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Worldwide, the IMF thinks inflation will ease from 6.8% in 2023 to 5.8% in 2024 and 4.4% in 2025. The IMF expects the 20 countries that share the euro currency to collectively grow a meager 0.9% this year. The IMF also modestly downgraded the outlook for the Japanese economy, to 0.9%, a drop from 1.9% growth in 2023. The IMF expects oil prices, which plunged 16% in 2023, to fall a further 2.3% this year and 4.8% in 2025. The IMF expects world trade to grow just 3.3% this year and 3.6% in 2025, below the historical average of 4.9%.

Persons: ’ Pierre, Olivier Gourinchas, Gourinchas, ’ Gourinchas, Joe Biden’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, Monetary Fund, Federal Reserve, IMF, Trade Organization Locations: United States, Yemen, Red, Asia, Europe, Suez, Africa, U.S, Brazil, India, Southeast Asia, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, China

☆ Global trade will fall this year amid slower growth and Red Sea turmoil, WTO official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewThe World Trade Organization is likely to slash 2023 and 2024 trade projections due amid weaker-than-expected global economic activity and disruptive attacks by Houthi militants in the Red Sea. The WTO previously projected a rise of 0.8% in merchandise trade volumes for 2023 and a 3.3% increase for 2024. Ossa said the WTO would publish updated forecasts in the coming months, and various global organizations have trimmed their GDP growth forecasts this year, impacting the WTO's trade predictions. He also emphasized a growing uptick in consumer prices due to surging shipping costs since the Houthi attacks began. The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023.

Persons: —, Ralph Ossa, Ossa, haven't, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, Trade Organization, Business, WTO, Reuters, Galaxy Leader, Houthi Military Locations: Red, Iran, Suez, Europe

☆ Panera’s Charged Lemonade has been the subject of multiple lawsuits. Why is it still on the menu?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Restaurant chain Panera Bread has faced three separate lawsuits in recent months claiming the high levels of caffeine in its Charged Lemonade led to the death of two customers and irreversible health complications in another. Lawsuits claim advertising was unclearBoth wrongful death suits allege the Charged Lemonade does not clearly advertise its high levels of caffeine , and does not provide a warning to customers. A large-size Charged Lemonade, which comes in a 30-oz cup, contains up to 236 mg of caffeine. Similarly, the second lawsuit, filed in December by the family of a 46-year-old man with a chromosomal deficiency disorder, ADHD and high blood pressure, claimed that the product was not properly labeled. The product description on the individual pages for each lemonade flavor now reads: “Contains caffeine.

Persons: James Haggerty, Haggerty, “, ”, Panera, Leonard’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, US Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Federal Food, Act, American Beverage Association, ABA Locations: New York, Connecticut, United States

☆ 5 reasons why Airbus went from struggling outsider to beating Boeing
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The A320's revolutionary fly-by-wire design and the Boeing 737 Max groundings help boost Airbus. In the 2014 documentary "Airbus vs Boeing: The Jumbo Jet Race" he said he was nearly fired for doing so. AdvertisementThe A320 went on to become the world's second-best-selling airliner, behind the Boeing 737. 737 Max groundingsSouthwest Airlines' grounded Boeing 737 Max jets in 2019. As Boeing and its 737 Max face more scrutiny following the Alaska Airlines blowout, Airbus seems likely to keep flying high.

Persons: Max groundings, —, Wright, Bernard Lathière's, Istvan Bajzat, Bernard Lathière, Lathière, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Lionel Cironneau, Princess Diana —, Clinton, PAUL RICHARDS, Bill Clinton, ERIC CABANIS, Max —, Max, Mario Tama Organizations: Airbus, Boeing, Eastern Air Lines, Service, Getty, Lines, Washington Post, AP, Lionel Cironneau Airbus, Concorde, World Trade Organization, Union, Reuters, WTO, Getty Images Airbus, Show, Airlines, Max, Lion Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Paris Air, Alaska Airlines Locations: Europe, Toulouse, France, Boeing's, Germany, Spain, AFP, American

☆ Leaders at Davos see a global economy moving toward a new normal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Lucy Handley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde attends a session on the closing day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 19, 2024. The pandemic saw spending fall and people's savings grow, while global trade was also disrupted. The World Trade Organization (WTO) expects trade to increase by 3.3% in 2024, per a forecast released in October. "Around the world, inflation is coming down, and we have seen it in November [in] both headline inflation and core inflation," she said. Speaking on the same panel, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala agreed that the economy is "maybe moving towards normalization" but she described it as "not normal, because trade growth is still trending below GDP growth."

