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☆ She worked at some of Singapore's best Michelin-starred restaurants. Now, she runs a fine dining place out of her 1000-square-foot public housing apartment.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementPristina Mok has worked at some of Singapore's top Michelin-star restaurants like Odette and Zen. After a few years at Odette, she worked at Zen, a three-Michelin-star restaurant serving Nordic dishes with Asian influences. Fine dining, apartment-styleMok's cozy fine dining restaurant seats eight guests three times a week. Aditi BharadeUpon entering Fragment, guests are often greeted by Pebble, Mok's poodle. AdvertisementScaling down has its drawbacksWhile her husband helps her plate and serve the dishes, Mok handles most of the workload.

Persons: Pristina Mok, Odette, Aditi Bharade, Mok, Lionel Lim, Aditi Bharade Mok, —, hadn't Organizations: Michelin, National Gallery of Singapore, Zen, Raffles Locations: Pristina, Mok's, Hokkaido

☆ She worked at some of Singapore's top Michelin restaurants. Now, she runs a fine-dining place out of her public housing apartment.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementPristina Mok has worked at some of Singapore's top Michelin-star restaurants, like Odette and Zen. After a few years at Odette, she worked at Zen, a three-Michelin-star restaurant serving Nordic dishes with Asian influences. Fine dining, apartment-styleMok's cozy fine dining restaurant seats eight guests three times a week. Aditi BharadeUpon entering Fragment, guests are often greeted by Pebble, Mok's poodle. AdvertisementScaling down has its drawbacksWhile her husband helps her plate and serve the dishes, Mok handles most of the workload.

Persons: Pristina Mok, Odette, Mok, Aditi Bharade, Lionel Lim, Aditi Bharade Mok, —, hadn't Organizations: Michelin, National Gallery of Singapore, Zen, Raffles Locations: Pristina, Mok's, Singapore, Hokkaido

☆ TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ headed for ESPN and ABC after Warner Bros. Discovery settlement
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Alex Sherman | Alex Sherman Covers Media For Cnbc. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. The settlement with Warner Bros. Discovery, announced Monday, as well as a separate agreement between Warner Bros. The agreement also extends a partnership between NBA Digital and TNT Sports for five seasons that allows the NBA to engage Warner Bros.

Persons: —, Comcast’s, Turner, ”, Ernie Johnson Jr, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, “, Adam Silver, Max, Hulu, Venu that’s, David Zaslav, Silver Organizations: Warner Bros, Discovery, National Basketball Association, Warner Bros . Discovery, NBA, — Disney, Amazon, WNBA, CNBC, ESPN, Turner Sports, TNT, Disney, Comcast, TNT Sports, Nordic, NBA Digital, ABC, College Football, Warner Brothers Discovery Locations: U.S, Poland, Latin America, Brazil, Mexico

☆ NBA, Warner Bros. Discovery agree to settle lawsuit over live game rights
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Alex Sherman | In Alex-Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Discovery sued the NBA in July, claiming the league failed to allow the media company to use its so-called matching rights on a package of live games. The agreement also extends a partnership between NBA Digital and TNT Sports for five seasons that allows the NBA to engage Warner Bros. The league isn't paying Warner Bros.

Persons: —, Comcast's, Turner Organizations: Warner Bros, Discovery, National Basketball Association, Warner Bros . Discovery, NBA, — Disney, Amazon, WNBA, CNBC, ESPN, Turner Sports, TNT, Disney, Comcast, TNT Sports, Nordic, NBA Digital Locations: U.S, Poland, Latin America, Brazil, Mexico

☆ Mystery fault takes undersea internet cable between Germany and Finland out of service
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An unexplained fault in an undersea telecommunications cable linking Finland and Germany has disrupted communication services, the company that runs the link said Monday. The C-Lion1 cable that connects Helsinki to Rostock in Germany was built and is operated by Cinia, a state-controlled Finnish company. It is unclear what caused the fault – Cinia said in a statement that it is still investigating the issue. However, the malfunction comes just weeks after the United States warned that it had detected increased Russian military activity around key undersea cables. A repair vessel is ready to go to the site of the fault, Cinia said, according to Finland’s public broadcaster, YLE.

