DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ New pictures of the US Air Force's newest stealth bomber — the B-21 Raider — just dropped as flight testing continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The US Air Force just released more photos of the B-21 Raider, its newest stealth bomber. The long-range aircraft is working through flight testing in California. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe US Air Force on Wednesday published more photos of its newest stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, as the penetrating strike aircraft continues to work through flight testing. The photos, captured in January and April, show the sleek-looking new bomber in the middle of its testing — consisting of ground testing, taxiing, and flight operations — at California's Edwards Air Force Base.

Persons: — Organizations: US Air Force, Pentagon, Service, Edwards Air Force Base, Business Locations: California

☆ California's new 'Honest Pricing Law' will require cruise lines to be transparent about fees
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewA new California law will force cruise lines to be more transparent about their prices, bolstering a Biden administration crusade against junk fees. Senate Bill 478, also known as the "Honest Pricing Law," will go into effect on July 1. AdvertisementA Carnival Corp. representative told the outlet it would follow guidelines set out by the "Honest Pricing Law." Carnival Corp. is the parent company of brands like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America. Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Persons: —, Biden, Bill, general's Organizations: Service, Business, Companies, Royal Caribbean International, Norweigan, The Washington, Corp, Carnival, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Royal, Carnival Corp, Cruise, Federal Trade Commission Locations: California, Royal Caribbean

☆ International Disney parks target U.S. customers with American influencers and bloggers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Kat Tenbarge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

As they were originally conceived, Disney's international parks were meant to "bring the unforgettable Disney magic to an international audience," according to the company. While the international parks themselves have always taken steps to accommodate diverse audiences — providing shows and attractions in multiple languages — Disney appears to be marketing the international parks to American audiences in more direct ways. In addition to the content creator efforts, Disney has begun to include its international parks in its own content consumed by Americans. In the Disney+ show "Behind the Attraction," which premiered in 2021, numerous variations on American rides at international parks were discussed and digested for American audiences. Disney creators around the world grew their followings, and demand for content from international Disney parks rose alongside them.

Persons: Peter Pan, Disney, Quincy Stanford, AllEars, Stanford, Emma Kenner, Kenner, Taylor Swift, Rolling Stone Organizations: Disney, Tokyo Disney, YouTube, Disney Parks, NBC, Tokyo Disneyland, Magic, Tokyo Disney Resort, Stanford, Walt Disney Co, Paris La Défense, Rolling, Swift Locations: China, Japan, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, U.S, California, Florida, Tokyo ., Paris

☆ The $5 McDonald's meal may be making a grand comeback — but only for a month
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's reportedly plans to launch a limited-time $5 meal. AdvertisementMcDonald's is looking to launch a $5 meal in the US in a move to bring back price-sensitive customers. CEO Chris Kempczinski said McDonald's has local value meals around the US, but no standard national offering like competitors do. A meal consisting of the same four items — a McChicken, fries, a drink, and four-piece chicken nuggets — costs $18.26 in downtown New York City. AdvertisementThe new bundle would be priced lower than a Happy Meal, which starts at $6.39 in downtown Manhattan.

Persons: McDonald's, —, Ian Borden, they're, Chris Kempczinski, Gunther Plosch Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Restaurant Business, Customers, downtown, Burger King, Restaurant Brands Locations: New York City, downtown San Francisco, Manhattan

☆ There's a simple solution to make wine more sustainable: sheep
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Now, Whitehall Lane Winery has eight vineyards, including six in Napa Valley and two in Sonoma Valley. "The whole country is dotted with cows and sheep," Moulton said, referring to the 9.6 million cattle and 26 million sheep that live there. Whitehall Lane Winery. Whitehall Lane Winery. Whitehall Lane Winery.

