China Ready Logo In a strategic pivot aimed at aligning with industry needs, World Travel Market (WTM) Africa and partner CBISN have overhauled their flagship China Ready® Workshop, postponing its launch to April 2026 and restructuring it into a modular, credit-based training model. The move responds to feedback from African tourism stakeholders, many of whom…
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We recently published a list of 10 Trending AI Stocks on Latest News and Ratings. In this article, we are going to take a look at where DXC Technology Company (NYSE:DXC) stands against other trending AI stocks on latest news and ratings.For centuries, work has been about physical abilities on farms in the factories and industries. There has been a paradigm shift in recent years, with work being about intellectual abilities. The trend is gathering steam as artificial intelligence increasingly disrupts global industries and workforces.The emergence of AI is igniting a fresh conversation. As automation assumes more manual jobs and artificial intelligence dominates more cognitive functions, humanity will be characterized by its social skills. “But [generative AI] isn’t just another invention,” said Aneesh Raman, chief economic opportunity officer at LinkedIn. “It’s a turning point, forcing us to rethink not just what work is, but what it means to be human at work.”If generative AI fulfills its promises, the worldwide job market will be drastically transformed, according to a Goldman Sachs report regarding the rise of AI. The investment firm projects that 300 million jobs may be eliminated or reduced due to this rapidly advancing technology.Goldman argues that automation fosters innovation, resulting in the emergence of new job categories. AI will bring about cost reductions for businesses, allowing them to allocate their resources towards developing and expanding operations, which could boost global GDP by 7% annually.Goldman Sachs forecasts that the advancement of AI will reflect the path taken by previous computer and technology innovations. Much like the transition from large mainframe computers to contemporary tech. AI can successfully pass the bar exam for lawyers, excel on the SATs, and create original art pieces.Administrative assistance in offices, legal services, architecture and engineering, business and financial operations, management, sales, healthcare, and art and design are among the fields that face significant transformation due to AI automation.According to a scholarly study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, automation technology has been the main factor contributing to income inequality in the United States over the last four decades. The study asserts that 50% to 70% of the fluctuations in U.S. wages since 1980 are linked to wage drops experienced by blue-collar employees who have been replaced or negatively impacted by automation.Advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, and other complex technologies have created a significant wealth and income disparity. This problem is set to intensify. Similarly, AI is causing significant changes to the coding workforce after years of hoopla and fear about how many jobs it will eliminate or replace. One of the first applications of generative AI was AI coding tools, which help write more code more quickly by automating large parts of the code development process. “2025 is going to be a very fascinating year with some of these tools, as we start to scale,” said KeyBank Chief Information Officer Amy Brady. “We’re not far enough on the journey where I can confidently say it’s going to replace all entry-level code generation. Do I think it could replace some? Yes.” Organizations are buzzing with discussions about artificial intelligence and the applications of generative AI, and numerous companies are progressing with their implementations. However, there is a risk of employee burnout from hastily adopting AI, and businesses must take precautions against this even as they eagerly embrace these technologies.For this article, we selected AI stocks by going through news articles, stock analysis, and press releases. These stocks are also popular among hedge funds in Q4 2024.Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).An IT security specialist inspecting a corporate network server for any malicious activity.DXC Technology Company (NYSE:DXC)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24DXC Technology Company (NYSE:DXC) is an information technology services company that provides application development, cloud, and IT outsourcing services. It also provides AI consulting and implementation services to businesses across various industries, helping them leverage artificial intelligence to optimize operations. On March 4, the company unveiled new offerings in partnership with ServiceNow as they look to modernize the insurance industry.The new AI-powered DXC Technology Company (NYSE:DXC) Assure BPM solution automates manual workflows throughout the policy lifecycle, directly addressing important efficiency issues in insurance operations. The solution combines DXC’s insurance expertise with ServiceNow’s AI platform to transform the insurance industry. The solution should reduce up to 40% of operational costs spent on manual processing through AI integration.The product furthers DXC’s transition to platform-based, higher-margin business models with the potential for recurring income. Rather than developing proprietary technology, DXC will likely achieve a quicker time-to-market and lower development costs by fusing its industry experience with ServiceNow’s well-established AI platform. “We are committed to delivering exceptional value to our customers and accelerating business outcomes. Our expanded partnership with ServiceNow will combine our deep insurance expertise with ServiceNow’s advanced AI workflow technology to drive speed, agility and operational transformation for insurers,” said Ray August, President of Insurance Software and Business Process Services at DXC. Overall, DXC ranks 8th on our list of trending AI stocks on latest news and ratings. While we acknowledge the potential of DXC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than DXC but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market CapDisclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