Persons: Cinia Organizations: CNN, Cinia, YLE Locations: Finland, Germany, Helsinki, Rostock, Europe, States, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway

☆ NATO members Sweden and Finland advise citizens on how to survive war
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Sana Noor Haq | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Sweden and Finland have updated guidance to their citizens on how to survive war, as NATO allies bolster defense measures against the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict. Many European countries have since ramped up military spending to bolster long-term security in the region. Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common. Finland’s Ministry of the Interior also issued new crisis guidance on Monday, giving readers advice on how to prepare for long power cuts, water outages, telecommunications disruptions, extreme weather events, and military conflict. Earlier this year, Norway and Denmark – two other members of the 32-party bloc – distributed updated wartime guidance on how people should prepare for potential crises.

Persons: krisen eller, kommer, ”, “ Organizations: CNN —, NATO, Nordic, Swedish Civil, Agency, Finland’s Ministry, Denmark – Locations: CNN — Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Russia, Swedish, Finland’s, Norway, Denmark

☆ I built a 'tiny house' Airbnb hotel and sold it for $7 million. Here's why I decided to walk away when I did.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I sold the property, called Live Oak Lake, for $7 million in October 2023. Part of the reason I considered selling Live Oak Lake was because of the stress of running it. We listed Live Oak Lake for sale in the summer of 2022. AdvertisementSelling the property has alleviated my stressI think I sold Live Oak Lake at the right time. AdvertisementThe Live Oak Lake project was an amazing project, a baptism by fire in the realms of real estate, marketing, and hospitality.

Persons: Isaac French, Instagram Organizations: influencers, Business Locations: Texas, Nordic, Waco, Zillow, Instagram

☆ A fluffy, $85 toy is taking Asia by storm and sparking legions of knockoffs. Inside the meteoric rise of Labubu.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Aditi Bharade | Erin Liam | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The Labubu and Pop Mart phenomenonLabubu dolls at the opening of a Pop Mart store in Bangkok. AdvertisementIn a statement to BI, a representative from Pop Mart said that Labubu has gained a strong global fan base. Advertisement"There's a bit of a 'FOMO' feeling," said Sim, 31, who owns around six Labubu toys. She has around 17 Labubu toys and said she spent over $10,000 on them. Once, she even camped outside a Pop Mart store for the latest drop.

Persons: —, Grace Lee, Lee, ─, Joey Khong, Khong, Bangkok . Sun Weitong, Lung, it's restocked, Tony Lee, Mart doesn't, Taobao, Erin Liam, Lisa, Juda, Kanaprach, Gen Zers, They're, Labubu, It's, Sim Pei Yi, Sim, Ana Gonzales, she's, Gonzales, Tracy Hsu, Lisa —, Hsu Organizations: Service, Getty, Business, Pop, Pop Mart, Daxue Consulting, Southeast, Insight, Singapore, Mart Locations: Asia, Bangkok . Sun, Xinhua, Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, Pop, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, China, Philippines, New Jersey, California, Canada

☆ Scientists warn that a key Atlantic current could collapse, among other climate tipping points
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Evan Bush | Evan Bush Is A Science Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Among other findings, it warns that several key climate tipping points appear more likely to be reached than previously thought. Ice loss from the Thwaites Glacier, also known as the “Doomsday” glacier because its collapse could precipitate rapid Antarctic ice loss, may be unstoppable. These are just a few of the stark findings from more than 50 leading snow and ice scientists, which are detailed in a new report from the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative. The report highlights a shift in consensus: Scientists once thought tipping points — like the collapse of AMOC — were distant or remote possibilities. Even if they were on track, those commitments are insufficient to reach global climate goals, the authors say.

