Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published by Mastercard

By Vicki Hyman
Director, Global Communications, Mastercard

Financial health is often framed as a long-term goal: building wealth, buying a “forever home,” planning for retirement, perhaps even early retirement. But new global research from Mastercard suggests that for many consumers today, financial health is far more immediate and practical.

Across 11 markets, consumers defined being “financially well” first and foremost as paying bills on time without stress (50%) and being free from debt (50%; rising to 56% and ranking most important of those with low income), followed closely by having emergency savings (47%) and being able to comfortably afford everyday essentials (45%) — gas, not tropical getaways; medicine, not Michelin-star meals.

Longer-term goals like building wealth or retiring when they want fall much lower on the list, underscoring how rising costs, economic uncertainty and day-to-day pressures are reshaping what “doing well” really means.

The findings come from a 2026 survey of 9,605 consumers and 2,276 small businesses across the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, India and China, offering a broad view into how people are experiencing their financial lives today.

The survey found that fewer than 1 in 4 (24%) people describe their current financial situation as “very comfortable,” with nearly 3 in 10 (29%) saying they are “just getting by” or “struggling,” more common among lower income segments (46%) and those who are underbanked (35%).

But despite the pressures shaping today’s definition of financial health, optimism remains resilient, with 61% of consumers (65% underbanked) saying they believe their best days are still ahead.

Back to basics

When asked what it means to be financially well, consumers consistently prioritized stability over aspiration. Barely a third named building wealth, and just over a quarter said being able to retire when they want.

“People need to feel confident about getting through the day before planning for the future,” says Shamina Singh, president and founder of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “True financial health depends on whether people can use financial tools with confidence, manage short-term needs and weather unexpected shocks.”

That understanding underpins Mastercard’s next chapter in this space — a commitment to connect and protect 500 million people and small businesses on their pathways to financial health by 2030. The focus is on supporting the full journey, from access to active use, from use to security, and from security to long-term resilience, so that participation in the digital economy feels safe, practical and reliable.

This work follows Mastercard’s work during the last decade to bring more than 1 billion people and 65 million small businesses into the formal financial system, which was a critical first step in providing access to digital and financial tools.

This new commitment may look different in different markets. In Africa, farmers are creating a digital profile that can unlock affordable digital financial services through the MADE Alliance initiative. In Southeast Asia, factory workers are receiving digital wages, a safer option than cash, and one that gives them more control over their finances. In North America, small business owners are accessing affordable cyber solutions to protect their enterprises and AI-powered agents that can act as digital executives to gain deeper insights into their operations so they can grow smarter and faster.

And around the world, the Global Financial Health Coalition, launched last year by Mastercard, is convening leaders across the ecosystem to strengthen trust, expand protection and embrace innovation, moving people beyond short-term survival toward lasting financial confidence and opportunity.

“Advancing financial health at scale requires shared insight and collective action,” says Bunita Sawhney, chief consumer product officer at Mastercard. “By bringing different perspectives together, we can better understand what people and small businesses actually need — and design solutions that help them build resilience in ways that are trusted and relevant to their everyday lives.”

Global research data from Mastercard’s Global Financial Sentiment Survey 2026. Contact Jenna.Yasgur@mastercard.com for more information.

Continue reading here.

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

WHO

Fairtrade America, Marketplace of the Future, D.C. Climate Week

WHAT

Approaching its 10th annual event in NYC, the Marketplace of the Future is the longest running consecutive event in NYC Climate Week history and is making its second year return in D.C. this month. The Marketplace of the Future, as one of D.C. Climate Week’s primary features, shows the public what the future could look like if we give ourselves full permission to envision the ideas, products, services that collectively form a model of a healed planet – whether it’s repair stations or solar infrastructure companies. Marketplace of the Future offers achievable steps toward creating a more sustainable future.

Fairtrade America sees a future where exploitative trade no longer exists, where fair trade becomes the normalized, integrated structure of global trade. We see a future where consumers don’t have to choose Fairtrade products because fair trade practices like market minimums and additional premiums are built into standard practice.

You’ll see Fairtrade America at this year’s D.C. Climate Week Marketplace for the Future, representing a future where all individuals – farmers, traders, manufacturers, shippers, labelers and consumers – equitably share trade’s benefits.

WHEN

April 25, 2026
12-10:00 p.m. Eastern

WHERE

The Square at 1875 I. St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.

WHY

Fairtrade works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It’s about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. We envision a future where all producers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential and decide on their future.

Despite mounting pressure from economic uncertainty and inflation, recent consumer research from GlobeScan shows that 72% of U.S. consumers who said they have seen the Fairtrade Mark are willing to pay more for a product to help farmers earn a fair price. In fact, ⅔ of shoppers who know Fairtrade are willing to pay more for certified products: $1.50 more for a Fairtrade bar of chocolate, $3.40 more for a bag of Fairtrade coffee and $0.80 more per pound for Fairtrade bananas.

