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☆ Silicon Valley is foaming at the mouth with the promise of AI 'agents.' These are the startups to watch.
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Melia Russell | Samantha Stokes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

ADThe rise of agents offers a fertile ground for a select group of startups to establish themselves as the front-runners of this shift. The result is a list of 20 startups that seem positioned to scale this year on the back of new funding. Agents can break down complex tasks into smaller sub-tasks, make decisions, execute plans, and adjust their approach based on outcomes. PitchBook data shows startups exploring the application of agents have alone raised $8.2 billion in 2024. Here's a list of agentic startups who have raised rounds of more than $25 million and less than $75 million in 2024, ranked from the least amount raised to the most amount raised.

Persons: Sam Altman, Praveen Akkiraju, Jasper, Jill Chase, Aaron Jacobson, Seema Amble, Andreessen Horowitz Organizations: Insight Partners, Google, Microsoft, NEA Locations: Databricks

☆ Elon Musk now has a new, lower target number for DOGE’s budget cuts
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

So that, I think, would be an epic outcome.”There’s no shortage of money-saving targets in the federal government, Musk said, without offering any specifics. “Actually, I know people in the government who do care about, just as a matter of principle, spending money effectively. The system prevents them from doing so.”Musk, the world’s richest person, is looking to downsize the federal budget and operations by slashing spending, curbing regulations and cutting the workforce. However, budget experts have scoffed at his pronouncements, saying that eliminating $2 trillion from a roughly $6.8 trillion budget is unrealistic. Still, many congressional Republicans, as well as some Democratic lawmakers, have embraced DOGE’s mission to streamline the federal government.

Persons: CNN — Elon Musk, ” Musk, Donald Trump, we’ve, —, Musk, ”, “, Vivek Ramaswamy, CNN’s Kasie Hunt, Zach Nunn, Mark Penn, Bill Clinton, ” CNN’s David Wright, Shania Shelton Organizations: CNN, Government, Republicans, Democratic, Iowa, Republican Locations: Washington

☆ Los Angeles struggles to contain disaster as 5th wildfire breaks out in the Hollywood Hills
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The longest-burning of the now five active fires in Los Angeles County, the Palisades Fire, has burned over 15,000 acres, official said. Chief of Los Angeles Fire Department Kristin Crowley said that fire was under control as of Wednesday evening. Tourist landmarks close as smoke chokes LAThe Los Angeles area is a huge tourist draw, attracting nearly 50 million visitors a year. The fires forced some Los Angeles-area landmarks to close, including the Hollywood sign, the Los Angeles Zoo, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk, and the Griffith Observatory. ADEven miles from the fires in South Los Angeles, smoke reduced visibility to just one block, officials said.

Persons: —, Angeles Mayor Bass, Alberto Carvalho, Anthony Marrone, Hurst, Kristin Crowley, Chad Augustin, Augustin, Etienne Laurent, Gavin Newsom, Newsom, Kristin M, Crowley, Apu Gomes, David Ortiz, TIffany Rose, Airbnb, Robert Luna, Etienne Laurent Jonathan Vigliotti Organizations: Hollywood, Emergency, LA, Angeles Mayor, LA Unified School, Palisades, Fire, Woodley, Los Angeles Fire, Pasadena Fire, AP, Wednesday, CalFire, California Gov, FEMA, Franklin, Los Angeles City Fire, National Weather Service, CNN, KTLA, Los Angeles Zoo, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal, Griffith Observatory, National Hockey League, Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, Pacific Palisades, CBS News Locations: Los Angeles, Angeles, Los Angeles County, Pasadena, Altadena, San Fernando, Sepulveda, California, Angeles County, South Los Angeles

☆ Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Dismisses Criticism of City’s Wildfire Response
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Kate Selig | More About Kate Selig | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles sought to deflect criticism of the city’s response to a series of uncontrolled wildfires during a news conference on Thursday in which she faced pointed questions about the city’s preparedness — and her own — ahead of what has become one of the biggest natural disasters in the state’s history. Ms. Bass dismissed a question about her leadership, saying that she was currently focused only on saving lives, and said any evaluation of mistakes or failures by “any body, department, individual” would come later. Ms. Bass was not in the city at the time; she had traveled to Ghana for the inauguration of that country’s new president and did not return to Los Angeles until Wednesday afternoon. The first question she faced on Thursday morning noted her absence, even as the city was issuing a news release warning about the fire’s potential. But later, she offered a glimpse into her own unease with the challenges firefighters have faced.

