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☆ Dutch watchdog looking into alleged Tesla data breach
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Reuters —The data protection watchdog for the Netherlands said on Friday it was aware of possible Tesla data protection breaches, but it was too early for further comment. Germany’s Handelsblatt reported on Thursday that Elon Musk’s Tesla had allegedly failed to adequately protect data from customers, employees and business partners, citing 100 gigabytes of confidential data leaked by a whistleblower. Handelsblatt said Tesla notified the Dutch authorities about the breach, but the AP spokesperson said they were not aware if the company had made any representations to the agency. Tesla was not immediately available for comment on Friday on the Handelsblatt report, which said customer data could be found “in abundance” in a data set labelled “Tesla Files”. The data protection office in Brandenburg, which is home to Tesla’s European gigafactory, described the data leak as “massive”.

☆ Oil slips as U.S. debt caution offset supply concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Florence Tan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Companies Baker Hughes Co FollowSINGAPORE, May 22 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Monday as caution around the U.S. debt ceiling talks and concerns about demand recovery in China offset support from lower supplies from Canada and OPEC+ producers. The resumption of U.S. debt ceiling negotiations later on Monday will remain a key driver for crude and risk sentiment this week, IG's Sydney-based analyst Tony Sycamore said. "If the housing market continues to fall and policymakers fail to respond, the risk of a double-dip China slowdown increases, which spells bad news for crude oil consumption and demand," Sycamore said. Last week, both oil benchmarks gained about 2%, their first weekly gain in five, after wildfires shut in large amounts of crude supply in Alberta, Canada. Total exports of crude and oil products from the group plunged by 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) by May 16, JP Morgan said, adding that Russian oil exports will likely fall by late May.

☆ Oil rebounds on fading risk of US debt default
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Jeslyn Lerh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant//File PhotoMay 19 (Reuters) - Oil prices rebounded on Friday from losses of more than 1% the previous day as investors turned cautiously optimistic over the fading risk of a U.S. debt default. Sentiment remains mixed as investors juggle optimism over avoidance of a U.S. debt default with inflation data that could portend more interest rate hikes from global central banks. China's oil refinery throughput in April rose 18.9% from a year earlier to the second-highest level on record, data showed earlier this week. Chinese refiners maintained high runs to meet recovering domestic fuel demand and build stockpiles ahead of the summer travel season.

☆ Oil rebounds on fading risk of U.S. debt default
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rebounded on Friday from losses of more than 1% the previous day as investors turned cautiously optimistic over the fading risk of a U.S. debt default. Sentiment remains mixed as investors juggle optimism over avoidance of a U.S. debt default with inflation data that could portend more interest rate hikes from global central banks. The potential for additional rate hikes increases concerns about demand weakness in the United States, said analysts from National Australia Bank. China's oil refinery throughput in April rose 18.9% from a year earlier to the second-highest level on record, data showed earlier this week. Chinese refiners maintained high runs to meet recovering domestic fuel demand and build stockpiles ahead of the summer travel season.

☆ UK equities rise on upbeat global mood, BT Group tumbles on weak cash flow
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Johann M Cherian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"There's clearly a lack of real strategy and it's not enough to just say we're going to cut costs. Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L) earlier this week said it would cut 11,000 jobs globally over three years after it warned that a poor performance in its biggest market Germany would hit cash flow. The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) rose 0.6%, reflecting an upbeat mood in global markets on hopes that Washington is edging closer to a deal to raise the U.S. debt ceiling and avert a default. Among other movers, luxury group Burberry Group Plc (BRBY.L) fell 6.2% as continued weakness in the United States overshadowed a stronger-than-expected fourth quarter sales driven by a rebound in China. EasyJet Plc rose 1% after the airline posted a first-half loss in line with its guidance.

☆ Fed's watchdog defends work before Senate amid questions over his independence
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Michael S. Derby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Fed IG has faced particular heat over its investigation into the central bankers' trading activities. In addition, the Fed’s IG has yet to complete a hotly anticipated investigation into regional Fed leader trading even after news of that situation broke in September 2021. He said the fact that the report absolving Powell and Clarida was short on information was “intentional” due to the still-ongoing inquiry into regional Fed trading. “I absolutely agree that the allegations of improper trading and ethics violations are disturbing and they are alarming,” the Fed IG said. Leading the Senate panel, Democrat Elizabeth Warren blasted the incompleteness of the investigation and tied many of the IG’s problems to structural issues.

