London to climb a spiral staircase, stroll along a walkway and peer down on the green scalp of the jungle below. But in recent years, the structure has started to show its 177 years. Paint is blistering off the rusting iron, and heat from a gas boiler escapes from around its 16,000 panes of glass. “It’s starting to degrade,” said Reuben Briggs, […] - [Nvidia C.E.O. Treads Carefully in Beijing](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/business/nvidia-jensen-huang-beijing.html): Jensen Huang, the chipmaker’s chief executive, is trying to balance his company’s interests as the United States and China compete for supremacy in artificial intelligence.Nvidia is celebrating its renewed ability to sell certain artificial intelligence computer chips in China, after the Trump administration this week lifted key restrictions.But Jensen Huang isn’t about to take any credit for the change.The chief executive of the Silicon Valley chip giant used a 95-minute press briefing on Wednesday in Beijing to play down his role in persuading President Trump to allow chip sales to China. He distanced himself, too, from China’s latest export controls, suggesting even the restrictions on a rare earth metal used in chips wouldn’t affect the company.Mr. Huang has met with senior officials in Washington and Beijing in the past few days, including Mr. Trump, to promote artificial intelligence and his company’s central role in the industry. Many of the world’s most advanced A.I. systems are powered by calculations done on Nvidia’s chips. Last week, the company became the first public firm to reach $4 trillion in market value.“I don’t think I changed his mind,” Mr. Huang said of Mr. Trump. “It’s my job to inform the president about what I know very well, which is the technology industry, artificial intelligence, the developments of A.I. around the world.”Mr. Huang’s apparent modesty underscores the balancing act he must play between the world’s two largest economies as they compete for primacy over artificial intelligence. Three presidential administrations in Washington have tried to hold back China’s A.I. capabilities by cutting off the flow of advanced chips, including by restricting Nvidia’s sales to Chinese companies.At the same time, Beijing has emphasized self-reliance in the A.I. industry, as it has for electric vehicles and solar panels. Government ministries have pushed Chinese companies to make everything they need for A.I. on their own. With Beijing’s backing, Chinese companies like the telecommunications giant Huawei have been racing to develop alternatives to Nvidia’s technology.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [At Least 20 Killed in Stampede Outside a Gaza Aid Site](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/middleeast/gaza-aid-site-stampede-ghf.html): There were conflicting accounts from aid officials and Palestinian officials over what happened at the food distribution hub run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.A stampede outside an aid distribution center in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people who were waiting for food on Wednesday, according to Palestinian and aid officials, the latest in a string of deadly episodes around sites run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.The deaths bring the number of people killed while trying to get food from the organization to about 700 since late May, according to data provided this week by the United Nations.There were conflicting reports about the melee, which started on Wednesday morning on the outskirts of Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza.The Gaza Health Ministry said tear gas was fired into a crowd gathered at the distribution site, causing a stampede. It said 21 people were killed, 15 of whom suffocated.The aid organization said that 20 people were killed after armed agitators among a gathering crowd at its Khan Younis distribution site created a “chaotic and dangerous surge.”It was not immediately possible to explain the discrepancy in the death toll. At Nasser Hospital on Wednesday, a woman mourned Palestinians killed in the episode at the aid site.Hatem Khaled/ReutersWe are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Goldman Sachs’ stock jumps after a big earnings beat, amid strength in investment banking and equities businesses](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/goldman-sachs-stock-jumps-after-a-big-earnings-beat-amid-strength-in-investment-banking-and-equities-businesses-bed07056?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump Announces ‘Great Deal’ on Trade With Indonesia](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/business/economy/indonesia-trump-tariff-trade-agreement.html): Details are still scarce on the agreement, which the president said will partly walk back some of the steep tariffs he threatened on the country last week. President Trump said Tuesday that he had struck a trade agreement with Indonesia, calling it a “great deal for everybody” in a social media post. Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, confirmed the broad outlines of the deal for the first time on Wednesday, in brief remarks in Jakarta. Under the terms, U.S. exports to Indonesia would face no tariffs, while Indonesian goods would be charged a tariff of 19 percent in the United States. “After […] - [Bank of America’s Q2 profit of 89 cents a share tops analyst estimate](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bank-of-americas-q2-profit-of-89-cents-a-share-tops-analyst-estimate-77cb9069?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Afghan Women and Girls Deported From Iran Fear Returning to Afghanistan](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/asia/afghanistan-women-refugees.html): “Get ready to cope” was the message from an aid worker to women returning to Taliban rule in Afghanistan after their expulsion from Iran. No more evening walks. No more jobs at the supermarket. No more hopes for school. As three Afghan sisters returned to Afghanistan after being deported from Iran last week, the reality of what they had once enjoyed and was now out of reach sank in amid their sighs and dwindling claims of defiance. Marwa, 18, noted they should start by getting head scarves and outfits to cover themselves, which they didn’t have. “Afghanistan is like a cage […] - [Afghan Women and Girls Deported From Iran Fear Returning to Afghanistan](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/asia/afghanistan-women-refugees.html): “Get ready to cope” was the message from an aid worker to women returning to Taliban rule in Afghanistan after their expulsion from Iran. No more evening walks. No more jobs at the supermarket. No more hopes for school. As three Afghan sisters returned to Afghanistan after being deported from Iran last week, the reality of what they had once enjoyed and was now out of reach sank in amid their sighs and dwindling claims of defiance. Marwa, 18, noted they should start by getting head scarves and outfits to cover themselves, which they didn’t have. “Afghanistan is like a cage […] - [Migration Fears Turn Europe’s Borderless Dreams Into Traffic Nightmares](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/world/europe/europe-border-checks-immigration.html): Germany’s new government imposed border checks to demonstrate toughness on migration, though crossings started slowing years ago. The No. 983 bus braked shortly after it crossed the Oder River from Poland into Germany, easing inside a large tent and stopping. German police officers boarded, pulled off a man with gray hair and stuffed luggage for further inspection, then sent the driver on his way. The delay took about eight minutes. It was an example of a headache that has quickly become routine for people crossing between the two countries as Germany makes a public show of cracking down on migration. Amid […] - [A 900-Year-Old Typo May Unravel a Chaucer Mystery](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/world/europe/chaucer-wade-mystery.html): The Tale of Wade, twice referred to in Geoffrey Chaucer’s poems, survives only in a tiny fragment. Two academics argue a scribe’s error deepened the confusion around it. In the 14th century, you would have known exactly what he meant. Geoffrey Chaucer, often regarded as the first great poet in English, drops references at two points in his works to an older poem or story, the Tale of Wade, that seems to have needed no explanation in his own time but has since all but disappeared. The one surviving fragment — a few lines of verse quoted in a 12th-century sermon […] - [Thinking Machines Lab Raises a Record $2 Billion, Announces Cofounders](https://www.wired.com/story/thinking-machines-lab-mira-murati-funding/): Thinking Machines Lab, an artificial intelligence company founded by top researchers who fled OpenAI, has raised a record $2 billion seed round that values the fledgling firm at $12 billion. The funding round was led by Andreessen Horowitz and included Nvidia, Accel, Cisco, and AMD—among others. The mammoth investment reflects the ultracompetitive race to build advanced AI systems, as well as the premium placed on top AI talent. It is the largest seed funding round in history. Thinking Machines is led by CEO Mira Murati, who stepped down as OpenAI’s chief technology officer last September. Her cofounders are John Schulman, a […] - [Cynical realism won’t save India from Donald Trump](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/15/cynical-realism-wont-save-india-from-donald-trump): IT IS HARD to knock India’s political and business elites off-balance, but President Donald Trump is managing. In Delhi’s book-lined studies and the glass-walled corporate towers of Mumbai, grandees are suffering from vertigo. Normally, Indian diplomats and strategists take pride in being unshockable, remaining coolly transactional whatever a wicked world throws at them. But since Mr Trump’s return to office, elites are off-kilter. - [U.K. Secretly Resettled 4,500 Afghans in Britain After Huge Data Breach](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/world/europe/uk-data-email-afghans-taliban.html): The government said that information about 18,000 Afghans was accidentally revealed in 2022. A legal order had prevented any reporting on the subject. The British Defense Ministry accidentally exposed personal information in 2022 about more than 18,000 Afghans who worked with it before the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan. The government then suppressed public disclosure of the data breach for two years through a stringent court order. The extraordinary lapse in security, which the government acknowledged for the first time on Tuesday, led Britain to set up a secret program to resettle thousands of people believed to be at risk of […] - [Trump Administration Will Limit Medicare Spending on Pricey Bandages](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/health/medicare-skin-substitutes-prices.html): In an about-face, the administration is cracking down on so-called skin substitutes, overused treatments that cost Medicare more than $10 billion last year.Medicare plans to slash payments for expensive and untested skin bandages that have cost the federal government billions of dollars, the Trump administration announced Monday.The new proposed limit is an about-face for the administration, which twice delayed Biden-era rules to reduce spending on the bandages, known as skin substitutes. President Trump, who previously defended the payments on social media, received a large campaign donation last year from a leading bandage seller.Spending on skin substitutes has increased fortyfold in the past five years, surpassing $10 billion in 2024. That sharp increase is one of the largest examples of Medicare waste in the program’s history, according to data analysts and industry experts.Medicare, the government insurance plan for seniors, spent more last year on the bandages than on ambulance rides or anesthesia, despite limited evidence that they work. The bandages are made from dried bits of placenta and are used on wounds that won’t heal.For years, lax Medicare rules have allowed makers of the bandage to essentially set their own prices. Companies have brought more than 100 new versions to market since 2023, some costing Medicare more than $21,000 per square inch.The new Medicare policy proposes setting a flat payment of $806 per square inch. The lower fee is likely to stamp out a lucrative scheme that The New York Times reported on this year: Doctors can buy the coverings at large discounts and then charge Medicare the full sticker price, pocketing the difference.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Men Who Felled Sycamore Gap Tree Are Given Prison Sentences in U.K.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/world/europe/sycamore-gap-tree-sentencing-prison.html): The tree, a beloved landmark that stood by Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, was found illegally cut down in 2023. Two men were sentenced to prison on Tuesday for felling Britain’s beloved Sycamore Gap tree in 2023, an act that a judge said had caused a “sense of loss and confusion across the world.” The men, Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were each handed sentences of four years and three months during a hearing in Newcastle, in northeastern England. Under British sentencing rules for the offense they committed, criminal damage, the men could have been sent to prison for […] - [Nvidia Says U.S. Has Lifted Restrictions on A.I. Chip Sales to China](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/technology/nvidia-ai-chip-sales-china.html): The Silicon Valley chip giant said the Trump administration, which had shut down its sales to China three months ago, had assured it that licenses for the sales would now be granted.Three months after shutting down Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chip sales to China, the Trump administration has reversed course.On Monday, the Silicon Valley company said in a blog post that the U.S. government had approved sales of a China-specific A.I. chip known as the H20. Nvidia will still need licensing approval from the U.S. government to fulfill those orders, but the Trump administration “has assured Nvidia that licenses will be granted,” the company said.The decision came after Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s chief executive, met last Thursday with President Trump. Mr. Huang has spent months lobbying politicians across Washington to keep China open for A.I. chip sales. China has the potential to deliver billions of dollars in sales for the world’s most valuable public company, which last week became the first to reach a $4 trillion valuation.Mr. Huang has also visited China several times this year, including a trip to Beijing this week where he is scheduled to give a news conference on Wednesday. He told reporters in China on Tuesday that Nvidia would also begin selling a chip for China called the RTX PRO GPU that is based on its latest Blackwell technology.Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, said on Tuesday that it had also received government approval to restart sales of its A.I. chip for China, the MI308. Shares of Nvidia and AMD rose more than 4 percent in morning trading.The Commerce Department and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The reversal has major implications for the race between the United States and China to develop artificial intelligence. It will allow Chinese tech companies to restart purchases of Nvidia’s chips, which are regarded as ideal for running some of the calculations that power A.I. Nvidia was slated to collect as much as $15 billion from sales of the H20 chip during its current fiscal year.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Videos From the Amazon Reveal an Unexpected Animal Friendship](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/science/ocelots-opossums-friends-video.html): Scientists are trying to understand footage that showed ocelots and opossums, usually predator and prey, hanging out together.Ocelots and opossums, two different pairs at two different locations in the Amazon, were caught on trail cameras prowling around in tandem.Ettore Camerlenghi, Isabel Damas-Moreira, Angelo Piga; and Nadine HolmesScreenwriters in search of the next Timon and Pumbaa may want to look to the Amazon, where unlikely ocelot-opossum duos have been filmed hanging out together.Researchers at Cocha Cashu Biological Station in southeastern Peru set up a camera trap to study bird behavior, but they got a surprise guest appearance instead: an ocelot trailing an opossum through the jungle at night. The ocelot, a wild cat slightly larger than a house cat, and the common opossum, a marsupial, are usually predator and prey. But in this video, they moved in tandem.“We were skeptical about what we had seen,” said Isabel Damas-Moreira, behavioral ecologist at Bielefeld University in Germany. Perhaps the ocelot was shadowing its dinner-to-be to learn about its behavior, they wondered, although that didn’t explain the opossum’s laid-back behavior. Then came a second clip: the same odd couple wandering back along the trail minutes later.“Like two old friends walking home from a bar,” Dr. Damas-Moreira said.Intrigued, they contacted researchers in other parts of the Amazon who turned up three additional, nearly identical videos from different locations and years.Dr. Damas-Moreira and her colleagues then set up an experiment, which they described last month in the journal Ecosphere. They left strips of fabric infused with ocelot scent, puma scent and a control in front of camera traps.Opossums visited the ocelot scent 12 times, often lingering to rub against, sniff or bite the fabric. The puma scent attracted just one brief visit.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Bessent says Trump won’t fire Powell](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bessent-says-trump-wont-fire-powell-d3e03838?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Wells Fargo beats revenue expectations, but stock falls as net interest income misses](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/wells-fargo-beats-revenue-expectations-but-stock-falls-as-net-interest-income-misses-7646dfa4?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [JPMorgan Chase tops earnings estimate for sixth quarter in a row](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jpmorgan-chase-tops-earnings-estimate-on-c462dddd?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Arizona Governor Seeks Investigation of Federal Handling of Grand Canyon Fire](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/us/arizona-grand-canyon-wildfire-controlled-burn.html): Gov. Katie Hobbs questioned why the U.S. government decided to manage the Dragon Bravo fire, which started with a lightning strike, as a “controlled burn” during the height of the summer.As a wildfire at the Grand Canyon National Park that left dozens of structures in cinders continued to flare on Monday, the governor of Arizona questioned the federal government’s decision to manage the blaze using a strategy that preventively burns fuel-rich vegetation.The Dragon Bravo fire, which was ignited by a lightning strike on July 4, according to a wildfire tracking website, had grown to more than 5,700 acres by Monday, shutting down access to trails through the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park and destroying the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and other structures.“While the flame was started with a lightning strike, the federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer,” the governor, Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said in a statement. She called for an independent investigation.“An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal government’s emergency response,” she said. “They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage.”A controlled burn is one of the most important tools used to manage fire, according to the National Park Service. They help rid forest grounds of vegetation that can serve as fuel for fires.The prescribed plan takes careful account of the fuels, size, weather and environment and balances those factors against other possible fire-prevention methods.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Snakes Use Smelly Musk to Keep Ants Out of Their Pants](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/science/snakes-fire-ants-musk.html): Forget fangs full of venom — the backsides of serpents pack secretions volatile enough to kill insect invaders.A writhing ball of slimed-up, musky-smelling snake might be just the level of grossness needed to repel the attacks of voracious fire ants.New research published this spring in The Science of Nature revealed that the scent glands near the back-end of serpents can release enough nasty chemicals to kill ants on touch.“It’s a remarkable event,” said Robert Vander Meer, a research chemist with the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Previous research had shown that Texas blindsnakes, a largely underground species, might repel ants using the secretions they produce from glands near their cloaca, or the opening from which all snakes defecate. Many snakes will secrete this musk from these glands, located on their undersides, near their tails, rubbing their whole bodies in it.Dr. Vander Meer and his colleague, Paul Weldon, who was with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute before his death in 2022, wanted to test these observations in the lab.Dr. Weldon acquired scent-gland secretion samples from several species: the Middle American burrowing python, boa constrictor, ball python, king cobra, timber rattlesnake and unicolor cribo. First they sprayed musk taken from the Middle American burrowing python on ant species, but it didn’t seem to have much effect.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Meta Built a Data Center Next Door. The Neighbors’ Water Taps Went Dry.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/technology/meta-data-center-water.html): After Meta broke ground on a $750 million data center on the edge of Newton County, Ga., the water taps in Beverly and Jeff Morris’s home went dry.The couple’s house, which uses well water, is 1,000 feet from Meta’s new data center. Months after construction began in 2018, the Morris’s dishwasher, ice maker, washing machine and toilet all stopped working, said Beverly Morris, now 71. Within a year, the water pressure had slowed to a trickle. Soon, nothing came out of the bathroom and kitchen taps.Jeff Morris, 67, eventually traced the issues to the buildup of sediment in the water. He said he suspected the cause was Meta’s construction, which could have added sediment to the groundwater and affected their well. The couple replaced most of their appliances in 2019, and then again in 2021 and 2024. Residue now gathers at the bottom of their backyard pool. The taps in one of their two bathrooms still do not work.Jeff and Beverly Morris.“It feels like we’re fighting an unwinnable battle that we didn’t sign up for,” Ms. Morris, a retired payroll specialist, said, adding that she and her husband have spent $5,000 on their water problems and cannot afford the $25,000 to replace the well. “I’m scared to drink our own water.”The Morris’s experience is one of a growing number of water-related issues around Newton County, which is a 1.5-hour drive east of Atlanta and has a population of about 120,000 people. As tech giants like Meta build data centers in the area, local wells have been damaged, the cost of municipal water has soared and the county’s water commission may face a shortage of the vital resource.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Apollo-Soyuz 50th Anniversary: A Handshake in Orbit That Transformed the Space Race](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/science/apollo-soyuz-test-project-1975-anniversary.html): Some 140 miles above France, American astronauts opened a spacecraft hatch and found themselves face to face with cosmonauts from the Soviet Union.“Glad to see you,” Col. Alexei Leonov spoke in accented English to Brig. Gen. Thomas Stafford of NASA.“Ah, hello, very glad to see you,” General Stafford responded in his own accented Russian.The two men then shook hands.Today, Russian and American astronauts routinely share rides to the International Space Station, no matter the geopolitical conflict that divides their nations. But in the summer of 1975, seeing two men from rival nations greet each other in orbit across a bridge between their docked spacecraft was a powerful and unprecedented gesture witnessed by millions on the world spinning below.The handshake, which occurred 50 years ago this July 17, defined the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the first international human spaceflight. That simple symbol of partnership between bitter competitors remains an enduring legacy of the mission.“It’s amazing to think that two diametrically opposed countries with different systems and cultures, essentially ready to destroy each other, can somehow cooperate and do this highly technical, complicated mission,” said Asif Siddiqi, a professor of history at Fordham University and an expert on Russian space history.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [South African AIDS Activist Pushes for H.I.V. Treatment Access After U.S.-Aid Cuts](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/health/south-africa-aids-hiv-trump-funding-cuts.html): The activists gathered on the steps of the cathedral in the center of Cape Town. Most were older women, faces lined beneath their head wraps. They converged around a gray-haired man in an oversized coat, his shoulders hunched against the morning chill. Linking arms, they set out to infiltrate a meeting across the street. “Ready?” the man said, sounding a little weary, a little nervous.It had been a while since Zackie Achmat confronted his government about matters of life and death.Twenty-five years ago, Mr. Achmat co-founded what became the most powerful social movement in post-apartheid South Africa. He led a showdown against the government that won lifesaving medical treatment for millions of people with H.I.V. — and nearly killed him.Until just a few months ago, Mr. Achmat, 63, thought those days were well behind him. He was spending time on a pomegranate farm, caring for rescue dogs and watching Korean telenovelas. He made a failed bid for parliament on an anti-corruption platform, but he was enjoying watching new generation of activists lead. As for H.I.V., the issue that once dominated his life, he hardly thought about it. He didn’t need to, so robust was the national treatment program that grew out of the victories that Mr. Achmat and his colleagues won two decades ago.Then came January, and the Trump administration’s decision to slash its foreign assistance, including funding for the President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. As part of an overall reduction in funds sent overseas, which Mr. Trump has called wasteful and a misuse of taxpayer dollars, PEPFAR’s budget has been sharply reduced.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Scotland’s Unreliable Ferries Leave People on Islands in Outer Hebrides Cut Off](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/world/europe/scotland-islands-ferry-fiasco.html): The text message arrived with an ominous ping as I drove north through a rugged Scottish valley to catch the next day’s boat to the spectacular, remote island of South Uist. Because of “technical issues,” my crossing was canceled, wrote the ferry company, and there would be no trip on this route for the next five days. Politely, but firmly, the company’s phone staff also insisted that my trip was a no go. Until suddenly they changed course. A little later, a call came in offering a different crossing that would add three hours’ drive time to my journey. But at […] - [How the Deep Sea Cables That Power the World Are Made](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/business/undersea-power-cables-electricity.html): On a recent spring day, a chunky, 560-foot-long ship with a bulbous nose and a stern bristling with heavy equipment sat at the end of a slender quarter-mile pier off the forested coast of Finland.The vessel, called the Monna Lisa, which was recently built in Romania for about 30 million euros, will serve as an important instrument in the expansion and reconfiguring of electric power systems around the world.Over a week’s time, about 80 miles of high-voltage cable snaked out from a factory to the boat, where it was coiled into tall stacks on big turntables.This complex in Pikkala, on the outskirts of Helsinki, the Finnish capital, is one of the few places in the world that can produce conduits with the capacity to link countries and the durability to withstand the rigors of the ocean depths.Electric power is no longer the humdrum industry it used to be. In the next decades, the world is expected to experience increased demand for electricity to feed a variety of needs, from data centers to electric vehicles. The power grid itself is also being modernized and extended to reach new sources of generation and trade energy across borders.A vessel, called the Monna Lisa, is docked at a pier off the coast Finland to load cable aboard.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Amid Tariff Chaos, U.S. Allies Try to Redraw the Trade Map](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/world/europe/trump-tariffs-trade-europe-us.html): Facing growing chaos, the European Union and numerous other countries are seeking to forge a global trading nexus that is less vulnerable to American tariffs. Trade chaos is forcing America’s allies closer together, and further from the United States. And as that happens, the European Union is trying to position itself at the center of a new global trade map. The 27-nation bloc learned this weekend that America will subject it to 30 percent tariffs starting Aug. 1. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the E.U. executive branch, responded with a pledge to keep negotiating, and to retaliate if necessary. […] - [Daniel Kleppner, Physicist Who Brought Precision to GPS, Dies at 92](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/science/daniel-kleppner-dead.html): He worked to develop an atomic clock that is essential to global positioning systems and helped confirm a rare state of matter predicted by Albert Einstein.Daniel Kleppner, an experimental physicist who helped to develop an atomic clock that became an essential part of global positioning systems, or GPS, and who also helped to discover a rare fundamental state of matter predicted by Albert Einstein and his fellow theoretical physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, died on June 16 in Palo Alto, Calif. He was 92.His wife, Beatrice, confirmed the death. She said he collapsed while visiting their daughter, Sofie Kleppner, and her son, Darwin, who was graduating from high school.It was in the mid-1950s, while he was doing a fellowship at the University of Cambridge in England, that Dr. Kleppner learned something surprising: It was possible, a tutor told him, to build a clock precise enough to detect the effects of gravity on time. Curious, he went in search of more information and read Norman Ramsey’s 1953 book “Nuclear Moments.”After his fellowship, he went on to do graduate work at Harvard University, where he discovered that Dr. Ramsey was on the faculty. He immediately applied for Dr. Ramsey’s research group and was accepted.Dr. Ramsey would eventually share the 1989 Nobel Prize in Physics for research he had done in the 1940s, when he discovered a way to measure the frequencies of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by atoms and molecules. His experimental technique laid the groundwork for nuclear magnetic resonance, a precursor to the M.R.I. technology used in medicine today.The atoms of each element vibrate at a unique frequency, like the signature call of a bird. Dr. Ramsey’s work made it possible for scientists to build what is known as an atomic clock — a device that measures those vibrations, using the information to keep incredibly precise time. (The official measure of a second, for example, is 9,192,631,770 oscillations of a cesium atom.)We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Denver Museum Finds a Dinosaur Fossil Under Its Parking Lot](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/science/denver-museum-nature-science-dinosaur-fossil.html): The fossil, estimated to be about 70 million years old, was found during a drilling project.Have you ever searched for a pair of glasses, only to realize that they were on your head the whole time?The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is filled with exhibits of dinosaur skeletons. And in the scientific equivalent of tossing couch cushions, its scientists discovered a dinosaur fossil deep — really deep — below the surface of one of its own parking lots, the museum announced this week.The fossil, estimated to be about 70 million years old, was buried 763 feet below the surface and unearthed because of a drilling project that aimed to better understand the geology of the Denver Basin. The museum wanted to understand the geology to see if it would be possible to replace natural gas with geothermal systems to heat and cool the museum.Two drilling rigs bore test holes under one of the museum’s paved parking lots, reaching almost 1,000 feet below the surface.On Jan. 30, one of the museum’s geologists, who was sifting through what had been extracted, immediately recognized the dinosaur bone, sending museum staff members into a frenzy.James Hagadorn, the museum’s curator of geology, stepped out of a parent-teacher conference as his phone lit up with texts.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [How to Panic Italians? Jack Up the Price of Espresso.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/world/europe/espresso-italy-coffee-prices.html): Prices for coffee beans have risen, but in a country where coffee drinking is a ritual, customers demand cheap espresso. That has left coffee bars in a bind. Andrea Consilvio did something this spring that he called “a little crazy.” He bought an old and well-known coffee bar in the northwestern Italian city of Turin, his hometown. Brewing coffee for coffee-obsessed Italians, the people who invented espresso and the commercial machines and stovetop pots to make it, might hardly seem like a leap of faith. Nearly three-quarters of Italians drink coffee — by which they almost always mean espresso — at […] - [Google Hires Top A.I. Leaders From Windsurf, Which OpenAI Was Courting](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/technology/google-windsurf-openai.html): In a $2.4 billion deal, Google recruited the chief executive and a co-founder of Windsurf, which OpenAI had been in talks to buy, as the battle to dominate artificial intelligence escalates.Google has joined Silicon Valley’s scramble to scoop up artificial intelligence engineers, hiring the leaders of Windsurf, a start-up that developed an A.I.-powered computer programming tool, in a $2.4 billion deal.The move, which became public on Friday, was the latest example of how tech companies are waging battles to suck up A.I. talent. The deal deepens Google’s bench of A.I. engineers while also scoring it a point against OpenAI, one of its biggest challengers in the field.In May, OpenAI was in talks to acquire Windsurf in a $3 billion deal that would help add thousands of new customers and expand OpenAI’s offerings. But the talks broke down in recent weeks because Windsurf’s leaders had concerns about the information it might have to share about its product with Microsoft, one of OpenAI’s largest investors, two people with knowledge of the deal said.Under Google’s agreement, Varun Mohan, the chief executive of Windsurf, and Douglas Chen, a co-founder, will join Google DeepMind, the company’s A.I. division, along with several of Windsurf’s research and development employees. Google is also paying for a nonexclusive license for Windsurf technology. “We’re excited to welcome some top A.I. coding talent from Windsurf’s team to Google DeepMind to advance our work in agentic coding,” Google said in a statement. As part of the statement, Mr. Mohan and Mr. Chen said they were excited to join Google.The Verge and The Information earlier reported on Windsurf’s deal.Silicon Valley giants including Meta have lately poached A.I. talent from rivals and start-ups, sometimes offering compensation packages as high as $100 million. Google has chosen to pay to bring on top A.I. talent from start-ups rather than acquiring the smaller businesses outright. In 2023, Google agreed to pay $3 billion to license technology from Character.AI, a chatbot start-up. The deal allowed Google to hire Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, who both had left Google to start Character.ai.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Join Our Livestream: Inside the AI Copyright Battles](https://www.wired.com/story/livestream-ai-copyright-battles/): What’s going on right now with the copyright battles over artificial intelligence? Many lawsuits regarding generative AI’s training materials were initially filed back in 2023, with decisions just now starting to trickle out. Whether it’s Midjourney generating videos of Disney characters, like Wall-E brandishing a gun, or an exit interview with a top AI lawyer as he left Meta, WIRED senior writer Kate Knibbs has been following this fight for years—and she’s ready to answer your questions. Bring all your burning questions about the AI copyright battles to WIRED’s next, subscriber-only livestream scheduled for July 16 at 12pm ET / 9am […] - [Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s strongman-loving boss](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/07/11/gianni-infantino-fifas-strongman-loving-boss): ON JULY 7TH a motley crew gathered in Trump Tower to toast the New York skyscraper’s latest tenant: FIFA, football’s governing body. Eric Trump, the president’s son; Ronaldo, a Brazilian footballing great; and a handful of FIFA bigwigs beamed for the cameras. The biggest wig there was Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s divisive president. As well as celebrating his new office, Mr Infantino was at Trump Tower to unveil the trophy of the Club World Cup. The tournament’s final takes place in New Jersey on July 13th between Chelsea, an English team, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a French one. It is Mr Infantino’s pet project: his name appears twice on the gleaming gold prize. - [The Two-Organizations Problem](https://hbr.org/2026/06/the-two-organizations-problem): Successful leaders understand the gap between the organization that exists on paper and the one employees experience every day. - [AI Adoption Is Overloading Your Middle Managers](https://hbr.org/2026/06/ai-adoption-is-overloading-your-middle-managers): They’re caught between executive ambition and operational reality, with little formal support. - [[OSE]Adjustment of Strike Prices in Securities Options: Effective from June 29, 2026](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2020/20260626-01.html) - [[TSE]Public Announcement Measure: VALUE CREATION CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260626-11.html) - [[TSE]Approval of Initial listing (ETF):Gold 2x Bull ETF(Simplex Asset Management)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1070/20260626.html) - [[OSE,TOCOM]Derivatives Holiday Trading Days (Finalized) for the First Half of 2027](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2040/20260626-01.html) - [[TSE]Matching Mechanism for the First Day of Listing: SAIJO Co.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1031/20260626_01.html) - [The EU deal's quota split will dominate the Mercosur summit as Uruguay takes the helm](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/25/the-eu-deal-s-quota-split-will-dominate-the-mercosur-summit-as-uruguay-takes-the-helm?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The internal distribution of export quotas under the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union will dominate much of the debate at the bloc’s summit of heads of state, to be held on June 30 in Asunción, where Paraguay will hand over the six-month presidency to Uruguay. The meeting coincides with the 35th anniversary of the Treaty of Asunción, the bloc’s founding charter. - [The 2026 Intern’s Guide to the Market Structure Galaxy](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/2026-interns-guide-market-structure-galaxy): It’s that time of year again when many of us have interns joining the desk. So, we’re updating our guide on market infrastructure. - [The Falklands question “must be considered in the light of the wishes of the people who live there”](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/25/the-falklands-question-must-be-considered-in-the-light-of-the-wishes-of-the-people-who-live-there?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The question of the Falkland Islands must be considered in light of the wishes of the people who live there. The Islanders have the right to determine their own political future, and they have expressed that choice clearly and democratically, pointed out Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, Lord Collins speaking during the 56th regular session of the OAS General Assembly in Panama City, Panama. - [Public meetings will feature presentations from Hatch and MEP, the authors of the socio-economic, environmental and legislative reports](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/25/public-meetings-will-feature-presentations-from-hatch-and-mep-the-authors-of-the-socio-economic-environmental-and-legislative-reports?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): At least 17 people were injured on Wednesday night when a car drove into a crowd celebrating in the streets of Cabo San Lucas, in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, Mexico’s win over the Czech Republic at the World Cup. The driver was detained, and authorities opened an investigation to clarify what happened. - [El Niño vuelve a poner en alerta a la industria de la anchoveta: este es el escenario y las implicancias](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/la-pesca-de-anchoveta-entra-en-zona-de-incertidumbre-ante-el-fortalecimiento-de-el-nino-noticia/): BCR eleva proyección de crecimiento económico a 3,4% y de inversión privada a 12,5%  Unos US$3.600 millones de importaciones se movilizaron en el Puerto de Chancay La primera temporada de anchoveta en la zona norte-centro registra un avance de apenas 471.111 toneladas, equivalente al 24,6% de la cuota autorizada de 1,91 millones de toneladas, luego de una serie de suspensiones dispuestas por el Ministerio de la Producción (Produce) ante la elevada presencia de ejemplares juveniles y la persistencia de condiciones cálidas en el mar peruano. La campaña acumula un desempeño muy inferior al observado en los dos años previos y ha […] - [US economy grew at 2.1% in first quarter](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-economy-q1-2026-final): <!–> Former Council of Economic Advisors acting chair Tomas Philipson discusses the price of crude oil and the Middle East conflict on ‘The Bottom Line.’ This is a developing story about the final reading of U.S. first-quarter GDP. Please check back for updates. The U.S. economy grew at a faster pace than expected in the first quarter, according to the Commerce Department’s estimate. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on Thursday released its final reading of first-quarter GDP, which showed the economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.1% in the three-month period including January, February and March.  The Commerce Department released its […] - [Great Leaders Question Philosophical Assumptions](https://hbr.org/2026/06/great-leaders-question-philosophical-assumptions): Three philosophical proficiencies for leading in a world where old certainties are breaking down. - [Teach Your AI How You Make Decisions](https://hbr.org/2026/06/teach-your-ai-how-you-make-decisions): Companies need to translate tacit principles into structured guidance for agents. - [[TSE]Approval of Initial listing (ETF):NEXT FUNDS Japan Equity Policy Focus Exchange Traded Fund(Nomura Asset Management)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1070/20260625.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: Matsuya R&D Co.,Ltd](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260625-11.html) - [Offers of aid pour in for Venezuela from across the Americas and beyond after its earthquake](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/25/offers-of-aid-pour-in-for-venezuela-from-across-the-americas-and-beyond-after-its-earthquake?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Governments from across the Americas and other regions of the world expressed solidarity with Venezuela and offered assistance after the twin earthquake of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that struck the north-central part of the country on Wednesday and that, according to the first official toll, left at least 32 dead and more than 700 injured. Several countries announced the dispatch of rescue teams, while acting President Delcy Rodríguez thanked them for the shows of support. - [Peru's electoral board rejects 23 more appeals by Sánchez's party as Fujimori's win holds](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/25/peru-s-electoral-board-rejects-23-more-appeals-by-sanchez-s-party-as-fujimori-s-win-holds?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The plenary of Peru’s National Jury of Elections (JNE) declared unfounded 23 appeals filed by Juntos por el Perú, the party of left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez, against tally sheets from the presidential runoff, in which right-wing Keiko Fujimori is set to emerge as the winner. The decision shores up a result that, with the count almost complete, can no longer be reversed. - [Collaborative Seed Banking is the Latest Conservation Movement in Latin America](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/25/collaborative-seed-banking-is-the-latest-conservation-movement-in-latin-america?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Across Latin America, there’s a huge rise in collaborative seed banking. Latin America is home to one of the richest biodiversity hotspots, but with climate change, deforestation, and habitat loss, scientists are beginning to use seed banks as a way to protect plant diversity for future generations. - [Syria's Historic Victories in West Asian Football Championships: A RolsBet Retrospective](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/25/syria-s-historic-victories-in-west-asian-football-championships-a-rolsbet-retrospective?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Football has long served as a source of pride and unity across West Asia, and Syria’s national team has produced several memorable moments that continue to inspire fans and sports bettors alike. Over the decades, Syrian football has demonstrated resilience, tactical discipline, and an ability to compete against some of the strongest teams in the region. For enthusiasts who follow regional tournaments and enjoy analyzing football markets, Syria’s historic achievements offer valuable insights into the dynamics of West Asian competition. - [Startup Founders Need a New Sales Playbook](https://hbr.org/2026/06/startup-founders-need-a-new-sales-playbook): Today’s buyers are overwhelmed by options, skeptical of claims, and slow to commit. This framework can help. - [Does Your AI Have a Personality Problem?](https://hbr.org/2026/06/does-your-ai-have-a-personality-problem): Why the way AI interacts with employees may matter as much as what it can do. - [The Time Horizon Growth Model Is Dead. Here’s What Should Replace It.](http://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/the-time-horizon-growth-model-is-dead-heres-what-should-replace-it): Sponsor Content Showcase from Outshift by Cisco. - [The Time Horizon Growth Model Is Dead. Here’s What Should Replace It. - SPONSOR CONTENT SHOWCASE FROM OUTSHIFT BY CISCO](https://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/the-time-horizon-growth-model-is-dead-heres-what-should-replace-it): Sponsor Content Showcase from Outshift by Cisco. - [How Leaders Create the Conditions for Innovative Thinking](https://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/how-leaders-create-the-conditions-for-innovative-thinking): A conversation with Harvard Business School’s Linda Hill on why even visionaries need to make space for collaboration and trust. - [Employees Aren’t Questioning AI Advice Enough](https://hbr.org/2026/06/employees-arent-questioning-ai-advice-enough): A new study finds that people often actively avoid seeking additional information when it might complicate their decision or create moral discomfort. - [An Announcement from HBR On Leadership](https://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/an-announcement-from-hbr-on-leadership): The show is going on hiatus. - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.:REVO International Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260624_18.html) - [El álbum del mundial y sus tesoros del ayer: México 70, España 82 y más, ¿cuánto cuesta tener estos coleccionables históricos?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/el-album-del-mundial-cuanto-cuestan-los-coleccionables-de-torneos-anteriores-noticia/): Economía peruana mantendría dinamismo en el segundo trimestre, pero las elecciones condicionan el resto del año Deloitte: la Inteligencia Artificial y los otros grandes desafíos urgentes para la minería El fervor por el mundial de fútbol se ha trasladado en la adquisición del álbum y de las figuritas del torneo deportivo más importante entre las selecciones. Esta emoción también se refleja en la búsqueda de coleccionables de mundiales anteriores. Cabe recordar que Panini tiene la licencia de publicación de los álbumes desde el mundial de México 1970. MIRA | FIFA enfrenta riesgo de asientos vacíos con 180 mil entradas aún disponibles […] - [Early escrutinio stages confirm Colombia's preliminary result with 99.997% coincidence](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/23/early-escrutinio-stages-confirm-colombia-s-preliminary-result-with-99.997-coincidence?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Colombia’s National Registry reported on Tuesday that there is a 99.997% coincidence between the preliminary results of Sunday’s presidential runoff, which gave the victory to Abelardo de la Espriella, and the municipal counts, one of the stages of the process that will lead to the official declaration of the new president. “The preliminary count coincides with the judges’ tally by 99.997%,” the body said in a statement. - [Peru's Sánchez alleges fraud and says he won't recognize a Fujimori government](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/23/peru-s-sanchez-alleges-fraud-and-says-he-won-t-recognize-a-fujimori-government?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The presidential candidate of Juntos por el Perú, Roberto Sánchez, hardened his rhetoric on the runoff on Tuesday, alleging an alleged “fraud in progress” and announcing that he will not recognize a possible government of right-wing Keiko Fujimori. At a press conference in Lima, the left-wing candidate also called a protest for Saturday in defense of what he considers the popular will expressed at the ballot box. - [Best Time to Visit New Zealand for Every Type of Traveler](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/23/best-time-to-visit-new-zealand-for-every-type-of-traveler?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Choosing the best time to go to New Zealand depends on your travel goals, not the calendar alone. Travelers from Europe and North America should remember that this country’s seasons are reversed: summer from December to February, and winter from June to August. - [The 4 Types of Hope](https://hbr.org/2026/06/the-4-types-of-hope): In the June 22, 2026 edition of The Insider, managing editor Gretchen Gavett highlights the benefits and pitfalls of hope as part of a leader’s toolkit. - [The 5 Types of AI Investment–and How to Capture Their Value](https://hbr.org/2026/06/the-5-types-of-ai-investment-and-how-to-capture-their-value): Each has its own financial logic and strategic implications. - [How School of Rock Created Structure in Order to Scale with Agility and Creativity](https://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/how-school-of-rock-created-structure-in-order-to-scale-with-agility-and-creativity): A conversation about how the music education company’s leaders empowered its franchisees while also driving better standardization. - [Creating Products with Curiosity, Humility, and Play](https://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/creating-products-with-curiosity-humility-and-play): A conversation with Zynga founder Mark Pincus on creating a culture of innovation. - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 3 issues](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260623-01.html) - [[TSE]Matching Mechanism for the First Day of Listing: Real Estate Distribution System Co.,Ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1031/20260623_01.html) - [Messi becomes the outright all-time top scorer in World Cup history](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/22/messi-becomes-the-outright-all-time-top-scorer-in-world-cup-history?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Lionel Messi on Monday became the outright all-time top scorer in World Cup history, netting his seventeenth goal in the competition during Argentina’s match against Austria, on the second matchday of their group at the 2026 World Cup. With that goal, the Argentine captain surpassed the 16 scored by Germany’s Miroslav Klose, until now the tournament’s leading marksman. - [Burnham sworn in as MP and enters Labour leadership race with a clear path to No 10](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/22/burnham-sworn-in-as-mp-and-enters-labour-leadership-race-with-a-clear-path-to-no-10?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The former mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was sworn in on Monday as MP for Makerfield and formally launched his candidacy to lead the Labour Party and, by extension, the British government, hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation. The backing of his most likely rival, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, cleared his path and consolidated him as the favorite to succeed Starmer. - [Housing affordability unlikely to return to more favorable levels of the past, economist says](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/housing-affordability-unlikely-return-more-favorable-levels-past-economist-says): <!–> SlateStone Wealth chief market strategist Kenny Polcari discusses whether investors are too dependent on AI, Space X’s IPO and his outlook for the markets on ‘Varney & Co.’ The affordability of the U.S. housing market may not improve significantly over time for would-be homebuyers, with a new report suggesting that they shouldn’t wait in the hopes of affordability measures returning to their pre-2022 levels. Sarah Wolfe, a senior economist and strategist at Morgan Stanley, said in a report that while housing affordability could improve modestly over time, it is “unlikely to return to more favorable levels of the past, as […] - [De la Espriella gives a victory speech vowing unity as Cepeda awaits the final tally](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/22/de-la-espriella-gives-a-victory-speech-vowing-unity-as-cepeda-awaits-the-final-tally?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella delivered a victory speech on Sunday in Barranquilla, in which he proclaimed himself the winner of Colombia’s presidential runoff according to the preliminary count and called for national unity, while the official tally remained under way and his rival, left-wing senator Iván Cepeda, conditioned recognition of the result on the definitive count. - [The End of Cheap Capital](https://hbr.org/2026/06/the-end-of-cheap-capital): And why it requires a return to the basics of business economics. - [LLMs Misunderstand Luxury Brands. Here’s How to Optimize Your Content Strategy for AI.](https://hbr.org/2026/06/llms-misunderstand-luxury-brands-heres-how-to-optimize-your-content-strategy-for-ai): A playbook for translating the visual grammar, spatial logic, and cultural associations that make luxury brands coveted by consumers. - [LLMs Misunderstand Luxury Brands. Here’s How to Optimize Your Marketing Strategy for AI.](https://hbr.org/2026/06/llms-misunderstand-luxury-brands-heres-how-to-optimize-your-marketing-strategy-for-ai): A playbook for translating the visual grammar, spatial logic, and cultural associations that make luxury brands coveted by consumers. - [Our Favorite Management Tips on Decision-Making](https://hbr.org/2026/06/our-favorite-management-tips-on-decision-making): A curated list from one of HBR’s most popular newsletters. - [UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns, clearing the way for Andy Burnham](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/22/uk-prime-minister-keir-starmer-resigns-clearing-the-way-for-andy-burnham?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday his resignation as leader of the Labour Party, a decision that clears the way for the former mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to succeed him at the head of the party and the government. Starmer, who announced the move after losing the support of his parliamentary group, will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is chosen. - [[OSE]Broadening of Daily Price Limits (Securities options)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2020/20260622-01.html) - [[OSE]Regarding the Shortening of the Period Between the Last Trading Day and the Delivery Day of JGB Futures Contracts](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2040/20260622-01.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260622-01.html) - [[TSE]Matching Mechanism for the First Day of Listing: LiNKX,Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1031/20260622_01.html) - [Starmer weighs political future as pressure to resign mounts](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/21/starmer-weighs-political-future-as-pressure-to-resign-mounts?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is weighing his political future as pressure grows within the Labour Party for him to announce his resignation, following Andy Burnham’s victory in last week’s Makerfield by-election. - [Tenth anniversary of Brexit, UK GDP per head cost of 8% in 2025, LSE professor estimates](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/20/tenth-anniversary-of-brexit-uk-gdp-per-head-cost-of-8-in-2025-lse-professor-estimates?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Ten years ago, June 2016, the UK voted to leave the EU and since then, an extensive body of research has studied the impact of Brexit on the UK economy. - [Australia reports bird flu has killed 13.000 elephant seal pups in Heard and McDonald islands](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/20/australia-reports-bird-flu-has-killed-13.000-elephant-seal-pups-in-heard-and-mcdonald-islands?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N1 has killed more than 13,000 elephant seal pups after infecting a breeding colony on a sub-Antarctic volcanic island, Australian scientists from the Antarctic Program discovered. - [Cuba approves its deepest market reforms in over a decade amid public skepticism](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/20/cuba-approves-its-deepest-market-reforms-in-over-a-decade-amid-public-skepticism?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Cuba’s National Assembly approved on Friday a package of 176 measures that introduces market dynamics into the island’s economy, in the deepest shift since the reforms promoted by Raúl Castro in 2011. The government presented the plan as a response to the worst economic crisis in decades, though much of the population receives it with skepticism. - [Hot political summer ahead for Britain, Burnham MP intends to challenge PM Starmer](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/20/hot-political-summer-ahead-for-britain-burnham-mp-intends-to-challenge-pm-starmer?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Andy Burnham, Labor’s former Greater Manchester mayor has won with a clear majority in a special election to the British parliament, and is ready to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the party leadership saying he wants “to lay out a new path for Britain” and Labour needs to “make life affordable” again. - [Bank of England keeps rate at 3.75%; inflation 2.8% but energy prices remain volatile](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/20/bank-of-england-keeps-rate-at-3.75-inflation-2.8-but-energy-prices-remain-volatile?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 7–2 to maintain Bank Rate at 3.75%. Two members voted to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 4% during the MPC meeting on June 18. - [Peru's Sánchez calls a protest against the result that makes Fujimori the virtual winner](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/19/peru-s-sanchez-calls-a-protest-against-the-result-that-makes-fujimori-the-virtual-winner?