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☆ ABB’s $327 Million Bribery Settlement Arrives in U.S. Court
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Dylan Tokar | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

The U.S. court hearing was part of a globally coordinated deal that extends to authorities in South Africa, Switzerland and Germany, with the apparent bulk of the fines being collected in South Africa. The settlement is the first that U.S. authorities have reached in coordination with authorities in that country. The Kusile Power Station, a coal-fired power plant in South Africa. Switzerland on Friday said it was issuing a fine of 4 million Swiss francs, equivalent to about $4.3 million dollars. The Justice Department said it anticipated a related settlement with German authorities, but didn’t indicate a time frame.

☆ U.S. Inflation Reduction Act 'super aggressive,' Macron tells lawmakers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Michel Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron addressed U.S. lawmakers from both political parties on Wednesday and pushed back over new American subsidies that are riling European leaders, according to a participant in a closed-door meeting. In a meeting with U.S. lawmakers at the Library of Congress, Macron said the act was "super aggressive" toward European companies, one participant told Reuters. [1/3] French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris hold a briefing during a visit to NASA headquarters in Washington, U.S., November 30, 2022. France joined the United States and several other nations in ruling out destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing after Russia struck one of its own satellites in orbit last year, creating debris and drawing scorn from the United States and its allies. The United States, which last demonstrated such a missile in 2008, first announced its ban on the tests in April.

☆ Mysterious aircraft dropped bombs near a base for Russia's Wagner Group mercenaries fighting in Central African Republic
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An unknown aircraft dropped bombs near a Wagner Group base in the Central African Republic. The Wagner Group is a Kremlin-linked private military contractor founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Specifically, in the Central African Republic, the Russian fighters work with the country's military. The International Crisis Group, a non-profit think tank, says up to 2,000 Wagner fighters are in the country and have helped to combat rebel groups. Additionally, Wagner fighters have been accused of atrocities in other African nations — like killing hundreds of civilians in Mali or committing war crimes in Libya.

☆ Niece of Iran's supreme leader speaks out against his 'murderous and child-killing regime' as protests continue
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The niece of Iran's supreme leader condemned his regime in a video ahead of being imprisoned. Farideh Moradkhani praised Iran's protests and asked for countries to cut ties with Tehran. On Sunday, her brother posted a video to Twitter in which she condemned the country's regime, according to Agence France-Presse. "Oh free people, be with us and support us, so that your governments stop supporting this murderous and child-killing regime," Moradkhani said, per CNN's translation. Moradkhani is related to Khamenei by marriage, her father Ali Tehrani having married the supreme leader's sister, according to CNN.

☆ Warehouse Packing Help Wanted, Excellent Penmanship Required
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

At a warehouse in northern New Jersey one recent weekday, a trainee wearing a pair of blue gloves hesitantly tied a ribbon around one luxury brand’s box as a supervisor looked on. Newsletter Sign-up The Logistics Report Top news and in-depth analysis on the world of logistics, from supply chain to transport and technology. Workers also personalize items with engraving and hot-stamping, compile individual items into gift sets and add handwritten notes. Luxury brands, however, are willing to pay a premium for the extra workers needed to provide additional services, Mr. Scattergood said. Workers at its Munich warehouse fold clothes in tissue paper, close the paper with a sticker and tie a ribbon into a bow.

☆ How Do You Pronounce Qatar? Probably Incorrectly.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Sarah Lyall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

WORLD CUP 2022 The 2022 World Cup is being hosted in Qatar, which, as everyone knows, is pronounced . Sepp Blatter, the former FIFA president, announcing in 2010 that “Ka-TAR” would host the 2022 World Cup. Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar’s World Cup organization QatarThis has not helped alleviate the general confusion among visitors. “I know it’s probably not the correct way — KUH-ter is for those who probably know what they’re talking about a little bit more — but I’m going with Ka-TAR.”Walker Zimmerman of the United States national team knows he doesn’t say Qatar correctly. Martin Tyler, the legendary Sky Sports broadcaster who is working his 12th World Cup this year, said he would do the same.

