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☆ Harley-Davidson is dropping diversity initiatives after right-wing anti-DEI campaign
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-19 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Harley-Davidson said Monday that it’s ending diversity and other progressive initiatives at the company. Harley-Davidson is the latest major American brand to backtrack from DEI policies it had supported in recent years. Harley-Davidson faced pressure online from Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist who has successfully taken on DEI policies at several American companies. The company also said it would end its relationship with the Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ+ advocacy group. Harley-Davidson joins Tractor Supply and John Deere to backtrack on policies following pressure campaigns led by Starbuck.

Persons: John Deere, Harley, Davidson, Robby Starbuck, Starbuck, “, Harley Davidson, ” Starbuck, Elon Musk Organizations: New, New York CNN — Tractor, Harley, Wisconsin LBGT Chamber of Commerce, Human Rights, United, CNN, Tractor Supply Locations: New York, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

☆ Travel isn’t dead. It’s just taking a vacation
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-19 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —CEOs of many of the biggest US hotel and travel companies are coming off a bit like doomsayers these days with their warnings about the declining health of consumers and their waning appetite for travel. Gary Hershorn/Getty ImagesMuch of the revenue growth that travel companies reported in recent years resulted from inflation, said David Tinsley, a senior economist at Bank of America Institute. “It was always going to be tough to expect travel spending to be showing the kind of momentum it showed 12 months ago,” he told CNN. “I don’t think the current situation is particularly bleak — it’s reasonable to see more normalization playing out,” he said, referring to travel spending getting back on par with pre-pandemic trends. Still, it’s not hard to see why this mixed picture is prompting travel companies to tread carefully.

Persons: —, ”, Brian Chesky, “ It’s, Ellie Mertz, Chris Nassetta, Airbnb’s Mertz, haven’t, Jan Freitag, ” Freitag, Walt Disney, Gary Hershorn, David Tinsley, Tinsley, “, Steve Hafner, it’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Conference, Bank of America Institute, CNN Locations: New York, ”

☆ Investor Carl Icahn charged with hiding billions in loans
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-19 | by ( Lucy Bayly | Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Billionaire investor Carl Icahn and his firm Icahn Enterprises have settled charges for failing to disclose pledges of the company’s securities as collateral for billions of dollars in personal loans, US regulators said Monday. The investigation came after a report from short-seller Hindenburg Research sent shares in Icahn’s investment firm spiraling last year. Hindenburg wrote that “Icahn has been using money taken in from new investors to pay out dividends to old investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission said Icahn, who partially inspired Wall Street villain Gordon Gekko in the 1987 film “Wall Street,” pledged up to 82% of shares in his companies to secure billions of dollars of margin loans — but failed to disclose those details. “Hindenburg’s modus operandi, which is to publish scurrilous and unsupported allegations, did damage to IEP and its investors,” Icahn said Monday.

Persons: Carl Icahn, Hindenburg, “ Icahn, ”, Icahn, Gordon Gekko, Osman Nawaz, ” Icahn, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Icahn Enterprises, Hindenburg Research, Forbes, The Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Division’s, Unit Locations: New York, Beach , Florida

☆ BurgerFi is in big trouble and may go out of business
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-19 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —BurgerFi, the fast-casual burger chain and owner of Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, is running out of cash – and options. Because of the lack of cash, BurgerFi is uncertain if it can continue to operate its 60 pizza stores and 102 burger restaurants. Food prices have also hurt BurgerFi – the company cited a price increase in chicken wings and higher wages for its increase in operating expenses. BurgerFi first rang the alarm in May, when it announced it was going over “strategic alternatives” due to its liquidity challenges. BurgerFi (BFI) went public in 2020, and its stock has dropped almost 60% year to date.

