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☆ Switzerland says UBS may need more cash. The bank is fuming
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Now, the giant Swiss lender is hitting back, saying its finances are robust and warning that the proposal could harm Switzerland’s standing as a global financial center. “There can be no regulatory solution for a broken business model,” he continued, referring to Credit Suisse. UBS bought its stricken rival last March in a government-orchestrated rescue aimed at preventing a global financial crisis. It was not too-low capital requirements that forced Credit Suisse into the historic weekend rescue,” he added. But that leaves the stock more vulnerable to declines as a result of “execution risk in the Credit Suisse integration,” suggested Citi analyst Andrew Coombs.

Persons: London CNN —, Colm Kelleher, “, ”, Kelleher, Pascal Mora, Karin Keller, Keller Sutter, Anke, Andrew Coombs, ” Kelleher, Sergio Ermotti’s, Ermotti Organizations: London CNN, Credit Suisse, UBS, Bloomberg, Getty, RBC Capital Markets, Citi, Reuters Locations: Swiss, Switzerland, Europe

☆ Can a Brewery Make Good Wine? These Beer Makers Say Yes.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Joshua M. Bernstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

One could easily mistake Alesong Brewing & Blending for a winery. The brewery, which opened in 2016 in Eugene, Ore., makes beer-wine hybrids with local grapes and sells barrel-aged beer through a membership club. “If you take the word beer out of our business model, we look a lot more like a winery,” said Brian Coombs, a founder and production manager at Alesong, who previously worked at the nearby King Estate Winery, in the Willamette Valley wine region. Last September, Alesong introduced its first wine, a pinot gris, in an effort to broaden the brewery’s creative ambitions and customer base. “I want to look at wine from a brewer’s perspective.”

Persons: ”, Brian Coombs, Alesong, “, Coombs Locations: Eugene ,, King, Willamette

☆ UnitedHealth's first-quarter report will offer a window into Change cyberattack costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Bertha Coombs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"Everybody looks to United as the bellwether of all of health-care services. This will be different," said Lisa Gill, managing director and health care analyst at JPMorgan. The data breach at the Change Healthcare unit forced the firm to take down its massive billing and payment processing service. While the company has restored services for pharmacies, the outage has continued to disrupt operations for health-care providers across the country. Larger providers, such as home infusion services firm Option Care Health , have also warned that the outage could impact their quarterly results.

Persons: UnitedHealth Group's, Lisa Gill, Scott Fidel, UnitedHealth, they'd, James Allred, he's, Allred Organizations: JPMorgan, Healthcare, Optum, OptumRx, Stephens, American Medical Association, Aesthetics, Care Locations: Nashville

☆ UnitedHealth Q1 earnings: Change cyber-attack in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Bertha Coombs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailUnitedHealth Q1 earnings: Change cyber-attack in focusUnitedHealth Group's first quarter earnings will provide the first window in the financial impact of the cyber-attack on its Change Healthcare subsidiary. Bertha Coombs reports the data breach has created disruption across the U.S. health care system.

Persons: Bertha Coombs Organizations: Healthcare

☆ Health and Human Services Department opens probe into hack at UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHealth and Human Services Department opens probe into hack at UnitedHealth’s Change HealthcareCNBC's Bertha Coombs joins 'The Exchange' to report the latest on United Health Group's cybersecurity hack.

Persons: Bertha Coombs, United Health Group's Organizations: Health, Human Services Department, United Health

☆ Investing in Women: The Future of Femtech
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Bertha Coombs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailInvesting in Women: The Future of FemtechThere is growing interest and investment in the women's healthcare sector, which has traditionally been overlooked, underfunded, and highly stigmatized, despite women making up 50% of the population and 80% of consumer healthcare decisions. We'll discuss key areas of growth and innovation, and the biggest opportunities for investment.

