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HALLE, Belgium (AP) — Farmers blocked more traffic arteries across Belgium, France and Italy on Wednesday, as they sought to disrupt trade at major ports and other economic lifelines. They also moved closer to Brussels on the eve of a major European Union summit, in a continued push for better prices for their produce and less bureaucracy in their work. I think we are addressing two very important (concerns) of them right now,” European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič said. A climax in Belgium is set for Thursday, when farmers plan to protest outside EU headquarters during a summit of government leaders. Despite the widespread inconveniences, governments in the EU are treating protests, which have been mostly peaceful, with extreme caution.

Persons: Maroš Šefčovič, Sven Pieters, Gérald Darmanin, “, Alexander De Croo, De Croo, Emmanuel Macron, ___ Sylvie Corbet, Ciaran Giles Organizations: HALLE, — Farmers, European Commission, EU, Protesters, South Locations: Belgium, France, Italy, Brussels, Ukraine, “, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Flanders, Zeebrugge, Creteil, “ Paris, ”, Chile, New Zealand, Belgian, Madrid

☆ Why scientists are killing millions of Chinese mitten crabs
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Named after the dense mats of hair on their front claws, Chinese mitten crabs are intimidating creatures. Scientists across the continent are looking for ways to reduce the mitten crab population, and in doing so protect the native ecosystems being destroyed by the invasive species. Schoelynck says that scientists in Europe have reported crabs that are a hybrid of both the Chinese and Japanese species of mitten crabs. While mitten crabs are a seasonal delicacy in China, Schoelynck says that they have little meat and therefore aren’t popular in the European market. However, the crabs collected in one of the Belgium traps go to a local zoo to be used as animal feed, he says.

Persons: CNN —, It’s, “ Clancy, ”, Jonas Schoelynck, Van Loon, Schoelynck, Björn Suckow, Alfred Wegener, Clancy, Heleen, Suckow Organizations: CNN, University of Antwerp, Flanders Environment Agency, EU, Alfred, Alfred Wegener Institute Locations: Europe, Bremen, Germany, Asia, Flanders, Belgium, France, Sweden, It’s, Lier, Belgian, China

☆ Belgian Farmers to Block Zeebrugge Port as French Protests Spill Over - Reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian farmers outraged over rising costs, European Union environmental policies and cheap food imports plan to block access roads to the Zeebrugge container port in Belgium, financial daily De Tijd reported on Tuesday. Farmers also disrupted traffic close to the Dutch border on the E19 highway on Tuesday morning, with a tractor convoy heading towards port city Antwerp, state broadcaster RTBF said. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo is set to meet with farmers' associations on Tuesday. In recent weeks, farmers across Europe including Germany, Poland and Romania have demonstrated over what they call excessive red tape, high fuel costs and unfair competition resulting from liberal European Union trade policies. On Monday, Belgian farmers blocked highways in southern Belgium and parked tractors near to the EU Parliament in Brussels.

Persons: De Tijd, RTBF, Alexander De Croo, Emmanuel Macron, Tassilo Hummel Organizations: Reuters, Farmers, Belgian, European Union, European Commission, South America's Mercosur, GV De Locations: BRUSSELS, Union, Zeebrugge, Belgium, Antwerp, Europe, Germany, Poland, Romania, Belgian, France, Paris, Brussels

☆ Luis Tejada: Panama’s all-time leading goal scorer dies age 41
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Former Panama striker Luis ‘Matador’ Tejada, who helped the national team qualify for its first ever World Cup in 2018, has died at the age of 41, the Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT) announced on Sunday. Local media reported that Tejada, whose 43 international goals makes him Panama’s all-time leading goal scorer, collapsed while playing in a local recreational league. CNN Sport has reached out to the Panamanian national police for comment. Panama finished a point and two places ahead of the US men’s team, which failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 32 years. Panama troubled Tunisia in the team’s opening group match in Russia, but the north African side came from a goal behind to win 2-1.