Persons: it’s, ”, Helen Findlay, “, AMOC, Julie Brigham, We’ve, Sean Gallup, ” Findlay, Mukhtar Babayev, Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Peter Neff, there’s, ” Neff Organizations: Initiative, Southern Hemisphere, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Copernicus, ESA, United Nations, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Getty, ”, University of Minnesota Locations: Venezuela, Atlantic, Europe, England, Iceland, Alaska, Asia, Baku, Azerbaijan, Paris, Ilulissat, Greenland, U.S

☆ Minimal: The world’s only Michelin-starred ice cream shop
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Maggie Hiufu Wong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Minimal, in the city of Taichung, is the world’s first and only ice cream establishment to receive a Michelin star. One thing was certain — he needed to build his own ice cream shop, a move his colleagues at Sur- fully supported. “Similar to ice cream, it goes through a very complex calculation and planning process to obtain such a state and taste.”Minimal's takeaway ice cream shop sits on the ground floor. MINIMALOn the ground floor is a takeaway ice cream shop offering six whimsical flavors that are continuously updated. “I hope that with Minimal, grown-ups can rediscover the joy of eating ice again – as if it was their first ice cream experience.”Minimal, No.

Persons: ”, “, Wan, Arvin Wan, Angelica morii, Ginger, Arvin Won, ” Wan, qing bing Organizations: CNN, Michelin, Lane Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Sur, Roselle, Cream, Wan, Meicun Rd, West District, Taichung City

☆ White supremacist planned to blow up electricity station using drone laden with explosives, U.S says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Patrick-Smith-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Patrick Smith | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

A white supremacist is accused of trying to destroy an electricity substation in Tennessee in an attempt to bring down the regional power network and disrupt American society, authorities said Monday. The theory was popularized by manifestos left by perpetrators in a number of high-profile neo-Nazi and white supremacist terrorist incidents, including the killing of 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019. Philippi drove to an electricity substation, along with undercover FBI agents, to carry out reconnaissance, the bureau said. While driving, he ordered C-4 explosives from the undercover agents, and at a later date he bought black powder intended to be used in pipe bombs. Philippi was arrested on Nov. 2 by undercover agents acting as co-conspirators who had agreed to be lookouts.

Persons: Skyler Philippi, Philippi, Lisa Monaco, Christopher Wray, Odin, Adolf Hitler's Organizations: Justice Department, Justice, FBI, NBC News Locations: Tennessee, Columbia , Tennessee, Nashville, Christchurch , New Zealand, Columbia, Philippi

American policy is at a crossroads, but that won’t necessarily translate to a turning point in peace negotiations, analysts say. That’s because nothing suggests Russia is ready to come to the table, regardless of who ends up in the White House. The scope of the war is also too large for a simple negotiation between Moscow and Kyiv, experts say. Attritional war playing into Putin’s handsUkraine is already outmanned, and Putin appears ready to accept a high number of casualties. European nations are scrambling to increase ammunition production for Ukraine to prevent backsliding, in the event that US support drops off.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky’s, ”, Kamala Harris, Biden, Donald Trump, JD Vance, Trump, Thomas Graham, Putin, ” Graham, … Putin, John Lough, what’s, ” Lough, Oleh Shiryaev, Ivan Antypenko, that’s, “, Vitaliy Milovidov, don’t, Volodymyr Zelensky, Micah Garen, Harris, Zelensky Organizations: CNN, Council, Foreign Relations, NATO, West, Eurasia Program, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Separate Assault, Reuters, Security Service, Ukraine’s, National Security Council, 15th Brigade National Guard, Russian, Nordic Locations: Russia, Kyiv, United States, Ukraine, Russian, Hungary, Slovakia, Moscow, London, China, Beijing, Kursk, Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Iceland, ” Chatham, Bucha

☆ Some wealthy travelers are replacing their hot summer trips with 'coolcations'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Some luxury travel agents say more vacationers are seeking summer trips to cooler climates. In the summer of 2024, a growing number of travelers flocked to Greece as the country was experiencing deadly heatwaves and fires. Wealthy travelers are seeking out chill summersSome western European destinations like Iceland experienced a cooler-than-average summer. Roth has planned summer trips to the latter. AdvertisementA growing number of travelers are pushing their "Euro summer" trips to the fall to beat peak summer crowds and temperatures.

