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Russia blames U.S. for Ukrainian strikes that kill at least 5 and injure dozens in Crimea 2024-06-23 17:29:00+00:00 - Russia blamed Washington for a deadly strike on a strategic port in occupied Crimea on Sunday, claiming U.S.-supplied missiles were used in the attack. The strike left at least five people dead and dozens injured in one of the biggest attacks on the Russian-annexed peninsula in recent months. Russia’s Defense Ministry said four U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets, were intercepted over the city of Sevastopol, but fragments from the fifth rocket led to “numerous casualties among civilians” on the ground. “All flight missions for the American ATACMS operational-tactical missiles are entered by American specialists based on U.S.’ own satellite reconnaissance data,” the ministry said in a statement. “Therefore, responsibility for the deliberate missile attack on civilians in Sevastopol lies primarily with Washington, which supplied these weapons to Ukraine, as well as the Kyiv regime, from whose territory this attack was launched.” NBC News could not independently confirm what type of weapons were used in the attack. The U.S. has been providing Ukraine with military aid to defend against Russia’s invasion, which started in February 2022. The Biden administration recently gave Ukraine permission to use American weapons to strike inside Russia, two American officials told NBC News. The White House and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and considers it part of Russia, though it remains internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory. “Such actions will not go unanswered,” the ministry added. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the city’s Moscow-installed governor, said three children were among the dead and more than 120 were injured, Russian state news agency Tass reported. Razvozhayev declared Monday a day of mourning in the city and said he has been visiting the injured in the hospitals. Russian President Vladimir Putin called him immediately after the attack and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, Razvozhayev added. The governor accused Kyiv authorities of striking “on the sly” at a time when many residents were returning from church and the celebrations of the Orthodox holiday of Holy Trinity or were on the beach with their children. His deputy Alexander Kulagin also told Tass that many among the injured were at the beach during the attack. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said doctors were being sent from the capital to provide all necessary assistance, and Moscow clinics were ready to receive victims. There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv. The country’s ministry of defense, ministry of foreign affairs and military officials did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has called the attack “an act of terrorism” carried out with U.S. weapons that should be condemned by the United Nations. Moscow-appointed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said the incident was “a barbaric, unscrupulous terrorist attack.” Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the attack. Also on Sunday, Ukrainian authorities reciprocated with accusations of terrorism against civilians, reporting the latest deadly Russian strike on the border city of Kharkiv. Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said Russia continued to attack civilian infrastructure in the city with aerial bombs. The strikes on Sunday killed one person and injured 11, Syniehubov said, adding that the latest attack left part of Kharkiv without power, shutting down the metro in the country’s second largest city. It comes just a day after three people were killed and 41 were injured in another attack on Kharkiv that damaged a five-story residential building, according to Syniehubov.
Generation X Unprepared For Retirement: $250,000 Median Savings Won't Last 20 Years 2024-06-23 17:26:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... A recent survey by Natixis Investment Managers highlights the unique challenges Generation X faces as they approach retirement. The study, which included 2,928 Gen X respondents from a global pool of 8,550 individual investors, uncovers a significant gap between expectations and reality, according to Think Advisor – and reveals some key insights for advisors engaging with Gen X clients. North American Gen Xers aim to retire at 60 and expect their retirement to last 20 years. However, with a median household income of $150,000 and median retirement savings of only $250,000, they are unprepared for a retirement lasting two decades, not to mention the much longer one that their life expectancy suggests they'll have. Dave Goodsell, executive director of Natixis Center for Investor Insight, describes Gen X as the “Jan Brady of demographics,” often overlooked in favor of the older Baby Boomers or the younger Millennials. Also Read: Growth Stocks Leave Value Stocks In The Dust: 4 Reasons For Biggest Monthly Lead In Over A Year The survey reveals that 78% of North American Gen Xers believe funding their retirement is increasingly their responsibility. This self-reliance has led to concerns about delaying retirement (44%), potentially returning to work post-retirement (30%), and the impact of growing public debt on retirement benefits (76%). Economic challenges loom large, with 85% recognizing inflation as a major threat to retirement security. While 46% are comfortable with investment risks, 78% prioritize safety over performance when forced to choose. The survey also reveals some serious knowledge gaps in financial planning. Only 2% of Gen Xers correctly answered questions about how interest rates affect bonds, and 48% admit to not fully understanding all their retirement plan investments. Despite these challenges, Gen Xers show a declining interest in professional financial advice. Only 38% of North American Gen Xers believe they need professional guidance, compared to 56% globally. However, crucially for financial advisors, 79% of Gen Xers prefer in-person advice over digital alternatives. The survey underscores the importance of tailored financial education and guidance for Gen X. As they navigate the complexities of retirement planning, addressing knowledge gaps and providing personalized advice in-person will be crucial in helping this generation bridge the gap between their retirement expectations and financial realities. Read Next: Market Could Take Normal, Routine Pause After Record Highs, Strategist Says: ‘Now’s The Time If You Have Profits To Book Them’ Image via Unsplash
Stock-Split Watch: Is Super Micro Computer Next? 2024-06-23 17:25:00+00:00 - Stock splits have become trendy on Wall Street. Artificial intelligence (AI) giant Nvidia recently executed a 10-for-1 split, and fellow chip company Broadcom announced its own 10-for-1 split for min-July. Both splits launched shares to record highs. Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI) has ridden AI tailwinds over the past 18 months, but this stock is still on par with where it traded in mid-February. Maybe now is a good time for the company, which has yet to split its stock, to announce its first-ever stock split. Here are the potential implications of a stock split that investors need to know about. Here is what stock splits do (and don't do) Not many things grab investors' attention like a stock split does. The attention can boost sentiment toward a stock and drive share prices higher. Nvidia's stock price is up 37% since announcing its stock split in May, and Broadcom's stock price jumped 16% since the announcement earlier this month. But what exactly is a stock split, and what does it mean for the stock and investors? A stock split is exactly what it sounds like. It increases the supply of shares by dividing the stock into smaller pieces. Suppose Nvidia was trading at $1,000 per share at the time of its split. A 10-for-1 split would mean that a $1,000 share would become 10 shares worth $100 each. Investors like stock splits because they lower the share price and make accumulating shares easier. Company employees often receive company stock as part of their compensation. They like stock splits because the lower share price allows them to liquidate their equity in smaller increments. In other words, stock splits make buying and selling stock easier for investors and employees. Notably, the share price is lower because each share represents a smaller stake in the company. A split does not change the stock's valuation or any fundamentals about the company. It's like slicing a pizza: More pieces mean more people get some, but the slices are smaller because the whole pizza remains the same size. A split doesn't make a company worth more or less. Why a split makes sense for Super Micro Computer Look up the history of most successful companies, and you'll likely see at least a couple of stock splits. Supermicro, as it is also known, is undoubtedly a successful company -- shares have risen over 10,000% since its IPO in 2007. Every $100 in company stock back then is worth over $10,000 today. Just imagine how much wealth long-term employees could be sitting on! SMCI Chart It makes a lot of sense to split Supermicro's stock and give employees some much-needed liquidity to better control how much stock they may want to cash in. Investors could benefit, too. Shares are almost flat to where they traded four months ago. The added attention of a stock split might help shares get out of this rut and continue their march upward. Story continues Should investors buy the stock before a potential split? Investors shouldn't buy a stock solely because of a potential stock split. Ultimately, a company's fundamentals will play the most significant role in how a stock performs over time. Fortunately, Supermicro's fundamentals are strong and could support a potential move higher. Shares trade at an elevated forward price-to-earnings (P/E) of 39. However, analysts expect massive earnings growth averaging over 50% annually over the next three to five years. The need for Supermicro's modular server racks to quickly deploy AI data centers should continue to boost Supermicro's top and bottom lines. At that pace, the stock's current valuation would be a bargain. Supermicro's explosive growth potential seems to have investors poised for stellar long-term investment returns. A stock split might be the much-needed catalyst to get the party started. Should you invest $1,000 in Super Micro Computer right now? Before you buy stock in Super Micro Computer, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Super Micro Computer wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $775,568!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 10, 2024 Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Stock-Split Watch: Is Super Micro Computer Next? was originally published by The Motley Fool
