DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Webb telescope reveals the smelly atmosphere of nearby giant planet
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Now, data from the James Webb Space Telescope has revealed another intriguing feature of the planet known as HD 189733b: It smells like rotten eggs. Located only 64 light-years from Earth, HD 189733b is the nearest hot Jupiter that astronomers can study as the planet passes in front of its star. HD 189733b only takes about two Earth days to complete a single orbit around its star, Fu said. Webb’s data also showed levels of heavy metals on HD 189733b that are similar to those found on Jupiter. “HD 189733b is a benchmark planet, but it represents just a single data point,” Fu said.

Persons: James Webb, ”, Guangwei Fu, Fu, ” Fu, Webb, they’re, “ Organizations: CNN, Johns Hopkins University

On June 19, Tropical Storm Alberto, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico, became the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. “When it comes to hurricane and storm preparation, now is always the right time.”Protect your documents and valuables. Most homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage, and flood insurance policies generally take 30 days to become effective. Move pantry items and a supply of bottled water to high, secure shelves, so they will be safer from floodwaters. Board up your windows to prevent leaks and broken glass, and, where necessary, secure doors with storm shutters.

Persons: Alberto, Deanna Frazier, Hurricane Harvey, ”, Alberto Moscoso, Kit, Mr, Acree, Dorian, Ramon Espinosa, Johnny Diaz Organizations: Tropical, Atmospheric Administration, New York Times, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Florida Division, Emergency Management, Social, Drug Administration, Disease Control Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, Wirecutter, Texas, Boquerón

☆ Beryl Live Updates: Over a Million in Texas Under a Hurricane Warning
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-07 | by ( Kate Selig | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

On June 19, Tropical Storm Alberto, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico, became the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. If you live in a coastal area, it’s important to be familiar with community evacuation plans, evacuation zones and evacuation routes. “When it comes to hurricane and storm preparation, now is always the right time.”Protect your documents and valuables. Most homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage, and flood insurance policies generally take 30 days to become effective. Move pantry items and a supply of bottled water to high, secure shelves, so they will be safer from floodwaters.

☆ Energy giant Shell to take up to a $2 billion impairment hit on Rotterdam, Singapore plants
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Shell logo is displayed outside a petrol station in Radstock on February 17, 2024 in Somerset, England. Energy giant Shell on Friday said it expects to record a post-tax impairment hit of up to $2 billion mainly linked to its Singapore and Rotterdam plants, while also saying trading in its key gas division will decline on the quarter. This comes after Shell on Tuesday announced it would temporarily suspend on-site construction at its 820,000 metric tons a year biofuels facility in Rotterdam amid current market conditions. The oil major also anticipates a second non-cash post-tax impairment of $600-800 million after agreeing to divest its Singapore refining and chemicals plant back in May. On the downside, RBC flagged "higher corporate costs and a neutral result from the chemicals division."

Persons: Shell Organizations: Energy, Shell, RBC Capital Markets, RBC Locations: Radstock, Somerset, England, Singapore, Rotterdam

☆ European markets open higher with UK election results in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, campaigns ahead of the general election, in Redditch, UK, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. LONDON — European stocks opened mostly higher on Friday as the U.K.'s general election draws focus in the region. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.3% higher in early morning deals. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index climbed more than 0.2% as investors reacted to election results. Travel and leisure stocks were the standout gainers Friday, climbing 0.6%, as most sectors traded in positive territory.

Persons: Keir Starmer Organizations: Labour Party, LONDON Locations: Redditch, UK

☆ The pool party’s over as Americans ease up on backyard upgrades
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Davis Giangiulio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Americans will be splashing around this summer in the backyard pools they've already got, but not splashing out as much on new ones. Swimming pool installations were part of the home improvement frenzy that swept the country during the pandemic as Americans were stuck at home. Pool Corp., a national pool equipment distributor with a roughly $11 billion market valuation, said last week it expects new pool construction to fall by 15% to 20% this year. But businesses that rely on Americans' appetite for home upgrades are still adjusting to leaner times — including pool builders. In Arizona, Ast said, "the lines get blurred a little bit between luxury and need in the middle of the desert."

