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☆ Snowflake CEO says people will soon not be able to remember a world without AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Frank Slootman, CEO of data storage and analytics company Snowflake , likened artificial intelligence to search engines, saying that soon many may not remember a world without it. "I've lived long enough that I remember what the world was like before search ... search changed everything," Slootman said. "People will not be able to remember a world before AI pretty soon because it becomes so integral to their life experience." However, he also noted that the hype around generative AI doesn't mean much to big data companies. We've been infatuated with using generative AI for "planning our next trip to Yellowstone and summarizing 'The Great Gatsby' — but "that's not what enterprises do," he said.

Persons: Frank Slootman, I've, Slootman, Snowflake, We've Locations: Yellowstone

☆ World leaders visit Mahatma Gandhi's memorial as the G20 comes to a close
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi on September 10, 2023. When India won its independence from the British in 1947, right-wing Hindu nationalists rallied for the carving of British India into two separate states: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Gandhi, on the other hand, was against the country’s partition, instead advocating for a united India of all faiths. At the same time, the BJP and its supporters have been accused of downplaying the legacy of India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, a longtime Gandhi admirer and ally. Modi has condemned Godse’s worship and continuously praised and paid his respect to Gandhi, both inside and outside of India.

Persons: CNN — Narendra Modi’s, Mohandas K, Gandhi, India’s, Modi, Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, ” Modi, Joko Widodo, Narendra Modi, Kenny Holston, Nathuram Godse, Jawaharlal Nehru, Godse’s, Mahatma Gandhi, ”, Gandhi Ji Organizations: CNN, British, India's, Getty, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Rashtriya Swayam Sangh, India, RSS Locations: New Delhi, Gujarat, India, Rajghat, Pakistan

☆ After Her Husband Died, She Found a Creative Way to Move Forward
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Tim Mckeough | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

When her husband, Ashton B. Carter, the former defense secretary under President Barack Obama, died of a heart attack at home last October, Stephanie Carter was left with many questions about the future. But one thing she knew right away: She no longer wanted to live in the three-bedroom rental in Boston where it happened. “I knew immediately I did not want to be in that apartment,” Ms. Carter, 54, said. “I think people underestimate — or, at least, I did before this — how much grief, loss and trauma inhabit your physical space,” she said. “We don’t think about how our physical surroundings can really be so integral to how we’re feeling.”

Persons: Ashton B, Carter, Barack Obama, Stephanie Carter, “, ” Ms, ” Locations: Boston

“They just come and say ‘vote.’ So people vote,” Baska told CNN. “Here, when you buy a SIM card for your phone, you immediately get an SMS from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and United Russia Party,” Baska said. The text messages carry pro-Kremlin messaging, informing voters that “about 90% of voters are ready to vote for Yedianaya Rossiya (United Russia),” or that “United Russia is helping Zaporizhzhia region,” she added. Guerrilla activity by Ukrainian partisans has taken place but is more difficult to achieve now, Baska told CNN. ‘Nothing to do with democracy’Few residents in Melitopol are interested in the bogus elections taking place, Baska told CNN.

Persons: ”, Alexander Ermochenko, ” Baska, Yedianaya Rossiya, ’, Vladimir Putin’s, “, Jens Stoltenberg, Baska, Melitopol, …, Republic Denis Pushilin, Yuriy Sobolevskyi, ” Sobolevskyi Organizations: CNN, Communist, National Resistance Center, Ministry of Internal Affairs, United Russia Party, Kremlin, “, NRC, Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of, NATO, Yale Humanitarian Research, United Russia, Russian, Russian Guard Locations: Melitopol, Ukrainian, Russian, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, United Russia, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Luhansk, Kyiv, of Europe, ”, Mariupol, Crimea, Republic

☆ Kroger and Albertsons sell 400 stores to Piggly Wiggly’s parent company
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Kroger and Albertsons are selling roughly 400 stores to Piggly Wiggly’s parent company in an attempt to win antitrust approval for the mega merger between the grocery stores. C&S, a privately held company, operates 500 grocery stores under the Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union banners and is also a major grocery wholesaler. On Friday, Kroger reported $33.85 billion in revenue for the second quarter, slightly under analyst estimates of $34.63 billion. Company executives said part of the quarterly loss related to economic headwinds, organized retail theft and opioid settlement payments. The largest to date is a $26 billion settlement involving several companies that began paying out last year and continues for 18 years.