How an elite Ukrainian unit is using viral videos to attract hundreds of fresh-faced volunteers a month 2024-06-23 16:16:50+00:00 - By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview For months, Ukraine's armed forces have faced a severe manpower shortage. In April, one brigade commander told Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne that the country's manpower problems were "much more important than ammunition" and that one Ukrainian soldier was having to carry out the tasks of three to four soldiers. Since December, Ukrainian military officers have sought as many as 500,000 extra recruits. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Lawmakers have since taken steps to try to address that need. Advertisement In April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed into law a bill lowering the minimum conscription age from 27 to 25. And in May, Ukrainian lawmakers passed a bill allowing convicts in certain categories to serve in the military. Though people recognize the need to fight, "since the mobilization system is not very well organized and is not perceived as just, this lowers motivation," Julia Kazdobina, a Senior Fellow at Ukrainian Prism's Security Studies Program, and a former advisor to the Ukrainian Information Policy Minister, told Business Insider. The 3rd Separate Assault Brigade Recruits of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade taking part in military training. ANATOLII STEPANOV/Getty Images But one place Ukraine isn't struggling to find new recruits is in the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, an elite fighting force that has taken part in a number of the war's most intense battles, from Bakhmut to Avdiivka. Advertisement The squad emerged from the Azov Brigade, a controversial regiment founded by the right-wing politician Andriy Biletsky in 2014 that played a crucial role in the Russian siege of Mariupol in 2022. The 3rd Brigade has since become famous for its battle-hardened, fearless approach to combat. But this is just one of the reasons the unit is receiving more than 900 volunteers a month, according to an April report by the Washington DC-based think tank the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). While many brigades use social media platforms to advertise and celebrate battlefield wins, the 3rd Brigade is especially skilled at PR. Advertisement The unit has 12 full-time media staff, including press officers, cameramen, and editors — and they are "pioneers in running a public recruitment campaign," Kazdobina said. "The brigade is run by people with extensive combat experience and a reputation for bravery," she added. The 3rd also has a professional website as well as a YouTube channel with more than a million subscribers — where some videos have attracted more than nine million views. Related stories Last week, the brigade released a video appearing to show Russian troops emerging from a trench with their hands raised or tied behind their backs. The prisoners of war were later filmed and interviewed, sitting in what appeared to be a school classroom. Advertisement All of this is designed to appeal to young and eager potential recruits. Training Elina Beketova, a defense fellow at CEPA, told BI that the brigade has had success recruiting "because they have a system." "They start with intensive training to prepare volunteers for frontline duties both physically and mentally," she said. "Then, they match people's preferences with different roles. If someone isn't ready for combat, they continue training them and find the best role for that person." Four Ukrainian soldiers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade preparing mortar rounds for intensive firing at a position near Andriivka on September 25, 2023, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Getty Images The brigade has four recruitment centers — Kyiv, Dnipro, Lviv, and Odesa. Advertisement The unit's website says it offers a seven-day training course for potential recruits who want to assess their readiness to join the armed forces. "If you realize that the army is not for you, you can halt the test and leave at any time," it says. Those who choose to join undergo a 30-day training program. If, at the end of this program, the recruit does not feel ready, the training period can be extended. Yurii Kovtun, a brigade sergeant, told Radio ROKS last year: "Our task, if he is weak, is to make the weakest the strongest." Advertisement "We will not send him somewhere to die," he added. The 3rd also tries to help recruits with specific skills find the role that best fits those abilities. "The 3rd Brigade customizes mobilization and contracts tailored to individuals. If someone isn't ready for artillery work but is prepared for another role, they will try to find a different position for that individual," Beketova said. Ukraine's Defense Ministry has noted the benefit of this. Advertisement In March, the department announced that it would be rolling out a new recruitment algorithm for the armed forces. This algorithm "offers a clear mechanism for voluntary enlistment through recruiting centers and online," Beketova said. "Candidates undergo interviews and tests before being assigned to their chosen unit." The brigade also offers a "patronage service," which is designed to care for wounded fighters and prisoners of war. "One often hears that there are two Ukrainian armies," Kazdobina told BI. Advertisement "One following Soviet tradition of inefficiency and humiliation and one that is dynamic, well organized and respects soldier lives," she said. "The Third Assault Brigade falls into the second category." The 3rd Brigade did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Trump says he proposed a 'migrant league of fighters' to UFC head Dana White: 'It's not the worst idea I've ever had' 2024-06-23 16:01:30+00:00 - Donald Trump said he proposed a "migrant league of fighters" to UFC president Dana White. Trump shared his idea at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's conference in Washington. "It was a joke," Dana White said. "But yeah, he did say it." Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Advertisement Donald Trump told an audience on Saturday that he had pitched a "migrant league of fighters" to the head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Dana White. Trump was speaking to Christian conservatives at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's "Road to Majority" conference in Washington. "Did anyone ever hear of Dana White?" Trump said at the event. "He's a legend, right?" This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in .
I spent a fortune to be in my friend's wedding. Do I still have to buy the couple a gift? 4 experts weigh in 2024-06-23 15:56:00+00:00 - At age 31, I'm perhaps blessed that I've only have been asked to be in two weddings. Not because I don't think weddings are fun (they are!) but because the cost associated with being in a bridal party is cripplingly high. By the time the actual nuptials roll around, I've run a marathon of festivities — an engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party — many of which require a gift. On the day of the wedding, I feel like I've already paid a small fortune to celebrate my friend, so does the happy couple really need me to purchase them an air fryer? Not including a gift, bridesmaids spend, on average, more than $1,600 being in a wedding, according to 2024 data from The Knot. Then, you're supposed to shell out another $100. To me, this feels like robbery. To see if I was being totally unreasonable, I talked to etiquette and financial experts. Here's what they had to say. Tori Dunlap, founder of Her First 100k "Striking a balance between what you can afford and the general expectations for being in the bridal party is key. If you're already spending a considerable amount on these activities, it's absolutely OK to scale back on the wedding gift. In fact, many couples understand the financial commitment that comes with being in the bridal party and don't expect an extravagant gift on top of everything else. My advice is to communicate openly with the couple. Let them know that you're thrilled to be part of their special day and explain your situation honestly. Often, a simple conversation is all it takes. A heartfelt note, a small but meaningful gift, or even just your presence can be just as valuable." Allison Cullman, vice president of brand strategy at Zola "It is customary for members of the wedding party to give a gift, but it doesn't have to be of large monetary value. It is a gesture of love. Consider what options are available to you. Maybe the couple has a cash registry and you can donate a small amount. You could opt for something small from their wedding registry or you can also create a personalized token of your love. You could offer to do something for the couple before or on their wedding day, like corralling all your friends for a photo. One of my bridesmaids did that for me and it was very much appreciated. Anything that demonstrates that you are by someone's side is more meaningful than a check." Anything that demonstrates that you are by someone's side is more meaningful than a check. Allison Cullman vice president of brand strategy at Zola Jen Glantz, founder of Bridesmaids for Hire "When you're in a bridal party, before day one of the role you should set a budget and stick to it. That should include all the pre-wedding events and that budget shouldn't be what anyone else tells you. There is no expectation that you have to bring a gift. I think you feel pressure to do that but there is no expectation to do that. When it comes to why we give gifts, one reason is that we want to celebrate these people as they enter a new phase in their life. You can write them a hand-written note. The purpose of going to a wedding and giving a gift is to celebrate." Hannah Nowack, senior editor at The Knot "It's customary for wedding party members to give the couple a gift. However, you ultimately need to decide on what to gift based on what fits your budget and how close you are to the couple. Since you'll be investing a lot of time and money into pre-wedding festivities it's OK to use your best judgment about how much you feel comfortable gifting. One great idea is to join up with some other bridesmaids to give a group gift. This is a nice option whether or not you're on a tight budget. Maybe there is a big gift, like an espresso machine or a honeymoon couple's massage, that you want to gift to the couple but know that doing so alone would be outside your budget." Want to be a successful, confident communicator? Take CNBC's new online course Become an Effective Communicator: Master Public Speaking. We'll teach you how to speak clearly and confidently, calm your nerves, what to say and not say, and body language techniques to make a great first impression. Sign up today and use code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off through July 10, 2024. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.