Persons: Jason Moulton, Moulton, They'll Organizations: Service, Sonoma Valley ., American Sheep Industry, Lincoln University Viticulture Locations: Whitehall Lane, Oakville, United States, Napa Valley, Helena, Sonoma Valley, New Zealand, Lincoln, Auckland, Hawke's, It's, Whitehall Lane Winery, Whitehall, Nevada, Moulton

☆ People are going crazy over how this self-checkout pronounces 'organic bananas'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Alexandra Bacon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

TikTok users are reveling in how a Stop & Shop self-checkout pronounces "organic bananas." AdvertisementThe robotic voice of a Stop & Shop self-checkout has the internet cracking up in how it pronounces "organic bananas." The company even commented on the video, saying: "We just feel really passionately about ~organic bananas~." The comments on the organic bananas video spurred the user to post more TikToks of the self-checkout pronouncing different products. "Organic bananas" has, at least, provided some respite from self-checkout security and given social media users a laugh.

Persons: —, Everett, bok choy, They've Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Google is co-funding a guaranteed basic income trial that gives families $12,000 a year to help keep them housed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Google is co-funding a $2.8 million guaranteed income pilot in California's Bay Area. The program will give $12,000 over a year to 225 families to help them secure long-term housing. AdvertisementAlphabet-owned Google is co-funding a pilot program that will give $2.8 million to 450 California families on the verge of homelessness to test whether the cash helps them secure long-term housing. Google.org, the search giant's philanthropic arm, will help provide 225 families with $1,000 a month in guaranteed basic income for 12 months, on a rolling basis over five years. Another 225 families will serve as a control group and receive $50 a month over the same period.

Persons: — Organizations: Google, Service, Business Locations: California's Bay, California

☆ California is considering new limits on self-checkout lanes
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

California's Senate is considering a bill that would change how retailers run self-checkout. The rule would prohibit retailers from offering self-checkout unless several conditions are met. AdvertisementThe California legislature is considering a proposal that would bring significant changes to the self-checkout lanes in the state. Self-checkout lanes would be limited to 10 items or fewer. A single worker may only be assigned to monitor two self-checkout stations, and they must have no other responsibilities during that time.

Persons: —, Bill, Lola Smallwood, Cuevas, Cristine Soto DeBerry Organizations: Service, Bay Area NBC, Prosecutors Alliance of California, Bay Area ABC, ABC7, Walmart, Target, Costco Locations: California's, California

☆ Fast food chains are getting the message about soaring prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

To win penny-pinching customers back, some say they're planning smaller price increases for the rest of the year. Wendy's CFO Gunther Plosch told investors on Thursday that consumers are "still under pressure" — especially those with household incomes under $75,000. Chains raised prices drastically during the pandemic to offset rising labor and food costs, and it's coming back to bite them. For some restaurant chains, comparable sales even fell. McDonald's would "certainly" be "prudent and thoughtful" about any further price increases in the rest of 2024, Borden said.

Persons: —, Gunther Plosch, Ian Borden, Joshua Kobza, Burger, Popeyes, Burger King, Wendy's, William Blair, Sharon Zackfia, Borden, Katie Fogertey Organizations: Service, Starbucks, KFC, US, Bureau of Labor Statistics Locations: Burger, North America

☆ A 62-year-old employed 'peak boomer' in California makes too much for affordable housing but lives in her car: 'I'll work until I drop'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Cheryl Simmons, a parking lot attendant, lives in her car but makes too much for affordable housing. She lives in her car, even though she makes about $42,000 a year. She makes slightly too much for a single-room occupancy unit in affordable housing and exceeds the income limit for food stamps and other government assistance. AdvertisementSimmons is one of the 30 million "peak boomers" entering retirement age in the next few years, but most are not financially prepared to retire. A new report from the Alliance for Lifetime Income's Retirement Income Institute found that 52.5% of peak boomers have below $250,000 in assets.

Persons: Cheryl Simmons, Simmons, —, she'll, she's, ALICE —, ALICE, it's Organizations: Service, Alliance, Lifetime, Assistance, Food Locations: San Diego, Albuquerque, California, Texas

☆ Mark Zuckerberg is now California's richest billionaire after his fortune surged over the last year, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Zuckerberg is California's richest billionaire, with a net worth of $177 billion, per Forbes. AdvertisementMark Zuckerberg is now the richest billionaire in California, with a net worth of $177 billion, a new Forbes report said. The report, which maps out the richest billionaire in each state for 2024, said the Meta CEO overtook Google cofounder Larry Page as the Golden State's richest person. AdvertisementZuckerberg's net worth placed him behind Texas' richest person, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who took the title in Florida. The 54 billionaires researched by Forbes for the report were together worth $1.6 trillion, $100 billion more than in 2023, the outlet said.

