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Investing your way: A guide to choosing your investments

Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corp. President Michael Enriquez

Sun Life Investment Management’s Michael Enriquez on finding the right investment for you

Navigating the world of investing can be overwhelming, with a myriad of options to choose from, market fluctuations to navigate, and key factors to consider. However, according to Michael Enriquez, President of Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation (Sun Life Investment Management), finding the right investment strategy ultimately boils down to understanding yourself as an investor.

Enriquez explains that there are key factors to consider when choosing suitable investments for yourself, such as your capability or amount of investible funds, time horizon for your purpose of investment, objective for your investments, your risk tolerance, and experience in investing.

“We recognize the unique needs of each investor,” says Enriquez. “Part of our onboarding is to get to know the Client to better understand their specific needs before even recommending a specific product or strategy. This personalized approach ensures that investment recommendations align with individual risk tolerance and financial goals.”

Investing for Different Life Stages and Personalities

For young investors, Enriquez emphasizes the importance of defining their goals. “It would be very important for young investors to first understand what they want to achieve, as well as their tolerance for risk, before jumping into the most attractive product in the market,” says Enriquez. This proactive approach sets a strong foundation for long-term financial growth.

Conversely, individuals nearing retirement prioritize income and capital preservation. Enriquez explains, “For this particular Client profile, ensuring steady cashflows to cover for expenses should be the priority rather than looking at high-risk investments.”

Apart from one’s life stage, recognizing personality traits is also key. “For the ‘go-getter’ type who is always looking for the next big thing, they can consider looking at global multi-asset funds that provide access to various offshore assets and strategies,” suggests Enriquez, while acknowledging the importance of carefully assessing potential risks. On the other hand, Enriquez says, “For the risk-averse investor, a simple money market fund solution can already provide a very decent return that is potentially even higher than bank time deposits and can be redeemable anytime.”

Recognizing your personality traits in investing includes being mindful of how emotional decisions affect your investments. For example, impulsive decision-making can significantly impact investment outcomes. Enriquez advises, “Investment decisions should be made based on specific risk tolerance, investment capacity, and specific needs, rather than being swayed by emotions.”

Staying Ahead of the Curve

Sun Life Investment Management continuously evolves its investment offerings. “Leveraging on global and regional investment teams, we are always updated on the latest investment and product trends across the region,” Enriquez says. “This has allowed us to launch more relevant and innovative investment strategies to address the various product needs of our Clients.”

Enriquez encourages Filipinos to embrace investing early on. “Everyone should start investing today. Pooled funds, such as Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs) and Mutual Funds, offer small initial investible amounts so everyone can participate,” says Enriquez. “It is also important to partner with a credible and stable investment company who can guide you through your investment journey, such as Sun Life Investment Management.”

Looking for the right investment for you? Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation offers a wide range of investment solutions that cater to diverse investor needs. Learn more about Sun Life Investment Management’s products and services by visiting www.sunlife.co/SLIMTC

 

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Indigenous Filipinos hope carbon credits can protect their forests

STOCK PHOTO | Image by JAY PARK from Pixabay

The lands of some 12,000 Indigenous Filipinos are under threat from forest loss and environmental degradation near the southern tip of Palawan, known as the Philippines‘ last ecological frontier for its cluster of islands rich in biodiversity.

But some Indigenous leaders in the western archipelagic province now want to change that by getting investors to pay to reduce deforestation and degradation by purchasing carbon credits.

Two ancestral domains within Palawan’s 97,000-acre Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape signed an agreement with Conservation International and the government’s National Commission on Indigenous Peoples last month to co-develop a carbon financing project within their area and help reduce deforestation.

Panglima Norlito Silnay, a leader of the Pala’wan Indigenous group, hopes the long-term conservation effort can be managed by members of the community, without interference from business or individuals seeking to take advantage of the resources.

“Some investors only wanted to use and destroy our forests, not to improve the lives of Indigenous peoples,” Mr. Silnay told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a video call.

The Pala’wan Indigenous peoples rely directly on nature for food and income, but Mr. Silnay said they were threatened by illegal mining and logging, palm oil plantations that destroy agriculture, land grabs and climate risks.

Despite its protected status, the Mount Mantalingahan landscape has lost more than 20% of its upland and mangrove forests due to illegal forest clearing in the last two decades, Conservation International said.

Indigenous Filipinos are the primary protectors of forests, but the global boom for energy transition minerals has intensified pressure on Indigenous lands, according to the 2024 State of Indigenous Peoples Address Report of local conservation group Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center.

