(Brands & Consumers)
Cruise, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary backed by General Motors, has announced a new partnership with Uber to offer robotaxis on the ride-hailing platform beginning next year. This collaboration marks a significant step in Cruise’s efforts to regain traction in the autonomous vehicle market after a setback last year. Through this multi-year agreement, Uber users will…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against RealPage, a prominent software company, accusing it of contributing to the nation’s housing crisis by facilitating rent hikes through illegal coordination among landlords. The DOJ alleges that RealPage’s algorithm allowed landlords to share private rental data, undermining competition and driving up rent prices across…
Icelandic supermarkets are grappling with an unexpected cucumber shortage, driven by a viral TikTok trend that has sent demand soaring. The trend, which originated from social media influencers in Iceland, features a salad recipe made with grated cucumbers, sesame oil, garlic, rice vinegar, and chili oil, sparking an unprecedented surge in cucumber sales across the…
MSport, a leading online gaming and betting platform in Africa, has announced a strategic partnership with Chelsea Football Club, making it the Official Betting Partner for the African region. This collaboration is set to enhance fan engagement and elevate the betting experience for Chelsea supporters across the continent. Renowned for its innovative features, top-notch service,…
A monumental discovery has been made in Botswana, where a rough 2,492-carat diamond, the second-largest ever found, was unearthed at the Karowe mine, owned by the Canadian company Lucara Diamond. This incredible find marks the biggest diamond discovery since the famous 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, which was unearthed in South Africa in 1905 and later cut…
Google has entered into a groundbreaking agreement with California lawmakers to fund newsrooms across the state, marking the first deal of its kind in the United States. Announced on Wednesday, the tech giant committed $250 million over five years to support local journalism, in a move designed to replace proposed legislation that would have required…
McDonald’s has announced an ambitious plan to open over 200 new restaurants across the United Kingdom and Ireland, a move expected to generate more than 24,000 jobs. The fast-food giant revealed on Wednesday that this expansion will include testing new restaurant formats, such as “drive-to” locations and smaller urban stores, in addition to traditional town…
Ford is making significant adjustments to its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, responding to an unexpected shift in the American market where consumers are increasingly concerned about costs and battery range. The automaker announced on Wednesday that it will pivot its focus towards hybrid vehicles and more affordable options, moving away from its original plans for…
Starbucks is bringing the popular Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) back to its U.S. menus earlier than ever, starting this Thursday. The fan-favourite fall beverage is returning two days ahead of last year’s schedule, signalling the arrival of the coffee giant’s full autumn lineup, which includes a variety of pumpkin- and apple-flavoured drinks and snacks. The…
Oilfield services giant Halliburton is dealing with a significant computer system disruption that may be the result of a cyberattack. Sources close to the situation revealed that the incident is affecting business operations at the company’s Houston headquarters and various global networks. Although Halliburton has not officially confirmed the cyberattack, the company acknowledged an ongoing…
Ride-hailing giant Bolt has implemented restrictions on cross-border ride requests between Nigeria and South Africa following a surge in social media-fueled pranks that left drivers frustrated and out of pocket. The tension between users in the two countries led to a spate of fake bookings, with customers in one nation ordering rides in the other,…
The European Union has significantly reduced tariffs on Tesla vehicles manufactured in China, a move that could enhance the automaker’s market position in the region. The new tariff rate, announced by the European Commission, is set at 9%, a sharp decrease from the initial 20.8% rate imposed earlier this year. This adjustment follows the EU’s…
Wells Fargo has announced plans to divest the majority of its commercial mortgage servicing business, transferring it to global loan servicing firm Trimont, according to a statement released Tuesday. This move will position Trimont as the largest loan servicer in the U.S., based on rankings from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The transaction, which is expected…
Alex Cooper, the influential host behind the hit podcast “Call Her Daddy,” is concluding her partnership with Spotify and embarking on a new journey with SiriusXM. In a landmark move, Cooper has signed a multi-year agreement with SiriusXM valued at $125 million over three years. This deal grants SiriusXM exclusive advertising and distribution rights for…
Harley-Davidson has announced the discontinuation of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, marking a significant shift away from progressive policies the company had previously supported. The move comes in response to a campaign led by conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has successfully challenged DEI efforts at several major American companies. On Monday, Harley-Davidson revealed…
BurgerFi, the fast-casual burger chain known for its namesake restaurants and Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, is grappling with severe financial difficulties and may be on the brink of bankruptcy. The company disclosed that it has only $4.4 million in cash as of August 14 and anticipates reporting a quarterly loss of $18.4 million for the…
X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has shut down its office in Brazil following a contentious standoff with a Brazilian Supreme Court judge. The platform announced the closure on Saturday, citing threats of arrest made against its legal representative in Brazil by Judge Alexandre de Moraes if the company did not comply…
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn and his firm, Icahn Enterprises, have reached a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over charges that they failed to disclose the use of the company’s securities as collateral for billions of dollars in personal loans. The settlement, announced on Monday, follows a significant drop in Icahn Enterprises’…
YouTube sensations KSI and the Sidemen have been recognized as some of the richest gamers in the UK, ranking alongside the creators of globally popular games like Candy Crush, Minecraft, and Grand Theft Auto. The Sunday Times’ inaugural Gaming Rich List has placed KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, and the Sidemen at joint…
