DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ 6 quick calendar tweaks that will help you get more done and optimize your daily routine
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Tugba Yanaz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

In my coaching and consulting practice, I work with leaders to create healthy routines to optimize their performance and well-being. Not urgent & important; schedule — You will want to schedule tasks that are important but less urgent for a later date. Urgent & not important; delegate — Assign urgent but less important tasks to others on your team. All your priorities must be reflected in your calendar, personal and professional. It's all about establishing a healthy relationship between your work and personal life and valuing both aspects.

☆ How Biden's $369 billion sell to the climate tech industry is luring Europe's hottest startups to the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

President Biden's $369 billion climate sell is attracting some of Europe's biggest startups. Battery maker Northvolt and carbon removal firm Climeworks are both lining up US expansions. President Biden's $369 billion play to make the US the new hub for climate-friendly companies caused consternation among international allies. Europe's EV battery darling Northvolt is set to announce its highly anticipated US expansion in the coming weeks while carbon removal company Climeworks has already revealed plans to scale up Stateside. The company is also watching Europe's efforts to create a regulatory framework for the certification of carbon dioxide removal (CDR).

☆ Russia's war on Ukraine latest: EU to discuss sanctions on Chinese and Iranian firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

May 10 (Reuters) - European Union states hold a first discussion on Wednesday on proposed new sanctions over Russia's war in Ukraine that would target Chinese and Iranian firms and allow export curbs on third countries for busting existing trade restrictions. GRAIN EXPORTS* The United Nations said inspections resumed on Tuesday of outbound vessels under a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, which Moscow has threatened to quit on May 18 over obstacles to its own grain and fertilizer exports. CONFLICT* The governor of Russia's Voronezh region said on Wednesday that two drones attempted to attack a military facility in his region, but failed. * Russia's air defence forces shot down an "enemy" drone in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine, its governor said, adding that falling debris damaged a gas pipeline and a house. * Arman Soldin, a 32-year-old video journalist for Agence France Presse (AFP) in Ukraine, was killed on Tuesday by Grad rocket fire near Chasiv Yar, in eastern Ukraine, AFP said on Twitter, citing AFP colleagues who witnessed the incident.

☆ British Spies, Japanese Teens and a German Cop’s Wild Ride
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Mike Hale | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

It has been a quiet season for international television on American screens — nothing has grabbed attention on a “Squid Game” or “Downton Abbey” scale. But barely a day goes by, in the streaming age, without an interesting series washing up from some foreign shore. Here are four recent shows worth tracking down, from an elegant British thriller to a Chinese dramedy about a demon god and an immortal warrior who meet cute on the mortal plane. ‘A Spy Among Friends’Alexander Cary, a writer and executive producer on “Homeland,” wrote this six-episode spy thriller as a leisurely, literate, three- or four-dimensional game of chess. Tightly controlled yet somehow relaxed, Lewis gives a performance in which the coldblooded manipulator and the sentimentally loyal bro coexist at every moment.

☆ Instagram is launching a test that will pay a share of ad revenue from reels to a 'small group' of creators. Here's how it will work.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Sydney Bradley | Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Meta's ad-rev-share program, called "Ads on Reels," has been testing on Facebook for over a year already. On Facebook, some creators can earn money from either overlay ads or post-loop ads played on their reels. Instagram will begin testing this new payment model for reels with a "small group" of US-based creators and advertisers, as part of expanding Ads on Reels to the platform. Facebook has been testing its Ads on Reels program for over a year. MetaCracking the code for monetizing reels and paying creators has been a years-long saga for Meta (and other short-form video platforms).

The country is planning to purchase Russian crude oil at a discount as high prices caused by geopolitical tensions have caused fuel prices to more than double in Pakistan. Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) will initially refine the Russian crude in a trial run, followed by Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO) and other refineries later. Pakistan is undertaking several measures, including raising fuel prices, to unlock a $1.1 billion tranche of aid from the International Monetary Fund. Fuel prices have jumped 143 rupees ($0.5046), or nearly 100%, in the last 12 months. Fuels including diesel became more expensive globally after Russia invaded Ukraine, which resulted in Western nations that consume large quantities of diesel imposing sanctions on Russian oil.