Persons: Luis ‘ Matador ’ Tejada, Tejada, FEPAFUT, Blas Pérez, ” Tejada Organizations: CNN, Panama, Panamanian Football Federation, Local, CNN Sport, Panamanian, police, CONCACAF, US Locations: Panama, Panamanian, Tunisia, Russia, England, Belgium

☆ Hungary accuses EU of blackmail over Ukraine aid stand-off
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, arrives on day one of the European Union (EU) leaders summit at the EU Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, May 30, 2022. Hungary accused the European Union of blackmail after a leaked document reportedly suggested that the bloc plans to sabotage Budapest's economy if it vetoes fresh aid for Ukraine at a summit later this week. "Hungary does not give in to blackmail," Bóka János wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "The document drafted by Brussels bureaucrats only confirms what the Hungarian Government has been saying for a long time: access to EU funds is used for political blackmailing by Brussels," he added. It added that budget talks remain ongoing and will continue to be based on reaching a compromise that is acceptable to all 27 member states.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Hungary's, Bóka János Organizations: European Union, EU, European, Ukraine, Financial Times, Hungarian Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Hungary, European Union, Kyiv, Hungarian Government, Budapest, Hungarian, Ukraine

Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are delivering another shock to global trade, coming on top of pandemic-related logjams at ports and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The normal route — three weeks via the Suez Canal — has been shut down by the Houthi attacks. Chief executive Stuart Machin said the Red Sea trouble was “impacting everyone and something we’re very focused on." For Europe, the impact is even bigger: 40% of clothes and 50% of shoes traverse the Red Sea. Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara said it was “only mildly impacted by the transit challenges in the Red Sea."

Persons: What’s, Ryan Petersen, Petersen, It’s, Clifton Broumand, Broumand, —, ”, “, it’s, Tesla, Spencer, Stuart Machin, Steve Lamar, Lamar, Flexport, Katheryn Russ, Davis, Judah Levine, Freightos, it's, Russ, Obama, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis, Jan Hoffmann, Frank Conforti, Conforti, ____ Anderson, Kelvin Chan, Anne D'Innocenzio, Yuri Kageyama, Tom Krisher, David McHugh Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Hamas, Machine, Volvo, Suzuki Motor Corp, American Apparel & Footwear Association, University of California, U.S . Federal Reserve, BMW, Retailer, Free People, AP Business Locations: Belgium, Germany, British, Maryland, Asia, Ukraine, Yemen, Gaza, Europe, United States, Suez, Africa, “, Panama, Greater Landover , Maryland, Taiwan, China, Los Angeles, Berlin, Swedish, Ghent, Hungary, Japan, U.S, overcapacity, Red, Israel, India, New York, London, Tokyo, Detroit, Frankfurt

☆ Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are disrupting global trade. Here’s how it could affect what you buy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are delivering another shock to global trade, coming on top of pandemic-related logjams at ports and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The normal route — three weeks via the Suez Canal — has been shut down by the Houthi attacks. Chief executive Stuart Machin said the Red Sea trouble was "impacting everyone and something we're very focused on." For Europe, the impact is even bigger: 40% of clothes and 50% of shoes traverse the Red Sea. Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara said it was "only mildly impacted by the transit challenges in the Red Sea."

Persons: It's, Petersen, Ryan Petersen, Clifton Broumand, Broumand, it's, Tesla, Spencer, Stuart Machin, Steve Lamar, Lamar, Flexport, Katheryn Russ, Davis, Judah Levine, Freightos, Russ, Obama, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis, Jan Hoffmann, Frank Conforti, Conforti Organizations: Galaxy, Houthis Media, Getty, Machine, Hamas, Volvo, Suzuki Motor Corp, American Apparel & Footwear Association, University of California, U.S . Federal Reserve, BMW, Retailer Urban Outfitters, Free People Locations: Iran, Yemen, Anadolu, Greater Landover , Maryland, Taiwan, China, Gaza, Panama, Asia, Europe, United States, Suez, Africa, Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, British, Maryland, Los Angeles, Berlin, Swedish, Ghent, Hungary, Japan, U.S, overcapacity, Red, Israel, India

☆ 'The Traitors' creator says the show got rejected '40 or 50 times' — but he kept pitching until someone said yes
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The second season of "The Traitors" UK comes to its deceitful and dramatic conclusion on Friday. AdvertisementMillions of viewers are set to tune into the gripping season two finale of "The Traitors" UK on Friday. I probably pitched it 40 or 50 times to broadcasters – some of them said to me, "Oh no, not 'The Traitors' again," Pos told GQ. "When we aired it at the beginning of 2021, it was immediately a success," Pos said. Claudia Winkleman hosts the UK version of "The Traitors."