Persons: Christine Lagarde, Lagarde, Ngozi Okonjo Organizations: European Central Bank, Economic, Bloomberg, World Trade Organization, ECB Locations: Davos, Switzerland

☆ WTO chief: Red Sea attacks are weighing on our sentiment on goods trade
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWTO chief: Red Sea attacks are weighing on our sentiment on goods tradeNgozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, says the Red Sea ship attacks have been weighing on the organization's sentiment on goods trade this year.

Organizations: WTO, World Trade Organization

☆ EU's Eastern Members Demand Import Duties on Ukraine Grains
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - The European Union's eastern states are demanding the EU impose import duties on Ukraine grains, citing unfair competition, Hungary's agricultural ministry said on Monday. "One of these [measures] could be introducing import duties on the most sensitive agricultural products." Ukraine's larger farm sizes make the country's grain exports cheaper and that is pushing EU farmers out of their traditional export markets, the ministers said. Farmers in Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia "have suffered significant damages" since the EU suspended import quotas and customs on grain from Ukraine last year, they said. Ukraine responded by complaining to the World Trade Organization against the three countries, while other EU members condemned the unilateral moves.

Persons: Istvan Nagy, Valdis, Janusz Wojciechowski, Anita Komuves, Susan Fenton Organizations: European Commission, Hungary's, Farmers, EU Trade, EU, World Trade Organization Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Brussels, Kyiv

☆ Op-ed: Europe is leaving a void in a multipolar world
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Kevin Klowden | Chief Global Strategist At The Milken Institute | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Russian invasion of Ukraine only three months later served to provide an immediate driver for greater political unity within Europe. China, Russia and even the United States under Donald Trump have expressed dissatisfaction with institutions such as the World Trade Organization, the G7 and the United Nations. watch nowThe void is particularly apparent at the WTO, where the lack of European leadership on trade as the U.S. turned inward is particularly felt. Perhaps nothing shows the consequences of the lack of European strength in preserving these institutions than the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the combination of a split over Ukraine, and internal divisions within Europe, have prevented any way for Europe to play a key role with China.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyenââ, Pedro Sanchez Perez, Klaus Iohannis, Chancellor, Germany, Olaf Scholz, Charles Michel, Dursun, Angela Merkel, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Merkel, Ursula von der Leyen, Xi Jinping Organizations: European Commission, European, European Union, Anadolu Agency, Getty, World Trade Organization, United Nations, WTO, EU, NATO, APEC Locations: Spain, Romania, Brussels, Belgium, United States, China, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, U.S, Germany, Moscow, India, Southeast Asia, EU, East, Africa

☆ Australia walks a tight rope on trade with China as security concerns mount
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 6, 2023. While trade compulsions have forced the Asia-Pacific nation to reach out to China, security concerns over Beijing's South China Sea claims have prevented a reset in ties. Trade talksPart of Beijing's calculus is rooted in Australia economic dependence on China. According to the Australian government, China is its largest trading partner, accounting for nearly a third of the country's total trade with the world. Australia is already closely watching potential flashpoints in the South China Sea, and in regard to Taiwan," Economist Intelligence Unit analysts said in a note.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Anthony Albanese, Ding Haitao, coronavirus, Darren Lim, Lee McLean, McLean, we've, Albanese, We've Organizations: Australian, of, People, Getty Images, Xinhua, Agency, Xinhua News Agency, Getty, Australian National University, Labor, Australia, U.S ., China Hub . Trade, CNBC, Sky News Australia, Economist Intelligence, U.S Locations: Beijing, China, Xinhua, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Canberra, U.S, South China, Taiwan, The Hague, Philippines

☆ Foxconn is still running with difficult status quo
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Chan Ka Sing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, Nov 27 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Terry Gou is not running for Taiwan’s presidency after all. Nonetheless, the $45 billion Apple (AAPL.O) supplier’s continuing push to move production outside of China leaves it firmly on frontlines of rising cross-strait tensions. Foxconn grew into the biggest employer in China, with more than 1 million workers at its peak and a top contract manufacturer for global brands. Foxconn is out of the election spotlight but it still has to grapple with an awkward status quo. CONTEXT NEWSTerry Gou, the billionaire founder of electronics maker Foxconn, announced on Nov. 24 that he will be withdrawing from Taiwan’s presidential election next month.

