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☆ Bitcoin miners brace for impact as halving goes live
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +17 min

The technical event is relatively simple: Bitcoin miners get paid in bitcoin to validate transactions, and after 210,000 blocks of transactions are computed and added to the main chain, the reward given to the miners securing bitcoin is 'halved.' The aggregate market cap of the 14 U.S.-listed bitcoin miners tracked by JPMorgan analysts declined 28% over the first half of April to $14.2 billion, reaching year-to-date lows. Some have billed the 2024 bitcoin halving as a seminal moment for the mining sector. Marathon, along with other mining firms, has begun diversifying its business model into ancillary operations beyond purely bitcoin mining. Sullivan continued, "Bitcoin mining sites can only be repurposed if they meet the attributes that are required for HPC.

Persons: AUSTIN , TEXAS — Adam Sullivan, bitcoin, Sullivan, they'll, it's, Core's Sullivan, Bitdeer, Needham, Haris Basit, Basit, Cantor Fitzgerald, Greg Beard, Beard, Bitdeer's, Jason Les, Les, Fred Thiel, Capex, Thiel, Stronghold's Beard, Nic Carter, Blackrock, Bill Barhydt, Barhydt, Island's Carter isn't, Carter, CoinShares Organizations: bitcoin, CNBC, JPMorgan, Cipher, Bitdeer Technologies, Mining, Miners, Riot, Island Ventures, Circuits, Nvidia, CoreWeave, Bitcoin, HPC Locations: AUSTIN , TEXAS, Texas, bitcoin, U.S, Rockdale , Texas, Singapore, Bitcoin, Hong Kong, Abra, Europe, Dalton , Georgia, North America

☆ World Anti-Doping Agency defends handling of elite Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned drug
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Global sport’s anti-doping watchdog has slammed as “outrageous” and “completely false” allegations that it mishandled a 2021 case in which more than 20 elite Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) made the comments after US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chief Travis Tygart accused the agency and Chinese officials of having “swept these positives under carpet” and failing to follow the rules around drugs in sport. The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) said recent media reports about the cases were “misleading,” according to Chinese state agency Xinhua, citing a statement Saturday. In its statement Saturday, WADA said it was notified in June 2021 of CHINADA’s ruling on the swimmers who had tested positive earlier that year. “These are egregious failures even if you buy their story that this was contamination and a potent drug ‘magically appeared’ in a kitchen and led to 23 positive tests of elite Chinese swimmers,” Tygart said, referencing details included in The New York Times’ article citing a report from Chinese investigators.

Persons: “, WADA, Travis Tygart, CHINADA, Kamila Valieva, “ WADA, ” Tygart Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Global, Doping Agency, New York Times, Tokyo Olympics, ARD, Tokyo Games, CNN, Chinese Olympic, Testing Agency, Xinhua, trimetazidine, “, TMZ, The New York Times Locations: Hong Kong, China, USADA, Xinhua, Russian

☆ Hong Kong’s biggest stock is ready for a turnaround, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The firm is overweight on Tencent shares, with a price target of 400 Hong Kong dollars ($51). Also helping analysts' optimism on the stock are Tencent's share buybacks. HSBC has a buy rating on Tencent, with a target price of 385 Hong Kong dollars. Pan said that low liquidity in Hong Kong has also affected share prices in that market, but he hopes that can improve with a new CEO. The Hong Kong exchange's co-COO Bonnie Chan is set to become head of the business in late May.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Gary Yu, Morgan Stanley's Yu, Tencent, Prosus, Charlene Liu, HSBC's, Grant Pan, Noah Holdings, Pan, Hong Kong exchange's, Bonnie Chan, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Hong, Jefferies, Naspers, Internet, Gaming Research, HSBC Locations: Hong, Hong Kong, Asia, Japan, Netherlands, Tencent, 1Q24, Asia Pacific, HKD500m, China

☆ China’s youth are staging a rebellion with ‘gross’ work outfits in new video trend
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —There’s a new kind of “get ready with me” video trending in mainland China — one of “gross” work outfits. The hashtag “grossoutfitforwork” has attracted more than 140 million views and tens of thousands of discussions on Chinese social media platform Weibo alone. In late February, a post by Douyin (China’s version of TikTok) user Kendou S, claiming she was chastised by her boss about her “gross” outfits which said she wore to battle the cold weather, went viral. DouyinWhile the examples that have gone viral on social media are more extreme, Qiu said he believes casual dressing for work has always been popular in China and will continue. And as temperatures rise, some have started to share their gross outfits for the spring.

