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CNN —Chinese billionaire Jack Ma will no longer control Ant Group after the fintech giant’s shareholders agreed to reshape its shareholding structure, according to a statement released by the company on Saturday. After the adjustment, Ma’s voting rights will fall to 6.2%, according to the statement and CNN calculations. Before the restructure, Ma held 50.52% of voting rights at Ant via Hangzhou Yunbo and two other entities, according to its IPO prospectus filed with stock exchanges in 2020. As part of the company’s restructuring, Ant applied for an expansion of its registered capital from $1.2 billion to $2.7 billion. Ant Group is a fintech affiliate of Alibaba, both of which were founded by Ma.

☆ China's new Covid surge is crippling the world's most important factories and biggest ports
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

CFOTO | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesThe surge in Covid-19 cases in China is impacting the completion of manufacturing orders, according to CNBC Supply Chain Heat Map data. "The container pickup, loading, and drayage (trucking) are also affected as all businesses are facing the impacts of COVID. Three major ports across China are experiencing supply chain delivery problems because of Covid, according to the note. "The booking cancellation is increasing as many factories can't operate properly due to a lot of workers getting invested with Covid," the report said. As a result of the Covid impact on trucking, MarineTraffic is seeing a slowdown in port productivity in Shanghai.

☆ China censors COVID-related content online as New Year's Eve prompts reflection by some
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Eduardo Baptista | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

BEIJING, Dec 31 (Reuters) - New Year's Eve in China prompted an outpouring of reflection online, some of it critical, about the strict zero-COVID policy the country adhered to for almost three years. One Weibo hashtag about the video garnered almost 4 million hits before it disappeared from platforms around noon on Saturday. China has massively reduced its reporting of nationwide figures on COVID-19 infections. Cumulative infections in China likely reached 18.6 million in December, UK-based health data firm Airfinity estimated on Thursday. The infections have prompted international concern, particularly regarding the possibility of a new, stronger variant emerging out of China.

☆ 15 reasons why you aren't hearing back during your job search, based on where you are in the process
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Lily Zhang | The Muse | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Here are 15 reasons you might not be getting hired and how you can fix them — broken down by when in the job search you're running into trouble. You're not telling people about your job searchYou probably already know you're supposed to be networking when you're job searching. If you're getting multiple interviews but not getting offers11. You have the skills but not the storyYou have all the right skills, you're applying for the right jobs, you're passing the screens and early interviews — and yet, no offers. Job searches take time, and it will be worth the effort once you land the right job.

☆ How High Will Jumbo CD Rates Go in 2023?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

In other words, while today’s jumbo rates are certainly attractive, you don’t need to be a wealthy investor to get the best CD rates available. So whether you’re looking for a jumbo CD or didn’t think you could afford one, here’s what you need to know about jumbo CDs, where rates could go in 2023 and why regular CDs are the way to go. With a regular CD, early withdrawal penalties can range from zero with a no-penalty CD to six months’ interest, with higher penalties for multiyear CD terms. CD rates tend to follow Federal Reserve moves, which explains why CD rates ticked upward after each Fed rate hike in 2022. CD buying strategiesTo find the best CD rates, you’ll want to look beyond jumbos and rate shop regular CDs.

☆ Veterans accuse Congress of abandoning Afghan allies after help for refugees is left out of spending bill
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Dan De Luce | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Julie-Tsirkin-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Refugee advocates and veterans accused Congress of abandoning Afghans who fled to the U.S. after a bill designed to resolve the legal status of tens of thousands of Afghan refugees was left out of a year-end spending bill. The Afghan refugees were granted a two-year temporary “humanitarian parole,” which has left them in legal limbo and unable to work. The bill would have granted Afghan refugees a pathway to permanent legal residency before their parole expires. To address concerns raised by some Republican lawmakers, sponsors of the bill added language to ensure the Afghan refugees undergo thorough security vetting by U.S. authorities. But the proposal failed to win support from 10 Republican senators needed to add it to the omnibus spending package.

