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In Kansas City, a transformative program is helping veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Air Force veteran Heather O'Brien, who served in a challenging internment camp in Iraq, returned home struggling with anxiety and uncertainty. A toy labradoodle named Albus and the Dogs 4 Valor initiative, part of the Olathe, Kansas-based organization The Battle Within, were instrumental in his recovery journey. Dogs 4 Valor is designed to assist veterans and first responders in collaboration with their caregivers, addressing issues such as depression and anxiety. Program director Sandra Sindeldecker notes that many veterans with PTSD often remain isolated at home, struggling with severe anxiety and avoidance of social interactions. "They are very nervous and some don't ...

Former Federal Reserve policymaker Loretta Mester has indicated that the US Federal Reserve may implement fewer interest rate cuts than previously expected next year, particularly if President-elect Donald Trump's proposed global tariffs are implemented. Speaking at UBS's annual European conference in London, Mester stressed that the Fed's monetary policy will be significantly influenced by the fiscal strategies of a future Republican administration. Mester noted that the market's revised expectations for interest rate cuts may actually be correct, suggesting that the number of cuts may be fewer than the four previously expected. “Next year, the pace of cuts will be influenced by the direction of fiscal policy,” he explained, underlining the potential impact of Trump's ...

As Formula 1 looks to 2026, competition for hosting rights is heating up, with four circuits vying for contract extensions. Countries such as Thailand and South Korea have submitted bids, while nations such as India and Rwanda are working diligently to improve their infrastructure to secure a place on the prestigious F1 calendar. The stakes are high, not only for sport but for the economies of the countries involved. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali underlined the intensity of the application process, stressing that the interest in hosting a Grand Prix transcends sport. “We are getting calls from prime ministers and governments who want to host the Grand Prix,” he said in an interview with CNBC. This request highlights the significant economic benefits associated with hosting an F1 event. For cou...

Neel Kashkari, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, recently shared his views on the potential implications of President-elect Donald Trump's tariff proposals during a session at the 2024 Milken Conference. Speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," Kashkari expressed concern that these tariffs could exacerbate long-term inflation if they provoke retaliatory measures from global trading partners. Kashkari pointed out that while one-off tariffs may not have a significant impact on inflation in the long run, the situation becomes more complex if countries engage in tariff imposition on each other. He noted: “The challenge becomes, if there is pan for the facts… that's where it becomes more concerning and, frankly, much more uncertain.” This reflects the delicate...

The future of Donald Trump's second term remains uncertain, but his first administration was characterized by a strong focus on business-related issues, according to Joe Kaeser, a prominent German business leader. In a recent interview with CNBC, Kaeser, who chairs the supervisory board of Siemens Energy, reflected on his experiences during Trump's early presidency. Kaeser noted that the Trump administration has been very responsive to businesses' concerns. “During that time, if I had a problem to solve for my company, the administration was extremely responsive,” he shared with CNBC's Annette Weisbach. Having served as CEO of Siemens when Trump was president, Kaeser has observed several initiatives that he believes have had a positive impact on the economy. He highlighted ...

On 23 September 2024, Rachel Reeves, UK Finance Minister, gave a significant speech at the Labor Party Conference held at the ACC Liverpool Convention Centre. His speech outlined the Government's latest tax proposals, which have raised eyebrows among tech leaders and venture capitalists over the UK's ambitions to establish itself as a major global hub for artificial intelligence. Reeves revealed plans to increase capital gains tax (CGT), which is the tax levied on profits made from the sale of investments. The changes include increasing the lowest CGT rate from 10% to 18% and increasing the highest rate from 20% to 24%. These adjustments are expected to generate an additional £2.5 billion (around $3.2 billion) in public revenue. Additionally, the lifetime Business Asset Disposal Re...

On 2 October 2024, Kemi Badenoch was elected as the new leader of the British Conservative Party, marking a significant change in the party's direction after a major election defeat. Badenoch, who previously served under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, successfully defeated Robert Jenrick, receiving 53,806 votes to Jenrick's 41,388 in a contest characterized by intense competition and tactical voting among Conservative Members of Parliament (MP). Voter turnout for the leadership election was 72.8%. In his maiden speech as leader, Badenoch expressed his gratitude for the role, stressing the need for the party to recognize its past mistakes and adapt to regain voters' trust. “Our party is critical to the success of our country,” he said. “But to be heard we must be honest… It ...

As of June 28, 2024, flights between the United States and Europe are seeing the lowest prices in three years, coinciding with a period in which many countries have eased anti-COVID-19 restrictions. This trend is particularly evident during the typically slower autumn and winter months, outside of major holidays. Current price trends Average fares for transatlantic flights to Europe in November are $578, down from $619 a year earlier, according to flight tracking firm Hopper. This is the lowest fare for November since 2021, when prices were $479 amid a significant decline in international travel due to the pandemic. Looking ahead to January 2025, rates are expected to drop further to $558, compared to $578 in January 2024. In contrast, domestic airfares in the United States increased in ev...

Former President Donald Trump is enduring a tumultuous final week in his presidential campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris, marked by a series of controversial statements and missteps that could undermine his appeal with voters. As Democratic attacks intensify and legal issues loom, Trump's message risks being overshadowed. Over the course of this week, Trump's campaign has heavily promoted his policy proposals, which include universal tariffs, extensive tax cuts and aggressive deportations of immigrants. However, it was not these policies that attracted the most attention. Instead, media coverage focused on a comedian's disparaging remarks in Puerto Rico, Trump's aggressive rhetoric toward political rivals and a controversial statement regarding women. Trump began...

The Commerzbank logo is prominently displayed at a branch near the iconic Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt, Germany. As the dust settles two months after UniCredit's initial overtures to German lender Commerzbank, the banking sector's resilience is being tested in one of Europe's most significant potential mergers. Recent third-quarter earnings reports from both institutions reveal contrasting financial trajectories and strategic outlooks. UniCredit announced an 8% increase in its net profit, reaching 2.5 billion euros ($2.25 billion), beating analysts' expectations of 2.27 billion euros. This strong performance has prompted the Italian bank to revise upwards its full-year profit outlook, which now calls for more than 9 billion euros, up from a previous estimate of 8.5 billio...