DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Hong Kong film-makers say censorship law spooks investors, actors
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The day before their Loose Narratives short film festival began in April, censors denied approval for their short film "Wake in Silence", citing "possible seditious intentions". "I consider myself more commercial, but I still hope to have lots of Hong Kong elements in my movies," he said. "We are scared of the disappearance of the culture and arts of Hong Kong," said Ching Wong, who founded Hong Kong Film Festival UK along with director Ng Ka Leung in 2021. "At this moment, the chance of me finding funds in the Hong Kong market and the Hong Kong government seems to be close to zero," film-maker Chow said. ($1=7.82 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting by Jessie Pang; Editing by Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Kiwi Chow, Chow, Kevin Yeung, Rex Ren, David Chan, Ren, Ho, Ching Wong, Ng Ka Leung, Jessie Pang, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Kong's, Film, Association, British, HK, Film Development, Film Development Council, Times, Fresh, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Film, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, Tyrone Siu HONG KONG, Cannes, Hong, Britain, Canada, United States

☆ 10 Things in Tech: Digital nomad regrets, a longevity researcher’s morning routine, and sun activity
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In case you missed it: This is the last week of 10 Things in Tech. The EV company only has six gigafactories across the world: Fremont, California; Sparks, Nevada; Berlin; Shanghai; Austin, Texas; and Buffalo, New York. Each location is outfitted with solar panels, and Musk claims 100 gigafactories could supply the world with all of its energy. My colleague Graham Rapier takes us into the world of Tesla's gigafactories and breaks down what their futures could look like. In a world of remote work, they're trying to pay people the least amount of money to get work done (think freelancers and contractors).

Persons: I'm, Siu, let's, Elon Musk, Graham Rapier, gigafactories, Tyler Le, Allbirds, M0.0nshot, Gigi Chow, Elon Musk's, Walter Isaacson, it's, David Sinclair, Lewis Joly, cardiologists, Eid Mubarak, Diamond Naga Siu, Alistair Barr, Hallam Bullock Organizations: it's, EV, Employers, Paris Air, Storm Shadow, Interactive Entertainment, Tencent Locations: Tech, Fremont , California, Sparks , Nevada, Berlin, Shanghai, Austin , Texas, Buffalo , New York, Silicon, San Francisco, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Harvard, Le Bourget, Paris, France, Ukraine, New York, Florida, Barcelona, Spain, San Diego, Silicon Valley, London

Since its introduction less than a year ago, ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence platform that can write essays, solve math problems and write computer code, has sparked an anguished debate in the world of education. Is it a useful research tool or an irresistible license to cheat? Stella Tan, a producer on The Daily, speaks to teachers and students as they finish their first semester with ChatGPT about how it is changing the classroom.

Persons: Stella Tan

☆ Toronto elects Olivia Chow as first Chinese-Canadian mayor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Sam Jabri-Pickett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TORONTO, June 26 (Reuters) - Olivia Chow became the first Chinese-Canadian to be elected as mayor of Toronto, Canada's biggest city, on Monday, pledging to support renters, champion social causes, and reduce the sweeping powers of her office. Chow secured 37.2% vote, according to preliminary results, ahead of her nearest rival Ana Bailao, former deputy mayor. Chow, 66, will be the first woman to serve as mayor since Barbara Hall in 1997. Chow takes over as mayor after the resignation of John Tory, conservative-leaning mayor who won his third election last October. Tory had endorsed his former deputy Bailao, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford had endorsed former Toronto Chief of Police Mark Saunders.

Persons: Olivia Chow, Chow, Ana Bailao, Jack Layton, Barbara Hall, John Tory, Tory, Bailao, Doug Ford, Police Mark Saunders, Ford, Sam Jabri, Rosalba O'Brien, Michael Perry Organizations: TORONTO, New Democratic Party, University of Guelph, Tory, Ontario, Toronto, Police, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Canada's, Ottawa, Hong Kong, Canada

☆ I left a troubled San Francisco for Croatia and regret it. My hometown's problems keep getting worse, but Dubrovnik has its downsides too.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Ashley Couto | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

She and her partner didn't want to move home to San Francisco long term because of rising crime. In 2016, I quit my job as a manager at a government agency in San Francisco to go traveling. San Francisco is not what it used to beI grew up in San Francisco, and that's where my family lives. You can't avoid homelessness anywhere, but the homelessness problem in San Francisco has become overwhelming. After we got married, we traveled to South America for eight months before I returned to San Francisco to visit my parents.