Persons: Karen Bass, —, . Bass, Bass, Ms, “, ” Organizations: Los Locations: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Ghana

☆ I married an American and moved to the US 12 years ago. I'm happy now, but I didn't realize how tough the transition would be.
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Katie Joll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

When I moved from New Zealand to the US, I didn't realize how much it would actually cost me. I moved from New Zealand to California more than 12 years ago after I met and married an American. Plus, I never stopped feeling the pull of home and the family I left behind in New Zealand. ADBack in New Zealand, however, I was used to — and raised in — a culture that encourages people to act humble. ADIt's also tough for my family overseas to visit the US, in part due to the exchange rate.

Persons: It's, I've, doesn't, they're, Katie Joll, it's, She's Organizations: Kiwis, New Zealand, All Blacks rugby team Locations: New Zealand, California, —, Australia, San Francisco, Auckland

☆ Beijing is subsidizing everything from microwaves to dishwashers to get people to spend more money
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China has expanded its trade-in program to boost consumer spending on home appliances. ADOn Wednesday, China added home appliances, including microwave ovens, water purifiers, dishwashers, and rice cookers, in a trade-in program designed to spur demand. ADThe Chinese government, which had allocated 81 billion yuan, or $11 billion, for the trade-in program, said on Wednesday that the program had yielded positive results. Official inflation data released on Thursday gave little cheer, with China's consumer price index last year inching up just 0.2% from a year ago. Analysts generally expect China's inflation data to pick up this month thanks to seasonal factors as Chinese New Year, which starts on January 29.

Persons: Li Gang, Lynn Song Organizations: CPI, Greater China, ING, Nomura Locations: China, Beijing, Greater

☆ Google donates $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund, joining other tech giants
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Ashley Capoot | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Meta both announced $1 million donations to the inaugural fund late last year, and Amazon and Apple CEO Tim Cook have also reportedly contributed. "Google is pleased to support the 2025 inauguration, with a livestream on YouTube and a direct link on our homepage. Trump has had a rocky relationship with major tech companies over the years and has not shied away from criticism of the sector following the election. He signaled late last year that he wouldn't rule out antitrust enforcement, which is a particularly sore spot for Google. Tech CEOs have made substantial moves to publicly show their support for Trump and repair their relationship with the incoming president.

Persons: Sam Altman, Tim Cook, We're, Karan Bhatia, Google's, Trump, Sergey Brin, Sundar Pichai, Pichai, Elon, Mark Zuckerberg, Kevin Breuninger Organizations: Google, YouTube, Meta, Apple, CNBC, Tech, Little Tech, Social, Former, Trump, Elon Musk's Locations: U.S, Little

☆ Lead and cadmium found in muscle-building protein powders, report says
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Over-the-counter protein powders may contain disturbing levels of lead and cadmium, with the highest amounts found in plant-based, organic and chocolate-flavored products, according to a new investigation. Another key source of contamination in protein powders was chocolate flavoring, according to the report. “Chocolate-flavored protein powders contained four times more lead and up to 110 times more cadmium than vanilla-flavored powders,” Bowen said. Nearly 80% of the plant-based and organic protein powders tested were over the Prop 65 limit for lead. “For people following a fully plant-based diet, protein powders made from peas appear to have the lowest levels of heavy metals,” she said.

Persons: ”, Jaclyn Bowen, ” Bowen, Andrea Wong, CRN’s, ” Wong, bisphenol, Bowen, Bisphenol, “ Organizations: CNN, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of, Safety, Health Administration, Responsible Nutrition, and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Label Locations: California

As devastated Angelenos search for answers to the raging fires that have leveled entire neighborhoods, one oft-repeated explanation has been the slashing of the fire department’s budget. Even Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of The Los Angeles Times, took to X to blast Mayor Karen Bass for the cuts. That included eliminating 73 vacant civilian positions and reducing money available to pay firefighters’ overtime by $7.9 million. Image Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles, left, looks on as Chief Kristin M. Crowley of the Los Angeles Fire Department addresses the news media at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles last year. Freddy Escobar, the president of the local firefighters’ union, has worked fighting fires in Los Angeles for 35 years.

