Social Responsibility

CHICAGO — In a series of private engagements during the Democratic National Convention, close aides to Vice President Kamala Harris actively engaged the chief executives, advocating for Harris’ candidacy over Donald Trump, people familiar with the discussions said. At events, including exclusive gatherings for leaders in finance, technology and law, these associates emphasized the economic stability and growth a Harris administration could bring. They highlighted her focus on strengthening the middle class and providing a predictable environment for businesses, contrasting that with the uncertainty they associate with a Trump administration. These discussions were held under conditions of anonymity to freely…

Streaming Notice: Tune in tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET for live coverage of the pivotal night of the Democratic National Convention. If the video player is not visible, please refresh your browser closer to the time of the event. Tonight marks a critical chapter for the Democratic Party as it looks to leadership and future strategies. This shift comes after a tumultuous period that saw President Joe Biden endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Evening program 6:30 PM ET: Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter. Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy. 7:00 PM…

LONDON — In response to the Bank of England’s recent decision to lower interest rates for the first time in four years, the UK’s major banks have cut mortgage rates, significantly reviving the housing market. Lenders such as Barclays, Halifax, HSBC and NatWest are now offering five-year fixed-rate mortgages at rates below 4%, which is below the BOE’s 5% prime rate. The most competitive of these offers is a five-year fixed rate of 3.83% for homebuyers who can put down a 40% deposit, the latest Rightmove report revealed. This rate is the lowest since the economic fallout from the UK’s…

In the tangled corridors of government oversight, Dr. Jeffrey E. Shuren was a prominent figure, heading the Food and Drug Administration’s medical device branch for more than a decade. Leading a team of about 2,500 people, Dr. Shuren oversaw an expansive budget of about $790 million, according to U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee documents. Dr. Shuren’s tenure has been marked by significant accomplishments, including record approvals of innovative medical devices ranging from joint replacements to infectious disease diagnostics. His leadership was recently praised by FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf, who highlighted the historic number of new device…

In a recent long-term research study published Tuesday, Eli Lilly reported that its popular weight-management drug significantly reduced the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 94 percent among overweight or obese adults who had prediabetic symptoms, compared to a control group that received a placebo. The late-stage study explored the effects of tirzepatide, the active compound in both Eli Lilly’s Zepbound weight-loss shot and the diabetes treatment Mounjaro. Over about three years, participants who received the highest weekly dose of tirzepatide experienced an average reduction in body weight of 22.9 percent, while those who took a placebo saw only a…

Estee Lauder Chairman and CEO Fabrizio Freda will retire, marking the end of an impactful era for the cosmetics giant. Estee Lauder forecast its annual sales and profits will fall short of expectations as the global beauty industry faces declining demand, particularly in China. The announcement comes amid news that CEO Fabrizio Freda, who has led the company since 2009, will step down on June 30, 2025, ending nearly 16 years of leadership. During her tenure, Freda, 66, has significantly expanded Estee Lauder’s skin care line, incorporating popular brands like Dr. Jart and Deciem, which owns The Ordinary. She has…

In a significant advance for unmanned aerial delivery systems, Amazon, along with six other entities, has been chosen to participate in a pioneering drone trial in the United Kingdom, the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced Thursday. Objectives and technologies of the experimentation The initiative will focus on integrating drones capable of flying beyond the operator's visual line of sight (BVLOS) into UK airspace. This advance will rely on sophisticated technologies for navigation, collision avoidance and communication with other aircraft, as outlined by the CAA. Various applications and projects The trial is not just about Amazon’s delivery ambitions; it spans…

Vladislav Klyushin amassed a fortune using illicitly obtained financial data, with earnings at one point exceeding $3 million in cash, neatly stacked in a high-security safe. In just under three years, Klyushin and his operation successfully stole more than $93 million. Operating through M-13, a company ostensibly focused on cybersecurity, Klyushin and his team of Russian hackers used their position to steal confidential corporate reports from U.S. companies before they were made public. Using this stolen information, they executed timely trades in stocks of major companies like Skechers, Snapchat, and Roku, reaping huge profits. Vladislav Klyushin now faces a nine-year…

In an ambitious move that could redefine Starbucks’ market position in China, Brian Niccol, renowned for his transformative leadership in the food industry, has unveiled a new strategy aimed at revitalizing the coffee giant’s operations across the region. This strategic shift is not only critical to Starbucks’ growth in the highly competitive Chinese market, but also has significant implications for the company’s stock performance in the coming years. Since entering the Chinese market, Starbucks has faced stiff competition from local coffee chains and changing consumer preferences. The American coffee chain has struggled to maintain its growth momentum in a landscape…

A lawyer representing the plaintiffs in a long-running dispute criticized Deutsche Bank on Friday for what he described as a “late and insufficient” deal proposal regarding its acquisition of Postbank, one of Germany’s leading retail banks, in the late 2000s. The controversy revolves around allegations that Deutsche Bank significantly undervalued Postbank during its acquisition, which has been under legal scrutiny since 2010. The case involves several hundred plaintiffs, including institutional and individual investors, with multiple lawsuits still pending. Jan Bayer, senior partner at law firm Bayer Krauss Hueber, told CNBC that Deutsche Bank proposed a settlement of 36.50 euros per…