Kevin Ross on LinkedIn: Meta, Universal Music Group address AI music in new licensing agreement |… (2024)

Japan's Orix to spend $1bn to buy more than 50 planes for leasinghttps://ift.tt/RO6jwoeFinanceJapan's Orix to spend $1bn to buy more than 50 planes for leasingHigher fees boost business as aircraft production fails to keep up with demand Risingfees are providing tailwinds to Orix's aircraft leasing business. © ReutersNATSUMI IWATA, Nikkei staff writer August 18, 2024 00:09 JST | JapanTOKYO -- Financial service group Orix will invest more than 150 billion yen ($1 billion) to expand its fleet of aircraft for leasing operations, seeking to tap growing demand for planes amid a recovery in global travel.The company will purchase more than 50 aircraft, mostly small and mid-sized used planes, over the next three years to double the fleet to over 100.Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.Celebrate our next chapterFree access for everyone - Sep. 30Find out moreBusiness Newsvia Nikkei Asian Review https://ift.tt/AyUxeVuAugust 17, 2024 at 08:12AM

Amid new rules for commissions, homebuyers should target 1.5%-2%, consumer advocate sayshttps://ift.tt/xtcjzqsReal estate agents and US housing experts have had the date circled on their calendars for months: Aug. 17, when the terms of a class-action settlement over industry compensation practices will take effect.The changes laid out in the agreement are technical, revolving around paperwork consumers complete at the beginning of the buying or selling process, and they add new wrinkles to an already complicated undertaking. Agents currently command a 5% or 6% fee that gets divvied up between both sides, but the rules are poised to shift power away from them, and drive down commissions over time.“Agents have such great advantages over consumers in any negotiation,” said Stephen Brobeck, a senior fellow at the Consumer Federation of America. “The typical consumer doesn’t know what a reasonable commission is. Two percent is a good goal, and in some areas they can get it down to 1.5%.”The US system for paying agents is an old sore spot for consumers, who have long complained that they paid higher commissions than buyers and sellers in other parts of the world. The industry, however, resisted change, until a Missouri jury found the National Association of Realtors liable for colluding to keep commissions high. The Department of Justice was also circling, arguing in aseparate suitthat buyer and seller commissions should be handled separately.The NARagreedto settle the Missouri suit in March, sending shockwaves through the industry. Experts predicted that the deal would lower consumer costs by as much as 30% and put armies of agents out of work. Others suggested brokerages would simply find loopholes.In an interview, NAR PresidentKevin Searssaid that while it will take time to determine the impact of the changes, government regulators are paying close attention to how they’re implemented.“Anyone looking to skirt the rules,” he said, “let me just tell them the Department of Justice is going to be watching.”For years, agents set their fees by a path of least resistance. Typically, sellers worked out commissions with their representatives, who split the payment with buyers’ agents. The fee was culled from the proceeds of a sale, giving sellers little reason to haggle. Buyers, who ultimately bore the cost, got almost no say in the matter.That framework isn’t going away entirely. Under the new rules, sellers can no longer specify the commission they’re willing to pay to the buyer’s agent in the forms they fill out to publish a listing. And buyer’s representatives must enter written contracts with clients that spell out the commission at the beginning of the relationship.Some states, includingNew JerseyandIndiana, have already implemented the changes, offering a window on how they’ll play out on the ground. Before a buyer goes to look at a house they’re interested in, their agents are calling ahead to find out if the sell...

Trump’s Interviews Since Harris Joined the Presidential Racehttps://ift.tt/0k4VgJfDonald J. Trump’s media strategy can be summed up with a phrase often applied to one of his erstwhile nemeses, the logorrheic New York City mayor Ed Koch: unavoidable for comment.The former president has certainly seemed that way in the month since President Biden yielded the Democratic ticket to Vice President Kamala Harris, upending a campaign that Mr. Trump was once convinced he would easily win.Ms. Harris has dominated the national conversation even as she has mostly avoided reporters and declined to hold a news conference. Eager to reassert himself, Mr. Trump has embarked on a cavalcade of interviews in venues large and small, popping up on a video game celebrity’s streaming page, calling into a New York City drive-time radio show and holding court from his vacation homes in Florida and New Jersey. His appearances, however, often involve sympathetic interviewers who rarely challenge his words and intersperse questions with heaps of praise.The results have been mixed. Fans enjoyed his appearances, and Mr. Trump’s news conferences were carried live on cable news. But he also set off controversies that his supporters have scrambled to clean up, such as when he told Elon Musk that some striking workers ought to be fired.A sampling of Mr. Trump’s media-heavy month:‘Sid & Friends in the Morning,’ WABC-AMDate: July 30.Interviewer: Sid Rosenberg, a longtime New York City radio personality who came to fame as a blunt-spoken commentator on Don Imus’s show (from which he was eventually fired for making offensive remarks).Notable Trump quote: “If you’re Jewish, if you vote for a Democrat, you’re a fool, an absolute fool.”Why? “Sid & Friends” is a drive-time radio show that is not exactly a must-listen beyond certain toll roads in the New York metropolitan area. But Mr. Trump, who grew up immersed in his hometown’s elbows-out radio culture, had called in before, and he is friendly with John Catsimatidis, the billionaire owner of WABC.Degree of difficulty: Low. Mr. Rosenberg is a longtime Trump fan.Business Newsvia NYT > Business https://ift.tt/YlB3eEuAugust 17, 2024 at 08:06AM

