US Business

The central bank cut its key interest rate as the pandemic pushed the economy into a deep recession and forced President Vladimir Putin this week to delay a flagship $360 billion national development plan by six years.

The U.S. economy lagged in July and Europe’s bounced back, according to fresh surveys of purchasing managers, evidence that the two economic powerhouses are recovering at different speeds from the coronavirus pandemic.

Health-care providers and restaurants—which closed during pandemic lockdowns—have recalled millions of laid-off workers. Increased demand has boosted job growth in the logistics, financial-services and retail industries.

The annual leakage of plastic into the world’s oceans could nearly triple from 2016 to 2040 and countermeasures pledged by governments and companies would do little to stem the tide, a new study said.

The largest U.S. cellphone carrier continued to add customers during the coronavirus pandemic, though quarterly revenue declined in its core wireless business and its online advertising unit.

McDonald’s says it will require all U.S. customers to wear masks in its stores beginning next month, joining Walmart and other companies that decided that face coverings are needed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The wholesale and retail power company will add more than three million customers throughout the U.S. and Canada with the acquisition, which will widen its geographic footprint.

The world’s largest oil-field services company is cutting about 21,000 jobs as oil producers slash spending in response to a historic drop in prices amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Projects take longer. Collaboration is harder. And training new workers is a struggle. “This is not going to be sustainable.”

The $305 million offer from Sparc, the apparel venture backed by Authentic Brands and Simon Property Group, kicks off the contest to buy the iconic American retailer out of bankruptcy.