Month: August 2022

Categories
Technology

Gadget season is here — new folding phones, watches and earbuds are coming

Gadget season is here — new folding phones, watches and earbuds are coming

Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung and other firms are teeing up for a busy second half of the year filled with lots of new gadget launches.

It’s like clockwork. Big tech companies launch the latest products, like phones, watches, or even robots and flying security drones, beginning in August and up through November, to gear up for the holiday shopping rush.

Samsung kicks it off next week, on August 10, when it will announce new folding phones, giving it a chance to attract consumers before Apple holds its iPhone event in September. The new products at Apple’s fall events have a direct impact on the company’s balance sheet. The holiday quarter is typically Apple’s biggest. It reported record revenue last year for the three months ended December 25, for example.

Meanwhile, Google has promised to launch its next phone with a brand new chip, and its first Apple Watch competitor, later this year. And don’t forget Amazon: It typically announces new Echos, Fire TV products and sometimes tosses in a few surprises, like last year’s Astro Robot, at an event held sometime between September and November.

There’s a lot, so here’s a rundown of what to expect.

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy ZFold 2
Camera IconSamsung Galaxy ZFold 2 Credit: Supplied/CNBC

Here’s what to expect: Samsung will debut the next generation of its foldable smartphones — the teasers have confirmed that — including the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4.

Customers can already reserve one of these new smartphones, even though they haven’t been announced yet. Some of the chief complaints surrounding foldable phones have been the price of the higher-end Galaxy Z Fold model and the obvious seam that interrupts the phone’s display.

Any price drop or upgrades to make the fold less obvious will be noticeable. Samsung typically announces new earbuds, tablets and smartwatches to compete with Apple’s iPad, AirPods and Apple Watch, too.

Here’s what it launched last August: Last year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which was priced at $US1799 ($2600) and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 for $US1000. It also announced the Galaxy Buds 2 headphones and the Galaxy Watch 4.

Manzana

Customers walk past a digital display of the new green color Apple iPhone 13 pro inside the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, in New York, March 18, 2022.
Camera IconCustomers walk past a digital display of the new green color Apple iPhone 13 pro inside the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, in New York, March 18, 2022. Credit: Supplied/CNBC

Here’s what to expect:

Apple’s reportedly planning four iPhone 14 models this year, according to Bloomberg, which said we can expect new features like an always-on display on the higher-end Pro models. The same report said Apple may ditch the 5.4-inch iPhone mini and instead launch a more affordable big-screened iPhone with a 6.7-inch screen. That suggests Apple will launch an iPhone 14, an iPhone 14 with a bigger screen, the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Apple is also set to unveil three new Apple Watch variations, including a new entry-level SE model, a standard Series 8, and a rugged edition aimed at extreme sports, according to Bloomberg. The AirPods Pro earbuds are due for an update, and there’s still talk of Apple’s first mixed reality headset, but those could also come later.

Still, Apple’s mixed reality headset would mark the company’s first major product launch since it unveiled the Apple Watch in 2015. The headset will combine elements of virtual and augmented reality, allowing users to place digital content on top of the real world, according to Bloomberg . Apple has been working hard on VR content, enlisting Jon Favreau to develop video content for its headset, the New York Times said in June.

What it launched last September: Last year at a product event Apple announced a new iPad and iPad mini, the Apple Watch Series 7, the iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Google

Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
Camera IconGoogle Pixel 7 and 7 Pro Credit: Supplied/CNBC

While Google doesn’t make much revenue from its hardware business, it will launch its first smartwatch and the Google Pixel 7 as it continues to try to build momentum in the hardware market.

Here’s what to expect: Google has announced gadgets in October for years. Back in May at its I/O event, Google teased what’s on deck. Its newest phone, the Pixel 7 will have a second-generation Tensor processor and a glass design with a new aluminum camera bar. A larger Pixel 7 Pro model will ship with a triple-lens camera. But we don’t know much about what else is new about the phones, like the prices, or what the cameras and new chip are capable of, so expect to hear all about that.

Google also teased its Pixel Watch, the company’s first smartwatch, which will launch later this year. In a tweet on May 11, Google said the watch, “features the best of Google, plus Fitbit health and fitness experiences”. So, expect some sort of software tie-in that provides new fitness and health features.

It’s possible we could see updates to at least one Google Nest product. A recent FCC filing by Google described a product they’re working on as a “wireless device”, with connectivity ports similar to current Nest devices, according to 9to5Google. It hasn’t announced new Nest thermostats or speakers since 2020, so those could be on deck.

