(Brands & Consumers)
OpenAI has announced it will retain its nonprofit governance structure even as it moves forward with plans to reshape its for-profit subsidiary in order to attract new investment. The decision comes amid intense public scrutiny and ongoing legal disputes, including a lawsuit from Elon Musk, who co-founded the organization and now accuses it of veering…
Despite an estimated $1.5 billion hit from new auto tariffs this year, Ford says it doesn’t anticipate a sharp rise in car prices for American consumers. The automaker shared the update during its first-quarter earnings call, where it also reported a notable dip in profits. According to Ford CFO Sherry House, vehicle prices in the…
Rite Aid has filed for bankruptcy for the second time, just seven months after emerging from its previous Chapter 11 proceedings. The struggling pharmacy chain made the announcement on Monday, stating that the new filing is part of an ongoing effort to attract a buyer and restructure its operations. Despite the bankruptcy, Rite Aid confirmed…
Amazon has officially launched the 2025 edition of its Kindle Storyteller Award, a prestigious prize designed to spotlight exceptional self-published authors and their stories. Now in its ninth year, the award offers a £20,000 cash prize and is open to authors across all genres. The competition is open from May 1 to August 31, 2025,…
U.S. President Donald Trump has directed federal trade officials to impose a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States and imported into the country, in what he described as an urgent move to revive the struggling American film industry. In a post shared Wednesday night on his social media platform, Truth Social,…
U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled his willingness to extend the June 19 deadline for China’s ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations, should a deal remain unresolved by then. In an interview recorded Friday and aired Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump said he would consider granting more time for a resolution, expressing a…
Uber is now allowing passengers across most of the UK to pay in cash. Following trials, the cash payment option was this week extended to all UK cities, except London, where it is being reviewed. But individual drivers can still opt out of accepting notes and coins, partly if they are worried about safety of…
OMAHA, Nebraska – Warren Buffett, the legendary investor often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” announced on Saturday that he will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of 2025, formally naming Greg Abel as his successor. Speaking at the company’s widely attended annual shareholder meeting, the 94-year-old revealed that Abel…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has responded firmly to Meta’s recent threat to shut down its services in the country, asserting that the company must comply with national laws and cannot evade the consequences of legal proceedings. In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Federal Competition…
Xbox has confirmed that it will increase the prices of its hardware and games, with first-party game titles set to reach $79.99 starting this holiday season. The price hikes, which begin immediately for Xbox consoles and accessories, are part of a global adjustment that Microsoft attributes to inflationary pressures and the growing costs of game…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an interim injunction request filed by eNaira Payment Solutions Limited seeking to restrain the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from asserting rights over the “eNaira” trademark in the United States and other jurisdictions. Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling, rejecting the firm’s motion which sought to stop…
Social media giant Meta is considering halting its operations in Nigeria after being hit with nearly $300 million in fines by multiple regulatory bodies in the country. The penalties stem from allegations of regulatory violations, including issues related to consumer protection, advertising compliance, and data privacy. Meta has described the fines as “unrealistic” and warned…
Retail giant Kohl’s has abruptly terminated CEO Ashley Buchanan less than five months into his tenure, citing unethical conduct linked to undisclosed conflicts of interest in vendor dealings. The board’s decision, described as a termination “for cause,” follows an investigation by external legal counsel that revealed Buchanan directed the company to engage in transactions with…
Apple could incur an additional $900 million in costs this quarter due to tariffs, CEO Tim Cook revealed on Thursday, marking one of the company’s most significant financial impacts yet from escalating trade tensions under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic policies. Speaking during the company’s quarterly earnings call, Cook said the estimated cost increase…
DEI is winning with Costco, Apple and Levi’s shareholdersDespite mounting political pressure and public backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in corporate America, shareholders at some of the country’s biggest companies continue to overwhelmingly support them. Recent shareholder meetings at firms including Costco, Apple, Levi’s, Goldman Sachs, and John Deere saw resounding rejections…
Meta has cautioned that users across Europe could soon face a “materially worse” experience on Facebook and Instagram following a recent regulatory crackdown by the European Commission. The warning, issued in the company’s quarterly earnings statement on Wednesday, follows the EU’s decision to fine Meta €200 million for its controversial “consent or pay” model, which…
A federal judge in California has ruled that Apple violated a court order designed to increase competition within its App Store, escalating the tech giant’s legal battle with “Fortnite” developer Epic Games. The ruling could lead to a criminal contempt investigation. In an 80-page decision issued on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers stated…
