The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Washington—Hillary Rodham Clinton’s polished performance in the first Democratic debate served more than anything as a warning to the chaotic Republican field about her likely strength in a general election. 

Washington—US Secretary of State John Kerry appealed last Wednesday for the release of a Chinese Christian human-rights lawyer detained ahead of a planned meeting with the top US envoy in late August. 

By Rob Harris / The Associated Press Bern, Switzerland—The corruption scandal sweeping world soccer engulfed Germany as the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) said it would investigate “very serious allegations” that voters were bribed to win the 2006 World Cup bid. 

Las Vegas—Lamar Odom has regained consciousness, and is communicating—speaking and even giving a thumbs-up sign from his hospital bed — just days after being found in extremely critical condition at a Nevada brothel, loved ones said.

By Paul Newberry / The Associated Press Around the world, thousands of Olympic athletes are training intensely for the biggest moment of their lives. 

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has introduced a streamlined procedure for its Individual Medical Assistance Program (Imap) that eliminates the interview portion of requests for financial assistance.

Asian healthcare platform Practo announced recently that it had acquired Qikwell, a leader in appointment scheduling at hospitals, making the former the world’s largest appointment-booking platform with nearly 40 million appointments managed every year. As a result, Practo gets a fantastic product that delivers a great consumer experience in hospitals and clinics by providing smooth appointment booking, significantly reducing waiting …

The SM Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of the SM Group of Companies, has announced that it finished the first phase of the renovation and refurbishment of the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) Fort del Pilar Station Hospital in Baguio City, Benguet province. The hospital is the 13th facility to be renovated and refurbished by the SM Foundation, and …

Early this month, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares urged public schools to hold screenings of historical films, such as the award-winning Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo and the blockbuster Heneral Luna, for their students and initiate meaningful discussions on these biopics with them.

Review by Lindsey Bahr / The Associated Press Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, much like its misunderstood litigator, is a film that plays the long game. This complex Cold War drama, soaked in shadows, blues, grays and furrowed brows, is a slow burn that challenges the audience to trust where it’s going.