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Apple is so big, it’s almost eclipsing the value of Europe’s largest stock market

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

By Subrat Patnaik and Michael Msika | BloombergThe rally in Apple Inc., the world’s most valuable publicly traded company, is showing no signs of easing. After closing at a record high on Wednesday, the iPhone maker’s market value is approaching that of Europe’s largest stock market: France.The combined market value of companies listed in Paris was about $3.2 trillion as of Wednesday’s close, versus the technology giant’s $3.1 trillion, according to an index compiled by Bloomberg. Apple is bigger than all but the six largest stock markets in the world.It’s not the first time the Cupertino, California-based company eclipsed Paris in value. The duo swapped positions a number of times during last year’s second-half selloff as central banks raised interest rates to tackle inflation.The French stock market itself is at a record high this week, propelled by luxury-goods companies including Louis Vuitton owner LVMH and Birkin bag manufacturer Hermes International SCA. The stocks pulled bac...

Earliest version of Mickey Mouse set to become public domain in 2024, along with Minnie Mouse and Tigger too

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

By ANDREW DALTON | AP Entertainment WriterLOS ANGELES — M-I-C-K-E-Y will soon belong to you and me.Walt Disney, creator of Mickey Mouse, poses for a photo at the Pancoast Hotel, Aug. 13, 1941, in Miami, Fla. The earliest version of Disney’s most famous character, Mickey Mouse, and arguably the most iconic character in American pop culture, will become public domain on Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo, File) With several asterisks, qualification and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.In a moment many close observers thought might never come, at least one version of the quintessential piece of intellectual property and perhaps the most iconic character in American pop culture will be free from Disney’s copyright as his first screen release, the 1928 short “Steamboat Willie,” featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, becomes available for public use.“This is it. This...

Oakland: Irish pub Slainte rises to pour again; Friday is reopening day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

The Irish whiskey will flow again, starting Friday.After making the “heartbreaking decision” to shut down her Slainte Pub & Grub at the end of October, chef-owner Jackie Gallanagh announced Wednesday that she’s able to reopen the Oakland business.“A few of our oldest friends (and former employees) have joined together to bring the pub back to life after we closed our doors,” she wrote on her website and social media. “We will reopen on Friday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m. and the live Irish music we’re famous for starts at 6 p.m. to help us celebrate.”Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | Christmas 2023: These restaurants are selling take-home feasts Restaurants, Food and Drink | 7 awesome Bay Area things to do this weekend Restaurants, Food and Drink | Share the Spirit: How to succeed in small business — meet the organization that helps make it happen Restaurants, Food and Drink | ...

Christmas 2023: These restaurants are selling take-home feasts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | Irish pub Slainte rises to pour again in Oakland; Friday is reopening day Restaurants, Food and Drink | 7 awesome Bay Area things to do this weekend Restaurants, Food and Drink | Share the Spirit: How to succeed in small business — meet the organization that helps make it happen Restaurants, Food and Drink | Russell: Americans are torn about the new tipping culture Restaurants, Food and Drink | San Jose’s Downtown Food Hall’s first mystery restaurant tenants coming to light Most restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day, which falls on a Monday this year, but some chains are offering take-home feasts with turkey, ham or prime rib throughout the holiday season.Most of the meals are heat-and-serve and will require two to three hours for preparation as well as ordering in advance. Check with the restaurant chains on their requirements.Claim J...

New California laws bring changes to housing in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

(KRON) -- With the new year comes new changes involving housing in California. Governor Gavin Newsom signed several bills into law this year that will go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2024. Some bring changes to the workplace, others to the state's official symbols. Here are five impacting housing that you'll want to be aware of:Security depositsTenants will no longer have to fork over several month's rent as a security deposit. A new bill caps the amount a landlord can charge to one month's rent.Evictions based on alleged criminal activityTenants will not be able to be evicted based on calls to law enforcement, suspected criminal activity or other alleged nuisance activity. No-fault just cause evictionsEffective April 1, 2024, landlords will have a harder time evicting tenants under the no-fault just cause policy. The current policy allows landlords to remove a tenant if the landlord or landlord's family members wants to move in. The new law will require the family to move in w...

Retail sales rise 0.3% in November as Americans hit gas rather than brakes on spending

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans picked up their spending from October to November unexpectedly as the unofficial holiday season kicked off, underscoring the power of shoppers despite elevated prices.Retail sales rose 0.3%, in November from October, when sales were down a revised 0.2% according to the Commerce Department on Thursday. Sales were expected to decline again in November due to a myriad of issues, including uncertainty over the economy. Excluding car and gas sales, sales rose 0.6%.As they have been doing for much of the year American consumers, a huge engine for economic growth in the U.S., hit the stores, shopped online or went out to restaurants. Business at restaurants rose 1.6%, while sales at furniture stores rose 0.9%. Online sales rose 1%. Business at clothing and accessories stores were up 0.6%. Electronic and appliance sales, however, fell 1.1% Sales at department stores fell 2.5%. The figures aren’t adjusted for inflation.The urge to spend for Americans appears to have...