Persons: New York CNN — BurgerFi, Burger, wouldn’t, BurgerFi, it’s, There’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Anthony’s, SEC, CNN Locations: New York

☆ Starbucks is struggling. So it hired fast food’s Mr. Fix-It
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesSo, starting next month, fast food’s fix-it man will work to turn around Starbucks as its new CEO, the company announced on Tuesday. Starbucks’ sales have fallen for two straight quarters. Mobile app and drive-thru orders make up more than 70% of Starbucks’ sales at its approximately 9,500 company-operated stores in the United States. Restaurant analysts say that Starbucks, which has historically done less television advertising than rivals, will use marketing to try to improve customers’ perceptions of Starbucks’ brand and prices. Niccol succeeded adding new menu items to Chipotle, and he will “enable Starbucks to better succeed with menu innovation,” says Charles.

Persons: Chipotle, Brian Niccol, Niccol, carne asada, pollo, Brandon Bell, ” RJ Hottovy, they’re, Bebeto Matthews, ”, Tom Cook, Casey, Mark Lennihan, Cowen, Andrew Charles, Charles Organizations: New, New York CNN, Taco Bell, Starbucks, Investors, CNN Locations: New York, Taco, Chipotle, Mobile, United States

☆ Disney wants wrongful death suit thrown out because widower bought an Epcot ticket and had Disney+
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —A man suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for the wrongful death of his wife is facing a new legal hurdle: Disney is trying to get it dismissed and sent to arbitration — because he signed up for Disney+ years earlier. Company lawyers also claim that because Piccolo used the Walt Disney Parks’ website to buy Epcot Center tickets, Disney is shielded from a lawsuit from the estate of Piccolo’s deceased wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan, who died of a reaction to severe food allergies. In October 2023, Kanokporn Tangsuan, her husband Jeffrey Piccolo and Piccolo’s mother dined at Raglan Road Irish Pub in Disney Springs, which is part of the Walt Disney World resort in Florida. Signing up for Disney+ should shield the company from court trials, Disney said. Gabby Jones/Bloomberg/Getty Images/FileThe waiter guaranteed the couple that certain foods could be made allergen-free, which the two confirmed “several more times,” according to the lawsuit.

Persons: Jeffrey Piccolo, Piccolo, Piccolo’s, Kanokporn Tangsuan, Brian Denney, ”, ” Denney, Disney didn’t, Gabby Jones, Tangsuan, “, –, Maruf, Maria Sole Campinoti Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney, Company, Walt Disney Parks, Epcot, ” Walt Disney Parks, Walt Disney, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: New York, Disney Springs, Florida

☆ The change that Realtors’ powerful trade group resisted for decades is finally happening
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Much of that is by design, reinforced by the National Association of Realtors, a mega trade group with monopoly-like control over US real estate. Sellers, who historically have paid both the listing agent and the buyer’s Realtor, will be on the hook for their agent’s fee. While NAR has long stated that the 5% to 6% fee was always negotiable, in practice, that’s just not happening. One recent national study found that “buyer agents do in fact steer clients away from properties that offer low buyer agent commissions,” and that those properties take longer to sell, if they sell at all. The changes to the commission model upend decades of legal and political wrangling to maintain Realtors power in American real estate.

Persons: Sellers, ”, Stephen Brobeck, that’s, That’s, ” Brobeck, Kenny Parcell, Parcell, “ They’ve, they’ve, Brobeck, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Association of Realtors, Consumer Federation of America, NAR, Realtors, MLS, of Justice, CNN, New York Times Locations: New York, Washington

☆ Home Depot issues a warning about the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Home Depot says consumers are feeling crummy about the economy, and they’re dishing out less to remodel their homes. The home improvement giant, a bellwether of consumer spending and the housing market, lowered its sales expectations for the year. It said customers were spending less on home improvement projects, pressured by higher interest rates and concerns that the economy is getting worse. Home Depot said Tuesday it expects sales at stores open at least 12 months to fall between 3% and 4% this year compared to last year. Still, Decker remained optimistic, saying “The underlying long-term fundamentals supporting home improvement demand are strong.”Home Depot’s (HD) stock fell nearly 5% in premarket trading.