Persons: New York CNN —, ” Kroger, ”, Mark McGowan, Kroger Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York CNN — Kroger, Albertsons, S Wholesale Grocers, Union, Walmart, Costco, Aldi, ., Kroger Locations: New York, Arizona , California, Colorado, Wyoming, Amazon, Aldi, Dixie, ” State

A vessel carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Russia's Yamal LNG project, is seen at Rudong LNG Terminal in Nantong, Jiangsu province, China July 18, 2018. The key word Simonelli used is "destination," as it implies that LNG and natural gas are in the energy mix for a long time to come. The second bet is that the LNG industry will be able to convince government policymakers, companies and consumers that their fuel is better than the dirtier alternative of coal-fired generation. Overall, the industry is probably correct that energy demand, especially in Asia, is going to rise strongly in coming decades. But the LNG industry will also need to have policy settings just right and deploy technologies at a scale not yet seen to remain in the energy mix in a net-zero world.

Persons: Stringer, Lorenzo Simonelli, Baker Hughes, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, LNG, CCS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Nantong, Jiangsu province, China, Rights SINGAPORE, Singapore, Asia, Gastech, Vietnam, India

☆ Exclusive: Musk-owned X's content moderation shift complicated effort to win back brands -former exec
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sheila Dang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

'X' logo is seen on the top of the headquarters of the messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco, California, U.S., July 30, 2023. "I didn't always have access to other people who were doing (brand safety) work," he said of his time at Twitter. Before acquiring Twitter, Musk had criticized the platform for limiting free speech by removing certain content and having a politically liberal bias. Still, Brown said he felt supported in his brand safety work by Musk and Ella Irwin, Twitter's then-head of trust and safety, who resigned days before Brown. FALLING REVENUEOn Monday, Musk said X's declining ad revenue was primarily due to pressure from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Persons: Carlos Barria, AJ Brown, Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Brown, NBCUniversal, Ella Irwin, Twitter's, AJ, Jonathan Greenblatt, X, Sheila Dang, Kenneth Li Organizations: REUTERS, Elon Musk, Twitter, Brand Safety Institute, BSI, Kroger, Defamation League, Anti, Defamation, ADL, Center, X, Thomson Locations: San Francisco , California, U.S, Dallas

☆ Chains Move Up in the World
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Nazanin Lankarani | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Chains, a foundational element of jewelry design, have been integral to crafting ornaments for as long as humans have been making interlocking rings to adorn our bodies. As Otto Jakob, a German master jeweler, said: “Chains are an archetype in jewelry, and they tell a symbolic and universal story with their own alphabet.”Evolving from Babylonian loop-in-loop techniques to the opulent pieces worn by medieval kings, from Coco Chanel’s gracefully draped chains to the chunky links embraced by rappers, chains have enjoyed an enduring appeal as a cornerstone of jewelry craftsmanship. This year, chains have been bold elements in both high jewelry and fine jewelry lines, reimagined as stand-alone pieces or pulling double duty to carry a pendant. Showcasing the artistry and imagination of their designers, these well-crafted pieces have gone from supporting to starring roles, becoming focal points in collections.

Persons: Otto Jakob, Coco Chanel’s Locations: German

☆ Armenia says it will stage joint military exercise with US next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 6 (Reuters) - Armenia said on Wednesday it would host a joint military exercise with the United States next week, a development likely to irritate Russia. The Armenian Defence Ministry said the purpose of the Sept. 11-20 "Eagle Partner 2023" exercise was to prepare its forces to take part in international peacekeeping missions. Russia has a military base in Armenia and sees itself as the pre-eminent power in the South Caucasus region, which until 1991 was part of the Soviet Union. It maintains a peacekeeping force in the region to uphold an agreement that ended a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020, the second they have fought since the Soviet collapse. "Russia plays a consistent, very important role in stabilising the situation in this region ... and we will continue to play this role."

