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(AP) — The federal government is handing out $2.4 billion in railroad grants to help pay for 122 projects nationwide with more than half of the money going to smaller railroads. The grants announced Tuesday by the Federal Railroad Administration will go to projects across 41 states and Washington, D.C. Last year, the administration handed out $1.4 billion in these rail grants. But the majority of the money — nearly $1.3 billion — will go to 81 projects at smaller short line railroads across the country. Chuck Baker, president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association trade group, said the grants will help those smaller railroads significantly.

Persons: Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Louis, Chuck Baker, Baker Organizations: Federal Railroad Administration, Regulators, CSX, Amtrak, Union Pacific, Regional Railroad Association, FRA, Associated Press Locations: OMAHA, Neb, Washington, Norfolk Southern, East Palestine , Ohio, Hudson, Albany, Rensselaer , New York, Illinois, Norfolk, Springfield, Chicago, St, California’s Orange County, Michigan, Milwaukee, America, U.S

☆ Over 90% of AWS's biggest data center customers are now using its homegrown Graviton chips, executive says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AWS's Graviton CPU chips are used by over 90% of its 1,000 largest data center customers. AWS's custom silicon strategy includes AI chips like Inferentia and Trainium. AdvertisementIn 2018, Amazon Web Services launched Graviton, its own line of homegrown central processing unit chips for data center servers. Big enterprises, such as Epic Games, Databricks, and Pinterest, are all major Graviton customers, he said. "We will absolutely continue to drive innovation in custom silicon as we have been doing for the past 10-plus years."

Persons: —, Rahul Kulkarni, Kulkarni, Graviton, James Hamilton, Bernstein, AWS's Kulkarni, Jassy Organizations: Service, Amazon Web Services, Intel, AMD, Epic, Annapurna Labs, Bernstein Research, AWS Locations: Israel

☆ Jim Cramer explains how rising bond yields could dampen the market's rally
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

CNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday lamented rising bond yields' effect on the market, saying this action could narrow the rally to tech and diminish broader sector gains. Some on Wall Street were expecting bond yields to decline after the Federal Reserve issued a hefty 50-basis-point cut and indicated there would be more to come over the next several months. Cramer said investors are drawn back to tech stocks as higher rates complicate the growth narratives for economically sensitive corners of the market. In recent months, investors were hoping that lower borrowing costs would help companies — such as those in the industrial sector and other housing-related areas — see an increase in business and, by extension, their stock prices. "If [the bond market] doesn't stop its retreat, then we're going to start questioning the idea that the Fed will keep cutting rates, ushering in a fabulous economy for 2025," Cramer said.

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Cramer Organizations: Federal Reserve, Dow Jones, Nasdaq

☆ A woman lost 75 pounds and kept them off. She made 2 simple changes, while enjoying her favorite foods.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Kim Schewitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Bertrand made simple lifestyle changes that she actively enjoyed, which resulted in weight loss. Weight loss drugs including Ozempic have also helped dispel the myth that willpower alone is enough to achieve a healthy weight. She decided that it wasn't, and she would try to lose weight. Bertrand shared the two simple changes she made that led her to lose 75 pounds and keep it off without giving up her favorite foods. When she decided to lose weight, she began to notice how other people ate.

Persons: Alaias Bertrand, Bertrand, — Organizations: Service, Michigan State University Locations: Florida

☆ I started seeing a therapist when my job as a Singapore Airlines flight attendant got too stressful. It changed my career path.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Erin Liam | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Abby Ooi, a therapist, graduate student, and former Singapore Airlines flight attendant. I wanted to become a flight attendant — something I had fantasized about since I was young. But a few months into my second year of working for Singapore Airlines, I started experiencing a lot of stress. After 6 years at Singapore Airlines, I left in February and moved to Sydney a week later. A representative for Singapore Airlines did not respond to a request for comment from BI.