Persons: they’re, Ted Decker, That’s, Decker Organizations: New, New York CNN, Depot Locations: New York

☆ Big Lots is closing hundreds of stores after warning it could go out of business
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Big Lots is closing more than 300 locations across the United States, or roughly 4% of its stores, following an earlier warning that its future was in “substantial doubt” amid ongoing financial troubles. In a recent regulatory filing, Big Lots said it would increase the number of closures to 315 stores, part of an updated loan agreement to secure its finances. A specific list wasn’t revealed, but Big Lots is listing closing sales at hundreds of its 1,389 stores on its website. Bob’s Stores and 99 Cents Only Stores also went out of business earlier this year. Shares of Big Lots (BIG) are down nearly 90% for the year.

Persons: Lots, Bruce Thorn, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN Locations: New York, United States, ”

☆ How Elon Musk has turned X into a pro-Trump machine
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But now Musk, who is not only the owner but also the most followed user on X, has shifted to more direct campaigning for former President Donald Trump. Musk announced his official endorsement for Trump in a post last month that received 2.3 million likes. Weeks after it was posted, the video is not labeled with a “community note,” X’s community fact-checking feature that Musk used as justification for slashing the company’s trust and safety team. In a letter, the secretaries urged Musk to “immediately implement changes” on the X platform. But on Monday night, Musk offered to take a role in the potential future Trump’s administration helping to rein in government spending.

Persons: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Musk, He’s, Hunter, Trump, YOU, Trump’s, “, Elon, ” Trump, Kamala Harris, doesn’t, ” Wendy Weiser, Brennan, Harris, ”, ” Weiser, Kamala, …, White supremacists, X, Musk’s, chatbot, Harris ’, ” Lara Cohen, informercial, he’s, ” Musk, “ I’d Organizations: New, New York CNN, Elon, Twitter, Biden, White, Trump, CNN, Fake News, Fake News Media, Center, “, Brennan Center for Justice, NYU Law School, Democratic, Street Locations: New York, United Kingdom

☆ Boeing scores rare sales win over Airbus, despite ongoing safety issues
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The embattled aircraft maker reported it took in gross orders for 72 new planes in July, compared to the 59 reported by Airbus. And many were tied to the Farnborough Air Show in July, which is the site of many commercial jet sales. The July orders brought full-year gross orders to only 228 commercial jets. Subtracting canceled orders, Boeing had only 186 net orders in the first seven months of the year. Airbus has delivered 400 jets through the first seven months of this year.

Persons: doesn’t Organizations: New, New York CNN, Boeing, Airbus, Farnborough Air, Alaska Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration Locations: New York

☆ Starbucks’ CEO is out. Chipotle’s Brian Niccol is taking over
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan is stepping down immediately after just a year in the role, the company announced Tuesday. The struggling coffee chain has tapped Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol to be its new chairman and CEO, effective September 9. Starbucks’ stock soared more than 13% in premarket trading, while Chipotle’s dipped 8%. Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol is leaving the chain for Starbucks. From ChipotleStarbucks’ struggles reflect consumer fatigue with high prices at food chains, restaurants and stores after years of price hikes.

Persons: Laxman Narasimhan, Brian Niccol, Niccol, “ Brian, ”, Mellody Hobson, ” Narasimhan, Laxman, ” Hobson, Neil Saunders, ” Saunders, Saunders, Narasimhan’s, Howard Schultz, ” Schultz Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks, Elliott Investment Management, GlobalData, Wall Street Locations: New York, Mexican, North America

