
EU's new universal charger rule aims to reduce waste
Closing the year with Ayaz Melo: Part - IA Global Perspective on Economic Shifts and Israel's Strategic Position The recent podcast hosted by Liron Rose, featuring Prof. Leo Leiderman, provided a rich discussion on the state of global economies, the evolving role of the U.S. under nationalist policies, and Israel's unique economic and geopolitical position. For international investors, the detailed reasoning shared offers valuable insights into both challenges and opportunities ahead. 1. Global Economic Trends: Navigating Nationalism and Protectionism Prof. Leiderman highlighted how Donald Trump's policies mark a significant shift in global economic dynamics. Trump's America First doctrine is fundamentally nationalist, prioritizing U.S. economic independence over global democratic leadership. The key policies discussed include: Tariffs and Anti-Globalization: Tariffs on imported goods may aim to boost domestic production by making imports more expensive. However, this approach disrupts the principles of comparative advantage that have driven globalization. For decades, global supply chains have evolved to optimize costs and efficiency—e.g., sourcing semiconductors from Taiwan, agricultural goods from South America, and machinery from Germany. Reversing this trend through protectionism risks: Raising consumer prices in the U.S. (inflation). Increasing costs for U.S. manufacturers dependent on global inputs, potentially harming competitiveness. Triggering retaliatory tariffs from trade partners like China and Europe, which could escalate into broader trade wars. Historical Parallels: Leiderman compared the current environment to the 1930s, when U.S.-led trade wars deepened the global depression. He cautioned that protectionism could erode economic cooperation, weaken supply chains, and strain global markets. Implications for Investors: Global markets may experience higher inflation, leading central banks to sustain higher interest rates. For international investors, this creates both risks (rising costs, weaker corporate margins) and opportunities (a return to domestic manufacturing in key industries). 2. The Israeli Economy: Resilience Amidst Complexity Israel’s economy is uniquely positioned in this evolving global landscape. Prof. Leiderman provided detailed reasoning on why Israel continues to demonstrate resilience and growth potential, even amidst geopolitical and economic challenges: Israel serves as a critical partner for Western democracies, particularly the U.S., in maintaining stability in the Middle East. This relationship often translates into significant military and economic support. With the potential expansion of the Abraham Accords (e.g., partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, or Malaysia), Israel could enhance trade and diplomatic ties with major economies. Trump's firm stance against adversaries like Iran aligns with Israeli interests. A stronger U.S.-Israel partnership under such policies could further bolster Israel's defense industry, a key economic driver. Israel’s shekel has remained relatively stable despite geopolitical shocks, including the ongoing war. This is attributed to: Conservative monetary policies by the Bank of Israel, which has resisted calls to aggressively lower interest rates. $200+ billion in foreign currency reserves, providing a buffer against external shocks. Historical fiscal discipline, with debt-to-GDP levels significantly lower than many developed economies (approximately 70% in Israel vs. over 100% in the U.S. and parts of Europe). Impact of Global Inflation: Global inflationary pressures, driven by U.S. tariffs and trade shifts, will likely increase costs for imported goods in Israel. However, Israel’s diversified economy, including a strong tech sector and natural gas exports, helps mitigate some risks. Implications for Investors: Israel’s stable currency, fiscal responsibility, and strategic global alliances position it as an attractive destination for long-term investments, particularly in industries like technology, defense, and energy. 3. Opportunities and Risks in Key Sectors High-Tech Industry: Israel's tech sector remains robust, with exports of software, AI innovations, and cybersecurity solutions recovering in recent months. The resilience of this sector highlights its global demand and adaptability. Defense Industry: The geopolitical environment has increased global demand for Israeli defense technologies. Contracts with European nations, prompted by rising tensions with Russia and other threats, have created a backlog of orders for companies like Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. These industries not only bring foreign currency into Israel but also create high-value jobs. Israel faces a chronic housing shortage, exacerbated by demographic growth (2% annually) and an influx of immigrants. The need for 70,000 new housing units per year (vs. the 48,000 currently built) presents opportunities for investors in construction and infrastructure. Post-war reconstruction and infrastructure investments are expected to further stimulate the real estate sector. Despite the war, the Israeli stock market, particularly the banking sector, has reached all-time highs. Institutional investors view the conflict as a temporary disruption, focusing instead on long-term growth prospects. Banking stocks are considered reliable indicators of economic resilience, as they represent the broader economy’s health. Implications for Investors: Sectors tied to technology, defense, and real estate offer substantial growth potential. Real estate investments, in particular, may benefit from demographic trends and post-war rebuilding efforts. 