 

INDIGENOUS OWNERSHIP

The Philippines protects the rights of Indigenous people over natural resources within their territory, but many Indigenous Filipinos struggle to win ancestral domain titles that recognize their ownership of the land.

According to the new deal, the two ancestral domains in Palawan will create a project together to quantify and verify the amount of planet-heating carbon captured and stored by the conservation efforts.

Wilson Barbon, Philippines director of Conservation International, said the project – the country’s first ever carbon project owned by Indigenous peoples – would act as a catalyst for other programs elsewhere.

He said the agreement recognized Palawan’s Indigenous groups as rightful benefactors of the carbon their forests capture.

“We will only help them develop their carbon assets by building their capacity to run their own carbon project in the long term,” Mr. Barbon said.

 

CARBON CREDITS

Carbon trading in the Philippines, however, still has a long way to go and the government has yet to formalize a system to issue credits to businesses that emit carbon dioxide.

Voluntary carbon markets are a source of much debate globally due to issues with verifying what projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions and by how much. Some activists also argue that credits give polluters an excuse to keep polluting.

“We recognize that there are concerns,” said Mr. Barbon. “Our position is that instead of shutting down the entire system, we strive to improve it.”

He hopes the new Indigenous enterprise can set the standard for carbon credits projects with strong biodiversity and community engagement.

The project, he said “presents the government an example of a community-led initiative. It’s difficult, but it can be done, and can also force our government to set the framework to do more of this in the future”.

However, it took Mr. Silnay’s community eight years to reach an agreement for a carbon trading project.

For the next 25 years, the community will have to keep their forest intact, through awareness building on forest protection efforts, carbon inventory, proper land zoning and alternatives to destructive slash-and-burn farming.

Carbon credits generated by the project will not produce revenues for the communities until next year, but will be directly invested in conservation.

Until then, Conservation International will pay community members the minimum wage to participate in conservation efforts.

The government’s ancestral domain management office will determine an annual budget outlining how the carbon credits can be spent, and Indigenous representatives will manage the funds generated from the carbon project.

Romel Ligo, a pastor and Palawan Indigenous community leader, said the project could help resolve the division among Indigenous leaders on how to better protect their resources.

He said some had been enticed by private businesses offering short-term jobs in exchange for resources.

“We wanted to protect nature because this is where we get our sustenance, from food, to livelihood and medicine,” Mr. Ligo said. “It is important for us to pass it on to the next generations.” – Reuters

Closer look at childhood cancer care in the Philippines

Cancer affects over 5,000 children in the Philippines annually. Although highly treatable, late diagnoses and other factors contribute to the country’s low survival rate of just 30%.

In this B-Side episode, we speak with Dr. Ana Patricia A. Alcasabas, head of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and chair of the National Sub-Technical Working Group for Childhood Cancer, as she discusses the country’s challenges in fighting childhood cancer.

She also talks about childhood cancer care at PGH and how the institution leads initiatives to improve care in the country.

Interview by Edg Adrian A. Eva
Audio editing by Jayson Mariñas

DBP bags citations for corporate governance

DBP Chairman Philip G. Lo (fourth from left) receives the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) award bestowed on the Bank for scoring the second highest rating in the Corporate Governance Scorecard. Also shown in photo are (from left): GCG Commissioner Atty. Brian Keith F. Hosaka, GCG Chairperson Atty. Marius P. Corpus, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus, DBP Director Roberto V. Antonio, DBP Corporate Secretary Atty. Maria Katrina L. Infante, and GCG Commissioner Atty. Geraldine Marie B. Berberabe-Martinez.

State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) was honored by the chief regulator of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) for its consistent adherence to good corporate governance principles, top officials said.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus said that the Bank scored the second highest ranking in the Corporate Governance Scorecard (CGS) ratings of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) with an above ceiling score of 102.67%.

“DBP’s consistent outstanding performance in the CGS is a result of our firm commitment in upholding the highest standards of good governance to further optimize Bank operations and enable it to further advance inclusive economic growth in the country,” de Jesus said.

DBP is the 10th largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy – infrastructure and logistics; micro, small, and medium enterprises; environment; social services and community development.

GCG is the primary regulatory institution of GOCCs and was established by virtue of Republic Act No. 10149 or the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, which standardized the implementation of CGS, a quantitatively-driven performance evaluation tool that serves as an instrument in assessing the corporate governance initiatives and practices of GOCCs.

