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Experts Share Tips to Cope with the Stifling Temperatures Amid Heat Waves

Brandon Foster on September 12, 2022

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The scorching heat presents a myriad of problems to countries across the globe. The United Kingdom, the United States, India, and China, among others, have already seen what the intense heat can cause the economy. Reports have sprung detailing how the heat affected the energy production of countries, as well as farmers’ capacity to generate ample amounts of goods for exports.

The problem is as personal as it gets, as individuals are the most impacted by the macro changes due to the heat. Consequently, more than fiscal problems, people encounter another trouble: sleeping.

The grim reality is this: the heat affects one’s sleep pattern. Sometimes, an individual wakes up drenched in sweat or does not sleep at all.

For instance, in California, the temperature reached records high of as much as 110 degrees Fahrenheit or about 43 degrees Celsius. Power grids are strained, resulting in blackouts. Moreover, wildfires become more frequent, adding to the heat in the environment. Top of all these is the cutback on Russia’s gas supply which pressures energy companies to look for alternative energy sources. Therefore, for the time being, grids are limited in the amount of power they can supply to communities.

The condition leaves many hotels and households without sufficient operating air conditioning systems. The result is massive numbers of people clamoring for colder outputs of their AC systems. In the past, a central air system was not needed in the UK because of relatively colder temperatures.

However, the increasing temperatures may change all that. According to a recent analysis by scientists, severe temperatures are expected within the region and will intensify as the years pass by. In their predictions, experts say that by 2035, heat will become the norm.

Sleep is affected the most

The Journal of Sleep Research said that sleep is “a vital function necessary for adaptive physical and mental wellbeing.” In a journal published last Thursday, the research body revealed some tips that could help individuals cope with the heat and successfully sleep amid the scorching conditions.

According to the journal, the best room temperature where an individual can peacefully sleep is between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit or 15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius. However, with the heat waves occurring more often, how can people sleep peacefully? Studies reveal that the hotter nighttimes cause wakefulness and reduce REM (Rapid Eye Movement). These factors are vital in body repairs and refreshing every night.

Tips for Sleeping amid the heat

Drink a lot of water. Water helps the body regulate temperature. Staying hydrated could nullify the heat in the environment. However, experts warn you not to drink water an hour or two before bed unless you want to end up in the bathroom at night.

Dr. Phyllis Zee, a neurology professor at Northwestern University in Chicago, said that eating lighter meals during the day could also help.

Wear loose, cotton clothing. Fabrics like these are good for the free passing of wind. Avoid wearing synthetics that can trap heat.
If it is cooler in the morning, for some reason, opening windows and other ventilation should help cool your room. Close it immediately once the temperature starts to rise.
Close blinds and shades if the heat does not tone down.
Stop drinking alcohol at night since it dehydrates your body and makes you prone to nighttime sweats.
Calming activities like reading or listening to music could aid your body in relaxation and preparation for sleep.
Take a cool shower or foot bath before bed.

“Your body temperature lowers after you leave the shower or bath as your body adapts to the cooler environment. This drop in temperature prepares your body for sleep because our body temperature has a natural circadian rhythm – the body is primed to cool down when you lay down and warm up when you get up,” said sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasputa.

Find ways to maintain the temperature of your bedroom below 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius.

“There are also fairly inexpensive ice cooling fans that can be placed near the bed. If you’re unable to keep the bedroom cool, sleeping temporarily on lower floors like the basement (if there is one) will be cooler.”

Source: CNN

European Central Bank is Ready to Fight Inflation, but with Higher Interest Rates

Jeah Lorraine Adams on September 12, 2022

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The European Central Bank declared that it would raise interest rates as much as possible to help nations combat the escalating energy crisis. On Thursday, the ECB increased interest rates by three-quarters of one percent and stated that an increase was quite likely to occur in the near future.

Europe has been rushing to keep up with the rising demand for energy since the rift with Russia caused supply cuts of gas entering the continent through significant pipes, particularly the Nord Stream 1. The extreme heat being experienced around the nation only makes the problem worse.

