Business & Tech

Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page By Paul Wiseman Associated Press  July 16, 2018 WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday brought cases against China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey at the World Trade Organization for retaliating against American tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.The United States has imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum on the grounds that the imported metals pose a threat to US national security. China, the EU, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey have counterpunched with taxes on more than $24 billion worth of US exports.US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said their retaliation violates the rules of the Geneva-based WTO, which mediates trade disputes. Advertisement ‘‘Instead of working with us to address a common problem, some of our trading partners have elected to respond with retaliatory tariffs … [Read more...] about US challenges China, EU, and others over steel tariffs

Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page By Michael Liedtke Associated Press  July 16, 2018 SAN FRANCISCO — Uber is facing a US government investigation into allegations that the ride-hailing service set up a pay structure that discriminated against its female workers.The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission opened the probe in August 2017, according to a person familiar with the investigation. The person asked not to be identified because the inquiry is considered confidential.The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation. Advertisement The EEOC declined to comment Monday. Uber said it has revamped its compensation practices and introduced other measures designed to ensure its male and female employees are treated fairly. Get Talking Points in your inbox: An afternoon recap of the day’s most important business news, delivered weekdays. Thank you for signing up! Sign … [Read more...] about Uber faces US probe into alleged gender bias

Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page By Anne D’Innocenzio Associated Press  July 16, 2018 NEW YORK — Amazon’s website ran into some early snags Monday on its much-hyped Prime Day, an embarrassment for the tech company on the shopping holiday it created.Shoppers clicking on many Prime Day links after the 3 p.m. ET launch in the U.S. got only images of dogs — some quite abashed-looking — with the words, ‘‘Uh-oh. Something went wrong on our end.’’ Many took to social media to complain that they couldn’t order items.Amazon didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but by about 4:30 p.m., many Prime Day links were working. Advertisement The hiccups could mute sales and send shoppers elsewhere on one of Amazon’s busiest sales days. Analyst Sucharita Mulpuru-Kodali at Forrester Research called it a ‘‘huge … [Read more...] about Amazon’s much-hyped Prime Day runs into snags

Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page Andy Rosen Globe Staff  July 16, 2018 The business travel booking company Lola now has two of Boston’s best-known technology executives at its helm, after co-founder Paul English said on Monday that the Fort Point company has brought on Mike Volpe as chief executive. English, who was co-founder of popular search engine KAYAK, will remain president and chief technology officer at Lola. Volpe, who has been a marketing and sales executive at HubSpot and the cybersecurity startup Cybereason, will build a strategy to sell Lola’s AI-powered travel service to companies.“I am not a numbers guy,” said English, who noted that his new role will be closer to the position he held at KAYAK, the travel site he sold to Priceline.com for $1.8 billion in 2012. Advertisement “I spend more time just iterating on, ‘What makes this product … [Read more...] about Paul English hires veteran marketing exec to run Lola

Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page Sean P. Murphy Globe Staff  July 16, 2018 Thelma Kaminsky always had a big smile and a kind word for everyone in the Winthrop apartment building where she had lived for almost 15 years. People say she just had a knack for making friends.But when she died last month at age 87, no friends gathered in her building to grieve and pay their respects. There were no hugs, no tears, no laughter, no chance for the elderly women in her circle to come together with Kaminsky’s family to reflect on what a dear, treasured friend they had lost.The managers of the building wouldn’t allow it. They refused her family’s request to host a bereavement gathering in the building’s common room. Advertisement “We wanted a little reception for Thelma and for her friends,” said Myrna Sadowsky, 79, Kaminsky’s cousin. “It’s what people do … [Read more...] about Denied a chance to say goodbye to an old friend