What it launched last year: Last August, Google announced new Nest cameras and doorbells. Then, in October, Google unveiled all the details of its Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones. Those were the first smartphones to run on Google’s Tensor chip instead of Qualcomm’s processor.

amazon

Amazon EchoShow 15
Camera IconAmazon EchoShow 15 Credit: Supplied/CNBC

Here’s what to expect: Amazon historically holds its hardware event sometime later in the year, when it announces a slew of gadgets, ranging from new Echos (like last year’s Echo Show 15, pictured above) to glasses with Alexa built-in and more.

The fourth-generation Echo speaker launched in October 2020, so that’s due for an update unless Amazon continues to experiment with new form factors. Likewise, Amazon typically announces updates to its Fire TV products later in the year.

For the past two years, Amazon’s Ring has been teasing the Ring Always Home Cam, a flying drone camera for home security. It still hasn’t launched, so it’s possible we’ll find out when it will hit the market.

Here’s what it launched last year: Amazon had few surprises in store last year, so this year could be just as exciting. Amazon debuted its Astro home robot, which is still only available by invite-only. It also announced its first smart thermostat, the first Amazon-branded TV sets, the Echo Show 15 and a new Halo View fitness tracker.

Facebook

This photo from Oculus shows what it might be like to play it in an apartment.
Camera IconThis photo from Oculus shows what it might be like to play it in an apartment. Credit: Supplied/CNBC

Here’s what to expect: Meta, formerly Facebook, could have a new virtual reality headset on deck.

Bloomberg said in July that Meta is gearing up to announce the Meta Quest Pro virtual reality set later this year. It will reportedly cost more than $US1000 and will have a better screen, improved cameras and support for improved graphics.

Meta’s Quest 2 headset is currently the most popular on the market. As other players enter the race to develop the so-called “metaverse”, Facebook’s parent company will need to continue to advance its hardware to stay in the lead. And it may want to get something out ahead of whatever Apple is planning.

Here’s what it launched last year: Last September Facebook unveiled its updated Portal video-calling devices. It hasn’t released a new version of its Oculus device since September 2020.

CNBC

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Categories
Sports

AFL tips Round 21 2022

AFL tips Round 21 2022

Need a hand with your AFL tips for the upcoming weekend?

The Fox Footy experts are here to help with their winners for every game in Round 21.

Check out all our expert tips and the final verdict below!

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NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST — Six polarizing finals contenders, latest trade whispers

Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify

AFL ROUND 20 TIPS AND LEADERBOARD

1. BRAD JOHNSON — 128 (Last week: 5)

melbourne

Gold Coast Suns

GWS Giants

Western Bulldogs

Geelong Cats

Richmond

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

adelaide crows

2. MAX LAUGHTON (2019, 2020, 2021 champion) – 126 (Last week: 8)

melbourne

Gold Coast Suns

Essendon

Western Bulldogs

Geelong Cats

Port Adelaide

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

adelaide crows

3. BEN COTTON—120 (Last week: 8)

melbourne

hawthorn

Essendon

Western Bulldogs

Geelong Cats

Port Adelaide

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

West Coast Eagles

=4. NICK DAL SANTO — 118 (Last week: 8)

melbourne

Gold Coast Suns

GWS Giants

Fremantle

Geelong Cats

Port Adelaide

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

West Coast Eagles

=4. DAVID ZITA — 118 (Last week: 6)

melbourne

Gold Coast Suns

GWS Giants

Western Bulldogs

Geelong Cats

Richmond

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

West Coast Eagles

=6. CATHERINE HEALEY—117 (Last week: 6)

melbourne

Gold Coast Suns

Essendon

Fremantle

Geelong Cats

Richmond

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

West Coast Eagles

=6. LEIGH MONTAGNA—117 (Last week: 5)

melbourne

Gold Coast Suns

Essendon

Fremantle

Geelong Cats

Port Adelaide

sydney swans

Carlton

West Coast Eagles

=6. CAMERON MOONEY — 117 (Last week: 7)

Collingwood

Gold Coast Suns

GWS Giants

Western Bulldogs

Geelong Cats

Port Adelaide

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

West Coast Eagles

9. BEN WATERWORTH—115 (Last week: 6)

melbourne

Gold Coast Suns

Essendon

Western Bulldogs

Geelong Cats

Richmond

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

West Coast Eagles

10. ANTHONY HUDSON—113 (Last week: 5)

TBC

11. DREW JONES — 110 (Last week: 7)

TBC

12. CATH DURKIN—108 (Last week: 6)

melbourne

Gold Coast Suns

Essendon

Fremantle

Geelong Cats

Richmond

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

West Coast Eagles

13. KATH LOUGHNAN—107 (Last week: 6)

melbourne

hawthorn

Essendon

Fremantle

Geelong Cats

Richmond

sydney swans

Brisbane Lions

West Coast Eagles

14. JORDAN LEWIS—106 (Last week: 6)

TBC

15. BEN DIXON—105 (Last week: 6)

TBC

16. CHLOE MOLLOY—97 (Last week: 6)

Collingwood

hawthorn

Essendon

Western Bulldogs

Geelong Cats

Richmond

sydney swans

Carlton

adelaide crows

FINAL VERDICT (12 of 16 tipsters)