Persons: Nikol Pashinyan, Dmitry Peskov, Pashinyan's, Mark Trevelyan, Christina Fincher Organizations: United, Armenian Defence Ministry, Eagle, Thomson Locations: Armenia, United States, Russia, U.S, South Caucasus, Soviet Union, Azerbaijan, Soviet, Italian, Ukraine

☆ Armenia to exercise with US troops next week, Russia voices concern
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 6 (Reuters) - Armenia said on Wednesday it would host a joint military exercise with the United States next week, a development that Russia said was cause for concern. The Armenian Defence Ministry said the purpose of the Sept. 11-20 "Eagle Partner 2023" exercise was to prepare its forces to take part in international peacekeeping missions. Russia has a military base in Armenia and sees itself as the pre-eminent power in the South Caucasus region, which until 1991 was part of the Soviet Union. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a weekend interview with an Italian newspaper that Russia had failed to protect Armenia against what he called continuing aggression from Azerbaijan. "Russia plays a consistent, very important role in stabilising the situation in this region ... and we will continue to play this role."

Persons: Dmitry Peskov, Nikol Pashinyan, Peskov, Pashinyan's, Mark Trevelyan, Andrew Osborn, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: United, Armenian Defence Ministry, Eagle, Kansas National Guard, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Armenia, United States, Russia, U.S, South Caucasus, Soviet Union, Azerbaijan, Soviet, Italian, Ukraine

☆ How private equity giants like Apollo and EQT are using the cloud to improve dealmaking, boost portfolio companies, and tap into AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Here's how Apollo and EQT use Google Cloud to improve themselves and their portfolio companies. The cloud represents big cost savings and efficiency gains among portfolio companies; for example, buyout firm THL migrated one of its portfolio companies to the cloud to save 50% on annual IT infrastructure costs. PE firms benefit from having their data — and their portfolio companies' data — in one place to gain better business insights and check out opportunities. Using cloud to improve portfolio companies and investment firms themselvesBoosting employee productivity with the cloud and AI is top of mind for Apollo's Mahidhar. Google Cloud's tech talent has also helped Swedish PE giant EQT speed up cloud projects among portfolio companies.

Persons: Vikram Mahidhar, THL, Mahidhar, Carl, Magnus Hallberg, execs, Adaire Fox, Martin, Hallberg, Apollo's Mahidhar, it's, —, Zac Maufe, Maufe, it'll, Fox Organizations: Apollo Global Management, Apollo, Google, KKR Locations: EQT, Swedish

☆ Pipeline operator Enbridge Inc will buy three natural gas utilities from Dominion Energy for $9.4 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge Inc. announced Tuesday that it plans to acquire three gas distribution companies from Dominion Energy. The deal is valued at $14 billion, including $9.4 billion in cash and $4.6 billion in debt, and will create North America’s largest natural gas utility platform, according to Enbridge. Enbridge will buy three of Dominion’s gas utilities: The East Ohio Gas Company, Public Service Company of North Carolina, Incorporated, and Questar Gas Company, which serve about 3 million homes and businesses. “Adding natural gas utilities of this scale and quality, at a historically attractive multiple, is a once in a generation opportunity,” Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel said in a statement. “These businesses and employees have been an integral part of the Dominion Energy team, which is why we approached this decision with careful and deliberate consideration,” Dominion Energy CEO Robert Blue said in a statement about the company’s agreement with Enbridge.

Persons: Enbridge, ”, Greg Ebel, Dominion, Warren Buffett’s, Robert Blue Organizations: CNN, Canadian, Enbridge Inc, Dominion Energy, Dominion, East Ohio Gas Company, Public Service Company, Questar Gas Company, Warren, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy, ” Dominion Energy, Enbridge Locations: Enbridge, Richmond , Virginia, Calgary, Canada, United States, North Carolina

☆ Cash in or lose out: Banks are turning to AI, cloud computing, and Web3 to gain competitive advantage and customer loyalty
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Nicholas Fearn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

AI and cloud tech are giving some banks an edge over competitors and enticing brand loyalty. Traditional banks that ignore this reality risk losing loyal customers to digital banks that have emerged over the past few years, research suggests. Digital transformation is a must for banksWith online banking now the norm, digital transformation is no longer optional for banks. Legacy banking systems were not designed to provide the banking experience that people expect today," she said. As a result, banking customers and employees can view transactions in real time and deliver "a more seamless and personalized experience" for all stakeholders, she added.

