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☆ Sober bars find their footing as mocktails and alcohol free drinks rise in popularity
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

He and other sober bar impresarios believe bars should be community hubs where you can have fun without imbibing anything alcoholic. Sober bars are social hubs without alcoholA sober bar usually looks and feels like any other. In 2022, Nielsen IQ reported that 82% of people who buy non-alcoholic drinks are still buying beverages that contain alcohol. Sober bar customers aren’t always soberMarshall, who has been sober for 17 years and is also a substance use counselor, built Sans Bar for people in recovery. Sober bars are still risky businessOpening any brick-and-mortar business is a gamble, but sober bars face considerable challenges in staying open, said Marshall, who advises prospective sober bar owners.

Persons: Chris Marshall, ”, Marshall, Burnet, ” Marshall, Abby Ehmann, Michael M, Ehmann isn’t, “, Ehmann, It’s, ” Ehmann, she’s, Lux Heljardóttir, Dylan Kapit, ” Kapit, they’re, Ruby Warrington, “ We’re, Ian Blessing, isn’t, ” Mata, Leah Wright, Mata, Wright’s, aren’t, ‘, ’, ” Warrington, Lucky Organizations: CNN, Bar, Food, Getty, Pabst, “, Gallup, Nielsen, Michelin, Manhattan Locations: curacao, Austin , Texas, New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, Sacramento, Atlanta, Omaha, New, Hekate, ” Warrington, Napa Valley

☆ Crew mistakes and inadequate safety standards led to the crash that destroyed a $450 million B-1B bomber, an Air Force probe found
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Thomas Novelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementThe charred remains of the B-1B Lancer after it crashed near the runway of Ellsworth Air Force Base. US Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation BoardThe four crew members all ejected, but two of them suffered injuries as a result. Both were medically treated and later released, according to Air Force Global Strike Command, which commissioned the crash investigation report. AdvertisementAircrew members prepare a B-1B Lancer for deployment at Ellsworth Air Force Base at night. An aircrew member directs a B-1B Lancer onto the runway at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

Persons: —, Military.com, Ellsworth, Jake Jacobsen, Erick Lord, Dylan Maher, JF Joseph Organizations: Service, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Business, Lancers, Dyess Air Force Base, US Air Force Aircraft, Air Force Global Strike Command, Lancer, Air Force Global, Command, US Air Force, Staff, Ellsworth Air Force, 34th Bomb Squadron, Operations Support Squadron, Marine Corps Locations: South Dakota, Abilene , Texas

He told CNN he wasn’t notified of the minors program embargo. The couple flew to Atlanta, Georgia, from Spokane, Washington, on a Delta flight and encountered no issues, they told CNN. Travelers wait for their luggage at the Delta baggage claim at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. “There should be some kind of compensation for this.”He told CNN the issues have cost him a significant amount of money. Bastian also told Delta passengers in a note on Sunday that the airline would “continue to offer meal vouchers, hotel accommodations and transportation where available.

Persons: CNN —, “ Delta, ”, Reed, wasn’t, Delta, He’s, Pete Buttigieg, Jeremy, Kaylee Jones, Lucia, ” Jones, Ed Bastian, Christian Monterrosa, Dylan Steele, Steele, “, Arthur Ginolfi, I’ve, Ginolfi, Bastian, we’re Organizations: CNN, Delta, “, LaGuardia, Delta Air Lines, Atlanta’s Hartsfield, Jackson International Airport, Hartsfield, Jackson Atlanta International, Bloomberg, Getty, Jackson Airport, Delta Airlines Locations: Delta, Atlanta, Charlotte, New, Orlando, New York, Florida, St, Atlanta , Georgia, Spokane , Washington, Delta’s, South Georgia, Washington, Jackson, Philadelphia, New Jersey

☆ U.S. Olympian cheat sheet: Top athletes to watch in Paris beyond the best-known stars
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Alex Andrejev | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +20 min

He won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Judo — Maria LabordeLaborde, 33, is the highest-ranked U.S. judoka qualified for the Paris Games — at No. He won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games and qualified in speed climbing for the Paris Games, his first Olympics. Carissa Moore participates in a training session ahead of the Paris Olympics this week in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia. Knibb obtained quotas in both triathlon and road cycling for the Paris Games, which will make her a rare multi-sport Olympian.