Melbourne 10—Collingwood 2

Hawthorn 3—Gold Coast Suns 9

GWS Giants 4 — Essendon 8

Western Bulldogs 7 — Fremantle 5

Geelong 12 — St Kilda 0

Port Adelaide 5 — Richmond 7

North Melbourne 0 — Sydney Swans 12

Brisbane Lions 10 — Carlton 2

West Coast Eagles 9 — Adelaide Crows 3

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Categories
US

Democrats, Sinema reach deal on new taxes in health and climate bill

Democrats, Sinema reach deal on new taxes in health and climate bill

Comment

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) said she would soon be ready to “move forward” on a revised version of Senate Democrats’ health care, climate and deficit-reduction package, after party leaders agreed to scale back some of their original tax proposals .

The new approach — along with other changes to the proposal known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 — satisfied Sinema’s chief concerns and helped set in motion a plan to approve it as soon as this weekend.

In a statement, Sinema said Democrats had “agreed to remove” a key tax policy targeting wealthy investors that aimed to address what is known as the “carried interest loophole.” She also said they had made additional changes to a second provision that aims to impose a new minimum tax on corporations that currently pay nothing to the US government. The revisions would benefit manufacturers, according to two people familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity to describe the unreleased details.

As part of it, Democrats opted to seek a new 1 percent tax on corporate stock buybacks, a move that would make up at least some of the revenue that might have lost as a result of the changes, the two people familiar with the matter said . And they agreed to set aside new money at Sinema’s request to respond to climate issues including drought, according to the sources.

From here, Sinema said she would await a final review from the chamber’s parliamentarian — a critical step in the process that allows Democrats to move their spending bill — at which point she would “move forward.”

How the Schumer-Manchin climate bill might impact you and change the US

The changes in total appear to have helped Democratic leaders thread a narrow needle, satisfying Sinema while still preserving the thrust of the deal that Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) worked out with another moderate — Sen. Joe Manchin III (DW.Va.) — just last week.

In recent days, Manchin had remained steadfast in his support for the deal he struck, the original version of which was expected to generate more than $768 billion in revenue over the next decade. Any change to assume Sinema threatened to reduce the roughly $300 billion expected to be available for deficit reduction, a major issue for Manchin.

Democrats did not offer a new estimate for their revised tax policies late Thursday. In a statement, though, Schumer said he expected it would “receive the support of the entire Senate Democratic conference.” And he said the bill would still reduce the deficit by $300 billion.

Under the new plan, Democrats now seek to impose a new tax on the money companies spend to purchase back their own stock, according to a Democratic aid familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to describe the measure. Party lawmakers have long taken issue with such practices, arguing they benefit large firms’ stock prices at the expense of workers and the economy at large.

In adding the new proposal, Democrats also appeared to rethink their initial plans to impose a minimum 15 percent tax on corporations. The exact details of the change is not clear, but Sinema said in a statement her agreement would “protect advanced manufacturing.”

And Democrats removed their proposal to target the taxes that apply to private equity and hedge fund managers, an attempt to close what is known as the “carried interest loophole.”

Initially, the bill sought to change the way these investors are taxed on the fees their clients pay them, subjecting them to higher rates. But they scrapped their original plans in response to Sinema, who said she would work with Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) to address the issue while “protecting investments in America’s economy” and close “the most egregious loopholes that some abuse to avoid paying taxes.”

Categories
Business

Rashays restaurant owner Rami Ykmour smokes over beef, lettuce prices, says labor shortages to blame

A 'disgusted' Australian restaurant owner, Rami Ykour of Rashays, has gone ballistic over the cost of meat and vegetables, fuming that claims of floods still causing price hikes are 'BS

A ‘disgusted’ Australian restaurant owner has gone ballistic over the cost of meat and vegetables, fuming that claims of floods still causing price hikes are ‘BS’.

In a passionate video, Rashays founder Rami Ykour argued that ongoing labor shortages are ‘the real reason’ for price rises.

‘I’m going to go on a bit of a rant here. I am disgusted. I’m really disappointed with what’s going out there,’ he said.