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez called a protest in Lima for Friday against the result of Peru’s presidential runoff, which makes right-wing Keiko Fujimori the virtual winner, as the electoral justice was due to decide on the challenges filed by his party. With 99.51% of the tally sheets counted, Fujimori leads Sánchez by some 44,101 votes, though no winner has yet been proclaimed. - [Trump opens a new rift with Meloni by claiming she 'begged' him for a G7 photo](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/19/trump-opens-a-new-rift-with-meloni-by-claiming-she-begged-him-for-a-g7-photo?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): US President Donald Trump opened a new rift with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by claiming that she “begged” him for a photo during the G7 summit and that he obliged out of “pity.” Meloni called the account fabricated, and in response Italy’s foreign minister canceled a planned trip to the United States this weekend. - [Is This the Time to Raise Prices?](https://hbr.org/2026/06/is-this-the-time-to-raise-prices): With consumers worn out from years of price hikes, pricing strategist Rafi Mohammed argues in favor of a more creative approach to capturing value. - [How to Design Agentic Systems Around the Implicit Rules that Govern Your Company](https://hbr.org/2026/06/how-to-design-agentic-systems-around-the-implicit-rules-that-govern-your-company): The firms that win will use agent deployment as an X-ray and redesign their organizations around what they find. - [De la Espriella leads Colombia's runoff with contained triumphalism as Cepeda hopes for a late surge](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/19/de-la-espriella-leads-colombia-s-runoff-with-contained-triumphalism-as-cepeda-hopes-for-a-late-surge?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella heads into Colombia’s presidential runoff, set for this Sunday, June 21, as the favorite, though with contained triumphalism, while left-wing senator Iván Cepeda trusts that a late push can still overturn the result. Both campaigns sense the election is closer than the polls reflect. - [[TSE]Designation of Securities Under Supervision (Confirmation): SATUDORA HOLDINGS CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260619-11.html) - [Ukraine launches its largest drone attack on Moscow, striking an oil refinery](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/19/ukraine-launches-its-largest-drone-attack-on-moscow-striking-an-oil-refinery?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Ukraine on Thursday launched one of its largest drone attacks on Moscow since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, hitting the capital’s oil refinery in the Kapotnya district, covering the city in black smoke and forcing the closure of its four airports. It was the second strike on that facility —run by a subsidiary of state-owned Gazprom— in a week. - [[TSE]Approval of Initial listing (ETF):Nissay ETF Russell 2000(Nissay Asset Management)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1070/20260619.html) - [OPR: All or Nothing or Something in Between?](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/opr-all-or-nothing-or-something-between): A closer look at the SEC’s new proposal regarding the Order Protection Rule. - [Chartstopper: June 18, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/chartstopper-june-18-2026): Delve into the three big events for markets this week. - [Video Quick Take: How Small Pieces of Code Can Defend an Entire Operating System](http://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/video-quick-take-how-small-pieces-of-code-can-defend-an-entire-operating-system): Sponsor content from Threalocker. - [Video Quick Take: How Small Pieces of Code Can Defend an Entire Operating System - SPONSOR CONTENT FROM THREATLOCKER](https://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/video-quick-take-how-small-pieces-of-code-can-defend-an-entire-operating-system): Sponsor content from Threalocker. - [Healey MP, “my resignation was necessary for the future of the Britain’s Armed Forces”](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/18/healey-mp-my-resignation-was-necessary-for-the-future-of-the-britain-s-armed-forces?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): UK Former Defense Secretary John Healey has said his surprise resignation last week was “necessary in securing the future of Britain’s Armed Forces”. Now a backbench Labour MP, Healey told the House of Commons: “I took the decision to resign with the very greatest regret and reluctance, but I continue to be certain about this decision.” - [Falklands, regular military activities around Stanley at the end of June](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/18/falklands-regular-military-activities-around-stanley-at-the-end-of-june?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): From 28–30 June 2026, BFSAI’s (British Forces South Atlantic Islands) current RIC (Roulement Infantry Company), 5 RIFLES, will be conducting activity in and around the capital of the Falkland Islands, Stanley. - [The Strongest Teams of AI Agents Will be Built Using Different Models](https://hbr.org/2026/06/the-strongest-teams-of-ai-agents-will-be-built-using-different-models): Like diversity in human workforces, agentic diversity pays significant performance dividends. - [Lessons from Chinese AI Firms on Owning Customers’ Habits](https://hbr.org/2026/06/lessons-from-chinese-ai-firms-on-owning-customers-habits): Four strategic imperatives for leaders at Western companies. - [[TSE]Grace Period pertaining to Reexamination due to Violation against a Written Oath, and Imposition of Listing Agreement Violation Penalty: J.E.T.Co.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260618-12.html) - [[TSE]Grace Period pertaining to Reexamination due to Violation against a Written Oath, and Imposition of Listing Agreement Violation Penalty: I-ne CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260618-13.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: WAVELOCK HOLDINGS CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260618-11.html) - [Video Quick Take: Implementing Zero Trust in an AI-Driven Threat Landscape](http://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/video-quick-take-implementing-zero-trust-in-an-ai-driven-threat-landscape): Sponsor content from Threatlocker. - [Video Quick Take: Implementing Zero Trust in an AI-Driven Threat Landscape - SPONSOR CONTENT FROM THREATLOCKER](https://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/video-quick-take-implementing-zero-trust-in-an-ai-driven-threat-landscape): Sponsor content from Threatlocker. - [Bolivia's blockade crisis leaves at least 16 dead as the government calls unions to talks](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/17/bolivia-s-blockade-crisis-leaves-at-least-16-dead-as-the-government-calls-unions-to-talks?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The crisis caused by more than seven weeks of road blockades in Bolivia, driven by sectors demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz, has left at least 16 people dead, as the government called the Bolivian Workers’ Center (COB) on Wednesday to a dialogue to seek a way out. By midday, the country’s largest union confederation had not confirmed its attendance. - [3 Forces Are Redefining the Transition from Manager to Leader](https://hbr.org/2026/06/3-forces-are-redefining-the-transition-from-manager-to-leader): Updating a classic HBR framework. - [Prevent Team Friction from Turning into Dysfunction](https://hbr.org/2026/06/prevent-team-friction-from-turning-into-dysfunction): Lessons on avoiding communication breakdowns from one of Harvard Business School’s signature programs. - [Why Speed and Trust Are Critical to Solving Hard Problems](https://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/why-speed-and-trust-are-critical-to-solving-hard-problems): A conversation with author Anne Morriss on why the slow and steady approach can leave issues unresolved. - [When Your Colleague Keeps Meddling in Your Work](https://hbr.org/2026/06/when-your-colleague-keeps-meddling-in-your-work): Strategies for managing their behavior—and addressing what’s behind it. - [Spain's ex-PM Zapatero testifies as a suspect in the Plus Ultra bailout case](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/17/spain-s-ex-pm-zapatero-testifies-as-a-suspect-in-the-plus-ultra-bailout-case?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Spain’s former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared on Wednesday before Judge José Luis Calama, of the Audiencia Nacional, as an investigated person in the Plus Ultra case, in what constitutes an unprecedented event in Spanish democracy: it is the first time a former head of the Executive sits before a magistrate as a suspect. He will answer questions from the judge and his lawyer, but not from the Anti-Corruption prosecutor. - [With a historic Messi, Argentina begin their title defense by thrashing Algeria](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/17/with-a-historic-messi-argentina-begin-their-title-defense-by-thrashing-algeria?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Argentina began their defense of the World Cup title won in Qatar 2022 on Tuesday with a 3-0 thrashing of Algeria, in the Group J opener of the 2026 World Cup, played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Captain Lionel Messi guided Lionel Scaloni’s side with a hat-trick that left him atop the tournament’s all-time scoring history. - [[TSE]De-Designation of Securities Under Supervision (Confirmation):Bewith,Inc.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260617-22.html) - [Video Quick Take: The Challenge of Building High-Performance Cybersecurity Teams](http://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/video-quick-take-the-challenge-of-building-high-performance-cybersecurity-teams): Sponsor content from Threatlocker. - [Video Quick Take: The Challenge of Building High-Performance Cybersecurity Teams - SPONSOR CONTENT FROM THREATLOCKER](https://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/video-quick-take-the-challenge-of-building-high-performance-cybersecurity-teams): Sponsor content from Threatlocker. - [Why Decision-Making Frameworks Fail](https://hbr.org/2026/06/gg-why-decision-making-frameworks-fail): In the June 15, 2026, edition of The Insider, managing editor Gretchen Gavett highlights recent pieces on why decision-rights frameworks fall apart, how “strategic centering” can anchor companies, and the hidden downside of leading with purpose. - [Don’t Let AI Slop Muck Up Your Company’s Processes](https://hbr.org/2026/06/dont-let-ai-slop-muck-up-your-companys-processes): Four steps leaders can take to protect one of their most valuable assets: organizational knowledge. - [The Right Way to Manage Rule Breakers](https://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/the-right-way-to-manage-rule-breakers): A conversation with Oxford’s Michael Gill about a counterintuitive approach to leadership. - [[TSE]Public Inspection of Improvement Report: eMnet Japan.co.ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260616-11.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 3 issues](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260616-01.html) - [500k packages of macaroni and cheese sold at Aldi recalled over undeclared soy lecithin](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/500k-packages-macaroni-cheese-sold-aldi-recalled-over-undeclared-soy-lecithin): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. More than 500,000 packages of macaroni and cheese sold at Aldi stores nationwide have been recalled because they may contain undeclared soy lecithin, a soy-derived ingredient that can pose a risk to people with soy allergies or sensitivities. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 58,405 cases of Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese are affected. Each case contains nine 20-ounce packages, bringing the total number of impacted packages to 525,645. The plastic tubs of macaroni and cheese were sold inside paperboard sleeves. FDA ISSUES HIGHEST-RISK RECALL OF ALFREDO SAUCE SOLD IN 41 STATES […] - [500k packages of macaroni and cheese sold at Aldi recalled over undeclared soy lecithin](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/500k-packages-macaroni-cheese-sold-aldi-recalled-over-undeclared-soy-lecithin): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. More than 500,000 packages of macaroni and cheese sold at Aldi stores nationwide have been recalled because they may contain undeclared soy lecithin, a soy-derived ingredient that can pose a risk to people with soy allergies or sensitivities. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 58,405 cases of Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese are affected. Each case contains nine 20-ounce packages, bringing the total number of impacted packages to 525,645. The plastic tubs of macaroni and cheese were sold inside paperboard sleeves. FDA ISSUES HIGHEST-RISK RECALL OF ALFREDO SAUCE SOLD IN 41 STATES […] - [Rectora de la Universidad de Lima: “En agosto comenzaremos con la demolición de tres edificios para la creación de un complejo académico”](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/patricia-stuart-rectora-de-la-universidad-de-lima-en-agosto-comenzaremos-con-la-demolicion-de-tres-edificios-para-la-creacion-de-un-complejo-academico-noticia/): Estos son los pedidos de cinco cámaras regionales a quien asuma la presidencia de la República Siete pisos y 18 mil metros cuadrados: la nueva biblioteca de la Universidad de Lima que redefine el papel de la lectura Con 64 años de trayectoria, la Universidad de Lima no solo alberga a más de 30.000 estudiantes en sus aulas; también impulsa una estrategia financiera orientada a concretar sus planes de expansión a futuro. Su rectora, Patricia Stuart, nos abre las puertas de esta casa de estudios y revela los detalles de un nuevo complejo académico, la intención de ampliar el número de […] - [Brazilian stocks slip as the US-Iran deal sinks oil prices and hits Petrobras](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/15/brazilian-stocks-slip-as-the-us-iran-deal-sinks-oil-prices-and-hits-petrobras?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): São Paulo’s stock exchange closed on Monday down 0.42%, dragged by the plunge of the state oil company Petrobras after the international crude price fell, linked to the preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran. The Ibovespa, the benchmark index of Latin America’s main exchange, ended the session at 170,415 points. - [Chile's Kast government reaffirms Valparaíso's bid to host the High Seas Treaty secretariat](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/15/chile-s-kast-government-reaffirms-valparaiso-s-bid-to-host-the-high-seas-treaty-secretariat?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Chile’s government on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to Valparaíso’s candidacy to host the Executive Secretariat of the High Seas Treaty, a key instrument of ocean governance, and held that the port city has “relevant strengths” to secure it. The Foreign Ministry said the bid responds to the importance that Chilean foreign policy places on protecting the ocean and to the country’s “maritime vocation.” - [Peru's electoral board reiterates it will proclaim the president-elect by mid-July](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/15/peru-s-electoral-board-reiterates-it-will-proclaim-the-president-elect-by-mid-july?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Peru’s National Jury of Elections (JNE) reiterated on Monday that the maximum deadline to officially proclaim the new president-elect is mid-July, while vote recounts proceed in three overseas cities over observations to the tally sheets. The body’s spokeswoman, Grecia Rentería, said at a press conference that the proclamation would come about two weeks before the swearing-in, set for July 28, with the start of the 2026-2031 term of government. - [JANINE ERASMUS | As G20 host SA must revive fight against corruption and illicit financial flows](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-21-as-g20-host-sa-must-revive-fight-against-corruption-and-illicit-financial-flows/): Real progress depends on top-level political backing to mobilise the players needed for coherent domestic and international policy changes 21 September 2025 – 00:00 By Janine Erasmus In July finance ministers from G20 countries met in Durban and issued their first joint statement since October 2024. .. - [Mall of Africa fuels Attacq growth](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-21-mall-of-africa-fuels-attacq-growth/): Company exits rest of Africa to focus on local properties 21 September 2025 – 00:00 By TRISTAN MONZEGLIO In its first year of full ownership of the Mall of Africa, Attacq recorded sizeable growth in earnings, powered by high occupancy and rent collection rates, the entry of new brands and the refurbishment of existing stores… - [Partnerships with business can unlock Africa’s potential: Mxolisi Mgojo](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-21-partnerships-with-business-can-unlock-africas-potential-mxolisi-mgojo/): 21 September 2025 – 00:00 By TRISTAN MONZEGLIO Collaboration between the government and private sector is key to unlocking Africa’s potential, empowering youth-led SMEs and driving sustainable growth, says the B20 co-chair and president of Business Unity South Africa (Busa)… - [Informal economy overplayed, says UCT's Prof Haroon Bhorat](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-21-informal-economy-overplayed-says-ucts-prof-haroon-bhorat/): 21 September 2025 – 00:00 By TRISTAN MONZEGLIO The impact of the informal economy in South Africa is much smaller than it’s made out to be, says Haroon Bhorat (https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/news/2024-05-30-power-cuts-have-hit-south-africas-labour-market-hard-the-biggest-toll-has-been-on-jobs-new-research/), professor of economics at the University of Cape Town… - [Dozens Killed in Missile Strike on Sudan Mosque: ‘Harrowing Beyond Description’](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/world/africa/sudan-strike-mosque-rsf.html): A doctor who spoke with The Times last week was among those killed when a missile hit a mosque on Friday as paramilitaries stepped up their brutal siege of the city of El Fasher. Dozens of people were killed in the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher early Friday when paramilitary forces fired a missile into a mosque during morning prayers, local medics and aid workers said. The strike was among the deadliest in months in El Fasher, in the western region of Darfur, where the paramilitaries have intensified a brutal, nearly 18-month siege by bombing neighborhoods where tens of thousands […] - [PODCAST | Ashburton’s case for catalytic capital in local job creation](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-09-19-podcast-ashburtons-case-for-catalytic-capital-in-local-job-creation/): Through this project, the National Treasury gave R90m in catalytic capital, structured as a contingent guarantee, which enabled Ashburton to mobilise R900m in private investment.According to Nagel, this capital was used to support more than 26,000 jobs, channelled into parts of the economy that traditional investors typically avoid.Catalytic capital refers to targeted financial tools that shift the risk-return balance to crowd in private investment.Through the discussion, Nagel outlines the case for using catalytic capital in SA; the importance of public private partnerships; the replicability of the process; Ashburton’s investment focus; and alternative ways of deploying capital. Business Day Spotlight is an Arena Podcasts Production.Subscribe for free: Simplecast | Spotify | Apple Podcasts - [How secure payment innovation is reshaping SA’s digital retail economy](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-09-19-native-how-secure-payment-innovation-is-reshaping-sas-digital-retail-economy/): weekly round-up BRIEFING ROOM: Commissions, ghosts, loot and beyond This week's headlines tie together public rot and the painfully tentative stitches of repair from commissions that could actually bite and a Treasury sweep that hunts ghost wages, to a central bank ... - [Where Will Gazans Go?](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010405069/where-will-gazans-go.html): new video loaded: - [WATCH: Why the Reserve Bank hit pause](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-09-18-watch-why-the-reserve-bank-hit-pause/): The Reserve Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) has maintained the repo rate at 7%. It says it has reduced rates by 125 basis points since September last year, and wants to see how this is affecting the economy, how expectations evolve and how inflation risks are resolved. Business Day TV unpacked the decision with Frank Blackmore, lead economist at KPMG SA. - [Carmakers may have to give in to tariff-fuelled price pressures](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-09-18-carmakers-may-have-to-give-in-to-tariff-fuelled-price-pressures/): weekly round-up BRIEFING ROOM: Commissions, ghosts, loot and beyond This week's headlines tie together public rot and the painfully tentative stitches of repair from commissions that could actually bite and a Treasury sweep that hunts ghost wages, to a central bank ... - [Reserve Bank holds repo rate at 7%](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-09-18-reserve-bank-holds-repo-rate-at-7/): Bank maintains cautious stance amid tariff pressures, ahead of key fiscal statement in November 18 September 2025 - 14:52 by Jana Marx The Reserve Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) held the repo rate at 7% at its meeting on Thursday, maintaining a cautious stance in the face of inflationary pressures stemming from new trade tariffs, global uncertainty and a subdued domestic growth outlook.Four of the six MPC members voted to hold, while two preferred a cut of 25 basis points... - [Interest rates held at 4%](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/interest-rates-held-at-4-35924690): The Bank of England has held interest rates at 4%, as it said the UK was “not out of the woods” on inflation, with taxes contributing to rising food costs. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to keep rates unchanged, following a 0.25 percentage point cut in August. Governor Andrew Bailey said: “Although we expect inflation to return to our 2% target, we’re not out of the woods yet so any future cuts will need to be made gradually and carefully.” The MPC said it was being cautious about cutting borrowing costs until it had more evidence that pressures on UK […] - [Fidelity buys controlling stake in John Smit's security firm, two ex-Boks unite](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-09-18-fidelity-buys-controlling-stake-in-john-smits-security-firm-two-ex-boks-unite/): Fidelity Services Group has acquired a majority shareholding in SSG Holdings, where former World Cup-winning Springbok captain John Smit is CEO. The purchase price was not disclosed. Under the terms of the agreement, SSG will become a subsidiary of Fidelity, continuing to operate under its own brand. A management retention programme forms part of the transaction, Fidelity said, to keep the existing leadership team. Smit, who captained the South African team to victory at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, landed the top job there six years ago. Key shareholders, including Richmark and Northam Platinum, will also retain their “significant” equity stake […] - [Bessent sees trade deal likely with China before November deadline on reciprocal tariffs](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/16/bessent-sees-trade-deal-likely-with-china-before-november-deadline-on-reciprocal-tariffs.html): With so-called reciprocal tariffs set to take effect in November, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during a CNBC interview that he expects further talks to happen before then. The statement comes with talks taking a series of twists and turns since Trump announced his initial “liberation day” duties on U.S. global trading partners April 2. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed confidence Tuesday that a trade deal with China is near. With so-called reciprocal tariffs set to take effect in November, Bessent said during a CNBC interview that he expects further talks to happen before then. “We’ll be seeing each other again,” […] - [Wage growth falls to lowest since 2022 as jobs market continues to falter](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/wage-growth-falls-lowest-2022-35908755): Wage growth has fallen back to its lowest level for more than three years as firms continue to clamp down on hiring. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said regular wage growth, excluding bonuses, dropped to 4.8% in the three months to July, down from 5% in the previous three months and the lowest since May 2022. Wages are still outstripping inflation but at a slower pace, as real earnings growth – with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) taken into account – eased back to 1.2%, which is the lowest point since September 2023. The ONS said the rate of unemployment […] - [How an Emirati Royal Won the Battle for A.I. Chips](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010364130/how-an-emirati-royal-won-the-battle-for-ai-chips.html): new video loaded: - [Business fumes over Tau credit act move](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-14-business-fumes-over-tau-credit-act-move/): Busa says withdrawal of draft regulations ‘will hurt SMEs’ 14 September 2025 – 00:00 Big business is fuming over the decision by trade, industry & competition minister Parks Tau to withdraw draft regulations to the National Credit Act (NCA) that it said would have eased access to credit for SMEs. .. - [LUNCEDO MTWENTWE | SMEs need a seat at the table for Africa's growth story to be fully told](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-14-smes-need-a-seat-at-the-table-for-africas-growth-story-to-be-fully-told/): The opportunity is clear. The question now is whether governments, investors and SMEs themselves are ready to move from rhetoric to action 14 September 2025 – 00:00 By Luncedo Mtwentwe Africa has some of the lowest default rates in the world, yet still pays some of the highest costs for capital. That contradiction, highlighted in last week’s B20 recommendations handover, goes to the heart of why trade reforms, digital transformation and investment opportunities remain out of reach for many economies on the continent… - [Autozone eyeing African expansion](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-14-autozone-eyeing-african-expansion/): 14 September 2025 – 00:00 By THABISO MOCHIKO Manufacturing company Metair has aggressive expansion plans for Autozone to grow its aftermarket parts operations locally — and in the rest of Africa — as it targets a 40% contribution from this business… - [SARVESH SURI | Unlocking Africa’s digital future through capital markets](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-14-unlocking-africas-digital-future-through-capital-markets/): For Africa’s operators, the bond market is no longer niche — it is proven and scalable 14 September 2025 – 00:00 By Sarvesh Suri Africa’s digital transformation depends on robust infrastructure. Telecoms towers, fibre networks, data centres and mobile operations are now as essential as roads and power grids. While boardrooms debate the promise of AI, about 60% of Africans are still offline — so the first task is affordable connectivity for all. .. - [HARRY SCHERZER | Greylisting isn’t the only test of South Africa’s financial system](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-14-greylisting-isnt-the-only-test-of-south-africas-financial-system/): Competitiveness cannot be rebuilt on infrastructure upgrades alone; it depends on whether the country’s financial systems are fit for purpose in the digital age 14 September 2025 – 00:00 By Harry Scherzer A month away from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) follow-up site visit that will decide whether the country is finally ready to be taken off the dreaded FATF “greylist”, South Africa is under pressure to show that financial reforms are more than promises on paper. .. - [THANDOLWETHU LUKUKO | South Africa is missing out on the green gold rush](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-14-south-africa-is-missing-out-on-the-green-gold-rush/): It’s time for the the government to take the lead in unlocking a green industrial future for Africa 14 September 2025 – 00:00 By Thandolwethu Lukuko As the second Africa Climate Summit wrapped up this week, it is becoming clear that the continent is repositioning itself as an engine of climate solutions rather than a recipient of aid. In the words of Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed at the summit’s opening on Monday: “We are not here to negotiate our survival. We are here to design the world’s next climate economy.”.. - [E-commerce 'now the growth engine of retail'](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-14-e-commerce-now-the-growth-engine-of-retail/): 14 September 2025 – 00:00 By THABISO MOCHIKO Despite increased competition from international e-commerce platforms, South Africans still prefer shopping on local e-commerce sites — with Takealot leading the pack. The country’s total online sales are expected to surpass R130bn by year end. .. - ['Eskom can't be both referee and player'](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-14-eskom-cant-be-both-referee-and-player/): Newsmaker Power utility’s obstructiveness and lack of political will hamper South Africa’s move to competitive energy trading, says Fibon Energy CEO Avesh Padayachee 14 September 2025 – 00:00 By CHRIS BARRON A lack of political will and the obstructive role of Eskom are impeding the move to a competitive energy sector and costing billions in lost investment, says Avesh Padayachee, CEO of renewable energy company Fibon Energy… - [Reforms ease bottlenecks at Port of Cape Town](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-14-reforms-ease-bottlenecks-at-port-of-cape-town/): Exporters attribute improvements to new decision-makers who understand the industry 14 September 2025 – 00:00 Exporters in the Western Cape who rely on the Port of Cape Town to move goods have applauded reforms to ease bottlenecks at terminals, but say that removing bureaucracy would bring further improvements… - [Agoa renewal unlikely, say experts](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/business/2025-09-14-agoa-renewal-unlikely-say-experts/): 14 September 2025 – 00:00 Exporters and the government are pinning their hopes on the potential renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) to soften the blow of US tariffs, but trade experts doubt the act will be extended… - [ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK | Tech takes aim at drunk-driving](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-14-tech-takes-aim-at-drunk-driving/): The new crop of digital tools teach responsibility in the least responsible places 14 September 2025 – 00:00 By ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK If you want to know how South Africa drinks, you can count the broken headlights and hospital drip stands. But that doesn’t tell us about the wasted potential… - [CAIPHUS KGOSANA | SA’s tourism sector at risk under ‘unfit’ De Lille](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/business/opinion/2025-09-14-sas-tourism-sector-at-risk-under-unfit-de-lille/): What minister Patricia de Lille is doing at the flagship organisation tasked with marketing the country at home and abroad makes absolutely no sense 14 September 2025 – 00:00 When I read that hospitality businesses in several popular seaside towns in Spain were reporting a 20% decline in customers — and begging tourists to come back — I couldn’t help but LOL… - [Consumer sentiment hits four-month low in September, lower and middle income consumers feel pinch](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumer-sentiment-hits-four-month-low-in-september-lower-and-middle-income-consumers-feel-pinch-750b48f8?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [UK economy stalls in July, as slowdown sets in](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/uk-economy-stalls-in-july-as-slowdown-sets-in.html): The U.K. economy stagnated in July, in line with expectations, according to the Office for National Statistics. It marks a slowdown of growth compared to the 0.4% expansion recorded in June. It comes as the Bank of England balances economic sluggishness with sticky inflation and the Autumn Budget. A road closure sign leans against a wall outside Royal Exchange in the heart of the City of London, on 13th June 2022, in London, England. Richard Baker | In Pictures | Getty Images The U.K. economy registered zero growth in July, according to the latest data from the U.K.’s Office for National Statistics […] - [Consumer prices rose at annual rate of 2.9% in August, as weekly jobless claims jump](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/11/consumer-prices-rose-at-annual-rate-of-2point9percent-in-august-as-weekly-jobless-claims-jump.html): The consumer price index posted a seasonally adjusted 0.4% increase for the month, the biggest gain since January, putting the annual inflation rate at 2.9%. The Labor Department reported a surprise increase in weekly unemployment compensation filings to a seasonally adjusted 263,000, the highest since October 2021. The reports provide the final pieces of a complicated data puzzle that central bankers will review at their two-day policy meeting that concludes Sept. 17. Vegetables on display in a grocery store on August 15, 2025 in Delray Beach, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images Prices consumers pay for a variety of goods and […] - [5 takeaways from the producer price inflation report with another key reading on tap](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/10/ppi-inflation-report-takeaways.html): Customers look over clothing items displayed on April 18, 2025 at a Costco branch in Niantic, Connecticut. Robert Nickelsberg | Getty Images The producer price index, a gauge of costs at the wholesale level in the U.S. economy, posted an unexpected 0.1% decline in August. Here’s what to know: For the third time this year, PPI showed outright deflation in what is generally considered a measure of pipeline price pressures. Wall Street economists had been looking for a 0.3% increase. Core PPI, which strips out food and energy, also fell 0.1% though core minus trade services actually rose 0.3% The tame […] - [RFK Jr. Releases Childhood Health Report](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/well/rfk-jr-report-maha-trump.html): The report, which follows a draft leaked last month, demonstrates both the ambitions and limits of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.For all of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s high-profile moves over the last few weeks, a new report from the “Make America Healthy Again” commission he leads released Tuesday arrived with little fanfare — or teeth.The White House commission report, which outlines strategies to combat childhood chronic disease, lands at a time when the health secretary has plunged the nation’s public health apparatus into chaos. It comes days after Mr. Kennedy testified before the Senate Finance Committee in a combative hearing, and about two weeks after he ousted the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The New York Times obtained a draft of the report in August. The final report is largely unchanged, and does not always clearly explain how the government will implement its recommendations.In the report, Mr. Kennedy has returned to his usual talking points: that American children are sick, stressed and screen-addicted, and that corporate interests and prescription medications are to blame. It is the clearest articulation yet of how the administration plans to carry out the aims of the MAHA movement.Yet even with the familiar rhetoric, the report is very likely to disappoint some corners of Mr. Kennedy’s MAHA coalition.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Rome’s Delivery Riders Lose Out in Heat Ban](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000010305752/romes-delivery-riders-lose-out-in-heat-ban.html): new video loaded: Rome’s Delivery Riders Lose Out in Heat Ban By Monika Cvorak, Emma Bubola and Enrico Parenti•September 6, 2025 A new rule banning labor during the hottest hours this summer was meant to protect workers in and around Rome. Instead, it gutted the incomes of some delivery riders. - [Tesla’s proposes paying Elon Musk a package valued at $88 billion if he adds $7.5 trillion in value](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/teslas-proposes-paying-elon-musk-a-package-valued-at-88-billion-if-he-adds-7-5-trillion-in-value-0fb222f8?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [What the splinternet means for big tech](https://www.economist.com/business/2025/09/04/what-the-splinternet-means-for-big-tech): IN 1997 FRANCES CAIRNCROSS, then of The Economist, memorably proclaimed “the death of distance”. Dame Frances (as she has since become) argued in a book with this title that telecommunications technology was making geography irrelevant to business and personal lives. Some of her claims may have been overblown but, in one crucial respect, the thesis was bang on. With the exception of China, around which the Communist Party erected the cyberspatial ramparts of the Great Firewall, distance was, in all markets that mattered, dead online. - [Broken workflows—and how to fix them](https://www.economist.com/business/2025/09/04/broken-workflows-and-how-to-fix-them): Very premature babies need lots of immediate medical attention. Which is why one neo-natal team in an American hospital texted the acronym “ELBW”, shorthand for “extremely low birth weight”, to relevant clinical staff if they wanted them to get to the unit fast. Unfortunately, some recipients of this message took it to mean that a baby had a problem with its elbow, and did not require an urgent response. This excruciating story is one of many told in a new book, “There’s Got To Be A Better Way”, by Nelson Repenning, a business-school professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Donald Kieffer, a one-time operations executive at Harley-Davidson who also lectures at MIT. - [Morocco is now a trade and manufacturing powerhouse](https://www.economist.com/business/2025/09/04/morocco-is-now-a-trade-and-manufacturing-powerhouse): The sprawling port of Tanger Med on Morocco’s north coast looks out onto the busy Strait of Gibraltar. Departing ships carry cars and goods to 180 locations across the globe. In the port itself lorries zip about on roads that shimmer in the heat. Tanger Med is set to become even larger, showing off the country’s ambitions as a manufacturing and trade hub. - [Why nuclear is now a booming industry](https://www.economist.com/business/2025/09/04/why-nuclear-is-now-a-booming-industry): “Make America nuclear again.” That is the aim of Rick Perry, a former governor of Texas who served as energy secretary in Donald Trump’s first term as president. On July 4th, to back up the sloganeering, he launched Fermi America, a firm hoping to build the world’s largest energy and data-centre complex. Outside Amarillo, a cattle town in the Texan panhandle, bulldozers shift red soil for a facility that will first generate electricity using natural gas and solar, before construction of conventional nuclear reactors and several small modular reactors (smrs), which will produce 11 gigawatts (gw) of power. - [How Israel’s arms exports have made it sanctions-proof](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/09/04/how-israels-arms-exports-have-made-it-sanctions-proof): FOR DECADES Israel’s arms industry was primarily known for one piece of kit. The Uzi, a compact and rugged submachinegun much beloved by action-movie heroes, embodied Israel’s national brand as a tiny, ingenious and, when necessary, deadly little country. Israel has changed since, but its arms industry still has branding power. Nowadays, though, its most ubiquitous product is not a gun but its missile-defence system widely known as Iron Dome (though this is the name of just the lowest of its layered defences). - [A lesson in Trump-charming](https://www.economist.com/asia/2025/09/04/a-lesson-in-trump-charming): DONALD TRUMP took to Truth Social hours before meeting South Korea’s new president on August 25th. He accused Lee Jae Myung’s left-wing government of purging its conservative opponents: “WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA?” Mr Lee’s advisers feared they might be heading for a “Zelensky moment” in the Oval Office. Yet Mr Lee kept his cool, starting by praising the president for his gilded renovation of the White House. Mr Trump’s tone quickly changed: “We’re going to get along great,” he declared. - [Luring partners and yet more debt: Mexico’s energy plan](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/09/04/luring-partners-and-yet-more-debt-mexicos-energy-plan): When Claudia Sheinbaum took office a year ago, she inherited a fiscal albatross: Pemex, Mexico’s national oil company. It is the world’s most indebted state oil firm, with obligations topping $100bn. Production has slumped and suppliers are running after unpaid bills. Unlike Andrés Manuel López Obrador, her predecessor who tried to revive Pemex with subsidies and patriotic will, Ms Sheinbaum has at least acknowledged the mess. And on August 5th she unveiled a plan. - [Mexico fears the United States will stop the flow of natural gas ](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/09/04/mexico-fears-the-united-states-will-stop-the-flow-of-natural-gas): Last year Mexico imported 2.34trn cubic feet of natural gas from the United States, up by nearly 40% from 2018. The increase is not just down to growing energy demand. Gas has become the backbone of Mexico’s energy system. It accounts for more than 60% of electricity generation, largely in combined-cycle plants. - [What if artificial intelligence is just a “normal” technology?](https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/09/04/what-if-artificial-intelligence-is-just-a-normal-technology): Opinions about artificial intelligence tend to fall on a wide spectrum. At one extreme is the utopian view that AI will cause runaway economic growth, accelerate scientific research and perhaps make humans immortal. At the other extreme is the dystopian view that AI will cause abrupt, widespread job losses and economic disruption, and perhaps go rogue and wipe out humanity. So a paper published earlier this year by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor, two computer scientists at Princeton University, is notable for the unfashionably sober manner in which it treats AI: as “normal technology”. The work has prompted much debate among AI researchers and economists. - [How to study people who are very drunk](https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/09/03/how-to-study-people-who-are-very-drunk): Visitors to Minnesota’s state fair in 2024 could hear live music, enjoy white-knuckle rides and compete to make the best tinned goods. They could also get drunk. And if they did, a team of neuroscientists from the local university was waiting to gently torture them. - [Google and Apple dodge an antitrust bullet](https://www.economist.com/business/2025/09/03/google-and-apple-dodge-an-antitrust-bullet): After Chatgpt was launched in 2022, generative artificial intelligence (ai) quickly came to be seen as an existential threat to the search business of Google, owned by Alphabet. It has turned out to be the firm’s saviour—at least in one sense. On September 2nd Amit Mehta, a federal judge who last year declared Google an illegal monopolist, rejected the government’s demand that the search giant be torn apart, and delivered it the gentlest of punishments. The reason was ai. It “changed the course of this case”, he said. - [Dollar Tree’s stock rallies after a big earnings beat, as people shopped and spent more](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-trees-stock-rallies-after-a-big-earnings-beat-as-people-shopped-and-spent-more-77ac7ca6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Trump Wants Proof That Covid Vaccines Work. It’s Easy to Find.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/health/trump-covid-vaccines.html): In a post on Truth Social, the president suggested that the C.D.C. was being “ripped apart” over a question that was answered long ago.In a message on social media that baffled many scientists, President Trump questioned the effectiveness of the Covid vaccines and demanded that the makers prove that they work.“Many people think they are a miracle that saved Millions of lives,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Others disagree!”“I want the answer, and I want it NOW,” he wrote. The president went on to complain that while one manufacturer, Pfizer, had shown impressive figures to him, “they never seem to show those results to the public. Why not???”It is unclear what data Mr. Trump was referring to. Hundreds of reports have tracked the efficacy of the vaccines since they first debuted in 2021. The shots have saved millions of lives in the United States and elsewhere, dozens of studies have estimated.Still, in some ways, Mr. Trump’s demand for data is a welcome change from what administration officials have been saying recently about vaccines, said John Wherry, director of the Institute for Immunology and Immune Health at the University of Pennsylvania.Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been “blatantly misrepresenting the data,” Dr. Wherry said. As for other administration officials, “they’ve been sort of ignoring data, or claiming the data is false, or talking about anecdotes.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Who is winning in AI—China or America?](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/09/02/who-is-winning-in-ai-china-or-america): IN 1995, DURING a golden age for globalisation, a business professor from Berkeley coined a cheering term: “the California effect”. When companies in wealthy markets face new competition from foreign rivals, argued David Vogel in his book “Trading Up: Consumer and Environmental Regulation in a Global Economy”, they do not invariably lower standards, as gloomsters might predict. Instead, strict rules in a competitive market can trigger a race to the top, including in neighbouring jurisdictions. A case in point involves strict engine-emissions standards imposed by the state of California, America’s most important car market. Rather than make different engines for different states, to take advantage of those with looser regulations, many firms chose to make all their cars to comply with Californian standards. - [The Economist is hiring a science and technology correspondent](https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/09/02/the-economist-is-hiring-a-science-and-technology-correspondent): The Economist is looking to hire a science and technology correspondent, based in London, for a one-year contract. They will cover everything from astronomy to archaeology, particle physics to synthetic biology. Experience in journalism is not essential, but the ability to write clearly and entertainingly is. The correspondent will be expected to appear on podcasts and films and at Economist events.Applicants should send a CV and a sample article, suitable for publication in The Economist, to: [email protected]. It should be unpublished and no longer than 600 words. The deadline is midnight (UK time) on September 12th 2025. - [Social Enterprise census reveals sector growth, despite cost challenges](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/social-enterprise-census-reveals-sector-35831491): The latest count has revealed that there are 6,103 social enterprises in Scotland – a 17.4% increase within the last decade. Social Enterprise Scotland’s 2024 census, published this morning at the organisation’s annual summit in Stirling, also showed that these social enterprises have a net worth of around £8bn – up 107% from 2015. The fourth and final census under the Scottish Government’s 10-year social enterprise strategy puts the gross value added to the Scottish economy at £2.89bn – a 41.7% rise from 2017. The sector also has 90,050 full time equivalent employees – up 10.7% from 2017 – with around […] - [The truth about seed oils](https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/08/29/the-truth-about-seed-oils): THERE ARE many things that fall foul of Robert F. Kennedy junior, America’s health secretary, and his vocal supporters. One that really upsets them, and some wellness influencers, is seed oils. In their telling, the oils are “toxic” and can wreck your health. Now some American fast-food chains have swapped the oils for other fats, such as beef tallow or avocado oil, a more bougie option. Is the stuff as bad as they make out? - [U.S. trade deficit in goods widened sharply in July as firms raced to avoid tariffs](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-trade-deficit-in-goods-widened-sharply-in-july-as-firms-raced-to-avoid-tariffs-fe2898b6?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Scottish business confidence climbs as more firms plan to hire](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-business-confidence-climbs-more-35808174): Business confidence in Scotland rose three points during August to 59%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. Companies in Scotland reported slightly lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down five points at 65%. However, when taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up nine points to 52%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 59% – compared to 56% in July. The survey was conducted with 1,200 companies, including 92 businesses in Scotland, between 1 and 15 August. A net balance of 70% expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 47 points […] - [Medicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/health/medicare-prior-approval-health-care.html): A pilot program in six states will use a tactic employed by private insurers that has been heavily criticized for delaying and denying medical care.Like millions of older adults, Frances L. Ayres faced a choice when picking health insurance: Pay more for traditional Medicare, or opt for a plan offered by a private insurer and risk drawn-out fights over coverage.Private insurers often require a cumbersome review process that frequently results in the denial or delay of essential treatments that are readily covered by traditional Medicare. This practice, known as prior authorization, has drawn public scrutiny, which intensified after the murder of a UnitedHealthcare executive last December.Ms. Ayres, a 74-year-old retired accounting professor, said she wanted to avoid the hassle that has been associated with such practices under Medicare Advantage, which are private plans financed by the U.S. government. Now, she is concerned she will face those denials anyway.The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plans to begin a pilot program that would involve a similar review process for traditional Medicare, the federal insurance program for people 65 and older as well as for many younger people with disabilities. The pilot would start in six states next year, including Oklahoma, where Ms. Ayres lives.The federal government plans to hire private companies to use artificial intelligence to determine whether patients would be covered for some procedures, like certain spine surgeries or steroid injections. Similar algorithms used by insurers have been the subject of several high-profile lawsuits, which have asserted that the technology allowed the companies to swiftly deny large batches of claims and cut patients off from care in rehabilitation facilities.The A.I. companies selected to oversee the program would have a strong financial incentive to deny claims. Medicare plans to pay them a share of the savings generated from rejections.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [The indecorous fight over a dead president’s body](https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/08/28/the-indecorous-fight-over-a-dead-presidents-body): Who owns the body of a dead Zambian president? It is not a question that is asked very often. But it is vexing the southern African country run by Edgar Lungu from 2015 to 2021. His family has tried to have him buried in South Africa, where he died on June 5th. Zambia, led by his political rival, Hakainde Hichilema, wants him home for a state funeral, a wish endorsed by South Africa’s highest court on August 26th. The episode underscores the political significance of funeral rites in Africa. - [Israel’s prevaricator-in-chief](https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/08/28/israels-prevaricator-in-chief): On august 24th, six months after being selected as the new chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces (idf), Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir broke publicly with his government’s policy. On a visit to a naval base, he said the idf had, in its previous operations in Gaza, “created the conditions for the release of the hostages”. - [Peru’s cartoonish presidential front-runner](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/28/perus-cartoonish-presidential-front-runner): Not many politicians would think it good for their brand to be compared to Porky Pig. But Rafael López Aliaga, the pugnacious conservative mayor of Lima, Peru’s capital, is not like many politicians. He plays up the resemblance, having deployed people in pig costumes to events and adopted a pet pig as his personal mascot. Peruvians simply call him Porky. - [How a power shortage could short-circuit Nvidia’s rise](https://www.economist.com/business/2025/08/28/how-a-power-shortage-could-short-circuit-nvidias-rise): ON AUGUST 27TH Nvidia performed what has become a quarterly ritual beating of expectations. Analysts forecast that the chipmaker would sell $46bn-worth of semiconductors in the three months to July. It made closer to $47bn. Its latest Blackwell graphics-processing units (GPUs), whose unrivalled number-crunching prowess has won over artificial-intelligence modellers, are flying off the shelves. So are its GB-series AI superchips, which combine two Blackwells with a general-purpose processor. Nvidia probably sold over 600,000 Blackwells and nearly as many GBs, nearly 20% more than last quarter, accounting for almost 60% of total revenue. It is on track to sell 2.7m and 2.4m, respectively, this year. - [Service stations are receiving a glow-up](https://www.economist.com/business/2025/08/28/service-stations-are-receiving-a-glow-up): The Tesla Diner, an electric-vehicle (EV) charging hub and roadside restaurant that opened in July in Los Angeles, is not your typical service station. The architecture is sleek and retro-futuristic. The menu offers traditional diner fare with a deluxe twist (including wagyu-beef chilli). Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, serves popcorn at an open-air cinema, which drivers can enjoy while their vehicles charge. - [Jobless claims retreat from 2-month high](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jobless-claims-retreat-from-2-month-high-6a5b6ada?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [How Trump Could Gain Control of the Fed](https://www.nytimes.com/video/business/economy/100000010362356/how-trump-could-gain-control-of-the-fed.html): new video loaded: How Trump Could Gain Control of the Fed By Ben Casselman, Melanie Bencosme, June Kim, Gabriel Blanco and Jon Hazell•August 28, 2025 President Trump’s attempt to fire Lisa Cook has laid bare the erosion of the Federal Reserve’s independence, which could lead to higher inflation and less financial stability, The New York Times’s chief economics correspondent explains. Recent episodes in Behind the Reporting - [The middle-aged are no longer the most miserable](https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/08/27/the-middle-aged-are-no-longer-the-most-miserable): FOR DECADES, surveys have suggested that middle age is the low point of life. While young and old generally reported high levels of life satisfaction, those in mid-life endured a slump. This “U-bend of happiness” or “hump of despair”, depending on perspective, has been documented hundreds of times across many countries. The age of peak misery varied—the Swiss were saddest at 35, Ukrainians in their 60s—but the pattern was consistent. - [A successful test flight puts Musk’s Starship back on track](https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/08/27/a-successful-test-flight-puts-musks-starship-back-on-track): EVER SINCE its was founded in 2002 SpaceX has been a proponent of the “fail fast; learn fast” school of engineering. And the past few months have seen some particularly spectacular failures. Two test flights of its Starship mega-rocket, in January and March, ended in fireworks as their upper stages broke apart over the Caribbean. A third test, in May, lasted a little longer, until a fuel leak doomed the rocket to an uncontrolled re-entry. In June yet another upper stage blew up, this time during a ground test. - [Scottish GDP rises by 0.6% in June but lags UK growth](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-gdp-rises-06-june-35800888): Economic growth in Scotland lagged behind that of the UK again in the second quarter of 2025. Scottish Government data shows that over the period April to June this year, onshore gross domestic product (GDP) in Scotland grew by 0.2% – with this coming after an increase of 0.4% in the first three months of 2025. GDP across the UK increased by 0.3% in the second quarter, after growth of 0.7% over January to March. Looking at Scotland, the data shows that in the second quarter of 2025, the services sector – which makes up the majority of the economy – […] - [Macron Defends Call for Palestinian Statehood in Letter to Netanyahu](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/world/europe/macron-letter-netanyahu-palestine-state-antisemitism.html): President Emmanuel Macron of France also pushed back against accusations by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had not done enough to protect French Jews from antisemitic attacks. President Emmanuel Macron of France said in a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Tuesday that calling for the creation of an independent Palestinian state did not promote antisemitism. To the contrary, he wrote, it is an “essential” path to security for Israel, as well as for Europe. “Our determination to ensure that the Palestinian people have a State is rooted in our belief that a lasting peace is essential […] - [Consumers’ views of the labor market deteriorate in August](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumers-views-of-the-labor-market-deteriorate-in-august-7b8fc9f9?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Are saunas actually good for you?](https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/08/22/are-saunas-actually-good-for-you): Finland is the undisputed sauna capital of the world, with approximately one sauna for every 1.6 people. But voluntary sweating is starting to catch on elsewhere: according to the British Sauna Society, a not-for-profit group promoting sauna culture, the number of public saunas in Britain has more than doubled over the past year. - [BJ’s Wholesale’s stock drops as sales growth disappoints](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bjs-wholesales-stock-drops-as-sales-growth-disappoints-6a638681?