[1/2] Participants look around Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's vessel at a recruiting event in Yokosuka, Japan December 10, 2022. The five-year plan unveiled on Friday will double Japan's defence spending and add new capabilities, including long-range missiles and an expanded cyber warfare unit. "It is just a paper plan and that should be corrected," said Yoji Koda, a retired navy admiral, who commanded the Japanese fleet in 2007-2008. Koda said the plan would limit Japan's ability to fight in situations such as land invasions and sea battles, giving its foes an advantage. Japan's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery salaries revealed: Pay data shows how much the company recently offered for jobs at HBO and more, despite waves of layoffs and cuts
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

Insider analyzed new pay data from the entertainment companies, now merged as Warner Bros. Recent salaries ranged from $55 an hour to $300,000 a year for jobs at HBO and other units. The salaries ranged from $55 per hour to $300,000 per year, with a median annual salary of $143,000 to $170,000. For example, Discovery offered an ad sales account manager between $131,458 and $149,000 per year, according to the data. Associate Manager, Brand Marketing/Publishing: $92,518 to $130,011WarnerMedia DirectData Architect: $162,400 to $200,150 median; ranging from $159,800 to $205,000WarnerMedia Services

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☆ A couple with 22 active Airbnb properties that bring in $1.3 million in annual revenue said on YouTube that they're planning to 'quit' the platform because they want 'more control'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sara and Tony Robinson told their 30,000 YouTube followers they wanted to "quit" Airbnb. They won't pull their 22 active properties off Airbnb, but they'll try to increase direct bookings. The couple added that they will not delist their 22 active properties from Airbnb entirely, but rather embark on an aggressive push to lure direct bookings. Airbnb prohibits hosts from giving guests who book via Airbnb a direct-booking link, and bans moving conversations off the platform or embedding any links in instruction manuals. More YouTube channels: The Robinsons want to create additional YouTube accounts with content showing off activities in the local markets for their properties.

☆ China's stunning reversal on lockdowns showed that mass protests can influence policy change in the country — but experts say it still doesn't threaten Xi's regime
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But experts on China say it's unlikely the protests will embolden future political movements. The changes come after protests against COVID measures erupted all across China — rare for a country where dissent is snuffed out quickly. Baogang He, the chair of international relations at Deakin University in Australia, agreed that the protests show how mass anger can influence government policy, but not regime change. "No one is strong enough to exploit or dare to use these protests to mount a challenge to Xi Jinping," Xi, the professor, told Insider. Chong said that although Xi holds extensive power in China, the protests and subsequent rollback both underscore how he can make major mistakes, too.

Some of Signore’s newer content takes aim at the people he said contributed to the allegations against him and their aftermath. Signore recorded the interview and released segments of it in July in a YouTube video criticizing NBC News’ coverage of the trial.) In between clips from the trial, Signore comments that he believes the testimony is true and reflects strongly on Depp’s case. Business Insider reported that the top three Super Chat earners on YouTube during the trial were creators who exclusively streamed it. “There’s no due process,” Signore said in the May video comparing himself to Depp and one of his accusers to Heard.

☆ Millions of HBO Max users who subscribed through Amazon can do so again, a year after they were booted from the platform
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

"It's important for us to own the customer," the former head of HBO Max, Andy Forssell, told Bloomberg in August 2021. HBO Max will cost $14.99 a month through Channels, the same price at which it is available to consumers via other distribution platforms. HBO and HBO Max had 67.5 million combined subscribers, as of a July 2021 earnings report. Discovery said during its most recent earnings report last month that HBO, HBO Max, and Discovery+ had a combined 95 million subscribers, but didn't break out the numbers by service. The company plans to merge HBO Max and Discovery+ into one streaming platform next year.