Persons: Abby Ooi, —, Ooi, Eager, I'm Organizations: Service, Singapore Airlines, Monash University, University of Sydney Locations: Malaysia, Singapore, of, New York City, California, Sydney, San Francisco

☆ Steve Schwarzman says Trump would be an 'efficient and effective' president this time — and Ken Griffin thinks he'll win
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman said he thinks Trump would make a better president the second time around. He's uncertain about the election result, though Citadel's Ken Griffin said he expects Trump to win. AdvertisementSteve Schwarzman said he thinks Donald Trump would be more "efficient and effective" if he wins next week's election. Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin, who was also on the panel, was more assured of the election's outcome. Citadel founder Ken Griffin expects Donald Trump to win the 2024 election.

Persons: Steve Schwarzman, Trump, Ken Griffin, —, Donald Trump, Schwarzman, Mike Blake, Griffin, Alan Murray Organizations: Saudi Arabia's Future Investment, Service, Blackstone, Future Investment Initiative, Saudi, Republican, Bloomberg, Citadel, White Locations: Davos

☆ McDonald's says store visits and sales dropped in wake of E. coli outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's says daily sales took a hit as some customers avoided its restaurants during the E. coli outbreak. AdvertisementA number of McDonald's US customers stayed away from the arches last week as news of the E. coli outbreak spread. The company said Tuesday that daily sales took a hit as customers avoided its restaurants during the health scare. Related storiesOver the weekend, health officials linked the outbreak to slivered onions from a single supplier, an ingredient ordinarily used on McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers. McDonald's began resuming sales of Quarter Pounders in the affected areas this week, although some locations will not serve the entrée with onions.

Persons: McDonald's, —, Ian Borden, Chris Kempczinski, Borden, Kempczinski, we've Organizations: Service Locations: Colorado

☆ Microsoft just ramped up its cloud rivalry with Google by accusing it of 'shadow campaigns'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Microsoft leads Google in cloud market share, while Amazon Web Services is at the top. AdvertisementMicrosoft publicly accused Google of running "shadow campaigns" to undermine its business and influence cloud regulation in Europe, in an escalation of the tech giants' rivalry. A Google spokesperson told Business Insider the company had been "very public" about concerns with Microsoft's cloud licensing. In the second quarter, Google Cloud generated $10.35 billion in revenue, while Microsoft's Azure, included as part of the company's Intelligent Cloud group, reported $28.5 billion in revenue. AdvertisementIn 2023, Google Cloud generated $33.7 billion in sales, while Microsoft's Intelligent Cloud group reported $96.8 billion in sales.

Persons: —, Rima Alaily, Alaily, Nicky Stewart, Stewart Organizations: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Service, Cloud Coalition, Open Cloud Coalition, European Commission, Big Tech, Amazon Web Services, Department of Justice, Games Locations: Europe

☆ Relax with the extracurricular activities — downtime is equally important for kids
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Cailey Griffin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementWhile your child may naturally excel at their structured activities, parents need to remove the pressure around achieving a certain level of success in their activities. Related storiesIt's also important to check in with your child on how they're feeling about the structured activities they're already involved in. "It's funny that we even call it downtime," Gray told Business Insider. For some kids, downtime may mean catching up on a book alone; for others, it may mean playing a new video game they've wanted to try. AdvertisementFener Sitkoff recommended parents center the idea of balance when considering their involvement with their kids' downtime.

Persons: —, Erica Fener Sitkoff, Peter Gray, Fener Stikoff, they're, Gray, Fener Sitkoff, Sitkoff, They're, they've, hasn't, you've, It's Organizations: Service, Boston College, Business

☆ 3 things you should never put in a work email, according to an HR professional
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Alyshia Hull | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jackie Cuevas shares email tips to avoid sharing personal or sensitive information at work. Cuevas advises against using targeted words in emails to prevent unintended HR issues. If you're buying lunch for yourself and your coworker, don't email them your credit card number. Words like 'bullying,' 'I'm being harassed,' or even 'name-calling' are targeted words, and when you use them, HR will investigate further. I don't advise using company time and property to say, 'Hey (coworker's name), you were such a b—in that meeting.'

