(Brands & Consumers)
Microsoft is set to discontinue its popular Paint 3D app later this year, disappointing many fans who have grown fond of the creative tool. The news was first revealed by the leaker ‘phantomofearth,’ who noticed a banner within the app stating that it will no longer receive updates or be available in the Microsoft Store…
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has released a detailed report indicting Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited for misleading branding and anti-competitive practices. The report follows an extensive investigation into regulatory violations by the two companies, which allegedly deceived Nigerian consumers by obscuring product differences that are evident in…
TikTok sensation turned pop artist Addison Rae has dropped her latest single, “Diet Pepsi,” following her previous hits like “Obsessed” and her collaboration with Charli XCX on “2 Die 4.” The track, with a title reminiscent of Rae’s earlier song “Espresso,” showcases a clear influence from Lana Del Rey, blending nostalgic pop with a modern…
Adidas has unveiled a striking collection of new kits for the 2024/25 season, featuring designs for five iconic football clubs: Juventus, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich. To mark the occasion, Adidas enlisted the help of football legends Alessandro Del Piero, Rio Ferdinand, Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira, and Bastian Schweinsteiger to represent each…
Valve’s SteamOS, the operating system that gives the Steam Deck its unique console-like experience within a Linux environment, could soon be making its way to other handheld gaming devices. Recent updates to the Steam Deck’s firmware have hinted at Valve’s intention to expand SteamOS compatibility to third-party hardware, potentially reshaping the handheld gaming landscape. In…
Epic Games has unveiled the trailer for Fortnite’s upcoming Chapter 5, Season 4, titled “Absolute Doom,” set to launch on August 16. The new season promises the return of beloved Marvel characters, with an intense storyline centred around the infamous villain, Dr. Doom. Fortnite Chapter 5, Season 4: A Marvelous Comeback The trailer showcases a…
As unrest continues to grip parts of England and Northern Ireland, fueled in part by social media, major tech companies have remained conspicuously silent. Despite repeated inquiries from journalists at BBC News, only Telegram has issued a statement, leaving the public and officials questioning the responsibility of these platforms in the ongoing crisis. For nearly…
Hyundai and Kia’s new anti-theft software is showing promising results, according to recent insurance claim data. The update, which was introduced in February 2023 following a surge in vehicle thefts, has significantly reduced theft claims for vehicles equipped with the new technology. An analysis by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) reveals that theft claims…
As tech companies continue to invest heavily in artificial intelligence, a new study suggests that labelling products with the term “AI” may actually reduce consumer interest. The study, published in the Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management in June, found that when products were described as utilizing AI, potential buyers were less likely to purchase…
Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, has announced plans to lay off as many as 2,450 workers at its Warren Truck assembly plant near Detroit, as the automaker phases out production of the Ram 1500 Classic truck. The layoffs, set to begin as early as October 8, come as the plant transitions from two shifts…
OpenAI has expressed concerns that users might develop emotional dependence on ChatGPT’s new human-like voice mode, which has the potential to alter the way people interact with technology. This concern was highlighted in a recent safety review conducted by OpenAI, following the rollout of the advanced voice feature to paid users. The new voice mode,…
The Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), a key advertising industry group, has announced its closure just days after Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter, filed a lawsuit against it. The lawsuit, filed in a Texas federal court, accuses GARM of conspiring to withhold billions of dollars in advertising from the platform following Musk’s…
A group of U.S. senators has criticized major tech companies, including Google, X (formerly Twitter), and Discord, for lagging behind in addressing the growing threat of non-consensual explicit images online. In a letter sent on Friday, the lawmakers urged these companies to do more to combat the spread of such content. The letter, addressed to…
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is facing increasing financial pressure as its stock took a sharp 10% hit, plummeting to a new low of $6.90 following a dismal second-quarter earnings report. The steep decline comes on the heels of a massive $9.1 billion write-down on the company’s network assets, signalling the rapid deterioration of the traditional…
Samsung has announced a recall of over one million electric stoves due to a fire risk posed by the front-mounted knobs, which can be accidentally turned on by pets or humans. The recall comes after several incidents, including a recent case in Colorado where a dog inadvertently ignited a house fire by jumping onto a…
Boeing’s Missing Bolts Mystery: NTSB Investigation Highlights Safety Lapses and CriticismsIn a revealing investigation spanning seven months and nearly 10 hours of hearings, neither Boeing nor the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have determined how a 737 Max aircraft was delivered to Alaska Airlines missing four critical bolts needed to secure a door plug. The…
Elon Musk’s social media platform X has filed a lawsuit against the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), accusing the influential ad industry group of orchestrating a “boycott” of advertising on the platform. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Texas on Tuesday, alleges that GARM and its members conspired to withhold billions of…