☆ Fury taunts Usyk after beating Chisora to retain WBC title
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Fury was popping in the jabs freely in the second round, with Chisora unsteady on his legs in the third when both fighters tumbled accidentally to the canvas. "Total dominance," said former WBA champion David Haye, commentating ringside for BT Sport after six rounds of pummelling. "Where's Oleksandr Usyk, the rabbit?," Fury roared at the crowd. "I needed some rounds," said Fury, whose last fight was a sixth-round stoppage of compatriot Dillian Whyte at Wembley in April. Chisora thanked the referee for taking matters into his own hands.

☆ Cemetery workouts help Zimbabwe township residents feel alive
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Nyasha Chingono | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/6] People take a break during an early morning exercise inside Warren Hills cemetery in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 24, 2022. But due to lack of facilities in the townships, residents have had to improvise and the leafy, multi-faith Warren Hills cemetery is proving a popular venue for some, if a bit worrying for others. A few paces from where Madubeko is training, footballer Tichaona Macheka, 19, is holding an aerobics class. "The Muslim section of the cemetery was gracious to let us train here and I am glad more people are joining the class." Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Tires on hundreds of SUVs have been deflated by climate activists who want to make it 'impossible to own a huge polluting 4x4'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Climate activists are deflating the tires of SUVs in US cities to make them "impossible" to own. Tyre Extinguishers deflated almost 900 SUVs this week and hit 52 in Brooklyn, NY. Its members deflated tires on almost 900 polluting SUVs in eight countries on November 28 and 29, according to the statement. The group said it deflated tires on 52 SUVs in the Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights area of New York City this week. At the end of October, the group said it had "disarmed" 10,000 SUVs since beginning to deflate tires in March.

☆ Dating apps and Telegram: How China protesters are defying authorities
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Eduardo Baptista | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Protesters came out in several Chinese cities for three days from Friday in a show of civil disobedience unprecedented since President Xi Jinping assumed power a decade ago. Authorities denied accusations posted on social media that a lockdown had prevented people escaping the blaze but that did not prevent protests on Urumqi streets, videos of which were posted on the Weibo and Douyin social media apps. Censors tried to scrub them quickly but they were downloaded and reposted not only across Chinese social media but also to Twitter and Instagram, which are blocked in China. A few hours before protesters gathered in cities like Shanghai and Chengdu, online flyers and pinned locations were widely shared on Telegram groups, Instagram and Twitter, social media users said. Police have been checking phones for VPNs and the Telegram app, residents and social media users said.

☆ HBO is No. 1 as 14 TV insiders rank the streamers where they want to sell shows: Apple's a big spender and 'there's a sheen when you're a Hulu show,' but there's 'fear in the air' at Netflix
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Elaine Low | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

"It's definitely been not the most exciting and robust year," said one TV agent at a major agency. Around 70 people at HBO and HBO Max have been let go this year, and their comedy development teams have merged. While WBD doesn't break out streamer-specific figures, it said on Thursday's earnings call that HBO Max, HBO, and Discovery+ have a combined 94.9 million subscribers, ensuring that any show on HBO Max has the chance to get a lot of eyeballs. They'll also take smaller swings in the genre department, do things at a lower budget," said the second TV agent. Echoed the first TV agent: "You pitch and sell to them if no one else wants it."

☆ Swiss eye strong start in World Cup opener versus Cameroon
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Switzerland hope to secure early points in a tough Group G when they face Cameroon in their World Cup opener on Thursday after a year of solid performances on the European stage. The Swiss reached the Euro 2020 quarter-finals before losing a penalty shootout to Spain. They also finished ahead of Italy in their World Cup qualifying group to avoid the playoffs. But Cameroon -- playing in an eighth World Cup, a record number of appearances for an African nation -- have failed to leave their mark at the finals since the 1990 edition of the tournament, when they dazzled by reaching the quarter-finals. Cameroon will aim to at least get another World Cup victory this time, a task that could prove difficult for a side that qualified thanks to a stoppage-time goal at the end of extra time in the second leg of their playoff tie away to Algeria.