UK says importers making ‘deliberate errors’ on forms to avoid Brexit border charges 2024-06-23 15:52:00+00:00 - The government has accused businesses importing goods from the EU of making “deliberate” and “criminal” errors on key documentation in a bid to avoid new Brexit border charges. In a notice sent out to traders this week, the government said it had been made aware that some traders and logistics companies were repeatedly filling out forms incorrectly, and vowed to crack down on the behaviour. It comes just weeks after the government brought in new checks for plant and animal goods coming into Britain from the EU. The new rules, which took effect on 30 April, require certain products to be checked at border posts across the country, with importers charged at varying rates depending on the type of product they bring in. However, the government has said that some businesses are failing to adhere to the rules and are making “continuous and/or deliberate” errors, seemingly to avoid checks and additional import costs. The notice said deliberate misdeclarations on forms were a criminal offence and port health authorities would be actively looking for such behaviour and taking action if evidence is found. Under the new border rules, products are categorised as low, medium or high risk. Low-risk products require no checks at all, medium-risk products receive some checks, and high-risk goods even more. The checks can take several hours and are subject to a number of delays, which can threaten the shelf life of some perishable products or mean missing customer delivery times. The notice sent out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said some companies were regularly declaring goods as low risk when they were medium, while high-risk products were being put down as medium. There was also a problem with importers not including export health certificates with meat and dairy products and phytosanitary certificates for plants. Defra added that it was also aware of importers trying to include multiple export health certificates on common health entry documents, when regulations state there should be only one. Firms could save money by doing this, as importers pay up to £145 for each entry document. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Business Today Free daily newsletter Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion In April the Guardian reported on widespread criticism from European hauliers about the lack of clarity over the government’s charging system, complaining that it could increase transport costs by up to 60%. Since the checks came in at the end of April they have been beset by problems due to repeated failures of IT systems and other issues. Last month the Guardian reported that lorries carrying perishable goods were held up for 20 hours at the government-run Sevington border post in Ashford, Kent after outages caused one of the main IT systems to fail.
America's new generation gap: Young voters say they'll inherit a more challenging world. But will they vote in it? 2024-06-23 15:32:00+00:00 - It's actually not all ok, Boomers — at least not in the eyes of America's youngest voters. Many under 30 believe their elders are leaving them a more dangerous world, with a worse environment and less opportunity. These young voters are a more diverse group than older generations and in contrast to America's oldest voters, they think politics would be better with more of that diversity, too. They've already faced challenges. They were disrupted by COVID: the youngest of them were in high school or college during the lockdowns and now say their education was interrupted by it. And to a far greater degree than older generations, many also look back and describe growing up with concerns of gun violence. Today, they overwhelmingly feel it's become harder to buy a house (current interest rates would suggest they're right), to raise a family, to get what they consider to be a good job (this, despite the strong national jobs numbers) or to start a business than it was for generations before them. But most do remain hopeful about reaching the American Dream some day, and they're making their own path en route: Today, they describe their generation as "creative," followed by words like "innovative" and "diverse" — all qualities most think will help them eventually change the world. Their focus is on different issues from their elders' too, with more on climate, abortion and promoting that diversity. Yet for all those concerns — or maybe because of them — they aren't planning to vote as much as their elders. They're thinking less about the election right now, and fewer of them say they'll definitely vote than their older counterparts. So the extent to which they do or don't participate in '24 could be the most immediate way they'll shape the future for us all. On diversity Majorities of voters under thirty think politics would be better with more diversity: More minorities, more women in office and (perhaps unsurprisingly) more young people. There are big differences comparing these views to those over 65, far fewer of whom think politics would be better with that diversity — and who grew up in a very different and less diverse America. How age of the candidates factors in the campaign Talking about young voters sets up a natural contrast with the age of this year's candidates — which for some of these young voters marks a fifty-year or greater gap in ages — and how that affects their views. Half of these younger voters feel the candidates' respective ages — President Biden and former President Donald Trump's — make them out of touch. Half of them say neither presidential candidate understands younger people … and most importantly, when they feel that, they're relatively less likely to want to vote. The big question: Turnout They have critiques and issues, but will they show up? The answer, at least on their stated intent from here, is not as much as their elders. In fact, among those who did vote in 2020, only three-quarters say they'll definitely do so again this time. That's a higher churn rate than for other age groups. Historically, younger voters don't vote as much as older voters do, so that's not unique to this younger generation now — it's often about people's life stage, putting down roots in a community, developing habits of voting, getting involved or just having more time to follow politics as one gets older. That said, just one in five young people feel their generation has a lot of say in the political process — even while at the same time, many of them aren't likely to vote. Just a third are thinking a lot about the presidential race right now. When asked for the reasons why they won't vote, responses include that it doesn't appeal to them, they don't have time or that the whole system is bad. Young people are more disappointed with their choices in this race than the oldest age groups are. But here's another difference. Older voters will vote regardless of whether they're satisfied with the candidate choice; they do so out of a sense of long-standing habit, party allegiance or duty. But for younger voters, a lot of whom aren't satisfied with the choices they have, candidate satisfaction matters more. When they aren't satisfied with the candidates, they aren't as apt to show up. A wider range of issues that matter For voters under 30, the economy is a major factor in their vote, as it is for all voters, but they're more likely to also include other issues in their calculus, such as abortion, climate, and issues of race and diversity — all of which accrue to a Biden vote. Their percentage support today is not much different from 2020 either, though the turnout factor looms for their impact on Mr. Biden. Right now, young Democrats express comparably less likelihood of turning out than young Republicans. By comparison, issues that Trump does well on with older voters — crime, immigration — are comparably less important to younger people. (We should note, they're voting for Mr. Biden when they say diversity is a top issue, but a substantial portion of them still think he hasn't gone far enough promoting it, so it's not that they're completely satisfied with the president.) Economy, opportunity and the American dream Views of today's economy for them seem connected to ideas of opportunity, not just day-to-day finances. When young people think they can attain the American Dream (as most of them do, despite all their perceived challenges) they're relatively more likely to call today's economy good. When they can't see getting the Dream, they say the economy today is bad. (Notable for larger context, too: young people, still full of optimism, mostly think they can reach the American Dream, and most older voters over 65 think they have; it's actually people in between, in their prime working years today, who are most pessimistic about reaching it.) Guns Most say they grew up concerned about the possibility of gun violence when they were in school, a level of concern far higher than older voters express looking back. That seems to impact their stances on gun policy. A majority support stricter laws covering the sale of guns, and that support is even higher among those who grew up concerned about gun violence. Student loans And they're big fans of canceling student loan debt. (Biden gets big backing from those who do.) But is it a motivator on its own? That's less clear. Those who approve of it are no more likely to say they'll turn out than people in the age group, overall. War Despite the attention over recent months and protests on college campuses, for the wider under-30 group, the war between Israel and Hamas ranks well below the economy, abortion, and many other issue factors. However, they do feel very differently about it than older Americans, with relatively more of them calling for a stop to Israel's military action. Climate They're more likely to say climate change needs action now. Abortion If the Biden camp wants to motivate turnout along abortion lines, they may have some work to do: Most younger voters want abortion to be legal — as do most voters overall — but they're less likely than older Americans to think Biden would try to pass a national law legalizing it, and more likely than their elders to be unsure what he'd do. They're also more apt to think Trump would do nothing, or to be unsure what Trump would do. This CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,460 U.S. adults interviewed between June 17-21, 2024. The survey included an oversample of adults age 18-29 for a total of 743 adults in that age group. The final sample as reported was weighted to be representative of adults nationwide according to gender, age, race, and education based on the U.S. Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey, as well as to 2020 presidential vote. The margin of error for the total sample is ±2.8 points. The margin of error for the sample of adults 18-29 is ±5.2 points.
