Business
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Apple Scraps Its Secretive Electric Car Project After Nearly a Decade
In a rare move, Apple has canceled plans to release its long-rumored electric vehicle after nearly 10 years in secretive development. The tech giant informed employees it is shutting down the project known as Titan, shifting team members to other divisions. Apple had intended its…
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Wendy’s Announces Surge Pricing: Get Ready for a New Way to Pay for Your Frosty
Remember scoring great deals with happy hour discounts or booking that dream vacation for less during the off-season? Get ready for the reverse – surge pricing, where what you pay depends on factors like how busy the restaurant is or even the time of day.…
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Dunkin’ Super Bowl Ad Craze Continues: Limited-Edition Funko Pops Launched
The hilarious Dunkin’ Donuts Super Bowl commercial featuring Ben Affleck as a less-than-stellar employee has sparked even more fan excitement. Dunkin’ and Funko are capitalizing on the ad’s success with a limited-edition, customizable Funko Pop inspired by the now-iconic DunKing uniform. Dunkin’ + Funko =…
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Macy’s Announces Significant Downsizing: 150 Stores Slated for Closure
Iconic department store chain Macy’s is making major changes. The company plans to permanently close a significant portion of its stores–150 locations in total by the year 2026. This represents a 30% reduction in its nationwide store footprint. The first wave of closures, affecting 50…
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Why Some Travelers Are Avoiding the United States
The United States, once a top global travel destination, is increasingly losing its appeal for international tourists. The rise in gun violence, both in high-profile mass shootings and everyday incidents, has created a strong perception of the US as an unsafe place to visit. This…
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Car Insurance Costs Are Outpacing Everything – Even Your Grocery Bill
If you’re struggling with rising food costs, brace yourself – your car insurance bill may be an even bigger shock. In 2024, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in the US jumped a staggering 26%, reaching $2,543 annually. This increase massively outpaces overall…
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The Grim Future of Local News and Its Role in Elections
What’s new: The news industry is facing an onslaught of grim headlines as it struggles to adapt to the digital age. Layoffs, closures, and reader fatigue have hit news organizations even as the U.S. heads into a consequential election year. Why it matters: The pain is especially…
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Hollywood’s Fading Stardom in China: A Tale of Changing Tastes and Failed Strategies
Hollywood shut out of China’s top films: For the first time since 2020, no American movies ranked among China’s 10 highest grossing films last year. Major sequels like “Aquaman 2” dramatically underperformed despite big marketing pushes. The fading blockbuster formula: Hollywood studios once relied heavily…
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The Caffeine Controversy: A Deep Dive into Panera’s Charged Lemonade Lawsuits
Panera’s Charged Lemonade: This hyper-caffeinated drink has been implicated in two wrongful-death lawsuits since its introduction in 2022. The company has since added warnings, reduced its caffeine content, and removed the self-serve option.
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Salesforce Trims the Fat, But Still Hiring?
Salesforce is showing Cousin Eddie some love, laying off about 700 employees (1% of their workforce) in a move echoing across the tech industry. This follows last year’s 10% workforce reduction under investor pressure. But wait, there’s more! Salesforce still has a cool 1,000 open…
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The best airlines in the U.S. for 2023, ranked by WSJ
Delta Air Lines topped the list for the fourth year in a row, followed by Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Spirit Airlines ranked last, behind Frontier Airlines and American Airlines.
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Microsoft slashes 1,900 jobs in gaming division after Activision deal
Microsoft announced it is cutting 1,900 roles within its gaming division, marking the latest round of job layoffs in the tech industry.
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Cryptocurrency: Stocks or bonds? Courts may decide.
The legal status of cryptocurrencies is unclear in the U.S., as federal judges are weighing whether they should be treated as securities or commodities under the law.
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America’s craft beer boom is over — but not for everyone
The craft beer industry, which once enjoyed double-digit growth and endless variety, is slowing down and consolidating, as consumers seek fewer choices and more quality.
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California attracts the well-off and well-educated despite exodus
California lost more than 500,000 residents in the last three years, but it also gained more college graduates and high-income earners than any other state, according to census data and a new report by the Public Policy Institute of California.
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Disneyland unveils $2-billion City Streets project to revamp its resort
Why it matters: Disneyland is the largest employer and taxpayer in Anaheim, and its resort is a major driver of tourism and economic activity in the region. The City Streets project would create thousands of jobs, generate millions of dollars in tax revenue, and enhance the…
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California approves EV charging plan despite opposition
Why it matters: California is the largest EV market in the U.S., accounting for nearly half of the nation’s EV sales. The state needs to expand its charging infrastructure to meet the growing demand and to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, which is the…
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Tesla’s profit falls as price cuts hurt margins
Why it matters: Tesla is facing increasing pressure from rivals, regulators, and customers, as it tries to maintain its leadership in the electric vehicle market. The company has been cutting prices to attract more buyers, but this has hurt its profitability and brand image. The big…
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Car insurance bill hits record high amid inflation and accidents
Rates in the US have risen 37% since January 2020 as repair tabs for high-tech, sensor-laden vehicles have soared. Why it matters: Car insurance is a mandatory expense for most drivers, and it accounts for a significant portion of their transportation budget. A higher car insurance…
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US economy beats expectations, outshines rivals
Why it matters: The US economy demonstrated its resilience and dynamism in the face of unprecedented challenges and uncertainties, while other major economies such as the eurozone, the UK and Japan struggled with low growth and deflationary pressures, reflecting their weaker fiscal and monetary responses…