☆ 'Toxic Twitter' activists ramp up pressure on brands after Trump account reinstated
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Sheila Dang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The groups in the Stop Toxic Twitter coalition complained that Musk had vowed to advertisers that Twitter would take a considered approach to reinstating banned accounts and convene a new content moderation council. Twitter began reinstating banned or suspended accounts late last week including the comedian Kathy Griffin as well as Trump. The platform also reinstated the personal Twitter account of U.S. House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday. Major brands HBO and Mondelez were Twitter's top two advertisers in the week before the acquisition, according to data from Pathmatics. Pathmatics data showed that the top 100 advertisers between Nov. 10 to Nov. 16 spent an estimated $23.6 million on Twitter, down from $24.

☆ Nike's ambitious environmental goals are being thwarted by sneakerheads and the Jordans, Air Force 1s, and Dunks they love
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Matthew Kish | Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Nike's leather usage increased 35% last year because of the demand for iconic shoes such as Dunks. The popularity of the shoes pushed up Nike's leather use by 35% last year and put the company behind a goal to use more sustainable materials. "What's more important, financial goals or carbon footprint goals? But last year, it accounted for 0.1% of Nike's leather usage. Nike's also introducing new sustainable silhouettes, including a sneaker that can be easily taken apart for ease of recycling.

Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX’s 30-year-old founder, became the face of the company and, to some, crypto at large. The first red flagsNot long after Bankman-Fried started FTX, crypto began to boom. Venture capital money flooded into all things blockchain and crypto, and crypto platforms moved to attract customers beyond the technologists and blockchain evangelists that once fueled its rise. These digital tokens use blockchain technology, in which computers contribute to a shared ledger that can be used to track digital assets. Graeme Sloan / Sipa USA via APThe Wall Street Journal and CNBC, also citing anonymous sources, reported that Alameda had used FTX funds for trading.

☆ Ugandan leader says anti-Ebola efforts starting to succeed
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KAMPALA, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Uganda's efforts to contain an Ebola outbreak were starting to succeed and the country has tightened restrictions in the outbreak's epicentre to further slow the rate of infections, President Yoweri Museveni said on Tuesday. "Bunyangabo and Kagadi districts have been dropped from the follow up list. He said authorities had handed names of all contacts of Ebola cases to immigration services at borders to prevent them from potentially travelling and exporting cases in other countries. The outbreak was declared in the country on Sept. 20. Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by George Obulutsa and Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sam's Club just lowered the price on its hot dog and soda combo and undercut Costco
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Mary Meisenzahl | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Sam's Club just reduced the price of its hot dog and soda combo to $1.38. Sam's Club recently raised membership prices, but still remains less expensive than Costco. Sam's Club's hot dog is famously in competition with Costco's version of the deal, still priced at $1.50. The chicken bake increased by $1, and the soda cost increased by 10 cents, although it did not impact the price of the hot dog and soda combo. The updated hot dog and soda price is already displayed online on Sam's Club's website.

☆ Every World Cup 2022 squad announced: USMNT, Germany, Belgium and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —‘Tis the season for wall charts and fans gathering around to pick their starting teams for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “It’s always difficult when a guy helps you get to the World Cup, he scores three goals in World Cup qualifying and isn’t going to be a part of the program. Again, it’s more about who we did add that we felt good about.”All but one of the 26 will be making their World Cup debut at this year’s tournament and, according to the USMNT, it will be the youngest team to qualify for the World Cup. Octavio Passos/Getty Images Europe/Getty ImagesGhanaManager: Otto AddoThe final squad has not been announced yet. READ: Meet Otto Addo, the coach responsible for guiding some of Europe’s brightest young talents (2021)—–PortugalManager: Fernando SantosThe final squad has not been announced yet.

☆ 14 TV insiders rank the streamers where they want to sell shows now as Apple TV+ closes in on HBO Max amid turmoil at Warner Bros. Discovery
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Elaine Low | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

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