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The Express shares all the latest Foreign Office travel advice for Spain, Turkey, Greece and Italy. (Image: Getty)As many Brits set their sights on booking their Easter and summer holidays to balmy southern European countries to get some well-deserved Vitamin D, it is essential that everyone is up to date with the Foreign Office’s latest travel advice. From entry requirements to ever-changing safety and security, as well as what to do in an emergency if someone in your travel party becomes unwell, all this information is vital so that you can jet off with peace of mind.Below, the Express looks at the travel advice for the top tourist countries of Spain, Turkey, Greece and Italy, to make sure soon-to-be travellers are fully prepared. It is important to remember that no travel can be guaranteed safe and it is important to read all guidance for your destination, available on the Foreign Office travel advice website. There is also general advice and guides for women travellers, solo and independent travel and adventure travel, as well as how to get appropriate travel insurance. READ MORE: Foreign Office issue Egypt warning to tourists over ‘liveaboard vessels’ The Express shares all the latest Foreign Office travel advice for Spain. (Image: Getty)SpainWarnings and insurance: Before you travel, if you are planning to reach Spain through either France or Gibraltar, it is important to check the travel advice for both these territories before you start your journey.Entry requirements: For those travelling on a full “British citizen” passport from the UK, Spain follows Schengen area rules. As a result, your passport must: have a “date of issue” less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an “expiry date” at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Spain, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, if you are: a tourist, visiting family or friends, attending business, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. To stay longer, you must meet the Spanish government’s entry requirements.Safety and security: Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Spain. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.Demonstrations, political gatherings or marches can take place with little or no warning, particularly in cities. Follow the advice of police and local authorities.Be alert to the risk of street crime. Thieves use distraction techniques and often work in teams. Take care of your passports, money and personal belongings, particularly when collecting or checking in luggage at the airport and while arranging car hire.Attacks, including sexual assaults, are rare but do occur. In an emergency call 112. Avoid splitting up from your friends, do not leave drinks unattended and do not go off with people you do not know. Be alert to the possible use of ‘date rape’ and other drugs including GHB and liquid ecstasy.Thieves posing as police officers may ask to see your wallet, claiming they need to see it for identification. Genuine police officers will ask to see ID but will not ask for wallets or purses. All police officers, including those in plain clothes, carry official ID.It’s illegal to drink alcohol in the street in some areas of Spain, so check if this applies to where you are heading to. You can get an on-the-spot fine. In some parts of Spain it is also illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts. Being bare-chested is also illegal in some areas in Spain.Many beaches have a flag system. Make sure you understand the system and follow any warnings (a red flag means you must not enter the water). Take extra care and get local knowledge if there are no lifeguards, flags or signs.Health: Before you travel, ensure that Spain can provide the healthcare you may need and that you have the appropriate travel insurance for local tratment or unexpected medical evacuation.In an emergency, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.At least eight weeks before your trip, check the latest vaccine recommendations for Spain and see what health risks you’ll face, including dengue and biting insects and ticks.To get medically necessary state healthcare in Spain, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spainThe Express shares all the latest Foreign Office travel advice for Turkey. (Image: Getty)TurkeyWarnings and Insurance: The FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km (6.2mi) of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.There has been an increase in the number of deaths and serious illnesses in Turkey, including in Ankara and Istanbul, caused by drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.Entry requirements: The authorities in Turkey set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Turkish Embassy in the UK.To enter Turkey, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least one blank page.If entering at a land border, make sure officials stamp and date your passport at the border crossing.You can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for business or tourism. If you want to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days, you must get a short-term residence permit before the end of your stay.Safety and security: Terrorists are very likley to try to carry out attacks in Turkey, especialy in the southeast, Ankara and Istanbul. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.See Regional risks for details about the areas in south-east Turkey where FCDO advises against travel. Extremist groups based in Syria, including Daesh and Al-Qaeda linked groups, have the capacity to carry out attacks in Turkey.Events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have led to heightened tensions in the region and in locations across Turkey. Large demonstrations continue to occur outside diplomatic missions connected to the conflict in major cities, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.Street robbery and pickpocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul. Be aware of your personal belongings and make sure they are always secure.Accepting lifts from drivers of unofficial taxis is highly risky. Find a registered taxi and note the registration number before entering. App-based taxis are also widely available.Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. During this time, it may cause offence if you, eat, drink, or chew gum, play loud music and swear in public. Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.It is illegal not to carry some form of photographic ID in Turkey. Always carry your passport or residence permit.You need a 1968 international driving permit (IDP) or a UK driving licence notarised in Turkish to drive in Turkey.Health: In an emergency, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. British prescriptions are not accepted in pharmacies in Turkey. In some cases, you may be able to liaise with Turkish hospitals and your GP to arrange for a Turkish prescription for the equivalent medicine.The EHIC and GHIC cards are not valid in Turkey.For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkeyThe Express shares all the latest Foreign Office travel advice for Greece. (Image: Getty)GreeceEntry requirements: For those travelling on a full “British citizen” passport from the UK, Greece follows Schengen area rules. As a result, your passport must: have a “date of issue” less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an “expiry date” at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Greece, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, if you are: a tourist, visiting family or friends, attending business, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. For a longer stay, you must apply to the Greek authorities for a national visa.Safety and security: Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Greece. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.Greek authorities have increased security at some prominent locations, including tourist sites, due to events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.There is currently a heightened risk of such protests, particularly in central Athens.There are regular strikes, sometimes called at short notice, that can cause disruption to buses, trains, ferries and air travel, as well as road networks and borders.Thefts of passports, wallets and handbags are common on the metro and in crowded tourist places, particularly in central Athens. Carry your valuables in different bags and pockets and keep a copy of your passport photo page somewhere safe.When driving on holiday, keep your valuables out of sight and lock your vehicle at all times. Always park in a well-lit area or secure car park. Be alert to car crime.The Greek police will arrest you for any behaviour they find rowdy or indecent, especially where excessive drinking is involved. Some fancy dress costumes may be regarded as offensive and therefore against decency laws. The courts are likely to impose a heavy fine or a prison sentence if they judge the behaviour to be illegal. Your travel insurance may not cover you if you miss flights because of an alcohol-related arrest.There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly. Causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece – even if unintentional. If you see a fire, call the emergency services on 112.Health: In an emergency, dial 112 or 166 and ask for an ambulance. Calling 999 from a UK mobile in Greece will automatically transfer you to the Greek emergency services.Pharmacies across Greece stock a good supply of medicines, but there are strict rules around dispensing certain medicines, including antibiotics.Bring prescription medicines with you and carry a letter from your doctor stating the quantity required during your stay. Treatment and facilities are generally good on the mainland, but may be limited on the islands.To get medically necessary state healthcare in Greece, you need a GHIC or EHIC card.For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greeceThe Express shares all the latest Foreign Office travel advice for Italy. (Image: Getty)ItalyWarnings and insurance: The 2025 Jubilee, known as the Holy Year, will take place in Rome from 24 December 2024 to 6 January 2026. The city is expected to be very busy.Entry requirements: For those travelling on a full “British citizen” passport from the UK, Italy follows Schengen area rules. As a result, your passport must: have a “date of issue” less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an “expiry date” at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, if you are: a tourist, visiting family or friends, attending business, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.To stay longer, you must meet the Italian government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Safety and security: Terrorist attacks in Italy cannot be ruled out. Italian authorities have increased security around some Jewish community sites due to events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Stay aware of your surroundings, stay away from demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.Demonstrations can happen with little or no warning in cities. Avoid any protests, political gatherings or marches.The higher number of travellers during the Holy Year could increase levels of petty crime. Crime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, in city centres and at major tourist attractions.Thefts from parked cars happen in Rome, particularly in the Colosseum area, Ostia, Milan and Pisa. Thieves also target coastal areas and towns, and motorway service stations. Avoid leaving luggage in your vehicle – even out of sight in the boot – for any length of time.Many major cities in Italy impose a small tax on tourists. You must usually pay this tax at your hotel as it is unlikely to be included in your holiday booking. The rate of tax varies from city to city and can depend on the star rating of the hotel. If you are visiting Venice, you may need to pay an access fee.It’s also an offence to enter or bathe in public fountains in many towns and cities, including Florence and Rome.Due to volcanic activity, local authorities have increased the alert levels for both Etna and Stromboli in the south of Italy. In the event of a volcanic eruption, follow the advice of local authorities.Health: In an emergency, dial 118 and ask for an ambulance. To get medically necessary state healthcare in Italy, you need a GHIC or EHIC card.You will need to go to a pharmacy to get most over-the-counter medicines. UK prescriptions are not accepted, though you may be able to buy an equivalent medication from the pharmacy.For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy
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My Life in Books
Clare Mackintosh’s ‘Other People’s Houses’ is out nowYesterday at 15:30Clare Mackintosh is a former police inspector and the award-winning author of seven bestselling novels. Her books have sold more than three million copies and are translated into 40 languages. Other People’s Houses, the third book in her DC Ffion Morgan series, is out now from Sphere.The books on your bedside table? The Booker Prize-winning Orbital by Samantha Harvey is nestled up against Gillian Anderson’s anthology of female desire, Want. Quite the juxtaposition, I know. On my e-reader right now is Mark Edward’s upcoming thriller The Wasp Trap, and I’m halfway through It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover on audio.