Persons: Banks, Victoria Newton, Newton, Laura Merling, Merling, Jay Venkateswaran, WNS, Eno, Goldman Sachs, Nigel Vaz, Publicis, Publicis Sapient Nigel Vaz, Venkateswaran, Vaz, James Whybrow Organizations: Service, Starling Bank, Arvest Bank, Banking, Capital One, Microsoft, Bank of America, Amazon Web Services, Google, Economist Intelligence Unit, Arvest, Software AG, Software Locations: Wall, Silicon, It's, Starling, WNS, Morgan

☆ Celebrity florist Jeff Leatham is in full bloom
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Emily Kirkpatrick | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In his latest book, “The Art of the Flower,” Leatham returns to some of those signature, emotive moments. Weldon Owen/The Art of the Flower Forsythia branches and phalaenopsis orchids arranged in the lobby of the Four Seasons Philadelphia. Weldon Owen/The Art of the Flower Roses, hydrangeas, and leather leaf installed around a chapel at a private wedding in Texas. Weldon Owen/The Art of the Flower Pictures: Jeff Leatham in full bloom Prev NextLeatham’s floral designs don’t just take you into the past, they make a definitive imprint on the present. Weldon Owen/The Art of the FlowerWell, my relationship started with her mom, Kris Jenner.

Persons: Jeff Leatham, florals, Kardashian, Jenner, —, France’s Chevalier, Leatham, Weldon Owen, Kim Kardashian, Philadelphia . Weldon Owen, There’s, Ross Harvey Weldon Owen, ”, George V, Styles, Flowers, Karl Lagerfeld, Lee McQueen, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, McQueen, Kris Jenner, she’s, Kimberly, She’s, They’re, Kim, It’s Organizations: CNN, Philadelphia, George V Hotel, Pictures, George Locations: Beverly Hills, Paris, Texas, New York, Palm Beach , Florida, Woodstock, England, —

☆ Continental integrates Google Cloud into vehicle cockpit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A man walks by the logo of German company Continental, one of the world's largest automotive suppliers, at its new plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico March 4, 2021. REUTERS/Fernando Carranza/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMUNICH, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Continental (CONG.DE) will integrate Google Cloud services into its vehicle cockpit system, the company said on Monday, enabling drivers to ask the vehicle for assistance such as context on nearby sights or information on the vehicle while driving. Technology companies from Google to Apple and Amazon are in a race to control carmakers' dashboards as software becomes an integral part of car design. Carmakers including General Motors, Renault, Nissan and Ford use embedded Google technology via a Google Automotive Services (GAS) package, offering features like Google Maps, Google Assistant and other applications, while others are integrating only a portion of Google's services into their cars. Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; editing by Matthias WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Fernando Carranza, Victoria Waldersee, Matthias Williams Organizations: Continental, REUTERS, Rights, Google, IAA, Technology, Apple, General Motors, Renault, Nissan, Ford, Google Automotive Services, Thomson Locations: Aguascalientes, Mexico, Munich, Germany

☆ How today's data centers marry clean tech with reliability
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Schneider Electric | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Last summer, two data centers in London experienced heatwave-linked failures, with the incident affecting clinical IT systems at a number of hospitals. Data centers have become "a very important aspect of running entire business models, and even our day-to-day lives. Losing the information processed by data centers would be detrimental not only to companies and individuals, but also governments and society as a whole. This puts the firms that develop and operate data centers in a tricky position, not least because today's facilities are resource hungry. Companies can deploy a range of innovations to put these metrics at the core of tomorrow's data centers.

Persons: Pankaj Sharma, Schneider, we're, it's, Sharma Organizations: Facebook, Secure, Ofcom, US, McKinsey, EU, International Energy Agency, Pact, European Commission . Companies, Amazon Web Services, Google, IBM, Companies, Schneider Electric, Insider Studios Locations: London, Paris, Europe

☆ Pope wraps up Mongolia trip, says Church not bent on conversion
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

People wave Chinese and Hong Kong flags, as Pope Francis arrives to attend the Holy Mass in the Steppe Arena, during his Apostolic Journey in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia September 3, 2023. Mongolia was part of China until 1921 and the pope's trip was dotted by allusions or appeals to the superpower next door, where the Vatican has scratchy relations with the communist government. At the end of Sunday's Mass he sent greetings to China, calling its citizens a "noble" people and asking Catholics in China to be "good Christians and good citizens." On Saturday, in words that appeared to be aimed at China rather than Mongolia, Francis said governments have nothing to fear from the Catholic Church because it has no political agenda. Beijing has been following a policy of "Sinicisation" of religion, trying to root out foreign influences and enforce obedience to the Communist Party.

