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☆ A subsidy arms race is kicking off between Europe and America
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Julia Horowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

This premium is expected to shrink as clean energy technologies become more advanced and infrastructure to produce them is scaled up. Most of the money the IRA has earmarked for clean energy initiatives comes in the form of tax credits. In the meantime, government officials are lobbying the United States to rethink parts of the IRA. “Europe and other allied countries have nothing to fear from the Inflation Reduction Act and quite a bit to gain,” said Brian Deese, Biden’s top economic adviser. The fight over green subsidies also comes as geopolitical tensions are pushing countries to focus on greater localization of production — not just for green energy, but also for sensitive technologies like computer chips.

☆ How Netflix leaders, including its new co-CEO, are thinking about a fast streaming service that could supercharge its ads business
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Netflix said it's open to adding a free, ad-supported streaming service. A FAST offering could help Netflix scale its nascent ads business, which has been slow to take off. Could Netflix launch a free, ad-supported service? A FAST channel — free, ad-supported television — is a linear stream, a model media companies are increasingly using to complement traditional TV and paid streaming services. For Netflix, a FAST could be a quick way to scale its ads business.

☆ B-52 crews are getting special brain training to help them fly the US Air Force's oldest bomber
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Hope Seck | Sandboxx News | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

US Air Force B-52 crews are going through a special brain- and body-conditioning program. The program is part of an effort to find the best way to enhance the performance of Air Force crews. Other airmen could get access to similar programs in the future, an Air Force official said. Officers on the lower deck of a B-52 at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota in August 2006. A B-52 bomber drops cluster bombs over Afghanistan on October 7, 2001.

REUTERS/Florence Lo/IllustrationWASHINGTON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - An American official on Tuesday made the most direct comments by a U.S. authority to date acknowledging the existence of a deal with Japan and the Netherlands for those countries to impose new restrictions on exports of chipmaking tools to China. "But you can certainly talk to our friends in Japan and the Netherlands." The United States in October imposed sweeping export restrictions on shipments of chipmaking tools to China, seeking to hobble Beijing's ability to supercharge its chip industry and enhance its military capabilities. For the restrictions to be effective, though, Washington needed to bring on board the Netherlands and Japan, home to chipmaking powerhouses ASML (ASML.AS) and Tokyo Electron (8035.T), among others. The Commerce Department said in an email it will continue to coordinate on export controls with allies.

☆ Exxon smashes Western oil majors' profits with $56 billion in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Sabrina Valle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"Overall earnings and cash flow were up pretty significantly year on year," Exxon Chief Financial Officer Kathryn Mikells told Reuters. "So that came really from a combination of strong markets, strong throughput, strong production, and really good cost control." Exxon boasted that its cash flow from operations soared to $76.8 billion last year, up from $48.1 billion in 2021. Part of it is explained by rising costs in the Permian, with inflation in the double digits, amid "really, really hot" demand for equipments and services, he said. Exxon's results come ahead of what are expected to be strong earnings from Shell plc on Thursday and from BP plc and TotalEnergies next week.

☆ Exxon smashes Western oil majors' earnings record with $59 billion profit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Sabrina Valle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The scale has renewed criticism of the oil industry and sparked calls for more countries to levy windfall profit taxes on the companies. "So that came really from a combination of strong markets, strong throughput, strong production, and really good cost control." Exxon said it incurred a $1.3 billion hit to its fourth quarter earnings from a European Union windfall tax that began in the final quarter and from asset impairments. Slapping new taxes on oil earnings "has the opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve," she said, adding it would discourage new oil and gas production. Adjusted fourth quarter per share profit was $3.09 per share, below the $3.32 per share forecast by Zacks Financial.

☆ Exxon smashes Western oil majors' earnings record with $56 billion profit for 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Exxon Mobil posted a $56 billion profit for 2022, the company said on Tuesday, taking home about $6.3 million per hour last year, and setting not only a company record but a historic high for the Western oil industry. The scale has renewed criticism of the oil industry and sparked calls for more countries to levy windfall profit taxes on the companies. "So that came really from a combination of strong markets, strong throughput, strong production, and really good cost control." Windfall profit taxes are "unlawful and bad policy," countered Mikells. Its results come ahead of what are expected to be strong earnings from Shell on Thursday and from BP and TotalEnergies next week.

☆ How Microsoft could use ChatGPT to supercharge its products
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

For Microsoft, integrating the chatbot tool could make its core software products more powerful. All of the above suggestions were generated by asking ChatGPT various forms of the question, “How could Microsoft integrate ChatGPT into its products?” Microsoft, for is part, has said little on possible integrations beyond recently announcing plans to add ChatGPT features to its cloud computing service. “Microsoft will deploy OpenAI’s models across our consumer and enterprise products and introduce new categories of digital experiences built on OpenAI’s technology,” Microsoft said in a press release this week, announcing the expanded partnership. For Microsoft, that could make integrating the tool into specific products problematic. Integrating ChatGPT too quickly into Microsoft’s products could run the risk of schools rethinking their use of that software.