Mr Ykmour angrily claimed he would lose customers if he passed on the high costs of lettuce and beef to customers in his 34 stores.

‘Just to get the lettuce out to our restaurant is costing so much money, and there’s no way customers will come back if we spend on that cost.

He told Daily Mail Australia that passing on the higher costs could add up to a third to the cost of meals. ‘We don’t follow the giants like that here,’ he said.

Vegetables, fruit, breakfast cereals, bread, eggs, oils, butter and margarine have all jumped sharply in price in the last year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

A 'disgusted' Australian restaurant owner, Rami Ykour of Rashays, has gone ballistic over the cost of meat and vegetables, fuming that claims of floods still causing price hikes are 'BS

A ‘disgusted’ Australian restaurant owner, Rami Ykour of Rashays, has gone ballistic over the cost of meat and vegetables, fuming that claims of floods still causing price hikes are ‘BS

The ABS released its quarterly Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures – the key measure of inflation – on Wednesday morning, showing a 6.1 per cent jump over the last year.

The biggest jump in an everyday grocery item was the cost of vegetables, up 7.3 per cent in the last year, due to many accounts of the continued flooding in southeast Queensland and New South Wales.

In July Mr Ykmour paid $144 for a box of 18 iceberg lettuces, at $8 a head.

‘The beef prices have also gone through the roof, too.

‘You know what they tell us, “let’s blame the floods”. You know what, I call that? BS!’

Consumers have been hit hard by rising prices and one restaurant owner says he will lose too many customers if he passes the higher prices on

Consumers have been hit hard by rising prices and one restaurant owner says he will lose too many customers if he passes the higher prices on

In a passionate video Rashays founder Mr Ykour argued that ongoing labor shortages are 'the real reason' for price rises

In a passionate video Rashays founder Mr Ykour argued that ongoing labor shortages are ‘the real reason’ for price rises

‘The real problem is we’re short labour… there’s no-one out there to pick cos lettuce. There’s no-one to pick an iceberg.

‘There’s no-one to work in our farms. There’s no-one to work in our country abbatoirs, that’s why the prices have gone up.’

Mr Ykmour claimed governments need to do more to bring in more labor to ‘help small business’.

‘It’s time the government stepped in and said listen “we’re going to open the gates, we’re going to let people in to work here and we’re going to make it easy for small business”, guys this is getting ridiculous.

‘Now I ask for something to be done.’

National Farmer’s Federation president Fiona Simson said farmers are ‘crying out for workers’, partly driven by a lack of backpackers.

‘Even now the borders are open there are only about 40,000 working holiday makers in Australia compared to 141,142 in December 2019,’ Ms Simson said.

She said the labor issue was only one of several affecting prices, but it is one that the federal government can act on to bring in more overseas workers.

‘The workforce crisis is hampering farmers’ ability to plant and harvest produce, so fruit and veg aren’t being planted and picked when they need to be, compounded by freight and logistics being more expensive and unreliable – again due to labor shortages and things like increases in fuel costs.’

Guy Gaeta, from the NSW Farmers Association, told Daily Mail Australia that labor shortages are a factor but not the best factor impacting prices.

‘With lettuces at $5 a head do you think they’ll leave them in the ground? At those prices they’ll be finding someone to pick them.’

He said labor shortages typically hit agriculture between November and April when more crops need harvesting, but at present with less food needing picking farmers are able to spread the available workforce out.

According to the NSW Farmers Association the floods in south-east Queensland did have a major impact on fruit and vegetables prices because so many crops were destroyed.

Guy Gaeta, from the NSW Farmers Association, told Daily Mail Australia that labor shortages are a factor but not the best factor impacting prices impacting higher producing prices

Guy Gaeta, from the NSW Farmers Association, told Daily Mail Australia that labor shortages are a factor but not the best factor impacting prices impacting higher producing prices

According to the Department of Home Affairs more than 23,000 Pacific and Timorese employees are in Australia to work in primary industries, including farms, as of April under existing programs.

Another 9,000 were due to arrive by October and a further 52,000 workers were awaiting placements.

In April, the Federal government introduced a new Australian Agriculture Visa program to address workforce shortages in farming by allowing employers to sponsor workers from Vietnam and other pacific neighbours.

The new Labor government is expected to address all workforce shortages under an expanded Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) scheme.

Under the PALM program farmers can recruit workers for seasonal jobs for up to 4 years in unskilled, low-skilled or skilled jobs.

The PALM scheme is currently open to residents of 10 pacific island nations.