Outrage over video of Israeli soldiers driving with injured Palestinian strapped to a jeep 2024-06-23 15:07:00+00:00 - A video showing Israeli troops driving with a wounded Palestinian man strapped to the hood of a military jeep after a raid in the occupied West Bank has sparked outrage, prompting accusations of egregious mistreatment and human shielding, amid the Israeli military’s intensifying operations in the territory. The Israel Defense Forces said the incident violated military protocol and is under investigation. In the video, a man, apparently bloodied, can be seen lying on the hood of one of two military vehicles riding in a convoy past two ambulances on a narrow road in what appears to be a residential area. The man appears to be injured, but the extent of his injuries is hard to ascertain based on the video. However, he can be seen making some small movements as he lies on the hood of the military vehicle driving down the road. The video, verified by NBC News, has been widely shared online, including by Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied territories, who accused the IDF of using the man as a human shield. “#HumanShielding in action,” wrote Albanese, sharing the video in a post on X. “It is flabbergasting how a state born 76 years ago has managed to turn international law literally on its head,” Albanese added. The Israeli army told NBC News in response to the video Saturday that the man was one of the “suspects” injured and apprehended during a morning raid in the area of Wadi Burqin, west of the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank. According to the IDF statement, militants opened fire on Israeli soldiers, who returned fire. The IDF, however, said that the incident captured in the video was “in violation of orders and standard operating procedures.” “The conduct of the forces in the video of the incident does not conform to the values of the IDF. The incident will be investigated and dealt with accordingly. The suspect was transferred to the Red Crescent to receive medical treatment,” the Israeli army’s statement said. NBC News could not independently verify who the man in the video is or the exact circumstances of the incident. Additional videos of the same incident have been posted since the first one emerged. A still image from a video showing a Palestinian man tied to the hood of an Israeli military vehicle in the occupied West Bank. Reuters Sharing the video in a post on X on Saturday, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said the Israeli forces prevented their crews from providing first aid to an injured person in the Jabarat area of Jenin. “They then placed the injured person on the front of a military jeep and detained him before later allowing our crews to transfer him to the hospital,” the post said. NBC News reached out to the PRCS for further comment. It’s the latest in a series of incidents that the Israeli military has characterized as inappropriate and “contrary to the values of the IDF.” In November, videos emerged appearing to show Israeli troops abusing bound and blindfolded Palestinian detainees. The IDF called the conduct of its forces “deplorable” and noncompliant with the army’s orders in that case. Other examples in which Israel had admitted wrongdoing by its forces include the killings of seven aid workers with the World Central Kitchen in the Gaza Strip in April, an incident which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as his country’s forces unintentionally hitting “innocent people.” The IDF dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for their roles in the incident, ruling it a “grave incident.” And in December, three Israeli hostages waving a white flag were killed by Israeli troops in Gaza in a mistake that brought into question how Israeli forces treated unarmed noncombatants on the battlefield. The IDF appears to issue a similar response every time it faces a substantiated allegation of questionable behavior by Israeli service members, saying it “acts to address exceptional incidents that deviate from the orders and expected values of IDF soldiers” and “handles them with command and disciplinary measures.” The IDF often does not comment on any disciplinary measures ultimately taken, and investigations into such behavior are often slow and in most cases end without charges being filed. Human rights activists have long complained that Israeli forces operate in a climate of impunity, an allegation the military rejects. Videos of IDF soldiers have appeared regularly in the course of the war, drawing outrage. These have included images of soldiers setting fire to items in a candy factory, and breaking children’s toys and gifts in a store in the Gaza Strip. In response to a number of social media videos purporting to show examples of Israeli soldiers riding bicycles in the Gaza rubble, going through lingerie in a Gaza home, using a prayer rug in a bathroom of a home in Gaza or stepping on a Palestinian flag in the enclave, the IDF previously has told NBC News that it “has taken action and will continue acting to identify misconduct and behavior that does not align with the expected morals and values of IDF soldiers.” As the war in Gaza drags on after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, violence has flared in the occupied West Bank, with frequent military raids and altercations. At least 553 people including 135 children have been killed in the territory since the Oct. 7 attacks, and more than 9,300 have been detained, according to Palestinian authorities.
The No. 1 'counterintuitive' piece of advice for job seekers in today's market, says career coach 2024-06-23 14:56:00+00:00 - When Brianna Doe isn't busy building her own marketing agency, Verbatim, she's providing free coaching and mentorship to people looking for a job. Some of the job seekers she works with have been looking for new work for over a year, if not longer, she tells CNBC Make It: "The job market is ridiculous." By the numbers, the U.S. labor market is strong on paper with low unemployment and high job openings. But the experience of finding new work is still tough for many who face so-called ghost job listings, drawn-out interviews or competition for early-career roles. To those on the job market, Doe has one big piece of advice: It "might be a little counterintuitive, but it's actually to step away from your computer." To preface, she says, "I understand you need a job; you need the money. I don't want to take away from that." That being said, she also emphasizes that "it is so important to prioritize your mental health." That could be as simple as shutting down your computer at a set time every day, going for a walk, getting fresh air, or doing "affordable or free things that bring you joy," Doe explains. "Just make sure you're finding some sort of balance," she adds. Taking breaks throughout the job-search process can benefit you further down the road. "The longer you just spend sitting in front of your computer filling out application after application after application, it really can start to wear on you, and then that will come through in the interviews as well," Doe says. Aside from taking care of your mental and emotional help, Doe also recommends being strategic about the resources you seek out for help. She often refers people to ADP List, a free networking platform that connects mentors and mentees across different industries. "You don't have to spend money" to have professionals review your resume, help you practice your networking and interviewing skills, or offer other career advice, Doe says. "You can find somebody who's really willing to help." Want to land your dream job? Take CNBC's new online course How to Ace Your Job Interview to learn what hiring managers really look for, body language techniques, what to say and not to say, and the best way to talk about pay. Use discount code NEWGRAD to get 50% off from 5/1/24 to 6/30/24. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.
