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☆ Big Tech executives to appear at Senate hearing to defend social media’s impact on teens
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Brian Fung | Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Zuckerberg is expected to tout the company’s more than 30 safety controls, according to prepared testimony released ahead of the hearing. In recent weeks, Meta has also begun hiding more “age-inappropriate” content in teens’ feeds and restricting teens from receiving direct messages from people they don’t follow. Ideally, Clegg said, Zuckerberg would authorize as many as 124 new hires, but acknowledged that financial pressures could make it difficult. After months of radio silence from Zuckerberg, Clegg tried to follow up, this time with a slimmed-down proposal that envisioned either 25 new hires or, if even that was infeasible, just seven. “This would be the bare minimum needed to meet basic policymaker inquiries,” Clegg wrote to Zuckerberg on Nov. 10, 2021.

Persons: “ We’re, ” Connecticut Democratic Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, Evan Spiegel, Rosemarie Calvoni, Meta, Calvoni, ”, ” Calvoni, Arturo Béjar, ’, Tennessee Republican Sen, Marsha Blackburn, Sheryl Sandberg, Global Affairs Nick Clegg, Clegg —, —, Clegg, ” Clegg, Sandberg, “ Organizations: Washington CNN, Meta, Twitter, ” Connecticut Democratic, Facebook, Blumenthal, Tennessee Republican, Global Affairs Locations: ” Connecticut, Massachusetts

☆ Why banks and consumer groups have become unlikely allies
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon previously noted that this would dampen economic expansion, as banks may pull back on new lending. Separate groups that rely on bank investments have also called for the proposal's revision. The National Association of Manufacturers expressed worry that tighter requirements would mean less capital availability to virtually every industrial sector, especially smaller manufacturers that have few options for financing. Meanwhile, the American Council on Renewable Energy and the Solar Energy Industries Association warned that tighter capital requirements would make it expensive for banks to finance green energy projects through tax equity incentives, slowing the clean energy transition.

Persons: —, Banks, Jamie Dimon, Michelle Bowman Organizations: Service, Business, JPMorgan, National Association of Manufacturers, American Council, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy Industries Association Locations: Basel

☆ Harvard's president resigning means more drama for other universities
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-03 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In today's big story, we're looking at the resignation of another Ivy League president and the knock-on effect it'll have on education in the US. The big storyIvy League issuesBrian Snyder/ReutersClaudine Gay's tenure as Harvard president wasn't long, but it won't be forgotten. Alan Garber, Harvard's provost and chief academic officer, will serve as interim president, the school's board announced. Gay is the second Ivy League president to step down in less than a month, following in the footsteps of former Penn president Elizabeth Magill. Harvard president Claudine Gay Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesGay and Magill's departures highlight the tension between businesses and prestigious universities and the former's influence over the latter.

Persons: —, Bob Marley, John Wick, Brian Snyder, Claudine Gay's, wasn't, Gay, Alan Garber, Harvard's, Elizabeth Magill, Magill, Sally Kornbluth, Bill Ackman, Claudine Gay Kevin Dietsch, Business Insider's Paul Squire, Lucas Jackson, Tesla, Goldman, Tyler Le, it's, Warren Buffett, Greta Thunberg, Florence Pugh, Mel Gibson, J.R.R, Tolkien, Eli Manning, Max Willcocks, Dan DeFrancesco, Diamond Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Jordan Parker Erb, Hayley Hudson, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Ivy League, Business, Harvard, Ivy, Penn, Gay, MIT, GOP, Big Tech, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta, Boston Consulting Group, Cushman & Wakefield, LinkedIn, SAP, Verizon Consumer Group, EV, Elon, Jiji Press, Japan Airlines, New York Locations: China, Jisoo, New York, San Diego, London, Edinburgh

☆ The CEO of Verizon's mobile unit has a bold ambition for salespeople and call centers in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-21 | by ( Josée Rose | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

He became the CEO of Verizon's consumer group, which includes its flagging mobile unit. As he took on his new role, Sampath worked at Verizon stores and one of the company's overseas call centers. There's uncertainty about the economy. There's uncertainty with elections looming, and it's going to be massively polarizing. AdvertisementYou will have companies that attract certain talent and companies that don't attract certain talent, and that's going to have long-term consequences.