☆ Microsoft confirms it’s investing billions in ChatGPT creator OpenAI
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Microsoft on Monday confirmed it is making a “multibillion dollar” investment in OpenAI, the company behind the viral new AI chatbot tool called ChatGPT. As a result of its existing exclusive deal with OpenAI, Microsoft recently said it would soon add ChatGPT features to to its cloud computing service, Azure. But there are some risks for Microsoft and OpenAI here. That could potentially create “much negative publicity” for the companies associated with these tools, said David Lobina, an artificial intelligence analyst at ABI Research. The opportunity is immense, however, and could boost Microsoft’s position in the growing arms race over artificial intelligence, and provide a helpful boost to OpenAI in the process.

☆ This Redditor took out $76,000 in loans to trade meme stocks thanks to hype on Wall Street Bets. It became an 'addiction' and he even lost $6,000 of his girlfriend's money.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A Reddit user took out $76,672 in loans to trade meme stocks and lost nearly all of it. Aaron, a software engineer from Munich, took out tens of thousands of dollars in loans to trade stocks. The subreddit shot to fame in 2021 when it made some retail traders into millionaires while bankrupting others, often through trading meme stocks in "short squeezes." Bed Bath & Beyond, Aaron's meme stock of choice, has lost 88% of its value since January 2021. Within two months of accessing his girlfriend's money, he lost $6,000 of it betting on meme stocks.

☆ FuboTV insiders describe how its 'doomed' sportsbook collapsed in a year — and what it means for the future of the streaming company
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Colin Salao | Ashley Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +22 min

But despite the MetLife lounge remaining open throughout the 2021-22 NFL season, the Fubo Sportsbook wouldn't launch in New Jersey until the following one, in September 2022. "It was doomed from the start," one former Fubo Gaming staffer told Insider. Meanwhile, Rattner — whom the first former Fubo gaming staffer described as a "good talker" — sustained the startup's more youthful culture. The Fubo Sportsbook launched in New Jersey on September 7, days before the first Jets home game. A promotional image from when the Fubo Sportsbook went live in New Jersey in September 2022.

With the Amex trifecta — Platinum, Gold, and Blue Business Plus — you can supercharge your Membership Rewards points earning. Why earn Amex Membership Rewards points? For all these reasons, I'm focused on earning as many Membership Rewards points as I can right now. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).

☆ Some Olaplex users say their hair broke and fell out after using the TikTok-famous luxury hair brand. Experts question a connection to the products.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Allana Akhtar | Alex Bitter | Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Insider interviewed 10 former Olaplex users who voiced concerns about Olaplex on social media and in emails to Insider. Asked about the symptoms that the Olaplex users experienced, an Olaplex spokesperson told Insider: "We take each and every customer inquiry very seriously. Aftering switching to a drugstore brand of hair products, she said she saw an immediate reduction in hair loss. Keannia Johnson said her hair fell out and turned straw-like in texture after using Olaplex products. She started using Olaplex products in April.

☆ Apple is searching for a head of ad sales as its streaming TV and sports ambitions grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple has a recruitment firm searching for a top TV and streaming executive to head up its ad sales. The search suggests the company may be considering an ad-supported tier for Apple TV+. Recruiters are quietly working on a search for a head of ad sales, according to a person familiar with conversations. This new executive search indicates that Apple has plans to create an ad tier for Apple TV+. An ad executive familiar with plans said Apple was negotiating a major beachfront presence this year.

☆ British scientists plan to expand genomic sequencing from COVID to flu
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Jennifer Rigby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEXU Science Communication/via REUTERSLONDON, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Genomic sequencing allowed the world to track new coronavirus variants throughout the pandemic. Now British researchers plan to use it to better understand a host of other respiratory pathogens, from influenza to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The work will begin later this year by using leftover material from swabs taken for COVID-19 diagnostic purposes, sequencing SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV and other common respiratory viruses in a combined process. While some of the viruses targeted typically cause mild, cold-like symptoms, others can cause serious illness, particularly in vulnerable populations. The five-year initiative aims to begin work from spring this year and is funded by Wellcome.

☆ 4 SEO strategies that'll supercharge your website's ranking, from real small business owners who use them
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Erin Greenawald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

SEO can be a cheap and effective way to drive traffic to your small business's website. Business owners and SEO experts said a good URL and strong meta descriptions are key. This article is part of "Marketing for Small Business," a series exploring the basics of marketing strategy for SBOs to earn new customers and grow their business. Small business owners and SEO experts shared with Insider the strategies that have helped them improve their site rankings over time and build a meaningful flow of organic traffic from search. "SEO grows over time," Fabio added, "so by 12 months, you should see much stronger results than at six months."

☆ Blackstone used this data tool to upend its real-estate business. Now it's being deployed across its PE portfolio.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Carter Johnson | Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Blackstone Chief Technology Officer John Stecher told Insider that Blackstone now uses Data Direct — previously called Real Estate Data Direct — across both its real estate and private-equity portfolios. From real estate to private equityInsider first detailed the launch of Data Direct, then known as Real Estate Data Direct (REDD), last year. That led to the roll out of the data tool to other parts of the business, like Blackstone's private-equity portfolio, and to new business lines next year. Data Direct, at its heart, is a data tool, and its success is predicated upon importing reliable information in the first place. Having good, clean data has made Data Direct very successful," he added.

