Project in Russia spreads passion for books amid lockdown

Some young children are getting around the lockdown restrictions thanks to a project aimed at spreading the love of reading books.

Lockdowns in Russia are hitting book publishers hard.

Shops are shut and publishing houses are facing bankruptcy.

But some young children are getting around the coronavirus lockdown restrictions thanks to a project aimed at spreading the love of reading books.

Al Jazeera’s Priyanka Gupta reports.

European Economics Preview: German Ifo Business Confidence Data Due

Business sentiment survey results from Germany and France are due on Wednesday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 2.00 am ET, Statistics Norway releases unemployment data for April. The jobless rate is expected to rise to 3.8 percent in April.

At 2.45 am ET, France’s statistical office Insee is scheduled to issue business confidence survey results. The sentiment index is forecast to rise to 80 in June from 70 in May.

At 3.00 am ET, manufacturing confidence survey data is due from Sweden and Turkey.

At 4.00 am ET, Germany’s ifo Institute is scheduled to publish business sentiment survey results for June. Economists forecast the business climate index to rise to 85.0 in June from 79.5 a month ago.

In the meantime, unemployment data is due from Poland. The jobless rate is expected to rise to 6.1 percent in May from 5.8 percent in April.

At 8.30 am ET, the Czech National Bank announces its interest rate decision. Economist forecast the bank to hold its key rate at 0.25 percent.

Pakistan COVID-19 infections pass 100,000

The number of new COVID-19 infections in Pakistan continues to rise after government rejects tougher lockdown measures.

The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has passed 100,000.

Infections jumped after the Islamic holy month of Ramadan ended and markets reopened.

Doctors and other health professionals wanted tougher lockdown measures, including the closure of mosques.

But the government rejected them.

More than 2,000 people in Pakistan have died from COVID-19 since the outbreak began.

Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder joins us live from Islamabad.

Hy-Vee Recalls Addl. 12 Salads For Cyclospora Concerns

Hy-Vee Inc. has expanded its recall of salads to include an additional 12 salads across its eight-state region due to the potential that they may be contaminated with Cyclospora.

On June 21, Hy-Vee had recalled its Hy-Vee Bagged Garden Salad product due to the potential contamination of cyclospora.

The previous recall was limited to 12 oz. Hy-Vee Bagged Garden Salad. The product was distributed to Hy-Vee grocery stores across its eight-state region of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Hy-Vee now has 13 private label bagged salad products that are being recalled as a result.

The company said the potential for contamination was brought to its attention when Fresh Express, the product’s manufacturer, announced that the U.S. FDA investigated an outbreak of Cyclospora in the upper Midwest section of the US.

Customers who purchased this product should discard it or return it to their local Hy-Vee store for a full refund.

Symptoms of cyclosporiasis begin an average of seven days after ingestion of Cyclospora. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may include: watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and low-grade fever.

Florida to Start Reporting Current Covid-19 Hospitalization

Florida will start reporting current Covid-19 hospitalization for the first time in the “next few days,” potentially adding an important new data set as the state faces a dramatic resurgence of the virus.

In an emailed response to questions, Florida Department of Health spokesman Alberto Moscoso said the information will be published alongside other publicly available data on cases.

Florida has been criticized for not publishing the data sooner. Its daily reports include a cumulative total of Covid-19 related hospitalizations, but not the number of coronavirus patients admitted currently in the state’s health-care system.

WME Signs Create & Cultivate Founder Jaclyn Johnson

WME said Tuesday it has signed founder and CEO of Create & Cultivate, Jaclyn Johnson, for representation in all areas. The agency will focus on expanding the networking platform and site for millennial women in business across TV, podcasting, digital, speaking, literary and endorsements and growing the brand online and in-person.

Create & Cultivate reaches an audience of more than one million women and holds conference in cities around the country with sponsors including Fortune 500 companies Amazon and Mastercard and featured speakers from Kim Kardashian West to Meghan Markle and Chrissy Teigen. The company calls itself “an online community and offline event series for women looking to create & cultivate the career of their dreams.”

The platform addresses areas including wellness, diversity, marketing and small business for “the next generation of curious creatives, entrepreneurs and ceos to spark conversation around the topics they are passionate about.”

Johnson’s book WorkParty was published by Simon & Schuster in 2018. It has an accompanying podcast which has featured guests including Kristen Bell, Sophia Bush and Kendra Scott.

Johnson previously founded and sold a marketing and events firm No Subject and has invested in female-owned owned businesses. Her ventures have focused on female entrepreneurs and women in the workplace, She was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2015 and recognized by Adweek as a Disruptor.