Persons: Jackie Cuevas, Cuevas, Slack, —, I'm, shouldn't Organizations: Service, Social Locations: Orange County , California

☆ UBS believes AI story is still in the 'early innings' and these are the stocks to play it
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Sean Conlon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We believe we are still in the early stages of the AI growth story," UBS equity strategist Sundeep Gantori wrote in a Monday note to clients, noting the launch of ChatGPT in 2022 as an inflection point for AI adoption. "The company should benefit from healthy user engagement, improving monetization of Reels, and longer-term monetization of Instagram and WhatsApp offer longer-term opportunities," UBS wrote. Moving forward, UBS sees a favorable risk/reward profile for the name, citing steady iPhone growth and strong growth in its services, among others, as catalysts. UBS thinks this early adopter of AI applications is still "well placed" to benefit from use cases that are relevant to the industry. "While we agree that rising competition will result in some subscriber churn, we expect Netflix to continue to report strong growth globally."

Persons: Sundeep Gantori, Gantori, AAPL, INTC Organizations: UBS, Nvidia, Reality Labs, Apple, Intel, Apple Intelligence, Netflix

☆ Scandals in China and Australia hit Big 4 giant PwC, but global revenues reached a record high
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

After two scandals this year, PwC's business in the Asia-Pacific region has fallen. While PwC faced these regional setbacks, it hit record-high revenues and hired 10,000 new employees. AdvertisementAfter scandals in Australia and China this year, PwC has lost business in the Asia-pacific region. AdvertisementDespite the regional impact on the business, PwC posted an overall growth of 3.7% to reach record-high gross revenues of $55.4 billion. Like other leading consultancies, PwC has been hit by falling demand for consulting services, and its growth rate has slowed.

Persons: PwC, —, Mohamed Kande, Uber, we've Organizations: Service, Big, PwC, Google, Australian Financial, EY, Deloitte Locations: Asia, China, Australia, India

The hackers also targeted prominent Democrats including the staff of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, another source briefed on the matter told CNN. There are no indications anyone was able to access data related to Jared Kushner or his devices, a person familiar with the matter told CNN. The Trump campaign is operating under the assumption that the hackers could still have access to the phone communications they targeted that belong to Trump and Vance, two of the sources said. Given how pervasive the Chinese hacking campaign has been in US telecom networks, some US allies are checking their own computer networks for signs of compromise. The ongoing Chinese hacking campaign means that the next administration — whether Trump or Harris wins — will likely inherit another major cybersecurity incident with big implications for national security.

Persons: Eric Trump’s, Jared Kushner’s, Donald Trump’s, Trump, JD Vance, Harris, Walz, Chuck Schumer, Eric Trump, Kushner, ‘, ’, Eric’s, Lara, Ivanka Trump, Kamala, Biden, Jared Kushner, Vance, ” Sen, Mark Warner, —, Joe Biden, Ted Barrett, Natasha Bertrand, Kaitlan Collins, Kristen Holmes Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democratic, FBI, The New York Times, AT, Verizon, Trump, Investigators, Justice Department, Department of Justice, Huawei, Republican National Committee, Embassy, US, Infrastructure Security Agency, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Virginia Democrat Locations: Beijing, China, Washington ,, People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom

☆ I'm a California teacher who thinks phone use in classrooms is a big problem. I'm not convinced a new law will solve it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

California teacher Joelle Clark said phones are a distraction and policies on their use can be hard to enforce. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Joelle Clark, a 28-year-old public school teacher in California, about the state's new law requiring schools to develop a policy that limits smartphone usage by July 1, 2026. I'm a six-year teacher, and I teach special-ed high school students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. So, I moved out to California and I came into a school where students are constantly on their phones. Maybe we should have a class on phones to teach kids healthy habits and the danger of media.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Bill, Joelle Clark, Clark, —, I'm, They're Organizations: Service, Apple Locations: California, Chicago

☆ Ford cuts profit forecast as high costs and low volumes hit hard
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The guidance stems from high costs and low volumes of Ford Pro and Ford Blue models. Ford aims to compete with Chinese EV makers by reducing costs and innovating designs. It said the guidance was hurt by costs and low volumes of its most profitable cars, Ford Pro and Ford Blue, due to supplier and hurricane-related disruptions. He said that finding new designs for components or using new suppliers will be key to reducing EV costs. Chinese EV makers have been on a roll this year.

