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☆ How I built Mike's Hot Honey into a $40 million-a-year business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nicolas Vega | Raffi Paul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow I built Mike's Hot Honey into a $40 million-a-year businessAfter years of creating and perfecting his hot honey recipe at home, Mike Kurtz brought in a bottle to show his boss, Paulie Gee, while serving as his pizza apprentice. Paulie loved it, and the unique topping quickly became a hit. From there, demand grew and what had started as a hobby for Mike, suddenly picked up steam and is now a full-blown company bringing in $40 million a year.

Persons: Mike Kurtz, Paulie Gee, Paulie

☆ Billionaire Taylor Swift breaks vinyl sales record: These are her biggest milestones from 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Taylor Swift can't stop breaking records. The pop superstar's latest release, "1989 (Taylor's Version)", sold 580,000 copies in vinyl during its first week, making it the fastest-selling vinyl record ever since the stat was first tracked in 1991. In fact, the 580,000 vinyl records represented over half of the 1.1 million copies of the re-recorded album sold between October 27 and November 1. But that's not all Swift has accomplished this year. These are all the milestones that the 33-year-old singer has hit in 2023.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Barbra Streisand, Swift, that's Organizations: Billboard Locations: Luminate

☆ Europe urged not to repeat tech underdog role ahead of space talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Tim Hepher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A model of Europe's next-generation space rocket Ariane 6 is pictured at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Lampoldshausen near Heilbronn, Germany, February 26, 2019. France, where manufacturer ArianeGroup is based, wants extra funding to help absorb cost overruns, industry sources said. Sources said last week there had been some progress in unblocking a three-way standoff between Europe's leading launch nations but that ministers still faced sensitive budget talks. Speaking ahead of the Seville meeting, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher declined to comment on the talks but urged Europe not to repeat past mistakes in the technology sector. Europe has carved out a leading role in climate observation, navigation and space science but has not targeted a prime role in human exploration, opting instead for a junior role in projects led by U.S. space agency NASA or until recently Russia.

Persons: Ralph Orlowski, Josef Aschbacher, Aschbacher, we're, Tim Hepher, Robert Birsel Organizations: German Aerospace Center, REUTERS, European Space Agency, ESA, European Union, SpaceX, Ministers, Ariane, Tribune, NASA, U.S . Space Shuttle, Thomson Locations: Lampoldshausen, Heilbronn, Germany, Europe, Spain, Seville, Elon Musk's U.S, Ukraine, France, Italy, United States, Japan, China, U.S, Russia

☆ Read Your Way Through Lima
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Augusto Higa Oshiro | Translated Jennifer Shyue | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

When I was born, in 1946, Lima was home to 640,000 people. Now, as I’m about to turn 77 in the year 2023, Lima is a city of 10 million. In some ways, you could say that I’ve survived alongside the city. For Lima has taken the white veil; and there is a higher horror in this whiteness of her woe. I myself have approached Lima from different points of view: I’ve written stories about young people in the margins, in the working-class neighborhoods of Lima, and also, as the son of Japanese parents who settled in Peru, I’ve set Limeñan nikkeis to fiction.

Persons: Lima, I’ve, Herman Melville, Moby Dick ”, tearless, Francisco Pizarro, la Vega, He’s, Ricardo Palma Organizations: Incas Locations: Lima, tearless Lima, Peru, Spanish, ”, Lisbon, Lima . Palma

☆ Europe's space agency boss sees progress on Ariane 6 launcher
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Tim Hepher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Director-General of the European Space Agency (ESA) Josef Aschbacher smiles as he attends an interview with Reuters during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2023. Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency (ESA), said a more precise 2024 launch period would be defined following a delayed long-duration firing test due on Nov. 23. Aschbacher declined to comment on the state of negotiations ahead of the Seville "Space Summit", which is also due to address climate change and Europe's ambitions in space exploration. This is something that is highly critical for Europe," Aschbacher said. But in Europe's system of horse-trading for space funding, any agreement on exploration is likely to depend on progress on the critical issue of Ariane 6 funding, the people said.