☆ Australia wage growth hits decade-high, quarterly gains miss forecasts
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday showed its wage price index rose 0.8% in the March quarter from the previous quarter, just under forecasts of a 0.9% increase. Annual pay growth, however, accelerated to 3.7%, from a revised 3.4% the previous quarter, compared with forecasts of 3.6%. The central bank has flagged more rate rises might be required, saying a rise in productivity growth, which has slumped to the lowest since the 1970s, would be needed to ensure wage growth remains consistent with inflation target. Annual wage growth is expected to peak at 4.0% at the end of this year before easing back to 3.7% by mid-2025. The ABS data showed wages in the public sector picked up to an annual rise of 3.0% while growth in private sector wages increased 3.8%.

☆ Top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts to resign after damning ethics report
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts will submit her resignation by the end of the week to President Joe Biden, her lawyer said Wednesday, after damning official reports found she had committed serious ethical misconduct. The Department of Justice's internal watchdog began a probe last year after U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins attended a Democratic fundraiser last July featuring first lady Jill Biden, despite advice that this would violate ethics guidelines. "We found Rollins's conduct described throughout this report violated federal regulations, numerous DOJ policies, her Ethics Agreement, and applicable law, and fell far short of the standards of professionalism and judgment that the Department should expect of any employee, much less a U.S. Attorney," the DOJ Inspector General's Office said in its report. That 161-page report found Rollins, who was appointed as her state's top federal prosecutor by President Biden, used her official position to try to help the election effort of a fellow Democrat for the Suffolk County district attorney position. The report found that Rollins lied under oath about that effort when asked about it by investigators.

☆ An influencer with 58,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram shares the pitch proposal template she's used to land deals with brands like Fishbowl and Aavrani
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Maesha Shonar created a pitch proposal instead of a standard media kit to land brand deals. She created her own pitch proposal instead, inspired by her work experience at consulting firm Ernst and Young. Here's the exact three-page pitch proposal template Shonar created and has used to land paid partnerships:Page 1 of Shonar's pitch proposal. Maesha ShonarPage 2 of Shonar's pitch proposal. Maesha ShonarPage 3 of Shonar's pitch proposal.

☆ A micro influencer created a pitch proposal instead of a media kit to land brand deals. Here's the template that got her paid partnerships with Fishbowl, Aavrani, and more.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

☆ Oil prices rise as tight supplies compete with economic concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Noah Browning | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, May 15 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged up on Monday as the prospect of tightening supplies due to OPEC+ production cuts and a resumption in U.S. buying for reserves outweighed concerns about fuel demand in top global oil consumers the United States and China. Still, global crude supplies could tighten in the second half as OPEC+ - the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia - is making additional output cuts that are reducing sour crude volumes. However, Iraq does not expect OPEC+ to make further cuts to oil output at its next meeting on June 4, said its oil minister, Hayan Abdel-Ghani. Meanwhile, flows of northern Iraqi crude oil to Turkey's Ceyhan port have yet to resume following Baghdad's request to restart them last week, industry sources said on Monday, helping keep global supplies tight. The tightening of sanctions will also seek to undermine Russia's future energy production and curb trade that supports the Russian military, the people said.

SINGAPORE, May 15 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Monday as concerns about fuel demand in the top global oil consumers, the United States and China, offset bullish sentiment about tightening supplies from OPEC+ cuts and a resumption in U.S. buying for reserves. Brent crude futures fell 26 cents, or 0.35%, to $73.91 a barrel by 0638 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $69.34 a barrel, down 20 cents, or 0.29%. Investors will scour China's slew of economic data on industrial output, fixed assets investment and retail sales in the week ahead for signs of oil demand improvement, she said. However, Iraq does not expect OPEC+ to make further cuts to oil output at its next meeting in June, said its oil minister, Hayan Abdel-Ghani. 1 crude importers, respectively, have been the key buyers of Russian crude since the European Union embargo started in December.

