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☆ Neuralink exec Shivon Zilis defends Elon Musk's $55 billion Tesla pay package
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewNeuralink director Shivon Zilis is coming to Elon Musk's defense after his Tesla pay package was voided. A Delaware judge on Tuesday swatted down Musk's $55 billion Tesla pay package, siding with a shareholder who argued that Musk's pay as CEO was excessive. She stood by his Tesla compensation package in a social media post on Wednesday. "There are so many anti-meritocratic situations where people take money off the table while destroying shareholder value," Zilis wrote. "Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware," Musk wrote .

Persons: —, Shivon Zilis, Elon, Kathaleen St, J, McCormick, Musk, Zilis, it's, Tesla Organizations: Service, Tesla's, Business, Bloomberg Locations: Delaware

☆ Meta's continued rally could hinge on the fortunes of upstart retailers Temu and Shein
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Temu is owned by PDD Holdings , a Chinese company that moved its principal office to Ireland last year. Meta is expected to report revenue growth of 22% for the quarter to $39.2 billion, according to analysts surveyed by LSEG, formerly Refinitiv. JMP analysts estimated that Temu and Shein spent roughly $600 million and $200 million, respectively, on Facebook and Instagram ads in the third quarter. In December, Temu sued Shein, alleging questionable business practices and a "mafia-style intimidation of suppliers," according to legal documents. Meta isn't the only U.S. internet company effected by the speedy growth from Temu and Shein.

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Ma, Shu Zhang, Victor Lee, Lee, who's, Shein, Meta, Pavlo Gonchar, Temu, didn't, Susan Li, data.AI, It's, Chris Mack, Harding Loevner, they've, Mack, Shein confidentially, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Brian Wieser, Josh Silverman, Silverman Organizations: Alibaba, China Development Forum, Reuters, Facebook, Hasbro, Unified Commerce, Amazon, PDD Holdings, U.S, Mobile, Meta, LSEG, Getty, CNBC, Cyberspace Administration, China, Street Journal, Google Locations: Beijing, China, Ireland, Singapore, UKRAINE, U.S, United States, Wall, Asia, Pacific, Temu, Meta

☆ Opinion: Mark Zuckerberg’s extraordinary apology should only be the beginning
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Opinion Kara Alaimo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —On Wednesday, the chief executives of Meta, TikTok, X, Snap and Discord testified before the Senate about what they’re doing to protect kids from harm online. In the leadup to the testimony, tech companies announced new initiatives to protect kids. The Stop CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) Act of 2023 would make it possible to hold tech companies civilly liable for hosting child sexual abuse material. This would be an important way of incentivizing tech companies to do more to protect kids from sextortion and other forms of online exploitation. Tech companies also have a lot more work to do.

Persons: Kara Alaimo, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, TikTok’s Shou Chew, Democratic Sen, Dick Durbin, Snap’s Evan Spiegel, X’s Linda Yaccarino, Discord’s Jason Citron, Kara Alaimo Durbin, “, —, ” South Carolina Republican Sen, Lindsey Graham, Chew, Yaccarino, Spiegel, Zuckerberg, it’s, Taylor Swift Organizations: Fairleigh Dickinson University, Women, Press, Facebook, CNN, Meta, Senate, Democratic, Illinois, ” Senators, ” South Carolina Republican, Tech, Media Locations: ”

☆ Trump meets with Teamsters as he looks to peel off union voters from Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Gregory Krieg | Kristen Holmes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Story highlights Trump is looking to attract union members, who have traditionally voted Democratic. CNN —Former President Donald Trump Wednesday met with Teamsters union leaders and members in Washington as his campaign tries to drive a wedge between President Joe Biden and one of his most loyal constituencies: organized labor. The Teamsters have twice endorsed against Trump, backing Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Biden four years later. “We’re not ceding any territory, any group, any demographic to Joe Biden,” one senior Trump adviser said of the campaign’s outreach to working class voters. The group said Biden had been invited to its headquarters on the same day as Trump.