Persons: Josef Aschbacher, Arnd, Aschbacher, Safran, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Tim Hepher, Mark Potter Organizations: European Space Agency, ESA, Reuters, Economic, REUTERS, Rights, Elon, SpaceX, Russian Soyuz, Airbus, NATO, Thomson Locations: Davos, Switzerland, Seville, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Russian, East, Ukraine, Europe, India, China, United States, Russia

☆ From free Wendy's to Krispy Kreme: 7 of the best fast food deals this Halloween
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

You can get a lot more than free candy this Halloween — provided you know where to look. Some of the nation's biggest fast food chains are looking to entice customers during the spooky holiday with giveaways and deals. Whether you're looking to score a free breakfast or want to get a good deal come lunchtime, there's plenty to take advantage of. These are the best fast food deals this Halloween from chains like Krispy Kreme, Chipotle and Wendy's. Krispy Kreme

Persons: giveaways, Krispy

☆ Eggo just launched a $150 robot vacuum cleaner that looks like a toasted waffle
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The 70-year-old waffle brand has teamed up with vacuum maker Bissell to introduce a one-of-a-kind cleaning device: the EggoVac. Put simply, the EggoVac is a Bissell SpinWave R5 cleaner with a breakfast-inspired makeover. The round robot has been designed to look like a toasted Eggo waffle covered in butter and syrup, with the brand's iconic yellow and red iconography lining its edges. The frozen waffle brand turned heads in August with its "Brunch in a Jar" liqueur. The 40 proof drink — a follow-up to last year's similarly boozy Eggo Nog — claimed to have "the delicious flavor of toasty Eggo waffles drizzled in syrup."

Persons: Bissell, franken, Theresa Junkunc, Joe Beauprez, Eggo, Nog —, Warren Buffett

☆ Taylor Swift has reportedly entered her billionaire era with success of Eras Tour
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Taylor Swift has entered her billionaire era. The music Swift has released since 2019 is valued at $400 million, Bloomberg reports, while her income from sales of tickets and merchandise to her massive concert tour is $370 million. Her earnings from streams of her music, real estate portfolio and royalties from music sales are estimated at $310 million. Earlier this summer, Swift's Eras Tour was already poised to become the highest-grossing tour of all time, earning a record-setting $1 billion in sales. A recently released concert film of the Eras Tour quickly became the highest-grossing domestic concert film ever, raking in just short of $100 million during its opening weekend.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Swift Organizations: Super, Bloomberg, CNBC, Global

☆ Halloween candy is getting more expensive—these are the 10 states where prices have gone up the most
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The prices in the candy aisle feel a lot more like a trick than a treat these days. This year Americans are expected to spend $3.6 billion on Halloween candy, up from $3.1 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation. However, while candy prices are going up nationwide, some states are experiencing bigger price hikes than others. Scholarship database Scholaroo analyzed the increase in candy prices since 2020 using data from the candy and chewing gum price index. These are the states where Halloween candy prices have increased the most, and the least, since last year.

Organizations: Reese's, National Retail Federation Locations: Hawaii, Pennsylvania

☆ 'You gotta take the money': Billionaire Jay-Z settles question of whether lunch with him is worth over $500,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Jay-Z has settled a viral social media debate once and for all. In an interview with CBS Mornings, the billionaire rapper gave an answer to the viral question that has bounced around the internet since 2021: Would you rather have $500,000 or lunch with Jay-Z? Any advice he could give can just as easily be found in his music, said Jay-Z, whose net worth was recently estimated to be $2.5 billion. "I wouldn't tell you to cut a bad deal," he said. "Take the $500,000, go buy some albums and listen to the albums.

Persons: Jay, Gayle King Organizations: CBS, Brooklyn - Locations: Brooklyn

☆ Women Rule the Pop Charts. One Record Exec Understands Why Better Than Most.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Neil Shah | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Janick favors taking a gradual approach with artists, focusing on three-year, five-year and 10-year plans. “Signing Billie when she was 14, there was the conversation of, ‘She’s 14 years old. We have to take our time,’ ” Janick says. Billie Eilish, 15, peforming as part of a UMG showcase. Photo: Omar Vega/Invision for UMG/AP

Persons: Billie, ‘, ” Janick, Billie Eilish, peforming, Omar Vega

☆ McDonald's is giving away free fries every Friday for the rest of the year—here’s how to order
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Now, with the fast food giant's latest promotion, you can get a free medium order of its famous fries every Friday through the end of the year — with any purchase. The "Free Fries Friday" offer begins on Oct. 27 and will continue every week until Friday, Dec. 29, giving you 10 chances to take advantage of the deal. To get the free spuds, you'll need to download the McDonald's app and make an account. The free medium fries can also be found under the deals tab. The home of the Big Mac previously gave out free fries in July in honor of National French Fry Day.