☆ Iranian activists say fire set at ancestral home of late leader Ayatollah Khomeini
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Iranian activists say protesters set a fire at the ancestral home of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the latest in a series of taboo-breaking acts in a wave of protests rocking the country. Protests continued across the country on Friday as funerals were held for young Iranians that activists say were killed by security forces, according to human rights groups. His family says he was killed by police, but Iranian authorities denied it and say the boy was shot by terrorists. Human rights groups based abroad say more than 300 Iranians have been killed in the protests. Iranian leaders have blamed the protests, which they refer to as “riots,” on foreign enemies, citing Saudi Arabia and the U.S.

Warehouse workers pick items up, sort them and put them down millions of times a day. Warehouse workers at Amazon and other companies are at risk of developing repetitive-stress injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. The Sparrow is “a major leap in technology challenge and technology development,” said Joseph Quinlivan, Amazon’s vice president of global robotics and technology. Amazon workers at the robotics facility in Westborough, Mass. New robots aren’t expected to replace warehouse employees but will lead to more roles to work with the robots, Amazon said.

How Putin and Friends Stalled Climate Progress A handful of powerful world leaders rallied around Russia and undercut global cooperation. Mr. Putin has gained from this as the increasingly autocratic Mr. Xi finds common cause with the Kremlin. “Much depends on whether authoritarian leaders perceive climate action to be in their self-interest.”Though their actions help Mr. Putin, their track records on climate are mixed. Mr. Xi called Mr. Putin his “best friend.”He was returning the favor from a year earlier, when Mr. Putin hosted Mr. Xi at the Grand Kremlin Palace and awarded him one of Russia’s highest medals for foreign dignitaries. At a news conference with Mr. Putin, Mr. Bolsonaro thanked his “dear friend,” saying that Mr. Putin had offered him support when other world leaders were criticizing his Amazon policy.

Countries from Spain and France to as far north as Norway and Sweden are experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures for this time of year. When the band of air is wavier than normal, it can move warm air northward or conversely cause polar air to reach farther south. Still, it’s clear that climate change is amplifying the consequences of jet stream anomalies, O’Reilly said. Across western and central Europe, unseasonably warm temperatures are expected to persist for the next two weeks. While it’s unusual, the anomalous warm spell fits within the bigger pattern of global warming, Pershing said.

OSLO, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Norway will put its military on a raised level of alert from Tuesday as it sharpens security in response to the war in Ukraine, the Nordic country's prime minister said on Monday. Norway is now the biggest exporter of natural gas to the European Union, accounting for around a quarter of all EU imports after a drop in Russian flows. "This is the most severe security situation in several decades," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told a news conference. Norway first deployed its military to guard offshore platforms and onshore facilities after leaks on the Nord Stream pipeline on Sept. 26 and has received support from the British, French and German navies. Reporting by Gwladys Fouche, writing by Terje Solsvik, editing by Nora Buli, Philippa Fletcher and John StonestreetOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Opinion | Science Has a Nasty Photoshopping Problem
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Elisabeth Bik | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

One evening in January 2014, I sat at my computer at home, sifting through scientific papers. Manipulated imagery in scientific papers can look ordinary at first glance. However, this ability, combined with my — what some might call obsessive — personality, helped me when hunting duplications in scientific images by eye. So when a scientist’s research shows a negative result, cheating can be tempting. Legitimate criticism of scientific research should receive legal protection.

☆ Logistics Operators Find Robots Are Helping Recruit Tech-Savvy Workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Liz Young | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

The impact of robots on logistics operations is growing more complicated as companies weigh how automation affects recruiting both management leaders and staffers for the warehouse floor. Manufacturers and retailers such as snack-food giant Mondelez International Inc. and department store chain Nordstrom Inc. say the investments are also changing their supply-chain workforces. Newsletter Sign-up The Logistics Report Top news and in-depth analysis on the world of logistics, from supply chain to transport and technology. The buy jump-started the company’s rollout of greater automation in its growing logistics network and expanded the pipeline of engineers and other technology workers into the business. Lee Beard, senior vice president of transportation at Seattle-based Nordstrom, said the retailer has been highlighting its technology investments to job recruits.

