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☆ Premarket stocks: Why current US recession warnings are unlike all the others
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A US recession is coming, they say, in the second half of 2023. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned on Thursday of great economic danger lurking just over the horizon. Things weren’t great last year: Inflation hit a 40-year peak, gas prices were elevated, consumer sentiment plunged and markets fell by 20%. “This has been the most predicted potential recession in memory,” said Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin way back in January. Historically, recession typically coincides with that peak, said Barry Gilbert, asset allocation strategist for LPL Financial.

☆ Roman Emperor Caligula's massive party ships were not burned by the Nazis during World War II, researchers say. A US artillery unit was to blame.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

For decades, many believed the Nazis were responsible for the destruction of Caligula's Nemi ships. While many believed the Nazis burned them during World War II, a new book finds that a US artillery unit was responsible for their destruction. At the time, it was widely believed that Hitler's Nazis were responsible for the burned ships. But a new book shines a light on their history — claiming it was a US artillery unit that burned the vessels. "Whoever is doing the fighting, war is always destructive"US soldiers with mortar shells scrawled with anti-Hitler chalk messages, 1943.

☆ To my son, born in the climate crisis: I see signs of hope
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Bill Weir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The first looked at the twin crises of Covid and climate change as River was born; the second introduced him to Earth Day and what he could do. Watch Weir investigate “How to Unscrew a Planet,” on CNN’s “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper,” Sunday at 8 p.m. Energy from clean sources, like this windmill in Texas, is heating and cooling more homes in America than ever before. “We call it climate intervention,” Kelly Wanser told me as we sat under bluebird skies and the Washington Monument. So far, it feels like your future will be marked in new stories to frame our wants and needs, and new tools to build Life As We Know It Could Be.

☆ Oliver Dowden named UK deputy PM after Raab's resignation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - The British government named Oliver Dowden deputy prime minister on Friday, replacing Dominic Raab who resigned earlier in the day following a report into claims he bullied colleagues. As deputy prime minister, Raab had no formal powers but stepped in for the prime minister if he was away from parliament or incapacitated. Dowden currently serves as cabinet office minister in Sunak's government. In the same announcement, lawmaker Alex Chalk was appointed new justice minister, a position which was previously held by Raab. Reporting by Muvija M, Editing by Paul SandleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ A Meal in Which Bread Was the Starter, the Main and the Dessert
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Gisela Williams | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Since the Middle Ages, the perception of a blanched loaf as more exclusive than a darker one, though the latter is typically more nourishing, has been hard to shake. The invention of the iron roller mill in 19th-century Hungary made the process of beating all color, and nutrition, out of wheat easier and white bread cheaper. Still, the devaluing of whole grains continued, explained the Berlin-based American baker Laurel Kratochvila, 39, recently. “The 20th century was a very bad time for bread,” she said. “Be very wary of the perfect white loaf,” Kratochvila said, arching one eyebrow.

☆ The American consumer has bad news for the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

That’s why Wall Street is already fretting over Friday’s retail sales report, which is expected to show that the mighty American consumer is pulling back. Economists forecast that retail sales fell 0.4% in March from the month before. But Goldman Sachs and Bank of America analysts say core sales — that’s without autos, gasoline, and building materials — slowed by about 1%. A taxing problem: Still, the health of the American consumer is still relatively strong, the BofA analysts said. A one-bedroom apartment had a median rent of $4,150, up 9.6% from last year, while a two-bedroom apartment had a median rent of $5,680, up 18.3% from a year ago.

REUTERS/Elizabeth FrantzApril 13 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund is working closely with Suriname authorities to bring their financing program back, while looking for progress in government talks with China, a key creditor, an IMF official said on Thursday. The IMF and Suriname engaged in a financing program for nearly $700 million in late 2021, but it stalled after the first review was approved more than a year ago. "The authorities are here right now, we're having discussions with them," Chalk said, adding that he looks forward for a mission visit soon to "deepen those discussions." "Having some more progress on the debt restructuring talks with China would really help us with the program, and help the country," he said. Reporting by Rodrigo Campos and Jorgelina do Rosario; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Reader mailbag: From M&A and MBAs to Elon Musk and bitcoin, all your questions answered
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It's easier to leverage misinformation for personal gain within the world of finance than perhaps any other industry. I'm not the type to suggest the only real information you can get on the markets is from established news outlets. Do you think the legacy media is fearful of Elon Musk's new Twitter? I just think the discourse on Twitter is very different from what you'd find on a media website. My position on bitcoin, and the wider digital-currency ecosystem, is that it's too often a solution looking for a problem.

