Business Briefs - Aug. 13, 2024

Pfizer CEO on moving beyond COVID vaccines to become a leader in cancer and obesity treatments

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla is trying to reposition the global pharmaceutical giant for a post-pandemic world. Two years ago, Pfizer recorded an unprecedented $100 billion in annual sales from its COVID-19 vaccine and antiviral Paxlovid. Lofty expectations for continuing sales of vaccines and antivirals have fallen flat, forcing the company to lay off staff and cut costs. Bourla spoke with The Associated Press about the company's new focus on specialty cancer drugs and obesity treatments.

The US government wants to make it easier for you to click the 'unsubscribe' button

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the name of consumer protection, a slew of U.S. federal agencies are working to make it easier for Americans to click the unsubscribe button for unwanted memberships and recurring payment services. A broad new government initiative, dubbed "Time Is Money," will impact industries spanning from healthcare, fitness memberships, media subscriptions, education and many more. Monday's announcement includes new FCC efforts to consider imposing requirements on communications companies that would make it as easy to cancel a subscription or service as it was to sign up for one.

Summer tourists flock to boardwalks and piers while sticking to their budgets

NEW YORK (AP) — Small businesses along popular vacation destinations like boardwalks and piers in the U.S. say the number of tourists flocking to the waterfront is back to normal, meaning pre-2020 levels. But while affluent tourists are spending freely, lower-income vacationers are sticking to carefully planned-out budgets and buying less on impulse. According to the U.S. Travel Association's forecast, 2024 tourism volume is expected to top 2019's numbers for the first time since the pandemic began, with 2.45 billion trips taken. Domestic tourism is rebounding faster than international tourism, according to the USTA.