Persons: Gigi Chow, didn't, —, we'd, There's, Croatia We'd, Expats, you'll, I'm, It's, Roger, I'd Organizations: Service, Food Locations: San Francisco, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Europe, Asia, America, Barcelona, Spain, South America, Adriatic, It's, Francisco, California, Thailand, East Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Reuters) - Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) believes market fundamentals remain "sound" for the second half as demand from emerging markets led by China and India will offset recession risk in developed markets, CEO Amin Nasser told an industry gathering on Monday. "Overall, we believe that oil market fundamentals remain generally sound for the rest of the year," said Nasser, who heads the world's largest oil company. "Despite the recession risks in several OECD countries, the economies of developing countries – especially China and India – are driving healthy oil demand growth of more than 2 million barrels per day this year," he told the conference. Although China faces economic headwinds, the transport and petrochemical sectors are still showing signs of demand growth, he added. Looking ahead, Vitol said oil demand could peak around 2030.

Persons: Amin Nasser, Nasser, Daniel Yergin, Russell Hardy, Sazali Hamzah, Petronas, Vitol, Hardy, Muyu Xu, Florence Tan, Christopher Cushing, Himani Sarkar, Conor Humphries Organizations: Saudi Aramco, Energy Asia, Petronas, Brent, Organization of, Petroleum, P Global, Vitol, EV, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Saudi, China, India, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia

☆ Indonesia's Pertamina, Malaysia's Petronas aim to take over Shell's Masela stake
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Reuters) - Indonesia's state energy company Pertamina and Malaysia's Petroliam Nasional (Petronas) plan to jointly take over Shell's participating interest in the Masela gas project, Indonesia's energy minister said on Monday. Shell currently has 35% of the shares in the project and authorities are keen for the companies to complete the deal to move the project forward after years of delay. "They are both doing the negotiation," the minister, Arifin Tasrif, told Reuters, referring to Pertamina and Petronas. "They have to finalise what kind of joint scheme they are preparing," he said on the sidelines of an Energy Asia conference. Reporting by Emily Chow, Writing by Fransiska Nangoy Editing by Shri Navaratnam, Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shell, Arifin Tasrif, Emily Chow, Fransiska, Shri Navaratnam, Robert Birsel Organizations: Petronas, Reuters, Energy, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Petroliam Nasional, Energy Asia

An armed rebellion in Russia over the weekend stunned the world and amounted to the single biggest challenge to President Vladimir V. Putin’s rule since he came to power 23 years ago. Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times, talks about the man who led the revolt, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, and about what might happen next.

Persons: Vladimir V, Anton Troianovski, Yevgeny V Organizations: The New York Times Locations: Russia, Moscow

A few days ago, when passengers set off on a deep sea expedition in the Atlantic Ocean, they were aboard a vessel that many experts had already concluded was dangerously designed. William Broad, a science correspondent for The Times, explains why he was worried from the start.

Persons: William Broad Organizations: The Times

Rapid inflation has been a problem in the United States for more than two years, but the tide appears to be turning. Monthly inflation is now less than half of what it was last summer. Jeanna Smialek, who covers the Federal Reserve and the U.S. economy for The Times, discusses whether the decline is a result of careful policymaking, or more of a lucky accident.