Persons: We'll

☆ Putin official compared Zelenskyy to Brad Pitt, said his image couldn't be trashed, says report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementA Moscow official complained that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was like Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, a global star with an image that couldn't be sullied, the Washington Post reports. AdvertisementThe documents reveal the Kremlin's elaborate and persistent efforts to undermine Zelenskyy, per the Post's analysis. Internal Kremlin documents reveal a planned disinformation campaign to tarnish Zelenskyy's image and destabilize his leadership. Thousands of social media posts and fabricated articles flooded the online spaceThrough social media platforms and fake news articles, the Kremlin orchestrated a barrage of anti- Zelenskyy content. AdvertisementThe focus shifted to infiltrating Ukrainian social media landscapes, emphasizing platforms like Telegram, which had emerged as a critical news source.

Persons: Brad Pitt, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kevin Coombs, Zelenskyy, Valery Zaluzhny, Zaluzhny, Gen, Oleksandr Syrsky, Ursula von der Leyen, Viktor Kovalchuk, splintering, Zelensky Organizations: Putin, Washington, Service, Washington Post, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Zelenskyy, Kremlin, Reuters, Getty Locations: Kyiv, Ukrainian, Ukraine

☆ New sickle cell gene therapies are a breakthrough, but prices are still too high
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailNew sickle cell gene therapies are a breakthrough, but prices are still too highCNBC's Bertha Coombs joins 'Power Lunch' to report on the expensive cost of gene therapy.

Persons: Bertha Coombs

☆ New sickle cell gene therapies are a breakthrough, but solving how to pay their high prices is a struggle
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Bertha Coombs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The approval of two gene therapies to treat sickle cell disease has given hope to patients who suffer from the debilitating disease, which overwhelmingly affects Black people and people of color. Sickle cell has forced him to leave his job and at times taken him away from his family. Still, he's hesitant to try the new one-time gene therapies because they require months of intensive medical preparation, including chemotherapy, to prepare patients' bone marrow stem cells for extraction and gene editing. Vertex Pharmaceuticals ' gene therapy Casgevy lists for $2.2 million, while Bluebird Bio 's treatment Lyfgenia lists for $3.1 million. Kanter said it will take time to ramp up capacity and to set up facilities across the country to treat patients at scale.

Persons: Michael Goodwin, Goodwin, I've, I'm, he's, …, Goodwin's hesitancy, Julie Kanter, Kanter Organizations: Health, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, University of Alabama, National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers, for Disease Control, National Alliance of Sickle Cell Locations: Birmingham

☆ Mystery of whale song unraveled by scientists, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

How baleen whales, which include humpback whales, are able to sing underwater has eluded scientists since whale songs were first discovered more than 50 years ago. A baleen whale’s larynx is shaped differently from other mammals. This structural adaptation allows the leviathan to breathe massive amounts of air in and out when they go to the surface, according to the study. Air sacs also evolved in a way that may allow a baleen whale to recycle air while creating vocal sounds, according to researchers. This means that most boating noises mask calls between baleen whales, reducing the distance over which they can communicate.

Persons: Olga Filatova, “, ”, Coen Elemans, ” Elemans, Elemans, they’ve, Patricia Jaqueline, Karim Iliya, James Rule, Ellen Coombs, Peter Buck Organizations: CNN, University of Southern, London’s, Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of Locations: Bering, University of Southern Denmark

☆ Tyson Foods drops CVS for upstart pharmacy benefit manager, as industry upheaval over cost concerns spreads
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Bertha Coombs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Tyson Foods will become one of the first Fortune 100 companies to stop using the nation's traditional large pharmacy benefits managers, as it looks to cut spending on high-cost drugs. After putting its benefits contract up for bid, Tyson dropped CVS Health 's Caremark and chose PBM startup Rightway to manage drug benefits for its 140,000 employees starting this year, the companies said Wednesday. Tyson made the decision as it saw pharmacy costs soar. "We were going anywhere between 12% to 14% increases for pharmacy — and on a $200 million spend that's quite a bit. And then I wanted to understand what Tyson was paying for that; it was very difficult to get to those numbers," she said.