Persons: Marc Pos, —, Alan Cumming, Peacock, Claudia Winkleman, Ian West, it's, It's Organizations: Service, BBC, RTL Locations: Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Norway, New Zealand, Scottish

☆ ECB's Lagarde responds to scathing staff survey: 'I'm very proud and honored to lead the institution'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde looks on as she attends the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, at the European Parliament, in Brussels, Belgium September 25, 2023. President Christine Lagarde on Thursday said she was "proud and honored" to leead the European Central Bank, after her leadership was slammed in a union-run survey of staff. The survey's qualitative responses suggested some staff believed she had created a negative atmosphere at the central bank, and that she spends "too much time on topics unrelated to monetary policy," IPSO said. Appearing unfazed, former politician and lawyer Lagarde said that the ECB conducted its own surveys in a "way that we can trust." The surveys are conducted by around 60% of employees, and also cover wages, respect in the workplace and workplace satisfaction, she said.

Persons: Christine Lagarde, IPSO, Lagarde Organizations: European Central Bank, European Parliament's, Economic, Monetary Affairs, ECB, IPSO Locations: Brussels, Belgium

☆ Mail 3 Days a Week? Idea Meets Resistance in Britain
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jenny Gross | More About Jenny Gross | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Britain’s postal service should consider cutting deliveries to five days a week, or even three, from six, the country’s regulator said on Wednesday, drawing resistance from lawmakers and businesses. The Royal Mail, like the U.S. Postal Service, has been increasingly plagued by service issues and financial pressures. Reducing delivery to just three days a week would save the Royal Mail up to 650 million pounds ($830 million) a year, the report found. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose Conservatives hold a majority, said on Wednesday that he remained “absolutely committed” to ensuring that the Royal Mail delivered six days a week.

Persons: “, Rishi Sunak Organizations: Royal, U.S . Postal Service, Ofcom, Royal Mail Locations: U.S, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Veteran Indian player Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden have advanced to their second consecutive Grand Slam men's doubles final. Bopanna and Ebden, now ranked second in men's doubles, lost to Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in the U.S. Open final last September. Tournament officials said Thursday that Ebden and Bopanna, at combined ages of 79 years, will become the oldest No. In the first women's doubles semifinal, Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan and Elise Mertens of Belgium, the No. The other women's doubles semifinal will be played Friday ahead of Sunday's final.

Persons: Rohan Bopanna, Matthew Ebden, Zhang Zhizhen, Tomas Machac, Rod Laver, Rajeev Ram, Joe Salisbury, Zhang, Machac, ” Ebden, “ I’ve, We’ve, Ebden, Simone Bolelli, Andrea Vavassori, Yannick Hanfmann, Dominik Koepfer, Hsieh Su, Elise Mertens, Belgium, Storm Hunter, Australia, Katerina Siniakova, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Daryna Yastremska, Zheng Qinwen Organizations: — Veteran, U.S Locations: MELBOURNE, Australia, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Taiwan

He said his strong finish Thursday doesn't give him much momentum because the final two rounds are on the South Course. Aaron Rei (70), Emiliano Grillo (69) and Joseph Bramlett (66) were all at 8 under after playing the South Course. First-round leader Kevin Yu fell off the pace after a 74 on the South Course. 6 Patrick Cantlay also had a rough day on the South Course with a 73. 7 in the world, shot a 70 on the North Course and was at 4 under.

Persons: — Stephan Jaeger, Nicolai Hojgaard, Jaeger, ”, “, it’s, ” Hojgaard, Thomas Detry, Matthieu Pavon of, Pavon, Detry, I’ve, Tony Finau, Michael Kim, Aaron Rei, Emiliano Grillo, Joseph Bramlett, Xander Schauffele, Kevin Yu, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama Organizations: DIEGO, Farmers Insurance, Torrey Pines, Torrey, NFL Locations: Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Matthieu Pavon of France, Torrey Pines, Dubai

☆ World first IVF rhino pregnancy could save northern white rhinos from extinction, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jessie Gretener | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A world first in rhinoceros reproductive health could save northern white rhinos from extinction, scientists said Wednesday. The team at the BioRescue project successfully impregnated a southern white rhino via in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a press release, creating a possible path for restoring the northern white rhino species. Northern white rhinos are critically endangered and the only two remaining rhinos, Najin and Fatu, are infertile females that live under constant surveillance in Kenya. However, there are living cells from 12 different northern white rhinos stored in liquid nitrogen in Italy and Germany. Female northern white rhinos Fatu, left, and Najin, right, the last two northern white rhinos on the planet, graze in their enclosure at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya on Aug. 23, 2019.