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, —, Larry Page, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos Organizations: Forbes, Service, Meta, Golden, Amazon, Business Locations: California, Meta, Texas, Florida, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Tahoe, Kauai, Hawaii

☆ I made $20,000 in 5 months by renting out extra apartments in my Sacramento backyard
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

My wife and I live in a century-old home in Sacramento, but also own 13 investment properties spread throughout Texas and California. In 2004, we bought a $300,000 investment property, a duplex in Midtown Sacramento, which we rent out. AdvertisementLast year, I built two cottages on the duplex's lot and began renting them out as ADUs. After several months of collaboration with the company's design team, we submitted an application to the city of Sacramento. AdvertisementWith Sacramento allowing up to 1,200 square feet per ADU, I chose to build two 600-square-foot cottages on the lot.

Persons: —, George Warren, I've, Warren's ADU, Kevin Craig, ADUs, they're, it's, Warren Organizations: Service, Business, Tiny Homes, YouTube, Sacramento State University Locations: Sacramento, Texas, California, Midtown Sacramento, Warren, it's, ADUs, Warren's, Atlanta

☆ An airline startup with plans to fly A380s between London and New York made its first transatlantic flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Global Airlines completed its first transatlantic flight with an Airbus A380. The startup plans to fly the superjumbo jet between London and New York. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementGlobal Airlines completed its first transatlantic flight with an Airbus A380 on Wednesday. The British startup wants to fly the superjumbo jet between London and New York, with the first commercial flight penciled in for later this year.

Persons: — Organizations: Global Airlines, Airbus, Service, China Southern Airlines, Business Locations: London, New York, British

☆ Here's what to expect from the April jobs report on Friday
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Allison Joyce | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesHiring likely continued at a brisk pace in April as investors look for any cracks in the labor market that could sway the Federal Reserve. If that top-line number is accurate, it actually would reflect a small step back from the average 276,000 jobs a month created so far in 2024. April's jobs market featured more strength in health care and leisure and hospitality, Glaser added. Beating expectationsIndeed, the labor market has been full of surprises this year, topping Wall Street estimates at a time when many economists expected hiring to have slowed down. "The Goldilocks scenario is an unemployment rate rise with a participation rate rise," Matus said.

Persons: Allison Joyce, Nonfarm payrolls, Dow Jones, Amy Glaser, resiliency, Glaser, we've, Drew Matus, Matus, Jerome Powell Organizations: Brunswick Community College, Bloomberg, Getty, Federal Reserve, MetLife Investment Management, of Labor Locations: Bolivia , North Carolina

☆ Income investors can find double-digit yields at a discount with this play
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Enter the closed-end fund, a relative of the traditional, open-end mutual fund. Gundlach highlighted closed-end funds on CNBC's " Closing Bell " Wednesday afternoon, noting that it's "a pretty good environment for moderate risk assets." "For retail investors, closed-end funds have gone back to trading at discounts broadly, and with some leverage involved there, there's double-digit yields available without taking a ton of credit risk," he said. Searching for discounts Drivers of these closed-end fund discounts, particularly those that hold bonds, include sharp spikes in yields. The Abrdn National Municipal Income Fund (VFL) , for instance, is trading at a 15% discount to its net asset value, according to Nuveen's CEF Connect, a database of closed-end funds.

Persons: Jeffrey Gundlach, Gundlach, Eaton Vance Organizations: Income Fund, Income Trust, Fidelity Locations: Eaton Vance California

☆ ISS says unions and pension funds should back Norfolk Southern activist investor
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Norfolk Southern Chief Executive Alan Shaw testifies during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing titled "Improving Rail Safety in Response to the East Palestine Derailment" in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2023. Norfolk Southern -invested unions and pension funds should back activist Ancora's full seven-director slate at the railroad's shareholder meeting later this month, two different Institutional Shareholder Services proxy advisory services said. Neuberger Berman said earlier that it would support Ancora's case for change at Norfolk Southern, while Canadian asset manager EdgePoint also reaffirmed on Thursday that it would be voting its shares with the activist. (EdgePoint was initially partnered with Ancora's campaign at Norfolk Southern but dissolved that arrangement months earlier.) Top institutional shareholders include Vanguard, BlackRock, State Street and Dodge & Cox, as well as California's pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, and Colorado's public pension fund.

