Across the divide: President Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. would contribute $50 million to a new World Bank fund conceived by his daughter that aims to help women entrepreneurs access capital and other support. The Associated Press reports Ivanka Trump joined World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim to launch the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative during the recently convened G20 summit. Kim said the fund had raised more than $325 million so far for projects and programs to support women and women-led businesses by improving access to capital and markets, providing technical assistance, training and mentoring, and pushing public policy. Read more.
War chest: With qualifying for the Oct. 14 elections to start on Wednesday, Baton Rouge surgeon Dr. Craig Greene has announced that his District 2 Public Service Commission campaign has raised more than $360,000. Greene announced his intent to run for the open seat in June. The post was previously held by former PSC Scott Angelle, who resigned in May to accept a regulatory post in President Donald Trump’s administration. Gov. John Bel Edwards has appointed Houma attorney Damon Baldone, a registered Democrat, to fill the seat in the interim. The special election is set for Oct. 14. According to the Louisiana Secretary of State, no one has yet to officially qualify for the race.
Shifting fashions: Abercrombie & Fitch is no longer up for sale. The Associated Press reports the trouble retailer is no longer holding talks with potential buyers, a development that isn’t sitting well with investors hoping for a white knight to rescue the brand. Shares plunged 21% to an all-time low in early trading this morning. Abercrombie in May said it was in talks with several parties interested in purchasing the chain, which has closed dozens of underperforming stores. All such negotiations have ended, the company now says. Abercrombie & Fitch has lost ground to lower-cost, fast-fashion stores like H&M and Forever 21. Read more.