☆ Oil falls as economic concerns offset prospect of tighter supplies
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Florence Tan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, May 15 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Monday as concerns about fuel demand at top global oil consumers U.S. and China offset optimism about tightening supplies from any OPEC+ cuts and a resumption in U.S. buying for reserves. Brent crude futures fell 43 cents, or 0.6%, to $73.74 a barrel by 0130 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $69.67 a barrel, down 37 cents, or 0.5%. Investors will scour China's slew of economic data on industrial output, fixed assets investment, and retail sales in the week ahead for signs of oil demand improvement, she added. However, Iraq does not expect OPEC+ to make further cuts to oil output at its next meeting in June, its oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani said. 1 crude importers, respectively, have been the key buyers of Russian crude since the European Union embargo started in December.

☆ Gold ticks higher as economic risks persist
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Gold prices edged higher on Monday as the U.S. debt ceiling stalemate and concerns of an economic slowdown steered some traders towards the safe-haven metal. Spot gold was up 0.2% at $2,014.44 per ounce by 0432 GMT, after falling for three sessions. Bullion tends to gain during times of economic or financial uncertainty, but higher interest rates dim non-yielding gold's appeal. Markets are pricing in an 83.4% chance of the U.S. central bank holding rates at the current level in June, according to the CME FedWatch tool. But taking some shine off gold, rival safe-haven dollar rose to a five-week high against major peers and made bullion less affordable for buyers holding other currencies.

☆ Oil prices climb on positive US fuel demand data
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Jeslyn Lerh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 11 (Reuters) - Oil prices bounced back on Thursday after dropping by more than a dollar a barrel the previous day, supported by stronger fuel demand data from the United States, the world's top oil consumer. Brent crude futures rose by 56 cents, or 0.7%, to $76.97 a barrel by 0330 GMT, while U.S. crude futures rose 53 cents, also up 0.7%, to $73.09. A sharper-than-expected drop in U.S. gasoline inventories boosted prices, reflecting stronger demand for transport fuels in the U.S. The latest U.S. data showed consumer prices rose in April, increasing the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will maintain higher interest rates, which can have the knock-on effect of reducing oil demand. Distillate stocks also declined, while U.S. jet fuel demand rose to its highest level since December 2019.

☆ Asian stocks edge lower amid gloomy China data as US CPI looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

TOKYO, May 9 (Reuters) - Asian stocks eased back from more than two-week highs on Tuesday as traders squared positions heading into a key U.S. inflation report, while gloomy Chinese trade data also kept risk sentiment in check. Mainland Chinese blue chips (.CSI300) turned lower after early gains, with the benchmark CSI 300 dropping 0.8%. "So when you have some trend data which is not as good as people expect, it raises doubts," he said. "The surprise lies on the downside" for the inflation data, particularly the risk of a drop below 5%, said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG markets. Brent crude was down 30 cents at $76.71 and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 26 cents to $72.90.

☆ Asian stocks edge lower, dollar firm as US inflation data looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS), though, slipped 0.3%, erasing part of Monday's 0.9% rally. Hong Kong's Hang Seng (.HSI) dropped 0.4%, while Australia's benchmark (.AXJO) lost 0.2% and South Korea's Kospi declined 0.4%. Investors were mostly unmoved by Chinese data showing exports surged last month while imports eased. "The surprise lies on the downside" for the inflation data, particularly the risk of a drop below 5%, said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG markets. The dollar index , which measures the currency against six major peers, was little changed after earlier rising overnight from near the bottom of its trading range since the middle of last month.

☆ Frank Ocean Shows Us a More Human Way to Perform
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Jenn Pelly | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Frank Ocean was constructing an ice-skating rink in the Sonoran desert. Nor did I really believe that I would be able to watch Ocean’s set — his first major public performance since 2017 — on an officially sanctioned livestream. Enigma has always been a tenet of Ocean’s public persona. We were all in it, waiting in the Frank Ocean IG Live, together. Fortunately, I soon found @Morgandoesntcare, a young musician from North Carolina who facilitated the guerrilla video stream that brought Ocean’s set to the masses, reaching 130,000 viewers.

