Starbucks has reversed its 2018 policy of allowing non-customers to use its bathrooms, stating that from January 27, only customers who make a purchase will have access to its restrooms, cafes, and patios in North America. This change is part of a new code of conduct aimed at creating a welcoming environment, while addressing safety concerns. The company is also working to simplify its menu … Continue reading Starbucks says people using its coffee shops must buy something

Wholesale prices in December rose less than expected, with the producer price index (PPI) increasing by just 0.2%, below the 0.4% forecast. Excluding food and energy, the core PPI remained flat, suggesting that inflation pressures eased. On an annual basis, the PPI rose 3.3%, up from 1.1% in 2023. The report indicates a slowdown in inflation, but likely not enough to prompt an immediate Federal … Continue reading Inflation watch: Wholesale prices rose 0.2% in December, less than expected

Apple’s board of directors recommended investors vote against a shareholder proposal to abolish the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The proposal, submitted by the National Center for Public Policy, argued that DEI programs posed risks to companies, citing recent Supreme Court decisions. Apple responded by emphasizing its strong compliance program and stated the proposal was an unnecessary attempt to micromanage its strategy, CNBC … Continue reading Apple’s board recommends shareholders vote against proposal to eliminate diversity programs

Walmart recently recalled over 12,000 cartons of Great Value chicken broth due to concerns that compromised packaging could affect the product’s sterility, potentially leading to spoilage. The recall, affecting 242 stores across nine states, was initiated on December 11 and announced on January 8. The affected cartons, with a “best used by” date of March 25, 2026, were sold in 48-ounce containers. Walmart has removed … Continue reading Walmart recalls over 12,000 cartons of chicken broth in 9 states

Macy’s has confirmed the closure of 66 stores as part of its “Bold New Chapter” strategy, which aims to drive sustainable growth. The company plans to close about 150 underperforming locations over three years, while focusing on 350 “go-forward” stores. CEO Tony Spring explained that these closures are necessary to prioritize resources for stores showing positive customer response. Since the strategy’s launch, pilot store investments … Continue reading Macy’s confirms closure of 66 stores under revitalisation plan

Kohl’s is closing 27 underperforming stores by April 2025, including one in Dallas at 18224 Preston Road, marking the only Texas closure. California will see the most closures, with 10 stores. CEO Tom Kingsbury emphasized that these decisions are part of their long-term growth strategy. Affected employees have been offered severance packages or the chance to apply for other roles. The closures coincide with Kingsbury’s … Continue reading Kohl’s closing more than 20 stores nationwide

The U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs in December, surpassing expectations, while the unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%. Private sector payrolls rose by 223,000, with significant job gains in healthcare (46,100), retail (43,400), and leisure and hospitality (43,000). However, manufacturing saw a surprising loss of 13,000 jobs. Wage growth was steady, with average earnings increasing 0.3% monthly and 3.9% annually. The labor force participation rate remained … Continue reading US economy added 256K jobs in December, well above expectations

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is stepping back from the idea of a city-run grocery store but is open to considering New York-style congestion pricing for Downtown. Looking ahead to 2025, Johnson aims to expand youth hiring programs, build more affordable housing, and enhance public health resources, including mental health crisis response teams. However, advancing his agenda may prove challenging with a divided City Council, which … Continue reading Chicago ‘Should Explore’ Congestion Tax To Reduce Traffic, Mayor Says

Delta Air Lines and Uber have announced a multi-year partnership launching this spring, allowing Delta SkyMiles members to earn miles on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. Uber customers will gain perks like improved pickup and drop-off services at Delta hubs and the ability to use SkyMiles for flights, hotel bookings, and shopping. Riders can earn one mile per dollar on UberX airport rides, two … Continue reading Delta Air Lines, Uber announce major partnership

Getty Images will merge with Shutterstock in a $3.7 billion deal aimed at strengthening their position in the AI-driven stock image market. Shutterstock shareholders can choose cash, stock, or a combination as part of the agreement. The combined company, led by Getty CEO Craig Peters, will be named Getty Images Holdings and trade under the ticker “GETY.” The merger aims to enhance content offerings, expand … Continue reading Getty Images to buy Shutterstock as part of $3.7 billion deal

Michael Barr, the Federal Reserve’s top banking regulator, will resign as vice chair for supervision effective February 28, allowing President-elect Donald Trump to appoint a replacement. Barr, who will remain a Fed governor until 2026, said his decision was made to avoid distractions from the Fed’s mission. His resignation comes amid speculation that Trump may seek a more bank-friendly replacement. Bank stocks rose following the … Continue reading Michael Barr to step down as the Fed’s head of banking supervision to avoid clash with Trump

McDonald’s is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts following the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action and growing conservative backlash. The company announced it will drop specific diversity goals, including supplier DEI commitments, and cease participation in external diversity surveys. McDonald’s will also rename its diversity team to the Global Inclusion Team, reflecting a shift in focus. Despite these changes, McDonald’s emphasized … Continue reading McDonald’s is ending some of its DEI practices

President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law on Sunday, expanding benefits for over 2.5 million retired Americans, including firefighters, police officers, and teachers. The law eliminates policies that previously reduced benefits for workers with public pensions and their families. Beneficiaries will see an average monthly increase of $360, along with a lump sum for the 2024 shortfall. This is the first time … Continue reading Social Security Fairness Act signed into law by Biden, enhancing retirement benefits for millions

