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☆ Iraq-Iran gas-for-oil barter would likely violate US sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Arshad Mohammed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

However, three former U.S. officials said a barter would likely run afoul of U.S. sanctions. There has been speculation the waiver might be amended to allow barter, an issue the official declined to address. We have no comment at this time regarding reports of a barter arrangement between Iraq and Iran," the official said. Former U.S. officials said the Treasury Department, which oversees most U.S. sanctions against Iran, defines the term "transaction" so broadly that it would cover a barter exchange. "As far as a strictly legal question, it absolutely does violate U.S. sanctions," he added.

Persons: Mohammed Shia, Sudani, Richard Goldberg, Goldberg, Antony Blinken, that's, Arshad Mohammed, Josie Kao Organizations: Iraqi, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, Trump, State Department, Iran, U.S, Treasury Department, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Tehran, U.S, Iraq, Iran, Baghdad, Iraqi, Washington

☆ Inflation is 'history' for the U.S, says veteran economist Steve Hanke
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

watch nowThe U.S. no longer has an inflation problem, according to veteran economist Steve Hanke. "Money supply changes cause changes in the price index and inflation." The core consumer price index, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, rose 4.8% from a year ago and 0.2% month-on-month. "When inflation was going and roaring, the producer price index roared up first and then the consumer price index roared up. Steve Hanke Professor, Johns Hopkins University

Persons: Steve Hanke, CNBC's, Hanke, Leonardo Munoz Organizations: Johns Hopkins University, Corbis, Getty, Federal Reserve, Traders, Johns Hopkins Locations: U.S, United States, New York City

☆ A 'Frankenfish' that can live without water for days and officials instruct to kill on sight was spotted deep in Missouri, worrying conservationists
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Emily Swaim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"They're in the Mississippi River already, so that is a huge highway for the species," Knuth said. Dave Knuth, Duck Creek Conservation AreaWhile northern snakeheads normally avoid humans, they are very protective of their young. In 2019, researchers looked at how the Blackwater River watershed changed before and after northern snakeheads invaded. Dave Knuth, Duck Creek Conservation AreaIf you happen to spot a northern snakehead, the US government recommends killing it right away. If you find and kill a northern snakehead, you can report the capture to your local fish and game agency.

Persons: Dave Knuth, Knuth, White Organizations: Service, Conservation, Missouri Department of Conservation, DC, Washington Post, Fish Commission, Conservation Area, Conservation Center Locations: Missouri, Midwest, Wall, Silicon, Duck, Conservation Area, Asia, Africa, Crofton , Maryland, East, Maryland, Virginia, Arkansas, Northern, Mississippi, Blackwater, North America

☆ Ex-Prisoners Face Headwinds as Job Seekers, Even as Openings Abound
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Talmon Joseph Smith | More About Talmon Joseph Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Hennings served 20 years in prison for reckless homicide in a confrontation he and his uncle had with another man. Even though he mostly hires formerly incarcerated men — at least 20 so far — he candidly tells some candidates that he has limited “wiggle room to decipher whether you changed or not.” Still, Mr. Hennings, 51, is quick to add that he has been frustrated by employers that use those circumstances as a blanket excuse. “I understand that it takes a little more work to try to decipher all of that, but I know from hiring people myself that you just have to be on your judgment game,” he said. “It’s hard for them not to look at you a certain way and still hard for them to get over that stigma,” Mr. Hennings said. “And that’s part of the conditioning and culture of American society.”

Persons: Hennings, —, ”, Mr

☆ What Supreme Court ruling against Biden's student loan forgiveness plan could mean for the U.S. economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao | Moment | Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan Friday. "The Supreme Court decision to strike down loan forgiveness should have no meaningful impact on the economy," said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics. The fight against inflation gets a boostIt's challenging to judge the economic effect of a sweeping policy such as student loan forgiveness. However, the resumption of monthly student loan payments in October, after a three-year pause, will likely have a bigger effect. That said, there are student loan policies that have already been enacted by the Biden administration that will likely help borrowers affected by Friday's Supreme Court ruling, economists said.

Persons: Seksan, —, Mark Zandi, Shai Akabas, Zandi, Tim Quinlan, Quinlan, Biden Organizations: Biden, Moody's, Finance, Supreme, Reserve, Center, Wells, Wells Fargo Economics, Friday's Locations: U.S, Wells Fargo

The pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) closed 0.7% higher, tracking overnight gains in Wall Street. Shares of Sage Group Plc (SGE.L) gained 5.1% to a 23-year high after J.P. Morgan upgraded its rating on the stock to "overweight" from "neutral". Shares of chip equipment maker ASML Holding (ASML.AS) rose 2.3% while Nordic Semiconductor (NOD.OL) jumped 6.4%, making technology (.SX8P) among the top European sectoral gainers. Semiconductor shares were in focus after a report stated the U.S. was considering new restrictions on exports of artificial intelligence chips to China. Also boosting the STOXX 600, Roche Holding (ROG.S) gained 1.5% after the U.S. health regulator declined to approve Regeneron's (REGN.O) Eylea drug.