Persons: Skip Ast, wasn't, Scott Payne, Payne Organizations: Pool Corp, Shasta, Airlines, Analytics, Ast, Corp Locations: Phoenix, Hatfield , Pennsylvania, Shasta, Arizona

☆ What happens to AI progress if China invades Taiwan? A chat with 'Chip War' expert Chris Miller.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Emma Cosgrove | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Apple, Nvidia, Qualcomm, AMD, and most other chip designers rely on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to make these crucial components. And its location on the island of Taiwan, which China claims, puts the tech industry and AI's future in a precarious geopolitical position. AdvertisementChris Miller is the author of "Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology." When people understand the true significance of TSMC, they're often pretty shocked at how precarious the chip situation is. But suppose you think there's some chance that it happens.

Persons: Chris Miller, we're, TSMC, couldn't, That's, they've, they're, There's, Jensen Huang Organizations: Service, Apple, Nvidia, Qualcomm, AMD, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Locations: Taiwan, China, Russia, Ukraine, South China, Philippines, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, Washington, Tokyo

☆ Here are JPMorgan’s top stock picks heading into July
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"Unwarranted discount versus peers given improved fundamentals and EBITDA/ FCF growth," JPMorgan wrote. JPMorgan's $2,400 price target implies the stock could rally nearly 43%. Bank of America also hiked its price target to $2,150 from $2,000, calling the stock one of its top picks . However, Analyst Matthew Boss' $157 price target means that the stock could climb 48% from here. Other stocks that made JPMorgan's list include industrials manufacturer Danaher , energy company Entergy and chemicals firm DuPont De Nemours .

Persons: BancShares, Harlan, Jefferies, JPMorgan's, Vivek Arya, PVH, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger —, Matthew Boss, Jay Sole, De Organizations: JPMorgan, Telecommunications, AT, Federal Reserve, Citizens, Broadcom, Bank of America, UBS, De Nemours Locations: Friday's

☆ 5 ways to increase your happiness through exercise
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Andrea Kane | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Editor’s note: Season 10 of the podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the science of happiness. “You feel incredible, and you’ve got those endorphins, and that brain chemistry also really helps you feel connected to other people.”Join the groupBeing social helps you exercise. “Make movement social. Exercise such as running with a group helps you to be more social and to build relationships with others. “Think about positive experiences you’ve had with movement in your life,” McGonigal said.

Persons: Sanjay Gupta, CNN —, Kelly McGonigal, McGonigal, “, ”, ” McGonigal, “ There’s, you’ve, Gabor Maté Organizations: CNN, Stanford University, “

☆ A String of Supreme Court Decisions Hits Hard at Environmental Rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Coral Davenport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A spate of decisions over the past two years by the Supreme Court has significantly impaired the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to limit pollution in the air and water, regulate the use of toxic chemicals and reduce the greenhouse gasses that are heating the planet. This term, the court’s conservative supermajority handed down several rulings that chip away at the power of many federal agencies. But the environmental agency has been under particular fire, the result of a series of cases brought since 2022 by conservative activists who say that E.P.A. regulations have driven up costs for industries ranging from electric utilities to home building. That decision threatens the authority of many federal agencies to regulate the environment and also health care, workplace safety, telecommunications, the financial sector and more.

Persons: Chevron

☆ Live Updates: Supreme Court Overrules Chevron Doctrine, Imperiling an Array of Federal Rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Adam Liptak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +12 min

But that gave too much power to unelected government officials, according to conservatives, who ran a coordinated, multiyear campaign to end the Chevron doctrine. The Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmentalists fear that the end of the Chevron doctrine will mean the elimination of hundreds of E.P.A. “I would expect the industry to attack the F.D.A.’s authority to do premarket review at all,” said Desmond Jenson, deputy director of the commercial tobacco control program at the Public Health Law Center. Others noted the Chevron decision could have a chilling effect, compelling the F.D.A. “The Supreme Court has not relied on Chevron in quite a few years,” she said.