Persons: Jeanna Smialek Organizations: Federal Reserve, The Times Locations: United States, U.S

Where can a Chinese buyer purchase top-end Nvidia (NVDA.O) AI chips in the wake of U.S. sanctions? A model similar to OpenAI's GPT would require more than 30,000 Nvidia A100 cards, according to research firm TrendForce. Nvidia's more advanced H100 chips, only on the market since March, appear much harder to come by. He added the premiums currently commanded by Chinese vendors for A100 and H100 chips could collapse in the future as many of the Chinese AI startups that were driving purchases would eventually withdraw from the market. ($1 = 7.8307 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting by Josh Ye in Hong Kong, David Kirton in Shenzhen and Chen Lin in Singapore; Additional reporting by Fanny Potkin in Singapore; Editing by Brenda Goh and Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden's, OpenAI's, Ivan Lau, Hong, ByteDance, Vinci Chow, Charlie Chai, Josh Ye, David Kirton, Chen Lin, Fanny Potkin, Brenda Goh, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Nvidia, SEG, Reuters, supercomputing, HK, U.S . Department of Commerce, China's, Information, Tencent Holdings, Taobao, Chinese University of Hong, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, SHENZHEN, China, U.S, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan, Singapore, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shanghai

Companies NK Rosneft' PAO FollowJune 19 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Monday as questions over China's economy outweighed OPEC+ output cuts and the seventh straight drop in the number of oil and gas rigs operating in the United States. "(China's) economy is navigating through powerful headwinds," said PVM oil analyst Tamas Varga. In recent weeks global road traffic has been declining, said Jorge Leon, Rystad Energy's senior vice president, which may also point to slowing growth and drag on oil prices. Iran's crude exports and oil output have hit record highs in 2023 despite U.S. sanctions, according to consultants, shipping data and a source close to the matter, adding to global supply when other producers are limiting output. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia this month agreed on a new oil output deal and the group's biggest producer, Saudi Arabia, also pledged to make a deep cut to its output in July.

Persons: Brent, Tamas Varga, Jorge Leon, Rystad Energy's, Leon, Nia Williams, Ahmad Ghaddar, Katya Golubkova, Emily Chow, David Goodman, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: NK Rosneft, West Texas, of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, China, Europe, Russia, Saudi Arabia, British Columbia, London, Tokyo, Singapore

☆ Oil falls on China growth uncertainties
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Ahmad Ghaddar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies NK Rosneft' PAO FollowLONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Monday as questions over China's economy outweighed OPEC+ output cuts and the seventh straight drop in the number of oil and gas rigs operating in the United States. Brent crude fell 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $76.44 a barrel by 0944 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude lost 31 cents, or 0.4%, to $71.47. "(China's) economy is navigating through powerful headwinds," said PVM oil analyst Tamas Varga. The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by eight to 687 in the week to June 16 for the lowest total since April 2022. , , . Iran's crude exports and oil output have hit record highs in 2023 despite U.S. sanctions, according to consultants, shipping data and a source close to the matter, adding to global supply when other producers are limiting output.

Persons: Brent, Tamas Varga, Ahmad Ghaddar, Katya Golubkova, Emily Chow, David Goodman Organizations: NK Rosneft, West Texas, Reuters, of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: United States, China, U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tokyo, Singapore

A number of major banks have cut their 2023 gross domestic product growth forecasts for China after May data last week showed the post-COVID recovery in the world's second-largest economy was faltering. The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by 8 to 687 in the week to June 16, lowest since April 2022. , , . Earlier this month, OPEC+ had agreed on a new oil output deal. The group's biggest producer Saudi Arabia also pledged to make a deep cut to its output in July. Reporting by Katya Golubkova in Tokyo and Emily Chow in Singapore; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brent, Tina Teng, PBOC, Edward Moya, Moya, Igor Sechin, Sechin, Katya Golubkova, Emily Chow, Tom Hogue Organizations: NK Rosneft, U.S, West Texas, People's Bank of China's, CMC Markets, Reuters, of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, United States, China, U.S, Russia, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Tokyo, Singapore

Last week, golf’s premier circuit, the PGA Tour, announced it was partnering with its rival circuit LIV Golf, an upstart league backed by Saudi Arabia, giving the country a powerful new seat at the table of international sports. Alan Blinder, who covers golf for The New York Times, explains what was behind the deal and what it means for the business of sports.