Persons: —, Spain —, Angelos Tzortzinis, Jackie Roth, Scott Dunn, Roth, Noppasin, Julie Durso, Melissa Biggs Bradley, Alexander Spatari, Sergio Pitamitz, Belles, Kent, Stefano Zaccaria, Patrick Quayle Organizations: Service, Eiffel, Getty, Scott Dunn Private, Airlines, New Jersey's Newark Liberty International, United Airlines Locations: Iceland, Norway, Finland, Europe, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Canada, Rome, Paris, Scandinavia, Maui, Hawaii, Ireland, France, Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Faroe Islands, Faroe, Sweden, Denmark, New, Nuuk, Greenland's, Madrid, Greenland

☆ Liam Neeson says he's done dating, 15 years after the death of his wife Natasha Richardson
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Caralynn Matassa | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Neeson was married to Natasha Richardson until her death in 2009. In a new interview with People Magazine, published Wednesday, the 72-year-old "Love Actually" star was asked whether he's currently dating. Neeson, who stars in the upcoming movie "Absolution," was previously married to fellow actor Natasha Richardson. Scott Gries/Getty ImagesAfter Richardson's death, Neeson dated Freya St. Johnston, a PR executive based in the UK, for two years. But according to Neeson, he's simply starting to feel too old for these types of roles.

Persons: Liam Neeson, Neeson, Natasha Richardson, he's, —, Liam Neeson isn't, Daniel, Richardson, Tony, Scott Gries, Freya St, Johnston, Neeson hasn't, Pamela Anderson, Patricia Cornwell Organizations: Service, People Magazine Locations: Melbourne

☆ I raised my kids in Denmark. When we returned to the US, they were far more independent than their American peers.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The family was shocked and disappointed by the coddling of kids when they returned to the US. She was featured in "The Danish Secret to Happy Kids," a new book that champions Nordic parenting. It was a complete 180 from our experience in Denmark, where the kids understood to be careful. The children set the table and helped themselves from a big dish in the middle. But we're grateful we had the chance to raise our children in Denmark — at least for a while.

Persons: Becca Itkowitz, —, I, It's, Max, we'd, Evan, I'd Organizations: Service, Nordic, Business, Denmark — Locations: Denmark, Illinois

☆ ChatGPT can be tricked into telling people how to commit crimes, a tech firm finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —ChatGPT can be duped into providing detailed advice on how to commit crimes ranging from money laundering to the export of weapons to sanctioned countries, a tech startup found, raising questions over the chatbot’s safeguards against its use to aid illegal activity. Norwegian firm Strise ran experiments asking ChatGPT for tips on committing specific crimes. And in another experiment, run earlier this month, ChatGPT produced lists of methods to help businesses evade sanctions, such as those against Russia, including bans on certain cross-border payments and the sale of arms. Strise sells software that helps banks and other companies combat money laundering, identify sanctioned individuals and tackle other risks. “It’s like having a corrupt financial adviser on your desktop,” Rødevand said on the company’s podcast last month, describing the money laundering experiment.

Persons: London CNN —, Strise, ChatGPT, Handelsbanken, Marit Rødevand, Strise’s, ”, OpenAI, “, Rødevand, “ We’re, Europol, Olesya Dmitracova Organizations: London CNN, Strise, CNN, Russia Locations: Russia, Nordic, Norway

☆ Hong Kong gets two more giant pandas as Finland says it can’t afford its own bears
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG — Pandas An An and Ke Ke, a gift from Beijing to Hong Kong, arrived in the Chinese territory on Thursday to much fanfare, two days after Finland said it would return its own pair over mounting debts. Hong Kong officials welcomed the giant pandas at the city’s international airport with a red carpet on the tarmac and panda toys. The Sichuan-born male and female will increase the total number of pandas to six, the highest ever in the financial hub. Hong Kong leader John Lee said the pandas would soon receive new names through a public contest organized by the government. An An and Ke Ke’s arrival comes just after resident giant panda Ying Ying gave birth to twin cubs ahead of her 19th birthday.