According to new data from YouGov, 40% of British adults have not read a single book in the last year, with the median Briton having read or listened to three. In a world where there are so many other distractions and forms of entertainment to choose from, fewer and fewer people are getting stuck into books – yet lots of us would like to be reading more. So we asked authors, booksellers and critics to choose the book they think you should read this year – even if you only read one.James by Percival EverettJames was being hailed a modern classic and a “masterpiece” before it even hit bookshops last year. US novelist Percival Everett, the author of more than 30 published works, dared to take on the American cultural cornerstone that Hemingway described as “the best book we’ve had”, Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – only this time from the perspective of the runaway enslaved man, Jim. Everett rescues James from the racial stereotypes of the original, restoring his proper name and humanity. He might not be free, but Everett gives him narrative agency and a pencil with which to write his own story.Don’t worry if this is your first proper encounter with Huck. James has all the pace and adventure of the children’s classic, but with adult wit, wisdom and furious intent. “I hope that I have written the novel that Twain did not,” Everett has said. James is an important novel and also a magnificently enjoyable one. And, handily, it is newly out in paperback. Lisa Allardice, the Guardian’s chief books writerView image in fullscreenA Life’s Music by Andreï MakineA very short novel that contains multitudes. A young Russian composer flees Moscow, heading for Ukraine, desperate to escape Stalin’s purge of intellectuals in 1941. Then Russia’s war with Nazi Germany begins and his life turns upside down. How will he survive? What means and reserves of character does he have at his disposal? Profound, moving, haunting – full of resonances that are even more valid in today’s fraught times. A mini-masterpiece. William Boyd, novelistKilling Floor by Lee ChildThis novel is the debut of Child’s legendary hero: army veteran turned drifter and one-man A-team, Jack Reacher. It is a page-turning delight, a relentless rollercoaster of action and twists that grip you by the throat from the get-go. This book has mystery, danger, conspiracy, adrenaline-pumping action and a larger-than-life hero that you can’t help rooting for. In short, it’s everything you’d want in a thriller. Go on, dive in! Abir Mukherjee, novelistView image in fullscreenOrbital by Samantha HarveyLast year when I judged the Booker prize, my fellow judges and I picked this novel as our winner. It’s a short read, but a beautifully expansive one, offering a perspective that is epic yet intimate, heartbreaking yet awe-inspiring. It reminded me how fleeting life is, but how much each moment can hold. I’ve never read anything like it. Sara Collins, novelistFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosI’m not usually a fantasy reader, but Yarros’s smash-hit romantasy novel got me out of a reading slump very successfully. It has everything you need to keep you gripped: romance, action, adventure and more dragons than you could ever dream of. It’s one of my go-to recommendations at the shop now, whether the customer is a fantasy fan or not. Almost without fail, everyone who has picked a copy up has come back raving about it! Ben Johns, co-owner of Simply Books in Stockportskip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionQuestion 7 by Richard FlanaganOne book? As a literary editor whose leisure time is as dominated by reading as my working life, it seems an impossible ask. But one recent title immediately sprang to mind: the Australian author Richard Flanagan’s Question 7. It’s a unique blend of memoir, history, science and philosophical thought experiment, with the structural cunning, propulsive energy and imaginative beauty of a gripping novel. It hinges on the contingencies of fate: were it not for Hiroshima, Flanagan’s father would have perished in a Japanese PoW camp, and he would never have been born. From here, the book opens like a concertina to consider the strange genesis of nuclear weapons, Tasmania’s shameful colonial story, his own family line, and a brush with death – thrillingly told – that upended his sense of self. Weaving together imagination and history, Flanagan profoundly conveys how all our lives are an “ongoing invention”. It’s a book that will stay with you for ever. Justine Jordan, the Guardian’s fiction editorBat Eater by Kylie Lee BakerCora is a crime-scene cleaner, but her job doesn’t bother her, not when she’s witnessed her sister’s murder. With the killer at large, nobody can reach Cora: not her aunt who’s preparing for the Hungry Ghost festival, not her weird colleagues, and especially not the shadow nibbling at her coffee table. Haunted by the taunt “bat eater” and a series of killings in Chinatown, Cora believes someone is targeting east Asian women, and something might be targeting her. Folk-horror meets crime thriller in a witty, gory, genre-defying novel that takes readers on an exploration of Chinese-American heritage while observing the racism rampant in New York during Covid-19. Brooke Smith, bookseller at House of Books & Friends in ManchesterView image in fullscreenJuice by Tim WintonSomething about this book really shook me. Sure, it has similarities to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road and Mad Max: Fury Road, and it is another cli-fi book, but it manages to be completely its own thing. Mostly because Tim Winton is a deeply humane writer, concerned with moments of connection across divides, with a deep care for nature and an impossibly hopeful desire for humanity to succeed, together. A farmer escorts a child across a dystopian Australia ravaged by the fallout of climate collapse. And when they are captured, the farmer, in order to stay alive, spends one night telling his captor his life story. For sure, we can expect eco-revenge-military cells, tragic