(Brands & Consumers)
At its recent iPhone 16 unveiling, Apple introduced a host of new features powered by artificial intelligence but conspicuously avoided using the term “AI” throughout the two-hour event. Instead, CEO Tim Cook and other presenters repeatedly referred to “intelligent” features, marking a strategic choice by the tech giant to distance itself from the AI branding…
Starbucks’ new CEO, Brian Niccol, is setting out to return the coffee giant to its roots as a welcoming coffeehouse, addressing concerns over the company’s shift toward a more transactional, tech-driven model. In a letter to employees and customers on his second day in office, Niccol outlined his vision to make Starbucks a “community coffeehouse”…
Boeing, the American aerospace giant, has long been a fixture in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), but recent struggles raise the question: does it still deserve its place among the 30 companies representing the cornerstone of the U.S. economy? For the past five years, Boeing’s performance has fallen far short of the standards expected…
The Dangote Refinery has officially started loading Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, onto trucks at its facility, marking a significant moment for the Nigerian oil industry. In a video shared on Sunday via its official X account, the Dangote Group confirmed the event, stating, “HAPPENING NOW: First set of trucks set for…
Former President Donald Trump’s social media venture, Trump Media & Technology Group, has suffered a significant blow, with its stock value plummeting and erasing approximately $4 billion from his net worth. Shares of Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, fell to their lowest point since the company’s merger and public listing earlier this…
Peter Nygard, the former Canadian fashion mogul, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting four women. The sentence was handed down on Monday in a Toronto courtroom by Justice Robert Goldstein, who labelled Nygard a “sexual predator.” The 83-year-old Nygard, convicted of four counts of sexual assault last November, was found…
Google’s advertising empire is under intense scrutiny as the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and 17 states argue the tech giant has unlawfully dominated the online advertising market. During a trial that kicked off this week in a Virginia federal court, the DOJ claimed Google’s monopolistic practices have stifled competition, harming publishers, advertisers, and consumers…
As the ongoing battle between DirecTV and Disney threatens to black out ESPN and ABC channels, including tonight’s “Monday Night Football,” DirecTV has taken an unexpected step: paying its customers to subscribe to rival services. In response to the escalating conflict, DirecTV has partnered with competitors Sling and Fubo, offering affected customers credits and discounts…
Discount retailer, Big Lots has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid ongoing financial struggles, becoming the latest casualty of shifting consumer behaviour and rising inflation. As part of the restructuring, private equity firm Nexus Capital Management will acquire most of Big Lots’ stores and operations, allowing the company to continue trading while reorganizing. In a…
The Washington Post is undergoing a significant transformation, starting with a much-needed redesign of its homepage. This move is part of publisher and CEO Will Lewis’s broader effort to improve the paper’s financial outlook, which has seen losses of $50 million this year, down from $77 million last year, but still far from the desired…
A tragic explosion has claimed the lives of Chioma, the sister of popular Nigerian Afrobeats star Patoranking, and her husband, George. The devastating incident occurred at their residence, leaving Chioma dead on the spot, while George succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. The heartbreaking news was shared by media personality Cutie Juls…
Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) have reached a tentative agreement that could prevent a looming strike, initially set to begin on Friday. The agreement, representing 33,000 employees across the West Coast, still requires approval from rank-and-file union members, who build Boeing’s commercial jets. Union leadership expressed satisfaction with the…
Stellantis, the global automaker, is recalling more than 1.2 million Ram 1500 trucks due to a software glitch in the anti-lock brake system (ABS), according to a statement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall affects specific models from 2019 and 2021 to 2024. A routine investigation by Stellantis uncovered that the…
Recent viral TikTok videos led some Chase customers to believe they had found a way to withdraw “free” cash from ATMs. However, what appeared to be a loophole was actually a case of check fraud, according to the bank. Over the weekend, users posted videos showing large check deposits at Chase ATMs followed by withdrawals…
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft returned to Earth following an autonomous journey from the International Space Station (ISS), but without the astronauts it was meant to carry home. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, originally scheduled to return aboard Starliner, remained at the ISS after technical issues raised safety concerns about the spacecraft. The return flight…
Leonid Radvinsky, the owner of OnlyFans, paid himself $631 million over a span of nearly two years as the platform saw significant growth in user traffic. According to newly released financial reports from Fenix International, the parent company of OnlyFans, the site experienced a sharp rise in both content creators and subscribers, resulting in pre-tax…
A proposed $2.78 billion settlement in the House v. NCAA antitrust case has been put on hold after U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken raised concerns over specific terms of the agreement during a court session in Oakland, California. Judge Wilken expressed reservations about how the settlement might impact name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments to…