Persons: Terry Gou, Critics, Foxconn, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Apple, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, KMT, Hai Precision Industry, World Trade Organization, Reuters Graphics, China -, Foxconn, Taipei Times, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, Kuomintang, Taipei

☆ Biden Trade Policy Breaks With Tech Giants - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Farah Stockman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

“We have warned for years that either the United States would write the rules for digital trade or China would,” Senator Mike Crapo, a Republican from Idaho, lamented in a press statement. That paper explains how U.S. trade officials came to champion a digital trade policy agenda that was nearly identical to what Google, Apple and Facebook wanted: No restrictions on the flow of data across borders. No laws that would curb monopolies or encourage more competition — a position that is often cloaked in clauses prohibiting discrimination against American companies. Many smaller tech companies complain that big players engage in monopolistic behavior that should be regulated. A group of smaller tech companies called the Coalition for App Fairness thanked Ms. Tai for dropping support for the so-called tech-friendly agenda at the World Trade Organization.

Persons: Mike Crapo, Biden, Tai, Wendy Li, Ms, Li, Henry Gao Organizations: Republican, Facebook, Google, University of Wisconsin, Trump, Microsoft, Apple, Coalition, World Trade Organization Locations: China, United, Idaho, Madison, United States, Mexico, Canada, Washington, Singapore

☆ Exclusive: IMF chief says Biden-Xi engagement an important signal for world to cooperate
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Biden-Xi meeting is "important at a time when geo-economic fragmentation has indeed deepened with negative consequences for the prospects for accelerating growth," Georgieva said. U.S.-China engagement also will be an important factor on negotiations over World Trade Organization reform, including restoration of its dispute settlement system. "We are already seeing the impact of antisemitism and Islamophobia, raising their ugly heads all over the world. IMF SHAREHOLDING REFORMSU.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said during meetings last week with her Chinese counterpart that a key outcome of U.S.-China economic engagement was Beijing's support for a 50% increase in IMF quota-based resources, without an immediate rise in shareholding for China. Georgieva said it was important for the IMF to start quickly on revamping its shareholding formula to boost the representation of fast-growing developing economies: "The world needs an IMF that is financially strong, and that is also legitimate."

Persons: Joe Biden, Kristalina, Dina Boluarte, Loren Elliott, Kristalina Georgieva, Xi Jinping, Georgieva, Biden, Xi, Janet Yellen, David Lawder, Chris Reese, Tom Hogue Organizations: International Monetary Fund, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, Monetary Fund, Reuters, Biden, U.S ., APEC, U.S, World Trade Organization, United, Hamas, IMF, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, China, United Arab Emirates, GAZA, Gaza, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel

U.S. President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping, who met in San Francisco on Wednesday, may disagree on the terminology. Barely half the manufactured goods imported into the United States from low-cost Asian countries now come from China. Chinese firms have raised just $529 million from initial and secondary stock offerings in the United States in the year to mid-October. But the conscious decoupling between the U.S. and China looks set to continue. Follow @ugalani and @a_fitri_alias on XCONTEXT NEWSU.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Nov. 15 in San Francisco on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Persons: Xi, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, friendshoring, China’s Xi Jinping, Breakingviews, Donald Trump, China’s ByteDance, Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics Goldman Sachs, Xi Jinping, Una, Peter Thal Larsen, Oliver Taslic, Thomas Shum Organizations: U.S, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, People’s Republic . U.S, People’s, World Trade Organization, Reuters Graphics Reuters, FRAYING FINANCE, U.S . Federal Reserve, Federal, Investment Board, HK, Republican, Reuters Graphics Apple, United, Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: Filoli, Asia, Woodside , California, U.S, Rights MUMBAI, United States, China, Washington, People’s Republic ., San Francisco, People’s Republic, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, That’s, New York, Greater China, India, TAIWAN, Taiwan, Una Galani, Mumbai, London

☆ Sequoia-backed Upway refurbishes and resells e-bikes. It just raised $30 million with this 17-slide pitch deck.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Upway, a French startup that refurbishes and resells secondhand e-bikes, has just raised $30 million in Series B funding. The Paris-based company, founded in 2021 by former Uber executives Stéphane Ficaja and Toussaint Wattinne, buys up used e-bikes, refurbishes them where necessary, and sells them on for a discounted price. Electric bikes sales hit 5 million in 2021 , out of 22 million overall bike sales, according to European trade organization CONEBI. Micro-mobility rentals, such as Lime and Tier, helped popularise the market and accelerate the adoption of e-bikes in cities, Wattinne said. Check out the 17-slide redacted pitch deck it used to raise the funds:UpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpway

Persons: Stéphane Ficaja, Toussaint Wattinne, Wattinne, Bolt, David Helgason, Ari Organizations: Uber, Business, Korelya, Sequoia, Exor Ventures, Unity Locations: Paris, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, LA, Grover, Berlin

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and China are the two global economic heavyweights. The meeting will bring together 21 Pacific Rim countries, which collectively represent 40% of the world’s people and nearly half of global trade. Indeed, imports of Chinese goods to the United States were down 24% through September compared with the same period of 2022. Xi, too, has reason to try to restore economic cooperation with the United States. “This will not be an easy sell.’’Complicating matters is that the tensions between Washington and Beijing go well beyond economics.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi, Eswar Prasad, “, Prasad, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, Chad Bown, Janet Yellen, Lifeng, —, ” Yellen, ’ ’, Wendy Cutler, Raja Krishnamoorthi, ’ ’ Krishnamoorthi, ’ Organizations: WASHINGTON, International Monetary Fund, “, Cornell University, Economic Cooperation, Biden, World Trade Organization, U.S, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Prosperity, Trump, Group, Bain & Co, Micron, IMF, United, Asia Society Institute, Chinese Communist Party, Republicans, Pew Research Center, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Rep, Illinois Democrat Locations: United States, China, Washington, Beijing, U.S, Ukraine, Gaza, Asia, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, India, Philippines, South China, Taiwan, Chinese, Kenya, Nigeria, Illinois

Protests are expected throughout this week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ conference, which could draw more than 20,000 attendees, including hundreds of international journalists. San Francisco has a long tradition of loud and vigorous protests, as do trade talks. In 1999, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Seattle during a World Trade Organization conference. San Francisco Police Department Chief Bill Scott said he expects several protests a day, although it's uncertain how many will materialize. “People are welcome to exercise their constitutional rights in San Francisco, but we will not tolerate people committing acts of violence, or property destruction or any other crime,” Scott said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Suzanne Ali, ”, Bill Scott, ” Scott, “, Biden, Xi Jinping, Rory McVeigh, Xi, Vo Van Thuong, Bongbong Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos, Nik Evasco, “ It's, Huizhong Wu Organizations: FRANCISCO, —, Sunday, Economic Cooperation, ’, APEC, Moscone Center, Palestinian Youth Movement, U.S, Hamas, Trade Organization, Protesters, Thai, San Francisco Police Department, Center, University of Notre Dame, United Vietnamese American Community of, International Coalition for Human Rights, Associated Press Locations: Israel, San Francisco, Asia, Francisco, Seattle, Chile, Thailand, Bangkok, China, U.S, Mexico, Brazil, Philippines, United Vietnamese American Community of Northern California, Vietnam

☆ China tells Britain to stop efforts to 'enhance' ties with Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The Chinese government on Thursday told Britain to stop its efforts to "enhance" ties with Taiwan after a high level meeting in London and the signing of a new trade agreement between the island and Britain. "We urge the UK to abide by the one-China principle and stop using trade cooperation as an excuse to engage in official exchanges or enhance substantive relations with Taiwan," it added. Britain and Taiwan both maintain de facto embassies in each other's capitals, but London does not officially recognise the democratically elected government in Taipei. Britain approved a sharp increase in exports of submarine parts and technology last year to Taiwan as it upgrades its naval forces, Reuters reported in March. Because of its diplomatic isolation and pressure from China, chip powerhouse Taiwan has few formal foreign trade agreements, though it is a member of the World Trade Organization and has free trade agreements with Singapore and New Zealand.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Nigel Huddleston, Chen Chern, Ben Blanchard, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Wednesday, Trade Partnership, British Trade, World Health Organization, Reuters, World Trade Organization, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Rights BEIJING, Britain, Taiwan, London, China's, Beijing, China, Taipei, Singapore, New Zealand

☆ China has a sweeping vision to reshape the world — and countries are listening
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

All this coincides with longstanding calls from countries across the developing world for an international system where they have more say. Beijing, he added, sees the US as merely “paying lip service” to the “liberal order” to hurt other countries. Sergei Savostyanov/Sputnik/ReutersIn recent years, even some countries that have for decades embraced a close partnership with the US have drawn closer to China and its vision. “Is China really trying to promote multipolarity — or does China just want to (become a) substitute (for) US influence over the world?” he asked. They also raise questions about how a more militarily and economically powerful China would behave globally, if left unchecked.