Persons: Alan Shaw, Ancora's, Taft, Jim Barber, Glass Lewis, Barber, investor's, Ancora, Neuberger Berman, EdgePoint Organizations: Norfolk Southern, Commerce, Science, Institutional, Hartley Advisory Services, Social Advisory Services, CNBC, UPS, ISS, Norfolk Southern's, Norfolk, Vanguard, Dodge, Cox Locations: East Palestine, Washington , U.S, Norfolk, East Palestine , Ohio, BlackRock

☆ Chain restaurants like Chili's are coming for fast-food giants in the latest bout of the value wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

As fast-food prices increase, customers are finding more value in chain restaurants. Chains like Chili's are rolling out deals and portion sizes that could best fast-food chains. Chili's new Big Smasher burger is the latest offensive move in the value wars. The Big Smasher burger, Chili's newest menu item, was served in the company's test kitchen before its official launch on April 29. And if the sheer size and taste of the Chili's burger are anything to go by, it has a shot at beating fast-food chains in the value wars.

Persons: —, margarita, It's, Applebee's, John Peyton, Cate Gillon, Ian Borden, Scott Rodrick, Chris Kempczinski, Borden, McDonald's, Erin McDowell, We've, we've, Brian Paquette, Paquette, Big, Chili's, Richard Levine, Corbis, Felix Organizations: Service, Dallas, Mac, Business, Dine, Restaurant, UBS Global Consumer, Retail Conference, CNN, CBS News, Getty, Bloomberg Locations: New York, New York City, California, , New York

☆ Here are 5 sectors of the market that are working and the stocks that stand out in each
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell met with the press after the March Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which was pretty fraught. Data centers If there is the whiff of a data center or anything in one, the stock goes higher. It's why Meta stock is a buy a tad lower as stocks tend to revisit those kinds of declines. I worry about Club stock Stanley Black & Decker for this reason, but the dividend will keep it propped up for now. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.

Persons: what's, Jerome Powell, Powell, Powell isn't, Voltaire, Vertiv, Eaton, Meta, It's, jetsam, Darius Adamczyk, Vimal, Stanley Black, Decker, Azek, Morgan Stanley, Wells, Charlie Scharf, Wells Fargo, Chipotle, that's, Johnson, Jensen Huang, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Scott Mlyn Organizations: Federal, Market, Broadcom, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Travel American Express, Raytheon, GE Aerospace, Royal, AAR, Honeywell, Southwest Airlines, Housing, Stanley, JPMorgan, Procter, Gamble, Colgate, Merck, Bristol, Myers, PepsiCo, Energy, Coterra Energy, Diamondback, drillers, CNBC Locations: California, Royal Caribbean, Delta, Devon

☆ See how scientists uncover 50,000-year-old fossils from California's La Brea Tar Pits where saber-tooth cats and mammoths have been found
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Scientists have been extracting huge fossils from the La Brea tar pits since 1913. The tar pits have preserved an entire ecosystem, from mammoths to pollen. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Since 1913, scientists have been pulling bones and other fossils out of the La Brea tar pits. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Los Angeles

A demonstrator holding a sign holds up a fist after students built a protest encampment in support of Palestinians at the University of Southern California's Alumni Park on April 24, in Los Angeles, California. David Swanson/ReutersTensions escalated once police entered the University of Southern California campus, according to Jonathan Park, an editor of the Daily Trojan, the college’s newspaper. “When we saw the LAPD coming in from Vermont Avenue and working with campus officers, encircling on them, it definitely changed the mood,” Park told CNN’s Anna Coren. The Los Angeles Police Department said 93 people were later arrested on suspicion of trespassing during Wednesday's demonstrations at USC. There are also wider calls to cut ties with Israeli academic institutions and to cut funding from entities connected to Israel.