Persons: CNN —, they’re, ”, Kendou, “, ” “ Gross, Gen Z, Bohan Qiu, ’ ”, Qiu, it’s Organizations: CNN, Workers Locations: China, Weibo, balaclava, Shanghai, Seoul, Hong Kong

☆ China sees foreign threats ‘everywhere’ as powerful spy agency takes center stage
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

But among the crowds you and I together are protecting national security,” the narrator concludes. Chinese soldiers look at a poster promoting national security in the southwestern city of Beihai on National Security Education Day on April 15, 2024. CFOTO/Future Publishing/Getty ImagesAccording to the MSS, foreign spies are omnipresent and infiltrating everything – from mapping apps to weather stations. But China’s spy agency has gradually stepped out of the shadows as Xi makes national security a key priority. “Shenyin Special Investigation Squad” is a comic series based on real-life counterespionage operations, according to China's spy agency.

Persons: –, “, ”, Xi, Xuezhi Guo, Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Xi Jinping, Greg Baker, Mao Zedong, Greitens, Chen Yixin, Chen, “ Chen, ” Greitens, Xi –, denigrate, Bain, Alex Plavevski, Guo, influencers, China’s, can’t, James Zimmerman, Perkins Coie, Zimmerman, ” Zimmerman Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Security Education, “, Ministry of State Security, National Security, Publishing, CIA, National, Education, Capitol, Guilford College, Asia, University of Texas, Getty, Communist Party, FBI, National Security Propaganda, CCTV, Ministry of State, China’s National Security Commission, Group, China Development Forum, Perkins Coie LLP, ”, MSS Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beihai, British, American, Beijing, Austin, AFP, Zhejiang province, Shanghai, New York, overreaching

☆ Romance scammers are now building trust with AI-generated deepfakes. Here's how to spot them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

It might be because he's a romance scammer called a "Yahoo Boy" who wants to steal your life savings. Once gaining the victims' trust, the scammers use a pretense to solicit money, like the need to pay an emergency medical expense. Last year alone, the FBI's Internet Crime Report estimated that Americans lost more than $650 million to romance scams. Kate Kleinert, a 69-year-old widow, previously told BI that she lost $39,000 to an online romance scam. Over the last two years, the Yahoo Boys started experimenting with deepfake video clips and video calls, according to Wired.

Persons: —, Kate Kleinert, Kleinart, David Maimon, Trina Higgins, Higgins, haven't Organizations: Service, Yahoo, Yahoo Boys, Department of Justice, Business, Federal Trade Commission, Social Security, Wired, Georgia State University, CNN, Nigerian, Prosecutors, Justice Department Locations: Nigeria, Hong Kong, Salt Lake City, Utah

☆ Oasis launches a campaign at Kao Corp, but this battle is likely to be a difficult one
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Kenneth Squire | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Activist Commentary: Oasis Management is a global hedge fund management firm headquartered in Hong Kong with additional offices in Tokyo, Austin and the Cayman Islands. The hygiene and living care segment provides fabric, kitchen, home, sanitary and pet care products. Kao Corp is a global fast-moving consumer goods company with a diversified portfolio of products spanning from hair and skin care to cosmetics and chemicals. Oasis has proven to be a value-creating activist in many situations and would likely be a valuable board member here, but this is not a typical Oasis activist campaign. On the contrary, the day after Oasis launched its campaign, Kao stated that the firm lacked sufficient understanding of its portfolio management and restructuring plans.

Persons: Seth Fischer, Molton Brown, Kao, Kao's ROE, Beiersdorf, Aoki, Tsuruha, Oasis, ROE, Ken Squire Organizations: Oasis Management, Oasis, Business, Kao Corp, Tokyo Stock Exchange, onboarding, Kao, 13D Locations: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Austin, Cayman Islands, Asia, Europe, Japan

☆ Oil prices get short-lived boost from attack on Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Laura He | Olesya Dmitracova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was down 0.4% at $86.8 per barrel, having earlier spiked more than 3%. The Israeli military has not commented, and Iran has not identified the source of the attack. Iran launched the attack in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria earlier this month. Iran is a big oil producer but exports most of its crude to China because of long-standing international sanctions. Mexico also said earlier this month that it would cut back oil exports because of strong domestic demand.

