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We are about to kick off day two of CONVERGE LIVE, an unparalleled experience where the brightest minds and boldest ideas converge to shape the future of business, sports, and entertainment. Catch up on day one's highlights by watching this video, and you can follow today's event live here: https://lnkd.in/eDU2VbCD #CNBCCONVERGELIVE

U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 200% tariffs on alcohol from Europe would serve a major blow to drinks makers on the continent. ➡️ Such a levy, if enacted, could “literally wipe out” all global profits for some European drinks producers, Bernstein analyst Trevor Stirling told CNBC. ➡️ However, the plans could have one unlikely beneficiary, analysts have suggested — the struggling beer industry. Read more: https://cnb.cx/4iw4pXk

For the Middle East, which has been spared of tariffs (so far), there are still reasons to worry – as well as potential opportunities. The blow to growth from a trade war is likely to hurt the price of oil – the mainstay of the region’s economy. There are also immediate costs to countries whose currencies are pegged to the dollar – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. Read more: https://cnb.cx/41ORV67

BMW’s net profits slumped by more than a third in 2024, flagging “continuing subdued demand in the Chinese market.” ➡️ Net profit for the year fell by an annual 36.9% to 7.68 billion euros ($8.32 billion). The print was in line with an LSEG forecast, according to Reuters. ➡️ “A challenging competitive environment and macroeconomic, trade and geopolitical developments could all have a significant impact on business performance,” the company said in a statement. Read more here: cnb.cx/4268UlN

" Today, gaming is bigger than movies,  it's bigger than music and, as I've mentioned, there are now more gamers today than there were yesterday," Razer Inc. CEO Min-Liang Tan said at CONVERGE LIVE. His comment came as many leaders at the event, including Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al-Saud and Co-founder & CEO of Hero Esports Danny Tang, discussed the rise of both the gaming and esports markets.

"The lower my heart rate, the better I'm going to do." Formula 1 star Lando Norris told CNBC's Tania Bryer OBE that before a race, instead of getting pumped up by boxing or playing football like some of his competitors, you're more likely to find him doing something much more relaxed. Watch the full interview here: https://cnb.cx/4bRFPxH

In this week's edition of 'Beyond the Valley’, a CNBC newsletter: ➡️ Binance secures ‘largest investment ever’ in crypto as Abu Dhabi’s MGX pledges $2 billion ➡️ French industrial giant Schneider Electric hails the significance of China’s ‘DeepSeek moment’ ➡️ A European Starlink rival’s shares skyrocketed 390% in a week — here’s why 🎧 Listen: The future of AI chips with the CEO of Rebellions

How can technology accelerate the path to sustainability? Explore the power of AI, blockchain, and more in driving the energy transition at CNBC's 'IOT Powering the Digital Economy: Enabling Sustainability Through Technology' panel, Monday, 17th March, at 9:45-10:30 am AEDT, where experts discuss the challenges and opportunities. Featured speakers: Scott Brown, Managing Director, Pure Hydrogen Corporation Veena Sahajwalla, Professor & Founding Director, UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre Olivia West, Sustainability Manager, Americas, Asia Pacific, and Japan, HP Get notified when we go live by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/e8sDti6Y Sponsored by Schneider Electric

How can technology accelerate the path to sustainability? Explore the power of AI, blockchain, and more in driving the energy transition at CNBC's 'IOT Powering the Digital Economy: Enabling Sustainability Through Technology' panel, Monday, 17th March, at 9:45-10:30 am, where experts discuss the challenges and opportunities. Featured speakers: Scott Brown, Managing Director, Pure Hydrogen Veena Sahajwalla, Professor & Founding Director, UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre Olivia West, Sustainability Manager, Americas, Asia Pacific, and Japan, HP Sponsored by Schneider Electric

Tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump could push allies to forge closer relationships with other countries like China and India, according to former U.S. diplomat Wendy Cutler. ➡️ It comes amid the U.S. president’s threat to levy steep tariffs on European alcohol products, after the European Union said it would impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28.33 billion) worth of U.S. goods starting in April. ➡️ “I don’t think it’s out of the question that perhaps the EU even thinks about joining CPTPP,” Cutler said, referring to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Read the full report here: https://cnb.cx/43Jzrqk