Shoppers spent less in stores, at auto dealers and online in July, with data showing that consumer confidence may be waning amid a broader economic recovery. Retail sales fell 1.1 percent overall in July, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Tuesday. It was a steeper drop than some economists anticipated, and the data was another sign that the economy may be cooling-off following a post-pandemic recovery. “Higher prices, the waning of fiscal stimulus — most of the boost from stimulus checks has been spent — and acute shortages, notably in the vehicle sector, all contributed to the abrupt halt…
Author: zenger.news
Gas prices in the U.S. remain stubbornly high even as demand starts to drop off — but analysts told Zenger it’s only a matter of time before pain at the pump subsides. The rapid spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has throttled economic momentum somewhat, even if things are looking better than at this time last year. Some state and local authorities have also reintroduced the social restrictions that were in place during the height of the pandemic last year, casting a shadow over further growth prospects. The subsequent slump in demand, particularly in China, the second-largest economy after…
A man is drenched by a firefighting helicopter as it tries to extinguish a forest fire in Turkey, which as been ravaged by hundreds of wildfires since late July. Mehmet Guzel, a Pamukkale University staff member, went to the fire in the Kurtluca neighborhood of Denizli on Aug. 14, along with other villagers. While waiting for the authorities, they filled their tractor-trailers with water and rushed to the forest to try to put out the flames. Guzel was broadcasting live on Facebook when he heard the incoming chopper. He turned his camera skyward, where he saw the fire-extinguishing helicopter directly…
Judy, the oldest chimpanzee in Europe, has died, surrounded by her chimp troop in a nature park in Italy. Judy died at age of 49 in the Parco Natura Viva in Bussolengo on Aug. 11. Her genetic line continues through her daughter, Valentina, and her niece, Judith. Park members described her as a member of the troop that always gave support to other female members and was socially aware, often keeping her distance when dangerous situations arose. The park staff shared the story of Judy’s final morning at the park. They said she woke up and had breakfast before taking…
NEW DELHI — India’s new vehicle scrappage policy is set to give the country a new identity as it heads in the direction of clean and convenient mobility and promote self-reliance on the “Reuse, Recycle, and Recovery” principles that will bring an investment of over $1.3 billion into the sector. “Vehicle Scrappage Policy will play a big role in the modernization of the vehicular population in the country, removing unfit vehicles from the roads in a scientific manner,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Aug. 13, addressing via video conference the Investor Summit in Gujarat. The summit was organized to invite…
MUMBAI, India — India’s multinational conglomerate Godrej Industries’ Chairman Adi Godrej has announced his retirement as chairman of the board of directors of the holding company that holds stock in the 124-year-old Godrej Group legacy business. Godrej Industries is one of the Godrej Group‘s holding companies with interests in consumer goods, real estate, agriculture, and gourmet retail through subsidiary and associate companies across 18 countries. The retirement makes Godrej Industries the last listed firm of the INR 32,000-crore ($4.3-billion) group from which Adi Godrej has passed on his leadership position. The veteran industrialist will continue to serve as chairman of…
HYDERABAD, India — India’s star shuttler Pusarla Venkata (P.V.) Sindhu is going to start a coaching academy in Visakhapatnam, a coastal city in India’s southeast. The 26-year-old badminton player feels the younger generation of the country is lagging when it comes to participation in sports. “I’ll start a training academy at Visakhapatnam very soon for youth, with state government’s support,” Sindhu said after offering customary prayers at the famous Tirumala temple in her home state on Aug. 13. “Many youths [are] lagging in sports as they don’t have proper encouragement.” “Enjoyed the darshan [visit] of lord Venkateshwara at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. The…
TOKYO — Ishigaki island, off the coast of mainland Japan, is a popular destination among tourists visiting that part of the Pacific Ocean. One of the highlights of the Iriomote-Ishigaki islands is the water buffalo-drawn carts, the primary method of transportation across shallow straits. All thanks to the preservation of this traditional transportation practice, the island has become a famous destination for many foreign tourists who want to ride the last historical carriages used daily in Japan. There are some 20 rickshaw drivers working on this route that has been operational for over 70 years. Carts take visitors across the strait…
WASHINGTON — American comedian and actor Larry David recently said that he was nothing short of relieved to be uninvited to Barack Obama’s lavish 60th birthday party last weekend. The former United States president held a bash on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts to celebrate his birthday. Although celebrities such as Don Cheadle, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Beyoncé, and more were in attendance, the large and highly criticized bash was actually scaled back significantly due to concerns over large gatherings posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The party’s original guest list of nearly 500 people, in addition to 200 staff members, had been reduced to only “friends…
WASHINGTON — Shia LaBeouf recently signed on for his next acting role amid allegations of abuse by his ex. This is the first role LaBeouf has landed since his ex-girlfriend and singer FKA twigs sued him for sexual battery, assault, and the infliction of emotional distress. The actor has been cast in a new movie by director Abel Ferrara about an Italian saint, as per reports. Ferrara, who has helmed “King of New York” and “The Funeral,” revealed the casting news in an interview with a media outlet saying LaBeouf had signed on to play Saint Padre Pio. “We’re doing a film about Padre Pio; he’s a…