Years after the ECB raised it to zero in 2011; the rate is already higher than zero percent. With this action, the Central Bank benchmarked interest rates over zero percent and outside the negative region for the first time. Furthermore, the ECB reportedly stated in a statement that they anticipate more increases.

“The Governing Council took today’s decision and expects to raise interest rates further because inflation remains far too high and is likely to stay above target for an extended period,” the ECB said.

Inflation in the UK has reached a 9.1% level due to the skyrocketing costs of essential goods like food and electricity.

The Russian-Ukranian war affected the energy crisis

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Europe tried to lessen its reliance on Russian fuel shipments. In reality, the G7 nations have already voiced their opposition to Russia’s ongoing aggression against its neighbor.

In retaliation, Russia shut off the natural gas supply that Germany and other European nations depend on. Therefore, the reduction in supply led to a sharp increase in energy costs, which put pressure on the government to raise its subsidy for businesses and people in order to offset the rapid consequences of the supply reductions.

Economists caution that Europe’s recession is conceivable due to these factors. Businesses are reporting poor sales and activity, inflation is at a decades-high level, and Germany’s economy is not functioning as smoothly as anticipated. The region’s gross domestic product may also contract in the upcoming quarter.

According to the ECB, many people already anticipate experiencing high inflation rates due to the present financial situation. Therefore, the ECB is concerned that by missing its annual goal, corporate leaders and people’s ensuing spending and investing patterns may change.

“Price pressures have continued to strengthen and broaden across the economy, and inflation may rise further in the near term,” the ECB said.

At an average of 8.1% in 2022, the ECB is now considering the possibility of higher inflation rates for the area. The central bank anticipates the rate dropping significantly to 5.5% next year. However, economic growth is anticipated to slow from 3.1% this year to just 0.9% in 2023.

“There seems universal agreement that higher rates are required to prevent higher inflation becoming embedded, though [Russian] President Putin is creating a lot of slack in the European economy already,” Societe Generale strategist Kit Juckes said.

According to ECB president Christine Legarde, there is a chance that the European Union may experience a recession. This results from supply shortages, rationing, and environmental catastrophes.

Holger Schmieding, the head economist at Berenber, said: “It still seems likely that, once the ECB realizes the depth of the recession that we expect to unfold, the ECB will put rate hikes on hold at some time in early 2023.”

Source: CNN

TikTok is Helping On-the-Rise Artists in the Music Industry

Alice Blake on September 8, 2022

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Without a doubt, TikTok has positively impacted the recording industry. Just one video can attract the attention of viewers worldwide and could help emerging musicians and choreographers gain prominence.

For instance, Zoi Lerma, a Los Angeles employee at a bagel shop, choreographed Benee’s song “Supalonely.” She subsequently posted her clip to TikTok, where it was well-received by viewers. Since then, the TikTok video has received over 45 million views, making Benee a household name.

Benee’s “Supalonely” has been featured in over 5.7 million videos that users and content producers have posted online. Benee received nominations for and wins for the song’s success, including New Artist of the 2020 People’s Choice Awards, as well as sales of more than 1 million copies and 2.1 billion streams across all platforms. The artist also gave two jam-packed performances in New Zealand.

“When it started trending on TikTok and picking up on TikTok, I would hear it on the radio or, you know, hear it in stores. I would hear it everywhere,” Lerma stated in an interview.

TikTok is creating revenue for the music industry

TikTok is one of the most effective hitmakers of this century because of its widespread use. The program, which ByteDance of China owns, offers a platform for artists and content producers to express and promote their abilities in short films. In addition, a user may upload any sort of content, including pictures of pets, information about their personal life, hobbies, ASMR, singing, and dance.

The films readily become viral within hours of being released since they attract many people’s attention. As a consequence, TikTok sets trends and even helps older songs regain their prior level of popularity. For instance, Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” reached the top of the charts two years ago as a result of a popular video using the music as the backdrop. TikTok has also developed into a source of revenue for record companies and musicians.

“If a song is going viral on TikTok, and the artist is unsigned, and as a result, it’s getting a million streams on Spotify, the labels are scrambling to sign that song or that artist. “They’re obsessed with expanding their market share and making sure they don’t lose any market share to independent artists,” Midia Research analyst and consultant Tatiana Cirisano said.