Persons: you'll, Big Mac, Fry, McDonald's Organizations: National, CNBC, Global

☆ Pepsi just opened a $50 per person diner experience for its 125th anniversary—Take a look inside
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

After 125 years of making soda, Pepsi has expanded its culinary offerings. This weekend, the soft drink giant unveiled the Pepsi 125 Diner, a limited-time pop up in New York City, where guests will be able to take a trip through the brand's history and enjoy a three-course meal of Pepsi-infused foods. Tickets cost $50 per person and include the three-course meal, unlimited soft drinks as well as live Pepsi-themed trivia during the two-hour engagement. There will be two seatings each day, at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and guests will be able to buy Pepsi cocktails and mocktails for an additional charge. CNBC Make It visited the Pepsi 125 Diner at 477 Broadway in New York City.

Organizations: Pepsi, CNBC Locations: New York City

☆ A rare spaceship-shaped Domino's delivery vehicle is going up for auction—the last one sold for nearly $45,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A rare experimental Domino's delivery vehicle from the 1980s will soon be on the auction block. The vehicle, which has been restored, boasts an "aerodynamic body with a purported 0.15 drag coefficient," according to the listing. The average car, for comparison, usually has a drag coefficient between 0.3 and 0.4. The Tritan once included a warming oven in the back to keep pizzas warm during delivery. The arch on the back of the vehicle acts as a sail, Mecum says, which helps it get up to 80 miles to the gallon.

Persons: It's, it's, Tom Monaghan, Monaghan, Mecum Organizations: NASA, Rotary Locations: Las Vegas

☆ It's not just Netflix: These are all the streamers that raised prices this year, including Max, Hulu and Disney+
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

This time, Netflix announced that it is raising the prices of two of its ad-free plans by several dollars. Subscribers on the recently phased out basic Netflix plan will see their monthly bill go from $9.99 to $11.99, while the premium plan is increasing from $19.99 to $22.99. Netflix's cheaper, ad-supported tier is staying put at its $6.99 monthly rate, while the standard ad-free plan will stay at $15.49 per month. With Netflix's price hikes officially in effect, 2023 has seen all the biggest names in streaming raise their prices. These are the streaming price increases that have been rolled out in 2023.

Organizations: Netflix, CNBC, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max

☆ This is the No. 1 trait Serena Williams, Steven Spielberg and Tiger Woods all share, Arnold Schwarzenegger says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Indeed, Schwarzenegger says that having a vision of what you want is a key first step towards achieving your goals. "It can begin by looking back in time and thinking very broadly about the things you used to love," Schwarzenegger writes. "Your obsessions are a clue to your earliest vision for yourself, if only you had paid attention to them in the beginning." In his own case, Schwarzenegger says his initial vision was simply "of America." Though he didn't yet know how he would do it, he had a clear goal of coming to the United States.

Persons: Arnold Schwarzenegger, He's, Schwarzenegger Organizations: Hollywood Locations: Austria, New York City, United States

☆ Best Buy will stop selling Blu-rays, DVDs in 2024: 'The way we watch movies and TV shows is much different today'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

It's going to get a little bit harder to get your hands on a physical copy of your favorite movie. Best Buy this week confirmed reports that it will soon stop selling DVDs and Blu-ray discs at its more than 900 stores nationwide, as well as on its website. "To state the obvious, the way we watch movies and TV shows is much different today than it was decades ago," a spokesperson for the electronics chain told Variety on Friday. "Making this change gives us more space and opportunity to bring customers new and innovative tech for them to explore, discover and enjoy," they added. A representative for Best Buy did not respond to CNBC Make It's request for comment.