Persons: ”, Lisa Heinzerling, Donald J, Trump, Mandy Gunasekara, President Trump, Jonathan Berry, doesn’t, ” Rather, Berry, ” Mr, Chevron, Biden, Garden, “, Desmond Jenson, Nicholas Bagley, Rachel Sachs, Louis, Abbe R, Gluck, Ms Organizations: Georgetown University, “, Congress, Labor, Act, Republican, Trump, Chevron, Labor Department, Mr, Environmental Protection Agency, Biden, University of Minnesota, The National Labor Relations Board, Food, Drug Administration, Public Health Law Center, Health, Affordable Care, University of Michigan, Washington University School of Law, Department of Health, Human Services, Centers, Medicare, Services, Yale Law School, Treasury, Internal Revenue, Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service Locations: Chevron, St

☆ The Supreme Court discards Chevron doctrine, unleashing a threat to Biden's climate policies
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Supreme Court on Friday overturned a decades-long legal precedent that has empowered the federal government to regulate the environment and other issues, unleashing a potential threat to President Joe Biden's climate policies. The court overruled the Chevron doctrine, one of the most important principles guiding federal regulation for the past 40 years. Last year, the Supreme Court significantly narrowed how many wetlands EPA can regulate to keep them clean. How did this case end up at the Supreme Court? They argued the Chevron doctrine injures small businesses and individuals who have little power to influence federal agencies.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Chevron, John Roberts, Joe Biden, Biden, Raimondo, Charles Koch Organizations: Service, Business, Environmental Protection Agency, Republican, Bright Enterprises, Inc, Department of Commerce, Action Institute, Chevron, Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, National Marine Fisheries Service Locations: Chevron

☆ The Supreme Court is poised to unleash a weapon against Biden's climate policies
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Climate advocates and business groups are closely watching the US Supreme Court this week. The court could issue a ruling that sharply curtails the federal government's power to regulate the environment, including President Joe Biden's climate policies. Legal experts say the Supreme Court, with its conservative majority, is likely to overturn or significantly limit the Chevron doctrine. Meanwhile, he added, administrative lawyers have been preparing for this very scenario at the Supreme Court. Biden's EPA hasn't relied on the Chevron doctrine to defend its climate rules.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Charles Koch, Chevron, Biden, isn't, Ronald Reagan, David Doniger, Reagan, Doniger, Obama, Neil Gorsuch, Elena Kagan, Trump Organizations: Service, Business, Action Institute, Environmental, Agency, Natural Resources Defense Council, Chevron, Trump, EPA, Republican, Supreme Locations: Chevron

☆ Why water is the best drink during a heat wave
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Katia Hetter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

We know that keeping hydrated is important to staying healthy in the summer heat, but is water still the best drink during a heat wave? CNN: When it’s really hot outside, is water still the best fluid, or should people turn to sports drinks? Energy drinks are different from sports drinks, which are meant to help you restore water and electrolytes. I urge parents to be careful to distinguish between sports drinks and energy drinks. Sports drinks probably aren’t needed, and, again, it’s advisable for children to avoid energy drinks.

Persons: Leana Wen, Wen, What’s, Frederic J . Brown Organizations: CNN, George Washington University, US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, Getty, Sports Locations: AFP

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a series of recommendations on Tuesday aimed at preventing the type of freight train derailment that occurred last year in East Palestine, Ohio, when 38 rail cars operated by Norfolk Southern came off the tracks. The safety agency also faulted Norfolk Southern for concluding that the hazardous material being transported on 11 of the rail cars was at risk of exploding. That conclusion led to a “vent and burn,” in which toxic chemicals were released and incinerated, resulting in vast plumes of dark smoke rising above the town. The controlled burn forced many residents of the town to evacuate. had previously raised doubts about the need for a vent and burn and at a meeting in East Palestine on Tuesday, the agency said the railway had “misinterpreted and disregarded evidence” in reaching that conclusion.

Persons: Norfolk Southern Organizations: Transportation Safety, Norfolk, Norfolk Southern Locations: East Palestine , Ohio, East Palestine

☆ NTSB slams Norfolk Southern for controlled burn of toxic chemicals after Ohio derailment
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Norfolk Southern on Tuesday faced harsh criticism from regulators for its decisions immediately after a February 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Norfolk Southern told public officials who authorized the controlled burn, known as a vent and burn procedure, that it was the only way to prevent a catastrophic and uncontrolled explosion. But Stancil said that information was not communicated to the public officials who had to make the final decision. “Norfolk Southern… compromised the integrity of the vent and burn decision by withholding complete and accurate expert opinion and information from the incident commander,” Stancil said. “Several key factors indicated the strong possibility of a catastrophic, uncontrolled explosion.”“The vent and burn effectively avoided a potential uncontrolled explosion,” Norfolk said elsewhere in its statement.