Persons: Ke Ke, John Lee, Ying Ying, Xi Jinping, Jin Baobao, Roni Rekomaa, Ahtari, Risto Sivonen, Sivonen, ” Sivonen Organizations: HONG KONG —, Workers, Reuters, Nordic, Getty, Ahtari Zoo, Embassy Locations: HONG KONG, Beijing, Hong Kong, Finland, Sichuan, Guangdong Province, An, China, People’s Republic of China, Ahtari, AFP, Helsinki

In a Telegram post late Tuesday, Zelenskyy said he had “discussed the implementation of the peace formula” with Erdoğan. But the Turkish leader appeared to dash any hopes of a fast-track to NATO membership in his interview with NBC News. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaking to NBC News' Chief International Correspondent Kier Simmons in New York on Tuesday. Erdoğan linked Sweden’s NATO membership to the U.S. Congress’ approval of a Turkish request to purchase 40 new F-16 fighter jets and kits to modernize the country’s fleet. “Unfortunately, many Western countries remain silent in the face of Israel, and they never took a stance against Israel,” Erdoğan said, adding: “Amongst the NATO allies, unfortunately, there are many countries siding with Israel.

Persons: ”, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Erdoğan, don’t, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Joe Biden, Staff Andrii Yermak, Zelenskyy, “, Kier Simmons, Natasha Lebedeva, ” Erdoğan, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ali Jadallah, ” Biden Organizations: NATO, NBC News, United Nations General Assembly, Staff, Telegram, International, NBC, U.S . Congress, Israeli, Israel, Awda, Getty Images Health, America’s Locations: Russia, New York, Ukraine, Sweden, Finland, Turkey, Syria, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Moscow, Washington, Gaza, Al, Gaza City, Anadolu, Israel, United States, U.S

☆ Finland zoo to send giant pandas back to China because they’re too expensive to keep
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Alex Stambaugh | Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Helsinki, Finland — Finland will return two giant pandas to China in November, more than eight years ahead of time, as the zoo where they live can no longer afford their upkeep, the chair of the zoo’s board told Reuters on Tuesday. Since its founding in 1949, the People’s Republic of China has sent pandas to foreign zoos to strengthen trading ties, cement foreign relations and boost its international image. The Finnish agreement was for a stay of 15 years, but instead the pandas will soon go into a month-long quarantine before they are shipped back to China, according to Ahtari Zoo, the pandas’ current home. The pandas will soon go into a month-long quarantine before they are shipped back to China. Lehtikuva/Roni Rekomaa/ReutersRising inflation had added to the costs, the zoo said, and Finland’s government in 2023 rejected pleas for state funding.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Ahtari, Risto Sivonen, Roni Rekomaa, Sivonen, ” Sivonen Organizations: Finland —, Reuters, Nordic, Ahtari Zoo Locations: Helsinki, Finland, Finland — Finland, China, People’s Republic of China

☆ Microsoft's GitHub gives clients option to keep sensitive code in EU only, in data sovereignty push
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Firms will be able to control the "data residency" of software code stored on GitHub — effectively meaning they can decide which regions the data is kept in. GitHub Enterprise Cloud is a paid product the firm only offers to businesses. "The EU has been in the center of this [data residency] movement since the beginning of the cloud days." Going forward, GitHub plans to roll out data residency within its GitHub Enterprise Cloud across other regions, including Australia, Asia, and Latin America. EU push for digital 'sovereignty'GitHub's data residency push ties into a broader political and regulatory theme within the EU around so-called digital "sovereignty."

Persons: GitHub, Jonathan Raa, —, Thomas Dohmke, Dohmke, Shelley McKinley, Mario Draghi, Draghi, GitHub's Dohmke, it'll Organizations: Microsoft, Nurphoto, Getty Images Microsoft, European Union, EU, Companies, CNBC, European Central Bank Locations: Europe, Australia, Asia, America, EU, China, France, Finland

☆ Mpox vaccination to begin in Congo next month
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A vaccination campaign against mpox in Congo will begin Oct. 2, authorities said Saturday, with workers focusing on the three most affected provinces first. Earlier this week, the first batch of mpox vaccines arrived in the capital of Congo, the center of the outbreak. The European Union countries pledged to donate more than 500,000 others, but the timeline for their delivery remained unclear. Most mpox infections in Congo and Burundi, the second most affected country, are in children under age 15. Congo issued an emergency approval of the vaccine, which has already been used in Europe and the United States in adults.

