For centuries, the UK and US have kept the oceans safe for commerce. But freedom of the seas is a casualty of the war in Iran, @halbrands writes (via @opinion) https://t.co/0YUoI50naZ ...

Hunger has no face. However, hunger can be identified as you or I. Hunger has no faith.For faith is the substance of things hoped for. It is the evidence of things not seen. So, how can a man have hope where there is no substance in his stomach to sustain him and no evidence of a commitment from society to end food insecurity.There is no dignity in being hungry. There's no homework help when your stomach hurts. How can mama read to me if mama is hungry.But there is a remedy. We have the blueprint to fix thi ...

Commerce, entertainment and wellness are “colliding” online, with huge repercussions for well-being https://t.co/Pe8R0ClR56Illustration: Ricardo Tomás https://t.co/xlSbIQHhVg ...

Core Insights - Disney's streaming business has seen significant growth in subscriber numbers, nearly doubling in the last five years, but its US viewership share remains stagnant at 4.7% [1][2] - Disney+ and Hulu are trailing behind Netflix, which holds an 8.3% share of total US TV viewing, and their watch time has only slightly increased from 4.4% in May 2021, peaking at 5.6% in summer 2023 [2] - The growth in engagement is crucial for reducing subscriber cancellations and increasing ad revenue, especially in light of price hikes [3] Subscriber Growth and Financial Performance - Despite raising the price of Disney+ for five consecutive years, the company has managed to attract subscribers, indicating that Disney remains a desirable service for many [4] - Disney's direct-to-consumer segment generated $1.3 billion in operating income for the 2025 fiscal year, a significant increase from $143 million the previous year [5] - The stagnant viewership share may explain the modest 3% rise in Disney's stock over the past year, compared to a nearly 17% gain for the S&P 500 [5] Strategies for Engagement - Disney plans to fully integrate Hulu into Disney+ by 2026, aiming to create a super app that enhances user engagement across its franchises [6] - The company is adding ESPN content to Disney+ to attract sports fans and encourage subscription bundles [6] - CEO Bob Iger emphasized the goal of making Disney+ a comprehensive portal for all Disney-related content, incorporating AI and commerce features to drive engagement and in-person visits to theme parks [7] Innovation and Future Plans - Disney is exploring AI-generated videos through a partnership with OpenAI, allowing fans to create short clips featuring iconic characters within the Disney+ app [8] - Engaging younger audiences is a key focus of Disney's strategy, leveraging AI to tap into new growth opportunities [8]

AI & Robotics Industry Trends - Physical AI is expected to transact as they carry out real-world errands [1] - The next decade is the timeframe for physical AI transactions, possibly sooner depending on the region [1] - Roba Labs is enabling the use of the x402 protocol for robots [1] Technology & Infrastructure - Traditional infrastructure needs to be feasible to enable robots to cohabit and carry out commerce [1] - x402 allows robots to transact [2] - x402 enables the transfer of real-world skills learned by robots [2]

Industry Outlook - A new era of commerce may arrive if regulators get their rules right [1] Drone Technology - Many Americans may perceive this as drone hype [1]

Core Argument - Commerce is not a backup plan but a vital engine driving the economy and every business transaction [2][3] - Commerce connects various sectors, enabling creativity, innovation, and societal structure [4] - Commerce education is essential for financial literacy and self-protection in the digital age [13][14] Economic Impact - Global e-commerce sales reached $63 trillion, indicating commerce's significant role [8] - The service and commerce sector employs 50% of the global workforce [9] - Digital commerce demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, with companies like Amazon hiring 175 thousand employees in 3 months [9] Skills and Employment - Commerce jobs require human skills like empathy, creativity, and trust, making them resilient to automation [11] - Financial literacy is a growing need, addressed by commerce professionals [7] Societal Perspective - Intelligence should not be solely measured by science-related knowledge; commerce also requires intelligence [5][6] - Society should equally respect science and commerce, as both are crucial for progress [20][25] - Commerce ensures affordability and sustainability, complementing scientific advancements [19] Real-World Examples - Entrepreneurs like Jack Ma and Ratan Tata demonstrate that commerce drives innovation and economic contribution [14][15] - Even startups, non-profits, artists, and doctors rely on commerce skills [16][17] Financial Risks - Americans lost $125 billion to scams due to lack of financial literacy [12] - Investment scams accounted for $6 billion of the total losses [12]

International Relations & Trade - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to lead a delegation of over 100 British leaders to India [1] - The delegation aims to deepen commerce between the UK and India [1]

Tariffs & Trade - The Commerce Department aims to shift tariff burden from metal-using manufacturers to smaller businesses like gym clubs and pest-control firms [1] - Ultimately, consumers will bear the tariff pain [1]

Crypto Adoption - Global crypto owners surpassed 700 million [1] - Crypto.com Visa Card saw significant growth in spending [1] Report Focus - The report explores crypto's influence on commerce [1]