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☆ Microsoft Windows 11 update puts AI-powered Bing front and center
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

(A preview version of the AI tool remains available on a limited basis.) Last year, Microsoft unveiled several AI-powered Windows 11 features, such as quieting background noise like lawnmowers and baby cries on video calls and automatic framing so the camera follows the speaker’s movements. A look at the new Bing on Windows 11 MicrosoftThe Bing integration is just one of several notable updates coming to Windows 11. Apple users will now be able to receive iOS alerts and messages directly on their Windows 11 devices, potentially chipping away at Apple’s closed ecosystem. It’s also adding a Recent Websites feature that allows users to transfer their browser sessions from their smartphone to their Windows PC.

☆ EVs are billed as the future. But a potential skills gap is sparking concerns about cost and safety
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Thanks to growing concerns about emissions from road-based transportation, several big economies are gearing up for another huge change: the mass rollout of electric vehicles. There are concerns, however, that a skills gap may emerge in the near future, creating a big headache for both the automotive sector and drivers. "Aligned to Auto Trader Insight predictions, this suggests the skills gap — when there won't be enough technicians to service the electrified vehicle parc — will appear in 2029," it added. "But fundamentally, electric vehicles are totally different to internal combustion engine vehicles," he said. 'Chipping away at the skills gap'

☆ These 2 charts show that investors are more scared of Jerome Powell than they are of Vladimir Putin
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Stocks plummeted Tuesday – as Vladimir Putin promised to escalate Russia's war in Ukraine. Check out these two charts that show what investors are worried about right now. Two ongoing sagas have rattled markets over the past year: the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest-rate hikes and Russia's war in Ukraine. When the cost of borrowing is higher, stocks struggle because their future cash flows take a hit, chipping away at their overall valuations. That suggests that they're more scared of Jerome Powell than they are of Vladimir Putin.

☆ Some FedEx employees say layoffs are wrecking morale and chipping away at the famous loyalty that Fred Smith built
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Emma Cosgrove | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Some insiders see the layoffs as a failure of leadership and fear a lasting shift in FedEx culture. But now, some also question if the company Smith built is changing for good. "The erosion just kept happening," said one former FedEx who left the company in the last year. Inside the company, employees are doing the back-of-the-envelope calculations on the cuts still to come — Subramaniam promised $4 billion and cuts this fiscal year. "There is still that emphasis that people are first at FedEx," said a 15-year FedEx veteran who left last year.

☆ Microsoft’s Bing finally has a chance to take a bite out of Google with ChatGPT. But it has to move fast.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Emilia David | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Microsoft finally announced a new ChatGPT-enhanced Bing that can challenge Google's search dominance. But while ChatGPT pushes Microsoft and Bing forward, Google has been aggressively reminding everyone that it's been doing the AI thing for a long time. Microsoft has to move fast to keep its advantageBing has consistently been a distant second to Google Search for decades. Still, with its sizable war chest and long history with developing AI in-house, Google appears ready for a fight. In much the same manner as Microsoft's master plan, Google plans to bring ChatGPT to its own suite of software, including Gmail and Google Docs.

☆ Airbus Revives Order From Qatar Airways Following Paint-Dispute Settlement
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Benjamin Katz | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Airbus SE agreed to revive orders for close to 75 aircraft from Qatar Airways after reaching a settlement with the Middle East airline over a long-running dispute about chipping paint on its A350 wide-body models. A spokesman for Airbus said it would now go ahead with delivering 50 A321 narrow-bodies and 23 remaining A350 twin-aisles previously ordered from Qatar. The orders had been scrapped as part of an escalating legal battle between the two over paint. The companies earlier Wednesday disclosed in a joint statement that an amicable agreement had been reached between the parties.

☆ Don't expect price cuts on GM's $100,000 electric Hummer, despite EV discounts from Tesla and Ford
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla spurred an EV price war earlier this month, with price cuts to its most popular models. But GM said Tuesday it won’t make cuts to its electric vehicles. The automaker will not be responding to the latest price cuts from Tesla and Detroit-rival Ford by cutting prices for its own electric cars, chief financial officer Paul Jacobson said on a Tuesday media call ahead of GM's fourth quarter earnings call. Facing weakening demand, Tesla slashed the prices of some of its most popular models earlier this month. GM CEO Mary Barra said Tuesday she is confident the company is well-positioned with its current EV prices.

All U.S. winter wheat area is estimated at an eight-year high. Wheat health is better in key soft red winter wheat states like Illinois and Missouri, where GE this week covers 69% and 68% of the crop, respectively. But only 5% of the country’s winter wheat has been sown in these states. Winter wheat at the U.S. level was 34% GE and 26% PVP in the last assessment at the end of November. Hard red spring wheat accounted for 28%, soft white winter 20%, soft red winter 9%, and durum and other wheat accounted for 5% of inspections.