Persons: Tyson, Renu Chhabra, Chhabra, couldn't Organizations: Fortune, CVS

☆ CVS Health CEO Karen Lynch: We're committed to lowering the total cost of health care
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailCVS Health CEO Karen Lynch: We're committed to lowering the total cost of health careKaren Lynch, CVS Health CEO, and CNBC’s Bertha Coombs join 'The Exchange' to discuss the company's investor day, prescription drug pricing, and more.

Persons: Karen Lynch, We're, Bertha Coombs Organizations: CVS

☆ Watch CNBC's full interview with CVS Health CEO Karen Lynch on drug prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWatch CNBC's full interview with CVS Health CEO Karen Lynch on drug pricesKaren Lynch, CVS Health CEO, and CNBC’s Bertha Coombs join 'The Exchange' to discuss the company's investor day, prescription drug pricing, and more.

Persons: Karen Lynch, Bertha Coombs Organizations: CVS

☆ UK housing market shows new signs of strength - Nationwide
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A rainbow is seen over apartments in Wandsworth on the River Thames as UK house prices continue to fall, in London, Britain, August 26, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - British house prices rose unexpectedly in monthly terms for the third time running in November, adding to signs that the housing market downturn has abated, mortgage lender Nationwide said on Friday. House prices rose by 0.2% on the month in November, after a 0.9% increase in October. Compared with a year ago, house prices were 2% lower - the smallest such drop in nine months. "There has been a significant change in market expectations for the future path of Bank Rate in recent months which, if sustained, could provide much needed support for housing market activity," said Robert Gardner, chief economist at Nationwide.

Persons: Kevin Coombs, Robert Gardner, Andy Bruce, Sarah Young Organizations: REUTERS, Nationwide, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: Wandsworth, London, Britain

☆ UK’s Metro Bank and Lloyds join Barclays in announcing job cuts weeks before Christmas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —Staff at UK banks face layoffs in the lead-up to Christmas in what one labor union called “disgraceful” timing. Struggling Metro Bank said Thursday that it expected to slash headcount by 20% as part of efforts to save £50 million ($63 million) a year. But Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at stockbroker IG, said becoming more like the big banks Metro Bank sought to displace would “sorely diminish” the lender’s appeal. “Far from being a serious challenger to the UK’s established banks, Metro continues to flounder,” he wrote in a note. Metro Bank also said new stock issued as part of an emergency equity raise last month to shore up its finances would begin trading Thursday.

Persons: “, Daniel Frumkin, Chris Beauchamp, ”, Charles Schwab, Dominic Hook, upskilling, Andrew Coombs, Jaime Gilinski Bacal Organizations: London CNN — Staff, Metro Bank, Lloyds, Barclays, Metro, Citigroup, Vice Media, Continental, Unite, ” Citi, Bank of England Locations: United Kingdom

☆ Thousands expected to take part in pro-Palestinian rally in London
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

People protest on Vauxhall Bridge during a march in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in London, Britain, November 11, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters were expected to join a pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday, with city police warning demonstrators that anyone deemed to be racist would be arrested at the rally. Hamas was expected to release 14 more hostages on Saturday, Egyptian security sources said, and Israel prepared to free 42 Palestinian prisoners on the second day of the truce. Police said on Friday more than 1,500 officers would be on duty this weekend to handle the protest. "This sets out that anyone who is racist or incites hatred against any group should expect to be arrested.

Persons: Kevin Coombs, Israel, Lindsey German, Ade Adelekan, Muvija, Helen Popper Our Organizations: Vauxhall, Hamas, REUTERS, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, PSC, Sky News . Police, Metropolitan, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, London, Britain, Palestine

☆ British investment managers get green light for tokenised funds
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kevin Coombs/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - British investment managers have got the go-ahead to develop tokenised funds, in which assets are split into smaller tokens backed by blockchain technology, the industry's trade body said on Friday. Tokenisation, or fractionalisation, of funds will enable a fund's assets to trade more cheaply and transparently and investors to buy into a wider range of assets, industry proponents say. Funds authorised by Britain's Financial Conduct Authority can take the first steps towards offering tokenised funds, provided the investments are in mainstream assets and valuation and settlement arrangements don't change, the Investment Association said in a statement. Scrimgeour is chair of a working group which is working with the FCA and Britain's finance ministry to open up opportunities for tokenised funds. Investment managers and exchanges in the United States, Europe and Asia have already taken tentative steps in offering tokenised funds.