Persons: —, Sampath, it's, what's, We'd, I've, there's, you've, They're Organizations: Service, Verizon, Business Locations: America

☆ 2 nuclear reactors that can power 1 million US homes with clean, sustainable energy is $21 billion over budget and years behind schedule
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-19 | by ( Jeff Amy | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It would take effect in the first month after Vogtle's Unit 4 begins commercial operation, projected to be sometime in March. They're currently projected to cost Georgia Power and three other owners $31 billion, according to Associated Press calculations. But even as government officials and some utilities are again looking to nuclear power to alleviate climate change, the cost of Vogtle could discourage utilities from pursuing nuclear power. Overall, the company said Georgia Power would collect an additional $729 million a year from its 2.7 million customers. The five Republican commissioners, all elected statewide, voted on an agreement that Georgia Power reached with commission staff and some consumer groups.

Persons: —, They're, Jeff Amy Southern, Georgia Power, John Kraft, Jason Shaw, Vogtle, " Shaw, Bryan Jacob Organizations: Service, Georgia Public Service, Georgia Power Co, Business, Vogtle's, Georgia Power, Westinghouse, Republican, Georgia Public Service Commission, AP, Jeff Amy Southern Co, Georgia, Georgia PSC, Power, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Oglethorpe Power Corp, Municipal Electric Authority of Locations: ATLANTA, Georgia, Augusta, American, Atlanta, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Dalton, Florida, Alabama

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms' (META.O) paid no-ads subscription service, which it rolled out in Europe this month, breaches EU consumer laws, Europe's largest consumer group said on Thursday as it took its grievance to consumer protection authorities. Meta has said it launched the paid no-ads subscription service, which applies to Facebook and Instagram, to comply with EU rules requiring companies to give users a choice on whether their data can be collected and used for targeted ads. It also took issue with the "very high subscription fee for ad-free services" which could deter users. The ad-free service cost 9.99 euros ($10.96) monthly for Web users and 12.99 euros for iOS and Android users. Meta has said these prices are in line with Google's (GOOGL.O) YouTube and Spotify's (SPOT.N) premium services and with Netflix (NFLX.O).

Persons: Dado Ruvic, NOYB, Meta, BEUC, Ursula Pachl, Pachl, Foo Yun Chee, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Meta, REUTERS, Rights, European Consumer Organisation, CPC, Facebook, EU, YouTube, Netflix, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Europe, Austrian, Brussels

☆ Intuit beats first-quarter estimates on resilient demand for financial products
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of financial software company Intuit is displayed at the Collision conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 23, 2022. REUTERS/Chris Helgren Acquire Licensing RightsNov 28 (Reuters) - Accounting software-maker Intuit (INTU.O) on Tuesday beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit and revenue, on resilient demand for its artificial intelligence infused products that help businesses manage their financial needs. Products offered by Intuit include tax-preparation software TurboTax, personal finance portal Credit Karma, and QuickBooks that help small businesses. The company posted adjusted profit of $2.47 per share for the first quarter, compared with analysts' estimates of $1.98 per share. In the reported quarter, revenue at Credit Karma fell 5% to $405 million, while revenue at its Consumer Group rose 25% to $187 million.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Jaspreet Singh, Shailesh Organizations: Intuit, REUTERS, Products, Credit Karma, Consumer, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, View , California, Bengaluru

☆ Washington's secret weapon is a beloved Gen Z energy drink with more caffeine than God
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Lauren Vespoli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Celsius, the suddenly-ubiquitous energy drink, is a favorite of Gen Z — and Capitol Hill. "I love to take meetings in front of the Celsius vending machine," he told Business Insider. "It's a way better alternative to coffee, honestly," Robertson told Business Insider. "Capitol Hill is full of young, energetic career-oriented people who by and large care about fitness," he told Business Insider. Stanford said these young workers are part of a new consumer group that's helping drive the overall growth of the energy drink market.

