Author: Elon Mark

Follow live updates on the Trump administration here.French Champagne producers do nearly a billion dollars’ worth of business with the United States every year. But on Friday in Épernay, the world capital of sparkling wine, the only number on anybody’s lips was 200.That was the percent tariff that President Trump has threatened to impose on Champagne and other European wines and spirits exported to the United States, in a trade war that exploded this past week after the European Union countered Mr. Trump’s penalties on steel and aluminum with its own duties on American products.The triple-digit menace landed like a…

If you’ve ever worked at an early-stage startup, built a new business line at an established company, or launched your own venture, you know how difficult it can be to measure your efforts’ success. Entrepreneurs typically monitor key performance indicators, such as revenue, conversion, or adoption, to gauge effectiveness. But perhaps the most common metric for measuring a new venture’s success is what’s known as the LTV/CAC ratio. To help you assess your company’s performance more effectively, here’s an overview of LTV/CAC, how to calculate it, and methods for improving it to achieve long-term profitability. Free E-Book: Your Guide to…

DDR4 vs DDR5There are currently two standards on the market, and there probably will continue to be for a while as DDR4 phases out. Chances are, if you’re upgrading an older system, you’ll need DDR4 RAM, and if you’re building a new system, you’ll be looking for DDR5. Check your motherboard model to make sure, because they aren’t compatible with each other. You can also check out an in-depth explainer on the differences between DDR4 and DDR5 if you’re curious.CapacityOnce you know whether you need DDR4 or DDR5, the next major decision is how much memory you want. Unless you…

It was the site of the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil. Now the terminal at Muan International Airport serves as a community center for grieving relatives of the 179 people who perished in the crash. Families gather here to talk, eat together — some even stay overnight in tents.It was in that cavernous building in southwestern South Korea that the families waited anxiously for news after Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crash-landed on Dec. 29. Then there were tears and outbursts of anger as officials periodically read out the names of the dead, many identified by DNA tests.“We’re a…

The Chinese government and the Communist Party jointly issued a lengthy list of planned initiatives on Sunday to encourage people to spend more, in yet another move by Beijing to offset potential harm from its escalating economic warfare with Washington.Their road map for economic stimulus included larger pensions, better medical benefits and higher wages — measures that could bolster China’s lagging domestic consumption. But it assigned many of these tasks to the country’s local governments, a large number of which are struggling under enormous debts and plummeting revenues from a decline in the sale of state land.The action comes as…

You’ve hired an excellent team, set lofty but realistic goals, and implemented efficient processes—so why aren’t your employees reaching their full potential? It could be that they’re afraid to make mistakes or contribute new ideas. “Overcoming challenges requires a strong sense of psychological safety and disciplined learning practices,” says Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson in the online course Dynamic Teaming, which can be taken individually or as one of seven courses in the Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB). “This is where you come in. As a leader, it’s your job to unlock the potential of…

Imagine your product was so compelling that it practically sold itself. That’s the power of product-led growth (PLG). Rather than relying on traditional sales tactics, a product-led growth strategy focuses on crafting seamless user experiences that convert consumers into loyal brand advocates. When executed effectively, product-led growth eliminates the need for costly advertising by providing immediate value that attracts, retains, and expands your customer base. Are you interested in adopting a strategy where your product fuels its own success? Here’s an overview of what a product-led growth strategy is, how to implement it, and real-world examples in action. Free E-Book:…

The counties where tariffs could hit jobs, by presidential vote winner Share of jobs in industries targeted by tariffs Ala.Ariz.Ark.Calif.Colo.Del.Fla.Ga.IdahoIll.Ind.IowaKan.Ky.La.MaineMd.Mass.Mich.Minn.Miss.Mo.Mont.Neb.Nev.N.H.N.J.N.M.N.Y.N.C.N.D.OhioOkla.Ore.Pa.S.C.S.D.Tenn.TexasUtahVt.Va.Wash.W.Va.Wis.Wyo. + – × Source: New York Times analysis of data from Lightcast and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. Note: Vote results are for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Data not available for Alaska. As President Trump imposes tariffs on products from countries around the world, foreign governments are answering back with tariffs of their own.China has targeted corn farmers and carmakers. Canada has put tariffs on poultry plants and air-conditioning manufacturers, while Europe will…

After the dot-com bubble burst in the early 2000s, Lars Staack decided to play it safe and invest his retirement savings in S&P 500 index funds, which are diversified and carry lower risk than owning individual stocks.It was a strategy that brought him peace of mind for more than two decades — until President Trump was elected in November. As he reviewed Mr. Trump’s comments in support of sweeping tariffs, Mr. Staack, 62, who retired two years ago, became increasingly uneasy about the savings he planned to use for the rest of his retirement.Those nerves about how Mr. Trump’s economic…

They weren’t supposed to fight.At Israel’s founding in 1948, the new nation’s leaders agreed that ultra-Orthodox men — known as the Haredim, or God-fearing, in Hebrew — would be spared from mandatory military service. In exchange, Haredi leaders lent their support for the largely secular state.The arrangement held for Israel’s first 75 years, until the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023.The resulting war in Gaza pulled hundreds of thousands of Israelis into battle — but hardly any ultra-Orthodox. The dynamic exacerbated tensions that had been simmering for years.The Haredim, who average more than six children per family, now make up…