☆ Paris Olympics ratings soar 82% over Tokyo Games, delivering big boost to NBC’s Peacock streamer
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris drew a combined average of 30.6 million viewers across NBCU’s constellation of platforms, marking an 82% jump in viewership compared to the Tokyo Games and making the Games the most-streamed Olympics of all time. The network’s Spanish-language broadcast on Telemundo also saw a 26% jump over the same period during the Tokyo Games three years ago. “The Olympics reestablished its unique power to reassemble the American media audience,” said Gary Zenkel, the NBC Olympics president. “NBC Nightly News” anchored by Lester Holt averaged 7.6 million viewers during the two-week period, and the “Today” show averaged 3.1 million viewers, the network said. Last month, Comcast reported the streamer had lost 500,000 subscribers in the second quarter, falling to 33 million total, well below Netflix’s 277 million subscribers and Disney’s 153.6 million.

Persons: ”, Peacock, Gary Zenkel, “, NBCU, Al Michael’s, NBCUniversal, Mark Lazarus, Lester Holt Organizations: New, New York CNN, Comcast, Tokyo Games, Telemundo, Olympics, NBC, America, USA, US, France, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paris Games, Tokyo, Games, Warner Bros, NBA, Paris Olympics, NBCUniversal Media, “ Parks, Studios Locations: New York, Paris, “ Paris

☆ Texas sues General Motors, alleging illegal selling of driver data
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued General Motors Tuesday, alleging the carmaker illegally collected and sold drivers’ data to insurance companies without their consent or knowledge, according to a release from the AG’s office. The suit said those two companies then sold these scores to insurance companies. Insurance companies can use data to see how many times people exceeded a speed limit or obeyed other traffic laws. But the attorney general’s office claimed GM “deceived” its Texan customers by encouraging them to enroll in programs such as OnStar Smart Driver. But by agreeing to join these programs, customers also unknowingly agreed to the collection and sale of their data, the attorney general’s office said.

Persons: Ken Paxton, “, ”, Smart, General Motors Organizations: New, New York CNN, Texas, Motors, General Motors, Insurance, General, CNN Locations: New York, Detroit

☆ Trump Media’s revenue remains very tiny as it launches Truth+ streaming
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Even though Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) is valued at $5 billion, the Truth Social owner revealed Friday evening it made just $837,000 in revenue last quarter. But Trump Media is hoping to turn things around by building a streaming business catering to conservatives. Trump Media wants ‘neglected’ contentLast week, Trump Media launched Truth+, a TV streaming platform available on Android, iOS and the Web versions of Truth Social. Trump Media said it will have the right to secure the source code in the future for the streaming technology. Trump not only serves as the chairman of Trump Media, he is the dominant shareholder, with 114.75 million shares.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, Kamala Harris, ‘, “, ”, Devin Nunes, ” Nunes Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trump Media & Technology, Trump Media, Trump, White House, Fox News, ” Trump Media, Big Tech, Amazon, Netflix, Republican, ” Trump Locations: New York, Silicon Valley

☆ Blink Fitness files for bankruptcy and may close some gyms
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Blink Fitness, the low-price gym chain with monthly memberships ranging from $15 to $45, filed for bankruptcy Monday and said it may close an unspecified number of its 101 clubs. Several major chains, including 24 Hour Fitness and Gold’s Gym, filed for bankruptcy. Blink’s bankruptcy shows the lingering impact of the pandemic on the fitness industry. “It’s a sign that this is an industry still going through growing pains post-Covid,” Rick Caro, the president of fitness industry consulting firm Management Vision, told CNN. The fitness industry faces other challenges, such as consumers cutting back on discretionary spending and the rise of GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.

Persons: Blink, ” Rick Caro Organizations: New, New York CNN, Health & Fitness Association, Management Vision, CNN Locations: New York, New York , New Jersey , California, Texas

☆ New York Times editorial board will no longer endorse candidates in New York races
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —The New York Times is getting out of New York endorsements. The newspaper’s editorial board on Monday announced that it will no longer endorse political candidates in New York state and local races. “While elections everywhere remain critical to the lives and experiences of our audience, the editorial board is ceasing the endorsement process for New York elections,” Kathleen Kingsbury, The Times’ Opinion head who oversees the editorial board, said in a statement. Notably, however, the board can continue making endorsements in presidential races, including in the upcoming November election, and it can still endorse political candidates in races outside of the state. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, known for its conservative bend, has not endorsed candidates since 1928.