Persons: LIV, Alan Blinder Organizations: PGA Tour, The New York Times Locations: Saudi Arabia

Donald Trump was arraigned in Miami yesterday on 37 criminal counts covering seven different violations of federal law, including the handling of classified documents. Three New York Times journalists covered the proceedings: Glenn Thrush was inside the courtroom, Luke Broadwater reported from outside the courthouse, and Maggie Haberman was at Mr. Trump’s home in Bedminster, N.J.

Persons: Donald Trump, Glenn Thrush, Luke Broadwater, Maggie Haberman, Trump’s Organizations: New York Times Locations: Miami, Bedminster, N.J

Companies United States of America FollowJune 13 (Reuters) - Oil prices traded up on Tuesday on bargain hunting, recovering some ground from the previous day's plunge, but gains were limited as investors remained cautious ahead of key policy decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks. Oil prices could fall further because of China's faltering economic recovery, he added, predicting WTI would trade in the range of $62.50 to $75 a barrel during the summer, but mainly below $70 a barrel. Most market participants expect the U.S. central bank to leave interest rates unchanged at its policy meeting. The Fed's rate hikes have strengthened the greenback, making dollar-denominated commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies and weighing on prices. "In our view, the latest fall in oil prices increases the probability Saudi Arabia will at least extend supply cuts currently in place for July," said National Australia Bank analysts in a note.

Persons: Tatsufumi Okoshi, Nomura's Okoshi, Yuka Obayashi, Emily Chow, Jamie Freed, Sonali Paul Organizations: U.S . Federal Reserve, . West Texas, Nomura Securities, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, of Petroleum Exporting, International Energy Agency, National Australia Bank, Thomson Locations: States, America, Saudi Arabia, U.S, China, Saudi, Tokyo, Singapore

☆ Sock-It-to-Me Cake for Your Summer Celebrations
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Melissa Clark | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Also on Millie’s lovely menu — fit for any summer celebration — is a sticky, savory, caramelized baked chicken with hibiscus barbecue sauce that singes at the edges in the oven. Millie pairs the chicken with hush puppies made from a buttermilk cornmeal batter, and a tangy-sweet chow chow that swaps in watermelon for the usual summer vegetables. But that’s not the only neat thing about Millie’s chow chow. The recipe makes more syrup than you need, so save the extra for stirring into cocktails and seltzer, or drizzling over strawberries and raspberries. Sporting a filling enhanced with fresh ginger and a crust spiked with cracked pepper, this summer classic walks the line between savory and sweet.

Persons: chow chow, that’s, seltzer, Nicole Organizations: Sporting

Donald Trump is facing seven federal criminal charges. They relate to his handling of classified material upon leaving office and then obstructing the government’s efforts to reclaim them. Michael S. Schmidt, who covers national security and federal investigations for The Times, talks about what this will mean for Mr. Trump, and for President Biden, whose administration will now be prosecuting his biggest potential rival for the White House.

Persons: Donald Trump, Michael S, Schmidt, Trump, Biden Organizations: The Times, White

☆ Oil rises on Saudi plan to deepen output cuts from July
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Noah Browning | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] General view of Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia May 21, 2018. Both contracts extended gains of more than 2% on Friday after the Saudi energy ministry said the kingdom's output would drop to 9 million bpd in July from about 10 million bpd in May. Consultancy Rystad Energy said the additional Saudi cut is likely to deepen the market deficit to more than 3 million bpd in July, which could push prices higher in the coming weeks. "The immediate market impact of this Saudi cut is likely lower, as drawing inventories takes time, and the market likely already put some meaningful probability on a cut today," the bank's analysts added. In contrast, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was allowed to raise output targets by 200,000 bpd to 3.22 million bpd to reflect its larger production capacity.