☆ Oil ticks up, but set for third week of losses over demand concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rose slightly in Asian morning trade on Friday, but were set for a third straight week of losses after markets witnessed dramatic drops on fears of a weakening U.S. economy and slowing Chinese demand. For the week, Brent was set to close down 8.5%, while WTI was set to close 10.3% lower. "It has been a double whammy for oil prices," said Jun Rong Yeap, a market strategist at IG in Singapore. In China, factory activity unexpectedly contracted in April as orders fell and poor domestic demand dragged on the sprawling manufacturing sector. Service activity in China grew through April, though the rate of this expansion has slowed, data showed on Friday.

☆ Dark Shadows, Dark Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Alida Becker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The title of Tara Ison’s AT THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF (Ig Publishing, 296 pp., paperback, $17.95) comes from a French expression for twilight. Sure enough, her novel sends us to the dusk that borders the familiar and the wild, the known and the unknown. It’s where our beliefs and suspicions can cast dark shadows over our lives. But Marie-Jeanne is actually Danielle Marton, a Jewish child smuggled out of Paris by her recently widowed mother. And Berthe and Claude are actually her grandparents’ former maid and butler.

SummarySummary Companies US dollar down 0.2%Powell: Won't rule out mild recessionPlatinum, palladium up 1%May 4 (Reuters) - Gold prices traded near record-high levels on Thursday, as U.S. yields and the dollar dipped after the U.S. Federal Reserve hinted it may pause its rate-hike cycle. Spot gold was up 0.1% at $2,040.46 per ounce by 0249 GMT. Earlier in the session, prices rose to $2,072.19 per ounce and hovered close to an all-time high of $2,072.49 scaled in 2020. U.S. gold futures rose 0.6% at $2,050.10. Spot silver rose 0.9% at $25.82 per ounce, platinum gained 1% to $1,060.16 while palladium edged 1.4% higher to $1,443.11.

☆ Slowing growth will crash European stock party
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Francesco Guerrera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

LONDON, May 2 (Reuters Breakingviews) - European shares have been on the rise for seven months, outshining their U.S. counterparts, and are now just 6% below their record high. Luck played a part in the recent European surge. Natural gas prices have fallen more than 80% since their August peak, boosting economic growth and reducing companies’ costs. Analysts currently expect a 0.4% fall in European companies’ earnings per share (EPS) in 2023, according to Barclays. European investors have had an unusually enjoyable, and profitable, ride.

☆ Fed says new refinements of trading process are coming
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Michael S. Derby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Other Fed officials have also faced heat for their trading activities, including Powell and former Vice-Chairman Richard Clarida. Meanwhile, last year Atlanta Fed leader Raphael Bostic acknowledged some of his investment activity inadvertently happened at forbidden periods. The IG is still looking into the trading of regional Fed officials. The Fed formalized new rules that sharply restricted what Fed officials and senior staff can trade and when they can do it, and required pre-approval for trades as well in February of last year. But according to the report, some at the central bank viewed the process as burdensome and possibly even unnecessary.

☆ Euro near one-year peak as US economic risks weigh on dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, April 27 (Reuters) - The euro hovered near a one-year high versus the dollar on Thursday, as Europe's resilient economy contrasted with banking contagion risks in the United States, the debt ceiling standoff and a potential recession. Europe's single currency ticked up 0.05% to $1.10415, edging back toward the overnight peak at $1.1096, the highest since April of last year. IG analyst Tony Sycamore also sees risks skewed to the downside for the euro against the dollar. IG's Sycamore says the initial strength was driven by U.S. banking concerns, but the market was "apparently spooked by a large sell order." Provided bitcoin can remain above $25,000, Sycamore expects the token to test this month's high at $31,035.

☆ Euro near one-year peak as U.S. economic risks weigh on dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The euro hovered near a one-year high versus the dollar on Thursday, as Europe's resilient economy contrasted with banking contagion risks in the United States, the debt ceiling standoff and a potential recession. Europe's single currency ticked up 0.05% to $1.10415, edging back toward the overnight peak at $1.1096, the highest since April of last year. IG analyst Tony Sycamore also sees risks skewed to the downside for the euro against the dollar. Aussie dollar traders are more confident that the Reserve Bank of Australia will keep rates unchanged for a second meeting next week after some softness in consumer inflation data on Wednesday. Bitcoin firmed to around $29,060, following a day when it jumped as high as $30,022, only to then slide as low as $27,242.

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