Persons: Z, —, Matthew Hoekstra, Gen Z, Brent Robertson, Roger Marshall, Victoria Knight, Knight, she's, Robertson, Hoekstra —, Matthew Hoekstra Florida, Anna Paulina Luna, w3O2gsMYXP —, Eric Garcia, Rayburn, Dirksen, — Doug Andres, @DougAndres, curt, Duane Stanford, Stanford, Hoekstra, John Parra, Garcia Organizations: Capitol, Service, Republican Kansas, Capitol Press Corps, PepsiCo, Vibe, Caucus, The Independent, Republican House, Cannon, Beverage, Essential Energy, Republicans Locations: Washington, Rayburn

☆ Branding’s corporate titans face moment of truth
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Aimee Donnellan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Now for the first time this century, sales volumes at the big consumer goods manufacturers are falling. In the first nine months of the year, Kraft Heinz said the quantity of its sold items declined by nearly 6 percentage points year-on-year. That’s likely to allow Nestlé, Kraft Heinz and Unilever to see flat or modest increases in 2023 sales, LSEG data shows. Earlier this year, outgoing Kraft Heinz Chief Executive Miguel Patricio said the company lost market share to a branded competitor that spent more. Unilever, Nestlé and Kraft Heinz have all pointed to a slowing of price growth in the coming year.

Persons: Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, ’, Xavier Roger, Kraft, what’s, John Furner, Miguel Patricio, Mars, ”, François, EY, George Hay, Streisand Neto, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Consumer, Kraft, Unilever, Danone, ’, United Nations, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, Target, Reuters Graphics, Obesity, Mondelez, Walmart, “, Thomson Locations: U.S, Europe, Australia, Norway, Chocolat, London

☆ Italy's privacy regulator looks into online data gathering to train AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters are placed on computer motherboard in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMILAN, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Italy's data protection authority has kicked-off a fact-finding investigation into the practice of gathering large amounts of personal data online for use in training artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, the regulator said on Wednesday. The watchdog is one of the most proactive of the 31 national data protection authorities in assessing AI platform compliance with Europe's data privacy regime known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Earlier this year, it briefly banned popular chatbot ChatGPT from operating in Italy over a suspected breach of privacy rules. "Following the fact-finding investigation, the Authority reserves the right to take the necessary steps, also in an urgent matter", the regulator said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Elvira Pollina, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, General Data Protection, Authority, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Italy, France, Germany

The logo of Deutsche Bank is seen in Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Deutsche Bank AG FollowFRANKFURT, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Customers of two Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) units have lodged a surge in complaints with Germany's consumer protection agency, the advocacy group said on Monday, as the banking giant scrambles to make good with aggravated clients. The VZBZ consumer group said it had registered about 1,700 complaints by customers of Deutsche's Postbank arm and its mortgage division in the year through September. The consumer group had already reported complaints of Postbank customers not having access to their funds for weeks and direct debits getting rejected, jeopardising their credit scores. BaFin got nearly 10,000 complaints about Postbank by early September, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Persons: Yves Herman, VZBZ, Ramona Pop, BaFin, Sewing, Tom Sims, Rod Nickel Organizations: Deutsche Bank, REUTERS, Companies Deutsche Bank, FRANKFURT, Deutsche, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Germany's, Postbank

☆ Dutch Consumer Group Sues Amazon Over Data Tracking
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Catherine Stupp | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The class-action lawsuit represents around five million Amazon account holders residing in the Netherlands, SDBN said. Photo: PASCAL ROSSIGNOL/REUTERSA consumer-rights group in the Netherlands sued Amazon on Wednesday over its alleged practice of tracking website visitors’ online activity, using recently expanded legal provisions allowing class actions. The lawsuit, filed in a Dutch court by Stichting Data Bescherming Nederland, or SDBN, said Amazon is violating the European Union’s privacy law by monitoring visitors to popular websites through cookies—the pieces of code that identify individual browsers to create targeted advertisements—without their permission.

Persons: SDBN, PASCAL ROSSIGNOL Organizations: REUTERS, Amazon, Stichting Data Bescherming Locations: Netherlands

☆ ECB starts preparation for digital euro in multi-year project
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Francesco Canepa | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A number of Caribbean countries and Nigeria have already launched digital currencies while China and Sweden are among those that have rolled out pilot projects. The ECB says a digital euro will create competition in the market for payments, dominated by U.S. credit card companies. The digital euro will distributed by the ECB as well as commercial banks and digital wallet providers. Many of these projects surged around 2019, when Facebook announced plans to introduce a digital currency, which were then ditched. But the rise of stablecoins – crypto tokens backed to some degree by traditional currencies – gave central bank’s digital currencies, or CBDC in financial jargon, new impetus.