Persons: Variety Organizations: CNBC

☆ Colombia to Spend $4.25 Billion to Buy Land for Poor Farmers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Luis Jaime AcostaBOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's leftist government will spend $4.25 billion to buy some 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) of land for poor farmers or displaced people, as part of a bid to increase agricultural output and boost peace efforts, an official said. The conflict, which has involved rebels groups, the government, paramilitary organizations and crime gangs, originally began as a fight for land rights. Petro had originally said his government would buy 3 million hectares, but the official goal is now half that. Colombia's government also redistributes land confiscated from criminals and rebel groups and is making a push to formalize ownership for farmers who have worked land for generations without formal deeds. Some 1.3 million hectares have already been formalized, Vega said, and all the redistribution efforts should total about 7 million hectares by the end of Petro's term.

Persons: Luis Jaime Acosta BOGOTA, Gustavo Petro, Gerardo Vega, Petro, Vega, Luis Jaime Acosta, Julia Symmes Cobb, Bill Berkrot Organizations: National Land Agency

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — A buyer from Argentina paid $42,120 for a manuscript of works, including seven unpublished stories, by legendary Argentine writer Julio Cortázar at an auction Thursday in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo. 1952” was the basis for the writer’s iconic “Cronopios and Famas” book, published in 1962. In 1952, Cortázar sent a manuscript titled “Stories of Cronopios and Famas” from Paris to Luis María Baudizzone, the head of Argentine Argos publishing. It could easily have been lost.”Vega speculates that Cortázar “lost track of the manuscript” after he sent it to Baudizzone. The heir contacted Lucio Aquilanti, a Buenos Aires antiquarian bookseller, and a prominent Cortázar bibliographer, who confirmed the piece’s authenticity.

Persons: Julio Cortázar, Historias, y, ”, Cronopios, King, Hilario, Cortázar, Luis María Baudizzone, “, cronopios, ” Cortázar, Eduardo Jonquiéres, Jonquiéres, ” Roberto Vega, ” Vega, Cortázar “, Lucio Aquilanti Organizations: Paris, Argentine Argos, famas, Associated Press Locations: MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Argentina, Argentine, Uruguayan, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Paris, Baudizzone, Americas, Europe

☆ 3D-weaving tech that uses body-scan data from shoppers could mean a better fit, fewer returns, and a zero-waste future for fashion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Jake Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

But 3D manufacturing, including printing and weaving, is helping create a zero-waste future. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the late 1990s, the designer Issey Miyake unleashed his game-changing A-POC project, an early attempt at zero-waste fashion. Existing innovations are being fine-tuned daily, and creators are dreaming up ways to turn zero-waste fashion from a utopian dream into a reality. Despite these restrictions, Pasricha's designs were proof that zero-waste 3D printing was possible, especially with small designs such as buttons and jewelry. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe tech isn't there yet to ensure a zero-waste fashion industry, for various reasons.

Persons: —, Issey Miyake, Kevin Martin, Ashley Batz, Unspun, Martin, you'll, Catherine University's, Pasricha, Iris van Herpen, Martin lauds, Vega Organizations: Service, Oakland microfactory, Rhino Locations: California, Lam, — St

☆ Spain's PLD Space launches private reusable rocket in milestone for Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Aislinn Laing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MADRID, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Spanish company PLD Space launched its reusable Miura-1 rocket early on Saturday from a site in southwestern Spain, carrying out Europe's first fully private rocket launch and offering hope for the continent's stalled space ambitions. The Miura-1 rocket, named after a breed of fighting bulls, is as tall as a three-storey building and has a 100-kg (220-pound) cargo capacity. A first attempt to launch the Miura-1 rocket in May was abandoned due to strong high-altitude winds. Competitors lining up to join the race to launch small payloads include companies in Scotland, Sweden and Germany. In July, the last launch of Europe's largest rocket, the premier Ariane 5 space launcher, took place at the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Persons: Miura, Italy's Vega, Vega, Aislinn Laing, David Alire Garcia, Valentine Hilaire, Will Dunham Organizations: Space, Virgin Orbit, Boeing, Competitors, Ariane, European Space Agency, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spanish, Spain, Huelva, Britain, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, Kourou, French Guiana, Europe, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Spain's PLD Space counts down to test rocket launch from Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PLD Space/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Spanish startup PLD Space will attempt a test launch of its reusable Miura-1 rocket early on Saturday, spearheading a new generation of 'microlaunchers' after an aborted attempt in June. The rocket is due to lift off on its suborbital test mission at 2 a.m Spanish time on Saturday (0000 GMT) from Huelva in southwest Spain, marking what its designers say will be Europe's first fully private rocket launch. "The day has arrived," Raul Torres, PLD Space chief executive and co-founder of PLD Space, wrote on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. Europe's efforts to develop capabilities to send small satellites into space are in focus after a failed orbital rocket launch by Virgin Orbit from Britain in January. In July, the last launch of Europe's largest rocket, the premier Ariane 5 space launcher, took place at the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Persons: Raul Torres, Space's Miura, Italy's Vega, Vega, Emma Pinedo, Tim Hepher, Tim Hepther, Aislinn Laing, Edmund Blair Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Spanish, Space, Twitter, Virgin Orbit, Boeing, Ariane, European Space Agency, Thomson Locations: El, Huelva, Spain, Rights MADRID, Britain, Europe, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, Kourou, French Guiana