Persons: Kevin Coombs, tokenisation, Michelle Scrimgeour, Scrimgeour, Carolyn Cohn, Elizabeth Howcroft, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Britain's Financial, Investment Association, Legal, General Investment Management, FCA, BlackRock, Investment, Thomson Locations: Canary Wharf, London, Britain, United States, Europe, Asia

☆ Morning Bid: UK inflation to test market's upbeat mood
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ten-year and two-year Treasury yields dropped 20 basis points and the dollar marked its steepest selloff in a year, highlighting how much markets' expectations - and cash - were riding on the data. A pivot from hikes to cuts is now priced for May in the interest rate futures markets, with a 30% chance it happens as soon as March. Expectations are for a big shift down for October, mainly due to falling energy prices, with annual headline inflation seen slipping below 5% for the first time since 2021. Chipmaker Infineon (IFXGn.DE) and troubled energy company Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) post earnings on Wednesday, although the latter's numbers are likely to be overshadowed by Tuesday's promise of an $8 billion government backstop from Germany. A drop is forecast, while a strong reading could dampen the exuberance over rate cut expectations.

Persons: Kevin Coombs, Tom Westbrook, Sterling, Al, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Tuesday's, Biden, Tom Wesbtrook, Edmund Klamann Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, CPI, Infineon, Siemens Energy, Alstom, Target, San Francisco Bay Area, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, East, Israel, Gaza, Al Jazeera, United States, China, Singapore, Germany, San Francisco Bay

☆ UK tells Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat to tighten rider account controls
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A man pushes a trolly of Coke cans as an Uber Eats rider passes by in Brick Lane in London, Britain, April 1, 2023. Food delivery companies make initial checks on those who want to work for them, ensuring their age and their legal right to work in Britain. Riders work for the meal delivery companies on a self employed basis that gives them a legal right to subcontract deliveries to a substitute. "This includes ensuring couriers are over the age of 18, carrying out basic criminal checks (DBS), and making sure they have the right to work in the UK." Deliveroo said it had "a zero tolerance approach" towards any rider who failed to meet their legal obligations.

Persons: Uber, Kevin Coombs, Robert Jenrick, Deliveroo, Sarah Young, Paul Sandle, William James, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: REUTERS, Office, Thomson Locations: Brick Lane, London, Britain

☆ Bobby Charlton: English soccer in mourning as tributes paid to country’s ‘greatest’ player
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Emotions ran high in England over the weekend after it was announced that Bobby Charlton, widely regarded as the country’s greatest soccer player, had died on Saturday at the age of 86. “A little bit of England has died,” said The Sunday Times of the man who played a starring role in England’s 1966 World Cup win. Flowers are placed in memory of Bobby Charlton beside the "United Trinity" statue at Old Trafford. On X, formerly known as Twitter, Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, said: “Sir Bobby Charlton. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesEngland won the 1966 World Cup final with a 4-2 win against West Germany at Wembley Stadium, where Geoff Hurst scored a hat trick.

Persons: Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, Prince William, ”, Sir Bobby, George Best, Denis Law, Beckham, Charlton, United, ” Beckham, Robert, Beckham’s, Ted, Barrington Coombs, Pelé, Bobby Moore, Garrincha, Franz Beckenbauer, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby, Jon Super, Gianni Infantino, Gary Lineker, Geoff Hurst, Hurst, ” Hurst, “, Jack Organizations: CNN, Manchester United, Sunday Times, Charlton, English Football Association, United Trinity, England, Trinity, Ballon, United, FA, European, Champions League, Football Association, First, Getty, FIFA, Benfica, Keystone, Hulton, West Germany, Wembley, Premier League, Observer, West Locations: England, Manchester, United Kingdom, Old Trafford, United, AFP, Barcelona, West Germany