“With hundreds of songs generating over 1 billion video views and dozens of artists signing record deals as a result of success on the platform, TikTok starts trends that reverberate throughout the culture, the industry, and the charts,” said TikTok in a statement.

TikTok has also been caught among youngsters. According to a recent poll, over 67% of youths in the country use TikTok, with 16% of them indicating they use it often. As a result, numerous social networking apps have adopted TikTok’s model. For example, Meta’s Facebook launched Reels, which looks similar to TikTok’s interface.

TikTok had over 1 billion users worldwide a year ago, and this figure is growing.

Issues that trouble TikTok

Although TikTok is rapidly expanding, American officials are becoming concerned about the potential problems that the firm can do to consumers. Congress demanded that TikTok respond to allegations regarding suspected access to user data based in the U.S. a little more than two months ago.

“In light of this new report, we ask that your agency immediately initiate a Section 5 investigation on the basis of apparent deception by TikTok and coordinate this work with any national security or counter-intelligence investigation that may be initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice,” said Congress.

The declaration was issued in response to a BuzzFeed article that claims ByteDance, the parent firm of TikTok, frequently accessed its users’ data, particularly those based in the United States. TikTok quickly refuted the accusations, though.

“[TikTok has] consistently maintained that our engineers in locations outside of the U.S., including China, can be granted access to U.S. user data on an as-needed basis.”

Source: CNBC

NASA’s Artemis I Mission Encounters Another Problem, Takeoff May be Delayed by Months

Jeah Lorraine Adams on September 5, 2022

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After a second problem encountered by NASA’s launch team last Saturday, the Artemis I may not make the full mission as planned.

The vessel is slated for future missions — in September and October. However, with the new conditions giving doubts to the team, there may be delays with the aforementioned schedules. According to NASA, the delays could be from days to a couple of weeks, depending on the assessment from the launch team of Artemis I.

Jim Free, the associate administrator from the Exploration Systems Development Mission Doctorate of NASA, said, “We will not be launching in this launch period. We are not where we wanted to be.”

The vessel, composed of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket, needs to be brought to and checked by the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will await a waiver from the US Space Force before it is cleared for its next mission.

The administrator of NASA, Bill Nelson, said that the scrubs the team encountered do not mean Artemis I is a failure. He told the media that Artemis had already been checked and reassessed by the Vehicle Assembly Building 20 times before its planned launch.

“We do not launch until we think it’s right,”said Nelson. “These teams have labored over that, and that is the conclusion they came to. I look at this as part of our space program, in which safety is the top of the list.”

The scrub that hindered the mission

Three hours before its planned launch last Saturday, Artemis I received a call for scrub from the members. A liquid hydrogen leak was discovered by the members. The team then checked and spent time resolving the issue.

Liquid Hydrogen is an essential requirement for takeoff since it is used as one of the propellants in the rocket’s large core. The leak within the Artemis I system suspended the takeoff of the vessel even with several troubleshooting initiatives undertaken by the team.

A small leak found in the same area was also found prior to the Saturday takeoff, but the one they found on the day of the launch was much bigger. According to the initial diagnosis, the soft seal of the liquid hydrogen connection might have been damaged due to overpressurization. However, the team said they need to make more assessments to ensure that everything is accounted for.

One of the other problems

Artemis mission manager Mike Sarafin had to make sure that all was in order before the launch was called. And in doing so, permitted to delay the takeoff numerous times because of several issues that arose. The hydrogen leak is just one of many problems the Artemis team dealt with.

Issues with the rocket’s cooling system, persistent leaks, and other minor issues were causes for the delay. Artemis I had been suspended twice because of these problems.

NASA said that the bigger leak on Saturday prompted the team to “close the valve used to fill and drain it, then increase pressure on a ground transfer line using helium to try to reseal it.”

Despite efforts to stop the leaking, it reoccured, leading the Artemis team to call off the launch plan. Further, weather officer Melody Lovin reported a 60% chance of favorable weather conditions.