DBP Chairman Philip G. Lo said the Bank was likewise recognized with special awards such as the GOCCs for Sustainability Award, Special Recognitions for consistent high scores in CGS ratings under the categories of Responsibilities of the Board and Stakeholder Relationships for 2021 to 2023, and Special Recognition for adherence to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

He said these accolades serve as an inspiration for the Bank to continuously innovate and actively pursue excellence in our banking operations while ensuring that DBP contribute positively to the fulfilment of its mandate under the banner “Bagong Pilipinas” of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

“DBP shall continue to be a paragon of good corporate governance among our peers in the public sector, which shall serve as the hallmark of our commitment to excellent service to our stakeholders,” Lo said.

 

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Philippine central bank says rate cut ‘on the table’ in February

Photo from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Annual Report 2023
BAGUIO, Philippines – The Philippine central bank said on Friday a rate cut next month is “on the table” when it reviews monetary policy for the first time this year.
The monetary board will review policy rates on Feb. 13. – Reuters

Lazada Philippines donates diapers, facilitates NGO partnerships for typhoon relief efforts through Lazada For Good initiative

Cabuyao City Mayor Dennis Hain (center) with representatives of Lazada Philippines, including Head of Government Affairs Kenneth Estiller (second from right)

Lazada Philippines donated nearly 1000 packs of baby diapers to the City of Cabuyao, Laguna last December as part of typhoon relief efforts through the Lazada For Good initiative.

The diaper donation, an assortment of Lazada sellers including Rascal + Friends, MamyPoko, EQ, Huggies, Pampers, MAKUKU Philippines, Genius, Uni-Love, and others, was turned over to Cabuyao City Mayor Dennis Hain in response to the LGU’s call for support amidst back-to-back typhoons in the area last October and November.

“Lazada Philippines, both as a company and an e-commerce platform, is committed to actively supporting our communities through meaningful action. With Lazada For Good, we hope to create new, convenient avenues for any Filipino to be able to directly contribute to those who need help and support the most,” said Carlos Barrera, CEO of Lazada Philippines.

The Lazada For Good initiative is Lazada Philippines’ CSR program aiming to uplift and support various Filipino communities through NGO partnerships, donations, and other on-ground and online efforts.

Lazada For Good works to expand the reach of these efforts, especially in the wake of natural disasters, through a dedicated channel on the Lazada app. By accessing the Lazada For Good channel on the app, users can choose to purchase donation vouchers that directly go to selected NGOs and aid organizations such as UNICEF, Caritas Manila, ABS-CBN Foundation, and GMA Kapuso Foundation.

Be a part of #LazadaForGood today and make a difference!

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Fisherfolk cooperatives, LGUs say pro-fisheries BFAR chief good for sector

Elizer Salilig, director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

Various fisherfolk cooperatives and local government units, which are home to big fishing communities, welcomed the appointment Elizer Salilig as director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), saying that having a career official at the helm of the agency bodes well for the fisheries sector.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently named Salilig, who has been a public servant engaged in fisheries management for the last 34 years, to BFAR’s top post and was sworn into office by the Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel on Jan. 24, 2025.

Juliet Gutierrez, president of Samaka Sablayan, an association of more than 20 cooperatives, credited Salilig for helping them organize cooperatives for women fisherfolk in the MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) to achieve the group’s goal of establishing “one women fisherfolk cooperative per municipality.”

According to Geraldo Abello, chairperson of Dahilican Roxas Fishermen Cooperative, Salilig was instrumental for upskilling fishers in Oriental Mindoro to become entrepreneurs and engage in small businesses beyond fishing.

“[S]iya po ang naging instrument upang imulat kaming mga mangingisda na hindi lang pala kami dapat aasa sa nahuling isda, kundi dapat kami ay maging entrepreneur at magnegosyo,” Abello said.

Bongabong Mayor Elegio Malaluan and president of the League of Mayors of Oriental Mindoro, said that Salilig’s stint as regional director of BFAR-MIMAROPA strengthened cooperation and collaboration between the agency and local government units particularly in the enforcement and implementation of fisheries laws, rules and regulations in a bid to keep a peaceful environment for both the commercial and municipal fishers.

For his part, Salilig said it was the responsibility of the agency to improve the lot of fisherfolk, the sector the plays a vital role in ensuring there is food on the table of every Filipino.

Speaking for the first time to his colleagues in BFAR since his appointment to the post last week, Salilig said: “The fisheries sector is an important pillar in the food supply chain and our economy.”