☆ UK regular pay growth slows for first time since January
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( David Milliken | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Private-sector regular pay - the component looked at most closely by the BoE - saw annual growth slow to 8.0% in the three months to August, from 8.1%. Regular pay, adjusted for CPI inflation, grew by an annual 0.7% in the three months to August. Reuters GraphicsSLUGGISH ECONOMYBank of England Chief Economist Huw Pill said on Monday that fast rates of nominal pay growth stood at odds with most other labour market measures, which have pointed to a slowing economy. The number of job vacancies in the three months to September fell to a two-year low of 988,000, Tuesday's data showed. Unemployment figures and other related labour market data will not be published until Oct. 24, after the ONS said on Friday it needed more time to take account of low response rates.

Persons: Kevin Coombs, BoE, James Smith, Jeremy Hunt, Rishi Sunak, Huw Pill, payrolls, Ashley Webb, Webb, Sachin Ravikumar, William Schomberg, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, LONDON, Bank of England, Britain's, National Statistics, Reuters, U.S, Bank, England's, ING, Private, of England, International Monetary, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: Canary Wharf, London, Britain

☆ The U.S. has high maternal mortality rates — and it has gotten worse for Latinas
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Bertha Coombs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The program helped Robles gain health-care coverage as she and her husband seek asylum in the United States. Her comadrona helped her find a doctor who treats low-income patients and connected her with other services. "One of the things that we do here at Hispanic Council is provide birthing classes, in their own language," said Bianca Noroñas, the Comadrona program manager. Noroñas said coaching and social services have helped the mothers in the nonprofit's program avoid medical complications during childbirth. In the U.S., the rate of maternal morbidity — medical complications in childbirth — and maternal mortality is nearly twice as high as in other developed nations.

Persons: Zaza Cristina Robles, —, Robles, comadrona, Bianca Noroñas, Noroñas, We've, Marie Thoma Organizations: Hispanic Health Council, Latina, Hispanic, University of Maryland School of Public Health Locations: Peru, U.S, Hartford , Connecticut, United States

☆ Walgreens names veteran health-care executive Tim Wentworth as next CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Bertha Coombs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Walgreens Boots Alliance has chosen veteran health care executive Tim Wentworth as the company's new chief executive. Wentworth is the former CEO of the nation's largest pharmacy benefits management company, Express Scripts, which was acquired by Cigna in 2018. He stayed on and served as chief of Cigna's health services, before retiring at the of 2021. Under Brewer's tenure, Walgreens took a major stake in primary care provider VillageMD, acquired specialty pharmacy provider Shields Health, as well as homecare provider CareCentrix. Trying to integrate and scale the businesses has pressured Walgreens' earnings.

Persons: Tim Wentworth, Wentworth, it's, Roz Brewer Organizations: Walgreens, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Express, Cigna, CNBC, Shields Health Locations: Hollywood , California, CareCentrix

☆ Fannie Mae CEO Priscilla Almodovar on Breaking Barriers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Bertha Coombs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailFannie Mae CEO Priscilla Almodovar on Breaking BarriersFannie Mae is a critical part of the housing market—owning nearly 1 in 4 mortgages in the U.S. today. When Pricilla Almodovar became the company CEO less than a year ago, she also became the only current Latina CEO of a Fortune 500 company. She shares her journey, experiences and the challenges she faced on her climb to the top job with CNBC's Bertha Coombs. 15:56 2 hours ago

Persons: Fannie Mae, Priscilla Almodovar, Pricilla Almodovar, Bertha Coombs Organizations: Fortune Locations: U.S

☆ Kaiser Permanente strike begins: Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailKaiser Permanente strike begins: Here's what you need to knowCNBC's Bertha Coombs reports on the multi-state healthcare strike against Kaiser Permanente.

Persons: Bertha Coombs Organizations: Permanente, Kaiser Permanente

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