The Artemis I and its goal

NASA has prepared for this mission for a long time because, if successful, NASA could set the conditions for another manned mission to the moon and, more ambitiously, to Mars.

Nelson said, “As we embark on the first Artemis test flight, we recall this agency’s l storied past, but our eyes are focused not on the immediate future but out there.”

“It’s a future where NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the l moon. And on these increasingly complex l missions, astronauts will live and work in l deep space, and we’ll develop the science and technology to send the first humans to Mars.”

Source: CNN

VMAs Celebrate Music and Art, Get to Know the Winners of Each Category

Scarlet Logan on September 5, 2022

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The bests of the entertainment industry have gathered once again for the MTV Video Music Awards. The award-giving body holds its annual awards night to celebrate memorable and catching artists. From the melancholic lyrics of an English song to a catchy tune of on-the-rise KPop music, the VMAs bring together only the finest.

This year, the 2022 MTV VMAs was held in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, last August 29. “Queen of Rap” Nicki Minaj, along with LL Cool J and Jack Harlow, will be hosting the event.

Donning the stage before the announcement of the winners of the categories are performances from Lizzo, Eminem, Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, and Panic! at the Disco. And, of course, it is expected that artists will be wearing the outfit that best shows their projected identity.

Countless artists and groups have been nominated in a total of 25 categories. Republic Record’s All Too Well (10 Minute Version) by Taylor Swift was nominated for the Video of the Year, as well as Doja Cat’s “Woman”, Ed Sheeran’s “Shivers,” “brutal” by Olivia Rodrigo, “As It Was” by Harry Styles, “Way 2 Sexy” by Drake ft. Future & Young Thug, and Lil Nas X’s “INDUSTRY BABY.”

For Artist of the Year, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow, Harry Styls, Ed Sheeran, Drake, and Bad Bunny were nominated.

KPop groups have also been nominated for various categories. Girl quartet BLACKPINK was nominated for Group of the Year, Best KPop Group, and Best Metaverse Performance. Up-and-rising KPop group SEVENTEEN was also given a nomination.

When Taylor Swift and company were called on stage to receive her win for Best Longform Video, the singer-songwriter announced a new album this October 21, which sent Swifties into a frenzy. What a way for the Grammy-award-winning artist to drop the announcement. Meanwhile, the Album of the Year went to former One Direction member Harry Styles for his “Harry House” album.

Here is the full list of categories and the respective winners of each:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift — “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) — Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bad Bunny — Rimas Entertainment *WINNER

SONG OF THE YEAR

Billie Eilish — “Happier Than Ever” — Darkroom / Interscope Records

BEST NEW ARTIST

Dove Cameron — Disruptor Records / Columbia Records

PUSH PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

December 2021: SEVENTEEN — “Rock With You” — PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records

BEST COLLABORATION

Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow — “INDUSTRY BABY” — Columbia Records

BEST POP

Harry Styles — “As It Was” — Columbia Records

BEST HIP-HOP

Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby — “Do We Have A Problem?” — Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records

BEST ROCK

Red Hot Chili Peppers — “Black Summer” — Warner Records

BEST ALTERNATIVE

Måneskin — “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE” — Arista Records

BEST LATIN

Anitta — “Envolver” — Warner Records

BEST R&B

The Weeknd — “Out Of Time” — XO / Republic Records

BEST K-POP

LISA — “LALISA” — YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

VIDEO FOR GOOD

Lizzo — “About Damn Time” — Atlantic Records

BEST METAVERSE PERFORMANCE

BLACKPINK The Virtual | PUBG — YG Entertainment / Interscope Records

BEST LONGFORM VIDEO

Taylor Swift — “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) — Republic Records

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Harry Styles — “As It Was” — Columbia Records

BEST DIRECTION

Taylor Swift — “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) — Republic Records

BEST ART DIRECTION

Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow — “INDUSTRY BABY” — Columbia Records

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow — “INDUSTRY BABY” — Columbia Records

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Doja Cat — “Woman” — Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

BEST EDITING

ROSALÍA — “SAOKO” — Columbia Records

GROUP OF THE YEAR

BTS

SONG OF THE SUMMER

Jack Harlow — “First Class”

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Harry Styles — “Harry’s House”

Source: CNN

Artemis I: NASA’s Precursor for Another Manned Space Flight to the Moon 50 Years After Apollo

Alice Blake on September 5, 2022

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After almost 50 years, humanity is now again preparing for a manned flight to the moon. With the help of a team of experts and scientists at NASA, the famed Apollo mission will soon be superseded by another ambitious flight to the Earth’s natural satellite – the Artemis I.

