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☆ Egg shortage sends New Zealanders rushing to buy their own hens
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In the United States, egg prices have far surpassed the increase in other grocery items, soaring nearly 60% in the 12 months to December compared to the year before. The trend has prompted animal welfare advocates to warn against making impulse buys. “Egg producers had the option to move to colony cages, barns and free-range systems,” added Hyde, the ministry’s acting national manager of animal welfare and national animal identification and tracing compliance. “It’s a significant change for the egg supply industry,” Emma Wooster, the company’s head of public relations, told CNN in a statement. New Zealand is currently undergoing a major egg shortage, squeezing businesses and sparking a rush in demand for pet chickens.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the public corporation currently in charge of energy generation on the island, approved a contract that brings the U.S. territory one step closer to privatizing power generation. Less than 4% of Puerto Rico’s power generation currently comes from renewable energy. Power generation units in Puerto Rico are on average about 45 years old, twice those of the U.S. mainland. As part of the ongoing privatization process, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority relinquished the island’s power transmission and distribution system to Luma Energy. It’s unclear whether privatizing power generation would have any impact on such efforts.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The government of Puerto Rico is a step closer to privatizing power generation on the island despite widespread skepticism among consumers, who crave a reliable source of electricity after decades of random power outages. The contract needs to be approved by the governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and signed by Gov. Power generation units in Puerto Rico are on average about 45 years old, twice those of the U.S. mainland. The system was previously managed by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. The privatization process follows ongoing issues around Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's bankruptcy.

☆ Prince Harry’s Memoir ‘Spare’ Reveals 10 Surprising Details About the Royal Family
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Wsj Staff | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Harry regrets his final call to Princess Diana. Playing with his cousins and brother on the evening of August 30th, 1997, Harry said he “rushed Mummy off the phone” when she called him shortly before her fatal car crash. “I’d been short with her. Impatient to get my games.” The search for peace after that call took decades, he wrote. Fiona Hanson/PA Wire/Zuma

The United States experienced 18 extreme weather events last year that each caused at least $1 billion in damages, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Weather and climate disasters across the country resulted in more than $165 billion in damages in 2022, making it the third-costliest year on record, NOAA officials said. Despite a slow start to last year's hurricane season, three storms resulted in at least $1 billion in damages: Hurricane Fiona, Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. Hurricane Ian, which slammed into southwestern Florida in late September and caused widespread destruction, resulted in nearly $113 billion in damages, the report found. NOAA’s findings offer a glimpse of the major toll that extreme weather events are already having and the country’s vulnerability to climate disasters in the future.

☆ Rep. Mike Rogers apologizes to Matt Gaetz for losing temper during chaotic speaker votes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Julie-Tsirkin-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Julie Tsirkin | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Mike Rogers, R-Ala., on Sunday publicly resolved their differences after tensions boiled over on the House floor late Friday night during the votes for House speaker. Rogers was physically restrained after he charged towards Gaetz. After Gaetz voted present in the 14th ballot, McCarthy approached Gaetz in the back of the chamber, where a tense exchange occurred, a number of Republican lawmakers crowding them. Rogers, the incoming chairman of the powerful Armed Services Committee, then walked over and appeared to lunge in the direction of Gaetz, but was physically restrained by Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., before storming away. McCarthy ultimately gained the votes to secure the speakership in the 15th ballot, when Gaetz and several other McCarthy opponents switched their votes to “present.”

☆ Only 2 customers have abandoned Tesla since Elon Musk bought Twitter, says EV leasing firm CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk's Twitter troubles have had minimal impact on Tesla sales at Octopus EV, its CEO said. Just two of Octopus EV's Tesla customers — out of "well over 1,000" — switched to another make last year over Musk's decisions at Twitter, its CEO Fiona Howarth told the Financial Times. While small, she said the dip was still worth noting, given how loyal Tesla customers have usually been. Three longtime Tesla owners recently told Insider that they're ditching their cars over Musk's actions at Twitter. Octopus EV, Tesla, and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider.

Transmutex is a nuclear-energy startup based in Geneva, Switzerland. It aims to provide clean, safe nuclear energy using its transmuter solution. Insider has a copy of the pitch deck it used to raise $8 million. The startup's aim is to provide clean nuclear energy by solving the nuclear-waste problem. Insider has a copy of the 17-slide pitch deck Transmutex used to raise the funds.

☆ The labor shortage is bringing job seekers all kinds of new perks: Pick-your-pay, student-loan benefits, bonuses, and flexible work
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Jason Lalljee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A greater number are also offering remote work options, educational benefits, and fertility services. It's not just about remote work, though that remains one of the most important benefits for many workers. "What we're also seeing is that there are different approaches to hybrid work that people are exploring." This comes as more companies are outsourcing talent from lower cost-of-living countries after the pandemic made remote work more feasible. Some of these companies are also giving staffers the option of shorter workweeks and remote work.

