Twitter’s Blue Bird To Be Replaced With X
Twitter Inc owner Elon Musk on Sunday signaled he would do more to take the social media company in a new direction with a rebranding that will replace its well-known blue bird logo with an X after acknowledging advertisers have been slow to return.
‘Existential Crisis’ Over A.I.-Generated Actors
Filmmakers have put monsters on screen for more than a century. In 2023, the real bogeyman looks just like us. A.I. was one reason why the SAG-AFTRA union representing actors and media professionals last Friday joined the writer’s guild in the first simultaneous strike in 63 years!
Toyota Eyes On Regenerative Fuel Cell Tech
Toyota Motor (7203.T) plans to use regenerative fuel cell technology to power a manned lunar rover, executives said on Friday, raising the prospect of eventually using the moon’s water ice as an energy source in the future. Japan has ramped up its space ambitions under current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Today’s News
China’s top leaders are expected to fail to deliver the long-awaited big bang stimulus for the weakening economy this week, economists say as disappointed financial markets seeks strong action to counter the downturn remains uncertain.
The July meeting of the Communist Party’s Politburo, the top decision-making body led by President Xi Jinping, usually covers economic policy. Senior officials typically don’t announce specific measures at these meetings, but the policy tone and language of the statement will provide important clues on how China will respond in the coming months.
Economists say the meeting will likely provide more pro-growth signals, which may lead to greater fiscal spending, moderate interest rate cuts and additional property easing. Support for the private sector could be top of the agenda after Beijing’s recent pledges, they say.
The meeting will likely “refrain from giving ‘strong medicine’ to the economy,” said Bruce Pang, chief economist and head of research for Greater China at Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. “There won’t be much aggressive stimulus policies that the markets were expecting.”
Meanwhile, in other related news:
U.S. Negotiations Hit A Brick Wall
China and the U.S. have broken their silence as negotiations are finally in order, but the two sides are still unwilling to make any noteworthy compromises with one another. Currently, China is reverting to a tried tactic to get its message over, by enlisting old friends.
President Xi Jinping welcomed centenarian Henry Kissinger last week at the same guesthouse where the former secretary of state sat down with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on his historic, clandestine 1971 trip that paved the way to restoring bilateral relations. The Chinese leader told Kissinger on Friday: “We’ll never forget our old friend.”
Economical Support On Hold As Stimulus Delays
China has announced several measures recently to boost the economy and made a number of pledges to improve the business environment as concerns about the growth outlook continue to mount.
Statements over the past month provide broad assurances to boost consumer spending on household goods and cars and encourage private companies, with little specific detail. Investors have been skeptical of the pledges so far and are looking for more concrete proposals and direct stimulus policies.
The World Needs A Responsible China-U.S. Relationship
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the rest of the world is eager to see a responsibly managed China-U.S. relationship and he urged China to do its part.
Blinken’s comment on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS hints at concerns among American allies, including Europe, that U.S. efforts to counter China militarily and economically are forcing them to choose sides in a new Cold War.