Ikea expands its inventory drone fleethttps://ift.tt/u2PhY8bOne of the biggest questions looming over the drone space is how to best use the tech. Inspection has become a key driver, as the autonomous copters are deployed to dangerous or remote spaces like power plants and oil rigs. Inventory drones are a promising subset of the category that has emerged in recent years.Ingka Group, which owns and operates hundreds of Ikea locations comprising around 90% of its retail sales, is perhaps the most prominent name embracing the emerging space. It makes sense: The Swedish furniture giant and meatball vendor runs massive warehouses stocked with large items. It’s a lot of ground for humans to cover and too much vertical space for most robots.That’s the primary advantage to systems like the 100 drones Ikea currently commands across Europe. The little scanning drones can provide around-the-clock updates to inventory and reach heights humans and most robots can’t.The drones, which have been branded with the blue and yellow color scheme, an Ikea logo and the familiar “Hej!” tagline, are produced by Verity. The firm has been popular with investors, thanks in large part to its Ikea partnership. The startup raised $32 million last March and another $11 million four months later.“We are always curious of learning from others, and this project is a great example of how we have collaborated across Ikea and together with an external partner come up with a solution that we all benefit from,” Ikea logistics head Peter Ac noted in a statement.The Ikea initiative kicked off in 2021 in Verity’s native Switzerland. The drone company provided a bespoke solution for the furniture giant’s needs. It now covers 16 locations, with stores in Belgium, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.Verity might have the highest profile partnership at the moment, but it’s far from alone in the inventory drone category. Competitors include Corvus Robotics, Gather AI and Indoor Robotics. There’s also Dexory, which reaches the high shelves with a massive telescoping autonomous mobile robot.Business Newsvia TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/August 17, 2024 at 08:05AM

Pakistan starts screening all travelers for mpox after WHO declares global emergencyhttps://ift.tt/gNmMs40Authorities in Pakistan started screening all travelers to the country for the mpox virus as a precautionary step after a positive case was detected this month.Scanners have been put in place at all airports and at border crossings with Afghanistan, China, India, Iran to report suspected infections as part of efforts to prevent the virus from spreading in the country, Malik Mukhtar Ahmed, the prime minister’s coordinator on national health, said Saturday at a news conference in Islamabad.“There is no point to panic,” Ahmed said, adding that Pakistan has enough vaccine kits. “We don’t foresee any emergency related to the infection.”Pakistan has found 11 cases in more than a year, with the latest infection confirmed on Aug. 13 in a 34-year-old male who arrived from Saudi Arabia. One of the infected persons later died due to other illnesses, the official said.The World Health Organization this week declared a global health emergency over the spread of a mutated strain of mpox. Pakistan is conducting genetic sequencing to determine the variant of the latest case.View the new Fortune 50 Best Places to Live for Families list. Discover the 2024 top destinations across the U.S. for multigenerational families to live, thrive, and find community. Explore the list.Business Newsvia Fortune https://fortune.comAugust 17, 2024 at 07:45AM