Worried about a frothy market? Here's how to start building a long-term stake anyways 2024-06-23 14:56:00+00:00 - Here's our Club Mailbag email investingclubmailbag@cnbc.com — so you send your questions directly to Jim Cramer and his team of analysts. We can't offer personal investing advice. We will only consider more general questions about the investment process or stocks in the portfolio or related industries. This week's question: Hi Jim and Jeff, my daughter is 26 years old and I invest her money for her. She is currently in individual stocks (mostly recommendations from you and CNBC), with most invested before joining the Club. I realize since joining the Club I need to buy the S & P 500 to provide proper diversification. The market has had a pretty great run, so I hesitate to buy now. Do I need to wait for a pullback, and what level would that be in the S & P 500? Also: Should I buy in increments, and do you recommend other index funds? Thanks for all your advice. The Club is the best thing I have done in advising my investment decisions! Kelly (Toronto) Several factors need to be considered to chart an appropriate course of action to get money to work. Looking at your question our two main takeaways are You're looking to increase diversification by putting this new allocation to work in a low-cost exchange-traded fund that tracks the S & P 500. That is also a more passive approach for this allocation, as opposed to the more active part of the portfolio already invested in single stocks. You're looking at a time horizon measured in years, maybe even decades — certainly not days, weeks or months. In this kind of situation, the old investment adage by Ken Fisher is applicable: "Time in the market beats timing the market." With an extended time horizon, the goal is to get money to work sooner rather than later, instead of worrying about identifying the perfect entry point; nobody times it perfectly 100% of the time. After all, waiting for a 5% pullback doesn't help much if the market advances 10% before that comes. Of course, it is understandable to fear buying a peak in the market. It's also a nightmare to buy right into a big downturn. This is where the "how" you buy comes into play. Both concerns can be mitigated by scaling into the position. Invest a fraction of the money now with the plan to add an equal amount at a predetermined time in the future. That way, if there is a sell-off, you're in a position to happily buy more at lower prices. One approach is called dollar cost averaging. For example, you could make four equal buys over the course of a month with weekly purchases, or you could do so across two months with biweekly purchases. Realistically, you can pick any predetermined schedule you're comfortable with. The most important thing is to remove emotion and stick to the process. At the same time, if a material pullback arrives before all the money is invested, you might want to pull forward one or two of those buys. In this case, you might implement a little technical analysis and keep an eye on the moving averages (50-day and 200-day) for guidance. Those could represent support levels to do some buying. Either way, the idea is to average out your cost basis, both opportunistically and over a predetermined period of time, so that by the end of the process, your basis will be lower than when you started. Implementing a strategy like the one above should be a solid way of getting money to work while still putting yourself in a position to take advantage of any subsequent weakness that may occur. Last year, we highlighted a few different S & P 500 index funds . No matter which one you choose, once that position for diversification is built, it may make sense to add exposure to another ETF offering that has a little more risk — but more potential upside — because these investments are for a 26-year-old person. The longer your time horizon, the more you can accept the added volatility that risk brings. A straightforward option is the Invesco QQQ Trust , which tracks the Nasdaq 100. While it has more volatility than, say, Vanguard's S & P 500 ETF , it's also provided better returns over a multi-year period. Over the past decade, the QQQ has a total return of roughly 460% compared with approximately 230% for Vanguard's VOO. Building a position in another diversified ETF with more risk, such as the QQQ, can also be done through the dollar-cost-averaging approach. You might consider breaking each contribution into a split between those two ETFs based on your preference and desired risk/reward profile. One last thing to note: Keeping some cash on hand is always a good idea. Cash is often overlooked as a position, but it's what lets you take advantage of weakness. A diversified portfolio is great. However, when the market hits a rough patch and the selling is broad-based, we may still be looking at a portfolio in which most or all holdings are in the red. In these instances, it's always nice to have cash on hand to do some buying. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 15, 2024. Brendan McDermid | Reuters
Volvo does a sharp U-turn as the boxy estates and saloons return to Britain 2024-06-23 14:51:00+00:00 - It is not the kind of risky manoeuvre any self-respecting Volvo estate driver would execute, but the Swedish carmaker has performed a sharp U-turn on the decision to stop selling them here after an outcry from drivers devoted to a car synonymous with British middle-class family life. Last summer Volvo dropped the bombshell that it would no longer market its estates or saloon cars in the UK and would instead concentrate on its sports utility vehicles (SUVs), which are increasingly favoured by drivers who like the higher seating position and off-road styling. “The appetite for our saloon and estate models has fallen to very low levels in the UK, which has led to our decision to remove these models,” it said at the time. However, in recent days the company confirmed a change of heart as the V60 and V90 models are set to return to UK showrooms and will start taking orders in July. Before they were withdrawn from sale, both models started at about £41,000. The traditional estate car – usually a boxy five-seater with room for luggage (or dogs) in the boot – has fallen out of favour in many parts of the world, and in 2023 SUVs accounted for nearly half of global car sales. This shift has been bad news for the environment – the rise of the bulky, heavy SUV accounted for a quarter of global growth in oil demand last year, pushing up global emissions. A Volvo spokesperson said: “While this [shift to SUVs] remains a long-term trend, we have seen a resurgence for our estate products in recent months and have decided to reintroduce the V60 and V90 to our UK portfolio in response to this. We will begin taking orders next month.” Estate cars – known as station wagons in the US – met the practical need to ferry large amounts of luggage, the name evoking trips to and from the railway station for the landed classes. Volvo made its first estate car in 1953, the Duett model, which could be used for carrying a family as well as commercial loads. In the decades that followed, it became de rigueur for middle-class car owners. In the 1970s a Volvo 145 estate was the vehicle of choice in The Good Life, a sitcom set in London’s commuter belt. At the culmination of Richard Curtis’s hit film Notting Hill, it is an estate car, a Peugeot 406, that speeds the endearing posho Hugh Grant, five friends and a wheelchair through central London to his film-star lover. Tom Leathes, the chief executive of car selling website Motorway, said estate cars – which make up 7% of its sales – are still in high demand because of their fuel efficiency compared with the more popular SUVs. He added that used prices for the V60 had increased by 2% quarter on quarter. “There is still high demand from our dealer partners to stock their forecourts with these modern-day classics,” he said. The V60 and V90 are both available as plug-in hybrids, which have mid-sized batteries capable of about 50 miles of electric driving before the petrol engine is required. That gives the cars much better fuel economy than traditional petrol cars under test conditions, although in the real world the efficiency and environmental benefits are often limited because customers fail to plug them in. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Business Today Free daily newsletter Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion It is unclear whether the Volvo estate will survive into the fully electric age, given that all of its electric models so far have been SUVs. Volvo, which is controlled by the Chinese conglomerate Geely, said it does not comment on future model plans. Volvo said: “When operating in a fast-moving industry, we continually re-evaluate our product portfolio to ensure we have the right mix to serve all our customers. As part of this process, it is not uncommon for us to remove certain models or derivatives from sale and reintroduce them later.”
The No. 1 trait that sets highly successful people apart, says Harvard expert: 'It's rare to find' 2024-06-23 14:26:00+00:00 - Harvard Business School professor Joseph Fuller has spent the better part of a decade studying — and working with — some of the world's most successful people, from Fortune 500 executives to Nobel Prize laureates. What sets high achievers apart from everyone else, Fuller has discovered, isn't their confidence or business acumen — it's their adaptability. "They're not wedded to some predetermined career path that they set when they were a student or starting their first job," he tells CNBC Make It. "They're open to unexpected opportunities and embrace change instead of fearing it." It's great to set career goals and create timelines for achieving them. The danger, Fuller says, is leaning so hard into your preferences that you become closed off to a sudden detour or nonlinear path. For example: You might turn down a job at a small startup that excites you and pays well because you always planned to work for a large, well-known company. Or, you might be tempted to look for a new job — even if you're content in your current role — because you're not getting promoted as quickly as you thought you would. In both cases, "you're ignoring what motivates or interests you, and instead letting rigid expectations guide your career," says Fuller. "That type of stubborn mentality won't take you far." If you fixate on a specific career path, you risk overlooking other fulfilling options for your professional life, Fuller adds.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem indicates she hasn't been formally vetted to be Trump's running mate 2024-06-23 14:16:00+00:00 - South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Sunday said that former President Donald Trump should pick a running mate who “will help him win,” and indicated that she has not been formally vetted for the position. “I haven’t received any paperwork. No, I haven’t,” Noem told NBC’s “Meet the Press,” adding: “I’ve had conversations with the president, and I know that he is the only one who will be making the decisions on who will be his vice president.” Earlier this month, Noem suggested that having a woman on the ticket might be particularly helpful to Trump, telling CNN, “All the polls tell him in these swing states that a woman on the ticket helps him win.” But when guest moderator Peter Alexander asked Sunday whether Trump would be making a mistake by not selecting a woman for the ticket, Noem wouldn’t say so. “He needs to pick the best person for the job,” Noem told Alexander, adding that Trump should “pick someone that will help him win.” NBC News reported Friday that Trump’s vice presidential search has narrowed to focus on three Republican men: Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Burgum told CNN on Sunday that Trump is a strong enough candidate that he doesn't need to select a running mate who will help him garner votes. "President Trump can win this race regardless of who is vice president. He's got the luxury of not having to pick someone," Burgum said. Noem had been viewed as a top contender on Trump’s vice presidential shortlist but faced backlash earlier this year about an anecdote she told in a memoir about killing her family’s young dog. Asked whether what she wrote in her book cost her a shot at being vice president, Noem declined to answer, only saying, “I would say that that was a story from 20 years ago about me protecting my children from a vicious animal.” She added later, “The reason it’s in my book is because that book is filled with challenging times and hard decisions.” The book also faced criticism after certain parts were disputed, including claims she met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Future editions of the book will not include the North Korea anecdote, which her spokesperson later acknowledged was erroneous. “I’m not going to talk about that,” Noem said Sunday, adding, “I took that line out of my book, and I’m not going to talk about it.” Noem also spoke about her views on abortion, which are at odds with Trump’s. South Dakota has one of the most restrictive bans on the procedure in the country, not allowing exceptions for rape and incest. Meanwhile, Trump has said he does support such exceptions. The governor argued that her state’s law is not at odds with Trump’s views, which are that laws governing abortion should be made at the state level. “I would say that it’s going to look different,” Noem said Sunday. “[Trump] said that many times over. In fact, you know, in our state specifically, the people decide.” The governor also echoed Trump’s position on pardoning the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. “Every one of those cases needs to be looked at individually,” Noem said. “[Pardons] will be based on his prerogative and his decision when he looks at those cases.” The former president has said he will “absolutely” consider pardoning every person convicted in connection with their actions on Jan. 6.