Persons: Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, LeBron James, Barry, Kareem Maddox, Dylan Travis, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Cierra Burdick, Hailey Van Lith, Casey Kaufhold, Kaufhold, she’s, Luann Ryon, Dean Alberga, Anita Alvarez Alvarez, Alvarez, Andrea Fuentes, Fuentes, Beiwen Zhang Zhang, She’s, Zhang, Kelly Cheng Cheng, nee Claes, Sarah Sponcil, Cheng, Sara Hughes, They’re, Brazil’s Ana Patricia Silva Ramos, Eduarda “ Duda ” Santos, United States ’ Taryn Kloth, Kristen Nuss, Jahmal Harvey Harvey, USA’s, Harvey, — Victor Montalvo Montalvo, Montalvo, Boy Victor, ”, Paris Victor Montalvo, He’ll, Kenzo Tribouillard, — Nevin Harrison Harrison, Casey Eichfeld, Jennifer Valente Valente, Valente, Andrew Capobianco Capobianco, Michael Hixon, Capobianco, Carson Tyler, Mike Ruiz, Delaney Schnell, Jessica Parratto, — McLain Ward Ward, Ward, Sapphire, — Lee Kiefer Kiefer, Gerek Meinhardt, Lee Kiefer, Matthias Hangst, Amanda Golini, Ashley Hoffman, Golini, Hoffman, — Maria Laborde Laborde, Laborde, Jess Davis Davis, Meghan Musnicki, Lisa Schlenker’s, Musnicki, Kevon Williams Williams, Williams —, Houston —, Kevon Williams, Yong Teck Lim, Daniela Moroz Moroz, Moroz —, —, — Vincent Hancock Hancock, he’s, Al Oerter, Carl Lewis, Michael Phelps, TeamUSA.com, Jagger Eaton Eaton, Tom Schaar, Eaton, Sam Watson Watson, Carissa Moore Moore, Moore, Carissa Moore, Jerome Brouilett, Lily Zhang It’s, China, — CJ Nickolas Nickolas, Jessica Stevens, — Taylor Knibb Knibb, Knibb, — Jordan Larson Larson, Toru Hanai, Maggie Steffens Steffens, Steffens, Flav, Olivia Reeves Reeves, Reeves, — Aaron Brooks, Brooks, David Taylor, Spencer Lee, Lee, Iran’s Hassan Yazdani, Aaron Brooks, Fabrice Coffrini Organizations: Paris Olympics, Olympic, Paris Games, BYU, Games, Tokyo Games, Getty, Badminton, USA, USC, Trojans, Eduarda “ Duda ” Santos Lisboa, United, U.S, Pan American, USA Boxing, Red Bull, Paris, Madison, U.S . Olympic, Tokyo, Athens Games, Beijing, University of Kentucky, FIH, Team USA, Pan American Games, NBC Sports, Rio, Rugby, rugby, Olympics, Fiji, New Zealand, HSBC SVNS Singapore, USA.com, Los Angeles Games, X, —, Tokyo Olympics, Nebraska, Sydney Games, Beijing Games, Brazil, Team USA’s Locations: Paris, Tokyo, U.S, women’s recurve, Berlin, Russia, Ukraine, Budapest, Barcelona, China, Indonesia, Mexico, United States, Santiago , Chile, Belgrade, Serbia, Florida, AFP, Rio, Japan, Athens, Ranchi, India, Germany, Lima , Peru, Cuba, London, Houston, Wujiang, Hawaii, Teahupo’o, French Polynesia, Beijing, Penn

☆ Trump 2.0 could go 'nuclear' on China trade, while economists say Harris would remain tough
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

According to Prasad and other experts, Harris' approach to China would likely be similar to that of Biden. Trump's biggest diversion from Biden-era trade policy would likely be tariffs levied on China. The Trump administration reached a "phase one trade deal" with China in 2019, but few terms were honored and subsequent phases never materialized. Tech warwatch nowThe Biden administration also announced rules limiting U.S. investment in Chinese firms developing sensitive technologies, citing national security concerns. She said channels for the two countries to discuss policy issues decreased significantly during the Trump administration, whereas the Biden administration emphasized its diplomatic engagement efforts.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Bill Pugliano, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Eswar Prasad, Kamala Harris, Biden, Prasad, Harris, Biden —, Stephen Weymouth, Economist Stephen Roach, William Reinsch, Scholl, Reinsch, JD Vance, Arthur Dong, Chris Miller, Miller, Rorry Daniels Organizations: Van, Getty, House, CNBC, U.S, Cornell University, Trump, International Monetary, Georgetown University, Economist, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Beijing, Georgetown, Tech, Asia Society Policy Institute Locations: Grand Rapids , Michigan, China, Beijing, Ohio, Washington, U.S, Japan, Netherlands

