(Brands & Consumers)
A new version of TikTok may soon hit app stores in the United States, signaling a major shift in how the platform operates for its 170 million American users. According to reports from The Information, TikTok is preparing to roll out a separate U.S.-only app as soon as September 5, in an effort to comply…
The year-long strike by video game performers in the U.S. has officially come to an end following a decisive vote in favour of a new agreement that introduces industry-first protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence. About 2,500 members of SAG-AFTRA – the union representing screen and voice actors – voted on the deal reached…
The very first Birkin bag, created for British-French singer Jane Birkin in 1985, has become the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction, fetching an astonishing €8.6 million (£7.4 million or $10.1 million) at Sotheby’s in Paris. The iconic black leather bag, which inspired one of fashion’s most sought-after accessories, sparked a fierce 10-minute bidding…
Nvidia has made history by briefly becoming the world’s first publicly traded company to reach a $4 trillion market value, marking a new milestone in the ongoing artificial intelligence boom that has reshaped the global tech landscape. Shares of the U.S. chipmaker rose 2.76% early on Wednesday, pushing its valuation past the $4 trillion threshold…
Warner Bros. Discovery has officially reverted the name of its streaming service back to HBO Max, effective immediately. The company has confirmed that users will begin seeing the updated branding roll out across the platform, bringing back a name that was originally dropped in 2023 in favor of the shortened “Max.” The move marks a…
Shares of WK Kellogg Co soared on Wednesday following reports that Italian confectionery giant Ferrero is in advanced talks to acquire the U.S. breakfast cereal maker in a deal estimated at around $3 billion. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, the deal could be finalised as early as this…
At first glance, the headlines about Elon Musk’s latest feud with former President Donald Trump might seem like just another high-profile spat in the tech billionaire’s ever-expanding media orbit. But behind the social media theatrics, Tesla – the crown jewel of Musk’s empire – is facing a cascade of problems that go far deeper than…
Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and CEO of fintech company Block, has launched an experimental messaging app designed to function entirely without the internet, servers, or even user accounts. The app, named Bitchat, was built over a single weekend and is now available in beta for iPhone users via Apple’s TestFlight. Announced on Sunday, Bitchat…
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, says it is taking steps to remove offensive content generated by its Grok chatbot, following a wave of public criticism over posts shared on X (formerly Twitter). The controversy erupted after Grok, the platform’s AI-powered assistant, posted responses that made favourable references to Adolf Hitler and appeared to support…
Nike is adding a bold new look to its Zoom GT Cut 3 Turbo lineup with a University Gold and Black edition, drawing clear inspiration from the legendary Bruce Lee aesthetic. Set to release in Fall 2025, the new colorway features a vibrant golden yellow upper contrasted by a bold black racing stripe running from…
Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios and creative director behind acclaimed titles like Dishonored and Prey, has voiced sharp criticism of Xbox’s Game Pass subscription model, describing it as “unsustainable” and “damaging” to the gaming industry. In a recent post on social media, Colantonio questioned why the industry isn’t more openly discussing what he called…
China’s government has declined to comment directly on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that a deal is nearly finalized to bring TikTok under American ownership. Trump recently told reporters aboard Air Force One that the United States had “pretty much” secured an agreement regarding the popular short-video app and indicated that discussions with Chinese…
New Balance is bringing a clean, understated touch to its classic 550 silhouette this Fall 2025 with the upcoming “Sea Salt” pack. The release will feature two fresh iterations of the retro basketball model, each blending neutral tones with subtle pops of color. While the 550 no longer dominates the spotlight like it did in…
Electronic Arts (EA) is setting the stage for what could be the most ambitious release in the history of its Battlefield franchise, aiming to attract 100 million players to the next installment, informally known as Battlefield 6. This goal represents a major leap from previous entries and accompanies a reported development budget exceeding $400 million…
Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley has added his voice to a growing number of corporate leaders raising alarm over the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence. Speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Farley said he believes AI could eventually replace “literally half” of all white-collar jobs in the United States. While Farley offered few specifics,…
Apple is rolling out a new safety feature in iOS 26 that will automatically freeze FaceTime video and audio if nudity is detected during a call. The update, currently available in developer beta, is part of Apple’s broader initiative to expand family safety tools and curb inappropriate content – particularly for younger users. When the…
Nike is bringing a fresh twist to one of its most iconic sneakers, partnering with Scotland’s legendary Harris Tweed to create three new versions of the Dunk Low. The collaboration blends streetwear heritage with classic craftsmanship, with each pair featuring Harris Tweed’s signature handwoven wool fabric. The full trio of the Harris Tweed x Nike…