Top Wall Street analysts recommend these stocks for the long haul 2024-06-23 14:12:00+00:00 - Microsoft Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Artificial Intelligence Kevin Scott speaks at the Microsoft Briefing event at the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building in Seattle, Washington, on May 21, 2024. The debate over when the Federal Reserve will start to lower interest rates, and the persistence of the artificial intelligence frenzy, are the two key factors that have been influencing the U.S. stock market. Meanwhile, concerns about the course of the economy continue to affect investor sentiment. Against that uncertain backdrop, Wall Street analysts are focused on identifying stocks with solid fundamentals and strong long-term growth prospects. Investors can look at the recommendations of top analysts to gain useful insights before making any investment decision. In that climate, here are three stocks favored by the Street's top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance. Delta Air Lines We start with Delta Air Lines (DAL), America's second-largest carrier. DAL reaches more than 290 destinations across six continents via 4,000 daily flights. Following the company's presentation at the Toronto Corporate Access Day recently held by TD Cowen, analyst Helane Becker reiterated a buy rating on DAL with a price target of $55. Delta is TD Cowen's 2024 Best Idea, Becker said, adding, "Delta has a differentiated product in which they continue to invest, but what stands out is their strategic plan." Becker believes that management's focus on DAL's strategic plan for the past 15 years is delivering the desired results, making the stock attractive. Delta's stable management team is a key differentiator from its rivals, she said. Becker highlighted several strengths, including Delta's extensive network, strategic partnerships with other airlines and operational reliability, reflected in its improved net promoter scores over the past 10 years. The analyst also noted Delta's commentary about continued strength in demand among premium customers (annual income of more than $100,000). Further, the carrier is seeing a solid rebound in corporate travel, with volumes rising by more than double digits on a year-over-year basis. Delta is also strengthening its financial position by continuing to reduce debt. Becker ranks No. 276 among more than 8,800 analysts tracked by TipRanks. Her ratings have been profitable 63% of the time, delivering an average return of 11.2%. (See Delta Air Lines Stock Charts on TipRanks) Microsoft Our next pick is software giant Microsoft (MSFT). The company, which has invested billions of dollars in ChatGPT creator OpenAI, is viewed as one of the key beneficiaries of the generative AI (artificial intelligence) wave. Recently, Tigress Financial analyst Ivan Feinseth reiterated a buy rating on MSFT stock and raised his price target to $550 from $475. The analyst believes that Microsoft is "increasingly positioned to lead the AI revolution through the ongoing integration of generative AI functionality throughout its software stack and product portfolio." Feinseth noted that Microsoft's revenue growth of 17% in the fiscal third quarter ended March 31 was driven by the accelerated adoption of the company's AI-enabled offerings and AI cloud integration. The company's cloud business delivered robust performance, thanks to the demand for the Azure platform. Feinseth also highlighted Micrsoft's growing strength in gaming and efforts to expand into the Metaverse. Notably, MSFT's gaming business is expected to benefit from the $75 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition and the rollout of the new Xbox gaming console. Finally, Feinseth mentioned Microsoft's strong financial position, which supports enhanced shareholder returns and enables investments in the company's AI ambitions. Feinseth ranks No. 242 among more than 8,800 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 60% of the time, delivering an average return of 12.2%. (See Microsoft Technical Analysis on TipRanks) Zscaler This week's third stock is Zscaler (ZS), one of the leading cloud-based cybersecurity players. The company's Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform securely connects users, devices and applications by protecting them from cyberattacks and data loss. Following the Zenith Live 2024 event, Baird analyst Shrenik Kothari reaffirmed a buy rating on Zscaler stock with a price target of $260. Discussing the key takeaways from the event, the analyst said that Zscaler is trying to capture additional market opportunities by expanding its platform. In particular, Kothari noted the introduction of the Zscaler Identity Protection feature that capitalizes on advanced machine learning to strengthen identity security across cloud environments. He also mentioned the Cloud Browser Isolation offering that safeguards user devices and the DLP 2.0 solution, which has AI-driven capabilities to ensure the safety of sensitive data. These new capabilities on Zscaler's platform have boosted its total addressable market by more than $24 billion to $96 billion. Kothari also emphasized the shift in the company's go-to-market strategy from a transactional focus to account-centric selling. Under the new sales approach, Zscaler is focusing on adding more customers with an ARR (annual recurring revenue) above $10 million. "Impressive customer-success stories, particularly in the financial/healthcare/manufacturing sectors, underscore Zscaler's security-at-scale," said Kothari. Kothari ranks No. 381 among more than 8,800 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 66% of the time, delivering an average return of 20.6%. (See Zscaler Financial Statements on TipRanks)
The happiest people use these 3 phrases often, from psychologists and workplace experts 2024-06-23 14:11:00+00:00 - Finland and Denmark have seemingly cracked the code to living a happy life. The two countries hold the top spots on the World Happiness Report's annual ranking of the happiest countries in the world, which was most recently published in March. Finland has a lengthy track record of happiness, holding the top spot for seven years in a row now. CNBC Make It asked a group of Finnish and Danish business leaders and psychologists to explain those results. Some of them referenced a few go-to sayings that remind them to think positively and optimistically, even when — or especially when — times are tough. If you want to live a happier life, add these three phrases to your vocabulary, those experts say: 'Whatever you leave behind, you will find in front of you' Everyone faces obstacles. Dealing with those setbacks head-on can keep them from reoccurring. That's why people in Finland often say, "Whatever you leave behind, you will find in front of you." The phrase implies that leaving an issue unattended will only result in a bigger issue, according to Anni Hallila, head of people and culture at Finnish manufacturing company Framery. DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to becoming a master communicator and public speaker If your friend makes a distasteful joke about you, for example, not addressing it immediately could give off the impression that it's OK to make similar jokes in the future. "If you leave problems behind you, you will find them in front of you" at another point, Hallila told Make It earlier this month. "So the only way to handle it is to actually address them when they are brought up." 'Pyt med det' More than 25% of Americans are stressed to the point of harming their mental health and productivity, often worried about circumstances outside of their control, according to a 2022 poll from the American Psychological Association. People in Denmark use a three-word phrase everyday to get ahead of that, according to Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute: "Pyt med det." The phrase translates to "It doesn't matter" or "Don't worry about it," Wiking wrote for CNBC Make It in April. "'Pyt,' or 'never mind,' embodies a profound acceptance and release of worry. It is the gentle exhale amid life's storms, a reassurance that things will be okay, even when they seem not to be." Whether you're dealing with a minor issue or a major setback, using this phrase can help you move on from life's ebbs to find happiness, Wiking wrote. "It's a good reminder to not sweat the small stuff," he added. "'Pyt med det' encourages us to shrug off negativity and move forward with grace and resilience." 'Some have happiness, everyone has summer'
In Germany, a Tournament Runs Smoothly, but the Trains Do Not 2024-06-23 13:30:02+00:00 - Niclas Füllkrug arrived early at the Adidas campus just outside Herzogenaurach, a picture-postcard town in Bavaria that was to host the German national team before this summer’s European soccer championships. The staff had been told that players would start arriving on a Monday morning, a few days before their opening game. But Füllkrug, one of the team’s forwards, turned up on Sunday night. He had decided to make the 300-mile journey from his home in Hanover by high-speed train on Germany’s national railway carrier, Deutsche Bahn. The company was not just one of the tournament’s sponsors; it was also supposed to be a standard-bearer of the event’s ecological credentials. But years of failure to invest in rolling stock, upgrade railways and digitalize signal boxes have made Deutsche Bahn notorious for delays and cancellations. In a country that has long prided itself on its efficiency and punctuality, Germans — as well as fans — had been warning for months that the problems might mar the tournament. So Füllkrug was hardly surprised when he found himself crammed into a train car packed with high school students on a class trip. He spent the journey fielding their questions about life with the national team.