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Categories
Technology

Emmaline Carroll Southwell: TikToker parts with viral Richmond pad

Emmaline Carroll Southwell: TikToker parts with viral Richmond pad

Children’s author and TikTok star Emmaline Carroll Southwell has sold the Richmond apartment where she made it big in lockdown.

The mother of three and her family became an internet sensation with the murals they created on their home’s floor while stuck at home.

The fabric scenes featured Harper, 12, Levi, 6, and Violet, 4, traveling everywhere from Sydney Harbour, to Abbey Road, and to a Galaxy Far, Far Away.

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She also penned her hit children’s book, Our Family Pledge, at the two-storey abode at 709/8 Howard St, which is under contract for about $1.3m-$1.35m.

“We called it our little pandemic palace, but it was still three kids in a somewhat small place, although it’s pretty large by Richmond standards,” she told Property Confidential.

“Being able to see the city and outside world from the apartment, and feel like you’re still in a place with a pulse, really, really helped.”

The three-bedroom property is next to the Yarra River where Church St becomes Chapel St, with views taking in the neighboring nature and CBD skyline.

Ms Carroll Southwell said lockdown was “little kids and chaos” for her and husband Kenny, and she began the floor murals as a creative person stuck at home and family activity.

“Our little urban oasis has a lot of little stories, so it’s very sad to leave, but it’s definitely the right time for us,” she said.

Whitefox agent Nathan Verwoert said the apartment attracted “a really broad spread” of buyers including young families who “still wanted to be inner city”, with the views a big drawcard.

Ms Carroll Southwell now has more than 600,000 followers on TikTok after downloading it during lockdown. She and her children de ella revealed their family’s “mission statement” by way of a poem on the platform, which became a viral video and then a book deal.

Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.

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Originally published as Emmaline Carroll Southwell: TikToker parts with viral Richmond pad

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Categories
Sports

Commonwealth Games 2022: Jamaica beat Australia Diamonds in ‘extraordinary’ netball upset, score, result

Commonwealth Games 2022: Jamaica beat Australia Diamonds in 'extraordinary' netball upset, score, result

Jamaica has defeated Australia for the first time in Commonwealth Games netball history, springing a shock 57-55 upset to shake up the race for gold.

Both nations went into the hotly anticipated clash undefeated and faced their first proper test to decide the winner of Group A.

There was nothing in it in the first half as the Diamonds and the Sunshine Girls went goal for goal, and Australia took a 30-29 lead into halftime.

Australia dominated the third quarter and took a six-point lead into three quarter time, largely thanks to their control of the midcourt and Gretel Bueta and Steph Wood firing on all cylinders in the shooting circle.

But just as the Aussies looked home and hosed, Jamaica somehow found another gear in the final term and chewed up the deficit in just a handful of minutes to hit the lead.

Bueta was silenced in the last quarter — she finished with 36 goals from 39 attempts, while Wood had 19 goals at 86 per cent shooting.

“How quickly this game has been turned on its head,” legendary Diamonds shooter Cath Cox said in commentary on Channel 7.

“It looked like Australia had taken control and it was all over.”

Jhaniele Fowler was superb at goal shooter for Jamaica in a physical duel with her West Coast Fever teammate Courtney Bruce.

Adelaide Thunderbirds duo Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson were outstanding in defense and secured ball at will for Jamaica with countless deflections.

“Extraordinary scenes, the Diamonds defeated for the first time this tournament,” Sue Gaudion said.

Cox said Jamaica’s performance “screamed ‘we can medal at these Games’,” adding Australia appeared to “shut up shop” in the last quarter.

“Australia couldn’t win the ball back — it was some brilliant defensive work from Jamaica. They really just lifted another level in the fourth quarter,” she said.

The two-point victory was Jamaica’s first over Australia in Commonwealth Games history and will seriously shake up the race for the medals.

It’s far from disaster for Australia, but they will now likely come up against England in the semi-finals on a more difficult path to the gold medal match.

Australia’s last Commonwealth Games netball gold medal came in Glasgow in 2014. The Diamonds claimed silver on the Gold Coast in 2018 after losing a thrilling final to England.

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Categories
Australia

Likely debris from a SpaceX capsule found in Australia

Likely debris from a SpaceX capsule found in Australia

SpaceX did not return a request for comment, and typically does not interact with news media.

Local media reports said at least three pieces of debris have been recovered in the mountain range near Australia’s southernmost tip, and according to a statement from the Australian Space Agency, it “has confirmed the debris is from a SpaceX mission and continues to engage with our counterparts in the US, as well as other parts of the Commonwealth and local authorities as appropriate.”