ABOUT FAIRTRADE AMERICA

Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It’s about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world’s largest and most recognized fair trade certification program — part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtrade.net, and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Fairtrade takes human rights, sustainability and trade personally. Though consequences often go unseen, companies’ and consumers’ choices have human and environmental costs. By choosing Fairtrade, businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers can create a better world – one that puts people and planet over profits. Together, we can prioritize global partnership and our shared humanity.

ABOUT MARKETPLACE OF THE FUTURE

Inspired by the 1939 New York World’s Fair, Marketplace for the Future in Washington, D.C. is an expo designed to highlight climate solutions and the possibilities of a more sustainable future. Scheduled for April 25, 2026, the event will feature exhibitors, panels, live jazz and more to create an immersive experience for attendees.

MEDIA CONTACT

Liz Davis, Fairtrade America

202.930.4349 | ldavis@fairtradeamerica.org

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, April 16, 2026 /3BL/ – DP World’s Terminales Río de la Plata (TRP) has been ranked 19th out of 100 companies in the Great Place To Work® “Best Places to Work in Argentina 2026” list in the mid-size company category (251–1,000 employees), reflecting strong employee engagement and workplace culture at the company’s Buenos Aires operations.

The recognition is supported by employee feedback collected through Great Place To Work’s independent workplace culture assessment:

• 90% of TRP employees say TRP is a great place to work, outperforming the national average of 85% across Argentina’s workforce.
• 92% of employees say they feel treated fairly
• 93% express pride in their work at the company.

These results reflect a high level of employee trust, engagement, and satisfaction within TRP’s Buenos Aires operations.

Gustavo Figuerola, CEO of DP World in Argentina, said: “Being recognized among Argentina’s best workplaces reflects the strength of our people and the culture they create every day at Terminales Río de la Plata. By investing in our teams and building an environment based on trust, safety, and opportunity, we enable our workforce to deliver reliable operations that support Argentina’s role in global trade.”

Located in the Port of Buenos Aires, Terminales Río de la Plata is a key gateway supporting Argentina’s international trade flows. As part of DP World’s global network of ports, terminals, and logistics services, TRP connects Argentine importers and exporters with global markets while supporting efficient cargo handling and supply chain reliability.

The Great Place To Work ® ranking highlights the company’s continued investment in workforce development, safety, and a collaborative workplace culture. TRP employs more than 680 people and focuses on initiatives that promote employee well-being, leadership development, and continuous professional growth while maintaining high operational standards across its port operations.

“Port activity requires high levels of coordination, safety, and operational efficiency. Having teams that take pride in what they do, work collaboratively, and have a strong sense of responsibility is key to maintaining reliable operations and supporting the growth of Argentina’s foreign trade,” added Fernando de Vera, VP, Operations at TRP / DP World in Buenos Aires.

The recognition reinforces DP World’s broader commitment to building high-performing workplaces across its Americas network, where employee engagement and professional development play a critical role in maintaining resilient and efficient trade infrastructure.

– END –

For more insights into how DP World is reshaping global trade, visit our website: www.dpworld.com

For media enquiries, please contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications
M: (+1) 704-605-6159
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About DP World

DP World is reshaping the future of global trade to improve lives everywhere. Operating across six continents with a team of over 125,000 employees, we combine global infrastructure and local expertise to deliver seamless supply chain solutions. From Ports and Terminals to Marine Services, Logistics and Technology, we leverage innovation to create better ways to trade, minimizing disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

In the Americas, DP World operates with a team of over 16,000 people across 12 countries, driving excellence through a robust network of 14 ports and terminals and more than 40 warehouses. By harnessing our global reach and local expertise, we simplify logistics, enhance operational performance, and redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in global trade.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW.

Key points

• A faster, easier prior authorization experience ensures providers can focus on their patients, helps ensure members get their medications quickly
• CVS Caremark is using Surescripts Touchless Prior Authorization for select specialty drugs
• The expansion of Touchless Prior Authorization into specialty drugs helps members start treatment sooner, improving medication adherence and health outcomes

Originally published on CVS Health Company News

CVS Caremark is deploying innovative new processes and technology to simplify the prior authorization process for medications and make it faster for members and providers while upholding rigorous clinical integrity and quality. As part of this effort, CVS Caremark is expanding use of Surescripts Touchless Prior Authorization. Touchless Prior Authorization is an industry-leading technology that anticipates what clinical information will be needed to complete a prior authorization, connects directly to a patient’s electronic health record to retrieve that information, and shares that information back to CVS Caremark.

When prior authorization requirements are met, CVS Caremark can immediately approve the medication. The process of automatically matching clinical data with determination criteria at the time of prescribing enables CVS Caremark to reach approvals as quickly as possible, often in as little as 22 seconds*.

CVS Caremark is using this approach for select specialty medications. Specialty medications are essential for patients managing chronic, rare, or serious conditions, but the prior authorization process for these drugs can sometimes be complex. The first specialty medications added — Vivitrol and Epidiolex, used to treat substance use disorder and epilepsy, respectively — represent high impact therapies for which complex approval requirements are needed.