Persons: Pope Francis, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Francis, Mercy, Italian Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Philip Pullella, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Catholic, Communist Party, United, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, ULAANBAATAR, China, Italian, Beijing, United States, Iran, Russia, Vatican

☆ Why Ukraine is able to embarrass Russia's air defense systems, among the most advanced in the world, with small drones
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Recent drone attacks in Russia have exposed weaknesses in the country's advanced air defenses. As a result, smaller drones have been able to evade detection and strike targets on Russian soil. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe recent spate of attacks on Russian soil, however, are likely to be embarrassing for one of the world's foremost military powers. AdvertisementAdvertisementRussian air defense systems, which are among the most advanced in the world, are used by dozens of countries, and many have developed variations of them, according to the Center for Strategic and International studies. Ukraine can only use its own drones to strike inside Russia because of restrictions on using NATO weapons on Russian territory.

Persons: Samuel Bendett, Bendett Organizations: Service, Center for Naval, UK's Ministry of Defence, Center for Strategic, NATO Locations: Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Pskov, Moscow

☆ 'Frag out!': Dramatic helmet-cam footage appears to show US volunteers of Ukraine's Chosen Company clearing a Russian trench
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Chosen Company includes US volunteers fighting with Ukraine's 59th Motorized Brigade. Two US veterans killed in a drone attack in Ukraine last month were part of Chosen Company, say reports. The helmet-cam purportedly shows English-speaking fighters from the "Chosen Company" in open fields. The Chosen Company is a volunteer group composed of military veterans supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion, Military.com reports. "Lance was an integral part of Chosen Company, our friend, and our family," wrote the man using the X handle @floridasoldat.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskky, Ryan O'Leary, Andrew Webber, Lance Lawrence, Webber, Heather Hagan, Lawrence, O'Leary, Lance, Nick Maimer, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin Organizations: Company, Ukraine's 59th Motorized Brigade, Chosen Company, Service, 59th Motorized Brigade, Ukraine, International Legion, US Army, US Military Academy, West, Army, Marine Corps, US Green Beret, Wagner Group Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Donetsk, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukrainian, Seattle, Russia, Florida, Bakhmut

☆ The CEO of an education nonprofit says the solution to quiet quitting and back-to-office blues starts with DEI
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Ashley Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Francisco Tezén, CEO of A Better Chance, is using DEI as a gateway to tackle other workplace issues. Tezén said he believes the best way to approach DEI is as a startup cost baked into the bottom line. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. One CEO we interviewed thinks the trends all come back to one central issue: diversity, equity, and inclusion. "Our DEI and justice and belonging strategy is really integral to who we are and the work that we do," he said.

Persons: Francisco Tezén, Tezén, it's, we've, that's Organizations: Service Locations: Wall, Silicon, America, York

☆ Julie Ertz: US soccer great announces retirement
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Two-time Women’s World Cup winner Julie Ertz, one of the greats of US soccer, has announced her retirement from the sport. Ertz, 31, was an integral member of the US teams which won the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019. She made her senior international debut in 2013 and went on to play in 17 World Cup matches, winning 13 of those. I hope that I was able to leave an impact that reflects that.”Ertz celebrates winning the 2015 Women's World Cup. 8) celebrates with teammates afer winning the 2019 Women's World Cup.

