Latest Recessions and depressions News

Small businesses could find filing for bankruptcy more difficult as government program expires

Jul. 02, 2024 09:16 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A type of bankruptcy protection filing that made it easier for small businesses to seek relief has expired, which will complicate filing for small businesses with more than $3 million in debt. The filing type, known as Subchapter V, is cheaper and less...

TV personality Carlos Watson testifies in his trial over collapse of startup Ozy Media

Jul. 01, 2024 18:40 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Former TV host Carlos Watson told a jury Monday he never schemed to con backers of his Ozy Media, a once high-flying startup that crashed in a storm of doubt about its business tactics and claims of success. “Mr. Watson, did you conspire to commit securities...

Economic turmoil in Bolivia fuels distrust in government and its claim of a 'failed coup'

Jul. 01, 2024 01:16 AM EDT

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Signs reading “I'm buying dollars” line the doors of Víctor Vargas’ shoe shop in the heart of Bolivia’s biggest city, a desperate attempt to keep his family business alive. Just a few years ago, the 45-year-old Vargas would unlock the doors at 8 a.m....

Market for newly built homes slows as elevated mortgage rates put off many home shoppers

Jun. 27, 2024 16:07 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Homebuilders who bucked the worst of last year’s housing slump may be seeing their luck run out. After showing signs of strengthening early this year, sales of new U.S. homes fell in April and May from a year earlier by 7.7% and 16.5%, respectively. ...

Sri Lanka reaches deal on debt restructuring with bilateral creditors including China and France

Jun. 26, 2024 20:49 PM EDT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced a debt restructuring deal with countries including India, France, Japan and China in a televised address to the nation Wednesday. The agreement marks a key step in the country’s economic recovery after defaulting...

Consumer confidence in U.S. falls in June as Americans fret about near-term prospects

Jun. 25, 2024 11:39 AM EDT

American consumers lost some confidence in June as expectations over the near-term future fell again. The Conference Board, a business research group, said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell in June to 100.4 from 101.3 in May. The index's decline was not quite as bad as...

Yellen announces efforts to boost the housing supply as high prices create a crunch

Jun. 24, 2024 15:56 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced new steps to increase access to affordable housing as still-high prices on groceries and other necessities and high interest rates have dramatically pushed up the cost of living in the post-pandemic years. Treasury Secretary...

Bankruptcy judge approves sale of Express Inc to group led by WHP Global

Jun. 17, 2024 17:32 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of the majority of Express Inc. 's operations to a consortium led by brand acquisition and management firm WHP Global — providing a lifeline to the struggling retailer and its hundreds of remaining stores. The offer...

Lawmakers seek health care and retirement protections for Steward Health Care workers

Jun. 17, 2024 11:59 AM EDT

BOSTON (AP) — A group of Democratic members of Congress, led by Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts, is seeking reassurances that workers at hospitals owned by Steward Health Care will have their health care and retirement benefits protected. Steward last month said it plans to...

China keeps lending rate unchanged as data show housing market is still struggling

Jun. 17, 2024 06:14 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — China's central bank kept a key lending rate unchanged on Monday, choosing not to loosen credit as data for May showed signs of persisting weakness in the world's No. 2 economy's manufacturing and real estate sectors. The central bank kept its rate for 1-year...