Persons: Brent, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, ” Neil Shearing, Richard Bronze Organizations: London CNN, CNN, Capital Economics, Organization of, Petroleum, ANZ, United, Nikkei, Kospi, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Locations: Hong Kong, London, Iranian, Isfahan, East, Iran, Syria, Hormuz, China, United States, Mexico, Asia, Israel, Tel Aviv

☆ Apple deletes WhatsApp, Threads from China app store on orders from Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Juliana Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Apple has removed WhatAapp and Threads from its app store in China, following an order from the country’s internet watchdog which cited national security concerns. “The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns. Other popular Western social media apps including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and Messenger are still available on Apple’s China app store, according to a check by CNN. Chinese consumers who once would have considered Apple are now turning to the country’s national brands. Its CEO Tim Cook visited Shanghai just last month to open the second biggest Apple store in the world.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Duncan Clark, ”, VPNs, Tim Cook, — Hassan Tayir Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong CNN — Apple, Apple, CNN, Administration of China, Meta, BDA China, Facebook, IDC, Huawei Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Shanghai

☆ Here's what Apple will say if a US TikTok ban becomes law
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Peter Kafka | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Apple just removed WhatsApp, Signal, and other messaging apps from its Chinese app store. But it could happen in the US, too, if a TikTok ban bill becomes law. It's from an unidentified Apple comms person, to The Wall Street Journal, explaining why Apple just took four messaging/social media apps — WhatsApp, Threads, Signal, and Telegram — out of its Chinese app store. If the TikTok bill does become law, it won't make TikTok go away overnight in the US. But if the law jumps enough hurdles to become enforceable, Apple would have to remove TikTok from its US app store, as would Google.

Persons: —, Apple, You've, Hasan Minhaj's, Joe Biden, TikTok Organizations: Apple, Big Tech, Service, Wall Street, Netflix, Facebook, Google Locations: China, Hong Kong, America, Ukraine, Israel

☆ As India heads to the polls, the pros name 8 top stocks to buy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | In Amala-Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"The stars have aligned for India in terms of demographics, population and market movements. Peeyush Mittal, portfolio manager at Matthews Asia, agrees with the consensus that Modi will win a majority once again — which would be a "non-event" for markets. Conrad Saldanha, portfolio manager at the Neuberger Berman Emerging Markets Equity Fund, agrees. Among the companies on his watch are power equipment player Bharat Heavy Electricals and engineering conglomerate Thermax , amid an expected expansion in power generation capacity. According to FactSet data, 24 of the 26 analysts covering the stock have a buy or overweight rating on it.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Neil Bahal, Peeyush Mittal, Modi, Mittal, Conrad Saldanha, Neuberger Berman, Bharat, Neuberger Berman's Saldanha, Saldanha Organizations: South, Bombay Stock Exchange, CNBC Pro, —, Matthews Asia, Reserve Bank of, India Fund, Neuberger, Markets Equity Fund, Cummins India, Investor, Bharat Electronics, ICICI, HDFC, IndusInd Bank, Apollo Locations: Hong Kong, India, Reserve Bank of India, Saldanha

☆ Beijing half marathon winners stripped of medals after African trio let Chinese runner win
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —The top four finishers of the Beijing Half Marathon have been stripped of their medals after an investigation found three African runners deliberately slowed down near the finish line to let a Chinese competitor win, according to organizers. The three African runners were invited to join the race as pacemakers by Chinese sports company Xtep, which sponsored both He and the Beijing Half Marathon, according to the committee. But Xtep failed to note the trio as pacemakers to the race operator, Zhong’ao Lupao Beijing Sports Management company, the committee said. The committee disqualified the operator from hosting the Beijing Half Marathon and banned Xtep from sponsoring any more races this season. He is ranked 74th in the world in the men’s marathon by World Athletics and is expected to lead the way for Asian runners in the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

Persons: China’s, Jie, Kenya’s Willy Mnangat, gesturing, Robert Keter, Ethiopia’s, Xtep, Xtep “, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing Sports Management, Marathon, World Athletics Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Kenya, China

☆ One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Cathay Pacific is one of just 10 airlines rated five stars by Skytrax. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementOne of the best airlines in the world is considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery on board, the travel news site View From The Wing reported. Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong flag carrier, is one of just 10 airlines rated five stars by Skytrax.