Persons: Julie Ertz, Ertz, I’ve, ” Ertz, Mo Khursheed, “, I’ll, Madden, afer, Richard Heathcote, Angel City, ” Organizations: CNN, National Women’s, US, National Team, Chicago Red Stars, US Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, Angel City, Getty, Angel Locations: France, Angel, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden

☆ Column: US offshore wind goals need policy help to reach potential
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

LITTLETON, Colorado, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The weak showing at the first auction for offshore wind development rights in the Gulf of Mexico highlights the critical role that policymaking must play in making ambitious long-term climate goals compatible with current commercial realities. SMALL SCALE IMPACTOne of the biggest faults of the Gulf of Mexico wind leases is the absence of a viable pathway for wind power generators to profitably sell their power to electricity providers given current market conditions. In contrast to several utilities in the Northeast, which have state-level mandates to purchase certain volumes of power from offshore wind generators, the power systems covering Texas and Louisiana do not allow for similar power purchase agreements to be drawn up. Currently, there is a policy planning chasm between the Gulf Coast's power market systems and the long-term strategies of that region's largest employers and tax payers. But if legislators and corporate planners can recognise they may both gain from the emergence of a vibrant offshore wind energy sector that could cut power sector emissions and generate green hydrogen in abundance, there may be scope for closer collaboration and planning.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Gavin Maguire, Miral Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Gulf, Mexico, United States, Joe Biden's U.S, Texas, Louisiana

☆ It’s not just crime: What’s really going on with San Francisco’s shrinking retail district
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Mapping the exodusUnion Square has historically been a major commercial hub in the heart of San Francisco’s downtown. A complicated decline in downtownThe reasons for downtown San Francisco’s economic troubles are multi-faceted. In addition, San Francisco’s downtown has experienced a rise in its unhoused population. As San Francisco’s downtown area has emptied over the last three years, property crimes and retail thefts have risen, according to San Francisco Police Department data. Travel to San Francisco has yet to recover fully to pre-pandemic levels, according to data from San Francisco International Airport.

Persons: —, ”, Elon Musk, Tesla, Francisco, “, Lori Lincoln, San Francisco —, Lincoln, Breed, Alexander Quinn, Breed’s, Sarang Peruri Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Lease, Google, city’s, Nordstrom, CNN, Westfield, San Francisco Centre, KGO, University of California, San Francisco Police Department, San Francisco International, San Francisco Travel, Tourism, San, Oxford Economics, Asia hasn’t, San Francisco Mayor London, Francisco’s, Oxford Capital Group, Ikea, IKEA Locations: Francisco’s, United States, San Francisco’s, Union, Westfield, San Francisco, San, California, Redfin, Palo Alto, Asia, Americas, Europe, Pacific, San Mateo, Lincoln, China, Downtown, Chicago

Waters had also served as the head of the Office of China Coordination - informally known as 'China House' - a unit the department created late last year to meld China policies across regions and issues. Whether Lambert will assume the China House coordinator title is still being discussed, sources said. It was unclear when the State Department will formally announce the appointment. The State Department pushed back on criticism about China House, saying it was one if its highest-functioning teams. Senior officials have acknowledged morale and staffing problems at China House, but denied they were linked to how the State department carries out China policy.

Persons: Mark Lambert, Lambert, Rick Waters, Waters, Joe Biden's, “, Biden, Xi Jinping, Daniel Kritenbrink, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, Don Durfee Organizations: U.S . State Department, of China Coordination, State Department, of, Washington, U.S, Pacific Affairs, Reuters, Republicans, Department, Thomson Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, East Asia, of China, U.S, People’s Republic of China, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, State, Lincoln

☆ State Department picks veteran diplomat Mark Lambert as top China policy official
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. State Department has picked veteran diplomat Mark Lambert as its top China policy official, five sources familiar with the matter said, bringing in new leadership for a part of the department that has faced staffing problems and criticism over its handling of China-focused initiatives. Waters had also served as the head of the Office of China Coordination — informally known as "China House" — a unit the department created late last year to meld China policies across regions and issues. Whether Lambert will assume the China House coordinator title is still being discussed, sources said. Lambert's appointment is unlikely to change the tone of Washington's China policy, which President Joe Biden's administration says is one of "intense competition" while trying to increase engagement with Beijing to stabilize ties. It was unclear when the State Department will formally announce the appointment.

Persons: Mark Lambert, Lambert, Rick Waters, Waters, Joe Biden's Organizations: U.S . State Department, of China Coordination, State Department, of Locations: Washington , DC, China, Taiwan, Beijing, East Asia, of China, U.S, People's Republic of China

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