Persons: Trump, Biden, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Sean O’Brien, ”, John Palmer, “, ” Trump, Nikki Haley’s, ” Haley, Olivia Perez, Cubas, –, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Cornel West, Asa Hutchinson, Marianne Williamson, Dean Phillips, ” O’Brien, Shawn Fain, Sean O'Brien, Sara Nelson, Elizabeth Frantz, Reuters O’Brien, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, O’Brien, Mullin, Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, “ We’re, Fain, Cole Scandaglia, ” Fain, ” Biden, Kara Deniz, CNN’s Arlette Saenz, MJ Lee Organizations: Democratic, Teamsters, United Auto Workers, CNN, Biden, Trump, United States Army Veteran, Republican, ” Former South Carolina Gov, GOP, UPS, Arkansas Gov, Teamsters Union, UAW, Capitol, Reuters, Oklahoma Republican, Drake Enterprises, Ford, General Motors, National Labor Relations Board, Department of Transportation, Auto Workers, Automobile Manufacturing Industry Locations: Washington, Michigan , Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Lago, United States, Arkansas, Minnesota, Washington ,, Oklahoma, Vermont, Detroit, Michigan

☆ Why China's economy is doing better than people think
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewAlthough China looks dead-set on another year of economic distress, its prospects are brighter than they seem, a former advisor to the People's Bank of China wrote. For this reason, it helps that China's economy faces two-pronged deflation, with both consumer and producer price indices in the red, Yongding wrote. That means Beijing can inject considerable fiscal stimulus without concerns about inflation. According to Yongding, China's infrastructure is still behind in critical sectors, such as healthcare, education, and transportation.

Persons: —, Yu Yongding, Yongding Organizations: Service, People's Bank of China, Business, Project Syndicate, Monetary Locations: China, Beijing

☆ India set to be world's third largest economy by 2027, finance ministry says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

India could become the world's third-largest economy by 2027 with a gross domestic product of $5 trillion, the finance ministry has said. The projections come ahead of an interim budget due to be released later this week. In a report released Monday, the finance ministry said the economy is poised to grow at or above 7% in the fiscal year 2024. If it meets this year's target, it will be the third straight year of 7% GDP growth for India. India's chief economic advisor, V Anantha Nageswaran, said the government's goal is to become a developed country by 2047.

Persons: Nirmala Sitharaman, V, Nageswaran Organizations: Indian Finance, Bombay Stock Exchange Locations: Mumbai, India

Learn moreFrom soft-yet-durable sheets to powerful vacuums, the Insider Reviews team rigorously tests and reviews a wide variety of items for the home. We interview industry experts and do extensive research and testing to review the best lawn mowers, best paint, best drills, and more. James Brains/InsiderAdvertisementHow we test home productsWe test home products by using them every day for weeks and months. We test products as professionals to evaluate how each item meets industry standards, but we don't stop there. Her work spans from scoping out the best candles to meticulously evaluating the best vacuums.

Persons: Bissell, Dyson, We've, James Brains, he's, Lauren Savoie, Lauren Savoie Lauren, Lauren, She's, Jaclyn Turner, Jaclyn Turner Jaclyn, Jaclyn, James Brains James, Casper, James, — Organizations: Morning America, CBS Money Watch, Poynter, Leadership Academy, Women in Media, Insider, Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, Journalism, Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, Service Locations: Casper, Brooklinen, Bath, Real, Atlanta

☆ Business Insider Reviews: How we test the best kitchen products
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Caitlin Petreycik | Lauren Savoie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

We rigorously test hundreds of products every year to find the best kitchen products. Cookware: From the best cast iron skillets to cookware sets, the Business Insider Reviews team uses product-specific sets of benchmark tests to recommend the best cookware on the market. Molly Allen/InsiderWe test kitchen products by using them every day for weeks — and often months — under real-life circumstances in our homes and kitchens. Lily Alig, editor Lily Alig Lily is an editor on the Business Insider Reviews team, covering the home and kitchen verticals. In addition to being Business Insider Reviews' mattress expert, James has extensively covered vacuums, air conditioners, air purifiers, and more within the HVAC space.

Persons: mixologists, Molly Allen, we've, fryer, Lauren Savoie, Lauren Savoie Lauren, Lauren, Lily Alig, Lily Alig Lily, Lily, James Brains, James Brains James, Casper, James, Dyson Organizations: Poynter, Leadership Academy, Women in Media, Business

☆ Opinion: Here’s who won’t be Trump’s VP
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Opinion Dean Obeidallah | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The Donald Trump vice presidential reality selection show is heating up, with pundits laying out lists of possible people Trump might choose. They range from South Carolina GOP Sen. Tim Scott, to Ohio Sen. JD Vance, to even former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Trump won’t select a running mate who will help expand his voting base, as he did in 2016 when he named then-Indiana Gov. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/APWith those type of schemes, Trump needs a vice president who will not push back like Pence did. In fact, there’s plenty of time for the other contestants vying to be Trump’s VP pick to debase themselves with public displays of affection.

