Borne is seen as an able technocrat who is also able to negotiate prudently with unions. PARIS - President Emmanuel Macron on Monday named Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne as prime minister to lead his ambitious reform plans, the first woman to head the French government in over 30 years. Outgoing French Prime Minister Jean Castex earlier handed his resignation to the president, part of a widely expected reshuffle to make way for a new government following Macron's re-election in April and ahead of legislative elections in June. The centrist Macron will need a legislative majority to push through his domestic agenda following his re-election, with a new left-wing alliance and the far-right threatening to block his programme. The last woman premier, Edith Cresson, briefly headed the cabinet from May 1991 to April 1992 under president Francois Mitterrand. Ending weeks of speculation, the Elysee confirmed Borne's nomination in a statement and she then headed to the Matignon … [Read more...] about Macron names first French female PM in three decades
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Highway 1 Road Trip: What To Do In Santa Cruz, Cambria And Avila Beach
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Highway 1 is arguably one of the best road trips travelers can take in the United States. Along the way you’ll have the blue, and sometimes roaring, Pacific Ocean on one side, and verdant valleys or rugged cliffs on the other. It’s a beautiful contrast that must be experienced at least once in your lifetime, but there’s a very good chance you’ll fall in love with it and make a return visit. For those who haven’t done the route before, Big Sur is everyone’s go-to stop, but along the coast there are several other towns worth visiting. Three of those underrated destinations are Santa Cruz, Cambria, and Avila Beach. For your next vacation, whether you’re traveling with kids or with fellow adults, this trio of beach towns should be on your list. Below, a guide on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Santa Cruz, Cambria, and Avila Beach for your next Highway 1 road trip. Santa Cruz The best way to thoroughly enjoy … [Read more...] about Highway 1 Road Trip: What To Do In Santa Cruz, Cambria And Avila Beach
Green Electricity Can Be Unstable. Big-Battery Backups Are The Solution.
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The electricity system in the U.K. was its greenest ever on Easter Monday 2021: 76%. The very next day it fell to 45%. Obviously, it varies widely with how much sun is shining and how strongly winds are blowing. The energy mix on Easter Monday was 39% wind, 21% solar, and 16% nuclear. Gas power plants provided 10% and coal plants provided zilch. Wood-burning biomass was 4%. But the race to renewables had already been won by a large state with low population in Australia. In October 2020, South Australia’s electricity was carbon-free – for one hour – powered by large-scale wind and solar but also by rooftop solar collectors (one in four houses have rooftop solar in Australia). What large daily variations in green electricity tell us is that backup supplies are needed for renewables. In the U.K., backup is mainly gas-fired power plants. In the U.S., reliability of renewables is a concern and it’s important to … [Read more...] about Green Electricity Can Be Unstable. Big-Battery Backups Are The Solution.
Stocks Fluctuate to Begin Month as Investors Digest Data, Earnings
U.S. equity markets wavered to begin the new month, reflecting investors' uncertainty over issues ranging from the impact of corporate earnings to how Fed rate hikes will shape the economy this year. UPS Inc. ( UPS ) is the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 on its earnings news. Better-than-expected earnings are also lifting shares of Exxon Mobil Corp. ( XOM ). That’s boosting shares of other energy companies as well. Shares of cruise lines, airlines, and other travel-related companies are advancing on decreasing omicron variant case numbers. Key Takeaways U.S. equity markets wavered to begin the new month, with all three major indexes fluctuating between green and red. The quit rate fell for the first time since Dec. 2020. Ups and downs reflect investors' uncertainty over issues ranging from the impact of corporate earnings, Fed rate hikes, and ongoing supply chain and pandemic concerns. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note has widened and narrowed … [Read more...] about Stocks Fluctuate to Begin Month as Investors Digest Data, Earnings
Stocks Drop as Blowout Jobs Report Increases Rate-Hike Jitters
Stocks are falling after hiring in January blew past expectations, raising concerns that the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates aggressively to prevent the economy from overheating. The U.S. added 467,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department reported today. That crushed economists' expectations for 150,000 hires, driving stocks lower despite Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) gaining after a solid earnings report . Key Takeaways Stocks are falling for a second day after January hiring crushed expectations and raised concerns that the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates aggressively. Amazon is gaining around 10% and Snap more than 40% after reporting solid earnings growth. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note jumped past 1.9%, its highest in more than a year. Crude oil soared past $90 per barrel. The Dow Jones Industrial Average , S&P 500 , and Nasdaq indexes are all lower, following big declines in each yesterday. Crude oil soared past $90 per … [Read more...] about Stocks Drop as Blowout Jobs Report Increases Rate-Hike Jitters