“Responsibilidad natin sa BFAR na suportahan ang ating mga mangingisda at itaas ang kalidad ng kanilang pamumuhay sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng nararapat na suporta at kalidad na serbisyo,” said Salilig, whose been a public servant for the last 34 years.

According to Salilig, who started as fishery technician for the Department of Agriculture in Region XII, one of his goals is to boost the aquaculture industry and production.

“Amid the growing challenges posed by climate change, I am determined to focus on strengthening the aquaculture industry and transitioning toward sustainable fisheries practices,” the new BFAR chief said upon his appointment by President Marcos. “To achieve this, we will actively collaborate with other government agencies and academic institutions to enhance research and development efforts.”

He added: “Ultimately, my goal is to lead the agency in fulfilling its mission to ensure fish sufficiency, improve the quality of life of our fisherfolk, and align with the President’s vision of boosting productivity and yields, thereby uplifting their standard of living.”

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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‘I Am Forest Lake’ program honors stakeholders behind the Forest Lake’s success

From left: President & CEO, Alfred Xerez-Burgos III, Mr. Antonio V. Syyap (2nd from left), receiving the Life Achievement Award, and Chairman, Alfred Xerez-Burgos Jr.

Forest Lake Development Inc. capped the year 2024 by presenting an initiative that aims to celebrate the success-driven people behind Forest Lake, the country’s leading memorial park developer.

Aptly called “I Am Forest Lake,” the program takes immense pride in the employees, sellers, and sales leaders who continue to propel the company to its coveted status in the industry. By showcasing their stories and their vital roles in Forest Lake’s growth, the initiative affirms how the company values its people, builds their morale, and fosters loyalty and a sense of belonging among them.

From left: Chairman, Alfred Xerez-Burgos Jr., President & CEO, Alfred Xerez-Burgos III, Mr. Antonio V. Syyap (3rd from left), receiving the Life Achievement Award, Treasurer & Managing Director, Jose Antonio Xerez-Burgos, and Group CFO, Rupert L. Rivera

For one, “I Am Forest Lake” motivates the company’s sales leaders by acknowledging their accomplishments, stressing on their crucial role in Forest Lake’s success.

“I Am Forest Lake” likewise spurs clients and customers to share the trust and satisfaction they experience as they avail of Forest Lake’s services, highlighting how the company offers comfort and support in meaningful ways.

At the event held last December 3 at the luxurious Okada Hotel, “I Am Forest Lake” validated the company’s commitment to fostering deeper emotional connections with their stakeholders. This was achieved by relating the personal success stories of employees and sellers and through testimonials that reflect on Forest Lake’s mission on families and communities. These in turn revealed the heart and humanity that lie at the center of any successful business.

Forest Lake President and CEO Alfred Xerez-Burgos III underscored this point, saying, “At Forest Lake, our success is built on the dedication of our employees, sales leaders and sellers, and the trust of our clients. Through ‘I Am Forest Lake,’ we celebrate the people who make our mission of care and service possible.”

Honoring the remarkable 10-year and 20-year awardees for their dedication, loyalty, and significant contributions that have helped shape Forest Lake’s enduring success.
From left: Maria Susana U. Pactanac (10 years), Ivy Avril M. Alvarez (10 years), Myra B. Cabrera (20 years), and Ruperto Sancho L. Rivera Jr. (20 years).

Among the many people who were honored at the event was Ruperto Rivera Jr., Group Chief Finance Officer for Forest Lake. Rivera was awarded for his twenty years of service with the company, a tenure marked by excellence and loyalty.

Rivera expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying, “As someone who has been part of Forest Lake for two decades, I am deeply honored to be part of this celebration. It reminds us all that our work is not just about numbers—it’s about people, families, and the legacies we help create.”

A heartfelt serenade fills the room, honoring the dedication and loyalty of the awardees during the awarding ceremony. A tribute to their years of service and invaluable contributions to Forest Lake’s success.

Forest Lake’s clients were equally jubilant as they spoke at the event about the positive impact Forest Lake’s services have had on families and communities.

Hailing the contributions of all these stakeholders is an act of gratitude on the part of Forest Lake. “Our employees and sellers are the heart of Forest Lake,” HR Director Jose Antonio Xerez Burgos asserted. “Their stories of perseverance and dedication inspire us to continuously improve and create a workplace where everyone feels valued.”

All in all, “I Am Forest Lake” empowered everyone in attendance to stay on track as they make Forest Lake not just a memorial park developer, but a “community built by people, for people.”