Persons: Ben Curtis, Athos, Thomas Hildebrandt, It’s, Curra, Hildebrandt, Fatu Organizations: CNN, Pejeta Conservancy, Zoo Salzburg, Conservancy Locations: Kenya, Italy, Germany, Pejeta, Austria, Elenore, Belgium, Ol

The strike by the GDL union will affect passenger services and freight trains operated by state-owned Deutsche Bahn until 6 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Monday. The union held a three-day strike earlier this month and two walkouts last year which lasted up to 24 hours. On Wednesday, train travel across the country and in many cities ground to a halt again with commuters and other travelers struggling to find alternatives involving long-distance bus or car travel or flights. “European freight traffic across the Alps, Poland or to Scandinavia as well as the seaports in Holland or Belgium will also be affected,” said Deutsche Bahn. With negotiations stalled, Germany's transportation minister said the government was not ruling out arbitration proceedings between GDL and Deutsche Bahn.

Persons: ”, Volker Wissing Organizations: BERLIN, Deutsche Bahn Locations: Poland, Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium

☆ Megalodons were skinnier than we previously thought, new study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Megalodons, the huge prehistoric sharks depicted in movies such as “The Meg,” had more slender bodies than was previously thought, according to a new study. Many mysteries remain about the biology of megalodons, but until now, great white sharks had been used to model their appearance. The dark grey silhouette depicts the previously reconstructed body form, based on the great white shark. Kenshu Shimada/DePaul UniversityThis new research is based on the reappraisal of an incomplete set of fossil vertebrae found in Belgium. The research suggests that “the modern great white shark may not necessarily serve as a good modern analog for assessing at least certain aspects” of megalodon biology, said Shimada.

Persons: CNN — Megalodons, Meg, ”, Kenshu Shimada, Phillip Sternes, megalodons, megalodon, Shimada, ” Shimada, “ Organizations: CNN, DePaul University in, University of California, DePaul University Locations: DePaul University in Chicago, Riverside, Belgium

US Women's Basketball Team to Train in New York Before Heading to Pre-Olympic TournamentThe U.S. women’s basketball national team will get together for a few days in New York next month before playing in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium

Organizations: Women's Basketball, FIBA Locations: New York, Belgium

☆ West Stands to Lose at Least $288 Billion in Assets if Russian Assets Seized -RIA
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Russia's state RIA news agency said on Sunday it had calculated that the West stood to lose assets and investments worth at least $288 billion if it confiscated frozen Russian assets to help rebuild Ukraine and Moscow then retaliated. After President Vladimir Putin sent forces into Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. and its allies prohibited transactions with Russia's central bank and finance ministry, blocking around $300 billion of sovereign Russian assets in the West. It said EU nations held $223.3 billion of the assets, of which $98.3 billion was formally held by Cyprus, $50.1 billion by the Netherlands and $17.3 billion by Germany. It said the top five European investors in the Russian economy also included France with assets and investments worth $16.6 billion and Italy with $12.9 billion. It said the United States had $9.6 billion worth of Russian assets at the end of 2022, Japan $4.6 billion and Canada $2.9 billion.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, RIA, Andrew Osborn, Mark Heinrich Organizations: Reuters, Seven, Kremlin, European Union, RIA Locations: Ukraine, Moscow, U.S, West ., Belgium, Russia, Europe, Australia, Switzerland, Russian, Cyprus, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Britain, United States, Japan, Canada, Norway

☆ My father was old enough to be my grandfather, but his age is what made him a great dad
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Beth Harpaz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

My father was old enough to be my grandpa, but that's what made him a great dad. By the time I was born, he'd already lived through so many ups and downs that nothing ruffled him. Born in 1911, Dad was an eighth-grade dropout who'd lived through the Great Depression, fought in World War II, and worked in New York's Garment District. AdvertisementI wish he was around to spend time with my kidsBut here's what's awful about having an old dad: He died before his grandkids got to know him. He was 81 in a veterans' hospital hospital when my first child was born.