Persons: Xi Jinping, —, Xi, Vladimir Putin, General Antonio Guterres, ” Xi, , Shen Hong, they’d, ”, Yun Sun, liberalize, Sanjit Das, Shen Dingli, ‘, ’ ”, Russia’s Putin, Bashar al, Assad —, Assad’s, Sergei Savostyanov, Ali Sarwar Naqvi, “ We’ve, James Marape, ’, Rubens Duarte, Li Zhiquan, “, Tong Zhao, Zhao, Ted Aljibe, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Zhang Youxia, Beijing’s, Gilberto Teodoro Jr, BRICS, Weeks, Joe Biden, Sergio Lima, ” — Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United Nations, Forum, China, Communist, CNN, Beijing, Washington, Getty, Stimson, Bank, World Trade Organization, . Riot, Bloomberg, Initiative, Asian, Global, Sputnik, Reuters, Center for International Strategic Studies, Papua New Guinea, multipolarity, China News Service, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Global Security Initiative, NATO, Russia, Philippine Defense, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, United, New, Seven, Ministry, Global Security, Group, UN, Communist Party Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Ukraine, Gaza, Russian, Xinhua, Washington, South, Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, America, Shanghai, West, Hangzhou, Israel, Pakistan, Pakistani, Islamabad, Papua New, Brazil, Indonesia, Europe, Asia, Scarborough, South China, AFP, Moscow, Russia, “, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Palestine, India, South Africa, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, New Delhi, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, ” Beijing

☆ U.S. suspends Indo-Pacific talks on key aspects of digital trade -lawmakers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The halt comes after the U.S. Trade Representative's office last month reversed longstanding U.S. digital trade demands at the World Trade Organization -- no longer insisting on rules that protect free cross-border data flows and prohibit national requirements for data localization and reviews of software source code. The U.S. Trade Representative's office said it withdrew its position to give Congress room to enact stronger technology regulations. "We thank you for suspending negotiations on aspects of the IPEF digital text that can be used to frustrate privacy, AI, civil rights and liberties, anti-monopoly, gig worker and other digital safeguards that Congress and the administration seek," the lawmakers wrote. People familiar with the talks say that discussions on the digital trade chapter have largely ground to a halt because the U.S. position is now unclear and being reevaluated. A USTR spokesperson declined comment on the IPEF digital talks.

Persons: Elizabeth Warren, Julia Nikhinson, Biden, IPEF, Amy Klobuchar, Pramila Jayapal, David Lawder, Leslie Adler Organizations: Intelligence, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, U.S . Trade, World Trade Organization, Representatives, Commerce Department, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Tech, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Mexico, Canada, IPEF, San Francisco, Asia, China

☆ GOP lawmakers call for VA to slash reliance on China for medical supplies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —A pair of Republicans leading powerful House committees are calling for the Department of Veterans Affairs to speed up efforts to decrease the agency’s reliance on China for medical supplies, CNN has learned. The Covid-19 pandemic laid bare a dangerous vulnerability in America’s medical supply chains that resulted in shortages of masks, respirators and other life-saving gear. “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the national security and public health risks of failing to guarantee adequate medical supplies. As the biggest buyer of medical supplies among federal agencies, it has considerable influence. Congress has attempted to take steps to boost the resilience of the nation’s medical supply chain by easing dependence on goods from less friendly nations like China.

Persons: Mike Gallagher, Mike Bost, Denis McDonough, Bost, Gallagher, “, ” Terrence Hayes, Joe Biden, Health Richard Stone, ” Bost, McDonough, Democratic Sen, Tom Carper, Republican Sen, Thom Tillis, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Department of Veterans Affairs, CNN, Veterans ’, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Department of Veteran Affairs, Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health, Human Services, Republicans, Health, World Trade Organization, Congress, Democratic, Republican Locations: New York, China, United States, America, Covid, Mexico, Malaysia

SINGAPORE (AP) — Britain’s Prince William cheered on 15 finalists of his third Earthshot Prize in Singapore Tuesday ahead of the awards ceremony where five of them will win 1 million pounds ($1.2 million) each to scale up groundbreaking innovations to fight climate change. William spoke to the finalists — all whom are attending the ceremony for the first time for networking opportunities — at Gardens by the Bay, an artistic horticulture attraction. The winners are grouped into five categories: nature protection, clean air, ocean revival, waste elimination and climate change. The finalists included a U.S. company that found a way to recycle polycotton fabrics, which makes up half of all textile waste. Apart from the prize money, all 15 finalists will receive a year of technical support and resources to help them accelerate their ideas.