Persons: Patrick, Karen Bass, ”, “, Bass, Bob Blumenfield, Kristin M, Crowley, Richard Vogel, ” —, we’ve, Freddy Escobar Organizations: Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles City, Los Angeles Fire Department, Harbor, Medical Center Locations: LA, Los Angeles

☆ Takeshi Ebisawa: Alleged Yakuza leader admits trafficking nuclear materials from Myanmar
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Jay Ganglani | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —An alleged leader from Japan’s Yakuza crime syndicates has pleaded guilty to trafficking nuclear materials from Myanmar as part of a global web of trades in drugs, weapons and laundered cash, according to the US Department of Justice. The 60-year-old Japanese national on Wednesday pleaded guilty in a New York court to conspiring with a network of associates to traffic the nuclear materials out of Myanmar, it said. He also admitted to international narcotics trafficking and weapons charges. A year later, US authorities arrested Ebisawa on charges of plotting to distribute drugs in the United States and purchase American-made surface-to-air missiles. The country is awash with natural resources such as rare-earth metals and other materials vital for civilian and military technology, including uranium.

Persons: CNN —, Takeshi Ebisawa, Ebisawa, ”, Edward Y, Kim, Ebisawa “, …, Anne Milgram, “, Matthew G, Olsen, CNN’s Holmes Lybrand Organizations: CNN, US Department of Justice, US Drug Enforcement Administration, Wednesday, Southern, of, “, Department, Justice, ”, Yakuza, Department of Justice’s National Security Locations: Myanmar, Iranian, New York, Burma, Ebisawa, United States, of New York, Tokyo, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka

☆ A zombie mall store king is born: JCPenney merges with Forever 21 owner
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The 123-year-old department store chain anchors the new company — a joint venture with Sparc Group, which also owns Lucky Brand, Eddie Bauer, Nautica and Aeropostale. Catalyst represents a new chapter for JCPenney, the historic chain that filed for bankruptcy in the height of the pandemic in 2020. It was later bought by mall-owner Simon Property Group and real estate developer Brookfield in a $1.75 billion deal. Malls have been facing significant problems from store closings and reduced foot traffic since before the pandemic. JCPenney CEO Marc Rosen is leading the new company, which will be headquartered at the department store’s offices in Plano, Texas.

Persons: Brooks, Lucky Brand, Eddie Bauer, Nautica, Simon, Neil Saunders, Brookfield, Marc Rosen, ” Rosen, ”, ” Saunders, ” Catalyst Organizations: New, New York CNN, JCPenney, Brooks Brothers, Sparc Group, Catalyst Brands, Catalyst, Simon Property Group, GlobalData, CNN, ”, Reebok Locations: New York, Brookfield, Plano , Texas

☆ A 79-year-old exercises 4 times a week, including dancing and 3-hour fencing sessions. She shared 4 things that help her stay fit and motivated.
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Serafina Kenny | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Cherie Rohn, 79, took up fencing at 75. Cherie Rohn, 79, has a very structured week when it comes to workouts. For Rohn, fencing gives her "immense physical strength" and the ability to "meet the challenges of the day." This is because the healthiest way to eat, like exercise, is one you can maintain in the long term. ADMaking resting part of your workout routineShe also takes multiple rest days a week to help her body recover.

Persons: Cherie Rohn, Rohn, Nathan K, Don't, I'm, Danielle Gray Organizations: Physiology, Duke Kunshan University Locations: Fort Myers , Florida, Papua New Guinea, China

☆ Wall Street names 13 of our stocks 'top picks' for 2025 — here's the list and our takes
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +19 min

Wedbush has a $220 price target on the stock and a buy-equivalent outperform rating. The firm has a buy rating on the stock and a price target of $250. Morgan Stanley has an overweight rating on Apple stock with a price target of $273. The firm also raised its price target on Meta stock to $750 from $660 while maintaining its outperform rating. The bank has a buy rating on Wells Fargo with a price target of $84 per share.