Persons: he'd, didn't, Dad, who'd, hadn't, Harpaz, Beth Harpaz, He'd Organizations: Service, Business, Garment, Army, 101st Airborne Division, Operation Market, Hitler Locations: New, Armentières, Charleston, Buzzy's, France, Belgium, Holland

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in Saturday following a disputed December election, promising to unite the Central African country during his second five-year term and to protect lives in the conflict-hit eastern region. We want a more united, stronger and prosperous Congo,” Tshikedi, 60, said during the inauguration ceremony attended by several heads of state. His first inauguration in 2019 marked Congo’s first democratic transfer of power since the country's independence from Belgium in 1960. Tshisekedi won reelection with more than 70% of the vote, according to the election commission. Tshisekedi became president in 2019 after emerging from the shadow of his father, who was one of Congo's most population figures.

Persons: Felix Tshisekedi, ” Tshikedi, Tshisekedi, ”, “, Félix Tshisekedi, ” Patrick Mbembe, Etienne Tshisekedi Organizations: —, Troops, East Locations: KINSHASA, Congo, Central, “, Belgium, Kinshasa, Eastern Congo, East African, Congolese

☆ Asylum Seekers 'Missing' After Crossing Russia Border to Finland
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Greta Rosen Fondahn(Reuters) - Some 160 people who applied for asylum at Finland's eastern border last year have since disappeared, amid a sudden surge of asylum seekers arriving via Russia, Finland's immigration authority said. Finland closed its eastern border with Russia late last year amidst a growing number of arrivals from countries including Syria and Somalia. Now 160 people are missing from reception centres, most with unknown whereabouts, Migri's Director of the Asylum Unit, Antti Lehtinen told Reuters. Earlier in January, Finland extended the closure of its border with Russia until Feb. 11, saying it was likely that the inflow of asylum seekers would restart if the border opened. "Smuggling activities have taken advantage of the border security disruptions on the eastern border," the coast guard said in a statement.

Persons: Greta Rosen Fondahn, Migri, Antti Lehtinen, " Lehtinen, Lehtinen, Sauli Niinisto, Greta Rosen, Anne Kauranen, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Kremlin, Asylum Unit, Reuters, EU, Finnish Border Guard Locations: Russia, Finland, Syria, Somalia, Moscow, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Switzerland, EU

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taiwan’s top diplomat in Washington has a message for both the island's Chinese adversaries and its American friends: Don’t worry that Taiwan’s new president-elect will worsen relations with Beijing and possibly draw the U.S. into a conflict. But Yui said Lai is willing to engage with Beijing, even as the island seeks to strengthen its unofficial ties with Washington for stability in the region. Shortly after Taiwan's election, Biden told reporters that his administration does not support Taiwan’s independence. Yui said it is incumbent upon both Beijing and Taipei to keep the Taiwan Strait peaceful. Before he came to Washington, Yui briefly served as Taiwan's representative to the European Union and Belgium.

Persons: — Taiwan’s, Lai Ching, Alexander Tah, Ray Yui, Lai, Yui, ”, Taiwan's, Tsai Ing, Tsai, he’s, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Biden, Scott Kennedy, “, Kennedy, we're, We're, Mike Johnson, Sen, Ben Cardin, ” Yui, Hsiao Bi, Hsiao Organizations: WASHINGTON, Associated Press, AP, Democratic Progressive Party, ”, Washington, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Republican, Republicans, Democrats, U.S . Congress, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, M University, European Union, Cultural Locations: Washington, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, U.S, Taiwan, United States, China, Nauru, “ Beijing, Taipei, Panama, Texas, Paraguay, Belgium

The idea of using Russia's frozen assets is gaining new traction lately as continued allied funding for Ukraine becomes more uncertain and the U.S. Congress is in a stalemate over providing more support. Bipartisan legislation circulating in Washington called the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act would use assets confiscated from the Russian Central Bank and other sovereign assets for Ukraine. Belgium, which is holding the rotating presidency of the European Union bloc for the next six months, is now leading the talks on whether to seize Russia's assets. Belgium is also the country where most frozen Russian assets under sanctions are being held. Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cautioned that if Ukraine's immediate needs aren't met, “no amount of seized Russian assets is unfortunately going to compensate for what may happen."