The Artemis program, named after the twin sister of Apollo, will make its way to the moon and land on where Apollo last ventured. The team is expected to travel across unexplored lunar regions. Looking ahead, NASA hopes that the Artemis missions will make it to the surface of Mars.

For the first time, humans would discover what is in the shadowy regions found south of the moon. The Artemis mission intends to find a stable area where astronauts could stay for extended periods of time and use findings to help in plans to shoot to Mars.

Over a month ago, NASA’s rover discovered stable pits on the surface of the moon where the temperature is stable and could support human life. Unfortunately, due to the volatility of the moon’s surface, astronauts have had a difficult time staying on the moon’s surface for a long time. However, with the discovery, NASA is confident that the Artemis I could achieve what it came for.

What the Artemis I mission is

The Artemis launches on August 29. To ensure the safety of possible humans going into the intended region, the first flight would be unmanned but highly observed. NASA will lead the operations of Artemis I and check every factor that could help the agency come up with measures and countermeasures to guarantee smooth flight of the manned missions of Artemis II and Artemis III.

The subsequent missions will be based on the findings of Artemis I. NASA says that Artemis II will be launched in 2024, then Artemis III the year after.

The liftoff will commence at around 8:33 a.m. and 10:33 a.m. ET this August 29 from Florida. As expected, Americans would make their way to the Kennedy Space Center, where people could see the spectacle as the mission will start.

After liftoff, Artemis I will embark on a 42-day voyage where it will travel 40,000 miles beyond the moon, thanks to the Orion spacecraft. If successful, the journey will be farther than what Apollo has achieved. It is important that NASA oversees the mission since Artemis I’s path would be the same journey that the manned Artemis II will take.

NASA’s pride

“As we embark on the first Artemis test flight, we recall this agency’s storied past, but our eyes are focused not on the immediate future but out there,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

“It’s a future where NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the moon. And on these increasingly complex missions, astronauts will live and work in deep space, and we’ll develop the science and technology to send the first humans to Mars.”

The Space Launch Rocket System propelling Artemis I to the moon is a design based on all the information and data from the Apollo mission. The rocket could carry the craft a thousand times farther than the low-Earth orbit location of the International Space Station. Further, the rocket will speed up the Orion up to 22,600 miles per hour.

“It’s the only rocket that’s capable of sending Orion and a crew and supplies into deep space on a single launch,” said the program manager of the SLS, John Honeycutt.

“It’s the powerhouse side of the vehicle where it’s got the primary propulsion, power and life support resources we need for Artemis I. Re-entry will be great to demonstrate our heat shield capability, making sure that the spacecraft comes home safely and, of course for future missions, protecting the crew,” added the Orion program manager of NASA, Howard Hu.

“Artemis I shows that we can do big things, things that unite people, things that benefit humanity — things like Apollo that inspire the world,” Nelson added. “And to all of us that gaze up at the moon, dreaming of the day humankind returns to the lunar surface: Folks, we’re here, we are going back, and that journey, our journey, begins with Artemis I.”

Source: CNN

The Mental and Physical Benefit of Swimming, a Good Activity During a Scorching Summer

Jerry Cooper on September 5, 2022

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The country has experienced one of its hottest years on record this year. So naturally, many Americans would want to visit bodies of water as the temperature rises to escape the oppressive heat currently wreaking havoc on the nation.

Swimming has been shown to be a great substitute for a variety of physical exercises. Swimming guarantees a full body workout, and just 30 minutes of swimming is equivalent to 45 minutes of a full workout on land, claims Swim England. In addition, recreational swimmers can burn up to 400 calories per hour, nearly twice as many as they can while walking for the same amount of time.