Persons: Ahmed Jadallah, Brent, WTI, keener, Suvro Sarkar, Bjarne Schieldrop, Goldman Sachs, Noah Browning, Florence Tan, Emily Chow, David Goodman Organizations: REUTERS, Saudi, Brent, . West Texas, Saudi Arabia's, Organization of, Petroleum, DBS Bank, OPEC, Rystad Energy, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Arabia, Russia, Nigeria, Angola, UAE

HONG KONG/TAIPEI, June 4 (Reuters) - Hong Kong police said on Sunday they had detained eight people near a park, four of them for "seditious intention and disorderly conduct", as authorities tightened security on the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Restrictions in Hong Kong have stifled what were once the biggest vigils marking the bloody crackdown by Chinese troops on pro-democracy demonstrators, leaving cities like London, New York, Berlin and Taipei to keep alive the memory on the June 4 anniversary. The eight people were detained near Victoria Park, where for years after 1989 democracy activists gathered on the Tiananmen Square anniversary. Security is significantly tighter across Hong Kong this year, with up to 6,000 police officers deployed, including riot and anti-terrorism officers, the public broadcaster said. Jailed Hong Kong activist Chow Hang-tung, one of the leaders of a group called The Alliance, which used to organise Hong Kong's annual June 4 vigils before it was disbanded in 2021, said on Facebook she would hold a 34-hour hunger strike in prison.

Persons: Sanmu Chan, Hongkongers don’t, Hong, Chow, Mao Ning, William Lai, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel Organizations: Hong Kong, Reuters, Police, The, Hong, Facebook, Foreign, Democratic Progressive, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, TAIPEI, Hong, Hong Kong, London , New York, Berlin, Taipei, North America, Europe, Asia, Victoria Park, China, Beijing, Taiwan

HONG KONG/TAIPEI, June 4 (Reuters) - Hong Kong police searched and detained scores of people on Sunday, including four arrested for "seditious" intent, as authorities tightened security for the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. [1/6] Police detain a woman with paper flowers in downtown on the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Beijing's Tiananmen Square crackdown, near where the candlelight vigil is usually held, in Hong Kong, China June 4, 2023. 'CLEAR CONCLUSION'Despite the warnings in Hong Kong, some individuals, including book shop owners, have been quietly marking June 4. Peggy Kwan, 57, an interpreter at the event, expressed sadness at the stifling of commemorations in Hong Kong. "Hong Kong is moving backward," she said.

Persons: Alexandra Wong, Chris, Tyrone Siu, Hong, Chow, Mao Ning, Peggy Kwan, William Lai, Yew Lun Tian, Joyce Zhou, Angie Teo, James Redmayne, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel, Nick Macfie Organizations: Hong Kong, Britain, Police, REUTERS, New, Rights, The, Facebook, Foreign, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, Town, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, TAIPEI, Hong, Hong Kong, Taipei, London , New York, Berlin, Victoria, China, Kong, Beijing, Tiananmen, New York, Taiwan, Sydney, North America, Europe, Asia

In recent years, well-paid and college-educated Americans have shed major cities like New York, San Francisco and Washington for places like Philadelphia or Birmingham, Ala.Emily Badger, who writes about cities and urban policy for The Upshot at The New York Times, explains what is driving the change, and what it means for the future of the American city.

Persons: Emily Badger Organizations: The New York Times Locations: New York, San Francisco, Washington, Philadelphia, Birmingham, Ala, American

☆ 11 slang terms you'll only hear in prison, according to correctional officers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Jenny Powers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Insider spoke to former correctional officers about the slang terms used to do their jobs. Correctional officers, like professionals in a variety of industries and fields, use specific terminology to describe their on-the-job routine and duties. It's also crucial for prison officers to have an understanding of the lingo used by inmates. Insider spoke to several former officers who shared some of the slang terms used within the confines of prison walls — along with their definitions. Bean hole/Bean slotA bean hole — also known as a bean slot — is the metal opening in the prison cell door.

Persons: it's, —, It's, Vargas, they're, Ralph Ortiz, We'd, Vargas D, Bean, chow, Bobby M, Ortiz, they've Organizations: Service, Correctional Locations: —, Rikers

As the world begins to experiment with the power of artificial intelligence, a debate has begun about how to contain its risks. One of the sharpest and most urgent warnings has come from a man who helped invent the technology. Cade Metz, a technology correspondent for The New York Times, speaks to Geoffrey Hinton, whom many consider to be the godfather of A.I.

Search resuls for: "Chow"

25 mentions found