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Join Us for WIRED’s “Uncanny Valley” Live](https://www.wired.com/story/uncanny-valley-live-show-san-francisco/): On September 9, WIRED is partnering with KQED for Uncanny Valley‘s first live show of the podcast. Join us in San Francisco to see hosts Katie Drummond, Michael Calore, and Lauren Goode shed light on the people, power, and influence of Silicon Valley. Get your tickets here. Buy Tickets With original reporting and sharp analysis, Uncanny Valley covers today’s biggest stories in tech. We demystify companies like Palantir, trends like vibe coding, and figures like Sam Altman; we break down WIRED’s essential coverage of DOGE and ICE; we guide listeners through breakthrough innovation like generative AI and sweeping policy changes like […] - [Trump Budget Office Is Withholding H.I.V. Funds That Congress Appropriated](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/health/hiv-aids-pepfar-funding-trump.html): Lawmakers allocated $6 billion this fiscal year for PEPFAR, the H.I.V. prevention and treatment program, but the administration has indicated it will release less than half of that. The Trump administration is ignoring a directive from Congress and refusing to fully fund a landmark H.I.V. program that is widely credited with saving millions of lives over the past two decades. The Office of Management and Budget, headed by Russell T. Vought, has apportioned only $2.9 billion of $6 billion appropriated by Congress for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in the 2025 fiscal year spending bill, according to budget documents […] - [A burning threat to pregnant women](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/08/21/a-burning-threat-to-pregnant-women): FROM THE examination table, Sagobai chats as her doctor moves the ultrasound wand across the dome of her belly. Aged 20, she is pregnant for the third time. She feels fine now, she says, but in recent months—during a prolonged heatwave in Pakistan’s Sindh with temperatures reaching 49°C (120°F)—she had often felt dizzy and dehydrated. The heat is more intense than it used to be, and she worries that it might be bad for both her and the baby. - [Why Mexicans love Japan and Korea](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/21/why-mexicans-love-japan-and-korea): Over brightly coloured jelly sodas at Kai Bai Bo, a Korean-themed café in Mexico City, Alejandra Chávez and Adriana Guzmán discuss their shared passion: BTS, South Korea’s global pop phenomenon. “It was an instant click,” says Ms Chávez, a 23-year-old who discovered the band just before the pandemic. “They make me happy.” Ms Guzmán, 24, nods: “They’ve changed my life. When I stop listening to them, I feel negative.” - [Climate change threatens an Andean ski boom](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/21/climate-change-threatens-an-andean-ski-boom): Nick Cherney, a 43-year-old asset manager from the state of Colorado, stands before a bare slope at Las Leñas, a ski resort in Mendoza, Argentina. “Normally that would be great skiing, but now it’s just rock. If you go off that, you’re dead,” he says. Then he begins shuffling farther up the mountain, where slopes are whiter. This year, in the depth of winter in South America’s most famous ski resort, the only way to get space for some decent turns is to walk up. - [Wisconsin Woman Who Flew to UK to Try to Kill a Man Gets 30-Year Sentence](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/world/europe/aimee-betro-assassination-attempt-sentence.html): Aimee Betro, 45, was convicted this month of attempting to shoot a man near Birmingham, England, in 2019. A failed hit woman from Wisconsin convicted of attempting to assassinate a man in Birmingham, England, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for her part in the plot. Aimee Betro, 45, attempted to shoot the man outside his family home while disguised in an Islamic veil, but failed when her gun jammed. She was convicted of conspiracy to murder, possessing a firearm and importing ammunition earlier this month after a three-week trial. Judge Simon Drew said Ms. Betro was “recruited to […] - [Walmart’s stock falls after a rare profit miss, even as sales show strength and margins improve](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/walmarts-stock-falls-after-a-rare-profit-miss-even-as-sales-show-strength-and-margins-improve-4ad82b7b?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Target’s stock drops as long-time CEO Brian Cornell’s planned departure overshadows an earnings beat](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/targets-stock-drops-as-long-time-ceo-brian-cornells-planned-departure-overshadows-an-earnings-beat-e42dc63c?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Inside Trump’s Effort on Russia and Ukraine](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000010349018/inside-trumps-effort-on-russia-and-ukraine.html): new video loaded: Inside Trump’s Effort on Russia and Ukraine By Maggie Haberman, Christina Shaman and John Pappas•August 20, 2025 President Trump has repeatedly bent other leaders to his will, simply by refusing to budge. But there is one person who refuses to budge even more than President Trump, and that is Vladimir Putin of Russia. Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, takes us inside how Trump has been engaging with Russia and Ukraine. Recent episodes in Behind the Reporting - [UK inflation rises by more than expected, as summer travel bumps up air fares](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/uk-inflation-rises-more-expected-35760558): UK inflation rose by more than expected in July as demand for summer travel pushed up air fares and food prices continued to climb. Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation increased to 3.8% in July, from 3.6% in June, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Most economists had been forecasting inflation to rise to 3.7%. It means the headline rate remained at the highest level since January 2024, when it hit 4%. The ONS said the school summer holidays helped bump up travel costs last month, which helped drive up inflation across the UK. Grant Fitzner, the ONS’ chief economist, said: […] - [Once a Source of Life and Renewal, Monsoon Brings Death to Pakistan](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/world/asia/pakistan-monsoon-devastation.html): Walking to his local mosque in northern Pakistan, Abdul Samad cast worried looks at a stream he had never seen so agitated and choked with debris. When he stepped outside again 10 minutes later, the mountain village that was his lifelong home had been nearly erased. Swollen by pummeling rainfall, the stream had turned into a roaring torrent that swept mud, rocks and fallen trees through the village of Beshonai on Friday, crushing, burying or washing away everything in its path. Out of 210 homes, only 25 remain standing, according to local officials. “Houses, fields of maize, everything was gone. All […] - [Was globalisation ever a meritocracy?](https://www.economist.com/international/2025/08/19/was-globalisation-ever-a-meritocracy): WHEN a schoolyard is taken over by bullies, what are model pupils to do? Something like that quandary is now playing out in the global economy. Since returning to power in January, President Donald Trump has treated trade partners with the swaggering cruelty of a sixth-form tyrant. This marks a change from his first presidency when American officials acted as harsh disciplinarians. Back then, Trump aides called countries cheats for running trade surpluses with America. They demanded structural reforms from countries like China, accused of stealing American jobs and technologies by abusing world trade rules. - [How Zelensky Made Progress With Trump](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000010348280/how-zelensky-made-progress-with-trump.html): new video loaded: How Zelensky Made Progress With Trump By Michael Schwirtz, Claire Hogan and Nikolay Nikolov•August 19, 2025 President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine had a remarkably different White House visit on Monday than the ambush he walked into six months ago. Michael Schwirtz, the global intelligence correspondent for The New York Times, explains how President Zelensky courted President Trump and managed to put the ball back in Vladimir V. Putin’s court. Recent episodes in International International video coverage from The New York Times. International video coverage from The New York Times. - [Home Depot’s stock falls after another profit miss, but home-improvement projects increase](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/home-depots-stock-falls-after-another-profit-miss-but-home-improvement-projects-increase-ac3742c1?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [A $45 Treatment Can Save a Starving Child. US Aid Cuts Have Frozen the Supply](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/15/health/hunger-malnutrition-usaid-cuts.html): The women walked miles through the dusty streets of Maiduguri, in the northeastern corner of Nigeria, carrying their emaciated children. At 7 a.m., they began lining up to wait, for hours, to be handed a small, red packet containing a special paste that could bring their children back from the brink of starvation. The children were eerily listless; they did not run, shout or even swat the flies off their faces. Their tiny, frail frames made many appear years younger than they were. Near the head of the line, Kaltum Mohammad clutched her two-year-old daughter, Fatima, who weighed just 16 pounds. […] - [Tech investment and market expansion fuel Scottish business confidence](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/tech-investment-market-expansion-fuel-35748275): 94% of private business owners in Scotland are confident of delivering growth in 2025, according to KPMG’s mid-year Private Enterprise Barometer. The survey of 1,500 privately-owned businesses – including 128 in Scotland – is conducted annually, but the professional services firm checked in on respondents to see how developments during the first six months of 2025 had influenced their outlook. Earlier this year, 90% private businesses in Scotland expressed confidence in their growth prospects. Technology continued to dominate as a leading investment priority for Scottish businesses, with almost two thirds (64%) identifying areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security and […] - [Life after death for Canada’s crushed Conservatives](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/17/life-after-death-for-canadas-crushed-conservatives): Voters of a conservative bent in the riding, or constituency, of Battle River—Crowfoot in rural Alberta should give a bit of thought to the spelling of Pierre Poilievre’s name. They will need to write it in on a by-election ballot on August 18th. - [Bolivia’s crazy kingdom of coca](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/14/bolivias-crazy-kingdom-of-coca): After a few drinks, Feliciano Mamani hoicks up his trouser leg to show where the police shot him 30 years ago, when he was a young coca farmer resisting the government’s eradication programme, leaving a purplish crater in his leg. Yet when he recounts the two times he came even closer to death, this wound barely makes the cut. - [Liberal Uruguay and the right to die](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/14/liberal-uruguay-and-the-right-to-die): Pablo Cánepa was a normal, healthy 35-year-old Uruguayan. Handsome and extroverted, he was a talented graphic designer who loved to host barbecues with his girlfriend and was fanatical about Nacional, a local football team. Taking a shower in March 2022, he suddenly felt dizzy. He thought little of it. - [A martyr in the making?](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/14/a-martyr-in-the-making): History can repeat itself in terrible ways. In January 1991 Diana Turbay, a Colombian journalist and daughter of a former president, was killed on the orders of Pablo Escobar, a drug lord. She had been reporting on the assassinations of presidential candidates at the height of Colombia’s violent struggles. Her son, four years old at the time, grew up without a mother. - [What It Takes to Find Food in Gaza](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010322362/what-it-takes-to-find-food-in-gaza.html): new video loaded: - [Jobless total in Scotland falls, with unemployment rate lower than across UK](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/jobless-total-scotland-falls-unemployment-35714615): Scotland’s jobless rate remained lower than the UK’s, with new figures showing the number of adults out of work is down by 15,000 from three months before. The latest figures, for April to June, showed there were 2,674,000 Scots aged 16 and over who were in employment, while 105,000 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for the three months stood at 3.8%, lower than the 4.7% recorded across the UK as a whole. However, the employment rate for Scotland for April to June was 75.1%, with this slightly below the UK rate of 75.3%, according to the data from the Office for […] - [Scottish labour market 'resilient' amid slow start to third quarter](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-labour-market-resilient-amid-35714272): Scotland’s labour market continued to show some resilience, as the second half of the year got underway, with job creation in the service sector partially offsetting lower manufacturing payroll numbers. Following two months of growth, business activity across the Scottish private sector slipped slightly in July. The headline Royal Bank of Scotland Growth Tracker fell to 48.7 in July from 50.9 in June, signalling a renewed fall in private sector activity following two consecutive months of growth. However, underlying data showed that the recent decline in manufacturing output had slowed, while services activity ticked down slightly, after growing solidly in both […] - [GM restarts driverless car program more than a year after Cruise robotaxi incident](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/gm-restarts-driverless-car-program-more-than-year-after-cruise-robotaxi-incident): Evercore ISI head of internet research Mark Mahaney discusses the AI and tech sectors on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ General Motors will restart work on its driverless-vehicle program, a year after shelving production of the Cruise Origin robotaxi when one struck and dragged a woman about 20 feet. GM confirmed the news in a statement to FOX Business on Monday. “We’re accelerating the development of autonomous driving technology capable of operating without active human oversight, which includes building a team of autonomy experts,” the company said. “Our LiDAR-equipped fleet is logging nationwide miles across the country, with trained safety drivers, capturing real-world […] - [OpenAI Scrambles to Update GPT-5 After Users Revolt](https://www.wired.com/story/openai-gpt-5-backlash-sam-altman/): OpenAI’s GPT-5 model was meant to be a world-changing upgrade to its wildly popular and precocious chatbot. But for some users, last Thursday’s release felt more like a wrenching downgrade, with the new ChatGPT presenting a diluted personality and making surprisingly dumb mistakes. On Friday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took to X to say the company would keep the previous model, GPT-4o, running for Plus users. A new feature designed to seamlessly switch between models depending on the complexity of the query had broken on Thursday, Altman said, “and the result was GPT-5 seemed way dumber.” He promised to implement fixes […] - [Ford's Answer to China: A Completely New Way of Making Cars](https://www.wired.com/story/fords-answer-to-china-a-completely-new-way-of-making-cars/): I first thought Ford CEO Jim Farley was briefing me on a new car. It turned out to be something altogether more ambitious: A completely new way to make a car. Or, more precisely, EVs. “No one’s ever built a car in three pieces then fit them together at the end,” Farley says. “We build the front, rear, and middle. We build the whole middle, front, and the rear—and then, at the end, we put it together. No one’s ever built a car that way.” That approach stands in stark contrast to the usual way cars are made: pieced together bit […] - [Donald Trump’s tariffs on Brazil are more bark than bite ](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/08/donald-trumps-tariffs-on-brazil-are-more-bark-than-bite): When Donald Trump first announced his tariff barrage on April 2nd, it was pitched as payback against countries that had “looted” and “pillaged” the United States through trade. But when the latest round of levies came into force on August 7th, Brazil, a country which imports more from the United States than it exports to it, was hit with a rate of 50%, one of the steepest in the world. - [Wendy’s cuts profit outlook but stock rises](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/wendys-cuts-profit-outlook-but-stock-rises-54dca5a2?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [OpenAI Finally Launched GPT-5. Here's Everything You Need to Know](https://www.wired.com/story/openais-gpt-5-is-here/): OpenAI has begun rolling out GPT-5, the latest iteration of its flagship language model, to all ChatGPT users. The company’s CEO Sam Altman called GPT-5 “a significant step along the path to AGI” during a press briefing on Wednesday. While he stopped short of claiming the model reaches artificial general intelligence, Altman noted the latest release is “clearly a model that is generally intelligent.” He added that GPT-5 still lacks key traits that would make it reach AGI, a notably loose term that is defined in OpenAI’s charter as “a highly autonomous system that outperforms humans at most economically valuable work.” […] - [Trump Is Undermining Trust in Official Economic Statistics. China Shows Where That Path Can Lead](https://www.wired.com/story/trump-labor-statistics-china-comparison-gdp-unemployment/): Welcome back! Louise here. On Friday, President Trump fired one of the nation’s top economists after her agency published a disappointing jobs report. Trump claimed the numbers were “RIGGED,” but there’s no evidence that Erika McEntarfer or the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) did anything improper. The new employment data, however, suggested Trump’s policies are having a negative impact on the US economy. In the days since, Republicans have piled on, baselessly accusing McEntarfer of putting out “fake reports.” Trump hasn’t named a new BLS commissioner yet, but the saga has already left some Americans questioning whether government statistics can be […] - [White House says Apple to announce $100B US investment commitment for manufacturing](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/white-house-says-apple-announce-100b-us-investment-commitment-manufacturing): CFRA Senior Vice President Angelo Zino shares his optimistic outlook on the A.I. investment market and more on Making Money. Tech giant Apple is poised to announce a new investment of $100 billion in U.S. facilities as early as today, the White House said on Wednesday. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said on FOX Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” that companies are “moving here in droves, which is why we’ve got trillions and trillions of dollars of commitments for people to build new factories here. In fact, you’re likely to see one today from Apple.” The White House said that the […] - [El Excel y la máquina de vapor](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/opinion/el-excel-y-la-maquina-de-vapor-por-paul-thorndike-opinion-eshoy-noticia/): Durante años, muchos empezamos haciendo el Excel: la tarea tediosa donde, sin saberlo, aprendíamos el oficio. Hoy la inteligencia artificial empieza a hacerlo. No es la primera vez que una máquina vuelve prescindible una habilidad: antes fue por los brazos; ahora, por la cabeza. La revolución industrial no fue solo una historia de máquinas de vapor, fábricas y chimeneas. Fue también la historia de millones de personas obligadas a encontrar otro lugar cuando una nueva forma de producir cambió las reglas del trabajo. Antes de que las fábricas llenaran las ciudades de humo, el campo ya producía más con menos gente. […] - [Precios de productos agropecuarios se elevarían en el corto plazo por los efectos del conflicto en Medio Oriente, según OCDE y FAO](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/precios-de-productos-agropecuarios-se-elevarian-en-el-corto-plazo-por-el-conflicto-en-el-medio-oriente-segun-ocde-y-fao-noticia/): “Esperamos llegar por lo menos a US$15 millones en las ruedas de negocio” Más de 2 mil proyectos para emergencias están paralizados o abandonados La situación en el Medio Oriente generaría una presión al alza en los precios de distintos ‘commodities’ agrícolas, de acuerdo con el informe de perspectivas agrícolas 2026-2035 elaborado por la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico (OCDE) y la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO, en sus siglas en inglés). Estos impactos tendrían una mayor relevancia en el 2027, sostuvo Marion Jansen, directora de Comercio y Agricultura de la […] - [Wall Street abre mixto con participación de Donald Trump en apertura simbólica](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/wall-street-abre-mixto-con-participacion-de-donald-trump-en-apertura-simbolica-l-mercados-l-wall-street-l-ultimas-noticia/): Erling Haaland, el imperio del vikingo: el goleador noruego que invierte en ligas para el cabello, ajedrez y más Congreso Mundial de Minería 2026: Cifras y lecciones del evento minero que se desarrolló en Lima Wall Street abrió en terreno mixto este lunes y su principal indicador, el Dow Jones de Industriales, bajaba 0,06% en una jornada en la que el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, participó desde la Casa Blanca en la apertura simbólica de la sesión bursátil. PUEDES VER: La próxima frontera del Estado: inteligencia artificial para un mejor gobierno A la apertura del parqué neoyorquino, el Dow […] - ['For the first time from Oval': Donald Trump rings NYSE and Nasdaq opening bell to launch Trump Accounts](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/for-the-first-time-from-oval-donald-trump-rings-waal-street-nyse-and-nasdaq-opening-bell-to-launch-trump-accounts/articleshow/132219040.cms): President Trump launched a new investment program for children, “Trump Accounts,” from the Oval Office, coinciding with the Republican’s 2025 tax law. This initiative aims to boost equity market participation, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighting that many American families lack stock exposure. Trump expressed optimism about the market’s future, despite ongoing concerns about inflation impacting his economic approval ratings. - [Sunat: recaudación tributaria creció 28,6% en junio, su tasa más alta desde hace 50 meses](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/sunat-recaudacion-tributaria-crecio-286-en-junio-su-tasa-mas-alta-desde-hace-50-meses-l-ultimas-noticia/): ¿Tienes RUC? SUNAT exige registrar tu celular y correo: conoce la fecha límite Petro-Perú infló sus cifras del 2025: No fueron US$468 millones, sino US$601 millones los que perdió En junio del 2026, la recaudación tributaria (descontando las devoluciones de impuestos) creció 28,6% respecto al mismo mes del año anterior, registrando la tasa mensual más alta desde abril del 2022, informó Sunat. Los ingresos tributarios del Gobierno Central (descontadas las devoluciones), sumaron S/16.456 millones, acumulando 25 meses consecutivos de expansión. Asimismo, el monto acumulado entre enero y junio fue de S/104.435 millones, lo que representa S/15.086 millones más respecto del importe […] - [Keiko Fujimori se reunirá con Julio Velarde, presidente del BCR, confirma Miguel Torres](https://elcomercio.pe/politica/keiko-fujimori-visitara-este-lunes-a-julio-velarde-confirma-miguel-angel-torres-ultimas-noticia/): Keiko Fujimori: Sus principales anuncios tras ser proclamada como presidenta electa Subcomisión de Acusaciones Constitucionales del Congreso archiva segunda denuncia contra el canciller Carlos Pareja El electo segundo vicepresidente de la República, Miguel Ángel Torres, confirmó en el programa dominical Sin Rodeos con Milagros Leiva, que la mandataria electa, Keiko Fujimori, sostendrá una reunión con el presidente del Banco Central de Reserva (BCR), Julio Velarde, como parte de los primeros encuentros que mantiene tras su proclamación. “Mañana (lunes) lo vamos a visitar a Julio Velarde”, confirmó Torres este domingo. Asimismo se mostró a favor de la posible permanencia de Velarde al […] - [Mercado peruano de aseo doméstico alcanza S/3.408 millones en el 2025](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/mercado-peruano-de-aseo-domestico-alcanza-s3408-millones-en-el-2025-l-ultimas-noticia/): Petro-Perú infló sus cifras del 2025: No fueron US$468 millones, sino US$601 millones los que perdió Erling Haaland, el imperio del vikingo: el goleador noruego que invierte en ligas para el cabello, ajedrez y más El Gremio de Belleza y Bienestar (Copecoh) de la Cámara de Comercio de Lima (CCL) presentó su primer Estudio de Inteligencia Comercial sobre el mercado peruano de Aseo Doméstico, el cual reveló que este rubro registró en 2025 un crecimiento de 1% respecto al año pasado, alcanzado una facturación de S/3.408 millones, equivalente a US$1011 millones. De esta manera, el sector se consolida como un segmento […] - [Saudi Arabia slashes August crude prices for Asia by $11 a barrel in biggest cut in over 20 years](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/saudi-arabia-slashes-august-crude-prices-for-asia-by-11-a-barrel-in-biggest-cut-in-over-20-years/articleshow/132217320.cms): Saudi Arabia has slashed its crude oil prices for Asian customers by a significant $11 per barrel for August, the largest reduction in over two decades. This move reflects weakening demand in Asia and easing geopolitical tensions, which have stabilized global oil markets. With supply conditions improving and Middle Eastern shipping routes normalizing, Saudi Aramco is adjusting its strategy to maintain market share amidst increased competition. - [Crude oil relief: OMCs may break even on petrol, diesel rates soon; what it means for retail prices](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/crude-oil-relief-omcs-may-break-even-on-petrol-diesel-rates-soon-what-it-means-for-retail-prices/articleshow/132215124.cms): Public sector refiners have collectively absorbed losses of over Rs 75,000 crore during the first quarter of the current financial year. Since they continue to process higher-cost crude purchased earlier, profitability is expected to remain under pressure during the ongoing quarter. - [Taiwan's Unimicron targets $1.4 billion in global share sale at discounted price amid AI-driven chip demand](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/taiwans-unimicron-targets-1-4-billion-in-global-share-sale-at-discounted-price-amid-ai-driven-chip-demand/articleshow/132216608.cms): Taiwan’s Unimicron Technology is aiming to raise approximately $1.4 billion through a global share offering, joining a trend of Asian semiconductor firms seeking international capital. The printed circuit board and chip substrate maker is offering 50 million global depositary shares, with proceeds earmarked for foreign currency raw material purchases. This move underscores the booming demand in the AI-driven semiconductor sector, with Unimicron’s shares already seeing a significant surge this year. - [Want Workers to Reskill? Show Them Who They Can Become.](http://hbr.org/2026/07/want-workers-to-reskill-show-them-who-they-can-become): New research underscores the importance of designing training with identity and employment outcomes in mind. - [Fenómeno de El Niño: estos son los sectores clave más expuestos y cuál es el impacto económico que se estima, ¿hay avances en prevención?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/fenomeno-el-nino-los-sectores-mas-expuestos-al-impacto-economico-noticia/): Petro-Perú infló sus cifras del 2025: No fueron US$468 millones, sino US$601 millones los que perdió Cabo Verde, la sorpresa del Mundial 2026: Los datos económicos del país de Vozinha que este viernes enfrenta a Argentina El Niño Costero volvió a presentarse en el Perú en un contexto de transición política y fortaleza económica. Sin embargo, sus efectos ya amenazan a sectores clave para las economías del norte del país, la zona más expuesta a este tipo de eventos climáticos. De acuerdo con el último Reporte de Inflación del Banco Central de Reserva (BCR), existe un 63% de probabilidad de que […] - [Performance Management Needs New Metrics in the AI Era](http://hbr.org/2026/07/performance-management-needs-new-metrics-in-the-ai-era): How organizations can evaluate the contributions of employees, AI systems, and their combined output. - [El Gabinete que viene y el primer examen](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/el-gabinete-que-viene-y-el-primer-examen-por-maria-rosa-villalobos-opinion-noticia/): Crece la expectativa alrededor de las personas que integrarán el primer Gabinete ministerial del nuevo gobierno. Rumores esta semana apuntaban a que el socio de Macroconsult, Elmer Cuba, lideraría el Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas. “Son rumores”, dijo el economista al ser consultado por El Comercio sobre el asunto. Aunque todavía no se tiene certeza de quienes acompañarán a la señora Fujimori en esta primera etapa, se puede presumir que se tratará de un mix entre los que la acompañaron en campaña y las personas que hoy recibe en el local de Fuerza Popular; entre ellos, dirigentes del partido aprista. En […] - [Cocina y publicidad peruana de talla mundial](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/opinion/cocina-y-publicidad-peruana-de-talla-mundial-por-jose-luis-rivera-y-pierola-circus-grey-noticia/): Siempre soñé con que la publicidad peruana sea reconocida mundialmente tanto como nuestra gastronomía y que nos sintamos tan orgullosos de los publicistas y ‘marketeros’ peruanos como de nuestros chefs. Y algo así se ha empezado a cocinar. La semana pasada acabó el Festival de Cannes (el mundial de la publicidad), donde una delegación de publicistas peruanos tuvo la ‘performance’ más sobresaliente de su historia. Y es que Perú viene recogiendo leones de manera consistente en los últimos años. Pero el 2026, sin duda, quedará grabado en la historia colocándose en el puesto número 11 del ranking mundial y con una […] - [Del entusiasmo a la ejecución: el Perú y la IA, jugando en pared](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/del-entusiasmo-a-la-ejecucion-el-peru-y-la-ia-jugando-en-pared-por-mario-rodriguez-opinion-microsoft-peru-noticia/): Mientras el mundo mira el Mundial, no puedo evitar pensar en una jugada en particular: la pared. Esa en la que un jugador le pasa la pelota a un compañero y sigue corriendo, confiando en que se la devolverá al espacio. Es pura confianza, pura sincronía, puro entendimiento. Y creo que eso es exactamente lo que el Perú necesita construir con la IA: una pared bien jugada. Hace un año, cuando hablaba de IA en una reunión, la mitad de la sala asentía por compromiso. Hoy, esa misma sala me interrumpe con preguntas concretas: “¿Cómo lo aplico en mi planilla?”, “¿por […] - ['Fresh Paneer' to '100% organic': FSSAI issues notices to multiple brands over misleading food claims](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/fresh-paneer-to-100-organic-fssai-issues-notices-to-multiple-brands-over-misleading-food-claims/articleshow/132215682.cms): India’s food regulator, FSSAI, has issued notices to several brands, including ‘Heritage Fresh Paneer’, for misleading claims on their packaging. The authority is cracking down on labels that could deceive consumers, such as ‘fresh’ paneer or ‘vegan’ spreads. This move aims to ensure food products adhere to strict labelling regulations and prevent any implication of unverified approval. - [El Niño no respeta calendarios electorales](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/el-nino-no-respeta-calendarios-electorales-por-elsa-galarza-opinion-universidad-del-pacifico-fenomeno-de-el-nino-fen-noticia/): El Enfen mantiene alerta activa y los modelos climáticos internacionales asignan más del 80% de probabilidad a que el fenómeno de El Niño se consolide plenamente entre junio y julio, con intensificación proyectada hasta el verano del 2027. El Senamhi prevé temperaturas por encima de lo normal en el litoral entre junio y octubre, con precipitaciones anómalas en la costa norte y posibles déficits hídricos en la sierra sur. Lo que viene es una certeza probabilística que impone acción inmediata. Los impactos serán territorialmente diferenciados y sectorialmente profundos. Tumbes, Piura y Lambayeque enfrentan alto riesgo de huaycos e inundaciones que afectarán […] - [La FIFA versus las marcas](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/la-fifa-versus-las-marcas-por-ximena-vega-amat-y-leon-claridad-opinion-mundial-noticia/): Para una marca creativa no hay nada mejor que la FIFA te diga: “oye, me estorbas”. Sobre todo cuando el Mundial se juega en la meca del capitalismo: Estados Unidos. La batalla de las marcas empezó en Santa Clara, California, cuando la FIFA le pidió a Levi’s tapar el logo de su propio estadio: Levis Stadium. ¿Cómo se ingenian las marcas que no son auspiciadoras del Mundial para seguir participando de la fiesta del fútbol? La creatividad siempre ha sido la respuesta a este tipo de situaciones. Cuando las marcas están a punto de ser parte de mega eventos de esta […] - [Growth, not gloom: Morgan Stanley keeps bullish stance on Indian equities](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/growth-not-gloom-morgan-stanley-keeps-bullish-stance-on-indian-equities/articleshow/132214801.cms): India’s market dip is likely temporary, with Morgan Stanley predicting a rebound driven by accelerating economic growth. Concerns about long-term prospects, including demographics and AI’s impact on services, are seen as overstated. Strong structural advantages and potential positive earnings surprises position Indian equities for recovery as the global AI spending boom potentially moderates. - [Crude comeback: IOCL, HPCL buy 7 million barrels of energy supplies](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/crude-comeback-iocl-hpcl-buy-7-million-barrels-of-crude/articleshow/132213689.cms): Indian refiners Indian Oil Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp have secured millions of crude barrels from Angola, Nigeria, and Brazil to bolster national reserves. This strategic procurement follows a significant drawdown in stockpiles due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Inventories have since rebounded, nearing a year-high, signaling a stabilization of India’s energy security amidst global market fluctuations and OPEC+ output adjustments. - [Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal begins India operations with daily Hyderabad-Riyadh flights](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/saudi-low-cost-carrier-flyadeal-begins-india-operations-with-daily-hyderabad-riyadh-flights/articleshow/132213082.cms): Saudi Arabia’s budget airline, flyadeal, has officially landed in India, commencing its maiden service between Hyderabad and Riyadh. This new daily flight, operated by an Airbus A320, significantly enhances Hyderabad Airport’s global reach, particularly to the Middle East. The move is anticipated to stimulate travel for business, expatriate, and tourist segments between the two nations, marking a key expansion for the airline into a rapidly growing aviation sector. - [ITR filing FY 2025-26: Top 10 mistakes taxpayers should avoid for income tax returns online filing - check list](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/itr-filing-fy-2025-26-top-10-mistakes-taxpayers-should-avoid-for-income-tax-returns-online-filing-check-list/articleshow/132211638.cms): ITR filing FY 2025-26: Before filing, compare your income and TDS details with documents such as Annual Information Statement (AIS), Form 26AS, and Form 16/16A. Any mismatches in data can not only lead to income tax notices, but also delayed refunds. Here are 10 mistakes that salaried taxpayers should avoid when filing their income tax returns: - [Nuclear power push: India eyes uranium supply pact with Australia during PM Modi’s visit](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/nuclear-power-push-india-eyes-uranium-supply-pact-with-australia-during-pm-modis-visit/articleshow/132211015.cms): Australia, which has nearly one-third of the world’s known uranium reserves, signed a framework agreement with India over a decade ago. The two countries are also likely to finalise or advance agreements in several strategic areas, including critical minerals, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, clean energy. - [[JPXI]Deletion from the JPX-Nikkei Mid Small](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/6030/20260706-01.html) - [[TSE]Effective Date of Changes to the Publication of Outstanding Margin Trading, and Upcoming Publication Schedule](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1032/20260706-01.html) - [Gold price prediction today: Will gold prices see limited upside? Key levels to watch out for July 6, 2026 week](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/gold-price-prediction-today-what-is-the-gold-rate-outlook-for-july-06-2026-week-should-you-buy-or-sell-mcx-gold-us-iran-war-middle-east/articleshow/132209732.cms): Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are likely to see a limited upside because of high inflation in the US, says Manav Modi, Senior Analyst, Commodity Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 2 issues](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260706-01.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: Solasto Corporation](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260706-11.html) - [Apple not so 'fruitful' for Himachal? Climate pressures hill state's Rs 5,000 crore economy](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/apple-not-so-fruitful-for-himachal-climate-pressures-hill-states-rs-5000-crore-economy/articleshow/132209439.cms): Himachal Pradesh’s Rs 5,000 crore apple economy faces a severe climate crisis, with production projected to plummet by nearly 40% this year. Unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and erratic weather have significantly impacted output, affecting an estimated 2.5 lakh farming families. Growers are grappling with rising costs and a desperate need for improved irrigation and crop insurance. - [Rupee slips 10 paise as stronger dollar and geopolitical jitters outweigh positive cues](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rupee-slips-10-paise-as-stronger-dollar-and-geopolitical-jitters-outweigh-positive-cues/articleshow/132207693.cms): The Indian rupee weakened against the US dollar, opening the week down 10 paise at 95.28 due to a stronger dollar globally and geopolitical uncertainties. Despite favorable global cues like falling oil prices, the rupee failed to gain, indicating underlying market fragility. Meanwhile, Indian stock markets opened on a strong note, with major indices climbing over 0.4%. - [Precio del dólar en Perú hoy, lunes 6 de julio: cuál es el tipo de cambio del día](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/precio-del-dolar-hoy-en-peru-a-cuanto-esta-el-dolar-y-tipo-de-cambio-este-lunes-6-de-julio-tasa-cotizacion-compra-y-venta-segun-bcrp-dolares-a-soles-sbs-ocona-lbposting-noticia/): Consulta el tipo de cambio del día :icon:23:25 ¿A cuánto cerró el dólar la jornada semanal el viernes 3 de julio? El precio del dólar en el país cerró la semana el viernes 3 de julio en 3,4020, (con una apertura de 3,3950, según lo dio a conocer el Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BCRP). :icon:23:24 El tipo de cambio interbancario cerró el 3 de julio con un valor promedio de 3,3974, con un máximo de 3,4030 y un mínimo de 3,3930. :icon:23:23 ¿Qué es el dólar Ocoña? El dólar Ocoña es el “dólar de la calle”, es decir, el […] - [Bank holiday today: Where are banks shut on July 6? Check state-wise list](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/bank-holiday-today-where-are-banks-shut-on-july-6-check-state-wise-list/articleshow/132206213.cms): Plan your bank visits carefully as several branches will be closed on specific dates this July due to regional holidays. West Bengal and Mizoram observe closures today, July 6. Further state-specific holidays are scheduled across Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Sikkim, and Tripura. Remember, Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays also mean branch closures. Digital banking services remain unaffected. - [Precious metals rate today: Gold holds near 2-week high; silver extends gains](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/gold-silver-rate-today-live-updates-18k-22-carat-24k-gold-price-10g-silver-cost-per-kg-mcx-comex-etf-stock-precious-metal-gold-prediction-city-wise-cost-latest-gold-news/liveblog/132205915.cms) - [Oil price today: Crude slips after OPEC+ announces raising output targets from August](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/oil-price-today-on-july-06-2026-crude-slips-after-opec-raises-output-targets-from-august/articleshow/132205540.cms) - [A dad revealed how his family of 5 eats at Chick-fil-A for under $45](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/dad-revealed-how-his-family-5-eats-chick-fil-a-under-45): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. A father says his family of five is able to eat at Chick-fil-A for under $45 using a DIY sandwich “hack,” though menu prices vary by location amid concerns across the country about affordability due to rising costs. Jeff Johnson, a worship pastor at an Atlanta church and a podcast host, told his social media followers that it is cheaper to purchase nuggets and buns than to purchase chicken sandwiches for himself, his wife and his three children. “I have a hack for every dad who’s always saying, ‘Why are we spending so much […] - [Orsi praises Fujimori's 'exemplary perseverance' in a cross-ideological call](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/05/orsi-praises-fujimori-s-exemplary-perseverance-in-a-cross-ideological-call?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Uruguay’s left-wing President Yamandú Orsi congratulated Peru’s right-wing president-elect, Keiko Fujimori, by phone on her runoff victory, in a contact that bridged the ideological divide in a region where most governments have shifted to the right. The conversation, released by the Office of Peru’s President-Elect, came amid the government transition in the Andean country, with the handover set for July 28. - [Por estados financieros engañosos: Trabajadores de Petro-Perú solicitan medidas correctivas inmediatas para responsables](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/petro-peru-por-estados-financieros-enganosos-trabajadores-de-petro-peru-solicitan-medidas-correctivas-inmediatas-para-responsables-noticia/): El Sindicato de Trabajadores Administrativos de Petro-Perú (STAPP) expresó preocupación por la información difundida por este Diario el pasado miércoles, la cual pone en evidencia que la estatal habría arreglado las cifras de sus estados financieros del 2025 para minimizar sus pérdidas. Y es que una auditoría desarrollada por PwC reveló que Petro-Perú no perdió US$468 millones en el 2025, como informó inicialmente, sino US$601 millones. Es más, la firma auditora dijo haber hallado una incorrección material grave, debida a “fraude o error”, la cual podría influir en las decisiones económicas de la empresa, y atribuyó la responsabilidad a la gerencia. […] - [SBS publica reglamento del modelo ‘Banking as a Service’](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/sbs-publica-reglamento-del-modelo-banking-as-a-service-noticia/): Petro-Perú infló sus cifras del 2025: No fueron US$468 millones, sino US$601 millones los que perdió Erling Haaland, el imperio del vikingo: el goleador noruego que invierte en ligas para el cabello, ajedrez y más La Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP (SBS) publicó el Reglamento para la prestación de servicios bajo el modelo ‘Banking as a Service’ (Baas), en el marco de la implementación de la hoja de ruta del sistema de finanzas abiertas. El documento. publicado el viernes en El Peruano, establece las condiciones generales, políticas y procedimientos para el funcionamiento de dicho modelo de negocio. Además, fomenta la […] - [La ANIN solo ha ejecutado el 36% del presupuesto de sus proyectos más antiguos](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/la-anin-solo-ha-ejecutado-el-36-del-presupuesto-de-sus-proyectos-mas-antiguos-noticia/): Petro-Perú infló sus cifras del 2025: No fueron US$468 millones, sino US$601 millones los que perdió Erling Haaland, el imperio del vikingo: el goleador noruego que invierte en ligas para el cabello, ajedrez y más La vulnerabilidad frente a los fenómenos naturales vuelve al centro de atención por la alerta de un posible FEN costero de intensidad fuerte y el temor de que un terremoto como el ocurrido en Venezuela suceda en el Perú. De ocurrir, se pondrá a prueba nuevamente la limitada capacidad del Estado, que suele reaccionar más que prevenir sus posibles impactos. Todo ello en un contexto de […] - [Viejos y cansados](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/opinion/viejos-y-cansados-por-diego-macera-opinion-noticia/): Kentaro Yokobori nació en medio de una celebración que duró una semana. La fiesta se debía a su propia llegada: él era el primer bebe en nacer en el distrito de Sogio, dentro de la aldea de Kawakami, en Nara, Japón, en 25 años. Los adultos mayores del pueblo estaban maravillados. Pero su nacimiento difícilmente cambiaría la tendencia demográfica de su comunidad. La población de Kawakami había pasado de cerca de 6.000 personas en los años ochenta a poco más de 1.000 actualmente. La caída en la natalidad -ya se sabe- afecta no solo al Japón rural. Corea del Sur, su vecino, […] - [Precio del dólar en Perú, domingo 5 de julio: cuál es el tipo de cambio del día](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/precio-del-dolar-hoy-en-peru-2026-a-cuanto-esta-el-tipo-de-cambio-este-domingo-5-de-julio-sunat-tasa-cotizacion-compra-y-venta-segun-bcrp-dolares-a-soles-sbs-ocona-lbposting-noticia/): Consulta el tipo de cambio del día :icon:19:57 ¿A cuánto cerró el dólar la jornada del viernes 3 de julio? El precio del dólar en el país cerró el viernes 3 de julio en 3,4020, (con una apertura de 3,3950, según lo dio a conocer el Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BCRP). :icon:19:56 El tipo de cambio interbancario cerró con un valor promedio de 3,3974, con un máximo de 3,4030 y un mínimo de 3,3930. :icon:19:56 ¿Qué es el dólar Ocoña? El dólar Ocoña es el “dólar de la calle”, es decir, el tipo de cambio informal, el que se […] - [Erling Haaland, el imperio del vikingo: el goleador noruego que invierte en ligas para el cabello, ajedrez y más](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/el-lado-empresarial-de-erling-haaland-el-goleador-noruego-que-invierte-en-ligas-para-el-cabello-y-en-ajedrez-noticia/): Petro-Perú infló sus cifras del 2025: No fueron US$468 millones, sino US$601 millones los que perdió Indecopi advierte multas de hasta S/ 2.4 millones para promotores de conciertos que incumplan condiciones ofrecidas El remo vikingo se impone con Noruega en este Mundial y también las inversiones fuera de las canchas de su principal estrella. El futbolista Erling Haaland ya suma 5 goles en su primera Copa del Mundo y el domingo enfrentará a la sección brasileña de Vinicius Jr. y Neymar. El atacante del Manchester City, que mide casi 2 metros, es la figura de la selección noruega, que vuelve a […] - [La próxima frontera del Estado: inteligencia artificial para un mejor gobierno](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/opinion/la-proxima-frontera-del-estado-inteligencia-artificial-para-un-mejor-gobierno-por-rossana-polastri-opinion-la-mirada-noticia/): Cada generación enfrenta una nueva frontera en la modernización del Estado. Primero fue informatizar la administración pública. Después, digitalizar trámites y acercar los servicios al ciudadano. Hoy la nueva frontera es la Inteligencia Artificial (IA). Pero no porque represente simplemente una nueva tecnología. La IAcambia algo mucho más profundo: la capacidad del Estado para comprender problemas cada vez más complejos, analizar enormes volúmenes de información y apoyar mejores decisiones públicas. Esa posibilidad abre oportunidades extraordinarias, pero también plantea responsabilidades nuevas. La discusión, por tanto, ya no consiste en decidir si queremos IA. Esa decisión ya fue tomada por la realidad. La […] - [Recursos desperdiciados: Alcaldes dejaron de ejecutar más de S/ 100 mil millones en obras en los tres últimos periodos municipales](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/recursos-desperdiciados-alcaldes-dejaron-de-ejecutar-mas-de-s-100-mil-millones-en-obras-en-los-tres-ultimos-periodos-municipales-noticia/): Petro-Perú infló sus cifras del 2025: No fueron US$468 millones, sino US$601 millones los que perdió DBS Beauty Store acelera apertura de nuevas tiendas y da detalles del ingreso de la primera tienda de Kiko Milano en Perú: lo que debe saber A junio de 2026, el promedio de ejecución presupuestal para obras, entre las más de 1.800 municipalidades a nivel nacional, alcanza el 59%. Una revisión a los últimos tres periodos de gestión edil muestra que el promedio no llegó a superar el 63%, y el panorama resulta más preocupante si se observa el monto que dejaron de gastar: S/ […] - [Petro says he asked Trump to lift his OFAC sanctions in a phone call](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/04/petro-says-he-asked-trump-to-lift-his-ofac-sanctions-in-a-phone-call?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he held a phone conversation on Friday with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, in which he asked for support in removing the sanctions on him and his family under the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list, known as the Clinton List. According to the Colombian leader and a statement from the Presidency, Trump replied that he “will do his best” to review the case. The White House did not officially confirm the call. - [Argentina survives a scare from debutant Cape Verde to reach the World Cup quarterfinals](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/04/argentina-survives-a-scare-from-debutant-cape-verde-to-reach-the-world-cup-quarterfinals?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday, in a match settled in extra time, to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The side coached by Lionel Scaloni had to dig deep to overcome a debutant that pushed the tie to the limit at the Miami stadium. - [How Four Seasons Turns Recruiting into Competitive Advantage](http://hbr.org/2026/07/how-four-seasons-turns-recruiting-into-competitive-advantage): Four Seasons CEO Alejandro Reynal tells HBR editor at large Adi Ignatius why the luxury hotel brand hires for attitude over experience. - [Petro-Perú infló sus cifras del 2025: No fueron US$468 millones, sino US$601 millones los que perdió](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/petroperu-petro-peru-inflo-sus-cifras-del-2025-no-fueron-us468-millones-sino-us601-millones-los-que-perdio-noticia/): Petro-Perú perdió mucho más de lo que reportó en su Memoria Anual del 2025. Así lo señala una auditoría desarrollada por PwC Perú, la cual devela que las pérdidas de la estatal fueron, en realidad, de US$601,4 millones y no de US$468,3 millones, como reportó a inicios de año. El informe, aprobado por el directorio de Petro-Perú el pasado 30 de junio, llama la atención por esta diferencia de montos, apuntando que ha detectado “inconsistencias importantes en algunos supuestos claves utilizados por la gerencia” de la estatal. Es el caso de los supuestos empleados para proyectar los flujos de efectivo futuros […] - [[OSE]Latest Update of Deliverable Bonds and Conversion Factors of JGB Futures](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/derivatives/products/jgb/jgb-futures/03.html) - [Chartstopper: July 2, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/chartstopper-july-2-2026): While it was it was a Fed-centric week, markets also reacted to trade deal news and developments in negotiations with Iran. - [A multinational rescue frees Hernán, trapped eight days under Venezuela's quake rubble](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/02/a-multinational-rescue-frees-hernan-trapped-eight-days-under-venezuela-s-quake-rubble?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): A 43-year-old Venezuelan security guard, Hernán Gil, was rescued alive on Thursday after eight days trapped under the rubble of a building that collapsed in Catia La Mar, in La Guaira state, during the twin earthquake that struck the country on June 24. The Costa Rican Red Cross, which took part in the operation, confirmed the rescue, considered one of the most complex and prolonged of the disaster, which has left at least 2,295 dead and more than 11,000 injured, according to the official toll. - [The Business of Five-Star Service](http://hbr.org/2026/07/the-business-of-five-star-service): An HBR Executive Live conversation with Four Seasons CEO Alejandro Reynal. - [Leadership Summit 2026: Mattel’s CEO on Driving Consumer Engagement and Cultural Impact](http://hbr.org/podcast/2026/07/leadership-summit-2026-mattels-ceo-on-driving-consumer-engagement-and-cultural-impact): A conversation about what it takes to revamp a legacy brand. - [Research: Navigating the Business Risks of Changing Pro-America Sentiment](http://hbr.org/2026/07/research-navigating-the-business-risks-of-changing-pro-america-sentiment): A study of 5,355 U.S. firms over 20 years found both opportunities and risks for companies that embrace these narratives—and those that try to stay on the sidelines. - [Abraham Levy en Agrofest: fenómeno de El Niño se mantendría hasta el 2027](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/abraham-levy-en-agrofest-fenomeno-de-el-nino-se-mantendria-hasta-el-2027-noticia/): Petro-Perú infló sus cifras del 2025: No fueron US$468 millones, sino US$601 millones los que perdió Inflación anual llegó a 4,01% en junio: ¿Seguirá lejos de la meta? El fenómeno de El Niño, tanto el global como el Costero, se mantendrían hasta el 2027, consideró Abraham Levy, director de Ambiand, durante su presentación en el Agrofest, organizado por la Asociación de Gremios Productores Agrarios del Perú (Agap). Durante su ponencia ‘El fenómeno El Niño: pronósticos y efectos en el sector agrario’, indicó que actualmente el Niño global se encontraría en una intensidad fuerte, además de potenciar la intensidad del Niño Costero. […] - [Descentralizar el Perú, una tarea impostergable](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/opinion/descentralizar-el-peru-una-tarea-impostergable-por-roque-benavides-opinion-buenaventura-noticia/): En Argentina suelen decir que Dios está en todas partes, pero atiende en Buenos Aires. En el Perú decimos que Dios es peruano, pero sus oficinas están en Lima. Detrás de esta expresión se esconde el centralismo, una tarea pendiente que debemos afrontar. La semana pasada, en el Congreso Mundial de Minería, presentamos un caso de estudio sobre la creación de valor de largo plazo de Buenaventura y su contribución al desarrollo del Perú. Más allá del análisis académico, durante la conversación surgió nuevamente una preocupación que las últimas elecciones han hecho evidente: la descentralización es uno de los grandes desafíos […] - [A Spanish investigation tracks how Asia's squid fleet is upending the South Atlantic market](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/02/a-spanish-investigation-tracks-how-asia-s-squid-fleet-is-upending-the-south-atlantic-market?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): An international investigation published by the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, with an extensive interactive report, describes how the expansion of Asian fishing fleets in international waters —mainly Chinese— has transformed the global market for frozen squid, with a direct impact on the European fleet and consequences for fishing in the South Atlantic, one of the main sources of income for the Falklands. - [[TSE]Tick Size Table for newly listing ETF (Nissay ETF Russell 2000 (Code: 600A) )](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260702-01.html) - [Tipo de cambio: dólar cierra este miércoles 1 de julio en S/3,41](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/tipo-de-cambio-dolar-cierra-este-miercoles-1-de-julio-en-s341-l-precio-de-dolar-l-utlimas-noticia/): Inflación anual llegó a 4,01% en junio: ¿Seguirá lejos de la meta? Segunda Sala Constitucional ratifica competencia de Ositrán para supervisar el Terminal Portuario de Chancay El precio del dólar para este miércoles 1 de junio cerró en S/3,4180, avanzando 90 puntos respecto al cierre del día martes que se situó en S/3,4090. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Sunat detecta once modalidades que usan las empresas para evadir impuestos Cabe precisar que con el paso de las horas, el dólar puede variar debido a diversos factores como la oferta y demanda en el mercado, las decisiones de la Reserva Federal de Estados Unidos, precios […] - [Record decline in home asking prices offers buyers an affordability boost](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/record-decline-home-asking-prices-offers-buyers-affordability-boost): <!–> Speaker Mike Johnson tells Maria Bartiromo he met with the president to discuss the bipartisan housing bill which will lower housing costs by cutting regulations, fulfilling GOP promises. Home listing prices are declining at the fastest pace in at least nine years as sellers adjust to a slower market and look to attract buyers. The national median asking price fell 2.5% in June compared with a year ago, declining to $430,000 based on the latest data from the Realtor.com monthly housing market trends report. June marked the eighth consecutive month of price decreases, and the 2.5% asking price drop was […] - [June, Second Quarter 2026 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/june-second-quarter-2026-review-and-outlook): Following a turbulent Q1, U.S. equity markets delivered a powerful advance in Q2 2026 ending in one of the strongest quarterly periods of this century. - [The Case for Performance-First Management](http://hbr.org/2026/07/the-case-for-performance-first-management): Employees who say that their managers are performance-first report higher overall satisfaction with their experience. - [Aspiring Leaders, Don’t Just Network Up](http://hbr.org/2026/07/aspiring-leaders-dont-just-network-up): Influence isn’t built on proximity to power alone. - [[OSE]New Name to be Listed on the OSE Securities Options Market](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2020/20260701-01.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260701-01.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.: SHINPO CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1023/20260701-11.html) - [[TSE]Publication of the “List of Companies Disclosing Their Listing Objectives for the TOKYO PRO Market” and the “Introduction to J-Advisers on the TOKYO PRO Market”](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1071/20260701-01.html) - [Cepeda threatens 'civil disobedience' unless Colombia's president-elect renounces US citizenship](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/30/cepeda-threatens-civil-disobedience-unless-colombia-s-president-elect-renounces-us-citizenship?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Left-wing senator Iván Cepeda, who lost Colombia’s presidential runoff, announced on Tuesday that he will resort to “peaceful civil disobedience” against the incoming government of Abelardo de la Espriella if the president-elect does not renounce his US citizenship and clarify a series of questions before taking office on August 7. The Pacto Histórico leader, from the party of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, urged his voters to join the measure, which he described as not recognizing the new president’s authority. - [¿Messi, Cristiano y el Mundial salvarán las ventas? Pymes buscan compensar golpe de S/600 millones por fenómeno de El Niño](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/messi-cristiano-y-el-mundial-salvaran-las-ventas-pymes-buscan-compensar-golpe-de-s600-millones-por-fenomeno-de-el-nino-noticia/): La demanda por heladerías y gelaterías no se derrite: clima cálido impulsa sus ventas hasta en 67%, ¿qué estrategias saborean? Mansano: de vender chocolates a familiares a las tiendas OXXO, ¿cómo llegaron y cuáles son los próximos pasos del emprendimiento peruano? Con el Mundial 2026 en desarrollo, miles de pequeños negocios peruanos encuentran en la fiesta futbolística una oportunidad para recuperar parte de las ventas perdidas durante una campaña otoño-invierno marcada por el calor inusual y la incertidumbre electoral. Sin embargo, aunque las camisetas de Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo y las principales selecciones ya comienzan a ganar protagonismo, los gremios empresariales […] - [The Four Business Outcomes That Break When Enterprises Stop Validating Their Defenses](http://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/the-four-business-outcomes-that-break-when-enterprises-stop-validating-their-defenses): Sponsor content from AWS and Terra Security. - [AI Is Squeezing Middle Managers](http://hbr.org/2026/06/ai-is-squeezing-middle-managers): In the June 29, 2026, edition of The Insider, managing editor Gretchen Gavett highlights how AI is quietly burying middle managers and why the era of cheap capital is ending. - [When Evaluating an M&A Opportunity, Consider the Broader Digital Ecosystem](http://hbr.org/2026/06/when-evaluating-an-ma-opportunity-consider-the-broader-digital-ecosystem): Ask: To what extent would a prospective acquisition create value through app developers, data providers, and agent platforms? - [How Top World Cup, NBA, and NFL Coaches Make Better Decisions Under Pressure](http://hbr.org/podcast/2026/06/how-top-world-cup-nba-and-nfl-coaches-make-better-decisions-under-pressure): A conversation with sports industry experts Alan McCall and Johann Bilsborough on preparing for the tough moments. - [Paraguay declares a holiday after reaching the World Cup's last 16 by beating Germany](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/30/paraguay-declares-a-holiday-after-reaching-the-world-cup-s-last-16-by-beating-germany?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña declared a national holiday for Tuesday, June 30, to celebrate the national team’s qualification for the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, after eliminating Germany in a penalty shootout. “Today a whole country is celebrating,” the president wrote on the social network X, where he published the decree and congratulated the team, which he called by its nickname, the Albirroja. - [A regional shift to the right frames the wave of congratulations to Fujimori](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/30/a-regional-shift-to-the-right-frames-the-wave-of-congratulations-to-fujimori?