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☆ Nissan shares rise after overhaul of Renault alliance
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Shares of Nissan Motor Corp (7201.T) rose in early trade in Tokyo on Tuesday, after the Japanese automaker and its French partner Renault SA (RENA.PA) announced a sweeping overhaul of their two-decade-old alliance putting them on equal footing. Nissan shares were up almost 2%, outperforming a flat Nikkei 225 share average (.N225). Under the deal announced on Monday, Nissan and Renault will now hold 15% stakes in each other, and Nissan will get voting rights with its stake. Previously, Renault held around 43% of the Japanese automaker and Nissan did not have voting rights. The uneven nature of the alliance had long been a source of friction for Nissan executives.

☆ VIEW Nissan, Renault agree to overhaul alliance, putting themselves on equal footing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"We understand Renault is able to ring fence its own technology within the alliance allowing the firm to collaborate also with other external partners beyond the Renault Nissan alliance. "Overall we welcome this step which will enhance the industrial collaboration within the alliance." JEFFERIES"A re-sized capital structure should help keep the Alliance viable, maintaining synergies and opening up strategic opportunities on both sides. Ultimately it means that a disorderly unwind of the alliance has been avoided which is a positive. "Over the short term, it's possible there may be selling (of Nissan shares) due to a worsening of supply and demand.

I never feel guilty spending gift cards on things I want, which makes them a versatile gift. I also fall in the camp of people who adore and appreciate gift cards, especially for retailers I love. I try to earn rewards whenever I give giftsOne of my favorite ways to earn rewards on my gifting habit is by using shopping portals for cash back and travel rewards. There are hundreds of shopping portals out there, each offering different earning rates for the various retailers in its network. And instead of burning gas money, earn some rewards instead by using a shopping portal.

☆ Most big Japanese firms heed prime minister's call to raise wages this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Rocky Swift | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

That push was boosted last week when Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing Co (9983.T) said it would raise wages by as much as 40%. Another 29% said they would carry out regular pay increases only, while 38% were undecided. "Prime Minister Kishida has been saying raise wages, raise wages, but the decision to hike pay isn't done on the words of a prime minister or president," said Masayuki Kubota, chief strategist at Rakuten Securities. Smaller firms generally cannot increase pay, business owners, economists and officials say, because they often struggle to pass on higher costs out of fear of losing customers. The Reuters Corporate Survey, conducted for Reuters by Nikkei Research between Dec. 23 and Jan. 13, canvassed 495 big non-financial Japanese firms on condition of anonymity, allowing them to speak more freely.

☆ Weed’s next frontier is in Asia
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Thomas Shum | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, Dec 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Asia is beginning to warm up to the use of cannabis. Thailand legalised marijuana cultivation at home in 2022, while South Korea, Japan and Malaysia are paving the way for pharmaceutical applications. South Korea was the first country in East Asia to legalise pharmaceutical cannabis, and Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan are all considering similar moves. If American experience is any guide, regulated pharmaceutical use will inevitably trickle into the recreation market, boosting aggregate demand. Cannabis in Asia will burn slowly, but where there is smoke there may eventually be fire.

☆ Rakuten’s Super Bowl Ad Return Will Emphasize Savings in an Uncertain Economy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Megan Graham | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Shopping platform Rakuten plans to return as a Super Bowl advertiser in February to highlight how it can help consumers save money shopping during an uncertain economic time. The company, a U.S.-based division of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten Group Inc., earlier this year made its first appearance as a Super Bowl advertiser to raise its awareness with U.S. customers. Super Bowl LVII will air Feb. 12, 2023, on Fox. Fox said in September that 95% of its Super Bowl ad inventory had been sold. “A Super Bowl ad may seem incongruent with layoffs or declining general health of the business or category.”Marketers more broadly are responding to inflation by emphasizing the value of their brands, whether by pushing lower prices or by showing how their products last longer.

The thing is, if you're going to open a credit card, a store card is rarely, if ever, your best option. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Their interest rates are astronomicalIf you thought travel credit card interest rates were high, check out the rates on store credit cards. And that limit isn't exclusive to those who have taken out five of Chase's credit cards in the last 24 months, either — it applies to any credit card (except certain business cards), including store credit cards. Luckily, there are multiple ways to make sure you're getting a much better return on your retail spending, even without a store credit card.