Disney has announced upcoming price increases for its streaming services Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The new pricing will take effect on October 17, 2024, as the company navigates a challenging media landscape marked by shifting consumer habits, rising operational costs, and stringent regulatory scrutiny. Starting mid-October, Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. will see a $2…
Charles Barkley has decided to stay with TNT Sports, cancelling his previous plans to retire next year. This announcement was made jointly by TNT Sports and the NBA Hall of Famer as Warner Bros. Discovery, the network’s parent company, strives to retain its NBA broadcast rights. Despite signing a 10-year contract with TNT Sports in…
Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and a pioneering figure in the tech industry, has passed away at the age of 56 after a two-year battle with lung cancer. Her husband, Dennis Troper, confirmed the news in a heartfelt Facebook post. “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of Susan Wojcicki’s…
In a landmark decision, a federal judge has determined that Google holds an illegal monopoly in the search engine market, violating U.S. antitrust laws. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta on Monday, could potentially reshape the way millions of Americans access information online and significantly disrupt Google’s longstanding dominance. “After carefully considering…
Michael Bloomberg’s philanthropic organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, has announced a monumental donation of $600 million to the endowments of four historically Black medical schools. The announcement, made by Bloomberg, former New York City mayor and founder of Bloomberg LP, came during the National Medical Association’s annual convention in New York. “This gift will empower new generations…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted financial support to facilitate the proposed merger between Unity Bank Plc and Providus Bank Limited. This crucial endorsement aims to enhance the stability of Nigeria’s financial sector and mitigate potential systemic risks. In a statement released on Tuesday, Hakama Sidi Ali, the CBN’s acting Director of Corporate…
Elon Musk has launched a new lawsuit against OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman, and co-founder Gregory Brockman, renewing a contentious legal dispute over the direction and management of the artificial intelligence company he helped establish in 2015. The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Northern California, echoes Musk’s earlier claims that OpenAI has strayed from…
CrowdStrike has responded strongly to Delta Air Lines’ CEO Ed Bastian’s allegations that the cybersecurity firm was responsible for a massive service disruption that cost the airline $500 million. In a letter addressed to Delta’s legal counsel, CrowdStrike’s legal team refuted claims of negligence and stated that Delta had ignored offers of assistance during the…
In a landmark decision, a federal judge has ruled that Google violated U.S. antitrust laws by maintaining an illegal monopoly in the search engine market. The ruling, delivered on Monday by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, marks a significant defeat for the tech giant and could dramatically alter how millions of Americans access information online….
Intel announced a major restructuring effort on Thursday, which includes laying off 15% of its workforce as part of a $10 billion cost-reduction plan. The company, once a leader in the chipmaking industry, is attempting to realign its operations and cut expenses amid ongoing challenges. CEO Pat Gelsinger outlined the changes in a memo, citing…
Japanese stocks faced a significant downturn on Friday, with the Nikkei 225 plunging 5.8%, marking the index’s largest single-day drop since March 2020. The decline, driven by concerns over the US economy and expectations of further interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan (BOJ), contributed to a global market selloff. The Nikkei’s fall extended…
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has dramatically reduced its stake in Apple, cutting it nearly in half according to the company’s second-quarter earnings report released on Saturday. The conglomerate’s holdings in Apple fell from 790 million shares to 400 million, now valued at $84.2 billion. This significant sell-off marks a departure from Buffett’s usual strategy of…
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has responded to Meta’s recent threat to withdraw WhatsApp services from Nigeria, characterizing it as an attempt to sway public opinion and coerce the commission into reversing its decision. The response follows the FCCPC’s imposition of a $220 million fine on Meta Platforms Inc. for unauthorized data…
In July 2024, companies under the Dangote Group experienced a significant drop in market capitalization, shedding approximately N1.21 trillion. The decline affected Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar Refinery, and NASCON Allied Industries, amid ongoing challenges faced by the Dangote Refinery. During the month, the share prices of Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar Refinery, and NASCON Allied Industries…
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, accusing them of unlawfully collecting personal data from children and failing to adhere to privacy protections outlined in the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The lawsuit, filed on Friday, claims that TikTok has allowed children under 13 to join…
The Federal Government has dismissed rumours that WhatsApp is considering halting its services in Nigeria, calling the reports a tactic by the company to sway public opinion amidst a legal dispute. The controversy arose after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined WhatsApp $220 million (over ₦300 billion) for allegedly violating data privacy…