☆ Scientists used DNA to unlock who wore a 25,000-year-old pendant
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary AnthropologyA deer tooth pendant has revealed details about the woman who wore it between 19,000 and 25,000 years ago. The groundbreaking analysis by a team of European researchers marks the first time scientists have successfully isolated ancient human DNA from a Stone Age artifact. Gregory BretonWith large ears and adorable faces, sand cats went viral seven years ago when their kittens were photographed in the wild for the first time. Although smaller than domestic cats, sand cats live in harsh environments with scorching heat, hunt venomous Saharan horned vipers and rely on blood from prey as a source of water. To unravel the many mysteries of sand cats, researchers tracked 22 of the felines that had been fitted with radio collars for four years.

☆ 3 Quick Breakfast Waffles That Meet You Where You Are
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Yewande Komolafe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The savory waffle is a delightful blend of strong flavors: sesame, scallion, sharp cheese toasted until golden brown. The chocolate waffle — for true chocolate lovers — is intensified by unsweetened cocoa powder. It’s for your breakfast or brunch plate, but can double as a sweet snack with coffee or a dessert topped with whipped cream and berries. Aṣa loves making waffles but won’t eat them unless chocolate is the central ingredient. My 1-year-old, Midé, will eat anything, but what she loves most is making epic messes.

☆ Kenvue CEO looks to brand, product innovation to drive growth after IPO
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Thibaut Mongon, CEO of Kenvue Inc. a Johnson & Johnson consumer-health business, speaks during an interview with CNBC during his company's IPO at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), May 4, 2023. Kenvue CEO Thibaut Mongon is betting on brand and product innovation to drive growth at the newly spun-out company after its solid debut on the public market Thursday. Kenvue, spun out of Johnson & Johnson , carries a packed portfolio of widely known brands, such as Band-Aid, Tylenol, Listerine, Neutrogena, Aveeno and J&J's namesake baby powder. But Mongon told CNBC that Kenvue's portfolio of brands has "ample opportunity" to grow. Mongon believes product innovation ultimately makes Kenvue's brands "more relevant than ever" to consumers as they better target their needs.

☆ King Charles' coronation to blend ancient ritual with modern Britain
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, May 6 (Reuters) - The coronation of King Charles will seek to blend the ancient ritual of a ceremony that dates back for almost 1,000 years with the modern, more diverse face of Britain and its many faiths, the Order of Service makes clear. Watched by about 100 heads of state and dignitaries, Charles will be crowned on Saturday at Westminster Abbey, which has staged all coronations since William the Conqueror back in 1066. According to the Order of Service, the king will pray for the first time at a Coronation "publicly for grace to be 'a blessing to all ... of every faith and belief'." The king's love of nature will also be reflected in the clothing of his wife, Queen Camilla, who will also be crowned. Reporting by Kate HoltonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Best rice dishes: 20 delicious specialties from around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

And while famous rice dishes such as sushi, fried rice and paella are among the most prominent in the global spotlight, there are so many more rice recipes out there to put on your radar – and seek out on your travels. Wali wa kukaanga, KenyaWali wa kukaanga is Kenya’s answer to fried rice, and translates to just that in Swahili. So it’s no surprise that the Polynesian island country’s most popular rice dish, alaisa fa’apopo, has ties to the coconut, too. Thai fried rice (Khao Pad), ThailandThai fried rice uses the layering of flavors that's characteristic of the country's cuisine. ArenaCreative/Adobe StockWhen it comes to fried rice, the Chinese version tends to steal the spotlight.

☆ These Are the Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +16 min

By Lisa LombardiIf you’re a stomach sleeper, you’ve likely shopped for squishy, soft pillows in the past. That’s why finding the ideal pillow for stomach sleepers can prove to be difficult. It cushioned my head without allowing it to collapse into the mattress, like some other soft pillows do. Best upgrade pillow for stomach sleepersCozy Earth Silk Pillow $224 at Cozy Earth $ 299 Save $ 75 Silk-filled with a breathable bamboo cover, this pillow is a luxe pick for stomach sleepers who tend to overheat while they sleep. This flexibility proves particularly helpful for stomach sleepers, since getting the right loft is important to avoiding neck discomfort.