☆ ‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’: US reality show contestant kills and eats protected bird
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Lex Harvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A reality show contestant who killed and ate a protected bird has been let off with a warning after New Zealand wildlife officials said cast members were tired, hungry and placed in a “unique” situation. Spencer “Corry” Jones, an American white water river guide, killed and ate the large, flightless weka during filming of “Race to Survive: New Zealand” last fall, CNN affiliate RNZ reported Tuesday. Swain said the producers of “Race to Survive” had a permit to film on public conservation land and were aware that protected species and plants could not be harvested or eaten. In a statement, “Race to Survive” production said it alerted authorities as soon as they became aware of the weka incident. New Zealand has a plethora of unique flora and fauna due to its long geological isolation from the supercontinent Gondwana, according to independent conservation organization Forest and Bird.

Persons: Spencer “ Corry ” Jones, Jones, RNZ, Oliver Dev, –, ”, Dylan Swain, ” Spencer, Corry, Brian Finestone, “, Swain, ” Jones, Dev Organizations: CNN, Zealand ”, RNZ, International Union for Conservation, USA Network, New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, USA Locations: New Zealand, American, Zealand

☆ Trump faces a tighter race with Kamala Harris set to replace Biden, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Democrats had been headed for a "landslide defeat" in November, but now, they stand a chance, said Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group. "They've turned [this race] around, and President Biden has given the Democrats a fighting chance," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Monday. How Harris helps DemocratsAccording to experts that spoke to CNBC, Harris comes with a number of advantages in comparison to her former running mate. A recent poll showed that some 85% of the population believed Biden was too old to serve another four years. However, according to Myers, the race has been thrown into "complete disarray" with Harris set to give Trump a "real run for his money."

Persons: Kamala Harris, Peter Zay, Joe Biden's, Biden, Donald Trump, Ian Bremmer, They've, CNBC's, Harris, Bremmer, Steven Okun, Allan Lichtman, Okun, Trump, Eurasia's Bremmer, That's, —, Charles Myers, Signum, Myers Organizations: Anadolu, Getty, Democratic, Eurasia Group, Democratic National Convention, APAC Advisors, Trump, CNBC, Republicans, Signum Global, Markets Locations: North Carolina, Fayetteville NC, United States, Chicago, today's America

☆ Here's what a Trump victory could mean for the entire EV industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-20 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewDonald Trump has been an outspoken critic of EVs — and that could spell trouble for America's electric vehicle industry. AdvertisementMusk also reportedly played a part in Trump choosing Ohio senator JD Vance, an even fiercer critic of electric vehicles, as his vice president. Subsidy fearsThe potential loss of the $7,500 tax credit has already sparked concern in the EV industry. "If we see that tax credit cut, then EVs start looking insurmountably expensive for most consumers," he said. "They're already making money building electric vehicles, and the incentive just helps boost volume rather than boosting profits," he added.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, EVs, Elon, Trump, Trump's, Musk, JD Vance, Vance, Biden, Tesla, Jon McNeill, Dylan Khoo, Sam Fiorani, Khoo, Elon Musk's, Dan Ives, Ives, Tesla's Organizations: Service, Business, Trump, PAC, Ohio, US, Motors, CNBC, ABI Research, Global, AutoForecast Solutions, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wedbush Securities, EV Locations: Trump, Communist China, China

☆ Companies failed to solve injustice and now they are giving up on the era of activism
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Corporate America gave social activism a go. And sales of Bud Light have taken a hit ever since. Bud Light didn’t handle fallout well — it capitulated to the angry mob and dropped Mulvaney even as she faced a barrage of threats. It caught fire as right-wing media fueled the swirl of negativity around Bud Light, framing it as “wokeism” gone amok. On Thursday, the Guardian reported that the Bud Light boycott was fueled in part by the right-wing activist Leonard Leo.