Then, two men led Mr. Hu — who appeared reluctant to go — out of Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. Was Mr. Hu, 79, suffering from poor health, as Chinese state media would later report? When the aide finally succeeds in coaxing Mr. Hu from his chair, Mr. Li, the No. As the two aides begin guiding Mr. Hu away from his seat, the older leader stops to say something to Mr. Xi. The state broadcaster’s news program that night showed footage of Mr. Hu voting, and then his empty seat later in the ceremony, without explanation.

Net profit for the three-months ending Sept. 30 rose to 910 million crowns ($87.57 million) from a year-ago profit of 169 million, Norwegian said. Norwegian Air shares were up 8.5% at 0912 GMT, beating a flat Oslo benchmark index (.OSEBX), though share are still down 17% over the past year, lagging a benchmark down by 6% over the same period. "We have a flexibility with our fleet that means we can reduce our capacity by up to 30%," Chief Executive Officer Geir Karlsen told Reuters. Norwegian Air Sweden Boeing 737-800 plane SE-RRJ approaches Riga International Airport in Riga, Latvia January 17, 2020. ($1 = 10.3139 Norwegian crowns)Reporting by Gwladys Fouche; Editing by Terje Solsvik and Mike HarrisonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Airbus is paying nearly all of its 126,000 employees a $1,470 bonus to help them cope with the cost of living crisis
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Stephen Jones | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Around 120,000 Airbus employees will receive a cash bonus to help cope with rising living costs. They'll receive the 1,500 euro ($1,470) payment in their next paycheck, Airbus confirmed to Insider. Around 120,000 employees will receive an "exceptional premium" in their next payroll, a spokesperson for Airbus told Insider. Rolls-Royce — whose engines are used in several Airbus planes — gave thousands of employees a cash bonus equivalent to $2,500 and a back-dated pay rise in June. Later the same month, Big Four accountancy firm PwC said it had increased its annual bonus pool by $12.3 million amid rising living costs.

Putin and top Russian officials have repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons to protect Russia. "Second, there is no reason for him to use any nuclear weapons ... For Putin, the threat of using nuclear weapons "is more valuable than if he actually uses them", said Kristoffersen. Asked whether he thought Russia was more willing to use nuclear weapons than before, Kristoffersen said Putin was following the Russian doctrine of using nuclear weapons when the country's "very existence" was at risk. Yet, Kristoffersen stressed Russia could rebuild its land forces in a hurry given it trains about 250,000 conscripts every year.

☆ White House Issues ‘Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights’
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-04 | by ( Angus Loten | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

The White House on Tuesday issued guidelines aimed at safeguarding personal data from misuse in artificial-intelligence algorithms that drive hiring, lending and other business decisions. The guidelines, which the Biden administration described as a “blueprint for an AI bill of rights,” are nonbinding and don’t include enforcement measures. They also fall short of the European Union’s landmark privacy regulation that has forced global technology companies to change how they collect data, among other things. Still, some technology leaders said the White House blueprint could lead to heavy-handed regulation that might risk putting U.S. businesses at a disadvantage. “If implemented properly, the bill could reduce AI misuse and yet support beneficial uses of AI in medicine, driving, enterprise productivity, and more,” Mr. Etzioni said.

☆ A group of young Ukrainians near the Donbas war front is making combat drones to carry bombs inscribed with messages for their Russian enemies: AFP video
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A team of young soldiers in Ukraine is building drones and explosives to be used on the front lines. They are creating drones loaded with bombs to be used in combat in the Donbas region. Sign up for our newsletter to receive our top stories based on your reading preferences — delivered daily to your inbox. In the video, a group of around a dozen men in fatigues is seen working on small, remotely-piloted robots. The US has also sent thousands of drones to Ukraine for use in the ongoing conflict.

☆ Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout Carries Lessons for Pharma Supply Chains, Says Pfizer Executive
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( Liz Young | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Newsletter Sign-up The Logistics Report Top news and in-depth analysis on the world of logistics, from supply chain to transport and technology. As the coronavirus rapidly spread across the U.S. in early 2020, Pfizer and Moderna each threw enormous resources behind the effort to perfect vaccines using novel technology that delivers mRNA, a type of genetic material. With the vaccine still under development, the company began designing its supply chain to rapidly scale up production and to start distribution of millions of doses once regulators approved the vaccine. Trucks carrying the first shipment of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine in December 2020. Pfizer created a shipping container about the size of a suitcase that was packed with vaccine vials and dry ice to keep the doses effective for up to 10 days.