Persons: Dean Obeidallah, Donald Trump, Trump, South Carolina GOP Sen, Tim Scott, Ohio Sen, JD Vance, Tucker Carlson, Mike Pence, Pence, Joe Biden’s, Biden, didn’t, Trump’s, ”, —, Elise Stefanik, Pablo Martinez Monsivais, policeofficers, ” Stefanik, Liz Cheney, Scott, Nikki Haley —, “, Kari Lake, won’t Organizations: CNN, South Carolina GOP, Fox News, Dean Obeidallah CNN, Trump, Indiana Gov, Foreign Affairs, GOP, Capitol, Electoral, of Justice, “, House Republican, Team Trump New, New York GOP, Twitter Locations: South, Ohio, Team Trump New Hampshire, Manchester, NH, New York, New Hampshire, Arizona, United States

☆ Joe Manchin could upend Biden’s reelection campaign – and blow up No Labels along the way
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Some around Biden agree Manchin may have a point in how to make the pitch. As Biden tries to assert the success of his presidency, Manchin says he shaped “everything” in the president’s agenda. “It’s been far less organized than he expected it to be” and “he doesn’t see a plan coming together,” a person familiar with Hogan’s thinking told CNN. “No matter what side of the fence you might be on, where you are for philosophically, we learned to navigate that,” he told CNN. Several anti-Trump Republicans who listened to Manchin’s speech told CNN they were happy to hear him.

Persons: CNN — Sen, Joe Manchin, Privately, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Manchin, there’s, Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders, Biden, Sanders, hadn’t, ” Manchin, ”, Trump, “ He’s, Larry Hogan, –, “ It’s, “, hasn’t, Connecticut Sen, Joe Lieberman, Pat McCrory, Mark Penn, Nancy Jacobson, Ryan Clancy, Chris Christie, Heather Bresch, Bresch, Tom Reed, ” Reed, Bernie Sanders Manchin’s, codifying Roe, Wade, Roe, Machin, Saint Anselm Organizations: CNN, West Virginia Democrat, Biden, Trump, Democratic, Trump Republicans, Senate, White House, Washington, Democrat, Republican, North Carolina Gov, White, Representatives, Justice Department, New, New York Rep, Manchin, Saint Anselm College Locations: New Hampshire, South Carolina, Georgia, Vermont, Maryland, Dallas, Connecticut, North Dakota , New York , Florida , Texas, Hawaii, New Jersey, Manchin’s New Hampshire, Texas, Manchester, Washington, Saint, Unfazed

☆ Opinion: What could fall apart after Trump’s victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. CNN —In 2018, Irish journalist Fintan O’Toole proposed the “Yeats Test” to determine how bad things are in the world. Although … Haley is the last contender standing between former President Donald Trump and the Republican nomination…most Republican voters do not want an alternative to Trump; they overwhelmingly back him. Polling shows Trump even leads Haley in her home state of South Carolina.”Haley’s quest is going nowhere, wrote Daniel McCarthy. Join us on Twitter and FacebookTrump’s election-night needling of South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who endorsed the president over Haley, stood out.

Persons: Fintan O’Toole, Yeats, ” O’Toole, Donald Trump, —, William Butler Yeats, Mitch McConnell’s, Trump, doesn’t, Joe Biden, Clay Jones, Nikki Haley, ”, Raul Reyes, … Haley, Haley, Daniel McCarthy, Ron DeSantis, “, Paul Begala, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, Tim, ” Trump, Scott, E, Jean Carroll, Ana Marie Cox, Carroll —, Julian Zelizer, — Trump, ” Bill Bramhall, Biden, Douglas, Bruce A, Willis, John Avlon, Dean Obeidallah, Jon Stewart, Bill Burns, Lishay Lavi, Omri Miran, Roni, Alma, ” Lavi, ” Barbie, Oscar Bill Bramhall, New York Daily News Sara Stewart, Barbie ”, “ Tuesday’s Oscar, ‘ Barbie, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Barbie, it’s, Brad Meltzer, Ken, ’, Hannah Ryan, Barbie ’, Sofia Coppola’s ‘ Priscilla ’, Priscilla Presley’s, Elvis —, Molly Manning Walker’s, Ava DuVernay’s, Noah Berlatsky, Dr, Strangelove ”, Peter Bergen, Elena Sheppard, Kyte, Nick Anderson, Narges Mohammadi, Jennifer Tucker, Wayne LaPierre, Erik German, Frida Ghitis, Elon Musk, Jill Filipovic, millennials, David S, Cohen, Greer Donley, Rachel Rebouché, David Mark, …, Lisa Benson, Suzanne Plunkett, Michelle Francl didn’t, Rosa Prince, You’re, you’ll Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Trump, Polling, Florida Gov, Republican Party, ”, Twitter, Facebook, New York Daily, CIA, New York Daily News, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., Academy, Counterpoint, NRA, Harvard, Bryn Mawr College, Boston Harbour Locations: Irish, “, Ukraine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa, New York, Douglas London, Georgia, Gaza, Israel, Bergen, Boston, Pennsylvania

