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Newsweek
a minute ago
- Business
- Newsweek
China's Richest Man Buying Water Supply of New Hampshire Town Sparks Alarm-
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China's largest beverage company, Nongfu Spring, has bought a site in Nashua, New Hampshire, next to the Pennichuck water system. The firm, owned by China's richest man, Zhong Shanshan, will have access to the local water for its plant, NewsNation reported last month. This has caused alarm among locals and politicians, who say most people in Nashua are unaware of the sale. Newsweek has contacted Nongfu Spring via email for comment. Why It Matters The property sits near infrastructure critical to Nashua's drinking water system. While Nongfu Spring has not yet outlined plans for extraction or bottling, its ownership and the company's global strategy—focused heavily on exporting bottled water—have drawn scrutiny. "Being tied into our Pennichuck water system and taking millions of gallons a day of drinking water from the citizens of Nashua is very concerning," local resident Bob Lozeau told NewsNation. What To Know Stag Industrial Holdings LLC, a real estate investment trust, sold the land to NF North America, a subsidiary of Nongfu Spring, on January 31, according to the Hillsborough County Register of Deeds, reviewed by New Hampshire newspaper The Keene Sentinel. The property, a 337,391-square-foot single-story building on 23 acres at 80 Northwest Blvd., which has not been used for 11 years, was bought at four times more than its assessed value - $67 million, despite it being valued at $15 million by the city of Nashua. It is near Nashua Airport, some defense centers and a Federal Aviation Administration control center. Water for the site will be provided by Pennichuck Water Works, according to the city of Nashua. "It falls within our existing withdrawal permits," Pennichuck CEO John Boisvert said. Boisvert went on to explain that the water system has "a lot of excess capacity." "We're permitted for over 30 million gallons a day," he told The Keene Sentinel. "If you look at average day demands, we're somewhere around 11 or 12 million gallons. In the summertime, we can go up to 20. We've got a lot of excess capacity in that withdrawal." But there are still people who are concerned about the sale, including Republican State Senator Kevin Avard, who told NewsNation: "You have the airport here. You have our water supply they are looking to capture." Newsweek has contacted Avard via email for further comment. There are no federal or New Hampshire state laws that block a Chinese company from owning property there, but Republican Senator Regina Birdsell (Hampstead) has called for certain foreign nationals, including China, to be banned from owning land in New Hampshire, reports the New Hampshire Journal. Zhong Shanshan, founder of Nongfu Spring, promotes his products at a presser in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province Monday, Nov. 30, 2009. The producer of drinking water and soft drinks went on a public... Zhong Shanshan, founder of Nongfu Spring, promotes his products at a presser in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province Monday, Nov. 30, 2009. The producer of drinking water and soft drinks went on a public listing in Hong Kong on Sept. 8, 2020, making Zhong China's richest man for half an hour More AP What People Are Saying Stag Industrial Holdings LLC said in a press release in February: "STAG Industrial, Inc. completed the sale of a building in Nashua, N.H. for gross proceeds of $67.0 million. Representing a cash cap rate of 4.9 percent, the sale to an undisclosed buyer ended an 11-year hold on the property." Lily Tang Williams, who is running for Congress in New Hampshire, after fleeing China, said: "I have been trying to warn people. Xi Jinping has a China dream, and his China dream is to use a soft power invasion. Business. Education. Apps like TikTok and WeChat. Media. Entertainment. Everything they can, without firing one shot, to expand into western countries like the United States." What Happens Next City leaders in Nashua stated that the commercial property will be subject to standard regulatory procedures and environmental oversight. Any application or plan by Nongfu Spring to extract water or use the property in a manner affecting local resources is expected to undergo public review and permitting processes. Discussions about tightening restrictions on foreign land acquisitions near critical infrastructure continue at the state and federal levels.