Persons: ” Kathleen Kingsbury, ”, Kingsbury, ” Kingsbury Organizations: New, New York CNN, The New York Times, The, Times, The Times, McClatchy, The Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, Alden Global Capital, Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, Boston Herald, Orlando Sentinel Locations: New York, New York City, New

☆ Chuck E. Cheese targets inflation-weary families with a bargain subscription program
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Chuck E. Cheese has a new subscription program that’s half the price of a Netflix plan, but one the animatronic rat likely hopes double the fun. Chuck E. Cheese hopes the new program attracts inflation-weary customers who have cut back on discretionary spending to save money and seek a better deal. Chang’s providing various versions of their own helping the businesses lock in loyalty and deliver a consistent stream of income. So, Chuck E. Cheese may find it difficult to persuade all but the most ardent of loyalists to fork out for this,” he told CNN. In 2020, Chuck E. Cheese filed for bankruptcy at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic that forced business to temporarily shutter.

Persons: Chuck E, ” Mark Kupferman, ”, Cheese, Taco, Neil Saunders Organizations: New, New York CNN, Netflix, Taco Bell, GlobalData, CNN Locations: New York, Canada

☆ The era of freeloading is officially over
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But thanks to the fine-tuning of the tech that Corporate America uses to police subscriptions, those freeloading days are over. Costco and Disney this month took a page from the Netflix playbook and announced they are cracking down on account sharers. Disney’s streaming business — Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ — only became profitable in the second quarter this year. Like Netflix, Costco is betting that you’re already emotionally invested in the routine and the satisfaction of getting a closet’s worth of toilet paper that can last the whole year. Last year, the store reported $4.6 billion in revenue from membership fees, and that accounts for the majority of its profit.

Persons: CNN Business ’, they’d, It’s Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, Thought Police, Costco, Netflix, America, Disney, Wall Street, Amazon, Apple, HBO, YouTube, Hulu, ESPN, Costco there’s Locations: New York

☆ Extreme weather is here to stay. How to financially prepare yourself for a disaster
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —No part of the United States is spared the risk of extreme weather events, which have been hitting harder in recent years. From wildfires and tornadoes to hurricanes and flooding to prolonged heat waves, the potential damage from extreme weather to people, animals and property is high. Make sure you have adequate insurance coverageHaving sufficient insurance is key to preserving your finances and sanity after a disaster. Keep a physical copy of your insurance coverage and the title and deed to your home in a waterproof or fireproof bag or other container. You might also add to your list a FEMA helpline number so you can register for assistance after a disaster: 800-621-3362.

Persons: ”, Loretta Worters, Josh Edelson, ” Worters, Keith Turi, Worters, Turi Organizations: New, New York CNN, Insurance, Institute, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA Locations: New York, United States, Oroville , California, AFP

☆ Inflation comes for your oysters
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Erika Tulfo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Wholesale oyster prices soared to triple digit highs in 2022 and only began coming down late last year. The sheer lack of wild-caught oysters is the biggest supply issue underlying market fluctuations, and industry experts say the problem can be traced back more than 10 years. Branch estimates that up to 60% of the current oyster supply comes from farms — a near-complete turnaround from 20 years ago, when 70% of oysters were wild-caught. Qiu echoed Branch’s assessment, adding that the remaining wild oyster reefs are only a small fraction of their historic numbers. “Climate change is making growth really difficult to be consistent … there’s just a whole lot of things that can go wrong with farming oysters,” Qiu said.