Tesco has issued a recall for its “melt in the middle” vegan burgers due to concerns that the product may pose a burn risk to consumers. The supermarket giant is urging customers who have purchased the Tesco Plant Chef 2 Meat-Free Burgers with Melting Middle not to eat them and to return the product to…
Wizz Air’s new “All You Can Fly” subscription, offering unlimited flights for an annual fee of €499 (£426), has sparked mixed reactions among passengers. While some praise the deal for its potential savings on trips to destinations like the Maldives, others have raised concerns about the airline’s service history and the fine print of the…
The ongoing legal feud between fast-fashion giants Shein and Temu has escalated, as Shein has filed a fresh lawsuit against its rival, accusing the China-founded shopping platform of copyright infringement, design theft, and deceptive practices. Filed in a Washington federal court this week, Shein’s latest complaint alleges that Temu, which has rapidly gained popularity in…
The iconic fedora worn by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom has been sold for an impressive $630,000 (£487,000) at a Los Angeles auction. The brown felt hat, specifically crafted for the 1984 film, drew significant attention from collectors and film enthusiasts alike. The fedora, a key piece of Indiana Jones’s…
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the launch of Venu Sports, a highly anticipated sports streaming venture backed by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The decision, handed down on Friday, deals a significant setback to the media giants just weeks before the start of the NFL season. The ruling came in response to a…
Disney has unveiled ambitious new projects for its parks and cruises, capturing the attention of its most dedicated fans. During a recent event, the company presented a slew of upcoming attractions, promising an enhanced experience that will likely draw visitors back to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” However, the excitement comes amid growing concerns about…
Fortnite, one of the most popular video games globally, has returned to mobile devices after a four-year absence. The game is now accessible on Android phones via the newly launched Epic Games Store, marking its first mobile appearance since 2020. However, iPhone users in the UK will have to wait until 2025 for its return,…
The abrupt closure of Game Informer, one of the gaming industry’s most revered magazines, has left a void that many are calling a significant loss to the community. The U.S.-based publication, which had been a cornerstone of video game journalism for 33 years, was unexpectedly shuttered earlier this month, leaving both its print edition and…
China has announced new export restrictions on antimony and related elements, citing national security concerns in its latest move to tighten control over critical minerals where it holds a dominant global position. The restrictions, set to take effect from September 15, will apply to six types of antimony-related products, including antimony ore, metals, and oxide….
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has made notable moves in its investment portfolio for the second quarter, acquiring significant stakes in Ulta Beauty and aircraft parts manufacturer Heico, while significantly reducing its position in Apple. According to a regulatory filing released on Wednesday, Berkshire Hathaway purchased approximately 690,000 shares of Ulta Beauty, valued at $266.3 million,…
Cisco Systems revealed on Wednesday that it will lay off 7% of its global workforce as part of a strategic realignment towards high-growth sectors. The San Jose, California-based tech giant anticipates incurring pre-tax charges of up to $1 billion due to the layoffs, with $700 million to $800 million expected to be recognized in the…
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is pushing to have a wrongful death lawsuit dismissed, arguing that the case should be resolved through arbitration due to the plaintiff’s previous use of Disney+ and online ticket purchases. Jeffrey Piccolo has filed a $50,000 wrongful death claim against Disney following the death of his wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan. The…
Mars, the global confectionery giant known for brands like Snickers and M&M’s, has agreed to acquire Kellanova, the maker of popular snacks such as Pringles and Cheez-It, in a deal valued at nearly $36 billion. The acquisition marks one of the largest in the food and beverage industry this year. Kellanova announced that its shareholders…
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against General Motors (GM), accusing the automaker of unlawfully collecting and selling drivers’ data without their consent. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, alleges that GM secretly gathered detailed driving information from vehicles and sold it to insurance companies, violating the privacy of Texas drivers. The lawsuit…
LL Flooring, previously known as Lumber Liquidators, has filed for bankruptcy and announced plans to close 94 of its stores across the United States. The flooring retailer, which has been in business for 30 years, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a move that allows for the reorganization of its operations rather than an immediate liquidation. The…
In a world where broken gadgets often end up discarded, YouTuber Eta Prime has taken a different approach, breathing new life into a damaged Steam Deck by repurposing it as a surprisingly capable $100 mini gaming PC. The project began when Eta Prime acquired a 512GB Steam Deck with a cracked LCD screen and missing…
In a remarkable turn of events, musician Drake has played a pivotal role in raising €40 million ($43.7 million) to rescue Italian soccer club Venezia FC from the brink of bankruptcy. The initiative began when Brad Katsuyama, co-owner of Venezia and a close friend of Drake, reached out to the artist’s management team for help….
Affordable gym options could become scarcer as Blink Fitness, a budget-friendly gym chain, has filed for bankruptcy. The company, known for its low-cost memberships ranging from $15 to $45 per month, announced on Monday that it may shutter an unspecified number of its 101 locations. Blink Fitness, owned by luxury gym chain Equinox, operates primarily…
Nike, the globally recognized sportswear brand, has announced the suspension of its online sales in Türkiye due to recent changes in the country’s customs regulations. The decision was confirmed in a statement where the company cited the new legislation as the primary reason for halting its online operations. The regulation, published in the Official Gazette…
Google has rolled out significant updates to its Gemini conversational AI platform, introducing new features designed to enhance user experience and performance. Similar to ChatGPT, Gemini assists users with a variety of tasks such as text generation and answering questions. The tech giant unveiled the updates, including the launch of Gemini 1.5 Flash, which promises…
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,…