Persons: Christine Lagarde, Jerome Powell, what's, Danni Hewson, AJ Bell, Morgan, Hewson, Roche, Morgan Stanley, Christian Klein, Matteo Allievi, Subhranshu Sahu, Sherry Jacob, Phillips, Alex Richardson Organizations: Sage Group, UBS, CS, . Federal, ASML, Nordic Semiconductor, Semiconductor, Carrefour, Credit Suisse, SAP, Thomson Locations: Wall, U.S, China, Swiss, Gdansk, Amruta, Bangalore

☆ UK has little wiggle room on mortgage aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Francesco Guerrera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, June 21 (Reuters Breakingviews) - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure to provide relief for mortgage borrowers buckling under soaring interest rates. The problem is that mortgage relief dilutes the Bank of England’s fight against inflation, which remained stubbornly high at 8.7% in May. The UK government is to meet mortgage lenders to discuss helping households struggling with their home loans, finance minister Jeremy Hunt told parliament on June 20. However, Hunt ruled out introducing state-backed support to help mortgage borrowers facing higher costs due to soaring interest rates. Hunt said that offering government mortgage relief would be inflationary.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, –, Jeremy Hunt, BoE, Hunt, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, UK Finance, Conservatives, Labour Party, Bank of England’s, Conservative Party, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: Spain, Poland

☆ Mortgage points may help homebuyers lower monthly costs amid high interest rates. How to know if this strategy is right for you
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Other experts say buyers purchasing mortgage points can be a great strategy for the right situation. Being able to lower that monthly payment can really help give some more wiggle room in people's budgets and help them reach affordability. "Being able to lower that monthly payment can really help give some more wiggle room in people's budgets and help them reach affordability," Bachaud said. In addition to higher upfront costs, home buyers should also weigh other factors before buying mortgage points. But putting those sums toward a down payment likely will not make much of a difference on your monthly costs, Elliott said.

Persons: Getty, Grubbs, Nicole Bachaud, Bachaud, Kamila Elliott, Atlanta . Elliott, Elliott, Stephanie Grubbs Organizations: Fed, Zillow, Wealth Partners, CNBC, Douglas Locations: Atlanta ., Douglas Elliman

Our experts answer readers' personal loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess personal loans). Secured personal loans are backed by collateral just like other types of secured loans, but for personal loans, they're a bit different. Compare Personal Loan RatesWhen is a line of credit better than a personal loan? Interest rates for personal lines of credit and credit cards tend to run higher, on average, than those for personal loans. Interest rates for personal lines of credit and credit cards tend to run higher, on average, than those for personal loans.

Persons: —, Dani Pascarella, Pascarella, You'll, might've, caterer Organizations: Service, Chevron

☆ The future of AI in finance might be about accepting what we don't know
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Such a suggestion is blasphemy — and potentially illegal — on Wall Street. But as AI tech continues to advance, one Wall Street executive is wondering if there isn't some wiggle room on those types of policies. But what really caught my eye was Friedman's comments around having to fully understand how the AI works. That's a fascinating thought exercise, and one worth having with how quick AI tech seems to be evolving these days. Wall Street is getting fed up with Amazon.

Persons: Dan DeFrancesco, we've, Adena Friedman, shouldn't, Simon Berlyn, Robert Kindler, Morgan Stanley, Paul, Weiss, Garrison, Marc Lasry, Frank, Charlie Javice, Sam Altman, Bernstein, Rod Stewart, We've, Jeffrey Cane, Nathan Rennolds Organizations: PE, Disney, Pixar, . Finance, Nasdaq, Bloomberg Invest, Milwaukee Bucks, JPMorgan, Amazon, Communist Party, LinkedIn Locations: NYC, Point72, Rifkind, Wharton, New York, London

☆ UBS’s $10 bln state guarantee is a useful fantasy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Liam Proud | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, June 7 (Reuters Breakingviews) - UBS (UBSG.S) and the Swiss government have negotiated a state backstop that neither side wants to use. The scheme, designed to sweeten the Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) rescue, would see the government cover $10 billion of losses on former Credit Suisse assets after UBS swallows the first $6 billion. One option could be for the state to guarantee only a limited subset of former Credit Suisse assets – just the ones that UBS plans to get rid of, for example, like fixed-income derivatives. The government could also insist on dividend or buyback restrictions if the Swiss bank ever taps the scheme. The guarantee would only kick in after UBS has swallowed 5 billion Swiss francs ($6 billion) of losses.