Capcom has unveiled the latest addition to its Resident Evil franchise – a mobile real-time strategy game titled Resident Evil: Survival Unit, set to launch on iPhone and Android devices. Developed in collaboration with Joycity Corporation and Aniplex, the upcoming title marks a significant departure from the series’ traditional survival-horror roots. Instead, Survival Unit will…
Nike has officially revealed the upcoming Sabrina 3 “All-Star”, the third signature sneaker from WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu. Set to release on July 18, 2025, during the WNBA’s All-Star Weekend, the shoe continues Ionescu’s growing legacy as one of the few female athletes with a signature line. The Sabrina 3 maintains its performance-driven silhouette with…
As anticipation builds for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a former Rockstar Games developer believes the next instalment in the blockbuster franchise may cost significantly less to produce – thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence. Obbe Vermeij, a former technical director at Rockstar North who worked on titles like Vice City, San Andreas,…
Ryanair has announced it will expand its free cabin bag allowance, increasing the permitted size of “personal bags” by 20% in response to new EU-wide guidelines. The budget airline revealed that passengers will soon be able to bring an item – such as a handbag or laptop bag – measuring up to 40cm x 30cm…
Nike is expanding its ever-growing collection of Dunk Low “Panda” sneakers with a fresh blue and gold edition set to release in Fall 2025. Celebrating the Dunk’s 40th anniversary, this latest iteration adds a bold twist to the beloved black-and-white “Panda” theme. While sticking with the animal-inspired aesthetic, the sneaker features a textured hairy suede…
Del Monte Foods, a household name in canned fruits and vegetables for over a century, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it looks for a buyer to take over its operations. The 138-year-old company announced late Tuesday that it will enter a court-supervised sale process, citing a need to restructure and secure its long-term…
Beneath the shopfronts of everyday Britain, a hidden network of illegal activity is thriving – and it’s far more than just cheap cigarettes. An underground economy fuelled by counterfeit tobacco is not only costing the UK billions in tax revenue but also exposing a deeper rot in the nation’s high streets. In Hull, investigators from…
In a world where trends rise and fall faster than a TikTok scroll, Adidas Originals is hitting pause – and rewind – on the clock. To mark the latest chapter of its global “The Original” campaign, the brand is spotlighting its most iconic silhouette, the Superstar, in a powerful new series of short films narrated…
The legendary “Aqua” Air Jordan 8s are making a highly anticipated comeback this summer, with Nike confirming a July 19th, 2025 release date. The retro will be available in full family sizing, as Jordan Brand continues to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan franchise with a slate of classic reissues. Originally introduced in…
Tesla has reported a 14% drop in vehicle deliveries for the second quarter of 2025, marking its second consecutive quarterly decline as the electric vehicle giant contends with intensifying competition and mounting political fallout. Between April and June, Tesla delivered just over 384,000 vehicles, a significant slide that signals continued headwinds for the company. The…
Tech giant Microsoft has announced plans to lay off as many as 9,000 employees, as the company continues to restructure its workforce to align with its expanding ambitions in artificial intelligence (AI). The job cuts, which represent about 4% of Microsoft’s global workforce of 228,000, mark the fourth round of layoffs the company has initiated…
Singapore has enacted a new law empowering police to temporarily seize control of individuals’ bank accounts and block financial transactions if they suspect the person is at risk of being scammed. The Protection from Scams Act, which took effect on Tuesday, is the latest in a series of aggressive steps by authorities to curb the…
Australian airline Qantas has confirmed a cyberattack on a third-party customer service platform that may have compromised the personal information of up to six million individuals. The breach was detected on June 30, when the airline observed unusual activity on a system used by its contact centre to manage customer data. The exposed information includes…
Smartphone maker TECNO has officially announced the launch of its highly anticipated SPARK 40 Series, touting it as the slimmest device in the brand’s lineup to date. The announcement has stirred excitement among tech enthusiasts and style-conscious consumers eager for a sleek yet performance-driven smartphone. Designed with modern users in mind, the SPARK 40 blends…
Athleisure giant Lululemon has filed a lawsuit against Costco, accusing the wholesale retailer of selling unauthorized imitations of its popular apparel items, including its signature $128 pants. In the suit filed Friday in California, the Vancouver-based company claims that Costco’s private-label brand, Kirkland, is producing and selling apparel that closely mimics Lululemon’s designs – including…
Luckin Coffee, China’s largest coffee chain and a formidable rival to Starbucks, has officially made its U.S. debut with the opening of two locations in New York City. The move marks the company’s first foray into the American market and intensifies the competition in an already crowded coffee landscape. The two outlets, located in Greenwich…
China has announced a partial lifting of its ban on Japanese seafood imports, ending a two-year freeze that began after Japan started releasing treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. Beijing confirmed that it would “conditionally resume” seafood imports from the majority of Japanese regions, while maintaining restrictions on 10 out of…
