International trade routes are increasingly reliant on a small number of key ports, straits and roads that if disrupted will threaten global food supply, according to a report.

Artificial intelligence might not be so threatening after all.

As part of its operating philosophy, Siemens, the German conglomerate operating in more than 200 countries and regions, applies a yearly target range of 3 to 5 percent of productivity growth to each of its subsidiaries, to go along with certain cost objectives. Not unexpectedly, Siemens Brazil has had a tough time hitting those targets over the last three years or so.