love, extreme weather and epic heists, but we also have something deeper: the power of a single story that can change the course of the world. Nikesh Shukla, author and screenwriterThere Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif ShafakEvery bookseller knows that no book is meant for everyone – but for anyone who is in a reading rut, Elif Shafak novels are a pretty reliable way of getting unstuck! One of our great storytellers, you could start anywhere in her oeuvre and find a page-turning, plot-driven, politically prescient book that will strike a slightly different chord with every reader. Her latest is a propulsive work of ecofiction that spans Dickensian London and contemporary Kurdistan: River Thames to River Tigris. It’s riveting, readable, complex and quietly queer, with characters to fall completely in love with – rich and escapist. Mairi Oliver, owner of Lighthouse Bookshop in EdinburghBlack British Lives Matter, edited by Lenny Henry and Marcus RyderBlack British Lives Matter is a collection of essays from a selection of experts and public figures, sharing their insights and experiences from the perspective of being Black in modern Britain. At a time when efforts towards equality and anti-racism are being questioned and even threatened, books such as this are not simply nice-to-haves; they are essential. Written with clarity and passion, the essays in this book (including Sir David Adjaye, Nadine White, David Olusoga and Baroness Doreen Lawerence) offer a context for understanding racism while illuminating vital truths about contemporary society, that we can all benefit from. Jeffrey Boakye, author and broadcaster
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“This report confirms what many of our job creators know to be true: Texas is the best state in the union to own, operate, and grow a business.”Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – “Texas remains the best state in the nation for business, and this report provides a roadmap to ensure small businesses continue to thrive. I was honored to co-chair this effort, and appreciate the valuable feedback from State Agencies and nearly 700 Small Businesses across Texas,” said Glenn Hamer, President of the Texas Association of Business (TAB,) as they and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) applauded the release of the key legislative recommendations in a new report designed to enhance Texas’ business environment.After the release of Governor Abbott’s Small Business Freedom Council Report, TAB President & CEO Glenn Hamer and National Federation for Independent Business (NFIB) Texas State Director Jeff Burdett – who serve as co-chairs of the Small Business Freedom Council – said the following:
“With Governor Abbott’s leadership and these strategic recommendations, we have a historic opportunity to make this the best legislative session for small businesses in Texas history.”By cutting red tape, streamlining regulations, and expanding opportunities, we can strengthen our economy and keep Texas the nation’s top state for business,” said TAB’s Hamer.
The Governor’s Small Business Freedom Council was launched by Governor Abbott in December 2024 to identify ways to cut unnecessary government regulations that impede growth for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Texas.Added Jeff Burdett, NFIB’s Texas State Director:
“I want to thank the 100s of Small Business Owners who took the time out of their busy schedules to provide feedback to this council. It was an honor to co-chair this effort and ensure Main Street Texans’ voices are heard.”This report confirms what many of our job creators know to be true: Texas is the best state in the union to own, operate, and grow a business,” said Burdett.”Our Governor is committed to ensuring we don’t ever take that for granted — and is instead always thinking of ways to promote greater economic opportunity for Texans. I look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to implement these recommendations, so Texas remains a safe haven of entrepreneurialism and free market principles.”
The Freedom Council’s report released earlier this week provides data-driven recommendations based on input from State Agencies and Texas small business owners.It offers the Texas Legislature practical, actionable solutions to eliminate obstacles for small businesses, strengthen the state’s economy, and ensure the Lone Star State remains the nation’s leader in entrepreneurship and free enterprise.The Freedom Council’s report identifies legislative recommendations for pro-business reforms in the following key categories:
Regulatory Streamlining & Reducing Bureaucratic Burdens
Tax & Fee Reductions
Workforce & Hiring Flexibility
Procurement & Access to Government Contracts
Technology & Digital Access
To read the full report, and specific recommendations within each of the above categories, please CLICK HERE.
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As President Donald Trump has made clear in the first month of his second term, one of the major goals of his administration is to reinscribe the hierarchies of race and gender. The result would be to, once again, privilege those who are white and male in a country that has spent decades moving, if…
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“If African women rise, wildlife will thrive,” says Deborah Calmeyer, one of four visionary leaders I interviewed from Africa’s sustainable travel industry for International Women’s Day.
What do they have in common?
They are reshaping responsible tourism and proving that conservation-driven travel can uplift both ecosystems and local communities. They are also leading the way in high-end, low-impact tourism and showing that economic success and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
And perhaps most strikingly, they are breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, leading with persistence and a deep commitment to community-driven change.
Now, let’s meet the women shaping the future of sustainable travel in Africa.
