DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Great Wall of China: Six sections with beautiful views
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Whether you’re planning to visit the Great Wall for the first time or the 50th, the following destinations are sure to make your trip to China even more worthwhile. The juxtaposition of its ruins against the rammed-earth Great Wall makes Bataizi a unique place to spend a morning or afternoon. Laoniuwan (aka the Old Ox Bend Great Wall)Laoniuwan, where the Great Wall and the Yellow River meet. Alex SherrAs the locals say, Laoniuwan is where the Great Wall and the mighty Yellow River shake hands. The piled-stone wall at Dushikou is unique, as many other sections of the Great Wall close to Beijing were constructed using kiln-fired bricks.

Persons: CNN —, I’ve, Alex Sherr, ”, Alex Sherr Mutianyu, you’ll, William Lindesay, Pan, Zuoyun, You’ll, Simatai, Yatou’s, Emperor Jiajing, Lamb Organizations: CNN, Tourism, UNESCO, Northern Barbarians Locations: Beijing, China, Turtle, Gansu, Sitan, Jingtai County, City, Jingtai, Lanzhou, Gansu province, Turtle City, Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport, it’s, Mutianyu, Jiankou, Xizhazi, Bataizi, Datong, Shanxi province’s, Zuoyun, Zuoyun County, Laoniuwan, Pianguan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi province, Inner Mongolia, marveling, Pianguan, Tangjiazhai, Beijing’s Miyun, Miyun, It’s, Dushikou, Chicheng, Hebei province, Hebei, Liuliqiao

☆ Teens drive $67 billion in spending. Here's where they're putting their money, and why it's bad news for some stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The wide-ranging survey saw teenagers reporting their spending this year will rise 2% from the spring of 2022 to $2,419. Gen Z girls are planning to pull back on clothing spending, which could spell trouble for apparel stocks in the months ahead. It's the top choice of places to shop for about 9% of the upper-income teens in the survey, Piper said. According to the survey, 49% of upper-income teens have purchased clothes on secondhand marketplaces like Poshmark, The RealReal and ThredUp , or at local thrift stores. Nike remains entrenched as the top apparel brand among all teens, a position it's held for more than 12 years.

☆ Inside Disney it's 'Revenge of the Creatives' and 'Shields Up!' against outside foes as returned CEO Bob Iger is taking no prisoners
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Since returning as Disney CEO, Bob Iger has vanquished foes and dumped many of predecessor Bob Chapek's hires. But it's a supercharged Bob Iger who is really taking command. "If I'm inside Bob's head coming back, after the downfall of Bob Chapek, this is all about taking no prisoners," said Will Schutte, a high-level executive coach. Disney World is scheduled to host a major conference on gay rights in September, according to the Miami Herald. Even if he wants to be the Bob Iger of old he can't be.

☆ These organizations are trying to tackle plastic pollution and poverty at the same time
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Katie Brigham | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

"All the plastic we've ever produced since the inception of the material is still here," said David Katz, CEO of Plastic Bank, a company that's trying to implement plastic recycling systems in developing nations. It's usually because it's not economically feasible to collect, clean and sort plastic waste — at least not in the U.S., where new plastic is cheaper. Asis Wijayanto and his wife Atmawati support themselves and their daughter by collecting plastic with Plastic Bank. Plastic creditsBut only about 20% of Plastic Bank's partners are actually buying recycled plastic for use in new products. The other 80% are buying plastic credits, meant to help offset their new plastic production by funding recycling efforts in the countries where Plastic Bank operates.

The Roku Plus Series QLED 4K TV is the flagship model in Roku's first lineup of in-house TVs. Now the company is taking on those same partners by building its own in-house Roku TVs, including the new flagship Roku Plus Series QLED. As you might guess, Roku's Plus Series feels strikingly familiar inside and out. Roku 65-inch Plus Series 4K QLED TV Roku's new Plus Series is one of the company's first in-house smart TVs. The Roku Plus Series TV delivers solid performance, but it's not worth buying at full price.