☆ Senate Banking Chairman Brown to introduce bill closing 'shadow' banking loophole after Elon Musk says Twitter will process payments
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown will introduce a bill Tuesday that aims to close the so-called shadow banking loophole that allows retail and tech companies to offer banking services without the same stringent oversight as other financial institutions. Twitter is one of several non-bank companies that sought to enable banking services for users through state-chartered ILCs. Jack Dorsey, Musk's predecessor at Twitter, also was involved in financial services through his separate payments company Square. Other companies that have applied for ILC charters include eCommerce marketplace Rakuten, Ford Motor Company and financial services firm Edward Jones . The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approved ILC deposit insurance applications for Square and Nelnet, a student financial services company, in 2020.

☆ Outperforming asset manager picks 3 global retailers to short amid a fall in consumer spending
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Shares of mass market retailers will fall as profit margins are squeezed, and consumers curtail spending next year, according to Plurimi Wealth's chief investment officer. Selling shares "short" means borrowing shares through a broker to sell them immediately with a plan to repurchase them when the price is lower. In such an environment, mass market retailers that benefit from discretionary spending will see their revenues decline. While investors are split over the health of the American consumer, European shoppers are mostly expected to curtail their spending habits next year. Elsewhere in Europe, economists are also expecting a recession for the first half of next year that will impact discretionary spending.

To combat high inflation, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates this year at the fastest clip in 40 years. But analysts warn that high interest rates and potentially unfavorable terms can trip up shoppers, eroding the hoped-for savings. That’s the highest interest rate since the credit card marketplace began tracking it for store cards in 2018. Using credit cards can help build credit. And with fees and rates for new store cards even higher than the current record levels for traditional credit cards, “many people’s financial margin for error is basically zero,” Schulz says.

☆ DeepL, a hot AI translation startup pioneered by a former Googler, is closing in on a round above $100 million led by Netflix-backer IVP near a $1 billion valuation
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Translation startup DeepL is closing in on a new funding round led by US giant IVP, sources say. DeepL previously sold a portion of its business to US investor Benchmark. Like Google Translate, DeepL offers a free translation service powered by artificial intelligence. A small test run by Insider indicates that DeepL is, at least in some cases, more intuitive than Google. DeepL previously sold a 13.6% portion of its business to US fund Benchmark and Btov Partners in 2018, according to reporting by Slator.

☆ If TikTok wants to compete with Amazon, building US fulfillment centers is a great way to fail, according to e-commerce logistics experts. Here's what to do instead.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Emma Cosgrove | Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

TikTok is diving into e-commerce as it builds out a US fulfillment and shipping logistics team. As TikTok takes its initial steps into the physical side of e-commerce, several logistics experts told Insider not to expect the company to follow Amazon's playbook. "If you want to be anything like what Amazon has built you are $100 billion behind," Matthew Hertz, cofounder of e-commerce logistics consultancy Second Marathon, said. Shein is one Chinese company that has managed this transition successfully, by focusing on the niche but fast-growing field of cross-border e-commerce logistics. Japanese e-commerce company Rakuten acquired two US fulfillment companies in 2019 only to combine them and sell them back to the founder of one this year.

☆ The major space players and diverging strategies in the race to connect your smartphone via satellites
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Michael Sheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It's long been a dream of satellite communications visionaries, but bulky, specialized and typically expensive satellite phones fell short of mass appeal. While SpaceX has launched more than 3,000 first generation satellites so far, adding a direct-to-phone service will require thousands more. Private venture Lynk Global likewise aims to provide a cell tower in space from satellites, with plans for a constellation of several thousand in a few years. And while some build out satellite networks, other major players are eyeing Earth-bound innovations, with systems dependent on a specialized antenna in phones. In partnership with Globalstar , the feature allows users to send compressed text messages from iPhone 14s via satellites.