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Beverly Joubert – Great PlainsBeverly JoubertGreat Plains / Photograph by Andrew Howard
South African-born Beverly Joubert is a renowned filmmaker, photographer, designer, and wildlife conservationist. As a National Geographic Explorer at Large, she has co-produced over 40 films (of which eight received Emmy Awards) alongside her husband, Dereck Joubert, and co-authored 12 books to showcase Africa’s wildlife.
She co-founded Great Plains in 2006, overseeing 15 sustainable safari camps across Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe. In 2014, she co-launched the Great Plains Foundation, a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to conservation and community development.
In an email interview, she recalled that her commitment to sustainability truly began in the Maasai Mara when she and her husband came across a mound of plastic waste left behind by a film crew from China. She calls that moment a defining one that drove her and her husband to take immediate action. “It was shocking to me that anyone could actually be so insensitive to the pristine nature of the environment they had come to film for exactly that quality,” she says.
Beverly Joubert visiting the Maasai Olympics in Kenya. Great Plains.
She takes great pride in initiatives like Solar Mamas, Conservation Education and the Great Plains Earth Academy, which have made a tangible impact on both conservation efforts and local communities.
For her, sustainable travel means “living up to the goal of becoming carbon negative and choosing locations and companies that embrace these values fully.”
If she could change one thing about how the world perceives travel in Africa, it would be the understanding that travel comes in many forms. She explains that while reducing carbon footprints is essential, halting travel to Africa altogether would have devastating consequences, pushing millions into poverty.
“Poor people poach, chop down forests and rely on cattle that destroy landscapes,” she says. In her opinion, the damage would far outweigh the impact of high-end, low-impact travel that supports the local community.
When asked about the role of women in sustainable travel, she replied that women, often the backbone of communities, have a natural inclination toward conservation and sustainability. She believes women can drive meaningful change if they are empowered through education, leadership roles and economic opportunities.
Tinolla Rodgers – African Monarch LodgesTinolla RodgersAfrican Monarch Lodges
Tinolla Rogers is the managing director and owner of African Monarch Lodges, operating two lodges and a campsite within the Bwabwata National Park in the heart of Namibia’s Zambezi Region.
It is one of the country’s most remote regions with unique challenges: no power grids, quick supply runs, waste management systems and no local maintenance specialists. Rogers built more than a thriving tourism destination out of necessity and pioneering spirit. She established a circular economy that generates value, creates a sustainable livelihood for the local community and preserves the land all under the umbrella of the now award-winning Sijwa Project.
When asked about her proudest moment in an email interview, she recalled her meeting in 2018 with Honourable Chief Mayuni, members of the Traditional Authority, elders of the Mayuni Conservancy, community members and her late husband, when she vowed to create a recycling center that would do more than manage waste. It would create jobs, provide skills training and generate revenue for the entire community.
Two years later, Chief Mayuni returned to see their progress. “In that moment, we were able to show him that every single promise we had made had been brought to life. That day remains one of my proudest moments and proof that responsible tourism can create real, lasting change,” she said.
The Sijwa Project goes beyond waste management. It includes beehives, a permaculture nursery, sewing, carpentry and recycling workshops designed to create sustainable livelihoods. She is building an entire economy from scratch to provide jobs and opportunities for this region.
“Everything we do is to preserve this precious land and to ensure our impact reaches the community to make a real difference,” she says.
Stepping into sole leadership of African Monarch Lodges was never part of her plan. She called it a path life chose for her. “There were moments when I felt the weight of expectations, the unspoken question of whether I could fill the shoes of my late husband. But in those moments, I turned to the land. The wild, untamed beauty of this place teaches resilience. And just as nature finds a way to grow through the toughest conditions, so too did I,” she says.
According to her, being a woman in sustainability goes beyond protecting the environment, it is about building a legacy. It means honoring the past while shaping the future. It is about proving that leadership can come in many forms and if you lead with heart, authenticity and a deep love for the land and its people, trust follows.
“Today, I stand not just as a leader, but as a guardian of something far greater than myself. And in the eyes of the community, I see that I am not alone in this journey, we are in it together,” she says.
Deborah Calmeyer – ROAR AFRICADeborah CalmeyerRoar Africa
Born in Zimbabwe, Deborah Calmeyer carries a deep-rooted connection to Africa since she has ancestral ties dating back to 1688 in Cape Town. She founded ROAR AFRICA, a luxury travel company, in 2005.
She believes true sustainability is about reciprocity, where travel transforms the traveler but also leaves a lasting, positive impact on the destinations visited. For Africa, this means striking a delicate balance between wildlife conservation and supporting local communities.
“Africa is a vast, diverse and deeply profound continent with rich cultures, cutting-edge conservation efforts, and potentially life-changing travel experiences. It is not just a place to visit—it is a place to engage with, learn from and be changed by,” she says.