Persons: — It's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “ Putin, ”, ” Biden, Penny Pritzker, “, Nicholas Mulder, Vladimir Putin, Shalanda Young, ” Young, ” Sergey Aleksashenko, Treasuries —, Konstantin Malofeyev, Alexander De Croo, De Croo, Maria Snegovaya, aren't, Ellen Knickmeyer, Lisa Mascaro, Seung Min Kim, Zeke Miller, Aamer, Sam Petrequin, Jamey Keaton Organizations: WASHINGTON, Russian Central Bank, U.S ., U.S, ., ”, Ukraine, Russia, Cornell University, Washington, Russia's Central Bank, White, Management, Russian Central Banker, Russian, Justice Department, State Department, European Union, Belgian, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Associated Press Locations: United States, Ukraine, Davos, Switzerland, Ukrainian, Washington, “, America, Russia, Russian, U.S, China, Frankfurt, Belgium, Brussels

☆ Google CEO says more job cuts are needed in 2024 in order to reach ‘ambitious goals’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jennifer Elias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, speaks on artificial intelligence during a Bruegel think tank conference in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 20, 2020. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is warning employees that more job cuts are coming this year as the company continues to shift investments toward areas like artificial intelligence. In a memo titled “2024 priorities and the year ahead” that staffers received Wednesday evening, Pichai said, “we have ambitious goals and will be investing in our big priorities this year.” In the memo, which was obtained by CNBC, Pichai said company leadership is gearing up to share its AI goals for the year this week and will publish its 2024 OKRs (objectives and key results). “The reality is that to create the capacity for this investment, we have to make tough choices,” Pichai wrote. For some teams that means eliminating roles, which includes “removing layers to simplify execution and drive velocity,” he added.

Persons: Sundar Pichai, Pichai, ” Pichai Organizations: Google, ”, CNBC Locations: Brussels, Belgium

With 23% of the vote, Wilders stands a good chance of leading any future governing coalition. In the Netherlands, forming a majority coalition with Wilders' party was considered unthinkable not long ago. "And Wilders took off in the polls.”In December, a member of Wilders' party became president of parliament, marking a breakthrough in political acceptance. There is now a real prospect of his far-right party joining, or even leading, a majority governing coalition. Rather than far-right parties being pulled to the center, the center may veer to the right.

Persons: SINT, ”, Geert Wilders, Wilders, ’ ”, Rem Korteweg, “, Walter de Jong, De Jong, Mark Rutte, Tom Theuns, ” Wilders, Theuns, ” Theuns, Jean, Marie Le Pen, Le Pen’s, —, North Africa —, Mark Rutte's, Frans Timmermans Organizations: Party, Freedom, European Union, EU, Party for Freedom, Rabobank, “, Leiden University, National, Frontex, ”, Pulitzer Center, Crisis Locations: SINT WILLEBRORD, Netherlands, Willebrord, Europe, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Austria, The Hague, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Rucphen, Sint Willebrord, Ukraine, Soviet, Syria, Turkey, Belgium, Dutch, North Africa, EU

☆ Tesla to pause German production over Red Sea disruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Tesla plans to pause most production at its only European factory due to supply chain problems caused by attacks in the Red Sea. In recent weeks, Houthi militants, based in Yemen, have ramped up attacks on vessels traveling through the Red Sea, saying they are revenge for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. As a result, six of the world’s 10 biggest shipping companies — namely Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, ZIM and ONE — have been largely or completely avoiding the Red Sea. Volkswagen, Germany’s biggest carmaker, said Friday that its passenger car division did not anticipate “significant” restrictions to production over the situation in the Red Sea, according to Reuters. Economic reverberationsTesla’s decision will amplify fears that a prolonged closure of the Red Sea route — which connects with the vital Suez Canal — will hurt the global economy by snarling supply chains and driving up the prices of goods.

Persons: London CNN — Tesla, Tesla, Joe Biden, Brent, “, ”, Robert Yawger, Matt Egan Organizations: London CNN, CNN, RTL, Maersk, MSC, Lloyd, CMA CGM, Carriers, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, Volvo, Reuters, Volkswagen, Economic, Ikea, Crocs, Container, British, West Texas, Mizuho Securities Locations: Red, Berlin, Europe, Yemen, Gaza, South Africa, Belgium, Suez, British, Drewry, Iran

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