Water sports are the ideal form of exercise for people with minor injuries and the elderly because they have less of an impact on the body than walking does. In addition, swimming has been found to have more positive effects on people’s wellbeing.

The Swimming and Health Commission of Swim England discovered in 2017 that regular swimmers have a 28% lower risk of dying prematurely and a 41% lower risk of dying from heart disease and stroke.

The water can help people mentally

According to scientific research, people’s stress responses decrease when they are close to the ocean or any other body of water. Dopamine, the feel-good hormone, is released when you take a cold bath in the water. Additionally, research from the University of Portsmouth in the UK reports that the anti-inflammatory effects of cold water may lessen the propensity for anxiety and depression.

According to Dr. Mark Lieber, being close to the “blue environment” has a transformative impact. “My first thought as I dove under the surface of the water was that I felt a little more buoyant than usual, likely due to the added pounds brought on by quarantine,” he said.

“But as I continued to glide through the water, my initial concern about weight gain was replaced by a feeling of catharsis, as though the water were cleansing me of the stress that had accumulated during the coronavirus pandemic.”

“Stroke after stroke, I could feel my mood lifting, my mind clearing and my body loosening.”

The benefits of swimming for the mind are especially important in the UK, where Swim England found that nearly 500,000 people live with mental health conditions but see doctors less frequently.

A proof that swimming benefits the body and the mind

The founder of Mental Health Swims, Rachel Ashe, is a prime illustration of how water can improve mental health. Ashe turned to running after receiving a mental health diagnosis four years prior because she was determined to help herself. She encountered difficulties along the way, such as slipping on ice during winter runs and found it challenging to maintain her exercise regimen.

Her mental state deteriorated after she stopped running, but she persisted. Instead, Ashe took part in Loony Dook, an annual gathering of swimmers who want to cross Edinburgh, Scotland’s chilly waters. She discovered her new passion here.

“It was very painful, and I didn’t enjoy it. But the very alien feeling of connection with my body after living unhappily in my poorly mind for such a long time was a real epiphany moment for me,” Ashe recalled.

Ashe then began to assemble others, encouraging them to give swimming a try and experience swimming’s benefits for themselves. She also founded Mental Health Swim at this time. Ashe was able to persuade thirty people to join her in just six months; as of right now, the group is up, swimming, and expanding.

“I have learned that my differences are a strength rather than something to be ashamed of,” Ashe said. “I never thought I could do the things I do today.”

“I will always have a mental illness, but I am much better at looking after myself these days. I still have big feelings, but with medication, therapy, outdoor swimming and healthy, happy relationships, I am doing really well.”

Source: CNN

Bed Bath & Beyond to Boost Sales and Investors Confidence in New Strategy

Brandon Foster on August 29, 2022

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As the company fought off the nation’s economic turmoil, Bed Bath and Beyond said it would reveal its comeback plan. The strategy should outline the steps to recoup lost sales and clients before the holiday season. The business announced in a news release that it would meet with investors. Bed Bath & Beyond’s 5% share price increase amid low confidence among executives, investors, and customers is also mentioned in the release.

Sue Gove, the interim CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond, said, “[The company’s call will include a] preview of strategies and changes being implemented across the enterprise to deliver results for all stakeholders.”

“We recognize the strong interest in our company and our plans to better serve customers, recapture market share, drive growth and profitability, ensure our vendors are supported and strengthen our balance sheet,” the CEO added.

Bed Bath & Beyond will eventually grow and attract investors and customers thanks to the company’s current business strategies, said the company with confidence. While this is the scenario, the business is still seeking a new CEO to succeed Mark Tritton, who was relieved of his duties earlier this summer. Tritton’s dismissal from his position was a result of the loss the business endured as a result of the executive decisions he made, including the reduction of 20% coupons and the introduction of new brands.

Currently, the market for homewares is having trouble with its sales. At the height of the pandemic, the industry experienced an unexpected upturn. However, due to the struggling economy and the fact that families prioritize food over everything else, the market has seen a sharp decline in sales, resulting in discounts and packages.