According to NASA’s statement, SpaceX also confirmed the debris is likely to be a part of the Dragon’s trunk. The trunk provides electricity and other necessary services to the main capsule during its time in orbit but is discarded as the main capsule slices back through the thick upper atmosphere on its way home.

“The trunk segment … typically burns up in the atmosphere over the open ocean posing minimal risk to public safety,” according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, which licenses and oversees commercial spaceflight operations in the United States.

“In this case, it likely remained in orbit for more than one year and some pieces of trunk hardware survived to reach the Earth,” the FAA statement reads.

SpaceX operates two types of Dragon spacecraft: one that is designed solely for shuttling food, research and other supplies to the International Space Station, and another, called Crew Dragon, that’s designed for carrying astronauts. The scraps of the Dragon trunk found in Australia were likely part of a spacecraft that carried four astronauts home from the ISS on May 2, 2021, according to NASA.

The Crew-1 astronauts — comprised of NASA’s Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Soichi Noguchi, an astronaut with Japan’s space agency — made a safe return aboard the main portion of the capsule, which splashed down off the coast of Florida before being hauled to safety by nearby recovery ships last year.

Members of the public who believe they may have found a piece of space debris can reach out to SpaceX’s recovery hotline at 1-866-623-0234 or at [email protected].

Typically, discarded pieces of space hardware fall to a watery grave in the ocean. But they do sometimes turn up on land.

Last year, for example, what was believed to be a piece of a SpaceX rocket’s second stage — which powers the rocket after the lower first stage expends all its fuel — landed on a farm in Washington state.

SpaceX does not attempt to recover the second stage of its rockets, though it does land, refurbish and refly most of its first-stage rocket boosters, which are the largest part of the rocket and give the initial boost at liftoff. Dragon capsules ride to orbit sitting atop the rockets.

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Categories
US

Taxes emerge as major sticking point with Sinema

Taxes emerge as major sticking point with Sinema

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) is not yet on board with the sweeping tax reform and climate package that Senate Democrats hope to vote on this weekend and wants to make changes to the bill to soften the tax hit on manufacturers, according to familiar sources with the negotiations.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (DN.Y.) is gambling that he can win Sinema over to support the bill by the time senators vote on proceeding to the budget reconciliation package sometime Saturday afternoon.

Sinema wants to exempt US manufacturing companies from the 15 percent corporate minimum tax that Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.) agreed to ahead of unveiling the Inflation Reduction Act last week, according to multiple people familiar with issue.

That’s a tough problem to solve because the 15 percent corporate minimum tax is the biggest revenue generating proposal in the package, raising an estimated $313 billion over ten years.

Exempting manufacturing companies from the book minimum tax would cost about $45 billion over ten years, according to one of the lower Senate estimates being floated. Book is a tax accounting term that in effect would make it harder for companies to avoid declaring profit and therefore increase what they would pay in taxes.

Sinema also opposes closing the so-called carried interest loophole that allows asset managers to pay a 20 percent capital gains tax rate on income earned from advising on profitable investments.

And she wants $5 billion in drought resilience funding for her home state, according to a Democratic senator. Politico first reported Sinema’s demand for drought resilience money.

“She’s not there yet,” said one person familiar with the negotiations, who cited her objections to the corporate minimum tax and carried interest closing the loophole.

Sinema declined to answer reporters’ questions when she emerged from her Capitol basement hideaway Thursday afternoon.

A spokeswoman for Sinema declined to comment on any of the details of the negotiations, saying that her boss would wait for the Senate parliamentarian to completely review the legislation.

Schumer told colleagues they will vote on a motion to proceed to the budget reconciliation package Saturday, a sign that he feels optimistic about working out a deal with Sinema.

Other Senate Democrats also feel optimistic. But they’re also anxious the talks could fall apart at the last minute.

The corporate minimum tax that’s emerging as the biggest obstacle is also a big revenue generator in the bill. Establishing a carveout for manufacturers would substantially reduce how much money from the bill would go toward reducing the federal deficit, which is a major priority of Manchin’s.

Sinema is coming under heavy pressure from business leaders in Arizona to oppose the corporate minimum tax.

“In the face of record-high inflation, supply chain backlogs and a major labor crunch, now is not the time to hammer manufacturers with new taxes,” said Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Danny Seiden.

“Arizona job creators will continue to urge lawmakers to reject this manufacturers tax and instead focus on policies that encourage job growth and strengthen our state and economic competitiveness,” he said.

The Schumer-Manchin deal would establish a 15 percent minimum tax for corporations with more than $1 billion in annual profits, though it would exempt green-energy and microchip manufacturing tax credits from getting wiped out by that minimum tax threshold.

