The productivity of American workers unexpectedly declined for a third straight quarter, consistent with lackluster efficiency that’s characterized the economic expansion. The measure of employee output per hour decreased at a 0.5 percent annualized rate in the three months through June after dropping 0.6 percent in the prior quarter, a Labor Department report showed Tuesday in Washington. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for a 0.4 percent gain. Expenses per worker climbed at a 2 percent pace after being revised to a decline in the previous period.
U.S. Productivity Unexpectedly Falls for Third Straight Quarter - Bloomberg
As Mr Bernanke notes, these revisions change the outlook for rate rises in slightly different ways. The latter two—a lower unemployment rate and a lower long-run interest rate—clearly imply that rates will rise more slowly to a lower overall level. The projection of a lower potential growth rate, however, is more ambiguous. It suggests, for instance, that the American economy is running closer to its "speed limit", or the pace of expansion at which inflation pressures begin to build up. That, in turn, could push some members toward a more hawkish stance.
Absence of evidence: The Fed is rethinking one thing too many | The Economist
There have been cheesy stories about super villains threatening to blow up the moon for decades, but the idea is about to become a little less crazy. A new plan by a billionaire and his associates could lead to moon mining, and change the energy and natural resources industries forever. Moon Express has cleared the initial hurdles from the US government to allow it to explore and commercialize space including the moon.
This Billionaire Could Change The Resource Industry Forever | OilPrice.com
This popular language-learning app (and PCMag's Editors' Choice for free language-learning software) is now available as a Windows Universal app. Get the same drills you've come to expect on your PC, with 16 languages to choose from for English speakers. You get the same fun progression through difficulty levels, starting by simply choosing the picture of the word in the other language and hearing it spoken, then you move on to typing translations and more. Setup is super simple, to boot.
The Best Windows 10 Universal Apps of 2016 | PCMag.com
On stage he’s a loveable, floppy-haired prince charming. Off camera – well let’s just say he needs a lot of personal space. He hates being a celebrity. He resents being an actor. To friends he’s known as ‘Grumpelstiltskin’. Hugh Grant: in all he’s famed for being moody, difficult to work with and a penchant for throwing baked beans at strangers. But could a bad attitude be the secret to his success? The truth is, pondering the worst has some clear advantages. Cranks may be superior negotiators, more discerning decision-makers and cut their risk of having a heart attack. Cynics can expect more stable marriages, higher earnings and longer lives – though, of course, they’ll anticipate the opposite.