The dispute engulfing the biggest provider of vital aid to Palestinians came as U.S. officials said negotiators were closing in on a cease-fire agreement. The emerging deal also calls for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. The top United Nations court has asked Israel for a compliance report in a month, placing added scrutiny on Israel's military. The case brought by South Africa to the U.N. court alleged Israel is committing genocide, which Israel vehemently denies. The court also ordered Israel to urgently get aid to Gaza.

Persons: Antonio Guterres, ” Guterres, ”, Philippe Lazzarini, Bill Burns, David Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Israel, Khan Younis, Nasser, ___ Shurafa, Madhani, Matthew Lee, Zeke Miller Organizations: United Nations, UNRWA, Biden, CIA, Qatari, International Court of Justice, World Health Organization, MSF Locations: RAFAH, Gaza, Israel, United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, ISRAEL, South Africa, Khan, Deir, Washington, israel

In the first phase, fighting would stop to allow for the remaining women, elderly and wounded hostages to be released by Hamas. Netanyahu has faced increasing pressure from the families of many hostages who are demanding a deal to win their loved ones’ release. The Oct. 7 attack killed some 1,200 people in Israel, and Hamas and other militants abducted around 250 people. Around 100 hostages were freed under a weeklong cease-fire deal in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Hamas has said it will free more captives only in exchange for an end to the war and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

Persons: Bill Burns, David Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Joe Biden, Abdel Fattah el, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al, “, ” Burns, Brett McGurk, Burns, Biden, McGurk, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ___ Miller Organizations: WASHINGTON, — U.S, New York Times, Qatari, White, Israel Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, France, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Thani, Columbia , South Carolina

☆ Why does gas cost more in California?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It adds about 10 cents of additional cost per gallon of gas, said Borenstein. Yet, in the fall of 2022, California gas prices shot up to a record high of nearly $6.50 per gallon after multiple refineries suffered outages. The shrinking number of oil refineries in California is another reason there’s a growing gap between California and the rest of the country’s gas prices. Those 11 refineries produce 90% of California’s gas and diesel fuel, according to California’s energy department. But Borenstein has another theory for why the price of gas is so much higher in California.

Persons: That’s, Severin Borenstein, Borenstein, Ronald Reagan, ” Reagan, David Paul Morris, ”, “, Patrick De Haan, ” Borenstein Organizations: Los Angeles CNN —, AAA, University of California Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, California Air Resources Board, Gov, Carrell, Act, Bloomberg, Getty, American Lung Association, US Energy Information Administration, Drivers, Shell, Mobil Locations: United States, California, Golden, Angeles, Los Angeles, San Francisco , California, Hawaii, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, “ California, Chevron

☆ Beijing intensifies military pressure on Taiwan as U.S.-China talks resume
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

From 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday local time, China sent 33 military aircraft and six naval vessels toward Taiwan, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry. For example, at their meeting, Sullivan and Wang confirmed the plan to launch a collaborative U.S.-China "Counternarcotics Working Group" on Tuesday to address the fentanyl crisis. The contentious issue comes up at nearly every U.S.-China meeting, including the high-profile talks between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November. China's military pressure on Taiwan comes during what senior administration officials have called "a period of higher tension." Lai was China's least favorite candidate due to his support of maintaining Taiwan's status quo.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, Wang Yi, Sullivan, Wang, Mr, Lai Ching, Lai Organizations: U.S, Foreign, Taiwan's Defense Ministry, Democratic Progressive Party, U.S . Locations: Filoli, U.S ., California, Beijing, Taiwan, China, Taiwan Strait, U.S, United States, PRC, Bangkok