Tesla has strongly refuted claims that its board is actively searching for a new chief executive to replace Elon Musk, dismissing a report by The Wall Street Journal as false. The report, published Wednesday, alleged that Tesla directors had contacted executive recruitment firms in March to begin exploring CEO replacement options, citing unnamed sources. However,…
LG Electronics will officially end all software support for its smartphones on June 30, 2025, marking the final step in its exit from the mobile phone market. The South Korean tech giant, once the world’s third-largest phone maker, bowed out of the smartphone industry in 2021 after years of slumping sales and missed opportunities. Despite…
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has launched a dedicated mobile app for its Meta AI assistant, marking a bold step in its ongoing push to compete with artificial intelligence leaders like OpenAI and Google. Announced on Tuesday, the new standalone app extends the capabilities of Meta AI beyond its existing integration across WhatsApp,…
UPS has announced plans to slash 20,000 jobs this year – roughly 4% of its global workforce – as part of a broader strategy to streamline operations through automation and reduce its reliance on business with Amazon. In a statement on Tuesday, the logistics giant clarified that the job cuts are not linked to recent…
DHL has announced the immediate resumption of international business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments valued over $800 to the United States, following a brief suspension triggered by changing U.S. customs regulations. Earlier in April, the logistics giant had paused shipments exceeding $800 in value due to new requirements mandating formal customs processing for packages above that threshold. Previously,…
A former Disney worker has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for hacking into the company’s internal systems and tampering with restaurant menus in ways that could have endangered guests’ health and safety. Michael Scheuer, a former menu production manager at Disney, pleaded guilty to charges of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft….
Tesla’s financial and operational struggles are intensifying, with its latest earnings report revealing a 71% drop in net income – a stark indicator of deeper troubles within the electric vehicle (EV) giant. The automaker posted a $409 million profit for the first quarter of 2025, but that figure was only possible through the sale of…
Fans of Grand Theft Auto VI will have to wait even longer as Take-Two Interactive has postponed the game’s release to May 2026, pushing back what is arguably the most eagerly awaited launch in video game history. The announcement, made Friday, triggered an 8% drop in the company’s share price during early trading. Originally scheduled…
Google’s Pixel smartphones could soon receive a long-awaited feature: the ability to double-tap the screen to lock the device. According to a new report, this functionality may be introduced with Android 16. While Pixel devices are widely praised for their smooth performance, clean design, and exclusive AI features, they have traditionally lacked some of the…
WhatsApp LLC has warned that the recent tribunal ruling affirming the authority of Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to fine it and its parent company, Meta Platforms, could impact its ability to operate within the country. In a statement released on Sunday, WhatsApp stressed that its services are deeply tied to Meta’s…
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the disbursement of N46.6 billion to depositors of the now-defunct Heritage Bank whose funds exceeded the maximum insured limit of N5 million. The NDIC confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday by its acting Head of Communication and Public Affairs, Hawwau Gambo. According to the…
A letter penned by Colonel Archibald Gracie, a survivor of the Titanic disaster, has fetched a record-breaking £300,000 ($400,000) at an auction in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. Sold through Henry Aldridge and Son auction house, the letter was expected to go for around £60,000 but soared to five times that amount, with an anonymous bidder securing…
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry took advantage of the NBA Playoffs’ massive audience to unveil his latest signature shoe, the Curry Brand Series 7. The new model, according to footwear expert Nick DePaula, draws inspiration from cutting-edge running shoes, featuring an advanced foam and spring plate system designed to support Curry’s relentless pace and…
Gaming giant Ubisoft is under scrutiny after an Austrian data protection group, Noyb, filed a complaint accusing the company of unlawfully collecting user data during single-player gameplay. According to Noyb, Ubisoft – the publisher behind popular titles like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry – requires players to stay connected to the internet even when playing…
Travis Scott is gearing up for his first sneaker drop of 2025, teaming up once again with Jordan Brand for the release of the Jumpman Jack in a bold new “Bright Cactus” colorway. The sneakers are set to launch on April 30th, offering fans a fresh take on the Jumpman Jack silhouette. The “Bright Cactus”…
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has emphasised that the United Kingdom’s trading relationship with the European Union may be more significant than its ties with the United States. Speaking to the BBC during her visit to Washington, Reeves said that while discussions with the US remain important, strengthening economic connections with Europe is a bigger priority. “Our…
When Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan launched the Primary School in 2016, the vision was bold: a tuition-free educational model in the Bay Area that would integrate healthcare and learning from birth through high school. It was one of the earliest and most personal initiatives funded by the couple’s Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), reflecting Chan’s…
California has officially overtaken Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, according to new data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The Golden State’s nominal GDP climbed to $4.1 trillion in 2024, edging past Japan’s $4.02 trillion as reported by the International Monetary Fund. Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the milestone on…
Motorola is ushering in a new era for its iconic Razr flip phone lineup with a suite of AI-powered features from a range of tech partners, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and the rising AI search tool Perplexity. The updated Razr, Razr Plus, and Razr Ultra are set to launch on May 15. In a bold…
Sony’s post-apocalyptic action title Days Gone is getting a fresh lease of life with Days Gone Remastered set to launch on PlayStation 5. While anticipation is high among fans, many are asking how the upgrade works – and whether a physical disc edition is on the way. No Physical Disc for Now At the moment,…
Nearly five months after its release, the official trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI continues to dominate the gaming world – despite being the only official content released by Rockstar Games so far. Uploaded on December 4, 2023, the trailer has now crossed two staggering milestones: over 250 million views and 1 million comments on…
Chinese electric vehicle powerhouse BYD has debuted a new luxury sports car under its premium Denza brand, furthering its push into the high-end automotive market and intensifying competition with global luxury names like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. The sleek deep-blue model, known simply as the Denza Z, was unveiled Wednesday at Auto Shanghai, the country’s largest…
The European Union has slapped tech giants Apple and Meta with a combined €700 million ($797 million) in fines for violating its new Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking the first major enforcement action under the sweeping digital competition law. Apple was fined €500 million ($570 million), while Meta was penalized €200 million ($228 million), the…
Instagram has introduced a new feature called Blend, aimed at reshaping how users engage with Reels by offering a shared, personalized content stream within direct messages or group chats. Rather than the traditional method of sending Reels back and forth individually, Blend allows friends to access a joint feed of recommended Reels curated from their…
There was drama at the 17th Headies Awards on Sunday night as rapper Odumodublvck refused to leave the stage after being announced winner of the coveted Next Rated category. The event, which took place at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, saw Odumodublvck storm the stage with his mother and a large entourage. Midway through…
Dan Ives, Global Head of Technology Research at Wedbush Securities, has urged Elon Musk to step away from his role in the Trump administration and recommit to leading Tesla full-time. In a post shared on X, Ives emphasized the need for Musk to shift his attention back to Tesla, especially following the company’s first-quarter earnings…
Unilever Nigeria Plc has reported a net profit of N15.1 billion for the 2024 financial year, marking a significant 79% increase from the N8.4 billion recorded in 2023. The company’s audited financial statement for the year ending December 31, 2024, also shows a turnover of N149.5 billion, representing a 44% rise compared to N103.9 billion…
Airbnb has announced a major update to its pricing display, now showing the total cost of stays – including taxes and service fees – by default for all users. The change, effective Monday, is aimed at boosting transparency and affordability on the platform. Previously, the platform displayed nightly rates upfront, with additional charges like cleaning…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the ride-hailing giant of deceptive billing and obstructive cancellation practices tied to its Uber One subscription service. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Monday, the lawsuit claims that Uber charged customers for its monthly membership program…
Walgreens has agreed to pay up to $350 million to resolve allegations by the U.S. Department of Justice that it filled millions of unlawful opioid prescriptions over the course of a decade. The nationwide pharmacy chain will pay at least $300 million to the federal government, with an additional $50 million due if the company…
Microsoft has introduced a powerful new feature to its Copilot Studio platform that allows AI agents to independently interact with websites and desktop applications – without needing traditional API access. Announced this week, the new “computer use” capability lets businesses build AI agents that can navigate user interfaces by clicking buttons, selecting menu options, and…
A 19-year-old University of Massachusetts student, Owen McIntire, is facing serious federal charges after allegedly firebombing a Tesla dealership in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 17. Authorities say the attack could land him behind bars for decades if convicted. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, McIntire is accused of using a Molotov cocktail to…
As the White House’s sweeping tariffs begin to bite across industries, beverage giant PepsiCo appears to be taking a harder hit than its longtime rival Coca-Cola – adding a fresh twist to the decades-old soda war. For more than half a century, PepsiCo has produced its concentrated syrup in Ireland, capitalizing on the country’s low…