Persons: —, Skytrax Organizations: Cathay, Skytrax, Service, Cathay Pacific, Business Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, Cathay Pacific

☆ Oil prices jump on escalating tensions in the Middle East after strike on Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Oil prices jumped on Friday while Asian markets tumbled, with global investors worrying about an escalation in conflict in the Middle East after explosions were reported near the Iranian city of Isfahan. Iran launched the attack in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria earlier this month. “Israel’s response could determine whether oil supplies are ultimately under threat.”Elsewhere, ongoing oil disruptions remain high, the analysts added. In Hong Kong, PetroChina, Asia’s largest oil and gas supplier, advanced 2.3%. Sinopec, the world’s largest oil refining company by capacity, rose 1.3%.

Persons: Brent, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, “, Korea’s Kospi, Cosmo Energy Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, ANZ, United, Stock, Nikkei, China’s, Energy, Eneos Corp, Oil Corp Locations: Hong Kong, Iranian, Isfahan, Israel, Iran, Syria, United States, Mexico, Asia, China’s Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul

☆ China’s growing love of luxury watches remains strong, despite economic headwinds
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Leona Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Despite economic challenges looming large — including prolonged downturns in both the housing and stock market — China’s fascination with luxury watches remains undiminished. Cyril Zingaro/WWGF/KeystoneCertainly at this year’s fair, well-dressed, well-accessorized Chinese customers appeared unfazed by economic uncertainties. After more than 20 years working in the region, he believes China’s economic slowdown is just a temporary phase. “The situation may be slightly (more) challenging for mid-level luxury brands (whose clients’ disposable incomes are potentially more at the whim of market forces). Collectors appreciate the craftsmanship, rarity, and heritage associated with luxury timepieces, which can hold or increase in value over time.

Persons: Matthieu Humair, Cyril Zingaro, Jackson Yee, Jaeger, Zhu Yilong, Wang Yang, Xiao Zhan, David Sadigh, Patek Philippe, Van Cleef, ” Sadigh, Valentin Flauraud, ”, Ricardo Guadalupe, “ We’ve, Pierre Albouy, Keystone Carson Chan, Richard Mille Asia, Bonhams, ” Chan, Raphael Young, Lange, Söhne, Wilhelm Schmid, Lumen, Chan, Vacheron, Young, Roger Dubuis, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci — Chanel, Hermes, Hermès, Attelé, Chanel, Mademoiselle Chanel, “ Organizations: Geneva CNN —, Federation of, Swiss Watch Industry, IWC, Digital Luxury, CNN, Keystone, Fondation, “, Berkley, Couture Locations: Geneva, China, Hong Kong, Asia, Switzerland, Chopard, Europe, “, Asia — China, Guadalupe, Swiss, watchmaking

☆ I'm a New York real-estate agent who's not worried about losing guaranteed commission. Here's what I'm doing to replace those funds.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Ananya Vahal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mukul Lalchandani, a 44-year-old real-estate agent from New York. I decided to become a real-estate agent so I could prevent other immigrant families from going through the same situation. I've lived in New York for 23 years and have been a real-estate agent for over 15 years. One of the rules is that the seller no longer has to pay a commission to the buyer's agent. Here's what the new commission rules meanThere is a lot of confusion around the commission rule and what it means, especially for buyers.

Persons: Mukul Lalchandani, It's, I've, REBNY, they'll, towners, Sellers Organizations: Service, Business, National Association of Realtors, NAR Locations: New York, Hong Kong, NY

☆ The world’s best airports for 2024, according to Skytrax
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

For the last decade, Singapore’s Changi International Airport and Doha’s Hamad International Airport have been going back and forth, battling over the title of ‘world’s best’. European airports dominateNine of the top 20 best airports are in Europe, including Vienna, Madrid and Istanbul. Kansai International Airport (KIX), which serves the Osaka area, scored the award for the world’s best airport baggage delivery. El Dorado International Airport (BOG), which serves Bogota, Colombia, was voted the best airport in South America, while Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) won the honor of best airport for Latin America and the Caribbean. The world’s best airports for 20241.