I'm from Costa Rica: Here's what we eat every day for a long, healthy life—it's our 'secret to longevity' 2024-06-23 13:26:00+00:00 - Lunches and dinners always lasted for at least an hour, and it was our time to talk about our day. This kind of mindful, collective approach to food is something I love to share with the students who take my cooking classes. It is not just about the food we eat , but the connections that happen around it. To Costa Ricans, what we eat is just as important as the experience in the kitchen and around the table. We deeply value the community that comes with cooking. Growing up, I always helped my family prepare our meals, and even harvested some of the ingredients. As a cookbook author and cooking teacher who was born and raised here, I have always felt that our diet and "pura vida" lifestyle is our secret to longevity . Costa Rica is home to one of the world's Blue Zones , where people live longer and healthier lives than average. I'm from a small town in the region of Cartago, called Llano Grande, which is known for its rich agriculture. The best way to describe Costa Rican cuisine is simple and fresh. Our diet relies highly on staples like fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, and beans. Here are some of the foods that I cook and eat every day to feel healthier and happier in the long run. 1. Beans Beans are a great source of protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, prebiotics, vitamins and minerals. They have been linked to reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Black and red beans are the most popular, usually served as part of a casado (our traditional dish of rice, beans, veggies and protein) or as a soup consisting of beans and vegetables. Chickpeas and lentils are popular here and can be used as a substitute for the traditional black beans. 2. Fresh fruit and vegetables Fruit and vegetables in Costa Rica are generally eaten fresh, not out of a can or a freezer. We typically get our fruits and veggies from local markets called verdulerias. Some of the most common ones in our diet are papaya, mango, banana, watermelon, pineapple and passion fruit, and they are either eaten on their own or made into drinks and juices. We use a variety of vegetables in Costa Rican cooking, including potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, avocado, onion, beets, yucca and zucchini. Veggies are either eaten raw, in simple salads dressed with lime, or prepared as picadillo, chopped and boiled, occasionally with some animal protein mixed in for flavor. Picadillo de chayote is probably my favorite. Chayote is a type of squash that is native to Central and South America, and not very common in the United States. It is green and crisp, and it tastes similar to a jicama. 3. Rice and corn Grains like rice and corn are present in our diet, but mainly as a complement to the beans and vegetables that we eat. For instance, the tortillas are used to eat the picadillo in what we call "gallos." Arroz con pollo is a traditional Costa Rican dish consisting of rice, a lot of chopped vegetables and different pieces of chicken. This meal is a very popular at celebrations like birthdays, but it is also very commonly enjoyed day to day. 4. Coffee Costa Rican coffee is known for being high in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation. Sugary drinks are generally not a big part of the coffee-drinking culture. Coffee here is enjoyed black or with a bit of milk. And as much as any other meal, a cup is best enjoyed slowly — we do take our time to drink.
Michael Dell On AI's Rapid Rise, Nvidia's AI Party Just Getting Started And More: Top Artificial Intelligence Updates This Week - Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) 2024-06-23 13:02:00+00:00 - Loading... Loading... As another week wraps up, the tech world remains abuzz with developments in artificial intelligence (AI). Dominating the headlines is Nvidia Corp. NVDA, with analysts predicting a bright future for the company’s AI ventures. Meanwhile, tech moguls like Elon Musk and Michael Dell share their thoughts on the rapid evolution of AI. Here’s a quick round-up of the top stories. Nvidia’s AI Party Just Getting Started Despite Nvidia’s recent rise to become the world’s largest company, surpassing Microsoft Corp. MSFT, Bank of America equity analyst Vivek Arya maintains a positive outlook on the chipmaker. Arya believes that while Nvidia’s sharp rise might prompt short-term profit-taking, any resulting volatility is likely to be short-lived due to the company’s robust fundamentals and attractive valuations. Read the full article here. Nvidia CEO’s Advice to Graduates Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, recently encouraged Caltech graduates to seek out untapped markets and view setbacks as growth opportunities. Speaking at the Caltech graduation ceremony, Huang shared his experiences in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of identifying and investing in “zero-billion-dollar markets,” which have the potential to become billion-dollar industries in the future. Read the full article here. See Also: Vision Pro Users Are Quickly Giving Up On The Device After A Few Tries, Says Top Apple Analyst Ming-Chi K Nvidia Shorts Down Big Despite a recent pullback, investors betting against Nvidia over the last year or year-to-date in 2024 are down big. A recent Nvidia stock split has increased the number of shares outstanding of the semiconductor giant, potentially preventing a short squeeze in the stock. Read the full article here. Musk Praises AI Godfather Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc. TSLA, recently shared a snippet of an interview with Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “Godfather of AI,” praising him for his superior intellect and shared concerns about AI's potential to outsmart humans. Hinton has been vocal about the need for the tech industry to invest significantly in addressing the potential threat of AI surpassing human intelligence. Read the full article here. Michael Dell on AI’s Rapid Rise Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Inc. DELL, compared the impact of generative AI to other significant technological advancements, suggesting that AI’s adoption is happening at a much faster pace than the internet’s rise in the mid-1990s. Read the full article here. Read Next: Nvidia Is ‘At The Center’ Of Something ‘Really Big,’ Says Expert As Jensen Huang-Led Chip Giant Beats Microsoft Image Via Shutterstock
Construction workers are dying from suicide at an alarming rate 2024-06-23 12:00:00+00:00 - In a swath of Arizona desert that will soon be home to a multibillion-dollar semiconductor plant, Justin Azbill stood before thousands of construction workers and told the story of the day he almost took his life. Pressure had been building on Azbill for months at his job as safety director for a large Boston construction firm during the height of the pandemic. Sleep-deprived and overwhelmed, Azbill said he packed a lethal means to harm himself in his lunch sack. But as he was preparing to leave for work that morning, his daughter asked him to stay home with her that day. He did and the day provided a moment of clarity for Azbill, who then sought out help from a friend. Azbill, who got his start in construction as an ironworker, has been traveling to construction sites across the country sharing his story as he and others in the industry race to address what they say is an epidemic of suicide among their colleagues — many of whom are under increasing strain amid a nationwide construction boom and a shortage of workers. “In the construction industry, we’ve generationally been taught that if you talk to someone about a weakness or you’re struggling then you’re weak and you won’t get hired,” said Azbill. “One of the reasons I talk about it so freely is so people know that it’s normal and it’s OK.” Justin Azbill tells the story of the day he almost took his life. Courtesy Justin Azbill The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates among professions — with the rate among male construction workers 75% higher than men in the general population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 6,000 construction workers died as a result of suicide in 2022, an increase from 2021, according to the most recent data available. That compares to around 1,000 who died from a construction work-related injury. “When you’re more likely to be killed by your own hands than to get killed in a jobsite accident, that’s a crisis in our industry,” said Brian Turmail, vice president of public affairs and workforce for the Associated General Contractors of America. “We know pretty much what needs to happen to protect people physically. We’re figuring out how to protect people mentally.” While construction wages are up and jobs are plentiful, those in the industry fear that the pressures on their workers’ mental health are only getting worse. A recent surge in construction projects, spurred by billions of federal dollars for infrastructure, clean energy and semiconductor projects have put increasing strain on an already stretched workforce. As a result, workers are putting in more than 10-hour days in harsh weather conditions, facing high-pressure deadlines and having to spend months away from home living in hotels, temporary workforce housing or their vehicles. There is also the risk of workplace injuries and a higher rate of opioid misuse along with the general financial instability of hourly work. “There’s a lot that goes into how stressful it is, not just physically, but mentally and psychologically,” said Josh Vitale, a superintendent for Hoffman Construction, the general contractor overseeing the Intel Arizona