☆ Europeans are bathing in cold swimming pools, enduring chillier offices, and taking shorter showers to avoid energy shortages this winter as Russia tightens gas supplies
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-26 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Europe is cracking down on energy use to save up for this winter as Russia tightens the gas taps. As energy prices spike, the low gas flows have left European governments worrying about how much energy will be left for winter. The minimum temperature in offices must be dropped by one degree Celsius — the maximum temperature allowed is 19 degrees Celsius (66F), the government said. The measures include air conditioning limited to 27 degrees Celsius in public buildings, administrative buildings, and shops, the Spanish government said at the start of August. This includes only turning the air conditioning on when temperatures exceed 26 degrees Celsius and making sure the heating is below 19 degrees.

☆ 3 Scandanavian Secrets to Resilience
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-04 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Justin Tallis/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesFor decades, global surveys have ranked Denmark as one of the happiest countries in the world. Even the long slog of Covid lockdowns, recent studies show, had only a small impact on Danish mental health. I spoke to researchers about three reasons behind this resilience →

☆ China avoids calling Russia's attack on Ukraine an 'invasion' and says trade with Russia will continue as normal
▼ + stars: | 2022-02-24 | by ( Weilun Soon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

In its first comments since Russia's attack on Ukraine, China's foreign ministry sidestepped questions on whether it viewed Russia's actions as an invasion. It also stressed that trade with Russia will continue as normal. When a Reuters reporter asked if China would ask Russia to withdraw from Ukraine, Hua said, "We call on all relevant parties concerned to exercise restraint." Hua also said the US had been "hyping up war for some time," a transcript of the press event released by China's foreign ministry shows. Hua said trade between China and Russia would continue as normal.

☆ Raport alarmant al ONU: „Am distrus planeta; Greul abia începe”
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-28 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +2 min

Sursa foto: vox.comRaport alarmant al ONU: „Am distrus planeta; Greul abia începe”O versiune preliminară a raportului privind schimbările climatice de la Grupul interguvernamental de experți în evoluția climei (IPCC) din cadrul Organizației Națiunilor Unite (ONU) lansează un avertisment sumbru. Omenirea se află pe punctul de distrugere planetară mulțumită numeroaselor pericole cauzate de schimbările climatice tot mai grave. Omenirea a distrus planeta, iar noi vom culege roadele foarte, foarte curând. „Viața pe Pământ își poate reveni. Raportul arată că există o posibilitate foarte reală ca timpul omenirii pe planeta Pământ să se apropie de sfârșit.

Persons: ., Omenirea Organizations: ONU, Organizației Națiunilor Unite Locations: Paris

☆ Новое возможное извержение вулкана в Конго: тысячи людей покинули город Гома
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-28 | by ( Mld Media Srl | ) noi.md time to read: +3 min

Власти города Гома на востоке Демократической Республики Конго (ДРК) распорядились в четверг начать эвакуацию жителей 10 его районов, которым может угрожать новое извержение вулкана Ньирагонго. Agence France-Presse сообщает, что сейсмологи представили властям провинции Северное Киву три сценария дальнейших событий в связи с возможным извержением Ньирагонго. Все они говорят о том, что Гома находится в опасности и потоки лавы грозят разрушить значительную часть города. Так, только 24 мая сейсмическая служба зафиксировала в районе Гомы 119 афтершоков, магнитуда самых значительных из которых достигала 5,3. Высота вулкана Ньирагонго составляет 3 470 м. Он известен своей сверхтекучей лавой вследствие ее особого химического состава.

Persons: Констан Ндим, Гому, Бинту Кейта, Лав Organizations: Reuters, Agence France, Presse, ООН, Управление по координации гуманитарных вопросов (УКГВ) Locations: Гома, Демократическая Республика Конго (ДРК), Ньирагонго, Гомой, Северное Киву, Руанда, ДРК, Гомы, ДР Конго, Киву, Африка

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