Persons: CNN Business ’, Bud Light, America John Deere, Kara Swisher, ” Let’s, George Floyd, ” —, Larry Fink, We’d, Reagan, That’s, Disney’s, Bob Chapek, Ron DeSantis, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, ”, Bud, Leonard Leo, Leo Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN — Corporate America, Tractor, Pride, CNN, BlackRock, Business, Corporate America, Florida’s Republican Gov, Guardian, Bud Light, Anheuser, Busch, Federalist Society, America Locations: New York, America

☆ How an Olympic Games doping program actually worked
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Victor Hugo Febres | Dylan Brzezinski | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Victor Conte is a sports coach who designed doping programs with world-class athletes. Through his platform, the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative, or BALCO, he supplied an untraceable designer steroid among other drugs to competitors who dominated the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics. Conte used a transparent anabolic steroid nicknamed "the clear" in training programs with track athletes such as Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery. He also developed doping programs for athletes in Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and other sports federations. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Victor Conte, Conte, Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery Organizations: Bay Area Laboratory, Sydney, Major League Baseball, National Football League, Business Locations: Bay, Athens

☆ How Tennessee artist Aaron Lee Tasjan is using music to combat hate
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Randi Kaye | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Tasjan regrets not standing up for him at the time, fearing he would be ostracized by association. “It just feels very instinctual to me, to just fall in love with people.”Aaron Lee Tasjan in 2018 in San Francisco, California. Tim Mosenfelder/Getty ImagesAs an artist and an advocate, Tasjan has his work cut out for him. He lives in Nashville Tennessee, a state that in recent years has passed numerous pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation with more proposed. His LGBTQ-advocacy work in Tennessee, along with his music, is part of that.

Persons: CNN — Long, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Lady Gaga, Jack White, ” Tasjan, CNN’s Randi Kaye, Rufus Wainwright, ”, Tasjan, “, ” Aaron Lee Tasjan, Tim Mosenfelder, …, Bob Dylan, Childish Gambino, Chappell Roan Organizations: CNN, Midwest, Human Rights Locations: Albany Ohio, San Francisco , California, Nashville Tennessee, Tennessee

☆ Asia is preparing for a rogue US if Trump and Vance win the election, security and foreign policy experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Matthew Loh | Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewFormer President Donald Trump upended the election tradition of "balancing the ticket" when he picked Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. Vance, a former Trump critic turned MAGA stalwart, has voiced foreign policy views in lockstep with Trump. "I think Trump's tenure has shown that fears of abandonment or ignorance of politics in Asia are overblown," he said. US-China relations won't change much, whether it's Trump or Biden at the wheelEven though Trump started the US-China trade war, experts say that China won't be too bothered if he returns to the White House. AdvertisementFor one, the Biden administration has kept most of Trump's China tariffs in place.

Persons: —, Donald Trump upended, Ohio Sen, JD Vance, MAGA, Asia that's, Vance, Trump, Dylan Loh, Loh, Chong Ja Ian, It's, it's Trump, Biden, NTU's Loh, Joe Biden hasn't, Kevin Chen, Mr Trump, Chen Organizations: Service, Trump, Business, Pacific, Asia, Nanyang Technological University, NTU, National University of Singapore, NATO, Democrat, Republican, NTU's, Rajaratnam, of International Studies Locations: Asia, lockstep, China, Ukraine, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, South China, France, Beijing, Pacific

☆ Socialist AI: Chinese regulators are reviewing GenAI models for 'core socialist values,' FT reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

AI companies in China are undergoing a government review of their large language models, aimed at ensuring they "embody core socialist values," according to a report by the Financial Times. The review is being carried out by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the government's chief internet regulator, and will cover players across the spectrum, from tech giants like ByteDance and Alibaba to small startups. AI models will be tested by local CAC officials for their responses to a variety of questions, many related to politically sensitive topics and Chinese President Xi Jinping, FT said. An anonymous source from a Hangzhou-based AI company who spoke with the FT said that their model didn't pass the first round of testing for unclear reasons. They only passed the second time after months of "guessing and adjusting," they said in the report.