☆ Boeing has unveiled a new plane for its 'ecoDemonstrator' program — a modified 787. See all 10 of the company's testbed jets.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Boeing announced a new addition to its fleet of ecoDemonstrator aircraft on Thursday — a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. While not every experimental technology makes it onto a future Boeing jet, about a third actually have. 2014: Boeing 787Boeing 787 ecoDemonstrator. BoeingIn 2014, the planemaker debuted its second ecoDemonstrator — a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The 787 ecoDemonstrator tested 35 projects, including a collaboration with Delta Air Lines to generate real-time turbulence reports.

☆ What Is King Charles’s Coronation For? - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Hannah Rose Woods | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Once inside he will sit on the Coronation Chair, which is more than 700 years old and will temporarily house a block of Scottish sandstone known as the Stone of Destiny. He will put on, at some point, a 200-year-old cloak that is woven from gold cloth, embroidered with roses, thistles and shamrocks and lined with red silk. Britain’s monarchy and the country’s past are inextricably linked, and a coronation is an opportunity for the institution to nod at history and hope that history nods back. A successful coronation telegraphs to the world — and reflects back to as many Britons as possible — a version of who we’d like to think we are. The problem is that this coronation is arriving at a time when it’s not exactly clear what that is.

"We've got this window of low taxes here," said certified financial planner Dan Galli, owner at Daniel J. Galli & Associates in Norwell, Massachusetts. Former President Donald Trump's signature tax overhaul temporarily shifted individual income tax brackets by reducing the rates and applicable income levels. "It's a fascinating time to look at how you want to blend or sequence your income in retirement," Galli added. If you're 59½ or older, you can start taking withdrawals from pre-tax retirement plans without incurring a penalty. While you'll still owe regular income taxes, those rates may be lower through 2025, he said.

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File PhotoNEW YORK, May 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. government could delay a decision on giving electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers tradable credits under a renewable fuel scheme, due to concern about legal challenges to the plan, two sources familiar with the matter said. Most credits generated under the RFS are for blending liquid fuels such as ethanol made from corn into gasoline. Adding credits for power generated from renewable gas and then used for charging EVs would take the program in a new direction. The EPA initially proposed adding EVs to the program when it outlined the mandates for blending biofuels for 2023-2025. The delay in finalizing the EV credit program may mean more volume is available for other renewable fuel pools under the 2023-2025 mandate, including blending for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last year recommended adding EVs to the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which incentivizes oil refiners to blend biofuels. The EPA under the Biden administration is now testing the legal limits of the liquid fuel program by extending it to EVs. The EPA has proposed granting EV manufacturers tradable credits based on the amount of renewable electricity that makes it on the grid. Renewable gas producers and EV manufacturers like Tesla have been jockeying to gain the most benefits from the new credits. The November proposal foresaw EV manufacturers could generate as many as 600 million credits in 2024 and 1.2 billion of them by 2025.

☆ Eva Longoria shares 5 essential Mexico experiences
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Marnie Hunter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Editor’s Note: CNN Original Series “Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico” airs on CNN Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Here are just five of the essential experiences Longoria recommends to Mexico visitors. “There are so many indigenous cultures still vibrant in Mexico,” Longoria said. El Tajín “is one of the best-preserved pre-Hispanic cities in Mexico,” Longoria says in the Veracruz episode. With a conchaActress reveals daily ritual when she's in Mexico City 00:40 - Source: Eva Longoria: Searching for MexicoExploring requires stamina – and maybe a little sugar and caffeine.

☆ This 44-year-old founder and CEO is stepping down to go on a 3-year religious mission. 'I feel such confidence that this is the right thing.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Rebecca Knight | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Davis Smith founded Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear company and certified B Corporation, in 2014. In July, he will step down as CEO to go on a 3-year religious mission in Brazil. Damien Huang, Cotopaxi's president who joined the company from Eddie Bauer, where he was CEO, will move into the role. "But I feel such confidence that this is the right thing." And we don't do that by isolating ourselves or saying, "We're better than you," or "You're not doing it right."