Key leaders depart GM’s Cruise amid ongoing investigation into San Francisco accident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Several key leaders at General Motors’ troubled autonomous vehicle unit are no longer with the company amid an ongoing investigation into an October accident involving one of its driverless cars. Cruise said late Wednesday that nine individuals departed following an initial analysis of the incident on Oct. 2 and the company response after a Cruise robotaxi ran over a pedestrian who had been hit by another vehicle driven by a human. The Cruise vehicle then pinned the pedestrian under one of its tires after coming to a stop. California regulators have alleged that Cruise covered up the severity of the October accident — which could result in a potential penalty of roughly $1.5 million. The robotaxi service is also being investigated by U.S. regulators after separate receiving reports of potential risks to pedestrians and passengers.The latest departures include leaders in from legal, government affairs, commercial operations and safety and systems teams, Cruise s...

El papa Francisco pide un tratado que regule la IA y advierte del riesgo de una “dictadura tecnológica”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

(CNN) — El papa Francisco pidió un tratado internacional para regular el uso de la inteligencia artificial (IA), advirtiendo del riesgo de que esta nueva tecnología provoque una “dictadura tecnológica” que amenace la paz y la democracia.El pontífice, de 86 años, quiere que los líderes mundiales acuerden un “tratado internacional vinculante” sobre la IA desarrollado dentro de un marco ético. Francisco hizo el llamado en su mensaje anual para el Día Mundial de la Paz que celebra la Iglesia católica cada 1 de enero.“La capacidad humana única para el juicio moral y la toma de decisiones éticas es más que una compleja colección de algoritmos, y esa capacidad no puede reducirse a programar una máquina, que por muy ‘inteligente’ que sea sigue siendo una máquina”, escribió Francisco.“Hay que plantearse una serie de preguntas urgentes. ¿Cuáles serán las consecuencias, a mediano y largo plazo, de estas nuevas tecnologías digitales? ¿...

AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open Par Scores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

ThursdayAt Heritage Golf ClubBel Ombre, MauritiusPurse: $1.2 millionYardage: 7,331; Par: 72First RoundAntoine Rozner, France33-29—62-10Paul Waring, England32-31—63-9Jayden Trey Schaper, South Africa30-35—65-7Laurie Canter, England34-32—66-6Dan Erickson, United States36-30—66-6Darren Fichardt, South Africa32-34—66-6Lyle Rowe, South Africa33-33—66-6Louis De Jager, South Africa36-31—67-5Casey Jarvis, South Africa31-36—67-5Rupert Kaminski, South Africa34-33—67-5Matteo Manassero, Italy35-32—67-5Pieter Moolman, South Africa32-35—67-5Jaco Prinsloo, South Africa32-35—67-5Marcel Schneider, Germany32-35—67-5Lars Van Meijel, Netherlands33-34—67-5Thomas Aiken, South Africa34-34—68-4Bradley Bawden, England34-34—68-4Daniel Brown, England33-35—68-4Martin Couvra, France33-35—68-4Jacques De Villiers, South Africa33-35—68-4Pedro Figueiredo, Portugal33-35—68-4Deon Germishuys, South Africa34-34—68-4Jonathan Goth-Rasmussen, Denmark33-35—68-4Jeong-Weon Ko, France36-32—68-4Nicolai Kristensen, Denmark34-34...

AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open Scores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:00 GMT

ThursdayAt Heritage Golf ClubBel Ombre, MauritiusPurse: $1.2 millionYardage: 7,331; Par: 72First RoundAntoine Rozner, France33-29—62Paul Waring, England32-31—63Jayden Trey Schaper, South Africa30-35—65Laurie Canter, England34-32—66Dan Erickson, United States36-30—66Darren Fichardt, South Africa32-34—66Lyle Rowe, South Africa33-33—66Louis De Jager, South Africa36-31—67Casey Jarvis, South Africa31-36—67Rupert Kaminski, South Africa34-33—67Matteo Manassero, Italy35-32—67Pieter Moolman, South Africa32-35—67Jaco Prinsloo, South Africa32-35—67Marcel Schneider, Germany32-35—67Lars Van Meijel, Netherlands33-34—67Thomas Aiken, South Africa34-34—68Bradley Bawden, England34-34—68Daniel Brown, England33-35—68Martin Couvra, France33-35—68Jacques De Villiers, South Africa33-35—68Pedro Figueiredo, Portugal33-35—68Deon Germishuys, South Africa34-34—68Jonathan Goth-Rasmussen, Denmark33-35—68Jeong-Weon Ko, France36-32—68Nicolai Kristensen, Denmark34-34—68Joakim Lagergren, Sweden36-32—68Dylan Naidoo, ...