Persons: Cris Kacita Osako, Congo’s, Dr, Jean Kaseya, Laurent Muschel Organizations: mpox, Associated Press, Bavarian Nordic, European Union, Africa Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, WHO, European Medicines Agency Locations: Congo, Equateur, South Kivu, Sankuru, Danish, European Union, Burundi, Europe, United States

☆ Longevity experts gathered in Copenhagen. Here's what they ate — and why you should try these meals, too.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But at the 11th Aging Research and Drug Discovery meeting in Copenhagen last week, the food was good. Noma cofounder Claus Meyer, who drafted the first New Nordic Food Manifesto, is also behind the company that catered ARDD 2024. Bright pink pickled onions, for example, provide a great flavor punch in the mix, but are also nice for your gut. Bright pink pickled onions, for example, provide a great flavor punch in the mix, but are also nice for your gut. But, for now, I have some ideas on how to make my lunches and snacks a little better for my longevity.

Persons: —, Claus Meyer, Meyers, Hilary Brueck Meyers's, dieticians, Yum, Hilary Brueck, Eugen Chirita, that's, it's Organizations: Service, Aging Research, Drug, Business, Nordic Food, xmazepa Locations: Copenhagen, Denmark

☆ Visa debuts a new product designed to make it safer to pay directly from your bank account
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Visa said it plans to launch a dedicated service for bank transfers, skipping credit cards and the traditional direct debit process. Visa, which alongside Mastercard is one of the world's largest card networks, said Thursday it plans to launch a dedicated service for account-to-account (A2A) payments in Europe next year. Users will be able set up direct debits — transactions that take funds directly from your bank account — on merchants' e-commerce stores with just a few clicks. It won't initially apply its A2A service to things like TV streaming services, gym memberships and food boxes, Visa added, but this is planned for the future. The product will initially launch in the U.K. in early 2025, with subsequent releases in the Nordic region and elsewhere in Europe later in 2025.

Organizations: Visa, Mastercard Locations: Europe, Nordic

☆ Finland will soon bury nuclear waste in a geological tomb that’s built to last for 100,000 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-29 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty ImagesFinland is on the cusp of burying spent nuclear fuel in the world's first geological tomb, where it will be stored for 100,000 years. The pioneering project has been hailed as both a watershed moment for the long-term sustainability of nuclear energy and "a model for the entire world." Nuclear energy currently provides about 9% of the world's electricity, according to the World Nuclear Association. Finland is poised to bury spent nuclear fuel in the world's first geological tomb. KBS-3 is based on a multi-barrier principle, where several engineered barriers seek to ensure the long-term safety of the spent nuclear fuel.

Persons: Jonathan Nackstrand, Posiva, Gareth Law, University of Helsinki Tuohimaa, Tuohimaa, Kai Mykkänen Organizations: Afp, Getty, CNBC, videoconference, University of Helsinki, World Nuclear Association, Nordic, KBS, Swedish Nuclear, Waste Management Company, U.S Locations: ONKALO, Eurajoki, Finland, Finnish, Olkiluoto, Helsinki, Europe, Asia, Sweden

☆ Can This Tiny Economy Show Europe How to Compete Again?
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Patricia Cohen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Sweden’s economy has, in many ways, suffered from the same tribulations as the rest of Europe: recent bouts of crushing inflation and recession, and now the prospect of meager growth in a world split by geopolitical and economic conflict. Nevertheless, this tiny Nordic country has a roster of high-tech entrepreneurs that is the envy of its neighbors. Klarna, a financial tech firm, and King Digital Entertainment, the maker of the video game juggernaut Candy Crush, are other examples of homegrown tech powerhouses. “They have something — particularly in the tech sector — which other European countries do not really have to the same extent,” said Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund. That entrepreneurial track record has been attracting renewed attention at a time when anxieties are mounting about Europe’s ability to compete with American and Chinese advancements in high technology.

Persons: Candy, ”, Jacob Kirkegaard Organizations: Spotify, Skype, King Digital Entertainment, German Marshall Fund Locations: Europe

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