For more information, interested customers may view Forest Lake’s official Facebook page and Instagram.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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How a full-time mom found success with LazAffiliates

Top Affiliate Mobile Individual, Liezel Alindogan

One of the biggest benefits of pursuing affiliate marketing is that you get to be in control of your own time. For full-time mom Liezl Alindogan, being an affiliate marketer not only allowed her to spend more time with her family but also empowered her to achieve new levels of career success.

The importance of learning and staying the course

The Lazada Affiliate Program is a commission-based program where you can get rewarded from any purchase generated from affiliate links promoted via any social media platform or within your own communities. Aside from getting competitive commission rates in the industry, LazAffiliates also benefit from free advanced marketing tools, real-time performance reports, and access to workshops and community events – making the prospect of being a LazAffiliates member an enticing way to earn.

Inspired by vloggers and content creators who were on the same path, Liezl got her start with LazAffiliates in April 2023. At first, she didn’t think much would come from the link she shared. Then the commissions started coming in and that was all Liezl needed to stay the course.

Liezl shares her success strategy, saying, “I usually focus on beauty, tech, and home organizing finds. I also like sharing things for babies and children. There’s just so many products out there to discover because those are the same products I usually need at home,” She continues, “When it comes to getting results, learning how digital ads work and growing visibility helped me a lot. Now, I boost posts and use ads to make sure my recommendations find the proper audiences,”

Unlocking career and family goals

When asked on the milestones she’s hit since starting out, Liezl counts hitting a million Pesos in commissions and winning the Top Affiliate for a Mobile Individual at the recently held 2024 Lazada Affiliate Awards. Her success also inspired her husband to begin his own LazAffiliates journey, leading him to leave his previous job in sales, avoid long commutes, and earn higher commissions than before. For Liezl and her husband, being part of LazAffiliates has been a game changer for them, offering them the flexibility to take care of their kids. They’ve also set up a small business and other ways to generate income while maximizing family time.

Liezel Alindogan with her husband and kids

For anyone wanting to join LazAffiliates, Liezl says “Don’t be afraid to step out of your safe zone. Trust the process and everything else will follow.”

Create content and start earning with LazAffiliates today. Sign up with the Lazada Affiliate Program now.  

 

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Apple shares rise after positive sales outlook signals iPhone recovery

APPLE.COM

Apple executives on Thursday forecast relatively strong sales growth, a sign the company will recover from a dip in iPhone sales as it rolls out artificial intelligence features.

The forecast comes after Apple delivered a slight drop in iPhone revenues for the holiday shopping quarter and lagged Wall Street estimates, hampered by a lack in some markets of artificial intelligence features meant to be the chief selling point of its latest devices.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said those features will reach more users in Europe this spring, and shares rose 3.14% in post-market trade.

Apple has approached AI more cautiously than many of its peers, eschewing the huge data center spending of rivals such as Microsoft and instead envisioning AI as features meant to help sell its latest hardware.

That approach paid off earlier this week when China’s DeepSeek unveiled free AI technology that sparked fears of price wars, sank stocks of some of Apple’s competitors and sent shares of the iPhone maker up slightly.

Despite the AI rollout stumbles, Apple’s overall sales and profits were boosted by stronger-than-expected sales in its fiscal first quarter of iPads and Macs, where new chips helped persuade customers to upgrade.

And Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh gave a rosier outlook for the current fiscal second quarter, saying the company expects sales to rise in the low- to mid-single digit range, after accounting for a negative 2.5 percentage point impact from a strong dollar.

“The guidance management provided on the call exceeded expectations, as the iPhone gains momentum and Apple gets past a tough quarter in China,” said Gil Luria, managing director at D.A. Davidson.

In the just-ended quarter, iPhone sales dropped slightly to $69.14 billion, compared with the $71.03 billion that analysts were expecting, according to LSEG data. Greater China sales dropped to $18.51 billion, compared with $20.82 billion a year earlier and below the $21.33 billion that a Visible Alpha survey of five analysts expected.

Total sales of $124.30 billion for the fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 28 inched past Wall Street’s target of $124.12 billion, according to LSEG, while earnings per share of $2.40 comfortably beat the consensus target of $2.35.

The iPhone maker has positioned AI as a set of new capabilities and features such as drafting emails and transcribing phone calls, but the company is rolling the features out over time and has not yet secured a local partner in China to release them.

In an interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook said AI features, called Apple Intelligence, are driving sales of the company’s new devices.