Pop sensation Selena Gomez has officially become a billionaire, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. The American singer, actress, and entrepreneur has accumulated an estimated $1.3 billion in wealth, with over 80% of her fortune stemming from her stake in the cosmetics company, Rare Beauty. Gomez’s success as an entertainer and entrepreneur has been bolstered by…
Coca-Cola and Oreo have joined forces to launch a unique marketing campaign on Spotify, blending their popular products with music. The campaign, dubbed “Bestie Mode,” offers fans a personalized experience by combining Coca-Cola-flavored Oreos and Oreo-flavored Coke with curated music playlists. The feature allows Spotify users to answer questions about their best friends and their…
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has broken his silence following his recent arrest in Paris, stating he was “surprised” by the incident and the subsequent interrogation by French authorities. The arrest, which took place at a Paris airport, was part of an ongoing investigation into potential criminal activity facilitated through the messaging platform. Durov was released…
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has announced a new policy for its UK employees that will track their work locations in an effort to reinforce its return-to-office guidelines. Starting January 1, PwC staff will be required to spend at least three days a week working in the office or at client sites, as part of a push to…
A record number of companies are planning to reduce their advertising on X, formerly known as Twitter, due to concerns over extreme content potentially harming their brand image. According to a global survey conducted by market research firm Kantar, a net 26% of marketers intend to cut ad spending on the platform in 2025, marking…
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster, following complaints about its handling of ticket sales for the much-anticipated Oasis reunion tour in 2025. The probe is focused on concerns that customers were treated unfairly during the purchasing process, specifically regarding price transparency and dynamic pricing practices. Ticketmaster’s parent company,…
Nvidia, the AI chipmaking giant, has encountered a major setback after a historic drop in its stock value. On Tuesday, the company’s share price plummeted by 9.5%, wiping out an unprecedented $279 billion in market capitalization. This marks the largest single-day loss of value in stock market history, surpassing Meta’s $240 billion decline in 2022….
LL Flooring, the retailer once known as Lumber Liquidators, is shutting down operations after three decades in business. The company announced its decision to liquidate after failing to secure a buyer during its recent bankruptcy proceedings. Starting September 6, the remaining 200 LL Flooring stores will begin sales as part of an “orderly wind-down of…
McDonald’s is continuing its push towards sustainability with new changes to its iconic McFlurry dessert, set to take effect on September 10. The fast-food giant is replacing the plastic dome-shaped lid with a new cardboard cup featuring four flaps to cover the top, marking the latest step in its ongoing environmental initiatives. This update follows…
Heineken, the globally recognized beer brand, made a significant impact at the 2024 Bole Festival, a vibrant annual celebration of food, culture, and community in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Hosted at Yakubu Gowon Stadium over two days, the festival attracted thousands of attendees, all eager to immerse themselves in this year’s theme, “Rhythm and Vibration.” The…
In a surprising turn of events, Dr Pepper has surpassed Pepsi to become the second-largest soft drink brand in the U.S., a milestone that could signal even greater shifts in the soda industry. This development has led industry experts to speculate about whether Coca-Cola, the reigning champion, might soon face a similar challenge. According to…
Volkswagen is contemplating the unprecedented step of shutting down its factories in Germany, marking a potential historic first for the 87-year-old automaker. The decision comes as part of a broader strategy to cut costs in response to growing competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. In a statement released Monday, Volkswagen, one of the world’s largest…
Málaga is grappling with an overwhelming influx of tourists, prompting concerns from residents and activists about the city’s sustainability. Kike España, an urban planner and member of the Málaga Tenants’ Union, has expressed alarm over what he describes as the city’s tipping point due to tourism saturation. España notes that Málaga’s once peaceful Plaza de…
Global Afrobeats sensation Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known to fans worldwide as Burna Boy, has taken centre stage in HUGO BOSS’s #BeYourOwnBOSS Fall/Winter campaign. The multi-award-winning artist joins a star-studded lineup for the German luxury brand’s latest campaign, showcasing his signature style and commanding presence. In the campaign, Burna Boy exudes sophistication, dressed in a sleek,…
Disney has pulled its popular channels, including ABC, ESPN, and several others, from DirecTV after the two companies failed to renew their distribution agreement. The blackout, which affects over 11 million satellite subscribers, comes at a critical time as the college football season begins, the US Open tennis tournament enters its final week, and just…
Air travellers across the UK and the European Union, who were looking forward to more relaxed liquid restrictions, will need to keep their mini toiletries and small containers for a while longer. European airports have reinstated the 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage due to a “temporary technical issue” with new security scanners, a…
Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling megacity, continues to grapple with a disturbing trend of frequent building collapses, with an average of one incident occurring every two weeks this year. While the economic losses are substantial, the true cost—measured in lives lost—remains incalculable. The repeated failures highlight systemic shortcomings in governance, raising concerns about contractors cutting corners and…
Access to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was blocked across Brazil on Saturday following a court-ordered suspension that marks the latest development in an intensifying dispute between tech billionaire Elon Musk and the country’s judiciary. The ban comes after Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered the nationwide suspension of X on Friday due…
Boeing is confronting yet another challenge as negotiations with 32,000 of its workers, represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM), teeter on the brink of a strike. The current contract is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. PT on September 12, and if a new agreement isn’t reached, the workers who assemble Boeing’s planes…
The highly anticipated reunion tour of British rock band Oasis has sparked frustration among fans, as many encountered issues with the ticket-buying process through Ticketmaster. Tickets for the 17-date tour went on sale at 9 a.m. GMT on Saturday, and social media quickly filled with complaints about inflated prices, lengthy delays, and error messages. Fans…
Hotels within Grand Canyon National Park will close, and camping will be restricted due to a critical failure in the park’s water supply system, just before one of the year’s busiest holiday weekends. The U.S. National Park Service announced that all hotels inside the park will shut down starting Thursday night, while camping will be…
Shares in Nvidia took a hit despite the company surpassing expectations by reporting record revenues of $30 billion for the three-month period ending July 28. The AI chip giant, which has been a major player in the booming AI market, saw its stock value drop by 6% in after-hours trading on Wednesday, followed by a…
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has been placed under formal investigation in France as part of a criminal probe into organized crime activities linked to the messaging platform, according to Paris prosecutors. The 39-year-old Russian-born billionaire, who also holds French citizenship, is accused of complicity in facilitating illicit transactions, refusing to cooperate…
As anticipation builds for the release of Star Wars Outlaws, the first open-world game set in the iconic galaxy, early access players have encountered some issues, including glitches affecting game progression and saving. Ubisoft, the studio behind the game, has acknowledged these problems and is advising players on potential fixes. Julian Gerighty, the creative director…
India’s competition watchdog has given provisional approval to an $8.5 billion (£6.43 billion) merger between Disney and Reliance Industries, setting the stage for the creation of India’s largest entertainment conglomerate. The merger, in which Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries will hold a majority stake, is poised to reshape the nation’s entertainment landscape, putting the new entity…
A hotel chain is facing backlash after being accused of cancelling room reservations made by Oasis fans ahead of the band’s highly anticipated reunion tour in 2025. The allegations suggest that the hotel chain, Maldron Hotels, attempted to profit from the surge in demand by reselling the rooms at inflated prices. Lily Stroud, an Oasis…
Ford Motor Company has become the latest major corporation to scale back its diversity and inclusion initiatives, joining a growing number of companies reevaluating their strategies in response to shifting political and legal landscapes. In an email to employees on Wednesday, Ford CEO Jim Farley announced adjustments to the company’s diversity policies over the past…
Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike has announced it will offer approximately $60 million in credits to customers affected by a massive computer outage last month. The company’s move comes in the wake of claims from clients who allege their damages could far exceed the offered compensation. Despite the setback, CrowdStrike revised its full-year earnings guidance downward by…
Brazil’s Supreme Court has issued a stern ultimatum to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, threatening to suspend its operations in the country unless Elon Musk appoints a new legal representative in Brazil and settles any outstanding daily fines within 24 hours. This latest development is part of an ongoing clash between…
In a groundbreaking achievement, Berkshire Hathaway has become the first U.S. company outside the technology sector to reach a market value of $1 trillion. This milestone was briefly realized on Tuesday morning when the conglomerate’s shares surged to achieve the valuation. While technology giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft dominate the $3 trillion club, Berkshire…
Lego, the iconic toymaker, announced plans to phase out fossil fuel-based plastics in favour of pricier renewable and recycled materials, as the company reported a significant rise in profits. The Danish company revealed on Wednesday that its profits for the first half of the year surged by 26%, reaching 8.1 billion Danish krone ($1.2 billion),…
AT&T has announced that it has resolved a software issue that caused a disruption in wireless service for some customers on Tuesday. The company, which has faced multiple outages this year, confirmed the issue was fixed early Wednesday. “We’ve addressed the software problem that prevented a limited number of our customers from connecting to our…
NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce have signed a landmark deal with Amazon’s Wondery for their popular podcast, “New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce.” The agreement, reportedly worth around $100 million, grants Wondery exclusive rights to handle ad sales and distribution for all audio and video episodes, including the entire back catalogue. The deal,…