Newsweek
3 minutes ago
- Business
- Newsweek
This Tech Company Reassures Working Women They Don't Need to Be 100 Percent
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. For more than half a century, women have been chasing the notion that they, too, can "have it all." But Ivy Wu, the vice president of global growth at ClassPass, knows that idea is a false narrative. "The message has long been to lean in, fight for a seat at the table and move all speed ahead on all aspects of work, family, motherhood and life in general," Wu told Newsweek. "But I think that mindset sets us up for burnout." According to a Gallup Poll published in December, women who report having to address work-related responsibilities outside their work hours and personal or family responsibilities while at work are 81 percent more likely to feel burned out. The survey also found that over half of working women prefer a blender work style, which alternates fluidly between work and personal life, over a splitter work style, which makes a clear distinction between the two. But that doesn't surprise Wu. "Work/life balance doesn't exist in a fixed state," she said. "There will always be times when one thing takes precedence over another." "There are seasons where work takes the lead, and others where family, health or rest take priority," she said. "That ebb and flow isn't failure; it's just real life. As women, we need to rewrite the script: success isn't about giving 100 percent to everything, all the time—it's about focusing on the right things for you, so you can show up as your best, most energized self when it matters most." Ivy Wu, VP of global growth at ClassPass, and Kristin Heintz, SVP of international at Playlist Ivy Wu, VP of global growth at ClassPass, and Kristin Heintz, SVP of international at Playlist Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Canva As a working mom, Wu has been especially appreciative of the work policies in place at ClassPass and its parent brand Playlist, which also owns Mindbody and Booker. The company is "proudly remote-first," offers unlimited time off and designates "no-meeting days" to limit internal calls so that employees can focus on other work. "We trust people to make smart decisions about how to use their time and design their days around what matters," Kristin Heintz, the senior vice president of international at Playlist, told Newsweek. She recognized that while everyone is different, "the most universal challenge is trying to fit everything that matters—both at work and outside of work—into just 24 hours a day." Heintz, who has been with ClassPass since its early days, said she routinely reminds herself that it can be easy to try to do everything, but that it's rarely necessary. More important, "there is no prize for unnecessary suffering," she exclaimed. Instead of operating as if every day is going to be a great day, Heintz buffers for days where she knows she might feel extra tired, stressed or overwhelmed. To set herself up for success on the days she's feeling less sharp, she tries to take advantage of her high-energy days: stocking her fridge with healthy options in advance, intentionally scheduling meetings to avoid back-to-back late-night and early-morning calls and turning away from situations that she knows will leave her feeling exhausted. Ivy Wu, the vice president of global growth at ClassPass, talked to Newsweek about the most defining moments of her career, the narrative that working women need to shatter and what wellness means to her. Ivy Wu, the vice president of global growth at ClassPass, talked to Newsweek about the most defining moments of her career, the narrative that working women need to shatter and what wellness means to her. ClassPass Wu embraces a similar type of intention in her life too. After having her two kids, she's become protective of her reset time, making sure that she and her husband carve out space for a weekly date night, align on their "must-have" priorities and plan travel well ahead to ensure they're making time for family and friends. "Everything else gets built around these key pillars, and that helps keep us sane!" she said. "It's less about balance and more about alignment, ensuring your time reflects what matters most." Reflecting on the moments that defined her career, Wu said that her life would not have unfolded the way it did if she had not embraced discomfort. She attributes her willingness to "leap into the unknown" as shaping two of the most pivotal decisions of her professional life: the decision to leave finance for the startup world and the decision to take over Playlist's growth team right after returning from her first maternity leave. "The reality is, most game-changing opportunities rarely show up with perfect timing, so raising your hand when a challenge presents itself—even if you don't feel fully prepared—is a huge part of becoming a better leader," Wu said. "Growth comes from moments of ambiguity. You don't need to have it all figured out all the time." Professional turning points can also be gradual. Sometimes, career paths are shaped by decisions that take years to mature, much like Heintz's decision to stay at ClassPass. "The company was very small when I started, and plenty of seed-stage companies don't make it; I just happened to pick one that did survive its earliest days and then scaled quickly," she said. For more than eight years, Heintz worked her way through various titles at ClassPass, starting off as an email marketing manager, evolving into the company's director of financial planning and analysis and business intelligence, until ultimately becoming the vice president of finance and analytics. After Mindbody acquired ClassPass, Heintz became the senior vice president for Mindbody, and when the two companies launched their parent brand this year, she became the senior vice president of international at Playlist. "A rising tide really does lift all boats: when a company is growing fast, there's a lot of things to build, problems to solve and ambiguity to navigate," Heintz said. "For anyone willing to take on those challenges, it becomes a crash course in leadership and business. I 'grew up' professionally at ClassPass—the company grew, and I grew with it." To celebrate women in leadership and to help them connect with the next generation of C-suite executives and board members, Newsweek is hosting its inaugural Women's Global Impact forum. The August 5 event, hosted at Newsweek's headquarters in New York City, will bring together some of the world's top female executives and connect them with rising stars across industries and job functions. For more information on the event and entry guidelines, please visit the Women's Global Impact homepage.