Persons: Donald Trump, Jim Cramer's, Anat, Wedbush, JD Vance, Roth, Morgan Stanley, Donald Trump's, Mizuho, Coterra, Walt Disney, Bob Iger, Mark Zuckerberg's, Instagram, Piper Sandler, Piper, Copilot, hyperscalers, Blackwell, BTIG, Brian Niccol, Wells, it's, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Federal Reserve, Street, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust, Club, Google, Amazon, Web Services, Analysts, Microsoft, Apple, Apple Intelligence, Broadcom, Bank of America, Disney, Meta, JMP Securities, Management, Reality, Reality Labs, Big Tech, Nvidia, Blackwell, CIO, Starbucks, Wells, CNBC, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: China, Northern Delaware, Windham, Mizuho, Wells Fargo

☆ Dubai skyscrapers to be linked by daring rooftop pool
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Two new 591-foot-tall skyscrapers, linked across the top by a daring “sky pool,” are set to rise above Dubai’s Marasi Marina. Designed by British architect Norman Foster's firm, Foster + Partners, the project will soar above Dubai's Marasi Marina. And residents need not worry about missing out on the “sky pool”: All the apartments contain their own private swimming terraces (and access to another 82-foot indoor lap pool). The design was “inspired by cascading water,” according to Foster + Partners, the architecture firm behind the project. It is not the first time a swimming pool has been suspended between buildings: London’s see-through Sky Pool, built across the 10th stories of two residential towers, opened in the British capital’s Nine Elms neighborhood in 2021.

Persons: Norman Foster's, Marina, Gerard Evenden, Partners Foster, —, Norman Foster, Abu Dhabi’s Organizations: CNN, Regent Residences Dubai, Foster, Partners, Foster + Partners, IHG Hotels, Resorts, United Arab Emirates, Zayed, Museum Locations: Burj Khalifa, Business Bay, Dubai, Sharjah, Elms

☆ Anita Bryant, Whose Anti-Gay Politics Undid a Singing Career, Is Dead at 84
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Anita Gates | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Anita Bryant, the singer and former beauty queen who had a robust and flourishing music career, including hit songs like “Paper Roses,” in the 1960s and ’70s, but whose opposition to gay rights — she called homosexuality “an abomination” — virtually destroyed her career, died on Dec. 16. The death, at her home in Edmond, Okla., was caused by cancer, her son William Green said. The family placed an obituary in The Oklahoman, a newspaper in Oklahoma City, on Thursday. Ms. Bryant was just 18 when she won the Miss Oklahoma beauty title and was named second runner-up in the Miss America pageant. She promptly turned that success into a lucrative show business career.

Persons: Anita Bryant, William Green, Bryant Organizations: Miss, Miss America Locations: Edmond, Okla, Oklahoma City, Miss Oklahoma

☆ TikTok ban will be weighed by Supreme Court. Here’s what to watch Friday
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( John Fritze | Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The Supreme Court will hear more than two hours of arguments over whether a ban on the platform, approved in April with bipartisan support, can be squared with the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has a long history of deferring to the other branches when questions of national security come up. But TikTok backers say the Biden administration, in defending the ban enacted by Congress, hasn’t provided concrete proof of Chinese abuse. The Supreme Court normally wouldn’t entertain such a request from someone who isn’t a party in the case. Now stream thisAs an institution wed to tradition, the Supreme Court has a reputation of rebuffing technology – at least in its own practices, if not its rulings.

Persons: Elena Kagan, ” Kagan, Biden, TikTok, ”, Jamil Jaffer, Jaffer, Republican Tennessee Sen, Bob Corker, hasn’t, David Greene, Justice Barrett, Amy Coney Barrett, Donald Trump, Barrett, ” Barrett, “, Barrett’s, Gus Hurwitz, Jameel Jaffer, ” Trump, Trump, doesn’t, it’s, Sonia Sotomayor, Kagan Organizations: Washington CNN, White House, Senate Foreign Relations, National Security Institute, George Mason University, CNN, Republican Tennessee, Supreme Court, Congress, DC Circuit, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Penn Carey Law School, Columbia University, “, Government Locations: China, Texas, Florida, Canada

☆ NASA scrapped its $11 billion scheme to grab Mars rocks that may point to alien life. Now it has a faster, cheaper plan.
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

NASA scrapped its $11 billion plan to return samples from Mars to Earth by 2040. The samples could return as soon as 2035 and may contain the first-ever signs of ancient alien life. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSSNASA is not looking for active alien life but rather fossilized hints of long-gone microbial life. ADIn fact, in July, Perseverance stumbled on a rock in Jezero Crater that contained some of the strongest potential evidence of ancient alien life to date. ADNASA's new planBringing Perseverance's Mars samples to Earth will be complicated.