Persons: Markus Ferber, Francesco Canepa, Alex Richardson, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: European Central Bank, ECB, Bank of England, Bank of Canada, European People's Party, U.S, Monetary Fund, Commission, Bank for International, Facebook, Thomson Locations: FRANKFURT, Nigeria, China, Sweden

☆ Abercrombie & Fitch says it is 'appalled' by allegations against former CEO Mike Jeffries
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Abercrombie & Fitch says it has launched its own investigation into allegations originally published by the BBC that the company’s former CEO, Mike Jeffries, exploited men for sex. “We are appalled and disgusted by the behavior described in the allegations against Mr. Jeffries, whose employment with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ended in 2014, nearly ten years ago. At least some of the parties are alleged to have occurred while Jeffries was the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch. Jeffries’ attorney, Brian Bieber, provided a response to CNN to the BBC report, saying that “Michael is 79 years old and retired. In years past, he has chosen not to comment on media reports, documentaries, and stories of any kind as they relate to his personal life - and does not plan on doing so now.”Mike Jeffries, former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO, photographed in November 2005.

Persons: Fitch, Mike Jeffries, Jeffries, “, Matthew Smith ., Jeffries ’, Brian Bieber, Michael, ” Mike Jeffries, Michael Loccisano, ”, – Organizations: New, New York CNN, Abercrombie, BBC, Abercrombie & Fitch Co, CNN, Abercrombie & Fitch, Fitch, Brothers Laundry Service, The New York Times, & $ Locations: New York, Black

☆ Australia's Qantas chairman says shareholders want him despite turmoil
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 27 (Reuters) - The chairman of Australia's Qantas Airways (QAN.AX) on Wednesday vowed to stay in his role despite a host of scandals engulfing the airline, saying its biggest shareholders wanted leadership continuity even as its shares track a one-year low. "I've had meetings with our major shareholders two weeks ago, and they are very strongly supportive of me staying," Goyder told the hearing. "While I retain the confidence of shareholders and the board, I will continue to serve. But she and Goyder, the Qantas chairman since 2018, denied having any discussions about the Qatari request with any member of the federal government. Qatar Airways' senior vice-president of global sales, Matt Raos, told the hearing the company was "surprised and shocked" its application was denied without a reason given.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Richard Goyder, I've, Goyder, we've, isn't, Vanessa Hudson, Jayne Hrdlicka, Hrdlicka, Matt Raos, Byron Kaye, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Qantas, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Qantas Airways, Stock, Qatar Airways, Virgin, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Virgin Australia, Qatar

☆ Dutch insurers' shares hit by unfavourable court ruling
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Shares of Dutch insurers took a hit on Wednesday as a court ruling in a years-long fight over investment-linked products re-opened the prospect of large compensation claims. NN Group (NN.AS) traded down 13.5% at 0750 GMT in Amsterdam, while fellow Dutch insurer ASR (ASRNL.AS) fell 8.6%, as NN warned of the possibly "material adverse effect" of the interim court ruling. NN Group and other Dutch insurers have been dealing with issues related to these insurance policies, popularly known as "woekerpolissen" for years. "This also has impact for the legal cases against other Dutch insurers, who all sold similar unit-linked products at the time," KBC analysts wrote in a note. Between 2008 and 2010, Dutch insurers collectively paid clients about 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in compensation over similar policies, but several consumer groups have since filed suits arguing the compensation was too low.

Persons: Bart Meijer, Louise Heavens, Christina Fincher Organizations: KBC, Aegon NL, Dutch, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, Hague, Amsterdam

☆ Pilots at Australia's Qantas demand chair quit over scandals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Qantas Airways QF100 flight, which marks the airline's 100th birthday, departs from Sydney Airport to fly over Sydney Harbour in Australia, November 16, 2020. "We have totally lost confidence in Goyder and his board," AIPA President Captain Tony Lucas said in a statement. "Qantas desperately needs a culture reset but how can this happen with Richard Goyder as chairman?" Qantas declined to comment, referring Reuters to previous public comments from Goyder where he refused to quit. Goyder, who has been the airline's chairman since 2018, is not up for reelection at its annual meeting in November.