project where Azbill recently spoke. “I think progress is fantastic, but we have to realize that we are legitimately wringing the life out of people.” Josh Vitale and Justin Azbill. Courtesy Justin Azbill One of the biggest building booms is being driven by the semiconductor industry. Companies are planning to spend $450 billion on 80 new semiconductor manufacturing projects in 25 states as part of a nationwide push led by the Biden administration to increase U.S. manufacturing of high-tech chips that go into everything from cars to military equipment, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. In Arizona, workers building the $20 billion Intel facility typically work two 60-hour weeks followed by a 50-hour week for months at a time in the hot Arizona weather with no paid vacation time, said Vitale. Because of a shortage of local workers, many are coming in from out of state, leaving behind friends and family and living for months or years in hotels or temporary housing. For Azbill, a number of factors came together in a matter of months that pushed him to a place where he was close to ending his own life. Azbill had spent decades working his way up the ranks of the construction industry, and when the pandemic hit, he was thrust into the role of Covid czar, working in an emotionally challenging and negative environment as his company tried to navigate the pandemic on its worksites, he said. “I was working 19-hour days, and then I couldn’t sleep at night. Try that for six months and see where someone would be,” he said. “You start seeing everything negatively, there is this darkness. I was crying myself to sleep.” At home, his relationship with his wife and daughter was fraying because for months he had barely been around, but he worried that if he cut back his hours at work he would let his family down financially, he said. “At the time, I didn’t think that my wife or my daughter really cared for me because for six months I was angry all the time, they were cautious being around me, they didn’t want to cause more problems for me,” Azbill said. After about six months, Azbill said he hit a breaking point. There was a Covid outbreak on a jobsite after some workers weren’t following safety protocols. The incident angered him in a way he’d never experienced. He said he blacked out and started having thoughts of suicide. He knew something was wrong so he went home to try to get some sleep. He woke up at 2:30 a.m. the next morning and decided he was going to take his own life. He wrote three goodbye letters: one to his mother, one to his wife and one to his daughter. “Before I left, I said, ‘Goodbye. I’m going to work, I love you guys,’” he said. Then, his 8-year-old daughter, who was doing remote school, came running out of her room. “She says, ‘Papa, Papa,’ and anytime she calls me Papa she steals my heart. It’s also her way of saying she loves me,” Azbill said. “I think she knew I was struggling bad, and I was her best friend. She said, ‘Papa, I love you, spend time with me, I don’t like my teacher and I don’t like school, can you spend time with me today?’ And so I did.” Azbill stayed home from work that day and watched his daughter. In the afternoon, he got on a weekly Zoom call with dozens of other safety professionals in the industry. Near the end of the call, one of the participants began crying, talking about losing one of his best friends to Covid and shared how he was struggling with the loss. “I call that my clarity moment. It completely changed my mindset,” he said. “I realized I can’t do that. I’m not going to do what I was thinking.” After the Zoom meeting, Azbill called a friend and shared that he was struggling. His friend told him how important he was to those in his life and that people are grateful for all he does. That phone call, he said, helped save his life. At the Intel project, the site’s general contractor, Hoffman Construction, has tried to tackle the risk of suicide in a number of ways across its worksites after the company lost two of its supervisors to suicide over the past several years, said Vitale. Intel doesn’t employ any of the construction workers on the site or have direct involvement in the construction process. Workers wait at Intel’s Ocotillo Campus in Chandler, Ariz., to greet President Joe Biden. Alexandra Buxbaum / Sipa USA via AP Images The company has created community center-style spaces on its worksites where workers can have some personal space, attend a substance misuse meeting or talk with a peer who can help connect them to mental health resources. It also started including discussions about mental health in its regular staff meetings. “It would be rare to find someone in the industry who hasn’t known a person that has taken their life within the last year or two,” said Vitale. “As an industry, we just keep putting more and more pressure on the worker to outperform what they’ve done before, and at some point it’s just untenable.” Vitale has gotten involved in a number of efforts to reduce suicides in the industry after he struggled with his own mental health crisis after the loss of his baby, he said. Several times a week, he said, he is involved in a suicide intervention at the Arizona jobsite and has counseled dozens of colleagues thinking about hurting themselves, like a young carpenter he’s been talking to recently who is struggling with the loss of his mother and grandmother. But even with those efforts, the worksite hasn’t been immune from loss — an employee for one of the project’s contractors recently died by suicide at home over the weekend. Alarm bells about the high rate of suicide started going off in the construction industry in 2016 when a CDC report showed construction workers had one of the highest rates of suicide by profession, leading various industry groups to start looking for solutions. For every 100,000 male construction workers, 56 died by suicide in 2022, according to CDC data. That compared to 32 suicide deaths per 100,000 men in the general population. Males have a significantly greater rate of suicide than females. A key focus for the industry has been trying to tackle the taboo nature of talking about mental health and seeking treatment. Industry organizations have been using everything from PSA-style videos and worksite talks to stickers, poker chips and magnets plastered around job sites informing workers of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Groups have also been creating resources like worksite talks and suicide prevention training courses to help guide employers in how to talk about mental health with their employees. Construction firm Bechtel said earlier this year that it would spent $7 million toward an effort with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to reach 500,000 construction workers with industry-specific mental health programs. Shannon Niles, safety director for construction firm Paric Corp., said he experienced the mental toll the job can take firsthand after witnessing a co-worker die on a jobsite when a trench collapsed on him. Niles tried to dig the man out but was unable to save him. He said he bottled up the trauma of the incident, becoming angrier and more withdrawn and drinking heavily until his family intervened and urged him to get help. But Niles said there is an industry culture that discourages many from asking for help and a fear that showing any perceived weakness could jeopardize their job prospects. “Construction workers think they’re so big and bad, that they don’t ever need any help. But we’ve got to realize we’re all human beings, and we all need help at some point,” Niles said. Giving added urgency to the issue is an industrywide shortage of workers. At the start of 2024, the construction industry needed an additional 500,000 workers on top of the normal pace of hiring to meet the expected demand, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. “You spend a couple-hundred-thousand dollars to train a superintendent for 20 years, and you’re going to throw them out the door now because they have a mental health problem or substance abuse?” said Mike Pugh, who oversees safety for DPR Construction. “They’re finding financially it’s not viable, it doesn’t pay any more to ignore and separate these issues because we don’t have anybody to replace them because there’s a worker shortage.” It’s a stark change from when Pugh was facing his own mental health struggles more than two decades ago. Pugh said he began a downward spiral with drug and alcohol addiction following several traumatic deaths in his family. At the time, he was working in a high-level position for an HVAC company that worked on large-scale commercial construction projects. “My bosses are watching me circle the drain and nobody’s really saying anything,” Pugh said. “As men, we’re taught to take care of your stuff, take care of your family. When you’re unable to do that you feel even more shame and guilt and it just all piles on until I just kind of snapped and couldn’t do it anymore.” Ultimately, it was his brother who urged him to get help, and he has been in recovery for 25 years. Like Azbill, he now travels the country talking at worksites about the need for a culture change in the industry. He thinks the message is starting to get through. Recently, he was at a jobsite in California where he had spoken about a year ago. While talking with the site’s safety manager, a laborer approached him and pulled him aside so no one would see them talking. “He tells me, ‘Sir, after your talk last year, I went home and told my wife for the first time about my drinking, and I’ve been sober for five months,’” Pugh said. “We both started crying and hugging.” If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.