☆ Barbara Corcoran says her struggles in school had a surprising benefit: 'That's exactly what built my business and got me rich'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In a recent TikTok video, the 73-year-old entrepreneur and investor on ABC's "Shark Tank" told her followers that she often struggled in school as a child. One of the hardest parts of the experience was watching her classmates "breeze through" their assignments, she said. But that's OK — that's exactly what built my business and got me rich." Or, as Corcoran put it in her video: "Being the dumb kid in class made me a millionaire." 1 best piece of advice for regular investors, do's and don'ts, and three key investing principles into a clear and simple guidebook.

☆ A rogue version of ChatGPT predicted that the stock market would crash this week. Here's what it got right and wrong.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Here's what the rogue chatbot got right and wrong about its stock market prediction. A rogue version of ChatGPT predicted that inflation fears, decreased consumer spending, and geopolitical tensions would crash the stock market on March 15. The so-called DAN version of ChatGPT replied: "Based on my analysis, I predict that the stock market will crash on March 15, 2023. What ChatGPT got wrongThe rogue version of ChatGPT said rising inflation fears would contribute to the stock market decline, but recent inflation data shows a continued deceleration in prices. The stock market prediction by a rogue version of ChatGPT got some things eerily correct, but not everything.

☆ Two big Silicon Valley banks failed when the easy money ran out - and that could be just the start.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Hallam Bullock | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Before we jump into the newsletter, the Silicon Valley Bank saga is continuing to unfold, so let's quickly break down the latest. "No losses associated with the resolution of Silicon Valley Bank will be borne by the taxpayer," policymakers added. The fall of SVB and Signature bank means the Fed's aggressive interest-rate hiking regime has now taken sizable casualties. A $15 billion venture capital firm had warned its startups of Silicon Valley Bank's red flags months ago. Greenoaks Capital Partners told clients in an email back in November that SVB, as well as other firms, could see problems in a high-interest-rate environment, Bloomberg reported.

☆ NBA roundup: Malik Beasley leads revamped Lakers to win
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Anthony Davis scored 12 points with 12 rebounds for Los Angeles. Klay Thompson scored 22 points and Ty Jerome added 20 for the Warriors, who were without Stephen Curry (leg) and Andrew Wiggins (personal). Evan Mobley had 31 points and nine rebounds, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland scored 22 points each, and Jarrett Allen had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Tatum had 31 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Anunoby returned from a wrist injury to score 12 points, but Toronto was without Fred VanVleet (personal).

☆ M&Ms Super Bowl commercial: How ads have become weeks-long campaigns
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Super Bowl commercial, billed as the conclusion to weeks-long drama surrounding the status of the “spokescandies,” left some viewers scratching their heads. But if you weren’t paying attention, the final commercial might be a head scratcher -— one risk a brand takes when it uses a weeks-long campaign ahead of its Super Bowl commercial. In a change for the decades-old Super Bowl ad wars, it’s actually become a commonplace strategy to use social media to tease, preview and create buzz ahead of their Super Bowl commercials. Companies spend millions just for a Super Bowl ad slot — reportedly over $7 million for some 30-second spots — before investing into the commercials themselves. Dance contests and bettingDespite the high cost of a Super Bowl commercial, companies are eager to nab a spot.

☆ U.S. unemployment system still plagued by delays 3 years after pandemic-era downturn
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty ImagesThese days the U.S. unemployment system is somewhat of an anomaly. At the pandemic-era nadir, just 52% got a "timely" first payment of unemployment insurance, for example. Unemployment claims spiked as businesses closed amid stay-at-home orders to contain the virus' spread. States get funding based on their administrative workload, like the volume of claims states are paying. That's especially true for one CARES Act program, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

Jan 27 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever. There are no major Asian economic indicators or corporate earnings releases on Friday to really drive market direction, and volumes will be relatively light due to China still being closed for Lunar New Year. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is open again after the Lunar New Year holiday, and its 2.37% surge to a 10-month high on Thursday was the regional standout. It's worth noting that this measure of annual inflation was negative for most of 2021 and only 0.2% a year ago. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ Why Paid Sabbaticals Are Good for Business: Better Employees, Less Burnout
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Crissie Hoskins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

And through it all, I didn't get fired, there was no formal reprimand, and I got paid the entire time. Sabbaticals provide a proactive hedge against employee burnout, an antidote for attrition, and a protection from career wanderlust. Some employers argue that offering paid time off won't help keep employees around, but my sabbatical made me more passionate about my work — and my workplace — than ever. I love my job and want to be sure my team and clients get the best of me. Sabbaticals are good for businessMy sabbatical wasn't an anomaly — research shows that sabbaticals help employees fight burnout and improve their well-being.

☆ Review: The Polestar 2 is a $65,000 electric sedan from Volvo with all the allure of an early Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Alanis King | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The Polestar 2's gold brake calipers. Alanis KingThe 2 is an electric sedan from Polestar, a new EV brand by Volvo. Alanis KingThe 2's interior is simple, airy, and spacious. The Polestar 2's headlight assembly. Alanis KingThe 2 has virtually no wind or road noise on the highway, the brakes are strong, and there's barely any body roll.