Persons: Bill Nelson, Nelson, NASA presser, Trump, Perseverance, It's, Jared Isaacman, Isaacman Organizations: NASA, JPL, Caltech, SpaceX, Trump Locations: European

☆ Scott Disick doesn't want to introduce his 3 kids with ex Kourtney Kardashian to another partner unless it's serious
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Scott Disick, 41, says he doesn't plan to introduce his kids to a new partner unless it's "the right person." He has been co-parenting his three kids with his ex, Kourtney Kardashian, since their 2015 split. Disick has three kids — Mason, 15, Penelope, 12, and Reign, 10 — with his ex, Kourtney Kardashian. ADHe added that he likes that his focus is on his kids right now. Since his separation from Kourtney, Disick has been romantically linked to several other celebrities over the years — most notably Sofia Richie, whom he dated between 2017 and 2020.

Persons: Scott Disick, it's, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Disick, — Mason, Penelope, Khloé, didn't, Sofia Richie, Ron L, Deal Organizations: BI Locations: Wonder

☆ I just started my first full-time job after college. I quickly learned my definition of success had to change in the real world.
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Emery Little | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Now, I know that regularly redefining success is a necessary part of a fulfilling life. ADIt's no surprise that I measured my worth in numbers and letters as (mostly) objective indicators of success. My constant focus on getting the grade, earning the leadership title, and landing the job didn't come without sacrifice. I get to decide what success means to me. Despite all this uncertainty, I'm grateful for one thing I do know: Leading a satisfying life requires redefining success at different stages.

Persons: Aba Blankson Organizations: NAACP

☆ Hope for old DC: The Washington Commanders return to the playoffs ready for a new era
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Kyle Feldscher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

From the front office to the field – and even to the halls of Congress – there are signs that football in Washington, DC, is once again being revived. Since that last Super Bowl win in the 1991-92 season, Washington has returned to the playoffs eight times and only advanced out of the first round on three occasions. High-profile and high-priced, players came and went without bringing the kind of success that Washington fans were used to. The pain of seeing RGIII lying on the field, writhing in pain, is never far from Commanders’ fans minds. Washington fans will hope there are many more satisfied smiles to come as the postseason – and, they hope, a new era – begins to dawn.

Persons: Tress, it’s, ”, Doug Williams, Williams, Robert F, Jack Kent Cooke’s, Daniel Snyder, Dave McKenna, Bruce Kluckhohn, George Floyd, Snyder, It’s, Josh Harris, Dan Snyder, John McDonnell, –, Carolyn Maloney, “, ” Maloney, Snyder “, Mary Jo White, Tiffani Johnston, Johnston, Harris, ‘, we’re, I’m, … It’s, Ron Rivera, Dan Quinn, Way, Jayden Daniels, Timothy Nwachukwu, he’d, who’ve, Zach Ertz, I’ve, Josh, Adam Peters, Daniels, Peter Casey, Robert Griffin III, Griffin, “ Jayden Daniels, ” Griffin, Al Bello, JD Bertrand, he’s, He’s, Mary, Chris Graythen, RGIII, Quinn, Raheem Morris, ” Daniels, Jonathan Newton, there’s, ” Harris, Muriel Bowser, “ I’m Organizations: Maryland CNN, Washington, Atlanta Falcons, NFL, Falcons, NFC East, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bucs, CNN Sport, Washington Redskins, Redskins, Super, Kennedy, FedEx Field, Washington City Paper, Bank, Minnesota Vikings, FedEx, Companies, Nike, Target, Walmart, Washington Football Team, Dallas Cowboys, AT, Washington Post, –, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, CNN, Philadelphia Eagles, USA, Sports, Reuters, Seahawks, Seattle, Chicago Bears, Atlanta, hysterics, Bears, New York Giants, Capitol, RFK Stadium, RFK, Senators, Nationals, DC United, DC, National Park Service, Washington DC, Northwest Locations: Landover, Maryland, Washington , DC, Washington, DC, Minneapolis, Boston, “, Ertz, Northwest, Virginia

