International

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…

In Russia's Kursk region, Ukrainian forces have targeted and demolished another critical bridge, the Ukrainian Air Force said recently. This marks a continuation of Ukraine's aggressive strategy, disrupting Russian logistics networks amid an ongoing incursion. A Ukrainian military unit stationed at a former Russian-controlled facility in Kursk successfully carried out the operation on August 18, 2024, The Washington Post reported. The move underscores Ukraine’s deep push into Russian territory, which began nearly two weeks earlier and involves about 5,000 troops. Since the incursion, Ukrainian forces say they have taken control of 82 settlements in an area of ​​1,150 square kilometers.…

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…

Recent inflation trends suggest that the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates as early as next month. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hinted at this potential development in his latest press conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting in July. This anticipated change comes as a ray of hope for many Americans who have been battling the challenges of soaring interest rates. A potential rate cut in September could provide much-needed financial respite, especially with strategic financial planning. Financial experts, including Leslie Tayne, a debt relief attorney at Tayne Law in New York and author of "Life &…

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to unveil a comprehensive economic framework this Friday, which she will champion for her first 100 days if elected. Her proposed policies are strategically designed to ease the financial burden on American families by making essentials like groceries and medicine more affordable, improving access to affordable housing, and reducing tax burdens on middle-class families. In a landmark move that reflects her commitment to economic reform, Harris will unveil these initiatives in North Carolina, a critical swing state. This marks her first policy speech since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, an event…

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…

Investors and financial analysts are eagerly awaiting the next meeting in Jackson Hole, scheduled for next week, which is expected to provide critical insights into the path of interest rates. This annual meeting, eagerly anticipated by the financial community, serves as a platform for central bankers, economists and financial market experts to discuss economic issues and policy directions. The Jackson Hole Symposium has historically been a venue for important policy shifts and signals, making it a focal point for those seeking to understand future monetary policy moves. With the current economic landscape marked by concerns about inflation and global financial…

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…