65 Brilliant Things On Amazon That Make Your Bedroom & Living Room 10x More Comfortablehttps://ift.tt/PgM6Bup — AmazonIs there anything better than going home at the end of a long day to a house filled with cozy things? I didn't think so. Thankfully, it's not hard to find brilliant Amazon products that'll make your living spaces a million times more comfortable. While starting your comfort makeover, your best bet is to tackle one room at a time, beginning with the places where you hang out most (like your living room or bathroom). Here's a collection of some of the comfiest products on Amazon to help you get started. These Blackout Curtains That Regulate The Temperature Of Your RoomNICETOWN Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains (1 Pair)AmazonIn addition to blocking the sun’s rays, these blackout curtains have thermal regulating properties that keep things cool indoors on sunny days, and prevent heat from escaping in colder months. The set of two multi-layer panel curtains come in 46 colors and 22 sizes, so you can find the perfect option for your living space.This Pillow That Keeps Your Knees From Knocking TogetherComfiLife Orthopedic Knee PillowAmazonIf you feel uncomfortable when your knees knock together at night, this cushy pillow is a game-changer. It's made of super thick memory foam that contours to the shape of your legs, and using it can also help alleviate hip discomfort, or soreness from sciatica. One reviewer even raved that "I feel like my hips are finally aligned when I sleep on my side."A Genius Solution For Keeping Up With Pet HairChomChom Pet Hair RemoverAmazonYou won't have to deal with aggravating pet hair everywhere with this ultra-effective fur removal tool. It works on all kinds of surfaces, from comforters to couches. The roller traps hair in a chamber rather than using sticky lint paper; plus, it’s manual so you don’t have to rely on batteries or a power source. More than 98,000 Amazon reviewers have awarded the ChomChom a perfect five-star rating.This Cooling, Breathable Blanket That’s Still So Soft & CozyDangtop Cooling BlanketAmazonThis luxurious diamond-weave blanket doesn’t just look nice draped over your bed, it serves one very important function — keeping you cool. It’s made from a breathable, porous, and moisture-wicking bamboo fiber material that helps to regulate your temperature. Of course, it still feels so soft to the touch. It comes in tk neutral colors like gray and sage to match your space.A Mattress Topper Filled With Plush Alternative Downoaskys Queen Mattress Pad Cover Cooling Mattress TopperAmazonNo more dealing with night sweats with this ultra-cooling mattress topper. It's made from breathable cotton, and it's available in multiple sizes. The best part, though, are the squares sewn into this topper. Each one is filled to the max and the filling won't budge (due to the seams). Plus, with the elastic band around the bottom to keep it firmly in place...

These Cheap Alternatives To Expensive, Popular Products Work Just As Well So Why Pay Morehttps://ift.tt/E0BmtCD — AmazonYou might be firmly devoted to your top-shelf products and brand-name items. At the same time, your wallet may be attempting a mutiny in an act of self-preservation. I’m here to reassure you that there are tons of cheap alternatives to expensive, popular products that work just as well (so why pay more?). Go ahead and click “add to cart,” enjoying your well-earned savviness.This Mascara That Makes You Look As If You’re Wearing Falsies Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect MascaraAmazon No need to apply falsies to your lids because this mascara gives you the same effect with none of the effort. It’s made with a conical-shaped brush that delivers bold color and separates each lash without causing any clumping. Plus, the non-irritating formula is made without oil, fragrance, or alcohol.This Tongue Scraper That Freshens Up Your BreathMasterMedi Tongue Scrapers with Travel Case (2-Pack)AmazonThere’s no need to spend double the money on something when you can get identical results. This tongue scraper is a perfect example as it clocks in under $10 and achieves the same level of oral hygiene as its more expensive counterparts. It’s earned over 85,000 five-star ratings and comes in a set of two scrapers made of easy-to-clean stainless steel. Plus, they even include their own travel cases.This Stain Treater Spray That’s Effective & Eco-FriendlyMiss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater SprayAmazonFormulated without harsh peroxide, phosphates, or chlorine, this wildly popular stain-treater spray can help save your clothes and your wallet. It’s designed to be eco-friendly and safe for clothing, upholstery, and carpets, with the ability to be used on old and new stains. It also comes in a conveniently portable size to be popped in a bag for whatever the day may bring.A Dermaplaner Razor That Gently Smooths SkinJaponesque Dermaplaner Facial Razors (3-Pack)AmazonThese dermaplaner razors gently remove any unwanted facial hairs without stretching your budget unnecessarily. They come in a set of three in a chic color palette and feature a sharp stainless steel Japanese blade that sloughs away dead skin and hair from any part of the face. Handy protective covers are provided so you can safely take these on the go.This Satin Pillowcase For Smooth Hair & Skin Each MorningBedsure Satin Pillowcase (2-Pack)AmazonBacked up by over 25,000 ratings on Amazon, this budget-friendly satin pillowcase is the ultimate proof of not needing to spend a fortune on popular, pricey alternatives. It comes in a pair in all major sizes and features a silky smooth texture that can reduce friction on hair and skin while you’re sleeping. Choose from gorgeous colors such as space gray, teal, and burgundy to perfectly match your existing bedding.These Golden Under-Eye Masks For A Smooth, Glowing ResultDERMORA Gold ...