Persons: CNN — Ali, Frazier, ‘, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, It’s, Charles de Gaulle, ORY, Indira, Skytrax, Paris Charles de Gaulle Organizations: CNN, The Red Sox, Yankees, Doha, Singapore, Singapore’s, Singapore’s Changi International Airport, Doha’s Hamad International, Hamad International, Airport, ” Qatar Airways Group’s, Oryx, Paris, Paris ’, Rome Fiumicino Airport, Zurich, Vantaa, Haneda, New, Chubu Centrair International, Kansai International, Vancouver International, Melbourne Airport, MEL, Australia, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Cape Town Airport, King Shaka International, El Dorado International, Panama Tocumen, TWA, New York JFK, Hyatt Regency Shenzhen, Hilton Munich Airport, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Doha Hamad, Singapore Changi, Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita, Dubai, Munich, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Rome Fiumicino, Vienna, Madrid, Barajas, Vancouver, Kansai, Melbourne, Copenhagen Locations: Singapore’s Changi, Doha’s, Qatar’s, Singapore, Doha, “, Frankfurt, Germany, Europe, Vienna, Madrid, Istanbul, Paris, Skytrax, Rome, Helsinki, HEL, Japan, Asia, Haneda, Narita, New Chitose, Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, North America, Down, Pacific, India, Cape, Africa, Durban, Bogota, Colombia, South America, Panama, America, Caribbean, New York, China, Tokyo, Vantaa

☆ India kicks off the world's largest elections this week. Here’s what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | In Charmainemariajacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

A worker fixes a flag of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on a hoarding of their leader and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 15, 2024. The 2024 general elections will pan out in seven phases over the next six weeks, starting April 19. India's meteoric riseUnder Modi's rule, India's economy has scaled to new heights. It is now the world's fifth-largest economy with a GDP of $3.7 trillion and has set its sight on becoming the world's third largest economy by 2027. Home to 1.4 billion people, the world's most populous country is the fastest growing economy in the world.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Idrees Mohammed, Hong Kong's, Modi, Suyash Rai, Joe Biden, Chietigj Bajpaee, Biden, Bajpaee, Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Amitendu Palit, Modi's, R.satish Babu Organizations: Bharatiya Janata Party, India's, Afp, Getty, Voters, Monetary Fund, Carnegie India, CNBC, White, Bloomberg, India, South Asia, Chatham House, BJP, National Democratic Alliance, Indian, Developmental Inclusive, Indian National Congress, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, NDA, Centre, of Foreign Relations, Reuters Locations: Lok Sabha, Lok, Hong, Washington, U.S, India, China, Raipur, Coimbatore

☆ 3 reasons companies are investing in AI-powered PCs
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Organizations and individuals who delay investing in the latest AI PCs risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive landscape where technological advancements are essential for staying innovative, collaborative, and secure. These AI PCs possess the ability to anticipate and comprehend user requirements, resulting in a highly personalized and responsive interaction. The new Latitude AI PCs can deliver up to 38% less power when running AI-enhanced collaboration features like Zoom.22. Content creators can save time by generating images 1.7 times faster with StabilityAI on their Dell AI PCs or Dell AI workstations with new Intel processors.33. Knowledge workers can optimize their Dell AI PCs by utilizing just 1% of CPU usage, effectively detecting malware with Crowdstrike4.

Persons: cyberattacks, Dell, Read, Forrester Organizations: Forrester, Processing, Dell, Intel, Dell Optimizer, Dell Technologies, Insider Studios, Forrester Consulting, Services Locations: NPU, Argentina, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Ukraine, Venezuela, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines

☆ Leaked presentation reveals Microsoft's astounding plan to ramp up data-center capacity for the AI boom
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft significantly expanded its data-center capacity recently and plans to ramp up growth to astounding levels going forward, according to an internal document obtained by Business Insider. Since July 2023, the start of Microsoft's latest fiscal year, the company delivered more than 500 megawatts of new data-center capacity, the document disclosed. This requires Microsoft to deliver more than 200 megawatts in data-center capacity every month. "This is a very large data-center capacity." Microsoft's GPU footprint expanded into 39 additional data centers in this period, and the company now has "AI clusters" live in 98 locations globally.