Persons: Gregg Porteous, Vanessa Hudson, Richard Goyder, Captain Tony Lucas, Goyder, Alan Joyce, Albanese, Byron Kaye, Jamie Freed Organizations: Qantas Airways QF100, Sydney Airport, Sydney Harbour, Handout, REUTERS, Rights, Australia's Qantas Airways, Australian, International Pilots Association, Qantas, Reuters, Qatar Airways, Thomson Locations: Australia, Goyder

Here's a look at what California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara proposed and how it would affect the state's insurance market:WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES? It said insurance companies had to get permission from the state Department of Insurance before they could raise their rates. When setting their rates, insurance companies cannot consider current or future risks to a property. Insurance companies also buy insurance themselves, a process known as reinsurance. The process includes lots of time for insurance companies and consumer groups to give their input.

Persons: Ricardo Lara, They've, Lara Organizations: California, of Insurance, Insurance, Companies, California Department of Forestry, Protection . Insurance, . Insurance, FAIR, Consumer Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, ratepayers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A new plan from California's insurance commissioner aims to stop the nation's top insurers from leaving the wildfire-prone state by letting them consider climate risks when setting their prices. Unlike most states, California tightly restricts how insurance companies can price policies. Companies aren't allowed to factor in current or future risks when deciding how much to charge for an insurance policy. It’s one reason why, in the past year, seven of California’s top insurance companies have paused or restricted new business in the state. On Thursday, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said the state will write new rules to let insurers look to the future when setting their rates.

Persons: aren't, Ricardo Lara, ” Lara, Denni Ritter, Amy Bach, United, “, Ken Sweet Organizations: First Street Foundation, California, American, Casualty Insurance Association, Consumer Watchdog, Associated Press Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, Florida, New York

Sept 20 (Reuters) - Consumer goods firms like Nestle (NESN.S), Lindt (LISN.S) and Unilever (ULVR.L) may face increased pressure across Europe to cut prices after being singled out by French retailers and politicians, industry experts say. France is a crucial country for consumer goods companies, having long outstripped Germany, Italy, Spain and others as the European Union's biggest market for groceries by supermarket revenues, according to research firm IBISWorld. That means consumer groups will face pressure to rein back prices across the European Union. Because these supermarkets are in different countries and do not compete with one another, they often combine forces to negotiate with consumer goods makers. Consumer goods makers have for more than two years grappled with sky-rocketing input, supply chain and labour costs that they have either absorbed - taking a hit to margins - or passed on to retailers.

Persons: It's, Laurent Thoumine, Thoumine, Ferrero's, Pernod Ricard's Ricard, Systeme, Germany's, Switzerland's, Italy's, Philippe Michaud, Leclerc, Bruno Le Maire, Le Maire, Richard Saldanha, Lindt, Saldanha, Richa Naidu, Helen Reid, Matt Scuffham, Catherine Evans Organizations: Consumer, Nestle, Unilever, Carrefour, PepsiCo, European, Reuters, European Union, Epic Partners, French Finance, Aviva Investors, Paris, Thomson Locations: Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Eurelec

☆ Carrefour uses 'shrinkflation' stickers to pressure PepsiCo, Nestlé and Unilever
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

French supermarket chain Carrefour has slapped price warnings on products ranging from Lindt chocolates to Lipton Ice Tea to pressure suppliers such as Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever to cut their prices. Carrefour is putting stickers on products that have shrunk in size but cost more even though raw materials prices have eased. After a new round of meetings last month, Le Maire said Unilever (UL), Nestlé and PepsiCo (PEP) were among companies not toeing the line on prices. Consumer groups say “shrinkflation” is a widespread practice, which supermarkets like Carrefour are also guilty of in their private label products. The shrinkflation warnings are in all French Carrefour stores, and will last until the targeted suppliers agree to price cuts, Bompais said.

Persons: Stefen Bompais, Alexandre Bompard, Bruno Le Maire, Le Maire, Nestlé, “, Bompais, — Organizations: Carrefour, Lipton, PepsiCo, Unilever, UL, Nestlé, Reuters Locations: France, Swiss, Carrefour

☆ Carrefour sticks price warnings on food to shame suppliers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Dominique Vidalon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - French supermarket chain Carrefour (CARR.PA) has slapped price warnings on products from Lindt chocolates to Lipton Ice Tea to pressure top consumer goods suppliers Nestle, PepsiCo and Unilever to reduce inflation ahead of much-anticipated contract talks. After a new round of meetings last month, Le Maire said Unilever, Nestle and PepsiCo were among companies not toeing the line on prices. But Carrefour's move to name and shame suppliers marks an escalation in the war of words between retailers and big multinationals. The shrinkflation warnings are in all French Carrefour stores, and will last until the targeted suppliers agree to price cuts, Bompais said. Le Maire said last month consumer goods companies and retailers had agreed to bring forward annual price negotiations - which would normally have taken place next year - to September.