Republicans say the Democrats’ proposal would hit manufacturing companies especially hard by superseding former President Trump’s 2017 Tax Credits and Jobs Act, which allows a company to fully expense capital expenditures for a given year.

Full spending under the Tax Credits and Jobs Act is due to phase out over the next four years.

Sinema told the Arizona Chamber of Commerce in April that she would be “unwilling to support any tax policies that would put a break on … economic growth, or stall business and personal growth for America’s industries.”

She made clear to senior White House officials and Senate Democratic colleagues early during the negotiations over the budget reconciliation bill that she would not support increasing the 21 percent corporate tax rate, a key achievement of the 2017 tax reform law.

“The entire country knows that I am opposed to raising the corporate income tax. That was true yesterday and it is true today,” Sinema told the Arizona Chamber of Commerce earlier this year.

Republican critics of the Schumer-Manchin deal say that implementing a minimum tax rate that prevented full and immediate expensing of capital expenditures will effectively increase taxes on many corporations.

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who worked closely with Sinema in drafting last year’s $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law, warned in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal that it would “essentially” place a “tax on manufacturing.”

He pointed out that the bipartisan Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that nearly 50 percent of the new tax would hit manufacturers.

“Imposing this new tax on US companies, and restricting certain US manufacturers from writing off investment costs immediately, would make America less competitive and drive investments and jobs overseas,” he warned.

Sinema’s request for $5 billion in drought resilience funding could also imperil passage of the bill depending on how it’s structured, especially if it means Arizona will get more water from the Colorado River.

Guaranteeing access to more water to lower-basin states such as Arizona, Nevada and California would come at the expense of upper-basin states such as Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico.

“We are facing historic drought in Colorado. The state has had the worst wildfires in our state’s history. There is very little water in the Colorado River. And I think it would be great if we could do something on drought but it has to be something that meaningfully improves the situation in Colorado and in the upper basin of the Colorado River,” said Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who is up for reelection in November.

He said any drought resilience language must be provide an “enduring solution to the problem, otherwise it’s not worth doing,”

Senate Democratic senators are hopeful that Schumer can work the same magic he did with Manchin and persuade Sinema to support the bill. But they aren’t making any predictions about how she’ll vote Saturday afternoon when the Senate considers whether to begin debate.

“You’ll have to ask her. I have a very optimistic feeling about it but that’s her call from her, ”said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

Categories
Business

Rashays boss Rami Ykmour blames labor shortages for lettuce, beef price rises

Rashays boss Rami Ykmour blames labor shortages for lettuce, beef price rises

The owner of a popular Sydney restaurant chain has launched into a furious “rant” about skyrocketing costs, saying he is now paying $140 for a box of lettuce and can’t afford to pass it on to his customers.

But Rashays co-founder Rami Ykmour, who made headlines during Covid for clashing with police over masks and speaking out against banning unvaccinated diners, says labor shortages – not the floods – are to blame for rising prices.

“I am disgusted, I am really disappointed with what’s going on out there, guys,” the outspoken restaurateur said in a TikTok video.

“Listen to this. We are buying a box of lettuce for $140. How much are we going to pass on to our customers? How can we pass on that expense to our customer? Even the big fast food giants have stopped serving their magic burger because this is worth, what, seven, eight bucks? One head of lettuce?

Mr Ykmour said he “can’t believe this”.

“Guys, just to get lettuce out to our restaurant is costing us so much money there is no way customers will come back if we pass on that cost,” he said, adding beef prices had also “gone through the roof”.

“And you know what they tell us? Let’s blame the floods. You know what I call that? BS,” he said.

“Do you know what the real problem is? The real problem is we’re short labour. The real problem is no one is out there to pick cos lettuce, there’s no one out there to pick iceberg. There’s no one to work in our farms, there’s no one to work in our country abattoirs. That’s why the prices have gone up, but they’re covering up for it.”

He said it was “time the government stepped in and said listen, we’re going to open the gates, we’re going to let people here and we’re going to make it easy for small business to run their business, we’ re going to let people come into the country and work here”.

“Guys, this is getting ridiculous,” he said. “Now ask for something to be done.”

Speaking to news.com.au on Friday, Mr Ykmour insisted labor shortages were responsible for price increases in production.

“I can tell you that first-hand,” he said.

“I was on a lettuce farm in Melbourne last week, they had six people on and usually they have 40 people. [The floods] did contribute in the early days, but it’s got nothing to do with what’s happening today.”

Mr Ykmour said governments needed to once again incentivize people to come to Australia to work, with something similar to the “Ten Pound Poms” scheme after World War II.

“We’re at that level now,” he said.

