Starbucks has announced plans to issue clearer centralized guidelines for in-store visual displays following allegations from a union that managers had banned or removed Pride-themed decor. In an internal memo, Starbucks North America President Sara Trilling stated the intention to uphold inclusivity and the brand’s values through updated guidelines. The union representing Starbucks baristas had claimed that Pride flags and decorations were either prohibited or taken down at several locations, prompting over 3,000 workers from more than 150 Starbucks stores to plan a walkout. Starbucks denies these allegations as it seeks to address the controversy and maintain a positive work environment.
Fresenius Medical Care, the leading global provider of kidney dialysis services, experienced a decline of up to 5% in its share price following the announcement that a payment increase proposed by a major U.S. public health insurance entity fell short of market expectations. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a base-rate payment increase of 1.6% for 2024, significantly lower than the anticipated 3% to 4% projected by the market. Analysts expressed concerns about meeting 2025 targets and the potential need for additional cost savings. To mitigate the impact of U.S. staff shortages and cost inflation, Fresenius Medical is implementing cost-cutting measures and exploring divestment of non-core businesses. The company also faced challenges from a higher COVID-19 mortality rate among its patients.
A California man suing Johnson & Johnson (J&J) recounted in court on Monday how his life was disrupted by a cancer diagnosis, which he attributes to using the company’s baby powder since childhood. Emory Hernandez, the plaintiff, testified about his mesothelioma diagnosis and expressed his emotional turmoil, stating that he would have avoided J&J’s talc if he had been informed about its alleged asbestos content. J&J has consistently denied that its baby powder contains asbestos or causes cancer. The trial, the first in almost two years involving the product, is concluding in Alameda County Superior Court. J&J argues that Hernandez’s rare form of mesothelioma is not associated with asbestos exposure.
A Tesla vehicle operating on its Autopilot software collided with a stationary truck on a Pennsylvania highway, amplifying concerns surrounding the automaker’s driver assistance system. The car, traveling in the middle lane, struck the rear end of a parked Freightliner semi-truck that was providing traffic control for a lane closure. The Pennsylvania State Police attributed the crash to the vehicle being on Autopilot and charged the 18-year-old driver with careless driving. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Tesla, known for its lack of a public relations department, has not provided a comment. U.S. regulators have been investigating similar incidents involving Tesla vehicles colliding with parked emergency vehicles while on Autopilot.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revealed plans to invest $450 million in efforts to enhance the production and accessibility of transportation fuels blended with higher volumes of biofuels. This move aligns with the Biden administration’s goal of decarbonizing the transportation sector through increased use of lower-emission biofuels. The funding will be channeled into the USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), which supports the construction and retrofitting of infrastructure for biofuel blending and distribution. The agency has also announced the recipients of $25 million in grants from a previous HBIIP funding round. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the administration’s strong support for the biofuel industry.
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