Persons: Ford, —, Jim Farley, Farley, I've, Stellantis, Tesla Organizations: Ford Pro, Ford, Service, Companies, EV, European Union, Motors, Chrysler Locations: Russia, Shanghai, Chicago, China

☆ The election-betting market has exploded in popularity this presidential cycle
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Betting markets are booming ahead of the US Presidential election. Kalshi has attracted $100M in election bets this month and is the top free finance app in Apple's app store. Robinhood is getting in on the action, announcing its own election betting platform on Monday. Earlier this month, a US federal appeals court cleared Kalshi to open its election betting platform for US citizens. Interactive Brokers also launched a slew of election betting contracts earlier this month following the court decision to allow Kalshi to operate.

Persons: Kalshi, —, we're gunning, Tarek Mansour, it's, Donald Trump, Mansour, TikTok Organizations: Service, Apple, PayPal, CNBC, Interactive, Kalshi

☆ My first wife and I explored non-monogamy. Back in 2006 people thought it was bizarre.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Amy Schneider | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"In the Form of a Question" explores Schneider's journey of leaning into curiosity as she explores numerous areas of life. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementI met Kelly in 2004, and it was quickly apparent to both of us that we were going to get married. In the Bay Area in 2023, that's not hugely shocking, but in Cincinnati in 2006, people thought it was bizarre. We didn't tell many people about it, but we didn't hide it, either, and even our friends were skeptical.

Persons: Amy Schneider, —, Kelly, I'd, she'd, we'd, Jude Law, Justine Henin, Hardenne, Ripley, that's, Simon, Simon & Schuster Organizations: Service, of Trent, Bay Area, Avid Reader Press, Simon & Locations: American, Bay, Cincinnati

☆ China is eyeing $1.4 trillion in fiscal stimulus and even more if Trump is elected, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China is considering a fresh $1.4 trillion stimulus, Reuters reported. The package could be approved next week and would increase in size if Trump wins the election. The large fiscal stimulus would be increased if Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump wins the US election, the report says. The remaining 4 trillion yuan would be raised by local government bonds and put toward idle land and property purchases, the sources told Reuters. AdvertisementIf Trump is elected, the stimulus package could be higher due to the economic challenges Trump's policies would pose for China, the sources told Reuters.

Persons: Trump's, —, Donald Trump, Trump, he's, Goldman Sachs Organizations: Reuters, Trump, Service, Republican, National People's Congress, China, Wall Locations: China, Beijing

☆ Nick Cannon says he was insecure Mariah Carey was the 'alpha' in their marriage. He's not the only man who's admitted to being jealous of a partner's success.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Nick Cannon recently opened up about feeling insecure during his six-year marriage to Mariah Carey. AdvertisementDuring their six-year marriage, Nick Cannon said he knew what people were thinking: "The kid from Nickelodeon is with Mariah Carey?" As a child star on Nickelodeon's "All That" and its spin-off "The Nick Cannon Show," Cannon was an avowed fan of Carey, who's 11 years his senior. Cannon praised Carey for being "understanding" and "evolved," even while he was struggling with his identity and career. Cannon is far from the only man who's admitted to being jealous of his wife's financial status.

Persons: Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey, Cannon, —, Ray Daniels, Carey, who's, Daniels, — she's, Singer, hasn't, She's, I'm, Mauricio Santana, Jenna Birch, outperforms, Kate Ratliff, they're Organizations: Service, Nickelodeon, VH1, Billboard, The New York Times, Def, Social Psychology, American Psychological Association, University of Florida Locations: Monroe, Sao Paulo, Brazil

☆ McDonald's sales dropped for the 2nd quarter in a row as customers keep tightening their belts
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Nora Redmond | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's global sales fell for the second consecutive quarter, down 1.5%. AdvertisementGlobal sales at McDonald's have fallen for a second consecutive quarter as the fast-food chain struggled in international markets, especially France, the UK, China, and the Middle East. Sales were down 1.5% in its third quarter, following from a 1% slide in the previous quarter, ending June 30. Comparable sales in the US were virtually flat, up 0.3% from the same period in 2023, while sales in international markets dropped 2.1%. Sales in licensed international markets fell 3.5%.