“CVS Caremark and Surescripts share a commitment to transform the prior authorization approval process through innovation,” said Dr. Michelle Gourdine, Senior Vice President, CVS Health; Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark. “By helping to make prior authorization instant and seamless, we reduce administrative burden while maintaining clinical integrity, helping to ensure the people we serve receive the medications they need more quickly.”

The expansion of Touchless Prior Authorization is one part of CVS Caremark’s broader commitment to enhancing the prior authorization experience by leveraging technology and optimizing process across a multitude of initiatives. Last year, these combined efforts reduced the median time to process a prior authorization to 34 minutes, down from 2-3 hours in 2024, with nearly 4 million prior authorizations approved automatically through use of responsible technology.

A faster, easier prior authorization experience ensures providers and colleagues can focus on their patients, and that members get their medications quickly.

The adoption and expansion of Touchless Prior Authorization is another step in CVS Health’s commitment to reduce administrative obstacles, resulting in less friction for providers, and expediting care and improved health outcomes for patients.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs. 

Chemours Fayetteville Works has once again earned Gold in the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Conservation Certification®, recognizing the site’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship, biodiversity, and community engagement.

Powered by Tandem Global, the WHC Conservation Certification® is the only voluntary sustainability standard designed specifically for broad‑based biodiversity enhancement and conservation education on corporate lands. Certification is awarded through an objective, third‑party evaluation of on‑site conservation and education programs. Achieving Gold status reflects both the strength of Fayetteville Works’ environmental initiatives and the dedication of employee volunteers who lead them.

“The Chemours Fayetteville Works site is recognized as meeting the strict requirements of WHC Certification,” said Margaret O’Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Tandem Global. “Companies achieving WHC Certification, like Chemours Fayetteville Works, are environmental leaders, voluntarily managing their lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them.”

This milestone underscores Chemours’ continued commitment to being a good neighbor and advancing biodiversity and conservation education across its operations, including Fayetteville Works and five additional WHC‑certified sites in Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

A Comprehensive Approach to Habitat, Wildlife, and Education

Fayetteville Works’ Gold certification is supported by a focused portfolio of habitat management, wildlife conservation, and education programs developed in partnership with local schools and community organizations.

Forest Habitat Stewardship

• 1,500 acres of managed forest habitat, including longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood forests
• Regular monitoring of plant and wildlife diversity to assess forest health and inform long‑term stewardship
• Alignment with regional conservation priorities, including the North Carolina State Wildlife Action Plan

Wildlife, Pollinator, and Avian Conservation

• Bluebird Program: Installation and monitoring of more than 70 nesting boxes, improving nesting success through adaptive management
• Eastern Wild Turkey Habitat Management: Food plots, forest thinning, and delayed mowing to support nesting and broader wildlife populations
• Bird‑Safe Buildings: Window deflectors installed on office buildings to reduce bird strikes
• Pollinators: Native plantings and pollinator habitats supporting bees, butterflies, and other essential species
• Whitetail Deer: Habitat management practices that support healthy populations while maintaining balanced forest ecosystems
• Bats: Protection and monitoring of bat habitats, supporting local populations and their role in natural insect control

Conservation Education and Community Engagement

• School Partnerships: Hands‑on environmental education with Gray’s Creek High School, Future Farmers of America students, and Mac Williams Middle School, reaching hundreds of students each year
• Youth Outreach: Nature‑based learning activities through events such as Kids Day at Work, introducing children to local wildlife and conservation concepts

Together, these site‑led initiatives demonstrate how employee volunteers and community partnerships are making a positive impact on local ecosystems and communities.

Chemours recognizes the Fayetteville Works employee volunteers and community partners whose dedication made this achievement possible and remains committed to advancing conservation and biodiversity across its global footprint.

Learn more about Chemours commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability at https://www.chemours.com/en/sustainability. 

LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable.

“We are proud to see the Bremen Industrial Plant lead the way as Southwire’s first manufacturing facility to be awarded LEED Silver,” said Jason Nine, Director of Process Technology Optimization at Southwire. “It is important to us to support Southwire’s commitment to generational sustainability by building new sites to the highest standard of quality, excellence and environmental and human health.”

The Bremen Industrial Plant achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

During the building’s design and construction phase, the team worked closely with contractors to implement improvements such as individualized HVAC and lighting for offices, using light-colored roofing to reduce the urban heat island effect, capturing rainwater and reducing light pollution in the parking lots.

“LEED certification is the ultimate recognition of global green building leadership, signaling that a space has undergone rigorous third-party verification and meets the highest green building standards,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO of the USGBC. “The success of LEED is due to the partnership and support of those committed to advancing green building and sustainability. Each new LEED certification brings us one step closer to revolutionizing the spaces where we live, learn, work and play.”

Certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to ensure the space is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability. More than 129,434 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 12 billion square feet of commercial space in all 50 states and more than 186 countries and territories.

“Southwire not only ‘talks the talk’ but actually ‘walks the walk.’ This is another example of Southwire doing well by doing good,” said Casey Long, Vice President of Manufacturing. “I am proud of the Bremen team and our partners for delivering a result that strengthens our sustainability goals today and in the future.”

For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/sustainability.