[Post 868] Funeral director opens up over high-profile cremation mix-up

Summary

Up Close: Funeral director Harmony Tee left her auditing job in the United States to continue her family’s funeral business seven years ago. She talks about the challenges in the 'business of death',  including how she handled the high-profile cremation mix-up controversy in 2019.

[Post 867] How will the US presidential election 2024 affect Asia? | CNA Explains

Summary

On Nov 5, Americans will vote for their next president. The results will affect not just the United States, but also its allies in Asia. We take a look at three key issues, namely US-China relations, trade policies, as well as security and alliances.

[Post 866] Why The U.S. Can’t Build Homes Fast Enough

Summary

Large homebuilders have used mergers and acquisitions to grow their positions in several key housing markets since the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. The industry's consolidation coincides with a slowdown in construction productivity and contributes to escalating prices for buyers and renters, experts say. As an economic tightening cycle initiated by the Federal Reserve freezes real estate development, politicians are promoting policy tools that could alter how homes are built in the U.S.

[Post 865] What The Rise Of Fake Job Listings Says About The Job Market

Summary

Ghost jobs are on the rise, even as the U.S. labor market appears healthy. While data suggests a tight job market, many workers still struggle to find employment, revealing a gap between statistics and reality. Interestingly, the rise of ghost job listings may play a significant role in this disconnect.

[Post 864] How Google Makes Custom Cloud Chips That Power Apple AI And Gemini

Summary

Google was the first cloud provider to make its own custom AI chips, called TPUs, when they first came out in 2015 - a trend both Amazon and Microsoft followed years later. Now, Apple has revealed it uses TPUs to train its AI models, positioning Google chips as an alternative to Nvidia's market-leading GPUs. CNBC got an exclusive look inside the lab where Google makes its chips, and its top executive showcased TPU Version 6, Trillium, and its new Arm-based CPU, Axion, both coming out later in 2024.

[Post 863] How A Strong Dollar Can Backfire On The U.S. Economy

Summary

In 2022, the U.S. dollar reached its highest level since the early 2000s, but the dollar index has been trending downward as of August 2024. A weaker dollar is not necessarily a bad thing for consumers. A strong dollar may lead to higher prices for American consumers and reduced demand for U.S. exports, which can result in layoffs in key industries. Managing the value of the dollar is a balancing act, which can present challenges for the U.S. president, the Federal Reserve and other policymakers.

[Post 862] How BYD, Nio And Other Chinese EVs Compare To Tesla

Summary

Low-cost, high-tech Chinese EVs have stirred fears of a government subsidized existential threat to automakers around the world. So what do these vehicles have to offer? How do they compare to the Tesla Model Y, which in 2024 was the best-selling car in the world? CNBC’s Beijing bureau chief Eunice Yoon tested four of them from large and high-profile Chinese brands to see how they stack up, and how their rivals might compete.