Persons: Sergio Ermotti, Karin Keller, Sutter, Ermotti, that’s, ”, Neil Unmack, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, UBS, Swiss, bank’s, Credit Suisse, Switzerland’s Social, –, RBC, AG, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Thomson Locations: Swiss

U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes said Artikal Sound System failed to argue that the writers of "Levitating" ever had access to the group's 2017 song "Live Your Life." Sykes gave the group an opportunity to file a new complaint. Representatives for Lipa and Artikal Sound System did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Sykes on Monday agreed with Lipa that Artikal Sound System's complaint failed to show that the defendants could have encountered its song before writing "Levitating." Sykes said this was not enough to demonstrate the song was widely disseminated enough that the "Levitating" songwriters could have heard and copied it.

Persons: Florion, Lipa's, Sunshine Sykes, Sykes, Sandy Linzer, Russell Brown, Don Diablo, Blake Brittain, Richard Chang Organizations: Singer Dua, Skanderbeg, REUTERS, Dua Lipa, Warner Records, U.S, District, Thomson Locations: Tirana, Albania, British, Los Angeles, Florida, New York, Lipa, Washington

☆ As emergency savings drop and credit card balances rise, experts say taking 3 steps can help
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

To slow the price growth, the Federal Reserve has steadily raised interest rates, which has posed another problem for households: higher interest rates on debt. That marks the first time in 20 years balances have not fallen following the holiday season, according to the central bank's research. Some people are seeking help after they've already fallen behind and have started to get debt collection calls, he said. 'Think seriously about delaying discretionary purchases'As prices and interest rates have gone up, it's a good time to think about putting off unnecessary purchases, according to Hamrick. But the regret that often ranks highly is not saving more for long-term goals such as emergency savings or retirement, he said.

☆ 3 reasons why even China doesn't want the yuan to replace the dollar as the world's reserve currency
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The Chinese yuan is one of the top contenders challenging the USD's dominance as a reserve currency. However, Beijing may not be fully supportive of making the yuan the reserve currency of choice. Here's why even China isn't that keen on de-dollarizing the world economy and making the yuan the top reserve currency. So, the US will need to contend with ever larger amounts of deficit, in order to maintain its pre-eminent reserve currency position. Given the issues standing in Beijing's way, it's unlikely for the yuan to take over the greenback's position as the world's reserve currency of choice, said Green.

☆ Summer Is Coming. It’s Time to Check Your Feet.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Jancee Dunn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For the past few months, my feet have been sheathed in socks and slippers — like cave fish, hidden from the light. In preparation, I carefully inspect every inch of my feet to ensure they are ready to show to the world. Suddenly swollen feet can indicate high blood pressure, said Dr. Kirk Geter, the chief of podiatry at Howard University Hospital. Swelling can also be a sign of gout or kidney problems, Dr. Geter added, while tingling and numbness in the feet can indicate diabetes. So each day, you should inspect the bottoms and tops of your feet — as well as between your toes — and wiggle your toes around, Dr. Geter said.

Ahead of an election on May 21, a cost-of-living crisis that is eroding earnings is foremost in voters' minds. For Klaoudatou it means voting for anyone but the incumbent conservative New Democracy or the opposition leftist Syriza. Reuters GraphicsThree international bailouts saved Greece from toppling out of the euro zone during a decade-long debt crisis that peaked in 2015. "Εven during the crisis - and this is the joke - I didn't think so much before spending a single extra euro," Klaoudatou told Reuters. Reuters GraphicsPAYCHECK BARELY GETS TO PAYCHECKOne in two Greek households could barely get by on their monthly income last year.

☆ The Pressure of Motherhood Is Something Else - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Daniela J. Lamas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

I have taken supplements and prescribed myself an anti-nausea medication that has the side effect of increasing the hormone responsible for milk production. And I know, rationally, that this had nothing to do with love, that supplementing with formula is more than OK. For all the pressure I have felt as a doctor or a writer, there is nothing that compares with the expectations placed on mothers. We are supposed to fall in love with our babies immediately, to experience motherhood as a transcendent state. Not exactly as I expected, nothing ever is — not family, not motherhood — but something beautiful.