Persons: Shaolei Ren, Ren Organizations: Microsoft, Business, Operations, Innovation, OpenAI, University of California, BI Locations: Riverside, Hong Kong

☆ An American expat who retired at 53 said he got 3 things right on his decades-long FIRE journey
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Todd Miller retired at 53 because he did not want his life to be defined by his career. "I didn't have the vocabulary back then of 'financial independence,' but I said I wanted optionality," Miller told Business Insider. He picked age 50 to retire — what the personal finance industry now calls FIRE, which stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. In 2019, just three years after the initial age target he had set for himself, Miller took the plunge and retired at 53. His passive income now funds the family's lifestyle in Phuket, Thailand, where they live.

Persons: Todd Miller, —, Miller, that's, you've, shubhangigoel@businessinsider.com Organizations: Service, Business, Financial Independence, FIRE Locations: Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Phuket, American, Real, Mardi, Nepal, Africa, Cambodia, Vietnam, Europe, Canada, Paris, Uganda, Asia

☆ Andy Sieg is quickly shaking up Citi's wealth business. At least 11 senior execs have left since his arrival.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Citi's wealth unit has seen at least 11 senior execs exit since Merrill Lynch veteran Sieg joined in September. The latest departure is David Bailin, chief investment officer for the global wealth division, who announced his departure on Monday. Sieg's mandate is to turn around the wealth business, which was barely profitable this past quarter. Sieg also plans to expand Citi's already successful wealth business in Asia. At least two other senior Asia executives have left.

Persons: Andy Sieg, Merrill Lynch, Sieg, David Bailin, Bailin, Fraser, Andy, Mark Mason, Shyam Sambamurthy, Merril Lynch, Don Plaus, Hale Behzadi, Citi David, Eduardo Martinez Campos, Keith Lee Hong, Fernando Lopez Munoz, Luigi Pigorni, Jeff Sutton, Eduardo, Seamus Yin, Hayley Cuccinello Organizations: Citi, Business, Bankers, Citi Wealth, Citi Global Wealth, North America, Eduardo Martinez Campos Head, Mark, Mark Mills Regional, Fernando Lopez Munoz Head, Jeff Sutton Global, Eduardo Ventura, West Locations: Asia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Keith Lee Hong Kong, Mark Mills, Shyam Sambamurthy South Asia, America, West China, hcuccinello@businessinsider.com

HONG KONG CNN —India is set to vote in the world’s largest ever general election, setting the stage for a mammoth exercise in democracy with nearly a billion people eligible to head to the polls across just over six weeks. Here is a look at how the world’s most populous country votes in the world’s largest democracy. The number of women registered to vote has increased by 40 million since the previous election in 2019, according to the election commission, while more than 20 million voters between ages 18-29 have been added to the electorate. Voting begins on Friday, April 19, and will continue through June 1, with results announced on June 4. This operation requires some 15 million polling officials and security staff during the election, with some of these election workers traveling via road, boat, camel, train, and helicopters to reach India’s citizens.

Persons: Narendra Modi Organizations: HONG KONG CNN —, European Union Locations: HONG KONG, HONG KONG CNN — India, North America, Lok, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, India’s

☆ Singapore non oil domestic exports plunge 20.7%, misses expectations by a huge margin
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Singapore's non-oil domestic exports plunged 20.7% in March from a year ago, a sharp decline from the revised 0.2% fall in February. The 20.7% fall missed expectations by a huge margin, with economists polled by Reuters forecasting a 7% fall. This is the largest drop in non-oil domestic exports recorded by Singapore since January 2023. On a month-on-month basis, non-oil domestic exports slid 8.4%, also more than the 4.5% expected in the Reuters forecast. Non-oil domestic exports to Singapore's top markets declined in March, particularly for the U.S., the European Union and Japan.

Persons: Singapore's Organizations: Reuters, Enterprise Singapore, European Union, . Enterprise Singapore Locations: Marina, Sands, Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan

☆ Leaked presentation reveals Microsoft's astounding plan to ramp up data center capacity for the AI boom
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Since July 2023, the start of Microsoft's latest fiscal year, the company delivered more than 500 megawatts of new data center capacity, the document revealed. The rise of generative AI and huge foundation models is fueling a new data center boom. Microsoft's 5 gigawatts of installed data center capacity is equivalent to Hong Kong or Portugal's annual energy consumption, according to Shaolei Ren, an electrical and computer engineering professor at UC Riverside. This will require Microsoft to deliver more than 200 megawatts in data center capacity every month. "This is a very large data center capacity."

Persons: Shaolei Ren, Ren Organizations: Microsoft, Business, OpenAI, UC Riverside, BI Locations: Hong Kong

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