☆ 14th Amendment: Illinois election board hears objection to Trump candidacy based on January 6 insurrection
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A retired judge hired by the Illinois State Board of Elections held a hearing Friday on whether the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban” applies to former President Donald Trump. Retired Illinois judge Clark Erickson presided over the roughly two-hour hearing in Chicago on Friday. The Illinois State Board of Elections, which is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to accept Erickson’s recommendation in the Trump case, is a bipartisan panel with four Democrats and four Republicans. Their decision can be appealed in Illinois state courts. At its Tuesday meeting, the election board is also slated to vote on a 14th Amendment challenge lodged against President Joe Biden by a group of conservative activists.

Persons: CNN —, “, Donald Trump, Clark Erickson, Matthew Piers, Trump, Piers, ” Piers, ’, ” Trump, Scott Gessler, President Trump, ” Gessler, ” Erickson, Joe Biden, Biden “, Biden Organizations: CNN, Illinois State, Trump, Capitol, ”, Republican, GOP, Illinois, United, Democratic Locations: Illinois, Colorado, Maine, Chicago, Michigan , Minnesota, Kankakee, United States, Mexico

☆ Cramer's week ahead: Fed meeting, labor report, Big Tech earnings
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Cramer warned that the volume of reports next week coupled with comments from the Fed will make it a tough time for any solid investing decisions. On Monday, Cramer said he will be watching as steelmakers Nucor and Cleveland-Cliffs report earnings. The day features earnings reports from Pfizer , General Motors , Microsoft , Alphabet , Starbucks and AMD . Thursday is another big earnings day, with morning reports from Honeywell and Merck and then Apple , Amazon and Meta after close. He said if the unemployment rate doesn't hit 4%, investors shouldn't expect a March rate cut from the Fed.

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Cramer, you've Organizations: Federal Reserve, Pfizer, General Motors, Microsoft, AMD, Mastercard, Boeing, Honeywell, Merck, Apple, Meta, Chevron, Exxon Locations: Cleveland, Meta, China

CNN —The Colorado voters trying to disqualify Donald Trump from the state ballot told the Supreme Court on Friday that the violence the former president provoked on January 6, 2021, qualifies as an insurrection under the terms of the Constitution and bars him from holding future office. In the early pages of their 60-page filing, they also countered Trump lawyers’ warning of the “bedlam” that could follow if the justices were to allow states to block his name from upcoming primary ballots. The voters’ lawyers wrote that the mob “infiltrated the (US Capitol) building through shattered windows” and “erected gallows” outside, while chanting “Hang Mike Pence.” They noted that video of the day was on file at the court. The Supreme Court agreed earlier this month to hear the case of Trump v. Anderson, accepting the former president’s appeal of the Colorado Supreme Court decision that removed him from that state’s ballot. The Colorado trial judge disagreed, and her findings were upheld by Colorado’s high court, which concluded that he “intended that his speech would result in the use of violence.”

Persons: Donald Trump, ’, Trump, Jason Murray, ”, “, Daniel Hodges, Mike Pence, Joe Biden’s, Anderson Organizations: CNN, The, Trump, US Capitol Police, Capitol, Pennsylvania, Supreme, Colorado Supreme Locations: The Colorado, United States, Colorado, West Terrace, Texas

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Legislature kicked off debate Thursday on whether the state should join the list of those that allow physician-assisted suicide. Ten states and the District of Columbia already allow some form of physician-assisted suicide, while proponents are planning fresh pushes to pass it this year in several other states. Patients would have to have the mental capacity to make their own health care decisions and provide informed consent, so those with dementia would not qualify. “Suicide is not health care. Current law already gives people the right to make legally binding end-of-care health care directives, the right to hospice and palliative care, and the right to refuse care, she said.

Persons: Mike Freiberg, Nancy Unde, Corcoran, ” Unde, I’m, Freiberg, John Hoffman, Champlin, “, ”, Chris Massoglia, Blaine, ” Nancy Utoft, Utoft, Maysoon Khan Organizations: PAUL, The Minnesota Legislature, Democratic, District of Columbia, Supporters, Senate, Americans United, Life, Minnesota Alliance, Ethical Healthcare, Associated Press Locations: The, Golden Valley, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, . Oregon, Vermont, New York, Connecticut, Albany , New York

But barring any surprises in the latest economic data, mortgage rates shouldn't spike back up too high. This would remove a lot of upward pressure off of mortgage rates and finally allow them to fall. If the Fed suggests a cut is coming sooner rather than later, mortgage rates could trend back down a bit. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. This is good news for mortgage rates — as inflation slows and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to trend down as well.