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): The confirmation of right-wing Keiko Fujimori’s victory in Peru’s presidential runoff drew a wave of congratulations from leaders across the region, who framed the result within the shift to the right underway in several Latin American countries. With Fujimori’s arrival in power, the right will add a new government, alongside those of Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay and El Salvador, and the recent victory of Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia. - [[TSE]Designation of Securities Under Supervision (Confirmation):HOB Co.,Ltd.and 1 Other Issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260630-21.html) - [[]Approval of Initial listing (ETF):Listed Index Fund TSE REIT High Yield 30(Amova Asset Management)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1070/20260630.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 2 issues](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260630-01.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.:NPT CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260630_18.html) - [Día de San Pedro y San Pablo: conoce cuánto percibirá si labora el feriado del 29 de junio](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/dia-de-san-pedro-y-san-pablo-conoce-cuanto-percibira-si-labora-el-feriado-del-29-de-junio-l-ultimas-noticia/): Contraloría identifica presuntas irregularidades en puerto de Chancay y recomienda acciones civiles y penales: conozca los detalles Cajas y financieras: Conoce qué entidades son las preferidas por los peruanos, ¿qué atributos son los más importantes hoy en día? La Cámara de Comercio de Lima (CCL), a través de su Centro Legal, informó que los trabajadores del sector privado que laboren durante el feriado nacional del lunes 29 de junio, Día de San Pedro y San Pablo, sin que tengan un descanso sustitutorio, tendrán derecho a percibir una “triple” remuneración. PUEDES VER: AFIN plantea que el proceso y la designación de presidentes […] - [Your Talent Strategy Has to Keep Up with Your AI Transformation](https://hbr.org/2026/06/your-talent-strategy-has-to-keep-up-with-your-ai-transformation): Three ways to design a long-term talent pipeline. - [Tailor Your Digital Strategy to Reach Every Customer](https://hbr.org/2026/06/tailor-your-digital-strategy-to-reach-every-customer): Leaders need to align design, decision rights, and governance with each go-to-market model to unlock growth. - [How to Get AI to Surface Your Brand](https://hbr.org/2026/06/how-to-get-ai-to-surface-your-brand): Focus on making product benefits easier to compare, verify, and connect to customer problems. - [[TSE]Base price and daily price limit for newly listing stock: giftee Group,Inc. (Code: 590A)](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260629-01.html) - [Russia says it is developing AI-based air defense systems, expects results in November](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/29/russia-says-it-is-developing-ai-based-air-defense-systems-expects-results-in-november?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Russia is developing new air defense systems based on artificial intelligence technologies, the country’s defense minister, Andrei Belousov, announced on Monday. The official said it was one of the priority projects the country aims to complete before the end of the year, against the backdrop of mounting Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory. - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260629-02.html) - [[TSE]Decision on Delisting, etc.:MIMOSA CO.,LTD.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1021/20260629_18.html) - [[TSE]Matching Mechanism for the First Day of Listing: NEIS Co.,Ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1031/20260629_01.html) - [[TSE]Matching Mechanism for the First Day of Listing: FUJIKOSAN Co.,Ltd.](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1031/20260629_02.html) - [Repsol, Ecopetrol and 17 other oil firms cleared for Brazil's next pre-salt auction](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/27/repsol-ecopetrol-and-17-other-oil-firms-cleared-for-brazil-s-next-pre-salt-auction?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Nineteen oil companies, among them Spain’s Repsol and Colombia’s Ecopetrol, have been cleared to bid in the upcoming auction of licenses to partner with the Brazilian State in the exploitation of hydrocarbons in the pre-salt, the country’s main crude reserve. The list was released on Friday by the National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), following its publication in the Official Gazette. - [Falklands' annual reception in London celebrates the Islands' sporting culture](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/27/falklands-annual-reception-in-london-celebrates-the-islands-sporting-culture?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Falkland Islands Government held its annual parliamentary reception in London on Tuesday, an event that brought together some 200 guests and was dedicated to the role of sport in the archipelago’s community life, ahead of the Commonwealth Games that begin next month in Glasgow. The gathering took place on the Terrace Pavilion of the House of Commons. - [UK sends a 68-strong search and rescue team and £2 million in aid to Venezuela](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/27/uk-sends-a-68-strong-search-and-rescue-team-and-2-million-in-aid-to-venezuela?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The United Kingdom on Friday deployed a specialist search and rescue team of 68 people and announced an initial £2 million (about $2.7 million) in humanitarian funding to support the response to the earthquakes that devastated north-central Venezuela, where the latest official toll exceeds 580 dead and 2,900 injured. - [Chartstopper: June 26, 2026](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/chartstopper-june-26-2026): Equity markets and bond markets had different focuses this week. - [Falkland Islanders urge Canada to back their self-determination at the OAS assembly](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/26/falkland-islanders-urge-canada-to-back-their-self-determination-at-the-oas-assembly?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The Falkland Islands Government has called on Canada to use the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), held this week in Panama, to publicly support the Islanders’ right to self-determination. Last week, two members of the archipelago’s Legislative Assembly traveled to Ottawa to meet with Global Affairs officials, members of parliament and senators, in search of support. - [Falklands representatives take the Islanders' case for self-determination to the UN](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/06/26/falklands-representatives-take-the-islanders-case-for-self-determination-to-the-un?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Two members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, Dorothy “Dot” Gould and Michael Goss, addressed the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation, known as the Committee of 24 (C24), on June 25, where they defended the right to self-determination of the archipelago’s inhabitants and renewed their invitation for the body to send a visiting mission to the Islands, something that has never happened since the UN began considering the question in 1965. - [AI Is Changing Cyber Risk. Here’s How SMBs Can Respond.](https://hbr.org/2026/06/ai-is-changing-cyber-risk-heres-how-smbs-can-respond): Amid a surge in cyberattacks, security expert Daniel Dobrygowski shares steps every small to midsize business can take to avoid being an easy target. - [How Leaders Engineer Margin Resilience](http://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/how-leaders-engineer-margin-resilience): Sponsor content from EY‑Parthenon. - [How Leaders Engineer Margin Resilience - SPONSOR CONTENT FROM EY-PARTHENON](https://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/06/how-leaders-engineer-margin-resilience): Sponsor content from EY‑Parthenon. - [The Two-Organizations Problem](https://hbr.org/2026/06/the-two-organizations-problem): Successful leaders understand the gap between the organization that exists on paper and the one employees experience every day. - [Stock market crash: Bloodbath on Dalal Street! Sensex, Nifty50 tank 2% as Trump declares end of truce with Iran - top reasons for sharp fall](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/stock-market-crash-bloodbath-on-dalal-street-sensex-nifty50-tank-2-as-trump-declares-end-of-truce-with-iran-top-reasons-for-sharp-fall/articleshow/132258582.cms): Stock market crash: Selling pressure gathered pace during the second half of the session after US President Donald Trump declared that the interim agreement with Iran to end the conflict was “over,” reigniting fears of further escalation in the Middle East. - [Amid E20 petrol debate, why oil marketing companies are not too keen to expand E85 rollout](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/amid-e20-petrol-debate-why-oil-marketing-companies-are-not-to-keen-to-expand-e85-rollout/articleshow/132257629.cms): Automobiles manufactured between 2012 and March 2023 were designed to run on fuel containing up to 10% ethanol, while vehicles produced before April 2025 are not fully compatible with E20 blends either. - [Denmark says Greenland 'not for sale' after Trump renews call for US control](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/08/denmark-says-greenland-not-for-sale-after-trump-renews-call-for-us-control?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed on Wednesday that Greenland is “not for sale” and that her country is ready to defend “every inch” of its territory, after US President Donald Trump insisted that the Arctic territory should be under the control of the United States rather than Denmark. - [[TSE]Tick Size Table for newly listing ETF (Gold 2x Bull ETF (Code: 606A) )](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260708-01.html) - [[TSE]Daily Price Limits to be Broadened : 1 issue](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260708-02.html) - [Fresh Trump tariff threat looms: India’s strong stand on US Section 301 probe that proposes 12.5% duties - explained](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/fresh-trump-tariff-threat-looms-indias-strong-stand-on-us-section-301-probe-that-proposes-12-5-duties-explained/articleshow/132255636.cms): According to policymakers and trade experts, the pace of the investigation suggests that the US may replace the existing 10% tariff, which remains in force until July 24, with the proposed forced labour-related tariff. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has advanced one of its two investigations into America’s trading partners, even as the July 24 deadline for the temporary 10% additional tariff draws closer. - [Rupee erases previous gains, tumbles 20 paise against US dollar](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rupee-erases-previous-gains-tumbles-20-paise-against-us-dollar/articleshow/132254044.cms): The Indian rupee opened weaker against the US dollar on Wednesday. Rising crude oil prices and geopolitical events impacted currency markets. The dollar index strengthened, and Brent crude futures climbed significantly. Domestic stock markets also mirrored this cautious sentiment, opening lower. Foreign institutional investors remained net buyers of equities on Tuesday. - [Precio del dólar en Perú HOY, miércoles 8 de julio: a cuánto abrió el tipo de cambio según el BCRP](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/precio-del-dolar-hoy-en-peru-2026-cuanto-esta-el-dolar-este-miercoles-8-de-julio-tasa-cotizacion-compra-y-venta-segun-bcrp-dolares-a-soles-sbs-ocona-lbposting-noticia/): Consulta el tipo de cambio del día :icon:23:00 ¿A cuánto cerró el dólar este martes 7 de julio? El precio del dólar en el país cerró el martes 7 de julio en 3,3980, (con una apertura de 3,4100, según lo dio a conocer el Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BCRP). :icon:23:00 ¿Qué es el dólar Ocoña? El dólar Ocoña es el “dólar de la calle”, es decir, el tipo de cambio informal, el que se compra y vende en el mercado paralelo o casas de cambio. El jirón Ocoña y el “dólar Ocoña” aún continúan vigentes como referencia del mercado […] - [[TSE]Matching Mechanism for the First Day of Listing: PRO HOLDINGS Co.,Ltd](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1031/20260708_01.html) - [Gobierno destina más de S/ 4,200 millones para mitigar impacto de fenómeno de El Niño](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/gobierno-destina-mas-de-s-4200-millones-para-mitigar-impacto-de-fenomeno-de-el-nino-ultimas-noticia/): Fenómeno El Niño en Perú: seis gráficos interactivos muestran cuánto se dejó de invertir en prevención Capeco advierte que el fenómeno de El Niño pone en riesgo la economía y evidencia el retraso en obras de prevención El Poder Ejecutivo destinó más de S/ 4,200 millones para el presupuesto preventivo frente al fenómeno de El Niño durante 2026 y 2027, con el objetivo de financiar infraestructura crítica y reducir los daños económicos en regiones vulnerables del país. La partida principal de este fondo destina S/ 3,065 millones al programa de reducción de la vulnerabilidad y atención de emergencias por desastres. Asimismo, […] - [Gold price today: Spot gold hits one-week low, slips to $4,100 per ounce](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/gold-silver-rate-today-live-updates-18k-22-carat-24k-gold-price-10g-silver-cost-per-kg-mcx-comex-etf-stock-precious-metal-gold-prediction-city-wise-cost-latest-gold-news/liveblog/132252140.cms) - [Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for July 8, 2026 - check list](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/top-stock-recommendations-for-july-08-2026-hero-motocorp-tata-steel-nippon-india-etf-nifty-it-itbees-best-stocks-to-buy-today/articleshow/132242782.cms): Stock market recommendations: Hero MotoCorp, Tata Steel are the top stocks to buy recommended by Mehul Kothari, DVP – Technical Research at Anand Rathi Shares for July 7, 2026. He also recommends buying Nippon India ETF Nifty IT (ITBEES). - [Stock market today: NSE Nifty50 and BSE Sensex extend Tuesday's losses?](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/https/timesofindia-indiatimes-com/business/india-business/sensex-stock-market-today-08-july-2026-live-updates-nse-bse-gift-nifty-50-top-gainers-losers-mcx-stocks-in-focus-market-news/liveblog/liveblog/132251836.cms) - [Stock market today: Will NSE Nifty50 and BSE Sensex shake off Tuesday's losses?](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/https/timesofindia-indiatimes-com/business/india-business/sensex-stock-market-today-08-july-2026-live-updates-nse-bse-gift-nifty-50-top-gainers-losers-mcx-stocks-in-focus-market-news/liveblog/132228533-cms/liveblog/132251836.cms) - [India moves up 2 places in FDI inflow ranking](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-moves-up-2-places-in-fdi-inflow-ranking/articleshow/132251071.cms) - [Services Index Release: Govt to roll out new ISP from July 14; health, education excluded](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/services-index-to-debut-on-july-14-exclude-health-edu/articleshow/132251060.cms) - [Rupee gains on cheaper oil, FII buying](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rupee-gains-on-cheaper-oil-fii-buying/articleshow/132251047.cms) - [NBFC loans grow 14.2% to Rs 58. 6L crore, trail banks](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/nbfc-loans-grow-14-2-to-rs-58-6l-crore-trail-banks/articleshow/132251022.cms) - [Tata Power's aim: 2x profits, over Rs 1L crore revenue by FY30](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/tata-powers-aim-2x-profits-over-rs-1l-cr-revenue-by-fy30/articleshow/132250997.cms) - [US companies' caution higher tariffs may hit manufacturing push](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/us-companies-caution-higher-tariffs-may-hit-manufacturing-push/articleshow/132250991.cms) - [Govt urges USTR to review its move to levy new tariffs](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/govt-urges-ustr-to-review-its-move-to-levy-new-tariffs/articleshow/132250967.cms) - [Tipo de cambio cierra a la baja: dólar termina en S/3,39 para este martes 7 de julio](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/tipo-de-cambio-cierra-a-la-baja-dolar-termina-en-s339-para-este-martes-7-de-julio-l-precio-del-dolar-l-ultimas-noticia/): Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el BCR durante 5 años más Fiestas Patrias: trabajadores recibirán una gratificación de un sueldo y un adicional de hasta 9% El precio del dólar cerró hoy en S/3,3980, retrocediendo 120 puntos con respecto al cierre del día de ayer que se situó en S/3,4100. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Fenómeno de El Niño: estos son los sectores clave más expuestos y cuál es el impacto económico que se estima, ¿hay avances en prevención? Gianina Villavicencio, gerente de intermediación de Divisas en Renta4 SAB, explicó que durante la jornada el dólar estuvo levemente a la baja, llevando a la […] - [Fiestas Patrias: trabajadores recibirán una gratificación de un sueldo y un adicional de hasta 9%](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/fiestas-patrias-trabajadores-recibiran-una-gratificacion-de-un-sueldo-y-un-adicional-de-hasta-9-l-ultimas-noticia/): ¿Desde qué fecha se pagará la gratificación de julio 2026 en Perú? Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el BCR durante 5 años más Con el objetivo de orientar a los empleadores y trabajadores de la actividad privada, el Centro Legal de la Cámara de Comercio de Lima (CCL) informó que el plazo para cumplir con el pago de gratificaciones por Fiestas Patrias es hasta el 15 de julio. PUEDES VER: Gratificación de JULIO 2026: ¿Cómo calcular el monto que te asignarán? En ese sentido, la institución gremial informó sobre los requisitos y procedimientos para el cálculo de este concepto, beneficio regulado […] - [Lima vuelve a liderar ranking de competitividad, pero la criminalidad dinamita su institucionalidad, ¿qué otras regiones aparecen?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/incore-2026-lima-vuelve-a-liderar-el-ranking-pero-la-criminalidad-dinamita-su-institucionalidad-noticia/): Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el BCR durante 5 años más Fenómeno de El Niño: estos son los sectores clave más expuestos y cuál es el impacto económico que se estima, ¿hay avances en prevención? Luego de tres años, Lima recuperó el primer lugar en el Índice de Competitividad Regional (Incore), elaborado anualmente por el Instituto Peruano de Economía (IPE). El ranking muestra que las regiones más competitivas se concentran en la costa central y la costa sur, mientras que las de menor competitividad se ubican en la sierra norte y el oriente del país. El Incore evalúa la capacidad de […] - [Wall Street cierra en rojo tras la caída de tecnológicas vinculadas a la IA](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/wall-street-cierra-en-rojo-tras-la-caida-de-tecnologicas-vinculadas-a-la-ia-l-mercados-l-wall-street-l-ultimas-noticia/): Petróleo de Texas cierra en 70,4 dólares, pero sube más luego que Estados Unidos revocara licencia de venta de crudo a Irán Microsoft recorta 4.800 empleos en reorganización vinculada al avance de la IA Wall Street cerró este martes en rojo y su principal indicador, el Dow Jones de Industriales, se situó por debajo de los 53.000 puntos, con el mercado lastrado por la caída de tecnológicas vinculadas a la inteligencia artificial (IA). PUEDES VER: Bolsa peruana registra su mejor inicio de año desde 2017 y destaca entre los mercados de la región Al toque de campana, el Dow Jones, que […] - [Petróleo de Texas cierra en 70,4 dólares, pero sube más luego que Estados Unidos revocara licencia de venta de crudo a Irán](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mundo/petroleo-de-texas-cierra-en-704-dolares-pero-sube-mas-luego-que-estados-unidos-revocara-licencia-de-venta-de-crudo-a-iran-l-ultimas-noticia/): Wall Street abre mixto y las tecnológicas sufren pérdidas generalizadas ¿Cómo Levi’s, Heinz y Gillette convirtieron la censura de la FIFA en su mejor campaña? Las lecciones que deja la batalla comercial del Mundial El petróleo intermedio de Texas (WTI, por sus siglas en inglés) cerró este martes con una subida del 2,8%, hasta 70,44 dólares el barril, pero se disparó en las operaciones posteriores luego que Estados Unidos revocara la licencia de venta de crudo a Irán, según medios locales. Al término de la sesión, los contratos de futuros del WTI para el mes de agosto, los de referencia en […] - [Some Social Security recipients will receive 2 payments in July](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/some-social-security-recipients-receive-2-payments-july): <!–> OpenTheBooks CEO John Hart joins Varney & Co. to discuss long-term Social Security and Medicare deficits as fiscal pressures mount. Some Social Security beneficiaries will receive two checks this July as a quirk in the calendar shifted the payment timeline for an adjacent month. The Social Security Administration (SSA) ordinarily disburses payments for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on the first day of a given month. The SSI program provides monthly payments to certain older adults who have little or no income, as well as to disabled individuals, which differentiates it from Social Security’s standard retirement benefits. When the first of […] - [Colombia's president-elect suspends transition, accuses Petro of attempting a coup](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/07/colombia-s-president-elect-suspends-transition-accuses-petro-of-attempting-a-coup?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Colombia’s president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, froze the transition process with the outgoing government of Gustavo Petro on Tuesday and accused the president of attempting a coup, in a sharp escalation exactly one month before the handover of power, set for August 7. - [Nombramientos de la semana: Integratel, Roche Farma, Scotiabank y más](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/scotiabank-nombramientos-de-la-semana-integratel-roche-farma-scotiabank-y-mas-nombramientos-designaciones-noticia/): María Álvarez: Vicepresidenta ejecutiva del Grupo Eulen Álvarez deja la Dirección Corporativa de Recursos Humanos de la empresa y asume la vicepresidencia ejecutiva con la meta de seguir afianzando una organización sólida y preparada para afrontar los retos de crecimiento en los 11 mercados donde opera. Lucien Legay: Gerente de Finanzas para Perú y Bolivia de Roche Farma Legay liderará las operaciones financieras de la compañía en Perú y Bolivia. Previamente fue Business Finance Senior Partner en Roche Caribe, Centroamérica y Venezuela. Martín Sáenz: Vicepresidente de estrategia e innovación social de Apeseg La Asociación Peruana de Empresas de Seguros (Apeseg) anunció […] - [US revokes Iran oil waiver amid attacks on British tankers in Strait of Hormuz](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/us-revokes-iran-oil-waiver-amid-attacks-on-british-tankers-in-strait-of-hormuz/articleshow/132248394.cms) - [Bolsa peruana registra su mejor inicio de año desde 2017 y destaca entre los mercados de la región](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/bolsa-peruana-registra-su-mejor-inicio-de-ano-desde-2017-y-destaca-entre-los-mercados-de-la-region-l-ultimas-noticia/): Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el BCR durante 5 años más Diego Macera advierte sobre los efectos de El Niño Costero: “Podría estarnos costando entre medio punto y un punto del PBI del crecimiento este año” La Bolsa de Valores de Lima (BVL) cerró el primer semestre de 2026 con un sólido desempeño, reflejado en la rentabilidad acumulada de 28,3% en soles (26,6% en dólares) alcanzada por el índice MSCI nuam Perú General, posicionando al mercado peruano entre los de mejor desempeño de América Latina y registrando su mejor primer semestre desde 2017. PUEDES VER: Alonso Segura, presidente del Consejo Fiscal, […] - [Diego Macera advierte sobre los efectos de El Niño Costero: “Podría estarnos costando entre medio punto y un punto del PBI del crecimiento este año”](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/diego-macera-advierte-sobre-los-efectos-de-el-nino-costero-podria-estarnos-costando-entre-medio-punto-y-un-punto-del-pbi-del-crecimiento-este-ano-l-ultimas-noticia/): Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el BCR durante 5 años más Capeco advierte que el Fenómeno de El Niño pone en riesgo la economía y evidencia el retraso en obras de prevención Diego Macera, miembro del directorio del Banco Central de Reserva (BCR) y director del Instituto Peruano Peruano de Economía (IPE) advirtió que los efectos del fenómeno de El Niño en el país tendrán un impacto en la economía nacional. PUEDES VER: Alonso Segura, presidente del Consejo Fiscal, sobre permanencia de Velarde en el BCR: “Decisión dejará tranquilos a los inversionistas” En entrevista para RPP, el economista indicó que, este […] - [Getty Images calls off Shutterstock merger after UK regulator's divestment demand](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/getty-images-calls-off-shutterstock-merger-after-uk-regulators-divestment-demand/articleshow/132245108.cms): Getty Image has ended its planned $3.7 billion merger with Shutterstock. The UK competition regulator required Shutterstock to sell its editorial business. Getty’s board decided this condition was not in the company’s best interests. The companies had unveiled the deal in January 2025 to build a visual content powerhouse. Both firms now face increasing pressure from AI image generators. - [Capeco advierte que el Fenómeno El Niño pone en riesgo la economía y evidencia el retraso en obras de prevención](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/capeco-advierte-que-el-fenomeno-el-nino-pone-en-riesgo-la-economia-y-evidencia-el-retraso-en-obras-de-prevencion-l-ultimas-noticia/): Fenómeno El Niño en Perú: seis gráficos interactivos muestran cuánto se dejó de invertir en prevención Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el BCR durante 5 años más El Perú enfrenta un escenario de alta vulnerabilidad ante la posible intensificación del Fenómeno El Niño, situación que podría afectar el crecimiento económico, el desempeño del sector construcción y actividades productivas clave como la agricultura y la pesca. Así lo advirtió Guido Valdivia, vicepresidente ejecutivo de la Cámara Peruana de la Construcción (Capeco), durante la presentación del Informe Económico de la Construcción (IEC) N.° 102. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Fenómeno de El Niño: estos son los […] - [Continuidad de Julio Velarde en el BCR marca la apertura del dólar: tipo de cambio abre en S/3,40 para este martes 7 de julio](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/continuidad-de-julio-velarde-en-el-bcr-marca-la-apertura-del-dolar-tipo-de-cambio-abre-en-s340-para-este-martes-7-de-julio-l-precio-del-dolar-l-ultimas-noticia/): Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el BCR durante 5 años más Alonso Segura, presidente del Consejo Fiscal, sobre permanencia de Velarde en el BCR: “Decisión dejará tranquilo a los inversionistas” El precio del dólar inició la jornada de este martes 7 de julio cotizando en S/3,4075, nivel ligeramente por debajo del cierre previo. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Comercio ilícito afecta a uno de cada dos industriales en el Perú, revela encuesta de la SNI La apertura se produce en un contexto de optimismo por la continuidad de Julio Velarde al frente del Banco Central de Reserva (BCR), mientras el escenario internacional sigue marcado […] - [Why the Next Wave of Enterprise Strategy is Industry Clouds](http://hbr.org/sponsored/2026/07/why-the-next-wave-of-enterprise-strategy-is-industry-clouds): Sponsor content from Oracle and Wipro. - [“Esperamos cambiar completamente la faz de Huamachuco”: la apuesta de la minera Summa Gold en La Libertad](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/oro-esperamos-cambiar-completamente-la-faz-de-huamachuco-la-apuesta-de-la-minera-summa-gold-en-la-libertad-noticia/): El nuevo ‘hub’ logístico de Toyota en el Perú iniciará operaciones en el 2028: Estas son las expectativas de la empresa MEF destinará S/300 millones adicionales para atender el Fenómeno de El Niño Summa Gold dinamiza la economía del distrito liberteño de Huamachuco en un ambiente de paz social debido a que ha erradicado la minería ilegal. Y es que la empresa minera ha convertido a los mineros artesanales de la zona en socios productivos, señala su gerente general, Jaime Polar. LEE MÁS AQUÍ: Obras por impuestos: a la fecha se han ejecutado más de 1,200 proyectos por un monto superior […] - [India strengthens position as investment destination; FDI rises by 44% to $39 billion in 2025](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-strengthens-position-as-investment-destination-fdi-rises-by-44-to-39-billion-in-2025/articleshow/132242706.cms): South Asia witnessed a sharp rise in FDI inflows, which climbed from $34 billion to $46 billion, largely driven by India, where inflows expanded to $39 billion, the report noted. At the same time, UNCTAD observed that project-related indicators suggested a more cautious investment environment despite the increase in overall inflows. - [Wall Street sees mixed performance; Dow rises 0.3%, Nasdaq falls 0.8% as AI stocks slide](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/us-stock-market-today-wall-street-sees-mixed-performance-dow-rises-0-3-nasdaq-falls-0-8-as-ai-stocks-slide/articleshow/132242440.cms): US stocks traded mixed on Tuesday as technology shares faced pressure. Declines in artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks weighed on the Nasdaq Composite. The S&P 500 also slipped, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw gains. This weakness followed a sharp sell-off in Asian markets, particularly South Korea’s Samsung Electronics. Oil prices moved higher after a tanker incident in the Strait of Hormuz. - [India urges US to reconsider proposed 12.5% tariff over 'forced labour' probe under USTR's Sec 301](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-urges-us-to-reconsider-proposed-12-5-tariff-over-forced-labour-probe-under-ustrs-sec-301/articleshow/132241671.cms): India has asked the United States to withdraw proposed tariffs on its imports. The nation argues the US lacks adequate evidence for its claims. India’s submission highlights a broad approach by the USTR investigation. It states the current framework does not distort trade unfairly. India remains open to dialogue and consultation on specific concerns. - [Alonso Segura, presidente del Consejo Fiscal, sobre permanencia de Velarde en el BCR: “Decisión dejará tranquilo a los inversionistas”](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/alonso-segura-presidente-del-consejo-fiscal-sobre-permanencia-de-velarde-en-el-bcr-decision-dejara-tranquilo-a-los-inversionistas-l-ultimas-noticia/): Julio Velarde aceptó quedarse en el Banco Central de Reserva por 5 años más Empresas recuperan el optimismo tras las elecciones: confianza vuelve a terreno positivo y se anticipa mayor inversión Alonso Segura, presidente del Consejo de Fiscal, se refirió a la decisión de solicitar la permanencia de Julio Velarde por un periodo adicional al frente del Banco Central de Reserva (BCR). PUEDES VER: Argentina enfrenta a Egipto por el pase a cuartos de final del mundial 2026, ¿quién gana en el partido económico? De acuerdo con Segura, la medida disipará de forma inmediata la incertidumbre en los mercados monetario y […] - [El Nino impact: India’s hydropower generation sees steepest drop since Feb 2024; piles pressure on grid](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/el-nino-impact-indias-hydropower-generation-sees-steepest-drop-since-feb-2024-piles-pressure-on-grid/articleshow/132241997.cms): Data from the India Meteorological Department showed that cumulative rainfall across the country was 38% below normal until July 1, largely due to the development of El Niño conditions over the Pacific Ocean, which affected the southwest monsoon running from June to September. - [Wall Street abre mixto y las tecnológicas sufren pérdidas generalizadas](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/wall-street-abre-mixto-y-las-tecnologicas-sufren-perdidas-generalizadas-l-mercados-l-wall-street-l-ultimas-noticia/): ¿Cómo Levi’s, Heinz y Gillette convirtieron la censura de la FIFA en su mejor campaña? Las lecciones que deja la batalla comercial del Mundial 2026 Microsoft recorta 4.800 empleos en reorganización vinculada al avance de la IA Wall Street abrió en terreno mixto este martes y su principal indicador, el Dow Jones de Industriales, subía 0,16% en una jornada marcada por los altibajos de las tecnológicas, que sufrían pérdidas tras haber empezado la semana con ganancias. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Precios de productos agropecuarios se elevarían en el corto plazo por los efectos del conflicto en Medio Oriente, según OCDE y FAO Diez […] - [India bets on critical minerals, rare earths and chips partnerships](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-bets-on-critical-minerals-rare-earths-and-chips-partnerships/articleshow/132241508.cms): India has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025 for a seven-year period from 2024-25 to 2030-31. The mission goes far beyond a conventional mining initiative. It lays out a long-term strategy aimed at strengthening India’s energy security, accelerating industrial development and enhancing technological self-reliance. - [Competing in a World of Transient Advantage](http://hbr.org/2026/07/competing-in-a-world-of-transient-advantage): An HBR Executive Masterclass with Rita McGrath, Columbia Business School professor and author of “The End of Competitive Advantage.” - [Every Organization Has Two Realities](http://hbr.org/2026/07/every-organization-has-two-realities): In the July 6, 2026, edition of The Insider, managing editor Gretchen Gavett highlights the growing gap between the company leaders think they run and the one employees actually experience. - [Are We Entering a New Age of Creativity with the Help of AI?](http://hbr.org/podcast/2026/07/are-we-entering-a-new-age-of-creativity-with-the-help-of-ai): Inside a case study about why The Atlantic chose to make a deal with OpenAI, and what it may mean for the future of journalism and new ideas. - [Make the Business Case for Your Sustainability Initiative](http://hbr.org/2026/07/make-the-business-case-for-your-sustainability-initiative): Chief sustainability officers need to talk about cash flow, risk, and return. - [BCR: autonomía y ciclo electoral](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/opinion/bcr-autonomia-y-ciclo-electoral-por-hugo-perea-opinion-bbva-research-noticia/): Durante la pasada contienda electoral las especulaciones sobre la continuidad del presidente del BCR evidenciaron cómo este tipo de debates puede trasladar la institución al centro de la discusión política. Si bien la reciente confirmación de que Julio Velarde permanecería al frente del Banco Central aporta estabilidad y continuidad, resulta fundamental que las decisiones sobre la conducción de la entidad se preserven dentro del marco institucional y se mantenga intacta la autonomía que ha sido clave para la credibilidad de la política monetaria en el país. ¿Por qué es importante que los bancos centrales sean instituciones autónomas? En primer lugar, porque […] - [Libre Inmobiliaria ingresará a San Isidro con un proyecto y evalúa otros dos en Lima Top, ¿precios de construcción se impactan con el FEN?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/libre-inmobiliaria-ingresara-a-san-isidro-con-su-primer-proyecto-en-ese-distrito-y-evalua-otros-dos-desarrollos-en-lima-top-noticia/): Radiografía del viajero millennial peruano: entre escapadas, negocios y compras de último minuto V&V invierte S/ 181 millones en Villarán 302, proyecto de más de 500 departamentos en Santa Catalina Libre Inmobiliaria, firma del grupo peruano LibreCorp especializada en desarrollos residenciales en Lima Top, prepara su ingreso a San Isidro con su primer proyecto en ese distrito, como parte de su estrategia de expansión. La empresa ya adquirió un terreno en esa zona y, de forma paralela, negocia un segundo proyecto en el límite entre Miraflores y Barranco, mientras analiza una tercera alternativa de desarrollo que podría concretarse en Lima Top […] - [Empresas recuperan el optimismo tras las elecciones: confianza vuelve a terreno positivo y se anticipa mayor inversión](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/empresas-recuperan-el-optimismo-tras-las-elecciones-confianza-vuelve-a-terreno-positivo-y-se-anticipa-mayor-inversion-noticia/): La confianza empresarial dio un giro en junio. Luego de dos meses en terreno pesimista, las expectativas de las empresas sobre la economía peruana para los próximos tres meses volvieron a ubicarse en el tramo optimista; reflejando un cambio en el ánimo del sector privado tras el proceso electoral y un entorno macroeconómico que comienza a mostrar señales más favorables. Según el Banco Central de Reserva (BCR), el indicador de expectativas económicas a tres meses pasó de 44,6 puntos en mayo a 55,5 puntos en junio, mientras que la expectativa a 12 meses avanzó de 55,9 a 68,6 puntos. En total, […] - [China weighs curbs on overseas access to their advanced AI models: Report](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/china-weighs-curbs-on-overseas-access-to-their-advanced-ai-models-report/articleshow/132238110.cms): Chinese officials are discussing restricting overseas access to advanced artificial intelligence models. These talks involve major technology firms like Alibaba and ByteDance. The government views cutting-edge AI as a strategic national asset amid global competition. Discussions also covered strengthening legal protections for proprietary AI technology. This move follows China’s increasing global traction in the AI sector. - [The biggest hurdle in India's chip race isn't the plan—it's execution](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/the-biggest-hurdle-in-indias-chip-race-isnt-the-planits-execution/articleshow/132237211.cms): India’s semiconductor strategy draws on proven Asian models for growth. Execution, not strategy, presents the nation’s primary challenge now. Developing skilled workers and strengthening local supply chains are crucial steps. The country focuses on outsourced assembly and mature process nodes. Meeting global quality standards and increasing domestic production are key goals. - [How Leaders Can Use AI to Solve Real Business Problems](http://hbr.org/podcast/2026/07/how-leaders-can-use-ai-to-solve-real-business-problems): A conversation with journalist Josh Tyrangiel about treating AI as a strategic advantage, not just a tool. - [Flights, hotels, visa in one go: 10 things to know about Saudi’s Package Visa](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/flights-hotels-visa-in-one-go-10-things-to-know-about-saudis-package-visa/articleshow/132235095.cms): Saudi Arabia has introduced a new pilot Package Visa service for tourists. This digital initiative integrates flight and accommodation bookings with visa applications. Eligible travelers can now book their entire trip through a single, unified travel package. The service aims to simplify the visitor journey and encourage longer stays. This move supports Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism sector and global accessibility. - [[OSE]Change of Component Issues for the TSE Growth Market 250 Index](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/2020/20260707-01.html) - [Back with a bang! Foreign investors bet on financials, record fortnightly inflows seen in second half of June](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/back-with-a-bang-foreign-investors-bet-on-financials-record-fortnightly-inflows-seen-in-second-half-of-june/articleshow/132234472.cms): The renewed interest in financial stocks helped overseas investors emerge as net buyers of Indian equities worth more than Rs 14,000 crore during the June 16-30 period, reversing net outflows of Rs 63,450 crore recorded in the first fortnight of the month, according to NSDL data. - [Want a stake in Cochin Shipyard? Centre launches offer for sale at Rs 1,400 per share](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/want-a-stake-in-cochin-shipyard-centre-launches-offer-for-sale-at-rs-1400-per-share/articleshow/132234368.cms): The Centre is selling a 2.52% stake in Cochin Shipyard Limited through an Offer for Sale. Non-retail investors can bid on July 7, 2026, and retail investors on July 8, 2026. This divestment supports the government’s extensive maritime ecosystem expansion programs. Initiatives like the Maritime Development Fund and financial assistance schemes are bolstering the sector. The long-term Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aims for significant growth by 2047. - [India's strategic gas storage: LNG buffer mandate for terminals in the works - what it means](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/strategic-gas-storage-in-works-lng-buffer-mandate-for-terminals-in-the-works-what-it-means/articleshow/132234058.cms): The disruption to LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran conflict highlighted India’s exposure to supply disruptions, prompting the government to revisit the idea of creating strategic gas reserves. Policymakers are evaluating a plan under which LNG terminal operators would be required to expand storage capacity at their existing import facilities. - [Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Medway makes first port call at Chile's Punta Arenas](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/07/royal-navy-patrol-ship-hms-medway-makes-first-port-call-at-chile-s-punta-arenas?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The British Royal Navy’s patrol vessel HMS Medway (P223) docked on Sunday morning at Punta Arenas, in Chile’s Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region, on its first visit to the port. The stop, for resupply, is due to last until Wednesday, July 8. - [US crash out of World Cup as Belgium win 4-1 amid Balogun red-card storm](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/07/us-crash-out-of-world-cup-as-belgium-win-4-1-amid-balogun-red-card-storm?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The United States were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing 4-1 to Belgium in the round of 16, played on Monday night in Seattle. The defeat means all three tournament hosts — the United States, Canada and Mexico — have now gone out. - [[TSE]Tick Size Table for newly listing ETF (NEXT FUNDS Japan Equity Policy Focus Exchange Traded Fund (Code: 605A) )](https://www.jpx.co.jp/english/news/1030/20260707-01.html) - [IIM campus, UPI, AI & more: PM Modi heralds 'golden chapter' of India, Indonesia ties](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/iim-campus-upi-ai-critical-minerals-pm-modi-heralds-golden-chapter-of-india-indonesia-ties/articleshow/132232312.cms): India and Indonesia are enhancing cooperation in defense and maritime security. Discussions covered trade, energy, and critical minerals for future growth. Both nations agreed to boost technology sharing and startup collaborations. Educational ties will strengthen with an Indian Institute of Management campus opening. Cultural exchanges and heritage projects will also be jointly undertaken. - [Rupee recovers 15 paise to 95.28 against US dollar in early trade](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rupee-recovers-15-paise-to-95-28-against-us-dollar-in-early-trade/articleshow/132231110.cms): The Indian rupee opened stronger against the US dollar on Tuesday. Lower crude oil price expectations and easing Middle East tensions improved market sentiment. Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut oil prices for Asian buyers added to the positive mood. Foreign institutional investors remained net buyers of domestic equities on Monday. Indian equities also opened on a positive note, with major indices rising. - [Precio del dólar en Perú: consulta la cotización en compra y venta del martes 7 de julio](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/precio-del-dolar-en-peru-2026-a-cuanto-esta-el-dolar-este-martes-7-de-julio-tipo-de-cambio-segun-el-bcrp-tasa-cotizacion-compra-y-venta-segun-bcrp-dolares-a-soles-sbs-ocona-lbposting-noticia/): Consulta el tipo de cambio del día :icon:23:46 ¿A cuánto cerró el dólar la jornada semanal el lunes 6 de julio? El precio del dólar en el país cerró la semana el lunes 6 de julio en 3,4020, (con una apertura de 3,4100, según lo dio a conocer el Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BCRP). :icon:23:45 El tipo de cambio interbancario cerró el 6 de julio con un valor promedio de 3,4053, con un máximo de 3,4090 y un mínimo de 3,4020 :icon:23:45 ¿Qué es el dólar Ocoña? El dólar Ocoña es el “dólar de la calle”, es decir, el […] - [Kospi's AI party over? South Korean benchmark tumbles 7%, sell-side sidecar activated](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/kospis-ai-party-over-south-korean-benchmark-tumbles-7-sell-side-sidecar-activated/articleshow/132230232.cms): South Korean stocks experienced a significant decline on Tuesday. Investors rushed to secure profits after strong earnings reports were released. Heavyweight technology stocks led the broad sell-off across the market. This sharp reversal followed a period of record highs driven by AI optimism. The market’s heavy reliance on a few key companies contributed to the volatility. - [Comercio ilícito afecta a uno de cada dos industriales en el Perú, revela encuesta de la SIN](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/comercio-ilicito-afecta-a-uno-de-cada-dos-industriales-en-el-peru-revela-encuesta-de-sin-noticia/): Siete de cada 10 estudiantes en el Perú no alcanzan las competencias básicas en lectura y matemáticas Más de 2 mil proyectos para emergencias están paralizados o abandonados El comercio ilícito ya golpea a la mitad del sector industrial formal en el Perú. Así lo revela una reciente encuesta de la Sociedad Nacional de Industrias (SNI), que encontró que uno de cada dos industriales resulta seriamente afectado por esta problemática. De acuerdo con la SNI, el estudio se realizó porque las cifras oficiales no reflejan la verdadera dimensión del problema. “La información pública disponible sobre el comercio ilícito en el Perú […] - [Top stocks to buy today: Stock market recommendations for July 7, 2026 - check list](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/top-stock-recommendations-for-july-07-2026-mankind-pharma-bajaj-auto-uno-minda-jubilant-foodworks-stocks-to-buy-today/articleshow/132229636.cms): Stock market recommendations: Mankind Pharma, Bajaj Auto, UNO Minda, and Jubilant FoodWorks – Somil Mehta, Head of Retail Research at Mirae Asset Sharekhan has identified these four as the top stocks to buy on July 7, 2026: - [Stock market today: Will Nifty50, Sensex continue to rally for the fifth session?](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/sensex-stock-market-today-30-june-2026-live-updates-nse-bse-gift-nifty-50-top-gainers-losers-mcx-stocks-in-focus-market-news/liveblog/132228533.cms) - [Oil price today: Crude benchmarks inch higher as focus shifts to supply, demand and Hormuz shipments](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/oil-price-today-crude-benchmarks-inch-higher-as-focus-shifts-to-supply-demand-and-hormuz-shipments/articleshow/132228339.cms): Oil prices saw a slight increase Tuesday after a tanker was struck near the Strait of Hormuz. This incident raised security concerns on a vital global oil shipping route. However, market gains were limited as traders focused on rising crude supplies. The United Arab Emirates and OPEC+ have agreed to increase their oil production levels. Saudi Arabia also lowered its August crude selling price for Asian markets. - [Día del Maestro: siete de cada 10 estudiantes en el Perú no alcanzan las competencias básicas en lectura y matemáticas](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-del-maestro-siete-de-cada-10-estudiantes-en-el-peru-no-alcanzan-las-competencias-basicas-en-lectura-y-matematicas-ultimas-noticia/): Rolando Arellano Cueva es designado presidente del comité organizador de CADE Ejecutivos 2026 Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el Banco Central de Reserva por 5 años más En el marco del Día del Maestro, el sistema de monitoreo IPAE Mide expuso las brechas estructurales del sector educativo al revelar que solo el 33% de los estudiantes de cuarto de primaria logra un nivel satisfactorio en comprensión lectora y apenas el 30% en matemáticas. Es decir, siete de cada 10 escolares aún desarrollan las competencias básicas esperadas para su grado. Según el informe de IPAE Mide, desarrollado por IPAE Acción Empresarial junto […] - [Rolando Arellano Cueva es designado presidente del comité organizador de CADE Ejecutivos 2026](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/rolando-arellano-cueva-es-designado-presidente-del-comite-organizador-de-cade-ejecutivos-2026-ultimas-noticia/): Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el BCR durante 5 años más Fenómeno de El Niño: estos son los sectores clave más expuestos y cuál es el impacto económico IPAE Acción Empresarial oficializó el nombramiento del consultor e investigador de mercados Rolando Arellano Cueva como presidente del Comité Organizador de CADE Ejecutivos 2026, la edición número 64 del principal foro empresarial del Perú, el encuentro empresarial más importante del Perú. Arellano Cueva será el responsable de estructurar la agenda y realizar coordinaciones logísticas de la edición número 64 del foro empresarial, que se desarrollará en una coyuntura caracterizada por el inicio de […] - ['Growth Gems' biz to power Mahindra's next leap](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/growth-gems-biz-to-power-mahindras-next-leap/articleshow/132227995.cms): Mahindra Group is expanding into fast-growing businesses beyond its core operations. The conglomerate has set ambitious expansion targets across multiple sectors. These “Growth Gems” are positioned to benefit from structural economic trends. Mahindra Lifespaces saw profit increase seven-fold, and aerospace built a strong order book. The group plans to double room inventory at Mahindra Holidays by FY30. - [Fuel-efficient car companies may get a new revenue stream](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/fuel-efficient-car-companies-may-get-a-new-revenue-stream/articleshow/132227955.cms) - [Carsa acelera su transformación digital: e-commerce crece más de 60% y el crédito impulsa el 35% de sus ventas](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/carsa-acelera-su-transformacion-digital-e-commerce-crece-mas-de-60-y-el-credito-impulsa-el-35-de-sus-ventas-cuales-son-su-planes-noticia/): En un contexto de recuperación gradual del consumo, Carsa acelera su transformación hacia un modelo cada vez más omnicanal. La cadena de retail, con 114 tiendas a nivel nacional, reporta un crecimiento de más de 35% en lo que va del 2026, impulsado por la demanda de electrodomésticos, motos y tecnología. En paralelo, su canal de comercio electrónico crecen en 60% frente al mismo periodo del año anterior, mientras que el crédito mantiene un rol estratégico al representar el 35% de las ventas totales de la compañía. Miguel Miranda, gerente general de Grupo Carsa, explica a Día1 que la empresa viene […] - [Flipkart greenlights cashing out up to 5% of vested stock options](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/flipkart-greenlights-cashing-out-up-to-5-of-vested-stock-options/articleshow/132227914.cms): Flipkart’s board has approved a second employee stock option liquidity event. Eligible employees can now liquidate up to five percent of their vested options. This event is estimated to be around twenty-five million dollars. Payouts to employees are scheduled to be made in August. The company’s growth has remained strong despite a challenging macroeconomic environment. - [Markets rise to 10-week high, easing crude aids climb](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/markets-rise-to-10-week-high-easing-crude-aids-climb/articleshow/132227862.cms) - [Semicon 2.0 to widen chip incentives](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/semicon-2-0-to-widen-chip-incentives/articleshow/132227835.cms) - [Julio Velarde acepta quedarse en el BCR durante 5 años más](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/julio-velarde-acepta-quedarse-al-frente-del-bcr-noticia/): Tras ser proclamada por el Jurado Nacional de Elecciones, la presidenta electa Keiko Fujimori llegó a la sede del Banco Central de Reserva (BCR) para pedirle al presidente del ente monetario, Julio Velarde, quedarse un período más en el cargo. “En el nuevo sistema bicameral se ratifica que la Presidencia de la República invite y proponga a cuatro miembros del directorio del Banco Central de Reserva de nuestro país y dentro de esos cuatro miembros se proponga a quien va a presidir el banco. He venido a pedirle que nos pueda acompañar cinco años más”, refirió Fujimori. La mandataria electa se […] - [Manipal Health gets Sebi nod for Rs 8,000-crore IPO](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/manipal-health-gets-sebi-nod-for-rs-8000-crore-ipo/articleshow/132227817.cms): India’s IPO pipeline is gaining momentum with significant upcoming public issues. The National Stock Exchange is planning a substantial Rs 30,000-crore offering. Manipal Health Enterprises has secured approval for its Rs 8,000-crore public issue. Rentomojo also received market regulator nod for its IPO. Funds will be used for debt repayment and acquisitions. - [¿Cómo Levi’s, Heinz y Gillette convirtieron la censura de la FIFA en su mejor campaña? Las lecciones que deja la batalla comercial del Mundial](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/negocios/como-levis-heinz-y-gillette-convirtieron-la-censura-de-la-fifa-en-su-mejor-campana-las-lecciones-que-deja-la-batalla-comercial-del-mundial-noticia/): Mundial 2026: la economía de las sedes del Mundial que une a EE.UU., Canadá y México en un negocio de más de US$40.000 millones Cabo Verde, la sorpresa del Mundial 2026: Los datos económicos del país de Vozinha que este viernes enfrentará a Argentina A pocos días de culminar la fase de grupos del Mundial 2026, una de las batallas más comentadas no se libra dentro de la cancha, sino en el terreno del marketing. La decisión de la FIFA de cubrir los logos de marcas que no forman parte de sus patrocinadores oficiales —como Levi’s, Gillette o Heinz— y que […] - [V&V invierte S/ 181 millones en Villarán 302, proyecto de más de 500 departamentos en Santa Catalina](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/vv-invierte-s-181-millones-en-villaran-302-proyecto-de-mas-de-500-departamentos-en-santa-catalina-noticia/): Contraloría identifica presuntas irregularidades en puerto de Chancay y recomienda acciones civiles y penales: conozca los detalles Los ‘strip centers’ cambian de piel, ¿dónde abrirán estos nuevos espacios comerciales? V&V Grupo Inmobiliario proyecta ventas por alrededor de S/ 215 millones para Villarán 302, proyecto residencial ubicado en Santa Catalina (La Victoria) que registra un avance comercial de 60%. La iniciativa demanda una inversión estimada de S/ 181 millones y tiene prevista su culminación para diciembre de 2028. Según la empresa, el terreno donde se desarrolla el proyecto fue valorizado en alrededor de S/ 28 millones, monto que representa aproximadamente el 16% […] - [El nuevo ‘hub’ logístico de Toyota en el Perú iniciará operaciones en el 2028: Estas son las expectativas de la empresa](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/dia-1/el-nuevo-hub-logistico-de-toyota-iniciara-operaciones-en-el-2028-las-expectativas-de-la-empresa-noticia/): Komatsu-Mitsui: “Tía María va a ser nuestro primer proyecto autónomo”, ¿en qué consistirá? Los ‘strip centers’ cambian de piel, ¿dónde abrirán estos nuevos espacios comerciales? Óscar Chero, gerente ejecutivo de la división de Movilidad y Asuntos Corporativos de Toyota, conversó con El Comercio sobre la inversión que va a realizar la marca automotriz en un ‘hub’ logístico en Lurín, destinado al almacenamiento de vehículos y cuya inversión será de S/100 millones. MIRA | Experian: Perú lidera índice regional de bienestar financiero y destaca por sus hábitos de ahorro ¿Cómo observa el crecimiento de Toyota en el mercado? ¿Se pueden replicar los […] - [Perú: Estos son los retos para ampliar el número de productos agrarios de exportación, ¿cómo vamos?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru-los-retos-para-ampliar-el-numero-de-productos-agrarios-de-exportacion-noticia/): Comisión de Presupuesto del Congreso aprueba dictamen de créditos suplementarios No solo le gana a Alemania en el Mundial 2026, vive un “milagro económico”  Las agroexportaciones peruanas han tenido una evolución notoria en este siglo. Como sostuvo David Sandoval, CEO de Fluctuante, empresa de datos estadísticos para el sector, entre el 2000 y el 2025 las agroexportaciones crecieron unas 23 veces, llegando a registrar casi US$15.000 millones el año pasado. En ese sentido, el Perú se ha vuelto un país competitivo en producción, sostuvo Odilo Duarte, experto agrícola en nuevas variedades, durante el Agrofest, organizado por la Asociación de Gremios Productores […] - [Power and infra drive behind 17% credit growth to industry](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/power-and-infra-drive-behind-17-credit-growth-to-industry/articleshow/132227801.cms): Bank lending to industry saw power sector lead growth in early FY27. Chemicals and vehicles also experienced significant increases in credit allocation. Telecommunications exposure declined, reflecting a shift in lender priorities. Overall infrastructure sector growth was positive, excluding telecommunications contraction. Industry’s share in total bank credit continued its gradual decline. - [CNG, EV make up record 40% car sales in June](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/cng-ev-make-up-record-40-car-sales-in-june/articleshow/132227778.cms) - [Tipo de cambio cierra al alza: dólar cotiza en S/3,41 al término de este lunes 6 de julio](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/tipo-de-cambio-cierra-al-alza-dolar-cotiza-en-s341-al-termino-de-este-lunes-6-de-julio-l-precio-del-dolar-l-ultimas-noticia/): Por estados financieros engañosos: Trabajadores de Petro-Perú solicitan medidas correctivas inmediatas para responsables Gratificación: 3 de cada 10 peruanos destinarán este dinero para el pago de deudas El precio del dólar cerró hoy en S/3,4100, avanzando 80 puntos con respecto al cierre del día viernes que se situó en S/3,4020. Gianina Villavicencio, gerente de intermediación de Divisas en Renta4 SAB, explicó que durante la jornada el dólar estuvo presionado levemente al alza, llevando a la moneda a un precio mínimo de S/3,4000 y máximo de S/3,4110. Además, en el mercado se negociaron US$368.1 millones a un precio promedio de S/3,4055. PUEDES […] - [Wall Street cierra verde, con el Dow Jones en 53.000 puntos y repunte de las tecnológicas](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/wall-street-cierra-verde-con-el-dow-jones-en-53000-puntos-y-repunte-de-las-tecnologicas-l-mercados-l-wall-street-l-ultimas-noticia/): Microsoft recorta 4.800 empleos en reorganización vinculada al avance de la IA Argentina enfrenta a Egipto por el pase a cuartos de final del mundial 2026, ¿quién gana en el partido económico? Wall Street cerró este lunes en verde, con un nuevo hito para el Dow Jones de Industriales, que superó los 53.000 puntos por primera vez, y un repunte en las empresas de semiconductores tras varios días de dudas sobre su futuro. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: ¿Cómo Levi’s, Heinz y Gillette convirtieron la censura de la FIFA en su mejor campaña? Las lecciones que deja la batalla comercial del Mundial Al toque […] - [Microsoft recorta 4.800 empleos en reorganización vinculada al avance de la IA](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/microsoft-recorta-4800-empleos-en-reorganizacion-vinculada-al-avance-de-la-ia-l-ultimas-noticia/): Xiaomi: su estrategia enfocada en alta gama con smartphones, el impacto de la escasez de memorias y cómo apunta a las 60 tiendas al 2029 ¿Cómo Levi’s, Heinz y Gillette convirtieron la censura de la FIFA en su mejor campaña? Las lecciones que deja la batalla comercial del Mundial Microsoft recortará alrededor de 4.800 puestos de trabajo, lo que equivale a un 2,1% de su plantilla global, en el marco de una nueva reestructuración que afectará especialmente a su división de videojuegos Xbox y que busca “adaptar” la compañía al impacto de la inteligencia artificial (IA) en sus operaciones y modelos […] - [Gratificación: 3 de cada 10 peruanos destinarán este dinero para el pago de deudas](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/gratificacion-3-de-cada-10-peruanos-destinaran-este-dinero-para-el-pago-de-deudas-l-ultimas-noticia/): Calcula tu gratificación de julio 2026 y conoce el monto que te corresponde ¿Desde qué día se podría ir pagando la gratificación de julio 2026 a los trabajadores peruanos? Según el estudio Gratificación de Bumeran, portal de empleo en Latinoamérica, el 35% de las personas trabajadoras destinará el dinero de la gratificación al pago de deudas y créditos. Además, el 25% planea ahorrar ese dinero; el 14% lo invertirá en estudios para su crecimiento profesional; y el 7% invertirá. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Caja Arequipa estima desembolsar más de S/1.100 millones en créditos durante su campaña de Fiestas Patrias En esta línea, el […] - [French football federation to file complaint over Paraguayan senator's racist attack on Mbappé](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/06/french-football-federation-to-file-complaint-over-paraguayan-senator-s-racist-attack-on-mbappe?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): The French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Monday that it will file a complaint with prosecutors over racist posts by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla directed at France captain Kylian Mbappé, and called for judicial proceedings to be opened. - [Petro rejects Colombia election result, backs legal bid to annul De la Espriella win](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/06/petro-rejects-colombia-election-result-backs-legal-bid-to-annul-de-la-espriella-win?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=latin-america&utm_campaign=rss): Colombia’s outgoing president, Gustavo Petro, reiterated on Sunday that he does not recognize the legitimacy of the incoming government of Abelardo de la Espriella, insisting that the June 21 presidential runoff was marked by fraud — an accusation he has not backed with public evidence and which is contradicted by international observers and the official vote count itself. - [IPAE Acción Empresarial otorga por primera vez el Premio IPAE Empresario Regional 2025 a Fernando Barrios, fundador de la Universidad Continental](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/ipae-accion-empresarial-otorga-por-primera-vez-el-premio-ipae-empresario-regional-2025-a-fernando-barrios-fundador-de-la-universidad-continental-l-ultimas-noticia/): Argentina enfrenta a Egipto por el pase a cuartos de final del mundial 2026, ¿quién gana en el partido económico? Fenómeno de El Niño: estos son los sectores clave más expuestos y cuál es el impacto económico que se estima, ¿hay avances en prevención? IPAE Acción Empresarial otorgó por primera vez el Premio IPAE al Empresario Regional 2025 a Fernando Barrios Ipenza, fundador y presidente de la Universidad Continental, en reconocimiento a su visión empresarial y su contribución al desarrollo del país en diversos sectores. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Caja Arequipa estima desembolsar más de S/1.100 millones en créditos durante su campaña de […] - [Caja Arequipa estima desembolsar más de S/1.100 millones en créditos durante su campaña de Fiestas Patrias](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/caja-arequipa-estima-desembolsar-mas-de-s1100-millones-en-creditos-durante-su-campana-de-fiestas-patrias-l-ultimas-noticia/): ¿Qué se sabe del pago del 10% como gratificación de julio 2026 para los trabajadores CAS? Argentina enfrenta a Egipto por el pase a cuartos de final del mundial 2026, ¿quién gana en el partido económico? Las celebraciones de las Fiestas Patrias en todo el país generarán un importante dinamismo económico que puede ser aprovechado por miles de emprendedores, principalmente de los rubros de comercio y servicios. Según el Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo (Mincetur), se espera un impacto económico de cerca de US$216 millones en el sector turismo a nivel nacional y la Cámara de Comercio de Lima (CCL) […] - [Argentina contra Egipto en octavos: ¿quién se impone en el ‘Mundial Económico’?](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/argentina-contra-egipto-en-octavos-quien-se-impone-en-el-mundial-economico-l-ultimas-noticia/): Cristiano, el veterano de 41 frente al prodigio de 18: ¿podrá la obsesión de una leyenda contra Yamal, la joya en deuda que inspira a España? Portugal vs España EN VIVO: previa, noticias y todos los detalles del partido de octavos de final del Mundial Argentina se enfrenta este martes 7 de julio a Egipto por los octavos de final del Mundial 2026. La albiceleste logró superar a Cabo Verde 3-2 y ahora chocará con la selección de Mohamed Salah por un pase a los cuartos de final. PUEDES VER: Grupo AJE recibe el Premio IPAE a la Empresa 2025 en […] - [Railway minister Vaishnaw launches new train services: Check routes, extensions and details](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/railway-minister-vaishnaw-launches-new-train-services-check-routes-extensions-and-details/articleshow/132222246.cms): Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched new train services and route extensions. These improvements enhance rail connectivity across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. New services connect Nanded to Mumbai and Tanakpur to Nanded. Existing routes were extended, and special services were regularized for passengers. Railways also announced special trains for Onam and Rath Yatra festivals. - [Grupo AJE recibe el Premio IPAE a la Empresa 2025 en la nueva categoría Expansión Internacional](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/grupo-aje-recibe-el-premio-ipae-a-la-empresa-2025-en-la-nueva-categoria-expansion-internacional-l-ultimas-noticia/): Keiko Fujimori se reunirá con Julio Velarde, presidente del BCR, confirma Miguel Torres La ANIN solo ha ejecutado el 36% del presupuesto de sus proyectos más antiguos IPAE Acción Empresarial otorgó el Premio IPAE a la Empresa 2025 en la categoría Mejor Expansión Internacional a Grupo AJE, en reconocimiento a su capacidad para consolidar una presencia global sostenida y posicionar a una empresa peruana en diversos mercados internacionales. MÁS INFORMACIÓN: Tipo de cambio abre estable: dólar cotiza en S/3,40 para este lunes 6 de julio La distinción reconoció el desempeño de Grupo AJE bajo los criterios de impacto y eficacia. La […] - [Tipo de cambio abre estable: dólar cotiza en S/3,400 para este lunes 6 de julio](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/tipo-de-cambio-abre-estable-dolar-cotiza-en-s3400-para-este-lunes-6-de-julio-l-precio-del-dolar-l-ultimas-noticia/): Fenómeno de El Niño: estos son los sectores clave más expuestos y cuál es el impacto económico que se estima, ¿hay avances en prevención? Keiko Fujimori se reunirá con Julio Velarde, presidente del BCR, confirma Miguel Torres El precio del dólar inició la semana cotizando en S/3,400 en el mercado intercambiario, frente al cierre previo de S/3,401. La apertura se da en un contexto de una ligera apreciación del dólar global (+0.21%), mientras las divisas latinoamericanas reflejan un comportamiento mixto en sus primeras operaciones. LEE TAMBIÉN: Mercado peruano de aseo doméstico alcanza S/3.408 millones en el 2025 Según Jorge Luis Huayta, […] - [Wall Street opens higher as AI stocks rebound; Nasdaq gains 0.8%](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/wall-street-opens-higher-as-ai-stocks-rebound-nasdaq-gains-0-8/articleshow/132220556.cms): Wall Street opened higher as artificial intelligence stocks rebounded strongly. Markets also assessed a planned mega share sale by SK Hynix. Oil prices edged lower after OPEC+ agreed to increase production. US Treasury yields eased, while European and Asian markets traded lower. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index bucked the trend with a gain. - [Trump admits calling FIFA over a red card; the reversal for the US striker sparks an outcry](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/07/06/trump-admits-calling-fifa-over-a-red-card-the-reversal-for-the-us-striker-sparks-an-outcry?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=international&utm_campaign=rss): US President Donald Trump admitted he had called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask that the red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun be reviewed, after the body reversed the suspension that would have kept him out of the round-of-16 match against Belgium. The decision, unprecedented in more than six decades of World Cups, triggered a wave of criticism and formal protests from the Belgian federation and UEFA. - [SoftBank rides the AI wave as OpenAI lifts Vision Fund to $19 billion gain](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/softbank-earnings-report-2q.html): Softbank is ploughing ahead with its push into AI, investing and acquiring firms that will bolster its presence in robots and Artificial Super Intelligence. The company said Tuesday that it will conduct a four-for-one stock split at the end of the year in a bid to make its shares more accessible to investors The Japanese conglomerate's stock has slumped in the past week as concerns of an artificial intelligence bubble sent jitters through global markets. The logo of Japanese company SoftBank Group is seen outside the company's headquarters in Tokyo on January 22, 2025.  Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty Images SoftBank's continued push into AI with investments in ChatGPT maker OpenAI and PayPay helped the Japanese giant post a $19 billion gain on its Vision Fund in its fiscal second quarter. The broader Vision Fund segment factors in non-investment performance such as administrative expenses and gains and losses attributable to third-party investors. The value of the fund had risen $4.8 billion in the company's fiscal first quarter. Softbank is ploughing ahead with its push into artificial intelligence, investing and acquiring firms that will bolster its presence in robots and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). AI revenues reached "new highs" in the quarter ended Sept. 30 with 93% of annualized growth, Softbank said in a investor briefing on the results. Gains from the company's investment in OpenAI totaled 2.2 trillion yen ($14.3 billion) in the quarter. "The reason we were able to have this result is because of September last year, that was the first time we invested in OpenAI," said SoftBank's Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto during an investor presentation. He added, in comments translated by the company, that OpenAI's latest valuation milestone of $500 billion marks one of the largest valuations in the world, according to fair value. The company also said Tuesday that it will conduct a four-for-one stock split at the end of the year in a bid to make its shares more accessible to investors and to further expand its shareholder base. "Our share price recently has been going up and down dynamically… we want to provide as many invest opportunities as possible," said Goto. Here's how SoftBank fared in the fiscal second quarter: Profit more than doubled to 2.5 trillion yen in the quarter, versus 206.89 billion yen expected, according to LSEG consensus estimates. It also compares to 1.18 trillion yen profit a year earlier. Revenue was 1.92 trillion in the quarter, in line with an LSEG estimate of 1.9 trillion yen. AI jitters The Japanese conglomerate's stock has slumped in the past week as concerns of an AI bubble sent jitters through global markets. Nearly $50 billion in market cap was wiped out from the stock last week, marking its worst weekly loss since March 2020. However, shares are up over 140% this year as its tech investment arm has showed signs of recovery. Last month Softbank reportedly approved its final tranche of funding to complete its $30 billion investment in OpenAI. The Japanese firm's investment in the ChatGPT maker came with a caveat — that its total investment could be slashed to as low as $20 billion if OpenAI didn't restructure into a for-profit entity by Dec. 31. The AI startup recently completed its recapitalization, cementing its structure as a nonprofit with a controlling stake in its for-profit business, which is now a public benefit corporation called OpenAI Group PBC. Softbank said in its earning statement Tuesday that it will invest an additional $22.5 billion in OpenAI through its Vision Fund 2 in December. — CNBC's Arjun Kharpal contributed to this report. - [How Syria’s President Transformed His Image](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010515338/how-syrias-president-transformed-his-image.html): new video loaded: - [Trump proposes 50-year mortgage, but some say homeowner savings would be minimal](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/10/trump-proposes-50-year-mortgage-but-homeowner-savings-could-be-minimal.html): In another attempt to make homebuying more affordable, President Donald Trump floated the idea of a 50-year mortgage in a social media post. In response, Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte, who oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, posted that they are “working on it,” and that it would be, “a complete game-changer.” The purpose of a longer-term mortgage would be to lower the monthly payment for homeowners. The longer the term of the loan, the smaller the principal needed each month to pay it off in full. But such a plan has other trade-offs. Using the latest median sale […] - [Kia previews next-gen Telluride SUV as 'new benchmark' for brand](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/10/kia-telluride-suv.html): Kia on Monday previewed its next-generation Telluride SUV that the company is describing as a "new benchmark for the brand's design and ambition." The Telluride has been a standout success for the South Korean car brand since it launched in 2019, at many times being one of the most highly in-demand vehicles in the U.S. Kia said the 2027 Telluride, which is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms during the first quarter, is larger, boxier and a more modern design overall compared with the current model. 2027 Kia Telluride DETROIT – Kia on Monday previewed its next-generation Telluride SUV that the company is describing as a "new benchmark for the brand's design and ambition." The first-generation Telluride has been a standout success for the South Korean car brand since it launched in 2019, at many times ranking as one of the most highly in-demand vehicles in the U.S., based on inventory levels. It's a crucial vehicle for the company in the U.S. Kia said the 2027 Telluride, which is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms during the first quarter, has a larger, boxier and more modern design overall compared with the current model. The new front end features a large front grille encompassed by vertical headlamps, while the rear of the vehicle features a sleek design and silhouette reminiscent of a Range Rover. 2027 Kia Telluride The company on Monday released images of a Telluride X-Pro model ahead of the three-row midsize SUV's official debut later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show, where more trims and details of the vehicle will be released. Sales of the Telluride have increased every year since its launch in 2019, with Kia selling more than 444,000 units in total, according to the company. The vehicle's sales are up 11% year to date through October, according to Kia. Kia offers the current Telluride in 10 trim levels, with starting pricing between $36,000 and $54,000. A new version of the Hyundai Palisade, which is a sibling vehicle to the Kia Telluride, was released earlier this year and starts between $39,000 and $55,000, depending on trim. - [Russian airstrikes on Ukraine dipped in October, likely due to bad weather, U.K. officials say](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/9/pace-russian-airstrikes-ukraine-dipped-october-likely-due-bad-weather/): Russia launched about 5,300 attack drones on Ukrainian targets in October — about 200 fewer than in September, likely due to worsening weather, British military officials said. But weather-based lulls were often followed by increased attacks, with Moscow launching 400 to 650 attack drones in a single night, British officials posted Saturday on X. “Russian [drones] present a significant challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, particularly when combined with the short-range ballistic missiles also launched in significant numbers,”  British military officials said in their latest assessment of the battlefield in Ukraine. The tempo of Moscow’s long-range bomber missions over Ukraine also slowed […] - [After Hurricane Melissa, Solar Power Kept the Electricity on for Some Jamaicans](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/climate/jamaica-hurricane-solar-power.html): The morning after Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica, Jennifer Hue, a retired tax auditor living close to hard-hit Treasure Beach, woke up to devastation. Her mango, breadfruit and papaya trees were lost, their tops snapped off by 180-mile-per-hour winds. There was water everywhere.But her roof was intact, and just as importantly, so were the solar panels she had installed two years ago. Most of her neighbors didn’t have electricity. But she did.Neighbors began stopping by to charge their phones, to take a cool drink from the refrigerator, to message loved ones to let them know they were safe. Ms. Hue is still hosting a cousin and his mother, as well as two medical students from the local university, whose accommodations were damaged.“The wind was like a tornado, and water came through every crevice,” Ms. Hue said. “But we didn’t lose any solar panels, and the next morning, the sun was shining bright and early,” she said. “We had our power back.”A small but vibrant market for rooftop solar panels in Jamaica has long been seen as a promising way to wean the nation off imported fossil fuels. The country is reliant on oil and gas from abroad for its power plants, which not only is polluting but also makes Jamaica’s electricity some of the priciest in the world per kilowatt-hour.Jennifer Hue’s solar panels survived the storm, while Jamaica’s traditional power grid collapsed.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [ESPN's 'College GameDay' available free on app, X as Disney standoff with YouTube TV continues](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/8/espns-college-gameday-available-free-app-x-disney-standoff-youtube-tv/): ESPN college football pregame show “College GameDay” was available for free on the ESPN app and on the X account of host Pat McAfee for the second straight week on Saturday. “As we continue to work on reaching a fair resolution with YouTube TV so they can restore our networks, this week College GameDay will be available, once again, to all fans on the ESPN App with no subscription or authentication needed,” ESPN’s public relations account posted on X. Mr. McAfee also posted the full stream and a series of clips from the program, taped this week at Texas Tech Univesity […] - [Fed's Miran says stablecoin surge could help push interest rates lower](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/07/feds-miran-says-stablecoin-surge-could-help-push-interest-rates-lower.html): Fed Governor Stephen Miran on Friday suggested that surging demand for dollar-denominated stablecoins could help push U.S. interest rates lower. “Stablecoins may become a multitrillion-dollar elephant in the room for central bankers,” Miran said during a speech in New York. Fed Governor Stephen Miran on Friday suggested that surging demand for dollar-denominated stablecoins could help push U.S. interest rates lower. In a speech delivered for an audience of economists in New York, the central bank official and appointee of President Donald Trump said the flood of crypto tokens pegged to the dollar could tamp down what economists refer to as “r-star,” […] - [Consumer sentiment nears lowest level ever as worries build over shutdown](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/07/consumer-sentiment-shutdown.html): Worries over the government shutdown surged in the early part of November, pushing consumer sentiment In to its lowest in more than three years and just off its worst level ever, according to a University of Michigan survey Friday. The current conditions index slid to 52.3, a drop of nearly 11% from last month, while the future expectations measure fell to 49.0, down 2.6%. On a year-ago basis, the two measures respectively slumped 18.2% and 36.3%. Volunteers load boxes of food into cars during an event held by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in partnership with Bergen County to deliver […] - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open lower, tracking Wall Street losses as AI stocks resume slump](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/07/asia-pacific-markets-friday-ai-stocks-valuation-china-october-trade-data.html): Asia markets were set to open lower, tracking Wall Street's tech-led sell-off. Overnight, declines in artificial intelligence stocks weighed down on U.S. averages. Investors await China’s October trade data, expected to show weaker exports and imports. View of the central business district skyline at sunset in Beijing, China. Sheng Peng | Visual China Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open lower Friday, tracking Wall Street declines on persistent concerns over lofty valuations in artificial intelligence stocks. Shares of major AI companies fell Thursday stateside, weighing down on the broader U.S. market. The biggest declines were from Nvidia, Microsoft, Palantir Technologies, Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices. Investors in Asia are watching for China's October trade data, due later in the day. Economists polled by Reuters expect exports to have slowed to 3% year on year, down from an 8.3% surge in September, while imports are forecast to fall to 3.2% from 7.4%. That comes as weak domestic demand continues to weigh on the back of a prolonged housing slump, rising job insecurity, and the tapering of consumption-focused stimulus measures. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a lower open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 50,300, and its counterpart in Osaka at 50,200, against the index's Thursday close of 50,883.68. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.27%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a lower open, trading at 26,436, against the index's previous close of 26,485.9. U.S. futures edged higher in early Asian hours after Thursday's tech sell-off. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 398.70 points, or 0.84%, to close at 46,912.30. The S&P 500 traded down by 1.12%, to settle at 6,720.32, while the Nasdaq Composite tumbled 1.9% to end at 23,053.99. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Sarah Min contributed to this report. - [Most Index Stock Floats Are Over 80%](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/most-index-stock-floats-are-over-80): Uncover float trends for recent IPOs, as well as the levels of float typical for major U.S. indexes. - [Spotlight on SmartCon](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/spotlight-smartcon): Nasdaq TradeTalks covers SmartCon X Chainlink in New York City and Brian Joyce, Managing Director of Nasdaq’s Market Intelligence Desk, shares how technical analysis be used to predict stock price movements. - [Movie group to Meta: Stop using PG-13](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/6/movie-group-meta-stop-using-pg-13/): The Motion Picture Association, which rates films based on content, sent a cease-and-desist letter asking Facebook parent company Meta to stop using the PG-13 rating. The group’s letter, sent to Meta on Oct. 28, contended that the social media giant could use artificial intelligence to decide what content constitutes PG-13. “Any dissatisfaction with Meta’s automated classification will inevitably cause the public to question the integrity of the MPA’s rating system. … Meta’s activities are likely to cause consumers to believe that Meta is approved to use the PG-13 rating or that Meta and the MPA are collaborating in some way,” an […] - [On the set of the first Agatha Christie show where mysteries are solved with the internet](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/6/set-first-agatha-christie-show-mysteries-solved-internet/): LONDON — The scene: Outside a stately English home, a man and a woman attempts to solve a mystery. What’s unusual about this picture? They’re using the internet. In a departure from what could be the logline for many a cozy English mystery before it, “Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence” marks the first time Agatha Christie’s work has been modernized for an English-speaking TV audience. In this six-part drama premiering next year, there are phones, social media and TikTok alongside the usual murky secrets, red herrings and nefarious crimes. Speaking in late October on the set of the BritBox contemporary series […] - [Alibaba-backed Moonshot releases its second AI update in four months as China’s AI race heats up](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/alibaba-backed-moonshot-releases-new-ai-model-kimi-k2-thinking.html): Beijing-based startup Moonshot released a new AI model Thursday just four months after its prior update. Major U.S. companies such as Airbnb have begun to publicly tout how some Chinese AI models as viable — and often cheaper — alternatives to OpenAI’s. The new Kimi AI model cost $4.6 million to train, according to a source familiar with the matter. Alibaba-backed Chinese startup Moonshot has launched one of the more popular generative AI chatbots called Kimi. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Chinese startup Moonshot on Thursday released its latest generative artificial intelligence model which claims to beat OpenAI’s ChatGPT in “agentic” capabilities […] - [Chicago Fed's Goolsbee says he's cautious about further rate cuts during shutdown](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/chicago-feds-goolsbee-says-hes-cautious-about-further-rate-cuts-during-shutdown.html): Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee expressed hesitation about lowering interest rates further because the government shutdown has resulted in a blackout on key inflation data. Goolsbee spoke to CNBC as the Chicago Fed updated its own dashboard of labor market indicators. The data set indicated a stable unemployment rate in October. Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee on Thursday expressed hesitation about lowering interest rates further because the government shutdown has resulted in a blackout on key inflation data. While Goolsbee has otherwise been an advocate for gradually lowering rates, the central bank official said during a CNBC interview that […] - [Cathie Wood trims her bitcoin bull case on threat of stablecoins taking some market share](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/cathie-wood-trims-her-bitcoin-bull-case-on-threat-of-stablecoins-taking-some-market-share.html): Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood has trimmed her most bullish forecast for bitcoin, acknowledging that the rapid rise of stablecoins is taking on a role she once thought bitcoin would fill. “Stablecoins are usurping part of the role that we thought bitcoin would play,” Wood said Thursday on CNBC’s ” Squawk Box .” “So our bullish forecast out there is $1.5 million by 2030. Given what’s happening to stablecoins, which are serving emerging markets in a way that we thought bitcoin would, I think we could take maybe $300,000 off of that bullish case just for stablecoins. So watch that space. Stablecoins […] - [Cuts to space funding threaten U.S. ability to compete with China, experts say](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/6/cuts-space-funding-threaten-us-ability-compete-china-experts-say/): The Trump administration’s recent cuts to domestic space institutions put the U.S. on the back foot when competing against China in the final frontier, some experts say, arguing that Washington should encourage investment in space technology to ensure security. In a recent report, analysts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies stressed that a well-funded space sector is essential for national security and financial stability. The analysts said China’s recent investments in the commercial space sector seek to “undermine American infrastructure” by “forcing firms to rely on Chinese infrastructure vulnerable to espionage.” Beijing is also reportedly interested in militarizing space to […] - [Job cuts in October hit highest level for the month in 22 years, Challenger says](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/job-cuts-in-october-hit-highest-level-for-the-month-in-22-years-challenger-says.html): Job cuts for October totaled 153,074, a 183% surge from September and 175% higher than the same month a year ago. It was the highest level for any October since 2003 and has been the worst year for layoffs since 2009. Companies in the technology sector announced 33,281 cuts, nearly six times the level in September. “Like in 2003, a disruptive technology is changing the landscape,” said Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer at outplacement firm Challenger, Gray % Christmas Jobseekers during a NYS Department Of Labor job fair at the Downtown Central Library in Buffalo, New York, US, […] - [Bank of England rate cut a close call ahead of the Autumn Budget](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/bank-of-england-rate-cut-a-close-call-ahead-of-the-autumn-budget.html): Economists are widely predicting that a majority of the BOE’s nine-member monetary policy committee will vote to keep key interest rates unchanged. Assuming the BOE does hold rates on Thursday, economists predict a cut will come in February, or maybe as soon as December. The BOE’s meeting comes ahead of the Autumn Budget on Nov. 26. A Union flag flutters from a pole atop the Bank of England, in the City of London on August 7, 2025. Niklas Halle’n | Afp | Getty Images LONDON — The Bank of England on Thursday is set to make its last interest rate decision before […] - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open higher, tracking Wall Street gains as AI stocks rebound](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/asia-pacific-markets-ponyai-debut-hong-kong-weride-ai-stocks.html): Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Thursday. Chinese autonomous vehicle firms WeRide and Pony.ai are expected to debut on the Hong Kong exchange later in the day. Hong Kong Skyline Nikada | E+ | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Thursday, tracking Wall Street gains after AMD's third-quarter earnings beat lifted artificial intelligence stocks. Investors in the region are looking to Chinese autonomous vehicle firms WeRide and Pony.ai's market debut in Hong Kong later in the day. Both companies are already listed in the United States. Pony.ai set the final IPO offer price at 139 Hong Kong dollars a share, according to a filing, raising gross proceeds of HK$6.7 billion (about $860 million). WeRide raised HK$2.4 billion. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 51,190, and its counterpart in Osaka at 51,090, against the index's Wednesday close of 50,212.27. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.58%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a higher open, trading at 26,150, against the index's previous close of 25,935.41. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours after the Supreme Court expressed skepticism over President Donald Trump's tariffs, and as AI stocks recovered following a sell-off on valuation concerns. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 225.76 points, or 0.48%, to close at 47,311.00. The S&P 500 rose 0.37% to finish at 6,796.29, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.65% to settle at 23,499.80. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Sarah Min contributed to this report. - [Fortnite maker Epic Games and Google say they're settling 5-year legal fight over Android app store](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/5/fortnite-maker-epic-games-google-settling-5-year-legal-fight-android/): SAN FRANCISCO — Video game maker Epic Games has reached a “comprehensive settlement” with Google that could end its 5-year-old legal crusade targeting Google’s Play Store for Android apps. Epic and Google revealed the settlement agreement in a joint legal document they filed in a San Francisco federal court Tuesday. They said it “would allow the parties to put their disputes aside while making Android a more vibrant and competitive platform for users and developers.” Epic, which makes the hit online game Fortnite, won a victory over the summer when a federal appeals court upheld a jury verdict condemning Google’s Android […] - [Gemini AI to transform Google Maps into a more conversational experience](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/5/gemini-ai-transform-google-maps-conversational-experience/): Google Maps is heading in a new direction with artificial intelligence sitting in the passenger’s seat. Fueled by Google’s Gemini AI technology, the world’s most popular navigation app will become a more conversational companion as part of a redesign announced Wednesday. The hands-free experience is meant to turn Google Maps into something more like an insightful passenger able to direct a driver to a destination while also providing nearby recommendations on places to eat, shop or sightsee, when asked for the advice. “No fumbling required – now you can just ask,” Google promised in a blog post about the app makeover. […] - [Job openings in October slumped to the lowest level since February 2021, Indeed measure shows](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/04/job-openings-in-october-slumped-to-the-lowest-level-since-early-february-indeed-measure-shows.html): Employment opportunities hit their lowest level in more than 4½ years as October came to a close and the government shutdown dragged on, according to data from jobs site Indeed. Indeed’s dashboard of indicators also has shown a decline in salary offerings as job advertisements have declined. A jobseeker holds a brochure during a NYS Department Of Labor job fair at the Downtown Central Library in Buffalo, New York, US, on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. Lauren Petracca | Bloomberg | Getty Images Employment opportunities hit their lowest level in more than 4½ years as October came to a close and the […] - [European Union welcomes suspension of China's rare earth controls](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/4/european-union-welcomes-suspension-chinas-rare-earth-controls/): BRUSSELS — The European Union has agreed with China on stabilizing the flow of rare earth materials and products from China that are critical elements for many high-tech and military products, an official said Tuesday. EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Brussels on Friday to discuss Beijing’s export controls on rare earths issued in April and October, and European regulations on semiconductor sales, said Olof Gill, a spokesperson for the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm. Like the U.S., Europe runs a huge trade deficit with China – around 300 billion euros ($345 […] - [Regulatory Roundup: The Compliance Gap: Unmonitored Tools and Unintended Consequences](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/fintech/regulatory-roundup-october-2025): Overreliance on automated surveillance tools—without proper oversight, calibration, or staffing—can lead to serious compliance failures. Learn about the risks of deploying technology without adequate processes or culture, and the latest capital markets regulatory updates and enforcement actions. - [Bessent says U.S. has 'lots' of options to use on tariffs if it loses Supreme Court case](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/04/bessent-says-us-has-lots-of-options-to-use-on-tariffs-if-it-loses-supreme-court-case.html): With the Supreme Court about to hear a landmark case on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that there are other options in case of defeat. Bessent expressed confidence in a CNBC interview that the administration will prevail. With the Supreme Court about to hear a landmark case on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that there are other options in case of defeat. The high court is set Wednesday to decide whether Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact sweeping duties on U.S. trading partners. At […] - [Free AI in India? Google, OpenAI and Perplexity are betting your curiosity will train their machines](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/04/google-openai-and-perplexity-bet-on-india-to-train-next-generation-of-ai.html): Global AI firms, including Google, OpenAI and Perplexity, are offering long-term free access in India to attract millions of users who can train their models. With more than 700 million internet users, India is generating vast datasets critical to AI development. Analysts say India is evolving from a consumer market into a “bot training capital.” Indian visitors talk on their mobile phones outside the Google stall at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi on Sept. 27, 2017. Prakash Singh | AFP | Getty Images Artificial intelligence companies racing to expand in India are not just chasing customers — they are enlisting millions of users to help train AI models for the world. Google and Perplexity AI are offering their services free for 12 to 18 months through partnerships with local telecom providers Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, while OpenAI has made its ChatGPT Go plan free nationwide for one year. "India stands at the intersection of youth, digital fluency and rapid AI adoption," said Sharmila Senthilraja, VP and industry platform leader at Capgemini India. Low internet costs and a strong digital foundation have enabled consumers aged 18 to 35 to experiment freely with emerging technologies, Senthilraja said. Half of India's internet users report using some form of AI, she added. India has one of the highest smartphone and internet penetration rates in the world. "With over 700 million internet users and widespread smartphone penetration, India generates massive volumes of data, which is the fuel for training AI models," a Boston Consulting Group report said in June. The country's AI market is projected to exceed $17 billion by 2027, making it one of the fastest-growing in the world, BCG added. AI players are not just building a "simple user base; it is a new data and cognition infrastructure, powered by human engagement and trained at a national scale," Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief executive officer of US-based Greyhound Research. He added that AI platforms offered through telecom providers will also shape enterprise behavior. "The tools that your employees experiment with at home today become the same ones they use at work tomorrow," he said. India's AI workforce is expected to grow from about 650,000 professionals to more than 1.27 million by 2027, at a compound annual growth rate of 15%, according to 2024 estimates shared by India's IT and tech industry body NASSCOM. AI is driving demand for jobs in data science, data curation, AI engineering, and analytics in India. As of August 2025, around 865,000 candidates have enrolled or trained in various emerging technology courses, including 320,000 in AI and Big Data Analytics. "India is becoming the bot training capital of the world," Saurabh Mukherjea, founder and chief investment officer of Marcellus Investment Managers, told CNBC. He added that the country is also set to become a major global center for data cleaning. - [Asia markets mostly poised to fall despite Wall Street tech rally](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/04/asia-pacific-markets-tuesday-hang-seng-nikkei-kospi-australia-rba-rate-hkma-summit.html): Asia-Pacific markets mostly declined Tuesday, diverging from Wall Street’s tech-driven gains. Amazon’s $38 billion deal with OpenAI lifted tech stocks, including Nvidia, which gained export clearance for shipments to the UAE. Investors watched for the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision, while Japan’s Nikkei looked set to rise. Pedestrians are reflected in a window as electronic boards display stock information at the Australian Securities Exchange, operated by ASX Ltd. on Aug. 6, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Lisa Maree Williams | Getty Images News | Getty Images Asia Pacific markets mostly fell Tuesday, breaking ranks from Wall Street's tech-fuelled rally. The rally followed Amazon shares rising 4% on a $38 billion deal with OpenAI, a move that will use hundreds of thousands of Nvidia's graphics processing units. Nvidia also gained about 2% after it secured export licenses to ship its chips to the United Arab Emirates. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.36% as investors awaited the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy decision. Japan's Nikkei 225 was 0.39% lower, and the Topix declined 0.23%. South Korea's Kospi fell 0.32% while the small-cap Kosdaq climbed 0.24%%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index pointed to a lower open, at 26,134, compared with the HSI's last close of 26,158.36. Overnight in the U.S., the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 0.46%, while the S&P 500 traded up 0.17%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, falling 0.48%. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. - [Starbucks to form joint venture with Boyu Capital to run China business](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/03/starbucks-boyu-capital-china.html): Starbucks will form a joint venture with Boyu Capital to operate the company's locations in China. The company will retain a 40% stake in the joint venture. In recent years, the coffee giant has seen its sales in China plummet, first due to the pandemic and related government restrictions and later caused by increased competition. Starbucks on Monday announced it is forming a joint venture with Boyu Capital to operate the company's locations in China. Under the terms of the deal, Boyu, an alternative asset management firm, will pay Starbucks roughly $4 billion to hold up to a 60% interest in the joint venture. Starbucks will hold a 40% stake and maintain its ability to license the brand and intellectual property to the joint venture. The announcement comes after the coffee giant conducted a months-long review of options that included strategic partnerships. Starbucks values its China business at more than $13 billion, the company said. The valuation includes the sale of the controlling stake in the joint venture, combined with the value of both its retained interest and the ongoing licensing fees that will paid to the company in the future. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, pending regulatory approval. Starbucks opened its first store in China in 1999. By 2015, it had grown to become the company's second-largest market, trailing only the United States. "Building on our positive business momentum, our partnership with Boyu will enable Starbucks China to fully unlock the vast market opportunity," Molly Liu, CEO of Starbucks China, said in a statement. Today, the company has roughly 8,000 locations in China, but Starbucks has big ambitions for the market. CEO Brian Niccol told CNBC's Kate Rogers in September that the country could one day have 20,000 or even 30,000 locations nationwide. But in recent years, Starbucks has seen its sales in China plummet, first due to the pandemic and related government restrictions and later caused by increased competition. Rival Luckin Coffee now has more stores in China than Starbucks and has won over customers with lower-priced drinks than the U.S. coffee chain. On Wednesday, the company reported that its fiscal-fourth quarter same-store sales in China increased 2%, fueled by a 9% increase in traffic. However, as Starbucks has leaned into discounting to compete with local rivals, the average ticket at its Chinese cafes has fallen, weighing on the company's profits. While Starbucks executives have continually expressed optimism about the company's long-term prospects in China, its weak performance in the country has weighed on Starbucks' overall financial results. For decades, China's massive population and fast-growing economy have made it an attractive market for U.S. companies. But in recent years, an economic slowdown and greater competition from home-grown brands have made some companies rethink their strategies. Earlier this year, Burger King's parent company Restaurant Brands International bought its struggling China business from TFI Asia Holdings with the goal of selling it to another operator. On the other hand, McDonald's increased its minority stake in its China business from 20% to 48% two years ago, aiming to benefit from the market's growth. - [October 2025 Review and Outlook](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/october-2025-review-and-outlook): U.S. equities ascended into record territory in October amid easing U.S.-China trade tensions, a hawkish Fed rate cut, robust corporate earnings, and an ongoing government shutdown. - [Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed ahead of PMI data from China](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/03/asia-pacific-markets-trade-mixed-ahead-of-pmi-data-from-china.html): Investors in the region will be watching manufacturing activity figures out from China later today, as RatingDog publishes its PMI numbers for October. The Reserve Bank of Australia starts its two day meeting today. An employee works on the production line of power batteries and box chassis for new energy vehicles at a workshop on July 11, 2025 in Huaibei, Anhui Province of China. Li Xin | Visual China Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed Monday, after Wall Street saw all three U.S. major indexes climb Friday stateside. Investors in Asia will be watching manufacturing activity figures out from China later today, as RatingDog publishes its purchasing managers index for October. Economists from Reuters expect the reading to come in at 50.9, slightly lower than September's 51.2. The official PMI numbers released Friday by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that China's manufacturing activity in October shrunk to its lowest level in six months, coming in at 49.0. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were at 25,975, higher than the HSI's last close of 25,906.65.South Korea's Kospi was up 1.04%, while the small-cap Kosdaq gained 0.51% at its open. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day 0.4% down. The country's central bank starts its two-day monetary policy meeting today, with economists expecting a hold from the Reserve Bank of Australia after inflation readings came in hotter than expected for the third quarter. Japan's markets are closed for a public holiday. On Friday in the U.S., the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.61% at 23,724.96, while the S&P 500 gained 0.26% to reach 6,840.20. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed marginally higher at 47,562.87. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Amazon stock hits record, lights up ETFs](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/amazon-stock-hits-record-lights-up-etfs): Evercore ISI’s Mark Mahaney joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to discuss Amazon’s breakout AWS growth, his new $335 price target and why he’s turning cautious on Meta amid soaring AI spending. Amazon shares touched a record high Friday, rising over 9%, after strong quarterly results that were driven by its growing cloud business – AWS—which saw a double-digit jump in sales to $30 billion.  Ticker Security Last Change Change % AMZN AMAZON.COM INC. 244.22 +21.36 +9.58% “AWS is growing at a pace we haven’t seen since 2022, re-accelerating to 20.2% year-over-year, our largest growth rate in 11 quarters,” CEO Andy Jassy told […] - [Tariffs are expected to start showing up more in consumer prices as holiday shopping season starts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/31/tariffs-are-expected-to-start-showing-up-more-in-consumer-prices-as-holiday-shopping-season-starts.html): While the impact so far this year has been muted, tariffs are expected to catch up with prices consumers pay just in time for the holiday shopping season. Tariff impacts have been muted so far as companies built up inventories ahead of the duties and have absorbed some of the impact through compressed profit margins. Bank of America, though, expects that tariffs will be adding about half a percentage point to the core PCE measure the Federal Reserve uses when assessing inflation. Shoppers carry Macy’s and Nordstrom bags at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, California, US, on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. […] - [Google to offer Gemini AI for free to over 500 million Jio users as global firms double down on India](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/31/google-gemini-ai-free-500-million-jio-relince-users-india-.html): Reliance Intelligence partners with Google to provide free subscription of Gemini AI to Jio telecom customers for 18 months . Perplexity AI has tied up with India's second largest telecom provider Bharti Airtel to provide free services for a year. OpenAI reportedly will offer free services for a year to users in India starting Nov. 4. The Google AI Studio application is displayed on a mobile phone with Google in the background, in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on October 26, 2025. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Google will offer its Gemini AI service for free to over 500 million Reliance Jio users in India, as global artificial intelligence firms double down on acquiring customers in the country. The U.S. tech giant revealed Thursday that it had signed a pact with Reliance Intelligence, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and Meta, to provide Google's AI Pro plan, which includes Gemini 2.5 Pro, expanded access to NotebookLM for study and research, and 2 TB of cloud storage, among other things. Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, said his firm aims to make India "AI-empowered" through collaborations with strategic and long-term partners such as Google. Reliance Jio is India's largest telecom services operator. Google services, worth 35,100 rupees per user ($396), will have a staggered roll out with early access for 18- to 25-year-old users on unlimited Jio 5G plans for for 18 months. Eventually they will be made available for free to the company's entire customer base. "I'm excited for how this partnership will help expand access to AI across India," said Sundar Pichai, chief executive officer of Google and Alphabet. There are about 377 million Gen Zs in India, driving $860 billion in consumer spending in the country, and that is set to rise to $2 trillion by 2035, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group. India has the highest number of users globally across social media platforms such as Facebook (350 million-plus), Instagram (413.8 million), video app YouTube (over 467 million) while messaging app WhatsApp has over 500 million users, making it a key market for digital services. In July, the second largest Indian telecom operator Bharti Airtel partnered with Perplexity to offer its 360 million customers free access to Perplexity Pro, which is priced at $200 per year globally. Airtel and Perplexity followed this up with intensive campaigns on social media platforms, enlisting leading Indian influencers who posted reels promoting the use-cases for the free AI tool. Indian telecom market is dominated by Jio and Airtel and partnerships with these telecom operators offer the opportunity for companies to expand the reach of apps and digital tools, making them available to a mass audience. On Tuesday, OpenAI reportedly said it would make its ChatGPT Go plan free for users in India for a year, starting Nov. 4. The offer was launched in August for 399 rupees per month, and was among the most affordable subscription plans from OpenAI. The company is rapidly expanding its presence in India, its second largest market, and plans to set up a 1 gigawatt data center in the country. - [Third-Quarter Earnings Are Surprisingly Good](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/third-quarter-earnings-are-surprisingly-good): The U.S. third-quarter earnings season is now fully underway, and more companies across more areas of the economy are returning to earnings growth. - [European Central Bank holds rates steady as economy shows resilience](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/ecb-october-2025-rate-decision.html): Top ECB board members told CNBC this month that the easing cycle is close to, or at its end. Preliminary euro zone growth data out earlier Thursday showed the euro zone economy had grown 0.2% in the third quarter, more than expected. Euro zone inflation inched up to 2.2% in September, up from 2% the previous month. The European Central Bank has kept interest rates on hold, as expected, at its latest meeting on Thursday. The central bank held its key deposit facility rate at 2% for the third consecutive time, having last cut rates in June. The trim, which coincided with […] - [Trump hails success of summit with China's Xi, with deals on tariffs, rare earths and farm goods](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/30/trump-hails-success-summit-chinas-xi-deals-tariffs-rare-earths-farm/): SEOUL, South Korea — President Trump said he has secured trade deals with China after meeting Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a high-stakes summit aimed at reducing tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Onboard Air Force One, Mr. Trump told reporters that he will reduce tariffs against Chinese goods by 10% — to 47% — in exchange for Beijing tightening regulations on fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid cited as a main contributor to the U.S. drug crisis. The president also said China will “purchase massive amounts of soybeans, sorghum and other farm products” and provide access to rare […] - [China says it’s willing to work with U.S. on TikTok — but offers few details](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/china-says-its-willing-to-work-with-us-on-tiktok.html): The U.S. wants Beijing-based ByteDance to divest U.S. operations of TikTok, but it has remained unresolved for months. President Donald Trump did not mention TikTok following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. China's Commerce Ministry said Thursday that Beijing would work with the U.S. on resolving TikTok-related issues. Dado Ruvic | Reuters Beijing will work with Washington to "properly resolve" issues around the divestiture of the U.S. operations of TikTok, China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement Thursday, according to a CNBC translation. The ministry did not provide a timeframe or any further details. The comment followed a high-stakes meeting earlier in the day between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first in-person gathering of the leaders since Trump took office in January. Trump did not mention TikTok in his remarks with reporters following his meeting with Xi. Instead, he outlined how the U.S. will roll back some tariffs on Chinese goods, while Beijing will postpone its latest rare earths restrictions. "It's the lack of specifics that will most certainly add to policy miscalculation risk," Louise Loo, head of Asia economics at Oxford Economics, said in an email. "We don't think there's enough as yet to believe Beijing's interests in the TikTok contention truly aligns with President Trump's motivations to spin off the entity's US business." ByteDance and TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to U.S. national security law, Beijing-based ByteDance must sell TikTok's U.S. operations or effectively be banned in the country. China has yet to approve terms of a deal that would allow a new joint-venture company to oversee TikTok in the U.S. - [Asia-Pacific markets open mixed as Fed casts doubt on another rate cut in December](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/30/asia-markets-live-trump-xi-meeting-fed-cut.html): U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese his counterpart Xi Jinping set to meet in South Korea. Fed Chair Powell cautioned that a rate cut in December was not a done deal. A container ship sails past buildings in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Thursday, after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that a rate cut in December was far from a "foregone conclusion." The Fed on Wednesday slashed the benchmark federal funds rate by 25 basis points, as expected, to bring it to 3.75%-4%. In Asia, investors will closely watch a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping — the first in-person meeting between the two leaders in Trump's second term. South Korea's markets will also be in focus after Seoul's chief policy advisor Kim Yong-beom reportedly released details of the trade deal with Washington. South Korea will invest $200 billion in the U.S., with an annual cap of $20 billion a year, while the remaining $150 billion of its $350 billion total pledge announced earlier this year will be used for shipbuilding cooperation, according to local media reports. The Kospi gained 1.37% on open with gains seen in auto and shipbuilding stocks, while the small-cap Kosdaq was down 0.1%. Japan's Nikkei 225 dipped marginally below the flatline on open, while the Topix rose 0.1%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day down 0.29%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was poised to rise as it resumes trading after a holiday holiday. HSI futures were at 26,598, higher than the HSI's last close of 26,346.14. Overnight in the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed lower Wednesday after Powell's remarks, having hit a record high earlier in the session. The Dow closed down 0.2% at 47,632.00, while the S&P 500 ended marginally lower at 6,890.59. However, the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.55% to a fresh record close of 23,958.47, propped up by a rise in Nvidia. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Sarah Min contributed to this report. - [AI Agents Are Terrible Freelance Workers](https://www.wired.com/story/ai-agents-are-terrible-freelance-workers/): Even the best artificial intelligence agents are fairly hopeless at online freelance work, according to an experiment that challenges the idea of AI replacing office workers en masse. The Remote Labor Index, a new benchmark developed by researchers at data annotation company Scale AI and the Center for AI Safety (CAIS), a nonprofit, measures the ability of frontier AI models to automate economically valuable work. The researchers gave several leading AI agents a range of simulated freelance work and found that even the best could perform less than 3 percent of the work, earning $1,810 out of a possible $143,991. The […] - [AI chipmaker Nvidia is the first $5 trillion company](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/29/nvidia-ai-chipmaker-first-5-trillion-company/): Nvidia has become the first $5 trillion company, just three months after the Silicon Valley chipmaker was first to break through the $4 trillion barrier. Hitting the new benchmark puts more emphasis on the upheaval being unleashed by an artificial intelligence craze that’s widely viewed as the biggest tectonic shift in technology since Apple co-founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone 18 years ago. Apple rode the iPhone’s success to become the first publicly traded company to be valued at $1 trillion, $2 trillion and eventually, $3 trillion. But there are concerns of a possible AI bubble, with officials at the […] - [India is dependent on China for electronic components. Now it's trying to change that](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/29/india-is-dependent-on-china-for-electronic-components-now-its-trying-to-change-that-.html): India approved its first seven projects worth $626 million under its $2.7 billion electronic component manufacturing scheme. The country exported electronics worth $38.56 in 2024-25, while importing electronic components worth $36.8 billion during the same time. The ECMS seeks to reduce import dependence, and enhance self-sufficiency in the sector. Employees work on a mobile phone assembly line at Padget Electronics, a subsidiary of Dixon Technologies, in Noida, India, on Friday, March 22, 2024.  Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images In a move aimed at cutting India's import dependency for electronic components, the government has approved the first set of projects under its $2.7 billion program, yet another measure in its stated self-sufficiency mission against a trying trade environment. Electronic goods were India's third largest exports in fiscal year 2025, having jumped eight-fold over the last 10 years, to $38.56 billion in the year ended March 2025, according to government data. But those were nearly offset by imports of electronic components worth $36.8 billion. Most of the electronic component imports came from China (nearly 40%), followed by Hong Kong (over (16%) in the first half of fiscal year 2025. At a time when both the U.S. and China have resorted to export controls of critical goods such as rare earths and high-end tech, India has been doubling down on its efforts to secure its future by promoting schemes aimed at gaining self-sufficiency. The seven projects approved on Monday under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme will receive grants worth 55.32 billion rupees ($626 million). They will help set up local manufacturing of electronic components such camera modules, multi-layered printed circuit boards and advanced high-density PCBs used in smartphones, wearable devices, medical and aerospace components, according to the government. The ECMS has received 249 applications from local and global companies committing investment of 1.15 trillion rupees (nearly $14 billion) in proposed investments. India's Minister for Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said that "20% of our domestic demand of PCBs and 15% of Camera Module sub-assembly will be met through production from these [seven] plants," adding that about 60% of total production from these plants will be exported. The country's electronics components' market is projected to reach $150 billion by 2030, according to EY estimates, with overall electronics market — components and finished goods — set to scale to $500 billion as per the government. Currently the global electronics market is valued at $1.8 trillion, 60% of which is dominated by China, according to data provided by EY. India is in a unique position as it has a growing consumer base and is seen as a manufacturing alternative to China as companies diversify supply chains, experts said, adding that by setting up plants in India, global electronics companies can tap into the local demand, while exporting from the same locations. A case in point is Apple whose exports from India rose 42% year on year to $12.8 billion in 2024 and the company is shifting more production to India as it moves away from China. In the quarter ended September 2025, India overtook China to become the top smartphone exporter to the U.S., with a 240% jump in smartphone manufacturing volumes. According to the Indian government, the country has become the world's second largest mobile phone manufacturer globally. The ECMS shows that the government is recognizing "that a mere assembly ecosystem cannot sustain itself without a strong domestic component manufacturing base," said Kunal Chaudhary, partner and leader of Inbound Investment Group at EY India. The ECMS will strengthen the domestic component ecosystem, reduce import dependence, and India's enhance global competitiveness, he added. Ashok Chandak, president of India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, said the scheme will accelerate the country's emergence as a global hub for advanced electronics and semiconductors and at the same time reduce import dependence." - [Trump signals plans to discuss Nvidia's 'super duper' chips during talks with China's Xi](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/29/trump-signals-he-plans-to-speak-to-chinas-xi-about-nvidias-super-duper-chips.html): Trump said he may discuss Nvidia’s Blackwell AI chips with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The remarks follow China’s ban on importing Nvidia chips, leaving the company with no market share there. Any renewed export approval could bolster China’s AI industry and weaken the U.S. tech edge, analysts say. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to journalists in Japan aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea on October 29, 2025. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images News | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump plans to discuss Nvidia's advanced AI chips with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting on Thursday, he told a media scrum Wednesday.  While taking questions regarding his high-stakes meeting with Xi, Trump signaled that Nvidia's Blackwell AI processors could be discussed.  "We'll be speaking about Blackwell, it's the super duper chip," he said. Nvidia's "super duper chip" appeared to refer to the GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchip — its most advanced AI chip. More broadly, Nvidia's Blackwell architecture represents its latest generation of AI chips, or 'graphics processing units,' used to train and run large language models. Trump went on to laud Nvidia's Blackwell chips, claiming that they are about a decade ahead of any other chip. "That's our country. We're about 10 years ahead of anybody else in chips — in the highly sophisticated chips. I think we may be talking about that with President Xi."  The comments come as Nvidia faces an uncertain future in China, once a lucrative market for the AI darling. While export controls have long prevented Nvidia from selling its most advanced AI products to China, Washington had rolled back restrictions on the chipmaker's less advanced, made-for-China H20 chips in July.  Trump later indicated that he might also allow a downgraded version of Nvidia's Blackwell chips into China. But in a surprise move, Beijing recently stepped in to prevent its companies from importing Nvidia's chips amid national security concerns regarding the company's technology. As a result, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said earlier this month that the company is currently "100% out of China" and has no market share there. However, many analysts view the Chinese ban as likely temporary, saying Beijing could be using Nvidia's access to its market as leverage in its trade negotiations with the Trump administration. Despite Trump's remarks about Nvidia's "super duper chip," it seems more likely that a less advanced version would be on the table. In August, Reuters reported Nvidia was developing a new chip for China — dubbed the B30A — that would be more powerful than the H20 and built on the Blackwell architecture. Such a chip would hypothetically help Nvidia fend off growing competition from domestic players like Huawei, as Beijing accelerates its efforts to develop a self-sufficient AI environment. However, semiconductor experts said a resumption of H20 exports, or an additional pathway for the B30A, would also help China's AI ecosystem more broadly and undermine Washington's strategy to curb Chinese access to cutting-edge computing, which began ramping up in 2022. A report released earlier this week from the Institute for Progress, a U.S. think tank, argued that allowing B30A exports to China would dramatically shrink America's current AI compute advantage over China. Huang, who has long lobbied against U.S. chip restrictions, will reportedly be in South Korea at the same time as Trump this week. The Nvidia CEO is expected to make announcements with local partners, which Huang said would hopefully be "delightful to the people of Korea and really delightful to President Trump." - [Trump says he expects to lower fentanyl-related tariffs on Beijing, discuss 'farmers' with China's Xi](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/29/trump-says-he-expects-to-lower-fentanyl-related-tariffs-on-beijing-discuss-farmers-with-chinaxi.html): Trump said he expects to lower fentanyl-linked tariffs on China. The remarks come ahead of his meeting with China's Xi Jinping in South Korea. TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 27: U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One as he arrives at Haneda Airport on October 27, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. Takashi Aoyama | Getty Images News | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects to lower fentanyl-linked tariffs on China ahead of a much-anticipated meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea. The president told reporters aboard the Air Force One on Wednesday that the fentanyl flows into the U.S. and "farmers" will be among topics that he expects to discuss with Xi on Thursday. When asked whether the potential one-year pause in Beijing's implementation of rare earth export controls would be enough to draw more concessions from the U.S., Trump said "we haven't talked about the timing yet but we are gonna work out something." The comments came after the Wall Street Journal's report Tuesday that the U.S. could cut the 20% fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese exports by half, in return for Beijing's crack down on the export of chemicals that make fentanyl. Trump called relations with China "very good," saying that "we are going to have a great meeting with China's Xi." This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. - [Australia’s inflation tops forecasts at 3.2%, highest in over a year](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/29/australia-inflation-tops-forecasts-highest-over-year-third-quarter-rba-cpi-michelle-bullock.html): Australia's consumer prices rose 3.2% in the third quarter, the strongest gain in more than a year. The increase topped the 2.1% rise in the second quarter and came in above the 3% forecast by economists polled by Reuters. The figure also pushed inflation beyond the Reserve Bank of Australia's 2%–3% target band for the first time since the second quarter of 2024. Tourists sit on a bollard at the Sydney Opera House. Afp Contributor | Afp | Getty Images Australia's inflation accelerated in the third quarter, with consumer prices rising 3.2% from a year earlier — the fastest pace in more than a year — the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Wednesday.The increase topped the 2.1% rise in the second quarter and came in above the 3% forecast by economists polled by Reuters. The ABS said the most significant price rises were in housing, recreation and culture, and transport. Trimmed mean inflation rate, which excludes extreme price changes in consumer goods and services, rose to 3%, up from 2.7% last quarter. It was the first increase in trimmed mean inflation since December 2022, the bureau said. The 3.2% headline rate pushed inflation beyond the Reserve Bank of Australia's 2%–3% target band for the first time since the second quarter of 2024, underscoring the challenge policymakers face in taming persistent price pressures. The RBA had cautioned in its September Statement on Monetary Policy that inflation for the quarter could come in "higher than expected," citing sticky prices in housing and market services. RBA Governor Michelle Bullock said last month that inflation in those areas was "a little higher than we were expecting," though she stressed that it did not indicate that inflation was "running away." In August, the central bank had forecast that underlying inflation would continue to moderate to around the midpoint of the 2%–3% range, with the cash rate assumed to follow a "gradual easing path." Recent headline CPI readings for July and August came in above expectations for both months, at 2.8% and 3% respectively. September inflation figures stood at 3.5%, its highest since July 2024. Australia's central bank kept its policy rate steady at its last meeting, noting that inflation remained stubborn in some parts of the economy. The country's economy outperformed expectations in the second quarter, growing 1.8% from a year earlier, marking the fastest pace of growth since September 2023. It was higher than the 1.6% expected by economists polled by Reuters and the 1.3% seen in the previous quarter. - [PayPal partners with OpenAI to allow customers to check out in ChatGPT](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/paypal-partners-openai-allow-customers-check-out-chatgpt): Coresight Research founder and CEO Deborah Weinswig breaks down Walmart’s new partnership with OpenAI to integrate A.I. into the shopping experience ahead of the holiday season on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ PayPal on Tuesday became the first payments platform to embed its digital wallet into OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Shares of the San Jose, California-based company climbed in Tuesday morning trading after the company announced that it is going to adopt the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) to expand payments and commerce in ChatGPT, allowing ChatGPT users to be able to check out instantly using PayPal.  PayPal said it will also support payments processing for […] - [Elon Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with online encyclopedia Wikipedia](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/28/elon-musk-launching-grokipedia-compete-online-encyclopedia-wikipedia/): Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Writing on social media, Musk said that “Grokipedia.com version 0.1 is now live” and promised that “Version 1.0 will be 10X better.” Grokipedia’s goal is “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” he said. Musk has previously criticized Wikipedia for being filled with “propaganda” and called for people to stop donating to the site. In September, he announced that his artificial intelligence company xAI was working on Grokipedia. The Grokipedia site has a minimalist appearance with little beyond […] - [Consumers’ view of labor market improves in October](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/consumers-view-of-labor-market-improves-in-october-34a8bb58?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [U.S. labor market continued to expand in mid-October, new weekly ADP report shows](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/u-s-labor-market-continued-to-expand-in-mid-october-new-weekly-adp-report-shows-1411762c?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Private sector created nearly 15,000 jobs a week over the past month, preliminary ADP data shows](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/28/private-sector-created-nearly-15000-jobs-a-week-over-the-past-month-preliminary-adp-data-shows.html): Private sector employers added an average 14,250 jobs per week over the past four weeks, according to new preliminary data being released by ADP, a turnaround from the negative September numbers. Stepping into the void created by the government shutdown, ADP will now release a four-week average weekly change in employment with a two-week lag every Tuesday. Today’s number is the four-week average ending Oct. 11. “ADP’s near real-time employment data, released weekly, will now provide an even clearer picture of the labor market at this critical time for the economy…providing a dynamic view of job creation and loss at an […] - [South Korean markets lead regional gains after U.S.-China trade talks show progress](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/27/asia-pacific-markets-monday-hang-seng-index-nifty-50-kospi-nikkei-225-us-china-trade-trump-xi.html): Stocks across Asia climbed Monday, led by South Korea, after top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators hashed out a framework on several disputed issues. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with CBS News that former President Trump's proposed 100% tariffs on Chinese imports are "essentially off the table." Asia-Pacific markets traded higher Monday, led by South Korea, after top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators hashed out a framework on several disputed issues, paving the way for U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign off on the terms. South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.83% after hitting a record high on Friday, while the small-cap Kosdaq added 0.72%. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1.16%, while the Topix added 1.07%. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with CBS News Sunday that Trump's proposed 100% tariffs on Chinese imports are "effectively off the table." He added that China is expected to make significant soybean purchases and to delay broad restrictions on rare earth exports. The U.S., however, will maintain its current export controls on China, Bessent noted. Futures of Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a stronger open, trading at 26,256 against the index's previous close of 26,160.15. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was trading 0.54% higher on open. Last Friday, all three major averages closed at records as cool inflation data spurred optimism among investors that the Federal Reserve can stay on its rate-cutting path, boosting the U.S. economy and justifying higher valuations for equities. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 472.51 points, or 1.01%, to 47,207.12, securing its first close above the 47,000 level ever. The S&P 500 added 0.79% to 6,791.69, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.15% to 23,204.87. Investors are also looking ahead to a widely expected interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve and a raft of Big Tech earnings reports. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Trump Opens ANWR to Oil Drilling](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/climate/trump-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-oil-drilling.html): The Interior Department also said it would allow a contentious road to be built through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Alaska.The Trump administration on Thursday announced a plan to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest remaining tracts of pristine wilderness in the United States.The decision was the latest twist in a long-running fight over the fate of the refuge’s coastal plain, an unspoiled expanse of 1.56 million acres that is believed to sit atop billions of barrels of oil but is also a critical habitat for polar bears, caribou, migratory birds and other wildlife.During his first term, President Trump signed a 2017 tax bill that required two oil and gas lease sales in the coastal plain, but the Biden administration later suspended and then canceled those leases.On Thursday, the Interior Department said it would hold an oil and gas lease sale in the coastal plain as soon as this winter. The agency also said it would reinstate seven oil leases in the refuge that the state of Alaska acquired in 2021 but that had been canceled two years later by the Biden administration.“This land should and will be supporting responsible oil and gas leasing,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said during an “Alaska Day” event at the Interior Department’s headquarters, which came even as many Interior employees were furloughed during the government shutdown.Mr. Burgum also announced that the Interior Department had finalized a deal that would allow a contentious gravel road to be built through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Alaska. And he reiterated that the agency would greenlight an industrial road that would cut through pristine wilderness to reach a proposed copper and zinc mine in northern Alaska.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Japan inflation edges higher for first time since May, matching forecasts as 'core-core' gauge eases](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/24/japan-inflation-edges-higher-for-first-time-since-may-matching-forecasts-as-core-core-gauge-eases.html): Japan’s core inflation picked up for the first time since May. Headline and core inflation both hit 2.9%, keeping inflation above the BOJ’s 2% target. The figures set an early test for new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who faces pressure to contain inflation without stalling growth. Government stockpiled rice, which was transported by bullet train, or the "shinkansen", into the capital is handed over to those who pre-ordered bags, at Tokyo Station on June 10, 2025. Str | Afp | Getty Images Japan's core inflation rate accelerated to 2.9% in September, the first increase since May and in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters. This was higher than the 2.7% seen in August. The core inflation metric in Japan strips out the prices of fresh food but includes energy costs. Headline inflation in Japan also climbed to 2.9% from 2.7% the previous month, above the Bank of Japan's 2% target. In contrast, the so-called "core-core" inflation rate — which strips out both fresh food and energy costs and is closely monitored by the BOJ — eased to 3% from 3.3% in August. Rice inflation, which drew headlines earlier this year, eased sharply to 49.2%, down from 69.7% the previous month. In May, rice inflation hit 101.7%, the highest level in 50 years. The data comes as Japan sees a new prime minister in Sanae Takaichi, who inherits an economy beset by trade uncertainties, cost-of-living worries, and a central bank determined to raise interest rates and normalize monetary policy. Inflation will be a major bugbear for Takaichi to tackle, experts previously told CNBC. Japan has a large population of retirees drawing pensions and those on a fixed income, making inflation "very painful" for them, Tomohiko Taniguchi, Special Advisor at the Fujitsu Future Studies Center, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Oct 13. "How to tackle inflation is going to be the first litmus test to judge whether Takaichi could deliver a policy package," Taniguchi said. Jesper Koll, expert director at financial services firm Monex Group told CNBC on Wednesday after Takaichi took power that "if inflation in Japan is still is not below 2% in six to nine months time, the popularity of this cabinet is going to plummet because [to] the Japanese people... the number one, number two, number three concern is inflation." — This is breaking news, please check back for updates. - [Asia-Pacific markets rise as White House says Trump will meet Xi next week](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/24/asia-pacific-markets-today-live-nikkei-225-csi-300-hang-seng-index.html): U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping are set to hold talks next Thursday. Overnight, the three major U.S. indexes closed higher. A HDR evening shot taken at sunset of the Tokyo skyline. Fgm | E+ | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets rose Friday, after the White House said that U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping were set to hold talks next week. U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will leave for Malaysia late Friday and then travel to Japan and South Korea, meeting Xi next Thursday after speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit, Reuters reported. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index climbed 0.78%, while the Topix added 0.39%. Japan's core inflation rate accelerated to 2.9% in September, the first increase since May and in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters. This was higher than the 2.7% seen in August. The core inflation metric in Japan strips out the prices of fresh food but includes energy costs. Headline inflation in Japan also climbed to 2.9% from 2.7% the previous month. South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.35% and the small-cap Kosdaq was 0.92% higher. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was trading 0.19% higher on open. Futures of Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a stronger open, trading at 26,139 against the index's previous close of 25,967.98. Overnight, the three major averages closed higher. The S&P 500 climbed 0.58% to close at 6,738.44, boosted by tech stocks, after a batch of strong earnings results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 144.20 points, or 0.31%, to finish at 46,734.61. The Nasdaq Composite outperformed, rising 0.89% to settle at 22,941.80, seeing support from the gains in Nvidia, Broadcom and Amazon. A nearly 3% jump in shares of fellow artificial intelligence player Oracle also boosted sentiment. — CNBC's Sean Conlon, Pia Singh and Lim Hui Jie contributed to this report. - [The Short Story on Index Inclusion](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/short-story-index-inclusion): Uncover the interesting dynamics in today’s markets between short interest and index inclusion. At first, these two seem unrelated, but when you look at the data, some patterns emerge. - [The Biggest Cybersecurity and Innovation Risks in Financial Services](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/biggest-cybersecurity-and-innovation-risks-financial-services): Nasdaq TradeTalks highlights the evolving cybersecurity and innovation risks facing the financial services sector, and Ron Ben-Zeev, CEO of World Housing Solution, shares how rapidly deployable shelters can help to solve the housing shortage. - [Alibaba prices AI glasses at $660 to rival Meta and launches ChatGPT challenger](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/23/alibaba-prices-ai-glasses-at-660-and-launches-chatgpt-rival.html): Alibaba said its Quark AI Glasses will start at 4,699 Chinese yuan ($659.37) with pre-sale beginning Oct. 24 and shipments beginning from December. Alibaba unveiled AI Chat Assistant, a new chatbot mode within its existing Quark app. The glasses and chatbot product highlight an increasing area of focus for Alibaba — AI that is aimed at consumers. Alibaba announced plans to release a pair of smart glasses powered by its AI models. The Quark AI Glasses are Alibaba's first foray into the smart glasses product category. Alibaba on Thursday announced pricing for its upcoming artificial intelligence glasses and launched a new chatbot powered by its latest AI models. The Chinese technology giant said the Quark AI Glasses will go on pre-sale on Oct. 24 on Alibaba's e-commerce platform Tmall. The pre-sale price will start at 4,699 Chinese yuan ($659.4) but after applying various discounts, will cost 3,999 yuan. Alibaba will begin shipping the product from December. The Hangzhou-headquartered firm also unveiled AI Chat Assistant, a new chatbot mode within its existing Quark app. The latest moves are part of Alibaba's aggressive AI push this year which has seen the company release updated models and a drive to reinvigorate sales at its cloud computing business through which it sells much of this technology to businesses. But the glasses and chatbot product highlight an increasing area of focus for Alibaba — AI that is aimed at consumers. Alibaba's shares closed nearly 1.7% higher in Hong Kong and its U.S.-listed stock also rose in premarket trade. Alibaba AI glasses Alibaba first announced the Quark AI Glasses in July. It's the first product of its kind from the Chinese giant and the eyewear is powered by the company's Qwen large language model and its Quark AI assistant. The glasses support functions such as hands-free calling, music streaming and real-time language translation. Many tech companies see wearables, specifically glasses, as the next frontier in computing, alongside the smartphone. The Quark AI Glasses are Alibaba's answer to Meta's smart glasses that were designed in collaboration with Ray-Ban.  The Chinese tech giant will also now compete with Chinese consumer electronics player Xiaomi who this year released its own AI glasses. New AI assistant Quark is Alibaba's main consumer-facing AI app. Alibaba on Thursday unveiled a product called AI Chat Assistant, which is a new AI chatbot powered by its latest Qwen3 models. The new mode allows users to switch to a chatbot style interface and have conversations via text or voice. Alibaba said the new feature allows "AI search and conversation" in one interface. The idea is that users can do everything they need in one application. Alibaba said some of the functions include photo editing, "photo-based problem solving" and AI writing. The product is Alibaba's answer to the growing number of chatbot products out there from OpenAI's ChatGPT to DeepSeek. - [CNBC's Inside India newsletter: Diwali sans sparkles for tariff-hit Indian exporters](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/23/cnbcs-inside-india-newsletter-diwali-sans-sparkles-for-tariff-hit-indian-exporters.html): Monday - Friday, 11:00 - 12:00 SIN/HK | 0500 - 06:00 CET Unsold inventory lying with textile exporters hit by U.S. tariffs is forcing them to cut production. Gems and jewelry exporters could see a hit of $9 billion. Report says a possible deal between Washington and New Delhi could cut tariffs to 10%-15%. People watch a light show on the banks of the Sarayu River on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ayodhya, India, on October 19, 2025. (Photo by Sanjay Kanojia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images This report is from this week's CNBC's "Inside India" newsletter which brings you timely, insightful news and market commentary on the emerging powerhouse. Subscribe here. The big story Indians celebrated Diwali this week — offering prayers for prosperity and good fortune. Those invocations come at a crucial time, as Indian exporters continue to grapple with punishing U.S. tariffs of 50%. The levies have been particularly worrisome for India's labor-intensive textiles, and gems and jewelry sectors. The U.S. remains the country's single largest export destination, accounting for more than $45.8 billion, or over 20%, of its total exports between April — start of India's financial year — and September. For industries that derive 30% or more of their export business from the U.S., the tariff shock has been a double whammy. Not only has it jeopardized billions of dollars in revenue, but also the employment of millions of workers whose livelihoods hinge on cross-border demand. The textile industry employs 45 million people directly while gems and jewelry gives jobs to more than 5 million people. It takes manufacturers about six months to prepare garments based on customers' guidelines, such as those provided by U.S. retailers including Walmart and Macys, said Ajay Kapoor, owner of a Mumbai-based textile and apparel sourcing company. With steep tariffs coming into effect in August, several Indian garment manufacturers for whom Kapoor sources textiles are now sitting on unsold inventory and fat bills to pay for the raw materials already consumed. "Their situation is bad. There is no business, crores [millions] of rupees are stuck in unsold inventory and the machines are lying idle," Kapoor said. Textile exports were down nearly 10% year on year in September compared to a 5% growth in July, before the 50% tariffs came into effect. India's exports of textiles, including ready-made garments, natural and synthetic yarns and handloom products, stood at $36.5 billion globally, with shipments to the U.S. making up $10.9 billion in fiscal year ended March 2025. Surat-based fabric and clothing manufacturer Parnika India, which has been selling Indian ethnic wear to 150 stores in the U.S., is among companies seeing their exports to the U.S. dry up. While the domestic market is a major source of revenue for the company, Vishal Pacheriwal, a second-generation entrepreneur and managing director at Parnika, said he plans to cut down production after the Diwali festive period. "The drying up of orders in U.S. business coupled with weak domestic demand this Diwali has left me with inventory," he said, adding that it is financially prudent to cut production. Losing glitter Another sector facing the brunt of tariffs is the gems and jewelry business. Rajesh Rokde, chairman of All India Gem and Jewelry Domestic Council that represents more than 600,000 gems and jewelry businesses across India, said that the industry is expected to take a hit of $9 billion due to U.S. tariffs. "Exporters have been hit badly. Generally, a sector can absorb a 10% hit, but when over 30% of its exports are impacted, it is a big blow," he said. According to government trade data for fiscal year 2025, India exported gems and jewelry worth $29.8 billion, with about a third of that going to the U.S. Rokde said that nearly 80% of exports to the U.S. were of diamond jewelry while 15% were gold ornaments. That mix gives a slight edge to exporters in this category compared to textiles, as 14 out of 15 diamonds used in jewelry go through India for processing. September trade data shows that gems and jewelry exports grew at 0.4%, year on year basis. This indicates "offsetting effect of shipments to other geographies," said Indian brokerage ICICI Securities in a report dated Oct. 18. But that growth was much lower compared to 28.9% rise in July before tariffs came into effect. Other industries are also hoping for a trade deal that brings down U.S. tariffs. Take the case of Jodhpur, a city in northwestern India, that ships wooden handicraft and furniture to the U.S. "Our exports have fallen sharply," said Raunak Singhvi, whose family owns a furniture export business in the city. Jodhpur manufactures about 50 billion rupees ($570 million) worth of furniture annually of which around 50% is exported to the U.S., Singhvi said, adding that these products fetch a better price in the U.S. compared to the domestic market. As the demand rose during Covid-19, Singhvi said many companies like his family's business invested in expanding capacity. "Many of those factories have shut down, people have lost their jobs and U.S. importers are asking for discount," he said. Earlier, furniture faced a tariff of 2.5% to 5% but now it is over 50%. "A tariff of 15% is still manageable, but anything above 25% will be a catastrophe," said Singhvi. Indian business daily Mint on Wednesday reported that Washington and New Delhi could soon finalize a deal that could see tariffs slashed to around 15%-16%. That potential breakthrough could be the lifeline exporters have been waiting for as orders dry up and companies are forced to cut production. A tariff cut could revive order books, stabilize jobs, and help India's export engine regain momentum. Lack of a breakthrough could darken exporters' prospects beyond this festive season. Top TV picks on CNBC George Heber Joseph, CEO and CIO of ASK Investment Managers, said that festive demand in India is driven by the confluence of strong consumer confidence, easing inflation and rising disposable income. MUFG's senior currency analyst Michael Wan said any rebound in the Indian rupee will be modest as tariff uncertainty and weak trade sentiment continue to weigh on it. Levi Strauss & Co. CEO Michelle Gass said the company plans to double down on markets such as India and China. Need to know India nears a trade deal with U.S. According to an Indian media report. New Delhi and Washington are close to reaching a trade deal. While the U.S. may cut tariffs on Indian exports to 15%-16% from the current 50%, India could agree to gradually wind down its imports of Russian oil. Walmart pauses H-1B visa for job candidates. One of the largest U.S. employers of H1-B visa holders has paused hiring after President Donald Trump raised the visa fee to $100,000. Urban Company shares could fall 26%. The newly listed Indian home services startup, whose shares gained more than 50% on debut, could see its shares drop by 26%, according to Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. Quote of the week I'll say again, [Indian stocks] are not cheap, they're not something that gets value investors like us very excited. But India is now such a large component of global emerging markets that it is very hard to ignore these stocks. — Kamil Dimmich, partner and portfolio manager at North of South Capital In the markets The Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex were up over 0.8% as of 11 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET). The indexes have gained over 10% and nearly 9%, respectively, so far this year. The benchmark 10-year Indian government bond yield was up 2 basis point at 6.527%. Stock chart icon Coming up Oct. 24: HSBC manufacturing and services flash PMI for October Oct. 28: Industrial output for September Each weekday, CNBC's "Inside India" news show gives you news and market commentary on the emerging powerhouse businesses, and the people behind its rise. Livestream the show on YouTube and catch highlights here.  SHOWTIMES: U.S.: Sunday-Thursday, 23:00-0000 ETAsia: Monday-Friday, 11:00-12:00 SIN/HK, 08:30-09:30 India Europe: Monday-Friday, 0500-06:00 CET - [Asia markets trade mixed as Japan’s new PM takes office and exports miss forecasts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/asia-markets-stock-market-today-wednesday-live-updates-japan-trade-data-sanae-takaichi.html): Investors will focus on Japan's new government and key export data out of Tokyo. Australian markets retreated from Tuesday's gains after rare earth stocks briefly rallied on news of a U.S.-Australia critical minerals agreement. Mount Fuji and the Shinjuku skyline in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed Wednesday as investors weighed Japan's new government and fresh trade data from Tokyo. Japanese exports in September snapped four months of declines, climbing 4.2% year on year, as shipments to Asia saw robust growth, partially offsetting the drop in exports to the U.S. Exports, however, missed expectations of a 4.6% rise, according to median estimates in a Reuters poll of economists. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her new cabinet were sworn in on Tuesday, with her former rival in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race, Shinjiro Koizumi, named defense minister and Satsuki Katayama becoming Japan's first female finance minister. Japan's Nikkei 225 was flat in early trading, while the Topix index rose 0.3%. On Tuesday, the Nikkei briefly set a new intraday record of 49,945.95, before retreating after Takaichi won the parliamentary vote to become Prime Minister. South Korea's Kospi index was flat, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.37%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day down 0.65%, pulling back from earlier gains on Tuesday after rare earth stocks briefly rallied on news of a U.S.-Australia critical minerals agreement. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,919, lower than the last close of 26,027.55. Indian markets are closed for a holiday. Overnight in the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average set a new closing record, boosted by strong earnings reports from companies such as Coca-Cola and 3M, while the S&P 500 was relatively unchanged. The 30-stock index gained 0.47% to close at 46,924.74, and briefly topped 47,000 during the session. The broad market S&P 500 closed just above the flatline at 6,735.35, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite lagged, falling 0.16% to 22,953.67. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Scottish private sector experiences 'employment upturn'](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/scottish-private-sector-experiences-employment-36107244): The latest PMI data for Scotland has showed reasons for optimism, as the country enters the final quarter. Businesses took on additional staff for the first time in four months and expectations for the coming year strengthened, according to the headline Royal Bank of Scotland Growth Tracker. This marked only the second instance when staffing levels have risen in the past 10 months. The upturn was centred on services firms, where businesses highlighted the successful onboarding of apprentices and contractors. Nonetheless, business activity slowed – contrasting with a positive spike witnessed in August. The seasonally-adjusted index, which measures month-on-month changes in […] - [Beyond Meat, Walmart and a MEME ETF](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/beyond-meat-walmart-meme-etf): BlackRock U.S. Head of Equity ETFS Jay Jacobs discusses third-quarter earnings reports, AI ETFs, Treasury yield projections and more on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ It’s been a wild two days for Beyond Meat investors, with shares jumping over 146% after falling to a record low earlier this month.  Ticker Security Last Change Change % BYND BEYOND MEAT INC. 3.62 +2.15 +146.26% WMT WALMART INC. 106.22 -0.81 -0.76% On Tuesday, the battered plant-based meat company said it will expand its distribution deal with Walmart, the nation’s biggest retailer.  Engineered plant-based burger patties from food company Beyond Meat are visible on shelves among other […] - [Melania Trump Used as ‘Window-Dressing’ in Elaborate Memecoin Fraud, Legal Filing Claims](https://www.wired.com/story/melania-trump-used-as-window-dressing-in-elaborate-memecoin-fraud-legal-filing-claims/): A cryptocurrency promoted in January by US first lady Melania Trump was part of a sophisticated fraud that “leveraged celebrity association and ‘borrowed fame’ to sell legitimacy to unsuspecting investors,” a new legal filing has alleged. In April, crypto investors brought a federal class action lawsuit against Benjamin Chow, cofounder of crypto exchange Meteora, and Hayden Davis, cofounder of crypto venture capital firm Kelsier Labs, among other defendants, accusing them of a multimillion-dollar fraud involving a single memecoin, $M3M3. Later, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, expanding the allegations to include racketeering activity. They claimed the pair had colluded to rig […] - [Japan's Nikkei 225 hits new record with Takaichi all set to become prime minister](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/21/asia-markets-today-japan-parliamentary-vote-australia-rare-earths.html): Asia-Pacific markets opened higher. Investors will be looking to Japan's parliamentary vote for the country's next prime minister. Shares of Australian rare earth companies rose after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a critical minerals agreement Tuesday. Indian markets are closed for a holiday. TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 27: Pedestrians and shoppers walk through the Akihabara area on July 27, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan's core consumer price index climbed by 3.3% in June, outpacing the US figure for the first time in eight years as the Bank of Japan holds its monetary policy meeting on July 27 and 28. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images) Tomohiro Ohsumi | Getty Images News | Getty Images Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose more than 1% to a fresh record at 49,739.76, after closing at an all-time high Monday. The Topix also added 0.48% to hit a record high. Broader Asia-Pacific markets also opened higher, tracking Wall Street gains led by a rally in Apple shares. Investors await Japan's parliamentary vote, which is likely to see Sanae Takaichi become the country's next prime minister, after the right-wing opposition Japan Innovation Party said Monday it was ready to back her premiership. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.50%. Shares of the country's rare earth companies rose after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a critical minerals agreement Tuesday, aimed at countering China's dominance. Australia's Lynas Rare Earths added 3.8%, Iluka Resources jumped nearly 6%, Pilbara Minerals rose 4.7%. VHM skyrocketed over 30%, while Northern Minerals soared nearly 15%. South Korea's Kospi index jumped 1.57%, while the small-cap Kosdaq gained 0.52%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a higher open, trading at 26,232, against the index's previous close of 25,858.83. Indian markets are closed for a holiday. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours, ahead of a busy earnings week from big-name companies and inflation data. Overnight, the three key benchmarks in the U.S. rose on a rally in Apple shares after Loop Capital upgraded it to buy from hold.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 515.97 points, or 1.12%, higher at 46,706.58. The S&P 500 also climbed 1.07% to settle at 6,735.13, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.37% to settle at 22,990.54. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [WATCH: The Economic Week Ahead](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-20-watch-the-economic-week-ahead/): Global markets brace for key data releases this week, with PMI and inflation figures in focus — and uncertainty over which US numbers will be released amid a government shutdown. Business Day TV spoke to Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets, for more on what to expect. - [Google Has a Bed Bug Infestation in Its New York Offices](https://www.wired.com/story/theres-a-beg-bug-infestation-at-googles-manhattan-offices/): Google employees working at the company’s Chelsea campus in New York City received a notice on Sunday alerting them to a possible bed bug outbreak at the office. Exterminators arrived at the scene with a sniffer dog “and found credible evidence of their presence,” according to an email obtained by WIRED. The email was sent to all Google employees in New York on behalf of the company’s environmental, health, and safety team. Employees were told to avoid the office until the treatment was complete. On Monday morning, they were allowed to return. Google is performing additional inspections at other Google campuses […] - [Rare earths make gains amid battle to beat China’s dominance](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/20/rare-earths-gain-amid-us-effort-to-beat-chinas-dominance.html): China has a long dominated the rare earth supply chain. The U.S. is now seeking a domestic production as trade tit-for-tats continue between the two countries. The share prices of U.S. listed rare earth stocks soared on Monday. Shares of U.S.-listed companies related to the rare earth supply chain climbed on Monday as investors continued to weigh the impact of export restrictions on domestic producers.   Rare earths are minerals that are essential to many aspects of modern life, particularly for the technology sector and the energy transition, as they are used in everything from semiconductors, fighter jets to the motors of […] - [How Jared Kushner Re-emerged at the Center of the Israel-Hamas Peace Deal](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010458218/how-jared-kushner-re-emerged-at-the-center-of-the-israel-hamas-peace-deal.html): new video loaded: - [‘Everything Is Gone’: Gazans Return Home to Find Devastation and Little Hope](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/world/middleeast/gaza-city-israel-hamas-cease-fire.html): Sabah Abu Ghanem and her family made the long trek back to Gaza City after Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire this month, leaving a crowded tent encampment in the south of the territory with the goal of finally going home. When they arrived, they found that their neighborhood had been destroyed, like most of Gaza City. But the cement skeleton of their home was still standing, so they decided to live in one of its damaged rooms. “At least, this piece of land is ours,” said Ms. Abu Ghanem, 26. “This rubble I can call mine.” Since the cease-fire […] - [Japanese family businesses are facing a succession crisis. That is fueling a private equity boom](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/20/japan-succession-crisis-private-equity-boom-ageing-population.html): Across the country, ageing business owners are facing a lack of heirs interested in inheriting their company, while also weighed down by prospects of steep inheritance taxes. For many, a once-taboo option has become a viable alternative now: sell to private equity. - [ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: CPI likely to edge up in September](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-19-economic-week-ahead-cpi-likely-to-edge-up-in-september/): Fuel and food dynamics continue to shape outlook as Reserve Bank prepares monetary policy review 19 October 2025 - 20:47 With a thin line-up of local releases, all eyes this week will be on Wednesday’s publication of consumer inflation for September and the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy review on Thursday.Economists expect headline inflation to remain close to the Bank’s preferred 3% target, though a slight uptick from August’s 3.3% reading is broadly expected... - [ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: SA’s economy likely to slow, but resilience keeps growth alive](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-19-sas-economy-likely-to-slow-but-resilience-keeps-growth-alive/): Economists expect manufacturing and consumer spending to offset softer mining output and weak global demand 19 October 2025 - 14:40 The economy likely slowed in the third quarter, though it remained in positive territory. Resilience in parts of manufacturing and consumer spending helped offset softer mining output and weak global demand, economists said.Absa Corporate and Investment Bank’s senior economist and head of SA macroeconomic research, Miyelani Maluleke, said high-frequency data for the quarter so far suggests “encouraging resilience” in key sectors... - [The Spritzes and Carbonaras That Ate Italy](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/world/europe/italy-tourism-restaurants.html): There seemed to be no end to the sprawl of Italian delicacies. Deep-fried arancine rice balls, cannoli and fluorescent Aperol spritzes spilled across the red-and-green checkered tablecloths of the 31 restaurants packed in a single street in Palermo, feeding a polyglot and ecstatic crowd. “This stretch here is magnificent, it is — bang! Just restaurant after restaurant,” said Mark Smith, 55, an Australian tourist sipping an Aperol spritz on the street, Via Maqueda. For Palermo’s mayor, that was one spritz too many. He banned the opening of new eateries on Via Maqueda and surrounding streets this year, conceding that even the […] - [White House joins Bluesky and immediately trolls Trump opponents](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/18/white-house-joins-bluesky-immediately-trolls-trump-opponents/): The White House on Friday joined Bluesky, the social media platform of choice of many in the left-leaning online world. In its inaugural post, the White House account offered a sizzle reel of the administration’s memes, trolls and messages from President Trump’s nine months since returning to office. The post appeared aimed at tweaking liberals who aren’t fans of the Republican president. The first post included mentions of the administration’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico, a doctored image of Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries adorned in a sombrero with a faux mustache, and stream of photos and video […] - [What to Know About Madagascar’s Government](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000010458018/what-to-know-about-madagascars-government.html): new video loaded: What to Know About Madagascar’s Government After weeks of protests calling for him to resign, Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, seemed to have left the country, and the military said it had taken control. John Eligon, the Johannesburg bureau chief for The New York Times, explains what we know and don’t know. By John Eligon, Christina Thornell, Claire Hogan, Joey Sendaydiego and Nikolay Nikolov October 17, 2025 New York Times Video - [ByteDance’s Other AI Chatbot Is Quietly Gaining Traction Around the World](https://www.wired.com/story/bytedances-ai-chatbot-is-quietly-gaining-traction-around-the-world/): ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has built what is currently the most popular AI chatbot in China: Doubao. Launched in 2023, the app has risen to the top of the country’s generative AI market, reaching more than 157 million monthly active users by August, according to Chinese analytics firm QuestMobile. But what’s less known is that Doubao also has an overseas counterpart: Cici. It was released around the same time and features a nearly identical female cartoon avatar as its app icon, except Cici’s has longer hair than Doubao’s. The app is region-locked and not available in either China or […] - [Robison demands ‘urgent clarity’ from Westminster on funding ahead of Budget](https://www.insider.co.uk/news/robison-demands-urgent-clarity-westminster-36084015): Holyrood’s Finance Secretary is demanding “urgent clarity” from the Treasury over whether the Scottish Government will get cash to replicate a funding boost given to Wales. Shona Robison is hoping to see the cash, delivered as part of the UK Government’s local growth fund, replicated in Scotland. She raised the issue after it was announced this week that Wales will get £547m over three years from the fund – with ministers in Cardiff to decide how the money is spent. Robison raised the issue ahead of a meeting in Edinburgh with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray. He will […] - [TSMC profit surges 39% to beat estimates and hit yet another record on AI chip demand](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/tsmc-hits-yet-another-record-as-profit-surges-39percent-beating-estimates-on-ai-chip-demand-surge.html): TSMC's high-performance computing division, which encompasses artificial intelligence and 5G applications, made up the majority of third-quarter sales, accounting for 57% of revenues. TSMC has benefited from the artificial intelligence megatrend as it manufactures advanced AI processors for clients, including Nvidia and AMD. The TSMC logo is displayed on a building in Hsinchu, Taiwan April 15, 2025. Ann Wang | Reuters Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. on Thursday reported a 39.1% increase in third-quarter profit from last year, beating estimates and hitting a fresh record as demand for artificial intelligence chips stayed strong. Here are the company's results versus LSEG SmartEstimates: Revenue: 989.92 billion New Taiwan dollars ($33.10 billion) vs. NT$977.46 billion expected Net income: NT$452.3 billion, vs. NT$417.69 billion  TSMC's revenue in the September quarter rose 30.3% from a year ago to NT$989.92 billion, also beating estimates. Net income increased 13.7% from last quarter, which had marked a record high at the time. As Asia's largest technology company by market capitalization, TSMC has benefited from the artificial intelligence boom, producing advanced AI processors for clients such as Nvidia and AMD. "Recent developments in AI market continue to be very positive," TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said on an earnings call, adding that increasing adoption of AI models by consumers has led to more demand for compute, and by extension, semiconductor products. "Thus, our conviction in the AI megatrend is strengthening," he added. Bolstered by this AI strength, Wei said the company had raised its 2025 revenue growth forecast to the mid-30% range. In July, the company had expected full-year revenue growth of about 30%. TSMC also increased its expected floor for capacity expansion and upgrades to $40 billion for the full year, up from a previous floor of $38 billion. Cutting-edge chips TSMC's high-performance computing division, which encompasses artificial intelligence and 5G applications, made up the majority of sales in the July-September quarter, accounting for 57% of revenue. TSMC said advanced chips, with sizes 7-nanometer or smaller, accounted for 74% of TSMC's total wafer revenue in the quarter.  In semiconductor technology, smaller nanometer sizes signify more compact transistor designs, which lead to greater processing power and efficiency.  Growth in TSMC's most advanced chips particularly drove revenue gains in the third quarter, according to Counterpoint Research senior analyst William Li. "TSMC's robust earnings are a direct reflection of the strong traction at 3nm as well as high utilization at 4/5nm – both of which are being driven by ongoing orders from AI GPU and HPC customers and premium smartphone platforms," Li told CNBC in a statement.  TSMC executives also said Thursday that they were monitoring U.S. tariff developments as Taiwan negotiates for a lower "reciprocal" rate and Washington weighs industry-specific duties on semiconductors. However, TSMC is likely to receive some exemptions.  "We understand there are uncertainties and risks from the potential impact of tariff policies, especially in consumer-related and price-sensitive market segments," Wei said, adding that the company would continue to monitor and plan for any impact.  TSMC has been investing heavily in facilities in the U.S. — spending that could help reduce its exposure to tariff impacts. Shares of TSMC in Taiwan have risen more than 38% so far this year. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that TSMC produces advanced AI processors for AMD. An earlier version stated the wrong company. - [Asia-Pacific markets dip as banking and trade fears take hold on Wall Street](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/17/asia-markets-friday-hang-seng-hsi-kospi-nikkei-225.html): Asian markets started the day lower. Shares of regional banks and investment bank Jefferies tumbled Thursday as fears mounted around some bad loans lurking in the U.S. Activity on Elizabeth Street (at the intersection of Bourke St Mall), Melbourne on a cloudy day. Charlie Rogers | Moment | Getty Images Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 1% in early trade, while the broad-based Topix fell 0.75%. South Korea's Kospi dipped 0.48%, and the small-cap Kosdaq declined 0.13%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index futures were at 25,862, lower than the HSI's last close of 25,888.51. U.S. stock futures were slightly lower on Thursday night stateside after the previous session saw a sell-off fueled by concerns about regional banks' loan practices. Overnight in the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 301.07 points, or nearly 0.7%, to close at 45,952.24. Earlier in the day, the 30-stock index had gained 170 points. The S&P 500 finished 0.6% lower at 6,629.07, giving up a 0.6% gain at the highs of the session. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.5% to settle at 22,562.54. — CNBC's Liz Napolitano, Pia Singh and Alex Harring contributed to this report. - [New Round Lot Rules Help Issuers with High-Priced Stocks](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/new-round-lot-rules-help-issuers-high-priced-stocks): The new SEC round lot regime improves the round lot constraint problem. Starting in November, on-screen spreads for the highest priced stocks, should be better (lower). - [What’s Next for the Gaza Cease-Fire Plan](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/middleeast/100000010458240/whats-next-for-the-gaza-cease-fire-plan.html): new video loaded: - [Kganyago urges ratings transparency at G20 meeting in Washington](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-16-kganyago-urges-ratings-transparency-at-g20-meeting-in-washington/): Washington — Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago said developing nations should be able to challenge ratings agencies’ methodologies to ensure greater transparency.Speaking after the conclusion of the Group of 20 (G20) finance chiefs meetings in Washington, Kganyago said transparency in ratings could yield better outcomes for developing countries.“If we are able to take their methodology and take the data they are using and see whether we are able to replicate it ... we can actually engage them and challenge them based on their methodology and say that your rating is wrong,” he said.SA, which holds the G20 presidency until November, committed to address the elevated cost of capital for developing economies, which includes the role of ratings agencies.However, the proposed commission to examine these concerns remains unestablished. The initiative, outlined in a policy priorities document at the start of SA’s presidency, sought to explore barriers to affordable and predictable capital flows for development, including those linked to ratings agencies’ methodologies.During the fourth meeting under SA’s G20 presidency, finance ministers and central bank governors issued a chair summary instead of a formal communique, a recurring feature of multilateral discussions where consensus isn’t reached.The summary highlighted global economic resilience but identified risks such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, elevated debt levels, and severe weather events.The statement emphasised the importance of dealing with excessive imbalances, particularly for developing economies.“Given the challenges of high public debt and fiscal pressures, members acknowledged the importance of pursuing growth-orientated macroeconomic policies to enhance long-term growth potential,” the chair summary reads.The group also addressed the unequal development of AI across developing nations, advancing discussions on innovation’s transformative potential. It underscored the need for reforms at multilateral development banks to expand lending capacity while amplifying developing countries’ influence in decision-making processes.SA will hand the G20 presidency to the US in November.Reuters - [Trump's pivot away from solar power hit planned 62,300-acre project in Nevada desert](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/16/trumps-pivot-away-solar-power-hit-planned-62300-acre-project-nevada/): Solar proponents are melting down over a Trump administration move to curb the development of a project in Nevada that environmental groups said would threaten the sensitive ecosystem and blight one of the most intact remaining landscapes in the state. Esmeralda 7 was slated to become the largest solar development in America if the 62,300-acre array is ever completed. But the Trump administration has thrown up a big obstacle, halting an environmental review that was fast-tracked last year by the Biden administration in its quest to eliminate fossil fuels from the energy grid. The move caused an uproar in the solar […] - [Building for Energy Abundance](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/building-energy-abundance): Nasdaq TradeTalks explore the impact of AI on cybersecurity and Hannan Happi, CEO and Co-founder of Exowatt, shares why decentralized distributed energy resources are critical to the future for energy infrastructure. - [Nio shares plunge 12% after Singapore's GIC accuses Chinese EV maker of inflating revenue](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/nio-shares-fall-after-singapores-gic-accuses-firm-of-inflating-revenue.html): The Nio logo is seen at the Nio booth at the National Exhibition Center in Shanghai, China, on April 28, 2025, during the Shanghai Automobile Show 2025. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Hong Kong-listed shares of Nio plunged over 12% after Singapore's sovereign wealth fund sued the Chinese electric vehicle maker for allegedly violating securities laws by inflating its revenues. The lawsuit named Nio's CEO Li Bin and former Financial Officer Feng Wei as defendants, according to a court document filed in August in the Southern District of New York court. Shares of Nio on the Singapore Exchange tumbled over 9%. CNBC has reached out to GIC and Nio for comment and is waiting for their response. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. - [Hamas Says It Has Returned All Hostage Remains It Can Recover](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/world/middleeast/hamas-gaza-hostages-remains-israel.html): The militants said they would need special equipment to retrieve more bodies in Gaza. The announcement could put the truce with Israel at risk. Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said on Wednesday night that it had handed over all of the remains of Israeli hostages that it had been able to recover without additional equipment, potentially putting a cease-fire with Israel in the Gaza Strip at risk. In a statement, the Palestinian militant group said that it has “committed to what was agreed upon and handed over everyone it had in terms of living captives and what it had in […] - [Asia-Pacific markets rise, tracking Wall Street gains on strong bank earnings](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/asia-pacific-markets-thursday-nikkei-225-asx-hang-seng-index-tsmc.html): Asia-Pacific markets rose. Australia will release the September jobs data later in the day. Australia, Victoria, Melbourne, buildings on bank of Yarra river Peter Adams | Stone | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets rose Thursday, tracking Wall Street gains on strong bank earnings in a volatile trading session. Investors have been on edge in recent days as global trade tensions have escalated. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), known to many as Wall Street's fear gauge, has trended higher over the past week, rising last Friday to more than 21.6, or its most elevated level since late May. The index finished at 20.6 on Wednesday stateside. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.16%. Investors will look to the country's jobs data for September, due out later in the day. Economists polled by Reuters are expecting an unemployment rate of 4.3%, up from 4.2% in August. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index jumped 0.95%, while the Topix index added 0.8%. South Korea's Kospi index advanced 1.09%, while the small-cap Kosdaq traded 0.2% higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was set to open lower, with its futures contract trading at 25,848, against the index's previous close of 25,910.6. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours after major banks reported earnings beat, as Washington's government shutdown entered its third week and escalating trade tensions with China persisted. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day little changed, down just 17.15 points, or 0.04% at 46,253.31. At one point in the day, the 30-stock index rose as much as 422.88 points. The S&P 500 finished 0.4% higher at 6,671.06, after gaining as much as 1.2% intraday. The Nasdaq Composite ended up 0.7% at 22,670.08. It briefly rallied as much as 1.4%. — CNBC's Liz Napolitano and Lisa Kailai Han contributed to this report. - [Group including Nvidia, BlackRock buying Aligned Data Centers in deal worth about $40 billion](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/15/group-including-nvidia-blackrock-buying-aligned-data-centers-deal/): A group including BlackRock, Nvidia and Microsoft is buying Aligned Data Centers in an approximately $40 billion deal in an effort to expand next-generation cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition comes amid a flurry of deals in recent months involving top AI developers that are flooding the booming AI sector with resources and money, and addressing resources — such as electricity and infrastructure — needed to support such technology. Last week it was revealed that semiconductor maker AMD will supply its chips to artificial intelligence company OpenAI as part of an agreement to team up on building AI infrastructure. OpenAI […] - [OpenAI partners with Walmart to let users buy products in ChatGPT, furthering chatbot shopping push](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/15/openai-joins-walmart-let-users-buy-products-chatgpt/): NEW YORK — OpenAI is partnering with Walmart to let shoppers make purchases directly within ChatGPT, furthering the artificial intelligence company’s push to turn its chatbot into a virtual merchant as it seeks to boost revenue. In an Tuesday announcement, Walmart said the new offering will give customers the option to “simply chat and buy.” That means the retailer’s products would be available through instant checkout in ChatGPT – allowing users to buy anything from meal ingredients or household items, to other goods they might be discussing with the chatbot. “For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted of a […] - [Waymo plans to bring its driverless taxis to London in 2026](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/15/waymo-london-plans-bring-driverless-taxis-city-2026/): LONDON — Robotaxi pioneer Waymo plans to expand to London next year, marking the company’s latest step in rolling out its driverless ride service internationally. Waymo said Wednesday that it will start testing its self-driving cars on London streets in the coming weeks – with a human “safety driver” behind the wheel – as it seeks to win government approval for its services. In a blog post, Waymo said it will “lay the groundwork” for its London service in the coming months. The company said it will “continue to engage with local and national leaders to secure the necessary permissions for […] - [SA stone fruit gain ground in China after historic trade deal](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-15-sa-stone-fruit-gain-ground-in-china-after-historic-trade-deal/): Trade protocol opens the Asian giant’s market to five locally grown fruits 15 October 2025 - 13:07 by Jana Marx SA’s stone fruit industry is poised for a major boost after the signing of a landmark trade protocol with China, which opens the Asian giant’s market to five locally grown fruits for the first time.Stone fruit refers to a category of fruit that contains a large, hard seed or “stone” inside... - [China greenlights autonomous driving firms Pony.ai and WeRide's Hong Kong listings](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/15/chinese-autonomous-driving-firms-ponyai-and-weride-to-list-in-hong-kong-.html): The China Securities Regulatory Commission announced on Tuesday that autonomous driving firms Pony AI and WeRide have filed to issue and list shares in Hong Kong. The Guangzhou-based firms are amongst a growing wave of Chinese companies seeking secondary listings in Hong Kong, in what has been a bounce-back year for the city's IPO market. A Pony.ai AION robot taxi is displayed during the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai on April 23, 2025. Wang Zhao | Afp | Getty Images Autonomous driving firms Pony.ai and WeRide have received approval from China's securities regulator for secondary listings in Hong Kong, as the companies look to raise funds and continue their global expansion.  The China Securities Regulatory Commission announced Tuesday that both companies had filed to issue and list shares in Hong Kong. Chinese companies seeking a foreign listing are required to file an application with the CSRC in advance, giving the regulators final say on whether the company can go public overseas. Pony.ai and WeRide, which are already listed in the United States, can issue about 102 million new shares each for their Hong Kong listings. WeRide has tapped Morgan Stanley and China International Capital Corporation to work on the listing, according to a Reuters report. Neither WeRide nor Pony.ai immediately responded to CNBC's inquiry on their IPO plans.  Pony.ai CEO James Peng had told CNBC in July that the company was exploring a Hong Kong listing. Hong Kong would offer "close proximity" to the company's home market of China, which is something that would interest a lot of investors, Peng said.  Pony.ai and WeRide, both headquartered in Guangzhou, are amongst a growing wave of Chinese companies seeking secondary listings in Hong Kong, in what has been a bounce-back year for the city's IPO market. The Chinese companies' move to dual list also comes as they expand their presence to new regions, including the Middle East, Europe and Asian countries such as Singapore, although they have yet to receive full approvals to operate their robotaxis in most of those regions.  In the U.S., both companies have partnered with Uber, with hopes of deploying their robotaxis on the firm's ride-hailing platform after receiving approval. In China, they have already begun operating fully autonomous robotaxis in major cities, which can be hailed via their respective apps.  The companies have smaller autonomous vehicle fleets when compared to more established players such as Baidu's Apollo Go in China and Alphabet's Waymo in the U.S. Pony.ai launched its IPO in November with shares priced at $13 apiece — the stock has gained more than 60% since. WeRide debuted on the Nasdaq, with the IPO priced at $15.50 a share in October 2024, and its stock has lost over 30% so far. - [Chinese firms pull back from listing in the U.S. as Hong Kong IPOs see a surge](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/15/chinese-firms-pull-back-from-listing-in-the-us-as-hong-kong-ipos-see-a-surge.html): Chinese companies have pulled back from listing in the U.S. this year in a clear pivot to Hong Kong amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington, and higher regulatory thresholds in New York. Chinese IPOs in the U.S. have slumped 4% year-on-year in terms of deal value so far this year, raising just $875.7 million from 23 deals. "We expect a very busy Q4 and first-half 2026 with a super strong pipeline," said Peihao Huang, head of equity capital markets for Asia Pacific at J.P. Morgan. Chinese companies have pulled back from listing in the U.S. this year in a clear pivot to Hong Kong amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington, and higher regulatory thresholds in New York. Chinese initial public offerings in the U.S. have slumped 4% year-on-year in terms of deal value so far this year, raising just $875.7 million from 23 deals. That's down 93% from the $13 billion across 39 listings during the same period in 2021, according to data provider Dealogic. In 2021, Chinese IPOs in the U.S. were on track hit a record high, before Beijing moved to intensify supervision of domestic firms after ride-hailing operator Didi Global pressed ahead with plans to go public in New York despite China's objections. Less than six months after it went public, Didi started its delisting process . Meanwhile, Chinese IPOs in Hong Kong this year have surged 164% year on year, raising $18.4 billion from 56 listings, Dealogic data showed. "Chinese listings in the U.S. have pretty much become non-existence since Didi Global's ill-fated IPO in the U.S.," said Perris Lee, head of equity capital market for APAC at Mergermarket, attributing the pullback largely to Beijing's sharper regulatory oversight. "It will be increasingly challenging to receive greenlight [from Beijing to list in the U.S.] especially for companies that fall under China's government orchestrated strategic industries," Lee said, prompting Chinese firms to continue seeking listings in Hong Kong. The Asian financial hub, on track to become the world's largest listing destination this year, has seen a surge in IPOs, boosted by a string of billion-dollar deals, including Contemporary Amperex Technology's $5.3 billion IPO and Zijin Gold's $3.2 billion listing. Interest in Hong Kong is fueled by a confluence of factors, including better fundraising condition following Beijing's supportive measures introduced in September last year, boom in technology and artificial intelligence sectors, fueled by the unexpected rise of Chinese startup DeepSeek, said Eugene Hsiao, head of China equity strategy at Macquarie. Hong Kong regulators also unveiled a so-called "Technology Enterprises Channel" in May to facilitate IPO approvals for specialist technology and biotech companies, particularly those already listed in the mainland. PwC projects Hong Kong to see up to 100 IPOs this year, with total fundraising to exceed $25.5 billion. Expectations are high that momentum will carry into the final quarter this year, according to Peihao Huang, head of equity capital markets for Asia Pacific at J.P. Morgan. "We expect a very busy Q4 and first-half 2026 with a super strong pipeline," Peihao said, as Chinese companies listed in the mainland accelerate their process for a Hong Kong dual listing, as well as new IPOs in the city. Investors have also grown more upbeat about opportunities in Greater China, encouraged by the conviction of China's strengths in selective technologies, biotech and advanced manufacturing sectors, attractive valuations in Chinese equities and a cautious repositioning by global funds that have for years been "structurally underweight" on China, Peihao said. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index has advanced 27% so far this year, despite the recent retreat following the renewed U.S.-China tensions. Beijing controls One major snarl for Chinese companies interested in U.S. listings is Beijing's tight control of the IPO process. Chinese government has been keeping a firm grip on capital outflows, including stock offerings overseas. Asserting its power over private businesses, Beijing in 2020 halted Ant Group's planned Hong Kong and Shanghai listings less than 48 hours before what would've been the world's biggest IPO. "Shein's failed attempt to get listed in the U.S. has only further underscored Beijing's regulatory preferences on where its companies should get listed — either at home [onshore exchanges] or Hong Kong," Lee added. Shein, an online fast-fashion retailer with Chinese roots, was looking to list in New York but ultimately shelved the plan, reportedly shifting its focus to a Hong Kong listing after its proposed London IPO failed to secure approval from Beijing. More than 280 Chinese companies are listed on major U.S. stock exchanges including Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange with a total market capitalization of $1.1 trillion, according to a March report from the U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission . Small-cap companies have made up the vast majority of the China's U.S. listing as blockbuster, multibillion-dollar IPOs remain absent from U.S. exchanges. The average Chinese IPO in 2024 raised just $50 million, down from over $300 million in 2021, according to the report. Seeking safer ground A growing number of U.S.-listed Chinese companies are also looking at Hong Kong amid rising delisting risks in the U.S., a trend that's giving an extra boost to the city's sizzling market. U.S. lawmakers called for the delisting of Chinese firms from U.S. exchanges as recently as May, citing national security concerns. In June, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission singled out China as it sought to raise disclosure requirements for companies listed on U.S. exchanges, Reuters reported. Lidar sensor maker Hesai Group , which has been listed on the Nasdaq since 2023, raised $535 million in its Hong Kong listing last month, becoming the latest U.S.-listed Chinese firm to pursue such a move this year. Hesai was added to a Pentagon blacklist of companies linked to China's military last year. Hotel chain Atour Lifestyle Holdings and robotaxi firm Pony AI are also weighing listings in Hong Kong this year, with the latter obtaining the approval from Chinese securities regulator Tuesday. Temu parent PDD Holding has switched to a Hong Kong-based auditor, a move seen by some as indicating its plan to prepare for a second listing. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq has stepped up its scrutiny of small IPOs from China since last year and in September proposed a set of additional requirements that will make it harder for smaller Chinese companies to list in New York. Companies operating primarily in China will need to raise at least $25 million in IPOs to list on the exchange. "This certainly raises the bar," said Steve Markscheid, managing partner of Aerion Capital. That could push more Chinese firms to look for SPACs or reverse take-over — where a private company merges with a public company to get listed— versus IPOs, added Markscheid, who also serves as independent director at several U.S.-listed Chinese firms. Geopolitical tensions including U.S. lawmakers' calls to tighten restrictions on Chinese firms listed stateside have helped Hong Kong position itself as a substitute for offshore fundraising for China-based companies, said Macquarie's Hsiao. - [Standard Bank study reveals eight out of 10 township businesses unregistered](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-15-standard-bank-study-reveals-eight-out-of-10-township-businesses-unregistered/): Informal economy Small businesses without registration have limited access to credit and formal growth channels 15 October 2025 - 05:00 by Kabelo Khumalo A study by Standard Bank into the informal economy finds eight out of 10 businesses in the sector are unregistered, making access to finance to grow their enterprises impossible.The survey zooms in on businesses raking in R100,000-R50m annually across the economic hubs of Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the mineral-rich North West... - [Foreign-owned SMEs outpace locals through innovation and customer focus, says Standard Bank](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-15-foreign-owned-smes-outpace-locals-through-innovation-and-customer-focus-says-standard-bank/): Study finds foreigners in the informal economy more agile and risk-taking, while locals remain cautious 15 October 2025 - 05:00 by Kabelo Khumalo A study by SA’s largest bank by assets, Standard Bank, has found that there is a clear distinction between small businesses owned by locals and those run by foreign nationals, with the latter thriving due to its consumer-centric approach.The study took a deep dive into SA’s informal economy, which some estimates put at R900bn a year, and surveyed about 7,500 businesses in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West... - [Asia markets rise, breaking ranks with Wall Street's declines on renewed U.S.-China trade feud](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/15/asia-pacific-markets-nikkei-225-kospi-hang-seng-index-nifty-50.html): Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Wednesday. Overnight, Wall Street declined after U.S. and China traded blows in a renewed trade feud. SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 14, 2025 - Tourists are visiting the Bund in Shanghai, China on August 14, 2025. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Wednesday, breaking ranks with Wall Street's declines after U.S. and China exchanged blows in a renewed trade feud. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday stateside criticized China for not buying soybeans, calling it an "an economically hostile act." He also threatened "retribution" such as a cooking oil embargo. "Volatility remains elevated, and the best explanation is the strained relationship between the U.S. and China," Veteran investor Louis Navellier wrote in a note published Wednesday. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.3%, while the Topix added 0.75%. South Korea's Kospi jumped 0.8%, while the small-cap Kosdaq added 0.83%. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was up 0.93%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was set to open higher, with its futures contract trading at 25,763, against the index's previous close of 25,441.35. Investors will be keeping an eye on China's inflation data for September coming out later in the morning. Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 closed down 0.2% to 6,644.31 in a wild day that saw the benchmark fall as much as 1.5% and gain 0.4% at its highs. The Nasdaq Composite was off by 0.8% to 22,521.70, although at one point it had fallen as much as 2.1%.The Dow Jones Industrial average closed up 0.4%, or 202.88 points, to 46,270.46 after gaining nearly 1% at one point. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday suggested the central bank is nearing a point where it will stop reducing the size of its bond holdings, and provided a few hints that more interest rate cuts are in the cards. — CNBC's Liz Napolitano and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. - [WATCH: SA’s informal economy explained](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-14-watch-sas-informal-economy-explained/): SA’s township informal economy, which is estimated to be worth about R1-trillion, remains largely unmeasured and underserved by formal institutions. A new report from Standard Bank sheds light on the scale and complexity of this market, with nearly 80% of township businesses still unregistered. Business Day TV discusses the findings with Kani Rajuili, Research Director at Foshizi. - [Fed's Powell suggests tightening program could end soon, offers no guidance on rates](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/14/feds-powell-suggests-tightening-program-could-end-soon-offers-no-guidance-on-rates.html): Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank is nearing a point where it will stop reducing the size of its bond holdings, but gave no long-run indication of where interest rates are heading. Though balance sheet questions are in the weeds for monetary policy, they matter to financial markets. Powell generally stuck to the recent script on the economy and interest rates that policymakers are concerned that the labor market is tightening and skewing the balance of risks between employment and inflation. Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, during a news conference following a Federal Open Market […] - [WATCH: Focus on SA’s textile and clothing industry](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-14-watch-focus-on-sas-textile-and-clothing-industry/): SA’s clothing and textile sector has shown resilience within the retail trade segment but faces mounting pressure from cheap imports and rising costs. Business Day TV spoke to Mbuyiselo Malo, manufacturer and business adviser for Boys of Soweto and Nthabiseng Kortjass, brand manager for NikNaks, about the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry’s future. - [Coal drives SA mining production in August](https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2025-10-14-coal-drives-sa-mining-production-in-august/): Stats SA’s latest figures showed a 4% jump in coal output in August, outperforming all other sub-sectors 14 October 2025 - 14:09 by Jacob Webster The latest industry data from the local mining sector showed coal miners dominating SA’s mineral production in August as global demand for fossil fuels held steady.Stats SA figures released on Tuesday showed SA’s mineral production edged down 0.2% year on year, with platinum group metals (PGM), gold and manganese producers all weighing on output... - [Japan PM Takaichi holds call with Trump amid China dispute](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/japan-pm-takaichi-call-trump-china-dispute-5488476): TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Donald Trump discussed China relations in a phone call on Tuesday (Nov 25), their first talks since the Japanese premier sparked a major diplomatic bust-up with Beijing over her remarks on Taiwan. Takaichi’s response to a question in parliament earlier this month that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response prompted a furious response from Beijing that has included a boycott on travel to Japan. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of it. The […] - [Asia-Pacific markets track Wall Street's tech recovery after Alphabet leads AI rally](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/asia-pacific-markets-tuesday-today-ai-tech-recovery-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-kospi.html): Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose in early trading. Asia markets were set to open higher. Overnight, Wall Street rebounded, boosted by Alphabet's shares. SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 01: Skyscrapers stand at the Pudong Lujiazui Financial District on March 1, 2022 in Shanghai, China. Xiao Yang | Visual China Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Tuesday, after Wall Street's tech stocks rebounded on a rally in Google parent  and hopes of a Fed rate cut. Optimism about Alphabet's standing in the AI race started last week after the tech giant announced its upgraded AI model, Gemini 3. The stock closed 6.31% higher Monday. Other AI-related stocks, such as Broadcom and Micron Technology, also popped higher, building on a wider rebound that started on Friday, when the head of the New York Federal Reserve left the door open to a December interest rate cut. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index climbed 1.14% in early trading, while the Topix index advanced 0.7%. AI-related stocks were among the top gainers on the Nikkei 225, with semiconductor testing equipment supplier Advantest trading 4.8% higher and chip equipment maker Lasertec adding 2.75%. Tokyo Electron, which provides essential chipmaking equipment to foundries that manufacture Nvidia's chips, gained 2.39%. South Korea's Kospi index jumped 2.39%, and the small-cap Kosdaq moved up 1.7%. Index heavyweights SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics were up as much as 5% and 4%, respectively. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 pared early gains to hover above the flatline. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a higher open, trading at 25,874, against the index's previous close of 25,716.5. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours. Overnight, the S&P 500 rose 1.55% to close at 6,705.12, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.69% to settle at 22,872.01. It was the tech-heavy index's best day since May 12, when it rose 4.35%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 202.86 points, or 0.44%, to end at 46,448.27. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Yun Li contributed to this report. - [Trump touts 'extremely strong' China relations after call with Xi](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/donald-trump-touts-extremely-strong-relations-china-xi-jinping-call-5487761): Following months of trade tensions triggered by Trump’s tariffs, Xi and Trump reached a framework agreement in South Korea on Oct 30. Washington agreed not to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports and China would hold off on an export licensing regime for crucial rare earth minerals and magnets. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said he hoped a final deal on rare earths would be done by Thanksgiving. China has resumed purchases of US soybeans and halted its expanded curbs on rare earths exports. The US lowered tariffs on China by 10 per cent in exchange for Beijing’s […] - [Allbirds, H&M and Zara use recycled yarns from this Virginia startup that's backed by Patagonia](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/allbirds-hm-zara-use-recycled-yarn-from-circa-backed-by-patagonia.html): Circ has a proprietary chemical process that separates blended fabrics into their original fibers in order to recycle clothing. Allbirds, Zara and H&M use Circ-recycled textiles in some of their products. The company has raised $100 million in funding from investors including Patagonia. Fast fashion is a major environmental offender, requiring massive water consumption, and producing high carbon emissions and pollution. It also leads to a surge in microplastic and textile waste. One result has been a boom in thrifting. But recycling old clothing into new items presents a much bigger challenge. The fashion industry accounts for anywhere from 4% to […] - [AI super PAC launches $10 million campaign pushing 'uniform' national policy](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/ai-pac-trump-congress-midterms.html): An AI industry super PAC is launching a $10 million campaign to push Congress to craft a national AI policy. President Donald Trump’s White House and federal lawmakers are working on bill language to prevent states from enacting certain AI laws. A New York bill co-sponsored by Assemblymember Alex Bores has passed the legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature. A super PAC backed by the artificial intelligence industry on Monday launched a $10 million campaign to push Congress to craft a national AI policy that will override a patchwork of state laws, the group told CNBC. The campaign from “Leading […] - [Cheap Power Will Dictate Industrial Geography of the Future](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/cheap_power_will_dictate_industrial_geography_of_the_future_1149404.html): Walter Donway American Institute for Economic Research November 24, 2025 Data centers will power the next century, but the grid isn’t ready. The quest for capacity is reorganizing political alliances and showing up in rate h … Read Full Article » - [Breaking America's Housing Problem Down To a Chart](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/breaking_americas_housing_problem_down_to_a_chart_1149144.html): The housing market keeps getting worse. Home prices have risen more than 50 percent since the pandemic. About a third of Americans households now spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. In 2014, the median age of a first-time home buyer was 31. In 2025, it was 40 — the highest on record. Read Full Article » - [Why Tariffs Alone Won't Fix the U.S.'s Manufacturing Problem](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/why_tariffs_alone_wont_fix_the_uss_manufacturing_problem_1149133.html): Volkswagen’s latest earnings report reads like a cautionary tale for an age addicted to policy spectacle. The German automaker announced a $1.5 billion quarterly loss — the casualty of U.S. tariffs and a shortage of low-cost semiconductors. Its executives confessed they were “safe until the end of next week,” their production lines running on borrowed time.   Read Full Article » - [Responding to Prof. Epstein About Populism](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/responding_to_prof_epstein_about_populism_1149325.html): Linda Denmo & John Yoo Civitas Institute November 24, 2025 - [BBC execs grilled by lawmakers over standards after Trump threatened to sue](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/bbc-execs-grilled-lawmakers-standards-trump-threatened-sue/): LONDON — The BBC’s chairman acknowledged Monday that it was too slow in responding over a misleading edit of a speech by U.S. President Trump but rejected claims that the broadcaster’s impartiality was being undermined from within its own board. Senior BBC leaders were quizzed by Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee amid a major crisis at the publicly funded corporation after its director general and head of news both quit earlier this month and Mr. Trump threatened to file a billion-dollar lawsuit. Chairman Samir Shah said the broadcaster should not have waited days before responding to allegations of biased reporting […] - [Broadcom is joining Alphabet in the AI rally. Why investors are jumping in](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/broadcom-is-joining-alphabet-in-the-ai-rally-why-investors-are-jumping-in.html): Monday’s puts Broadcom shares on pace for their best day since April 9. The move in Broadcom comes as investors continue to push shares of Google-parent Alphabet higher. The two are related through high-performance, application-specific chips, or ASICs. A Broadcom circuit board for chip testing is pictured during a lab tour as Broadcom prepares to launch new optical chip tech to fend off Nvidia in San Jose, California, U.S., September 5, 2025. Brittany Hosea-small | Reuters Broadcom shares rallied 10.3% on Monday, as investors poured back into several high-flying tech companies tied to the artificial intelligence trade. Wall Street is also […] - [Cramer: Amazon's AI edge is 'game, set, match' heading into the busy holiday shopping season](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/cramer-amazon-ai-edge-is-unbeatable-heading-into-holiday-shopping-season.html): CNBC’s Jim Cramer said Monday that Amazon ‘s AI-powered retail business is a vertical that “can’t be challenged,” heading into the long Thanksgiving shopping weekend. “I don’t see OpenAI challenging Amazon retail,” Cramer said on ” Squawk on the Street .” “They’re not going to stop these guys when it comes to retail.” While OpenAI’s ChatGPT is shaping how consumers search for gift ideas, Amazon’s built-in assistant Rufus gives the e-commerce giant an advantage. Rufus creates a conversational shopping experience that keeps customers within Amazon’s ecosystem. That’s a key differentiator as a growing number of consumers plan to use artificial intelligence […] - [Fire teams rescue 15-year-old stuck on crane over high-rise building in Jerusalem](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/jerusalem-fire-teams-rescue-15-year-old-stuck-crane-high-rise/): JERUSALEM — Fire teams on Monday rescued a teenager who was stuck dangling for seven hours from a crane hanging 36 stories above Jerusalem. The 15-year-old boy told rescue teams that he had climbed up the crane around midnight because he wanted to “see the view,” according to Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service. Videos showed the teen trapped on a tiny platform connecting metal cables and the crane’s hook hanging precariously over a high-rise building. Fire teams arrived in the morning and scaled the side of the crane, after being alerted by a bystander who saw the boy, and pulled him […] - [Another rally for Alphabet leads the U.S. stock market higher](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/another-rally-alphabet-leading-us-stock-market-higher/): NEW YORK — The U.S. stock market is rising again on Monday, for now at least, ahead of a week with shortened trading because of the Thanksgiving holiday. The S&P 500 climbed 0.9% and added to its jump from Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 72 points, or 0.2%, as of 10 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.7% higher. Stocks got a lift from rising hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in December, a move that could boost the economy and investment prices. The market also […] - [BBC leaders to face lawmakers' grilling over its standards after Trump threatened to sue](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/bbc-leaders-face-lawmakers-grilling-standards-trump-threatened-sue/): LONDON — The BBC’s chairman and other senior leaders will face tough questions on its editorial standards from lawmakers on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to file a billion-dollar lawsuit over a misleading edit of his speech. The British broadcaster’s chairman Samir Shah, board member Robbie Gibb and former editorial adviser Michael Prescott will be quizzed at a hearing with Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee. The publicly-funded corporation was plunged into a major crisis after its director general and head of news both quit earlier this month and Trump said he was poised to sue over misleading editing […] - [Man arrested in Tokyo on suspicion of stealing a car and then hitting 11 people, killing 1](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/man-arrested-tokyo-suspicion-stealing-car-striking-11-people-killing/): TOKYO — A man driving a stolen car struck 11 people in Tokyo on Monday, killing one man in his 80s on a pedestrian walkway, police said. A spokesman at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, didn’t give the condition of the other people who were hit. Japanese media reports said one woman was seriously injured, with earlier reports saying that a total of 12 people were struck. The driver, a 37-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of stealing the vehicle from a parking lot of a business, after fleeing from the scene, police said. […] - [India's Tejas jet-maker HAL calls Dubai crash an isolated occurrence](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indias-tejas-jet-maker-hal-calls-dubai-crash-isolated-occurrence-5487326): Tejas, which means brilliance in Sanskrit, is seen as crucial for India’s efforts to modernise its air force fleet of mainly Russian and ex-Soviet fighters. The crash, which killed the pilot, dampens New Delhi’s hopes of exporting the home-built jet and leaves it reliant on Indian military orders to sustain its role as a showcase of domestic defence technology. Such a public loss could overshadow India’s efforts to establish the jet abroad after a painstaking development over four decades, experts have said. Hindustan Aeronautics said on Monday that the crash will not affect its business operations, financials or future deliveries. Shares […] - [Thai woman found alive in coffin after being brought in for cremation](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/24/thai-woman-found-alive-coffin-brother-brings-cremation/): BANGKOK — A woman in Thailand shocked temple staff when she started moving in her coffin after being brought in for cremation. Wat Rat Prakhong Tham, a Buddhist temple in the province of Nonthaburi on the outskirts of Bangkok, posted a video on its Facebook page, showing a woman lying in a white coffin in the back of a pickup truck, slightly moving her arms and head, leaving temple staff bewildered. Pairat Soodthoop, the temple’s general and financial affairs manager, told The Associated Press on Monday that the 65-year-old woman’s brother drove her from the province of Phitsanulok to be cremated. […] - [We're Not a Low-Tax Country Despite What You're Told](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/24/were_not_a_low-tax_country_despite_what_youre_told_1149148.html): One of the great misperceptions about federal tax policy is that the United States is a low-tax country. Every left leaning Washington think tank and most of the media promote this notion, and use it to push for higher taxes on the American people. This low-tax claim is at best misleading, if not outright deceptive. In reality, the U.S. is a high-tax country, with average U.S. tax rates on individuals, corporations, and investors higher than the average tax rates in the rest of the developed world. Read Full Article » - [Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank urges global cooperation as it marks a decade of development](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/aiib-asian-infrastructure-investment-bank-jin-liqun-global-cooperation-frank-talks-5486726): BEIJING: Stronger cross-border cooperation and candid dialogue are critical as the world grapples with rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, said the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) founding president. “When you look at the positive results of international cooperation among the multilateral institutions, I think people would be convinced that if we are faced with some of the challenges, the only solution is (to) sit down and have a frank talk, and then we come up with some of the solutions,” Jin Liqun told CNA in a wide-ranging interview on Nov 12. Jin, who is stepping down as head of the multilateral development […] - [Flood-stricken Hat Yai declared disaster zone; Thai authorities step in to help stranded tourists](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/hat-yai-thailand-floods-authorities-supporting-tourist-stranded-5486561): Songkhla governor Rattasart Chidchoo said the floods, which began on Nov 19, have affected more than 465,000 people across 16 districts. Heavy rain is forecast to continue in the region into Tuesday. Malaysia’s foreign ministry in a Facebook post on Saturday said that 4,000 of its citizens were affected by the floods in Hat Yai.  It urged Malaysians in Hai Yai to be on standby at their hotel lobbies to be evacuated by Thai authorities. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday said its embassy in Bangkok has been working closely with Thai authorities to provide consular assistance to affected […] - [Malaysian floods affect 11,000 people across 7 states](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-floods-states-affected-kelantan-5486476): KUALA LUMPUR: More than 11,000 people in seven Malaysian states have been affected by flooding caused by torrential rain, the national disaster agency said on Monday (Nov 24). Floods are common on the eastern coast of Malaysia during the annual monsoon season from October until March, with thousands of people displaced each year. A report from the National Disaster Management Agency showed 11,009 people from 3,839 families have been affected by flooding in the states of Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, and Selangor, as of 6am local time on Monday. The north-eastern state of Kelantan, which borders Thailand, has been […] - [Philippine president says 7 suspects in corruption scandal have been detained, others being sought](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippine-marcos-corruption-scandal-suspects-detained-5486311): Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the location of Co, who is believed to be outside the Philippines, was unknown, but three other suspects may soon surrender to the Philippine embassies in the United States, New Zealand and Jordan and be flown back home. “No matter where you are in the world, we will find you,” Remulla said at a news conference, where mug shots of the arrested suspects in orange detainee shirts were shown. Witnesses have testified in Senate hearings and in an independent fact-finding commission established by Marcos that several former and incumbent senators and House members have pocketed huge […] - [Asia-Pacific markets rebound on revived Fed rate-cut hopes](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/asia-markets-today-monday-kospi-hang-seng-index-fed-rate-cut-tech-ai-trade.html): Asia-Pacific markets started the week higher after the New York Federal Reserve President signaled that a third rate cut could happen this year. This comes after losses were seen across most markets last week as optimism around the AI trade unwound. Spreephoto.de | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets started the week higher after the New York Federal Reserve President signaled that a third rate cut could happen this year. On Friday, New York Federal Reserve President John Williams suggested the Fed could lower its key interest rate from here as labor market weakness poses a bigger economic threat than higher inflation. The Fed has just one meeting left for 2025, which will take place on Dec. 9-10 stateside. The target rate is currently at 3.75% to 4.00%. Fed funds futures are currently pricing in around a 70% chance of a quarter percentage point cut, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Last week, Asian markets declined across the board as traders fled from tech stocks, with heavyweights like Softbank, Samsung Electronics and Baidu falling. South Korea's Kospi was up 1.28%, while the small cap Kosdaq rose 0.5%. Samsung gained over 3.2% in early trade. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day 1.08% up, rebounding from a 1.59% loss on Friday. On Monday, shares of logistics group Qube climbed nearly 20% after Macquarie Asset Management made an offer of 11.6 billion Australian dollars ($7.49 billion) to acquire the firm. Mining giant BHP also rose about 0.7% after the company announced it was no longer considering a merger with British miner Anglo American. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,541, about 1.27% higher than the HSI's last close of 25,220.02. Japan's markets are closed for a public holiday. On Friday in the U.S., all three major indexes posted a rebound, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 1.08%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.88% and the S&P 500 finished 0.98% higher. —CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Canada, India agree to restart trade talks, says Indian government](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/canada-india-agree-restart-trade-talks-says-indian-government-5485971): Despite the diplomatic row, trade between Canada and India has grown but trade experts say it is quite small relative to the size of India’s economy.  Two-way goods and services trade touched about C$31 billion (US$21.98 billion) in 2024, largely in Canada’s favor due to its C$16 billion in services exports. In contrast, Canada’s total bilateral trade with China was almost four times bigger in 2024. Relations between Canada and India began to improve following Modi’s meeting with Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit in June.  Earlier on Sunday, Carney said he considers India a reliable trading partner, although he acknowledged there could be […] - [The Danish Model for Immigration Crackdown](https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000010530619/europe-immigration-crackdown.html): new video loaded: The Danish Model for Immigration Crackdown For European governments, Denmark’s hard-line immigration policy is a model for how to get a grip on contentious issue and stay in power. Our reporter Jeanna Smialek reports from Copenhagen on the the effects of the policy. By Jeanna Smialek, Katrin Bennhold, Nikolay Nikolov, Leila Medina and James Surdam November 23, 2025 - ['Wicked: For Good' is even more popular than the first, soaring to a $226 million global debut](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/23/wicked-good-even-popular-first-soaring-226-million-global-debut/): Universal Pictures’ two-part “Wicked” gamble continues to defy gravity at the box office. Just a year after part one brought droves of audiences to movie theaters around the country, even more people bought opening weekend tickets to see the epic conclusion, “Wicked: For Good.” According to studio estimates on Sunday, “Wicked: For Good” earned $150 million from North American theaters in its first days in theaters and $226 million globally. Not only is it the biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, unseating the record set by the first film’s $112 million launch, it’s also the second biggest debut of […] - [How OpenAI’s Changes Sent Some Users Spiraling](https://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000010535987/how-openais-changes-sent-some-users-spiraling.html): new video loaded: - [Plan for $20 million firefighter training center near the site of Ohio derailment revived](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/22/plan-20m-firefighter-training-center-ohio-revived/): Norfolk Southern railroad worked with the state of Ohio and Youngstown State University to revive plans for a $20 million first responder training center near the site of the worst derailment in a decade in East Palestine, Ohio. Building a training center to help prepare firefighters to deal with a railroad disaster was quickly part of the plan after the derailment on Feb. 3, 2023, that forced the evacuation of roughly half the small town near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border and left residents with worries about the potential long-term health impacts. But Norfolk Southern said last January that East Palestine officials had […] - [The World Is Improved By the Extraordinary, Who Get Up & Out](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/22/the_world_is_improved_by_the_extraordinary_who_get_up_and_out_1149080.html): “My why was: Get the hell up out of this situation.” That’s how Carmelo Anthony described his path to becoming the first NBA Hall of Famer from Baltimore.  Thinking about how Anthony got himself out while so many of his Baltimore peers did not, some will say Anthony is an extraordinary exception. And they’re right. Read Full Article » - [Freeing the U.S. Economy From Lina Khan and 'Khanservatism'](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/22/freeing_the_us_economy_from_lina_khan_and_khanservatism_1149079.html): In October the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a draft of their Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030 as required by the government’s Performance and Results Act. Passed in 1993 as part of Bill Clinton’s efforts to “make government work better and cost less,” the program required federal agencies to prepare a “strategic plan” detailing their “mission, goals, achievement methods, and evaluation efforts.”   Read Full Article » - [Europe Is Scaling Back Its Big Tech Attack](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/22/europe_is_scaling_back_its_big_tech_attack_1149055.html): Robert Hart & Dominic Preston The Verge November 22, 2025 - [Rate Cut Drama Could Put Lisa Cook In The Hot Seat](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/22/rate_cut_drama_could_put_lisa_cook_in_the_hot_seat_1149051.html): The Federal Reserve is deeply divided right now between officials who think it should cut interest rates next month and those who don’t. One plausible result of the vote would create a stunning irony. Read Full Article » - [Hong Kong says Singapore minister David Neo apologised for 'idiots' remark](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/david-neo-hong-kong-singapore-apology-5484286): Neo later said in a social media post that he should have been more respectful. “I take back what I said. The Hong Kong team were really tough and their fans were fully behind them. That’s something we should respect, and let’s also get behind our Lions,” he said. Law said the incident would not affect the long-standing sports and cultural relationship between Hong Kong and Singapore. It also reported that following the result, Ashley Westwood’s 15-month stint as Hong Kong head coach is set to come to an end. Singapore, meanwhile, is on the hunt for a new head coach, […] - [China takes spat with Japan over Taiwan to UN, vows to defend itself](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-japan-taiwan-tensions-united-nations-5484266): BEIJING: China has taken its growing dispute with Japan to the United Nations, accusing Tokyo of threatening “an armed intervention” over Taiwan and vowing to defend itself in its strongest language yet in the two-week-old dispute. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi committed “a grave violation of international law” and diplomatic norms when she said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong wrote in a letter on Friday (Nov 21) to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “If Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act […] - [Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern Will Make Rail Faster & Cheaper](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/union_pacificnorfolk_southern_will_make_rail_faster_and_cheaper_1148833.html): Earlier this year two of America’s largest railroads – Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern – announced their intention to merge. If approved, the combined entity would establish the nation’s first single-line transcontinental railroad. It would reach across 43 states and encompass a network of tens of thousands of miles, providing shippers access to 10 international interchanges and nearly 100 ports while opening myriad new routes. Most importantly, a transcontinental railroad would sharply reduce inefficiencies and costly interchange delays in the current network, which would increase potential railway customers and have the potential to transform the nation’s freight transportation system.    Read […] - [Weekly Chartstopper: November 21, 2025](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/weekly-chartstopper-november-21-2025): This week: Continuing the trend of the last few weeks, markets were once again focused on the Federal Reserve and artificial intelligence (AI) bubble concerns. - [A new crash test dummy that better resembles women gets key government endorsement](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/21/crash-test-dummy-better-resembles-women-gets-key-government/): The U.S. government announced major design changes it wants to implement to make the female version of the vehicle crash test dummy more lifelike, potentially replacing a model used for decades that is based almost entirely around the body of a man despite higher injury risks for women. Department of Transportation officials will consider using the new dummy in the government’s vehicle crash test five-star ratings once a final rule is adopted, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday night in a news release. Women are 73% more likely to be injured in a head-on crash, and they are 17% more likely […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Oracle, Bath & Body Works, Gap and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-midday-orcl-bbwi-gap.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: Oracle — The AI stock fell 4% as investors remained worried about valuations tied to AI continued to dump stocks. Those declines added to Oracle’s and Nvidia’s steep weekly losses. Bath & Body Works — The retailer fell 5%, adding to its 24.8% plunge from Thursday, as analysts around Wall Street downgraded the stock. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs were among the shops that lowered their rating on Bath & Body Works, a day after the company posted third-quarter results that missed expectations. QuidelOrtho — The diagnostics products maker rose 11% after […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Oracle, Bath & Body Works, Gap and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-midday-orcl-bbwi-gap.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: Oracle — The AI stock fell 4% as investors remained worried about valuations tied to AI continued to dump stocks. Those declines added to Oracle’s and Nvidia’s steep weekly losses. Bath & Body Works — The retailer fell 5%, adding to its 24.8% plunge from Thursday, as analysts around Wall Street downgraded the stock. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs were among the shops that lowered their rating on Bath & Body Works, a day after the company posted third-quarter results that missed expectations. QuidelOrtho — The diagnostics products maker rose 11% after […] - [Fed won't get key inflation data before next rate decision as BLS cancels October CPI release](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/fed-wont-get-key-inflation-data-before-next-rate-decision-as-bls-cancels-october-cpi-release.html): The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Bill Clark | Getty Images The Bureau of Labor Statistics said it was canceling the release of the October consumer price index, leaving the Federal Reserve without a key piece of inflation data to ponder when it next decides on interest rates on Dec. 10. The CPI data, previously scheduled to be released on Nov. 7, was canceled because the government shutdown made it impossible for the BLS to “retroactively collect” certain parts of survey data, […] - [Pontifical secret revealed: Pope Leo XIV changes his Wordle start word each day](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/21/pontifical-secret-revealed-pope-leo-xiv-switches-wordle-start-word/): ROME — Pope Leo XIV opened a virtual meeting with American Catholic young people Friday by revealing a closely held pontifical secret: He uses a different Wordle start word each day. Leo divulged his strategy playing the popular New York Times online game before fielding questions via videoconference about artificial intelligence, social media and the future of the Catholic Church. Leo was hooked up from the Vatican to speak remotely to the National Catholic Youth Conference, an annual Catholic rally held this year in Indianapolis, via a feed from U.S. Catholic broadcaster EWTN. After Leo’s election in May, his brother John […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Bitcoin stocks, Elastic, Gap and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/stocks-making-big-moves-premarket-bitcoin-stocks-elastic-gap-and-more-.html): Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. Bitcoin stocks — Stocks linked to the world’s oldest cryptocurrency were in the red as bitcoin plunged closer to $80,000 as investors fled risk assets. Digital asset mining companies American Bitcoin and Riot Platforms fell 2.4%, while Bitcoin treasury Strategy shed 2%. Galaxy Digital was down 2.2%. Elastic — The data analytics company tumbled nearly 13% after reporting fiscal second-quarter results that saw a deceleration in cloud growth. Elastic’s adjusted earnings and revenue topped Wall Street’s expectations. Albemarle — A Bloomberg report revealed that lithium miner has come up with a preliminary […] - [Robinhood shares head for brutal weekly loss as bitcoin, AI stocks are hit hard](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/robinhood-heads-for-brutal-weekly-loss-as-bitcoin-ai-stocks-are-hit-hard.html): Piotr Swat | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Robinhood shares are heading for a brutal weekly loss as the once-red-hot trades in bitcoin and AI stocks that powered its growth lose momentum. Shares of the trading platform slid 10.1% on Thursday, extending a sharp decline that has pushed the stock down 13.3% for the week. The slump has erased more than 27% of Robinhood’s value so far in November, a dramatic pullback after a strong run earlier this year. The stock is slightly higher in premarket trading Friday. Loading chart… The latest slide reflects a sharp reversal in the […] - [Was Government Shutdown a Case of Fiscal Insanity?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/was_government_shutdown_a_case_of_fiscal_insanity_1148842.html): “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” That remark is often falsely attributed to Albert Einstein, who never said it. But it’s true. You don’t have to be a nuclear physicist to recognize that.  Read Full Article » - [AI Is In a Manic Phase, and Maybe That's OK.](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/ai_is_in_a_manic_phase_and_maybe_thats_ok_1148841.html): It’s reasonable to worry whether sky-high valuations for artificial intelligence companies represent a bubble that will burst and wreak havoc on your retirement account. A bursting bubble could indeed be painful in the short term. But what if we’re in a “rational bubble” that, unlike other big speculative manias in history, takes our economy to a fundamentally better place? Read Full Article » - [Watch Out, It's More Economic Analysis From An Economist](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/watch_out_its_more_economic_analysis_from_an_economist_1148840.html): Economists don’t know economic growth. See New York Times columnist and economist Rebecca Patterson. In “Watch Out, It’s the Jenga Economy,” Patterson expresses worry that “Without income from jobs, consumers pull back on spending.” Except that no non-PhD would ever think about consumption. That’s because consumption is a certain effect of what truly matters: production. Yet Patterson has no evident interest in the production without which there is literally none of the consumption she so values.   Read Full Article » - [The Fatal Conceit of Time Zones and Interest Rates](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/the_fatal_conceit_of_time_zones_and_interest_rates_1148836.html): Those residing in the Pacific Time zone will have the interest rate of their loans fixed at 5%; Mountain Time will be 6%; Central Time, 7%, and Eastern Time, 8%. Yes, the above decrees sound absurd, but they also reflect the ridiculous reality in which we find ourselves.  Read Full Article » - [Close the Stablecoin Loophole Before We All Pay the Price](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/21/close_the_stablecoin_loophole_before_we_all_pay_the_price_1148526.html): In May 2021, the Luna stablecoin lost its algorithmic peg to the Dollar, which led to the erosion of $45 billion for cryptocurrencies and various other assets in the hours immediately following this event. Even financial institutions with no obvious exposure to cryptocurrency felt the impact of the collapse. While many U.S. regulators may wish the asset class didn’t exist, it has become impossible to ignore it and pretending that doing so will insulate the rest of financial markets from its impact will no longer work.    Read Full Article » - [Bangladesh quake kills five, injures dozens](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/bangladesh-earthquake-three-killed-55-magnitude-5482216): DHAKA: A powerful earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday (Nov 21) outside the crowded capital Dhaka, killing at least five people, health officials said. The 5.5-magnitude quake struck at 10.38am (12.38pm, Singapore time) near the city of Narsingdi, about 33km from Dhaka, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The Friday morning earthquake sparked terror with many in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people at home on their day off. City residents rushed out of their homes as buildings shook and some makeshift structures collapsed, Reuters witnesses said. AFP reporters in Dhaka saw people weeping in the streets while others appeared […] - [Japan announces $135 billion stimulus package, NHK reports, as Takaichi seeks to boost economy](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/japans-cabinet-announces-135-billion-stimulus-package-nhk.html): Package aims to address rising prices, achieve a strong economy, and strengthen defense and diplomatic capabilities It would expand local government grants, as well as provide subsidies for electricity and gas bills. