(Brands & Consumers)
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…
DHL Express has announced a temporary suspension of shipments to the United States valued over $800 due to mounting customs hurdles triggered by new U.S. tariff policies. The move follows a surge in formal customs checks linked to recently implemented trade measures under former President Donald Trump’s administration. Effective Monday, the global logistics firm will…
Two years after Elon Musk’s high-profile acquisition of Twitter – now X – critics say the billionaire entrepreneur has largely avoided challenging interviews, opting instead for media platforms and figures who offer praise rather than scrutiny. Back in April 2023, Musk signaled an intent to engage with a variety of media outlets, tweeting: “Am doing…
Dave Oshry, co-founder of New Blood Interactive, has sparked conversation in the gaming community after stating that Escape from Tarkov has “caused irreparable damage” to the video game industry. Speaking during a recent appearance on the Quad Damage podcast, Oshry voiced his frustration with the ongoing trend of “extraction shooters” – a genre popularised by…
Nike is introducing a game-changing product designed to enhance warm-up and recovery for athletes: the Nike Hyperboot. Developed in collaboration with health tech company Hyperice, this innovative wearable combines heat and compression to improve performance and recovery times. The Nike Hyperboot uses dual-air Normatec bladders and warming elements that work together to drive heat deep…
Apple, the world’s most valuable company, has long prided itself on its sleek products designed in California. Yet, despite the iconic label proclaiming their American origins, the reality is that the vast majority of Apple devices – especially iPhones – are built thousands of miles away in China. This international supply chain, once heralded as…
After Coca-Cola’s $5.6 billion acquisition of BodyArmor in 2021, the sports drink brand was expected to rise to the top of the market, challenging Gatorade’s dominance. Yet, nearly four years later, BodyArmor has struggled to capture the attention it hoped for, trailing behind both Gatorade and Coca-Cola’s own Powerade. Faced with stagnating sales and a…
A U.S. federal court has ruled that tech giant Google violated antitrust laws by monopolizing the digital advertising market, marking a major legal victory for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The decision, issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, concluded that Google’s dominance in online advertising harmed publishers, stifled…
Taco Bell is reintroducing its fan-favorite crispy chicken nuggets nationwide on April 24, and this time, the brand says it’s ready to meet the overwhelming demand that caused a near-instant sellout during their initial debut late last year. The crispy nuggets will be available for an eight-week limited run across U.S. locations, but there’s more…
Once the poster child of India’s startup revolution, Ola Electric is now grappling with a crisis of confidence. What began as an audacious ride-hailing venture has spiraled into a cautionary tale of rapid expansion, product flaws, and wavering trust. A Decade of Bold Moves Founded in 2010 by Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola carved out a niche…
Google is introducing a new security feature that will automatically reboot Android devices that remain locked and unused for three consecutive days – a move that mirrors a similar update rolled out by Apple in late 2024. The feature, part of the latest Google Play Services update (version 25.14), is designed to enhance data protection…
A former Tesla engineer who raised concerns about vehicle safety has secured a major legal victory in her years-long battle with Elon Musk and the electric car company. Cristina Balan, once a prominent employee at Tesla whose initials were engraved on Model S batteries, was fired in 2014 after warning that a design flaw could…
Hong Kong has announced the suspension of its postal services to and from the United States, in a sharp response to new tariff measures introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The move marks the latest escalation in trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, with Hong Kong increasingly caught in the middle. In a statement…
Google is facing a major legal challenge in the United Kingdom, where a £5 billion ($6.6 billion) class action lawsuit has been filed accusing the tech giant of abusing its dominant position in the online search market. The claim, brought before the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal on Tuesday, alleges that Google manipulated its market power…
Nvidia is bracing for a $5.5 billion hit following new U.S. government restrictions that block the export of its H20 artificial intelligence chips to China – a major development in the ongoing tech trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The chipmaker disclosed in a regulatory filing on Tuesday that the U.S. government now requires…
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week took the stand in a pivotal antitrust trial brought against the company by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), defending Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The case could determine whether Meta will be forced to separate from the two platforms, which regulators argue were acquired to neutralize competition….
Starbucks is updating its barista dress code across North America, introducing a stricter uniform policy aimed at reinforcing its brand image and enhancing the in-store customer experience. Beginning May 12, employees will be required to wear solid black tops beneath the company’s iconic green apron – a shift from the current policy, which allows shirts…
Boeing shares fell on Tuesday following reports that Chinese authorities have suspended the delivery of all Boeing aircraft to Chinese airlines, intensifying concerns about the deepening trade rift between the United States and China. The development, first reported by Bloomberg, sent the aerospace giant’s stock down by 1% by midday. The report claims that Chinese…
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg returned to the witness stand on Tuesday for a second day in a high-stakes antitrust trial in Washington, where U.S. regulators are seeking to unwind his company’s past acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The case, brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), alleges that Meta—formerly Facebook—acquired the two platforms in a…
Tesla has stopped accepting new orders in China for its U.S.-manufactured Model S and Model X vehicles, as trade tensions between Beijing and Washington intensify. A review of the company’s Chinese website and WeChat mini program on Friday showed that both luxury models – which are imported from the United States – were no longer…
Netflix has begun testing a new search feature powered by OpenAI technology, aiming to give subscribers a more intuitive and personalised way to find content on the platform. According to a Bloomberg report confirmed by Netflix spokesperson MoMo Zhou, the experimental feature allows users to search for TV shows and movies using more descriptive and…
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has announced a price increase for the PlayStation 5 in several global markets, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), as well as Australia and New Zealand. The new pricing, which takes effect from April 14, is a response to economic challenges such as inflation, volatile currency exchange rates, and…
YouTube has unveiled a new AI-powered feature called Music Assistant, designed to help content creators generate copyright-free instrumental tracks tailored to their videos. The tool is now rolling out in beta within the Creator Music section. Smart Soundtracking with a Prompt Demonstrated recently on the YouTube Creator Insider channel, Music Assistant allows users to input…