How to Boost Success by Overcoming the Illusion of Controlhttps://ift.tt/nrbeVZfThe need to control the uncontrollable is often a root cause of suffering.Business Newsvia Inc.com https://www.inc.com/August 17, 2024 at 07:16AM

iPhone 16: all the leaks and rumors about Apple’s next smartphonehttps://ift.tt/jB9cvebThe iPhone 15 Pro. | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The VergeWhat the rumor mill says about the first new iPhones in the era of Apple Intelligence. Apple should be spinning up the iPhone 16 line soon, and while rumors about its phones don’t tend to leak like certain other phones I know, some details have trickled out of the halls of Cupertino and its supply chain. Physically, we mostly expect them to look, well, like iPhones, but as the first new Apple smartphones after the WWDC debut of Apple Intelligence, the changes could be more than meets the eye.On the outside, rumors suggest Apple has redesigned the camera bump on the vanilla iPhone and that it’s adding a new DSLR-like, pressure-sensitive camera button to at least the iPhone 16 Pro. It’s also expected that the 16 Pro models will get slightly larger screens than their counterparts in the iPhone 15 lineup.All iPhone 16s are expected to support the on-device AI features of Apple Intelligence. That means they’ll need some boosted specs to enable things like local AI summaries and writing tools, as well as likely more demanding capabilities like those offered by Apple’s Image Playground. Business Newsvia The Verge https://ift.tt/LxF569CAugust 17, 2024 at 07:16AM

The Asus ROG Ally is on sale for its lowest price to date this weekendhttps://ift.tt/d0bZlXjIt’s no ROG Ally X, but Asus’ last-gen handheld is still a powerful gaming machine. | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The VergeNow that the new and improved Asus ROG Ally X has arrived, we’re starting to see some solid deals on its predecessor, the Asus ROG Ally. Now until August 19th, for instance, the Windows-based gaming handheld is available at Best Buy with a Z1 Extreme chip for an all-time low of $499.99 ($150 off). That’s almost half the price of its successor, which costs $799.99, rendering it a good alternative if you’re on a tighter budget. The lower-end model with the Z1 chip is also on sale for $379.99 ($120), though, given the performance downgrades, we’d recommend sticking with the Extreme configuration.At this price, the standard Asus ROG Ally offers good value, even if it didn’t impress us as much as ROG Ally X when it comes to comfort, performance, or battery life. It’s still more powerful than Valve’s Steam Deck, though, thanks to its Z1 Extreme chip and enhanced performance when the handheld is plugged in and engaged in “Turbo” mode. It also features a quieter fan and a larger 1080p display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate, the latter of which is surprisingly smooth for its size.Unfortunately, its battery only lasts a mediocre four hours at best, which is disappointing given it’s designed to be a portable gaming PC. It’s also held back the Windows 11, which isn’t well-designed for small, handheld-like devices. That said, Valve is working on adding support for SteamOS on rival handhelds like Asus’ ROG Ally, so perhaps we could see it running an alternative operating system down the line. Read our Asus ROG Alley review.A few more weekend discountsIf you’d like to dive even deeper into the Alien universe after watching Alien: Romulus this weekend, a few retailers are currently discounting Alien: Isolation, a video game that takes place 15 years after the original Alien film. The base game is on sale for $8.99 ($21 off) at the PlayStation Store, while Alien: Isolation Collection — which comes with all seven DLCs — is available for PC starting at $8.99 ($41 off) from Fanatical and Steam. Admittedly, the first-person survival game is getting pretty old, but let’s not forget it once terrified our own Andrew Webster into forgetting to breathe.Now until September 1st, Woot is selling Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3 in select colors for $99.99 ($180 off), which is their best price to date. Before the Momentum True Wireless 4 took their place, the third-gen earbuds were some of the best you could buy, offering top-notch sound quality, solid active noise cancellation, and wireless charging. The newer earbuds offer better sound and improved day-to-day reliability, but at this price, the last-gen pair remain a great value (especially now that they offer multipoint).You can buy a refurbished Roborock Q Revo — one o...