I have a very bad habit: saying yes when I really want to say no. It comes with being an introvert, I think — I often feel like I should want to say yes to social outings, so I do. Instead, it’s a challenge and a fantasy — a game by developer Studio Fizbin that lets you say no to anything and everything. It’s a “one-button” game, apparently, and it leads into a more complicated decision: Saying no to your best friend. Studio Fizbin released a trailer with the announcement, and it’s definitely go

Highlights from CNBC’s East Tech West conference2 Hours AgoKey note speakers and high-powered panels. Here’s a round-up of the highlights from CNBC’s East Tech West conference.

How tech could change transport2 Hours AgoTravel and transport is big business and technology promises to change the way we do it and why we do it.

Entrepreneurs in the Middle East are no longer smitten by Silicon Valley, says one venture capitalist. Instead, they are looking for inspiration from China’s mobile-first business models — such as e-commerce, payments and health care, according to Ben Harburg, managing partner of Beijing-based MSA Capital, a global investment firm. “Certainly from a technical perspective, entrepreneurs in the Middle East are recognizing that by learning from Chinese best practices, they can accelerate their lear

In this handout image supplied by ITV, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn shake hands during the ITV Leaders Debate at Media Centre on November 19, 2019 in Salford, England. The British electorate faces a “terrible choice” at the ballot box next month, according to the chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics. Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to end ongoing “national misery” by delivering Brexit by the end of January. In contrast, Jeremy Corbyn, leader

Young people are saving more than previous generations, according to a study, flipping the historical trend that saw older savers put the most money aside towards retirement. The study revealed those aged between 18 and 37 – Generation Z and millennials, though the study groups them all as millennials – are saving nearly 16% of their annual income away for retirement, including employer contributions. Meanwhile, those aged 38-70, incorporating Generation X and baby boomers, were putting aside ar

Watch CNBC’s full interview with Target CEO Brian Cornell on Q3 earningsBrian Cornell, Target chairman and CEO, joins “Squawk Box” to discuss the company’s latest earnings report as well as the future of retail, the strength of the consumer, the company’s push toward internet services and more.

Oil prices will have a major impact on the direction that the Russian economy will take, according to the chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), but the country’s alliance with major oil producer group OPEC (known as OPEC+) is “ready to act” if necessary, he said. “We’re quite optimistic about the Russian market going forward. We believe the oil price will be a significant influence going forward but due to our agreement with Saudi Arabia we believe that oil prices will be

After a huge jump the week before, mortgage refinance demand pulled back sharply last week, likely because borrowers were less worried about rising rates. That caused total mortgage application volume to decline 2.2% for the week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted survey. Mortgage applications to purchase a home increased 7% for the week and were 7% higher than a year ago. Housing demand is very strong this fall, thanks to lower mortgage rates and pent-up demand

Target’s business is booming thanks to the investments the retailer has been making to make it as easy as possible for shoppers to buy things online and get them that same day. When it reported quarterly earnings on Wednesday morning, it said digital sales surged 31%, with its same-day services accounting for 80% of that growth. He said when Target fulfills an online order from the back of its stores versus shipping from a distribution center, “about 40% of the cost goes away.” He said when cust

Trump has criticized the Fed for not easing policy more, and while he tweeted his meeting with the Fed chair went well, he also said Fed policy was hurting the”About half of the regional Fed presidents didn’t want this rate cut. But the minutes could provide more nuanced detail on a Fed that was clearly divided on rate policy. The Fed cut interest rates by a quarter point Oct. 30, its third rate cut since late July. After the meeting, Powell made it clear the Fed would not cut interest rates — o

Lowe’s on Wednesday reported quarterly earnings that beat analysts’ expectations and raised its forecast for the year, but revenue fell short of projections. Shares of Lowe’s were up more than 4% in premarket trading. Excluding items, the company earned $1.41 per share, topping estimates of $1.35 per share in the Refinitiv survey. Sales grew $17.39 billion, just shy of analyst estimates of $17.68 billion. Since Ellison arrived in July 2018, he has focused on sales to professional contractors.

Target earnings and sales trounced analysts’ estimates, marking a bright spot in retail after weak reports from department store chains J.C. Penney and Kohl’s. Analysts had been calling for earnings per share of $6.18. Net income during the period ended Nov. 2 grew to $714 million, or $1.39 per share, compared with $622 million, or $1.17 per share, a year ago. Excluding one-time items, Target earned $1.36 per share, beating expectations for $1.19 a share, based on an analyst survey by Refinitiv.

Nasdaq exec: You need to like the investment bank you go public with2 Hours AgoWhoever you choose, you’ll work side by side with them, so you need to like and trust the people you work with, says Robert McCooey, senior VP and chairman of Nasdaq Asia-Pacific.

AR is really the future of immersive experience: VX Entertainment1 Hour AgoRick Garson, CEO and founder of VX Entertainment discusses the use of virtual reality in sports and entertainment.

Autonomous driving could be viable in ‘all scenarios’ in 10 years: Co-CEO1 Hour AgoGrace Liu of Fosun RZ Capital says autonomous driving has “big potential” because of it has a large market and will affect many people’s lives. She also discusses the recent cooldown in Chinese venture capital fundraising.

Ben Harburg, managing partner of Beijing-based venture capital firm MSA Capital, told CNBC the “decoupling” of China from its largest trade partner has forced Chinese businesses to innovate and diversify beyond their preferred timeline. However, he added that that has also served to accelerate their already planned push into the Middle East and Africa. “This forced self-sufficiency and forced decoupling has yielded them a really attractive market,” Harburg said of Chinese companies — most notabl

The British government has lashed out at China over its alleged torture of a former worker at the U.K.’s Hong Kong consulate. Simon Cheng was detained for 15 days on a trip to mainland China in August while working for the British government in his native Hong Kong, accused of inciting unrest in the city. In a statement Wednesday, U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “We were shocked and appalled by the mistreatment he suffered while in Chinese detention, which amounts to torture.” I have m

A euro currency symbol sits on display in the visitor centre at the European Central Bank (ECB) building in Frankfurt, Germany, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. TPhotographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesSigns of excessive financial risk-taking as well as slowdown in bank profitability are some of the biggest challenges in the euro area, the European Central Bank (ECB) said on Wednesday. Riskier firms are taking on more borrowing and property prices continue to rise in “a number” of euro area c

European stocks traded lower Wednesday morning after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to hike tariffs on Chinese goods if Beijing does not agree to a trade deal. During a meeting with his cabinet on Tuesday, the president said that if China did not make a deal, he would “just raise tariffs even higher.” The comments came after reports that Beijing is pessimistic about the prospect of an imminent “phase one” trade deal due to Trump’s refusal to roll back existing tariffs. Stocks in Asia Pac