☆ Here's how to know if your company's layoff policy is a 'good' one
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Mikaela Cohen | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

1 piece of advice when given a layoff offer is to not sign any document on the spot when you're first notified. After you've had time to process the emotional, financial, and mental changes that a layoff brings, here's how to know whether your company's layoff offer is a good one or not, and if it's time to negotiate for a better one. "If it's paid out in a lump sum, sometimes it's nice to get your layoff money and find a new job," Bryan said. If you're still getting a check from the company, Bryan said you can still say you're employed at the company on your resume. "If you were valuable to the company, you might be able to get additional money, or ask for additional money," Bryan said.

☆ Roberto Clemente remains Latino legend 50 years after death
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

When Puerto Ricans belt the name Roberto Clemente in song, they want the world to understand their pride, unity and culture. “We are Roberto Clemente, so you know who we are. Half a century after he played, many of today’s Latino baseball players credit him for paving the way. “The name Roberto Clemente is something that fills us with passion and admiration,” said Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara, who was born in the Dominican Republic. The Roberto Clemente Award is given each year to a player for charitable work in the community.

☆ New retirement account rules make it easier to tap savings early for emergencies
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

But they said the rules also amount to another source of so-called "leakage" that run contrary to the overall goal of retirement savings: to build a nest egg for the future. Participants can also access 401(k) savings via loans or non-hardship withdrawals. Non-hardship distributions also hit an all-time high in October — almost 0.9% of participants took one that month, according to Vanguard. And the share of workers taking 401(k) loans rose to 0.9% in October from 0.8% at the beginning of 2022. Beyond the apparent acute financial need among households, hardship withdrawals carry negative repercussions like tax penalties.

☆ The world's in a 'polycrisis' — and these countries want to quash it by looking beyond GDP
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Mostly led by women, Finland, Iceland, Scotland, Wales and New Zealand are all members of the Wellbeing Economy Governments partnership. "Which I think is why we're seeing such growing interest in the well-being economy approach, both here in Scotland and around the world." A post-growth society is one that resists the demand for constant economic growth. Mostly led by women, Finland, Iceland, Scotland, Wales and New Zealand are all members of the Wellbeing Economy Governments partnership. 'GDP is not a way to measure richness'The push to look beyond economic growth comes at a time of growing calls to end fossil fuel production worldwide.

☆ Just How Bad Is the ‘Tripledemic’?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Amy Schoenfeld Walker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

R.S.V., or respiratory syncytial virus, has made so many young children ill this fall that weekly pediatric hospitalizations for R.S.V. Public health officials have been warning for weeks that a “tripledemic” of Covid-19, flu and R.S.V. Weekly hospitalizations for Covid-19, R.S.V. With flu surging and Covid-19 circulating, respiratory illness has overwhelmed pediatric units across the country, shifting the strain to emergency rooms and children’s hospitals. The predominant type of flu circulating right now, a subtype of influenza A known as H3, also tends to result in higher flu hospitalizations among the elderly, according to the C.D.C.

☆ Stocks drop as central banks meet after 'higher for longer' Fed view
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

In Europe, the Swiss National Bank delivered an expected half-point hike that brought rates to a 14-year high of 1%. ,Hot on the heels of the Swiss, the Norges Bank raised rates by a quarter-point to 2.75% and indicated it has not finished tightening monetary policy. And next up is the Bank of England, which is expected to raise rates by half a point to 3.5% at 1200 GMT. Just over an hour later, the European Central Bank will also announce its rate decision. This inversion reflects concern among investors that higher interest rates could tilt the economy into recession.

☆ Despite GOP criticism of the prisoner swap that freed Brittney Griner, Fiona Hill said Trump was 'not particularly interested' in freeing Paul Whelan
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Critics, including Trump, asked why Brittney Griner was freed while Paul Whelan remains jailed. Hill said Trump wasn't "particularly interested in Paul [Whelan]'s case" while in office. "If I made that deal the Dems would chant, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA!" "I also have to say here that President Trump wasn't especially interested in engaging in that swap for Paul Whelan," Hill said. However, she added, Whelan, Griner, and Reed were all caught up in what she called "political games" while doing things that "seemed completely ordinary."

☆ Shoppers are dipping into savings and going into debt. That could cause a holiday hangover
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And that would be problematic for an economy that is driven by consumer spending. But the savings rate has come down since, in large part due to the high cost of living. The savings rate fell to just 2.3% in October, according to government statistics released last week. By contrast, the savings rate in 2019 averaged nearly 9%, according to Moody’s. Markowska expects consumer spending to remain solid until layoffs pickup steam, likely during the third quarter of next year.

☆ In a tense all-hands, Google's CEO said it's 'tough to predict the future' when asked whether the company would do layoffs
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said it's "tough to predict the future" when asked about layoffs. The possibility of layoffs was top of mind for Google employees during a company all-hands Thursday, but CEO Sundar Pichai wouldn't rule out cuts. Some employees at Google have been nervous over the prospect of layoffs, which have hit other tech giants, such as Meta and Amazon. Employees also asked about Google's new performance rating system, known as GRAD, which the company introduced this year. Some employees have said GRAD, which this year replaced Google's previous performance tool, has had a rocky start.