In an email interview, she reflected on launching the first Women’s Empowerment Retreat in 2019 and described the profound fulfilment she feels in amplifying women’s voices to shape the future of conservation and tourism.Group photo at the Women’s Empowerment Retreat in 2023. Roar Africa
The retreats bring global travelers to Africa to connect with African women who have broken both tribal and Western barriers. These meetings resulted in scholarships, conservation funds, women’s health initiatives, documentary films and exchange programs.
While tourism and conservation in Africa are male-dominated, she believes being a woman will bring a unique perspective rooted in collaboration, community and long-term vision.
Julie Church – Seas4LifeJulie ChurchSea4Life
Julie Church is a fourth-generation Kenyan and founder of Seas4Life and Ocean Sole. With a marine conservation and eco-entrepreneurship background, she has worked with leading organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Kenya Wildlife Service, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In 2005, she founded Ocean Sole, a flipflop recycling company, turning marine pollution into art and impact. “Not only did we clean up the beaches, but we also generated income and awareness through the products to the community and the buyers,” she says.A colorful elephant sculpture made of recycled flipflips that Ocean Sole collected from the beaches. … [+] Ocean Sole.
After years of consultancy work, she realized that the most powerful way to connect people to the oceans is not through impact reports or policies but through direct, hands-on experiences that highlight how the Ocean shapes our daily lives and how our actions, in turn, shape the Ocean.
In her opinion, integrating sustainability into tourism is challenging, especially in regions where short-term economic pressures often outweigh long-term conservation goals. However, establishing Seas4Life in 2018 is her way of using travel as a platform to advocate for sustainable travel and ocean conservation.
By encouraging guests to swim with sharks, she transforms fear into fascination. By fostering a direct connection, travelers may begin to appreciate these often-misunderstood marine creatures. She believes “with a mindset of observing, learning and engaging, the impact of tourism could be truly transformative.”
Her defining moment came when she saw firsthand the impact of sea turtle conservation along Kenya’s north coast. She realized the power of education, training and alternative income opportunities. She saw how these efforts led to more protected nesting sites and foraging grounds and a decline in poaching.
However, she feels the biggest obstacle to marine protection is getting people to understand that sea travel in Africa is more than a beach holiday. She often compares visiting the Ocean to a safari experience. She encourages everyone to ask: “Would you visit the Serengeti National Park or Maasai Mara without venturing into the wild and remaining by a swimming pool? Now, why would you go to a beach without exploring its wildlife and wonders?
When asked about her experience as a woman leading sustainability efforts in Africa, her reply was short: “It is challenging.” But she believes in leading by example and delivering results that speak louder than words.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowTo celebrate World Book Day® 2025, McDonald’s has partnered with bestselling book series You Choose, created by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt, to help children discover the fun of reading.To support the promotion, and bring some fun to families, McDonald’s is going on a You Choose book tour across 118 restaurants nationwide until March 23. There will be stages equipped with You Choose themed props, as well as brand ambassadors who will host and narrate stories. Families will be able to act out their favourite storylines, try out new character voices and grab a free copy of a You Choose book with a Happy Meal®.The book tour will be coming to four locations in Glasgow, further details below:You Choose Happy Meal Date: 16th March Time: 10.30am-1pm Address: 12 Auchinlea Way, Easterhourse, Glasgow, G34 9JJ McDonald’s Parkhead Date: 16th March Time: 2.30pm-5pm Address: The Forge Shopping Centre, Gallowgate, Glasgow, Glasgow, G31 4EB McDonald’s Helen StMcDonalds book tour Date: 22nd March Time: 2.30pm-5pm Address: 530 Helen Street, Ibrox, Govan, Glasgow, G51 3HR McDonald’s Toryglen – Asda Date: 22nd March Time: 10.30am-1pm Address: 557 Prospecthill Road, Toryglen, Glasgow, G42 0AE To find out more about the tour and participating restaurants, please visit: https://www.happymealmeetandgreetsuk.com/ Pick up your free book with every Happy Meal®!From Wednesday February 19, a choice of two You Choose books and eight You Choose activity journals will be available in Happy Meal®. The books are perfect for shared reading and encouraging creativity across all reading abilities, inspiring even the youngest children to create their own fantastical stories again and again.Unforeseen circumstances could prevent an event from taking place.Any changes will be reflected on the book tour website, please check back regularly for any changes. Continue Reading
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When Donald Trump launched his 2024 presidential campaign, he promised to bring jobs back to America and facilitate unprecedented investment in the country’s future. Many in the tech industry who had been skeptical of Trump during his first term initially scoffed at these ambitious pledges. But little more than a month into Trump’s second term, it’s clear that Silicon Valley has not only warmed to the president’s vision but is now leading the charge in what could be a new era of American innovation and economic growth.