Persons: — Britain’s Prince William, William, —, Rania al Abdullah, Jack Ma, Stella McCartney, David Attenborough, Ngozi Okonjo, Yao Ming, Kate, couldn't, George, Hannah Waddingham, Sterling K, Brown, Bebe Rexha, Oscar, Cate Blanchett, Donnie Yen, Lana Condor, Mbatha, Robert Irwin Organizations: SINGAPORE, World Trade Organization, NBA, William’s Royal Foundation, MediaCorp, Sterling Locations: Singapore, Gardens, U.S, Indian, Sierra Leone’s, Freetown, Poland, Europe, U.K, Asia, London, Boston, Republic

☆ Maersk's woes signal slow-motion industry crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Boss Vincent Clerc is not alone in trying to manage a crisis that is battering the container shipping world and which analysts at DNB Markets reckon could last up to 2030. He may also suspend the company's share buyback programme which has been put under review. Investors – spoilt by 16 consecutive quarters of earnings growth up to September – knocked 17% off the company’s share price following the news. The unit, which handles container shipping, reported a 56% drop in third-quarter sales due to a steep fall in freight rates. The World Trade Organization halved its growth forecast for global goods trade this year.

Persons: Evelyn Maersk, Fabian Bimmer, Moller, Boss Vincent Clerc, –, Clerc, Pamela Barbaglia, Aston Martin, Aimee Donnellan, Streisand Neto Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Shipping, Maersk, World Trade Organization, X, Macquarie, Pfizer, Thomson Locations: Hamburg, Germany

☆ We've been working hard to reform our dispute resolution system, WTO chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe've been working hard to reform our dispute resolution system, WTO chief saysNgozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, says the world needs trade to solve the problems it faces today.

Persons: Ngozi Okonjo Organizations: WTO, World Trade Organization

☆ WTO chief warns Israel-Hamas war could hurt global growth if conflict spills over
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala opens the 2021 WTO Public Forum with a round table on Covid and trade, in Geneva, on September 28, 2021. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)The World Trade Organization's director-general warned that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict will impact global growth if it spills over to the wider Middle East region. In an interview with CNBC aired on Monday, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: "If it spreads beyond where it is now, to the rest of the Middle East, there will be an impact." So you will see an impact on global growth, on global trade," she added. We're praying for de-escalation and peace," she told CNBC's Martin Soong on the sidelines of the Group of 7 meeting in Osaka, Japan.

Persons: Ngozi Okonjo, Iweala, Fabrice COFFRINI, FABRICE COFFRINI, Ngozi, CNBC's Martin Soong Organizations: Trade Organization, Getty, Trade, CNBC Locations: Geneva, AFP, Israel, Osaka, Japan

☆ The biggest cruise ships keep getting bigger and it's splitting the industry in two
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Brittany Chang | Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

New cruise brands are launching smaller, luxury ships geared toward wealthy travelers. Large cruises are a "cash cow" for operators but experts say smaller ships have distinct long-term advantages. AdvertisementAdvertisementEvery year it seems a new world's largest cruise ship is crowned. To fill this void, several new cruise lines are taking an underdog strategy of building smaller luxury vesselsThe Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection. Smaller ships are better positioned to meet sustainability goalsBrittany Chang/InsiderMega-ships may be popular among some passengers, but the ports they're visiting aren't always fans.

Persons: —, Royal, it's, Aman, Brittany Chang, Stenius, Michael Ungerer, Explora, aren't, Jay Schneider, Schneider, Patrick Scholes Organizations: Service, Royal, Ritz Carlton Yacht, Ritz, Carlton, Shipping, MSC, MSC Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Cruise Lines International Association, International Maritime Organization, Truist Securities Locations: They're, Royal Caribbean, Ritz Carlton ., Europe, Bahamas, Caribbean

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