Bed Bath & Beyond experienced a 25% yearly decline in sales, resulting in a $358 million net loss. According to managing director of GlobalData Retail Neil Sanders, these circumstances compound the issues that Bed Bath & Beyond already had.

“If you are running up a down escalator, internally, with the external environment, you’re running up the down escalator that’s on superspeed. It’s a really difficult, if not impossible, task because this is not the best of environments to be trying to recreate your business,” stated Sanders.

Bed Bath & Beyond is now looking to lenders to help it implement its plans to improve its financial situation. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company is close to the end of a $400 million loan for bill payments and other operations to strengthen supplier relationships. Bed Bath & Beyond settled with Sixth Street Partners, a firm that has lent to struggling companies such as J.C. Penney.

Along with Tritton’s dismissal, the company’s head of merchandising, Joe Hartsig, also left. As a result, the company would be affected in a number of ways, but it is confident that with the help of interventions in the docket, Bed Bath & Beyond will be rescued from its current woes.

Tritton’s stint as the company CEO

In 2019, Bed Bath & Beyond hired Tritton. In his role as CEO, he oversaw the company’s efforts to boost both online sales and customer base. Tritton ensured store renovations, the elimination of underperforming branches, and the introduction of new brands.

Despite its best efforts, the company was unable to accomplish its goals and fell short of a number of administrative objectives. During one holiday season, Bed Bath & Beyond, for instance, lost about $175 million in sales as a result of stock transportation delays.

According to recent reports, Bed Bath & Beyond saw a 15% increase in its inventory after Tritton was fired, despite a decline in demand. The company’s chief financial officer Gustavo Arnal said that the expenditures would be cut from $300 million to $100 million. In the meantime, Bed Bath & Beyond’s interim CEO, Sue Gove, is optimistic that she will take the company to new heights throughout her temporary position as CEO.

“I step into this role keenly aware of the macro-economic environment,” said Gove.

Powerful in Pink: Pelosi’s Choice of Clothing in Taiwan Trip More than Just Coincidence

Alice Blake on August 29, 2022

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Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan came on short notice. The House Speaker’s plane landed at the Taipei Songshan Airport on a Tuesday night, free of bustling crowds in the morning and the usual hustle of people in the island nation. However, Pelosi’s entrance into the country was important to the country.

Among the crowd of monotonous suits is the pink jumpsuit that Pelosi wore when she walked along the airport in front of the luminaries from Taiwan as well as the media. While Pelosi’s trip has been seen from a highly political vantage point, her outfit symbolizes more than what her agenda was when she went to Taiwan.

As reported, Pelosi made her declaration, saying that the United States will stand with Taiwan in its journey to economic prosperity and opening up to the global market. But more than that is the political communication that is donned by her pink outfit.

Pelosi made no change to her attire in between her flight. In fact, the House Speaker wore the same outfit when she went to Malaysia before Taiwan. With her suit are the usual heels and pearls that are common among US politicians. Pelosi could have changed her wardrobe while she was in transit to Taiwan, but she didn’t. This only means that Pelosi intended to wear the pink-clad outfit to communicate something.

The suit meant confidence, it was powerful, but it did not incite any threats. Instead, it seemed that wearing pink in front of the Taiwanese officials meant is a gesture of friendship, not a protest against China, which has since accused the speaker of maliciously visiting to aggravate the pressure between the countries.

Pelosi mirroring another great politician

With her choice of clothing, many people have come to wonder if she wanted to mirror a woman who was an icon for many Americans: Hillary Clinton.

Clinton wore a pink outfit in 1995 during the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations, which was held in Beijing. ‘Women’s rights are human rights’ was the statement made by the then-first lady that has been cemented into the fabric of many societies across the globe.

Clinton then called on nations, including China, for their threats to women and indicated that the cycle of violence and prejudice should stop. This form of dissent against China is somewhat similar to what Pelosi did when she angered China after her Taiwan trip.

China censored the speech made by Clinton. However, here comes Pelosi donning the same pink outfit as if to remind China of women capable of standing against a superpower.