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) answers a question during a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee at the National Diet in Tokyo on November 12, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images) Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty Images Japan's cabinet reportedly announced a stimulus package totaling 21.3 trillion yen ($135.5 billion) on Friday, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to boost the country's slowing economy and offer support to inflation-hit consumers. Public broadcaster NHK reported that the package was based on three pillars: addressing rising prices, achieving a strong economy, and strengthening defense and diplomatic capabilities, according to a Google translation. The cabinet also said it would expand local government grants, as well as provide subsidies for electricity and gas bills. The subsidies will start next January, amounting to about 7,000 yen for a standard household over a three-month period starting next January. Taxes on gasoline will also be eliminated, according to the report. Japan also plans to establish a 10-year fund to enhance shipbuilding capabilities, and enact measures to raise defense spending to 2% of its gross domestic product by fiscal year 2027. The government said it will "swiftly compile" a supplementary budget bill to fund these measures, and plans to pass it by before year-end with help from opposition parties. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party currently is a minority government, but is now allied with the Japan Innovation Party. Together they hold a 231 seats in Japan's 465-seat Lower House — two seats short of a majority. - [Asia tech stocks tumble on AI bubble fears](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/asia-tech-stocks-tumble-ai-bubble-fears-5481656): Tracking New York, Asian markets were a sea of red, with tech giants leading the way. Seoul-listed Samsung Electronics sank nearly five per cent and rival SK hynix more than nine per cent – the firms are two of the world’s leading memory chip makers. Another chip titan, TSMC, tanked nearly four per cent in Taiwan, while Japan’s SoftBank plunged more than 10 per cent in Tokyo. That led broader markets lower. Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai each lost more than two per cent, while Taipei and Seoul were off more than three per cent. Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Mumbai and Bangkok […] - [What to know about Trump's draft proposal to curtail state AI regulations](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/20/know-trumps-draft-proposal-curtail-state-ai-regulations/): President Donald Trump is considering pressuring states to stop regulating artificial intelligence in a draft executive order obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, as some in Congress also consider whether to temporarily block states from regulating AI. Trump and some Republicans argue that the limited regulations already enacted by states, and others that might follow, will dampen innovation and growth for the technology. Critics from both political parties – as well as civil liberties and consumer rights groups – worry that banning state regulation would amount to a favor for big AI companies who enjoy little to no oversight. While the […] - [Japan October exports massively beat estimates on robust growth in shipments to Asia and Europe](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/japan-october-exports-massively-beat-estimates-on-robust-growth-in-shipments-to-asia-and-europe-.html): Japan's exports in October massively beating expectations, government data on Friday showed, as shipment to Europe and Asia saw robust growth. Exports grew 3.6% year on year compared with expectations of a 1.1% growth by economists polled by Reuters. However, growth was lower than the 4.2% gain seen in September. The data comes at a time when Japan is locked in a diplomatic spat with its largest trading partner, China, over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments related to Taiwan. Imports to the world's fourth largest economy unexpectedly rose 0.7%, defying expectations of a 0.7% fall from the Reuters poll. This is breaking news, please check back for updates. - [Asia-Pacific markets set to slip, tracking tech losses on Wall Street; Nikkei futures signal 3% slide](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/asia-markets-today-friday-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-kospi-japan-inflation.html): Asia markets face pressure as U.S. tech slumps and hopes fade for a December Fed rate cut. Japan's core inflation in October rises to a 3-month high, supporting the case for rate hikes Wall Street swung from gains to losses, highlighting market volatility ahead of key data. People watch the first sunrise of the new year from a footbridge overlooking the city skyline in Seoul on January 1, 2024.  Jung Yeon-je | Afp | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open lower Friday, after U.S. tech stocks lost ground and investors' hopes dimmed of a December rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Oracle and AMD were among the first AI plays to fall into the red on the session, followed by Nvidia, which reversed gains and closed nearly 3% lower. Stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data renewed doubts about whether the central bank will lower its benchmark overnight rate. Traders were pricing roughly a 40% chance of a quarter-point cut next month, according to the CME FedWatch Tool, a setback for investors hoping for lower borrowing costs. Over in Asia, investors will be watching for any spillover to the region's tech-heavyweights, as well as key economic data from Japan. Japan's core inflation in October rose at its sharpest rate since July, in line with market estimates on Friday, supporting the case for interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. The Nikkei 225 futures pointed to a weaker open, with the contract in Chicago at 48,265, implying a drop of over 3%, while its counterpart in Osaka was at 48,460, compared to the previous close of 49,823.94. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 2% on its open. Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,460, lower than the HSI's last close of 25,835.57. Overnight in the U.S., the Nasdaq Composite fell 2.16%, down from a 2.6% advance at one point in the session. Other major indexes also slipped, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.84%. The S&P 500 shed 1.56%, despite rising as much as 1.9% earlier in the day. —CNBC's Liz Napolitano, Pia Singh, and Alex Harring contributed to this report. - [Most ETFs Track Index Returns Very Well](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/most-etfs-track-index-returns-very-well): When it comes to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), it’s not just the portfolio that needs to track the index — the ETF price also needs to track the portfolio. - [Mars rover Perseverance finds possible meteorite from space](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/20/mars-rover-perseverance-finds-possible-meteorite-space/): The NASA Mars rover Perseverance recently found a rock with high levels of iron and nickel, which could mean it came from elsewhere in space. During a recent investigation on the planet, Perseverance found the 31-inch rock, which looks sculpted and stands higher than the flatter, more fragmented rocks around it, NASA said last week. If scientists confirm that the rock is an iron-nickel meteorite, Perseverance would join the still-operating Curiosity and former rovers Opportunity and Spirit in having found one. - [How Tokenized Deposits Will Transform Modern Banking](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-tokenized-deposits-will-transform-modern-banking): Nasdaq TradeTalks looks at how tokenized deposits will transform modern banking and Michael Normyle, U.S. Economist and Senior Director at Nasdaq, explains how the Fed should approach monetary policy decisions when faced with delayed economic data due to government shutdowns. - [How Tokenized Deposits Will Transform Modern Banking](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-tokenized-deposits-will-transform-modern-banking): Nasdaq TradeTalks looks at how tokenized deposits will transform modern banking and Michael Normyle, U.S. Economist and Senior Director at Nasdaq, explains how the Fed should approach monetary policy decisions when faced with delayed economic data due to government shutdowns. - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Nvidia, Walmart, Palo Alto Networks & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-nvda-wmt-panw.html): Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Nvidia — The chipmaker popped 5% after it reported fiscal third-quarter results that were well above expectations. Nvidia’s fourth-quarter revenue guidance was also stronger than analysts anticipated. Walmart — The retail giant gained rose slightly on better-than-expected results for the third quarter. Walmart earned an adjusted 62 cents per share on revenue of $179.5 billion . Analysts expected a profit of 60 cents per share on revenue of $177.43 billion. The company also hiked its full-year sales outlook. Palo Alto Networks — The cybersecurity stock fell 3% after the company announced it […] - [Why Are 3,900% Higher Deposit Levels a Priority?](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/20/why_are_3900_higher_deposit_levels_a_priority_1148568.html): With the federal funding situation resolved and the government open, Congress can finally return to legislative business and begin to address the real concerns of Americans who have grown more anxious about the state of the economy, inflation, energy costs, and a government-created health care crisis. Yet, rather than tackle those problems, a small cadre of senators are instead channeling their efforts to give a banking boost to the wealthiest among us. That is a serious misallocation of valuable time. Read Full Article » - [Cultural Confidence: The Missing Ingredient of Western Prosperity](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/20/cultural_confidence_the_missing_ingredient_of_western_prosperity_1148566.html): What our greatest civilizations shared wasn’t just power or prosperity—it was a fierce belief in themselves, something the modern West is forgetting. Did you hear about the time George Washington, Winston Churchill, and Marcus Tullius Cicero walked into a bar? Cicero headed straight for the jukebox, slipped in a sesterce, and out poured Merle Haggard’s 1970 hit The Fighting Side of Me: “When you’re runnin’ down my country, hoss, you’re walking on the fightin’ side of me…” Read Full Article » - [Asia markets set to open mixed as Nvidia's earnings beat and bullish forecast lift tech sentiment](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/asia-pacific-markets-thursday-today-nvidia-earnings-beat-asian-chips-stocks-tech.html): Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Thursday. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose in early trading. Overnight, Wall Street rose in anticipation of Nvidia's quarterly report. A view of Tokyo's skyline on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Julian Finney | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Thursday as investors digested Nvidia's latest quarterly beat — released after the closing bell stateside — which appeared to restore confidence in major technology stocks. Shares of the chip giant jumped more than 4% in extended trading after its fiscal third-quarter earnings beat earnings and revenue expectations. The AI chip darling also gave a stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter sales forecast, with CEO Jensen Huang saying demand for its current-generation Blackwell chips is "off the charts." Investors in the region will be looking at Asian tech stocks related to Nvidia and the broader AI chip supply chain. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 50,085, and its counterpart in Osaka at 49,310, against the index's Wednesday close of 48,537.7. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.49%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a slightly lower open, with the contract trading at 25,820, down from the index's previous close of 25,830.65. U.S. equity futures were higher in early Asian hours after Nvidia's upbeat guidance, which likely lifted investor sentiment around the AI trade, following recent sessions that reflected fears about elevated valuations, debt financing, and potential chip depreciation. "Nvidia's numbers remain extremely strong now, but there are inevitably questions whether Huang's company has already reached its high-water mark in terms of growth and market share," said David Russell, TradeStation's global head of market strategy. Overnight, the S&P 500 gained 0.38% to close at 6,642.16, snapping a four-day losing streak, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.59% to settle at 22,564.23. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 47 points, or 0.1%, to finish at 46,138.77. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Nvidia, Palo Alto Networks, Oddity Tech, AMD and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-after-hours-nvda-panw-odd-amd.html): Check out the companies making headlines in after-hours trading. Nvidia — Shares of the chipmaker rose more than 6% in extended trading on the back of better-than-expected third-quarter results . Nvidia earned $1.30 cents per share, excluding items, on $57.01 billion in revenue. Analysts polled by LSEG had expected $1.25 cents per share in earnings and $54.92 billion in revenue. Nvidia also forecasted about $65 billion in sales for the current quarter, which was higher than analysts’ expectations of $61.66 billion in revenue, likely lifting investors’ sentiment on the strength of the AI boom. AI chipmakers — Shares of stocks heavily […] - [NASA unveils close-up pictures of the comet popping by from another star](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/19/nasa-shows-close-comet-visiting-solar-system-another-star/): CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA unveiled close-up pictures on Wednesday of the interstellar comet that’s making a quick one-and-done tour of the solar system. Discovered over the summer, the comet known as 3I/Atlas is only the third confirmed object to visit our corner of the cosmos from another star. It zipped harmlessly past Mars last month. Three NASA spacecraft on and near the red planet zoomed in on the comet as it passed just 18 million miles (29 million kilometers) away, revealing a fuzzy white blob. The European Space Agency’s two satellites around Mars also made observations. Other NASA spacecraft will […] - [What Will Drive Next Great Depression? John Tamny Int.](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/19/what_will_drive_next_great_depression_john_tamny_int_1148489.html): David Lin The David Lin Report November 19, 2025 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Read Full Article » - [BLS says full October jobs data won't be released, available figures to be included in next report](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/bls-october-jobs-data.html): The BLS said October payroll data will be released along with a full report for November. An unemployment rate for October will not be included in those figures because the data “could not be collected,” the BLS said, citing the shutdown. Recruiters speak to job seekers at the Appalachian State University internship and job fair in Boone, North Carolina, US, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Allison Joyce | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Bureau of Labor Statistics said Wednesday it will not release a full U.S. jobs report for the month of October, following the longest government shutdown in the history […] - [Muddy Waters Capital's Carson Block makes rare long call in Canadian miner Snowline Gold](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/muddy-waters-capitals-carson-block-makes-rare-long-call-in-canadian-miner-snowline-gold.html): Snowline, valued at about C$2.1 billion, has made what Block called a “first-of-its-kind” discovery in Canada’s Yukon territory. “This is one of the few assets globally that can move the needle for a mid- or large-cap gold miner,” Block’s presentation materials stated, calling the firm “an elephant.” Carson Block, Muddy Waters Capital, at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha, Sept. 28, 2022. Scott Mlyn | CNBC Muddy Waters Capital’s Carson Block, best known for his short-selling campaigns, took an unusually bullish stance at the Sohn London Investment Conference on Wednesday, pitching junior miner Snowline Gold as a top takeover candidate in the mining sector. […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Alphabet, Nvidia, Lowe's, La-Z-Boy, MP Materials & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-midday-googl-nvda-low-lzb-mp.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: Alphabet — The YouTube and Google parent climbed 4% to an all-time high after rolling out its Gemini 3 artificial intelligence platform Tuesday. Google said Gemini 3 lets users get better answers to more complex questions and needs less prompting to find the context and intent behind requests. Eversource — The utility dropped more than 8% after the state of Connecticut rejected the company’s sale of its Aquarion Water unit. MP Materials — The rare earths mine operator rallied about 10% after it announced a partnership with the U.S. Defense Department and […] - [The US Will Prioritize Visa Processing for Fans With World Cup Tickets](https://www.wired.com/story/the-us-will-prioritize-visa-processing-for-fans-with-world-cup-tickets/): Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, visited the White House this week to announce with an initiative with Donald Trump that would give priority to World Cup ticket holders next year to process a US visa. This initiative is called “FIFA Pass.” “FIFA Pass is a prioritized appointment scheduling system,” Infantino said from the Oval Office. “So if you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have a prioritized appointment to get your visa. Because, you said it the first time we met, Mr. President, America welcomes the world.” Despite the heavy travel restrictions that the US government has […] - [Blue Owl calls off merger of its two private-credit funds after announcement rattles stock](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/blue-owl-calls-off-merger-of-its-two-private-credit-funds-after-announcement-rattles-stock-sources-say.html): Blue Owl has decided to call off the merging of two of its private-credit funds after the deal caused some angst among investors, according to people familiar with the matter. The firm had planned to merge its smaller, non-traded Blue Owl Capital Corporation II (OBDC II), into the larger, publicly traded fund Blue Owl Capital Corporation (OBDC). In doing so, the firm restricted investors in the $1.7 billion OBDC II from redeeming until the deal closed, even as the merger would have meant about 20% paper losses, based on where the $17.1 billion OBDC has been trading.  News of the restricted […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Target, Lowe's, Viking, Bullish and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-tgt-low-vik-blsh.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves in premarket trading: Target — The retailer fell nearly 3% after it cut full-year earnings guidance . The company said it expects earnings per share to range between $7 and $8. Target previously expected its full-year profit to come in between $7 per share and $9 per share. Lowe’s — The home improvement giant rose 6% after it reported third-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations. The company earned an adjusted $3.06 per share, topping an LSEG estimate of $2.97 per share. La-Z-Boy — Shares popped 10% following the furniture retailer and manufacturer’s strong […] - [The Fed's Rate Decision Isn't the Market's Biggest Worry](https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/19/the_feds_rate_decision_isnt_the_markets_biggest_worry_1148314.html): Investors are making too big a deal over whether interest rates will be cut at the December meeting of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate-setting committee. Interest rates have surprisingly little ability to forecast the stock market’s direction. Read Full Article » - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open higher after Wall Street extends tech-led sell-off](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/asia-pacific-markets-ai-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-csi-300.html): Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Wednesday. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.13% in early trading. Overnight, tech stocks continued to drag U.S. stocks. Eschcollection | Digitalvision | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Wednesday, after Wall Street declined as concerns about artificial intelligence valuations continued to pressure tech stocks. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set to rise, with its futures contract in Chicago at 48,885, and its counterpart in Osaka last trading at 48,900, against the index's Tuesday close of 48,702.98. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.13% in early trading. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index also pointed to a higher open, trading at 26,033, against the index's previous close of 25,930.03. U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asian hours after the key indexes fell Tuesday stateside. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 498.50 points, or 1.07%, to settle at 46,091.74. The S&P 500 lost 0.83% to end the day at 6,617.32. It was the broad-based index's fourth straight losing session, making for its longest slide since August. The Nasdaq Composite declined 1.21% to finish at 22,432.85. The session saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 notch their fourth consecutive losing days, with the S&P 500 notching its longest slide since August. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite recorded its fifth negative day in six sessions.  Bitcoin dropped briefly below $90,000, a sign of reduced risk-taking by investors. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Gemini 3 Is Here—and Google Says It Will Make Search Smarter](https://www.wired.com/story/google-launches-gemini-3-ai-bubble-search/): Google has introduced Gemini 3, its smartest artificial intelligence model to date, with cutting-edge reasoning, multimedia, and coding skills. As talk of an AI bubble grows, the company is keen to stress that its latest release is more than just a clever model and chatbot—it’s a way of improving Google’s existing products, including its lucrative search business, starting today. “We are the engine room of Google, and we’re plugging in AI everywhere now,” Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, an AI-focused subsidiary of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, told WIRED in an interview ahead of the announcement. Hassabis admits that the AI […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Home Depot, Blue Owl Capital, Amer Sports & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-hd-owl-as-hp.html): Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Helmerich & Payne — The drilling rig company fell more than 7% following disappointing earnings results. In its fiscal fourth quarter, Helmerich and Payne reported an adjusted loss of 1 cent per share, missing the FactSet consensus estimate of 23 cents earnings per share. On the other hand, revenue beat analysts’ expectations. Home Depot — The stock pulled back 1.2% after the company reported third-quarter earnings that missed analyst expectations. The home improvement giant earned $3.74 per share, adjusted, while analysts polled by LSEG had forecast a profit of $3.84 per share. […] - [India’s goods trade deficit in October shatters records, beating estimates, as gold imports surge 200%](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/indias-goods-trade-deficit-october-record-high-tariffs-gold-imports-.html): India's merchandise trade deficit hit an all-time high of $41.7 billion in October. India imported gold worth of $14.7 billion, up nearly 200% from October last year. India's exports to U.S., its biggest market, fell 8.5% on year in October to $6.3 billion. A broadcast screen at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai, India, on April 3, 2025, displays news of U.S. President Donald Trump announcing sweeping new trade tariffs. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images India's goods trade deficit hit an all-time high of $41.7 billion in October as gold imports surged on festive season demand, while exports to U.S. bore the brunt of steep tariffs. The deficit, which was sharply wider than Reuters poll estimates of $28.8 billion, topped the previous all-time high of $37.8 billion in November 2024, according to LSEG data. During October, India imported gold worth of $14.7 billion, up nearly 200% from October last year, data from the country's commerce ministry released Monday showed. Indian consumers are estimated to have bought gold worth $11 billion during the 5-day festival period in October. The impact of tariffs was also visible in trade data as India's exports to the U.S. fell for a second consecutive month since the 50% tariffs came into effect in August end. Shipments to U.S. fell 8.5% year on year in October to $6.3 billion. Despite the decline, the U.S remained India's largest exports destination during the first 7 months of this fiscal year, accounting for shipments worth $52 billion. India exported gems and jewelry worth $2.3 billion in October down 29.5%, engineering goods worth $9.4 billion, down 16.7%. Exports of cotton and man-made yarn and ready-made garments fell 12%-13%. The U.S. is the top export destination for all these commodities. Meanwhile, India's exports to China rose 42% to $1.6 billion. The country's merchandise imports are "expected to cool somewhat in November-December 2025 from the October levels" due to a sequential dip in gold imports as the festive season ends and some pickup in exports, Moody's-owned Indian credit rating firm ICRA Research said in a note on Monday. But it cautioned that India's current account deficit is set to "widen materially to 2.4-2.5% of GDP" in the third quarter of fiscal year ending March 2026. It expects the ratio of CAD to gross domestic product to be around 1.2% in fiscal year 2026, if the 50% U.S. tariffs continue until end-March 2026. Trade negotiations between U.S and India have been underway for months, but a deal has been elusive so far. Both sides have begun to soften their stance, with U.S. President Donald Trump hinting at reducing tariffs on India. Reaching out to Washington, New Delhi has increased oil and gas purchases from the U.S. to reduce the trade surplus it enjoys with Washington. The country is also expected to purchase farm products from the U.S. - [Asia-Pacific markets fall, tracking Wall Street declines on tech losses and AI jitters](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/asia-pacific-markets-tuesday-nikkei-225-nifty-50-kospi-hang-seng-index-tech-ai.html): Asia-Pacific markets fell Tuesday, trailing Wall Street's tech slump. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.76%. U.S. stocks fell with AI-linked firms under pressure ahead of Nvidia's earnings and key economic data. Low angle view of tall buildings in Tokyo, Japan, showcasing diverse architectural styles George Pachantouris | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets fell Tuesday, following a tech-led slide on Wall Street. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 slid 0.92%, while the Topix declined 0.6%. South Korea's Kospi was 0.64% lower while the small-cap Kosdaq slid 0.58%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 26,178, lower than its last close of 26,384.28. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.76%. Overnight in the U.S., stocks pulled back, plagued once again by declines in tech, as Wall Street awaited key releases this week, including Nvidia earnings and the September jobs report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 557.24 points, or 1.18%, to close at 46,590.24, as losses in the artificial intelligence chip darling, along with Salesforce and Apple, pushed the blue-chip index lower. The S&P 500 sank 0.92% to end the day at 6,672.41, while the Nasdaq Composite tumbled 0.84% to settle at 22,708.07. Nvidia dropped almost 2% ahead of the company's third-quarter results, which are scheduled for after the bell on Wednesday. The chipmaker and other names in the AI trade were under pressure recently as investors grew anxious about stretched valuations. Blue Owl Capital, a private credit lender, shed nearly 6% amid concerns about its heavy lending tied to the AI data center buildout. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. - [San Francisco bodega cat killed by Waymo self-driving car sparks public outrage](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/17/kitkat-cat-death-waymo-car-leads-calls-self-driving-vehicle/): Autonomous vehicle company Waymo is in hot water after one of its self-driving taxis ran over a beloved San Francisco bodega cat. KitKat was killed beneath a Waymo car in San Francisco’s Mission District in late October, sparking public outrage, including a decorated memorial for the cat. City Supervisor Jackie Fielder has called for legislation to regulate self-driving vehicles, specifically allowing counties to vote on whether to ban them. Waymo said in a statement that the cat “darted under our vehicle as it was pulling away,” and expressed its “deepest sympathies to the cat’s owner and the community who knew and […] - [Peter Thiel's hedge fund dumps Nvidia stake, cuts back Tesla position](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/17/peter-thiels-hedge-fund-dumps-nvidia-stake-cuts-back-tesla-position.html): Peter Thiel ‘s namesake fund exited Nvidia in the third quarter, the latest sign of caution around the high-flying artificial intelligence darling. Thiel Macro zeroed out its stake worth nearly $94 million during the three-month period, regulatory fillings show. It marked the fund’s biggest change by dollar value in the quarter, according to InsiderScore. Thiel’s decision mirrors Japanese firm SoftBank’s, which announced earlier this month that it sold its entire stake in Nvidia for around $5.8 billion. Some investors have grown increasingly concerned in recent weeks that the AI trade, after driving the market to record highs over the past few […] - [Alibaba is helping Chinese military to target U.S., White House memo claims: FT](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/17/alibaba-chinese-military-target-us-white-house-memo-ft-.html): A White House memo alleged “Alibaba provides tech support for Chinese military ‘operations’ against targets in the U.S.,” according to a FT report Friday. “The assertions and innuendoes in the article are completely false,” Alibaba said in a statement to CNBC on the FT report. Alibaba provides cloud computing services and has developed open-source AI models that are growing in popularity, including in the U.S. BEIJING — Alibaba is helping the Chinese military to target the U.S., according to a White House memo, the Financial Times reported Friday. The memo alleged “Alibaba provides tech support for Chinese military ‘operations’ against targets […] - [Japan's economy contracts less than expected in third quarter, helped by consumption](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/17/japan-gdp-q3-economy-september-quarter-contraction.html): Domestic consumption helped slow the decline, with both government and private consumption rising quarter on quarter. Overall, private demand was the largest drag on GDP on a quarter-on-quarter basis. Public demand was a bright spot, growing 0.5%. Tokyo, Japan skyline with the Tokyo Tower Chunyip Wong | E+ | Getty Images Japan's economy contracted by a smaller-than-expected 0.4% in the quarter ended September compared to the previous three months, helped by both private and government consumption. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 0.6% decline. On an annualized basis, Japan's GDP for the third quarter of 2025 fell 1.8%, a softer decline compared with estimates of a 2.5% contraction. Exports of goods and services shrank 1.2% compared to the second quarter when they had risen by 2.3%. Net exports contributed to a 0.2 percentage point drop in GDP. Japan's shipments had seen contractions for four straight months since May as U.S. tariffs hurt exports, although September saw a rebound to growth. Tokyo in July clinched a trade deal with Washington, bringing down tariffs on its exports to the U.S. to 15% from 25%. The 15% tariffs took effect on Aug. 7. Domestic consumption helped slow the economic contraction, with government and private consumption up 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively, compared to the second quarter. Private demand proved to be the largest drag on GDP this quarter, declining 0.4% compared to the quarter before and pulling the economy down by 0.3 percentage point owed to a sharp plunge in residential investment, down 9.4%. Public demand was a bright spot, growing 0.5% quarter on quarter and contributing 0.1 percentage point to the Japanese economy. This is breaking news, please check back for updates. - [New York Fed met with Wall Street firms about key lending facility: FT](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/16/new-york-fed-met-with-wall-street-firms-about-key-lending-facility-ft.html): New York Federal Reserve President John Williams met with Wall Street’s dealers last week about a key lending facility, the Financial Times reported, citing three individuals familiar with the matter. The meeting included representatives from many of the 25 primary dealers from banks that underwrite the government’s debt, according to the report. Williams sought feedback from these dealers on the use of the Fed’s standing repo facility, a permanent lending tool that acts as a backstop for markets. A street sign is seen near the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, New York, U.S., August 7, 2025. Eduardo […] - [Investor Ron Baron says the tech selloff is an opportunity and he's never selling personal Tesla stake](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/investor-ron-baron-says-the-tech-selloff-is-an-opportunity-and-hes-never-selling-personal-tesla-stake.html): Billionaire investor Ron Baron isn’t flinching during the latest tech selloff, and he’s certainly not touching his own Tesla shares. The longtime growth investor said he sees the pullback as a chance to spot bargains, even as volatility rattles the biggest names in tech recently “Not very much,” Baron said Friday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” when asked what he’s doing amid the drawdown. “Just looking and trying to understand where opportunities are and try to take advantage of them.” His conviction is especially intense when it comes to Tesla, one of his signature bets. He recalled selling a third of of […] - [Chinese astronauts return from space station after delay blamed on space debris damage](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/14/chinese-astronauts-return-space-station-delay-blamed-debris-damage/): BEIJING — Three Chinese astronauts returned from their nation’s space station Friday after more than a week’s delay because the return capsule they had planned to use was damaged, likely from being hit by space debris. The team left their Shenzhou-20 spacecraft in orbit and came back using the recently arrived Shenzhou-21, which had ferried a three-person replacement crew to the station, China’s Manned Space Agency said. The original return plan was scrapped because a window in the Shenzhou-20 capsule had tiny cracks, most likely caused by impact from space debris, the space agency said Friday. They had been on a […] - [Asia-Pacific shares fall, tracking Wall Street declines, as tech selloff deepens](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/asia-pacific-friday-stocks-nikkei-225-kospi-nifty-50-hang-seng-hsi-shares-china-retail-property-industrial.html): Asia-Pacific markets opened lower amid continued pressure on tech stocks. China will release data on retail sales, industrial output, and fixed-asset investment for October today. Overnight in the U.S., all three major averages closed lower on an artificial intelligence trade pullback. Tourists visit the Nanjing Road Scenic Area in Shanghai, China, on October 20, 2025. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets slid Friday, tracking losses on Wall Street as technology stocks continued to come under pressure and Fed rate-cut doubts swirled. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 1.85%, while the Topix slid 1.03%. South Korea's Kospi fell 2.29% and the small-cap Kosdaq was 1.42% lower. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 1.58%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a lower open, trading at 26,701, against the index's previous close of 27,073.03. China will release data on retail sales, industrial output, and fixed-asset investment for October today. Fixed-asset investment, which includes real estate, fell unexpectedly by 0.5% in September. Overnight in the U.S., all three major averages closed lower as investors continued to sell shares of technology companies, especially those in the artificial intelligence trade, amid worries about their valuations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 797.60 points, or 1.65%, to settle at 47,457.22, well off the record highs set in the previous session. The S&P 500 shed 1.66% to finish at 6,737.49. The broad-based index saw notable declines in the information technology and communication services sectors, led by Disney, which fell nearly 8% on mixed results for its fiscal fourth quarter. The Nasdaq Composite pulled back 2.29% to close at 22,870.36. All three major averages, as well as the small-cap Russell 2000 index, suffered their worst day since Oct. 10. Recent remarks from Fed chair Jerome Powell's colleagues point to plenty of apprehension over whether the central bank should deliver its third consecutive easing of policy when it meets Dec. 9-10. "Given my baseline outlook, it will likely be appropriate to keep policy rates at the current level for some time to balance the inflation and employment risks in this highly uncertain environment," Boston Fed President Susan Collins recently said. As a result, markets have recalibrated their expectations. Whereas traders as recently as a few days ago were pricing in at least a 2-to-1 probability of a quarter percentage point cut, that's now flipped to a coin toss, according to futures markets readings tabulated by the CME Group in its FedWatch tool. — CNBC's Jeff Cox, Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [ETFs Are More Active Than You Think](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/etfs-are-more-active-you-think): It’s easy to think of ETFs as passive investment vehicles — baskets you can buy, hold, and forget about. But ETFs can also be a lot more active than many people realize. - [Markets no longer view the December rate cut as a sure bet, with Fed officials casting doubts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/13/markets-rethink-december-rate-cut-amid-fed-doubts.html): Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell wasn’t kidding a couple weeks ago when he said a December rate cut wasn’t in the bag. Whereas traders as recently as a few days ago were pricing in at least a 2-to-1 probability of a quarter percentage point cut, that’s now flipped to a coin toss. As markets grew much less confident about a December cut, stocks slumped Thursday while Treasury yields moved higher. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee at the Federal Reserve on Oct. 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Alex […] - [The Role of Indexes in the Financial Ecosystem](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/role-indexes-financial-ecosystem): Nasdaq TradeTalks discuss the role of indexes in the financial ecosystem and product landscape and how it allows for investor choice and innovation. - [The Role of Indexes in the Financial Ecosystem](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/role-indexes-financial-ecosystem): Nasdaq TradeTalks discuss the role of indexes in the financial ecosystem and product landscape and how it allows for investor choice and innovation. - [Asia-Pacific markets set to open mixed as Dow tops 48,000 for first time; traders eye U.S. government reopening](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/13/asia-pacific-markets-thursday-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-kospi-nifty-50.html): Asia-Pacific markets were set to open higher Thursday. Australia's ASX/S&P 200 was down 0.18%. The 30-stock Dow recorded a fresh closing high overnight. View of the Skytree from Ueno and Asakusa in Tokyo Jackal Pan | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Thursday, following mixed trading on Wall Street as investors kept an eye on the U.S. government, which appeared poised to reopen as soon as the end of the week. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 51,230, and its counterpart in Osaka at 51,260, against the index's Wednesday close of 51,063.31. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.18%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index pointed to a lower open, trading at 26,899, against the index's previous close of 26,922.73. U.S. equity futures ticked lower in early Asian hours after a continued market rotation powered the Dow Jones Industrial Average to record its first close above 48,000 Wednesday stateside. Overnight, the 30-stock Dow closed up 326.86 points, or 0.68%, at 48,254.82. The index also hit a fresh all-time intraday high in the session. The S&P 500 traded around the flatline, settling up 0.06% at 6,850.92, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.26% to finish at 23,406.46. — CNBC's Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report. - [Toyota opens massive North Carolina battery plant, confirms $10B US investment](https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/toyota-opens-massive-north-carolina-battery-plant-confirms-10b-us-investment): Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., discusses Republican efforts to reverse Biden-era electric vehicle mandates on ‘Kudlow.’ Toyota announced Wednesday it has officially begun production at its new $13.9 billion battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina, while committing an additional $10 billion to bolster its U.S. manufacturing over the next five years. The 1,850-acre facility in Liberty, North Carolina, marks the automaker’s first battery plant outside Japan and is expected to create up to 5,100 new American jobs, Toyota said. “Today’s launch of Toyota’s first U.S. battery plant and additional U.S. investment up to $10 billion marks a pivotal moment in our […] - [India inflation cools more than expected in October, boosting hopes for further rate cuts](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/12/india-october-inflation-matches-rbi-outlook-easing-hopes-for-rate-cuts.html): India consumer inflation fell to 0.25% in October, government data showed on Wednesday. The data, which was cooler than expected, bolsters hopes for further policy easing by the Reserve Bank of India. A man pushes a trolley inside a supermarket in Mumbai, India, on September 7, 2025. (Photo by Indranil Aditya/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images India's consumer inflation cooled to 0.25% in October, strengthening hopes of more policy easing by the Reserve Bank of India. The headline inflation number was below estimates of a 0.48% rise, according to a Reuters poll of economists, and easing more than the 1.54% recorded in September. In October, the central bank revised its inflation forecast to 2.6% from 3.1% for the fiscal year ending March 2026, but kept its key policy rate unchanged at 5. The decline in headline inflation and food inflation in October is mainly attributed to impact of decline in GST (goods and services tax), favorable base effect and to a drop in inflation of oils and fats, vegetables, fruits, egg, footwear, cereals and products, transport and communication, according to the release. The effects of the Reserve Bank of India's outsized 50-basis-point rate cut in June have yet to filter through the economy, Governor Sanjay Malhotra had said then, adding that the decision to hold rates steady was unanimous. However, the RBI had also hinted that the Indian economy could "see growth decelerate" in the second half of the fiscal year 2026 due to global trade uncertainties. In August, the U.S. imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising total duties to as high as 50%, among the steepest imposed by Washington on its trading partners. Textiles, gems and jewelry, and marine products have been hit hardest. While exports to the U.S. account for around 2% of India's GDP, these sectors are labor-intensive. Prolonged weakness could lead to job losses and weigh on overall growth. To cushion the blow, New Delhi reduced the goods and services tax on several items on Sept. 22, to spur domestic demand ahead of a month-long festive season, lowering prices for consumer goods, vehicles, and farm products. The auto and jewelry sectors have performed well, while the pickup in demand for footwear, paints, fast-moving consumer goods, and textiles has been mixed, Indian brokerage Motilal Oswal said in a research report on Nov 7. - [‘It Feels Like I’m in a Nightmare’: Inside the First Deportation Flight to Iran](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/world/middleeast/iran-trump-deportation-flight.html): In the hours before dawn one day in early October, Mehrdad Dalir found himself stranded at a bus station in Iran. He recalls feeling the heavy gaze of passers-by and shivering. He looked out of place, dressed in a prison outfit of sorts: gray sweatpants and sweatshirt, and a pair of blue plastic slippers.About two days earlier, U.S. immigration authorities had taken Mr. Dalir from a detention facility inside an airport in Alexandria, La., and forced him aboard a plane to Iran as part of an unusual mass deportation to a country with a poor human rights record that the United States had bombed earlier this year in an effort to set back its nuclear program.Mr. Dalir, 34, says he was shackled and handcuffed, and not given the chance to change out of the prison clothes he had worn during his time in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention. Once in Iran, he made his way by metro and bus from Tehran’s international airport to his hometown, Mashhad, in northeast Iran.After borrowing a cellphone, Mr. Dalir delivered the news to family members still in Mashhad: The United States had sent him back to Iran. “Maman, come and get me,” he told his mother, and broke into a sob. A blue backpack contained all his belongings — a few clothing items, his passport, immigration cards, a cellphone with a dead battery and a $20 bill.“It feels like I’m in a nightmare,” Mr. Dalir said in a three-hour telephone interview from Iran.He acknowledged he had entered the United States illegally in April but said he thought he would have a powerful case for asylum because he has been critical of Islamic Shariah law and a political activist. He didn’t expect to be sent back to Iran.“I did everything in my power to stop them, but the ICE officials didn’t care. They told me, ‘You are either getting on the plane on your own, or we will tie you and send you back.’”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. - [Stocks making the biggest moves midday: CoreWeave, Fermi, Paramount Skydance, Gemini and more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/stocks-making-big-moves-midday-crwv-nbis-frmi-gemi-and-more.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: Fermi — The energy and data center developer lost 11% after reporting a third-quarter loss of 84 cents per share and a total net loss of almost $347 million. Fermi went public in September at $21 a share in an IPO led by UBS, Evercore ISI, Cantor Fitzgerald and Mizuho. eToro Group — The trading platform jumped 10% after Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to buy from hold, citing strong fundamentals and an attractive valuation. Maplebear — BMO upgraded the Instacart parent to outperform from market perform, pointing to a historically cheap […] - ['Ghost job' postings are adding another layer of uncertainty to the stalling jobs picture](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/ghost-job-postings-add-another-layer-of-uncertainty-to-stalled-jobs-picture.html): Judging by current data, you’d think there’s literally a job out there for anyone who wants one. Looking deeper under the hood, though, tells a different story. Since the beginning of 2024, job openings have outnumbered hires by more than 2.2 million a month, according to BLS data that points to “ghost jobs” that never seem to get filled. A “We’re Hiring” sign at the Appalachian State University internship and job fair in Boone, North Carolina, US, on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Allison Joyce | Bloomberg | Getty Images Judging by current data, you’d think there’s literally a job out there […] - [Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Nvidia, Paramount Skydance, Rigetti Computing & more](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/stocks-making-the-biggest-moves-premarket-nvda-psky-rgti.html): Check out the companies making the biggest moves in premarket trading: Nvidia — The chipmaker slipped 1.8% after SoftBank disclosed it sold its entire stake in the company for $5.83 billion in October. CoreWeave — Shares sank nearly 8% after artificial-intelligence infrastructure company’s full-year guidance disappointed investors . CoreWeave expects revenue to come in between $5.05 billion and $5.15 billion, less than the $5.29 billion expected from analysts polled by LSEG. Paramount Skydance — The media stock jumped nearly 5% after the company reported earnings . The CBS parent announced plans to cut more costs and lay off additional employees, while […] - [Private sector lost jobs in late October, new weekly ADP data shows](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/private-sector-lost-jobs-in-late-october-new-weekly-adp-data-shows-f63ca25f?mod=mw_rss_marketpulse) - [Japan's SoftBank says it has sold its shares in Nvidia for $5.8 billion, turning its focus to OpenAI](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/11/japans-softbank-says-sold-shares-nvidia-58b-turning-focus-openai/): TOKYO — Japanese technology giant SoftBank said Tuesday it has sold its stake in Nvidia, raising $5.8 billion to pour into other investments. It also reported its profit nearly tripled in the first half of this fiscal year from a year earlier. Tokyo-based SoftBank Group Corp. said it sold the stake in Silicon Vally-based Nvidia in October, a move that reflects its shift in focus to OpenAI, owner of the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT. SoftBank reported its profit in April-September soared to about 2.5 trillion yen (about $13 billion). Its sales for the six month period rose 7.7% year-on-year to 3.7 […] - [SoftBank rides the AI wave as OpenAI lifts Vision Fund to $19 billion gain](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/11/softbank-earnings-report-2q.html): Softbank is ploughing ahead with its push into AI, investing and acquiring firms that will bolster its presence in robots and Artificial Super Intelligence. The company said Tuesday that it will conduct a four-for-one stock split at the end of the year in a bid to make its shares more accessible to investors The Japanese conglomerate's stock has slumped in the past week as concerns of an artificial intelligence bubble sent jitters through global markets. The logo of Japanese company SoftBank Group is seen outside the company's headquarters in Tokyo on January 22, 2025.  Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty Images SoftBank's continued push into AI with investments in ChatGPT maker OpenAI and PayPay helped the Japanese giant post a $19 billion gain on its Vision Fund in its fiscal second quarter. The broader Vision Fund segment factors in non-investment performance such as administrative expenses and gains and losses attributable to third-party investors. The value of the fund had risen $4.8 billion in the company's fiscal first quarter. Softbank is ploughing ahead with its push into artificial intelligence, investing and acquiring firms that will bolster its presence in robots and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). AI revenues reached "new highs" in the quarter ended Sept. 30 with 93% of annualized growth, Softbank said in a investor briefing on the results. Gains from the company's investment in OpenAI totaled 2.2 trillion yen ($14.3 billion) in the quarter. "The reason we were able to have this result is because of September last year, that was the first time we invested in OpenAI," said SoftBank's Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto during an investor presentation. He added, in comments translated by the company, that OpenAI's latest valuation milestone of $500 billion marks one of the largest valuations in the world, according to fair value. The company also said Tuesday that it will conduct a four-for-one stock split at the end of the year in a bid to make its shares more accessible to investors and to further expand its shareholder base. "Our share price recently has been going up and down dynamically… we want to provide as many invest opportunities as possible," said Goto. Here's how SoftBank fared in the fiscal second quarter: Profit more than doubled to 2.5 trillion yen in the quarter, versus 206.89 billion yen expected, according to LSEG consensus estimates. It also compares to 1.18 trillion yen profit a year earlier. Revenue was 1.92 trillion in the quarter, in line with an LSEG estimate of 1.9 trillion yen. AI jitters The Japanese conglomerate's stock has slumped in the past week as concerns of an AI bubble sent jitters through global markets. Nearly $50 billion in market cap was wiped out from the stock last week, marking its worst weekly loss since March 2020. However, shares are up over 140% this year as its tech investment arm has showed signs of recovery. Last month Softbank reportedly approved its final tranche of funding to complete its $30 billion investment in OpenAI. The Japanese firm's investment in the ChatGPT maker came with a caveat — that its total investment could be slashed to as low as $20 billion if OpenAI didn't restructure into a for-profit entity by Dec. 31. The AI startup recently completed its recapitalization, cementing its structure as a nonprofit with a controlling stake in its for-profit business, which is now a public benefit corporation called OpenAI Group PBC. Softbank said in its earning statement Tuesday that it will invest an additional $22.5 billion in OpenAI through its Vision Fund 2 in December. — CNBC's Arjun Kharpal contributed to this report. - [Li-ion, electronics parts get customs duty waiver](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/li-ion-electronics-parts-get-customs-duty-waiver/articleshow/132300745.cms) - [California city pushes for drive-thru ban after neighbors sounded alarm over burger chain's proposed addition](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/california-city-pushes-drive-thru-ban-after-neighbors-sounded-alarm-over-burger-chains-proposed-addition): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. A - [Is AI affecting GCC pace? Govt to assess](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/is-ai-affecting-gcc-pace-govt-to-assess/articleshow/132300731.cms) - [Bloomberg introduces global trade in Indian bonds](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/bloomberg-introduces-global-trade-in-indian-bonds/articleshow/132300704.cms) - [India emerges as global hub for Philips' AI healthcare solutions](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-emerges-as-global-hub-for-philips-ai-healthcare-solutions/articleshow/132300685.cms) - [Seller body drags Flipkart to CCI for unfair practices](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/seller-body-drags-flipkart-to-cci-for-unfair-practices/articleshow/132300649.cms): The Forum for Internet Retailers, Sellers & Traders - [Centre looks to tap more global giants for GCCs](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/centre-looks-to-tap-more-global-giants-for-gccs/articleshow/132300607.cms) - [KKR-backed Lighthouse to buy Gurugram-based Pathways School](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/kkr-backed-lighthouse-to-buy-gurugram-based-pathways-school/articleshow/132300580.cms): Lighthouse Learning Group is acquiring Pathways School Gurgaon - [India's GCCs redraw global leadership map](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indias-gccs-redraw-global-leadership-map/articleshow/132300535.cms) - [BCRP mantiene la tasa de interés de referencia en 4,25% y reafirma vigilancia sobre la inflación](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/bcrp-mantiene-la-tasa-de-interes-de-referencia-en-425-y-reafirma-vigilancia-sobre-la-inflacion-ultimas-noticia/): Precio del dólar en Perú, jueves 9 de - [TCS Q1 revenue rises 2.7%, company adds over 9,000 to workforce](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/tcs-q1-revenue-rises-2-7-company-adds-over-9000-to-workforce/articleshow/132300391.cms): TCS reported June-quarter revenue of $7.6 billion, showing - [Tipo de cambio cierra a la baja: dólar cotiza en S/3,39 mientras los inversionistas continúan evaluando el panorama geopolítico](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/tipo-de-cambio-cierra-a-la-baja-dolar-cotiza-en-s339-mientras-los-inversionistas-continuan-evaluando-el-panorama-geopolitico-l-precio-del-dolar-l-ultimas-noticia/): MEF acredita que el crédito suplementario siempre contó - [Wall Street cierra en verde apoyado por la subida de empresas de semiconductores](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mercados/wall-street-cierra-en-verde-apoyado-por-la-subida-de-empresas-de-semiconductores-l-mercados-l-wall-street-l-ultimas-noticia/): Netflix, Disney y Youtube interesados en adquirir los - [Netflix, Disney y Youtube interesados en adquirir los derechos del Mundial 2030 y 2034 en Estados Unidos por US$2.000 millones](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/mundo/netflix-disney-y-youtube-interesados-en-adquirir-los-derechos-del-mundial-2030-y-2034-en-estados-unidos-por-us2000-millones-l-ultimas-noticia/): Erling Haaland, el imperio del vikingo: el goleador - [MEF acredita que el crédito suplementario siempre contó con sustento técnico y preserva sostenibilidad fiscal](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/mef-acredita-que-el-credito-suplementario-siempre-conto-con-sustento-tecnico-y-preserva-sostenibilidad-fiscal-l-ultimas-noticia/): Crédito suplementario en espera: proyecto del Ejecutivo entra - [¿Otorgarán aguinaldo de S/300 en julio? 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Kia - [Patrimonio administrado por fondos mutuos alcanza cifra récord de S/64.000 millones al cierre del primer semestre del 2026](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/patrimonio-administrado-por-fondos-mutuos-alcanza-cifra-record-de-s64000-millones-al-cierre-del-primer-semestre-del-2026-l-ultimas-noticia/): Consejo Fiscal advierte mayores riesgos para la sostenibilidad - [Consejo Fiscal advierte mayores riesgos para la sostenibilidad fiscal ante propuesta de crédito suplementario](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/consejo-fiscal-advierte-mayores-riesgos-para-la-sostenibilidad-fiscal-ante-propuesta-de-credito-suplementario-l-ultimas-noticia/): Crédito suplementario en espera: proyecto del Ejecutivo entra - [Sueldo neto en Perú 2026: qué se descuenta, cuánto recibes y cómo planificar mejor con ese dato](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/sueldo-neto-en-peru-2026-que-se-descuenta-cuanto-recibes-y-como-planificar-mejor-con-ese-dato-l-ultimas-noticia/): Crédito suplementario en espera: proyecto del Ejecutivo entra - [Flavio Cruz jura como ministro de Trabajo tras renuncia de Freddy Solano](https://elcomercio.pe/politica/flavio-cruz-jura-como-ministro-de-trabajo-tras-renuncia-de-freddy-solano-ultimas-noticia/): Keiko Fujimori acredita a sus equipos de transferencia - [Crédito suplementario en espera: proyecto del Ejecutivo entra a cuarto intermedio en la Comisión Permanente](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/credito-suplementario-en-espera-proyecto-del-ejecutivo-entra-a-cuarto-intermedio-en-la-comision-permanente-noticia/): ProInversión: Proyectos de Obras por Impuestos superaron los - [Keiko Fujimori prevé que la economía peruana crezca 3,8% al cierre de este año y hasta 6% en el 2027](https://elcomercio.pe/economia/peru/keiko-fujimori-preve-que-la-economia-peruana-crezca-38-al-cierre-de-este-ano-y-hasta-6-en-el-2027-l-ultimas-noticia/): Presidente José María Balcázar le pide a Keiko - [PetSmart's only San Francisco store set to close as online shopping and same-day delivery reshape pet retail](https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/petsmarts-only-san-francisco-store-set-close-online-shopping-same-day-delivery-reshape-pet-retail): <!–> Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com. 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