☆ How the Supreme Court could soon change free speech on the internet
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +19 min

Musk's actions since closing the deal last year have illuminated how he sees the balance internet platforms must strike in protecting free expression versus user safety. The Supreme Court has yet to decide if or when to hear the cases, though many expect it will take them up at some point. The Age-Appropriate Design Code requires internet platforms that are likely to be accessed by kids to mitigate risks to those users. Google said such a change would also make the internet less safe and less hospitable to free expression. The Supreme Court of the United States building are seen in Washington D.C., United States on December 28, 2022.

☆ 'Your Rich BFF' shares 3 ways to be smarter and more successful with money in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Follow the 50/30/20 methodThe 50/30/20 method is one of Tu's favorite ways to manage her money because it can make budgeting really easy. Lastly, put the final 20% of your money toward savings, investments and paying down additional debt. Higher interest rates will cost you more in the long run, so it's smart to pay those debts off first. Next, you can turn your attention toward paying down debts with lower interest rates. Since low-interest debt tends to be less costly, you can also start putting money toward investments like your 401(k).

☆ Some Starbucks customers are furious about changes to its rewards program that makes most free drinks harder to redeem
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Mary Meisenzahl | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Customers who enroll in the chain's Starbucks Rewards program earn points — or "stars" — when purchasing food or drinks, which can then be redeemed for free menu items, like coffee. Insider spoke to four Starbucks customers who said they'll visit the chain less often thanks to the change. Though she's been a loyal customer since 2015, Graf-Juarez plans to stop visiting Starbucks, she told Insider. Amy Babby, another former Starbucks devotee, told Insider that she plans to discontinue the habit completely. Chipotle increased the number of points rewards members needed for a free burrito by 16%, and Dunkin' revamped its entire rewards system, more than doubling the amount of spending required for drinks like a free latte.

☆ More Americans are seeking help for their mental health. Here's how to talk to your boss if you're struggling with anxiety or depression.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Marguerite Ward | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Mental health experts shared tips for approaching your manager about your mental health. Thousands of cancelled flights during the holidays, inflation, the pandemic, and the war in Ukraine are chipping away at Americans' mental health. A Gallup poll published in December found that the number of Americans reporting their mental health was "good" or "excellent" was at a record low, while the number of Americans seeking help for their mental health was up. Many are likely grappling with whether to talk to their manager about their mental health. "Beyond Happiness" author Lim suggested framing the conversation around improving your mental health as something that would help both you and your employer.

☆ Meet a 37-year-old with $108,100 in student debt who lives in a school bus because rent is unaffordable: 'Student-loan debt is by far my biggest regret'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Nick Crocker, 37, is living in a school bus he built out with his fiancée in Portland, Oregon. Crocker said his student debt is his "biggest regret" and wishes he had gone to trade school. With the majority of Crocker's debt being private loans, Biden's relief won't make a significant dent for him and about 3 million other borrowers with private loans. He says he wishes he'd known the high, life-long costs of higher education when he was in high school. "So we're living in a 120-square-foot school bus, and while it's been a great way for us to save the money, it's cramped.

☆ U.S. must stop 'bullying', suppressing China's development, foreign minister says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Dec 23 (Reuters) - The United States must stop suppressing China's development and should not continue the "old routine of unilateral bullying", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In the latest phone correspondence between the two leaders, Wang said the United States must pay attention to China's legitimate concerns, stop curbing and suppressing its development, and not constantly challenge China's red line in a "salami-slicing” way. Biden had raised objections to China's "coercive and increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan," which he said undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region, and jeopardised global prosperity. Xi called it the "first red line" that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. Reportiing by Beijing newsroon; Writing by Bernard Orr, Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Since the early days of the invasion, Mr. Putin has conceded, privately, that the war has not gone as planned. “I think he is sincerely willing” to compromise with Russia, Mr. Putin said of Mr. Zelensky in 2019. To join in Mr. Putin’s war, he has recruited prisoners, trashed the Russian military and competed with it for weapons. To join in Mr. Putin’s war, he has recruited prisoners, trashed the Russian military and competed with it for weapons. “I think this war is Putin’s grave.” Yevgeny Nuzhin, 55, a Russian prisoner of war held by Ukraine, in October.

☆ Pacers vs Warriors: Steph Curry to get an MRI after suffering shoulder injury in Golden State's 125-119 loss to Indiana
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Golden State fans wait anxiously for a verdict on Steph Curry as the superstar guard will get an MRI after he suffered a shoulder injury in the Warriors’ 125-119 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Late in the third quarter, Curry was injured when trying to defend against the Pacers’ Jalen Smith. As the Indiana forward drove to the basket, Curry reached out an arm that was bent backwards. “The trainers told me he was out midway through the fourth quarter. It was a night to forget for Golden State which is already missing Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins to injuries.