Persons: Xi Jinping Organizations: Financial Times, Cyberspace Administration of China, CAC, U.S Locations: China, Hangzhou, Beijing

☆ Bud Light loses more ground, slipping to No. 3 in America
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Bud Light, formerly the top-selling beer in the United States, has had a tough year since a boycott upended the industry. Modelo Especial, made by rival Constellation Brands, remains the top-selling beer at retailers in the US after surpassing Bud Light last year. For the past four weeks ending on July 6, Bud Light captured 6.5% of beer dollar sales at retail stores compared to 7.3% for Michelob Ultra, NIQ data shows. Michelob Ultra’s rise to the top isn’t solely because of the decline of Bud Light. For Bud Light, its marketing efforts pivoted to win back conservatives.

Persons: Bud Light, leapfrogged Bud, Bud Light’s, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, It’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Anheuser, Busch, Especial, Constellation Brands, Modelo, Industry, Copa America soccer, Team USA, US, UFC Locations: New York, United States

☆ As the US reels from the Trump assassination attempt, China sees weakness
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewA gunman's assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has flung the US back into the spotlight in China. The FBI says the 20-year-old rally shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, used a legally purchased 5.56mm AR-style rifle to attack Trump. another user wrote. One Chinese professor told the outlet that the attack on Trump showed the"ongoing rampant gun violence issue in the US." One user reposted a photoshop edit of Trump raising his fist against the backdrop of the Chinese flag.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Thomas Matthew Crooks, Trump, Dylan Loh, Loh, Biden, China's, Xi Jinping, it's, Xi, Mike Johnson Organizations: Service, Republican, Business, FBI, National University of Singapore, Global Times, Trump, Renmin University of China, Capitol Locations: China, Trump's, Weibo, Gotham City, Beijing, United States

☆ Shannen Doherty, ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Charmed’ star, dead at 53
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-14 | by ( Lisa Respers France | Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Shannen Doherty, an actress who starred on the popular series “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charmed” and documented her nine-year battle with breast cancer, has died, according to her longtime publicist. “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' cast in 1991. Left to right: Ian Ziering, Tori Spelling, Shannen Doherty, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Gabrielle Carteris and Luke Perry. From L-R: Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty and Holly Marie Combs As Piper Halliwell.

Persons: CNN — Shannen Doherty, Shannen Doherty, ”, Leslie Sloane, “, Bowie, Doherty, Heather Duke, Brenda Walsh, Prue Halliwell, Doherty’s, Father Murphy, Michael Landon, Jenny Wilder, ” Doherty, Ian Ziering, Tori Spelling, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Gabrielle Carteris, Luke Perry, Mark Sennet, Brenda, Aaron Spelling, Dylan McKay, Spelling, costars Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Piper Halliwell, costarred Perry, Michael Tran, CNN’s Nadeem Muaddi Organizations: CNN, People, Beverly, Elle Magazine, Getty Locations: Beverly Hills, Memphis , Tennessee, Los Angeles, Riverdale, ”, AFP

☆ Tractor Supply warned climate change and a lack of diversity would hurt business. Now it’s ignoring those risks
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Hal Lawton, the chief executive of the Brentwood, Tennessee-based company, had said these initiatives “make great business sense for Tractor Supply.”But Tractor Supply has decided that all of those risks are now worth ignoring. By walking away from diversity and climate goals, Tractor Supply has become the latest corporate giant to retreat from progressive initiatives it once promoted, joining Bud Light, Target and others. Tractor Supply declined to comment on these statements. Tractor Supply’s customer base has historically been primarily older men, who lean Republican, but Tractor Supply has increasingly tried to draw Millennials and women, who tend to favor Democrats. Tractor Supply’s reversal could hurt it with these customers, who could be crucial as the company’s historic base ages out of the market.