☆ Nicolas Maduro and Edmundo Gonzalez: Maduro set to be inaugurated as Venezuela’s president this week. Here’s what we know
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Michael Rios | Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Here’s what we know about the power struggle and what it means for the country and region. Maduro and González both claimed victory in the presidential election on July 28. Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, a body stacked with Maduro allies, formally declared Maduro the winner without providing voting tallies. González has long vowed to return to Venezuela to form a new government and prevent a new Maduro term. International impactIf Maduro takes office again, it could further deteriorate diplomatic relations with many of Venezuela’s neighbors.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Edmundo González Urrutia, González, Maduro, Gonzalez, Venezuela’s, María Corina Machado, “, Andrés Pastrana, Diosdado Cabello, Pastrana, ”, United States –, Maduro’s Organizations: CNN —, Electoral Council, Independent, United, CNN, National Assembly Locations: CNN — Venezuela, Spain, Caracas, United States, Venezuela, Latin America, Americas

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Fed’s inflation worries didn’t bother markets
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Jerome Powell, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, at a news conference after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 18, 2024. This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. That poses a conundrum for Asia's central banks: A weaker currency would boost exports but might increase imported inflation, complicating the ability of banks to steer domestic economic policy. China's persistently low consumer inflation indicates that China is struggling with weak domestic demand, stoking fears of deflation.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Donald Trump's, Australia's, Bernstein, Nvidia's Grace Blackwell Superchip Organizations: U.S . Federal, Washington , D.C, CNBC, Federal, Treasury, Korean, U.S, Trump, National Bureau, Statistics, Microsoft, Wednesday, Business, CES, Nvidia Locations: Washington ,, Asia, Pacific, Asian, China

☆ Opinion | The Battle Over TikTok Is One Front in a New Cold War
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( David French | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Its spy satellites have detected a rapid, large-scale buildup of Chinese naval and amphibious forces across the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese government’s intentions are unclear, but military leaders in Washington hope that a show of American force will maintain deterrence. Chinese invasion preparations would almost certainly be visible to the American military, and there would be an urgent need to try to prevent war. On TikTok, it’s as if a switch was flipped. All at once the feeds of almost 200 million Americans are full of urgent messages.

Persons: it’s Organizations: Pentagon, Pacific Locations: Taiwan Strait, Washington, Hawaii, San Diego

☆ China could devastate US airpower in the Pacific far more easily than the other way around, researchers warn
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

China could destroy or neutralize US and allied airpower in a war with fewer shots than the other way around, a new report argues. China has prioritized hardening and expanding its airfields in the region at a faster rate than the US and its allies. ADThis imbalance means it would take China far fewer missiles or airstrikes to neutralize US and allied airfields than it would the other way around, Shugart and Walton write. "China could initiate a conflict if it sees an opportunity to nullify adversary airpower on the ramp." The US' current approach to its airpower in the Pacific could spell trouble in a conflict with China.

Persons: Thomas Shugart, Timothy Walton, Walton, Liu Mingsong, Shugart, Audree Campbell, Hudson Organizations: Hudson Institute, Defense, Getty Images, The Air Force, China . U.S . Air Force, Pentagon Locations: China, Taiwan, Xinhua, South Korea, Philippines, Shugart, Beijing, China . U.S, Pacific, Washington, Ukraine

☆ 5 popular sneakers you should invest in and 2 that feel like a passing trend, according to sneakerheads
▼ + stars: | 2025-01-09 | by ( Gia Yetikyel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Business Insider spoke to sneakerheads about which pairs to invest in versus styles you can skip. Whether you're buying your second or 20th pair of sneakers, it's important to know what you're spending your money on. ADMichael Portone, the founder of Chicago-based shoe business Endless Supply, says sneakers are like stocks. Asics is acing the sneaker industryYou can't go wrong with a pair of Asics Gel-Kayano sneakers. The brand gave its skateboarding clientele — who had been chopping off the top of the brand's Jordan sneakers — exactly what they wanted.

Persons: Nike Dunks, Michael Portone, —, Asics, Shutterstock Portone, Roberto Ansani, it's, Ansani, Kevin Woods, Woods, Christophe Decaix, Jordan, Portone Organizations: Nike, Chicago, Reebok, Reebok's, Supreme Air Force, Nike Air Force, Prada Locations: Chicago

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