Investments and Business

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge continues to show signs of cooling, accompanied by moderate growth in consumer spending - good news for central banks aiming to control rising prices and curb demand. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 2.6% year-over-year in May, in line with economists’ expectations and down slightly from a 2.7% gain in April. Excluding the more volatile food and fuel prices, the “core” inflation measure also rose 2.6% year-over-year, down from 2.8% in April. On a monthly basis, inflation remained remarkably subdued, with overall prices not showing any significant increase. The Federal Reserve is likely…

Jalen Brunson defied convention this summer. While most players chase the biggest paycheck, Brunson prioritized winning in New York. The Knicks, eager to retain their rising star, offered a significant contract extension. But the really historic part? Brunson left a whopping $113 million on the table by opting into this deal a year early. The unprecedented move speaks volumes about Brunson’s dedication. He’s not just playing in New York, he’s invested in the team’s championship aspirations. That commitment goes beyond finances: He prioritizes building chemistry with teammates like Josh Hart and playing under Coach Thibodeau. Brunson’s decision is a gamble,…

The collective gasp echoed through the stadium. Lionel Messi, Argentina's talisman, lay crumpled, clutching his ankle. It was no dramatic fall, no obvious culprit. Yet his grimace told the story: his night was over. He limped away, a metaphor for a career approaching its end. At 37, Messi’s once endless summer of magic seems to be reaching its final chapter. This Copa America, he confirmed, would be his last. The World Cup in three years loomed, a potential final dance on the grandest stage. Retirement, the athlete's inevitable enemy, casts a long shadow. Messi, the ageless wonder, has defied the…

This article is part of Neglected, a series of obituaries about extraordinary people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, were not reported by The Times. For many fashionable women of the mid-20th century, a hat wasn't worth wearing unless it was made by Otto Lucas. Lucas was a London milliner famous for his elegant turbans, caps and cloches, often made of fine velvets and silks and decorated with flowers or feathers. Her designs have graced the covers of magazines such as British Vogue and have been worn by illustrious clients, including actresses Greta Garbo and Gene Tierney, as well as the…

On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday in January, Nick Saban's surprising retirement sent shockwaves through the college football landscape. This article explores the ripple effect of his decision, which has impacted hundreds of coaches and staffers at every level of the sport. Alabama Rebuilds: DeBoer Takes the Reins As Alabama mourned the end of the Saban era, attention quickly shifted to finding a new coach. Athletic director Greg Byrne wasted no time in naming Kalen DeBoer, Washington’s national championship runner-up, as Saban’s successor. DeBoer’s departure opened another vacancy at Washington, setting the coaching carousel in motion. A chain reaction across the…

"Inside Out 2," featuring Anxiety personified, maintained its position as the top film in North America for the third consecutive weekend. Meanwhile, "A Quiet Place: Day One," a suspenseful prequel, exceeded expectations with its strong ticket sales. However, Kevin Costner’s three-hour film “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” was largely ignored by moviegoers. Originally intended for streaming, this supposed start to an Old West series eventually made it to theaters, but failed to attract significant interest. Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” was projected to gross $57.4 million, reaching a three-week total of about $470 million in the U.S. and Canada,…

The 2023 Ryder Cup loss in Rome left a sour taste in the mouth of the U.S. team, causing a significant shakeup in the leadership. With Tiger Woods stepping down as captain, a new era begins with Keegan Bradley at the helm. The traditional “task force” approach, grooming veterans for captaincy roles, had grown stale. Zach Johnson’s 2023 leadership, criticized for favoritism and reliance on past captains, highlighted the need for a fresh perspective. Enter Bradley, himself an avid Ryder Cup player. Although left off the 2023 team, his youthful energy and close connection with today’s PGA Tour players resonated…

Rory McIlroy is using introspection and a change of scenery to process his heartbreaking U.S. Open finish. After missing putts on the final holes at Pinehurst, McIlroy took solitary walks through the busy streets of New York City. The walks served as a way to mentally unplug and gain perspective on the challenging tournament. A familiar pattern of frustration McIlroy described feeling like his "old self" for much of the final round, the version that was seeking major championship glory. He controlled the pace early, building a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau entering the 15th hole. However, a bogey on…

Weddings, anniversaries, holidays: the family reunion is a dramatic gift that keeps on giving on both screen and stage. Crystal Finn’s new play, “Find Me Here,” at the Wild Project, falls into a subcategory of the funeral subgenre: the unsealing of a will. In this case, a patriarch’s dying will is uncovered by his three daughters and their families. Truths and conflicts emerge cautiously, almost hesitantly, because Finn is less interested in confrontation than in gentle nudges and shoves. Unfortunately, “Find Me Here,” the third and final installment of Clubbed Thumb’s Summerworks 2024, isn’t willing to commit to any specifics.…

USA Today Editor-in-Chief Terence Samuel announced Monday he was stepping down after a year in office. Samuel, a veteran journalist, had joined USA Today in July of the previous year from National Public Radio, where he had been a senior executive overseeing all news programs. Neither Samuel nor USA Today gave a reason for his departure. In an email to the newsroom, Monica Richardson, a senior vice president at USA Today, said Samuel’s resignation was “effective today.” Caren Bohan, the political editor, will temporarily take over as managing editor while the publication conducts a national search for a new chief…