Rubio vows to place US interests ‘above all else’ as Trump’s top diplomat 

US & Canada

Washington —  Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is promising to implement President-elect Donald Trump’s “America First” vision as secretary of state, vowing in his confirmation hearing Wednesday that the incoming administration will forge a new path by placing American interests “above all else.” “Placing our core national interests above all else is not isolationism,” Rubio will…

Workday for the Professional and Business Services Industry

Business News

Driving agility in professional and business services with Workday The professional and business services industry faces mounting pressures from economic uncertainty, rising competition, and evolving remote work models. To navigate this dynamic environment, firms need agile solutions that support digital transformation and informed decision-making. Success in this landscape requires integrated solutions that streamline finance, HR, planning, PSA, procurement, and analytics. Trusted by over 7,900 global companies, Workday and its enterprise management cloud enable seamless operations, real-time access to accurate data, and resilient business performance for future-ready success.

France’s book sales fall in 2024 as year ends on ‘bleak’ note

Arts & Culture, Books

French publishers’ book sales fell an estimated 3% after inflation in 2024, accelerating a trend that began in 2023, according to Vincent Montagne, president of the French Publishers Association (Syndicat National de l’Edition, SNE) and chair and CEO of Media Participations.
Speaking at the SNE’s traditional New Year reception on 9th January, he said 2024 had been “a difficult year”, even though foreign rights sales grew and there were exceptions to the gloom, notably in literature.
Figures released last Friday by market research firm NielsenIQ x GfK showed that 23 million French people, out of a population of more than 68 million, bought at least one book last year. Secondhand copies accounted for a stable 18% of the total and e-books under 5%. The data comes from a panel of more than 8,500 points of sale, including 1,100 independent booksellers.
Montagne regretted that neither a law to enshrine a two-year-old agreement with authors societies, nor a project to remunerate secondhand books have “progressed as expected”. This is despite culture minister Rachida Dati keeping her job in the third consecutive government since January 2024. Erratic education policy in the past few years has been bad for “textbook publishing and learning to read”, he added.
On the positive side, the new booktracker Filéas involving all players in the book industry has been launched, and measures to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint are underway, he added. Montagne dismissed the notion that artificial intelligence pits culture against innovation.
Ahead in the first half of 2025 is the creation of a mediation commission to resolve disputes between publishers and authors, and the return of the annual Festival du Livre to the Grand Palais near the Champs Elysées on 11th to 13th April. Morocco will be the guest of honour, and 450 publishers will exhibit, 100 more than in the 2024 event, he said.
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“Armenia deeply appreciates the constant support of the USA.” Mirzoyan

Technology

RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that the Armenia-US strategic partnership charter forms a solid foundation and makes our cooperation more ambitious.
“The Armenia-US strategic partnership charter, which we are signing today, forms a solid foundation and makes our cooperation more ambitious. It covers many areas, including strengthening economic and energy ties, communications, deepening defense and security cooperation, strengthening democratic institutions, promoting justice and the rule of law, developing innovation and high technology, and expanding people-to-people contacts.
In recent years, our relations have developed significantly based on shared values and mutual interests. They have reached a level where establishing a strategic partnership corresponds to current realities and is essential for operating in complex geopolitical conditions.
I especially thank you, Mr. Secretary of State, and your team for your efforts to elevate our cooperation to a new level. Equally important is the USA’s support in strengthening Armenia’s democratic institutions and promoting economic resilience.
We deeply appreciate the United States’ involvement in promoting stable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus region. A stable and prosperous South Caucasus is in the interests of all regional actors and the wider international community, and Armenia is committed to the peace agenda and to its continued close cooperation with the United States to achieve this common goal.
We are also pleased to announce that in the spirit of our shared commitment to global security, Armenia intends to join the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State, further emphasizing our commitment to the fight against international terrorism. Joint action is essential in addressing this threat.
We are also beginning negotiations on a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States, known as the “123 Agreement.” This agreement will provide a framework for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and mark our commitment to the peaceful development of nuclear energy with the highest standards of safety, security, and non-proliferation.
Looking to the future, we look forward to continuing to work with the new US administration to achieve the ambitious goals outlined in our Strategic Partnership Charter.
Dear friends, let this Charter serve as a testimony to the deepening of strategic relations between Armenia and the United States and a road map for a future full of everyday achievements,” he noted.

US bans all Chinese, Russian tech in passenger cars citing national security reasons

Technology

For now, the ban will apply to passenger vehicles weighing under 10,001 pounds, but there are plans to extend it to include larger vehicles like buses and trucks down the line. The restrictions will be rolled out in two phasesread moreThe United States has just announced a major new rule banning Chinese and Russian technology from passenger vehicles sold in the country, with national security concerns at the forefront. This ban targets both software and hardware from these countries and is part of a broader effort to reduce China’s influence in key industries like automotive tech.  It’s a significant step in the ongoing drive to keep foreign tech out of sensitive areas, including drones and other advanced technologies.AdvertisementProtecting cars & American infra from foreign influenceThis move builds on President Joe Biden’s push to tighten control over technologies linked to China and Russia. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo pointed out that modern cars are packed with technology like cameras, microphones, GPS, and internet connectivity.  While these features make driving easier and safer, they also open the door to spying or interference, especially if they rely on foreign-made tech. The goal here is simple: prevent Chinese and Russian technology from making its way into American cars to keep them safe from potential misuse.Two-phase rollout and the global impactFor now, the ban will apply to passenger vehicles weighing under 10,001 pounds, but there are plans to extend it to include larger vehicles like buses and trucks down the line. The restrictions will be rolled out in two phases. First, there’s the software ban, which will kick in starting with the 2027 model year. Then, by 2030, a hardware ban will take effect. The main focus will be on companies with strong ties to China or Russia, preventing them from selling cars that include foreign technology for things like internet connectivity or self-driving features. Plus, any imports of these technologies from China and Russia will be restricted.One company that could be impacted is BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle giant with a manufacturing facility in California that produces buses and other vehicles. There’s growing concern in the US that foreign-built tech in connected vehicles could lead to security risks, like the misuse of sensitive data or interference with vital vehicle systems.Shaping America’s future tech landscapeThis ban is part of a wider strategy to strengthen US industries and reduce reliance on foreign technologies. On the same day, President Biden signed an executive order to fast-track the development of AI infrastructure within the country. He made it clear that the US can’t afford to fall behind in building the technologies that will shape the future, particularly in industries like artificial intelligence and autonomous driving.With Biden preparing to pass the baton to President-elect Donald Trump, it’s unclear how the incoming administration will handle these new policies. While many expect Trump to shake up government strategies, it’s likely that some of these national security measures will remain a central focus moving forward.Editor’s PicksEnd of Article