☆ Mizuho’s fintech punt would overdo optimism
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

First, it values Rakuten Securities at an eye-popping 52 times earnings, based on annualised net profit for the six months to end of June. Listed rival Monex (8698.T) only trades at around 13 times earnings, despite sporting a 22% operating margin, better than Rakuten Securities’ 13%. Second, Mizuho’s largesse will benefit parent Rakuten, the Japanese word for optimism. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterSure, Rakuten Securities has rarity value, not least for banks with less of an online presence. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Spotify announces launch of audiobooks for U.S. listeners
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Spotify users in the U.S. will now be able to purchase and listen to more than 300,000 different audiobook titles, the company announced Tuesday. The streaming company's foray into audiobooks marks its latest attempt to make the platform a one-stop-shop for all things audio. The company decided to introduce audiobooks because they represent a "substantial untapped market," Nir Zicherman, Spotify's vice president and global head of audiobooks and gated content, said in Tuesday's release. Spotify users interested in listening to audiobooks can find them in their search, library and their curated recommendations on their homepage. Spotify plans to introduce audiobooks to new markets and add new features after the initial U.S. launch.

☆ 60+ Labor Day 2022 sales: The best ongoing deals available
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-06 | by ( Mili Godio | Mili Godio Is An Associate Reporter For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +18 min

Though yesterday was Labor Day, you can still find discounts on everything from mattresses and vacuums to grills and air purifiers. We're also seeing a lot of rare Labor Day sales from brands like Our Place, Allbirds and Great Jones. With several sales to choose from, retail experts told us ongoing Labor Day sales present a good opportunity to save as prices soar due to inflation and people begin to worry about spending more around the upcoming holidays. The best ongoing Labor Day deals in 2022To recommend the best ongoing Labor Day deals below, we evaluated highly rated options using price trackers like Honey and CamelCamelCamel — everything below is at its lowest price in at least the last three months. The best ongoing Labor Day sales in 2022Below, we rounded up sales across reader favorite categories to shop this holiday weekend.

You can earn more cash back for online purchases when you stack credit card rewards with shopping portal deals. Crystal Cox/Business InsiderOpening and using a rewards credit card can help you earn extra cash back when you shop. In fact, stacking credit card rewards with online deals is one of the best ways to save money when you shop. Register your credit card with a cash-back appSome cash-back apps award you with more cash back when you register your credit card. The key to using rewards credit cards responsibly is to treat them like debit cards, so don't use them as an excuse to overspend.

☆ 5 ways I'm still using travel credit cards to maximize online grocery shopping — from bonus points to stacking discounts, the rewards are too good to pass up
▼ + stars: | 2022-03-17 | by ( Carly Helfand | Jasmin Baron | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). Skipping the store and ordering groceries online is still an excellent way to earn bonus credit card rewards. The array of bonus points and savings offers available to those with travel credit cards. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Amazon Shop with PointsAnother perk of buying groceries online is the ability not just to earn bonus points, but to use those points to cover your orders, too.

Persons: haven't, Chase, Oscar Wong, I'm, We're, Read, Amex, Hilton, they've, Delta, Instacart, cardholders, you'll Organizations: Service, Business, Hilton, Amazon, Chase Sapphire, Target, Walmart, Chase, Sapphire, FDIC, American, Hyatt, Hilton Honors, American Express, Foods, Instacart Express, Citi, Capital Locations: Wall, Silicon, Amex

☆ Peste 50% din respondenții unui sondaj intenționează să se vaccineze contra COVID-19
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-05 | by ( ) www.ipn.md time to read: +4 min

Peste 50% din respondenții unui sondaj intenționează să se vaccineze contra COVID-19Mai mult de jumătate dintre respondenții moldoveni ai unui sondaj (55%) intenționează să se vaccineze împotriva COVID-19, iar acest procent este mai mare decât media din alte țări (43%), în care a fost realizat sondajul. Aproape jumătate din numărul total de respondenți (48%) consideră că, datorită vaccinurilor COVID-19 și respectării măsurilor preventive, virusul va fi învins și oamenii vor putea reveni la viața normală. „Aproape concomitent cu pandemia COVID-19, a apărut conceptul de infodemie, reflectând răspândirea necontrolată a zvonurilor și poveștilor de groază despre virus și vaccinuri pe rețelele de socializare. Pușculița de zvonuri despre vaccinuri și coronavirus continuă să fie completată cu noi zvonuri. Este important ca populația să se informeze din surse oficiale despre vaccinuri și importanța vaccinării.