☆ Under the Hollywood Spotlight, a Fading Welsh Town Is Reborn
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Euan Ward | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

In the Welsh language, the virtually untranslatable word “hiraeth” (pronounced here-ayeth) describes a blend of nostalgia and longing for a time that can never be recreated. For Wrexham, a working-class town in northern Wales, it was a feeling that came to define a postindustrial malaise that descended in the 1980s as the last remaining coal mines shuttered their rickety gates and, later, the furnaces at the nearby steelworks ran cold. Only the beloved soccer club, Wrexham A.F.C., remained: the oldest team in Wales, a perennial also-ran but still an indomitable source of local pride. “We went through so much as a town,” said Terry Richards, 56, a lifelong fan of the club as he sat at home in the team’s bright scarlet jersey. “Those were difficult times.”

☆ Vegan food blogger Nisha Vora tried ChatGPT for recipes. She says they're edible — but not exactly great.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Nisha Vora is a vegan recipe developer and the creator of the popular food blog Rainbow Plant Life. She tested a cauliflower curry recipe written by ChatGPT to evaluate the bot's recipe-writing skills. Vora is the creator of Rainbow Plant Life, a vegan food blog that she updates with new recipes weekly. She also has her own recipe for a vegan curry with cauliflower and tofu that is well-liked by her readers. Chat GPT's 'cauliflower curry' recipe Prompt: I have tomatoes and onions and cauliflower.

To curb Moscow's oil revenues following the Ukraine war, the Group of Seven Nations, the European Union and Australia imposed price caps on Russian crude and oil products from December and February, respectively. Lars Lange, secretary general of the International Union of Marine Insurance said: "We are definitely not able to assess the oil prices of shipments." "I get an attestation, which is a compliance with the price cap, but I know actually that something different is happening in the background...and this is something where no law can prepare you for these particular cases." HEIGHTENED SAFETY RISKSIn addition to risks of violating sanctions, the growing "shadow or dark fleet" - tankers purchased by states to deliver Russian oil - has increased safety risks for the shipping sector, the executives said. "I don't have a solution regarding the shadow fleet.

☆ 6 Podcasts for the Fashion-Conscious, and Curious
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Emma Dibdin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Last year, the show debuted its first mini-series, “American Ivy,” on the perennial popularity of the preppy look. Starter episode: “Pockets”Begun in 2014, this weekly fashion podcast offers a rare blend of down-to-earth comedy and sartorial commentary. Starter episode: “Fashion Inferno”The Business of Fashion, which started life as a Typepad blog in 2007, has grown into a resource for news and analysis within the fashion industry. Its accompanying podcast has found similar success, with Imran Amed, its chief executive and founder, delivering coverage geared toward fashion creatives and executives. In May 2021 came the brand’s first podcast, offering trend analysis, runway coverage and interviews with designers, stylists and celebrities.

☆ These mid-cap funds can give investors growth without Big Tech, Citi says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Tech stocks with healthy cash flow have been the big winners so far this year, and those names are also dominating the growth indexes. One way to dial back your exposure to mega-cap tech while keeping bets on growth is through mid-cap growth ETFs, according to Citi. Another benefit of the mid-cap growth area is that is not as reliant on tech stocks as the large-cap growth bucket, he added. The Citi note highlighted several ETFs that track the mid-cap growth space, including the iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IWP) , the Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) , and the Invesco Nasdaq Next Gen 100 ETF (QQQJ) . These funds do have less concentrated exposure than other popular growth ETFs.

☆ Harry Belafonte, calypso star and civil rights champion, dies at 96
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Alex Johnson | Diana Dasrath | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Singer Harry Belafonte speaks during a press junket at The Bing Decision Maker Series with the Sing Your Song Cast and Filmmakers on January 22, 2011 in Park City, Utah. American singer Harry Belafonte performing in a recording studio, circa 1957. By the early 1960s, Belafonte had become a force in the civil rights movement. A crowd of over 10,000 civil rights marchers gathers in the Manhattan Garment Center as Harry Belafonte sings at spiritual at a civil rights rally. A capacity audience of civil rights advocates turned out to watch a glittering array of theater personalities perform.

Search resuls for: "Blend"

25 mentions found