Persons: We'll, we'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, ARM Locations: Chevron

☆ Despite the bad press, half of America is still considering an EV or hybrid car — they just want them to be cheaper
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"These are not the same kind of customers who created the initial EV market," GBK President Jeremy Korst told Business Insider in an interview. A new wave of EV shoppers is hitting the market, and the industry appears to be unprepared to meet their needs. Among the group of EV considerers surveyed, Toyota was the most considered brand, with 47% showing a preference for the Japanese automaker compared to 41% favoring Elon Musk's Tesla. Plug-in hybrids ranked very high on EV considerer's preference lists in GBK's study. GBK's study found that EV considerers are willing to pay $7,650 more on average for an EV than a gas-powered car with similar features.

Persons: —, Jeremy Korst, they're, Korst, Tesla, Elon Musk's Tesla, GBK Organizations: Service, GBK, Business, EV, Toyota, EV considerers, Elon, Ford, considerers

☆ Sofia Richie Grainge announces pregnancy with ‘Vogue’ photoshoot
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Sofia Richie Grainge is the latest star to partake in this trend, with a “Vogue” spread released Thursday featuring her in bump-baring shirts, tank tops and even some loose tailoring as a means of confirming her first pregnancy. (Richie Grainge and her husband, the music executive Elliot Grainge, were married last April in a ceremony which was also splashed across “Vogue.”)Richie Grainge told “Vogue” she learned of her pregnancy after a whirlwind trip to Milan Fashion Week last fall, when it turned out what she first thought to be jet-lag was an early bout of morning sickness. “I told everyone that I had bought them a gift from Milan,” the fashion influencer told the magazine of how she and Grainge then hid her positive pregnancy tests in designer gift boxes. “I’m not going to publicize my child on Instagram,” Richie Grainge said. If she wants to be a private person, I want her to be able to make that choice.”

Persons: there’s, Sofia Richie Grainge, baring, Richie Grainge, Elliot Grainge, “, Grainge, ’, “ I’ve, ” Richie Grainge, ”, “ I’m, It’s Organizations: CNN, Vogue, “ Vogue, Milan Locations: Milan

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

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

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

The U.S. economy ended 2023 with a bang, as growth in gross domestic product in the fourth quarter came in at 3.3%, easily dashing expectations on strong consumer spending and exports. Economists had predicted a gain of 2% for the quarter following the third quarter’s 4.9% increase, driven by strong consumer spending, rebuilding of inventories and a resilient labor market. Although 2023 outperformed, defying predictions of a recession even as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to a level not seen in four decades, most economists are forecasting growth slowing this year. The strong fourth quarter number is likely to cast doubt on whether the Fed will begin cutting interest rates as early as the market thinks. “Consumers will likely remain cautious with their spending as they confront ‘cost fatigue’ and less vibrant labor market conditions.

Persons: ”, Steve Rick, Gregory Daco, Daco, Jerome Powell, “, ” Daco Organizations: Federal Reserve, TruStage, “, Fed, Labor Department Locations: U.S, Ukraine

☆ Lounges, lay-flat beds, and award-winning menus. Here's what you can expect from this Australian airline's premium offering.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Sponsor Post | Sponsored Qantas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Meanwhile, Qantas' Business lounges offer stylish interiors, productivity-focused workspaces, exclusive shower suites, free-flow drinks, and delicious meals and snacks. Business passengers can enjoy equally inviting ergonomic lay-flat beds. Enjoy a peaceful night in the Business Class beds. Inspired by seasonal ingredients and blending Asian flavors with modern Australian cuisine, First presents an à la carte menu featuring signature dishes, including premium plant-based options. Business passengers also enjoy a selection of Neil Perry-designed dishes celebrating Australian produce and flavors along with a standard full formal dining offering.

Persons: Read, armchairs, it's, Martin Grant, terry, Neil Perry, David Caon Organizations: Qantas Airlines, Qantas, revel, Best Business, Airport, Insider Studios Locations: Australia, Singapore, Sydney, London, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Qantas Singapore, —, Melbourne, Los, Seoul, Qantas Australian, Sydney , Melbourne, Auckland

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