Persons: Paul Stancil, Stancil, ” Stancil, ”, Jennifer Homendy, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Norfolk Southern, National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, Oxy, Norfolk Locations: New York, East Palestine , Ohio, Norfolk, Norfolk Southern

☆ Russian saboteurs burned down a Berlin factory to hit weapons supplies to Ukraine. Just one problem — the facility made car parts.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A massive fire at a factory in Berlin last month was set by Russian saboteurs, per WSJ. But the factory, owned by Diehl Metal, makes parts for cars and electrical systems, not weapons. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementIn early May, scores of German firefighters massed at a metal technology plant in southwest Berlin as it burned. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Diehl, Service, Business Locations: Berlin, Russian, Ukraine, Lichterfelde

☆ Covestro opens books to ADNOC over $12.5 billion takeover offer
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

German chemicals firm Covestro is giving ADNOC access to its books and stepping up talks based on an improved 11.7 billion euro ($12.5 billion) takeover offer, after more than a year of courtship by the Emirati energy company. Covestro said talks would proceed "in a timely manner" and there was no certainty of an agreement. A spokesperson for ADNOC welcomed Covestro's decision: "We look forward to jointly working with Covestro to swiftly progress due diligence for this important transaction," adding that this was ADNOC's final offer. ADNOC's initial informal offer to Covestro was reported in June 2023, but it wasn't until September last year that the German company entered into open-ended formal discussions. In December, it agreed to buy European chemical producer OCI's stake in ammonia and urea producer Fertiglobe for $3.6 billion.

Persons: Covestro, ADNOC, Austria's, Fertiglobe Organizations: Covestro, Abu, Abu Dhabi National Oil Co, Reuters, Jefferies, BP Locations: Leverkusen, Germany, Abu Dhabi

☆ Groundbreaking study shows why drinking from plastic bottles may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewScientists have long suspected that industrial chemicals used in plastic water bottles can disrupt human hormones. Now, a groundbreaking new study shows direct evidence that bisphenol A — or, BPA, a chemical used to package food and drink — can reduce sensitivity to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. An impaired ability to respond to insulin, known as insulin resistance, can mean chronically high blood sugar levels and a much higher risk of type 2 diabetes. "We were surprised to see that reducing BPA exposure, such as using stainless steel or glass bottles and BPA-free cans, may lower diabetes risk."

Persons: —, Todd Hagobian, They've, Hagobian Organizations: Service, Business, American Diabetes Association, California Polytechnic State University, EPA, FDA, European Commission Locations: California

☆ 4 ways to earn extra cash this summer, from people whose side hustles bring in $100,000 or more a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Jade Thomas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

To avoid breaking the bank, you may want to consider picking up a summer side hustle to bring in some extra cash. Here are four ways you can start earning this summer and maybe even have some fun while you're at it. Riegel started selling old clothing items in her childhood bedroom as a bored Duke freshman during the pandemic in 2020. "Technically, the thrifting takes the most time," Riegel told CNBC Make It. Ten years later, the pool "has paid for itself and more," Battan told Make it in 2022.

Persons: It's, I've, Sophie Riegel, Riegel, Jim Battan, Battan, Kelly Gordon, Gordon, she's, Gordon isn't Organizations: CNBC, eBay, Facebook Locations: West Linn , Oregon, It's

☆ FDA OKs first menthol e-cigarettes, citing potential to help adult smokers
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the first menthol-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers, acknowledging that vaping flavors can reduce the harms of traditional tobacco smoking. The FDA said it authorized four menthol e-cigarettes from Njoy, the vaping brand recently acquired by tobacco giant Altria , which also sells Marlboro cigarettes. "This decision could mean we'll never be able to close the Pandora's box of the youth vaping epidemic," said Meredith Berkman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes. Njoy is one of only three companies that previously received FDA's OK for vaping products. Altria's data showed Njoy e-cigarettes helped smokers reduce their exposure to the harmful chemicals in traditional cigarettes, the FDA said.