Stocks Rally as Amgen, Peloton, Travel Companies Push Markets Higher
Shares of Peloton Interactive Inc. ( PTON ) are skyrocketing after the connected exercise company announced a major restructuring. The stock is up nearly 30% as of Tuesday afternoon. Currently trading around $38, the company is still down more than 70% in the last year. U.S. equity markets as a whole are decisively higher after wavering this morning, led by tech and small-cap stocks, with the Nasdaq up more than 1% and the Dow Jones not far behind. Shares of Harley-Davidson ( HOG ) are up nearly 15% this morning after the company posted better-than-expected revenue and earnings. Analysts expected a loss of 38 cents per share; instead, Harley-Davidson reported a gain of 14 cents per share, thanks in part to increased demand for one of its more expensive motorcycle models. Key Takeaways The Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq are all higher after wavering earlier. Amgen and Peloton are both helping lead markets higher, as are small-cap stocks as measured by the Russell … [Read more...] about Stocks Rally as Amgen, Peloton, Travel Companies Push Markets Higher
Market Wrap: Powell Sticks to Rate Hike, Ford Announces EV Move, AutoZone Soars
Federal Reserve President Jerome Powell told Congress while the Fed still plans to hike interest rates to combat inflation, the economic impact from the invasion of Ukraine remains “highly uncertain,” and policymakers will need to be “nimble” in responding to new information. Key Takeaways Stocks are moving higher, gaining back ground lost yesterday, despite the Federal Reserve saying interest rates will move higher this month. ADP reported private-sector jobs jumped more than anticipated last month. Ford, Chevron, Hewlett-Packard Enterprises, and AutoZone are among companies gaining today. Solid economic and corporate news is edging stocks higher. All three major indices are up more than 1%, clawing back some of yesterday's losses. Almost all of the stocks in the Dow are rising. Shares of Chevron Corp. ( CVX ) and other energy companies are higher as the fighting in Ukraine increases concerns about disruptions in oil supplies. Oil futures reached the highest … [Read more...] about Market Wrap: Powell Sticks to Rate Hike, Ford Announces EV Move, AutoZone Soars
Stocks’ Rout Deepens as Oil Soars and Russian Invasion Raises Recovery Worries
U.S. equity markets are sinking as Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine, raising concerns about disruptions of oil and other commodities. The Dow at one point was down more than 600 points, while crude oil approached $107 a barrel. Key Takeaways The Dow Jones fell more than 600 points as crude oil surged past $105 a barrel and financial and travel company shares slumped. Wheat and corn futures traded limit up as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters, with wheat hitting prices not seen since 2008. Retailers including Target and Walmart are trading higher. Oil prices are soaring to more than $105 a barrel, the highest they’ve been since 2014. Wheat and corn futures traded limit up as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters. Wheat prices are at levels not seen since 2008. Investors continued to put money into haven investments. Bond prices are rising with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note falling another 11 basis points (BPS) to 1.72%. Gold and … [Read more...] about Stocks’ Rout Deepens as Oil Soars and Russian Invasion Raises Recovery Worries
Golden arches to go dark in Russia as McDonald’s exits after 30 years
- A + A BENGALURU (May 16): McDonald's Corp on Monday became one of the biggest global brands to exit Russia, laying out plans to sell all its restaurants after operating in the country for more than 30 years, following the invasion of Ukraine. The world's largest burger chain, which owns about 84% of its nearly 850 restaurants in Russia, will take a related non-cash charge of up to US$1.4 billion following its sale. McDonald's had in March decided to close its restaurants in the country, including the iconic Pushkin Square location in central Moscow — a symbol of flourishing American capitalism in the dying embers of the Soviet Union. The burger chain represented the thawing of Cold War tensions and became a way to sample Western food and spirit for millions of people, even though the cost of a burger was several times bigger than the daily budgets of many city dwellers. "Some might argue that providing access to food and continuing to employ tens of thousands … [Read more...] about Golden arches to go dark in Russia as McDonald’s exits after 30 years
Markets Mixed as Amazon, Snap Fuel Tech, Dow Drops on Rate Worries
U.S. equity markets are mixed following strong earnings from Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) that lifted the Nasdaq while a blowout jobs report pushed bond yields higher by fueling fears of bigger interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Key Takeaways Tech shares are rising, boosted by Amazon and Snap, as the Nasdaq aims for its first weekly gain this year. A blowout jobs report pushed bond yields higher by fueling fears of bigger interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Crude oil's price surge continued, with the price crossing $93 per barrel. The Nasdaq , helped by Snap Inc. ( SNAP ) and Amazon, is set for its first weekly close higher this year. The S&P 500 is also higher, while the Dow Jones is little changed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note is skyrocketing nine basis points (BPS) to 1.92% after the Labor Department reported that many more jobs were created in January than expected (more below). That's prompting speculation that … [Read more...] about Markets Mixed as Amazon, Snap Fuel Tech, Dow Drops on Rate Worries