☆ Work-Life Balance Is Harder to Find Thanks to Pandemic and Office Mandates
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Kelli María Korducki | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

The insidious creep of job burnout was inescapable when I spoke with more than a dozen ambitious midcareer women for an article last winter. While work friendships can stifle loneliness, the centrality of a job in American social life does not bode particularly well for Americans' work-life balance. For those who've put all their eggs in the proverbial basket of their job, Koretz said, these times of transition can trigger a kind of identity crisis. The idea is that you just work and work and work and work and work. Workers can also take small steps toward improving their work-life balance by setting aside time each day and each week for nonwork priorities.

☆ Fact Check-Nashville school shooter was armed with two assault-style weapons
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

WEAPONS IDENTIFIEDHale was armed with three weapons and fatally shot six people at a private Christian school (here). WEAPONS USED IN NASHVILLE ARE ASSAULT-STYLEBoth the AR-15 pistol and the Kel-Tec Sub2000 carbine pistol would be considered assault-style weapons “based on definitions of assault weapons used by many states that ban them,” Webster said. On July 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation banning assault-style weapons (here), (here). It says “all AR types,” specifically the AR-15, and the Kel-Tec Sub-2000, are among the firearms considered semiautomatic assault-style weapons. The suspect in the Nashville school shooting was armed with three firearms, two of which are considered assault-style weapons.

☆ An ominous-looking shelf cloud descended over Chicago, EarthCam footage shows, bringing severe winds up to 60 mph
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Chris Panella | Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An imposing, ominous shelf cloud was spotted in the skies above Chicago. Video shows the cloud moving through the city, bringing strong winds up to 60 mph with it. If you see one of these apocalyptic-looking shelf clouds coming toward you, it's important to seek shelter, Wysocki said. The National Weather Service of Chicago said the area was experiencing severe weather threats throughout this morning, with strong winds and rains. Derek Van Dam, a CNN meteorologist, tweeted that the "powerful" shelf cloud brought wind gusts of up to 60 mph to Chicago.

☆ Money-market funds rake in $300 billion in just three weeks as banks face deposit 'bleed-out'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Zahra Tayeb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A record $304 billion has flowed into money-market funds in just three weeks as the banking turmoil spurs deposit withdrawals. Investors are fretting about the safety of their deposits after SVB's collapse, fueling a deposit run into money market funds. The flows into money-market funds, while still substantial, moderated in the most recent week in focus to $66 billion from almost $120 billion in the prior period. "Money is leaving the banks and will every day/week as long as banks are not offering a deposit rate competitive with market rates. Meanwhile, outflows from bank deposits have increased to $17.5 trillion through March 15, and have reached $5.4 trillion at smaller banks.

☆ 'It's honestly changed my life': Employees from one of the biggest 4-day-workweek trials say working less improved their lives but was a big adjustment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Employees working four-day weeks told Insider having the extra day off was an adjustment at first. "It's hard to overstate how good it's been," Jo Sims, a senior case manager at AKA Case Management, told Insider, adding: "It's honestly changed my life." Sims said the extra day off had improved her mental health, eased her stress levels, and left her with a new perspective. The study was led by academics from Boston College, the University of Cambridge, and the research organization Autonomy in partnership with the campaign groups 4 Day Week Global and 4 Day Week Campaign. A representative for the 4 Day Week Campaign put Insider in contact with the four employees that are referenced in this article.

☆ Disney layoffs are expected to hit ABC News this week, sources say, with scores of roles to be eliminated following cuts from TV, engineering, and metaverse teams
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Cuts at Disney's ABC News are coming before the end of the week, according to sources. Disney firings are expected to affect its ABC News division this week, according to two company insiders familiar with the situation. TV production and acquisition execs at Hulu, Freeform, and 20th Television were also impacted, according to a report in Deadline. Leaders will be communicating the news directly to the first group of impacted employees over the next four days. I want to thank each of you again for all your many achievements here at The Walt Disney Company.

