President Joe Biden is right that American democracy is under threat. Unfortunately, he seems not to know why, or what to do about it. The president’s prime-time speech was a typical Biden performance — rambling repetition, theatrical intensity, all soul-baring emphasis and next to no content. At least it was brief. And, to be fair, Biden did modify his recent ...
Read More »Yuan’s slide is too big for China to stop
China’s economy is faltering and so is its currency. The yuan’s drop to a two-year low has led to hand-wringing that emerging markets have lost an anchor. The slide is regarded with foreboding in Asia and trepidation as far away as Africa and Latin America, where China has sought to extend its commercial footprint. Bears are everywhere. That it has ...
Read More »Pensions not a remedy to retirement anxiety
The market is down, inflation is up and your retirement prospects aren’t looking so good. It’s tempting to pine for the old days, when employers provided defined pensions to workers, giving them more certainty in their golden years. Except…. it wasn’t quite like that, actually. Defined benefit pensions are overrated. Even in this scary market, you should be grateful ...
Read More »Nasa’s Artemis rocket a biggest waste of money
For the second time in a week, Nasa scrubbed the launch of the Space Launch System designed to return Americans to the moon. First conceived in 2010, and initially scheduled to have its first test flight in 2017, the rocket is now scheduled to take off no earlier than late September, and possibly much later. Nasa, for its part, ...
Read More »Lufthansa averts pilots’ strike after last-minute pay raise offer
Bloomberg Deutsche Lufthansa AG averted a disruptive pilot strike after raising its pay offer, a move that will avoid cancellations while complicating the airline’s efforts to boost profit and pay down debt. The VC pilots union spokesman said the union decided to call off a planned two-day walkout after Lufthansa improved its offer. The union didn’t immediately comment on terms ...
Read More »Taiwan to resume visa free travel for some countries
Bloomberg Taiwan will resume visa-free entry for travellers from countries it currently shares diplomatic ties with but will maintain a three-day quarantine requirement as the island takes halting steps towards easing its Covid-restrictions. Arrivals from more than 60 countries — including the US, UK and Australia — are eligible for visa-free entry starting September 12, though the duration of their ...
Read More »Iceland Foods debt rebounds over UK energy support plans
Bloomberg British budget grocery chain Iceland Foods saw its debt bounce off recent lows after UK Prime Minister Liz Truss finalised plans for a £40 billion ($46 billion) support package to lower energy bills for British businesses. Iceland’s £550 million of bonds maturing in March 2025 rose by as much as 1.8 pence on the pound to a cash price ...
Read More »Instacart acquires AI-powered pricing platform Eversight
Bloomberg Instacart Inc is acquiring Eversight Inc, a platform that helps retailers and packaged-goods brands determine pricing and set promotions, as it seeks to expand its technology offerings to grocers. “When it comes to grocery shopping, we know that every dollar matters. With higher inflation and the average cost of groceries up, we’re taking even more steps to make ...
Read More »Lululemon Athletica raises full-year earnings forecast
Bloomberg Lululemon Athletica Inc raised its full-year outlook, the latest sign that consumer demand among high-income shoppers remains strong even as inflation hurts purchasing power in other demographics. The maker of yoga pants and high-priced exercise attire now sees its full-year sales in a range of $7.87 billion to $7.94 billion, up from the previous range that had $7.71 ...
Read More »Bed Bath & Beyond names interim CFO
Bloomberg Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. promoted its chief accounting officer to interim chief financial officer after the death of former finance chief Gustavo Arnal. Laura Crossen, the company’s senior vice president of finance and chief accounting officer, has taken over the position, Bed Bath & Beyond said in a statement. She will continue as principal accounting officer. Arnal, ...
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