He said he believed border closures over the past two years had “of course” caused labor shortages, but that the issue was much broader.

“I think people just don’t want to work,” he said. “Coming off the pandemic, people are struggling.”

Recruiters have previously warned Australia is grappling with a massive skills shortage as employers struggle to fill roles.

Graham Wynn from Superior People Recruitment told news.com.au in June that he had “never seen it this bad”.

“This is the worst and most difficult it’s been to find people,” he said, adding it was “across the board”.

“Salespeople, technicians, a bit of IT we’re struggling with as well, but even the more basic roles which don’t require any experience like receptionists, we’re even struggling to find those at the moment.”

Mr Ykmour agreed, saying his business was getting hit with a “double-whammy” as a result.

“It’s [affecting] the price of produce, and we’re getting hit with staff shortages, right from the top level all the way down to waiters,” he said.

“My head office employs 60 people and we’re struggling, it’s just permanent recruitment. What used to take four weeks to find you’re now looking at three months.”

I have argued lockdowns were partly to blame for the general malaise, along with Covid itself.

“I think we’ve trained people to stay at home with lockdowns and all the rest,” he said.

“We’ve told people, listen, it’s OK to stay at home. I reckon a lot of people in the community are mentally drained on the back of the pandemic — people are finding it hard to just survive at the moment.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is coming under increased pressure from the states and the business lobby to ramp up immigration to address lingering skills shortages after two years of Covid border closures.

Last year, NSW government bureaucrats urged Premier Dominic Perrottet to push the federal government for an “explosive” post-WWII-style immigration surge that could bring in two million people over five years.

NSW Skills Minister Alister Henskens last month called on the Albanese government to implement a “significant acceleration” of the nation’s skilled migration program, Australian reported.

Australia’s annual inflation rate rose to 6.1 per cent in the June quarter, figures released last week show, the fastest pace since December 1990.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the most significant contributors to the 1.8 rise in consumer prices over the quarter were new dwelling purchases, automotive fuel and furniture.

Price rises were also seen across all food and non-food grocery products, “reflecting a range of price pressures including supply chain disruptions and increased transport and input costs”, the ABS said.

Fruit and vegetable prices were up 7.3 per cent compared with the same quarter last year, meat and seafood rose 6.3 per cent, bread and cereal products were also up 6.3 per cent, while dairy and related products increased by 5.2 per cent.

“Fruit and vegetables rose 5.8 per cent [in the June quarter] due to heavy rainfall and flooding in key production areas of NSW and Queensland disrupting domestic supply,” the ABS said.

“Covid – related supply chain disruptions and high transport and fertilizer costs also contributed to the rise. Bread and cereal products rose 3.1 per cent due to constrained global wheat supply.”

The ABS noted meals out and takeaway foods also rose 1.4 per cent “due to rising input costs and ongoing supply and labor shortages”.

“Dining vouchers offered by the NSW and Victorian governments and the Melbourne City Council partially offset the rise,” it said.

“These voucher schemes have the effect of reducing out-of-pocket costs for consumers. Excluding the impact of these voucher schemes, Meals out and takeaway foods rose 2.1 per cent.”

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Categories
Technology

Google is making quoted searches even better

Google is making quoted searches even better

Did you know you can search for an exact word or phrase on Google by putting quotation marks around it? It’s a great way to get specific about something you’re looking for. And on Thursday, Google announced what I think will be a nice improvement: the small snippets underneath a search result link will now be created based on where the quoted term appears on the page.

Google’s blog post about the change has a good image that illustrates how this will work in practice, which I’ve included below. Google googled “google search,” and the two snippets shown in the example both include the bolded phrase “Google Search.”

The Google search results for “google search.”
Image: Google

Previously, Google would show you results that included the quoted word or phrase, but the small snippet under a link may not have shown exactly where the phrase appeared on a page. In the blog post, Google’s Yonghao Jin explains why that was and why it made the change:

In the past, we didn’t always do this because sometimes the quoted material appears in areas of a document that don’t lend themselves to creating helpful snippets. For example, a word or phrase might appear in the menu item of a page, where you’d navigate to different sections of the site. Creating a snippet around sections like that might not produce an easily readable description.

We’ve heard feedback that people doing quoted searches value seeing where the quoted material occurs on a page, rather than an overall description of the page. Our improvement is designed to help address this.

As noted in the blog post, there are a few caveats about quoted searches. Some text may be hidden in a meta description tag or alt text and not be easily visible on a page, for example, or Google may have crawled a page when it contained a quoted term that has since been removed in an update. And Google “mainly” bolds quoted content in webpage snippets on desktop — bolding won’t work for mobile results.