Podcast Summary
Politics and Ceasefire: The Democratic National Convention focuses on the party's vision for America's future, while Vice President Harris campaigns. Former President Trump holds a rally in Michigan, potentially stoking racial tensions. U.S. Secretary of State Blinken works on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Israeli troop presence on Gaza's border a major point of contention.
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago is focusing on the party's vision for America's future, with political heavyweights like former President Barack Obama, Doug Emhoff, and J.B. Pritzker set to speak. Vice President Harris is also campaigning, while former President Trump is holding a rally in Michigan, drawing criticism for potentially stoking racial tensions. Elsewhere, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is working to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with the latest proposal on the table but still under negotiation. Meanwhile, Lowe's, one of the nation's biggest home improvement chains, is projecting slower sales this year. Trump's visit to Michigan, where white supremacists rallied recently, has drawn criticism for potentially exacerbating racial tensions. The ceasefire proposal includes Israeli troop presence on Gaza's border with Egypt as a main sticking point.
Lowe's sales decline, DIY project cautiousness: Lowe's sales at existing stores decreased by over 5% due to DIY project cautiousness from consumers, but sales to professional contractors are increasing. The company remains optimistic about future demand.
Lowe's sales at existing stores decreased by more than 5 percent in the latest quarter compared to the same period last year. This drop in sales is due to DIY home improvement project cautiousness among consumers. However, Lowe's has noticed an increase in sales to professional contractors. The company remains optimistic about its positioning when demand eventually rebounds. Additionally, disposable income has been growing faster than prices. On the financial front, US stocks are experiencing losses with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 59 points, the S&P off six points, and the NASDAQ falling 34 points. In other news, MIT psychologist Sheri Turkle discusses the pros and cons of artificial intimacy on the TED Radio Hour, where technologies claim to care for us, love us, and be there for us. This exploration of artificial intimacy is available on the TED Radio Hour from NPR.