Persons: Viber, Anna, Denis Cernelea Organizations: UNICEF, Ministerul Sănătății, Muncii, Protecției Sociale, CSI, Ministerului Sănătății Locations: Rusia, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Viber

☆ Japonezii au ieşit în gară, ca să blocheze desfăşurarea Jocurilor Olimpice de la Tokyo
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-18 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

Aproximativ 30 de protestatari s-au adunat cu pancarte şi au scandat împotriva susţinerii jocurilor olimpice într-o gară din Tokyo. Aceştia au reacţionat după ce preşedintele Comitetului Olimpic Internaţional, Thomas Bach, şi-a anulat vizita în Japonia după ce cazurile de infectări cu COVID s-au înmulţit. Hiroshi Hoshino, un protestatar în vârstă de 71 de ani spune că acest fapt demonstrează gravitatea situației, scrie Mediafax. ”Dacă Bach nu vine, asta înseamnă că este o situaţie în care nu pote să apară, asta atestă că suntem într-o situaţie de urgenţă”. Într-un interviu pentru CNN, CEO-ul companiei Rakuten a protestat împotriva decizie guvernului nipon de a permite disputatea Jocurilor Olimpice de Vară.

Persons: Aceştia, Thomas Bach, Hiroshi Hoshino, Bach, Nemulţumirea, CNN, Rakuten Organizations: Olimpic Internaţional, Mediafax Locations: Tokyo, Japonia, nipon

☆ Японцы вышли на улицы в знак протеста против проведения Олимпиады
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-18 | by ( Mld Media Srl | ) noi.md time to read: +1 min

Японцы вышли на улицы, чтобы заблокировать проведение Олимпийских игр в Токио. Около 30 демонстрантов собрались с плакатами и скандировали лозунги против проведения Олимпийских игр на вокзале в Токио. Такая реакция жителей страны последовала после того, как президент Международного олимпийского комитета Томас Бах отменил свой визит в Японию из-за увеличения числа случаев заражения COVID. В Японии, по последним данным, зарегистрировано более 600 000 случаев заражения и более 11 500 случаев смерти. В интервью CNN генеральный директор Rakuten выразил протест против решения правительства Японии разрешить проведение летних Олимпийских игр.

Persons: Томас Бах, Хироши Хосино Organizations: Международный олимпийский комитет Locations: Токио, Япония

☆ „Explozie de emoții” pe Viber! Exprimă-ți emoțiile cu noile stickere create de UNICEF și Terre des hommes Moldova
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-07 | by ( Onixmedia Srl | ) diez.md time to read: +6 min

UNICEF Moldova, în colaborare cu organizația de protecție a drepturilor copilului Terre des hommes Moldova și cu aplicația de apeluri și mesaje Viber, a lansat pachetul de stickere „Explozie de emoții”, în care roboțelul Robert și prietenii săi exprimă o gamă variată de emoții și mesaje empatice . Astfel, roboțeii din noul pachet de stickere reprezintă o metaforă a relației noastre cu propriile emoții și a nevoii de a le experimenta și exprima. „Stickerele sunt unele dintre cele mai populare elemente ale platformei Viber și ale mesageriei instant în general. Stickerele de pe Viber ale UNICEF și Tdh Moldova reușesc această misiune, oferind suport, socializare și motivație pentru a-ți exprima deschis emoțiile. Pachetul de stickere și chatbotul au fost elaborate de Fundația Terre des hommes Moldova ca parte a proiectului „Eforturi comune pentru a combate bullying-ul în Moldova”, realizat cu suportul UNICEF Moldova.

Persons: Robert, Poți, Teodora, Gheorghe, Ele, Trimițându Organizations: UNICEF Moldova, UNICEF, CSI, U, Facebook Locations: Moldova, Rakuten, Republica Moldova, Viber

In just a few months, I've saved $400 towards a used car purchase and I've hardly noticed the money leaving my account. AdvertisementAs someone who prides themselves on living by a budget, I wasn't always the best at taking care of my spare change. I often viewed spare change as a nuisance, and even threw pennies away because I didn't see their value. AdvertisementAcorns is a micro-investing company that offers two options:I chose to start with the spare change roundup option. Earn Found MoneyThis feature helps you earn rewards for regular purchases that can be deposited directly to your Acorns account.

Persons: I've, Read, —, you've, It's, Dow Jones, Swagbucks, I'm, who's Organizations: Service, Walmart, roundups Locations: roundups

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