Newsweek
4 minutes ago
- Health
- Newsweek
FDA Issues Risk Warning for Potato Chips Recall
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A recall of potato chips due to the possible presence of an undeclared allergen has been issued the second-highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Saratoga Potato Chips LLC, based in Indiana, issued a voluntary recall for more than 2,000 bags of chips due to the undeclared presence of milk on July 7. The FDA subsequently issued a Class II risk classification on July 15. Newsweek contacted Saratoga Potato Chips LLC for comment by email. Stock image. Saratoga Potato Chips LLC issued a voluntary recall for more than 2,000 bags of crisps due to the undeclared presence of milk on July 7. Stock image. Saratoga Potato Chips LLC issued a voluntary recall for more than 2,000 bags of crisps due to the undeclared presence of milk on July 7. Robert Michael/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images Why It Matters A Class II risk classification refers to a situation in which the "use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," according to the FDA. The recall was initiated due to the undeclared presence of milk, one of the nine major food allergens as defined in law. The others are eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms, such as hives and lip swelling, to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems. What To Know The product impacted by the recall is the following: - J. Higgs Potato Chip Mix - 2275 bags - UPC code: 0-51933-37327-3 - best if used by date: October 5, 2025 The product was distributed to retail locations in Maryland, Kentucky, Florida and Indiana. What People Are Saying The FDA says on its website: "People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food." Dr. Sebastian Lighvani, the director of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, told Newsweek previously: "Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last five, 10, 20 years. And in the U.S., there's like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods." What Happens Next The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA. People with sensitivities or allergies to milk should not consume the affected product.
Newsweek
4 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'Supergirl' Poster Teases A More Rebellious Superhero
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The first poster for next year's "Supergirl" has been revealed, and it teases a less hopeful hero than reviewers and audiences have been enjoying in "Superman." DC Studios co-head and "Superman" writer-director James Gunn posted the first poster for "Supergirl" to various social media platforms on Wednesday. Most notably, the poster includes a play on the "Superman" promotional slogan "Look Up." The "Up" is spray-painted over with "Out." Gunn captioned the post with "Look Out. 2026." Read More: DC Eyeing Two 'Superman' TV Spinoffs WARNING: The following contains spoilers for "Superman." If you've seen "Superman," then the notion that Supergirl is being framed as someone more dangerous than her cousin may not come as a surprise. Milly Alcock has a cameo at the end of "Superman" when she shows up to the Fortress of Solitude drunk. We learn she regularly goes to planets with red suns (where Kryptonians have no powers) so she can enjoy getting inebriated. This is what she does during the events of "Superman," which is why her cousin is left to watch over her dog Krypto. Supergirl. Supergirl. DC Comics This may seem like a surprising way to frame a superhero, particularly a member of the "Superman" family, but this is no doubt less shocking to readers of the source material. One significant difference between Supergirl/Kara Zor-El and her more famous cousin is that she remembers the destruction of Krypton. While Superman was just an infant when it happened, Supergirl carries the trauma of her family's death and her planet's destruction. We'll see just how much this trauma has impacted Kara Zor-El next year with the release of "Supergirl." The official logline of the film reads "While celebrating her 21st birthday, Kara Zor-El travels across the galaxy with Krypto, during which she meets the young Ruthye and embarks on a 'murderous quest for revenge'." The film is based on the 2021-22 comic book miniseries "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow" written by Tom King and illustrated by Bilquis Evely. "Supergirl" releases in theaters June 26, 2026. The film is directed by Gillespie from a script by Ana Nogueira. The feature stars Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, and Jason Momoa. More Comics: New 'Superman' Clip Explains His Secret Identity Superman Early Reviews Are Saying the Same Thing
Newsweek