This is JP Hampstead, co-host of the Bring It Home podcast with Craig Fuller. Welcome to the 16th edition of our newsletter, which marvels at the tsunami of recently announced multibillion-dollar technology investments.
The past few months have seen a flurry of ambitious investment announcements from some of the biggest names in tech. These commitments, totaling well over $1 trillion, are poised to reshape the American technological landscape and potentially cement U.S. dominance in critical fields like AI and semiconductor manufacturing for decades to come.
On Monday, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, pledged to invest $100 billion in U.S.-based chip manufacturing over the next four years. This comes on top of $65 billion in investments the company had already committed to facilities in Arizona. TSMC’s expanded presence promises to create up to 25,000 high-tech jobs and significantly bolster America’s domestic chip production capabilities.
(Photo: C-SPAN)
Just a few weeks prior, Apple announced plans to spend a staggering $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. This unprecedented commitment includes the construction of an advanced manufacturing facility in Houston to produce servers supporting Apple’s AI initiatives. The tech giant also plans to double its U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $10 billion and establish a manufacturing academy in Michigan to train the next generation of American workers.
Meta made public its plans to invest up to $65 billion in AI-related projects in 2025 alone. The social media giant projects that it will bring a gigawatt of computing power online this year, including a truly massive new facility in Louisiana, positioning itself at the forefront of the AI revolution.
Perhaps the most intriguing development — and the one with the biggest question mark regarding its plausibility and feasibility — comes from the newly formed Stargate Project, a joint venture among OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle. This ambitious initiative aims to invest up to $500 billion over the next four years to develop AI infrastructure across the United States. With an initial focus on a $100 billion deployment, Stargate estimates the creation of “hundreds of thousands of American jobs” and positions itself as a key player in the “reindustrialization of the United States.”
Other tech giants are following suit. Microsoft has reiterated plans to invest more than $40 billion in U.S. data centers, while Amazon Web Services has committed $11 billion to expand its infrastructure in Georgia.
The impact of these investments cannot be overstated. Beyond the immediate job creation and economic stimulus, they signal a seismic shift in the global tech landscape. The United States is positioning itself to reclaim its role as the undisputed leader in cutting-edge technologies, from AI and cloud computing to advanced chip manufacturing.
President Trump hails these investments as a vindication of his economic policies and tough stance on trade. “We’re bringing the jobs back, folks,” he declared at a recent rally. “America is becoming the world’s technology factory once again, and it’s happening faster than anyone thought possible.”
Many of these investments were in the planning stages long before Trump’s reelection. Critics also note that some companies may be motivated by the desire to avoid potential tariffs on imported technology products, a threat Trump has repeatedly wielded. Regardless of the motivations, the sheer scale of the commitments is reshaping the American economic landscape. States like Texas, Arizona and Georgia are emerging as new tech hubs: places where infrastructure, resources and capital-friendly business environments have drawn investment.
As these massive projects begin to take shape, questions remain about their long-term impact. Will they truly lead to the promised job creation and economic growth? Can the U.S. education system produce enough skilled workers to meet the sudden demand? And what might be the geopolitical ramifications, particularly concerning Taiwan’s role in global chip production?
One thing is certain: The next few years will be transformative for the American tech industry.
Quotable
“We are bullish on the future of American innovation.”– Tim Cook, Apple CEO
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(Chart: McKinsey & Company)
News from around the web
TSMC announces new investments in Arizona for chip manufacturing
Chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. plans to invest $100 billion in the United States, President Donald Trump announced Monday in an appearance with the company’s head at the White House.
TSMC, the world’s biggest semiconductor manufacturer, produces chips for companies including Apple, Intel and Nvidia. The company had already announced plans to invest more than $65 billion in the U.S., including three plants in Arizona after the Biden administration offered billions in subsidies.
Lilly plans to more than double U.S. manufacturing investment since 2020, exceeding $50 billion
Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) recently announced at a press conference in Washington plans to bolster its domestic medicine production across therapeutic areas by building four new pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in the United States. This brings the company’s total U.S. capital expansion commitments to more than $50 billion since 2020.
ABB to Invest $120M to expand US manufacturing
ABB is investing $120 million to expand its U.S. manufacturing operations, aiming to meet rising demand in sectors such as data centers, utilities and industrial infrastructure. The investment will create 250 jobs across two sites in Tennessee and Mississippi.
The company is allocating $80 million to build a new facility in Selmer, Tennessee, which will replace existing operations and boost production capacity by more than 50%. This site will manufacture electrical distribution equipment for large-scale industrial and commercial facilities, creating 50 skilled jobs. The new facility is expected to open in Q4 2026.
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