It’s pink for Pelosi

There have been many occasions when the US senior official was seen wearing pink clothing. For instance, she wore a pink suit in an interview on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” she also wore pink pumps for a photo op with the House Committee Chairs and sported a Fuschia dress during the 166th swearing-in of Congress. On her Twitter account, Pelosi can also be seen with a pink blazer.

Like many women in politics, Pelosi rarely answers questions related to her fashion choice. However, we can be sure that the House Speaker places high regard on what the power of clothing projects to the public, including the choice of color.

Whenever Pelosi wears pink, it clearly exudes feminine power. This spirit is also exhibited by a number of women in the political landscape like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who applies her red lipstick as her “war paint,” and Vice President Kamala Harris’ all-white suit for her acceptance as the first female Vice President of the country.

The choice of wardrobe colors means a lot to the public eye and even to politicians, which may be why Tsai Chi-chang, the deputy speaker of the Taiwan legislature, sported a pink tie when he met with Pelosi the morning after her arrival.

Clothes have symbolism, and her message was delivered effectively when Pelosi chose a color that symbolizes feminine power.

Source: CNN

Walmart Decides to Expand Abortion, Travel Benefits to Employees

Brandon Foster on August 22, 2022

…

Two months after the US Supreme Court decided to reverse the historic Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion, Walmart announced last Friday that it will expand its coverage on abortion and travel. Walmart announced the immediate implementation of its healthcare program, which includes abortion “when there is a health risk to the mother, rape or incest, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or lack of fetal viability,” in an internal memo.

If they do not live within 100 miles of a clinic that offers access to abortions, family members of Walmart employees and their labor force are guaranteed travel expenses. The chief people officer at Walmart, Donna Morris, sent the email to the workers.

Given that Walmart employs more than 1.6 million people and is one of the largest employers in the US, this is a substantial advantage for pro-abortion citizens. Furthermore, the company’s headquarters are currently located in Arkansas, a state that, in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, has started enforcing its strict abortion prohibition. The announcement came after the same policy was enforced by other market leaders like Target and Apple.

Walmart’s CEO, Doug McMillon, noted last month that the firm is working carefully and diligently to decide the “best path forward” and that this decision from the US Supreme Court makes it particularly challenging for Walmart. McMillon did not specify the modifications the company wanted impose at the time of the announcement.

Walmart in support of abortion rights

Walmart’s employee handbook states that the health package it offers covers “procedures, services, drugs and supplies related to abortions or termination of pregnancy are not covered, except when the health of the mother would be in danger if the fetus were carried to term, the fetus could not survive the birthing process, or death would be imminent after birth.”

Walmart’s adherence to the at-the-time-guaranteed rights under Roe v. Wade is demonstrated by this. The updates to their coverage of abortion were included in the memo that was recently released by chief people officer Morris. She continued, “We listened to our associates about what’s important to them.”

“We strive to provide quality, competitive and accessible health coverage that supports you and your families,” added Morris in the memo.

The updates also include a $5,000 increase to $20,000 in financial assistance for employees participating in adoption processes. Additionally, the opening of Walmart’s center for fertility services was announced.

Walmart is currently headquartered in a state where a trigger policy was put into place as soon as the Supreme Court’s decision was released to the public months ago. For their Arkansan counterparts, the company has not yet issued a statement regarding the coverage expansion.

Overturning Roe v. Wade

Less than two months prior, the Supreme Court surprised the country by deciding to overturn the aspects of the Roe v. Wade precedent-setting case that guaranteed the federal right to access abortion. The landmark case that had made abortions legal in most US states since 1973 was deemed unconstitutional by a 5–4 vote.

Other states have abortion-related trigger laws. In the event that the Roe v. Wade ruling is overturned by the court, these laws will go into effect immediately. One of them is Arkansas, the home state of Walmart.

According to Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the majority opinion that subsequently overturned Roe, “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely — the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.”

“That provision has been held to guarantee some rights that are not mentioned in the Constitution, but any such right must be ‘deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition’ and ’implicit in the concept of ordered liberty. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.”

Source: CNBC

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