“We saw that in markets where we have rolled out Apple Intelligence, the year-over-year performance on the iPhone 16 family was stronger than those where Apple Intelligence was not available,” Mr. Cook said.

While Cook said Apple Intelligence is coming in new languages such as French and German in April, he said there is no timeline for when it will become available in China.

“We continue to work with the regulators and will release it as soon as we can,” Cook said.

Cook told Reuters that about half of Apple’s 11% decline in China revenues was attributable to changes in how much inventory the company’s resellers held.

Mac sales during the last quarter benefited from a new lineup of Mac Minis, iMacs and MacBook Pros with a new M4 chip. Apple Intelligence features are more widely available on Apple’s Macs and iPads because their larger size means they have more powerful chips.

“The silicon makes it perfect for running AI workloads, and so I assume that that’s a very key compelling reason for people to upgrade,” Cook said.

Apple’s Mac and iPad sales hit $8.99 billion and $8.09 billion respectively, above estimates of $7.96 billion and $7.32 billion, according to LSEG data.

Apple said its services business, which includes iCloud storage and its streaming music and video services, hit $26.34 billion in sales, up 13.9% from the previous year and above estimates of $26.09 billion, according to LSEG data.

“While the company’s cautious approach to AI rollout has drawn criticism, robust services growth and ecosystem expansion are providing crucial momentum to help ease its continued iPhone struggles in China,” said Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne.

The firm’s wearables segment, which includes the Apple Watch and AirPods lines, had $11.75 billion in sales, compared with analyst expectations of $12.01 billion, according to LSEG data. – Reuters

Lawmakers urge Trump to consider new curbs on Nvidia chips used by China’s DeepSeek

NVIDIANEWS.NVIDIA.COM

WASHINGTON – Two members of U.S. Congress are calling on President Donald Trump’s administration to consider restricting the export of artificial intelligence chips made by Nvidia, alleging Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has relied on them.

Republican John Moolenaar and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, who lead the House of Representatives Select Committee on China, asked for the move as part of a Commerce and State Department-led review ordered by Trump to scrutinize the U.S. export control system in light of “developments involving strategic adversaries.”

“We ask that as part of this review, you consider the potential national security benefits of placing an export control on Nvidia’s H20 and chips of similar sophistication,” they wrote in a letter dated Wednesday and addressed to National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.

In the letter, released on Thursday, they alleged that a sophisticated AI model recently released by DeepSeek made “extensive use” of Nvidia’s H20 chip, which is currently outside the scope of U.S. export controls.

The letter is a sign of growing concern in Washington about China’s rapid advances in AI after DeepSeek said its free AI assistant launched last week uses less data at a fraction of the cost of incumbent players’ models, possibly marking a turning point in the level of investment needed for AI.

In a separate notice reported by Axios on Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Chief Administrative Officer notified congressional offices not to use DeepSeek.

“At this time, DeepSeek is under review by the CAO and is currently unauthorized for official House use,” the notice is quoted as saying.

The U.S. fears China could harness AI to launch aggressive cyber attacks or even develop a bioweapon, prompting former President Joe Biden to spearhead a series of measures aimed at cracking down on China’s access to AI chips and the tools that make them.

DeepSeek and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Nvidia said in a statement that its products “comply with all requirements set by the government” and that the company “is ready to work with the Administration as it pursues its own approach to AI.”

Reuters reported on Wednesday that the administration of Trump, who took office on Jan. 20, is mulling new curbs on H20 chips, which can be used to run AI software and were designed to comply with existing U.S. curbs on shipments to China. – Reuters

New Zealand targets cutting emissions by 51% to 55% by 2035

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Kerin Gedge from Unsplash

WELLINGTON – New Zealand said late on Thursday that it would make a commitment that by 2035 the country would have reduced emissions by 51% to 55% compared to 2005 levels.

The commitment is part of the country’s commitment under the Paris Agreement. Its initial commitment had been to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and is part of the country’s pledge to be net zero by 2050.

“We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious and achievable, reinforcing our commitment to the Paris Agreement and global climate action,” Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said in a statement.

“Meeting this target will mean we are doing our fair share towards reducing the impact of climate change,” he added.

Mr. Watts said New Zealand was on target to meet its commitments as early as 2044.

However, Climate Commission, a government-funded but independent expert, in December called for New Zealand to target reducing emissions further than its original effort as many comparable countries have more ambitious targets than New Zealand and evidence shows that global action is insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. – Reuters

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