Articles by Gerson Freitas Jr. and Isis Almeida

Biden’s Biofuel Push Risks Dethroning Corn as King of US Crops

American farmers will plant more corn than soybeans in 2024 — as they have in most years for over a century. But beyond that, a green diesel boom threatens to dethrone the king of all crops. President Joe Biden’s decarbonization …

Commercial Real Estate Trouble Evident in Fading Downtown Construction

When Rahm Emanuel ran Chicago and wanted to boast about the health of the city, the then-mayor pointed to the number of construction cranes across the skyline — 60 at the end of 2017. Almost five years after he left …

The Hack That Upended Derivatives Trading Spurs Calls for Action

A cyberattack that disrupted derivatives trading in January is prompting calls for more oversight to combat the risk of hacks across financial markets. The top US derivatives regulator wants to update standards and monitoring systems that will help minimize the …

ION Trading UK Prepares to Bring Clients Back Online After Cyber Attack

ION Trading UK, the technology firm hit by a cyberattack last week, told some clients that it has rebuilt relevant systems and will relaunch them after carrying out independent security testing. ION indicated that some systems could be available on …

Laid Off Tech Workers Are About to Get Help—From Allstate

Allstate Corp. plans to tap the pool of recently fired tech workers to help the insurer overhaul its business. The company—best known for auto and home policies—is investing in technology including artificial intelligence and telematics, which sets premiums based on …

Russian Commodities Traders Relocate to Dubai as Switzerland Tightens Sanctions

Traders of Russian commodities are rushing to set up businesses in Dubai as Switzerland makes it increasingly challenging for them to deal with Moscow. Switzerland has for decades been home to middlemen helping to match Russian producers with buyers all …

Why Post-Brexit Britain Is Economically Isolated, Vulnerable and Running on Fumes

Lines of cars snake from gasoline stations. Fights break out among angry motorists trying to get fuel. Grocery staples are out of stock on store shelves. A charity warns that doubling heating bills will force a million households to rely …

Meat Packing Plant Owners Defend Operations During Pandemic

As part of an investigation into the spread of coronavirus at U.S. meat plants, Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker released responses from major producers that defended their operations during the pandemic. The four biggest meatpackers — Tyson Foods …

What Companies Need to Disclose on Coronavirus Infections: Q&A

Almost all U.S. companies are likely to include in their quarterly filings broad statements on risks the ongoing coronavirus pandemic poses to their businesses. Should they be disclosing more? Smithfield Foods Inc., the world’s biggest pork processor, recently announced it …

Hawaii Spared Hurricane As Iselle Weakens to Tropical Storm

Hawaii escaped its first hurricane strike in 22 years as Iselle was downgraded to a tropical storm just before making landfall at the Big Island. Iselle, bearing winds of 60 miles (96 kilometers) per hour, was 80 miles south of …