Persons: David Swanson, Jonathan Park, ”, CNN’s Anna Coren, scuffles, “, Nick Watts, Park Organizations: University of Southern California's, Reuters, University of Southern, Daily Trojan, CNN, Los Angeles Police Department, USC Locations: Los Angeles , California, University of Southern California, Vermont, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Palestine

☆ Chipotle says California's minimum wage pushed menu prices up nearly 7%
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The effects of California's $20 minimum wage for fast food workers are starting to show. This translated to a 7% menu price increase at Chipotle locations in California. AdvertisementCalifornia's $20 wage for fast food workers is just a few weeks old, and the effects on workers and customers are beginning to emerge. At Chipotle, the law drove a 20% increase in wages for its restaurant staff in the Golden State, the company said during its earnings call on Wednesday. To offset that cost, menu prices notched up about 6% to 7% for customers in California, CEO Brian Niccol said.

Persons: Chipotle, —, Brian Niccol Organizations: Service, Golden State, Business Locations: California, Chipotle, Golden

☆ California briefly used batteries as its biggest source of power twice in the last week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

California hit a record last week as battery storage became the biggest power provider in the state. AdvertisementBatteries briefly became the biggest source of power in California twice in the past week. In that instance, which broke Tuesday's record, batteries reached a peak output of 6,458 megawatts. By connecting huge, rechargeable batteries to power grids, power utilities can store energy generated during the day by solar panels and wind turbines. California isn't the only state where battery storage is growing quickly.

Persons: — Organizations: Batteries, Service, Business Locations: California, Golden, GridStatus.io, Texas

☆ People are really annoyed about the price of fast food
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Fast food is getting more expensive, and Americans are annoyed about it. Diners told BI they're cutting back on how often they get fast food because of rising prices. AdvertisementBut cheaper fast food may be some way off. Experts say it could have a ripple effect on wages across the fast food industry nationwide, meaning that your favorite spots could become even pricier. The main reason Rodriguez gets fast food is the taste, he said.

Persons: —, Sara Senatore, Dunkin, Warren Colehour, Chad Frye, Artur Widak, Frye, Martin Jennings, it's, Chipotle, James R, Martin, Ben Heyworth, Burger King, He's, Del, Richard McConnell, Ricardo Rodriguez, Rodriguez Organizations: Service, Bank of America, McDonald's USA, Getty, Subway, Consumers, McDonald's Locations: Ukraine, McDonald's, Kentucky, California, Florida, Olive, Burger, Oregon

☆ I was put on a performance improvement plan, so I chose to retire at 58. Sometimes, I wish I wasn't a young retiree.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Jackie Fishman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I was put on a PIP after working at my company for 10 years, so I decided to quit. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAfter working in my position for nine years as a communications specialist for a healthcare association headquartered in Chicago, I was put on a performance improvement plan (PIP) during my 10th annual job review. I went on several interviews, but I felt forced to retireShortly after I left the association, I started working part-time for a vendor I had previously done business with. Those advancements easily become part of your regular work environment, but as a retiree, I'm worried I'll fall behind.

Persons: it's, —, I'm Organizations: Service, Social, AARP Locations: Chicago

☆ MTG nodded to her infamous 'Jewish space laser' theory in an amendment meant to mess up sending aid to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Kieran Corcoran | Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Georgia Republican filed an amendment to a $26.38 billion Israel aid bill that would divert some of that funding toward "the development of space laser technology on the southwest border" of the United States. Related storiesIn the case of the "Jewish space lasers," she connected the wildfire to the Rothschild family of Jewish financiers, a favorite target of antisemitic conspiracy theories. The "Jewish space laser" theory has become a staple piece of mockery for those attacking Greene, and is often brought up by reporters. Greene has voted against Israel aid in the past, and she's long been one of the most outspoken opponents of Ukraine aid. She also introduced seven amendments to the Ukraine aid bill, including provisions that would divert money to US disaster zones or force any members of Congress who support the bill to enlist in the Ukrainian military.

Persons: —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, I've, Greene, I’ve, oDeDqTXvQQ —, Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 ( Organizations: Service, Georgia Republican, Facebook, Business Locations: Israel, United States, America

Search resuls for: "California's"

25 mentions found