Persons: Meredith Berkman, Vaping, —, vaping, Vuse, Matthew Farrelly Organizations: Drug Administration, FDA, Marlboro, Parents, Nielsen, Reynolds American, FDA's Center for Tobacco Products Locations: U.S

☆ ‘It’s frightening:’ How social media distorts the truth about sun exposure
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“Stop wearing sunscreen,” says a TikTok influencer with 1.6 million followers and 36 million likes. “The sun does not cause skin cancer,” insists a TikTok pundit with 76,000 followers in a post that has been bookmarked nearly 4,000 times. “Vitamin D can still be generated when you’re wearing sunscreen,” Andrews said. “Since sunscreen came out, the rise of skin cancer has only gone up and up,” says one TikTok influencer. So the driving force is exposure years and years ago, not the increased use of sunscreen today.”Many social media posters use a nugget of truth and then twist it, experts say.

Persons: ”, I’ll, It’s, Kathleen Suozzi, “ It’s, ” Suozzi, “ You’ll, you’ll, Gen, David Andrews, ” Andrews, today’s, Kelly Olino, we’d, ’, Connie Chen, CNN That’s, ” Olino, “, Suozzi, Andrews, overexposure, it’s, dermatologists, That’s, influencer, you’d, ” EWG’s Andrews Organizations: CNN, Skin Cancer Foundation, Yale School of Medicine, US Centers for Disease Control, Environmental, Yale Cancer Center, Social Locations: New Haven , Connecticut, melanomas

☆ A Ride in a Chemical-Sniffing Van Shows How Heat Amps Up Pollution
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Hiroko Tabuchi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Two vans loaded with precision instruments trundled along the streets of New York and New Jersey in the heat earlier this week, sniffing for toxic chemicals in the air. They detected spikes in methane, a potent greenhouse gas, most likely from leaks, or from natural-gas-burning buses. And all along the ride, they logged elevated levels of ozone, the main ingredient of smog, as well as cancer-causing formaldehyde — both of which form readily in hot weather. The bottom line: The streets are dotted with pollution hot spots. And the heat makes pollution worse.

Persons: ”, Peter DeCarlo, Johns Hopkins University who’s Organizations: Johns Hopkins University Locations: New York, New Jersey

☆ Microplastics found in penis muscle for the first time. It could be linked to erectile dysfunction.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"Penis being such a vascular organ, similar to the heart, we said, 'Hey, could this also be present in the penis?'" What he's found, while still preliminary, is that microplastics are present in some penises experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED). Ramasamy wanted to know whether microplastics might physically impact penis muscle function. The most abundant plastic in the penises was polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, a common plastic used in food packaging including plastic bottles and takeout containers. He's not getting a lot of the takeout that often comes in plastic-lined containers, and he's not drinking from plastic-lined coffee cups or plastic water bottles very often.

Persons: —, Ranjith Ramasamy's, he's, Peter Dazeley, microplastics, It's, Ramasamy, He's, it's, Carol Yepes, Richard Pilsner Organizations: Service, Business, International, University of New, Wayne State University Locations: Miami, University of New Mexico

☆ Microplastics discovered in human penises for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Scientists have found microplastics in human penises for the first time, as concerns over the tiny particles’ proliferation and potential health effects mount. Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). Ramasamy said he wasn’t surprised to find microplastics in the penis, as it is a “very vascular organ,” like the heart. Seven different types of microplastics were detected, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) the most prevalent, according to the study. “We need to identify whether microplastics are linked to ED and if there is a level beyond which it causes pathology and what types of microplastics are pathologic,” he said.

Persons: Ranjith Ramasamy, Ramasamy, wasn’t, ”, ” Ramasamy, Toxicologist Matthew J, Campen, ” Campen, Leonardo Trasande, don’t, Trasande Organizations: CNN —, University of Miami, CNN, University of New, “ Plastics, NYU Langone Health, American Academy of Pediatrics Locations: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

Search resuls for: "Chemicals"

25 mentions found