☆ Pura Luka Vega: drag queen arrested after Jesus performance sparks backlash in the Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Philippines is a deeply Christian country and the Catholic Church maintains significant influence both in daily life and politics. Social media videos of drag queen Pura Luka Vega singing to a rock version of The Lord's Prayer while dressed as Jesus became a topic of debate in the Philippines. Multiple politicians, including senators, also went on Philippine television shows to criticize the drag artist’s performance, calling it blasphemous, disrespectful and offensive. ‘Denied my rights’The drag artist has previously apologized to those who “felt uncomfortable” about their performance. But Secillano stopped short of commenting whether the church viewed Pagente’s arrest as the right thing to do to defend the faith.

Persons: Jesus Christ, Amadeus Fernando Pagente, Pura Luka Vega, “, belting, revellers, Jesus, Christian Manalon, Pagente, Hijos Del, Lord Jesus, Father Jerome Secillano, ”, Secillano, Carlos Conde, Vega, –, ” Conde, Rod Singh, Singh, ” Singh Organizations: CNN, Catholic Church, Pura Luka, Catholic, Del, Black Nazarene, Nazarene, CNN Philippines, Catholic Bishops ’ Conference of, Human Rights Watch, Amazon Prime Locations: Philippines, Manila, Del Nazareno, Mexico, Quezon City, Hijos Del Nazareno, Philippine, Vatican City

☆ Spain's PLD Space Counts Down to Test Rocket Launch From Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish startup PLD Space will attempt a test launch of its reusable Miura-1 rocket early on Saturday, spearheading a new generation of 'microlaunchers' after an aborted attempt in June. "The day has arrived," Raul Torres, PLD Space chief executive and co-founder of PLD Space, wrote on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. Europe's efforts to develop capabilities to send small satellites into space are in focus after a failed orbital rocket launch by Virgin Orbit from Britain in January. PLD Space's Miura-1 rocket, named after a breed of fighting bulls, is as tall as a three-storey building and has a 100-kg (220-pound) cargo capacity. Competitors lining up to join the race to launch small payloads include companies in Scotland, Sweden and Germany.

Persons: Raul Torres, Space's Miura, Italy's Vega, Vega, Emma Pinedo, Tim Hepher, Tim Hepther, Aislinn Laing, Edmund Blair Organizations: Spanish, Space, Twitter, Virgin Orbit, Boeing, Ariane, European Space Agency Locations: MADRID, Huelva, Spain, Britain, Europe, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, Kourou, French Guiana

☆ Virtual try-on tech is tackling a $280 billion problem in fashion retail and offering customers a different way to shop
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Virtual try-on tech is taking the guesswork out of fit and offering more flexibility for customers. Virtual try-on tech comes in a few different forms using AI and AR. Instead of relying on photos of models wearing the clothes, customers can see themselves in the clothes with virtual try-on tools. AdvertisementAdvertisementHow virtual try-on tech worksZyler automates the try-on process using the customer's face and measurements. While virtual try-on technology is readily available, retailers have been slow to adopt AI technology.

Persons: —, Alexander Berend, Natalia Modenova, automates, Berend, they've, Modenova, Daria Shapovalova, Spencer, John Lewis, Alfa, We've, Shapovalova Organizations: Service, Insider Intelligence, Anthropics Technology, Technology, Brands, Alfa Vega, Reuters

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