Persons: that’s, ”, Julie Qiu, Wells Fargo, “ We’ve, David Branch, Qiu, ” Qiu, Gen Z, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, US Federal Reserve, Food Institute, Branch Locations: New York, Wells Fargo, New York City, Wells, Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, —

☆ Retailers are tricking consumers into spending more with earlier-than-ever Halloween rollout
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But all the excitement to get a jump start on Halloween comes as consumers are showing more signs of financial stress. Tricking consumers into treating themselves more“It’s clear that consumers have been interested in buying Halloween products earlier and earlier,” said Champine. Michaels said it started selling Halloween goods in June, the earliest the retailer has ever done so. The initial launch of Halloween goods at Michaels “has been consistently beating our internal expectations,” he added. By selling Halloween goods earlier, they’re likely hoping it’ll decrease the likelihood of having to discount, she added.

Persons: can’t, ”, Laura Champine, they’re, Joe Feldman, Michaels, ” John Gehre, Michaels “, ” Kelsey Robinson, Lance Allen, “, ” Allen, David Zalubowski, they’ve, they’ll, Champine, ” Lowe’s, Feldman Organizations: New, New York CNN, Disney, Walt Disney, Loop, Telsey Advisory, CNN, Costco, Consumer, McKinsey, Labor, Depot Locations: New York, Los Angeles, Sheridan , Colorado, Lowe’s

☆ America’s latest deliciously horrifying stadium food: cotton candy burrito
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals unveiled a cotton candy burrito at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, for the 2024 season. Think of it like a normal burrito, but instead of a tortilla, someone is wrapping sugary insides in sheets of cotton candy. Companies will often promote unique or wacky food items to bring attention to the brand ahead of important events or seasons. Stadium concessions at NFL games are known to have had strange food items in the past, from dessert nachos to 7-pound burgers. The cotton candy burrito, along with other new menu additions such as a jalapeno cheddar dog-a-dilla, will only be available at the club level at the 64,000-seat stadium.

Persons: Mark Dalton Organizations: New, New York CNN, NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, M’s minis, NFL, Cardinals, State, Twitter, Companies, Culinary Locations: New York, Arizona, Glendale , Arizona

☆ Google and X lag peers in addressing non-consensual explicit images, lawmakers say
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Google, X and Discord are among a group of tech giants that could be doing more to address the rising threat of non-consensual explicit images online, according to a letter that a group of senators sent to the companies Friday. The letter criticizes nearly a dozen tech firms for their lack of participation in two programs that make it easier for people to request the removal of non-consensual explicit images and videos from the internet. The letter was spearheaded by Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Sen. Rick Scott, and co-signed by ten other senators. Most of the companies named in the letter have policies against the creation or sharing of non-consensual, explicit images, and in some cases offer their own ways for users to report or request the removal of such content. The fight to address non-consensual explicit images and deepfakes has received rare bipartisan support.

Persons: popstar Taylor Swift, OpenAI, Democratic Sen, Jeanne Shaheen, Republican Sen, Rick Scott, deepfakes, Ted Cruz, —, Amy Klobuchar Organizations: New, New York CNN, Google, CNN, Microsoft, National Center for, Democratic, Republican, Capitol Locations: New York

☆ Customers didn’t stop spending. Companies stopped serving
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

It’s called a sector rotation, and it happens all the time as part of the natural course of a business cycle. The US economy is still pretty strong, growing at an annualized rate close to 3% in the most recent quarter. But it’s not as if Americans have stopped going to restaurants — they’re just being a bit more discerning when they do. Instead, they’re going to Texas Roadhouse, where they can sit down and have some service with their meal. Or they’re swinging through Chipotle, which saw sales shoot up 11% last quarter at stores open at least a year.

Persons: CNN Business ’, they’ve, that’s, it’s, they’re, ”, Mark Hoplamazian, Marriott’s, Disney, Hugh Johnston, — they’ve, Pete Werner, wouldn’t Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, Wall, Texas, Disney, CNN, Bloomberg Locations: New York, —, Texas

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