☆ How protected is your money in accounts outside of banks?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Spoiler alert: You likely have at least some protection in all but your crypto accounts. There are several types of deposit accounts you may have at one bank (e.g., individual savings account, joint checking, business account, etc.) NCUA, which is backed by the full faith and credit of the US government, covers accounts up to $250,000, in much the same way the FDIC covers bank accounts. Crypto accountsIf you invest in crypto assets you have no federally guaranteed protections should the company acting as custodian of your assets go under. Even if you’re holding your crypto assets at a firm that is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and it is a member of SIPC, your crypto assets will not receive SIPC protection.

☆ The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, According to Experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +13 min

Best memory foam pillow for side sleepersSaatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow $165 at Saatva This responsive and well-cushioned pillow is also cooling, thanks to its graphite-infused memory foam. (It’s technically made with shredded memory foam around a latex core.) More than other memory foam pillows we tested, the Saatva takes the shape of your head and neck—as in, you can see your form in the pillow. Another plus: It feels cool to the touch, which we found isn’t always the case with memory foam pillows we’ve tried. The company uses both graphite and gel in its memory foam to carry heat away from your body.

☆ Amazon’s head of HR rejects employees’ return-to-office petition
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Beth Galetti, the company's HR head, formally responded to a letter that gathered ~30,000 employee signatures. Galetti wrote in her email that Amazon's guiding principle is to "make our customers' lives better and easier every day." My colleague Eugene Kim obtained Galetti's full email and walks us through how Amazon employees feel about the response. In other news:MSCHF's Tax Heaven 3000 dating simulator is supposed to help you prepare your 2022 US federal tax return. Carta offers popular software to help employees manage their equity.

The sun is sporting a giant coronal hole that could fit 20-30 Earths across, back-to-back. Coronal holes blast rapid solar winds into space that travel 500-800 kilometers per second. Coronal holes are cooler in temperature, so they don't glow as bright and therefore look black against the rest of the sun. In this case, the solar winds from this coronal hole are scheduled to reach Earth by the end of this week. But coronal holes — even large ones like this — are far less violent.

☆ Health experts call for a ban on toxic 'forever chemicals' after EPA moves to cut them from tap water
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Toxic PFAS, aka "forever chemicals," are in water, food, furniture, and clothes across the US. The EPA's new proposal to limit the substances in drinking water is a step in the right direction. On Tuesday the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed strict limits on six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The chemicals are prolific in everyday human environments — in our water, food, air, and even the dust in our homes. That means more and more of them are getting into the environment — and drinking water — every day.

☆ Video shows Trump lawyer trying to snatch document from MSNBC host in heated segment about 'hush-money' case
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Trump lawyer tried to grab MSNBC host Ari Melber's papers during an interview Tuesday. Melber asked about reports that the Manhattan District attorney is weighing whether to charge Trump for falsifying business records to hide the payment. I said a lie," Melber said. Trump made the $130,000 payment as a "nuisance settlement," under the advisement of his lawyer, Michael Cohen, Tacopino argued. "And I'm sure this would exist irrespective of the campaign," he added of the hush-money payment.

☆ EPA cracks down on 'forever chemicals' in tap water: What PFAS are, where they are, and why they're harmful
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The US Environmental Protection Agency just released a proposal for enforceable standards for six PFAS compounds in drinking water. The new EPA proposal would set the threshold for those two substances at 4 nanograms per liter of drinking water. It also proposes a "hazard index" to set a limit on the combined quantity of four other PFAS in drinking water: PFNA, GenX, PFBS, and PFHxS. Communities across the US have especially high PFAS contamination in their drinking water, often due to a nearby industrial or military facility. "You can't just regulate in drinking water, without addressing the other side," Sunderland said, adding that you have to "turn off the source."