Persons: Hal Lawton, Bud, ”, Nooshin Warren, “ They’re, ” John Boyd, Steve Helber, Robby Starbuck, “, It’s, ” Boyd, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, ” Lawton, ” Eric Bloem, George Floyd, Bill Ackman, Elon Musk, They’ve, Chick, Bud Light, Jeff Chiu, Bud Light’s, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, CNN’s Eva Rothenberg Organizations: New, New York CNN, Tractor Supply, Supply, Human Rights, Bud Light, University of Arizona, National Black Farmers Association, AP Tractor Supply, Human, Tennessee’s, Congressional District, ”, Black Farmers Association, CNN, “, Tractor, Republican, Pew, Democratic, Disney, Nike, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Target Locations: New York, Brentwood , Tennessee, United States, America, Minneapolis

☆ Man caught attempting to smuggle 104 live snakes in his pants at China border
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of ChinaImage of Chinese customs officers holding bags of snakes seized at the Futian Port shared on July 9, 2024A man attempting to smuggle 104 live snakes in his pants was caught at a Chinese border this week, according to the country's customs authority. Upon inspection of his trousers, officers discovered six sealed bags containing a variety of exotic snakes, including milk snakes, western hognose snakes, corn snakes, Texas rat snakes and bullsnakes. An accompanying video showed two border agents holding up large transparent bags filled with the multi-colored live reptiles, often sought out as exotic pets. While none of the serpents were venomous, at least four of the species are considered alien to China, which could constitute a violation of Chinese biosafety law. The customs authority said it would hold the man legally responsible in accordance with the law without specifying an exact punishment.

Organizations: Administration, Customs Locations: People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Texas, China

☆ China is leading on GenAI experimentation, but lags U.S. in implementation, survey shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese companies are leading the way in the experimentation of generative AI, but they're still behind the U.S. when it comes to full implementation, according to a new survey. The survey respondents were decision-makers in GenAI strategy or data analytics in 1,600 organizations worldwide in key sectors, including banking, insurance, retail, and health care. Adoption referred to both experimentation and full implementation in the survey. Chinese organizations are leading in the adoption of generative AI, with 83% of them either running initial tests or having fully implemented the technology. That's much higher than the United Kingdom at 70%, followed by the United States at 65% and Australia at 63%.

Persons: they're, Coleman Parkes — Organizations: SAS Institute Locations: U.S, China, United Kingdom, United States, Australia

☆ Japan and Philippines' defense pact seeks to counter China's aggression in the region, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Japan and Philippines' defense pact signed on Monday seeks to counter China's increasing aggression in the region and create deterrence that goes beyond reliance on the U.S., experts told CNBC. The RAA marks Japan's second such agreement with a country in the Asia-Pacific region, following similar agreements with Australia in 2022. The treaty must be ratified by the appropriate legislative bodies of the Philippines and Japan before coming into force. Kamikawa called the signing of the RAA "a great achievement" for the two countries to further strengthen security and defense cooperation. "Both countries have maritime territorial disputes with China, and they are facing increasingly assertive and aggressive Chinese naval forces," Yaacob added.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Thomas Shoal, Gilberto Teodoro, Yoko Kamikawa, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr, Teodoro, Rahman Yaacob, Kamikawa, Yaacob Organizations: Japan's, ASEAN, Japan, CNBC, Philippine Defence, Japan's Official Security, Southeast Asia, Lowy Institute Locations: Philippines, Tokyo, Japan, China, South China, Manila, Philippine, Asia, Pacific, Australia

☆ Philippines to 'respond appropriately' to Chinese 'harassment' in South China Sea, military chief says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner speaks during a press conference after a command conference with Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (not pictured) at the military headquarters in Manila on July 4, 2024. Filipino soldiers will "respond appropriately" and defend themselves against "harassment" from Chinese coast guards at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, chief of Philippines armed forces, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Thursday. The warning comes after Chinese Coast Guards last month seized and damaged two Philippine ships and injured military personnel on a resupply run to an outpost on the Shoal, according to Philippine officials. Manila asserts that China has been attempting to disrupt resupply runs to a Philippine ship parked on the Shoal since 1999. The latest flare-up had involved an escalation of violence, with the Chinese Coast Guard brandishing knives and axes against their Filipino counterparts.

Persons: Romeo Brawner, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Thomas Shoal, Romeo Brawner Jr, Brawner, Ferdinand R, Marcos Jr Organizations: Forces, Coast Guards, Chinese Coast Guard Locations: Philippines, Manila, Philippine, China

Asia-Pacific markets rose Thursday morning as Japan's Topix crossed its all-time high of 2,886.50, previously set in December 1989. The Topix jumped 0.56% in early morning trading, while the Nikkei 225 rose 0.55%. The Nikkei is less than 150 points from its all-time high of 40,888.43. Big firms with 300 or more union-backed employees raised wages by 5.19%, while smaller firms increased pay by 4.45%. Australia's trade surplus is expected to narrow to 6.3 billion Australian dollars ($4.23 billion) from about AU$ 6.5 billion.