Costco has issued a recall for its Kirkland Signature Severe Cold & Flu Plus Congestion medicine due to potential contamination with foreign material. The affected product, identified by item number #1729556 and lot code P140082, was sold at select Costco locations in the Midwest and Southeast between October 30 and November 30, 2024. The recall was initiated by LNK International, which explained that the specific … Continue reading Costco cold remedy recalled due to possible ‘contamination’

Sushi restaurateurs in Tokyo paid 207 million yen ($1.3 million) for a 276kg (608lb) bluefin tuna at the annual New Year auction at Toyosu Fish Market. The sale, the second-highest ever, was made by Onodera Group, which plans to serve the tuna at its Michelin-starred Ginza Onodera and Nadaman restaurants across Japan. The tuna, caught off Aomori, is intended to bring good fortune in the … Continue reading Giant tuna fish sold to Tokyo sushi restaurateurs for $1.3m

New York City’s first-ever Congestion Relief Zone officially launched on Sunday, introducing congestion charges for motorists entering Manhattan’s busiest neighborhoods. The new toll system, aimed at reducing traffic and funding public transportation, charges up to $9 for most cars entering the central business district during peak hours. Small trucks and buses face higher fees, with larger vehicles paying up to $21.60. Exemptions include emergency vehicles, … Continue reading New York becomes the first U.S. city with a congestion charge despite opposition

U.S. Treasury yields rose on Friday as investors assessed the economic outlook for the new year. The 10-year Treasury yield increased to 4.6%, while the 2-year yield rose to 4.281%, though both were down for the week. Economic data showed mixed signals, with December’s ISM manufacturing PMI slightly above expectations but still below expansion levels. Meanwhile, jobless claims decreased more than expected, indicating a cooling … Continue reading Treasury yields rise as investors weigh economic outlook for 2025

The Department of Transportation (DOT) fined JetBlue Airways $2 million for chronically delayed flights, marking the first penalty of its kind. From June 2022 to November 2023, JetBlue’s flights on four routes were delayed at least 145 times. The airline was responsible for over 70% of these disruptions. DOT officials stated that JetBlue failed to adjust flight schedules to avoid unrealistic timings, with delays over … Continue reading JetBlue fined $2 million by DOT for ‘chronically delayed flights’

President Joe Biden blocked the $14.9 billion takeover of US Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns and the importance of maintaining a strong, domestically owned steel industry. The decision follows opposition from the United Steelworkers union and political pressures ahead of the 2024 election. Both companies criticized the move, claiming it was politically motivated and could deter foreign investment in the US. … Continue reading Biden blocks Japan’s Nippon Steel from buying US Steel

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of using Siri to eavesdrop on users’ conversations without their consent. The lawsuit, which dates back five years, alleges that Apple secretly activated Siri on iPhones and other devices, recording conversations even when users didn’t trigger it with the phrase “Hey, Siri.” Some recordings were allegedly shared with advertisers. Apple denies wrongdoing, … Continue reading Apple to pay $95 million to settle claims it used Siri to eavesdrop on customers

Cryptocurrencies gained at the start of 2025, with bitcoin rising 3% to $97,234.80, marking a nearly 4% gain for the year. The CoinDesk 20 index, which tracks the broader crypto market, also advanced more than 3%. Solana’s token led the gains with a 7% increase, while crypto stocks Coinbase and MicroStrategy each climbed 3.5%. Optimism surrounds the crypto industry’s outlook, with expectations of a favorable … Continue reading Cryptocurrencies jump to start 2025

Walmart is recalling 12-ounce bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets sold in 20 U.S. states after a sample tested positive for listeria. The recall affects bags sourced from Braga Fresh in Soledad, California, sold in over 1,000 stores across states like California, Texas, and Michigan. The affected product has a UPC code of 6 81131 32884 5 and a lot code of BFFG327A6. Although no illnesses … Continue reading Broccoli sold by Walmart in 20 U.S. states recalled over listeria risk

Citigroup announced on Tuesday that it is exiting the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), a group of global banks committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It follows the exits of Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs earlier this month. Financial firms have scaled back net-zero efforts to avoid alienating Republican policymakers who oppose restricting fossil fuel financing, Reuters has reported. Citigroup stated it has made progress on … Continue reading Citigroup joins US lenders in exiting Net-Zero Banking Alliance

In early 2025, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will be issued earlier than usual due to holidays. Instead of being made on the first of the month, payments will be sent on the last day of the previous month. For January, payments will be made on December 31. The SSA clarified that this does not mean duplicate payments. If payments are not received as expected, … Continue reading Social Security Payments Are Going Out Early for First Three Months of 2025

Starting in 2025, minimum-wage workers in 21 states will see pay increases, benefiting an estimated 9.2 million workers with a total wage boost of $5.7 billion. States like California, raising its minimum wage from $16 to $16.50, are adjusting for inflation, while other areas increase wages through legislation or voter-approved measures. Despite these changes, the federal minimum wage remains at $7.25, unchanged for 15 years, … Continue reading 21 states are getting minimum wage bumps in 2025