Persons: Bompais, Alexandre Bompard, Bruno Le Maire, Le Maire, Dominique Vidalon, Richa Naidu, Helen Reid, Silvia Aloisi, Richard Chang Organizations: Carrefour, Lipton, Nestle, PepsiCo, Unilever, Finance, Thomson Locations: France, Carrefour, Paris, London

"The only way to fly responsibly right now is not to fly," said Hiske Arts, who is leading the campaign by Fossil Free Netherlands. In preliminary hearings, its lawyers argued "fly responsibly" ads were well-intentioned. KLM says it has already discontinued 19 communications it says form the core of the Fossil Free suit. Its "fly responsibly" web page now re-routes customers to a message that reads: "Air travel is currently not sustainable. While advertising authorities have banned some ads, they say airlines should be allowed to discuss improvements in order to prevent "greenhushing", or allowing the issue to disappear from discussion.

Persons: BEUC, Dimitri Vergne, Laurent Donceel, Lucas Boudet, Toby Sterling, Joanna Plucinska, Mark Potter Organizations: Hiske, Fossielvrij, Dutch, KLM, Fossil, Hiske Arts, Fossil Free Netherlands, European Commission, Air France, Schiphol Airport, Airlines, Advertising Standards Association, Thomson Locations: Netherlands, Amsterdam, Europe, AMSTERDAM, LONDON, Brussels, London

Analysts say its new product launches could mark a first step in the company's come-back efforts to rival Apple. "It (Huawei) can manage the psychological expectations of the target consumer group before Apple's press conference," said Ivan Lam, an analyst at Counterpoint. Sino-U.S. friction has worsened in recent years as Washington tries to restrict China's access to key technologies including cutting-edge chip technology, and Beijing looks to reduce its reliance on American tech. The U.S. Commerce Department said late Thursday it's working to obtain more information "on the character and composition" of the new Huawei chip that may violate trade restrictions. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Air Force One the U.S. government is trying to get more information about the Huawei chip.

Persons: Ann Wang, Ivan Lam, Jake Sullivan, Rick Meckler, Taiwan's TSMC, Ben Blanchard, Jeanny Kao, Brenda Goh, Jason Xue, Yelin, Sam Nussey, Miyoung Kim, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Rights, Huawei, Apple, U.S, China's, Analysts, Reuters, Bank of America, Street, Washington, U.S . Commerce Department, National, Air Force, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Texas, Cherry Lane Investments, Tokyo, ASE Technology, Luxshare Precision Industry, Semiconductor, Technology, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, Thomson Locations: Hsinchu, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, U.S, Beijing, China, Asia, Japanese, iPhones, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Yelin Mo, Tokyo

Some analysts feel the Huawei moves could be a first step in comeback efforts by China's "national champion" to rival Apple. By contrast with the hit for Apple suppliers, Huawei's extended recent gains. Reuters GraphicsSCOPE OF CURBS UNCLEARIt was not immediately clear how wide China's iPhone curbs are, but one employee at an affected state-owned enterprise (SOEs) in the capital said they extended to visitors. However, Canalys analyst Nicole Peng said Huawei could present a greater threat to domestic peers, such as Honor, which had benefited from Huawei's woes. The U.S. Commerce Department is seeking more information on the "character and composition" of the new Huawei chip that may violate trade curbs, it said on Thursday.

Persons: Ann Wang, chipmaker TSMC, China's, Ivan Lam, Ming, Chi Kuo, Nicole Peng, TechInsights, Jeanny Kao, David Kirton, Jason Xue, Yelin Mo, Ellen Zhang, Sam Nussey, Miyoung Kim, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Rights, Huawei, Apple, Largan, Industry, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, Reuters, Bank of America, TF International Securities, Street, Washington, U.S . Commerce Department, Shanghai Newsroom, Thomson Locations: Hsinchu, Taiwan, Rights SHANGHAI, TAIPEI, U.S, Beijing, Taipei, TW, iPhones, China, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Tokyo

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