Persons: Topix Organizations: Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Nikkei, Bank of Japan Locations: Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong

☆ Gen Z wants flavorful drinks. Here’s how Big Beer is trying to attract them
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

That’s a problem for Big Beer, which is dealing with flat sales, declining volume and a fickle generation of younger drinkers who are completely ditching the bottle or preferring anything but a regular beer. It’s a non-carbonated drink because “bloating that may come from carbonation is considered a top barrier” for younger drinkers and the trend of “decarbonizing” drinks is blowing up on the app. Last year, it acquired Blue Run Spirits, a cult favorite high-end bourbon and rye whiskey brand, in light of US spirit sales surpassing beer sales. Its aptly titled “Beyond Beer” category is currently a $1.5 billion part of its global business and is helping attract younger, legally aged drinkers. Despite younger drinkers’ hesitance with buying beer and flat sales, Big Beer companies aren’t facing an existential threat.

Persons: youngs, Gen, NIQ’s Kaleigh Theriault, “, ” Theriault, Gallo, Mark Anthony Brands, Miller, flavorful, TikTok Constellation, Corona, ”, Saúl Trejo, TikTok, Molson Coors, Molson, ” NIQ’s Theriault, Bud Light, seltzer, Jason Lowrie, it’s, Bud, Bud Light Seltzer, Dylan, ’, “ Young, ” Bryan Roth Organizations: New, New York CNN — Beer, CNN, Beverages, Big Beer, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Modelo, Constellation Brands, Anheuser, Busch InBev, TikTok, Corona, Corona Refresca, Molson Coors, Molson, “ Suppliers, Busch, Feel Goods Company Locations: New York, Corona, carbonation

☆ Women's sports merchandise is an estimated $4 billion industry but fans still can't find the items they're looking for
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Mykenna Maniece | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"When you invest in a jersey, that means you really appreciate that person, their character, and what they bring to the game," Krieger said. Sports Innovation Lab estimates the women's sports merchandise industry is worth $4 billion — conservatively. People simply don't know where to find merchandise — 32% of fans reported having an issue finding a seller for women's sports merchandise compared to just 18% of fans looking for men's, according to Sports Innovation Lab's 2024 Women's Sports Merchandise Survey. But while big brands are making strides in partnering with women's professional teams to create merchandise, the women's sports merch buying experience is still lacking. Building the women's game takes an ecosystem of collaboration involving fans, athletes, leagues, team sponsors, and retailers.

Persons: —, Ali Krieger, Krieger, Mary Earps, Marc Atkins, Nike's, Aubrey Kingsbury, it's, Alyssa Naeher's, there's, didn't, A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Puma, Bjørn Gulden, Arne Freundt, Dylan Buell, isn't, Angela Ruggiero, Ruggiero, Roy Rochlin, Stringer, " Krieger, Megan Gokey, Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel, Sue Bird, Klarna, Billie Jean King's, Esther Kim's, Zach Boisjoly, we've Organizations: Service, National Women's Soccer League, FFC Frankfurt, Eintracht Frankfurt, German, Business, FIFA, England, New York Times, Adidas, Puma, Nike, Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars, Innovation, Sports, Google, WNBA, WTA, Survey, NBA, Manchester United, AC Milan, Bloomberg, Indiana Fever's, Sports Innovation, Realty Trust, Professional Women's Hockey League, League, Media, Sports Foundation, NCAA, New York, Gotham FC, New York Liberty Locations: Germany, Morocco, Esther Kim's Playa, New Jersey, New

Commercial and residential buildings seen from the rooftop of the Lotte Corp. World Tower at sunset in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets fell on Tuesday, despite gains on Wall Street that saw the Nasdaq Composite reached a new record on the strength of tech stocks. The index was led by gains in Microsoft , Apple and chipmaker Nvidia . It advanced 0.83% to end at 17,879.3. Traders in Asia are assessing South Korea's inflation numbers which came in at 2.4% for June, missing expectations by economists polled by Reuters who predicted a inflation rate of 2.7%.

Organizations: Lotte Corp, Nasdaq, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Traders, Reuters Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific

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