☆ Tesla's struggles in China and Europe may be a preview of the pain coming for Elon in the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Asia Martin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Reaching those numbers required cuts of up to 9% of the Model 3 and Model Y sale prices. Strong competition in China and EuropeMusk's auto company faces similar battles in Europe, the second-biggest EV market, behind China. Globally, Tesla's Model Y led the market last quarter, making up 7.5% of EV sales, Counterpoint reported. Competition is chipping away at Tesla's market share in the US, too. S&P Global Mobility predicts Tesla's market share will drop to 20% by 2025.

☆ Sen. Kyrsten Sinema leaves Democratic party to become independent
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Senators Kyrsten Sinema speaks at the ceremony where U.S. President Joe Biden will sign the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act", on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, November 15, 2021. Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has switched parties to become an independent, chipping away at the Democrats narrow control of the U.S. Senate. Sinema said in a tweet Friday that she was declaring her "independence from the broken partisan system in Washington and formally registering as an Arizona Independent."

☆ Achraf Hakimi’s nerveless ‘Panenka’ penalty seals stunning World Cup shock as Morocco beats Spain in shootout to reach quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —Morocco continued its stunning run at Qatar 2022, beating Spain on penalties to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history. Spain missed all three of its spot kicks as Moroccan goalkeeper Bono made himself the hero of the shootout, saving efforts from Sergio Busquets and Carlos Soler, while Pablo Sarabia hit the post. Achraf Hakimi, who was born in Spain, buried the winning penalty with the cheekiest of Panenkas, chipping the ball gently into the middle of the goal to send the thousands of Moroccan fans inside Education Stadium into dreamland. More to follow…

☆ Gen Zers are coming home for the holidays on mom and dad's dime, study says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Travel demand has surged this year, although not everyone can afford the sky-high tab. Young adults, in particular, are shifting their holiday getaway plans accordingly, a recent report found. About half of Generation Z plan to travel home this holiday season. However, 41% will rely on their parents or family members to pay for their accommodations, according to a study by Credit Karma. Inflation has made it even harder for those just starting out, who are now squeezed by the surging cost of living and sky-high rents.

☆ Luka Doncić racks up 41-point triple-double to help the Dallas Mavericks beat the Golden State Warriors, 116-113
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Luka Doncić racked up an incredible 41-point triple-double as his Dallas Mavericks beat Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors 116-113. Doncić finished with 41 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists – his fifth triple-double of the season – and for good measure, added four steals and a block. Curry has excelled this season and is averaging 31.4 points per game but is struggling to carry the Warriors. Ron Jenkins/Getty ImagesFor all of Doncić’s brilliance, it was another night where Curry was let down by his teammates. After the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed the team’s poor start to the season, “We have to expect that teams are going to make shots against us.

☆ GOP Gains College-Educated and Minority Voters in Slim House Pickup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( Aaron Zitner | Anthony Debarros | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

In making modest gains in House seats this year, Republicans drew more support from minority and college-educated voters than in other recent elections, chipping away at important pillars of the Democratic coalition in ways that could better position the party for the next election. Republicans narrowed the Democratic advantage among Latino voters, Black voters and white women with college degrees—important components of the Democratic voter pool—according to AP VoteCast, a large survey of midterm participants. GOP House candidates won a majority of white women in the nation’s suburbs, a swing group that helped power the Democratic Party to its House majority in 2018 and backed President Biden in 2020.

☆ NBA roundup: Late trey lifts Thunder over Wizards
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Jalen Suggs added 23 points and six assists. Fred VanVleet added 23 points, 13 of them in the third quarter, to help the Raptors win their second game in a row. Kyle Lowry added 19 points, and Gabe Vincent had 16 points. Dejounte Murray added 19 points for the Hawks, who scored the game's first basket then didn't have the lead after that. Donovan Mitchell returned from a one-game absence caused by a sprained ankle and finished with 23 points for the Cavaliers, matching the point total of teammate Darius Garland.

☆ How Silicon Valley could be impacted by a Republican-controlled House
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Democrats have hammered away at online platforms’ handling of hate speech and white nationalism, while promoting legislation that could drastically affect the business models of big tech companies. The return of heated tech CEO hearingsIn general, tech companies may face more political noise with a Republican House but potentially less policy risk. With Republicans likely to take control of the House, tech companies could face more hearings, but not necessarily more legislation. Privacy legislationMultiple Congress-watchers told CNN that support for federal privacy legislation is still bipartisan and the area remains one of a handful where lawmakers could make progress in the next Congress. It was approved by a key House committee this year and policy analysts say it could see more opportunities to advance next year.

☆ Blind users from other tech giants are telling Twitter employees to 'just quit' over Elon Musk's management style
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Users of the Blind app are chipping in on the Twitter drama, suggesting staff should "just quit." One Meta employee wrote that Elon Musk should "go f*** with your employees in private." Insider surveyed the anonymous forum and found a number of posts siding with Twitter employees. One user, whose profile suggests they work for Meta, wrote a post Tuesday entitled: "Twitter employees should just quit." The Meta employee added: "Boss move: block his Twitter account, he'll fire you."

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