Category: Business

Friend Wants to Be a Tenant

Dear Dave, I own a duplex that has an opening for a tenant, and an old college buddy wants to rent the apartment. He has always been a good friend, but I’m a little worried about the possible effects on our friendship if business is brought into the picture. Do you have any advice? —Justin…


US Business Activity Slows Moderately in Mid-November: IHS Markit Survey

WASHINGTON—U.S. business activity slowed moderately in November amid labor shortages and raw material delays, contributing to prices continuing to soar halfway through the fourth quarter. Data firm IHS Markit said on Tuesday its flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index, which tracks the manufacturing and services sectors, fell to a reading of 56.5 in mid-November from…


US Confident on Developing Business Framework With Indo-Pacific Partners: Commerce Chief

KUALA LUMPUR—The United States is confident about developing a framework with Indo-Pacific partners to strengthen business and workforce, U.S. Commerce secretary Gina Raimondo said on Thursday. Raimondo said in a teleconference call that the framework was not envisioned as a typical free trade deal, and must be inclusive, flexible so many countries can participate.


For Ottawa to Implement a Successful China Policy, Canada-China Business Lobby’s Clout Must End

Commentary The Trudeau government is apparently in the process of rethinking its China policy to make it more adaptable to current challenges. The Globe and Mail reports that the government is “designing its first strategy that encompasses the entire Indo-Pacific region” and will ostensibly focus on the increasing threat from the Chinese regime. Heading the special…


US Treasury Issues Guidance for $10 Billion Small Business Credit Program

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday released new implementation guidance for the $10 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative Program, designed to allow firms in disadvantaged communities access capital. The program, approved under coronavirus relief legislation passed in March, aims to catalyze $10 of private investment for every $1 of federal funding. Treasury said in…


This 5,000-Year-Old Chinese Board Game Can Help Your Business Make Millions

By Roman Kumar Vyas Every week, our team at Refocus plays the ancient Chinese board game Go. It’s not just for team-building or fun. Go is a powerful tool for pumping strategic thinking into business. The game, which is about 5,000 years old, helps entrepreneurs make important decisions about which country to open a new…


Several Big Business Groups Express Displeasure With Biden’s Private Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Several large business groups on Thursday said President Joe Biden’s latest COVID-19 vaccine requirement was poorly planned and would burden employers during the holiday season. The mandate, announced by Biden in September, was released to the public for the first time on Nov. 4. It requires employers with 100 or more employees—and, perhaps, smaller businesses—to…


Euro Zone Business Growth Slipped to Six-Month Low in October as Price Pressures Soared

BENGALURU/LONDON—Euro zone business growth slipped to a six-month low in October as supply chain bottlenecks and logistical issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic pushed input prices to rise at the fastest rate in over two decades, a survey showed. Government restrictions are being lifted in the currency bloc but shortages of raw materials in the…


Report Says Beijing’s Expanding Energy Exploration Threatens South China Sea Neighbors

China produces more solar energy panels than any other country and is moving to dominate the world’s electric vehicle (EV) battery market, but the Asian giant is also embarked on an intrusive expansion of oil and gas exploration and production, according to a new report from the Institute for Energy Research (IER). “China’s strategic emphasis…


Beijing’s Expanding Energy Exploration Threatens South China Sea Neighbors, Report Says

China produces more solar energy panels than any other country and is moving to dominate the world’s electric vehicle (EV) battery market, but the Asian giant has also embarked on an intrusive expansion of oil and gas exploration and production, according to a new report from the Institute for Energy Research (IER). “China’s strategic emphasis…