☆ 401(k) 'hardship' withdrawals hit record high, Vanguard says — another sign households feel the pinch of inflation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Thomas Barwick | Stone | Getty ImagesThe share of retirement savers who withdrew money from a 401(k) plan to cover a financial hardship hit a record high in October, according to data from Vanguard Group. Nearly 0.5% of workers participating in a 401(k) plan took a new "hardship distribution" in October, according to Vanguard, which tracks 5 million savers. Americans are 'feeling the pinch from inflation'Nearly all 401(k) plans allow workers to take hardship withdrawals, but employers may vary in their rationale for allowing them. Participants can also access 401(k) savings via loans or nonhardship withdrawals. Beyond the apparent acute financial need among households, hardship withdrawals carry negative repercussions.

☆ Apple made a big move into women’s health just as startups go through a funding winter. 4 health investors and founders predict who’ll survive.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The tech giant's moves into women's health coincides with a funding winter for startups in the sector. Insider spoke to VCs about the challenges and opportunities this creates for women's health startups. When Apple rolled out the Apple Watch Series 8 in September this year, it cemented its growing footprint in the global women's health market. The aim is to give consumers a more consolidated view of their health data, an Apple representative said — but it's a step that could spell trouble for women's health startups. Funding into women's health has taken a dipThe tech giant's gradual monopoly over health data comes at a time when its apparent competitors — consumer women's health startups — are feeling the tech downturn.

☆ 'Andor' almost dropped the first F-word in 'Star Wars' franchise history, actress says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

"Andor" is the best-reviewed "Star Wars" live-action series yet, and feels more gritty than previous shows. "Fiona's voice was over all of us," Gough told Empire, referring to actress Fiona Shaw's monologue in the episode. "Andor" could be described as a "gritty" "Star Wars" series. It's received glowing reviews from critics, with the first season receiving a 96% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the best of any of Disney+'s live-action "Star Wars" series. But the three-episode premiere lagged behind other "Star Wars" debuts in viewership, according to Nielsen data.

☆ Florida homeowners got swindled by brokers who paid them a paltry sum in cash upfront for the rights to sell their properties for 40 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Florida brokerage had offered homeowners upfront cash payments in exchange for exclusive rights to sell their property. Florida's attorney general alleges MV Realty's 40-year homeowner agreement is "deceptive" and "unconscionable." Roy Brightwell, 70, is one complainant that the Tampa Bay Times interviewed about his experience with MV Realty. The lawsuit claims that MV Realty's agreement is illegal under Florida law because it does not meet the statutory requirements for liens. When asked about the pending litigation, a spokesperson for MV Realty responded to Insider suggesting that the practice is perfectly legal.

Luma Energy secured an extension on its temporary contract Wednesday following a 4-1 vote by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s board. Government officials promised Luma Energy and the partial privatization of the power grid would improve electric services. On other occasions, Luma Energy blamed outages on bad weather and sargassum, a type of seaweed. Still unresolved is the bankruptcy proceeding for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which owes nearly $9 billion, the largest debt of any government agency. As soon as a federal judge approves a debt restructuring plan for the power authority, Luma Energy's contract will become permanent for 15 years.

☆ After a slow start, the 2022 hurricane season roared in with memorable and destructive storms
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Jennifer Gray | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —As the hurricane season closes, a handful of blockbuster storms made history after an eerily quiet first half of the season gave false hope. In fact, we didn’t have any named storms from July 3 to August 31, the first time that’s occurred since 1941. One of those storms was Hurricane Ian, which hit land in late September and will go down as the most memorable storm of the 2022 season. “Tropical storms have formed in every month outside of hurricane season, and there have been a few hurricanes, too,” NOAA said. Historically, we’ve seen at least 15 named storms form in the month of December, even all the way up to December 30.

☆ Australia's Fortescue taps Woodside veteran as CEO amid green energy push
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of Australia's Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) can be seen on a bulk carrier as it is loaded with iron ore at the coastal town of Port Hedland in Western Australia, November 29, 2018. REUTERS/Melanie Burton/File PhotoNov 29 (Reuters) - Australia's Fortescue Metals Group (FMG.AX) on Tuesday appointed former Woodside Energy (WDS.AX) executive Fiona Hick as its chief executive officer, effective February 2023, as Elizabeth Gaines made way for a new boss in August. Hick joins Fortescue at a time when the iron ore giant is delving into mining of critical minerals and rare-earths and is also striving to transition into a green energy firm through its unit Fortescue Future Industries (FFI). She will lead Fortescue Metals' mining arm, culminating a year-long search by the company's billionaire-founder and chairman Andrew Forrest. Gaines, who oversaw a tripling in the share price of one of the world's biggest iron ore miners in the past four years, remains on Fortescue's board as a non-executive director.

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