Chevron has announced plans to move its headquarters from San Ramon, California, to Houston, Texas, marking the first time in over a century that the energy giant will not be headquartered in California. The transition is set to begin with Chevron Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth and Vice Chairman Mark Nelson relocating to Houston by…
In a recent legal move, former CNN anchor Don Lemon has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and X, accusing them of cancelling a planned talk show partnership. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in San Francisco, claims that Musk and X misled Lemon into investing substantial amounts of money for the show, only to back out…
In the picturesque highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, around 150 coffee farmers on the Edelmann family farm labor under the shade of tree canopies, battling extreme weather conditions exacerbated by climate change. Despite their efforts, this year’s harvest has been compromised by an extended dry season, leading to lower yields and rising production costs. Tomas Edelmann,…
The Japanese government has issued a directive to Toyota Motor Corporation, requiring “drastic reforms” following the discovery of new violations in the company’s vehicle certification procedures. The Ministry of Transport’s corrective order came after on-site inspections revealed intentional misconduct and irregularities in the certification processes of seven additional models that were previously undisclosed. Toyota confirmed…
A Tesla Model S was reportedly in “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) mode when it struck and killed a 28-year-old motorcyclist near Seattle in April. According to police, the 56-year-old driver was allegedly looking at his cell phone at the time of the incident and has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide. Tesla’s FSD software, which…
Boeing has appointed Robert “Kelly” Ortberg as its new CEO, effective August 8, following a reported core operating loss of $1.4 billion in the second quarter. This loss, more than triple that of the same period last year, highlights the company’s ongoing struggles with aircraft safety and production issues, which have hindered profitability. Ortberg, former…
OpenAI has unveiled an advanced voice mode for ChatGPT, offering a more lifelike and interactive experience for users. The new feature, available initially to a select group of subscribers on the “Plus” plan, allows the AI to engage in real-time conversations, respond naturally to interruptions, and even reflect emotional cues based on a speaker’s tone….
Starbucks is facing a drop in sales as customers appear to be resisting the high costs of its popular iced coffees and lemonades. The coffee giant reported a 3% decrease in global sales at stores open for at least a year, with a 2% decline in North America. The number of transactions at these stores…
Air New Zealand has become the first major airline to retract a 2030 emissions reduction target, citing difficulties in acquiring more fuel-efficient aircraft and sustainable jet fuel. The airline had aimed for a significant 29% cut in carbon emissions by 2030, surpassing the global aviation industry’s 5% target for the same period. The airline’s CEO,…
Google’s recent advertisement, aired during the Olympics, intended to showcase the capabilities of its AI chatbot Gemini, has sparked widespread criticism. The ad features a father explaining his young daughter’s admiration for Olympic track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and her aspirations to follow in her hero’s footsteps. Using Google’s AI, the father generates a letter from…
Veteran sports commentator Bob Ballard was dismissed from Eurosport on Monday following controversial remarks made about the Australian women’s swim team. The incident occurred during the broadcast of the 4×100 meter freestyle relay at the Paris Olympics, where Team Australia secured a gold medal. As the Australian swimmers celebrated their victory, Ballard commented on their…
McDonald’s is grappling with declining sales as inflation pushes budget-conscious Americans to seek cheaper dining alternatives. The fast-food giant reported a 0.7% drop in sales at U.S. locations open for at least a year in the latest quarter, with fewer customers visiting their restaurants. This trend mirrors a broader industry downturn, affecting competitors like Starbucks,…
“Deadpool & Wolverine” has made a historic debut, surpassing the $200 million mark in its opening weekend and setting a new record for the highest-grossing opening for an R-rated film. According to studio estimates, the 34th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) earned $205 million domestically and $438.3 million globally in its first weekend….
Apple has reached a tentative labour agreement with the union representing retail workers at its Towson, Maryland store, marking the first US labour deal for any of the tech giant’s American employees. The workers at the Towson Apple store voted to join the International Association of Machinists union in June 2022 and have since been…
Women often find themselves paying significantly more than men for haircuts, sparking debates over whether this is justified or an example of the so-called “pink tax,” where products and services targeted at women cost more than those for men. Data shows the disparity in prices is real. According to Square, a payment systems provider, the…
“Inside the NBA” host Charles Barkley has voiced strong disapproval of the NBA’s decision to reject a matching offer from TNT’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), in favor of a $1.8 billion per year deal with Amazon. Barkley accused the NBA of prioritizing profit over fans, lamenting the end of TNT’s decades-long relationship with…
In a significant recall, Toyota has announced that it will replace the engines in nearly 100,000 Tundra pickups and around 3,500 Lexus luxury SUVs due to a defect that could cause engine power loss while driving. The recall, which was initially announced in early June, affects the 2022 and 2023 model year Toyota Tundras and…
