Study: Global luxury sales to slip in 2025
MILAN (AP) — Global sales of personal luxury goods are “slowing down but not collapsing,” according to a Bain & Co. consultancy study. Personal luxury goods sales that eroded to $419 billion in 2024 are projected to slide by another 2 percent to 5 percent this year, the study said, citing threats of U.S. tariffs [...]
Government to open fly-breeding factory as part of fight against flesh-eating parasite
The U.S. government plans to open what amounts to a fly factory by the end of the year, announcing its intent to breed millions of the insects in Texas near the border with Mexico as part of an effort to keep a flesh-eating parasite from infesting American cattle. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said sterile male [...]
Some restaurants, servers oppose ‘no tax on tips’ budget proposal
Some segments of the U.S. restaurant industry don’t support a budget proposal to eliminate federal taxes on tips, saying it would help too few people and obscure bigger issues in the way tipped workers are paid. The Independent Restaurant Coalition, which represents nearly 100,000 restaurants and bars, has appealed to Congress to reconsider the proposal, [...]
Aflac detects intrusion on U.S. network
Aflac says it has identified suspicious activity on its network in the United States that may impact Social Security numbers and other personal information, calling the incident part of a cybercrime campaign against the insurance industry. The company said that the intrusion was stopped within hours. “We continue to serve our customers as we respond [...]
Measure requires iron made in U.S. to be used in some state infrastructure projects
A bipartisan duo in the Ohio House of Representatives is championing a bill intended to promote the U.S. iron industry. House Bill 284 requires the use of iron produced in the United States in certain state-funded projects, an extension of current law that makes the same requirement for U.S.-produced steel. “This legislation is a win [...]
Trump extends TikTok ban deadline again
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump last week signed an executive order to keep TikTok running in the United States for another 90 days to give his administration more time to broker a deal to bring the social media platform under American ownership. Trump disclosed the executive order on the Truth Social platform. “He’s making [...]
Amazon looks to deliver 10K robotaxis with new factory
HAYWARD, Calif. (AP) — Amazon is gearing up to make as many as 10,000 robotaxis annually at a sprawling plant near Silicon Valley as it prepares to challenge self-driving cab leader Waymo. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also is vying to join the autonomous race. The 220,000-square-foot robotaxi factory announced last week heralds a new phase [...]
U.S. resumes visas for foreign students but demands access to social media accounts
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. State Department said it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for government review. The department said consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile [...]