China will raise defense spending by 7.1% in 2022, faster than last year

Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects troops during a parade on October 1, 2019, to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at Tiananmen Square in 1949, in Beijing, China. Kevin Frayer | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s defense spending this year is set to grow at its fastest pace…

IRS unveils Taxpayer Experience Office to improve customer service

The Internal Revenue Service headquarters building in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images News | Getty Images The IRS on Friday unveiled a new Taxpayer Experience Office as part of a long-term plan to improve customer service issues. The office will focus on “all aspects of taxpayer transactions,” working closely with the Taxpayer Advocate…

How the U.S. determines what makes a car safe

Recent upticks in traffic deaths have sparked worry among safety advocates, government officials and even the industry itself. The toll — 1.36 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled — has been called “a national crisis” by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. That said, riding in cars is currently far safer than it was…

UAE is placed on money laundering watchdog’s ‘gray list’

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on July 5, 2021. Christopher Pike | Bloomberg | Getty Images An intergovernmental organization dedicated to combating money laundering and illicit cash flows on Friday placed the United Arab Emirates on its “gray list” over concerns that the Gulf country isn’t sufficiently stemming illegal financial activities. The UAE was one of…

Starboard Value has options to build value at webchat provider LivePerson

In this article LPSN Daniloandjus | E+ | Getty Images Company: LivePerson Inc. (LPSN) Business: LivePerson is a New York-based software company that was founded in 1995 by Robert LoCascio, the current CEO and chairman. The company was the preeminent webchat provider in the U.S., if not globally, with 35% of the market share and…

Already claimed Social Security? There are still ways you may be able to increase your retirement benefits

Thomas M. Barwick | Getty Images Social Security benefits make up about 30% of elderly Americans’ incomes, according to the Social Security Administration. For some beneficiaries, it can be 90% or more. Yet many people do not think of those earned benefits, and the monthly checks that come with them, as a personal financial asset,…

Student loan delinquencies could return to pre-pandemic rate when payments resume. What borrowers can do now

Getty Images Federal student loan payments are currently set to resume in May after a pause that’s been extended for more than a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, borrowers might not be ready to restart payments and could therefore fall behind on their loans, according to a recent blog post from the Federal…

Next to the last steel mill in town, a robotic farm grows backed by Pritzker billions

Currently less than 1% of fresh produce is grown through hydroponics systems versus open-field agriculture, but this segment is forecast by Mordor Intelligence to grow by nearly 11,% or about $600 million, by 2025. Fifth Season Next to the last steel mill in the poor industrial town of Braddock along the Monongahela River just nine…

Cramer’s lightning round: Virgin Galactic is not an ‘investable frontier’

Loading chart… Freeport-McMoRan Inc: “It’s still incredibly cheap … Copper hit an all-time high today and these guys have great assets. I think you’ve really got game with that one.” Loading chart… Progress Software Corp: “There’s so many data-based software companies now, I just can’t own it unless you think you can get a takeover.”…

PayPal suspends its services in Russia over Ukraine war

In this article PYPL The PayPal app shown on an iPhone. Katja Knupper | DeFodi Images | Getty Images PayPal said Saturday it was suspending its services in Russia, adding to the number of firms retreating from the country in response to its invasion of Ukraine. “Under the current circumstances, we are suspending PayPal services…

Here are the Russian oligarch yachts being seized as sanctions take effect

A file photo dated September 10, 2018 shows mega yacht named “Dilbar” belonging to Uzbek-born Russian business-magnate Alisher Usmanov as it refuels by a tanker in Mugla, Turkiye. Germany seizes Russian billionaire Usmanov’s yacht at Port of Hamburg. Sabri Kesen | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images At least two superyachts owned by Russian oligarchs have…