New Balance is stepping confidently into the “low-profile” sneaker space with the latest colorway of its Minimus M10 model, now arriving in a striking “Urgent Red.” The brand, already known for leading various sneaker trends – from tech runners to loafer hybrids – is now using the Minimus M10 to quietly assert itself in the…
Kyoto, Japan – Speculation is mounting that Nintendo is preparing to host a major Nintendo Direct presentation in July, potentially offering a first look at the company’s 2025 game lineup. Fans have been eagerly awaiting official news, especially after Nintendo notably bypassed this month’s Summer Game Fest. Nintendo has kept a tight lid on its…
President Donald Trump has indicated that a buyer has been secured for the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, which has faced a ban in the U.S. over national security concerns. In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump stated that “a group of very wealthy people” are prepared to acquire the app, teasing a potential announcement…
The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team has accelerated its partnership with adidas by unveiling a fresh take on racing-inspired footwear: the Adiracer GT in a striking “Matte Silver” finish. This collaboration follows Mercedes’ high-profile switch from PUMA to adidas in 2023, ending a 13-year relationship with the former to align with the Three Stripes. Since…
Microsoft is officially retiring one of its most recognizable – and dreaded – features: the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). The error screen, long associated with system crashes on Windows computers, will soon be replaced by a sleeker black version as part of a broader effort to improve user experience. According to a statement…
As former President Donald Trump intensifies his push for a sweeping immigration crackdown, American businesses are raising red flags, warning that the policy shift could leave critical gaps in the U.S. workforce and threaten economic stability. From health care providers in Texas to cleaning companies in Maryland, employers say they are already seeing the fallout…
British sports car manufacturer Lotus is considering relocating its production from the UK to the United States, a move that could endanger approximately 1,300 jobs at its longstanding headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, the BBC has learned. While the company has declined to publicly confirm the reports – first revealed by the Financial Times — sources…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed four significant tax reform bills into law, officially renaming the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). The newly enacted laws – the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill – are part of…
Nigerian-born fintech giant Flutterwave has earned a spot on the 2025 TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, marking its second appearance on the prestigious global ranking. The Lagos-founded payment technology firm joins industry heavyweights including Amazon, Netflix, OpenAI, and Universal Music Group in the TITANS category – a segment reserved for companies making bold, transformative moves…
Global sportswear giant Nike has warned that import tariffs introduced under U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies could inflate its operating costs by as much as $1 billion this year, prompting a significant shift in the company’s supply chain strategy. Nike’s executives said the company is moving swiftly to reduce its dependence on Chinese manufacturing,…
As immigration enforcement intensifies under former President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown, businesses across the United States are warning of mounting labour shortages that could hurt the economy and fuel inflation. In Maryland, Victor Moran, CEO of Total Quality, a cleaning company with over 1,200 staff, says he has already lost about 15 workers since the…
The BBC has rolled out a paid subscription model for its US-based digital audience, marking a significant shift in how the broadcaster delivers its news and feature content outside the UK. From now on, users accessing BBC.com in the United States will be required to pay $8.99 per month or $49.99 per year to access…
Prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, is set to be laid to rest in Medina, Saudi Arabia, following his death on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He was 94. Dantata, a respected patriarch of one of Nigeria’s most influential business families and an uncle to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, had…
Monster and CareerBuilder, once dominant players in the online job search industry, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as they move to sell off core parts of their business under court supervision. The two companies, which merged in 2023 under the joint brand Monster + CareerBuilder, announced the bankruptcy filing on Tuesday, citing an “uncertain…
Dating app company Bumble Inc. has announced plans to cut approximately 30% of its global workforce – roughly 240 jobs – as it grapples with slowing growth and declining investor confidence. In a message to employees, founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd described the decision as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at preparing…
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that artificial intelligence company Anthropic did not violate copyright law by using published books to train its AI models, marking a significant development in the growing legal debate around AI training practices. The lawsuit, filed last year by three authors – including mystery novelist Andrea Bartz – accused Anthropic…