Persons: —, Chris Kempczinski, Neil Saunders Organizations: Service, Consumers Locations: France, China, McDonald's

☆ Why Citadel's longest-running equities unit is focused on shorting stocks
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Bradley Saacks | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Justin Lubell, Citadel's Global Equities head, said shorting has been a big driver of returns. There's less competition in the space compared to going long on stocks, he said. Anthony Bozza, the founder of Lakewood Capital, called those who know who to short stocks a "dying breed." AdvertisementWhile some big bets against specific stocks have blown up in hedge funds' faces in recent years, there's still a focus on shorting at Citadel's longest-running equities unit. Related storiesEven investors known for bold short bets have moved away from the practice.

Persons: Justin Lubell, shorting, Anthony Bozza, —, there's, Ken Griffin's, Lubell, Robin, Gavin Baker, Lee Ainslie, Steve Cohen's Point72, Gabe Plotkin's Melvin Capital, Pershing, Bill Ackman, Bozza Organizations: Citadel's Global, Service, Citadel's, Citadel Global, Robin Hood Investors Conference, Business, Management, Lakewood Capital, Maverick Capital, GameStop, Lakewood Locations: Lakewood Capital, New York

☆ At 80, Jazzercise's founder is thriving. She credits lean protein, weight-lifting, and treating herself to a daily Dr. Pepper.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She eats her protein and veggies along with a daily Dr. Pepper, her favorite treat. Lifting weights keeps her strong and prevents injuryStill a devoted Jazzercise fan, Missett stays active with strength training and walking, too. Her daily morning routine includes 20 minutes of lifting weights, and she isn't afraid to go heavy. She said the routine keeps her back healthy, and being strong helped her recover more quickly from a recent hip replacement. For some people, it's an excuse to stop doing things, but it really shouldn't be because if you keep moving, it really helps most of those things," Missett said.

Persons: Jazzercise, Judi Sheppard Missett, —, Missett, Pepper, weren't, she's, Dietitians, Misset, I've Organizations: Service Locations: Evanston , Illinois, California

☆ I taught college-bound seniors for a decade. Here's what many wanted their parents to know about college admissions.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Alexandra Frost | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Most students want their parents to know that they are stressed about paying for college, too. AdvertisementI was a teacher for 10 years, and many high school students would take refuge in my classroom during lunchtime. AdvertisementKids want to choose their major and don't want parents' inputIt's the first question any new college student gets repeatedly: What's your major?" I watched numerous groups of students choose the same college so they wouldn't be separated. All of this can be more easily achieved if parents and college-bound kids are open to having conversations.

Persons: —, Taylor, it's, I'm, aren't, couldn't Organizations: Service Locations: America

☆ Brian Chesky breaks down what people get wrong about 'founder mode'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"Founder mode" is not about "swagger," says one of the founders who popularized it. Here's what he says most people get wrong about "founder mode" and how he actually defines it. AdvertisementBrian Chesky helped popularize the term "founder mode," but he says some people have gotten it twisted. The term "founder mode" was popularized in September by Y Combinator founding partner Paul Graham, who wrote that Chesky inspired it. "First of all, people don't know what founder mode is," Chesky said on the podcast.

Persons: Brian Chesky, —, Y, Paul Graham, Graham, Chesky, Airbnb, Mark Zuckerberg, aren't, Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Elon Musk, Jony, Hiroki Asai Organizations: Service, Apple, Harvard Business School Locations: Airbnb

☆ Jeff Bezos speaks on WaPo drama: We have to 'increase our credibility'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jeff Bezos defended The Washington Post's decision to not endorse a presidential candidate. The Post earlier reported that Bezos made the decision to not publish an endorsement. AdvertisementThe decision also wasn't a "quid pro quo" to curry favor with Donald Trump, Bezos said. "I sighed when I found out, because I knew it would provide ammunition to those who would like to frame this as anything other than a principled decision," Bezos wrote. On Friday, the newspaper's publisher, Will Lewis, initially announced the Post's decision.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, Bezos, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, —, Will Lewis Organizations: Service, Trump, Gallup, NPR, Los Angeles Times, Business Locations: Washington, Pennsylvania

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