4. Fiscal Challenges and Economic Risks While Israel’s economy shows resilience, Prof. Leiderman cautioned about rising fiscal pressures: Defense Spending and Debt: The ongoing conflict has significantly increased defense expenditures, leading to permanent budgetary shifts. Israel must carefully manage its debt-to-GDP ratio to maintain its credit rating and investor confidence. Higher Borrowing Costs: Rising global interest rates will increase the cost of borrowing for businesses and the government. This could dampen private sector investments and slow economic growth. Productivity Gaps: Israel must address structural issues to sustain long-term growth. Key areas include: Education: Declining student performance in international assessments highlights the need for educational reforms. Infrastructure: Investments in public transport and digital infrastructure lag behind OECD peers. Inclusivity: Integrating underrepresented populations, including Arab and ultra-Orthodox communities, into the workforce is essential for boosting productivity. 5. A Balanced Outlook for Global and Israeli Investors For international investors, understanding the impact of U.S. protectionist policies is crucial. While these policies may create inflationary pressures and disrupt trade, they also present opportunities in sectors like domestic manufacturing and energy. Investors should prepare for a period of higher interest rates and prioritize sectors resilient to these shifts. Israel offers a compelling narrative of resilience and opportunity. Its strategic geopolitical role, thriving tech and defense industries, and stable currency make it a standout market amidst global uncertainty. However, investors should remain cautious about inflation risks and fiscal challenges. Israel's future economy - complex, resilient and strategically important The podcast’s insights underscore the importance of both strategic and tactical approaches to investing in today’s complex global landscape. For international investors, Israel offers a unique blend of resilience, innovation, and strategic importance. While challenges remain, the country’s ability to navigate them makes it a strong candidate for long-term investment portfolios. The OWL Podcast , hosted by renowned entrepreneur and venture capitalist Liron Rose , is a must-listen for anyone interested in innovation, technology, and the world of startups. Presented in Hebrew , the podcast features engaging conversations with visionary leaders, investors, and founders who are shaping the future. Each episode delves into the real stories behind successful ventures, the challenges faced in scaling businesses, and the strategies that drive growth and resilience. For non-Hebrew speakers, the podcast can still be accessible on YouTube , where viewers can utilize YouTube's translation tools to follow along with the content. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned investor, the OWL Podcast provides a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and actionable insights to navigate the fast-paced world of investing, entrepreneurship, economic outlook and more. Stay tuned to ForexLive.com as we bring our investor community original, interesting and different views to support their knowledge, tools and investing decisions.None
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HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) — Jamal Mashburn Jr.'s 12 points helped Temple defeat Hofstra 60-42 on Sunday. Mashburn shot 4 for 14 (0 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Owls (6-4). Quante Berry added 10 points while going 4 of 6 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) while he also had five rebounds. Lynn Greer III had nine points and went 4 of 8 from the field. The Pride (8-4) were led by Jean Aranguren, who finished with 16 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Hofstra also got nine points and two steals from Kijan Robinson. Silas Sunday finished with five points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Story continues below video Temple took the lead with 15:04 remaining in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 33-20 at halftime, with Mashburn racking up 12 points. Temple outscored Hofstra by five points over the final half, while Greer led the way with a team-high seven second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
‘World first’ Macca’s item lands in AustraliaAfter the strong November payrolls data , released last week, boosted hopes for an interest rate cut in December,the focus of investors in the week ahead will be on the consumer price inflation. The retail inflation data could provide clues on the US Federal Reserve’s last monetary policy of 2024. In addition, the market participants will also have the Producer Price Index (PPI) data. On earnings front, the Wall Street will see quarter results of some big names including Oracle, Adobe and Broadcom. Economic calendar On December 9 (Monday), a report on wholesale inventories for October will be released. On December 10 (Tuesday), separate reports on NFIB Optimism Index for November and US productivity (revision) for Q3 will be released. On December 11 (Wednesday), data on Consumer Price Index inflation for November will be declared. On December 12 (Thursday), data on Producer Price Index inflation for November will be declared. On December 13 (Friday), a report on Import Price Index for November will be released. Earnings Following companies are due to report third quarter earnings in the week ahead — Oracle, Toll Brothers, Casey’s General Stores, AutoZone, Ferguson Enterprises, GameStop, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Adobe, Broadcom, Costco Wholesale, and Ciena. Events The Goldman Sachs US Financial Services Conference will start on December 10 and the Barclays 22nd Annual Global Technology Conference will begin on December 11. Markets last week The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 rose to record closing high on Friday after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 123.19 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 44,642.52, the S&P 500 gained 15.16 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 6,090.27 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 159.05 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 19,859.77. For the week, the Nasdaq gained 3.3 per cent, the S&P 500 rose about 1 per cent and the Dow fell 0.6 per cent. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury yield slipped to 4.15 per cent from 4.18 per cent.
NYT Strands December 29, 2024: Clues, answers, Spangram for today