What people do to their bodies is their own business, but the ubiquity of injections, fillers and surgery in Hollywood creates a trickle-down problem. The longer you stare at your own face, the more you see how you don’t look like your favorite actor — or influencer. In another catch-22, stars also risk backlash if they do get cosmetic surgery — or if fans believe they have. Bullock, like Kidman, has previously denied getting plastic surgery (although she has talked about using something called Epidermal Growth Factor). Steroids have the same pernicious impact in Hollywood as cosmetic surgery, artificially elevating physical expectations and increasing peer pressure to keep up with the new standards.

☆ Brazilian soccer legend Pelé died of colon cancer. Here are the cutting-edge clinical trials trying to find new treatments for the disease.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Sarah Braner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Brazilian soccer legend Pelé died of colon cancer Thursday at 82. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer, affecting almost 2 million people each year. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. Pelé isn't the only celebrity to have died of colon cancer in recent years — the Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died of the disease in 2020 at the age of 43. Here are the cutting-edge phase-three clinical trials for colon cancer, in order of how recently they began.

☆ A top digital health investor predicts that a big tech company like Amazon or Salesforce will buy a mountain of patient health records in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Blake Dodge | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

She said that next year, a tech giant will buy an electronic medical records company. Missy Krasner, who oversaw several health efforts at Google and Amazon, predicts that a large technology firm will buy a mountain of patient medical records in 2023. EHR companies provide software that doctors use to store and analyze medical records and other kinds of patient data. The timing is right for big tech to make a play for patient dataThe timing may be right for a big tech company to buy its way into owning patient data. Tech companies have made seismic investments in this area.

☆ VCs say hybrid work, generative AI, and niche collaboration tools will be some of the top future-of-work trends that dominate 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Stephanie Palazzolo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Insider talked to VCs about the rising trends they say will revolutionize the way we work and live. Insider spoke with 15 venture capitalists about the trends and verticals they think are most likely to revolutionize the way we work and live today. Therefore, startups that will thrive going forward are those that embrace a mix of in-person and remote work, known as hybrid work, Thacker and other VCs said. An increase in workers caregiving for aging or sick family members is also supported by flexible work, the CRV general partner Kristin Baker Spohn said. "A lot of employees, whether it's the Great Resignation or the pandemic, found themselves changing the way that they work."

☆ Netflix will be next on Microsoft’s shopping list
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Look for him to add Netflix (NFLX.O) to the list in 2023. Since his 2014 promotion into the technology titan’s corner office, Nadella has embarked on a pricey shopping spree. Later, Microsoft bought LinkedIn for $26 billion and the speech recognition and artificial intelligence software developer Nuance for $20 billion. Even if Nadella loses out on the video-game company for competition reasons, however, owning Netflix would make strategic sense and probably be an easier sell in Washington and Brussels. With a market value 13 times that of Netflix, as of early December, $1.8 trillion Microsoft can afford Netflix.

The lawmakers are co-sponsors of the National Development Strategy and Coordination Act. That's why we've joined forces to jumpstart a national project to restore American manufacturing leadership. This committee would be charged with developing a National Development Strategy, recommending investments to improve national security, strengthen domestic manufacturing, create good-paying jobs and develop new technologies. Second, our proposal — the National Development Strategy and Coordination Act — would give this committee the authority to direct the Department of Treasury's Federal Financing Bank to achieve its goals. This would bring overdue strategic coordination to our federal loan system and inject much-needed long-term capital into critical industries.

☆ Whistleblower in Healthcare Bribery Case Won the Largest SEC Award This Year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Mengqi Sun | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has awarded more than $37 million to an individual for reporting information about a bribery scheme at a large European healthcare company. The sum is the highest award paid out to a single whistleblower so far this calendar year and one of the top 10 largest awards ever paid out by the SEC’s whistleblower program to an individual, according to the SEC. The SEC has given out more than $1.3 billion of awards since the beginning of its whistleblower program, which was created by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, according to the report. But lawyers representing the whistleblower said the award was connected to a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act settlement reached by a publicly traded European healthcare company with the SEC and the Justice Department. “The SEC whistleblower program has hit its stride and is generating high-quality disclosures that supercharge enforcement of the securities law and protect investors,” he said.

☆ A data tool Blackstone built for its real-estate empire is now being used across its PE portfolio. Here's why it could play a key role in the investing giant uncovering new deals.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Carter Johnson | Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The firm built Data Direct for its real-estate business, but is now using it across private equity. Blackstone Chief Technology Officer John Stecher told Insider that Blackstone now uses Data Direct — previously called Real Estate Data Direct — across both its real estate and private-equity portfolios. From real estate to private equityInsider first detailed the launch of Data Direct, then known as Real Estate Data Direct (REDD), last year. Data Direct, at its heart, is a data tool, and its success is predicated upon importing reliable information in the first place. Having good, clean data has made Data Direct very successful," he added.

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