4 minutes ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Putin Warned of Russian Demographic Crisis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Officials have warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that a demographic crisis could mean the country he leads will be short millions of workers by the end of the decade. In a meeting reported by Russian state media and posted on the Kremlin website, labor minister Anton Kotyakov told Putin that by 2030 the country could be as many as three million workers short in the labor force. Russian demography expert Igor Efremov told Newsweek the only measure the Russian government can take to address the shortage is to draw on migrant workers, but this would be difficult because the move would be considered a security threat. Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin for comment. Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russia National Center, July 3, 2025, in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russia National Center, July 3, 2025, in Moscow. Why It Matters Sanctions have buffeted but not delivered a knockout blow to Russia's economy, although war losses in Ukraine and escaping the draft have contributed to a labor shortage that has contributed to rising inflation. Putin has highlighted population growth as a national priority following a yearslong decline in Russia's birthrate. An inability to replace retiring workers and boost a dwindling workforce could pose an economic problem for Russia that may outlast the current conflict with Ukraine. What To Know During a cabinet discussion Tuesday, Kotyakov, minister for labor and social protection, warned that Russia is entering a period of profound transformation of its labor market. By 2030, Russia will need at least 2.4 million additional workers according to his ministry's forecasts. The upper range of this prediction is 3.1 million or the combined population of the major cities of Kazan and Novosibirsk, he added. Citing a survey of 260,000 employers, Kotyakov said there was a shortage of skilled workers, especially in construction and manufacturing. By the start of the next decade, Russia needs to involve 10.9 million people in the economy, to make up for the 10.1 million who will retire and fill an additional 800,000 jobs, he added. Other lawmakers have also sounded the alarm about the country facing a demographic crisis. Valery Tumin, from the parliament's economic policy committee, said an aging population and a declining birthrate have exacerbated worker shortages in industry, agriculture, transport, and the high-tech sector. Efremov told Newsweek Russia's labor shortage has been ongoing for years in Russia and has led to a slowdown in economic growth and a relative acceleration of inflation. The only government policy that can reduce the severity of this problem, without solving it completely is to lower barriers to international labor migration, he said. However, the current migration policy of the government is increasingly restrictive, because labor migration is often seen as a security threat, he added. The labor shortage due to demographic problems is an inevitable property of the demographic structure of the Russian population, about which "little can be done" in the immediate future, Efremov said. What People Are Saying Russian Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov, per the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets: "By 2030, the Russian economy will need at least 2.4 million additional workers, and the total number of people who need to be involved in labor activities will be 10.9 million." He added: "there is a particularly acute shortage of skilled workers." Russian demography expert Igor Efremov told Newsweek: "The labor shortage has been observed for years in Russia and has already led to a slowdown in economic growth and a relative acceleration of inflation. This process is... slow and lasting." He added: "The only government policy that can reduce the severity of this problem in the coming years, but not solve it completely, is to weaken barriers to international labor migration. But the migration policy of the government is increasingly restrictive, because labor migration is often seen as a security threat." What Happens Next Russia's worker shortage and declining birthrate are long-term problems for the Kremlin. Kotyakov has called for education reform, career guidance, internships, training and increasing the attractiveness of blue-collar professions through salaries, working conditions and career prospects. At the same cabinet meeting, Russia's deputy prime minister Tatyana Golikova reported on the Kremlin's national family project over the next six years, which includes financial support for those with large families as well as first-time parents.