☆ Lawmakers press companies that collect U.S. consumer data to reveal how they buy and sell it
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In the letters, 10 lawmakers asked the companies for detailed responses on the types of sensitive information they gather, such as health, location and phone data, including apps consumers download to their devices. The companies were also asked what information they collect on minors. Last month, the subcommittee on oversight and investigations held a hearing with expert witnesses to examine "the role of data brokers in the digital economy." In that report, the regulator recommended that Congress force brokers to give consumers greater control over their data, but the "data brokers can easily circumvent existing rules and laws," the letter said. Here's the full list of data brokers who received the letter::AcxiomAtDataBabel StreetCoreLogic SolutionsEpsilon Data ManagementEquifaxExperianGravy AnalyticsInteliusKochavaLiveRampMylifeOracle AmericaPeopleConnectPlacer.aiRELXSafegraphSpokeoThomson ReutersTransUnionVerisk AnalyticsWhitepagesSubscribe to CNBC on YouTube.

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). Plus, the existing TD Double Up℠ Visa Credit Card and TD Cash Credit Card each got a makeover, with customer-friendly updates that make it easier to earn maximum rewards. Here's a look at the new TD credit cards and existing card improvements to help you decide if they're worth it. TD credit card changesNew TD credit cardsThe new TD Clear and TD FlexPay Credit Card aren't for folks who love to earn and use credit card rewards for free travel or cash back. Enter the newly remodeled TD Cash Credit Card: While it's always offered strong bonus categories, they were previously fixed.

☆ Restaurants embrace premium reservations to target big spenders
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

When cities and states rolled back lockdown rules, many implemented new orders for restaurants to help with contact tracing, such as requiring customers to book tables in advance. As a result of those pandemic-fueled changes, restaurants and the companies that help them book their tables are targeting big spenders with premium reservation options to drive higher sales. About two-thirds of SevenRooms' restaurant clients use its software to promote special experiences or sell upgrades when customers book reservations. Page said the move toward premium restaurant reservations can partially explain why it feels like it's so much more competitive to book a table in advance these days. "I kind of don't like the whole 'Disney FastPass line' of restaurant reservations," he said.

☆ How to talk about mental health across generations
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Julia Chan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

We are born to connect, so if we don’t do that, that’s probably the biggest hit on your mental health. Gen Z is moving the needle when it comes to bringing mental health up everywhere, like language, workplace, to their bosses. There’s a little bit more wiggle room to talk about mental health. What you can do in each generation is match mental health resources. We are going to talk about mental health, damn it!” The goal is for you to connect with your family member and understand what makes them tick.

Biden called Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Jerusalem, where he is on a diplomatic trip, to invite him to a May 9 White House meeting. Biden also extended invitations to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell. Biden has steadfastly said he will not negotiate over the debt ceiling increase, but will discuss budget cuts after a new limit is passed. A White House official said Biden, who had previously said he wouldn't meet McCarthy at all to discuss the debt limit, would "stress that Congress must take action to avoid default without conditions" on May 9. The bill has no chance of passing the Democrat-controlled Senate and the White House has said Biden would veto the legislation if it did.

House Republicans passed a bill to raise the debt limit last week that includes steep spending cuts which the Democratic-controlled Senate and Biden say they will not approve. Biden has steadfastly said he will not negotiate over the debt ceiling increase, but will discuss budget cuts after a new limit is passed. In 2011, a similar debt ceiling fight took the country to the brink of default and prompted a downgrade of the country's top-notch credit rating. The Republican bill would implement $4.5 trillion in spending cuts - or about 22% - in exchange for a $1.5 trillion increase in the U.S. debt limit. It has no chance of passing the Democrat-controlled Senate and the White House has said Biden would veto the legislation.

After hitting the $31.4 trillion borrowing cap on Jan. 19, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen previously told Congress Treasury would keep up payments on debt, federal benefits and make other outlays at using cash receipts and extraordinary cash management measures. The Republican bill would implement $4.5 trillion in spending cuts - or about 22% - in exchange for a $1.5 trillion increase in the U.S. debt limit. It has no chance of passing the Democrat-controlled Senate and the White House has said President Joe Biden would veto the legislation. The White House has asked Congress to raise the debt limit without conditions; administration officials are already making plans to negotiate with Republicans over the president's 2024 budget plan. What we can’t see is that the debt limit be used by a part of Congress to hold an entire agenda of unrelated items hostage to this threat of default," she said.

☆ I got to play the latest 'Legend of Zelda' game early. Here's a preview of the biggest game the year.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( William Antonelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom," Nintendo's biggest game this year, is releasing May 12. Last week, Nintendo invited Insider to play a demo of the game. Here are my first impressions of "Tears of the Kingdom," a wonderfully creative game that delivers on its hype. There are few games that have built more hype and anticipation than the newest Zelda game, "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" releases on May 12.

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