☆ Hazardous 'forever chemicals' in water, food, and air won't disappear with new EPA rules. But 6 simple tactics can reduce your exposure at home.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Hazardous "forever chemicals" called PFAS are contaminating drinking water, food, and air. It may be impossible to completely avoid PFAS, but there are a few simple ways to reduce your exposure. A 2019 study found that people had lower PFAS levels in their blood after eating at home, and higher levels after eating fast food or at restaurants. A few types of water filters can diminish PFAS levels, though they may not completely remove the chemicals from the water. It was previously updated to reflect disagreements in the scientific community about the degree of PFAS exposure from Teflon.

The Mario Choose One Bundle comes with a Switch, a sticker sheet, and a code for one free Mario game. The code lets you download Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, or Super Mario Odyssey. This exclusive Switch bundle includes a standard Nintendo Switch console, Mario Red Joy-Cons, stickers featuring art from the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie, and a code you can redeem for one free Mario game. For more Mario Day discounts, check out our roundup of Nintendo Switch game deals you can snag right now. Deal Nintendo Switch Mario Choose One Bundle This bundle includes a standard Nintendo Switch console, special Joy-Con controllers, a free game, and exclusive stickers, all for the cost of a regular Switch.

☆ A look inside a $22.5 million Miami condo with insane luxury amenities
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Ray Parisi | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Turnberry Ocean Club ResidencesInside the Sky Club's fitness center where the treadmills come with impressive views. Turnberry Ocean Club ResidencesOutdoor sunset lounge Turnberry Ocean Club ResidencesAlso up on 32nd floor is a so-called dog retreat where lucky pooches can take in the ocean views and relieve themselves. Turnberry Ocean Club Residences / Leo DiazThe kitchen includes three islands and comes equipped with custom Italian-made cabinetry and high-end German appliances. A rendering of one of the Turnberry Ocean Club Residences' beach front cabanas. Turnberry Ocean Club Residences

☆ Greece's deadliest train disaster sends tens of thousands of protesters to the streets
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Jillian Kumagai | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Donia Shohdy, aka A7ba-L-Jelly, is the founder of "Jelly Zone," a team organizing alternative music parties in Egypt. She is one of few women navigating the world of the alternative, underground DJ scene in the country.

☆ Disney's famous Dole Whip is no longer limited to theme parks as the pineapple treat heads to grocery stores
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Dole Whip soft-serve cup is an iconic treat made famous by Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Dole Packaged Foods said it is making its Dole Whip treat available nationwide in grocery stores. Dole Packaged Foods, the maker of the iconic Dole Whip, announced plans on March 3 to make the frozen treat available in supermarkets nationwide. Disneyland makes various versions of the Dole Whip treat. The food stand sells the original treats – Dole Whip and the Dole Whip Float – and several new concoctions, such as the Strawberry Dole Whip Sundae and a Chile-Mango Whip.

☆ How healthy imitation crab is compared to other seafood, and what surimi sticks are actually made of
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Crystal Raypole | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

While imitation crab is more affordable than real crab, it doesn't have as much nutritional value. Once imitation crab hit the markets in the late '70s, it became wildly popular as an affordable alternative to crab meat. Yet while real crab packs a major protein punch, imitation crab doesn't have quite as much nutritional value. Imitation crab contains little or no real crab. Brian Vander Brug / Contributor / Getty ImagesThe rising costs of crab have made imitation crab a more appealing option for many shoppers.

☆ How the market has changed in the 20+ years I’ve covered it
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Eastman Kodak (KODK) was a Dow stock. I’ve written about B2B (aka business-to-business) software companies, cloud computing firms, IPOs and SPACs, and cannabis/pot stocks. There have been more flavors of the month in the stock market during my CNN career than at your local Baskin-Robbins. It’s fine to have a lot of your money in S&P 500 ETFs and other funds that will track the broader market. “We still continue to believe that over long periods of time, stocks provide a reasonable hedge against inflation,” Patterson said.

Search resuls for: "Aka"

25 mentions found