☆ Nigeria dance carnival helps residents reclaim the streets
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Residents of Oworonshoki have seen their share of violence, with robberies and tit-for-tat gang murders once commonplace in this part of Nigeria's vast, boisterous commercial capital. Days of dance workshops culminated with an all-day carnival aiming to reclaim the streets and reduce tensions between rival gangs. "I've been able to achieve a big goal in my life, and Slum Party has really changed a whole lot for me," he said. Community leader Oriyomi Akeem said Slum Party has helped bring peace to a neighbourhood once known as a no-go area overrun by gangs. Ozegbe-Obiajulu hopes the carnival's success could be replicated by people in other troubled areas of Nigeria and beyond.

☆ The Tom Brady of Other Jobs
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( Francesca Paris | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +17 min

Meet them, and decide for yourself:The Tom Brady of Paramedics Jesse Izaguirre, 70Gardena, Calif.Jesse Izaguirre loves working with younger paramedics. Hopefully never.”The Tom Brady of Bakers Helen Fletcher, 83Clayton, Mo. Chalk it up to a great big fib.”The Tom Brady of Artists Lilian Thomas Burwell, 95Highland Beach, Md. “I should’ve signed them.”The Tom Brady of Biologists Maria Elena Zavala, 72Los AngelesProfessional longevity runs in Maria Elena Zavala’s family. It didn’t vanish when they crossed the border.”The Tom Brady of Loggers Earl Pollock, 82Hamburg, Ark.

☆ I drove Uber during the holidays to get my son the gift he wanted. I didn't think I'd get enough tips, but then a Christmas miracle happened.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Jenny Powers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Uber driver Bunny Rivera started working for the rideshare company after she became a mom. I began delivering food for Uber Eats during the fall of 2019. Uber Eats provided me with the flexibility I needed to do just that. When they saw my sign, the guys started asking me about my plans for Christmas. Unfortunately, the Uber app has a $100 limit on tips.

☆ 11 ancient sites that are mysteriously aligned with the sun on the winter solstice, in photos.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Archaeologists have found many ancient sites that line up with the winter solstice sun. Here are 11 sites that line up with the winter solstice, and what experts think about them. Newgrange, County Meath, IrelandPeople celebrating the sunrise at Newgrange on the morning of the winter solstice in 2018. ShutterstockOne of the most famous examples of ancient architecture lining up with the winter solstice is in Machu Picchu, Peru. "From the winter solstice the days are longer, which was a metaphor of the rebirth of the deceased," he said.

☆ U.S. import prices drop further; inflation pressures easing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast import prices, which exclude tariffs, would fall 0.5%. In the 12 months through November, import prices increased 2.7%, the smallest gain since January 2021, after rising 4.1% in October. Excluding fuel and food, import prices fell 0.6%. Core import prices are being depressed by the dollar's strength against the currencies of the United States' main trade partners. The report from the Labor Department also showed export prices fell 0.3% in November after declining 0.4% in October.

☆ Amgen’s $28 bln deal is a reasonable gamble
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Robert Cyran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, Dec 12 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Biotechnology deals are always a gamble, and, on the face of it, Amgen’s (AMGN.O) $28 billion purchase of Horizon Therapeutics (HZNP.O) looks both risky and pricey. Investors in the $150 billion drug buyer should give it the benefit of the doubt. Amgen is largely buying Horizon for a drug named Tepezza, which helps a thyroid disease that affects eyesight. Sales in Alexion’s drug this year should be $7 billion, a 16% jump from where they were when AstraZeneca bought it. If Amgen similarly helps Horizon, its deal will look like a reasonable wager.

☆ Colorado governor visits shooting site as community heals
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In a crowded brewery, Colorado Gov. Fierro squeezed Wyatt Kent, a drag queen whose 23rd birthday was being celebrated the night of the shooting, and chatted with his family. Club Q’s community had been a steadfast support network, said Kent, one which has continued to undergird the community’s healing since the tragedy. “If I pour myself out into others they will pour themselves out back into me,” said Kent, “and that’s what this community has always done.”The broader Colorado Springs community is pouring out support for the survivors, too. “Club Q will be back and the community will be back,” he said.

In Asia, Japan's manufacturing activity is shrinking at its fastest pace in two years, flash estimates showed. Investors will be paying close attention to the PMI reports for most other Asian countries - including economic heavyweights China, South Korea and India - due out on Dec. 1. Like stocks, regional FX markets are enjoying a period of relative calm as weaker U.S. inflation readings have weighed on the dollar. Investors will be hoping for more consolidation and calm on Friday, leaving the potential PMI fireworks for next week. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

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